Issue 44 • 2016/2017
OU
Welcome Welcome to the 2016/17 edition of OU. When putting this edition of the magazine together, we were struck by the remarkable diversity of talent amongst the OU community around the world. There are some amazing stories featured this year, some, sadly, within the obituaries of OUs who led incredible lives and whose fantastic achievements will long be remembered. A highlight for the OU team, however, is the story of John Prescott Hallett who managed to sell Burma to a rich Indian at the end of World War II for $1m. OUs have a great reputation for their entrepreneurial spirit and Mr Hallett certainly took this trait to an extreme. This year’s front cover image marks an important time for Uppingham as we say a fond farewell to Richard Harman and a warm welcome to his successor Dr Richard Maloney, Uppingham’s 32nd Headmaster.
Patrick Mulvihill, Lisa Gilman, Jo Franklin, Caroline Steele and Richard Boston.
Our thanks, as ever, to everyone who contributed to this edition and we very much hope you enjoy reading it. Your comments, suggestions and articles for future magazines are always gratefully received.
significant moment in the School’s history when a new headmaster arrives and we look forward to introducing Dr Maloney to the OU world over the next few years.
Finally we welcome our new Headmaster, Dr Richard Maloney, to Uppingham. It’s always a
With best wishes, Patrick, Richard, Jo, Lisa and Caroline
OU COMMITTEE 2015/16 The Headmaster – Chairman Richard Boston (B 56) – Secretary Members: Nicholas Burgess (B 68), David Gavins (LH 73), Peter Doleman (C 76), Dawn Wilson (Fd 80), Jim Reddy (Hf 89), Emma Way (J 91), Emma Cannings (L 93) and Ben Fry (F 96). If any OU would like to join the Committee and help guide OU events and activities, please contact Jo Franklin. OU OVERSEAS AMBASSADORS Our enormous thanks to all of the OU overseas ambassadors for their assistance as points of contact for OUs visiting a country or requiring advice. A full listing is available on the OU website. OU is the magazine for the Old Boys and Girls of Uppingham School. We send out an annual eNewsletter – please ensure your email address is up-to-date by emailing ou@uppingham.co.uk. Uppingham School Uppingham Rutland LE15 9QE Tel: +44 (0)1572 820616 Email: ou@uppingham.co.uk www.olduppinghamian.co.uk If you are receiving multiple copies of the OU Magazine to your household and would prefer only one copy, please get in touch.
02 Welcome
CONTENTS 2 Welcome 5 Who What Where 13 Announcements 14 Staff News 16 In Memoriam & Obituaries 23 From the Archives 26 Photocall Events 34 MiscellaneOUs 37 Clubs & Societies
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Message from the Headmaster It is both my great privilege and sincere pleasure to write my first ‘Message from the Headmaster’ to the Old Uppinghamian community. My family and I arrived in the town at the end of August and have been made to feel extraordinarily welcome by everyone we have met. And, as I write in the second week of term, I can palpably sense what makes this such a special place.
My immediate predecessor, Richard Harman, has left the most extraordinary legacy. Our new Western Campus development is dazzling in both its ambition and execution. The exquisite blend of the ancient and modern is a physical demonstration of Uppingham’s capacity to use its heritage as a springboard into the modern world.
It is an honour and a privilege to be trusted with the custodianship of Uppingham. The philosophy of the School, in which a genuinely all-round experience is prized, is the core of a successful education. Now, having seen at firsthand our pupils’ talents and commitment, being here has brought home just how powerful our approach to educating our pupils can be.
I know that it is my role to ensure our great school sustains its values and rich heritage, whilst striving to prepare today’s pupils as best as is possible for the complexities of the modern world. Our commitment – unswervingly so – will be to excellence. Our aspiration will be to draw
the best from ourselves so that our pupils have an outstandingly good experience of school. Perhaps what has struck me most about our community is the people. The charm and warmth of the girls and boys, the commitment of the staff and the deep sense of affection for Uppingham amongst the OUs. With that level of support I see no reason why Uppingham should not be thought of – universally – as the very best school anywhere. The OUs are an essential part of the Uppingham family. I look forward to meeting many of you in the UK as well as in other parts of the world. Uppingham remains your school and I will, during my tenure, work to maintain all that is best about this exceptional place. Dr Richard Maloney
Welcome 03
Development Director’s Message We said farewell to our Headmaster, Richard Harman, in July though his legacy is sure to be felt for a long time to come. Not only do we have the bricks and mortar of the Western Quad which will serve many future generations of Uppinghamians, but thanks to the generosity of OUs and parents, we have the Richard Harman Foundation Award. This brief appeal in the summer term raised more than £670,000, enough for 10 substantial bursaries for talented children wishing to join the Sixth Form. Two beneficiaries of the Award started school in September and we will follow their journey through Uppingham with great anticipation.
Life-changing bursaries have always been on offer at Uppingham, ever since our founding in fact, but our aim in future is to give the best and the brightest an opportunity to join the Sixth Form regardless of financial circumstances. This ‘needs-blind’ vision for Uppingham is a bold one, and the Richard Harman Foundation Award was enormously helpful in setting us on our way. Going forward, under the name ‘The 1584 Fund’, we will continue to seek support for bursaries so that eventually up to 40 pupils in the Sixth Form will receive all the help they need to study at Uppingham. A recent letter from the parent of an OU who received a full bursary shows the impact that such support can have on the beneficiary:
I honestly don’t think, actually I know, that she would not be anywhere near as confident and ambitious had she not been given the Uppingham opportunity, it really has transformed her life and she does know this. She says she wants her future children to go to Uppingham, that is how much she loved her time at the School. Thank you very much to everyone who supported the Richard Harman Foundation Award, you can be assured that your contributions will make a huge difference to the lives of lucky boys and girls who will get to study at Uppingham. Finally, I want to mention another former member of staff who also leaves a legacy at the School. Malcolm Bussey passed away in
...it really has transformed her life and she does know this. She says she wants her future children to go to Uppingham, that is how much she loved her time at the School.
Patrick Mulvihill, Development Director August and I know he will be fondly remembered by many OUs. It was Malcolm who gave me my first tour of the School in 2002 and it was a pleasure to work with him in the OU Office for the next few years. David Gaine has kindly written a deserved tribute to Malcolm which appears later in the magazine. Our deepest sympathies are with his family.
Secretary’s Message
Richard Boston (B 56) in his first term at Uppingham in 1956. As we warmly welcome Uppingham’s 32nd Headmaster, Dr Richard Maloney to the School, I have realised that I have now served under six headmasters and a seventh if one includes my time here as a pupil. The timeframe was brought home to me in an embarrassing way when the Chaplain announced to the School during Chapel one morning that it was 60 years ago in April since ‘Tricky’ Boston first arrived in Uppingham as a new boy in Brooklands, when John
04 Welcome
Colville was the Housemaster and Martin Lloyd was Headmaster. I hasten to add that I did leave Uppingham for at least 11 years reading agriculture at London and then working in development agriculture as a land use planner in Zambia and Algeria. The experience has provided many useful examples for geography and geology lessons throughout my teaching career. I really enjoyed my time here as a pupil, though it was still a very traditional place when I left, with a strict hierarchy where younger pupils were not encouraged to talk to older ones, fagging was still firmly entrenched, and senior boys were entrusted with running many activities including the all-powerful Committee of Games. The School needed to reform to be in tune with the second half of the 20th century; John Royds was the Headmaster who initiated these changes and by doing so avoided the unrest which affected
many similar schools in the midsixties. I was very conscious of these changes when I returned to Uppingham as a member of staff in 1974. Since then the School, under headmasterships of Macdonald, Bomford, Winkley and Harman, has continued to evolve in a remarkable way, not least of all in the extensive building programme that has taken place.
The new science block I enjoyed in 1957 was marvellous but cannot compare to the outstanding buildings now in the Western Quad. Boarding provision in particular has undergone spectacular changes in recent years. I remember returning to Brooklands after a 15-year absence to find nothing had changed at all; the same bare wooden floors, prayer mats, and paint which had not changed in 20
years. I had the privilege of running the House and overseeing some of the initial changes such as the provision of bedsits. Every house now has bedsits for all pupils in the GCSE year and above; as well as having high standards of furnishings and fittings. The School is a much busier place than it used to be with ever greater demands being put on the young, both on the academic and extra-curricular fronts. However Thring’s philosophy of educating the whole person remains true today and the ‘vibes’ of the School have not changed. Current Uppinghamians are still the vibrant, gregarious, socially adept young people they have always been. It seems that every headmaster, however different they may be and regardless of the improvements they introduce, values and understands what it is that makes Uppingham a very special school. We wish Dr Maloney every success in the coming years.
Who What Where 1944
1954
Mike James’ (WB 44) invention Nasaleze is now available in over 50 countries worldwide and provides an antihistamine and steroid-free alternative to conventional treatments for relief from hay fever, allergy symptoms and airborne germs and viruses. The product creates a barrier between airborne allergens and the sensitive lining of the nose. www.nasaleze.com
David Gooderson’s (SH 54) stage play Hector (originally So Great a Crime) went on tour from October to December 2015. The play tells the true story of the Scottish hero, Sir Hector Macdonald, who rose from humble beginnings through the ranks of the British Army to become a knight of the realm. The famous Scottish general was however destroyed by accusations of indecent behaviour and rather than face a court martial, he shot himself in a Paris hotel. But was he guilty? Or the victim of a plot by an English Establishment, motivated by jealousy and snobbery?
1945 Sir John Ure’s (Hf 45) latest book Beware the Rugged Russian Bear, set in 1917 during the Russian Revolution, brings to life the stories of British adventurers confronting and exposing the early Bolsheviks. Sir John, who himself lived as a diplomat in Russia, knew several of these extraordinary men and women personally.
1949
As well as being a playwright and director, David has been a professional actor for more than 30 years, playing a wide range of characters in theatre, on television and radio.
1955
Michael Smith (WB 55) was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Leicester on 22nd January for services to charity and Leicestershire business with his proud sons Charles (WB 79) and Anthony (WB 81) in attendance.
1957
Robert Lee (WB 57), discovered an old folder in his late father’s effects entitled ‘Letters from the Dardanelles’. Private Bert Lee of the 7th Battalion Manchester Regiment wrote a series of letters home to his mother during World War I and although Bert was tragically shot dead by a Turkish sniper, the letters survived. Robert, who is Bert Lee’s great nephew, decided these remarkable documents should be made available to a wider audience. His book Letters from Gallipoli tells a moving tale of the optimism, discomforts, deprivations and camaraderie of the troops who fought in that ill-fated campaign and provides a fascinating insight into the World War I Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. The Last Waltz, the story of how the Strauss family took Europe by storm during the nineteenth century, by John Suchet (Fgh 57) hit the shelves in September 2015, with outstanding reviews.
1958 Stephen Maitland Lewis (WD 58) is a former British lawyer and international investment banker and now an acclaimed author living in California. When visiting his homeland of England in January, he was sworn in as a Freeman of the City of London and admitted as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of City Solicitors. While in town, Stephen spent some happy times with his dear old friend, Nick Taylor (WD 58), pictured with Stephen on the right.
1959
It’s been a year of special occasions for Paul Knocker (B 49) who marked his 80th birthday on 5th December 2015, with a gathering of family and friends for lunch at The Bembridge Sailing Club. In March he and wife Jenny also celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. In the photo Paul and wife Jenny are seated with their sons and daughter, Richard, Juliet and Simon.
Sam Wilson (LH 55) was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list. The citation was for charitable and voluntary service to the community in Suffolk.
Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) has been immortalised by friend and artist Jolyon Madden. Left alone by his wife with the strict instruction to paint their bedroom, on her return she was not best pleased to find the only thing Jolyon had painted was a two metre high portrait of Neil which he named ‘The Gun’. The painting has been selected for the archive and library of the National Portrait Gallery. Neil also featured in the July edition of The Field in an article entitled ‘Top of the Shots’ in which there are 12 categories of game-shooting people. Neil was listed under the ‘Jolliest Shots’ category. Post-Uppingham, Neil was the youngest ever CEO of a public company at 29, a retired adman, past President of the International Advertising Association, Fellow of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, past Chairman of the European Advertising Agency Association, the only Brit in the US Retail Advertising Association Hall of Fame (in Chicago), past Lecturer at Keble College Oxford Summer Business School, past Commodore of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, who he represented in the 1983 British America’s Cup Challenge, past Shoot Captain of the OU shoot and author of 10 books.
Who What Where 05
1961 Paul Bennett (WD 61) graduated from George Mason University, Virginia, USA with a PhD in Economics and accepted an offer from Bluefield College in Virginia to teach Economics and other Business School topics, commencing August 2016. Councillor Nick Brown (B 61) became Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate on 23rd May 2016. For decades he has worked in local government and during his professional career he was the Managing Director of his family business, the Brown and White Group of companies (Ford Main Dealers in West Yorkshire). He was a former UK Vice Chair of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and a former member of the Council of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce. Nick continues to have a very active professional life as a semi-retired businessman, serving as a local councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and as a Business and Arts Fundraising Consultant. Some 54 years after completing a year at Uppingham in Fircroft as an English Speaking Union exchange student, Charles Smith (F 61) completed another adventure. This was a 45-day, 3,700-mile bicycle journey across the United States beginning in Portland, Oregon on 23rd August and ending in Portland, Maine on 5th October 2015. By tradition the 20 participants of the challenge started by dipping the front wheel of their bikes in the Pacific and ended by dipping the front wheel in the Atlantic. During his year at Uppingham, Charles captained the very first Uppingham tennis team and won the school prize for drama for his portrayal of ‘Iago’ in Othello, conducted by his favourite Uppingham master, Brian Stokes. In the interim he has recently retired from a lengthy career as a paediatric surgeon and with his wife of 49 years has raised four children who have provided them with 10 grandchildren.
1965 Richard ‘Dick’ Howeson (Hf 65) co-founded language-learning company EuroTalk Ltd 25 years ago. Their latest app covers 130+ languages and is aimed at people who would like to have fun and make friends wherever they are in world. To mark the 25th anniversary, OUs can get a half price annual subscription covering every language at www.utalk.com/OU.
06 Who What Where
1965 Following Uppingham, George Peck (F 65) read English at Oxford University and, after a career as an actor and director, founded The Oxford School of Drama in 1986 in old farm buildings just outside Woodstock. From a starting roll call of just nine students, over the last 29 years it has grown into one of the top drama schools in the UK; last year being identified as one of the top five acting schools in the world. George left school just before the golden age of Uppingham theatre – the building in Stockerston Road was still a gym in fact, but he recalls a play in the Thring Centre directed by the brilliant Rory Stuart, saying “it was very experimental and a boy from Highfield was allowed to smoke!” www.oxforddrama.ac.uk
1967 John Liggins (Hf 67), Managing Director of a commercial property development company based in Stratfordupon-Avon, is also Chairman of a professional chamber orchestra called The Orchestra of the Swan. They perform approximately 60 concerts each year, and this year the orchestra toured Turkey in June and will be on stage in Mexico in November. www.orchestraoftheswan.org John Lockwood (M 67), chairman of Lincolnshire Agricultural Society between January 2009 and January 2015, was honoured with an MBE for services to agriculture in Lincolnshire in the New Year’s Honours list. Harry Spry-Leverton (Fgh 67) commanded the Royal Auxiliary Air Force contingent at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 7th November 2015 and at the Cenotaph the following morning. The festival was attended by members of the Royal family and government ministers, as well as members of the Legion and their families.
