Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Coulthard a General Labourer, born 1859 in Aycliffe, County Durham and his wife Christmas, born 1864 in Norwell, Nottinghamshire. Robert Walker was born in 1890 in Norwell, Nottinghamshire and he had one sibling, a sister Kate, born 1887 in Norwell, Nottinghamshire, in April 1891 the family home was at Ossington Road, Norwell, Nottinghamshire. In March 1901 Robert was a Schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Village Street, Peckleton, Leicestershire together with his parents and siblings Hilda A., born 1883 in Norwell, Nottinghamshire and Ethel Mary, born 1897 in Stenigot, Lincolnshire. His enlistment documents record that he enlisted on the 28th September 1914 giving his age as 24 years and 9 months, he gave his father John Coulthard of Peckleton, Leicestershire as his next of kin, he gave his trade or calling as Engine Cleaner and stated that he was unmarried. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 136 pounds and had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as dark with black hair and brown eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service gives the following information. Embarked from Melbourne, Australia aboard H.M.A.T. A40 "Ceramic" on the 22nd December 1914. Proceeded with the 16th Battalion Australian Infantry aboard the "Acantus" to join the Meditteranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli, Turkey on the 12th April 1915. Embarked from from Mudros, Greece on the 30th December 1915. Disembarked in Alexandria, Egypt on the 31st December 1915. Transferred to the 4th Brigade Australian Machine Gun Company at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt on the 9th March 1916. Proceeded aboard "Canada" from Alexandria, Egypt to join the B.E.F on the 1st June 1916. Disembarked in Marseilles, France on the 9th June 1916. Promoted temporary Corporal In the Field on the 23rd August 1916. Promoted Corporal, vice Corporal Johncock (wounded 9/8/16) on the 5th November 1916. Promoted Sergeant, vice Sergeant O'Brien (transferred 28/12/16) on the 29th December 1916. Admitted sick (mumps) to 13th Australian Field Ambulance Hospital on the 11th March 1917. Transferred to 1st ANZAC Mumps Station on the 11th March 1917. Discharged to duty on the 30th March 1917. Rejoined his unit on the 1st April 1917. Admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance with High Explosive wound to buttock and arm on the 11th April 1917. Transferred to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 11th April 1917. Died of wounds received In the Field in the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 12th April 1917. He was buried in Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France. The War Diary for the 11th April 1917 records: At 4.00am. Tanks moved forward but only two reached objective. Wire was not cut sufficiently to allow troops through. Consequence being heavy casualties, from rifle and machine gun fire. However 1st and 2nd objectives were ultimately reached. Certain number of machine guns reached 2nd objective but owing to enemy's heavy artillery, rifle and machine gun barrage, supplies could not be got forward to the captured position. The enemy organised a powerful bombing counter attack and owing to our supplies failing at 12.30pm. we were forced to retire on our old line. Out of 5 officers, 110 men and 16 guns and all accessories, only 1 officer, 15 men and 2 guns have returned to our lines. In my opinion the Tanks were the cause of our absolute failure. All guns had to go forward so as to enable us to protect our flanks and frontage should our third objective have been reached. An ordinary artillery barrage there is little doubt that our objectives would have been reached. At 7.00pm the 6th Machine Gun Company relieved our only two remaining guns and Company returned to billets at Favreuil. 12th April 1917: Orders received to entrain at Bapaume at midday for Mametz. Detrained at Albert and marched to billets at Mametz.