Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: dickiegranthum on September 03, 2024, 05:33:37 PM
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From the world of Warlord Games:
I have some sad news for Warlord fans. Warlord's co-founder, the mighty Paul Sawyer, collapsed earlier this year at the Salute show in London and has remained gravely ill for the last four months. Many of our loyal customers have been asking about him. I regret to say Paul will not be well enough to return to work. However, he remains cheerful and is surrounded by his loving family.
Paul and I set up Warlord Games over seventeen years ago, forming a dynamic team that has made tabletop historical gaming accessible to thousands of new hobbyists. His cheery and blokey approach to getting stuff done formed the "Warlord voice" for all these years.
He is hoping to be well enough to attend our Open Day later this month on the 21st September, where I am sure he will be delighted to meet and greet old friends, both customers and staff.
He was the best partner to set up a company with, always in high spirits and working like a trooper – he will be sorely missed around the Warlord offices.
~John Stallard, Warlord Games Co-Founder & CEO
I was the first external moderator on the Warlord Forum, during its very earliest days, and had many positive interactions with Paul. He was generous with saying thanks as I helped to crush the spam insurgents that were happening, and separated online virtual pugilists.
Best of luck, Paul “Fat Bloke” Sawyer!
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Very sad news, I remember him well from his days with gw, a great inspiration to the young me. I really hope he’ll get better.
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Bloody flippin' hell. :(
Paul when he was editor of White Dwarf, certainly made it worth reading, he had a great impact on my hobbying in my late 20's and 30's.
The Warlord stuff I know much less of, but he is and will hopefully remain one of the wargames titans of a more recent vintage.
Please keep rolling those 6's and get better now.
Best wishes
Glen
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Best wishes to him and hopes for a speedy recovery and a well-earned retirement.
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Sadly, per his personal FB page, it’s stage 4 terminal brain cancer. 12 months expected.
A crappy ticket to draw in the life lottery.
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Copied from Dakkadakka:
It's time I share what's been happening with me and my family these last few months.
I fell ill during set-up at the big Salute show in London earlier this year and have been pretty much out of action since then. This has led to me having to step out of my role at Warlord to concentrate 100% on my health.
Ever since falling ill I've tried to keep a low profile whilst coming to terms - this is partly down to going from working all hours to not being able to work at all but also the ever-changing way my health has been on a daily basis from day one after I left hospital in London. It's been a 'fun' time!
At first the medics had thought I had suffered a stroke during Salute set-up but after the first rounds of tests that was discounted. Following weeks of hospital stays and tests, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer.
I have received treatment in an attempt to shrink the tumour but I face the harsh reality that I will not beat this cancer and the truth is that I have around 12 months left to live before the tumour has it's way with my puny brain. I will know the results of the all important brain scan I had this week in a couple of weeks.
Working alongside many of you and gaming with more has been an absolute pleasure. I wish I could turn back time and do more of the gaming and less of the working so I pass this same message onto each of you - make the most of your time while you have it!
I know that in time I will leave with a heart full of gratitude and a wealth of fond memories. I wish you all nothing but the best and please rest assured that I shall be spending my remaining months surrounded by the love of my beautiful family, whilst looking forward to becoming a Grandad for the first time in December - once again outnumbered by yet another little girl, but one who I absolutely cannot wait to meet.
Whilst I write this with a proud yet sorrowful heart I know I will still see many of you in my remaining months be they in person, over video call or in a game or two.
Onwards and upwards!
Cheers,
Paul
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That is sad news. Hope his health allows him some quality time with his newest grandchild.
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Sad news, I hope he has as much time as possible with his family
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Very sad news indeed.
I remember his tenure as editor of WD as the glory days of the magazine.
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Sad news indeed :'(
I hope he recovers as much as possible and makes the best of the time he has left.
My familiarity with his work comes first and foremost from his time with White Dwarf as well; he and his team really made it a joy to read back then.
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Awful news. I too remember him as the White Dwarf 'Boss' and his wit and passion for the hobby came across so well. I hope they can give him as long as possible to spend with his family.
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What very sad news. He always came over as such a nice bloke.
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Paul,
I have read so many great things about you, but I really am distressed on how people are talking about you in the past tense. You are still here!! People, send warm wishes and happiness to Paul. Paul, you still have lots to live for so make every day count. Look forward to the arrival of your grand-daughter. Play many games, give and receive lots of hugs from family members and friends. Rejoice in the fact that you have had a profound impact on so many people. Be comforted to know that you are respected and admired by many. This is only one step in a long journey. Thank you for getting me into playing games and having dreams of great games, and forming many friendships and bonds with people all around the world. Although we have never met, Thank you for helping me to live my inner childhood and play with toys even ad an adult. Thank you for being the best you can be. My prayers go out to you and your family, but my prayers are for immense gratitude for the world you created.
Regards,
Hitman
😎
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Paul,
I never realised how much you influenced my hobby and life..
As has been better said already your impact is far and wide and influenced many people in the best of ways.
Thankyou deeply for doing all you have done, and keep doing !
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These are very sad news indeed. I hope he will meet his granddaughter and spends all the time he can with her, while also finding some time to play the games he so clearly likes. Nothing beats kids and playing games.
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Paul’s daughter has now set up a GoFundme page as many have asked how they can help.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/make-dads-remaining-months-happy-comfortable
On April 13th 2024, Dad was taken ill at a war gaming conference in London and the family were told to head to London right away. I’ll refer to him as Paul for the purpose of this story, as many people know Dad as a bit of wargaming legend.
At first the medics thought he had suffered a stroke and so he was put into an induced coma and remained on the ICU for the next week.
Following copious tests and scans, we finally received the devastating news in May that he has stage 4 Glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer.
Since the diagnosis, Paul has received incredibly intense treatments in an attempt to shrink the tumour and buy us some more time with him, but the fact remains that his diagnosis is terminal and he is only expected to live 12-14 months from the diagnosis.
It’s become our mission to make Dad’s last months as happy and exciting as we can so that he has the chance to truly LIVE every single day.
Since people have found out about the diagnosis there has been an overwhelming display of kindness from all across the world, with many asking if there’s any way in which they can help. We’re currently trying to get some disability aids and home adaptations to help dad keep his independent mobility for as long as he can. Unfortunately, there is only so much that the NHS can do so we’re opening up the opportunity for anyone who has ever known Dad or appreciated his hard work over the years, to donate anything they can to help us make Dad as comfortable and happy as possible.
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I'm normally not much inclined to, but in this case I have contributed. I mean; it's frickin' Paul Sawyer!
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I'm normally not much inclined to, but in this case I have contributed. I mean; it's frickin' Paul Sawyer!
Agreed - I and several of my friends my the old Warlord Forum days have contributed.
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Agreed - I and several of my friends my the old Warlord Forum days have contributed.
Same here. Appreciated his work at GW and enjoyed chatting very briefly with him once at a convention.
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Warlord has just announced a special figure for him - https://store.warlordgames.com/products/sergeant-sawyer-charity-figure with all proceeds going to the Brain Tumour Society
(https://store.warlordgames.com/cdn/shop/files/999910015_SergeantSawyercharityminiature01_f38bdbab-8601-4b8b-8df5-c52e1d9a759f.jpg?v=1726133442)
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This is extremely sad news, and definitely a shock.
I have fond memories of his White Dwarf reign.
Paul, I hope you get to spend as much quality time with your family as you can.