Ken Walker a familiar sporting sight

Press, 11 July 1979, Page 16

Ken Walker a familiar sporting sight

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

Sport in Canterbury has lost a staunch supporter with the recent death of Colonel K. J. Walker. He was almost as much a fixture at major sports events as is the figure of Father Time at Lord's cricket ground. Ken Walker was 92 when lie died, but until a year or so ago, he could always be found at the golf, tennis, cricket, billiards championships. He was a discerning but kindly critic, watching golfs passing parade from a shooting stick, always with a spaniel sitting still as a sentinel at his sideThe spaniels, all called Bob, came and went; Ken Walker seemed ageless. He had an impressive sporting background. He was a member at Shirley for more than 50 years, and when playing at his best he had a handicap of three.

He was best-known, however, as a tennis player of distinct accomplishments. He represented Canterbury on a good many occasions and played in several Wilding Shield challenges. In 1928, although over 40 years old. he distinguished himself in a challenge against Wellington. His doubles combination with the New Zealand champion Charlie Angas overcame the pair then regarded as New Zealandls best — Cam Matfrov and Don France. Ken Walker won particular distinction as a doubles placer. B >rh ln"elson. he was

an accountant when he joined the First N.ZE.F. He joined the regular Army on his return in 1919 and became adjutant at the General Headquarters school in Wellington. He was appointed area officer in Christchurch in 1926 and in 1932-33 was brigade major with the 3rd New Zealand Mounted Rifles. He became assistant adjutant-general at Southern Headquarters in 1939 and officer in charge of administration in 1941, In 1946 he was assistant adjutant-general at Army Headquarters. He retired in 1947.

Brigadier J. T Burrows paid tribute to Colonel Walker’s service in the years preceding the Second World War.

“Between the wars there was a team of dedicated officers and warrant officers who were wellknown as instructors in school cadet corps.” he said. “Ken Walker was a very good instructor, with tremendous enthusiasm for the army and for military training. No-one then was giving a thought to the coming war and only this grorp, known as the staff corps, kept the flag flying.

“The army then was at its lowest possible, ebb numerically. down to only a small part of its noffiinal establishment. The corps’ deserved tremendous credit for what it did. We

Colonel Walker has a niche of his own in golf history, too. On May 31, 1936 he wa- playing at Shirley wiffßv. T. de R

Harman against the father and son combination of M. H. Godby and P. R. Godby. At the short ninth, Harman had the honour and holed his tee shot. Walker played next. Then M. H. Godby sank his tee shot to halve the hole, the first time, until then, that a four-ball match had brought a half irwmes. A mart of firm views,

Ken Walker sometimes expressed them vigorously. There was a notable occasion when he might have made a speech, but refused to. He was on his shooting stick as usual, a Bob beside him, about 50 metres from the fourth tee at Shirley during a Canterbury championship. A player duck-hooked his

drive and the ball, travelling at high speed, struck Colonel Walker on a shin with a dreadful report. It must have been agonising, but Ken Walker simply stood up. He didn’t say a word. Such self-discipline was typical of him. But he had a warm affection for sport, and it was the better for him.