Walker, Ernest John

Hull Pals Memorial Post. SERGEANT ERNEST JOHN WALKER 9609. Born 1890, the ninth of twelve children, to Henry and Ellen Walker of 15 Lorne Terrace, Spyvee Street, Hull. Ernest was a Dock Labourer before the war but enlisted in the fight for King and Country joining the Pals in France. He was killed in action on 13th April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive as the 10th Battalion fought to hold their new line between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. They were attacked through the haze of a morning mist and held firm. Ernest’s body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial; he was 28 years old. Private Beeken recorded his thoughts: “In quiet moments of reflection, one wished one could find at least a few words of praise or commendation for the generals and their overall conduct of the war. One remembered the thousands of young lives sacrificed on the Somme, at Vimy, and Ypres and Messines with no real knowledge on the part of those officers of the conditions weather-wise or of the terrain onto which they were sending those men.”