BRICKLAYER’S £6000

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1941, Page 2

BRICKLAYER’S £6000

DRAMA OF LAMBETH WALK. REVELATION TO NEIGHBOURS. There is a lot of character in Lambeth Walk —but not a lot of money, says a reporter in the “Daily Mail." The Lambeth Walkers knew that Mr Tom lorns had character, but they never imagined that he could have "money.” Which is why, though he did nothing to surprise them during the 75 years of his life, he has astonished them after his death. For he left £6217. Tom lorns was reticent, careful, frugal. At No. 36 he had an unpretentious little shop over which he lived, and he dealt in "British and foreign birds.” He was also a first-class bricklayer. During the day he laid bricks. Evenings, week-ends and holidays he sold his birds in Lambeth Walk. Every morning, without fail, he bought half an ounce of shag. Every evening he carried a jug to the French Horn and carried it back with “half of bitter” inside. He never went to the pictures. No. 36 was all the home he wanted, with his invalid wife, his parrot. and his British and foreign birds. He loved Lambeth Walk. , Two years ago, at the age of 73, he retired from his job as a bricklayer and spent all his time with his bullfinches, his parrot and a canary. Then the blitz came to London, and Lambeth Walk had its chare of bombs. The bird shop had more than its share. The roof was blasted off and all the windows were shattered. At last Thomas lorns had to leave. He went to Sunbury-on-Thames—and within a few weeks he had died. In his will he left £2 10s a week to his wife and the residue to two hospitals. But his wife will not need That £2 10s. Sne died only three weeks after he did.