It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wally, a true Hertford RFC man and regular supporter until his failing health prevented it. I understand he made his last last visit to Hoe Lane very recently for a lunchtime cuppa and chat with Martin Harvey and and the ground crew.
Below is Martins tribute that gives an essence of the a wonderful friend of HRFC.
Rest well old friend

Wally died on 9th May aged 96 after a short illness. He was one of our oldest Vice Presidents and had supported the club for all his adult life.

Wally was one of the band of volunteers who built the original club at Hoe Lane – literally digging the foundations and sewers by hand. And for many years he ran the operation of the club and bar with the likes of Doug Drew.

He played much of his rugby in Roy Crook’s ExB, a social side with an ethos that even the Termites would envy. Many of the games were south of the river “meet Waterloo Station under the clock 1.00pm” followed by supper in Soho – and a final after- hours drink in The Mustard Pot Country Club in Broxbourne.

Following his playing years Wally refereed games at the club and until recently was a regular supporter at Home League games.

Wally also played rugby whilst in the Royal Navy, twice being on the winning side in the Fleet Cup– an inter ship competition. m

His career in engineering started on a Navy Destroyer and progressed through senior
appointments in the brewing, food and pharmaceuticals industries, and the NHS.
After retirement, ever active, he was honoured to be elected President of The Society of
Operations Engineers.

Let us celebrate a most interesting and productive life, well lived, right to the end.