Paul Sawyer (Warlord co-founder, Ex-GW) has passed

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**beast_gts**

Paul Sawyer wrote: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

John Stallard wrote: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

**JimmyWolf87**

Sad to hear but hope the big man can recover. Great character and a foundational part of my hobby infancy, suspect it's the same for a lot of folks.

**Tabletop_Magpie**

I am saddened to hear this.

Paul was a huge part of GW when I was young. When I contacted Warlord about covering some Judge Dredd products for the channel Paul himself responded and I was, honestly, more than a little star struck.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

Hope he recovers as much as possible, even if he's not going to be a working part of the company any longer

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Well this isn’t news any Sad Old Git is going to welcome.

Hoping he recovers as well as he can. Even if he can’t return to work.

**Alpharius Walks**

I grew up reading those issues of White Dwarf. Hoping for the best for him with recovery.

**Kid_Kyoto**

Wishing him well!

**beast_gts**

And from the man himself:

Paul Sawyer wrote: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

**Nevelon**

Enjoyed his time at WD. Great era. Sad to hear this news.

cancer.

**Scottywan82**

God, that's heartbreaking. A much-loved icon of my earliest wargaming years. I hope he has as much time with his family and the new grandbaby as he can get.

**Haighus**

Glioblastoma is a terrible disease and I hope he doesn't suffer to much.

**lord_blackfang**

One of my formative hobby influences as well. For the Khan!

But considering he was already nicknamed "Fat Bloke" when I was getting into the hobby almost 30 years ago, he had a good run?

**Easy E**

Wishing him a swift recovery.

**SamusDrake**

A man of good spirit and if only a year then let it be a good one for him. Best wishes for Paul.

**Bonegrinder**

White Dwarf was at it's best when he was at the helm, and it's a big blow to the wargaming industry now he's had to step away from it.

I hope he spends the rest of life in peace and joy.

**Da Boss**

I don't normally post in these kinds of threads but Paul Sawyer is a legend. Really sad news.

**KidCthulhu**

This is heartbreaking. Gonna have a bacon baguette in his honor.

**Overread**

This is terribly sad news for him and his family. Wishing him all the best and a big hope that they can treat his cancer and he can beat it!

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Bonegrinder wrote:
White Dwarf was at it's best when he was at the helm, and it's a big blow to the wargaming industry now he's had to step away from it.

My copies of WD from then are - not in the best of condition for the number of times they were read and reread over the time and years. Certainly was an awesome time for the magazine back then!

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Also his time heading up the revived Citadel Journal. That was a strong mag in its own right.

**The Power Cosmic**

Sad to hear a cornerstone member of my introduction to 40k is in such a state. I'll have a second bacon butty for you!

**silverstu**

Really sorry to hear this, I loved his time at GW - WD was so good, really enjoyed the warmth and humour he brought to gaming.

**Longstrider**

To this day I don't know what makes a butty a butty but I certainly know what makes a White Scar and what makes a good magazine. I hope he gets as much good times as possible before the end.

**Nevelon**

Longstrider wrote:
To this day I don't know what makes a butty a butty but I certainly know what makes a White Scar and what makes a good magazine. I hope he gets as much good times as possible before the end.

To this point, could someone on the other side of the pond explain what a Bacon Butty is? I recall them frequently being referenced in WD but never knew exactly what they were?

Seems the sort of thing that should be had to pay tribute to the Fat Bloke

**Skinflint Games**

I remember him running WD when I was a nipper. Tragic to hear, poor sod - hope he can beat it and if he can't then at least he doesn't suffer :-/

**The Power Cosmic**

Nevelon wrote:
Longstrider wrote:
To this day I don't know what makes a butty a butty but I certainly know what makes a White Scar and what makes a good magazine. I hope he gets as much good times as possible before the end.

To this point, could someone on the other side of the pond explain what a Bacon Butty is? I recall them frequently being referenced in WD but never knew exactly what they were?

Seems the sort of thing that should be had to pay tribute to the Fat Bloke

No idea here. I imagine them as a mass-produced breakfast sandwich kind of like an egg mcmuffin, but with just bacon? And you get them at the gas station?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Butty can mean a single slice sandwich, with the slice folded over, or more commonly just a regular sandwich with butter on both slices.

**Shark in Exile**

Really sorry to hear this and hope Paul gets to hear and see all the great positive comments.

All the best Paul

**Waaagh_Gonads**

I met him in the studio when Jervis gave me a tour back in 2000,
I am sure he will not remember me.

As a doctor and having had patients with this form of cancer, and previously worked in neurosurgery and operated on them. It is not a fun diagnosis.

By the sounds of it he is making the best of a bad situation (all you can really do).

All the best for him and his family.

**cygnnus**

Sad news indeed for Paul and his family. I hope he knows how fondly he is thought of by so many wargamers of a certain age.

Best wishes Paul.

Valete,

JohnS

**modelhunter**

Terrible news to a person who has made this hobby one of the best.
I wish him and his family all the strength and 'togetherness' to get through the limited time they have ahead.