Archived News and Obituaries

Archived News and Obituaries:

Barry Hortin Sadly, Barry Hortin died on 19th June, 2007. He was at Harrow County in the early 1950s and was a Prefect in 1956. Barry played Rugby for the School and the Old Gaytonians.	Bob Theis Sadly, Bob Theis died on 17th May, 2007 after an illness. He was at Harrow County 1953-58, was a keen cyclist and played rugby for the School. Will be hugely missed by children Karen, Martin and Kelly.
Roger J. Gershon Sadly, Roger Gershon died in April after an accident near his home near Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, aged 56. He was at Harrow County from 1962-68 and was a retired accountant.	R. Silsby Sadly, Bob Silsby, a Vice President of the Old Gaytonians Association, died on 1st April, 2007, aged 77. He was a keen and loyal member of the rugby and cricket clubs and for many years Membership Secretary of the OGA. Click for Obituary by Colin Dickins
W. E. Balfour Sadly, Dr. William. E. Balfour, who started at Harrow County in 1938, died on February 1st, 2007. He was a fellow of Kings College, Cambridge, and retired from university teaching in 1997.	Alan Joy Sadly, Alan Joy, who was at Harrow County from 1944 to 1950, died on February 9th, 2007, as a result of an accident.

Roger Kraushaar Sadly, Roger Kraushaar, who left Harrow County in 1965, has died. He was former Chairman of the Old Gaytonians Athletics Club, and had been ill for a number of years. He graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge and taught French and Spanish at St. Nicholas Grammar (Haydon) School in Northwood for nearly 25 years.	Desmond Bye Sadly, Desmond Bye, who started School at Harrow County in 1930, died in October 2006. He played for the Rugby 1st XV in 1934 (click for photograph) and for the Cricket 1st XI as wicket keeper in 1935.
Clive Perry Sadly, Clive Perry, who started his theatrical career at Harrow County and became in important figure in British Theatre, died on November 11, 2006, aged 70. He was at School from 1948 to 1955. Click for Guardian obituary (with incorrect school). Click for letter in The Guardian. Click for Scotsman obituary. Click for photograph of school production of Richard II, 1955. Click for Guardian obituary (with incorrect school). Click for letter in The Guardian. Click for Scotsman obituary. Click for photograph of school production of Richard II, 1955. There is to to be a Celebration of his love and contribution to the British Theatre at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on Sunday 25th Feb 2007 7.00pm.	Geoff Holmes Sadly, Geoff Holmes, who started Harrow County in 1931, died on October 23rd, 2006, aged 86. He was in the Parachute Regiment during the war and went in at Arnhem, where he was captured four times, released once, escaped twice and stayed to care for the wounded. In the 1990s he instituted commemorative drops of veterans at Arnhem.
Frank Raine-Allen Sadly, Frank Raine Allen, who started Harrow County in Form I in 1926, died in October in Guildford at the age of 92. He was the Civil Defence officer for Middlesex.	Ryszard Gagola Sadly, Rick Gagola, author and artist, who was at the school from 1966, died on October 23, 2006.
John Lever Sadly, Professor M John Lever, who was at the school from 1954 to 1962, died on Sunday September 17th, 2006, of cancer. He was Professor of Physiological Mechanics and Head of the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College, London.	David Fickling Sadly, David Fickling, who started Harrow County in Form 2A in 1940, died on August 4th, 2006.

Colin Rowlinson Sadly, Colin Rowlinson, who started Harrow County in Form 2A in 1938, has died in Australia, aged 80.	Laurence Thame Sadly, Laurie Thame, who started Harrow County in Form 2A in 1931, died on May 7th, 2006, aged 85.
Squadron Leader David Munson, DFC Sadly, David Munson, who started Harrow County in 1929, died on July 7th, 2006, aged 89. He was a pilot in 236 Squadron flying Beaufighters in the celebrated North Coates Strike Wing from the autumn of 1942 to January 1944. Click here for Times obituary.	Sir Roy Denman Sadly, Roy Denman, who started Harrow County in 1935, died on April 4th, 2006, aged 81. A passionate European, civil servant and author, Sir Roy helped to negotiate Britain's entry into the Common Market in 1973 and was the European Community's Ambassador in Washington 1982 to 1989.

