The man who built up London's schools

The First man to be chosen as secretary of the Westminster Schools Commission, Mr Walter Elfer, is retiring. A Mass of thanksgiving for his work was held at Westminster Cathedtil last week.
Walter Elfer was born in Vienna at the start of the first world war. When he was 16, the family moved to Milan where Walter studied Italian Law at the University.
Just before the second wortd war started, a move to London was made to escape the increasing harassment of the Fascists. All too soon, however, he was interned as an alien and was taken to a camp on the Isle of Man for 18 months.
In 1960 he had become interested in the work of the Croydon Branch of the Catholic Parents and Electors Association. Their aim was to build a primary school, but many obstacles had first to be overcome and Walter played a leading role in this.
He applied for and was appointed Secretary of the not yet formed Westminster Schools' Commission, in May 1965. The work had previously been performed by Bishop Cashman and an assistant priest without any lay involvement.
The great work of reorganisation and reconstruction to provide a place in a Catholic sch000l for every child cost far more than had been anticipated because of inflation and high interest rates. New ways were found by Walter to raise the money.
But buildings alone were not the sole object of his work. The quality of the Catholic teaching given in them was all important and the Westminster Religious Education Centre was formed.
With the coming of Cardinal Hume, proposals for the reorganisation of the Schools' Commission, itself, were adopted. An Education Commission was formed to co-ordinate the work of the increasing number of educational agencies. Walter, naturally became its first Secretary.
He is succeeded by Mr P. O'Connell.