Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of nine awarded to Major J. T. Walker, Royal Garrison Artillery, who commanded a Siege Battery in Italy and was also awarded the Al Valore Militare in silver and bronze

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut. J. T. Walker, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major J. T. Walker); Italy, Al Valore Militare, silver, the reverse engraved, ‘Walker, James Thomas, 6 Agosto 1917, Altipiano Carsico’; Italy, Al Valore Militare, bronze, the reverse engraved, ‘Walker, James Thomas, 26-29 Cennaio 1918, Altopiano Di Asiago’; Italy, War Cross, with bronze sword riband fitment; Italy, Armata Altipiani Medal, silver, together with a silver commemorative medal, the reverse with engraved list of officers from ‘317 Siege Battery, R.G.A., Italy, 1918’ and R.A. badges (3), obverse centre of the first a little recessed, otherwise generally good very fine (13) £2000-2500

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1919:

‘For distinguished service in connection with military operations in Italy.’

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1917:

‘For distinguished service in the Field.’

James Thomas Walker, who was commissioned in the Royal Garrison Artillery in January 1915, appears to have won his M.C for services in France, following which he was embarked for Italy, where, as an Acting Major, he served as C.O. of No. 317 Siege Battery, R.G.A. in 1917-18 and was thrice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 22 November 1917, 30 May 1918 and 6 January 1919 refer), in addition to gaining the D.S.O.

An old hand written copy of Italian Ministry of War Order No. 33078, dated 30 November 1917, describes the circumstances behind his award of Al Valore Militare in silver (London Gazette 23 March 1918 refers):

‘An officer distinguished for courage and pluck, decorated with the M.C., contemptuous of all danger, risking his life without hesitation, while hostile artillery fiercely concentrated on his battery, and buried four of his men, to whom he immediately brought help and bore them to safety.’

An old hand written copy of Italian Ministry of War Order No. 42932, dated 23 February 1919, also describes the circumstances behind the award of his Al Valore Militare in bronze (London Gazette 8 March 1920 refers):

‘The C.O.of the Battery, under violent enemy fire, executed important and difficult work in the front line, bringing his men into action within a very short time of reaching the position.’

Walker was demobilised in June 1920, when he was placed on the Reserve of Officers.