DEATHS AND OBITUARIES

TIMOTHY WILLIAM PROUDMAN (W 79)

1962 - 22ND FEBRUARY 2024

Read article in tribute to Tim HERE.


RONALD DIGBY NELSON (L 49-53)

1935 - 27TH FEBRUARY 2021


DENIS BRUCE WILSON (S 51-55)

1938 - 11TH FEBRUARY 2024


 

JOHN KEITH WINDERS (L 49-54)

1935 - 5TH FEBRUARY 2024


RICHARD NIGEL KEW (W 64-69)

1951 - 5TH SEPTEMBER 2022


JOHN MICHAEL PIERCY (E 47-51)

1933 - 24TH JANUARY 2024


MARY HAMILTON (FORMER STAFF)

1946 - 10TH JANUARY 2024

Many Sedberghians will be saddened to hear of the death of Mary Hamilton, who passed away peacefully at her home on 10th January aged 77 years.  Read more about Mary and details of her funeral on 7th February HERE.


COMMANDER JAMES ARNOLD OLIVER (SH 55-59)

1941 - 2024


MICHAEL JOHN SCOTT (L 59-64)

1945 - DECEMBER 2023

Michael was High Sheriff of Lincolnshire 2020/21. He kindly donated a ton of daffodils from his farm for the 1525 Society Avenue below the Cloisters.

There will be a service of thanksgiving and celebration for Michael at 2pm Friday 12th April 2024 at St Andrew's Church, Ewerby, Lincs, NG34 9PJ, and afterwards at his home at Austhorpe House, NG34 9PR.


HARVEY COBDEN BIGG (W 63-66)

1949 - SEPTEMBER 2023


JAMES HUGH ROBERTSON (S 42-46)

1928 - 9TH NOVEMBER 2023

To read James's Robertson's obituary in The Guardian please click here.


DR EDWIN ANTHONY WORK SLATER (SH 50-55)

1936 - 8TH DECEMBER 2023


MAURICE DRUMMOND EGGELING (P 37-39)

1923 - 5TH DECEMBER 2023

Read more about Maurice and details about his funeral which takes place on 5th January 2024 here: MAURICE EGGELING - OS Club (sedberghschool.org)


DR BEVERLEY LEE HOLT (P 49-55)

1936 - 10TH NOVEMBER 2023


HIS HONOUR DAVID HODSON (E 56-60)

1942 - 17TH NOVEMBER 2023

The funeral of His Honour David Hodson will take place on Thursday 7th December at 12 o’clock at St Mary and All Saints Church, Great Budworth, Cheshire..


PETER ALAN BROWNE (S 44-49)

1931 - 2023


ROBERT JOHN (ROBIN) OGG (E 57-61)

1943 - JULY 2023


DR ALAN GORDON MACDONALD (SH 49-54)

1936 - 24TH OCTOBER 2023


DAVID MARTIN CONWAY (SH 48-54)

1935 -14TH JANUARY 2023


WING COMMANDER PATRICK DEWHIRST CLIFF OBE (H 49-52)

1935 - 19TH OCTOBER 2023

Read obituary HERE.


 

 

JOHN PHILIP BOYLE (H 72-76)

1958 - 2023


PETER HARLE BARRIE SCOTT (W 53-58)

1940 - 2023


WILFRED BOWRING STODDART MBE (S 49-54)

1936 - 29TH AUGUST 2023


PETER JAMES ELLIS (S 72-76)

1959 - 23RD SEPTEMBER 2023


IAN CHARLES GRAY (H 58-61)

1944 - 2023

The funeral of Ian Gray will be held on Friday 6 October at 2.00 pm in the chapel at Whitgift House, 76 Brighton Road, South Croydon CR0 6AB (the care home where he resided).


RODNEY HOLDER DODDS (L 45-50)

1932 - 2nd August 2023

Read Rodney's obituary HERE.


KENNETH IAN HYMAS (W 44-49)

1930 - 12TH JULY 2023

  • Awarded a scholarship to attend the school
  • Appointed House Prefect 1947
  • Appointed School Prefect 1948
  • Secretary of Swimming 1948 and swam with the Swimming VIII
  • Appointed Head of Winder House Lent term 1949
  • Achieved Under-Officer class in the Officer Training Corps Lent Term 1949
  • Won the Open Plunge 55 feet Swimming event, July 1949
  • Presented a paper at ‘The Forum’ Society titled ‘The Stars and Their Courses’ Summer term 1949.

After Sedbergh Ken took engineering at the University of Leeds. In 1953 he moved to Canada and began his long career which would eventually take him all over Canada and South America. Ken loved sailing, rugby, music, reading, wine and a good cigar. He leaves behind two sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

K Hymas 1949 Winder House

K Hymas 1949 Winder House


MICHAEL INGHAM

STAFF 1971-79

It is with great sadness that we advise you of the death of Michael Ingham. Michael was on the staff 1971-1979 and worked in the Science Department. He spent the easter and summer terms of 1977 in Australia. He set up the Science Society in 1972.


 

EDWARD WILSON (TIM) HOULT (SH 47-52) 1933 - 26TH JUNE 2023

It is with great sadness that we advise you of the passing of Tim Hoult (SH 47-51). Tim was known to many, and was a major supporter of the School, being Chairman of the Governors 1997-2000, and President of the 1525 Society 2012-2013.

Hoult

Rugby 1st XV 1951


JOHN ROBERT SUGDEN (H 55-60) 1942 - 12th JULY 2023

The funeral will take place on Thursday 3rd August 2023 at 12.30 pm at Holy Trinity Church, 136 Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT and afterwards at Huddersfield Golf Club, Fixby Hall, HD2 2EP.


