Walker, Samuel Edgar Stewart

Lieutenant Samuel Edgar Stewart Walker

was born at Ballyrock on 29th April 1891 to James Walker, Farmer and Annie Mary Walker nee Stewart. They were married on 2nd October 1888 at Ballywatt Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Samuel (9) is living in house 1, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with his grandparents David & Martha Walker, his parents and 5 siblings; Ida (2), Karolina (0), Marion (11), Francis (4) and Robert (7).

Samuel would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1909 and is recorded as working in Derry and Warrenpoint branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee. Robert Walker (brother) later signed the document.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

In 1911, Walker is boarding with the Coyle family in house 1.2 Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Co. Dublin. His occupation is recorded  as a Bank Clerk. There are a further 2 possible colleagues boarding; Samuel H Eakin (22) and Archibald A Ennes (20), both described as Bank Clerks. 

By 1911 Samuel's parents are living in house 5, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with their 5 children; Robert, Francis, Ida, Karolina and John. A servant, William Moody is also present in the property.

Samuel volunteered and enlisted as a Private into the Royal Highlanders with Service Number 2178. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Western Front from 2nd May 1915.

S E S Walker - Medal Index Card

Sergeant S E S Walker (Irish Independent of 3rd February 1917) was commissioned on 1st January 1917 from the Royal Highlanders into the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant and was later transferred to the 12th Bn. & 3rd Bn. 

The Northern Whig of 19th February 1917 reports on his commission and mentions him being wounded.

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Samuel as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'Palestine'.

The Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser of 1st March 1917 reports the same incident and mentions that Samuel's brother, Francis (F W Walker) is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery and is serving in France. He would later be promoted to Captain and awarded the Military Cross (MC).

Samuel was later promoted to Temporary Lieutenant from 1st July 1918.

Samuel was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

S E S Walker - Medal Roll

The Medal Index Card records his address as the Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathdown, Queens County, Ireland. In 1923 the Belfast Bank sold all its southern branches (and staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank later Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathmines, Dublin branch

As a result of his war injuries, a Pension Record Card was created for Samuel recording his unit as 3rd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.