KILLED IN ACTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15905, 30 April 1915, Page 8

KILLED IN ACTION.

AUCKLAND OFFICER'S END, '.|j CAPTAIN H. J. I. WALKER, ;.J| A DISTINGUISHED ATHLETE. News has Wen received in Auckland of the death of Captain H. J. I. Walker, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry 0. H. Walker, of Remuera. The text of the telegram from the Secretary of Stan for War is as follows "Deeply regret Captain Walker, Ist Royal Warwickshire Regiment,, killed in action April 25, Lord Kitchener expresses sympathy." Both as an athlete and soldier Captain Walker had a distinguished career. A prominent ex-student of King's College, he was one of the mainstays of the first) fifteen, and held the senior athletic championship when only 16 years of age. Ha left the college in 1909, continuing his studies for his army entrance examination under the guidance of his old tutors. About five years ago he was given a second lieutenant's commission. Almost immediately he left for India to join the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. During the 15 months he spent in India ho took a prominent part in sports gatherings, representing his district at Rugby football and carrying off the 120 yds hurdles amateur championship for India. When the Warwickshires were ordered back to England, Captain Walker, who had qualified for his commission as a first lieutenant, but who was still a junior subaltern, accompanied them. After arrival in England he secured promotion to a senior lieutenancy His prowess on the football field is testified to by the fact that he played in the senior team of the famous Blackheath Club and secured representative honours in the Kent fifteen. At the army sports in 1913 he won no'fewer than six cups. As a hockey player ho took nsfrt in the final for the army champions!)!;'. It was mainly duo to his powers as a sprintei and hurdler that the Warwickshire. ™. the regimental championship in the Eastern Command sports last year, since, of their total of 12 points, he scored 91. After war was declared th; Warwickshires, who were at Hythe, left for the front. The regiment arrived in France on August 23, and a few days later the young New Zealander saw active service on the Belgian frontier. Letters from him have been published in the HEB.U.D from time to time. On September 9 a message was received in Auckland from the \\ar Office to the effect that Lieutenant Walker was missing. Within the next few days, however, word was received that he was safe and well. He had been separated for a few days from his regiment in a battle, of which he has given the fol- ; lowing account The Germans tried to attack once, but our guns absolutely swept them off the face of the earth. The German guns tried to put our guns out of action, to stop our gun-fire on the German infantry, which was in massed formation. The German casualties were enormous, but it was no use, because, for even- man we knocked out, they sent up three or four, so we had to leave. Our regiment got very scattered, but we were not disorganised. It was our hanging on in this position that upset the Germans. I left our trenches with the colonel and adjutant and about 300 j men. I went to sec' what was doing, and while I was away the others left, so that I had to fend for myself. J was < very lucky, and met a major of a heavy gun brigade. The gunners gave me a ride on their guns. We travelled all night, but I don't know to this day where we went." Advico was received on January U. that Lieutenant Walker had been promoted to the rank of captain. His name was mentioned in despatches the following month for "gallantry and distinguished A service in the field." Captain Walker was . 25 years of age. DEATH OF A PRIVATE. SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA. [BY TELEGRAPH. -PRESS ASSOCIATION ] is Wellington-, Thursday. The Defence authorities are advised of the death of Private Eugene Tangney, ; 6th Southland Company, Otago Infantry Battalion, main body of the New Zealand expeditionary force, on April 6, J from pneumonia. The next-of-kin lis Miss Mary Tangney, of the Good Shepherd -| Convent, Mount Magdala, Hallswell, Christchurch. Deceased was 25 years of | age- ___________ ' 1