Michael Rolph Sadly, Michael Rolph who was at Harrow County 1948-54 has died, aged 69. (Not to be confused with Mike Rolph of Chorleywood, who started HCS in 1943) (Not to be confused with Mike Rolph of Chorleywood, who started HCS in 1943)	Derick Richardson Sadly, Derick Richardson, a member of the very successful 1963 First XV died suddenly from a heart attack on March 7th 2006 at his home in Sutton Coldfield.
John 'Jack' Cotter Sadly, John ‘Jack’ Cotter, former Captain of the Old Gaytonians Rugby Football Club, who was at Harrow County 1928-33, passed away on February 1^st 2006 aged 89, after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for some years.	Lord Merlyn-Rees Sadly, Merlyn Rees, father of Old Gaytonians Gareth, Glynn and Patrick Rees. died on January 6th, 2006, aged 85. He was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 1974-76 and Home Secretary from 1976-79.

Chris Elvin Sadly, Chris Elvin, who was at Harrow County 1960-67, died suddenly on October 26th, 2005, aged 56, in France, from a brain aneurism. Click for obituary from John Clayton.	Peter Owen Sadly, Peter Owen, who was at Harrow County 1953-59, died suddenly on Monday October 31st, 2005, aged 64. Most recently Peter was Station Manager at West Suffolk Hospital Radio, in Bury St. Edmunds. Donations should be sent to West Suffolk Hospital Radio.
Eric Noyce Sadly, Eric Noyce, aged 88, who was at Harrow County 1929-34. Father of Old Gaytonian Chris Noyce.	Arnold George Nyburg Sadly, Arnold Nyburg, who was at Harrow County 1918-25, died on 3rd September, 2005, aged 96. He was always proud of his old school, and was a first XV rugby player, and Victor Ludorum. He won the DSC in the Normandy invasion in the Second World War.
Gordon Stanbridge Sadly, Gordon Stanbridge, who was at Harrow County 1927-32, died on 3rd June, 2005, in his 90th year.	Mr. Gerry Lafferty Sadly, Gerry Lafferty, who taught English at Harrow County from 1961 to 1975, died on Monday August 15th, 2005, aged 75. Funeral Service Obituary by Fred Bilson Click for tributes and memories

Anthony Andrews
Sadly, Anthony Andrews passed away from cancer on April 6th, 2005. He entered Harrow County in 1945. In the last year of his life he made contact with many of his old school chums through this website.

Bob Buckland
Sadly, Bob Buckland died on Tuesday 10th May 2005.

David Webber
Sadly, David Leigh Webber, who entered Harrow County in 1963, died on January 7th, 2005. He was Head of Radiopharmacy at Kings College Hospital.

Reverend Professor Peter Ackroyd
Sadly, P. R. Ackroyd, who entered Harrow County in 1929, died on January 23rd, 2005, aged 87. From Harrow County he went to Downing College, Cambridge. He was a distinguished scholar and taught at Leeds University and Cambridge before becoming the Samuel Davidson Professor of Old Testament Studies at London University, occupying the chair for more than 20 years.

Mr. John Bodiam
Sadly, John T. Bodiam, who taught Science at Harrow County from 1959-66, died in November 2004 after a long illness.
Obituaries

Deryck Peperell
Sadly, Deryck Peperell, who entered Harrow County in 1931, died on October 21st, 2004. He was Chairman of the Old Gaytonians Cricket Club for many years and Captain for a time. A powerful presence at Sudbury, he gave many hours to the OGA and the Sportsground. To other cricket clubs he was the OGCC, as someone said when he was elected Captain. Notably cantankerous in committee - and socially - he was actually excellent company and always admired and respected for his commitment to and hard work for the Old Gaytonians. He was also a long time member of the OG Golf Society.

K R (Bobby) Constable
Sadly, Bob Constable, who was at Harrow County 1929-33, died on July 27th, 2004. He was Chairman of the OGA for a good many years from the mid-1950's onwards. He held various offices in the OGA and rugby section and at one time was manager of the Bushey branch of Barclay's Bank. He played in the first OGRFC rugby match.

REG GOFF
Sadly, Mr. R. A. Goff, who was Head of Modern Subjects at Harrow County, died on Sunday, 9th May, 2004.
Click for profile written in 1960

R. O. S. (Ross) Salmon
Sadly, Ross Salmon, who was at Harrow County 1935-39 died on April 14th, 2004, at the age of 80. Remembered for his ability at cricket, and as a well-known childrens entertainer, with his cowboy character, author and broadcaster.
Click for BBC obituary Click for 1939 cricket photograph

MR. ARTHUR HALEY
Sadly, Mr. Haley, who taught music at Harrow County 1959-75, died on Tuesday, 13th January, 2004 at the age of 87.
Requiem Mass at St Cecilia's RC Church, Mountbatten Road, Dersingham, Norfolk at 12 noon on Thursday 22nd January. Family flowers only please, but donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance will be forwarded by John Lincoln (Funeral Director), 38 Manor Road, Dersingham, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6LH.

