From 12 to 15 January 1942, Walker joined Vanoc, Volunteer, and Witherington in escorting WS 15. Its twenty-two troopships sailed from the Clyde toward Suez, Bombay, and Singapore, with these destroyers accompanying the first leg to Gibraltar. Another assignment on 17 February brought them alongside Malaya, Eagle, Formidable, Hermione, and newer destroyers. The V and W ships formed the outer screen, keeping submarines away from the high-value ships moving toward the Mediterranean. Older destroyers could therefore protect the transit of newer fleet units as well as merchant and troop convoys.
Chapter · 1:11:21-1:13:18
V and W destroyers on the outer troop-convoy screen
Walker's 1942 escorts show older destroyers guarding troop convoys and screening major warships on routes toward Gibraltar and the Mediterranean.