Gordonian Awards

This summer we say farewell to our 2018/2019 Gordonian Award winners who are now in Year 13 Ella Litjens (Sport) and Freya Keppel-Compton (Drama). We caught up with them to find out how they have found lockdown, being in their final year at Gordon’s School and embracing their passions which won them this prestigious award.

Ella Litjens (Sport)

Words by Ella: “In the Autumn term, despite circumstances, we have managed to play one Hockey game at school, which we won! After this most Hockey was virtual. My coaches suggested I follow some online training through Fortitude Hockey. In April some 1-on-1 sessions are resuming but I will not be participating in those as I will be prioritising my A level studies. I also worked on keeping up with my Umpire skills and followed a course online through GB Hockey Coach and Inspire initiative. During the lockdown I have been focusing on strength training and overall fitness with the ergo machine. It has been really a very challenging period both physically and mentally to stay focused and not to lose direction. I am really looking forward to going off to University and continuing with hockey at the next level. My final Award instalment was used to go towards purchasing a rowing machine which has enabled me to keep training throughout the lockdowns. Thank you for supporting me on my journey.”

Freya Keppel-Compton (Drama)

Words by Freya: “This term I am still in concert band and choir and we are working on pieces for Summer Arts evening. In Drama, we are doing the same. Once school is over I am going to make the most of the summer whilst of course keeping up my singing and flute practice and working on a few monologues. I am also hoping to go to some music concerts and theatre shows once things reopen. Next year, I will be working as an Au Pair in Germany. It may be difficult, but if I can I hope to find some sort of theatre group. I will also of course be taking my flute and continuing virtual singing lessons. I will also be applying for drama school again next year, so that will keep me plenty busy. For the year after, I have a place to study Linguistics at Cardiff however I am hoping to get into at least a foundation course at drama school by then. The award has paid for my singing lessons and will go towards my Drama school auditions. I am very grateful to the support of the Gordonian Award.”

GORDON’S SCHOOL TRIBUTE TO HRH PRINCE PHILIP

April 17th 2021, At 5.55pm The Last post was sounded at Gordon’s School as the Union flag was lowered at the end of the day on which HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral took place in nearby Windsor. Since his death on the 9th April until the 17th, flags at the School have been flying at half-mast. After the flag was lowered by Drum Major Rosie Roberts, Pipe Major Owen Carter played a lament outside the school chapel in tribute to His Royal Highness. The tribute was broadcast live on the School’s Facebook page. You are still able to watch it if you go to Gordon’s School Facebook page and search for ‘Prince Philip’.

PRINCE PHILIP MEMORIES

Denis Robinson – ‘Rev Rob’ and Housemaster and Teacher (1980–2017).

“I remember it being one of the hottest days that summer, the Queen and Prince Philip were visiting for the School’s centenary. They spent more than two and a half hours at Gordon’s with a packed programme of events and presentations. The arrival of the car was greeted by many West End Villagers and especially children from Holy Trinity School. One of the first School personalities presented to the Queen was the then Chairman of the Foundation of Gordon’s School, General Sir Charles Richardson. He accompanied The Queen and Prince Philip on their tour. By a stroke of pure fluke, as a Housemaster then, as well as a teacher, I was selected/told to be his aide-de-camp and consequently wherever Her Majesty went that afternoon I went too. I was fortunate to witness every part of the visit on that special occasion. I was present, for instance, when she unveiled a painting of General Gordon in the School Chapel dedicated to a former monarch and saint, Edward the Confessor. All in all it was a splendid afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed some of the informal conversation with Prince Philip who was both charming and amusing. I was very proud of the boys in my boarding house and especially of one Gary Drudge-Coates 8598 (1989) who was selected as the youngest pupil in the School to present the Queen with flowers, immediately after she unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit (picture above – I’m third in from the left).”

“I joined the OGA (Old Gordonians Association) Committee earlier in 1985 so was not party to any of the planning for the Royal visit that summer but was thrilled to be invited to attend. The front field, where all the action took place, had tiered seating (about 8 levels high) constructed and your ticket told you in which area to sit. The seating was erected so that it appeared like an arena with an entrance by the Chapel. After the entertainment the Headmaster led the Royal Party to his house where a select group were waiting to greet them and have tea on the lawns. As they were walking through the gap to the Head’s garden Prince Phillip stopped to speak to a handful of the guests including myself. I asked if he had enjoyed the visit, he said yes thank you and moved on. My five second brush with him was over so quickly but was quite thrilling.”

