Newsletter - Oswestry School

The Old Oswestrian Society
April 2012
Old Oswestrian Society
Presents
The Spring Newsletter 2012

The Old Oswestrian Society
News
Back To School
h a p p y t o h e a r f r o m y o u .
Please feel free to forward this e-mail to any
other OO you may know, it would be lovely
to hear from as many OOs as possible. I am
looking forward to seeing, speaking and/or e
-mailing with you all in the near future
If as an Old Oswestrian you wish to be part
of this please email m e on
r.bowd@oswestryschool.org.uk
I know that it is unusual for a newsletter to
be published in the Spring but I wanted to
introduce myself as soon as possible and
start our relationship.”
Old Oswestrian Coordinator
Rachel Bowd OO (1992-2002) has re-joined
Oswestry School in a new role. She is hoping
to involve more OOs with their School.
Rachel will be ‘friendraising’ by organising
Year group reunions and sports fixtures
amongst other activities. As Old Oswestrian
Co-ordinator, she intends to build on the current
database of OO’s, to keep them informed
of the current happenings at the
School.
Many OO’s will know Rachel through her
time at School. She is the daughter of Peter
’PS’ Jones’, who taught at Oswestry School
for over thirty years, many of those years being
in old Holbache on Welsh Walls as
Housemaster. Having grown up at the
School, Rachel knows many of the OO community.
Rachel is married to another OO,
Phil Bowd, who is the current Bursar. She is
very much looking forward to her new role
and hopes that many of you will get in touch
with her.
“I would like to thank the OOs who have very
kindly sent me many good luck messages,
plus for the stories that you have shared
about your School days. I still invite you of
you to contact me, either to share stories,
ask questions, or just say hello, I will be
New Governor, Old Pupil
It is always lovely when
OOs return to the
School and the Board
of Governors have
been delighted to welcome
James Bain OO
(1986-1993) as a new
Governor. James is a successful businessman,
founding redspottedhanky.com who
lives locally with his family and is a welcome
addition to the Board of Governors.
Thank you Hazel !
The OO Community would
like to extend their upmost
thanks to Hazel Yates for
her time, effort and dedication
she has generously
volunteered over the years. Hazel’s achievements
include publishing the OO newsletters
and formatting the School website. Her
knowledge, support and guidance has been
invaluable. So we say a big thank you!
Though she is stepping down from her daily
duties we hope she will not be gone from the
scene completely!

News
The Old Oswestrian Society
What is the Old
Oswestrian Society
About
Purpose of the Society:
“To support and assist the
School in their charitable objectives”.
All School pupils (who have
been in attendance for two
years plus) are all Old Oswestrians.
All OOs to get a newsletter
either via e-mail or the post,
which ever they prefer.
For those pupils who paid the
subscription there are discussions
at the moment about
what additional benefits you
will receive. So please stay
posted to the website for further
details.
‘What do we get for our £50
membership’
A guarantee that the £50
membership fee will be put
towards a tangible outcome,
e.g. computer, sporting
equipment etc for the School.
So far the OO committee
have donated generously to
the New Astroturf pitch.
President:
Alasdair Wilson (1967-1974)
Chairman:
John Evans (1977-1984)
Hon Secretary:
Rachel Bowd (1992-2002)
Hon Treasurer:
Martyn Jones (1964-1971)
The President of the
Old Oswestrian
Society
Alasdair Wilson OO (1967-
1974) Burnaby, Donne (and
briefly Holbache)
Over my seven years at Oswestry,
I represented the
school in football, cricket,
rugby and cross country
running as well as being a
member of the CCF. After
leaving Oswestry, I graduated
in Economics and Finance
from the Polytechnic
of Central London. My first
job in a City career that
spanned 25 years was with
Laing and Cruikshank, progressing
to Rowe and Pitman,
Credit Suisse/First
Boston and Citigroup
where I was appointed
Managing Director in 1999.
