In South Shields (Harton) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

J.L. Walker
Stoker 1st Class. RN.
P/KX.128107
H.M.S. ‘Victory’
26th November 1943 age 32

To live in the hearts
of those we loved
is not to die.
His loving wife

Husband of Zoe Isobel Walker, of South Shields.

John Lynch Walker was born on the 26th February 1911 at South Shields, one of eight children to father Andrew Walker, born 1870, a bricklayer labourer and his wife Mary Jane Walker, born 1880. They were married in 1899.

The other children were:-

• Isabella Jane Walker, born 1900.
• Margaret Ann Walker, born 1901.
• Lillian Walker, born 1902.
• Andrew Walker, born 1905.
• Elenore Walker, born 1907.
• Terence Walker, born 1913.
• Rose Walker, born 1919.

The were all residing at 41 Peel Street, South Shields in 1911. The father died about 1918.

By 1921, the family were residing at 61 Back Thomas Street, South Shields.

John Lynch Walker was married in 1940  to Zoe Isobel Branch, born 14th August 1895, died 1980. In 1939, Zoe was a Cafe and General Store Keeper at 2 Owen Road, South Shields.

John was on leave and had been complaining of stomach trouble.

John Lynch Walker committed suicide from Asphyxia from coal gas poisoning self administered while the balance of his mind was disturbed at 285 H.S Edward Street, South Shields.

Sources: British Newspaper Archive; GRO Naval lists

John Lynch Walker is remembered at Westoe in W101.08, page 94 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.