OLD PETERITE NEWS IN MEMORIAM
R. F. S. Mervyn (1924-27: The Manor) It was not until September last year that we heard of the death of R. F. S. Mervyn. We were not given any other details about his life, except that he had died on 7th April, 1990, and that his wife had also died in 1993.
John Francis Birks (1910-18: Day House) John died on 4th March 1994. He was always proud of St. Peter's, and on his death he left money to the School in his Will.
Charles EdwardSeholefield Q.C. (1915-20: Clifton, The Grove) Charles died on 25th September 1993, aged ninetyone. After leaving St. Peter's he was articled to a firm of solicitors in Wakefield, and was admitted as a solicitor in 1925. He then read for the bar and nine years later was called to the Middle Temple. After the war, he practiced in London, taking silk in 1959. He represented St. John's College, Oxford in the enquiry into the building of a road across Christ Church Meadows, and he appeared for Berkshire County Council in the so-called Goring Gap power line dispute. As a result, the power lines had to be laid underground. He became head of his chambers before retiring in 1965. In 1966 he became a bencher of the Middle Temple. He was always kindly and courteous, and led an active life. In private life he was a leading member of the Sherlock Holmes society and, about twenty-five years ago, gained some fame for a reenactment of the struggle between Sherlock Holmes and the evil genius Professor Moriarty, in situ in Switzerland. He was a dedicated Freemason and rose to some prominence in that field.
A. A. Collins (1919-23: School) Alfred Allan Collins died on 15th December 1993 at the age of eighty-nine. He was an active OP for many years and was one of the Founder Members of the Old Peterite Masonic Lodge, which he attended regularly until advancing age decreed otherwise. He was a retired solicitor and Coroner and he latterly lived in Lincolnshire. Sir Theo Crawford (1921-24: St. Olave's) Born in December 1911, Theodore Crawford was educated at St. Olave's but we have no record of him entering St. Peter's School. He later went on to Glasgow Academy and Glasgow University, where he qualifed in Medicine. His special field was Pathology, and in particular coronary artery disease. In 1955 he was appointed secretary of the British Cancer Campaign. In the early 1960's some British pathologists decided to form their own college, of which Sir Theo became registrar and was able to persuade Sir Michael Sobell to support the Crown lease on Carlton House Terrace. The Royal College of Pathologists and the Cancer Research Campaign have been accommodated there ever since. He was knighted in 1973 for services to Pathology.
Peter John Wright (1942-45: School) Peter came to St. Peter's in 1942 after being at Bryanston School. (The Secretary of the OP Club remembers him as being a well-built lad who did not fit well into a C.C.F. uniform, but who had a great sense of humour.) After leaving School, Peter worked for Ford and then for Massey-Ferguson, in which firm he became Managing Director, and Chairman of the European section. He was married and had two sons and a daughter. He enjoyed golf, sailing and shooting. Between 1983 and 1991 he retired to Snowhill as a sheep farmer. He died on 7th October 1993, having been in bad health for some time following a previous stroke. We are grateful to C. C. Houghton (1925-30: The Rise) for supplying us with the information.
Robert Dobson (1940-47: The Manor) Robert returned fairly recently to this country, having worked abroad for many years. At School he had been a good sportsman, playing for both the cricket and rugby teams. He died at Pickering in August 1993 after a short illness. He was a very popular figure among those OPs who knew him, being a quiet person with a great sense of humour. He was at the East Riding Dinner in May 1993 and met many of his old friends there. We shall miss him. E. R. Gossop (1930-37) Eric's death was reported in March 1993. No other details were given. Robert Hawkins. Robert Hawkins, a member of the ground staff at St. Peter's, died on 29th October 1992. He was recorded in the 'Peterite' last year as being in The Rise. It was actually his son, Raymond Hawkins who was in The Rise from 1945-51. Raymond returned from a visit to Australia in December 1993 and now lives in Richmond, Yorkshire.
Note from the Secretary of the OP Club As usual, we must add that we can only supply information which is passed on to us. Please do let us know about OPs who have died, and something about them, if possible. Information supplied after July will be printed in the following year's Peterite. 79
