MEMORIES OF RAY

Ray was a great friend to me, as you know, we became very close during the heyday of the Mill Hill School Rugby Football Social Club. I first met him at Headstone Lane in 1982, shortly after I arrived at Mill Hill, he was organising an OMs Colts game with Jim Kent. I requested some help in hosting a team that was coming over from Agen in France and he immediately offered. In the end we held a memorable dinner in the St Paul’s church hall. The way that Ray offered to help and then contributed so much time and effort to the successful hosting of the boys from France was so typical of him.

I always thought it was quite remarkable that he was prepared to spend so much time and indeed money supporting the school, in particular the rugby, despite the fact he didn’t have children there. All the other parents, who helped, had boys at the school and therefore a vested interest in our fundraising. His tireless efforts, ordering and unloading wine and glasses, shifting barbecues and working hard at events was quite remarkable.

At school Ray was an outstanding rugby player and swimmer, he immediately joined the OMRFC after leaving school and was a leading player during one of the Club’s most successful periods in the 50’s. Ray became a devoted Old Millhillian, his service to the Club was quite outstanding, culminating in his year as President, which I know he greatly enjoyed.

His service to the Management Committee, Alford House, The Lodge and the rugby club in particular was exceptional. He clearly loved his time at the School and was determined to support the old boys in so many ways. He was the leading contributor to the activities of the Club of his generation.

Ray and Dorothy were a great couple, she supported him in all OM activities and they made many friends in the Millhillian community, regularly attending the Annual Dinner and joining the European Tours. They were great friends to so many, they were a special couple.

It was a great shame that Ray became so unwell in his later years, he bravely fought his illness with his usual stoicism and fortitude.

I shall treasure many happy memories, enjoying his company on so many memorable occasions at Headstone Lane, Mill Hill, OM dinners and indeed on tours all over the world from South America to Torquay!

Chris Kelly Mill Hill Master 1981-1993

Ray was a wonderful man whom I got to know through rugby (Ray and Dorothy introduces me as a colt to OMs rugby and came as supporters on my three crazy OM Easter tours 10 years later too) and then as a fellow governor of Alford House.

Eddie Pratt, Collinson House 1979-1982)

I remember a conversation between Ray Hubbard and a boy in my dormitory. The boy had been caught talking after lights out. He begged Hubbard not to punish him, on the grounds that he very rarely broke the rules and there were many boys who offended more often. Hubbard explained that he had great sympathy for the wrongdoer and would dearly love to have overlooked the incident. But that it was his bounden duty as a House Prefect to report wrongdoers and to avoid giving grounds for accusations of partiality. It was the most civilised conversation I ever heard between a prefect and a culprit.

David Butler, Scrutton 1948 -54

I don’t think there are enough words to describe his contribution to rugby both at School or OM. The MHRSC organised and fundraised for school rugby tours, and Ray with Tony Smith helped Chris Kelly on many occasions. Ray ran the OM Colts for decades, hence being the close liaison between the OMRFC and MHS Rugby. I recall my first match as a sixth former, playing for the Colts on a Sunday at HL. Ray always on hand with clean kit, medical bag and the water on the sidelines. He always made sure we had everything to hand, and Dorothy was like our adopted Aunt!

Of course this was in hand with the Smiths too, but Ray led from the front. Never forget a match against Feltham Young Offenders at their ground which was basically within the prison walls. An uneasy match with many outbreaks of fights, but Ray looked after us in his usual way. He also took me on my first ever tour, at Easter down to Weston-Super-Mare/ Taunton. Travelling with the OM was of course a treat, but as a schoolboy Colt it was daunting but, like many others, I remember him buying our first beer on tour.

He really was an incredible person, never gave up on the cats and raised money to ensure we have new kit every season. Stood on the side-line in the pouring rain, as if we were all his adopted sons, shouting and supporting from the side-lines. My story isn’t unique, he was a mentor to many of us and will be sadly missed as the gentle, caring individual mentor he was for many of us.

Noyan Nihat, Collinson 1982-87

My memories of Ray date back to the time of the MHS Rugby Football Social Club during the 1980’s and early 90’s. Ray and Dorothy were immensely active at all of our fund-raising events including BBQ’s, Race Nights, Curry Lunches. They were first to arrive for the set up and, more often than not, last leave at the end. Ray was our “go to” man for the wine for all our events. Along with the likes of Ann and Tony Smith, Ron and Ros Morgan, Jim and Jill Kent and of course staff members like Chris Kelly and Tim Dingle, they were part of an immensely successful fund raising operation for rugby tours and, latterly, cricket and other sports tours. They were loyal and committed members of St Paul’s Church on the Ridgeway.

David Woodrow, MHS Master

Ray’s commitment to OM and school rugby, the OM Lodge, the Foundation and the OM Community at large is legendary. As many note above, his lovely wife Dorothy was also an active supporter of all his initiatives, as has been his son-inlaw, Huw Richards, who on numerous occasions has arranged for gifts and the President’s Chain to be elegantly engraved. Ray was fun to be with and generous with his spirit as well as his time. I am sure all Past Presidents and current and former members of the Club Management Committee join with me in recognizing his significant contribution to our welfare and enjoyment. We will miss him.

Peter Wakeham, Chair, Old Millhillians Club

Ray was an outstanding rugby player and I still have an OMRFC, Headstone Lane, Rugby Programme, dated March 1954, which shows the OMs team list and includes Ray and myself.

Rodney Haynes