WW2 British Medal Group - Bombardier Ronald William Walker, 25th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
1939-45 Star
France & Germany Star
War Medal
In box of issue to Mr R. W. Walker, 9 Mayfield Ave. Macclesfield, Cheshire
Ronald William Walker was born on 17 October 1921 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, the son of Willie and Jane Emily Walker. He enlisted into the Royal Artillery on 12 March 1942, and following his initial training was posted to the 4th Field Training Regiment on 20 July 1942.
His wartime service saw him posted through a number of Royal Artillery units as Britain expanded and reorganised its field forces. On 18 June 1943 he joined the 56th Medium Regiment, followed shortly afterwards by service with the 60th Heavy Regiment from 21 July 1943. He returned to the 56th Medium Regiment on 1 November 1943, before brief postings to the 3rd Reserve Regiment and 177th Field Regiment in November 1943. On 14 March 1944 he was posted to the 25th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, the unit with which he would see active service in North West Europe.
Bombardier Walker landed in France in June 1944, shortly after D-Day, and served continuously with 25th Field Regiment during the advance through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and into Germany. By October 1944 the regiment had entered the Netherlands, moving through Leende, Zeeland, Overloon, St. Anthonis, Heusden, and Asten. During this period the regiment took part in the Battle of Overloon and the critical fighting near Meijel, where 25th Field Regiment was placed under command of the 7th US Armoured Division to halt a determined German counter-attack. The regiment fired exceptionally heavy concentrations, including more than 10,000 rounds on 29 October 1944, at times engaging enemy forces within only a few hundred yards of their observation posts. The action became one of the most celebrated artillery engagements of the North West Europe campaign, earning the regiment a Distinguished Unit Citation and the honour title 25 (Asten) Battery.
The regiment continued operations through Venray, Liesel, Blerick, Sevenum, Deurne and Maasbree, suffering Luftwaffe attacks in early January 1945, before finally entering Germany on 20 March 1945 as part of the final Allied advance.
Ronald William Walker survived the war and was awarded the 1939–45 Star, France & Germany Star, and War Medal, issued to him in the original cardboard box addressed to Mr R. W. Walker, 9 Mayfield Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire. He died in February 1987, aged 65, in his home town of Macclesfield.
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AJMS Medals