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OMNIA
Issue 08 Autumn/Winter 2020
OBITUARIES
ANDREW ROLLAND
(OC 1959 – 68) I was a close friend of Andrew, as we grew up, since the Rolland family lived opposite us on Stanstead Road in Caterham. Younger by a couple of years, Andrew followed me first to Hillside School in Tupwood Lane, then to Oakhurst Grange in Stanstead Road, and finally to Caterham School as day boys and while in different age groups we often walked to and from school, together with his younger brother Martin, using a footpath that ran from Stanstead Road/Beech Grove down to Pepper Alley and to Harestone Road. As important were the usual non-school activities of the group of friends living in Stanstead Road. These ranged from rambling through the local woods and often quite far afield, owning an old Austin 7 and Morris cars which we drove, well under age, in the neighbouring fields, cricket games and tennis on a neighbour’s court and snowball fights in winter. Andrew was interested in things mechanical from an early age and I recall as boys having fun with a methylated spirit fuelled toy engine at his house. His family were keen on sailing and later, but still at an early age and with his father’s help, Andrew constructed a Mirror dinghy in their garage. This was a beacon for the future since Andrew was destined in time to follow his father’s profession and to have a distinguished career as a marine engineer/surveyor. Andrew’s serious side was evident even in those youthful and fun-filled days. I regret that after having been so close, we lost touch gradually once I went to university earlier than Andrew and then, on graduating, returned to begin work in New Zealand. Thereafter, we met again in Caterham when I was visiting from overseas and we had news of each other from mutual friends: it was a distant friendship although the memories of the many happy times spent together in Caterham remain strong. ■ Written by Wade Armstrong (OC 1957 – 66)
One of Andrew’s great enthusiasms was sailing. He graduated to a Firefly and took Wade and me on our first sailing trip from Dell Quay in Chichester harbour. This was a unique experience, as there was very little opportunity in Caterham being on the chalk-based North Downs. Andrew went to Newcastle University to study marine engineering, where he met Margaret and moved back to Caterham to raise a family, Philip (OC 1983 – 1994) and Sarah (OE 1981 – 1995) in Loxford Way, just down the road from the School. Later on, Andy’s family had sailing yachts down in Chichester Harbour and my wife and I were delighted to go sailing with his family on their Moody 29. As a result, we succumbed and bought our own boat and kept it in Chichester Yacht Basin until my daughter arrived. We have had a love of boating and sailing ever since. Subsequently, we had a number of dinghies and a river boat on the Thames in Windsor. My mother remarried and moved away from Dome Hill, Caterham, so we rarely visited Caterham and as a result we rather drifted apart from Andrew and Margaret and eventually they moved north to Darlington in Durham on Andrew’s retirement. ■ Written by David Burch (OC 1958 – 1967)
As has been mentioned, Andrew left Caterham School and proceeded to Newcastle University to study Marine Engineering, graduating in 1971. He was lucky enough to go to sea and put theory into practice during the long vacations – twice to the Caribbean and finally on a six week trip to Canada and back. Orders were changed and they sailed from Quebec, south, and through the Panama Canal, to New Zealand and then to Australia where they sailed all the way up the east coast and saw the Great Barrier Reef. A memorable occasion and one he always cherished. After a couple of years working in a shipyard on the Tyne, Andrew and Margaret moved south to Caterham
where they stayed for 40 years. Andrew’s love of water and sailing saw the family enjoy a variety of dinghies and small yachts, on local lakes and reservoirs and latterly on the South Coast. Andrew also worked on many river and marine craft around the south east of England and especially on the River Thames. After retiring to Darlington Andrew still enjoyed being beside the water, walking many miles of the Teesdale Way or the coastal paths in County Durham and North Yorkshire. His love of engineering was still strong, and he volunteered along with like-minded gents, at Tees Cottage Pumping Station in Darlington, where there is a wonderful fully functioning steam driven beam engine and also a working (but far more noisy) gas engine that also still pumps water from the Tees on the Open Weekends. Andrew has left a great legacy. He was a loving husband, father and brother. He leaves us all with great memories and lasting passion for our times together as a family, at sea, whilst sailing and in our engineering endeavours. ■ Written by the Rolland family