After leaving the City in
2004 I became a financial
advisor to private equity
firms. In 2011 I gained an
MA in Military History from
the University of Buckingham
and I maintain a keen
interest in cricket (a life
member of Derbyshire
Cricket Club), rugby
(Harlequins), skiing, horse
racing and politics.
Becoming President of the
Old Oswestrian Society is a
great honour. I am impressed
by the recent progress
the school has enjoyed
and it is good to know
the old school is heading in
the right direction. Numbers
are healthy and considerable
progress in results is
being achieved in the class
room and on the playing
field.
The mission of the Old Oswestrian
Society is to provide
a forum for Old Oswestrians
of all ages. We aim
to keep OOs in touch with
school events, form networks
that can be of help
a n d i n t e r e s t i n
a professional capacity and
in sporting and social activities.
The Society should be
transparent and accountable
to its members. It aims
to make a financial contribution
to the school through
social events and the encouragement
of donations
and contributions from its
wide and far reaching membership
base.
I hope the vast majority of
members will have fond
memories of their time at
Oswestry, if we are able to
build on those associations
while having some jolly
times in the process, then
we will further the strength
and profile of the school not
only for current OOs, but for
future generations to follow.
I look forward to serving the
society and school to the
best of my abilities.

The Old Oswestrian Society
News
Forty Fabulous Years of Girls at Oswestry School
2012 marks the 40th
anniversary of Oswestry
School officially
opening their doors
and classrooms to
girls!
Some girls were starting
to arrive in 1971 and were put to board
with the kind generosity and care of Mr and
Mrs Haslem in Welsh Walls. In 1973 the girls
house Guinevere, named after David Holbache’s
wife, was opened. In 1973 there
were 100 girls, both days a boarders.
The School's governors had considered
many options of how to house the new
boarding girls. Suggestions included: buying
houses in Oswestry, building an annex onto
Holbache, the Boys boarding hose, vacating
Memory Lane
An on-line discussion has generated a big
walk down memory lane from the ladies who
were the first generation of girls at Oswestry
School.
One topic was the guinea pigs that lived in
the fire corridor which escaped to the yew
trees behind Guinnie, where they lived and
bred for a few years!
They also remembered and discussed the
the Head from the Quarry flat and assigning it
to the girls. These suggestions were dismissed
due to the ‘snags’ they held, which
included ‘inadequate lavatories’!
The curriculum for girls was agreed to include
the ‘same academic curriculum as the boys’,
dancing on Mondays at 1530hours, Games
to be played on Thursday afternoons. Further
activities were to include music and poetry.
In in 1974 there was a HMI review of the
Guinevere and education. Points raised were
‘provisions were needed to hang their dressing
gowns up’ and there was a concern about
the lack of Home Economics on the Curriculum.
The 1975 review declared the running of
the house was ‘Satisfactory‘ and so left it all
to the School.
dresses that they had to wear as a part of
their uniform, who can remember the “...blue
tapestry dresses...that were itchy...” !
Special thanks to, Sharon Banks, Christine
Lees, Linda Bailey, Guy Wilson, Lindy Lodge,
Alison Carty, Ceri Boulter, Sara Camp, Dianne
Mortimer, Naomi Gilchrist, Hilary Woolrich
Brotherton, Sarah Shelley and Chris
Jones, for their memories. (Yes including
males as they certainly added an alternative
perspective!)
40th Anniversary
There will be recognition
made this Founders day
to the 40th anniversary of
girls being admitted to the
school.
Headmasters Peter Gem and Michael Potter welcoming the first, very young
and keen, females to the School.
Page 4
If you know of any female
OO who joined the school
around this time, please
contact Rachel Bowd.

OO News
The Old Oswestrian Society
The School celebrated
Founder's
Day on Saturday
26th November. The
day commenced
with a church service
at St Oswald's with the
Venerable Paul Thomas,
Archdeacon of Salop as the
guest speaker.
