W/O Lister Walker

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="0c200500dvldtc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="BauerBodni BT" ><B>113 SQUADRON</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>     |    </B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="home_of_113_squadron.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WELCOME"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >back to</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( T to W )"><U><B>(    T to W    )</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=215 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="0c3d7c00dvldtc.gif"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2c8baf40.gif" border=0 width="186" height="244" ALT="Sgt Lister Walker wedding Dewsbury" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Wedding in Dewsbury</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> W/O LISTER WALKER</div> <div> <IMG SRC="2ca4f690.gif" border=0 width="79" height="105" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 113 SQUADRON RAF <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="BauerBodni BT" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2a711b90.gif" border=0 width="273" height="441" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="wo_lister_walker"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>W/O Lister Walker</U></div> <bR> <div> W/O Lister Walker, 627802 Enlisted 25-10-1933 as ACH (Aircraft Hand) General duties in the RAF and signed on for approx 22 years.</div> <bR> <div> Trained as ground wireless operator at No 2 EWS ( Electrical and Wireless School) Passed out Sept 1939 with above average marks. Then after volunteering for aircrew duties, trained as wireless operator Air to Air + Air to Ground Oct 39 to Sept 40. Followed by AB iNiTiO gunnery course 6 -10 -40 to 2 -11-40 at RAF West Freugh with an average pass. </div> <bR> <div> On completion of this course was promoted to Sgt approx November 1940. He was then posted to No 70 (Middle East) OTU ( Operational Training Unit) in Egypt taking 3 or 4 months to get there by boat via South Africa.</div> <bR> <div> He was with 70 OTU from 25 -5 -41 to 21 -6 -41 passing with good marks in gunnery, range finding, turret manipulation, RT + WT.</div> <bR> <div> <B>NOTE: </B></div> <div> RT<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > = Radio Telephony      </FONT>WT<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > = Wireless Telegraphy (Morse Code)</FONT></div> <div> RT would be 5 to 10 miles  WT would be distances up to 500 miles.</div> <bR> <div> On 24/06/1941 he was posted to 113 Squadron, A Flight which had only recently arrived back at their old aerodrome at Ma'aten Bagush following the Greece disaster. Four days later on 28-6-41 he met his permanent Aircrew members, P/O Lee (Nicknamed Dingle), Sgt Ken Brett Observer (Navigator). Lister couldn't have arrived at a worse time! After Wavells brilliant success in driving the Italians entirely out of North Africa, the country was left vulnerable while men and equipment were sent off to Greece. Irwin Rommel (The Desert Fox) in the meantime easily reversed the situation and had driven the British back into Egypt. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2c0fa810.gif" border=0 width="506" height="385" ALT="Sgt Ken Brett, P/O Lee, Sgt Lister Walker in Desert" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Sgt Ken Brett (Schnoz) P/O Lee (Dingle) Sgt Lister Walker (Humble)</div> <div> Note the young native girl behind them, she managed to sneak herself into several of these pictures that Lister took. NOTE ALSO the railway tracks behind them which is a clue to where this was taken</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="548a1210.jpg" border=0 width="417" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Sgt Lister Walker in his tent with his ever present suitcase at his feet.</div> <div> Amusingly this suitcase shows up in many of his pics.</div> <bR> <div> Their first operation came on the 09/07/1941 when they were sent to bomb Gazala. After 19 operations in North Africa during which time they lost 12 aircraft and at least 14 squadron members, the 113 Squadron was posted en mass to Burma and were issued with new Blenheim MKIV's in Egypt. They departed for Burma on the 31/12/1941 via Habbanya (Iraq)  to Bahrain Island (Persian Gulf) to Silchar (Saudi Arabia) to Karachi India (Now Pakistan) to Alahabad (India) to Calcutta (Now Bangaladesh) to Toungoo (Burma) to Rangoon (Burma) and finally to Mingaladon (Burma) all aircraft arriving safely on 07/01/1942.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >A lot of Ground Crews and spare Air Crews went to Burma by boat, some ground crews went with the aircraft and the first bombing raid was carried out on Bangkok on 08/01/1942. </FONT><B>* </B><I>Note that this raid is the very next morning after they arrived from their seven day nearly non stop epic journey from North Africa. </I><I>Donald "the Butcher" Stevenson, loathed by all who knew him in England, now in charge in Burma, sent them over a thousand miles further on this dangerous non-essential raid with no rest, no time to get settled in,  and in aircraft which should have been immediately grounded for maintenance. The fact that they followed these insane orders and pulled it off without any accidents, is strong testimony to the calibre of both the aircrew and ground crew of 113.</I></div> <bR> <div> Finally after Sgt Walkers 35th opp on 04/03/1942 his plane Z7783 a Blenheim MKIV was shot down by 4 Jap zero fighter planes. The official report reads as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Extract from the ORB's. PRO reference AIR27/878</B></I><I> </I></div> <div> 04/03/1942 * Magwe 1500hrs    F/Lt Lee and crew, Sgt Brett (0), Sgt Walker (G) with three crews from 45 Squadron carried out a bombing attack in the Sittang river area. F/Lt Lee was flying in No 4 position. The formation was flying at approx 1,500 feet when attacked by enemy fighters, believed to be Navy "O" type.  