Personal. -- 1939-1992. -- 22 cm of textual records
Scope and content: This series contains personal correspondence between David Walker and his
family and friends as well as magazine and newspaper articles by various individuals about Walker
and his literary career. A few letters are from book publishers and from movie producers
interested in making films based on Walker's novels. Much of the correspondence is incoming.
Some communications are with Willa Walker.
The series consists of 2 subseries: 1) correspondence, and 2) biographical information.
Subseries 1, correspondence includes correspondence from friends -- members of The Black
Watch and former prisoners of war -- and family members as well as a few letters from Lord and
Lady Wavell. Letters from friends discuss Walker's posting to France (1940), regimental
activities, wartime experiences, his decision to emigrate, personal news, and political and social
conditions in post-war Europe and late 1940s India. Communications from Walker's father,
brothers, sister, brother-in-law, aunt, nephews, and children discuss his writings and
accomplishments as well as family matters. The Wavell letters discuss Walker's writing career,
Lord Wavell's activities, family, and friends as well as the writing and revision of Walker's article
about Wavell.
In addition to published magazine articles, subseries 2, biographical information contains
booklets, a citation, and newspaper clippings relating to Walker's friends, his family home in
Scotland, his writing awards (Governor-General's award for fiction), his honourary degree from
U.N.B., and his recreational activities. It also includes a few communications with publishers and
texts of several speeches which he probably wrote or delivered.
File arrangement of subseries 1 is alphabetical by name of correspondent; file arrangement of
subseries 2 is random.
Title based on contents of series.
Additional communications with former prisoners of war as well as information about Walker's
wartime experiences are located in series 2, prisoner of war.
A few letters from family members are located in series 3, subseries 2, agreements and
correspondence.
Biographical information is also located in series 3: subseries 1, correspondence and subseries
2, agreements and correspondence (books and films).
Series 3, subseries 5, articles (non-fiction) includes drafts and published copies of articles by
Walker which offer information about his early life, his career in The Black Watch, his method
and style of writing, his friendship with Lord Wavell, and his decision to emigrate to Canada.
Correspondence
BOX NO. 1
Files:
1. Colonel W. D. Arbuthnott (The Black Watch) about Neil Blair, 1988-89
2. The Black Watch (members and former members) 1940-81 (includes a brief history of The
Black Watch)
3. Colonel Neil Blair of The Black Watch, 1948-88 (includes article by DHW published in The
Red Hackle about Blair and their years in The Black Watch).
4. Lady Dunn/Lady Beaverbrook, 1958; 1967
5. Lords John and James Elphinstone, 1950; 1985; 1990; n.d.
6. General Sir Bernard Fergusson (The Black Watch and P.O.W., later Lord Ballantrae) 1948-50, 1976 (includes copy of his obituary)
7. Mrs. Halstead Freeman (includes correspondence with The Atlantic Monthly about
submissions from Walker) 1948-49
8. Sir. Martin Gilliat (former P.O.W. and private secretary to Queen Elizabeth The Queen
Mother) 1947-49; 1972-90
9. David Hanton (gamekeeper, Cortachy) and Sandy Miller (Angus Reservoir manager) 1980-89, n.d.
10. Adrian House (editor with Collins) 1994
11. Major Colin MacKenzie of Farr, M.E., M.B.E. (P.O.W.) 1949-58, 1974-91, n.d.
12. Prisoners of war (former) 1945, 1983-90
13. Hugh Richardson (brother-in-law of DHW) 1984-89
14. General Sir Neil Ritchie (The Black Watch) 1978-82
15. Robin Scott and Johnny Gifford, 1939-40
16. Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (and his agents) 1972-84
17. UNB Presidents Colin B. Mackay and Robin Armstrong about honourary degree, 1955; 1993
18. Viceroy's Staff (India) 1947-48 (includes letter from Lord Mountbatten)
19. I.A. Walker (aunt of DHW) 1948-58
20. Walker family members, 1949-58; 1976-89 (include funeral service sheet for DHW's brother
Sir William Giles Newsom Walker)
21. Archie John Wavell, n.d. (includes articles and news about the Wavell family)
22. Lady Eugenie Wavell, 1950-57, n.d.
23. Lord and Lady Wavell, Archie John Wavell, and friends of Wavell family 1946-65 (includes
copy of Order of Service in Memory of Field Marshall Earl Wavell, articles about Lord Wavell,
drafts of his speeches, obituary, and booklet, "Arms and the Man")
24. Various individuals (including David Niven; Darryl Zanuck of Twentieth Century-Fox; Jud
Kinberg of Blazer Films; Hugh MacLennan; and Ken Hermon, P.O.W.) 1938, 1950-58, 1965-81,
1987-91
25. Various individuals (including Brian Bartlett, The Montreal Gazette and readers of Walker's
work) 1948, 1968, 1976-80
26. From India - Umar Din, bearer, and Hato, artist responsible for drawing in Giles's nursery at
Strathcroix, 1947-48
27. About Lord Tweedsmuir's illness and death, 1939-40; 1950
28. About invitations to functions (declined) 1954, 1989
29. About moving to Canada, 1946-48
30. Application for gardener and caretaker for Strathcroix (some letters in German)
Biographical Information
BOX NO. 1
Files:
31. Article, Saturday Night, 29 November 1952 "Canadian Writing: '52" (includes note about
DHW)
32. Article about DHW, Canadian Tractor Farming, "Close to the Soil With Eye to the Sea",
1958
33. Article about DHW "By the By...." by Joan Ganong, The Atlantic Advocate, October 1958
34. Article, John O'London's, "Living Writers: New Series, 2. David Walker" by John Barrows
(1961)
35. Article about DHW, Wilson Library Bulletin, vol. 37, no. 4, December 1962
36. Article (note) about Willa and David Walker, The Atlantic Advocate, July 1969
37. Article about DHW, The Australian Women's Weekly, "Visiting His P.O.W. Pals: It's David
Walker, of 'Geordie' fame", 9 July 1969
38. Articles about DHW (includes one by Hugh MacLennan)
39. Articles (newspaper clippings) about DHW (includes biographical sketch and review of
Winter of Madness)
40. Article about Lord Wavell (published in Times, June 1980) by Lord Ballantrae
41. Booklet about Pitlair House, the Walker family home in Scotland (includes Walker
genealogical information)
42. Booklet, "The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews" [Scotland]
43. Citation for honourary degree from U.N.B., 1955 (includes copy of Walker's letter to U.N.B.
president Colin B. Mackay, 23 March 1955)
44. Newspaper clippings about winning Governor General's award for fiction
45. Obituary of Sir Douglas Bader (P.O.W.)
46. Obituary of DHW in The Red Hackle (The Chronicle of The Black Watch -- Royal Highland
Regiment) April 1992
47. In Memorium - DHW (resolution published in 1992 annual report of Roosevelt Campobello
International Park Commission)
48. Sheet Music - "Songs of the Hebrides"
49. Speeches and opinions 1947, 1969, 1975, n.d.
50. Tribute to DHW on his 80th birthday by granddaughter Anna K. Walker
51. Sketches (original) of elephants (4)