1968 Nicholas Lumley (Hf 68) and Theo Fraser Steele (Fgh 85) have both been treading the boards in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and a new adaptation of Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote. Both plays ran from February to August at the Swan Theatre. David Pittaway (B 69) QC will become Treasurer of the Inner Temple in 2017, perhaps the first OU to be Head of one of the four Inns of Court. David is Head of Chambers at Hailsham Chambers and amongst a number of high profile cases he was recently involved in the Hillsborough Inquest.
1971 Having project-led the brand launch of Navy Wings by Frederick Forsyth CBE at the Yeovilton Air Day in July, Jon Parkinson (F 71) is working as Commercial Advisor for the Fly Navy Heritage Trust who underpin the brand. Jon said “It’s very exciting, but also a terrific responsibility keeping the world’s last flying Sea Vixen in the air as well as three of the world’s last five flying Swordfish, two Sea Furys and several other aircraft. We’re always looking for supporters who can help us keep these aircraft in the public eye so that the story of naval aviation, its unique challenges and corresponding innovations, its heroism and sacrifice are remembered.” For more information, please contact jon.parkinson@navywings.org.uk
1973 In October 2015 Jeremy Payne (F 73) was elected Captain of Edgbaston Golf Club, the fourth OU to take up the post. Simon Wall (Fgh 62), Peter Heath (F 60), and Peter Wall (Fgh 60) have all been past Captains.
1974
Commissioned by The Law Society, Carl Islam (M 74) published the Contentious Probate Handbook in October 2016. The book enables busy practitioners to navigate all aspects of will disputes from the early stages through to trial, in 10 practical, accessible and authoritative chapters, covering all aspects of the relevant law and practice.
1975 Andrew Harding (C 75) has been appointed Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Andrew heads the organisation as it joins forces with the American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants to create the world’s most influential accountancy association, representing the full breadth of the profession. In 2017 he will become Chief Executive Officer of the new Association’s Management Accounting Professional Unit and will be responsible for driving the impact of management accounting across the world.
1975
Robert McLeod (C 75) recently passed the RoSPA Advanced Riders Course – regarded as the toughest civilian motorcycle course in the UK – and is now due to start the instructor’s course. He aims to train motorcyclists and to prevent injuries and save lives.
1976 Lt Gen Sir James Everard, CBE (LH 76) was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list. On 22nd July it was also announced that Sir James had been appointed the most senior UK officer in NATO, becoming the organisation’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR). He will work on military planning, policy and force generation and will deputise for the current Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US General Curtis Scaparrotti.
1977
Robert Fiske and Peter Watson (both F 77) jointly run Prism Corporate Broking, an award-winning corporate finance and broking boutique that specialises in buying and selling technology businesses, advising clients on everything from essential pre-sale advice or acquisition preparation through to successful deal completion. www.prismcorporatebroking.com
1978
David Ross (C 78) plans to build the first permanent opera house in England in just over a decade. He hopes to transform the 17th Century Grade II listed stables at his stately home at Nevill Holt in Leicestershire into a beautiful state-of-the-art, 400-seat auditorium, enabling opera events to take place all year round. In 2016, productions at Nevill Holt included Carmen, Verdi’s Rigoletto and Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love.
1979 Anthony Couse (SH 79) was named Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle, the financial and professional services firm specialising in commercial real estate services and investment management. Anthony took up the position on 1st June and has moved home from Shanghai to Singapore. In November 2015 Anthony celebrated his 50th birthday with a James Bond themed party on the Bund in Shanghai. With Anthony, the only person allowed to be James Bond, amongst a host of baddies, Ms and Qs, were James Rogers (WD 98), Peter Martin (H 79), Ben Fry (F 96), Patrick Mulvihill and Nigel Smith (H 82).
Who What Where 07
1979
John Dingley (C 79) has published his memoir Challenging the Beast which tells the story of the Gulf War 1990-91 from the perspective of a tank troop leader. Commenting on the book, General Sir Richard Shirreff said it ‘‘offers a unique insight into the challenges faced by junior commanders. It is above all a story of the comradeship of the tank crew and shines a powerful light on the qualities and humour of the cavalry soldiers of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars whose story this is. In writing this book John Dingley has done those soldiers a great service.” Challenging the Beast is available for Kindle on Amazon.
Nigel Doggett (Hf 79) completed the Marathon des Sables and raised over £130,000 for Hft (formerly the Home Farm Trust), a national charity for people with learning disabilities. The event is a 257km ultramarathon in the Sahara, in heat up to 45 degrees, covering six marathons in six days, including a double marathon on day four. ‘‘The first day was tough, carrying a full backpack of about 8kg plus water, with a 15km stretch of dunes and a sandstorm (which blew down a few tents). The long day of 84km was a real test, but the desert was stunning as the sun set and we had some respite from the 45 degree heat. It took me 41 hours of racing. I finished in the top 25% and seemed to get stronger as the week progressed; the fundraising undoubtedly spurred me on.”
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1982
1991
Chris Philpot (B 82) completed a trek to the South Pole in December 2015 in The Endurance South Pole 100 Expedition. The Expedition was in memory of Shackleton’s 1914-16 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. The challenge required the team to ski trek 100 nautical miles to the South Pole, at 8,000ft in temperatures as low as minus 40°C and 24-hour sunlight. They had to pull all of their own supplies and equipment by sledge. The trek was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience one of the most spectacular places on earth. Chris raised over £17,500 in donations for Essex Air Ambulance and Breast Cancer Now.
1985
Johnny Hon (H 85) was the Executive Producer behind the West End revival of Sunset Boulevard at the Coliseum in spring 2016. Starring Hollywood actress Glenn Close as the tortured exscreen siren Norma Desmond, the show was a sell-out over 43 performances and received outstanding reviews. He will also act as Executive Producer on a new West End production of the stage musical 42nd Street which opens at the world-famous Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 20th March 2017. Johnny was also spotted on day two of the Goodwood Festival on 27th July in the owners and trainers paddock. His colt Global Applause was ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori in the fourth race of the day. Not a win for Johnny on this occasion but Global Applause is one to watch out for, winning £31,469 prize money at Newmarket on 1st May.
Andrew Reeves (L 86) completed the Lakeland 100 in July 2015, a 105-mile race in the Lake District. He completed it in under 31 hours and raised funds for Epickidz who support local causes in the Lake District area. Andrew said ‘‘It all started with The Routh as a fourth former.”
1987
Dan Black (B 87) of black+blum is passionate about creating beautiful, original designs which are underpinned with functionality. From 2014 he has steered the company into becoming the design house behind several homeware ranges including a new award-winning range of lunch boxes, Box Appetit. www.black-blum.com
Gareth Morris (LH 89) emigrated to New Zealand at the end of 2014 with his wife Katrina and children Samuel and Isaac. Having competed in two
1992
In January, Matthew Johnston (B 92) joined the Australian Army and embarked on an 18-month commissioning course.
1993
1986
1989
In February Jonathan Probets (Hf 91), a registered nurse from Devon, travelled to the ‘Jungle Camp’ in Calais to help give support to refugees. He picked up other volunteers on the 680 mile round-trip, and took a boot full of locally donated items including coats, sleeping bags and blankets as well as vital supplies to a neighbouring camp in Dunkerque which held thousands more families. Jonathan said ‘‘The main objective of the trip was to provide first aid and nursing support to the refugees in the camps.’ ’ He plans to return to the camps later in the year and continues to provide remote support to other volunteers from across the UK. He also runs a training and international partnerships company called Blue Peaks Healthcare and would be interested to hear from any other OUs working in this field in Asia. Read Jonathan’s full story on the OU website/News.
Commonwealth Games, as well as the World Championships with Great Britain, Gareth still shoots in New Zealand but has also taken up middle, long and ultra-distance running. Recent events include the Rotorua Marathon, the Taupo Half Marathon, the Queenstown Marathon, the 2016 Hillary Ultra Trail Run and the Riverhead Rampage Trail Half Marathon.
Neil Brearley (F 93) has set up a new real estate and construction consultancy focussed predominantly on UK residential development and addressing the well-documented challenges of housing and labour shortages in the UK. Following 15 years at EC Harris, Neil and two partners founded the new business at the start of 2016. The practice is already 25 strong and working with many leading clients in the residential real estate sector. www.cast-consultancy.com It’s been another busy year of filming for Sam Riley (M 93), who played Mr Darcy in the comedy horror film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. He was also spotted in London filming the lead role in a new five-part BBC drama SS-GB, based on the Len Deighton novel. The series is set in Nazi-occupied London, with the drama based on the premise that the Germans won the Battle of Britain. The series will air on BBC One later this year.
1996
1994 On 21st May, Becky Elson (née Craig) (Fd 94) ran the Great Wall Marathon (China), widely considered one of the world’s most challenging races. Becky commented: ‘‘It was an amazing, awesome, tough, challenging experience. I finished in 5 hours and 43 minutes – eleventh in my age category and 64th female overall. This was no normal marathon – it included a total of 5,164 steps on the wall and a lot of uphill road running that seemed to go on forever – running through small villages and twice over the Great Wall from where the views were absolutely stunning. I raised a total of £3,671 for the Adam Cole Foundation, which means we can build and equip a Children’s Action Club in Cambodia plus a playground, which is brilliant news.”
Ben Branson (B 96) launched Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, in Selfridges Spirit Hall in November 2015. This was a much anticipated day for Ben following two years of developing the product. Founded in his kitchen in the woods, with a copper still and a copy of The Art of Distillation, his aim with Seedlip was to solve the dilemma of ‘what to drink when you’re not drinking’. www.seedlipdrinks.com In September Holden Chow (SH 96) won the LegCo seat in the latest Hong Kong Legislative Council election, with over 260,000 ballots. He joined the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) in 2004 and was promoted to head the party’s youth committee (Young DAB) between 2009 and 2015. He was elected a party vice-chairman last year. Holden is pictured in the centre of the photo with his mother and brother Kelvin.
John Mulholland (WB 94) co-owns a coaching business called Fiesta de Futbol, which runs football camps regionally within the UK aimed at the 8-14 age range. John is looking to expand to also run international camps, creating a link with football clubs initially in Hong Kong and mainland China. www.facebook.com/fiestadefutboluk
1995
Anna Champion (née Roberts) (L 95) has set up The Talent Lighthouse, based in Hong Kong, to support the often challenging transition between university and working life. Anna offers development programmes, coaching and consultancy across Asia and the rest of the world for individuals trying to find their way at the start of their career or for employers looking to develop their workforce. www.thetalentlighthouse.com Chris Gabbitas (Hf 95) took up a position as a consultant with Clintons Solicitors in Covent Garden in September 2015, specialising in media law. He would value the chance to assist OUs working in the fields of television, film or music or on commercial and copyright matters generally. Chris lives in East Sussex with his wife Stephanie and their three daughters and has performed with The King’s Singers since 2004, touring the world with the award-winning group. He continues to act as Managing Partner and in-house legal counsel for the group and works extensively with artist managers, promoters and record companies on all aspects of touring and recording. www.clintons.co.uk Ashley Grote (Hf 95) competed in this year’s London Marathon finishing in a time of 3:42:18. He raised over £14,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his daughter Emily receives ongoing care for a brain tumour. Ashley is Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral and in February he directed a ‘Come & Sing’ Fauré Requiem concert in Beverley Minster at the launch of New Paths music festival, which was founded this year by Libby Burgess (J 99).
1999
In April 2017 Camila Benouali (Fd 99) will undertake an extreme skiing expedition to the North Pole. This incredible challenge has been inspired through her work as a paediatrician in Leicester and she hopes to raise £36,000 for Action Medical Research for Children, which funds groundbreaking and essential research into prematurity, rare childhood diseases and childhood disability. For more details on corporate sponsorship opportunities, see the OU website/News. April 2016 saw the first New Paths festival taking place, organised by Libby Burgess (J 99). Audiences were treated to a feast of performances by some of the country’s finest young musicians at venues across Beverley in Yorkshire. The festival immediately established itself as a major new event in the region and plans are now under way for next year’s festival. www.newpathsmusic.com Alice Macauley (née Fletcher) (Fd 99) married Rupert Macauley in August 2011 and they have sons Barney, born in September 2013, and Billy, born in September 2015. She is currently living in Co Wicklow, Ireland. Charlie Simpson (M 99) has enjoyed a sell-out tour of the UK this year with the re-formed band Busted. This summer the band also announced they will be releasing their third album later this year, 12 years after their last record A Present For Everyone. The band split up in 2005 and Charlie formed his own band Fightstar; going solo in 2011 and releasing two successful albums Young Pilgrim and Long Road Home.
2000
Hugo Chadd (WB 00) has returned from Sydney to join tech start-up Homewings in London. Homewings is on a mission to make interior design affordable, simple and accessible to the wider market. Customers can get professional help for just £199 per room, all within their style and budget and all online through their bespoke platform. Customers also get the advantage of great prices from hundreds of retailers and carefully curated brands. Check them out at www.homewings.co.uk and enter OUSOCIETY to get 25% off.
Who What Where 09
2001
In July 2015 Eleanor ‘emu’ Mills (Fd 01) became Deputy Editor of Museums Journal, a magazine all about museums for museum professionals, covering everything from the weird to the wonderful and anything in between.
L to R: Angus Collins, Joe Barnett, Jack Mayhew and Gus Barton
2002 They did it! Congratulations to five remarkable OUs who completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in recordbreaking times this year. ‘Ocean Reunion’ made up of Jack Mayhew (Fgh 02), Joe Barnett (B 03), Angus Barton (Fgh 03) and Angus Collins (WB 03) arrived in Antigua on 27th January, having set out from the Canary Islands five days before Christmas. They stepped on to dry land for the first time 37 days, 12 hours and 9 minutes later, smashing the previously held record of 41 days. Their endeavour, regarded as the world’s toughest row, has already raised almost £50,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust. Angus Collins commented on their win: “We’re ecstatic to have won the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and this huge welcome in Antigua has blown us away. It was incredibly
tough and we’re so glad it’s over but it was such a fantastic experience. I wouldn’t do it again in a hurry but if any of these guys asked, I’d absolutely do it again.” Of the 26 boats that set off on the challenge, team ‘Row Like a Girl’ hit land in second place; four girls including Bella Collins (C 06), who was Vice-Captain of School 201011, and her three teammates, Olivia Bolesworth, Gee Purdy and Lauren Morton. They completed the 3,000 nautical mile journey in an impressive 40 days 8 hours and 26 minutes, claiming the record for the fastest and youngest ever female team to cross the Atlantic (previous record 45 days). In addition to their inspiring physical endeavour the girls also raised more than £18,500 for Plan UK’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, a global initiative to promote and uphold the rights and freedoms of girls and young women.
