In 1956 Mr, and Mrs. W, M Newte Ripley Court bought the School and began the task of tuming it into a modern Preparatory School . . . School This they did with typical skiJl Thomas Feverel by increasing the number of both Mer One hundred boarders and day pupils and elevating "Now the repulation of the school in the local that I was going to go to school years. area Much new building was undertaken in , I would be more and more md the School, now a lhrivJng centre of under her wing In fact, I had barely "The old Portsmouth Road runs slraighl education, became a Charitable Trust in landed, when she took me on one of fhrough Ripley High SLreet, but the 7968. those shopping expeditions in Oxford heavy lraffic is diverted over the Ripley Mr. and Mrs. Newte retired in 1978 Street that was the immediate prelude to by-pass. The village is fhus left in and Mr. J W N Dudgeon, who had been Ripley Court a school in Aunt comparafive peace to enjoy its mmy Assistant Headmaster since 1968, took Maud and I had a great conversation delighls, among them fhe village green over as Headmasler, wilh Mrs. Dudgeon about my fulure. She had just bought me behind the High Slreet, md Dunsborough being responsible for most of the non- several pairs of grey flannel trousers and Park when it is open to the public . . As academic and non-sporting activities, a sweater and some shoes and some grey we leave Ripley by Rose Lane, no[rce Expansion and rebuilding conlinued, flannel shirts and one of those floppy Ripley Court on fhe left, This was once and fhe School now has some 265 flannel hats that English children nave ro The Priory and is of various dates from children of whom a small, bul valued, wear, 7667 to the 18fh century." group are girls: day-children come to "lt was not lhe first time I had met the (The Wey Valley by D. Goodacre) Ripley Court from most of fhe local headmistress of Ripley Court. She was a areas, including Rlpley, The Clandons, bulky and rather belligerent-looking "To the lefl, down the road bo Ocklam is Woking, Guildford, The Horsleys, woman, with great pouches under her RipJey Courl with a five-by-fwo bay Thomas Merton author of 'Elected Silence' Weybridge, Byfleef md Walton, Boarders eyes. She was slanding in a room in tront of c,t73O in a rough imitalion of come from various parts of the Counlry which were hung several of my father's Hawksmoor or Vanbrugh, and complex md from overseas paintings She had probably been looking glazing bars to all the windows.' at them, and considering the error and (Anon ) Mcrton Trier's mother uas the niece of Miss instability of an arlists's way of Iife when Hendewerk, the wife of Benjamin Pearce, nncl Amt Maud mentioned the fact that we The Thirties although Mrs. Trier and her husbanrl liued had been talking about my own fulure. only four mi[es nuay from Ripley nt West I was received al Ripley Courl, The sports offered by lhe school were Horsley, both Merton and his brother were although the summer lerm was almost boarders expanding - shoofing was popular and at Ripley Courl. Merloris cousin over, more or less as if I were an orphan Wanen 1, presenled a Shooling Challenge Thomss Feoerel Merton, who later became n md some kind of a stray lhat required al Cup when he left the school at lhe end of Trappist monk and is well known in Cntholtc once pity and a special, not unsuspicious circles the summer term Drill was also a major for his religious uritings, uas also a kind of alLention I was the son of an pupil at Ripley Court, part of the currjculum arlist, and had lust come from lwo years Drill prizes were presenled at the annual prize giving and a Drill display fomed a pleasant interlude in the pro- gramme of races at lhe sports day ln June, 1935 A SergeanL Major Hayden taught Modern drill and boxing r\l Al this time the first girl entered the l)evelopment school She was Rose Onslow, the daughter of Guy and Angela Onslow. In Ripley Court was one of the first prep November, 1935, she played fhe part of schools to leach science If was in[ro- Catherine Parr in a school play and duced even before il became a Common "Jooked very charming in her costume Entrance subject Al firsf Physics, Biology and mainlained the right uncompromis and Chemistry was taught with the use of ing attitude throughout." However it Esso Kils which were boxes of boors ano must have been a lonely lite for a litlle equipmenf that were sent from school to girJ Family matlers were also mentioned school. Often the boxes arrived incom Williqm Cooch 1919 in the school magazine o[ the autumn plete and lheretore proved rafher unsal- term, 7936, which recorded the death on isfactory Eventually Mr Newte asked In 1886 a school called Durston House 24th August of Benjamin Pearce shortly the staff whether any of them could teach was founded in Ealing by Mr Ben Pearce before his eightieth birlhday. He had in science Neville Dudgeon had joined fhe md his brother Mr. Robert Pearce. Both fact retired as Headmaster of Durston school in 1963 to teach his[ory and he were graduates of Trinity CoJlege, House in 7929 when Mabel Pearce roor The old corrugated iron classrooms offered to teach the early stages of Dublin and keen to become worthy over in a more full-lime capacity, science since he had an'O'level in fhal school-masters In 1886 Mr Roberl eventually being replaced by Nicholas subject!! In time he went on to obtain an Pearce married Miss Mable Perks and in Pearce, Open UniversJty Science Degree in 1974. 1893 they moved fo Ripley to starl the The garage was converted r'nto a Science boarding school, RipJey having Court Laboratory and the boys began lo altend purchased the property from Mr Willim yomg people's science leclues in London. Wainwright Onwards & A new Science Laboratory - more spacious Mr. G Onslow married Mr. and Mrs. rT I t md better equipped was built in 1988 Pearce's daughter Angela in 1916 and in upwarqsr When the Common Entrance syllabus 7922 joined [he slaff of the school as introduced an opLional French Oral Sec- Assistant Headmaster, By this lime the In the Spring of 1983 fhe sfable yard tion, it was decided that the boys wouro School was being run by Mrs Pearce, for cobbles removed were and tarmac puf benefit from tackling it So fhe French Mr Pearce had died in 1917 down [o ease walking, language became importanL The suimming pool being built and visits to During lhe Second World Wa the In December a 1983, new car park was Calais and Boulogne were organised to School moved to Betton Strange Hall built for the parenLs in front of Little encourage the boys near and Ripley Court Court At the Staff Meeting at the end of The Old Boys' Society and Ripley rn ryl) tne Doys Degan to go on became a Matemi[y Hospilal to cope with the Autumn Term, L983 plans were Cour[ Magazine had both fallen into school cruise ships - in particular fhe overflow from the WesLmins[er Hospital discussed for a new Sports Hall [o be built obscurity despite Life Members fees of Uganda - lo such places as the Holy Sadly, Mrs Pearce did noL return ro near the now stagnant pond and for the the former, but in the Summer of 1994 Lmd. Stephen Newte, fhe Newte's son, Ripley Court for she died in 194J Thus it Dining Room to be extended and given a the Magazine was revived under the organised these for many years and was thab Mr and Mrs Onslow took the more homely almosphere and p)ans were Editorship of Mr. R. Muncy. eventually the job was [aken over by pupils back to Ripley Court in 1946, and being made for the Easter 1984 skiing I9o3/1994 sees our I00th anniver- Jeremy Snow, and later by Mr Anthony continued in charge of the School trip. until sary It is hoped that Ripley Court will Turner the head of Classics Mr. Onslow's death in 1952 In 1984 the Defty Sports Hall and continue to flourish and produce the ln 7969, Ripley Court became m In 1953 the School was sold Mr. to Dining Room extensions were comple- types of young men and women of Educalion Trust with a Board o[ Gov- Ashmore who remained as Headmaster and ted in 1988 the Barringfon block, whom Roberf and Mabel Pearce would emors chosen from a variety of profes- mtil 1956. including a Science Laboratory was built have been proud sions Peter Barrington was the found fon

in a French school, and the combina[ion Schools, but which, for the time being, of arlist and France added up to prac- L.^r lh"- "hil.i... tically everything lhat the headmistress On Sudays, we all dressed up in the md her friends suspected and disliked ludicrous clothes fhat fhe English con- Besides, to crown it all, I did nob know ceive to be appropriate to the young, and any Latin. Whal was lo be made of a boy went marching off to the village church, who was already in the middle of his where a whole transept was reserved for fourteenth year and could not decline us There we all sat in rows, in our black 'mensa' - had never even opened a Lalin Eton jackets and our snow-white Eton grammar?" collars choking us up to the chin, and "Buf Ripley was a pleasant and happy benl our well brushed and combed heads place after the prison of Lycee. The huge, over