Sargeant William Raby WALKER DCM (1886-1917).
Service # 23/1861; Sargeant - Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 9th Reinforcements, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).
Born 10 October 1886 at Collingwood, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.
Son of James Walker of Ferntown, Collingwood, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.
Prior to enlistment for war service William Walker was a farmer at Triangle Valley, Puponga, Collingwood, Tasman District; South Island, New Zealand.
William Walker enlisted for war service - on 16 October 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.
On enlistment William Walker was 28 years of age.
On enlistment day William Walker was posted as a Private to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 9th Reinforcements, NZEF.
On 8 January 1916 Private William Walker embarked for overseas war service - with the 9th Reinforcements, NZEF - aboard either HMNZT "Tahiti" or "Warrimoo" - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.
On 8 February 1916 Private Walker disembarked, from his transport ship, at Suez, Egypt. The same day he was admitted to hospital with measles. He was discharged, from hospital, on 12 February 1916.
On 1 February 1916 Private Walker was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
On 10 March 1916 Corporal William R. Walker joined his Battalion, the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion at Moascar, Egypt.
On 7 April 1916 Corporal William Walker left Egypt - for active war service - in France.
On 15 July 1916 Corporal Walker was wounded in action - in the field, France. On 18 July 1916 he was admitted to the Convalescence Depot, at Boulogne. On 29 July 1916 Corporal Walker rejoined his unit in the field, France.
On 17 September 1916 Corporal Walker was, again, wounded in action. On 18 September 1916 he was admitted to the No 2 Canadian General Hospital, France.
On 27 October 1917 Corporal William Walker was promoted to the rank of Sargeant.
In November 1917 Sargeant William Walker was involved in an event - in the field of action - for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). See Stories (next page) for Sargeant William R. Walker's full citation for his DCM.
On 20 December 1917 Sargeant William R. Walker died of wounds - received in action - at Belgium.
At his death Sargeant William R. Walker DCM was 31 years of age.
Sargeant William R. Walker DCM is buried at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Sargeant William R. Walker DCM is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Collingwood District War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Collingwood, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.
For Sargeant William R. Walker's full military profile, and access to his personal military file, refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com
Photo Credit : Onward NZEF : www.onwardnzef.org.nz
Jenifer Everett