Old Tamensians

Old Tamensians: A History and News Archive 1900-1999

OT News from the Past 1900 - 1999

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(1880: The Mercury, forerunner to The Tamensian and the first school magazine, was published on 4th December at a price of 6d. The editor was the headmaster, Mr George Plummer - and when he died in 1891 it ceased publication. Its first edition consisted of eight pages and it had articles written by staff and pupils and covered the rugger and cricket games. In the Editor's Box, a boy asks that all too familiar question 'Why are the Australians better cricketers than us?').

1900: The first issue of The Tamensian was published with G.E. Shrimpton and Archie Birch as editors. For many years subsequently, 3 issues a year were published. A.L. Corbett won a football Blue for Oxford at the Queen’s Club; 'His fine dribbling and passing puzzled the Cambridge halves.' He also broke his wrist near the start of the game but this didn't affect his play. Brother B.O. Corbett, born in 1875, and who left in 1894, a Corinthian, was selected for an international football trial and gained one England cap against Wales where he played outside-left (their father was Vicar of Thame); H.Lee was engaged on scouting duties on the Boer War front at Maritzburg; J.N Birch survived the siege at Kimberley; W.A. Johnson married Miss Ethel Franklin of Scotsgrove; M. Bond died of enteric fever whilst serving for the Imperial Yeomanry at Kroonstadt; C.M. Sims was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Imperial Yeomanry. H.H Mears who left the School in 1892 was serving in South Africa in the C.I.V. H Dodwell gained honours in Modern History at Oxford. W C H Church was was one of the first pupils at the newly re-opened school in 1879 was a solicitor; of the same era, A T Forbes was in India with the Indian Civil Service.

1901: Trooper H Reynolds of the 10^th Company Imperial Yeomanry was severely wounded in the head at Wolmaranstad. G Plummer and J.F Deane had volunteered for service with the Yeomanry. E.C Plummer of King's College Hospital had become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. H. Mears had been presented with his active service medal by the King. Lieut Sims of the Bucks Imperial Yeomanry received an antique silver-gilt cup from Miss Alice Rothschild of Waddesdon in recognition of his action in volunteering for the war. W.C Tomlinson, who left in 1891, was first in the Final Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. James Mears who was head Boy in 1893 died. In 1899 he'd been appointed Editor of the Thame Gazette - part of the family firm. His older brother Harry, of course, was still serving in South Africa, as was J.F Deane.

1902: It was noted that E.C. Plummer married Miss Beverley-Bird of Clifton.

1903: G E Shrimpton retired as Editor of The Tamensian. E.C. Plummer finished his medical course. George Holloway who was working in Siam (now Thailand) died of cholera. C.M Wright was living in St John's Newfoundland. Basil Fielding was living in Paris, and Eustace Sims in Orleans. R Deverell 1898-1900 passed the preliminary Examination of the Banker's Institute. A.P.N Casson was having success at the City Guilds College, University of London. E.C Caswell had emigrated to Alberta.

1904: J.F Marsh scored what was then a record 172 not out for Cambridge in the Varsity match. During the season, he batted at #4 or sometimes as an opener. R.E Crawford, who'd taken a Second at Wadham College Oxford, was teaching. W.H Lowdnes had passed his Law exams and A.F Birch was doing well at the Royal Academy Art School. A.W Cocks was teaching at Dauntsey. W E Hine had started work at the Thame branch of Lloyds Bank.

1905: W.C.M Weedon was teaching in Borneo and assisting the Resident. C.H. Dobbin who left in 1899 was living in Derby. R.Deverill 1898-1900 passed the Banker's Institute exams. George Shrimpton had won the Travers Smith Scholarship at Cliffords Inn and was about to start practising as a solicitor. William C Eppstein received the degrees of B.D and D.D from St John's, Oxford. He'd been at the School in the early 1880s, and had then gone up to Corpus Christi, Cambridge, where he'd graduated in 1885. He was ordained in 1887 and had held various curacies. Since 1894 he'd been Headmaster of Reading School.

1906: A.R.Edsell passed his Chartered Accountants' Prelim examinations. Mr F.C Britten, a former staff member was Headmaster of Oldham Grammar School, and Mr T.D Simpson a Housemaster at Berkhampstead. G.E Bond was studying to be a Surveyor; A.R Edsell an accountant, and J.A Mears an auctioneer. S Doulton was playing for Reading Amateurs and A Cocks was Captain of the Borough Road College football team.

1907: D.P Shaw rowed bow in the winning Morrisons Four at Balliol College. H.C Joyce entered Hertford College. An Old Boy had noted that over the last fifteen years, six or seven pupils who'd he'd shared the sports field with in the early 1890s had died thus sadly demonstrating how death was still a frequent visitor in this age.

1908: The establishment of an Old Tamensians’ Association was muted as a means of maintaining the esprit de corps that existed at the school. During the late 1800s there had been an Association of Old Boys but this had petered out. G.E Shrimpton led the way and contacted the former Hon Sec of the old, Old Boys. He was warned 'If you found an Association, you may get some members, a few of them will pay their subscriptions fairly regularly, still fewer will attend dinners and functions, and you will never see or hear anything of the majority unless one occasionally calls at your office to see if you can oblige him with the loan of a fiver.' Undaunted, on the 10th March 1908, eighteen old boys met at the Chinese Salon, Holborn Restaurant, London. They included the then headmaster Dr Shaw, three former masters, three of the four Kislingburys who had been at the school, four of the five Sims, G.E. Shrimpton of course, and E.L. Stroud. The Holborn Restaurant, one of London's most famous at the time, was a favourite place for societies and groups to meet and had been the meeting place for the first incarnation of the Old Boys. It was also suggested that perhaps an Old Boys Freemasons Lodge be formed. (It was thought there were nearly 200 potential Old Boys who could be contacted.) Albert Robinson was appointed Canon of Winchester Cathedral. H.H Dodwell joined the Indian Education Service after graduating from St John's Oxford. In the cricket, the 'Past Team' lost badly to the School. The 'Pasts' were G. Sorrell, A.G Sims, T R Bailey, W.C. Kislingbury, D.P Shaw, H Reynolds, J Field, E A Sims, R P Sims, J Payne, G. E Shrimpton. C.H Dobbin who was Sports Captain in 1889 was married at St Martin’s Leicester. The Headmaster represented the School.

1909: A second dinner was held at The Holborn and it was resolved that an Old Tamensians’ Association should be formed. The first President was appointed, the Rev W.C. Eppstein. Albert Robinson 1879-82 was now further appointed Archdeacon of Surrey. (He'd been Headboy in 1882).H Bucknall was invalided home from Colombo. J.F Deane was in New Zealand. H. H Dodwell in India. R.H Harris in East Africa. W.S Wagner was in Malay. Sir Edward Lee died aged 76. He founded and took an active part in the management of the educational department of the Crystal Palace was MD of the Dublin Exhibition of Arts, Industries and Manufacture in 1872; and was MD in 1875 of Alexandria Palace and, from 1884-90, Albert Palace. More Old Boys were urged to come to the Cricket Match next year. H. Rich played polo for England against America. Harry Mears went to Dublin to work for the Post Office. D.P Shaw and Herbert C Joyce were in the OUOTC. F.J Tomlinson was living in California. K Blow was farming in Ontario. At the end of the year the AGM was held on 8^th December, where the treasurers account showed a balance of £2 9s and 2d. There were 55 members.

1910: Herbert Joyce 1899-1907 had gained a Second Class honours degree from Oxford and was going on to study theology. G Bailey was playing for Thame Football Club and the County. Duncan Ostreham played for the County in hockey but was emigrating to Canada. Frank Deane was married in Auckland, New Zealand. W. H. Smith had emigrated to British Columbia. The Old Boys cricket match was cancelled because of the death of King Edward. B.O Corbett played cricket for Derbyshire. R R Williams passed his Law finals. W Parker, Clerk to the Governors of Lord Williams's Trust, died - he was thought to be the last of Dr Fooke's old pupils but not the only one alive.. E.J Stevens married. E.B Shaw had gone up to Trinity College Cambridge. A.W.S Wagner (1905-10) went up to St John's College Oxford. Donald Shaw 1899-1907 graduated in History from Balliol College, Oxford.

1911: The OTA presented the school with a House Cricket Challenge Shield. G.E Shrimpton married Ethel Blyth at Stoke near Coventry, he was presented with a silver rose bowl to mark his wedding. The OTs lost to the School at cricket; H.A Kane married L.H. Davidson; J.H Shrimpton had joined the Queens Own Hussars; G.R Martin was teaching in Peking, where he was known as Mr Ding. Out of 9 weeks leave, he spent 6 weeks on the train. The OTs lost 77 - 144 to the School in the cricket - played on Whit-Monday in ideal weather under a cloudless sky. Donald Shaw was on the staff as an assistant master at Weymouth College.

1912: The OTs beat the school 65-43 in the cricket, the team being E.G Wagner, A.J. Briars, H.C Joyce, A.W. Wagner, R.E. Welch, H. Allensbrook, E.G Clarke, W.H Allen and G.E. Shrimpton. The Rev J.Y Batley was elected as an Honoury Member of the OTA; 4 members were struck off the list for not paying their subscriptions (leaving a total of 65 members); the Annual Dinner was held once again at The Holborn Restaurant in London; H.L. Edsell and S.C.B Lee were selected to play for the MCC; A.F. Birch married Miss Van Roalte; E.B. Sery graduated from Lausanne University with a degree in Engineering; Basil Perkins was keeping goal for Belgrano in Buenos Ayres; Rex Field was studying metallurgy at the University of Minneapolis; C. H Dobbin was leading the Poultry Dpt. of Lancashire County Council; E.B Shaw gained a half-Blue for Cambridge in shooting. In the football, the School beat the OTs 6-1. H.C. Joyce gained a second in Theology at Oxford. J.F Deane was appointed Town Clerk and treasurer of Pukekhoe New Zealand. A. W Gill was farming in Alberta. H. A Springer was working in mining in Johannesburg. His brother Lesley was serving the African Dominion on the Railway. S.V Sims who was Captain of Games in 1896 died. Henry Bernard had entered St John's College, Cambridge.

1913: There were now 71 members; the OTs donated a framed cartoon of John Hampden - a work of Old Boy A.F. Birch. W.H. Smith was living in British Columbia; R. H Harris was farming rubber and coffee in Uganda; F.W. Keeling got married; the Rev D.E Hunter married Miss Herbert of Uttoxeter; H.C Bernard graduated from Cambridge and A.W.S Wagner from St John's, Oxford; E.B Shaw 1900-05 captained the winning Cambridge side at the Varsity shooting match at Bisley. Donald Shaw was now on the staff at Westminster School.

1914: Dr W.C Eppstein, past President of the OTA retired from the Headship of Reading School after 20 years, and took a position as assistant master at Bradfield College. John C Hoadley started work: collecting taxes at Somerset House (joining two other OTs who were working there.) The Rev H. Dallimore who had been curate at Walton, Liverpool took up the Headship of the Grammar School, Sierra Leone. A.T Forbes was working for the government in Travancore, southern India (now known as Kerala.) 30 OTs were at the Annual Dinner at The Holborn, the Rev Shaw, Headmaster told everyone present that the School was financially sound. E.B Sery had moved from Switzerland and was now working for the Pennsylvannia Railway. Eric Jones was at Leeds University. A.E Rayner was at Queen's College, Cambridge. A.W.S Wagner rowed for St John's Oxford. The football match was cancelled due to lack of players as most were serving in the Forces. Hugh Kidman was farming in Waterstock. W.H Smith had married. 67 OTAs had joined up. Lieut G.L Edsell was one of the first to be wounded. The annual dinner was cancelled. Rex Field was killed in a motor car accident in the US - he was studying at Minneapolis University.

1915: 25 attended the annual dinner at The Holborn; Mr W.C. H Church was President. 70 Old Boys were serving in the forces. Cpt Edsell and Lt Tomlinson both wounded and back in England. The first Old Boy to be killed was Sergt W.E. Roberts. He was killed at Ypres. Max Singer was a POW near Berlin. R.J Culverwell was killed by a shell while entering a dug-out in a trench. C.G Clarke was also killed by a shell. Brian Perry died from an illness contracted at camp. Donald Shaw was seriously wounded and narrowly escaped death in the hospital ship ‘Anglia’ when it was mined in the Channel.

List of members: W. H Allen and C.T. Allen 20 High Road Kilburn; H. Allsebrook Badsey Vicarage Evesham 1901 - 1905; J. Adams Wormestone Waddesdon Bucks; H.V. Bateman 45 Harvard Court West Hampstead 1890; Rev J batley Trinity College Cambridge 1908; J.S Bell Ivy House Bierton Aylesbury 1908-1909; H.C. Bernard St John's College, Cambridge 1905-12; T.H. Bishop Grove Road Leighton Buzzard 1887; G.R Blake Estate Duty Office, Somerset House 1905-12; A.J Briars British Schools Thame 1902-09; F.G Britten 49 Highbury Quadrant n. 1895-1898; W.C.H Church 86 Pilgrim Street Newcastle-uopn-Tyne 1879-1881; C.G Clarke High Street Haddenham Bucks 1902-07; F.E Clark 37 Larkfield Road Richmond Surry 1905-09; J Cole 88 Albion Road Stoke Newington 1897; F J . B Conway Bruce Cottage Byron Hill Harrow 1907 1909B.O Corbett 'Rycote' Derby 1891; J Crook 17 Tokenhouse Yard E.C. 1880 C. H Dobbin County Council Farm Hutton Lancashire 1889; G.L Edsell !st Hampshire Regiment Aldershot 1901-04; E. Edsell Cedar House Claremont Road Surbiton 1900 - 06; W.S. Edwards Highfield, St John's Road Sevenoaks 1901-05; Rev Dr W.C. Eppstein The College Bradfield Berks 1880 - 1882; R.J Escreet 31 Horace Road Forest Gate e. 1895-99; H. Finch The Poplars, Cowley Middlesex 1910-11; A.T. Forbes The Residency Trevandum Travancore India 1888; G.R Fraser The College Great Malvern; C.O Green Beresford Beresford Road Wallasey Cheshire 1908-10; J.E. L Harris The Cottams Barnstead Surry 1883-87; R.H Harris 17 Eaton Rise Ealing 1898 - 1902; W.S Harris 17 Eaton Rise Ealing 1897-99; R Hall 62 Hill Top Road Oxford 1907 - 1911; H.W Herman 11 Market Place Banbury 1910-12; W. Hine Lloyds Bank Belgrave Road s.w. 1900-01; P.E.G Hook The Roses Chatsworth Road West Norwood 1884 - 1891; H.C. Joyce 43 Morshead Mansions Elgin Avenue w. 1900-07; G Kaufmann Hamburg Harvester Kuderweg 83 1891; A.V Kislingbury 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields w.c 1893; R Kislingbury West Dene Sunning Fields Road Hendon 1891; W.C Kislingbury Walnut Cottage Woodford Green Essex 1885 - 1889; B.W Lidington The Spread Eagle Hotel Thame 1880; W. H Lowdnes Croft Road Thame 1900 - 03; G.R Martin The Ch'ung Te School Pekin N China 1904-06; P.H May 35 Redbridge Lane Wanstead 1889-93; H.H Mears 40 Albert Road Caversham Reading 1884 - 1891; G. Moffat 143 Friars Street Reading 1909-12; Rev W Musson Stoke Ferry Norfolk 1880-84; J.H Pedley Adstock Great Baddow Essex; G.H Platt Sherstone Malmesbury1900-04; E.C Plummer Laverstock House Laverstock Salisbury 1888; G Plummer Jessleton British North Borneo 1890; E.B Raynor Queen's College Cambridge 1900-04; H Reynolds Notley Abbey Thame 1880; R.F Rhodes 171 Walton Street Oxford 1902 - 08; W. Roberts Lower High Street Thame 1900-01; The Ven A.G. Robinson The Close Winchester 1881; E.Rose Moat Farm Ford Aylesbury 1909-15; Rev Dr A.E Shaw, Lord Williams's Grammar School; D.P Shaw Lord Williams's Grammar School 1899-1907; G.E Shrimpton 35 Warrington Road harrow 1893-1901; H.L. Shrimpton 30 High Street tahme 1900-05; A.G Sims Reading; C.J Sims Tintagel Dyne Road Brondesbury n.w 1885-1889; E.A. Sims The Gables Waddesdon 1897-1900; T.D Simpson Overton House Berkhamsted; W.H Smith Barriere British Columbia; C.B Stevens Geldstone High Barnet 1888-92; E.L. Stroud 55 South Moulton Street w 1887-90; S.R Tanner Somerset House w.c. 1899-1905; T.C.B Udall Oakdale Southborough Kent; A.W.S Wagner St John's College Oxford 1905-10; E.G.S Wagner University Club Birmingham 1904-11; T.A Wall Canfield Langley Park Mill Hill n.w. 1890.

1916: The Rev William C Eppstein had been appointed Rector of Lambourne and Abridge. Francis Willoughby Fielding 1902-6 fell leading his men against the line of enemy trenches. He was with the Queen Victoria Rifles and he died on 1st July. William Smith died whilst in the front-line trenches. Noel Target 1906-09 was killed at the Somme. Henry Bernard 1905-1912 was killed in France after returning to the Front following his recovery from wounds and enteric contracted at Gallipoli. Jimmie Hobbs was missing and presumed dead; John Hoadley 1906-11 had been killed. E.G S Wagner was shot down and killed over the Somme. H J Bradley was shot down but survived. Reginald Harrison was mentioned in Despatches.

1917: A son of former OTA President Rev. W.C Eppstein was killed. Maurice Eppstein aged 20 was the younger son and joined the RNAS. Whilst flying on a mission over Zeebrugge in May he went missing and then subsequently declared dead.

1918: In total 193 Old Boys had served in the Great War, 29 lost their lives. DSOs were won by Captain Bailey (with two bars), and Major D.P Shaw who distinguishing himself in the initial attacks across Ancre. Shaw was also in command of the 6^th Battalion of the Dorsets. Henry Shrimpton 1900-05 won the Military Cross as did Lieut. R Rhodes and Capt. Reginald Harris 1899 -1902. Captain E.W Rose won the MC after being killed in action. Captain R Lidington was mentioned in despatches. H.H Mears became Head Postmaster of Coventry.

1919: T.J Preacher who left in 1914 was serving with the Army in Germany. Donald Shaw was selected as House Master of Grant’s at Westminster School. He was also in command of the Westminster OTC.

1920: A.E Shaw retired as Headmaster after 21 years as Headmaster and was given a silver tea service by the Association. Mr G.E Shrimpton, Secretary of the OTA presented the War Memorial to Mr Wykenham, Chairman of the Governors. The Memorial took the form of an oak tablet inscribed with the School Arms and the names of those fallen. A War Memorial Prize was given to the School, to be handed to the boy who exercised the best influence in or out of School, and a bound volume with the names of all those known to have served. The Memorial was unveiled by General Sir Hew Fanshawe and the School Hymn and 'For All The Saints' were sung. F E Sharp was serving in the Indian Police. E.G North joined the P&O Steamship Co and had just completed a voyage to Australia in the 'Cap Polonia' the surrendered German liner, in which the ex-Kaiser intended to make his triumphant tour of the world after the War. The Annual Dinner was held in The Coventry restaurant near Piccadilly Circus and 17 attended.

1921: The first OTA dinner at the Spread Eagle in Thame was held and 46 attended including Captain Howland who had left the school in 1854. (Prior to this, all dinners had been held in London.) There was dinner, toasts and a musical programme. The Rev A.E Shaw died aged 61. Donald Shaw was a Housemaster at Westminster School and his brother Brian Shaw was still in the forces on the 'troubled frontiers of India.’ H.C Joyce had become a curate at East Mean, Hants. A. S. Wagner was stationed in Malta with the Air Service; R.F. Middleton was working for the Bank of India in London - having decided not to live in Australia; Richard Hall lived in Kirkow, Taumaranni, New Zealand and sheep farming - though due to the dry hot summer, they weren't fetching very much. (The Empire Settlement Act of this year had stimulated interest in farming overseas). M.V.T James was living in Madeira, employed to deal with the press news and messages that came from Europe and were then relayed to South America. In total, the OTA had 106 members with 10% living abroad and 10% in Thame. John Bell had to retire from banking due to war wounds. O.L Rojas had returned to Portugal and had married. L Dancer was in the Police. R Huckes had been acting as an interpreter for the Red Cross in France. W.E Fayers was a designer and artist. C. H Wlikinson had taken up poultry farming in Yorkshire. E.S Jones was teaching at Johnstone's School, Durham. E.G North had continued his two year voyage on the 'Cap Polonia' having visited China and Japan. Herbert Garton-Sprenger died in Tzaneen of blackwater fever. He'd been late of the Life Guards and had come to the School when quite a young boy before he left for Sandhurst. He was Captain of the Football XI in 1911. G. E Shrimpton retired from long and outstanding service as Secretary owning to pressure of work. He'd held this post since the formation of the OTA in 1909. E B Rayner passed his Law Tripods at St John’s Cambridge. H C Joyce had become Curate in the parish of East Mean near Petersfield, Hantsa.

1922: A Wagner represented the RAF at cricket and scored 126 not out at The Oval; he had been stationed in Malta and recorded that garrison life was very dull. ‘One soon gets weary of the same faces in town, the Club, the tennis courts, the swimming pools, the frequent dances.’ Ernest Loftus a master 1905/6, was appointed Headmaster at a new secondary school in Barking; C. H. Wilkinson had to retire from poultry farming due to a recurring illness caused by gassing in the War; H.J Bradley was an Officer in the RAF, and Hereward Wagner was growing rubber in the Federated Malay States. The annual subscription was 5s and 2 pounds 2s for Life membership. The Annual Dinner this year was held at The Coventry restaurant near Piccadilly Circus. A black blue white and gold tie was adopted. Total membership was now 111. The Ven A.G. Robinson resigned as Archdeacon of Surrey and became Stall Canon Residentary in Winchester Cathedral. R.H Harris was working in German East Africa. R. Hester was working on a rubber estate in Soebano, Java. E.B Rayner had been called to the Bar. Harold Franklin was practising as a solicitor in Oxford. Gerald Bond, an auctioneer in Buckingham. R.A Stone a schoolmaster at Cuddesdon. E.G North was a 4th Officer in the P&O Co. Fred Tomlinson was living in Honolulu. The Rev W Musson was the Wesleyan Minister at Buckingham. W.E Cubbage was in the Inland Revenue and had recently got married. A 'Smoking Concert' was held after the Cricket Match (which the Old Boys lost) at the Spread Eagle. J Maughan won an open exhibition to Oxford and before going up was teaching at Lewes Grammar School. H.H Dodwell was appointed Professor of History and Culture of Asian Countries at London University. G H Harper passed the Entrance Exam to Sandhurst. The OTA decided to adopt blue, black, white and gold as the Associations colours. Hillier was a Flight Officer in the RAF. W S Myall 15-21 was studying at the Oxford Art Schools.

1923: A House Shield for Football was presented to the School and the first winners were 'B' House. R.Hall, F.Deane and R. Smith were all living in New Zealand. R.H. Golby was playing football for Oxford City, then a leading smaller league club; he even featured on a Godfrey Philips cigarette card. R. H Harris was based in Dar-es-Salem. J.P.Tindell was working as an accountant for Cooper Brothers & Co. in the City. L.A. Goodchild was studying horticulture in the south of France. S.P Humphris died in a motor cycle accident in Wheatley. A.W.S Wagner grew cotton in the Sudan. H.B. Pape was enjoying life at the RAF Training School. G.E. Shrimpton presented a Swimming Cup to the School. G.M Harper gained a scholarship to Sandhurst. L.W Levermore was working for the Westminster bank. N.J Nobbs had recently starting working for Midland Bank in London. E D Stember was living in New York.

1924: R.W Hester was on the east coast of Sumatra. C.R Hughes had taken up engineering. P Haines was a riding instructor at Sandhurst. H.C.H Coley was working in the Town Clerk's Office at Torquay. A. H Reynolds had passed out of Cranwell. H.F Munday was teaching in the elementary school at Littlemore. V.H Jaques was called to the Bar as a Member of the Inner Temple. H.W Herman was working for the Associated Sports Co. D.K Phibbs (1916-23) was in a Japanese bank in London. E.G Hicks worked at the Westminster Bank in Oxford. C. Simmons was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Poor Law Accountants. Messrs W.R .Lidington, R Hester, P.G Hester, F.B Mitchell and H.H Vertigen all recently married. G.M Harper was at Sandhurst and was joined by E M Harper.. H.C. Joyce was chaplain to the Bishop of Carlisle. Donald Shaw DSO MA who had been educated at the School from 1899-1907 died of war wounds sustained in 1915. A graduate of Balliol, at the time of his death, he was a House Master at Westminster School and his funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey. Two weeks later, his widow gave birth to his son, Donald John. J.A.S Bolton was working for the Eastern Telegraphic Co. in Carcavellos Portugal. A.G. Sims was Managing Director of Cort & Sons Ltd., of Reading; he was also President of Reading Cricket Club. The OTA Membership stood at 130. The Annual Dinner was held at the Grand Hotel, Trafalgar Square. The President - A.G Sims - brought his sister and her friends to entertain the company. A cable was received during the evening from AWS Wagner in Egypt. The gathering broke up at 11.00, to find its way home in thick fog. J Maughan, V Maffezzoni and E D Syson were all up at Oxford. Former teacher Mr Deeks got married and was now on the staff of the Worthing County School. W S Kentish was in his first year at the Royal College of Science; H C Reese was studying at University College, London. H F Munday was teaching at Littlemore School.

1925: A. W.S Wagner was on leave from the Sudan having gone down with 'sun sickness'. (The OTs were urged to consider investing in a cotton plantation, the price of cotton having doubled in eighteen months.) Brother HMS Wagner was in rubber in Malay. C.D. P Franklin was sheep farming with his brother in Tokomaru Bay New Zealand; he played rugby for Waiapu County. He didn’t seem to be enjoying either. L.W Coulden was studying at the Royal Veterinary College. R.F Price was practicing medicine in London. Gilbert Stone was a dairy and poultry farmer near Abingdon and brother Ralph Stone was teaching at Slough. Major B.W. Lidington was appointed a School Governor, the first Old Boy to become one for 50 years. For the first time, the President of the OTA sat on the platform at Speech Day and made a speech on the Association's activities. R. H Harris was now an Administration Officer in Tanganyika, based in his one-man office with views of Kilimanjaro. E.M Harper had left Sandhurst and gazetted to the Beds and Herts; his brother G.M.H was at Fulford Barracks. D.I Barrell was a cadet on HMS Conway. E.C.G Holbrook emigrated to Canada in the hope of studying Theology at Saskatoon University. F.J Harris was a salesman for Vauxhall Motors. Leonard Shrimpton was a livestock officer for Board of Agriculture, Ipswich. W.E Hine was the treasurer of the Whiteleaf Golf Club. E.D Stember was living in New York, J Bolton was living in Gibralter and D.J Sharp in Portugal. There were still three OTs living who had been taught at the old school under Foolkes: Capt C F Howland (1855-6); W G Howlett (1857-9) and Percy Field (1860). W O’Donoughue was a cadet on the ss. Westmoreland belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company. J A S Bolton was living in Gibraltar. R F Price was a doctor in Forest Gate. D J Sharp was living in Carcavellos, Portugal and working for Eastern Telegraph. R A Cherry was a cadet on the ss. Bodnant and had travelled from Liverpool down the west coast of Africa. Typical of the time, he wrote, ‘Nearly all the work on board is done by niggers which we ‘pick-up’ from Sierre Leone. The niggers, on the whole, down this coast are from civilised for, in the stillness of the night, you can hear the beat of the ‘tom-tom; they all, of course, are very superstitious and scared of what they call ‘them ju-ju palaver.’ G R Cosier (the previous year’s School Captain) was undergoing an engineering course in the British-Thompson-Houston Company, Rugby. He was playing for their 1^st XV and living at 84 Murray Road, Rugby. [The British Thomson-Houston Company built their works in Mill Road, Rugby in 1902 making electric motors and generators. They started making turbines in 1904. In 1969 they became part of GEC.] FER Lord emigrated to New Zealand under the Public School’s Scheme. P T Claydon was happily working for the British L M Ericsson Works at Beeston, Notts. D I T Barrell was training on the naval training vessel, HMS Conway. J H Pedley was made a JP for Essex.

