A Forbes man who was killed in World War II has been honoured with a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
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Samuel Noel Walker was killed in the evacuation of Crete but his body was never found.
He was the son of Harry and Agnes Walker, older brother to Dardanelles (better known as Darda) and Flo Walker, younger step-brother to Vera and Lettie.
War was declared in September 1939 and Sam enlisted in Forbes on October 25.
Pte Walker, NX5333, did his basic training at Ingleburn. He was in C Company, 2/4 Battalion, 2nd AIF.
The family still has six letters that Sam wrote to his sister and parents between February 1940, when he was sent overseas, and March 1941 when he was in Crete.
From Palestine he was sent to Crete, and here his letters take on a different mood.
Younger brother Darda was in Tobruk in the 9th division.
“Had a letter from Dard,” Sam wrote, “But he is just as far from me now as if he were still in Aussie.
“I had my first bath this year on January 21; when I don’t shave for a week or so I have a ginger coloured beard. I do not think I have ever been so dirty in all my life.”
Sam was serving overseas when he learned of the death of his mother and the marriage of his brother.
He was 29 years old when he was killed on May 28, 1941.
The family still has the letter father Harry wrote to daughter Vera on June 11, 1941.
“This afternoon I received a wire from the Minister for the Army … It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that NX5333 Corporal Samuel Noel Walker has been reported missing, believed killed; and desire to convey you the profound sympathy of the Minister for the Army and of the military board,” he wrote.
The Forbes Advocate reported on January 19, 1943, “… A Forbes man who had previous been reported missing, believed killed, was now reported missing killed in action.
“This was Cpl Sam Walker … It is something like two years since Cpl Walker was reported missing during the evacuation of Crete.
“Half an hour prior to the time when it is believed Cpl Walker met his death he was with another Forbes boy, Cpl Noel Ford, but they separated in the rush to man the boats on the beaches and it is thought the vessel which Cpl Walker boarded was hit by a bomb and blown to pieces.”
On receipt of the news that his son had died, Sam’s father gave 50 pounds to the war funds. Sam’s brother, Dardanelles, returned from the war in 1945.
His extended family members gathered in Canberra for the Last Post service, to hear his story told at the War Memorial.
Lest we forget.