The school was in good
voice with a rousing rendition
of the School hymn,
"Gaude, plebs redemptionis"
and a number of musical
pieces from Bellan House,
the Middle School and the
newly formed staff choir.
The Archdeacon delivered
an excellent sermon on the
need to inspire young minds
Founder’s Day 2011
and challenge intellectual
boundaries.
For this year
the service doubled
as a memorial
for Martin
Thorpe (Honorary
OO), who died earlier this
year. His sons James and
Thomas, both OOs, read a
prayer and lesson during the
service.
Over ninety Old Oswestrians
and invited guests then enjoyed
a lunch in the Peter
Humphreys Centre, which
was then followed by an afternoon
sports programme.
On the girls side the Old Oswestrians
won the netball
match 21-12 and the School
won the hockey 6-0.
On the boys side the 1st XI
won 4-1 and the 2nd XI drew
2-2 with the Old Oswestrians.
The AGM at the Wynnstay
Hotel was very well attended
and included a very productive
debate on the future of
the OO Society and the format
of Founder's Day.
The day finished with the
Annual Dinner with guest
speaker, former Headmaster,
Frank Gerstenberg
(1974-85). Many OO's from
that time were delighted to
see their Headmaster and
his wife Val, who joined us
from Scotland.
Founder’s Day 2012: 24th November
Following the debate at the 2011 AGM and
social media discussions about a change of
date, the Founder's Day service has been
restored to its original date in November.
During the AGM in 2011 (minutes on School
website) the OOs expressed their voice on
the change of date. Therefore following this
the OO committee decided in February to reinstate
the November. We are hoping that
this will be seen as an example of how the
committee do listen and respect the opinions
of their OOs, and together we can make a
better Society for all OOs. There will be a
few changes, however, to move with modern
times and to keep the celebrations centred
around the School, it’s pupils both past and
present.
Changes to Founder’s Day
Wynnstay Hotel. The sports will start at 1 up
on the School fields. The AGM will be held
that evening in the Headmasters Study followed
by the OO Dinner in the Peter Humphreys
centre.
After the service there will be a light lunch at
the school followed by sporting festivities.
Then the OO AGM and Annual Dinner shall
take place at a new location; on the school
site in the Peter Humphreys Centre. More
details to be announced but please contact
Rachel Bowd (OO Coordinator) if you have
any queries.
Sian Boffey: Netball &
Hockey
Take Part in the Sports
The Founder’s Day will under go some
changes. The service will be held at 10.30am
rather than 11am at St Oswald's Church.
There will be coffee and tea served in The
Zak Manhire: Football
Rachel Bowd for all
general enquiries
Page 5

The Old Oswestrian Society
Stories from the OOs
Jamie Ward (1968-1971)
has a family owned and ran pig
farm on the outskirts of Oswestry.
W h y n o t v i s i t h i m o n :
www.jamiewardsfreerangepork.co.u
k/
Libby Gliksman OO (2006)
is h o l d i n g a n A D E L E
night performing at the local Ironworks
club, 11th May at 9pm. Tickets
are £5 and available at the
cookshop in Oswestry called
'Upstairs Downstairs'. Libby will be
singing all of ADELE's well known
songs and many from her album
'21'.
Many fellow OOs and staff at the
School may remember Libby singing
during her time here. After
School Libby went onto University
to study French and Spanish.
Bill Morgan OO (1984-86) now
lives and works in Salford. He
teaches English to international students
at the university. He is engaged
to Loralie, who is from the
Philippines. They plan to hold their
wedding ceremony in Manila in May
2012, before returning together to
the UK.
Page 6
Update from
Owen Davies OO (1993-1999)
The summer after I completed my
GCSEs we went to South Africa on
a hockey/ netball and rugby tour.
I left to do my A-levels at Ysgol Dinas
Bran in Llangollen then took a
GAP year, when I went to Mexico
for 7 months, before going to Cardiff
University to study French and
Spanish.
