Post by Administrator on Jan 2, 2011 18:52:44 GMT
Captain F. J. “Johnnie” Walker CB, DSO, RN.
Captain Johnnie Walker of wartime history,
Rates so very highly in annals of the sea,
His personal contribution to survival of convoys,
Was demanding and immense to our merchant navy boys.
He was the brain and sinew of our escort groups,
The training and the triumph, of corvettes and the sloops,
He switched a sheppard’s role from defensive to attack,
By chasing hard the submarines prowling in a pack.
Sailing into battle with speakers blaring loud,
“A-hunting We Will Go”
playing to the crowd,
Ordering his signalman to hoist `The General Chase`,
Sounding out the enemy pursuing them at pace.
Relentless were his tactics, depth-charging day and night,
Illuminating enemies to hinder fight or flight,
U-boats had a problem then - t`was hard to find a way,
To stalk their prey of merchant ships being kept at bay.
Gradually the upper hand was gained by Captain Walker,
Convincing too our bombers to stretch across the water,
Sadly though it took it`s toll in nineteen forty-four,
He died worn out with stress of work by that cruel sea war.
Remember many seamen, lost their lives throughout,
Torpedoed in the ocean and scuppered by the Kraut,
His system persevered though, and helped to clear the way,
To purge the sea of U-boats by the landings at D-day.
His life was dedicated to destruction of the foe,
To the service of his country and evil overthrow,
He was a naval hero when times were desperate grim,
Britain ruled the waves again by Captains such as him.
J.Earl Dec. 2010
www.uboat.net/allies/personnel/walker.htm
www.secondworldwar.org.uk/walker.html