Oscar Dodwell, R.I.P.

Oscar Dodwell, at school 1937-1940, died on the 18^th April with little fuss, as was his wont.  Oscar’s time at the School was comparatively short but in that time we became very friendly although after his leaving it was many years before we linked up again when the main topic of conversation was my prevailing, unsuccessfully, on him to join the Association. His was an unusual character which even Father Tuohy, the feared gauleiter of the Boarders, failed to fathom, particularly the fact that Oscar, unlike the rest o the Boarders, declined to show any fear of this hard-hearted priest, either in his presence or away from it.  Brother John has sent in the following tribute to Oscar:-  

‘Oscar died after a short illness on 18^th April 2006 .  His Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Elphege’s Church, Wallington on 26^th April by the Parish Priest, Fr Paul Hough, concelebrating with Fr Josef Doetsch, Parish Priest of Coulsdon, joined by a large gathering of friends, family and parishioners.  He was buried in Bandon Hill, Wallington cemetery in a seam of compact Thanet sand, as I noted with approval at the time.  Oscar would also have approved at being interred in such an excellent foundation stratum.  

He was the oldest of the family and had rather divided ‘old boy’ loyalties, having spent some seven years with the Jesuits (for whom he retained a lifetime respect and approval) at Wimbledon College , before coming to John Fisher in 1937, leaving in 1940.  As Dickie and I arrived in September 1939, we overlapped by only one term with Oscar, so I can say very little about his schooldays, although others, including Maurice would be able to fill the gap.  Much to Maurice’s regret and in spite of all his entreaties he never joined the Association.  But as far as I am aware he never joined the Old Wimbledonians either, so that must be some consolation, Maurice.  One thing the Dodwells will remember – we were all (re)-christened Oscar by Mr Walker.  I suppose we should have regarded that as a great honour in the days when the general custom was for everyone to be called by their surname, with a suitable number added when necessary.  I was quite content to be Dodwell I, or Oscar, but Geoffrey smarting as Dodwell IV, alias Oscar, was none too pleased and had the cheek to say so.  I will draw a discreet veil over what followed.

At home in Mitcham where we lived in a house designed by my father which had eight bedrooms I remember Oscar being a rather remote and aloof character.  He was a good deal older than the rest of us and we stood in some awe of him.  He was the appointed bread slicer and woe betide anyone who asked for half a piece!  He was in the Boy Scouts (perhaps that was a Wimbledon college Group) and a curious pointed scout hat hung in the cloakroom – he also wore long socks with Khaki ‘tabs’ on them which seemed to be part of the uniform.  (You can tell I was never in the Scouts!)  

He achieved notoriety in various ways – being carted off to the Isolation Hospital on one occasion with scarlet fever.  His room was subsequently fumigated by burning a special candle in it after sealing the windows and door.  It was that same room we sneaked into later on to handle a .303 Lee Enfield rifle (we had similar ones in the school museum at the time!) with which he was issued as a member of the Home Guard, I’m not sure if he ever received any ammunition.  

Oscar was one of those fortunate individuals (I am another) who from their earliest days knew exactly what they wanted to do after leaving school, and resisted advice on alternatives.  Under family pressure he started a chemistry course at Kingston but quickly moved to study civil engineering at Battersea Polytechnic which later became Surrey University .  He obtained his B.Sc ( Eng. ) as an external student of London University in 1949.  He went on to be elected a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Member of the Mechanicals.  He was also a Member of the institution of Engineers ( Jamaica ).  

His working life was spent in Construction, generally employed by Contractors (the people who actually do the building), both in UK and abroad (in Jamaica ).  Heavy civil engineering was his interest and he played a leading part in some significant projects, having been Project Manager for a major port expansion in Kingston , Jamaica and Agent in charge of the Hyde Park Corner underpass in London – one of the most complex traffic improvements which had then been attempted.

He finished his career as a Project Manager in the civil engineering department of Gleesons, who were engaged at the time on a number of dam projects in the North.  His projects included Empingham Dam which impounded Rutland Water, then in the County of Lincolnshire , but later reverting to Rutland County .

Oscar married Jennifer Stewart (Michael’s sister) in 1955 and they celebrated their golden jubilee with family and friends last September 3^rd.  (50 years to the day) at a splendid lunch at the RHS gardens at Wisley (Jennifer is a member), taking over most of the terrace restaurant for the occasion.  This was preceded by a Mass of thanksgiving at the school chapel, which they had attended for a good many years, with Jennifer regularly producing most elegant flower arrangements.

They lived in Purley for most of their married life in a house built to plans drawn up by Oscar.  He extended this several times, completing the last just in time for his 80^th birthday.  Oscar was always very ‘hands on’ and taught himself many skills in engineering and building disciplines.  He built and equipped a workshop at the end of his garden for metal and woodworking and spent many happy hours down there, particularly in retirement.  He became quite an expert in antique furniture restoration and also made a number of original pieces.  He was extremely generous with his time and would always be prepared to help people in trouble with household equipment failures, often turning out something on one of his machines which he had at first declared to be “impossible”.  He never quite made it into the computer age but did not feel in the least disadvantaged by that.

To the outside world Oscar seemed a very quiet and private figure but he had decided views (which were generally not for discussion) and was a family man through and through, a great father and grandfather figure (nicknamed “sunshine” by his sons and known to some of the grandchildren as “Grandpa cuckoo-clock”).  He spent much time supporting them all in many ways even after they had left home and married.

