Date of birth:

November 24th, 1907 (Amsterdam/ The Netherlands)

Date of death:

August 28th, 1942 (Gela/ Sicily, Italy)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Syracuse

Service number:

90241

Nationality:

British

Walter Churchill was born in Amsterdam, obtained an engineering degree and started an aviation engineering company in Coventry before World War II. He was a friend of Frank Whittle, the jet-engine pioneer, and Churchill Engineering machined compressor blades for the first gas-turbine engines tested by Whittle.
During the war, Churchill served with No. 605 (County of Warwick) squadron and others, as well as evaluating various makes of fighter aircraft for the RAF. He played a key role in getting Spitfire aircraft to the defence of Malta in the hands of the American Eagle Squadron, which he helped train. He himself was killed in a Spitfire in a raid over Sicily from Malta.
Walter Churchill’s company survived him, and was taken over by his wife, Joyce, and eventually by his only son, James J. Churchill. The company is still in existence as J.J. Churchill, Ltd.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

May 31st, 1940

Citation:
"This officer assumed command of a squadron shortly after its arrival in France and led it with marked success, inspiring his pilots and maintenance crews magnificently. He undertook the tactical instruction of new pilots, led many patrols successfully and organised his ground defences and crews in an exemplary manner. While under his command, the squadron destroyed 62 enemy aircraft and he was throughout the mainspring of their offensive spirit, their excellent tactics and their adequate maintenance results. Only four pilots of the squadron
were lost. Flight Lieutenant Churchill has recently destroyed four enemy aircraft, bringing his total to seven."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

May 31st, 1940

Citation:
"This officer has shot down three enemy aircraft since his arrival in France and has led many patrols with courage and skill."

• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34860 published on the 28 May 1940
  - JJ Churchill Ltd
  - Levantine Heritage The story of a community
  

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