EXTRACTS
from just some of the many memories, letters,
cards and Email messages received – in no particular order within sections –
from …
Family, Previous Churches, BU and Ministers, Woodley Baptist folk, and other acquaintances
My
husband and I were guests at your parents wedding … Phyllis used to come and
stay with us in Orchard House, here, when we were children. May the Christian
faith sustain you, and fill all your needs.
(Cousin)
Gladys Reed, nee Petch (92), Isleham
I feel
honoured to have met your father and it has given me great pleasure to get to
know him a little more in the last few years. He had such a presence which I
find hard to describe. Images that come to mind are of overwhelming kindness
and understanding, which made me feel privileged to know him. He was so
interested in my little company and I will never forget his support and
enthusiasm.
For a man
of his age to be interested in new things, I think surprised me and for me
that's what was so special - still interested and still wanting to learn - I
hope I can achieve that at his great age.
Rosalind Hodges
I have only met with Uncle Walter a handful of times,
but his kindness and humanity were immediately apparent. … I know he has been
one of those people who become a rock in peoples’ lives.
Hazel and
I are so very saddened by the news of Mr Harris' death. I think Walter touched
so many with kindness in his life. Our thoughts are with you all.
Stuart Smith
Aunt
Margaret and my mother held your father in high esteem, and enjoyed the time
they spent with him, and always looked forward to his letters. I had the
pleasure of meeting Walter many years ago when he came to Canada. What a warm
and wonderful man he was, I shall never forget him.
Lorraine Thwaites &
Margaret Platt (Canada)
What a
wonderful way to go for him BUT a dreadful shock for you all. I so looked
forward to his annual letters each Christmas. … One of my adolescent memories
is going over to the Soham Baptist Church, and seeing the young minister
baptize your darling mother (OUR Phyl!). It had a great effect on me … What a
wonderful servant of the Lord your Dad has been!
With
thanksgiving for a life well-lived, and for all that Walter meant to his family
and to the Church. How wonderful it is, at a time like this, to have our hope
(expectation) in Him who is the “Resurrection and the Life” …
I’m just
looking at a letter he wrote to me last month, always comforting in his words,
as he has been to countless others. I can well remember the day at Soham – I
must have been 5/6 years old, when they came back from a walk in the fields to
announce they were engaged to be married! Such a happy life together …
Heather
Hodges (their niece, and Mum’s bridesmaid!)
He was a
very fine Christian gentleman. I was pleased to have ever met him, with your
Mother when they visited Canada … But who can feel badly for Walter? The
chariot came by and he had no time to even wave. Perhaps his mantle can be
picked up and used for God’s glory.
He was a
true, warm, gentle, sincere and godly man, someone I always enjoyed talking to.
His letter to us when we told you of our engagement was so bright and
encouraging. He obviously set a great example as a father and husband.
I just
give thanks for my cousin Walter’s life. So glad that we were able to meet.
Reg and I
were very distressed to hear of your sad loss – it was so unexpected. We shall
miss Walter so much.
… and other cards and letters from Marie, Pauline and David, Kevin and Caryn; Phil and Mabel (Canada); Elizabeth Phipps; Tricia, Chris and Matt; reg and Winnie (Northolt); ?.
From members of his former churches …
Soham
and Wollaston:
We thank
God for such a useful and dignified life. Father was greatly loved and
respected by all who knew him in Soham.
I have happy
memories of Rev Harris. He married my husband and I; I have never forgotten his
talk to us after the ceremony. He never forgot to send us a card and a letter
at our big anniversaries.
I can remember
many happy times under his ministry. Especially, I recall the time when Walter
baptised me (May 31st 1942), and I became a church member … Rev
Harris always directed people in the right direction, i.e. towards the Lord.
Happy
memories of Rev Harris, his wife and family.
Rawdon
and Guiseley:
I will
always have great memories of both your mum and dad from their time at Rawdon
when they set a wonderful example and taught us all the basics of the Christian
faith - they were precious days.
Neil Hardisty; Rawdon
My
present minister excepted[1],
your father is the one who has had the most influence on my life and I have
much to thank him for. I remember him also as “Captain’s husband”, of course,
often showing quiet amusement but always unending patience to those of us who
visited the manse for our weekly Guide meetings or even invaded the paddock to
practise fire-lighting, often with a few encouraging words from him.
Carol Milner (nee Jones);
Rawdon
Our memories
… Super-delicious home-grown veg. for dinner at Coleford; glorious cyclamen;
the shrink plastic secondary double-glazing, cutting out 100% of the draughts
from the casement windows; long walks through the Forest of Dean, then later
energetic walks near Ivenloe. Tess running there and back – twice as far as we
walked. Phyllis’ new recipes for a cake or a pudding; the garden – mainly fruit
and veg. Stories of Girl Guide camping.
He was a
good and godly man, whose gentle manner and devout life made their own very deep
impression. The example set by him and your mother of a truly Christian home
and family life made a considerable impression on all who knew them, as we
ourselves were so deeply aware when members of the church in Rawdon.
(Rev)
David S Russell; Rawdon
I
feel I have lost a very dear friend …He really lived and witnessed for his
faith, and has left many happy memories in the hearts of those who knew him.
Margaret Hardisty; Rawdon
Our
family has many wonderful memories of both your father and mother. He was a
much-loved Minister at Guiseley, and we were privileged to link up with them
both at Coleford, when we lived in Gloucestershire.
Peter
and Margaret Jackson; Guiseley
I
held him in deep affection and real respect; I knew him from 1960 when I joined
the Baptist Church at Giuseley. He was a quiet but wise and astute man, full of
concern and real understanding.
