DEATHS & OBITUARIES

Reigatian Association (ORA) annual dinners as his guest.

Andy was a stalwart member of the CCF Corps of Drums (or the Corps Band, as everyone called it in those days). A quiet but totally reliable presence, and always smartly turned out, he was a skilled Side Drummer who rose to the rank of Sergeant. Leading Side Drummer in his final year, it was he who wrote the complex drum part for the band’s version of Telstar, a popular tune of the 1960s. Sadly, Andy left the school and the band the year before our Royal Tournament appearance at Earls Court. He would have loved it.

ANDREW

WILSON (1946-2022) (RGS 1957-1965)

We are saddened to advise the death of Andy Wilson on 6 January, 2022 after a short illness.

After leaving RGS, Andy studied at Ewell Technical College and qualified as a

Chartered Building Surveyor, ultimately working for local government.

He lived in Horley, but eventually moved back into the family home in Salfords to care for his father, Les, who was heavily involved in local Scouting and also a keen badminton player, even in later years. Andy regularly brought his father to Old

His most recent visit to RGS was to watch the current CCF’s VE Day parade as he was keen to get involved with the band in some way.

Obituary with thanks to friends Lynn Wilson (RGS 1959-66, CCF Side Drummer) and Michael Jordan (RGS 1959-67, CCF Drum Major) the movie’s cricket consultant, checking dialogue and teaching actors how to play.

Having moved to Canada in his early 20s, David found it difficult to access cricket results in the early years of the internet and was one of the pioneers who developed Cricinfo (espncricinfo.com) from its origins as an email list into a fully-fledged website. Living in Newfoundland, he discovered that cricket had been a popular sport there under British rule, but that interest had since faded. He decided to help reinvigorate the game by offering his services as a volunteer organiser, coach and umpire, as well as developing school programmes. Eventually he became president of Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador, from 2017 to 2019, and also played a national role in managing Cricket Canada’s website, joining its board of directors.

David was born in Accra, Ghana, where our parents, John and Peggy, worked for the British Volta mission. He grew up in Redhill, Surrey, attending Reigate Grammar School and the University of Edinburgh, where he studied Geology. Moving to Canada, he completed an MSc and PhD in Glacial Geology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, with a break to work in the oil industry and then to backpack around the world.

DAVID

LIVERMAN (1956-2022) (RGS 1967-1974)

My brother David Liverman, who has died aged 66 of prostate cancer, was a BritishCanadian geologist who became a tireless sports administrator in Newfoundland and Labrador, where he helped to regenerate interest in his favourite game, cricket.

In 2019 David was named as Sport Newfoundland’s Executive of the Year, and in 2021 Cricket NL named their summer league trophy the Liverman Cup in his honour, also creating the David Liverman Fairplay award. When Hollywood came to Newfoundland to make the film The Grand Seduction (2013) – in which a remote Newfoundland community tries to attract a doctor obsessed with cricket – he became

In 1988, David was hired as a Geologist by the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador in St John’s, where he eventually became Director of the survey and then Assistant Deputy Minister in the provincial department of natural resources, retiring in 2016.

An adjunct Professor of Geography at Memorial University, his geological interests included geoscience communication, the glacial and sea level history of Newfoundland, and geological hazards. He wrote a book, Killer Snow: Avalanches of Newfoundland and Labrador (2007), which attracted considerable popular interest.

Aside from his dedication to cricket, David also spent many hours as a volunteer involved with figure skating in Newfoundland, serving as a club president and as a provincial executive, and winning the Skate Canada Volunteer of Excellence award in 2007. He was very proud when his daughter,

Beth, joined the staff of Skate Canada. In addition, David, who was a lifelong Arsenal supporter, spent many hours on the football field as a referee, and became a national level refereeing instructor for the Canadian Soccer Association. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (nee

Powell), whom he met in Edmonton when doing his postgraduate studies and married in 1986, by his daughter, Beth, and by his two siblings, me and Michael.

Obituary with thanks to David’s sister, Diana

ALAN SYMES (1930-2022) (RGS 1940-1948)

Alan was born in St Mary’s Road, Reigate. He attended St John’s Primary School, Redhill and later won a scholarship to Reigate Grammar School in 1941, where he eventually became a Prefect. A comment from his headmaster said: “If this boy took as much interest in his education as he does with sport, he would be brilliant”! However, he still did very well academically, attaining equivalent A levels in Chemistry, Physics, Botany and Zoology.

He entered National Service duty in the RAF, in Lancaster bombers and did a degree in Entomology leading to a role as an entomologist. Never losing his passion for the natural world, he considered ‘man’ arrogant in his attitude to nature: an early eco-warrior! Alan also had a natural affinity with wood and often made handmade gifts for friends and family in his workshop. Working as a chemist at The Fuller’s Earth Union, whilst undertaking his second degree in Minerals Extraction, Alan rose to Plant, Production and Quarry Manager in a 35-year career. Following the plant closure, Alan worked at Surrey County Council as Quarry Planning Inspector until his retirement. Moving to Exmouth, Alan in his characteristic way, made many new friends, and joined new clubs, including Exmouth Rugby Club (where he became Vice President), and Rotary international (where he did his stint as President).

