Wally McKenna

Posted: April 24, 2025

WALLY McKENNA, formerly of the Mirror Group IT department, passed away unexpectedly on March 25 [2025]. His funeral was held at St Stephen’s Church, Welling Kent on May 7, followed by a committal and reception. 

 Walter Vincent ‘Wally’ McKenna (1942 – 2025)

Walter Vincent McKenna, known to all as Wally, was born during the Second World War in Barbrook, North Devon, the son of Michael Vincent McKenna and Margaret Elizabeth East. His father, originally from Donegal, served in the Royal Engineers, and his mother’s family, the Easts, were long established in Devon.

Wally’s early years were shaped by wartime absence and post-war transition. His father returned from military service to work as a railway porter at Waterloo Station, and the family relocated to London, settling first in East Dulwich and later in Clapham. Wally was the eldest of four children, growing up alongside his sisters Marie, Frances, and Christine. His close bond with his siblings remained constant throughout his life. Like many children of his generation, Wally’s childhood in London reflected both hardship and opportunity. Food rationing was still in place, yet the freedom to play in the city’s bomb-damaged streets provided adventure.

A love of reading and a fondness for comics developed early, while his sweet tooth became a lifelong trademark, later much indulged by his grandchildren.

At St Gerrard’s School, Wally discovered a passion for sport. His height made him a natural goalkeeper, and he excelled at athletics and cricket. His enthusiasm for football was shaped in rivalry with his father Michael’s support for Tottenham Hotspur, so Wally declared for Arsenal. Though light-hearted, this difference reflected his independent spirit. Education initially proved challenging. Arriving in London with little formal schooling, he struggled with literacy and was teased for his Devon accent. With time, however, his abilities emerged. He developed a particular strength in the humanities and a love of history that would stay with him for life.

For a time, Wally considered the priesthood, studying at a seminary in Erdington after completing his O-Levels. Ultimately, however, he concluded that his path lay elsewhere, returning to London to complete his A-Levels at Salesian College, Battersea, London.

In the 1960s, Wally travelled extensively. He toured Scandinavia and crossed the United States by Greyhound bus to live for a while with his uncle, Monsignor Francis McKenna, in California. There he became engaged in the civil rights movement, volunteering with the NAACP and joining demonstrations for equality. A committed pacifist, he rejected the prospect of military service during the Vietnam War and returned to Britain rather than risk being drafted. Awarded a state scholarship, Wally pursued his academic interests at the London School of Economics, where he studied history and immersed himself in student politics. He joined the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, attended anti-war marches, and became active in the Labour Party, with which he remained associated for the rest of his life.

After university, Wally’s early employment was varied. He worked couriering cars, briefly tried his hand in motor sales, and later found his place in publishing and information technology. A decisive moment in his personal life came through his Labour Party connections, where he met Eileen Kinney. They married in 1973 and settled in Belvedere before moving to Welling, raising five children: Kevin, Fergus, Barry, Clare, and Sophie.

Wally’s career developed within the Mirror Group. He began with the Mirror Magazine colour supplement and moved into IT, including a period with the Mirrorsoft software label. He was an early adopter of computer technology and took pride in introducing his children to new systems and games long before they became widely available. Later, as IT business manager, he supported the Daily Mirror’s transition to digital photography, aligning professional work with his personal passion for the medium. To support his growing family, Wally also worked outside regular hours, driving minicabs and taking weekend employment at Crayford Dog Track.

Despite the demands, he was a devoted father who valued education and discussion. He spent time with his children on their homework, encouraged their curiosity, and organised family caravan holidays that combined recreation with visits to castles, abbeys, and historic landmarks. Photography, which began for Wally as a teenage hobby with a makeshift darkroom at home, became a lifelong pursuit. At university he documented political protests, and in retirement he joined local photography and film clubs in Bexley, Shooters Hill, and Orpington. He valued the friendships and exchange of knowledge these communities provided and contributed enthusiastically to their activities.

Political commitment remained an enduring aspect of Wally’s life. He attended anti-war demonstrations with his daughter Sophie, joined his sister Frances at marches against Brexit, and supported his son Kevin in local Labour campaigns, photographing events, canvassing, and assisting on election days.

Travel was another central theme. With two daughters emigrating to Australia, Wally embraced opportunities to explore the country widely, visiting Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia. Even in his seventies he retained an adventurous spirit, undertaking a solo drive into the outback and climbing a New Zealand volcano alongside much younger companions. He also revisited the United States, retracing earlier journeys and returning to Merced, California. In Europe he travelled to Paris, Rome, and Bratislava, while within Britain he enjoyed spontaneous rail trips to towns across the country, often linked to his research into family history.

Wally was a proud and devoted grandfather to twelve grandchildren. He was known for his humour, gentle patience, and willingness to take part in their games. His readiness to share stories and jokes, combined with his ability to fall asleep instantly and provide a warm lap, made him a constant and comforting presence.

His final day reflected the themes of his life. He travelled into London, enjoyed a coffee near the site of the old Mirror offices  in Holborn, and attended an evening visual arts course at City Lit, opposite his former university. His interests in learning, culture, photography, and the city remained undimmed to the end.

Wally will be remembered as a man of deep kindness, generosity, and curiosity. He held strong convictions yet treated others with patience and respect. He supported those around him without judgement, encouraged learning and debate, and cherished family above all else. His legacy endures in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and the many friends and colleagues who valued his warmth, intelligence, and unwavering gentleness.