Walter Eberstadt who died on 26^th Feb 2014 in New York was born in Frankfurt, Germany and in 1936 at the age of 15 moved with his family to England to escape the Nazi persecutions. After enduring an English boarding school he went up to Oxford only to be promptly interned as an enemy alien as World War II started. The only way out of interment was to enlist as a Private in the Pioneer Corps in 1940 and from which he ultimately gained a commission in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in July 1942 (L.G. Sup 3089 dated 14 Jul 42) when aliens were finally permitted to join fighting units. He was initially on home service duties with the 5th Battalion and 2nd Bucks Battalion. He (Lt Everitt) subsequently joined 1st Bn the Worcestershire Regt in Normandy on 4^th July 1944 and served as a platoon commander until wounded on 9th August. After repatriation and recovery he worked in a Psyops unit of 21^st Army Group. On cessation of hostilities he worked for the Military Government with responsibility for political broadcasts on Radio Hamburg, which he helped to re-establish, until demob in 1946.

Post war he completed his education at Oxford University. From 1948 to 1951, he was on the editorial staff of The Economist before immigrating to New York in 1951 to begin what would be a highly successful six-decade career in investment banking first at Lehman Brothers and later at Lazard Freres.

Although he witnessed first-hand many of the atrocities of the 20th Century, he remained committed to the belief that education, free discourse, and artistic expression could lead the world to greater peace and deeper understanding and supported these through his many philanthropic activities. The Frick Collection, where he served as a Trustee, becoming Vice Chair of the Board, was his great passion. In his many international business and volunteer activities he built bridges between his three countries of citizenship.

He wrote Whence We Came, Where We Went" (2002), a history tracing his family back to its origins in Germany. He had a special passion for sailing, centred in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard.

UK Honours and awards: OBE; 1987 New Years Hon List.

Up to 2011 he was a member of the Royal Green Jackets Officers Club.

He is survived by his wife Vera (Nee von Kuffner), whom he married in 1964, and two sons. A memorial service was held at the Frick Museum, New York, on the 3^rd of March 2014.

Sources: New York Times 1.3 2014, Lazards, The Frick Collection, The New School NY,

Mercian Regtl Museum (Worcestershire), Oxf. & Bucks War Chronicle 1944-45, L.G.Sups.