1926: H.H Mears 1884-1891 was Postmaster of Bournmouth. Hugh McRea 1918-23 was awarded the King's Gold Medal on HMS Worcester and then subsequently the King's Gold Watch. Herbert Vertigen 1909-16 was working for the Inland Revenue, which he had joined in 1917. E.G Holbrook had not taken up theology but instead teacher training in Prince Albert, Saskatchenwan. E.G Hicks had given up banking and had started teaching. J.F Lord was in the Navy. W S Kentish had gained a st Class Degree in Chemistry. V.E Winter was working in the Aeolian Company. B.B Bell enjoyed his first year up at Wadham. H Wyatt joined the Mecantile Bank of India. H.L Sheat was in one of Jaeger's retail branches in London and attending a course in textile technology. R.E Janes was in the shipping department of J&R Morley. J.H Pedley was made a J.P for Essex. George S Plummer was living in Jesselton, North Borneo. G.H Harper was in Shanghai with 1st Bn. Border Regiment. D.I.T Barrell had finished ship training and had joined the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. C.D P Franklin had packed-in farming in New Zealand and was now working for the Public Works Department in Gisborne, North Island. J Lawrence had started his career with the Union Cold Storage Company. John Stubbings was now working for a bank in High Wycombe and happy not to commute into London every day. J F Lord was stationed at RNTE, Shotley, Harwich with the Royal Navy. R Coley was working in the Town Clerk’s office in Torquay. E G Hicks had abandoned banking for teaching. G R Blake was farming. E D Syson, the OTA’s London Secretary was living in 36 Cumberland Avenue, Acton. [The area today is part of Park Royal but Cumberland Av is still there.] The OTs had 160 members. Mr C Osborne-King was of The Oxford Clothiers was elected as sole supplier of the OTA colours. The new blazer was serge, striped with black, silver blue and gold, and cost 55/-. Members were asked not to wear a crest with the blazer. The Annual Dinner was held at the Coventry Restaurant, Piccadilly Circus and 27 attended. In total the OTA had 147 members. The Old Boys won the cricket easily and afterwards about forty players and spectators were entertained by the Headmaster in the Dining Room. This brought back many memories; and entertainment was provided the popular entertainer Cornil Bard. [Old Boys playing cricket were V E Winter, M R Simes, E G Hicks, G R Cosier, A W S Wagner, J Maughan, L W Coulden, A Crook, F A Dangerfield, J E Stubbingd, N J Nobbs and F Walker.]

Frank Lord was working on a sheep farm in Poverty Bay, New Zealand. He was working with the farmer’s son and as he wrote, ‘we have to do our own cooking, washing and housework…this is called batcheloring.’ The summers were dry and the winters very wet. He also noted that there were some 44 public school boys now in Poverty Bay and they had formed an Association of English Public School Boys Farming in New Zealand. Most work seems to have consisted of clearing the shrub ‘manuka’ to allow grazing to take place.

Herbert Reese died of influenza on August 25^th in Charing Cross Hospital - only last year he'd been awarded his Modern Language degree and had embarked on teaching training. Reese was a boarder from 1916 until 1922 and was Head of School in 1920-21. He was a Sergeant in the Cadet Corps; Captain of the 1^st XI for two years and had obtained 1^st Class Honours in the Oxford School Certificate exam. At University College, London he was a fine boxer and a keen member of the OTC. On graduation, he was training to be a schoolmaster. He had suffered heart trouble following influenza but his death was totally unexpected. C W Iley was working for Barclay’s Bank at their Head Office in Lombard Street. B B Bell was going up to Wadham College; E G Hicks to Balliol. The former joined the OU Fencing Club, the OTC, the French Club and the Union, whilst the latter Tennis. P Bolton was living in Devizes Road, Salisbury and Training to be a surveyor.

1927: R.B Sinclair 1922-5 was trying his hand at sheep farming in Australia. Edward Holbrook had started teaching at Ringleton Firs School in Saskatchewan. He was earning $85 a month, $30 of which went on board. He said that the teaching method most favoured was Cram! By and large he was teaching foreign pupils that were called ‘Bohunks’. George Moffat died of malaria. F Lord was still sheep farming in New Zealand and, in the sheep shearing season, was starting work at 2am and then working through until dusk. R Lang was working on a farm in Murray’s Creek, Queensland. By the end of 1927, E.G Holbrook had given up teaching in Canada and had started work for the Imperial Bank. 'Hartley' visited the School for the first time since he left in 1913. W.A Duff had joined Barclays Bank in Bicester. R.T Harrison was working for J&J Allen, a large furniture depot, and S.G Stokes was also working for a warehousing company in London. D.J Sharp with the Eastern Telegraphic Co. was stationed in Alexandria. William Kentish 1916-23 was studying for a PhD in London. Membership had increased to 174. V E Winter was working for the Aeolian Company. G R Blake was married. H Wyatt had joined the staff of the Mercantile Bank of India. L W Coulden was now a Vet. G S Plummer was living in Jessleton, British N Borneo and wrote to say how much he was enjoying life there. R E Janes was in the Shipping Dpt of Messrs. J & R Morley’s, Wood Street, EC. H L Sheat was studying a diploma in textile technology while working at one of Jeager’s retail branches in London. D D Johnston was working in the Seasoning Section of the Forest products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough.

The Old Boys XV included: F A Dangerfield, J Crook, D Green, W Blair, D Phibbs, C T Cope, C W Iley, H F Wyatt, F Croft, P Bolton, M R D Simes, J E Stubbings, N J Nobbs, L W Coulden, G M Cooper. (L F Morris captain of Old Dunstonians had hoped to play but dropped out when he injured his hand.)

The Old Boys Soccer XI was C M Wells, J Crook, S Holland, M Dancer, L Stroud, C T Cope, D D Johnston, F A Dangerfield, R Holland, J E Stubbings, R Potter.

W Blair was articled to a City accountancy firm. George Moss was a House Master at Northampton County School; another former teacher Mr Cooper was on the staff at Erith School. G H M Harper, Lieutenant in the 1^st Bn Border Regiment sailed for Shanghai. Later in the year he returned and was stationed at Fulford Barracks, York. C W Iley was in banking of course and playing for the B and C teams at rugger. S C Stokes was living in 39 Eltham Road, Lee and working for a City Warehouse, and playing for their 2^nd XI.

The Annual Dinner was held at the Spread Eagle in Thame and 41 OTs attended: A V Kislingbury, R Kislingbury (the President), W H Lowdnes, G Moss, G M Cooper, G R Blake, J H Shrimpton, R Stonehill, J S and J H Crook, L A and P Goodchild, W Blair, L Coulden, R Siarey, V E Winter, M R Simes, W Dancer, C Osborne-King, O Robinson, A F Hearne, R Phibbs, N Nobbs, H Wyatt, H J Hill, F A Dangerfield, C Cope, P Bolton, C R Wakefield, F H Walker, J E Stubbings, L Stroud, F Croft, H H Mears, R Crawford, T A Wall, T W H Goodenough, and E D Syson.

1928: M.Maughan had gained 1st class honours Mathematics, London University, as had H.W Howland. B.B. Bell had graduated from Oxford and J.E Watts had qualified as a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society. Henry House 1923-7 was a motor engineer in Watlington. Lesley Hughes - 1916 emigrated to Australia. For the first time in history, the Old Boys were defeated by the School in rugby. P Goodchild had emigrated to Canada to take up farming. H.B Maughan suffered a bad flying accident in the RAF. R Lang who left in 1926 was still enjoying his farming at Rose Farm, Murrays Creek, Queensland. R.W Hester was home on leave from Sumatra. W.S Kentish was successful in gaining his PhD and took a position with British Celanese. K Castle was working for the Union Castle Mail Co inn Blackwall, London. W Blair had passed his Chartered Accountants Finals. W.C Eppstein, the first President of the OTA died. George Seelir Plummer, younger son of the former headmaster George Plummer, died at the age of 49 after contracting pulmonary trouble in North Borneo. C Iley left for Toronto to take up a banking appointment. C.F Culley was working for the National Provincial Bank in Mayfair. R.F Stroud 1914-18 sailed for Calcutta where he was to work with Imperial Tobacco. M.R Simes had started a course at the London School of Printing. H Holbrook, who had first gone into teaching training and then banking in Canada, was now studying at University with the hope of a career in music. J Maughan was now on the staff of Palmer's School, Grays Essex. 31 names were 'expunged’ from the OT membership list for not paying their subscriptions. Sixteen new members joined, and in total there were now 174 members.

1929: G.C Franklin was working as a nurseryman on Matakana Island, New Zealand. P Bolton was employed in the County Surveyor's Office, Shrewsbury. H. McRea was now serving on HMS Walker and had spent the winter in the Mediterranean. In 1930, he was due to go on a six months course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich. N.J. Nobbs was in banking. F.D. Dyson had started on a six month 'Students Course' at Selfridges. H.H. Mears had become Postmaster of Southampton. W.A Duff 1921-27 was studying accountancy. Ben Maughan 1916-24 was training recruits at RAF Uxbridge. Lieut. G.H M Harper was serving with the Royal West Africa Frontier Force in Nigeria. J.A Lawrence 1921-26 was in San Paulo Brazil.

B.B Bell was an Inspector on the Sudan's Geizira Irrigation project. R.Simes 1918-25 was a student at the London School of Printing. E.D Dyson was awarded first class honours in the Roll of Solicitors of the Supreme Court and had joined a firm of solicitors in the West End of London. G.H Pratt who left the School last year has taken up an appontment in the Forestry Research Department at Princes Risborough. R.H Harris was in Tanganyika serving as an Assistant District Officer in the Colonial Civil Service. John Grammer 1922-28 was an articled pupil at Gas, Light and Coke Co. Ralph Hoddinott who left School this year, joined Zurich Insurance. "Greenacre" once part - before it was demolished - of the Boarding House was the home of Douglas Holland's family (he'd gone to the School from 1923-27). The Holland family had a number of businesses in Thame including a builders and electrical and wireless retailers. Older brother Robert Holland had also gone to the school. Harold Maughan 1916-24 was an Adjutant in 24th Squadron based at RAF Northolt. Frank Mitchell MC1908-10 was Headmaster of Thame's C of E Primary School.

1930: L.W Coulden 1918-23 was now a fully qualified vet practising in Brighton. P.C Goodchild 1918-24 was farming in Canada. E.G Hicks won a Blue at Badminton for Oxford. R.F Stroud 1914-18 was living in Calcutta. L Stonehill 1919-23 had commenced training with the RAF. M.E Seymour 1923-28 was playing for the Saracens 1st XV. H.F.C Wyatt 1917-26 was living in Singapore and working for the Bank of India. Both A.W.S Wagner, who had stopped cotton farming in Sudan, and Philip Bell were both farming in West Australia. (Wagner had sent a message urging the OTA to support the English cricketers in their quest to beat Australia). J.H Deane 1889-94 was Town Clerk of Pukekobe, Auckland and had recently had a leg amputated; he died shortly after the operation. G.R Cosier was employed by Thompson-Houston Co.

R.T Eggleton was manager of the Public Benefit Shoe Co. G Kaufmann 1890-91 was growing carnations and sweet peas in Hamburg. C Oswald-George 1906-10 had written a book on War Finance. Recent leavers C.E Flynn joined Imperial Airways, R.F Hoddinott Union Cold Storage, R.H Colby the Navy and H.W,. Little, the Thame Rating Office. William Kislingbury 1886-1889, who was the Mathematics master at Banscroft School Woodford, died unexpectedly. W Blair was a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. L.W Coulden had joined the Army as a vet. E.Goodchild 1913-17 was farming near Worthing and D. Goodchild 1926-29 was market-gardening in the same area. E.L Stroud 1887-90 was a Grand Officer in the Grand Lodge of England. B.W Purcell was a senior clerk of Bucks CC. J Maughan 1915-22 took up an appointment as assistant master at Manchester Grammar School. E.Mc.L Nairn 1921-8 was in the 14th London Regiment, The London Scottish. A.D Wadmore 1921-27 had returned home from Malaya. V.E Winter 1917-23 was working in a retail store in St Albans. The OTA had 162 members. The new Headmaster Mr A.C Dyer was elected an Honoury Member. George Austin 1910-13 had opened Austin’s the Gent's Outfitters in Thame. Gordon Blake 1907-12 was a civil servant. John Cole 1879 was an Export Agent. Robert Crawford 1891-93 was an Underwriter for Lloyds. John Crook 1879-80 a stockbroker. Thomas Goodenough 1913-18 an Auctioneer. R.E Richards presented a diving board to the School "which added considerably to the enjoyment of bathing.' F.J Harris was selling Daimler motor cars in London. R.B Sinclair had given up sheep farming in Australia and returned home. E Syson married Mlle. Jeanne Maxton of Roubaix. J.N Franklin 1918-20 was in the West Indian Constabulary based in Trinidad. P C Webb was studying Botany at King’s College, London. C E Flynn 26-29 was with Imperial Airways in Egypt. J A Lawrence 21-27 had moved to Santos in Brazil where he was an assistant to the local cold storage manager and avoiding the revolution that eventually overthrew the incumbent government.

Percy Field and his wife celebrated their Golden Wedding – Percy was the only living OT of the original school which he attended in 1860 under the headship of the notorious Dr Fookes.

H H Vertigen 1909-16 was living at 115 Whitehall Gardens, Chingford, (a house that is still there). R K Phibbs was living at 98 Merton Avenue, Hillingdon (also a house still in existence.)

As usual a number of members were not keeping up with payment of subscriptions and several had been struck off the members list for persistent non-payment. In part this was due to the worldwide recession that was beginning to hurt everyone's pockets. Membership was 5s annually, and a Life membership cost 2 guineas.

1931: The AGM and Dinner was held on 8^th January at the Florence Restaurant. Frank Dew 1920-22 was farming in Fritwell. Douglas Dodwell 1916-21 farming in Long Crendon, George Fawdry 1914-20 farming in Chipping Norton, E. Goodchild near Lewes, and Arthur Westacott 1926-30 in Hayes. Cecil George was a Civil Servant and living in London. Both Harper brothers were serving in the Army. Edward North 1909-17 was a second officer for the P&O Steam Nav. Co. Old Boys working in banks included Robert Phipps,Charles Iley, and Norman Nobbs. Robert Sheat 1921-26 was a Master Hosier and Outfitter in London, Martin Simes 1918-25 was Business Manager for the Times of India and living in Bombay. N.E Court 1920-25 of Worminghall died in the Radcliffe Infirmary as a result of a motor-cycling accident., and John Cole, the oldest 'Old Boy' died. Major Oswald Haines 1900-04 was managing a rubber plantation in Upper Perak. W.P Tomalin 1919-22 was working for Kodak in Batavia. V.E Winter 1917-23 was working in the management of Woolworths. OT blazers and ties were being sold by OT C. Osborn King from the Oxford Clothiers, 12 Cornmarket Street, Oxford. B.J Cuthbert 1923-30 was at King Alfred's College Winchester where he was deputy organist. The annual dinner was held at the 'Four Horseshoes' in Thame. G Franklin had given up forestry in New Zealand and was now growing lemons. E.C.G Holbrooke 1922-5 was assistant stage manager at the 'Old Vic.' R.W Hill 1924-30 was doing teacher-training at St Mark's Training College, Chelsea.

The 'John Hampden Leaving Scholarship Fund' was finally established after some years of being mooted. Its purpose was to provide financial assistance to encourage a pupil to attend university. One of the OT's past Presidents, R.E Crawford, was the driving force of the idea.

1932: J.F Crees started as an apprentice with the Bucks Free Press. Dr W.S Kentish was doing research at the Royal Gunpowder Factory. E.F Shaw who had emigrated to Australia ten years previously was still there teaching; brother G W was farming in Northamptonshire. For the first time in almost living memory, the Old Boys beat the School at cricket. F.B Conway was farming near Wantage. B Hlliard was an engineer with a firm which made ventilators. R.L Sheat married Miss Kathleen Hamilton – she had attended the Girl’s Grammar School in Thame and this is where the romance first blossomed. P Goodchild was running a motor car business in Guildford. F.E Stroud 1914-18 died. His brother R.F was living in India. J.K Bell had recently joined Ferranti, and brother B.B Bell had joined the Army. G.C Franklin wrote to say that growing lemons in New Zealand had been hard because of the peculiarly hard frosts. Major B.W Lidington was Manager at the Spread Eagle. The Old Boys beat the School at chess. R Hester had returned from Sumatra and settled in Princes Risborough. S.C Vertigen was serving with the RAF in Mesopotamia. J.G Wadmore 1927-32 was working on a rubber plantation in Malaya. He wrote, 'Almost every Chinaman has his thumb nail one inch or sometimes as much as four inches long. With this and his tactful fighting, he will kill his opponent either by putting it through his eye or throat. A Malay is out with his dagger or long-knife before you know anything. Never call a Malay a pig or he will pin you.' Mrs H Shaw widow of former Headmaster the Rev. A.E Shaw died. She'd been loved by many OTs. A.N Whiteside 1922-6 was training as a doctor at the University of Alberta, Canada. Reginald Kislingbury died at the age of 57 - he'd been one of the founding members of the OTA and its President in 1926. In October, F E Stroud died; he’d been at LWGS from 1914-18 and both his father and two brothers had also attaneded the school. Lesley Hughes who left in 1916 was working in the sugar and cotton industries in Queensland. L.G Felthouse was chicken farming near Gravesend. There were 162 members and 44 of them attended the annual dinner. B.J Gates was President of the National Farmers Union, and Milton Harris Chairman of the Oxfordshire branch. J.A Chapman was an apprentice at the Oxford Bus Company.

1933: David Richards 1915-19 participated in the Mount Everest Expedition when he planned, directed and organised the radio and telegraphic communications. This was the fourth expedition to Everest, led by Hugh Ruttledge with a team that included Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton, Wyn Harris, and L.R. Wager. Harris and Wager made a summit attempt from the famous Camp VI, reaching 28,200 feet in attempting to determine whether the northeast ridge was climbable. During this climb they came upon the ice-axe of either Mallory or Irvine, lost nine years before on their fateful climb. Harris and Wager found the 'second step' unclimbable and had to revert to a traverse of the face, when time ran out. On the return to the high camp Wager struggled to the crest of the ridge and became the first man to look down the awesome east face of Everest.

H F Munday was Headmaster at Sibford Gower school near Banbury. He had a family of three: a boy and twins and he hoped to continue with his scouting work and developing the school football club. Canon Robinson had to resign the Treasurership of Winchester Cathedral due to Ill-health. He had held this position for 23 years. Past Headmaster Mr Bye was living in Tunbridge Wells. G R Cosier was still installing electrical equipment working as a sub-contractor for London Underground. J A Hodges wrote from London: ‘I am always fairly busy, but lately I have been busier still. Mr Thomas’s secretary has left to get married, and we have decided that in future the work will be done by the remaining staff, without getting another worker. That means that Mr Somer’s secretary will become Mr Thomas’s secretary, the girl who types the invoices will become Mr Somer’s secretary, and I shall have to type the invoices in addition to my usual job.’

1934: Mr Percival Field died at the age of 86 - the last of the Old Tamensians educated at the old Grammar School in Church Row. His memory of the time was mainly of thrashings: on one occasion he was caned so unmercifully with an ash-plant that he threw a book at the retreating master, for which he was expelled, finishing his schooling in London. Purser's buy the old Grammar School building and restore it. The School lost to the Old Boys 3-9. C.W Iley was both passing banking exams and playing cricket for Toronto and Ontario. D. Largen had returned to the UK after an unsuccessful time in both Australia and South Africa. E.G Hicks was teaching English in Japan. R.W Hill had started teaching at Farringdon C of E School. F Oliver had 'come to the conclusion that work was much easier than school but less interesting.' G.C Franklin was having greater success at growing lemons and had started cropping tomatoes. Nonetheless he was trying to sell the farm. J.G Wadmore was writing to say that another large prison was being built in Singapore. P.J Merchant 1921-6 visited the School in a new Austin Seven. C.E Flynn had left Imperial Airways and had joined Folkestone Police Force. J.E Stubbings was employed at Barclays Bank in Chichester. H McRea was at sea once again, this time on HMS Dispatch in the Aegean. The Annual Dinner was held at the 'Florence Restaurant' on Piccadilly Circus with a bevy of well-known entertainers: Miss Gladys Merredew (comedienne and also married to Bernard Lee, 'M' in the later James Bond films), Miss Bertha Wilmott (wireless comedienne) the Western Brothers (cads and film star comedians who also sang with the Billy Cotton Band among many) and Mr Norman Long (the wireless artist and generally regarded as the first entertainer to be 'made' by radio). For the first time, a microphone was installed. G.F Hoddinot, of Holton, a recent OT, died aged 17, and J.A Fortnam, of Thame, died aged 24.

1935: R.H Golby was teaching at a junior school in Birmingham. J.G Wadmore was still happy working in Malaya with a house to himself and several servants. (He had not been stabbed as of yet by the long nail of a Malay – see his letter in 1832.) Leslie Hughes died in Australia (see 1933). J.A Laurence was on his way from Brazil having had enough of the various revolutions to Australia and he ended up in Queensland working for the Queensland Meat Export Co. sending shipments of chilled beef to the 'Old Country.' E. Goodchild had also died (see 1930). H H Mears was awarded the OBE - he was still Postmaster of Southampton. R.H Burkett having passed his BSc was one of the growing band of OTs working at Forestry Research Station, Princes Risborough. E.M Harper, a soldier writing from the Gold Coast said ' the local natives are real bad lot. The Colony is rather on its beam ends but is slowly picking up with the gold mining industry." R.C Tizzard had an outfitter's business in Southampton. J.M Allinson 1916-19 was working as a chemist in Iran. H.H Mears, finally retired as a Postmaster. H.R McDonald was working for J. Travers & Sons in Singapore, importing condensed milk, whiskey and health salts. For the first time, a dance was held in addition to the annual dinner. This, unfortunately, led to some acrimony as the Dance Committee thought they didn't receive sufficient support from the OTs - only 35 out of the 125 who attended were from the OTA. The John Hampden Fund was making slow progress in raising funds: 'we shall never see a scholar in our times' was the lament. It was proposed that the Old Boys rugger match should be played on the same day as Founder's Day.

1936: A complete set of copies of the Tamensian were deposited with the British Museum. Frank Endersby who left the School in 1900 was a Grain Inspector for the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. V.E Winter was convalescing in Spain. R.A Cherry was working for Cadbury growing 'cocao' on the Gold Coast; J.R Barnsley was also with Cadbury - in their legal department in Bournville. C.G.P Cuthbert gained a closed exhibition at St Catherine's, Oxford. Thomas. H Parrot was learning to fly at the Bristol Flying School. Lesley Frost's fox-trot 'Treading on your toes' was published by Paramount Music. For the first time, the Old Boys Rugger match was played on Founder's Day and was a success in terms of turnout but a disaster in terms of score: the Old Boys lost 35-3. Despite the trials and tribulations of last year's dance a second was held, and once again it was sadly observed the lack of attendance by OTs. Nonetheless it was resolved to hold another in 1937, as the profit was used to support the John Hampden Scholarship Fund. Geoffrey Mercer has left the staff to join Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn.

OT XV: Jacobs H, Grammar, Hutchins, Cope, Jacobs V, Phibbs, Syson, Coundouroff, Clark, Longmuir, Blood, Castle, Arnold, Dodwell and Gudgeon.

M Hine was living in Somerset and farming cattle. C.D.P Franklin was going out to India with the Army; elder brother J.N had been transferred from Trinidad to the Gold Coast. T Grange was with the Worthington jewellers C.C Eldridge. F.S Franklin had become an HMI of schools in Yorkshire. W Blood was a surveyor with Thame UDC. G Boddington had been awarded a medal from the Royal Humane Society for saving the life of a boy who had fallen into the Grand Union Canal. Tubby Balfour 1914-18 was an engineer in the Blue Funnel Shipping Line. Captain G Harper, the retiring President, had transferred from the Border Regiment to the West Sussex. His younger brother Captain Edward Harper was stationed at Accra. C Osborn-King's number, 'I'm glad I followed a star' was broadcast on all national radio stations; he'd also composed a fox-trot 'I sure was dreaming.' W Blair was Chief Accountant for the land Settlement Association - an organisation for placing unemployed men on the land. M Simes had left the Times of India and was working for a newspaper in London. Hugh McRea married. The retired PT teacher J C Purnell was elected an honoury member. C.W Iley had moved from Toronto to Waterloo in Canada, but still worked for the Bank of Montreal. He'd given up rugby to play badminton. The Association had grown to 198 members, although the collection of subscriptions was proving to be 'as difficult as ever.'

1938: The 100th edition of The Tamensian was published. G.E Shrimpton was a solicitor in London and Lionel Stroud was a vet. N. Goodwin was living in Ledbury. L.F. Hoddinott was teaching English in Prague. R.A Abbey was a dentist and working at Guy's. A.D Wadmore was living in the U.S. and his brother J.G in Malaya. R.W Hill was still teaching in Faringdon. J.A Lawrence had moved from Queensland to Sydney and was employed by a cold storage firm. He had written to say that the people 'were mad on sport - horse racing, cricket, football and swimming.' he also noted that Sydney 'was most up to date except for the trams...and everyone lives in a flat.' F.M.W Arnett, aged 29 and a prominent architect in Oxford was killed in a road accident near Witney. R.N Keys, aged 22 also a newly qualified architect, was killed by Chinese guerillas, when he was caught in the cross-fire between the guerilla band and Japanese troops. He'd been sleeping outside to help his recovery from tuberculosis. He was hit at 1.00am and died at 3.00am without gaining conciousness, with his father at his side. He had been a Life member of the OTA. C.N Rust was killed when he had an accident on his motorbike between Lacey Green and Saunderton. R.C. Woolford was appointed as organist for Thame Parish Church. J.H Hubbard of Scotsgrove married Ruth Buxton. H.W Howland was elected to the Urban District Council. Peter Parrott joined the RAF on a short service commission, and John A Chapman had joined the Navy. Peter Forsthye had joined the Post Office Engineering Dpt. Cecil Douch 29-36 was working for Lloyds Bank in Buckingham. W S Myall was a Garden Designer and had been for the last ten years or more. His favourite plants are dwarf conifers and Alpines. He has also served in the Royal Observer Corps as an Instructor as an Instructor.

1939: One OT wrote in to say that he thought the OT news was too personal. D E Teden represented England at rugby in three matches: Wales, Scotland and Ireland. He played for Richmond and also played for the Barbarians; R A Cherry was working on the Gold Coast. Old Boy R.C. Woolford played the organ at Founder's Day. The Old Boys won the toss but lost the game. C.R Busby was living in Chinnor but working in insurance in Oxford. S.G Twynham was on leave in Thame in October. J.O Claes was living in Brussels and playing the trumpet. He got a write-up in the Melody Maker commenting on the excellent standard of his trumpet playing. A.C Shrimpton was ordained a Deacon to serve in the Parish of Christ Church, Ore, Hastings. J.W Fountaine, W.A Stoakes, F.Wood, H.C. Cox and H.T Lear were all farming. H.F Munday was teaching at a new school in Temple Cowley, Oxford, and was in charge of Oxford City Reserves. A'J Manchester was librarian of High Wycombe Public Library. W Dancer and his wife were looking to rent a house in Thame and expecting to pay 10 pounds per week. H.G Condover was sailing to Assam to plant tea. P.H. Lee was a flying instructor at Brize Norton. E.M Harper was still soldiering on the Gold Coast. His brother G.H Harper entered the Army Staff College at Camberley. J.N Franklin was still active with the Police Force on the Gold Coast, and R.A Cherry worked for Cadbury's - also on the Gold Coast. K.R Davis was an Executive Grade Civil Servant at H.M Ministry of Works, Whitehall. Much news was of Old Boys joining the Forces with some 50 on active service. There were 186 OTA members. E.A Dodwell was still studying biochemistry at Oxford. F Gaby was an RAF Apprentice.

R.A Doubleday was in insurance and driving an M.G. Vivian E Lower was banking and driving an Austin 8. Bernard Howe was at Cranwell. B.O Corbett was living in Portesham, Dorset. W.A Vernon died aged 78. At one time he was President of the National Association of British and Irish Millers. A Chrystal who left in 1916 was a Pilot in the Harwich Estuary. W.E Shrimpton was teaching at the Church of England School, Bloxham. A Hutchins was helping to compile Kelly's Directory. Stanley R Colbert was working in the Bursary Office at New College, Oxford. P Sturgess was a chef in a new block of flats in Dolphin Square, London. R.J Loosley was employed as a draughtsman in an Oxford architect's office. J. Holroy-Smith was an apprentice at Armstrong- Siddely. M.D Dancer was a member of Lyminge Parish Council. R.F Hoddinott was teaching English in Greece. VI form leavers in midsummer 1939 were JAC Clarke, F Fowler, JW Fontaine, HIG Highfield, RFY Randall, TH Sheppard, WA Stoakes, JF Thompson and F Wood. (John Clarke and Frank Wood would die in action.) HJ Smith who set-up the antique business in Thame left in Form V.

(A seperate section will be devoted to OTs in the services during the war and only a brief mention will be made here, as their activites were extensive.)

1940: 90 Old Boys were on active service. Flying Officer T.H Parrott 1929-33 in Bomber Command was the first OT reported killed. H.E Colby was reported missing. S.G Twynham and R.A Doubleday were PoWs, the latter wrote from Stalag 20a for news of the OTA. J.S Dodwell was in Iceland after being wounded at Dunkirk. Old Tamensian blazers were on sale at 42 shillings. H.A.L Fisher, O.M. and Warden of New College was killed in a lorry accident. R P Wassell won an Open Scholarship in History to Oriel College Oxford. G.K Boddington was working for R.A Lister, Dursley. J.R Hill was farming, G.G Dobson in the Westminster Bank. G.E Harris (-27) was in the Berks Constabulary and had received the Coronation Medal. A.W Sworder was running his own garage in Lane End, Marlow. A.D. Short was studying at Battersea Poly. J R Lee was servicing farm equipment in Leicester. P.H Lee was a schoolmaster in Witney but wrote that he was bored to tears. R.H Golby was teaching near Birmingham. E.A Dodwell was an officer at Police Training School, Nasik, Bombay where the temperature was 106 in the shade. He was studying Indian Law, Hindu and Marathi. R.J.Baverstock was an Inspector of A.R.P Instructors to the City of Birmingham and his brother was a tax inspector in Lewes. F.J Harrison was managing a a firm of tailors in Kingston-on-Thames. S.G Stoker was with a firm of service clothing manufacturers. S.C Wells who taught biology and coached cricket from 1925-30 died aged 54. Both R.F.Y Randall and J.F Thompson were studying at University College, London. H.I.G Highfield was working at Savory Moore Chemists, Oxford. The OT rugger was cancelled but the AGM, with ten members present took place at the Spread Eagle. H.M Purser and J.H Brown were invited to serve as President and Hon Sec. respectively for the duration of the War. P.G Weston was starting a medical course at Edinburgh. J Crighton was Managing Director of a Dock in East London. P.F Balfour was Lloyds Chief Surveyor in Alexandria. A.V Kislingbury 1889-94, died aged 62. He'd been one of the founding members of the OTA and as an architect had designed the school's swimming pool. Eric Cross was farming in Broughton and living off 50s a week. R.F Hoddinott has married a Polish lady in Jerusalem and was off to Nairobi. D.E Teden who'd played three games for England in 1939 was killed

1941: At the start of 1941, 150 OTs were in the Forces. B J R Cuthbert could be heard regularly broadcasting the cinema organ on radio, and Johnnie Claes was also a regular broadcaster with his band and had released a number of records. P M Holt took up an education appointment in Sudan after a brief stint at the School in the Summer term. He'd just finished his Oxford Diploma in Education after winning, some years earlier, an Open Scholarship in history. J Doubleday was a civil engineer for Aubrey Watson and building bridges in the West Country. F.J Mansfield was a Government Inspector of Aircraft. Hugh McRea, recognised as one of the Navy's best young officers was killed. Major B.W Lidington, died aged 72 - both an OT and a Governor. B.B Bell was Curate at Baintree, Essex.

1942: J.F Castle won the DFC for his courage while bombing the power station at Le Harve. Johnnie Claes was billed as the 'Leader of England's most famous swing band.' He was also serving in the Dutch Forces. 6 OTs were PoWs. D.W Schwier had switched from law to farming.

1943: C.D.P Franklin was back in England after 6 years in India. His twin brothers were G.C in New Zealand and J.N on the Gold Coast. R.E Jones was with the Milk Marketing Board in Worcester. W.G Arthur earlier wounded in a tank battle had been discharged and was teaching at Datchet Church of England School. E.Mc L Nairn was farming, and R.D Goodchild was a fruit farmer at Ilmer. N.W Claridge was a quantity surveyor. The DFM was awarded to Sergt M.C Lowe. The daughter of Capt C.G.P Cuthbert, killed in action in Tunisia, was christened in Chinnor Church.

1944: Charles Simmons completed 50 years in local government service after being a Foundation Scholar from 1891-94. Lance-Corporal K Sellwood of Tetsworth was killed in action in France aged 18. Since 1941 E A Dodwell has been Asst Supt of Police in Sholapur, India chasing dacoits, dealing with murders and robberies and seeing action in the riots and sabotage of 1942.

1945: the Old Boys who fell 1939-45 were: Eric Arnold, Peter Campion, John Chapman, John Clarke, Stanley Colbert, Colin Cuthbert, Sidney Dicker, Richard Gower, Gordon Gudgeon, Edward Holbrook, Bernard Howe, Charles Jarrat, Peter Jennings, Herbert Jones, Vivian Lower, Alexander McDonald, Hugh McRae, Douglas Neale, Herbert Ody, Thomas Parrot, John Philips, Sidney Plater, Douglas Rolfe, Kenneth Sellwood, Alwyne Shields, Stanley Slade, Gordon Smith, Derek Teden, Joseph Wicks, Frank Wood, Henry Little. There had been no OT cricket matches between 1940-44 but this year it was revived and the OTs were roundly beaten. F. J Tomlinson was living in Honolulu where he'd been since 1922. He was a real Estate Agent. E A Dodwell was now Asst Supt in Poona. Here he has met W Wicks who was in the Royal Signals. He also met John Castle and they did some flying together. He had taken charge of the training of the Armed Police which included an intensive course in jungle training. Ernest Loftus, headmaster of Barking Abbey School was recorded for the Mass Observation research on VE Day, May 1945, he attended the church in the village near Tilbury where he lived: ‘A full house – largest congregation I’ve seen for years. I read lesson as usual. Villagers had bonfire & social afterwards. We went home & listened to B.B.C.’

1946: John Howard Brown retired from school but then took a course in Theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. It was proposed that The John Hampden Leaving Scholarship Fund be renamed as the John Hampden War Memorial Scholarhip Fund as a permament tribute to the sixty-one Old Boys who had fallen in two world wars. 70 OTs attended the Annual Dinner and AGM at The Spread Eagle. J Woodvine was working in the Botanical Labs at King's College London. H.H Dodwell died aged 67. He'd been a Professor at London University. F.R Roadnight died aged 79. Several OTs did well at wining prizes at Thame Show. Roland Hill has been appointed Deputy Head of Faringdon Modern School. Peter Bailey has gone into his father's butchers business in Thame. Paul Sturgess served in North Africa and Italy and now joined Anglo-Iranian Oil to become medical secretary in control of hospitals. E Mathieson was about to undertake a year's theology at Downing College, Cambridge once he'd learnt the results of his English Tripod. E.A Dodwell has now been given the task of organising and maintaining wireless communications between district HQ and Poona. K N Batley had been stationed in Klang Malaya and was impressed with Singapore. He disliked the insects, the primitive villages and took a dim view of Hinsuism and Mohammedanism. John Dance was on the North-West Frontier Serdt A Joslin was in Cairo where he had a very good Christmas 'considering everything.' His task was to assist in controlling traffic on the Nile and helping rebuild the towns.

P G H Franklin was working at the Forestry School in Oxford. J H Harris on arriving at Port Said from India met E G Cooley out from England. Harris wrote that his time in India was mostly spent in the Nilgiri Hills and Mysore that he found a disagreeable place because of the local disregard for sanitation. He'd found Cairo an expensive place to enjoy and was finding Palestine more pleasant, though he has been in command of a company called out to arrest terrorists who blew up the Police Station in Haifa. P J E Forsythe was doing research on the grain boundaries in metals - he'd had a letter published in Nature. Chairman of Thame's Food Control Committee was Charles Simmons and the Vice Chairman was H W Howland. Charles Blood was Vice Chairman of the Thame Institute. J G Jones was doing well at chess in Oxfordshire tournaments. H F Sellars was working at the English Electrical Co near Rugby. S Solomans was studying medicine at Oxford. T L W Bingham was teaching at Long Crendon School before going to teacher-training college. A R Good was studying architecture at the Regent Street Poly. He was commuting daily from Kingsey a joutney he found tiring but he had met A H Gomme on the train who hoped to go to Cambridge when he has left City of London School. N S Good was going to teachers training college and in the meantime had accepted a temporary post at Aylesbury Grammar School to teach Maths and Science. C N Craddock-Jones was a Junior NCO at Oswestry. J Webber was in Cairo with Shell and 'enjoying the fleshpots.' P D Parker was about to start as an engineer with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co and looking forward to a psoting to Abadan. S D Ledgerwood had taken a permanent commission in the RAF. J R Plater was taking a degree at Manchester University and was hoping to become an accountant.

1947: At an Extraordinary General Meeting in the summer, it was agreed to amalgamate the John Hampden Scholarship Fund and the War Memorial Fund of the 1914-18 War to form the new John Hampden War Memorial Scholarship Fund. The trustees were J F Castle, F A Dangerfield. J F Shrimpton, A C Dyer, R E Crawford, H M Purser, B W Lidington, S Mears, C Simmons, and the Headmaster. Its purpose was to award three year scholarships to help boys progress through tertiary education. The Fund had £255. 9s 7d on deposit in the Post Office Savings Bank; and £33 deposited with Lloyds Bank, Thame.

Sixty members sat down to 'an excellent dinner in view of the austerity of the times - at the Spread Eagle Hotel. The youngest OT Cricket side ever was fielded against the School; the team had an average age of 23 whilst the School's was 16. Geoffrey Craddock 1935-42 had qualified as a vet and was now working as an assistant in a practice in Basingstoke. Norman Good 1937-44 had gained a BSc and started teaching at Aylesbury Grammar School. T A Wall of Coventry House, Moorgate had died. R D G Surman had completed three months training in the Army where he'd seen C J Craddock-Jones. He was awaiting to be transferred to RAPC in Aldershot. P E Capel was an apprentice draughtsman with the RAF at Haddenham and his brother Chic Capel was a Liut. in the Parachute Regiment - he was looking to take a permanent commission. H G Cooley a Lieut in the Ox and Bucks was demobolised after service in Palestine where he'd experienced much of the strife that kept that country in the news. I H Shrimpton was a clerk in the office of the Bucks War Agriculture Committee - his military service has been in the RAOC at Benghasi. C J Quartly was still in the BAOR doing something in radar. S Hayes was demobolised after service in Palestine. D C B Thomson was shortly to start work in the Drawing Office of Pressed Steel. J Rust was busy with his mobile lending library, was Chairman of Thame Youth Club and played rugby for Aylesbury - along with P Castle who was helping in the business and was hoping to take a Printer's course.

G E Churchill was serving in Palestine with the Signals. J H Harris a Lieut. in the Airborne Ox and Bucks had also served in Palestine, as well as India. M L Fenwick was in the 'most uninspiring and desolate spot I have ever struck' - a RAOC camp near Leamington where he spent his time examining ammunition and doing guard duty. He had requested an overseas posting. A R Mansfield was an insurance broker living in Woodford, East London and had recently married. H C Cox was still farming. J F Castle and A W Burrough both played rugby for Oxfordshire. J R Dance had been involved in a motor bike accident shortly after demob and was hospitalised in the Radcliffe. K H Garland had been awarded a Kitchener Scholarship to University College, Southampton. E Mathieson had gained a 2.1 in the first part of English Tripods at Cambridge. Several OTs were showing off their dramatic talents: W S Mayall with the Crendon Players, R Holland with Thame Players, R B Jeffs, Trevor R P Cook, P Bailey and J Rust with the Thame Youth Club Players. W E Shirley was teaching at Thame C. of E. Secondary School. C R Lambert was demobbed and returned to banking in London. J Lovell was serving in the Navy, P K Harrison in the RAF as was D G Davison and Ft Lieut S D Timms - who had been ferrying planes to New Zealand and seen service in Ireland. R Y F Randall was at University College London working on a PhD under Professor Andrade, on the mechanical properties of metal single crystals. J F Thomson was studying Philosophy. J M Hiscox was an articled clerk in a solicitors office. John Crook 1875-1880 died at his home in Taplow. He was a Member of the Stock Exchange and a senior partner of J S Crook and Co. W.E Hine retired after 43 years service with Lloyds Bank. He joined the Thame Branch in 1904 and had served for the last 28 years at the Princes Risborough branch.

1948: The OTA subscription cost 5s annually or 3 guineas for Life. The War Memorial Tablet was unveiled on June 26th and dedicated by the Rev J H Brown who, in the absence of the Vicar of Thame, had come to the Parish for a temporary two week stint- the event coinciding with the cricket match. Peter Parrott had both qualified as a test pilot with the RAF - testing Vampires and Meteors - and had married to Mary Dunning. John Halson 40-47 had joined the family machine engineering business in High Wycombe. H.R Hedges serving with the RAF in Malaya died. Harald Pursar was now a graduate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. Since 1947 he had been working with EMI in Hayes. Many of the younger generation of OTs were recently demobolised: A Joiner was working at Pressed Steel, A Beachey was enjoying leave and had yet to settle down, M J V Ambrose had returned from the Middle East, P Brazell was about to embark on a teachers training course. A Joslin was working at Kennington in the Forest Research Lab and was hoping to gain entry to the Forestry School in Aberdeen. A D Dyer had completed his first term at Brasenose, G E Churchill was still in the Royal Signals, K Batley was back in Chalgrove. Michael Harris was a Cpl in the RAF Police. E C Stopps was stationed at Catterick and had met two OTs there: D Fitter and S Crump. R D G Surman was stationed at Devizes and enjoying cricket. G Osbourne was with the RAOC in Cumberland and said life was rather dead except for the NAFFI. Peter Weller was a Lieut in the Airborne forces and his brother Mick, a Pte in the Berks. M L Fenwick was with the BAOR in Wulfen near Dusseldorf - he said that conditions among the Germans was still rather grim. P K Harrison and S Carr were both stationed with the RAF at Cranwell.

R A Green was serving with the Army Apprentices School Taunton. J C Smith was awiting call-up and in the meantime working for his father's business in Cuddesdon. G Buckley was posted to Singapore. P G H Franklin had been called up to the RAF. Both S W Hayes and A G Hopkin were working for Lloyds Bank - in Watlington and Thame respectively. D J Jenkins was in the Oxford branch of the Westminster Bank after a period of training at the Bank Training School, Eynsham. J C Russell was also on a course there. R O Shawe had sat his finals at Bristol University. E A Dodwell had retired from the India Police and was now studying the cotton business in Lancashire before returning to India to take up a post with the Bombay Company Ltd. P J Forsyth was married by the Rev J H Brown in St Mary's. C J Craddock-Jones had been commissioned but was looking forward to starting at Queen Mary's College London. C J Quartly was stationed in Berlin but had won a place at Cambridge. Maj D H G Condover was stationed in India. Desmond Slay had gained a 1st in English at Oxford. J H Dyer had gained a 2nd in Modern History at Oxford. G K Senior played for the RAF at cricket against the Royal Navy at Lords. H J Castle had been transferred to Madras and was still working for Burmah Shell. P Wassell had been awarded an MA. S Hewitt had been at the Carnegie Physical Training Centre, Leeds and was now looking for a job. He was married with one son. The Old Boys beat the School 24-0 in the rugger. Mr and Mrs Briars gave a gift of money to the School for a memorial for their son Derek. Mr and Mrs Neale gave a gift in memory of their son Flying Officer D B Neale who was killed in action in 1943. Mrs Plater gave a gift in memory of her son S J Plater also killed during the War. The first award of the JHWM Leaving Scholarship went to P B Clarke studying at Liverpool University.

1949: Trevor Cook 36-46 spent a record 10 years and one term at the School. After studying at the Oxford School of Architecture he has now joined the Planning Dpt of Oxon C.C. M L Fenwick was at Sidney Sussex Cambridge. G R Hyde was reading science at Reading University. P B Clarke was studying Veterinary Surgery at Liverpool. D Slay was on the staff of University College of Wales at Aberystwyth. Johnnie Claes who was at the School in the early 30s, has started racing in the motor racing world championships having acquired a 4.5-litre Talbot Lago. He finished 5th in the Begian GP.The Committee included E D Syson, O Robinson, E R Purser, J Castle, N J Nobbs, L J Robinson, N Symes, P J Bailey, G Cross, W A Stoakes, E G Hussey, J Fountaine, G Jones, L Redman and A W Burrough.

1950: The AGM postponed from last year took place at the Comedy Restaurant, Panton Street, London in May. A second AGM was held in November at the Spread Eagle. M.R Simes had been appointed a magistrate for the County of Hampshire. Johnnie Claes made his debut F1 GP appearance at Silverstone - where he finished 11th. (Farina, Fangio, Bira and Chiron were just some of the other racers that day.) Arthur Stevens who left in 1946 went to UCL to study Electrical Engineering, (with Peter Bowen) and had now joined Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co Ltd to work on Radar. T.R. P Cook 37-46 was stuying at the Oxford School of Architecture. P.L Castle married Freda Shipstone, K.D Mirams 35-37 married Miss Phebe Potter. J.A Castle 34-40, staff Sergeant in the RE was awarded the BEM for exemplorary work done in constructing emergency camps during the Dock Strike and a bridge over the Thames for the Festival of Britain. His brother H.J 32-38 came home on leave from India. Their youngest brother P.L 37-43 along with P. Bailey 38-46 was running the LWS scout troop. J Claes won the Frontieres GP in an HWM.

1951: To boost recruitment it was decided that some membership forms needed to be prepared. Geoffrey Craddock had both married and started his own veterinary practice in Camberley. Peter Parker 35-42 gained a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Bristol, joined the Navy in 1944 and then in 1947 went to Iran with Anglo-Iranian Oil as an electrical mains engineer. He was now planning to move on to the Cameroons for the Nigerian Electricity Corporation. J Murray Grammer presented a cup to the School for goal kicking. He'd also been responsible for arranging games against Saracen sides. Mr Charles Blood, an Old Boy and Governor died. Mr Charles Simmons who was Clerk to the Governors also died. Other OTs who died included C Simmons one of the OTAs oldest members and P.S Millard. P.D Parker 35-42 was living in Bandar Mashur Iran. E Mathieson was ordained as a Priest. C.M Johnson 45-50 was working in Brill for his father's building business. J Lovell 39-46 was on a destroyer somewhere in the Atlantic and maintaining radios and radar equipment. A Parkinson 33-38 had an MA and was on the staff of Darlington Technical College. N.G Brown 42-50 was studying at Bristol University. J.H Nichols 45-50 was studying at the Engineering Training College at Bletchley. B.R Young 41-43 was an Assistant Experimental Officer at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Geological Museum, Kensington. A Cooper 42-44 was a Sgt. in the Military Police. P.E Capel 42-47 was a Sgt. in the RAEC stationed in London, teaching ORs to read and write. His brother R.F Capel 37-41 was a Sgt in the Royal Australian Army training parachutists and the eldest brother J.S 31-36 was working in Oxford. E. Dandridge 38-41 was working at an office in Morris Motors. J.Dance 37-42 had left St Lukes, Exeter and was teaching in Didcot. J.H Harris 39-43 was managing his father's business in London.

J Cleas partnered by Jacques Ickx won the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally with a Jaguar XK120. Earlier in the year, Claes crashed into a crowd while practicing at Sanremo, Italy. He was uninjured but an observer was killed and three spectators were seriously injured.

OT Members: M.J.N Ambrose, J.M Abbott, D.L Austin, J.L Andrews, E.J.M Bailey, J.J Batley, J.K Bell, G.C. Bloss, J Bolton, P Bolton, A Briars, R Bennet, J D L Booth, T Broughton, A Burrough, P Bailey, J Barnsley, A Beachey, G Blake, P Brazell, L Bush, J Berricloth, J Bennet, R Britnell, K Bailey, Rev J.H Brown, G.K Boddington, W Bush, J Cannell P Chaplin, R A Cherry, T Claydon, J Coltman, N Coltman, F Conway, C.T Cope, G.R Cosier, I Coulden, H.C Cox, R.E Crawford, Dr F Croft, J.S Crook, E W Cross, C Craddock-Jones, K M Clarke, J F Castle, P L Castle, H.J Castle, J A Castle, P Clarke, G E Churchill, M J Cook, G.J Craock, C Culley, W.H Cox, T.R.P Cook, I Cooper, K Davis, F.L Dew, D.J Dodwell, J Doubleday, R A Doubleday, C.W Douch, R Duke, F Dangerfield, W L Dodd, A.C Dyer, T Dodwell, E.O Dodwell, P Dancer, D.G Davison, V Edwards, G Fawdry F A Fayers, J Forsyth, P J Forsyth, J Fountaine, F J Fowler, F.G Froud, M Fenwick, E Garbett, Dr C.O George, T W Goodenough, N Goodwin, J M Grammer, A.C Grammer, R Goodearl, T R Grange, N.S Good, A R Good, Col G H M Harper, R Harris, S W Hayes, A F Hearne, R W Hester, S W Hester, D N Hester, R W Hill, L J Hoddinott, R F Hoddinott, D Holland, R C Holland, H J Howland, K Howland, E H Hussey, A H Hutchinson, R H Hutchinson, J T Holland, P M Holt, R W Harrison, R K Harrison, P Harris, W J Hibberd, M M J Hall, S Hewitt, J Halroyd-Smith, G R Hyde, J H Harris, W P Hinton, J Hawes, N P Hawes, J Hubbard, A W Higgs, J J Halson, J M Hiscox, R E Jeffries, D D Johnston, J L Jones A Joslin, Rev H C Joyce, G M Johnson, R B Jeffs, E Jones, J G Jones, W H Jones, A Joiner, C Osborn-King, R F Knight, L C P Leak, J K Lear, J R Lee, P H lee, G L Logan, E M Lambourne J W Lidington, T W Ludgate, J Lovell, A R Mansfield, F J Mansfield, A J Marsh, E Mathieson, H B Maughan, H H Mears, H K Merchant, J Mitchell, G R Mead, D Morris, P Mirams, J Mott, F R Mitchell, R M Maxted, E Nairn, H J Nobbs, H Newitt, F E Oliver, G Osbourne, P D Parker, D Pitcher, G H Platt, R E Potter, E R Purser, H R Purser, E Putnam, R K Phipps, C Purnell, R Pearce, K A Pescud, E J Price, G J Philips, J P Plater, C J Quartly, C Quartly, R V F Randall, A A Redman, L J Redman, R F Rhodes, E A Ring, H Reynolds, F A Rolfe, H P Read, H A Ruddy, T O Robinson, P C Rowley, L J Ross, J Russell, L W Shawe, R O Shawe, D J Sharp, G E Shrimpton, H L Shrimpton, J H Shrimpton, R H Siary, M R Simes, A G Sims, G L H Smith, D R Steel W A Stoakes, R G Stonhill, J E Stubbings, P A Sturgess, J K Smith, D Slay, R D G Surman, J C Smith, E D Syson, F D Syson, J Sanders, P Savage, H F Sellar, D G Seymour, M E Seymour, J Smith, J W Stanmore, E C Stopps, D W O Smith, J E Sharpley, F C Saunders, J Tindall, W P Tomalin, H J Tall, D C B Thomson, H H Vertigen, R V Wells, W H West, A J Westacott, P Weston, W E Wicks, V E Winter, R C Woolford, R P Wassell, G H Watts, W Waite, A K Webster, G S Weller, H W Witney, G J Wild, D J Witney, T E Wood, L K Wlikinson, J Woodvine, J W Walker, B A Ward, B R Young, C D Yates, R W Young, E Young.

The AGM was held on June 30th at the Spread Eagle and a dance held afterwards. The OTs just lost the rugger match and afterwards many OTs adjourned to a one of Thame's many pubs. The annual dinner was held in London and had been a success.

1952: It was decided that the post of Chairman be added to the OTA Committee. It was also suggested that a Rifle Club be formed. However, it was also agreed that the Headmaster should not be invited to the AGM unless for a specific need. The 400 years celebrations in 1959 were discussed for the first time and it was decided to open a fund. Derrick Hester 38-42 gained a BSc in agriculture from Reading, then spent a year in Trinidad before a posting to Tanzania as an Assistant Manager with Brooke Bond. He had now become a Manager. The Gala Ball was held at the Spread Eagle but fewer than 100 turned up due to a blizzard. E.G Hussey 39-42 married Miss O Elton. P Brazell married in Edmonton. P.K Harrison 1939-46 had completed reading Anthropology at Cambridge. Brother R.K Harrison 1940-48 had been awarded an Open Scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music under the famous teacher of concert pianists Harold Croxton. During his military service he'd been playing in the RAF Central Band. P.M Greenstock 41-42 was living in Winnipeg and working as an accountant. J.F Castle 30-36 and H.M Purser 1910-15 were appointed Governors. H M Wagner died as a result of three years confinement in a Japanese POW camp. P.R Forbes was with the Derbyshires in the Far East where he met D Barnikel. J.R.F Bishop 44-50 hoped to join the Police Force after national Service. M Hewitt 43-51 was doing National Service with OBLI and had been to first Cyprus and then Egypt. W.E Waite 42-47 was a Pilot Officer in the RAF having signed on for a further 8 years after National Service. Captain E.J.B North was stationed in Singapore. On the Committee were D J Sharpe, S Osbourne-King, P J Bailey, P L Castle, J K Rust, E D Syson, M R Simes, R Harrison, N Nobbs, E R Purser, K M Clarke, T Claydon, E W Young, A Burrough and J M Grammar.

1953: A dance was held in Chinnor in April and made a loss of £30. John Vaughan was Senior Mathematics Master at Manchester Grammar, a position he'd held since 1941; his younger brother Maurice was in Uganda as a government surveyor; H.L Shrimpton was awarded a Coronation Medal and was Chief Livestock Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture; W. Fowler worked for Westminster Bank and gave 100 pounds to the John Hampden Fund; D. W. Barnikel was an Officer stationed in Hong Kong and had cruised round Korea and visited Japan; P. Cook was serving in the RAF; B. Ward was working for Levers; A.C. Hawkes was in the Royal Navy; R Doubleday owned a car hire service in St Helier Jersey; W. G Arthur had been appointed Headmaster at a new school in Aylesbury; H.G Worley was Chairman of Watlington Parish Council; D. Smith was working in Harrods Estate Dpt.; P. Capel was resident organist at the Grosvenor roller skating ring, Aylesbury. OT R.C Woolford played the organ at Founder's Day. Peter Castle was appointed an Assistant District Commisioner for the Scouts. Sqn Leader R.K.D Phibbs was President. 21 new members joined paying 7/6d for an annual subscription and there was a record 281 members in all, 201 of whom were Life Members. The new OT Rifle Club was thriving with a membership of 25 and they were suing the Chinnor Range in the winter. The JHWMSF stood at over £1,700. 80 attended the OTA dinner in the Assembly Room, Spread Eagle Hotel; the menu was Thick Oxtail Soup, Chicken with stuffing and plum pudding.

