Harry Dalton, formerly Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCH), has died at the age of 65 years. 
Harry was born in nearby Morley in 1958. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield 1970 – 1977.  His university education was at Charing Cross Medical School London, qualifying MB, BS in 1983. His first Junior Post was at the old Clayton Hospital across the road from QEGS.  Later he became a Senior House Officer in General Medicine at Treliske Hospital, Cornwall. Following a Registrar post at St George’s Hospital, London and an academic post in Oxford he completed his specialist training in Gastroenterology in Leeds. In 1994 he returned to Cornwall, having been appointed as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at his old hospital. He spent most the rest of his career in Cornwall. 
Harry made innovative changes to the Gastroenterology service at RCH, developing and expanding the endoscopy service in particular. He was one of the founders of a multidisciplinary Jaundice Hotline clinic which saw referred patients rapidly, with clinical assessment, laboratory investigation and radiology all performed on the same day. This was ground-breaking at the time and formed the basis of later studies. A similar rapid access service for dysphagia followed. 
Education was another passion. Harry relished teaching undergraduates and junior doctors both formally and in clinical settings. He wrote several examination guides and a textbook of Gastroenterology. He made links with UK and overseas medical schools establishing Cornwall as a popular placement for students. From 1997-2002 he established and chaired the Cornish Undergraduate Education Group. Building on this, he served as a Peninsula Medical School project executive resulting in the foundation of a new Medical School with bases in Exeter, Plymouth and (critically) Truro.
In 2003, something happened which lit Harry’s fuse. An unexpected, autochtonous case of Hepatitis E had been discovered by a colleague in Cornwall a couple of years earlier. Analysis of cases of unexplained hepatitis at the Jaundice Hotline revealed a handful more. A rush of laboratory investigations, local and international collaborations, case studies and data collection ensued. Over the next few years, with others we established inter alia that locally acquired Hepatitis E was surprisingly common, porcine in origin, affected older men disproportionately, killed patients with chronic liver disease, could be chronic in the immunosuppressed, caused specific neurological disorders and could be transmitted by blood transfusion. Harry’s charm, drive and unconventional approach led to his involvement with multiple international research groups and an extensive travel itinerary. It also led to a series of well-received publications, invitations to speak at specialist conferences and membership of expert bodies. 
Away from work, Harry was an inveterate smoker, military historian, keen cook, pianist, vegetable gardener and above all, entertainer. He was a stimulating, generous, provocative, kind and frequently infuriating friend and colleague. He was happiest at work.  Following his early retirement in 2018 his mental health suffered and life became very difficult for him. However, he began the road to recovery and his discovery of a personal, vital christian faith brought him strength and comfort – a key factor in helping put many issues behind him.  He provided practical help for a number of charitable causes including the establishment of a new set of premises for the Leeds City Mission in connection with its work for marginalised people.    It is poignant that his final illness occurred just as he was emerging from this challenging phase in his life. He is survived by his ex-wife Gillian and four sons, 3 of whom are doctors.
Harry Dalton BSc DPhil (Oxon) FRCP Dip Med Ed.  Born 17 December 1958 and died of metastatic oral cancer on 19 March 2024. 
Authors: Andrew Dalton (brother), Dr Richard Bendall, Dr Jeremy Hunter (colleagues) 

 

Robin Barron who died on February 12, aged 84, led a remarkable life; he was much loved by family and friends and greatly admired by colleagues.

He was born in Morley on February 3, 1940. The eldest of three siblings, Robin excelled in rugby, playing for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (“QEGS”), Morley RFC, Esher RFC, and Oxford University.  As a weekly border at QEGS, Robin was a senior prefect, head of house, played 1^st XV rugby and cricket, and also represented QEGS in athletics and tennis. Robin was Secretary of the Old Savilians’ Club (1979 – 1990) and President (1991 – 1993), which included the Quatercentenary Year in 1991 with all its events, including a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

From QEGS, he went up to Brasenose College, Oxford, where he thoroughly enjoyed playing a number of sports for Brasenose College and rugby for Oxford, while at the same time allegedly studying geography. After Oxford, Robin's career started with teaching geography and coaching rugby at Ermysted’s Grammar School in Skipton and Wimbledon College, working as an education officer in Carlisle, as a senior project manager in Northallerton implementing lottery grants for the improvement of sports facilities in schools, and a 24-year career at Sport England. The most enjoyable part of his Sport England job was in assisting a wide range of amateur sports and community sports clubs securing government funding. Career highs included being seconded to running sports facilities at the 1991 World Student Games in Sheffield and later to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as being part of the Sport England National Facilities Unit where he was involved with the Manchester Olympic Bid, the building of the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, the construction of the National Hockey Centre in Milton Keynes, and the introduction of the Lottery Sports Fund.

Robin met his future wife and love of his life Jackie at The Painters Arms in Drighlington in 1964. Married in 1969 they went on to have two children, James and Rachel and four grandchildren, twins Jack and Abby (18), Jamie (12) and Ena (9) all of whom he adored. Somewhat tired of driving James to and from Slazengers Hockey Club with nothing to show for it, Robin eventually swapped his rugby referee whistle at College Grove for a hockey stick at Slazengers, for longer than most.  Robin was deeply involved in his community, including serving as chair of VOX (a government-created community empowerment organization); as a governor of Wrenthorpe Academy School, Newton Hill Community School, and Wakefield College; a member and past Chair of the Probus Club of Wakefield; and he was an early and vocal supporter and trustee of Disability Sport Yorkshire (1993 to 2012).

Sir Rodney Walker, former chair of Sport England and Wakefield Trinity and current chair of the British Basketball League, paid tribute and said: “Robin did a great deal for sport in the UK but particularly in Yorkshire. He leaves a proud legacy.”

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Mick Bradley. Mick joined QEGS as an assistant porter in 1984 before rising through the ranks for over 30 years to become Head Porter. 
Mick was always known for sorting things out promptly and with a wicked sense of humour, always had a smile on his face. 
He will be sadly missed by his family and his friends at QEGS

 

Remembering Peter Hustwitt (1954)…….

Peter attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School from 1944 until 1954, during his time at QEGS, he held several offices, he was the scorer for U14 XI (1948-49), Form Librarian and member of the scientific society(1949-50), Sub prefect (1951-52), Prefect, Member of the Historical Society, XI Cricket Scorer and Assistant Games Secretary(1952-53), Deputy Head Boy, Games Secretary and Captain of Cave(1953-54). 

 

His last comment on his report card read ‘ A very friendly and charming boy with a loud laugh. Sound ability: should do well at Cambridge: fine character’ 

 

Peter Hustwitt Died in Ottawa on January 11,  2023 at the age of 87.

Peter was born on 20 April 1935 in Yorkshire, England, the elder son of John and Elenor Hustwitt. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, at St Catharine's College Cambridge and at University College London. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Member of the Town Planning Institutes in both the UK and Canada.

Peter worked as a town planner in a private practice in London and foe a local authority in Durham, England, before emigrating to Canada with his family in 1966. He worked in many capacities, for 30 years with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at the National Office in Ottawa before retiring in 1996. Peter was an award winning philatelist and an avid collector of antique maps and prints. He enjoyed good wines, single malt whiskeys, tending his garden with its roses, golf and the occasional game of bridge, but said he was not particularly good at either of the latter two. Peter had a long and productive life and travelled the world with his beloved wife Evelyn. He was widely respected and cherished for his integrity, humour and stoic character. Peter was predeceased in 2019 by his daughter Kay and in 2022 by Evelyn (nee Fulton) his wife of 62 years. He will be sadly missed by his daughter Lynne, brother Robert, sister-in-law Christine, son-in-law Kevin and many friends. Peter was a very proud grandfather to Dillon and Zeke. 

Stephen was born in December 1955. He gained a Scholarship to QEGS in the 1960s. Stephen spent about 45 years working for Wakefield Council where he was known for his hard work and attention to detail. Stephen became a Christian in the mid-1980s. He became a man who 'lived out' his deep faith, not only as a Church Warden at St Andrews Church on Peterson Road but through many acts of kindness, plus much sacrificial giving to good causes. Stephen served God humbly, without demanding recognition of all the good works he did. Stephen died of cancer in June of this year, remaining a faithful Christian to the end.

 

 

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Richard Woodside. Richard worked at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) for boys for 19 years between 1985 and 2004. He was known for wearing a bow tie – it being safer than a regular tie in a lab around bunsen burners – and demonstrating how to fasten one to pupils before official school dances.

Born in West Kirby, on The Wirral, Richard taught physics in Wellingborough and Bath before moving to Wakefield. 

In 1991, he married his wife, Cora Woodside, whom he met while teaching English at the school.

Richard worked for Cambridge International for 39 years as an examiner, chief examiner, paper setter, editor, and international trainer. And he is the author and co-author of several GCSE , AS and A-level textbooks.

Richard and Cora moved from Wakefield to Cornwall after early retirement in 2014. 

Richard was a loving husband to Cora, and doting father to his sons Duncan and Alasdair and his partner Mandy, and a loving stepfather to Mark and partner Nicola, Paul and wife Catherine, and step-grandad to Rachel and Alex.

The funeral service for Mr Woodside, who passed away aged 76, was held at Glynn Valley Crematorium, Bodmin, on August 24.

Representatives from St Austell Golf Club, Squires Field Community Centre, friends and neighbours were in attendance alongside Richard’s family, and tributes were made by Cora and son Duncan.

His niece, Anna Woodside, sang the Lord is my Shepherd via broadcast, as she could not be released from casting duties from the West End production of Frozen.

 

Bob, as he was known, attended QEGS from 1952-62. School days were very sporty, he was Captain of Rugby, Vice-Captain of Cricket and Captain of Savile. From leaving school he studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge gaining a BA Hons degree in history.
 A very keen sportsman, rugby and cricket his passion and he was so proud to represent his college in the Rugby Sevens at Twickenham, also achieving the position of cox in his rowing eight.
Bob kept his links close to his Wakefield roots playing for Wakefield Rugby Union and also St Michael’s cricket club. 1967 took him from Wakefield RUFC to Otley RUFC where he captained the team for 3 years.  He went on to play his best rugby for Otley.
Bob’s initial working career started with Procter & Gamble but he moved to E J Arnold, the major educational supply company.  This move took him north of the border to Peebles where he spent several happy years especially being involved with the rugby club.  When his role in Scotland came to an end he returned to E J Arnold’s headquarters in Leeds and brought the family back to North Leeds where once again sport played a huge part in his life especially at the local cricket club.  E J Arnold led him on to other roles involved with educational supplies and eventually he set up his own company suppling schools with the equipment that had been a major factor in his working life.
 A sense of humour was one of Bob’s great attributes, as well as the tendency to occasionally break the rules!  He is survived by his wife and two sons.
By Jackie Whitehead, wife.
 

10 February 1983- 6 April 2023

Tom worked at Wakefield Council for around fifteen years and his last role was as a senior accountant. He studied for his accountancy qualification whilst working and was in the middle of completing his charted accountancy CIPFA qualification. He had established some very good working relationships and was very well thought of as he was always empathetic towards his colleagues and gave advice and support where he felt necessary 

Tom and I met in 2008 at his cousin’s wedding to my best friend and we bought our first home together, situated in Lofthouse, in 2010. 

Tom proposed in 2013, on a holiday to Morocco, where we went to celebrate Tom’s 30th birthday.   We married on 5 September 2014 in Keswick, a place where we had enjoyed many camping trips over the years.  After the ceremony we enjoyed a lake cruise with our guests on Derwentwater before the wedding breakfast. We enjoyed a mini-moon in Windermere for a couple of days afterwards. 

In March 2015 we headed to Australia for our official honeymoon and enjoyed a four week trip exploring the East Coast, taking in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Brisbane, before a two night stay in Dubai on the way home. This holiday was something that Tom had enjoyed planning, as he had always wanted to return to Oz, since his experience on the QEGS world tour. 

Our first son, Freddie, was born nine weeks early in November 2015.  We moved into our second home in May 2018 in Stanley and our second son, Jude, was born in February 2021, a day before Tom’s birthday. 

On 1 March 2022 Tom was diagnosed with bowel cancer, after acting quickly when he experienced a few health problems. He started chemotherapy soon after and was always so positive and brave throughout his treatment journey. After the first course of chemo didn’t target the cancer as well as we thought it would, Tom’s treatment changed and he continued his chemo journey.

Tom took ill health retirement in September 2022, a decision he didn’t take lightly as he didn’t want to let his team down and give up on the role he was so dedicated to. However this gave him the space to be able to concentrate on his treatment and recovery and where possible to spend more quality time with our boys, doing the school run was something he always enjoyed. 

 In November 2022 we took a family trip to Tenerife, a family holiday was on Tom’s bucket list, although, unknown to us at the time, this was to be our last one.  When we returned, Tom hurt his back and was unsure how this had happened.  A CT scan identified that he had fractured two vertebrae. This led him to a period in Wakefield hospice for rehabilitation. Tom turned 40 on 10 February and he was discharged the day after.  Although he did manage to enjoy some birthday celebrations being let out for a couple of hours. We enjoyed a family meal and this was so important to Tom. 

Unfortunately while he was in the hospice he took unwell and we were given the news that the cancer had spread to the brain.  On 1st March, Tom had his final oncology appointment, where we found out there were no further treatment options available. This still didn’t deter Tom, he continued to be brave, positive and in good spirits. Tom always had a great sense of honour and this continued throughout his diagnoses and treatment journey. He still enjoyed watching football and rugby and went to a few matches where he could. 

Tom was a family man he wanted the best for his family and made sure he worked hard to ensure we were well supported. 

Freddie continues in the footsteps of Tom with his passion for sport. He plays rugby and cricket and he’s inherited the love of supporting Leeds United. Tom loved to watch Freddie’s rugby and cricket games and made as many as he possibly could. 

One of Tom’s greatest achievements was building a bar from scratch in our garden. He strategically drew up the plans and sourced all the materials. Many a happy memory has been made in Tommy’s Tavern with friends and family. 

He was a member at both Oulton and Normanton golf clubs over the years. 

Tom passed away on 6th April 2023 peacefully at Wakefield hospice whilst I was holding his hand. 

He leaves a legacy behind in his boys and he will forever be remembered for the humorous, hardworking, kind, generous and all round good man that he was.

Charlotte Rigby


 

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Sarah after a short illness.
 

Angela sadly passed away 6 April 2023 after a short illness.  She was the much loved wife of  the late Prof Michael Clarke (OS 1963), mother, grandmother and sister.

I regret to inform you that my father, Christopher John Lowery, passed away peacefully on the 29th March 2023 at the age of 94. He leaves a son, Arthur, his wife, Jo, and 3 Grandchildren, Ellen, Rebecca and Zoe. Christopher spent many years at ICI Wilton designing and optimising Nylon production plants, until he retired in 1981. He then had many hobbies including windsurfing, house restoration, woodwork, saxophone, tennis, dancing, bridge - many of which continued until the lockdowns. He will be sadly missed by his family and community.

