Honorary Colonel Douglas Walker

Biography / January 30, 2017

Mr. Douglas Walker, a successful business owner in Courtenay, was appointed as Honorary Colonel 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron, Comox, BC, in June 2016.

Honorary Colonel Walker was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan but spent most of time growing up in North Battleford where he enjoyed playing hockey and training for 6 years as a sea cadet. It was his sea cadet exposure to Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Quadra in Comox and to HMCS Shearwater in Halifax that completed his education off the prairies.

Honorary Colonel Walker was educated at St Thomas College and University of Saskatchewan. Upon graduation, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and began his naval pilot training. He served as a naval aviator from 1965 and retired from the military was honorably in 1971.

Honorary Colonel Walker moved to the automotive industry and spent a decade with the financial unit (IAC/Continental Bank) where he became a specialist in lending money to the automotive industry; hence transition to direct retail and the purchase of a car dealership. He was the president and owner of Courtenay Mazda for 20 years.

Currently, Honorary Colonel Walker and his son own and operate Walker 24 Menswear an independent high end men’s clothing store in Courtenay.

Honorary Colonel Walker has been a major contributor to the sponsorship programs of 19 Wing airshows since 1998 and a coach and key supporter of local minor hockey in the Valley for many years.

Honorary Colonel Walker has a historical interest in the role of air forces both allied and axis during the Second World War. His father served on a Lancaster squadron, and his uncle served as a navigator on Halifax’s. To this end, he has been collecting art work and books of that era.