Having survived a massive stroke more than likely he wouldn't have made another sail. Which is a sad thing it's frustrating to see others do what I used to
What a hero Walker was, intelligent, patriotic and indefatigable, he was a major factor in defeating the Nazis and Britains survival of WW2. My father, George Power was an asdic operator during the Battle of the Atlantic, serving on convoy protection in destroyers and corvettes. He also took part in the Arctic convoys to Russia. Weather conditions were atrocious and he was torpedoed twice, ending up in freezing seas. He spoke highly of Walker, and Sir Max Horton, both stationed at Liverpool, protecting Britains trade. Walker was popular among his men, and valued their lives. He died of exhaustion, from too many hours on a freezing open bridge and going without sleep for days on end. A true British hero to the end.
Funnily enough, my Dad also served in the convoy escorts. He was a telegraphic coder in EG5 out of Belfast. He was on the Russian convoy and in the battle around Normandy! He too spoke Highly about Johnny Walker!
Ive literally just educated some arrogant Russian.. about the arc angle.. my great uncle lost his closest friend due to him freezing to death right beside him.. they were that cold they couldn't even talk to each other.. we genuinely couldn't afford to go and help.. but we Did. Apitamises us
Destroyers, corvettes and sloops, most people have no idea of just what it was like on these ships in rough seas. My father in law often spoke of his time on sub chasers during ww2 as they would climb up a wave and then the nose would then drop down into the trough and as it did The propeller would come out of the water and without any resistance started spinning faster making the ship vibrate violently before the ship hit the next wave and started climbing up and the propeller would bite and the ship would twist in the water with the torque only for the propeller to come back out of the water as it passed the crest and so on…… hour after hour even when the crew were trying to sleep. Imagine having to endure this and then go into battle . Some job eh?
It's not the rings on the sleeves that count towards performance, but the intelligence and leadership who prove their fighting skills when faced with challenges. Captain Johnny Walker was such one whose story demonstrated this so vividly.
Yes! Remember too, that it is an unfortunate fact that sometimes people who are completely useless in their current job are "promoted out" of that position into one where they can do less damage!! 👍
so true the man for that moment in which the whole world depended. History could have been so different but for Capt Walker and the brave men who battled the cruel sea.
Interestingly, when the Royal Navy eventually got around to promoting him to the rank of Captain, they back-dated his promotion by a number of years so he would have leapt up the seniority rankings. Had he not died when he did, he appears to have had swift promotion to Commodore especially as this was effectively the job that he was doing. He would also have become more of a national hero whereas his feats have somewhat gone below the radar.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 Not to the older generations of Liverpool such as my grand parents who always remembered Johnnie Walker with great reverence and esteem, especially as a good proportion of their menfolk served in the R.N and an equal number in the Merchant Marine.....a LOT of whom were on the very convoys he protected.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 He was only 47 when he died, so potentially had another 20 years or so in the service had the stroke not taken him, so he would probably have made Admiral.
With all the documentaries made about D-Day, this one is the first that I know of that addresses the 'U-Boat" factor of the Normandy landings -- spelling out the effective tactics of a remarkable man whose intense focus and growing experience held the enemy submarine force at bay while the Allied invasion was at it's most vulnerable. More than a Hero of his time, Capt. John Walker, RN remains a Hero for ALL TIME!
Yes, I wondered too, why haven't all the other D-Day programs and books mentioned this man and his crews. It's as if they did such a good job, no one noticed them, which also happens in other situations.
The perceived view is that the U-boat threat had been overcome by the time of D-Day. However, if Karl Dönitz was able to send 75 U-boats to attack the allied invasion fleet, this view cannot be correct. Additionally, German E-Boats had attacked allied troops practicing landings on Slapton Sands only a few months before so the Kriegsmarine was still a potential threat.