After I graduated I worked in France
for another 7 months and then I
worked for a year in Shanghai,
China, before working in Valladolid,
in the north of Spain for 2 years.
After Valladolid I moved to Cordoba
in Andalucia, Spain for a short term
contract before working for a year in
Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year.
I have just left Buenos Aires to
move in with my girlfriend here in
Valdivia, Chile. I've been an English
teacher for the last 4 and a half
years.
Many congratulations
to Charlotte
Edwards
OO (2002), who
has married
Scott Roscoe
and has had a
beautiful baby
boy , Caleb Luis
Reed.
OO John Durham (1999) has married
fellow OO Danielle Marie
Minton (2000) on 4th October 2011
in Shrewsbury Cathedral. John is
the son of retired Bellan Headmistress,
Lesley Durham.
Mrs Juliet Shone (Woollam) former
music teacher and Deputy Head at
Bellan played the organ for their
service . “It was a lovely day and
especially good to see so many
OO's including many of our own ex-
Bellan pupils”, said John’s father
Alan, who also taught at Bellan.
Both are living and working in Liverpool.
Dani is a speech and language
therapy assistant . She work
with SEN children mainly autism
across Merseyside and Cheshire.
John is a paramedic in NWAS. Both
are still in contact with the School
and old School friends. They even
named their wedding tables after
the School houses!. We send the
happy couple all the best for their
future.
Tara Sugden OO (1991-1996):
Now lives in Tanzania with her husband
and OO Jonathan Simpson.
They have two children Amelia 5
and Jonti 11 months. Further information
on Tara and her African ‘get
together’ with the Keighleys will feature
in the Autumn newsletter

Stories from the OOs
The Old Oswestrian Society
Lost OOs
A few OOs have been in contact trying to
track down their old School friends.
Do you know where the following people
are
Tim Jefferies 1970s
Richard Underwood (nickname Rhino)
1960-65
Any information please contact Rachel
Bowd. Would you like to track down old
School friends Put their name in the next
OO newsletter
U14s Cricket Team
Many thanks to Stuart Leach for sending this
photograph in. Through Nick Allchurch and Linda
Bailey and support from Facebook we have put
names to these young faces.
Back: Bevan, Richard Ingram, Peter Davies,
Jones, and Mark Kelsaw, C Hughes, Possibly: M
Hodgson Walker N Joliffe
Front: N Allchurch, , A James, Stuart Leach, P
Davies, Possibly: Hugh Brazier, Si Wombell
If you have a photo you would like to send it in,
please do so, this photo has generated a wonderful
conversation between OOs.
21st Century!
The OO can now keep in touch through Social Media
The Old Oswestrian community can now get daily updates on OO news and events via Facebook
and Twitter. You can also participate on these sites to share you own stories and School
memories. We look forward to hearing from you!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theoldoswestrians
Twitter: @OldOswestrians
Page 7

The Old Oswestrian Society
OO News
During the course of the OO Coordinator e-mailing OOs
to introduce herself, two long lost friends Ian Hamer OO
(1948-1955) and Graham Roberts aka “Legion” OO
(1944-1956) have reconnected. Though there are literally
1000s of miles between them, they have still proved
that it is a small world. Ian often corresponded with
friend of Graham’s over a 1962 Lotus Elite, both unknowing
to the connection they had.
Ian Hamer has been living in Northern California for 20
years having sold his engineering business in Oldham,
Manchester. He is married for a second time to Judy, a
Californian, and have two sons by his previous marriage
still residing in the UK. Now retired and concentrating on
Ina’s passion, restoring British cars, a 1935 Riley, a
1959 MGA Twin Cam and the most recent a 1962 Lotus
Elite which should hit the road this late Spring. Ian
is enjoying good health and the weather..
Friends Reunited
Old Oswestrian Smashed World Record!
Graham Roberts resides in New Zealand. He was in
the National Service with the RAF in Malaya from where
he says “I joined the Rootes Group as a trainee in 1958.
