Wally was born on 15th May 1930 and spent most of his early life at the family home in Zante Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool. On 3rd September 1955 he took the marriage vows with Mavis and together they brought up their three children Elaine, Alan and Diane who took them through a wonderful and happy life together in West Derby, Liverpool. Sadly Mavis died on 2nd January 2002.

The South Liverpool Photographic Society was founded in 1954, and soon after that date Wally took up his second marriage, to photography, and became a member of the S.L.P.S. Until his death, Wally was in fact one of the longest serving members of the Society. I think it is fair to say that Wally’s name became synonymous with photography and the S.L.P.S., ‘the South’. He was a great ambassador for the Club and due to his popularity, his big smile and wit, he was the only member to hold the office of President on four occasions for a total of 11 years, one of the finest ‘front men’ the Society has ever known.

For many years Wally worked in the tailors trimming shop, F.S. Owen, in Richmond Street Liverpool. Most lunch times, in the tiny back room of this shop, you would always find Wally, with a few of the South’, putting the Club to rights, complaining about the judge who came to the Club the previous week, or deciding about a photograph for next weeks ‘print of the month comp’- always on the last minute! More committee matters were sorted out there than anywhere else.

His enthusiasm for photography not only made him so popular with the South’ but he also had many other friends in the local Clubs, the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union and beyond. A photographer who inspired many, Wally had one of those very rare qualities of a good seeing eye. For many years he was one of those untouchables in the league tables, particularly with his monochrome prints which brought his name to all of the Clubs’ silverware and trophies. He was an inspiration to all, always willing to help and to guide. He joined the Royal Photographic Society in 1974 and was awarded an A.R.P.S. distinction for a monochrome panel in 1975.

Wally retired from his employment at F.S. Owen in 1984, putting his knowledge and expertise of photography to good use, assisting with teaching projects at Lark Lane and the Lynwood project in West Derby. This gave Wally more time to develop his Wedding Photography, and in 1986 he set up his own business ‘Freeway Photography’ as a very popular and well respected Professional Wedding Photographer.

Wally made a huge impact on photography and to all his many friends. The ‘little’ man with the ‘big’ smile. God bless you Wal, you will always be remembered and sadly missed.

Graham Pickthall