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William Walker, Oldest Surviving Battle of Britain Pilot, Dies Aged 99 (PICTURES)

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Flt Lt William Walker with Dame Vera Lynn | PA



Born in August 1913, Mr Walker joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in September 1938 at Kidlington, Oxford, and flew his first solo there a few days later. He was called up for full-time service close to the beginning of the war on 1 September 1939.

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Walker meeting with Prince Charles

After being commissioned and posted directly to 616 Squadron at Leconfield the next year, Mr Walker was shot down engaging German bombers over the Channel.



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Mr Walker with a Spitfire aircraft outside the National Gallery, London


He began his business career before the war in 1931 as a pupil brewer at the Aylesbury Brewery, learning brewing, malting, bottling and cooperage.



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Mr Walker talking with the Duchess of Cornwall

Richard Hunting CBE, chairman of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "Flight Lieutenant William Walker was a warm, engaging and friendly man who always had a twinkle in his eye.

"He worked hard for the trust and gave freely of his time to help with fundraising for The Wing - which is the trust's planned new building at the Capel-le-Ferne site of the national memorial to The Few.


"He knew how important it was that we continue to tell the story of what he and the rest of the Few did in 1940."