Election of Officers, the Benevolent Fund and Honoraria

CONTENTS PAGE Frontispiece: The Reverend Canon C. D. Waddams .. 4 In Memoriam—Christopher Douglas Waddams .. .. 5-7 Officers of the Society, 1965-66 .. 8 News of the Society Notices and Reports .. .. 9-14 The Society's Finances .. .. 15 The General Meeting of the Society, 1965 .. .. 16-18 The Quincentenary Appeal Accounts 19 The Quincentenary Appeal .. 20 The Annual Dinner, 1965 .. .. .. .. 21-23 Engagements .. .. .. 24-25 Marriages 25-27 Births 27-29 Deaths .. .. 30-31 Obituaries 32-33 Ecclesiastical Appointments .. 34-35 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 36-55 Publications 55-57 News of the College College News Letter, 1965 57-61 The College Societies .. .. 61-65 Academic Distinctions .. .. .. .. .. 65-68 Articles Cambridge University Children's Holiday Venture .. 69 The Great Adventure 70-73 Illustrations At the Reunion (1) (facing) 24 At the Reunion (2) 40 Alumni .. .. .. 54 Old Friends 64 The New Buildings—An Artist's Impression ... 71 The Reverend Canon Christopher Douglas Waddams Fellow of St Catharine's 1930-1965 Senior Tutor 1957-1965 Born—18th September 1904 Died—19th August 1965 A photograph taken at the Degree-Day Reception 1964 SEPTEMBER 1965 Christopher Douglas Waddams WELL remember Christopher Waddams visiting the College prior to his being elected Chaplain in 1929. He lunched with me, and I that was the beginning of a friendship that ripened with the years. But although I may have been one of the first to get to know him, he soon became the friend of all the College—domestic staff, under- graduates and fellows. There have been members who have become more distinguished or played a more important part in the world, but to few, if any, has it been given to become so much part of the College. He was loved and trusted by all, and it mattered not if the man was atheist, Free Churchman, Roman Catholic or Anglican; he was entertained and made at home in his rooms, and nearly always became a close friend. It was his absolute integrity of character, his humble- ness, and straight-forward friendliness that gave him a position and influence which, in the fifty years I have known the College, stand unique. The letters he received during his illness, the hundreds of greeting cards at Christmas, and the value placed on his circular letters to his numerous friends are but tokens that show what people thought of him. He came to us directly from a curacy at Christ Church, Clapham, where he had spent a year after leaving Ely Theological College. Before that he had been at Jesus where he had a very distinguished career. He went up as a scholar from Latymer Upper School and took first classes in both parts of the Mathematical Tripos; in Part II he was starred in Schedule B. Two years later he was placed in the first class of the second part of the Theological Tripos. Jesus had meanwhile elected him to the Lady Kay Scholarship. He also found time to take the degree of B.Sc. (Hons) of London. An academic career was open to him, but he knew that his work was to be in the Ministry, and before all he was a Priest and a most devout Christian. At first meeting he may have seemed rigid and perhaps lacking in an understanding of the difficulties and problems that worry most of us. 6 St Catharine's College Society Magazine But as time went on and he became less shy and more experienced, possibly more mellow, it was realized not only by those who knew him well, but also by an ever increasing number of men, how deep was his sympathy and understanding. In his help and advice he was direct and practical and said what he meant. It was no use explaining how many good works you had done, or intended to do, if you could not at the same time convince him that you were doing some good work! The College, when it made him first Chaplain (1929) and then Fellow (1930) did better than it realized at the time. There is no doubt that had he wished he could have continued some research he had begun in Mathematics, and that in due course he might well have become a University teacher. On the other hand, with his interest in the Philo- sophy of religion he could equally well have devoted his life's work to Theology. It is, however, to the lasting benefit of the College that he decided to do neither of those things, but to dedicate himself to the spiritual life of the College and to the building up of a tradition of hard work and good scholarship in Mathematics. Those who remember the 'thirties will always have in mind the strong contrast between two men who, in their different ways, did so much for the Chapel and all it stands for—Chaytor and Waddams. They were very different in their personalities, in their churchmanship, and in their approach to problems, but they were firm friends and enjoyed one another's whims and humours. It could not have been easy for a shy young parson to preach in Chapel during his first year or so, but Chaytor and Waddams each helped the other, and there is no doubt that the great influence Christopher Waddams came to have in College was in part the outcome of their friendship. One of the stringent influences in his life came from his membership of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd, in which he was professed in 1931. Some of his most intimate friends were also members, in particular Edward Wynn and Wilfred Knox. As an undergraduate at Jesus he had coxed a boat, and throughout his life he maintained a great interest in rowing and could always be called upon to support the Boat Club, and perhaps to look the other way on occasions when the boats had done particularly well; but he was equally a supporter of all College activities and a regular visitor to the playing fields. He held several College Offices. For some years he was Praelector, and later became a Tutor, and finally Senior Tutor. He took a great interest in the changes that have recently taken place in the methods St Catharine's College Society Magazine 7 of entry into the University, and was a member of a committee of tutors that recommended them. For a time he was Steward, but it was an office he did not care for, and one which gave him much worry. In the war he was indefatigable and acted throughout as Air Raid Warden. Many an hour, even whole nights, he spent on the roof of Hobson's, and it is attributed to him that he made the remark, ' Ah, that's one of ours! ', a moment or two before a stick of bombs was dropped on the Union! Those days in College were busy and strenuous; there were often difficult situations as well as amusing ones. During part of the war the Bull was an ' American College ' and was governed by a warden. On one occasion, when a change of warden was made, Christopher very thoughtfully invited him to dinner—to discover at the last moment that a lady had been appointed, and that the meal must be transferred from Hall to a private room. All will remember some particular incident associated with him, and all will realize something of what he did for the College. He loved it and gave his whole life to it, and we are the gainers. He was not interested in money nor in high position. He was more than generous in so many ways. Many will remember holidays with him or will know how he helped them by advice or, if necessary, with money. He enjoyed travel, but he did not go beyond Europe. He spent many holidays in north Devon and, more recently, in Scotland. Shortly before he entered the Evelyn Nursing Home he stayed at a small house he rented near Clashnessie. The three friends who were with him made the holiday possible, but he was far too weak to derive any benefit from it. Many of us, too, know how much he meant in family life—at marriage, at christenings, and at deaths. His God-children must be legion! He remembered everyone, and all knew how kind and generous he could be. He did not seek preferment, but his appointment as an Honorary Canon of Ely gave very real pleasure not only to his family but to all his friends. Outside College he was, as far as time permitted, always willing to help, and there will be many who remember his work on the Fruiting Campaigns and the discom- forts he sometimes suffered. He will be remembered with affection, and the College and all of us individually are the richer and better for his goodness, humility, friendship, and above all his true Christianity. J. A. Steers 8 St Catharine's College Society Magazine Officers of the Society 1965-66 President C. Belfield Clarke, M.A. Vice-Presidents C. R. Allison, M.A. K. C. Johnson-Bavies, M.A. C. R. Benstead, M.C.? M.A. R. T. Pemberton Sir Frank Bower, C.B.E., M.A. D. Portway, C.B.E., T.D., D.L., M.A. R. F. Champness, M.A., LL.M. A. Stephenson, M.A. R. Davies, C.M.G., M.A. A. H. Thomas, LL.D., M.A. A. A. Heath, M.A. Sir Augustus Walker, K.C.B., T. R. Henn, C.B.E., M.A. C.B.E., D.S.O., D.F.C, M.A.

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