15437 Lance Corporal Ernest Victor Walker
D Company 2nd Battalion
3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
3rd January 1918
Born in Whangarei, New Zealand in July 1886.
His parents were George Henry Walker(1845-15/06/1892) and Sarah Ann Carr(1853-15/07/1922). They were married on 02/12/1867.
Ernest had 4 brothers; Frederick William(1870-1943), Robert Oscar(1876-1947), William Watson(1877-1950) and George Henry(1880-1954).
He also had 3 sisters; Flora Elizabeth(born in 1868),Eva Eleanor(1873-1932) and Violet Maud(1888-1965).
The 1914 NZ Electoral Roll records Ernest as living in Rotorua and employed as a train examiner.
He enlisted at Trentham Camp on 05/04/1916, having already had a medical on 15/03/1916,details below;
Apparent Age - 29 years, Height - 5ft 9 inches, Weight - 10st 11lb
Chest Measurement - Minimum - 34 inches, Maximum - 371/2 inches
Complexion - Fair, Colour of Eyes - Blue, Colour of Hair - Fair
Religious Profession - Presbyterian
Tattooed coat of arms on right forearm.
Ernest's journey to the Western front, began in Wellington on 29/07/1916 sailing aboard the Ulimaroa until 28/09/1916 when he disembarked in Devonport, England. He was marched into Sling Camp, Salisbury Plain the same day.
He stayed at Sling until 10/10/1916 when he was sent to France, marching into the Etaples camp the next day.
Ernest joined his battalion and was posted to D Company on 22/11/1916.
At the start of the following year on 07/01/1917, he was detached to the Railway Construction party, whom he stayed with for the next couple of months before returning to his unit on 15/03/1917.
He was detached from his unit again on 21/04/1917, this time to the NZ Working Battalion. Whilst with them he was awarded
3 days field punishment No.2 after being found guilty of being absent from parade on 25/04/1917.
He returned to his unit on 18/05/1917.
Ernest was promoted to Lance Corporal whilst doing police duties on 17/08/1917.
He was given leave to the UK on 12/101/1917, returning to his unit on 24/10/1917 .
He was killed in action on 03/01/1918.
Ernest was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.