OBITUARIES
We mark the passing of the following Latymerians who have sadly passed away recently. ■ Navtej AHLUWALIA (1987) Navi left Latymer and became a barrister. He was the Assistant Director of the AIRE Centre, an organisation giving the public and lawyers high-powered ‘Advice on Individual Rights in Europe’.
Museum, London where he rose to become Principle Scientific Officer. The University of Wales awarded his two research doctorates. Gwilym became Professor of Zoology at the University of Maryland, USA, then Professor of Agricultural Zoology, at University College in Dublin.
He had a superb ability to cut to the nub of complex legal arguments. Garden Court Chambers say that ‘His overriding Navi wish was to be of benefit to others’. Navi’s Sikh faith was a strong consolation to him as he battled illness.
■ Dr John FINCH BSc PhD FRS (1948)
■ Frederick Michael BARRETT BA BSc (1952) Fred obtained a degree in Agriculture at Reading University and later in Humanities from the Open University. He was a founding member of the School’s 1624 Society (for those who recognise our charitable aim to provide bursaries in their legacies). ■ Ronald Douglas BRICKELL (1943) Ronald was a member of the Latymer 1624 Society. ■ David Rogers BROUGH (1946) David joined the school in 1938 and the next year was evacuated to Norfolk. He later served with the Royal Engineers, mostly in Germany. David eventually settled and formed an architect practice in Norfolk, specializing in period restoration. He passed away in April 2017 leaving his widow, Olwyn with whom he shared an interest in music; both were organists. ■ John Brian CLARK MA (1953) John sadly died on 4 November 2017. John was School Captain in 1953-54. He fondly remembered some of his school teachers, especially Larry Elliott Head of Geography who guided him to read Geography at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. John played football and cricket for the Old Latymerians at Whitton. John resided in Australia until he returned to the UK in 2006. He always enjoyed receiving the print version of this newsletter. His late father, Arthur (1916) and his late uncle Percy (1923) also attended Latymer on scholarships, so his bond with the School goes back a century. ■ Dr Brian Philip DAY (1942) Brian had been a GP who had enjoyed a long retirement. He was one of four brothers who attended Latymer: David (1940), Colin (1941) and Alan (1947) together with their cousin, Frank (1933).
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■ Professor Gwilym Owen EVANS PhD DSc FSB (1942) Gwilym studied Zoology at Aberystwyth, University of Wales and went on to have a distinguished academic career, initially as a research scientist at Rothamsted Experimental Station, and then at the Natural History
Gwilym published over 100 papers in international scientific journals, and was author of two books. He retired in 1983, and he was honoured to be a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He leaves a widow, Angela.
John passed away on 5th December. John graduated in Physics from King’s College, London where he also gained his PhD in Biophysics. He was a distinguished Molecular Biologist, elected FRS in 1982. He was based for much of his career in the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory at Cambridge. ■ Derrick Frank HAVIS (1945) Derrick’s career included being Head of the Film Unit for the British Navy’s Scientific Service and later for British Aerospace. ■ The Venerable Edward Matheson NORFOLK BA (1940) Edward left Latymer to study History at Leeds University where he met his wife, Mary. He prepared for the priesthood at Mirfield. Following a curacy in Greenford he spent the rest of his work in the St Albans Diocese, culminating as Archdeacon. An active retirement followed in Sidmouth, Devon. In the war, Edward rowed in the School’s 1st, V111 when the Boat Club was relocated to Eton College. ■ Jonathan RIDGE (1987) Jonathan passed away after a short illness. His life pursued the natural world and a love of an outdoor life. He followed a youthful passion for birds and was in his local RSPB group active in North West London and Hertfordshire. Jon produced a number of local annual reports for the British Trust for Ornithology. ■ Robert Michael ROGERS JP BSc (1949) Mike’s National Service was a commission in the Royal Signals. At university, he gained Tennis and Squash Blues. His career started in GEC’s research labs, Wembley, then he worked for GKN Birwells in Birmingham before taking on a sales manager role and company directorships. Mike enjoyed sailing and he was a Yacht Master; he also served as a Magistrate. ■ Major William Stanley SANDERS-CROOK MBE MIMgt (1951) Bill had a long and busy career in the British Army until 1977. He was a Major serving in the infantry, with the Paras and the Rangers in Germany, Cyprus, Suez, Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore, MOD, Northern Ireland and Brunei. He represented the Army in Cross Channel Racing Canoeing and held the record for the Devizes-Westminster Race. Bill was awarded the MBE in 1972. In retirement he wrote four novels, became a company director and was the CEO of a £50m charity, Globe Run. He sang as a second bass in the Wells Oratorio Society.