Page 58 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

BRIAN LAWRENCE BALDWIN

NOVEMBER 28TH 1937 – AUGUST 29TH 2020
OBITUARIES OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1952 – 1956 in history, sport, and in people in general, shooting, and boxing. Later, Brian and

were all guided by Jim.
his fiancée, Annie, moved to Waterford
Often described as “a loss to the boards”, in Ireland, as he joined his brother in a
venture renovating an old Viking building
Brian had a talent for storytelling and into a successful bar and restaurant called
mimicry, always leaving his audience hungry The Stronghold. Brian and Annie married,
for more. He loved musical wordplay, and their first child, Sally, was born.
which can be traced to seeing Gilbert
and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore at the Royal In England, Brian worked in sales for
Opera House. Hilti and M&H Plant Hire in Manchester,
where he became sales director. Three
The youngest of 13, Brian was born in The next great inspiration in Brian’s life more children followed: Séan, Julie, and
Cardiff to Irish parents, Marcella and was Ratcliffe, where he embraced its proud Daniel. In later years, he was remarried to
Patrick. Sadly, he never got to know them. traditions and keen emphasis on character Barbara, and he adopted a quiet life in rural
Marcella died in the Second World War, in building. He flourished there, becoming Somerset, happily cultivating the land and
the Blitz. During the attack, Brian and his vice-captain of Arundel’s rugby and cricket looking after the wildlife. Despite his own
siblings were shielded from the blast by teams, and captain of the cricket team for physical setbacks, he cared diligently for
their sister, Francie, who took most of the one season. Under his vice-captainship, Barbara as she declined. After her death,
shrapnel from the bomb. the cricket team was undefeated for an he moved to rural Surrey to be closer to his
entire season.
After their home was destroyed, Jim children and grandkids.
(Brian’s eldest brother by 18 years) made One of the school’s disciplines was a period As his own health deteriorated, Brian never
arrangements for Brian and his young on Sundays devoted to writing letters felt sorry for himself. He made light of
brothers to travel by boat to join family home. Brian subsequently became a man
members in rural Portlaw in Ireland. Brian of letters, and he and Jim maintained his struggles and was always surrounded
later described himself as “wild” during this their correspondence for over 50 years. by laughter. His adversities didn’t define
period, often leaving the house for days on Brian also had a talent for boxing, where him, it was the way he faced them that
end, just following his feet. Having never he represented the school. After leaving, did: with courage, determination, great
worn shoes in Ireland, he turned his nose he lived in London and fought regularly humour, and consideration for others. He
up at his first pair, which he received upon at York Hall Swimming Baths in Bethnal never lost the core strength that made him
starting school in Manchester. At their Green, often in front of large crowds. He such a determined and successful fighter.
new family home in Stretford, Brian met was proud that, whether in school, amateur Brian stepped up to life’s challenges like
his father for the first time on his seventh competitions, or the army, he was never he approached the cricket pitch or boxing
birthday, but just three-and-a-half months defeated by a knockout - only losing once ring: with style, grace, fearlessness, and
later, he passed away. on points. He also thrived at rugby union, formidable reserves of power.
later playing for London Irish and Sale.
Jim became a father figure, and the biggest Brian often described his years at Ratcliffe
influence on Brian’s life. Brian’s generous In the late 1950s, Brian trained as a salesman as the happiest of his life, and it was
nature was rooted in the exotic gifts that for Frigidaire, before accepting the call for fitting and poignant that he enjoyed a
Jim brought for him whilst stationed in National Service. He travelled to Cyprus recent return trip a few years ago with his
the army in India. These fostered a sense as a private in the Royal Leicestershire daughter, Sally, and son-in-law, Paul.
of magic and wonder that Brian would Regiment, before being promoted to
continue to instil in others throughout corporal. He excelled in this environment, Séan Baldwin
his life. His sense of fair play, his interest winning trophies and awards for rugby, Son

BASIL D’OLIVEIRA OBE FRIN RAF
FEBRUARY 5TH 1928 – MAY 10TH 2020
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1939 – 1944

Basil started at Ratcliffe in 1939, and he what was then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), of 216 Squadron at Lyneham in Wiltshire,
always said that he developed his love a country that he always retained a lot of which then consisted of de Havilland
of flying during his time at the school. affection for. Comets – the world’s first ever jet airliner,
He enjoyed a successful career in the and a British invention. This squadron was
RAF for nearly 30 years, joining in 1945, Basil’s first job as a very young pilot a part of the Royal Flight, meaning the
immediately following the end of World involved taking part in the Berlin Airlift. He part of the RAF responsible for flying the
War II. He completed some of his training in ultimately became the commanding officer Queen and other VIPs. Only two pilots in
58 The Old Ratcliffian 2020