Obituaries

John Harrison (40-47)

Born 2 September 1929, died 15 May 2017, aged 87

In late 1947, four of us from Samuel Middlebrook’s History Sixth went up to Cambridge at scholarship time; John Harrison among them.

Alas, he failed to win an award, a disappointment that caused considerable soul searching. His thoughts then turned (not very enthusiastically) to Law, thinking to follow his brother Vincent Harrison (41-48).

However, two years National Service barred the way. John was posted to Austria. Perhaps it was his first views of the Alpine lands, with their striking land-forms, plus the attractions of an outdoor life, that turned his mind toward geology. This would be a bold step; a decision made in his youth, yet one which would contribute richly to the rest of his long life.

So, 1954 saw him as a Petroleum Geologist working in oil search for BP. Thereafter his career makes remarkable reading, taking him to five continents and some 18 countries. The School Songtells us: “Far went they forth from the school of the North”. John went forth indeed: Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, Sicily, Libya and Algeria, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, Kenya, Trinidad and Brazil, Alaska, New York and Germany. His career climaxed as Regional Exploration Manager for the Middle East, Africa and Ireland, areas of major importance and responsibility, especially when one recalls that on leaving school he seemed destined to be a Provincial Solicitor, perhaps in some legal backwater.

His job also led to his marriage. In 1962 he and Nina met in California, where her father worked for Texaco. They would have two daughters and three grandchildren.

After retirement from BP and a short period as a private consultant they moved to Devon to be near one of their daughters. However her husband’s job soon took her elsewhere, leaving John and Nina to rethink their retirement home. They decided to return to the North, moving finally to a flat in Corbridge. Though, while at school, John lived in Whitley Bay, he had been born in Hexham. So Corbridge, only three miles distant, was in every sense a homecoming.

Nina writes that her husband loved his work. Being, ‘in the field’ offered an insight into those many countries that a desk in their capitals would not have given. In short, life as a Geologist was never, ‘just a job’. Lucky him! How many spend their working lives doing what most pleases them? Lucky too that Cambridge turned him down! But it took more than luck to succeed in all he then did.

Thinking back to schooldays: was there a clue that pointed his way toward that tough, upward climb through Britain’s biggest company? Was it, one wonders, his skill and pluck in the RGS boxing team, whose final victory against St Paul’s School, London, made us national champions in that sport?

John died in Corbridge on 15 May, 2017, aged 87. As one of the best of a fine harvest of Novocastrians, I salute his memory.

By Derek Williams (39-48)

I first met David on joining the RGS in 1945. We struck up a close friendship which lasted until recently when he fell victim to cancer.

He was born in Essex in 1933, moving to Tyneside in 1940, living first in Monkseaton and eventually to South Gosforth. National Service was spent in the RAF followed by a short spell in the construction industry at Heathrow and Calder Hall.

A return to Newcastle was made to support his parents due to illness. He worked for a short time in a company supplying butchers with tools etc. before eventually moving to Parsons Engineering. This gave him the opportunities for which he had been looking; providing a launch pad for a distinguished career in engineering insurance, becoming the Director of Insurance for NEI Rolls

Stuart Armstrong (46-54)

Born 6 June 1935, died 16 June 2018, aged 83

Stuart obtained a Durham LLB degree at King’s College, and was admitted a solicitor in 1959, collecting en route the Broderip and Newcastle upon Tyne prizes which were awarded on the results of the Law Society final examination. After some years as an Assistant Solicitor, he became in 1971 a Partner in our firm of Nicholson Martin (previously Nicholson Martin & Wilkinson), which at one time had offices in Newcastle and various places in County Durham. Stuart Royce. On his formal retirement he began training apprentice insurance practitioners in the North East. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurers he travelled to many overseas countries imparting his wealth of experience –accumulated over 30 years –to a wide audience.

He enjoyed sailing and swimming (hopefully not at the same time) and was a very active member of a number of organisations. These included the Lemington Male Voice Choir, Ponteland Rotary Club and Ponteland Golf Club, as well as being a long serving Mason.

Our families met up as much as possible. We looked forward to these meetings immensely. One memorable time was a surprise party given by David and Maureen at their home in Ponteland for my 65th birthday.

He also encouraged me to start getting the ONA Magazine for which I thank him greatly.

David is survived by his wife Maureen of over 50 years and their sons, Ian and Richard.

I never knew Stuart at school being several years his senior, though I noticed in Speech Day programmes that a youth of that name seemed to carry off a disproportionate number of prizes. He ultimately became a Prefect and a member of the First Orchestra, finally winning a state scholarship. For the benefit of recent generations, these scholarships were awarded (vary sparingly) to those who had done outstandingly well at A Level. Even the future Lord Chief Justice only achieved a reserve state scholarship.

