B96 - Spence Allerthorn Walker and family, 1892

Spence Allerthorn Walker, known as “Al” to his family and friends, was born on 9 Dec. 1892 in Norwich, Ontario, Canada, the only child of Spence and Augusta Virginia (born Dyke) Walker.

Al attended Public and High School in Norwich. As his father died when he was only 10 years of age, he was raised primarily by his mother, Augusta. One of Al’s teachers in Public school was his 1st cousin, Ada Walker, daughter of his uncle Thomas Walker.

On 2 July 1912, when Al was 19 years old, he embarked on a trip of about two and a half months to the jungles of Africa, which at that time was considered very dangerous. The trip included New York, Gibraltar, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Greece and Holland. During this journey he wrote many post cards to his good friend, Bill Poldon, back in Norwich. These cards, which were saved by the Poldon family for 78 years, were donated to the “Walker Genealogy Records” by Bruce Poldon, who was Bill Poldon’s son. The first card dated 3 July, 1912 was sent from New York City about an hour before Al sailed for Europe. While on this trip Al also took many pictures that were on “glass slides”. For many years, following his trip, Al was often asked to show his slides of the African Interior and Egypt. Unfortunately they were somehow lost or destroyed. The last card, written to his friend, Bill, was written from Amsterdam on 5 Sept. 1912. Not only is this indicative of a very close bond between two old friends in 1912, but it is quit unique in that the 2 sons of these two friends were also close friends. I (this writer) would also like it known that the son of the writer of these cards is most appreciative to the son of the receiver of these cards.

In a letter written by Al’s Aunt Maria, in England, on 13 May, 1913, she says that Allerthorn was working in a Norwich Bank, and was probably quite the young man, nearing his majority.

On Wed., 7 Apr. 1915 Al married Mildred Loral Bushell at the Norwich Methodist Church. The Norwich Gazette reported the wedding as follows:-

Walker -- Bushell.

On Wednesday afternoon in the Methodist church a very pretty wedding was solomnized, when Miss Mildred L. Bushell the eldest daughter of Mr M. L. Bushell was married to Mr spence A. Walker, only son of Mrs Augusta V. Walker. Rev. J.A. MacLachlan conducted the ceremony in the presence of a few immediate relatives. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore her travelling suit of Belgium blue. A reception was held after the wedding at the home of the bride's aunt, Mrs Geo Hyland. Mt & Mrs Walker left for a honeymoon to Atlantic City, and on their return will make their home in Norwich,

Mildred, known by many as “Mid”, was born on her father’s farm on the 6th Concession of North Norwich Township in Oxford County, Ontario, the 2nd child of Marshall Lee and Edith May (born Clare) Bushell. On return from their short honeymoon Al and Mildred took up residence at the corner of Clyde and Elgin streets in a fully furnished house, given to them as a wedding present by Al’s mother. They had 6 children, the first 2 being born in Norwich and the last 4 in Troy, New York, U.S.A.:-

See separate Biographies for all the children

It was in 1920 that Al and his family moved to Troy, New York, U.S.A. so that Al could attend R.P.I. College. He later left school to go to work for The Chain Works, a company which manufactured car chains. Due to the world-wide “Depression” that struck after the Stock Market crash in Oct. 1929 and the closure of the Chain Factory, Al and his family were forced to move back to Norwich, Ont. After short periods of living on Main St. and Stover St. the family moved into the Walker home on Clyde St. with Al’s mother and her 2nd husband, Rev. James Skeene. During this period Al worked as an Electrician, wiring farm houses for electric power. He also did radio repair work.

In December of 1941, after the 2nd World War had begun, Al moved, with Mildred and the remaining two sons, Herbert and Paul who were still living at home, to 103 Cline Ave. S. in Hamilton, Ont., where Al had obtained employment with The National Steel Car Co. In the late 1940’s Al and Mildred moved to Woodstock, Ont., from there to Pembroke, then to Toronto and eventually back to Norwich in the later part of the 1950’s.

Throughout his lifetime Al was a very avid amateur photographer, doing his own developing and printing of pictures. He was also a very dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge. He was first received into Free Masonry on 15 Apr. 1913 at the St. John’s Lodge #104 in Norwich. It was exactly 61 years later, on 14 Apr. 1964 that his son Herbert was initiated into the Saugeen Lodge #197 at Walkerton, Ont.

Spence Allerthorn Walker died on 15 Feb. 1964, at age 71, of a heart attack in Norwich, Ont. He was given a Masonic funeral service as he had previously requested, and was buried in Row 25, Plot 208 of the Norwich cemetery, beside his mother and father.

Mildred Loral Bushell lived on in Norwich until 1985, when at age 91 she moved to Carressant Care Nursing Home in Woodstock. Mildred died there in her sleep, of old age, on 1 Aug. 1989, at age 95. She too was buried in Row 25, Plot 208, beside her husband, Spence.

Sources:

• Norwich Gazette records

• Norwich Cemetery records

• Post cards from Bruce Poldon, Toronto.Ont

• Barbara Young, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A.

• Associated Records:- See Link Article. 2-Pg-13.Spence Walker family memorial stone, Norwich, Ontario.

• Associated Records:- See Link Article. 5-Pg-7..Spence Walker's house in Norwich, Ontario.

Rev. by:- H.L.Walker - Rev.14 January. 2005