Harold Walkerdine
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Harold John Walkerdine (13 January 1899–18 June 1966) was a World War I flying ace
officially credited with seven aerial victories.
on 3 September 1917. He was assigned to 56 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot by late 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 29 November 1917, when he destroyed a German DFW
two-seater reconnaissance plane over Neuvireuil
. He would not score again until 15 March 1918, when he drove
an Albatros D.V
down out of control north of Bourlon Wood. The next day at noon, he drove another Albatros down out of control. Two days later, on the 18th, he destroyed a pair of Pfalz D.III
s to become an ace. On 23 March, Walkerdine, Maurice Mealing
, Henry John Burden
, and three other pilots all claimed a victory apiece by destroying a German reconnaissance plane over Moreuil
. Four days later, Walkerdine and fellow ace Louis Jarvis destroyed an Albatros D.V southeast of Bray
. Walkerdine was wounded in action
on 11 April 1918.
On 23 March 1919, Walkerdine was placed on the RAF's unemployed list. These orders were subsequently cancelled. He finally relinquished his commission on 16 April 1919; grounds: ill health suffered while in military service.
; the union produced one son. The second time he married, in 1934 to Bessie I. Rothwell, was without issue. In 1946, he married again, to Mildred Teather; this marriage was also without children.
on probation in the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force on 4 March 1941. He served until 22 August 1945, when he once again resigned his commission.
T./2nd Lt. Harold John Walkerdine, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. Whilst escorting machines of another
squadron who were engaged on low bombing
work, he encountered ten hostile scouts,
two of which he succeeded in crashing to
earth. He has at all times, by his conspicuous
skill and gallantry, set an excellent
example to his squadron.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
officially credited with seven aerial victories.
World War I service
Walkerdine was commissioned on 4 June 1917. He was appointed a Flying OfficerFlying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 3 September 1917. He was assigned to 56 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot by late 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 29 November 1917, when he destroyed a German DFW
DFW
DFW may refer to:*Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport*Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, a metropolitan area in north Texas*Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources*Division of Fisheries and Wildlife...
two-seater reconnaissance plane over Neuvireuil
Neuvireuil
Neuvireuil is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Neuvireuil is situated northeast of Arras, at the junction of the D46 and D48 roads.-Population:-References:* -External links:* *...
. He would not score again until 15 March 1918, when he drove
an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
down out of control north of Bourlon Wood. The next day at noon, he drove another Albatros down out of control. Two days later, on the 18th, he destroyed a pair of Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
s to become an ace. On 23 March, Walkerdine, Maurice Mealing
Maurice Mealing
Second Lieutenant Maurice Edmund Mealing MC was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories.While Mealing was originally an infantryman, he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned on 16 May 1916. He reported to 15 Squadron as an observer on 7 August, and remained...
, Henry John Burden
Henry John Burden
Henry John Burden DSO, DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 16 victories....
, and three other pilots all claimed a victory apiece by destroying a German reconnaissance plane over Moreuil
Moreuil
Moreuil is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Moreuil is situated on the D920 and D935 crossroads, some southeast of Amiens, on the banks of the Avre River.-Population:-History:...
. Four days later, Walkerdine and fellow ace Louis Jarvis destroyed an Albatros D.V southeast of Bray
Bray
Bray is a town in north County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a busy urban centre and seaside resort, with a population of 31,901 making it the fourth largest in Ireland as of the 2006 census...
. Walkerdine was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
on 11 April 1918.
On 23 March 1919, Walkerdine was placed on the RAF's unemployed list. These orders were subsequently cancelled. He finally relinquished his commission on 16 April 1919; grounds: ill health suffered while in military service.
Personal life
Harold John Walkerdine was the son of Sarah Ann Jerram and William Walkerdine; he was the eldest of six children. The younger Walkerdine would marry three times. On 7 September 1921, he married Naomi Wise in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
; the union produced one son. The second time he married, in 1934 to Bessie I. Rothwell, was without issue. In 1946, he married again, to Mildred Teather; this marriage was also without children.
World War II
Walkerdine returned to his nation's service, being commissioned an acting Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on probation in the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force on 4 March 1941. He served until 22 August 1945, when he once again resigned his commission.
Honors and awards
Text of citation for the Military CrossT./2nd Lt. Harold John Walkerdine, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. Whilst escorting machines of another
squadron who were engaged on low bombing
work, he encountered ten hostile scouts,
two of which he succeeded in crashing to
earth. He has at all times, by his conspicuous
skill and gallantry, set an excellent
example to his squadron.