Photo by Ben Duffy Bella Collins (C 06), Olivia Bolesworth, Gee Purdy and Lauren Morton
10 Who What Where
2003
Gabrielle Ridgeon (Fd 03) is the founder, author and composer of a series of musical story books for children called Monty the Maestro and his Marvellous Magical Orchestra. In an exciting venture launched in October 2015, the storybook series aims to introduce children to the symphony orchestra in a fun and engaging way. Through the use of picture books and their accompanying audio books, children will get to know the instruments of the orchestra and their unique characteristics. Gabrielle enlisted the talents of other OUs including Charlotte Gallagher (L 03) as the audio book narrator, Connie Dickson (J 03) who designed the website graphics and Sam Featherstone (B 99) was the recording session engineer. Robert Wilkes (SH 03) has been touring the UK in the hugely successful stage musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The show will be running at theatres around the country until February 2017. www.chittythemusical.co.uk
2004
Toby Davis (SH 04) won a scholarship to race in the VW Cup 2016. The competition is one step away from The British Touring Car Championships and Toby won it from an initial 120 entrants, after passing vigorous tests completed over three rounds. Toby’s racing experience comes mostly from karting but during the scholarship he showed much promise in the car, as well as during the fitness and media tests. The VW team is keen to see what he can do in a competitive environment.
On Friday 26th February four OUs stepped on to the pitch at Allianz Park to take up their places on the Baltic Exchange Rugby Team against Sherbourne Pilgrims. Not only were Chris Symes (SH 04), Angus Salloway (Fgh 04), Jim Thompson (LH 04) and Will Burrows (SH 04) part of the victorious side, but a late penalty by Chris Symes tipped the balance for a final score of 13-10. The boys are raising money and awareness for the Sailors’ Society. www.sailors-society.org After graduating from Durham University with First Class Honours in Music in 2013, Alex Wingfield (Fgh 04) completed the Musical Theatre postgraduate programme at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating in July 2014. He has since appeared in The Railway Children performing in King’s Cross Theatre covering the lead role of ‘Peter’, ‘Jim’ and ‘The District Superintendent’. He was also a member of the 2016 cast of Fingask Follies, performing a cabaret across Scotland and England. www.alexwingfield.com
2005 In January 2018 Max Mossman (M 05) and Hector Turner (WB 06) are planning to pedalo across the Atlantic with two friends. Their route will be from Grand Canaria to Antigua, a distance of approximately 3,000 miles. If successful it will be the first ever crossing of this section of the Atlantic in a pedalo, getting two more Old Uppinghamians into the record books. Their boat maker is Angus Collins (WB 03) of Rannoch Adventure, who specialise in ocean rowing boats and the initial testing on the design has proved it could be as fast as, if not faster than, the rowing boats. Crucially, Max and Hector will be doing the whole thing for the charity Mind, in aid of mental health. We look forward to following their progress as they embark on this incredible challenge. www. pedalthepond.com
2006
In 2015, Patch Fordham (WB 06), Ed Prior (Hf 06) and Archie Warman (M 09) set up a Christmas tree delivery company for West Londoners. Patch and Ed are planning to do the same again this year, without the help of Archie, who now has a rather more proper job working for Deloitte. OU Londoners with a SW or W postcode can get a tree delivered straight to their home during December by emailing patch@countrychristmastrees.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com/countryxmastrees/. All deliveries to OUs get a free surprise present.
2007
L to R: Paddy Johnson, Hector Turner (WB 06), Henry Quinlan and Max Mossman (M 05)
Becky Timothy (Sa 05) took on The Snow-Camp Alpine Challenge in January, a unique two-day charity snow sports endurance event. Alongside 20 other teams, Becky’s team from The Telegraph skied for two days across the entire Porte du Soleil resort, managing to reach 25 checkpoints and 144 km. Despite some spectacular wipeouts and burning thighs, their teamwork and route planning helped them get through the challenge and made the event a truly memorable experience. Becky received a donation from the OU Charity Fund in support of her fundraising. If you are raising money for charity and would like to apply, email Jo Franklin for more information at jsf@uppingham.co.uk.
Maddy Hunter (J 07) is manager and tour manager for the award-winning Manchester-based band Mohawk Radio which embarked on a hugely successful US tour earlier this year. The trip included a variety of gigs and also song-writing sessions in LA and networking at SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin Texas, where the Obamas were keynote speakers. This summer the band has played at numerous festivals around the UK. After graduating from Bristol University in July 2015 with a 2:1 in Music with French, Charlotte Mantle (J 07) started working with Savills in Cambridge as a negotiator for the Residential Development Sales Team. In summer 2016 she travelled around Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Charlotte still loves singing and performs at weddings and special occasions. Our congratulations and thanks to the recent leavers who worked over the summer on the Telephone Campaign and raised £70,000 towards the Richard Harman Foundation Award. Back row L to R: Leo Nieuwenhuys (WD 07), Tom Cooper (LH 08), Chris Whitaker (Hf 12), David Edmondson-Jones (WD 14), James Brading (WB 11), Tom Bendall (Fgh 11), and Harry Pryer (Fgh 11). Front row: Tessa Cooper (Fd 09), Jemima Oakey (L 14), Scarlett Lee (Sa 11).
Amy Whitaker (C 05) graduated from Coventry University in June 2015 with a First Class degree in Boat Design. She is now working for superyacht design consultancy, Redman Whiteley Dixon, in the New Forest as an entry level designer. Alex Wilson (LH 05) was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps (INT CORPS) at the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst in April 2016.
2006
Charlie Layzell-Payne (Hf 06) was commissioned into The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) at the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst in April 2016 and is currently serving as a British Army Officer in 1st the Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
Who What Where 11
2008
Laura Wigan (Fd 08) is working at the National Theatre as a Scenic Carpenter Apprentice. She started in September 2015 and is learning the ropes on how to build theatrical scenery.
Just Visiting
International visitors to Uppingham this year.
2009
After graduating from Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 2015, Harry Begg (LH 09) is now studying for an MSc, concentrating on global ethics and environmental politics at University College, London. In December he was offered the Michael von Clemm Fellowship to Harvard for 2016-17 and headed over to the US in August where he is studying environmental studies with specific concentration on environmental conflict with Arabic. Joanna Lipsher (C 09) graduated in Chemistry from Sophia University, Tokyo, in September 2016 and is now moving on to her Masters, specialising in polymers and fuel cell research. Guy Parker (LH 09) was commissioned into The Royal Lancers (RL) at the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst in August 2016.
2010
We were delighted to welcome Holden Chow (SH 96) who visited us from Hong Kong in December 2015.
Ramsey Brierley (WD 59) visited from South Africa in June and enjoyed morning Chapel service, a trip down memory lane from his time at Uppingham.
Ed Watson (M 88) also popped into the OU Office in December whilst travelling in the UK from Australia.
We were delighted to see John Ray (H 48) who was visiting the School for the first time since leaving Uppingham 63 years ago.
Edward Mullins (SH 10) received his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Buckingham Palace on 16th May in the gardens of the Palace in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Freddie Tucker (B 10) made the most of his gap year spending five months touring East Asia, working in an orphanage in the Philippines, where he volunteered for five weeks. He also climbed Mt Fansipan in Vietnam with Fred Ridings (F 10), the highest mountain in Indochina, at 3,143 metres. Freddie met lots of other OUs on his travels, culminating in a gathering of over 20 School friends at a full moon party in Thailand. In September Freddie started at Cirencester University to study Freddie Tucker (B 10) and Fred Ridings (F 10) at the summit of Mt Fansipan, Vietnam. business management. In the photo from back L to R: Clemmie Stroyan (Sa 10), Allegra Thurlow (Fd 10), Charlotte Greenway (C 10), Alice Bletsoe (C 10), Jemima Erith (NH 10), Elly Simpson (Sa 10), Purdy Sutcliffe (Sa 10), George Burbidge (LH 13), Holly Martyn-Smith (Sa 10), Rory MartynSmith (M 07), Orla Corbisiero (Sa 10), Azeez Al-Humaidhi (B 10), Venetia Brown (Sa 10), Freddie Tucker (B 10), Jack Staley (F 10), Edward Spooner (Hf 10), Fred Ridings (F 10), Jamie Maxwell (B 10) and Lawrie Blakey (F 10).
12 Who What Where
Brothers, Michael (WB 49) and Alan Thompson (WB 54) enjoyed a wander around Uppingham on a warm, sunny day in July, while Alan was visiting from Canada – pictured here outside West Bank.
Announcements We are delighted to have hosted three OU weddings at Uppingham this year. Congratulations to Dominique Askew (Sa 01) who got married in the Easter holidays, Jo Cole (L 99) who was married on 16th July and James Yeomans (SH 02) on 20th August.
James and Emma Yeomans celebrated their special day with OUs Tom Gasgarth (SH 02), who was Best Man, Josh Bryant (SH 02), Matthew Andrew (F 02) and Sara Allen (L 07), Jake Yeomans (LH 08) and Lauren Yeomans (NH 04). Alistair Lamyman (WD 84) married Vladka Chalyova in Slovakia on the 16th January 2016 and they are expecting the birth of their first child later this year. Congratulations to James Matthews (M 88) and Pippa Middleton on their engagement this summer.
Neil Kennedy (Hf 59) is very proud to announce the arrival of his eighth grandson, Louis Neil Kennedy, born on 19th October 2015 to James (LH 92) and Iris Kennedy, a brother for Julian. James Watson (L 88) and Ellen welcomed their second child Zoë, a sister to Edward, on 4th August 2016. Congratulations to Alex Williams (Fgh 92) and Mia on the birth of their second daughter Tilly in March 2016. Emma Royall (née Reeves) (Fd 93), Director of muddymatches.co.uk shared a photo of her two children, Martha, born January 2014 and Hugo who arrived in September 2015.
Ed Plumley (Hf 96) and his wife Nicola welcomed their little boy Charles William Pierre Plumley into the world on 8th October 2015, weighing 6lbs 10oz. Congratulations to Harry Judd (F 99) and his wife Izzy on the arrival of Lola Rose Emma Judd on 25th January 2016.
Ed Stafford (WB 89) married fellow adventurer Laura Bingham on 3rd September at St Michael & All Angels Church in Hallaton, Leicestershire. OU couple Edward Minton (SH 00) and Julia Reeves (L 04) married in Tokyo (Ed’s home) in December 2014. They also had an English wedding celebration on 27th December and a traditional Japanese wedding the next day, finally followed by celebrations in London on 24th January 2015.
Congratulations to Henry Reynolds (WB 94) and his wife Louise on celebrating the first birthday of their second son Guy, who was born on 16th January 2015.
Jo Dickson (née Harris) (J 04) and her husband Edward are delighted to announce the arrival of Andrew Edward Dickson into the world on 26th June 2016, weighing 9lbs 3oz.
Announcements 13
Staff News
A personal tribute to Richard Harman By Charlie Bostock, Registrar As a young and inexperienced schoolmaster starting out at Eastbourne College in 1989, it was a while before I knew all my colleagues and Richard Harman’s daunting reputation reached me before I met him. Having moved to Eastbourne as Head of English from Marlborough, he sustained an active contribution to the Drama Department and demonstrated impressive ability as a director. It was a pleasure to work alongside him as we both ran sixth form girls’ houses before he became Eastbourne’s first Registrar and helped to lead the change to full co-education in the school. Richard’s directorial talent, strategic vision and a pastoral style, complemented by Karin’s support and her own renowned teaching, was soon recognised by others. Richard moved to Aldenham School as Headmaster in 2000 from where his skills, experience and success were recognised and celebrated in 2006 when he became Uppingham’s 31st Headmaster. The prospect
of joining Richard and moving to Uppingham as Registrar in 2009 was an opportunity too good to pass up. To see ‘The Director’ at work again was to witness remarkable development in the School’s ‘stage set’. Uppingham’s history will long remember the structural changes of the Harman era with the vision and completion of the Western Quad. As ‘The Director,’ his principled approach to meeting difficult challenges was reviewed in the press and even prompted one editorial to call, ‘Harman for Prime Minister!’. The Director’s stage was developing and Richard moved on to serve not just the School as Headmaster but the nation’s boarding community as Chairman of BSA and the educational community as Chairman of HMC. This latter appointment is significant given that he was only our second Headmaster to be appointed Chairman and the first since Edward Thring chaired HMC’s inaugural meeting at the School in 1869.
Uppingham’s history will long remember the structural changes of the Harman era with the vision and completion of the Western Quad.
Richard and Karin Harman at the end of the Summer Term with their leaving present, a painting by David Kirk. After ten years at Uppingham’s helm with a stage elegantly set for the 21st century and the School enjoying a record roll, Richard stood down as its Head. The Headmaster, who espoused the Chapel as being at the heart of the School, has followed his own heart and his wife’s career. Karin’s ordination as minister of the Church of England gives her leadership of a new community. And, in another principled decision, Richard has left Uppingham to support her; an elegant reflection of the support she has been to his leadership as a Headmaster. Richard’s influence on UK education has not come to an
end however. As the new General Secretary of the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) his vast experience will be put to good use in advising schools on leadership and governance. Finally, if I may speak on behalf of the school community at Uppingham, I would like to thank Richard and Karin for the dedication, warmth and passion they have committed to Uppingham over the last decade, and to wish them, and their daughter Livvy, every joy and happiness in the future.
Other Staff News A number of long-serving staff have moved on to new pursuits this year. Will Chuter, Housemaster of West Deyne, left Uppingham in July 2016 to become Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Gresham’s School. Will joined Uppingham in 2005 as a teacher of Classics, and, under his leadership, West Deyne developed into an intellectual and friendly house, regularly winning House Debating and House Challenges. Known also for an occasional Elvis-like solo in Chapel and seizing any opportunity to appear as a Greek God in Classics plays, he will be sorely missed. Toby Makhzangi took over West Deyne in September.
14 Staff News
Jonathan Lee, Housemaster of West Bank and teacher of Maths, left us at the end of the year to become Headmaster of Longridge Towers School, near Berwick-onTweed. His care, friendship and thoughtful leadership of the boys was a constant and we wish him and his family the very best. Mike Burton has retired after 19 years of service as Director of Studies, Academic Manager and teacher of History. Richard Wilkinson has said his farewells to Highfield after 15 years as Housemaster there, although he will remain at Uppingham as Senior Admissions Tutor, while Richard Hegarty takes up the helm at Highfield.
Wendy McLachlan retires in December 2016 Joining Uppingham “back in the Dark Ages” (as one of her colleagues admiringly put it), Wendy McLachlan retires in December, having completed 109 terms of distinguished service. She has taken on so many different roles that it is hard to avoid this tribute becoming a list: biology teacher; tutor; in charge of Woodfield (together with Alastair) in its days as Uppingham’s Lower School; Senior Mistress; Safeguarding Lead… The list is still nowhere near complete.
