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DIALOGUE Issue #5 2020
OBITUARIES It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of OGs from the RGS community over the past year. We rely on information coming to us from the OG and RGS community and every possible endeavour is made to ensure accuracy. Wherever possible we have included valete information from our School records.
Ronald Smith OG 1937. Nettles 1929-1937. School Prefect 1937. Gen School Cert 1937, Cert “A” 1936. OTC L/Cpl 1937. School Colours: Football 193435-36-37. House Colours: Rugby 1935-36-37; Cricket 1935-36-37. Member AFA Public Schools XI 1936-37. Member General Games Committee 1937. Member House PT Team 1935-36-37. After Ron left school, he worked in London for a motor insurance company travelling daily from Guildford. Eventually the company moved him to Brighton where he lived with his wife, Enid. He took early retirement in the early 1970’s. Always involved in the church, Ron was ordained as a minister of the United Reformed Church in 1978 serving churches in the Brighton area. His love of sport continued through his support of Sussex Cricket and Brighton and Hove Albion FC. His recollections of his RGS days were featured in DialOGue #4 p82 as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Died 12 July 2020. James Wakeford OG 1938. Nettles 1933-38. Cert “A” 1937. OTC L/Cpl 1938. Empire Marksman 1935-36-37-38. House Colours: Football 1937; Rugby 1938. Died 6 February 2020.
1940. House Colours: Rugby 1940-41; Cricket 1940-41; Athletics 1938; Boxing 1939-40 (Winner Class “D” 1939). Michael Staff OG 1979 who worked for Arthur wrote: “Arthur was a ‘true’ Guildfordian, born in Weston Road in 1924. On leaving the RGS he became a Captain in 114th Field Regiment, Burma. He subsequently trained as an architect and set up his architectural practice, merging with another to become Nye, Saunders & Partners in Guildford. Arthur was for many years Surveyor to the fabric of Guildford Cathedral, the appointed Diocesan Surveyor to the Guildford Diocesan Parsonages Board and held Inspecting Architect appointments ‘looking after’ numerous churches in the Guildford and Southwark dioceses. Arthur personally designed many of the replacement parsonages in Guildford Diocese built during the 1970’s and 80’s. A passionate sportsman, he was a member of Blackheath Cricket Club for many years. In 1952 he married Irene May Allison and they had two devoted daughters, Allison and Emma, and four grandchildren. He was a loving family man, charming, always smartly dressed and loved to entertain.” Died 6 April 2020. The poem below was written by Arthur’s grandson, Daniel Goddard, who lives in Singapore.
THE ARCHITECT My grandfather was an architect, Always designing from his chair, Surveying the world and its structures, Strong, pragmatic and fair. Imposing in the office, Difficult at times and often direct, Treated by those that knew him, With admiration and respect. Arthur Saunders OG 1941
Arthur Saunders OG 1941. Austen 1936-41. 2nd Class Scout 1938. Cert “A” 1940. JTC L/Cpl 1941. Empire Marksman 1941. School Colours: Football
Spring afternoons with his girls, The scent of rose petals in the air, Giggling and gossiping together Dressed for the occasion, debonair.
