Hi, this letter was found in a house in Derbyshire, I wonder if anyone can help me find out or point me in the right direction to find out more about Sergeant Major William R Walker MBE RASC. Regards Richard
Copied from ww2f.com where I spotted 'aged;' request and I added this after a quick look, Then suggested he post here! No immediate luck in finding him, in part as his surname is rather common. I assume the letter refers to the 1947 (King's) Birthday Honours List and he is not shown there: 1947 Birthday Honours - Wikipedia Nor the New year's Honours List: 1947 New Year Honours - Wikipedia If you have the full address in Derbyshire that might help
Recommendation for Award for Walker, William Robert Rank: Mechanist Serjeant... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/72/364 Description: Name Walker, William Robert Rank: Mechanist Serjeant Major Service No: T/1425008 Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps [41 Bulk Petrol Transport Company, RASC] Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Date of announcement in London Gazette: 21 December 1944 41 Company, RASC, (Bulk Pet. Tpt.) T/1425008 W/M.S.M. WALKER, William Robert Since the arrival of this Unit in Africa in July 1943, this M.S.N. has shown keenest and ability of an outstanding nature. During our most difficult period the Unit was without a W/Shop Officer for nearly three months, when M.S.M. WALKER took on his duties which he carried out very efficiently. It fell to the many’s lot to erect Petrol Points during this period, and this entailed throwing a lot of work on to W/Shops - work of a nature to which they were unaccustomed, this being in addition to very heavy affiliation commitments. Under M.S.M. WALKER’s guidance, W/Shops worked long hours and at a very high speed to keep up with what was required of them, the M.S.M. himself set a very high example by working long hours with the men and keeping them cheerful under very difficult conditions. Awarded M.B.E.
Found War Diaries at TNA, Kew, for his unit in 1943 41 Tpt. Coy. | The National Archives Reference: WO 166/12940 Description: 41 Tpt. Coy. Date: 1943 Apr.-June Royal Army Service Corps: 41 Bulk Petrol Transport Company (RASC) | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/11705 Description: Royal Army Service Corps: 41 Bulk Petrol Transport Company (RASC) Date: 1943 July- Dec.
Thank you so much for all of this information. I am now trying to tie MSM Walker to Belper in Derbyshire where the medal was found. Regards Richard.