Gordon Peel (FN 55-59) has forwarded the following regarding the anniversary of the Dam Busters’ exploit.
“I thought I would write to mention something I have come across relating to our famous old boy, the late Air Chief Marshall Sir Augustus Walker. Like many of us, I have increased my book reading over recent months and one of the books I am currently reading is called ‘Chastise’ by the historian Max Hastings, which is based on the famous wartime dam busters raid. It is an interesting and well researched book, focussing on the main characters involved in the raid: in particular, Barnes Wallis, the brilliant engineer, Air Marshall ‘Bomber’ Harris and Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who led the raid. It is an excellent read. I was intrigued to discover a couple of references to Gus Walker, who was station commander (then a group captain) to Gibson at one stage, at an RAF base called Syerston, where they became friends. Gus Walker was seriously injured, losing his right arm in trying to deal with a fire on a Lancaster bomber and Gibson, I gather was one of those who, on the day, accompanied him to hospital. On coming across this, my mind went back some sixty years or so to St Bees. I was in the CCF and every year, as I recall, we had a CCF inspection parade, where a forces’ dignitary would come along and inspect us. On one occasion whilst I was there, I recall the inspecting officer was Air Marshall Sir Augustus Walker. It might have been around 1957. Bearing in mind the emphasis on Health and Safety these days, I recall being particularly impressed that he was still able to fly planes despite missing his right arm! This prompted me to do a little bit of research on the internet and I am attaching a picture of an item held in the collection of ‘mysterious objects’ at The Science Museum in South Kensington. This device was commissioned by Gus to enable him to attach the strap to the joystick and the other end to his prosthetic arm, whilst controlling the aircraft with his left hand.
Also attached is an article and picture I found of Gus with Guy Gibson.
Interestingly around 1958, I think, we were also visited by Barnes Wallis for, I believe Speech Day. He lived not too far from where my wife and I live, being Chief Designer for Vickers. The book brings out the fact that he was something of a workaholic and most of his research work on the bouncing bomb was done in his spare time! Some of his early research on the bouncing techniques was carried out at the National Physics laboratories in Teddington, using golf balls!” Link to OSB Website page re Barnes Wallis at Speech Day July 25th 1959 - please click here. (Do any OSBs have memories of ‘Gus Walker’ which may be of interest to our readers? Ed.)

 

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