’18 THE OLD JOHNIAN The Magazine for Alumni of St John’s School

THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 1 FROM THE HEAD’S DESK

I am writing this at the end of my first to meet the changing needs of our pupils and year as The Head of St John’s and it is an their families. Being a vibrant community of interesting point at which to reflect on the boys and girls from ages 11 to 18 has added warmth of the welcome I have received an exciting new dimension to school life and into the St John’s community. we are delighted that we will be welcoming a larger Lower Third (Year 7) intake in My own connection with St John’s stretches September 2018. back to childhood when I competed on St John’s playing fields as a local schoolgirl. We are fortunate at St John’s to have Fast-forward a few years and, as my exceptional facilities for our pupils but we teaching career progressed, I remained aware of St John’s are also ambitious about building the very best learning and watched the changes taking place with interest. I was environment that we can. Our Director of Estates will be immediately drawn to the role of The Head at St John’s creating a masterplan to ensure that our setting supports because I could see that it would blend the professional and enhances the delivery of the highest standard of challenge of leading an exceptional school with a very education in the coming years. I am also pleased to say that personal sense of belonging and familiarity. My family was work has now begun on the new swimming pool and this instantly made to feel at home here and my conviction is scheduled to be completed in summer 2019. that this would be a special community to belong to has certainly been proved to be true. I have really enjoyed talking with the many OJs I have met at various events this year; I have been struck by the Throughout its history, St John’s has been progressive loyalty, kindness and enthusiasm you have for St John’s and in its approach and never has this been more important it speaks volumes for our school community that we have than today. The challenge for schools now is to retain the such a committed alumni. I would like to thank you for ethos and values which are at their heart, while being your ongoing support and I look forward to meeting many innovative in the way they prepare young people for life more of you at future events. in an ever-shifting landscape. It is heartening that one of the most significant changes at St John’s in recent years, Mrs Rowena Cole the introduction of Lower School, has proved so successful The Head because this demonstrates the value of seeking new ways

THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 2 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 3 EDINBURGH FRINGE

The John’s 11 theatre group went to Edinburgh to perform at the Fringe Festival. The show, Not To Be Seen Outside the EU, was a short, light-hearted comedy about a dystopian post-Brexit Britain.

The group flyered on the Mile and enjoyed interacting with creative and interesting people, swapping flyers and hearing them talk with passion about their performances. SCH L They also adopted some unorthodox flyering OO techniques including lying on the ground, coating pillars entirely in taped together NEWS flyers, and resorted to some good old fashioned begging. Despite initial worries over its reception, the show was a hit with the audience and was almost full every day.

STEM TRIP TO THE INSTITUTE OF CANCER RESEARCH “My experience at the Young YOUNG FURNITURE Girls from the Lower Sixth took a trip to the Institute of MAKERS’ EXHIBITION Cancer Research (ICR). The day focused on encouraging Furniture Makers’ exhibition girls to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering Saskia Hawkins was awarded joint winner of and mathematics) careers. was amazing and I was the School Design Prize at the Young Furniture Makers’ Exhibition in London. She received the The first talk from Professor Raj Chopra explained how the honoured to have been put award, a gift voucher and a cheque for St John’s, ICR contributes to breakthroughs in cancer treatment. He from acclaimed product and furniture designer explained that the human genome sequencing now takes forward and to present my Sebastian Conran. two hours, so malfunctioning genes can be pinpointed and genetic predisposition to cancer identified. piece. It was fascinating to The Young Furniture Makers’ exhibition was held at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church The second speaker, Dr Olivia Rossanese, explained how be able to meet so many in Austin Friars. Over 120 young designers and school-level biology feeds into the work of the ICR to furniture makers were invited to exhibit and develop new medicines. interesting people and to see showcase their work. The third speaker, Dr Florence Raynaud, spoke about the wide variety of creativity in the role of chemistry in developing new treatments. She highlighted professional avenues to work with the ICR and their designs.” advised the girls to study something they were passionate about as specialising comes later. Designer Sebastian Conran in his West London Studio Saskia Hawkins The girls then went on a tour of the Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Screening labs and got the chance to see experiments in action. They also used microscopes to examine living human cells.

4 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 5 ST JOHN’S AT SANDHURST “It was incredibly A pupil and a member of staff from St John’s inspiring to be were proud participants at a dinner at Sandhurst. Cadet Sergeant Emma Sinclair and teacher Lt Col surrounded by so many Ainsley Rawlings were invited to represent the ‘future’ at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst extremely capable Centenary dinner to honour the Past, Present and Future of women in the British Army alongside women, young and old, representatives from seven cadet forces from schools across the country. who have shaped and are still shaping the role that women play in the military.”

SINFONIA IS A FORMIDABLE NATIONAL FINAL OF THE The St John’s Pistol Shooting team competed in the National Finals for the Schools’ Pistol FORCE BRITISH SCHOOLS’ PISTOL Championships at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on Members of the Sinfonia played with style and The St John’s Pistol 17 January 2018. They had been selected for this Shooting team CHAMPIONSHIPS maturity to an appreciative audience on Tuesday event by coming second in the South East regional 20 March in the Old Chapel at St John’s tackling qualifying event. some extremely demanding repertoire. The concert opened with Mozart’s overture from The St John’s team had a fantastic shoot to win the The Magic Flute, and was followed by the first silver medal in the Senior Final alongside Glyn The St John’s movement of Beriot’s Violin Concerto, played by Sinfonia School who won gold and Ellesmere College who Jimena Rodriguez-Foronda. Her playing was truly won bronze. outstanding for someone of such tender years and she commanded the performance from start “We are so happy after to finish with beautiful phrasing and dexterous a hugely successful virtuosity. The string quartet then played a movement competition. We had from Mendelssohn’s string quartet No.2 in A minor. This ensemble is fast gaining notoriety over 500 entries for the for their playing and this performance was no exception. The concert finished with the Championships overall, mighty Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven, which pushed the players’ ability to the extreme. The with 80 teams from 217 performance was professional in all aspects, with different schools.” some outstanding individual contributions from members of the woodwind and brass sections British Shooting Commercial and Events Co-ordinator, Gorgs Geikie especially.

6 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 7 RUGBY SEVENS 2018 “I am very pleased SENIOR SCHOOL PLAY SURREY PLATE WINNERS to come away with On 6 and 7 December the Senior School gave an In the Surrey Sevens, the U18 Eagles faced tough impassioned and impressive performance of a competition. The team started well with a win two medals, but am reinterpretation of Oedipus by Sophocles. Earth against Harris City Academy 45-0. in the future is a barren wasteland ravaged by also looking to keep climate change. At a press conference Oedipus In the next match against Harrow, the Eagles lost declares he will remedy the environmental curse; 12-26. The players created a recovery plan for improving as the a quest which ultimately leads to his destruction. their following match against Beechen Cliff, who season goes on.” Chorus groups mastered the growing unease of were runners-up in 2017 and one of the best the play and the curtain fell on the broken and teams. The strategy paid off and led to a win of haunted Oedipus accompanied by Neil Young’s 50-21. Unfortunately the stellar effort was not After the Gold Rush and the lyric Look at Mother enough to qualify for the cup quarter finals by Nature on the Run in the 21st Century. a margin of three points. The team was entered instead into the Surrey Plate competition. Luke Grob’s performance in the lead role was masterful. The chilling portrayal of Tiresias King’s College Wimbledon proved to be a by Harry Edwards was full of venom. Isabelle challenge with big and powerful players in the Hammersley gave a shocking representation quarter final, but the Eagles ran in seven tries as The Messenger, Megan Wrigglesworth’s and ended 47-0. In the next match, St John’s was emotionally conflicted Shepherd gave the final determined against Dulwich and won 24-19. scene tremendous pathos and Oliver Gordon was comically sycophantic as The Stranger. By the final against Caterham the team was Libby Thornton’s and James Gardner’s powerful attacking and defending with power, taking a 24-5 performances (as Jocasta and Creon) were lead in the final moments; even two late tries from incredibly mature from Lower Sixth pupils. The Rugby Sevens 2018 Surrey the opposition was not enough to catch up and St entire ensemble was phenomenal and the Drama Plate Winners John’s was crowned 2018 Surrey Plate winners. Department is very proud of all involved. WORLD CRICKET First among them must be the Sinfonia. Playing Cadogan Hall ACADEMY FOR GEDDES Beethoven to Bruch, via Beriot and Mozart, it is extraordinary to think that the group was formed St John’s 1st XI cricketer Ben Geddes travelled to but three years ago. Ismael Rodriguez-Foronda India in February to spend a week training with led the orchestra brilliantly, and for the first time, the World Cricket Academy in Nagpur. This Elite whilst his sister - Jimena Rodriguez-Foronda training camp is overseen by Zubin Bharucha, - dazzled the audience as the violin soloist in (Head coach of IPL side Rajasthan Royals) and is Bériot’s Violin Concerto No. 9 in A minor. Alex designed to give the players an insight into the Semple, winner this year of both the Concerto way the World Champions of cricket play, practice Competition and the Forbes Senior Music and prepare to enhance their game. Ben was the Competition, gave a heart-rending account of youngest member of the touring party, which the middle movement of Bruch’s famous Violin includes three professional players and eight Concerto in G minor. The Lower School Choir, academy hopefuls. on excellent form, sang two movements from Andrew Carter’s Benedicite, which propelled the Director of Cricket, David Hammond commented, first half towards a confident display of musical “This is a wonderful opportunity for Ben to A CELEBRATION OF fireworks from the Swing Band, together with test himself against some of the most talented MUSIC AT CADOGAN soloists Isobel Galloway and Eddie Jones. young cricketers. I have no doubt that the whole JUMPING FOR GOLD experience will set him up well for the future”. HALL The concert’s second half proved no less Michael Anderson competed in the Surrey Indoor A large audience of staff, family members and enthralling. The Schola Cantorum have, perhaps, Athletics Championships where he took on the friends gathered in gleaming Cadogan Hall on had their finest year to date and proved as Long Jump and, despite being a year younger Friday 4 May, a glorious spring evening, for much with a beautifully measured and serene than many in the competition, he snatched the the School’s second Celebration of Music in as performance of Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical silver medal with a lifetime best of 6.06m. In his many years. The breadth and depth of pupil Songs. The string quartet played a movement favoured Triple Jump he leapt an outstanding musicianship and endeavour shone through a from Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A 12.78m and took gold. concert that was a testament to the hard work and minor, before the massed voices of the Chapel diligence of the superb body of people who make Choir and Choral Society engaged fulsomely with up the music department. Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore.

8 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 9 Despite our limited numbers we covered the very sporty and we enjoyed supporting each subjects broadly and one of us even took up other’s matches and at end of term we joined in Craft Design and Technology (CDT), much to the mixed matches which were great fun. surprise of the boys; it was the first time a girl had done this subject. We girls quickly learnt solidarity We were offered the chance to partake in CCF was the quickest route to survival, helping each Army camp and three of us jumped at the chance other with classroom locations, timetables and to spend four days in Wales. On arrival at the strange new routines. The boys in our year viewed gates, females were split out into their own us with disappointment; they had expected a large barracks which can only be described as small intake of females and were only rewarded with a airport hangars with rows and rows of metal smattering of one or two females in their classes. bunk beds, green army issue blankets and strict We hardly turned their heads! instructions to make our beds ready for inspection. We counted the bunks, 63 in total, and we three Being such a small group of girls, it quickly squirrelled ourselves up at one end squealing with became apparent that we had our work cut out. excitement at being the only occupants. We were expected to be present in everyday life at St John’s and with so few of us, we had to work hard to cover all the bases. Four of us, including We were eight girls in total, the myself, joined the CCF in the Army and the rest opted for the Navy. Interestingly none of us chose smallest intake to date, and we the community service option, instead heading could not have been more different, straight for adventure. thrown together in a David and We were all required to audition for the choir as St John’s had a strong musical presence and R.M.Butler M.A.Langley V.J.Evans S.J.Carrington J.J.Quiney K.H.Bacon L.Antrobus C.E.Rayner Goliath battle, eight of us against female voices were required. I tried my worst at T.Oozeerally S.LBeech S.A.Ford K.E.Alden N.R.Wilkinson S.A.Lufflum V.A.Norgan C.Stevens S.A.Lambourn audition despite being quite musical, having been the eighty boys in our year. A.H.Turner H.L.Rossetti Mrs.V.A.Shore Mrs.C.J.Richards T.Rowell,Esq. Mrs.D.J.Burgess B.Robinson told practices would occupy most of my lunch breaks and require attendance at weekly Sunday Chapel. Unsurprisingly, I was accepted along with The instructors were terrifying and I was shaking In the spring of 1993, I sat in the office of the four others to join the ranks of soprano and alto. with fear as we were drilled with the boys through THE EIGHT retiring headmaster, Mr Brown, discussing During my time we sang many beautiful pieces our marching paces. I remember when the – some of which I still remember today – and instructor marched up to me and whispered in my GIRL INTAKE the opportunities an education at St John’s we travelled as guest choir to cathedrals singing ear that it was now my turn to command the drill. Sixth Form might offer. We’d toured the anthems for choral recitals. It is fair to say I I had to shout instructions at the top of my lungs enjoyed the singing immensely! to boys ranging from my year down and they OF School and left to the words, ‘Yes I’m sure miraculously followed my instructions. To this day she will be fine, we look forward to seeing Sport featured regularly in the timetable through I am not sure why I was selected; I think the fear the week with matches on Saturday afternoons. St was written all over my face but being in the Army you in due course’. Come September things John’s was required to provide a team not only for is about receiving instructions and following them were looking quite different along with a new netball and hockey, but also lacrosse which only through. We then practised skills in pairs and the one of our number had ever played before. Sporty boy I was paired with told me to ‘run’ which I did headmaster, Mr Tongue, in charge. or not, we had to pick up this bizarre sport which until I reached the end of a long field totally on ’93 felt a little like golf but running around. We had my own only to turn and see all the boys creased three good lacrosse players on our team and the up laughing at the sight of me many hundreds of Around the time my GCSE results came out, curriculum activities not then offered at most rest of us made up numbers. I remember one wet yards away, still running. we received a phone call from the Hallaton girls’ schools such as the Combined Cadet Force afternoon waiting to hear whether our impending Housemaster to inform us that, due to the (CCF), arts, sports and a swimming pool. It match was cancelled and one of the girls moaning Geography was a popular topic, with three recession, numbers for intake were still low, seemed to me St John’s had a lot to offer and I was that she did not even know how to play. She was girls taking this subject. The teacher was our and to help increase solidarity amongst the girls excited at the prospect of things to come. quickly told by the enthusiastic sports mistress much loved and well-respected Housemaster, would my parents consider my boarding? Initially that, like it or not, she was in the team even if she Trevor Rowell, who worked tirelessly with us, The first week was like an experiment: the bell against the idea, my mum only relented when could only stand on the pitch holding her stick. encouraging us to make the most of our abilities. tolled incessantly calling us to and from lessons, a close friend reassured her that I had the right We were lucky that his enthusiasm for the subject meals and break times. We had two prep sessions character to cope and, living nearby in Reigate, I quickly learned the benefit of a team sports. resulted in amazing field trips to countries such either side of dinner, Saturday school in the she could pop up and visit. We had a goal to work to which was receiving as Norway and Morocco. We girls opted for the morning and Sunday evening chapel. There was our sporting colours; half colours were a maroon Norwegian experience and spent a week under I was intrigued by the idea of living away from not much time to think about things and we had jumper or full colours a green jumper. By the end canvas climbing glaciers, crossing the Arctic Circle home and suddenly my world was opening up. to acclimatise quickly, fitting in to our new life of my two years I had earned my full colours at and ending up in a town called ‘Hell’. Much fun St John’s offered me the education and the extra governed by the bell. netball and felt very proud. The boys too were was had and I have to admit sometimes girls were

