Harry Walker

Harry was the only son of Samuel and Eliza Walker (née Bowles). Samuel and Eliza were married at Radford St Peter on 1 August 1881 and had three children of whom only Harry survived infancy: Lily b. 1882 d. 1882, Florence b. 1886 bap. 27 July 1886 Radford Christ Church death registered 1888 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Harry b. 10 June 1888 bap. 13 February 1889 Radford Christ Church. Samuel and Eliza were living at 2 Wheatsheaf Yard, Montford Street, Radford when Florence was baptised in 1886, at 3 Wheatsheaf Yard at the time of Harry's baptism in 1889 and they were still living in the Yard in 1891 when their only surviving child Harry was two years old. By 1901 the family was living at 38 Gladstone Street, Nottingham: Samuel (37) a lace maker, Eliza (38) a lace mender and Harry (12). Samuel and Eliza were living at 18 Thurman Street, Nottingham, in 1911. Harry had married Alice Haywood in 1910 and in 1911 they were living at 45 Bridlington Street, Nottingham. Harry was employed as a cabinet maker. They had a son, William Stanley, who was born in Nottingham on 22 January the following year (1912 J/F/M Nottingham). Canadian records have not been sighted but Harry attested in Canada. Harry died at 9 Brown Street, Hyson Green, on 19 January 1919 shortly before he was demobilized from the Canadian Army. His son William married Audrey Carnell in 1936 (reg. Nottingham). In 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled, Wiliam, a timber traveller, and his wife were living with her parents at 8 Albert Avenue, Basford.

He was a cabinet maker before emigrating to Canada before the war.

Harry served for four years with the Canadian Army suggesting he enlisted in late 1914/early 1915. He served in France and according to a newspaper report had been severely wounded but had recovered. He was granted leave from the Canadian Camp at Horden prior to demobilization. However, he was already unwell when he arrived in Nottingham and died of pneumonia at 11 Brown Street, Hyson Green, on 19 January 1919. Harry was buried with full military honours on Saturday 25 January in Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery (grave ref. M.8.20).

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 20 January 1919: Walker. On January 19th, at 11 Brown-street, Hyson Green, Spr. Harry Walker, Canadians, died of pneumonia. Sorrowing wife and son.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 23 January 1919: ‘Walker. On January 19th, at 11 Brown-street, of pneumonia, Spr. Harry Walker (Canadians, 4 years’ service) the beloved husband of Alice Walker, only son of Samuel and Eliza Walker, passed peacefully away, aged 30 years. In the midst of life we are in death. Sorrowing wife and child. Military funeral, Basford 2.30 Saturday [25 January]. Canadian papers please copy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) West Bridgford Advertiser, 8 February 1919: ‘Nottingham Soldier Who Died From Pneumonia. Sapper Harry Walker, of 11, Brown-street, Hyson Green, was on Saturday afternoon buried with military honours at Basford Cemetery. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, and bearing the dead soldier’s equipment, was borne on a gun-carriage, and was accompanied by bearers and a firing party and buglers from the Yorkshire Regiment. The mourners included the widow and her little son of seven, her parents, Mr and Mrs Walker (parents of deceased), and several relatives and friends. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. M Warbridge. Among the many and beautiful wreaths was one inscribed ‘From his sorrowing wife and child’, and another from Mr and Mrs Henri Buol, in whose employment the widow was formerly. Sapper Walker was born in Nottingham, his parents living in Thurman-street. He was a cabinet maker, and worked for some years with a local firm. He went to Canada prior to the war, enlisted in the Canadian Engineers, and had seen four years’ service in France. He had been severely wounded, but recovered. On Friday week he came to Nottingham on leave from the Canadian Camp at Horden, where he was awaiting demobilisation. He was ill when he arrived, and died from pneumonia on the Sunday night.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: Henri Buol (1888-1943) was the son of John George Buol (1860-1917). His father was a Swiss national and a confectioner and restauranteur who opened numerous restaurants in England, including Nottingham. Henri was also a confectioner and baker and had premises on Clumber Street and St James' Street, Nottingham. (See Albert Come, ROH) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 January 1920: ‘Walker. In loving memory of my dear husband, Harry, died January 19th, 1919. A day of remembrance sad to recall. Fondly remembered by his wife and child.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 January 1921: ‘Walker. In loving memory of Sapper Harry Walker, died January 19th, 1919. Time changes many things but loving memory ever clings. Wife and Sonny.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) His grave does not have a CWGC headstone. The inscription on the headstone reads: 'In affectionate remembrance of George Harwood, the beloved brother of William, Sarah Ann & Mary Ann Harwood, who died January 16th 1902 aged 31 years. Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide. Also of Sapper Harry Walker, the beloved husband of Alice Walker who died January 19th 1919 aged 30 years. His duty done. Also William, beloved husband of Mary Harwood died June 2nd 1941 aged 78 years. Also the above named Mary Harwood, died Oct 11th 1941 aged 78 years. Reunited.' William and Mary Harwood were Alice Walker's parents. In 1901 William, a lace bleacher, and Mary were living at 19 Lambert Street, Nottingham, with their children George a lamp oil retailer, Elizabeth wood and cotton winder, and Alice together with William's brother, George also a lamp oil retailer.