Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the only son of Joe Walker, a coal miner, born 1858 in Packington, Leics., and his wife Fanny Walker (nee Smith, married in the 1st quarter of 1881 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. district), born 1863 in Packington, Leics. Thomas was a schoolboy and was born on the 5th July 1881 in Packington, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Bridge Street, Packington, Leics. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a pipe worker and was residing in the family home at Court 4, Kilwardby Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., together with his father a coal miner and his mother. In April 1911 Thomas was absent from the family home at 5, Derby Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., residing there was his father a coal miner, his mother a hosiery trade knitter and his nephew, Joseph Edward Prinie Albert Walker, a schoolboy, born 1901 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. Thomas enlisted into the Royal Marines on the 4th May 1915, and was allocated the service number 906 (S). His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3½ inches in height and his complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had hazel eyes, it was noted that he had the following scars, one on his back, between his eyebrows, on his left eyebrow and also on the back of his left wrist. He gave his date and place of birth as the 5th July 1881 in Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics., and his trade or calling as a miner, he gave his religion as Church of England. He gave his mother Fanny, of 5, Derby Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, as his next of kin. His record of service began when he joined the Portsmouth Divison as a Private on the 4/5/15 – 25/9/15, when he embarked. HMS Victory, Royal Marine Brigade, 26/9/15 – 31/5/18, when he was killed in action, he was buried at Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension, 5½ miles north west of Albert.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 5th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Lance-Corporal T. Walker, of the Marine L.I. and Pte. K. Simms, of the Labour Corps, both of Ashby, are officially reported as killed in action.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 11/4/2018