Focused, determined and a man of the people – why we will miss 'our' Lt-Governor

With twinkling blue eyes, a shock of white hair and an irascible Navy manner, the then Lt-Governor was going to be a hard act to follow.

Peter Walker, a former RAF fighter pilot, knew that. Not only was he well briefed, he was also the first of Her Majesty's personal representatives in the island to have been selected with the involvement of the Guernsey authorities, working with the UK government.

As a result, he was well aware of who he was following and the expectations of him.

But for a pugnacious ex-fighter pilot, tactician and natural communicator, it was just another challenge in an exceptional life that took him from pilot to training senior NATO commanders for deployment to theatres such as Afghanistan and the Balkans and, ultimately, to Guernsey.

And those who came into contact with him and his wife Lynda quickly came to realise that theirs was a different, rather more direct and engaging way of doing things.

A measure of how completely islanders took them to heart as 'their' Lt-Governor is demonstrated by the number of flags flown at half-mast – not just on official and public buildings but around the island in private homes and at beach kiosks, perhaps the ultimate mark of respect and affection.

Similarly with the books of condolence available around the island: comments from 'ordinary' residents show the extent to which they understood His Excellency's role in the Bailiwick.

'We have lost a true friend…' read one. Another said, '…true gentleman who made our island his home and served us with dignity and respect at all times'.

What islanders 'got' was his special way with people, his understanding of them and ability to pick up nuances others missed, plus a sharp sense of humour that often softened an otherwise barbed challenge to the accepted way of doing things.

'It takes a certain type of character to be a success in the world of air combat,' said Jenny Holmes, now Wing Commander J K Holmes, a RAF Staff Officer working in Policy and Plans at the Ministry of Defence, and who was his aide de camp in Norway when Peter Walker was director of the then newly-formed Joint Warfare Centre.

'Each flight required focus, determination and an agility of mind to shape a situation to create a successful outcome,' she said. 'Air Marshal Walker conducted himself on the ground in the same dedicated manner but with the added benefit of being able to utilise his strong sense of humour.'

While at NATO's strategic level training facility, he became mentor and confidant to the most senior Allied commanders, navigating disputes with his no-nonsense approach and ability to read and control the most complex of situations.

'It was, however, his understanding of people that was his greatest asset. By his own admission, mellowing with age, he liked nothing better than to "bunk out of his ivory tower" and talk to "those on the ground" to gain an appreciation of reality,' she said.

What others also noticed was Air Marshal Walker's willingness to rock the boat when, in his view, the situation

required it.

During his visits to Afghanistan he would do the same, causing havoc for the escort teams, but allowing him to gain valuable information that would be fed directly back to those in command to make improvements.

Aside from his primary role he took time to mentor those who worked for him, 'investing in the future of the Armed Forces', as he put it, and allowing others the freedom to grow and develop.

'Air Marshal Walker was respected across the nations, understanding both culture and nuances that others often missed,' said Wing Commander Jenny Holmes.

'He put a capital P into punchy,' according to one report of his fighting technique.

He saw action in the Cold War and was frequently scrambled from Scotland to intercept Russian Tupolev TU-95 Bears high over the North Sea.

And as a Wing Commander at RAF Leuchars in 1992, he successfully landed a Tornado F3 despite its nose wheel being locked over to the left.

As one colleague said, 'that was like trying to land with the steering wheel hard over. As soon as the nose dropped, he knew he was going to swerve violently to the left.'

The perils of fast jets were ever present. While flying in formation over Germany he witnessed a good friend crash spectacularly on landing; only to meet the same pilot, who had managed to eject through the fireball, enjoying a drink soon after in the Officers' Mess.

While commanding RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falklands, Peter Walker also demonstrated his appreciation of less military – but important – matters.

By reducing the quantity of food held in storage he improved the quality of life for everyone, incidentally ensuring that the garrison didn't have to endure apples that were always brown inside.

Peter Walker earned the nickname 'Bananaman' after he solved the mysterious absence of bananas from the regular UK shipments to the Falklands. He uncovered a black – or yellow – market operation within the supply chain and the troops were soon enjoying their favourite fruit once more.

When Falkland Islanders complained that the troops were not spending money in their shops, restaurants and pubs he suggested that they extended their opening hours, which were shorter than those of the military – a solution which was typical of his approach to problem solving.

With his subsequent NATO posting to Stavanger, Peter Walker's role was to train senior commanders to cope with the rigours of conflict in Afghanistan and the current Jersey Lt-Governor trained there before deploying.

As Director, he worked hard to get senior staff to raise their planning horizon to weeks and months, rather than focussing on today, which was a perspective he brought to Guernsey as Lt-Governor.

