The Pangbournian - The magazine of the OP Society No.54 Autumn 2023 by Pangbourne College

PANGB URNIAN

THE

The magazine of the Old Pangbournian Society

No.54 Autumn 2023

The world’s toughest Rowe

OP Jess Rowe conquers the Atlantic

From the Archives

The loss of HMS Talisman

Bon Voyage Mr Bancroft

We say farewell to a College stalwart

Founders’ Day The highlight of the year

as the Class of ’23 bid farewell

Contents 04

Welcome from the OP Society Chairman

14 15 16

Calum Scott joins the Rams Frankie Allen World Champion OP News

20 21 22

Class of '83 40th Anniversary

New Zealand reunion

08 10 11

Welcome from The Head

Farewell to Mr Rupert Bancroft Queen

Welcome from the Chair of Governors Good Luck Class of 2023

The World's Toughest Rowe

40 44 48 51

Piano Festival Henley Regatta 60 years of memories Staggs CC Tour Cambridge 1959 Tales from the Towers

The Chapel Yomp

24 30

OP Club News Golf, sailing & cricket Founders' Day 2023

Naval Instructors An Enduring Contribution

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CONTENTS

76 78

Thorn in their side Robert Green (57-62)

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

In Memoriam

Michael Willmott Loss of HMS Talisman

Yukon 1000

68 68

Campus Life

Remembering Fred Tao

92 94 96

Academic

PPA Development Report Upcoming Events

Credits and Contacts

Sports News

Co-curricular & Community News

86 88

Editor: Sue Carpenter

Remembering Robin Brodhurst

Design and production: OPO Creative

Seafarers Service 2023

Cover image: Founders' Day July 2023

Contributors: Sue Carpenter, Alexandra Garnier, Robert Green, Ashleigh Jones Robin Knight, Phillip Plato, Submissions: development@pangbourne.com Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 8LA Reception: +44 (0)118 984 2101 www.pangbourne.com

Welcome from the issues but also defined our respective objectives and the funding of resources necessary to administer a thriving alumni organisation that hopefully can support On parade

As most of you are aware, our Headmaster, Thomas Garnier, has recently announced he is stepping down next July. As I commence the final year of my four year term as Chairman of the OP Society, I am made all the more aware of his amazing contribution because by the time I finish, Thomas will have completed an astonishing 19 years at Pangbourne College.

OPs to register on the Pangbournian

I know that many OPs have come to

related to the OP database and the

know Thomas and his wife Alex well and obviously a considerable number of OPs have also been students at the College during his extraordinary tenure as Head. The Society is saddened to see both Thomas and Alex depart next year and I am sure there will be a number of special events being organised in his final three terms to thank them both for their extraordinary contribution to the College. The OP Society will be part of these tributes and so I ask all

Portal to ensure that they will receive news of our plans to celebrate his achievements during his final year and to thank Thomas and Alex for everything they have done for the Pangbourne community over nearly two decades. Throughout my term of office as Chairman, Thomas has always been very supportive of the OP Society but about a year ago I highlighted to him that there were a number of issues that warranted us revising the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the College and the Old Pangbournian Society. The most important of these General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which were not even part of UK law when the original MoU was agreed. For over 10 months, I have been involved in discussions with Thomas, the Chairman of Governors and the Bursar and I am grateful to them all for their patience and understanding which in early August saw us sign a revised MoU which not only clarified GDPR

the next Headmaster. Amongst other issues addressed by the new MoU, was the creation of a new role within the College of an Alumni Relations Officer. Mrs Sue Carpenter has been appointed as the inaugural person to fulfil this role. I cannot emphasise how much I appreciate having a part time member of staff supporting the OP Society. Many will know Sue as a former parent who did Herculean work, initially as a volunteer, in collating the College historic archives and safeguarding the work initiated by Lionel Stephens that underpins our Society. The OP Society is contributing to the scanning and digitising of these important historic records which will take several years to complete. Sue is no longer able to do more than maintain a watching brief on the archive project in light of her new position, so I want to take this opportunity to ask if anyone in the OP community is interested in helping with this ongoing archiving mission, and to make yourself known either to myself or to her directly via Sue.Carpenter@pangbourne.com Despite some very time consuming distractions within my own business

THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE OP SOCIETY CHAIRMAN

OP Society Chairman over the last 12 months, I have

The OP Golf Tournament was held at

I am conscious that OPs are spread

been delighted to attend various OP

Beaconsfield Golf Club on 7 June and

across the globe and in other regions of

events and the Society has had another

whilst I am not a golfer I attended to

the UK too. I am grateful therefore to

busy year.

show my support for this very popular

Michael Askwith and Ralph Godfrey

OP sports group. This is an event that is

for organising yet another South Coast

well established and efficiently organised

Regional summer garden BBQ on 15

by Charlie Parry and if anyone wishes

June near Chichester. Unsurprisingly,

to play in this event next year or in the

for a former nautical college, a lot of

annual match against the College in the

OPs reside in close proximity to the

autumn, please register your interest on

coast and this event was therefore very

the Pangbournian Portal on the OP Golf

well attended and also was supported by

Society link.

a few alumni of HMS Worcester, HMS

Founders' Day is always a highlight for many OPs and I was delighted to see so many there and to speak with OPs old and young, many of whom attended the OP Cricket match against the College 1st XI on Big Side after the Founders' Day formalities were concluded. My thanks must go to Sam Gunbie for organising this year’s OP Cricket team.

I have been trying to encourage more

Sadly, this year the OPs could not repeat

regional OP events as historically so

their victory of 2022 and we lost by

many reunions or events are focused at

35 runs to a good-spirited and talented

the College or in London. Whilst these

College team.

will always be the most popular and convenient locations for many alumni,

Conway and the General Botha that together with Pangbourne, represent the former Nautical Colleges. I was delighted to attend this most convivial event and anyone wishing to join in next year should make a note in their diaries Henley Legends Dinner

for the College who were joined by a number of current members of the Boat Club and parents. Rob Hamilton from the inaugural Pangbourne winning 1st VIII recounted his crew's experiences and demonstrated that many of the obstacles to rowing success today prevailed 60 years ago and hopefully, current students can take inspiration from such recollections and can produce further victories in the future. I was delighted to meet so many members of the previous triumphant 1st VIII crews including most of the 63 crew who all seemed in very good form and as passionate about rowing and future rowing success at Pangbourne as they were 60 years ago! I had the opportunity to meet many other OPs who had rowed for the

Phillip Plato (H73-77)

College at an informal drinks reception

that next year’s South Coast Regional

OP crew(s), should contact them via the

OP BBQ is planned for Thursday 13

Pangbournian Portal for details.

June 2024 from circa 12:00. Details will

The College and the OP Society

as well, and a good crowd of OPs

recognised that 2023 represented two

assembled to cheer the Pangbourne crew

important rowing anniversaries for

off from the boat tents as they went

The OP Yacht Club are understandably

Pangbourne. This year was both the 20th

afloat to race on the Fawley Challenge

delighted to see sailing being resumed

anniversary of the College’s last victory

Cup for quad sculls. There are clearly a

at the College this year. The OPYC

in The Princess Elizabeth Challenge

sizable number of OPs willing to support

has again been very active and whilst

Cup at Henley Royal Regatta and was

the College and I am grateful to Georgia

I regret that personal commitments

also the 60th anniversary of the College’s

Mission who is helping me develop

have prevented me from attending any

first victory in this event too. In total,

an OP Rowing Supporters group and

OPYC events this year, I know they

the College has produced four victorious

possibly revive Nautics Rowing on either

have been doing a commendable job of

crews at Henley (in 1963, 1971, 1992

a recreational or semi competitive basis.

organising the Arrow Trophy and will

and 2003, which is a remarkable

do so again over the weekend of 6 to

achievement for any school) and it

8 October 2023. For those not aware,

seemed most appropriate to celebrate

the Arrow Trophy is a yachting regatta

this double anniversary therefore.

raced on the Solent between alumni

Accordingly, representatives from all the

of various public schools. The OPYC

previous victorious crews were invited

is honoured to be the hosting club at

to attend a Rowing Legends Dinner at

present. My thanks go to Peter Kewish

the College on 28 June. The event was

and all those volunteers from the OPYC

attended by the Headmaster and various

committee and again, any OPs interested

coaches past and present as well as a

in participating or just supporting the

variety of other OPs who had rowed

hopefully appear on the OP website in good time to reserve places.

hosted by the College in Lion Meadow Car Park at Henley Royal Regatta

A much more recent addition to the growing list of OP sports and social groups, is the OP Car & Motorcycle Club. Several OPs not only attended the Classic Car show held at the College and organised by Mr Tom Cheney on 3 June but they also brought vehicles to display at the event too. This is now a very large event and I do hope more OPs will consider joining this latest OP social group. Aside from the Classic Car

THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE OP SOCIETY CHAIRMAN

event, Clive Carrington Wood and I

conduct video memory interviews by

coincides with the centenary of the

also both formed an Old Pangbournian

representatives of past decades or film

first OP Dinner and we are planning to

Group participating in the international

recollections from each Division over

mark the 100th anniversary of the formal

motorcycle charity event known as the

the years or memories by members of

constitution of the OP Society in 2026

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and a

previous sports teams the College has

too. With a revised MoU, a growing

report of our efforts is also included in

produced. Some may just be humorous

number of OP sports and social groups

this edition.

recollections that deserve being recorded!

all communicating through a new

The Car and Motorcycle Group are

I invite anyone with suggestions or

hoping to plan a few other events for

who wish to participate in this “Video

any OPs interested in vehicles old and

Memories of Pangbourne” project, to

new, such as a visit or tour of a car or

get in touch again through me or via

motorcycle manufacturer or a group visit

Sue.Carpenter@pangbourne.com and we

to a notable motoring museum. Ideas

website portal and with various social media channels too, I do hope OPs will feel confident about the future of the Society and will feel inspired to attend the OP Society AGM on 10 October.

can then make arrangements. Whilst the

You will note elsewhere in this edition,

under consideration are the Morgan Car

College has good technical facilities for

that we have a number of vacancies

Company, Triumph Motorcycles, Mini,

such filming, anyone with video/editing

arising on the OP Committee and

or Brooklands. If anyone has any ideas,

experience who wants to get involved

I also hope you will consider joining

suggestions or contacts to aid planning

would be very welcome too.

the Committee or getting involved in

such arrangements, please get in touch with me through the Pangbournian Portal. As an offshoot of the archiving project mentioned previously, the OP Society

As you may have gathered, I have a lot

your Society.

of hopes for my final year as Chairman

Phillip Plato (H 73-77)

of the Society. Indeed, my final year

Chairman OP Society

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

has also been trying to film one-on-one interviews with OPs to create a library of “Video Memories of Pangbourne”. The aim is for these recollections to be watched online from a link on our website or YouTube channel. The project has been delayed due to staff shortages at the College in early 2023, but a couple of initial interviews were filmed just before Christmas, one with Courtney Edenborough who was regarded by many as our oldest OP and was often referred to as our “Senior Officer on Deck”. Sadly, Courtney passed away in April this year and this has underlined for me the importance of this project. Some ideas in the planning may involve group interviews either by Zoom or at the College. For example, we hope to film several of the initial Junior School intake to recount their memories. (Obviously, this later became Dunbar) However, we might similarly

Welcome

from the Head

As my final academic year at Pangbourne gets underway, I am glad of the opportunity to look back at the last year with more objectivity than is usually possible when in the thick of events.

Founders’ Day Parade inspection

Necessarily, I will have to be very selective with my highlights but, before getting to those, it is worth remembering that all the many opportunities which we offer pupils have a part to play in delivering our ethos. This can be expressed in a number of ways, but one way to think of it is that we are committed to helping young people to flourish by providing challenge and inspiring learning through a relevant and adventurous curriculum that develops character within the context of a caring community, so that our pupils can make a positive difference to the world. Being taken out of our comfort zones by challenges is key to our development. Getting better at anything takes consistent effort, a willingness to seek and act on advice but, above that, it takes the desire to improve — from that desire comes the willingness to face up to a challenge, the willingness to have a go, to take a risk, to make mistakes and learn from them, before having another go.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE HEAD

Whether it was in their studies, or on the sports pitch or river, or on a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition in Wales, or performing on stage or in the Marching Band, or in myriad other situations, last year our pupils were provided with plenty of Challenge. For me, the accreditation by NACE (the National Association for Able Children in Education) for their Challenge Award in May was a significant and exciting highlight. It took us two years to gather the evidence necessary to meet the criteria. That external validation of high-quality provision for more able learners, at all levels of the school, in a context of a commitment to challenge for all, is testimony to the quality of teaching and coaching and learning which was observed across a number of days, lessons and classes. The challenge of A Levels, BTECs and GCSEs was successfully negotiated, in the context of a national correction of grades to 2019 levels. In the end, our GCSE pass rate was almost our best ever and at A Level a cohort with a wide range of abilities exceeded the results of their predecessors in 2019. Among many co-curricular activities,

Celebrating another successful term

His Majesty The King in May, I was

also an inspiration to hear the stories of

delighted to receive confirmation in

their Henley campaigns. What pleased

April that The King wishes to continue

me most of all was the obvious sense

the tradition established by his great-

of connection between the almost 80

grandfather, King George V, in 1927

year olds and the current Pangbourne

of the Gold Medals. The medal was

students — a connection that certainly

originally awarded to recognise the

had something to do with the challenge

qualities which made for the finest

offered by rowing, but also to do

citizen, and that emphasis on character

with being members of an extended

is as relevant today as it was then.

community linked by shared values and

The medals are the most prestigious

pride in the College’s traditions. It was a

prizes awarded on Founders’ Day and,

reminder that those are precious things.

with the Keith Evans and the Nigel Hollebone Prizes, thanks to the generous legacy of those OPs, are enduring symbols of our commitment to the importance of Character.

I think Chicago, this year’s production,

Challenge, Character… and Community.

certainly had challenges, the cast not

Pangbourne are linked to Community.

was the brightest highlight for me. It only having to learn lines, but also to sing and to dance. They travelled

quite a long way out of their comfort zones, but it was absolutely worth it! I still think it was one of the best school productions I have seen anywhere, but the real highlight was hearing the staff focusing not on its absolute quality, but on the journey which each of the cast had travelled. In a year which was bookended by the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen in September and the Coronation of

So many of the highlights of each year at As in any year, I am spoilt for choice, but my favourite was the Boat Club’s Legends Dinner on 28 June.

We begin this new year with record numbers once again: 467. On the development front, Sue Carpenter has made a strong start as Alumni Relations Officer and Lucinda Grafton recently took up her role as Head of Development in October. It was regrettable that after all Tim Hamilton’s hard work, our development strategy lost momentum on his departure in January, but I hope this will be re-established

Last year was the 60th anniversary

in the coming year. As always, I am

of the College’s first win at Henley

immensely grateful for the generosity of

Royal Regatta in 1963, and the 20th

many OPs through donating their time

anniversary of the 2003 win. It was an

as volunteers or financially to ensure

opportunity that we could not overlook.

that the College can continue to fulfil

At the Dinner, we had six representatives

its mission to be a caring community of

of each crew, and representatives of

learners in which all pupils can flourish

the 1971 and 1992 crews, too, with the

regardless of their background or

senior rowing squad and some of their

financial means.

parents. It was a great celebration and

Thomas Garnier

THE PANGBOURNIAN | WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

Welcome from the

Chair of Governors Prizegiving 2023

I have great pleasure in welcoming you to this edition of the Pangbournian Magazine. We hope that the stories of the College told here will both inform and inspire you whatever your age or involvement in the Pangbourne community. I write this a few weeks into the new

time over the course of Thomas’ last

There is much on the agenda for the

school year. Routines have been firmly

term to celebrate his success as Head over

Governing Body and Senior Executive

re-established at the College after a long

nineteen years. It has been a remarkable

as we consider the impact that a change

summer holidays as our pupils continue

time and the College owes him and

of Government is likely to have on

to lead busy lives, making the most of

Alex a huge debt of gratitude as they

the College. This is but one aspect of

the breadth of education provided at

move onto another chapter of their lives.

important development planning that

Pangbourne. The School has some 467

Oli Knight is an experienced head in

will ensure that the College provides

pupils this year which is similar to last

the maintained sector having himself

relevant education to enable our pupils to

year’s roll and recruiting is healthy.

attended a traditional public school.

reach their potential in the broadest sense

It is fair to say that he has transformed the

within a safe and nurturing environment.

lives of many of his students at the three

All this said; the to-do list is substantial in

schools he has led and we look forward

a fast changing world.

I hope that readers will have heard the news from last term that Thomas Garnier has decided to step down at the end of the Summer Term in 2024 and that the Governing Body has appointed Oli Knight to succeed him. We shall take

to his inspirational leadership. He is thrilled to be joining us and has complete empathy with our ethos.

Patrick Roberts

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CLASS OF 2023

Good Luck class of 2023 Upper Sixth Form leavers: Amélie Allen, Ethan Baker, Harry Baker, Freddy Barnes, Oscar Bartlett, Sophie Bennett, Imogen Benson, James Betts, Oscar Brown, Callum Byles, Alex Clark, Felix Coore, Dan Davies, Poppy Dixon-Gregory, Jamie Dunstan, Lachlan Evans, Louis Fahey, Aki Fournier, Harrison Green, Maddie Greenwood, Evie Grundy, Bella Harry, Grace Hessian, Izzy Holmes, Bonnie Jackson, Dan Jones, Mollie Jourdain, Eva Krstikj, Maximilian Lagerborg, Eddie Lightfoot, Raphael Löwenstein, Evie Macfarlane, Euan Mackenzie, Archie McAlister, Suzi Mullins, Isaac Nelsen, Harriet Papworth, Ben Parkinson, Louise Polaud, Tom Poynder, Melissa Robb, Toby Scrimgeour, Josie Spalton, William Stokes, Jemma Swire-Thompson, George Symington, Josh Symons, Sam Waugh, Charlie Wilde, Edward Wildern, Tilly Wright, Julia Yuille

Honorary OPs: Colin Hearn, Iona Sadler, Robert Mullan, Kelly Ford, Ian Headley Departing Staff: Rupert Bancroft, Jacki Calvert, Lauren Cook, Ani Cook, Rachel Cooper, Jenny Clubbe, Becky Dickson, Anna Pennington, Richard Pulsford 11

Farewell

to Mr Rupert Bancroft Mr Bancroft arrived at Pangbourne in January 1996, 27.5 years or 83 terms ago. When I arrived as Head in 2005, he was already a member of the Senior Leadership Team, as the Senior Housemaster and Housemaster of Port Jackson. Three years later, he became the Deputy Head Pastoral, switching to Deputy Head Co-curricular in 2013 and then back to Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead in 2021. Mr Bancroft is a man of many talents:

to Berkshire Cup wins; a long time coach

CCF. We will need several people to

perhaps first and foremost, he is a

and supporter of the Boat Club, he has

replace him.

Geography teacher. Worldly travelled,

coached the 1st VIII to National Schools

he is empathic with an ear to the ground,

Regatta victories. Being a qualified

connecting global experience to his

sailing senior instructor, he has kept the

pupils on an individual level. He is an

sailing club afloat. He liked manning the

inspirational teacher of the “old school”

safety boat for Pangbourne Sculls — the

type. He cares about much more than

largest junior sculling head which we ran

just grades and data; instead he has a

until a few years ago — and he always

genuine wish that the hundreds of pupils

enjoyed the relative drama of a capsize,

(and staff) who spend time with him love

which gave him licence to travel at warp

Geography. He doesn’t just support his

speed up the river with the engines at full

pupils, he knows and believes in them,

throttle. The ensuing tidal wave hitting

giving that most precious of possessions

all the other competitors was a very

freely: Time. For Mr Bancroft, being a

effective guarantee of repeat business!

teacher is about building rapport, about

He has supervised Duke of Edinburgh

passion for one’s subject, and about

Gold and Silver expeditions, led World

academic integrity.

Challenge expeditions to Kyrgyzstan,

Outside of the classroom, he will leave a huge hole. Having played hockey to a high level, he has coached hockey sides Founders' Day 2023

Tanzania, Bolivia and Ecuador (climbing Cotopaxi with a team of Pangbournians), and he has been a key Officer in the

But I think his biggest contribution to Pangbourne has been because of his character. You will have to look hard to find a more supportive, loyal and kind colleague, personifying the College's Flag Values in spades. He has huge emotional intelligence with a heart for the individual student, helping them navigate the choppy waters of adolescence. There are many students and staff (past and present) who owe Mr Bancroft a debt of gratitude for his positive guidance and wisdom over the years. He always sees the good in the people around him. Pangbourne College is a more pastorally sensitive school than the one he arrived at and he has had a huge part to play in its transformation. On SLT and SMT, he is often the voice of common sense and reason, using his huge experience and knowledge of Pangbourne to good effect. Our community will miss him, but after so many years of heavy lifting in support of the College and others, he deserves the chance to change pace and spend more time with his young family.

Top left clockwise: DofE Gold Practice Expedition at Llangorse, Geography Field Trip, as Housemaster of Port Jackson, as Rowing Coach, with his wife Jenny and daughter, as Hockey Coach, supporting Jenny with Illawarra, receiving CCF medal for his long years of service

THE PANGBOURNIAN | MR RUPERT BANCROFT

Calum Scott joins the Rams

OP Calum Scott (16 - 21) is relishing the chance to have a crack at his first full league campaign having joined the Rams from London Irish. The hooker, who took up rugby at the age of five at Tadley, has played for Newbury as a junior and the Berkshire from U14s to U16s. Calum first became involved with Exiles

On joining the club Calum said “I’m

“I know Spencer (Hayhow OP 19 - 21)

as an U13, making his senior debut in

getting a feel for the club and it’s in a

well — we played county together and

last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup and

great place, you can see it going in

then I was at school with him for

went on to make four appearances for

one direction.

Sixth Form.

England U20s.

“One of the biggest attractions was it’s a

“But all the boys have been class,

In between this he spent time on loan

team built around local lads with some

it’s been great getting to know

at RFU Championship club, London

I’ve played with or against growing up —

everybody, and they’ve all been so

Scottish, and Rams' National League 1

it’s special to be part of a club like that.

friendly and welcoming.”

counterparts, Esher. Calum in action for the Rams

Having signed a Senior Academy deal with Exiles after leaving Pangbourne College, the 20 year old has fond memories of his time with London Irish, “I had two years of being able to train with the likes of Agustin Creevy — for a young hooker that was amazing, and you learn so much from being around the professional environment. It turns you from being a school lad into a bloke quickly and some of the coaches — especially Fish (Jonathan Fisher) – helped me take my game up a level and I want to thank them for everything they did since I was first involved aged 13.” When asked what he hoped to bring to the squad Calum said “One of my biggest assets is my speed — for a front row at Irish I was one of the quickest forwards at the club — and I try to bring a bit of a different picture to the old-fashioned hooker. I like to do the hooking side of line-outs and scrums, but then around the park I want to bring a mix of everything — physicality, aggression and more. Whether it’s hooker, back row, centre – I’ll play wherever the coaches want me!”

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS

Frankie Allen World Champion

OP Frankie Allen (2015-2020) has come a long way since winning her first medal at the Bristol Avon Regatta as a J14 in 2016. Just last month she won Gold helping power the PR3 Mixed coxed 4 to victory in the Rowing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. It’s been a whirlwind last two years for the former Head of Girls' Boats and CCC Illawarra, since she classified for para rowing and joined the GB squad at Caversham. “I loved rowing at Pangbourne,” said Frankie, “and was helped and inspired by some amazing coaches including Beth Rodford, Ali Knowles and latterly Richard Follet who supported me through to GB Junior Trials. Unfortunately, Covid stopped that journey in its tracks as all competitive rowing was cancelled during the pandemic.” She started training at Caversham, the home of British Rowing last season. “It was very daunting being there training with people I admire, but everyone is so friendly and there is such a positive buzz around the place. I’d walk around looking at photos of all the famous

Frankie winning her first medal as a J14

It was also lovely to welcome Frankie back to speak at the Charlotte Drake Society with fellow GB rower Heidi Long, talking vulnerability to victory, challenge to champions, success and second breakfasts! After a well-deserved break and with

Since her international debut in May

the new rowing season just starting,

2022 Frankie has competed in:

Frankie’s attention is firmly focussed on

World Championships:

the Paralympic Games in Paris in August 2024.

rowers on the walls and now there’s

We wish Frankie all the best. We will be

a picture with me in it too, it’s

keeping a close eye and reporting back

quite surreal!”

on her progress over this coming season.