Sincerely
Arthur James Lowery
Son
21 April 2023

Christine Owen (nee Mills)
Former teacher
 June 17th  1944-  Dec. 5th  2022

Chris - merely to think of her fills me with delight! Chris joined WGHS English Dept in 1993 after being a qualified librarian post university, then a teacher at Hymers in Hull and at Leeds Girls’ High.
Chris arrived at her Wakefield interview in a red leather suit and wickedly pointed black and white shoes. This certainly set the tone of things to come as Chris was as individual as her clothes and her sense of humour on occasion could be as wickedly pointed as her shoes. Students and colleagues alike appreciated both these aspects!
 
Chris was a consummate teacher and a hugely knowledgeable academic. Her lessons across the entire curriculum were unfailingly engaging, stimulating and memorable. Her conversation in the staff room was equally engaging, wide-ranging and often highly provocative. With great sensitivity as HOD 1995- 2002, she led and developed the Department and steered us through a highly successful Inspection.
She continued the full teaching timetable until her retirement, which coincided with her move to a wonderful new home overlooking Sheffield’s green valleys and conveniently close to her two daughters Rachel and Beth to whom she was devoted.

Chris had always wanted to travel extensively post-retirement and had plans with her sister-in-law, Rhiannon. However, this was not to be as husband Tom’s mobility declined and she gladly provided more physical care as well as continuing to be his intellectual equal and his soulmate .
 
Chris herself was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s which was controlled until Tom was diagnosed with throat cancer from which he subsequently died. Chris then ultimately moved in with Rachel and husband Dan and dog Dora and was lovingly cared for by all three until Parkinson’s Dementia took its toll. Chris was then superbly well cared for in Hallamshire Care Home until her death in December.
We are deeply sad to lose such a former colleague and dear friend but we remember her with love - and yes, with delight.

Glenys Woods (Formerly Chris’s Second in Dept and always a dear friend)
 

It is with sadness that we report that former maths teacher Judith Hartley has passed away

It is with sadness that we report that Rosemary passed away peacefully on Saturday 11 March 2023 at Barnsley Hospital.  
Rosemary had been rushed into Pinderfields Hospital on 3 January 2023 and after surgery on the 12^th Jan she never really recovered.
Her step daughter tells us that Rosemary held WGHS very close to her heart and she often shared wonderful memories.

Sadly our daughter Susan Priest (nee Wood) 1977-1991 died in May 2022 following an accident.

She had many happy memories of her 14 years at WGHS. She made many wonderful, lasting friendships and represented the school at netball, hockey and shotput.

She always appreciated the excellence of her WGHS education.

In 1992 she progressed to Nottingham University and studied for a degree in Behavioural Science and Psychology followed by a Masters in Environmental Management.

After University, she went into the wine trade taking more exams, resulting in qualifications allowing her to become a tutor.

Susan married in 2003 and had a son and a daughter.

When Sue died we discovered that she had, for many years, had her name on an organ donation register. She donated both her kidneys successfully to two young people who had been waiting several years for a transplant.
For this, she has been awarded The Order of St. John for Organ Donation which we will collect on her behalf in May 2023.

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Margaret Morgan, a Geography teacher at WGHS from 1966 – 1968.
Margaret came to Wakefield in 1957 when her husband David applied for a job in Normanton, where he was Headteacher until his death. They welcomed their first child, Elizabeth, known as Liz, in 1958 and their second, Caroline, in 1968. Margaret was widowed in 1969 but continued to teach until her retirement in 1984. She taught Geography at Wakefield Girls’ High School and Careers at Thornes House School, helping many students into jobs. She would often be recognised by former pupils in the supermarket!
As well as supporting the Wakefield Historical Society, she belonged to the Wakefield Civic Society and was their President from 1991-1995. She chaired the Gissing Trust for many years. She was active in the United Reformed Church on George Street until its closure, and was a volunteer steward at Nostell Priory for 30 years.

It's my sad duty to inform you of the death of a former pupil and my Brother
Austin Joseph Pearce.

Austin was a popular boy, and a proud scholar at Queen Elizabeth Grammar
School; He joined QEGS in 1969 and left in 1974.

His parents (Jean and Francis) worked at a local business, Burdin Motors
(Northgate).

Austin was a keen football and rugby follower (Leeds United, Wakefield
Trinity/Leeds Rhinos).
He worked for many years as a manager at the British Library (Boston Spa).

Austin died peacefully at home with his family  -one day before his 65th
birthday.

A funeral will be held at Kettlethorpe Crematorium on Friday 17th February
at 10:40am.

Martin Pearce

Ian Ogilvie Nichols (OS 1951)

Sadly passed away on 2 February 2022 aged 89 years.

Ian was born 15 December 1932 to John and Mary in Glasgow.  His father was a policeman and they moved frequently around the west riding of Yorkshire.  He passed the 11 plus examination and attended QEGS until 1951, he then went on to study chemical engineering at Glasgow University achieving first class honours after three years.  He was chosen to study at Mc Gill University Canada, after which he worked on the mines in Rhodesia.  He spent three years in the Royal Navy which was when he met and married Iris a student midwife in Southampton Hospital.  They then moved abroad to Trinidad and worked supervising on the oil refineries.  On return to the UK he worked in a variety of locations for Davy Corporation, with subsequent employment in Qatar.  They retired to their home in North Yorkshire.
Ian truly valued a good education and frequently referred to his time and experiences at QEGS as the most formative of his life, providing the foundation and also the springboard to a fascinating and interesting life.  As well as being highly academic he also achieved success on the sports fields, representing the school in: rugby, cricket and football.  He continued to play rugby at University and whilst in the Royal Navy he represented the combined services team.  He managed to maintain his school friendships and during his retirement he would meet up with Old Savilians.
He was predeceased by Iris.  He is survived by his children, Robert and Elizabeth, and by her children Henry and Matilda his grandchildren.

It is with sadness that we report that Rebecca has passed away. Obituary awaited.

It is with sadness that we report the death of Mr Shaw on 22 November 2022, aged 88 years.
Mr Shaw taught at QEGS until 1983 when he was ordained as an Anglican priest.  Whilst at QEGS, he also taught rugby and cricket and was very involved in all the drama productions, taking roles in My Fair Lady, Half a Sixpence & Iolanthe.
His children Alistair Shaw & Deborah Fuller also attended the Foundation schools.
Hi funeral is on Thursday 15 December at York Crematorium at 11am.  All are welcome.

Bob (as everyone knew him) taught at QEGS from the mid 60s up until 1983, when he left the school to become ordained in Wakefield Cathedral as an Anglican priest. During his service at QEGS, he was Head of Religious Education and also taught rugby and cricket, and led many school assemblies. He was a form tutor for sixth formers and supported their studies, offered career advice and assisted with Higher Education applications. Notable alumni with whom he worked were Mr JK Dudley (Head), Mr Peter Hawkin, Mr Tony Clayton, Mr Ronald Chapman and Mr Jack Grimshaw. He was an active member of the QEGS community, taking part in the annual sixth form summer stage musicals, held with WGHS. Most memorable was his role as Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady.
Born in Manchester in February 1934, Bob attended William Hulme Grammar School, representing the school at rugby and cricket many times. He progressed to Manchester University, successfully graduating with a BA in Politics and Modern History, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity. He achieved a scholarship to live and study at New York Theological Seminary, 'Union', from 1958 to 1959, successfully completing a Masters in Sacred Theology.
Returning to the UK following his study in New York, he worked as a Methodist minister in Suffolk, before taking up the post as a teacher in the mid 60s at QEGS.
After leaving education in 1983, he devoted his life to serving rural, country parishes, initially at Scissett and Clayton West, Denby Dale and Cumberworth in the Huddersfield diocese, then moving to Cumbria to serve at Ireby, Uldale and Boltongate within Carlisle diocese. He retired to Sproxton near Helmsley in North Yorkshire in 1995 but continued to help out with services in the local church, St. Chad's of Sproxton.
Bob was married to Kathleen, who taught at WGHS Junior School, she travelled with him to New York whilst he was at Union Theological Seminary and worked as a primary school teacher in Manhattan, NY. They enjoyed many holidays and walks together over the years, from the west coast of Scotland to the Norfolk Broads, the Cumbrian fells to the Cornish coast, the Derbyshire dales to the Lancashire dales of Pendle and Bowland and from North Yorkshire moors and coast to local walks around Sproxton, always with a beloved sheepdog.
Bob loved gardening and reading (he had hundreds of books that filled every inch of shelf space in the house).
Everyone he served during his years as a teacher and throughout his Ministry would say thank you for the public outworking of a calling that formed so much of his identity. When he died, the family received an outpouring of sympathy and support from His Grace the Archbishop Stephen of York, Bishop Ferguson of Whitby, His Grace Reverend John Sentamu and many associated staff within the church community in the dioceses of York and Carlisle.
Bob's wonderful dedication and support to students at QEGS and through donations to Manchester University to enable talented people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve scholarships and his support of many charities will forever be his lasting legacy.
May the peace of God rest upon him.
written by Deb Fuller, daughter.

3 April 1931 – 1 November 2022

My mother, Geraldine Blake (nee Griffin), died peacefully at home on 1^st November 2022 at the age of 91.  She loved her time at WGHS, and several of the friendships she made there lasted her whole life. 
Mum always enjoyed the company of children, and knew from a young age that she wanted to teach, so when she left WGHS she went to St Osyth’s Training College in Essex to train to be a primary school teacher.  When she qualified, she returned to Wakefield to teach at a school in Lupset, and in 1953 she married my father, Michael Hamilton Blake, whom she had met when he was in the sixth form at QEGS.  Mum took a few years off work to look after my two brothers and me, and returned to teaching full time in 1964.  She loved her job, the school and her colleagues, and spent the rest of her long and happy career at Dimple Well Infant School in Ossett, eventually becoming deputy head, and retiring in 1991.
Away from school, she loved to be outdoors in the garden, playing tennis, walking in the Dales, visiting the coast and spending holidays in France and Italy.  In later years she was a fun-loving granny, riding bikes and scooters with her grandchildren, taking them on visits and enjoying books with them.  She was also a volunteer with the Samaritans for some years, and after my father died she volunteered at Pinderfields Hospital and at a primary school, where she enjoyed working with children again and instilling a love of books.
Mum is very much missed.  She is survived by my brothers Nicholas and Julian and myself, and by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Sally-Anne Blake
 

Owen Lancaster died on Sunday 25th September 2022. After leaving QEGS in 1997, Owen went to Newcastle University, and subsequently completed his postgraduate studies at Manchester. Owen worked at Leicester University as a post doctoral researcher, where he developed the worlds first open genomics database, that has subsequently received funding from the Gates Foundation, and continues to underpin critical research in this field.

Owen is survived by his daughter Inka, wife Barbara, and elder brother Rhys who also attended QEGS.
 

Evelyn Hustwit died, suddenly, on August 13, 2022 at the Ottawa General Hospital.

Evelyn was born on 1 December 1936, the eldest daughter of John and Lesley Fulton. She was educated at Wakefield Girls High School and Anstey College in England. She married Peter Hustwit on 19 August 1960 and they had two daughters, Kay and Lynne. She worked as a physical education teacher before emigrating with her family to Canada in 1966. Since that time she lived in Ottawa where she was a well respected tennis coach.

Evelyn was a top class tennis player from an early age, eventually playing internationally for many years. She was a three-time North of England Junior Champion. She played in the Championships at Wimbledon in 1957,1958 and 1961. Evelyn won many times in the local National Capital Tennis Association Championships -- singles champion five times, ladies doubles champion 13 times and mixed doubles seven times. After reaching 'senior' status she added a further 39 NCTA titles. She was the Canadian Seniors Champion on several occasions in doubles and singles in age categories from Over 40 to Over 80. Evelyn played for Canada in the International Tennis Federation Seniors and Super-Seniors Championships from 1985 to 2018. Her Canadian team reached the final on four occasions - each time losing narrowly to the USA. She was twice a semifinalist in the World Seniors Individual Championships, and and her highest world rankings were 5th in Mixed Doubles and 8th in over 80 Singles. She also won the Over 80 European Seniors Championship in Austria in 2016. On one occasion she was the over 40 Canadian Squash champion and was a member of the Canadian Squash team at the World Championships in Australia in 1976.

Evelyn was a most kind, warmhearted and generous person, with not a harsh word for anyone. She was well-known for her integrity, her energetic and ever optimistic character and her ability to nurture her family and friends. Evelyn was respected and loved by her numerous friends around the world. She was a stalwart member of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE), an excellent bridge player and she loved travelling the world, whether to compete for Canada, or to vacation with her beloved Peter.

Evelyn will be terribly missed by her family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Kay and daughter Kay. She is survived by Peter, her husband of 62 years, daughter Lynne, sister Joyce, brothers Sandy and David, brothers-in-law Roger and Robert, sister-in-law Christine and son-in law Kevin. Evelyn was a proud and devoted grandmother to Dillon and Zeke.

A celebration of Evelyn's life will be held at a later date.

Evelyn would have wished for any donations to be made to the Laurentian Chapter of IODE, e-transfers may be sent to treasureriodelaurentian@gmail.com, or a charity of your choice.

 

Published on August 17, 2022

Eileen Wilby MBE
Former Deputy Head Teacher at Great Ouseburn. Passed away peacefully at The Moors Care Home, Ripon on Sunday 10th July, aged 94.
A Cherished Aunt. Eileen will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
 

We are sad to announce that Judith  passed away 5 May 2022.  She was a former Junior School teacher at WGHS.

It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Hilary Vero, former Head of Religious Studies.  Hilary passed away at Pinderfields on Saturday 2 April aged 88 years.
Her funeral took place at Sandal Methodist Church on Tuesday 26 April 2022.
 

Angela Booth (nee Pittam sadly passed away 31 October 2021.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Ruth Nottingham on 11 July 2021, aged 96.
 
Ruth was born, and indeed lived for most of her life, in Wakefield, leaving only to attend teacher training college in Darlington. Alongside her sisters Janet and Barbara she attended the High School from the age of 11, and had many happy memories of her time there. She went on to teach locally at Snapethorpe School and at Sandal Endowed and a good many old girls will remember her teaching them at the latter. Others will remember her as mother of Alison (OG 1978 and current governor).
 
Ruth married Reg Tetley in 1950, and they were stalwarts of the local tennis and badminton clubs. Ruth also enjoyed a diverse range of interests ranging from Scottish Highland dancing to sewing and needlework. Following Reg’s death in 1993 she became something of a world traveller, visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, and Australia as well as numerous European destinations. She particularly enjoyed being able to meet up with her daughter in Singapore, as they each passed through in opposite directions on their respective travels.
 
In her later years Ruth moved first to a small flat in Sandal, and then to an assisted living apartment close to Alison, in Ilkley, where she was very happy indeed. She was particularly proud that her daughter should be a governor of the school they had both attended, albeit that this was frequently prefaced with the words “I really can’t believe it”.
 

