E. F. Walker (rugby)
Encyclopedia
E.F. Walker was a rugby union international who represented Great Britain
on the 1903 tour to South Africa
. He represented Great Britain twice but never won a cap for his national side, England.
, and hailed from Houghton le Spring in Durham
. Although William had relatively humble origins, a long and successful career meant that Edward was born into an affluent family. William had served a seven year apprenticeship at the engine works of the Thornley Colliery and afterwards worked at the locomotive works of the North Eastern Railway
, Bank Top, Darlington. He then went on to the works of Messrs. Fossick and. Hackworth, Stockton-on-Tees
and in 1853 moved again, this time to the works of Messrs. Thomas Richardson and Son, Hartlepool
. At this company he spent two of his three years as one of their leading hands, and went to sea as engineer in charge of the first three steamers built by the company. In 1856 while with the third steamer he accepted an engagement with the Borneo Company and then was appointed superintendent engineer to the Netherlands India (Java) Mail Company, with whom he remained ten years until the expiration of their mail contract in 1869 continuing afterwards with their successors for a while. In this time, he had married Anna, from Dundee
in 1862. The eldest child within the family was an adopted daughter, Eliza Smith (born in 1859 in Java
). During William's time in Java his family expanded. Ralph (born 1865), John H. (born 1867), Annie (also Nancy) born 1871, Catherine (born 1872) and William (born 1873) were all born there. The family returned to the United Kingdom, and Lissie M.was born in Bow, London in 1874 and the Edward was born in 1876 in Norwood. At this point, they were living in the well to do suburb of Dulwich
on one of the most affluent roads, Alleyn Park Road. The house they lived in was named Kaliemas, after the Kali Mas River
, that runs through modern day Surabaya
, Java
and it was here that Edward spent his childhood. Edward, despite living opposite Dulwich College
was sent to Eastbourne to boarding school at Eastbourne College
.
Edward's older brother was John H Walker. Edward was referred to in a report on the 1903 tour to South Africa
as the brother of "Johnny" Walker of Durban fame which is likely a reference to John H Walker who was caught up in the Boer War
in South Africa. He was not a combatant, but gained notoriety due to his escape from the Boer after being captured. He had been surveying in Mapoch's country with the chief, under a strong guard and the chief's protection. However, he was eventually captured and taken to Middleburg
. He and a fellow prisoner escaped with their horses, a dog, and a tin of biscuits on which they lived
for a week, eventually making their way to the Swazie king, where they were treated well. They then walked to Delagoa Bay and caught the Union steamship Natal to Durban
.
. The team were based in Dulwich when he started playing for them, though during his time with them they did move elsewhere. With this side he gained an excellent reputation in the South of England as a three-quarter. He was selected for the 1903 tour to South Africa and was described as a consistent player and played in two of the tests. On his return to the United Kingdom he continued to play for Lennox and in 1906 was the captain of the side. The side at that point was not so strong as in previous seasons though it was said that in Blackwood who played alongside Walker they had a player that would have been selected England had he not been injured. He was also later involved in the game as a referee and in 1909 was a joint honorary secretary of the London Rugby Society of Referees.
, this was still the family home and he lived there with his mother and two of his sisters (as well as with a cook, parlormaid and housemaid) and stated that he was living by his own means.
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
on the 1903 tour to South Africa
1903 British Lions tour to South Africa
The 1903 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fifth tour by a British Isles team and the third to South Africa. It is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950....
. He represented Great Britain twice but never won a cap for his national side, England.
Early life and family
E.F. Walker, born Edward Forbes Walker, was the youngest of the nine children of William Walker and his wife Anna. William Walker was a Colonial Engineer, a position of some prestige in the Victorian era in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and hailed from Houghton le Spring in Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
. Although William had relatively humble origins, a long and successful career meant that Edward was born into an affluent family. William had served a seven year apprenticeship at the engine works of the Thornley Colliery and afterwards worked at the locomotive works of the North Eastern Railway
North Eastern Railway
North Eastern Railway could refer to:*North Eastern Railway *North Eastern Railway *North Eastern Railway *North Eastern Railway...