Frankie racing to victory at the World Championships, Serbia, 2023.

Frankie with the rest of her crew after winning gold at the World Championships, Serbia, 2023.

2023 Serbia - Gold 2022 Czech Republic - Gold (World’s best time) 2022 Czech Republic – Gold (PR3 W2-) European Championship: 2023 Slovenia – Gold 2022 Germany – Gold World Cup: 2023 Italy – Gold (new World’s best time) 2022 Serbia – Gold International Regatta: 2022 Gavirate Italy – Gold

OP News News about and from OPs in 2022/23. Some items have been edited and shortened, with the full news items available to read on the OP website. Please send your news for the next edition of the magazine to editorial@pangbourne.com

1950s

1960s

Corps and became the Estate Manager

Mike Harris (54-59)

Paddy H. Quinlan (64-67)

45 Commando). 2009: Retired. 2014:

Out of the blue, more or less, Mike

for Royal Marines Condor (home of Emigrated to NZ to be with our children

Harris, already a Rear Admiral and

and grandchildren. Catriona and I are

Falklands War veteran, became a peer

now living the dream in Rangiora,

of the realm in 2023. His 4th cousin,

North Canterbury and I’m involved with

someone almost unknown to him, died and he inherited a barony becoming the 9th Baron Harris of “Seringapatam and Mysore, East Indies, and of Belmont, county Kent”. The first Baron was his gggg-grandfather, General Sir George Harris, who fought at Bunker Hill in 1775 and later secured southern India for the East India Company by storming the fortress of Seringapatam in 1799, with the future Duke of Wellington as one of his colonels. The 4th Baron was a great cricketer, captaining England

Paddy H Quinlan (64-67)

against Australia in 1878-9 and 1880.

A case of mistaken identity set us on the

Mike is suitably vague about his new

trail of Paddy H. Quinlan. A Quinlan

responsibilities but, sadly for him, they do

namesake in the Royal Marines died in

not include voting in the House of Lords.

November 2022. However, our Quinlan lives on. After much sleuthing, he was tracked down to the South Island of New Zealand and sent us a brief history of his post-NCP life. “Thanks for getting in touch. It was a pleasant surprise to have Pangbourne mentioned. Brief history of myself post-College: 1969: Joined the Royal Marines as a recruit and served with 42 Commando in Singapore. 1971-97: Commissioned in 1971 and had a variety of appointments, including the Antarctic whilst on HMS Endurance 76/77, Australia 84/86, Fleet Protection Group RM and 45 Commando RM. 1997: Retired from the

Mike Harris (54-59)

Robin Paterson (69-73)

the Rotary Club of Rangiora.” At the NCP Paddy was known for his prowess in the boxing ring but reports that, after the College, he took up judo. Robin Paterson (69-73) Belgravia-based estate agency UK Sotheby’s International Realty has new owners. In January the business was sold to George Azar, who owns Sotheby’s Dubai/Middle East region franchise. Entrepreneur Robin Paterson (69-73) and a partner acquired the UK franchise from Countrywide in 2014. In 2020 the firm was picked to launch a £75mn mansion in St John’s Wood. Recently

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS

it starred in Channel 4’s glossy fly on

working with all types of machinery but

September, swimming from Ilfracombe

the wall property show, Britain’s Most

specialising in municipal road sweepers.

to Swansea. The last swim took 21 hours

Expensive Houses; John Fisher (69-

I married in 1994 and have two sons and

and 50 minutes, ending in darkness

73) took part in several of the shows.

live in Poole, Dorset.

with Phil being rushed to hospital to be

Paterson said: “I am delighted to have sold the business to George Azar and his

1980s

team who will develop the UK brand

Phil Warren (84-87)

throughout London and the UK. There are strong synergies already between the ME region and UK, but these will be enhanced by one ownership.” Described in a press release as an “industry heavyweight and turnaround specialist,” Paterson spent the early part of his career in charge of big-brand estate agencies including Hamptons, Cluttons and Barnard Marcus. He also co-founded the “activist” investment firm Catalist Partners in 2020, and recently joined the iBuyer outfit Upstix as a partner.

In 2022 Phil Warren (84-87) set himself the challenge of swimming all four crossings of the Bristol Channel in one swim season – and doing so by

monitored and tested for a further eight hours. “I didn’t care; I was in good hands and I was a Channel swimmer.” he wrote later. To date, Phil has raised over £5,500 for mental health charity Mind. All his swims have been self-funded so every penny has gone to the charity. You can

swimming breaststroke – something

donate via his JustGiving page.

no one had attempted before. The four

1990s

‘official’ crossings of the Bristol Channel are: Penarth to Weston-super-Mare (8

Charlotte Butterworth (90-92)

miles), Penarth to Clevedon (11 miles),

Old Pangbournian and current Governor

Glenthorne to Porthcawl (16 miles) and

Charlotte Butterworth (90-92) was Guest

Ilfracombe to Swansea (24 Miles). Phil

of Honour at the first whole school

started his challenge in June, with the

Parade of 2023. Charlotte was one of

Penarth to Weston route and ended it in

the first two girls to join the College in

1970s Alexander Bower (75-80) After the death of his father, Richard Bower (51-55), Alexander Bower (7580) got in touch to give us an update on his post-Pangbourne life. He wrote: “I started work as trainee agricultural engineer in a John Deere dealership before going to Lackham agricultural college in Wiltshire in 1981. Here I became fully qualified as an agricultural engineer with advanced tractors. From then, I did two years in America 1983-85 with Gordon Haynes Custom Harvesting Corporation on the grain belt, driving and repairing combine harvesters until finally coming home to Dorset. Since then, I have diverged from agricultural engineering into all aspects of commercial, plant and municipal engineering. Twelve years ago, I started my own engineering business,

Charlotte Butterworth (90-92)

in the Sixth Form in 1990. The day started at a very cold minus 5 degrees Celsius but by the Parade had reached a positive figure of 2. In spite of these very cold conditions, the Marching Band were in fine form. Conducted by the Bandmaster, Andrew Thornhill, a former Director of Music in the Royal Marines, it performed ‘Highland Cathedral’ and ‘Heart of Oak.’ Mrs Butterworth served in the Royal Navy for 12 years. Since the end of the Covid pandemic restrictions, whole school Parades have been very well attended by parents and families.

Nat Rennie (07-14)

2000s

2010s

growing to double digits, and interest

Tom Read Wilson (98-03)

Nat Rennie (07-14)

taking the knowledge and skills she

In March it was announced that TV

After having a brilliant time at

celebrity Tom Read Wilson (98-03) would star as Squidward in the UK

Pangbourne, Nat achieved his BA and MA in Classical Studies before beginning

premiere of The SpongeBob Musical,

his military career. After a 12 month

Manchester, Sheffield, Peterborough,

19-20, he begun training at the Royal

appearing in performances in Bradford,

rates reaching a 15 year high! Izzy is gained in the Markets Directorate with her to Exeter for her final year of studies, before she returns back to the Bank in September 2024.

stint at Commando Training Centre Sep Military Academy Sandhurst in Sep 20, passing out in Aug 21. Since then he has completed deployments of various lengths to Northern Ireland, Georgia, and Romania. He still calls upon his 1st XV and VIII days occasionally and continues to play rugby and row within the Armed Forces. If any current Pangbournians or OPs wish to join the Army, then please do not hesitate to

Tom Read-Wilson (98-03)

Wolverhampton, Leicester and Aberdeen. Tom is probably best known as the receptionist on Channel 4’s Celebs

Go Dating. After Pangbourne, he studied at Rose Bruford College and the Royal Academy of Music before performing in Sleeping Beauty at Wellingborough Castle Theatre, Alice in Wonderland at

Madinat Theatre, Dubai, in the UK tour of Cat in the Hat and in Sweet Revenge at Theatre Royal Windsor.

enquire for Nat's details and reach out.

Izzy Doughty (15-20)

2020s

Harvey Westby (15-20)

Izzy Doughty (15-20)

UK from a year at sea, onboard an

Izzy has recently spent a year in industry at the Bank of England, as part of her Economics and Politics undergraduate degree. In a very interesting time to work at the Bank, especially whilst sat within the Market Intelligence and Analysis Division, Izzy gained firsthand experience of the fall out of Truss's LDI crisis-inducing mini-budget, the collapse of SVB and Credit Suisse, inflation

Harvey has recently returned to the LNG carrier. Harvey is studying for an BSc degree in Navigation and Maritime science while also completing the training required by the Maritime Coastal Agency to pursue a career at sea. He spent his placement year sailing around the world as an apprentice, working under the guidance of the Captain and alongside the bridge team on a 115k tonne merchant vessel. Whilst

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS

it has been incredibly hard work, often unsocial hours, sometimes testing his mental resilience spending long period away from family and friends with limited communication, he has thoroughly enjoyed his 12 months at sea. He has learnt the crucial skills in order to safely navigate such a large vessel and to maintain efficient operations onboard. Although there were many highlights, one or two that will particularly stick in his mind were transiting the Strait of Magellan and Panama Canal. Having now sailed over 70 thousand miles and having visited 28 countries, Harvey has completed his MCA training in order to become a navigational officer on some of the biggest ships in the world.

Harvey Westby (15-20)

for individuals to represent their country

He looks forward to starting in his official

at the Olympic Games. Commenting

capacity as a navigational officer in 2024

on her achievement, Megan said: ‘My

once he has completed his degree, which

goal is to represent my country at the

to him is an added bonus for pursuing

Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028,

his passion

while continuing to inspire other young

Megan Fergusson (17-22) Megan, a former Chief Cadet Captain of Illawarra, has been accepted on to the UK Paratriathlon Olympic Pathway Programme. The programme is designed to identify and develop talented paratriathletes and offers the potential

Bonnie Jackson (16-23) Bonnie is currently working as General Assistant in a hotel on Tresco, an island within the Isles of Scilly, working within the reception and throughout the

athletes to believe that, if they put in the time and commitment, anything is possible… Despite the challenges of balancing my training with my full-time job as a Gap Sports Teacher, I continue to push and strive for the best.” During 2023 she is competing around the UK.

Bonnie Jackson (21-22)

restaurant. She will spend a six-month period there before travelling to Hong Kong to commence a legal internship and then go on to travel around Southeast Asia. By September 2024 Megan Fergusson (17-22)

she will begin her Law degree at the University of Nottingham.

Class of '83

40th Anniversary Dinner Members of the Class of 83 held their 40th Anniversary Reunion at the College in April. Guests were greeted on arrival with a special Commando Cocktail created by the reunion organiser Rory CopingerSymes (79-83) using his own brand of whisky, Commando Spirit, mixed with Gunner's 'Saint', one of two Gunner'sbased drinks launched by fellow OP Giles Fuchs (78-83). A number of photos from the College archive proved a talking point and created some healthy debate before everyone moved on to a fantastic three course dinner in the Old Library. A number of those attending returned to the College the next morning to watch retired Brigadier Copinger-Symes take Parade. All in all, a perfect end to a great weekend.

The night before the morning after

Catching up at Parade

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP NEWS

NZ OP annual get together in Auckland

New Zealand reunion From New Zealand the NZ Rep, Graham Jex (67-71), reports that he finally managed to get most of the NZ OP contingent together at the RNZYS in Auckland for our annual luncheon on 23 February, 2023. “It wasn’t up to Robin Paine’s (55-58)

• Simon Marriot (64-68) and Caroline

• Craig Peploe (77-80) is still involved

standard,” he wrote, “but at least we had

have decided they no longer want to

in the retirement home industry.

a great time catching up with everyone’s

make marmalade and have sold their

news. Sadly, Nick Edwards (55- 58) and

citrus fruit orchard on North Island

• And myself Graham Jex ( 67-71)

Yoko, his wife, were not able to make it

and bought a house in Blenheim at the

as he advised us that he is bedbound most

top of the South Island. It’s a big move

of the time. It was also the first luncheon

for them and they are both looking

we have had, because of all the Covid

forward to retirement.

disruptions, since Robin and Sandra Paine left for the UK.” Those attending were: • Charlie Fowler (85-90) has changed jobs and is no longer a bobby in NZ. He is now working as a Chief Security Officer with the Princess Line.

• Fran Crowther (94-96) and Simon are still with Waikato District Council. • Tim Luton (73-77) has left the

with my wife Maree, are enjoying retirement on a half-acre property an hour south of Auckland. Graham is now seeking word of any other OPs living in New Zealand. Two have been unearthed so far – Paddy H. Quinlan (64-67) and Tim Hawkins (62-66), both living on South Island. Graham is

University of Auckland and is now

thinking of holding the 2024 lunch in

looking after their 10-acre property in

Christchurch, South Island for a change.

Hunua, Auckland full time.

Also on the South Island – Rob Green (57–62) who lives near Christchurch.

The Chapel Yomp A chance encounter on Founders Day with former RSM Paul Hills uncovers a story of true Pangbournian spirit. By Sue Carpenter During the OP versus the College

yomped across the Falkland Islands to

the Ridgeway was broken by a night

Cricket Match on Founders' Day, I

their final destination and victory in Port

spent in a barn, but not much sleep was

found myself in conversation with a

Stanley. In fact, for the majority of the

achieved as everyone shared their tales

gentleman by the name of Paul Hills

British public this was the first time that

of the journey so far, while the regular

who I discovered was a former RSM

the word, yomping, had entered their

soldiers showed the students how to

at the College. This meeting brought

vocabulary, but it’s now a word widely

instantly cure blisters, not an entirely

out my inner archivist, or my barely

associated with determination and the

pain free process!

disguised nosiness as some would say,

resilience to keep going, no matter

and I couldn’t resist asking Paul about

the cost. With this in mind, Anthony

his time at the College and what his

Hudson, College Headmaster during

outstanding memories were. ‘Well,

the 1990’s came up with the idea for his

you’ve heard of the Chapel Yomp?” he

Sixth Formers to ‘yomp’ the 55 miles

said. I hadn’t and in case you haven’t

from Salisbury to Pangbourne, each

either then let me tell you the story of

carrying a brick to start the new chapel.

this true display of Pangbourne spirit.

The following day, the school Band heralded the arrival of the weary marchers up the hill to deliver their bricks to Sir Willian Benyon and the Headmaster, who were waiting for them at the finish line. Perhaps one of the greatest accolades paid to the students

Robbie Basset, Chief of College, took up

in the coming days came from the

On the 18 November 1999, some

the challenge and persuaded 30 fellow

Paras, who admitted that at the start of

500 members of the Falkland Islands

students to join him. To help them on

the venture they had been expecting

Bereaved Families Association gathered

the journey and give some expert advice,

something of a Mickey Mouse affair,

at the College to witness the dedication

the pupils were accompanied by teams

but discovered to their surprise that

of the newly built Chapel to the

of servicemen from the 29 Commando

the Sixth Form matched them step for

memory of all those who had lost their

Regiment and HMS Invincible, among

step over the 36 hours that it took to

lives in the Falklands War of 1982. To

many others.

reach Pangbourne. The event raised

get to this point had taken 11 years of dogged determination, hard work and a considerable amount of fund raising.

The town square in Salisbury was buzzing with activity on departure day.

over £11,000 which went some way to remove the pain of each blister.

Mrs Sara Jones, widow of Colonel ‘H’

Sadly, due to financial and planning

One such fund raising initiative was also

Jones, gave each member of the party

complications in Salisbury, the chapel

a fitting tribute to the many members

their brick and Admiral Layard sent

was never transported to the College,

of the Armed Forces who successfully

them on their way. Their journey along

however, a small part of it still remains

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

on the site. The bricks brought by

told that the Elim Chapel project was

Alzheimer's. On entering the Chapel

Basset's tenacious group are now fitted

not viable, not a single donor removed

he was given a kneeler which had been

into one of the walls of the new chapel

their money and they were right

beautifully embroidered with the name

and in a small box sits some brickwork

not to. Paul recounted a story which

of his son. He hugged it to his chest and

brought by Brian MacDonald,

demonstrates just how much the Chapel

couldn’t be separated from it for the rest

Pangbourne’s Geography teacher, who

means to the families and friends of those

of the day. At the end of the day, the

ran the 55 miles from Salisbury with it.

commemorated within it.

kneeler should have been returned to

The Elim Chapel paved the way for

On dedication day, Paul found himself

the beautiful building that is now the

sitting next to a gentleman who had

National Memorial to those who gave

made the journey from Canada on his

their lives in the Falkland Islands. The

own, as there was not enough money

efforts made to bring the Chapel here

for his wife to accompany him. This

only served to convince donors that

would be his last journey to England; he

such a memorial was essential and when

was elderly and already suffering from

the Chapel but still the gentleman couldn’t be parted from it, so Paul found a bag for him to conceal it in so that others wouldn’t be tempted to do the same, so for a short time there were only 257 named kneelers in the Chapel. A small sacrifice in return for a much greater one.

A selection of images courtesy of Paul Hills Honorary OP

OP Club News OP Golf Society

The OPGS had a great day of golf and catching up at the OPGS summer meeting on Wednesday 7 June. The venue was Beaconsfield Golf Club, a challenging course with large greens but plenty of hazards to catch you out.

15 OPs turned up, bright and early, and after a quick coffee set off to compete for the President's Cup, a single stableford competition. The fairways were running fast and the greens were in fine condition and it took a few holes for everyone to find their form. In the end, Jasper Fulford-Dobson, with 35 points, won on countback. Also on the same score were Ken Jones and William Skinner For the first time we also competed for the Terry O’Neil Memorial Trophy. Terry was a very loyal and enthusiastic member of the OPGS and a past winner of the President’s Cup. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year but in his memory his daughter Susie wished to donate a prize that could be competed for on an annual basis. Richard Givan found a silver cup and it was suitably engraved. The Trophy was awarded to the golfer who had the lowest score on the final nine holes of the morning round. The

George Gale, Jasper Fulford Dobson, Peter Lowe, William Skinner

inaugural winner of the trophy was Ken Jones who was three over par. We also competed for the longest drive and the nearest the pin in the morning round. Ken Jones was the longest and Richard Parrett was the most accurate. It was a hot morning round, and everyone was relieved to have some time inside and be treated to plenty of refreshments and a feast of a lunch. We were joined for lunch by our OP Chairman, Phillip Plato, who very generously kept us well-hydrated. It was great to have his support and to get the current news of the OP Society and of the College.

Giles Fuchs, Hugh Fraser, Richard Parrett, Charlie Parry

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP CLUB NEWS

Pip Smitham, David Lewis, Richard Sarsfield-Hall, Christopher Reed, John Cooke, Ken Jones

It was during lunch that the pairs were drawn for the afternoon foursomes. We competed for the Stephen Walker and Simon Broome Memorial Bowl, a competition played over the first 10 holes

Ken Jones won the Terry O’Neil Memorial Bowl

The OPGS next meeting is our match against the College Pupils on 20 September. This will be a team event playing in a four ball better ball format.

of the course. The competition was fiercely fought, and

The society members who

the winners were Jasper F-D and Peter

attended our 2023 meeting were:

Lowe. They managed 24 points which

William Skinner

was a superb effort. Peter was delighted to win the Bowl again as he last won it in 1984, whilst still a cadet at the College. In those days, cadets joined the OPs at their summer meeting and were paired up with an OP for the afternoon foursomes. After a closing prize giving and a few more refreshments, everyone went on their way. It was a cracking day and much enjoyed by everyone. The

Jasper Fulford-Dobson John Cooke Pip Smitham Hugh Fraser Ken Jones Christopher Reed Giles Fuchs Richard Sarsfield -Hall Peter Lowe George Gale

OPGS very much hope to return to

David Lewis

Beaconsfield again next year and I

Richard Parrett

will forward the date to you once it has

Steve Jewell

been confirmed.

Charlie Parry

OP Club News OPYC Arrow Trophy 2023 Unlike almost any other Arrow Trophy I can remember, we were blessed with stunning weather throughout the weekend, albeit there was not enough wind for racing on Sunday. As usual, most of us gathered on Thursday evening to store ship and eat steaks in a Hamble pub. Some of our more experienced crew were away on mid-Oct holidays but we were joined by a friend of Andy Roy's family: Ed van Reenen shared stories of racing Optimists amongst great white sharks off the coast of South Africa when he was eight. He proved to be a fount of sailing knowledge and a rock of calmness over

the weekend. The other crew comprised

On Friday we were joined by Andrew

the Prime Ministerial Rohan Batra (Hon.

Gilruth and went sailing for a day's

Treasurer), Ed Nation (Slops), Tom

practice. The white sails were hoisted

Bendon (Wardroom Wine Steward)

and by late morning we were starting

and Ed Nash. With too many Eds, the

to wrestle with the slightly mysterious

latter was rechristened 'Roger the Cabin

ways of the asymmetric spinnaker. This

Boy' and the rest of the crew thank

was interrupted by lunch and a swim

him for providing an endless stream of

at anchor in Osborne Bay and then

sandwiches, chocolate and hot beverages

an easy beat back up wind and tide to

whenever we were under way.

Cowes. Waiting for us at the Royal Yacht Squadron, our berth for the next two days, was the OPYC Support Squadron. More select than usual, this included Commodore Jeremy Owen's Dolce Vita and Andy Roy's Swan 46

Troubadour (currently for sale if anyone is interested!). We enjoyed a delicious dinner in Tonino's where we were joined by the final member of our crew and in fact the only newbie, David Hughes; his lack of racing experience more than compensated for by his sartorial elegance and great company. Many thanks to the OPYC Committee Member who footed the bill. Saturday dawned with a 15-20 knot southwesterly and a flooding tide. The fast description of our four races is that we were quite often the winning boat; but never when we actually crossed the line. If you are not into racing then skip the next paragraph. We were racing in the B fleet and therefore in Oceanis 37.8s against nine other boats from the same Fairview stable. The course was set in the North Channel between Bramble Bank and the Photos courtesy of Tom Bendall

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP CLUB NEWS

mainland and comprised a top mark with

initially by our spinnaker handling but

and photography and Roger for all the

spreader approx 1.5NM to windward of

had this down to a fine art by the end

sustenance. I don't remember a time

the start, down to a gate at the bottom of

of the day. Now we just need a skipper

when we felt so consistently in touch

the course, upwind through the start line,

who can read the sailing instructions —

with the front of the racing, although

repeated and finishing upwind through

always a problem when one is leading

this is not really reflected in our overall

the start line. On the first race we had

the fleet!

position. More importantly, all had a fine

a perfect start at the pin end and thanks to Ed van R, had made the right choice to stay on starboard, splitting from the rest of the fleet to take advantage of the weaker tide over the bank. We were comfortably first past the top and bottom marks and by the end of the race, due to the friction of spinnaker hoists and drops, crossed the line in third position (although there was a suspicious lack of beeping from the Committee boat). Race 2 saw a similarly good start but a bad gybe lost us many places and then we realised that we had not followed the right course in the previous race (we had missed going through the start line on the upwind leg). We ducked back but finished 9th. Races 3 and 4 were much better. Good starts and first or second around the first top mark, losing a couple of places either at the bottom mark or when we had to give way to a parade of leeward boats. We came third in both races. The result — disqualified in the first race, almost last and then two good results to 7th overall. We had had great starts, good tactical decision making and good boat speed. We were let down

We motored back to Cowes on Saturday afternoon, happy that we led the fleet

time and, I think, remain excited about next year.

at certain moments and that everyone

NB1 The Arrow Trophy started as

had contributed to a great crew spirit! In

the Eton Harrow yacht race and now

the evening Paravicinis were dusted off

includes teams from up to 27 public

and we dined with all the other crews at

schools, old pupil yacht clubs. The

the Sugar Store — a delicious evening

event is run by a different school every

organised by Peter Kewish. Given the

three years and it is currently run by

next morning's complete calm weather

Pangbourne and specifically by

forecast and the earnest attempts to

Peter Kewish.

avoid dehydration, there was a huge cheer when Peter announced he was postponing the next morning's briefing from 0830 to 1000. On our boat, we had already agreed to turn the day into a cruise rather than a race. On Sunday morning we motored across a glassy

NB2 The next race for the OPYC will probably be the Belvidere Cup – match racing the RTYC’s keel boats on the Queen Mary Reservoir. Please get in touch of you are interested in getting involved.

