Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Wilfred was born at Toft Hill, Durham in 1892 and was baptised later that year on October 29th 1891. His parents were Joseph and Susan (nee Waggott) who had married at Auckland in 1884. They went on to have six children who all survived childhood.
In 1901 Joseph was working as at the pit as a screener. His eldest son, John, was a rope works machine feeder. The other children were Mary, Edith (died 1915), Albert and Sidney.
By 1911 life is progressing for the family much as before. Joseph now a colliery labourer, his wife Susan a midwife, Edith works at home, Wilfred a putter, Albert, a labourer and Sidney who is still at school.
Wilfred enlisted at Bishop Auckland. He originally served with 8th Army Service Corps as number. R/063664 then transferred to the 1st Royal West Surreys serving as G/18797.
Forces were massing in April 1917 and preparing for an important conflict scheduled for 23 April 1917. The battalion was to take part in the attack on the Hindenburg Line immediately south of the River Sensee, the start of the Second Battle of the Scarpe. One officer of the Queen’s who did not participate in the attack wrote “A mad scheme in my opinion”. Heavy fighting ensued with many casualties on both sides. There are several full reports on the events of the day but what is interesting is the reasons that caused the retirement of the battalion and failure of the day namely :-The failure of the 98th Brigade to join up; The non-appearance of the tanks; The wire being uncut between1st and 2nd German Line; The difficulty in keeping up the supply of bombs etc.
The casualties occurring on April 23rd 1917 in the ‘other ranks’ were 26 killed, 101 wounded, 308 missing. Wilfred was among the numbers of the missing being later presumed dead.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission database records 123 deaths in the battalion for 23rd April and the following few days. One hundred and fourteen (93%) have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras memorial. The total number of men taken prisoner is difficult to ascertain, but is estimated at between 40 and 100 men. At least seven of those taken prisoner that day died whilst incarcerated and are buried in Germany.
Monies due to Wilfred went to his mother, Susan, £15.19s.5d then later awarded £8.10s.0d war gratuity. A pension of 14/0s a week was payable to her as from15/01/1918.
Medals: 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Acknowledgments: Carol Hird, who provided the photo which was first published in the Northern Echo 08/11/1915.
Wilfred Russell Walker is remembered in Kirk Merrington on K26.01