DOMINIC CAMERON MCEWEN-KING (S 83-88) 1970 - 8TH JUNE 2023


ANDREW CHARLES STEWART BARROW (SH 72-76) 1959 - 24TH APRIL 2022


NEVILLE ROBERT PRESTON (L 48-53) 1934 - 20TH JUNE 2023


JOSEPH WILLIAM ATKINSON (S 47-51) 1973 - 8TH JULY 2023


MICHAEL JOHN PETRIE NOBLE (L 67-71) 1953 - 20th June 2023

Michael was Head of School and a member of the 1st XI Cricket and 1st XV Rugby teams.

Mjp Noble

Michael Noble


DUNCAN SMITH (E 51-56) 1937 - 9th June 2023

An excerpt from a letter from his brother Jonathan and the funeral service can be read here:

Duncan Smith


MALCOLM FERGUSON

STAFF 1976-80

Sedbergh PE Teacher from 1976-1980 and the School swimming and water polo coach passed away on 19th May 2023, aged 68.


ANTHONY JOHN BENN (P 44-48) 1932 - 4th June 2023

John was born in Bamburgh, Northumberland in 1932 and grew up in the borders town of Coldstream. He went on to Sedbergh from St Mary's prep school in Melrose. After a career in printing and publishing that took him to East Anglia and then London he retired in 1996 back to Northumberland.

He was a member of the 1525 Society and wore his society tie with pride at social events.

He leaves his wife, Jancis and three sons, Charles, William and Edward.


DAVID LORIMER SIMPSON (E 52-57) 1938 - 2023

David studied law at Edinburgh University. After graduating he completed a legal apprenticeship in Edinburgh before joining his father in the family firm of A M Simpson in Moffat where he was widely liked and respected.


 

MICHAEL RAW

Head of History 1984 - 2015

Sedbergh School is saddened to record the death of former teacher, Michael Raw, on 27th May. Educated at Haberdashers School and Queens College, Cambridge, Michael was invited to join the Common Room of Sedbergh School in 1984 as Head of the History Department.

Michael was a generous colleague and a compelling teacher. His propensity for clear, erudite explanations of the subject matter combined with entertaining and often gruesome detail created an enviable level of engagement with his pupils.

Unashamed of his eccentricities Michael chuckled at the reputation he enjoyed. Pupils recall the windows of Room 13 open all year round, in sun, wind and even the odd Cumbrian snow storm. Michael was a willing judge for any school competition from house drama to academic challenge. His cutting, occasionally brutal critique of pupils’ performance could certainly not be called pithy but was always entertaining, apt and often surprisingly edifying.

After writing in his early adulthood for amongst others the Cambridge footlights and 'Not The Nine O'clock News' Michael had to content himself with writing and performing in Sedbergh's own sketch show 'A kick in the stalls' and its various sequels. One particularly memorable scene featured Michael in Y fronts grunting as a monosyllabic caveman. Shocking for pupils and colleagues alike this hilarious performance typified Michael in that it was funny, unashamed and perfectly pitched. When a spoof 'Micky Raw Sedbergh' twitter account emerged in 2012 readers were fairly sure that it was a parody - but with Michael anything was possible.

Michael was unashamed of his determination to do things the old way and found that his genuine charm and warmth meant others wanted to accommodate him. His reluctance to use a computer was warmly indulged by the school secretary who typed his hand written pupil reports for many years after the Common Room embraced a computerised report system.

Michael was a generous, entertaining and warm host who welcomed many colleagues and former pupils to his home. An evening at one of his successive Sedbergh residences was a richly sought after prize, particularly as it came with viewing rights to Michael's extensive collection of historic artefacts, modern art and an enviable library. Conversation was lively as Michael brought together friends from different aspects of his life, regailing them with stories of his work on radio and television comedy, and name dropping with ease.

During a stint playing for the Harlequins Michael gained what he described as his ‘cauliflower ears’ as well as a keen sense of sportsmanship. At Sedbergh he coached the First XV from 1987-1991 and later moved to the B1 team with whom he stuck for much of his career.

Sedbergh has benefitted from Michael's writing and attention to literary detail over many decades, first during his time as editor of the Sedberghian and latterly as Michael was appointed to chronicle various aspects of the school's history. Prior to retiring from teaching Michael was invited to write ‘Thread of gold’, a history of Sedbergh School Football Club. He approached this with his trademark thoroughness reading every historic issue of the Sedberghian magazine, Captains’ minute book, Governors’ minute book and personal memoir available.

In recent years Michael undertook the substantial role of school historian, seeking to research and write a new history of the school in time for the 500th anniversary. Michael's diligence and integrity made him the perfect person for this role. He sought to accurately represent the community he served while ensuring that the individuals involved were portrayed compassionately. Michael's portrayal weaves the events of school life into the context of national and international history in a manner that elevates the book beyond the ambitions of many coffee table school histories. Michael died whilst writing the final chapter. The completist in him would have been slightly frustrated with the premature ending to his career as a writer but the comedian in him would have chuckled at the off beat timing.

Michael travelled to the Baltic states in mid May for a much anticipated holiday. Unsurprisingly he travelled with a suitcase full of history books about the region, keen as always to expand his knowledge and engage deeply with his subject matter. Michael died in his sleep on holiday.

Michael's death is a great loss to his many friends in the Sedbergh community and further afield. He was a special man who will be sadly missed.

By Katy de la Riviere


BRIAN WEBB

Former member of staff who worked in the Mathematics Department from 1970 to 1987 sadly passed away in 2023.


ANDREW T MACMILLAN CA (W 46-50) 1933 – 7th December 2021

Winder 1948 A Macmillan

Winder 1948 A Macmillan

Born in Edinburgh Andrew lived most of his life in Murrayfield.  Andrew attended Lansdowne House and Melville College schools before boarding at Ardvrech prep. school in Creiff followed by Sedbergh School in Cumbria.

Leaving school at 17, Andrew apprenticed with Durr & Roberston in Alva Street. Studying his correspondence course diligently he won the Sir William McLintoch prize in his second-year exams. Qualifying in 1956 he joined the family firm Andrew Melrose Limited, an independent Edinburgh Tea and Coffee firm. He eventually became Financial Director and was well known for his exacting standards. Taking early retirement when Melroses’ was taken over he rekindled his love of walking and became an active and keen member of the All-Year Ramblers, Ramblers Association and Long-Distance Walkers Association.

