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Flight Lieutenant Peter "Johnny" Walker, commander of A Flight, No. 1 Squadron RAF in France, 1940.
Flight Lieutenant Peter “Johnny” Walker
A Flight Commander – No. 1 Squadron RAF (France, 1939–1940)
Flight Lieutenant Peter Russell “Johnny” Walker, DFC was one of the experienced fighter leaders of the RAF’s Advanced Air Striking Force during the early stages of the Second World War. In 1939–1940 he served as commander of A Flight in No. 1 Squadron RAF, flying the Hawker Hurricane during the Battle of France.
Early RAF Career
Commissioned into the RAF as a pilot in 1936.
By the outbreak of war in September 1939, he was already an experienced fighter pilot and served as Senior Flight Commander with No. 1 Squadron.
The squadron deployed to France with the British Expeditionary Force as part of the RAF’s fighter component supporting the army.
Service in France (1939–May 1940)
No. 1 Squadron operated from several forward airfields in northern France, including bases such as Vassincourt and Berry-au-Bac, flying Hurricanes against German reconnaissance aircraft, bombers, and fighters.
Walker commanded A Flight, one of the two operational flights within the squadron (the other commanded by F/Lt Peter P. Hanks).
During the German invasion of France in May 1940, the squadron flew intense patrols and interception missions. Walker was among the experienced leaders responsible for guiding many newly-arrived pilots in combat.
Known combat claims (1940)
According to RAF combat records:
Date Claim Notes
18 May 1940Heinkel He 111 destroyed; Hs 126 sharedOver France
31 May 1940Messerschmitt Bf 109 destroyed Dunkirk area
7 June 1940Bf 109 destroyed France
11 June 1940Dornier Do 17 destroyed France
13 Aug 1940Do 17 destroyed Battle of Britain
16 Aug 1940Bf 109 destroyed Battle of Britain
These victories gave him at least 8 enemy aircraft destroyed during the war.
Withdrawal from France
On 24 May 1940, many of the original experienced pilots of No. 1 Squadron—including Walker—were withdrawn to Britain to help train new fighter units after the heavy fighting in France.
Soon after his departure, Canadian pilot F/O Mark H. Brown took over command of A Flight.
Later Wartime Career
Walker continued to serve throughout the war:
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in September 1940.
Commanded No. 253 Squadron RAF in late 1940–1941.
Later served with No. 603 Squadron RAF, No. 610 Squadron RAF, and fighter units in the Middle East.
Eventually promoted to Wing Commander and employed in wing-level leadership roles.
Death
Walker was killed on 8 February 1944 while serving with No. 31 Squadron RAF in the Burma theatre. His Douglas Dakota transport aircraft was probably shot down by Japanese fighters during a supply mission over the Arakan.
He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial for airmen with no known grave.
No. 1 Squadron A Flight Aircraft Allocation (Approx.) – May 1940
The squadron normally operated two flights of Hurricanes (A and B). A Flight was commanded by Peter “Johnny” Walker.
Because Hurricanes were frequently damaged or destroyed during the campaign, pilots often flew several aircraft, but surviving records show the following typical associations:
Pilot Rank Usual Aircraft/Code Notes
Peter “Johnny” Walker F/Lt N2382 – JX-B Shot down 10 May; later flew L1681.
Paul H.M. Richey F/O L1679 – JX-G Also flew L1685 and L1943.
Leslie Clisby F/O L1694 – JX-F Force-landed 13 May after combat.
Billy Drake F/O L1676 – JX-P Bailed out after combat near Rethel.
P.W.O. "Boy" Mould P/O P2649 – JX-T Damaged in early combat 10 May.
C.D. “Pussy” Palmer F/O P2820 – JX-A Bailed out 17 May.
F.J. Soper Sgt L1905 – JX-H Shot down 17 May.
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