John Wall

Biography Wall was born in East Finchley. He had had glaucoma from an early age, which caused him to go completely blind by the age of eight. After his blindness took hold, he moved from a mainstream school to Chorleywood School for the Blind. He moved to Worcester College for the Blind (now New College Worcester) in 1940. Despite only being 14, two years younger than usual, he took his School Certificate in 1944, achieving the highest score in his class. and possibly the first since the 18th century. A clerk helped him to deal with his paperwork, reading the case materials to him before court hearings and reading barristers' written submissions. He was noted for his speed, work ethic and efficiency. and was knighted in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours, "For services to Disabled People".

He married twice, and had four sons from his first marriage. He died on 1 December 2008 of heart failure. He was survived by his sons; both of his wives predeceased him.