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Cenotaph record

Henry Campbell Walker

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Civic welcome for M C McGregor and H C Walker, Milson Airport – T C Benfell. Image kindly provided by Manawatu Heritage.

Civic welcome for M C McGregor and H C Walker, Milson Airport – T C Benfell. Image kindly provided b …

No Known Copyright Restrictions AWMM

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Henry Campbell AWMM
  • Surname
    Walker AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Johnny AWMM
  • Service number
    • WWII NZ1138 AWMM
    • WWII 1138 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi
  • Hapū
  • Waka
  • Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    15 March 1908 AWMM Edinburgh, Scotland AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
  • Relationship status
    Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) AWMM
      1954 New Zealand Royal Visit Honours; "For Services to HM The Queen as personal pilot on DH Heron aircraft during the 1954 Royal Tour of New Zealand." AWMM
    • Air Force Cross (AFC) AWMM
      "This officer joined the RNZAF in December 1939. He is a skilful pilot who has completed important flights in the Pacific. In collaboration with another officer he complied the Hudson III Pilot's Handbook which is accepted as a guide in the RNZAF for pilots of that type of aircraft. As Commanding Officer of the No 4 General Reconnaissance Squadron he has maintained a very high standard of operational efficiency, and by his keeness in flying (for lying very long distances overseas) patrols have been carried out in an exceptionally creditable manner." By Such Deeds, p. 493 AWMM
    • Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
      "In recognition of distinguished service and devotion to duty. Squadron Leader Walker was Commandig Officer of No 1. Squadron which carried out a full tour of duty with excellent results. Due to his outstanding leadership and flying ability, arduous and daring reconnaissance duties were entrusted to the Squadron and were carried out in such a manner as to bring high praise from the American Commanders." By Such Deeds, p. 493 AWMM
    • Legion of Merit (USA) AWMM
      Legion of Merit (US) "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the government of the United States ad Commanding Officer of a Reconnaissance Squadron [No 3] of the RNZAF from January 30 to April 3 1943. In the face of adverse weather, terrific antiaircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Squadron Leader Walker conducted numerous search flights over hostile territory, night bombing raids, and special photographing, illuminating and ovservation missions. Personally carrying out many of the assignments of his unit, he established a brilliant record of success for his Reconnaissance Squadron, earling the respect and admiration of every officer and man in the Armed Forces in this area, His accurate conception of the broad scope and intricate detail of his activities and the results achieved by his determined efforts were a major factor in the weakening of Japanese resistance in the Solomon Islands." By Such Deeds, p. 493 United States Commendation: "Squadron Leader Walker, as Commanding Officer of RNZAF Number One Squadron, was under this Command for operations during the period 15 October 1943 to 15 February 1944. During this period Squadron Leader Walker and his Squadron have given an excellent performance of duty. All assignments were carried out to the complet satisfaction of this Command. Squadron Leader Walker and his Squadron have set a high standard of operation for PV airplanes in the South Pacific and this Command appreciates deeply the examples of fighting efficiency set by Number One Squadron." By Such Deeds, p. 493 AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
    Pilot/Military AWMM
  • Enlistment
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank
    Wing Commander Public - Stoney - Researcher - 26 November 2020 - Hanson C M, By Such Deeds; p493

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Won high honours (with M C McGregor) in the Melbourne Centennial Race in 1934, flying in an open Miles Hawk aeroplane. He was mobilised from the Terriorial Air Force for service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in December 1939, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Post war he worked with the New Zealand National Airways Corporation.

    Married Olwyn Laura Walker, three children Averil Pamela Wirth, John Hamish Campbell Walker, and Melanie Jane Walker. AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    9 November 1991 AWMM
    Wellington, New Zealand AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

Remember Henry Campbell Walker by laying a poppy.

Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Henry Campbell Walker

Leave a note

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  • Granddaughter Sarah and Great grandsons Felix and Alfie.
    He was a very good man who is missed and remembered.
    Public - Sarah Jane - Direct descendant - 25 April 2022
    Report 
  • Fond memories of my Uncle.
    Proud of your service to New Zealand.
    Public - Catherine - Other relative - 8 October 2020
    Report 

Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    The Royal New Zealand Air Force, J.M.S. Ross
    http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2AirF-c14-11.html#n217
    Further Reference
  • References
    • New Zealand, World War II Appointments, Promotions, Transfers and Resignations, 1939–1945. [Extracted from the New Zealand Gazette.] CD-ROM. Ravensbourne, Dunedin, New Zealand: Colonial CD Books, n.d. AWMM
    • Ross, J. (1955). Royal New Zealand Air Force. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM

Contributors

Command item
Command item
Add new record Refresh
DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
25 April 2022Sarah JaneWellingtonDirect descendant
26 November 2020StoneyTuakauResearcher
08 October 2020Catherine DunedinOther relative

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