Walker family

The Walker family are Commander Ted Walker of the Royal Navy, his Australian-born wife Mary Walker and their children, often called the Swallows: John, Susan, Titty, Roger and Bridget.

Swallow's ship's papers state that she is owned by Walkers Limited (although her actual native owners are the Jacksons).

Where do the Walkers live?

The Walkers are frequently described as living in the South; eg in WH5 when their experience of skating is compared with that of the D's, the Walkers lived mostly in the south. In England, regions are often described by relative direction from London, so "the South" is much smaller than "the North" for example. Daddy would have often been stationed at one of the many South Coast Naval ports, and the family often visited Falmouth.

One possible residence could be Plymouth, as Roger had experienced hearing steamers' foghorns there:

"I will, anyway," said the boy, and a few damp sheep up on the top of the moor were startled by hearing what they did not know was the deep hooting of an Atlantic liner feeling the way towards Plymouth in a Channel fog. (SD: 'Fog on the moor')

Schooling

All the four older Walkers go to boarding schools as is shown by them having to get their quarantine papers signed before going back to school in WH. John and Susan go to school nearer the Lake than Titty and Roger, who have to travel further to get there (PP1).

Native prototypes

As a family the Walkers have some resemblance to the Altounyan family, with the notable exception that the oldest Altounyan child, Taqui is a girl and she is not called John. Also, their youngest child's name, Brigit differs in spelling from that of Bridget Walker.

Native sources

Arthur Ransome's first wife (and the mother of Tabitha Ransome) was Ivy Walker, and the first draft of Swallows and Amazons was written in a Walker's Loose-leaf Transfer Case (CFT1).