the pages of our hymnals And at dark green sweep of the cricket field, and last I was really going to church. lhe deep shadows of the elm trees where On Sunday evenings, after the long one sat waiting for one's innings, and the walk in the country, through the lush dining room where we crammed our Surrey fields, we gafhered again in the selves with bread and butter and jam at wooden drill-room of the school, and sat tea time and listened to Mr Onslow on benches, and sang hymns, and listened reading aloud from the works of Sir to Mr. Onslow reading aloud from Arthur Conm Doyle; aJI this was rmmense Pilgrim's Progress. Iuxury and peace after Montauban Thus, just about the time when I most And the mentality of the red-faced, needed it, I did acquire a little natural innocent English boys was a change faith, and found many occasions of pray- They seemed lo be much pleasanter and ing and lifting up my mind to God. It was much happier - and indeed they had the first time I had ever seen people kneel every reason to be so, since they all came publicly by their beds before getting into from the shelter of comfortable and Lhem, and the first time I had ever sat secure homes and were so far protected down to meals after a grace. from the world by a thick wall of , . . When the holidays were over and ignorance a wall which was to prove no I went back to Ripley Court, Father real protection against anything as soon crossed over to France The last I heard as they passed on to their various Public about him was lhat he was at Rouen

ing Chairman and one of jls keenest ery and ballef classes were arranged for talented contributor to the running of the I choose to menfion none of our more Governors was the ever-generous Frank rnem School and a very able organiser; and recent staff, (but I should mention my Defty, The boys still work towards their john Hawkins has shown much resilience wife who has, with her Europem good In 1977, the Orchard Brocx was Comon Entrmce Exmination or Schol- to survive for so many years as Head of sense, guided me frequently back to opened fo house the more senior boys arship exam a[ 13, whilst those girls who Mafhematics during an era of almost reality and my chi)dren who have always and fo confain English, History and wish, sit an 11 f Common Entrance constant change Merab Opie, now understood,) for I would quite simply be Senior French Rooms. examination to the Public School of their teaching in Worcester, I remember as m nming all of them I have been In 1978, Mr. and Mrs. Newte retired. choice. excellent head of ou pre-Prepaafory exlremely fortunate, thus far, to work Neville Dudgeon became Headmaster Association Foolball, hockey, cricket, Departmenf Clifford Davies seryed us wifh so many people whom I can, and Also in that year the original classrooms rugby football, gymnastics and swim- for years as our Head of Classics, and with juslificalion, admire I continue to were removed and in their place was ming are still the main sports, alfhough before him we had lhe scholar)y Anlhony admire their contribufions and their buill the Newte block contained six an option system allows fhose interested Turner Within the Boarding House we Joyalfy rooms - a classics room, Mathematics to pursue air-rifle shooting, cross- remember with greal fondness Jill I should allude, too, to the many room, music room, art room, games country running, golf and orienteering. Thompson and Sue Pritchard as hnd and parents who have supported lo school room and a coaching and felevision Sports Day, the Swimming Gala and effective Matrons, Terry Bennett and over the years and, perhaps, in particular room. Since then the felevision room nas Fathers'Match are importanf events in Richad Mmcey were much loved middle- to those who have served in the capacify been converted into a modern computer the school calendar school men, In the study 'Liz Sturges and of Form Representatives, Committee room The music room has also been The end of tem concerts still take OIive Jones were always towers of Members or, horrid word, Chairpersons moved place, with the Easter Tem being devo- strengfh in every respect And I musl of the Committee. A succession of excel- In September, 1983, the Little Court had ted to a musical and the Summer Term to mention Percy Cole who was our amiable tenl people have come forward year after their own modern block built with a large a leaver's play. hmdyman and 'jusf everything person' year to give their time and their serurces hall and three light and airy classrooms Much