10 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 11 My true nature is a little rebellious. I forget how I ended up with a Saturday night detention, but it RICHARD HORTON, was much to the delight of the boys who were all pleased that the girls weren’t given the soft touch. FORMER PHYSICS TEACHER AT ST JOHN’S, LOOKS BACK AT SOME This meant staying in on Saturday night attending OF THE TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED IN THE ’70S detention until 9pm. At 7pm I joined the line outside the hall and was horrified to see that there were around seven junior boys all gazing up at I joined the physics department at St John’s me, oh the humiliation! A teacher arrived and the door was opened to a room of desks for us to in September 1973 when it had just two complete extra work. I filed in behind the boys other members of staff: John Durling (Head ready to take up my desk but was stopped and the teacher passed me a Snickers bar and told me of Science) and Eric Kilner (later to take to go back to my room. A thankful release and over the art department). a great story to tell on Monday to the boys who were all ears to hear how my Saturday night had turned out! THE ‘YELLOW PERIL’

Two years quickly flew by and towards the end I At my job interview with headmaster Ted passed my driving test, giving me the freedom to Hartwell, I was given the choice of joining the take my car to school and we often hung out on CCF or taking charge of the sailing club which the road enjoying our new-found maturity. We had been vacated by my predecessor. I chose the sat our exams, then in the summer we girls went latter and found that the transport to our sailing other member of staff was willing to take his place Leyland Tiger on holiday to Dorset together, our last time as a venue, Thames Young Mariners, was via an ex and that the way forward was clear; we must sell coach nicknamed group before we took up our places at university. 1950s Bournemouth Corporation Leyland Tiger ‘The Yellow Peril’ YP and purchase a couple of mini-buses which It was sad parting as we had become entwined in coach driven by French master Brian Love and staff were happy to drive. each other’s lives during those school years but nicknamed ‘The Yellow Peril’. Brian was keen to we remained good friends and met up with each both take his PSV licence and also find someone at an advantage if they came from families with other well into our early twenties before jobs, to share the driving load and I agreed to join him brothers, as in my case. It was us who let down marriage and finally children separated us. We on the PSV training course at Epsom Coaches THE STROWGER the boys’ tent in the night, but they got their even had a partnering among us, with a marriage in the following Easter holidays. The company TELEPHONE EXCHANGE own back by locking us out of the minibus at the in 2006 between one of the girls and a boy from agreed to train us in return for our working for coldest point on the Arctic Circle. East House, romance blossoming after school them during the summer break and we spent an Today we take for granted that telephonic years. Of course, we still keep in touch and I am enlightening period, with duties ranging from communication is ubiquitous but, when I joined To help pay for an expedition in my gap year, I did comforted by the fact I can pick up the phone and bussing workers to factories to taking groups to St John’s, there were just a handful of external a fundraising initiative of pancake making from call my friends, announcing myself with only a the Proms. lines and no internal system at all. There were Hallaton House and for a time at break us girls ‘Hello’ to hear the familiar voice ‘Hello Joanna’ on remnants of an old handset and cables in the tossed and served pancakes through the kitchen Back at school we shared the driving which the other end, taking us right back to running in bursar’s department, which used push-buttons window, giving the boys a rare peek into the girls’ mostly consisted of ferrying teams to rugby, and out of each other’s rooms, shouting ‘have we to connect the instrument to a few key locations house, which was strictly out of bounds. We had cricket and sailing matches. So, what can we say got the right text books?’ and sharing the ups and across the school, but all the other instruments queues of boys hungry for pancakes and a glimpse of the technology of YP? Perhaps the function downs of the day. had been removed prior to the 70s. The bursar of our house, which only served to fuel their which affected us most was the lack of power told me that he had considered installing a opinion that we lived in cosseted luxury. steering which certainly built up the arm muscles My parents told me that in those two years I grew new internal system but that quotes had been in confidence as well as learning new skills ready on the 6+ tonne beast. The vacuum brakes Mostly we tried to conform and adapt, and the prohibitively expensive so I suggested that we to tackle future life. I have since then felt a strong did not enhance its stopping ability but, as the girls in the year above were hugely encouraging could probably build a small system of our own solidarity with the other girls and proud of the maximum speed was just over 50mph on a level in our first year, helping us to cope with new using redundant electro-mechanical equipment achievements we eight made in those two years road, only long, steep descents gave cause for any teachers and routines. We formed strong which was being replaced across the country by at Hallaton House. We all came out considerably real anxiety. Heating was very rudimentary, the friendships with one another, quickly seeking each electronic telephone exchanges. better and stronger than when we went in, ready pupils would say non-existent, but this was not other out in times of difficulty and realising that at to progress on to further education and life a major problem for the driver (apart from the He agreed to fund a pilot system, most of the cost times we were all quite alone.We encouraged each beyond the cloisters of St John’s and the tolling of de-misting of the screen) as the physical effort of which would be cabling for the main building, other at lessons, pushing ourselves beyond our that bell! involved kept one warm. The gearbox was of a and so I sourced and built a small ‘Strowger’ capabilities in order to win the boys’ acceptance. constant-mesh type so double de-clutching was exchange. [Almon B Strowger was a Kansas One of the girls was particularly skilled at CDT Joanna Colvile (née Quiney) essential, an art most drivers now do not acquire City undertaker who in 1891 invented the first and on receiving a high mark for her work, all Hallaton 1993-1995 unless one is a rally driver. After a couple of years automatic telephone switch. The incentive lay in the boys crowded round her surprised that she driving together, Brian Love left St John’s for the fact that he was losing business as the local had done so well. These moments were worth pastures new and I continued to drive YP for the manual exchange operator was a relative of a rival savouring and won us important credit. following year until it became apparent that no undertaker and was directing business to him!]

12 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 13 A group of day-boys agreed to give up some of THE AMATEUR RADIO showed that for the price of a two up two down their holiday time to help install the cabling in terraced house in Leatherhead, I could afford the main building. Fortunately the old system’s STATION a three bedroom detached new build near my multicore cable still existed in many of the northern roots, so I set about looking for suitable I had held my Amateur Radio licence since my outlying buildings (except the science labs) so positions which culminated in my moving to own school days and set up a small station in this was pulled back into service. After a few Harrogate Ladies’ College as Head of Physics our house on Linden Pit Path. On discussing the months’ work the exchange was sited in the lobby in the summer of that year. However, I did not hobby with some of my pupils, I agreed to start a of the School Captain’s room and old series 300 lose contact with St John’s because a master small club in school (members included Jonathan telephones were purchased from the GPO (at who joined the School in the same year as I Creaser, Jonathan Arnold and Jonathan Hotopf) £1 each) for each extension. The system now departed, Dr Jon Nuttall, made contact regarding and an Eddystone EC 10 receiver was purchased comprised 35 extensions, the locations of which the network operating system hardware and and placed in the same room as the Melcom may be seen on the directory listing below, and software I had developed at HLC and which St computer. On occasion I would bring my Yaesu was still in use until the 1980s, by which time I John’s subsequently adopted on their Research FT101B transceiver into school to make a few had sourced a redundant uniselector exchange Machines 380Z and 480Z computers. As an aside, international contacts but I have always regretted from Yorkshire Chemicals in Leeds that was the St John’s physics technician Marcus built the The Mitsubishi not having had the time to teach the Radio transported to St John’s by minibus. THE SCHOOL’S FIRST hardware to our design – those who knew Marcus Melcom 83 Amateurs Examination course to the pupils. computer will never forget his willingness to help with COMPUTER However, the exposure to the hobby had a long technical projects and distinctive appearance! lasting effect on at least one member of the club When ‘Niki’ Nikiforos joined the mathematics My 34 years at HLC afforded the time to expand department he started a computing club. the interests pursued at St John’s, in particular, Programming was taught by completing lines of the founding of a substantial Amateur Radio club code which were punched onto cards and sent to and station within the school, with outreach to a local university to input into their mainframe some 200+ schools who started their own clubs computer. Niki was approached by a parent with through the STELAR organisation. The highlight the offer of a redundant small business computer was HLC being chosen to coordinate the eight and, knowing my interest in electronics and schools who linked via Amateur Radio with Helen computing, he asked me if I would be prepared to Sharman GB1MIR when she was on the Mir space install and run the machine in school. station in 1991 – videos of our contacts with astronauts may be found at www.G3XWH.com We duly transported the machine from Guildford to Leatherhead in a school minibus and I set Returning to St John’s on three occasions over the about re-wiring the units together and getting past ten years I have been most impressed with to grips with its machine language named the progress of the School on many fronts. It is COOL. The machine was a Mitsubishi Melcom clearly going from strength to strength and I wish 83 computer and turned out to be less than ten it every success in the future. years old. By this time I had been given the use of a small room next to the Dining Hall and this is where the machine was installed. The system was quite different from current standards in that it had no solid state memory, just a disk with multiple read/write heads. Also, the memory as Jonathan Creaser went on to obtain the callsign was arranged not in bytes but in ‘words’ of 12 M0XXJ. As a postscript, I have seen an article numerical digits, there being room for 1,000 of published in the early 1920s in the Wireless these on the internal disk. In addition there was World magazine which mentions a school radio an external disk unit of 10,000 ‘word’ capacity. station at St John’s, Leatherhead but does not state There was no computer monitor as such, just a whether it was receive only or had a transmitter. numeric display showing one twelve digit ‘word’. At this time, Mill Hill School had a very famous Main input/output was via an electromechanical pupil, Cecil Goyder, who made the first UK to keyboard/printer or punched paper tape. New Zealand contact by Amateur Radio.

There was an upcoming open day and so I set myself a small project to demonstrate the machine DEPARTURE The telephone to visitors by writing a program to play the game exchange and ‘Bulls and Cows’, the original ‘Mastermind’ game. In 1978 I reluctantly decided to leave Richard Horton’s QSL card showing the light internal telephone The first real use of the machine was a project Leatherhead; firstly because there was no prospect aircraft he built in the 1990s. G3XWH is his callsign. directory! given to some of the boys to write code to print of obtaining a more senior departmental position out the rotating plan for seating in the dining hall. and secondly wishing to get a foot on the first rung of the property ladder. A little investigation

14 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 15 interview ALEX MACQUEEN

Alex Macqueen is best known for his roles as Julius Nicholson in The Thick of It and Neil’s Dad in The Inbetweeners, his long-running part in the medical TV series, Holby City, and for being the new Master in the Dr Who Audio Series. He has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The IT Crowd and worked with directors including Woody Allen, Kenneth Branagh, Armando Iannucci and Richard Curtis. But, he says, much of his theatre training really began at St John’s.

WHAT MEMORIES DO YOU HAVE OF DRAMA AT ST JOHN’S?

I joined St John’s for the Sixth Form in 1990. The headmaster at the time was David Brown and his secretary, Rosemary Farrant, was a friend of my parents and suggested that I might enjoy joining the School. Mr Brian Joplin, Head of English, was appointed the year that I arrived at St John’s and went on to transform drama at the School. The scale of drama increased dramatically. The great thing about St John’s was that you were allowed to put on plays of your own. Mr Joplin would oversee a little but with a very gentle hand and he gave us the confidence to produce and direct.

The main play I performed in was The Relapse, a restoration comedy by Jon Vanbrugh where I played the character, Worthy. It was a highly professional production and the quality was outstanding. We were really pushed hard. We did a play a term – a school play and a house play. There was an outdoor drama society then, though “I knew the value of studying there was nothing outdoor about it! I spent my whole time acting until I scaled it down at A hard and that if I concentrated levels. and applied myself the rewards Bill Chubb’s theatre trips were fantastic. We saw everything there was to see – all the great plays. I could be very substantial.” saw brilliant acting which made me want to be an actor. That’s where I learnt stagecraft, by watching and observing great actors perform. So, in many ways I feel that I trained for acting through Bill Chubb.

16 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 17 WHAT OTHER MEMORIES DO WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE YOU HAVE OF ST JOHN’S? FOR PUPILS AT ST JOHN’S?