By 1944, the U-Boats had been beaten as a convoy raiding force. I had never heard an account that Adm. Doenitz had launched such an offensive at the Normandy landings (not that I'm surprised. He was pretty sharp). Quite a ... sea ... story. I think his knighthood should have been conferred posthumously regardless of the rules. He had already earned it. The only thing missing was the investiture. I'm sure the stress got him but I wonder also (a) how much he smoked and (b) how little he may have either listened to or even attended his doctor(s). In the picture of him with the young woman (daughter?) He looks to me significantly older than 48. Excellent video. Thank you.
@@henrivanbemmel When I saw that picture of him with the woman, I had the same reaction. He looked more in his 60's. And yea, we were not told if he was a smoker or if he had health problems before he took on the job of sub hunting. But regardless...he sacrificed himself and saved thousands & thousands of lives. A true hero..!!
my primary school teacher was a merchant sailor who went on convoys to Murmansk he told lots of stories.There was a book by or about Walker in the school library he was a beast!
Between 2013-15 I worked in "Walker House", Exchange Flags Liverpool. In the basement of this building is the Western Approaches Museum from where the Battle of the Atlantic was fought. Opposite "Walker House" is "Horton House"; so glad to see the legacy of both men are remembered in the city.
@@philgiglio7922 True, and Kitchener the vile piece he was, that debacle afterwards, which saw Churchill at his finest in seeking to have sailors sacrifice themselves by ramming sea mines. Had not the top brass stopped the man he would have had his way.
@@gailbirchall2163 YOUR COMMENT IS SO RAMBLING, DISCONNECTED AND UTTERLY INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT IT LACKS ANY DEGREE OF GOOD SENSE, UNDERSTANDING AND REALISTIC GRASP OF THE FACTS OF THE ISSUES/MATTERS INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I find it amazing that there were two extraordinary men on that first convoy. Not only the worlds best u-boat hunter, Captain Fredrick "Johnny" Walker, but also the worlds best pilot aboard HMS Audacity, Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown.
Eric Brown was one of only two officers who were saved by a destroyer after HMS Audcity went down. He and the other officer were both pilots and he attributed their survival in the cold waters of the Bay of Biscay to their wearing of their Mae West's. The other some 26 or so had come together as a group and had tied themselves together with bits of string etc. unfortunately those others who were not pilots succumbed to the cold water and drowned. Eric Brown described having to cut them off one by one until he and the other pilot were left to be rescued. I am not saying others from Audacity were not saved but just that of nearly 30 crew mates who had come together in the water only two of them survived. And it's certainly good for Britain that he'd did, given what he went on to achieve during WW2 and his glittering career as a test pilot up to and including testing the Blackburn Buccaneer for the Royal Navy. Incidentally, he was originally a young RAF pilot prior to transferring to the Fleet Air Arm due to the Navy's need for pilots after an aircraft carrier was sunk west of Scotland with the loss of all its pilots. I'd really advise anyone to get his book " Wings on My Sleeve" you can still get it on Amazon. I bought mine last year, and he mentions Captain Walker in his book.
Tragic that such a really superb officer drove himself to exhaustion and death in the cause of freedom it's a pity he could not receive the knighthood pothsumously RIP Captain F Walker
It was because of men like him that we won the war. Material and weapons galore could help win but it took brave men and women like Walker to take it to the enemy and WIN! Thku for a wonderful presentation.
I read about this man many years ago and have never forgotten the story. Literally worked himself to death and saved lord knows how many thousands of allied lives in turning the tables on the U Boats.
