Happy Birthday to Two Alumni Centenarians! 

Happy Birthday and many happy returns to two Alleyn’s alumni centenarians who both celebrate their 100th birthdays this month! 

Jack Burton (Brown’s 1939) turned 100 on 5 January 2024. Jack recently shared some of his memories of his time at Alleyn’s and his very keen recollections of sporting endeavours.  

Jack joined Alleyn’s in 1936 after being awarded a scholarship. He recalls happy Tuesday and Thursday afternoons playing sport and in particular scoring three goals in each of the first three football games he played as centre forward as well as coming third in a School House cross country event, just before the war. Jack also shared happy memories of trips to White Hart Lane to watch Tottenham Hotspur play, laughing at the hours he must have spent searching the rows for his school hat, thrown off in excitement each time Spurs scored! 

We were also delighted to hear that Jack's contemporary, John Shea (Dutton’s 1939), celebrates his milestone 100th birthday on 10 January 2024. John was a pupil at Alleyn’s from 1935, after starting in third year. He left in 1939 at the age of 16 as war broke out. John, who now lives in Canada, has had an fascinating career including service in three armies and as senior commercial credit administration in three banking institutions.

Here are members of Dutton's House wishing John a very Happy Birthday!

From everyone at Alleyn’s, many happy returns to you both on this amazing milestone birthday! We hope you both thoroughly enjoy celebrating with your loved ones.