The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt.(FAA) R W M Walsh

Robert William Meade Walsh was born on 1st November 1916 in Llanelli, Carmarthen, Wales. He was educated at Irthlingborough School in Northamptonshire, Leatherhead Central School and Wimbledon Technical School.

He joined the Royal Navy on a short service commission in September 1939. On completion of his flying training Walsh was seconded to the RAF on 29th June 1940 and joined 142 Squadron, operating Battles at Eastchurch.

Above image courtesy of the Graham Saunders Archive.

He moved to 111 Squadron at Drem on 22nd September.

Walsh was serving with 73 Squadron by 9th November 1940 and went with it to the Middle East. He rejoined the FAA at Dekheila, Egypt on 12th December and later served with 805 Squadron in the Western Desert.

He destroyed a Fiat G50 on 28th September 1941 and probably a SM79 on 23rd November. In 1944 Walsh was back in the UK.

At the time of D-Day he was serving with 885 Squadron, in 3 Wing at Lee-on-Solent. In 1945 he became CO of 1831 Squadron, formed in the US with Corsairs. The squadron later embarked in HMS Glorious for service in the Pacific.

After the war, Walsh served at Lossiemouth and Lee-on-Solent as Lieutenant Commander Flying, as Flight Deck Officer on HMS Vengeance and as FDO and Lieutenant Commander Flying on HMS Thesus.

When he retired on 10th February 1958, Walsh was Officer i/c the Safety Equipment School at Seafield Park.

He died on 31st October 2002.