Photograph Postcard Damaged by Shrapnel

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

23246

Title

Photograph postcard damaged by shrapnel

Description

Two men stand in front of a garden gate. The man on the left is smoking. There is a hole through the photograph obscuring the other man, made by shrapnel.

Date

1910

Type

Photograph

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

HH3697/5/72

This photograph is part of a collection of items relating to an Edinburgh-based man, Sergeant John Walker. In civilian life, Walker was originally from Haddington, but lived in Leith and worked as a butcher. He and three brothers joined the army. Walker eventually joined the Seaforth Highlanders, where he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Walker was killed by a shell near Arras at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 15th April 1917. The collection includes several photographs with holes made by the shrapnel which killed him. A set of photograph postcards of Walker's grave and other memorials, some of which include a man in military uniform, may have been taken by Walker's brothers touring the area immediately after the Armistice.

The identity of the men in the photograph is uncertain. It may be John Walker and a younger brother.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Jacket

Clothing and dress > Garments > Trousers

Events > Wars > Wars

Events > Wars > World wars

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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