WALKER S G
WALKER, Samuel
Regiment: 2 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Rank: Private
Number: 8457
Died: 22 June 1916
Aged:
Buried/Memorial: Loos Memorial
Address: 64 Phillip Street and 14 Bishop Street
“We regret to learn that information has reached Chester stating that 84577 Pte Samuel Walker of a line battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers has been killed at the front. The news is particularly sad as the private had participated in all the fighting since the outbreak of war and engaged in many daring enterprises. He, however, came through with only one injury and at last has fallen a victim of a mine exploded by the enemy.
Pte Walker whose home is at 64 Phillip Street Hoole saw a number of years service with the Colours and had been eight years in India. For two years before the outbreak of war, while a reservist, he was employed at the London & North Western wagon works. Called up at the declaration of war he landed in France on August 10th and participated in the memorable retreat from Mons. Since then he has been in the many engagements in which the Royal Welsh Fusiliers have earned undying fame. He was mentioned in despatches for going into the German trenches on several bombing raids within a week, his work being that of bomb-thrower. He was home in Chester in January of last year. A short time ago his wife received a message from the War Office stating that her husband was missing. She communicated with the commanding officer of the regiment and has received a reply stating; - “Your husband was last seen in the trench prior to the explosion of the mine on June 22nd and I very much regret to say that there is no doubt he was killed instantaneously. It grieves me very much to lose such a gallant soldier. He was greatly loved by his comrades and was a splendid example of what a soldier should be.”
Pte Walker who was a native of Hoole, and had a brother in the Army leaves a widow. His only child was buried in May of last year.”
The 1901 Census shows Samuel as a 16-year-old stable boy/groom living at 3 Bishop Street with his brother William and widowed step-mother Annie.
In 1911 it appears that he was serving with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in India.