Surrounded by aircraft and strategically positioned in front
of a Lancaster Bomber, guests were moved by Angela Walker’s loving tribute to her late father. Speaking with
huge admiration and respect, Angela talked about Ian’s many war time exploits,
including his audacious escape from a German prisoner of war camp, and talked
about why she was inspired to write the book.
Here, we meet
a man who Sir Winston Churchill described as one of “The Few” who flew scores
of death-defying missions over Germany with Bomber Command. We also hear about
Ian Walker the athlete (he was a champion cyclist who narrowly missed on being
selected for the Empire Games) and family man; a gentle soul who talked little
of his war time experiences, but who loved to spend time in his garden and eat
organic food.
Angela’s book
was launched by friend and special guest Lisa Chappell (best known for playing
Claire McLeod in ‘McLeod’s Daughters’). Together, they shared heart-felt and
humorous anecdotes about a remarkable man whose athleticism, determination and
courage not only inspired Angela to write about him, but to win a Commonwealth
Games gold medal.
To the delight
of guests, many of whom remembered Ian with great fondness, Angela and Lisa also
read from his many letters and journals. Discovered posthumously, these are the
central pivot of From Battle
of Britain Airman to POW Escapee: The Story of Ian Walker RAF,
a book which takes the reader on a thrilling journey into the heart of Europe’s
theatre of war.
From Battle of Britain Airman to POW Escapee: The Story of
Ian Walker RAF
by Angela Walker is distributed by South Pacific Books and available in
bookshops nationwide.
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