Pte 30243 Benjamin Walker

Benjamin Walker was born in Liverpool in 1891, the son of Matthew Walker and his wife Margaret (née Latham, but spelled Lathom on some records).  His parents, both born in Liverpool, married on Christmas Eve 1889 and had 10 children. He was baptised in St. Ambrose, Everton, on 02nd August 1891, his parents then living at 18 Carson Street and his father’s occupation listed as warehouse man. He had an older brother Matthew, born in 1889, who died at age 1, and younger siblings Peter 1893, Elizabeth Ann 1895, John 1898, Thomas 1901 (died at age 2), William Rathbone 1903, Margaret Rathbone 1906, George 1909, and Ada in 1911.

 

In the 1890s, based on residence at baptism, the family lived at a number of addresses, including court housing in Haddan Street in 1893, 15 Abram Street in 1896, and court housing in Robsart Street in 1898. 

 

By 1901 they are living at 84 Rose Vale. His father, 31, is a dock cotton porter, his mother is 30.  They have four sons, Benjamin is 9. His sister Elizabeth is living with her uncle and aunt Benjamin and Elizabeth Walker, a few doors away at 74 Rose Vale.

 

1911 finds them at 33 St. Domingo Road, with six children at home. His father works in a cotton warehouse, Benjamin is 19, employed as a labourer in an oil cake mill (Bibby's), Peter is 17, a labourer in an iron foundry. John 12, and William 8, are at school, Margaret is 5 and George 2.  They have a 17 year old boarder, George Kirkham, a cooper.  His sister Elizabeth Ann is still living with her uncle and aunt, Benjamin and Elizabeth Walker at 44C Arkwright Street.  Another child, Ada, was born later in 1911.

 

Benjamin married Mary Ann Lucy on 26th December 1912 in St. Peter’s, Everton. Both state they are 21. Mary Ann was in fact 19. He gives his occupation as labourer and his address as 44 Arkwright Street. It appears that Benjamin lived with his uncle and aunt.

 

Their daughter Elizabeth Ann was born on 28th November 1913.  Sadly, his wife Mary Ann died on Christmas Eve 1914 at the age of 21, and was buried in a public grave. Her address is listed as 50 Arkwright Street.

 

Benjamin enlisted in Liverpool as Private 30243 joining the 17^th Battalion of THe King's Liverpool Regiment. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he served for one year, enlisting in about June 1915. He served in France from 29^th December 1915, earning all three medals. He was killed in action on 27^th June 1916 aged 25.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions. The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57” 

Benjamin was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express of 28^th July 1916 under the header;

ONE OF BIBBY'S MEN

Private B. Walker of the "Pals" who was killed in action in France, was 25 yers of age. Prior to the war he was employed by Bibby's. He resided at 50 Arkwright- street    

His aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Walker, guardian, received Benjamin’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £3 “for daughter Elizabeth’s exclusive benefit”.

 

Pension claims in the names of his mother and his aunt show that the motherless rate of 5/- a week was awarded to his aunt Elizabeth Ann Walker, of 50 Arkwright Street, Everton.

 

His father died in 1920, aged 51 and his mother in 1925, aged 56.  They were both buried in public graves in Anfield Cemetery, his father in the Church of England section and his mother in the Roman Catholic section.  

 

Sadly, his daughter Elizabeth Ann died at the age of 16, in 1930.  She was also buried in a public grave.

 

Benjamin is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 33 Right

Bibby's Memorial Board.

 

We currently have no further information on Benjamin Walker, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.