7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
24/08/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age:
29
Summary
Robert was a son of Mrs. Bridget Walls of Moneymore and the late John Walls. He was born at Ballyrogully, Loup, Moneymore, County Londonderry. Robert enlisted in Moneymore and served during most of the battles of the First World War after the spring of 1916. Robert Walls spent another year with the Battalion before he was killed in action on 24th August 1918.
Further Information
Robert Walls was the eldest son of John and Bridget Walls. Robert Walls married Bridget Kane about 1888.
Robert Walls was born on 2nd June 1891 in Ballyrogully, Loup, Moneymore, County Londonderry. He was one of six children, five surviving.
Robert had an older brother, Thomas Walls, but he died in 1898, aged just eight.
Family: John Walls, Bridget Walls, Mary Walls (born 25th June 1887), Thomas Walls (born 1st February 1890, died 16th July 1898)) , Robert Walls (born 2nd June 1891), Henry Walls (born 30th June 1893), Eliza J Walls (born 9th June 1895), Thomas J Walls (born 18th June 1899).
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 9, living with the family at house 4 in Ballyguirk, Loop, County Londonderry. His father was a labourer.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 18, living with the family at house 3 in Bridge Street, Moneymore. Both Robert and his father were agricultural labourers.
Robert Walls enlisted in Moneymore.
Private Robert Walls served during most of the battles of the First World War after the spring of 1916.
On 23rd August 1917, the 7th and 8th (service) Battalions of Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were amalgamated to form the 7th/8th Battalion. This was due to the fact that both Battalions had suffered serious casualties over the past year and in particular in The Battle of Langemarck. It was becoming ever more difficult to find recruits for these two Battalions.
Private Robert Walls spent another year serving with the 7th/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers before he was killed in action in Belgium on Saturday 24th August 1918.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918:
Mrs Walls, Bridge Street, has received official notification that her son, Robert, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been killed in action. The deceased had been wounded and in hospital some months ago, and had gone back to his regiment. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved mother and family.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th October 1918:
Private Robert Walls, Inniskillings, son of Mrs Walls, Bridge Street, Moneymore, has been killed in action.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th November 1918:
WALLS – Killed in action on 24th August 1918, Private Robert Walls, No 24260, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the beloved son of Mrs Walls, Bridge Street, Moneymore, aged 29 years.
‘He fell at his post like a soldier brave,
He answered his Master’s call;
He sleeps far away in a hero’s grave,
For his country’s cause he did fall.’
Ever remembered by his loving mother, sisters, brother, and brother-in-law.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th November 1918: Moneymore
In a letter to Mrs Walls, Bridge Street, informing her of the death in action of her son, Private Robert Walls, Royal Inniskillings, an officer says:-
‘I was holding a wood on 24th August, with my own platoon and No 13 Platoon as well. Altogether there were less than thirty of us, and that nigh the Germans attacked the wood with a party of nearly 100 men. We did not lose the wood, but from that action I brought out of my own platoon five men, and out of the No 13 Platoon, six men. Your son was at first posed as missing, but a couple of days later we drove the Germans back about two miles, and when my Company Commander went over the ground in front of the wood, he found you son’s body. He has been buried outside that wood and a cross has been erected over his grave. Unfortunately I a\m not permitted to tell you the name of the wood, but some day you will be told. I will say your son was one of the best soldiers in our company, one whom I could trust implicitly to perform any duty he was given to do, and both the Company Commander and Sergeant Major speak of him being one of the most reliable and trustworthy men in the company. I know this will be hard news for you to bear, but the only comfort I can give you is that he died as a good soldier should, and believe me I am proud to have had a man like him under my command. We forwarded his effects to the War Office who will send them on to you.’
Private R Walls has no known grave and Robert is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Private Robert Walls is also commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private Robert Walls as the son of Bridget Walls of Moneymore, County Derry, and also of the late John Walls.
