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Peter Challice Walter (1915-1993)

Soldier
Service No:180443
Rank:Captain
Squadron:C, later B
Role:2nd i/c C Squadron, later OC B Squadron
Service:Joined 23H on 28 Mar 1941. Gazetted 2nd Lt, 29 Mar 1941. Rejoined in Oct 1945 after recovering from his wounds
Wounded:20 Jul 1944
Award(s):Distinguished Service Order [Citation]
Mentioned in:
War Diary
20 Jul 1944, Oct 1945
23H Story
Page 46, Page 64, Page 76, Page 78, Page 262, Page 268, Page 275
Bishop
Page 38, Page 47
Casualty List
Record
Other
Army List
Images:[Photo]
Civilian
Occupation:Actor
Residence:33 Regent Park Terrace, Leeds, West Yorkshire (1939),
88 High Street, Hythe, Kent (1945),
Well Cottage, St Mary's Road, St Mary in the Marsh, Kent
Birth:11 Mar 1915 in Hythe, Kent
Death:Apr 1993 in New Romney, Kent
Marriage:to Victoria Hopper 20 Jan 1951 registered in Pancras, London
Children:none
Images:[Photo]
Parents
Harry West WalterCatherine Pope
Boot Maker / Shopkeeper.
41 High Street, Hythe, Kent (1911),
88 High Street, Hythe (1939),
62 Seabrook Road, Hythe (1943).
Birth 21 Dec 1878 in Hythe.
Death 21 Dec 1943 at 88 High Street, Hythe.
Birth 17 Feb 1888 in Hamstreet, Kent.
Death 11 Feb 1966 at Seabrook Nursing Home, Hythe, Kent.
Marriage 19 Jun 1910 in Dymchurch, Kent

Notes

"Some of my troop leaders were older than I was. The most impressive was Peter Walter, in normal life an actor...... He looked out upon the world with humour toughened but never made cynical by the repertory circuit, with a smiling. reassuring kindness and helpfulness. His high competence included - surprisingly for one of his profession - skill as a mechanic together with a willing readiness to get his hands dirty. I never once saw him lose his temper, always a smile whatever his physical discomfort."

'Monkey Business - The Memoirs of General Sir Cecil Blacker', page 54.

"Having sent the sole surviving troop back behind the railway, Peter now tried to do what he could for the wounded, administering morphine and fixing shell dressings. His task was not made any easier by a useless left hand, a burnt face and heavy shellfire, but so many were in a worse case that he ignored his own troubles."

'Monkey Business - The Memoirs of General Sir Cecil Blacker', page 76.

"Peter Walter was awarded an immediate Distinguished Service Order. If the full story had been known at the time it should have been the Victoria Cross."

'Monkey Business - The Memoirs of General Sir Cecil Blacker', page 79.

Peter's wife, Victoria Hopper, was a leading lady in prewar British cinema. During the war she sang, danced and acted in France and at RAF stations with the Central RAF Band. She was born May 24 1909 in Vancouver and died 22 Jan 2007 in St Mary in the Marsh, Kent, aged 97.

Peter is on the list of those who attended the 23H reunion in 1959.