276279 Private
‘D’ Company, 1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 154th Infantry Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 4.9.17
Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery XVIII.F.20A
Family history: Son of David and Eleanor Stalker, Cooperative Buildings, Main Street, Bonnybridge. Prior to enlisting in April 1915, he was employed as a moulder at the Lane and Girvan Caledonian Stove Works. His brother David, was killed in October 1916, when serving with the Royal West Kent Regiment.
The action leading to his death
The battalion were in Dirty Bucket Camp resting and providing working parties. The War Diary entry for 4 September records that ‘2 OR’s killed and 17 OR’s wounded.’
(Linesman Map showing location of Dirty Bucket Camp)
Duncan died of wounds received to the chest and left arm. In a letter to his parents an officer wrote: ‘I have very bad news for you. Your boy was killed this afternoon about 3.30. He, along with others in D Company, had been employed nearly all the day, and were lined up to go back to the camp, when a shell burst amongst them. He was killed instantaneously, as were three others, and almost eleven or twelve were severely wounded..’
At odds with this account of him dying instantaneously is the chaplains letter to Duncan’s parents in which he writes: ‘It is with deep regret and sympathy I send you the sad news of the death of your son, Private D Stalker, 276279, of the A&SH. He died of wounds on the 4th inst. And was buried in a cemetery near.’
According to the Falkirk Herald his parents received a telegram from the officer in charge that states: ‘Regret to inform you No.276279 Private D Stalker, A&SH, died 4th September in No.10 Casualty Clearing Station, France, from gunshot wounds, chest and left arm.’
Medals Awarded
The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Headstone