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140TH ANNIVERSARY WALK:

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One hundred and forty students, marched behind the Gordon’s Pipes and Drums from Brookwood Station to the school site in West End, recreating the one taken by the first boys from Gordon Boys’ Home over 100 years ago.

Welcome to the Autumn Edition of the Gordonian Magazine.

The 140 th Anniversary celebrations continue, providing some unforgettable experiences for students (and staff!) and reminding us all of the school’s heritage and what lies at the heart of it.

A stand-out moment was the invitation from His Majesty the King for the Pipes and Drums to visit Windsor Castle and perform for him, as well as being able to view General Gordon’s treasured bible, now housed in the State Apartments. A truly memorable day with His Majesty taking the time to talk to every single member (over 50 students) of the band before conversing with their proud parents.

The Windsor Castle visit was part of a 140 th Anniversary Tour by the Pipes and Drums of places associated with General Gordon. This has taken them to Southampton, Kent, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s and Rochester Cathedrals.

A first for the school was a ‘Giving Day’, during which 140 students, wearing their Blues, walked behind the Pipes and Drums from Brookwood Station to the West End site, recreating the walk made by the first boys of Gordon Boys’ Home.

The walk culminated in the official unveiling of the clock on the Parade Square, the renovation of which, was paid for by donations from you, the Gordonians. The clock, originally hand-wound and installed in the mid-1800s is now fully synchronised and repainted with gold leaf, ready to serve future generations.

The school’s first Giving Day was testament to the generosity of the whole school community and the esteem and affection in which you hold Gordon’s School. Thank you to all those who supported us in continuing General Gordon’s legacy of helping the disadvantaged child and ensuring that today’s and tomorrow’s students benefit from a Gordon’s education.

I hope you enjoy catching up with fellow Gordonians through these pages and seeing what the school has been up to. We are always delighted to welcome back Gordonians whether as visitors, careers speakers or through mentorship. Thank you for your continued support and interest in Gordon’s.

Andrew Moss Headmaster

Achance to meet up, reconnect and reminisce for Gordonians at the school’s 140 th Annual Parade and Prize Giving in the first week of July.

For the many Gordonians, it was also a chance to remember friends that had died during the year, at the Gordonians’ Memorial Service, held in the school chapel of St Edward the Confessor and led by the School Chaplain, the Reverend Graham Wright.

The Colours were carried by Richard Power 8074 (1982) with Joshua Buckland 10751 (2009) giving the Bible Reading. Paul Ivory 7937 (1980) read the names of Gordonians who had died since June 2024. They were: Robert Kidd 6822 (1956);

Afterwards, some also seized the opportunity to prove they’ve still got it, by taking part in the Big

with the Gordon’s Pipes and Drums Band!

There were additional opportunities to catch up over lunch before the Annual Parade, made extra special by the Pipes and Drums forming into 140 in recognition of the 140 th anniversary of the school!

The next Annual Parade will take place on Saturday 4th July – all welcome!

Malcom Gary 8080 (1981); William Jupp 6642 (1959); Jack Newbury 10066 (2004) and former staff member Stephen Long.

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I t has kept the school running on time since the mid-1800s but had worn over the years and needed either replacing or renovating. Now, thanks to generous donations by Gordonians, the much-loved Victorian clock on the Parade Square, which originally boasted a hand-wound mechanism, is fully synchronised with gold leaf hands and Roman numerals and is set to serve generations to come.

The time piece was the focus of attention at the 140 th anniversary commemorations when the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Cllr Louise Ashbery unveiled the plaques that will be placed on the pillars underneath it, providing the names of all those who generously donated towards its renovation.

A very special moment, enjoyed by Gordonians, staff and the whole school gathered around the Parade Square.

RICH POWER: CLOCK

GEORGE WHITEMAN:

Not every day a Gordonian visits the school in a helicopter! While his usual mode of transport to school was by car, Flight Lieutenant George Whiteman 11834 (2012 - 2017) made the ultimate entrance – in a Juno HT1 (Airbus H135)! George, a former boarder in Balmoral House, landed on the Front Field as part of his training for RAF Shawbury which requires him to conduct landings in fields away from his RAF base. The former Drum Major of the Gordon’s Pipes and Drums managed a quick “hello” to his former CCF commanders, School Staff Instructor (SSI) Phil Fox, Officer Commander (OC)

John Balmer; Squadron Leader Peter Mockeridge and Flying Officer Jamie Sumsion before heading home. Great to see you again George!

Afull complement of Gordonians for the wedding of a former GBS boy, Richard Power 8074 – 1977 to 1982. Richard, formerly of Gravesend House where he was House Captain as well as Deputy Head Boy married his sweetheart Gail from West End, whom he first met in 1981! The two of them finally married 44 years later in July in the Gordon’s School Chapel. The Reverend Denis Robinson, former Houseparent and School Chaplain and Richard’s RE teacher performed the wedding Service.

One of his two Best Men, Paul Pryke 8108 (1978-1982) also Gravesend, and one of the ushers was a current student, Calum McNeil his great nephew! Also in attendance were his nephew Rob Walker 8940 (1989-1993) (former Woolwich House Captain and Deputy Head Boy ), and musician Bob Webb!

Richard wore his old school tie for the wedding (complete with label containing his name and number!) and complimented this with a Gordon tartan waistcoat.

His sister created a ‘memory box’ with the Gordon’s crest, together with a shamrock and thistle entwined to honour his and Gail’s heritage.

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OLIVER HENDERSON: CHRIS MORLEY:

Former Head Boy and Pipe Major Oliver Henderson has returned to Gordon’s to help the Pipes and Drums with the Friday afternoon Drill. Ollie is currently studying for his articles and was keen to give back to the school.

A trip down memory lane for Chris Morley (8537) 1984-1989 and Mark Bucksey (8473) 1984-1987 who met up in Beaulieu to reminisce about their time at Gordon’s. Mark lives in Australia, where he works for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. He also managed to fit in a tour of the school and what was once his old boarding house, Gravesend, recalling many antics! We are hoping that both may be able to join the school in 2035 for the 150 th anniversary!

APipe Major for four years at Gordon’s, Chris Morley has continued his love of the bagpipes, performing for charity and for pleasure at his home in Beaulieu, Hampshire.

A boarder in Gravesend House, Chris was the youngest of three brothers to join the school, all boarding as his parents were based in Portugal, his father working for the Royal Navy. Chris’s older brother David (or Little Reg as he was nicknamed then) played the drums in the band and his Deputy Head of House, David Ashurst was the Pipe Major, who took him under his wing when he arrived at school - and so he was destined to join the Band! With one grandson already playing the drums, his grandmother persuaded him to take on the pipes!

His memories of learning the bagpipes was being transported by minibus every Wednesday to Pirbright Barracks and the old police MOD station where they practised in the cells! Scots or Irish Guards would teach the students tunes, them copying their teacher as none had learned to read music. “We would all sit in a room, which I suppose was the police station office and then we’d go off into a cell with the pipes, so we’d have four or five pipers in cells – and of course we got out of doing prep that night!” said Chris, adding: “My repertoire hasn’t really changed since school – I can still play exactly the same tunes I learned at school. It is ingrained.”

Particularly memorable was the drill competition “That became intense. Whoever was the Head of House suddenly wanted to just bellow at you. And if you didn’t get it right, you’d be back out there [on the Parade Square].”

Wednesday and Sunday were laundry days and he was paid 20p a week to take the Pipe Major’s clothes (kegs) and sheets down to the laundry and make his bed.

As well as his role as a Pipe Major, Chris was appointed as a prefect and Deputy Head of House. He reflected: “It really became my home, in fact for about three years after I’d left, I kept going back”.

Both his brothers, David and Richard joined the Royal Marines, (David as a drummer and bugler in the Band) but Chris left Gordon’s to study catering at Guildford Tech, continuing to play for the Gordon’s Pipes and Drums for two years after leaving. He eventually arrived at Lord Montagu’s family home, Beaulieu, in 1996 as catering manager then in 2001 became Lord Edward Montagu’s butler for 15 years until his death in 2015. Chris played The Lament at his funeral. He was a retained fire fighter for 24 years at the Beaulieu Fire Station until recently.

Today he is House Manager, running Palace House, both the public areas and private quarters and responsible for events, staffing, health and safety.

“I enjoyed my time at Gordon’s”, Chris said, adding: “I made the most of it”.

View the Gordon’s School historical photograph archive on our website at: www.gordonians.co.uk/photoboards

During his early days in the band, there were times when there was less than a handful of pipers and no Pipe Major “everybody wanted to be a drummer” said Chris, “because it was cool!”

With two sons in the Pipes and Drums for Queen Elizabeth IIs visit to Gordon’s, his mother made a special plea to the Royal visitor beforehand, asking whether Her Majesty could inspect the Band as well as the Parade. His mother still treasures the letter sent back from the Palace stating that the Queen does not inspect Bands! Nevertheless, Chris has fond memories of that Annual Parade and the ladies in their hats.

