OLD GUILDFORDIANS
Vale: the passing of two masters
We wish to acknowledge the sad loss of two of our beloved masters.
Edward ‘Ted’ Barber (Staff 1952-1974) 30 June 1922 – 13 May 2019
Ted Barber was born in 1922 into a
working-class, coal-mining family in the
depressed mining and industrial town of
South Shields, England. His mother had 12
children and sadly passed away giving birth
to twins when Ted was about two years
old. With the pressure of supporting a large
family in impoverished conditions, Ted’s
father was forced to send Ted to the Cleadon
Village Orphanage where he spent his early
life up to the age of 15 and a half. With
a childhood tragically filled with hardship,
hunger and the occasional abusive member
of staff, Ted knew virtually nothing of his
family.
As a boy looking to escape his lot in life,
Ted dreamt of enlisting in the British Royal
Navy. At 15 years of age he applied to enter
the Naval Training School at Sheerness, but
was unsuccessful in his first attempt because
he did not meet the height requirement.
Determined to get into the Navy, Ted spent
months striving to grow taller and stronger,
focusing on good nutrition and exercising.
This healthier attitude became a permanent
part of Ted’s life, and in 1938 at the age of
15 and a half, Ted was accepted in into the
British Royal Navy.
WWII broke and, in the turbulence of the
war, Ted was moved from ship to ship and
various theatres of conflict. Ted’s service
included a posting on the battleship
Warspite, as Captain of the Guns, and
later as a Special Services Commando on
HMS Mantis. During his naval service, Ted
trained as a Physical Training Instructor, a
qualification he would benefit from in the
years to come. By the end of the war in
1945, Ted was 23 years of age and a Chief
Petty Officer. The Navy years ingrained into
Ted’s character his respect for order, justice
and discipline.
as introducing them to many extracurricular
sport experiences. Affectionately nicknamed
‘Alibaba’ by the students, his larger-than-life
reputation was bolstered by his success with
the Mr Perth body building competition, a
title he was runner-up for once and won
twice. Ted became known for the same
qualities he valued from the Navy - order,
justice and discipline. Under his stewardship,
the School entered a period of domination
in PSA sports including swimming, lifesaving,
athletics, gymnastics and hockey. In 1962 he
was appointed the founding Housemaster
of Woodbridge and the Director of Physical
Education, leading to his appointment to
Sportsmaster in 1972.
Mr Perth, Ted Barber.
Ted later chose to join the Merchant Navy
and enjoyed travelling to many foreign
ports. This was followed by a stint as Chief
Sports Organiser for Butlins, the affordable
holiday resort chain. Through Butlins Ted
learnt Square Dancing in the USA and
developed his unique singing call. This led
to touring England as Britain’s Ace caller and
Ted used these skills when he became part
of the growing Square Dance Movement
in Western Australia, which was his next
destination.
In July 1952, after arriving in Perth WA,
Ted was appointed as Physical Education
Instructor at Guildford Grammar’s
Preparatory School and assistant at the Senior
School, before being promoted to Physical
Education Master in October that year. He
was quickly able to establish a structured and
disciplined program for his students, as well
It was in January of the school holidays in
1953, that Ted’s life turned to love and he
met Helen Thyer, to whom Ted was married
to for a wonderful 65 years. In his later years,
attending Old Guildfordian functions with
Helen or their son Kim Barber (Woodbridge/
Harper 1965-1973) were important to Ted.
This strong connection is one felt by the
entire family, including Geraldine, Ted’s
daughter.
On his passing, many messages were
received by former students describing a
deep and profound respect for Ted. Further
respects were paid to Ted at the Woodbridge
House Biennial Service on 19 June and his
contribution to the founding of the House
was recognised. A common theme it seems
is that while he had a reputation for being
tough and uncompromising, pushing
students to achieve more than they thought
they were capable of, there was also a softer
side of Ted that stood up for the underdog.
Many former students offered Ted thanks for
helping them strive to find the better version
of themselves, something Ted would have
been very proud of.
Reunions every 10 years – help us organise yours
1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 to celebrate in 2020
The Old Guildfordians Association holds reunions for classes every 10 years. If you are from the class of 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, or
2010, we need your help to make it a celebration worthy of the occasion. If you are not sure what your class year is, consider what the
calendar year was when your age group graduated in Year 12, even if you left before your final year.
If you would like to assist in organising your reunion, please contact David Williams on [email protected] or (+61 8) 9377 8522.
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