Obituary
Mr Bertie Mawer Earlier this year King Edward’s bid farewell to one of our best loved teachers. Mr Albert Edwin Mawer, 94, passed away at home in Witley on the 23 rd March 2020. A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife Rosemary, their sons Nicholas and Charles and four grandchildren, Lizzie, Katie, Kit and Jem. “Bertie”, as he was called by all, was born in Lincoln and won a scholarship to The Lincoln School. He gained his teacher’s diploma at Bede College, Durham University. Called up for National Service in 1947, he was stationed at the College of the British Army on the Rhine (BAOR) in Göttingen in the Army Education Corps. Bertie married a local GP, Dr Rosemary Page in April 1964. Bertie was at the heart of King Edward’s as a teacher for 37 years, arriving in January 1949. Bertie served the School as a teacher of History and English, as Housemaster and from 1976 as the Senior Master. After his retirement he was the Honorary Fundraiser for the School’s Sports Hall and the Bridewell Foundation bursary fund. Bertie’s fundraising events drew on his passion for music. He was a founder member of Opera Omnibus (later Opera South) and as a trombone player helped to develop the School orchestra and launch the House Music Competition. Bertie was also passionate about History and English, to which his history of the School, Bridewell to Witley, King Edward’s School 1553-2000 , stands testament. Bertie was instrumental in the development of the School Library, Chairman of the School’s Arts Club, and the last serving member of the School Fire Brigade. He also helped to establish the King Edward’s School Witley Education Trust, of which he remained a devoted Trustee until 2017. Bertie was a Freeman of the City of London, a member of the Guild of Freemen and one of the first Bridewell Fellows. His dedication to the School was evident in the many relationships that he built over the years and which he continued to nurture even into his retirement when he edited the Old Witleian magazine and unofficially acted as the Alumni Relations Manager. Bertie was also a talented sportsman, playing and coaching both soccer and cricket. He once opened the bowling with future England captain Bob Willis. After discovering operetta while serving in the Army Education Corps in Germany in 1947, Bertie developed a lifelong love affair with everything Austrian. Holidays in the Alps, Vienna for the Ball Season, Bad Ischl for the Lehar festival, and regular ‘Stammtisch’ gatherings with the Anglo-Austrian society. He also joined the prestigious Johann Strauss Society. Bertie’s funeral took place on 1st April at 12.45pm at Guildford Crematorium. He is missed by all who knew him. A memorial will be held at King Edward’s on 4th October and all Old Wits are welcome to join us in celebrating Bertie's life. To help us safely accommodate all those who wish to attend, simply complete this form: kesw.shortcm.li/BertieMawerMemorial
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