During Chris’ time at Gordon’s, there were no day boarders and he recalls just one student not coming from a Forces family. The Reverend Denis Robinson (who was later to become School Chaplain) was Head of Stuart House [a boarding house for first year students] and Chris remembers joining him as a prefect in the House as well as for communion classes: “I got on really well in RE and I actually did communion, just because he [Mr Robinson] was so entertaining”.

Students were given jobs to do such as cleaning the showers or dormitories in the morning before school, and they marched to the Cookhouse, Chapel, lessons, everywhere, recalled Chris. “Boarding Houses were very much run by the prefects - prefects were bringing me up” he reflected.

MAD DAY:

Clearing the Gordonian graves in Holy Trinity Church, West End as part of the school’s annual Make a Difference Day. Over 600 students ‘gave back’ in June, litter picking, painting, hammering in nails and entertaining the elderly in the community and beyond. For one nearby resident, students removed and installed a new fence in his garden before clearing his garden and mowing the lawn. At school, they built an eco garden and cycle track as well as painting and gardening in the Victoria House garden. Among the charities benefitting from the work of the students were the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care Retail Shops, Woking Foodbank and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

YEAR 13 LEAVERS:

Fast-becoming another Gordon’s tradition, that of welcoming the newest leavers to the Gordonian family with a drink at the Hare and Hounds in West End!

Held in September, just before they head to university, apprenticeships, overseas sports scholarships, and medical schools. The get-together attracted almost the entire year group!

Each Gordonian was also given a keepsake bag with useful items inside so they can’t forget their school!

A great time was had by all and we look forward to seeing them again at school or the Whitehall Parade.

Semper Fidelis

This year, the school commemorated General Gordon’s death and the subsequent building of Gordon’s as the National Memorial to the Victorian war hero.

Paul Smythe 8440 (1982-1986) was among those at Gordon’s for the 100 th anniversary, which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II. He writes: ‘At the time was in China House in my fourth Year but was selected as a Prefect for the Summer Term in Stewart House and was lucky enough to be chosen to be the Drill Instructor for Annual day and to march the House in the Parade and Inspection on the Front Field. It was the first time we had ever paraded onto the Front Field and it took a lot of practice, as I do remember weeks and weeks of extra drill exercises as the Sergeant Major wanted us all to be perfect for the Queen’s visit. My personal favourite memory is being chosen to escort the Queen and Prince Philip around the library and Gordon museum, as I was one of the museum curators at the time. At some point in the library the Queen turned to me and asked, “Well young man, what do you want to do when you leave the Gordon Boys’ School”? To which I hastily replied, “I want to be a fighter pilot in the RAF Ma’am”. Prince Philip quickly quipped, “So not in the Royal Navy young man?”. I stood my ground and stated the RAF was my first choice! (Paul had been offered sponsorship by the RAF during his A Levels and as an officer entry cadet. Ironically he never made it into the RAF but ended up spending over 20 years at sea!)

Paul recalled: ‘The whole day all happened so quickly and everything ran so smoothly without any hiccups, although I do recall the camel letting out copious amounts of gas!

‘It was an honour and a privilege to meet the Queen and Prince Philip and to be the Drill Master for Stewart House, one of my finest memories’.

On leaving Gordon’s, Paul travelled around Europe, working in the hospitality industry before being offered a job on a large private super yacht on the French Riveira where he worked as a private butler to Arab millionaires for three years. This was followed by taking and passing his Captains’ exams to become a qualified Master 3000GT Captain on super yachts.

He met his Australian wife to be while travelling in the Caribbean and the two settled in Australia where Paul now works with the Salvation Army as a Manager supporting the homeless and needy in his local community. He is also a keen runner.

He says of his time at Gordon’s: “It truly was a remarkable time in my life, my four years at Gordon Boys’ (1982-1986) gave me the grounding, respect, confidence and determination to make something of my life”.

He plans to return to Gordon’s in 2026 for the Annual Parade from his home in Queensland!

PAUL SMYTHE: PRETTY MUDDY: LIZ

They sprinted, ran, walked, hobbled or just cheered….and raised over £6,000 for Cancer Research UK! No obstacle was too muddy or wet for Gordon’s staff, who took on the Pretty Muddy 5k at Windsor Racecourse. The group decided on the fundraiser to support Gordonian Officer Harriet Turk,

who was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Great fun was had by all for a fantastic cause (and they’ve vowed to do it again next year!). Harriet, who is now free of cancer and looking forward to coming back to work, aims to join them in the next one!

MOCKERIDGE:

aking to the skies above Gloucestershire, the RAF CCF cadets with 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at Little Rissington. Particularly special for our cadets as one was flown by Gordonian Liz Mockeridge, whose father, Squadron Leader Peter Mockeridge has been involved in Gordon’s RAF section for many years. Thank you 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron!

