Captain William Walker, L.D.S., R.C.S. (Edin.)
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From Cleator Moor, Cumberland.
Killed at Singapore (February 1942)
Photograph: Courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News'
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
posted by ritsonvaljos at 11:05 pm
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Additional information
Some biographical details
Dental Surgeon Captain William Walker lost his life in February 1942 at the time of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese. A native of Cleator Moor, Cumberland (now Cumbria) Captain Walker was 26 years old at the time of his death.
Captain William Walker was the son of Alderman James Walker, J.P. and Mrs Walker of Wath Brow, Cleator Moor. Initially, Captain Walker was posted as 'missing' and for well over 3 years his family had no further news of what had happened to him. Eventually, after the Japanese surrender Mr and Mrs Walker received official confirmation of their son's death. Shortly afterwards they also received a letter of sympathy from the King and Queen.
Captain Walker has no known grave and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial (Column 111). He is also commemorated by the 'Roll of Honour' of his hometown of Cleator Moor.
The Walker family were members of the comparatively small Presbyterian church community of Cleator Moor. During WW2 only two members of the Cleator Moor Presbyterian Church lost their lives in the war: Captain William Walker and Sergeant George Gillbanks (Border Regiment). After the war new stained glass windows and a memorial plaque were installed in the church to commemorate Captain Walker and Sergeant Gillbanks.
Subsequently, the church was demolished and the memorial plaque was initially beliveved to have been lost. However, the plaque was in the care of Mrs Mary Hodgson and in 2008 it was donated to Cleator Moor Methodist Church. Click on the following link to read an article about the memorial and to see a photograph click on the following link:
Cleator Moor Presbyterian Church WW2 Memorial
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CWGC citation
This is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission citation for Captain William Walker:
Name: WALKER, WILLIAM
Rank: Captain
Service No: 118396
Date of Death: Between 14/02/1942 and 15/02/1942
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Army Dental Corps
Panel Reference: Column 111.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Walker, of Cleator, Cumberland. L.D.S., R.C.S.(Edin.).
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Dedication
This article is dedicated to Captain William Walker, Army Dental Corps.
"Our hearts are heavy, we miss him yet,
Time passes but we do not forget.
We remember him as we journey on,
And his smile from days that are long gone".
May his sacrifice always be remembered.
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Acknowledgements
Cumbria County Archives & Local Studies Centre
(Whitehaven Records Office)
The Whitehaven News
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