| Walker | Harold Bridgwood | | Captain | WALKER, HAROLD BRIDGWOOD, Captain, was born 26 April 1862, son of Reverend James H Walker and of Mary Walker, of Fox Earth, Staffs. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, and at Jesus College, Cambridge; joined the Army, from the Militia, as Second Lieutenant, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 14 May 1884. He served in the Nile Expedition, 1884-85, with the River Column (Medal with clasp; Khedive's Star); on the Egyptian Frontier, 1885—86, with the Mounted Infantry Frontier Field Force, being present in the action at Giniss. He became Captain 16 December 1891; served on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Tirah Field Force; was DAQMG, Intelligence, India, 6 May 1898 to 13 March 1900 (Medal and two clasps). He served in South Africa, 1899-1902; as Special Service Officer in command of the 4th Regiment of Mounted Infantry 11 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was present at the operations in Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Vet River and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including the action at Belfast (26 and 27 August); operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902]; received Queen's and King's Medals with seven clasps; the Brevet of Major 29 November 1900, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Harold Bridgwood Walker, Captain and Brevet Major, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Major 22 November 1902; was transferred to the Border Regiment 2 July 1904, as Second-in-Command; became Lieutenant Colonel 1 July 1908, and Colonel 7 March 1912. Colonel Walker served in the European War. He became Brigadier General 12 December 1914, on the General Staff of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 1914 to 1916 at Gallipoli and at the landing of Anzac; became Brigade Commander of the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade 21 June 1915, and Divisional Commander (Temporary Major General), 1st Australian Division, 21 July 1915. He afterwards commanded the 1st Australian Division in France, and on 4 July 1918, was appointed to command the 48th Division of the British Army in Italy. He was present at the Battles on the Somme, 1916-17; advance on to the Hindenburg Line, 1917; operations round Ypres; Third Battle of Ypres and Passchendaele; operations in front of Amiens, April 1918; operations in front of Hazebrouck 10 July 1918; operations in Italy, July 1918 to close of War and Armistice; on the Asiago Plateau, including the advance into Austria through the Val d'Assa, and occupation of the Trentino; on this occasion the 48th Division took 22,000 prisoners and captured over 600 guns of all calibres and innumerable machine guns. From 3 March to 10 June Major General Walker commanded the troops in Italy, subsequently being sent on a mission into Austria. He was seven times mentioned in Despatches; twice wounded; created a CB, 1915; promoted Major General 1 January 1916, and was created a KCB 1 January 1918, and a KCMG, 1919. He commanded No 4 Area and the South Midland TF Division. Major General Sir H B Walker married, in 1887, Harriet Edith Coulthard, of Plymstock, and they had two sons: Captain James Coulthard (Indian Cavalry), born March 1889, and Lieutenant Harold Thomas (Royal Navy), born March 1891.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry |
