We are fortunate to have quite a lot of coverage of Percy’s war in the Shipley Times & Express, starting with the Battle of the Somme: Pte Percy Walker, 2nd Bradford Pals, son of Mr and Mrs Walter Walker of Highfield Road, Idle, has received a shrapnel wound in the foot. The missile of which he was struck had previously seriously wounded another soldier. Pte Walker, who is now in the Warrington hospital, joined the forces early last year. He is 19 years of age and previous to joining the colours was a grocer’s assistant. His brother, Pte Herbert Walker, Duke of Wellington’s Own West Riding Regt, is now at the front. 14 July 1916 Unusually, the paper used the editorial comment section to announce the death of a soldier. It is not in the homes of those who have sacrificed their loved ones in the country’s cause that one finds any disposition towards an immature peace. “It is cowardly to talk of peace

before the danger is removed for which our sons have given their lives,” was the Spartan- like statement of Mrs Walter Walker of Unitarian House, Highfield Road, Idle to an Express representative this week. Mrs Walker had just received word that her son Percy had been killed. Pte Walker was only 20 years old and unmarried. Educated at the Thorpe Board School, Walker was working as assistant with Driver’s grocers, Bradford, when he joined the West Yorkshire Regt two and a half years ago. It was six weeks before the Christmas of 1915 that he sailed for Egypt. Later he was transferred to France. Wounded in the foot by shrapnel last July, he was invalided home to the Warrington Hospital and after had a short spell home on leave. Then he returned to France and escaped mishap until meeting with

the injury which caused his death. Mrs Walker has received the following letter from Cpl L Keighley: “Dear Mrs Walker, it is with very great regret that we have to inform you of the loss of your son, Percy. “We thought that perhaps you would like to hear from those who were with him. You can take it from us that his death was instantaneous. Therefore we don’t think he would have any pain or suffering for even a short period. “Percy was held in great respect among those who were with him and it is with very deep regret that we have to inform you of his death. “We shall miss him very much. Please accept our heartfelt and deepest sympathy.” Pte Walker was a member of the Idle Wesleyan Church and was in the choir. Mrs Walker’s other son, Herbert, 23

years, is also serving in the army. He enlisted under the Derby scheme and was trained at Brockton, Staffs. He was wounded on July 5th, 1916, has twice since suffered from shell shock and is not in England, engaged on transport work. 3 August 1917 A service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Idle, on Sunday evening last in memory of Pte Percy Walker, son of Mr and Mrs Walter Walker, Highfield Road, who was killed in action in the recent fighting in Flanders. Pte Walker had passed through the Sunday School as a boy and latterly was a member of the Men’s Bible Class. Prior to joining up he was employed by Mr S Pitts, grocer, Albion Road The Rev W Hemingway Shaw occupied the pulpit and preached from the text Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusteth in Thee.” 10 August 1917