William Walker (RAF officer)

William Louis Buchanan Walker
Born	1913-08-24 Hampstead, London, England
Died	2012-10-21
Occupation(s)	RAF pilot, brewer, poet
Years active	1938–1945 (military)
Known for	Longest-living Battle of Britain pilot, poem "Our Wall"

Flight Lieutenant William Louis Buchanan Walker, AE (24 August 1913 – 21 October 2012), was the longest-living pilot from the Battle of Britain at the time of his passing. His poem "Our Wall" is engraved on a plinth adjacent to the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne, Kent.

Early life

Walker was born in Hampstead, London, and attended Brighton College, a private institution located in Brighton, East Sussex. Initially, he followed in his father's footsteps by entering the brewing industry. Beginning in 1931, he trained as a pupil brewer in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and by 1933 had advanced to work at Ind Coope brewery situated in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Military service

On 2 September 1938, Walker enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve as an airman pilot under training. His instruction took place at RAF Kidlington, where he achieved solo flight by 28 September. With the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939, he was called to active duty. Following preliminary training at 1 Initial Training Wing, Cambridge, he completed officer training at RAF Brize Norton and received a commission as pilot officer on probation on 18 June 1940 (service number 82662).

Assigned to No. 616 Squadron RAF based at RAF Leconfield, Walker flew the Supermarine Spitfire. During the Battle of Britain, his squadron engaged Luftwaffe forces attacking northern England and subsequently London. On 26 August 1940, during combat over Dover and Dungeness, his Spitfire was targeted by German ace Werner Mölders. After sustaining damage to his aircraft and suffering a bullet wound to his right ankle, Walker bailed out from an altitude of 20,000 feet, landing in the English Channel. He was rescued near Goodwin Sands and received medical care at RAF Halton due to damage sustained by local hospitals. He kept the armour-piercing bullet as a personal keepsake.

Following six months of recovery, Walker joined an aircraft ferrying unit responsible for transporting planes from factories to operational squadrons. His commission was confirmed on 18 June 1941 with promotion to war substantive flying officer. Subsequently, he served with No. 116 Squadron RAF, an anti-aircraft unit, and was elevated to war substantive flight lieutenant on 18 June 1942. He was demobilised in September 1945.

As one of "The Few," Walker was awarded the 1939–45 Star accompanied by a Battle of Britain clasp. On 24 August 1958, he received official permission to retain the rank of flight lieutenant.

Later life

After leaving military service, Walker returned to brewing and ultimately became chairman of Ind Coope's brewery in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. In retirement, he dedicated himself to poetry and actively supported the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust. He frequently participated in the annual commemorations held at the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne, Kent. His poem Our Wall was engraved on the memorial alongside names of The Few during the 70th anniversary event in July 2010. Additionally, Walker featured in the BBC documentary Battle of Great Britain in 2011, presented by Ewan and Colin McGregor.

Walker died on 21 October 2012 after suffering a stroke three days prior.

Personal life

In August 1941, Walker wed Claudine Mawby, one of the three siblings known as The Mawby Triplets. Together, they raised seven children, among whom was Tim Walker, a journalist for The Daily Telegraph. Sadly, two of their children passed away before them. Although the couple formally separated, they never finalized a divorce prior to Claudine's passing on 13 September 2012.