Obituaries

(1947-2021)

Sam's departure will be felt in Bristol and across the Real Tennis and Rackets community. An inspiration to so many of today's youngsters (as well as the not-so-young).

The T&RA is deeply saddened to report the passing away of Sam Beale. Sam had been suffering with long term cancer for some time, and he passed away at home peacefully with his family by his side yesterday. Despite knowing he had a difficult prognosis, Sam appeared to approach his illness with humour and great courage.

Sam has been a lifelong supporter of the Association and was always the most generous of hosts, along with his wife, Eleanor, whenever anybody was in the Bristol/Clifton area. A stalwart of the Boasters Weekends, Sam was always keen to get involved. Sam was also a great inspiration to countless young Rackets players and a most attentive master-of-ceremonies whenever the Knott-Stephens Tour was in the West Country.

There wasn't much which Sam didn't do; an eminent engineer, a keen sportsman and a family man. He served on the Rackets Committee and used his engineering background to good effect when considering the future development of the Rackets ball; with the "Beale Ball" as a lasting legacy.

In 2015, Sam and James Blackburn won Bristol Real Tennis Club’s Handicap Doubles for the second year running. This match in particular was an extraordinary turn around saving no less than 13 match points to win!

Sam was one of life’s true ‘givers’. He contributed massively to everybody at Clifton, connecting together through a mutual love of sport. He has had an enormous contribution to the game of Rackets as a whole, helping to keep people on court of all ages to form a love of the game. Clifton will look to continue his spirit in the club, long after he has gone. Many will have fond memories of attending Boasters Weekends and Sam’s unique inclusion of completely madeup sports, such as Racketball-fives!

Christopher Keith Beale, known to everyone as Sam, married Eleanor Vickers in 1974. They had met at Durham University, where Sam had gone to study Physics, and had stayed to complete a PhD. He had left Marlborough early, before his A levels, and had worked in a local garage while studying to get his A levels, after someone had told him that in order to work for a racing car outfit he would need to be an engineering graduate. He worked after leaving Durham for March Engineering, who ran a Formula one team, and Sam was, for a while, their chief engineer.

When he married, or when they had their first child, he gave up trying to be a driver himself, though continued to have a go-kart, and then a Formula Ford racing car.

After he left March, he went to work for Rolls Royce as part of the team working on the turbine blades for the aero engines. He worked firstly in Derby, and later they moved to Bristol. He and Eleanor, who became a teacher for dyslexic children, had four children. Sarah, who is a senior nurse, James who works in the undersea cabling industry, Emma who is an expert in handicraft, and John who is currently working in Geneva for a biochemical company. Sam and Eleanor have ten grandchildren.

Since they moved to Bristol Sam and Ellie both became very involved with the Clifton Real Tennis Court, and Sam also played squash and Rackets. Their son John was a Real Tennis Blue (2011/2012/2013) and a Rackets Blue (2012) at Oxford, when working on his PhD.

Family Summer holidays have always been on Hayling Island where Eleanor’s family have had a house for very many years, and the house is their summer base, and Seacourt and Hayling Island Sailing Club, until this year, their summer playground.

Sam died after a struggle with prostate cancer. As his two mathematical sons have both said, he would have been pleased to leave on a very unusual palindromic date, 12/2/21, and with all his children around them.

Above almost everything else he was a family man, with an enormous enthusiasm for indoor ball games, particularly Real Tennis and Rackets. In the wider family he will be very much missed as an organiser of garden games for his children, his numerous nephews and nieces, and for his grandchildren.

The Games has lost a true supporter and a gentleman - he will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences to Eleanor and his four children, Sarah, James, Emma and John.

Capt. Mike Bolton

(1934-2021)

We are sad to record the passing of Mike Bolton, indefatigable enthusiast for life and the court games at which he excelled.

At Wellington he was in the Rackets pair 1950-53 and after Sandhurst joined the RE in 1955 and the Sarawak Rangers in 1959; so moved by his experience there, he wrote the English Sea Dayak dictionary from his hospital bed.

Mike was variously Army Singles (56-59) and Doubles (54,57-59) Rackets champion and Combined Services champion (56). He was Irish Real Tennis champion in 2003. Chairman of the Governors Kings Hospital School in Dublin he was a prime mover in the process to restore the Dublin Real Tennis Court.

After the Army, he farmed in Co. Wicklow, where stories of him are legion.