But undoubtedly it has been her pioneering contribution to pastoral care that has counted for most. Much of what she does in this area has been highly confidential, but those who work with her closely will know she rescued countless children from unhappiness, or failure, or worse. Many of her ‘projects’ may recognise that ‘Mrs M’ saved their Uppingham careers from premature and ignominious ends. There is no doubt that Uppingham is a happier and safer school because of her work. By James Saunders, Chaplain
We were very sorry to receive news of former members of staff who have passed away. Malcolm Bussey By David Gaine There have been many warm and affectionate tributes to Malcolm, a ‘bundle of joy’ celebrated by Willie and Ada Bussey in the Yorkshire (how could it be anywhere other!) town of Halifax on the 19th of February 1941; the most moving of all these were the words compiled and spoken during the funeral by his children, Neale, Michael and Tracey. The old stories too, such as the Rugby tour to Yorkshire in 1969, fade not. Malcolm’s arrangements for the 17 of us in a ‘first class’ hotel in Saltburn, which turned out to be a small terraced house
in Diamond Street, run by Mrs EE Samson (Prop), with three rooms – ‘The first seven of you in here…’, and a room for us adults with one bed. The only time, I promise, I have ever slept with a bloke. Even then my feet stuck out at the end of the bed, so imagine Harry Hudson in a bed which was only long enough for his knees. Malcolm was a truly lovely man, enthusiastic, talented, and above all a friend. His reign in ‘The Deyne’ coincided largely with mine in Lorne House. From the start of his working life at Uppingham he was greatly appreciated by the boys (and later the girls) and his colleagues. He had the absolutely essential gift of being able to laugh at himself whenever, as happens, some disaster befell. The ‘talented’
David Emms died on 21st December 2015, aged 90. David joined Uppingham in 1951 and was rapidly promoted to Head of Modern Languages. From the start, imposing discipline came easily to him. Early in his time at Uppingham, his French class tried to test his mettle by placing, before his arrival, three drawing pins on the teacher’s chair. Emms duly took his seat, but to the boys’ disappointment he then stood up and walked around the class, having taken the pins on board with no sign of discomfort. In fact he was completely unaware of his punctured trouserings, because they had been made in the densest tweed by his Army tailor in India. In 1960 David was appointed Headmaster of Cranleigh School followed by appointments at Sherborne and Dulwich College. He was a governor of many schools, deputy chairman of the English Speaking Union and chairman of the Brasenose Society. David was elected chairman of the Headmasters’ Conference in 1984.
side of what could have been arrogant was far from such. He could run from one end of the 1st XV pitch to the other without anyone being able to stop him, or demonstrate the ‘majesty of the drop’ (kicking a ‘drop goal’ between the posts from afar) without in the least sense showing how skilful he was. He was a lucky man, though he deserved to be, in that he had a wonderful wife, Michele, and a growing family – the kind of children who were the sort who became a credit to their parents. In the declining months of his life, brought on by motor neurone disease, I tried to see him, even briefly, as often as possible. We talked about the old days, and watched the Oxbridge Rugby matches on video from years ago. Alan Marsden passed away on 9th March. He joined the Economics Department on exchange from Knox Grammar School in Sydney with Peter Cannings for the academic year 1982/83. He retained a great affection for Uppingham and even named his house ‘Uppingham’. He was the father figure of the highly successful Sydney OU/ Knox Gappers’ reunions. He attended the Sydney dinner in July 2015 with Margie despite not being in the best of health and was diagnosed with cancer later. Our condolences to Margie, his children and grandchildren.
Malc was on the wing, but they never seemed to pass to him! I asked him why, “I expect they think I’ll drop it!” But then, and gradually, the disease became more and more cruel. And at the end Michele called me because the family were gathered, and the end was near. I felt so humbled, and we said goodbye. And the grandchildren lay with Grandpa on his bed. Grown men do not cry, though in the greatest work of European literature (in my view!), King Priam of Troy, at the end of the Trojan War, goes to the tent of Achilles to beg to be allowed to take back the dead body of his son Hector. And the two men sit together in Achilles’ tent, and weep over the cruelty of fate. So perhaps I can too. David Trentham died on 30th June 2016. He taught at Uppingham from 1958 to 1962 and his daughter Rebecca Briggs confirmed he spoke of the School very fondly. Richard Boston remembers him from his time at Uppingham as a young dynamic person who made a great contribution to rugby. Mike Gibson, former member of the English department from 1983 to 1989, passed away on 11th April in Cornwall.
More Staff News The OU Office is delighted to announce the marriage of Caroline Steele to Stuart Webster on 24th July. Caroline has been working in the OU Office since November 2014, employed to cover Lisa Gilman’s (Development Manager) maternity leave but stayed on as a valuable member of the team and has been seen at many OU events.
Malcom Tozer’s book The Ideal of Manliness: The Legacy of Thring’s Uppingham published in 2015 has attracted great reviews, including Stephen Fry (F 70) who said: “Thring, his legacy, his influence and his transformation of Uppingham School were all but pushed down my throat as sacred creeds during my time at Uppingham. His statue and portraits and name seemed to be everywhere. Malcolm Tozer shows us why. The man truly was as remarkable as Uppingham myth made him out to be. Edward Thring was one of those tireless and extraordinary reforming Victorians with an indomitable will, unquestioning sense of destiny and remarkable powers of persuasion. This marvellous book shows how they were combined with a genuinely pastoral sense of
how education could benefit ‘the whole boy’ and thence the whole of society. Malcolm has taught me more in this book than he ever managed to do when I was a schoolboy. But then, to be fair, he was lucky enough never to have me in one of his classes.”
The man truly was as remarkable as Uppingham myth made him out to be.
Staff News 15
Harry Loveday (LH 26) By his grandson Simon Gibbs (Fgh 83)
Obituaries
Harry died aged 103 on the 29th March 2016 in Andalucia, Spain.
In Memoriam
We are sorry to announce news of OUs who have passed away this year. Our condolences to their families and friends.
Harry Loveday* Percy ‘Darby’ Kennedy* William Nicholson Morton Figgis Frederick ‘Brian’ Taylor* Derrick Bedwell John Moy Peter Coldwell* Charles Noon Anthony Garner George ‘Derek’ Short* Robert Aitken* William Allen Richard Faire Michael Makin John Burstall Patrick Braham Christopher ‘Murray’ Judd Robert Robinson George Smith Hal Doyne-Ditmas Paul Griffiths John Allen Sir Alan Waterworth Charles Dorman John Hewett-Hicks Robert Lambert Alan Armstrong Roger Aspinwall Richard Earlam* Nigel Brook* Charles ‘Grahame’ Campion* John Feild Ian Machin* Harry Mount David Pank* Michael Binnie John Martin William Sugden John Vernon Christopher Serjeantson Christopher Alderson-Smith Donald Macalister Hall Rodney Edmondson Richard Matson* Raymond Goodwin Bruce Ogston* Mike Sargent Richard Chanter* Douglas Gray Stephens Nigel ‘Len’ Hutton Alistair Frowde* Daniel Eddershaw
(LH 26) (H 28) (R 29) (F 32) (SH 33) (LH 34) (WD 34) (WD 36) (SH 36) (M 38) (LH 38) (C 39) (M 39) (LH 39) (M 39) (M 42) (SH 43) (LH 43) (WB 43) (C 43) (LH 44) (F 44) (Hf 45) (WD 45) (M 46) (Hf 46) (F 46) (Hf 47) (SH 47) (WD 47) (Fgh 48) (WD 48) (F 48) (LH 49) (B 49) (M 49) (F 50) (LH 50) (SH 50) (Fgh 51) (Fgh 52) (M 54) (H 54) (M 55) (C 56) (Hf 58) (B 58) (C 59) (WD 61) (LH 72) (L 74) (LH 75) (Fgh 81)
Mar 2016 May 2016 Sep 2015 Feb 2016 Jan 2016 July 2016 Aug 2016 Feb 2016 Jan 2016 Sep 2015 May 2016 Sep 2016 Oct 2015 Feb 2015 Jun 2016 Aug 2015 Jan 2015 May 2016 Mar 2016 Oct 2015 Nov 2015 2015 Sep 2015 Feb 2016 Aug 2016 Sept 2016 May 2016 Aug 2015 Aug 2015 Jul 2016 May 2016 Mar 2016 Sep 2015 Aug 2015 Feb 2016 Jan 2016 Mar 2016 Sep 2015 Dec 2015 Jul 2015 2015 Sep 2015 Feb 2016 Aug 2015 Dec 2015 Nov 2015 May 2016 Apr 2016 May 2016 Oct 2014 Mar 2016 Jan 2016 Dec 2015
We are pleased to include obituaries supplied by family members or friends of the deceased.
16 In Memoriam
He attended Uppingham from 1926-30 when Major ‘Bubbly’ Hale was Housemaster of Lorne House. After leaving Uppingham he entered a three year apprenticeship with the Central Argentine Railways. In 1936 he played rugby for Central Provinces against the British Lions on their tour of Argentina. Harry married Mary in 1938, whose father was also an OU, Fred Boardman (LH 1887). In 1942 he joined the Royal Engineers, originally in the UK before serving as Staff Captain at GHQ in Delhi from 1944-46. After the war he returned to Argentina until 1956 when he moved back to the UK with his wife and two children. Harry retired to southern Spain in 1972 and led a very active life, playing golf and swimming until his early 90s. Harry had very fond memories of his time at Uppingham and marvelled at the continued
Captain Percy ‘Darby’ Kennedy (H 28)
Darby Kennedy, who died on 15th May 2016 aged 101, was a founding father of civil aviation in Ireland. In his lifetime, civil aviation changed from a hazardous hobby for a wealthy few to an everyday means of moving around the world. In the chaos as World War II ended, civil aviation had to reinvent itself, and Darby and his fellow pioneers laid solid foundations of innovation and safety. He was a founder member of the British Airline Pilots Association and the Irish Airline Pilots Association in 1946, and its first president.
development of the school. Dearly beloved husband of Mary Boardman (deceased) and father of Angela and Peter, Harry had four grandchildren, two of whom are OUs – Simon (Fgh 83) and Rupert (LH 87) Gibbs – and two great grandchildren. Harry was born on 2nd July 1912, just three months after the sinking of The Titanic, and started at Uppingham when our present Queen was just five months old; the muchrespected P F Saunders had been a member of staff for just one year.
Harry is pictured here on his 100th birthday for the 2012 edition of the OU Magazine, with his grandsons Simon (Fgh 83) and Rupert (LH 87) Gibbs.
Percy William Kennedy, known as Darby, was born at Bishopscourt, Straffan, Co Kildare, just before World War I began. His father, also an OU, Edward (C 1875), bred horses, most famously The Tetrarch, said to be the best two-yearold thoroughbred of the 20th century. Darby was proud of his lineage; an ancestor, John Kennedy, known as the father of the Kildare Hunt, had been created a baronet in 1836. His mother, Beryl Doris Lumsdaine, was the daughter of a Sydney clergyman, and the niece of ‘Banjo’ Patterson, best known for writing the unofficial Australian anthem Waltzing Matilda. He first learned to fly at Baldonnel aerodrome near Dublin whilst at Uppingham, during school holidays. In 1934, he joined the Air Services Training College at Hamble, Southampton, where he gained his pilot’s navigation and aeronautical licences. There
he met Joan Cooper, whom he married in 1936.
De Havilland Dragon at Tramore, Waterville, Rosses Point and other beaches long enough for a plane to take off and land. He also gave aerobatic flights in Tiger Moths from these beaches.
He then joined Imperial Airways (later to become Captain ‘Darby’ Kennedy, British Airways), founder of Weston Aerodrome, where he flew Co Dublin, with the president, the Hanley Dr Patrick Hillery, in a Tiger Page Hannibal Moth biplane during celebrations biplane. He to mark the 50th anniversary also crewed of the aerodrome. the Sunderland Photograph: Matt Kavanagh Darby flying boat on re-joined Aer the Lake Victoria Lingus in 1959, and it was in 1969 and Nile routes. Darby returned that Darby and Roger Kennedy to Ireland in 1938 to join Aer – also a pilot with Aer Lingus – Lingus. He served as chief pilot became the airline’s first fatherduring this period. In wartime, and-son captain and co-pilot on flying passengers had given the same flight deck. way to the hazards of bringing in much-needed supplies from He remained there until 1969 Britain. when he retired from Aer Lingus to concentrate on his He left Aer Lingus in 1947 to set flying school at Weston. He sold up his own company at Weston, Weston in the early 2000s, and Celbridge, Co Kildare, where he retired to Spain. had aircraft and a flying school. A factor in his leaving was the Darby Kennedy’s wife, Joan, impending cancellation of Aer died in 2006. He is survived by Lingus transatlantic services. their children Rosemary, Roger, Margaret, Richard and Judith, as He organised pleasure flights well as his partner, Renate. using a De Havilland Rapide and
A personal message from Patrick Mulvihill What a wonderful OU Darby Kennedy was. I didn’t meet him until he was in his 90s but he was so active, sharp and full of life. In 2007 Darby and his wonderful companion Renate joined us on a journey to Hong Kong to see the Uppingham choir perform, and his joy at seeing the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens (as well as participating in the flowing Guinness) was a sight to see. I was fortunate enough to visit him at his home near Estepona on several occasions, most memorably to represent the School at his 100th birthday party. He had so many friends surrounding him that it was a marvellous occasion, topped off by Darby flamenco dancing with a local lady as midnight struck. More recently I took my wife and children to see him and Renate as they prepared to move house in 2015 and had the thrill of this remarkable 101-year-old driving us around narrow mountain tracks in his Land Rover. Darby was so proud of his Uppingham roots and although his own children did not attend the School he personally helped to fund bursaries for seven pupils. He was always delighted when the beneficiaries of his support let him know how their lives had progressed after Uppingham. Uppingham has a Sports Scholarship named in his honour and I know that his name will live on long at his School. We will all miss his indomitable spirit.
Frederick ‘Brian’ Taylor (SH 33) By his son David
He was born near Manchester in 1920. He sang in the School and Chapel choirs, and for three years played the clarinet in the School orchestra which he remembered with much affection for the rest of his life. Brian did a gap year in France and Germany in 1938. In Germany he was based in Munich and on one occasion he came within a few feet of Hitler when he happened to attend the Gärtnerplatz theatre on the same occasion.
In 1943 the Regiment was shipped via South Africa to India. After jungle warfare training he was rushed to Kohima to stem the advance of the Japanese into India. Following the battle of Kohima he was in charge of traffic control for 10 miles either side of the Chindwin River. The tracks were normally either caked in mud during the monsoons or full of dust when dry. Yet this was one of the main supply lines for the Allies. He was also responsible for rafting vehicles on the Chindwin to move them seven miles downstream.
Brian was called up into the 45th Searchlight Regiment of the Royal Artillery in 1940 stationed in Birmingham at the time of the Blitz. He also served near Dover where he was shelled occasionally by German crossChannel guns.
After the war he completed his degree (P.P.E.) at Queen’s College, Oxford. Brian noticed a considerable difference between those undergraduates who had experienced the war and those who were fresh from school.
Brian died on 8th January 2016 aged 95.
He spent his working life employed by the mining company Union Corporation and became its London secretary and manager with particular responsibility for the company pensions. He married Joyce Heaton in 1948 and had three sons – Peter, David and Christopher. Shortly afterwards the family moved
to Bramley where in his spare time he became secretary of the National Trust property Winkworth Arboretum. In 1988 he retired to the harbour at Bosham, where he lived for 27 years, continuing to enjoy sailing, watching the migrating birds and enjoying time with his children and grandchildren.