I ended up as a Sales Representative for Humber, Hillman
and Sunbeam covering the East Midlands and
East Anglia and became involved in motor sport in Hillman
Imps. In 1966, about the time Chrysler took over
Rootes, I decided to try the retail side of the motor industry
and had my own business until 1974 when my
family, wife and 2 daughters, and I decided to emigrate
to New Zealand.
“We have now lived here longer than in UK, never felt
the need to return except to see family in 1994, which
confirmed that we had made the right move. In New
Zealand I have been involved in the motor trade, real
estate, a motel and two hotels and the cellular industry
in its infancy when one could make good money selling
Motorola "bricks" and flip phones.
“As a hobby I have been involved in motor sport and
over the years we have had eight Great Danes the last
one died 4 years ago and we have recently acquired a
Fox terrier.....bit of a contrast!
“We retired to a small country village called Paparoa
about 130km north of Auckland three years ago, a delightful
spot close to the Kaipara Harbour. Nearby is
'The Kauri Museum' where I work every Wednesday as
a volunteer looking after and restoring the exhibits, it is
a fascinating place.”
Rachel Bowd thanks Ian and Graham for keeping her
informed on their reconnection. Can she help you find a
lost School friend as well
We used to do all our athletics standards on the Maes-y-Llan in the Easter term and Richard Tipper was the
“Head Groundsman” who was responsible for mapping out the track and painting the lanes in white. There was a
chap in Oswald (I think) called Brickles who was an outstanding middle/long distance runner. Brickles went in for
the first heat for the mile standard. David Lewis, as usual, was manning the notorious klaxon at the finishing tape.
When Brickles won his heat, it was realised he had shattered the world record !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tipper had got the
measurements for the track wrong (Maths was never his strong suit!!)
Memories of Oswestry School from the
1950s
Derek Poulton OO (1947-1953) recently made contact
with the OO Society for the first time since he left
School, stirring memories of his time there. Visits to
Upper Brook Street over the years had kept these
memories fresh and he sent in a brief account earlier in
the year which appeared in an earlier OO Latest News
item on the website.
Derek has now written a fuller account of his memories
for this Newsletter. However its length means that it is
better f eatured on the website her e
www.oswestryschool.org.uk/Old-Oswestrians-Latest-
Page 8
John Batchlor OO (1962-67)
News/Derek.php, together with the photos he also
sent..
Derek says that he found sharing his memories "most
interesting and rewarding",
and that it
"brought back many
happy memories" for
him and he hopes that
"it will for those who
read it".
If you would like to
share your memories
of your days at Oswestry,
please contact
Rachel Bowd.

Obituaries
The Old Oswestrian Society
Peter Humphreys OO (1924-
1932)
The Old Oswestrian Society is sad
to learn of the passing of Old Oswestrian
Peter Humphreys at
home on 29th January 2012, at
the age of 95.
Peter was at School during the
summer term of 1926, 'the term of
the fire', when fire broke out in the
roof of School House, spreading
through 8 bedrooms and causing
much damage (see photos) in
spite of the attentions of the Fire
Brigade, the boys and the Masters.
Peter's daughter Jane Niblock recalls
her father's memory of the
event. "The Headmaster [Ralph
Williamson] elected to send all the
boys home the next day. So the
parents were sent telegrams stating
"Fire at school. Boys all safe.
Coming home tomorrow"."
In fact the boys did not get the
extended holiday they had hoped
for and were boarded out with
friends locally whilst the Head and
some of the Staff pitched tents on
the Headmaster's lawn until the
dormitories were habitable again.
The weather was kind and meals
were served on the lawn under the
shade of the cedar tree.
"The boys were all billeted in Oswestry
and Dad stayed with someone
who subsequently became a
bishop - as Dad said, it was the
one and only time he slept with a
bishop!" Jane adds.