It is with deep sadness and regret that I have to say that my mum, Janet Fowler, passed peacefully away at lunchtime on Saturday 5th Feb 2022 at home with her myself and Rog (my wife) by her side.

The infection, which had caused her hospital admission on her birthday, 27th Dec 2021, initially responded well to treatment. Two weeks later it looked like Mum would, after a bit more physio, be going home the following week. I saw her on the Friday and Mum was up, dressed, eating normally, had taken herself to the bathroom and was back to her normal self. I saw her on Sunday and she was a little vague. By Monday she was back to square one...confused, not eating and sleeping alot. The infection had taken hold again and this time didn't respond to the antibiotics. Along with Mum's other medical issues, her body just wasn't able to fight off the infection, despite huge quantities of potent antibiotics.

I received a call from her Consultant who requested a meeting. He expressed his regret that he couldn't do anything further.  Palliative care was started 28th Jan 2022 and we managed to get her home to the flat the following Monday.  A hospital bed and some other equipment was provided but with no community care available Rog, along with some of her nursing colleagues, backup from the District Nursing team and myself provided care for her until Saturday. 

She will be greatly missed.

Jonathan and Rog Fowler
 

Jack died suddenly on 15 December 2021 aged 92.

He was born in Chesterfield and lived there until he was fourteen, having spent his early secondary school years at Chesterfield Grammar School. He moved to West Yorkshire from Derbyshire towards the end of the war. Initially he was a border at QEGS before the family completed their relocation to Castleford, where Jack’s father was manager of Glasshoughton Colliery. Jack distinguished himself on the school sports fields throughout his time at the school: he was five years in the first eleven for cricket, three seasons as captain; three seasons in the rugby first fifteen with two of these as Vice-Captain: and the athletics team for four years, the last of these as captain. His 10.2 seconds for the 100 yards was one notable achievement on the track. After he left school, he played rugby for Sandal, alongside former master Frank Staziker, until in 1952 injury forced his retirement from the game. Jack continued to play cricket locally for Paton and Baldwins, now Wakefield Thornes, becoming captain of the team until his retirement. He retired following the annual Old Savs, vs School game in 1969, when his son Bill (59-69) played for the school. Jack’s other son Jonathan (72-83) also played for the first XI, as did grandson Adam Parkin (95-06). Adam and another grandson Dominic Smith (84-94)  represented the first XV at rugby.

Away from the sports field Jack had a long and distinguished career in mining and academia, actively working right up to the day before he passed away. He completed a mining engineering degree at Leeds University and then rose up the ranks at the National Coal Board (British Coal). He was appointed manager of Snydale Colliery at the age of twenty-nine and managed a number of sites in the area including many happy years at Newmarket Silkstone colliery near Stanley. He enjoyed the opportunity to develop part of the new Selby Coalfield, eventually leaving operational management, turning his attention to the academic world and his professional institute. This career change reflected his interest in the development of young people and encouraging them to make the most of their skills. He became Professor of Mining at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and then Leeds University – and on his retirement the University of Leeds made him an Emeritus Professor.

He was actively engaged with the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers for seventy years, from joining as a student in 1952 and continuing with that engagement through to December 2021. He served in different roles on the Council for fifty years, including a year as President, ultimately awarded in 2021 Honorary Fellowship; he already had a complete set of service medals. In November, the Institute along with the North of England Institute recognised his outstanding contribution to the profession by striking the John F Tunnicliffe medal which in November 2021 he presented proudly and enthusiastically to the first winner. He was National President of the Institute of Mining Engineers in 1987-88 and in 1989 was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2020 he was awarded the Institute if Materials, Minerals and Mining outstanding contribution award. The theme running through all of these achievements was the importance to him of giving back to his profession and the young people embarking on careers within it.

Despite these extensive commitments he found time for many activities away from work. He was a founder member and president of Rothwell Round Table, later keeping that interest with Wakefield 41 Club. He enjoyed lunches at Wakefield Probus over many years. He was Vice Chairman of the Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society; a church warden at Carleton, Pontefract; a participating member of Castleford Gilbert and Sullivan Society; a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and for many years a season ticket holder at Leeds United.

He is survived by sons Bill and Jonathan and daughters Sue and Anne; by nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. His wife Barbara (nee Richardson) who he met when she was at the Girls High School and to whom he was married for sixty five years predeceased him.
 

The Church Times reports that Professor Michael Clarke died 22 December 2021 after a long illness.  Read the full obituary HERE.

One might consider that riding the Barnsley Special to Wakefield for ten years might confer an accolade in lifestyle experience equal to any examination success. Nigel, as with many others who passed through QEGS, started in One Lower in the junior school and passed through the academic years and exams with consummate ease. He finished his sixth form studies by flying through his A levels and passing his Oxford entry examination in 1967 at the age of just 18. Nigel excelled at Chess and was a major force in the School Chess Club. In the latter years he helped organise the Biology Lab, Biology being one of his key passions under the mentoring of Dr Fletcher. Another passion for him at this time was travel, hiking and latterly in his teens, more extreme activities, such as rock climbing. His parents made an attempt to ban him from this sport. Nigel being Nigel – just hid his climbing paraphernalia in the garden and continued.  At the age of 15 he managed to cause mayhem by getting lost in the Peak District whilst on a hike during the winter months. Whilst the emergency services were scrambled and his parents roamed the hills, Nigel strolled into the house and put the kettle on.
Nigel went up to Merton Oxford in 1968.  After a colourful three years he graduated with a degree in Agriculture. Following Merton, his life went from colourful to exciting, including many forays to exotic lands and places. This period of his life ended in 1976 with him living in Lerwick on the Shetland isles crewing boats off the North Sea oil rigs.

In 1977 Nigel emigrated to Australia. He settled in Darwin in the Northern Territories working for the government. He met and married Laura in Darwin and they took advantage of the generous holidays, by travelling the globe to such destinations as Peru and Tibet and dropping into England to catch up with family now and again. He still enjoyed sailing. His own boat was called “Roast Beef” with the tender called “Yorkshire Pudding”. He also helped crew chartered boats out of Darwin.

Nigel and Laura retired to Dorrigo in New South Wales in 2001. A place with a more temperate climate for potential retirees. His house was typical Nigel. A bungalow in a large plot surrounded by wildlife, flora and fauna. He spent a quiet and happy 20 years in Dorrigo, making many friends and observing the world through his critical eye. Sadly, Laura died in 2019 and Nigel died of cancer in July 2021 after a two year defiant battle. The stories from his “time difference” late night phone calls and Email updates will missed by his family in England.
Neil Webster (OS 1972)

We are sad to report the passing of Harvey Gates who attended QEGS from 1952 until 1965.  
 

From QEGS he went up to Newcastle to read mechanical engineering. After Newcastle he was commissioned into 2 Gurkha Rifles. Serving in Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, he attended the Army Staff College before a posting to Northern Ireland and finally, on promotion to Lt Col, commanded 1/2 GR in Hong Kong, Aldershot and Belize.

On retirement from the Army he studied law at Lancaster university, from where he went to the Inns of Court School of Law and was called to the bar as a member of the Inner Temple. Until his retirement he was employed as a prosecuting barrister by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Harvey leaves behind his wife, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Catherine Birtwistle (Harvey's wife)

We are sad to report the passing of Jane Evans on 6 September 2021, aged 68 years.  She leaves behind her husband Ray, children Owen & Katie; grandchildren Rosa, Ellie, Morgan and Chloe.

Her son, Owen, recalls the following memories.
“Summer Holidays were always a big part of mum’s life and as children we would spend time in Brittany in France where we would water-ski, sail and windsurf as well spending the afternoons on the beach. We would go back to the same restaurants each year, where they would welcome us back with open arms. Katie and I always wondered why we didn’t try other restaurants but soon realised the work involved with this, as it meant visiting every restaurant in the vicinity to view the menu, only to always end up back at the first one. I suppose the walk worked up an appetite!!

Winter holidays would be skiing, where we were all ushered out of bed to the get onto the slopes as soon as the lifts opened and be out there until they closed, trying to cover every inch of snow on the piste.

Christmas was always done “properly” with a real tree and Mum busying herself with one job or another in the morning. There would be occasions where she would have invited our neighbours, family and friends over for drinks and nibbles on Christmas Day. Katie and I would be lining up our presents, impatient to open them – only to be told we had to wait until the next batch of sausages on sticks were cooked or until the chocolate mousse had set…. She even insisted on putting a stocking out for both of us even after we were way too old for this tradition!!

After Katie & I left home, the Summer holidays were taken further afield as Mum agreed to go big boat sailing in Greece, after which she would regale us with stories about who was in the flotilla, who did what and who won which awards. Other countries would follow including Canada and Australia.

Mum loved being active, playing lacrosse for Yorkshire in her youth as well as progressing through the ranks of Shepley Tennis Club from the C Team, all the way to A Team captain. She was always someone who could be counted upon and she understood the value and meaning of team. She wouldn’t take a week off because she didn’t fancy playing that evening – she was very much all in or not at all. Many an evening, I would see her on the phone, ringing around to get players – determined that the match would go ahead.”

Jane was a wife to Ray, a daughter to Bill and Audrey, a sister to Ann and Di, a mother to Katie and Owen, a Granny to Rosa & Chloe and Ellie & Morgan.

Following a 12 year battle with breast cancer, Jane sadly passed away 6 September 2021, aged 68 years.



 

Obituary from 'Pulse Today'
Dr David Roberts was born in 1940 and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield and then Leeds Medical School, where he qualified in 1967. After a series of hospital posts, he entered general practice in 1970, and remained in dispensing practices for all of his career.

First in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, later in Witham, Essex, and finally in Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire.

The ‘redistribution crisis’ together with Clothier and the Limited List all in 1984 moved him to enter dispensing politics by founding the original Dispensing Doctors’ Association in that year and which he chaired for many years. He was also a member of the BMA’s GP committee.

He was an enthusiastic believer in the service which dispensing doctors provide for their patients.

On retirement, he started a consultancy for GPs wishing to dispense and wrote several books including The Complete Dispenser and Your Own Pharmacy: The guide for GPs.
21/9/2021

click here

By
Telegraph Obituaries
13 August 2021 • 7:04am
Commander John Muxworthy, who has died aged 79, was logistics officer of Naval Party 1710 embarked in SS Canberra during the Falklands War and later founded the influential UK National Defence Association.

His frustration over the underfunding of the Armed Forces, particularly the Royal Navy, led him in 2007 to set up the UK National Defence Association, of which he was the guiding light for nine years: “It would not have happened without him,” said the Conservative MP Colonel Bob Stewart.

Muxworthy dedicated himself to highlighting the dangers of a steady deterioration of British defence capability; not burdened with years in Whitehall, he formed his views from the heart rather than any sophisticated analysis. He successfully recruited senior officers and politicians of all clothes to support him in a campaign which was initially non-partisan; he published discussion papers and commentaries, hosted press conferences and made a considerable impact. He informed, for example, editorials in The Daily Telegraph, and he contributed to The Guardian.


His fringe meetings at the Tory and Ukip party conferences drew large attendances and lively discussions. His themes were the risks of not investing in a new generation of aircraft carriers and of “brutal defence cuts that have left Britain dangerously vulnerable”.


Muxworthy believed in British exceptionalism and his views were described as “full of energy but rather light on subtlety”, but as these became more single-Service and pro-Brexit, this led to the breaking away of two groups, one called Defence Synergia and the other a collection of senior retired officers, who wrote more succinctly.

Muxworthy’s legacy lives on in the organisation now known as Defence UK, which argues for “a strong and well-resourced Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, to ensure the security of the United Kingdom, her sovereign territories, trade and commerce, and to protect her citizens wherever they may be”.

John Lionel Muxworthy was born in London on June 2 1942, but brought up in Wakefield, where his father was works manager of the Slazenger factory, and where he won a choral scholarship to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.

Young Muxworthy only ever wanted to go to sea, and in 1960 entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Specialising in logistics (“pusser” in naval parlance), he served in HM Ships Venus, Lion, Dundas, Kent, Centaur, Victorious, Sirius, Lincoln, and Apollo.

He was awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia by the Malaysian government for his services during the confrontation with Indonesia in the 1960s, and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge for disaster relief work in 1972 while serving in the frigate Lincoln. Over the winter of 1973/74 he was the Supply Officer of Apollo during one of the Cod Wars.

In 1982 Muxworthy was appointed supply officer on Naval Party 1710 which embarked in P&O’s cruise ship Canberra on April 7 at Southampton to help turn her into a troopship. Over the next 13 weeks, assisted by 11 naval cooks, he prepared to feed 2,100 troops for an unspecified length of time and also ensured a constant flow of beer: two cans per man per day.

By the end of the war Canberra had served 646,847 meals, including 27,848 for 4,144 Argentine PoWs and nearly half a million cans of beer. He compiled The Great White Whale Goes to War (1982), which told the day-by-day story of Canberra’s war, illustrated with a unique set of photographs and charts.

Muxworthy was a capable artist in watercolour and oil, whose remarkable painting of Canberra in San Carlos Water, called Freedom’s Dawn, was signed by Lady Thatcher and Admiral Fieldhouse. In 2017 he published an autobiography, From Pusser to Painter.

John Muxworthy married first, in 1964, Jean Donaldson; and secondly, in 1978, Angela Smith, a Wren weapons analyst who rose to become a captain in the Navy. She survives him, with a daughter of the first marriage.

Commander John Muxworthy, born June 2 1942, died July 23 2021

We are sad to announce that Beatrice passed away 23 July 2021.  She leaves behind her two sons, Andrew and Mark and will be sadly missed.
A full obituary will follow.
13 August 2021

I am sad to report the passing of John Hazzlewood OS who entered QEGs as an eleven year old boarder in 1931.
 
He was born in Feb 1920 in Mirfield and after school became a cub reporter for the Dewsbury Reporter newspaper before joining the RAF at the outbreak of war.
 
He served in India until 1946 and went on to an eventful life in magazine journalism and editorship, travelling widely. He was a very interesting, positive and engaging gentleman.
 
He was 101 years old and believed to have been the oldest living OS prior to his death last week.
 
He had retired to Cardigan Bay many years ago shortly after which his wife died, they had no children and for most of his later years John had no living relative at all! Thankfully, his funeral in Aberystwyth was very well supported by many local friends. His RAF service was acknowledged by the playing of the ‘Last Post’ which he used to recall with emotion from services around the then “new” War Memorial whilst at school. He ‘went out’ to “Jerusalem” which he had sung with gusto each school year and wanted at his funeral as a remembrance of those days. He spoke often and fondly of his time at QEGS.
 
