Rhubarb 2020

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

of the Council of Notaries – there are many more examples and anyone who worked with Christopher will know that when he signed up for something, he gave 100 per cent. He was not one to sit on the back benches nodding off. If the illness that took him allowed him time to reflect, he will surely have considered that he did all he set out to do with remarkable effect and that he made a difference not only to the lives of his family, his work colleagues and his clients but to the countless others in the local community who may not know his name but who benefitted from his endeavours on their behalf.

solicitor who viewed public and professional service as more important than CPD points. This meant he popped up on various boards and committees, mainly focused on helping those less fortunate than him. Christopher was born in 1945 the son of Michael Langdon, also a solicitor. In fact, it was no surprise that Christopher took up the law, as generations of his family had done. His was very much the traditional family firm and, like Christopher, it was embedded in the local community of Hastings. Christopher’s love of tradition, of the law and of the written word were displayed in his book about the firm, Square Toes and Formal, published in 2003 and updated in a second edition in 2006. In practice, Christopher mixed his love of tradition – the militaria displayed around his office – with a passion for technology, though tradition still won in the end, as he insisted on using Word Perfect, believing it to be far superior to its Microsoft rival. If he took you on as a client, you would get no-nonsense advice on a wide range of topics, no problem being too big or too small. For 25 years, Christopher was secretary of the Hastings and District Law Society – again, following tradition. In his book he records the fact that up to the point at which he stood down as President, in 1999/2000, there had only been four meetings of the Society’s committee at which a member of the Langdon family had not been present. For one so busy running his practice and serving various local charities, it was surprising to find that Christopher also found time to be a Freeman of the City of London, a member of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners and President

HENDERSON, LINDSAY (1944-2019) On 11th December 2019, Lindsay Michael Henderson (G, 1957-1962). Lindsay was Head of School in St Edward’s Centenary Year when Frank Fisher was the Warden. During his time at Teddies he was also Head of House (Segar’s), Head Prefect, in the Upper Science VIth, a member of the Rowing VIII in 1961 and 1962, the 2nd Rugby Football XV, the School Athletics team, Captain of the Chapel Tower Bell Ringers, a Sergeant in the CCF (and a participant in the arduous training programme in the Brecon Beacons). He went on to Selwyn College, Cambridge where he rowed in the Boat Race in 1966 and in 1967 as President of the CUBC and the Hawks’ Club. He became a veterinary surgeon and had a mixed practice in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. He sat on various committees including the VPHA and the BVA. Rowing was his great passion and nothing beat the joy of Cambridge’s clean sweep of all the Boat Races in 2019. Christopher Michael Fane Langdon (F, 1958-1963). Brother of Patrick (F, 1960- 1965). We have been advised of Christopher’s death by his brother, Patrick. The following is taken from an obituary which appeared in The Law Society Gazette on 13th May 2020. ‘End of an era’ is a phrase much used and often misused but it is surely the right way to describe the death, on 17 April, of Christopher Michael Fane Langdon. Christopher oozed tradition and history. He was from that mould of LANGDON, CHRISTOPHER (1945-2020) On 17th April 2020,

As his sons pointed out, this was also a picture of a small boy who was about to embark on his St Edward’s journey. Arriving on a Colonial (later Barclays) Bank scholarship, the eulogy continued: “ in many respects, this is where Gigi’s journey began; this is where he started to carve his own place in the world. He was given the chance, given the opportunity…” They went on to remember their father who, after a brief spell in the Royal Air Force, joined Barclays DCO, returned to the Caribbean where he met his wife Mary (Mimsy) in Belize and then served the Bank for his entire career, representing Barclays throughout the Caribbean and in many corners of the world (Manager of the first International Bank in SE United States, General Manager Ireland, General Manager Gibraltar and the South of Spain).  David retired close to Gibraltar, in Sotogrande in Spain, playing golf when he wasn’t travelling to the US or to London to see his six grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Mimsy, and sons Alan and Martin, who both wore their Rhubarb ties as they said goodbye to their father.  David died from complications following a head injury after a fall, having missed some stairs as he turned to hold a door open for his friends. He will always be remembered as a gentleman and his sons are proud to remember where many of his beliefs and values were formed; they are proud to remember where his journey began.  SYMMONS, TREVOR (1943-2018) On 13th October 2018, Trevor Martin Symmons (D, 1957-1961). Brother of Clive (D, 1953-1958). Sales Manager, Rank Xerox,

V A L E T E O B I T U A R I E S

MILLS, CHARLES (1945--2019) On 5th September 2019, Charles Edward Mills (E, 1959-1963). Insurance broker and Associate Director of Sedgwick’s. JOHNSON, CHARLES (1962– 2020)

On 27th June 2020, Charles Hugh Johnson (B, 1975-1980). Father of Henry (B, 2011- 2016) and Milly. Charles Johnson died peacefully but unexpectedly at home in Oxfordshire on 27th June 2020 aged 58. Husband of Vanessa and father of Milly and Henry. Much loved son, husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, teacher and friend. Former Deputy Head at Shiplake College and Housemaster at Stowe School. He will be greatly missed by so many. ROWLAND, ANDREW (1969-2017) On 18th December 2017, Andrew James Rowland (F, 1986-1988).

Croydon 1974.

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