St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

35

with the current Chairman of Governors, Mike Stanfield, he continued to visit Teddy’s and was happy to keep in touch. At the 150th a splendid photograph was taken by Katie Jones before he collapsed in the heat. Nothing else would have stopped him taking part. He died peacefully with his family around him after a short illness with round-the-clock care in his flat in Wimbledon. A service to celebrate his life was held at St Mary’s Church, Wimbledon on the 2nd April. This was well attended including a strong team from Oxford; the family were heartened by the support. Tributes were paid by James Espey, a business colleague, his grandchildren, Camilla, Alice, Laura and William, Mike Stanfield and finally his daughter Julia and me, Michael Palau. The tribute to Geoffrey Palau also appears in the current issue of the Chronicle. PALMER – On 19th December 2015, John Palmer (A, 1960-1965). The following obituary has kindly been provided by John’s wife, Alex; John was educated at Sompting Abbot’s Prep School and then at St Edward’s, Oxford, where he played an active role in the music of the school, but never shone at sport. He studied Chemistry at Southampton University where he met Alex, playing their flutes side by side in the university orchestra. They were both also involved in the choirs and musical productions. After graduating John and Alex married and stayed on to do their PGCEs at Southampton. John’s first appointment was to a Head of Department, at Market Rasen Grammar school in Lincolnshire, where he intended to remain long enough to qualify for the SRC scholarship he had been awarded. He had intended to

in December 1939. This was a disappointment but a visiting England scrum half commented that he would not have to wait long for his full cap. This was not to be as the War which took him into the Grenadiers also took his left leg. Needing wine for a party to celebrate survival from the War he found that it was hard to find. A friend of a friend suggested he talk to Edward Young, the wine merchants, who also offered him a job. His plans for being a barrister were abandoned and now with a wife and family he was happy to be employed. He remained in the wine trade for his entire working life being recruited in 1954 by Seagrams, the large Canadian company, and managing the House of Seagram in the UK from 1956. Thus began 14 happy years as a relatively young MD in London. Post Seagram he was invited by IDV (now Diageo) to play various roles as Chairman and MD until his retirement in the 1980s. His time as a Governor of the School began in 1964 when he was invited by Warden Frank Fisher to bring some commercial nous to the Board. It was not until 1979 that he became Chairman of the General Purposes Committee and quite soon after had to address the thorny idea of bringing girls into the school. Initially not convinced he became over the years one of the strongest converts and in his later years claimed it was his best achievement to bring girls into the Sixth Form in 1983 followed by co-education in 1997. To say that he enjoyed his involvement with Teddy’s is an understatement. Not that he found persuading academics of certain moves to be easy, but he kept his eye on the prize and served in support of five Wardens until he finally retired at the age of 80 in 2001. He had been Chairman from 1985- 1992. Thanks to a friendship

of the Clarendon Club. He was a Trustee of the Culham Educational Trust and also the Oxfam Pension Scheme. Geoffrey was President of the St Edwards School Society in 1998 and Treasurer of the St Edward's School Martyrs from 1974 to 2008. He was also a Governor of Headington School for 19 years, chairing the Finance Committee during that time. Geoffrey is survived by his wife and children, Helen and Andrew. PALAU – On Sunday 6th March 2016, Geoffrey Bassett Palau (E, 1934-1940), father to Michael Palau (B, 1934-1940) who has kindly provided the following obituary; My father came to St Edward’s in 1934 and so began an affair with the school which lasted over 80 years. He often described his time at the School as the happiest of his life. He held a Middle School record for the 100 yards for some 25 years and reading the rugby reports of 1938, 1939 and 1940 this is not surprising as they had XVs which won most matches and were unbeaten against peer schools. He went one better being selected for English Schools to play the Scottish but the match was snowed off

O B I T U A R I E S

John Palmer

take up a place at Oxford to do a PhD, but decided to go for an interview at Wellington College to consult the Master, who had been his Warden at Teddies, and whom he much admired. Frank Fisher persuaded him that three years teaching experience would be of greater use to his career than a PhD, and so he joined the Chemistry department at Wellington in 1971. John was a committed member of Common Room, showing great skill as a Chemistry teacher but also joining the CCF, helping with hockey, swimming and cricket and taking part in various musical events, especially starring in such roles as Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore , and the defendant in Trial by Jury . He also found time with a colleague, to write the Palmer and Shaw chemistry text book (still in use today) and to start a family. From 1975 to 1977 he went on exchange to NZ and taught at King’s School, Auckland. While there he continued both to teach and be involved in many extra-curricular activities. He and Alex with their two little boys travelled extensively and made many friends. They returned with the addition of a daughter in December 1977 and John was immediately invited, with Alex, to start and run Apsley, the first boarding house for girls. Four years later, at the early age of 34, John was appointed Headmaster of an all-girls

Geoffrey Palau