Brian en route to Uppingham in his School uniform.
Obituaries 17
Dr Peter Coldwell (WD 36) By his son Paul Born on 18th September 1922, Peter attended Westbury Manor School in Brackley before joining Uppingham in 1936. He was in West Deyne where he met Matthew Forster, from the affiliated Kingswood School, and they became lifelong friends sharing their interest in medicine. Peter’s parents, Walter and Barbara, bought a plot of land literally in the centre of what is now the championship golf course at Moor Park. A new house was built on the site of a temple to the winds and the house was named after this temple. The house overlooks an ornamental lake above Cardinal Wolsey’s residence which today serves as the golf clubhouse. Some six houses were initially built on the site. During World War II, the golf clubhouse became a headquarters for the Allied Command 6th Airborne Division, commanded by General Browning. Senior officers were billeted in the surrounding homes. General Bond (then a Brigadier) was billeted with Peter’s family.
in particular, stemmed from his grandfather, Walter Augustus Coldwell, a specialist photographer and experimenter with X-rays. He was a pioneer in what is today an integral part of medicine. His ignorance of the dangers associated with X-ray radiation was to cost him his fingers and hands due to severe radiation burns. Peter married Kathleen Cussans in 1948 and they had a son Paul in 1949. Between 1950 and 1953, Peter worked as a Medical Officer in the Royal Air Force doing his national service at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, then returning to London to be attached to the Air Ministry medical department in Hallam Street. Following a short period as an anatomy demonstrator at King’s College, he passed exams and gained the medical qualifications of MRCS, LRCP and DMRD. He became a radiologist in the X-ray department of Westminster Hospital in 1953 and remained there until 1958.
In 1958, Peter successfully applied for the post of Consultant Radiologist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.
George ‘Derek’ Short (LH 38) By his wife Gillian
He enjoyed four years under the brilliant direction of Headmaster Wolfenden and learnt the piano with Mr Wainwright, who introduced him to classical music which became a lifelong passion.
War was declared in his second year, but the boys of Lorne House were not much affected by food shortages as Daphne, with foresight, had purchased a large number of hens and also, helped by the boys, picked quantities of blackberries, so they enjoyed a variety of egg dishes and bramble jam was a good basis for the meagre rations.
Peter is survived by his children, Paul and Camilla; and his grandchildren Vanessa, Giles, Nicholas, Isobel and Joanna.
For the next 18 years, Peter worked alternately at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Battle Hospital, Peppard Chest Hospital, Newbury and Henley Townlands Hospitals. In 1988, Peter retired two years early due to glaucoma. He was no longer convinced that he could fully read and interpret everything evident on an X-ray film. On retirement,
Lying in bed in the dormitory he heard, what he learned later, were the German bombers on their way to Coventry and English planes, on their way to practise for the Möhne Dams in Germany. Much later George joined the family shipyard on the River Wear, was elected to the Board and became Company Director, joining his brother John (LH 32). He welcomed Greek and Norwegian ship-owners and English politicians to launch their ships.
He was a keen cine-photographer and one of his films about disabled children was shown in several News Cinemas, and another for the Sunderland Water Company, was used by them for training purposes. 18 Obituaries
Following several falls and the need for a hip replacement, he became increasingly immobile and both he and Kathleen required live-in care. They remained at home until Kathleen’s death and in 2011, Peter moved to a care home. He lived happily there for the remainder of his life until he passed away on 7th February. Peter became an Upholder City Liveryman in 1948 and by 2012 was the oldest surviving liveryman in the company.
Peter concluded his medical qualifications in London and subsequently worked as a House Officer at Westminster Hospital in 1944.
Whilst at Uppingham, Peter won a place to study Medicine at Hertford College, Oxford, during the height of the war in 1940. He remained at Oxford until 1944 and during his time at Hertford College, excelled in rugby and played for the college first team. Peter concluded his medical qualifications in London and subsequently worked as a House Officer at Westminster Hospital in 1944. After a year, he moved to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. Peter’s interest in medicine, and radiology
Derek was the youngest son of a family of shipbuilders – Short Bros of Sunderland. He entered Uppingham in 1938, aged 13, and spent five happy years in Lorne House, being very attached to his Housemaster, P F Saunders and his wife Daphne.
he played regularly at Harpsden Golf Club until about 2005, when his glaucoma had deteriorated further.
In 1957, he married Gillian and they adopted two children who were their pride and joy. Sadly the tide turned for British Shipping and along with other yards on the river, Short Bros had to close. George left the North East to become a Sales Manager for a ready-mix concrete company near Warwick and he stayed there until his retirement in 1990. He was a keen cine-photographer and one of his films about disabled children was shown in several news cinemas, and another for the Sunderland Water Company, was used by them for training purposes. His love of music led him to join several choirs; he was a keen tennis player and life member of Warwick Tennis Club, still on court at the age of 80. His passing on 23rd May 2016, a few days short of 91, was peaceful and he was surrounded by his family.
Robert Aitken (C 39) By his son Robert (C 66) Robert Aitken, son of Major R C S Aitken (C 1900), left Uppingham in 1944 and went on to Trinity Hall, Cambridge; St Andrews; then Sub Lt RNVR minesweeping in the Mediterranean; and later Rugby Portland Cement; Director of Port of Spain operations Trinidad; GKN Sankeys and Pilkingtons Personnel Director. He was founding member of the Institute of Personnel Directors and Endeavour Training; he was Cotswold stone quarry owner Filkins; one time church warden of St. Sampson’s Cricklade and also chairman of Court Leet jury, Cricklade. He was instrumental in St. Mary’s Cricklade, a redundant Church of England church being leased back to the Catholic Church. Beloved husband, father and grandfather and a true gentleman, he died peacefully at home on 2nd September 2016.
Richard Earlam (WD 47) Richard Earlam, born on 26th March 1934, died on 23rd July aged 82. He was a consultant general surgeon at the Royal London Hospital who carried out research on a wide range of conditions, particularly the patho-physiology of the oesophagus; he also pioneered London’s air ambulance service. The author of numerous papers and books, Richard explained on his website that much of his research had been inspired by teachers at Cambridge, where he did his preclinical medical studies, and at Liverpool, where he was a clinical student. His teachers’ occasional failures to answer his questions stimulated lines of research. The thyroid surgeon Philip Hawe’s response to a question about cancer treatment – “Now there is a problem for you to solve, Earlam” – led to “an interest in staging of oesophageal cancer at a later age” and on diseases of the oesophagus more generally. His Clinical Tests of Oesophageal Function (1976), would become the standard text. In 1989 Richard and a colleague at the Royal London, Dr Alastair Wilson, an emergency consultant, founded London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) as a response to a Royal College of Surgeons report criticising pre-hospital trauma care. It had been two years since Britain’s first helicopter emergency service began operating in Cornwall, but the LAA
Robert celebrating his 90th birthday party in February with his wife.
was the first service to have a doctor and paramedic on board, aiming to provide on-the-spot hospital-type treatments. Wilson and Earlam saw helicopters as a way of responding quickly given London’s increasingly congested roads. The LAA was ground-breaking in that it was the only one in a densely populated area dealing solely with major trauma cases. The Royal London was the only multidisciplinary centre where it was possible to build a rooftop helipad. Today the LAA covers an area bounded by the M25, populated by 11 million people. After Uppingham, Richard studied Medicine as an undergraduate at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, going on to Liverpool University for his clinical studies.
In 1989 Richard and a colleague at the Royal London, Dr Alastair Wilson, an emergency consultant, founded London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) as a response to a Royal College of Surgeons report criticising pre-hospital trauma care. After appointments as house surgeon and later house physician in Liverpool he did his National Service in The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) as a surgeon in the British Military Hospital, Hong Kong, afterwards joining the TA as an Resident Medical Officer, 359 Field Regiment. After a year spent in general practice in Australia, in 1963 he was appointed as a prosector in anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons and as a surgical registrar at the United Liverpool Hospitals.
In 1966-67 he spent a year in America, as research assistant at the Mayo Clinic, where he wrote a thesis on hiatal hernia repair in dogs and developed an interest in the patho-physiology of the oesophagus and stomach especially in relation to gastro-oesophageal reflux. He then spent a year in cardio-thoracic surgery at the Universitäts Klinik in Munich before going to the London Hospital as a lecturer in 1968. He set up a laboratory there devoted to oesophageal manometry, a test used to measure the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter (the valve that prevents reflux of gastric acid into the gullet) and the muscles of the oesophagus to show whether they are moving food to the stomach normally. This led to the publication of his book on oesophageal function. He remained at the London Hospital for the remainder of his career, from 1970 as a consultant surgeon. Richard served on various surgical committees including as British representative on the Collegium Internationale Chirurgiae Digestivae (CICD) and on the European Aeromedical Institute. From 1992 he was secretary and later chairman of the Helicopter Committee at the Royal London Hospital. His hobbies included carpentry, beekeeping and sailing. He was a member of the Bayerischer Yacht Club on Lake Starnberg in Germany, and the British Dragon Association – the governing body of British Dragon Sailing in Great Britain. He married Roswitha Earlam (née Teuber) in 1969. She survives him with their two daughters.
Obituaries 19
Nigel Brook (Fgh 48) By his wife Penny
Nigel Brook, former chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, died at the Garden House Hospice, Letchworth on Saturday 28th May 2016. Nigel was born in Kingswood, Surrey and joined Uppingham in 1948, starting a lifelong connection with the School via the OU network. He undertook National Service and as a commissioned officer he fought in Malaya. His subsequent career spanned 40 years working as a shipbroker for European Grain and Shipping Company based in the City of London. During his working life he was a member of the Baltic Exchange and later a Director of the Exchange. He was a lifelong member of the Conservative Party and performed numerous roles including Association Chairman in Epsom and European Chairman for London South West. He moved to Hertfordshire in 1992 when he married Penny. On his retirement from shipbroking in 1998 he began a new career in politics and threw himself into his new life with great enthusiasm. He
worked tirelessly in various roles for the Party and at the time of his death he was Association President for Hitchin and Harpenden Conservative Association. First elected for the Offa Division of the County Council at a by-election in June 2000 he was delighted to be the first Conservative in recent memory to take the seat. His victory meant that the County Council had a Conservative majority for the first time for some years. Nigel was well known, respected and held in great esteem for his tireless work for his division. He rarely missed a Parish Council meeting for each of his seven Parishes. He was elected Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council in May 2007 and served for two years in that role. More recently he was a member of the Police Authority until it was dissolved. Nigel had many, varied interests ranging from cricket, rugby and athletics to music and opera. He attended Promenade Concerts and opera at Glyndebourne and he enjoyed playing bridge both socially and competitively. At the time of his death he was a member of Priory Probus Club and President of Hitchin Rotary Club and he gained much pleasure and strength from the warmth and camaraderie of his numerous friends in Hitchin and the surrounding areas. Nigel leaves behind his beloved wife, Penny, his two children and five grandchildren. The OU team and his many OU friends will greatly miss Nigel. A regular at the London OU Dinner and at the Over 60s lunch for many years, Nigel loved Uppingham and greatly valued his connections with the School.
Nigel was well known, respected and held in great esteem for his tireless work for his division. He rarely missed a Parish Council meeting for each of his seven Parishes. 20 Obituaries
Lt Col Grahame Campion (WD 48) By his wife Ann Grahame Campion died on 15th March 2016. He was born in 1934 and served in the Royal Marines as a National Service Officer. He later re-joined the RMFVR serving as the Commanding Officer of RMR London and subsequently as Honorary Colonel. Grahame was a brilliant leader, he did not work at it, it simply happened. Well-educated at Uppingham, he left with no academic qualifications whatsoever, but having excelled in the CCF, and anxious to ensure his acceptance for National Service into the Royal Marines, he joined the then named RMFVR. When recruits wishing to be considered as Officer Candidates were asked to apply, Grahame, with characteristic ingenuity, chose to interpret the educational requirements in his own way. By the time this omission was discovered, he had already displayed his leadership skills and was on his way to Eaton Hall from where he was commissioned, re-joining the Royal Marines as a Second Lieutenant. Commando training followed at Bickleigh, followed by a mortar officers’ course. On completion of this he was posted to 42 Commando in the Suez Canal zone. When the unit was relieved, they sailed from Egypt to Malta and latterly in the cruiser HMS Cumberland to Plymouth. During his time as a troop Commander, Grahame had already distinguished himself by shooting the champion racing camel of the Middle East whilst on night patrol, and was at the centre of a major international incident whilst in Malta. Grahame’s father owned a family timber business, and it was to this that Grahame returned when discharged. After all the fun that he enjoyed during National Service, he never really settled into a stable commercial environment. By way of compensation, he took up flying and when the expense of his newest hobby exceeded his modest salary, he set up a small business by purchasing a Link Trainer from BOAC for £200, an early form of flight simulator, which had been put up for auction in error. When the BOAC training director failed to persuade him to sell this back to them, they were
forced to send all their pilots to him for training thus further stimulating his cash flow. In consequence his flying activities began to seriously erode the time that he was able to spend with this business; eventually family loyalty took precedence, and he was forced to sell the business. With the proceeds he purchased his own Tiger Moth which he re-painted in camouflaged colours christening her Commando. He was already running a highly successful mortar troop at RMR London, but becoming increasingly frustrated by cost-saving exercises by the MOD. When the unit transport was further restricted, he attended a series of ex-military auctions buying a tank, a Bren Gun Carrier, two trucks and a jeep. Fully taxed and insured, this became known as Camps Private Army. His heavy weapons company thus had wheels, albeit under unusual circumstances.
An aircraft pilot, church warden, seasoned businessman, brilliant pianist, competent canoeist, Commanding Officer, talented woodworker, practical joker, helicopter pilot, highly competent with a shotgun, an excellent horseman and sailor, and a perfect gentleman. On the death of his father in 1976, he took over the running of the company, but the combination of a serious heart attack and high interest rates forced him to sell the business in 1987. This time he used the proceeds to buy a new kitchen for his wife Ann, a JCB, and a second-hand Bentley for himself. Grahame hated pomposity so he also bought a chauffeur’s cap and made himself available to friends and family for weddings.
