WALKER, William Henry

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Clinton, Ontario
Regimental Number
491175
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
19 years 9 months
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             8th Infantry Brigade
                                             4th Canadian Mounted Rifles  -  Toronto
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   491175
DATE OF BIRTH:            March 8, 1897
                                             Clinton – Goderich Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           December 19, 1916             19 years     9 months
CEMETERY:                     Louez Military Cemetery – Duisans
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             III     D     1
PARENTS:                         Mr. William and Isabella Walker – Clinton - Ontario
Occupation:                        Drug Clerk                           Religion:     Wesleyan
Enlistment:                         January 20, 1915 – Clinton
Enlistment Age:                 17 years     10 months

Private Walker departed from Canada onboard the S.S. Lapland bound for England and arrived in Liverpool on 
March 26, 1916. He was then attached to the Canadian Army Medical Corps training school in early April 1916 and following that was taken on strength by the 33rd Reserve Battalion from the Canadian Army Medical Corps based at West Sandling in early May 1916.
He was then transferred to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles on June 6, 1916 and joined them in the field on June 9, 1916.
During this day the enemy artillery was extremely active on the Battalion trenches. The Brigade was located near Etrun and the Battalion was located at Ecurie.
From the war diaries of the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles and those of the Brigade we can say the one casualty was Private Walker. He died from the effects of the heavy enemy artillery barrage.
The routine during December was 4 days in the trenches and 4 days in billets. The weather became more uncertain; there were heavy rains and this damaged the trench systems.
On December 17th the Battalion relieved the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and on December 19th the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles were ordered to do a raid to obtain identifications of the enemy troops. The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles were to to make a demonstration and fake attack to create a diversion so the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles could successfully retire. This demonstration was so successful that the enemy artillery came down on them which destroyed their trenches with heavy casualties. 
The 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles completed their raid with no casualties before the enemy realized they had been there.