Policeman Albert Walker, who saved life of soldier in drowning tragedy, dies aged 87

A former policeman who helped rescue the only surviving soldier in a tragedy in which ten men drowned has died.

Mr Albert Walker died at his home in Collingham last Thursday aged 87.

A minute’s silence was held before a game at Collingham Football Club on Sunday in his memory.

Mr Walker was on duty on September 28, 1975 when he was called to Cromwell, where soldiers from the Independent Parachute Squadron of the Royal Engineers Territorial Army had been on a night exercise on the River Trent.

They were swept over Cromwell Weir. Mr Walker was involved in rescuing one soldier, who was saved after clinging on to his boat for an hour.

Mr Walker was born in Nottingham and left school aged 17 to join the Royal Navy. He served for nine years, leaving as a chief stoker.

He returned to Nottingham, working at an engineering factory for a short time before being encouraged by his family to join the police.

Mr Walker served in Beeston and Hucknall before moving to Collingham in 1957 to cover the village and surrounding areas.

A familiar figure patrolling his patch on a bicycle, Mr Walker remained Collingham’s policeman until the 1970s, when he was transferred to Southwell. He retired in 1979.

Mr Walker’s eldest son, Mr Robert Walker, of Collingham, said his father loved being a policeman and serving his community.

Mr Albert Walker wrote two books about his experiences and was a regular contributor to the Advertiser’s letters pages.

He married his wife, Catherine, in March 1953. She died in 1998.

Mr Walker leaves five children, Mr Robert Walker, Mrs Christine Clegg, Mr John Walker, Mr Brian Walker and Mrs Kate Lowden. A further daughter, Gladys-Ann, died in 2001.

He also leaves 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr Walker’s funeral will be at All Saints’ Church, North Collingham, on a date to be arranged. There will be a guard of honour from the Royal Naval Association. His coffin will be draped with the Union Flag.

Funeral details will be available from the Lincolnshire Co-operative Society Funeral Services, Newark.