He was a hard worker who expected his staff to keep up with him and tackled the role with energy, determination and zeal. In return he was loyal and generous to those who worked with him.

As an experienced and senior staff officer, he was a strategic thinker and believed that the role of senior leaders was to create the conditions for future success, rather than becoming enmeshed in the detail of the day-to-day.

It was one reason why he embarked on a round of visits, often accompanied by Lynda, to key institutions, offices and facilities to see what made the islands tick and – crucially – where they might be exposed.

His schedule of visits and insightful, if challenging, questioning meant he was possibly the best strategically briefed person in the Bailiwick and tried to use his office and influence to help the islands secure their future.

His military background and own vision meant he encouraged those he came into contact with to help create the conditions for success and could become irritated when others were slow to see this or act upon it.

He was also regretful that the amount of time and effort he put into Sark was regarded by some as hostile, when in fact he was motivated by the desire to see the island functioning as an independent but successful micro-democracy in 450 years' time rather than constantly being on the back foot.

His natural humanity, however, meant he believed that all communities had a duty to provide the basics for their residents, including proper education, welfare and health care and didn't mind ruffling feathers in emphasising that point when required.

In part, his views were based on what he liked doing best: talking to people on the ground, those caught in the middle of opposing camps, while also speaking to 'official' sources.

He could also be a plain speaker when required but had a knack of matching his delivery to his target. On a number of occasions, that target was myself, and he delighted in making me squirm, especially in front of an audience.

'I knew you could take it,' he said afterwards and I greatly appreciated the trouble he took on a number of occasions to ensure I was properly briefed on events and also the hospitality he and Lynda provided on my retirement.

As she and the family struggle to come to terms with their loss, it is the warmth and humour of Peter Walker, the dad and husband, they will remember rather than what they described this week as 'the Biggles stuff'.

'He had certain phrases,' said oldest son Robert, 'like "In my opinion…" and "What I suggest you do…", which he would use from anything to which university to go to, to rugby coaching or buying a new PC.'

'Even if he knew nothing about it,' chipped in James.

'Was that just advice?' I asked. 'Emphatically not', was the answer.

'He was always right, you see,' said Lynda, 'even when he wasn't. But then he had a way of making that your fault too…'

She smiled, the family agreed and more anecdotes followed. My favourite involved him having twice been awarded the Legion of Merit by the US President for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States for his roles in NATO.

Not just the award, although that is remarkable enough, but on checking with MOD top brass what the protocol was on wearing the medal and being told that as a British officer it is not permissible.

'To hell with them,' was the response. 'I shall wear it anyway. What are they going to do? Sack me?'

And it was that mix of supremely gifted military bearing combined with down-to-earth pragmatism that so endeared Peter Walker to islanders and explains why he will be deeply missed.

The making of an Air Marshal

Air Marshal Peter Walker was educated at Pocklington School, Durham University and the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell. He joined the RAF in 1968 and, after training, served as a pilot and instructor on the Phantom FGR2 in the Air Defence Role in the UK and Germany.

Peter Walker attended the Joint Services Defence College at Greenwich in 1986, and he then began the first of many tours in the Ministry of Defence. He was honoured to Command 111(F) Squadron, known to all as 'treble one', at RAF Leuchars from 1990 to 1992, this time flying the Tornado F3.

Promoted to Group Captain in 1992, Peter Walker briefly ran the Operations Room at HQ Strike Command during the Balkans crisis before he was appointed to Command RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. He returned to the MOD in 1995, as the Principal Briefing Officer for the Chief of Air Staff.

In 1997, he moved to NATO as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations at HQ AIRCENT Ramstein, before once again returning to the UK in 1999 as the Director of Operational Capability in the MOD.

In 2001 he moved to be Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Operations in the rank of Air Vice Marshal, followed by a tour at SHAPE, in Belgium, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy.

His final appointment was as the Director of the newly formed Joint Warfare Centre in Norway, responsible for training NATO HQ staff for deployment to theatres such as Afghanistan and the Balkans.

On leaving the RAF, Peter Walker was actively involved with Service charities and veterans' affairs. He was president of the Aircrew Association and a Life Vice President of the overseas branch of the RAFA. He also voluntarily worked with local councillors and charity leaders to improve their strategic planning, leadership and presentation skills.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, Chief of the Air Staff, said: 'I am deeply saddened. Throughout his career Air Marshal Peter Walker showed selfless commitment and total dedication to the RAF; following his retirement his continued contribution to the wider Air Force family was valued highly.'

Peter married Lynda, a teacher, in 1978. They have three grown-up children, Suzie, Robert and James, and a granddaughter, Olive.

Air Marshal Peter Walker, 29 September 1949 – 6 September 2015.