Aaron Bamford Walton was born in New Delaval, Northumberland in January 1915, the son of coal miner.
He later joined the mining industry himself with Ashington Coal Company, but did not work as a miner (his father had forbidden him from working underground due to a family history of mining-related illnesses and deaths in colliery disasters). Aaron Walton 'did as he was told'. Initially, he was a clerk and later became a Shipping Superintendent based on the Tyne at North Shields.
When war broke out, Aaron Walton was declined when he tried to join the Services as he was in a 'reserved occupation'. He applied again, this time to the Royal Air Force, but was turned down once more, this time due to an assessment of poor hearing. Undeterred, he finally entered Airborne service when he joined 13th (South Lancs) Parachute Battalion, passing Parachute Course 98 at Ringway in January 1944.
He served as a Corporal with the Scout Platoon of 13th (Lancs) Parachute Battalion with the Battalion's 'Paradogs' in 1945. He is pictured with several, including Bing.
He served with the Battalion at the Rhine Crossing and during the March to the Baltic, before travelling with the Battalion as part of 5th Parachute Brigade to the Far East for service in Singapore and Java, Indonesia during which time, he became a Sergeant. Although he did not talk a great deal about his experiences with his family, he held Col Peter Luard in high esteem and also spoke fondly of The Reverend Foy.
Aaron Walton died in late-December 1995 at Ashington General Hospital, Northumberland.
With assistance from Jack Walton
1945
1946
