Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Manchester Pals’ Western Front M.C. group of four awarded to Major H. W. Walker, 21st (6th City ‘Pals’) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, for his gallantry in continuing to command “D” Company despite his severe wounds, and successfully capturing his objectives and some 90 prisoners in the process, at the ‘Salford’ and ‘Munich’ Trenches near Beaumont Hamel on 11 January 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse neatly contemporarily engraved ‘Captain H. W. Walker. 11th January 1917’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. W. Walker. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major H. W. Walker.) nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

M.C. London Gazette 3 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although severely wounded, he continued to command his company, and succeeded in capturing the objective. He set a splendid example of courage and devotion to duty.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 21 December 1917.

Henry William Walker was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the 21st (6th City ‘Pals’) Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 16 December 1914. Initially, and upon the arrival of the battalion in France on 9 November 1915, he served in the role of transport officer, but as the war progressed he soon found himself dealing first hand with the hard realities of trench warfare. Promoted to captain, he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the battalion’s attack upon ‘Munich’ Trench on 11 January 1917. Leading his company in this trench attack, despite being severely wounded, his company succeeded in taking its objective, as well as some 90 prisoners to boot. He also later took part in leading and attack near Polygon Wood and Gheluvelt in late 1917.

The battalion history records the events as follows: ‘Subsequently the battalion moved up to the N.E. end of Polygon Wood, where “C” and “D” companies occupied Jetty Trench, while “B” company dug in round the Mound, where H.Q. were now established. This move was carried out under intense artillery fire. At 9.30 a.m. “D” company, under Major H. W. Walker, M.C. moved forward in support to 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, and came under the orders of Lt. Col. F.W. Woodward, D.S.O., commanding that battalion. About 2 p.m. “C” Company, under Captain E.P. Whitehead, was also sent for- ward, and upon Captain Whitehead becoming a casualty, Major Walker assumed command of both companies, and they remained under orders of the O.C. 22nd Battalion throughout the operations.’

According to battalion histories, during one period away from the front lines he also invented a new adaptation of the local aperitif Amer Picon by adding rum and heating it up. By all accounts this ‘most potent beverage’ was ‘much appreciated by all who were introduced to it... (and) Headquarters, the seat of the invention, was much patronised at the time.’ He relinquished his commission with the rank of major on 22 March 1919, and died in British Guiana in 1937.

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