Had he not died at the time and had he survived the war, it is likely that he would have achieved much greater recognition. There is an interesting contribution in the TV Series, The World at War (Ep 10, Wolf Pack) made by Captain Gilbert Roberts RN, a staff officer in Western Approaches at the time, who states that it was Captain Walker who changed the way that convoy escorts operated. It is as if a tear wells up on his eyes when he mentions the name of Captain Walker! Clearly he was highly thought of within Western Approaches. Thanks for your contribution.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 I remember watching that, yes, he was full of emotion, and I seem to recall the officer had a hatred of the Germans whom he held responsible for Captain Walkers death, and in my above comment I was really referring to how Hollywood would have made him famous had he been American and any successful Germans are well known , but rarely British success. Thank you for highlighting this incredible British warrior, I saw an American comment on another RU-vid video saying “ the British haven’t had anyone since Nelson who has done anything of note” I of course told him about Captain Walker!
@@robertsopinski7971 I bet if you asked anyone in the street in the last 40 years who Captain Walker was , or who Audie Merphy or Michael Whittmann was, I’m sure Captain Walker would have been the least remembered name, unfortunately.
@Hi Time I think a movie of his naval career, specialising on his WW2 exploits would make a great movie. I wonder who would play him? Possibly James Cromwell? He did play the D of E recently.
My mother worked at the Naval Hospital throughout the War. Captain Walker was an incredible hero for everyone that worked there. He was given benzedrine tablets to keep him awake during the crossings and on his return to Liverpool would have to go into hospital to recover. They would have to give him sleeping tablets to get some rest.
@@GreatStoriesNow933... such drug use was far more common than most realize. After awhile though you start getting stupid and punch drunk... time to sleep .
My father served on HMS Torbay during the war and (knowing a thing or 2 about submarine warfare) told me many years ago that, in his opinion, Capt Walker and his tactics, played a massive part in enabling victory in Europe.
Great presentation. Thank you. At 14 years of age as a Sea cadet with Kirkby unit , I had the great honour of not only learning of Captain Walker, but also taking part in a parade with the CWOBA (Captain Walkers Old Boys Association) in Bootle. A truly humbling experience mixing with so many of those brave heroic men . Truly Their Name liveth forevermore. 🇬🇧
My Uncle James McParland served on HMS Kite (Black swan class sloop)in which Johnnie Walker commanded but unfortunately was sunk off Greenland in which there was only 9 survivors ( my uncle was not one of them)
HMS Kite was one of the six sloops that formed the 2nd Escort Support Group under Captain Walker which undertook the famous six U-boats in one patrol that we feature in the video with actual footage of their return to Liverpool to great applause. Your Uncle was therefore part of a real game-changing patrol.
Watching this and reading comments like yours is priceless. It makes you go all funny inside with pride, (my dad was on the covoys). I find, especially when you've boys of your own even older and you just can't see them doing anything like what their grandad did. Resect to all our brave forbears.
A very good film about a person I had never heard of. My father served on an ex-Norwiegian tanker sunk in the Battle of the Atlantic. He was one of a few survivors. He almost never talked about his war. This film has made me want to find out more..Thank you
Cometh the hour,cometh the man. As a Liverpudlian,Captain Frederic John Walker CB,DSO & 3 Bars has always been a hero to me. Thank you for taking the time to make this wonderful film.
An amazing and great performance. Nevertheless, the great ones like COMO Walker will never be duplicated. He played his game; it remains for us subsequent seamen to recognize that, learn from his example, and strive for a different greatness. This is how true leadership works.
It s amazing that Britain keeps producing such men as Johnnie Walker. Proud to be British, the son of a WW2 Battle of Britain mechanic. Xcellent documentary on this heroic and gifted warrior.
I first came across Captain Walker in the book "Yankee RN " by Cdr AV Cherry. He gives an exciting account of his time serving with the Second Escort Group under Walker's command. Well worth finding a copy.
A blue plaque to his memory exists in Plymouth beside the small street behind the Hoe where his early life was spent. A great and largely unknown Hero - not too much of an exaggeration to say that he was instrumental in winning the war for us...... Thank you for making and posting this very well produced video!
Fascinating and informative, thank you. My wife's grandad served with Captain Walker during the war including on HMS Starling. I remember reading in his log books that on 6th June 1944 he was somewhere off Cornwall. I wondered why they weren't escorting the invasion flotilla. Now I realise that they must have been screening the invasion fleet against U-boats.
