Versa: Issue Six

14 15
Announcements
OBITUARIES
Anthony J Lane
(OA 1948)
1929 – 2019
Written by Robin Ollington
(OA 1947)
Anthony Lane left School in
1948 having been a prefect,
choir member and player in the
1st XV. He attended Leeds University and was later ordained
in Oxford as a Deacon and then a Priest. Anthony took Holy
Orders with a parish near Salisbury and eventually became
a Minor Canon of Winchester Cathedral. However, after 16
years as a County Pastor, Anthony resigned and switched his
allegiance to Rome, becoming a Roman Catholic.
Married in 1955, Anthony leaves behind his wife and three
daughters.
Paul Michael Meacher
(OA 1958)
1940 – 2019
Written by John Newby (OA 1958)
Paul arrived at St Albans School in
1951. He became one of a group
of seven students who founded a
semi-secret society known as the
‘Berts’. Their particular interest
was in explosives and pyrotechnics
in general. All of the Berts took a
full part in school activities. They
all played rugby during the winter
months and in the summer, there
was a range of sports available from
cricket to swimming. Paul’s choice was tennis and he played
for the School team. A number of the Berts, including Paul,
were members of a local tennis club in Hillside Road which
became a social base for a range of extracurricular activities.
These included boules at the Waterend Barn and Batchwood
Golf Club. The Berts attended the Verity School of Ballroom
Dancing in Chequers Street to hone their skills and passed
their bronze medals.
After finishing at St Albans School, the Berts went on to
higher education for further qualifications. Paul qualified as
an architect and others in chemistry, engineering, mathematics
and physics. Over the years they have kept in contact and
reunite for an occasional lunch or dinner. In particular, they
would attend the School’s annual Carol Service and have a
celebratory dinner beforehand in St Albans.
It was with great sadness that the Berts lost the first of their
number in October last year. Their seven decade fellowship
had been broken.
John F Brittain
(OA 1961)
1944 – 2019
Written by Richard Male (OA 1958)
John passed away peacefully after a long illness on
Wednesday 9th October 2019, aged 75 years. In his younger
days, John was an active member of St Andrew’s Church,
Great Staughton where he was one of the bell ringing team
and at one time, Tower Captain. He was instrumental in
forming the church’s 100 Club which raised a substantial
sum of money for the charity.
In his 20s, John was the youngest councillor ever elected to
the former Potters Bar Urban District Council. In this, he
followed his late father, who had been a local councillor for
many years and was very well respected.
John will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
Terence Donald Bamford OBE
(OA 1960)
1942 – 2020
Written by Andrew Hester (OA 1959)
I got to know Terry, as he later
preferred to be known, on
entering the Sixth Form, Arts.
My family connection however
goes back much further as my
father was the family doctor
and, although this may be
apocryphal, I believe Terence
was the last child he delivered
before being packed off to the RAMC in India.
I remember with great pleasure the beautiful rooms in the
Abbey Gateway and the agreeable class in which Terry was
outstandingly brilliant at History: his ability to get straight
to the point made his essays models of their type. At that
time and, I think, subsequently Terry was not a darling of the
establishment and because I wasn’t either a certain bond was
created which lasted until his sudden and tragic death.
He was a lifelong champion of social justice and devoted
himself to that cause throughout a distinguished career. He
was a fine exemplar of the Greek philosophy kata ton orthon
logon (acting in accordance to correct reason).
My deepest sympathy goes to his wife, Margaret and to his
children Sarah and Andrew – we share their grief and will
miss an old and dear friend.
THE LEGACY
of Dr John Hulett
Walking through the School gates for the first time in 1943, John
Roger Hulett could not have anticipated the impact he would
have on this institution…
John lived in London Colney and had
previously attended school in Birmingham.
He settled into life at St Albans School well,
joining the Debating Society and the OTC as a
Sergeant, switchboard operator. After receiving
excellent exam results, John went on to read
Natural Sciences at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Flash forward a number of years and sadly, Dr
Hulett died on 4th March 2017. Unbeknown
to us, St Albans School was to be beneficiaries
of one tenth of his estate, among several other
charities and close individuals. The will requested
that funds were to be used to set up a bursary
fund, namely the John Roger Hulett Fund and a
prize to be awarded for excellence in Chemistry.
Donations were distributed following the sale
of the estate and assets, particularly through
Dr Hulett’s extensive coin collection. Dr Hulett
is now a Benefactor of St Albans School, the
highest accolade of the Foundation. His name
is immortalised on the Benefactors board in the
Library and mentioned every year in the Founders’
Day address. The John Hulett Prize for excellence
in Chemistry is now awarded annually at the
School’s Prize Giving ceremony.
We are humbled and immensely grateful for the
inclusion in Dr Hulett’s will and his legacy will
live on through the School. His gift shows the
impact that being ‘asset-rich’ rather than ‘cashrich’
can have of an institution such as ours. Dr
Hulett’s gift is directly supporting bursary pupils
of St Albans School, providing financial support
to parents who would otherwise not be able to
afford the fees.
OAs AT OXFORD. DR JOHN HULETT, SECOND FROM THE RIGHT