Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

2nd Battalion Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Rotherham) (2nd Battalion Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Rotherham))

Awarded on:

July 12th, 1945

Citation:
"On the night 12/13 Apr. 45, 49(Wr) div forced the R. Ijssel and attacked Arnhem. For the operation it was necessary for No. 12. 4.2 Mor PL to take up a very exposed posn on the bank of the NEDER RIJN immediately South of ARNHEM to enable the pl to sp both assault river crossing and the attack on the town. It was necessary to dump a large quantity of mortar ammunition, both HE and Phosphorous Smoke.
Cpl WALTON was Dvr Op of this pl. The pl came under extremely heavy enemy arty fire, which set fire to a large ammunition dump. This ammunition immediately exploded igniting the houses in the vicinity and the remaining dumps of ammunition
The house in which the Control Post was situated became a blazing inferno. Cpl WALTON, entirely undaunted and regardless of his own safety, remaining at his post operating his set and maintaining vital communication. He did not leave his post until the wall of the house collapsed and the NO. 22 Set which he was operating was hit by shrapnel and completely destroyed, Cpl. WALTON being severely injured.
The area by this time had become not only completely untenable but a holocaust. The mortar ammunition was exploding in all directions and eventually this brought down further accurate enemy arty fire. Cpl WALTON, although injured, showed unexampled bravery by running three times into the centre of danger and personaly driving away three carriers which had not already been destroyed.
He faced almost certain death by entering the danger area to drive away the vehicles and during the time he remained at his post operating the wireless set. By doing so he set a magnificent example of bravery.
His devotion to duty was of the highest order, far surpassing his normal responsibility."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)