A Memorial Cross to Pilot Percy Walker who Went Missing in Operations October 1941

George VI (SGT. PILOT P.T.W. WALKER R-78239). Naming is engraved. Suspended from a sterling silver sweetheart wings pin bearing the crowned RCAF insignia, both pieces with very dark patinas, light contact and surface wear, better than very fine. Footnote: Percy Thomas Walter Walker was born in 1921 in the United Kingdom, the son of Percy William Walker and Mary Catherine Walker. His grandfather was Captain Walker of the Southern Railway, while his father, Percy WilliamWalker was an old County (Grammar) School boy. The family later immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto, Ontario. R/78239 Sergeant (Pilot) Percy Thomas Walter Walker, Royal Canadian Air Force was with Bomber Command No. 405 Squadron. The Squadron was formed at Driffield, Yorkshire, on April 23, 1941, flying the RCAF's first bombing operation ten weeks later, on June 12th-13th, the unit now based in Pockington and flying Wellington aircraft. They were later based at Topcliffe beginning in August 1941, until October of that year. Sergeant Walker was declared "missing in operations" on October 22, 1941, at the age of 20 and is remembered with honour on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave Reference: Panel 62. During the Second World War, more than 116,000 men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth gave their lives in service. More than 17,000 of these were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force. Approximately one-third of all who died and have no known grave. Of these, 20,450 are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial, which is situated at Englefield Green, near Egham, thirty-two kilometres by road west of London. Walker is also commemorated on page 47 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.