Andrew was a lifelong and passionate bird-watcher and president of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) 1975 – 1978, Chairman of the RSPB Scottish Committee 1973 – 1975 and served on various advisory committees.  In his own words (writing in 2006): “Once-keen birdwatcher submerged by committee work, agendas, minutes and ornithological deskwork (SOC, Duddingston Loch, Fair Isle, SWT, RSPB, George Lodge Trust) who withdrew to indulge in quiet numismatic pursuits, hillwalking and croquet, winning first sporting trophy of his life at 75. Unable to move house for 36 years until recent sale of a voluminous library of bird books.”

Andrew was also a lover of classical music and especially opera.  Married to the late Helen he is survived by 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren.

This is a personal submission by his daughters Joanna Macmillan and Caroline Kerr

At School Andrew sang in school choir. He made a detailed study for the Sedgwick Society on the hatching and fledging of some 20 nests of the Meadow Pipit and won the Brian Harrison nature study prize in 1949.

Andrew’s brother is Iain Macmillan (W 53-58) and his sister-in law is Sally whose father Peter Madge was Housemaster of Hart House 1954-68.


DAVID PHILIP MAYNE (SH40-44)

1927 - 21st January 2023

David passed away in January aged 95 in Australia. His wife Diana has sent us an obituary which you can read here David Mayne obituary.


DONALD STIRLING YOUNG (SH 45-51) 1933 – JULY 2020


 

SIMON JACK BARNBY (SH 02-07)

Simon Barnby sadly passed away on 8th April 2023. Obituary to follow.

Barnby


RICHARD DAVID TAYLOR  (P 66-70) 1953-18/04/2023

Husband of Jane Collier, father of Thomas and Elizabeth, brother of Helen and Jane. Formerly of Fixby, Yorkshire. Died peacefully at home on 18th April 2023.

Funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth, Rotherham, S62 7TW on Thursday 4th May 2023 at noon.


DAVID HUNTER PEART (W 57-60) 1944-08/03/2023

David Peart, died at home after a long illness on 8th March 2023.

Beloved husband of Margaret, devoted father of Kirstin and Roger, and loving Grandfather of James, Molly, Beatrice, Grace and Wilfred.

David’s son Roger: “Dad loved all things Sedbergh, especially the friendships formed through his generation (his two brothers Tony and John also attended Sedbergh), my generation and then through James and Molly more recently. When I played for 1st XV he didn’t miss a single match including all away games, and he was there at as many of James’s and Molly’s matches as he was able. He was much respected and loved by all who met him, and known to treat everyone equally, regardless of background or race. Most will remember his enormous laugh which he used as often as he could, seeing the best in everyone and finding good humour wherever he could.”

Notables:

Educated at Sedbergh School (where his son and two of his grandchildren attended)

Director F Peart & Co. 1965, Appointed Chairman in 1993, retired to non exec Chairman in 1999

Director of Hartlepool Water Company PLC

Director of Hartlepool’s Advance Building Society

High Sheriff of Cleveland 1988/9

Hon Secretary IBIA (the International Bunker Industry Association)

President of Durham & Cleveland Squash Rackets Association

Hon Secretary of Red House School, Norton

Board Member of Cleveland Community Foundation

Member of the North Cleveland Advisory Committee (Selection of Magistrates)


 

DR JOHN CEDRIC MERRINGTON (W 43-48) 1930-16/02/2023


ALAN CALDERWOOD CROMPTON (SH 41-45) 1927-14/03/2023


DR FREDERICK MICHAEL KERRY (H 63-66) 1948-15/03/2023


MARK SIDLEY KAY (P 38-42) 1924-19/03/2022

Mark was born in Sedbergh where his father, Albert Sidley Kay, worked as Sedbergh School Bursar. The family lived in Guldrey Lodge on the school site and inevitably Mark and his brother were both educated at Sedbergh School. During his time at Sedbergh Mark was a regular member of the tennis squad and was Tennis Secretary in his final year. He was appointed first House Prefect and later School Prefect and sung in the school choir.

Mark finished school at the height of the Second World War. He entered Queen’s College Oxford to read medicine. Sadly, during Mark’s university years his brother Desmond died when his RAF Mosquito came down over Belgium. Mark completed his medical training at Guy’s Hospital where he met Ann, a nurse, who later became his wife. After completing his national service in North Africa Mark and Ann married in 1950.

Mark worked as GP, based in Christchurch, Dorset and became the senior partner of a large practice. After he retired, he and Ann moved from the large family house in Christchurch to Calne, Wiltshire. He had several hobbies, including cultivating bonsai trees, fly fishing and, when younger, playing the violin. He travelled extensively, especially after he retired. Sadly, Ann died in March 2021. Together they had four children, six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren whose achievements they followed with great interest. Mark died after a short illness, in Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

 

Mark Kay

Mark Kay outside Powell House (6th from right seated on chair)

 


JOHN NIGEL FARQUHARSON (P 48-53) 1934-03/11/2022


DR JOHN CAMPBELL MACINNES (L 42-47) 1930-2022

John sadly passed away in 2022 and his daughter told us that John talked often of his time at Sedbergh, so she knows he would want to wish the School and the 1525 Society, all the very best into the future.


