the wellington college year book 2010/2011
143
obituaries
the revd r.j.b. eddison, ma
[bd 1930–1935]
S
on of a clergyman, a College
prefect and fast bowler in
the cricket xi, John went
up to Trinity College,
Cambridge in 1935. After
ordination at Ridley Hall, he served at St John’s
Church, Tunbridge Wells and was Chaplain to
the Bishop of Rochester.
For 38 years from 1942, John was
Independent Schools’ Travelling Secretary for
the Scripture Union, a life time devotion to
spreading God’s word in schools. He had a
profound Christian influence on generations
of boys particularly in prep schools, where
he was a regular and popular preacher. He
was remembered for his clarity and engaging
style when explaining profound truths. For
many years he led summer holiday parties
in Swanage. He served as a governor of
Sherbourne (1974–1981) and Stowe (1969–
1990), being Chairman of Governors of the
latter from 1981–1986.
Good looking and always well dressed,
John was good company and always had a
fund of stories. He was a much loved uncle
and godfather.
lieutenant colonel r.g. borradaile, mbe, mc
[hn 1927–1932]
A
t College Ronnie was a
member of the Upper Ten
(senior College Prefect)
and the Rugby xv, as well
as Captain of Cricket and
Head of Gym. At the rmc Sandhurst he was
Prize Cadet before being commissioned into
the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
In 1936 he won the mc in Palestine where
he was wounded during the Arab uprising.
Serving in Cairo in 1942, he was part of a
task force sent by the British Ambassador to
seal off King Farouk’s palace and force him
to abdicate, a successful operation. Later in
the same year he was captured at Tobruk and
became a prisoner in a pow camp in Italy.
Escaping by tunnel, he and two companions
made their way to the Canadian front line.
Before the war, Ronnie had been a champion
motorcyclist at Brooklands aged 21, lapping the
course at 100 m.p.h. in a borrowed GrindleyPeerless bike and winning the Gold Star. In
1959 he settled in the Quantocks, Somerset.
His two sons John [S 1960–1965] and James
[A 1971–1976] followed him to Wellington.
r . s . l aw r i e , m b , b s , m d, f r c s , f r c p
[pn 1930–1933]
R
ex Lawrie was the younger
of two brilliant brothers in
the Picton, Aitken [1927–
1932] being the elder. Rex
gained his medical degrees
at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School,
winning amongst many prizes, the Gold
Medal. Although a surgeon, he also gained
post-graduate qualifications as a physician.
Joining the Royal Army Medical Corps
for wartime service, Rex worked with a
pioneering maxillo-facial surgical unit. They
treated many complex injuries, including
burns, during the North African and Italian
campaigns, using innovative techniques and
careful data collection being of great help in
developing that type of surgery. After the
war, Rex served as a consultant surgeon
at Guys Hospital, becoming an expert in a
wide range of disciplines, including paediatric
surgery, and teaching at the Medical School.
He was a charming man and brilliant teacher:
many of his students kept in touch for many
years and benefitting in their careers from
his wisdom. After retirement from Guys, he
became physician to HM Sultan of Brunei. His
son Alex was in the Picton 1959-63.