Henry Alexander Walker facts for kids

Brigadier-General Henry Alexander Walker was a brave British Army officer. He was born on October 20, 1874, and passed away on May 1, 1953. He served with the Royal Fusiliers and later with the King's African Rifles. He fought in the First World War.

Military Career

Henry Alexander Walker followed in his father's footsteps. His father was also an officer in the Royal Fusiliers. Henry went to St Georges College in Weybridge. He became a second lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers in December 1894. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1897. Then he became a captain in 1900.

Later, he was second in command of the 1st Battalion, King's African Rifles. This was in Nairobi around the year 1900. In 1914, he worked as a brigade major in the Meerut Division.

During the First World War, he led the 16th Infantry Brigade. He continued to lead until he lost his left arm. This happened in a shell attack at Vaux-Andigny on October 16, 1918. He was mentioned in official reports nine times for his good work.

He retired from the army on September 17, 1931. He was given the special title of Brigadier-General.

Key Battles and Operations

• In 1905, Captain Walker led a group of soldiers. They were part of the Nandi Expeditionary Force in East Africa. His group protected parts of the railway in Kenya. On October 21, 1905, they surprised some villages. This happened after a night march from Lumbwa.
• His troops also fought against the Nyangori tribe. They cleared the Mau forests of enemies. They also cleared the Kamelilo and Tinderet areas.
• King George V approved his promotion to Major. This was for his actions during the Nandi Expedition in East Africa.
• From 1909 to 1910, he served in Somaliland. He was the first to arrive with 300 Askari soldiers. These soldiers were from the 1st King's African Rifles. They performed escort duties for a year.
• He arrived for the First Battle of Ypres on October 12, 1914. This was a very important battle in the First World War.
• In 1919, he gave up his temporary rank of Brigadier General.
• From 1920 to 1921, he led the 55th Brigade Column. This was during operations in Iraq.
• In 1925, Colonel Walker was appointed as a Brigade Commander. This was for the Territorial Army.

Awards and Medals

Henry Alexander Walker received many awards for his service.

• He earned the Queen's South Africa Medal. This medal had clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal. These showed where he served in 1901.
• He also received the Africa General Service Medal. This medal had clasps for Jidballi, Somaliland (1902-04), Nandi (1905-06), and Somaliland (1908–10).
• He was awarded the 1914 Star.
• In 1915, he became a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. This award is given for bravery in battle.
• He received The Order of St Stanislas, 3rd Class, in 1917. This was a Russian award.
• King George V made him a Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB). This was for his valuable work in Mesopotamia in 1921.
• He received the General Service Medal in 1923. This was for his duties in Iraq.
• In 1931, he was offered the award of a CBE. However, he chose not to accept it.

Home Life

Henry Alexander Walker was born on November 26, 1874, in Brighton, Sussex. His father was Colonel Edward Walker. His mother was Mary Josephine.

He married Winifred Plunkett on August 28, 1907. They were married at St Lukes Church in Chelsea, London. Winifred was born on March 7, 1872.

He owned a property in Battersea, London. But the 1911 census shows he lived in Castle Road, Camberley. He had two servants there. His last known home was at Manor House, Lower Woodford, in 1949.

Henry Alexander Walker passed away at his home on May 1, 1953. He was 78 years old. He left his assets to his wife Winifred in his will.

Miscellaneous

• He presented an old Arabic manuscript to Cambridge University. This manuscript was from the 17th century. It was later sold at an auction in 2013.