John Hubbard, convenor of The Chips Club of retired Bournemouth School staff, writes with the sad news that Tony Jordan, another staff member, died in June. We understand that he was coming up to 74, and he had been suffering from Parkinson’s for a number of years.
John says: “I am sure that there will be many members of the OBA that will have the fondest of memories of him and his dynamic presence over his years at the school, and may want to remember him in their own way through your website. He was a wonderfully warm and energetic colleague.”
That is certainly true in my case, as Mr Jordan was an inspiration for me and many of my cohort. I remember particularly his motto, passed to us as we left school for work or university life. It was this:
You have time. But you do not have a lot of time. You have time to do everything you wish for. But you do not have time to waste.
This momento mori has stuck with me, and seems poignant today.
I have just had the sad news that Ken Maxted has passed away. Ken taught for many years at the school and was an Assistant Head, Master in charge of the Sixth Form, Head of Romsey House and a member of the Geography Department.
He was a founder member of the staff cricket team and he played for them with distinction for many years. Ken also organised the staff five-a-side for a time. He was a thorough teacher of geography and helped to build the subject into one of the most heavily subscribed in the school at one time.
As an Old Boy of Taunton’s School, Ken must have had divided loyalties when the two schools met of the sports field but Bournemouth School usually won out in his affections. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues at the monthly ‘Chips’ gatherings.
Mike Webb has got in touch with the sad news that Peter Harvey passed away on 26th March. He was Head of Geography at the school and he ran the First Eleven soccer for a number of years. He was a very fine classroom teacher who got the best out of his students – especially if they drew Liverpool football badges for homework!
He was 93 but still played golf on his own golf course several times a week. In retirement he gained two further degrees and worked for Citizen’s Advice for a number of years.
OB Geoffrey Giles has been in touch with pictures and memories of Mr. Pettoello and Mr. Coward from a picnic tea at Bradbury Rings, in June 1963.
Mr. Pettoello (L) and Mr. Coward
Mr. Pettoello
He writes:
Tu 11 All the Latin set went out to Badbury Rings with Mr. Pettoello & Mr. Coward for picnic tea, i.e. Cyder & Fruit Salad, with white wine. Afterwards went to see “Caesar & Cicero” at Bryanston School.
The play at Bryanston was performed in their outdoor amphitheatre. Petters was a rather strict disciplinarian, and I had him for 6 years of Latin. This was the first time we’d experienced him as a very jovial, off-duty teacher, and so was regarded as a great occasion. I’m sure he provided the wine, which was seen as quite daring. Would teachers do this nowadays? I do hope it would still be seen as acceptable sociability training!
I think Mr. Coward may have been new that year, and I have only a vague memory of him.
In the last few months I’ve also enjoyed a vigorous correspondence with the three friends who attended last years OBs’ annual dinner with me, sharing information about some of our teachers, and doing a bit of research. It turns out that Mr. Pettoello served with an SOE political intelligence unit in Italy during World War Two, of which we knew nothing when we were at school. We’ve found mentions of distinguished service by other teachers as well, and it would be fascinating to know more about their war activities.
Does anyone know of other wartime stories involving their former teachers?
About the book: Bournemouth Heroes tells the story of the British Army on the Western Front in Belgium and France, 1914-18. The narrative integrates the experiences of Bournemouthians who took part in these campaigns from the initial battles of August 1914 to the Armistice of 1918 and the occupation of Germany in 1919, and sets out to assess the contribution made by a small and newly-founded boys’ grammar school to the course of the war. As the author reveals, Bournemouth School members were involved in every major battle fought by the British Army on the Western Front. There, they were involved in all of the many developments of the war, including the first use of poison gas, of flamethrowers, and of tanks. These included boys who managed to serve despite being under-age, with some paying the ultimate price for their bravery.
Having established the membership of the
school from its foundation in 1901, the author began eighteen years of research
using school records; a range of local newspapers from the period; files held
at the National Archives, and elsewhere; information offered by contacts made
through the school and through on-line forums; and through on-line archives
from various Commonwealth countries. He identified 1,125 members of the school
to investigate, and 674 members of the school who served, though by no means
only on the Western Front. Over one hundred of them were killed, and many more
wounded.
The book will be of interest not only to military historians, but also to anyone with an interest in Bournemouth, Bournemouth School, and the families from Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset whose lives were changed so dramatically by participation in the events of the war.
Former History teacher and Deputy Headmaster William Pyke, who’s career at Bournemouth School spanned almost three decades (1987-2014), has published a book which is now available to pre-order. It focuses on the stories of school alumni from WWI.
His research has also contributed new names to the School’s Roll of Honour.
Nicky Heavisides has enquired after the whereabouts of his English teacher from the 1980’s, Mr Jordan, who is on the end of the 4th row in the early 1990’s staff photo.
Alan Hickling attended the School for just one term in Autumn 1957 after his primary eduction in Summerbee, and is looking to get back in touch with his contemporaries.
Some members of the Association may remember his father, Harold Hickling, who taught at the School on either side of WWII.
Alan writes:
My greatest association with Bournemouth School is via my father, Harold Hickling, who taught there from 1928 until January 1958 (apart from the War when he served in France, Africa and India ending Lt Colonel in SEAC). He commanded the OTC before the War and had a long involvement with The Old Bournemouthians Cricket Club.
Hugh Walker, the son of the late artist, composer and Bournemouth School teacher Bernard Walker has been in touch to share his online tribute to his father’s life. The website has a variety of material from Mr Walker senior’s life, including some of his programme designs and playbills from his time at the school that were found among his papers in 2014.
If anyone can name an English Literature master from the school in the period 1939-1946, please could they get in touch by email, or by commenting on this post? We have had an enquiry from an Old Boy of the era.
