Memories of a Great Man

Greetings,

On the 6th of July 2014, Brad Walker passed away, he was surrounded by his three children and their spouses. He passed away after a long fight with chest infections which go back seven years, and also due to injuries sustained during a fall almost a week earlier. These are the simple facts, but they hide a much more important story, he was my dad.

My dad was great. He is not a person whose name you will find in any history books, nor will there be grand memorials built to honour him, yet he was great. He was great to his family and great to his friends. All who knew him will remember him as he touched all of their lives in different ways. To some he was father, to some he was brother, cousin, son, nephew, husband, grandfather, father-in-law and friend. I am sure that he is now with my mother, the love of his life and they are happy again together. This gives me great comfort.

For me my father was a great teacher, he taught me right from wrong and how a man should act. He taught me how to play cricket, he taught me how to shoot, most of all he taught me one of the most important lessons of all, don't quit. Regardless of what you are up against, regardless of the odds which are against you, don't quit. Fight your hardest, so even if you do fail that you know you did your best.

My father supported me in what I wanted to do, regardless of how off-beat or crazy it was. Unlike my friends who wanted to have "conventional" occupations, I decided I wanted to be an historian. My father supported me in this, giving me two great tools to use to assist in this, an inquiring mind. and his support. Later I decided that I wanted to write, and start a fencing school, once again he was there with support, asking how things were going and giving advice about things I should think about. I was never lacking for support from him.

I do not think it necessary to give specific memories of my father and myself here to show you the man who I am talking about. I also do not think it necessary to show you images of my father to show you who he was. The important thing is that he was my father and he was great. He may not be remembered in the history books, but he will be remembered by many.

Cheers,

Henry.