JOHN CAMPBELL WARD (L 43-47) 1930-DECEMBER 2022


RICHARD EDWARD MACHIN (H 52-56) 1939-20/03/2022


 

REX FENTON BROUGHTON (W 47-52) 1934-07/10/2022


DAVID FULTON REID (P 51-56) 1938-15/08/2021


EWAN PETER GRAHAM (H 45-50) 1931-2021


WILLIAM DAWSON GREENWOOD (E 41-46) 1928-2020


DAVID JOHN SMYTH (P 63-68) 1950-2020


RICHARD HENRY UMBERS (E 46-51) 1931-2023

Richard Umbers passed away on 21st February 2023. Richard's daughter Susannah tell us her father was a life long champion of Sedbergh and she has many special memories of visiting, watching cricket and rugby matches, trying to kick a rugby ball over the goalposts, and climbing Winder with him. He still wore his OS tie with pride and great affection up to his death. A service of thanksgiving for his long and wonderful life will be held at 2pm on Thursday 16 March at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Wing, Rutland LE158SE.  If any OS would like to attend they would be most welcome.Umbers 1

Umbers Main


 

STANLEY TOWLER (E 45-48) 1931-2023


JOHN WARD (L 50-54) 1936-2022

John Ward passed away on 31st December 2022. John was first team rugby captain, Head of Lupton House and Deputy Head of School.


MILTON GRUNDY (E 40-44) 1926-2022

Milton Grundy passed away on 25th November 2022. Telegraph obituary Milton Grundy, lawyer who pioneered offshore tax havens and philanthropist who set up a gallery in his own home for promising artists – obituary (telegraph.co.uk)


JAMES NORMAN DOUGLAS-MENZIES (H 43-47) 1929-2022

James Douglas-Menzies passed away on 26th May 2022.


DR ANTHONY DAVID WEAVER (E 44-48) 1930-2022

Anthony Weaver passed away on 1st November 2022.


DONALD MACKINLAY (S 44-48) 1930-2022

Donald Mackinlay passed away on 7th March 2022.


JOHN RIDLEY REAY (S 49-54) 1936-2022

The OS Club is sad to report the death of John Ridley Reay, who passed away on 1st May 2022. After National Service, John went to Emmanuel College Cambridge to study Modern Languages before returning to Northumberland where he practised as a solicitor.


JOHN OBRE HOPE (H 55-58) 1940-2022

John Obre Hope passed away on 17th November 2022.


JAMES DAVID PAGE (H 50-54) 1936-2022

James David Page passed away on 27th November 2022.


IAN REGINALD HORNSBY (W 43-46) 1929-2022

The OS Club is sad to report the death of Ian Hornsby who passed away in March 2022 aged 92. Ian was a member of RSPB Council as part of his work as Managing Director of the Ryton Sand and Gravel Company where they won a number of awards for restoration of gravel quarries to nature reserves. Ian won the Grafton Morrish golf tournament with the Old Boy's Association three times which we believe is a record. He also won the Scottish Seniors Amateur Golf Championship in 1987.


PAUL J E RINK OBE (L 54-58) 1940-2022

Paul Rink

It is with great sadness that we hear of the death of OS Paul Rink (L 54-58). His brother John shared the following tribute to his life.

Paul was the eldest of three brothers who were all in Lupton House. Tony (56-61) was the middle brother who sadly died of a heart attack in 1999, and youngest brother John (60-64) survives his two brothers and was, until recently, a Governor of the school and Chair of the Executive Committee.

Paul was a music scholar and lead violin in the school orchestra. After leaving Sedbergh he turned down a place at Durham University to join his father at Wolstenholme Bronze Powders Ltd, a business creating metal flakes which are the basis of all gold and silver printing inks. The business was subsequently floated on the London Stock Exchange under the name Wolstenholme Rink International PLC. Paul became Managing Director and Chairman of the business sharing the latter role with his brother Tony until his untimely death.

In 1989 Paul was a founding member of the Blackburn Groundwork Trust, a charity whose aim is the regeneration of the Blackburn and Darwen area. Paul was Chairman of the Trust for over a decade. In 1994, Paul was awarded an OBE on the recommendation of Prince Charles for service to Blackburn and the environment. In 2008, Darwen Council paid tribute to Paul's contribution in putting the environment on the business and industrial agenda by naming a street in the town Paul Rink Way. Paul was also a director of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club Foundation.

Paul was a committed member of the Freemason community, celebrating over 50 years in the brotherhood and reaching high office at national level.

Paul's brother John commented that Paul enjoyed his time at Sedbergh and credited it for his enduring love of music and sport. Both Tony's son Andrew, who was head boy, and Paul's son Nick attended Sedbergh School where both played for the first XV. Paul's daughter Sally attended Casterton where she was head girl and represented the school at hockey, netball and tennis.


 

GILBERT MCCLUNG (S 47-51) 1934-2022

Gilbert Mcclung

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Gilbert McClung on Friday 7th October aged 88.

A stalwart of the Edinburgh Academicals FC, he made his debut for Edinburgh in 1957. A widely respected figure in Scottish Rugby, he was also a life member and past president of the British Rugby Club of Paris (Scottish Section).

Gilbert left a lasting impression on everyone he met, a fact never more obvious than at his funeral on 20th October which saw a significant turnout including 4 past Captains of Scotland. A minute's silence was observed in his memory before the 1st XV league match at Raeburn Place on 22nd October.

Click here to read a tribute to Gilbert from Edinburgh Academicals FC.


MALCOLM PORTER (FORMER GROUNDSMAN 1989-2000)

The OS Club has received news that Malcolm Porter passed away on 12th March aged 66.

Please click here to read Malcolm’s obituary


JILL ELLIOT (FORMER ROBERTSON HOUSE STAFF 2004-2010)

Sadly the OS Club has been informed that former Robertson House staff member Jill Elliot passed away recently after a long illness. Jill was a much-loved member of the Robertson House team from 2004-2010. A funeral service will be held on Friday 8th April at 10:30am in St Gregory’s Church, Crakehall. Should any Old Sedberghians wish to contact the family, please use the address below:
Alison Gaven
The Lodge
Aysgarth School
Newton-Le-Willows DL8 1TF


JOHN ERNEST EDWARDS (P 53-54) 1940-2022

The OS Club has received the sad news that John Edwards passed away on 10th January 2022, aged 81.


