WALFORD Lindon

The birth of Lyndon Walford is registered in the March Quarter 1918 under the W. Bromwich Registration District, mother’s maiden name: Lyndon.

Lyndon Walford was born in Birmingham on 21st January 1918. He joined the Cunard Steamship Company as a 4th Mate on 21st April 1934 and served on 160475 until 14th January 1937 when he transferred to the Bothnia. He was discharged from the Bothnia in February 1938 and joined the Royal Naval Reserve. After training he was posted in October 1939 to HMS Iron Duke, the Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow, transferring in March 1940 to HMS Chitral, an armed merchant cruiser. In 1940 he transferred to submarine training. After almost 10 months at HM Submarine Medway he joined HM Submarine Pandora on 1st April 1941. Lyndon married Mercie Tarbell Clay on 23rd September 1941 at St John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

Sources for additional information: Merchant Navy Seamen Records. Royal Naval Reserve Officers via the following link:
http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNR_officersW.html

Link still valid 12th August 2023

HM Submarine Pandora was launched on 22nd August 1929.  On 1st April 1942 she was moored at Hamilton Wharf, Valetta, Malta, having recently arrived from Gibraltar loaded with supplies, when she came under attack from Italian aircraft.  The submarine took two direct hits from bombs and sank in 4 minutes with the loss of 2 officers and 25 men.

Lyndon Walford has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Portsmouth Naval Memorial.