B.O Corbett who attended the school in Plummer's time and who played football for England paid a visit to the School. Desmond Slay was in Denmark doing research. A.A.H Gordon gave the Library a year's subscription to Reader's Digest. P.J Bailey married Miss A.J Whalley, R.F Fowler married Miss M Hussey, M.R. Simes married Doreen Tylecote and they were now living in Farnham. A Savin (43-52) had a National Service Commission as a navigator in the RAF. W.J Hibbard 43-49 was a Junior Patrol cadet in New Guinea - he'd met W.L Rowlands 43-49 in Australia whilst training. J.Lovell was serving at Cape South SA. J.R. Plater 36-40 had passed his finals as a chartered accountant. E.W Cross 27-32 was running a fleet of 12 removal vans and was happy to arrange removal for OTs at a special rate. J.A.S Bolton 20-22 was working for Cable and Wireless. J.L Andrews 43-49 was serving in the Medical Corps. T.R. P Cook 37-46 was qualified as an architect and was working in Oxfordshire’s County Planning Office. P.H Francis 45-51 was serving in the Military Police and the Special Investigation Branch. H.F.C Wyatt 17-23 was still with the Mercantile Bank of India. J Green 42-47 was pig farming. G Bukley 39-47 was in accountancy with the Aylesbury firm of Jones and Watsham. D.L Austin 42-47 was farming in Sussex. L.C.P. leak was a milk recorder with the Milk Marketing Board in Sussex. A.H Laidler 43-51 was at the London School of Printing. J.W Walker 43-50 was serving in the RAF. J.F Castle 31-36 took part in a radio discussion on 'Are small market towns dying?' G Fawdrey 14-20 visited the School for the first time in 30 years. F.D Syson had sold his garage and taken on the Red Lion at Brackley. R.S Blunt 43-51 was an Assistant Inspector of Police in Kenya. M.M J Hall had gained his BSc in Physics from Battersea Poly. A.R Good had a commission in the Army and was stationed in Egypt. E.A Dodwell 31-37 was living in Sholapur, India. C Douch 30-36 had returned from the Far East where he'd served with RAOC in Korea and Japan. He was now posted to Ordnance Depot, Bicester. J Claes was elected 'Driver of the Year' by the Guild of Motoring Writers.

1954: Bill Dover 1948-54 had joined the Oxfordshire Police Force. The OT Cricket Team were: Smith, Hewitt, Tall, Brazell, Green, Hawkes, Clarke, Young, Austin, Holland and Bedding. The OT Rifle team were Castle, Beachey, Hayes, Shrimpton and Claydon. The Marriages of J.R F Bishop, B Morris and Col G.H.M Harper had taken place. N.C Surman 31-36 was Personnel Manager at Car Bodies Ltd part of the BSA Group. J.O Claes 31-34 with Herr Stasse won the 1101 -1500 class at Le Mans. F.E.Y Fleet 19-24 was a Post Office Engineer at Buckingham. B.A.Y Fleet 42-47 having just been demobbed was working as a fitter at Hawkes Aircraft. C.F Pudwell was just going up to the University of North Staffordshire after completing National Service. G. Osbourne 39-44 was an Inspector for the Alliance Assurance Co. J Dance 37-42 was a school teacher at Didcot. P.J Nottage 35-41 managed the local store and filling station at Stadhampton. D.J Wood 42-46 was working for United Africa Co on the Gold Coast. He'd started off in 'the bush'. He then moved in to the Provisions Dept and lived in a flat in Kumasi with two servants. P Capel had left the Grosvenor and taken up an appointment as Manager/Organist of a new roller skating ring in Rugby. P.D Parker 35-42 had recently returned to to the UK after a tour with the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria. H.K Webster 43-48 was serving with the REME in Malta. K Rutherford-Davies 27-33 was a Higher Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works and had taken an Upper Second in History from the University of London. T.R Cook 37-47 designed the 'Welcome Home' sign on Tower Bridge which greeted HM Queen on her return from the Commonwealth Tour. P.R Forbers 43-51 after demobilisation was working for ICI in their Stocks and Shares Dpt. R.B Andrews 41-49 was studying medicine at London University. J Green 42-47 had recovered from his broken leg and was playing rugby again, and T Dodwell 41-50 had also recovered from his injuries. D.W Barnikel had been demobbed from the Navy and was due to go to the School of Oriental Studies.

P.J.E Forsyth 33-38 was appointed a Principal Scientific Officer in the Ministry of Supply. He had published a number of papers on metal fatigue and his brother John was also doing similar works as the Royal Aircraft Est. at Farnborough. Col W.R.G Bye DSO, MC, OBE who was headmaster from 1920-29 and had retired in 1953 from the headmastership of the Skinners School Tunbridge was living with his wife in Wimbeldon at 15 Mackay Road. He was working part-time for the Physical Society. John Maughan - 22 was Mathematics Master at Manchester Grammar School and was living at Burus Drive Gatley. B Ward had started work with Lever Bros. A.T Gillard 47-53 was with the Post Office as an Engineer. T Claydon was on the OTA Committee and was also a senior technician at the BBC in charge of his own shows. F.D Syson 20-21 had relinquished the Red Lion at Brackley and had taken over a nearby tea and cake restaurant. R Harrison was studying at the Royal Academy of Music. P Bailey - another OT Committee member - was also a member of Thame Urban District Council. R Doubleday was running a car hire service in St Helier Jersey. R.D Vick was training as an estate agent in Winchmore Hill and was hoping to move into his father's business. W.G Arthur had been appointed as Headmaster of a new school at Southcourt, Aylesbury. H.G Worley was Chairman of Watlington's Parish Council and had his business in the town. D Smith was working in Harrods Estate Depatment. The OTA urged the Headmaster Mr Mullens to join the Headmaster's Conference. For the first time, the rugger match, AGM and dinner were all held on the same day - on October 30th.

Autosport reported that ‘John Claes Automobiles, a spacious and superbly equipped modern garage in Place Liedts, Brussels, was officially opened this week [September 24^th] by World Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio. The Belgium driver is managing director of this enterprise.’

1955: Committee meetings had switched to the Bird Cage. The Treasurer pointed out that he was worried by the financial position as the expenses were greater than income due to the cost of the magazine and the fact that so many members were Life. It was decided to raise the Life Subscriptions to £5.5.0. Monthly gatherings were held in London for London-based members. £10 was given to a Scout to help him visit the World Jamboree. Johnnie Claes finished 3rd in the 24-hour Le Mans, driving a Type D Jaguar. In his last F1 race, at Zandvoort, he was up against Fangio, Moss, Behra, Hawthorn among others. J H Harris was an inspector in the Hong Kong Police with a bottle on ice for any visiting OTs. The dance held after the summer cricket was very successful and £48 pounds was made. The price of the annual dinner was 10/- not including refreshments and was held at the Spread Eagle. W Guest, R I Miller and B Bevan, three Masters at the School who had each over 20 years of service, were made honorary members of the OTA.

1956: Johnnie Claes died aged 39. If you scroll back through this history, you'll see what an adventurous life he led - he had, for example, raced in 25 Formula One GPs with his highest position being 7th. In 1950, he broke the Silverstone lap record during practise for the International Trophy Race. Former headmaster W.R.G Bye died at the age of 65. R. O Shawe was married with 2 sons and living in Canberra. G I M Beere was studying an Engineering degree at Durham University and was a member of the British Interplanetary Society. Walter Mayall, artist and garden designer had enjoyed much success with pictures hung in the Royal Academy, the Paris Salon and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. S Carr was another OT having success with painting locally. Perry Lock 1950-55 was with the Midland Bank. Norman Good had moved to teach at Prince Rupert School, Wilhemshaven BOAR. R.J West (1909-14) had taken over the license of the Cross Keys, Thame. J R Davies had taken a year-off prior to going to Durham University. Sqn-Ldr R K D Phibbs was serving in Amman and said it was a 'ghastly place.' K M Clarke was teaching at Old Swinford School. The OTA held a Derby sweepstake to raise funds which resulted in a profit of £11. The Committee included R C Woolford, Dr F Croft, E D Syson, D Barnikel, E W Young, P J Bailey, M J Syson, Col Harper, A J K Smith, J M Grammar, J Proven, W Blair, J K Rust, T Claydon, D J Sharp, M R Simes, R Hill, and P L Castle. It was agreed to form an Archery Club. There was concern that the School were slow in agreeing what should be done for the Quatercentenary and how money should be raised. At the AGM it was proposed that any money raised should be used to build a squash court.

1957: A OTA scarf was approved to a design prepared by Austins. Warrent Officer Joe Castle died whilst serving in Bahrein and T.N Barnard (52-57) also died whilst in the Army. R.J West (1909-14) formerly Headmaster of the John Hampden School died after a short illness. He had recently retried and had taken over the licence of the Cross Keys in Thame. John Howard Brown, latterly Rector of Whitfield Kent, retired from the Ministry. M.R Simes was a J.P. The OTA Rifle Club was going strong after 5 years and met both at Chinnor and Moreton. The OTA gave Mr and Miss Mullens a pair of silver candelabra and a cut glass dish in mark of their appreciation. There were now 10 OTAs up at Oxford a figure that showed how successful Mr Mullins had been at raising standards. A cheque of £75 was presented to W.G Guest on his retirement. Colonel L.W Coulden (1918-23) was Commandent Royal Army Veterinary Corps. The Rev E.R Mathieson (36-43) was Vicar of St Catherine’s Burnley with about 20,000 people to look after. He said ‘it kept him reasonably out of mischief…and industrial Lancashire is rather far removed from the delights of rural Oxfordshire.’ ’ The Rev J Howard Brown had retired and was living in Folkstone. P.K Harrison had been working as a Private Secretary for the Scottish Office since coming down from Edinburgh. C.R Bagley (49-54) was on the editorial staff of the Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury. W.S Myall (15-21) had been a full-time painter since 1953 and had exhibited at the RA, he had also joined the OTA Committee. He was also a member of the Parish Council of Long Crendon. E.L Stroud who was at the School in 1887 presented books to the Library. He recalled many happy days under Plummer. His son, R.F had retired after 29 years in India and was living in Tunbridge Wells. He had taken part in many tennis championships and had written a book on tennis. G.C Cornish (1950-57) flew to Southern Rhodesia with the intention of entering Salisbury University. R.W Dawson and G.A.R Wells were apprentices at Harwell. D.J Bevan had an engineering apprenticeship with the Southern Electricity Board. CRJ Shurrock was a student apprentice with GEC at Coventry, and P.J Jackson with English Electric in Rugby. W.M Logan was going to RNC, Dartmouth. R.K Harrison (40-48) gave a recital at Wigmore Hall and was also the soloist at the Cheltenham Festival. N.F Woolfrey was a gunner in the Army and DS West was doing military service in the Pay Corps. W.C Newman had started his first year at Bristol University reading history and had found it a rather curious place.

Ten OTs were up at Oxford thought to be a record. A Savin had gained his degree in Geography and was now reading for a diploma in Education. He’d been at University College where also A C H Hawkes (45-53) was reading Modern Languages in his final year. Both had been in their College 1^st Tennis VI. Keble College had four OTs: C G Wedgwood 44-53 was in his final year reading Physics; M J Syson was reading Law; R H Overall was reading History and N S Goldsworthy 50-54 was reading Biology and was secretary of the Oxford Union Motor Drivers Club. At Balliol, B G S Doman 47-55 was reading Physics and at St John’s A M Bushall 48-56 was reading Classics. Two Freshman were J A Maxton 47-55 at University and Tom Hassall 51-57 at Corpus Christi.

1958: A Life Subscription to the OTA cost 5/5/0d whilst the annual subscription was 10/-. Eion Smith died aged 32, George Cooper aged 65, Henry Mears 84, the Rev H.C. Joyce and E.A.G. Sims (one of the OTA's founding members.) G.I Beere was a graduate apprentice at D. Napier and Son, Luton Airport. G.C Bloss was an accountant at CBA Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company and was living in Dorking. N.S.F Nobbs worked for the Midland Bank in Poultry, London. Robin Harrison gave another recital at the Wigmore Hall, was a soloist at the Cheltenham Festival and had been awarded an Italian Government scholarship to study piano in Mastro Carlo Zecchi's Master Class. F Fleet became Mayor of Buckingham. Desmond Slay married Leontia McCartan. John Baverstock married Patricia Shrimpton; Michael Holland married Eileen Starbuck. Donald Holland married Violet Hyde. Ray Hawes married Maureen King. The OTA distributed 450 copies of The Old Tamensian. H.H Vertigen who’d left the school in 1916 retired after 43 years in the Inland Revenue. He had lived in London for 30 years but had retired to Tor Bay.

William Logan 1950-7 was attending the Royal Naval College, Datmouth. Richard Overell 1944-54 had started working for the ad agency JWT after graduating from Oxford. B.G.S Doman had gained a 1st in Physics from Oxford and was going on to Harwell. C.G Wedgewood had gained a 3rd in the same school. A.M Bushall had got a 2nd in Hon.Mods. G.E Shrimpton was President, Vice President Walter Myall and the Chairman was E.D Syson. Eion Smith died at the age of 32; others who died included George Cooper aged 65; Henry Mears aged 84; the Rev H.C Joyce and E.A.G.C Sims - agent to the late Miss Alice Rothschild. A memorial to the Memory of Joe Castle 1935-1940 was dedicated on the north wall of St Mary's Church. (Joe had died in Bahrein whilst serving in the Army.) A.J.C Scaife was engaged to Jennifer Wright. W.P Tomalin was stationed in Ulster and had been for the last ten years. N.S Nobbs had been appointed Manager of the Safe deposits Dpt at the Head Office of the Midland Bank. G.C Bloss had been married for eighteen months, was an accountant for CBA Laboratories and living in Dorking. G.I.M Beere having graduated from Durham with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering was undertaking a year's graduate apprenticeship with D. Napier and Son Ltd., at Luton Airport. E.L Stroud was in ill-health.

It was decided that OTs could bring one male guest to the Annual Dinner.

1959: The OTA Archery Club was established with Mr G Osbourne as Secretary. W.E. Cubbage retired from the Inland Revenue. D.J Woolley had taken up duties as organiser of Physical Education for Warwickshire. G.E Shrimpton, by now one of the oldest Old Boys, opened the School fete. Walter Myall held an exhibition of paintings at the School. The School had established a Quatercentenary Appeal and OTs on the Appeals Committee were: E.W Young (1925-31), E.D Syson (1919-23), P.L Castle (1937 - 43), G.E Shrimpton (1893-1901) R.C Woolford (1916-21), R.K.D Phibbs (1916-23), D.J Sharp (1917-23), H.B Maughan (1916-24), M.R Simes (1918-25), F.F Croft (1920-26), A.W Higgs (1929-34), K.M Clarke (1941-49), A Savin (1943-52), C.G Wedgwood (1944-53), R.H Overell (1944-54), A.M Bushnell (1948-56). Geoff Cornish 1950-57 had emigrated to Rhodesia. It was decided that instead of a squash court tennis courts should instead be built with the money from the QC Appeal.

1960: Life Membership was raised to 10 guineas and annual raised to 12/6d. (This proved to be a disaster for recruitment and was changed two years later.) The OT Rifle Club had 50 members and, for the second year running, had won the County Championship Trophy, and also the Saye and Sele Cup for 50 yards. Four members were now shooting for the County. The OTA Secretary in his annual report 'mentioned the lack of support from the younger members with regard to getting a cricket XI.' A dinner/dance was held in London and a dance in Thame. E.D Syson 1919-23 was continuing to advance his academic credentials by taking an MA at Oxford and a LL.B at London. A.C Selden was awarded the Johnson Memorial Prize at Oxford for his essay on 'Optical Effects in the Atmosphere'. H.H Mears died at the age of 54. He was the son of James Mear, former proprietor of the 'Thame Gazette' and was a Head Boy at the School in the 19th century. His name is mentioned a number of times in the preceding history of the OTA. Desmond Slay and his wife Leonita announced the birth of Deborah Mary. Mr B.H Bevan, the Classics Master, and who had acted as liaison between the School and the OTA left the School after 25 years. He was made an Honorary Member of the OTA. Perry Lock had left the Midland Bank and joined the RAF. Gerald Arber 1950-55 had moved to work in the steel industry in Sheffield. Cecil Douch 29-36 was called-up in '39 and commissioned in 1941. He then decided to stay on in the Army after the war and had seen postings to Korea and Singapore. He has now been promoted to Lt. Col and joined the Rhine Army.

John Graham Jones died at the age of 32 after a long illness. He had been handicapped since birth with a bone disability which stopped him taking part in sport when he was at the school from 1939-45. However he left with good scholastic honours and went to Thornton and Thornton before joining Thame Urban District Council as a clerk. Then in 1949 he went on the staff of the Coventry City Corporation Treasurers Branch. He passed his finals of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants in 1956. Thereafter he moved to Smethwick Borough TD where he remained until his death.

The total membership was 350, with 300 Life members and 50 Ordinary Members.

1961: William Logan 1950-57 had entered the submarine service. Alan Bushnell had joined the teaching staff at Burford School having graduated from St John's, Oxford. Last year he married. John Russell 41-47 joined Westminster Bank in Regent Street after leaving school before serving in the RAF as an air wireless mechanic in Fighter Command before returning to the Bank. He had now moved into the computer industry. C.J. Jessup (52-57) gained a II in PPE from Pembroke College Oxford. Subesequently he took up a post in hospital administration. B Bradnack (49-56) also gained a 2nd - in Modern History at Keble College. C.E Nixey (50-58) gained a 2nd in Agriculture at Reading. he was going on to an MSc funded by a scholarship from the Milk Marketing Board. A.E Buckle (50-58) was awarded a BA from University College of South Wales and was planning to spend a year in France before taking a teaching diploma. M Cowan (54-56) was commissioned at Sandhurst. D.S West (50-57) was working in the wages dpt. of Morris Motors. D.R Green (50-57) had completed a Diploma in Education at UCSW Cardiff and was going to New Zealand to teach. D.H Cowan (49-57) graduated at Exeter College last year and had completed his Diploma in Education at UCNW Bangor. J.M King (50-55) was working as a freelance musician having gained a 2.i in Mathematics from Sir John Cass College, London. N.G Brown (42-50) was a lecturer in Economics and Military History at Sandhurst. Before this appointment he had a short service commission as a meteorologist in the RN and then went on a British Schools expedition to Iceland as an Assistant Leader. G.I.M Beere (43-50) was working as Missile Engineer at English Electric Aviation Ltd. He had a small daughter. J.E Sharpley (42-50) was working as a Petroleum Engineer and Geologist with the Iraq Petroluem Co. at Kurkick Iraq. B.H.J Bevan (staff 35-60) was now at the Royal Masonic School, Bushey. Lt.Col C.W Douch RAOC (29-35) was Officer Commanding at CAD Bramley, and had two sons at the School.

Dr P.M Holt (30-38) was a Reader in the History of the Near and Middle East in the University of London. After graduating from Oxford, he had worked in the Ministry of Education in Sudan, had been their Government Archivist before joining the staff of London University in 1955. R.W Hill (24-30) the OTA President had a son at the School. G.E Shrimpton (1893-1901) said he had now properly retired from Law, had just celebrated his Golden Wedding and he and his wife were living in retirement at the Branksome Court Hotel, Bournemouth. E.L Stroud died at the age of 89. He was one of the oldest OTs at the time, a founder member and had, for many years, practised as a vet in Ealing. F.A Dangerfield also died. He'd left in 1919 having excelled at sport. In 1924 he joined the family butchers business and grew it from 5 shops to 60 shops and 3 factories. He was a generous benefactor to the School, the OTA and JHWMF, and to other charities. One of his sons, Graham, had become an authority and TV commentator on wildlife. Jonathan Jessup (52-60) was studying at LSE noting that a large minority of his fellow students had beards and there were some beatniks among them. N.C Crew (53-59) was in hospital after an accident when training with the Parachute Regiment. Someone had implanted their size ten boots in his head from a height of 800 feet. D.G Martin and T.G Hassall were up at Oxford. P.J Cram was at Imperial College, London University; K.O Hawkins at Birmingham amd L.R Sherwood at Reading. T.R Hedge was studying at St Martins School of Art. D R Green 50-57 flew with 115 other teachers to New Zealand - his final destination being Dunedin. His journey started at Stansted and he flew via Keflavik, Anchorage, Tokyo, Biak, Sydney, and Christchurch. He left on a Wednesday and arrived on Monday morning. The Annual Dinner took place in Thame Town Hall.

1962: There were 13 on the Committee and 8 Officers. The London Dinner and Dance took place at the Abbey Hotel in NW10 and was said to becoming more popular each year. The cost was 25/- for those under 25 and 32/- for those over. On the menu was Truite Meuniere Brettone, Roast Aylesbury Duckling with Orange Sauce, Croquette Potatoes and French Beans followed by Fruit Salad, Ice Cream and Cheese. Sadly, attendance was not as high as expected and the evening made a loss. It was subsequently discontinued. At a Committee meeting held in the Birdcage the decline in income was noted as worrying as their were few new subscriptions coming in, indeed none had come in since 1960 after a hefty subscription rise. It was proposed to reduce the cost significantly. At the Annual Dinner held in Thame Town Hall a presentation was made to Peter Castle who'd been Secretary of the OTA for ten years.

The OTA Rifle Club had 45 members of which 50% were OTs. The OTA Archery Club had reformed as the Border Bowman, an independent club as members of the OTA were a small minority. It was doing well. Peter Parker 35-42 had spent the last few years as an consultant in electrical engineering, working in Jamaica, Kuwait, Iran and Malta. He had now joined Ministry of Public Works. Bill Dover -54 was in the police force. Tom Matthews who left in 1958 had left local government and gone to work in the motor trade. He lived in Wheatley and was married to Carol. A W S Wagner who left the School in 1910 died. Throughout his life he'd held the School in deep affection even though from the early 1920s he'd lived first in the Sudan and then Australia and rarely visited the UK. However, in the 1950s he made generous donations to the JHWMF and both times he was in the UK for leave he always came to the School. J R Polden 50-58 was doing a 4th year at Goldsmiths College and was President of the Students Union. A R Noon 54-61 was on his way to Australia with his parents where he hoped to join the Australian Airforce. S R Tanner 1899-1904 visited the School having retired from the Civil Service. S W Hester 1913 was awarded the MBE for services to the Geological Survey. D N Hester 1935 had been appointed a Director of the Tanganyika Tea Company. J A Berrecloth 43-5 was living in Thurso and was working as a photographer for the UK Atomic Energy Authority. R A Abbey 23-28 was a dental consultant in Eastbourne. The Rev E Mathieson 36-43 was Vicar of St Alphege, Southwark. M Collinson 56-61 was a steward on the liner Queen Elizabeth. N K Crew 53-59 had been selected for Sandhurst. D Dillamore 55-62 was reading Chemistry at Sir John Cass in London. B Weeks 58-62 was working on farm near Portsmouth.

G R Fawdry 53-58 had gone to New Zealand to farm. J R Plater had decided to become a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy. C D Yates 39-44 visited N America whilst attending an International Congress of Accountants. S W Hayes 38-43 was a senior member of the Thame Round Table - other OTs who were members included I H Shrimpton, E J price, G E T Osbourne, C D Yates, J Green and W A Honour. B C page was in Cyprus with the RAF. J A Vale 39-45 returned to the UK after 3 years in Singapore with the Far Eastern Land Forces. J M Grammar 22-28 had become joint Deputy Chairman and MD of the National Coal Board's Coal Products Division. D Costar 54-59 was attending a police cadet force at Northampton. A R Bagnall 5053 was working at Hartwells in Oxford. M J Evans 54-59 had been offered a flying commission in the RAF. P G Hollowell 53-58 was doing research at Cardiff University. A C Selden had gained a 1st in Physics from Worcester College Oxford. D C Brewerton 59-61 who'd emigrated with his family to Sydney was studying at Easthills High School. B R Porter 50-58 was serving on HMS Puma in the South Atlantic. The OTA beat the School 11-0 in very unpleasant conditions due to heavy rain the previous 48 hours and the rain that continued to fall during the game. Broughton, Simmie, Hawkins, Bishop, Edwards, Lambourne, Miniati, Hinton, Slade, Florey, Goodger, Menham, Hewitt, Dover and Martin played.

1963: With the change in subscription rate, 29 Old Boys had joined and over 100 current schoolboys were on the hire purchase scheme. Both a cricket match and a rifle match were held in the summer. The Annual Dinner was held in the new School Hall with catering by the The Bridge Bungalow Cafe, London Road, Wheatley. Soup, roast chicken, fruit salad, trifles and cheese were on the menu. The bar was provided by the Birdcage. 48 members attended the AGM out of a total of 400 members. The rugby match was postponed due to heavy rain - the OTA were disappointed that they were not consulted about the postponement. A cheque for £78 was presented to John Nelson prior to him leaving the School. Eric Syson (1919-23) took a party of 12 to the Wigmore Hall to hear R.K Harrison (1940-8) play. C.W. Iley (1925-8) was Manager of the Bank of Montreal in Saulte Sainte. G. Cornish (1950-7) was in the Federal Civil Service S Rhodesia. P.R. Forbes was with ICI. Both A.W Burrough and E Jones were working for Prescold in Swansea. S.G Twynam (1909-13), living in Massachusetts, visited the School. E.J Clarke (1948-55) was ordained at Thame Baptist Church. B.R Young was conducting research into crystallography at the Geological Museum. S.W Hester was working in the Paelaontological Dept. P B Clarke 41-46 was elected Secretary of the Sussex Vetinary Society. J H Harris had been promoted to Assistant Superintendant of Police in Hong Kong. In a letter, he wrote that the 'past year had been notable for an influx of illegal immigrants, Typhoon Wanda, and a four hour ration period each day of water.' A R Bagnall 50-53 had been promoted to Foreman at Hartwells in Oxford.

C Nixey 50-58 had been promoted within British United Turkeys Ltd to be responsible for production research and costings. C R J Shurrocks 50-57 had gained a Diploma in Technology and was working as an Executive Engineer for the Post Office in London. B Finch 51-56 was reading medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. M M J Hall 37-43 had been immobilised after tearing a ankle tendon whilst on a ski trip to northern Italy. N A Manning 52-60 had just completed a three year course at St Pauls College, Cheltenham and hoped to be teaching Divinity. G J J Wild 33-39 was working for the Iranian Oil Refining Company Abadan and wrote mentioning his pleasure at receiving the school magazine and regretting that this years leave ebding in early July meant he couldn't attend any OT function. R F Walker 46-54 had been studying Librarainship at Loughborough College for two years and hoped to qualify as a Chartered Librarian. R D G Surman was Captain of North Oxford Cricket Club. B R Young was married with one son and had been conducting X-ray crystallographic research since 1950. S W Hester was also engaged in research there in the Palaeontological Dept. R W Young was at the GEC Research Laboratories Wembly. Both brothers had gained their degrees as a result of evening study. L W Levermore was an assistant manager at Westminster Bank's Brompton Square branch. M J B saw was married with a baby daughter and was living in Farley Green near Guildford. E J Clarke 48-55 was ordained at Thame Baptist Church and went to Brazil as a missionary. S G Twynam 1909-13 who was living in North Randolph Massahcusetts visited the School with his family and was delighted to prove to them, by reference to the actual trophy, that he did win the Junior Challenge Cup in 1913. A W Burrough resigned from his post as a Tooling Engineer with Prestcold, Swansea and was teaching at the Technical College in Witney. On the other hand E Jones 38-44 was still with Prestcold working in the Purchase Dept. He now had two daughters: Susan aged 5 and Philipa aged 3. P R Forbes 43-51 was still with ICI. G Cornish 50-57 had been in the Federal Civil Service of Rhodesia for 5 years. W P Hinton 40-45 married Mrs Judith Simpson and now had a step-son aged 9. C W Iley 25-28, Manager of the Bank of Montreal, Saulte Sainte Marie, Ontario made a visit to the School. B E Wooster MRCVS died.

1964:The postponed rugger match was held in March and the OTA won 6-3. The School asked the OTA to help with the provision of instruments to found a school orchestra - a £120 was lent to the School. P Harrison appointed as a Principle in the Scottish Office, Edinburgh involved with aspects of Scottish regional and town planning. A.J.K Smith was officiating at Le Mans and Silverstone. R.B Andrews (1941-9) was a GP in Leicestershire. J.S Crook was running a hotel in Tobago. B.R Porter was a lieutenant in the Navy and was at the R.N. College Greenwich. K.R Davis (1927-33) was writing a history of Potters Bar and working in the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works. R.E Crawford, one of the oldest OTs came to the cricket match. J.H Harris was a Divisional Superintendent policeman in Hong Kong but home in the UK on 6 month leave. S.C Verigen retired after 35 years in the RAF. C.G Wedgewood was working in market research for Standard Telephone and Cables. J.K Rust took over Wall's Coaches of Kingsley. J.R. Polden was teaching in Essex but supplementing his earnings by driving a coach. E. Kidd (1957 - 62) was on patrol against insurgents in Borneo. He only had sandbags to hide behind when a party of fifty regular Indonesian soldiers attacked his position but he said that ' the Green jackets plastered them and sent them packing.'