Solent to Lymington. Here we dropped off David Hughes and his many bags to join OP Peter Troup who kindly stood us a pint and then took David off for a waterski. So — another Arrow Trophy over and done with. Thank you to Rohan and Ed for their sterling work on the foredeck, Andy, Dave and Ed for grinding in the sheets, Tom for some fabulous wine

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP CLUB NEWS

OP Club News OP Cricketers take on the young guns! Following the OPs' victory in the 2022 Founders' Day cricket match, spirits were high as this year's team took to the field to defend their title. The opposition, seemingly undaunted by

Pangbourne College. The College batted

good young bowlers who were able to

the array of cricketing talent they faced,

first and looked to be running away with

tie down the “aged ones” amongst the

posed for the obligatory team photo

the game as they set off at a rate of 16

OP side. But also, and to enter into the

before retiring to discuss their batting

runs per over. But inspired and canny

spirit of the occasion, the OP skipper

order. With the requisite number of

bowling by the OP bowlers pinned

retired a couple of batters after good

OPs guarding the boundary and umpire

the youngsters back – an example of

knocks so as to give others a chance to

Keith Townson in place, the College

experience versus youthful exuberance

show off apparently long-hidden skills.

sent out their batsmen. What follows is

methinks – and despite some lusty

Well, that was the idea; but it didn’t

the excellent match report provided by

blows from the College’s later batters,

exactly work that way as tight and

our esteemed umpire.

they were trimmed back to a score of

accurate bowling coupled with some

157 after their 20 overs. Technically

excellent catching by the College fielders

speaking, I suspect a few of the College

stemmed the tide, and by the end of their

side were OPs as they had marched

allotted overs the OPs were 35 or so

off earlier in the day to mark the end

runs adrift.

“Following the emotional highs of the Final March Past, the College and OPs came back to earth on Big Side for the annual College v OPs cricket match. It is one of life’s eternal mysteries how 11 OPs and a very aged (77 years old) umpire manage to come together in one

of their scholastic duties. But why let technicalities interfere with a good cricket match.

The match was played in a delightful but earnest spirit, and the vast crowd who on a couple of occasions were the targets of

place, sober, enthusiastic, clad in whites

So the OPs needed to score at a modest

towering sixes, got more vociferous as

and ready for the fray against a keen

eight runs per over to win their second

the sun warmed the afternoon and the

and athletic College XI, but they did

encounter in two years. Easy really on

alcohol flowed. A great and enjoyable

and the match went ahead on a typical

the face of it, and they got off to a bright

afternoon all round. Well played both

English summer’s day, in the beautiful

start. But the College had some surprises

sides, and we look forward to 2024 for

and bucolic setting of Royal Berkshire’s

up their sleeves, and one or two very

the rematch.” The OP Cricket Team - Founders' Day 2023

Join the OP Committee’s ranks! Following retirement of some long serving Committee members, the Old Pangbournian Society are currently looking for several new volunteers. The Committee meets formally just

The OP Society is seeking people to

three times per annum and the

fulfil the following specific roles:

current Chairman aims for everyone on the Committee to have a role of some description. The Society aims to keep OPs in touch with each other and the College, as well as maintaining the traditions of the

• Committee Secretary – convening OP meetings and taking minutes • Decade Representatives – from the following decades: 1950’s, 1960’s & 2020’s

Founders and supporting the College

• Archive Support

generally. The Society can only function

The Committee is also considering new

by OPs serving on the Committee.

• Graphic design/editorial • Video filming/editing • IT and social media OPs of all ages are welcome to contact us for more info as are any OPs interested in establishing new OP Sports & Social Groups, especially for OP Hockey and Netball and developing OP Cricket.

roles and therefore welcomes anyone with experience in:

Please contact the Chairman Phillip Plato via Alumni Relations Officer sue.carpenter@pangbourne.com

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FOUNDERS' DAY

Once again the Summer Term ended with our annual Founders’ Day event, a celebration of the end of school year and an emotional farewell to our departing Upper Sixth students. We were delighted to welcome many members of our Pangbourne community, including staff, pupils, family members, and Old Pangbournians (alumni). It was a privilege to have Mandy Hickson, Former RAF fastjet pilot, as our Guest of Honour for the day. The event started with the Prizegiving Ceremony, which saw several pupils and Upper Sixth students win awards for their achievements and effort throughout the academic year. Mandy Hickson then delivered an inspiring speech, filled with humour and great wisdom. Prior to this, speeches were delivered by the Chair of Governors and Old Pangbournian Patrick Roberts and the Head. During the ceremony we also bid farewell to Rupert Bancroft who had been a part of the College community

Founders' Day 2023

for 27.5 years which equates to an incredible 83 terms! This year The King’s Gold Medals were awarded to the Chief Cadet Captains of College, Jemma Swire-Thompson and Archie McAlister.

Making sure everything is just right

Guest of Honour, Mandy Hickson, inspecting parade

Our Guest of Honour, Mandy Hickson,

Divisions (boarding houses). The Old

was responsible for inspecting the

Pangbournian Society once again put

whole-school Parade. She has since

together an impressive team for the

commented that it was a humbling

OPs v 1st XI cricket match which

experience and a privilege to be a part of

took place on Big Side playing field

our beloved tradition.

throughout the afternoon.

After a refreshment break for our guests,

Mandy Hickson, Former RAF fast-jet

Beat Retreat took place involving the

pilot, summarised the day as: "Things

Upper Sixth students and included

you never thought you would be

magnificent displays from the Guard

doing... I had the honour of performing

and Marching Band.

the role of the reviewing officer at

Once the official proceedings had concluded, students and their families were treated to a picnic on White’s Playing Field in their

Pangbourne College’s Founders’ Day Parade. It was a humbling experience and one that will stay with me for a long time.”

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FOUNDERS' DAY

Leavers' Ball 2023

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FOUNDERS' DAY

Founders’ Day Prizegiving 2023 Expressive Arts Prizes:

Performance Prizes

Drama, The Prompt Book: Harriet Papworth Marcus Graham Art Prize: Evelyn Macfarlane Music Performance Prize: Felix Coore

Year 7: Matthew Bowden and Alexander Copeman Year 8: Emily Caine and Albert Mothoka Year 9: James Hall and Grace Jeffers Year 10: Rory De Halpert and Faith Merry Year 11: Imogen Ambrose and Frederick Stokes Lower Sixth: Oliver Edwards and Joseph De Halpert Upper Sixth: Frederick Barnes and Isabella Harry

Open Prizes: Ambrose White Memorial Prize: Madeleine Greenwood Chris Mullins Prize: Amelia Gillington Keith Evans Prize: Eva Skidmore Nigel Hollebone Centenary Prize: Dominic King Austin Anderson Prize: Suzanne Mullins Thornely Language Cup: Evie Grundy Jude Memorial Prize: Julia Yuille Old Pangbournian Prize: Isabella Jackson His Majesty The King’s Gold Medal: Archie McAlister and Jemma Swire-Thompson

Head’s Prizes Harrison Green Isabella Harry Toby Scrimgeour Joshua Symons

Head’s Tankards

Outstanding Endeavour Prizes Year 7: Joseph Henry and Tamsin Rowntree Year 8: Rosie Parbutt and Ralf Tompkins Year 9: Molly Fergusson and Emma Hudson Year 10: Margot Bosher and Zoe Hudson Year 11: Boluwatife Adebowale and Paige Mason Lower Sixth: Eva Griffin and Alice Dutton Upper Sixth: Sophie Bennett and Mollie Jourdain

Sports Cup Hesperus

Head’s Cup St. George

Daniel Jones - Harbinger Euan Mackenzie - Hesperus Grace Hessian - Illawarra George Symington - Macquarie Louis Fahey - Port Jackson Evelyn Macfarlane - St. George

CCCC Jemma Swire-Thompson and CCCC Archie McAlister with Guest of Honour Mandy Hickson

CCC Daniel Jones receiving the Paravicini Shield with Guest of Honour Mandy Hickson

The World’s Toughest Rowe Celebrating crossing the finishing line

On 12 December last year four women set off from the Canary Islands to row, unsupported, 3000 miles to Antigua, taking part in The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. One of the boats, aptly named Full Throttle, had Old Pangbournian Jessica Rowe (10 - 13) on board, who along with her fellow crew, won the Women's Class, finishing in 42 days, 7 hours and eighteen minutes. We caught up with Jess after her gruelling sporting challenge. Where did your love of sailing and rowing come from? Sailing became a part of my life early on due to my parents' influence. I underwent the RYA dinghy sailing courses, levels 1 and 2 in Salcombe during my early years. Additionally, a substantial portion of my time was devoted to sailing in the Menai Straits off Anglesey in Wales, utilising our mirror dinghy named Dhoruba –

a term signifying "Storm" in Nepalese. Notably, my sailing experiences were enriched by several vacations with

that rowing wasn't my forte, possibly

successfully conclude their journey in

due to my stature, preventing me from

English Harbour in Antigua. The allure

truly excelling in the sport!

of the challenge became irresistible,

What made you decide to enter the race? I first learned of the challenge due to my

prompting me to take on this endeavour.

How did you get a crew together?

father, Nick Rowe, who participated

Myself and another crew member

in the Atlantic rowing event in 2004/5

Corrine were originally part of another

alongside my godfather, Al Howard.

ocean rowing team which didn’t work

They formed a pair and competed in

out, and so we left and recruited two

the same race that included Ben Fogle

of Corrine’s friends to join our new

and James Cracknell, back when it was

campaign named 'Full Throttle.'

named the Woodvale Race.

Corrine brought her film production

Mark Warner, during which I also

Having been aware of this race for quite

expertise to the table, while Daisy,

delved into windsurfing.

some time, it has consistently been in

an enthusiastic cyclist, and Aileen, a

my thoughts. With my background of

reigning Hyrox World Champion,

working on sailing and motor yachts,

joined our crew. Remarkably, our new

coupled with my extensive time spent in

team was forged a mere five months

Antigua, I've witnessed numerous teams

before the commencement of the race—

The decision to enrol at Pangbourne College was significantly driven by my strong desire to take up rowing. However, it's likely widely agreed upon

THE PANGBOURNIAN | JESS ROWE

a notably demanding feat, given that most teams invest two years in preparation beforehand. Assembling a committed team proved to be a challenge. We found ourselves spending hours in the gym each day, taking to the water in our ocean rowing vessel named ‘Catch of the Day’ every weekend, and tirelessly seeking sponsors each night. I had to pause my career, as this undertaking demanded the commitment equivalent to two full time jobs!

How did you set about raising sponsorship?

In the middle of the Atlantic

marketing opportunities which benefited

collectively participated in a water maker

in us receiving essential equipment

course held in Weston-super-Mare.

including foul weather gear and

During the course, we acquired skills

marine products.

in replacing spare parts and rectifying

and enterprises through LinkedIn and

What practical preparations did you have to make so that you could be self-sufficient at sea?

Instagram. Our interactions revolved

I had already obtained all the requisite

We successfully secured sponsorship funds by engaging with individuals

around delineating the collaborative framework and mutually beneficial aspects of our partnership. Tailored sponsorship propositions were extended to various companies, directing them to our websites while simultaneously fostering personalised

qualifications from my maritime career. However, to participate in the race, each

workshop at Rannoch Adventure, where we gained knowledge about troubleshooting issues related to our solar panels, batteries, VHF radio, and other We enlisted the expertise of a nutritionist

Sea Survival, VHF Radio, and Essential Navigation. Atlantic Campaigns also run an Ocean Rowing Course which all Given the fact we were unsupported

sponsors but also facilitated reciprocal

We also participated in an electronics

set of RYA courses, including First Aid,

campaign involved generating a plethora

strategy not only attracted our product

of necessary repairs.

electronic components.

participants must attend.

on our social media platforms. This

ensuring a comprehensive understanding

person is required to possess a minimum

connections. A substantial facet of our of photos and video content for sharing

potential issues with various components,

and the potential for assistance to be weeks away while on the ocean, boat maintenance took on paramount significance. To address this, we

to ensure that each of us maintained the proper daily food intake and consumed the necessary nutrients. Additionally, we partnered with a personal trainer who guided us in our muscle gain regimen, enabling us to endure 2-3 hours of continuous rowing with proficiency every couple of hours and more importantly to prevent injury at sea. In order to be eligible for the race, we had to accumulate at least 120 hours of sea time. This posed a challenge due to the limited duration we had with our recently formed team and the narrow weather window typical in the UK. During this period, we conducted various drills such as man overboard procedures, handling rudder loss, foot steering practice, and mastering the deployment of our parachute anchor. All our training was spent in the South West, based out of Exmouth Marina … not the easiest of places to row out of! Secret Santa on Christmas Day

Being unable to turn the boat around Drifting forwards, stern first

What was the feeling like when you crossed the finish line and how did you celebrate? It all happened very quickly. On the final day we took it in turns to wash our hair and bodies with minimal fresh water

Home sweet home

I dedicated a significant amount of time in the shipyard getting our boat ready for its journey across the Atlantic. This involved meticulous tasks such as inspecting for any potential holes, repairing the wheel bearings, and undertaking jobs like sanding and applying antifouling paint to the hull, to highlight a few. We had to raise over £130,000 to take part in this race. This included buying the boat, paying the race fees, purchasing all essential equipment, shipping costs, our professional team, courses and so on. This was a rather taxing ordeal, and I can’t thank my friends and family enough for the huge part they played in making sure we got to the start line.

What was your best moment? I loved rowing under the moonlit night sky, while the phosphorescence sparkled in the water every time the oars went in. We couldn’t have been closer to nature

What was your worst moment? I wouldn’t say there was a moment that was the worst, however we did face a few difficulties throughout the challenge. On the day before race day, on the 13 December, we discovered that our rudder started pulling too far to one side stopping us from manoeuvring properly which we discovered on the way out of the San Sebastian marina in La Gomera when we lost steering! Unfortunately, even after the race safety team, ocean rowing coach and boat builder looked at the system we discovered that we were unable to fix it, and we would have to row the Atlantic with a somewhat

I loved the heat and sun and was always eager to jump out of our steaming hot cabins and maintain my place on the oars.

Boat filling with water through hole... Hot sweaty cabin...

constantly turned off when surfing big waves... The final few days... Knowing we were coming to the end of our adventure...

What was the most unexpected thing that you weren’t prepared for? Having someone onboard who didn’t

three of us on the oars and one hand steering us down huge waves rolling towards English Harbour, Antigua. The race safety team came out to meet us on a powerboat and we recognised the photographers and more of the Atlantic Campaigns team who circled around us whilst filming. As we approached the entrance to English Harbour, we saw our families and friends in the distance standing on the fort whilst Safety Team Manager Ian Couch roared with his flare alight. We rowed as fast as we could across the finish line which was between Dinner

The autohelm noise, the fact it is

I also loved rowing during the day,

we knew it, land was in sight, there were

moments included:

above the water and we saw so much

something pops up on the AIS!

shampoo we brought for the trip! Before

two navigation buoys before cheering

Salt sores on bum...

calming about rowing at night … until

bottles and the only travel size bottle of

dodgy rudder! Other challenging

if we tried … our seats were only a foot wildlife. There was something very

from the water maker from our drinking

want to be there...

THE PANGBOURNIAN | JESS ROWE

and standing with our flares lit. The row around to the dock happened within moments however, we were told afterwards by everyone watching that it seemed to take ages for such a small boat to move round to the finish! Other unforgettable moments included: Stepping onto land... family and friends, surprised by sister Standing on the stage... Burgers, beers and champagne... Sushi supper at my favourite restaurant.

What's next? Are there any more challenges in the pipeline or that you might consider? Before I even started the campaign to row across the Atlantic, I had a few ideas of what I may like to do after... and that was likely going to be another ocean row if I enjoyed this one. My new campaign to row across the Pacific will be launched later this year. I’ll be rowing as part of a female trio from Chile to Australia, covering around 7,000 miles. One of the crew rowed the Atlantic in the same race as me, solo, and we’ll be following on from her team name 'Seas the Day'. We plan to leave in December 2024, and the expedition could take up to 150 days. This isn’t an organised event, but an independent unsupported expedition to see if we can be the youngest and only team to ever row the entire Pacific without stopping for a re-supply. Please keep a look out for our website and social media sites which could be a variation of 'Seas the Day', or 'Seas the Day Ocean Rowing Team'. In the meantime I’ll be keeping myself busy with smaller scale challenges including the Trailwalker, a 100km ultra to raise money for the Gurkha Welfare Trust and perhaps a few mountains in the UK.

Piano Festival

11th Anniversary Piano Festival a great success On the first Saturday of March almost

Among them were seven Pangbournians:

Mirchandani was awarded Joint Winner

100 young musicians from 40 schools

Eve Allen, Sophie Bennett, Emily Caine,

Prize of the Solo Advanced, Grades 7 to

in the South of England descended

Grace Jeffers, Isaac Henry, Jayden

8 (14 and Under) Class. Jayden played

on Pangbourne College for the 11th

Mirchandani, and Leo Robinson.

Alan Bullard’s Prelude No.9.

One of the highlights of this

The masterclasses are an opportunity for

Festival is the workshop element to

young musicians to look more in-depth

Anniversary Pangbourne College Piano Festival. This year’s adjudicators were Mrs Pamela Chilvers and Mr Luis Pares.

each competitive class when the

at a particular piece with the knowledge

The day was filled with solo competitive

adjudicator gives instant feedback

and experience of the adjudicator.

classes and a two-piano masterclass.

after each performance.

This year Sophie Bennett with her

There were musicians aged from 7 to 18 years old.

Along with Peter Stoianov of St George’s College, Weybridge, Jayden

teacher, Mrs Susie Ingram, performed Shostakovich’s 2nd Movement (Andante) of Concerto No.2 in F.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | PIANO FESTIVAL

Another teacher said: ‘The Festival is

their beautiful piece was instantly

such a great opportunity for children

buffed to a shine!

to perform in front of others and to receive such top level feedback. Mr Pares adjudicated all of my pupils and he had a wonderfully positive and encouraging manner with some very useful advice.’ A prep. school Director of Music, who had five pupils taking part and three private pupils also performing, said: ‘Thank you for an amazing day! We love coming!’ A parent whose two children participated in the piano festival said: ‘The Pangbourne Piano Festival is a fantastic family event. From registration to conclusion, a warm and supportive tone is combined with a nurturing musical rigour, the result being a thoroughly enriching day together. ‘Most conspicuous was the quality of the adjudicators who shrewdly and charitably appraised each piece and then focused on one aspect to be improved. The children then and there were able to Pupil from St Mary's taking part

put the tip into practice and, hey presto,

‘The children were able to witness this for theirs and others' performances; instantly everyone further appreciated what their music teacher meant by "Work on the dynamics!". ‘We are very thankful to all those at Pangbourne who worked so hard to host such a lovely event.’ Another parent said: ‘We thought the festival was very well organised and it was clearly a positive experience for our child. We liked the fact that the performers were well aligned in each group in terms of age and standard, and the format – half masterclass/half competition. This created a feeling of togetherness and offered a good opportunity for all performers to learn from each other. ‘The adjudicator, Mrs Chilvers, was also clearly capable and established a good rapport with the children. ‘We hope to be able to make it back next year!’

Mrs Susie Ingram (Pangbourne College piano teacher) with Jayden Mirchandani winner of the Solo Advanced, Grades 7 to 8 (14 and under) Class

After each of the classes' visitors had the opportunity to visit the College Café for refreshments and lunch. The day ended with a delicious chocolate 11th anniversary cake in Devitt House. One teacher commented: ‘I just want to say thank you for another wonderful Festival. I was impressed at how the adjudicator always found some encouraging, positive comments to make, while suggesting some simple, but effective, improvements.’

Results of Competitive Classes of Pangbourne College Piano Festival 2023 SOLO NOVICE CLASSES (GRADES 1 TO 2) Winner of 9 and under: Henry Allison, Elstree School (Kate Preston) Winner of 10: Kweji Sameke, Elstree School (Kate Preston) Winner of 13 and under: Freya Luke, Daneshill School (Miriam Jonathan) SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 3 TO 4 (9 AND UNDER) Winner: Phoebe Hanbury, Bradfield Primary (Catharine Deller, Private Teacher) SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 3 TO 4 (10) Winner: Florence Allison, Elstree School (Kate Preston) SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 3 TO 4 (11) Winner: Thomas Dubois, Cheam School SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 3 TO 4 (14 AND UNDER) Winner: Elliot Vaughan, Luckley House School SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 5 TO 6 CLASSES (11 AND UNDER, 13 AND UNDER) Winner of 11 and under: Tamara Smythe, The Manor Preparatory School Winner of 13 and under: Roselie du Bruyn, Daneshill School SOLO ADVANCED, GRADES 7 TO 8 (14 AND UNDER) Winner: Joint Winners, Peter Stoianov, St George’s College, Weybridge and Jayden Mirchandani, Pangbourne College SOLO ADVANCED, GRADES 7 TO 8 (18 AND UNDER) Winner: Nessa Toolan, Tiffin Girls’ School (Mich Mazzocco, Private Teacher) SOLO INTERMEDIATE, GRADES 5 TO 6 (16 AND UNDER) Winner: Gonçalo Martins, Emanuel School Each performer was awarded a specially chosen music prize. A couple of these were composed by one of the adjudicators, Mrs Pamela Chilvers.

Solo Advanced, Grades 7 to 8 (14 and under) Class with winners from St George's College, Weybridge and Pangbourne College

Sophie Bennett playing in her Two-Piano Masterclass

THE PANGBOURNIAN | PIANO FESTIVAL

History of the Piano Festival The Festival was created by Mrs Alexandra Garnier when Pangbourne College became an All Steinway School in 2012.

The College became an All Steinway

Mr Chris McDade, Director of Music,

School partly as the result of the

said, ‘There is now a superb new Model

generosity of the College community,

D grand piano in our Music School’s

including alumnus Sir David Harding,

Nancye Harding Recital Hall, where

contributing to the creation of a new

there is a recording suite attached; a new

Music School.

Model A grand piano in our main piano

She says, ‘My husband, who is Head

‘When the new Music School had been

of Pangbourne College, and I felt it was important to share these wonderful instruments with as many young people as possible. Having experienced the benefits myself of piano festivals when I was younger, I was keen to give a new generation of young people the opportunity to experience something similar.’

created, the Head felt that it had to be

teaching room and upright Steinway pianos in all of our practice rooms.’

filled with world-class instruments to

The College owns a Steinway Model

complement the fantastic new facility.

C grand piano and this now resides in

This proposal was supported by the

the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel.

College’s Governors,’ said Mrs Garnier.

Its size is perfect for ensuring it is large

Last June, after 10 years of the SteinwayPangbourne relationship, the College renewed its leasing contract with Steinway and all of the College pianos

enough to be appreciated in that space, but small enough to accommodate the many important events which take place regularly in that venue.

were replaced with new ones!

