St Edward's Rhubarb - 2018

36 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

owner of a Frazer Nash sports car, Geoff developed a passion for ‘improving’ machinery. He and his wife, Jane, worked on numerous projects including building a 70’ narrowboat ‘Beckwood’, refurbishing a traction engine, converting a 24-metre Dutch Motor Barge ‘Avanti B’ before downscaling to classic cars. A practical yet inquisitive man, Geoff undertook much of the mechanical work himself; personally rebuilding and fitting a Seffle engine in Beckwood, installing a Rover V8 engine in his Triumph Stag and fuel injecting his MGB GT are just three examples of this theme which endured throughout his life. Also seeking improvements beyond the workshop, he and five colleagues set up the Dutch Barge Association which he chaired for the first 5 years. Geoff and Jane forged many deep friendships while cruising the waterways of the UK and Continent and subsequently when taking part in motor tours on the Continent and North America in their extensively yet sensitively modified Stag or bright red MGB GT. He is survived by: Jane, his wife of 49 years; son David (E, 1983-1988), Air Commodore in the RAF; daughter Jo, Everest summiteer and outdoor instructor; daughters Clare and Susan from a previous marriage; and a total of seven wonderful grandchildren. Geoff was a fine man who will be missed by many. CASH – On 19th September 2017, George Noel Cash (F, 1945-1950). This obituary was sent by Andy Cash. Noel Cash, who died peacefully on 17 September 2017, was born in Plymouth to his mother Elsie and father Arthur on 23rd November 1931. He attended Mount House Preparatory School and

COLES – On 16th February 2017, Timothy John Coles (C, 1950-1954), unexpectedly whilst on holiday. RNR 1954-1956. Bowater- Scott Paper Manufacturers 1956-1960. Chairman and CEO Young and Rubicam, London 1960-1982. CEO Chanel Ltd from 1982. Master of Bolebroke Beagles 1983-1988. Much-loved husband of Biddy, brother of Sally, father of Victoria, Pippa and Sarah. COLYER – On 30th June 2017, Alec (Aled) John David Colyer (F, 1954-1957). Retail Buyer, Savile Row 1979. D’ARCY – On 30th May 2017, John Robert D’Arcy (A, 1942- 1947). Brother of Michael (A, 1938-1943), Step-grandfather of Hector Ahern (E, 2006-2011). At School John was a member of the Rugby XV and the Rowing VIII in 1945 and 1946. He was Honorary Secretary for Rugby and Shooting, Head Boy for two terms, Head of Cowell’s House, Senior Sacristan, Librarian, Honorary Secretary to the Kenneth Grahame Society and Literary Society, acted in school plays, sang in the choir and was an Under Officer in the Junior Training Corps. After St Edward’s he won a choral scholarship to St John’s College, Cambridge. For a while he practised as a Barrister in the Inner Temple, but in 1953 became a pilot, flying with BOAC (later British Airways) from 1957 -1984. There he was promoted to Captain in 1971, General Manager of Flight Crew in1976, Chief Pilot in 1979, before becoming a light crew member for Concorde in 1982. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1983, then worked as Operations Manager Cyprus Airways 1984 – 1986 and an Aviation Consultant from 1986. He was a Liveryman

from 1972 to 1978; Director of the Department of General Practice Studies at Kettering General Hospital; Founder and first Director of the Vocational Training Scheme for General Practitioners for Kettering and District; and Secretary of the BMA Kettering Division. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1978 and was awarded Fellowship of the British Medical Association in 1989. He had a love of the rich tapestry of life and an ‘unquenchable curiosity’ man, doctor, soldier, traveller, archaeologist, photographer, astronomer, genealogist and historical researcher. He was probably best known to his friends as a sailor, he became an Ocean Master and was elected into Membership of the Royal Institute of Navigation. He taught navigation for several years and skippered the Royal Artillery’s yacht across the Atlantic in 1988. He remained a strong supporter of St Edward’s School throughout his life, whether acting as medical officer for their 1969 Morocco expedition or as a regular attendee at concerts, plays and reunions. He was a deeply kind and caring husband, father, friend, colleague and doctor. Genuinely interested in others, he shared their passions, guided and nurtured them along the way, gave them a hand up when things went wrong and celebrated their successes. CHICK – On 6th October 2017, John Henley Chick (B, 1947-1952), son of John (B, 1918-1921) and brother of Patrick (B, 1950-1954). Loughborough College 1952-1955, Diploma 1st Class Civil Engineering. Tarmac Construction Ltd, Chepstow. MICE. Governor, Clifton High School. Rotarian. and enthusiasm spanning many interests: as a family

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Noel Cash

blitz by spending weekends in a converted railway carriage outside Lydford on the western edge of Dartmoor. He went on to enjoy his time at Teddies (Tilly’s House) from 1945 to 1950, he played rugby, rowed, was in the CCF and sometimes attended to his studies. He undertook basic training for his National Service at Oswestry and subsequently commissioned from Mons Officer Training into a Royal Artillery Survey Regiment and served from 1952 to 1954. He then joined the TA and served from 1954 to 1968, being awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1967. Following his National Service, he trained at Middlesex Hospital and qualified as Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1959. At the Middlesex Hospital he also met Anne, a Ward Sister, and they were married at Stoke Wake on 28th January 1961. They had two children, Pippa and Andrew (G, 1981-86). After completing his General Practice training in 1961, they settled in Northamptonshire and he was a GP for Rothwell and Desborough from 1962 until his retirement in 1996. He always took a deep professional interest and pride in the National Health Service and was a GP member of the Kettering and District Management Team

he and his younger brother John escaped the Plymouth