Obituary—The Rev. Herbert Bloomfield

his 22 years' devoted service to the School endeared himself to generation after generation of boys. This is not the place to anticipate the obituary notices which we print below, but we would emphasise here our gratitude to two such generous O.P. benefactors. And the advent of the cricket season reminds us how much we shall miss the burly figure and genial presence of S/M. Puddick from the pavilion. Though retired now for some years he remained of St. Peter's to the end; and of all our activities our cricket was, perhaps, his greatest love.

The success of W. H. N. Fairweather in the Drysdale Cup competition deserves special mention in our pages. The winning of the Cup is tantamount to the Public Schools Squash Racquets Championship, and although Fairweather was narrowly beaten in the final his achievement against the cream of Public School players is one of which we are proud and on which we congratulate him. We believe that no Peterite has reached the final since N. W. D. Yardley won the Cup in 1933 and 1934. The achievment of winning through to the final round had been previously attained by E. G. H. Mack in 1923. That Fairweather is the son of an O.P., Brigadier C. C. Fairweather, O.B.E., T.D. (1920-22), is an additional point of interest.

OBITUARY

THE REV. HERBERT BLOOMFIELD

We record with deep regret the death on 20th December, 1950, of the Rev. Herbert Bloomfield, who was at St. Peter's School from 1879 to 1886. In him the School has indeed lost a staunch and unfailing friend, whose support and interest were maintained throughout a long life.

In 1894 Bloomfield gave the School its present Gymnasium, a magnificent and timely gift indeed, and it is typical of him that this gift, at his urgent request, remained anonymous for many years. The Gymnasium was officially opened on St. Peter's Day, 1895, and the recorded names of School elevens, fifteens, and boats on its walls make it a Mecca for Old Peterites of many generations.

Throughout his long association with the O.P. Club, of which he was a Vice-President, there was rarely a School need which was not assisted by Bloomfield, and his quiet and unassuming support was of the greatest encouragement to us all.

Although he would be the last person to wish his obituary notice to include a long list of his many benefactions, we would specially place on record his recent gift to the School of his collection of coins and tokens, a gift which has created much interest and which will provide a permanent record of one of his favourite hobbies.

We extend to Mrs. Bloomfield our deepest sympathy in her loss.