Fourth Generation (Continued)
Family of William Walker (7) & Margaret House

16. William Walker (William3, William2, Elizabeth1). Born on 20 May 1867 in Pimlico, Belgravia, Westminster, Middlesex, England.1 William died bef 1927; he was 59. Occupation: Lance Corporal, 10th (Prince of Wales Own Royal) Hussars.

William Walker was born at 41 Winchester Street, Pimlico, Belgravia, St. George Hanover Square district, Westminster.

William Walker enlisted into the 10th Hussars on 13 March 1884 at Shortlands, Kent. He gave his age as 19 and was born in the parish of Beckenham in Bromley, Kent, and his trade was a butcher. He was unmarried and had no prior military service. The next day he went to Maidstone for his medical examination where he was passed fit; William was 5' 6” tall, weighed 131 lbs, he had blue eyes and brown hair with a fresh complexion and a scar on his right thumb. On the 15th he reported to Shorncliffe Camp on the south Kent coast to begin his military career. Soldiers had to serve 12 years and could choose to serve five or seven years with the Colours and the remainder on the reserve, or the whole 12 with the Army. (ABWMV Research Services)

The papers do not show any details of his career for the first six years. However, he was obviously an efficient soldier as he passed his second-class certificate of education in March 1890, which was rewarded with an appointment to Lance-Corporal in April. Further reward followed with an extra 1d Good Conduct pay in June. In July he married Sarah Anne Robinson at the Register Office, York where the regiment was stationed. (ABWMV Research Services)

The 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars were stationed at York Cavalry Barracks from 1887 to 1890. In 1890 they were transferred to Dublin, Ireland. The regiment was also stationed at Cahir, Co. Tipperary in 1893 and Newbridge, Co. Kildare. While at Cahir and Newbridge, the families apparently resided with the soldiers. In 1897, the 10th Hussars were at the Canterbury Cavalry Barracks.

In February 1891 he elected to remain in the Army to complete his 12-year commitment. In July he was promoted Corporal. In July 1892 he passed a course in signalling at Aldershot and in January 1893 was trained in cooking. Further steps in rank took place in March with appointment to Lance-Sergeant and promotion to Sergeant in November 1893. At the end of this 12 years service in March 1896 William Walker elected to remain in the Army to complete 21 years. For an unknown reason he was arrested in April 1899 and tried by a District Court Martial that reduced him in rank to Corporal. (ABWMV Research Services)

In October 1899 the Anglo-Boer War broke out when the Boers invaded the British colonies of Natal and the Cape Colony. They besieged the towns of Mafeking, Ladysmith and Kimberley. On 6 November 1899 the 10th Hussars sailed for South Africa from Liverpool in the SS Ismore and SS Columbian. As the Ismore and Columbian sailed into the Irish Sea a heavy gale forced them to find shelter in Moelfre Roads. The voyage proceeded without incident until 3 December when the Ismore struck rocks off Columbine Point, St Helena Bay, about 75 miles [or 115 kilometres] north of Table Bay. The men and horses were safely got ashore with the Columbia and HMS Niobe and Doris in attendance. On December 7 it was reported there was no hope of salvaging the Ismore. A smaller detachment sailed from London aboard the SS America on 24 October 1899, which had a smooth voyage landing at Cape Town on 17 November 1899. William Walker sailed from Liverpool, but on which ship is not known. (ABWMV Research Services)

In February 1900 after obtaining replacement horses, the 10th Hussars participated in the 'Relief of Kimberley,' Cape Colony and the subsequent actions at Paardeberg (17-27 Feb.), Orange Free State. On 10 March 1900, they were at Dreifontein, Cape Colony. From 24 May 1900 to 31 May 1902, the 10th Hussars were stationed in the Transvaal. They were at Johannesburg on 31 May 1900, Aleman's Nek on 11 June 1900, and Wittenberg on 15-29 July 1900.

