Born in 1926, Colin was brought up in Bexhill, Sussex where, as a result of being good friends with Billy Morris, his father owned an early Morris Car dealership, a fun and glamorous family livelihood in that British era. Certainly, an early exciting and notable memory for Colin was from 1931 when he and his cousin met Amy Johnson, the early transatlantic aviator and remarkable celebrity of the day, who opened the dealership as part of the launch ceremony.
Having been educated first at Malvern College, Colin went on to attend Clare College, Cambridge. He then served in The Royal Artillery as a Commissioned Officer from 1944-1948 and afterwards went on to teach at Forest School where my father and he met as enthusiastic young teachers, Colin specialising in history and geography.
Colin then continued his career overseas. With a passion for cricket, he said he was happy to work anywhere where the game was played. This included Christchurch, New Zealand where he once remarked how dour it was in the 1960s; the locals would play their game and immediately afterwards, instead of convening in the pub for an after-match drink, would take a jug of beer home to drink with their wives. (Just not cricket!). His work also took him to Kampala in Uganda where he taught at the Aga Khan’s School. After these foreign adventures, Colin moved to work at the splendid Alleyn’s School in Dulwich which he adored. Having joined in 1969, he worked there for sixteen years teaching his subjects across all levels of the School, contributing his military expertise to the CCF, maintaining the standard of cricket at the School and as an outstandingly successful Cribb’s Housemaster. On learning of his death, fellow teacher Mrs Ilse Termanis remarked, “Colin was a true gentleman. He was a wise and kind colleague and an excellent teacher”.
On well-earned retirement from Alleyn’s in 1985, Colin moved to Norfolk as two Alleyn’s colleagues had moved to the County and ‘he liked the look of it’. Colin settled in King’s Lynn and enjoyed his retirement, not least because he met the love of his life there, Elizabeth, otherwise known as Betty.
Betty and he married and decided life would be more agreeable in London closer to family as they were both retired. They found a lovely flat at Laybrook Lodge overlooking Eagle Pond and just down the road from Forest School where Colin had worked forty years before. They both enjoyed Laybrook, Snaresbrook, Wanstead and Woodford very much. It was the foundation of their very happy lives together with many expeditions, holidays and laughs.
My link to Colin came via my father’s close friendship with him and he was a wonderful Godfather; always incredibly supportive and encouraging. He was a constant throughout my life, visiting me as I grew up in South Woodford (and giving me a most treasured toy car as a child!). He always took me for holiday days out in the West End and provided continual encouragement rather than judgment as I travelled through my life with its highs and lows. I learnt a great deal from him, greatly appreciating both his wisdom and counsel as well as his fascinating and intricate knowledge of history which brought new insights into some of the great characters of the 20th Century, including Clement Attlee.
God Bless you Colin and thank you for being part of my life.
Adam Cooke (Godson)
Junior School Open Day
The next Alleyn's Junior School Open Event is from 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. There will be a Head's Talk at 1.40pm after which you will be offered a tour of the school with a pupil. There is no need to book a place at this Open Event - everyone is welcome.
Last updated on 20 05 24 at 09:12
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