KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL

BIRMINGHAM

OLD EDWARDIANS GAZETTE 2010

0 officers of the association

Chairman of the General Committee: Hon Registrar: James Martin M. D. Baxter 36 Woodglade Croft Committee: King’s Norton Andrew Baxter – Hon. Treasurer Birmingham B38 8TD Mike Baxter – Hon. Registrar e-mail: [email protected] Derek Benson – Hon. Secretary David Brewer - Edwardians Football Club Hon. Treasurer: Gerald Chadwick - Sports Club A.G. Baxter David Corney Springfield Jim Evans – Cricket Club Wesley Road Stephen Talboys – Hon. Secretary Ironbridge Paul Thomson Shropshire TF8 7BD John Wheatley Ian Metcalfe - Co-opted London Secretary: James Murphy David Edmonds Mark Roberts 146 Bath Road Longwell Green Hon. Secretaries: Bristol BS30 9DB Derek Benson (also School Tel: 0117 932 6910 Representative) e-mail: [email protected] King Edward’s School Birmingham B15 2UA ‘Gazette’ Editor: Tel: 0121 472 1672 Michael Parslew Fax: 0121 415 4327 6 Station Close e-mail: [email protected] Windmill Hill Stoulton Stephen Talboys Worcestershire WR7 4RX 204 Galton Road Tel: 01905 840438 Smethwick e-mail: [email protected] West Midllands B67 5JP &: [email protected] Tel: 0121 420 3313

0 issue 282 : contents

Editorial ...... Page 2 - 5 Old Edwardians Masonic Lodge ...... Page 30 From the Chairman From the Chief Master Forthcoming Events ...... Page 30 - 31 From the Editor Letters to the Editor ...... Page 32 - 35 Special Interview ...... Page 6 David Robinson; Peter Bryan; Bernard Adams; Chris. Latham; John Osborn David Ganderton; Robert Darlaston

Reunions ...... Page 7 -14 Notes & News ...... Page 36 - 39 Conquering Time (1951) Details by name & year Once Again Assembled Here (1954-55) O.E. Publications Sentimental Journey (1956-57) Dinner for the 1960s Births, Marriages & Deaths ...... Page 40 Dinner for the 1970s Births, Marriages & Deaths - listed by year

Special Articles ...... Page 15 - 23 Obituaries ...... Page 40 - 48 Brigadier Mike Dauncey DSO Tom Freeman; Peter Mason; Edward Downes; Ken Wyatt; Sidney Ireland; Paper-back Hero - Gavin Lyall Arthur Knapp; Terry Podesta; Furrokh Panthaki; Keith Parsons; KES Rugby & After - Jim Wainwright Fred Oxley; Tony Wainwright; Norman Ludlow; A. Clive Williams; The Wanderers’ Return John Whitfield; Peter Matthews An Interview with Mark Wagh

O.E. Activities ...... Page 24 - 27 Arthur C. Muffett (1926) London O.E: A.G.M. As we were going to press we heard with great regret of the death of Arthur Muffet Summer Outing (1926), the oldest member of the Association. He was 102 Annual Dinner 2009 Edwardians Football Club O.E. Cricket Club Golf Society

School News ...... Page 28 - 29 Development Director’s Report Staff News – Retirements: Philip Lambie; George Worthington; Carol Southworth

1 from the chairman

At the time of writing I have just returned This Gazette is in the same style as last from my third London OEs Dinner, with year’s new, landscape edition and we 50% more guests than last year. We have again have Michael Parslew to thank for had 60s and 70s dinners at school, and his editorship. I know that this is a labour both brought people back for the first of love in the fullest sense because it takes time since leaving School – I encountered a fair amount of time and you wouldn’t do four of my year and the sense of re- it if you didn’t care. Having got us over connection both with each other and the the big hurdle of change, Michael is School was tremendous. The Chief Master conscious of the need for succession spoke to us of his pleasure at progress in planning and we should be delighted to matters such as IB, the Performing Arts hear from the next willing volunteer. In Centre and continuing all-round the meantime, as they seem nowadays to excellence and it was seriously gratifying say, ‘enjoy’. to see evidence of the changes being wrought under the ‘new regime’ of James Martin Development Office support.

When you read this we will be in a new I am delighted to let you know that decade, able to look back over another result of the changes made with extraordinary changes across the globe, your support over the last year or so is and forward with wonder about whether that the OEA can commit to funding an our economic or climate systems will ever assisted place out of the income no longer be quite the same again. Our private Old needed to run the Association’s affairs. Edwardian world has seen change too, and This seems a good step towards other help to be able to feel unashamedly positive that we alumni may be able to offer in about it is a delight. This year some 400 future, and thus really make our School Old Edwardians have been back to School accessible to the best on merit. or attended OEA events, and this may well be a record – demonstrating the greater reach that has been achieved since Simon and Sue in the Development Office have had the time to invest in bringing our alumni together.

2 from the chief master

This article is written under time pressure, Two other giants of the Common Room between the Scylla of George Andronov’s have also departed this year, Phil Lambie, departure on the last day of the Autumn who started in 1968, and George Term and the Charybdis of the deadline of Worthington, a relative newcomer of the the editor of the Gazette, on the first day 1970 vintage. Over 80 combined years of the holidays. they have had a massive influence on this place. Very few boys would have passed Perhaps the departure of George through the school without being taught Andronov, the Deputy Chief Master, is the by at least one of them. It is hard to best place to start. George is the son of a imagine that any teacher, any Russian soldier, captured by the Germans professional, had ever given more time in the Second World War and liberated by and loyalty and, indeed, love to the the British. He arrived at King Edward’s in organisations which they have served. the autumn of 1975 from south London via Imperial College, Cambridge and George and Phil and George mean a great Manchester Grammar School. He has been deal to me, because I was taught Classics a teacher of Physcis, Head of Physics, by two of them and have been helped Head of Science, Deputy Chief Master, a beyond measure by the third, but it is I expect that George Andronov won’t find brilliant teacher of the brilliant, a important that such men get recognition. it easy to go, and one of the reasons is wondrous teacher of the ‘Physically’ For decades, if not centuries, this school that, in recent times, he has played such a challenged, rabble-rouser of the Science and its pupils have relied upon staff who large part in bringing to pass the big plans Common Room, and, for 14 years, a most have dedicated all, or almost all, of their for the future. In particular, it was George loyal and supportive and human Deputy careers to one school. Their rewards are who did much of the work for the Chief Master. I doubt that anyone will ever certainly not material, but they do come introduction of the International forget meeting or being taught by George from the day to day experience of Baccalaureate Diploma. As I write, we are and, as he has come to the end of his teaching the boys, and from the pride they on the brink - I hope - of being approved career we have all come to realise that feel in what those pupils go on to achieve. as an IB school after a visit from two IB George’s greatest contribution has been to In the end, they are proud of King inspectors in early December; and then, in make this school seem like a family. Edward’s School and we should be grateful September, we will be the first major Whether George is pater patriae, the to them. independent school in this country to patriarch or just plain Uncle George in the convert, with one act of daring, to the IB pub on a Friday evening, he has made this Diploma. Nothing that I have seen or place a warmer, funnier, happier place for heard about IB or about A Levels in the all of us. last year has diverted me from the belief that this will be not only the right, but a really exciting road to tread. 3 The other grand design, the Paul and Jill And, whilst all these historic initiatives are Not even that is all there is. Last week lots Of course, the kind of school that we Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, is also on being planned and enacted, the life of the of us attended two concerts in the Adrian would also want this to be is accessible to course after being given planning approval school and of the boys runs on. We didn’t Boult Hall and the Carol Service at St all and my final words must be about that in November 2009. The architects, break all of last year’s exam records in Philip’s Cathedral. There were star long-term aim. I am most grateful to those Haworth Tompkins, have produced a 2009, although we did break the record for performers: violinists Kiyam Lin and alumni who are already funding boys. The building that reflects the original percentage of A grades at A Level (76.9%) Roberto Ruisi have just been chosen to the Development Office and Simon Lerwill are geometry of the Hobbiss building and, by and percentage of A grades and A/B grades members of the National Youth Orchestra, already making a difference and will make its use of patterned brickwork, responds at AS (68.8% and 89.2% respectively). One Roberto will be the youngest member of it. a bigger one as the years go by. It is also to its appearance and purpose. It is thing that did get better was the number Both of these boys, and others in the important to know that we are succeeding certainly impressive outside, but it’s the of Oxbridge acceptances, 20 up from 14, orchestra, are funded by John Osborn. in getting the Assisted Places message out innards that will really matter: an but that still isn’t good enough for us. However, the most enjoyable moment of to the public. We have 590 candidates for auditorium that can accommodate an However, as you know as well as I do, that these occasions was the boys’ choir, all our entrance examination in January 2010: orchestra of 90, a choir of over 100 and an isn’t it. The school’s Under 16 waterpolo 120 of them, the biggest that choir has six years ago that number was 350. That is audience of 400, if not all at the same team are national champions and our best ever been. And the best part of it all was a great change, but with the departure of time; a drama studio that can seat 120 in player, Morgan Hirsch, is captain of the that the choir could have turned out an George Andronov and the arrival of the IB various configurations, another rehearsal Great Britain Under 16 team. The 1st XV excellent University Challenge Team, and a Diploma and the Paul and Jill Ruddock room, a large foyer open to the great oak went to Japan and Dubai on tour. Hockey decent cricket team and a decent rugby Performing Arts Centre, great change tree by Big School and all the teaching, grows apace under the guidance of the team. I expect that’s the kind of school seems to be what we are doing at the practice and rehearsal space we need. The double Olympian Michael Johnson and that we would want to be. moment. first day of the summer holidays is likely they even went on tour to Gibraltar. The to be the last day of, not Pompeii, but the 1st Cricket XI are off to Barbados in the John Claughton gyms and the Music School, and building is summer and in Jack Cornick they have a likely to be completed by early 2012. batsman who nearly broke Anurag Singh’s That’s not long. run aggregate record, and he is only in the Fifth Form. But that isn’t all of it: boys can and do play Fives and basketball in the old fashioned way but volleyball and badminton and table tennis with proper outside coaching are new possibilities , too.

4 from the editor

“The Times they are a-changin” - and Indeed, generosity is in the air. The men recorded there lived lives interesting times they are, too. The ties This edition of the ‘Gazette’ carries an motivated by belief - in service, between the School and the O.E.A. have interview with John Osborn, another O.E. excellence, the integrity of the intellect. been strengthened; and this marriage is who is doing so much more than just It is this belief, not simply the fact of spare witnessed in the new joint Development & repaying the School for its education of cash in the pocket, that also motivates the Association Office in the old Cartland him; and Simon Lerwill, (DD & PB,) generosity of men like Paul Ruddock and Corridor, where the Development Director, outlines the plans for the Assisted Places John Osborn, it is this belief that holds a sort of Pooh Bah to the Chief Master’s Appeal and the ways in which O.Es can School and Association together. We must Mikado, plans the launch of the Great support the cause. There is much to be beware that the demands of the future do Appeal, sets up reunions for all living Old excited about. not obscure the efforts and achievements Edwardians and harvests incoming of the past and the men who believed, O.E.news - and donations. At the end of But while excitement is good for the whatever their condition or circumstance. this academic year the mechanical shovels spirits, let us beware that we do not get Theirs is the legacy. will move in to remove the old music carried too far away. One of the school and gyms so that the new fundamental legacies of a school is the We should remember Ozymandias. Performing Arts Centre can be born, friendships that it creates and sustains in testimony to the generosity of one Old later life; and the one abiding reason for Michael Parslew Edwardian, Paul Ruddock. our School’s existence is the belief in intellectual truth and excellence. The contents of this magazine bear testimony to both raisons d’ e^tre, nowhere more than in the long march of obituaries - and we ignore the moral those offer at our peril.

5 john osborn (1962) – benefactor

being one of the biggest boy in the Shells place at a college or school he (or she) can “In the past I’ve been a non-executive and, when I started playing rugby, be accepted without any concern about director on the boards of one or two trundling up the pitch with several smaller payment. So, when the School garden centre companies: By the same boys clinging on to me in a vain attempt approached me with a view to, perhaps, criterion, however good their sales were to tackle me”. sponsoring a pupil via the Assisted Places on Christmas decorations or pets or books, scheme, I was only too happy to help..” their raisons d’ e^tre will always be their By his own admission, his career at performance on plants and living Cambridge was not wholly successful. To date John is funding 11 boys through products. I think it is important to keep “Classics was my natural choice as I’d the School and two in particular are of this basic concept at the centre of one’s In the summer King Edward’s will be studied Latin from the age of 5 and Greek special interest to him; Kiyam Lin and thinking, focus and decision making. One launching an ambitious fund-raising from the age of 6, but it didn’t really suit Roberto Ruisi are musicians of must keep one’s eye on the ball. programme which aims to increase me. That and my extra-curricular extraordinary talent, who have recently dramatically the number of Assisted Places activities – drinking, socialising and the been selected to join the National Youth “Being a Benefactor is hugely enjoyable that the School is able to offer to bright young women from Saffron Walden Orchestra.. “I love going to the concerts and I do hope other Old Edwardians will boys from the Birmingham area who Teacher Training College – meant that my and listening to them play. It is almost follow suit in the future. It is incredibly would otherwise be unable to study there. three years at college were a time of unbelievable that boys so young can rewarding to fund someone else’s Last month the Editor of the Gazette personal growth and academic decline.” produce such beautiful music. Hearing education – not just to repay one’s own visited the home of John Osborn (1962) that is a real part of the pleasure of debt for having had a first-class education who through several very generous After Cambridge he completely left behind giving.” free but to watch from afar their future donations is currently funding Assisted the academic and went into Industry. He success. This can also be potentially very Places for 11 boys within the School. . had jobs with the National Coal Board and He continued, “The Development Director rewarding.” Dutch Philips and then moved over into (Simon Lerwill) recently showed me a list Simon Lerwill the ‘Rag Trade’, eventually becoming of boys who had passed the Entrance Exam He added, with a grin, “I would be Managing Director of Wallis, the ‘up- but could not come to King Edward’s embarrassed by too much fuss but I do This interview took place in John’s kitchen market’ clothing chain. “I turned out to because they couldn’t afford to. It’s for enjoy being acknowledged. It’s nice when at his home near Ledbury, over a glass of be quite good at running businesses that them, and other like them, that I believe the boys write to me off their own bat and wine and a bowl of his excellent home- were in a mess and that is what I did for we need to expand the Assisted Places tell me how they are doing. That makes it made parsnip soup (with a flavouring of the rest of my working life. I finished up scheme. all worthwhile.” apple). He is a big man in every way, as Chief Executive of the Alexon Group.” standing 6ft 4ins and having made his “This opportunity tied in with something I Michael Parslew money by turning round ailing businesses When he retired he looked round for ways had noticed in recent years; that the and restoring them to health. in which he could employ his still very decline in the School’s standing seemed to active mind, his interests – Romanesque coincide with the end of the assisted He came to King Edward’s in 1955 from a architecture and Music of the 16th/17th places. Redressing this situation is a key modest background; his father suffered Centuries, and his money. “I’ve been priority for all of us interested in the from ill-health and his mother was the reasonably successful and live fairly School and it was one of the main drivers bread-winner. “I went onto the Classics frugally, so I had some money to spare. behind my donations. It’s probably true side and, with the encouragement of the For a long time I’ve admired the that in my time King Edward’s was too Reverend F.J. (Eric) Williams, himself an relationship the American alumni have much the intellectual hothouse and it is O.E. as many people will recall, I gained a with their Colleges – they are much more pleasing to see the breadth of activities Minor Scholarship at Sidney Sussex responsive and generous than we are here, now open to the boys. But, quite College, Cambridge to read classics. One and I liked the notion that when a child honestly, in the last count, the School of my most vivid memories of School is of from a poorer background applies for a stands or falls by its academic standards. 6 reunions

CONQUERING TIME WITH THE CLASS OF ’51

April 4th 2009: the Class of ’51 is on the move again, hitching a ride into history as it revisits the Old School. Some of the group are returning for the first time in over fifty years.

As the group assembles for the Grand Tour of the old place, our minds go back to our earliest days as sherrings; a time when King George VI reigned and Clement Attlee still had a month left as Prime Minister; when trams ran down the Bristol Road, T.E.B. Howarth was ‘Headmaster’, all boys wore school caps no matter their age. But plus ça change; the Drive and Main Door look remarkably unchanged – even if no- one knows how to open the inner door – and the years roll away as we chat informally before being allowed into the school proper.

The tour began with coffee in the Common Room and a welcoming address from the Chief Master. Straight away we found life at K.E.S. has moved on from the staid 1950s. Gone is the cramped, smoke-filled Common Room once glimpsed through a half-open door; in its place is a spacious room which would not be out of place in a good hotel. Chief Masters have changed too: once they seemed eight feet tall and addressed one in measured tones delivered ex cathedra. But here was a stunning new 7 line in Chief Masters; a man with a expediency and Hobbis’s design has been Looking over the wall by the Chapel many Our time was now running out, and after coloured shirt, a man who mingled with sadly compromised in order to shoe-horn thought that covering the swimming pool passing along the splendid new Classical the assembly, a man brimming with in more teaching rooms. had been an aesthetic disaster, an easy Corridor, with form rooms where there enthusiasm for his school and its future. verdict from those who have perhaps had once been changing rooms leading We continued past photographs of school forgotten the bracing prospect of straight out onto the South Terrace, it was Guided by Derek Benson, (who had been activities from many corners of the world, swimming in chilly water and an even time to take our leave of the School. We School Captain when we were in the making our way through new rooms full of chillier wind. had enjoyed a tour that was both Removes), our party set off, eagerly bewildering arrays of technology. Here we nostalgic and stimulating. The School is in seeking reminders of our past. We began noticed a sign prohibiting the throwing of From spiritual refreshment in the Chapel the same business that we remembered with Big School and Sapientia, evoking anything whatsoever: “Can’t a Master we turned next to physical well-being and with many of the same sights, sounds and memories of Willis Grant conducting hymn even throw chalk at an inattentive boy?” we inspected the gym, where we were smells; but there are bold new activities practice and Canon Lunt creating prefects – “What’s chalk?” came the reply! surprised that such instruments of torture which we and our contemporaries would ("See that yer wield this pow-er with as wall-bars, beams, ropes and vaulting not have dreamed of. justice, loyalty and discretion”). Then we The tour continued into the Art & Design horses had all vanished. Fortunately our walked along what was once the Classical Centre, opened in 1990. The exterior,while visit to the gym was not, on this occasion, Robert Darlaston (1959) Corridor but now belongs to the History not completely in harmony with the followed by the requirement to have a Department, calling in en route to inspect earlier buildings, possesses some style. But shower; but we well remembered the need a form room. Here was total change: the the interior is a dog’s breakfast of to hurry out before the formidable ‘Sam’ oak blocks have been covered by carpet, seemingly random rooms and steep Cotter turned the thermostat to COLD. At the blackboard has given way to staircases. The work on display was, least the showers had been more civilised ‘Information Technology’ however, of remarkable quality, which is than the bath at Eastern Road where what really matters. From here we walked fifteen young men would sit in water so The Library too is carpeted and replete back down the drive and paused outside coloured by mud from the playing field with computers. Happily it does also the North Door, originally the entrance that it looked as though it had been piped retain books in sufficiently generous for boys below the Sixth Form – and where in direct from Cadbury’s factory down the quantities to satisfy the shade of Charles many of our number had once loitered to road. Blount, but it is a shame that the elegant yearn, not to say lust, after the goddesses Heath Memorial Library of reference of the High School performing on the books has gone. (Where to, I wonder?) We tennis court. After such impure thoughts continued along the Upper Corridor to Derek Benson quickly marched us to the what had once been the Art Department. Chapel for corrective meditation. Once This area has changed completely. the altar piece has been restored the The School has grown in numbers and Chapel will be another area of the School clearly needs far more space than in our largely unaltered from our day, preserving day. But one feels that in redeveloping something of the atmosphere and this area, elegance has been sacrificed to structure of Barry’s historic building. 8 once again assembled here

“Alumnus” always strikes me as one of the ugliest words in the language, and only slightly less unpleasant if spelt backwards. Today it is used, I suspect, mainly by Oxbridge colleges when appealing for funds. The plural is even worse, and perhaps that is why KES eschewed the word altogether when inviting those who left school in 1954 and 1955 to a reunion there on 23rd September last. Accompanying the invitation was an alarmingly long list of “Lost Old Edwardians”, in case we were in contact with any. Some, including the first ‘Deputy Chief Master’ and a one-time England cricketer, could hardly be described as “lost” at all; but many others, sadly. are lost for ever, some many decades since..

So it was that, out of a pool approaching two hundred, twenty or so former ‘Sherrings’ (is that word still used?) actually turned up, a few sporting decorations of an empire which, flourishing when last we met, is now entirely defunct. One of us even brought his wife. They had recently celebrated their golden wedding and this occasion must have seemed to them an appropriate climax to their celebrations.

9 We all met at what was once the Porter’s We assembled for tea and coffee in the By now we had been joined by the one The view from this room, with its mock- Lodge, the abode in our day of Kelly, who Common Room and there met Simon continuous Edwardian link with our school Tudor windows, he likened to that from may have had a first name, Christian or Lerwill, the School’s Development days, Derek Benson, and by his fellow the stern cabin of HMS Victory, although otherwise, and Henry Craddock, who Director, and Sue Dickens, the OEA retired master Phil Lambie, still remarkably this is an analogy he might not want to certainly did. For some it was a first Administrator, to whom our thanks are youthful after forty-one years’ service. pursue too far. He gave an enlivening talk return to KES for over half a century, but due for arranging the day. We then took They, with two of the current prefects, about how much he and by implication we several of the 1947 intake (of which there early lunch, as cricketers put it, now then gave us a tour of the school. This owed to our days at KES and how that had been exactly fifty) were on quite arranged buffet-style. No longer is the started with the new-ish Arts & Crafts debt might one day be repaid. There was recently familiar ground. Gordon Woods choice simply “take-it-or-leave-it”, building and continued with a visit to a no hard sell, just a happy day among old organised what he aptly called a “50/50” generally the latter. The writer’s namesake succession of laboratories and IT Centres, friends. Of these some were quite reunion in 1997, with further gatherings in recalled that, on being questioned at some over-shadowed by the intrusive amazingly unchanged. Barrie Gane looked 2000, 2003 and 2007. Gordon’s nick-name home as to what he had been served for construction of neighbouring university about three years older than when last (I don’t think it was “Tiger”) hung in the air lunch, he replied “Meat”, and when building. Particularly memorable was the seen in 1954 and preservation orders seem unspoken, but we later tried to recall the further examined elaborated “Black Library and its present-day Lady likewise to have been bestowed on Alan Latin aliases bestowed upon us by ‘Codger’ Meat”, and finally “Shiny Black Meat”. custodian, who gave us not only a talk but Birch, Graham Elliott, David Donaldson, Power, for example “Aula” for Hall Also absent, if not much missed, were even some souvenir pencils, “King Richard Tipton, Brian Williams and others (“Tiny”), who wasn’t present. That those vividly remembered desserts of Edward’s School Library has all the who, I trust, will forgive absence of appended to this article for the writer still brown squares, apparently composed of answers”. What would CHCB, that specific mention. They know who they seems ingenious – to him at least. Those equal proportions of chocolate and embodiment of human omniscience, have are, or believe themselves to be. of us born between January and December cement, accompanied by small cylinders of said? 1936, during the reign of that fascist almost equally impenetrable ice-cream, A group photograph was inevitably taken playboy Edward VIII, are of course double clearly the product of some deranged Thankfully there is no longer a Cartland in the traditional place, before we made Edwardians; as indeed was that delightful culinary cubist. Club to divide us, but Big School survives, our way up the drive for our separate, man, Arthur Muffet OE, whose recent with improved access to the organ loft tramless journeys home. However, we passing at the age of 102 is recorded After lunch it was up the drive to the and its portraits of past Chief Masters, were followed, unless it was a mirage, by a elsewhere in this ‘Gazette’ and surely the Foundation Office and up its stairs, (for augmented since our day. The deceptively double-decker bus. That would not have oldest of OE’s born during the reign of the the writer, for the first time), to the Board mild-looking cleric, John Cooke (1797- been allowed in our day. I was sorry to equally egregious preceding Edward. Why Room, where Alison Wheatley, the 1834), better known as ‘Butcher’, still note that “A.C. Baker” is no longer the is it, incidentally, that the only half- School’s Archivist, had laid out an looks benevolently down but now he has General Manager. decent King Edwards produced by our excellent display of photographs, drawings been joined by an equally mild-looking country since number VI have been (including those of Barry’s New Street Canon R.G. Lunt. His stature is no doubt The only significant omission from a potatoes? Buildings), magazines, books and more appreciated by us now than 50 years remarkable day was a rendition of the ephemera. We appreciated her short talk, ago. We looked briefly in some form- imperishable words of Alfred Hayes to that given under the marmoreal gaze of our rooms and were finally entertained by the unforgettable tune – but perhaps that was Pious Founder, surmounting the fireplace present Chief Master, John Claughton OE, just as well. removed from the Georgian predecessor of to tea and cakes in his study. Barry’s building. CELER 10 sentimental journey sparks reunion

Nostalgia is one of those degenerative ailments that afflict the elderly. I noticed the early warning signs as I passed the half-century mark. One manifestation was that when I took out a life-membership in the OEA I calculated that if I lived past 67 I would start saving money. And when, several years later, when KES celebrated its 450th anniversary, I felt compelled to cross the Atlantic, Canadian wife in tow, to pay homage

The symptoms of nostalgia became particularly acute in the summer of 2008 when I received an e-mail from my long- lost cousin, Eric, who had found my profile on ‘Friendsreunited’ while researching his family tree. He noted that we had not been in contact with each other since 1943. So, spurred on by this, I began to plan a sentimental journey. Naturally we would visit Eric in Stourport; but I wondered whether it might also be possible to gather together come of my contemporaries at KES. I consulted our Hon. Registrar, Mike Baxter, who has been consistently helpful in maintaining my connection to the Association over the years. He informed me that the School had just appointed its first Director of Development and he put me in touch with him. Said appointee, Simon Lerwill, no doubt saw a golden opportunity to reach a bunch of OEs. “Ka-ching!” The great untapped source of developments funds – Alumni!! 11 Simon and Sue Dickens sent out an “all- I now look forward to maintaining and points bulletin” to their list of Old expanding renewed contacts with Edwardians who left in 1956 and 1957. compatible contemporaries. I hope in “Who knows, perhaps we’ll get five – particular, to participate in a consortium maybe ten – responses,” said Simon. Well, to support one or more deserving students as it turned out, the number of who otherwise would not be able to afford acceptances was 16: that nostalgia, to become (eventually) Old Edwardians there’s obviously a lot of it going like us (mutatis mutandis – and I note with around…. pride that there has been much desirable mutating). I know why I wanted this event The tour arranged by Simon and Sue on to happen; after all, I’ve been away in May 20 was very nicely organised. We got foreign parts, “out of the loop”, for the to see how far the School has come in the best part of half a century. But I wonder past 50 years. However, there was very why the others leapt at the chance? I little time for us to kindle or rekindle hope they will share with us their individual relationships. I was pleasantly motivation - and thereby give Simon surprised to see how many seemed to have Lerwill insight into how to inveigle other grown into estimable adults, some having old boys into the cycle of support for changed very little in appearance during talented boys to receive a first-class the intervening half-century. Others – education at KES greyer, heavier, balder – were unrecognisable to me. Alan Pearson (1956)

12 1960 s old boys’ dinner – october 10 th, 2009: a meditation

Unbelievable in our day. There were boys No more Philatelic Society. “You had an even harder time here ‘here’ whose first names I never even than I did, I think?” knew. No more dozen or so Oxbridge awards. “Perhaps, but distance lends “Didn’t you used to be tubbier?” But still, coming in past the Porter’s Lodge, enchantment.” we surely all felt ourselves stepping back It’s true. I was. Shorter, too. That may be through forty or fifty years. This is the Paul Griffiths (1965) why the place seems smaller now. place that marked us.

The School has changed . The prefects, on hand at dinner to laugh at our jokes and look gratifyingly amazed at our distant reminiscences, are just young lads these The School has changed, the Chief Master days, not the awe-inspiring grandees of reminded us in his speech at the end of the yester-year. dinner. “I remember you. You used to score at Had we? cricket matches.”

Twenty per cent of boys belong to the “Did I?” Islamic Society. A hundred per cent of old boys – these sixty or so 1960s alumni And then the memory resurfaces as I drive gathered here – belong to the grey-haired away, bubbling up like marsh gas from society. submerged sediments. Watching those wretched white-clad boys running up and The School has changed. The message was down, and filling in the boxes. Annoyingly there, silently, in copies of the ‘Chronicle’ impossible to think your own thoughts. laid out in Gild Hall for us to peruse as we sipped preprandial wine. Solid text in the The School has changed. Cricket still goes 1960s issues, broken only by the annual on, we were told. More hockey than photograph of the prefects in a phalanx rugger, though. Better food – at least for around the then Chief Master, Canon R.G. this dinner. (Remember that first lunch in Lunt, (the only one smiling!). For 2008 a September 1958: the look, texture and – jazzy cover and full colour on every page; just a bit – taste of boiled-to-death-and- a report on a trip to Madagascar, boys gone marrow.) referred to by their first names…

13 1970 s old boys’ dinner – a reflection

Agreed to be agreeable and travelled to be And then John asked us for money. But in travellable, I arrived in my childhood and a nice way. Did King Edward’s better me saw again the place where I was set down or batter me into the academically from my father’s Cortina at the age of brilliant yet socially defective I that is eleven; and there with a sense of now? I got an education but still have to bewilderment and terror my life at the say, gentlemen, you scare the snot out of school began. Already half dead and half me. alive, I entered the Gild Hall. Then or now? Both: a husk of our teen years rank Ian Whatley 1977 with the familiar odour of boy and polish, echoing herring-bone block floors, thickly clotted electric light, and a feeling that you are about to be found out as not quite smart enough.

We chatted, we toured, we wondered at the fossilized memories and nightmare visions of our collective past. Seven Edwardian years of gestation leading to a violent and terrible birth from those hallowed halls and repetitive cubes with their magnificent views of the South Field; it was truly a womb with a view. 148 – where I discovered Laurie Lee, and gambolled fatly baffled down the top Start in the middle: I looked back 32 years What’s a poor post-modern boy to do? corridor until I left to meet the God of to leaving KES, I looked forward 32 years Know thy audience. They’ve changed: Small Things for a new love affair of words to an average death. Before the middle grown up to be nights and knobel and wonder. was trepidation. It wasn’t a cost thing; it laureates who use their spellcheckers wasn’t a time thing. It was a me having to diligently; or don’t need such They’ll want to know what it was like: like see me as I was thing. Okay, I was asked refinements… and don’t mix their a car accident waiting to happen, waiting so I went, convinced that anything can be punctuation for artistic effect in the same to be watched, over fast and with less pain endured if you sit quietly in a corner of paragraph. I can’t bring myself to include than expected but leaving enigmatic soul the dining hall. an exclamation point. Why? bruises to blossom for weeks afterwards.

14 an understated hero – brigadier mike dauncey, dso, dl, oe

I won my colours for the Second XV and In 1940 I joined up. I did 12 weeks recruit half-colours in the Corps Gymnastics team. training at Chester and then went for The School O.T.C. was great fun and I took Officer Training; my new home was the ‘Cert A’ very seriously. However, I Brine Baths Hotel in Droitwich, which had dreaded the regular parades when the been requisitioned for use by the Army. It order was given, “Shortest on the left!” was not designed to house so many, Due to my small stature I found myself especially lively young men, and once a surrounded by grinning ‘Sherrings’. week we went to the Brine Baths in the town for a stand-up bath, all together, in On my leaving school in 1937.it was the steaming hot water of the pool. decided that I should be articled to a Birmingham firm of chartered After five months I was commissioned as a accountants, but first I spent three second lieutenant and posted to the 5th months in Cologne, living with a German Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment in family. The Rhinelanders are charming Chester. Here I discovered the power of a people and my hosts were most kind and Depot Adjutant. He spotted me with my thoughtful. They took me on many trips, hand in my pocket and that earned me including to watch the car-racing at the extra duties. Worse, it made me a Nürbergring where the government- “marked man” because the Adjutant now backed Mercedes and Auto-Union teams knew my name. Every Friday all ranks were outstanding. went on a 9-mile route march, after first Part 1 We left New Street in !935 and were all sad being inspected by the Adjutant, a to go: however the temporary buildings at The motorways were impressive and even formidable figure. Field Marching Order Although my roots are in Uley, near Edgbaston were very convenient for the a 17-year-old could see that the new was worn, as well as heavy steel helmets; Dursley in Gloucestershire, I was born in School’s sports fields. [The old Barry German Army was very formidable. I on our shoulders was a rolled-up anti-gas Coventry in 1920. My family moved to buildings were pulled down that same year watched a drive past of motorized and cape for protection against liquid mustard Moseley in 1925 and it was there that I – Ed.] One day in May of the following tracked vehicles which lasted several gas. I thought it was clever of the met my life-long friend, Douglas Bull. I year we arrived to find the wooden huts hours. Less attractive were the Adjutant, who was over six feet tall to still have a photograph, dated May 1934, burnt down, but some quick thinking saw Brownshirts, who enjoyed their local recognise me at 5ft 5ins and hidden by so in which, for some unknown reason he us almost immediately housed in power, which included writing anti-Jewish much kit. However, as he approached, he and I are sitting in the same row as the Birmingham University until the new slogans outside shops, cinemas and other shouted, “Dauncey, you are a disgrace to Headmaster, E.T.England, his masters and temporary buildings (!) were ready for use public places. the Regiment! Leave my parade at once the prefects. I travelled to school by rail in the following September. and get yourself a proper hair-cut – from Moseley station, twice daily. We had immediately!” a lengthy break at mid-day, which was used for .22 shooting, fives, swimming and chess for those not going home. 15 After the Depot it was a great delight to There were many feats of bravery in a Badly injured he was eventually captured join 5 Cheshire in Northern Ireland. My battle in which five Victoria Crosses were and sent to hospital in Utrecht, where he first Company Commander was brilliant, won. None were awarded to members of had two operations on his eye which, as ideal for young officers. He later became the glider Pilot Regiment but ‘Mike’ came he said, “survived remarkably well and it Lt-General Sir Napier Crookenden; his closest, fighting with great heroism: was only in 1998 that it had to be father was Colonel of the Regiment at that removed.” (!) He was then moved to a time. He left 5 Cheshire soon after to join “Lieutenant Mike Dauncey was German prison hospital in the town and it 6 Airborne Division and he fought in commanding one end of the Weverstraat, was from here that he escaped. Together Normandy on D-Day. His decision to join a diagonal road into which German tanks with Major Gordon Cuinghame of the the Airborne forces influenced me in regularly ventured to shell houses held by Black Watch he gradually made his way deciding to become a Glider Pilot. the infantry. Together with two across Holland and aided by the Dutch paratroopers he captured eight Germans Resistance was enabled to reach and cross I passed my second Pilot Course with a but he was then hit and temporarily the river Waal where he was “arrested” by very average grading and was posted to blinded in one eye by a sniper. He British troops. Returned to England he Leicester East Airfield to await discharged himself from the aid post of spent the remainder of the War recovering developments… Kate ter Horst’s house to return to his from his injuries. position and the following day went out Mike Dauncey (1937) with one paratrooper escort to hunt a When peace came he married his fiancée German tank. When it appeared he ran up Marjorie and then took up a series of Part 2 to it and threw a Gammon bomb which appointments in Greece, in BAOR with the After initial training Mike was assigned to disabled the tank. Dauncey was later shot Parachute Regiment, and as an instructor G Squadron of the Glider Pilot Regiment through the thigh and, later still, suffered at the Royal Military Academy at in January 1944. He was on “stand-by” for a broken jaw when injured in the face by a Sandhurst. In 1976 he left the Army but the Normandy Landings on D-Day but to grenade, all in close quarter fighting. A two years later was invited to become his disappointment he was not required. Unfortunately this plan was ill-fated. A citation for a V.C. went all the way up to Colonel of the Cheshire Regiment, a However, later in the year he was selected crack Panzer Division was resting up near Field Marshal Montgomery before being position he held until 1985 when he finally as a second pilot to fly a Horsa glider on Arnhem, a glider crashed killing all its amended to a DSO.” did retire and went to live in the delightful ‘Operation Market Garden’, the now- occupants and a German soldier, Cotswold village of Uley, half-way up the famous Arnhem plan. investigating the wreckage, found detailed (from ‘Arnhem’ by Martin Middlebrook) hill between Dursley and Nailsworth. plans and maps of the attack on a dead There he now lives with his wife in the The intention was to land airborne forces British officer. The supposed surprise Coach House of Uley Lodge, the family at Arnhem where there were crucial attack became a desperate holding house in which his grandfather was born bridges over the River Rhine: if taken and operation. The German forces were and where his son now lives with his held these would allow the Alliefd forces strengthened; the British 3rd Army family. to make a thrust towards the Ruhr and couldn’t break through to support the Berlin, thus shortening the War by several attack and the airborne troops were The Editor months. forced into desperate defence. 16 paper-back hero - gavin lyall: an appreciation by katharine whitehorn

instruments, stuck to the drums. He also After the RAF Gavin found the restrictions Picture Post was a great place for Gavin to loved drawing cartoons and was of college life at Cambridge rather learn his trade because there, unlike most fascinated by America: there are dozens footling. He read English at Pembroke other journals, the writer worked totally of drawings of US troops in enormous College with not too much diligence and in tandem with a photographer and was helmets, as well as jazz players and spent his time making amateur films, almost equally responsible for making sure cowboys writing for and eventually editing they came back with the right pictures; ‘Varsity’, the undergraduate newspaper. and he had to write the picture captions. KE had a lot of advantages, not least of He also drew a strip cartoon about an One of Gavin’s best captions never got which was undoubtedly that it was a day egregious undergraduate he named Ollie; printed however. He was doing a story school, and with a girls’ days’ day-school this character was so well known around about the film star Jayne Mansfield’s next door. This meant that there were Cambridge that when he got engaged to divorce; she and her nearly-ex-husband girls around for dances, (not that Gavin me in 1957 several people talked as if I’d were fighting fiercely over custody of could dance, then or ever) and for dates. got engaged to Ollie. With his experience their dog, a tiny Chihuahua – and an It provided a much more normal way to on ‘Varsity’, Gavin was able to go straight affecting picture showed Jayne clasping grow up than being segregated among to Fleet Street and got a job on Picture the little creature to her very generous other boys full time. Angela Hericks, who Post: he shared a flat with two other King bosom. Gavin wanted to caption it, “The was among them, says that “what was Edward’s products, Martin Davison and dog that came between them”, but the great about these young men was that Tony Bates. editor wouldn’t allow it. they were so witty, with much wider interests in reading and films than girls.”

Gavin loved King Edward’s: when he When he left school Gavin did his two finally left at the age of 19 to join the RAF, years of National Service in the RAF, he said he left visible fingernail scratches which he loved. It affected his whole life, on the building where they had to tear and later he became the Aviation him away. He was born and raised in Correspondent of the Sunday Times He Birmingham; his parents – his mother was made his name at least partly by the a Quaker and his father more or less so – superb flying scenes in his early books lived in Bournville; he was sent to a good such as ‘The Wrong Side of the Sky’ and nursery school and a rather so-so prep ‘The Most Dangerous Game’. school – a route also followed by his closest friend, Martin Davison, with whom he formed a jazz band at KE. Initially it was called the ‘Canal Street Four’ because the Canal Street Blues was the only tune they could play. Gavin actually had a tim ear and, after a few tries on various 17 Another Work Avoidance Scheme was an I can’t write about Gavin without saying endless correspondence with a retired what fun he was to be married to; he was electrical engineer in Cornwall whom he extremely amusing and, unlike too many had never met. I was cross because I husbands, brilliant at presents. And he thought not enough proper work was didn’t “let” me work – he almost insisted getting done but they had the last laugh: upon it. On one occasion there was a they ended up writing a space fantasy film small dinner for the board of something I together in the early 70s, co-opting Martin was on; the Chairman thanked the Davison. Gavin didn’t think much of the directors for their excellent performance film – Moon Zero Two – but they had a and thanked the wives for their wonderful great time with it, not to mention the support; as we women rose to make for money. Unfortunately that was the only the Ladies Gavin half stood and said, film made of his work; MGM was planning “What about me? Aren’t I wonderful?” to make a film of ‘Midnight Plus One’ for Everyone hooted with laughter, but yes – Steve Mcqueen, who wanted to play the he really was. lead part, but he died before it could be made. Gavin had bad luck about such Katharine Whitehorn things: a TV three-parter was made out of The Secret Servant with Charles Dance; it was supposed to be screened in February but something else fell through and it was KOREA: NOCTURNE. put on in December at short notice ; nine million people watched it but, because of the lack of pre-publicity there wasn’t a When Picture Post folded in 1957 Gavin boys, Bernard and Jake – Gavin loved single copy of the book itself in the shops! got a job on the Sunday Graphic for a making films with them; he dressed them while, then did a stint as a director on BBC up as Generals or Spacemen, did a series of When the Cold War ended Gavin had to Tv’s ‘Tonight’ programme, which didn’t go photos in which they were people such as abandon the spy thriller and went back to well: after that he started to do shifts on Holmes and Watson or cowboys. Later on the start of the Secret Service in 1913. But the Sunday Times and began to write his he and Bernard played, with increasing sadly his good and sensitive publisher had books. He left the Sunday Times simply seriousness, week-long war-games, with been taken over by a crass mass-market because he wasn’t getting enough time for huge constructed landscapes; they giant who didn’t bother to try and sell the the books. But anyone who writes ultimately wrote a book together on war- books. creatively knows the importance of what gaming, touring the country to do one author called Work Avoidance broadcasts about it. Schemes. When we had children - two 18 kes rugby and beyond

The first time I picked up a rugby ball was having never played for any of the lower when a Sixth Former decided to hold a senior sides. My first match was a disaster practice on Eastern Road for the new and proved to be the only game I played members of Robert’s House. ‘Yellow that year as I had outgrown my strength House’, later split into Heath & Prince Lee. and suffered several bouts of bronchitis I seem to remember that this was well into during the winter. the rugby season of 1944-45 and nothing came from this introduction as there Many of us stayed three years in the seemed to be no junior teams, either at Upper VI to gain sought-after Oxbridge house or school level. I was still only 12 entrance. I was a permanent member of years old at the time and was gratified the 1st XV in my penultimate year. Bob when a senior observed that I showed Parry finally came to the conclusion that I some promise. There is then a two-year was not a prop and I found my niche in gap in my memory, bringing me to an U15 the comfort of the second row as I had a side which I suspect we organised good standing jump. The XV of 1949-50 ourselves; I certainly can’t remember any was not very successful but as so many master showing interest in our efforts. came back for their third year we had an The only school match that comes to mind excellent team for the 1950-51 season, was against Saltley Grammar School whose losing - alas – to Bromsgrove 0 – 3. I was players seemed twice our size; the score flattered to be asked to play some games was 75 – 0, and not in our favour. for the Old Edwardians 1st XV in my final year and later became a regular member Following the appointment of Tom of the side when National Service and Howarth in 1948 things began to look up. university permitted. The Old Eds. Fixture We whose brains were in our feet were list was quite remarkable from today’s impressed to hear him say that there were viewpoint as it contained several clubs too many “physical illiterates” in the which now play in the top national school and now that there were more leagues. young masters coming to seek positions following war service rugby coaches began National Service called me in October 1953 The post-war years were marked by food clearly did not exist: cream with our to appear on the staff. The two I best and for two years I served with the South shortages but my father was determined morning porridge and meat at almost remember were Bob Parry – of course, and Staffordshire Regiment. Returning home that my brother and I should spend the every meal and once even lobster! We Dick ‘Pop’ Osborne, a lovely man who in October 1953 I was unable to take up summer holidays on farms “to strengthen enjoyed another summer there in 1948 immediately created an U16 side. the place I had been offered at Selwyn us up”. The first farm that accepted us during which I grew about three inches, so Unfortunately I was already 16 and could College Cambridge as I had omitted to was superb, as was the summer of 1947. Bob Parry thought that I would make a not benefit from his enthusiasm. pass Latin ‘O’ level. Under the expert We ate with the family for whom rationing prop forward. I went into the First XV 19 tuition of Bill Buttle I finally succeeded the college XV, helping them to gain lacking motivation. However some In the summer of 1957 the icing on the and in October 1954 went up to Selwyn. promotion to the First Division. Later that excellent physiotherapy got me moving cake came in the form of an invitation to Bob Parry, [himself a pre-war Cambridge season I sustained a serious injury to my again. join the combined Oxford & Cambridge Blue and a Welsh trialist – Ed] had fixed ankle playing for the Old Eds on the rough tour to East Africa. Here, alas, my rugby me up with a Freshman’s trial, and ready pitch behind the Edgbaston Halfway through the term I was selected career did come to an end when I snapped unfortunately again in the front row; and cricket ground. I reckoned my rugby- to play in the second half of a LX Club ‘B’ a ligament in my knee in the first ten again this proved a disaster. Forgetting playing days were over and went back to match against the Old Leysians, during minutes of the first match. Fifty years on, university rugby I spent a happy year in Cambridge for my final year unfit and which I was able to put into practice some the knee is still giving me hell! However, I quick-thinking rugby taught me by Dick have no regrets. I entered the teaching Lawes, a prominent OE of the post-war profession and my degree and, perhaps years. I did not realise that watching were more importantly, my ‘Blue’ opened the high Heidyans of Cambridge Rugby, so almost every door I knocked on; and I was surprised next day to receive a note during my time in Scotland I have had the asking me to turn up for ‘Blues’ training, pleasure of coaching several students who the intention being to convert me into a have gone on to represent their country. back row forward – the blind-side wing forward! So, for the remainder of the Looking back nearly 60 years I have to term, I played in my new position and did thank KES for an excellent start to life and not let the side down in our victory at mention particularly Bill Whalley who Twickenham, in the company of such taught me geography, Tom Howarth who celebrated players as David Marques wrote testimonials on my behalf and Bob (England), Arthur Smith (Scotland & ‘Lions’ Parry who drummed some knowledge of captain), Andy Mulligan (Ireland & Lions), rugby into me. I think they all had faith in Phil Horrocks-Taylor (England) and John me when others doubted. Herbert (Cambridge captain & England). In all there were thirteen players on the field Jim Wainwright (1952) who were, or were about to become, internationals.

20 the wanderers’ return

This was the Wanderers F.C., aka the KES Mr. Packham got proceedings under way All-Stars, in action; a team created 50 with a truly amazing Grace (composed in years ago, in the autumn term of 1959, by something like iambic pentameters) and a bunch of rebellious Edwardians, (most of the excellent meal with copious wine oiled whom, truth to tell, also loved their the wheels of renewed friendships – many rugby); hence the Golden Jubilee Dinner of us had not met for 45 or so years. this year. The event had been more than a Various brave souls made public year in the planning and was put together confessions of acts of brutality, usually by Andy Packham (1962), Jim Evans (1961) stopping just short of GBH, committed all & Chris Jordan (1961) and Tim Austin (1961) those years ago on the bleak parklands of – respectively the outstanding striker, the South Birmingham. Such was the glamour dynamic midfield duo and the man with of the Coronation Leaugue… the sliding tackle and sliced clearances. Among the distinguished guests were Remarkably, seven of the XI who played in former Wanderers, George Worthington the very first game, against ‘Hall Green (recently retired from teaching at K.E.) and Baptists (!!), were at the dinner: Rod Dennis Amiss, (Jim Evans brother-in- law), Pinner (1960), Austin, Will (Hugh) Smith who tended to leave behind the decorous (1961), David Howell (1960), Mick Tracey manners of an England batsman when he (1961), Andy P. and Ken (Tony) Green donned the light blue of the Wanderers. (1961). Surprisingly Jim Evans, one of the longest-serving Wanderers who played Friends reunited, sporting memories, good well into his thirties, had not made his food and wine - a great evening in the Mention the name ‘Billesley Common’ to For a group of 35 Old Eds. (mostly) who debut until the second game, while the best traditions of Edwardian fellowship. the vast majority of Old Edwardians and gathered for dinner at Edgbaston Golf ever-youthful but misguided Tracey claims All Stars then and All Stars still. they will nod sagely and say, “Ah yes, that Club on the evening of 16th October 2009, to have played more games than anyone park somewhere in South Birmingham however, ‘Billesley’ had quite different else in the club’s history. where Moseley Rugby Club now play.” connotations – rain-lashed Sunday Tim Austin (1961) They will then go on to reminisce, dewy- mornings in the mid-60s and early 70s, Guests assembled over a pint or three in eyed over their gin-and-tonic, about the with sliding tackles of the Association the downstairs bar before moving upstairs glory days of The Reddings, the golden era Football code churning up the mud and to the private dining-room, adorned for of Peter Robbins and Streetsbrook Road, the notorious slope of Pitch 13, lead-heavy the occasion with old Wanderers’ shirts, when Birmingham was a serious rugby footballs appearing menacingly out of the medals (over the years an impressive array city. mist, goal-keeper howlers, sliced of cups ,etc was achieved), photographs clearances and, just occasionally, flashes and league handbooks plus records of of football genius from an outstanding teams, scorers, etc. – a tribute to ‘striker’. Packham’s meticulous listing prowess (mania?). 21 an interview with mark wagh

Q: What do you remember most from your Q: You also both played, separately, at focused on where I wanted to get to that I time at King Edward’s? Notts where you moved after ten years at wasn’t enjoying what was happening that The teaching and the teachers. Teachers Warwickshire. Was this a difficult day and my move to Notts coincided with like Jeff Hancock and John Hatton were decision? me thinking that I am going to try to enjoy truly brilliant and some of what they It was at the time but in retrospect it was what happens now and not be concerned taught me has stayed with me ever since. an obvious decision to make. I had been with how this fits into the bigger picture. at Warwickshire a long time and I felt Q: What about the cricket coaching? committed to them. There are interesting Q: Andre Agassi said recently that he had Well, when I arrived Roger Newman was comparisons to a marriage because never enjoyed playing tennis. Do you the coach and he has been amazing sometimes there are difficult times but think all sportsmen suffer from not throughout my career. He gave me my 1st you just stick it out and carry on. But it enjoying their sport at some point? XI debut when I was still in the Rems, felt great to move on to something new. Yes. One of the reasons I wrote the book which was almost unheard of at the time. was I knew that some of the things that Martin Stead was fantastic too. Q: Did you feel like you needed a new supposedly lead to good performance challenge? were untrue. So this idea that you have to Q: Is there a particular cricket fixture or Definitely. I think everyone should leave positively imagine yourself doing well and event you remember well? the club they are brought up in because it that would actually lead to you doing well I recall coming last in the Bristol Road race can either become too easy or you end up is a load of rubbish. There are so many quite a lot! I also remember getting four stereotyped as a person and player. times when I have been in the “perfect noughts in a row in the Fourths which was Moving allows you to redefine who you frame of mind” and not done well and vice pretty terrible. I remember playing with are. Plus a club saying they want you versa so I wanted to catalogue that. I Anurag Singh because there was this makes you feel valued which is important remember a game against Durham when I strange parallel since we both played at in any sphere. woke up feeling dreadful. I saw no way both King Edward’s and Warwickshire. that I was going to make runs - it was a Mark Wagh left King Edward’s in 1995. Q: In the book you mention that when you difficult pitch against a lively bowling After playing for Warwickshire for ten Q: And you both went on to captain moved to Notts you put your England attack – but I ended up getting some and years he left in 2007 to play for Oxford and Cambridge. Was there a great aspirations to one side. Is not playing for we almost won the game. Often though it Nottinghamshire. This year he rivalry at School between you? your country still a source of regret? is that sense of dread, that fear of failure published his first book, ‘pavilion to That is a question that I often get asked. Absolutely. There is always a range of that motivates you to do well. crease… and back’, charting the 2008 Comparisons were definitely made but I ambitions throughout your career but season and their attempts to win the think the rivalry was more keenly felt by England was always the main goal. The Q: Do you put yourself under a lot of county championship. parents and those looking in from the downside to having such an ambition is pressure? outside rather than Anurag and I. that you tend to view your performances When I was at School I definitely through that prism so with everything I questioned my ability a lot more than I do did I wondered how it would affect my now and put myself under more pressure. chances of playing for England. I was so Some ballerina was once asked why she 22 worked so hard and she said because by been awful at one day cricket. I thought cricket is that if you get your bonus this will be an option for much longer as nature she was very lazy. And I we could or maybe should have won in points, draw most games and have the odd counties are being incentivised to play completely understand because naturally I 2008 when we played some great cricket. win you will stay in division one and have younger cricketers. If you want to play am lazy. Last year though Durham were by far the an OK season but it leads to such dull for England and be the best you can you best team and although we finished 2nd I cricket. I hope Twenty20 will force are going to have to devote yourself to Q: Is that why you always came last in the don’t think we played as well as the authorities to ensure teams play to win cricket which means joining a county Bristol Road race? previous summer so I think we have a lot and I think there will have to be structural straight from School. Perhaps! I was never happy with what I of catching up to do. reform. had achieved because I worried that if I Q: Do you think that is a shame? was happy I would stop pushing myself to Q: Have you had any role models during Q: And what about your own future? Ultimately not everyone is going to play be better and then I would never play for your career? Law, ironically following in Anurag’s for England and not everyone is going to England. When I moved to Notts I decided I have enjoyed watching people bat – footsteps again! (Anurag is a lawyer at get a lucrative Twenty20 contract but to be slightly gentler on myself so I am less people like David Gower, Mark Waugh (the Wragges). I have secured a job at probably everyone will devote themselves critical of myself now. proper one) and Brian Lara. Andy Flower Freshfields from the start of 2012 so I will from an early age to trying to fulfil these has really impressed me with the way he probably finish playing cricket half way ambitions. For those who make it, it is Q: What has been the highlight of your goes about things and I admire Nick through the 2011 season. I am doing the obviously the right decision but for the career? Knight for his production of runs at law conversion course now. people who don’t I think it is a shame they I scored a triple century at Lords which county level. I wouldn’t say there was one have not had the chance to do something was obviously very enjoyable at the time. person I looked up to and wanted to Q: Does that take up a lot of your leisure else. I think getting a broader perspective However I think the best feeling in cricket, emulate but I guess I have taken bits and time? in life is a good thing. perhaps sport, is when you contribute to a pieces from the people around me. Yes, most of my time is spent on the win. I remember my first game at Notts conversion course mainly because I am so Simon Lerwill when I scored 60 and I remember walking Q: How do you see the future of the game, inefficient. I am doing a lot of reading back into the changing room and seeing particular with Twenty20 now becoming so around the course and also trying to get Editor’s note: Mark’s book, ‘pavilion to the happiness on everyone’s faces. Those prevalent? my second book off the ground which is crease…and back’, is out now and can be times are just magic because I think your I think the basic structure of the game has going to be about leadership and bought online at Amazon. To win a signed satisfaction is multiplied through everyone remained the same for the last 20 years captaincy in cricket. I also go to the gym copy just answer the following question: else’s satisfaction of winning. Sometimes but I can’t help but feel it will be different most days. How many first-class runs has Mark Wagh individual milestones are nice but have a in 20 years time. The money in Twenty20 scored in his career? Send your answer to slightly hollower ring. dwarfs the game and since cricket is Q: What advice would you give a boy at [email protected] by February 28th. ultimately a business it will follow the KES who is thinking about playing cricket The closest answer received before this Q: And the team have enjoyed great money. Twenty20 shows that what people professionally? date will win the book. success since you have been there, coming want to see is fast moving, close games I would say go to university and do as 2nd in the county championship two years where people are going for wins and if we much outside cricket for as long as you running? don’t take that into the other forms of the can as you will be a much rounder We have done well in four day cricket but game, it will die. The problem with county individual. Unfortunately I don’t think 23 oea activities

LONDON OLD EDWARDIANS The SUMMER OUTING : took place on and to wander round the garden where he 20th June and began with a visit to Downe conducted his experiments. The A.G.M. was held on Monday 18th May House, the home of Charles Darwin for at the RAF Club, Piccadilly with the some 40 years, near Biggin Hill in Kent. We later travelled a few miles north to the President, Harry Hart (1941),in the Chair. There were fourteen members present but, village of Westerham, where a leading Harry had completed the one year as with spouses, guests and five former pupils member of the Westerham Society spoke President he had agreed to in 2008 and so of KEHS, we were 34 in all. to us about the village as far back as stepped down. John White (1973) was Saxon times. As we sat on the Green, in nominated and agreed to be President by This year marks the bicentenary of the shadow of the Churchill statue and the committee, who thanked the outgoing Darwin’s birth and the house had been with General Wolfe also looking on, we President for his service. The Senior given a facelift to mark this. It was listened to the history of the buildings in Committee Officers all agreed to serve for fascinating to see the family home (which the village centre. Alan Taylor-Smith was another year and were duly elected. Some Darwin extended several times), to view bursting with interesting accounts and a short guided walk. He claims to have the of the other committee members had the study where he did most of his writing amusing anecdotes and he concluded with largest private collection of Churchill asked to stand down and this was agreed: memorabilia! they were thanked for their service, in several cases over many years, and it was The day ended with an early buffet supper hoped that they would continue to at the National Trust restaurant at support events. The other committee Chartwell. Over an excellent spread and members were elected en bloc. with wine flowing, we enjoyed the fellowship of friends old and new. The full updated list of Committee Of course, in the presence of the ladies Members will be published on the web site. from “across the Drive”, discretion had to be exercised when recalling memories of The Chief Master, John Claughton, and attachments from as long ago as the Simon Lerwill, Director of Development, 1940’s! represented the School and addressed the meeting. 14 O.Es attended. The weather was kind to us and, from the feedback received, this was a day greatly enjoyed by all.

Derek Ridout

24 oea activities

ANNUAL DINNER Replying for the School, Keith Phillips, representing the Chief Master, focussed on The Annual Dinner was held at the RAF three significant events. First, he Club, Piccadilly on 7th December, John announced that construction of the new White (1973) presiding. Over 60 members Performing Arts Centre would soon begin; attended, a significant improvement on it is an ambitious project with a 450-seat recent years. It was pleasing to see that capacity and costing £12 million, partly the year of leaving School was widely funded by the generosity of Paul Ruddock spread, from 1941 to 2004. (1976). Secondly, he told us that a decision was eagerly awaited from the The guest speaker was Professor Rodney International Baccalaureate Authority in Cartwright (1958), a scientist whose Geneva on the School’s application to specialism is in water-borne infections: transfer from A-level to the IB in 2010. however, he chose to speak on something Thirdly, Keith refered to the imminent quite different, namely the Livery retirement of George Andronov – an Companies of the City of London, being iconic and eccentric figure in the life of himself a past-Master of the Plumbers’ the School for the past 34 years. Company. He outlined their history and explained in what ways they are The final speaker was James Travers, committed to the City, to charity, (raising representing the School Captain. He spoke about £40 million a year) and to with confidence, spontaneity and wit, education. At the heart of all their which quickly captured the enthusiasm of activities is friendship between the present those present. Here was an all-rounder 35,000 liverymen. who had crammed an enormous amount into his seven years at the School; it made He then proposed the toast of The School. people reflect on what KES had done for General Note: If any OE is not on the them. The loud applause at the end of his London OE mailing list and wishes to speech was an expression of sincere good attend any of their functions, please wishes to James in his future. contact either Sue Dickens, OEA Administrator on [email protected] or Finally all present raised their glasses in a 0121 415 6050, or The Hon. Secretary to toast to King Edward VI and, finally, to the the London OE’s, David Edmonds at: London Old Edwardians. 61 Stanhope Road, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 9AJ. Tel: 0117 9328249 Mobile: 07882005244: e-mail: [email protected] 25 edwardians rugby football club old edwardians cricket club

After last season’s disappointing Junior Section During the winter months much heart Of our more senior players John Nicholls performance the club has seen a more The Junior Section goes from strength to searching was done to consider how we still bowls tirelessly, John Winspear and positive start to the 2009/10 season. We strength with around 150 paid-up could field three competitive teams this Mike Hughes were seen batting on Tour at have won two league games and only members for this season. The players summer. In the event we had mixed Bath but sadly do not perform regularly. narrowly lost some others. A lot of hard range in age from U6 to U17 and train/play success but more importantly everyone The last two now give the Club their work is being carried out by players and on Sunday mornings. All players are seemed to enjoy the season and we saw energy and wisdom as President and coaches to improve both skills and fitness welcome and should contact Paul Price on several new promising players, most of Chairman respectively. at training sessions, so that we can 07515 452385 or attend at Streetsbrook them products of the youth cricket teams improve on our league performances. All Road at 10.30 a.m. on a Sunday. Please over the last several years. Rashid Mohammed, however, made some details of matches, training schedules and refer to the Club website (above) for of the best individual contributions over club officials can be found on the club further details. 1ST XI the season including scores of 98 against website: www.edsrugby.com This website In summary we finished mid table winning Bournville and 109 not out at Streetly. He is up and running but is in the process of This is the first season for a long time that eight matches out of twenty played. There also took 5 for 27 against Ansley. being updated to add extra facilities to it. we have fielded an U17 XV. They play in a were three winning draws, two losing league alongside Moseley, Stourbridge, draws and seven defeats. 2nd XI Many of the local clubs are finding it quite Wolverhampton and Malvern so they will The second team played 22 games winning a challenge to field a third XV. Thanks to have strong opposition. This will no doubt The early part of the season brought mixed eight and losing nine. Three were drawn the efforts of our club captains we are the be good experience for them in results; a run of four defeats in a row and two abandoned. The side spent most position of being able to field three XV’s preparation for playing at a senior level made poor reading at the half way stage. of the season battling to get away from for the first time this season. next season. The captain blamed his poor calling at the the bottom of the league and as a toss for the defeats which left us on the consequence of winning 5 from the last 7 Among the non-playing activities we have We are also fielding sides at Under wrong side of some rain affected wickets. games we finished a commendable 7th out held a first aid course so that we have 16/15/14/13/12/10/09 levels and it’s good Things improved considerable when those of twelve. basic medical cover and will shortly be to see the clubhouse so full on many at School and University returned to the holding a further course to qualify Sunday mornings. The U14 XV have fold and a run of wins left us half way in There were four centuries hit during the members to use the newly acquired reached the third round of the North the league. season. Two were by Zubair Khalid. Azim defibrillator machine. In addition to this Midlands Cup, beating Sutton Coldfield Khan and Chris Lloyd Smith both went on several members are currently taking a and Birmingham Exiles along the way. Of our recent KES players, Rohin Maini to get over 150 in their triumphs. Azim refereeing course, giving an RFU Many senior club members act as junior batted positively and provided another was also the highest wicket taker with a accreditation. I am among this number coaches and have been busy taking RFU bowling option; Dan Christopher often best of 6-36. Luke Clarke, son of ex and the phrase “poacher turned game- accredited courses to ensure a good level opened the batting and showed good Captain Phil, is now sixteen and hit a good keeper” has been bandied about – quite of training is maintained. technique and application, whilst Haidar 76 not out in another game. Interestingly a unfairly, of course. Lone brought more control to the bowling certain James Claughton made his debut Mike Allport – Chairman with accurate away swing. Haidar was and bowled well. presented with the Peter Vernon Youth Player award for the season by topping the bowling figures for the whole league. 26 old edwardians golfing society

3rd XI The outstanding performance of the year Results 2009 Moseley Lost 31/2-11/2 This side finished fifth out of twelve in was our scratch team’s reaching the September 30 Autumn Meeting, Kings their league. It had the pleasure and national finals of the Grafton Morrish held March 25 Match v School, Harborne Norton benefit of fielding several players from KES in Norfolk, a feat that had not been Lost 31/2 –1/2 Buckley Salver Winner: Alistair Harborne over the season. All these players made achieved since 1992, We lost 2-1 to a very April 1-3 Halford Hewitt, Royal Cinque 42 pts useful contributions and give promise for strong Charterhouse team but an Ports & Royal St. Georges Runner-up: David Wells 41 pts the future. enjoyable time was had by all. Even your Round 1: Lost 1-4 to Kings Canterbury Best Visitor: Chris Darby 33 pts correspondent was pressed into service at Plate, Round 1: Lost 21/2 – 1/2 to Bishops Youth Cricket the last minute but he experienced some Stortford Frank Scouse In all we had around twenty players who problems with the sleepered bunkers. May 8 Spring Meeting Harborne were either at or have recently left KES Tim Pickering and Jeremy Clifford Best Gross: Alistair Harborne 80 playing for the club or the youth teams remained unbeaten in this competition Best Net:Duncan Glover 88-15=73 over the season. over 18 years. Best Stableford:Ian Clemson 30 pts. May 9 Grafton Morrish, Olton These sides continued to play in the A pleasing feature of the year has been the Team of: Tim Pickering, Gary Meads, Rob Warwickshire Youth leagues over the appearance of new (and younger) faces in & Alistair Harborne summer. As usual we can see many the Halford Hewitt, Grafton Morrish and Jeremy Clifford, Simon Smart qualified for interested and promising performers in Cyril Gray competitions. The results below the Final these groups. Mike Thornton and Matt show mixed success in our matches and September 23-25 Grafton Morrish Finals, Melia have run regular midweek nets for include the inaugural match against Old Hunstanton & Brancaster the Youth players who have attended well Warwickians. Round 1: Lost 1-2 to Charterhouse and enjoyed the practice. June 24 MK Foster, Little Aston There are always opportunities to Team was unplaced but congratulations to Jim Evans represent the Society in tournaments and Simon Coghlan & Dan Andrewson winning matches and there is particular space for the Pudding Bowl in the afternoon more at both spring and autumn meetings. June 24-26 Cyril Gray, Worplesdon (Over 50s Foursomes Match Play For further information contact Round 1: Lost 0-3 to St. Bees Frank Scouse (President) o1295 780529 Plate, Round 1: Won 21/2-1/2 v [email protected] or Martin Wilkes Stonyhurst (Secretary) 0121 666 6228 (work) Round 2 Lost 0-3 to Blundells [email protected] July 13 Match v Old Silhillians, Olton Won 31/2 – 21/2 August 6 Match v Old Veseyans, Harborne Won 41/2- 11/2 September 15 Match v Old Warwickians, 27 school news

Richard was not the only one. When I Finally, the coming year will also see the arrived there were over 4,000 old boys launch of our fundraising for Assisted who had not heard anything from the Places. As you may be aware, one of the School since they left. Now, thanks to the School’s key aims is to increase the detective work of Stuart Birch and many number of Assisted Places that it can offer of you, we have re-established contact to bright boys who might otherwise not be with more than 1,000 of these and, thanks able to come here. Several Old to the work of Sue Dickens, many have Edwardians are already generously now come back to the School for one of funding individual boys here and many the reunions that have been organised. more are giving regular gifts that together Not only that but, alongside this Gazette, accumulate towards funding places. Many they are now also receiving the new look of the Old Edwardians I met at reunions Insight Gazette and the new regular e- last year commented that they would also newsletter, Gazette Online. And, when be keen to support this cause so that they they are not reading Gazettes, they can could provide boys with the benefit of the always look up old friends, old unique opportunities that they themselves publications and archive material on our were lucky enough to enjoy. In the last 12 new website or our new Facebook group. months, as I have watched boys here Hopefully many of the “Lost Boys” will perform in concerts, plays and sports now feel that the School is very much fixtures, I have seen for myself the DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S REPORT back in touch. amazing opportunities they have access to. And let’s not forget, some are even One of the unique experiences of my first As I start my second year here I look lucky enough to get a ride in a Chinook. year in charge of the new Development & forward to welcoming more Old Now that really is something special! OEA Office was when OE Group Captain Edwardians back at the reunions we are Richard Mason (1984) landed his Chinook hosting in January and March. We are Simon Lerwill on the South Field to take some of the CCF also busy planning new events for next boys on an unforgettable flight above the year based largely on the results of the School. Richard was one of the Old survey that many of you responded to, Edwardians with whom the School had lost which will include more targeted reunions touch – a “Lost Boy” – and here he was and more events in London, including a dropping into the School, literally. pub night and a professional networking event. I hope to see many of you at some of these occasions over the next 12 months.

28 staff news

The end of the last academic year saw the It was as a scholar and a superb teacher the Upper Middles to those preparing for Carol Southworth – Historian departure of quite a number of members that he will be remembered most. Latin GCSE and A-level, he taught the riches of Carol has retired from teaching after long of staff, some of them of long and and Greek grammar were taught with Homer, Thucydides and the Greek and loyal service to King Edward’s. She dedicated service. We include here depth and rigour. His scholarship was tragedians with an amazing insight into has inspired generations of boys in her extracts from some of the valetes that legendary. It was seen in the classroom in over 2,500 years of Greek Literature and care with her obvious love of history and, appeared in the ‘Chronicle’ his love of Vergil, above all, and his Culture. He also taught Latin throughout in particular, of the power of narrative knowledge of Cicero and late Roman the School and for many years ran the and the grip that can be exerted by a story Philip Lambie – Classicis Republican history. He carried with him famous Crime & Punishment General well told. She has a tremendous wealth of Phil is one of a group of men who joined an air of authority which was helped by Studies Course – with its obligatory visit to knowledge, especially of the early modern KES in the 1960’s to devote their his height; but there was also stillness, the Birmingham Law Courts.. period, which at A-level in particular has professional lives to a single school. Such precision, accuracy and economy of left boys quite awe-struclk. Her guided men are characteristically self-effacing, do expression – a hint of the Clint Eastwoods. George did everything asked of him, and tours of the Bosworth battlefield are a not seek the limelight, but have a more, without fuss or complaint and treasure trove of the personal and profound effect on the atmosphere, style Phil did everything well. He was never fulfilled the true King Edward’s vision of political details that make the Wars of the and feel of the place. KES is a very special complacent. Every summer he would the dedicated schoolmaster. For some Roses live and breathe. Famously devoted place to teach in and a very good school, prepare new teaching courses. His time he was a cheerfully eccentric tutor to to reading and research, she has been as Phil was fond of saying; and he was handwriting was neat and exact, the somewhat erratic housemastership of known to salvage books from skips around one of the people who made it so. He Thousands of pupils had the benefit of his this Gazette’s editor; and later he went on the School; her pursuit of an MPhil at the spent 41 years here, devoted to his preparation and learning. He is not, of to become Housemaster of Vardy for 28 University of Birmingham will only add subject, his colleagues and the generations course, perfect: an appraisal of 29th June successful years, leading from the front lustre to her reputation. of boys who were in his care as Classics 2004 suggested a new aim – “Greater with enthusiasm, encouraging the boys teacher, form teacher and House tutor.. awareness of the use of IT in teaching and fostering the legendary Vardy spirit. Carol’s love of music is well known, across the board.” For a man with one of In his time he also “took to the boards” especially of choral music. It is to be Phil might easily have found promotion – the largest slide collections in the school and many former pupils will surely hoped that, during her retirement, he came with a first in Classics from this was a bit rich! remember him as a daft and deft Poolonius oratorios, masses, cantatas, choruses, Southampton University – but he was in the Staff production of ‘Rosencrantz psalms, requiems and passion music will good at teaching and so he stayed in the George Worthington – Classicist and Guildenstern are Dead’. He needs no waft across her garden, especially on classroom. Teaching at KES gave him a It is hard to summarise the career of a epitaph because pupils and colleagues will Friday afternoons, which once upon a chance to combine his love of Classics teacher who has served the School and its remember him with a spontaneous smile time could be quite a trial but will from with lots of other things: hockey, community for 39 years. A graduate of St. that belies the greatest respect and now on be much more relaxing. athletics, running the Library for 17 years, John’s College, Cambridge, George fondest memory. Classics trips – especially to Pompeii and specialised in Greek, bringing with him the Gail Ragbourne, Alistair Melvill, Pauline helping with many other school and skills he had acquired at the Grammar Asher, and Jeanette Durman also departed fellwalking trips. School in his native Wigan and having at the end of the academic year 2008-09. gained a distinction in his PGCE course at Cambridge. From those starting Greek in 29 the birmingham old edwardian masonic lodge forthcoming events

Many schools have Masonic Lodges Reunion lunches Summer concert consecrated in their name and King These more intimate, informal reunions The Summer Concert is the main annual Edward’s is no exception. Many former take place during the School term. There joint KES / KEHS concert featuring pupils have become members and have will be a lunch followed by a chance to see performances from all the orchestras, enjoyed and been rewarded by the some of our archives and have a tour of choirs and bands and culminating in a full relaxation and stimulation of the the School. The day will conclude with tea choir and orchestra performance. All Old intellectual, social and charitable aspects in the Chief Master’s study. This is a great Edwardians are welcome to attend. of this worldwide brotherhood and opportunity to catch up with some old fellowship This worldwide fellowship has friends. Date: Tuesday 4th May forged, through mutual respect, many Location: Symphony Hall, Birmingham lasting and valued friendships. Date: Wednesday 10th March Cost: Tickets are £8 (Adults) and £4 1950-1951 (Concessions). The Lodge meets five times a year, and Wednesday 17th March 1945-1949 Booking: Tickets will be available through following the “Business of the Evening”, Wednesday 24th March 1940-1944 the Development & OEA Office from members dine, relax and enjoy the Location: King Edward’s School March 2010 and further details will be convivial company. Should any Old Cost: £5 emailed at this time. If you would like to Edwardian wish to learn more of the Booking: Invitations with booking forms be added to the music mailing list (which Fellowship and visit the Masonic Temple have already been sent out for these will mean you will receive an email where the meetings are held, without any events. Please contact Sue Dickens, OEA reminder when tickets are available for obligation, they should contact either Administrator, if you have not received a this concert) please contact Sue Dickens, Michael Spencer, 143 Russell Road, form and would like to attend via the the OEA Administrator. Moseley, Birmingham B13 8RS, Tel – 07785 details below. 110963 or Nick Plotnek, 5 Mead Rise, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3SD, Tel – NB: Those who left pre-1940 will be invited 07976 357317. to a special reception in December 2010 marking 75 years since the New Street building closed.

30 Bruce Hurn art event DEVELOPMENT & OEA OFFICE Over the past few years, thanks to the CONTACT DETAILS hard work of Chris Eckersley (1970) and many kind donations, the altarpiece in the Address chapel, which was painted by Bruce Hurn Development & OEA Office in 1956, has been restored. To mark the King Edward’s School return of the altarpiece, there will be a Edgbaston Park Road special service of dedication in June Birmingham followed by afternoon tea which Bruce B15 2UA will be attending. Those Old Edwardians who supported the restoration work, who Email: [email protected] were taught by Bruce or who helped to Website: www.oldeds.kes.org.uk create some of the other items in the Phone: 0121 415 6050 chapel, such as the benches, are Fax: 0121 415 4327 London pub night Former staff lunch particularly encouraged to attend but all This summer we will be hosting the first Every year the School invites back former Old Edwardians are welcome. pub night in London. This will be a great staff to have lunch and to catch up with opportunity for all OEs in London to catch old friends. Date: Saturday 26th June up and all those who attend will receive a Location: King Edward’s School free drink! Date: June (exact date TBC) Cost: TBC Location: King Edward’s School Booking: Invitations will be sent out Date: Thursday 10th June Cost: Free nearer the time. If you would like to Location: Pub or bar in central London – Booking: Invitations will be sent out with ensure that you will receive an invite TBC booking forms a few months before the please contact Sue Dickens, the OEA Cost: Free event. Administrator, via the details below. Booking: There is no need to book but we would be grateful if you could let us know Date for your diary - if you are coming via either the Facebook Biennial dinner 2010 group or online at The Biennial dinner, the main event in the www.oldeds.kes.org.uk/londonpubnight. OE calendar, will take place on Saturday 18th September this year at the School. Further details and invitations will be sent out later next year.

You can find further details about all our events online at www.oldeds.kes.org.uk/events. 31 letters to the editor

From Mr.David Robinson [On the matter raised in David Robinson’s From Mr. Peter Bryan From Mrs. Joan W. Goudie first paragraph , work is presently being To the Chairman of the OEA: Dear Editor, done to produce & maintain a regular Dear Editor, 11th October 2009 ‘Notes & News’ section, featuring the Many thanks for the latest edition of the activities of OEs of all generations. Much It is not that I am a grumpy eighty-year- Dear Mr. Martin, Gazette. It was a most impressive effort will depend upon people volunteering old, but I don’t like the new magazine and a glowing piece of ‘PR’ for the School. information about themselves. format. I also miss the list of Officers of It is with great sadness that I write to Will we hear a bit more about and from On the matter raised in the last the OE Association and there seems to be inform you of the death of my husband, Old Eds In future editions? As I decline paragraph, it will be interesting to know no information about the contributors. Britton Goudie. He died on 24th July, gently towards crusty senility I find what other people think about the And what, please, is the reference to 2008, aged 93 years. nostalgia ever more agreeable and an suggestion? – Ed] “Insight”, which seems to have invited antidote for the incredible achievements comments – (not from me, it didn’t)? And Britton was very fond and proud of his of the younger generations. the cost? I get a great deal more school. He felt that he owed so very much information from my university college to the wonderful classical education he You may like to know that my brother-in- without colour-printing, and more often. received during his years at King Edward’s. law, Ken Hodgkiss (1951) has just published He was always pleased to receive the his memoir of life in the RAF, flying Nevertheless, I wish the new venture well. Gazette and took a keen interest in its Meteor jets during his National Service contents. He was particularly delighted (1951-53). Its title is ‘Fire Can Jockey’: Yours truly, when, in later years, he was able to attend “Fire Can” was RAF sland for the Meteor Peter Bryan (1947) a number of OE dinners. jet and the ‘jockeys’ were the people who flew them. Had he lived, I know Britton would have On a different subject entirely, might I sent a donation to the appeal for funds to suggest that reunion dinners are organised help provide more assisted places since he by the year in which we joined KES rather benefitted so much from one himself. I am than the year in which we left? I for one certain he would be pleased that I am left immediately after A-levels, whereas sending now what would have been a most of my contemporaries stayed on for legacy. university entrance and the like. I would be more interested in meeting up with some of them than the mostly older men who left when I did.

Yours sincerely David Robinson (1958)

32 I and my family miss him very much. I also From Mr. Bernard Adams Now I see that in the material recently From Mr. Christopher Latham know that he is greatly missed by the circulated the apostrophised form has Methodist Church (in which he was a local Dear Editor, surfaced, and we have the Old Dear Editor, preacher for 67 years, taking his last Edwardians’ Association. It may be that, service in Sept. 07), ecumenism, the Liberal Early in my stint in the editorial chair I living as I do far from the alma mater, I I thought OEs might be interested to hear cause, the community and the many queried in committee the title of the have missed whatever discussion led to of honours that have come the way of OEs organisations and causes in which he was Gazette. Should it be the Old Edwardian, this subtle change, or it may simply be in the City of London. interested and which he supported the Old Edwardians or the Old Edwardians’ that someone has – with the best of Last year John White (1973) was elected an tirelessly. Gazette? At the time it was the second of intentions – tacitly corrected what he felt Alderman for the Billingsgate Ward Club these and I maintained that this was to be an error. As, however, both the and later in the year was elected Master of I do hope that, following the changes ungrammatical on the grounds that, Gazette and indeed the Association as a my own Livery Company,The Worshipful being made, the OEA will flourish. In although English permits the use of a noun whole are represented of one of the Company of Makers of Playing Cards. particular, I hope that many young lads as an attributive adjective, a noun so used country’s leading educational About the same time, in November 2008, from less affluent backgrounds will be has to be in the singular. The apostrophe establishments we cannot afford to be Professor Rodney Cartwright (1958) was enabled to attend KES because of your of the third possibility legitimises the exposed to criticism on such a point. elected Master of the Worshipful Company efforts. plural (as in tradesmen’s entrance, I would therefore repeat my argument as of Plumbers. In 1992 Geoff Darby (1946) members’ pavilion and the like) but with stated above, and hope that space may be became Master of the Worshipful With best wishes, the implication ‘for the use of’, ‘exclusive found in your columns for informed Company of Marketors, followed by Joan W. Goudie to’, a quasi-possessive or associative form discussion so that we can in fact get it myself when I became Master of the that seemed to me at best fussy and at right. Worshipful Company of Playing Cards in [The Chairman of the OEA wishes to say worst meaningless. My contention was 1993. I was very fortunate to become that his Committee has been touched and that ‘Old Edwardian Gazette’ was Yours truly, Master at this particular time for during delighted to receive this letter because it linguistically unexceptionable, as it said Bernard Adams (1958) my year we were honoured to have, for supports and aligns so closely with the what needed to be said without inviting the one and only time in our history, changes that have been taking place.] linguistic quibbles. The Committee, which dates back to 1628, our own Lord however, proved impervious to Mayor of the City of London. I processed considerations of syntax, preferred what in my own carriage in the Lord Mayor’s they were used to and Old Edwardians Show. Gazette remained. Have there be any other OEs who have been Masters of a Livery Company in the City of London?

Yours sincerely, Chris Latham (1950)

33 letters to the editor

From Mr. David Ganderton 6. A strawberry farmer pas excellence. 16. Widespread applause greeted his [We hope Old Edwardians of all ages, appearance as Louis XIV in the staff renowned as they are for their perception Dear Editor, 7. He could sing Lili Marlene in five production of Tartuffe. and intellectual acumen, will rise to this different languages. challenge. Answer in the next edition BUT Reading on-line past editions of the 17. After introducing Advanced Level a small (and probably rather silly) prize Chronicle not only brought back 8. A member of the Modern Language Economics, he returned as Headmaster of will be awarded to the sender of the memories, most of them agreeable, but Department, he was Orgon in the staff St. George’s School, Buenos Aires. first totally correct answer the Editor also reminded me of the diversity of production of Tartuffe in 1964. receives.] talent, experience of life and sometimes 18. He was with the Royal Signals in India eccentricity of the members of the 9. A brave and reticent survivor of in the Second World War; iin peacetime Common Room (an all-male institution of Japanese prisoner of war camps. he played full-back for Moseley. which I was a member) during the decade 1964-74. The fun exercise I have devised 10. Knowledgeably regarded as the best 19. He became Cathedral Organist at will, I hope, confirm my contention with batsman outside the County Hereford. the readership of the Gazette. Championship. 20. He played rugby for Llandovery and Can you identify the following? 11. His Rolls Royce seized up. later became the JMB’s Chief Examiner in O Level English. 1. An accomplished trumpet player, he 12. A former member of the Chemistry worked with the Political Intelligence Department, he went on in due course to Jack Roberts does not feature in any of the Department of the Foreign Office during be Headmaster of Reigate Grammar answers to these questions but, if my the Second World War. School. memory hasn’t played tricks on me, he caused the most laughter in a staff room 2. A Wrangler with a special distinction, 13. He worked with the Maquis during the not short of wits and raconteurs when he he played Bridge for England. Second World War. recalled being a Fifth Form Tutor and the Secretary came into his room, brandishing 3. A survivor from the beaches of Dunkirk. 14. He constructed a superb garden gauge a register and saying, “Have you got VD, railway and played the organ and the Mr. Roberts?” 4. He nearly pipped Kingsley Amis for the double bass. post of Lecturer in English at Swansea Yours sincerely University. 15. As well as being rugby correspondent David Ganderton (ex-Member of Staff) of the Financial Times and the wielder of 5. He fiddled with the volume control of Excalibur, he became Senior Project his deaf—aid, causing the emission of Executive with Bryant Construction high-pitched screeching noises. Design.

34 From Mr. Robert Darlaston “He also used to get my sister and me to “In the War he was a padre; on one run round the block with him, timing us occasion he was driving around the desert Dear Editor, with a stop watch. He would sometimes on his own taking comforts to the troops. ask my Mother to carry out running In the distance he saw a group of men The article I wrote recalling School life in repairs on his gown which was so old it standing round a broken down British the 1950s, which was published in the had a green tinge about it. The sleeves vehicle. He drove over to them and too Gazette a few years ago has been on our were torn and much shortened by late discovered they were Germans. They family website for some time. catching on desks – I had learnt the trick took him prisoner and told him to drive Occasionally it is discovered by an OE of gently feeding the sleeve over a them to the German lines. In the back of browsing ‘Google’ and I have had some protruding section of desk whilst a master his jeep was a crate of spirits intended for kind letters over the years. But I was was stationary by one’s desk. our troops. He told the Germans they amazed and delighted when I recently could help themselves to the contents, received an e-mail from a Mr. David “After my grandmother died, Uncle Denny (“Help yerselves ter the contents of the Griffiths who is a nephew of J.D. Copland (as he was known) used to stay with us. crate.”), which they did with relish. After and who had found the web page. He was a very early riser and it was not a while they were well away so he unusual for him to shout upstairs at 6 gradually changed course until he was As schoolboys in the 1950s we were a.m., “I’m off; see you next Wednesday”. driving towards the British lines. Upon probably convinced that our masters had This would be followed by an earth- arrival they were taken prisoner. Maybe no private existence and spent their nights shattering slam of the front door. On his this was the action that earned him his and holidays shut away in cupboards in return we would get a loud explanation as MC?” the Common Room. Of none would that to where he had been , such as, “Went to have been more true than “Coco”. So it Belfast, then on to Scotland to look at I hope other OEs find these glimpses of the was fascinating to have the veil lifted to Copland graves, most interesting. Ah, ha, past as fascinating as I do reveal the man away from school. Below ha, ha! is what David Griffiths wrote: All good wishes, “I was at Liverpool College and for the Robert Darlaston (1959) “James Denison Copland was my uncle, my whole of my time there the Headmaster Mother’s youngest brother. He did not was none other than the Reverend Ronald marry until late in life and, when still Lunt. The “new traditions” which you unmarried, he used to stay with my mention are almost exact replicas of ones grandmother in Liverpool during the he instigated at the College. The words for school holidays. When I was in my early the initiation of prefects only varied in teens I used to find him rather that they began,’I, tenth Principal of this intimidating; he used to fire unexpected College….’ One of his favourite forms of questions at me – “Tell me, what was the address to a boy was, ‘You loathsome date of Waterloo? creature, what would yer father say?’ 35 notes and news

[Editor’s Note: The following notes Gordon T. Woods (1954) has recently Paul B. Matthews (1959) worked in represent only a fraction of the completed the Wainwright Coast to Coast banking and has now retired to Costa information that has come in since Simon Walk . Rica.! Lerwill, the Development Director, started “hunting down” the Lost Boys. The full list Bernard Adams (1955) having forsaken Gordon E. Stollard (1960) having been an is posted on the Old Edwardians web site.] the rigours of the Editorial chair here at orthopaedic surgeon in Harrogate for 25 the Gazette for the balmier flesh-pots of years, retired and spent 3 years cruising Hungary, is pursuing his life as a writer the Caribbean. Christopher J. Evans (1929) celebrated and translator. Most recently he has his 100th birthday in November. His published a translation of the novel Jaguar Michael W. Bill (1960) has recently whole career was spent as a clergyman, by Jeno Heltai and of the classic Letters returned to the Midlands and would like mainly as a chaplain. He now lives in a from Turkey, He can be reached on to link up with anyone who remembers Retirement home in Solihul [email protected] him: [email protected]

John Bakewell (1945) is now in A.M. Bean (1958) having spent his career Terry Wall (1961) won the Mensa UK retirement after 43 years in the Merchant gazing at floods is now spending his National Golf Tournament in 2008 and Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. He retirement honing his skills as a successfully defended his title again this was on the Council and Technical curmudgeon, or so he informs us. year. [Modestly he adds that “there were Committee of the Honourable Company of only about 20 players and the rules Geoffrey Gardiner (1947) celebrated his Master Mariners. Chris Gardiner (1959) retired as a Chief favoured his handicap.”] eightieth birthday by climbing Ben Nevis Systems Engineer in 2003 but continues to for the ninth time, accompanied by his work for his Company; he has recently John M. Rock (1962) is doing voluntary two sons and daughter. He first climbed flown to Singapore to shoot o few work in Asia and the Pacific. the mountain in 1959 and is a member of troubles. the Trust that owns and runs the mountain David Crigman (1963) practises at the John L. Sessions (1959) joined the Royal Bar in Birmingham and, in his spare time, Brian Baker (1950) has now retired after Navy from school. He rose to the rank of writes crime fiction. [For details see the practising Rural Medicine in Canada for 50 Commander and upon retiring from the publications list] years. He lives on 40 forested acres Service, practised Law. In 1992 he was overlooking Lake Huron. appointed a Circuit Judge for the south John A. White (1963 ) has lived in eastern circuit and from 1995 until 2008 Belgrade since 1983. He retired from the Philip K. Harber (1951) has also retired was Judge Advocate of the Fleet. He now EU in 2008 after teaching in Canada. He lives in Brazil lives in rural Sussex. and is learning to paint and play the flamenco guitar.

36 Anthony J. Herring (1964) writes to say Avijit Mitra (1971) is Head of Classics and Howard J. Whitehouse (1976) in his own Andrew J. Willetts (1981) is Finance that he has recently retired from the Assistant Chaplain at King’s School, words, “has done thirty-three years of Director of Lloyds Pharmacy company that supplies half of Tesco’s fresh Rochester. He can be reached at: stuff, most recently building a house at pork. [email protected] the bottom of a ravine in Nicaragua. It’s Robert W. Lawrance (1981) was Durham not my own house. I actually share an old Diocesan Director of Ordinands and is now Edmund J. Steele (1966) has recently Nick L. Jones (1972) has been a teacher, a church manse in New York’s Hudson Valley Team Rector of the Durham North Team completed a six year, 36,000 mile circum- systems analyst and a postman – which he with Lori, my wife of 26 years, four cats Ministry with seven churches to navigation of the planet with his wife in a still is.. and several thousand model soldiers. look after and run. sailing vessel. I earn a modest crust by designing games, Jim Grant (1973) is better known as Lee building custom models, and writing Stuart Plotnek (1984) is an amateur Derek Benson (1953) has received the Child. He is a hugely successful writer of novels for young people. My most recent racing driver and won the Britcar following letter from Peter Oldershaw what he himself calls “Airport Fiction”. book is ‘The Island of Mad Scientists.’ Production Saloon Championship in 2006. (1969) : His last novel, ‘Gone Tomorrow’, the I can be reached on: “Dear Sir! thirteenth ‘Jack Reacher’ thriller, was a [email protected] Carl Robinson (1987) is Publishing You were my form teacher in Science number one Best-Seller in nearly every Manager for Digital, Schools ELT (English Upper Sixth C in 1968/9. We met briefly at country in the world. His next novel will Paul M. Ruddock (1976) is Chairman of Language Teaching). He assures everyone a biennial dinner at the School about six be published in the spring. the V & A Museum, London, a member of that “it’s not boring”. years ago. Last year I was diagnosed with the international advising panel of Walters Motor Neurone’s Disease and I am writing Martin Hathaway (1974) plays chess in Art Gallery in Baltimore and a member of Etienne M. Moore (1989) is Honorary to ask if any Old Edwardians know of the Birmingham District Chess League. He the visiting committee of medical art of Clinical Senior Lecturer & consultant anything that may slow down or cure this is interested in setting up an O.E. chess the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New general surgeon in laparoscopic & disease. I had been hoping to come to the team. Anyone interested should contact York. He is a Fellow of Mansfield College, colorectal surgery at Brighton and Sussex reunion which is taking place soon as I him on: [email protected] Oxford. University Hospitals. would like to go round the School again. I am still mobile but sadly I am not up for Paul D. Cockerham (1975) has been a vet Peter Wynne-Wilson (1977) founded the Rob Yeung (1989) is a psychologist and the drinks and meal any more. Forgive in Falmouth since 1985. Big Brum Theatre-in-Education Company in appears regularly on TV, including BBC this e-mail and not telephone but I can no 1982; has written thirty-eight plays, Breakfast, BBC News 24. [See also the list longer talk. mainly for children; is the Visiting of recent publications] Professor of Theatre for Children at the Thank you for your help Korean National University of the Arts and Syed Ahmed (1989) has just been With kindest regards is also working on Early Years appointed Chief Medical Officer for Shell Peter Oldershaw Development at Birmingham Rep. UK

Before illness overtook him Peter had a Mick P. Ozimek (1978) is a GP in New distinguished career as a Director of ACT Zealand: [email protected] Group plc. 37 notes and news

Alex Hurley (1990) “after 15 years Dan. S. Burns (1999) passed out of Matthew S. Riddell (2005) graduated O.E. PUBLICATIONS working my way up I have become a Sandhurst as a doctor in November 2008; from Leeds Univ with a 1st in Aviation (recent and to come) senior(ish) marketing bod at ‘Homeserve’ is currently based in Afghanistan on Technology with Pilot Studies. Graduated (the biggest company most people have Operation Herrick and, when this tour is from RAF Cranwell in May 2009 and is now Anthony I. Rees (1950): never heard of)” over will be based in Germany with 2 on Elementary Flying Training at RAF ‘An Obscure Philanthropist’: Medical Regiment: Wyton. Frank Matthews 1871-1948 Angus Jackson (1991) has just directed [email protected] Castle View Books 2009 ‘The Power of One’ by David Hare, which Andrew Miller (2006) is an Institute of is currently running at The National Mohammed Ali (2000) currently working Civil Engineers QUEST Scholar and is into Michael Counsell (1954): Theatre for an engineering charity in Darfur: his the final of the ‘npower Future Leaders’ The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion firm provides security/safety training Challenge’; if his team wins he will be off Canterbury Press 2010 Nick Hockley (1993) is Senior dealing with critical incidents in “insecure to Antarctica in 2010. Commercial Manager for the London environments” ! Bernard S. Adams (1955): Organising Committee of the Olympic ‘Jaguar’ by Jeno Heltai Games & Paralympic Games. In his spare Mark T. Colman (2002) is teaching & ‘Letters from Turkey’ time he has got engaged. physics at a school in Doncaster Both translated from the Hungarian

Charlie I McLachlan (1994) “Phd, 2 kids, James Waddell (2004) has demonstrated Nick McCarty (1958): programmer” most admirably that brain and brawn can ‘Fox: Cromwell’s Spy’ a novel go together. He achieved a 1st Class Hons Questor Books, late 2009 or early 2010 Tom Armitage (1996) is commanding the Degree in Modern Languages & has been Life Guards Squadron in the Household elected to a Bundy Scholarship at David Crigman (1963): Cavalry Mounted Regiment; he Magdalene College, Cambridge. He also ‘In Death We Trust’ The third part of a commanded the Sovereign’s Escort at the became British Universities Light- crime trilogy, Queen’s Birthday Parade on the 13th June, heavyweight Kickboxing champion 2009; Published in November 2009 2009 founded the Kick-boxing Club at Cambridge University and organised the Jim Grant/Lee Child (1973): Peter J.P. Ellison (1998) is still a serving first Varsity Match with Oxford in 2007. ‘Gone Tomorrow’ The thirteenth ‘Jack RN Officer, currently working with the Reacher’ novel was published in the Spring Italian Navy in an exchange programme, of 2009; the Fourteenth will be published with the main focus on counter-piracy in Spring 2010 For fuller information go to: operations. From Jan.2010 permanently [email protected] based in the U.K.

38 Roger Rees (1986): ‘Ted Hughes and the Classics’ ed. Oxford U.P. June 2009

David Warr (1988): Online resource for learning English: Can be found on: www.languagegarden.org

Rob Yeung (1989): ‘Personality: How to unleash your hidden strength’ Prentice Hall 2009

39 old edwardians gazette: births and deaths - obituaries

Births: Deaths: evidence of his performance in the We are pleased to announce the following We announce with regret the deaths of admission examination for King Edward’s, births: the following Old Edwardians: Five Ways, in 1932, he was offered a place at King Edward’s itself in New Street. He Warren Cowell (1986) a daughter, Ruby, Arthur C. Muffett (1926) entered the school on a Foundation sister for Sam & Millie W. Kenneth Wyatt (1930) Scholarship, a King Edward’s Scholarship Syed Ahmed (1989) a daughter, Samara Britton T.J. Goudie (1933) and an award from the Piddock Oliver Johnson (1992) & Maria a daughter, Peter G. Mason (1933) Foundation, a charitable trust which Rebecca Maria, sister for Emily Sidney H. Ireland (1934) assisted needy parents with the costs of David J. Clark (1997) & Victoria a son, Michael J. Bench (1937) uniform, etc. Tom’s recollections of life in Daniel Stephen Sir Edward Downes CBE (1939) the New Street school were ambivalent: Andy Muinonen-Martin (1997) a daughter Thomas (‘Tom’) G. Freeman (1939) the standard of teaching, especially in Iris Miriam Arthur B. Knapp (1939) Maths and Latin, failed to inspire him. Raveem Ismail (formerly Tahir) (2000) & David F. Bench (1940) Khadija a son, Zachariah Major ‘Terry’ A. Podesta OBE (1940) “Still there was always cricket.” Tom first A. Clive Williams (1940) played for the 1st XI in 1935 at the age of Marriages: E. Norman Ludlow (1946) fourteen and went on to be vice-captain We congratulate the following on their Keith S. Parsons (1946) THOMAS GEOFFREY (‘TOM’) FREEMAN (1937) and captain (1938-39). The marriages: Anthony (Tony) J. Wainwright (1947) (1939) : 1921 – 2009 Chronicle of the time shows that in thirty T. F. Harrison Oxley (1951) matches over five seasons Tom bowled David Warr (1988) to Mathilida Oluoch – John H. Whitfield (1957) Tom Freeman was born in Edgbaston in with astonishing economy and accuracy, August 2009 Reverend Edward Coombes (1958) 1921 and moved to Northfield eight years taking a wicket, on average, every seven Greg Nixon (2001) to Elizabeth Chapman – Peter R. M. Matthews (1965) later. He had happy recollections of his runs. Three highlights were his 6 for 23, May 2009 Furrokh Panthaki (1976) childhood; his clearest recollections were including a hat-trick, against the Common Christopher Branson (2002) to Tova Turkel of family outings to the Lickeys,and Room in 1935, 5 for 18 against the Old – October 2008 practising the rudiments of cricket with Edwardians in 1937 and 10 for 52 against Chris. Mellor (2002 to Ruth Milne – his father in the kitchen of their first Ashfield in 1938. Although Tom’s greatest November 2009 house. The family, with five children to be feats were as a bowler, he was a fine Hasnain Ramji (2004) to Nasreen –April brought up, had enough for the necessities batsman too, with career bests of 98 and 2009 of life but no surplus for luxuries; 91 in 1938. The Chronicle of 1937 nevertheless the five children were all described him as “the best all-round properly clad and shod – no toes poking cricketer the School has had for many through their shoes. years.” He also gained his Athletics Colours (1938-39) & Rugby Colours (1939). Tom’s schooling at St. Laurence’s, When he went up to Cambridge he gained Northfield served him well for, on the a Cricket Blue in 1940. 40 In December 1939 he gained a minor wrote that he made most of his mistakes stretch the most able, without leaving the children at his bedside, that he could no scholarship in Classics at Gonville & Caius there and had to work long hours to keep plodders behind. He was loved by his longer look after her. College; under wartime regulations he ahead of the clever sixth formers. pupils and equally by his colleagues, in went up in the following January and took However, the difficulties of living in Ealing particular his junior ones in the Classics To no Old Edwardian does the his degree after five terms, instead of the on a salary of just £425 per annum meant department who looked up to him as a characterisation “all-rounder” more truly now customary nine. His move to that he was more than happy to move mentor. In that unofficial role he was apply than to Tom Freeman – scholar, Cambridge proved momentous as it was back to Birmingham in 1951 when he was gentle in guidance yet firm when the need sportsman, teacher, linguist, traveller and there that he met Margaret Young, as she appointed to the Classics Department at arose, always approachable and free from family man. His reference from UCS in then was. He has recounted how, in the King Edward’s. He and his family moved any taint of condescension. 1951 described him as “charmingly easy to latter part of the summer term of 1940, into Bryony Road and this proved to be his get on with” and Maurice Porter, who after a Sunday spent punting, he and home for the rest of his days. In retirement Tom was the most faithful knew Tom for more than forty years, Margaret, on their walk back from the attender at School functions such as considered him the most all-round river bank to the Red Lion pub, Tom described his long stint at K.E. as Speech Day, Founder’s Day and the CCF talented person he had ever met. All those “exchanged the smile that set the pattern “fairly uneventful” – “the odd spot of Annual Inspection. Retirement gave him who were privileged to know him would for the rest of our lives.” They were duly teaching”, running Criicket and Rugby the opportunity not only to travel – he heartily concur. He was one of those married on 17 December, 1943 at King’s teams, involvement in the RAF section of and Margaret went variously to Hong special people who enrich and enlarge the Heath parish church. the CCF, editor of the Chronicle, Kong, Australia, China, Thailand and lives of al around them. Tom had a very Housemaster of Levett (1962-76). From Singapore – but also to spend time with good innings. By that time Tom was into war service. He 1972 until his retirement in 1981 he held his grandchildren and to re-read the joined the RAF in July 1941 and his war the post of Under Master, a post that Classics, above all Vergil, whom he Philip Lambie service , mainly as an intelligence officer, made him in effect number three in the poignantly quoted in old age: the lament took him to Weeton, near Blackpool, School hierarchy or, as he put it, of the aged King Evander, too enfeebled to * “If Jupiter would only restore to me the Skeabrae in Orkney and Kinloss. He was “dogsbody to the Second Master”, accompany his son, Pallas , into battle years that are past selected to learn Hungarian and passed responsible for all kinds of administrative “O mihi praeteritos referat si Iuppiter ** “Sad old age” out top in his final examination; as a duties, such as the organisation of annos!” * result of this, at the end of the war, when parents’ meetings, Speech days and and the warning of the Sibyl about the [We very much regret that, because of the he was given an early “demob”, he was Founder’s Day. phantoms in the entrance hall to the exigencies of space, we have had to offered the Chair of Hungarian at the Underworld, among them abridge the very fine piece that Philip University of London. However, this did ‘Ferd’ or ‘Ferdie’ to generations of “tristis senectus” ** Lambie wrote about Tom Freeman. We not appeal and he decided to return to Edwardians, he possessed an unmatched apologise to Philip and to Tom’s family and Cambridge to do a teacher’s training mastery of Greek and Latin language and Ever true to character, Tom made light of hope that what is printed above does diploma. metre. As a teacher he had the ability to old age but it was a time of anxiety for justice both to Tom and to Philip’s splendid enthuse his pupils with his succinct him. For many years he cared for his eulogy – Ed.] In 1946 he took up his first teaching post expositions of grammar and literature. He beloved Margaret as she descended into at UCS, Hampstead where he spent the demanded of his pupils the highest dementia; his greatest sorrow was the next five years. Of his time there he later standards of accuracy and set a pace to knowledge, as he lay in hospital with his 41 old edwardians gazette: obituaries

ARTHUR C MUFFETT (1926): PETER G. MASON, MA, MBE (1933): 1907 – 2009 He was a loyal and devoted Old 1914 – 2009 At the same time it became clear that the Edwardian, attending the annual and Labour Party, then in opposition, was Arthur Muffett died peacefully in his sleep biennial dinners until he was 95. He Peter Mason was born in Handsworth; intending to abolish the direct grant in hospital in Hereford after a short illness always looked forward to receiving and both his parents were teachers. From King system. Convinced that academic on the 20th December last. Up to the reading the ‘Gazette’ and took a lively Edward’s he went on to Christ’s excellence was being threatened for early part of that month he was as alert interest in everything it reported. His love College,Cambridge where he took a First in political ends, Mason felt that a new and involved as ever and indeed attended of the School and of the Association was Classics. philosophy was needed, that a new way of church only three days before he was at the heart of his life. From 1936 to 1940 he taught Classics at funding bright children from poorer taken ill. Cheltenham College. He spoke fluent families was required. He was soon From information provided French and German and during the Second playing a leading role in setting up such a Born in 1907, he came to King Edward’s in by Pat Muffett World War he served in the Intelligence scheme, notably as vice-chairman of the 1922 at the age of 15, his arrival having Corps first at HQ 21 Army Group and later HMC direct grant committee which put been delayed because he lacked the A full appreciation of Arthur’s life and in “a department of the Foreign Office.”. forward a plan for financially assisted standard of Latin necessary for entry at involvement with the OEA will appear in He was appointed MBE in 1946 places at independent schools. This that time. He gained his colours for rugby the next edition of the Gazette - Ed. scheme worked very successfully until and went on to play for the The war over he taught Classics at Rugby Tony Blair abolished it after his election in Old Edwardians First XV, at a time when for three years before going as headmaster 1997. their opponents included Cardiff, to Aldenham School, where he remained Coventry, Bath and Sale. Later, when until 1961. One of the youngest public Closer to home, as High Master, he work and years intervened he played for school heads of his day, he raised the searched tirelessly for funds, raising more the ‘Extras’ and continued to do so until, academic standards of Aldenham; as a than £1 million, leaving the school as he put it, he was “too old to keep up devout Anglican he was proud to oversee thriving and independent. One former with the action.” the completion of the school chapel and colleague said of him: “He was not a he also added a new boarding house. showman headmaster: he was more like He spent his working life with the Royal Eliot’s Macavity – you never knew quite Insurance Company in Birmingham and for In 1962 he was appointed High Master of how he did what he did to run the school ten years he edited the OE ‘Gazette’. Manchester Grammar School, Soon after so well , and when you looked, Macavity When he retired he and his wife moved to he had taken over he realised that, while wasn’t there.” Kingland near Leominster in Herefordshire. the calibre of boys and staff was extremely In later years he moved to sheltered high, the school was in danger of After leaving MGS he remained active in accommodation in Dilwyn where he was a becoming “parochial”. He wanted to education, embarking on a series of visits much loved and respected member of the humanise the place, improve the boys’ to look at independent education in community. On the occasion of his social behaviour, their dress and Europe and writing several books on the hundredth birthday a bench inscribed discipline, and give them a broader, all- subject. His work led to the creation of with his name was placed on the village round education. the European Council of National green. 42 Associations of Independent Schools of began playing the cor anglais. (His parents one occasion, where the key to Sir George which he was chairman from 1988 to 1994. only discovered his scholarship success by Solti’s success lay, he replied, “He was a reading the news in the Birmingham Post) bastard – a marvellous man and a great In later life he lived at Longborough, He graduated at the early age of 19 and conductor but a complete bastard when Gloucestershire, where he enjoyed walking won another scholarship to the Royal he needed to be. That sort of ruthlessness in the Cotswolds, fly-fishing and College of Music; and yet a third , after just wasn’t in my nature.” gardening. As a lay preacher, he took being appointed as a lecturer at the services in the local church, delivering University of Aberdeen, to go and study Downes’s lifetime in opera taught him to erudite sermons which were published with Hermann Scherchen in Zurich. be in many ways a pragmatic man. He regularly in the local press. He was Among his duties while out there was to recognised that stars were needed to sell married three times and leaves a widow, read the Berlin newspapers in German to seats but he had no truck with the Marjorie and three daughters from his first Scherchen’s aged, blind mother. glamour and socialising that are also part marriage. of the operatic world. He believed in hard Back in Britain Downes became a session work, disciplined rehearsal and total Extracted from the obituary in the Daily SIR EDWARD DOWNES CBE (1939) : musician playing the French horn but command of the score. Through and Telegraph, 24th August 2009 1924 – 2009 then was appointed as a repetiteur at through he was an opera house man and a Covent Garden; his first job was supreme technician. In the later stages of ‘Ted’ Downes was born on June 17th, 1924; prompting Maria Callas in Norma. He was his career he found himself afflicted by his father was a bank clerk, though not taken under the wing of the incoming failing eyesight and by increasing deafness always in work and the family lived close musical director, Rafael Kubelik and thus as a result of which he was forced to to the Aston Villa football ground. was given several opportunities to withdraw from the opera and concert His parents were highly religious and conduct major works in the repertoire, scene. highly intolerant and the thought of their including La Bohème and Der Freischütz. son wanting to be a musician filled them He stayed at Covent Garden for 17 years, He was appointed CBE in 1986 and with horror: “My mother would have working alongside Carlo Maria Giulini and knighted in 1991. regarded Debussy as pornographic,” Georg Solti and was ultimately appointed Downes once said when later in life he Associate Music Director in 1991 He and his wife Joan, a former ballet started to talk about his unhappy dancer and choreographer, took the childhood. Nevertheless he began At various times during this period he was decision to travel to Zurich to the Dignitas learning the piano and violin at the age of the Director of the Australian opera, assisted suicide clinic to end their lives 5 and sang as a boy chorister when he principal conductor of the BBC together after she was diagnosed with came to King Edward’s in 1935. Philharmonic and the Netherlands Radio terminal cancer. They are survived by Orchestra. He was perhaps too content their son and daughter. Though forced to leave school at the age and easy-going about his work to be an of 15 through lack of money, he won a international success in the highly-strung Extrapolated from the obituaries in the scholarship to read English and Music at world of classical music. When asked, on ‘Times’ & the ‘Daily Telegraph Birmingham University where he also 43 old edwardians gazette: obituaries

pursue a musical career and to go to King organist in the country and he designed leaving was mentioned.) In 1985 he Edward’s. He entered the School in 1944 the new four-manual Nicholson organ for formed the St. Cecilia Singers and he also and two years later was awarded a the cathedral which was then being contributed regularly to the BBC Radio’s Foundation Scholarship; initially he was “converted” from parish church to full- ‘Children’s Hour, both as pianist and under the tutelage of Philip Cranmer but blown cathedral with the addition of some composer. he left in 1948 and thereafter Fred came wonderfully sympathetic building. There under the guidance of Willis Grant, to he not only conducted the cathedral choir He was often exuberantly entertaining whom he was assistant at Birmingham but also the Bury Bach Choir, with whom with stories of his youth. He was a gifted Cathedral. Despite his studious, even he did some rarely heard and ‘risky’ choir trainer and a highly accomplished owlish, appearance with his round glasses pieces. organist and pianist. In 2003 he suffered a and deliberate, slightly portly mien, he serious stroke, after which he had to learn had a twinkle in his eye and a sly sense of During his tenure of the post he to play the organ all over again. He died humour. At his final assembly in Big introduced girls into the cathedral choir; of heart failure on April 6th, aged 76, School, an occasion of some solemnity for although it has since become a standard leaving a wife and three children, all of those about to leave, as the (then) practice in many cathedrals and churches, whom became musicians. Headmaster, T.E.B.Howarth, began the at the time it was unusual and potentially DR. T. F. (‘FRED’) HARRISON OXLEY procession to leave after the blessiing, unpopular. The experiment ended when a from the ‘Times’: 29.6.09 (1951): 1933 – 2009 Fred, who was playing the organ, played traditionally minded Provost, Raymond several thunderous and majestic chords Furnell took office in 19811 and Fred Harrison Oxley, or ‘Fred’ as he was always before launching into ‘Theme and resigned three years later on a point of called at School and will be called Variations on “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic”.’ principle. hereafter, was born in Sheffield; his father Tom Howarth, peering up at the organ loft was a metallurgist in the steel industry. didn’t know whether to frown or laugh; he After his resignation he stayed in the area, From an early age he showed himself an chose the latter. composing, teaching and examining. After exceptional keyboard player. accepting an invitation to give a recital at By the time he was eight his family had In 1951 he went up to Christ Church the USAF Academy Chapel in Colorado in moved to Birmingham where he joined the Oxford as an organ scholar. Here he the 1960s he went on regular tours of the choir of Bournville parish church. His became the accompanist to the Oxford U.S. as a solo organist. father became deputy organist there and Bach Choir and met his future wife, the Fred initially learnt to play the organ by violinist Dorothy Tanton. In 1954 he Fred and music in Bury St. Edmunds were watching him practise and by listening to graduated with a First in music and went synonymous, even after the recalcitrant recitals. off to do his National Service in the Royal clergy caused his untimely resignation Signals, honing his skills as a dance band from the cathedral in 1984. (His sense of At 11 he was taken to play to the pianist, before moving on to Bury St. humour never deserted him and he would renowned organist of the Town Hall, Edmunds in 1957 as the organist. At the often allude to George Orwell’s George Cunningham, who advised him to age of 24 he was the youngest cathedral apocalyptic novel when the date of his 44 An even more telling statistic is that fall of a wicket.” SIDNEY H. IRELAND BCOM, BSC: (1934) Wyatt’s career total of 1583 runs stood as a record for nearly 35 years until John In retirement Kenneth lived in Mickleton, Sidney was born in Birmingham and, after Barnfield passed it in 1965. We know that where he enjoyed the serenity of village his time at King Edward’s , went on to in Test Cricket the moderns have scored life: “one is most unlikely to die of Birmingham University where he attained many more runs than batsmen such as excitement in Mickleton.” his first degree in Commerce. He worked Bradman and Hammond in the 1930s, but first in an engineering company in just as Bradman and Hammond stood head Peter Handford (1965) Birmingham and at the outbreak of WWII and shoulders above their contemporaries, joined the BSA Company, working there as so did Wyatt at King Edward’s. He was a Production Manager on the development bowler too, with a career total of 112 of the Sten and Bren guns. wickets, and his all-round feats were remarkable, including 52 and 8-56 against After the war he joined a company of Denstone in 1930. consultants during which time he W. KENNETH WYATT (1930): developed an interest in the welfare of 1911 – 2009 Kenneth continued with his cricket after workers and wrote a book about eye- leaving school, playing for Warwickshire strain at work. He then returned to BSA Kenneth Wyatt died in the early months Second XI for some years, and in club and for a time before moving south and joining of 2009 in his 98th year. Because he lived league cricket. For Warwickshire Seconds Consolidated Pneumatic where he a long life, he had become one of the he helped cause confusion among the eventually became Managing Director. increasingly small band of OEs remaining scorers by opening the batting with R.A.D. from the New Street era, but he was also Wyatt, brother of the famous R.E.S. After he officially retired he decided to one of the School’s most outstanding Wyatt, the Warwickshire and England study law and became a barrister and a cricketers. captain, though there is no record of the Member of the Institute of Arbitrators. He three of them ever playing together. also continued his life-long hobby of He played in the XI from 1927 to 1930 and Magic and was a Member of the Magic was captain in his last year. During his When he finished playing cricket, Kenneth Circle He lived for some years with his time the XI enjoyed great success, and took up golf. However, after years of brother in Stoke Poges until Alzheimers there were a number of high scoring lugging a heavy cricket bag around, he Disease overtook him. batsmen, including W.E. Sandbach, F.L. resolved that he was going to play golf Bland and F.N. Bryan, but Wyatt was more with a single club – a driver. He putted prolific than any of them. In 1928 he with the back of the driver, playing left- scored 639 runs, including two centuries handed. Though in later life he remained within four days; this was a record interested in cricket, there was much in aggregate for a season which stood for the modern game that he deplored, such more than twenty years, until F.B. Revill as “too much hugging and kissing at the and then A.C. Smith beat it in the 1950s. 45 old edwardians gazette: obituaries

MICHAEL J. BENCH : (1937) guests His close companions feel a deep in 2007 he moved into a flat in Stratford- charge of an airborne column, taking sense of loss at his departure. He on-Avon but his final months were marred rations and ammunition from India to Michael Bench died aged 83 while on remained unmarried all his life. by protracted illness. He died, aged 81, in Burma. However, he did not have the holiday in Cornwall. For many years he a nursing home near Stratford in January healthiest of campaigns; he celebrated his lived in Dartmouth Park, London, on the John Collins (1937) 2009: pre-deceased by his wife, he is 21st birthday in hospital, having been edge of Hampstead. His obituary, survived by a son, two daughters and six badly trampled by a polo pony (!) and published in the Camden New Journal on grandchildren. later he contracted hepatitis and also 16th July was headed, “Architect who ARTHUR B. KNAPP, LLB., BSC., JP.: sand-fly fever. Nevertheless he soldiered fought for the image of Hampstead.” It (1939) on and was in the North West Frontier went on, “…he was a celebrated architect MAJOR T.A. (TERRY) PODESTA (1940): between 1941 and 1944: during that time who spent many years defending After his time at King Edward’s Arthur 1921 – 2009 he learned Urdu and he kept up his Hampstead from unsympathetic Knapp went to Birmingham University knowledge of this language for the rest of projects….His where he gained a BSc in Chemistry. In ‘Terry’ Podesta was born in Sutton his life. Voluntary work helped preserve and 1954 he joined Imperial Metals Industries Coldfield in April 1921 and won a enhance the area.” and eventually became assistant company scholarship to King Edward’s in 1933. He After the war he found the problems secretary and environment co-ordinator. was at the School in the last years at New relating to India and the coming Partition He qualified as an architect from the Having graduated also in Law he was Street, was part of the move to the new deeply upsetting as he had grown to love Birmingham School of Architecture in 1951 appointed a City Magistrate in 1971; ten site – and the legendary Temporary the country, its culture and people. He and completed his National Service in the years later he became a member, (later Buildings – in 1937, saw the Great Fire of returned to England in 1947 and took up a Royal Navy. After studying Town & Chairman, General Purposes Committee), the same year and later was part of the regular commission in the RASC, in his Regional Planning in London, he worked West Midlands Probation Committee and evacuation to Repton School. He was a spare time playing hockey (which became for a spell in the schools division of the in 1992 he was elected Deputy Chairman keen sportsman, gaining his colours at his first love), cricket, chess and bridge, as Coventry Architect’s Department. He of the Birmingham Bench. cricket, fives and chess; and in his last well as becoming highly proficient in moved to join the Ministry of Health’s year he was School Captain and was ballroom dancing. architectural research team and was He served from 1980 on the CBSO Council awarded the Dale Memorial Medal. responsible for developments at Walton of Management and was elected Chairman In 1950 he resigned his commission and Hospital in Liverpool and the rebuilding of of the Board in 1992. He was also a trustee He had intended to apply for Oxford later that year he went to Birmingham Greenwich Hospital. of the MYO. During his time as Chairman University, studying Latin, French and University to train as a dental surgeon, he steered the Orchestra through times of History but instead, with the Second qualifying in 1956. While at the University Away from his career, friends recall the considerable financial stringency before World War declared, he and his close he met Freda who was also studying enthusiasm he brought to everything he relinquishing the post in 1996 friend, Ken Dyer, decided to enlist in the dentistry and after an “on-off-on” did. His charm was well known, his sense Army.. They were both posted to India courtship they were married in 1961. They of humour put people at their ease and he In 1953 he married Sylvia (nee Bowring). and there Terry attended the Officer settled in Solihull where they opened endlessly made friends with his manner. They lived for many years in Selly Oak Training School before being separate practices. For the rest of his time His passions included fine wines and his until 1992 when they moved out to commissioned into the Royal Indian in the Midlands, Terry devoted himself to cellar was regularly opened to share with Ilmington. Following the death of his wife Service Corps in 1942. He was put in hockey, becoming in turn secretary, 46 president and finally life vice-president of While at Cambridge Keith played rugby ANTHONY (TONY) J. WAINWRIGHT E. NORMAN LUDLOW (1946): the Midlands Hockey association. He did a and cricket and bridge and learnt to play (1947): 1934 – 2009 1928 – 2008 great deal of coaching and umpiring, squash. After graduating he joined the wrote several authoritative books on the Midland Bank in London, rising to become Tony Wainwright came to KES from Five After wartime evacuation in game and, in the late 1970s, was awarded a senior executive in the Bank’s Ways in 1942. He showed aptitude in the Gloucestershire, Norman entered KES in the OBE for services to hockey. Few International Division: this latter position sciences and left the Medical Vith to take 1942. His strengths proved to be non- people have given more to the cause of involved spells working in Paris and his degree at Birmingham University. academic; he became Captain of Shooting British Hockey. Dusseldorf plus a three year secondment National Service was spent in the Suez in 1945 while in the Lower Sixth and to an affiliated bank in Brussels. He left Canal Zone and in Somalia. played for the school at rugby, although Terry and Freda loved the West Country the Midland Bank in 1979 to become not quite reaching the First XV. and often holiday’d in the Weston area, so General Manager of the International After a houseman’s job in Kidderminster it was no surprise when they decided to Commercial Bank a post he held until his he entered general practice in Handsworth To learn the basics of the family business buy a holiday home in Bleadon in retirement in 1985. . Wood, finding time to play for the Old he became an apprentice sheet metal Somerset. In 1995, having retired, they Eds. 2nd XV with occasional games for the worker and studied at evening classes at moved down there permanently and there In 1953 Keith married Doreen Milner, a 1st XV. Birmingham ‘Tech’ until April 1947 when he died. In June. schoolteacher from Derbyshire; In 1955 National Service called. After basic they moved to Caterham in Surrey where Becoming disenchanted with the National training at Warwick he was transferred to from information supplied by Freda they remained until he died. In retire- Health Service he left medicine for a few the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Podesta ment he was an elder of the local United years to farm in Cornwall but was Engineers; he declined the offer of a Reformed Church and a participant in the eventually drawn back into general commission, which would have involved a University of the Third Age. He was also a practice. For over 20 years he was the commitment to seven years’ service and KEITH S. PARSONS (1946): member of '‘Probus” and a founder much-loved and much-respected doctor in was happy to stay as Sergeant when he 1928 - 2009 member of the Caterham Croquet Club Talgarth as a member of the Hay-on-Wye was selected for his unit’s shooting team. practice. Keith Silvester Parsons was born in Shortly before his death, to celebrate his On demob Norman joined the family- Birmingham on 18th September 1928. His 80th birthday, he hired a narrow boat in He is survived by his wife, Beth and two owned Ash Group and successfully early life was full of the Methodist Church Warwickshire for a drinks party for friends sons, one of whom is an orthopaedic managed the Group for several years. But and the Boys’ Brigade, in which he played and family. He died of a chest infection surgeon. in 1978 he took up a senior appointment the cornet.. He joined King Edward’s in on 13th January 2009, after a short illness. with Jardines in Hong Kong, specifically to 1939 and took part in the School He is survived by his wife, Doreen, three Jim Wainwright (1951) deal with problems in the building of the evacuation to Repton at the outbreak of children and five grandchildren, all of Mass Transit Railway. Later he joined HMT war. He did well academically and shortly whom have inherited his love of building the innovative new airport.and after the end of the war was awarded an languages, food & wine, travel, music and returned to the U.K. in 1989 to travel in Exhibition to study Modern Languages at sport. Europe and America as Contracts Manager Magdalene College, Cambridge. for the Hong Kong Airport Authority and the Trans Manche Link. 47 old edwardians gazette: obituaries

Norman’s early social life centred on the JOHN H. WHITFIELD (1957): retirement in 2002 to look after the small- Hall Green Fellowship, the Youth Club 1939 – 2009 holding which the family had moved to. attached to the Church of the Ascension. Nevertheless he still kept a close interest It was here that he met his wife-to-be, John was inordinately proud of having in King’s School activities, taking the 2nd Jeanette Bayliss. They were married in attended King Edward’s. We had been Cricket Team and keenly following the 1952, celebrating their golden anniversary married 45 years and it was a rare day that rugby and acting as an assessor for the in 2002. With their son and two daughter he didn’t mention something to do with Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Another they remained a devoted and closely knit the School. pleasure of his last few years was singing, family in spite of the years of separation first with the King’s School Foundation across half the world. Those who know him will remember that Choir and then with the Macclesfield Male he was more sporty than academic! He Voice Choir with whom Peter was looking His active life eventually became was a late developer, getting a Master’s forward to singing in the Royal Albert Hall increasingly restricted by heart problems degree in his fifties. After school he in October. and diabetes but, in spite of an almost qualified as a Banker and we both went to complete loss of personal mobility, his Botswana. He was a Government auditor Peter led a very full and happy life and his lively sense of humour and pragmatism at first, then he was Chief Accountant and death was a great shock to the family, his never diminished.. He is survived by his latterly Project Manager of the biggest friends and everyone connected with wife, three children and four World Bank funded project that there had King’s School. grandchildren ever been in Botswana. He finished as PETER R.M. MATTHEWS (1965): assistant Auditor General. 1947 – 2009 Anne Matthews John Ludlow He took up chess again when we moved to Peter Matthews died suddenly in the Devon and he won a number of local Spring of 2009. He was a pupil at King competitions before his deteriorating Edward’s from 1957 to 1965. He was the health prevented him attending youngest son of Oliver (‘Noll’) Matthews, congresses. long-time Housemaster and Physics master at King Edward’s, and the younger brother He died peacefully on 28th April 2009. of David and Brian, both pupils at the School. Gillian Whitfield Peter went to Loughborough Colleges, (now University), and then on to King’s School Macclesfield where he taught PE and Biology, taking on many responsible posts along the way. Married to Anne for 34 years and a loving stepfather and grandfather of five, Peter took early 48 DEVELOPMENT & OEA OFFICE - Contact Details

Development Director: Simon Lerwill OEA Administrator: Sue Dickens

Address: Development & OEA Office King Edward’s School Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2UA

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.oldeds.kes.org.uk Phone: 0121 415 6050 Fax: 0121 415 4327 KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL

BIRMINGHAM

Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA. Tel: 0121 472 1672. Fax: 0121 415 4327. Email: [email protected] www.kes.org.uk