Lieutenant-Colonel J.F. Walker
1/4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

As a CO his bn was the best all round Bn in the Div, largely due to his hard work and personal supervision … and since has commanded his Bde with great success in the series of battles … The number of awards give to Bns of his Bde (17 offrs, 22 other ranks) are a testimony of the fighting qualities of his Brigade and what their achievements have been.

(D.S.O. citation, 21 June 1945)

Born on 24 February 1901 in Felixkirk, Yorkshire, John Francis Walker was commissioned with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1920. He was promoted to captain in 1930 and served on the North West Frontier in India. He attended staff college in 1940 and was posted to the general staff of Western Command until promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 1/4th Battalion, KOYLI in June 1941.

Over the next three years, Walker commanded the battalion on garrison duty in Iceland until August 1942 and then oversaw extensive training for the invasion of the continent. The 1/4th Battalion landed in Normandy shorty after D-Day as part of the 49th West Riding Division. On 19 June 1944, Walker replaced Brigadier Andrew Dunlop of 146th Infantry Brigade. Major E.D. Wardleworth took over the 1/4th KOYLI until the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel C.D. Barlow.

For his fine performance as a brigade commander over five months, he was awarded the D.S.O.: “he has never spared himself and regardless of unpleasant conditions of shelling and mortaring has always been at hand to give a guiding hand to his Bn Comds.” In early December, he transferred from the 146 Brigade to the 151st in the 50th Division, which was due to return to England for training and reinforcement.

Walker retired as a brigadier after a thirty-three-year army career. From 1960 to 1972, he was a magistrate in Thrisk, North Yorkshire. He died on 3 September 1979.