John Thomas Grice Walker (1885–1934)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 200685 2/th & 1/5th Battalions

Photo courtesy Crich Heritage Partnership

John Thomas Walker

Biography
John was born in 1885 at Heage and was raised by his widowed grandmother Hannah Walker. He married Ada Mellows, of Crich, in 1905 and they moved to live in Ironville. He was one of the first to sign up to the Sherwood Foresters in October 1914 and can be seen on the recruits photograph dated 1914.

He enlisted at the same time as Alfred Bollington, William Thomas Ellis Curzon, Walter Mellors and Jack Cauldwell; they had consecutive service numbers.
The roll of Honour shows "Driver" but all official records show 'Private"

Crich recruits in 1914

Ian P. Macdonald; William Burr; William Curzon; John Walker; Nelson Martin;
Jack Kneebone; William Frost; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Cauldwell;
Jack Porter; George Perry; Noble Tomlinson

Crich recruits 1914

Included with these recruits are: Ian Macdonald; Billy Curzon; Jack Porter; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Kneebone; Billy Burr; Noble Tomlinson; Tom Coleman; Billy Frost; Luke Coleman; Jack Cauldwell; George Perry. It is believed that John Roe, brothers Herbert and Steven Bollington (and possibly John) and John Walker are also amongst this group.

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Courier, 12 October 1918
Mrs J T Walker of Crich Common, had news from her husband, Private John T Walker, on Tuesday that he had again been gassed and was in England. Twice gassed, twice wounded, and twice suffering from shell shock is the record of Private Walker's experience in France.

Derbyshire Times 16 January 1932
Sympathy has been extended to Mr John T. WALKER, near The Common, Crich, who lies seriously ill at home. Mr WALKER served throughout the Great War, since which he has not had good health. For several years he has carried on business as a nurseryman.

Derbyshire Times 30 January 1932
The many friends of Mr John T. WALKER, Surgery Lane, Crich, will be pleased to learn that his condition shows improvement. Mr WALKER saw service throughout the war and is not enjoyed the best of health since demobilisation.

Derby Daily Telegraph 18 September 1934
Mr John WALKER (49), of Surgery Lane, Crich, who died yesterday, was wounded and gassed while serving with the Army in France. Among the organisations with which he was connected were the Sherwood Foresters Old Comrades Association, the Crich Comrades Club, and the British Legion. A widow and four children are bereaved. The funeral will be at Crich Parish Church tomorrow.

Medal Roll Index
Walker John T G Pte 20068 Awarded Victory and British War medals also the Silver War Badge.

Silver War Badge
200685, Private Walker, John Thomas Grice; badge B196259; enlisted 17/10/14; discharged 11/2/19 aged 34; served overseas

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Heage

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Hannah Walker Head (wdw) 59 General carrier Kirk Ireton
Maria E Walker daughter 30 (deaf) Heage
John T Walker g.son 16 Wire drawer Heage
Bertha M Page g.daughter 9   Alfreton
Amelia Page g.daughter 6   Hathersage
Arthur Allsop nephew 14   Kirk Ireton

RG13 piece 3230 folio 96 page 13

1911: Gin Stable, Ironville, Notts

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Thomas Walker Head 26 Platelayer Heage
Ada Walker wife 26   Crich
John Thomas Walker son 3   Crich
Fanny Elizabeth Walker daughter 5   Crich

RG14PN21083 RG78PN1257 RD438 SD2 ED4 SN24

1918 Voters List
John Walker, Bottom side, absent on military service.