Tributes to Former Players and Officials. (T-Z)
Extracts from Eton Fives Annual Reports.
R.W.Thompson (EFA Report 1965-1966)
The death of the Headmaster of Aysgarth School, a keen and influential supporter of Eton Fives, is recorded.R M G Turnbull - Etonian (EFA Report 1994-1995)
Earlier this year the whole Fives world was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Graham Turnbull. He had been involved in every aspect of the game ever since leaving Eton, and his departure leaves many gaps to fill. He enjoyed playing fives, and so did those with whom he was playing. In the third pair he knew how to encourage the young opponent to perform above expectation, and his match against St John's Leatherhead became a regular feature, owing much of its success to his efforts as match manager to raise a suitable side. His appearances in the Kinnaird were only occasional, yet he performed with vigour and enthusiasm.
It is however in the administration of the EFA that he will be missed most keenly. In 1964 he was proposed by the Old Etonians for the Committee, after he had been their Honorary Secretary for two years, and from that time on he was never outside the counsels of the game. That year a competition for Old Boy clubs was being mooted, and Graham immediately offered to run it; as the years passed the competition was re-named the Alan Barber Cup, but it remained in his capable hands, and even when he had undertaken further responsibilities he constantly kept himself up to date with results and developments. In 1972 he became Honorary Treasurer, a post he occupied for twenty-three years and whose operations he reduced to a smoothly running machine, retaining the human touch even when demanding payment. His contributions to committee discussion were always relevant and often tranchant, and it was almost inevitable that he should be elected Chairman in November 1980.During the next five years he guided the Committee through a period of continuing expansion and innovation, taking pleasure in producing the newsletter and in laying sound foundations for the County Championships. He also much enjoyed another of his brainchildren, the EGM on the first day of the Kinnaird, believing that this was a way of painlessly eliciting and so eradicating potential grouses; he chaired the often heated exchanges with urbanity and good humour and always made a point of reporting the main topics to the Committee afterwards with total lack of bias. After reverting to the Treasurer's position he instigated the discussions on charitable status.
In the name of the EFA I would like to extend our sympathy to his widow Kitty and their family: at the crowded memorial service in Pirbright parish church it was made abundantly clear how much he adorned the many different fields he touched; how fortunate the EFA has been to have benefited from his efforts for so many years. (M.J.S-J. - D.J.S.G.)
J K Waddell - Aldenhamian (EFA Report 1998-1999)
Jack Waddell, who has died at the age of 74, after a long illness, was for many years Secretary of the Old Aldenhamian Fives Club and a master at Aldenham with considerable input and influence on Fives at the school.
Jack was born in China in 1924 while his father was the Organist at the Anglican Cathedral in Shanghai. The family came back to England in 1930 and in due course Jack won a scholarship to Aldenham, which he entered first over sixty years ago, in September 1938. He became House Captain and was greatly admired. Civilised, friendly, intellectually able, he was both firm and encouraging to those in his charge. He was a keen musician and natural all-rounder on the sports field and Fives court.
In 1942 Jack won a major scholarship and later took a First in Classics at St John's, Cambridge. He became schoolmaster in 1950, first at The King's School, Canterbury, but from 1954 onwards at Aldenham, where he spent the next thirty-one years until reaching retirement age in 1985. He was a fine classroom teacher, regarded highly by his colleagues. He was an effective house tutor and with his musical gifts he was fully involved in all aspects of school life. He also took an active interest in the EFA.
Aldenham celebrated its quatercentenary last year and at the chapel service on Old Aldenhamian Day Jack received special mention and a gift to commemorate fifty years' loyal service. At the Old Aldenhamian Dinner in London on 11th November last year, everyone present signed a card of affectionate greetings and good wishes to Jack - only a few short hours before his death. Many people were saddened by it and will always remember him with gratitude and affection as a good man, a kind man and one of whom Aldenham and Aldenhamians can be rightly proud. (Rt Rev. C.C.W.J./G.D.S.)
