(422550 PTE. B.E. WALTON. 29-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Contact marks, scattered gilt wear, replacement ribbon, very fine.
Footnote: Barclay Evelyn Walton was born on June 28, 1888 on the island of Barbados in the British West Indies, the son of Mary Walton. He was a resident of Winnipeg, Manitoba when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (422550) with the 44th Infantry Battalion, on January 1, 1915 in Winnipeg, at the age of 26, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Mrs. Martha A. Walton of Winnipeg, stating that he was with an Active Militia, that he was Married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Locomotive Engineer. The 44th Infantry Battalion was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. Mobilization headquarters was also in Winnipeg. The Battalion sailed form Montreal, Quebec aboard the S.S. Missanabie, on September 4, 1915 with a strength of 36 officers and 1,076 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.R. Wayland, arriving in England on September 13th. Five days after arriving in England, he was transferred to the 30th Reserve Battalion on September 18th. After six months of training in England, Private Walton was transferred to the 29th Infantry Battalion "Tobin's Tigers" on March 15, 1916, arriving at the Canadian Base Depot in Le Havre, France on the 16th. He left for his new unit on the 18th, arriving with the 29th Infantry Battalion in the field on the 19th. Private Walton was treated at No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance on April 7, 1916, suffering from a case of "Shell Shock" and was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Two days later, he was admitted to No. 4 General Hospital at Camiers on April 9th, then transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Etaples on April 12th. After three weeks recuperation, he was posted to the Canadian Base Depot and discharged to duty with his unit on May 4th. By the fall of 1916, he reported from the base "wounded" on September 26th, rejoining his unit one week later, on October 3rd. The following day, he was admitted to No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a gun shot wound to his right finger and a contusion to his back on October 4th, which was subsequently treated. Private Walton was attached to the 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers on October 20, 1916. He would remain with them for three months, before returning to the 29th Infantry Battalion on January 20, 1917. One week after his return, he was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on January 28th. Barclay Evelyn Walton, 29th Infantry Battalion was Killed in Action during the Battle of Hill 70 on August 21, 1917. He is remembered with honour on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and is commemorated on page 344 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. His widow, Mrs. Martha A. Walton, received his British War Medal and Victory Medal, along with his Memorial Plaque and Scroll. She also received a Memorial Cross, as did his mother, Mrs. Mary Walton of Content, St. Joseph, Barbados. Martha A. Walton was also paid a War Service Gratuity of $180 and later remarried, becoming Mr. Martha A. McKee of Winnipeg.