15/12/2025
We’re proud to share the remarkable wartime story of Albert Walton, an RAF Wireless Operator and Air Gunner from the North East of England, whose life was saved twice by his Irvin parachute during WWII.
Serving with 101 Squadron on top-secret “ABC” Special Operations, Albert and his crew faced some of the war’s most dangerous missions. On two separate occasions, when his aircraft was compromised, it was silk that carried him safely to the ground, earning him a place in the Caterpillar Club.
This powerful story is a reminder of the courage of Bomber Command aircrew and the lifesaving legacy behind IrvinGQ® parachutes.
Read the full article on our website ⬇️
From West Boldon to Bomber County Albert Walton, a young man from the mining village of West Boldon in North East England, enlisted in the Royal Air Force in April 1941. Training as a Wireless Operator and Air Gunner, he mastered wireless communication, Morse code, and aerial gunnery before earning....