A valuable documentary about a modest hero who was an ornament to his profession.No doubt this Officer directly saved the Nation from the threat which Churchill feared the most.A dedicated family man he must be regarded as a gentleman who has always warranted the historic celebration which he has never received .
Representatives of the Royal Navy and US Navy will be in Liverpool at the end of May for commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic - BOA 80. Captain Walker will be uppermost in their minds. I know the story well but still his story brings tears to my eyes - tears of pride, tears of sadness. Thank you for this timely production.
Hi Lester, greetings from a fellow course member of the Junior Supply Officers Course January 1973 at Chatham. Seems a long time ago now! Thanks for letting people know about BoA Anniversary.
@@iainstewart9844 Hi Iain. A long time ago indeed - fifty years ago this month we were joining our new ships, for me HMS Bulwark, where I was to serve as a Midshipman undertaking supply sea training, then take over from fellow course member, the late Tony Guyatt, as Assistant Secretary, leaving the ship in Aug 1975 as a Lieutenant, with a new appointment as Secretary to Commodore (Amphibious Warfare). What a happy few years I had in the world of amphibiosity! I have just looked at the course photograph and was able to identify you straight away! I might well have gone to Liverpool for BOA 80 but instead I will be at the San Carlos Dinner in Plymouth. I trust you are well. I am all right except for being 72, balding, fat, ugly and the rest ...
@@lestermay5878 Thank you for replying. I had not heard about Tony, he was a gentleman. My Naval career took a shorter path that yours! In 1975, after 2 years as Sec in Diomede, both the Navy and I felt l should seek another source of income. I joined the RNR in 1977 and, over many years did my annual training at sea or ashore. The RNR S&S branch was disbanded in 1994 and l retrained in Forward Logistics Site operations. In 2002 l was recalled and spent an interesting year in various sandy places getting PMC to the right ship. Then I spent another year in Fleet HQ reviewing training for FLS operations and designing two new courses. My last RNR job was setting up the Logistics for the anchored ships in the Traf 200 Fleet Review in 2005. Now 71, bald, making the most of life in the mountains of SE Spain. My time is spent maintaining our house and researching the Royal Naval Division in WW1. All the best wishes to you and yours. Iain
I read his biography 'Walker RN' by Terence Robertson, when aged 11, and was awed. I only recently discovered more about the Western Approaches Tactical Unit (who did analysis of Uboat tactics to predict other positions once partial information was gained)
When visiting Liverpool in 2016 my Mum's hometown ( I'm from South Australia) I visited this great Naval officer's statue on the bank of the Mersey looking out towards the Western Approaches ( also visited the museum). My Granddad worked for a shipping company and his office was on the docks and he told me many years ago ( he died in 1963) of the Naval vessels returning to port playing "A hunting we will go". A truly great Englishman whose name should be spoken of in the same manner as Nelson and Drake. Lest we forget
Brilliant! Walker got a brief mention in the World At War - I think the episode was Wolfpack - but has rarely been given the credit he deserved in the 2WW history books. Excellent video.
Captain Gilbert Roberts, a staff officer at Western Approaches, was the man who talks about Captain Walker in the TV series World at War. He clearly states that it was Walker's performance that changed the whole way that Convoy escorts operated in the Atlantic.
Walker is also mentioned in Alan Eastons "50 north", another great book about the Battle of the Atlantic, but from a Canadian point of view. Easton makes it quite clear what an emotional blow the loss of Walker was to all the men serving in the U-boat killing buisness. Btw I highly recommend the book.