F/Lt Lee left the formation and dived to ultra low level in an attempt to escape but was attacked by four enemy aircraft,  three astern and one in front. <IMG SRC="2c2a55e0.jpg" border=0 width="421" height="350" ALT="Charlie Walker painting Blenheim crash burma " ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="6">The pilot was hit by a bullet and the aircraft crashed west of the Sittang River, and 60 miles east of Pegu. The gunner, Sgt Lister Walker, climbed out and the pilot attempted to do the same but was fatally shot and fell back into the cockpit which was by then afire. The gunner attempted to pull F/Lt Lee out from the cockpit thinking he was wounded, but as the bullet wound was in the head he realized it was fatal. He then looked for Sgt Brett the Observer, whom he found 50 yards from the nose of the aircraft, dead, with his head smashed in. Sgt Walker was then obliged to shelter under the tail of the aircraft while the four enemy aircraft made four strafing attacks. Later hearing artillery fire to the N.E. he walked in the opposite direction & after two days with friendly Burmans arrived at Thamatpin, approx 15 miles east of Pegu. Reporting to Capt. Ince of the Burma Rifles, Sgt Walker was given transport to Army Brigade HQ and thence to  Rangoon, ultimately reporting to 113 Squadron. The aircraft was completely burnt out.</div> <bR> <div> <B>NOTE: The above oil painting was painted by artist Wilson (George) North of the UK. and commissioned by Charlie Walker in memory of his father W/O Lister Walker and his crew. </B></div> <bR> <div> Sgt Walker was then made a member of the "Late Arrivals Club" # 31and issued a certificate and a silver brooch in the shape of a flying boot.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2c546000.jpg" border=0 width="326" height="512" ALT="113 Squadron Late Arrivals Club 1942" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="4"></div> <div> LATE ARRIVALS CLUB #31- COPYRIGHT CHARLIE WALKER</div> <bR> <div> After the crash he was flown to Rangoon and then to RAF Station Lower Topa located in the foothills of the Himalayas. This was some kind of hospital and convalescent camp where he was treated for burns, chest pains and, in his own words, "a lump on the top of my head, the size of a goose egg".</div> <bR> <div> After three months at lower Topa he was posted to an unknown RAF Station in India with a chit stating he was now fit for light duties (Ground). He was also at this time promoted to Flight Sgt. His C/O gave him the job of organizing security of what was called the "Coolie Brigade". ie: the native camp workers. All manner of articles had gone missing in the previous month, personal effects of airmen - food from the mess - parts from vehicles - as well as 2 rifles and boxes of 303 shells, just to name a few. This type of job suited F/L Walker to the ground. He obtained a Sgt/Majors type of stick (although he was forbidden to use it by the C/O ). The psychological effect must have been sufficient. He tells the story that there was only about 10 real culprits who were soon identified by their fellow coolies, and after a few trips to the bazzar, a lot of items were recovered including the rifles and bullets. F/Sgt Walker's forays into the Coolie brigades actively was known as "Listers Gestapo" and apparently they were terrified of him. The period at this camp lasted about nine months and it appears as "Listers Gestapo" was his only job during this time.</div> <bR> <div> This story also brought to light the indians method of giving various jobs their own distinct English names:</div> <div> Char Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - The man who makes tea</FONT></div> <div> Dhobi Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - The man who washes and irons clothes</FONT></div> <div> Phunich Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - Manipulator of overhead fan ( also Punka)</FONT></div> <div> Rickshaw Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - Taxidriver</FONT></div> <div> Amen Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - Padre</FONT></div> <div> Big Boss Wallah<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > - C/O </FONT></div> <div> There were many others including Mr Lister Wallah.</div> <bR> <div> F/Sgt Walker was then (about March 1st, 1943) accepted back into aircrew and posted to Communications Flight Barrackpore. This entailed transporting high ranking officers (all services) around the war zone in India and Burma. These were generally short trips and averaged about two a day. On ocassion they were accompanied by a fighter escort. The aircraft used were Lockheeds, Ansons, Wellingtons, Hudsons, Blenheims, BOAC Flying boat and last but not least, an Argus. In this job he served as Wireless Operator and was promoted 1-8-43 to Warrant Officer. On the 1-2-44 he made his final Comm flight and thus having completed his four year stint of overseas duties he headed home to the UK and three weeks home leave.</div> <bR> <div> Back in the UK he was posted to an assesment RAF camp somewhere in England and finished up volunteering for another tour of ops. This saw him posted to 84 OT Unit from 2-7-44 to 23-8-44 where training included night flying on Wellingtons. Following this,    ( 6-10-44 to 30-10-44)  he was then posted to 1651 Heavy CU Training Unit at RAF Wratting Common Cambridge for training on Sterling aircraft.