Mike Gibbons  (Headmaster 2001-2010)
 

A famous writer once said:
“We make a living by what we earn, we make a life by what we give.”
If this is true, John made a very good life. As a teacher, a magistrate, a parish councillor, a church council member and church organist he gave his time generously to serve the local community.
John was born on 18^th June 1937 in Yorkshire. The son of Colin and Freda, he grew up with his brother Michael in the village of West Bretton. As a boy he attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield, a school he was to return to as a teacher and School Archivist. After graduating from Birmingham University and following a brief career as a Methodist minister he entered the teaching profession, teaching Religious Studies.
John was a prominent member of the Church in West Bretton, serving on the Church Council and as Church organist. He became a magistrate and rose to become chairman of the juvenile bench as well as serving on the West Bretton parish council. He developed a keen interest in local history and having completed a second Masters degree wrote two books on the history of West Bretton and the surrounding area.
John married Judith in August 1962 and together they had two sons Andrew and Simon. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren, Emily and George.
Whilst we are very proud of his service to the community, our fondest memories will be of 'Dad'. Our childhood was very happy and Dad's hobbies and interests (or crazes as we called them) were a big part of this.
He was a very keen gardener and created a beautiful garden, though he was often seen trudging around it in an eclectic mix of old clothes reminding us of Compo from Last of The Summer Wine. Dad grew all our vegetables, but one year hit upon the idea of growing his own tobacco for his pipe. The plants were grown and the leaves hung to dry on bits of string hung up in the conservatory. The tobacco was cured in the kitchen oven in molasses and smoked with something he called 'herbs'; we were a little worried we might get a visit from the drugs squad!!!
He had a period of baking his own bread and brewing his own beer – until one of the brews exploded in the airing cupboard.
Our holidays were mainly UK based, sometimes camping or sometimes bed and breakfast hotels, but were often in places where there just happened to be an interesting church nearby. Our holiday in Northumberland was particularly memorable for his relentless search for a Celtic cross to wear around his neck.
John made his life by what he gave to the community, but perhaps more importantly by what he gave to us as a family. The happy memories, the funny memories, the security of a caring and loving upbringing.
He made his life by what he gave.

Andrew Wilkinson
 

23 .12.1942 - 29.9.2020
Bryan was a lifelong sports enthusiast who joined many local societies. Always a Liverpool supporter, he transferred from the Liverpool Institute to Q.E.G.S in 1956. Excelling in athletics, he became sports captain there. He studied at Manchester University, then worked for W.R.C.C.Highways, as a chartered civil engineer, where he joined the sports club, notably the tennis section. After his retirement from W.M.D.C.he joined a variety of local activities, from bridge to Scottish Dancing, including the U3A. He was treasurer for several charities. Bryan died peacefully in Pinderfields with his wife Karen by his side.  She and their children Giles, Georgina, Julia, John, and Guy, and seven grandchildren survive him.

 

Allan Coy (OS, 1954) has informed us of the passing of The Rt Revd Bob Hardy, former Bishop.  He died on 9 April aged 84.

“Bob’s genius was that he could do both rough and smooth as the occasion demanded. He could be tough and direct; he could be polite and charming.

On the surface, there was a smooth unfolding of vocation: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, where he sang in the cathedral choir with David Hope; Clare College, Cambridge; Cuddesdon; ordination in 1962; a parish in Manchester; Chaplain and Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge; Vicar of Borehamwood; Director of St Albans Ministerial Training Scheme; Bishop of Maidstone with Robert Runcie (he was the youngest bishop in the Church of England at that time); Bishop of Lincoln; and, in retirement, an assistant bishop in Carlisle diocese. In June 2001, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Church of England and to prisoners.

Yet, beneath the surface, there were many challenges — most notoriously the very public issues with Lincoln Cathedral, which caused him great anguish, and which he handled fairly but graciously, at considerable cost to himself. Bob was someone who cared deeply about his work and his responsibilities; he gave himself unstintingly to others. His workload was always huge, and he was often at his desk at ten in the evening. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help others.”

Extracted from his full obituary by The Rt Revd Dr Alistair Redfern in The Church Times
Click here to read the full obituary

It is with great sadness that we report the death of J.Martin Buxton in 2020. He was born in Hebden Bridge in 1945 and came to Q.E.G.S. Junior School in 1952 to join his elder brother, Richard, as a boarder during the Headships of Mr Grace and Mr Baggaley.

Martin was extremely bright academically and breezed his way to “O” levels in the fast stream. At that point he and his brother entered the V1 form together, both studying science. After “A” levels in 1962 Martin stayed on at school in order to do the Cambridge University examinations and was successful in gaining a place to study Physics.
He later returned to Wakefield to work for Dunlop (previously Slazenger) as a scientific adviser.

By Mike Mordue (OS, 1962)
 

1927-2021
Peter Dewes passed away peacefully on the 3rd May aged 94.
Whilst at QEGS he enjoyed stamp collecting and classics. 
On leaving school his national service was as a Bevin Boy, although he didn't enjoy working at the colliery. He then went on to Downing College, Cambridge to gain an MA in Architecture. On becoming qualified he had a long successful career working with Wakefield Council Leeds City Council, J.G.L Poulson, Braithwaite and Jackman amongst others. 
He worked all over England producing buildings such as Buxton Swimming Pool, Leeds International Pool and North Shields Library and the interior of BHS in London for Conran. He spent time in Bahrain and Jeddah designing a hospital and shopping centre.
Peter was both a Latin and a Greek scholar, loved gardens, literature and travel to visit classical buildings.  
Peter met and married his wife Jean Burnett, a doctor, in 1956 and had a daughter, Celia, in 1959.
He leaves behind his daughter Celia and his sister Patricia. 
 

Ginnie was born Feb. 19,1941 and passed peacefully, with dignity and medical assistance at her home on Cortes Island on Oct. 14, 2019. When she was diagnosed with advanced cancer in August, she received it quite philosophically, saying “ I’m 78 years old and I’ve had a most wonderful life. Coming to Cortes allowed me to become who I was meant to be. If this is to be the end of it, I can accept that, without regrets or unfinished desires.”

Greatly missed by her family in Canada, England and Norway and her many, many friends.

Kindly provided by Bruce Ellingsen
 

We are sad to report the unexpected, premature death of an Old Savilian-the above mentioned Samuel Peter Harry Johnson,66-77,at the not-so-ripe age of 62.  Sam was a cracking bloke-boisterous,good fun smart-he turned down an offer to go to Cambridge to study veterinary science at Liverpool ,and an excellent rugby player. In addition, he was the sort of character who had no enemies.  
by Jim Coppack (OS, 1977)
Full obituary awaited.

We are sad to report that Mrs Patricia Whiteman, former teacher of biology, at both QEGS & WGHS, has passed away, following a stroke. Our thoughts are with her husband Harry at this sad time.
Obituary:
As a Laboratory Technician it is always intimidating when a new member of staff arrives in  the Science Department.

Miss Patricia Mary Boulton came to Biology and impressed immediately. Her lab request sheets were detailed , always on time and all equipment tidied away at the end of each practical session. (Something she continued to do right until the end of her teaching career)

She was disciplined, efficient and highly respected by staff and pupils alike. Her caring nature ensured no child struggled. She was an outstanding woman.

Soon Miss Boulton became Mrs Whitemand and together with Harry enjoyed the happiest of marriages, a like minded couple who shared everything together.

Pat's kindness, compassion and care spilled over into her retirement and through her voluntary work continued making new friends fulfilling her caring nature.

Rest in peace Pat. 
Christine Thompson
Former Lab Technician
 

We are sad to report the passing of Jenny Smith.
More details awaited

Allan Coy (OS, 1954) informed us of the passing of Bob Hardy, former Bishop.
Obituary in the Church Times

I am sad to inform you that Susan Devonport- Smith (née Barstead) passed away in Cheltenham on April 2nd 2021.

Having gained her B Ed. she taught for 2 years then changed careers to join the RAF. She rose up quickly through the ranks to become a Wing Commander and received the MBE for services to her country.

In 1984 she became the first WRAF officer to receive the Prince Bandah Trophy- a trophy awarded to the officer recruit who had achieved the best result in war studies during training. Susan's essay was on the UK's options to participate in “Out of NATO area” operations with special emphasis on the Middle East''.

On leaving the RAF she became a Bursar at the Latymer School,  London and Cheltenham College. 


Carolyn Keeling (OG, 1975)
Sister
 

Miss O'Malley (Mrs Powell) joined WGHSJS in January 1998 and taught Lower Transition or, according to the children, 'Lower Transformers'. Both infant and junior classrooms were in St John's House and Kath's classroom, the smallest one, was on the first floor. Here she taught until, due to increasing numbers, moved to the STC where the infants were to be housed.

Kath was a very dedicated teacher who cared deeply for her pupils. She would rarely be at her desk but would sit on one of the small chairs delivering lessons. From this small chair she would be heard encouraging, praising and laughing. She had high expectations of the children and they responded to her quiet, but firm discipline. A look or a change of tone in her voice could quell any unnecessary chatter or unwelcome behaviour. Kath instilled a strong sense of right or wrong in her pupils and this would help pave the way to their future successes in education and beyond.

Kath wanted to extend her own qualifications and succeeded in gaining her BEd following an intense part time course at Bradford University. Quite an achievement alongside a full time teaching job and bringing up three children. 

Once again, in 2002, the school expanded and Kath became the Pre Prep Co-ordinator of Mulberry House. Here she was known by many, both staff, pupils and parents for her kindness, support and laughter. On becoming a grandparent and wanting to spend more energy visiting her family, Kath relinquished her responsibilities in Mulberry House and returned to her original small classroom in St John's House teaching Year 3 until her retirement in 2012.

Kath loved concerts and the theatre and would go often with her many friends. I recall once, she was so enthusiastic booking tickets for numerous staff and friends to see Phil Collins that she forgot to get a ticket for herself. The Church was also an important part of her life, especially singing the hymns that she loved. In school assemblies her voice would ring out loud and clear.

Kath had very strong roots in Ireland and spent many holidays with family there. She would bravely drive off with her three children to catch the ferry hoping and praying that they would arrive safely as driving was a necessity, not a pleasure. Along with this affinity for Ireland, came the love of Irish literature and music. During break times or at the end of the day, when the children had gone home the relaxing sound of Clannad would drift out of her room.

Kath was immensely proud of her two sons, Richard and Christopher and her daughter Sarah. Their achievements are a credit to her and the addition of five grandchildren brought even more happiness. 
 

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Nicky Davies, who sadly passed away 25 June 2019, following a breast cancer diagnosis.
From WGHS she went onto study languages at the University of Surrey before gaining her teaching qualification at Roehampton.  She went onto teach French and German at Wilson’s Boys’ Selective School.
She leaves behind her partner Derren and sons Thomas, 9, and James, 6, as well as her parents Anne & Tom Davies.
 

John Crapper, who has died at the age of 70 following a short illness, will be remembered by QEGS alumni as an all-round sportsman, in particular a fine top order batsman. He went on to have two successful careers: first, as a well-respected PE teacher and then running the family property business (despite never owning a mobile phone).

John Andrew Crapper was born on 24th February 1950 in Castleford. He was popular at school and while a competent scholar it was on the games field where he excelled, representing the school in all age groups at both rugby and cricket. When he should normally have been playing for the Colts he was picked for the 1st XI where he was known as ‘Joe’.

After qualifying at Chester College as a PE teacher he went straight into his first post at Higherside School at Whiston, Lancashire, where he was to stay for the next nineteen years, enjoying steady promotion. One of his former pupils remembers him as having total commitment, ‘...both in school and out of school hours, ferrying us to school sports tournaments, trials, weekend games, national trials and games all around the county.’ He encouraged students to make the best of their talents in whatever sport they were interested. Several went on to sign professional forms for top soccer clubs including Everton F.C.

Throughout the 70s and 80s he played cricket for Sefton C.C. (now Sefton Park) in the Liverpool & District Competition. Batting in the top four, he was known as a technically good and gritty bat, difficult to get out when set. This was exemplified by a fine 75 not-out against a Chester Boughton Hall attack that included the young Antiguan bowler Winston Benjamin on a wet Sefton track.

Always known as ‘JC’ it was as an example and inspiration to others as much as for his individual talent that he is best remembered. Comments from team mates, particularly those that he captained include, ‘top man, very, very funny, loved playing with him’; ‘always made time for the young lads in the team’; ‘one of my club heroes growing up’; and ‘always remember him helping me to make my very first senior 50’.

On leaving teaching John, who was by then married with a young family, returned to the West Riding. They settled in Oulton where, following his interest in local affairs, he became involved in The Oulton Society where he was Chairman between 2001 and 2018. He played a leading role in establishing the Conservation areas in both Oulton and Woodlesford. His expertise in the area of planning was said to have been invaluable.

His spare time was taken up by supporting his children at school sports and music activities at QEGS and WGHS, gardening and watching Castleford Tigers RLFC where he had been a ticket holder since boyhood.

He is survived by his wife Teresa and their three children, Charlotte (OG, 2008), Katherine (OG, 2010) and James (OS, 2013).

Written by his wife, Teresa, together with Simon Maddocks (OS, 1968)
 

Anthony Robert Greaves, Politician, born 27 July 1942; died 23 March 2021

Obituary of Lord Greaves as it appeared in The Guardian.  Click here to read the full version

Tony Greaves, Lord Greaves, who has died aged 78, was a stalwart of the Liberal party and then the Liberal Democrats for half a century. Elevated to the peerage in 2000 on Charles Kennedy’s nomination, he used his position in the Lords to extend his career of community activism and to try to promote a more radical kind of Liberalism in the upper house. While doing so he continued as a member of Pendle borough council in Lancashire, to which he had been elected on its formation in 1973, serving for almost 50 years until his death.

 

I am very sorry to announce that Sarah Gay (OG 1988) has died. Some of her school friends are aware of this but were conscious that she was a popular and social pupil and that others might not be aware of her passing.
Arrangements for her funeral are being made and her parents are keen to include any happy or funny memories from her school days.
There will only be family flowers but donations can be made to Babsworth Animal Rescue Kennels. Sarah was a keen animal lover and particularly loved dogs.
Sarah Jane Robinson 
 

It is with great sadness that the family of the late Richard Allott report his passing on Tuesday, 9th March 2021 after a short illness. He was an old boy of QEGS from 1954 - 1957 before moving South and talked often of the wonderful years he was a pupil there. He was an avid rugby & cricket player and ran the London Marathon on more than one occasion.
Richard went on to have a very successful career in Television as a Sound Supervisor and Director of Live Broadcast; working on "The Wall" in Berlin to commemorate the unification of Germany; The US Open and Wimbledon Tennis Championships; The Greek and Australian Olympics, plus many other music and sporting productions worldwide.
He would be touched to think his passing was remembered by his old school.

With Thanks
The Allott family

We are sad to announce the passing of Old Girl, Ray Birtwistle, who died 21/2/2021. 
Obituary awaited.

Read the full obituary in the Australian Financial Review here
John Caldon, investment banker and entrepreneur, who died of complications of lung cancer on February 16, arguably had the greatest impact on Australia of any Yorkshireman since Captain Cook. The potential rivals to that honour were the English cricketers Freddie Trueman and Geoffrey Boycott, but with different repercussions.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Christopher Little on 7th January, following a long illness.  Christopher was the literary agent who launched JK Rowling's career.  You can read about his numerous achievements here.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Old Savilian Brian Hazell on Saturday 16 January 2021. 