A Tribute by Roger Bowen

Reminiscences and Photographs

MAJOR HUGH SKILLEN 1915-2004
Sadly, Mr. Skillen, who taught at Harrow County 1946-75, died on Sunday, 4th January, 2004.
As well as being the former Head of Modern Languages at Harrow County, he was widely known as the historian of the wartime 'Y' (Wireless Intelligence) services.

A Recollection from Michael Portillo

French, Spanish and German Exchange Trips

The School Film - Makers of Men

Cinema - Early Memories by Hugh Skillen Movie Treasure by Hugh Skillen

MR. CECIL GROOMBRIDGE
Sadly, Mr. Groombridge died on Friday, 29th August, 2003, at his residential home in Kingsbury. Flowers or a donation (for RSPB) can be sent to William Putnam, Funeral director, 185 Streatfield Road, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 9DA (Cheques made out to 'RSPB')

Obituary from Don McEwen
Sadly, Mr. Groombridge died on Friday, 29th August, 2003, at his residential home in Kingsbury. Flowers or a donation (for RSPB) can be sent to William Putnam, Funeral director, 185 Streatfield Road, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 9DA (Cheques made out to 'RSPB')

Obituary from Don McEwen

TONY RHOADES
We are saddened to have to report that Tony Rhoades passed away on April 18th, 2003. One of the great and most loyal Old Gaytonians, Tony was an outstanding Chairman of the OGA and held many offices in the Association, the Sportsground and the Rugby and Athletic clubs.

Obituary by Colin Dickins

Obituary from the Athletics Club by Denis Orme Photographs

Note from Tony's daugter, Carole

---oOo---

Class of 1954 - Golden Jubilee Reunion

To celebrate 50 years since starting at HCS, a reunion of the Class of 1954
is to be held on the afternoon of 4th September 04 at the School. Click for details.

For details of Professor Bob Garratt's new book, Thin on Top: Why Corporate Governance Matters and How to Manage, Measure and Improve Board Performance, click here

Gaytonian in the news - Sir Nigel Sheinwald (Harrow County 1964-71) has been appointed to the post of Foreign Policy Adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair in succession to Sir David Manning. Sir Nigel is currently the UK's Permanent Representative to the European Union. He will take up the post later this year when Sir David Manning leaves the Prime Minister's Office to become British Ambassador in Washington. Sir Nigel is currently the UK's Permanent Representative to the European Union. He will take up the post later this year when Sir David Manning leaves the Prime Minister's Office to become British Ambassador in Washington.

Major General Andrew Ritchie (HCS 1964- ) has been appointed Commandant of Sandhurst.

Gaytonian in the news - The New York Times reported on January 24th that Sir Paul Nurse will become President of Rockefeller University on November 3rd, 2003. Rockefeller is a graduate and research institution in Manhattan that is focused on biomedical research, with about 1,000 scientists.

Gaytonian in the news - Sir Derek Morris, Chairman of the Competition Commission, has been knighted in the New Years Honours List. Sir Derek has also been pre-elected as Provost of Oriel, Oxford.

Paul Oliver, former Art Master at Harrow County, received an MBE in the New Years Honours List for services to architectural education.

Frank Kirkham (HCS 1961- ) received an MBE in the New Years Honours List (Military Division) for services to the Territorial Army.

Gaytonian Sir Paul Nurse wins Nobel Prize for Medicine

Gaytonian in the news - Sir Tony Young (Knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June), President of the TUC, addresses TUC Congress September 9th, 2002 Click for 1955 photo

Gaytonians in the news: West London Rugby Football Club (successor to Old Gaytonians) raises money for Tsunami victims

Gaytonian in the news: Former Science Master Mr. Norman Tyrwhitt was made an honorary freeman of the borough of Watford in October 2004. The title was bestowed on him in recognition of work carried out to improve the town. Mr. Tyrwhitt has twice been Mayor of Watford.

Gaytonian in the news - 2004 - Sir Anthony Young became Lord Young of Norwood Green, the first Old Gaytonian peer in the House of Lords