Sergeant George Alfred Walden
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (formerly 6/3358 Royal Irish Regiment)


Military Medal. 1914-1915 Star

The Kentish Gazette of October 6 1917 carries an article entitled "Decoration for a Guernsey Man". It goes on to say that, "An interesting presentation was made at the camp of the Guernsey Battalion, near Canterbury, a few days ago, the Military Medal being presented to Sergt George Alfred Walden by Major-General the Hon C E Bingham, commanding the 67th Division. The investiture took place at a parade of the Battalion. Sergt Walden (then a Lance-Corp) was awarded the medal for his gallantry while serving with the Royal Irish Regiment."

Wounded in May 1916 & on 20/11/1917 at Cambrai with the RGLI and invalided to England on 30/11/1917.

"Passed away at his home in Vale, Guernsey, during March, 1982. George had been very ill for over two years and became bedridden for many months. One of the last few survivors of the Royal Irish Regt., that voluntarily joined the Regt. and became part of the 6th. Bn. in 1915. A former soldier of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, and served with the 6th. Bn. until its disbandment, through being so reduced in strength that it was no longer possible to maintain it. He was awarded a very good M.M. for his part in the action of 20th. June, 1916, which was a successful raid on a shell crater being fortified by the Germans. The raid party consisted of two Officers, Lt. D.P. Claridge and Lt. J.H. (John Hocart) Falla (my grandad) and 16 men. George successfully disposed of the sentries quietly which enabled the party to surprise and large working party of the enemy and inflict many casualties on them. But the enemy were not without retaliation. Lt. Falla and his batman George, were both wounded and George had to carry his officer to safety under some heavy retaliating fire, which he had to seek cover from on several occasions and to rest. He was later promoted to L/Cpl. George has proved to be one of the pillars on which the Guernsey Branch continued to operate during its last years of activity. He attended all functions right up to the last, despite the fact that he was not fit to do so. An outstanding soldier, and faithful to his Regiment right up to the end."

George saved my Grandad's life and although I didn't know George personally, during his last illness he would sit at the window of his house, just around the corner from us, and often wave when we walked passed. A very brave and faithful man.

This was found with my grandfathers WWI letters
Rosie Bradshaw (nee Falla)