Throughout his life Grahame was lucky. Twice he was taken off service aircraft which subsequently crashed on take-off. He crash-landed a single engine light aircraft from which he escaped virtually unscathed. He married Ann, an unfailing support in all his enterprises, however bizarre. Throughout his career, his friends and colleagues became well used to his often repeated expression “Well I don’t know how I got away with that one”. To his own considerable surprise, he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in the RMR and appointed Commanding Officer of RMR London, a post he held from September 1974 to September 1977. It was an inspired choice. Applying the same management style that had served him so well during National Service, and in the family business, his tour of office was a resounding success, even if much of that success was attributable to a management style that did not always commend itself to his superiors. Throughout his life he was an unrepentant practical joker. During one Director’s inspection, he placed one of his own vehicles in the middle of the target area and completely destroyed it with mortar fire to the consternation of the then Director. Tasked with acting as enemy on a Special Forces exercise in Alderney, his response Major General David Pank (M 49) David died on 26th January 2016, aged 80. He was born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, on 2nd May 1935 and following his school life at Uppingham, enlisted in the Army in 1958 as a National Serviceman. He passed out top of his intake from Mons Officer Cadet School. He was commissioned in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) that same year and joined 1st Battalion at Colchester. He served with 1 KSLI in Münster (BAOR) as adjutant and then as a rifle company commander after the battalion was posted back to Plymouth. This period included a deployment to British Honduras for some tough jungle training in the wake of Hurricane Hattie and hot pursuit of a bandit with the striking name of Candelario Gonzalez. In 1965 he was appointed GSO3 Ops at HQ 99 Gurkha Infantry Brigade and saw
David Pank talking to Margaret Thatcher in 1985
to the need to gather intelligence was to hire two nuns’ outfits. Wandering across the beach towards the enemy’s fortified headquarters, and dispensing blessings to the local populous as he went, the plan was only compromised when an alert sentry spotted the combat boots underneath the well-starched habit of the Mother Superior and her assistant. Gathering up their skirts, he and his troop sergeant fled back through the amazed public, thus escaping the attentions of the fighting patrol sent out to capture them. On relinquishing his command, he was appointed Honorary Colonel RMR London, a post which he held from 1989 to 1996.
Ian Machin (LH 49) By his wife Lesley Ian always spoke with great affection and gratitude for his wonderful years in Lorne House under P F Saunders and his wife Daphne. His days at Uppingham were very happy. Ian lived life to the full and made many people’s lives happier for knowing him and his loving consideration for all. He is deeply missed by his family and friends. Ian died on 26th August 2015 in Maidstone hospice after suffering from cancer.
Grahame was multi-talented. An aircraft pilot, church warden, seasoned businessman, brilliant pianist, competent canoeist, Commanding Officer, talented woodworker, practical joker, helicopter pilot, highly competent with a shotgun, an excellent horseman and sailor, and a perfect gentleman. He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Vicks and his son Kim and much loved granddaughter Poppy. Grahame will be sadly missed by his many friends, a large proportion of whom crowded the church for his funeral. operational service in Borneo during the Confrontation with the Indonesian Army. He was mentioned in despatches. A return to 1 KSLI, then based in Singapore and Malaysia, followed by attendance at the Staff College, led to his selection as Brigade Major of 24 Airportable Brigade at Plymouth. His appointment coincided with the outbreak of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in 1969 and resulted in two emergency deployments to the province to assist with the rapidly deteriorating security situation. Following a posting as company commander with 3 Battalion Light Infantry (3 LI) at Plymouth and then at Minden (BAOR), he served on the directing staff at the Staff College, Camberley. In August 1974, he assumed command of 3 LI at Minden from where they deployed on an emergency operational tour of duty in Londonderry. After a posting to the School of Infantry (Warminster) as chief instructor followed by an appointment as Assistant Director Defence Policy at the MOD, in 1979 he assumed command of 33 Armoured Brigade at Paderborn (BAOR). In September 1983 David became Commander Land Forces Northern Ireland, a position he held until 1985, it was a turbulent and challenging period. A few days into his tour, there was a mass breakout from the Maze Prison. Of the 38 Provisional IRA prisoners who escaped, 19 were quickly recaptured but many others returned to active service.
During his command, there were more than 500 shooting incidents and 360 bomb attacks. More than four tons of explosives and almost 300 weapons were recovered and there were 690 convictions for terrorist offences. In 1985 he became the Director General of Personnel Services (Army) at the MOD. This was a most exacting appointment at a time of great economic stringency in which he battled to maintain and enhance service conditions and the quality of life of soldiers and their families. His final appointment in 1989 was Director of Infantry. From 1987 to 1990 he also gave sterling service to the Regiment as Colonel of The Light Infantry. In 1989, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). David was a keen sportsman throughout his Army career. As a younger man, he was a successful sprinter and high-jumper. He was also a competitive rugby, hockey, tennis and squash player and an accomplished cricketer. He also had a lifelong love of horses. He was chief executive of Newbury Racecourse from 1990 to 1998, and director of the Racecourse Association from 1994 to 1998. A man of unwavering integrity, David had considerable charm and a great sense of humour. He also had high standards of professionalism. David Pank married first, in 1963, Julia Matheson who predeceased him. He married Jill Bevan (née Murrell) in 2003, who survives him with two sons and a daughter from his first marriage.
Obituaries 21
Richard Matson (C 56) By his brother Peter (C53) Richard joined his brother Peter in Constables in 1956 and upon leaving Uppingham, spent the first years of his career at The Royal Agricultural University (Cirencester) before joining his father who was already farming one of the largest dairy herds in the UK at that time, producing the renowned Twemlows Farmhouse Cheshire Cheese. Shortly thereafter they lost their entire herd and followers to the foot and mouth disease epidemic that struck North West Midlands in 1967/8. Richard was a huge support to his father during this crisis and helped him through the tough times of replacement and re-building. After his father’s death, Richard faced the challenge of diversifying and equine breeding soon became the mainstay of the farming enterprise. At an early stage Richard took to public life. He became actively involved in the Royal Agricultural Society in the 1980s, and was Honorary Treasurer for 12 years. He was
appointed a Fellow, and later Senior Vice President of the Society. He was always dedicated to improvement in education and became a governor at Packwood Haugh (for 22 years). In 1994 he joined the board of Harper Adams University and became Chairman of the Board of Governors. It was during his term of office that The Privy Council granted Harper Adams full university status. Richard was awarded a Harper Fellowship for his services. He was a founder member, and later Vice Chairman, of the National Equine Forum and an Honorary Fellow. In the spring time he could be seen out as starter at many local point-to-points, and in the summer judged at many international and local agricultural shows; and he regularly judged cheese at Europe’s leading cheese show in Nantwich. Richard was a member of the British Horse Foundation, and President of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, having been a member for over 30 years. The photograph was taken just four months before he passed away suddenly on 11th December 2015.
Bruce Ogston (B 58) By Willie Fulton (C 58) College, Cambridge, but his father made him forgo that in favour of taking articles with a firm of solicitors. This career did not last long and soon he was studying singing in Venice and Vienna. In Venice, he had a small part in Visconti’s Death in Venice. His other film work included Peter Rabbit.
Bruce came to Brooklands in January 1958 from Salisbury Cathedral School, where he had been Bishop’s Chorister. He was a music scholar, singing baritone and playing the cello and organ. At school, he was a member of a string quartet with Peter Cropper (Hf 59), Malcolm Henderson (Hf 58) and Tim Eustace (C 58). After Uppingham, he won an organ scholarship to Magdalene
His taste in music was catholic. He appeared in opera at Sadler’s Wells, Covent Garden, the English National Opera and with many other opera companies; but he also performed in West End musicals, such as Fiddler on the Roof and The Lion King. As Musical Director, he directed touring productions including Side by Side by Sondheim, Bitter Sweet and Treasure Island, he also enjoyed appearing in pantomime. Sacred music was his passion. He was, for many years, the Musical Director of the Carmelite Church in Kensington.
As Musical Director, he directed touring productions including Side by Side by Sondheim, Bitter Sweet and Treasure Island, he also enjoyed appearing in pantomime. 22 Obituaries
In the spring time he could be seen out as starter at many local point-to-points, and in the summer judged at many international and local agricultural shows.
Richard Chanter (WD 61) By his sister, Ruth Binney After Uppingham, Richard studied Hotel Management and Catering at Hendon College of Technology, qualifying top of his year. Following assistant manager positions in the UK, in 1971 he took up a post in Mombasa, Kenya, and was to remain in Africa for the rest of his life. He arrived in Zambia in 1979 as deputy and then manager of the Ridgeway Hotel, Lusaka, where he revived the hotel to a high status. His efforts including live entertainment, in which he often performed the vocals, and the formation and management of the hotel football team. With the encouragement of President Kenneth Kaunda, Richard did a great amount to foster Zambian tourism and from 1998 successfully ran his own lodge, Chanters, in Livingstone. Richard passed away on 20th May after a short illness and leaves four sons and a daughter.
He arrived in Zambia in 1979 as deputy and then manager of the Ridgeway Hotel, Lusaka, where he revived the hotel to a high status. Alistair Frowde (LH 75) By his sister, Tessa Sellick (née Frowde) (Fd 79) Alistair died suddenly on 8th January 2016, on the island of Bali; he was 53. Alistair gained a BSc (Hons) in Geology and emigrated to Australia in 1985. He became an Australian citizen, working in WA and Victoria before moving to Indonesia where he met Mimi;
they married and made their home on Bali. Their daughter Tara was born in 2004. Alistair became the regional exploration manager for Straits Resources Limited in 1997. Always a social person, he is hugely missed by Mimi and Tara, his extended Indonesian family, his father Geoff, former Housemaster of Fircroft, mother Liz and siblings, Tessa (Fd 79) and Jeremy (LH 80).
From the Archives
Can you recognise yourself or identify any of the boys in these two photographs? The school’s archivist would be interested to know names. They were taken on a fieldwork trip to Plymouth with Ian Pringle (Staff 1949-79) and Guy Messenger (Staff 1949-80) at Easter in 1951.
GIFTS TO THE UPPINGHAM ARCHIVES In April 2016 Hal Whitehead (C 65), Frank Whitehead (SH 67) and Ian Whitehead (C 74) kindly donated three large water colours to the school, painted by Francis Philip Barraud in c1890. The paintings are given in memory of their father Denis (C 40) and grandfather Henry (C 1897).
The 1584 School Room
The Old School House Quad and the original gateway to the School.
A most outstanding collection of Han and Tang terracotta was generously given to the School in 2015 by an OU and his wife who wish to remain anonymous. With the help of an OU donor, the Uppingham Foundation, and The Friends of Uppingham, these exquisite figures are now magnificently displayed in a museum-quality showcase in the Leonardo Centre.
Western interior of the Chapel
From the Archives 23
A RARE FIND MAKES ITS WAY BACK HOME... A valuable addition to Uppingham’s archive collection has been generously donated to the School by Jeremy (C 73) and Liz Bale (née Crooks) (Fd 76), who discovered a book belonging to Thomas Tindle Anderson (M 1908) in a junk shop in North London. The large leatherbound album contains wonderful photos from Thomas’s time at Uppingham, his contemporaries, House and School teams as well as 24 pencil and pen drawings by A.N. Cotterell drawn in 1917 and 1918. Though Cotterell was not an OU, we assume he and Thomas became friends during the war and hence these skilfully drawn pictures ended up in the album.
24 From the Archives
Thomas Tindle Anderson was born in April 1894 and came to Uppingham in May 1908; he boarded at Meadhurst. Thomas left Uppingham in July 1913 and went to Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was a School Praepostor in his final year. As Certificates in the album inform us, he was a member of the Friends’ Ambulance Unit from September 1916 to February 1919 and served in France in Convoy SSA13 around Dunkirk. He was wounded in August 1918 but remained in the Unit for another five months. Thomas Tindle was a Schoolmaster, and from 1930 the Headmaster of the junior school of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. He died in December 1972.
‘A NICE PIECE OF CHANGE FOR A NICE PIECE OF BURMA.’
THE STORY OF JOHN PRESCOTT HALLETT’S (FGH 23) FRAUDULENT SCAM... William Shine, John Hallett’s godson got in touch with Uppingham’s Archivist Jerry Rudman with a remarkable story published in the Daily Express on 15th February 1945, and the Milwaukee Sentinel in July 1945, as reproduced below.
Mr. Z Bought Burma Dwarfing the Suckers Who Purchased Westminster Abbey and Brooklyn Bridge, the Rich Hindu Paid $1,000,000 to the Slick British Officer for a Slice of Country Still Occupied by Japs. The chap who sold London’s Westminster Abbey to a dodunk from Dublin and the fellow who disposed of the Brooklyn Bridge to a yokel from Ypsilianti were rank amateurs compared with John Prescott Hallett. Ex-Wing Commander Hallett, a member of Lord Louis Mountbatten’s staff in India, sold a large portion of Burma to a gullible Hindu capitalist for more than $1,000,000-cash in advance and he did it while the land in question was in the possession of the Japanese.
Even after Hallett had been arrested and more than half of his newly acquired wealth had been found in a safe camouflaged to look like a refrigerator, amazed British officials could hardly believe the story they were told. But the prisoner, who has just started to serve a 12-year term in an English prison, blandly pleaded guilty at a court-martial to charges of forgery, larceny and embezzlement, and based his entire defence on just one statement: “When a man has that much money and is that stupid, he deserves to be taken.” It was Hallett’s flair for conviviality and lavish spending that really trapped him. He had always been that way. The son of an Army Colonel with no particular social standing, he evinced such charm and business acumen that by the time he was 24 he was a recognised leader of London’s younger social set. That was in 1933 – the year he married the beautiful Averil Streatfield, now the wife of the Marquis of Camden. When his first marriage ended in divorce after three years, he wed Hilda Felicity Cowley, a wealthy young racehorse owner. By the time the war came he was a member of the most exclusive clubs, a director of half a dozen large British companies, owner of the best kennel of racing greyhounds in the British Empire and very suitable material to be appointed a wing commander in the RAF. He was considered one of the most capable and certainly the most popular member of Lord Mountbatten’s staff. At one of the numerous parties given by the officers, Wing Commander Hallett
met a Hindu millionaire who was referred to at the trial only as Mr. Z because, it was explained, he was so important in Indian politics that disclosure of his name might have widespread repercussions. Mr. Z mentioned that the Japs had overrun all of his rice fields in Burma. That was too bad, Hallett agreed, but it wasn’t anything to worry about, because the invaders were about to be driven out, and when they were, not only would Mr. Z’s rice paddies be free but there would be vast new areas which could be had for a very reasonable price if bought soon. “As a matter of fact,” he said, “I have been commissioned to sell them. I’ve had a lot of attractive offers, and I’ll probably let them go in a day or two to the highest bidder. Of course, the most important thing is secrecy, but I know I can rely on you not to mention it to a soul.” Mr. Z, whose war contracts had been bringing in so much money that he was desperate for good investments, rose to the bait like a hungry muskellunge. But Hallett, who knew a good thing when he saw one, wouldn’t talk any more that evening. Early the next morning Mr. Z appeared at Hallett’s flat in Calcutta. Following him were two servants, each of whom carried a heavy bag. “I am very much interested in your proposition,” he announced. “All I require is some proof that Burma is to be recaptured and that you are authorized to act for your government, and I am ready to put down a deposit at once.”
credentials, were all that Mr. Z needed. He left two bags of silver and took away a receipt. The deal was completed in a fortnight and Hallett was $1,000,000 richer. It had all been so easy that his sudden prosperity went to his head. He had always been a generous host, but now he began to splurge. His lavish parties were the talk of Calcutta, Bombay and Delhi. He left $100 tips for waiters, rented whole floors of hotels, bought expensive gifts for mere acquaintances. Other officers began to wonder. The RAF Special Investigation Branch discovered that Hallett had sent $300,000 to various London bankers with instructions to pay off certain debts. Something was obviously wrong, and Hallett was arrested in his quarters in eastern Bengal, about 120 miles from Calcutta. He shrugged, smiled and handed the military police the key to an enormous white-enamelled safe which looked for all the world like an electric refrigerator. Opened, it was found to contain $650,000, most of which was in silver rupees. The court-martial was very brief and before the scandal could spread, Hallett was on his way to England to serve his term. “I’m just sorry,” was his only comment, “that I didn’t have more time to enjoy the money.” John Hallett was a School Praepostor at Uppingham, playing for the Cricket XI and captaining the Hockey XI. He went on to Brasenose College, Oxford, and a career in advertising. Sadly we have no idea what heights he reached after his term in prison.