A man of prodigious energy, Mike was a superb host and raconteur, had time for everyone and once met was never forgotten. Not larger than life, he WAS life and is still the only man to have jumped from the gallery onto the Wellington Rackets court as his warm-up. Though not in the best of health in his later years he continued to play his beloved games into his 80s and scrapped for ever point.

Mike was a wonderful man and he will be much missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him. Our thoughts at this time are very much with Pooh (Patricia) and the large loving family of whom he was immensely proud.

Roger Crosby

The T&RA is deeply saddened to hear that Rackets legend, Roger Crosby, passed away on Saturday 13th March.

Martin and his sister, Eleanor, visited their father, Roger, during the afternoon in Bristol. Martin said that his father was comfortable and peaceful. Numerous tributes have already been received from across the Rackets spectrum, inspiring generations of youngsters including Old Harrovian, John Prenn, who said that Roger was a legend and the sole reason he continued playing after the age of 16 at Harrow.

Howard Angus and brother, Ian, also used to practice at Harrow and Howard noted that their memories of Roger, and his father Fred, go back more than 60 years. One of the special recollections was Ian having seen Roger go all the way from the bottom of the steps outside the Harrow Court, to the top, on his motorbike! What a legendary family within Rackets. Charles Swallow added that Roger generated huge enthusiasm amongst generations of Harrovians in the Rackets court for over 40 years! A devoted family man, Roger’s legacy both to Harrow Rackets and the corps of Rackets professionals will always be remembered with great affection.

The T&RA's thoughts are with Martin and Eleanor at this sad time. We have lost a legend and a gentleman.

Christopher Griffith-Jones ‘Bomber’

Hubert de Gaullier

(1944-2021)

A sad loss to his many friends. The T&RA is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Christopher Griffith-Jones, fondly known to most as Bomber.

Izzy Duncan writes: "Bomber was a true Corinthian all-rounder. An overgrown schoolboy, in the best possible way, he turned his hand to an array of pursuits with cricket, Real Tennis, Rackets, golf, shooting and his beloved bridge high on the list.

In his later years, he would sometimes throw on his whites to help out my ailing cricket team on a Saturday and poached some steepling catches in the deep. A firm supporter of youth cricket, I could call upon him to coach alongside me at local primary schools and was an instant hit with the kids. Much to his delight, they used to chant his name ‘Bomber’ whenever he turned up.

I have so many fond memories of him: playing together in the Hangover Doubles, watching a test match at Lord’s in the pavilion behind the bowler’s arm. He was affable and clubbable and had friends far and wide at his many clubs at Queen’s, Hurlingham, MCC, Royal Wimbledon Golf, Winchester House Club, Real Tennis clubs all over the world, The Old Cheltonians, to name some of his favourites.

I received an email circulated by a group of his chums at his golf club entitled ‘I’m afraid we have lost a top Slacker’ with an explanation of ‘Slackers are a Saturday roll-up at Royal Wimbledon known as such for a late start and keenness on a liquid lunch.’ This was Bomber all over; a sad loss and taken too early." The T&RA also record that Bomber worked for many years to establish the T&RA School and University Sponsorship Scheme and was instrumental behind encouraging school competition to be played at The Queen's Club in more recent years. Many of our current 21-28 players probably picked up a racquet for the first time thanks to Bomber's passion.

Highly competitive, yet sportingly fair-minded were two of his strong characteristics. He had been elected to the Jester's Club in 1993. He had recently been elected Vice Chairman of the local Conservative Association. Bomber's passing leaves a canyon in many great institutions.

Hubert de Gaullier des Bordes was a Founder of Fontainebleau club and a long standing member of the T&RA.

At this chaotic and difficult end of the year for everyone, the Real Tennis world wanted to pay belated tribute to Hubert de Gaullier des Bordes.

Hubert died last February at the grand age of 87. For many years he was one of the pillars of the Cercle du jeu de Fontainebleau, of which he was both a member of honour and a founding member. Fighter pilot in the French Navy, sailor first and foremost, he was also passionate about Real Tennis. Along with Françoise, his wife, he never failed to entertain members of overseas clubs passing through Fontainebleau. His frame of mind was equalled only his modesty following an exemplary military career, especially in the prestigious 12 F squadron flying his Corsair and his Crusader. He suffered the dreadful loss of his son in the Mount Sainte-Odile disaster. They are now together once more. Our thoughts are with Françoise and her children and grandchildren.

Jonathan (Johnny) Bruce

(1964-2020)

Johnny Bruce, a man of many passions.

