Finding Pilots

19 June 2006, 06:02 AM

How can I find more info on a pilot? Excuse the silly question as I am a newbie? I'm looking for Capt (later Maj) Henry Stewart Walker who was with the 46 & 15 Squadron of the RFC around 1917? I believe he was CO of 15 Squadron. Thanks

19 June 2006, 06:06 AM

Attached is picture and what aeroplane is pictured behind the men. Walker is in the center.

john_g · 19 June 2006, 03:46 PM

ZS-GJJ

Captain Henry Stewart Walker Cheshire Regt. was C.O. of 66 Squadron in 1916, he joined the newly formed squadron on 2 July 1916 until 23 November 1916 his replacement, Major Reginald George Douglas Small, Leinster Regt took over on the 24-Oct-1916.

Walker gained his RAeC on 9 December 1915 number 2143. He was born on 13 Aug 1882 at Southsea. Walker took his ticket on a Maurice Farman Biplane at the Military School near Birmingham. I would also be interested ion any other information you have?

John_g

20 June 2006, 02:42 AM

Maj Walker returned to England for leave around January 1918 but declined to return to the RFC and the War Office posted him to 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment at Newcastle-on-Tyne. It was about then he received the Belgian Croix de Guerre (April 16).

Graeme · 20 June 2006, 03:15 PM

The award of the Belgian Croix de Guerre was announced in London Gazette number 30631, page 4526. This was the fourth supplement to the London Gazette of Friday, 12 April 1918 and was published on Monday 15 April 1918. The entry is:

Major Henry Stewart Walker, Cheshire Regiment, and Royal Flying Corps.

Graeme

21 June 2006, 04:46 AM

Thanks Graeme, How do I find out if he received any other medals? His father, incidently, George Fuller Walker campaigned in India with 1 Btn, 8th (Kings) Regiment and was awarded a medal for the Sepoy Rebellion (bars for Relief of Lucknow & Delhi).

Graeme · 21 June 2006, 01:32 PM

ZS-GJJ

There will be a Medal Index Card, showing his entitlement to wear campaign and gallantry medals, at the National Archives at Kew, London. You might be able to access some information on-line at

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...ine/medals.asp

although I haven't used this resource and can't say how useful it is.

I've spent a considerable amount of time trawling through the London Gazette for entries relating to members of the flying services and the only entry I've come across for Walker (up to 31 December 1920) is for his Belgian Croix de Guerre. However, if he went to France (or another theatre of operations) before 31 December 1915, he will have been entitled to the 1914-15 Star; he will also have received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Graeme

21 June 2006, 02:24 PM

Jello, I am a newbi and am looking for any information on my ggrandfather. His name was Carl or Karl Smith or Schmidt. He was German but flew for the USA. He had pilot license #7. my mom told us his stories of taking off on anaircraft carrier and being barely able to fly over the waves durring the war. He was shot down and decided to stay in that country and not come home. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

john_g · 21 June 2006, 11:13 PM

Graeme

Walker embarked for France on 3 September 1914 he was graded a qualified Observer on 9 September 1914 and involved in a accident on 19 October (possibly with 3 Squadron?) He returned to HE by hospital ship on 23 October and returned to France on 8 November 1916, he was posted to 46 Squadron on 21 November 1916 and to 15 squadron on 16 Feb 1917 appointed Sqn C/O on 18 Feb 1917. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Belgian) around the 15 April 1918, cant read actual date.

john_g

Graeme · 21 June 2006, 11:52 PM

Thanks for added information, John.

Given his early date of arrival in France, his entitlement would have been to wear the 1914 Star (or Mons Star as it is incorrectly known), rather than the 1914-15 Star. The "authority to wear" the Belgian Croix de Guerre was given in the Gazette dated 15 April 1918.

Graeme