Rhubarb 2019

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

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From the Warden

Nowhere is the spirit of Teddies past, present and future more alive than in the pages of r h u b a r b . Each year, this informative magazine sweeps across the many generations of former pupils, illuminating the lives they have led and continue to lead in all walks of life. The past year has provided a number of often sombre occasions to remember those among our number who fought bravely on fields of conflict and paid the ultimate price. At a special Service of Remembrance in November to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, St Edward’s paid heartfelt tribute to the 124 former pupils and staff who lost their lives in the Great War.

Further significant dates have provided occasion to reflect. June marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the largest seaborne invasion in history, which featured a number of OSE. We were very sad to learn recently of the deaths of Michael Parker (E, 1935-1939) and Edward Burn (G, 1935-1941), who both survived the landings. Michael was a gunnery officer on HMS Warspite, the battleship that fired the first shots of the entire operation; Edward landed on the British beaches with the Buckinghamshire Regiment. To mark the anniversary, Archivist Chris Nathan focuses on the D-Day experiences of Major Tony Lewis (A, 1934-1938) and Captain Nevill Lawton Smith (E, 1931-1935) in the summer edition of the Chronicle ; and for a comprehensive and absorbing account of OSE involvement in the Second World War, look out for Chris’s book, Let it Roar, Let it Rage, We Shall Come Through , to be published in the autumn, 80 years after the outbreak of this brutal conflict. You can read more about this important publication on page 24. There are many ways to serve, of course, and in this issue we focus on the countless

OSE who have chosen, either through their work or through voluntary activities, to support their fellow citizens and wider society. A truly remarkable collection of narratives covers almost every aspect of the human experience, from surf therapy, personal development for the elderly, medical research and the Marathon des Sables to social enterprise – ‘doing good with wood’ – free workshops in digital manufacturing, saving orangutans in Borneo and Sam Branson’s phenomenal Strive project: OSE are making their mark across the globe. Read more about all these initiatives and more from page 4. I wish you an enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing many of you either in School or at one of our OSE events in the coming months.

S O C I E T Y

Stephen Jones Warden

Joe Robinson (H, 2003- 2008) and Grace Gilbert (née Robinson) (K, 2005- 2010), Siblings in the Sahara. Picture taken by Susie Chan, Ultra-runner.

Message from the Editor

It has been a year of personnel changes here in the OSE team but our OSE connections remain of utmost importance to us. Hopefully in this year’s r h u b a r b you will still sense that community spirit as we update you with School and OSE news and events. This edition has opened the lid on the charitable work that OSE are involved with. It is astounding both in its breadth and reach. We were overwhelmed with your

response and are sure there is even more OSE involvement we are yet to learn about. Please continue to inform and update us so that we may spread the word. With a new Development Director starting imminently we hope to be able to tell you of exciting plans for the future so please keep watch for emails or news on the website and remember we love to hear from you.

Society ............................................................. 1 OSE News ..................................................... 3 Charities ......................................................... 4 OSE News ...................................................14 School News .............................................16 Society Funding ....................................22 Archives ......................................................24 OSE News ...................................................26 Merchandise ..............................................31 OSE at Work ............................................32 Congratulations .....................................35 Obituaries ...................................................38 Events .............................................................61 Martyrs Reports ....................................65 Contacts .......................................................68 Valete .............................................................69 Contents

Corrections Correction to r h u b a r b 2018 ‘Field House – a short history’

Thank you to Christopher Hand (C, 1960-1965) for spotting that the ‘new’ Field House was occupied from September 1965 and not 1964 as reported. David Sansom (B, 2007-2012) – In 2013 David walked 1,258 miles from Lands End to John o’Groats, raising £12,500 for Emmaus Oxford. The expedition was featured in the 2013 issue of r h u b a r b , however, the accompanying photo was not David! With our apologies, we submit a correct one.

David Sansom