James Roy Walker

Rank:Sergeant (Pilot)Number:1119267
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:207 Sqn RAFVR
Name of Rgt or Ship:Royal Air Force V.R.
Died:21/12/1942Age:20
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:NetherlandsGrave Photo:No
Cemetery or Memorial:Amersfoort (Old Leusden) General Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born during the September quarter 1922 in the Shardlow R.D. - ref: 7b/978,
the son of ????? & ????? Walker (nee Robinson).

He attended Stretford Grammar School and is commemorated in their War
Memorial Book.

According to his Detroit, Michigan, USA manifest, dated the 15th July 1941
issued at Toronto, Canada, he was born at Stanton-by-Dale, Derbyshire and
was aged: 18 years, 10 months.   This would indicate that he was born
during September 1922.  His address in the UK was given as 16 Arlington
Road, Stretford.  His occupation given as Air Crew RAF.   He was 6 feet 0
inches in height, his complexion - Fresh.   He had fair hair and blue eyes.
  He landed at Halifax, Canada on the 25th June 1941 aboard HMS California.
 I am most grateful to Joe Donaghy for this information and a photograph of
his grave.

HMS California was a passenger/cargo ship, that was refitted as an Armed
Merchant Cruiser at an American dockyard.  The ship was employed as a
patrol vessel until 1942 after which she was used as a troopship until she
was sunk in 1943.

The No. 1 Initial Training School RCAF was situated at Toronto, initially
at the Eglington Hunt Club.  The above mentioned document would indicate
that he was sent to Canada for training under the Empire Training
Scheme???

207 Squadron operated from RAF Langar, Nottinghamshire from September 1942
until October 1943.

Sgt Walker was the Pilot of Lancaster Mk1 bomber No. W4191 EM-Q that took
off from RAF Langar at 17.15 hrs on the 20th December 1942.   They were
taking part in a bombing mission over Munchen, Germany, when the a/c was
shot down by a German night fighter at 00.02 hrs at Elst (Utrecht), 20 Km
south-east of Amersfoort, Holland, where the entire crew of seven are
buried.  One of 13 bombers lost that night.

Memorials found on:
Stretford Grammar School
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