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

Pair: Captain G. Banes Walker, Somerset Light Infantry, killed in action near Jerusalem, 22 November 1917

British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); together with memorial plaque (Gerald Banes Walker) extremely fine (3) £160-180

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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Gerald Banes Walker was born in 1889, and educated at Tonbridge and Bradfield Schools. Immediately after the declaration of war he was gazetted to a commission in the Somerset Light Infantry, dated 15 August 1914; promoted to Lieutenant, 1 October 1915; and Captain, 1 February 1917, from which time he took command of a company. He was instantaneously killed, shot through the heart, whilst in action near Jerusalem, with the 1/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

The Adjutant wrote: ‘ We buried him where he fell, high up in the mountains overlooking the wonderful city... His leading and fine example of courage were the admiration of everyone through the heavy fighting of November. He remained one of the most cheerful of us all in all the difficulties and dangers.’

See Lot 1151 for the medals to his brother.