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Edgar Walker
16591, Private, 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 24 August 1918, aged 34
Buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, France
CWGC registered (Son of Mrs Mary A Walker, of “Guildford,” Lloyd St, Llandudno)
TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE
Edgar Walker was born in Mottram-in-Longendale, Cheshire on 1 July 1884. He was the son of George Walker, a railway clerk, and his wife Mary Ann Walker (née Winn). Tragedy struck in 1888 when George Walker died aged 33. The Census of 1891 records Mary Ann Walker as both a widow and the head of the family: William (13), George (11), Gertrude (9) and Edgar (6). Ten years later, the family still lived at Mottram and Edgar (16) was employed as a labourer at a calico print works. On 19 April 1904, Edgar joined the Royal Navy on an engagement of 12 years. His service number was 306312. However, he was dismissed after only 42 days. The Census of England for 1911 records Edgar as a print work labourer living in a boarding house in New Mills, Derbyshire. The same census for Wales records his mother living with her daughter, Gertrude and her husband at “Guildford”, Lloyd Street, Llandudno.
Edgar Walker joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers having enlisted at Llandudo at the end of October 1914. He was allocated to the 9th (Service) Battalion that was forming at Wrexham as part of K2, Kitchener’s second New Army. Edgar disembarked with his Battalion at Boulogne on 19 July 1915. Unfortunately, Edgar’s service record no longer exists but the medal roll indicates that he spent three separate periods with the 9th RWF interspersed with postings to the infantry base depot which indicates that he may have been wounded or taken ill. Records of two incidences have been uncovered: in September 1917, Edward was taken to the New Zealand Stationary Hospital and the 41st Divisional Rest Station with an undiagnosed nervous condition, back with the 9th RWF, Edgar received a gunshot wound to the face in April 1918 when the battalion was in the line at Bouzincourt; after hospital treatment, he was transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot on 21 April 1918. On a date unknown, he was posted to the 16th (Service) Battalion RWF.
Edgar Walker was killed in action on 24 August 1918 aged 34. The battalion had been bivouacked two days previously a little to the west of Albert and it moved forward to assembly positions on the 23rd for an attack near La Boiselle, part of an Allied advance after the Battle of Albert. Edgar was buried at what was to become known as Welsh Dragon Cemetery at Ovillers-la-Boisselle. After the war, he was reinterred at Ovillers Military Cemetery which had been retaken by the 38th (Welsh) Division the day Edgar was killed.
Known memorials:
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
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