Page 64 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

MARK BALMBRA

NOVEMBER 5TH 1968 - FEBRUARY 5TH 2020
OBITUARIES TEACHER AT RATCLIFFE 1991 – 2020

Mark Balmbra was a much-loved and
most recent being the Ardèche and the
Allier Paddlesport expeditions to France.
respected member of Ratcliffe’s teaching
staff, having joined the school in 1991. Mark was never more at home than when
The news of his passing came as a terrible paddling down a river or climbing a
shock to the whole College community. mountain, and his smile and excitement
Mark taught Geography and BTEC Sports were dwarfed only by those of the cadets
Science, and he was the contingent that he taught and mentored. Both staff
commander of the Ratcliffe College and students alike benefitted immensely
Combined Cadet Force – a position that from his expertise and knowledge,
he loved and served with great pride. Our fostering a love of the outdoors which
thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s many have continued to enjoy past their
family and friends. time at Ratcliffe and into adulthood.

Jon Reddin Summer camps were always the highlight and worked tirelessly to instil them into
Headmaster of the year, and as contingent commander, cadets, both past and present. Those of
Mark would delight in taking us to exotic us fortunate enough to have known Mark
Mark joined the College in 1991 as locations, like Beckingham in Lincolnshire in any capacity are richer and better for
Sports Hall Manager, but he soon and Catterick in Yorkshire. These camps the experience.
found his role extended to the PE and were the culmination of the year’s training,
Geography Departments, where he was and they provided an opportunity for the For many years, Mark read the following
an accomplished teacher. However, his cadets to get a brief experience of military passage from Laurence Binyon’s ‘For
passion was for the CCF, and he rapidly life. Mark revelled in encouraging young the Fallen’ at Ratcliffe’s Remembrance
grew into this role, becoming contingent people to take on leadership roles and service, and with some slight alterations,
commander. Striving tirelessly to raise become self-reliant, with many taking I will finish my tribute with this:
the profile of the CCF, he worked behind their experiences forward into successful He shall not grow old, as we that are left
the scenes to ensure that every cadet had military and civilian careers. grow old;
the opportunity and support that they Age shall not weary him, nor the years
needed to be the best. Mark’s vision of the CCF is what we see at condemn.
Ratcliffe College today: cadets standing
Mark regularly combined his love of the shoulder to shoulder, Army and RAF, At the going down of the sun and in the
outdoors with that of helping young regardless of age, year group, gender, morning,
people to develop, and he went on to or ability. The CCF at Ratcliffe, under his We will remember him.
plan, instruct, and run the annual Easter guidance, instilled confidence, leadership, Andrzej Dziemianko
camp, year on year. There were also and empowered young people to fulfil Colleague and Friend
numerous trips to North Wales and the their potential. Mark epitomised the
Lake District, and these successful camps principles of the CCF: responsibility, self- A memorial parade for Mark was held at
laid the foundations for the highlights reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, and the College on Tuesday 11th February
of his organisational prowess, with the perseverance. He lived by these principles 2020. Read more about this on page 18.

DAVID THISTLETHWAITE

FEBRUARY 19TH 1932 – MAY 3RD 2020
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1943 – 1950

David was born in Birmingham in 1932, had two children, Anne and Mark (78), two 1990 – a period of 14 years. This was a time
where he lived and worked in the years later. They celebrated their Diamond of great change in the Association, and he
construction industry until he moved down Wedding Anniversary in 2018. came to know many generations of ORs.
to Yatton, near Bristol, in 2002 – so, 70 David was also a very active member of the
years in Birmingham. The only occasions Four things were important to David: Social Committee, and during this period,
when he was away were the seven years his family and friends, his Catholic faith, the social side of the Association went from
he spent at Ratcliffe College, from 1943 to his hockey, and Ratcliffe. He was an strength to strength. In addition, he was a
1950, and his two years’ National Service extremely active member of the Ratcliffian trustee of the Ratcliffian Association and
in the Royal Artillery, which he spent in Association, and he believed in ‘giving Cunningham Fund for many years, and a
Towyn in Wales. He met his wife, Audrey, at back’ to the school, as he felt that he had a regular supporter at local OR dinners, both
work at LC Wakeman and Partners, where debt of gratitude for his education. After a around the country and abroad (Paris!).
he was a quantity surveyor and she was number of years as an Association Council
a comptometer operator in the Finance member, he was appointed Association My enduring memory of David is as a jovial,
Department. They married in 1958 and Secretary in 1976. He held this post until larger-than-life character, propping up the
64 The Old Ratcliffian 2020