She continues "The story I really
like about him was that along with
his brother Frank, they rode or
drove horses to school each day
from Evenall (the farm on the Halston
estate near Whittington,
where Dad was born) - not only as
a means of transport but also to
break in these horses. Their father
reckoned on getting a couple of
horses ready to sell on for riding or
driving from each term (or it might
have been half-term, i.e. 6 weeks),
and I suspect this paid for the
school fees, among other things.
The horses were stabled on the
Fab Feet side of the traffic lights
(was it once the Coach and Dogs
[now Textile Express]) where an
ostler unsaddled/unhitched and
fed and watered them and then
made them ready for the boys to
ride home at the end of the school
day."
Peter continued at School until he
was 16 which was "almost unheard
of in those days", and
shows, as Jane considers, that her
grandfather "must have believed
s t r o n g l y i n e d u c a t i o n " .
Farming at New Marton Farm, St
Martins, for many years Peter was
Hon Secretary to the Old Oswestrian
Society and a great supporter
of the School, becoming a
long-serving Governor and Chairman
of the Governors from 1976-
1984.
Jane remembers that her father
"was very proud of pushing
through the purchase of Bellan
House for £10 with his fellow governor/s
(Eric Thomas, I think). He
also imposed iron discipline on
meetings and timed people out if
they spoke for too long!"
It was due to Peter's efforts, and
those of other OOs including Norman
Ellis and N T Hughes, that
the OO Society was rejuvenated
after the Second World War; the
Memorial Hall [gym] was funded
by money raised by Old Oswestrians
in memory of those who lost
their lives in both World Wars and
was completed under his term as
Hon Secretary.
The naming of the School's assembly
hall, the Peter Humphreys
Centre, opened in 1986, recognised
Peter's tireless efforts on
behalf of the School and keeps his
memory alive in the School today.
We extend our sympathies to Peter's
daughter Jane and grandchildren
Lucy and Tom, both OOs.
Tim Lea OO (1970-1976)
The Old Oswestrian Society has
received the sad news of the
death of Tim Lea OO (1970-1976)
of Cockshutt near Ellesmere. Tim,
aged 52, died suddenly yesterday,
Monday 23rd January 2012.
Tim and his wife Sharon ran a
working dairy farm where they had
successfully expanded their business
to run Top House Dairy Ice
Cream, handmade ice cream
which is sold in delicatessens and
food stores around the area.
Brother of Old Oswestrians Chris
(1974-1979), Mark (1970-1977)
and Amanda (1975-1981), all formerly
of Lee Bridges, Tim's death
will be a loss and great shock to
his family and all who knew him.
Page 9

The Old Oswestrian Society
Obituaries
Terry Roberts
Oswestry School is saddened to learn
of the passing of a well known and
respected teacher, Mr Terry Roberts.
Terry passed away on Wednesday 8 th
February after battling against cancer.
Terry will be fondly remembered by
many pupils and staff, “he was a truly
great man” said PS Jones. Terry
joined the School in 1978, spending thirty years walking
up and down the length of the swimming pool, coaching
School pupils. Terry was never known to stand on ceremony
and as such he was known by staff and students
alike as Terry, never Mr Roberts or Sir.
It is thanks to Terry that the School developed one of
the strongest swimming squads in Shropshire and North
Wales, being virtually unbeatable. Over the years,
School swimmers have qualified for the Midland District
competitions; one girl in particular qualified for the national
relay finals.
Terry’s dedication to the sport was recognised when he
was made a fellow of the Institution of Swimming
Teachers and Coaches, and was regarded as one of
the best coaches in the region.
Terry’s immeasurable dedication to the School involved
running sporting clubs during sports afternoon, after
School clubs even before School started. Terry had the
amazing ability to analyse a swimmers stroke and then
give them individual tips to improve their techniques.
Literally hundreds of children have benefited from the
amazing, and much respected Terry Roberts.
The School extends our deepest sympathies to Beryl,
their children and family.
Peter Halliday OO (1934-1944)
During Peter’s career he worked alongside many acting
greats, including Richard Burton and Sir John Gielgud.