G. Fawdry had been travelling and working in Australia and New Zealand. First the Midland Bank, then the RAF, now Perry Lock has joined Electrolux. R A Sherwood 52-59 was studying as a Solicitor at College of Law in London. L R Sherwood 54-61 was reading Agriculture at Reading. A J K Smith 34-39 was very active in motor-racing. R P Wassell 35-40 was a lecturer at Portsmouth College of Technology. J L Andrews was a sales rep and living in Luton. R B Andrews 41-49 was a GP in Coalville, Leics. J S Crook was running a luxury hotel in Tobago. G E Shrimpton 1893-1901 was elected to The Coucil of Animal Health Trust. B R Porter 50-58, a lieutenant in the RN, was at the RN College in Greenwich. K R Davis 27-33 was living in Potters Bar and promoted to Senior Executive Officer in the Ministry of Public Buildings. He was writing a history of Potters Bar as well as lecturing extra-murally at London University. R E Crawford one of the oldest OTs made a donation to the JHWMF and noted that when he was at Oxford 70 years ago he could live on £150 a term, the equivalent of £500-600 today. J H Harris was home on 6-months leave from his position as Divisional Superintendent in the Hong Kong Police. he was staying at Vine Cottage Shabbington. S C Vertigen was retiring after 35 years in the RAF and living in Siddington near Cirencester. Hos brother FW was living in Maidstone, Kent. C.G Wedgewood was still working for Standard Telehone and Cables since leaving Oxford in 1958. He remained a bachelor and lived in a flat at Cannon Place, Hampstead. J R Polden was teaching at a scholl in Hornchurch and topping up his income by driving coaches. J K Rust took over Wall's Coaches of Kingsey. David Dodds a 1963 leaver was studying at The City of Birmingham College of Education.

1965: J Polden had given up his pittance from the teaching profession and had resigned. The Rev E.J. Clarke was a missionary in Brazil. J.M Grammar (1922-28) left the National Coal Board as Deputy Chairman to take up a new appointment on the Board of Joseph Lucas. He was also President of Saracens RFU. Keith Hawkins began work on his Ph.D. at Caisus College Cambridge - on a comparative study of parole systems. Chris Staples was working for the West Cumberland Farmers LTO. A R Bagnall was living in Stanton St John and working for Hartwells as Commercial Services Manager. C.W Merry 44-50 was a gardener of some merit and also living in Stanton St John. Christopher North was working in Cambridge as a computer engineer; he'dmarried Elizabeth Burrows. John Spalding was teaching at John Hampden Primary School having finished a three year course at Nottingham College of Education. He too was living in Stanton St John and had married Margaret Patch, another teacher. D.W Dodds was a teacher in Oxford having graduated from Nottingham College of Education. The Goodger bothers announced they were writing a book on judo. C.T.E Hosker was teaching at Bayswater School, Oxford. K.F White was teaching in High Wycombe. David Kostar was on the 'beat' in High Wycombe and Bill Dover 49-54 was a sergeant in charge of the traffic division in Banbury. N Manning was doing a 3 year course at the London College of Divinity. Alan Willougby was a driving salesman for Wall's. Robin Woodcock who left the school in 1917 and who worked for the Bank of Scotland died. E.S Dyball was working on VSO at a school in Kota Belud, Sabah Malaysia.

A school fete was held, six years after the last one at the Quartercentenary, and an Over 25s Buffet Dance was held for Old Boys, parents, staff and friends. C.J Wild who was working for Iranian Oil Company returned to live in Southport. R.H.W Burkett was appointed MD of Welwyn Electric Ltd. His brother L.M J Burkett (1928-33) died suddenly at his home near High Wycombe. George Moss on the staff from 1913-24 had retired and was a District Commissioner for the scouts in Northants. C.K.Lewis and M Howells were both working as technicians at Ealing TV film studios. H.F Sellar (1943-40) was Chief Planning Officer for the English Electric Company based near Rugby. David Bevan was a Commercial Officer for the Eastern Electricity Board at St Albans. N Brown (1942-50) had been defence correspondent of the New Statesman, had published 2 books on defence but had now gone to Birmingham University as a Lecturer in International Politics. D.J. Davies (1949-54) was teaching at a prep school in Rickmansworth. D.R. Green (1950 - 57) had been Senior Geography Master at Morrisville College, Morrisville New Zealand. R Banbury was training to be a printer. D.W Welch who left in 1951 was lecturing at St David's College Lampeter having left Hull University. J.M Simmie was town planning for Berks CC. D.G Martin were on their way through Africa planning to travel around the world. They'd crossed the Sahara in a Land Rover and passed through Nigeria and Ghana. P.W.A West died in Toronto but his family requested that there be no correspondence.

A.W Cherry was stationed in Aden with the Ministry of Defence but was due to return with his wife and two daughters. K.M Clarke had become Head of Biology at Llandovery College, Carmarthenshire. J.H Jessup (1952-60) was training to be a solicitor in Oxford. P.J Cram was studying for a PhD in physical chemistry at Imperial College. Bill Dover (1949-54) was a sergeant in charge of Banbury Police traffic division. R S King who'd taught at the School from 27-36 retired from teaching. P J Cram 54-61 was studying a PhD in Physical Chemistry at Imperial College London. R W Hill was deputy Head of Tollington County School, Farringdon - he had a son in the 6th Form. Robin D Woodcock died suddenly after a few hours in hospital. He'd left the School in 1917 and went straight into the Somerset Yeomanry. When the War ended, he'd spent a year at London University before joining the Merchant Bank, Fred Huth and Co., where he learnt Foreign Exchange banking. They were ultimately taken over by the Bank of Scotland and he'd been in charge of the Foreign Exchange Ledgers in their London bank until he retired in March of this year. Alan Friend who’d left in 1963 was studying at Imperial College, London.

1966: £50 was given to the School as a loan to help guarantee the production of Noel Coward's Post Mortem and a £50 donation was made. Commitee meetings were now being held at the Black Horse Hotel in Thame. The proposal from the Education Committee that the school amalgamate with Holton Park was raised. It was noted that 'it would be a sad day when E D Syson would have to give up the Chair to an Old Tamensienne.' The Rifle Club was meeting on Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Tom Hassel appointed Director of the Oxford Archaelogical Excavation Committee. Mark Hassell was lecturing at the Institute of Archaeology in London. D.R. Green was teaching at the Napier High School, North Island, New Zealand. Frank Pearce had taken over the Star Inn at Stanton St John, so that now there were at least 4 OTs living in the village. G. Fawdry was farming in Chipping Norton. J.H. Prosser worked at the Standard Bank in Lagos; C.F. Pudwell was a lecturer at Goldsmiths College, London; R Allen had emigrated to Australia; R.O Shawe was living in Australia, Alan Noon was also somewhere in Australia, it was thought with the RAAF. Geoff Cornish was living in Salisbury, Rhodesia. A.C. Selden had taken up an appointment with the laser research group at the Culham Research Laboratory. C.T. Cope had retired from Cunard and N.J.F Nobbs from Midland Bank, in each case after working for them since leaving the school, and finally, D.G Martin who having graduated with a geography degree from Oxford and was working his way around the world was then working as a miner in....Australia. Peter Forsythe was awarded the Rosenhain Medal from the Institute of Metals. The OTs beat the School at rugby and there was a good turn-out for the dinner in the school hall. The Rev John Howard Brown died aged 80 (see Obituaries) and The John Howard Brown Memorial Fund was set-up by the OTA to perpetuate his memory. It was decided to endow a berth for ten years in a Sail Training Association ship, and commission a portrait to be hung in the School. Peter Timms who left in 1962 was working for the National Westminster Bank. P D Parker was in the Regional Offices British Forces Germany. S Spalding was playing for University College, Cardiff 1st XI - where he was studying History and Law. M W Honour 56-63 was training to be a teacher in London. K F White 55-63 was teaching in High Wycombe. Barry Yates had recently joined Barclays Bank.

1967: H.M. Purser J.P., OT and Vice Chairman of the Governors died (see Obituries.) The dance following the Cricket match had made a profit of £32 which had been added to the Howard Brown Memorial Fund. Tim Hassall was studying for a Dip.Ed at the University of Lusaka. Brother Tom was lecturing at the Institute of Archaeology in London. B.W. Digweed was working for Joseph Lucas. R. Allen, whose father provided the catering at OT dinners, emigrated to Australia. J.M. Simmie (52-59) lectured at the Oxford College of Technology in the Department of Architecture. A.C. Seldon (49-57) was working for the Laser Research Group in Culham. Howard Selden was working as a Buyer for Pottertons, the gas central heating firm. J.H Jessup (52-60) was a solicitor in the Clerk's Dpt., in Oxford. A.E. H Buckle (50-58) was teaching in Swindon. B.J Simmonds (45-50) was selling PVC flooring.P.A.W Bolton (1920-23) had retired in Salop after working in local government. His brother J.A.S Bolton had also retired - to Spain, Morroco and the Canary Islands. W.S. Myall (1916-22) died - a Past President and a painter of repute, with several of his works hanging in the Refectory. M Honour had left Avery Hill College of Education and was teaching at Highfield School, Bromley Kent. K.O Hawkins had been offered a Fellowship at Columbia University. G.B Edwards (57-60) married Miss M Aynsley SRN. R.O. Shawe wrote to the OTs to say he was still looking for water in Australia. D.G Martin was still travelling around the world, hoping he'd be back for the 1968 cricket match. E.W. Dandridge died. F.J Fowler was a Manager in a Westminster Bank. Wing Commander Peter Parrot was now flying commercially for Court Line but was dismayed recently to see his plane being blown up in Damascus by Israeli bombers. The OT rugby game was cancelled due to bad weather and a water-logged pitch. Arthur Stevens who was in the 6th form in 1946 was working for Marconi in their television equipment division. The John Hampden Memorial Scholarship Fund received £4,200 from the estate of John Howard-Brown. Grants of £355 were made to past and present pupils. It was agreed to invite the Headmaster, the Head Boy, Captain of Cricket and Captain of Rugby to the Annual Dinner. Approximately 430 were registered as OTs and 80 came to the dinner. The rugby match was cancelled due to Foot and Mouth. In J Howard Brown's will he had left his bungalow (valued at £4,850) and investments valued at £1200 to the JHWMF. The fund now had capital in excess of £9,000. The state of the schools tennis courts were a matter of concern. Phil Cram (1954 -61) graduated from Imperial College and is now working in the oil industry.

Bertie Oswald Corbett who was born May 15 1875 and who went to the School in the late 1880s died on November 30 1967 at Waddon Manor, Portesham Dorset. Corbett was an international football play making one appearance for England against Wales on March 18, 1901, playing at outside left. England won the match 6-0 thanks to four goals from Steve Bloomer, and he appeared for the Corinthians for many years. Corbett also made one cricket appearance for Derbyshire during the 1910 season, a County Championship game against Kent which the team lost by a large margin. Corbett scored just one run during the match, being stumped for a duck in the second innings. For most of his working life he ran his own private schools in Derby. During the Great War he was an officer in the Royal Artillery.

1968: This time the OTA felt unable to gift any money to support Mr Gould's request to help the tour of Julius Caesar to Germany. Len Hutton was working for BP's research centre in Sunbury-on-Thames. Colin Brookes started teaching at the School. Geoff Goodall was elected as a Secretary of the Headmasters' Association. Gerard Gould was writing "Dramatic Involvement" for Blackwells. Due to a knee injury Richard Mainwaring retired from teaching. William Eason and D.J Coleman were studying at New College, T.W Hill at Wadham - all on Scholarships. The OTA had successfully launched the Howard Brown Memorial Scheme that allowed a pupil to take a berth on board a training vessel - Alan Gibson was the first to take up a place, on the schooner 'Malcolm Miller.' An excellent report had been received from the STA and Alan Gibson had been asked to become a permament Watch Officer annually. Richard Meyrick won a place to the Royal College of Music. G.E. Shrimpton, one of the original founders of the OTA, was presented with an Inscribed Book at the annual dinner. It was reported that he was still in 'fine mental and verbal form.' E.A. Dodwell had retired from service in India and had moved to Taunton. E.H.M Parry was teaching French in Wellington, Somerset. C.T Cope was living at Bexhill-on-Sea. Col E.A Loftus who taught at the School from 1904-6 was living in Salisbury Rhodesia. Another OT living there was G.V.G Cornish (1950-7) who was working as a Trust Officer for an executor and trust company.

E.J.R North had moved from Princes Risborough to Malta. The Rev E.J Clarke was the Minister for the Cote Circuit Baptist Church. P.J Hollowell was lecturing in the Dept. of Sociology, Southampton University. G.M Mercer had retired and was living in Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland. J.L Dover was serving with the RAF in West Germany. I.L Cooper (1942-1950) had emigrated to Australia working first for the New Zealand Shipping Co. and was now working for Epoxy Resin Adhesives. I.M Smith was a trainee manager for Midland Bus Co. R. Nixey was a manager of the Singer Sewing Machine shop, Slough. The Rev P.M.Rich was living in Woodbridge, Suffolk. D.C.J Wood (1942-47) had ended a 12 year period of service in West Africa for Unilever and was now living in Dunstable. Patrick Harrison had been appointed as the new Secretary of RIBA. J. Spalding, Secretary of the OTA was appointed Deputy Head of Stafford Leys Primary School, Leicestershire. Ted Dandridge of Stadhampton, a stalwart OT, died aged 43. L. Sherwood had qualified as a Chartered Surveyor working in Plymouth. P Merriman had just passed the first examination of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. J.M Goodger was a member of the British Judo Training Squad and brother Brian was a member of the British Judo Team. C.D. Yates got married as did M.A. Florey (55-62), and Peter Arnold. Bob Knight was working for the GPO in Colchester. D.J Sharp (1917-23) had retired to Beaminster Dorset. Robin Harrison had been appointed Professor of Music at the Royal Manchester College of Music. David Martin had returned from his world travels and was recuperating in Bow Crediton, Devon. J.F Bunney, on the Staff from 1949-54, was appointed Senior Master of the Royal Latin School Buckingham. Ray Hawes volunteered to coach the 1st XI cricket team. A new rule book was printed and circulated. Allens of Wheatley and the Black Horse provided catering and the bar for the Annual Dinner. The cost was £1 per head. R I Miller was presented with a clock and a cheque for £75 to mark his retirement from the School.

1969: OT Sebastian Carr painted a portrait of J H Brown for a cost of 50 guineas. This was presented to the School on permanent loan and was unveiled in the School during Founder's Day - hanging on the stairs to the Library. Shortly after completing this commission Mr Carr died. David Hayter was doing VSO in Thailand. Ian Gibbard chose to become a Community Service Volunteer in Manchester before going up to University. Peter Newitt, and Leslie Sherwood (1954 - 1961) died. The brothers Goodger were both teaching at Avery Hill College of Education. Alan Brewer was a midshipman on HMS Intrepid. David Shawe was a public servant with the Department of Works in Canberra. Richard Sherwood (1952 - 59) was a Partner in a firm of solicitors, Bruce, Lance and Co. He was Secretary of Thame and District Round Table and a President of the OTA. James Jones 1961-3 had entered Culham College of Education to study ceramics and music. Ernie Young Secretary of the OTA Rifle Club was suffering from failing sight. Richard Packer was enjoying his vet's course at RVC, London. Geoffrey Mercer (staff 1931-5) has retired from teaching and was now living in Catehouse. Some pupils he remembered included Bell, Castle, Cross, Grammar, Hedges, Messenger, Nobbs, Parrott of the 'locals' and Clay, Sturgess, Couadroff and Thiscutt of the boarders. Derrick Hester 38-42 had been promoted to Estates Manager for Brooke Bond. The School didn't nominate anyone to take up the berth on the STA but six applicants had put forward their names for 1970. A OT tennis match took place against the School as did the Cricket but the dance held afterwards was poorly attended and lost £25. At the AGM held in the School Library it was noted that both Captains of rugby and cricket had difficulty raising teams. There were now 540 members but only 40 were attending the dinner. It was proposed to revise and update John Howard's Brown history of the School. David Martin left in 1961, went to Oxford and is now teaching Geography in Exeter.

1970: This year's summer dance was a great success and a profit of £40 had been made. The School, staff, parents as well as OTs had all helped and attended. It was agreed that in future, the JHWMF could also make donations to the School for educational purposes including assistance towards journies overseas, the payment of fees for examinations and the purchase of educational books. J.M. Goodger was a lecturer in sociology at Avery Hill College; A.J.K Smith was elected to the Executive of the National Playing Fields Association; Robin Harris appointed Professor of Music at the University of Saskatoon, Canada; David Hayter worked at the Maharaj Foundation Home, Pathumthani, Thailand. Andrew Logan graduated with a Dip Arch from the Oxford School of Architecture. Tim Hill and Andrew Gibson both got First Class degrees at Oxford. D. Beattie a 1st Class degree at Cardiff University in Engineering. David Hayter was invited to do a second year of VSO serving as a Housemaster at a school near Bangkok. Clive Hunt had been awarded a 2nd Class Honours in English at St Catherines, Oxford. Paul Johnson was at St Martin's School of Art. Alan Brewer was at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Richard Stevens was beginning to realise his ambitions of becoming a professional singer: he was taking lessons with Geoffrey Mitchell in London, and singing with the Queen's College, and St Paul's Knightsbridge choirs. Chris Hayward was studying at Sussex University. G.P Broadhurst was working for Pressed Steel Fisher. S Harbour was a policeman. Tim Sumner was doing a business studies course. Sylvia Riedl, who taught French at the School, had moved to New York. Peter Timms (1957-62) was working for the National Westminster Bank.

1971: It was agreed to change the Rules so that female pupils of the School could become members. The cricket match was a complete wash-out due to heavy rain but the dance in the evening still raised £58 profit. J.M Grammer (1922-28) was Vice Chairmen of Overseas Operations for Joseph Lucas; B. Finch qualified as a doctor; H.C. Keys (1925-32) was living and working in France; J. Sharpley (1941 - 50) was working for Abu Dhabi Arabian Gulf, and R.H. Koenig had just become a Member of the Australian Institute of Management. William Eason gained a 1st Class Honours from New College in History and had decided to become a stockbroker. C.F Pudwell (1945 - 53) was a Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths and a 'Gentleman of the Chapel Royal' at Hampden Court singing tenor. D.W Barnikel was teaching less-abled children in Teddington. B. Finch was a doctor in East Bergholt, Sussex. Morely Slade 55-62 gained a BSc in Electrical Engineering and had spent the last eleven years with Plessey. Mr B Maughan, one of the OTAs most generous benefactors, died. Mr G Chaplin Head of Lower School was invited to the Annual Dinner and some fifty OTs turned -up (this also being the last time it was an all-male affair), and before that the OTs under Barry Mott had defeated the School at rugby - for the first time in seven years. The Labour Club were objecting to the Rifle Club's lease renewal application and this was putting the Club's future in jeapordy. No berth was taken on the STA. William Thomas who taught French during the 1940s died. He was educated at Preston Grammar School, then at Exeter College, Oxford, becoming Bachelor of Arts in 1930 and Master of Arts four years later. He taught French first at Whitworth and Colne Grammar Schools and then at Lord Williams's School, before moving to Heywood Grammar School in 1947 when he was thirty-nine. He was known for the trips he began leading to France and Belgium, despite the state of post-war northern Europe, and these he continued for the next twenty years. Mr Thomas moved to Heywood Senior High School in 1968 as Senior Master. He retired in 1971 and died shortly afterwards.

1972: Not a good year...It was felt that interest in the OTA from the School and the parents association was not as high as it had been previously and this had led, for example, to the cancellation of the Summer Dance. The cricket match had also been a failure with only six OTs playing and the rest being parents or staff. The tennis match had also failed to get off the ground. It was proposed that the Rifle Club be merged and taken over by Thame Social Club due to poor finances and a rapid dwindling OT membership. Three places were offered on the STA Malcolm Miller but none were taken up by the School. Support for joining the OTA was also dwindling. John Fulkes was teaching English at Sutton Manor High School; K.O Hawkins took up a post in Oxford's Centre for Socio-Legal Studies; A.J.K. Smith was Chief Marshall of the Bentley's Drivers Club; J Spalding took up the appointment of Headmaster at Deanwood C.J. School, Gillingham; H.G. Mullins retired as Headmaster of the Royal Masonic School. David Colman was elected a Fellow of Downing College. Brendan Connor was awarded the Wheeler Memorial Prize at the University of Leeds. M Dearden was awarded the Anatomy Prize at Leeds. The OTs had a rifle club. Mike Daplyn was off to Zambia to work as an agricultural economist. B.H. J. Bellan who taught at the School before the War retired to Milford-on-Sea. Jim Jones had secured his first teaching position at Witney Grammar. James Cohen was accepted for VSO in Nigeria. Mike Burrows 61-68 who read Mathematics at St Andrews was training as an accountant in Edinburgh. Mr R Purser died. The OT's first 'mixed' dinner was held on Founders Day and in total 70 OTs ate in the School Hall including, as it was written in the Minutes, 'twenty-two of the fairer sex.' The food though was described as 'ruddy awful' by some Committee Members. Unlike the cricket, some 24 OTs had volunteered to play and it was proposed that a soccer team be also raised in future. John Fulkes was elected Secretary of the OTA a position he was to hold for many years. However due to pressure of teaching commitments Mr Norman Good had to stand down as school liaison. Mr Goodall advised that all teachers were now under pressure and that in future it would be very difficult for them to help organise functions in association with the OTA. It was decided that in future, a representative of the School should always be invited to Committee meetings. William Thomas, a former member of staff died. He was educated at Preston Grammar School, then at Exeter College, Oxford, becoming Bachelor of Arts in 1930 and Master of Arts four years later. He taught French at Whitworth and Colne Grammar Schools and at Lord Williams's before moving to Heywood Grammar School in 1947. Almost immediately he began leading school trips to France and Belgium, despite the state of post-war northern Europe, and these he continued for the next twenty years. Mr Thomas moved to the Senior High School in 1968 as Senior Master. He had retired in 1971.

1973: Newly designed OTA ties were stocked by Austins. This year a Summer Dance and Disco was mounted with music from the Dave Jefferson Band, a disco in the art room, the Oxford Arms provided the bar, Reddings Farm the barbeque and the PTA the coffee. An added attraction was Tom and Jerry cartoons in the 6th Form Common Room. A profit of £182 had been made. The cricket match earlier in the day had been lost. Colin Mundy was working for Smith, Kline & French; Richard Groom was a journalist in Cumberland; Peter Arnold was Head of Religious Studies at Aireville School, Skipton; Ian Golding worked for the publisher, Macmillan; David Cann joined the Citizen's Theatre Company in Glasgow. Robin Harrison brought the Canadian Arts Trio to the School for a concert of works by Beethoven, Shostakovitch and Mendlessohn.

Tim Daplyn passed out of Sandhurst and was then sent to Northern Ireland; Major Nick Crew was also serving there. Peter Castle suddenly died - he'd been both Secretary and a President of the OTA and one of the OTAs most active supporters - being on the Committee since 1950. Lt Col. Harold Allsebrook died at the age of 83. G Moss who taught at the School from 1913 to 1924 was living in Northampton and asked OTs to visit him. Philip Hutchins had qualified as a doctor and was practising in Bristol. Peter Arnold was Head of Religious Studies at Aireville School, Skipton. Malcolm Grieves was servicing Toyota's in Barton-on-Sea. Andy Holliday was in the RAF stationed at Northolt. Alan Young was practising medicine at the London Hospital. Tim Hill was getting married and teaching French in Goole. Keith Bowley was working in insurance. David Stringer for a building society. Peter Forsyth was awarded a Doctor of Science for his contribution to knowledge in metallurgy. He was working at The Royal Aircraft Establishment. Maurice Preston was working for Mandrel Industries and living in Oman.

James Cohen was doing VSO in Nigeria. David Townsend 57-65 gained a BA in Geography from London and then joined British Leyland in Cowley as a production materials buyer. He had moved to company HQ at Leyland and switched to finance. The OTA won the rugby. The Annual Dinner took place at The Belfrey, Brimpton Grange with a menu of Cream of Tomato Soup, Grilled Rainbow Trout, Lemon Sorbet, Roast Chicken, Rasberry Cream Flan and Coffee but only 47 attended. The idea of a girl's hockey match to be played next year was agreed. The first female committee member was Catherine Fowler.

1974: Bryan Bell was appointed Rector of Nedging with Naunton, Suffolk. John Woodvine, a successful actor had appeared in 'Z Cars'. W.G. Dover had been appointed an Inspector in the Thames Valley Police. Ian M Smith was Assistant Tours Superintendent for National Travel, and David Coleman elected to a Fellowship at Downing College, Cambridge. Graham Thomas had taken a gap year and travelled to Morocco. John Banks and Richard Smith had gone to Florence and Martin Corral and Johnnie Archer to Australia. Janet Ford was temporarily living and working in Paris for an advertising agency. Robin Harrison was teaching another OT, David Swan, the piano. Roland Hill has retired from teaching. The OTA annual dinner was held The Belfrey Milton Common. There was dancing until 1.00am and the menu included Cream of Tomato Soup, Grilled Rainbow Trout, Lemon Sorbet, Roast Chicken and Rasberry Flan – the same as the previous year. Tickets cost 2.75p and a carafe of house wine cost 1.25p. A.J.K Smith had retired as Deputy Clerk to the Council in Aylesbury.

Derrick Hester 38-42 had been appointed Chairman/Managing Director of Brooke Bond. Hugh Webbon was a pilot with British Airways. Bryan Clayton -39 had switched from stock- broking to banking. It was decided to present to the School, the P L Castle Trophy in memory of Peter Castle and to be awarded to the ‘pupil displaying through the year the most sportsmanlike and unselfish attitude in school outdoor activities.’ George Moss died aged 82. He’d been history master from 1913 to 1924 and had last come to the school in 1972 when he attended the cricket match. The OT Chairman Eric Syson celebrated his 70^th birthday. W G Dover was an Inspector in the Thames Valley Police and living at 38 Instow Road, Earley, Reading. Ian Smith 61-8 was an Assistant Tours Superintendent with National Travel in Birmingham. Founder’s Day was full to capacity with the address given by Mr Carr, the new Head of Lower School West. The afternoon saw a close and exciting rugby match in which Barry Mott’s OT XV finally triumphed by one point to win 10-9. At the AGM it was noted that some 23 leavers had expressed an interest in joining. The Malcolm Miller berth went to Nigel Cooke. Cecil Oswald George died at the age of 84 after a fire in his house in Essex Road, Thame. Basil Ring died at the early age of 49; he’d been living in Gloucestershire and working in local government. Gary Nutt who’d attended the School from 1970-71 and was very well-liked was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles. Bryan Bell, who went to Wadham College in the 1920s was Rector of Hedging with Naughton, Bildeston, Ipswich. The visit to the school choir to Norfolk brought a friendly and enthusiastic letter from Hugh Mullens, Head of Lord Williams’s until 1958 but now retired and living in Sheringham. Dave Beattie was living in Zambia and working in electronics. Maurice Preston had been working for Mandrel Industries who specialise in geophysical techniques for the oil industry. He had recently worked in Oman, the Persian Gulf, Somalia and Ethiopia, and had written to say that in none of these places was the political climate stable. Ron McQueen was playing well for Aston Rowant Cricket Club David Colman had been elected to a permanent fellowship at Downing College, Cambridge. Ian Vallender was working as a librarian in the Information Dpt of the National Children’s Bureau in London.

Barry Mott was President of the OTs; Roland Hill Vice President; Eric Syson Chairman; Treasurer was Richard Sherwood and the Secretary was John Fulkes. The Tamensian Magazine cost 50p.

1975: To celebrate the 400 years of the School’s links with New College most enjoyable dinner was held in the school hall on January 25^th. Eric Dyball, a former Head Boy, died at the age of 28 in a climbing accident in Snowdonia. He was training to be a teacher of outdoor education when he slipped and fell 150' to his death from the sheer face of Craig-yr-Ysfa. Chris Bagley appointed a Reader in Sociology at the University of Surrey; Morley Slade designed computer-based radar data processing systems for Plessey; Martin Read appeared in 'Z Cars' and 'The Sweeney'; Simon Perry returned as an OT to teach at the school. William Guest a history teacher at LWGS for thirty years, having retired in 1957, died. He’d retired to Botley and at his funeral, a short address was given by one of his ‘old boys’ Prof. Peter Holt. After Founder's Day, a dinner dance was held at The Belfrey with dancing until 1.00am. Tickets were 4.00 and the menu was Egg Mayonnaise, Roast Rib of Beef, and Fruit Salad. Barry Mott once again captained the rugby. John Fulkes started teaching at the School. Dr Freddie Croft retired to Jersey. A.J.K Smith 1934-9 retired from local government but was on the Executive Committee of the National Playing Fields Association and Secretary General of the Bucks Council of Voluntary Services.

