RAF Brize Norton News

Warrant Officer Windell ‘Joe’ Walcott’s name will forever be remembered; Building 78, formally known as 'Engineering and Logistics Wing Headquarters', will be named 'The Walcott Building'. The decision was made to name the building after an individual who has a strong link to RAF Brize Norton, either through endeavours on operations or through commitment to the community.  

Windell ‘Joe’ Walcott, who was a Warrant Officer Quartermaster, served for 30 years, predominantly at RAF Brize Norton.  Windell, known as 'Joe' to his friends, was born in Jamaica in the year 1926. He was always hugely proud of his Jamaican roots, and the belief that its place in the Commonwealth meant that he had a responsibility to play his part. Thus, after reading a ‘your country needs you’ poster, he joined the RAF in 1945 as a teenager. Joe served in the RAF for 34 years, completing tours in Cyprus, Malta, Germany and Singapore. He rose through the ranks throughout his time in service retiring in 1979 as a Warrant Officer, having spent most of his career here at RAF Brize Norton. His sons, Don and Jimmy, then followed in their father’s footsteps, serving a further 17 and 22 years in the RAF respectively.

Upon retiring from the RAF and then joining the civil service, Joe and his wife Loretta were already the backbone of Carterton as they had devoted so much time to the town and its community. In 1995 Joe was elected into both Carterton Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council, making him the first black Councillor in West Oxfordshire, as well as one of the first black Conservative Councillors in Britain. Within these roles, Joe significantly promoted the RAF and strived to improve access to, and provision of, services for RAF families in the area. 

Moreover, Joe served as a primary school governor and was also on the committee of the Neighbourhood and Advice Centre. Due to his selflessness and popularity within the community he became the Mayor of Carterton in 2000, holding the post for 2 years. Subsequently, on leaving the role of Mayor, Joe spent a further 4 years as Chairman of the district council whilst Loretta was elected as town councillor during this time. Throughout his time Joe was able to transcend political division. In 2006 he received an MBE for his services to the community and was awarded it by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

As Building 78 is the hub of the Station Quality, Standards and Practices and Assurance, dedicating the building to Joe is fitting, given the legacy that he has left behind.