Page 41 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | Obituaries Gregory Richard Cripps Old Ratcliffian 1987-88 10th February 1971 - 7th April 2009 Gregory Richard Cripps died on 7th April 2009 from bladder cancer aged 38 at his home in Uttoxeter. His father, Tony Wright, described him as ‘a remarkable and brilliant man’. Despite having undergone chemotherapy, he worked right up until the Christmas before he died. Gregory was born in Hanover, Germany on 10th February 1971. He went to St John’s Preparatory School in Alton, Cotton College and finally to Ratcliffe College. He went on to study Business and Economics at Manchester University, where he met his wife, Joy. He joined the family firm, Frank Wright Ltd, in Ashbourne, and a promotion to Production Director enabled him to travel the world. Greg was a keen rugby player, having played for Uttoxeter Rugby Club, an all- round sportsman, and a passionate supporter of Manchester City. He leaves a wife, Joy, and a daughter Nina. May he rest in peace. Jackie Bennett Peter Burke Hildreth Old Ratcliffian 1945-46 8th July 1928 - 25th February 2011 something which was not without its which was down in no small part to the setbacks – who also had the touch of coaching skills of Br John Tedesco. an English eccentric. From Ratcliffe, Peter went to Downing When, two years ago, Peter appeared College, Cambridge and, following in the Daily Mail after being ‘banned’ that, National Service in the RAF in the from a Guildford Department store for immediate post-war years. running up the down escalator (seeking to repeat a training feat of his youth as His internal athletics breakthrough he approached his eightieth birthday), came in Brussels’ Heysel Stadium sixty-one years ago when, on a his friends and colleagues allowed themselves a quiet chuckle sodden cinder track, he doggedly and muttered, “That is so Peter!” battled through the puddles for a Bronze medal. Peter was one of the last links back Appearances in the 1952, 1956 and to the Chariots of Fire era of British 1960 Olympics all followed and, Peter Burke Hildreth died peacefully athletics, his father having competed though he was a 110 metres hurdles in his sleep on 25th February 2011, in the 1924 Paris Olympics alongside semi-finalist in Melbourne and aged 82. Peter, a former Olympic Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. was placed in the 1958 European hurdler, went on to be an athletics He was born in Bedford on 8th July Championships, he never surpassed correspondent for the Daily Telegraph 1928. As his father worked in India, that 1950 Bronze medal. for more than thirty years. Peter spent his formative years there. Peter always kept himself fit, long into He had lived a full and successful life He was sent back to England to retirement, never weighing more than in various areas. He was a Cambridge complete his education at Ratcliffe, 10 stone despite his 6 foot height – his history graduate and a three-time where he began his hurdling career. ‘fighting’ weight from his racing days. member of Britain’s Olympic teams One of Michael Mower’s (48) many as a high hurdler who won the Bronze memories of him was his outstanding Peter is survived by two children from medal at the 1950 championships. He determination to succeed at the high his first marriage, five grandchildren also worked in hospital administration hurdles. Michael remembers his and his second wife, Carole. and, later, estate agency, as well as enigmatic smile with the corners of his Adapted from the Sports Journalists’ writing for the Daily Telegraph from mouth upturned. Whilst at Ratcliffe, he Association its launch in 1961 until 1994. He was was also a highly skilled hockey player, a dogged anti-doping campaigner – Register online at www.ratcliffanassociation.co.uk 41