Capt. Henry Edward Walker, MC,DFC (RAF)

[josquin]

Lieut. (Acting Capt.) Henry Edward Walker served with the RAF in
Egypt and was awarded the M.C. (Gazetted 16 September 1918)
and the D.F.C. (Gazetted 8 February 1919). His M.C. citation
states "He has been engaged in 14 combats, which have either
been decisive or have resulted in enemy aircraft being driven down
to a low height, and he has on occasion gone up as many as
five times in one day." His D.F.C. citation states that "he has
shot down several enemy machines" during 12 continuous months
at the front. In which squadron(s) did Captain Walker serve, and
what were the dates of his postings? His M.C. citation says
"General List & R.A.F." but did he serve with any Army units prior
to the RFC/RAF? Also, can anyone clarify how many victories he had-- specifying the dates, times, locations, types of aircraft, units, aircrew,
and related information such as the circumstances of the combats
(possibly summarized in communiques)? The almost schematic outline
of his service presented in the award citations hints at an interesting
combat career in the Middle Eastern theatre. I would like to learn
more about him; accordingly, any information will be gratefully
received.

Regards,

Josquin

[Frank_Olynyk]

Josquin,
Walker served with 111 Squadron RFC/RAF in Egypt/Palestine. I have 15 combat reports for him (11 indecisive, 4 decisive) from Dec 17, 1917 to Sept 19, 1918. His first decisive combat was on March 19, 1918 at 1545, a large, fast two seater crashed, chased from Ramleh to Mulebbis to Kefra Saba, while flying a Nieuport 17 B3595; shared with Capt. Roy Maxwell Drummond.

His second was on April 4 at 1230, a Rumpler two seater crashed, at Dier Ballut, in the same Nieuport 17; shared with 2/Lt Thomas Lancaster Steele.

On April 6 he claimed his third, an Albatros two seater f/t/l, 5 m E of Kalkilieh, again in the same Nieuport 17.

His final decisive combat was on April 7, a Single seater scout D.V f/t/l and captured, Ramlen, to 1.5 m SE of Mulehbis, Allied side of lines, in the same Nieuport 17.

All of these combats were credited to him as a 2nd/Lt. His first combat report shows him flying a Morane Bullet A5236; his last (as a Lt.) flying an SE 5a B99. 111 Sqn also flew the Vickers Bullet, the Bristol M1, DH 2, BF 2b, and the Nieuport 24bis. A real collection!

Enjoy!

Frank.

[josquin]

Frank,

Many thanks for the comprehensive and highly informative post.
Walker survived the war, at least: there is a notification in "Flight"
around 1923 announcing his promotion from Pilot Officer to Flight
Lieutenant in the RAF. He did, indeed, fly an impressive variety
of aircraft, as was more the practice in the Middle Eastern theatre.
A first-person account of 12 months at the front flying such a
miscellany of machines would make a most interesting article,
as I suspected. Also, given the nature of aerial combat in the
M.E., the high number of indecisives is not at all surprising--
Cutlack, in his history of the Australian Flying Corps, recorded how
the German pilots tended to land quickly whenever they were
in trouble, and a DES or OOC became a FTL.
An unrelated request: do you have the birthdate and birthplace
for Capt. Lynn Campbell (62 Sqn., KIA 1918 at age 22, from Hamilton, Ont.)
Lt. Ernest Lindup, MC (20 Sqn. & Rand Rifles, from S.Africa),
Capt. George McCormack (22 Sqn.,observer & Royal Irish Rifles)
2/AM William Walker (48 Sqn.,observer, from Hull, Yorkshire))
No service records are available for McCormack & Walker, because
they were in the postwar RAF, and Lindup's is a minimal record
that provides no birth information. McCormack died on active
service at Amman, Transjordan, in 1928, from injuries suffered
in an accident. His age was 32. Finally, was the "Lt. W.W. Smith"
who died while serving with the RAF, in early 1919, the Lt.
William Watson Smith, DFC, of 139 Sqn? Again, thank you for
the help you have provided and for any clarifications that may
be forthcoming.

Josquin





Josquin

[ArisKosionidis]

Originally Posted by Frank_Olynyk

Josquin,
Walker served with 111 Squadron RFC/RAF in Egypt/Palestine. I have 15 combat reports for him (11 indecisive, 4 decisive) from Dec 17, 1917 to Sept 19, 1918.

May I ask where these reports can be found/accessed? Judging from the ones 1 Sqn AFC filed, they're not only useful for history purposes but also contain details on German markings in Palestine- a very poorly documented subject.
best regards
Aris K.

[Frank_Olynyk]

They are in the NA/PRO at Kew. Air 1/1675/294/112/29 to 54 as the 40 Wing War Diary from Oct 1917 to Nov 1918.

There is also a Palastine War Diary, Air 1/1725/204/126/1 to 24, for Dec 1917 to Nov 1918.

Third attempt to get past the captcha. CAPTCHAs suck!

Enjoy!

Frank.

[ArisKosionidis]

Frank,
Thank you! Sounds like I need a good excuse to travel to the UK .
best regards
Aris K.