Poem for Walter, on the occasion of his memorial celebration You understood what it takes to build a person like you. Materials such as loss, heartbreak, confusion, crushing separation and an early awareness Of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet you organised all of this within A quiet certainty of being loved. You rarely spoke of any of this, but you always knew which side was up. This meant there were other things you knew, too: Such as how German beer was the best (but you rarely drank it yourself); Why every single person you met was worth talking to (but you didn’t try to impress them). How you could make a difference by holding the space for a child, Simply by listening and being kind. How to be interested, and free of prejudice. You made loyalty and fidelity look easy. Sometimes it seemed as if you lived in a condition of simplicity, As if life was straightforward; As if you knew for certain we are all ok, as if you knew You can always catch the last train home. Alyss Thomas (niece) February 2017

I will always remember Walter as a dear friend. Michael (my late husband) and Walter started work at Courtaulds around the same time in 1946. When they got together in the 1980's they had many memories to chat about from those days. Michael was very fond of Walter and admired his principles and kind deeds. We spent many happy times together with Ruth and Walter.

We hope that you find this tribute to Wal a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.