Private Robert Walker

Private Robert Thomas Walker M.M. 1st/6th ( Territorial ) Battalion, Black Watch. He was killed in France, aged 34, on 21st March 1918 on the first day of the German Spring Offensive. He was the son of John and Isabella Walker of Wallace House, Ayton and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. At this time the Battalion which was part of the 51st( Highland) Division was holding trenches near Pronville. The German attack forced the Divisions on either side of the 51st into retreat thus making it imperative that the Highlanders also withdraw to keep the line intact. The 6th Black Watch were on the extreme left of the Division and consequently suffered more casualties in the withdrawal.  After five days hard fighting to retard the German advance the Battalion reached billets in Barly near Doullens. Casualties were severe  with 20 Officers and 620 Other Ranks lost with most of these on the 21st March when owing to the retirement of the Divisions on the left and right most of the front line garrison were either killed or captured. the photographs show Allied troops preparing to resist the German advances and the colour photograph shows the Memorial raised to the 51st ( Highland ) Division of which the Battalion was part. It was erected in Newfoundland Park on the Somme overlooking “Y” Ravine which was taken when the Division stormed and captured the very strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel on 13th November 1916. A plaque in Gaelic on the Memorial reads ” Friends Are Good On The Day Of Battle “. The photos show Allied troops in defensive positions.

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