Veterans remember Atlantic hero

HMS Invincible marked the start of the city's commemorations

Veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic have held a service to honour one of its heroes and remember fallen comrades.

The Captain Walker's Old Boys Association met for the memorial service at the War Memorial in Bootle, Merseyside, on Saturday.

Captain Johnnie Walker was widely recognised as the man who "won" the Battle of the Atlantic, in which the Royal Navy protected merchant ships from German vessels.

The battle took place from September 1939 to May 1945, but was effectively won on May 24, 1943, when the German navy withdrew its U-boats from North Atlantic convoy routes following heavy losses.

The veterans were joined by Naval chiefs, sailors and cadets as well as local clergy, dignitaries and members of the public at the service.

It was held in Bootle because Captain Walker's 36th Escort Group was based at the town's Galdstone Dock, five miles from the Battle of the Atlantic command in Liverpool.

I'm full of respect and admiration for all the veterans here because they went through something that our generation has never had to

Captain Patrick Walker
Grandson of Captain Johnnie Walker

Guests included Captain Patrick Walker, a Royal Navy submariner and the grandson of Captain Johnnie Walker.

Captain Walker is President of the Captain Walker's Old Boys Association.

He said: "There are many veterans' associations but they usually celebrate a particular regiment, or ship, or campaign.

"I know of no other veterans' association that gathers in the name of one man.

"That makes me feel proud but it also makes me feel incredibly humble.

HMS Invincible

"I'm full of respect and admiration for all the veterans here because they went through something that our generation has never had to."

The 60th anniversary of the victory is being commemorated with a six-day programme of events, which includes a memorial service on Sunday at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

About 30,000 merchant seamen, 8,000 Allied servicemen and 6,000 Coastal Command personnel were killed in the battle and about 29,000 German submariners perished.

Aircraft carrier HMS Invincible sailed into Liverpool on Wednesday to mark the start of the 60th anniversary events.