OUR PURSUIT

HISTORY & HERITAGE

The firm of Elliot & Walker was established during 1902 and the partners in the firm have continued to practise in Kokstad, East Griqualand, KwaZulu Natal ever since, serving a wide area encompassing East Griqualand and the northern region of the Eastern Cape (formerly Transkei).

The founding partners were John Furzer Drummond Elliot and Arthur Edward Mortimer Walker.  JFD Elliot, generally referred to as “Drummond”, was the son of the famed colonial administrator Sir Henry George Elliot.  AEM Walker, generally referred to as “Arthur” was the son of Joseph Walker.

Subsequent partners were William Lance Drummond Elliot, generally referred to as “Bill” and Brian Elliot Mortimer Walker.  Bill Elliot played rugby for Western Province and was unlucky not to play for the Springboks on their tour of New Zealand in 1937.  Brian Walker joined the firm in 1938 after the death of his father, Arthur and retired in 1973.

John Barry Drummond Elliot, generally referred to as “Barry” joined the firm in 1965 and was joined by Mike Brereton.  Mike Brereton died in November 2007 after establishing a branch office of Elliot & Walker at Port Edward in KwaZulu Natal.  Barry Elliot practised until his death in July 2011.  Chris Auret joined the firm in 1980 and retired at the end of 2007.  David Shaw joined the firm in 1988 and retired at the end of 2020. Batjah Nel joined the firm in 2012 and resigned in December 2023 when she opened her own practice.

The sole proprietor is Grant Smit.

It is interesting to note that, since 1902, the firm has only had 13 partners.