# Walter Deyre — Giant’s Bread character guide

> Walter Deyre in Giant’s Bread by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Walter, III Walter Deyre

**First appearance:** 0001-book-i-abbots-puissants

## Snapshot

Vernon's shy, taciturn father, a country squire who married for Abbots Puissants while Myra married for love — the root, he knows, of the whole trouble.

## Who they are

Walter Deyre lingers with his son by the water, speaking of the old monks catching fish, and finds in the boy a shared dislike of saying things. He dreads the emotional leavetaking Myra will stage, half hopes he won't come back, and feels a traitorous pang at deserting Vernon. His quiet recognition of the marriage's bargain gives Vernon's childhood its unspoken grief.

## In the story

### [Book I: Abbots Puissants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/book-i-abbots-puissants)

Vernon's father, a distant and somewhat melancholic figure, who later dies, leading to the loss of Abbots Puissants.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/v)

Vernon's father, observed standing by the nursery door with sardonic eyes, sharing a moment of comprehension with his son.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the reason for Winnie's departure.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Vernon's father, who appears furtive and unhappy, announces his trip to London and avoids saying goodbye to his wife.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Appears quietly in the doorway, calmly leads his wife away, and offers Vernon a simple, reassuring word about his own broken arm.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Vernon's father; a former soldier; sits in on story time; shows interest in Nurse Frances but is gently rebuffed; speaks sadly about his own life.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv)

Vernon's father, who defends Nurse Frances and later admits his own guilt in Myra's unhappiness.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Vernon's father, who cares deeply for Abbots Puissants and tries to counsel his sister Nina about her marital troubles.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Defends his sister Nina and decides to help her despite Myra's objections.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Shrinks from emotional onslaughts, uses faint sarcasm as defence, spends little time at Abbots Puissants, and shares an unspoken sympathy with Vernon.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Vernon's father, preparing to leave for the Boer War; he reflects on his failed marriage and his bond with his son.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv)

Bids Vernon a brief, unemotional farewell, reflecting the Deyre family's characteristic reserve.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Walter's wish sends Vernon to school; he is away fighting in the Boer War.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as being in South Africa; remembered fondly by both Vernon and Joe for his kindness.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Killed in action rescuing a wounded comrade; awarded posthumous VC.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/walter_deyre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters