The papers relate to three generations of the Walker family of Manchester, but the main body of the collection relates to Lieutenant Walker. It includes signal books; a diary and letterbooks; and papers relating to his candidature. There is also a small number of documents relating to the sons of Lieutenant Walker.

Administrative / biographical background
Henry Walker entered the Navy in 1803 and served as midshipman in HMS BELLEROPHON. He was promoted lieutenant in 1810. In 1833 he was given command as lieutenant commander of HMS ALBAN following the suppression of the disturbances which arose in the agricultural districts in 1830. The ALBAN was a steamship serving in the Mediterranean and there were considerable problems over the supply and quality of coal. He had many disagreements with Captain Hugh Pigot of HMS BARHAM who ordered him to flog certain seamen on grounds which Walker considered to be unjust and which he therefore refused to have done. Walker apprears to have been relieved of his command following these disagreements, but continued to accuse Pigot of cruelty and in 1834 he decided to stand for Parliament in order to impeach him, but withdrew in favour of Captain Byng, later Lord Torrington.