Trooper Thomas Alfred Williamson Walker, son of John Percival and Dorothy Deighton Walker, of Penrith, Cumberland, served with 'D' Troop, 12 Section, 1st Airborne Recce Squadron, Reconnaissance Corps. He took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden.

Quote from page 166, "Freddie Gough's Specials at Arnhem" by Robert Hilton. 

'At 0700hrs, (Sunday 24 September 1944) a patrol from 'D' Troop had attempted to get water from a pump near their position, but were driven back by machine-gun fire, two men being wounded in the attempt. The Germans were closing in on their positions all through the morning and several times they were driven back, but at approximately 11.30 hrs a particularly devastating mortar barrage was brought down on their positions, Sgt. James Pyper: "During the afternoon we were dug in, in the garden of a house. My own trench was right beside a stone wall, and Capt. Park and two other were in the next trench along. Following the first mortaring, there was an exchange of shooting, and it was then that Capt. Park said 'I'll changes places with you, Sgt.' Three times after that we beat them off, until later at one point, shouting 'Down!', and when the smoke cleared, we found Capt. Park, Lt. Pascal and Tpr. Walker all standing upright in their trench by the wall, but with their heads blown off, their weapons still pointing at the enemy".

By then end of 24 September 'D' Troop had effectively 'ceased to exist' 

Trooper Walker was just aged 20 years old. He is now buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem. Grave ref: 21, A, 10.