Private Joseph Walker

Private Joseph Romanes Walker, 1st/6th ( Banff and Donside ) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. He was killed in action in France, aged 19, on the 16th May 1917 during the Battle of Arras. He had been born in Selkirk in 1899 and was the son of Jeffrey and the late Josephine Walker of 10 Dunsdale Cottages, Selkirk. He had originally enlisted in the 4th Kings Own Scottish Borderers in February 1915 but was posted to the Gordon Highlanders in France. He is buried in Roeux British Cemetery, Arras, France where his Headstone is inscribed ” Their Glory Shall not Be Blotted Out”. On 16th May the Battalion was in the process of being relieved when the Germans counter attacked near the village of Roeux. After suffering casualties the attack was eventually beaten off and all the lost ground regained. The photos show troops during the Battle. The Battalion was part of the 152nd ( 1st Highland ) Brigade in the 51st (Highland) Division and an impressive memorial was raised after the War in its commemoration. It was erected on the Somme overlooking “Y” Ravine which was taken when the Division stormed the strong German positions in Beaumont Hamel on the 13th November 1916. A Plaque on the Memorial reds in both English and Gaelic ” Friends Are Good On the Day Of Battle”. The photos show troops during the Battle of Arras.