A FORMER chief photographer of the Hampshire Chronicle, George Walsh, has died aged xxxx.

George was born in 1929 at Southampton. He was part of a large family, mainly sisters. His father had been a Sergeant Major in the army and family life was much regimented. During the war the family was evacuated to Winchester, a new pre-fab in Weeke.

His early hobbies were cycling and photography. He was a keen cyclist joining King Alfred Wheelers cycle club, he went on many cycling trips including tours of Wales and Cornwall. He competed in 50 and 100 mile time trials in England. The fixed wheel bicycle is still hanging in his shed at home.

He carried out his national service with the RAF as an electrician and worked on ‘Spitfires’ among other aircraft. He was still competing in cycle races at this time and got into trouble with an officer for laying on his bed during the day, he had just got back after cycling from Andover to Birmingham and back to compete in a cycle race.

George apprenticed as an electrician at Vickers Supermarine at Hursley Park and carried on with the company until it relocated north in the mid fifties. George didn’t want to move from Winchester so as he had always been a keen photographer he applied to join the Hampshire Chronicle. He stayed there for the rest of his professional life recording many historic events like the visit to Broadlands by Charles and Diana shortly after their marriage.

He gained a small aeroplane pilots license which he held for a number of years and took aerial photographs with his colleague Roy Knight from the Hampshire Chronicle.

George joined Winchester Photographic Society, his membership spanning 60 years during which he ran the general exhibition for 31 years, was president twice and made an honorary life president in 1991. He was involved with the Southern Counties photographic Federation and the photographic Alliance of Great Britain holding many roles including president. He is on the Roll of Honour for outstanding work in supporting club photography and was awarded the APAGB. George was always happy to help and gave his spare time as a judge for photographic work and entertaining talks about his work at the newspaper.

George was able to turn his hand to building and he spent a lot of his time on his house at Littleton doing nearly all work on it plus building a ground floor extension and conservatory at the back, a garage at the side and a porch at the front.

George will be remembered by his easy smile and his readiness to help people. He is survived by his wife June, son, four Granddaughters and three great grandchildren.