Time line: Herbert (Bert) John Walker - former National Party Cabinet Minister
June 2, 1919: Born in
1942: Married Phyllis Tregurtha.
1942 to 1945: Served in the RNZAF in WWII, was based in the Pacific.
1960: Elected to parliament. Took Christchurch seat of St Albans, held it until 1969
1961: Was one of 10 National MPs to vote with the Opposition and remove and capital punishment for murder from the Crimes bill.
1969: Took Papanui seat.
1969 to 1972: Held tourism and broadcasting portfolios (when National lost the election)
1975 to 1978: Social Welfare Minister
1977: Championed the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act (restricting access to abortion).
1978: Lost Papanui seat to Mike Moore.
1981: Marries Susannah McLean (Tregurtha died the year before).
1983: Made a Companion of St Michael and St George in 1983.
January 4, 2008: Dies, aged 88, in Rangiora.