expedition, arrived off Chandeleur islands on the 8th Dec, and the debarkation of the troops commenced on the 16th. From that period until the termination of the campaign, Captain Walker’s situation was one of the most anxious and painful description. During the absence of Sir Alexander Cochrane, and the Rear-Admirals Malcolm and Codrington, who were with the army during the whole of the operations on shore, he was left in charge of the line-of-battle ships, which, on account of the shallow water, could not approach within 100 miles of the scene of action; and the Bedford, after the failure of the enterprise, was literally crowded with wounded soldiers for a very considerable period. We should here observe, that most of her officers, and 150 of her best men, were landed to co-operate with the troops in the attack upon New Orleans.
In the summer of 1814, our officer was selected to accompany H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence to Boulogne, for the purpose of bringing over the Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia. Since the peace, he has commanded the Albion, Queen, and Northumberland, third rates. The latter he paid off on the 10th Sept. 1818, and thus closed a continued service of twenty-one years as a Post-Captain. He was nominated a Companion of the Bath, at the extension of that honorable Order in 1815; and advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral July 19, 1821, the promotion of that memorable day ending with him.
Rear-Admiral Walker has been twice married. His first wife was a daughter of the late Right Hon. General Sir John Irvine, K.B. His present lady is a daughter of Arnoldus Jones Skelton, of Branthwaite Hall, Cumberland, Esq. (who for many years, and at the time of his death, was M.P. for Eye in Suffolk) and a first cousin of the Marquis Cornwallis. His eldest son, Melville, is an officer of dragoons; his second, Frederick, a Lieutenant R.N.; and his third, Thomas, a Midshipman in the navy.
Residence.– Hastings.