The winning '63 Crew

Henley Regatta

60 years of rowing memories By Sue Carpenter

Wednesday 28 July saw the College host an exceptional gathering of some of Pangbourne's finest rowers. To mark the 60th anniversay of the College's first victory in The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1963, a celebration dinner was held in the Mess Hall. The College has been victorious in The

made by Mrs Alex Garnier helped to jog

opportunity after the meal to talk to the

Princess Elizabeth Cup no less than four

memories and spark conversation. After

OPs from the winning crews. Harrison

times and this year also marked the 20th

a drinks reception and welcome from the

Green, Captain of Boys' Boats proposed

anniversary of our last victory in 2003.

Head, everyone sat down to a delicious

the Loyal Toast and OP Chairman,

Also present at the dinner were members

three course meal interspersed with

Phillip Plato, closed proceedings with his

of the 1972 and 1992 winning crews as

inspiring speeches by Richard Follet,

own rowing memories and a special toast

well as current members of the

Director of Rowing and Mr Robert

to the Boat Club.

Boat Club.

Hamilton, crew member of the 1963

All of the remaining 1963 crew were present and it wasn't long before the memories started to flow. A display of items relating to the Regatta and all four crews, as well as a fantastic film

boat. Robert, whose two sons, Mark and Richard, were members of the winning 1992 crew, gave an excellent speech, conjuring the atmosphere and spirit of finals day in '63 and inspiring the current generation of rowers who took the

There was also the opportunity to capture a unique photograph. It shows the first time that a medal from each of the winning crews has been pictured together. A perfect way to end a wonderful evening.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | HENLEY 60 YEARS ON

Memories of the 1963 Crew by

programme to develop strength

much to the delight of those Cadets

Rob Hamilton.

and stamina.

given half a day off to watch us race!

I am delighted to have been asked to

Although we did not appreciate it at the

speak on behalf of the ’63 crew and to

time, the adoption of this science-based

recall some of my enduring memories

approach to strength training was the

from 1963.

start of a much broader based revolution

However, I would initially wish to acknowledge the fact that the ’63 crew is merely the first of four winning Henley crews from Pangbourne, so far! To those that followed in '71, '92 and '03, you will have worked every bit as hard as we did, suffered the same gut-wrenching nerves as you wait for the umpire to bring the

in rowing. In the years that followed, crews became stronger and fitter, the beautifully constructed wooden shell VIIIs were replaced with robust and

Unchanged is the course, the umpires launches, the strict time keeping and the dress code, although ladies are now permitted to wear trouser suits. As we discovered following our 50th anniversary row over, the boat tent showers are just as cold as ever they were.

stiffer fibreglass shells and the oars

For several days before the start of the

morphed from the thin pencil shapes

Regatta, the crew would be driven over

we used to macons and the cleavers in

to Henley in the College minibus, a

use today.

tired old van that struggled with the weight of the crew and driven by the

flag down, enjoyed the relief as you

When we did get back on the water,

power up the course, get the measure

long practice rows were supplemented

of your opponents, cross the finishing

by a series of interval training sessions

line first and receive that much coveted

where the emphasis was on quality of the

Henley medal. Being a “Knock Out”

stroke, timing, and power in the water.

competition there are no second chances.

John installed several 500m posts along

Once on the water, John would use

You win or go home empty handed.

the river so that he could accurately

every opportunity to pit us against any

Congratulations to you all, be in no

measure our speed. He regularly got in

crew game for a short race.

doubt that you richly deserve

the boat to see for himself how things

your medals.

were going.

Let me now take you back 60 years.

As was customary, John Hall-Craggs

how we ranked against the other school

coached us for the final fortnight leading

crews. I do however remember enjoying

up to Henley

the sense of power as we accelerated and

1963 was quite a year, starting with the big freeze with temps dropping to -16C.

College Chaplain, Joe Laxton, who had the greatest difficulty in mastering the column gear change, resulting in a series of naval expletives.

Although the previous year’s crew had made the final, we had little idea of

how well the boat ran.

In Aug, Martin Luther King made his

As with everything else, the Regatta

“I have a dream" speech, in Oct, the

has not been exempted from changes.

Our first race was against Bedford

Profumo affair led to the then Prime

In 1963 the boat tents were of the

Modern who we dispatched with a

Minister Harold Macmillan’s resignation

traditional canvas type, not very spacious

four-length lead by the finish. More

and in Nov, President Kennedy was shot.

and not always dry. A large area of

importantly, we set the fastest time to the

On a happier note, the Beatles released

what is now the General and Stewards'

barrier 2:7.

their first album and Beatlemania began

enclosures was taken up by a fun fair,

to take hold. The present Headmaster was but a twinkle in his father’s eye but

Guests arriving

more importantly, beer was only two shillings or 10 new pence a pint for those of you born after 1971! For the College the countrywide cold snap, which lasted for several weeks, caused the Thames to be covered in ice and stopped any waterborne training. At the instigation of our finishing coach, John Hall-Craggs, we were introduced to Jim Railton. Jim subjected us to a series of strength tests which he then used as the basis for a circuit training

Rob Hamilton

60 years rowing memories

The following day we took on Emanuel

Before the introduction of Sunday

uncle, himself a Cambridge Blue of 1906,

School, one of the better crews that year.

racing, the semi-finals and finals took

to exclaim to my mother that we would

We were ahead by the barrier and led

place on the Saturday.

blow up! We did not blow up and by the

them home by 1 1/4 lengths. Again, we were the quickest to the barrier.

Saturday morning saw us up against Hampton Grammer School, probably

1/4 mile we were 1/2 length up. Then the heavens opened in what can only be described as a cloudburst. Nevertheless,

On Friday we were drawn against our

our strongest rival. I seem to remember

arch rival Radley and keen to avenge

John warning us that they were quick

the defeat they inflicted on the crew

off the start and not to panic but follow

in the final the previous year. Clearly

stroke and keep it long. Hampton led by

feeling the pressure of our fast times to

1/4 length at the 1/4 mile. Holding our

After the race we struggled to lift the

the barrier, Radley caught a crab on the

nerve and keeping the stroke long we

boat out of the water and in the process

20th stroke and thus demolished their

reduced this to a canvas at Barrier. At

gave ourselves a river water shower as

Henley ambitions. We led them home

Fawley we were level and came home to

we lifted it above our heads.

by 2 2/3 lengths. I think it was during

win by 2/3 of a length.

this race that John, who was following us up the towpath on his bike, cannoned into a spectator. Ditching the bike and the spectator in the river, he ran the rest of the course.

the 3/4 mile and drew ahead fast after the 1 1/8 marker to win by two lengths.

For a school that had only started

Saturday afternoon we were up against

rowing at Henley in 1960 as a result

St Paul's in the final. Before we went

of the prodigious efforts of Ronnie

onto the stake-boat I remember John

Hoyle, whose daughter Catherine is

saying that this race was all about us and

here tonight, our win was little short of

for us to win and to enjoy.

remarkable. As ever, there were many

We led from the start, having set off at 38 strokes per minute, causing my great

we increased our lead to 3/4 length by

factors that led to our success. For our age we were an unusually large crew

THE PANGBOURNIAN | HENLEY 60 YEARS ON

Members of the '63 Crew listen to Rob Hamilton's speech

Rob Hamilton (60 - 65)

with the majority being over 6ft tall.

In the years that followed there was

We were a heavyweight crew whose

always the hope that Pangbourne would

average weight of 12st 10lb (80.7 kg)

deliver another win. I well remember my

matched that of the University of

delight on hearing that the '71 crew had

London’s Grand crew. We were well

won and then witnessing both my sons

cared for. The generous hospitality of

win in '92 in a record time that stood for

Garth MacDonald's parents who fed us

19 years and would have left the '63 crew

huge steaks and allowed us to rest up at

well down the course. Then on our 40th

their house between races. Our coaches,

anniversary, Pangbourne won again.

Peter Banfield, and John Hall-Craggs whose patience and foresight enabled us to achieve our best at Henley and finally our boatman, Laurie Radley, whose loyalty and outstanding skill ensured the boat was always in perfect condition. For me, and I am sure I speak for the rest of the crew, it was a huge privilege to be a member of the '63 crew and, in addition to our Henley medals, we took away many valuable lessons for the years ahead.

Four PE wins in such a remarkably short period of time put Pangbourne firmly on the map as one of the leading rowing schools. There are very few school crews who have won the event four or more times. The youngsters among you may well look upon the ’63 crew as Pangbourne’s Old Heavies but let me assure you we still see ourselves as young blades at heart. Evidence, as if evidence was needed, that our brains and bodies have long since parted company!

Staggs CC Tour Cambridge 1959 Nearly 64 years after the event, Peter Wheeler (56-59) got in touch with the OP Society from his home in Tasmania with a black and white photo and a request for information about the context of the image and news of the Pangbournians it highlights. The photo shows erstwhile cadets at the

flavour of the matches and the off

from cancer in April, 2000, aged 56.”

NCP in 1959 who had joined the end

field activities.

Following the NCP, he had gone into

of term Staggs Cricket Club that toured Cambridge in August and stayed in a local guest house. The tour took place after the end of the Summer Term and four or five matches were played in and around the city. Six of this XI were part of the College 1st XI that summer.

Time passes and at least two members of that 1959 side are no longer with us. John Hall (57-60) who died in 2000, and Graeme Fry (56-60) who died in March 2023. Two of the others are on the “Lost” OP list, David M. Hardy

the Merchant Navy with Alfred Holt and rose to become a Master Mariner and ship’s Captain. On coming ashore, he married and settled in Australia, becoming Chief Advisor on marine safety issues to the government.

(55-59) last heard of in 1963 living

As for John Cornish, after a working

Unsupervised Stagg's CC tours of

in Chislehurst, Kent; and Richard T.

life at sea mostly based in Australia, in

Cambridge had begun in the late 1950s

Blomfield (56-60) who joined the

2017 he happened to be in the UK on

and continued into the early 1960s and

Merchant Navy and the West African-

family business and took the opportunity

were always great fun. Even after all

trading Palm Line from the NCP just

to attend the OP Weekend in October

this time, Peter’s inquiry produced some

seven years before the company went

and take part in the OP March Past that

vivid off-field memories, in particular of

out of business.

year, looking very fit. Even in his 70s

a small one room pub with table skittles that the group found, and “making idiots of ourselves at punting on the Cam!” Opponents on the cricket field varied from the rather serious (Cambridgeshire County Colts) to the always jovial (Corpus Christi CC) and the necessary (Cambridge City Police). One of the highlights each year was playing a match on Parker’s Piece, the 25-acre green sward in the centre of Cambridge where the great Jack Hobbs learned the game. No records of the the 1959 tour survives, but the Summer 1961 Log carries a full account of the tour that year, giving a

Peter Wheeler (NZSC), John Hall (Alfred Holt) and John Cornish (Shaw Savill & Albion) all went into the Merchant Navy and ended up living in Australia. Peter remained with NZSC (New Zealand Shipping Company) for

he could still climb a rope ladder. At that point he was still hard at work as a pilot at the Port of Townsville on the North Queensland coast. He says that he remembers little about the Staggs’ tour except punting on the Cam!

ten years to the end of the 1960s. The

Joe Sievier (57-61) joined the Army and

advent of containerisation, however,

had a long career in the military. “I was

limited his opportunities at sea so he

commissioned into the Royal Engineers

found a job ashore in Australia. Initially

in 1963 and resigned in 1987 to join

he was based in Melbourne. Later he

the Costain Group. Worked there for

moved to Launceston, Tasmania where

13 years and settled in the Cotswolds,

he has been resident since 1983.

near Stratford-upon-Avon. I eventually

John Hall’s obituary appeared in the 2001 OP Magazine. It states that he “died

retired from the construction industry in 2008. During 2023 I will be 80 (like

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

Staggs CC 1959 - Back row (ltor): Graeme Fry, David Hardy, Peter Wheeler, Joe Sievier, Robin Lavery, Jeremy Sanders. Front row (ltor): James Allenby, John Hall, John Cornish, Robin Knight, Richard Blomfield.

many of that Staggs side) but still looking

Also living in Devon is James Allenby

Kent and we had agreed to meet under

a youthful 21 (own hair and teeth) albeit

(57-62) who qualified as a doctor and,

other working parts are ageing and need

in his words, “spent my years” 1981-

the clock at Waterloo station en route to

the occasional MOT!”

2008 in General Practice in Tavistock…

bumpkin, I waited under the clock at

where the family grew up and where

the Underground station rather than

we have grown old.” James (known as

the main line station – both were called

Bunny at the NCP) also played a lot of

Waterloo then.” Jeremy also remembers

good club cricket and had trials for both

Graeme Fry (56-60): “Graeme and

Berkshire and Devon. But his medical

I were good chums at school, both

studies got in the way and that was his

Hesperus, so it’s very sad to hear of

cricket high spot. As a member of MCC,

his death.”

Robin Lavery (55-59) organised the 1959 tour in conjunction with a Mrs Robinson – his landlady on the tour. After the NCP, he embarked on a student apprenticeship with Richard Thomas & Baldwins (subsequently British Steel). “That lasted five years and ended with a degree in Electrical Engineering,” he writes. “I remained in the steel industry

he remains engaged with the game and sometimes may be spotted at Lord’s.

Liverpool Street – but, being a country

Robin Knight (56-61) became an international journalist. For 28 years

for a further eight years and transferred

Jeremy Sanders (56-60) went to

he roamed the world as a foreign

into a private company manufacturing

Dartmouth (where he captained the

correspondent for an American news

electrical welding equipment where I

cricket XI in 1963) and rose to become

magazine. He then joined BP as the

was employed in a sales capacity. This

a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy,

company’s editorial writer and was also

lasted five years before I joined another

playing an important role in the 1982

engineering company in Exeter, again

Falklands campaign in the aircraft carrier

a Contributing Editor at Time magazine.

sales related but rising to a directorship.

HMS Hermes as Staff Officer Operations

his own corporate writing business.

The main benefit of this move was that

to the commander of the RN Battle

Latterly he has been authoring books,

it brought me to Devon where I have

Group. He went on to be Director of

eight of them! He is a former President

remained very happily for 46 years.

Naval Warfare in 1990 and Commander

and Chairman of the OP Society and, for

British Forces Gibraltar in April 1992.

15 years 1994-2008, also was a governor

Today, he too lives in Devon. One of his

of the College. In 2017 his illustrated

retirement roles has been as Chairman

centenary history of Pangbourne College

of the Trustees of the Falkland Islands

Spirit in Changing Times was published

“Cricket remained very much part of my life. Wherever I lived, South Wales, Buckinghamshire or Devon, I played every summer weekend. In Devon it was for Thorverton CC in the leading Devon

Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne.

league. I had to stop eventually when my

Jeremy recalls travelling to Cambridge

hips gave out in my 50s.

in 1959 with David Hardy. “He lived in

In 2003 he retired from BP and set up

by Profile Books. He is a Life Member of MCC and joined the club in 1963.

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THE PANGBOURNIAN | TALES FROM THE TOWER

Tales from the tower by Sue Carpenter

Someone far more profound than me once said that an archive is the collective memory of a place and its people and so over the past few months it feels like the archive has been adding new memories to its collection. The title of this article ‘Tales from the tower’ was inspired by the fact that the archive is now in its new residence in Devitt Tower. Cabin five in Harbinger has been

commemorate Her Majesty’s eighty

now begun in earnest with more records

converted into the new home of the

year association with the College which

being digitised and made available

Lionel Stephens Archive. In early

began with her visit as Princess Elizabeth

shortly. Look out for articles and gems

October, fifty plus boxes were brought

in 1943. Of course, none of the above

that we discover on the College and

up a very long stairway with the

would be possible without the help of

Old Pangbournian social media sites

outstanding help of the estates team.

everyone who has supported the archive,

and in the Pangbournian Magazine. If

A valuable lesson was learned along

in particular, Robin Knight and all the

you would like to learn more about the

the way: don’t overload boxes unless

Old Pangbournians who have given

Lionel Stephens Archive Project or share

you know a good chiropractor! The

both moral and financial support,

your stories of your time at the College

addition of some office furniture and

thank you.

please do get in touch. I can be contacted

some heavy duty shelving and the room was finally complete.

There are exciting times ahead for the archive. Sorting and cataloguing has

at sue.carpenter@pangbourne.com or archives@pangbourne.com.

Although there’s still a lot of work to do, the move is already paying dividends. We’ve been able to uncover images for a new College timeline feature that has been added to the digital archive site. Robin Knight has been an invaluable help with this project and we hope it will be a useful tool for researchers as well as giving a fascinating insight into the College’s evolution. The archive has been earning its keep in a number of ways over the past twelve months, especially supporting College events such as the return of The King Edward VIII Gold Medal, Founders' Day and the Falkland Islands conflict 40th anniversary commemorations. Sadly, we also had the bittersweet experience of celebrating Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and subsequently her sad passing in September. The archives hold a large number of items relating to the College's royal connections which meant that we were able to both celebrate and

Naval Instructors An Enduring Contribution

From the day it opened its doors in 1917, the Nautical College Pangbourne (NCP) depended heavily on its naval instructors, writes Robin Knight. An extensive trawl through the Archives reveals much about these men. Before the first term began in September

These were “Little” Molyneux, a small,

dominated daily life, ensuring that the

1917, Sir Thomas Devitt, the founder,

rather excitable CPO who used to chase

boys’ existence at the NCP was hectic,

and the first Captain Superintendent,

boys around the Seamanship room with

supervised and tightly regulated from

William Montanaro, agreed that to

a rope’s end, and “Daddy” Childs, a tall

dawn to dusk. Home comforts for the

be a success the NCP had to employ

ex-Marine. Molyneux only stayed until

early entrants were almost entirely

several seamen instructors – hopefully

1920 while Childs left in 1919, setting a

lacking. Instead, the first command of

Chief Petty Officers RN – to instil naval

pattern until the mid-1920s when few of

the day, bellowed out at 07:000 by an

discipline, values and behaviour into the

the instructors remained for long.

intrusive instructor, was ‘Rise and Shine.’

young cadets. But it was wartime, and such people were difficult to unearth. Montanaro journeyed to Portsmouth in June 1917 and quickly found two men “who will suit us to a T.”

“No cadet ever forgot the instructors,” wrote Lionel Stephens in his 1991 history of Pangbourne College. There were two main reasons for this. Most were strong personalities and they

This was quickly followed by ‘Lash up and stow’ – an order to put away the hammocks in which all the cadets slept (there were 36 in the first term and about 100 by the start of the second year), in true pre-World War One RN style.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

as indolent. He soon left. “Gunner”

on afternoons devoted to clearing the

Marshall – a retired RN 1st Class

woods of nettles, brambles and logs. In

Gunlayer – turned up in 1919 and

the 1930s he took on the task of showing

became 'Master-at-Arms.' In this role

prospective parents around the school.

he supervised defaulters’ punishments,

In 1939 he became the Master-at-Arms,

apparently with some ferocity, but was

dealing judicially with defaulters.

well-liked by the boys. Having taught Seamanship for five years, he left in 1924 to manage a hotel in Wallingford.

A competent ventriloquist, Charlie nevertheless became famous among the cadets for his malapropisms. One

Also on the staff in this era was “Bungey”

passed into NCP folklore: “There’s two

Martin. He taught boxing, gymnastics,

bounders in this College, and you two’s

life-saving and sailing from 1922 to

one of them.” When he retired in 1960

1934. Notorious for never missing

the chairman of the OP Society at the

anything, Martin was an “upstanding

time, Trevor Turner (39-43), wrote him

figure” noted for his colourful language.

a public letter of thanks on behalf of all

It was Martin who was responsible for

OPs: “We are so grateful to you that

the mass gymnastic displays by cadets on

it is difficult to know where to start or

Lieutenant Commander Rimmer in the

Big Side that marked all Founders’ Days

finish.”

seamanship room 1961

at the NCP into the early 1950s.

Time for academic study was limited well into the 1930s. Rather, the curriculum was tilted towards maritime subjects leavened by English and Maths taught with a distinct nautical flavour. At every step of the day the instructors were on hand to make sure drills were followed, classes and parades attended, inspections passed. Marching in formation seems to have been de rigueur during the teaching day.

Several instructors came and went in these first years. “Harry” Binstead, once an admiral’s coxswain, was a typical old salt who chewed tobacco, had a loud

Sewell was followed on to the staff in

It was in 1922, too, that the first of the

1923 by “Gnarly” Bill Stamper – so

great instructors arrived. His name

nicknamed for his grizzled hair and

was Charles Sewell and he was to

deeply lined, tanned face. Each day

remain on the staff until 1960 – by

he was at the College, Stamper cycled

far the longest stint on record. Once

up Pangbourne Hill from the village,

a Leading Signalman aged 21 aboard

regardless of the weather conditions,

HMS Southampton, flagship of the 2nd

on an ancient bicycle. After 25 years in

Light Cruiser Squadron at Jutland in

the RN, he served almost as long at the

1916, Sewell was involved in a ferocious

NCP thanks to the Second World War,

night action during this battle in which

retiring in 1947 after missing most of

Southampton sank the German cruiser

1944 through ill health. His insistence

Frauenlob and was lucky to survive.

On Big Side on Founders’ Day, he often organised a mass display by the cadets of the signals depicting the operation

on the highest standards of bearing and smartness was renowned, as was his prowess as a fencing and swimming coach.

of a convoy. He was also behind the

Promoted to Chief Instructor in 1932,

formation of a Model Club and ran it

Stamper had taught at Dartmouth and

for many years, using a display of ships’

Osborne before arriving at Pangbourne.

supported by “Shipwright” La Hive –

models to depict the Jutland battle.

It showed. At the NCP, he revealed

remembered for his sharp tongue and

Known to one and all as Charlie, and an

voice and was in charge of boats on the river. Here he taught the boys how to row and to sail a whaler. He was

even sharper temper – who presided over the Boat House from 1920-43 when he died, still working, aged 90. “Tubby” Hall worked at the river, too, but was regarded by the cadets

able organiser despite always being in a rush, Sewell could recite the Rules of the Road by heart. Over time, he branched out and became the king of working parties, directing often recalcitrant boys

a great ability to get the best out of teenagers, both on the parade ground and in the gym, and became widely respected. "A stern figure with a wry chuckle,” according to Lionel Stephens, he took “ackers” (compulsory early

morning runs for all cadets) each

Joe Daniels, appointed in 1934 when

morning whatever the weather. Many

Westlake left, fits into another category.

of his fencers went on to achieve fine

Master-at-Arms until 1939, he was

results at the annual Royal Tournament

known by the boys as “Stinky Joe” (he

at Olympia. On his retirement, OPs and

smoked a strong shag tobacco). Initially,

the College combined to give him a

Daniels took charge of the rifle range.

memorable send-off.

But his enduring importance lies in

In 1928 a third Instructor turned up who was to play a considerable, if understated role for the next 20 years – “Poppa” Henning. A fit, precise man who coached boxing and shooting, his genial,

the fact that he became the College’s first Bandmaster, giving much-needed prowess to a small fife and drum ensemble. He was recalled to the Services on the outbreak of war.

kind-hearted manner won him plaudits

Another to return to active service in

from the cadets, particularly during the

1939 was “Jock” Emby. He had been in

difficult war years when the need for

charge of boxing and physical training

some reassurance about the future was

since 1928. After WW2, he rejoined

greatest among his youthful charges.

the staff before finally retiring in 1953.

From the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s it was mostly Stamper, Sewell and Henning who created the stability of day-to-day leadership and the continuity of values that any young school needs. As many as five instructors were sometimes on the pay roll in this period. But a number, such as W. Nicholl

Stamper, Sewell and Henning, however, remained at the NCP throughout the war, in the latter two cases working well beyond retirement age. By then, most of the instructors – even those who were married – usually resided in the purposebuilt Instructors' Mess (completed in 1938) at the end of Devitt House.

(gymnastics), J. Strait (seamanship) and

From 1947 to 1969 and the end of

J. Westlake (shooting) came and left

the Nautical College era, a quartet of

having made little impact.

