Gordon Wallis Talbot 58 – 62
11.12.44 – 23.1.2021

Gordon was the eldest son of Martin and Barbara, followed by Christopher and Elizabeth, with the family living in Worksop. Tragedy struck in the brothers’ early childhood when they contracted polio, spending many months in isolation in hospital, creating a lifelong bond between them. Gordon met the challenge of learning to walk again using callipers with determination, as he did the rest of life.

Both were educated at Ranby Preparatory School and Worksop College, with Gordon transferring to the College in1958. Christopher joined him later in Talbot House overseen by Mr Peters.

Gordon pursued a career in the Law. He was articled to Clay Allison and Clark of Worksop and studied at London and Guildford Law Colleges.  He practised as a solicitor in Nottingham, gaining a formidable reputation in his speciality, property, becoming a partner at Browne Jacobson.

Sport was a great interest to Gordon. He scored for the College’s first cricket team and umpired for Clumber Park and Nottingham Amateurs CC’s. He supported the English Rugby team enjoying fixtures at Twickenham and was secretary of Nottingham Rugby Club.

Good natured and outgoing, Gordon had friends from all walks of life, some made at The Rotary and The Round Table, where he raised funds to eradicate polio.

A family man, he married Eve in 1977, welcoming her daughters Karen and Julie. Their son Giles arrived in 1980. Together they enjoyed holidays in Wales and he and Eve travelled widely with The Rotary and on their own behalf. All admired Eve for her help when, in later years, Gordon’s disability became troublesome.

He had fond memories of his time at Worksop College and was a highly respected and popular member of The Old Worksopian Society. Sadly, Gordon had a brain haemorrhage which caused a short illness. He is survived by his wife Eve and son Giles.

Words by Christopher Wallis

"I was at Ranby and then Worksop around 1953-60 with Gordon, who had a friend in Parwich and he came to our village a few times so I enjoyed meeting him.

He was a polio victim and became our school cricket scorer so enjoyed ‘away matches‘ which was always a highlight.

My village friend Financial Journalist with the Nottingham Press, Richard Tressider, has written an obituary for the Nottingham press, I am astounded at what Gordon did, but I know our OWs from the 60s will be impressed by what Gordon has done. I don’t know if you look at Cricket scores but Gordon could give you a diagram of where the runs were scored and would draw the plan for the school notice board.

He was a very special person."
Stuart Chambers Portland 56 - 60