Page 62 - The Old Ratcliffian 2013
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The Old Ratclifan 2013 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2013 | Obituaries
Frank Newman
Old Ratcliffian 1949-56
March 7th 1938-August 14th 2013
Frank leaves a wife, Chantal, five front of the class and asked Dad what
sons and two daughters, plus six he wanted to do. He said, ‘History,
grandchildren. One of his sons, English and Latin.’ Fr Casey replied,
Michael, started teaching history at ‘I’ll put down Maths, Physics and
Ratcliffe College in September this Chemistry. Sit down, Newman.’
year.
Dad never lost his love of the subjects
John Newman (57) which he was no longer able to study.
Brother Even convincing him that I wanted
to study History came with the reply,
‘I’m more interested in History than
My dad attended Ratcliffe College you.’ This and similar accusations
from 1949 until 1956. In this time, were always unfair, as Dad showed
he had been given the nickname an insight which tested even the
‘Tank’, due to his reputation on the most ardent enthusiasts. He was
rugby field. If he was like a tank, interested in learning and encouraged
then it was probably more like a WWI us to continue to study for as long as
tank that continually broke down! possible. To date, two of his children
Dad’s sporting prowess stood in stark have completed PhDs, with the other
contrast to his academic ability. While five achieving undergraduate degrees.
claiming to be dyslexic, a condition This was ultimately the culmination
Frank was born in Hungary on March probably unknown at the time, he of everything that was instilled into us
7th 1938 and was brought to live in achieved a remarkable set of results by Dad sharing his enthusiasm and
the United Kingdom when he was which allowed him to go New College, dedication for learning.
eighteen months old. Oxford. He would eventually complete Dad lost his battle to cancer on August
a Doctorate in Theoretical Chemistry
Following his education at Ratcliffe, which allowed him to continue a 14th 2013. He is survived by his
he gained a place at New College, career in academia. wife, seven children and, at the time,
Oxford, but before starting there he five grandchildren. On September
took a BSc degree in Chemistry within Dad would often tell us stories about 16th 2013, my wife gave birth to
two years, instead of the normal three his days at Ratcliffe. This normally his sixth grandchild. It is only fitting
year period. He was at Oxford for six involved Uncle John’s smoking habits that Frank’s passion and enthusiasm
years and achieved a doctorate whilst or his dabbling in boxing. A turning are passed on to his namesake -
he was there. He started lecturing point in his life came when he had Francesca.
in Computing at Nottingham Trent to choose his subjects to study after Michael Newman
University and remained there until he the age of sixteen. His teacher, I think Son
retired. Fr Ken Casey, called him up to the
Michael John Banks
Old Ratcliffian 1949-53
February 3rd 1937-October 27th 2013
Michael John Banks was born in After several appointments within the
Derby, to Margaret and Frank Banks, steel industry, Michael was appointed
on February 3rd 1937. Works Metallurgist for Corby Steel
Works in 1975. After leaving British
Michael went first to Grace Dieu
Manor before continuing on to Steel in 1980, Michael took up
Ratcliffe in 1949. After leaving school other managerial positions before he
and completing his National Service, finally founded his own company,
he joined Stewarts and Lloyds, Corby, Metec Quality and Environmental
as a Research Metallurgist. Consultancy.
Living in Northamptonshire and then
He met his future wife, Maureen, who Berkshire with his wife and four
was also studying Metallurgy, at this children, Michael spent as much
time and they married in 1962.
62
62
The Old Ratclifan 2013 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2013 | Obituaries
Frank Newman
Old Ratcliffian 1949-56
March 7th 1938-August 14th 2013
Frank leaves a wife, Chantal, five front of the class and asked Dad what
sons and two daughters, plus six he wanted to do. He said, ‘History,
grandchildren. One of his sons, English and Latin.’ Fr Casey replied,
Michael, started teaching history at ‘I’ll put down Maths, Physics and
Ratcliffe College in September this Chemistry. Sit down, Newman.’
year.
Dad never lost his love of the subjects
John Newman (57) which he was no longer able to study.
Brother Even convincing him that I wanted
to study History came with the reply,
‘I’m more interested in History than
My dad attended Ratcliffe College you.’ This and similar accusations
from 1949 until 1956. In this time, were always unfair, as Dad showed
he had been given the nickname an insight which tested even the
‘Tank’, due to his reputation on the most ardent enthusiasts. He was
rugby field. If he was like a tank, interested in learning and encouraged
then it was probably more like a WWI us to continue to study for as long as
tank that continually broke down! possible. To date, two of his children
Dad’s sporting prowess stood in stark have completed PhDs, with the other
contrast to his academic ability. While five achieving undergraduate degrees.
claiming to be dyslexic, a condition This was ultimately the culmination
Frank was born in Hungary on March probably unknown at the time, he of everything that was instilled into us
7th 1938 and was brought to live in achieved a remarkable set of results by Dad sharing his enthusiasm and
the United Kingdom when he was which allowed him to go New College, dedication for learning.
eighteen months old. Oxford. He would eventually complete Dad lost his battle to cancer on August
a Doctorate in Theoretical Chemistry
Following his education at Ratcliffe, which allowed him to continue a 14th 2013. He is survived by his
he gained a place at New College, career in academia. wife, seven children and, at the time,
Oxford, but before starting there he five grandchildren. On September
took a BSc degree in Chemistry within Dad would often tell us stories about 16th 2013, my wife gave birth to
two years, instead of the normal three his days at Ratcliffe. This normally his sixth grandchild. It is only fitting
year period. He was at Oxford for six involved Uncle John’s smoking habits that Frank’s passion and enthusiasm
years and achieved a doctorate whilst or his dabbling in boxing. A turning are passed on to his namesake -
he was there. He started lecturing point in his life came when he had Francesca.
in Computing at Nottingham Trent to choose his subjects to study after Michael Newman
University and remained there until he the age of sixteen. His teacher, I think Son
retired. Fr Ken Casey, called him up to the
Michael John Banks
Old Ratcliffian 1949-53
February 3rd 1937-October 27th 2013
Michael John Banks was born in After several appointments within the
Derby, to Margaret and Frank Banks, steel industry, Michael was appointed
on February 3rd 1937. Works Metallurgist for Corby Steel
Works in 1975. After leaving British
Michael went first to Grace Dieu
Manor before continuing on to Steel in 1980, Michael took up
Ratcliffe in 1949. After leaving school other managerial positions before he
and completing his National Service, finally founded his own company,
he joined Stewarts and Lloyds, Corby, Metec Quality and Environmental
as a Research Metallurgist. Consultancy.
Living in Northamptonshire and then
He met his future wife, Maureen, who Berkshire with his wife and four
was also studying Metallurgy, at this children, Michael spent as much
time and they married in 1962.
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62