Instructors kept naval traditions and skills alive. Led by the irrepressible Charlie Sewell, the other members – all Chief Petty Officers RN – were Jackie Finch, Pat Paterson and Bob “Tiger” Knights. Jackie Finch’s skills primarily were as a fencing instructor and also as a seaman, sailmaker and rigger. Arriving in 1946, he remained for the next 22 years, in that time coaching the very best fencers the College has ever produced, including two Olympians and, in his unobtrusive way, taking on much administration. Pat Paterson, too, was unobtrusive. A former Gunnery Instructor, he was in charge of square bashing, Parades and swimming. During a 12 year spell on the staff, he made no headlines but did his job efficiently and patiently.

Cadets at the river

Another of his roles was to give a lecture on the facts of life, illustrating his talk with cautionary tales from his time with the China Fleet. Retiring in 1960 together with Charlie Sewell, the pair were not replaced. Instead, the Captain Superintendent, Patrick Lewis, opted to appoint a retired P&O officer, Lt. Cdr. Colin Rimmer, as Training Officer. In 1953 “Jock” Emby retired. In his place, Bob “Tiger” Knights appeared. A veritable ball of fire who epitomised the very best of the RN Chief Petty Officers, he became a legend in his time. The gymnasium was his personal sanctum. “In this place, you don’t walk, you don’t run, you FLY!” Not a speck of dust was ever to be found on the bars, vaulting horses and ropes. Under his prompting, cadet displays of vaulting and Indian Club swinging reached prodigious heights of dexterity. Many boys, willingly or unwillingly, also learned how to defend themselves in the boxing ring and, if they misbehaved, do the dreaded “Bunny Hops”.

T H ETPHAEN P GA BN OU AN L A S| S IFCR C SH RC ET RN GR BN OIU R N| I ACN OAMR T HO EW AR HUI V ES

Seamanship Classes

Bob Knights had had a varied 26 year

weeks. It was not until the arrival

this bugle recall for future generations

career in the RN before and during

of Captain Lewis at the NCP in

the commitment and importance of

World War 2, serving in ships such

1959 that the role of Duty Instructor

these men made over decades. Known

as Resolution, Arethusa and Repulse.

was abolished.

as the Instructors’ Bugle, it is presented

Catch him in the right mood, and he had a string of vivid, often gruesome, memories to recount which were of unfailing interest to the cadets. Latterly, he branched out to teach fencing and play a role down at the river. In 1975 he appeared on the television show ‘This Is Your Life’ to greet the OP multiple motorcycling world champion Mike Hailwood (54-56) – one of his boxing successes.

On Knights’ retirement in 1976, seven years after the Nautical College had ceased to exist, the boys presented him with a beautifully engraved Wilkinson cutlass as a token of their appreciation. For his part, the head of the English department, Morton Hooper, wrote

surprisingly, his long-suffering wife

instructors came and went in the next

Dora – a kindly soul who ran the

dozen years after Knights but none had

canteen and would always produce an

“Tiger’s” dedication.

existence; in the six years of World War 2 she and Tiger were together for just six

Headmaster, Ken Greig, during the Founders’ Day parade in 2005. 'Poppa' Henning Instructor (28 - 48)

of “Tiger” at first, but we loved to go work, but he made it a game.” Five

some prior experience of this solitary

who presented the bugle to the then

Junior School: “We were a bit frightened down the river with him. It was hard

the evenings – felt lonely. She had had

Penney (43-45), and it was Michael

ended it by quoting a boy from the

night in the Instructors' Mess. Not

had the task of cleaning up the place in

Band. The idea came from Michael

a memorable valedictory essay. He

From 1953, Knights slept every duty

extra cup of Horlicks for the cadet who

each year to a member of the Marching

In 2004-05 about 20 OPs from the 1940s got together to raise more than £350 to purchase a silver-plated bugle in recognition of the instructors’ contribution to the College’s ethos and development. The intention was that

Michael Willmott Loss of HMS Talisman During the Second World War, British submarines and their commanders operating in the Mediterranean played a critical role from 1941 in the defeat of German and Italian land forces in North Africa, so enabling the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943. One such individual was OP Lt Cdr Michael Willmott DSO, commanding officer of the T-class submarine HMS Talisman, lost without trace at sea on 18/19th September 1942, having in all probability hit an enemy mine. This is Willmott’s story. Michael Willmott had an unusual

offered many job opportunities for a

or to get married, Ernest returned to

background. His father was actually

young man. Within months Ernest

England in 1906 and soon after wed

named Ernest Willmott Sloper and

was working for Sir Herbert Baker, the

Mabel Johnson, the daughter of a Royal

brought up in Taunton, Somerset.

dominant architectural influence of the

Navy admiral. The couple soon had a

Dogged by ill health and probably

era in the country. Before long he was

son, Michael. When Michael was seven,

suffering from tuberculosis, soon after

a partner with Baker and changed his

Ernest died aged 45. It was 1916 and

the Boer War ended, he left England

name to Ernest Willmott.

the family was living in Little Kingshill,

for the high veldt of South Africa. Reconstruction after this bitter conflict

South Africa, though, proved to be just a way stop. Whether for health reasons

a village near Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. Suddenly a penurious widow, Mabel began to farm in a small

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

Admiralty that year to NCP

weeks training in one block each year.

cadets. It was to prove a lifeline to

By 1933, however, the post-World War

a different future.

One wind was changing direction, and

First, though, Willmott had to earn a living outside the Royal Navy. The depression that was to becalm world commercial shipping in the late 1920s and early 1930s had yet to bite, so in 1927 Michael began a three-year apprenticeship, first with Union Castle in SS Bratton Castle and then with a

subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell called Eagle Oil Transport. Mostly, he sailed in SS Ugon, a 6,000 ton crude oil tanker that plied its trade between ports in Mexico

and the Caribbean and the east coast of

daily milk round. Money was tight but

chance to get a permanent commission. So, in August 1932 he plumped for submarines and was appointed to the submarine HMS Swordfish for RNR duty two months later. The following year

he did his RNR training as Navigating Officer in the submarine HMS Seahorse followed by a stint in the submarine

depot ship HMS Cyclops, then part of the 1st Submarine Flotilla based at Malta.

he is recorded as having arrived in New

Certificate aged 27 and for the first

York from Aruba on 15th October 1929

time feeling able to widen his horizons,

aged 21, 5ft 8 inches tall, weighing 141

Willmott put the Merchant Navy behind

lbs and having had four years’ service at

him and transferred full-time to the

sea.

Supplementary List RN on 13th March

the Federal Steam Navigation Company

and a pony and trap and taking on a

service. Willmott must have sensed a

Finally, having acquired his Master’s

completed his apprenticeship and joined

way, acquiring a herd of Jersey cows

expand its small and outdated submarine

the United States. On one such voyage

Shortly after this voyage Michael

1942 - Talisman Wardroom - Officers playing uckers (NMRN))

the Royal Navy was looking for ways to

(part of the New Zealand Shipping Company) as 4th Officer in the 9,036 ton SS Devon, a refrigerated vessel conveying meat and fruit to the UK and general cargo to Australia and New Zealand.

1937 with the rank of Lt. and nearly four years’ backdated seniority. A month later on 19th April 1937 he entered the Royal Navy formally and was attached to the land-based RN Submarine Service base HMS Dolphin at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport. Shortly after, he was despatched to the Far East.

This was to be his life for the next six

Few descriptions of Michael Willmott

years. In the spring of 1933, he made his

the man survive. One of his hobbies,

only known visit back to

no doubt picked up during his MN

the Nautical College; soon after he

apprenticeship sailing the world’s

joined the Overseas League Club in

oceans, was said to be “chip carving” –

London through his Pangbourne link.

making little boxes out of bits of wood.

Towards the end of 1936 he gained his

His grandson, quoting family stories,

Master’s Certificate of Competence,

describes him as “not a spendthrift …

allowing him to serve as captain of

he never had much money and would

any UK-registered commercial vessel

seek out good quality items in London

owner called Sir Thomas Devitt, the

anywhere in the world.

that were value for money.” His sister

NCP was a rough-and-ready sort of

In parallel, Michael Willmott, like

a generous friend of Ernest, reputed to be a wealthy diamond dealer from Johannesburg, came to the rescue and paid for Michael to go to Berkhamsted prep. school and then, in 1922, to the Nautical College Pangbourne (NCP) in Berkshire. At this point, just five years after its foundation by a leading Victorian ship

place devoted to preparing raw teenagers for life at sea as officers in the huge British merchant marine. Nothing stood out in Michael’s record at Pangbourne but, when he left the College at the end of 1925, he managed to secure one of the five RNR nominations offered by the

scores of other young men in the 1930s, pursued a backdoor route to acquire a commission through his RNR (Royal Naval Reserve) designation. Appointed Midshipman RNR at the start of 1926, he was expected to fulfil three to four

Mary once claimed that he was “quite a disciplinarian” who sometimes had to be reined in after he joined the RN. Several of his naval confidential reports note his charm, easy social manner and popularity with the crews he led and also his strong character.

In entering the Royal Navy submarine

Egypt. Reaching Gibraltar on 17th

Alexandria, he began his first war patrol.

service in 1937, Michael Willmott was

July, Talisman left 12 days later for the

It lasted 17 days, mostly spent in the Gulf

besieged island of Malta carrying gallons

of Sirte and off Benghazi. Commencing

start of World War 2, despite a steady

of vital aviation spirit. She arrived there

on 23rd August with a torpedo attack

build-up since 1935, there were just

on 5th August having sighted four Italian

168 officers and 1,250 ratings serving

destroyers – too far away at 6,200 yards

on an Italian merchantman Beltona,

in a mere 62 RN submarines deployed

to be attacked.

also joining a select few. Even at the

worldwide in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and at six foreign “stations.”

Days later, Willmott set out on the last leg of Talisman’s marathon

5,400-mile journey. Some 140 miles

during which one of the three torpedoes Talisman fired malfunctioned and passed

overhead, causing Willmott to dive deep “with all despatch” to avoid detection. One incident followed another.

For Lt. Michael Willmott RN, then aged

northeast of Tobruk, he spotted

Five days out of Alexandria, a major

28, life in the Royal Navy Submarine

another submarine. Three of Talisman’s

fault was discovered in the submarine’s

torpedoes were fired before the target

port engine which put it out of action

challenged Talisman with the Allied

for most of the rest of the patrol. On

Private Signal. Fortunately, this was

30th August the vessel got into a surface

recognised. Only when Talisman got to

firefight with two Italian “motor sailing

Service really began when, in midAugust 1938, he was appointed to the China Station and reported for duty at the Singapore-based depot ship HMS Medway. Towards the end of 1940, aged 31, he was given his first RN command – the training submarine H 50 – and undertook endless basic training exercises in the Clyde and Tobermory areas before handing over to another OP, Lt Peter

Alexandria did Willmott discover that the other submarine was HMS Otus.

An investigation followed. This found that Talisman was “way out of position” but had not been informed that Otus

was on passage to Malta. The head of

Harrison – later to become one of the

the Submarine Service, the redoubtable

RN’s most celebrated WW2 submariners

Admiral Max Horton, protested strongly

with a DSO and DSC & Bar to show for

to the Admiralty.

his successes in the Mediterranean.

As he neared Alexandria after an

On 5th March 1941 Michael Willmott

incident-packed, five-week transatlantic

was appointed to command HMS

crossing, on 11th August 1941 Willmott

Talisman, part of the 2nd Submarine

was promoted to Lt. Cdr. The voyage

Flotilla based at Halifax, Nova Scotia,

proved to be something of a harbinger

Canada – probably the first former

for what was to follow in the next 13

RNR officer to captain a Royal Navy

months. Under its previous captain,

submarine in World War 2. Talisman was

Talisman had undertaken seven war

and during the war. Launched in 1938,

offshore waters, and achieved two minor

she displaced 1,290 tons when surfaced,

sinkings while being attacked twice by

was 276 feet long and 25 feet wide, had

German aircraft. Further afield, Talisman,

one of 53 T-class submarines built before

a twin-engine diesel electric power unit, could travel 8,000 miles, had a maximum speed of 15.5 knots when surfaced and 9 knots submerged and carried 16 torpedoes and one deck gun. Willmott was her second captain.

patrols in 1940-41, all in UK or French

like its second captain, was untried.

The Mediterranean, with its clear and relatively shallow waters, is not a natural hunting ground for an easily visible vessel of large mass. Indeed, 13 of the 53 T-class submarines that entered

Some uneventful convoy-escorting

service from 1938-46 were sunk in the

operations across the Atlantic followed

Mediterranean. That said, Talisman was

to the end of June when Talisman was

a sturdy and generally reliable vessel.

ordered to sail to Gibraltar to join the

Willmott now set out to enhance

1st Submarine Flotilla in Alexandria,

her record. Six days after reaching

vessels” – the auxiliary minesweepers

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

R-86 and San Michele – about five miles

disappointing” but commended Wilmott

keel, at Santorini. Heavy weather forced

north of Benghazi. One of the Italian

for his “determination.” Throughout the

a retreat in the next two days. It was

ships was abandoned, but the remaining

patrol, Raw noted, the air temperature

not, therefore, until 1st October that the

vessel began “a spirited fight with a

on board Talisman had been above 90

submarine went into action, torpedoing

degrees Fahrenheit, yet the crew had

an Italian convoy protected by destroyers

remained “healthy and cheerful and

west of the Zea Channel but apparently

not saturated.”

missing the targets (two merchant ships).

light automatic” machine gun and hit the submarine. Talisman hastily retired

seaward and was chased by two Italian anti-submarine torpedo boats. Despite being able to use only one engine, she got away.

A two week break followed. Talisman,

by then repaired, was sent to the Aegean, leaving port on 20th September and

In retaliation, Talisman was counter-

attacked by an Italian torpedo boat for 45 minutes, dodging 24 depth charges.

Limping back to Alexandria, Talisman

beginning her patrol off Crete and

The next day, a certain hit was recorded

ended her first Mediterranean war patrol

Santorini. This patrol, too, was full of

on 7th September. Michael Willmott’s

incident and showed Willmott very

when Talisman came across a beached

new commanding officer, Capt. (S) 1st

prepared to take unconventional actions

Submarine Flotilla S.M. Raw (later to

in pursuit of the enemy. Four days out of

her sinking. Firing two torpedoes at the

become Vice Adm. Sir Sydney Moffatt

Alexandria, he ventured into the shallow

Raw), pronounced the patrol “a little

harbour, no more than 10 feet under the

3,751 ton Yalova and two Axis salvage

German merchant vessel called Yalova

which had been run aground to prevent

vessels close by, one of the torpedoes had

1942 - Talisman crew members on conning tower with their Jolly Roger (NMRN)

track shots after being baulked in his first attack – a most noteworthy feat.” In another report held in the National Archives, Raw recorded: “The Admiral (A.B. Cunningham, C-in-C Mediterranean Fleet, a future governor of the NCP) has remarked that Lt. Cdr. Willmott is unorthodox, particularly after his recent engagement with a destroyer giving him fun. The Admiral expressed his intention of sending Willmott a signal in due course.” Maybe he did, but it is not recorded if this ever happened. By now it must have been clear to Raw and others in Alexandria that Willmott had what it took to command a submarine in wartime. Only eight days after returning to port, Talisman was sent on a highly secret mission –

officially its third war patrol. Submarines of the 1st Submarine Flotilla often found themselves on such operations. On this occasion the order was to reconnoitre an Italian-held beach 250 miles behind enemy lines in Libya. A landing party of

1942 - IWM photo of Michael Willmott in UK at the time (see ribbons)

four officers boarded Talisman on 20th

a gyro failure and exploded on shore,

and that there had been a “spontaneous

alerting the enemy. The other destroyed

cheer at the hoisting of the Jolly Roger

Yalova. A counterattack quickly ensued

on entering harbour.” But he was also

involving bombs and depth charges, but

quite self-critical, stating that only the

Talisman “went deep” and again escaped

“unbelievable, but fortunate, negligence

undamaged. A second certain hit was

on the part of the enemy” had allowed

recorded on 4th October when Talisman

Talisman to escape from the Zea Channel

fired four torpedoes and sank the

8,194 ton Vichy French passenger ship Theophile Gautier northeast of Kea Island. A 90-minute counterattack followed

during which 29 depth charges were dropped. Again, Talisman got away unscathed.

on 4th October.

For his part, Capt. Raw, by now warming to Willmott, assessed the patrol as “well conducted and effective, which reflects credit on Lt. Cdr. Willmott… for his determination and outstanding success. His attacks were all made in

Torpedoes missing their targets

the face of severe A/S [anti-submarine]

frequently lowered morale on

measures.” Raw added: “Though his

submarines in World War 2, and

methods were unorthodox – firing on

Willmott fired many. But this does not

one occasion from right astern – he

seem to have happened in Talisman.

[Willmott] achieved great success in

Willmott reported that the crew had

sinking three ships totalling over 15,000

“pulled together well” on this patrol

tons, including two with 180-degree

October and had orders to scout out the chosen beach and the surrounding area. Little went right. The group was seen to disembark and land on a beach safely and proceed inland. Then shots onshore were heard. Talisman hung around for 24 hours, but no one returned to the

rendezvous. Later in the war it emerged that all four officers had been captured alive by the Italians. Allied submarines based in the eastern Mediterranean frequently undertook such cloak-and-dagger operations. Willmott now had one that was unscripted. While returning to Alexandria on its third war patrol, Talisman had an encounter off the coast of Libya with a Special Operations

Executive (SOE) mission. Late on the night of 27th October, the submarine (on the surface at the time) ran into

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

two Greek-built caiques (fishing

to take the war to

Operation Flipper and lasted 20 days.

boats) – Hedgehog, towing the smaller

the enemy and also because of his

This time the submarine was ordered

prior experience of a North African

to patrol off the western entrance to

German-occupied Crete in order to

beach landing.

the Aegean in the Kithera area and to

Escampador – making their way to

deliver captured Italian rifles and boots to Cretan guerrillas and to rescue stranded Allied soldiers. The party was led by another Old Pangbournian – Lt. Cdr. Mike Cumberlege RNR who had left the College for a life at sea the term before Willmott arrived in 1922.

On 10th November Talisman left Alexandria with 29 commandos on board. Sea conditions at the landing area were “extremely unpleasant” and Torbay took seven hours to land its

group – much longer than planned, and effectively halving the time Willmott had

divert to the west coast of Greece at some point. Throughout, wrote Capt. Raw afterwards, “a very high standard of efficiency and training was shown by the crew which reflects great credit on the commanding officer.” Willmott, he reckoned, “displayed a capacity for quick appreciation and action.”

After a nervous challenge by the

to get his party away as the tides turned

submarine, the caiques were allowed

and the weather deteriorated. So, he took

Initially, this patrol was uneventful and

to go on their way. Willmott ordered

a risk and let Talisman touch bottom in

most influenced by gale force conditions.

order to speed up disembarkation – a

Then Willmott received “corrupted

describes one of the two occupants as

decision later deemed “unsound” by

orders… to divest” (move away from

“a most suspicious-looking character.”

some RN hindsight-merchant reviewing

the area). He decided to head for a 12

This must have been Capt. Boreas,

the operation.

mile channel between Zakynthos Island

the crew to secrecy. In his log he

a redoubtable Cretan guerrilla. The other person was Mike Cumberlege, later to win two DSOs, be captured in 1943 and murdered in Sachsenhausen concentration camp by the Nazis in Feb/ March 1945.

At this crucial point, the groundswell increased without warning. Only one of seven boats pushed off “the right way up with men on board.” The rest got into difficulties through being carried out to sea by the current and gentle

The follow-up to Talisman’s third war

breeze. Of the 29 commandos on board

Willmott got back to Alexandria.

land. Talisman remained in the area until

patrol commenced just 12 days after Known as Operation Flipper (and

Talisman only eight others made it to

04:00 recovering men and boats before

and the Peloponnese. Ten miles south of Argostoli, he fired three torpedoes from 400 yards distance at the Italian destroyer Orione carrying gasoline from Brindisi. All missed, but Willmott then ordered

his gun crew to engage with the 4" Bren and Lewis guns from point-blank range. In retaliation, the darkened destroyer tried to ram Talisman but missed

narrowly. Now realising that his foe was not a submarine, Willmott crash dived.

also as the Rommel Raid), it turned

moving out to sea and waiting. The

into Talisman’s fourth war patrol. The

following day the weather worsened.

stated aim was unambiguous: to land

Both submarines were ordered to return

a 60-strong British commando force

to Alexandria, arriving there on 20th

from two submarines to attack the

November. Most of the men involved

headquarters of General Erwin Rommel,

in the land attack had been killed or

commander of Axis forces in North

captured. Three escaped across the

Africa near Beda Littoria, and to kill or

desert, surviving for 37 days before

capture Rommel. In reality, Rommel had

reaching Allied lines. Both submarine

Two blank days followed and on 11th

already moved his HQ nearer Tobruk

commanders were commended for

December Willmott was ordered back

and was no longer at Beda Littoria. But

showing “the greatest determination to

to Alexandria. On the way an enemy

this was not known at the time – with

land their parties under very difficult

tragic and disappointing consequences.

and unpleasant circumstances” stated an

destroyer Freccia was sighted at 4:15pm

Two RN submarines were selected to transport the force to a beach near Hamama some 250 miles behind enemy

official report on the raid. Talisman’s fifth Mediterranean war patrol was to make Willmott’s name in the

lines. One was Torbay, commanded by

Submarine Service, lead to an award of

Lt. Cdr. Anthony Miers, later to win a

the DSO and some flattering headlines

VC. The other was Talisman – perhaps in

in UK newspapers. It began a week

recognition of Willmott’s determination

after he returned to Alexandria from

Some 43 or 44 depth charges followed in rapid succession in the next 70 minutes. Only minor damage was sustained. “A remarkable episode” thought Capt. Raw. “She (Talisman) taught an enemy destroyer a very salutary lesson in vigilance and preparedness.”

accompanying a 15,000-ton merchant

vessel called Calitea at a distance of 6,000 yards, some 60 nautical miles WSW

(West Southwest) of Schiza island. Four torpedoes were fired from Talisman at

Calitea from 2,300 yards’ range. A fifth torpedo set off in error. Four hit the merchant vessel and sank her. “A short and skilfully executed attack”

judged Capt. Raw when he reviewed

Raw went on to recommend various

The role certainly suited Willmott’s

the operation.

awards, including a DSO for

belligerence. Two destroyers (HMS

Michael Willmott.

Kelvin and HMS Kipling commanded by

Willmott now continued on course back towards Alexandria. On 14th December

A couple of weeks later on 29th

a remarkable engagement took place

December 1941, Raw assessed Willmott

south of the east end of Crete. Talisman,

in these words in a confidential report:

and what turned out to be the Italian

“A most loyal, capable and conscientious

submarine Dagabur made a mutual

officer and a first-class war time

surface sighting on a dark, overcast

commander of a submarine. He has

night. Dagabur was older, smaller, slower

great personality and has brought his

and had fewer torpedoes than Talisman.

ship to a high state of efficiency which

Like two duellists facing up to each

has resulted in considerable success. His

other, Dagabur was quicker on the draw

one ambition is to get at the enemy.

and fired first with two torpedoes but

Smart and always well turned-out. He

missed. Talisman retaliated with two

has excellent social qualities and is a

torpedoes and fire from her deck guns,

good influence with officers and men.

causing a small leak in Dagabur’s

His physique and stamina are good.

conning tower.

