Very sad news: Pete Walker

[Minnie Burner]

Guernsey Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Peter Walker dies - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-34167596)

[Courtney Mil]

Goodness, there's a shock. My best wishes to his family.

[Scruffy Fanny]

Very Sad Pete put the P in "punchy" - flew with him a lot on the F4 OCU and always had a great deal of respect for him - would have been a great guy to go to war with - took no prisoners - RIP will raise a glass to you

[Guernsey Girl II]

Oh goodness RIP

[Pontius Navigator]

How sad, had many visits to Goverment House and actually in Guernsey last Sunday.

[BEagle]

Very sad - another 99 Entry mate off to the Crewroom in the Sky.

Pete was a charismatic fighter pilot - he taught many a novice F-4 pilot the art of ACM on 228 OCU.

Firm but fair - and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him....

RIP

[27mm]

QWIL on 92 during my time there. A fighter pilot's pilot in every respect. Very sad news.

[essdee]

Shocked and saddened to hear this news, though Pete will doubtless be pleased to have gone out on a high. Lynda will be devastated, but will have strong family support.
I was privileged to serve as his deputy for most of his tour as OC MPA, and we have been close friends ever since. He was a good Boss, an irrepressible character and will be sorely missed.
RIP.

[Wingswinger]

Pete and I were contemporaries through Cranditz and Valley and course mates at Brawdy. He was always at the centre of whatever was going on. I hadn't seen him since then as we headed off to different parts of the Service but I knew he had risen. His brother Ivor was a squadron mate in RAFG. Very sad. Too young. It brings it home to you.

[E L Whisty]

I had the privilege of working and flying with Pete over 30 years ago on the F4 QWI staff.

He was a pilot, an officer and a man to be respected in all that he did and stood for. Never flash, a superb instructor who never used 10 words when one would do and always incisive in analysis and advice.

Looking back to those years, it was men like Pete who made one proud to serve in the Royal Air Force.

Without doubt, anyone would be confident to 'go to war on his wing'.

Pete was clearly destined to go to the highest ranks in the service. As he rose, I am sure that many, like myself, were pleased to see his talents being recognised and used.

It is a shame that a man with so much still to offer should be taken so early.

Raising a glass to Pete tonight.

(To be fair... He did not like losing a dogfight though! Not that he did very often! But then, who does?)

[spoff]

What a great shame. Thoughts with Lynda and the family at this difficult time.

Pete was my boss on Tremblers and was not only a great boss, but a great fighter pilot-and a punchy mate in the bar.

Details on funeral would be appreciated if old lags are welcome.

Will raise a Guinness for him tonight.

Spoff

[O-P]

I have some very fond memories of Pete as my Boss on Tremblers, including his monumental temper!

My day 1 on the Sqn he did a little off-roading in an F3 due to a NWS failure. After he landed I attempted to introduce myself, a kindly Flt Cdr grabbed my by the collar and said "Not now Sonny, if the vein is throbbing...steer well clear!"

Several months later we (6 of us) had the most monumental hats-on bollocking in his office. To this day, I have no-idea what it was for, what we'd done wrong...or what he said. On the way out his office I was recalled and told that my hat was an "Utter disgrace", I didn't have the balls to remind him that he had sold me the very same hat just 3 days before.

I also remember that he protected me from myself on more than one occasion.

Sad loss.

[overstress]

Obituary here: Air Marshal Peter Walker - obituary - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11851424/Air-Marshal-Peter-Walker-obituary.html)

I had the pleasure of leading his Falklands famil flight in the F3 when he arrived to take over the Station. Also enjoyed a few Guinnesses with him. Will raise another to him.

[Haraka]

On just a minor point: I see the Telegraph has some errors regarding Pete's early career. He joined 99 Entry RAFC as a Flight Cadet in September 1968 and then got involved in the new training policy regarding University Entrance, taking the transfer option. Following acceptance to University ( Durham IIRC) he was commissioned on 15 Sep 69 or thereabouts . During his time at university he was promoted , first to Pilot Officer then to Flying Officer, at which rank he returned to Cranwell in the autumn of 1972 , joining 10 G.E. ( Graduate Entry). Those GD " ex- 99ers " with 1st or 2nd Class honours degrees subsequently being promoted to Ft.Lt. in mid 1973. whilst under Basic Flying Training at Cranwell.

[essdee]

Thanks, Haraka. I was puzzling that point about an external degree while at Cranwell. You are also correct to say that Pete went to Durham. what is less well known, as he was a little coy about this, is that he achieved a First.

[H-D]

My hubby remembers Pete fondly and has asked if there are details of the funeral and it is open to ex-F4 types, please could someone post them here.

RIP

[101Entry]

I understand that there will be a formal ceremony of some sort in Guernsey on Tues 15th Sept, followed by a service in St Clement Dane's on Tues 22nd Sept. The latter will be followed by a reception in the RAF Club. As family, I will be attending both, however at this stage I am unaware of timings and to whom they are open. To the best of my knowledge, the Guernsey event will be private and official, but I will post more when I have further details as to the events on 22nd.

May I thank everyone for their kind comments regarding my brother

[RetHar]

Clive

I learnt the untimely news about Peter a couple of days ago. Please accept my sincere sympathy on your sad loss, your brother was always very sociable, knowledgeable, and good fun, apart from being a superior pilot.

Although I never actually served alongside him in any role, I bumped into him regularly; he always remembered a face and had something to say. His passing is a great loss to the RAF community as well as his family, apart from coming way too soon.

Please keep me informed about the St CD service - if I can, I'll be there.

Best wishes

RetHar

[spoff]

Thanks 101 Entry.

Sincere condolences on the premature loss of your brother.

One of the few bosses around that time that understood leadership, leading from the front and not suffering fools on an Op squadron.

Sure that many of the Treble one guys would like to meet in the RAF club to pay respects and remember him.

spoff.

[101Entry]

We've doubtless met, as I was OC Ops/MC at Buchan when Pete was OC 111. Things are a little sketchy at the moment, but I understand that room at the RAF Club is restricted. That said, I would personally like to see as many of his old mates as possible attend. Pete being an AM, I am rather concerned that the event will be overshadowed by Senior Officers "doing their duty" instead of those who really care. St. Clement Dane's is 1300 on Tues 22nd Sept. I will know more after I return from Guernsey.

If you PM me, I will put you in touch with his family. Linda is understandably devastated, and things are being organised by Suzie and Rob. It may be that we will have to arrange a proper Wake for the mates after the main events.
Regards

[101Entry]

May I thank everyone for their kind messages. My apologies for the tardy reply, I have just returned from the formalities in Guernsey.

Peter's funeral will take place at St Clement Dane's on Tuesday 22 Sept at 1300 hours. This is open to all. There will be a reception afterwards in the Cowdray Room at the RAF Club. For those who wish to attend the reception, please email pbw.funeral at outlook.com. There are limited places and the list is being compiled by the family. That said, there are other bars in the RAF Club! After the formal reception, Ivor, myself and the family will be moving on somewhere as there is a function in the club that evening. Wherever we end up, it will be a more informal wake and anyone will be welcome to join us. The family will also be meeting up at about 2000Hrs on Monday evening (21st) in the RAF Club if anyone is around.

There will be a private cremation on Weds 23rd

Once again, thanks for the kind comments. They have been a great comfort to my parents. (Dad was a fighter pilot of some repute in his day, and they, like all of us, were proud of his achievements).