Obituaries

John William Charles Bowden (KES 43-56) passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on 12th March. After attending King Edward’s, John joined the Royal Navy, where he served as a Chief Artificer and diver. Following his naval service, he joined Wiltshire Police as a Constable and later became a senior engineer at Air Products. He retired to Devon in 1999 having retired as Facilities Manager at Dolphin Square in London. John will be remembered for his humour and is survived by his wife Patricia, and sons Simon and James.

Derek Collinson (KES 44-51) died in September 2022 aged 89.

David Garnet Durham (KES 56-64) passed away suddenly in February. At School, David studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at A Level and was a good all-round sportsman, playing 2nd XI rugby, hockey and cricket. He was also a school monitor. David spent his retirement living in Scotland but returned south regularly for school events and was a supporter of the King Edward VI Foundation.

David Richard English (KES 39-44) passed away earlier this year. David was a stalwart supporter of the School and a regular at the annual Poole Evacuees’ Luncheon.

Robert ‘Bob’ Hailey (KES 50-58) had a distinguished school career becoming Head of School in 1958. He proceeded to King’s College London where he read German before going on to the Carnegie College of Physical Education in 1961 to train as a specialist PE teacher. Bob had been poorly for several years and passed away peacefully in January 2023.

Classics and Divinity at KES, to do Physics at Durham University. He then completed his Dip.Ed. in Physics at Trinity College, Cambridge before doing a PhD in Physics on ‘Gravity Waves in Water’ at Loughborough University. He subsequently put himself through the Law Society’s exams to qualify and practise as a solicitor in NorthEast England and gained a Fellowship on Artificial Intelligence and the Law at Northumbria Polytechnic. The last 25 years of his career were spent as a Senior Lecturer in Legal Practice at Northumbria where he enjoyed his academic research as much as his teaching, publishing more than 400 papers, many in association with a local colleague. Michael had a strong interest in religion and charitable activities which led to his commitment to pro bono work with the marginalised and included active support for those suffering from mental illness (an area of support he began in his years at KES). He leaves his Anglo-Swedish wife of 58 years, Elizabeth, sons Stephen and John and 5 grandchildren.

John Charles Northover (KES 56-63) passed away in September 2022.

Robin Lloyd Pomeroy (KES 42-47) died in March 2023. Robin was a regular attendee at the Poole Evacuees’ Luncheon along with his wife, Bobby, who died last year. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and is survived by his son, Bruce.

Terence (aka John) Dove-Dixon (KES 49-56) was born in Bath but attended King Edward’s when the family moved to Southampton. After leaving KES, he joined the National Provincial Bank and subsequently the Automobile Association at their Basingstoke HQ. He was a lifelong keen cricketer and hockey player playing for the OE 1st XI from 1954-1956. When the OECC entered the Hampshire League in 1976 he scored an unbeaten 163 in their first match. John was widowed twice and, latterly, moved to Devon. He died in early December, aged 84.

Michael Ambrose Heather (KES 52-60) died in September 2022 and was the eldest of three brothers, all of whom attended KES during the Dr Stroud’s headship. Taking an ICI transfer scholarship, he changed from

Peter James Pope (KES 47-53) passed away in November 2022, aged 86. He joined the St John Ambulance in 1953 and spent his life supporting the voluntary services. He worked as a chartered engineer in medical devices until he and his wife, Maggie, moved to Cumbria and he concentrated his efforts within the voluntary sector. He rose to the rank of Superintendent in the first aid organisation, assisting in the development of the Keswick division. Peter and Maggie had no children of their own but were heavily involved in fostering whilst they lived in London. Peter leaves his widow and his many friends within the St John Ambulance.