Known by his closest circle as Tom, or simply “T”, Thomas Joseph Walton would have seemed an unassuming man even to most people. He served in the Merchant Navy. Before retirement, he was employed (as far as I understand) as a diver by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. He married his childhood sweetheart, Vera, and together they had two daughters and two sons.

He self-published a collection of his poetry, West Cheshire Lad, (1973; 1974) plus an earlier collection titled Poems and Prose (1967). Using the pseudonym of West Cheshire Lad, he also self-published a treatise on his philosophy, which he called Divine Will: The Infinite Influence of All and Everything. Only fifty of these were printed for private circulation. However, copies are available for public viewing at the National Library of Scotland.

His philosophy was heavily influenced by the teachings of George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, though as far as I am aware Tom had never been one of Gurdjieff’s pupils or had even met him.

Tom gave me the task of passing on his metaphysical teachings. He asked me to share his writings with, and I quote, “Anyone who may wish to see them; anyone who asks.” I was to give no thought to concerns over Copyright ownership; Tom assured me this would never be contested by his family. As nothing exists in writing to this effect, I remain cautious. Besides, my own philosophy has evolved since those days.

One of Tom's poems, Law, can be read on my LiveJournal blog (see Links).