Page 32 - The Old Ratcliffian 2010

The Old Ratcliffan 2010 | Obituaries Major George Friendship 1939-2010 I always think it best to write one’s own obituary - at least you will get your facts right. Thankfully, George Friendship agreed with me and the first part of what follows is George’s view of himself, which appeared in the December 2010 addition of Catena, the Journal of the Catenian Association. It is reproduced with the permission of the Editor. George wrote: ‘George Friendship is a Cornishman, whose father was also a Catenian. Born 1939, he was educated at Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire and at Downside School, Bath. He first spent just over a year as a Benedictine monk and when sacked from the Abbey, became a regular soldier for twenty-five years, serving overseas in Malta and three times in Germany. In 1983, believing that it was time to grow up and do something more worthwhile, he became a schoolmaster and a housemaster at Ratcliffe College, finally as Head of the Junior School. He taught Religious Studies, History and Theology and was the Colonel commanding the Ratcliffe College Combined Cadet Force. Joining the Catenians in 1984, he was at some time Circle Secretary, President in 1990/1 and later Provincial Secretary and Provincial President in 1996/7. Married to Jane, they live in Rearsby although their son and two daughters have long flown the nest. They have two grandchildren. Interests: Season ticket at Tigers, WW1 enthusiast. Francophile, ecumenism.’ Very few words to describe a full life but they epitomised all that was typical of George: modest to a fault, self deprecating, completely lacking in fuss and straight to the point. It could be said that when George came to Ratcliffe, he had a culture shock. His man management skills, honed by his dealings with the British soldier, were not the most effective with the more sensitive Ratcliffe pupil, especially one who, when being told to do something, asked, “Why?”. But George hadn’t been a professional soldier for nothing. He quickly reviewed his strategic position, redefined his terms of engagement and revised his tactics. In no time at all he had become one of the most effective and efficient teachers on the staff. He was admired by his colleagues because he did the simple things properly: he taught well, he kept good order, he set and marked his work, he turned up for duties on time, he wrote his reports and produced them, together with his mark sheets, on time. In short, he was a ‘Pro’. His pupils quickly learned four simple lessons: 1. Whatever their ability, they should always give of their best, not for George’s sake but because, quoting the advertisement, “they deserved it”. 2. George always had their welfare and best interests uppermost in his actions. 3. They told the truth and accepted the consequences; lying was definitely out. 4. That George’s bark, which could be very loud at times, was considerably worse that his bite. In fact, and he would be embarrassed by me saying this, underneath his stern exterior he was a very kind man and quite a ‘softie’. In the 1980s, Ratcliffe was undergoing significant change. It had started to take girls and had accepted day pupils. But it still needed to expand its customer base, and the only way to do this was to take pupils younger than the traditional starting age of thirteen. George had cut his teeth as a Form Master so he was an obvious choice to be put in charge of this new venture. His leadership and hard work in those early days laid the foundations for the success of what is now the Ratcliffe Junior School. If George’s early months at Ratcliffe had been difficult, they were nothing compared to the time preceding his retirement. George began to suffer from very severe headaches. Of course, he didn’t tell Jane or the family - that would have worried them. But often I would see him at lunchtime sitting, sometimes lying, on the staff room settee, grey with pain. One day I dared to ask him what was wrong. He said in his inimitable way, “I wish those b***** doctors would sort out my blood pressure”. What he didn’t know - in fact what none of us knew - was that he was suffering from a massive brain tumour, the consequences of which affected the rest of his life and eventually led to his death. As you would expect of him, George had planned his retirement with military precision. By this time, the family had moved to Rearsby from college accommodation and George, being George, had quickly involved himself in village affairs. He was appointed a Foundation Governor of Rearsby C of E Primary School, he started the Neighbourhood Watch in the village and had joined the Parish Council. He intended to expand on all these roles now that he would have more time on his hands. Sadly this was not to be. Within a few months of retiring, George was operated upon for his tumour, which was quickly followed by a stroke. Nevertheless, he did as much as he could to live a full life. He still went to Rugby, still sang in St Michael’s Church Choir and involved himself whenever required in organising church functions. George glossed over his involvement with the Catenian Association when, in fact, he had been a very important member and went to as many functions as he could despite his medical problems. 2