Brian Jenkins: "Dick was one of the youngest masters of the original crew in 1951. Was very sorry to learn of his death. I was taught Geography by him for three years before my parents decided to emigrate to Oz in '54. He was truly a great teacher with ability to communicate enthusiasm for the subject. I think he regarded me as lazy because I could never translate my interest in English, Latin and French to other subjects. The truth was that his classes were very competitive, and even a minor lapse would result in one's not being able to catch up. My own lapses were quite extended. Once I had to wait about two weeks for broken spectacles to be replaced--and I lacked the bottle to get myself reseated at the front where I could see the blackboard. End of story. |
He would reminisce about his experiences flying Swordfishes in the Fleet Air Arm and visiting Lough Neagh, Maracaibo, Trincomalee--places which would get special attention in Geog lessons. And he would say: "Don't let anyone persuade you to die for your country. It is not worth dying for anybody!" (A lesson I have been pleased to remember. It was strongly reinforced by my own father, an artilleryman and Tobruk POW who survived many horrors including an air crash, and enjoyed the peace until 1995 when bone cancer finally got him at age 45.) As a Cornerite, I didn't get to know Dick well 'out of hours', but heard many favourable reports from friends who were in, eg, the Young Farmers club. And he seemed to be a saint in comparison with the Asst. Housemaster to whom I did have to relate daily, none other than the maths master, John Shuttleworth, the abominable Shuffs. (But that is another story - a long and painful one!)" |