Eagle News Jan 2012 - Bedford Modern School

efore retiring fully to North Norfolk, where
he spent the last 15 years of his life. He
leaves his wife Elsie, three children and four
grandchildren.’
elliott944@btinternet.com
JOHN REGINALD SANDERS (1945-48)
Shakespeare House, died on 1 February
2011 aged 77. The Editor apologises for
several inaccuracies in the obituary last time,
which were his responsibility. RICHARD
ANTHONY (Dick) SANDERS (1945-48)
writes from Melbourne: ‘I am John’s
surviving brother, our youngest brother Keith
(not an OBM) having died of a brain tumour
in 1996. I followed John to BMS at the start
of the Christmas Term 1945, in
Shakespeare House under Mr E H
PROUDFOOT and his wife.’ See Dick’s
item in ‘Memory Stir.’
dicktom2@tpg.com.au
STANLEY
GARFIELD
PERRY (Wg
Cdr retd)
(1949-52)
North House,
f o r m e r
Secretary of
Bunyan Meeting in Bedford, died on 26 May
2011, after a long illness, aged 77. Stan
joined the RAF on leaving School, and spent
25 years as a navigator, including service in
Italy, before being promoted to Wing
Commander and put in charge of No 115
Squadron, Brize Norton, an unusual
appointment for a navigator. After retiring
from the service, Stan, who enjoyed meeting
people and taking part in sport and music
(especially choral singing – he once sang in
a 400-strong choir at the Albert Hall), was
appointed Secretary of Bunyan Meeting.
Stan regularly went to Edgbaston to watch
the Test match. He was married for 53
years to JENNY (former BMS Library staff);
their sons WILLIAM (1971-81) and
MATTHEW (1975-82) both spoke at the
funeral in Bunyan Meeting. Stan’s brothers
are DAVID (1949-51) and CHRIS
(1949-55, School Bursar 1962-98, Past
President and Fellow of the Club).
DAVID GORDON WALKER (1951-55)
East House,
d i e d
peacefully on
8 July 2011,
after a long
illness, aged
73. RICHARD
H A N D Y
(1989-98)
writes: ‘My
great-uncle
joined BMS
when his family moved to Bedford from
Norfolk. On leaving School he took a
position with Lindum (Lincoln) Ltd as a
trainee quantity surveyor. During this time
David had an accident whilst driving the
firm’s van. This left him confined to a
wheelchair for the rest of his life. David
Obituaries
completed his training as a house designer
and initially worked with Marshman, Warren
and Taylor. However, owing to the demand
for his own designs he soon set up his own
business, David Walker Associates. His
designs and plans have been used for many
residential buildings in and around Bedford
and further afield. Although David lived
most of his adult life in Higham Ferrers, he
kept his contact with Bedford throughout
his life. He was a founder member of the
Bedford and District Access Committee and
served as the chairman for many years, up
until his death. He was proud of the group’s
work in making life easier for people with all
kinds of disabilities. He is survived by his
sister Margaret and will be greatly missed
by his family, friends and all who knew him.
David was a big man with a great
personality and love of life.’
richhandy@hotmail.com
ALFRED JOHN TATMAN (1951-56)
County House, who died peacefully on 26
November 2010, aged 71, worked for Gibbs
& Dandy, builders’ merchants, in Bedford for
37 years. In rowing, he was cox of the
Colts ‘A’ in 1955. John leaves his wife, their
two children and three grandchildren.
(Thanks to Mrs Tatman and to MIKE
COOPER, Staff).
ROGER COLIN FOX (1969-72) West
House, was killed in a car crash on 22 July
2011, aged 56.
Dr MARK POWLSON (1967-75) North
House, died on 5 September 2011, aged
52. His brother CARL (1980-91) writes:
‘Mark was born in Dartford, Kent, and
attended several schools before joining
BMS. He qualified as a doctor at Guy’s
Hospital in London, where he was editor of
the Guy’s Hospital Gazette. Posts at several
hospitals followed, culminating in the
position of senior registrar at Shrewsbury
Hospital. Mark then took a change of
direction into medical journalism, becoming
assistant editor of The Lancet and
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