He will be much missed by Jennifer and his sons, William and Edward who both followed him to the school, by his daughter Katharine and by 10 grandchildren.’  

Arthur Nutt, R.I.P.

Arthur Nutt died on the 26^th December.  He was another Old Boy who, for one reason or another, avoided joining the Association, although he was well known amongst the Old Boys on the sports field where he was a past master at stirring things up and adding spice to any situation.  Arthur was a leading light in the Grosvenor Club and will be remembered with much affection.  Laurie Allen, a stalwart member of the Grosvenor and a long-time friend of Arthur’s has sent in the following tribute.  Please remember Arthur and his large family in your prayers.

‘Those of you who were at John Fisher during the years leading up to the war who can remember Arthur Nutt will be saddened to learn that he died at his home in Goudhurst on 26^th December 2005 .  Despite his being very seriously ill and enduring considerable pain during the 2 or 3 years prior to his death he was able to put a brave face on things thanks to the loving care which his wife Mary and their large family were able to provide.  He was 82.

I met Arthur in the Croydon YMCA around the time that the war broke out and from that meeting a binding friendship developed which lasted until his death.

His “military” career began with his enrolment in the Wallington Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), where, I believe he was armed with a broomstick, or some such object.  In 1942 be became a signaller in the Royal Navy and he had many stories to tell of his experiences in mine sweepers and other small craft.  He also had his share of shore duties among which he was a member of the port party in Anzio and, a few months later, in Naples , in both places of which we were fortunate to meet up again for the first time in over two years.

Soon after his discharge from the Navy, we had an enjoyable holiday at his aunt’s home in Carriganima, Co. Cork and it was during this holiday that I believe his whole outlook on life was to be changed.  We visited a tourist attraction called Blarney Castle where there is a stone which claims magical powers in the form of “the gift of the gab” to anyone who kisses it.  It certainly did for him, as it gave him confidence which enabled him to expand his social circle.

He became a very enthusiastic member of the Grosvenor Sports Club in Wallington which had been formed just after the war where he played cricket, football and tennis and was a regular supporter of the dances, whist drives and rambling activities which were available; he also became interested in golf. 

In 1954, Arthur married Mary McRory, who he had met through the Grosvenor Sports Club and the St Elphege’s Church which they both attended and enjoyed a long and very happy marriage during the course of which they produced six very fine children (3 of each) who, in turn, have married and presented them with 11 grandchildren.

As regards his career, having tried several types of employment without much enthusiasm, he was taken on by the Mobil Oil Company where they gift which he had received from kissing the Blarney Stone soon became apparent which enabled him to be recognised as a potential valuable asset to the company, given the proper training and, in due course, earned him progression in the company’s external work force.

Prior to his retirement, Arthur’s assignment was as Mobils’ South East Area representative liaising with the construction firms engaged in the Channel Tunnel project, giving them advice on the oils and other products which Mobil could provide for the types of machinery and equipment which were being used.  I’m sure that he made good use of his persuasive powers to secure their custom.

In retirement, both he and Mary were fully occupied looking after their beautifully sited house and garden in Goudhurst.  However, they still found time to travel a lot and also the lavish entertaining for which they were renowned.

I’m sure that he was more than satisfied with all the good fortunes that had come his way.  We all miss him.’

Dr Rupert Bennett, B.Sc., M.B., B.S., D.R.C.O.G., M.R.C.G.P., R.I.P

Dr Rupert Bennett, a highly qualified Old Boy, died in tragic circumstances recently whilst on, for him a normal climbing expedition in Scotland .  Tony Hazeldine, a long-time friend and relation of Dr Rupert, has sent in the following tribute.  Please remember Dr Rupert in your prayers. 

‘Rupert Bennett, a pupil at Laleham Lea and the John Fisher School from 1973 – 1983 has been tragically killed whilst climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland .  He was with two friends who were all members of the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance team and were experienced climbers. 

Rupert had climbed with Sir Chris Bonnington in the Himalayas joining the team as medical officer and they remained good friends.  

He was a clever young man who enjoyed his schooldays; he loved rugby and played the clarinet in the school orchestra.  He made many lasting friendships at John Fisher.

After school he joined his brother Nicholas at University College Hospital where he studied medicine; he had a special interest in genetics.  On gaining his medical degree he decided to become a GP which totally suited his character and love of people.  His passion for the mountains drew him to Cumbria where he became junior partner in a practice in Caldbeck in the Northern fells.

He became interested in altitude medicine and was invited to lecture on this on many occasions; his style was informative and amusing and his lectures became very popular amongst the climbing and medical fraternity, so much so that the Rupert Bennet Memorial Lectures will now take place annually.

He was a member of the Patterdale and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams for which he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.  As he enjoyed emergency medicine he worked for the Air Ambulance team and the new helicopter due this year is to be dedicated to him.

His medical colleagues in North Cumbria are awarding an annual prize in his memory to “the person who is prepared to go that extra mile” for that is what they thought of Rupert.

The icing on Rupert’s cake was when his parents retired to Cumbria at Christmas to be nearer to him and his lovely wife Sally, in the beautiful Lake District .  He telephoned Nicholas just before his tragic death to say that he had achieved true happiness.

A light that burns twice as brightly burns half as long.