Eagle News Jan 2012 - Bedford Modern School

down after a stroke a few years ago. He will
be remembered for his wit and wise words
and as a gentleman.’
Sevnoaks@aol.com
ALLAN NORMAN ANSELL (1935-42)
County House, died on 31 May 2011, aged
86. STEVEN ANSELL (1986 -92) writes:
‘My grandfather was born in Shefford, Beds,
the eldest son of
Frank and Ivy
Ansell, and brother
to NEIL (1941-45),
who now lives in
Hertfordshire.
Allan won a
scholarship to
BMS, where he
excelled at sport,
becoming captain of the rugby team, and a
member of the school rowing team. When
Allan left school he joined the Royal Scots
Greys, intending to go to India as an officer
in the Indian Army; however, he was
hospitalised, preventing him from going with
the six-monthly draft. Demonstrating his
typical impatience, Allan joined the RAF to
train as a pilot, and was posted to Canada
for training. However, the war ended before
his training was complete, so he returned to
England. He left the RAF and went to work
with his father on his fruit farm in
Melbourne, Cambridgeshire. Allan decided
to get his pilot’s wings during his spare time,
so he trained at Marshalls Airport in
Cambridge. He rejoined the RAF, qualified
as a pilot, and was then posted to Yorkshire
and subsequently to RAF Kabrit in Egypt as
a night fighter pilot. Whilst serving in Egypt,
Allan contracted polio and was left severely
disabled. However, after eighteen months at
Headley Court and thanks to his sheer
determination and grit, he again flew
aeroplanes. Allan’s last posting was to Little
Rissington, Gloucestershire, where he was
a flight instructor. After leaving the RAF,
Allan worked for Barclays Bank until he
retired. He enjoyed his long retirement, and
always spoke fondly to me about his time at
BMS. Allan was delighted to come along
and watch me in the XV (B) in my early
years at school.’
Steven.Ansell@uia.co.uk
THOMAS BRIAN SMITHSON (1942-45)
South House, died in Bedford Hospital on 9
September 2011, aged 84. The Revd
MARTIN SMITHSON (1965-74) writes: ‘My
father, who was always known as Brian, was
born in Bradford. His father was a
Methodist minister, which involved the family
in regular
moves to new
appointments.
When they
came to
Bedford, Brian
and his younger
brother DAVID
(1942-46)
joined BMS.
David also
became a Methodist minister and served for
many years in India, before returning to this
country when he was appointed to serve in
Manchester. Sadly, he died (aged 55) in
1983, leaving his wife Beryl and three
children. On leaving School, Brian trained as
a veterinary surgeon. He returned to
Bedford following his training, and worked
as a vet in the town, in two different
practices, for over 40 years. It was on his
return to Bedford that he met Margaret,
whom he married in 1955. They lived in
Kempston for nearly all of their married lives.
In earlier years Brian’s work was varied and
included both farm animals and domestic
pets. He was well-known on many of the
farms around Bedford. Later he
concentrated more on small animals and
particularly surgery, for which he developed
a high reputation. Brian’s skill with his
hands was not only put to good use on the
operating table. He was a superb
water-colour artist, specialising in flowers,
many of which he had grown himself. His
work was extremely detailed, often involving
a magnifying glass and an extremely fine
brush. His painting received an award from
the Royal Horticultural Society and some of
his paintings were published in the form of
greetings cards. His other main interest
was his garden at his home in Kempston,
which he developed and cared for with great
Obituaries
skill and knowledge over the years. Brian
was an avid reader, being especially fond of
Thomas Hardy and other classic authors.
His love for and knowledge of words made
him an expert solver of crossword puzzles.
He continued to enjoy his garden and his
life at home, even after being diagnosed
with cancer in 2010, spending only the last
week of his life in hospital. He is survived
by his wife Margaret, their son Martin and
daughter Julia, and five grandchildren.’
mt.smithson@ntlworld.com
BRIAN ARTHUR BLACK (1938-45) North
House, died on 6 July 2011, aged 82. His
exact contemporary DEREK NORMAN
remembers that Brian lived for all of his
married life in the estate Goldington. Brian
leaves his wife Joy and sons Ian (who was
Headmaster of a local school and used to
play for Bedford ‘Ath’), Stephen and Andrew.
DAVID LYCETT KNIGHTS (1940-47)
East House, died peacefully at home in
Rushden on 28 July 2011, aged 82,
following a short illness. He leaves his wife
Betty, daughter Gaynor and son Michael,
who mentions that David had a number of
friends in the OBM Club and used to attend
Club events when he was fitter.
JOHN COURTENAY MILWARD (1941-45)
County House, died on 8 February 2011,
ten days before his 82nd birth- day, in
Bedford Hospital, following complications
arising from an operation. His son
ANDREW (1968-73) writes: ‘My father
worked for
George Fischer
Castings in
Bedford for
many years after
his return in
1948 from
National Service
with the Royal
Signals in
Singapore. On
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