Captain William Walker M.C. and Bar

Captain William Gray Walker, M.C. and Bar, Cameron Highlanders attached to the Trench Mortars of the 8th Division. He was killed in action in Belgium on 18th July 1917, aged 31. He had been born in  Langton and was the son of the Reverend Johnston Walker M.A. and the late Margaret of Langton, Duns and is buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, Flanders, Belgium. He had enlisted in the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots as a Private in September 1914 and was commissioned into the Cameron Highlanders in June 1915. He won his first Military Cross in June 1916 for conspicuous gallantry over the period 22nd June to 3rd July 1916. ( Battle of the Somme ). The Bar to the M.C. was won in June 1917 for gallantry in action. The citation for the first award reads ” For conspicuous gallantry during operations. For several days he directed fire from an exposed position under machine gun, rifle and shell fire, and showed the greatest coolness and courage. On one occasion he persisted in digging out some infantry men who had been buried and though himself wounded carried on until they had all been rescued “. The citation for his second award reads” For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in keeping his mortar battery in action for several days under intense hostile bombardment. His fire had great effect on enemy strong points and dug outs and his conduct throughout was a splendid example of coolness and ability to all ranks “. He had been educated at the Berwickshire High School and then had gone to work for the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Co. in Edinburgh. He had been wounded four times. He is also commemorated on the Memorial Tablet of Old Boys who fell in the World Wars and is to be found in the new Berwickshire High School, Duns. The photos show both heavy and light mortars in action.