Walker, Arnold Edgar "Blondie"
- Date of birth:
- April 4th, 1917 (Warley Edge/Halifax, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- November 9th, 2008 (Perth/Western Australia, Australia)
- Service number:
- 115919
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Arnold Walker was born in Warley Edge and received his education on the Heath Grammar School. He left school at the age of 15 and joined his fathers company. At the age of 18 he took over the company when his father passes away.
With the outbreak of the war het voluntarily joined the Royal Air Force. He received his training with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada and ended it as Sergeant.
Promotions:
?: Sergeant;
December 1st, 1941: Pilot Officer on probation;
October 1st, 1942: Flying Officer (was subs.);
December 1st, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
Career:
August 1939: Royal Air Force;
?: Initial Training Wing, Torquay;
1941: No. 22 Elementary Training School, Cambridge;
1941: Service Flying Training School, Kingston, Ontario;
?: No. 9 Service Flying Training School, Hullavington;
?: No. 59 Operational Training Unit, Crosby-on-Eden;
August 1942: No. 94 Squadron, Port Said;
1944: No. 6 Squadron;
October 1944: Instructor;
?: Commanding Officer No. 14 Armament Practice Camp, Warmwell;
1946: Release of service;
?: Joseph Walker & Son.
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
- Awarded on:
- August 8th, 1944
"This officer has achieved much success in attacks on shipping, railway communications and mechanical transport. He has displayed the greatest determination throughout and his example in the face of the enemy has been most inspiring. One night in June 1944, he attacked a small convoy and caused the destruction of a lighter. The following night, Flight Lieutenant Walker participated in a most successful attack on a small convoy consisting of 10 small craft, all of which were attacked with destructive effect. His keenness and devotion to duty have been outstanding."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
- Awarded on:
- November 14th, 1944
"Since the award of the D.F.C., Flt. Lt. Walker has continued to display outstanding courage and determination in attacks against enemy shipping In July, 1944, he led a. formation of aircraft in an attack on a large enemy ship, which was completely destroyed. In addition, he has sought out and destroyed many small enemy ships along the Dalmatian coast, pressing home his attacks with great skill. On many occasions, his aircraft has sustained damage from anti-aircraft fire, and in July, 1944, was forced to come down on the sea off the enemy coast.
In August, 1944, while on a night sortie, he sighted two enemy schooners, which he attacked. On this occasion also his aircraft was badly damaged and he was compelled to abandon it by parachute. He remained for over 12 hours in his dinghy in a very rough sea, eventually reaching an uninhabited rock, from which he was rescued after five days. Despite such experiences, Fit. Lt. Walker has constantly shown outstanding skill and devotion to duty."
Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: RAF Photo
- - Flight Global - Archive
- Flypast, September 2009, page 18-24
Photo
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