A truly exceptional and outstanding officer, something of whose story has at last appeared here, but whose story was told in the book "Walker RN". He, literally, worked himself to death. Apparently, promotion to flag rank was also on the way, together with the command of a task force in the Pacific. tragically, all of this came too late to save his life. A great man.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 You may be right: I have no hard evidence, either way, but from the book (if I remember rightly) I gather that the intention was to give him reward and respite in the form of a carrier task force in the Far East. Henry Harewood was already a Commodore (as Walker should have been) at the time of the River Plate, following which he got both his "K" and his flag. I suspect that the same was intended for Walker
@@GreatStoriesNow933 Yes. These are the flags flown by Commodore, Rear Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet. 4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4c3dJxbnMM/U1gDVKzXL9I/AAAAAAAAC7A/xHnlaky2mMg/s1600/RN+Rank+flags.png Interestingly... the higher you go, the less balls you have. Red balls on the flag, that is😉😉
@@klackon1 My Dad and I read that book, one of WW2's unsung heroes, died suddenly in 1944, as stated on this thread, he worked himself to death. Dad was a wartime Paratrooper who came from Portsmouth, had many friends and relatives in the Navy, he used to read of Johnny Walkers exploits in the papers..
I cannot think of a much worse wartime job than being in the Merchant Navy crossing the Atlantic during the Second World War. Hats off to every one of them!
Yes he was very good at what he does Tragically his son which who was in the Mediterranean his submarine was sunk Captain Walker like so many older officers something gave and it was his health and he had suffered a stroke and was buried at sea
I believe they were going to promote him to flag rank or just had when he died. Well done! A good account of a genuine war hero. Along with others engaged in the war at sea, he is not sufficiently recognised for what he did, although there are a couple of good books that cover his career.
A remarkable story. Also a vivid illustration that rank and responsibility can be very far apart, especially in the Royal Navy: the video says that he was given command of 40 ships for his protracted defence of the Normandy landings - how many admirals have ever commanded a force of 40 warships in combat? I think a few score at most. The rank of admiral seems to be something that is conferred after great command, rather than to accompany it.
Many thanks for the detailed story. A true patriot and leader of our men in dangerous seas. God rest his soul and the men who lost their lives for our people.
What a resilient people the Brits are. The saying, 'Not until you've walked in my shoes for a day' applies with Captain Johnny Walker. It pulled every ounce of being out of him to be the best. Unquestionably being the best at his trade fueled him even more. Not the incredible medals. No. For God and Country. Great video guys!
Captain John Walker Royal Navy was undoubtedly the U-Boat hunting ace of WW2. However, I commend all should read 'A Game of Birds and Wolves - the secret game that won the war' by Simon Parkin. Those 'in the know' already knew this story and without the efforts and intellect of Captain Gilbert Roberts Royal Navy and his band of impressive Wrens - who's legacy live on to this day', John Walker would have been less successful and many more lives would have been lost to the cold waters of the North Atlantic and the longest battle of WW2 would have possibly been much longer and with possibly profound negative affects for the allied, democratic, cause. In addition to John Walker's exploits, ships and ships' companies, so the role of Gilbert Roberts and the Wrens of WATU located at Derby House Liverpool should be brought out of the shadows and given the recognition it deserves.
My father served on HMS Wild Goose and spoke about U Boat patrol missions quite a bit. After helping with the D Day landings he was shipped across to the USA on the Queen Mary, then across the USA on a train to San Francisco to join the HMS Indefatigable for patrols in the Pacific.
Your comment about Royal Navy patrols in the Pacific is not a known subject. We will look into it and see what interesting stories we can find there. Thanks for your contribution.
The Captain of Wild Goose was Cdr D E G Wemyss RN who wrote the book "Walker's Groups in the Western Approaches", later retitled "Relentless Pursuit". I had a copy of the old titled book from the Bookstore at Dartmouth and forgot to return it. I met Wemyss later and he kindly signed my copy.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 My old man was on several troopships traversing the Pacific. One one journey I know they stopped at Pitcairn Islands, and also went around the Horn (although the easy way).
