OBITUARIES KINGSWOOD ASSOCIATION NEWS 2021-22
He left KS in 1964 having become an accomplished sportsman, representing the school at athletics, cricket, hockey and most successfully at rugby. In Chris’ final season Bob Clarke appointed him as 1st XV vicecaptain, alongside captain Stan Bridge, and so he was a leading figure of the team which was the first ever to tour in Northern Ireland, playing matches against Methodist College, Belfast, and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Chris went on to play rugby for Bath United, the Bath Rugby Club which showcases new talent, Bath A, Berkshire, Newbury and Nuneaton, as well as cricket for Newbury. Between 1965 and 1968 Chris completed a pupillage at Humber Ltd in Coventry, a subsidiary of Rootes Motors Ltd. Upon graduation he returned to work in the family motor business in Newbury, which had been established by his grandfather in 1923. When his father died in 1970, Chris became managing director at the age of 24 and over the following two decades the business grew significantly in his hands. Then in the 1990s Chris stepped back somewhat from the business to create time for other pursuits, not least to enjoy his burgeoning family life. This also enabled him and wife Susannah to travel widely, a lifelong mutual pleasure only partially triggered by their eldest son Robin settling Down Under. Chris became active in Newbury Rotary and was to remain so until his death, having served as its President in 2005/6. He took life membership of Newbury and Crookham Golf Club in 1995, and although he retired from playing rugby at the age of 38, he remained active in various Newbury Rugby Club roles, not least as a regular voice on the
tannoy on match days. He also became a volunteer guide, leading tours at Twickenham Stadium. He was an active member of the congregation of Newtown Church, Newbury, for more than 50 years and it was there he married Susannah in 1968 and, after her so premature death in 2007, Rosy in 2019. Chris is survived by Rosy, his three sons Robin, Ashley and Dickon, and six grandchildren Joe, Nathan, Jemma, Amelia, Ben and Ned, as well as his dear sister Elisabeth. I feel very privileged to have been Best Man for Chris twice and to be also godfather to Robin, Chris and Susannah’s eldest son. He has inherited his parents’ gift for entertaining and I have been delighted to catch up with him in Australia on several occasions. Our sons, as is true of other friends’ children, were always made so welcome by Chris’ three boys, all revelling in each other’s company whenever the families met. Chris and Susannah’s joy in sustaining friendships through their wonderful hospitality was legendary, as comments from KS contemporaries Martin (Stan) Bridge and John Monahan, amongst many others bear witness. Chris was regularly in touch with Martin Eley, a fellow guide at Twickenham and played many a round of golf with Paul High, lately Head of Prior’s Court, having also maintained a lifelong friendship with his mentor Dick Burton, former Deputy Head there. The warm tributes written about Chris describe him, unfailingly, as being kind, generous, modest, interested in other people and always a true gentleman. Following services of Thanksgiving for Chris’ life last July, his ashes have recently been laid to rest alongside Susannah’s at their Newtown Church.
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Dear Old Kingswoodians I do hope you have enjoyed reading this issue of the Old Kingswoodian News Magazine. As the magazine only comes out once a year, we have a new online portal allowing us to keep in contact and share news all year round; https://community. kingswood.bath.sch.uk is a new online portal where Old Kingswoodians can keep in touch with each other and the School. As we approach the School’s 275th anniversary celebrations in 2023, this new portal will be the central hub for all information, news and events for the Kingswood Community. Please take a look and sign up…! You will be able to; • Update contact details, create a profile and communication preferences • See the latest news • Connect directly with friends and staff from your time at Kingswood • Register and book for all alumni and school events • Browse our photo gallery • Access our searchable digitised archives • Read current and past publications • Read about opportunities to support Kingswood We will be inviting other members of the community to join in due course and there are also plans to develop the services we offer through the portal over the coming months. We hope you enjoy exploring it. With very best wishes Michele Greene Alumni & Community Manager
