GPCAPT Brian Reginald Walker
DSO
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| Squadron/s | 30 SQN 1 Fighter Wing |
| Rank On Discharge/Death | Group Captain (GPCAPT) |
| Nickname | Blackjack |
| Mustering / Specialisation | Pilot |
| Date of Birth | 27 Mar 1913 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Jan 1935 |
| Date of Death | 21 Apr 1997 |
| Contributing Author/s | Edited by David Hamilton Reviewed by Vince Conant May 2014 |
Blackjack was born the 27th March 1913 at Lyndoch, SA, the son of an Anglican Minister. Whilst working on the wharves he visited Parafield aerodrome to see Charles Kingsford Smith and the "Southern Cross. He walked around the aircraft and announced "this is for me" and enlisted on the 15th of January 1935. His flying career lasted 50 years and he flew 136 types of aircraft, piston and jet, amassing 14,000 flying hours. He named his favourite aircraft as Mosquito, Spitfire and Hornet. When Japan first bombed Darwin on the 19th of February 1942, he was in Command of No. 12 squadron which had CAC Wirraways at the civil airfield and Vultee Vengeances at Batchelor. In the confusion that developed not one went missing. He later stated that the cohesion came as the outcome of the two-way communication he maintained between all ranks. In 1943, during the war in Papua New Guinea, he Commanded No. 30 [Beaufighter] squadron, and Walker was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership. The squadron had formed at Richmond in 1942 and he was the first of ten Commanding Officers of the unit.
From October 1944 to October 1945 Blackjack Commanded No. 1 Fighter Wing, Darwin, comprising 54, 548 and 549 Spitfire squadrons. With the Japanese quickly retreating, he organised bomb racks for the aircraft and carried out raids to help the enemy on their way. He was discharged on the 18th of January 1946 from Air Defence Headquarters, Darwin.
He had many interests including fast cars, classical music, cryptic crossword puzzles and writing letters internationally. He also had an extensive repertoire of Air Force jokes and songs. When visiting a comrade at the Collaroy Post Office he burst into song with the reconnaissance pilots theme "The Song of the Gremlins" At a reunion of No. 30 squadron, as guest of honour, he remarked "There's only one decent thing that comes out of war, and that is you make some wonderful friends" Group Captain Walker died on the 21st of April 1997 aged 84.
At the Memorial Service at Richmond Airforce Base, the Chapel was packed to overflowing and included specific groups such as Earlybirds, Royal Aero Club of NSW, Test Pilots Association and Beaufighter and Spitfire veterans. Air Commodore W.H. "Bill" Garling. DFC, DSC, delivering the Eulogy said "We are gathered to let it be known that the world and Australia in particular, owes much to Blackjack Walker. Flying was in his blood and it showed throughout his career" There is a plaque and a stained glass window. A wreath was laid by Wing Commander R. H. "Bobby" Gibbes, DSO, DFC, RAAF [rtd]. Following the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille, the Chaplain read "High Flight" written by the RCAF Spitfire pilot, John Magee, who was killed in action early in the war.
For years Bobby and Blackjack were familiar faces at the sunset service held on Anzac Day on Collaroy Beach and Bobby delivered the Eulogy at the private service At Northern Suburbs Crematorium on 24th April 1997.
30 Squadron was formed at Richmond in New South Wales on the 9th of March 1942, where it conducted training flights and sea reconnaissance. In August the unit moved to Townsville and then to Port Moresby and began attacking Japanese shipping and other targets around Buna and Sanananda.
For the rest of 1942 the squadron aircraft attacked boats, airstrips, and supply dumps in Lae, on Goodenough Island, Buna, and Gona. The unit also played a major part in supporting army operations between Buna, Kokoda, and Sanananda by regularly attacking supply and communication lines. By November 30 squadron had begun a series of strafing missions against Japanese infantry retreating from Kokoda towards the north coast. The squadron's Beaufighters maintained an armed reconnaissance searching for troops escaping the bombing offensives on Buna, Soputa, and Gona. They also made a series of successful strafing attack on grounded aircraft at the Lae aerodrome.
In early 1943, when the Allies began to pressure Japanese strongholds at Lae and Salamaua, 30 Squadron made numerous offensive attacks on troop concentrations, grounded aircraft, supply dumps, barges, and landing parties from New Britain. Unit aircraft also led the Allied assault during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in early March, resulting in the destruction of many Japanese vessels heading for Lae. The remainder of the year was spent attacking targets in Madang and Nassau Bay, and providing convoy escorts to ships bring troops and supplies to New Guinea.
The first months of 1944 saw 30 Squadron undertaking barge sweeps and reconnaissance and other offensive missions on a daily basis. On the 9th of June the squadron moved to Tadji airfield in Aitape and commenced attacks on Japanese barges supplying the Wewak stronghold. The squadron left Tarakan in December 1945, bound for Deniliquin in New South Wales. It was disbanded on 15 August 1946.
A Great Commanding Officer
For more on this great leader of men, some of his story was printed in the Whisperer Newsletter throughout 2006, now kept on https://ozatwar.com.
The articles are in these issues:
March 2006
June 2006
September 2006
December 2006
