AN ESTEEMED solicitor who served Andover for five decades has died after a short battle with cancer.

David Melville-Walker, who dedicated his life to 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 Andover as he worked as a solicitor in the town 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 as one of the most respected lawyers in the south of England, leading defence teams on major criminal cases and appointed as president of the Hampshire Law Society 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 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.

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