Great War Dundee
This is Dundee's story of those that served in the First World War, and of the people left at home
We need you to tell us more about the life and times of Robert Duff Walker
Robert Duff Walker
Military Information
- Date of enlistment:
- Place of enlistment:
- Service no: Clyde 2/61
- Rank: Chief Petty Officer
- Service Occupation:
- Awards: Mentioned in Dispatches
- Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
- Unit/Ship: Hood Battalion R.N. Div
- Place of Death: Turkey/Gallipoli
- Age at Death: 26
- Date of Death: 28.12.1915
- Burial Country: Turkey/Gallipoli
- Cemetery: Helles Memorial, Turkey
- Grave/Mem Ref no: Panel 8 to 15
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 27.11.1889
- Place of Birth: Dundee
- Address: 13 Cardean St, Dundee
- Occupation: Tenter, Lindsay & Low, Dundee
- Mother:
Mary Merley Buncombe Walker
- Father:
Albert Thomas Duff Walker
- Siblings:
William, Jane, Albert, Margaret & Donald
- Spouse:
Francis Ann Wilson, 13 Cardean St, Dundee
- Children:
Robert, born 02.07.1914
More about Robert Duff Walker
Robert has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial.
Robert Duff Walker C2/61 Hood Bn R.N.D.
WALKER—Killed in action at Gallipoli, on the 25th December, Robert Duff Walker, Battalion Sergeant-Major, Hood Battalion, Clyde, R.N.V.R., dearly beloved husband of Frances Ann Wilson, 13 Cardean Street, Dundee, and second youngest son of Albert T. D. Walker and the late Mary M. Buncombe Walker. (North papers, also Canadian and Australian papers, please copy.)—Inserted by his widow.
Dundee People’s Journal 5th February 1916
Family Background.
Robert`s father, Albert, was a calendar worker and the family lived at 46 North Church Street, Dundee. His mother, Mary, predeceased him. On 3rd October 1913 Robert married Frances Ann Wilson and set up home at 13 Cardean Street, Dundee. On 2nd July 1914 their son, also Robert Duff Walker, was born.
Service History
Robert joined the RNVR in 1908,adding two years to his age. He went to Antwerp with the Hood Battalion in 1914 and then to Gallipoli. He was wounded in the head on 4th June 1915 at Krithia and then evacuated on the Ivernia to hospital in Malta.
On returning to service in July via Alexandria on the Esmeralda he was awarded the Certificate of Zeal & Devotion to Duty on Active Service by General Paris, Commanding General of the Royal Naval Division. In September he was made Chief Petty Officer and mentioned in despatches. On 17th December he was promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major, the most senior of the non commissioned officers. He was killed on 28th December 1915, eleven days before the final evacuation from Gallipoli.
Additional information supplied by Gary Thomson and further additional information kindly supplied by Michael Caldwell and Hugh Mcrae
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