Isaac Walker Private Royal Marines

Posts : 3474 Join date : 2021-01-04

"AFTER MANY YEARS. Batley Man Awarded Medal for Zulu War. A remarkable instance of a Government department's extraordinary delay has been revealed in the case of Mr. Isaac Walker, of Common-road, Staincliffe, Batley. It appears that Mr. Walker enlisted in the Royal Marines at the age twenty, and served for fourteen years.
In 1879, his time being up, he was discharged.
The other day Mr. Walker, who is in his seventy-sixth year, received a letter from Government department in which it was stated that in recognition of his services in the Zulu War, the medal for that war and the pension which was due to him would be forwarded shortly.
No doubt, if the pension is paid it will he thankfully received, for the old soldier has suffered seriously from strokes, and he is also afflicted with rheumatism, deafness, and failing eyesight, and is almost helpless. It is remarkable that the old soldiers’ service should, after lapse of forty-one years be considered worthy of recognition."

Leeds Mercury - Saturday 28 August 1920

Its a bit late!!! I wonder what he thought of that Government department?
There is an I. Walker shown as a private on HMS Shah with 1879 clasp Duttons p393

Posts : 375 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Isaac Walker was definitely a Private, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who saw service in the Zulu War as a member of the Naval Brigade contingent from HMS Shah. Was present at the Battle of Gingindhlovo, and the Relief of Eshowe, for which he was entitled to the South Africa Medal with "1879" clasp.

Tom

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