Halliday also counted James Bond star Sir Sean
Connery as a friend. He became friends with Patricia
Hitchcock, and a known acquaintance of Ingrid Bergman
and Joseph Cotten.
The School and Old Oswestrian
Society are saddened to learn
of the passing of Peter Halliday
at the age of 87. He was a very
know and respected Welsh actor
appearing in theatre, film
and television, enjoying a career
spanning 60 years.
Peter was best known for playing the scientist John
Fleming in the BBC's cult sci-fi series, A for Andromeda
(1961), Andromeda Breakthrough (1962), and Doctor
Who in the 1960s and 70s.
Peter was born near Llangollen, but his family moved to
Welshpool, Powys, and he went on to spend much of
the rest of his life there, coming to Oswestry School at
the age of 10.
Peter left our classrooms aged 18, when he was called
up by the army. He spent three and a half years in Iraq,
Palestine and Egypt. Afterwards he auditioned for the
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His big break came
three years later when he joined the Shakespeare Memorial
Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, now known as
the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Though Peter was best known for A is for Andromeda,
he reportedly enjoyed working in theatre, spending several
seasons with Clwyd Theatr Cymru and two years
with the National Theatre. His career took him around
the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South
America and China; he loved these travels, meeting
people and making new friends.
Halliday went on to appear in The Saint, The Avengers,
Goodnight Sweetheart, Dalziel and Pascoe, and The
Inspector Lynley Mysteries (photograph on the left). He
also featured in the Oscar-nominated movie Remains of
the Day, which starred Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emma
Thompson.
In 1956, he married the actress Simone Lovell with
whom they had three sons, the two youngest, Ben and
Patrick, both being Old Oswestrians themselves during
the 1970s. Though the marriage broke down they remained
very good friends.
Peter leaves three sons and five grandchildren.
The School and OO Society extend our sympathies to
Peter’s family and friends.
His funeral has been held in London and a memorial
service is planned in Welshpool at a later date.
Information is credited to the BBC & Guardian Newspaper
As ever, the Old Oswestrian Society is saddened to hear of the passing of an OO. Here are a we have paid tribute
to a few that we know of. If you know of any OO who has passed away but is not mentioned, please let us
know.
Page 10

Obituaries
The Old Oswestrian Society
Roy Ollerhead OO (1934-1940)
As ever the School and Old Oswestrian society saddened to learn of the passing of an OO. Roy
Ollerhead passed away at the age of 88 and was not only a local hero , but a war hero. Roy was a
retired RAF navigator who flew 30 bombing missions over Germany before later teaching hundreds
of schoolchildren in Oswestry.
Roy Ollerhead, born and raised in Oswestry, spending most of his life living on Salop Road. He
was educated at Oswestry School where he was an enthusiastic and natural sportsman, where he
enjoyed cricket and football. His grandson Barry Richards OO (1993) believes how this passion
has passed down the generations as he too enjoyed sports whilst at School.
After School, at the age of 18, Roy joined the RAF. His planned destination was a prestigious place at Cambridge
University due to the outbreak of the Second World War, destiny intervened. To complete his training tt
was not unheard of for Roy to cycle daily to RAF Shawbury, a 90-minute trip.
Roy’s daughter Carole, described how Roy was eager to become a pilot but “it soon became apparent to a very
white faced instructor, who had been subject to a hair-raising spiral dive over the Humber River, that it might be
safer for everyone if he chose a different role!” However Roy wasn’t to be disappointed for long as he found his
forte in Navigation where he could apply his mathematic skills.
Roy was stationed at several bases throughout England and Wales, including RAF Wicknenby, where he joined
626 Squadron of Lancaster Bombers. It is with this squadron Roy flew 30 missions over Nazi Germany, which
is a remarkable feat as the average mission number was three. Roy was eventually awarded the Distinguished
Flying Medal in 1944 by King George VI.
