Battle of Britain hero dies at 99

Hampstead-born William Walker, the oldest surviving Battle of Britain pilot, who was shot down in his Spitfire and wounded in 1940, has died aged 99.

Flight Lieutenant William Walker, who most recently based in Earls Court, suffered a stroke and died in Charing Cross Hospital surrounded by his family, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said.

Born on August 24 1913, Mr Walker joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve on September 2 1938 at Kidlington, Oxford, and flew his first solo there a few days later.

He was called up for full-time service on September 1 1939 and posted to Cambridge on November 15.

He went to Brize Norton on February 17 1940 and, at the end of the course, was commissioned and posted directly to 616 Squadron at Leconfield on June 18.

During the late morning of August 26 1940, a large German bomber force, with heavy fighter escort, was heading towards targets in England including the RAF fighter stations at Kenley and Biggin Hill.

The force was engaged over Kent and the coast by Defiants, Hurricanes and Spitfires.

At Kenley, Spitfires from No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron were scrambled to the Dover/Dungeness area and found themselves in a fight with Messerschmitt Bf 109s.

Mr Walker's plane was hit and badly damaged and he baled out, landing in the Channel with a bullet in his right ankle.

Mr Walker clung to a shipwreck on the Goodwin Sands before being rescued by a fishing boat, transferred to an RAF launch and brought ashore at Ramsgate, where he was greeted by a large crowd and presented with a packet of cigarettes by an elderly woman.

In later life, Mr Walker enjoyed recounting the story of how, as the surgeon prised the armour-piercing bullet from his ankle during his stay at the RAF Hospital in Halton, it shot out and hit the ceiling. He kept the bullet as a souvenir.

After recovering from his wound, Mr Walker's postings included joining a squadron engaged in anti-aircraft co-operation duties and one with the Sector Gunnery Flight at Gatwick.

Mr Walker had celebrated his 27th birthday two days before he was shot down.

He began his business career in 1931 as a pupil brewer at the Aylesbury Brewery, learning brewing, malting, bottling and cooperage.

Two years later, he joined Ind Coope's brewery in Burton and after the war rose to become its chairman.

Mr Walker attended numerous events with and on behalf of The Few, including the 2012 Memorial Day at Capel-le-Ferne. He donated the proceeds from his book of poetry to the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust's appeal to raise money for The Wing, its new visitor centre, and signed many copies.

In later life Mr Walker also wrote poetry. One of his poems Our Wall is on a plinth at the BoB memorial at Capel le Ferne in Kent.

His poetry book now sells on the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust website and has raised nearly £8,000 so far, for The Wing Appeal. He has given the copyright to the Trust to make sure all proceeds go towards the charity.