STUART BROWELL REAY (S 53-57) 1940-2021

The OS Club is sad to report the death of Stuart Reay, who passed away on 23rd November 2021, aged 81.


ROGER DENNIS SANGWIN (H 51-56) 1937-2022

The OS Club is saddened to share the news that former England rugby international Roger Sangwin passed away on 11th March 2022, aged 84. A keen and talented sportsman, Roger developed his skill at Sedbergh - playing in the 1st XI cricket side from 1954-1956 and the 1st XV rugby side in 1954 and 1955. Roger went on to make his England rugby debut in the 1964 Six Nations match against New Zealand at Twickenham, and then achieved his second and final international cap later that month against Wales. Upon selection to play for England, his Club Chairman described Roger as "dedicated to the game and an example to all young players."

Roger also played for the Barbarians and Yorkshire and was a Yorkshire selector for 10 years. He continued to play for Hull & East Riding until 1982 when he was 45 years old. When the club split and one half became Hull Ionians, Roger helped Ionians and supported them until quite recently at home.

An architect with his own practice in Hull, in a talk he gave a talk a few years ago Roger said: "I remember only one equation in physics – Mass x Velocity = Momentum. I struggled against bigger and heavier men than me, who could push me off but fortunately, if I stayed on my feet, I could often catch them from behind".

Sadly Roger caught pneumonia a few weeks ago and died in Hull Royal Infirmary. His family shared that he loved Sedbergh and enjoyed being an Old Sedberghian.


JOHN DOUGLAS STEVEN (E 53-58) 1940-2021

The OS Club has received the sad news that John Steven passed away on 8th April 2021, aged 81. He and his wife, Anna, were longtime, loyal supporters of the School with Anna being the daughter of former Hart Housemaster Peter Madge from 1954-1968. John will be sadly missed by all.


RICHARD LESLIE LANGLEY (H 46-50) 1932-2021

Sadly the OS Club has been informed that Richard Langley passed away in December 2021, at the age of 89.


GEOFFREY RICHARD "GEOFF" PROUDLOCK (W 56-61) 1943-2021

The OS Club is sad to share the news that former Mayor of Morpeth, Geoff Proudlock, passed away on 10th November 2021, aged 78.

After leaving Sedbergh, Geoff spent 30 years with the Territorial Army and during the Gulf War he organised a campaign to send parcels to local servicemen and women overseas. A keen sportsman, he was one of the longest serving members of Morpeth Golf Club and for 25 years ran the successful Morpeth Chamber of Trade Golf Day, which raised funds for local causes, including the town's Christmas lights.

Geoff lived his life in Morpeth, where he successfully ran his four family hardware shops, taking over from his father and then passing it on to his daughter some 10 years ago. He was a much-liked and well-known person in Morpeth, having served as leader of the local council, mayor and captain of Morpeth Golf Club, and also President of Morpeth and District Chamber of Trade.

His lifelong friend from Sedbergh, Michael Brett (S 56-60), described him as "a most kind and generous person who gave much time to the local community. His funeral in Morpeth Parish Church was 'standing room only' and packed. Everyone knew him!"

He leaves a wife, Silvia, and a son and daughter.


 

RICHARD BOSTOCK DORMAN, CBE (SH 39-43) 1925-2022

The OS Club is sad to report the death of Richard Dorman, who passed away peacefully on 9th January 2022, aged 96. Richard was a British diplomat who served as the second High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Vanuatu from 1982 until 1985. In 1999, Richard was awarded the Republic of Vanuatu ‘National Award of Merit’ by then Prime Minister Donald Kalpokas (see photo).

Richard arrived at Sedbergh in 1939 and was proud to be awarded Sedbergh’s second scholarship, valued at £80 a year. He enjoyed his time at the School. In his memoirs he says great efforts were made to teach him to play passable rugby but in vain. However, his great compensating discovery was that he could run and that fell-running (downhill at least) was marvellous. He also talks about ‘the great sense of freedom’ that he enjoyed at Sedbergh. Please click here to read an obituary.


DR ROGER G BAXTER (FORMER HEADMASTER 1981-1995)

The OS Club is saddened to share the news that former Headmaster Roger Baxter passed away on 21st February 2022. Roger was Headmaster of Sedbergh from 1981-95 and lived locally at Lindale. He had recently battled a series of complex medical issues and passed away peacefully with his wife, Dorothy, and family at his bedside. He will be sadly missed by all.

Roger came to Sedbergh from Winchester and oversaw an ambitious programme of refurbishment and building including the Sports Hall, Queen's Hall, Boarding Houses and classrooms. In 1989, numbers rose above 500 for the first time in the School’s history.

Please click here to read an appreciation by Sir Giles Shaw M.P. (L 45-50) which was published in the 1995 Sedberghian magazine upon Roger's retirement from Sedbergh.


ALFRED BERTRAM "ALF" CHAMPNISS (FORMER STAFF) 1933-2022

The OS Club has received the sad news that former Director of Music, Alf Champniss, passed away recently on 7th January 2022, aged 89. He is remembered by his many colleagues, friends and pupils from his time teaching at Sedbergh, where he arrived from Rugby in 1965 and left for Mill Hill in 1974. Alf was a founding member of the British Institute of Organ Studies and in retirement played the organ frequently at Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair. He was also the retired Chairman of the former family property company, Panstar Ltd.

Please click here for more information including his valete published in the 1974 Sedberghian magazine.


JEREMY JAMES SIMPSON (E 43-47) 1929-2022

Sadly the OS Club has been informed that Jeremy Simpson passed away on 10th February 2022, at the age of 92. His son, Dennis Simpson (E 65-70), said that his father "loved his time at Sedbergh, earning colours in rugby & cricket, but he was not keen on running! He was due to run in the 1947 10 Mile but it was cancelled that year, to his delight!" Dennis also had the honour of playing rugby against his father as opposing captains, when they played against the Anti Assassins. Jeremy was a long-time, loyal supporter of the School and will be greatly missed.