, Bank Top, Darlington. He then went on to the works of Messrs. Fossick and. Hackworth, Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...
and in 1853 moved again, this time to the works of Messrs. Thomas Richardson and Son, Hartlepool
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
. At this company he spent two of his three years as one of their leading hands, and went to sea as engineer in charge of the first three steamers built by the company. In 1856 while with the third steamer he accepted an engagement with the Borneo Company and then was appointed superintendent engineer to the Netherlands India (Java) Mail Company, with whom he remained ten years until the expiration of their mail contract in 1869 continuing afterwards with their successors for a while. In this time, he had married Anna, from Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
in 1862. The eldest child within the family was an adopted daughter, Eliza Smith (born in 1859 in Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
). During William's time in Java his family expanded. Ralph (born 1865), John H. (born 1867), Annie (also Nancy) born 1871, Catherine (born 1872) and William (born 1873) were all born there. The family returned to the United Kingdom, and Lissie M.was born in Bow, London in 1874 and the Edward was born in 1876 in Norwood. At this point, they were living in the well to do suburb of Dulwich
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
on one of the most affluent roads, Alleyn Park Road. The house they lived in was named Kaliemas, after the Kali Mas River
Mas River
The Kali Mas , is a distributary of the Brantas River in East Java, flowing north easterly towards the Madura Strait. This river also forms part of the border between Sidoarjo and Gresik regencies.-History:...
, that runs through modern day Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
and it was here that Edward spent his childhood. Edward, despite living opposite Dulwich College
Dulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
was sent to Eastbourne to boarding school at Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils aged 13–18, situated on the south coast of England, included in the Tatler list of top public schools. The College's current headmaster is Simon Davies. The College was founded by the Duke of Devonshire...
.
Edward's older brother was John H Walker. Edward was referred to in a report on the 1903 tour to South Africa
1903 British Lions tour to South Africa
The 1903 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fifth tour by a British Isles team and the third to South Africa. It is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950....
as the brother of "Johnny" Walker of Durban fame which is likely a reference to John H Walker who was caught up in the Boer War
Boer War
The Boer Wars were two wars fought between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Oranje Vrijstaat and the Republiek van Transvaal ....
in South Africa. He was not a combatant, but gained notoriety due to his escape from the Boer after being captured. He had been surveying in Mapoch's country with the chief, under a strong guard and the chief's protection. However, he was eventually captured and taken to Middleburg
Middleburg
Middleburg may mean the following places in the United States of America:*Middleburg, Florida*Middleburg, Iowa*Middleburg, Kentucky*Middleburg, Maryland*Middleburgh , New York**Middleburgh , New York*Middleburg, Logan County, Ohio...
. He and a fellow prisoner escaped with their horses, a dog, and a tin of biscuits on which they lived
for a week, eventually making their way to the Swazie king, where they were treated well. They then walked to Delagoa Bay and caught the Union steamship Natal to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
.
Rugby career
Walker played for a side local to where he had grown up in Dulwich, called Lennox Football ClubLennox Football Club
Lennox Football Club was an English 19th century rugby union football club that disbanded in the early twentieth century. It is notable for producing a number of international players and for its role in the Rugby Football Union fight against professionalism....
. The team were based in Dulwich when he started playing for them, though during his time with them they did move elsewhere. With this side he gained an excellent reputation in the South of England as a three-quarter. He was selected for the 1903 tour to South Africa and was described as a consistent player and played in two of the tests. On his return to the United Kingdom he continued to play for Lennox and in 1906 was the captain of the side. The side at that point was not so strong as in previous seasons though it was said that in Blackwood who played alongside Walker they had a player that would have been selected England had he not been injured. He was also later involved in the game as a referee and in 1909 was a joint honorary secretary of the London Rugby Society of Referees.
Career
In 1901, aged 25, he was living by his means and still in his mother's house. However, his father had died in 1894 and the family had left Alleyn Park Road in Dulwich and moved to the nearby Norwood. It is unclear if Edward did take up a profession, because in 1911 although he had moved to Clifton Gardens in Maida ValeMaida Vale
Maida Vale is a residential district in West London between St John's Wood and Kilburn. It is part of the City of Westminster. The area is mostly residential, and mainly affluent, consisting of many large late Victorian and Edwardian blocks of mansion flats...
, this was still the family home and he lived there with his mother and two of his sisters (as well as with a cook, parlormaid and housemaid) and stated that he was living by his own means.