Edward Lawson Walker
Rank : Flying Officer
Regiment : 254 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service number : 125154
Conflict : WW2
Date of death : 7th March 1944 aged 26
Buried : Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England, Panel 209.
Relatives : Son of William and Kathleen Walker, of Worcester
Memorial : Worcester Kings School WW2 Memorial
Also appears on : Knightwick St Mary's Church. Martley St Peter's Church.
Credits : School records courtesy of Kings School Archives.

Details:
Appears on the Royal Air Force casualties list for Worcestershire.

Edward Walker was born on 15th February 1918.  He entered Form M4, Kings School in October 1931.  At the time of his admission to the school his parent is recorded as W.W., Shelsley Walsh.  Edward had previously been educated at Hillstone, Malvern.  He left Kings School from Form L5 in December 1933. Farming.

Berrow's Worcester Journal, 20th November 1943:
Exciting Trip
Flying Officer Edward Lawson Walker, aged 25, member of the well-known Worcestershire farming family, grandson of Mr. T. Lawson Walker and son of Mr William Walker, of Horsham Court, Martley, has distinguished himself in a thrilling operational sortie while on reconnaissance over the Dutch coast with the Coastal Command.
After surviving a running fight with two Messerschmitt 109s and heavy anti-aircraft fire from an enemy convoy, Flying Officer Walker completed his mission and brought his machine back to base. There it was found that there were shell holes in the fuselage, port wing and starboard engine as well as damage to the elevator trim.
"The excitement began when, after experiencing bad weather, we flew into what seemed like acres of sunshine," Walker said, "I sighted a large enemy convoy which soon spotted us, and we were quickly subjected to accurate and persistent fire. Two Messerschmitts then came on the scene and made five attacks. We were able to obtain our photographs, however, and finally avoided the attack by taking violent evasive action."
Flying Officer Walker was educated at Worcester Cathedral King's School. Later he took up farming with Mr. T.L. Walker, of The Cedars, Broadwas-on-Teme. He was a keen member of the Worcestershire Hunt and a good shot. Two years ago he joined the R.A.F. as a volunteer, and went to Canada to train. He is unmarried.

Berrow's Worcester Journal, 11th March 1944:
Flying Officer E. L. Walker Missing
Flying Officer Edward Lawson Walker, son of Mr and Mrs William Walker, of Horsham Court, Martley, is reported missing.
In November last he was reported as distinguishing himself in an operational sortie while n reconnaissance over the Dutch coast with Coastal Command. After surviving a running fight with two Messerschmitt 109s he brought his machine back to base with shell holes in the fuselage, port wing and starboard engine.
F/O Walker was educated at the Cathedral King's School, and took up farming with his grandfather, Mr. T.L. Walker, of The Cedars, Broadwas-on-Teme. He joined the R.A.F. about two and a half years ago. He is unmarried.

A letter from J. Hastings Lloyd, Martley Rectory, dated 17th June 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that his name be added to the county roll of honour.  The letter states that Section Leader, Edward Lawson Walker, RAF, Coastal Command, age 25, was killed on patrol in the North Sea.  Born Friday 15th February 1918, died 7th March 1944, he was shot down whilst leading a section of his squadron who were attacking an enemy convoy.  A second letter dated 24th June 1950 contains the same information.

 ©peh