Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Bridgwood Walker, (26 April 1862 – 5 November 1934) was a senior British Army commander who led Australian and New Zealand forces for much of the First World War. He was highly regarded by the men he commanded and was only replaced in 1918 when politics dictated that all divisions of the Australian Imperial Force should be commanded by Australians.
Early life
Walker was born on 26 April 1862 in Dilhorne, North Staffordshire, England. However, he did not graduate, having left before completing his degree.
Early military career
Walker was commissioned into the British Army as a lieutenant into the 4th (Militia) Battalion of the Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment) (later the North Staffordshire Regiment) on 20 May 1884, before transferring to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI), and the Regular Army, just under two years later, on 14 May 1884. With the DCLI, he served on the Nile Expedition in 1884 and 1885, A supernumerary lieutenant, he became a lieutenant in July 1886.
In the 1890s, Walker continued to progress his way through the ranks, being promoted to captain on 16 December 1891, and served on the North West Frontier of India in 1897. In May 1898 he was seconded for service on the staff.
Second Boer War
After the outbreak of the Second Boer War in South Africa in October 1899, Walker was ordered to transfer there on special service, and left Southampton on the SS Nile in March 1900. For his service he received the brevet rank of major on 29 November 1900 and was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He served during the latter part of the war in command of the 4th Mounted Infantry Battalion in South Africa. and received the substantive rank of major on 22 November 1902. In July 1903 he became assistant commandant of the School of Instruction for Mounted Infantry "where he displayed an aptitude as a trainer of troops that was to stand him in good stead during the Great War". He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1908 and assumed command of the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, holding this post until his next promotion to colonel in March 1912. He was then made a GSO1 on the headquarters of a divisional staff.
First World War
thumb|left|Group portrait of officers of the [[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps outside Shepheard's Hotel, Cairo, Egypt, March 1915. Seated in the front row, third from the left and next to Lieutenant General William Birdwood, the corps commander, is Brigadier General Walker, the corps' BGGS.]]
Before the outbreak of the First World War he was serving as a staff officer with the British Indian Army. When the headquarters of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps began forming under Indian Army general William Birdwood, Walker was appointed as corps chief of staff with the temporary rank of brigadier general in December 1914.
Landing at Anzac
For the invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula, it was Walker's role to formulate the landing plans for ANZAC but he deferred management of the planning to his subordinate, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Skeen, who was an excellent staff officer. and restored to permanent command of the 1st Division, a post he would hold through the remainder of the Gallipoli campaign and much of the AIF's later campaigning on the Western Front. resumed command of the 1st Division and moved to France in April, initially on a quiet sector near Armentières.
With the Battle of the Somme going badly for the British, Birdwood's I Anzac Corps was called upon in mid-July, joining Lieutenant-General Sir Hubert Gough's Reserve Army. Gough tried to pressure Walker into making a hasty assault on Pozières but Walker refused, insisting on adequate preparation and delivering a successful attack on 23 July. Walker led the division during its two tours on the Pozières ridge On 3 November, his forces secured the surrender of the entire staff of the Austrian III Corps.
Later career
In July 1919, Walker returned to England was made commanded of the 48th (South Midland) Division, a division of the Territorial Force. and in April he relinquished command of the 48th Division. In May he was made colonel of his old regiment, the DCLI. From March 1924 to March 1928, when he gave up the appointment, he served as general officer commanding-in-chief, Southern Command, India. and retired from the army in May.
Legacy
Walker Lines at Bodmin in Cornwall was a Second World war camp build as an extension to the DCLI Barracks. It was used to harbour men evacuated from Dunkirk and later to house troops for the D-Day landings. In the 1950s it was the site of the Joint Services School for Linguists. The site is now and industrial estate but still known as 'Walker Lines'.
Personal life
In 1887, Walker married Harriet Edith Coulthard. Together they had two sons.
On 5 November 1934, Walker died in Crediton, Devon, England; he was aged 72.