Rugby was Alan’s passion and his love for the game, spanned an impressive 46 years. Having played in the school rugby 1st XV colours from the ages of 15-18, he even wrote that he joined the ATC 775 squadron, to play rugby! He first played for the ORRFC on their reforming in 1946 and due to War casualties in the club, he played for the Old Reigatians whilst still at school. He captained all six sides in the club and played his last 1st XV game at the age of 42. As voluntary Clubhouse and Ground Maintenance Chairman for 20 years, and briefly bar manager, he was given the honour of being awarded life Vice Presidency of the club.

Alan also played in other teams, including ATC England International Cap colours (19 group), RAF, United Services, Captained Surrey u.19s, and played as a ‘casual visitor’ with several other clubs. He also refereed lower games and schoolboys, and apparently always had his kit in the car! He estimated he had played 1,850 games during his rugby career, not including Sevens.

Suffering a number of injuries during his rugby career didn’t stop his deep pride and love for the game, believing it levelled and developed people. His commitment was total, and he said he would do it all over again. Always the team player, Alan’s devotion to people drove him and he gave back where he could, particularly in the education and development of the younger generation, and to that end he often mentored young rugby players. In Exmouth he managed the Rotary’s junior club.

Deeply modest, Alan was proud of his achievements, but seldom mentioned them: he later wrote that he believed that may have been a mistake, as he was sometimes not taken seriously, nor received recognition at that time.

Towards the end of his life, Alan’s reduced mobility and vascular dementia, finally trumped his fierce desire for independence in his home in Exmouth, having to move to the dementia Care Home in Horley. Alan died with his daughter by his side in his ninety-third year: a long and full life: a modest, and proudly independent man, impacting many people with his big heart for others.

He leaves four children, seven grandchildren and nine great-grand-children.

My father Roger Clarke died suddenly of heart failure on 27 November 2021, aged 87.

Dad attended Reigate Grammar School 1945-1953. He was very happy there, made life-long friends in Theo Kirstein and Roger Palmer, scored cricket games, and rose to Sergeant in the Air Training Corps. He had loved planes since the war, when he would beg to be allowed to watch the Battle of Britain from his family’s air-raid shelter in Redhill. He always said his teacher Doris Knight inspired his love of Chemistry. We have a photo of Ms Knight (pictured above) in the old RGS science labs, helping us imagine what it looked like then.

Roger studied at Queen Mary College, London (BSc Chemistry, 1958). This time framed his future life. He met his wife Joan, made wonderful friends, and decided to become a science teacher. His first boss said he took to teaching like a duck to water.

In 1960 he moved to Hove Grammar School, later Blatchington Mill School, where he was to spend his whole career, retiring as Head of Science in 1995. He then worked for the University of Sussex, mentoring PGCE students beginning their own teaching careers.

Dad was passionate about science –especially Chemistry. He was always delighted when pupils chose careers in science and took enormous pride in their accomplishments.

He is much missed by his wife Joan, children Jan, Rosemary and Chris, and grandchildren Tom, Alice and Emily (Dixon, RGS 2007-2014).

Obituary with thanks to Roger’s daughter, Jan Dixon

ANTHONY STEPHEN EARL (1950-2022) (RGS 1961-1969)

We Old Reigatians first encountered Tony Earl in September 1961, as new boys of Reigate Grammar School. He was wearing a navy cap with two encircling white rings, a navy tie with white stripes, a somewhat larger than required, and uncomfortably new, navy blazer and grey flannel shorts. His knee length navy socks were also the standard requirement but from under the striped tops peeked the green tabs of his 30th Reigate Scout garters as evidence of a nascent independence of spirit. The name ‘Earl’ would have been sewn in Cash’s name tapes into his cap and blazer and ‘Earl’ was his sole identifier for the next three years. We played our first game of rugby together for the school in November 1961 and our last in April 1969 but by that time he had morphed into a legend. He was now ‘Tony’ but more than that his character seemed to be enshrined and enriched by the 60s music that defined our age. He was a ‘cool dude’ who seemed to be one with PJ Proby and Elvis and to whom the name of ‘Baby’, however outwardly incongruous, applied so appropriately.

In his later life he always retained that essential character and combined it with the determination and capacity to go his own, individual way. He relished Art and all things Italian and was a great enthusiast for many sports. He had a wonderful and at times somewhat impish sense of humour and took the road of life seemingly effortlessly but he was also well informed in current affairs and used a ready wit to amuse all. He may seem to have strolled through life but in reality he achieved much and was particularly blessed with three daughters of whom he was hugely proud. In summary, he embodied charisma easily and naturally and was somebody with whom we all wanted to claim friendship.

Tony, or Baby, will be massively missed by his many friends and family. We who have played in life with him must now play on without him but we do not play that game alone. Friendship and a love of life are his most important gifts to us and we will hold them fast and dear.