JOHN ALEXANDER HARPER "SANDY" GOW (SH 40-44) 1926-2022

The OS Club is sad to announce that Sandy Gow passed away recently on 25th January 2022, aged 95.


SUSAN GARNETT (HONORARY OS, FORMER STAFF & PAST PARENT)

The OS Club is sad to report the death of Susan Garnett, who passed away on 2nd February 2022. Susan was a Geography teacher at Sedbergh from 1986 to 1997 (including Head of Geography from 1992-1997) and was the first female Old Sedberghian, having been made an Honorary OS upon retirement. Susan threw herself into many aspects of Sedbergh life- taking pupils abroad, raising money for various trips and school causes. Susan spent six years tutoring in Cressbrook House and had a unique style on her duty nights with her ghost stories. Her contribution to Cressbrook Drama is long remembered and she will be sorely missed.

DEATHS

* Names in gold indicate an obituary link.

First Name(s)SurnameHouseat SedberghDate
JillEdwardsFormer Robertson House Staff2004-2010March 2022
Roger DennisSangwinHart1951-1956March 2022
Dr Roger GBaxterFormer Headmaster1981-1995February 2022
Jeremy JamesSimpsonEvans1943-1947February 2022
SusanGarnettFormer Geography Teacher1986-1997February 2022
John Alexander Harper "Sandy"GowSchool House1940-1944January 2022
(Dr.) William "Hugh"WilliamsSchool House1947-1952January 2022
John ErnestEdwardsPowell1953-1954January 2022
Alfred Bertram "Alf"ChampnissFormer Director of Music1965-1974January 2022
Richard BostockDorman (CBE)School House1939-1943January 2022
Trevor JohnWilliamsSedgwick 1939-1942January 2022
Michael PercyAdamsWinder1946-1950December 2021
Richard LeslieLangleyHart1946-1950December 2021
(Col.) (Sir) Christopher RaynorHewetsonLupton1943-1948December 2021
Andrew ThomasMacmillanWinder1946-1950December 2021
Geoffrey Richard "Geoff"ProudlockWinder1956-1961November 2021
Stuart BravellReaySedgwick1953-1957November 2021
Simon PriorLowisSchool House/Day Pupil1955-1960November 2021
Nigel John MyltonHawkes (CBE)Powell1957-1962October 2021
Charles MartinReadPowell1950-1954September 2021
Michael YorkeHoldsworthSchool House1961-1966September 2021
David LoganLeesSedgwick1948-19532021
Jennifer MargeryThornelyWife of Former Headmaster and Member of Staff1954-1991September 2021
James HowardGillLupton1950-1954August 2021
Simon MartinBaddeleyEvans1963-1967August 2021
(Dr.) Frederick James "Derek"WilkinsonEvans1940-1944August 2021
MarkMitchellHart1987-1992August 2021
Edward Antony VickermanWinder1947-1952July 2021
Geoffrey Frederick BlackPalmerPowell1949-1953July 2021
Edwin Dennis WoodRogerHart1945-19492021
Neville RRussell-WilliamsWinder1945-19482021
JoelleWelshLupton2015-2020July 2021
John PollardClelandPowell1949-1954June 2021
ValerieCannWife of Former MasterJune 2021
MargaretJoiceWife of Former Bursar2021
Peter ThomasDransfieldLupton1952-19562021
John MichaelSheardWinder1948-1953June 2021
John NicholasBunneyHart1950-1954May 2021
Colin Douglas RichardsonWhittleSedgwick1961-1966May 2021
Sir Michael "Roger"GiffordEvans1968-1972May 2021
Henry SeanFosterWinder2016-2018May 2021
Cecil "Robin"DavisWinder1945-1948April 2021
Richard "Dick" ThomasThormanWinder1946-1950April 2021
John DouglasStevenEvans1953-1958April 2021
Ian CharlesScottLupton1962-19672021
James CrawfordJohnsonLupton1948-1952February 2021
David "Maurice" BlackstockGriffithsEvans1948-1953February 2021
(Cdr) Thomas Robert MatthewDuke (OBE)Sedgwick1940-1943February 2021
Robert Andrew RowlandSchool House1979-1984January 2021
Roger McArthurSpeirsSedgwick1983-1987January 2021
Robert JamesWinserLupton1970-1974January 2021
Christopher R IMorganHonorary OS & Former Staff (Modern Foreign Languages Teacher & School House Housemaster)January 2021
MartinValentineHonorary OS & Former Staff (Head of Art & Evans Housemaster)January 2021
Michael Norman Shaw (Lord Shaw of Northstead)Sedgwick1934-1938January 2021
John CalderwoodCromptonSchool House1940-1943January 2021
Brandon CharlesGloverHonorary OS & Former Staff (Classics Teacher & Robertson Housemaster) December 2020
John MichaelWatherstonSedgwick1946-1950December 2020
Jane ElizabethCollison (née Riddell)Widow of Victor Collison (Former Bursar)December 2020
(Dr.) Michael TrevorHaslamEvans1947-1952November 2020
William Bryce "Bill"JamiesonLupton1959-1963November 2020
(Prof.) Christopher NormanSmithWinder1959-1963October 2020
Thomas "Tom"McClungSedgwick1947-1951October 2020
SheilaRogersFormer StaffRetired in 1985October 2020
John Arthur BartonTownleyHart1956-1960October 2020
Peter JohnBerryLupton1949-1953October 2020
LogieBruce-LockhartSchool House1935-1940September 2020
Patrick Joseph Kinloch "Jo" CampbellPenneySchool House1944-1949September 2020
Michael JohnMellingSchool House1961-1966August 2020
Ronald Gordon MacRobertBarrSedgwick1947-1952August 2020
