11958 RGS ONA Magazine 78_V 18/12/2009 20:37 Page 14
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ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine
Obituaries Hugh Patterson Deputy Head, Junior School 1960-1982 A remembrance by Colin Patterson (60-69)
My father Hugh Patterson died on 7 May 2008, aged 90. He taught at the Junior School from September 1960 until his retirement in December 1982, and was Deputy Head during most of that period. Of all the things in his life, Hugh was probably most proud of his association with the RGS. As a child he had passed the entrance examination for the Senior School, but was not able to take up a place, as his parents could not afford the fees. It was therefore a source of great satisfaction for him to spend the best part of his teaching career preparing Junior School boys for Senior School entrance, and to see his sons and grandsons going through the school.
Alan Anderson (19-25) born 1909, died September 2009, aged 100. James William Walton (34-39) born 1923 died 30 June 2009, aged 86 Ian Angus (31-37) born 1919, died 7 August 2009, aged 90.
I was in Hugh’s class for a year, and had the interesting experience of being a pupil called by my surname during the school day, then a son called by my Christian name once we left the premises. He was most careful to avoid any favouritism. As a teacher, I found him methodical and patient, yet ambitious for his pupils’ progress: he knew that bright children enjoyed being stretched. I remember the thrill of learning some elementary algebra, getting a sneak preview of what properly belonged to the Senior School syllabus. One regularly found that Hugh knew a surprising amount about all sorts of things. An all-rounder, he was able to teach most subjects, both in the classroom and on the sports field. He took over the teaching of art when R.B. Bertram retired, and when the Junior School moved from Eskdale Terrace to Lambton Road, it was Hugh’s good fortune to be able to design the new art room himself. He did not accept the first plans, which had the sinks at adult height!
years. He was also a gifted craftsman. For a couple of months during 1965 he would disappear into the woodwork block several times a week after school was over, and busy himself building a small sailing boat for my brother Ken and me. It was first launched in the school swimming pool, and proved free of leaks!
Peter James Lamb (49-54) Born 1938, died 27 November2009, aged 71.
Correction: in the last issue we incorrectly reported the death of Ian Gray (67-74). Ian is in fact alive and well and living in the Midlands.
Hugh was proud to be a Geordie. He was born in Jesmond, and courted my mother, Evelyn Brown, while they were both at West Jesmond Teacher Training College. They married in 1951, and were hardly ever apart for the next 47 years. In preparation for retirement they moved from Newcastle to a cottage near Wark, and thrived on their love of the countryside. They regularly visited their caravan at Derwentwater, and walked the hills in the Lake District. On his 80th birthday, Hugh resolved to learn word-processing so that he could write memoirs of his time as a prisoner of war. In spite of his shock at Evelyn’s early death in 1998, he went on to publish his book, Many of Hugh’s most enduring friendships Geordie Hussar, P.O.W. As that saga makes were with fellow staff members, from the clear, he emerged from the war years Senior School as well as the Junior School. He saw the RGS as a way of life, not just a job. resourceful, resilient and grateful for life – and On a Saturday morning, he would often be out these were qualities that never left him. He on the school field reffing an informal game of spent his last years in Hexham, alert and active, regularly attending plays and concerts at RGS rugby for Junior School boys. He became to support his grandsons, Jonathan and known as the staff football team’s “Stanley Campbell. A faithful husband, father and Matthews,” playing in the annual staff vs. prefects match until well into his fifties. A keen grandfather, he is sadly missed. walker and rock-climber, he helped to run a summer camp on the Isle of Arran for several
Francis Stuart Lowe (26-32) Born 1916, died 26 November 2009, aged 93.