Being at St John’s was hugely important to me and We’re not on this planet for long. You must gave me enormous opportunities. I made some pursue your intention to do what will make you great friends who are still friends today. There happy, as opposed to what will make you rich. were some great teachers too. Brent Stevens was If something stirs in your soul, is a real desire, an inspired history teacher and Pat Noble gave me put this first. We have such a short life, do what the geography prize two years running! makes you happy and make that your priority.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO TO WHAT ABOUT ACTING? UNIVERSITY INSTEAD OF DRAMA If you really, really want to do it, then do it, but SCHOOL? it can be intensely punishing and you have to learn to deal with rejection. Peter Capaldi said For me, going to drama school felt a little he had asked Cher how she coped with success precarious. I believed I was far better served and she told him that it was not how she dealt to have something behind me as a backup; Alex Macqueen with success that was important but how she economically imperative, in fact. So I went to in Black Mirror coped with failure. A life in acting is about failure university and studied English at Durham – (2011) management. which were the happiest three years of my life. It was better that I didn’t get into Oxford. I had then I left it. It was an easy decision to make. I when you see your heroes being caught up in BUT YOUR CAREER SEEMS TO such a great time and it was where I learnt about was envious of friends who were acting. I had controversy, like the #MeToo campaign. I had no HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL… how to become an adult human being. It was seen Orlando Bloom at a premier of Lord of the insight whatsoever, but he has been exonerated. a different time then, without university loans, Rings – we were at the National Youth Theatre Michael Caine is another hero. I was glued to him Don’t believe it! I was rejected for the National and I know the landscape has altered now. But I together – and I just thought I must give it a go. when he was performing (in the filmYouth which Youth Theatre before I got in. And there have would say, if you can go to university, go! So I went to the Edinburgh Fringe where three came out in 2016). He makes you want to be first been things I’d have loved to have been in like friends won the Perrier Award. Back in London I class. It is incredible to be around someone who Then I went to Cambridge (Pembroke College) The Crown and Game of Thrones. But I do feel was invited to go to a theatre party which I didn’t is a hero. where I studied International Relations, by which very lucky. really feel like going to as it was a cold, dark, time I felt I could compete in that environment winter evening but I thought I needed to go. In WHAT ABOUT THEATRE WORK? as a player. I got sponsorship to set up my own DO YOU GET ASKED FOR YOUR the foyer I bumped into a casting director who theatre company while I was there, Cambridge I KNOW YOU’VE ALSO WORKED AUTOGRAPH A LOT? had seen me at the National Youth Theatre and University Theatre Company, which was a lot of WITH KENNETH BRANAGH. she got me an audition for an Utterly Butterly Not autographs so much but I get asked to pose fun. Sometimes you have to start your own ball ad and I got the part. This then put me into the Yes, I was in a play called The Painkiller at the for selfies. Of course there are times when you’re game and bring your own football. sights of Armando Iannucci when he was casting Garrick with Ken and Rob Brydon which was fun, not in the mood but I think to myself, how many for The Thick of It, which led to Peep Show and WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO but I prefer working on TV and film. I love the times does, say, an accountant get a stranger then The IT Crowd. I think you have to put detail of TV and film which you can’t focus on so coming up to them in the street thanking them PURSUE ACTING AS A CAREER? yourself in the way of luck. much in the theatre. for doing their job. It is a privilege. I didn’t straight away. I went to law school and YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF We are delighted that Alex Macqueen will be did school pupillage and practised for a year but YOU’VE DONE A LOT OF IMPROV COMEDY. WAS THIS SOMETHING TOO. DO YOU ENJOY THAT? our guest speaker at the OJ Dinner at St John’s YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO? on Friday 12 October to celebrate the 45th I love it. You can make material fly and become anniversary of the foundation of Monty House. No, it wasn’t planned. But after the Utterly more spontaneous. If you don’t have to remember Butterly ad, comedy parts came my way so I have the exact lines it means you can give a much done quite a lot of them. After playing ‘Neil’s Dad’ more relaxed performance, I think so anyway. in The Inbetweeners I got offered a lot of similar dad parts! I have done just as much drama, too. WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS? WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH WOODY ALLEN AND I want to do some more directing and I am currently writing a comedy about two funeral MICHAEL CAINE? directors on the run. I deliberately haven’t I am deeply delighted to have worked with watched Six Feet Under (American comedy drama Woody Allen. He had been a fan of The Thick TV series). But it can take years for this sort of of It which is how I got to audition for his film, thing to get off the ground. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. It is difficult

18 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 19 FROM THE ARCHIVES TAKE A WALK BACK THROUGH TIME

MYSTERY ARTIST REVEALED! With great excitement, we compared the two paintings side by side and with details of the artist named as Brenda In the late 1990s a large oil painting of the front of the Johnston on the second picture, we realised that we had School and the Old Chapel was spotted at a local antiques a match and at a stroke our mystery was partially solved. fair and subsequently acquired for the School. No Brenda Johnston studied at Epsom School of Art in the late information about the artist or date of the painting was 1940s and again in the 1950s. She attended Reigate School available – just the words ‘Artist: Johnston’ on the back. of Art in the 1960s, had a number of solo exhibitions For many years, this painting hung in the front office, then and showed her work at the Royal Academy Summer in 2009 it was transferred to the School Archives. Exhibition. From 1970 – 1980 she was a member of the Leatherhead Art Club. The identity of the artist remained a mystery until local HERITAGE DAY 2017 resident Andrew Clegg contacted us in the summer of We still do not know the exact date ‘our’ painting was 2017 with details of a painting of St John’s, which he had created, but it may predate the view of the rear of the Visitors to the Heritage Day event on 9 September recently purchased from a gallery in America. This unusual School which we know was painted in 1973. We would were treated to an exclusive exhibition of rarely view of the School from Linden Pit Path showing the back love to find out more about these two paintings of St John’s seen original paintings, drawings and prints of the of the Dining Hall and the Churchill (now Gloucester) and discover why Brenda Johnston chose the School as her School, spanning over 160 years of history. House building bore a striking resemblance to our painting subject. Andrew kindly agreed to lend us his painting of St by ‘Johnston’. John’s by Brenda Johnston for our Heritage Day exhibition Featuring paintings and drawings by former local in September 2017. artists Geoffrey Fletcher and Brenda Johnston, together with those of renowned artists and etchers including Edward J Burrow, Dennis Flanders and Bryan de Grineau, these images trace the growth of the School from its small beginnings as a Choir School for the Sons of Poor Clergy attached to St Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace in 1851, through its various locations in London until it finally became established in Leatherhead in 1872. Views of the School before and after the fire of 1913 show the small but significant architectural changes made to the main building as it was rebuilt in 1914, and officially re-opened by HRH the Duchess of Albany on Speech Day, Wednesday 1 July 1914 just a few weeks before the outbreak of the First World War.

Limited edition prints of various views of the School, commissioned in the 1980s, 1990s and 2012, were also on show.

20 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 21 The decision to form an Officer Training Corps (OTC) at St HOW YOU John’s in 1912 was made possible by the return in CAN HELP 1911 of former pupil Lancelot Townshend Driffield, a Captain We aim to publish and print this book in the in the Special Reserve, to teach autumn of 2018, initially as a limited edition at St John’s. run of 250-300 copies. This large format His military experience gained illustrated book will be a further memorial at Cambridge, at Derby School to those Old Johnians, both pupils and and St Edmund’s, Canterbury, staff, who served their country at home and enabled the headmaster to abroad in the First World War. Cyprian Bourne: Assistant Master, Victor Bedwell: Albany Scholar, and Joseph Gedge: the first officer killed Frank Allan: school captain, scholar obtain the consent of the Army died of wounds in 1917 winner of the Craven Scholarship at in WWI and athlete, died of gas gangrene in Council to provide an OTC To help with the financial expense, we are Exeter College, Oxford, killed in action 1916 contingent. Service in the in 1916 seeking donations to help with the costs of OTC was compulsory for all this publication which include professional boys over the age of 14 and book design, copyright costs and printing as the war progressed, training and drill occupied costs. We welcome contributions from OJs much of their time outside the classroom. The impact of the and friends of the School and hope you will FORTHCOMING BOOK: war on school life is told in this book through letters and be able to help us. stories from former pupils ST JOHN’S SCHOOL LEATHERHEAD and the pages of the Johnian All donors will have their names AND THE GREAT WAR, 1914-1918 magazine which chronicled inscribed on a page within the book. the events of the war years. Additionally, benefactors who make To mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in November 1918 Lessons, sports and games, a contribution of at least £100 will we plan to publish a fully illustrated book school meals and the newly be recognised by the School with the to commemorate those OJs who served at introduced House system gift of a first edition of the book. We home and abroad. Stories of those who died will all feature, illustrated anticipate that the selling price of the and those who survived will be told and by some of the wonderful book will be around £25, but the final illustrated with first-hand accounts and images from the School Archives. lantern slide images taken price will be confirmed nearer the time. by one of the masters, In total 769 Old Johnians, 21 members of staff and three governors are Eustace Coddington. If you would like to support this project, known to have served in the First World War. Of these, 162 were killed please contact the Development Officer, in action or died of wounds. This book will be a tribute to a generation of Naia Edwards: Lieutenant Commander Eric Gasgoine Robinson VC pupils and staff who were called to serve their country, and the sacrifices [email protected] they made.

The book is the result of many years of meticulous research into the lives of those OJs whose names appear on our Roll of Honour Boards in the Old Chapel.

Included in the text will be a brief history of the School up to 1914, details of the formation of the Officer Training Corps in 1912, the devastating fire of 1913 and the re-opening of the buildings by the Duchess of Albany on Speech Day, 1 July 1914, just a few weeks before the start of the First World War.

The book will contain original documents, anecdotes and photographs, many of which have not previously been published. School memorials to the First World War will feature, and an updated list of the Roll of Honour will be published.

Victoria Cross winners, GH Woolley and EG Robinson, will be remembered, together with tales of other young officers who gained distinctions and medals for their leadership, courage and perseverance in 2nd Lieutenant Geoffrey Harold Woolley VC the face of adversity.

22 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 23 The further significance of these previously Leonard Percival Spencer Bourne was one of four unseen photographs lies in the fact that nearly all brothers who attended St John’s, three of whom the boys who appear in the photos later served served in the First World War. His brother 2nd in the First World War. Those in the 1912 1st XI Lieutenant Austin Spencer Bourne was listed as cricket team all saw active service and seven were ‘wounded and missing’. Austin died of wounds on Photographer killed in action. 23 April 1917, but his body was never identified and David Knights- today his name is on the wall of the Arras Memorial, Whittome by kind Biographies of Godfrey Stewart Middlemiss, along with 35,000 other men with no known grave. permission of the Kenneth Carlyle Gill, Victor Leopold Stevens London Borough Bedwell, Stanley Charles Squire, Cecil Llewellyn Leonard won an exhibition to Sidney Sussex College of Sutton Archives Norton Roberts, William Haldane Round and Eric Cambridge to read Classics in 1913, enlisted in Walter Carpenter Turner can be found on our 1915 and gained promotion to Lieutenant in the commemorative War Memorial Archive website at 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment. After the war www.stjohnsleatherheadatwar.co.uk he was a merchant in India and East Africa and then Senior Partner with the Mackinnon, Mackenzie Company, Calcutta. LPS Bourne was awarded The four young men who the CBE in 1949, in recognition of services to the UK Community in India. He died in Southwark, survived the war went on to London, in 1970. have varying careers. 1st XI Cricket Charles Edward Vernon Kingsbury Peberdy 1912 served as ‘Acting’ Captain in the 4th Battalion, West Back row: RESCUED FROM OBLIVION: Yorkshire Regiment and was wounded six times. He GS Middlemiss; Their names are recorded on the 42 illuminated CEVK Peberdy; 100 YEAR OLD GLASS NEGATIVES FOUND IN A SKIP! handwritten panels produced in 1918, listing Old was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO KC Gill; Johnians who served all the armed forces up to and MC. Appointed manager of the Rugby Boys’ VLS Bedwell; SC Squire; and including the First World War. Clubs in 1937, he later served in the Royal Pioneer LPS Bourne. In February 2018 I was surprised and delighted from the area. His huge collection of glass plates Corps, with the rank of Major, during the Second to be given a set of nine glass photographic was left in the cellar of his shop and was acquired World War. He remained a keen sportsman all his Front row: plates dating from 1912 – 1914. These old glass by Sutton Archives in 1978. The plates then CLN Roberts; life and was a Vice President of the Old Johnian CFE Clarke; negatives of St John’s School cricket and football remained untouched in a basement store for Rugby Club. WH Round; teams and a prefects group had been rescued over 35 years, until in 2014 Sutton Archives was War Memorial HJ Barnard; Panel 1918 EWC Turner from a skip many years ago, together with those awarded £95,900 by the Heritage Lottery Fund The Revd Harold Jeune Barnard was a School from other schools in Sutton and Carshalton. to clean, rehouse, digitise, catalogue and research Prefect, Captain of East House, a member of the the collection. Details of this project can be found choir and played 1st XI football and cricket from This was a hugely valuable donation as we have on the Past on Glass blog: 1912 – 1914. When war broke out he joined the very few original photographs from that period, www.pastonglass.wordpress.com/ and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, being promoted to Lieutenant possibly because of the School fire in June 1913 photographs they have digitised are available on in 1916 and Assistant Staff Captain in 1918. After which destroyed much of the main building, Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/pastonglass/ the war he gained a BA in 1925 from Christ’s College including the library where all the School Cambridge and was ordained in 1926. In 1929 he photos were held. We found that we now had I made contact with Abby Matthews, the ‘Past was appointed Organising Secretary to the Church photographs of the 1st XI cricket and football on Glass’ project officer, at Sutton Archives who of England Waifs and Strays Society in the Diocese teams for 1912, the 1st XI football team 1914 and kindly offered to scan the glass plates we had of Canterbury and in 1931 was appointed Chaplain the 2nd XI cricket and football teams for 1912 been given. Old glass negatives are fragile and to the Forces, stationed at Woolwich. He regularly – 1914 and the Prefects in the Summer Term need to be scanned with a large flat-bed scanner played cricket for the Old Johnians and the Army 1912. On closer examination I realised that they with a transparency lid or by using a camera and and in 1937 was awarded his Army Cricket Cap. also formed part of a large photographic archive a light box to produce the best results. of over 10,000 glass plates which belonged to Charles Frederick Empson Clarke came to St photographic artist David Knights-Whittome, as At first sight, I thought that our negatives were John’s in 1906 and played for the 1st XI cricket team I had spotted a couple of similar photos on Flickr damaged as I could see what looked like greasy in 1912. He left the School in 1912 for All Hallows in 2016. finger marks around the faces on the emulsion School, Honiton. During the First World War he was side of the plate. Abby explained that this was a a Lieutenant in the 9th Gloucestershire Regiment David Knights-Whittome owned shops in both common re-touching process before the advent and was awarded the MC. In 1939 he was promoted Sutton and Epsom from around 1904 until 1918 of photoshop, where the photographer applied to Major in the Royal Artillery. Charles Frederick and took thousands of photographs of local ink, either with a brush, or smudged quite Empson Clarke died in 1969 in Derbyshire, aged 73. people, places, institutions and schools. He was literally onto the surface of the plate with a finger granted a Royal Warrant and photographed which actually served to enhance the portraits. Sally Todd members of the Royal Family, describing himself The results when professionally scanned are School Archivist as ‘Photographer to the King’. In 1918 he gave remarkably good as you can see from this image up his photographic business and moved away of the 1912 1st XI team (above).