Ian Jackson Herbert RichardsonHart1936-1940July 2020
(Dr.) Dan GordonMillerSchool House1936-1941July 2020
(Dr.) James Timothy Hessel "Tim"PickEvans1941-1945July 2020
(Col.) Duncan Stuart ArchibaldBoydSchool House1945-1949June 2020
Philip FrancisListerPowell1941-1945June 2020
(The Rev) Robin GLairdFormer Staff & Honorary OS1993-1998June 2020
(Maj) Thomas "Edward"ScottPowell1943-1947May 2020
RobertVentersSchool House1946-1950May 2020
Kenneth Douglas MacRobertBarrSedgwick1953-1957April 2020
JohnDuckworthEvans1945-1950April 2020
Ian EverardPilkingtonWinder1951-1954April 2020
Richard AlleynHaslamPowell1943-1948April 2020
Philip HillaryHunterLupton1964-1969April 2020
Norman GainsfordWrightHart1941-1945April 2020
Charles Anthony "Tony"ShawWinder1951-1956April 2020
Carl "Victor"WildPowell1937-1941April 2020
Dr James William Alexander "Bill"MoxonEvans1943-1948April 2020
Gavin DavidAndersonHart1955-19592020
John "Gordon"JoiceFormer BursarMarch 2020
Michael Thomas HunterBeckLupton1949-1954March 2020
John PlummerListerPowell1938-1942March 2020
David RenshawMartinSedgwick1946-1950March 2020
(Maj.) Francis JamesGoddard (MBE)Winder1947-1952March 2020
David Robert BuchananRussellPowell1949-1954March 2020
Peter FrederickArmstrongDay Pupil1943-19482020
David "Neville"MacDonaldEvans1949-19532020
DavidHorsleySedgwick1939-1943March 2020
John PerranCurrySedgwick1942-1945March 2020
Michael Thomas HunterBeckLupton1949-1954March 2020
John le GallienneGilchristEvans1954-1958February 2020
MichaelSanger-DaviesSedgwick1950-1954February 2020
Peter JAttenboroughFormer Headmaster1975-1981February 2020
Anthony Peter ThomasHighamEvans1954-1958January 2020
(Cdr) David StuartWhiteLupton1950-1954January 2020
Peter KidsonPoskittHart1945-19502019
Robert JohnTweedaleSchool House1941-1945December 2019
KatieLight (née Donald)November 2019
David BrookSutcliffeWinder1948-1953November 2019
Alan WilliamParkesSedgwick1974-1977November 2019
(Maj.) Andrew Archibald Steele "Archie"ScottSedgwick1932-1937November 2019
David RobertGreenwoodHart1958-1963November 2019
Walter DouglasBertramEvans1945-1948October 2019
Richard CharlesSawtell (MBE DL)Powell1943-1948October 2019
Eric Aldie NeilsonMercerWinder1940-1943October 2019
Lionel VictorWalshSchool House1944-1947October 2019
(Prof.) John BarrCavanaghSchool House1935-1938October 2019
Anthony NobleFrankland (CB, CBE, DFC)Hart1936-1941October 2019
DieterPevsnerSedgwick1946-1949October 2019
Gerald Douglas HendersonSmithHart1943-1947September 2019
(Prof.) David WilliamBrocklesbySedgwick1942-1946September 2019
Clive James ForgieTurnerEvans 1950-1954September 2019
MichaelLonghurstWinder1958-1963September 2019
DavidAlbanFormer Lupton Housemaster (67-76) and Member of Staff1952-1976 (Staff)September 2019
Michael HuttonVignolesLupton1943-1947August 2019
(Prof) Ian RobertYoungSchool House1945-1950August 2019
William HenryCoxSchool House1939-1943August 2019
Anthony "Graeme" De BraceyMarrs (MBE)Honorary OS1939-2019 (Honorary OS)August 2019
Robert ChristopherRobinsonHart1944-1948July 2019
Victor Derek "Vic"OldfieldLupton1939-1943July 2019
Alastair JohnTurnbullSedgwick1955-1960July 2019
Jonathon James Charlton "Jon"HardeySedgwick1963-1968July 2019
David JamesKerrHart1978-1983July 2019
John BasilCrossleyLupton1963-1968July 2019
(Dr) John GeorgeCoxonWinder1934-1938July 2019
Benjamin WilliamBennettHart1942-1944June 2019
(Dr) Geoffrey William Syme "Geoff"BurgessHart1956-1960May 2019
SheilaDonaldWidow of David Donald (OS) -
Former Headmaster of Cressbrook School (49-76)
1930-1934
(David Donald)
May 2019
Frederick Wilson "Freddie"HoultSchool House1951-1955May 2019
Richard AnthonyHuckSedgwick1973-1978April 2019
Roger Martin BrowneHollinsheadPowell1959-1964April 2019
David HunterO'BrienHart1945-1951April 2019
Thomas Edward "Ted"RichardsonEvans1941-1945April 2019
David ArthurGilliatPowell1948-1953March 2019
John HampdenHyattSedgwick1941-1946March 2019
Ian DouglasSangwinHart1954-1958February 2019
John RoutledgeVealeEvans1954-1959February 2019
Michael TheodoreBroadbentSchool House1967-1972February 2019
Donald BarrettMackaySedgwick1948-1953February 2019
DouglasEynonSedgwick1949-1953February 2019
Peter EdwardRickittEvans1960-1964January 2019
Malcolm Brian TaylorBromleyLupton1950-1954January 2019
Robert James "Bob"SykesEvans1947-1950December 2018
George William "Bill"FrankEvans1944-1948December 2018
(Dr) Walter GrahamMathewsSchool House1943-1947December 2018
(The Rev) Peter J DAllenFormer Teacher, Chaplain, and Second Master1987-1993December 2018
Richard HughThomasFormer Physics Master1967-2002December 2018
Peter DavidHymasWinder1946-1950November 2018
George MarshallFish (OBE)School House1942-1946November 2018
Peter MylesHutchinsonHart1951-1955November 2018
Edward Stuart "Zeke"SmithEvans1946-1950November 2018
