Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Newspaper clipping – From the Vancouver Daily Province November 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of John Malcolm Walker – John Malcolm Walker was born in Farnley Yorkshire in 1895. He was the younger son of Robert and Lavinia Walker. He was educated in Yorkshire and emigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia with his brother James in 1912. The family later settled in a cottage near Burnaby Lake in the woods. John's first job was with the Great North West Telegraph Company. When the war began, he enlisted in New Westminster B.C. with the 47th Bn. C.E.F. on March 24, 1915. Private John Malcolm Walker embarked for Britain aboard S.S. Missanabie on June 24,1915 and proceeded to France for service with the 7th Infantry Bn. C.E.F. (First British Columbia Regiment) on August 23, 1915. On November 8, 1915, he died of wounds received in action. He was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Ext. France, Grave 1.F. 200. His service awards: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His fiancé Ethel Hepworth waited for him in Yorkshire. He is lovingly remembered for his sacrifice by his niece and nephews: Lily Johnson Thirkell, John Malcolm Smith, and the late Robert Johnson. His grave was visited in March 2003 by a great nephew David Smith and his daughters Katie and Lindsay who left a rose and a copy of his photo. The Uncle we never knew will not be forgotten.

Grave Marker – Grave marker for John Malcolm Walker in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Image taken 13 July 2014 by Tom Tulloch.