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2be13de0.jpg" border=0 width="531" height="222" ALT="Lancaster VN-G 50 Squadron" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> VN-G Lancaster Mk 1, Serial ED588</div> <div> 50 Squadron 3/1943</div> <div> Lister Walker 2nd row, 2nd from left </div> <div> (NOTE: It is suspected that this is 115 Squadron and the 50 Squadron Lancaster pictured was simply used as a backdrop for the photo) <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Arial" >(Note that there has been considerable discussion on the identity of the aircraft pictured, most agree that the turret is that of a Lincoln)</FONT></div> <div> <IMG SRC="9cc16a60.jpg" border=0 width="278" height="166" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Finally after months of intensive training he was posted to the 115 Squadron as a Wireless Operator flying Lancasters. This period covered 26-11-44 to 17-3-45 with his first Opp to Osterfeldt in the Rhur. His 15th Opp was to Dresden on the 13th / 14th of February and his last Opp came on 17-3-45 to Victoria Falls thereby completing his 25 Opp tour. This had been a pretty smooth tour with no major incidents which is undoubtedly due to the fact that the RAF would have had a high level of air superiority at this time.</div> <bR> <div> His total Opp's were 35 with 113 Squadron, 25 with 115 squadron for a total of 60 Operations. Around this time in April or May he was awarded the coveted DFC. "DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS"</div> <bR> <div> In May 1945 Lister realized that moves were afoot in the RAF to form and send to the Far Wast more heavy bomber squadrons. In one of his letters home to his wife, and referencing his old 113 crew Lee & Brett, he stated that he had unfinished business with the Japaneese and he would probablly volunteer. His wife was not in favour of this idea at all ! This echos the spirit of the Squadron, a sentiment shared by Sgt John Reid, pilot who says that despite having fought massive odds and loosing enormous numbers of men and machines, they still maintained a remarkable spirit of defiance with enormous efforts. In his own words, "They were all mighty men". In the end the Atomic bomb was dropped and the war ended. For many of the Squadrons in the far east, they immediately became redundant and were disbanded.</div> <bR> <div> Lister Walker was a regular and as such continued flying to all corners of the globe untill Oct 1955. Included in this was a 7 month stint on the Berlin Air Lift delivering coal, food, medical supplies, spare parts, etc. <B>(co-incidentally he very likely would have met an old friend here from the 113, F/Lt Lorne Tapp)</B> He was posted to Transport Command, 30 Squadron from July 48 to January 49 and during this time did 112 deliveries by Dakotas to Gatow airport in Berlin. The rest of his time seemed to be taken up with the cold war with Russia which entailed trips all over Europe including eastern bloc countries. His trade seemingly evolving with the times was now called Air Signaller, not Wireless Operator. His last flight for the Raf was a filming job around various airfields on the 2nd Oct 1956 in a Valetta.</div> <bR> <div> His total flying hours, filling three log books, were 3468 by day and 762 by night <I><B>for an incredible total of 4,250 hours in the air.</B></I> This is not sit back and relax miles on an airliner, most of this time was spent in hastily built, worn out aircraft that were barely fit to fly. The odds were that if the aircraft held together long enough it was all but a certainty that sooner or later it would be shot out of the sky by the enemy. These hours also encompas flying through every imaginable type of weather conditions from Monsoons over the jungle to blizzards over the mountains and without any modern navigational aids. Every minute was high stress and it can be said with absolute certainty that to survive 4250 hours in 1940's aircraft, most under war conditions, is nothing short of a miracle. To put this in perspective, if this were peace time and one worked an eight hour day, five days a week, this would represent 106 weeks or approx two years "in the air". </div> <bR> <div> The above story and imformation was researched and written by Charlie Walker, son of W/O Lister Walker.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <U> <A NAME="photo_album_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>PHOTO ALBUM </U></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="54b38b10.jpg" border=0 width="312" height="433" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Sgt Lister Walker and pal Sgt Kenneth Brett (Snoz)</div> <div> Sgt Brett and his pilot P/O Lee were killed when they were shot down in Burma</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="54d36000.jpg" border=0 width="310" height="512" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> ON LEAVE</div> <div> Sgt Lister Walker left, other two unknown.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="54f58000.jpg" border=0 width="344" height="512" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> ON THE TOWN IN THEIR BEST BLUES</div> <div> Sgt Walker on left and unknown</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="314a5360.gif" border=0 width="421" height="310" ALT="Sgt Lister Walker RAF party" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Chatting it up with the C/O's wife</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="113_squadron_w_o_lister_walker_m.htm" TITLE="W/O Lister Walker"><U><IMG SRC="22932320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="113_squadron_w_o_lister_walker_m.htm" TITLE="W/O Lister Walker"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="113_squadron_w_o_lister_walker_m.htm" TITLE="W/O Lister Walker"><U>BACK TO TOP</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>