Walker, Robert Shand
Rank: Signaller
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery
Biography: Son of William Walker, schoolmaster, Glentanar ; born Aboyne, 27 May 1898 ; entered Gordon's College in 1910 as First Foundationer. In each of his five years he was Dux of his class, probably a unique performance. He entered the University in 1915 as 2nd Bursar, and his brief career was of a piece with his school record. Walker joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in July 1916. He was for some time Corporal and Instructor in Signalling at Lochend but, at his own request, reverted and went to Catterick for a course of wireless telegraphy. He crossed to France in August 1918, and was killed in action near Le Quesnoy Station on 4 November 1918. In Robert Walker there was a spirit touched to the finest issues. His was a far forward outlook, and he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from his fixed course, but duty meant everything to him, and in the war he recognized a duty that over-rode every other consideration. It was not rash boyishness or the illusion of adventure that made him hide his age and try to join the Gunners in the early months of the war, it was because he felt that he ought to give his strength, his intelligence and all that was best in him to his country in her hour of need.
Date of Death: 04 November 1918
Burial Details: Buried at Ruesnes Communal Cemetery, Plot 2, Row C, Grave 3.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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