Photo: Ken and Pam Linge
The headstone reads:-
In loving memory
Of
Fred Walker
Beloved husband of
Elizza Walker
Of Brancepeth Colliery
Who died from wounds received
In action July 20th 1916 aged 29 years.
I have fought the good fight
Pam and Ken Linge have submitted the following:-
Fred was born in Willington, the son of William Banning Walker and Emily Walker (nee Ward) of 3 Railway Terrace, Willington. William was a drawer at the coke works. They had ten children including: Mary A. (b. 1876), Emma (b. 1879), Lizzie Jane (b. 1880), Isabella (b. 1882), William Ward (b. 1884), Fred (b. 1886), Emily (b. 1893).
Fred married Eliza Ashman in 1910. They had at least two children: Gladys I. (b. 1912) and Leslie A. (b. 1913, d. 1918).
Fred enlisted at Durham and joined the Yorkshire Regiment. He went to France on 2nd October 1915.
Auckland Chronicle 27/07/1916 reports:-
Military Funeral.
The funeral took place at Willington on Sunday of Pte. Fred Walker, 2nd Yorks., who died at Netley Hospital from wounds. The military authorities informed his widow by telegram that the funeral would take place at Netley on Saturday, but if she so desired the body would be brought to Willington for interment. In accordance with Mrs. Walker’s request, the body arrived by train at Willington on Sunday morning, and was met at the railway station by a number of his companions. The funeral took place the same afternoon. By special request Mr. Luke Conlon obtained 50 wounded soldiers from Brancepeth Castle V.A. Hospital to attend the funeral. Eight of these soldiers acted as bearers, and 16 of them were so disabled that they had to travel the whole journey in a conveyance. The cortege was headed by the local police, Willington Silver Prize Band, who played the “Dead March,” wounded soldiers, Willington Church Lads’ Brigade, and the Presbyterian School children. Following the coffin, which was covered by the Union Jack, were quite 2,000 people, including many relatives. The body was taken into Willington Presbyterian Church, where an impressive service was conducted by the Rev. R. R. Rider, who also conducted the service at the graveside. The scene in the cemetery was one long to be remembered. Over 3,500 people were present at the committal service, many coming from the adjacent villages. Deceased leaves a widow, two young children, and aged father and mother. Willington Silver Band rendered “Lead, Kindly Light,” at the graveside.Auckland Chronicle 03/08/1916 reports:-
Memorial Service
An impressive memorial service was held in the new Parish Hall on Sunday afternoon to the late Fred Walker, 2nd Yorks; Pte. R. Mitchell, Tyneside Scottish; and Pte. Bell. All these men are connected with Willington Presbyterian Church. The two former belonged to Willington; and Pte. Bell to Hunwick. The service was held by the Presbyterians. The pastor, the Rev. R. R. Rider, gave a touching address, in which he paid a high tribute to the deceased. Willington Silver Band, under the leadership of Mr. J. B. Wright, played “Edwinson” on the way to the Parish Hall, and played the accompaniment to the hymns at the service, and rendered W. Rimmer’s special arrangement of the “Last Post.”
Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After Fred's death Eliza married Edward T. Cunnah and lived at 27 Boyne Street, Willington.
Fred Walker is remembered at Willington on W120.02 and W120.15
