Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Gilbert Hodgson Walkington born during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1896 at Carlton Iron Works, Stillington, County Durham, was the son of Frank Walkington born at Cayton near Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1865 and Ada Christie Pearson born 1871 at Sunderland, County Durham. His parents were married in the district of Sunderland in 1893 and went on to have 7 children, including Gilbert, of whom only 6 survived, 3 sons and 3 daughters. Their daughter Ada born 1894 died in 1902 at the age of 8 years.
They and their family were living at 14, North Street in 1901. After the birth of their youngest daughter, who they named Ada Sybil in remembrance of the child they had lost, born during the 3rd quarter (Jul/ Aug/ Sep) 1909, Ada Christie Walkington nee Pearson aged 37 years died during the same quarter, either during childbirth or of postpartum problems. Frank moved with his children Dallas Selina (16), Gilbert Hodgson (15), Nora Edwina (13) Frank Selwyn (11), Charles Benjamin (9) and Ada Sybil (2) to 3, Glykoline Cottages, Stillington, Ferry Hill, employed as a foreman at the oil works.
On the outbreak of war Gilbert Hodgson Walkington enlisted at Stockton, assigned as Private 11257 to the Yorkshire Hussars (Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own). No document in relation to his military record has survived it is therefore impossible to follow his exact movements. He was during his service transferred to the 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and rose to the rank of Corporal.
The 13th Battalion was a Bantam Battalion accepting men who did not meet the minimum height and chest measurements for service with the regular army. Trained at Aldershot they joined the 171st Brigade, 40th Division and departed to France, June 8th 1916, landing at Le Havre and concentrating near Lillers. They went into action at Loos before moving to the Somme where they participated during the Battle of Ancre, November 13th-16th 1916. During 1917 they fought during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouch, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and the Cambrai Operations including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November 1917.
Corporal Gilbert Hodgson Walkington Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action, May 9th 1918 in the area from the River Lys and the southern boundary east and west of Grenay. His sacrifice is commemorated as one of 20,661 names inscribed on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France which forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle 5 kilometres north-west of Lens.
His father Frank Walkington as his sole and legitimate beneficiary received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at Glykoline Terrace, Carlton Iron Works, Ferry Hill, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Gilbert Hodgson Walkington is remembered at Stillington S137.01 and S137.02