By Keith W Leach (46- 50) operated at Washington and then at Houghton-le-Spring, succeeding me as Senior Partner in 1990. His speciality was in non-contentious work. I always owed an immense debt to his acumen and his analytical and logical mind. He was a man to whom you could, with confidence, entrust any responsibility.

Outside the profession his time was heavily engaged, primarily with the Methodist Church, in which he was for many years a Lay Preacher, also occupying other posts, besides seeing as Choir Master and Organist (he was a gifted and versatile musician). On moving to North Shields he and Margaret joined the United Reformed Church, becoming dedicated and active members. He had long been a very committed Rotarian and held many senior positions in the movement. At one time he was President of the local Conservative Association and had been invited to stand as parliamentary candidate for Houghton-le-Spring, but declined.

He never lost his intellectual curiosity. In his late 60s he was not too old to embark on the study of Italian and Spanish, much as Cato The Elder decided to learn Greek at 80.

But his most abiding commitment was to his family, two ONs and his daughter Rowena and an increasing band of descendants. His passing leaves an unfillable gap in their lives, and in the lives of so many who valued his abilities and his friendship.

By Bryan Stevens (44-49)

Graham Dugdale (62-68)

Born 21 March 1951, died 7 May 2018, aged 67

Graham died unexpectedly at his home in Chudleigh, Devon, aged 67.

I first met Graham through his running interests in Nottingham in the early 80s. I did not know him at school as he was six years younger than me, but we seem to have followed similar pathways through RGS. We both had a love of running and became Captains of the Cross Country Club; we both played cricket for the 1st XI, and we were both Prefects. Although we both enjoyed all sports at RGS, no doubt we both longed for the grass pitches to be out of commission now and again, so ‘The Run’ could be substituted, and it was that introduction to running that inspired many students to take up the sport seriously, Graham and myself included.

Graham was a multi-talented man. He was not only a keen sportsman but was also an academic who went up to Oxford University. He worked mainly for the National Coal Board in London as an Operational Research Analysist before moving to Ashby-de-la-Zouch and on to Nottingham. While in London he joined Thames Valley Harriers (TVH) where he made a huge impression. Not only was he an able performer, but he became a well-liked and respected member, who provided leadership and inspiration to other TVH members. He made considerable contributions to the development of the club from 1974 to 1980. One such initiative was organising training camps on the dunes of Merthyr Mawr in South Wales. His best personal performance was in the AAA Marathon in 1977 where he finished 3rd in 2 hrs 17 mins 16 secs. When he left London his loyalty to TVH never diminished, demonstrated by the attendance of several of his TVH colleagues at his funeral in Whitwick, near Leicester. He joined Notts AC in the 80s, and later Redhill Road Runners. Again, Graham became a highly respected member of both clubs. I remember meeting him in the local pub in Arnold, Nottingham on many occasions to discuss running topics, but we would chat about almost everything else in the world as well! Five things struck me about him: his power of thought, his caring about other people, his social skills, his determination, but above all, his modesty.

Graham became a keen walker in the early 00s and in 2002 completed LEJOG (the walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats). I think he regarded this as one of his greatest achievements. Around 2003 he moved to Chudleigh in Devon where he fell in love with the surrounding countryside. He became a keen hill walker, and eventually joined the Devon Orienteering Club. He went on to become the Membership Secretary and organiser of several orienteering events. His love of the British countryside may have also been influenced by RGS, because one of his favourite parts were the Yorkshire Dales. I wonder if the camps at places like Wensleydale (the location of the First Year’s camp in the 60s), had a lasting memory. While in Chudleigh, it was no surprise to learn that Graham had been tempted into a role working for the NHS, organising data files right up to his sudden and untimely death. His death was so unexpected that he was involved in the planning of a major orienteering event later in the year in Devon and had also planned a walking holiday in Ireland.

Although he continued to live in Devon, Graham used to commute frequently to Whitwick to spend time with his partner, Veronica who he had met in 2007. We will all miss him.

By Richard Hays Milne (54-64)

Eric ‘Roger’ Bambrough (71-78) born 1960, died 5 May 2018, aged 58.

Catriona Duff (07-09) born 1991, died 5 August 2018, aged 27.

John M French (39-45) born 1928, died 30 June 2018, aged 90.

William Murray (50-61) born 1942, died 8 June 2016, aged 73.

The ONA were saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs Betty Elliott, wife of retired Teacher Bill Elliott (52-88), who died 25 August 2018.

Corrections (Issue 103)

Page 10: George Pallister’s dates at school were stated as (22-66). He was actually present from 26-66. It was also incorrect in that it was not George who had a sister, but he was married to the sister of Laurence Watson.

Page 11: Picture caption states ‘Laurence Pallister c.1930s’, whereas it is George Pallister shown in the photograph.