24 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 25 IN BYGONE DAYS 25 YEARS AGO St John’s welcomed a new headmaster, Chris A JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAGES OF THE JOHNIAN MAGAZINE Tongue. Following the opening of the Sports Hall in 1992, the old gym was transformed into the ‘Anthony Hope Theatre’ with a new façade. The 75 YEARS AGO School play, Timon of Athens, was directed by Johnian Summer 1968 Brian Joplin, with Andrew Noble taking the leading (cover page 1968) MAJOR D A SEAGRIM VC role and a new school uniform was introduced. Early in the term there was announced the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Major A memorial service was held in the School Chapel D. A. Seagrim for conspicuous gallantry at the for OJ Billy Rivers (1912 – 1917) who offered Mareth Line. A special holiday was given in his his services free of charge to the School as Bursar memory. The headmaster wrote to Mrs Seagrim during the Second World War and later was a on behalf of the School and received the following member of the School Governing Council. letter in reply: There were just 32 girls in the Sixth Form, but the 7, Nelson Terrace, Westward Ho. netball team had an outstanding season:

Dear Mr. Carter, ‘The first team won nine out of twelve matches. Our most glorious moment being the win over I am very grateful to you and the School, and in this Charterhouse, whom St John’s had never beaten at I know his brothers join, for your kind letter and netball before. We also won the runners up plate sympathy. My son Derek and his two elder brothers trophy in two tournaments. In the Eastbourne have very happy memories of St John’s and I know tournament we beat Charterhouse again by one he would feel glad and proud to know you were all goal in the final.’ remembering him in such a happy way. CCF 1968 - inside page with news re CCF and cartoon Yours very sincerely, A. H. Seagrim

The following announcement in the London BUILDING THE FUTURE Gazette is quoted from The Times of 14 May 1943: ST JOHN’S SCHOOL 1851-2018 The King has been pleased to approve the An illustrated time-line charting the growth of posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Major the School through its buildings was installed in (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) Derek Anthony May 2018 on the hoardings along Linden Pit Path Seagrim, The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess and Garlands Road, which surround the building of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment). works for the new swimming pool. Using images from the School Archives, this display shows how the School has transformed from a small choir 50 YEARS AGO school with just eight boys attached to St Mark’s Church, Hamilton Terrace, north London in 1851 FROM THE JOHNIAN 1968: to a fully co-educational school in Leatherhead Membership of the CCF became voluntary, over with 770 pupils in 2018. 100 boys volunteered for the new style CCF and Fred Jode, Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the CCF, retired after 22 years’ service.

Fred Jode, Malta 1967

26 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 27 SCOTT LOMAS CONSTANCE TEACHER OF MATHS CHAPMAN TEACHER OF CLASSICS AND valete HEAD OF WELLBEING WE BID FAREWELL TO TEACHERS LEAVING CAROLINE MARTIN CLARKE TOWNSHEND DEPUTY HEAD ST JOHN’S FOR PASTURES NEW HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

At the end of every academic year, we have to bid farewell Finally, I would like to express my particular thanks to to a number of members of staff who have served the School Martin Clarke. Martin intended to retire at the end of last year but postponed his retirement to support me in my with dedication, intelligence and generosity. We would like TIM COOK to thank all our departing staff and wish them well for the first year as The Head of St John’s. He has served St John’s PART TIME ENGLISH TEACHER future but I would also like to mention some individuals for 28 years and I have learnt a lot from him and have GARY WADE here. greatly appreciated his wisdom, guidance and experience. TEACHER OF RS Martin has a no nonsense approach and high expectations Nick Smith departs after 14 years at St John’s. He joined in because he has always wanted pupils to be the absolute REBECCA HARRIET PASKELL 2004 as Director of Music and Assistant Housemaster, later best they could be and I know many OJs credit him with DAVIDSON HEAD OF GEOGRAPHY becoming a Housemaster, before relinquishing his pastoral playing a part in the success they have had in their adult TEACHER OF BIOLOGY role to focus on developing the School’s music provision. lives. St John’s will miss him. As Director of Music he has overseen a wonderful array of musical talent at St John’s and he has contributed further Rowena Cole to school life by coaching 2nd team rugby and 3rd team The Head cricket, in addition to being Common Room President for the last three years. Simon Bland leaves us with an extraordinary musical legacy and we also owe him a debt of gratitude for his enthusiasm for croquet which has SIMON BLAND established the popular house croquet competition on the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC STEF JONES Quad! Constance Chapman has only been at St John’s for TEACHER OF ENGLISH two years but has left her mark having been involved in every aspect of school life as a tutor, a valuable member of the Classics Department, leading the wellbeing programme and even coaching and umpiring sports teams. Richard CLARE ED SYKES GREENWOOD TEACHER OF CLASSICS Gregory, who leaves the Chemistry Department, has TEACHER OF ENGLISH contributed widely to the outdoor education provision of the School, notably DofE, and will be pursuing his passion for skiing by becoming an instructor in the Austrian Alps. Gary Wade, a man of kindness and intellect who will be sorely missed in every aspect of school life, leaves us to study for a PhD. Housemaster of East and Head of Boarding, Ash Vargas, has provided pupils with an exceptional level of care over his decade with St John’s. NICK SMITH RICHARD GREGORY DIRECTOR OF MUSIC TEACHER OF CHEMISTRY

28 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 29 OLD JOHNIAN 90S 70S

James Anderson Jonathan Allcock NEWS North (1987-1992) East (1968-1972)

Since leaving I have now retired and am a school I followed full-time carer for my wife who is my stepfather into disabled and has a number of health issues to contend with. insurance broking. I’ve been working I worked for Barclays Bank International Ltd and Barclays Bank PLC 10S 00S (on and off) for the for 30 years in various roles (mainly in overseas operations) finishing same company for off in Corporate Banking – Risk Management before being made nearly 25 years. redundant. My next appointment was with Oaklands College in St Clive Boden I handle Marine Albans where I was an Exams Officer for three or four years dealing Former staff (1986-2004) War and Terrorism with GCSEs, GNVQs, A levels etc which certainly kept me on my insurance and basically find insurance for large toes for a while. Now retired from paid work, I have a farm on tankers, cargo ships and bulk carriers going the Portugal/Spain border. In late June I have to to ‘war areas’ or areas that are deemed highly We then moved to West Sussex (the Festival Theatre at Chichester follow a rota for the irrigation of my vineyards dangerous. It can be interesting and my son is was the clincher) and I worked part-time for Northbrook College, from a solar-powered borehole, which my wife fascinated that I insure ships against being taken Sussex, firstly as the Personal Assistant to the Clerk to the Corporate can’t understand, and commitments to pruning by pirates! Governing Body then I moved to the Learning Resource Centre to and supporting the vines which she can’t do, so I support students using the Library and college IT facilities for their can’t leave the farm in summer. This is a sadness I have two great children, Molly (11 going on 18!) studies. One has to be really up to the mark with IT and Library to me because as RAF Section Commander and Barney (8), and we live in Bishops Stortford, systems to carry out this type of role and, fortunately, I had a good Joe running a fundraising event for many years I would love to join with Peter Hertfordshire. I have taken them a few times to grounding in the required skills. I really enjoyed this position, but Lutton, Patrick Noble and Barry Williams to show visit the old school and they think it looks like when I was diagnosed with emphysema last year, I thought that our the youngsters the value of experience, to enjoy Hogwarts! long delayed decision to try to move had to take priority hence my Joe Witt their company again. My times spent with the retirement which has, in fact, turned out to be quite busy so far. North (2012-2017) CCF, especially on camp, were the best times of my enjoyable teaching career. When I think back to my time at St John’s School, I realise what I am currently studying Geography at Durham and fundraising to tremendous advantages I gained from being there. I am afraid that climb Everest Base Camp for Hope for Children, to raise money and We did hundreds of them, great for NCO training I was one of those obstreperous, rebellious teenagers (symptomatic awareness for a charity whose work improves the lives of tens of and good fun for cadets in summer. One of the of the time) – not very strong academically and pretty useless at thousands of children every year. Everest Base Camp sits at 5,364m best, we used to take cadets down to the River 80S sporting activities and did not appreciate at the time all that I was above sea level and this will probably be the most challenging Mole and get them to make rafts with barrels and absorbing. experience of my life. I will be braving altitude sickness, constantly poles so they could cross over - Army or Navy vs Nick Fenton at odds with my flat feet, and facing the fairly obvious consequences But I did get a good handful of O levels and not too bad A levels. RAF, happy days, huge fun! North (1979-1984) of walking up a steep hill non-stop for 10 days. I developed a love of the classics because of one terrific teacher – Frank Hayden – who taught us classical Greek. To this day, I My fundraising target is £3,000, of which some will go towards I emigrated to Australia nearly 25 years ago and now live on the Sunshine Coast about an hour still have a feeling for the classical languages and what they have travel costs and accommodation at Kilimanjaro, but beyond that, contributed to our learning and the language we speak today. Those every penny I can raise for this charity will go a long way towards north of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. I have a magnificent life style, located close to the beach who enjoy other languages can often really appreciate the meaning improving the lives of children in countries around the world. Hope and the beauty inherent in much spoken and written English. for Children’s goal is to improve access to healthcare and education in sub-tropical weather with a loving wife Silvi and our two sons, Ben (18) and Daniel (16). I run and they do this in a number of ways – funding sports days and The education that I and others received was not just in the a small Sales company specialising in the supply community projects in the Philippines, running schools in Tanzania classroom but part of the environment: sports, societies and clubs, of Road Transport equipment. Life has been good and fighting child labour in Ghana. They also provide grants to CCF, Service, Chapel, extra-curricular, Common Rooms, Dining to me. disadvantaged families and carers of disabled children within the Hall and so on. I grew to realise what a tremendous benefit I had UK. Hope for Children is a fantastic charity, their “Stories of Hope” I thoroughly enjoy the newsletters and the School been granted over the years after I had left the school and moved are truly inspiring. Any donations would be very welcome: magazine which keeps me up to date with all the on. I have tried to live by the principles that my parents taught me, reinforced by my education at St John’s and pass on my thanks to all https://duck2018.everydayhero.com/uk/everest-base-camp-trek School’s achievements and successes, of which I am extremely proud to see and read about. at the School for helping to make me what I am.

30 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 31 Stephen Couling Education Centre, a place on Sydney Harbour West (1973-1978) to teach children how to be safe on the water. We completed this project 30 June 2015 and I 14 July 2018 marks 40 years to the day I left J-School. I returned to England three weeks later for a two- month trial to see if it was time to come back. I am lost touch with most of my school friends but in recent still here!

years some have come back into my life thanks to the At the end of that period I came to Scotland for Internet and it has been very good to hear stories of their a volunteer week with Trees for Life, a small and lives. Most have been considerably more stable than vibrant charity aiming to restore the Caledonian Forest over the next 250 years. I so enjoyed mine. Here is a potted history. everything about this charity and the work that in February 2016 I moved to Findhorn on the Moray Firth to work with Trees for Life. I think I have I took a gap year before going to University On return I ended up back at the Prince of found that sweet spot in life where I do good work College Durham to read Politics and Sociology. Wales’s Institute of Architecture and remained with lovely people in beautiful locations. And then came man. We do not know exactly In that gap year I lived in Old Saybrook, there until September 1998. After that the when the first humans crossed the land bridge but Connecticut, USA with an Episcopal Priest and wheels fell off my life and I realised I had to do that invasion was the beginning of the end of these his wife. In many ways I feel I grew up there, something about my drinking. To date I have And I suspect the mighty forests. having had my childhood in England. Three been clean and sober for 19 years. years at Durham was a most enjoyable time - too adventures are not It is estimated that at 6,000 years ago most of much time rowing and drinking but I did scrape 1999 was a challenging year but I survived it over yet. Scotland was covered by forest. The Romans called a Third. I also joined the Royal Navy as a Late and in early 2000 I went to stay with a friend in it ‘silva caledon’ from which came “Caledonia”. Joining University Cadet Entrant. There followed Sydney for a six-week holiday which turned into There is now a mere 1% of the original Caledonian nine years in the RN, during which time I was a six-month period of networking around the Forest left. deployed in the Mediterranean, Falkland Islands heritage world of New South Wales, ending in an MY LIFE WITH TREES (twice) and West Indies. I also did some time in offer from Design 5 Architects to join the firm as In the early 1980s Alan Watson Featherstone, a submarines until I was no longer fit for service Conservation Projects Manager. FOR LIFE member of the Findhorn Foundation Community, due to claustrophobia. My Naval career ended A CHARITY WORKING TO RESTORE THE was spending time in Glen Affric walking amongst After three years there, I spent six months rather abruptly as in those days gay men and CALEDONIAN FOREST the trees of one of the largest remnant sections of working for a friend in a national Refugee women were still not allowed to serve so I was Caledonian Forest when it dawned on him that he Advocacy Centre which, in a strange way, led to dismissed in September 1989. was walking in a dying forest. It was dying because the next job as CEO of the Sydney School of Arts, there were no young trees anywhere - they were the oldest adult education centre in Australia. being eaten by deer and sheep. Five days later I joined the Over the next four years, I turned it into a Centre for Social Change and it became the venue for In 1986 the Findhorn Foundation held a office of HRH the Prince of over 200 third sector organisations. conference on the state of the environment at the end of which everyone was asked to make Wales and organised the first It was then time for another adventure and I a commitment to do something. Alan stood up joined a 47-foot Beneteau yacht as a crew member and declared his intention to start a project to Prince of Wales’s Summer and sailed with her across the Pacific from the top restore the Caledonian Forest. Trees for Life was of the Panama Canal. On returning to Australia I born, although the name was not chosen for a School in Civil Architecture. discovered Permaculture and took a certificate in couple of years, and actually came about from the Permaculture Design. first magazine published to raise support for the This was a six-week course for young architects project. The official birth of the charity came on held in Oxford, Rome and a renaissance villa just And then another twist took me into the Anglican the day in 1990 when David Bellamy shut the gate Franciscan Order (the Society of St Francis) north of Rome. Another followed in 1991 and in Around 12,000 years ago - give or take a few on the first ex-closure created by Trees for Life where I was a Novice for over a year. In the end 1992 I was the Project Manager for setting up the millenia - the earth began a slow process of in Glen Affric to protect young trees by keeping this was not for me but, on leaving, my friends at Prince of Wales’s Institute of Architecture. warming. As the ice retreated, the tundra gave the deer and sheep out (hence ex- rather then en- Milkwood Permaculture asked me to come back way to forests. Pioneer species came first - mostly closure). In September 1992 I went to the University and set up an Organic Market Garden for them. birches, rowans, willows followed by alder, aspen, of York to take a Master of Arts degree in This was a lovely project but only for a year, In 2008 Trees for Life was left a substantial legacy, hazel, thorn bushes and lastly by the slower- Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings and after which I moved closer to Sydney to repeat with which it purchased an estate of 10,000 acres growing climax species of pine, juniper, oak, holly. Landscapes). On completion of that I took off on the project on another property. Completing (4,000 hectares or 4 square kilometres) in Glen By 6,000 years ago the British isles were largely a tour of the world - an adventure I had dreamed that, I was asked to join the Maritime Office of Moriston at a place called Dundreggan. Here there covered by a dense forest in which roamed many of doing since I was a teenager. This took me to the New South Wales Government to convert are a number of reforesting and research projects animals large and small including wolves, bears, Australia for the first time. the old Ships’ Pilot Station into a Boating Safety and a nursery that produces 70,000 trees a year. lynx, European bison, aurochs and other wild This is the main operating base. cattle. The gnawing of the beaver created pools and lakes all over that land.

