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Eric was killed by a bullet wound to the head while in front lines trenches near Rue Quesne. The war diary for the two day period 28th to 29th December 1915 is transcribed below along with an article from the Stratford on Avon Herald:
6th Battalion War Diary
Rue Quesne - 28/12/15 - 4.30pm: Relieved 6th Oxford & Bucks L I in trenches and Posts as follows:
A&B Companies in the firing line. C&D Companies in Reserve.
Ref Map Sheet 36 (Left of line held) N.10.b.8.10 - (Right of line held) N.10.c.0.6
Regiment on Left of N.10.b.8.10 - 7th Bn Somerset L I (59th Brigade)
Regiment on the Right of N.10.c.0.6 - 12th Bn Rifle Brigade (60th Brigade)
Trenches - 29/12/15 - 11am: 2nd Lieut E A Walker killed in action (bullet wound in head). END
Stratford on Avon Herald Obituary
Stratford on Avon Herald - Friday 7th January 1916
The death has been announced in the neighbourhood of Second-Lieutenant Eric Arthur Walker, 9th (attached to 6th) King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The deceased was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walker of the Elms, Lapworth, being only in his twenty-first year. Instead he stated to have occurred on the 29th ult. In France and will be keenly regretted. The sincere sympathy of the district will be extended to the bereaved family. From later particulars it appears that Lieutenant Walker met his death while trying to locate the German sniper. He was educated at Sutton Coldfield grammar school and Denstone College, where he was a member of the officers training corps. On leaving school he joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry and obtained a Commission in February of last year in the 9th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Three months ago he went to France and was attached to the 6th Battalion. In the letter to the bereaved father his Colonel wrote that he knew No Fear and was greatly respected by his brother officers as well as the men who served under him. The captain of his company also spoke of him as a most efficient and capable officer.
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