Page 24 - OM Newsletter - Issue 44 - 2020

OM OBITUARIES
Gregory Adrian Airlie (SH.45-50). After National Service in Malaya, Adrian went into the City as an insurance broker with JH Minet, where he was paid £8 per week, roughly the same as his wife, Judith, a newly-qualified SRN. It was not long though before he was hired by the mighty Willis Faber & Dumas Ltd, the large and ‘blue-blooded’ broker at Lloyd’s. He rose to be head of the Home Division, which became Willis Wrightson, joined the main board, and was made Deputy Chairman of the Willis Corroon Group. He was the architect of the merger with the large US broker, Corroon & Black. With Nicholas Davenport (2.63-67), in 1990 Adrian set up from scratch a European network of Willis Corroon, with a subsidiary in every European country. By the time he retired in 1992, he was known throughout the business as ‘the old grey fox´, because he was always several strategic steps ahead of everyone else. He is remembered as a friend and generous mentor. Adrian had four daughters, two grandchildren and one step-grandchild. His retirement was spent with his adored wife Judith, in good part at their house in south-west France. Died 1 April 2020, aged 88.
Griffiths John Richard (1.47-52) After Malvern, John studied Engineering, becoming a member of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the institution of Production Engineers. His career started with an apprenticeship at Rubery Owens, followed by National Service in 1958, when he was commissioned into REME serving in Malaya, where his responsibilities belied his youth. He returned to England and many roles in a number of engineering companies before retraining as an accountant, ending up as Finance Director of Fluid Drive in Berkshire. He was a creative man who put his professional skills to good use, restoring old houses and building a five-berth boat from scratch, without plans. He spoke fondly of school and kept in touch with several life-long OM friends into retirement when he returned to his home county. He was a naturally modest man, always claiming that he had been neither
particularly academic nor particularly sporty whilst at school. Nonetheless he came a very respectable 19th in the March 1952 Ledder, something he never thought to mention until he reached his early 80s, when he was still striding purposefully to the top of the Malvern Hills. Died 11 January 2020, aged 85.
Hassall Brian Donald (8.48-52) Brian returned to the family farm after school, entering into a formal partnership with his father in 1966 and developing the business into a successful, enterprise and developing the estate. He also pursued political interests, becoming Head of Planning for Chester City Council. Aware that Cheshire was not the bountiful county it might seem to outsiders, he had a particular interest in ensuring that housing was made available for the local and less fortunate in south Cheshire and Shropshire, and he was a keen fundraiser for public amenities and the Church. He is remembered as a true gentleman: kindly, well mannered, interested in those who were less fortunate than him and a loving husband to Pam whom he married in 1960. Parkinson’s disease stole the last five years of his life but he remained determined, loving and forever the best of men. Died 30 June 2020, aged 85.
Kemp John Noel (6. 50-55) After Malvern, John joined the Royal Navy for his National Service. As a Midshipman he served on HMS Surprise in the Mediterranean. He thoroughly enjoyed life at sea. His business career began at Guest Keen and Nettlefolds with Thomas Haddon & Stokes, GKN’s screws and fasteners division in Birmingham, where he was Apprentice of the Year, followed by 25 years with the company, from salesman to Sales Director. After marrying Ann in 1963, John and his new wife were delighted to be sent to South Africa for a year by John’s work to appoint agents in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. In his later years, John was an Outplacement Consultant with Pauline Hyde & Associates; John was based in Birmingham and had a distinguished second phase of his career assisting chairmen, directors and other
senior executives to find new roles. He helped many hundreds during his time there and was much revered for his charm and patience and for his evident competence and experience in assisting people to find new and challenging positions. In his retirement in the Warwickshire countryside, John played competitive golf as a senior member of the Vale Golf Club near Evesham and continued to enjoy watching motor racing with his son Adrian, and Ann. Died 12 October 2019, aged 82.
Lindley John Alexander (SH.46-50) House Prefect. Football XXII. John’s early interest in cows and dairy farming led to a lifelong interest in pedigree cattle. From his family home in Somerset of some 60 years, John served on or chaired the major pedigree cattle committees in the south-west of England. He showed livestock at the Royal Bath and West Show for over 70 years. His Friesian cow ‘Lavenham Wallen 87’ held the All Breeds Butterfat Record for over eight years and was considered the best cow in the world. John also took on wider roles alongside his own farming, including overseeing the 2500-acre Cornbury Estate in Oxfordshire. He also started and oversaw 1200 acres at Crewkerne for the British and Commonwealth Shipping Company; oversaw 300 acres at Babcarry; advised on 800 acres at Bath and on 1000 acres at Ilminster. In his younger days, John had played in the Somerset 2nd XI and had been a keen member of the Somerset Stragglers Cricket Club. He served as High Sherriff of Somerset in 1980 and was made Commander of the Order of St John Ambulance, following a number of years’ voluntary service. But for all that, he really just enjoyed being at home on the farm with his wife Sylvia and children Anna and Ophelia, and grandchildren, all of whom survive him. Died 27 May 2020, aged 87.
Miles John Michael (8.47-51) After Malvern, John qualified as a solicitor and then joined a practice in Newmarket, where he later got married. Some years after that, he moved to another practice in Ramsgate, Kent where he progressed to become senior partner. Died Aril 2020, aged 86.
Smeeton David (4.50-55) Died 15 January 2020, aged 83.
Smith Ian Newell (SH.46-51) After Malvern Ian was keen to follow in his father’s footsteps and returned home to join the family law firm in Coventry, which he left only to serve his National Service in the RAF in London, before returning as a Senior Partner from 1960 until his retirement in 2003. As a bachelor he was involved in choral singing and the Round Table; he also played tennis and hockey; indeed, it was on the hockey pitch that he met Jill, whom he married in 1964. They bought their first (and only) beloved ‘Hexworthy’ house in Kenilworth, and a year later their only child, Anna, was born. Well-respected as a solicitor in Coventry Ian became President
24 | Old Malvernian Newsletter