Kevin Walton
| Kevin Walton | |
|---|---|
Kevin Walton in Antarctica in 1947
|
|
| Born |
15 May 1918 Kobe, Japan |
| Died | 13 April 2009 (aged 90) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1939–1952 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
George Cross Distinguished Service Cross Mentioned in Despatches Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Polar Medal |
Eric William Kevin Walton GC, DSC (15 May 1918 – 13 April 2009), known as Kevin Walton, was an officer in the Royal Navy during World War II and, in 1946, was a winner of the Albert Medal, which in 1971 was superseded by the George Cross.
Walton was born in Kobe in Japan in 1918. He was the son of Murray Walton, a missionary, and his wife Myra (née Hebbert), whose family had served for four generations in the Indian Civil Service. His godfather was Howard Somervell, a member of the 1922 and 1924 Everest expeditions. Later, encouraged by Somervell, Walton developed an interest in climbing. He spent his early years living in Japan with his parents before coming back to Britain to spend four years being brought up by a great aunt and uncle while his parents returned to their missionary work in Japan. Walton was educated at Monkton Combe School and Imperial College London, where he trained as a Civil Engineer.
Walton joined the Royal Navy as an engineer officer at the start of World War II, and took part in various naval actions during the next five years. On 26 May 1941 he was serving on HMS Rodney, part of Admiral Sir James Somerville’s naval force which attacked the German battleship Bismarck with Fairey Swordfish torpedo-bombers, taking out Bismarck's steering apparatus, and then sinking her with gunfire in the Atlantic Ocean.
...
Wikipedia