emphasis conlinues to be put on for so many years, up until his death four lo the school. I am immensely gratefuJ for for th Cowboys and Indians, and fhe new fhe'all-romd' child Crming and udue years ago all that they have done and look forward four year old class - Settlers When they pressure is Frowned upon md nmerous I daresay lhat there are a number of to their efforts in the future. were moved into the new block, the First sLaff meelings allow for each child to be worthy people whom I have not men- And then fhere have been, and are, the Year and Music deparlmenls were given discussed as much as necessary. The tioned and I know that Lhey will forgive children; ever challenging, ever fun, ever new quarters Subsequently to move to school emits a friendly, familyJike me because they will know that their rewarding. Their variety has been infinite m even more modem building in 1988 almosphere where the individual counts. contributions have been rnucn md their different personalities educa- The Wooden House which has ben a appreciated as has been their friendship; tional 'The child is', truly, 'father of the sanatorium, clissrom, study, staff room for I have always felt [hat the staff of our man' and mother o[ the woman " md staff accommodation was demol- ", . . And fo gel up to date with the school have been friends, mutually ished to make way for fhis. Thus history slaff; during the late'seventies, the supportive in all that they have done, N.D. refreated in fhe face of progress. 'eighties and now the'nineties I have The boarders began worshipping at been served and supporled by a great Ockham Parish Church on Sundays variety of able staff and friends My first during Mr. Ashmore's time, and the Deputy was Mr John Godfrey, a first- school has expanded to such a degree rate man and a renowned teacher of that three carol services are now neeq ro French John refired jusl about three accommodate all at the end of the years ago and many of you will no doubt Christmas Term remember him. At that time too Jeremy The Centenary Carol Service was held Snow was an inspirationa) Assistant in the Chapel of Charterhouse School to Headmaster, and Bernard Hunt a enable the whole school to be [ogebher splendid Senior Master and teacher ol for this special occasion. English Both the latter are now Day girls began entering the Mdn Headmasters of their own schools. My School in 7977 and special netball, cook- present Assistanl, James Porter, is, foo, a The gymnasium (Deftil 198a Pryme, A.J F , Sec. Lieutenant, autumn of 7939, and soon becme a Devons Sergemt Observer ln the early spring *Pryme, E.G.F., Lieulenant, 15th Royal of 1941 he was sent to Libya, and was Fusiliers. killed while flying in December, 1941. Pryme, H F, Corporal, 1/2 London He refused fhe commission offered to Yeomanry him because he felt that he wished for xPitt, G H., Lieutenub, Sherwood no personal advantage from the Ranges Yeomanry dreadfulness of the war. He was a 'Rawlinson, CV, Dec Lieutenant, 3rd ousin of Mrs. Pearce. Dorsets. Reynell, A W., Sec Lieutenant, R F C ERNEST RONALD PEACOCK RePor- I{ilot, B A, Privafe, 16th Middlesex ted missing, presumed drowned, MaY, Simpson, R M, Lieutenanl, 11th 1941 He joined lhe R.A.F. in the K O.Y.L.I summer of 1940, and after a few Sutton, C,M, Private, 49th Canadians months in Canada was nearing the end Michqel and Ruth Neute 1968. Sutton, L H, Cadet, In s of Court of his operational training at the time (Headmaster 1 956-1 97 8) O T.C, of his supposed accident. He came to Sutton, R W.A., Private, A.S.C Ripley Courf in 1930; overcoming his P.G.E, Private, L I Chave, Sutton, W j., Privafe, D of C.L I. physical handicaps by sheer force of G.C, Sec. Lieutenanf, Cleverly, Taylor, J.H, Sec. Lieutenant, A S C character, he did well at both cricket HNROVIRSTERS Queen's tVaughan, B.R., Corporal, 1st Natal md football He wenl to Shrewsbury *Crichton, HR, Sec Lieutenant, 54lh AND Carabineers in 1935, where he was House Monitor, Sikhs Vaughan, I P, Sergeant, 1st Natal md gained his house crickel colours. *Damiano, W H.A Sec. Lieutenant, HnRoUISTRESSES , Carabineers, The Salopian says: "He had a slrong Royal Dublin Fusiliers Willis, FW, Captain, R.G A. sense of dufy, and developed the R.D.M, Lc.