Memorial

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The aircraft took off from base and was to proceed with assembly. It never made the formation.
At 0937 hours, The Walrus, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Robinson, while flying at 5047N-0037E, he claims to have seen an explosion in the sky. The explosion was followed by an aircraft falling into the sea where, upon hitting there were great flames. The Walrus proceeded immediately to the scene of the crash and before landing, while circling, saw five bodies and much debris. The airplane landed and found one man apparently alive and struggling in the water. As it turned out later, this was Lt Walker. It was noticed that his Mae West was inflated and his parachute opened. A rope was thrown to Lt Walker, who because of shock and/or injuries was unable to recognize that aid was at hand. When attempts to grapple Lt Walker failed, the gunner of the patrol plane removed his clothes and plunged into the sea in an effort to place the rope around Lt Walker´s body. Lt Walker fought his would-be rescuer until the gunner became so fatigued and chilled that he himself had to be pulled into the airplane. By this time (1015) the RAF Recue Boat 177 found Walker´s body floating face down. Twenty minutes after Lt Walker was pronounced dead, the second body was found with the Mae West inflated and no parachute. Forty five minutes after this the third and last body recovered was found with the Mae West inflated. The last two bodies found (S/Sgt Thomas H. Fox and S/Sgt Robert A Stewart) indicated extensive injuries such that they were probably killed immediately. The rest of the crew were never found.