I'm a fully grown man and no, these aren't tears in my eyes (I was cutting onions only yesterday) but he died of exhaustion? I can believe it and honour the man in my own quiet way. Fair winds Sir, God speed.....
I've just been to Portsmouth to see Victory, Warrior etc and this man ranks highly in the spirit and best traditions of the Royal Navy, even compared to Nelson, Collingwood and the like! May he rest in peace.
Indeed the longest naval battle of all time. It started on the day was declared on the 3rd September 1939 with U-30 sinking the British passenger liner, the SS Athenia and ended on VE Day, 8th May 1945,
I read his biography some 50 years ago while in my twenties. I was amazed not just by his successes but by the character of the man. This brief documentary is wonderful synopsis of his naval liife.
Great vid. Read a book about him eons ago. Remember fondly discussing it with my Dad for days on end. Although I wasn't aware that he had died in 1944 - irrationally I'm really quite sad about that. Good job fella.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 Yes I think you've summed it up nicely. Admiral Lee another loss to illness during wartime. Funny the things we choose to care about.
An incredible history 😲😲Thank you fir this excellent documentary 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍 One of the greatest captains….ever….in the history of The Royal Navy…I‘m saddened by his early death…he gave all his enormous strength to the country….a great British hero…my he rest in peace…and never be forgotten 😔
I seem to recall reading in a biography of him that he was ear marked to go and take command of a carrier in the Pacific which was perceived as a step towards flag rank.
Another suggestion is that he was to be given flag rank to take a task force to the Pacific. Presumably no actual decision had been made by the time he died.
My father served under him during WW2 on the Artic convoys etc. He was a very green 19 year old at the time, but said that watches on the deck were spent chipping off ice so the ship wouldn't sink! He slept in a hammock like others. He was able to track sonar on U boats on the bridge and in the book, Walker R.N. shows him on the bridge with Johnnie Walker. It was a supreme effort by all
All the way through this fascinating video I was thinking of Captain Vallery a fictional character in the book HMS Ulysses by Alistair MacLean … an absolutely stunning read. MacLean actually served in the convoys. That book resonated with me much as Das Boot did. I recommend it to everyone.
It is unfortunate that the British were very poor at documenting the war on film especially compared to the Americans and the Germans. So it is always a struggle to locate footage that has not been seen before ... often many times. Thanks for watching.
Excellent video about Captain Walker, a man that any serious student of the Battle Of the Atlantic needs to know. Not only an outstanding officer and tactician but an innovator as well.
What a wonderful documentary. I was completely unaware of this excellent commander, and his incredible exploits. I will most certainly visit his stature in his honour if I am ever in the area.
His near retirement brings some questions with it about our age, both in the USN and BN: how many excellent commanders are now being passed over because of what they are so damned good at doing?
In peacetime, the only natural way of getting a promotion, is when someone retires, or leaves for some other reason. There's also little action, so no possibility to show what you're made of.... There's also a saying that you will be promoted, until you reach the level of incompetance....
The legend of Drake and Nelson being the only users of the General Chase signal is probably largely apocryphal. The Drake incident was 80 years before the Royal Navy was formed which must cast some doubt on its authenticity. Your suggestion about Admiral Hawke is quite possibly true. At the Battle of the Nile, Nelson gave his Captains a high degree of latitude in the Battle and afterwards the British fleet chased down and captured three (from memory) French Ships-of-the-line which had escaped the slaughter. However, I think there must be some doubt as to whether he actually did signal General Chase. Also during the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914, Admiral Sturdee detached a number of destroyers to "chase" elements of the German navy but, again, it is unclear as whether he actually used the General Chase signal. Thanks for watching.
An Outstanding Man we rarely see his kind certainly not today. Thank You for the program I don't doubt his men be it on his ship or his various groups would have followed him into hell and back an extremely Admirable Man, cut short in his prime, a very sad loss.
