We are saddened to learn of the death of Brian Tomlinson (1940-48), who died last weekend. He played for both the football and cricket sides for the Old Bournemouthians and in later years helped to run the Saturday football team. Mr Tomlinson’s funeral will be held at Christchurch Priory at noon on Wednesday 27th May.
We are very sorry to announce that John Hawkins died on Monday evening at Bournemouth Hospital.
Mr Hawkins’ career at Bournemouth School spanned more than 40 years, as Chemistry teacher, Deputy Head and latterly examinations officer. During his time at the school, he always supported the Association, serving many years on the committee and as President of the Old Boys’ Cricket Club. However for most of us, we shall remember him for his happy demeanour, livening up lessons or calming pre-exam nerves, to justly earn his nickname of “Happy Harry”.
David Spencer and Paul Beardshaw wish to thank everybody who has written or sent cards and e-mails.
Chris Bates emails to tell us that his father, Bob, has passed away. Bob was at school from 1950-57. His funeral service will be at Bournemouth Crematorium on Friday 8th March 2013 at 1.15pm.
As some of you may have seen from the Echo, Roy Lenton has passed away. He was a history teacher at BS for many years. Although he never taught me I recall him with affection as I’m certain many others will and he was always a great supporter of the Old Boys attending many a dinner. For many years he ran the school football 1st XI and in his latter years at BS he was a point of contact for old boys at the school and contributed news of old boys to the magazine.
His daughter Heather Maidment has been in touch and has asked us to pass on the details for the funeral to the OB membership as any who wish to attend would be very welcome.
The funeral will be at St Paul’s Church, Landford Way, Throop, BH8 0NY at 2.45pm on Tuesday 5th March 2013.
Christopher Williams writes to let us know that his father, Dr Raymond Williams CBE, an Old Boy who went on to become the Director of the Scotland Yard Forensic Science Laboratory, passed away last November. An obituary was printed by the Bournemouth Evening Echo.
From the Bournemouth Evening Echo (17th January 2013) we learn that Bob Roberts, who taught PE and acted as a careers advisor at Bournemouth School for 27 years, died on 31st December 2012. Mr Roberts, often known as Paddy, had achieved his 100th birthday earlier in 2012.
Update: Mr Roberts’ son John has contacted us, and said that Old Boys would be welcome at the funeral service, to be held at the Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday 28th January at noon. He adds: “Dad joined the school in 1948 and retired in 1975.”
Carol Goodliffe writes to inform us that her uncle, David Aldridge, passed away in December. David was a past pupil of Bournemouth School and an Old Bournemouthian. She writes:
When I last saw my Uncle a week before he died he said he was a life long member of what we understood to be the Old Bournemouthians. I can’t find any more information other than him receiving communications in the 1950’s. He was anxious that we understood this membership as he wanted you to be informed of his death.
David was born and brought up in Bournemouth. When he was in the army he worked with radar. He recalled to his friends rides on packed trains when he served in India.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he trained to be an Architect. After settling in London, he became a noted member of the Westminster Chapel where he met many of his long standing friends. One special friend was Gwen Whitmore who always had a special place in his heart.
He had a passion for transport especially paddle steamers and would travel to various parts of the country to ride on the Kingswear Castle, Balmoral and Waverley. He also gave the impression that he could at one time tell you which trains to catch to travel almost anywhere from anywhere.
He enjoyed walking and when he was more able could often be seen around Tunbridge Wells. He was not particularly interested in Television but when you visited him he almost always had Radio 3 or sometimes Radio 4 on in his room.
His nephews and nieces recall his visits when they were small children. Happily joining in their rough and tumble games which often led to pulling of his moustache. When one of them recalled his antics the response was that ‘it sounds as if he made a good climbing frame and trampoline’! A great nephew remembers ‘a real gent who he went with collecting teasels’.
Those who knew him well can recall the glint in his eye and the half smile rather like a cheeky school boy. The unhurried getting ready that resulted in the mad dash to get him to the station in time to catch his train home. His thriftiness – he once told his sister, in a letter during the miners’ strikes and power cuts, that you can make candles from the wax coating on Edam cheese and string! Nothing that could have a possible alternative use was thrown away.
Although he was very humble he gave in many ways. Most of us didn’t realise that when he lived in London he often helped to give soup to the homeless on Christmas day. Although many of us found him frustrating sometimes he was also dearly loved and a dear friend to many more.
David Hilliam arrived at Bournemouth School in the 1960’s as a teacher of English. He progressed through Head of Department to become Deputy Headmaster for many years, until his retirement.
Outside of school he and his wife were the mainstays of the campaign to save the Winter Gardens. He was also a prolific author. In this respect his subjects were varied, but included several books of a historical nature, the origins of the names of many stations on the London Underground, along with books of local history and the derivation of English words.
In 2001 he was the editor of the excellent Centenary Book for Bournemouth School, copies of which are still available and more recently he produced Tig’s Boys, edited letters between Headmaster Dr Fenwick and Old Boys of the school sent from the trenches during World War I. At the time of his death he was working on a book concerning Bournemouth School and World War I, intended to be released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War.
David died on April 30th 2012 while attending a church meeting in Salisbury. His wife, Mary, had died in February 2011.
Our sincere condolences go to his family, particularly daughters Sandra and Alison and son Paul.
Grahm Jones draws this notice, from a Rotary newsletter, to my attention:
Rotarian Harold Owen Windebank died on 15 October, aged 93 and had been a loyal member of our Club for 36 years. He was born in Bournemouth, educated at Bournemouth School, living in the Town Centre – Christchurch Rd, then Kinson, then Canford Cliffs and spent his last years in the Isle of Wight with his daughter & family at Brading. His brother Colin died at 24 in the Normandy D-Day landings and Harold served in the RN Reserves mostly in Cardiff dealing with Minesweepers.
He was a great sportsman to the end of his life a member of Parkstone Golf Club – with a record 3 holes in one, a member of the Constitutional Club since 1959, a onetime rugby hooker, a referee, sailor and a member of many other local associations and clubs. Harold set up his successful Bournemouth Insurance Brokers starting on a bicycle, and he was known for his integrity and kindnesses as a true gentleman. His Service of Thanksgiving was conducted by Revd Dr. Ian Terry, directed by Head & Wheble, and eulogy given by his children Carol, Bob & Richard, and grand-children gave various readings. Our thoughts go to the family especially his widow Barbara. The Service concluded with the Voluntary- “We’ll meet again”
Ray Hunt writes to tell us of the death of his brother, Howard ‘Mac’ Hunt (1940-1946). A memorial service is to be held at All Saints Church Branksome Park on 14th January 2010. Ray writes:
We both attended Annual Dinners until recently. Among his immediate contempories were, Chris Eales, John Demont, Gordon Prosser, John Ives, John Davis, Malcolm Gritt, and many others.