Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Ross Tinker

Relationship to casualty: Nephew

I was named after my uncle Walter Ross Tinker. The first framed colour photo I have added hung on the loungeroom wall of my parents home for many years and I was always intrigued to know the full sto...ry of my uncle's airforce history and death in WW2. I visited his wargrave in 1988 in Brussels, Belgium. My dad was a sailor on the navy ship Achilles ... the second photo is of the two brothers. The third photo is of the aircrew next to their Wellington bomber, they were based in Melsbrock Belgium and were assisting the allied armies in their campaign on the continent. The Wellington was seen to be on fire when returning from a mission when it crashed on 8th February 1945. Walter Ross Tinker was only 25. Read More

Submitted by: Kelvin Youngs

Relationship to casualty: Researcher

On homeward bound trip - hit by Allied anti-aircraft fire at 00:21 hrs and crashed some 5 minutes later at Berg, 4 miles east of the B.58 Landing Ground. Born on the 10th November 1919 at Christchurc...h. Worked as a warehouseman for John Burns an Company Limited prior to service. Served 4 years in the territorial army. Enlisted on the 19th March 1942 at Rongotal. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 13th October 1943 then to No. 2 Service Flying Training School joining on the 02nd January 1943. Awarded his pilots badge on the 15th March 1943 and promoted to sergeant on the 06th May 1943. Embarked for England on the 29th Mat 1943. After further training with 83 Operational Training Unit which he joined on the 29th February 1943 received his commission on the 06th May 1944. Joined 69 squadron on the 24th May 1944. Son of Walter David Tinker and of Olive Rosa Tinker (Nee Bates), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Awarded the DFC on the 21st February 1945. A total of 576 Flying hours logged and on his 31st operational sortie. [Record since amended - NZWGT] Read More