OBITUARIES

Peter D R Smith (SH44)

Former Great Britain Hockey Captain, Peter Smith, has died aged 96. He received his cap from GB Hockey President Sheila Morrow in March, when she spent time with him (pictured below) as he reminisced about his England and GB career. Recent archive work had discovered that Peter should have been awarded five caps for matches during a Great Britain and

Ireland tour to South Africa and

Kenya in 1951 which were previously considered unofficial by the national governing body. During his time at Canford, Peter excelled at sports and was made captain of both hockey and cricket and also served as Head Boy. On leaving school in 1944, he undertook Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) training at Oxford, where he also picked up a Blue for hockey, before being commissioned into the Navy.

After being demobbed, he initially worked in the city but later went on to found his own successful engineering company. At the same time, he developed an international hockey career which led to his captaincy of the African tour of 1951. He also played cricket whenever possible for local sides in the Walton area and was a lifelong member of the MCC. Peter was survived by his wife Judy, living in Wells, Somerset, and his son Mike and daughter Sally from his first marriage.

David A C Street (S50)

Born on 8th April 1932, David spent his childhood in Devon and joined Canford when his family relocated to Bournemouth in the late 1940s. Following his school days, David returned to Devon to help run his father’s accountancy practices in Honiton and Exeter. Most at home in the countryside, David built a house in a small hamlet called Wiggaton, near Ottery St Mary, in 1974, and moved there with his wife Jean and children Christine and Isobel from their previous home in Exeter. He remained there for the rest of his life. An extremely gregarious personality, having built an extension to his house, David installed a full-sized snooker table and loved to entertain friends there throughout the week. Outside of work, David had a wide range of interests including keeping horses, sheep, geese and chickens. He also excelled at cabinet making and woodcarving and his house was filled with items he had created. On his death, all of these items have found new homes across his family. David died after a short illness on 25th March 2021 leaving his two daughters, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Andrew (Sandy) McLaren Jenkins (F54)

Sandy followed his brother Jock into Franklin House. He soon settled in and established himself as a fine piper and keen fisherman. Who could forget Mist Covered Mountains, echoing from by the weir pool? Sandy’s time at Canford was short, aged 16 he went to a careers interview saying he wished to be a doctor. “Medicine Jenkins, I don’t think so!” Undeterred by this response, he went to a crammer, and not only went on to qualify as a doctor but published ground-breaking research papers, lectured in the United States and became what a colleague described as ‘a giant of vascular surgery’. From an early age Sandy was a great fisherman, pre-empting modern fishers he spent a summer in Iceland in the fifties and fished widely in Scotland, Alaska, Canada, Newfoundland, Russia, Africa and Norway. Returning from one trip, he flew in his waders, as his baggage was overweight.

Jim Appleyard (formerly Marshall) (W54)

Jim, whose surname at Canford was Marshall, became a founder member of the Science Society where, as embryonic environmentalists, he and fellow Canfordians visited amongst other things, a cardboard recycling plant and, on a very popular outing to a brewery, were informed about the various by-products generated in the process. Jim then went on to Exeter College, Oxford, and made his career in medicine specialising in paediatrics. Soon after qualifying he was a founder member and later chairman of the Junior Hospital Doctors Association, whose aims on working hours, pay and conditions were substantially achieved in later years. As a consultant at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital from 1971, he founded the Mary Sheridan Centre for children with disabilities, the first such centre outside London, as well as a special baby unit whose care and professionalism is still highly rated throughout the South-East. Jim’s further achievements include his appointment as Vice President of the BMA, President of the World Medical Association and, in 2021, recipient of the Paul Tournier International Prize for his contributions to Person Centred (Holistic) Medicine, relating to his work on ethics in the field of medical research, and the rehabilitation of torture victims. Alongside his busy professional life, Jim was married to Elizabeth for 58 years and the couple raised three children who were followed by several grandchildren. Despite his many achievements, he recalled his invitation to be guest speaker at the Canford Speech Day in 2007 as one of his greatest distinctions.

