The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)(about) |
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Wednesday 7 November 1934
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DEATH OF SIR HAROLD WALKER
Led First Division For Three Years SPLENDID FIGHTING COMMANDER LONDON. November 5.
Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Walker, who commanded the 1st Aus- tralian Division in Gallipoli and France from 1915 to 1918, died today
at his residence. Palace Lodge. Credi- ton, Devonshire. He was 72 years of age.
Few British officers were more in- timately connected with the A.I.F. than "Hookey" Walker—as he was universally known by generals and privates alike — and few had more affection and ad- miration for the Australian soldier. Be joined the Australian Forces on their arrival in Egypt, having been selected by Sir William Bird- wood as his chief of staff when he was given com- mand of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Gen- eral Walker was then 52 years of age, and had been employed for the previous two years as a staff officer in India. Although he had filled several very responsible staff positions in India, he had little love for staff work, being essentially a fighting soldier. His wish from the first was a command in the field, and he obtained his desire on the day of the landing at Anzac, when he was given temporary com- mand of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade. General Walker was a man of strong opinions, and was the only officer on Birdwood's staff who was opposed to the landing on Gallipoli. From the first he maintained that the opera- tion had no chance of success. This, combined with his dislike of staff work, caused him to allow his immediate junior, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Skeen. who for the previous three years had been a lecturer at the staff college at Quetta, to draw up the detailed plans for the operation, while he concen- trated on supervising the tactical train- ing of the troops. Landed Early At Anzac It was characteristic of General Walker that he was the first officer of General Birfiwood's staff to land on Gallipoli, which he did shortly before 8 a.m. on April 25. He went ashore to keep in personal touch with the fight- ing, leaving Colonel Skeen on the battleship Queen Elizabeth with General Birdwood to supervise the staff work. Less than three hours after he landed he obtained his dearest wish—a transfer from staff work to a fighting command in the field. Colonel F. E. Johnston, the commander of the New Zealand In- fantry Brigade, had fallen ill during the voyage from Mudros, and Bird- wood placed Walker temporarily in command of that unit when it landed on Gailipoli about 11 am. that day. Colonel Johnston resumed command of his brigade a few days later, and General Walker was then placed in charge of the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade, the commander of which, Colonel H. N. McLaurin, had been killed two days after the landing. From then until June 1, 1918, General Walker remained with the Ist Aus- tralian Division, which he commanded for nearly tnree years. He left it to take command of a British division in Italy, being succeeded in charge of the 1st Australian Division by Major- General Sir William Glasgow. Considerate Of His Troops "Although not an Australian, Gene- ral Walker was probably far more careful regarding his division than many Australians, who at various times were in control of units of the A.F.," said a senior military officer yesterday, who was on the head- quarters staff of the 1st Australian Division with him for more than two years. "He would not commit his troops to an attack (if he could pos- sibly avoid it) unless convinced that the results to be obtained would more than justify any loss which might necessarily be incurred. Even then he was most particular to see that every possible precaution was taken to make the task of the attacking troops as easy as possible and to reduce casual- ties to a minimum. In this he was governed not only by a genuine re- gard for the troops under his com- mand, but also because he considered that they were too valuable to be wasted in what he termed 'mere eye- wash stunts.' I have known him on two separate occasions—at Fromelles and Pozieres—to refuse outright to commit bis division to what he considered needless slaughter and even to threaten to re- sign his command rather than do so. On each occasion events subsequently proved that he was right in his atti- tude." "It is with sincere regret that I heard of the passing of General Walker, who was so closely associated with the Australian troops in Gallipoli and France," said Brigadier-General R. L. Leane yesterday. "He was a man of great understanding and experinece, who had an immense admiration for the Digger. I had the good fortune to be associated with him at Anzac when he commanded the 1st Australian Division. I found him a fine soldier, and one whom a Junior officer could approach with confidence. General Walker was con- siderate and sympathetic in all his deal- ings with Australians, and be will be deeply mourned by all Anzacs. My sym- pathy goes out to his family, one of whom is flag captain of H.MA.S. Can- berra, which recently visited this State." "Endeared Himself To All Ranks" Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. J. McCann, who was an officer of the 10th Battalion during the whole period General Walker was in charge of the 1st Division, said that all members of that division had most pleasant and proud recollections of their old commander. The division was most fortunate in having had him as its leader for nearly three years. By his personal interest in the comfort and welfare of his troops he had endeared himself to all ranks. '*He always met us when we came out of the line after a big stunt." he added, "and with great pride would thank us for what we had done. It was praise full of admiration and sincerity which was always appreciated by his troops. "Shortly after he took command of the 1st Division at Anzas, he was wounded in the Black Hand machine gun post while inspecting the 10th Bat- talion. At the same time one of our men was also badly wounded, but General Walker would not allow his wound to be treated until the other man had received attention. He then personally supervised the man's removal to the dressing station. "General Walker was a great leader, always most solicitous for the fighting troops, and always ready to help his men. N.C.O.'s and officers. He led the division in many hard fought battles, and. when we heard of his transfer in June. 1918. we knew that we were los- ing not only a great leader but also a very sincere friend. Our deepest sym- pathy goes out to his relatives, and we sincerely regret the passing of such a distinguished soldier."
Sir Harold Walker