32 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 33 As of this spring Trees for Life has planted over • As a Group Leader - we take groups of up 1.5 million trees on the Dundreggan Estate to 10 volunteers for a week each into either and in partnership with the Scottish Forestry Glen Moriston or to our remote cottage in Commission and RSPB Scotland in Glen Affric Glen Affric. In that week we live together as and other locations across the Highlands. The a small community cooking, eating, playing, 60S ultimate aim is to reforest 1,000 square kilometres laughing and doing conservation work; this in the next 200 years. Some project! might be planting trees, cutting out exotic, invasive species, building fences, taking Robert Howells Murray Moor down old fences, survey work and a variety South (1966-1970) Surrey (1957-1962) of tasks in the nursery; I was sorry to have missed the I enclose a snap of me devouring a plate of • As a Contractor - I sometimes go with a 60s reunion last year. I have been Morton Bay Bugs (a Queensland delicacy small group of friends and spend a few based in the US since 1991, and strangely named being not unlike a small lobster). days planting trees in areas too remote or after 25 years in corporate life I My wife of 50 years, Angela, and I have spent difficult for a Conservation Week; started a marketing consultancy most of our working lives here in Brisbane; • As an Office Volunteer - there are often in 2017. I also run the New York Angela as a dietitian and university lecturer and times when an extra pair of hands is needed branch of a Cambridge University myself in various export marketing roles in the in and around the office; alumni group for entrepreneurs. mining industry. My wife and I live in northern • As a stand-in Employee - I am currently the New Jersey, just outside New We came to Australia as expats with Shell in 1980 temporary Field Projects Office whilst he is York, and have two grown and loved it so much we decided to stay on to on sabbatical in the USA. children and a granddaughter. raise three children and now eight grandchildren. In retirement we are blessed with a (mostly!) decent climate and plenty of outdoor activities WHY TREES FOR LIFE CRICKET TOUR OF HOLLAND, 1969 with golf at the head of the list for me. For those AND WHY NOW? younger OJs considering an escape from northern The old joke has it that if you can remember the 60s you weren’t climes I would say give Australia a go. It may In my adventurous life, one thing has led there. However, next year (2019) will not only be the 50th not suit everyone, being a long way from almost to another in a somewhat unstructured, but anniversary of the moon landing, Woodstock, and President Nixon’s everywhere (apart from New Zealand!), but it always exciting, way. I am able to bring to this first year in office, but also of the 50th anniversary of the St John’s does offer a magnificent lifestyle for work, leisure organisation a number of skills from previous cricket tour of Holland. This was probably the first overseas tour by and for raising kids. experience - group leadership, outdoor any St John’s team. educational work, conservation work and Greetings to all, especially those who can still an abiding love of nature, management and I think it is fair to say that St John’s, perhaps because of its remember those “swinging sixties” when life administration. For many years I worked in comparatively small size, was not known for its sporting prowess in seemed so much less complicated than it does offices - my office is now a barren hillside waiting the late 60s. (In retrospect, the high quality of the teaching in the today. to be planted with young native trees. I am doing Sixth Form was probably the school’s greatest strength at that time, good and important work with lovely people in but that is a story for another day.) But cricket was about to become beautiful locations. the exception. Perhaps that gave Mike Comer the confidence to venture outside our normal comfort zone. Or it might have been that Trees for Life welcomes anyone of reasonable Derek Pitt, for whom it was often difficult to tell whether a sporting fitness (the work on the hillsides is strenuous) tour was an excuse for new cultural experiences or the other way and our volunteers age from 18 to 80. Each around, persuaded Mike to try something different. Conservation Week I collect a bunch of strangers at Inverness station at 13:00 on Saturday and Sometimes the most modest of documents can give interesting the following Saturday I say farewell to a group historical insights. So it is with our tour joining instructions. Harold I became involved with Trees for Life in 2015. of new friends. There are sometimes tears, but Wilson’s government (and I am all too conscious that he is as distant The year before I had read Feral by George always smiles from a wonderful week. It is an a figure for today’s Johnians as Lloyd George was to us) had imposed Monbiot (I recommend it highly to anyone extraordinary inspiration to work with people strict currency controls and so we were instructed that £15 was the interested in re-wilding) in which he writes most who care deeply about the appalling damage we maximum we could take out of the country. enthusiastically about the work of Trees for Life, have done to that natural world and who come so I went on a volunteer week and it changed my with a burning desire to do something about it. The tour itinerary indicates that we played four matches in a life. I had just returned from living in Australia week on matting pitches. I can’t remember much about them – for 15 years and was looking for direction. After Come and join us for a life-changing week: but one memory remains for some reason. We were being driven that week I resolved to move to Scotland and join https://treesforlife.org.uk round Amsterdam by one of our opponents, who pointed out the Trees for Life. I work for the charity in a number Amsterdam Hilton. “That’s where John and Yoko had their Love In of ways: (the previous spring)”, he told us. That we certainly knew all about, although it was perhaps not the cultural experience Derek had in mind.

34 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 35 Dr Colin Peace After graduating as a veterinarian North (1949-1954) I moved to Yorkshire into the James Herriott country. He and I spent two years in the Royal Navy before tackling the Seigfried were neighbours and 50S six year Cambridge Veterinary course. I discovered the became friends. Later I moved Olympic sport of modern Pentathlon taking part in the via London to tour the USA and 1955 – 56 Nationals which the RN won. I played rugby returned to take up racehorse troops to retreat from the high ground and out of in and out of the University team with the same results at surgery in Newmarket. the village and surrounding countryside. High Jump and boxing without ever achieving the ultimate ‘blue’. The modern Pentathlon took me round the world Horses, surgery, Pony clubs, Following our tour, and after refreshing ourselves and we trained the first ever Cambridge University Team hunting and racing and, of with a few pints of fine Belgian beer, we returned partly at J School. course, the modern Pentathlon. to the original Allied front line to attend a We went with the British teams production of the excellent First World War play Four of the six Peace boys enjoyed their time at St John’s to Montreal where our athletes claimed a Journey’s End, written in 1928 by R.C. Sheriff, (not quite the Morgan numbers). We had one sailor gold medal. Then toured South America so my wife could which had not previously been staged near any of and one adventurer, one vet, one farming lecturer and see her parents in Argentina and for them to see our three the sites of the French or Belgium battlefields. orthopaedic surgeon and a real estate manager. offspring – this turned into a lecture tour and ended with us accepting a teaching post in Guelph, Ontario. For the first time in its history, R.C. Sheriff’s J School was good for all of us under Joey Chappells’ North good-humoured and heart-rending portrait of life House enthusiasm. Always ready to take on Tom Peacock After four years at university and 32 years in our practice and death on the Western Front made the return and his great East House. He was a wonderful chemistry with all sorts of patients, we are still working, rather Patrick Gardner Patrick Gardner journey to the place that gave it its unassailable coach. If only I had been a mountaineer. slowly, but it’s a great life. with OJ Richard Surrey (1955-1959) authenticity. Younge and brother, Robert Gardner In October 2017 my brother Robert Gardner and I, together with fellow OJ Richard Young (South House 1954-1958) and another friend, made our annual trip to visit the First World War battlefields and Commonwealth cemeteries. OJ VIP MISSION Being the centenary year (1917) of the 3rd Battle IN MENORCA of Ypres, we decided to make a return visit to Right: Ypres and the Menin Gate ‘Last Post’ ceremony, as A scene from Journey’s End well as taking a guided tour of the Passchendaele OJ Ian ‘Jim’ Warren (West 1955-59) was a host battlefields. for a special visit by Viscount and Viscountess This outstanding production was initially Stanhope of Mahon to Menorca in October 2017. Thousands of British and Allied troops were scheduled to appear in 2017 only during the one They were making their first tour of the island ordered to advance up towards the German week we happened to visit Ypres. It was staged to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the first lines that were dug in in front of the village of in an original First World War ammunition Viscount Stanhope creating Stanhope of Mahon – Passchendaele, and to capture the village situated store, close to the front line of the Allies position. the island’s capital and major port. on the top of the ridge. The German positions The store had seating capacity for around 100 were situated at the top of the salient with a audience members and drew the attention of the At the time of the appointment in 1817, Menorca clear view of the advancing Allied troops which Daily Telegraph’s theatrical critic who wrote an was under British rule and the first Viscount was had no natural cover for over two miles and, excellent article about the play and its unique Governor of the island, which was an important consequently, the Allies suffered tremendous setting. This resulted in play’s producers making naval base for British fleets in the Mediterranean. casualties. the decision to re-enact the production in 2018 Both Nelson and Admiral Collingwood visited Mahon, the latter taking up residence for a time. during the centenary year of the end of the First Mrs Deborah Hellyer, former British Consul on Viscount and The situation was further exacerbated by World War. Journey’s End depicts the terrible final His house still remains and is now a hotel. the island, who was prominent in organising the Viscountess appalling ground conditions. A period of Stanhope of days experienced during the German offensive three day visit, paid particular tribute to Ian for almost three weeks of continuous heavy rain Today, there are many reminders of British rule, Mahon with Jim throughout March 1918. The Allied soldiers his contribution and to his work for the hospital Warren. had turned the battlefields into a quagmire so including the impressive and almost intact naval occupying these trenches suffered unimaginable at a special banquet in honour of the Viscount deep that the troops regularly sunk up to their dockyard and the naval military hospital, the first hardships but those who survived did so with and Viscountess. Among the guests, who both knees and were often unable to move forward. It of its kind in the world, situated at the entrance great determination and bravery. have associations with Menorca, were OJs Robert proved impossible to bring up supplies, guns or to the harbour on the Isla del Rey. Ian, who has Gardner (Churchill 1953 - 56) and his brother ammunition to the front line and many horses lived on the island for many years, has been The following day after our visit to Journey’s Patrick (Surrey 1855 - 59), a former governor of and men fell and drowned in the mud. Eventually deeply involved in the restoration work of the End, we spent a morning visiting a number of the School. however, after suffering incredible losses, they hospital and the photograph shows him in front immaculately maintained and very moving Allied finally overcame the German troops and captured of the hospital building with the Viscount and Cemeteries around the Passchendaele area before Robert Gardner Passchendaele, driving the surviving German Viscountess (Lord and Lady Harrington). returning home after a memorable visit. Churchill (1953-1956)

36 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 37 Patrick Heigham Surrey (1956-1960) OLD JOHNIAN I joined the Rifle Club to avoid cricket! However, I wasn’t We were treated to their short range target practice facility a bad shot and represented the School at Bisley in the and invited to have a go. We both opted for 10 rounds Team 8. Staying with a British friend who had emigrated each with the Heckler & Koch MP5 machine pistol. to Canada, his neighbour was in the Toronto Police and Switching the selector to single shot, I managed a two inch invited us to visit their Armed Response Unit, where we group close to the heart target. Then they offered me a job! GOLF REVIEW saw the armoured vehicles, & rifles with mirrors to see I replied that I preferred shooting at something that wasn’t what might be around the corner! likely to fire back! As an introduction, it might first be of interest to know what gave rise to the creation of the OJGS - a question often asked. It was around the time of the millennium, emanating from matches played against the Old Lorettonians and 40S the Old Alleynians, that surprise was expressed by our opponents that the Old Johnians were not more involved with Old Boys golf.

Michael Meurisse West (1946-1950) GRAFTON MORRISH You may be interested to know I was 2017 AND 2018 honoured by the Her Majesty The Queen as a recipient of the Maundy Alms in March at In 2017 our team was agonisingly close to St George’s Chapel Windsor. qualifying for the finals again, missing out by one point and finishing as best non-qualifier. It all hung on Eton holing a monster putt on the final green to pip the OJ team by a single point. The three OJ pairs of James Wallace/Richard Warren, Peter Richardson/Graham Warren and Stuart Hibbert/Andrew Wildey scored an aggregate of 75 stableford points (foursomes off scratch) which in most years would probably be sufficient to qualify.

