- Tributes pour in for much-loved Air Marshal Peter Walker who fully embraced island life
- The Lieut Governor had attended a charity event hours earlier
- See some of the tributes that have been Tweeted below
TRIBUTES have been paid to Guernsey’s Lieutenant-Governor, who died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 65.
Air Marshal Peter Walker, who had been in the post for four years, died hours after attending the island’s Specsavers Reach for a Star event on Saturday night.
He leaves a wife and three children.
His secretary, Marco Ciotti, said the Walker family were due to fly in to the island. Guernsey’s Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, will now take over the former RAF officer’s role until a replacement is found.
Air Marshal Walker – the Queen’s representative in Guernsey – was a highly regarded and much-loved Lieutenant-Governor.
His duties included hosting ceremonies at Government House, supporting the charitable sector, attending sporting events and observing political debates in Guernsey, Sark and Alderney.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that the Queen ‘had been informed of the sad news’ and would be sending a private letter of condolence to the Walker family.
In a statement released yesterday, Jersey’s Bailiff William Bailhache said the news of Air Marshal Walker’s death was a ‘great shock’.
He added: ‘Air Marshal Walker was in his last year of service in Guernsey and has been assiduous in his work on behalf of the Bailiwick.
‘On behalf of the States and the people of Jersey, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs Walker and her family, whom we will hold in our thoughts and prayers, and likewise to extend our condolences to the people of Guernsey for their loss.’
Bailiff Sir Richard Collas said the news had been ‘devastating’.
He said Air Marshal Walker had made a huge contribution to the island and added: ‘He was very well liked.
‘Both he and his wife committed themselves fully to life on the island.
‘They went to lots of events and won themselves many friends.
‘It is clear he loved the Bailiwick and people loved him back.’
He said Mrs Walker was in shock.
‘She has asked that she and her family are left alone while they come to terms with this tragedy,’ he added.
Chief Minister Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said he was sad to hear of the sudden death.
‘Since moving to Guernsey in April 2011, Peter fully embraced island life, playing a leading role in the community, particularly in respect of the support that he gave to many local charitable causes and youth organisations,’ he said.
‘Personally and professionally I shall miss the experience, dedication, advice and wit that he brought to the role as Her Majesty’s personal representative in our Bailiwick.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lynda, his three children and their family and friends.’
