PHILIP WALKER
Philip Walker, who has died aged 64, had a remarkable store of knowledge of UK Jewish history, and particularly that of London’s East End which he communicated with enthusiasm and gusto, never losing the excitement of finding out more, writes David Walker.
Television documentary makers, magazine and newspaper journalists, book researchers – all benefitted from his energy and expertise, generously given to all who asked. He also contributed to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. His major interest was the Jewish East End, where his mother had been born and his father’s business – a sack and bag merchants, which he later took over – had had East End roots a generation earlier. This led him to record all his findings and discoveries on his own, highly regarded website, www. jewisheastend.com, now preserved by the British Museum. His many guided walking tours of the East End were also deservedly popular.
He was one of the earliest members of the Jewish East End Celebration Society, and ran the organisation’s website as well as handling the production of its magazine, The Cable, edited by his brother, David. Philip was a leading member of South London Liberal Synagogue where for over 40 years his energy, enthusiasm and generosity helped to build a happy inclusive community. He chaired various committees, taught the religion school, and served with great distinction as treasurer, three times as chairman and in 2013, as president . He represented the congregation in the wider community and on the council of Liberal Judaism and the Board of Deputies. He also regularly attended the remaining few synagogues of the East End. He was a member of Sandys Row Synagogue.
Philip lived all his life on the South London/Surrey border. A pupil at the Glyn Grammar School, Epsom, he was a year into his course at Brunel University when his father died suddenly and he was left to help his mother, Leah, run the family business, based at Mitcham, Surrey. After a fire destroyed a large part of the premises, the business moved some of its activities to Rotherhithe.
Eventually the Rotherhithe premises were sold, as the sack business declined, and the site was sold for housing development. He kept a tiny remnant of the business going while also helping his wife, Gillian, who he had married in 1974, with her flourishing catering business. He was also a keen motorcyclist, a fan of fast cars, enjoyed opera and theatre and travelled extensively. He is survived by his wife, Gillian, son, Benjamin, daughters Sophie and Bess and grandson, Noah.
Philip Walker