George Walter (30 Jun 1917 - 4 Oct 2019)

In loving memory of George Walter who sadly passed away on 4th October 2019

Born on 30 June 1917, one of seven children, two died in childhood. As a boy he helped on his father’s farm. He rode on a pony with his brother Frank to Miss Evison’s Academy in Horncastle and by bike when the pony died. His secondary education was at Horncastle Grammar School. When he left school he went to work at Horncastle Co-op delivering groceries to the surrounding villages and farms. He was a member of the Jovial Follies concert party where he met Gwen, his future wife.

After the outbreak of the Second World War he volunteered for the army and became a sergeant infantry instructor at Lincoln Barracks, preparing recruits for active service. Long hours on the rifle range affected his hearing in later life. He married Gwen in July 1941 and they made their home in Yarborough Road, Lincoln until the end of the war.

He and Gwen moved to Wyberton after the end of the war and he worked for his brother Charlie as a milkman/farmhand until Charlie retired, and afterwards for Northern Dairies. He and Gwen had two children, Gillian and Robert, and when Robert was 10 months old he bought Gwen a hairdressing business in Kirton and they moved there. After 12 years Gwen retired and they moved to a house in Ralph’s Lane, which George designed and had built.

George was a keen member of Kirton Bowls Club and he and Gwen took up camping (briefly) and then caravanning once the children had left home. They explored most of the British Isles, making many friends, and George was particularly fond of Scotland. He also loved gardening and Gwen never had to buy any vegetables. The surplus went to Titch Burton’s shop in Kirton. They made wine with the fruit he grew and planted grapevines for wine making. George also took up photography joining the Boston photography club and gaining a reputation for the quality of his work.

His son Robert emigrated with his wife and four children to New Zealand and George and Gwen went to spend 6 weeks with them every two years until Gwen’s failing health made this too difficult. George cared for Gwen until her death in 1998. He made his last visit to New Zealand at the end of 1998 at the age of 81 but his eyesight was failing by this time.

Throughout their lives George and Gwen were keen ballroom dancers and it was at Kirton Dance Club that George met Joan who became his devoted carer in his declining years. She became his eyes and ears, and he became her memory, which remained keen to the end of his life. Following the diagnosis of Paget’s disease and a fracture in his thigh he spent the last three and a half years of his life in Ralphland care home.

George’s memory and influence will live on in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all who knew him.