Page 57 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

56 OBITUARIES OBITUARIES 57

DAVID DUDDING LOWISH DR MICHAEL JONES

OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1951 - 1956 OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1948 - 1953
NOVEMBER 12TH 1939 - NOVEMBER 29TH 2016 1935 - 2017

David was born in Grimsby during the North Lincolnshire with his two sisters,
Second World War. He grew up in a Josephine and Frances, and his two
farming family at Barnetby Manor in brothers, Cavill and John. He went to
school at Grace Dieu and then moved to
Ratcliffe in 1951.
Although David spent his early years in
the countryside, he moved to London
when he was old enough and made his life
there. He settled down in Ealing and met
his life partner, Riley Clark. David varied
his occupation over the years, working in
hospitality, selling Sheffield steel items,
and he spent many happy years working
at Kew Gardens. He died peacefully and
without issue.

Frank Lowish
Nephew Michael (ninth from the right) in the cast of HMS Pinafore in 1953
Michael Jones was born in 1935 in Birmingham. Whilst not benefit, following the death of my English father. Unknowingly,
particularly tall, Mike ‘walked tall’, and with his distinguished we found our adult feet together.
bearing, he quietly stood out from the rest of us. We became
CHARLIE EVENDEN good friends as soon as he arrived at Ratcliffe, a year later than With our joint membership of De Lisle, we took part in various
me, in 1948. In later life, we realised that we shared a common House activities, and Mike did his best to instruct me in the art of
purpose in being sent to Ratcliffe, in that we could find support cricket. I think that Mike was born with a cricket bat in his hand,
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 2003 - 2017 in the ‘family security’ provided by the School; Mike’s father whereas tennis was my summer game. I also recall our shared
AUGUST 10TH 1999 - MAY 18TH 2017 felt that Mike would benefit from it, following the divorce of his Senior responsibilities in carving up the Sunday joint at the head
parents, and my widowed Swiss mother also felt that I would of our table in the Ref. Whatever Mike did, he was well organised!
The tragic loss of Year 13 student Charlie Evenden represented A shared interest in music also featured in our lives at Ratcliffe,
the low point of most people’s school careers. It is of scant with much fun enjoyed during our participation in the summer
consolation, but important to record that, at this lowest point, productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
the strength of character and community of the Sixth Form
was at its most obvious. In particular, the support provided by As for academic abilities, neither of us appeared to shine with
Year 13 students for each other and for members of staff was any particular bright light, but Mike was successful in passing the
as impressive as it was unsurprising. Our thoughts and prayers Civil Service Commission examinations, and then he entered the
remain with Charlie’s family and his close friends. RAF College, Cranwell. However, when it became clear that he
could not become a pilot, he left, and then engaged in a variety
Graham Sharpe of jobs before being accepted to read Medicine at Sheffield.
Former Head of Sixth Form After some years as a GP, Mike specialised in psychiatry and
mental health issues. This specialisation led him and his wife,
Charlie, as all Year 9 students do, started his CCF career as a the training that he delivered was correct and fun. Nothing Mary (a district nurse whom he met in Sheffield), to Torbay; they
timid, but keen, young man. He soon found that the CCF was was too much trouble, and he was always there, willing to help. stayed in the area during his very active twenty or more years of
something that he was really good at. Throughout his time in the Noticeably, Charlie very rarely had to raise his voice, as he had retirement. Amongst other interests, he became absorbed in the
CCF, Charlie was proud to wear his uniform, and he was always gained great respect from all of the cadets. Wars of the Roses - particularly in the aristocratic families and
immaculately dressed. As he moved up through the School, he their heraldry, about which he published a number of reference
gained so much confidence in himself, and when he had the I am sure that some of Charlie’s happiest times were out on books.
opportunity to become a Junior NCO, he relished the challenge training exercises, especially when he had the opportunity to be
and started to develop his self-belief. Charlie’s training record the enemy and fire as many blanks as he could carry! Mary and their two children, Jennie and Christopher, along with
says it all: four summer camps, one Easter camp, eleven cadet four grandchildren, survive him. Mike was always a committed
weekend exercises, and also various adventure training days, as Charlie, you will be remembered by members of this CCF for your Catholic with a strong faith. His ashes were taken to his beloved
well as attending the Senior Cadet Instructors’ Course. passion, dedication, love, and the duty that you gave to Ratcliffe Peak District - an area where he and the family had often enjoyed
College CCF. We will never forget you. climbing and walking.
Once a Senior Instructor, Charlie really began to shine as a
superb Senior NCO. He had a great way with any group that Mark Balmbra John Plumb (53), with contributions from
he was instructing; he was so passionate about ensuring that CCF Lt Colonel Michael’s daughter, Jennie Thomas

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