Growing up in Seaton Sluice, Northumberland with brother Chris and sister Joanne, Johnny’s parents were teachers, though he insisted that he was “descended from mining people; mine owners of course”. Several early memories are of prodigious levels of domestic smoking: “at house parties there’d be at least 1,000 cigarettes smoked inside, maybe 1,500 if it was a long night”.

Sporty, intelligent and promoted a year at school, Johnny went to Newcastle RGS and then to Sheffield University (“not Poly”) where a drunk and disorderly time proved to be the perfect grounding for a career in tax accounting.

Johnny was outstanding in his field. The depth and breadth of his knowledge was unequalled, as was the range of his experience. He excelled both as gamekeeper for the Inland Revenue and poacher, first for Ernst and Young and then from 2008 as a partner at Lewis Golden. In the late 1990s, Johnny was instrumental in the implementation of selfassessment at Ernst & Young – “tax needn’t be taxing”. He also re-wrote the Tolley’s Tax Guide to the Taxation of Lloyd’s Underwriters. While he was demanding and set absurdly high standards, he worked twice as hard for his team and was thoughtful and quietly generous.

Johnny spent a year in Australia in 1990, returning fitter and slimmer, and – a turn or two of the romantic roundabout later – met Jane. Jack was born in 1998, which explains why Johnny only managed 23 games for Hornsey in 1999. Joe followed in 2002. While Johnny was a wonderful public performer, he was also a very private man. In the quiet moments, when balls were being picked out of the hedge or pints poured at the bar, it was clear that Jane, Jack and Joe were the people who mattered most. Johnny was deeply in love with Jane and he simply couldn’t imagine her not being around and he was hugely proud of Jack and Joe.

It wouldn’t be true to Johnny to ignore the fact that he could be annoying, endlessly stubborn, completely uncompromising and not remotely politically correct. That aside – and it wasn’t always easy to put to one side – Johnny was one of the most extraordinary people any of us will ever meet. If you passed muster and became a friend, you became a friend for life – “I don’t need any more friends, I chose well”. As a friend, you were bound to his energy, sense of fun and insistence on making the most of every minute. The range of Johnny’s enthusiasms was matched only by the certainty of his convictions. For example, an incomplete list of Johnny’s sports and competitive pastimes: backgammon; cricket; cricket scoring ; crosswords (English and Latin); cycling; golf; squash; Real Tennis (“magnificent, the most statistically complete sport in the world”) and shooting.

Also, a provisional and incomplete list of Mastermind specialist subjects: Crouch End and Hornsey local history; Hornsey cricket club; the Rules of Golf; the Laws of Cricket; the J.F.K. assassination (including the Warren Commission hearings and report); Miles Davis; the Grateful Dead; the London Underground; the word “mackerel”; Newcastle United F.C.; the preparation and presentation of Old Fashioned cocktails; Panerai watches; Thelonius Monk; Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 1864 to the present day and Woolacombe tide tables.

When he died, Johnny didn’t know the result of his Latin GCSE taken a few weeks earlier. He did know, in fact he was certain that he could take Anthony Joshua to a points decision, could prop for England (“either side of the scrum, though I’d probably have to come off at half-time”) and would make the G.B. Olympic shooting team in 2024 “if I gave it my full attention”. He said he was indestructible and everyone believed him, which is why he leaves a cratersized hole in so many lives.

Jonathan Andrew Bruce was born on October 14, 1964. He had a heart attack and died at home on December 13, 2020, aged 56.

The Honourable Bernard Weatherill QC

Bernard Weatherill was a successful QC at the Chancery Bar, a talented player of racquet sports, including both Real Tennis and Rackets, and a true gentleman. He was universally liked and admired both in legal and sporting circles. He was born in 1951, the eldest son of Baron Bernard (“Jack”) Weatherill MP, a popular Speaker of the House of Commons from 1983 to 1992 and Chairman of the Bernard Weatherill family tailoring firm. Bernard was educated at Malvern College and Kent University. He was called to the Bar in 1976, became a successful practising barrister and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1996. He remained in practice at the Chancery Bar for over 40 years, during which he gained a broad and varied experience across the whole field of both general and commercial Chancery practice areas. However, his main specialisms were in the fields of company law, property, commercial disputes and professional negligence. He was Master of the Bench, Middle Temple in 2002. He also undertook private client work, acting for trustees and beneficiaries of high value trust funds, especially where issues arose as to the performance of trustees’ fiduciary duties and the rights of beneficiaries to hold their trustees to account. In later life he became an acknowledged expert in the law of clubs and unincorporated associations, with a wealth of practical experience in their management and governance. In addition to his successful legal career Bernard was also an accomplished sportsman. Like many Malvernians of his generation Bernard was lucky enough to come under the influence of Ron Hughes, a Rackets professional of the old school and a British Real Tennis champion, who taught lawn tennis in the summer months. Ron was also a veteran of El Alamein and his influence extended well beyond the field of sport. Bernard had competitive instincts and a natural eye for a ball and under Ron Hughes’ tutelage this quickly translated into success on the Rackets, squash and lawn tennis courts, ultimately representing Malvern in the 1969 Foster Cup.

