WALLY LINES - one of the dog world’s gentlemen - died peacefully on Friday 26th April following many years of ill health and disability, aged 81 years.

Wally’s interest in dogs started at the early age of ten when he was given a Smooth Fox Terrier called Jack. He joined the RAF at 18 and served during the war, still managing to keep several breeds of dog. After the war he trained as a physiotherapist, treating mainly sports injuries and for several years was physiotherapist to Arsenal Football Club.

During this time he kept Basset Hounds which he worked with the Grims Pack in Berkshire where he was whip carrier. On moving to Sussex in 1968 he joined up with other Basset owners and was instrumental in starting up the South East Branch of the Basset Hound Club.

Wally became a member of Tunbridge Wells & DCS in 1969 attending Ringcraft classes where other breeds followed the Bassets including Japanese Chin and King Charles Spaniels which he showed with some success. He became a hard working committee member and joined the TW&DCS executive committee in 1971, where he was show manager for Breed and Obedience shows and later the first Agility Show. He also judged and stewarded at Breed shows and scored in Obedience.

He retired from the Exec some twenty years later in 1991 to become President of the Society. Although in poor health he supported virtually every show and function and retired this year in February when the honour of Patron was given him.

Wally’s knowledge of dogs and the Kennel Club were indeed a great asset to TW&DCS and he will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 12MD in St Margarets Church, Buxted, East Sussex on the 9th May. Donations may be sent to the British Heart Foundation or St Peters & St James Hospice via Richard Green, Funeral Directors, Uckfield, East Sussex.

Sue Domun