Walker collided with HMS Vanquisher on 10 September 1939 while returning from escorting convoy OB2. Fourteen men died in the collision, about 200 nautical miles southwest of Cape Clear. An account cited here, with reference to Andrew Williams's The Battle of the Atlantic, describes men trapped with fatal wounds and alleges that Walker's first lieutenant shot them to end their suffering. Walker remained under her own power, took wounded aboard, and at times helped tow Vanquisher; other escorts, including Winchelsea, did most of the towing. Walker reached Plymouth by 14 September and returned to operations in November 1939. Vanquisher remained out of service until January 1940.
Notable Point · 42:20-46:31
The Vanquisher collision and rescue of the wounded
The September 1939 collision killed fourteen men and left Walker helping rescue survivors and tow the more badly damaged Vanquisher.