Mourners pay tribute to Blackburn industrialist Fred Walker

Mr Walker, brother and business partner of former Blackburn Rovers owner Jack, died on Saturday, aged 86.

Around 300 people turned out at the memorial service, held yesterday at Blackburn Cathedral.

Among them were his wife, Nora, children Jacqueline, Carolyn and Charles and grandchildren Jonathan, Claire, Florecita and Rolando.

And paying tribute, Canon Andrew Hindley told the story of a ‘remarkable man’.

He said: “Fred was one of the country’s greatest industrialists.

“Although if I said that to his face, he would probably reply, ‘who’s this silly beggar flanelling me?’ “But I do not say that lightly. In fact there is only one other person in the area I would have said that about, and he was also called Walker.”

As well as a successful businessman, Canon Hindley paid tribute to Fred the family man.

He said: “Above all else, Fred was a great family man.

“He had two great partnerships.

“He had his business with Jack, and they were like chalk and cheese, which is what made it work so well.

“Then his second successful partnership was with his wife of 60 years, Nora.

“He was a driven man. But what drove him was a need to provide for his family.

“And the upshot of that was helping to revive a tired post-industrial town.”

Canon Hindley added: “Fred was straight-forward and direct. What you saw was what you got.

“He was a remarkable man. A great Lancastrian in Lancashire’s cathedral.”

Mr Walker’s friend, Ben Westall, gave a reading detailing his successful career.

He said: “Mr Walker, FW as he was affectionately known behind his back by shopfloor staff, had a long and successful career.

“He was the quieter partner in the team that built the steel empire.

“He implemented many ideas that are still found in practice today.

“He will be sadly missed.”

Closing his tribute, Canon Hindley said: “We all wish we were flies on the wall when you and Jack met in heaven.

“What will be next, I wonder?”