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Albert Frederick Walker

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:05 pm
by RED
I have been searching for my husband's grandfather, Flight Sergeant Albert Frederick Walker. He was KIA on July 1, 1944, and was a member of the No. 31 Squadron (RNZAF).

Sgt. Walker did his training in Canada until late 1943 where he my husband's grandmother. From what I understand, they had a brief affair and conceived my father-in-law. He was raised by his aunt and uncle and never even knew of his real father until about 10-15 years ago.

I am so interested in finding out as much as possible about him. I believe he was married at the time.

If anyone has any information on Sgt. Walker or his family, I would be incredibly grateful if you share this with me. My father-in-law was an only child and would desperately like to find any aunts, uncles, or siblings. I believed he lived in Auckland, NZ at the time of enlistment.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Re: Albert Frederick Walker

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:40 am
by davidf
Hi RED,

your certainly have a very interesting story to tell.

It appears that Flt Sgt Walker was born in Te Aroha, NZ on 28 March 1910, son of Fredrick Angus Stanley & Marie Walker (née Guilding). He was married to Mabel Annie Walker (née Wrigley) and they had one daughter. They lived in Pt. Chevalier, Auckland.

This information came for Errol Martyn on http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?p=51632. I have not verified it, so it may be wrong (I suggest you contact Mr Martyn to verify and follow this up). He also indicates that Flt Sgt Walker was in Canada from 14 Oct 42 until 18 Jan 44.

Information from http://www.adf-serials.com/nz-serials/ indicates that Flt Sgt Walker was killed in Grumman TBF-1C Avenger NZ2512 which crashed near Tobera Airfield on 01 July 1944. The aircraft was hit by flak during a bombing run and spun into the ground. Flight Sergeant Rex Mathieson and Flight Sergeant Albert Walker killed, but Flight Sergeant M. Aitcheson was able to parachute to safety and was rescued 4 days later.

He is buried in joint grave C8. A. 11-12 (along with Flt Sgt Mathieson) at Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby (http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_det ... ty=2164821).

I would be very interested to hear how this all evolves.

Best Regards,
David.

Re: Albert Frederick Walker

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:35 pm
by Janis
Hello there. Albert Frederick Walker was my mother’s first cousin. I was brought up with the story that Albie was shot down in the Pacific. I remember his brother who was known as Haddie and his wife Bea. I came across a photo of his father, my great-uncle Fred, at the weekend while doing some filing. My grandmother was Fred’s sister, Mary May Walker. We should get in touch. By co-incidence I actually live in Canada now, but born and raised in NZ.