No.971, Gunner, James WALKER
Aged 31
no overseas service, hence no medals.
Born in Frostenden in 1887 (3rd qtr Blythinh 4a:877) son of Abraham and Betsy WALKER (née HARVEY)
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at Frostenden with his father Abraham WALKER [47] shepherd born Westleton; his mother Betsy [39] born Uggeshall; sisters Emmas S [10] and Susannah [9] both born Frostenden and sister Maryn Ann [6] born Uggeshall. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was at Hoggs Corner Road, Uggeshall with his parents;and sister Sarah K [6] born Easton 1911 census...Aged 23, a farm labourer, he was at Hoggs Lane, Uggeshall with his parents He married Gertrude E. WRIGHT in 1915. Her address on the pension card was Sotherton Corner, Wangford, some time of 10 Hollow Road, Bury St.Edmunds. She married Edward WARNER in 1926. |
He attested at Haleworth on 7th September 1914, giving his age as 27 years 2 months, born Frostenden, nr Wangford, a farm labourer residing in Uggeshall,
and employed by Mr Stannard of Uggeshall. He was feet 9 inches tall, chest 36.5 to 39 inches, blue eyes, brown hair. He was embodied in the 3rd East Anglian Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Posted to 4th Provisional Battery on 26th August 1916 but discharged on 6th December 1916It seems he suffered from varicose veins which worsened until he was medically discharged. It was recorded that the affliction was not caused by military service but was aggravated by it. Whilst wearing puttees is was bad, but there was a marked improvement when he ceased wearing them. He never served overseas. On discharge he gave his intended address as Rectory Street, Halesworth None of his army documents give the cause of death or any connection with Bury St.Edmunds. On 31st October 1917 he was at Sotherton Corner, Wangford. His death certificate gives him dying at Sotheton, an ex Gunner RFA and dying from Influenza/Pneumonia - informant, his sister S Kate Hatt. Still no documentation with a Bury St.Edmunds connection click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |