Earlier in this century, Mike Chew tried to construct a list of Old Boys still alive, in association with Malcolm Williams, that could serve as a base for the reconstitution of the school register for 1929-1966. He constructed two lists: a short one with just names and perhaps a job title, and a second which carried quite a bit more detail on Old Boys who were still alive at the time.
We reproduce his work here:
Short List 1
The following entries are more or less in chronological order. “Remembering…” means the individual concerned was sadly no longer alive when Mike was assembling the list.
Tony (AJ) Phelps (1933-41) Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) (N8)
Peter F Phelps (1937-42) Died 1988. Pilot, the Bursar (N8)
Frank Blackwell (1938-43) Retired lecturer (N8)
Frank Morris (1938-42) died in October 2007
Roy I J Matthews (1941-43) Clergyman in Yorkshire (N8)
Geoff G J Goodey (1938-43) Worked for Ford of Europe. (N8)
Arthur G Lester (1938-43) Export Finance Director with Unipart (N8)
David E Nutt (1938-43) Surveying and planning departments in Oxford (N8)
Gerald N Coppock (1938-43) Died 2005. Worked at the Harwell Laboratories. (N8)
Bob Rice (1938-43) Retired accountant (N8)
Brian V Roderick (1938-43) retired surveyor. (N8)
Gordon Skuce (1938-43) Retired engineer (N8)
Remembering Gordon H Smith (1938-43). Died May 2007. Banking (N8)
Geoffrey S Young (probably left in 1943) What happened to him? N8)
John W Saxton (1940-44) Farmer (N8)
Donald L Ard (1940-45) Engineer (N8)
Clive (Bill) Denton (1939-45) has led a varied life (N8)
Don Mead (1940-45) (N8)
Remembering Peter Jocelyn (1939-45) Died 2004. Biochemist (N8)
Michael W Phelps (1939-1946) Banking (N8)
John W Pulley (1939-45) Retired languages teacher (N8)
Tony (Arch) Argyle (1941-46) Lives in retirement in Australia (N8)
Mike M Dunnill (1939-46) Retired teacher (N8)
Remembering Gerald Roderick (1941-46) Died 1995. (N8)
Remembering Michael Wheatley (1940-1946) deceased. Doctor (N8)
Remembering Robert Ackroyd 1941-1947. Died September 2001. Doctor (N8)
ENTRIES FROM 2004 & 2007 (N1 = entry in Newsletter 1)
John Thomas Kirby (1924-27) was the father of Martin (1954-61) and Vaughan (1956-63). (N5)
H S Garrett (1920s) Deceased. (N8)
D A Latham (1920s). (N8)
George A Darlow (1916 -22) Died 1989. (N8)
J E Rees (left 1927) (N8)
Bertram J Darlow (1922-29) Died 1997. (N8)
K G Hill (left early 1930s) Emigrated to Australia. (N8)
J W Lynes (left early 30s) who joined the RAF air crew early in the war, and was killed on his first operation. (N8)
A J Henman (1924-31) Deceased. Tim Henman is his grandson. (N8)
B T Coles (left 1932) Deceased (N8)
C A Cooper (left 1932) Deceased.(N8)
E H Fletcher (left 1932) Deceased. (N8)
J D Hancox (left 1932) (N8)
J Ryder (1927-1932) Died in 2003. (N8)
J H Isaac (left in 1930s) Deceased. (N8)
R W Barlow (left 1933) Deceased. (N8)
M R Allen (left 1934) Deceased. (N8)
E R Gibb (1932-34) Deceased. (N8)
S T Seaborn (left 1934) Deceased. (N8)
D A Clowe (left 1935) Deceased. (N8)
J T Stanley (left 1935) He died of an illness in India during the war. (N8)
K H Stevens (left 1935) Deceased. (N8)
R H Brampton (1932-36) Deceased. (N8)
John H Everitt (1927-36) (N1)
Jack Griffiths (left 1936) (N1)
Eric W T Darlow (1930-36) Died 1998. (N8)
George Rose (1931-36) Deceased. More details of his life can be read in Wikipedia. (N8)
John H Everett (1927-36) was City Treasurer from 1973 to 1980. (N8)
Eric S Lord (1931-36) was a Director of the British Motor Corporation and then British Leyland. (N8)
W J Pocock (left 1936) He died in the late 1990s. (N8)
J M E Webb (left 1936) Deceased. He was a teacher. (N8)
David C Money (1927-37) deceased (N1)
Geoffrey M Willmott (1929-37) (N5)
Alfred H Hancox (1932-38) (N2)
R Kemp (left 1938) Deceased. (N8)
R LW Moon (1932-38) Deceased. (N8)
T H Thompson MBE (left 1938) Deceased. (N8)
W George Springall (left 1938) r(N2)
Michael S Blackler (1935-39) (N1)
John Robins (1933-39)
David J Carpenter (left 1941) (N3)
Mike A C Luetchford (1940-41) (N5)
John Bolt (1937-42) . (N1)
Thomas J Nurser (1937-42) (N1)
K H P Bailey (1941-43) (N3)
Heinz Weiner (left 1942) (N5)
Joseph Horovitz (joined 1941) (N5)
F C A (Tony?) Jones (1938-43) (N1)
Stan Manthorpe (1938-43) (N1)
Derek Rice (left 1943) (N1)
Tom Deane (1938-43) (N1)
Gerald Haggis (1938-43) (N1)
Ken (Sandy) Powell (1939-43) (N1)
Brian J Gomm (1940-44) (N1)
Ivan, Ivor or Isador Redstone (joined 1941) (N5)
Brian V Redknap (1939-44) (N1)
John Stockford (left 1944) (N1)
Donald L Ard (1940-45) (N1)
Ralph Baer (1941-45) (N3)
Ronnie Barker (1940-45). Deceased
Donald Bennett (1939-45) (N1)
Walter W Bulbeck (1939-45) (N3)
Bob Field (1939-45) Deceased (N3)
Peter Jocelyn (1939-1945). Deceased (N1)
Bill Milligan (1941-45) bill.milligan@sympatico.ca. (N2)
Bill Milligan (1941-45) (N1)
William A Porter (1940-45) (N1)
Frank Shipton (1939-1945) (N1)
John Spickernell (1939-45) (N1)
John A M Thorne (1939-45) (N3)
John Workman (left 1945). (N1)
Don Adams (1939-46) (N1)
Tony (Arch) Argyle (1941-46) (N2)
Keith Bacon (1942-46) (N2)
Kenneth W Blackwell (1942-46) changed his name to Campbell in 1959. (N3)
Michael M Boddington (left 1946) (N2)
Ronald D G Cherry (1940-46) (N1)
Don Fathers (1941-45) (N5)
David Cook (1941-46) (N3)
Allan Hall (left 1946) (N1)
Ivan Mason (was Mazonowicz) (1940-46) (N3)
Donald W Mead (1942-46) (N1)
Fred Mogridge (1941-46) (N1)
John K Nettell (1941-46) (N2)
Michael Pargeter (1940-46) (N2)
David Savage (left 1946) (N1)
John Amor (1943-47) (N2)
Brian E Amos (1942-47) (N1)
Colin F Britton (1940-47) (N1)
John W Corbey (1942-47) (N1)
Paul Groves (1940-47) N1)
Ken Messer (1942-47) (N1)
Ron Salter (1940-47) (N1)
Raymond P C Stone (1942-47) (N1)
Charles William Jefford (1939-47) (N5)
Andrew Swift (1940-47) Died June 2002. (N2)
Michael (Mick) Allen (left 1948). Died July 2006
Dennis Field (1943-48) (N2)
Trevor Ford (1943-48)
Kenneth W Jackson (left 1948) (N2)
Gordon W Hinder (1942-48) (N1)
George T Oglanby (1946-48) (N1)
Kenneth Ray OBE (1941-48)
Dr Peter Samsworth (1942-48) (N1)
Pat Forrest (1944 -1949) died 3 April 2004 (N3)
Dennis James Gammage (1944-49) (N1)
David (Harry) Hawkins (1947-49) (N2)
Harry Hawkins (left 1949) (N1)
Robert S Silvester (1941-48) (N5)
Frank Hollis (left 1949) (N1)
Noel Minett (1944-49) (N1)
Michael (Mick) Allen deceased (left 1948). (N5)
Hedley Roberts (1941-48) (N5)
John Paintin (left 1949) . (N1)
Peter S. Wharton (1942-1949) (N5)
Philip Rogers (left 1949) (N1)
John Rowe (1944-49)(N3)
John F Taylor (1943-49) (N1)
Michael White (1944-49) (N1)
Dr Thomas Kraft (1942-49) (N5)
John Barrell (1944-50) (N5)
David F Asher (1942-50) (N1)
Brian Ashmall (left 1950) (N1)
Ron Baker (1945-50) (N3)
Ronald Baker (left 1950) . (N1)
Bryan Beames (1945-50) (N3)
Bryan J Beames (1945-50) (N1)
Michael Boult (left 1950) (N1)
Brian Butler (1945-50) (N2)
Michael R Dudley (1944-50). (N1)
Ray Edwards (1945-50) (N1)
John Ewing (1945-50) (N1)
Keith Hill (1945-50) (N1)
Ronald Hurrell (left 1950) (N1)
Barry Griggs (1945-50) (N5)
Ian Kempson (1943-50) died 31st December 2004. (N3)
Roy Parkhouse (left 1950) (N1)
Kenneth R Gillman (1945-50) (N5)
Jonathan Peacock (left 1950) (N1)
Dr David Rendell (1943-50) (N1)
George Teal (1944-50) (N1)
Donald E Williams (1946-50) (N3)
Brian Bowler (1944-51) (N2)
Mike Chew (1943-51) (N1)
Trevor John Ford (1943-47) (N5)
Peter Cox (1945-1951). Deceased (N2)
Frank Flood (1946-51) Died in November 2005. (N3)
Ronald Fox (left 1951) (N1)
John Barrell (1944-50) (N5) johnl.barrell@virgin.net
Conrad Gibbens (1946-51) (N1)
David Gregory (1945-51) (N1)
Long List 2
Most of these entries are kind of living CVs and must have taken Mike a formidable amount of work to assemble. Fascinating reading!
Ted Wheatley (1944-46) completed his education at Wanstead High School. After National service wit the Royal Artillery he went to Bognor Regis Training College and became a teacher. He taught mostly in the East Anglia area, and from 1974 to 1997 he was Headmaster of East Bergholt VCP School in Suffolk. Following retirement he became a County Councillor and was Vice-Chairman of Suffolk County Council. He is also Chairman of the Association of World Federalists. (N8)
John Croxon (1942-47) spent his two National Service years with the Royal Navy. He went into engineering research and development and spent 40 years as a Mechanical Engineer in Petrochemicals in Milford Haven, where he still lives. (N8)
Clive S Cullerne-Bown (1942-47) did his National Service in the Intelligence Corps and then went up to St Edmund Hall. For seven years he was a journalist with the Bristol Evening Post and the Hampstead & Highgate Express. From 1959 to 1980 he was a Civil Servant in the Ministry of Aviation and the Home Office. (N8)
Paul Jocelyn (1940-47) went up to Keble to read Physics following National Service with the RAF. After five years teaching at Bootham School York he spent 22 years as a lecturer at Nottingham Training College/Trent Polytechnic/Trent University. Following retirement in 1983 he has been making violins. (N8)
Remembering Peter Wheatley (1939-47) deceased.
Peter was Head of School in 1946/47. He gained his BSc and ARCS at Imperial College and this was followed by a year each at Pembroke College, Cambridge and the University of Trinidad in the West Indies. He spent nine years in Kenya working as an entomologist there for the Colonial Service and became Chief Entomologist. From 1961 to 1977 he was director of the Tropical Products Institute in Slough. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Biologists. Peter married Susan from Kenya and they had three children. He died of a brain tumour. (N8)
Maurice Croxon (1944-48) worked initially at the Bodleian Library before spending seven years in the Royal Marines. There followed a number of council posts in Oxford, Gillingham, Rochester and Stevenage before he moved to the Portsmouth Water Company where he remained for 31 years, He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Services. He was also a highboard and springboard diving champion. (N8)
Remembering Edmund R Drew (1941-48) Died 1998. Edmund won the Lawrence Brothers’ Memorial Scholarship to Jesus College, where he read mathematics. Following National service with the RAF. He taught for a few years at Monckton Combe School Bath before moving overseas to Nigeria where he taught, lectured and administered at schools and colleges in Gindiri. From 1992 to 1998 he taught mathematics at Radley College, He died in 1998, leaving a widow, Ruth, and three children. Edmund was a church elder in Nigeria, a church warden at St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford and a lay preacher. (N8)
M Peter Smith (1942-48) spent six years in farming before becoming a Radar Fitter with the RAF for three years. He then worked in stores and sales for a number of companies before retiring in 1995. (N8)
Jim S Tallett (1945-49) worked for both Westminster Bank and the Trustee Savings Bank before becoming the Investment Clerk with Oxford University for 16 years. In 1985 he went to Ruskin College to read History and from there to Brookes University. Since 1990 he has been doing various research projects in agricultural history, and he also runs an international cycling association. (N8)
Bryan Warland (1944-49) died recently after a protracted illness. He lived near Sturminster Newton in Dorset. Our condolences to his family.
Glyn M L Frewer (1943-50) studied at St Catherine’s College following National Service with the RAOC. For thirty years he was a copywriter, TV and Radio scriptwriter and author, as well as Associate Director of the London Advertising Agency . From 1985 until 2001 he was proprietor of an antiquarian/secondhand bookshop in Stow-on-the-Wold. (N8)
Mike A J Gardner (1943-51) trained at Loughborough Teacher Training College after National service with the Ordnance Corps. He taught at Oxford School and the Oxford College of Further Education for thirty-two years before retirement in 1987. Married, with two daughters. He was also a Royal Yachting Association full instructor. (N8)
Keith Pickstock (1946-51) trained as a designer at the Oxford University Press. After National Service with the Royal Engineers he was a Grahhic Designer in London and spent 3 years as an Art Director and freelance Designer in New York City. On returning to London in 1971 he did freelance Graphic Design for 20 years In 1989 he started to train as a Psychotherapist and he is a Psychotherapist and Training & Group Facilitator in London.(N8)
John (SJS) Rippon (1943-51) Studied at Merton College and then St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, where he briefly became House Surgeon to Sir Arthur Porritt. From 1959 to 1962 he was a Surgeon Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. From 1966 to 2000 he was Senior Partner in a Medical Group in western Australia. For two years he was Chairman of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (WA). (N8)
Paul F Robinson (1943-51) did his National service in the RAF, and was commissioned after training as a Russian Interpreter. He studied French and Russian at Keble. His career was in textiles with Simpsons of Piccadilly, Hunt & Winterbotham, Dormeuil and Aquascutum. He retired in 1996 but continued part-time consultancy work for a number of years thereafter. (N8)
Peter Griffin (1947-52) served an apprenticeship with Osberton Radiators before moving to Pressed Steel/Prestcold as a design draughtsman. For ten years from 1962 he was Senior Project Engineer with Signode Ltd of Swansea. After a spell as Works Director with Purma Precision, he set up his own engineering/trading business in 1975 until 2001, involved predominantly with trade in Dubai and the Middle East. Since 2001 he has lived in retirement in the south of France. He represented Oxfordshire at Rugby, Athletics and Cycle Speedway. (N8)
David I A Manners (1944-52) studied Russian and Slavonic Studies at Nottingham after National Service with the RAF, where he trained as a Russian Translator. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Linguists. After university he joined Lucas Industries as an Engineering Graduate Apprentice where he was involved in aircraft electrical equipment sales to Russia and overseas automotive equipment control. For thirty years from1963 he was and HM Inspector of Factories, later to be known as HM Inspector of Health & Safety. A major interest has been archival work. He is a Freeman of the City of Oxford and was until fairly recently the City’s archivist. He is also a keen sailor. Married to Catriona, with two sons. (N8)
Roy (WR) Parsloe (1944-52) did his National Service in the Royal Education Corps. He then studied Physical education and Geography at the Loughborough Colleges. For ten years he was in charge of Physical education at Apsley Grammar School in Hemel Hempstead, followed by some 26 years in charge of Physical Education and Health Education plus Outdoor Pursuits at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton. Following retirement in 1993 he continued part-time teaching for a further five years. From 1990 to the present day he has been an England Basketball representative, helping to develop South West Regional and National League referees in the sport. (N8)
Remembering Pat Stone (1946-52) deceased. Pat did National Service with the Royal Army Educational Corps before going to Loughborough Training College to do a Teacher’s Certificate, specialising in Physical Education and Science. For five years he was Head of PE at Leamington College, then became a Research Assistant at Loughborough College of Advanced technology. From 1964 to 1999 Pat was a Lecturer in Physical Education and Sports Science at Loughborough University. (N8)
Malcolm Clarke (1948–53) writes of Prof. John Gaskin: “John was a classmate of mine. We enjoyed the dizzy heights of the “a” stream and the not so happy memories of suffering the noise of pile drivers whilst Nuffield College was constructed.
I will share with you, if you haven’t already learned of it, a story about the irrepressible John. After lunch one day, our first lesson was French with the unforgettable Tich Wright. When entering the classroom, we were assailed by the smell of fish in an advanced state of decay. Tich’s nose immediately wrinkled as he entered the room and it took only a moment for him to ascertain that the smell was emanating from his desk. The obvious question was asked and dear John immediately owned up. He had obtained the rotting corpse from the adjacent Oxford Canal and decided on this jolly jape. I assume he paid the price in some way. I am unsure whether he would wish to be reminded!
Malcolm Clarke emigrated to the North of England some years ago and is now retired after a lifetime in industry. (N8)
John A Smith (1946-53) left school to do his National Service – training wireless fitters. Following five years as an Articled Clerk he spent thirty-eight years with financial responsibility in a range of medium-sized companies. He retired in 1997. (N8)
Professor Philip Gammage (1947-54) writes:. I always avidly read what you write about COHS and greatly appreciate the work you put in. I would have very much liked to have attended on 10th April, but will unfortunately be opening a conference in Baltimore on that day. However. John Gaskin and several friends and I will be getting together on 4th April in Newcastle. It is honour of John’s 72nd birthday and his success both as an academic and as a writer of excellent ghost stories.
At the moment I am in Oulu and soon to be in Rovaniemi. These are the twonorthern Finnish Universities and I work here every February, teaching an MA course in comparative policy and education. I love the Finns and they have ways of living and working which are very socially responsible and ecologically sound, a good country to live in, in fact!
Both John and I were members of The Forum Presents.and, though probably no better, I still play that violin which my father bought for me in the late 1940s.
I will be in touch with my brother when he is back from Spain and check whether he is coming to the 10th April do. Very best wishes, and warm ones, too. It is minus 15 here. PS Forgive any errors. the Finnish keyboard has all sorts of perils.
Doug E Martin (1947-54) did National Service with the RAF before going up the Exeter College to study Modern Languages. From 1960 to 1996 he taught at Plymouth College. He played Minor Counties Cricket for Oxfordshire and Devon. (N8)
Michael Jocelyn (1948-55) did National Service with the RAF. He became a development engineer with ICL before moving into Nuclear Instrumentation sales. For the next thirty-one years until retirement in 2003 he ran his own company, specializing in industrial automated inspection systems. (N8)
We regret to announce that David “Stan” Taylor (1951-56) died in St Luke’s Nursing Home in Oxford on Thursday 29th May 2008 after a long and brave battle with cancer. Stan had generally been in local government. He retired some years back as Personnel Officer of South Oxfordshire District Council. He was a county councillor from 1981 to 1985, a City Councillor (Oxford) 1991-99 and 2002-4) and was Leader of the Council from 1996-8. We are grateful to Peter Griffin (1947-52) for this information. (N8)
We regret to report the death of Dr Eric Farr (1949-57) in November 2007. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for 20 years. He was a Lecturer at the Aberdeen University’s School of Agriculture. He was also a keen and extremely competent sportsman. He won a Soccer Blue and was prominent in promoting sport in Scotland, for which he was awarded an MBE in 1996. We extend our sympathies to his wife, their three children and their families. An obituary and other memories appear in Newsletter no 7.
John Griffin (1953-60) qualified as an architect in 1969 and as a town planner in 1981. He worked in historic building conservation, and retired in 2002, but he still does consultancy work and is Secretary & Director of the Oxfordshire Buildings Trust. He is married, with three sons. (N8)
Tony Bennell (1956-60) runs an entertainment agency. He also works a few hours a week as an estimator at a local printers and, on a casual basis, for Oxford University as a Proctors Officer. This has involved ‘policing’ rowdy students when they leave the Exam Schools following their Finals, as well as ‘crowd control’ on Matriculation and Degree Days. His email address is tonybennell@hotmail.com. (N8)
Alan Meech (1956-61) worked in the building industry after leaving school, starting his own general building company in 1990. (N8)
Dr Roger Lambert (1957-62) is still working as a Research Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences at Aberdeen University, but retirement beckons in 2010. (N8)
Kevin Teal (1961-66) writes: “About 5 years ago I met Fred Lay’s daughter. She lives (or did then) in Appledore North Devon, just up the road from me.” (N8)
William Edginton (1959-65) writes: “After a couple of false starts (kicked out of university, left an accounting job to go travelling) I ended up in public service; I became a civil servant. I’m still there, as a surveyor, valuing properties usually for unpopular purposes. Except for holidays, I have never moved far. I live ten minutes walk north of the city centre and pass the old School most days – no, I don’t avert my eyes.” (N8)
Richard Sumner (1959-66) relocated to Cornwall in 2004 after many years in Wheatley. He work for over ten years with Pergamon Press before setting up his own business Kopyouts. From 1990-2000 he was with the National Blood Service in Oxford and afterwards with the Oxfordshire Ambulance Service. He is now Project Manager for the WRVS in Cornwall. He is a regular visitor to Oxfordshire where his children, his sister, his grandchildren and his parents still live.
Richard is also studying for an MA in Public History at Ruskin College. He writes: I am a keen writer, with some publishing success. In 2007 I won the Alisdair Whisker prize for creative writing at Ruskin College. I am currently developing a musical project for the stage….Other interests include Astronomy, Rugby (Bath RUFC) and car rallying. He is a member of the Oxford Motor Club, the Historic Rally Car Register and the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation.
Paul (Kim) Kimbrey (1964-66, then Oxford School) joined the Thames Valley Police in 1971 and retired 31 years later with the rank of Inspector. He still works for the police as a Pension Manager. (N8)
RECENT ENTRIES from August 2007 to March 2008
Francis Arthur Jefferies (circa 1928-33), known as Arthur to most people, and Jeff as an Amateur Radio Ham, was born in Faringdon in 1917, and moved to Oxford at an early age, where the family lived initially at the Barclay’s Bank in the High Street, and then moved to 1 Lovelace Road, North Oxford in the 1930s. He was apprenticed at Lucy’s Ironworks in the drawing office, then became a draughtsman at Pressed Steel / British Leyland, where he worked until retirement in the early 1980s. He was president of the Oxford & District Amateur Radio Society for several years. He started the hobby of Amateur Radio when he was just 13, which proved to be a lifelong interest until he passed away in September 2004, aged 87. He was an expert on Morse Code, and during WWII taught it to the services. Information provided by his daughter Helen Moran. (N7)
Robert H. Watts (1927-30 – died 1996) Brother David writes: Robert started school at a Miss Bedwin’s in Chipping Norton, where our parents farmed. We then moved to Home Farm, Bladon. After finishing school, Robert took on Mill Farm, Hanborough, later helped to run our mother’s farm at Sandford St Martin. In 1939 he gave up farming and joined the R.A.F. with the Pathfinders as Squadron Leader. He was awarded the D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross). He was married to a Yorkshire lass during WW2 and had 3 sons, who all emigrated to Australia. After WW2 he joined his father-in-law as an estate agent in Harrogate and Leeds. Later in life he and his wife joined their sons in Australia, built his own house, was part time in real estate and really enjoyed life. He died in 1996. (N7)
Thomas E. Watts (Edward) (1929-31 – died 2004). His brother David writes: Thomas attended Miss Ward’s School in Woodstock, Bedford House School, then COHS. Left school from ‘Remove’ to help on father’s farm in Stadhampton. Later took on Kiln Farm, Garsington. He was a Lieutenant in the Home Guard during WW2, and had 3 sons. He died in 2004. (N7)
Peter A. Watts (1929-36) Died 1943. His brother David writes: Peter went to Miss Ward’s School, Bedford House School and COHS. He always cycled to school from Bladon to Oxford. On leaving school joined Barclays Bank in St. Aldates. Was in the Territorial Army part time, and joined the Army in 1939 and was stationed in Northern Ireland. In 1940 he transferred to the R.A.F. and did his training in Canada. He was a Pilot Offier in Bomber Command, and lost his life over Germany in December 1943. He was married, and his wife was in the British Red Cross in Northern France in 1944. She was awarded the OBE. (N7)
E J (Ted) Painting (1931-38) died on 4th January 2006 at the age of 88. David Manners has kindly sent us the following obituary:
Ted was educated at Sts Phillip and James and the COHS. He excelled at school, and read Maths at Jesus College. He retained an interest in the historical development of Mathematics.
His studies were interrupted by war service, serving as a gunnery officer from El Alamein throughout Africa. He then returned to the UK, missing Italy, which he considered saved his life.
He taught at Latymer Upper School and lectured at Westminster College. He had a strong Christian faith. He was musical, playing both the piano and the ‘cello. He was a keen dinghy sailor as a member of the Medley Sailing Club, opposite Port Meadow, where he held offices over many years, latterly as a Trustee until his death, After his active sailing days he would be routinely seen at the sailing club taking afternoon tea.
Ted was a member of COSA and its predecessors. He was gentle and unassuming, a scholar and a gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
He asked for donations to Sobell House and/or cancer research in his memory. (N7)
David A. Watts (1934-37) writes: I attended Miss Ward’s school, then the COHS. I sometimes cycled to school with my brother! I was a slow learner, near the top of the class to start, (Nemo Repente Sapit), but near the bottom on leaving school! I did, though, scrape through my School Certificate. Tried to get a job at Barclays Bank, but ended up helping to run my mother’s farm with my brother R.H.W. (1927-30). I was in the Royal Navy from 1939 to the 1st. April 1946. Married 27th April 1946, I have 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 5 greatgrandchildren. I went to Northhampton Agricultural College (46/47), and managed several farms in Oxfordshire. I took on a smallholding in Aston, Bampton, then back to the family farm in Stadhampton as a dairy and beef farmer. Retired in 1983, resumed my hobby in woodworking and woodturning. Later helped my son-in-law as an electrical contractor. Life has never been dull! Sadly I lost my wife in December 2006 after a 62 year partnership. (N7)
Don Bennett (1940-45), who lives in California, his happy for his email address to be published. It is oxforddon@roadrunner.com. (N7)
Ernest (Em) Ames (1941-46)
1946 – 1948. With the 2nd Bn East Yorks Regiment in Middle East, mainly Egypt.
1948 – 1950 Mechanical Draftsman with the GEC in Coventry
1950 – 1957 With the design team at the ALVIS LTD in Coventry
1957 – 1963 In Adelaide as Design Draftsman with the South Australian Woods and Forest Department.
1963 – 1971 Transferred to South Australian branch of the Commonwealth Post Master General’s Dept In 1963 Remarried – Elizabeth, an Australian girl. Two sons.
1971 – 1984 Chief Draftsman in the South Australian Engineering Branch of Australia Post.
1984 –Suffered a massive heart attack in April of 1984, which curtailed his activities. Main hobbies are computing, model trains and machine embroidery.
Em would like to make contact with old friends. Email – gear@picknowl.com.au.Snailmail – 13 Jennifer Drive, MORPHETT VALE, South Australia, 5162. (N7)
Roy Beaumont (1940-48) read geography at Keble. His first job was as a sales management trainee for W&T Avery, followed by a few years as a market research executive with the international advertising agency Benton & Bowles. In 1962 he joined Ted Bates (at that time the third largest advertising agency in the UK) as an Associate Director, subsequently becoming Director, Managing Director and Chairman. The company was bought by Saatchi in 1983. Email address: roy.beaumont@btinternet.com.
Retiring as Chairman, Roy the became Adviser on the global marketing and advertising of all Mars brands, travelling for six months of the year world wide for ten years. Finding the work of sorting out disasters at short notice socially disrupting, he retired again to take up a part-time consultancy advising Banque Générale in Belgium and ABN-Amro in Holland. He finally retired in 2003. (N7)
Robert (Bob) Gee (1941-48) did his National Service with REME, then went up to Keble to read Mathematics and Physics. Following 20 years in industry he joined BSI, Standards Division, being responsible for directing work on a wide range of standards. In retirement he is involved in local village activities in Kent, such as NADFAS, U3A and the IAM. He has given up squash for croquet. Wise man!
Michael J Breakspear (1943-49) worked until 1965 in the Surveyors Department of Oxfordshire County Council, apart from two years National Service with the Royal Engineers. Thereafter he became Principal Bridge Design Engineer4 with Wiltshire County Council. He retired in 1992, but still lives in Wiltshire near Corsham. (N7)
George Pulley (1944 -49) started out in accounts at Oxfordshire Farmers Ltd. He then had a research post at the Pressed Steel Company for seventeen years. From 1968 to 2002 he worked as a private detective with the Oxford Detective Bureau which was founded by his father. He has been President of the Association of British Investigators and a Board Member of the World Investigators Network. (N8)
Brian Cooper (1945-50) did his National Service with the RAF. He has spent his working life principally in Sales, and was Field Sales Manager and Branch Manager with the Save & Prosper Group. He is now semi-retired, with a part-time job as a membership assessment manager. He keeps fit with gardening and walking his retriever, and keeps the mind active with bridge. Wife June and Brian celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2007. They have a daughter living in Perth, Australia and two sons locally. (N7)
We regret to inform members of the sudden death of Patrick G Stone (1946-52) in September 2006, whilst visiting one of his daughters in Canada. We express our condolences to all the family, including another daughter, Caren White, who kindly let us know, and has forwarded to us the many school magazines that Patrick accumulated over some 16 years. (N7)
Mike Smith (1946-51) writes: I started at the High school in 1946, form 1b, but left in 1951 having cocked up my maths O level. Too cocky by half, I thought that I could sail through it without doing any revision over the previous 6 months. Mind you I did not do a lot of revision for the other subjects but managed to scrape through them.
I played rugby for the Oxford Youth team who were eventually taken over by the Oxford Rugby Club and also the Old Boys side with Bill Wheal as captain. Following various rugby injuries I then played hockey with the Oxford Hockey Club thinking that it would be safer but after having several balls whistle past my ear and getting my shins whacked, especially by the women when I played in various mixed teams, I revised my thinking.
I joined Barclays and eventually retired in 1992 when they closed the branch. I did my National Service in the RAF – Air Traffic Control clerk- based at Llandow South Wales. I produced three children (with the help of Jenny) who are now adults.
On leaving Barclays I initially helped a friend out as a driver but got bored and as Jenny and I were planning to get a narrow boat, I went to the local Maidenhead College on a 3 year sandwich course and got a National Diploma in marine engineering. I realised that I had been in the wrong type of work for most of my life as I enjoyed working on engines and getting up to my elbows in grease & muck.
Having spent many happy days and weeks sailing in the Solent & across channel, both as crew and skipper, I did a little teaching on navigation & sea –craft & planned to buy a sailing cruiser but Jenny did not like the water going up & down & being out of sight of the land hence the purchase of a narrow boat. In 1995 we bought a new narrow boat and spent all our summers May – October cruising the waterways of England.
We moved from Maidenhead in 1997 to Peterborough and bought a bungalow with a mooring at the bottom of the garden . We have just sold the boat as Jenny had had a stroke 4 years ago and was finding it more & more difficult to keep her balance. I have now taken up bowls both indoors & out.
My email address is roclan@btinternet.com, and I should welcome contact with by old friends from 1b in particular. (N7)
Terence Bunce (1947-51) has retired from the University of Warwick, School of Engineering, Warwick Manufacturing Group. From 1959 to 1965 he worked with Morris Motors in Cowley. (N7)
Peter Borbone (1948-53) retired a couple of years ago from a local insurance brokers, having previously worked for the General Accident Insurance Group for 31 years. Married, with 5 children, he lives in Worthing. His interests are bowls, Worthing Rugby Club and Freemasonry. (N7)
Eric Farr (1949–57) who has died in 2007 aged 69, was a keen sportsman, as a player and coach. He played football for Oxford City, starting when he was still a pupil at the City of Oxford High School. He would often play rugby for the school on a Saturday morning, then turn out for City on the left wing in the afternoon.
While studying at Hertford College, he won a place in the Oxford University football team and became the first High School boy for 30 years to win a soccer Blue. The highlight of his university sporting career came in the annual Varsity match when he scored twice in Oxford’s surprise 3-1 victory over Cambridge at Wembley.
Later Dr Farr moved to Scotland and became a lecturer at Aberdeen University’s School of Agriculture. But sport remained an important part of his life. He spent many hours coaching young people in a range of activities, including squash and football. His squash pupils included former world champion Peter Nicol. He was also a keen golfer and was president of a Scottish golf club for 12 years. In 1996, he received the MBE for his services to sport.
Dr Farr, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for more than 20 years, leaves a widow, two daughters, a son and five grandchildren. The funeral service was held at Aberdeen Crematorium.
Our thanks to the Oxford Mail which published this obituary.
Additionally Peter Burke (1954-62) has offered the following on Eric: In addition to his prowess at soccer, rugby, squash and golf, he was an outstanding cricketer, and scored many centuries for the First XI at COHS. His opening partnership with John Wyatt was responsible for a number of records. Peter Strongitharm describes his captaincy as “inspirational”.
In addition to the MBE, he received dozens of awards from universities, the Scottish Sports Council and the Scottish Squash Association. He was coach to the Scottish Universities Golf and Squash teams.
Eric was also a great inventor and patented a number of training devices for squash and golf.
Even after he was struck down by Parkinsons in 1988, he continued to coach and write. He once remarked: “Sport is my life”.
It was always Eric’s dream to live next to a golf course and he achieved this when he and Helen moved to Newburgh-on-Ythan, north of Aberdeen, in 1970. His enthusiasm for golf led to many youngsters in the village taking up the sport and becoming scratch golfers. Among his early tutees was a young Paul Lawrie, who went on to become the British Open Champion. How many people can say that they coached both the World Squash Champion and the British Open Golf Champion? Eric Farr certainly could!
His funeral in Aberdeen was attended by almost 300 mourners, including many youngsters who wished to pay their respects for all the work he did for youth sport. This was a testimony to the high regard in which he was held.
Eric was my Best Man, and one of my oldest friends. We played golf together all over Scotland and the thing I shall remember most about him was his infectious enthusiasm and competitive spirit in everything he did. (N7)
Les Green (1951-55) held a number of clerical posts in the Oxford automotive industries until his retirement in 1991. (N7)
WHOOPS! Bill Allen (1951-56) writes: “I read in the latest newsletter that I have deceased. I would suggest whoever furnished this information should be corrected! (Editor: My apologies. Please reinstate him in your address book! I have now undeceased him in our records.)
I worked for Carter Jonas (estate agents) for 2 years, Morris Motors and BMC for 21 years, then Unipart (merchandiser) until I retired in 1999.
I played rugby for Oxford Marathons for twenty-three years and was on their Committee until they amalgamated with Oxford Old Boys (ex Old Oxford Citizens) in 1996/7 to become Oxford Harlequins . I am currently on the Oxford Harlequins Committee and I am also on the Oxfordshire Committee, in fact I am starting my second year as President (a great honour!). For your info I am following in the footsteps of Mike Bye, Mike Boddington, Peter J. Stone and Ian Kempson. I currently hold most of the rugby records for the Citizens and Old Boys.
I am very pleased to read about Eddie Sherman and John Hardaker in the current newsletter. We were in the same form. I also see you have info on Stan Taylor (though I’m sure we didn’t call him Stan– perhaps David). Cheers Bill Allen (W.M. Allen 1951-56). nickname Gubby (courtesy Flee). (N7)
Dr Donald Bodey (1951-58) died in September 1993 following a walking accident in the Lake District. He went to Christ Church Oxford before qualifying at Oxford Medical School. He joined a medical practice in Moss Side in 1967. He was involved from the start in the Hideaway Youth Project, a centre mainly for the black youth of Moss Side, and served as its Chairman for more than 17 years.
During the Moss Side riots of 1981, when many of the victims of the violence were his own patients, his drawing room became virtually a casualty ward for the wounded. He spoke out publicly about the extent of police brutality against black youth forv which he had to endure death threats and a deluge of hate mail.
Don Bodey was an undogmatic Christian. Always ecumenical, he was a leading figure in the United Peoples’ Church in Moss Side. He founded and was Chairman of the Campaign Against Poverty. He loved music, theatre and opera, but led an unostentatious life. He left a wife, Carol Arthurs, and three children. (N7)
Dr Bob King (1952-59) lives in Chipping Campden. His email address is magicbob7@msn.com (N7)
John Geach (1958 – 63) writes: “ Since the viscissitudes of a misspent youth have lived quietly in a little place near where our family land is, making and mending musical instruments and seeing to family affairs. I am counter in my local church and captain of the bell tower and do social volunteer ‘bus driving. A pillar of the community and seldom away from home. Hobbies: equestrianism and chamber-music, and informed drinking. Bishops Castle is a beer mecca and I have a cellar.” (N7)
John Ireland (1959-64) We regret to report the sudden passing of John on 10 August 2007, and send our condolences to his mother, wife, four children and their families. (N7)
Fred Heritage (1962-66) is married, with one daughter. He runs his own business in the franchised retail motor trade, and also does business consultancy. He keeps fit by doing y2 marathons, cycling and walking. (N7)
David Cartwright (1961-66) teaches Latin at Dulwich School in South London. I have just come across an entry by him on the web – “Nota bene: Latin is back”. The article appeared in the Daily Telegraph about 12 July 2006 and can be retrieved via www.telegraph.co.uk/education. David has devised a new teach-yourself course, which takes learners to GCSE level in 50 lessons, and it is available on ebay. If you have largely forgotten what Snoop Atkinson tried to drum into your thick skull, why not try Cartwright! (N7)
Colin Janes (1961-66) writes: “Thanks for sending the photo pages and for letting me know about Tony Gilmore and David Cartwright. I remember Cartwright particularly because we did Ancient Greek together. He went on to read Greats at Oxford and I ended up at King’s London. After a year or so in London (sharing a flat with Peter Howard Stooke, my best friend at school) I landed a job in Greece and worked there until 2003.
I’ve enjoyed looking over the website today and it has brought back a lot of old memories. One teacher I did have contact with after leaving school was Mr K.G. Rooke. It must have been around 1976 when I last saw him, with his wife at their home in Abingdon. I was very pleased to hear the Mr Sutton is still alive but assume Mr Rooke, never seen without his pipe, left us long ago. A few years ago I met a nephew of Mr (?Len) Bielby, the maths teacher, and was told that he had died “many years ago”.
Thank you very much for tracking me down. I have to go to Gatwick early tomorrow so will join COSA on my return. (N7)
MORE RECENT ENTRIES
Ronald Easterbrook (1926-33) obtained a Second Class in Modern Languages at St Catherine’s Society and became Captain of the Boat Club. He took up a teaching post at The Crypt School, Gloucester. During the war he worked in the Intelligence Corps. He left in September 1952 to become head of the Department of Modern Languages at the Belfast Academical Institution. He was involved with the School Journey Movement and the Educational Travel Association. Unfortunately, he died at the start of his second term there when his plane crashed on 5 January at Nutts Corner, Belfast.
I have recently re-established contact with his wife and his three daughters so any information would be greatly appreciated. (N6)
Rupert Everett Billingham (1933-40) died in 2002 at the age of 81. World famous immunologist, unlucky not to have been awarded a Nobel Prize. (N6)
Gordon Harry Smith (1938-1943) died in May 2007. (N6)
K H P Bailey (1941-45) had a brief spell in the Navy before being invalided out with suspected TB, That did not prevent him from running for the Oxford University Athletic Club, of which he was President in 1946/7. (N6)
Michael Trickett (1942-47) started teaching at Sonning Common and moved to become Headmaster at Priorswood School in Taunton. In 1958 he started teaching in his birthplace, the Isle of Wight.
He then went to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, then back again to the Cayman Islands where he now lives. spent four years as Head of Technology at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, (N6)
Trevor Ford (1943-48) apologised for missing the 2007 AGM. He was in Luxemburg recording a trumpet concerto he wrote years ago for a young Luxembourg trumpeter, (now principal trumpet in the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra). (N6)
Alan Smith (1942-48) lives in retirement in Hertfordshire. (N6)
W Antony Williams (1942-48) is now retired and lives in Cheshire. (N6)
Bryan Webb (1946-50) lives in Ontario. (N6)
Tony Howkins (1946-51) is living happily in retirement.
Email address; howk@tadaust.org.au (N6)
George A (Joe) Bleay (1948-53) was in the motor trade for 33 years, ending up in charge of a large sales operation which sold new and old vehicles to both retail and business customers in Oxfordshire. He took early retirement in 1997. (N6)
John Hardaker (1950-56) keep my technical interests going with an interest in computing and, of course, music. (N6)
Ed Sherman (1951-56) is now self-employed as a business consultant. (N6)
Ken Brown (left 58) retired from Barclays Bank after 36 years of work in 1994. and now works for Oxon County Council. (N6)
Pat Hayward (left 1958) Still performing. Now producing shows. (N6)
Robert King (left 1959) is retired ans lives in Tarporly, Cheshire. (N6)
Terry Sharp (left 1959) Having served for 30 years in Thames Valley Police he now works as a Health & Safety Advisor in the Construction Industry. (N6)
Tony Bennell (left 1960) retired in 2004Since late October 2005 he has been working for a few hours each week at a local printers as an estimator. (N6)
Derek Bird (left 1960) lives in Grafton Regis near Milton Keynes. (N6)
Geoffrey Cox (left 1960) Project Manager at Hampshire County Cricket Club. Married with one daughter aged 26, house in Lymington and France. (N6)
Peter Jarvis (left 1960) livees in south-west France, still plays the clarinet with a French orchestra composes a variety of music. (N6)
Michael P (Mike) Kelly (1953-59) started as a student apprentice at the Pressed Steel, and by 1975 he was Deputy Laboratory Manager and Chief Pain Chemist there. He moved to BL Cars and by 1987 he was Director of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Following a further move to Alcan Automotive he was between 2003 and 2006 Vice-President. Global Programs in Detroit. (N6)
Rupert Matthews (left 1960) retired in 2002 after 42 years in the Civil Service. (N6)
Ken Taylor (left 1960) Worked abroad for years as a communication skills trainer and is now based in London. (N6)
Tony Wood (left 1960) lives in Shanklin and workspart-time for the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind. Has been a Governor at Ryde High School for the past five years. (N6)
Peter J Hewitt (1958-61) is enjoying retirement with travel and various hobbies including railways, photography, maps, swimming and the internet. Peter.j.hewitt@btinternet.com. (N6)
Geoffrey Bloomfield (1957-63) feels that his time at school gave him a better education and an appreciation of the real world. This was the start of his education, and he then went on to study at the “university of life. (N6)
John Krebs (1956-63) (Lord (John) Krebs of Wytham in the County of Oxfordshire is currently Principal of Jesus College. He was created a Baron in April 2007. (N6)
Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath (1960-66 + one year at Oxford School) was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Justice on 28 June 2007. (N6)
Tom Hanks (1964-6, then Oxford School) spent the first few years after school in Australia, but returned in 1969. (N6)