Page 23 - OM Newsletter - Issue 44 - 2020

OM OBITUARIES
Hack Rex Hereward (4.41-46) School Prefect. Cricket XI. Football XI. Two Ledder Caps (9th & 1st). Athletics Colours. Rackets Colours. Rex went up to Cambridge to read Economics & Law. He won three Tennis Blues, one as captain in 1951, and played at Wimbledon in 1953 (mixed doubles) and 1956 (men’s doubles). He didn’t play in the Men’s Singles at Wimbledon but came tantalisingly close, reaching the final of the qualifying tournament. If he had won, he would have played in the first match on the Centre Court against Jaroslav Drobny, the reigning champion! Originally a chartered accountant, Rex surprised his family and friends by announcing that his real vocation was to become a priest; he was ordained in 1959. Rex married Barbara in 1963 and they had two children, Rosemary and Nigel (4.82- 87). The family spent several years at a feudal parish in Nottinghamshire and at Welbeck Defence College before Rex became vicar of Bramall, where he served between 1969 and 1993. He was Rural Dean of Cheadle and was made a Canon of Chester Cathedral in 1990. Rex spent his retirement in Cheshire. One of the tributes that came into the family maintained that Rex was a proper OM; a true gentleman, kind, welcoming, caring, a family man, a lovely man. Perhaps the following story illustrates this better than anything. Whilst playing in the Northern LTC tournament in Manchester in the 1950s, where a number of the leading players came to get some practice on grass before Wimbledon, Rex played against one of the leading Americans of the day who was just too powerful for him and Rex was frequently heard to say to his opponent “Well played, good shot”. Although the players were unaware of it, Fred Perry was watching. When Fred’s host said “I know him, that’s Rex Hack, he’s a nice chap!”, Perry, who never gave any encouragement to his opponents, retorted “Yes, too nice!!” Died 26 October 2020, aged 92.
Meeson Anthony (3. 41-44) Ledder Cap. Boxing Colours. Anthony was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1947 and invalided in 1949. He became a chartered accountant and enjoyed skiing, walking and motoring. Died 2 February 2020, aged 92.
Cobb Geoffrey Fraser (9.53-58) House Prefect. Football XI. Geoff was a keen sportsman all his life, playing golf from an early age until his death. He played for two years in the football XI when the team was virtually second to none. Born in Tenby he was a keen rugby fan seriously supporting Wales. He enjoyed playing cricket for Middle Club and particularly a glass of beer on the way back to the College. His family had a lengthy history with the school: his grandfather, GG Fraser, was an OM and taught at the college for some 30 years and was Housemaster of No.9 1917- 1927. Geoff spent his married life in Yorkshire with his wife Christine and was involved in the Wholesale/Retail business. Died 25 May 2020, aged 80.
Farrer Ronald Alan (6.54-59) School Prefect. Athletics Colours. After leaving Malvern, Alan joined the Foreign Staff of HSBC then transferred to the Home Staff upon meeting Christine Bareham, who was to become his wife. He worked as a Tax Manager for HSBC for 35 years before retiring aged 55. He was very involved in the Sports and Social Club on joining the Bank, playing rugby, football and cricket. He scored a century on his 50th birthday! His love of sport took him all over the world, to many Five- and Six- Nations Rugby matches; he also attended one Lions Tour, and an amazing seven out of nine Rugby World Cup Finals, including England’s win in Australia in 2003. He was a debenture holder at Twickenham for 25 years with one of his daughters. He supported Essex County Cricket Club for 65 years and attended the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Alan was one of the most sociable people you could hope to meet; he made friends wherever he went and was excellent at staying in touch, arranging numerous get togethers. After retirement, Alan did a lot of work in his local community, notably for his local church, St Mary’s in Hayes, Kent and also auditing accounts for local charities. Alan loved his time at Malvern and remained a loyal supporter. He stayed friends with his house mates Chris Styles, Richard Rastall, Eric Lettington and many more. Alan, a great family man and gentleman, is sorely missed by his two daughters Alison and Hazel, and granddaughters Carly and Ellie. Died 7 June 2020, aged 79.
1950s
Churchill Society, where he became one of the world’s leading experts on Winston Churchill, editing ‘Finest Hour’, the society magazine, working on books on Churchill and being an endless source of knowledge to authors and academics looking for advice on Churchill’s life and works. His final task there was the re-publication of ‘The River War’, Churchill’s second book for which he contributed over 1,000 footnotes explaining this account of the 19th century war in Sudan to a new 21st century readership. He leaves his widow Sara, four children and twelve grandchildren. Died 15 October 2020, aged 86.
Courtenay Paul Harting (SH.48-52) Ledder Cap. Paul joined the army at 18, where one of his earliest duties was to guard the route along the Mall at the Queen’s coronation in 1953. His army career took him to Korea at the end of that war, to peacekeeping duties in Aden and Gibraltar, and to active service with the Royal Sussex regiment. He married Sara in 1960 before being posted to Kenya and lived a life of travel and adventure that took him to Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Germany and America. He retired after 35 years in the army to dedicate his time to the International
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