Brian was born September 1933, son of Norman David & Mary Lillian Hazell, in Selby Street. He was educated at St Austin's School on Teall Street, from where he passed his 'Eleven Plus' examination, gaining him a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in September 1945 under the headship of Mr Grace.  He was a very proud Old Savilian an in recent years attended the Old Savilians’ Annual Dinner where he became the oldest member there.

After leaving the School, he completed an electrical engineering apprenticeship at the firm of Spencer Wire Company.  On completion of his apprenticeship, he spent two years in the Royal Air Force, in Norwich and after two years, he went to a seminary in London, intending to become a priest. This plan collapsed when he met Lynn Fisher of Normanton, a loss to the Church, but after a variety of jobs, including a spell teaching at The Cathedral School and travelling in sales, he established the firm of Ashby Roofing, which eventually became Ashtree Roofing, a highly successful name on the Wakefield building scene.

In his free time, he became involved in sport; for while at school he had played cricket and rugby without distinguishing himself, he went on to develop his skill as a slow bowler, being capped for Wakefield Boys’ and as goal keeper for St Austin’s Soccer team, which won the Championship of the Wakefield Youth League. He also took up cycling, touring France, Belgium, Ireland and Holland. Whilst there, he managed to locate the grave of a young Eastmoor man, killed on the disastrous Arnhem campaign, bringing back a photo for the young man's mother.

Brian was persuaded to join his big brother Norman as a member of Wakefield M.D. Council and his talent was quickly recognised, becoming Deputy Leader of Conservatives, Deputy Chairman of West Yorkshire Fire Committee and as result of contacts he had made, played a large part in Wakefield being chosen for one of the Northern Freight Terminals for the Channel Tunnel.

However, perhaps Brian will be best remembered for establishing the SS Peter & Paul Suzy Fund.  During the 45 years that Brian devoted to this charity, more than one million pounds has been raised, all of which has been used to help the starving in the Third World.  A principle of Brian's charity, appreciated by everyone, has been 'No Overheads'.  This means that its supporters, far beyond Sandal, or the Catholic Church, know that what they give will go directly to help those in need. Brian's efforts were recognised by The Pope who awarded him the Benemerenti Order and by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with an MBE, presented by Prince Charles.

Brian's life was recorded at a Requiem Mass at SS Peter & Paul church on Wednesday 10th February 2021, in the presence of his children-Dominic, Benedict, Clare, Daniel, Nicholas & Christian. May he rest in peace, in the grave he shares with Lynn in The Lawn Cemetery.
Brian was born September 1933, son of Norman David & Mary Lillian Hazell, in Selby Street. He was educated at St Austin's School on Teall Street, from where he passed his 'Eleven Plus' examination, gaining him a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in September 1945 under the headship of Mr Grace.  He was a very proud Old Savilian an in recent years attended the Old Savilians’ Annual Dinner where he became the oldest member there.

After leaving the School, he completed an electrical engineering apprenticeship at the firm of Spencer Wire Company.  On completion of his apprenticeship, he spent two years in the Royal Air Force, in Norwich and after two years, he went to a seminary in London, intending to become a priest. This plan collapsed when he met Lynn Fisher of Normanton, a loss to the Church, but after a variety of jobs, including a spell teaching at The Cathedral School and travelling in sales, he established the firm of Ashby Roofing, which eventually became Ashtree Roofing, a highly successful name on the Wakefield building scene.

In his free time, he became involved in sport; for while at school he had played cricket and rugby without distinguishing himself, he went on to develop his skill as a slow bowler, being capped for Wakefield Boys’ and as goal keeper for St Austin’s Soccer team, which won the Championship of the Wakefield Youth League. He also took up cycling, touring France, Belgium, Ireland and Holland. Whilst there, he managed to locate the grave of a young Eastmoor man, killed on the disastrous Arnhem campaign, bringing back a photo for the young man's mother.

Brian was persuaded to join his big brother Norman as a member of Wakefield M.D. Council and his talent was quickly recognised, becoming Deputy Leader of Conservatives, Deputy Chairman of West Yorkshire Fire Committee and as result of contacts he had made, played a large part in Wakefield being chosen for one of the Northern Freight Terminals for the Channel Tunnel.

However, perhaps Brian will be best remembered for establishing the SS Peter & Paul Suzy Fund.  During the 45 years that Brian devoted to this charity, more than one million pounds has been raised, all of which has been used to help the starving in the Third World.  A principle of Brian's charity, appreciated by everyone, has been 'No Overheads'.  This means that its supporters, far beyond Sandal, or the Catholic Church, know that what they give will go directly to help those in need. Brian's efforts were recognised by The Pope who awarded him the Benemerenti Order and by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with an MBE, presented by Prince Charles.

Brian's life was recorded at a Requiem Mass at SS Peter & Paul church on Wednesday 10th February 2021, in the presence of his children-Dominic, Benedict, Clare, Daniel, Nicholas & Christian. May he rest in peace, in the grave he shares with Lynn in The Lawn Cemetery.

Read the tribute to him in the Wakefield Express here

It is with sadness that we report that Geoff Green sadly passed away 18/1/2021 following a short illness.
Geoffrey played 2nd Team cricket and also 1st Fifteen rugby(Colours). On leaving school he attended Leeds College of Commerce and was Company Secretary for the family business.  He leaves two daughters, Helen and Caroline.                                         
Anthony Peter Green (OS 1952)   (Brother)

I am saddened to report the death of my elder brother, John Christopher Hartley, who joined the Junior School in 1949.  Chris known as 'Jimmy' at school, was a pillar of the 1st XV team second row in the late 1950s and vice-captain in 1959-60.  In 1957 he was a member of the first rugby tour to London, the hosts being UCS, Hampstead and KCS, Wimbledon.  In 1958 and 1959 he played in the specially arranged end of season matches against Sedbergh School, when both teams were recognised as among, if not the best, in the country.  The 1959-60 team provided most of those, including Chris, who travelled by mini-bus through Europe to the 1960 Rome Olympic Games.  This was the first of what subsequently became Frank Staziker's many Grand European Tours.  Chris was presented with the Photography Cup at his final Speech Day, although it was a matter of family argument who actually took the winning picture.  Belatedly I am happy to concede Chris was indeed the photographer.

Bill Hartley (OS 1964)

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Colin passed away on 20th October, and his funeral was held on Thursday, 5th November 2020 'Lockdown Day'.

Colin was at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School from 1944-1955.  He was Head of House, Captain of School Rugby Team, Captain of School Cricket Team and Secretary of 6th Form Club.  Also Yorkshire Schools XV.  

He was very proud of QEGS and of being an Old Savilian and was in touch, right to the end, with many of his old school friends.  Bill Dawes for one.

After National Service he went to St.Peter’s College, Oxford from 1957-1960 to read Geography.

He played rugby for Oxford University Greyhounds, Oxford University and Yorkshire and toured with the Irish Wolfhounds.  He was  a proud member of Vincent’s Club. 

These are difficult times and I wish you every success with the “Old Savilian" Magazine which I know Colin always enjoyed.

You may be interested to read the newsletter Burglar Bill pagers 5-7 and page 15.

I miss him.
Angela Littlewood (wife)

 We are sad to report the passing of Old Savilian, Dr Ian Robert Panton who passed away at home on 17 October 2020, aged 67 years.

Ian was born in Wakefield on the 29 October 1952 and attended Walton Primary School, before moving to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in September 1964.

From QEGS he went up to Cambridge in 1971 to read Medicine and graduated with a BA in 1974.

In October 1974 he moved to London to complete his clinical training at St George’s Hospital London and qualified with B Chir in 1977 and MB in 1978.

He completed the General Practice training scheme at St George’s Hospital and became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1982.

He worked as a GP in Glenfield, Leicester from 1982 until he took early retirement in 2009.

Ian was a keen photographer all his life. He enjoyed music and travel, particularly to Italy.

He married Barbara Wood (OG 1971) in 1974. They had a son and a daughter. After 32 years of living in Leicester they decided to move back to Wakefield and moved to Horbury in January 2015.

Written by Barbara Wood
We are sad to report the passing of Old Savilian, Dr Ian Robert Panton who passed away at home on 17 October 2020, aged 67 years.

Ian was born in Wakefield on the 29 October 1952 and attended Walton Primary School, before moving to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in September 1964.

From QEGS he went up to Cambridge in 1971 to read Medicine and graduated with a BA in 1974.

In October 1974 he moved to London to complete his clinical training at St George’s Hospital London and qualified with B Chir in 1977 and MB in 1978.

He completed the General Practice training scheme at St George’s Hospital and became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1982.

He worked as a GP in Glenfield, Leicester from 1982 until he took early retirement in 2009.

Ian was a keen photographer all his life. He enjoyed music and travel, particularly to Italy.

He married Barbara Wood (OG 1971) in 1974. They had a son and a daughter. After 32 years of living in Leicester they decided to move back to Wakefield and moved to Horbury in January 2015.

Written by Barbara Wood

It is with sadness that we report that MRS VALERIE LYTHGOE passed away peacefully at Warrington General Hospital on Saturday 26th September 2020, aged 88 years. She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends. A private funeral service took place on Thursday 8th October,
click here

Marjorie Ann Holmes (nee Lindley) JP DCG  (OG, 1949)

19th January 1933 to 18th February 2020

Musician, singer, actor, writer, poet and much loved wife, aunt and friend.   Marjorie was born in Wakefield on the 19th January 1933.   She attended Eastmoor School where she studied hard and passed her 11+ and was offered a place at Wakefield Girls’ High School and always thought of herself as “The Scholarship Girl".  

Marjorie loved the Girls’ High School, and it was there that she learnt how to play piano and compose music which would be the foundation of her musical life.  

Marjorie continued to study hard as her dream was to go to University. She comfortably passed the school certificate, but her dream to go to University was shattered when she was 16, due to Marjorie's father leaving her mother. Now living with her grandparents, her grandfather made the decision that she should leave The High School to start work. Sad and disappointed her first job was as a dispenser at Boots the chemist.   

Marjorie always loved music and singing and at 16 years of age she had lessons with the same singing teacher as Julie Andrews who recognised she had a talent.   Marjorie joined the West Riding Operatic Society and in 1956 was given her first lead role in “Bless the Bride”. This was the first of many performances and varied parts she played.   Marjorie also joined Yorkshire Opera under the leadership of Ivor Hughes.  She was also a member of the Kingsway Singers and the Women’s Institute where she made many good friends.   

Marjorie loved writing poetry and had a number of poems published and one of those was called "The High School Girl" please see below.   Marjorie also wrote a poem called Millennium which she set to music and then wrote the words to transform it into a Christmas Carol.  

Later in life Marjorie was offered a position in the Careers Department of West Riding County Council, but she still longed to go to University.  One day she saw a notice for a graduate position at Manchester University.  Marjorie applied for the position at 38 years of age and got the post. She was the oldest person in the class but left with the diploma she had always dreamed of and soon got a job as a qualified careers officer, which she said was the best job ever. 

Marjorie was working hard as a Careers Officer as well as singing, acting and writing poetry but still had a bit of time on her hands, so became a Magistrate which again she loved and was a Magistrate for 25years.  To celebrate her retirement from being a Magistrate, Marjorie & Vic were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where she had a brief chat with the Queen.   

 Although Marjorie lived a busy life, she and her husband Vic also had time for holidays and travelled to Africa, Canada, America, Alaska, Jerusalem, Cyprus and all over Europe. They had great times and once flew Concorde to America.   

Marjorie lived a full and happy life always supported by her devoted husband Victor Holmes but she never forgot her time at Wakefield Girls’ High School which she spoke about all through her life.     

Marjorie's family have asked that we share a poem about how she loved the High School.

 A Poem By Marjorie Ann Holmes
 The High School 

MARJORIE ANN was a scholarship girl, 
The High School a peak of success. 
Her family was proud and struggled to buy
The right kind of uniform dress. 

She just couldn’t sleep the night before term, 
With joy and excitement supreme.  
This was the answer to all she desired; 
The start of the ultimate dream. 

Click on link to hear Marjorie's music composition played
click here

Robert Edward Craven died in Pinderfields Hospital on 22 April 2020 of Covid 19 and pneumonia aged 90. He was well known in Wakefield, retiring from his family firm of Craven Fawcett brick machine manufactures. He  was a member of Rotary and Probus and had been President of College Grove Sports Club being involved with Men’s Hockey since 1951. He was also Fellow of the Institute of Ceramics. He was at WGHS prep school and QEGS junior school before going to Worksop College. He leaves a widow and family who would like to thank everyone who sent messages of condolences; they were quite overwhelmed. Due to the pandemic there has not been a funeral service.

Martin Dyson died aged 84 very peacefully on the 22^nd December 2019 after a long illness bravely borne.  He’d been living at the Hospital of St Cross in Winchester for the past seven years.

Martin attended QEGS from 1947 until 1954, playing a particularly important role in the success of school cricket as captain in 1953 and 1954. The Savilian of summer 1954 commented: ‘The side has been specially happy in its captain for a second year, E.M.Dyson: his knowledge of the game for a boy is wide and deep and his easy command and friendly leadership have kept the team on its toes to the end of every match. He could not have set a better example in his own play…he is a cricketer of whom the school can be justly proud and we look forward to his bringing us fresh fame a delight when he goes up to Oxford after his national service.’ 

After school and national service, he attended Keble College, Oxford and in 1958 gained his blue, playing for Oxford against Cambridge at Lord’s. His playing career continued with selection for Yorkshire 2nds and membership of various clubs including M.C.C.,Harlequins, Free Foresters, Incogniti and I.Zingari.  He also distinguished himself in his golf, enjoying playing for the County Cricketers and being a member of a number of different clubs including Swinley Forest and The Berkshire.

His teaching career includes many happy years at St Paul’s School, Eton and Ludgrove and, throughout his life, he maintained friendly contact with former colleagues and pupils.

His wife, Evelyn, pre-deceased him but his daughter and son and their families were frequent visitors, keeping in close touch from Australia and Gibraltar.

He often recalled how much he owed to the start he had been given at QEGS.

 

  Richard Dyson (OS, 1959)

Shortly before Christmas 2019, Prof Eric Teasdale (OS, 1966) advised us that the much loved former Head of Biology at QEGS and keen supporter of the Old Savilians Club, Brian Fletcher, passed away.
A former classmate at QEGS, Dr David Bullimore, said

 “Brian Fletcher was an incredible man and an inspiration.  He inspired many, not just a few.  He gave me a love of science and a critical outlook on information that has been life- long.”

Eric Teasdale would love to hear from any of his contemporaries.  Please email him directly at drelteasdale@gmail.com
 

 

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of distinguished Old Savilian Sir Hans Leo Kornberg (OS, 1945). Sir Kornberg passed away peacefully on 16 December 2019, aged 91.

