Canada. A Memorial Cross to the Permanent Base Company; Canadian Engineers

A Memorial Cross to the Permanent Base Company; Canadian Engineers - (437102 Spr. H. WALKER). Naming is officially engraved. Light contact, extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Pay Records and Military Will, along with assorted research papers.  Footnote: Harry Walker was born on June 10, 1888 in Nottingham, Notts, England. He signed his Attestation Paper on May 6, 1915 with the 51st Infantry Battalion "Edmonton Regiment", in Edmonton, Alberta, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Alice Walker of Hyson Green, Nottingham, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was married and that his trade was that of Chauffeur. He was admitted to hospital in Calgary on May 31, 1915, diagnosed with Quinsy (a tonsillar abscess at the back of the throat caused by streptococcus) and discharged on June 5th, returning to his unit. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Edmonton, Alberta under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed April 18, 1916 from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the S.S. Missanabie, with a strength of 37 officers and 1,055 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. De L. Harwood, arriving in England on the 28th. Six weeks later, Walker was transferred to the 15th Infantry Battalion on June 8th and proceeded overseas to the French theatre, arriving at the Canadian Base Depot on the 9th, joining his unit on the 10th. Four days later, he was reported "missing after action" on June 14th but was later declared "safe" on the 21st. While in action at the Battle of the Somme, Walker suffered a "gun shot wound to the face" during a successful Canadian counterattack on a recently acquired German position. He was admitted to No. 6 General Hospital at Rouen on September 8, 1916, then transferred to No. 2 Convalescent Depot at Rouen on the 13th and after being declared fit, he was discharged and returned to Base Details on the 15th. During his recovery period, Walker was attached to the Canadian Veterinary Hospital from October 21 to December 23, 1916, returning to the Canadian Base Depot thereafter. In the new year, he was re-assigned to an Engineering unit for the next year (February 12, 1917 to February 26, 1918) then transferred to the Permanent Base Company, Canadian Engineers. It was here he was to be awarded a Good Conduct Badge on May 6, 1918. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he was transferred to England and posted to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot on January 9, 1919. While on leave in Nottingham, Walker died of Pneumonia on January 19, 1919 and was buried at Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery, Grave Reference: M. 8. 20. In his Military Will, dated June 6, 1916, he stated "In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to my Wife, Alice Walker, 11 Brown St, Hyson Green, Nottingham, England". She received his Plaque and Scroll, along with his WWI Pair of Medals (which are not included here), in addition to his Memorial Cross. In addition, she was paid a War Service Gratuity of $100.00. His mother, Mrs. E. Walker, also of Hyson Green, Nottingham received his Memorial Cross.