Ellis Arnold Walton (better known as "Fred" Walton) was born on April 23 1929 in Spot Bay, Cayman Brac. He spent his early childhood in Spot Bay and at the age of 16 began sailing with Kirk Line Ships.. He credited much of his success in life to his maritime foundation received under the tutelage of Edwin Walton, his grandfather. Soon after leaving Kirk Line Ships, he went to sea with the National Bulk Carriers. As a testament to his skill as a seaman, Ellis Walton was appointed as Chief Mate of the Danginn in 1961. The Danginn was the private yacht of the late American billionaire Daniel K. Ludwig. Daniel Ludwig was the owner of National Bulk Carriers and he hand selected the the best and brightest amongst the officers of National Bulk Carriers. This was an extraordinary appointment. It should be noted that the Captain of the Danginn was also a Caymanian. In the early 1970's Ellis Walton moved to the United States and joined the Gulf Oil Corporation where he became an American licensed 2nd Mate for 20 years. In the latter part of his career Ellis worked as an 2nd Mate Officer for the Trinidad Corporation. His primary responsibility was Navigator throughout his career which spanned 50 years and traveled the world.. Ellis Walton's biography on the face of it seems quite familiar in these islands and can be commonly found in our annals, but we forget the humble origins of this man and others like him. He would have had a poor education in a one room Spot Bay schoolhouse - and leaving school at 16. Imagine how he sat through exams with such a rudimentary education' Imagine how he was able to read complex instrumentation - as during his career: navigation transitioned from manual to analog to digital' One can only imagine that such a life can go by unnoticed. So common in these parts. So heroic.

Ellis Arnold Walton (better known as "Fred" Walton) was born on April 23 1929 in Spot Bay, Cayman Brac. He spent his early childhood in Spot Bay and at the age of 16 began sailing with Kirk Line Ships.. He credited much of his success in life to his maritime foundation received under the tutelage of Edwin Walton, his grandfather. Soon after leaving Kirk Line Ships, he went to sea with the National Bulk Carriers. As a testament to his skill as a seaman, Ellis Walton was appointed as Chief Mate of the Danginn in 1961. The Danginn was the private yacht of the late American billionaire Daniel K. Ludwig. Daniel Ludwig was the owner of National Bulk Carriers and he hand selected the the best and brightest amongst the officers of National Bulk Carriers. This was an extraordinary appointment. It should be noted that the Captain of the Danginn was also a Caymanian. In the early 1970's Ellis Walton moved to the United States and joined the Gulf Oil Corporation where he became an American licensed 2nd Mate for 20 years. In the latter part of his career Ellis worked as an 2nd Mate Officer for the Trinidad Corporation. His primary responsibility was Navigator throughout his career which spanned 50 years and traveled the world.. Ellis Walton's biography on the face of it seems quite familiar in these islands and can be commonly found in our annals, but we forget the humble origins of this man and others like him. He would have had a poor education in a one room Spot Bay schoolhouse - and leaving school at 16. Imagine how he sat through exams with such a rudimentary education' Imagine how he was able to read complex instrumentation - as during his career: navigation transitioned from manual to analog to digital' One can only imagine that such a life can go by unnoticed. So common in these parts. So heroic.