On arrival at Cape Town the 10th Hussars were sent to join the Cavalry Division of the army forming under Major-General Lord Methuen in the northern Cape Colony. Methuen was tasked with relieving Kimberley and Mafeking. Major-General JDP French (later Field Marshall during World War I and Earl of Ypres) commanded the Cavalry Division whose task was to drive out the Boers occupying parts of the northern Cape. French was an aggressive leader and there was constant patrolling and the regiment took casualties. On 5 January 1900 Lieutenant Sir JP Milbanke was awarded the Victoria Cross for riding back to rescue a comrade whose horse was blown. This fighting earned Walker the Cape Colony bar. In his despatches French was full of praise for the work of the 10th Hussars. (ABWMV Research Services)

As Methuen moved north French took his Cavalry Division to join the main army. On 11 February 1900 French made his famous successful dash to relieve Kimberley. Although 10th Hussars were part of this force, William Walker did not earn the bar 'Relief of Kimberley'; evidently he was left behind either on duty or perhaps because of sickness. In the face of this onslaught, the Boer army moved east along the Orange River trying to escape. (ABWMV Research Services)

The Boer army was caught at a farm called Paardeberg trying to cross the Orange River, the horse artillery headed them off with shell fire and the 10th Hussars beat the Boers to a kopje forcing the Boers to stop and become surrounded. The Boer camp was bombarded and attacked by infantry and they capitulated on 28 February 1900. Another Boer army had approached Paardeberg and on 7 March 1900 the cavalry turned the Boer position at Poplar Grove. On the 10th the infantry attacked them at Driefontein, the cavalry failed to turn the Boer position in the face of artillery fire. On 13 March 1900 Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange Free State was occupied. On this day Sergeant Engleheart was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a wounded comrade while out protecting a party of Royal Engineers sent to cut the telegraph line north of the city. (ABWMV Research Services)

On 30 March 1900, 160 men of the regiment were with a composite force that was ambushed and soundly beaten at Sannah's Post. In the march on Johannesburg the 10th Hussars again did useful work preventing the retreating Boer armies forming positions on the Zand River. Johannesburg was captured shortly followed by Pretoria, the capital of the South African Republic. The final rump of the Boer army gathered to the east of Pretoria at Diamond Hill where in a two day battle on 11-12 June 1900 no clear advantage was gained. However, the Boers fell back eastwards. (ABWMV Research Services)

The 10th Hussars remained around Pretoria while the army chased the Boers east towards Portuguese East Africa. The regiment was sent into the Orange Free State to a mountainous area know as the Wittebergen. Here, many Boers had gathered to try and rest and recuperate. The British tried to encircle them in their mountain fastness. This policy was partially successful, some escaped but many others surrendered in July. (ABWMV Research Services)

In August William Walker was promoted Sergeant. At this time the regiment were in the Magaliesberg to the west of Pretoria. The Magaliesberg was a critical mountain range used by the Boers as a refuge. It was fought over a number of times during the war. On the 28th William Walker was severely wounded by a gunshot wound to the thigh at Elands River near Olifants Nek. In August the Rustenburg Commando and other forces under General Christian De Wet passed through Olifants Nek. No doubt William Walker was shot while hunting these men. His discharge papers notes this was an explosive bullet. He would have been sent to hospital and was then returned to Britain. He embarked at Cape Town on 5 November 1900 and probably landed at Southampton or Portsmouth, as he would have been sent to the Royal Victoria Military hospital at Netley. It was from Netley that William Walker was discharged from the army on 12 March 1901 “having been found medically unfit for further service”. It appears he had his thigh amputated. His address on discharge was given as 54 Farndale Street, Fulford Road, York. He had completed 17 years service. (ABWMV Research Services)

Sarah Walker and her daughter Grace Margaret were enumerated in the 1891 census. They resided at the York Cavalry Barracks, Fulford Road, Fulford, York. The census states that both she and her daughter were born at York. (RG 12, piece 3895, folio 93, p. 21)

Sarah Walker and her four children were enumerated at 54 Farndale St., Walmgate, York in the 1901 census. They were visiting a friend (Minnie Price and family) at the York Cavalry Barracks, Walmgate, York. Sarah Walker was listed as a soldier's wife as was her friend. The census indicates that Sarah Walker was born at Tadcaster, Yorkshire. Lillian and William were born in Ireland while Mizpah and Doris were born at Canterbury, Kent. (RG 13, piece 4448, folio 98, p. 35)

When Doris Walker died in November 1901, the Walker family resided at 82 Hartington Road, Walthamstow, Essex. William Walker was a timekeeper. In 1906 William Walker was a commissionaire according to the death certificate of his wife Sarah Ann Walker. She died from puerperal septicæmia caused by infant birth. The Walkers resided at 79 Brougham Road, Dalston, London.