By then the submarines were on clashing courses and about to pass very close, starboard to starboard, to each other. Dagabur, no more than 100 yards from

A nine-month lull in Talisman’s hectic

operational war followed. The submarine

down his opponent’s conning tower and

decided to bring this forward. To some

seeing lights in the control room below.”

extent, Willmott was supposed to oversee

Willmott and Raw both thought that

the refit. But initially there was nothing

Dagabur must have destroyed itself by

to do. So, while the refit was proceeding,

diving with its hatches open, but it was

he joined (or was volunteered for) a

not so; Dagabur survived until August

daring 32 man Royal Marine commando

1942 when it was rammed by HMS

mission in the eastern Mediterranean

Wolverine and sunk in the Mediterranean

known as Operation Lighter. This

and handled not only saved her from destruction but this time resulted in the 95% certain destruction of a U-Boat which the commanding officer considers was German… a remarkable and highly successful patrol.” In particular, Raw noted “the quickness of decision and action” displayed by Talisman’s captain.

the shore using a screened light, he had to stop them twice and go ahead alone to chart a safe passage through rocky reefs and find a suitably sandy place to land. Despite the difficulties, a “perfect landfall” was made just after midnight in ideal weather conditions including a calm sea.

wide and 30 yards deep so that the later

A refit was due in April 1942 and it was

way in which Talisman was fought

landing area. Guiding the whalers into

recommended for accelerated promotion.

the “astounding experience of looking

Raw: “Once again, the able and resolute

going ahead in a skiff and selecting a

now confined to an area just 30 yards

on her fifth patrol in the Mediterranean.

It brought glowing testimony from

to lead three landing boats (whalers),

The whole landing force, though, was

Willmott (in Capt. Raw’s words) had

fifth war patrol in the Mediterranean.

Willmott was in Kelvin; his first task was

an excellent messmate.” Willmott was

had suffered various mechanical issues

On 17th December Talisman ended its

moved the raiding party to Kupho Nisi.

Has a strong sense of humour and is

Talisman, dived. On Talisman’s bridge

with all hands lost.

another OP Cdr. Aubrey St Clair Ford)

unexpected commitment involved helping to guide ashore a detachment from the 11th Btn. RM which had been tasked with raiding an unoccupied islet called Kupho Nisi (today Koufonisi) in the Cycladic Islands to destroy an Italian wireless transmitter station. Willmott was roped in as someone “experienced

boats coming into land touched each other. Worse, the element of surprise had been lost. Very soon after getting ashore, the first men found themselves under fire from an enemy machine gun position on the roof of the wireless transmitter building. Three Marines were wounded. The raid went ahead. The W/T station was stormed, its Italian defenders fled, the building was searched and transmitting apparatus destroyed. Next came the withdrawal – “carried out without incident” most fortuitously, as the whalers on the beach made a highly vulnerable target. But the enemy was nowhere to be seen. The overall verdict was unambiguous: “A very lucky operation indeed.” Michael Willmott’s role “worked admirably… an important advantage.” The presence of an RN officer on the raid was “fully justified.”

in beach reconnaissance and boat work”

Back in the U.K. Willmott’s DSO was

and put in charge of the control and

announced in the London Gazette on

navigation of the landing craft while on

15th May: “For bravery and skill in

passage to the landing beach, and the

successful patrols in H.M. Submarines.”

safety and disposal of any boats on shore

The Scotsman newspaper claimed in a

“to enable a rapid getaway to be made.”

short report that Willmott had been

“described as one of the most daring

THE PANGBOURNIAN | FROM THE ARCHIVES

men in the Service when the exploits

Naval Memorial. Michael Willmott is

war ended and with a young child to

of Talisman were disclosed in January.”

also honoured on the war memorial in

support, Margot returned to teaching

With his wife, he went to Buckingham

his home village of Little Kingshill in

at Sherborne School for Girls. Mabel,

Palace sometime during the following

Buckinghamshire. He was 32.

Michael’s mother, died in 1965. Margot

four weeks to receive the award. Early in August Talisman left Holy Loch

The war went on and Talisman was

largely forgotten. On 26th May 1943

for Gibraltar on her way to Alexandria

Margot, his widow, received a letter

to rejoin the 1st Submarine Flotilla. On

from the Admiralty dated the day

9th August a blue-on-blue incident took

before, stating that her husband was

place in the Bay of Biscay that might

“presumed to have lost his life on active

have ended both Willmott’s life and his

service.” But not until 25th November

career when Talisman was bombed by an

1943 was Willmott “presumed” dead

RAAF Sunderland aircraft E/461 thanks

by the Admiralty. Sometime during

to faulty communication. Four depth

1941 Willmott had been informed by a

charges exploded very close to Talisman

pre-arranged secret code while at sea in

of Enquiry ensued but arms were twisted

of a daughter, Emily Susan. Once the

causing considerable damage. A Board and Willmott was exonerated. On 13th August Talisman reached

Talisman that he had become the father

died in 1984. Emily Susan and her son Benjamin Teale survive to this day. by ROBIN KNIGHT

Robin Knight is the author of several naval-themed books including ‘‘The Extraordinary Life of Mike Cumberlege SOE’ (2018), ‘Leaders’ (2021) and ‘Salt Horse’ (2023). A fuller version of this article may be read on The Friends of the RN Submarine Museum website.

1942 - Lt. Cdr. M. Willmott in HMS Talisman (IWM)

Gibraltar. The submarine docked for repairs on 19th August, departing for Malta on 10th September with crew and stores on board. She was scheduled to arrive on 18th September. On 14th September at 06:45 hours Talisman reported sighting a U-Boat on the

surface in position 37 degrees 48 minutes North and 06 degrees 00 minutes East – “enemy course 250 degrees, speed 16 knots.” Most likely, this was the Italian submarine, Alabastro, although Talisman actually sighted two Italian submarines

– first Alabastro at 06:45 hours, and then Argo at 08:45 hours. Alabastro was sunk shortly after by a Gibraltar-based RAF Sunderland aircraft. This was the last signal received from Talisman. At the time the submarine was off Philippeville, (now Skikda)

travelling along the Algerian coastline. The C-in-C Med stated shortly after that the cause of her loss was unknown but thought that it was possible that Talisman had been mined in the Sicilian Channel. Today, all 63 crew are

commemorated by name on either the Chatham Naval Memorial, the Plymouth Naval Memorial or the Portsmouth

Yukon 1000 Team Fortune Favours the Brave It has been two weeks since we returned from the Yukon 1000 and I am currently sitting at my desk in Kuwait still trying to internalise the experience that Nick (an Army veteran friend) and I have just been through. By Dan Holloway (OP 94-99)

We cannot quite remember who

Foundation, we immediately knew

rough where they stop, and in extreme

messaged who in 2019 to say “Fancy

that we wanted to utilise this challenge

cases must be able to survive in true

doing the Yukon 1000?”, but our interest

to raise money and awareness for our

wilderness. Whitewater, fallen trees,

was piqued so Nick and I did some

respective charities, as well embarking on

braided and poorly mapped channels

research and we thought the Yukon

an incredible adventure into the wildness

are just some of the challenges entrants

1000 sounded like a great idea. At the

of North America, whilst also testing

will face. One wrong turn forces

time, we clearly did not understand the

our friendship and mental resilience.

competitors to backtrack up river in

full scale of what we were planning

Sadly, our 2020 race was delayed due to

the most isolated grizzly and black bear

to undertake. How difficult could

the dreaded “C” and subsequently the

territory in the world.”

paddling a canoe 1000 miles unsupported

first time we could both find time in our

down the River Yukon from Canada

dairies to participate was this year.

(Whitehorse, Yukon Territory) into Alaska be? Taking that approach and our regimental background, we thought that Team Fortune Favours the Brave was an apt name. As a member of the board of the charity Young People’s Independent Counselling (YPI) and with Nick as the co-founder of Reduce our Carbon

At the start of the race, Glenn Nolan, a member of the Cree Nation in Ontario,

What is the Yukon 1000? “It is the

gifted us some pre-race knowledge,

world’s longest paddle race where

which stood us is good stead, guiding

challengers must have the physical

us through the darker moments in the

and mental fortitude to cope with

early parts of the race. He also conducted

the staggering feat of paddling 18

a pre-race blessing to protect us on our

hours a day just to complete the race.

journey where we were given a thimble’s

Completely self-sufficient, teams sleep

worth of tobacco, which I placed in the

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP DAN HOLLOWAY

Stunning Yukon views

The race route

water and asked the river to guide me safely back to my family (Lillia, Tom, and Tiff) – a Cree tradition. Jon, the race director, then read out the following: "This is the law of the Yukon, and ever she makes it plain: Send not your foolish and feeble; send me your strong and your sane." As my wife Tiff can attest to, internally I was incredibly nervous (I certainly felt like the foolish and feeble) before we started the race. She could hear my voice cracking in my voice notes or when I called her, with the dawning realisation that we were about to embark on the world's longest paddle race and in reality, the world's toughest survival and endurance race.

Dan & Nick en route

We had to take everything we needed with us to survive for up to 10 days, with no opportunity for resupply and no mobile phone coverage, so a total digital detox and self-sufficient journey. Once we were past Dawson City (circa 450 miles into the 1000 miles), one of the most remote places on earth, we would be out of helicopter rescue range and rescue would take between 24-72 hours. I cannot describe the vastness of the wildness in the Yukon Territory and Alaska, we were just insignificant on the mighty river Yukon, with little ability to "bend" the river to our will. It is hard to visualise paddling 1000 miles, 18 hours a day for 8 to 10 days and this was definitely one of the hardest aspects of the race. On day two you are trying to comprehend what it would be like to paddle like this for another six days, a thought that is incomprehensible at that early stage! We had to break the race down into smaller manageable goals and in my case, use the motivation of age / pride, and knowing that I could not let my family, friends, or the young people that YPI supports down. We experienced continuous daylight, biblical rain, an electrical storm, coming within 10-20m of a black bear, traversed rapids, avoided both hypothermia and heat stroke. We faced continuous strong winds that remained on our "nose", a river that "boiled up" into a state where we had to take shelter by the shore due to the wind battling against the current, navigated the "flats", learning that the mapping was indeed as bad as we were told it would be and endured the soul destroying 10 mile meandering bends with no flow with blistered and swollen hands. We traversed "river lakes", survived off limited and broken sleep while in physical pain, and for long periods of time were without sight of another human being. Other teams saw

Enjoying a bit of dry land

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP DAN HOLLOWAY

wolves, lynx, and one team was shot at

glasses, I do feel like I have been on

When Glenn said that the race down

by a young First Nations man in Alaska.

a journey.

the Yukon would be a spiritual journey,

We really were on the Final Frontier.

Nick and I learnt that purpose is the

we were dismissive. Especially during the soul destroying moments, we would

One thing is for sure, we both had dark

centre of everything we do and a key

moments where we were questioning

motivating factor, so to raise funds

what we were doing on this mighty

for YPI to provide free counselling

river and selfishly leaving our families

and mentoring to young people was

to do something that seemed beyond

a powerful motivating force for me.

the possible and fully testing our mental

We would like to thank all of those

"No person ever steps in the same river

resilience. It does not matter what your

who donated and want to donate (you

twice, for it's not the same river and they

previous experiences are, the size you

can here). As things currently stand,

are not the same person."

are, how "manly" you think you are,

we will be able to provide six to eight

it is "okay to not be okay". I am not

free counselling sessions for 300 young

embarrassed to say that we shed a few

people, which we are incredibly grateful

tears on the Yukon. It is during times

for. Through Nick's charity, Reduce our

like these that we need to speak to

Carbon Foundation, we will be able to

others, as we do not have all the answers

plant 7,500 trees to sequester carbon and

ourselves. That might be by talking to

provide livelihoods for families in South

a friend or just leaving a message with

America. In total, we have currently

someone you trust to get things off

raised over £60k, thank you.

your chest. We started as a novice team with eight

say loudly "You will not take our spirit", but as I look back at the experience I certainly have a feeling of self actualisation and internal calmness.

If you would like to listen to part of our story, here are two options: • Yukon Voices - Episode 108 - From

minute 11 https://shorturl.at/pwHNW • BBC Radio Berkshire - from 2:37 https://shorturl.at/gvH24

Over £70,000 now raised for the charities.

Dan & Nick take a well-earned break

hours canoeing experience and took the philosophy of "complete and not to compete". Very much in the Corinthian spirit, we did our best to learn from others and support our fellow teams on and off the water, taking pleasure in giving more than receiving. The Yukon 1000 race community was amazing and so generous in their advice and support; it was down to this that we shocked ourselves and finished as the second fastest British team in the 13 year history of the race, which still is hard to believe. Thank you to Jon the race director for having faith in us, selecting us from 3500 teams that entered, which was down selected to 30 teams deemed fit for the journey, in which, only 17 started and 15 finished. Lots of friends have asked us what it was like and it is hard to put into words what Nick and I experienced, words like epic, brutal, stunning, amazing, horrible, surreal… come to mind. Watching some of my GoPro footage back, I keep using the word brutal, but with rose tinted

Campus Life Academic Challenge The theme of the last academic year, for me, was ‘challenge’. Challenge is something that we are good at here at Pangbourne, but when we often think of challenge the images that spring to mind tend to be completing a Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition, or the challenge of acting in unison during Parade. For others, I suspect this takes form in the shape of the sports field or the river, or on stage or in a recital hall. As a College, we thrive on challenge and it is what shapes our pupils into the people that they become. I think we all understand why challenge is so important. Why being pushed outside your comfort zone is important. In all of those areas I have mentioned, it’s clear that improvement and progress do not happen by accident and nor do they happen all at once. Getting better at anything takes consistent effort, a willingness to seek and act on advice but, above that, it takes the desire to improve. It takes an engagement with the challenge and a realisation that, however much those around can support you, you have to do your part. Anyone who has been successful at anything has had to face up to a challenge. Pangbournians enjoy challenge. It’s pretty much what we do.

One way in which a significant

takes effort, it takes commitment and

number of pupils challenged themselves

it takes individual ownership. It is a

academically was by taking on

challenge to think about something in

something beyond what was expected.

depth and in all of the complexity which

The Project Qualifications are an

exists in the real world.

example of this - it is not required, it

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE

During the Summer Term we gained accreditation as a NACE challenge school. NACE are an organisation that look at how well we challenge pupils. There is only one other school like us in England that has this award.

Competition Perhaps you might think of challenge as being competition. There’s been plenty of that as well. Bronze CREST awards for the STEM society, a Silver in the Junior Maths Challenge for Tom Croucher who competed with pupils in the year above. Reading challenge awards for Annie Wasmuth, Seb Crosse, Grace Jeffers - not just because of how much they read, but the range and challenge of what they read as well. 18 Distinctions for Trinity Drama are the result of taking on a challenge. Bronze medals for Xander Ramsey and Ben Pritchard, as well as Silvers for Ollie Edwards and Joe De Halpert in the Physics Olympiad are a result of taking on a challenge. Of course, there is the challenge of exams. This was particularly true for the Upper Sixth and Year 11 last year as their exams, to all intents and purposes, returned to normal after years of adjustments due to Covid. That set the challenge of being more content to learn, receiving less guidance about what might be in the exams and less help in the exam room itself. Every pupil faced the challenge of exams last term but most of the challenge wasn’t really in the exam room itself. The challenge came earlier and it wasn’t pupils against the exam board or pupils against the teacher

who wrote the paper. The challenge

who took BTECs really ‘got this’ and we

was in cabins, or in bedrooms, or in

had students who, even before their final

dining rooms, or wherever pupils were

exams, were guaranteed Distinctions

preparing for their exams. The challenge

and, in some cases, Distinction* grades.

came from making their brain work hard when they knew, in that moment, that they could take an easier route. I hope that our pupils feel that they faced up to that challenge and that they showed their best in the exams. Another form of challenge is the BTEC. It’s a different approach to qualifications and, perhaps more so than at A Level, success or otherwise is determined by your approach. Some of the students

Improvement generally means facing down a challenge. It often isn’t easy and it isn’t supposed to be. It normally means making mistakes and learning from them. If I asked any of you to name a famous academic, I suspect Einstein would be towards the top of your list, so I’ll end with his thoughts: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer”.

Sports news Cricket

Despite the wet beginning to the summer, the 1st XI cricketers had a successful season, winning matches against Reading School, Queen Elizabeth’s Barnet, Cokethorpe, Reading Blue Coat, Stragglers of Asia and South Oxfordshire Amateurs. Captain Dan Jones led the team superbly and his contribution across the season was immeasurable. Season highlights included Jemma Swire-Thompson’s hattrick in the National Cup T20 first round win vs Reading, match winning innings from Ben Greenwood, Archie Donald and Dan Jones, as well as significant contributions with the ball throughout the season from Dylan Teague, Toby King and Josh Bodimeade. There were positives too for the 2nd XI who allotted good wins against Watford Grammar School and Mill Hill. In the U15A team, there was plenty to be optimistic about with George Milbank, Felix Baker, Zac Alexander and Bertie Donald stepping up to play 1st XI cricket, demonstrating the strength in depth of future years.

It was particularly pleasing to see us

came throughout the season from

field an U15 Girls' XI for the first time

Gabriel Neesen, Harry Pearson, Alex

in a number of years, who won all of

Griffin and Denny Wasmuth.

their fixtures.

Dunbar had a challenging season in

The U14A team had a successful season

terms of results but there were plenty

reaching the quarter final of the County

of positives in wins against Cranford

Cup after notching up wins against

House, as well as wins against The

Reddam House and Maiden Erlegh. Run

Oratory, The Abbey and St Andrew's for

machine Barney Reid was the pick of

the U13 Girls’ XI.

the batsmen but significant contributions

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE

1st Team Colours significant impact on the 1st team in their sport. They have been an excellent

Full School Colours

role model and shown an outstanding attitude across their time.

These pupils have made an outstanding

1st team colours are awarded to pupils who have made a sustained and

contribution to school sport, normally

Cricket

Rowing

•

Jack Stebbings

•

Ollie Edwards

•

Danny Tottman

•

James Powell

•

Andrew Tottman

•

Max Maleham

•

Josh Bodimeade

•

Clover Merry

•

Toby King

•

Charlotte Bishop

•

Dylan Teague

•

Eve Allen

•

Ben Greenwood

•

Rubi Maleham

•

Archie Donald

•

George Milbank

Riding

•

Jamie Dunstan

Tennis

over a two-year period for the 1st team, and they will have been great role models for the school, both on and off the sports field.

Cricket •

Dan Jones

•

Jemma Swire-Thompson

Tennis •

Alice Dutton

•

Imi Benson

•

Isla Farrow

Rowing

•

Izzy Corsinie

•

Sophie Hale

•

Amy Perrott

•

Izzy Holmes

•

Thomasin Munro

Harrison Green -

Tennis

Senior Girls: there were notable performances against Leighton Park, Bloxham, Shiplake and The Oratory, as well as victory in the Shiplake tournament. A special mention to our number one seed, Sophie Hale, who was committed to every single game for not only the seniors but her own age group in the LTA competition. Senior Boys: It was a mixed term of results due to lots of Upper Sixth and Year 11’s focussing on exams. We had a convincing win against Leighton Park and some closely contested matches.

Sports news Rowing At the youngest end of the College Boat Club, it has been fantastic to have such a large and enthusiastic crop of talent working hard each week. Races in the Lent and Summer Term, both on a local fixture level against Emanuel and against Bryanston and Monmouth School, provided some early successes for confidence and also experience of the process of racing. This became more useful with the national level events, such as the Scullery Head before Easter, with some really good results. The pick of the results from the Scullery was the Boys’ A Octo, who finished in a very respectable 24th place out of 40 crews. The Summer Term brought the excitement of side-by-side racing with some good performances at Bristol Avon Regatta prior to the National Schools’ Regatta. The Girls’ Quad and Boys’ Octo performed creditably, with the girls finishing in 39th place out of 50 crews and the Boys’ Octo producing an exciting final race to finish in 5th place in the C Final, 17th overall out of 27 crews. If these squads can commit to the step up in training this coming year, there is great potential for the future.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE

Captain of Boats Harrison Green continued his competing, first by earning a place at the Great Britain Rowing final trials. Despite a valiant effort in a rowing boat, especially given that Harrison has been sculling rather than rowing all season, it was not to be for him and the standard was brutally high this year. Rather than licking his wounds, Harrison promptly loaded his sculling boat onto a trailer and headed up to Strathclyde, Scotland, for the British Junior Championships. In conditions more akin to the North Sea than a rowing lake, he sculled brilliantly to move up from 11th in the time trial to finish second in the B Final of Junior 18 Open Single Sculls, 8th place overall in the country. There is real potential in the squads. The opportunity to step up to the ‘top table’ of junior sculling and rowing is there if the squads show the same level of dedication they did last year, and it will be an exciting time for all in the 2023/24 season.

Equestrian

The riders continued their good form, taking top tens and/or podium finishes at all but one competition that they attended - very nearly hitting the 100% success rate! The County Finals and Eventers Challenge Championships at Hickstead were a success with good performances from the team. A further ten qualifications saw our riders compete

at three National Championships: NSEA National Championships, the British Showjumping National Championships and the Keysoe Plate Championships. Our riders also competed at Hickstead again for the Hickstead Elite and Junior and Senior Schools Showjumping Championships.

Co-curricular & Community News Boarding It was another busy year for the boarding community at the College, and it was great to see so many pupils getting involved in boarding events throughout the year. Additionally, I was pleased to see so many day pupils staying in and getting to experience a taste of boarding, particularly so that they could take part in events. The boarders enjoyed a wide variety

great range of bakes before awarding the

of trips throughout the year, and a few

Divisional Bake Off trophy to Illawarra

that stand out in particular would have

for their amazing cake.

to be the trips to Bournemouth towards the end of the Summer Term, Thorpe Park, Harlequins vs. Leicester Tigers and paintballing.

The café was also a massive addition for the boarders on Thursday evenings. We have been working hard on improving our boarding facilities, and

Divisional Bake Off was the

Hesperus has been redecorated, whilst

‘showstopper’ of the Lent Term and with

Port Jackson has had some major

the theme being the King’s Coronation,

work completed to replace all of the

there were some amazing bakes designed

showers and bathrooms, as well as being

by each of the divisions. From Union

redecorated throughout. More work is

Jack designs to a replica of Windsor

planned to happen throughout the next

Castle, it was the perfect opportunity to

year. A big thank you to our Works

showcase the creative flair of our pupils.

Department for their efforts.

The judges really enjoyed sampling the

THE PANGBOURNIAN | CAMPUS LIFE

CCF This year the CCF has seen a large growth in the number of cadets to the highest level that the College has seen on record. Our cadets attended the annual Royal Marines Pringle Trophy competition

This year saw the 75th anniversary of the Cadets Movement across the UK. We celebrated this by congregating Year 10 cadets on the Parade Ground, who then assembled into a giant 75 formation.

in Lympston, as well as the Rifles Cup in Wainscott. We were lucky to have been awarded two external grants this year from the Combined Cadet Force Association and The Connaught Trust. The grants were awarded in recognition of the growth and impact that our CCF offering has, both at our school and for other schools which we support on an annual basis.

A Thorn in their side by ROBERT GREEN (57-62)

This book, ostensibly about the

account of attempts, apparently by

The police theory that a lone, panicking burglar robbed and abducted the British security both Hilda in her own car for petty cash erupted into a services sensational political onspiracy involving Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s plans for British in the UK and New Zealand, to uclear energy and the controversial sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano inintimidate the 1982 Falklands War. protesting The West Merciaabout police those ook until 2005 to secure the conviction of Andrew George as Hilda’s nlikely murderer –the in 1984 he was a 16-year-old truant a local unsolved problem offrom radioactive oster home who could not drive. The case spawned numerous books, lays and TV programmes as itthe became one of the most baffling British waste, construction of new murders of the 20th century.

nuclear facilities in the United

Now, Hilda’s nephew Robert Green – a former Royal Navy Commander Kingdom andholding the use of nuclear who operated nuclear weapons before a key position in Naval ntelligence during the Falklands War – tells the story of his extraordinary weapons – of whom the author, the ursuit of the truth. Believing that Hilda was abducted by those who wanted to find out nephew what she knew FalklandsHilda conflictMurrell, and ofabout thethevictim roblems in the Sizewell nuclear power plant, and undeterred by ngoing harassment, isGreen one.exposes the implausibility of the police heory and uncovers explosive new evidence that should have acquitted Andrew George.

