A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Second Lieutenant F. C. Banes Walker, Devonshire Regiment, killed in action near Fleurbaix, 9 May 1915

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., Devon R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Frederick Cecil Banes Walker) all mounted on a contemporary fitted display board, nearly extremely fine (4) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Frederick Cecil Banes Walker was born at Northgate House, Bridgwater, Somerset on 19 June 1888, and educated at Mr Coplestone’s, Exmouth, Devon and Tonbridge school. A prominent cricketer prior to the war he played county cricket for Somerset, and in 1914 averaged 19.11 from ten innings, including 40 against Hampshire. Sold with a copy of, A Photographic History of Somerset C.C.C. 1891-1991, which contains a photograph of him.

On the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment, being gazetted into the Devonshire Regiment a few weeks later, and made a Machine-Gun Officer in the 2nd battalion of that regiment. He went to France on 15 March 1915; was promoted Lieutenant, and was killed in action near Fleurbaix on 9 May 1915. He is buried at Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.

In a letter to his parents his Commanding Officer wrote: “Your son was killed in action early Sunday morning, 9 May, as we were advancing under heavy cross-firing. He was in charge of our machine-gun section, and had done extremely well.”

See Lot 1181 for the medals to his brother.