Lee, Walter – Photographer recorded Grantham’s war Day by Day

Walter Lee (1891 – 1969)

Born in Grantham in 1891, Walter served his apprenticeship under the guidance of Alfred M Emery, whose premises were on London Road.

In 1917 he opened his own studio in Watergate before taking over his tutor’s London Road business (next to the Co-op) three years later.

Walter was a talented artist in water colour and pastel and later wood carving.

He helped form the Grantham Art Club in the early 1920s but it was his photographic prowess which was earning him a reputation of high regard.

His works were to be seen nationwide through the Institute of British Photographer’s Exhibitions and his highest accolade of his career was in 1939 when he was elected to the exclusive Fellowship of the Portrait and Pictorial Photography.

Yet he will be best remembered for his unique ‘Day By Day’ volumes, a recorded and photographic diary of day by day accounts of Grantham life throughout the Second World War, as seen through his ARP Warden’s position.

Having operated from his new premises on St Peter’s Hill for 20 years, Walter retired in 1956, but no doubt his camera did not lay idle.

Examples of Walter’s work include the first publicity photograph of Judy Campbell, Field Marshal Montgomery at Belton and a collection of ‘Around Grantham’ photographs

The Walter Lee ‘Day by Day’ Collection and much of his photographic work can be found at Grantham Library.

 

Compiled by Angela Shields