In 2018 an arguably slightly stronger team did not have such a good day on very quick greens Grafton Morrish There certainly seemed to be sufficient interest 30S Qualifier. From at Royal Wimbledon, finishing with an aggregate which encouraged Stuart Southgate to explore the left to right: score of 69 points, and missed qualifying by some position. The first step was to apply to join the Stuart Hibbert six points. The team consisted of James Wallace/ (Captain), James Public School Old Boys Golf Association (now P J Cashmore down to Singapore. In February 1942 he got to Sumatra Wallace, James Richard Warren, James Smart/Peter Richardson known as The Grafton Morrish Golf Association), North (1935-1942) in a sampan and that is where he was presumed killed. Smart, Richard and Stuart Hibbert/Andrew Wildey. So, instead of going to the RAF, I followed John into the Warren, Andrew which has around 150 members including the I was one of three Cashmore brothers who were at St Wildey, Peter schools who are traditional sporting opponents of Indian army and, in due course, found myself fighting Richardson Thanks go to Stuart Hibbert, and his assistant John’s. My brother, John (North), was Victor Ludorum the Japanese in the Arakan, Burma. Whilst there, I used St John’s. Andrew Wildey, for captaining the team. Stuart twice and captain of athletics, boxing and swimming. to watch the RAF bombing the Jap positions (in fact an remains optimistic about the future with several In 2005/6 the OJGS was formally established I followed into North House, as did my other brother, Indian pilot bailed out of his plane and landed on our hill new, low handicap golfers becoming available to with the underlying aim being the playing of Dick - the intelligent one. He went on to Jesus College, position, much to his relief, as he thought he was landing add to our squad. (foursomes) matches mostly against fellow Old Cambridge, where he got a PhD. I am the sole survivor at on a Jap position!) I always wondered how Pat Boothman Boys sides. Importantly, of course, the door 93. But my sister is 97 – my J School number at school! was getting on in the RAF. I soon found out. The week was then open to participate in the Grafton before I was leaving Bombay, to go on demob, I opened a Whilst at North I was very pally with PJ Boothman (see Morrish Trophy, the major Public School Old copy of the ‘Times of India’ and saw the obituary in January article in the 2017 OJ Magazine on page 14 ), he having Boys competition, which attracts an annual 1947 of Squadron Leader P J Boothman, DFC and bar, only the same initials and same birthdate - 9 September. His entry of around 110 schools. Since 2005/2006 son of Air Commodore Boothman, who was killed trying to father was an air commodore in the RAF, and Pat was keen the OJGS has qualified twice for the finals and land in a dust storm at Karachi. The interesting thing was to go into the RAF; he even persuaded me to go into the air the competition remains an important focus that whilst I was shooting at the Japs on the ground, my cadets, although I was already a sergeant in St John’s army for the Society each year. Short reports of our friend Pat was shooting at them from the air, in the same cadets, and in the ‘Home Guard’. My brother, John, went participation in the 2017 and 2018 events follow area of Burma. into the Indian army and later fought with the Aussies below.

38 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 39 MEMBERSHIP

Our membership database currently stands OLD JOHNIAN at around 70. This healthy figure, reflecting a number of new recruits, should be more than sufficient to fulfil our relatively small fixture list without difficulty: yet match managers continue to encounter problems raising sides. Despite FOOTBALL efforts to encourage members to participate in matches, there remains a reluctance to be proactive. However, our experience suggests this In May, (OJFC’s second season as an Old Boys is not an uncommon problem in Old Boys golf club) playing in the FA Arthurian League came more generally and just has to be faced. to an end, and what an end it was.

MATCH RESULTS - 2017 played on some of the best pitches around, SOCIETY DAY Pictured from left referees and linesmen for each game, a trophy The results for the season turned out to to right Humfrey presentation with League representatives, and a be satisfactory. Three matches were won Malins (OJ Match Last year Stuart Hibbert arranged a successful Manager), Jason decent spread in the bar after! An incredible day versus the Bar GS, Old Epsomians and Old Society Day at Effingham GC on the first Sunday Gabb, Angus to be part of. Cranleighans and two lost versus the School Lonsdale, Ross of October. After a good lunch, 20 members and Old Alleynians. The School match was a Adams, Rob played in fours with the age of each playing pair Harradine and The Club would like to thank everyone who notable reversal of last year’s result and it was falling in the same decade (i.e. age 20, 30, 40 David Scrivens made the journey to support and watch OJFC lift encouraging that the Old Epsomian match was a (Chairman OJGS) etc.). The better ball stableford score of each pair the Cup! Celebrations continued into Clapham success following its cancellation in 2016. In the to count. The winners were: Peter Richardson and post the final win for the end of season social and main, player availability was slightly better than Stephen Vickery (50s) 43pts on countback, 2nd awards night. As always, a great event celebrating hitherto. Richard Warren and Robin Jones (30s) 43pts and the years success together and the announcement 3rd Rob Harradine and Jason Gabb (30s) 42pts. of awards such as Player of the Season, Boards Having claimed the Division 5 title in their Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Roy MATCH RESULTS – 2018 It is planned to hold a similar Day in 2018 on inaugural season, the club secured the Division 4 Keane Award, Dennis Bergkamp Award, and Sunday 30 September at Tyrrells Wood GC. title with three games to play and a League Cup many more. At the time of writing the season still has some Depending on numbers the format is likely to be to claim their first double. way to go. Of the matches played, wins have the same with golf after lunch. Thankfully, the club had another opportunity to been recorded against the School and the Bar The League was very much a three horse race for celebrate a few weeks later at the Annual League GS. The School match was a particularly good most of the season with OJFC sitting in second Dinner in London attended from teams across encounter between two well matched teams AND FINALLY for majority, but a consistent and strong finish all Divisions. OJFC were strongly represented with a high standard of golf played. Worthy of to the season with important wins over rivals by nine Club members at the yearly event for an note that OJ Match Manager, Humfrey Malins, The usual message goes to any golfing OJs out Old Suttonians at St Johns School, and Old evening of food, drinks, speeches from the League to his credit but not without difficulty, had got there who have not joined the Society. We would Rugbeians, secured top of the table and a second and guest speakers (Steve Claridge), and trophy together a relatively young team. The match was be delighted if you were to join us. All handicaps Division title and promotion in two years. presentations. A thoroughly enjoyable evening all again played at Effingham GC to whom we are welcome. Please contact the Development Office around. OJFC were unfortunate to go out of one of the grateful for hosting the match and making all who will help you get in contact. the arrangements. The match against the Old Cup competitions early via a double header In September, OJFC will embark on the new Alleynians is still to be played. My thanks go to all those who help run the however, made amends in the David Woolcott season in the Arthurian Leagues 3rd Division, Society. We also remain very grateful to the Trophy. An impressive run saw the Club knock where they’ll play the likes of Old Epsomians, Sadly we will not be playing either the Old School for their financial support which helps out the likes of Old Alleynians (in the snow), Carthusians, Tonbridgians and Wellingtonians. Epsomians or the Old Cranleighans this year. The greatly in keeping match costs more manageable, and thump Old Harrovians at Hampton School’s A challenge the Club are very much looking former cancelled because they could not raise a and to the Development Office for their help unbelievable 4G pitch in the semi-finals. The forward to. side and the latter because they could not find during the year. final was played at Old Merchant Taylors School a suitable match manager to take over from the vs foes Old Rugbeians, who were beaten 2-1 on For anyone wanting to get involved with the club present incumbent who has retired. We may have David Scrivens the day. A first double for OJFC. The Arthurian on or off the pitch, then please do get in touch via to look for two new fixtures in future. In general Chairman OJGS SEASON League host a Finals Day (Super Saturday) every our Facebook Page or via oldjohnianfc@gmail. our own match managers have not found it an STATS year which consists of 4 finals back to back com. We are growing and want that to continue! easy year for raising sides but we are grateful to NB Short reports of all the Society’s activities Humfrey Malins, Richard Vosser, David Glasscock are available in the OJGS section of the School and Barry Smart for all their efforts in this respect. website. They will show you the array of top courses on which we play our matches and also, Played Won Drawn Lost Goals Against of course, those members involved many of whom you may know well. 21 16 3 2 63 28

40 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 41 OLD JOHNIAN OLD JOHNIAN RUGBY RIFLE CLUB

After an encouraging first season in Surrey 3 which saw We also ran another successful charity touch tournament OJRFC solidify our mid-table position, our 2017/18 goal which was contested by a number of OJ teams and a was to achieve promotion, but it soon became apparent couple of invitational sides. The Cup was won by The this was going to be an incredibly competitive league. Strollers, and the Plate was claimed by last year’s Cup winners, Hakuna Mataga. It was a fantastic day out, with Unfortunately our first games pitted us against the two over £1,000 raised for the side’s chosen charity - Kent, relegated teams from Surrey 2 - Old Caterhamians and Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance (taking us to £1,500 Worth Old Boys. Both had used the summer to regroup raised in the last two years) - and we look forward to and were intent on getting back up at the first opportunity hosting a bigger and better tournament next year. (the fact they finished third and fourth is testament to the increasing strength of Surrey 3), and we fell short on both And so all eyes turn to next season with a number of occasions. developments. We have appointed a new Head Coach – Seth Stoltenberg – who has quite the reputation working We then embarked on a five-game winning streak – putting with Queensland and ACT development sides in Australia. away the likes of Merton, Old Glynonians, Horley, Croydon He’s very attack-minded and keen to throw the ball around, (89-5!) and London Media, with the last being played in so should fit in well! We’ve also focused on recruiting new front of a packed crowd at St John’s HQ – still the best players who we hope will take the club forward in the SMALLBORE 2017/18 surface on the circuit.Buoyed by this streak, we were third years to come, and we now have a bigger playing squad in the table with the top two to play before the Christmas that should help us achieve our goals of a promotion and We are delighted to announce new arrivals to break – Old Rutlishians and Met Police. Both games were winning the Cup. our ranks – James McCarthy who was a strong very tight contests and could have gone either way, but alas performer in the St John’s CCF shooting team, they didn’t go in our favour. All in all – an encouraging first The U21 competition, which includes most rugby clubs in and older members from the early 1990s will half of the season, however victory over a ‘top 4’ side still Surrey, will be back in early September, with subsequent remember Adam Fowler who has re-joined the eluded us. games to be held around university holidays. These tend to club and staged a fierce return to shooting after be very enjoyable playing and social occasions and we look some 20 years away from the sport. He was a The second half of the season unfortunately coincided forward to welcoming more OJs to the fold. prolific talent whilst at the School and has lost with an unprecedented number of injuries to key players none of those skills. His averages are such that which disrupted any progress and swiftly put an end to Pre-season starts on Wednesday 1 August at our home, we are now making him known to the selectors any promotion hopes. At one stage we had 22 players Wimbledon RFC. Extra touch sessions and conditioning of county and GB teams for consideration. unavailable through injury or otherwise – and it was a ‘homework’ have already started which should mean it Members have won gold and silver medals over minor miracle we were a) able to put out a team and b) comes as less of a shock – but let’s see. the year. Jon Tapster won the Surrey County remain unbelievably competitive in every game, with the Championship in 2017 and the team won the highlight being a 5-0 away win over Merton in monsoon- If you would like to play / become a member of team league in the summer of that year also. like conditions. We finished the season in the lower half of OJRFC then please get in touch with James Duncan – [email protected] / 07905 527309 or find the table yet there’s a serious amount of talent in this squad Having won the BSSRA Fletcher Cup in 2016, A view of the 600 yard OJRFC on Facebook. We train every Wednesday with and it will only be a matter of time, hopefully next season, we lost it to Old Watsonians in 2017 to come 3rd firing point at Bisley nearly all of our games in the Surrey/SW London area. But before we’re in the promotion mix. overall and were runners up in April 2018. In the most importantly – it’s an incredibly social and inclusive national competitions, Stuart Pearson continues In other news, an OJRFC U21 side acquitted themselves club where OJs (and non-OJs) play good rugby and enjoy to compete in the National Smallbore Imperial very well against Old Ruts and Chobham – losing 13-8 to each other’s company. Oh, and we do love a good tour too. meet and is a regular in the Surrey County squad. His averages are such that we the latter in appalling conditions. It was great to see the Both he and Adam Fowler shoot regular 50 and youngsters back on the pitch and playing with customary are now making him known to 100 yard competitions with outstanding results. OJ flair – we hope to see some of them in 1st XV colours Jon Tapster ventured into the Eley national next year. the selectors of county and GB competition to finish 20th in the knockout stages and qualify for the Final to be held in August. teams for consideration.

42 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 43 Pete Roberts competing in The Surrey Civilians at Bisley obituaries

telling runs on the wing in Rugby house matches. Quite recently, and in his retirement, he told me how much his experience as a chapel server in the days of Ken Meicklejohn’s chaplaincy had meant to him and how much he still valued Ken’s influence from those days. We both took John Tapster FULLBORE 2017/18 lessons in string playing from Mrs Carter in a at the Surrey room off the corridor to the Old Chapel, though County Championship Diary commitments have proved a challenge to neither of us was destined to achieve great things us fielding as many teams in 2017 as we would as instrumentalists. The most notable musical have liked. However, we competed in the Surrey experience from those days was choral under the Schools (3rd) in May, the Civilians (2nd) and direction of Dr LHB Reed, a humorous, talented the Astor (3rd) in June. A few of our members and lovable eccentric, whose contribution to shot with Surrey RA in June in the RAF Total Oil chapel life and that of the School and indeed the Challenge, helping Surrey win back the oil drum town, was immense. from London in 2017. The shoot in 2018 saw London win it back again! We fielded two teams Those were the days of compulsory National in the NRA Schools’ Veterans coming 9th and Service and in 1953 Gordon I duly reported 5th for the first and second teams respectively. to the New Infantry Barracks in Canterbury Several of us shot the Imperial Meeting which as recruits in the Buffs (or Royal East Kent followed, with Jon Tapster finishing 50th in the Regiment). Much later, when he was an Honorary Grand Aggregate and making it through to the Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, he took me final of HM The Queen’s Prize. Looking forward to the nearby village of Littlebourne to show to the Imperial for 2018, it looks as if we will be me the font where he had been baptised by able to field a few teams since Jon Tapster, Stuart OLD JOHNIAN his grandfather, the vicar there at a time when Pearson, Philip Hakim and Adam Fowler are all Gordon’s father was a master at the King’s School. shooting the full Meeting. Gordon always homed, one way or another, back Masonic to Canterbury and Kent. And one experience that THE REV’D CANON tugged him back we shared. We were allowed Lodge GORDON MANLEY out of barracks on Sunday evenings and regularly went down the hill into the city and the cathedral ‘The Old Johnian Masonic Lodge is actively 1933 - 2018 to be part of the little congregation at a homely, looking for new members to join. We are keen South (1946-1951) informal evensong conducted there by the Dean, to welcome existing Masons as well as anyone who was at that time, Hewlett Johnson, the Gordon Manley was born in 1933 at Oldham who has an interest in being an Initiate - you famous “Red Dean”. We treasured this experience, in Lancashire, where his father was headmaster don’t have to be an OJ! We meet four times a its value thrown into sharp relief by its extreme of the Bluecoat School. I first knew him in the year in Covent Garden, but soon hope to hold contrast with the mundane and relatively brutish early forties at Surbiton, where we were both one of those meetings as an annual event at the background of basic infantry training. pupils at Shrewsbury House Preparatory School. School. We are a friendly and welcoming Lodge Then, in the late forties, we both arrived in South of about 20 members. If you are interested, Neither of us had great military inclinations, House at St John’s, where Donald Grigg was our or know of someone who may be, please do but we both were in due course commissioned, housemaster and Jack Carter was headmaster. contact the secretary: Mark Cooper (mark@ Gordon specialising in Air Photography, whilst Gordon was always a serious scholar and duly cooperandlansbury.com). I went to Nigeria. We were destined to resume graduated to the elite Classical Sixth. I do not our connection when we both matriculated at remember him as a notable games player, but Cambridge in 1953, he from Christ’s College and he certainly ran fast on the athletic track, and, I from Magdalene (where his father had been an as a tall and strong man, made, as I recall, some undergraduate).

