I sit to write a verse or two of a man I'm glad to know

And though I think of him fondly the words come oh so slow

Sharp of wit and kind of heart, he is a man of wonder

I pause to choose these careful words in case that I should blunder

He tells the tale of Irish lass, he tells the tale of war

He makes me laugh with many a joke but there is so much more

A charmer of the lady, a good mate to the lad

A friend of Arthur Guinness and the whisky that he's had

So here I choose to find an end in case that I should falter

And always proud I will be to be a friend of Walter

 Mick Hattam

Sydney

July 2001

_________________

I would like to thank Walter for all he has done, for the time, the effort and the energy that we can never repay. He is a true soldier in life and is loved by us all a great deal despite our differences at times.

 We have shared a family and a life and have exchanged some important lessons. I have never met a man quite like my stepfather. He is an example to us all of how to be.

 Jan Batten

Livingston

July 2001

 __________________

 Walter is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I admire his zest for life and his wacky sense of humour. He is always cheerful and didn't mind at all when his 'Tammyshanta' was knocked off  when riding the dodgem cars on Sandown pier whilst celebrating his eightieth birthday.

 He is a real fun guy and it is a pleasure to know him.

 Barbara Hartnell

London

July 2001

____________

 My father's gifts to us of a Presbyterian upbringing, a Scottish education and a Socialist point of view are worth so much more than any material legacy.

 Thanks a million, Dad. 

Jean Inglis

London

July 2001

 _____________

The finest man I've ever known

Was born in 1921

Working class, self taught, well read

Ideas running through his head

Left school early, started to toil

Till war broke out and duty called

Soldiered in England, Ireland, Greece

Then in '45 there was peace

He met and married Gladys Coles

A beautiful girl with a heart of gold

Two daughters followed, they brought them up well

Gave then values to live by, a safe place to dwell  

Years passed in a Civil Service career

That lasted for some thirty years

Right thinking, left leaning, along union lines

Politics an interest that took up much time

Campaigns to manage, elections to win

All with fair play and never with spin

The death of his wife caused sadness galore  

But then a new wife and new family of four

A life full of work, politics and more

Always he does what's right for sure

High standards, consideration, duty and care

Thinking of others before taking his share

But none of this tells what our real feelings are

For this person so dear and so near yet so far

No brief outline of things he has done

Can convey his humour and sense of fun

Easy to please, ready to give

He takes joy in living, is joy to be with

So this may explain why we're so truly glad

That he is, always was, always will be

'Wor Dad'

Margaret Inglis

Sydney

July 2001

___________