When the book was first sent to the OP Society,

NITED KINGDOM £7.99

read for many years. ISBNAs 978I-1proceeded, -78219-428-6 I wondered why I knew so little about your aunt's00799 death, although I remember well Tam Dalyell and the Belgrano affair and carefully followed the Leveson 9 781782 194286

inquiry about David Kelly… I have only two points to make. Firstly, while I have always believed in

ROBERT GREEN

This is the incredible true story of Hilda Murrell and as of one man’s Lionel Stephens replied in–part follows: uest to find out how and why his beloved aunt met such a violent and izarre death. “…It is just about the most depressing book I have

RUE CRIME

A THORN IN THEIR SIDE

n 1984, at the age of 78, world-renowned rose grower murder in 1984 of a renowned Hilda Murrell was found brutally murdered in the 78-year-old rose-grower and leading Shropshire countryside. She had just gained approval to estify on the unsolved problems of radioactive in waste at anti-nuclear campaigner, reality he first British planning enquiry into a new nuclear power rapidly turns into a cloak-and-dagger plant at Sizewell, Suffolk.

HILDA MURRELL THREATENED BRITAIN’S NUCLEAR STATE. SHE WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED. THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF HER SHOCKING DEATH.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | BOOK REVIEW

British justice, I just cannot understand

for Naval Intelligence and was on the

In 1992 he divorced his wife, and later

how Andrew George came to be found

staff of Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse,

that year met a veteran New Zealand

guilty (of the murder), and then lost

Commander-in-Chief Fleet, at

peace and environmental campaigner

his appeal. How on earth can this have

Northwood. An unusual, thoughtful

called Kate Dewes. Today, the couple

happened? The second point is that after

officer who, for personal reasons, had

live near Christchurch, New Zealand,

you emigrated to NZ you were still

applied for voluntary redundancy before

and lead an organisation known as the

severely harassed. What could those who

the conflict began, he was known to be

Disarmament & Security Centre. He has

pursued you have hoped to achieve? Or

unhappy about both nuclear weapons

was it pure vindictiveness?”

and certain aspects of the war – in

written four books including A Thorn In

This was written around 2012. The book was never reviewed and lay unnoticed at the College, along with another by Rob Green, Security Without Nuclear

Deterrence, until very recently. In the

meantime, a new edition of this book was published in 2013. By then, Rob

particular, the sinking of the Argentine cruiser Belgrano some 59 miles outside the UK-imposed exclusion zone around the Falkland Islands – and found himself dragged in to MP Tam Dalyell's attempts in parliament get to the bottom of the truth about the Belgrano.

Their Side and, in 2010, Security Without Nuclear Deterrence

The latter book is not an easy read being, in effect, a powerful and sustained dissection and critique of the policies and theories sustaining the “independent” British nuclear deterrent. If anything, by 2018 when a

Green had long retired from the Royal

Before long, as Green began to dig

new edition of this book was published

Navy and was living far away on the

into his aunt’s murder and research this

(Spokesman Books; £14.99; ISBN

South Island of New Zealand. Yet,

book, he found himself the target of

9780-85214-8721), his convictions had

nearly 30 years after the murder of his

repeated official and unofficial attempts

strengthened and his arguments become

aunt, he continued to be harried by

to “dissuade” him, including hostile

more polished. Nuclear deterrence,

unknown threatening individuals. In

police questioning, break-ins to his

he writes, “is impractical, politically

other words, this is a very murky tale

home, threatening phone calls and phone

unsound and counter-productive to our

which will probably never be settled

tapping. When these failed to deter his

real security needs as well as immoral

unless or until secret files held at the

search for the truth, rumours spread

and illegal.”

National Archives in Kew are released

around that he was Dalyell’s source –

to the public.

but also an individual who was leaking

For a Pangbournian reader in 2023, when energy security has become an abiding national concern, the ceiling

UK nuclear secrets related both to the Falklands War and UK military strategy to the media and therefore a traitor.

A Thorn In Their Side stands as a very thorough, deeply researched, well-

organised and well-written account of a shoddy episode in contemporary British history. It ends with a compilation of

on the UK’s nuclear weapons stockpile

Post-1984, life went on. Green left the

Rob Green’s outstanding concerns about

has been raised 16% to 260. Because of

RN, became a thatcher but stopped

the Hilda Murrell case. There are more

new technological threats, Hinkley Point

this in 1990 due to tennis elbow. The

than 50 of them. The list was compiled

and Sizewell nuclear plants are being

unsolved Murrell murder cropped up

a decade ago, but many of them remain

expanded, and Vladimir Putin in the

from time to time but without any

relevant – and unanswered. In 2013

Kremlin is threatening the West with

resolution. Then, in the run-up to the

Green was demanding a Commission

nuclear weapons. As the war in Ukraine

first Gulf War in 1991, he decided to

of Inquiry “to prevent further corrupt,

grinds on, the interest lies far more in

speak out against nuclear weapons

politicised abuse of the system of British

Rob Green’s own role in this affair

having found his niche as chair of

justice and governance.” Nothing has

which he weaves skilfully into the

the British affiliate of an international

happened since. He admits to often

narrative, bit by bit. Some context

campaign called the World Court

feeling like giving up his quest for the

therefore is in order.

Project. This organisation challenged

truth. But as both these books underline,

the legality of nuclear deterrence in

that seems highly unlikely.

At the time of the 1982 Falklands War Rob was a 20 year RN veteran – a Commander with a background in

the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

naval flying who at the time worked

In Memoriam The following is a summary of obituaries published in 2021, written and collated by Robin Knight. Fuller accounts may be read on the Pangbournian Portal. with his cousin Peter Gould (46-50) who went on to become one of the world’s leading geographers. Mike did his National Service in the Royal Navy but after that, the 1950s are a blank. By the time the 1963 Register of OPs was published, he was listed as working for the John Lewis Partnership. Later, in full retirement, he and his wife Jill lived in Bwich, a small village in Powys in southern Wales before William Peter Cooke (1932-2022)

1930s

IAN BATLEY (39-43)

WILLIAM PETER COOKE (32-22)

Ian Batley (39-43) died in May 2021

Peter Cooke, a Governor of the College

aged 95 as the OP Society was informed in November 2022 by his daughter Ms.

moving in 2020 into an assisted living community in Crickhowell. Mike never spoke much about his time at the NCP, according to Charles, but he had the Pangbourne crest on his study wall.

A. Batley.

M.K. HANNON (45-49)

at home on August 5th, 2022, aged 90.

At the Nautical College Ian was in

He left a wife Julia, four children and

Macquarie Division and Form MN.

Michael Keith Hannon (45-49), a retired

ten grandchildren. Peter was educated

He represented the NCP at Fencing

at the Royal Grammar School, High

and was awarded the Royal Life Saving

Wycombe, Kingswood School Bath

Society Bronze Medal and Bar. From

and at Merton College, Oxford. In

Pangbourne he entered the New

1955 he began working at the Bank

Zealand Shipping Company. By 1963 he

of England. In 1982 Peter joined a

was Chief Officer with NZSC.

for 20 years from 1982, died peacefully

Board of Governors at Pangbourne College almost totally lacking his sort of expertise and background and quickly assumed a prominent role. During the school’s financially challenging period in the 1990s, his shrewd advice and wise counsel was often decisive and was always hugely appreciated by his colleagues. In 1999 he stood in at short notice for the Chairman of the Board on Founders’ Day when Sir John Webster was unable to attend. In his characteristically under stated style, he rose to the occasion with ease.

1940s

Major in the Army, died on 13 March 2023 aged 91, at a hospital near his home in Mere, Wiltshire. Mike arrived at the NCP in the Summer Term of 1945 as World War 2 in Europe was ending, and left four years later to do his National Service. In between he became Chief of Harbinger Division,

MICHAEL RODNEY GOULD (44-48) Michael Rodney Gould (44-48) died on 29 April 2022, aged 92. Mike arrived at the NCP in the middle of World War II from Summer Fields prep. school in Oxford. At the College, he was in Macquarie Division, and passed the Civil Service Commission exam. According to the Log, he joined the Royal Navy (S branch) through the Special Entry route. At Pangbourne he overlapped Michael Keith Hannon (45-49)

THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM

destined, he hoped, for a spell in the

Courtney was born in 1930 and his

In retirement, Tony’s main hobbies were

Royal Navy.

early years were spent in Hertfordshire.

building model boats and gardening;

Entering the Nautical College from

his pride and joy was a large model that

Berkhamsted prep. school in 1945, he

he made from scratch of Canton, his

Fate had other ideas; in 1950, the Navy list was ‘full’. Undeterred, Mike signed up with the Army. After completing National Service, Mike started a new career at the Atomic Research Centre at Harwell. Some years later, having heard Mike tell one of his amusing and entertaining stories for the umpteenth time, it was suggested to him that he ought to write them down. Mike did not hesitate and started working on a book the following day. Printed for his 90th birthday, this little volume is titled An Accidental Life. It tells the story of a man who regarded his life as a series of accidents, most of which are taken with his typical sense of humour.

C.J.H. EDENBOROUGH (45-48)

became Chief of Macquarie Division. Throughout his post-NCP life Courtney

favourite ship.

the Old Pangbournian Society, regularly

JOHN BUTTERFIELD (45-47)

attending dinners, lunches and other

John David Butterfield (45-47) died

was an active and steadfast member of

events An ever-courteous, approachable and friendly man always ready with a smile and a story, he will be greatly missed.

A.W. PICKERING (45-48)

on 2 October 2022 aged 92. A Service of Memorial took place at Banbury Crematorium Chapel on 20 October. Donations in John’s memory were given to the British Heart Foundation.

Anthony William Pickering (45-48) died on 21 January 2021 at the age of 90 after a very short illness. He left a devoted wife, Chris, two daughters, four granddaughters and six greatgrandchildren. At the Nautical College Tony was in Hesperus Division and was awarded a Bronze Medallion and Bar by the Royal Life Saving Society. From the NCP, he joined P&O, starting an apprenticeship

John Butterfield (45-47)

with them in August 1948 and remained

At the NCP, John was in Hesperus

at sea for many years. Once Tony came

Division and the MN Form. But he left

ashore, he went on to become a very

for “civil life” at the end of Lent Term

successful horticulturist, establishing

1947. In the 1963 OP Register he is listed

one of the first garden centres in

as a Printer’s Representative. He sent his

Gloucestershire and also running a

son Christopher (92-00) to Pangbourne

landscape business alongside it. He sold

College but the OP Society has no

that business in the mid-1980s at which

further details.

point he and Chris took a year out to Courtney Edenborough (45-48)

Courtney Edenborough (45-48) died in hospital near his home in

sail Bossy Boots, their Contessa 32 yacht, around the Mediterranean.

D.J. COLE (46-50) David John Cole (46-50), a Commander RN, died on 29 June 2022, aged 90. He

Buckinghamshire on the morning of 26 April 2023 having contracted pneumonia. He was 92 and at the time of his death was one of the oldest, and most loyal, Old Pangbournians. His funeral took place on 26 May at St John the Evangelist's church at Ashley Green, Chesham. He left two sons, Michael and Robert, both of whom contributed to his obituary. David John Cole (46-50)

left a widow Carol, a daughter and four

thrive at the NCP. Despite this, he quite

the family for the past 50 years, stated:

grandchildren.

liked the College and went out of his

“Publican and Gentleman. An amazing

way in later life to praise the school as it

life, lived magnificently with joy,

is today.

kindness and passion, which touched so

W.B. THOMSON (49-52)

many other lives and made them better.”

David was born in Croydon in May 1932, one of five brothers. In 1939 the family moved briefly to Bidborough in Kent before deciding, for safety’s sake

Over the years, John’s popularity as the

after witnessing the Battle of Britain

genial, welcoming host of the Bell grew

overhead, to settle further inland at

and grew and became proverbial. Several

Amersham in Buckinghamshire. Here he

East of England reunions of OPs were

went to the Beacon prep. school before

held at the pub, and John never failed

passing into the Nautical College in

to acknowledge the debt he believed he

1946. At the NCP he was in Hesperus

owed to the training he had first received

Division. In 1950 David gained direct

at the Nautical College. John entered

entry into the RN and Dartmouth. A

the Nautical College in the Michaelmas

conventional RN officer career for the

Term 1949 and later joined Macquarie

era ensued over the following 25 years.

Division.

In late 1975 David returned to a desk

After John’s death, hundreds of people

job overseeing protocol in the Ministry

paid tribute to him on social media,

of Defence. He retired from the RN in 1982. A civilian job in a leading hotel advisory association followed. After travelling the length and breadth of the UK for 13 years, he retired a second time in 1996.

J.J.B. LATHAM (47-50) Jeremy Latham (47-50) died on 6 April 2023 at the age of 89 as the OP Society was informed in May by his widow Marika. He also left three children by

Wilfred Burrell Thomson (49-52)

Wilfred Burrell Thomson (49-52) died

Known as Bill, Thomson was born in England and entered the Nautical College in January 1949. At the NCP he was in Macquarie Division and was awarded a Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Cross.

Covid era he wrote a “potted history” of

in Cornwall and Devon for a career at

his life on which his obituary is based.

sea, Bill joined P&O as an apprentice in

in 1948. By his own account, he did not

August 1952 aged just 17. He remained with P&O until 1965 by which time he had gained both a Master’s and

John S Vereker (49-53)

Extra Master’s Certificate. Marrying in

Echoed a second: “An absolute gent and

Cornwall in 1962, Bill decided to come ashore three years later aged 30 and emigrate to Australia, living initially in Fremantle, Western Australia and training to become a marine surveyor.

pub landlords.” And a third wrote: “One of life’s very rare people. A true gentleman, a great leader and boss, and a kind-hearted person.”

1950s

J.S.B. Vereker (49-53) died on 2 January

RICHARD BOWER (51-55)

two sons Julian and Christopher, and grandchildren. A message from a friend posted on the website of the Bell Inn,

all-round good man… a legend among

JOHN S. VEREKER (49-53) 2023, aged 87. He left a wife Christine,

Jeremy Latham (47-50)

gentleman publican I’ve ever met.”

June 2018 aged 82.

Always destined since his early days

in 1947 and joined Harbinger Division

him. One said: “To the most dapper

of cancer in Melbourne, Australia on 10

his first wife, and a stepson. During the

Jeremy arrived at the Nautical College

many of whom had once worked for

which John ran with Christine and

Richard Bower (51-55) died on 26 January 2023 aged 85. He left a wife Carole, a son Alexander who attended the College from 1975-80, two

THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM

daughters Nicolette and Louise, and six

wife Ingrid, a daughter, two sons and

seeing the OP Magazine and emails

grandchildren.

grandchildren. At the Nautical College

from the College over the last few years.

Terry was a Cadet Captain in Hesperus

He left the sea in 1963 and enjoyed a

Division and one of the NCP’s leading

successful career being self-employed.

sportsmen of his day, captaining the

He had settled in North Wales where

boxing team in 1956 (when no school

he lived for more than 50 years. He

would put up a fighter to oppose him).

was married for 61 years, having

The only son of a Fleet Air Arm pilot

two sons and a daughter and seven

killed in action in 1944, Terry grabbed

grandchildren.”

At the Nautical College, which he joined in September 1951, Richard had a fine sporting record, playing in the tennis team for four years On leaving the NCP he did his National Service in the Army, subsequently deciding to join full-time and attending RMA Sandhurst. Postings over the next

hold of life and lived it to the full. Aside from boxing, he excelled at cricket, rugby, squash and golf. He was a man whose personality readily filled a room but without ever being obtrusive or ostentatious – a difficult balance. He was also a generous man both with his time and money.

and concentrate on his passion for woodlands.

Jackson Division, he moved up the drive to Devitt House and Macquarie Division in 1953.

Patrick Sinker (52-55) died very

cult of celebrity, it does no harm to

He decided to leave the Army in 1972

Summer Term 1952. After a year in Port

and colleague of Terry’s said “I am

In an era dominated by the so-called

but, in particular, to the Middle East.

House prep. school, Edgbaston in the

PATRICK SINKER (52-55)

role in shaping Terry’s approach to life.

15 years took him to many places abroad

(Snr) arrived at the NCP from West

Reflecting on a stellar career, a friend convinced that the NCP played a key

Richard Bower (51-55)

Robin Knight (56-61) adds: “Bob Mason

remind ourselves that the reputation of an institution does not rest on individuals but on its collective qualities. Terry O’Neil has exemplified all that

peacefully at home in Kent on 2 November 2022, with his wife Letitia and two daughters by his side At the NCP, Patrick was in Harbinger Division. Leaving the College at the end of 1955, he joined the Royal Mail Line. Letitia Sinker continues:

was, and no doubt still is, good about

“Patrick and I were both at boarding

Pangbourne.”

school and were corresponding during

ROBERT MASON (52-55)

our late teens. He intrigued me due to the fact that he was taking Navigation and Seamanship for ‘O’ Level which,

TERRY O’NEIL (51-56)

of course, he needed for a career in the

Terrence N. O’Neil (51-56) died

Merchant Navy.

peacefully at home on 31 October 2022

After six years at sea, Patrick came ashore

aged 84 after a long illness. He left a

and qualified as a chartered accountant, settling in Kent. He used this knowledge during his time as Treasurer of the OP Golf Society which he enjoyed immensely. I know that his time at Pangbourne stayed with him, especially when we met up with his friend Clive.”

JOHN GOUGH (53-57) Robert Edward Mason (52-55)

Robert Edward Mason (52-55) died on 26 May 2022, aged 83. His son Bob writes “My father very much enjoyed Terry O'Neil (51-56)

attending the Nautical College, and

John Gough (53-57) died on 23 March 2023 in Bradenton, Florida, USA aged 83 as the Society was informed by his son Jonathan. In 1953 John entered the Nautical College at Pangbourne. At the

May aged 81 after a brave and lengthy

Dartmouth and the Royal Navy

resistance, having battled leukaemia and

but failed to achieve the necessary

mesothelioma for many years.

qualification in Maths. So he opted

At the Nautical College, Stephen was in Macquarie Division, became a Cadet Captain, reached Form VI Science, won the Mathematics and Physics open prizes in 1960 and captained the 1st VIII rowing crew. Later in 1960 Stephen joined BRNC Dartmouth to begin a 34 year career in

for what was then termed “civil life.” Grahame made a surprise last-minute appearance at the 2017 West Country centenary reunion lunch held at the Berry Head Hotel owned by OP Edward Bence (66-70) in Brixham.

IAN TEW (56-60)

the Royal Navy. Specialising in Gunnery John Gough (53-57)

NCP he was in Macquarie Division and became Chief Bugler (which allowed him to be the first in the showers each morning). At the end of Lent Term 1957, he left the NCP to join the New Zealand Shipping Company. In 1961 John left the NZSC and the sea to become a marine reinsurance broker at Lloyd’s of London. His career at Lloyd's spanned 40 years until retirement in 2001. In retirement he moved to the USA and settled in Bradenton, Florida. For many years he was a member of the St Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida, one of the oldest yacht clubs in the U.S.A.

and Missiles. He commanded five warships. On shore he led the Maritime Tactical School and eventually rose to become the Commodore responsible for accepting all new ships into the RN.

GRAHAME FRY (56 - 60) Grahame Fry (56-60) died of a heart attack on 5 March 2023 aged 80. At the Nautical College Grahame was in

Ian Tew (56-60)

Hesperus Division and compiled an

Ian Tew (56-60), a retired Captain MN,

outstanding record as a cross-country runner, being in the team for four years (1957-60) and winning the Berkshire schoolboys cross-country championship. Grahame, part of the Fry chocolate family, had hoped to get into BRNC

STEPHEN TAYLOR (55-60) Stephen Taylor (55-60), a retired Captain RN, died at home surrounded by his family on Sunday afternoon 21

Stephen Taylor (55-60)

Grahame Fry (56-60)

died peacefully at home in Milfordon-Sea, Hampshire on 18 November 2022, aged 79. A strong, self-sufficient character who stood up for himself from the day he arrived at the Nautical College in 1956, he was dogged by

THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM

ill-health in his later years. A disability

Australia. Born and brought up in

eventually confined him to a wheelchair

Northern Ireland, where his father was a

and also deprived him of his lifelong

board director at the Belfast shipbuilding

passion for sailing and the sea.

company Harland & Wolff, Richard attended the Mourne Grange prep.

At the NCP, Ian was in Hesperus

school. With his heart set on a career in

Division, and the successful sailing teams

the Royal Navy, he entered the Nautical

of 1959 and 1960 where he was second

College in the Summer Term 1958.

only to Rodney Pattisson (57-61) in

In time he became a Cadet Captain in

terms of skills and achievement.

Macquarie Division, a member of the

P.H.R.E. EVANS (57-61) Patrick Evans (57-61) died in March 2022 after a period of ill health. He was 78. He leaves a wife Jennifer, a daughter Caroline, a son James and three grandchildren. Patrick Evans came from a family of New Zealanders but was educated in England, first at a convent in Arundel and then at the Nautical College where he was in Harbinger Division. Always wishing to go to sea with the Merchant Navy, he was apprenticed with Port Line in 1961, sailing on freezer ships between Tilbury and New Zealand. In 1970 he qualified as Master Mariner and married Jennifer, an artist who was later to paint HM The Queen’s corgis. Later in life he switched direction totally, moved to Closworth in the West Country, and became one of the first growers in England of organic produce for supermarkets, specialising in cherry tomatoes and salad field crops. In retirement Patrick became chairman of the Naval Club in London 2015-18. He was also a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, regularly attended OP events, and was

2nd VIII and 2nd XV, Drum Major Charles Heron-Watson (57-61)

short illness on 12 June 2023 aged 79. He leaves a widow Elizabeth, two daughters and four grandchildren. At the NCP, Charles was in Macquarie Division but left the College a year early to “coach for the RN” according to a hand written note scrawled in the Log of Summer Term 1961. Charles retired from the RN in the early 1990s after 30 years’ service. The majority of Charles’s post-RN life was spent working in the charity sector, eventually becoming Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation (RMNEF) in 2006. A Younger Brother of Trinity House, Heron-Watson was awarded the MN Medal in 2008 for “meritorious service” to British seafarers.

RICHARD STRACHAN (58-62) Richard ‘Sam’ Strachan (58-62) died aged 78 on 16 September 2022 in the Sunshine hospital in Melbourne,

a churchwarden of St. James’s church,

of the Marching Band and a valued member of the College Jazz Band. In this ensemble he played a “double bass” made from an old plywood tea chest, a broom stick handle and a piece of string. Leaving the NCP, his hopes of an RN career dashed by achieving only one ‘A’ Level, Richard worked for a time in Belfast in a shipping company and also served in the Royal Naval Reserve. This led on to a job with P&O’s Australian subsidiary Anderson Hughes (AHA) in Melbourne in the 1970s. In retirement Richard travelled widely and returned to the UK frequently to meet up with old friends.

1960s ANTHONY POULTER (60-65) Anthony Mervyn Poulter (60-65), a retired Captain in the Royal Navy who was awarded the OBE, died peacefully in hospital in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk on 10 March 2023 aged 77. He leaves a widow, Anne. Diagnosed with leukaemia more than 30 years ago, Tony’s was a remarkable medical

East Chelborough. This allowed him

survival story. Despite his severe illness,

to fly his collection of flags on church

he continued to undertake responsible

occasions. In his honour, the Red Ensign

and stressful jobs, both in the Royal

flew at half-mast at Border Farm after

Navy until his retirement in 2001 and

he died.

subsequently in a number of civilian

C.F. HERON-WATSON (57-61)

leadership roles. “A life of service to the

Charles Heron-Watson (57-61), a retired

void in the lives of many.” stated a death

country, the community and the church. His sense of fun and laughter will leave a

Commander RN, died peacefully after a Richard Strachan (58-62)

notice in The Daily Telegraph.