44 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 45 Gordon read theology at Cambridge and his first Another friend, Michael Driver, recalls Gordon’s DR HUGH MORGAN Service. He was seconded to the 5th Inniskillin post was a Curacy in Bristol after which he was life and chaplaincy: Dragoon Guards in Sennelager, Westphalia, delighted to be asked to return to his college as RICHARDS Germany. Chaplain. “I was a freshman at Christ’s in the year that 1933 - 2017 Gordon became Chaplain and later when I During this posting Hugh met Christine, daughter The Very Reverend Robert Grimley knew Gordon attended his induction in St Albans I assumed Churchill (1946-1951) of Col. Geoffrey White, the British Resident at Christ’s and later served as his curate before that future contact would be minimal. In 1976 for the area. They were married in 1961. After becoming, in time, Dean of Bristol. He has we moved to Barfrestone on the outskirts of completion of his time in the army they moved allowed me to use extracts form his obituary Canterbury and shortly afterwards I met Gordon to Warwickshire in England where Hugh notice for Gordon: at his induction to a parish in Faversham. developed an interest and passion for the public Eventually Gordon retired to a house in health service and of extending health care to Canterbury. I helped him with some alterations communities rather than individuals. During this My strongest memory of and he helped me at St Nicholas Barfrestone time they had a son Nicholas and two years later where, as Church warden, I was responsible for twin sons, Christopher and David. For the final Gordon is the enthusiastic finding Clergy to take services. year in Warwickshire, Hugh attended the London University School of Public Health and Tropical way he tackled life. Chapel life was presented as something to be Medicine to obtain the necessary post graduate enjoyed not only the services but breakfast qualification before uprooting the family to Peace sausages in the Chaplain’s rooms after Sunday River, Alberta where Hugh was Medical Officer of “Gordon served as Chaplain of Christ’s from 1961 communion. He would appear on the touchline Health for a northern health unit. to 1966. He was a deeply serious and sensitive or the towpath giving generous support to teams person, but people’s first impressions of him or boats, a presence that you knew cared about After three years the family moved to Edmonton were often shaped by his boyish enthusiasm, you enjoying the contest, whatever the result. where Hugh attended the Public Health which could swiftly help him to establish cordial In the same vein you knew this was someone Laboratory at the University Alberta. In 1970 relationships with those drawn from every aspect you could approach to ask for advice or to Hugh was invited to become the Medical Officer of College life. He never lost that vigour and discuss a problem, someone removed from the of Health in the South Central Health Unit human warmth: it characterised his ministry. formal academic relationships yet with a clear in Kamloops, British Columbia. During this understanding way in which the Congregation at time he studied for and obtained his Specialist During his time at Christ’s he married Susan Barfrestone took to him.” Certification from the Royal College of Physicians Carter, whom he had got to know during his and Surgeons of Canada. After four years in this Bristol curacy, and they enjoyed entertaining My own friendship with Gordon flourished again position he was asked to join the Department members of Christ’s at their flat as well as in his in retirement when we spent good times together of Public Health in Victoria BC, moving up to College rooms. Her whole-hearted support for his as he showed us treasured places in Canterbury become Assistant Deputy Minister of Public ministry continued into their subsequent parish and Kent. As an honorary canon of the cathedral Health and, in 1981, the Provincial Health life, and on into retirement. and Retirement Officer of the Diocese, looking Officer. after fellow clergy who might welcome support, After Christ’s he became Vicar of Radlett, a he remained busy, with that characteristic vigour During these years Hugh was awarded several prosperous Hertfordshire commuter parish, hardly diminished, assisting at the Cathedral prestigious medals and prizes for Meritorious where articulate men and women who had risen and serving in local parishes, until close to his Service and lifetime contributions to Public in their professions brought considerable skills to sudden death. His funeral in St Paul’s Church ‘Gorffwys mewn heddwch’ (Rest in Peace) Health in British Columbia. From 1975 onwards the running of the parish, and ensured that parish was crowded with fond and grateful clergy of a Hugh and Christine belonged to the Royal policies and theological teaching were subject to certain age. Bishop Richard Llewellyn, another It is with heavy hearts that we announce the Victoria Yacht Club where they, with their boys, lively debate. former curate of Gordon’s to reach high office, death of Hugh, beloved husband of Christine, spent many happy years learning about the local said of Gordon’s family life: “Their dining much loved father to Nick (Aleda), Chris (Rinah) waters and exploring beautiful places for summer From there he and Susan, and their three room was not large, but was never too small to and David (Karen). Grandfather (Taid) to trips. They sailed twice around Vancouver Island children, moved to Faversham, an ancient town welcome children and grandchildren to Sunday Breanna, Shayna, Kara and Thomas. and began to dream and plan for further cruising. just outside Canterbury; its fine mediaeval church Lunch.” Those Sunday Lunches were very special Upon retirement in 1993 Hugh and Christine has a very beautiful and finely carved spire, which occasions, notable celebrations of Gordon’s truly set sail in their Vancouver 32ft sloop Demelza to is a notable local landmark, instantly recognisable Hugh was born in North remarkable devotion to the roles of father and achieve a life time dream to sail around the world. over a wide area and the subject of great local grandfather. Hugh wrote a book about their seven years on pride. During Gordon’s time it was necessary to Wales, second son of a Welsh board called Reflections on Three Oceans. launch a major campaign for funds to save and John Vallins country clergyman. restore the spire and it was his personal drive and South (1945-1951) The family would like to acknowledge the respected place in the town’s life that ensured the assistance of Beacon Services, Dr.Valerie Cowan campaign’s triumphant conclusion.” His early education was in Wales and later at St and the Palliative Care Unit in Saanich Peninsula John’s School in Leatherhead. Hugh attended Hospital for their outstanding care, love and St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London where he kindness to Hugh and the family. attained his medical degree before being recruited into the Royal Army Medical Corps for National

46 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 47 JAMES MORWOOD OJ STEWART BARLOW When the club went into administration and was relegated in 1999 he remained committed to the 1943 - 2017 1974 - 2018 club, becoming a core member of the team and Surrey (1957- 1962) West (1987-1992) they went on to win a record breaking 86 league games in a row. Towards the end of his playing James Morwood died tragically in Greece in career, he was made a club Vice President in September 2017 while enjoying a morning swim recognition of his commitment and service to the in the sea. club.

He won a Scholarship to St John’s in 1967, where Stewart’s career, like a fine wine, took a while to he studied Classics and from there went up to develop. His first full time property job started in Peterhouse Cambridge with an Exhibition. While 1999 with a company called Gooch Webster based at St John’s he was not noted for sporting prowess in London’s fashionable West End. After stints at but his long rangy frame did contribute to several Rogers Chapman and Nelson Bakewell, he joined wins by Surrey in house cross country events. DTZ, later to become Cushman & Wakefield. As his career developed further so did his reputation At Peterhouse, James sat Part I of the Classical amongst his peers. One of Stewarts work Tripos under the tutelage of Ted Kenney and then colleagues mentioned the main reason he joined switched to English for Part II, where he was DTZ was to have the opportunity to work with taught by the Shakespeare scholar, Anne Barton. Stewart as, “at the time he was one of the leading On graduation he took a diploma of education at tenant agents in the market.” Merton College, Oxford. It was at work that Stewart met his future wife He joined Harrow School in 1966 teaching Angus Mitchell Stewart joined St John’s as a boarder in West Charlotte. They met in 2005, when she was Classics and English. After a number of years he and Dominic House in 1988. He took to all parts of school life his graduate trainee or, as Stewart put it in his found himself teaching both subjects at Sixth Snell with with enthusiasm, heading up the Army Division wedding speech, he was Obi Wan Kenobi and she Form level - he described it as a “dream job”. Stewart Barlow at his wedding in the CCF and latterly becoming West House, was Luke Skywalker; he was the master and she He produced many house and school plays at House Captain. It was clear from the beginning was the apprentice, teaching Charlotte the ways of Harrow, working with outstanding pupils such that he was a sportsman and as a county squash the Force or being a chartered surveyor. Quite apt as Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Curtis, player from the age of 11, he had a natural talent for someone that registered their religion as Jedi! with whom he also edited The Harrovian. When for ball sports from a young age. he was offered the post of Head of Classics in They shared many things in common, in particular 1979 he reluctantly accepted it although it meant However, his talent on the rugby pitch wasn’t a mutual love for cycling. This was fortunate as relinquishing teaching English, which he loved. James was an inspirational properly witnessed until he was 16. As a late since hanging up his rugby boots, cycling had bloomer, he metamorphosed from Little Stew, become an almost obsession for Stewart. He was It was while at Harrow that he wrote The Oxford the smallest kid in the year, into Big Stew and a social rider but with a competitive instinct and Latin Course in collaboration with Maurice teacher and author and made propelled himself from the 3rd XV into the 1st XV would often cycle up Box Hill in the hardest gear, Balme which proved to be popular in schools and an incomparable contribution almost overnight. dropping everyone as he went. universities in the UK and USA. He also began a long association with the Joint Association to the survival of Classical In 2014 Stewart was diagnosed with an inoperable of Classical Teachers Greek Summer School at He continued to play rugby, form of brain cancer. With the loving help of Cheltenham and Bryanston which continued until studies into the twenty-first Charlotte, his family and friends he managed to his death. joining Richmond FC where obtain a good quality of life until the very end and century. despite it all he kept his wicked sense of humour He left Harrow in 1996 to take up the post of his fearless big tackling style and massively infectious laugh. He was fearless in Grocyn Lecturer at Wadham College, Oxford, Throughout his time at Oxford he published everything he did and always took every challenge teaching Greek. He retired from this position in soon earned him the nickname widely across the classical field. As well as head on. 2003 but meanwhile had been appointed Dean an update of The Oxford Latin Course for of Wadham. His first attempt at retiring from this of ‘Bosher’. the American market, he published 30 other Stewart and Charlotte were married in October post in 2005 was a failure because the college was texts, including translations of Euripides for After school, having decided not to pursue a 2016, it was a beautiful day and it was clear to all unable to find a volunteer to replace him, but he Oxford World’s Classics, the Oxford Latin career in the Army, Stewart took a year out before to see how in love they were. His son Samuel was did finally retire in 2006, becoming an Emeritus Pocket Dictionary and a number of studies joining Kingston University. born in June 2018. Fellow. This extension of his Deanship had the of Latin poetry. He was much sought after as advantage of providing him with two retirement Dominic Snell a collaborator because of his enthusiasm and When Richmond joined the Premiership in the parties. West (1987-1992) insatiable work ethic, quite apart from his late 1990s, he was integrated into the professional dedication to good food and wine. squad, representing the 1st XV on a number of occasions – notably against the teams of Leicester BM and Bath featuring players such Martin Johnson 24 January 2018 and Jeremy Guscott.

48 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 49 for National Service, Alan started a career in education, moving to Africa in 1957 with his family (Gillian and his eldest son, Nicholas) and first teaching at St John’s OLD JOHNIAN College Houghton, Johannesburg. He then moved to a new boarding school which was being opened for Europeans at Iringa, Tanganyika (now Tanzania), St Michael’s and St George’s. Four years later (end of 1962) the family returned to the UK and Alan took up a post at Rossall EVENTS School (Fleetwood). Although intending to stay for three years before returning to the Colonies, Alan was to teach at Rossall for the next 29 years being, at various stages, OLD JOHNIAN DAY 2018 a housemaster and head of mathematics. Early in this period Alan and Gillian’s two younger children were born, Laurence in 1964 and Amanda in 1969. Later Alan and ALAN (GERARD ALAN family had an exchange year at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Australia where he enjoyed the classroom Old Johnian MURRAY) CLUBE Day 2018 experiences, training the 16Bs rugby team (who had an 1943 - 2017 unbeaten season) and a lot of rugby refereeing. Surrey (1950-1955) Shortly after Alan left Rossall in 1991, he was invited to My cousin Alan sadly died in September 2017, after a return to Trinity Grammar to run, and raise money for, short illness. He was born on May Day 1936 in Merton, their Foundation, which he did for the next six years. This South West London, and after early years moving between involved extensive travel throughout Australia and also to there, Alresford (Hampshire) and Ayrshire (Scotland), his South-East Asia, particularly Malaya and Japan. Thus Alan family settled in Leatherhead in 1948. After two years at and Gillian added even more to their circle of international Downsend School, he started at St John’s in 1950, joining friends. On their return to the UK, they lived for a short his brother Victor who had started two years earlier in period in Slough but then settled in a cottage in the small Surrey House. Alan was enthusiastic about sports including village of Syresham, Northants. Until recently Gillian rugby, swimming and water polo. He developed interests continued her lifelong activity teaching the piano, while in mathematics and the sciences, the latter particularly Alan involved himself in village life, playing golf, keeping encouraged by the tutorage of Tom Peacock (chemistry) up with the family and writing an unpublished book. and W.O. Clark (physics). Alan went on to Christ Church, Alan is survived by Gillian, their three children and eight Oxford, to read Mathematics and, during this period, to grandchildren. OJ Day was held on a beautifully sunny Saturday and the splendid Archive Exhibition in the marry Gillian Plastow. afternoon at the end of June; the perfect day for Dining Hall. This included a display of historical David E. Thomas drinking Pimm’s on the Quad, having a barbecue paintings, drawings and prints of the School and After Oxford, and having been notified by the War Office North 1955 and meeting up with old friends! a fascinating display about the School in the First that his qualifications meant he would not be required World War. Sally Todd, our archivist, was on This year OJ Day, the annual reunion for OJs, was hand with Neil Pudney, former Head of Grounds, a little different as the CCF had organised a St to talk about the history of the School during this John’s Challenge for anyone who wished to have time, and to give sneak previews of the material a go. Those brave enough to accept the challenge they have uncovered which will be included in had a go at laser clay shooting, a giant inflatable the book they are currently writing on St John’s PETER JOHN HEBERT obstacle course and command tasks. Many OJs – and the Great War. NOTIFICATIONS East (1943-1947) and staff – as well as their children took part and we were particularly impressed to see the Head It was a great pleasure to see OJs young and old Philip Hebert notified us that sadly his father, Peter John and Deputy Head compete against each other on and their families enjoying their return to St J ANDREW LAMONT Hebert, died on 21 March 2016. the assault course, both completing it in great John’s and everything on offer. But at last the day Churchill (1949-1953) style! had to end and Chair of the OJ Committee, Mark WILLIAM PARKER Cooper, was delighted to present a prize to the Peter Jones (Churchill 1948-1952) notified us that his South (1941-1943) The croquet match saw serious competition winners of the St John’s Challenge, staff member friend Andrew Lamont died in 2017. They were both in between OJs and current pupils with OJ Geoffrey Chris Williams and his family. Other winners the team of four who cycled to the Chateau de Courances Mrs Parker called to notify us that her husband, William Strutt (South 1956-1961) acting as referee. The included OJ Phil Hauxwell (Surrey 1992-1996) in August 1952. Peter Jones writes: Andy was the son Parker, died at the beginning of March 2018 aged 91. OJ team won but all agreed that the game had as best male shot and best female shot was Sarah of a clergyman. He married in Wiltshire and became a been most enjoyable and for some of the pupils, it Partridge married to OJ Roger Partridge (Surrey successful estate agent and valuer, establishing his own LIONEL PIMM was a great first introduction to the game. 1977-1982). business in Cheshire which has now passed down to his West (1934-1938) The new prefects provided tours for OJs to show younger son and grandson. He has left a widow, Audrey, We look forward to seeing more of you at OJ recent developments in the School as well as the and two sons and a daughter. Mike Pimm notified us that his father, Dr Lionel Pimm, Day next summer. died in April 2018 just 3 weeks before his 95th birthday. exhibition of A level and GCSE art in the Library

