St Edward's Rhubarb - 2018

38 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

with their antiques business until Rhys suffered a stroke in 2007. This was a setback, but Rhys bounced back with the determined help of his devoted wife to spend many more active years going back to France and renovating a house. He and his wife, Carol, welcomed dozens of friends to their home for the best St David’s day parties in France. He left behind a son and two grandchildren. The resounding description of Rhys was of a kind, charming person, good company and considerate of others with an in-built zest for living life to the full. An old- fashioned gentleman in the very best sense of the word. DE JONGH – On 1st April 2017, Nicholas de Jongh (E, 1951-1954), aged 79. Royal Army Pay Corps 1956- 1958. PR Consultant 1961, then Corporate Director Public Affairs for GKN plc. Director of the Engineering Employers Federation from 1975. Council Member, Institute of Employment Studies. Beloved husband to Lizzie, father of Alex and Miranda and grandfather of Eric, Edward and Ivan. DE LA BERE – On 23rd June 2017, John Charles William De La Bere (D, 1936-1940). St Edward’s Scholar. Scholar at Trinity, Cambridge 1940-1942 and 1947-9 MA. Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough

had signed up for an excursion to go snorkelling but got into difficulties and suffered the effects of water inhalation. Rhys was a brilliant diver in his day, a great golfer and always up for a sporting challenge. A lifelong rugby supporter, his allegiance was split between Wales and the All Blacks but when it came down to a choice, Wales, always Wales. Rhys began his schooling at Brightlands School in Gloucester before going on to St Edward’s. He trained at Sandhurst and later went on to serve as an officer in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. After leaving the army he spent time in London as a silver dealer before starting his own business in Cardiff. Chris Nathan, St Edward’s School Archivist, was a contemporary of Rhys’ and remembers him as sporty and clever but more memorable was his Teddy Boy ‘quiff’ which he took great pride in, always checking in the mirror to see if it was in place. While living in New Zealand in the 90s, Rhys met and married the prettiest lady in town (that’s what he told his friends) and spent the most exciting 25 years of his life with her as a top-class antiques dealer. Rhys had always had the best stories to tell and entertained his friends and guests endlessly. After splitting their time between New Zealand and their holiday home in France, they made the move back to the UK and continued

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

Davd Ifor Rhys Davies

often involved in committees addressing HR, finance and premises issues. Former Chairman of St Edward’s, Mike Stanfield wrote: “Mark was involved in all the major decisions we took over those years not least the decision over the highly successful move we made to co-education. It was really useful having a businessman on our Board with such a wide experience both of a major industrial company through to the caring world of business.” Stephen Withers Green, the current bursar, remembers an early encounter: “No one could say that Mark dominated Board meetings, but that when he asked a question, it needed answering properly. On one occasion he asked the Bursar through the Chairman – he was always old school procedural on these occasions – whether the bursar had any comments on the Chancellor’s recent budget. I said I didn’t because whatever he said wouldn’t come into effect immediately. Mark did not need to reply because his look said it all – not good enough, and an important lesson was learned by the new young Bursar.” Mark and Margot enjoyed a long and happy marriage but Margot developed a form of Parkinson’s in 2006. He

nursed and cared for her with unceasing love and dedication, determined that she would stay in her home to the end, which she did. He missed her greatly when she died in 2012. He continued to enjoy spending time with children, grandchildren and latterly a great-grandchild, as well as with many friends around the country whom he visited or who made the journey down to Cornwall to stay with him. Mark died unexpectedly at the beginning of April 2018 during the operation he was having to repair a heart valve. He always gave wholeheartedly and unconditionally to belonged. He was “a truly gentle man” - as so many people have said or written about him. He is survived and much missed by his four children, twelve grandchildren and now two great-grandchildren. DAVIES – On 20th November 2017, Davd Ifor Rhys Davies (G, 1954-1959). The following obituary was kindly provided by Lynn Powell-Watts with help from Carol, Rhys’ widow: While enjoying the cruise of a lifetime with his wife of 25 years, Rhys Davies sadly passed away. With great delight, Rhys the professional and local communities to which he

Illustration from Paul Goble's book Star Boy