Sir Hans had a distinguished career in the sciences working at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities and having over 250 published papers in professional journals. In 1995 Sir Hans moved to Boston University USA to take up a post as University Professor and Professor of Biology. He has been awarded 11 honorary doctorates and been elected into memberships of many eminent institutions, including the National Academies of Sciences of the USA, Germany & Italy.

Sir Hans leaves behind his wife Donna, four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be missed by all that new him.

click here

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Old Savilian Gopi Menon who was a respected and popular consultant whose life was devoted to sick babies.
 

Gopi Menon, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH, FBAPM (Hon), was a consultant paediatrician specialising in intensive care of the newborn.

Born 22 January 1955 in Kerala, South India Gopikumar was educated in Madras until he was nine, when his family moved to Yorkshire. Gopi’s father was a consultant paediatrician and his mother specialised initially in gynaecology but pursued a career in community paediatrics.

Gopi’s school education ­continued in Stockton-on-Tees and then at QEGS leaving in 1973 to study  undergraduate medicine at Fitzwilliam College, ­Cambridge and in 1976 he won the Max Barrett Memorial Prize for a Preclinical Research Project. In 1979 he received an honours degree from the ­University of ­Cambridge, having ­completed his clinical training in St Mary’s Hospital Medical School.

While Gopi was a senior house officer in Alder Hey he met Val who was studying nursing. They married in 1985 and enjoyed 34 years of happiness together.

In 1988, Gopi became honorary senior registrar in paediatrics in Edinburgh, and in 1994 was appointed to the post of consultant neonatologist at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital. As a consultant, he was to care for the newborn infants in Lothian for 25 years. Gopi worked in the high risk intensive care unit, both in the old Simpson and the new Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, and was a key part of the leadership which looked after 15,000 very ill babies ­during his time as consultant.

Gopi was instrumental in setting up new services, including a joint respiratory clinic with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

He also showed an unstinting commitment to the wider issues of neonatal follow up for Scotland and developed a national system for monitoring the health of babies, a minimum dataset, which proved valuable to the Scottish ­Neonatal Consultants Group.

Gopi was an excellent teacher. He devoted great energy to teaching nursing and ­midwifery staff at the Eastern General Hospital and at the Simpson and stimulated a resuscitation skills ­programme for staff in the Simpson and beyond.

He lectured in the postgraduate diploma of child health in the Saudi Arabia. While serving as a consultant, he progressed to being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the ­Royal ­College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

He published widely, particularly in relation to newborn nutrition. His MD thesis was entitled Nutritional Studies in Infants with Chronic Cardio-pulmonary Disease. He obtained a British Paediatric Association travel grant to study in Vienna in 1992. This was the first of several important research grants.

But perhaps Gopi most important contribution came at national level. He became honorary secretary and then president of the British ­Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM). He proved to be a ­powerful advocate for babies and their parents throughout the United Kingdom.

Gopi was very much an optimist and invariably saw the upside of any situation. As representative for Scotland he rapidly appreciated the differences in the approach to neonatal care across the UK and strove to ensure that the best aspects of all approaches were encouraged and shared.

Gopi was passionate about improving the quality of neonatal care and made it a central pillar of his presidency. He represented BAPM on the boards of the National Neonatal Audit Programme and the Neonatal Data Analysis Unit. He led the publication of BAPM’s Neonatal Service Quality Indicators as well as numerous other documents around quality improvement.

Gopi was a kind, thoughtful and gentle man – a doctor of complete integrity. But he was also full of surprises. Whenever there was an opportunity to get on stage, lecturing to medical students or ­taking part in a Christmas show, this calm, meticulous, unflappable character became an ­irrepressible enthusiast. In amateur ­dramatics he became affectionately known as The Great Gopendo.

A constant feature of Gopi’s life was pride in his family. His wife, Val, became a very fine artist. Their daughters are talented in different spheres: Natasha is a director of operations for a socially conscious jewellery company in Uganda which provides dignified job opportunities for women artisans. Jessica is a sports performance analyst for the Scottish Rugby Union. Gopi remained exceptionally close to his family and would have been the first to say that his daughters inherited all their talents from Val!

With his untimely death from pancreatic cancer, Gopi Menon is missed by professionals throughout the United Kingdom, by his colleagues in Edinburgh, by the many parents who will always remember him, and most especially by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife Val and his daughters Natasha and Jessica. The eldest of three, Gopi is also survived by his brother Anand and his mother Lakshmi.

Ian Laing & Ben Stenson
(Obituary featured in The Scotsman)

Martin Roche spent most of his working life as a sole practitioner vet in Colac, 100 miles southwest of Melbourne in Australia. He was born in Morley, Yorkshire, and schooled at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, where he was a Prefect and played quality rugby for the 4^th XV. His A Level results took him to Vet Science at Cambridge where his parents had met during WW2. Martin and his father were residents of Queens’ College, and his mother Ruth did her degree in chemistry at Newnham. His parents and younger siblings emigrated to Colac in 1968, and Dr James Roche (“Doc”) became Colac’s ophthalmic surgeon for the next thirty years. Martin followed them to Australia in 1972 and finished his Vet Science Degree at the University of Melbourne.

On Mart’s first trip to Australia Doc met him at Melbourne Airport. As they drove through Melbourne’s suburbs and through Geelong en route to Colac, Mart was positively unimpressed. But once into the typically Australian countryside he began to think maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. By the time they reached Colac, with its large freshwater lake, he was captivated. He grew to love the Aussie bush and felt privileged to have been able to live there.

As a child he spent a lot of time in the Yorkshire Dales and in Ireland mucking around in boats with home-made sails on rivers and lakes. He became a keen sailor, and was a member of the Colac Yacht Club for decades. His love of a variety of sports never faltered. He watched every Formula 1 Grand Prix and F.A. Cup Final live. He continued to follow Leeds United through thick and thin, and was also a keen student of rugby union and cricket. Whilst he loved his adopted country he always rooted for England in sports against Australia - perhaps because he felt one was duty bound to root for the underdog.

But his greatest passion was his bassoon, which he played for 55 years. He started when a student at QEGS - water torture for his siblings trying to sleep next door, which might explain why their academic record was not a patch on Martin’s. He became a proficient bassoonist and some of the most rewarding parts of his life in Australia were the decades he spent playing with the Warrnambool, Geelong and Ballarat orchestras.

He practised as a vet in Colac until 2001 after which he worked for the Department of Primary Industry in Warrnambool for a decade before retiring back to Colac. In retirement he volunteered as maintenance manager at the Anam Cara Hospice (a respite and palliative care facility in Colac). He also enjoyed losing his and his nieces’ dogs in the bush, accompanying his partner Robyn on camping holidays, and entertaining his blind sister Mary.

He died unexpectedly and far too soon. He was idiosyncratic, eccentric, quirky and different, but was much loved and certainly irreplaceable.

 

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of another or our much loved Old Savilians, Barry Senior. Barry was born in 1933 and attended the Grammar School between 1943 and 1949.  He loved his time at the Grammar School as a pupil and continued his links with the School through The Old Savilians' Club becoming Club President in 1979 - 1980.

Barry leaves a widow Joan and 2 sons Dean (OS, 1977) and Timothy (OS, 1979) and 4 grandchildren.  He will be missed by all that knew him.

On behalf of my three sisters and I, we’d like to share a few words with you all, so that you leave here today having learnt something new about our father. As I’ll come to later, he was quite vocal in his view of the need to constantly learn new things. He made it his mission to complete the. Daily Telegraph cryptic crossword every morning. And even in his final years, he returned to brush up on his knowledge of schoolboy Greek.

In the last few weeks | have found out things | never knew about our Dad, who whilst on the surface could be the life and soul of a party, was | believe, essentially quite a private, reserved and somewhat complex character.

First and foremost he was a very proud Yorkshireman - Google has the definition that a Yorkshire man is “bloody minded, stubborn and argumentative”. Even Dad would have to agree with that, and perhaps he has passed on some of those traits to each of his children!

Dad was an only child and was born and educated in Wakefield.  He won a scholarship to Queen Elizabeth Boys Grammar School, which has the motto "it is a disgrace to be ignorant".  I'm sure Dad would have known the Latin translation and possibly event the Green and French, but i won't attempt that!

In preparation for this eulogy I contacted the school who provided me with not only photographs and sporting records, but his full report card for the 5 years he was in the senior school. I discovered that in the 1940s QEGS was an elite boys’ school, as it is today. It was at school that Dad developed his love of sport, excelling in athletics, cricket and especially rugby union.

Returning to his report cards, he wasn’t the well behaved hard working student that he had led us to believe. No, we had a few similarities in that respect, with his report having comments about him “being the class clown”; “capable but more interested in sport”; and other comments that parents today would possibly complain about. He did however always score top marks for being “sociable and friendly” which | consider as positive traits. | imagine he showed his parents - William and Lily - his report card aged 15, and they gave him “what for’, as things improved and he left school just as O levels were introduced, and in 1953 he joined the Royal Navy, shortly after he turned 17.

A year after joining he met Pauline (our Mum) through work. She was a Wren, and a year younger, and they were both based at what was HMS Ceres in Wetherby, although not at the same time.

When Mum turned 21 in July 1957, Dad proposed. On going into work after the weekend celebrations (she’d said “yes”) he was given a draft to Halifax in Canada for 2 years. Postings as an unmarried couple weren't allowed in the 1950s, so mum followed Dad out, sailing alone across the Atlantic in November 1957, and married the man she loved, giving up her career to be with him. Within a few months Mum was pregnant with Jo, and she returned alone to give birth, where she was supported by her immediate family, including her younger sister Auntie Isobel who is here today. Sadly her older sister, Auntie Merrie passed away in 2017.

In late 1959 Dad returned from Canada, and about 9 months later Karen was born. They then built a house in Stubbington, Hampshire, which was to be the family base on and off until the mid-70s.

Dad went on to serve on a variety of ships, submarines, shore bases and also spent 2 years in Hong Kong as a family of five after Lou arrived in the mid-1960s. Judging by the photo albums, that was quite possibly a highlight of his 25 years of naval service. He continued to play sport, and represented the Navy at cricket and rugby, playing at Twickenham. He also became interested in golf.

After Lou and | had been added to the family, the rugby boots that Dad had ready to give to mum after each birth were put in the cupboard for the last time, never to be seen again. As a family of 6 the Navy posted us to Thurso, in the far north of Scotland, and then Tynemouth, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne before Dad was transferred to York for the final years of his Naval career, which he left at the end of 1977.

Dad started his career in “Civvy Street” by working at the Borstal in Wetherby. | have memories of watching him play cricket within the barbed wire compound at Thorp Arch prison.

Sadly, in June 1978 Mum died whilst returning from a family holiday in Malta. | don’t think my sisters and | are in any doubt that on that day Dad lost the love of his life, and he never truly recovered. Her memory was kept alive by talking about her, playing music, and looking at photographs, but | think he found being both mum and dad to four girls aged 9 to 19 a bit of a mystery. Jo had by that time followed in his footsteps by joining the Navy, and Karen was on the point of starting her nursing training, also in the Navy. This left Lou and | at home. Dad’s mum Lily stepped in to fill the void and came over every weekend from Wakefield to help us for many years, and Karen and Jo often returned on weekends and for annual leave.

Dad went on to join Scaffolding Great Britain, latterly John Mowlem Construction, as a Contracts Surveyor - looking at his reports, I’m sure his Maths teacher would have been amazed. This job involved lots of driving all over the country, working on building sites and doing calculations that to me were another language. He remained there until he was 55, when he then went to work at the Wetherby Golf Club doing the books for a number of years. He liked the odd round of golf, but in all honesty probably preferred the refreshments waiting for him at the 19th hole.

It’s no secret that Dad liked a drink, and a smoke, but even the stubborn Yorkshireman that he was, he saw the error of his ways with regard to smoking and he stopped many years ago. He would sometimes put the money he would have spent on cigarettes into a big bottle and | think even he was surprised at how often it needed to be emptied and counted.

Dad passed onto all four of us a love of travel, with three of us going into careers that took us overseas for years at a time. He visited Lou when she taught in Sweden; and me when | worked with the Foreign Office in Uganda; but for some reason visiting Karen in the Middle East wasn’t a stamp in his passport he chose to get. Jo, in her naval career remained in the UK, much of it in Hampshire, and Dad had the odd visit to his old stomping ground. In retirement he didn’t seem to mind going on holiday with his children, and between us we travelled with him to London, Scotland and much of Europe. Dad could navigate his way round a new city not by landmarks, but by the best pubs!

He continued to travel, finding a group of like-minded rugby fans, which saw him take trips in retirement to New Zealand and the Far East. | recall collecting him from Gatwick after he returned from another exotic trip away on the same evening | had been invited to a friend’s hen party. He was the last person to leave the dance floor, dancing with the belly dancers and the bride, and we have the photos to prove it. For his 60th we asked him where he wanted to visit most so that we could club together and surprise him with a trip. His choice was Closer to home - The Orkney Islands, which he told us were beautiful.

Dad was firm in his principles, and supportive as we began to find our own way in life. He encouraged us, but never pushed us, and let us make our own mistakes. However when | considered moving back to the UK from Australia about 10 years ago he told me “don’t be daft, get yourself back out there and make a better life for you and your boys. Don’t worry about me”. He booked a trip to come and see me in early 2013, but was hospitalised a few weeks before, and sadly never made it back to the country he had visited a number of times during his Navy days.

, and his wonderful neighbours, who were such great friends and supports to all of us in his latter years, so thank you Gordon, Anita, Tony and Marie.

Dad, we miss you now, and will continue to do so. You were a decent, honest, sincere and hard-working man. You were strong for us at the times when we needed you to be and a great support - offering us sound advice but accepting it when we didn’t always heed it! You encouraged us to live our lives and to be independent. Exactly as Dad himself had always done. What you saw was what you got with Dad!

Through our sadness, let us see that we were fortunate to have had you as our Dad for as long as we did, and that when the end came, it was peaceful and pain free. Let us also smile knowing that you will be reunited once again with our Mum.

Emma Steel (and sisters, Jo, Karen,and Lou)

(Peter is pictured top row far right)

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of another of our Old Savilians, Gerald Helme (OS, 1966).

Gerald was a pupil at QEGS from 1958 to 1966. During his school years, he developed a keen interest in the French language, particularly through a French exchange to Lille, and was also an avid rugby player. He went on to complete his teacher training at Exeter and graduated from the University of Sheffield with an MA in Education. He progressed quickly through his career in teaching at Campsmount School and Don Valley High School, Doncaster, becoming Head of Modern Languages, Head of Year, and then Deputy Head Teacher.

Gerald sadly passed away on 9th February 2019 at the Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract, following a long illness. He is greatly missed by his wife, Joan, his three daughters, Ruth, Sarah and Catherine, and his two grandchildren.

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”

This soliloquy, delivered by the replicant Roy Batty in the film “Bladerunner” could have been spoken by Gary Whitehead. His life brought him wide-ranging experiences, from living inside both polar circles, to flying robotic spacecraft observing our planet, exploring Venus and mapping our own galaxy with unprecedented precision.