50 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 51 EXPLORING LONDON

Our series of fascinating walks around London have continued this year and are very popular with OJs. In October we joined Blue Badge Guide, Viv Haxby, for a walk through the heart of the City of London. We heard about the origins of the City 2000 years ago with the arrival of the Romans, the development of the City as a market place and the birth of City institutions such as Lloyd’s Insurance Market and the stock exchange. The walk took us past a number of beautiful Wren churches and Viv described how the City suffered two disasters and was rebuilt. We also learnt about the City’s ancient system of governance and the role of the Lord Mayor today.

In March, Viv took us on an enlightening walk through the area of Spitalfields and Shoreditch. BENEFACTORS’ DINNER It was riveting to hear about the waves of immigrants who have shaped this interesting and The School was delighted to welcome more vibrant area of London - from the Huguenots of than 90 recent benefactors for a special drinks the seventeenth century, to the Eastern European reception and dinner in the Dining Hall on Jews and the Irish of the nineteenth century, the Thursday 1 February. After dinner The Head gave Bengalis of more recent years and the hipsters of a speech in which she thanked the benefactors, today! who represent all parts of the St John’s community, for the significant financial support Towards the end of May, we took the Thames they have provided. At the time of the dinner, the Clipper for a river trip from the London Eye Pier funds raised amounted to £384,176 over the past to Greenwich. At Greenwich, Viv took us on a two years; these funds make a huge difference to walking tour around this famous heritage site, the School and its pupils, enabling not only the taking in the Cutty Sark, the Royal Hospital, creation of even better facilities and opportunities National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House to for our pupils but also allowing us to develop our see a few paintings and then the old town to see commitment to widening access for pupils from the market. It was another excellent day bringing low income families. to life the engrossing history all around us. It was another excellent day bringing to life the engrossing THE 1851 SOCIETY LUNCH In mid-October, we were delighted to show our history all around us. appreciation to those who have pledged a legacy to St John’s by inviting them to our annual special lunch hosted by The Head. It was one of Rowena Cole’s first opportunities to meet with OJs and it was a very enjoyable occasion.

All who pledge a legacy to St John’s are eligible to become a member of The 1851 Society and we are grateful for their commitment and generosity to the School community. If you have included St John’s in your Will, and would like to become a member of The 1851 Society, please do let our Development Office by emailing Naia Edwards ([email protected]). You can also find out more about leaving a legacy to St John’s on the inside back cover.

52 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 53 FORMER SCHOOL CAPTAINS GATHER AT ST JOHN’S

It was a huge pleasure to welcome 36 former School Captains for a tour of St John’s, led by the current Captains, and a special tea to celebrate the hanging of the Honours Boards in the Dining Hall on Saturday 12 May. It proved to be such an interesting and enjoyable day and OJ DINNER 2017 BUILDING CAREERS it was wonderful to see so many former captains together at the School. The annual OJ Dinner was held on Thursday NETWORKS The Honours Boards, which list the names of 16 November and was a wonderful occasion. One of the many advantages of being part of the 203 Captains of the School from 1909 until Nearly 100 OJs returned to the School to enjoy St John’s community is the way that it creates the present day, are a fantastic record of the pre-drinks in the Old Chapel, followed by a walk opportunities to share expertise and broaden achievements of the young men and women through the new Lower School to the Dining Hall experiences both while pupils are at school, and who have made such a positive contribution to TOURS OF THE SCHOOL for a delicious meal. After dinner, toasts were beyond as they venture into the world of higher made to The Queen, the Duchess of Gloucester as the running of St John’s over the years. Amongst education and work. We have held several guided group tours of the patron of the Governing Council and to St John’s. the former School Captains present were Mike School throughout the year led by Patrick Noble. Chairman of the OJ Committee, Mark Cooper, Comer, Captain of the School in 1946-47, Colin At our Careers Fair in November, we were OJs and former parents have enjoyed seeing the then invited long-standing staff members Patrick Bourne, the first day boy to be School Captain delighted to welcome OJs who left St John’s in new developments, including the Lower School, Noble and Sally Todd, who have given so much from 1959-1960 and three brothers, William, or after 2012, so that they could benefit from and hearing all the news of life at St John’s. These to the School, to become Honorary OJs. An OJ Edward and Henry Harris, who were each careers advice alongside our current pupils. The have been followed by the opportunity to watch tie was given to Patrick Noble whilst Sally Todd appointed Captain of the School. Fair featured 50 representatives from a wide range sports matches on the playing fields and to enjoy was presented with flowers in the OJ colours of of careers including architecture, engineering, In her welcome speech, Rowena Cole, The Head, the famous match teas afterwards. For those who green, white and burgundy; any ideas for a female finance, medicine and politics. There were also reflected on the important role that School have not been able to attend the official tours, we alternative to the OJ tie would be welcomed! representatives from less traditional areas such as Captains have played in guiding and leading the are always delighted to see OJs and to give you Rowena Cole, The Head, was then introduced the computer games industry and the diamond pupil body throughout the School’s history. Many an individual tour. For safeguarding reasons, you and made a speech which was warmly received industry. It was a fantastic opportunity to talk to of the School Captains had sent in memories of will need to be accompanied, so do please contact by all the OJs. professionals, many of whom were also OJs, who their time in office and these had been made into us beforehand to arrange this via development@ offered insights into what it is really like to work a wonderful display by school archivist, Sally stjohns.surrey.sch.uk. in a variety of professions. Todd, which were enjoyed by all. Many more reminiscences were exchanged on the day and a toast was made to all School Captains past, present and future!

54 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 55 FORTHCOMING J C mmittee ’18 EVENTS O o The OJ Committee represents the interests of OJs within the School, providing advice on events and feedback to help St John’s improve links with the OJ community. The committee meets twice a year, usually in October and February. THE 1851 SOCIETY LUNCH - BATTLEFIELD TRIP TO YPRES: 8–11 WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER, 12.00PM, OCTOBER ST JOHN’S SCHOOL Richard Hughes, author and former history teacher at This year at our annual legacy lunch hosted by The Head St John’s, is leading this tour of the First World War to thank those who have chosen to support the School by battlefields to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the leaving a legacy to St John’s, our Archivist Sally Todd will end of the War. Staying at Arras and at Ypres and taking be giving a slide show and brief talk on her forthcoming in the Flanders Field Museum, attending the Last Post book about the School in the Great War. ceremony at the Menin Gate, visiting the Belgian trenches and the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery, it promises to be a fascinating and moving trip. Anthony Airey (Sy ’72) David Birchmore (E ’00) Jamie Calder (N ’96) Ted Caplan (Ch ’11)

LONDON WALK: WAR, WARRIORS AND WESTMINSTER - WEDNESDAY 19 LOWER SCHOOL FESTIVAL OF LESSONS SEPTEMBER AND CAROLS IN THE CHAPEL - FRIDAY Viv Haxby will be conducting another fascinating London 7 DECEMBER, 6.30PM, ST JOHN’S walk, this time around Whitehall and Westminster on the SCHOOL CHAPEL theme of the Great War as we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War. Some of London’s most All OJs are invited to attend the Lower School Festival of Emma Charles (S ’09) Mark Cooper (Ch ’95) Bryony Crutcher (S ’05) Patrick Noble (staff 1975-2016) significant landmarks are located within this area and you Lessons and Carols. With beautiful singing by the Choir, CHAIRMAN are warmly welcome to join us. and readings by the children in the Third Form, in the candlelit setting of the Chapel, this special service provides We will be meeting in Trafalgar Square in front of the a moment of stillness and calm before the Christmas National Gallery at 1.45pm for 2.00pm start and finishing festivities ahead. Mulled wine and mince pies will be outside Westminster Cathedral at approximately 4.00pm. served in the Dining Hall afterwards. Tickets cost £15 and can be booked on our website.

OJ DINNER 2018 - FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER, Andy Farrant (N ’82) Richard Francis (Ch ’57) Patrick Gardner (Sy ’59) Viv Jemmett (W ’05) 7.00PM, ST JOHN’S SCHOOL

This year, the OJ Dinner will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the foundation of Montgomery House and we are delighted that Alex Macqueen (Monty 1990-1992) will be our guest speaker. Best known for his character as ‘Neil’s Dad’ in The Inbetweeners, Alex Macqueen has appeared on stage, film and TV, including Holby City, Peep Show and The Thick of It, to name a few. Jessica Mott (S ’10) Andy Peake (W ’61) Ed Sanderson (E ’99) Peter Thorne (S ’62) Richard Rhodes and Mike Comer, the first housemasters of Monty will also be attending the dinner and we do hope you will be able to join us at St John’s. Get involved... Tickets for the dinner are priced at £40 (£20 concessions for leavers from 2012 onwards) and include a drinks If you would like to join the OJ reception and three-course meal with wine and coffee. Committee, please contact the Tables seat up to 10 so if you want to reserve a table for Development Office on you and your contemporaries, please visit the School 01372 385450 or email Olly Metcalfe (Ch ’12) Phoebe Fielding (H ’12) website. [email protected]

56 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 57 Supporting Please do not hesitate to contact the Development Department ([email protected]) St John’s for more information, or to discuss your bequest should you wish to aid our charitable work.

St John’s has a long tradition of benefaction, We are enormously grateful for the financial dating back to our foundation in 1851 as a support, involvement and charitable giving charity school to provide an education for the we receive from parents past and present, OJs, ‘sons of the poor clergy’. We are proud that the staff and friends. In 2017-18, thanks to the tradition of making a St John’s education available generosity from donors, we were able to support to those who would not otherwise be able to 18 Foundationers and six fully funded Awards A LASTING afford it continues to this day. for non-clergy children. But we are always approached by more pupils than those we are We are passionate about widening access to St able to help and we want to be able to provide John’s and creating life-changing opportunities more. for young people. We want to open doors and unlock potential so that as many promising young From legacies and major donors to regular giving LEGACY people as possible, regardless of their background and small gifts, when we come together as a or ability to pay fees, are able to benefit from community we can make an enormous difference. Leaving a gift to St John’s in your will has the power to The 1851 Society everything that a St John’s education offers. With If you would like more information about change lives. A legacy is one of the greatest gifts you can To recognise those who have chosen to remember St John’s that goal in mind, our current focus is on raising fundraising priorities or would like to discuss make and is a lasting testimony to your affection for the in their will, we launched the 1851 Society. Named to funds to extend our bursary provision and to how you can support us please get in touch. School. You can allocate your bequest towards the area of enable us to widen access still further. mark the year the School was founded, membership will greatest need, or you may wish to support our bursaries, be automatic to all who make us aware of their intentions. Throughout our history, over 4,000 families have new buildings and facilities, or a particular subject at the Email: [email protected] Each year, members are invited to a lunch hosted by the received financial support and, today, nearly one +44 (0)1372 231552 School. We will always honour your wishes, but would ask Telephone: Headmaster, to recognise their commitment and support in ten pupils at St John’s receives some kind of Post: Development Office, St John’s School, that requests are kept sufficiently general that we can be sure of St John’s. help with fees. Over the next few years we will Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SP to use your gift effectively and for maximum benefit. be significantly increasing the amount of money the School allocates to providing this support. Leaving a legacy to the School gives you the Why I left a gift in my will… At St John’s this is a team effort – we do not opportunity to: ‘When I was making my will, I felt it was important to have major endowed funds to draw upon so we include a bequest to St John’s. I wanted to give something need the support of the St John’s community • Give something back to the School to enable us to raise the funds that will make a • Join other supporters in The 1851 Society back to the school that helped me so much in my formative transformational difference to the lives of boys • Provide more than you might have been able to do years, and to ensure that boys and girls in the future can and girls today and in the future. in your lifetime continue to benefit from the education a school like St John’s • Donate in a tax efficient way provides. I would encourage all OJs to consider a bequest to • Be part of the successful future of another generation the School. It is a way that we can make a lasting difference to a place that has meant a great deal to us.’ 58 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 59 THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE Bernard Lewis (E ’59) THE OLD JOHNIAN MAGAZINE 60