This squadron never had their group picture taken due to fear of superstition. However, this was righted fifty
years later when Roy tirelessly searched for his lost crew to celebrate their reunion. His daughter said: “He enjoyed
his war years although always realised how lucky he was to return home. He always thought about the
whereabouts of his six crew. In retirement he managed to contact all but one of the crew and their first reunion,
in Oswestry in 1993, was a very emotional occasion.” Roy’s chapter in ‘God Bless the Prince of Wales’ is a very
passionate account of his time at war.
After the war Roy retired from the RAF and trained in a new
career as a primary school teacher. He returned to Oswestry
School’s classroom do complete his training. Roy
had been presented a fountain pen by the School, which
unfortunately got damaged by an enthusiastic pupil throwing
a board rubber. Roy went on to teach a t the Orthopaedic
where he taught his classes outside, where patients
were wheeled out on their beds for the lessons. Roy’s final
teaching post was at Woodside School, where he taught
until he retired in 1982.
Roy never approached retirement with a thought of relaxation
as he spent many years tracing he old crew, played a
part at Oswestry Football club, and spending time with his
family.
Roy leaves three daughters, five grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren but is rejoining his wife Maureen of 67
years marriage, who passed away in April 2011.
The School and OO Society extend our sympathies to
Roy’s family and friends.
Roy Ollerhead, Front Row, second from right
Page 11

The Old Oswestrian Society
Dates For The Diary
Oswestrian Golf Day: 29th June
The Old Oswestrian Society's Annual Golf Day will be held this year at Oswestry
Golf Course on Friday 29th June 2012 with tees from 1.30pm-
3.30pm.
With the cost at only £120 for a 4 ball team to include golf, dinner and prizes, why
not make up a team of men and women and invite your friends to bring a team. We are looking for any
interested party to form a four, or come as a single; perhaps friends from work or fellow parents. This
event is open to all with prizes for Men's', Ladies' and Mixed teams - the course is ours for the afternoon!
Proceeds of this event will go towards School Sports Astroturf pitch.
If you would like further details of this day please contact Old Oswestrian Golf Captain Robert Willcox on
0800 0199 747 or Rachel Bowd. Entries close Saturday 9th June - good luck!
London Dinner: Friday 18th May
The Old Oswestrian Society London dinner will be held on Friday 18th May in the splendid surroundings
of London’s Caledonian Club.
The cost of the evening will be £70 per person; to include welcome drinks, all food and wine including
the Club’s famous own label Scotch whisky. There will also be a raffle with some very special prizes.
The dress code is black tie.
The Caledonian Club (www.caledonianclub.com) has kindly offered preferential rates to anyone wishing
to stay for two nights and enjoy London in the run up to Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
Please reference the OO Society when making your booking.
For tickets please contact OO President Alasdair Wilson (alasdair.wilson@me.com) or Rachel Bowd.
Speech Day: 7th July
Summer Ball
The PA’s Summer Ball is being
help on the 7 th July, commencing
at 7pm. Food being catered by
Helen Davies.
Cost of tickets is £40, included a reception
drink, three course meal and entertainment.
Please call the School to book your tick-
Cricket Fixture:
OOs against the School.
dates to be confirmed, but
will be early July. If you
are interested in playing
please contact Rachel
Bowd.
Moved House Married New Baby New Job Keep In Touch!
YOUR Old Oswestrian Society relies on YOU, our members, to keep us up to date with your
changes of details. If you don’t keep in touch we will lose contact with you. There are many on our
database for whom we have no current postal or email address. They may wonder why they haven’t
heard from the OO Society for a long time . . .The fact is we need YOU to keep us up to date
with your changes of circumstances.
email: r.bowd@oswestryschool.org.uk
We also want to hear all your news so that we can let other OOs know where in the world you are
and what you are doing. Keep visiting YOUR section of the Oswestry School website:
web: http://www.oswestryschool.org.uk/About-Old-Oswestrians/