Obituary with thanks to Richard Jopling: President of The Nag’s Head Flyers 2023

ROGER HANCOCK (1930-2022) (RGS 1941-1946)

Roger was born in Hendon, North London, moving to Salfords in Surrey when he was five years old. Growing up here through the war years, he attended RGS, where in one of the joint dances held with Reigate County School for Girls he met his future wife Eileen. Their romance blossomed through their shared pleasure in playing in Mr Dale’s junior orchestra.

His was a musical family, and he was both a choirboy and a violinist. However, while his musical talent was of such a standard that a career as a professional musician was considered, he opted instead for engineering. After leaving RGS he worked briefly as a junior draughtsman before undertaking an apprenticeship, on completion of which, he joined the Scientific Civil Service as a Scientific Assistant.

After National Service from 1951 to 1953 (and having married Eileen in December 1951), he returned to the Civil Service, and immediately transferred to the newly established National Engineering Laboratory in East Kilbride. Here he made a career in the development and application of fluid power, rising through the grades to finish as Head of the Fluids Department. During his 32 years at NEL he was involved in many cutting-edge projects including hydrostatic drives for earth-moving equipment.

Roger loved the outdoors. The early years in Scotland were spent exploring, particularly the Highlands. This was also the time when he decided that, as flying was too expensive a hobby for a young man with a new family, he would take up sailing. He joined the works sailing club, before building himself a Heron dinghy and joining the Clyde Canoe Club in 1960. From dinghy sailing he progressed to small keelboats, and from club racing on Loch Lomond to racing and cruising during the summer months on the West Coast of Scotland.

On his retirement in 1986, Roger and Eileen moved north again to the village of Fintry nestling in the countryside north of Glasgow. Retirement also brought sufficient spare time for his dormant passion for flying to be indulged, and he joined the Scottish Gliding Centre where he achieved his dream of flying solo and enjoying the peace of soaring alone above the Fife countryside.

Roger and Eileen had recently celebrated 70 years of marriage when he passed away suddenly in March. He is survived by Eileen, son Francis, daughter Jackie, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and will be warmly remembered by many who knew him.

Notice Of Deaths 2022

Alan Symes (RGS 1941-1948) died 30 December 2022

Patrick Watson (RGS 1940-1947) died 29 December 2022

Eric (Jim) Best (RGS 1937-1942) died 23 September 2022

Tony Earl (RGS 1961-1969) died September 2022*

Cliff Bonneywell (RGS 1944-1950) died 14 August 2022

Peter Gunn (RGS 1951-1957) died 14 July 2022

Alan Brownlow (RGS 1944-1950) died 21 May 2022

Richard Charlwood (RGS 1952-1959) died May 2022*

Roger Hancock (RGS 1940-1946) died 11 March 2022

Paul Phelps (RGS 1952-1959) died 24 February 2022

Dave Hannan (RGS 1951-1957) died 18 February 2022

David Liverman (RGS 1967-1974) died 29 January 2022

Andrew Wilson (RGS 1957-1965) died 6 January 2022

*Exact date of death unknown

Notice Of Deaths Supplement

Roger Clarke (RGS 1945-1953) died 27 November 2021

Lynn Ellaby (RGS 1963-1969) died 23 November 2021

Richard Jennings (RGS 1943-1947) died 23 October 2021

David McKinney (RGS 2000-2005) died 17 July 2019

Barrie Edgely (RGS 1935-1942) died June 2021*

Dr Charles Owen Lister (RGS 1939-1943) died 31 March 2021

Derek Taylor (RGS 1944-1949) died 18 February 2020

Melanie Knight, née Rae (RGS 1984-1986) died in 2017*

Looking for a unique gift for a loved one? All profits from the sale of commemorative products go towards our Changing Lives campaign, so why not treat yourself?

£15

RGS CREST NECKLACE

RGS BASEBALL CAP

New design! In a navy colourway, this a unisex, one size fits all baseball cap, features the embroidered RGS castle logo on the front, along with ‘1675’ emblem on the side.

£50 MINIMUM DONATION £20 each £30 set MINIMUM DONATION

Authentic cotton ‘old school’ rugby shirts, featuring the embroidered school crest on the chest with the Roman numerals ‘XV’ on the back with ‘1675’ (the year RGS was founded) on the collar. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL (sizes come up slightly on the large side)

£50

DONATION

RGS FOUNDATION UMBRELLA

Make a statement with this classic, large black golf umbrella with the RGS logo on one side and a lime green Changing Lives logo on the other.

RGS SCHOOL PICTURE: A3 PRINT / A5 GREETINGS CARD

Commissioned by RGS and designed by local artist Helena Vaughan (helenavaughan.co.uk), this unique picture of Life at RGS is available as an A3 print, ready for framing, and comes with authentication certificate. An A5 greetings card with white envelope is also available.

The tie width is eight centimetres (three inches) at the widest point. Colour options: blue and silver or green and blue for both ties and cufflinks