Hallett demurred. This was rushing matters too fast, he said, and his other prospective clients might be indignant. But finally he allowed himself to be persuaded. He had in his pocket some of the actual official details of Mountbatten’s plan for the reconquest of Burma and these, with some forged
From the Archives 25
Events London Dinner March 2016 at the Mandarin Oriental. It’s the biggest event in the OU calendar, if you didn’t make it this year, we hope you can join us on Thursday 2nd March 2017.
Chris Pearson (WB 74), Louis Oliver (WB 75), Tim Vaughan (WB 77) and Robert Ditcham (M 74).
Martin Cardoe (Hf 74) and Jo Sanderson (née Bowers)(Fd 77).
Sophie Macrae (Fd 04) singing ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, accompanied by most of the guests in the room!
David Kirk piping guests into dinner.
Hattie Cuthbert (L 04) and Phoebe Davies (L 04).
Fiona Johnston (L 04), George Jones (WB 04) and John Wayte (F 04).
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Mimi Morley (Fd 05), Millie Talbot (Fd 05) and Emily Assheton (Fd 05).
Georgina Maud (Sa 04), Harriet Maud (Sa 07) and Jo Rolison (Sa 04).
Richard Harman receiving his honorary OU tie, marking his final London Dinner as Uppingham’s Headmaster.
Sir Peter Cazalet (M 42) and Greg Hutchings (M 60).
Lucy Womack (née Hilton) (Fd 82), Julian Edmunds (H 79), Sophie van Berckel (née Wade) (Fd 83) and Stephanie Heath (née Johnson) (Fd 82).
Curtis McWaters (WB 10) and Chanon Anunrojwong (WB 10).
Morgan Ward (C/SH 04), Angus Sallaway (Fgh 04) with William Burrows (SH 04) in front.
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Musicians’ Drinks Party March 2016 at Jewel Piccadilly.
Stewart Drummond, Eleanor ‘emu’ Mills (Fd 01), Ollie Boothroyd (F 98) and Victoria Drummond (Sa 03).
Felicity Wills (L 98), Antony Willot (LH 97), Beth Willot, Isabella Mayne and Peter Mayne (B 96).
Headmaster’s Farewell Dinner May 2016 at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Anthony Edwards (WD 49) and Neil Aitkin (L 81).
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Martin Hole (M 69) and Karin Harman.
Rory Landman and David Chaplin (M 77).
Joe Threlfall (F 93) and Jason Noy (Fgh 96).
Mansion House Reception May 2016 at The Mansion House, London. A very special occasion held at a fantastic venue, courtesy of the Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London and current parent Charles Bowman (WD 75).
Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London Charles Bowman (WD 75) and his wife Samantha welcoming Richard Harman to Mansion House.
Alex Lake (C 00) and Freddie Gore Browne (WB 00).
Tim Gittins (Fgh 77) and Jonathan ‘Ted’ Heath (Fgh 73).
Holly Wilkins (Fd 90) and James ‘Rollo’ Ross (LH 87).
Lucy and Charles Lewis (LH 88).
Sydney Dinner
July 2016 at The Union Hotel, Sydney, organised by Amy France (Fd 00).
Margie Marsden and Max Garratt (WD 93).
From bottom left and moving clockwise: Ed Watson (M 88), Harry Wade (F 97), Ned Hall (F 91), Victoria Jones (J 98), Belinda Noel (L 02), Amy France (Fd 00), Margie Marsden, Max Garratt (WD 93), Rachel Harris (L 99), Tom Marlay (SH 97), Caroline Jones (J 00), Tom Ray (Hf 00), Noriman Mak (B 75), Rob Harrington (B 73), Andrew Blamey (Knox) and Emma West (née Burgess) (Fd 77).
Amy France (Fd 00) and Harry Wade (F 97).
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West Bank 150th Anniversary May 2016 at Uppingham.
Brenda and Neil Skidmore (WB 45) with Michael (WB 45) and Jill Oliver.
Michael Trace (WB 74), Keith Insch (WB 73), Renee Dalby (former West Bank Matron) and Stephen Pearson (WB 77).
Anthony Smith (WB 81) with his father Michael (WB 55) and brother Charles (WB 79).
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Clive Burton (WB 54), Keith Edwards (WB 54), Susan Edwards and Susan Burton.
40 Years of Girls’ Celebration June 2016 at Uppingham.
Jo Sanderson (née Bowers) (Fd 77), Janet Tynan (née Prosser) (Fd 77), Pippa Blackstone (née Hargreaves) (Fd 77), Charlotte Massey (Fd 77), Sally Jones (née Stucke) (Fd 77), Susie Mathieson (née Taylor) (Fd 75) and Jill Thornton (Fd 77).
Sally Jones (née Stucke) (Fd 77) and Charlotte Massey (Fd 77).
Jill Thornton (Fd 77), Ann Duminil (née Smith) (Fd 77), Janet Tynan (née Prosser) (Fd 77), Penny Hipwell (née Hart) (Fd 77), Richard Boston (B 56) and Janet Wingate (Fd 77).
Louise Mitchell (Fd 80), Sarah Howell (née Williams-Thomas) (Fd 80), Sally Abrahams (Fd 80), Juliet Parrish (Fd 80), Helen Elliot (Fd 80) and Zara Napier (Fd 80).
Photocall 31
Speech Day & Founder’s Day May 2016 at Uppingham.
The unveiling of Richard Harman’s portrait by Speech Day’s Guest of Honour, Dr The Hon Sir David K P Li (H 54) accompanied by Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell (M 65) and the Headmaster. The painting is now hanging in the Science Centre.
Michael Marchbank (WD 45), Basil Frost (M 45), David Leather (B 45) and Derek Bunting (B 45).
George Crane (WB 10), Marco Meile (WB 10), Robbie Greco (WB 10), Curtis McWaters (WB 10), William Warren (WB 10), Thomas Casterton (WB 09) and Rory Ngah (WB 09).
Hanue Chan (WD 67), James Noon (SH 94) and Chris Noon (SH 65).
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Richard Levell (H 74) and his wife Magdalena.
Bristol Dinner October 2015 at Racks Bar and Kitchen.
Richard Dingley (B 45), Craig Paull (LH 66) and Ralph Williamson (Hf 47).
Above: Charlotte Scott (J 86), Alex Illingworth (C 09), Lydia Shepherd (J 12), Sophie Meager (Fd 09) and Tara Patel (Sa 09).
The Hanjarpa Weekend
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2017
September 2016 at Uppingham School.
THE LONDON DINNER 2nd March, the Mandarin Oriental
Eight OUs who meet annually, celebrated their 30th anniversary since leaving Uppingham this year, watching the rugby and catching up with Richard Boston and Casey O’Hanrahan on The Leicester before dinner in the evening. The name ‘HANJARPA’ comes from the first letter of each of their first names.
UVRC DINNER March, Uppingham HONG KONG DINNER April NORFOLK DINNER 11th May, The Hoste, Burnham Market FINANCE DINNER April/May SPEECH DAY & FOUNDER’S DAY 27th May, Uppingham LINCOLN DINNER 22nd June 1957 VINTAGE ‘60TH ANNIVERSARY’ CELEBRATION September, Uppingham OVER 60s LUNCH 29th September, The Cavalry and Guards Club If you have a particular anniversary coming up, such as 10 or 25 years since leaving Uppingham, and you would like to organise an event to celebrate, please do get in touch, we are always happy to help.
All OUs from 1981, L to R: Adrian Dyter (WB), Neil Aitken (L), Rupert Staines (B), Peter Marsh (M), Adam Tinsley (C), Jonathan ‘Jack’ Frost (M), Hugh Symington (L) and Adam Black (L).
Our thanks to all those OUs who have attended events in the past 12 months and for helping to make them such fantastic occasions. Please call Jo Franklin or visit the OU website for up-to-date information and details of how to book forthcoming events.
Photocall 33
Miscellane OUs MEMORIES OF LAURA By Eoin Slavin (WB 75)
Laura and I both returned to the US for university and I saw her a few years later at a collegiate rowing regatta in New England where she was competing for Dartmouth. We had a great catch up; but sadly it was the last I saw of her. We went our separate ways though I had heard through the grapevine that she had settled and raised a terrific family. I was really distraught to learn of Laura’s passing a few years ago, really a sad loss.
I was very much ‘the other American’ at Uppingham when Fairfield opened in 1975; I was an ESU exchange student in West Bank that year. Laura Woodberry (Fd 75) was the much fairer Yank who became an instant leader and role model to the raft of Lower Sixth young ladies who descended on Uppingham that fall. There is no doubt that Laura and I both felt extraordinarily lucky to have found ourselves at Uppingham that year, we both had wonderful times and were lucky enough to enjoy the glorious ‘summer of 1976’, one of the warmest and sunniest ever. And it was genuinely helpful to us both having another American down the street as we both threw ourselves into a school life that began as very foreign to us but which we fully embraced and which fully embraced us right back.
I will toast you one and all from here in Connecticut, and please pause for a thought for Uppingham’s first female house captain, Laura Woodberry, she was a terrific girl.
Then, just last month, something quite extraordinary occurred. I was touring a company that manufactures and distributes rowing equipment in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a massive operation with a huge warehouse filled with hundreds of rowing shells. As I walked through the warehouse there were racks and racks of boats stacked to the roof, every one of them bright white…except for one, lone canary yellow shell way up on the very top shelf on its own. I was drawn to the yellow shell and went for a closer look… and literally lost my breath, even upside down the name jumped out at me, the Laura Woodberry! There she was, proudly on the ‘top shelf’. The story was that the boat was owned by Dartmouth, it must have been named for our Uppingham’s Laura in her memory, and was in for a bit of maintenance. I never cease to be amazed at the modest size of this enormous world but this was just a staggering coincidence. To run into a memory of Laura just now after so many years and at the time of Fairfield’s 40th, well it does take one’s breath away. I trust that one and all will enjoy the commemorative festivities marking 40 years of girls at Uppingham. I will toast you one and all from here in Connecticut, and please pause for a thought for Uppingham’s first female house captain, Laura Woodberry, she was a terrific girl. Nice to think of her namesake boat still out there cutting through the water...
Uppingham was represented at the Thiepval ceremony on the Somme on 1st July by Charles Arrand (Hf 82), who laid a wreath on behalf of the School in memory of the 450 OUs who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I and the 250 who followed them in World War II. Seventy-seven OUs died in The Battle of the Somme of which 25 were never found; their names are inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial along with more than 72,000 missing British Empire servicemen. Charles commented: “It was a very thoughtprovoking and interesting day, quite a spectacle whilst at the same time preserving due dignity and solemnity. We were all very well looked after by an army of volunteers from CWGC, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and all manner of very smart looking commonwealth troops. The logistics of bussing 10,000 people to and from the site, accommodating them on site, seating them all in time for the ceremony, feeding them breakfast and lunch, and being prepared to deal with medical emergencies, etc. must have been daunting, but it went without any apparent glitch.” Charles bumped into two OUs, Willie Fulton (C 58) and daughter Mary Tweed (J 88) who also attended the ceremony, pictured above. Read more in ‘News’ on the OU website.
34 MiscellaneOUs
JOHN BIRD’S (L 67) HISTORIC DISCOVERY IN DUMBLEYUNG
Having also broken the land speed record on Lake Eyre salt flat in central Australia, with a speed of 403.1mph on 17th July, Donald Campbell remains the only person to break both land and water speed records in the same year.
On the way back from a trip to Esperance John Bird (L 67) and his wife Sharon, who live in Fremantle, Western Australia, passed through Dumbleyung. The small town, about 3.5 hours out of Perth, has a salt lake that in winter is full of water and is where Donald Campbell (WD 34) set the world water speed record on 31st December 1964. Donald Campbell joined Uppingham the same year as John’s uncle, James Alexander Salter (L 34) who died in Singapore in World War II and who features on The Lodge war memorial above the fireplace in the dining room. Donald was reputed to have walked, while at Uppingham, along the parapet of the Seaton Viaduct (the longest viaduct in Britain with 82 arches, a fact which John remembers from his fag exam!). Donald Campbell attempted to break his own water speed record a little over two years after the Dumbleyung record, on 4th January 1967 on Coniston Water in the Lake District. A split
second before his jet-powered boat, the Bluebird K7, broke the record, travelling at more than 300mph, the boat’s nose lifted and it was catapulted 50ft (15m) into the air. He was killed instantly as the boat hit the water and disintegrated, he was 46 years old. His body was not recovered for another 34 years, until 2001. His remains were buried near Coniston Water. Having also broken the land speed record on Lake Eyre salt flat in central Australia, with a speed of 403.1mph on 17th July, Donald Campbell remains the only person to break both land and water speed records in the same year. Donald Campbell followed in his father’s footsteps in terms of world record breaking, Sir Malcolm Campbell (WD 1899) was also famous for his motor racing and world speed records, becoming the first man to travel over 150mph in 1925, and 10 years later he exceeded 300mph. He also set the fastest water speed world record in 1939.
MiscellaneOUs 35
Chris Carr (LH 64) got in touch with the OU team recently about his father, Captain Richard Carr (Hf 33) who was featured in newspaper articles which detailed his incredible courage and determination during World War II.
THE ELECTRONICS ROOM
CAPTAIN RICHARD CARR’S ‘GREAT ESCAPES’ The incredible story of British army captain, Richard Carr (Hf 33) has led to comparisons with Steve McQueen’s ‘Cooler King’ character in The Great Escape. Captain Carr tried to escape four times from German Prisoner of War camps to make his way to freedom – including one effort to burrow his way out and another that involved disguising himself as a French worker. He first made his name at Dunkirk for which he won the Military Cross but it was his escapology that led to the award of an MBE. A prisoner of the Italians and Germans in World War II, he modestly described his escapes as “four real breaks and a few minor ones”. He used a variety of techniques including tunnelling, disguise and leaping from a train – but was always recaptured. His story, echoing that of ‘Cooler King’ Hilts in the 1963 film The Great Escape, came to light after research was carried out when his five medals sold at auction for nearly £20,000. The medals would normally fetch about £2,000, but because of the story behind them a bidder paid £18,760, over three times the estimate of £5,000.
His second attempt was made after the Germans took over that camp and were preparing to move it. Captain Carr and a friend secreted themselves in a small hideout beneath the stairs and sealed themselves in. After a search that lasted all day and most of the night, Captain Carr was eventually dragged from his hiding place. He was beaten up then taken by train to another PoW camp in Germany from which he escaped in October 1943.