Charles Sturt (S56)

Akeen sportsman, good at rugby, hockey and cricket while at Canford, Charles went on to the RAF College at Cranwell where he earned his flying wings. His first role was to pilot Shackletons in a maritime reconnaissance role. He later went on to become a flying instructor on the Jet Provost. He also worked as a pilot with the Red Pelicans display team. Charles commanded No 120 Sqn of Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft in the late 1970s. During this period, he and his brother Peter Sturt (S59), who commanded No 216 Sqn Buccaneers at the same time, conducted a joint maritime exercise with the Dutch Navy. Brothers commanding squadrons at the same time and operating together was exceptionally rare. Charles’ ground appointments included station commander at RAF Mount Batten, and at Greenham Common for a few months during the CND disturbances, a desk officer at HQ RAF Northwood and also at RAF Barnwood in Gloucestershire. During the Falklands War, Charles ran the Nimrod desk in MOD operations and as a result of his endeavours, was awarded an OBE in 1983. His final flying tour was as a group captain commanding RAF Church Fenton. On retirement from the RAF in the early 90s, Charles’ main work was connected with training potential airline pilots at Oxford International Airport, Kidlington. He suffered a stroke in 2005, from which he recovered, but then throat cancer and subsequent treatment left him unable to eat or drink normally or talk. He soldiered bravely on, in apparently good humour and without complaining. Charles was a loyal husband, father and brother. He had tremendous determination, an unflappable nature and was honest to the core. Charles died on 3 May 2021.

Simon Preston

CBE (F56)

Internationally renowned organist Simon Preston was born in Bournemouth in 1938 and joined Canford after spending time as a chorister with King’s College, Cambridge. He came from what he described as a ‘church family’ and his uncle was an organist, while his early Dean and Chapter of Westminster introduction to music at home was through the harmonium. After leaving school he joined the Royal Academy of Music, but some months later won an organ scholarship to

King’s College and returned to Cambridge where he spent the next five years. He then took up a post at Westminster

Abbey and made his concert debut at the Royal Festival Hall the same year, and during the 1960s played for the Queen at Guildford Cathedral, for Princess Alexandra’s wedding at

Westminster Abbey in 1963 and in a solo recital at the Proms in 1964. A 25-city tour of Canada and the US ensued in 1965 and Simon made it back in time for the abbey’s 900th anniversary. He then moved on to St Alban’s Cathedral and

later Christ Church, Oxford, before returning to Westminster Abbey in 1981. Simon served as Westminster Abbey organist and master of the choristers between 1981 and 1987, during which time he directed the music at Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusson’s wedding. Another career highlight was performing Antonio Salieri’s music in the Oscar-winning Amadeus (1984). He was described by contemporaries as a delicate and expressive player with a brilliant keyboard technique. Gramophone magazine recalled him as an ‘organ colossus’ who was known across the world for ‘his inimitable charm, enthusiasm and musical intensity’. He married Elizabeth Hays, an arts editor, in 2012. Simon died in May this year, aged 83 and is survived by his wife and four stepchildren.

John Musson – Honorary Member

John Musson was born in Ripon on the 2nd of October 1927, the second of two brothers and the son of a doctor. He was educated at Clifton College, during the Second World War, and then served in Austria for the Lancashire Fusiliers (1945-1948). After completing an MA at Brasenose, Oxford, in 1951, John joined the Colonial Service in Northern Nigeria as District Officer and Lecturer at the Institute of Administration. He joined Canford as a teacher in 1961 and served as assistant master and housemaster of Franklin House. From 1972 until 1987, John was Warden of Glenalmond College, and successfully steered that school through difficult economic times and is remembered as a strong, effective and practical leader. John passed away quietly in Edinburgh on the 2nd of July 2021. His wife, Ann, passed away in 2004, but he is survived by his four children, Caroline, Clare, Katie and Richard.