Gary was born in 1963 in Plymouth. His father served in the Royal Marines, and although Gary was not the military type, he spoke about his father with respect and pride. Perhaps this influenced him into a life seeking adventure and exploration. He attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and it is here that he developed his interest in science, culminating in studying Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge, from 1982 to 1985. Cambridge was a time in his life when he threw himself into sport. With his large physique, he took naturally to rowing, and was soon representing his College, which meant five days a week of torturous outings and training.

On graduating, he joined the British Antarctic Survey and was sent to their most remote base at Halley in Antarctica for two years. Halley really was isolated. The re-supply ship came once a year for about a week. Otherwise, communication with family and friends back home was limited to 100 words per month. There were only 18 men on the base. It was an environment where everyone was expected to muck in and help wherever they could, and Gary was no exception. His main role was as a meteorological observer, specialising in measurements of the stratospheric ozone layer. This was an exciting time. BAS scientists had recently discovered the Ozone Hole using data recorded at Halley over the previous 30 years. Gary had a big responsibility to ensure the continuation of the high quality of this world-changing science.

Away from the ozone experiments, his clumsy brute strength brought him a reputation for breaking things. It was always worrying to see Gary wielding a hammer. One of his finest moments was when alone one night looking after the base on night-watch, he decided to try an experiment to see what would happen if he ignited a met-balloon full of hydrogen in the lab. As he rightly predicted, it didn’t actually explode, but the resulting fire-ball removed his eyebrows and set off all the fire alarms, waking the whole base.

His instinct for exploration led him to join field trips to visit areas at the limits of BAS’s travel directives. Travelling more than 150 kilometres on ski-doos towing sledges, these trips echoed some of the epic exploration done in the 1960s.

Among this all-male community, it was tradition to have a “ladies” night during the celebrations to mark the middle of the three-month winter when the sun never rose. Everyone would wear party dresses specially for the occasion. Those who saw the sight of Gary’s huge frame with ribbons tied in his ample full beard will never forget this sight of his feminine side.

On returning from Antarctica in 1988 he commenced a PhD in radio astronomy at the world famous Jodrell Bank institute. He also became an active caver, inspired by his experiences exploring ice-caves in Antarctica. His PhD project would have seen him return to Antarctica to install a Cosmic Microwave Background telescope, but after some technical and funding delays he settled for a Masters Degree, and used the experience gained at Jodrell Bank to take an opportunity with the European Space Agency.

He moved to ESA’s site ESRIN, close to Rome, in 1991 to work on the ground system for the ERS Earth Observation satellites. Just when he had started to master Italian, he was sent to the Arctic, where he spent two years maintaining data processing systems at ESA’s ground station at Kiruna in Sweden, inside the Arctic circle. Then followed his first stint at ESOC, Darmstadt, with the ERS flight control team running the ground-based payload processing systems. Around 1998 he packed his bags for Melbourne, Australia, to work on payload systems for Asiastar, operated by WorldSpace, returning a year later to ESOC to the ERS flight control team, this time working on payload systems.

Darmstadt was where he finally settled. He learned German, and joined the community centred on the cosy and welcoming Riwwelmaddes pub, which he regarded as a place of refuge and sanctity. It was in Darmstadt that Gary met Hanna and after 20 years finally celebrated their marriage in 2019.

In 2002 Gary switched to support launch and early orbit operations for Rosetta, on its way to rendezvous with a comet. He left his typical mark on this mission. In one of the daily spacecraft operation reports, filled with highly technical information, is the line:  “Spacecraft Operation Engineer support mechanism (chair) failed under nominal load”. Gary had broken his chair just by sitting on it. After Rosetta, Gary joined the Venus Express mission through launch, orbital insertion and science operations.

In 2007, now an ESA staff member, he transferred to the Gaia mission where he worked on operations preparation through to routine operations. Gaia is currently mapping our galaxy with the highest precision ever. Gary incorporated Einstein’s general relativity in his pursuit of perfecting the time-correlation of observations. His colleagues recall his quiet self-effacing humour, as well as his considerable knowledge of physics and his formidable ability to use logic in pursuing, and usually winning, an argument.

Following diagnosis of a life threatening cancer, Gary reacted like an engineer. He tried to understand the problem and do what was necessary to overcome it. Later, as it became clear he was not going to survive, he adopted the attitude of living each day and enjoying the moment. During this period, he remarked that he was lucky to have had enough experiences to fill numerous lifetimes, as he enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and reminiscing shared experiences.

Tragic though Gary’s illness was, it brought forward the love of all those who have crossed paths with this true gentle giant. The lives of all who knew him will be, at the same time, poorer without him, yet richer for having had the privilege to know him.

Written by Toby Hastings-Clark 
(OS, 1981)

Sadly, Old Girl Iris Fozzard passed away in February this year.  Iris attended WGHS from 1939 to 1945 and was a County Scholar.

It is we great sadness that we report the passing of our oldest known Old Girl, Margaret Bentham.

Margaret died on 12 April aged 106 years old.  Until 3 years ago she lived independently in st Johns, after which she moved to live with her son in Ossett.

Margaret's grandaughter, Rachel Winstanley, herself an Old Girl, informed us that she spoke fondly of her time at the High School which she left in 1930.  There are currently three prizes awarded to students in Margaret's name; The Margaret Bentham Prize for Product Design, Fieldwork and Modern Languages.

Mr Robert Clive ‘RC’ Smith (OS, 1970) passed away last autumn.  Mr Smith lived at Tickhill near Rotherham and was a successful barrister who enjoyed life to the full.   

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Donald Blakeley (OS, 1950).  Donald passed away last June after a decade of fighting a debilitating illness.  Donald was Head Boy of QEGS during his last year of School and in many conversations I had with him, spoke so warmly of his time at QEGS, his friends and Rugby.  He was an old-school gentleman and I was always surprised by his sharp memory. 
Read more...

 

On Friday 8th June 2018, family and friends gathered at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich, for the funeral of David Cubitt. David had been a member of the congregation and the Mancroft Guild of Ringers from November 1960. He was born in 1931 at Douglas, Isle of Man, where his father was a school dental officer. Two years later the family moved to Wakefield where his younger brother Martin was born. One of David’s great interests was family history. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield. He was proud of his sporting achievements, most of which were on the rugby field. He played three seasons in the first VX as hooker and competed in the Ilkley Schools VII’s.
 

On leaving school he joined the army for National Service, serving with the 1st Battalions of King’s Own Royal Regiment and the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He played for both the regimental VX and VII’s and was awarded his regimental colours. At the conclusion of his service he was liable for three years in the Territorial Army with a company at Wakefield and later Pontefract. He was discharged 30th March 1956.

He was articled to a firm of solicitors in Wakefield and admitted a Solicitor of the Supreme Court 1st October 1959.
 

He joined the Wakefield Cathedral ringers shortly after the new bells were installed in 1947. His first peal, conducted by Wilfred Moreton, was rung in January 1953 at St Helen’s Sandal Magna. Large files at the family home on the history of ringing at Wakefeld Cathedral and St John’s Church in the city, show his capacity for researching tower records. He was elected a member of the Yorkshire Association and joined the Royal Society of College Youths in 1959.
 

Upon qualifying as a solicitor in 1960, he moved to Norwich. His chose this city for its rich ringing history and because Norfolk was the home county of the Cubitt family who originated from the coastal village of Bacton.

He married Maureen in 1963 and they had three children and five grandchildren.
 

His love of Norfolk history saw him contribute to twenty nine books on subjects ranging from architecture, archaeology, assembly rooms, Norfolk furniture makers, music and Norfolk shipping. This interest inspired him to study for an MA in Local and Regional History in the mid 90s.
 

A heart attack in 2017 led to a lengthy hospital, but determination saw him come through, but life became more of a struggle and after another difficult time in hospital a year later, he died on 27th May 2018.
 

As a man – he was a gentleman. honest, trustworthy, reliable and unchanging. You would rarely see him without a tie – and his jacket always had a bic pen and pencil in the top pocket and some paper, ready for taking notes.
 

He had wonderful memories of Wakefield Grammar School and was a member of the Old Savilians Club.

 

Sadly, Constance Gilbey passed away in Pinderfields Hospital on December 29 2018.  Constance was born in Wakefield and studied at the High School.  She was a longstanding teacher and senior manager in education, a magistrate and was active in church and voluntary groups in Wakefield.

 
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Terry Neal was born in Bedford on 22 January 1932 but soon moved to Ipswich after his father was relocated to work for Ransomes as a draughtsman.

He attended Clifford Road Junior School between 1937-42 and Northgate Grammar School, Ipswich 1942-50 where he was Head Boy and won colours at cricket and rugby.

Between 1950-51 he did his National Service where was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals based at Catterick. He captained the regimental cricket eleven that included a young Brian Close.

In 1951 he commenced a History degree at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He obtained a class 2:1 B.A in 1954 and the following year an M.A of the Cambridge University Teaching Certificate. At Emmanuel he played both cricket and hockey and was Secretary and Vice President of the Debating Society.

He trained at Gresham’s School, Holt where he was an Assistant Housemaster and in 1955 obtained his first teaching post at Battersea Grammar School where he was Second History master and responsible for the first eleven cricket team.

In 1957 he moved to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield as second History master. He spent ten years at QEGS becoming the first Head of General Studies and also Sixth Form master. He was jointly responsible for first eleven cricket and junior rugby. During his time at QEGS he made life- long friendships with Ronald Chapman, Clifford Brook, Laurie Brown, Miles Coope, Peter Driscoll, John Fitzpatrick and many others. He was also a tutor at Wakefield Prison.

In 1957 he married Beryl Greene and in 1961 their only son Patrick was born in Wakefield.

He obtained a Deputy Headship at Barlby Secondary School, near Selby in 1967 where he was responsible for Curriculum Development and development of the Sixth Form. After two years he moved to Ledbury Grammar School, Herefordshire as Headmaster.

In Ledbury he was a member of the Parish Church Council and Churchwarden; a member of the Rotary Club and a playing member of Ledbury Cricket Club. A social member of Ledbury Rugby Club and Chairman of Ledbury Scout Group. He was a member of the board of visitors at Gloucester Prison.

In 1977 he was appointed Headmaster of the newly formed John Masefield High School, Ledbury when the Ledbury Grammar and Secondary Schools and Canon Frome School merged under comprehensive reorganisation.

For a year from August 1983 he was seconded as Senior County Inspector (Hereford & Worcester) to assist with curricular and professional aspects of comprehensive re-organisation in Worcester City.

In 1991 he retired and moved to live in Cheltenham where his wife Beryl was a Head teacher.

He had seven History text books published and enjoyed writing poetry. He read extensively and enjoyed historical and general literature particularly Thomas Hardy and Iris Murdoch. He enjoyed fine wines being a member of the Wine Society and good food.

He was a subscriber to Welsh National Opera and Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet; an Associate member of the Royal Shakespeare Company; a member of the Cheltenham Festival Society and a supporter of Cheltenham Choral Society, the Worcester Festival Chorus and the Three Choirs Festival.

He loved sport, particularly cricket being at times member of both Yorkshire CCC and Worcestershire CCC. He was a member of Ledbury CC, Colwall CC and Mirfield CC. A supporter of Bedford and Gloucester rugby clubs and of Ipswich Town FC.

He died on 13^th August suddenly at home in Cheltenham aged 86. He leaves a wife Beryl; a son Patrick; daughter in law Gill and grandson John.

Sadly, we have lost another of our Old Savilians.  Peter Newton Hepworth who was at QEQS between 1939 and 1946 sadly passed away earlier this year.

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the passing of Ian Fletcher (OS, 1962).  Professor Fletcher died on 21 July aged 74 after a long illness.  He attended QEGS between 1955 and 1962, coming from Lawefield Lane Junior School.  He went to on study law at St Catherine's 

Professor Fletcher had a long and distinguished academic career.  He was UCL Faculty of Laws Emeritus Professor of International Commercial Law having joined the Faculty in January 2001.

Read more here...

It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of John Hopkins last week aged 81.

John was a very distinguished lawyer and a lovely human being. He was born in Yorkshire and went to QEGS Junior School until the family returned to Wales. He never forgot QEGS and was a friend of Ronald Chapman, former Head of History at QEGS. John spent most of his academic career at Downing and was for a time Senior Tutor. John earned many distinctions as a lawyer, was a superb teacher and was a governor of a number of schools, including Harrow, but was touchingly delighted to accept when the Old Savs asked him to become an honorary member of the Old Savilians’ Club’s council. He was our guest of honour at Cambridge Dinners held at Downing and Girton (his wife Cherry is herself a distinguished lawyer and until retirement was a key figure at Girton).

John was my tutor at Downing and tutored many QEGS old boys over the years, including Phillip Hodson, (OS, 1969), (Chairman WGSF Fundraising Committee) who I know held John in high esteem.

He will be sadly missed by all that new him.

                                                                                                                              Neal Rigby

CLICK HERE to read a Tribute to John Hopkins by Phillip Hodson (OS, 1969)
 

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Geoffrey, or Geoff, as he was known, was born in Brighouse on 21 June 1933. He attended C of E schools in his home town and at the age of 11 won a Governors’ Scholarship to Bradford Grammar School where he excelled academically. He was awarded an Open Scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford, where he obtained a 1st Class BA Honours Degree, followed by his MA. Geoff was appointed to teach Chemistry at Manchester Grammar School 12 months later so had to find a temporary appointment which he took up at Heath Grammar School in Halifax. After 2 years teaching in Manchester he returned to his former school, Bradford Grammar, where he taught for 8 years. Whilst there he wrote a practical chemistry book with the Head of Department, his former teacher, who had been instrumental in his success in Chemistry.

It was 26 years later that Geoff retired after a hectic life at QEGS, re-organising the Chemistry Department, helping to plan the new science block, being a staff representative on the Old Savilians’ Committee and then becoming President. He was also a founder member of The Friends of QEGS.

Tennis and cross country running took up time in his earlier years, but with increased responsibility after being made Director of Studies, he had little time to partake in these activities.

Geoff’s leisure time was spent with family and friends.  Caravanning was a great part of his life, together with gardening and listening to music. The family enjoyed holidays on the continent and often had either boys from QEGS or girls from WGHS joining them.

He is sadly missed by his wife of 58 years, Valerie, daughters, Anne and Jayne and 4 grandchildren, 2 who have attended QEGS.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of another Old Savilian, Frank Jones.

Frank Jones as born on the 29^th February 1924 but always celebrated his Birthday on the 01^st March. He was the son of Thomas and Nellie Jones from Walton near Wakefield and had four sisters of which one was younger and three were older – and they rather indulged their younger brother!

After a life threatening illness as a small child, Frank made his family very proud when he passed the Entrance Exam to QEGS and went on to enjoy seven fruitful and happy years at the School.

