J H 1962 - 1972
Word has reached us of the sad news that Chris Walker passed away in January 2022. He was aged 66. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and those who knew him well.
If you would like to have your memories of Chris posted on this webpage, please feel free to email them to TWS@wycliffe.co.uk
There is an obituary posted online elsewhere, here:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/24/chris-walker-obituary
A tribute page has also been set up – which includes details of the funeral service – and can be viewed here:
At Wycliffe:
Sports: Shooting VI
Member: A.T.C., Science Society, Computer Society, Literary Society, Bridge Club.
Memories from OWs:
I was sorry to read about Chris’s death. He was the first boy I met on my first day at Wycliffe Junior School in September 1964. As we were both from Painswick, he was delegated to show me around and to make sure that I made it to the right lessons and to lunch (in Windrush). He did a good job, which really helped me to settle in. For the next 4 years we were in the same form, before being separated when I was held back for a year. I also remember sharing “adventures” out of school in the countryside around Painswick – I’m sure such freedom would not be given to children by parents of 8-12 year olds these days. We would disappear for hours. For much of our time at Wycliffe, we were part of a shared car pool. My father was one of those who would drive us in, and Chris’s father used to drive us home. My memory is that Chris was always late in the morning and that it used to drive my father crazy. Via the Painswick “grapevine” I knew he had become a Doctor, but our paths diverged completely, and I don’t think we ever met after we left Wycliffe in the early 70’s. But it’s amazing the memories that you retain – good ones as far as Chris is concerned.
Eric Harris (J SH 1964 – 1973)
I remember him as we were contemporaries at Wycliffe. He had a great sense of humour and loved to do practical science to entertain himself and others. Two things I particularly remember. I is his making fireworks by rolling up silver paper and using a couple of matchsticks to insert it across the two positive and neutral contacts on a 240 volt socket. He would then flick the switch and we’d all enjoy the subsequent mini explosion. He then increased the amount of silver paper until the “fuse” held, and one blew on the main fuse board in Coll! I think there was a mini black out. Then again he liked to make gun cotton, or similar by nitrating cotton wool in the lab in one of the many lesson we had when no teacher turned up. This he would then use around the school in various ways. Like sprinkling the dust on the floor so that when walked on it would crackle with ever step. Or putting it on doorhandles. So sad to hear he has passed well before his time. and his obituary told me many things I never imagined of him having last seen him in 1972.
John Hammond (W 1968-1972)