Sandra Jones (nee Kellett); Guiseley
… and other letters from Margaret Johnson (nee Barmby), Joan Wade (Yeadon; guiding); Judy (nee Fawcett) and Bob Coates; John and Rosemary Stephenson; John Craven; June (nee Wight) and Arthur Baker; Julia (nee Jackson) and Gordon Cole; Joyce (nee Craven) Scully; Kate (nee Moore) Pursglove; Liz (nee Wilson) Exley; Roy and Marjorie Jones; .
Coleford:
He was a man
of gentleness yet strong of character, and a wonderful Christian minister who
never shirked responsibility at whatever personal sacrifice. He was loved and
respected by all who knew him, and many here will have benefited by his wisdom,
understanding and gracious ministry. It was a privilege to see him again at our
recent celebrations …
He was a
true saint of the Church, a man of unshakable faith and love for his Lord, whom
he served with total commitment all his life. … His legacy in our church was
one of vision and careful change, which laid the foundation for our work today!
I have
many happy memories of the time in Coleford, and the love and devotion of your
parents. It can truly be said of your father “well done, good and faithful
servant”.
I
appreciate the care and support during preparation for work and in the Congo,
and the pastoral care and concern for the family I left behind.
… a loved
one, truly a man of God … having served and loved Him for so many years.
Your
father also baptised me at Coleford, and later married me and Ken in the
newly-adapted building. It was a lovely service and a happy day.
… and other letters from Muriel and David
Harris; Alma Tippins (Symonds Yat); Alan and Lindsay (Couling family); Bert and
Irene Swinyard; ?
Little
Kimble:
From the Baptist Union, Spurgeon’s College, Ministerial colleagues, etc …
His
ministries which began in 1937 have taken him to a variety of churches in different
parts of the country. That is usually understood as a sign of a person with an
“all round ministry”. As such there will be many n those churches who will
remember him with thanksgiving, and we honour such ministry as a Union.
(Rev)
Malcolm Goodspeed, Baptist Union
How
wonderful to think of his early studies at Spurgeon’s (1932-36) – I will need
to look up whether this was the first BD, but it stirs my memory the fact that
this was his historic achievement. Similarly his on-going work with the MTh was
a striking pioneer achievenment.. It was his gifts of friendship and
winsomeness that particularly struck me at my last conversation with him … we
remain grateful for his service, and his part in our story here at Spurgeon’s.
(Rev)
Michael Quicke; Principal, Spurgeon’s College
He was a
loyal and highly respected colleague … a life member of this Fellowship for
nearly 30 years, and before then had served us as Librarian, a job for which he
was well-suited and from which we all benefitted.
Walter
was a great servant of God and he will be sadly missed.
… and other letters from the Southern Area Superintendent, Spurgeon’s College Conference, the Southern Baptist Association; Gar Tydeman (Wokingham); Paul Rigden-Green.
From members and former members of Woodley Baptist Church …
...
thanksgiving to God for a gentle and gracious man who will always live in our
memory. He was the ideal retired minister for a young minister in his first
church to have in the congregation. We were very fond of him.
(Rev) Stuart Woodward
He was
such a lovely man, and will be greatly missed by everyone.
Like so
many we shall always remember you father as a most godly and gracious man. He
truly was one of God's Gentle-men.
(Rev) Jeff & Pauline
Taylor
A
wonderful man, quiet, always there … a wonderful example … we respected his
wisdom, his walk with the Lord.
Every now
and again you have the great blessing and privilege of meeting and knowing
someone very special, someone who communicates a different level of grace and
who communicates real peace and tranquillity. Mr. Harris did that and our lives
will be the poorer for his no longer being there - at least this side of glory.
Sue and Dave Partington
He was
such a lovely man, and we feel privileged to have known him even for a short
time.
He was a
truly remarkable man, greatly loved by all … I found in Walter a valued colleague
of rich experience, great wisdom, and remarkable gentleness and humility. I
shall remember Walter as a faithful servant of Christ, a loving pastor, a
gracious friend, but most of all as a man of God.
(Rev)
David and Margaret Barter
Our
abiding memory will be of Walter standing quietly at the back of church never
pushing himself on anyone but always interested and you knew that his interest
carried into prayer by the fact that he was usually bang up to date with the
news. We thank God for the opportunity
we had to get to know him a little and rejoice with God over one of His works
of art.
Martin & Debbi Hosken (
from Thailand)
Our memory of Walter “Grandad” Harris (as we always
referred to him) at home … a man of quiet spirit but with a depth beyond
measure, a true man of God. His prayers in church were a joy to listen to, and
a challenge to our hearts.
He was such a wonderful man, with such a wealth of
knowledge, and a calm, quiet way of explaining the Bible.
We give thanks for every memory of Walter; of
graciousness, of faithfulness, of being an out and out gentleman; for his
leading of intercessory prayer – an example of a Christian life to the glory of
God.
… and many many others, too numerous to include here. Ken and Ivy Merchant; Martin and Dawn
Osborn; Mary Pryor (Kathy Spry’s mother); Katy (nee Trickett) and Charlie
Berry; Gillian Murray; Ruth Steere are some of the former Woodley folk who
wrote to us.
He was such
a help to us at East Ilsley for several years, he understood our situation so
well. We could always ask his advice, which he so willingly gave.
He was a
charming man and truly one of nature’s gentlemen.
Ann
Carter (our dentist)
… and cards/letters from a number of neighbours, former friends of
Bernard and Katie, and our respective work colleagues.