This equipped him well for his further education as he quickly progressed to win a prestigious Mining Scholarship at Leeds University and obtained his Honours Degree in Mining Engineering.

Frank rose steadily through the ranks at the National Coal Board, eventually reaching the Chief Safety Engineer for the North Yorkshire Area – in charge of 17 collieries across the County.

He was always extremely modest about his achievements and never let the pressures of his hugely stressful job impact upon his Family Life.

Frank was married to Joyce for over 60 years and had two children – Christopher (OS, 1970) and Elisabeth. He also spent many happy hours with his four Grandchildren and was delighted to see the arrival of his first Great Grandchild, who he met just four months before his death on the 27^th August 2018.

He had a long and very happy retirement – spending time not only with his family but also acting as Secretary of the Mining Society, working on charitable ventures as an active Freemason and serving as a Justice of the Peace for 10 years.

Even in his final few years he had a full and active life; becoming highly proficient on his Computer and i – pad, where he would order his shopping on line every week and converse with his 63 Facebook friends!

He remained an Old Savilian until his demise and always spoke with great affection about his time in the School. When his son Christopher retired the two would sit together and reminisce about their School days.

He was a unique man in many ways; still living on his own and in his own home until the time of his sudden death……he will be greatly missed.

 

Miss Pamela Collingwood passed away recently at the age of 92.  Miss Collingwood was Headmistress of WGHS Junior School (1962-1986). She played a key role in the development of the Junior School during her 24 years of headship, including the school’s relocation to its current site at St John’s House in 1967. She also helped celebrate the centenary of WGHS with Senior School Head, Miss Hand, in 1978. She will be remembered fondly by staff, governors and of course the pupils who attended the school during her tenure as Head.

Sadly, we report on the passing of Old Savilian Michael Rodney Jackson.

Michael attended QEGS from 1946 to 1953.  He then went on to Cambridge University where he read Law.  He spent all of his working life practicing Law in Hull and was latterly appointed as a Recorder (a term for a part-time circuit judge).

Michael kept the caps that he was awarded at school, some of which are 70 years old.  His son Nick has very kindly donated them to QEGS School archives.

Michael will be missed by all that new him.

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of another Old Savilian, Harry Tranter.  Harry, the only son of Angie and Joseph Tranter, started at QEGS in 1940.

Harry was an outstanding sportsman excelling at Rugby (Yorkshire Schools) and later in his career playing nine times for Durham County.  He was selected for an England Rugby trial, but was unable to participate due to ill health.  At school he was perhaps the outstanding all-rounder of his time, but handicapped by the lightness of his physique, which was perhaps the reason why, when at Oxford, he was mysteriously denied a ‘blue’.

Harry left QEGS in 1947 to go to Catterick Garrison for two years conscription.  Whilst in the army he was introduced to Joyce Pounder, who was educated at Wakefield Girls High School and also from Wakefield, by a friend, Bill Thorpe who later become best man at their wedding.  

After leaving Catterick, Harry read History at Brasenose College Oxford, after which he became History Master at Tonbridge School in Kent.  Deciding after a year that teaching was not to be his vocation, he obtained a job in the chemical industry in Personnel.  He joined ICI Agricultural Division in the NE based at Billing and also spent a few years in Hyde, Cheshire.  

Early in his career he married Joyce Pounder, who was by then a primary school teacher and they had two daughters Helen and Nicola.

In 1973 the family moved to Buckinghamshire with Harry working for SKF Roller Bearings at the UK Headquarters in Luton as Personnel Director.  In 1990, he moved to The National Theatre, London also as Director of Personnel.

In 2010 Harry and Joyce moved to Sedgfield in the North East to be near family.  Sadly Joyce predeceased Harry in 2014.

Harry was a much loved father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all that new him.

Sadly we report the passing of well known Old Savilian, Len Tingle.  Len was Yorkshire Political Editor for BBC Yorkshire and passed away following his diagnosis with cancer a year ago.
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It is wish much sadness that we report the passing of Norah Brear (née Fletcher), aged 96, on 24 March following a short period of ill health.

Norah was born in 1921. Winning a scholarship to attend WGHS, she was pupil from 1933 - 1938.

Norah enjoyed the contact that WGHS maintained through the WGHS school magazine and later the alumni magazine. She was proud of her association with the school and enjoyed reading about the school's activities and the various reunions of former pupils.

She will be missed by all that new her and especially by her husband Douglas.

On 14 January, sadly we lost another of our Old Girls. Shirley Nunns (née Hargreaves)
(OG, 1949) died in Whitby Hospital of cancer - she had been very ill for the last few months, but had been very well cared for there.

Shirley started her school days at WGHS Kindergarten in the 3O's/  Apart from a couple of years, due to the worry of the war starting, when she left to go to a local school in Morley, she spent the rest of her school career at WGHS, leaving to work for her father who ran Hargreaves Coaches.  I am sure many WGHS girls will remember going to school outings in these coaches!

The company was very successful and Shirley's husband George joined the firm when they married in 1955.  On retirement they spent many years travelling to South Africa, USA and Europe and bought land in the South of France,  being pioneers in building there! Shirley leaves a daughter Rachel, son in law David and three grandsons.

Shirley, together with Pat Craven (nee Jowett), Wendy Roebuck (nee Barker), Judy Freeman (nee Barker) and Valerie Lythgoe (nee Crispin) have been meeting at each others homes for lunch for over 30 years when, through an acquaintance of Shirley's, they all got together again. Shirley will be very much missed but we do hope to continue the tradition.
 

Pat Craven (nee Jowett), (OG, 1951)

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my mum, Vera Shorthouse (née Boot) on 20th December 2017 aged 77 years. Mum was at the High School from 1951 - 1956. It was a lifeline for her and she always spoke fondly of her time there and the lifelong friendships forged. Her funeral will be held on 9th January 2018 at 11.30am at All Saints Church, Darton S75 5NQ and after at the Old Post Office, Haigh S75 4DE. We welcome all her friends to mark this occasion and importantly chat over old times. Donations to Barnsley Hospice where mum was a keen supporter. Fellow old girl. Joanne Egan (Shorthouse)

David Broadhead was from Barnsley and was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, being one of what was known as ‘the Barnsley boarders’ in the late 1940s. David left QEGS in 1950 and having both a talent and passion for art, went on to study art at Leeds School of Art.

Following his two years compulsory National Service David attended the Royal College of Art in London. For a short time after this he worked as a Graphic Designer and then as a teacher of Art & Design. He was by this time married and had three children.

His educational career blossomed and he became the Dean of Art and Design and Assistant to the Director at Coventry College. However, with redundancies on the horizon, David himself volunteered, deciding to pursue his dream of painting full time.

David moved to Nerja in Spain where he met his second wife Patricia. His painting style began to develop leading him to have a successful exhibition at the Parador. He painted many scenes of the Spanish ferias, people celebrating, horses etc., but his main interest was the female form, singly, in pairs and groups. Over the years his painting became increasingly less defined, leaving more to the imagination and to something more emotionally and spiritually provoking. People still enquire about his work attesting to his value as a painter.

​​​​​​Works by David now hang in private collections across Europe and in the USA and Canada. He had private exhibitions in notable galleries in Nerja, Malaga, Granada, Alcaucin and Torre Del Mar as well as group exhibitions and private commissions. David was also commissioned, in 1990, by the ‘Market Place’, a monthly coastal magazine in Southern Spain, to do drawings of local towns for the covers of their first 12 editions.

David will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by many. He was a true gentleman: a good listener, wise, intelligent, well-mannered and good humoured. The many cards and emails received by his wife and family attest to this.

David's wife, Patricia, is determined that his work will live on and continue to be celebrated.

View David's work here 

  

 

  We are sad to report the passing our our much esteemed former colleague, Mrs Young.

Mrs. Young came to the High School in 1970 as Head of the Geography. Department and her cheerful zest for life and Geography was apparent at once. She valued her subject and had an instinctive ability to pass on her knowledge in interesting and practical ways.

 

The excursions she led were memorable: Stump Cross Caverns when at one point the lights were always put out.. Brimham Rocks, Flamborough Head, Malham Cove, a tricky place at any time, but when it snowed - a white-out, in fact- her "Sit down and don't move till I say you can!" made her common sense and authority manifest. Some Old Girls may remember the occasion of the fishy smell in Room 17 which came from a kipper mysteriously fallen behind the revolving blackboard. She had a great sense of humour, fortunately!

 

As Deputy Head this and her strong character, competence and practicality were obvious. She cared greatly for all students, was sensitive to problems, and her advice was much valued. She had a natural authority; students knew what was expected of them, liked and respected her, and she was held in high esteem by her colleagues. She was generous and kind and fun to be with.

 

In her retirement, she and her husband were very hospitable. He was an architect and artist and both had a considerable knowledge of antiques and art and loved antique fairs. Sheila had lived in Durham and retained a great affection for the city and county, the Dales and Lakes, and was happy too in the cities which her husband loved to explore. She kept in contact with WGHS, however, and last visited at the opening of the new library.

 

Latterly, as her health deteriorated, she was not able to enjoy the outside world as before, but was still drawing geological diagrams and maps to pass the time - a geographer to the last!

 

Mary Larner

(with input from Ann Gray, Sure Mirfield, Pat Williams, Pat Langham & Hilary Veno)

 

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of another Old Savilian, Mr John Setchell (OS, 1954)
 

In the early hours of 13 August, 2017, John died in a nursing home in Chesterfield, after an illness fought bravely and with great courage, leaving behind two Margaret Setchells, three daughters, seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Early years were challenging and daunting for both John and his Mother. His father, an RAF fighter pilot, having been killed on active service. He felt this deeply as a boarder at QEGS, but was not a man for any ‘poor me’ syndrome. His cheerful smile was infectious and he got on with life with vigour, resilience and resourcefulness. He completed his studies and left QEGS in 1954.

After his RAF National Service in the Far East, he went to Keble College, Oxford in 1956. He graduated in 1959 with a Second Class Honours Degree having come under the influence and guidance of Gordon Smith, Fellow and Tutor in Geography. A Diploma in Education (PGCE) followed before a distinguished career in school mastering.

After Experience at Portsmouth G.S. and King’s School, Bruton, he had nine years at Deputy Head at Archbishop Holgate’s School York and thirteen as Head Master of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Mansfield.

He was very proud of his College and his University. Not a betting man, he nevertheless could not resist the odd flutter when the Boat Race or the Varsity Match at Twickenham came round.

 

As befits someone born at RAF Cranwell, he loved service life and contributed to it when school mastering came to an end. He held commissions in both the RAF as a National Serviceman and Army as a Major in The Sherwood Forester’s Regiment in The Home Service Force (now disbanded).

John never really retired, and was as competitive at bowls in later life as he was on the rugby field. Other interests included most sports, gardening, restoring antique clocks and writing and lecturing on mechanical antiques. His asparagus was as much in demand as was his company at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield to watch Derbyshire C.C.C. It was in the Pavilion there, appropriately enough, that his Memorial Service took place on 24 August, followed by a cricket tea.

Many attended to recollect and remember a life well spent and a good companion.

Audrey Stubbs (OG 1940-1949), followed in her mother’s footsteps to WGHS, beginning her school career just as war broke out, but was forced to delay her start during the uncertainty of the phoney war. 

She travelled to school from Lofthouse, where the family were incumbents of Holly House, the home of the manager of the coke works. Known for her outgoing personality and talkative nature, Audrey enjoyed all aspects of school life, from science to sports, particularly cricket, and she could remember her results in the school certificate to her dying day.

Audrey went on to study Household and Social Science at Queen Elizabeth College, London University, and a career as an analyst followed at the public laboratory, Leeds.

She married Basil Pegler in June 1954, and followed his work with the coal board through the mining districts of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. After a break, bringing up three children, she began a new career as a home economics teacher in schools in London: The Royal Masonic School, Hendon County Grammar School, and finally at Copthall Girl’s School, Mill Hill. 

She enjoyed visiting concerts and operas at the Albert Hall and Coliseum in London and singing in a local Gilbert and Sullivan society.  A lover of good food, engendered by her mother’s family butcher’s shop, J A Smith’s of Sandal, she was an active member of The Winetasters, and taught wine appreciation at adult-education classes in Ealing, where she lived for over forty years. 

Divorced and married for a second time to Kenneth Stubbs, Audrey took retirement in 1981, but continued as governor at a local school, and as such, witnessed lively discussions between parents, Neil and Glenys Kinnock and the chair of the local Education committee, Hilary Benn.

Audrey’s happy memories of school life were undimmed by dementia in her last few years, and it is a testament to the friendships she made that three Alumnae of the school were present at her funeral in Oxfordshire, where she died after a short illness.

 

 

It is with great sadness that we have to report the sudden and untimely death of Philip Roche who passed away in June from meningococcal disease.

Phil, who was the second of five boys, joined the school in 1963 after attending boarding school in the Lake District. Although he arrived late, he immediately settled in to life at QEGS and became a very popular member of the school. Phil was a gifted sportsman who excelled at both rugby and cricket, playing for both the 1st XV and the 1st XI in the 6th form years.

The Savilian describes him as a “nonstop back row forward” and he was indeed fearless. This was epitomised on the tour to London in 1967 when he was concussed during the match and was left behind (much to his annoyance) in hospital. During his time in the 1st XI the Savilian reported he was “an agile wicket keeper who approaches the job with a proper seriousness; the rarely missed chance is tragedy while the catch taken or stumping made ecstasy.” He truly loved his sport.

At the end of his sixth Form years in 1968, the family took the decision to emigrate to Australia, much against Phil’s will, as he had a very full life in Yorkshire (girlfriend included) and was also set on joining the Royal Navy. October 4 next year would have been the 50th anniversary of him setting foot in Melbourne.

On arrival in Australia Phil enrolled at Longerenong Agricultural College in Victoria where he quickly adopted an Australian accent (allegedly for reasons of self-preservation). Rugby being unavailable he played Australian Rules football and cricket, continuing an active cricketer into his late 40s.

He stayed in farming for the rest of his life although at one point combining this with a spell running a post office. Share farming a dairy unit was followed by sheep, which he continued to work with after the family sold their own farm, and until the very day that he died. His commitment to managing several hundred sheep with his four beloved Kelpie sheepdogs was total. He described himself as a Shepherd and his profession was thus recorded on his death certificate (the first time that the Registrar could recall this title being used).
 

Throughout he kept in touch with John Crapper and Simon Maddocks, always updating them with his life in Australia. In 2011, he decided it was time to re-visit his roots and was proud to show his wife Lesley his former homes and haunts, including school. Along with his lifelong friends and their wives, he was warmly treated to lunch with the Headmaster in his study followed by a tour of the school. The afternoon culminated in a visit to the playing fields where he spent his happiest hours as a schoolboy.

 

Of his four brothers two were Old Savilians: Martin (1961-66) and Michael (1964 - 68) who was also known as Ozzie.

He leaves his wife Lesley and their daughters, Jennie, Sara and Rachel.
 

(Philip Roche, John Crapper, Simon Maddocks)