Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Second Lieutenant J. L. Walker, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches, and was killed in action on the Somme on 12 October 1916

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. L. H. Walker. Bedf. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. L. Walker.); Memorial Plaque (Laurence Hall Walker) with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll ‘2nd Lieut. Lawrence [sic] Hall Walker Bedfordshire Regt.’, the Scroll in somewhat relic condition; the medals and plaque nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400

Laurence Hall Walker was born in Altrincham, Cheshire, on on 22 August 1893 and was educated at Malvern College, before emigrating to Canada. Following the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 2nd King Edward’s Horse, before obtaining a commission in the Special Reserve Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, on 10 February 1915. He served with the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front from October 1915, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 4 January 1917).

Walker was killed in action on the Somme on 12 October 1916. His Captain subsequently wrote to Walker’s parents:
‘We had just entered a German trench and your son had, as usual, done magnificently. During the attack we were held up by their machine guns, and your son at once got hold of a rifle and began firing at the Germans, who were about 100 yards from us. He was marked down and shot through the head and I am so thankful to tell you that death was instantaneous. He has several times been recommended for bravery and good work.’

Sold with the recipient’s original Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, this in relic condition, named Record Office enclosure for the three medals; a portrait photograph of the recipient, mounted in a glazed display frame; and a photograph of the recipient’s original grave.

Withdrawn