Darlington Railway Museum
Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
John Benson Walker was born in 1886 at Winston, between Darlington and Barnard Castle, to parents Alfred and Hannah. His middle name, Benson, was the maiden name of his mother. He was baptised at Winston Parish Church 2nd May 1886. The 1881 census gave Alfred’s occupation as Joiner and Cartwright. By 1891, Alfred now married and with three children, including John, is living at Winston Road, Winston and his occupation is given as Joiner and Grocer. In May 1900, John, aged only 14, commenced his railway career at Winston. The 1901 census records John living with his family which now includes four children. His father Alfred is listed as a joiner and carpenter. John now aged 15 is employed as a Railway Clerk while his elder sister, Edith Annie (aged 17) is employed as a pupil teacher. Two of John’s uncles, Joseph Craggs Walker and Consett Walker were also employed as Railway Clerks.
In 1911, John was living at the Post Office in Winston where his father was the Sub Postmaster. By this date, the family had had seven children of which three had already died. John, by then 25, was still a Railway Clerk with the North Eastern Railway in the Passenger Department at Crook.
John enlisted in Darlington in August 1914 and served as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He is described as 5 feet 10½ inches tall, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair and weighed 141 pounds. After training he embarked for France 23rd April 1915. On 7th June 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal “for conspicuous bravery in the field” and soon after was promoted to the rank of Acting Bombardier, then Bombardier. He was killed in action near Ypres on 26th September 1917 and is buried in The Huts Cemetery. His father added the words "Grant unto them O Lord Eternal Rest" to his headstone.
The Army forwarded to the family John's Disc, letters, photos, 3 pocket books, pocket wallet, M.M. ribbon, 2 watch keys, lock key, carriage key, flag badge and English= French book. John left £236 6s 4d to his father Alfred Walker.
Awards: Military Medal: 1915 Star; British Medal; Victory Medal.
John’s sister Edith Annie married Edmund Alwynne Leigh in 1910 and in 1911 they lived at 5, West View, Lanchester. Edmund was employed as an assistant schoolmaster. By the time of her brother’s death, Edith (and her husband) lived in Ford Road, Lanchester. The 1939 Register records the couple still lived in the village, at The School House and Edmund is the Head Teacher of the Endowed Parochial School.
Acknowledgements: The Darlington Railway Museum
John Benson Walker is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 at Winston on W122.01 and on the LNER Memorial at York
