jamieooh
10-23-2012, 10:25 PM
The oldest surviving Battle of Britain pilot, who was shot down in his Spitfire and wounded in 1940, has died aged 99.
Flight Lieutenant William Walker suffered a stroke last Thursday and died in hospital on Sunday.
He had joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve on September 2 1938 at Kidlington, Oxford, and flew his first solo there a few days later.
He was called up for full-time service on September 1 1939 and posted to Cambridge on November 15.
He went to Brize Norton on February 17 1940 and, at the end of the course, was commissioned and posted directly to 616 Squadron at Leconfield on June 18.
During the late morning of August 26 1940, a large German bomber force, with heavy fighter escort, was heading towards targets in England including the RAF fighter stations at Kenley and Biggin Hill. The force was engaged over Kent and the coast by Defiants, Hurricanes and Spitfires.
At Kenley, Spitfires from No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron were scrambled to the Dover/Dungeness area and found themselves in a fight with Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Mr Walker's plane was hit and badly damaged and he baled out, landing in the Channel with a bullet in his right ankle. I
After clinging to a shipwreck on the Goodwin Sands he was rescued by a fishing boat, transferred to an RAF launch and brought ashore at Ramsgate, where he was greeted by a large crowd and presented with a packet of cigarettes by an elderly woman.
In later life, Mr Walker enjoyed recounting the story of how, as the surgeon prised the armour-piercing bullet from his ankle during his stay at the RAF Hospital in Halton, it shot out and hit the ceiling. He kept the bullet as a souvenir.
After recovering from his wound, Mr Walker's postings included joining a squadron engaged in anti-aircraft co-operation duties and one with the Sector Gunnery Flight at Gatwick.
Mr Walker attended numerous events with and on behalf of The Few, including the 2012 Memorial Day at Capel-le-Ferne. He donated the proceeds from his book of poetry to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's appeal to raise money for The Wing, its new visitor centre, and signed many copies.
Richard Hunting CBE, chairman of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "Flight Lieutenant William Walker was a warm, engaging and friendly man who always had a twinkle in his eye.
"He worked hard for the trust and gave freely of his time to help with fundraising for The Wing - which is the trust's planned new building at the Capel-le-Ferne site of the national memorial to The Few.
"He was much loved by his fellow veterans, his family and friends and all of us at the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.
"He was regularly prevailed upon to recite one of his poems at trust events and signed many copies of his book to help raise money for The Wing.
"He knew how important it was that we continue to tell the story of what he and the rest of the Few did in 1940."
Jane Easton, Secretary General of the RAF Association, said “On behalf of everyone at the Royal Air Forces Association I would like to convey our deepest condolences to William’s family and friends. Respected by all who met him, William has been a great inspiration to many people and will be sorely missed.”
http://www.bfbs.com/news/uk/oldest-surviving-one-few-dies-61335.html
Flight Lieutenant William Walker suffered a stroke last Thursday and died in hospital on Sunday.
He had joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve on September 2 1938 at Kidlington, Oxford, and flew his first solo there a few days later.
He was called up for full-time service on September 1 1939 and posted to Cambridge on November 15.
He went to Brize Norton on February 17 1940 and, at the end of the course, was commissioned and posted directly to 616 Squadron at Leconfield on June 18.
During the late morning of August 26 1940, a large German bomber force, with heavy fighter escort, was heading towards targets in England including the RAF fighter stations at Kenley and Biggin Hill. The force was engaged over Kent and the coast by Defiants, Hurricanes and Spitfires.
At Kenley, Spitfires from No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron were scrambled to the Dover/Dungeness area and found themselves in a fight with Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Mr Walker's plane was hit and badly damaged and he baled out, landing in the Channel with a bullet in his right ankle. I
After clinging to a shipwreck on the Goodwin Sands he was rescued by a fishing boat, transferred to an RAF launch and brought ashore at Ramsgate, where he was greeted by a large crowd and presented with a packet of cigarettes by an elderly woman.
In later life, Mr Walker enjoyed recounting the story of how, as the surgeon prised the armour-piercing bullet from his ankle during his stay at the RAF Hospital in Halton, it shot out and hit the ceiling. He kept the bullet as a souvenir.
After recovering from his wound, Mr Walker's postings included joining a squadron engaged in anti-aircraft co-operation duties and one with the Sector Gunnery Flight at Gatwick.
Mr Walker attended numerous events with and on behalf of The Few, including the 2012 Memorial Day at Capel-le-Ferne. He donated the proceeds from his book of poetry to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's appeal to raise money for The Wing, its new visitor centre, and signed many copies.
Richard Hunting CBE, chairman of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "Flight Lieutenant William Walker was a warm, engaging and friendly man who always had a twinkle in his eye.
"He worked hard for the trust and gave freely of his time to help with fundraising for The Wing - which is the trust's planned new building at the Capel-le-Ferne site of the national memorial to The Few.
"He was much loved by his fellow veterans, his family and friends and all of us at the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.
"He was regularly prevailed upon to recite one of his poems at trust events and signed many copies of his book to help raise money for The Wing.
"He knew how important it was that we continue to tell the story of what he and the rest of the Few did in 1940."
Jane Easton, Secretary General of the RAF Association, said “On behalf of everyone at the Royal Air Forces Association I would like to convey our deepest condolences to William’s family and friends. Respected by all who met him, William has been a great inspiration to many people and will be sorely missed.”
http://www.bfbs.com/news/uk/oldest-surviving-one-few-dies-61335.html