David Shepherd (C63)

On leaving Canford in 1963, David went up to Cambridge to read Natural Sciences at St John’s College and there enjoyed rowing success at the Lent Bumps and the Henley Royal Regatta. He went down to St Thomas’ Hospital for his clinical studies in 1966, graduating Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1970. He commenced surgical training at St Thomas’ and while there he met a very special nurse, Rosemary Wills. David was bowled over and immediately decided that they must be married. They tied the knot in 1972 and their union was blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth and Helen. David passed the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1975. However, a severe mismatch had developed between the number of senior registrars already trained in surgery and the number of consultant posts available. A family friend, and neurosurgeon, advised David to use his talents in the rapidly developing field of radiology. Heeding this advice, he started his radiological training at Southampton in September 1975. David was keen to use his surgical skills where possible in radiology and undertook what interventional procedures he could at Southampton and visited other departments developing interventional techniques. In 1982, he was appointed Consultant Radiologist in Bournemouth and during the 27 years that he worked in the department, he became known among colleagues as a consummate clinician, highly skilled, wise, generous and selfless. David helped found the British Society of Interventional Radiology and was also a founder of the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology. Together with friends, he quickly formed a special interest sub-group for sailors, which enabled them to extensively research the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas from suitably sited ESGAR meetings. David and Rose enjoyed racing and cruising on their yachts, Dr Jekyll and later Ecstasy. Their achievements aboard this yacht included second place in the Round the Island Race and it was aboard this boat that David introduced their grandchildren, Joel, Josephine and Lara to sailing. Whenever the anchor went down, David’s immediate impulse was to test the water. Diving over the side, whatever the temperature, his fist words would always be: ‘it’s absolutely gorgeous, come on in.’ David retired in 2009 and he and Rose at last had time to do things together, including touring New Zealand. During this time, David also cruised Ecstasy in Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, the Baltic and the Norwegian Coast right up to the Arctic Circle.

Richard Ogilvie Collins (F65)

Born in Edinburgh, Richard spent the majority of his life in Scotland working as a fish pathologist. A keen interest in wildlife and the natural world was first sparked during childhood visits to Singapore where his father was stationed with the Navy. It was while a pupil at Canford that he developed his life-long love of fishing, The opportunity to ‘nip down to the river to catch salmon over break’ affected him very deeply and that was the story of his life after that, recalls his brother Anthony (F67). After qualifying as a vet, Richard initially took up a post in York before moving to Duns in Berwickshire. His love of fishing led him to take an MSc at Stirling University in aquatic veterinary studies which involved time studying at a crocodile farm. After graduating, he worked at the Stirling Institute of Aquaculture for four years before moving to Inverness where he worked for the

Fish Diagnostic Unit of the Scottish Agriculture College. This role involved frequent trips to West Coast fish farms, and he was able to combine these work visits with angling in his free time. His diverse role at this time also included conducting post-mortems on seals, dolphins and even whales washed up on the shores of local lochs. Richard returned to Stirling and the Institute of Aquaculture at the city’s university, in 1996, and worked there until his retirement in 2010. In his free time Richard was a keen hill runner, taking part in many competitions including the Isle of Jura Fell Race and he also served as president of the Highland Hill Runners.

The Reverend Timothy Buckley (W75)

Timothy recalled his years at Canford as mainly happy times, particularly operating the printing press, although he was less enthusiastic about the cold outdoor swimming pool. After completing a degree at Durham University, he trained for the ministry and served as a clergyman for 30 years in various locations. He retired on health grounds in 2013 and moved to the South Coast. Timothy died on 13th January 2022 aged 64 years. He leaves his wife Karen, four sons and two grandchildren.

Awaiting obituaries

Just before going to press, Society learned that Simon Wigmore (S71) passed away in July 2022 after a short fight against pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, daughter Emilie and his two brothers Andy and James who are also OCs. The death of John M Lieberg (M56) was also announced just prior to going to press.

Friends for Life and Thereafter

Arare and unusual event took place at Stokes Bay Sailing Club in October last year, when the ashes of Graham Fairhall (SH54) and Chris Campbell (SH55), whose obituaries appeared in the April and October 2021 editions of the OC magazine, were scattered together at sea. Chris and Graham were at prep school together from a very early age, followed by their time in School House at Canford. They remained very close friends throughout their lives, united by a love of sailing and good companionship. Their widows, Cleo and Julia, decided that a joint burial at sea would be a fitting memorial to the two lifelong friends. Requiescant in pace et in mari.

SUPPORTING THE MARTIN MARRIOTT FOUNDATION FOR BURSARIES AT CANFORD

Your name set in stone

Lady Charlotte’s Walk leads up to the new library at Canford and is edged with engraved stones. Sponsor a stone and have your name engraved for a lifetime link to Canford www.canford.com/lady-charlottes-walk For further information contact community@canford.com