Walker, James Elmslie

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-04-25

Birth Date: 1919

Born:

Son of James and Helen Augusta Walker; husband of Barbara Joan Walker, of Victoria, British Columbia.

Home: Edmonton, Alberta

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Decorations: DFC & Bar (2)

Distinguished Service Cross 2 Bar

Service

RCAF

Unit

144 Wing- Wing

Base

Rank

Wing Commander

Position

Wing Commander

Service Numbers

J/3199

Home
Google MapEdmonton, Alberta
First Burial
Google MapBrookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, Uk
144 Wing. W/C. Walker was an ace credited with destroying eleven enemy aircraft and was killed in an Auster aircraft engaged in a communication flight. Auster NK 116 was in a turn and the port wing struck a tree, the aircraft crashed at Park Lane, Aldbourne, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. The citation to his second Bar to the D.F.C. reads, "Squadron Leader Walker assumed command of 243 Squadron at a difficult time and by his leadership and excellent example was responsible for bringing it to its present high standard of efficiency. He has been largely instrumental for the many successes achieved by the squadron, and has himself destroyed at least four enemy aircraft and damaged others."

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Auster NK116

Wing Commander Walker, James Elmslie (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-25
Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking, Surrey, UK

Taylorcraft AOP

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3617348)
Auster T7, RCAF (Serial No. 16688), BV-B, No. 444 (Air Observation Post) Squadron, 5 Aug 1952. On 1 Oct 1947, No. 444 (Air Observation Post) Squadron was formed at the Canadian Joint Air Training Centre (CJATC) at Rivers, Manitoba, flying de Havilland Chipmunk and Auster AOP Mk. VI aircraft. These aircraft were used to train army pilots in ranging and directing artillery fire. The squadron was disbanded on 1 Apr 1949.
Auster-VII--16688--BV-B--444-Sqn--5-Aug-1952--LAC-MIKAN-No--3617348.jpg image not found

Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Limited began in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England making light observation aircraft (designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of America). 1,604 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster monoplanes were built during World War II for the armed forces of the UK and Canada, primarily for the role of Air Observation Post (AOP).

During the war the head office and drawing office were at a big old house on the outskirts of Thurmaston called "The Woodlands". The fuselages and wings were manufactured at Syston under the works manager by the name of Sharp. Sheet metalwork was done at the old 'en tout cas' works at Thurmaston. Final assembly, fitting out and testing took place at Rearsby aerodrome. The name changed to Auster (after the Roman name for the south wind) on 7 March 1946, when production shifted to Rearsby aerodrome, all in Leicestershire. All designs were evolved from the early Taylorcraft with a sprung skid or tailwheel beneath the fin (except for a low-wing aircraft called the "Agricola" designed for aerial farming work; only nine of these were completed). When the company was merged into Beagle Aircraft in June, 1961, the high-wing design was developed still further as the Terrier and, with a nosewheel, the Airedale.

The various Auster models were extensively used in the UK and British colonies after World War II for a variety of activities such as AOP, mail delivery, VIP transport, private owner flights and joy rides at seaside airports and town carnivals.

The Auster name was dropped in 1962 after Beagle Aircraft was created. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auster

General Harold A Skaarup Web Pages