Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry
Walker reached Pyongyang in early June 1951 and, as part of a group of wounded men, was left at a house for several weeks without guards whilst a Chinese doctor tended to their wounds. The round that had penetrated his chest had missed his lung by a fraction of an inch: ‘The Chinese operated on me in a knife and fork fashion. There was no anaesthetic and it took six men to hold me down.’ Recovering sufficiently, on 9 June he found himself in action in unusual circumstances. As fellow captive Graham Bailey recalled to the author Philip Chinnery, historian for the National ex-P.O.W. Association: ‘One day Walker wandered over the hill into the next valley in search of food and found himself a spectator as American F-80 jets attacked a target nearby. He was so close to the action that he was wounded in the arm and found himself surrounded by North Koreans who thought he was a shot down American pilot. He was given a good beating before the Chinese found him and took him away.’ (Korean Atrocity: Forgotten War Crimes 1950-53 refers).
Walker was operated on by Dr. D. L. Woo, a Chinese doctor who subsequently send a letter to Walker’s brother detailing his condition (although Walker was unmarried, he felt that there was a greater chance that the Chinese authorities would be more sympathetic if a letter was sent to a supposed wife and family, rather than to his brother): ‘I met you husband in one of our hospitals in Korea. He was very anxious to let you know that he is fine and on the way to recovery, He was wounded in the lung in a battle near Lin-Chieng River on the 25th April [sic]. He was saved by our advancing army and sent to a field hospital near Pinyang. Here, during an air raid, he was re-wounded by shrapnel in the right arm, He was operated on there and is fine. I am a doctor (not a reporter) and his permission I took a picture of him and promised to have his photo sent to you and kids. So please worry no more by him. Yours sincerely, D. L. Woo.’
Whilst in hospital recovering from this second wound he attempted to escape in an incident he later related to the Evening World: ‘A friendly Korean said the coast was only about 10 miles away and that American ships were just off shore. I thought that if I could reach the coast I might be able to steal a rowing boat to get out to the Americans, but on the way I walked into a Communist anti- aircraft position and was recaptured.’ Temporarily billeted with a North Korean family on a small holding near the Chinese main supply route, for once Walker and his fellow wounded captives were well looked after, but were still in danger; George Bailey recalls how on one occasion he was nearly killed during an American air attack as a fifty-calibre bullet from a night fighter hit the ground between him and his sleeping neighbour. Moved on, Walker was ultimately held at the notorious Camp 3, a penal camp for ‘reactionary’ Americans and like minded British and Commonwealth prisoners who could not be turned towards communism. The regime was harsh, with a much lower standard of living than in the other camps.
Walker was amongst the last of the Battalion's prisoners to be released, on 22 August 1953. The final weeks for those in the two main other ranks penal camps were marked with delays, frustrations, and genuine fears of being held back. He arrived back in Southampton on 14 October 1953, and on 21 November attended the civic reception for the presentation of the Freedom of the City at the Assembly Hall, Gloucester. He was discharged from the army on 21 February 1954, after a further 3 years and 170 days’ service. He was invested with his Military Medal by H.M. the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 18 November 1958.
Sold with the a file of research, and the following related items: - The recipient’s Certificate of Service.
- Telegram to the recipient’s brother reporting Walker ‘Missing in action’, dated 2 May 1951. - Letter to the recipient’s family from Dr. D. L. Woo regarding the recipient's condition, dated 15 August 1951. - Telegram to the recipient’s brother reclassifying Walker ‘Prisoner of War’, dated 19 September 1951. - Telegram from the recipient to his brother, dated 22 August 1953: ‘Just released, have kept fit all the time ... best love, Mick.’ - Telegram to the recipient’s brother informing him that Walker has been released, dated 22 August 1953. - Various Infantry Office Records Letters regarding the above telegrams.
- Christmas Card to the recipient from Lieutenant-Colonel Carne, V.C., signed and annotated ‘Congratulations on your M.M.’ - Central Chancery letter regarding the recipient’s investiture, dated 29 October 1958.
- Copy of the program for the Civic Reception held by the City of Gloucester, dated 21 November 1953; and accompanied Menu. - Copy of the Order of Service on the occasion of the Laying Up of the Colours of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Gloucestershire Regiment, Gloucester Cathedral, 22 July 1960. - Ten photographs of the recipient.
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