T.N.B. SPENCER (61-66) Tom Spencer (61-66) died from progressive supranuclear palsy on 4 May, 2023 aged 75. He left a wife Liz, two daughters and a stepdaughter. A half-

who attended the funeral in Devon in September. Paul arrived at the NCP from St. John’s prep. school in Alton Castle, North Staffordshire in the Michaelmas Term of

1980s SAM NOBLE (88-93) Sam Noble (88-93) died in early August after a five-year battle with cancer He leaves a wife Kate, and two children

page obituary appeared in The Times on

1962 and joined Macquarie Division. He

The Pangbournian Portal with grateful

elsewhere. After that little is known of

Sam arrived at Pangbourne from

his life except that he was an Inspector

Caldicott prep. school in the

in the Military Police, providing security

Michaelmas Term 1988. He had won

services to Prince Philip, Duke of

a full scholarship and joined Hesperus

Edinburgh, and was made an MVO in

Division, graduated to the Upper Sixth

December 2004.

Form and won the College’s History

9 June 2023 and is reproduced in full on thanks and the newspaper’s permission. Thomas Newnham Bayley Spencer was born in Nottingham in 1948, Despite a NCP education, any dreams of joining the Royal Navy were dashed by chronic seasickness. After a year with the family engineering business in Hampshire and chairing the New Forest Young Conservatives, he read Economics and Accountancy at the University of Southampton. Robin Knight (5661) adds: “At the NCP, Tom Spencer

left a year later to continue his education

JAMES WIGRAM (63-67) James Wigram (63-67) died at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton on 14 January 2023, aged 72. At the Nautical College, James became Chief of Hesperus Division in the Michaelmas Term 1967.

became a Cadet Captain in Illawarra

Charlie and Grace. He was 47.

prize in 1993. He was also Vice-Captain in the near-unbeaten 1993 1st XV, playing at hooker. From Pangbourne, Sam went on to the University of Nottingham to read History & English where he represented the university at rugby. After a short spell post-university in Cape Town, he settled in London and took a job with The Marketing

Division and a member of Form V1.

Partnership before moving to IMP (an experiential marketing agency) in 1997. In 1999 he became one of the founders of Iris (a breakaway company from IMP). Today, Iris is a large global integrated marketing agency specializing in brand and digital marketing strategy and global advertising. After Sam died, Claire Humphris, chief executive and James Wigram (63-67) NI 45 Cdo. meeting Gen Peter Whiteley

Tom Spencer (61-66)

In 1967 he left the NCP in the middle

In 1966 he won the Open Prizes for

of the Michaelmas Term to go to

Geography, Divinity and English and

a technical college with a view to

also the Cunningham of Hyndhope

entering the Royal Marines. This proved

Prize for Naval History. While an

successful, and he duly joined the Corps

MEP, he visited the College on several

in January 1969 on a Short Service five-

occasions to discuss European affairs with

year commission. James valued his time

the pupils.”

in the Royal Marines and was a very

PAUL FULLER MVO (62-63) Paul Fuller MVO (62-63) died on Sunday 7 August 2022, as the Society was informed by John Cooke (76-81)

co-founder of Iris London with Sam, wrote: "Sam leaves a huge hole in the Iris family. We called him The Sage for good reason. His fierce intelligence, coupled with unshakeable integrity and talent for words, meant he was an enlightened and inspirational leader.

dear friend to those who knew him. A charismatic man, he possessed enormous natural charm and an infectious sense of humour. Always lively company and great fun to be with, he was nonetheless a formidably strong individual and imbued with a hard edge. Sam Noble (88-93)

THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM

Remembering

Fred Tao

With enormous sadness the College learned of the passing of the much loved Fred Tao (1968 – 2023). He was Head of Geography at

From mudlarking on the Tideway to

Geography, house tutor and rowing

Pangbourne College from 2010 -2018

ice creams on windswept Studland,

coach, Fred was the personification of

and died from a sudden illness whilst

bacon sandwiches in GG1 to his

service and care and he enriched the lives

coaching rowing at St Edward’s School,

enormous welcome in the Chapel foyer,

of students and staff in equal measure.

Oxford on the 10 October, he was 56

Fred held tenancy in the hearts of all

Further words will follow in due course

and leaves behind his wife Claire and

Pangbournians privileged enough to

and a memorial service will be held in

children, Zac, Ollie and Harriet.

have met him. A passionate teacher of

the chapel at St Edward’s School, Oxford in late January.

Robin Brodhurst Robin Brodhurst (1952-2023)

Robin Brodhurst (1952-2023), who taught History at Pangbourne College from 1990-2012, died in his sleep in mid-January 2023 aged 70. A Memorial Service at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel later in the year was attended by a great many of his friends, family, former pupils and colleagues.

of Churchill’s Anchor, his well-received biography of Admiral of the Fleet

Sir Dudley Pound. Numerous other publications and a couple of books followed, including most recently one in 2020 titled The Altham-Bradman Letters.

An inveterate joiner of clubs, associations and societies, Robin was also Hon. Robin was born in Winchester, the

Goldsmiths College, London University

son of a well-known Winchester

and completed a post-graduate certificate

College schoolmaster Arthur ("Podge")

of education (PGCE) at Selwyn College,

Brodhurst, who also played first-class

Cambridge. Beginning a 30 year career

cricket as an amateur for Gloucestershire.

teaching History in 1981, his first job

“Podge,” in turn, was the son-in-law of

was at Berkhamstead School before

H. S. Altham, another first-class cricketer

moving to Ampleforth College in 1985.

and also a leading figure for decades in the MCC and the administration of cricket. Robin played cricket throughout his life, albeit with less success than his father or grandfather, but with just as much enjoyment. Educated at Marlborough College from 1965-70, he went to RMA Sandhurst from Marlborough in 1971 and was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets in 1973. After serving six years in the Army, Robin decided, like his father, to become a schoolmaster. He read History at

In 1990, with ten years’ teaching experience under his belt, Robin responded to an eye-catching

Secretary of the Navy Records Society, a Council member and Chairman of the Publications Committee of the Society for Nautical Research, a founder member of the Army Records Society, a former committee member of the International Churchill Society and a member of the British Commission for Military History. Gerry Pike, a colleague throughout Robin’s time at the College, adds this

advertisement in the educational press for

appreciation:

“old-fashioned schoolmasters with young

“Robin was prominent among a clutch of

legs” placed by the College headmaster, Anthony Hudson, who was seeking more diverse men and women with wide contacts to rejuvenate the staff. Within a couple of years, he was promoted to Head of History, a role he held for the next twenty years. In parallel, he began writing books beginning, in 2000, with publication

strategic appointments made in 1990 by Anthony Hudson of “Renaissance men, with an interest in books, bats or boats”. He was appointed as an experienced schoolmaster aged 38. He would come to be an important, colourful and familiar character at the College where he stayed for the rest of his teaching career.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | IN MEMORIAM

Robin and Pangbourne proved to be a

encouragement and familiar jokes to

of performance management, value

good fit and he duly threw himself into

the boys.

added and critical thinking. For him,

many aspects of College life with energy and palpable commitment. He was himself something of a late developer academically. However, his passion for reading, and his enthusiasm for his subject, gave Robin a natural rapport with students who lacked confidence; at Pangbourne he quickly developed a reputation for being approachable, kind and supportive. A ready identification with the underdog and a genuine concern for the wellbeing of the individual never left him. In the classroom Robin made his mark swiftly and soon assumed the leadership of the History Department of whose exam success he was rightly proud. Robin’s teaching style mirrored his outgoing, forthright character. It was uncompromisingly traditional, grounded in a compelling, erudite delivery of narrative history, liberally spiced with entertaining and sometimes politically incorrect anecdotes. Lessons were animatedly didactic. Attentive students learned a lot, including how to deflect Robin into cricketing stories. A confirmed bibliophile, Robin’s welcoming classroom was also his study, lined with books from floor to ceiling. Besides teaching across the board, Robin was also Assistant Housemaster of Hesperus, a conscientious academic tutor and a coach on the sports fields. He proved a jobbing rugby coach and later referee, but cricket was his real passion. In this he followed a distinguished family lineage. Armed

Robin also practised his history, developing a passion for military history

A confirmed bachelor into his forties,

Secretary of the Naval Records Society.

Robin surprised us all when he fell for

He liked nothing more than sharing

and married the then Junior School

his expertise with students and fellow

Housemother, Pea, with whom he

scholars on field trips to battlefield sites

proceeded to spend many happy

in Northern France. Even during term

years entertaining generously at the

time, Robin read voraciously, was a

characterful Old Mill in Stanford

regular reviewer of books and the author

Dingley. In their time together, Pea

of a well-received biography of Admiral

and her loving family brought a new

Sir Dudley Pound.

stability and affection to Robin’s life,

As a natural extension of his professional life rather than an escape from it, Robin was intensely gregarious. He had a wide social network, hosted many dinner parties and was an indefatigable

Housemaster was finally gratified when he stepped into the breach at Harbinger for one term.

age of gentleman schoolmasters. His

of him and he was prone to cultivating

connections were many (Field Marshal

a coterie of favourites whom he amiably

Lord Bramall was his godfather) and

indulged. Typically, he stayed in touch

there were times when he seemed like

with many of them and when OPs of

a walking copy of Who’s Who. He kept

his vintage return to the College, they

abreast of affairs by habitually reading

invariably ask about him. His long career

and filing The Times Obituaries, often

was characterised by some enduring

firing off stern letters to the Editor.

Ever amenable, for many years he was the welcoming face of Pangbourne, greeting people to the Chapel, engaging parents and would-be parents in

qualities: a ready and warm engagement with students, a traditional outlook, a robust and sometimes critical loyalty, alongside a commitment to lifelong learning.

conversation and hosting visiting staff.

Robin grew to love Pangbourne and to

Eventually he also became archivist at the

find his niche here, becoming a kindly

Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, a role

mentor for many students in a period

he fulfilled until his death.

of major development and redefinition.

As a colleague Robin was sui generis, a one-off. Full of contradictions, he could be moody and maddening,

charming and considerate. Often

still on Big Side, dispensing stentorian

his longstanding ambition to be a

Robin’s students were genuinely fond

the game was compendious. During the from coaching, his favoured spot was

mellowing his peppery character. Even

letter-writer harking back to an earlier

notably at the start of term and early

Summer Term, after he stepped down

primarily instinctive.

that found its outlet in his role as Hon.

with a complete set of Wisden which he

could quote verbatim, his knowledge of

professionalism and teaching were

in the morning. At his best he was truculent when confronted by change,

Typically, after retiring from teaching in 2012, he spent his last years working as Archivist to the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, an important role to which his meticulous record keeping was well suited. He will be much missed.”

he warmly embraced coeducation but was disconcerted by the new mantras

Seafarers’ Service Annual National Service for Seafarers By Alexandra Garnier at St Paul's Cathedral On Wednesday 11 October the Pangbourne College community was, once again, represented well by pupils, staff, parents, and Old Pangbournians at the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The College Choir in St Paul's Cathedral crypt before the Annual National Service for Seafarers 2023

The Service was established in 1905 on a

Our College Choir was among four

date close to the anniversary of the Battle

school choirs who led the singing during

of Trafalgar and in the Cathedral known

the Service. Unusually, the Joint Choirs

as ‘The Nation’s Church’ in which

sang anthems a capella. They were ‘My

Lord Nelson’s tomb is in the crypt. Sir

Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah

Thomas Lane Devitt, the older of our

is his name’ by Virgil Thomson (words

two College founders whose portrait

by Isaac Watts) and ‘We shall walk

hangs in Devitt House, was instrumental

through the valley in peace’, a Spiritual

in the Service’s creation.

arranged by Undine Smith Moore.

Lower Sixth students Dominic King (Hesperus) and James Pullen (Hesperus) supported Anwar-E-Moin Chowdhury (Macquarie) carrying the College Colour. Old Pangbournian Robin Batt was among representatives of the Master Mariners who processed with other dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of the City of London, through the Nave of

THE PANGBOURNIAN | SEAFARERS SERVICE

Top left: Colour Party in their processional rehearsal at St Paul's Cathedral, top right: Some of the Upper Sixth boys who attended the Annual National Service for Seafarers 2023, bottom image: St Paul's Cathedral looking wonderful at the end of a very happy day in London

the Cathedral at the beginning and end

Admiral Sir Ben Key and The Second

of the Service.

Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell

Among the ushers of the Service this year

CBE were also present.

were Old Pangbournians and retired

This year the Service commemorated,

Royal Naval Officers Paul Butterworth

in particular, the 80th Anniversary of

and Paul Metcalfe. The Service was

the Battle of the Atlantic. The Right

also well supported by Trustees of the

Reverend and Right Honourable Dame

Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel

Sarah Mullaly, Bishop of London, gave

including Old Pangbournian Andrew

the sermon in which she referred to

Gordon-Lennox. The First Sea Lord

the 100,000 lives lost in that Battle, the longest continued military operation of the Second World War. The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines CTC Lympstone played Thomas Bergersen’s ‘Men of Honour’ during the Commemoration. The piece sounded absolutely beautiful in the acoustic of the great Cathedral.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMANS RIDE

Distinguished gentleman's ride Sunday 21 May was sunny with bright blue skies, but there was thunder in the air spreading from Chertsey across Windsor towards the west of Slough…. rolling thunder of 152 motorbikes all participating in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride! Two OPs, namely Clive Carrington

Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic

raised over £21,700 for prostate cancer

bike and wearing his finest suit. Mark

and men’s mental health awareness.

Chairman, Phillip Plato (73-77), were

decided a themed ride involving men

Phillip was riding in memory of his late

both partaking in the West London

“dressing dapper” whilst riding classic

cousin, Jim who tragically died last year.

branch event of the Distinguished

motorcycles would be a great way of

Gentleman's Ride and between them

connecting niche motorcycle enthusiasts

raised almost £1,000 for charity.

and communities while raising funds to

Wood (72-77) and current OP

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is an international event that unites classic and vintage styled motorcycle riders from all over the world on one day to raise

support men’s health. Now there are rides in 121 countries involving more than 350,000 people doing what they love for a great cause.

Clive was also accompanied by his partner, Stef, and rode a Norton Commando 961 ES built in 2013. Phillip was riding a Triumph Bonneville T120 registered in 2019. The route took the riders from the old Brooklands racing circuit, past Ascot racecourse,

funds and awareness for prostate cancer

In the UK on 21 May there were 55

into Windsor Great Park before going

research and men’s mental health.

different rides organised around the

through Windsor town itself past the

country and in the West London ride in

Castle, into Eton and finishing at the

which Clive & Phillip were participating,

History of Wheels Museum near Slough.

there were 152 riders who collectively

Many members of public lined the route

The event was founded in 2012 in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa. It was inspired by a photo of TV Show

152 motorbikes riding for charity

to wave the riders past with thousands of slightly bemused tourists also filming the riders in Windsor! OP Chairman Phillip Plato said, “This was a wonderful day out with a friendly atmosphere and lots of banter between all the riders who had all dressed the part for the occasion. It was great to have formed a small OP group for this occasion and I hope this will see a growing number of OP motoring enthusiasts taking part in future”.

THE PANGBOURNIAN | PPA

PPA The Pangbourne Parents’ Association (PPA) is a voluntary organisation which raises funds for the College and a nominated local charity, Young People and Children First. The PPA is chaired by Jayne Wells and has a committee of 12 parents. The role of the Pangbourne Parents’ Association is to create a welcoming and inclusive community as well as raise precious funds.

Classic Car Show

We have had a full year of running events, raising funds and building our community. The Christmas Market was a huge success in November 2022, with many stall holders booked to sell their wares again this year. Christmas Market

THE PANGBOURNIAN | PPA

Over 40 parents volunteered with PPA events this year

£2,000 given to local charity

£10,000 007 Ball

In October 2022, we held our ever-

children on White's or by the Astroturf

popular PPA Ball, with a Pirates of the

in comfort.

Caribbean theme. The silent auction was

very well received. This year we repeated that success with a 007 themed ball which raised over £11,000 for the charities we support. The role of the Pangbourne Parents' Association (PPA) is to create a welcoming and inclusive community as well as raise precious funds. This year we donated £10,000 through grants to support projects within the College that they cannot pay for within their budgets. Our main project this year was to fund the new Lab Discs for the Science Department, which will be used to enhance digital learning. We have bought new football goals, basketball and netball posts for the tennis court area behind Port Jackson and supplied display boards for the History Department. We have also purchased two long benches so parents can enjoy watching their

given to the College in grants

We donated £2,000 to Young People and Children First (YPACF), the charity which helps young people move from foster care into the community. We could not do this without your support, and we thank you so much for that. We are a small committee of just 12 parents, and we look forward to welcoming new members as parents as children leave the College. Whether joining our committee or our volunteer list to set up and help run events, if you want more information or have any

Upcoming events:

Sat 11 Nov Christmas Market

questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for your generosity, all of you who have helped in various roles making these events possible, and for attending

coming soon Quiz night

the activities we've run; the PPA really does make a difference.

OP Accounts & Committee Can you help?

Income

2023

2022

Member Contributions

1,979

2,058

Pangbourne College:

OP Magazine

An Oral History

Donations

8,580

28,377

Total Income

10,559

30,635

12,383

1,832

- Design

5,066

2,640

- Print & Post

4,000

5,926

Archiving

249

Website

- Golf

388

250

- Cricket

141

266

- Rowing

362

745

- Sailing

3,000

1,500

181

Donation to the Pangbourne Foundation

6,000

Falklands Memorial Plaque

1,500

1,000

Contribution to rugby tour

700

Contribution to OP obituary

100

Total Expenditure

(-1,800)

(7,500)

Surplus / (Deficit) for the year

(8,759)

22,935

In May, we will be launching an initiative to capture oral

Expenditure

histories of OPs, in the form

OP Events

of a series of one-to-one or group interviews with OPs from the same era sharing their recollections. If you are interested in participating, please contact Phillip Plato (phillip@ platoestates.com) or Sue

Carpenter (sue.carpenter@ pangbourne.com)

OP Magazine and Marketing

OP Sport

OP Meetings

Notes: The OP Society agreed in 2018 to gradually redistribute funds in its bank account in the form of grants and donations to small OP projects and to Pangbourne College. With that in mind, a deficit in the balance sheet is likely in the years ahead.

200

Donation to Chapel hymn books

General Funds held at Lloyds Bank total £78,825 (£70,066 in 2022)

THE PANGBOURNIAN | OP SOCIETY ACCOUNTS & COMMITTEE

OP Society Committee

OP Decade Representatives

President

Mark Dumas (Q 64-68)

1940s

Vacant

Vice President

Merrick Rayner (Q 68-73)

1950s

Robin Paine (S 55-58)

Honorary Vice Presidents

Robin Knight (H 56-61)

1960s

David Nicholson (Q 64-68)

Robin Paine (S 55-58)

1970s

Phillip Plato (H 73-78)

Richard Shuttleworth (H 57-62)

1980s

William Skinner (Q 82-87)

Ian Williams (I 61-63)

1990s

Claire Morphy (S 90-92)

Chairman

Phillip Plato (H 73-77)

2000s

Paul Lawrence (Q 04-08)

Deputy Chairman

Rory Copinger-Symes (HS 79-83)

2010s

Larry Howard (Q 05-11)

Secretary

Vacant

2020s

Vacant

Treasurer

Tarka Duhalde (S 95-98) Larry Howard (Q 05-11), Theodore Isaacs (PJ 78-85), Claire Morphy (S 90-92), Georgia Misson (S 07-12),

Elected Members

William Skinner (Q 82-87), Jonathan Spencer (Q 73-77) Notes: Decade Representatives encourage fellow OPs to attend events, plan decade-specific events and act as a link to the OP Society Committee. In you are interested in representing the 1940s, 1950s or 2020s, please email Phillip Plato at phillip@ platoestates.com OP Overseas Representatives UK - South

Mike Askwith (S 59-64)

UK - South West

Edward Bence (H 66-70)

Argentina

Charles Pettit (Buenos Aires)

Australia

Paddy Evelegh (Perth) Roger Pike (Sydney) Geoff Rae (Brisbane) Alex Heaton (Melbourne)

Canada

James Mackenzie (Vancouver)

Cyprus

Louis Carrel

Malaysia

Alex Tilley

New Zealand

Graham Jex

South Africa

Shaun Maynard (Johannesburg) Geoff Popple (Cape Town)

Uganda

Andrew Nzeyi

United States

Charles Bown (Chicago) Nick Gillette (California) Gyles Thornely (Colorado)

College Contacts Head of Development & Alumni Relations

Lucinda Grafton

Development Office

Lucinda Grafton

Pangbournian Magazine & News

Matt Allen

College Archivist

Sue Carpenter

Magazine Content

Sue Carpenter

OP Clubs & Groups Yacht Club

Peter Kewish (Q 84-89)

Golf Society

Charlie Parry (H 81-85)

City / London Group

Robin Batt (S 61-64)

Over 60’s Group Mark Dumas (Q 64-68) Military Group (MOPs)

D P Holloway (PJ 94-99)

Notes: OP Overseas Representatives act as a point of contact for OPs visiting their area. Occasionally they organise events. If you live abroad and would like to take on this role, please email Phillip Plato at phillip@platoestates.com In addition, the OP Society is seeking to establish regional UK groups, if you would like to act as a representative, please contact Phillip Plato at phillip@platoestates.com 95

THE PANGBOURNIAN | EVENTS

Upcoming Events Sun 21 January 2024

Sun 23 February 2024

Sat 20 April 2024

College Sunday

OP Society Dinner

Sun 21 April 2024

Sat 6 July 2024

College Sunday

Old Pangbournian March Past

Founders' Day

You can register for upcoming events, check important information, and see what’s new at community.pangbourne.com/events

OP Merchandise OP Silk Bow Tie - £30

OP Silk Tie - £30

Leaders by Robin Knight - £20

OP Shield - £40

Cufflinks Navy £35

Cufflinks Red £35

Pin Badge £20

OP Socks £7.50

These and many other items of College merchandise are available to purchase at community.pangbourne.com/shop

YOUR INSURANCE SAFE IN OUR HANDS

01903 211462 xtn 225 – op@unicover.org.uk 13 Chatsworth Road, Worthing, Sussex, BN11 1LY. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 308644.

Supporting the future Since its foundation, legacies have played a major part in the success of Pangbourne College. The Devitt Legacy Society is named after Sir Philip Devitt, son of founder Sir Thomas Lane Devitt and the College's first major benefactor. Leaving a legacy helps ensure our Founders’ vision can continue for

“Most of us won’t be here for the College’s Bicentenary, but I do

believe it is our duty to make sure there is one.”

Roger Lane-Nott, Former Chair of Governors and Old Pangbournian.

the benefit of future generations of Pangbournians. If you would like to discuss making a legacy, or any kind of donation, to the College, please contact Lucinda Grafton, Head of Development on lucinda.grafton@pangbourne.com or 0118 976 6697

DEVITT LEGACY SOCIETY

All OPs and their partners are warmly invited to join us for

The OP Society Celebration Weekend

Saturday 20th April & Sunday 21st April 2024

We will be celebrating the Centenary of the first OP Reunion held in 1924 as well as paying tribute to Thomas Garnier’s 19 year tenure as Head of Pangbourne College

Saturday 20th April 2024

Sunday 21st April 2024

The Old Pangbournian Society Dinner

Old Pangbournian March Past

Drake Hall Dress: Black Tie/Paravicini's Join us for a Welcome Drinks Reception followed by a delicious three course meal with wine & port. To register your interest

Brush up your marching skills and take part in a very special march past as an OP ‘Division’ takes to the parade ground to honour Thomas Garnier. Register your interest at the Pangbournian Portal

please go to the Pangbournian Portal.

Also don’t miss the 40th Anniversary Celebration of some of the College's most ambitious theatre and film productions as curated by John Flint (more details to follow) 99

Wishing all our 2023 leavers the very best of luck

We look forward to seeing you back at Pangbourne as OPs 100