Obituaries: Ed Voller, passionate PI & David Melville-Walker, veteran Hampshire solicitor

HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE

Obituary: Ed Voller, passionate PI lawyer

Warner Goodman LLP has sadly announced the death of managing partner Ed Voller.

Ed had a long career with the firm, joining Warner Goodman & Streat as it was known then in 1987 working within the personal injury team after spending the first seven years of his legal career training at Lawfords and co of Gray’s Inn in London, with his Uncle Bill. Ed was a passionate personal injury lawyer, particularly helping thoseinjured at work. It is thought amongst his colleagues that Ed chose personal injury due to his strong desire to right wrongs, to protect the weak or the underdog, and because of his natural sense of justice and his strong social conscience. Ed was well known within the firm and amongst counsel for his fair but tough approach to his cases, winning many contacts and friends throughout his esteemed career.

He became a partner in 1989 and over the years also sat on the Business Team, the Management Team, and took on various other management roles. In June 2015, he began to work alongside the then retiring managing partner before taking on the role himself in 2016, handling the responsibilities that go hand in hand with this with his well known professionalism and humour, making decisions based on his love and respect for the firm.

In addition to his legal expertise, Ed was a keen musician and spent many hours entertaining his family, friends and colleagues with his guitar skills, even launching a charity single in aid of the BBC Daisy Appeal. Ed always threw himself into everything he did, having previously been an active member of the Round Table, a school governor and an enthusiastic extra on TV shows and movies. Many of those who knew him will also remember with fondness his love of brewing his own beer, as well as the many team outings that invariably involved brewery tours.

Andy Munden, colleague and friend to Ed for 25 years, commented: ‘We have been overwhelmed with the memories our staff have shared of Ed, as well as the memories and well wishes from those across the legal sector who knew Ed as a contact, client and a friend. Amongst the many tributes that have been shared, it’s clear to see that Ed will be remembered as an honest, genuine, down to earth gentleman, whose integrity, fairness and dedication to doing the right thing has left a mark on all of us, both personally and in our careers. Affectionately known by many as Our Ed, he always took the time to visit every office and speak to those within the teams, finding a connection with as many people as possible to make them feel welcome.

‘Warner Goodman has always been a firm focussed on its people, believing that our biggest and best asset is our people, and no-one embodied that like Ed. He was not only a trusted and much appreciated colleague, but also a friend and mentor to the 160 Warner Goodman employees, and was a well respected member of the legal community. We naturally offer our deepest condolences to his wife, his children, his grandchildren and his many friends; he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. ■

Obituary: David Melville- Walker, veteran Hampshire solicitor

David Melville-Walker, who dedicated his life to the law, passed away on Saturday, October 31, at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice on Charlton Road. He was 75 years old. He is survived by his wife Susan, two children and two grandchildren.

Leading tributes to David, his family said: “We are sad to announce the death of David Melville-Walker. David will be known to many in the county and beyond as he worked as a solicitor in the area for nearly 50 years.

“For much of his career, David worked in criminal law. There will be more than few people in Andover who would credit David as helping them turn their lives around when they were taking the path.

“David will be remembered by many as formal – and always smartly dressed – but kind, hardworking and dedicated to his clients.

“We will remember him as a loving husband, father and grandfather, with a passion for cars and Manchester United Football Club.”

David was born in Lincolnshire and studied in Nottingham before moving to Andover in 1968 to work at what was then Talbot, Davies and Copner on Bridge Street. David became senior partner and the firm was renamed Talbot Walker to reflect his growing reputation. He became HILS president in 1999.

Throughout his long career, he assisted countless individuals, families and businesses around the town and further afield with all manner of legal issues and would never decline a request to help, his family said. Later in his career, David represented countless police officers and was appointed as the Police Federation solicitor for Hampshire, where he continued to help any officers who needed him.

He also will be well remembered by those he trained officers at the Police College in Netley, as well as the military colleges, where he bought his talent for public speaking and practical approach to the law. David retired from Talbot Walker in 2010 but doing nothing didn’t suit him and he continued to work up until a few weeks before his death, most recently at Redhead and Jones Solicitors in Salisbury.

In honour of David and in the absence of a service to commemorate his life due to Covid restrictions, his family have created a fundraising page to raise funds for the Countess of Brecknock Hospice, who provided David and his family with such support at the end of his life, and to allow those who knew David to leave a few words.

To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ davidmw. ■