Appeal to trace the family of South Shields war hero

John Carlson is desperately looking for the family of the late Billie Walker after boxes containing some of his belongings were passed on to him.

The First World War hero was the second husband of Mr Carlson’s grandmother,

Mr Walker died in 1963, shortly after they married, aged in his late 60s.

Mr Carlson is keen to trace Mr Walker’s family and believes he has at least one child and grandchildren living in South Shields.

Mr Carlson, from Marsden Road, South Shields, said: “I have come across some personal effects belonging to Billie Walker, who lived the latter part of his life on Marsden Road.

“They appear to be photographs taken from World War One to around the time of the Second World War.

“We do not know much about his family but believed he had at least one child and grandchildren living in South Shields before he married my grandmother.

“We would love to trace his family so we can reunite them with the photographs that we have.”

It is believed Mr Walker was 16 when he was called up to the army during the 1914-18 war.

He also served in the Home Guard during the Second World War.

He lived in Marsden Road, South Shields, near the miners’ cottages, and was a regular runner, often being seen running through Readhead Park in Westoe.

Anyone who knows of the whereabouts of Mr Walker’s family is asked to contact Mr Carlson by emailing [email protected]