Philip Chaplin was living in Ottawa and running the library and information services for the National Defence HQ. Pat North had become the Treasurer of Chinnor Youth Theatre. The preacher at Founder's Day was Mr Mullins, Headmaster in the 1950s, and among the congregation was Miss Fitch, the daughter of Dr Shaw. Andrew Goss 1959-67 has qualified as a solicitor. Jon Polden 50-58 was teaching Geography in Havering and recently married Margaret a teacher of the mentally handicap. Lt Col Cecil Douch 29-36 retired from the Army in 1973 and had spent the last two years as Bursar of Hertford College Oxford. His two sons, Michael and Peter had also attended the School. Gordon Jones had joined the Digital Equipment Corporation and was developing software. Barry Mott was captaining the OT cricket side. The P L Castle Appeal was half-way to reaching its target of £450 following some generous donations from ‘old boys’ and the Castle family. The money was going to go on a trophy and replicas as well as to re-endow the OT berth on the Malcolm Miller that was due to run out in 1977.

The Secretary’s Report for 74-75 included the following comments:

The Association’s activities this year have expanded somewhat to include once again a traditional form of dinner in addition to the Founder’s Day Dinner-Dance and the Summer Dance and Barbeque jointly with the Lord Williams Association and thr School. The success of all three was such that repeats are planned for all. Numbers attending the Founder’s Day rugby match have shown an increase over the past few years but against this, the Cricket Match has faded and this year there were very few OTs playing or watching, so the School has been requested to change the fixture to a Wednesday when OT cricketers are not committed to league sides. We have still not managed a tennis, hockey or netball team.

A trophy is being purchased for the PL Castle Appeal and the Association is also considering the provision of trophies at the two Lower Schools, particularly the newly opened Lower School West, where the trophy cupboard was of course bare, and there is an opportunity here too for individual members of the OTs.

The number of new members entering the OTA this year fell back to about a dozen, including some leavers from previous years contacted through the President’s Dinner, but this is with the ending of the ‘Pat-as-you-go-through-schoool’ Scheme, and a number of others expressed interest in joining and are receiving further prodding. Some twenty-five of this year’s leavers have similarly been followed up with membership details and a sample circular. The process should be a little easier in future as I {john Fulkes} have returned to Lord Williams’ to teach and can now be contacted at the School.

The form of the Circular has been recently changed. The Tamensian is also changing its format this year due to metrication and a change of printers after last year’s delays. It remains difficult however to obtain news of OTs to go in either and I must make a plea to members to give me information however ordinary and uninteresting it may seem to them for inclusion. If the paying of present postage rates is to be justified, we must have a worthwhile communication.

We would also like to provide a little more for the recent leaver and the suggestion has been made that a dance/disco should during the Christmas or some other vacation.

At present the Committee’s job remains something of a holding operation whilst those coming through the restructure of the School decide what they want from the OTA. The opportunity is there to grow and fulfil a real need in the Thame district.

1976: Max Eason married; Richard Paterson had returned to England from Australia to start farming, and his younger brother Will was working for an agricultural products firm (Will now has an agricultural consultancy in Australia); Donald Woolet was the Advisor for PE in Warwickshire; Pete Daplyn went to St Lukes and was acting Head of the Leisure Faculty at Holyrood School, Chard; Pete Douch was a careers officer in Essex; Keith Hawkins was a Senior Research Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford; David Townsend worked for Leyland; Ken White was Head of the Upper School, Pembroke School, Flackwell Heath; Martin Lilley was serving with the BAOR, Royal Corps of Transport; Pat Lamcraft, a recent leaver joined the WRNS; Richard Baker who left in 1971 was the Designer at Colchester Mercury Theatre; Willie Cooke won the school’s first Rugby Blue playing for Oxford. Finally, Dick Prockter left the teaching staff to become Headmaster at Oxford School. Jane Andrews and Paul Glenny were the first two OTAs to get engaged. Eric Syson had the new Biology Centre named after him. Mr Peter More was made an Honorary Member in recognition of his 25 years on the staff. Another Honorary Member was Mrs D Fitch, the daughter of Dr Shaw, the Headmaster at the beginning of this century, and also a member of staff from 1914 to 1919. Donald Woolley (1948-53) was Warwickshire Advisor for PE. John Gommer (1922-28) had retired from Lucas to live in Shaldon, Devon.

Some 35 OTs enjoyed a very pleasant dinner when they gathered in the US Hall for the President’s Dinner on 28^th February. The occasion was particularly notable for the attendance of two Lady OTs in their own right, Sue Orchard and Mrs Fitch, the youngest and oldest OTs present, and for the presence of the School’s full complement of three Headmasters and a Principal. The President entertained those present by reading extracts from past copies of ‘The Tamensian’ including a 1906 description of a School outing with a picnic in the Chilterns including a certain Miss D Shaw.

John Woodvine appeared in the current Stratford season, alongside Linda (now Meg) Davies. Maggie Evans was appearing in Hair; and Nigel Cooke had recently successfully auditioned for the Bristol Old Vic. Nicholas Clapton now up at Magdalen, Oxford was included in a BBC 3 programme on the music of Oxford.

Derek Witchell was close to completing his architectural training at Oxford Poly and his spare time looked after the stage lighting of the Oxon Rural Community Council and Thame Players.

Chris Thomas had recently obtained an Upper Second Class Hons in Modern Studies from Lanchester Poly. Another but unrelated Thomas, Graham Thomas, was studying in London and playing for Blackheath RFC. Derek Stoakes was studying to be a vet - also in London. Also at Lanchester: the Head of Dept for Applied Sciences was R F Y Randall who attended the school from 1932-9. After graduating in physics at University College, London, he worked in the scientific Civil Service, and then university and polytechnic teaching.

Andrew Baker was reading Maths at Exeter College, Oxford, and Roy Hathaway was reading History at Magdalen. Ashley Goodall, Philip Hirsch, Simon Taylor and Martin Woodford all had places at Oxford. Martin Lilley had obtained a scholarship to the Royal Military Ac., Sandhurst. Sue Orchard was training to be a teacher at Bedford College of Education. Jacqui Lambert was studying dance at the Middlesex Poly. Caroline Hooper was studying Social Science at Swansea Univ. Where also Nigel Dix was reading Zoology. His brother and twin Graham had gone to Birmingham to read Russian.

David Townsend was working for British Leyland near Bolton. Edward Putman (1926-8) was retiring from Chinnor Cement Works where he was a chemist. Peter Gardner entered Sandhurst. Tim Daplyn completed a 3 year short-service commission. Catherine Fowler was treading the boards in children’s theatre with the Chidren’s Treasure touring group. They were putting on performances of the ‘Dastardly Unbelievable Catastrophic Kids Show’ (DUCKS) in many local Bucks villages. Ben Forster was doing a Foundation Acting course, and David Cann had recently played Romeo in St George's Theatre London. Gary Marsh 1971-76 had joined BT on an electronics and design apprenticeship. Helen Beazley 1972-74 and one of the first girls in the School had joined the Army on a short-service commission. Founder's Day saw Tom Crampton Smith lead a young fit OT side to a tight 4-0 victory over the school whilst a 'Golden Oldies' took on the 2nd XV. Norman Lilley was made an honorary member. Enough money was raised to send three pupils on the Malcolm Miller. David Welch became President taking over from Norman Good. David was a Senior Lecturer in French at St David's University College Lampeter. David Dodds was a local Thame councillor and had also joined the School's Governing Body. John Douglas after gaining a BSc in Maths at Sheffield University had been articled for three years as an accountant and had just gained his ACA. Michael Pitter had passed his Foundation Course in accounting at Trent Poly, Nottingham.

Nona Hawkins Smith gained her Certificate in Education with a distinction at Well Hall College of Education Hertfordshire. A J K Smith was awarded the Presidents Certificate by the Duke of Edinburgh for services to the playing fields movement. Martin Watkiss was reading law at Reading University; brother Stephen was at London University studying pharmacology. Brian Page 1940-7 had left the RAF and was teaching. Ron Gunstone 60-66 was teaching biology at Dingwall Aacademy. Stephen Walker 65-72 was teaching Physics at Peers School in Oxford after completing a degree course at RACS, Shrivenham. Peter Robinson 63-70 after spending a year on VSO in Zambia had stayed out there as manager of a 4,800 acre farm, ranching cattle and growing maize and sunflowers. He’d written to say his part of Zambia was still fairly wild – neighbours had recently lost 17 head of cattle eaten by lions. Robert Mitchell 70-71 write from Canada to say that he was in his final year doing Maths of the Univ. Of Waterloo in Ontario. N J F Nobbs 1919-23 was spending his retirement working for CARE (Cottage and Rural Enterprise) a charity specialising in providing a home life for mentally retarded children outside institutions. K R Davis 27-33 had spent the last few years on secondment from the D. Of E as Secretary of the Tree Council.

J H Harris had retired from the Hong Kong Police to live in Salisbury Rhodesia. B W Barton was working in Toulouse on the wings of the European Airbus. Guy Churchill was a name in insurance and had won the Morgan Owen Gold Medal. Peter Clarke 41-46 was a Vet in Lewes and responsible for the only weekly veterinary scientific magazine in the world, the ‘Veterinary Record.’ Chris Giles 66-73 did two weeks teaching experience at the School.

This year the cricket was moved to a Wednesday fixture and combined with the School playing S Oxon Amateurs, a team largely made up OTs and captained by Ray Hawes.

The OTs Secretary’s Report of 75-76 commented ‘This year had been another in which the OTA has maintained ground rather than making a great leap forward. The usual events have taken place – a dinner dance, the Spring Term President’s Dinner and the summer barbecue. Our third share of the profits of this latter event has now enabled us to extend our circular coverage to 6^th Formers for their first few years after school to give them a chance to recover and then consider joining rather than completely losing touch. Recently the Secretary has been in communication with over 200 OTs but this leaves 400 unaccounted for so far, whilst expenses are again rising mainly because of postal charges.

Last December saw the first awarding of the Peter Castle Trophy, appropriately to Stephen Castle. Last July saw two new OT Cups for Lower School Athletics presented at LSE to the Girls Athletics Champion and at SW to the Athletics Victor and Victrix Ludrum, whilst OT B O Woodcock has sent in to a very grateful school, two cups found at home for reuse. Recently, the OTA has made a donation towards the cost of new 1^st XV rugby shirts.

So far there have been 18 new paid up members plus several other expressions of interest which judging by past experience might or might not be backed up by cash changing hands, but there is a wider awareness of the OTA in the 6^th Form, particularly where backed-up by blackmail from a certain English teacher.

1977: Willie Cooke had gone to France to play some rugby. John Douglas was an accountant and Michael Pitter was studying to be one at Trent Poly. Geoff Hayward gained a first at New College in Zoology. Graham Thomas in the same subject but at Goldsmiths, University of London. Nona Hawkins Smith was teaching and caring for mentally handicapped children at a school near Eastbourne (Nona was in the first intake of 6th form girls.) Stuart McCaslin was studying for a degree in Business Studies at Oxford Poly. N.P Hawes (1940-46) was working at the Naval Base, Chatham and also refereeing for the FA. R.W Harrison (1940- 46) was a Housemaster at Radcliffe Comprehensive, Wolverton. A classmate from the 1940s Charles Merry was living in Stanton St John. C.G Wedgwood (1945-53) formerly a research physicist, market researcher and industrial consultant was publishing international technical books. Dr. Peter Forsythe was a world authority on metal fatigue and had worked on many scientific investigations into aircraft accidents.

Clive Ashton was in the antique business in Fordingbridge. Tim Hill (1960-66) was promoted to Head of Modern Languages at Lymm Grammar School, Cheshire. George Harper (1914-1921) who was Captain of Football, Cricket and Athletics died at his home on Humberside. Tragically, two recent leavers, Martin and Stephen Watkiss were killed whilst walking home from Thame to Chinnor on Good Friday. Ben Forster was studying at the Guildford School of Acting. After 27 years sitting in the Oldham Petty Sessional Division, MR Simes had retired. Helen Beazley had won the Sash of Honour at Sandhurst as the best female cadet. Despite only having 14 men, the OTs thrashed the School at rugby 31-7. The team included Bob Champ, Greg Pugsley, Mick Cook, Shiggy Alden, Alan Young, Barry Mott (captain), Ady Manger, Max Eason and Graham Thomas. The Founder's Day service was conducted by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt. Rev. Wollacombe, and afterwards, the Six Bells was crowded with OTs.

Keith Barnes who left in 1976 was training to be a draughtsman with Oxford and Cowley Ironworks. Paul Sturgess left school in 1937 for a career in hotel management. War intervened and he sadly reflected that 23 names on the honour boards were fellow scholars in Form V. He is now Chief Officer for the Marie Curie Foundation. Peter Banbury -1962 had moved to East Anglia with wife Kate and was working in publishing. Joe Brown was living in Gatley, Cheshire and was an export sales engineer. Clive Aston was making a living from the antique business in Fordingbridge after some years with the BBC. George Harper who'd been a pupil at the School from 1914 to 1921 died. During his school career he'd been Captain of football, cricket and athletics. Robert Banbury left in 1962 and has just moved to East Anglia and is working in book publishing and printing. The OTA along with the LWA held a Jubilee Barbeque where the Bill Jefferies Band played, a disco was held and Tom and Jerry cartoons screened. Tickets cost £2.50p. At the April President’s Dinner, Norman Lilley was awarded a much-deserved Honorary Membership. John Fulkes confirmed that he’d had correspondence from some 350 OTs over the last year or two. W M Logan 5057 was Commanding Officer of the submarine HMS Repulse. He had a family of 2 boys and a girl and was living at Coulport on the shores of Loch Long in Scotland.

Martyn Read 56-63 had appeared in TV programmes such as Cranford, General Hospital, Jubilee and Cuckoo Calls. He was also doing a lot of rep. And had just written a new revue. Meg (Linda) Davies who appeared in many LWS plays in the 60s was appearing as Goneril alongside Donald Sinden’s Lear in the RSC production at the Aldwych. Tim Hawes 67-71 wrote to say that he and his wife Jacquie now have a young son – they married in 1974. Janet Ford was working as a PA in Knightsbridge. Andrew Holliday 62-70 was a Flight Lieutenant in the RAF and had recently been posted to Cyprus for two years.

Former Head Boy Clive Dickenson was embarking on a trip – an overland trip to the Middle East in a Land Rover. He’d recently graduated from Wadham College, Oxford where he’d studied English. In a newspaper article from the Oxford Mail the trip was described thus:

Claire Richardson and Clive Dickenson will need more than a map of the Middle East on their 20,000 mile overland trip. “We want to follow as closely as we can the places Alexander the Great visited in 300BC,” said Clive. “but we’re not even sure whether some of the roads exist in some of the areas.”

Claire, 26 and Clive 24 (of Hill Farm, Chislehampton) are putting £3,000 and six months of their lives into the expedition. They plan to visit Turkey, Afghanistan, Macedonia, and Pakistan in their Land Rover before finishing in India. Funds for the trip come from their own savings and sponsors.”

The OT Dinner held on 22^nd October in the Upper School Hall commemorated the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. On the menu was Asparagus Soup, Fillet of Sole, Roast Sirloin of Beef, Garden Peas, Vichey Carrots, Roast Potatoes, Spiced Apple Pie, Cheese and Coffee. Toasts were had for HM the Queen, The School, and The Guests.

1978: The School, Lord Williams's Association and the OTA jointly organised a summer barbecue held in and around the Upper School Hall. Tickets were £2.50 for a beef barbecue, the Blue Plus Four Band and a disco. Howard Goodall released his first commercial album, 'Halfbrother', with friend Jonathan Kermode. Five members of the Chinnor rock band 'Station' with OT band members performed an incredible 24-hours of non-stop performance in aid of charity. Colin Brookes mounted his tenth production: 'It's a Crime' written by Richard Adams and Robin Nelson. John Fulkes was the Secretary for the Thame Festival. David Richards aged 74 died - he'd been at the school from 1915-1919 and had worked in both the UK and Rhodesia. Former Head Boy Clive Dickenson and his girl-friend Claire returned from a 21,400 mile trip following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great in a Land Rover nicknamed Bucephala. Countries they crossed included Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Gerald Clarke, history teacher at the School wrote 'The Book of Thame.'

Gerard Gould was made an Honorary Member of the OTA and was now working as County Advisor for Secondary Education. Jackie Kiers, dance and modern languages was involved in a terrible motor accident. Pat North married Nicola Standen. Former Deputy Head Girl, Dorothy Gibbons married Ian Sizer - she was training to be a nurse. Mike Daplyn had returned to England after several years in Zambia and was a reserach student at the Nottingham University School of Agriculture. Ian Waite was studying an M.Phil in Renaissance Studies at the Warburg Institute. Jane Glenny was training to be a Manager in a Sheffield bookshop. Tom Crampton-Smith was captain of OT XV. A special tribute was paid to Gerard Gould at the OT dinner and he was invited to become an Honoury Member. As was Geoff Goodhall. Richard and Lynne Offer were on their way home from New Zealand via Australia, the Phillipines, South Korea, Japan, India, the Middle East, Turkey and Italy. David Castle had married Isobel Friendship from Thame and both were living in Port Stanley. Alan Morris married Barbara, and Adrian Manager married Denise Vickers. Teresa Pudwell worked as a trainee buyer for Lotus - she was living in Wymondham, Norfolk. Steve Castle was going up to Edinburgh to do an MSc in human genetics. Andrew Birch achieved a 1st in Applied Biology at UWIST. Graham Thomas had started working in advertising at Ogilvy Benson and Mather. Ash Goodall joined EMI as a trainee marketing manager. Caroline Hooper had graduated from University College, Swansea.

David Rudge was a graduate trainee with Ford Tractors. The OTA was able to send 4 pupils for STA cruises on the 'Malcolm Miller'. Valerie Morris became the first lady member to hold an OTA office - as Vice President. John Whittle 1971-77 had married Catheryne Soper. Bob Overell, having graduated from Newcastle, was working for the Cancer Research Society. Roy Hathaway 1976-74 joined the Min of Ag. Fisheries and Food as a graduate trainee after graduating from Magadalen, Oxford. Desmond Slay 38-45 gained a 1st at Oxford and had now become a Professor at the University College of Wales. He was an expert in Old Icelandic. Carolyn Horton was working at The Bodleian. Malcolm Bloomfield, Jerry Green and Paul Fairhurst were all married over the last year. Tim Thomas was running a pub in North Oxford. Jerry Axford was studying part-time at Northampton for an ONC in Quantity Surveying . He too had recently married – to Jane Hatwell - and they lived in Yarnton. Chris Clements married Elizabeth. Ady Manger married Denise Vickers, the first marriage between two OTs. Sean Johnson was living in Sydney on a year-out from his studies in architecture. Richard Smith was importing rocks and gems from Peru. Jon Banks had been working in Germany. Andy Mathews was with the FO and his wife was pregnant. OT Simon Perry who was teaching biology and soccer at the School left. Karen-Jan Mallinder had entered the world of modelling having entered the London Academy of Modelling. David Castle was living in the Falklands.

1979: David Coleman left Downing College Cambridge to become Head of Modern Languages at Eton. Nigel Cooke had joined the Bristol Old Vic. Jane Good was in the WRENS and based at HMS Pembroke, Chatham. Maurice Preston married Maria Weizman in St Mary's Thame and Kim Miller married Ann Spittle at Haddenham Parish Church. Peter Logan appeared in the Sunday supplements and had an exhibition of his mechanical sculptures atop the National Theatre. Paul Johnson who went to St Martins was working as a graphic designer for the BBC. Jonathan More graduated from High Wycombe College of Art and was going on to Goldsmiths. His older sister Judith was an assistant editor at the publishing company Dorling Kindersley. Michael Good had qualified as a Chartered Accountant and was working for Touche Ross in the City. Stephen Good was nearing the end of his OND course at Berkshire College of Agriculture and was hoping to emmigrate to New Zealand. John Maxton defeated Teddy Taylor at Glasgow Cathcart in the General Election. Three OTs were elected to Thame Town Council: David Dodds, Tony Tomlyn and John Fulkes. Sam Lincoln and Steve Gemmell were both serving in the Army based in Belfast. Sadie-Ann Burchmore had been selected to compete in the British Junior Show Jumping team.

Jane Hussey was an anaesthetics nurse at Ipswich Hospital. Burton O Woodcock who was at the School in the 1910s gave the School a rose bowl to use as a Trophy for Girls' Prowess. Patricia Lamacraft was serving on HMS Mercury. Her brother Peter joined the REME and was training to be an electronics engineer. Sadly, Malcolm Fraser who had joined the Metropolitan Police after leaving the School in 1978, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was about to take over as Captain of the OT XV. Games master Dave Burgess left to go to San Salvador in Central America. Valerie Morris was President. Brian Porter 1950-8 had retired from the Navy as Lieutenant Commander and turned to farming. Will Cooke was back in the UK and working for First National Citibank. Sue Orchard taught dance at Banbury School. Tim Thomas married Alice. Janet Ford was living and working in London. David Tomlinson was at the Bar and defending at the Old Bailey. BGS Doman published 'Localisation of electrons in a magnetic field' in the Physics Journal.

1980: Along with the LWA the OTA launched a joint appeal to fund a Sail Training Association berth in memory of the Crowther Brothers. OT Roy Holland 1947-54 has opened a sports shop in Thame. Martyn Read won the Giles Cooper Radio Play award for his play 'Waving to a Train.' Ben Forster had a small part in The French Lieutenant's Woman.' Alan Osborn wrote to say he'd remarried. Steve Hunt 1961-66 had returned to the UK after living in Australia and New Zealand and has started working on the cross-channel ferries as a master mariner. Graham Dix 68-75 took an Honours Degree in Russian and was now on a British Council Scholarship in the Soviet Union. New joiners were at a record level. A Friday night 20-over cricket fixture was played with the OTs winning due to 'the large number of Mangers on call.'

1981: Newly elected President John Watts died. Bill Eason was subsequently elected President with Tom Hassall as Vice-President. Michael Good took over as Treasurer on the retirement of Richard Sherwood. Canon Young gave the address at Founder’s Day; the rugby match was a draw, as was the hockey but the OTs won the netball - this being the first time that OT Netball was played. Guest of Honour at the Dinner was Sir William Hayter. Mark Brown 1974-81 joined the Ministry Of Defence in Bicester. Geoff Cornish 1950-7 having survived terrorists and sanctions was leaving Zimbabwe and emigrating to Perth Australia. He has gained his FCIS since leaving School, a wife and two children. Teresa Dodd who left last year was working for A.C. Nielsen as a trainee computer programmer. B.G.S Doman published ‘A relativistic treatment of positron annihilation in a strong magnetic field’ and was teaching at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Liverpool University.

H H Vertigen, at the time one of the ‘oldest’ OTs, died at his home in Paignton. He’d been at the school from 1909-16 and had become Head Boy. Martyn Read winner of the Giles Copper Radio Play Award, had another play broadcast, ‘What were you doing the night President Kennedy was killed?’ This included in its music a burst of the School Hymn. Former Headmaster Jon Nelson retired as Headmaster of Hutton Park Grammar School and was living at ‘Woodbank’ 5 Biskey Howe Park, Bowness-on-Windermere.

Ian Daniels was awarded the Malcolm Frazer Memorial Trophy. Richard Simpson was at the Guildford School of Acting and had the stage name Richard Haddon. Sue Orchard was teaching Dance at Banbury School; she had choreographed for the Exemtemporary Dance Company and her dance group had been to the National Festival of Youth Dance. Ralph Hoddinott’s book ‘The Thracians’ was published by Thames & Hudson. Robin Doulbeday had sold his post office in Surrey and returned to Australia. Ian Waite took up a Fellowship at Mainz University 18 months after gaining his M.Phil at the Warburg Institute and working in the City for a year. Tony Ireson had moved from borstal to prison (as an Assistant Governor). Janet Ford had become Mrs Janet Marsh and working at OUP as assistant to the Head of Eng. Lang. Teaching Dept. David Lilley left Durham and was at Dartmouth in a room next to Tim Frazer. Geoff Wilkinson had also studied at Durham and was now working for international banhers Standard Chartered in exotic Glasgow. Kate Lee graduated from Goldsmiths in Drama and English but was now working for Habitat. Marianne Jeffreys was studying fashion design in Cheltenham. Freya Roger was in Manchester reading politics. Catherine Fell was a bi-lingual secretary for an Italian company. Lucy Hall was working for an estate/housing company in the City. Steve Laurence worked for a wine company and Marianna Jorgenson was a beauty consultant in the Gloucester Hotel.

Sarah Fryer was training as a manager at Dickens & Jones and was also recovering from a cartilage operation. Rachel le Mesurier was lucky enough to win a six-month working teaching and learning holiday in Israel with an award from the Friends of Israel Educational Trust. She will work in a kibbutz, teach in Askelon and work on an archaeological dig. Ian Cutler captained the Bucks U21 Rugby side with Gary Porter also in the side. Ben Reedy was working in London as a European Sales Manager after a period as a mountain guide in France. Jon Mathews was in Southampton working for the auto company A E Edmunds-Walker as a sales manager.

1982: A buffet lunch replaced the Dinner on Founder's Day and over 100 attended. Tom Hassall was elected President of the OTA. Mrs Dorothy Fitch the OTA's first Lady Honorary member and the daughter of Dr Shaw died. She’d been known affectionately to former pupils as ‘Dobsy’ and had always kept in touch with the school. Other deaths included Norman Nobbs, former manager of the Safe Deposit Department at the Midland Bank Head Office; Ron Siarey, a prominent figure in Chinnor village life; George Fawdry of Salford, Chipping Norton who had been a former Head Boy and Captain of Football; P A W Bolton after a long illness and S W Hester aged 80. Bob Fowler 1934-39 had retired after many years working in banking. Will Cooke had moved to Italy. Keith Barnes 1970-75 got married two years ago and had just moved to Chalgrove. He had also been admitted as a Freeman of the City of Oxford. John Marris 40-47 tried pathology but quickly moved into agriculture, becoming a herdsman, farm manager, and now an agriculture contractor. Judith More got married as did Robin North and Roy Hathaway. Roy was now a Higher Executive Officer on the Min. Of Ag. Fish and Food; Robin North worked for Plessey in Havant. Lt Comdr. Clive Lawrence finally joined the OTA – he’d been at the school from 1920-29 and was then living in Burtonsville, Maryland, US.

Founder’s Day had a full programme including rugby, hockey and netball, tours of the school, a tea and AGM. The buffet lunch cost £1.75p and there was a bar selling wines and beer. The rugby side was to be captained by Martin Fairn who also played for Coventry but on the day he had to play for Coventry and his replacement was Jon Cooke. Rebecca McConnell led the OT hockey side and they scored their first victory over the school. Rex King a former master at the school died as did Mrs Dyer, wife of a former headmaster. Mark Haynes was living in Ickford and working for Chiltern Medical Developments in Bicester. Sarah Fryer had moved from retailing into selling television space to the London advertising agencies for Scottish Television. She’d been warned to look out for Graham Thomas 66-73 who was working for one of the UK’s largest agencies Allen, Brady and Marsh. Ingrid Jeffreys had moved from London to Tokyo where she was teaching English in a 60 storey building that she reported seemed to regularly suffer from earth tremors. She wrote to recommend it as an enjoyable and lucrative job – apart from the earthquakes. Her sister Marianne had been convinced and was set to join her. Andrew Arnold had joined HQ Staff of 11 Group at RAF Bentley Priory, Middlesex.

Paul Good married Dawn Buckle and had passed his Petty Officer exams. Alan Morris was living near Bristol where he was a violin teacher. Four recent leavers, all Venture Scouts, were foiled in their bid to scale the three peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon) in 24 hours when a deer ran into their car near Fort William. Stuart Gibson, Nick Payne, John Jackson and Ian Cameron hope to try again. Tim Dodwell, who started at the School during the War when 7-year-olds were taken in wrote to say he’d recently moved to Chalgrove. Linda Gillard was living in Chinnor and Bridget Trueman in Rickmansworth. Act. Sub Lieutenant David Lilley passed out of Dartmouth; Tim Fraser was still studying there. David Stringer had moved on with the Woolwich to become Manager of their three branches in Thanet. Whilst with his previous branch in Coventry, he was Chairman of the District Building Societies Institute and was a regular local radio broadcaster on building society matters. Jon Cooke had started reading Human Geography at London University. OT John Maxton MP was the speaker at Speech Day.

