A Great War 1917 ‘Second Battle of Gaza’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant T. J. Walker, 1st/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who survived the fate of the ‘vanished’ battalion at Gallipoli, and was wounded by gun shot during the attack on the Turkish defensive line at Gaza, 19 April 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240224 Cpl. T. J. Walker. 1/5 Norf: R. -T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2090 L.Cpl. T. J. Walker. Norf. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2090 Sjt. T. J. Walker. Norf. R.) suspension bar bent on BWM, otherwise good very fine (3) £700-£900

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took charge of his part of the firing line and directed the fire with great coolness after all the other N.C.O.’s in his company had fallen. When compelled by heavy losses to retire, he did so in good order, forming a new firing line in another position.’

Thomas J. Walker attested for the Norfolk Regiment, and served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War in the Dardanelles theatre of war from 6 August 1915. The 1st/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, the so-called “Vanished Battalion”, landed on ‘A’ Beach at Suvla on 10 August 1915: 48 hours later, a sizeable proportion of the Battalion ‘disappeared’ without trace during the attack on the Kuchak Anafarta Ova.

Remaining with the Battalion, Walker proceeded to Egypt, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917, when the Battalion advanced to attack ‘Tank Redoubt’ in the formidable Turkish defensive line. Having to advance over open ground with no cover they suffered severe casualties but took the redoubt with a bayonet charge in what was the most significant gain of the battle. Due to heavy losses what gains had been made were lost in a Turkish counter-attack with the entire of “B” Company holding the redoubt until their ammunition was exhausted, and being taken prisoner to the man The Battalion’s total casualties were all the officers apart from one, and about 600 other ranks killed, wounded, missing, or taken prisoner.

Walker was amongst those wounded, and was transferred to 19th General Hospital suffering from haemorrhaging caused by gun shot wounds on 7 May 1917. Recovering, he was advanced Sergeant, and was disembodied on 20 May 1919.

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