More about Andrew Walker

Andrew Walker   CZ/4204   Howe Bn Royal Naval Division

BROUGHTY FERRY LAD REPORTED KILLED

Is Still Fighting for King and Country.

A Peculiar experience has fallen to the lot of Mr and Mrs Alexander Walker, King Street, Broughty Ferry, whose son was officially notified as killed, but happily is still fighting for King and Country.

Last week the War Office advised them that their elder son, Able-Seaman Alexander Walker, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, had been killed in action on 6th November, enclosing a letter of condolence and the necessary forms for the disposal of his personal effects.

The blow has fallen so unexpectedly that the family were stricken with poignant grief. Mrs Walker, however, had the premonition that her lad was still safe, and on looking over his letters from the front she discovered that one communication was dated later than the 6th November, the day upon which the War Office reported his fall.  The matter was immediately taken up with the military authorities, while a letter was sent to the lad in the trenches.  Their anxiety was relieved during the week-end by the receipt of a letter from the gallant soldier stating that he was well.  It appears that A. B. Walker, who prior to enlistment was a clerk in the Dundee Tramway Department, had lost his identification disc during a charge, and this may explain the incident which has had such a happy ending.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 25th December 1916

PARENTS’ GRIEF TURNED TO JOY.

BROUGHTY FERRY MAN ERRONEOUSLY REPORTED KILLED.

Last week the War Office advised Mr and Mrs A. Walker, King Street, Broughty Ferry, that their elder son, Able-Seaman Alexander Walker, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, had been killed in action on 6th November, enclosing a letter of condolence and the necessary forms for the disposal of his personal effects.

Mrs Walker, however, had the premonition that her lad was still safe, and on looking over his letters from the front she discovered that one communication was dated later than the 6th November, the day upon which the War Office reported his fall.  The matter was immediately taken up with the military authorities, while a letter was sent to the lad in the trenches.  Their anxiety was relieved during the week-end by the receipt of a letter from the gallant soldier stating that he was well.  It appears that A. B. Walker, who prior to enlistment was a clerk in the Dundee Tramway Department, had lost his identification disc during a charge, and this may explain the incident which has had such a happy ending.

Dundee Courier 26th December 1916