SW pilot's life novel-worthy
It could be a story straight from the pages of any adventure novel.
Flight-Sgt Brian Walley, who had just gained his wings as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, was en route to bomb Berlin in 1941 in a twin-engine Whitley when his plane was shot at by German forces.
The English pilot lost one engine and, as the crew scrambled to lighten the plane's load to stop the quick descent of altitude, it was all but lost as the plane plunged towards the North Sea, struggling on one engine.
Finally, as the plane hit the water about midnight on November 6, the five airmen had no choice but to abandon the aircraft and clamber into a life raft.
In freezing conditions, and with only a small amount of rations, they contemplated how long they could be waiting before help was sent.
Over two days at sea all of Brian's crew perished.
Brian was also close to death before he was picked up by a German seaplane and became a prisoner of war.
"I have several very fond memories of the prison war life," Brian said.
"I was very friendly with two New Zealand airmen kicked out of the hospital to a PoW camp at the same time and we stuck together.
"Those friendships, the true friendships, will last through time and distance.
"There's no getting away from that."
Brian spent six months in a German hospital before being sent to PoW camp Stalag 383.
He was only 17 when he joined the Royal Air Force, and on a survey of one of the camps he was in throughout his two years as a PoW he discovered he was the youngest of 5000 men.
In 1945, Brian found out he was to be moved to a new camp in Poland.
He was marched from the camp in Hohenfels, Bavaria, to the Polish camp in waist-deep snow and with very little to eat and having very little sleep.
At the new camp, Brian and a number of other men decided they'd had enough and would make a break for freedom.
Three-and-a-half years to the day since Brian had left England to bomb Berlin, he was free. Having walked 50 miles over two days, Brian and his comrades finally reached the American front line.
Brian later returned home and married his hometown sweetheart. He fathered five children, who gave him 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Brian and his wife Mair now live a quiet life in Margaret River, with memories of a full life and great friendships held closely to their hearts.
