St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

38 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

SMITHES – In 2015, Peter Smithes (D, 1957-1961), son of Archibald Smithes (D, 1927- 1932). STURGIS – On 22nd July 2015, Simon Sturgis (F, 1944-1947), brother to John Sturgis (F, 1940- 1943). The following obituary has kindly been provided by his wife Penny; Simon was in Tilly’s from 1944 to 1947, his main subject being History. After leaving St Edward’s he was articled as a Chartered Accountant with Edward Moore & Sons in Queen Street, London. After qualifying he did a certain amount of auditing, and he joined the fledgling TV company Associate Rediffusion where for a time he became involved with the production side. He then joined Hawker Siddeley, working first in London and later moving to take charge of their branch near Johannesburg, South Africa. This was convenient for him, as John, who had qualified as a barrister with Gray’s Inn, was working as a magistrate in Swaziland. After some 10 years in South Africa, having met and married Penny, Simon returned to England, first working in London as a trouble-shooter for various companies and then moving to Gloucestershire where he eventually set up his own small practice in Northleach in an office over the stable of their house there, formerly a pub called The Antelope.

overriding memory of Toby, is that he combined ruthless competitiveness with a superb sense of humour. To be full back for the 1st XV, win the PE and the Junior Worlds in one year, is probably a first for any rugby player!” A rowing scholarship to California, Berkeley, saw him stroke the Freshmen crew before going on to row in the varsity crew of 2003, winning bronze at IRA’s, returning to the UK in time for Henley. He soon found himself a dream ticket, winning the Prince Philip with James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent. Having missed his goal of Athens 2004 he spent the year at Leander culminating with victory in the Ladies’ Plate, beating Harvard in the final. Chris Lloyd, who paired with Toby for 2004 trials found him to be one of the toughest competitors he had ever rowed with, commanding the respect of everyone who had the privilege to row with or against him. Returning to the US to complete his history degree, Toby played rugby for the Cal Bears and, after graduation, followed his father, Derek, into Oury Clark Partners where he qualified as an accountant, and met his future wife Amy. He fought against cancer for several years and, despite a period of remission, it returned with a vengeance. Toby died on 21st July 2015 at the Royal Marsden, for which charity his friends and family still campaign to raise funds. Along with friends from Teddies, Oury Clark and Leander Club, many of his former Cal crewmates flew over to pay their last respects at Mortlake Crematorium, where the service overflowed with those from his short life of just 33 years. Chris Bates (H, 1995- 2000) who was close to Toby since prep school delivered a wonderful, moving and amusing tribute to his dear friend; Jerusalem has rarely been sung with such feeling.

As Penny was working in the Bodleian Library, they eventually moved to live in Oxford, and intended that to be their final home. When Penny retired they realised that Oxford house prices were ridiculously high and they could find more bricks for their money elsewhere, they settled on a former farmhouse with five acres in Normandy, near Falaise. For 10 years they were very happy there, although Simon, becoming ever deafer, found it hard to master the French language. Gradually the upkeep of the large garden and land became too burdensome and they decided to return “to die in England” as they said. They found a little house in Fulbrook near Burford and were busy making it comfortable for their final years when Simon, after only two days of mild pneumonia, just died, completely suddenly sitting in his chair during supper – calmly and quietly, just as he would have wished. Simon kept in touch with St Edward’s, albeit spasmodically, attending the occasional function including the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013. He also much enjoyed the Henley parties given by David Parnwell at his house at Remenham where old boys and girls from the Dragon and St Edward’s would gather and gossip. The Rhubarb Blazer came about partly through Simon’s initiative. In the 1980s he had been attending a party at Derek Henderson’s and a group of OSE were staying at the Feathers Hotel in Ludlow. In the bar discussion took place as to the origin of the rhubarb tie which most of them were wearing; Simon said those colours would look absolutely splendid in blazer form. One of the others present said that he knew a cloth weaver and could get an experimental bolt made up if everybody would agree to buy sufficient to make up a blazer, which they did. Simon wore his for a number of years until he grew out of it and earlier

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

Toby Smith

SMITH – On 21st July, Toby Smith (F, 1995-2000). The following obituary has kindly been provided by John Wiggins, St Edward’s School Rowing Coach; Awarded an all-rounder scholarship, Toby excelled at football, rugby and athletics but it was rowing that provided the greatest challenge and sporting fulfilment. His first appearance in GB kit as a J16 in a Teddies four was followed by a rugby injury that kept him off the water for months, but his athleticism and determination got him straight back into the eight that went on to win the PE at Henley in 1999, followed by gold in the GB junior coxed four in Plovdiv. As Head of House and Captain of Boats his final year saw further golds at National Schools and the Home Countries International. His House Master, Clive Dytor (MCR) recalled “Toby was one of the best ever in all my teaching time”. Ben Lewis (C, 1992-1997), Captain of Boats in 1997, recalls, “I selected him to sub for a few days in the 1st VIII when he was just 15. This was largely down to him winning the Junior and Senior Steeplechase (against all regulations!) in the same day! It seems appropriate that we went on to win the Ladies Plate for Leander in the 4 and 5 seats seven years later. My

Simon Sturgis