Diana Barnato Walker

Diana Barnato Walker MBE FRAeS (15 January 1918 – 28 April 2008) was a pioneering British aviator. In World War II, she became one of the first women pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary, flying 80 types of aircraft and delivering 260 Spitfires. In 1963, she became the first British woman to break the sound barrier, flying at Mach 1.6, which also represented a world air speed record for women.

Early life Diana Barnato was born on 15 January 1918 in London, the younger daughter of Woolf Joel Barnato (1895–1948), a financier and racing driver, and Dorothy Maitland, née Falk (1892/3–1961). In 1936, at the age of 18, she was a debutante and was presented to King Edward VIII at Buckingham Palace. She attended Queen's College, London.

From an early age, she became interested in aircraft and at age 20 she decided to become a pilot. Her initial training was in Tiger Moths at the Brooklands Flying Club, the aerodrome being located within the famous motor racing circuit in Surrey. She showed a natural aptitude for flying and made her first solo flight after only six hours of dual instruction. They were married at the Ritz Carlton in London. Her paternal grandfather was a British Jew, Barney Barnato (1851–1897), a co-founder of the De Beers mining company in Johannesburg.

Personal life She was engaged to Squadron Leader Humphrey Trench Gilbert DFC of No. 65 Sqn RAF in April 1942, but he died in a flying accident 2 May 1942 when Spitfire BL372/YT-Z crashed at Loves Farm, Cutlers Green, Thaxted, Essex. With him in the Spitfire was Flt Lt David Gordon Ross. They took off from Great Sampford, the RAF Debden satellite station, having consumed 6-8 bottles each of Benskins Colne Springs beer, according to the licensee of the pub. This information was not revealed until after the Court of Enquiry. The Commanding Officer tried to borrow a Magister but his flight sergeant, realising that he was in no fit state to fly, told him it was unserviceable. He then took a Spitfire.