Lee Milligan 8547 (1987) Woolwich

“I was the Head flag marker for the parade on that day, small and older than the others (lol); we started behind the royal dais then onto parade Square on the main field, before the rest of the school marched on. I was also in the pageant – I played a young general Gordon. I took this photograph as The Queen was about to leave. I met Prince Philip; he thought I was about 10/11 but I was actually 14, just small for my age; he found it funny. I remember the police dogs checking the sewers and all the toilets twice a week before the day and obviously all the stands being built. It was a fantastic day.” “I remember the day so well. It was great. We did a Pageant based on the life of General Gordon. Woolwich house, as it was then, were given the Young Gordon to play and due to a severe lack of girls at the school, I was required to play one of his sisters along with, I think, two other boys. My best mate Lee Milligan played a young GG. This is a picture of me in my dress and someone managed to get a camel which was just brilliant!

At the end of the pageant we formed up an avenue, from the playing fields to the garden party tent, with Her Majesty taking one side and the Duke the other. The Duke stopped to talk to us poor lads dressed in Victorian dresses and asked us if we were first years. ‘No your highness, we’re fourth years’. As if being in dresses at an all-boys school wasn’t humiliating enough.”

Carl Davenport 8535 (1988) Khartoum

“The security for the Centenary had been planned for a couple of years. Parents were only allowed a few tickets each and every person was vetted. The night before there were military on duty in the school. The stands were arranged in a protective manner. After the parade a number of us were asked to re-enact the siege of Khartoum in a dramatization outside. We were all in costumes. I played one of the Mahdi!! At the end we formed two lines; Prince Philip went down my line and he shook hands with everyone, Her Majesty went down the other. It was a very bright and sunny day.”

Account kindly shared by Jayne, daughter of Joseph Mackenzie.

“My father Joseph and his brother Malcolm Mackenzie went to the School as young boys as their mother had died and their father was in the Army. They both did very well, my father excelled in sports and became Head Boy and Colour Sergeant. He was so proud to receive the Higginson medal from the Duke of Edinburgh. The photo was in pride of place in our family home. He was lucky to meet him again with the HRH the Queen during his military days. My father always talked fondly of his days at Gordon’s, he met a local girl, Rosemarie, the daughter of the school’s tailoress, whom he married, at West End church 1956. The two brothers would attend as many Annual days as possible until both sadly passed away. My Dad also looked after all the old graves of young boys at West End church.”

Thomas (Tom) Turnbull 6274 (1956)

In Mr Turnbull’s words:

“Leading up to the parade was a lot of hard work. It was the presentation of the new School Colour by Prince Philip; everyone was excited and there were a lot of rehearsals to ensure everything was just perfect. On the day the atmosphere was electric, everything went very well. I was only 17 at the time and I thought ‘blimey what an honour’. I didn’t get the opportunity to speak to Prince Philip that day in 1955, he was busy as you can imagine. I was a little disappointed about that then, little did I know that I would get the opportunity again years later. Gordon Boys really was the best 5 years of my life. It set me up for life with a set of principles that I’ve always abided by. You know – Standards – respect and discipline that have guided me well through my life. Everything about the School I loved. I played football all the way through. I enjoyed Longmoor trainings – used to be 16 Railway Transportation Centre R.E. I have been back to visit the school once since I left, I would like very much to go again. In 1985, leading up to the 100th Anniversary of General Gordon’s death, Gordon’s School phoned me, out of the blue. They had been trying to find me and, after two unsuccessful calls, they dialled the right number – mine. They went on to say that the Queen was presenting the new Colour to the school in July and that they would like me to come to the school and take part in the ceremony. I was touched. What an honour. On this occasion I did meet Prince Philip along with the Queen. It was magic.

The School guided me on what to wear which was a grey suit, white shirt and tie, very smart! I was invited to the School for the dress rehearsal and then back again for the big day. On Saturday July 8th 1985, I arrived at the School about 10.30am. Changed into my suit etc, then waited. At the given time I proceeded to the front of the already formed-up Parade. The Colour Sergeant approached and requested permission to march off the Old Colour. Having given permission, I waited until the Colour had been marched off and taken to the Chapel and laid up. I went to the Chapel and awaited the arrival of HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip. I got the chance to talk to them. I shook hands with the Queen and haven’t washed my right hand since (chuckles). She asked me what I did for a living. I told her I was a Civil Servant, at the time, working on logistics for the Army. I showed her the picture, from the first visit in 1955 when I was presented with the new Colour by Prince Philip, and she smiled and said ‘neither you nor Prince Philip has changed very much since then’. That day was very special to me. It was such an honour in 1985 to be part of marching off the old Colour which I had been lucky enough to receive for the school back in 1955. Wonderful memories indeed.” Today, Thomas enjoys volunteering at the Essex Wildlife trust and is known locally as ‘the badger man’ as he loves watching the badgers and escorting groups to go and watch them at the nature reserve. He’s been married 61 years and has 4 children. He would love to connect with any Old Boys who were at Gordon’s around the same time as he was. If you would like to connect with Tom – or any other Gordonian – please email me at gordonians@gordons.school