Josie Dixon was on Scholarship in English at University College Oxford; Mathew Baldwin was studying PPE at Corpus Christi Cambridge; Sophie Pierce, French and Philosophy at St Hilda’s’ Eleanor Blyth, Engineering at Churchill, and Dirk de Beer, Engineering at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

1983 – The OT soccer side ably led by Brett Chowns inflicted one of only two defeats on a strong School XI – the captain scoring a hat-trick. Norman Good who was a pupil at the school from 1937 to 1944 and who then joined the staff to teach chemistry retired. Peter Parrott DFC retired after many distinguished years flying first for the RAF, then for commercial airlines and finally as a training advisor. Peter Forsthye, one of the UK's leading experts on metal fatigue had retired from RAE but was continuing with research and consultancy work. Graham Thomas joined Saatchi & Saatchi, the advertising agency and had set-up a film production company. Andrew McRae 1971-77 qualified as an accountant. Howard Goodall had enjoyed good sales with his Nnon LP; he had songs in Wayne Sleep's 'Hot Shoes' and 'Dash' and his musical. 'The Hired man' was on tour. Ian Cutler was selling 'Omniturf' an artificial surface used by Queens Park Rangers. Eddie Young was in Peru. Alan Osborn was living in Berkhamstead and was an Executive Director for Possum Controls. Ian Davis and his wife Joanna were VSOs in Papau New Guinea in charge of vegetable production 6000 ft up in the mountains.

Chris Davis was a master thatcher in Oxon, and third brother Peter was working for the Oxford Instrument Group as a boffin with electro-magnets. Chris Wall was living in Kuwait as a Bullion Manager for one of the largest gold-dealing companies, accompanied by his wife and his 2 Irish Wolfhounds. John McCormick who started out on the Thame Gazette was Deputy Editor of 'Car' Magazine. Ken Hathaway was a commissioning editor for a small publisher developing a series of instructional sports books. Paul Robertson had returned to Thame working for Thornton Baker, the Chartered Accountants in Aylesbury. Mike Burrows had returned to live in England after 15 years in Scotland. Paul Neighbour had qualified as a Chiropodist. Jonathan Davis had returned from Australia and was teaching at Aylesbury Grammar school. Peter Bailey 1939-46 was producing racing engines for F1 and F3 cars. John Bishop 1944-50 had retired from the police who he'd joined in 1952. He was living in Stokenchurch. Graham Dix 68-75 had gained a Masters in Library and Information Technology from Loughborough. David Dillamore left in 1962 and had spent many years in the chemical industry but had now started his own consultancy business.

With great regret it was announced that Honorary OT R I M Miller who’d taught at the school for 35 years had died. He’d retired in 1968. He’d been House Master of Wykeham, and had taught science, biology and art in his time.

More sad news for all who knew the Cookes was that their sister had died in a plane crash in Australia. Nigel had just become a member of the RSC and was appearing as Octavius in Julius Caesar and Sebastian in Twelth Night. William was living in Italy where he had three jobs: a lecturer in English at the University of Pavia, rugby coach to the Univ XV and English teacher to the company executives of ENI, the state-owned oil company.

David Castle and his wife Isabel returned home for a visit to their parents from the Falkland Islands. David, manager of the Falklands Island Company’s West Store in Port Stanley, received a commendation from Sir Rex Hunt for his outstanding services in support of the community” in looking after more than 100 people in the Store during the Argentine invasion. David’s brother Steve also made a flying visit to Thame in transit from Canberra where he’d acquired a Ph..D in Human Biochemical Genetics from the National University and a wife, Rosemary, from Adelaide. He was on his way to New Orleans where he was taking up a 2-year post-doctoral position at the Louisiana State University Medical Centre.

Sally Middleton successfully graduated last year from the Royal Northern College of Music and was now training to be a teacher at Exeter University. Her sister Fiona had recently married an American geologist and was living near Reno, Nevada. Prof. Peter Holt had recently retired after 27 years teaching at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Bob Sankey, following a degree in Estate Management at Leicester had set up his own company in the field of commercial property development and project management. He had remarried and was living at 39, Stilecroft Gardens, Sudbury, North Wembley and he hope to see contemporaries. Also interested in hearing from anyone was Dave Townsend who’d completed his accountancy qualifications at British Leyland and was now working Leyland Bus Service Centre, Nottingham. His new address was 7 Grandfield Avenue, Radcliffe-on-Trent. Andrew Applegarth who had been based in the Thame office of estate agents Connels, had gained promotion to residential sales manager based in High Wycombe. Melanie Judge was at Winchester doing a degree in Textile design. Graham Thomas joined the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi; he’d been working in this business since leaving university in 1977. Recent campaigns he’d been involved with, and which might be familiar to OTs, include British Rail’s This is the age of the Train, and Milk’s Gotta Lotta Bottle.

1984: Former Headmaster Hugh Mullins was the Guest of Honour at the Founder's Day buffet lunch. The OTs won the netball but lost at rugby and hockey. Graham Plested, Gary Porter and Micky Beaumont represented Oxfordshire U25 at cricket - and were in the OT team that beat the School. John Maxton MP held a buffet reception at the House of Commons for OTs. The Old Tamensians RFC was formed under the chairmanship of Jon Cooke and won the Henley RFC Intermediate Sevens. The OT girls won at netball and hockey, captained by Lynn Tremlett and Rebecca McConnel respectively. Andy Arnold held a reunion for his contemporaries in London. Eddie Young was in Ecuador; Charles Boyle in the Solomon Islands. David Castle was in Port Stanley, brother Stephen in New Orleans. Ingrid Jeffreys was living in Japan, and Chris Wall in Kuwait. Miss M.E.C Edmond, who had been on the staff since the early part of Mr Nelson's time as Headmaster, died.

Howard Goodall won the Ivor Novello award for Best British Musical of the year. David Cryer 1974-81 had qained a degree in mathematics. Brian Porter 1950-8 has decided to swop farming for more lucrative work in the City. Peter Clarke and Andrew Gallacher gained places at Oxford. Rupert Vessey was playing for Oxford University as a Freshman. Ashley Goodall had moved from EMI to Polydor as an 'A&R' man and was looking after 'Friends Again' and 'Marilyn.' Adrian Goodall was working for the Liverpool stockbrokers Tilney's as an analyst. Michael Saich 1942-47 has retired after working for first Lloyds Bank in London, then doing his National Service, and then a 33 year career with Esso. Philip Dancer 36-41 retired after spending all his working life with the Westminster Bank - he'd joined the bank in Thame from school. Derrick Hester 38-42 has been awarded the OBE on his retirement as Chairman of Brooke Bond. Greg Pugsley was working as a roofer, living in Chiswick and also doing a spot of Formula Ford racing.

1985: OT A.C Selden (with Rutt, H. N., McNeil, B. W. and Denning, R. G.) published 'Diffused germanium dichroic mirror for optically pumped far infrared lasers' in the Journal Of Applied Physics. David Cryer was working for Abbey Life in Bournemouth. Teresa Dodd is now Teresa Butler and is living on a smallholding near Brill - along with her husband, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses and 3 old Ford cars. Clare Gibson is sharing a flat in London with Sally Jourdan and Victoria Broom. Liz Thompson 76-78 was working for Marks and Spencer having graduated from Exeter University. John Turner 60-67 went to Leicester University before joining the teaching profession at Market Hanborough. He had become Head of Sixth Form at Lutterworth Grammar School.

1986: Colin Brookes assembled an OT cast and mounted 'Godspell'. John Sharpley donated a trophy for the OT rugby match and it was duly won by the OTs. The OTs also won at netball but lost the hockey. Richard Meyrick made his South Bank debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Richard Adams became visiting Professor of English and Education at the University of Sacremento, California. Georgina Russell joined the Bucks Probation Service as a secretary. Stephen Andrews 1968-76 went to Roehampton to train as a Prosthetist. Geoffrey Craddock 1935-42 had retired from his veterinary practice and gone to live in Dorset. Charlie Boyle who left in 1972 had got married. Jon Polden 1950-58 has retired from teaching at in Havering. He is involved with the local Talking Newspaper and is also raising money to put a Kursweill reading machine in the local library. He played the organ for the local church and also the accordion. Graham Dix had become audio-visual librarian at Norwich City College. Paul King 76-83 gained an LLB at Aberystwyth and had started as an underwriter with Avon Insurance in Stratford. Paul Shewry 73-78 had sent news that he had met his future wife on a mountain in India. Andrew Padley-Smith 74-81 read Modern European Studies at Trent, did a PGCE at West Sussex and had now started teaching at Rye. Paul Sturgess who retired last year as Chief Officer of the Marie Curie Foundation (and after 35 years service with them) was awarded the OBE. Philip Cram -61 had made a career in the oil industry and lived with my wife Rae in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with two daughters Sarah and Emily.

Chis Kirby -68 had spent nearly 20 years in the Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm as a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot. Howard Goodall’s new musical ‘Girlfriends’ opened in Manchester. Gerard Gould was made a Governor of the school. Martyn Read who was due to become President of the OTA had to tender his resignation due to personal reasons. The OT RFC 7s team became the Oxon Closed Sevens Champions by winning the Senior Cup in the Brakespears Tournament at Henley. They trounced Oxford Old Boys and Witney then totally outplayed Henley in the final winning 24-4. A week earlier they played well in the Oxford Invitation 7s. Andrew Arnold was based at RAF Sek Kong. Tim Fraser was also in the Far East with the Navy. Basil ‘Dickie’ Bevan had written to say that his wife had died and he was returning to live in Long Hanborough. J Murray Grammar 1922-28 was living in the US but kept a house going in Seaton, Rutland. John Fulkes was confirmed as Head of Sixth Form and had been elected Town Mayor of Thame. Teresa Pudwell married Chris Doggett and was working as a buyer for Lotus Cars in Norfolk. Nina Hawes was in the WRENS and had married Steve Bothwaite. Jane Haynes married Tim Smith in 1983; they were living in Long Crendon with their two year old daughter Amanda. Lorraine Higgins was also living in Long Crendon and has married Mick Andrews in 1983. Brett Chowns was married and Simon Garrad and Sally Munday were recently married at Sydenham. Catherine Fell and David Green were married in Singapore – David was working there with Filtona. The OTA decided to increase life subscription from £10 to £15 and an annual subscription from £2 to £3. The Founder’s Day buffet lunch cost £2.50p and included salads, jacket potato, trifle, fruit pie, yoghurt, cheese and biscuits.

1987: Bill Dover 1948-54 had retired from the Police and was now a security officer with UKAEA at Harwell. When in the Police he had various postings within the Thames Valley area becoming Superintendent i/c Newbury with its Greenham Common and cruise convoys. Jim Jones 1961-63 who joined the School's teaching staff in 1972 left to set-up 'The Courtyard Gallery' in Cheltenham. Alan Niven was managing Guns 'n Roses. Robin Harrison made his conducting debut in the Saskatoon Opera Assn's 1987 production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Roy Hathaway 1967-74 was a principal with the Ministry of Ag. dealing with marine pollution matters. He married Ruth Davis in 1982. Claire Gibson has been working as PA for the team director of Silk Cut Jaguar Racing. She has travelled across the globe with them and organised team affairs at the recent Le Mans. Paul King had left Avon Insurance after a year nad become a legal researcher with a firm of surveying consultants. Norman Good (staff and Old Boy) has been teaching part-time at New College School since his retirement in 1983. Anthony Ireson 66-73 took a law degree at Sheffield and then joined the Prison Service, first at Oxford, then Hindley and Armley, Leeds. At Hatfield he was Deputy Governor. Emma Broome 75-81 having graduated from LSE in International Studies, was working in an estate agency. Mike Collinson -61 had set up his own headhunting and management consultancy in Gloucestershire. John Aylward who left in 1963 was working in Nigeria.

1988: Jane Tewson was a founder of Comic Relief Day. Rupert Vessey captained the Oxford University rugby team. Martin Fairn was captain of Coventry RFC. Mathew Baldwin spent a year studying International Relations at Harvard University. Sally Walters was working in Sydney, and Tim Frazer was Navigation Officer on the newly commissioned H.M.S Coventry.

Eric Syson died. He had been a pupil, Governor and Chairman of the OTA, and made a huge contribution to the School over many years.

Stephen Andrews had qualified as a Prosthetist. Philip Cockayne 1980-87 was working for NatWest Bank. Alan Bushnell 1948-56 has retired after 27 years of teaching at Burford School. He now does part-time work for Blackwells, and has a son and daughter. Richard Overell 1944-54 was recruiting workers for the oil fields of Russia. After gaining his degree from Keble, he worked at the ad agency JWT and then on the advertising side at the Daily Telegraph. Susan Plested 1974-81 read Physics at Exeter, and after a short spell working on the CERN project in Geneva is working as a research assistant doing Carbon-14 dating at Harwell. A recent project has been dating samples of Lindow Man, a body found in a peat bog. Geoff Osborne 38-44 has retired from his broking business in Thame. He was in contact with Brian Barton who was living in Hailey near Witney after 18 years in Toulouse working for British Aerospace on the Airbus, with Jim Harris who was living in Shabbington after retiring from a career in the Hong Kong Police, and Michael Harris, who was at Cape Canaveral working on the space programme. Geoff's daughter Judith had been at the School and had married OT Chris Stuart - they were living in Chiswick with their two sons. Sarah Berridge 73-80 married OT Ian Cutler and they were living in Clevedon. Ian was a retail manager for Ansells Pubs and Sarah was a PA.

1989: David Rumens left the School and started a four-year apprenticeship with TRW Fastening Systems in Aylesbury. Jo Foster 1980-87 was working for the Post Office. The Founder's Day service was split over Saturday and Sunday in an experiment. Saturday was an Act of Commemoration and Sunday the full service celebrating the school. Jon Bryne captained rugby, Richard Howlett the boys hockey, Lucy Williams girl's hockey and Dee Young netball. May Dickenson 74-81 married Robert Waterhouse and Australian doctor she'd met in Adelaide. They were planning to settle in St Ives, Cornwall. Suzanne Baldwin married Jonathan Welsh and were settling in Cheam. Stephen Lilley married Alison Reeve. Two OTs tied the knot together: Catherine Youens and Nick Lerway - they'll be living in Lynhurst, Hants. There were the following deaths: Thomas Barry 1954-9; James Keith 1925-32; Kenneth Clarke 1940-9, and Cecil Osborne-King 1919-22.

Martin Simes was happily retired in Farnborough. Peter Bailey had a company in Bicester called Chiltern Medical Developments designing equipment for the disabled and hospitals. He is considered to be a leader in this field. John Aylwari 1958-63 is General Manager for a large engineering and construction company in Nigeria. He has spent 12 years in France, 3 years in Algeria, 2 years in Malaysia as well as 6 in Nigeria. Clare Gibson 1982-85 is working for Blue Arrow Personnel Services. Nicola Shrimpton has returned from spending 10 years in Denmark during which time she took a 3 year college course in nursery teaching. Trevor Cook 36-46 had retired from the Architects Dpt of the South Oxon District Council. Previously, he'd also worked for Oxon CC, his family building firm and also for a company that made and sold flagpoles - Trevor was responsible for the flag-pole over Buckingham Palace. He was still designing shop fronts and car showrooms part-time, as well as examining for the British Institute for Architectural Technicians, and working with the Royal Naval Association, the Thame Central Area Conservation Advisory Committee, the Thame Diabetic Committee, and the Royal Observer Corps - with whom he gained the long service medal with bar. Bryan Clayton - 39 had retired from banking.

1990: Keith Barnes 1970-76 has been working for Andrews, Kent and Stone in Oxford and had qualified as a Chartered Structural Engineer. Mathew Williams 1976-83, after graduating from Brunel and working as an articled clerk has joined the West End solicitors Nabarro Nathanson as a qualified solicitor. Ashley Goodall was a senior manager at recruitment consultants Price Jamieson. Kate Neal was studying Ancient World Studies at UCL and had been captaining the UCL netball team and playing women's football. A.J.K Smith 34-39 was a Steward for the Aston Martin owners Club, a Parish Councillor in Long Crendon, and Secretary of the Thame and District Farming Club. This year, he retired from Chief Marshall of the Bentley Drivers Club. Cyril Yates 39-44, who had given many years service to the OT Committee died. Robert Fowler 32-37 spent 40 years with the accountancy firm Grant Thornton, joining after he left school. He'd married a local girl Margaret Hussey and had one daughter Kate who'd attended the school in the '70s. News from Peter Parker 35-42 who'd retired to South Glams and spending time on his hobbies of philately, gardening and working on tapestries.

Michael Good was an accountant; brother Stephen a deer farmer and fencing contractor, and sister Susan was living in Hamburg. Ronald Goodearl 42-47 went straight into the family furniture firm in Risborough and this year, on his 60th birthday became its Chairman. He was the fourth generation Goodearl in the firm. David Townsend 57-65 has become General Manager at British Leyland. He married in 1975 and has two sons. Brother Alan 58-66 read Economic History at East Anglia and had worked for Hawker-Siddley, BAC, EMI and Plessey. Russell Townsend runs a graphic design business in Bognor. David Cann 63-70 could be seen in Grange Hill, and he has also become a house dad with his wife pursuing her career in anaesthetist. Both Tim Daplyn and Peter Gardner were Majors in the Light Division. Stephen Walker 65-72 gained a BSc from RMCS, had taught at Icknield School, Watlington and was now teaching at Mathew Arnold School, Cumnor. He married in 1979 and had a son and a daughter. He was enjoying cycling, bell-ringing in Bicester church and classic cars. Two contempories, Andrew Torrens-Burton and Graham Rodgers were living in Swindon and Leighton Buzzard respectively, the latter teaching computer studies.

Another contemporary Adrian Manger was a property surveyor for Racel Vodafone. He captained Tiiddington Cricket Club (having represented Oxfordshire - as had another OT, Chris Clements), and played rugby with Wheatley with fellow OTs Colin Stoakes and Jerry Axford. Ady was married to OT Denise Vickers and they had two daughters. Anthony Ireson was in charge of inmate activities at the new Moorland Prison. A contemporary Paul Glenny, an accountant had emigrated to Australia. Chris Giles, another contemporary had taught English in London but was now married and living in the Orkneys. Martin Fairn 72-79 played his 200th first team game for Coventry. He'd gained a BA in business studies from Lanchester Poly, represented England Students at rugby against Wales and was now an account manager for Rank Xerox. Brother Stephen followed him to Lanchester and Coventry but was now about to emigrate. Sister Nicola left LWS on a squash sports scholarship to Millfield and was now working for Yorkshire TV. Tim, Head Boy three years ago was at Portsmouth reading geography.

John Berridge was an art director for Barkers Human Resources in London. Chris Trodd married and was working for an Aylesbury company dealing in traffic monitoring equipment. Peter Green was married, living in Moreton, working for the family furnishing firm and playing rugby for Alyesbury and cricket for Thame. Larchie Stuart 77-82 was involved in management training. Paresh Motla 77-82 gained a BA in Economic History from Portsmouth and was working in the Overseas Division of Oxfam whilst doing an MA at Oxford Poly. Sister Maleshri who'd been working for the Probation Service in High Wycombe had moved to New York. Cyril Quartly at school in the Forties died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Devon. A talented OT football side led by Austin Naylor beat the School 5-3. Bob Champ was teaching in Weston-super-Mare. Mike Burrows 61-68 lived in Norwich and was a partner with Peat Marwick. Catherine Billson 73-80 did a degree in Textiles and then worked first for Zandra Rhodes and then Jennifer Sanderson. She was now freelance and was frequently travelling abroad for inspiration. She was travelling to Thailand with Peppi Taylor; was god-mother to Emma More's daughter and used to share a flat with Bryony Petford. Andrew Padley-Smith 74-81 was teaching at a primary school in Hastings and playing hockey for a local team. Sister Carol 76-83 was married and working for the Countryside Commission in Cheltenham. Mark Hunter 74-82 was working as a Job Evaluation Analyst for Barclays in the City. Brother John went to catering college and was working in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Julian Steele who studied music in London was now teaching in Spain.

Peter Clarke 77-84 read Chemistry at Oxford and was finishing a PhD at Durham. He was an active Christian and musician. Chris Caspell was living in Oxford and was a trainee accountant. Lesley Blaine 80-87 was involved with monitoring work throughout Europe and Russia in the analysis of pesticides, PCBs and heavy metals. Charles Boyle living in the Solomon Islands had watched England play in Fiji. Chris Kirby -1968 is an instructor at the Oxford Flying School. John Spalding who left in 1961 took early retirement in 1990 after a teaching career of 26 years including 18 years as Headmaster of three large Primary Schools, two in Kent, one in Norfolk. Is now running own Garden Design and Maintenance business in Norfolk.

Richard Prockter who had been director of studies at the school in the 1970s before going on to be Headmaster of Oxford School, had died.

1991: Julia Samson who was a pupil, teacher at the Lower School, and married to OT Roger Samson, left the school to concentrate on bringing up daughter Harriet. Colin Brookes retired - and returned to Norfolk - having joined the School as Head of Biology in 1968. Nicholas Hands 1979-86 had graduated from Cambridge with an Engineering degree. Adrian Jackson founded the Cardboard Citizens Theatre Company. Julian Tidmarsh who left last year has gained his commercial pilots licence. Professor Peter Holt, FBA, DLitt., sometimes Professor of the History of the Near and Middle East at the University of London visited the School. Because of renovation work in the church, the Act of Commemoration was held in the Refectory. The OTs won the rugby, Simon Belcher winning the Fraser Memorial Trophy for outstanding school player. The OTs won the hockey as well but lost in netball. The first Honorary Life President was named: Roland Hill who was at the school from 1924-30. Unfortunately due to serious illness he was unable to attend the ceremony. The OTs also sent their best wishes to Peter More, (staff 1950-82) who was recovering from a major heart operation.

Caroline Bell 1976-83, Jim Cohen 1960-67 celebrated weddings. Eric Bancalari and the Rev Eric Mathieson died, the latter whilst at his church in London. Ben Forster 1969-76 was a veteran of 25 TV ads and was currently starring in the latest milk campaign. Michael Batemen, top of the bowling averages in the Cherwell League was selected for Oxfordshire. Richard Carr played against the Harlequins and was asked to captain the county U25s. Cliff Nixey gained a PhD from Nottingham, and is Director of Technical Services for British United Turkeys. He made the suggestion that an OT Golf Club be formed. Sons and daughters were born to Peter Merrow Smith 1974-82; Stephen Lilley 1964-72; David Lilley 1972-78; Andrew Webb 1969-74; Liz Thompson 1976-78; Paul Neighbour 1973-80; and Steven Smith 1971-75. Paul Shrimpton 1970-77 was an analytical chemist, had recently married and was living in Dyserth. His sister Nicola 1972-78 was working in a nursery attached to Abingdon College.

Richard Overell 1944-54 was offering jobs to anyone who wanted to work in a Russian oilfield - he had set-up a recruitment company after leaving the Daily Telegraph as their Ad Manager. Steve Hunt 1961-66 attended nautical college, then went to sea as an apprentice for four years. Once qualified he travelled the world, married a New Zealand girl and was now working as Operations Manager for the cross-channel ferries. Mathew Williams 1976-83 has married Alison Threlfall 1975-80 (who works as District Nurse) and is working for A.H Duncombe, practising commercial law. They live in Thame. Caroline Bell had married Mathew Dixon. Graham Dix 68-75 was Librarian of the Centre for Russian and East European Studies at Birmingham University. Squadron Leader Robert Phibbs 1915-23 died. Barry Yates 57-64 joined Barclays from school and was now Branch manager at Risborough. He has had two boys at the School, the youngest Gavin, being this year’s Head Boy. Barry was a keen sportsman, playing cricket for Thame 1st XI, squash, golf and referring table tennis for the County.

1992: Philip Quartly 1985-92 had gone to Rycotewood College to study a BTEC in 3D design. William Logan 1950-57 entered the submarine service in 1961. He qualified as a navigation specialist in Polaris and then as a submarine commanding officer, commanding HMS Ocelot and Repulse. After a spell as Commander SM of the Polaris Submarine Squadron, he had a number of staff jobs in Whitehall and abroad. This year, he accepted the retired officers post as Deputy Naval Regional Officer for Eastern England. William and his wife Maud now lived in Fulham and had three adult children. Sophie Lodge 1976-82 had become Mrs Dominic Wrigley. Sarah Greenwood 1980-87 had got married to John Wickens. Her parents used to run that favourite bolt-hole for skiving 6th formers, the Coffeshop in Buttermarket. Sarah went to the London College of Fashion and then recently joined Warehouse. Barry Mott 1963-70 ran successfully in the London Marathon.

Susan Plessey was living in Thame and working as an analyst programmer in Leighton Buzzard. The OT soccer team lead by Joe Stalder were held to a 3-3- draw by the School. Fifty OTs attended the Act of Commemoration. OTs won the rugby and netball. Ron Woolford 1918-22 who was organist at Thame Church died. John Broughton 1941-46 who had recently joined the Committee also died. he lived in Henley and had worked for many years in the City for Whitbreads. Hal Fowler starred opposite Sarah Brightman in 'Aspects of Love.' Gavin Yates who was last year's Head Boy helped England to a Gold Medal in an international tournament. Stephanie Antoine violinist and former leader of the County Youth Orchestra was trying to raise money to help pay for a college course in the US to study the Rolland Technique which helps violinists avoid pain and strain caused by playing. Kate Neal was on a sabbatical working as the Union Finance Officer at UCL. Mathew Wagstaff was reading for the Bar. Imogen Harrison 82-89 had completed her BTEC in Business and Finance (Music Industry Studies) and had done work experience for Sony. Following a PGCE year at Roehampton, Paul King 76-83 now teaches Economics and Geography at Sir William Borlase School, Marlow. Fiona Hockaday 72-79 was Deputy Head of a school in Milton Keynes, and her husband Andrew Webb 69-74 had his own computer training consultancy. Jonathan Moore 68-73 was living in Herne Hill and producing a new Coldcut album and running Ninja Tune whilst broadcasting on Kiss FM.

Ian Dillamore 57-64 was living in Thame and working as a Project Manager with Glaxo. His two sons Paul and Neil had just passed through the school. Brother David Dillamore 55-62 gained his BSc in Chemistry in London and in 1983 had set-up his own management consultancy company in Whitley Bay. Richard Sherwood 52-59 was senior partner in Bruce Lance & Co, High Wycombe. David Davies 49-54 went to Durham University and then teaching, becoming Deputy Head of York House School, Rickmansworth. Michael Bull - 39 retired after working for 36 years as a GP in Oxford. Gordon Jones who’d left in 1963 was now working for Vodafone.

1993: Philip Cockayne 1980-87 had left the NatWest to set-up his own financial management business. In his spare time he enjoyed local politics with the Lib Dems - though he had yet to win a seat. Cloe Tibbetts 1969-74 was helping her husband run a jewellers business in Sevenoaks. Barry Yates, President of the OTA founds the OT Golf Club. Mary-Jane Bugg a former Deputy Head Girl died peacefully in her sleep without obvious cause. She had been teaching in Manchester. Major Martin Lilley 68-75 was awarded the MBE, following a posting to the former Yugoslav where he was responsible for helping to organise rescue operations. Birth congratulations were due to Bill Eason 60-66, to Sara Peacock 79-86 (who was working as freelance editor and proof-reader) and Stephen Lilley 64-72. Nigel Dix 68-75 was married. Rex Thomas (staff 1949-52) wrote in to say he'd retired in 1984 having been Principal of St Austells Sixth Form College.

John Lambert 52-60 was a Senior Supplies Analyst with Rover, where he had worked for 33 years. He and his wife Maureen had just completed a course in Psychology at Abingdon College. Simon Lambert 74-81 had spent two years with the Export Division of Burton's Biscuits and was now working in marketing for Nestle. Jon Cooke was eurobond brokering in Paris. Lisa Cundall 1978-85 studied medicine at Balliol and was now a junior doctor in Psychiatry at Hillingdon Hospital. She had recently married and Karin Henson 79-83 was a bridesmaid - she was also studying law. Paul Shewry 73-80 was a major in the REME. He had just completed an MSc in Defence Technology, and previously had been posted to the Gulf, Germany and Angola. Richard Bale 74-81 had been working for London Underground to design their emergency lighting system.