At Kent, Bernard continued to pursue his sporting interests. There he met Chris Ronaldson, subsequently to become world Real Tennis champion, who became a lifelong friend, which undoubtedly encouraged him to great heights. Bernard formed many lifelong friendships, and Lesley Ronaldson also counted amongst his most treasured.

Bernard was a keen sportsman in all respects: a stalwart of the Royal Tennis Club, Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, Hurlingham and the All England. His brother, Bruce, proved to be a worthy opponent at both Real Tennis and Rackets, and a very useful partner at tennis. He was also lucky in his Wykehamist brother-in-law, Alan Lovell, who was himself a champion Rackets, Real Tennis and lawn tennis player. With friends like these it was inevitable that Bernard’s natural aptitude would shine through and Bernard went on to represent his country at Real Tennis. A regular competitor at national and international level, Bernard represented the GB Cockram (Over 50) Team in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, proudly as GB captain in 2010; and more recently represented GB in the Bostwick (Over 60) Cup in 2013 and 2015.

Bernard used his considerable legal experience as a QC to represent Queen's Club as part of the membership acquisition, finally concluded with great success in 2007. At a time when proceedings were far advanced and the court hearing already in progress, Bernard was instrumental in securing an excellent settlement for the members, whereby they acquired the right to purchase the Club at a price significantly below the highest price offered by competing bidders, and at an affordable level for the members.

Bernard shared many of his father’s most admirable characteristics, among them his charm, courtesy and sense of humour. Like his father he was modest in spite of his achievements and was intolerant of any form of arrogance or pomposity. Like his father he was totally trustworthy and never failed to keep his word. He served on the T&RA Council from 2010 and then the Board until November 2016, often arriving at strategic meetings

in style, straight from the golf course. His counsel and wisdom were a great asset to the Association which will be sorely missed. Bernard continued to support the T&RA as an active Benefactor, always giving back to the games he adored.

In 2018, at a time when he was happily remarried to Clare Foster, who shared his enthusiasm for sport, Bernard underwent a very serious and lengthy cancer operation which he barely survived. He fought back with his customary resilience and was soon back on the golf course at Royal Wimbledon, re-engaging with his friends and showing all his customary good humour. In 2021, the cancer sadly returned and this time he was unable to survive it, but he and Clare did just have the pleasure of moving into their new house in Wimbledon. Bernard is survived by his daughter Julia (Aaltonen) and by his son Thomas.

Ian Garside

1939-2021

Ian very sadly passed away in the early hours of the morning on Monday 19th July, after a very long and well fought battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was a man of many talents and hobbies, and enjoyed Real Tennis, boating, golf, cars, classical music, dentistry, and of course the odd glass of wine, or two! He moved to Hayling Island in the early 60s and became a local celebrity when he bought the Elm Grove Dental Practice where he was known by patients and colleagues as “Mr G”.

Ian was a well-known face at Seacourt Tennis Club for the last 60 years, living opposite the Club and playing all games on offer, but most significantly, Real Tennis. He formed part of the General Committee for some time, recognising the importance and enjoyment that Seacourt provided. He ran Sunday evening Real Tennis improver classes, introducing new members and sharing his love for the game. Seacourt also led him to meet Alex, and of course he took full credit for her various Real Tennis achievements.

Following retirement, he enjoyed tinkering with contemporary motor cars - mostly sports models which he bought and spent time restoring - his delicate dentistry skills , and attention to details were deployed in many sensitive renovations. Reluctantly he would sell one to make space in the garage for a fresh challenge or in the case of a recent disposal of a cherished e-type Jag to pay for a new kitchen!

Ian was loved by many for his infectious personality filled with humour and care. He lived life to the full and continued playing golf and Tennis every week up until just a couple of weeks before he passed.

We are deeply saddened by the news that Dave Mackenzie has passed away aged 28 due to heart complications on the finish line of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. He was running with his partner Alexandra Phelan to raise money for the mental health charity Mind, the work of which they strongly advocated.

