Harold Walkerdine

Harold John Walkerdine
Nickname(s)	Jackie
Born	13 January 1899 Derby, Derbyshire, England
Died	18 June 1966 Derby, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Aviation
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	No. 56 Squadron RAF
Awards	Military Cross

Lieutenant Harold John Walkerdine (13 January 1899–18 June 1966)^[1] was a World War I flying ace officially credited with seven aerial victories.^[2]

World War I service

Walkerdine was commissioned on 4 June 1917.^[3] He was appointed a Flying Officer on 3 September 1917.^[4] 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.IIIs 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.^[5]

On 23 March 1919, Walkerdine was placed on the RAF's unemployed list.^[6] These orders were subsequently cancelled.^[7] He finally relinquished his commission on 16 April 1919, on the grounds of ill health suffered while in military service.^[8]

Personal life

Harold John Walkerdine was the son of Sarah Ann Jerram and William Walkerdine; he was the eldest of six children.^[9] The younger Walkerdine would marry three times. On 7 September 1921, he married Naomi Wise in Bristol; the union produced one son.^[10] The second time he married, in 1934 to Bessie I. Rothwell, was without issue.^[11] In 1946, he married again, to Mildred Teather; this marriage was also without children.^[12]

World War II

Walkerdine returned to his nation's service, being commissioned an acting Pilot Officer on probation in the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force on 4 March 1941.^[13] He served until 22 August 1945, when he once again resigned his commission.^[14]

Honors and awards

Text of Walkerdine's citation for the Military Cross:

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.^[15]

References