Victoria Broome trained in hospital management in London and then worked at the The Savoy and The Churchill. She had now gone to Abu Dhabi to be Reservations Manager at The Hilton. Other OTs living overseas included John Aylewood 59-63 in Lagos; Christopher Brookes 60-67 in New Jersey; David Castle 64-71 in Port Stanley; Michael Cook 63-70 in Perth Australia; Philip Cram 54-61 in Calgary; Nicholas Crommer in Bangkok; John Grammer in New Hampshire; Paul Gratwick in Sweden; Martin Honour 57-63 Les Calyes Sous Bois, France; Julia Shewry 74-79 in Belgium; Ingrid Jeffreys in Tokyo; Alan Niven in LA; Stephen Porter in Louiseville, John Sanders 36-40 in South Australia; Stephen Seitz in Oberschleissheim, Germany; Graham Thomas 66-73 on Barker Road in Hong Kong.

1994: OT David Green 50-57 was teaching A-Level economics part-time at the School. He'd spent 32 years teaching in New Zealand but returned to the UK in 1993. He was a serious bridge player at county and national levels. Helen Beazely 1972-74 having spent three years in the Army went to the LSE to read Social Anthropology and Linquistics. Having spent time with Shell International and the Careers Research Advisory Service she started her own training and management company. She had started to write novels under the pen-name Helen Carey. David Davies 1949-54 wrote to say he'd been teaching classics for 30 years after being inspired by the teaching of Mr Mullens and Mr Bevan.

Tony Evans (staff 1952-59) was running the Cambridge Branch of the University of the Third Age where Fred Seal (another staff member of the era) was a member. Bridget Trueman was living in Hemel Hempstead, teaching science. Her husband was a post-graduate at Westminster University. Charlie Boyle 1966-72 was practising architecture in the Solomon Islands. Peter Hussey 71-78 had recently moved to Ashby-de-la-Zouch and was a Manufacturing Manager for Caterpillar in Nottingham. Caron Kettle 74-80 was living in Fleet and working as a software consultant for the transport industry. Gareth Jones 75-83 lived in Cheltenham and worked for Ideal Toys as salesman. He was playing rugby for Cheltenham. Robbie Jones 77-85 was a PE teacher in Isleworth. Eddie Young 75-83 was living and working in London for the Threshers Group. Neil Davies 73-80 was working for L'Oreal in Luxembourg. Joanne Malone 77-83 qualified as an RGN, then travelled to Australia and was now nursing at the JR in Oxford. She was shortly to start a degree course in psychology at Oxford Brookes. Kathryn Jackson qualified as a primary teacher and then went to Kenya to teach. Hilary Markgrow was a Leisure Centre Manager in Hove. Caroline Bell was working as a speech therapist in London. Stephen Brookes did a degree in accountancy at Liverpool was now living and working in London.

Nicola Haynes 81-88 had married this year and was just finishing her management training with British Nuclear Fuels. Jon Sewell had got a 1st in Maths at Cambridge and was now doing a PhD there. Nick Newton-Fisher gained a 1st in Zoology at Bristol and was also researching at Cambridge - he was currently in Uganda studying primates. Jane Butterworth gained a 1st in Chemistry at Bath and was doing a PhD at Manchester. Christine Burns got married and was teaching history. Helen Aslin was doing a PhD in Chemistry at Liverpool. John Addis had just joined the Army. Sarah Ross 84-91 was in Nairobi with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Claire Shepard 84-91 was in her fourth year of medicine at Southampton General. Rachel Collins 84-91 was a Police Special. Carolyn Chaplin and Mark Warner 82-89 both graduated with 1sts in music, were married, living in Aylesbury and were both teaching. The OT soccer was a draw, as was the cricket. Barry Yates organised an OT's President's XI to play Thame Cricket Club. he also organised a Golf Day and had an excellent response with players coming from Cornwall, Cheshire and Whitley Bay. Mike Hollisfield was the winner. A dozen OTs gathered at the Beaconsfield Beefeater for a lunch. The OTs won the boys hockey and rugby; lost the girls netball and drew in the girl's hockey. Laura Bowley starred in panto with Russ Abbot. Three OTs were working in Kenya: Paul Saunders 78-84 was on VSO at Maseno School for the Deaf near Kisumu, Ian Brabbin was a tea taster and director of a tea exporting company, and Danny Shiyukah, who was a prefect at Highfield in 1978, was running a computer business in Nairobi.

1995: Nicola Kightly 1990-92 had graduated from Aberytstwyth with a BSc in Environmental Science. She was going on to Reading University to take an MSc in Soil Science. The first year of Lower School West held a reunion with their old Head, David Carr, present. Thomas Claydon 1919-25 died. Over the years, he'd been an active Committee member of the OTA. M.R 'Dick' Simes died - one of our staunchest OTs, for many years also on the Committee. The School and JHWMF were both remembered in his will. Lt. Col Cecil Douch 1929-36, one of the School's outstanding sport's players of his era had also died. After leaving school, he joined Lloyds Bank before joining the Army prior to the Second World War. He served with the Royal Artillery up to Dunkirk but then switched to the Royal Ordnance Corps, where he worked on ammunition supply and disposal in the North Africa campaign, the Middle East and the Mediterannean. He then served in Korea and later the War Office, Singapore and Germany. At the peak of his career he was Deputy Commander of the Royal Ammunition School. He had two sons who went through the School in the 1960s. Sarah Greenwood 1980-87 is UK Production Manager and Fabric Buyer for Monsoon. Neil Davies 1973-80 was working in Silicon Valley for Financial Trading Systems.

Graham Thomas had moved from Hong Kong to Singapore. Peter Merrow-Smith 1974-82 and his wife Janet Rowe 1974-78 were working in a mining town in Botswana. Sally Bailey 1980-87 was doing travel reports on Galaxy fm in Bristol. Jo Foster 1980-87 had her own successful lettings agency. She lived in Lower Heyford. Lisa Mobbs 1980-85 was now Mrs Earle and living in Winchester. The OTs won at rugby and netball (Helen Lee got the best player trophy) and drew both hockey matches. 500 pounds was raised for the Foundation Appeal at a 'Promises Auction'. Presentations were made to Peter More and Norman Lilley to mark their 70th birthdays. Alan Niven 65-70 lived in the US. He had worked first for Virgin Records and was a founding partner of Enigma Records. From 86-91 he managed Guns n Roses. More recently, he'd been co-composing and producing the 'Sail Away' album for GW and an instrumental record with Clarence Clemons. He was married to Gunilla from Sweden and had two children. David Price 66-71 was working as a sales engineer for an Aylesbury optical manufacturing company but was spending a lot of time working in Taiwan.

Russell Kilmister 67-72 had worked at the National and on TV in Morse, Ab Fab, Minder and The Bill. He lived in Chalgrove, had three kids and ran the local tennis club. Emma Broome 75-81 was married and living in London with husband and two kids. Chris Payne 76-83 attended Royal Holliday before moving into teaching. He was now living and teaching in Abingdon. His wide Sue was also a teacher and they were expecting their first child. Brother Nicholas 74-81 went to Brunel and was now living in Wokinham and working for an American computer company. Alan Osborn 47-52 went to an apprenticeship at Airtech, Haddenham and then continued studies at Oxford Poly. He then joined Possum Controls at Aylesbury where he became Manufacturing Director. He had now taken early retirement. Andy Alden 60-68 wrote to say he was now living in deepest Cornwall, near Helston. Richard Baskerville was also living in Cornwall, as was R.J Boxall 55-62 and Michael Fenwick 40-46. Jane Andrews 71-74 was now Jane Amies and living in Oxford. Kenneth Broughton 38-44 could be found at The Crown Inn, Chinnor. Nanda Raote -1969 After rejecting career advice to become a bridge designer and disappointing Stosh by not going on to University, I ended up in the computer software business. I've lived in various countries around the world for nearly 20 years before settling down in 1995 with my family in South Bucks. Sarah Bell captained the Oxford Women's Varsity Cricket team that beat Cambridge. Michelle Dite played for the England U21 hockey team against Russia.

1996: Sarah Ross 1984-91 was now Mrs Rothwell and living in Long Crendon. The class of '78' held a reunion in the Spread Eagle organised by Tracey Sims, Belinda Martin and Wendy Luxford. Over 90 turned-up. Derrick Hester, Ivor Shrimpton, John Maris and Michael Saich held a get-together for those who'd been at the School from 34-50, a time when Major Dyer had been Headmaster. Due to the presence of popular Classics Teacher Mr Bevan, 86 OTs met at the Masonic Hall in Thame. Nicholas Hands married Victoria Arista, a Chartered Surveyor from the Wirral. Miles Devaney was living in Holland. Lorraine Woodley was seen in 'Grangehill'; Howard Goodall was hosting 'Choir of the Year', and David Cann was seen in 'Brassed Off.' Justine Barrett was killed in a car accident in Brunei. John Woodvine was starring in the RSC seasons at both Stratford and The Barbican. David Barnikel 1946-52 were running the Burton Cliff Hotel, Burton Bradstock, Dorset. Fred Seal was living in Chesterton, Cambridge - he taught at the School in the early 50s. Kevin Diffey 1972-78 had written to say that over the last few years he'd gained a degree at Bristol University, joined the police, had left the Force to become an electrical design engineer, had retired to rural Wales, and was now currently a manager in a large factory. Simon Smith 1972-79 had just started studying Linguistics and Chinese at Leeds University having deferred entry for 17 years.

Richard Morgan 1976-82 was highly involved in business consultancy and public relations across both the private and public sectors. He was proprietor of Latimer Chandler, and served on a number of public committees as well as being a governor of Kate Greenway School in London. Caroline Moore 1977-81 was a director of a Kings Road-based marketing services agency. Three recent OTs tragically died: Marc Trenfield was in Paris as part of his degree course when he died in his sleep of a heart problem; Jonathan Everitt was involved in a road accident near Chinnor; and Leon Steele was killed by a train. Malcolm Ambrose 1938-43 had died. Fred Fowler 1934-39 has recently moved back to Oxfordshire to live in Bicester. Michel Syson 1945-52 ceased practice earlier that year and was a consultant solicitor with BP Collins in Gerrards Cross. Neville Brown 1942-50 was a Professorial Research Fellow in Historical Climatology at Mansfield College, Oxford. He had recently been a consultant to the Government's 30 month review of ballistic missile defence. Jane Youens 1971-78 was a books marketing manager with the British Medical Journal. Jenny Roberts had taken up a new job as manager of an arts centre in East Grinstead. Ruth Kirtland 1980-87 was teaching maths and physics at the Royal Latin School, Buckingham. Thomas Claydon 1919-25, for many years an active committee member died.

Bill Stoakes 1936-39 also died. He farmed in Tetsworth with his son, Colin - another OT. His youngest son Derek also an OT practises as a vet. Guy Churchill 1938-43 also passed away this Spring. Eileen Gould, wife of Gerad Gould, had also sadly died. Christoper Henson 1980-85 now a captain in the Royal Logistics Corps. was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his work in Northern Ireland. Paul Robertson 1977-80 gave news of his family: brother Mike was married and working for the Industrial Bank of Japan in London; Jane was in marketing; Bridget was working for Worldwide Television News. Paul was working with Sola Glass. Imogen Harris 1982-89 lived in Newark and worked at Sheriff Plant. Her sister Ceri was happy employed as a nanny in London. Andrew Spokes was working for Signal Radio based in Stoke on Trent, presenting the Late Late Show from 2:00am to 6:00am. Simon Belcher 1985-92 was a fireman based in Oxford. Alison Lewes was teaching Art Foundation at Oxford Brookes. Stuart Green, Oliver Vass, Sarah Ross, Lynne Trasler, Christophene Tomes and Alison Lewis were all recently married. Sue Mumford was the new appeal co-ordinator for the Foundation Appeal. Jonathan Sewell 1981-88 has gained his PhD from Queen's Cambridge and was working as a graphics designer. Ruth Kirtland 1980-87 was married and living in Bicester. Sarah Brady 1982-89 was studying for a PhD at Edinburgh. Katherine Ellis 1984-91 was studying a Masters in Biological Science.

Stephanie Clarke 1984-91 was working in Headington in computer programming. At Foundation week, three events were celebrated: the foundation of the school, the first birthday of the new Lower School and 25 years of comprehensive education. David Kenningham announced his retirement as Principal. Nicola Shrimpton married Steve Fleming. Hal Fowler married Kim Wilde. Kate Bunston 80-87 was living near Maidenhead, married to an RAF pilot and had a daughter, Ruby. Sarah Brady 82-89 gained a 1st in Chemistry from Salford and was following a PhD in Edinburgh. Katherine Ellis 84-91 was undertaking a Masters Biological Sciences. Mary Clark 84-92 had finished her 2nd year at Cheltenham and Gloucester doing a BSc in Sport and Exercise science. Judith Clark 84-91 gained her BA in Music from Bristol and had just given birth to a baby daughter. Lyn Honeyball had also recently graduated from Bristol with a degree in Music. Claire Shepard and Sara Polhill have both graduated from Southampton with medical degrees. Sam Almutair, recently graduated from Warwick was working in Vancouver. Dr Michael Bull 35-39 was living in Lewis Close, Risinghurst. One of the oldest OTs, Edwin Cannell 20-28 was retired in Hastings. Another grand OT, Frank Dew 21-23 was living in Fritwell, near Bicester; and Richard Duke 20-24 in East Mosely. William Goodearl 20-26 could be found at Loosely Row, Princes Risborough. The OTA had seven Hussey's as members, the eldest being Edwin 38-42 and the youngest Rachel, 81-86. Jon Nelson, Headmaster 57-64 had retired and was living in Bristol. Richard Paterson 63-70 was farming near Bicester. Ian Lambourn 66-73 was a bank manager. David Shrimpton was working at Oxford Brookes.

1997: Catherine Fursman (85-92) rowed for Christ Church College, Oxford. Andy Lambert was working for Saatchi & Saatchi in Singapore. Chairman of the Agency was another OT: Graham Thomas. Later in the year Graham moved to Japan, married Satoko and became President and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Japan. Phillipa Jamieson 1986-91 was spending a year in Singapore as a nursery teacher. (As of yet the three haven't met up). Georgina Russell was a Community Service Officer in Buckinghamshire. Lucy Flower 1985-92 is now studying a PGCE at Exeter. Godfrey Philips 1939-44 died. Geoffrey Johnson 1945-50 died aged 63. For more than 30 years, he'd been farming with his brother Peter at Pasture Farm, Boarstall. Ill health necessitated an early retirement to Long Crendon, the village of his birth.

Peter Miriams 1948-54 died in Australia. Ron McQueen 1959-65 who was living in Kingston Blount died aged 51 after a short illness. A great sportsman, he played soccer for Thame Corinthians, rugby for Chinnor, and cricket for Aston Rowant when they won the Trinity League in 1978 - the same year as they reached the national semi-finals of the Village Knock-Out. Latterly, he'd been the Junior Team coach.

Over 70 people attended a reunion in Oxford for those at the school in the early 1970s. A presentation was made to John Fulkes in recognition of his 25 years service to the OTA. A specially commissioned watercolour of Thame Cricket Ground (his second home) was accompanied by a cheque for 365 pounds. For many of those present, the highlight was to see JF speechless - a first. Kenneth Broughton 1934-44 died suddenly. Ken lived in Chinnor and used to run the Crown Inn. Richard Overell 1944-54 was running the village stores in Olveston Gloucestershire. Bruce Finch 1952-55 was a doctor in Suffolk. Gerald Arber 1950-55 was President of the Steel Managers Union, and was working in the Sheffield steel industry. Adrian Selden 1949-56 was teaching at Harare University Zimbabwe.

Robert Gunstone who was at the School in the 1930s was living in Watlington and had recently celebrated his Golden Wedding. His son Ron, 1960-66 was teaching at Alness Academy in the Highlands. He'd also spent three years as a Church of Scotland Missionary in Malawi. Robert Jeffs 1933-39 had died. He attended Culham College and then served as a wireless mechanic for five years. He'd then taught at John Hampden Primary School, and in Slough and Olney. Geoff Cornish 1950-7 was now living in Bullcreek, a suburb of Perth, and on the verge of retiring as a Company Secretary. Nick Woolfrey 1952-57 ran Schweppes in Kenya, moved to Greece with Pepsi-Cola but then retired at 47. Since then he has set-up his own business. Shaun Beckett 1977-83 is at present managing 3000 sows on a farm in Colorado. Derek Ward 1980-87 had taken-up the post of Research Fellow at the Birmingham Chest Institute with the aim of becoming a chest physician. Charlotte Frazer 1982-89 is working in Tin Pan Alley for a music publisher. Julian Tidmarsh 1984-90 was the youngest First Officer to qualify to fly Jumbo jets. He was flying out of Hong Kong for Cathay Pacific.

Tom Lodge 1985-92 was a product accountant with Rabobank, and living in Brighton. Brother Rupert 1982-89 was working in investment bankers BZW in Canary Wharf. Sister Sophie 1979-86 was running a sailing holiday company in the British Virgin Islands. Clare Turnball was working for Aylesbury-based S&S International as an International Sales Administrator. David Price 1966-73 was working for the St. Shine Optical Company in Taipei. Kate Buswell was farming. Della Crossley was now Della Hannon and living in Brightwell Salome. Nigel Soper 1966-73 was working at the John Radcliffe. Ian Lambourne 66-73 who was living in Kingston Blount wrote to say he'r resumed contact with Andy Clements (living in Wallingford) after many years. Tim Thomas, same era, was living in Market Harborough. Dave Price was working for the St Shine Optical Company, Tatong Road, Taiwan. Tom Matthews -58 had taken early retirement and was selling caravans in the Wheatley area. Bill Middleton who also left in 1958 now had a take-away food store in Perth, WA after many years of working in the construction industry. Phil Cram who left in 1961 was working for Texaco. Bob Sankey was Swan Hill Director responsible for Swan Valley Distribution Centre, Northampton.

1998: Nicola Kightly 1990-92 has been studying her PGCE at Swansea and is now teaching in Douai. Debbie Judge 1976-83 was killed in a car accident. Her 5 year-old daughter was in the car but survived, and the driver of the other car was another OT.

Barry Yates 1957-64 has been with Barclays Bank since leaving School 34 years ago. He was Head of Small Business Banking for the Southern Chilterns Group. Ian Dillamore 1957-64 was working on a 2 year contract with Glaxo in Raleigh North Carolina. Ian's brother David 1956-63 lives in - and runs a consultancy business - from Whitley Bay. Ray Hawes 1950-56 was living in Charleston South Carolina and running a company that supplied tarpaulin to the U.S Army and Navy. Neil Yates 1984-89 was working for the Rank Leisure Corp. and was living in Maidenhead with another OT Vicky Schofield 1985-92. She was working for Thompsons as an Editorial Assistant. Gavin Yates 1985-92 was a sports and geography teacher at a school in Faversham Kent. Kevin Trafford 1961-68 worked as a community psychiatric nurse in East Dulwich, based at the Maudsley Hospital. He was married with three children.

Ben Forster 1969-76 was starring in the panto at the Playhouse in Oxford. Whilst at School he played the lead role in the TV programme 'The Molly Wopsies' and was then hooked on acting. After college his films included French Lieutenants Woman, The Exterminator and Hard Stuff. He's been in much TV including Heartbeat and Chef! Mari Walters 1988-95 was still studying to be a doctor in Sheffield. Sarah Ross 1984-91 is working as an administrator at the Community Hopsital in Thame. Her sister Rebekah Ross 1988-95 was working as a planning officer and studying for her MSc in urban planning at Westminster College. Racheal King 1982-87 was a nurse at Radcliffe Infirmary. Stuart Earley 1984-91 and Joanne Withey 1984-91 were due to marry. Other marriages included Elizabeth Ross, Mathew Jubb 1987-94, Rachel Hussey 1981-86 and Sally Waters 1978-84. Oliver Vass 1982-89 was well on the way to qualifying as an osteopath. Paul Volley played for Wasps in the Tetley Bitter Cup Final at Twickenham. Joe Heap was one of two students winning 'Best Actor' at the Guildford School of Drama.

Perry Lock had retired after 23 years service with Electrolux and was now busy self-employed repairing domestic appliances and also as a semi-professional jazz pianist. After a succesful career with BT, Intergrated Circuit Design and Toshiba (among others) Gary Marsh 1971-76 has spent some time in hospital and is no longer able to work. John Whittle 1971-77 has recently moved to British Aerospace's Filton reserach centre. His wife Catheryne runs a lab in the medical school at Bristol. They have three children. Sue Fagan 1974-82 has been appointed Head of Pensions Administration at Cambridge University. Chris Fagan 1975-80 was working as a senior engineer for Concert, a subsidiary of BT, involved with the implementation of new systems for global customers working mainly in Europe. Nicholas Hands 1979-86 was working for Shell Oil in Canada. William Luther 1987-94 had graduated from Durham with a 2:1 in Politics and was going on to Sandhurst. Laura Mott was working at the North Middlesex Hospital. Mrs Audrey More died. She had an association with the School for nearly 30 years supporting her husband Peter More, and also as Head of the Art department.

Mr Geoffrey Mercer who taught Latin from 1931-35 had died. And the deaths of two OTs: Charles Jones 1937-41 who for many years ran a general stores in Thame High Street; and Geoffrey Franklin 1918-20 of Burwash, Sussex. He and his brother had spent their early working years in New Zealand (see entries in the '20s and '30s). Dr Koon Loong Chan 1980-87 is a Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Sheffield. Koon Hung Chan is a Senior House Officer in Urology at Harrow Wood Hospital. Koon Luen Chan is working for BT and living in Uxbridge. Quentin Wilkins 1986-88 did a BTech in Oxford and then qualified for entry into Military College at Shrivenham. While on exercise, he damaged his leg and was hospitalized for some time but was eventually able to move to Sandhurst and gain his commission. Since then, he's done tours of duty in Northern Ireland and Central Africa. Philip Cockayne was a Lib-Dem Councillor in Oxford. Rowland Willis -58 was working for Guinness UDV in a global marketing role. Dave Robertson was at the School from 1959 to 1962. He took a degree in Hispanic Studies at Liverpool. After 25 years as a university lecturer (Mod Langs) in Scotland, he took early retirement in 1998. Now living in Spain.

1999: The OTA published Reminiscences of Lord Wlliams's School, collated by Herbert Nicolle. On the 9th January, to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Association, a lunch was held at The Red Lion, Longwick. Carol Pudwell retired from Goldsmiths College. The College wrote: "Carol Pudwell came to Goldsmiths initially as a student and, in 1967, joined the Education staff. In the past 32 years he has made a great contribution to the education of thousands of primary teachers. His quiet, unassuming manner conceals a person with a wealth of interests and talents. As a colleague he has been generous, courteous and kind. He has a great love of music and is justly proud of the time he spent singing with the choir in Hampton Court Chapel. He is noted for his calm, unruffled manner which, no doubt, helped during the time when he served in the territorial army and during national service, where his experience included making parachute jumps. Carol will be missed by his many friends and colleagues at Goldsmiths. We wish him well in his retirement, during which he is intending to continue developing his musical talents, especially playing the violin.

Professor Peter Holt (an OT) gave the Founders' Lecture on Edward Pocock, who attended the School in the late 1600s and was the most distinguished Orientalists of the century. Brian Digweed 1953-62 was an accounts officer at the University of Oxford. He went to new College Oxford, then into industry with Lucas Aerospace and then Rank Hovis McDougall. Andrew Goss 1959-67 joined an Abingdon law firm and qualified as a solicitor in 1975. In 1977 he joined a practice in Dorset, became a Partner but in 1994 stopped working to start boat building. Currently he is building Gaff Cutters - traditional looking sail boats. Andrew married Sally in 1973 and they had two sons and a daughter. Stephen Andrews 1968-76 studied zoology at Swansea followed by a PhD at Liverpool. Then he changed tack and qualified in 1988 as a Prosthetist. In 1989 he moved to Southmead Hospital Bristol as head of department. He was was living in south Wales and he and his wife had two boys aged 14 and 12. His hobbies included music and golf. Andrew MacRae 1971-77 read geography at Swansea before joining Arthur Anderson as an accountant. Then he joined Complete Video as Finance Director and then in 1995 he joined Coutts Consulting and became Chief Executive in 1996. In 1999, he led a management buy-out. He is married with two boys. Richard Wierszycki was working as an accountant with McCormick UK and living in Haddenham. John Shepherd was a senior manager with BT and living in Reading.

Robert Perry was also in Reading but teaching. Melvyn Crook was running his own plant hire business in South Wales. Chris Stuart was an investment banker in Chiswick. Catherine Bilson 1973-80 went to Middlesex Ploy and gained a degree in Printed Textiles and then became a designer for Today Interiors. She was living in London and enjoying rock climbing all over the UK. She and another OT Peppi Taylor - a jewellery designer - also enjoy scuba diving together and jive dancing. David Cryer was a fund manager for Clerical Medical Investment Group. For the last ten year he had been together with another OT Dr Stephanie Halford 1974-81. Stephanie was a Research Fellow at the Institute of Opthalmology having completed a PhD in genetics at St Mary's Paddington. John Cooke was living in Megebe, France. Neil Davies was working for CEDEL. Gareth Jones lived in Cheltenham. Sally Walters 1978-84 was married to David Bretnall, a PC patrolling out of Broadway Police Station. She was managing a combi 40-bed Travel Lodge, a Burger King and Little Chef at Alcester.

Kate Neal 1982-89 was working for a sports PR and marketing agency. She'd recently gained an MSc in Sports Sociology and Sports Management from Leicester. David Rumens 1984-89 has graduated from Brunel University as a Quality Engineer and was with LINPAC, a Dunstable firm, as the Quality Control Manager. His hobbies include golf and surfing. Chris Mills was a sports manager at Brookes University. Charles Read, recently married to an Australian girl managed the Helly Hanson shop in Bicester Village. Nicola Collins 1984-91 went to the University of Wales and gained a First in Fine Art - specialising in sculpture. After graduating she went to an archeaological dig in Anglesey and then to one in the Outer Hebrides. This since turned into her becoming Resident Artist on the dig and she returns annually to record progress. Otherwise, she was working in Oxford for Oxbow Books - who publish books on archaeology - organising conferences both at home and abroad. On top of this, she was doing a part-time MA in Fine Arts at Cheltenham College. Nicola Kightly writes to say she is now teaching at Millfield and coaching hockey. A keen sportswoman, she enjoys sailing, snowboarding, squash, surfing and walking.

Debbie Ings was a primary school teacher. Philip Quartly 1985-94 following his degree course at Nottingham, was now studying for his MA in Furniture Design. He'd recently won a competition organised by the Malaysian Timber Co., where he had to use the wood from old rubber trees - after 30 years they need to be uprooted. His design for a low table and stool resulted in a joint first prize and a trip to Malaysia. Victoria Mott 1987-96 was teaching at Cheney School. Her sister Anna 1984-89 was working in Summertown and about to marry another OT, Andrew Davidson. Alexandra Wharton 1989-96 gained a first in Law from Birmingham University and had been accepted as a graduate trainee with Linklaters, a well-known City Law firm. Two OTs, Clara Mott 1989- 96 and Darren Upson were engaged. Clara had a degree in Physiotherapy whilst Darren had graduated in marketing. Scott Abraham 1990-95 was doing a degree in IT at Staffordshire University. About 70 OTs attended a 1934-50 reunion at Thame Masonic Hall. The Guest of Honour was 'Bev' Bevan a former Classics Master.

Roy Holland 1947-54 died aged 63. On leaving school, he did a short spell in his parent's newsagents and then did National Service in the RAF. This was followed by a stint Local Government before he opened his first sports shop. Ruth Mullins sister to former headmaster Hugh Mullins died. Whilst at the School, she'd helped with the general admin' of the Boarding House. Mr Mullins continued to live in Norfolk - and although a little unsteady was otherwise very much with it. Richard Hillier -1958 was now semi retired after working at Blackwell's of Oxford as Group Operations Director. Married with 2 sons and living in Torquay he was working part time as management consultant to European Bank and Soros Foundation in Central and Eastern Europe. Richard Goldsmith, 26, from Reading, died in an single vehicle accident at Christmas Common. And Anthony Slater was also killed in a car accident.

OT Archive

Do you have OT items, which you would like to donate to the School Archive? This could include old newsletters, photos, letters, indeed anything to do with the OTA and the School. All material is kept in a dedicated and locked room, overseen by an archivist, so you can be assured that your donation will be kept secure. If you have items, please let us know by e-mail and we'll, in turn, advise you of the address to send them to.

OTA Members' Archives 2000-2002