The amended article can be downloaded from the ONA website at https://bit.ly/2DME1br

Clive was born in Sunderland in August 1929. He grew up in Gosforth, and after attending Ascham House School in the 30s and RGS during the evacuation to Penrith, he joined St Peter’s School in York. There he developed a love of the stage, acting with fellow pupils, the Dench Brothers maintaining a long friendship with their sister Judith, now Dame Judy. After leaving school, National Service and a spell in the family business, Clive went to London, working for many years at the Times Book Shop in Mayfair, frequented each and every day by royalty, the aristocracy and luminaries of the arts, stage and screen. Great fun!

Returning to Newcastle in the late 50s Clive became a long-standing devotee of the historic People’s Theatre, opened by George Bernard Shaw in 1911. There he acted in, and David McBriar Boll (38-49)

Born 29 March 1931, died 14 May 2018, aged 87

Certificate (Matriculation). In the Sixth Form he became a Prefect and then won a Scholarship to Balliol College Oxford. This award excused him from having to take his Higher School Certificate. Prior to taking up his Scholarship, he undertook his National Service where he was commissioned into the Royal Army Education Corps. brilliantly directed, numerous plays including Royce Ryton’s Crown Matrimonial about the Abdication Crisis of 1936: there was Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, as well as his Lady in the Van, superbly directed by Clive in his mid-80s in November 2016. At the People’s Centenary, Clive organised a visit by Sir Ian McKellan. The tea party was both memorable and quite hilarious. He loved his television, especially the soaps, recognising the huge effort which went into the writing and production of these, and enjoying the occasional appearance of high profile actors.

Apart from his close family to which he was utterly devoted, Clive leaves behind a myriad of friends all over Britain. He would often spot a favourite play and travel to small theatres around the country such as Scarborough, Kendal and Edinburgh, for the Festival. He regularly attended the Annual Association of Jewish ex-Serviceman’s Parade at the Cenotaph each November, missing only last year’s. For many years he worked tirelessly for Age Concern in the East End of Newcastle.

A most generous, brilliant and

By David Goldwater (51- 62)

David Boll entered the Junior School in September 1938. He was the elder son of WH ‘Billy’ Boll(24-62) who for 38 years ran the Maths Department at the RGS. A year later and with war imminent, the entire school was evacuated to Penrith as part of the Government’s scheme to move schools out of danger areas. It was during his time at Penrith that he developed a love of the countryside, particularly fell walking in the adjacent Lake District.

The school moved back to the North East for the start of the Autumn term, in September 1944. David progressed well at the RGS and excelled both at English Language and English Literature. He obtained no less than ten distinctions when he took his School unique man, who will be sadly missed.

At Balliol he read Modern History. After graduating with Honours, he joined Proctor and Gamble and spent time selling soap in the North East. However in 1956 he joined the Unilever Group, firstly as a Marketing and Advertising Executive with Bird’s Eye Food. Later Unilever acquired Lipton’s Tea and David was appointed as their new Marketing Director. He was described by one colleague as ‘a breath of fresh air’ because of his quick insight and new ideas. David travelled worldwide on business and helped establish Lipton’s Tea as a market leader internationally. His career changed somewhat in 1980 when he joined the staff of the Croydon College of Higher and Further Education initially as their first Head of Business Studies and latterly as Vice-Principal. Ill heath forced his retirement in 1987.

He was always literary-minded and he had written a novel, The Thicket, published in 1967 – this was about his early life in Newcastle. This was followed by a further two novels. He joined a poetry group after his retirement and co-founded the poetry magazine MAGMA which he chaired for 18 years.

David was very much a gregarious and outdoor man with a fine sense of humour. He walked extensively in the British Isles, travelled most of the long distance footpaths and was for many years a member and an official of The Travellers Club. Among the many other clubs and societies who enjoyed his company was the Northumbria Club. He frequently attended the London ONA dinners, and for a number of years, he took part in the Penrith reunions.

He very much valued his family life. He leaves behind his first wife, Antonia, his son Marcus, his daughter Miranda, five grandchildren and his second wife Vicci who he met through their mutual interest in poetry.

By Christopher Dean (45-53)

ONA Diary dates

London ONA Dinner

Friday 15 March, 2019 The Lansdowne Club

Personal Details and Data Protection

The school has a very special relationship with its former students and we very much wish to continue to keep in touch with you.

To do this we would like your consent to keep basic details of your time at school, what you have been doing since leaving school and your contact details.

A copy of the letter and consent form can be found at https://bit.ly/2OAWpXB

Please complete the consent form so that we can continue to keep in contact.

John Elders Memorial Match

Saturday 29 December, kick-off 2pm, bar open from 12 noon — 11pm

Novos RFC v ONA, Sutherland Park

Please come along to support the teams and enjoy what is sure to be an enjoyable festive afternoon’s entertainment.

ONA Merchandise

To order from our range of merchandise, please send a cheque payable to ONA, confirming your delivery address and contact details. For further details please email: ona@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

Scarf 100% double thickness wool £35

Tie 100% pure silk, slip-stitched, fully lined £29

Bow Tie 100% pure silk, ready made £29