Dave attended Rugby School between 2005-2010 and was in School Field house. Despite being a diminutive adolescent, he got stuck into, and excelled at, the array of sports available at the school-hockey and cricket being his strongest.

Under the tutelage of Phil Rosser, Dave found his way onto the Rackets and Real Tennis court whilst at Rugby. Dave was a universally popular member of the Rackets team and proved to be a great character on school trips, enjoying travels to Manchester, Moreton Morrell, Hayling Island, Queen’s and a tour of the US clubs. You could categorise Dave as a tricky lefty. He played Rackets like a hockey player, squatting low to the ground, sweeping and scrapping balls off the floor, and throwing himself this way and that. A rally would not be complete without a dive to save a dying ball, however speculative.

In his early playing career, Dave was often partnered with his identical twin brother, George. Though the mirrored left and right-handed partnership was aesthetically pleasing and caused unprecedented confusion for markers, it more often than not ended in heated exchanges between the Mackenzie twins on court, much to the bewilderment of their opponents. The more sustainable on court pairing for Dave proved to be with Chris Atkins with whom he played in the Rugby School first pair and, after school, went on to win the Sandhurst Cup in 2018.

Following Rugby, Dave went to Nottingham University where he played for the university hockey team and transformed from a diminutive teenager into a strapping hulk of a man. After his graduation he completed a deferred Rackets fellowship at the Racquet Club of Chicago in 2014 under the stewardship of John Cashman. The standard of his Rackets was propelled forward during his time there. His effortless charm and good nature, as well as his appreciation of Guinness, made him an instant club favourite in the Windy City where he is affectionately known as D-Mac. He returned to a warm welcome in 2016 for the Quintathlon, where he played for Team Wind. He was delighted to be informed by John Cashman that they had a bed for him in the club, less so when it became apparent that said bed was a mattress on the floor of the nap room. Despite his sleeping arrangements, Dave expressed enormous reverence of the 2016 ‘Quinty’ and reminisced fondly about his time in Chicago, both then and as a fellow.

Before moving to Abu Dhabi in 2019, Dave was based in London and worked in events sponsorship. During his time in London, he played regularly for the Old Rugbeians (OR) Football Club. His rounded ability made him a vital asset, not to mention his fitness levels which were head and shoulders above the rest of the team. Dave also competed for the OR Real Tennis team, travelling to Radley and Queen’s numerous times to represent the ORs. The OR Rackets team was also fortunate enough to have him in their ranks, every year playing in the Noel Bruce and in fixtures against the Old Cliftonians and Old Radleians. On two occasions Dave played against the HAC, both times facing Sidney Yankson and his competitive handicapping. Naturally, Dave took it in great spirit, with a smile on his face and always offering a pint in the bar afterwards.

Dave was also a notable endurance athlete and regularly competed in triathlons and long-distance events all over the world, raising huge sums of money for charity as a solo effort, with his partner Alexandra or twin brother George.

Dave will be remembered as a generous, softly spoken character with a dry sense of humour and quick wit. A man who was well loved by everyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him. A truly dependable friend, teammate, partner, brother and son, who will be sorely missed.

David Mordaunt Jill Breckenridge

David Mordaunt, who died in November, was Master i/c Rackets at Wellington in the 60s and 70s.

He taught mathematics from 1963-86 and was himself an Old Wellingtonian. With a great eye for a ball he was particularly good at encouraging the younger Rackets players and worked happily in harness with Bob Mulliken, the professional in those years. Nigel Hurst Brown and Giles Trentham were Foster Cup winners for Wellington in his time.

Best known as a cricketer he played as an amateur for Sussex from 1958-60, and then over 40 times for Berkshire from 1964-74. He was one of the leading allrounders in the first decades of the Cricketer Cup.

A keen adventurer and hill-walker he was never happier in so-called retirement than outdoors and in the cold and wet, often sustained by home-made flapjacks, but that is another story. Members who knew Jill Breckenridge from their trips to Troon will be saddened to hear of her death.

She died peacefully at home on 3 April 2021, aged 79.

We regret to announce the death of the following members since the last Annual Report

Sam Beale Mike Bolton Ralph Brown Johnny Bruce John Edwards Martin Fairbarns Ian Garside Christopher Griffith-Jones Duncan Hannay-Robertston Denis Hilton Peter Holden Joseph Lambe David Mackenzie Bernard Weatherill Michael Whibley