Mr C.F. Ewins - Kings Norton Boys

CYRIL FRANK EWINS, M.B.E.1905 - 1974Honorary Secretary of the Old Nortonians' AssociationFor 34 years, treasurer for eleven years, President for threeyears and for one year Chairman of the General Committee.April 19th 1974 was a very sad day for both the school and the Old Nortonians'Association. Cyril's death, after a number of weeks in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,was a shock to his very many friends, and the very large gathering at hisfuneral on April 23rd bore witness to the high esteem in which he was held inthis City. His work for the City Council, for the National Savings' Movement, hisloyalty to his Church, his School and the O.N.A. were all aspects of a life of service,and, at his passing, it could truly be said, Well done, thou good and faithfulservant.I first knew Cyril when I came to King's Norton in 1969, and during the timethat I have been Headmaster his support and friendship have meant much tome, as they have to the School. Cyril was the sort of person who gatheredfriends around him and on whom they could absolutely rely. He had thatwarmth of personality and unbounding good humour that concealed the conscientiousand unselfish way in which he served others, and none he served betterthan his old School and the O.N.A., both of which meant so much to him. It is

certainly true that, in my teaching career, the Old Nortonians' Associationstands out among Old Boys' Associations for its vigour and friendship, and wewould all agree that the credit for this belongs to Cyril, whose energies neverflagged on behalf of the Association. I recall that, when I visited him in hospital,shortly before he died, and when he was obviously a very sick man, his concernwas that the arrangements for the O.N.A. Annual Dinner should be in hand tothe last detail. In such matters, the General Committee over the years hadcome to rely on Cyril absolutely, and it is some measure of his contribution tothe Association that on his death his responsibilities were sub-divided amongstmembers of the Committee. It was perfectly proper that, in 1970/71, Cyrilshould be President of the O.N.A. for the third occasion. That year was theGolden Jubilee Year of the O.N.A., end many of us remember with pleasure howmuch he enjoyed his Presidency in that particular year, while working as hardas ever for the Association as its General Secretary. The fact that, year by year,the O.N.A. includes work for local charities in its activities (the Head InjuriesClub, for example) reflects, in part at least, Cyril's influence. It was natural forhim to be associated with an organisation that helped others.Cyril's dignity, courtesy end unfailing sense of what was proper were all characteristicsof a man who, in the true and precise meaning of the phrase, was aChristian gentleman a former pupil of his School which is proud to salute himnow. I know that many of us who met him regularly and who are of a youngergeneration are better people for knowing Cyril Ewins. In the School library,there hang photographs of previous Headmasters. Cyril's photograph will behung there, too, for it is in the School library, month by month over the years,that the General Committee of the O.N.A. has met and where Cyril in his labourof love as General Secretary prompted the affairs of the Association alongwholesome and expanding paths. We are pleased to have for the School LibraryCyril's M.B.E., kindly donated by Mrs C.W. Banner, Cyril's sister. There wasnothing inconsistent about Cyril Ewins. To the end he loved this School, and thislove was expressed in his Will.We are deeply grateful for the life and work of Cyril Ewins.The Headmaster