William and Louise Walker resided at 26 Rutland Road, South Hackney, London according to the 1911 British census. William Walker was a clerk for the Labour Bureau. William and Louise Walker had been married for three years, six months by the date of census on 2 April 1911. Louise Walker had no children. William Walker's five youngest children resided with them. William Walker was born at Beckenham, Kent. Louise Walker was born at Great Ousebourne, Yorkshire. Son William Walker was born at Newbridge, Ireland. Mizpah Walker was born at Canterbury, Kent. Nancy Walker was born at Walthamstow, Essex. Freddy and Arthur Walker were born at Hackney, London. (RG 14, PN1147; RG 78 PN38 RD11 SD5 ED8 SN202)

On 12 Jul 1890 William first married Sarah Ann Robinson, daughter of John Robinson & Ann [Robinson], in York, Yorkshire, England.1 Born abt 1871 in Stockton, Durham, England. Sarah Ann died in London, England, on 16 Aug 1906; she was 35.

death: Whitechapel R.D., Sep 1906 quarter, v. 1c, p. 191

They had the following children:
29 i. Grace Margaret (1890-1892)
30 ii. Lilian Violet Ada (1893-)
31 iii. William Aubrey Victor (1895-)
32 iv. Mizpah (Mabel) (1897-)
33 v. Doris (1899-1901)
34 vi. Nancy (~1901-)
35 vii. Frederick (~1904-1976)
36 viii. Arthur (~1906-)

On 12 Sep 1908 William second married Louise Robinson in Hackney, London, England.1 Born abt 1880 in Great Ousebourne, Yorkshire, England.

birth: Gt. Ousebourn R.D., Mar 1881 quarter, v. 9a, p. 87 (most likely)
Gt. Ouseburn R.D., Jun 1877 quarter, v. 9a, p. 92 (less likely)

17. Margaret Elizabeth Walker (William3, William2, Elizabeth1). Born abt 1869 in St. Margaret's, Westminster, Middlesex, England.

In 1898 Margaret Elizabeth married George William Earl, son of Charles Earl & Ann [Earl]. Born abt 1873 in Billingford, Norfolk, England.

Margaret Elizabeth Earl and her children resided at Pockthorpe, Foulsham, Norfolk according to the 1901 census. There is a blank line for George Earl's name, but it is noted "from home" on census day. Margaret Elizabeth Earl was born in Westminster, Middlesex. The children were born at Foulsham. The family employed a widowed nurse named Ann Brown who was from Hindolveston, Norfolk. (RG 13, piece 1828, folio 57, p. 12)

George William Earl was at his parent's home at Pockthorpe, Foulsham, Norfolk according to the 1901 British census. He was married and was a fish hawker while his father Charles Earl was a fish merchant. George William Earl was born at Billingsford, Norfolk. (RG 13, piece 1828, folio 52, p. 1)

They had the following children:
37 i. Dorothy Clarissa (~1899-)
38 ii. Charles George (1901-)
39 iii. William Henry (1902-)
40 iv. Margaret Mildred (1904-)

18. John H. Walker (William3, William2, Elizabeth1). Born abt Feb 1871 in St. Margaret's, Westminster, Middlesex, England.

19. Henry Newman Walker (William3, William2, Elizabeth1). Born on 13 Apr 1873 in Beckenham, Kent, England. Henry Newman died in Acton, London, England, on 20 May 1923; he was 50. Occupation: bookbinder.

Henry and Frances Walker resided at 39 Hanbury Road, Acton, Middlesex according to the 1901 British census. He was a plasterer's labourer. Henry Walker was born at Beckenham, Kent. Frances Walker and their daughter Nellie were born at Acton. (RG 13, piece 1203, folio 110, p. 14).

On 10 May 1896 Henry Newman first married Frances Mary Ann Clark in Acton, London, England. Born abt 1875 in Acton, Middelsex, England. Frances Mary Ann died in Acton, Middelsex, England, in 1907; she was 32.

death: Dec 1907 quarter, Brentford R.D., v. 3a, p. 96

They had the following children:
41 i. Frances May (1897-1897)
42 ii. Henry Charles (1899-1899)
43 iii. Nellie (~1900-)
44 iv. Gertrude Elizabeth (1903-)
45 v. Dorothy (1907-1907)

On 30 Aug 1909 Henry Newman second married Ada Eastman in Brentford, London, England.

They had the following children:
46 i. Ada Alice (1909-)
47 ii. Margaret
48 iii. Frances Jane (1914-)

20. Ada Jane Walker (William3, William2, Elizabeth1). Born abt 1877 in Beckenham, Kent, England.

The 1901 British census states that Ada J. Walker resided at 2 Lalor Street, Fulham, London. She was servant in the household of Frederick Suffield. She was a cook. Ada Walker was born at Beckenham, Kent. (RG 13, piece 65, folio 103, p. 44)

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