Remembering Norman Edyvean-Walker, James Wheeler, and John Davis

Posted on: 31, January, 2019
British Army Ancestors soldier photos

Every day on the British Army Ancestors Facebook page I take time to commemorate a British soldier. This post will look at three of the men I have remembered recently; from left to right: Norman Edyvean-Walker, James Wheeler, and John Davis.

Norman Edyvean-Walker

As more and more people upload photos to British Army Ancestors, so my fascination grows as I look at the images and look into the lives of the people who are being remembered.

Norman Edyvean-Walker’s photograph was added recently by NEW1894 and the image dates to 1917 when Norman was serving with the 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment having originally joined the 19th (Public Schools) Battalion. Edcuated at Tonbridge School, Norman was wounded in the knee and leg at Montaubon on the Somme on the 9th August 1916 and returned to the UK. He went on to lead a full and active life centred on his home town of Rugby, and here is a full biography of him here: http://www.edyveanwalkerlindop.co.uk/content_new.php

Norman’s name lives on today through the work of the The Edyvean-Walker and David Lindop Trust.

James Wheeler
120120 Pte James Emmett Wheeler was born in Stockton-on-Tees in 1899 which meant, that by that unlucky quirk of fate which affected a generation and more, he was eligible for service in the British Army between those awful years 1914-1918.

He joined the Sherwood Foresters in late June or early July 1918 – he would have had little choice in the matter as to which regiment he joined – and was probably overseas within three months. This photograph must therefore date to the second half of 1918 or 1919. Happily, James survived the war and went back home to his family. Thanks to Pauld for uploading the photograph to British Army Ancestors.

John Davis
Judging by his regimental number, 30247 John Davis of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers may have been a Derby Scheme recruit who was mobilised in mid 1916. He certainly served overseas for three years – as evidenced by the overseas’ service chevrons which can just be seen on his lower right sleeve – and the medal roll for the British War and Victory medals confirms that he served with the 5th Battalion and therefore saw action in Salonika as well as France.

This photograph, contributed to British Army Ancestors by Graeme Davis, dates to 1919 and shows John with his soon-to-be wife, Emma Eliza Martin, in Peckham. Is that relief or happiness written across their faces? Probably a combination of both.

 

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