2700550 Lance-Serjeant James Small WALKER, MM, 1 Scots Guards: 28/10/1944

Army Number: 2700550
Rank: Lance-Serjeant
Name: James Small WALKER
Unit: 1 Scots Guards


London Gazette : 7 December 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36828/supplement/5613/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —
The Military Medal.
No. 2700550 Lance-Sergeant James Small Walker, Scots Guards (Fife).

 

Recommendation for Award for Walker, James Small Rank: Corporal Service No: ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/8/697
Name Walker, James Small
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 2700550
Regiment: 1 Battalion Scots Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Medal
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944




24th Guards Brigade, 6th SA Armoured Division, 13 Corps
2700550 War Substantive Corporal, Lance-Sergeant James Small WALKER, 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS

On night 5th / 6th July 1944, the Battalion was ordered to continue its advance towards CASTEL DI BROLIO and 'C' Company were given the task of attacking and capturing the castle itself.

The advance took place over 3,000 yards of ground closely covered by shell and mortar fire. The Company reached preliminary positions under the walls of the castle preparatory to making the final assault. On examination, the building proved to be a medieval structure of immense size and strength, with an outer wall 20 / 30 feet in height having only one small arched entrance.

No. 15 Platoon, in which Lance-Sergeant WALKER was commanding a section, attempted to force its way into the castle and was met with heavy and accurate Machine Gun and mortar fire. In the course of the action the Platoon Commander was wounded. Lance-Sergeant WALKER immediately took command, reorganising and regrouping his sections with commendable speed, skill and indifference to danger.

He himself went forward and singlehanded engaged the Machine Gun post which was sited in the castle entrance, killing the German manning it; but further enemy posts were concealed behind the walls and heavy fire from automatic weapons opened up at him as well as hand grenades thrown from the top of the battlements; undeterred he again attempted to gain an entrance but the door proved too strong and he was forced to return to his platoon which he maintained in this precarious position until ordered to withdraw, an operation which he conducted in an orderly and skilful manner, still under heavy mortar fire. The casualties were successfully evacuated under his personal supervision.

[Struck out but legible]
Throughout the entire campaign Lance-Sergeant WALKER has proved himself to be a gallant and resourceful N.C.O. He is invariably cheerful under the most trying circumstances, and his behaviour on all occasions has been an example and inspiration to all with whom he comes in contact.

Signed R.D. CARDIFF, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS.

Downgraded from D.C.M., Granted an Immediate M.M.

Castello di Brolio 12apr07

 

SCOTS GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file

2700550 Lance Serjeant J WALKER 1st Bn. Scots Guards WO 361/785 SG Missing ITALY Killed in Action

 

Name: James [Small] Walker . Date of Birth: [unspecified] . Age: [23]. Place of... | The National Archives
WO 416/376/111
Name: James [Small] Walker.
Date of Birth: [unspecified].
Age: [23].
Place of Birth: [unspecified].
Service: British Army.
Rank: [Lance Sergeant].
Regiment/Unit/Squadron: [1st Battalion, Scots Guards].
Service Number: 2700500. [sic ; 2700550]
Date of Capture: [unspecified].
Theatre of Capture: [unspecified].
Camp Name/Number: [unspecified].
PoW number: [unspecified].
Date of Death: 28/10/1944.
Number of Photographs: 0.
Number of Fingerprints: 0.
Number of X-rays: 0.
Number of Cards: 2.
Date: [1939-1945]

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2817542/james-small-walker/
LANCE SERJEANT JAMES SMALL WALKER
Service Number: 2700550
Regiment & Unit: 1st Bn. Scots Guards
Date of Death: 28 October 1944
Age 23 years old
Buried or commemorated at PADUA WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: I. F. 14.
Location: Italy
Awards: Military Medal
Additional Info: Son of Robert and Elizabeth Walker, of Springfield, Fife.

 

Casualty list 1200 dated 30/7/43 - Wounded - 28/4/43
Casualty list 1584 dated 23/10/44 - Missing - 3/10/44
Casualty list 1614 dated 27/11/44 - Previously reported missing now reported missing believed POW - 3/10/44
Casualty list 1785 dated 18/6/45 - Previously reported missing believed POW, date not reported, now reported died of wounds whilst POW in German hands - 28/10/44