My Grandfather was Mentioned in Despatches whilst serving with Walker - he never spoke of it we only found out after he died I would have loved to be able to ask him for stories he served on HMS Naiad and was sunk with her and then HMS Valiant at Durban before transferring to small ships ADMIRALTY. Whitehall. June, 1944. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: For outstanding leadership, skill and devo tion to duty in H.M. Ships Starling, Wild Goose and Wanderer on convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic: Mention in Despatches. Captain Frederick John Walker, C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy (Torquay). Lieutenant - Commander David Edward Gillespie Wemyss, D.S.O., D.S.C., Royal Navy (Saltash). Temporary Lieutenant John Evans,1 D.S.C., R.N.V.R. (Birmingham). Temporary Lieutenant Leslie Charles Humphrey Porter, D.S.C.,' R.N.V.R. (Worthing). Temporary Sub-Lieutenant Derek John Kidd, D.S.C., R.N.V.R. (Croydon). Mr. George Alan Franklin, Acting Gunner (T), Royal Navy (Romford). Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer John George'Gillanders, C/MX.49191 (Chatham). Chief-Stoker Walter John Banfield, C/K.6o698 (Bristol). Petty Officer William Harry Kelly, D.S.M., D/SSX.235Q7 (Manchester). Acting Stoker Petty Officer Gilbert Edworthy, D/KX.86202 (St. Helen's). Temporary Leading Stoker Albert Edward Victor Pannell, C/KX. 103941 (London). ***Leading Steward David Moir Lang, C/LX. 23686 (Dumbarton). - My Grandfather Able Seaman Leonard Alfred Holmes, C/JX. 219773 (Forest Gate). Able Seaman John Thomas Williamson, D/ JX. 253622 (Wakefield).
What a legend one of the great naval commanders and no one really talks about him. great video I new about Johnny walker but I’ve learnt a lot more and thank you 👍🏻
THREE bars!! Amazing. I remember years ago, staying with my Dad in a hotel for ex-servicemen in London, looking at their gallery of VC winners, and seeing several who had a VC and bar...it had never occurred to me that that was even possible. Such amazing men.
Many years ago I was given the job of marshalling the veterans at the Cenotaph parade in London. We were told to salute anyone with a VC even if in civilian clothes. I spent most of the morning saluting!!
About that "several who had a VC and Bar". There have been three soldiers with that. Two were medical officers: Chavasse received both medals for actions in the First World War and died in 1917, while Martin-Leake (died in 1953) was awarded his first VC for actions in the Second Boer War, and his second for actions during the First World War. Charles Upham (died 1994) was the only fighting soldier to have received a a bar to his VC = for actions during the Second World War. There's a story that, when he was presented with his second one by King George 6th, the King queried: "does he truly deserve a second one ?". The answer (not from Upham) was: "Your Majesty - he deserves a third".
@@harbourdogNL Thanks. While this is about a naval person, the Wikipedia article sets out the circumstances of Upham's second VC and the words of the KIng's query = en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Upham
Thank you for that video, we often hear about the exploits of RAF crew/pilots and Army combatants/commanders, but rarely do we hear about the exploits of the Navy beyond the engagements with Bismark and the earlier (1939) engagement with Adm Graf Spee - it's sometimes seems as if historians think the Navy sat out the war - but what a hero this man was, clearly an epic tactician and strategist, a supreme commander that people of all ratings would listen to and follow - all of those qualities in one man are very rare. The success his tactics had on mitigating the danger the U-Boats presented has been clearly under rated, but thankfully not forgotten. The tragedy of his death, at such a young age, is unforfortunate, as they said, likely as a result of exhaustion etc due to his undieing commitment to getting the job done, he should have recived the VC for dieing in action for all his exploits - he truly and knowingly gave his life for this country, and he should never be forgotten - he should be up there with Nelson, Drake, Montgomery and the other great British Commanders who turned the tide of battle in our favour - saving tens of thousands of lives in the process by accelerating the ending of hostilities as a direct result of his actions.
