Private: 2701 Percy James WALKER

34th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2701 Percy James WALKER

Born: 25th June 1892. “Kaludah”, Lochinvar, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:15752/1892.

Died: 18th January 1917. Died at Sea on board HMAT "Port Napier" directly off the Port of Plymouth, England.

Father: Major Edward "Ted" Walker. (1859-1937) Died at West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:19704/1937.

Mother: Katherine Caroline Walker. nee: Ekert. (1860-1938) Died at Mayfield via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:22766/1938.

INFORMATION

Died on this date 18th January. Percy James Walker was born at “Kaludah”, Lochinvar, New South Wales on 25th June, 1892. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 10th July, 1916 as a 21 year old, single, Labourer from Harper’s Hill, Lochinvar, NSW.

“Kaludah”, Lochinvar, New South Wales

Private Percy James Walker, Service number 2701, embarked from Sydney, NSW on SS Napier on 17th November, 1916 with the 9th Infantry Brigade, 34th Infantry Battalion, 5th Reinforcements.

On 31st December, 1916 Private Walker was admitted to Troopship Port Napier’s Hospital with Lobar Pneumonia (double), Emphysema. Private Percy James Walker died on 18th January, 1917 at Sea on board H.M.A.T. Port Napier (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service & Field Service Form) from Myocarditis.

He was buried at Sea on 18th January, 1917 from H.M.A.T. Port Napier. He is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire, England as he has no grave. His death is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Private Percy James Walker was buried at Sea on 18th January, 1917 from H.M.A.T. Port Napier. He is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire, England as he has no grave. His death is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Private: 2321 Walter HAGGARTY.

Logan & Carlton Solicitors, West Maitland, wrote to Base Records on 19th March, 1917 regarding Percy James Walker Deceased stating we are acting for Mary Jane Walker, sister of the above named Deceased on an application for Probate of his Will and shall be obliged if you will let us have the usual Military Certificate of Death to lodge in connection there with.” Base Records replied on 24th March, 1917 enclosing a certificate of report of death of the late Private P. J. Walker.

The Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Co. Ltd wrote to Base Records on 17th April, 1917 requesting a death certificate & identification particulars for Percy James Walker, No. 2701, 34th Battalion whose life was insured with this Company.”

Base Records replied on 24th April, 1917 enclosing a certificate of report of death of the late Private P. J. Walker along with identification particulars. Base Records contacted Mrs K. Walker, Harpers Hill, Lochinvar, NSW, mother of the late Private P. J. Walker, on 13th May, 1921 stating she was noted she was registered on the records of the late Private P. J. Walker as the next of-kin but desired to know if there were any nearer blood relatives than herself & specifically asked if his father was still alive due to the Deceased Soldiers Estates Act 1918, which stated that the War Medals & Mementoes of a
deceased soldier were to be handed in the following order of relationship – Widow, eldest surviving son, eldest surviving daughter, father, mother, eldest surviving brother, eldest surviving sister etc.
Mrs K. Walker replied to Base Records on 23rd May, 1921 stating that his father was alive & his address was Major Edward Walker, Harpers Hill, Greta, NSW.

Private Percy James Walker was entitled to British War Medal only as he had not entered a Theatre of War. A Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque were also sent to Private Walker’s father Major E. Walker, as the closest next of kin. (Scroll sent December, 1921 & Plaque sent July, 1922).

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/u---w.html

Bill Durrant: January 2023.

Note: All Percy's clothing effects were destroyed, so there may have been some doubt by the doctor(s) on board that the virus that caused his attack of myocarditis could be transmitted, this would explain why he was buried immediately at sea directly off the port of Plymouth, England rather than bringing him to shore for burial.

Jeff Crisdale

Greta War Memorial

Family Information

Percy was a single 21 year old Labourer from Lochinvar, New South Wales, upon his enlistment with the AIF. Private: 2321 Walter HAGGARTY 36th Battalion AIF.

Lance Walker playing cards with Major ‘Ted’ Walker (father), George Walker (brother) and Arch Wotton (brother-in-law, husband of Florence Walker)

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, Tuesday 27 July 1937

OBITUARY MR. M. E. WALKER.

Mr. Major Edward Walker, a well known resident of the Lochinvar district, died in the Maitland Hospital on July 16 after a short illness. Born at Lochinvar, Mr. Walker was in his 79th year. Until two years ago he had engaged in farming pursuits. For 40 years he had lived at Harper's Hill. Five children predeceased Mr. Walker, and he is survived by his widow, now in her 77th year, two sons, Messrs R. H. and L. H. Walker (Newcastle), and four daughters, Mesdames P. Hannan(Heddon Greta), E. Brown (Newcastle), G. A. Wotton (Telarah), and J. H. Marriott (Louth Park). Fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. The internment was made in the Church of England cemetery at Lochinvar, the pall-bearers being Messrs. R. H. Walker (son), V. Wotton (grandson), I. Brown (son-in-law), and J. H. Walker (nephew).

Grave of Major Edward Walker (1859-1937) - Catherine Walker nee Ekert. (1860-1938)

Pte: George Edward Walker - Pte: Percy James Walker

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Wednesday 26 October 1938

OBITUARY LATE MRS. WALKER

The death occurred on Thursday last of Mrs. Walker, relict of the late Mr. Major Edward Walker, who predeceased her by about 12 months. The late Mrs. Walker, a member of the well-known Ekert family, was a well-known and highly respected resident of this district, where practically the whole of her life, was spent. Upon the death of her husband, she went to reside with her daughter, Mrs. Brown, of Mayfield, where she lived until her death. Two of Mrs. Walker's sons, the late Messrs. Geo. and Percy Walker, en listed from Lochinvar for the Great War. The latter died at sea and the former died as a result of wounds a few years after he returned from the war. The remains were brought to Lochinvar on Friday, and interred beside those of her husband and son in the Church of England cemetery after a service in the church, Rev. A. McKinlay, B.A., conducting both services.