James RobertBruce-LockhartSchool House1954-1959November 2018
David GoodmanBlanchePowell1947-1951October 2018
(The Rev) David RoyHolmesLupton1947-1952September 2018
Charles GraemeWatherstonSedgwick1949-1953September 2018
(The Rev) James Henry "Jim"SmithSchool House1946-1950September 2018
John BlackburnTalbotWinder1940-1943September 2018
William Fawcett "Billy"BanksHart1942-1946September 2018
Neil MelvinMackayLupton1940-1945September 2018
Graham HurndallSmithHart1949-1952August 2018
Samuel John WilloughbyBarkerEvans1993-2000August 2018
William Lewis RobertsonScottEvans1949-1953August 2018
(Sir) Henry Arthur HughCortazziSedgwick1936-1941August 2018
Michael IanGriersonLupton1957-1963July 2018
Peter DonaldMcQueenEvans1951-1956July 2018
James AlexanderRobertsonSedgwick1948-1952July 2018
John Gilfillan LuscombeRobinsonHart1947-1951July 2018
Andrew SnowdenHartonEvans1963-1969June 2018
Richard JohnRossiterWinder1948-1953May 2018
Stephen Herbert KayButcherWinder1942-1947May 2018
Timothy Wace "Tim"RobertsLupton1951-1956April 2018
David FrancisBarkerWinder1936-1940April 2018
Peter MorleyYorkePowell1952-1957April 2018
(Prof) Robin StuartSharpWinder1950-1954April 2018
Stuart RobertPatonHart1977-1982March 2018
(Prof) Robert Cairns BrownAitkenWinder1947-1951March 2018
Christopher KennethMylneSedgwick1940-1945March 2018
Geoffrey RichardHagueSedgwick1939-1944March 2018
Dudley Charles DowslandMooreLupton1955-1959March 2018
(Sir) John ArchibaldFordSchool House1935-1939February 2018
John ReedHindmarshPowell1958-1963February 2018
John DouglasHileyLupton1953-1958January 2018
Hugh FrederickLockhart-BallEvans1961-1966December 2017
John François de WerdtDuvoisinEvans1949-1953January 2018
James EdwardSugden (OBE)Hart1960-1964December 2017
GrahamShepherdSedgwick1942-1946December 2017
Anthony MartinRussellHart1947-1952December 2017
Colin PatrickCrabbieLupton1960-1965December 2017
Victor H BrookeDowseFormer Schoolmaster and Lupton Housemaster1963-2000November 2017
Peter Graham CarletonTaylorEvans1959-1964November 2017
Anthony NorburnCravenSedgwick1937-1941November 2017
Michael LindopBottomleyWinder1938-1943November 2017
David Graeme SalvesenMacmillanWinder1949-1953October 2017
Kenneth JohnMcCrackenSedgwick1952-1957October 2017
Stephen AllinsonJayHart1940-1943October 2017
Michael RoydenRichardsEvans1944-1948October 2017
(Prof) Henry KennethWhiteWinder1938-1941October 2017
George BNewbyWinder1956-1959October 2017
Nigel AnthonyHurstLupton1974-1978October 2017
Ian Harold MRobinsonPowell1938-1941September 2017
Patrick EdmundJollyLupton1978-1983September 2017
Leslie "Les"FletcherFormer School Lab Technician1965-1996August 2017
Robert EdwardHodgesSchool House1979-1986August 2017
Alastair JohnBreckenridgeSedgwick1955-1960July 2017
Richard Woosnam Ward "Dickie"DaweFormer Winder House Tutor1954-1963July 2017
David McNabBertramEvans1947-1951July 2017
Christopher Graham "Chris"WellsEvans1960-1965June 2017
(Prof) John SeymourConwaySchool House1943-1948June 2017
Hugh HighleySugdenSchool House1962-1966June 2017
William Henry RaymondMeageenSchool House1950-1955May 2017
Philip Angus NewhamRobothamHart1979-1984May 2017
Jeremy Frank CollingeFisherSchool House1944-1949May 2017
N Peter C PMeadowsFormer Winder Housemaster1959-1990April 2017
(Dr) Frederic SalkeldPlumptonPowell1946-1951March 2017
David MichaelBehrendSedgwick1941-1945March 2017
Richard "Rick" DavidAbbottLupton1968-1973March 2017
Peter RodneyHydeHart1957-1962March 2017
(Dr) Roger James MawbySedgwick1952-1957February 2017
Richard DrummondHardwickPowell 1955-1960February 2017
(The Rt Hon The Lord) David CharlesWaddington (PC)Winder1944-1947February 2017
Garth RogerNicholasHart1944-1949February 2017
Peter WalterPhillipsSedgwick1947-1952February 2017
Noel WilfridBerrySchool House1955-1960February 2017
William EdwardGreenhalghPowell1945-1949February 2017
(Sir) ChristopherBlandLupton1951-1956February 2017
Peter MichaelPoole (CBE, TD, JP, DL)Lupton1943-1946February 2017
Colin JamesSherwoodPowell1949-1952February 2017
John AlexanderGossipSchool House1944-1949December 2016
Andrew PhilipBradshawWinder1968-1973December 2016
Florian LouisDeVitoSedgwick2008-2010November 2016
Michael JamesWilsonPowell1957-1962November 2016
Paul JamesPageLupton1978-1983November 2016
Peter LowsonAddisonSchool House1945-1949October 2016
Timothy CharlesMilesonSedgwick1996-2003October 2016
(Dr) Samuel KribbYoungHart1941-1945October 2016
John RichardThompsonHart1949-1954October 2016
Ewan Douglas DavidBellWinder1951-1956October 2016
Michael RobinFowlerHart1949-1952July 2016
Robert PaulLester (MBE)Winder1930-1936July 2016
(Dr) Timothy MartinVentersSchool House1958-1963June 2016
Neil PollockMageeLupton1957-1961April 2016
(Sir) John SetonCasselsLupton1942-1946March 2016