The Trusty Servant Nov 2016 No.122 | Page 26

N O. 1 2 2 T H E T R U S T Y S E R VA N T
George Henry Hayhurst-France( I, 43- 47): died 20.3.2016. He was a farmer, first of all in Sussex 1948-53. Then on doctor’ s advice he emigrated to Canada in 1953, initially working on a farm at Peace River, when he often walked to and from work, a distance of 7 miles. He bought a farm in Wesley Creek and his first livestock was a dairy calf won by his brother in a raffle. He built a herd of 100 with some of the first exotic breeds in North Alberta: he was a leader in farming technology and was the first AI technician in the North. He rode horses until his arthritis stopped him and he then switched to carriage driving. He competed for Canada in the World Carriage Driving for the Disabled in Hartpury, England 1994, Wolfsburg, Germany 1998 and Greven, Germany 2002. His hobby was trains and model railroading. He had a very large HO scale model railroad in the basement. His life was blighted by arthritis from early childhood but the disease never dominated him. Married 1960 Gerarda De Meyer( marriage dissolved). He is survived by their son and two daughters.
Keith Graham Frederick Spence( Coll, 43-48): died 19.6.2016. Son of DGCS( Coll, 17-23) and brother of JDS( E, 49- 54). Greek Prose Prize. Scholarship, Balliol College, Oxford 1950, 1 Classics Mods 1952, 2 Lit Hum 1954. He first worked on the editorial staff of Country Life 1954, where he returned as deputy editor in the mid 70s. He became associate editor of Reader’ s Digest special books 1966 and editor of Science in Action 1968, which did not last. He spent the golden handshake buying a camper van and took his wife and four young children on a grand tour of Europe. Thereafter he was a freelance writer and editor, which included some extraordinary trips to Madagascar, Kenya and Syria. His most loved and respected book was The Companion Guide to Kent and Sussex 1973. He and his wife lived in France 2003- 2013. JS Bach’ s‘ Fugue à la Gigue in G major’ was played at his funeral: he used to play all Bach’ s preludes and fugues on the piano with mathematical precision. He is survived by Penny, his wife of 59 years, and their two sons and two daughters.
Gilbert Alexander( Alick) Barratt( I, 44- 45): died 21.7.2016. Son of AWB( I, 01-05) and brother of DECB( I, 40-44). He contracted polio on VJ Day 1945 and left the School after only four halves. He spent two years in hospital in Birmingham where the horrors of his treatment were indescribable. He wrote in his memoirs,‘ My disability from polio may well have proved an unexpected advantage. Having received reports of the“ must try harder” variety but faced with real handicap, I set about my future education and career with new determination.’ He educated himself from the hospital library trolley and with tuition from a retired vicar. Despite his unusual educational background he persuaded the Warden of New College to offer him a place to study Modern History. 2 History BA 1952. He qualified as a solicitor 1957. He was a partner with Lee Bolton & Lee, Westminster 1967-78 and with Winkworth & Pemberton 1978-80. He became Master of the Supreme Court, Chancery Division in 1980 until his retirement in 1997. As a young man he was determined to achieve the impossible: on crutches, paralysed from the waist down and before society provided any special disability aid, he travelled through remote parts of Europe, the Soviet Union and the Middle East. Finally, by now wheelchair-bound, he looked after his wife, who had motor neurone disease. With his wife he wrote Clungunford- 950 years of a Rural Community. Married 1964 Fiona MacDermott, who died after 51 years of marriage in 2015. He is survived by their son and daughter.
Alastair Charles Franklin Thomson( C, 45-50): died 15.3.2016. Son of AFT( C, 18-23) and father of JCT( C, 74-79) and RHT( C, 76-81). VIII 1948-50 President 1950. Won Princess Elizabeth Cup, Henley Royal Regatta 1949. National Service, Royal Horse Artillery in BAOR. Magdalene College, Cambridge 1953, 3 Law 1956. OUBC 1956. British VIII European Rowing Games 1956. Qualified as a Barrister 1959. He then became a merchant banker, first with William Brandt’ s Sons & Co and later with National & Grindlays Bank, with whom he was managing director for Africa and the Middle East. He retired 1984. He was seen as the embodiment of a certain Britishness of his generation. His word was his bond and when times were difficult he had a stiff upper lip. Courtesy was his watchword and when gravely ill on the penultimate day of his life he was full of apology to his GP for putting him to the trouble of a home visit. The‘ Triumphal March’ from Aida was played at his funeral. Married Olivia Worthington, who died 2015 after 56 years of marriage. He is survived by their two sons.
David Richard Fraser Roseveare( Coll, 45-50): died 13.6.2016. Son of RVHR( Coll, 10-15, Co Ro 22-32 and 44-57) and brother of ASR( Coll, 49-52). Schol Prae. Registered as a conscientious objector, he completed National Service in Horticulture. Exhibitioner, Trinity College, Cambridge 1953, 2 Maths Pt 1 and 2 Music Pt 2. MA 1960. He first worked as assistant master at Rugby 1956 and at Aldenham 1957-60. He then secured a job as a producer with the BBC’ s newly established Schools Television Service, where he was a pioneer of maths programmes for the classroom, with a concern for the‘ low-attainer’. He was determined to find ways of enthusing children and he provided a stimulating yet manageable resource for teachers. One of his most innovative programmes, Mathshow, was nominated for a BAFTA. He was the chief organiser of the Technology Group in 1984. He was the conductor of the Jordans Singers and the Jordans Baroque Orchestra and regularly took part in the St Endellion music festival in Cornwall. On retirement he formed the Ealing Trio, set up the Ealing
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