CARA FALCONER:

A place in the Junior World Cup Hockey for Gordonian Cara Falconer 12574 (2017-2024), pictured during her days of playing in the first team for Gordon’s, who has been selected for Scotland’s U21 Women’s Squad to travel to Chile in December where they will compete against the best teams in the world. This is the first time since 2005 that Scotland has qualified for the Junior World Cup and it follows their gold medal success at U21 in the EuroHockey Championship, when Cara was also a team member.

SEREN HUGHES:

She’s

something of a trailblazer, one of the first students studying construction management, with an emphasis on sustainability at the pioneering NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) in Herefordshire.

Seren Hughes 11934 (2012-17) originally looked at universities, intending to study for a biology or geography-related degree. But nothing appealed due to the way of teaching and the size of the campuses. She decided not to go to university but instead go out to work before heading to Thailand to teach English as a Foreign Language. Her various jobs included working in cafes, and a factory before ending up at the Coffee Cart Company. It was while working there as a manager that she found herself on a team building course run by NMITE.

It was by chance that she started chatting to one of the professors at the university, who told her about the construction management with an emphasis on sustainability course. After securing a place on the course and a scholarship from AWE – Nuclear Security Technologies, she started in September and has discovered her passion!

“It’s totally in the opposite direction of anything I thought would do” said Seren, adding:

“I thought I was never going to go to university, was going to be one of the first in my family not to go and this fell in my lap.”

There are currently just three degrees offered at the university and Seren explained that the professors tend to be from an engineering or construction background. There are just 14 other people on her degree course, which is classroom based with assessment rather than exams.

The course attracts a huge age range of people – she is one of just three females – and from different backgrounds. So studying alongside her are students aged between 19 and 52 coming from careers such as the Navy and climbing instructing! “The university pushes the idea that you are never too late to go to university”.

“It has been absolutely brilliant!” she enthused, “The academics are amazing. They are really good fun. They know what they are doing because they are all coming from an engineering and construction background rather than coming straight into teaching. The resources here are brilliant as well.”

Since joining, she has developed a passion for sustainability, reducing carbon footprints and using space effectively. The course promotes the use of timber as opposed to bricks and steel.

Once the studying is finished, provided she does well, she will be guaranteed a place with AWE, but even if she decides to go elsewhere, this degree gives her the knowledge and skills she needs to build a career in many different sectors.

“They will be pushing us out into the world to make a real difference”.

OLLIE

STREETER:

Ayearago Ollie Streeter was studying for his A Levels at Gordon’s. In May his ‘dream came true’ as he played his debut game for Harlequins in their Big Summer Kick-Off 2025 against Gloucester. The tight-head prop, who earned a place at Gordon’s on the Gordon’s/Harlequins Partnership Programme, was capped for England at U18 and awarded a contract for Harlequins Senior Academy last summer. Family and friends, including students and staff from Gordon’s, watched his debut in the game that saw a resounding victory for Quins of 38-19.

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F our Gordonians turning out for Harlequins in their game against Saracens in November. All of the fab four left Gordon’s in the last 18 months and were invited to join the Senior Harlequins Academy. They are: Elliot Williams, Ollie Streeter, Theo Povey, Math Jones.

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Anewaddition to the Olden family of Gordonians Robbie and Amy (nee Dunn) 10718 (2011) and 10934 (2013) as they welcomed Theo. Robbie and Amy, both students at Gordon’s now teach at the school, Robbie as Director of Drama and Amy in the Maths Department. They are pictured (left) with their eldest born, Alfie, and new addition, Theo.

ST GEORGE’S HILL:

PAULA FUDGE: THE OLDEN FAMILY:

A popular Saturday morning activity, visiting the numerous Parkruns in the area. The Gordon’s crew, running at Frimley Lodge, came across Paula Fudge, chair of the Old Gordonian Runners club!

Athree ball and lunch at St George’s Hill Golf Club was kindly donated by Gordonian Dave Roddy 7570 (Gravesend 1970-1973) (far left) to be auctioned off to raise money for Gordon’s bursaries. The exclusive lot reaped a substantial sum for bursaries and proved a fantastic day out for these three. Thank you Dave!

OBITUARIES:

Alfred Borrett 5178 (1939-1943)

16 January 1926 to 30 July 2025

Alan Hale, who informed us of his death says:

‘After going through his effects we came across correspondence from Gordon’s School as recent as 18 months ago. He was very proud of his schooling and made note of it in his small book he wrote about his life. Alfred passed on the 30 th July after a very short illness. He fell short of his 100 th birthday by six months, this was the only promise and goal he never reached, his life was full and rewarding’.