He first made his name at Dunkirk for which he won the Military Cross but it was his escapology that led to the award of an MBE. A prisoner of the Italians and Germans in World War II, he modestly described his escapes as “four real breaks and a few minor ones”.
After Dunkirk, where he was bombed, Captain Carr spent time in hospital before volunteering for the Commandos, joining 11 Commando in August 1940 and serving with No.1 Troop. He went to North Africa to take on Rommel and one day, after a long range patrol, returned to his camp unaware it had been taken by the Germans. After his capture in January 1942 he was sent to a PoW camp in Italy and until the end of the war he made escaping his raison d’etre. His first break for freedom came later that year when he spent six weeks digging a tunnel from which he and 13 others escaped. A week later Captain Carr and a colleague took shelter at a farmhouse in the hills near
36 MiscellaneOUs
Titopotenza while on the long journey to Switzerland, but were captured.
Having walked out of the camp disguised as a French worker, he went to Munich where he boarded a train for Strasbourg but was eventually captured. Taken to yet another camp, he helped dig a tunnel but before he could use it he was moved by train with more than 100 other officers to Stalag VIIIF. During the train journey, the Captain made another bid for freedom when he leapt from the carriage as it travelled at high speed. He was captured by the Gestapo.
In May 1944 he was moved to Stalag 79 at Brunswick and almost immediately walked out through a partially finished sewer, but was again captured. He remained a prisoner – some of it in solitary confinement – until the camp was liberated at the end of the war. Steven Bosely, the auctioneer who sold the medals at Boselys auctions, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, said the high price paid was because of the incredible story of the hero. After leaving the Army at the end of the war with the rank of Captain, Richard Carr was awarded the MBE for his courageous escape attempts as a PoW and he joined the family business, Carr’s Biscuits, which are still sold today. A family man and keen sailor, he died after a short illness in late 1977 aged 58.
The photo above originated from Myles Sewter and shows me in about 1967 at the original Thring Centre in the Electronics Room. You will note the way the soldering iron, complete with a very hot bit, is being clutched in my left hand not too far from my left eye whilst I am checking my handiwork; this was pre-Health and Safety… From a historic standpoint, I assume it was the same Heathkit Electronic Test Equipment in the photo that continued in use to the day the Electronics Room closed at the new Thring Centre, which is a credit to Myles for his always meticulous work. Having just retired, after spending all my working life in hardware and software related to the aviation industry, a lot of which is due to those times at the Thring Centre with Myles, I am also grateful I left school with two working eyes! By Bill Oscroft (H 66)
Spotted in the Daily Telegraph 8th September 2016…
Out of Pocket SIR – I fear that Denise Taylor’s hope of seeing Boris Johnson take his hands out of his pockets (Letters, September 6) may be disappointed. It is explained by where one went to school. At Uppingham in my day, hands were kept out of pockets because all boys had to have their trouser pockets sewn up, including those of the striped trousers that we wore on Sundays. The rule was relaxed for the senior pupils we called praepostors, but by then we had lost the bad habit for life. Christopher Dickson (SH 61)
Clubs & Societies OU CROSS COUNTRY
OU RUGBY
An OU rugby team, recruited by team captain Ollie Moffitt (SH 11), assisted by David Beggs and coached by Tim Prior, were runners up in the Ratcliffe College Charity Rugby Festival held on 25th September, player of the tournament was awarded to Will Garson (F 11).
Once again the OUs boldly tackled the very challenging Uppingham course on 5th March. This year the team was slightly depleted with injuries and general unavailability but we ran a good race and didn’t come last! We’ll be back next year, bigger and stronger so if you would like to run contact Iain Wakefield (WB 82) at iain.wakefield@btconnect.com.
Phill Maw (WD 75), John Clargo (Guest), Iain Wakefield (WB 82), Andrew Lockhart (Guest) and Sam Barton (WB 90).
OU SQUASH
The 2016/17 season got off to a great start on 27th September 2016 playing The Queen’s Club U35s, captained by Jamie Thomson (B 98). On Saturday 3rd December the club will take on the School’s 1st and 2nd teams and will feature in the inter-school old
boy Londonderry Cup, reputedly the oldest amateur squash tournament in the world having first been played in 1934 (1st round opponents not yet known at time of going to print). Please contact Charlie Richardson (Hf 98) at charles.h.richardson@ gmail.com if you’d like to hear about fixtures or indeed play.
Back row: Jack Storry and Freddie Knight (Stoneygate players), Will Garson (F 11), Will Moffitt (SH 07), Ted Lee (F 07), Tariq AlHumaidhi (B 07), Tom Treble (WD 09) and Robin Hardman (staff). Front row: Piers Burgess (B 11), Archie Smith (LH 09), Ben Kennedy (B 09), Ollie Moffitt (SH 11), Jordan Dobney (WD 09), David Beggs (staff) and Will Cropper (Stoneygate player).
OU SHOOT
The annual OU shoot took place on 8th November at Jeremy Thompson’s (LH 54) Brancaster Estate in Norfolk. If any OUs would be interested in receiving information about future OU shoots, please contact David Edward (WD 88) djmedward@ googlemail.com or John Vartan (LH 51) jbr.vartan@btinternet.com.
THE UPPINGHAM ROVERS CRICKET CLUB The Uppingham Rovers enjoyed another strong summer of cricket. The traditional tour was again a success with more new faces heading down and enjoying some good cricket and socialising than ever before. Wins against Lancing Rovers and Old Malvernians were the highlights amongst a couple of draws and a loss to the Old Eastbournians which saw them take back the Ashworth Thwaites Cup. The Uppingham Rovers won against Sherbourne Pilgrims in the first round of the cricketer cup and narrowly lost to
Old Wykehamists in the second round; however, with the youngest squad on show for some years, we will be looking to go a few steps further in next year’s competition. The Old Malvernians, who The Rovers tour against, won the 2016 Cricketer Cup. Once again any OUs who play regular cricket and enjoy the social side of the game are encouraged to get involved and come along on tour. So please get in touch with Chris Bennett-Baggs (WB 02) cbennettbaggs@gmail.com.
First round Cricketer Cup Match v Sherborne Pilgrims which The Rovers won, the fielder is Archie Stroud (WD 07) and bowler, Will Hodson (F 96).
Clubs & Societies 37
OU MASONIC LODGE “One of the features of freemasonry is that it is meant to be and is fun and a key element is the dining after meetings” says Adrian Lewthwaite (M 76). The Uppingham Lodge has dined in a variety of locations during its history; starting at Café Royal before moving on to St James’s and then the City University Club. Recently, the Lodge moved on to the United Grand Lodge in Great Queen Street.
THE UPPINGHAM VETERANS RIFLE CLUB
As has become custom, a crowd of Uppingham Veteran Rifle Club members descended upon the School in March to shoot against the School team. UVRC were again able to field a very strong team comprising a number of international shooters including Simon Pattinson (WB 52) (both pupil and master at the school) and his daughter Katie Bryers (née Pattinson)(Fd 89). The match result (calculated by taking an average score of participants on each side) saw the UVRC team winning narrowly by one point from the School. The teams enjoyed a dinner later in the Kendall Room and continued the evening visiting various hostelries in Uppingham.
An important part of dining is the opportunity to invite guests and be invited as a guest to other Lodges.
Fast-forwarding to July and the Imperial Meeting (the British Open Championship) began in earnest with the Veterans’ Match on the Ashburton Thursday evening. The three UVRC teams did well and the A team were flawless with all five firers scoring perfect 50s to give them 1st place. The B team came 9th out of 30 and the C team a creditable 4th out of 23 teams shooting. The Simon Pattinson Trophy was won by Emma Cannings (L 95) and the Donegall Badge went to Sam Hunting (M 07) for the highest scorer never to have won it previously.
The Lodge is part of 32 Public School Lodges which enables members of the OU Lodge to visit and dine with each other. These Lodges dine across a range of different venues, from grand West End clubs to historic buildings such as the Charterhouse and St Bart’s Great Hall. A number of the London schools such as Westminster dine at the school.
In the Grand Aggregate, our leading placed member was Gaz Morris (LH 89) who came 14th. Other top 100 finishers were Simon Osmond (WB 85) (31st), James Watson (L 88) (42nd) and brother Chris Watson (M 92) (59th). In the top 200 Antony Ringer (B 79) came 134th, Emma Cannings (L 95) 184th and Simon Belither (L 71) 190th.
United Grand Lodge of England, where the Uppingham Lodge now meet.
In the St George’s final, Simon Osmond and Chris Watson came 13th and 14th respectively with Gaz Morris 37th. In the Queen’s Final (the most coveted individual annual competition), Chris Watson came a very close 3rd place only one point and three ‘v’ bulls behind the winner. Other UVRC finalists were Gaz Morris (52nd),
St Bart’s Great Hall Each year a school takes its turn to hold a festival at their school on a Saturday in the summer at which there is a chapel service, music and sports events and a sit-down lunch. As well as meeting three times a year in London the Lodge meets in Uppingham on a Saturday in the second week in September. The dinner after the meeting is open to non-masons and any OU and their partner can attend. More information and contact details are provided on the OU website, see OU Societies.
24 Clubs 38 Focus & onSocieties Girls
James Watson (L 88), Antony Ringer (B 79) and Chris Watson (M 92) with the Veteran’s Match shield and other trophies won by the UVRC. Simon Osmond (58th), James Watson (63rd) and Emma Cannings (74th). The National Match produced a win for Wales for the very first time in over 100 years of competition with Gaz Morris and Chris Watson both getting perfect scores of 105. Simon Osmond was the only Uppingham Veteran to shoot for England against them (shot at 300, 500 and 600 yards). James Watson was the sole UVRC member in England’s victorious Mackinnon team (long range match shot at 900 and 1000 yards) whilst Gaz and Chris both shot for Wales. Finally Gaz represented GB in the Kolapore who won with a new record score nine points ahead of the Australians.
UVRC at the March shoot against the School.
OU HOCKEY
There was a fantastic turnout on Sunday 20th March, when an OU team took on the School. It would be great to see anyone that can join us next year – please contact Nick de Wet by email at NKD@uppingham.co.uk for details. Back: Richard Hegarty, Nick Greener (F 98), Henry Bletsoe (F 08), Will Collins (B 04), Alex Collins (B 01), Freddie Lewis (B 04), Jim Thompson (LH 04), Robbie Thompson (LH 03) and Nick De Wet. Front: Marcus Pugh-Smith (Hf 07), Ollie Rix (F 07), Tom Dodds (B 07), Harry Finster (M 07), Bruce Boldy (B 09) and Toby Byford (LH 09).
OU GOLFING SOCIETY
The OUGS continues to be a very well-supported society with over 300 members enjoying 36 fixtures played throughout the year at some of the best courses throughout the land. The premier event during the year is always the Captain’s Meeting and 68 OUs, wives and partners enjoyed a tremendous weekend at Ilkley Golf Club hosted by Anthony Flather (M 70) and his wife Holly. Our number included seven young members whom we have been trying to encourage in recent years with the help of Keven Johnstone (master in charge of golf). The main winners were: Andrew Morgan (Fgh 74), Chris Flather (M 67), Guy Scott (WD 81), Chris Symes (SH 04), Brian Cooke (Hf 53), Tony Pull (M 49), Roderick Rhodes (Hf 68), Peter Crocombe (B 03) and John Newbould (F 62). At the AGM held during the meeting, David Goodale (B 54) was elected President for a second year, Hugh Smith (WB 64) was elected Captain for 2016 and Martin Walker (L 67) Vice-Captain for 2016. Hugh Smith held his Captain’s meeting at Trevose on 16th – 18th September 2016.
team. Our congratulations also go to Peter Unsworth (F 63) who at Royal Troon this year chaired his third Open Championship as Chairman of the R&A’s Championship Committee. At this year’s meetings our teams have had mixed success. We won the Birkdale Bucket at Woodhall Spa for the fifth year running. We lost in the second round of the Halford Hewitt to Haileybury, and in the same round of the Bernard Darwin to Marlborough; in the first round of the Senior Darwin to Winchester; in the Grafton Morrish after beating Radley, Brentwood and Canford, we were beaten by Reed’s in the semi-final, and in the Queen Elizabeth at Royal Burgess we were beaten in the quarter final. Our Area OU meetings this year have been won by George Mitchell (F 65) (West Midlands) and by David Arthur (SH 63) (Merseyside). Mike Ingham (M 66) and Eddie Allingham (H 81) won the Repton-Uppingham Trophy at the West Midland Public Schools Meeting.
The Arrow Trophy 2015 took place on 2nd October with teams using Sunsail’s F40 fleet from Port Solent. The weekend is always a fantastic experience for expert and novice sailors alike and the competition attracted 21 teams from independent schools. The weekend started with Fleet Racing around the Solent, competing for either a top four place to go through to the Match Racing Final for the Arrow Trophy, or to race the remainder of the fleet for the Charterhouse Bowl. Although our destiny was 9th place in the main fleet, we achieved it safely, learnt lots and, most of all, had huge amounts of fun!
Hugh Smith (WB 64), Anthony Flather (M 70) and Chris Symes (SH 04). Congratulations go to Derek Bunting (B 45) who has served the Society so well over many years. In 2016 he reached 50 years as a member of the R&A and became entitled to one of the much-prized lockers in the Big Room at St Andrews. Derek, assisted by his brother Edward (B 49) and many OUs and friends, joined in his celebrations there in May. Ever young and energetic he was also one of our winning team in the Birkdale Bucket and represented the OUGS in the Veteran Darwin
OU SAILING
Winners of the Birkdale Bucket - Chris Flather (M 67), Eddie Allingham (H 81), Derek Bunting (B 45) and Peter Newbould (F 66). More OUGS news and full details of all results and participating players from matches throughout the past 12 months are available on the OUGS page of the OU website.
Calling all OU golfers The OU Golf Society (OUGS) holds inter-school matches and regional events at great golf courses near you every year. All ages and handicap levels welcome. Annual sub just £10. To join, please call the OUGS Secretary, Martin Walker (L 67) on 01142 368912 or email martin.walker53@sky.com. More details at www.olduppinghamian.co.uk > Societies > Golf Society.
Uppingham was represented by a team of 12 sailors, organised by David Gavins (LH 73), with John Tildesley (WB 72) as skipper and Guy Thornton (Fgh 76) navigator and tactician. Amidships were Alex Woodroffe (F 87), Mark Whitworth (S 77), Sarah Whitworth, Tom Bowden (C 73), Kate Bowden, and James Raffety. Johanna Cave (Fd 89) dodged around the hatch, expertly flying the spinnaker; George Gavins (LH 04) tended the mast and Simon Ward (F 75) managed the foredeck. If you are interested in sailing, why not join the team for the Arrow Trophy 2017. For further information about OUSA please contact David Gavins at david.gavins@btinternet.com – all sailing abilities welcome. A full write-up from this year’s competition held on 1st and 2nd October is available to read on the OU website.
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London The
Dinner
Thursday 2nd March Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Knightsbridge ÂŁ89.00 per person (ÂŁ67.00 for OUs aged 29 and under) Includes: Pre-dinner drink, a three course meal and half a bottle of wine. Tickets are available from Jo Franklin 01572 820616 jsf@uppingham.co.uk