Parents

John’s father was Joseph Haslam Walker, (son of Joseph, a farmer) born on 18 May 1850 in Hulme and baptised on 30 June 1850 at St. James’ Church, Didsbury. In 1851 the family’s address was 6 Back Clay Street, Hulme. In 1871 he lived in Albert Square, Albert Street, Withington and at the age of 20 he was a shipper’s commercial clerk. In 1881 he lived at 2 Vernon Place, Withington.

Joseph married Henrietta Amelia King on 14 December 1872 at St. Mary’s church, Hulme.

Henrietta was born on 8 March 1847 in London and was baptised on 20 February 1848 at St. Mary’s church, Marylebone. She died at Colwyn Bay on 18 October 1921. Her father, Henry, was a butler, born in Redditch.

John

John was born on 30 March 1887 in Withington. He was baptised on 15 May 1887 at Christ Church by W. Thompson. In the 1881 census the family lived at 13 Northen Grove. Joseph was a clerk to a merchant. There were four children, Catherine 17, Ethel 12, William 10 and John 4. Also in the house was Mary Baskerville 69, described as Joseph’s mother-in-law (we think Mary King must have remarried).

The family remained at that address in 1901 and 1911. In 1901 Joseph was a buyer and in 1911 he was a buyer of cotton goods (East India shipper). In 1901 Catherine, 27, was described as a professor of music. We do not know if that was an academic appointment or if she was simply a music teacher. She married Thomas Mee Lofts at Christ Church on 29 May 1909.

We have tried to find the family house but there is now no number 13 Northen Grove but there is a pair of joined semi’s numbered 11 and 15.

John attended William Hulme’s Grammar School from 1898 to 1905. In his last three years he was captain of lacrosse and a member of the first cricket team. He later played in the Old Hulmeians lacrosse team. This information and the photograph are taken from the Old Hulmeians War Memorial website.

He went to Manchester University where he took an MSc with honours in engineering. He went to Egypt with the 1st/6th Manchesters in September 1914. He was promoted to sergeant and served in Gallipoli from May 1915. He obtained his commission in January 1917. He was a second lieutenant in the 16th (Sussex Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was wounded in action in Sheira on 6 November 1917 and died from his wounds in the Nasrieh School Hospital, Cairo on 22 November 1917. He is buried in the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, grave reference O. 18. He is also remembered on the family grave in St Paul’s churchyard.

Probate was awarded to Joseph of Holly Bank, 13 Northen Grove, on 7 February 1918 to the value of £52 6s.