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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 262

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private W. Walker, Gordon Highlanders; a colourful character who was court-martialled on three occasions for drunkenness, indiscipline, and shooting himself in the foot, Walker was killed in action on 14 January 1916

1914-15 Star (6492. Pte. W. Walker, Gord. Highrs.), good very fine

William Walker was born in Edinburgh on 18 September 1892. He lived at 39 Rotherfield Street, Islington, gaining civilian employment as a book-edge gilder. He enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders at Holborn on 14 October 1914. His medical records reveal his many tattoes, including a 'Clasped Hands' motif on his left arm, above an image of Buffalo Bill! He embarked with the Battalion at Southampton on 18 January 1915.

Walker was court-martialled on three occassions. On 23 January 1915, his service papers note: 'neglect to the preservance of good order and discipline, in that he on the 20th January 1915 did negligently discharge his rifle and shot himself through the foot. Confirmed.' He was sentenced to 3 months' Field Punishment No. 1. On 18 April this was extended to 2 years 2 months' Hard Labour, after he was found guilty of 'leaving his post without orders when on active service' and 'using insubordinate language to his superior officers', but his sentence was suspended by Army Order B. H. 2170 and he returned to active service. As a result of his 'defective teeth', Walker was taken to No. 11 Ambulance Train at Boulogne for dental treatment. Three weeks later his service papers note 'Drunkenness when on active service', for which he received 56 days' Field Punishment No. 1 at Rouen Military Prison. This unruly soldier was killed in action on 14 January 1916. He is buried in Grave I. D. 21., La Clytte Military Cemetery; sold with copied enlistment papers, service records, MIC and family letter.

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Sold for
£80