N EWS FROM ARO UND TH E W OR L D
1940-1949
David Brancher (‘Twig’) (Fenton 46)
I recently celebrated my 90th birthday. Among the lunch guests
was my great friend John Skinner (‘Skins’) (Hardinge 52). We
reminisced about our appearance in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by
Jury, with Twig as the Defendant and Skins singing and skipping
about as one of the bridesmaids.
Basil Gladwell (Hardinge 49)
I can recall the weekly parades in our air cadet uniform and a flight
in a Tiger Moth at Rochester airport, which was the first time most
of us actually flew. It was most exciting and a bit scary! We also had
summer cadet camps at Emsworth airfield. Perhaps there are some
other school cadets who could expand upon my recalled moments.
That cadet background led to my call-up as airman. I continued
national service as an airman – with service in Egypt and Kenya –
before conclusion of my national service. I took up service in the
Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1953. My current status is as a
retired NZ Public Servant – and enjoying it!
1950-1959
Robert (Bob) Wise (Johnsons 53)
The reunion in April in the former Dining Room of Johnsons was
fantastic and I enjoyed meeting my former pupil buddies so much,
having travelled all the way from Texas. I have lived a good life
and the only sorrow is that I lost my wife Dorothy last September
after 60 years of marriage. We have also lost so many of my
contemporary Johnsonians whom I remember so well. I will always
treasure the days I spent with EG’s Johnsons boys. The school does
a fantastic job of keeping up with us all and for putting on so many
functions. I live quietly in the town of Spring near Houston and,
having downsized recently, I am kept busy putting my new house
in the shape I want it. There is always plenty going on and I travel
back to the UK at least once per year to see family. My son and
daughter live in the UK as do most of my six grandchildren and ten
great-grandchildren.
restored with her original name of HMS Trincomalee, birthed
at Hartlepool, and a wonderful ship to behold. Please email
rgunner@btinternet.com.
Alan Bishop (Fenton 62)
I worked in the shipping industry for Union Castle Line and Clan
Line and spent an enjoyable year working in Mombasa before
returning to London. After my health deteriorated in 1972 I
moved to the New Forest and commenced a career in bookselling,
becoming Chairman of the Hampshire Branch of the Booksellers
Association and serving on the BA Council. After selling my
bookshop my wife and I decided on a change of scenery and moved
to a village in the beautiful Blackdown Hills in Devon. We enjoy
visits from our two sons. I also enjoy reading news of people I
remember from Sevenoaks and was saddened to learn of the death
of my old friend Andrew Bass.
Anthony Lunch (Sackville 63)
I was presented with an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Long
Service Award last November. Totally unexpectedly, I received
the award in recognition of my 40 years involvement with
Oxford University Yacht Club, in many roles but concluding with
a 20-year stint as President. My early years in sailing were at
Sevenoaks, where I was taken under the energetic and dedicated
wings of EG Groves and Brian Scragg. I campaign a Swallow
racing yacht at Itchenor SC, where OS Simon Slater (Grote 72)
is a fellow competitor! It was a great honour to receive the
award from Princess Anne and much of the credit for this lies at
Sevenoaks School!
Richard Bird (Sackville 65)
I’m still alive in France, Spain and England!
1960-1969 Peter Woodhead (Park Grange 66)
I moved to Hong Kong in 2002 and stayed. I worked in education
and am now trying to be retired and sail when I can. My children
are in Sydney and the US. I have fond memories of Tom Mason,
Alan Hurd, Hoppy, Nottidge and Willie Bleyburg – weekend camps
and Digweed! I still play croquet. If you’re anywhere in the region
you’re welcome to visit. Sadly my brother – Michael Woodhead
(Plender 64) – passed away last September.
Richard Gunner (Wordsworth 60) Peter Thornton (Park Grange 67)
I would like to hear from any OS who attended the Sevenoaks
School Easter holiday experiences on board the TS Foudroyant at
Portsmouth during the 1950s and 60s. The old vessel is now fully I left Sevenoaks after four years as a Park Granger and it was
disappointing to have missed the last two years and privileges
of Sixth Form but I made up for that at Newington College in
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