-Coryotal, 2/ 74 OF Daniel, Woollatt, L, Private, 2Oth Royal essential qualities o[ a leader, with m London Scottish Fusiliers undersl.anding readiness Io give a Rtprnv Counr Daw, C B., Sec Lieutenant, 5th Woollatt, R H, Sec Lieutenant, helping hand where it was needed " Seaforth Highlanders KOSB. *Davenport, L I Scuoor F.M., Captain, Oxford *Yule, R E, D.S O G U, Captain, EDWARD COTTERJLL SCHOLEFTELD Davy, H N., Lieulenant, R,E Yule, J.S., Captain, R E Reported missing, presmed drowned, 1893 Daw, F,B, Sec Lieubenant, RF A ReYPuls Yule, R A, Caplain, 8th He was Flying-Off!cer rDaw, H.W B, Sub Lieulenant, *Wood, December, 1941. C A B., Sec Lieutenant, 1sl Intelligence Mr. Robert Pearce R.NVR. in the R A.F.V.R and Essex Officer atfached to a Coastal Com- Eiloart, B H, Captain, 34th Sikh * Killed in aclion mand Squadron. He was Mrs Pearce's 19T7 Pioneers. nephew, and was al Ripley Courl from Pearce Englahd, M O F,, Sub. Lieulenant, Mrs, Mabel RNAS "Pro P atria" 1978-7923, when he went to Harrow, qualifying as a solicitor. Frost. N M, Sec Lieutenant, RoYal RONALD C.B.A. DANIEL RePorted afterwards T917 Welsh Fusiliers. missing, presmed killed in action in *Gledstanes, S A, Lieutenant, Norfhern Norwegian waters on 8lh BERNARD ROMANOFF Killed in Mr, Church aged 27 Bom in Bedtords June, 1940, aged 39 He was al RiPleY action, March, 7942, Green, L P., Sec Lieulenant, Easl Court 1911 7972, a d from 1914 Russia, he came to RiPleY Courl in T925 Surreys 1916 a cadet on the lraining-shiP 7920.He won many sPorts Prizes and Mr, Guy Onslow Grice, O.H, Lance-CorPoraL, 2/28 HM S Conway. From 1916-1918 he was captain of cricket in his lasl year, Arbists'Rifles serued with lhe Royal Naval Reserve 1928, when he went lo Berkhamsted Grice, P.H, Ass P.M, RNVR in H.M S. Centurion, and was subse- School Here he played for the School, T952 Hubbard, T O.B, Major, R.F C. quently transferred to the British Isles both at rugger and cricket, was caplain a school prefect Various Salaried "fefferys, M G, Sec Lieutenanl, 1Oth Steam Navigalion ComPanY, remain- of his House XI, and Middlesex, ing in their service for a number of In 7936 he was commissioned as Headmasters +fones, C.H, Captain, 11lh RW years, During the Present war he Acling Pilol-Officer in the RA.F., Fusiliers volmteered early in 1940, md was gaining his wings in the following joined communica- T95 3 Jones, T B, Lieutenant, 9th RoYal appoinfed Lieutenant R.N.V R serv- yedri in 1q38 he a Fusiliers ing in H M,S, tions squadron, and had the honour of F, Juniper. Mr, D, Ashmore +Judge, W S., Sec Lieutenant, R F A. piloting several distinguished persons. Laurance, L.G, CaPtain, 6th JOHN M. KEDDIE. Killed on aclive \n 7939 he was Promofed FlYing 1.956 Worcesters. seryice on 4th January, 7947, aged 79 Officer. In 7940, after returning from France, he was transferred lo a Para- " W, M, Newte Leigh-Clare, H,J L., Sec Lieutenant, He was Sergeant-Pilot in the RA.F., Mr. 34th Poona Horse md was just aboul to receive his troop Training Squadron; later, at his Leigh-Clare, C O L, Lieutenanl, 1/5 commission at the time of his accident, own request, he was transferred to a 1.978 Soufh Lancashires. He was at Ripley Court 1930-35, and Bomber Squadron, becoming Squad- Leader in December, 7947. ln Mr.J.W, N, Dudgeon Mallett, K,L, Sec Lieutenarlt, 2nd afterwards at Haileybury, where he ron Bedfords. was evenlually head of his house 1936 he won the Wakefield TroPhY +Martin, A.D de R, CaPtain, R E Gold Medal for Boxing. In 1930 he now *Martin, D F. de R, Sec Lieutenant, 5lh IOHN EDWARD OLIVE cme lo RiPleY tounded wltn u G. Flewlln8s Northumberland Fusiliers. in May, 1929, and went on to himself in the RAF. the RiPleY Roll of Honour Martin, E.C de R, CaPlain, M C., Wellington College in September, Court Old Boys' SocietY and was its K.O Y L.l, Brigade 19JJ. He joined fhe R.A.F. in the first treasurer. T9T6 Mvles, AV, Lieutenant, gth BhoPal Infintry. Bone, R J, D.S O, Flight Commander *Myles, P. H, Ljeutenant, 41sf Dogras R.N Neale, F.S, Private, 13th RoYal Bowles, G. P, Lieutenant, R N Fusiliers *Bowles, i.C., Lieubenant, R E Nightingale, G.W, Legion oI Honour, Bristow, F A., Sec, Lieulenant, 12th M.C, CaPtain, 1st RoYal Munsters. Durham Infantry +Nixon, N.C I, Sec Lieutenant, 8th Bristow, H, Sec. Lieufenant, M G C. Bedfords Burton, G.P., Sec. Lieutenant, A S C 'O'Brien, Hon D., Sec. Lieutenanl, Buchan, T O,M, Captain, Queen's, R F.C Acfing Brigade Major. Pearce, G.O, Sec Lieutenanf, 5th Camroux, M M., Sec Lieutenant, Manchesters R G.A Perks, H., Capta\n2/7 Middlesex Cattley, G A,, Sec Lieutenanl, 4fh *Pocock, M C Dragoon Guards F.P., Surgeon, R.A M.C., Chambers, F.G., Lieubenant, RA Potter, i.C., Sec. Lieubenant, R F.C Channer, G,O. de R., CaPtain,2/7 Prescott-Roberts, P A., CaPtain, Gurkha Rifles A,S.C

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