WOFF Desmond William Anthony Walsh 32419

'Des' as he was known to his mates was born at Waverley, NSW on 19th October 1919 and enlisted 18th July 1940.

After training as an instrument maintainer he joined No 457 Squadron RAAF (Spitfires). When doing research on many of the fellows we have asked their mates who have survived. Ron Lambert another Erk with whom he served recalled that there was indeed a human side to our friend Des.

Ron recalls, “A girl Des was engaged to, returned his ring so he hocked it and bought a bottle of Champagne. His mates helped him drown his sorrows. A friendly policeman suggested that they return to camp and by that time Des had to be carried back by his mates”. It must have been a bigger bottle of champagne than Des was used to.

Later during his service he re-mustered as aircrew. He was discharged on 18th January 1946 from No 11 Personnel Depot.

He became a member of Richmond RSL, NSW and later the Cessnock Branch.

Des, like thousands of other ‘ERKS’ formed the back-bone of the Spitfire Squadrons; serving aircraft in the bitter cold of the UK and then the stifling heat and humidity of The Top End

‘A’ Flight boys enjoy a swimming party on the banks of the Nepean River NSW. Des Walsh is the fourth from right sitting down (smoke in mouth)

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CPL Jim Grant and Instrument Repairer LAC Des Walsh at work at Kirk Andreas on the Isle of Man, 1941

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Livingstone, NT. February 1943. Ground staff of No. 457 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF manoeuvring an aircraft into its dispersal bay.

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Livingstone, NT. February 1943. Group portrait of ground staff personnel of No. 457 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF in front of one of the squadron's Supermarine Spitfire aircraft code-name 'Capstan'

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