All branches of the armed forces should be given equal attention for their roles. One thing that was leant during the Second world war was that hey are need to work together as an all-arms force. None of them could have do their job without the others. Thanks for watching, hope you enjoyed the video.
His wife complained that her husband was never given a chance to physically rest after these sea battles. Once ashore he was constantly being told to attend meetings back at the Admiralty by the land based jobsworthys who demanded his presence to shore up their own naval credibility.
A couple of corrections. H.M.S Exmoor was part of convoy HG76, not H.M.S Exeter. I did not recognize the yellow/red/yellow flag as being an alphabetical flag and would like to know what the original three letter signal was. H.M.S Audacity was still part of the convoy when torpedoed, only Blankney and Exmoor needed to return to Gibraltar because of fuel limitations.
@@richardgates-wf8bk Your earlier point as to whether HMS Audacity was part of the convoy when she was sunk is interesting and slightly complicated by a couple of points. Our understanding is that HMS Audacity's role at the time was to shadow convoys on the early part of the voyage from Gibraltar to Britain. Gibraltar was where many merchantmen from around the world destined for Britain were formed into convoys for the dangerous voyage past the Bay of Biscay where the U-boat bases were located. HMS Audacity apparently had the habit of operating in a slightly detached manner from the convoys, something that aircraft carriers were forbade from doing after her sinking. Because her aircraft had been quite successful against U-boats she had become a specific target for the Wolf Packs. On the night that she was sunk it appears that one of the merchantmen put up a flare, presumably as a goodbye signal, as she left the convoy. The light from the flare revealed her in silhouette to the German U-boats who then hunted her down. Thanks for watching and thanks for your contribution.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 I have 3 books on my shelves about Capt. Walker. All refer to the sinking of the Audacity. The version in the books is that during the day the carrier was placed in the centre of the convoy but at night her captain would move his ship to one of convoy wings out of fear that the ship may be involved in a collision should the convoy make a sudden alteration of course, such as when attacked by u-boats. When operating detached from the convoy the carrier was to sail at high speed while zigzagging continuously. However, the escort for the carrier was a corvette which limited the speed of the carrier. Walker wanted the carrier on the port wing of the convoy as he felt the u-boat attack would come from the starboard side but the captain of the carrier, who was senior to Walker by 6 years , wanted to place his ship on the starboard wing as the convoy was more likely to alter course to port if attacked from starboard. When Audacity left the convoy she sailed directly towards a u-boat shadowing the convoy while on the surface. Another vessel in the convoy had been torpedoed and the flames from this vessel illuminated the convoy and the bulk of the Audacity. One torpedo crippled her and two more sank her in 10 minutes. Walker in his report of the convoy accepted responsibility for the sinking of the carrier but the Admiralty disagreed and found him not liable.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 My source for my comment comes from the book "The Fighting Captain" by author Alan Burn who was a Sub-Lieutenant who served with Walker on all his ships and explains why Audacity was outside the convoy when it was torpedoed.
An excellent video on an amazing man who must have been an inspirational leader. Just one point, wasn't Exeter a Town class light cruiser? I know a ship of that name served under Cmmdr. Harwood at the Battle of the River Plate.
Apologies in advance. There is some confusion as to whether the ship was the Exeter or the Exmoor and hence confusion as to whether a cruiser of destroyer. We are trying to research.
@@GreatStoriesNow933 Thanks for reply. Actually I got it wrong too, it was a York class heavy cruiser not a Town class. It was sunk on 1 March 1942 at the Battle of the Java Sea.
I did hear my uncle talk about him as he was in the navy for 22 years and through the war years , and his logo was a hunting we will go , and yes he was out of Liverpool.
I once asked a man what the design on his tie meant... they were signal flags C W O and B. It stood for Captain Walker's Old Boys, such was the high esteem in which he was held by his men. They were disbanded in 2004.