Simon Walker - Carthusian (EFA Report 2004-2005)
Simon Walker who has died aged 46, was one of the most respected medieval historians of his generation. His best-known work, The Lancastrian Affinity, 1361-1399 (1990), explored the network of indentured retainers and county gentry dependent on John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. This network, Walker showed, was not characterised by straightforward obedience to the will of the lord, nor did it prevent independent action by gentlemen in defiance of Gaunt, even in the heartlands of his power. It was an analysis that blew apart the view that disorder in 15th-century England arose from the actions of an over-mighty nobility.
Simon Keith Walker was born on January 24 1958 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, where his father was working. From Hall Grove preparatory school, Simon went as a scholar to Charterhouse. Preparing for A levels, he wrote an essay on William of Occam that caused a sensation in the school history department. He sat the Oxbridge entrance exam a year in advance of his contemporaries, winning an open exhibition to Magdalen College, Oxford.Once up at Magdalen, where he read Modern History, he was promoted from exhibitioner to demy (scholar). He won the H W C Davis Prize and the Gibbs Prize (History), and took a First in 1979. He was careful to organise his routine of study so as to have time for cricket and Eton fives, and for a full social life.
Extract from Obituary Daily Telegraph - 26/04/2004
J C Wallis - Olavian (EFA Report 1994-1995)
It is with very great sadness that we have to report the tragic death of Jim Wallis in January. Jim was a very good all round sportsman who developed an outstanding ability at Eton Fives. Having hardly played the game at school, he was encouraged to join the Old Olavians Club in the late 1950's and very quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the game. Inspired by the challenge of something new, Jim was playing in the top competitive pairs within two seasons, where his game developed rapidly and powerfully. His speed about court was legendary, the ability to return high percentages of the most telling shots was remarkable, but his left handed smash to the deep right hand corner was arguably the finest to have been seen in Fives. In 1961 he was involved in an epic Kinnaird Cup final defeating opponents of the highest calibre to win the Championship. This he repeated in 1962 and 1964, narrowly missing out in a long final in 1963, when he was injured during the match.
He had many interests - football, squash, motor racing among them - and left the Fives world for a time. He returned in the early 1970's and was immediately back in top competition, this time in the winning Old Olavian Barber Cup Team of 1971. Further wins in this tournament just eluded Jim in the 1972 and 1973 finals, and he retired from the game to concentrate on his passion with motor racing, in which his reputation as a fast and brave driver was well deserved and his successes were many. His family business interests flourished and he led them to be one of the foremost companies in the plastic sack and container industry in Europe.
Jim Wallis had an incisive wit that was kindly but pertinent to the circumstances of the time. In his drive for perfection he reached the highest peaks and will be remembered with awe, warmth and gratitude as a man of immaculate and impeccable standards. Our heart-felt sympathies go to his widow, two children and their families. (J.W.B.)Dr.G.A.Wheatley - Uppinghamian (EFA Report 2001-2002)
Garth Wheatley was known as an Uppinghamian legend. As Master-in-Charge of Fives for countless years he once confirmed his details for the EFA Annual Report with the comment, 'life sentence'. But, as those who knew him realised, he loved every minute of it. His welcome and hospitality for visiting teams was second to none and no matter how bleak the winter weather, he would watch intently every pair in every match, egging on the school players until the last shot. He was also a perfect ambassador for the game as a Jester.
Following in his father's footsteps, Garth was educated at Uppingham himself, where he was Captain of the School, Captain of Fives and cricket and of the CCF. He was a Scholar of Balliol College, Oxford, achieving a first class honours degree, followed by a Doctorate. He became a Demonstrator in the Physics Department and worked on highly secret Physics in relation to the development of Nuclear Technology - something he almost never talked about.
Between 1943 and 1945 he played cricket for Oxford against Cambridge, becoming secretary and, for the last two years, Captain. He also played for Oxford Authentics and later played five times for Surrey. He kept wicket at Lords in 1946. He was a member of the MCC and a Free Forrester.
Garth returned to Uppingham in 1951 to teach Physics but he was really lured back to coach cricket for which he became Master-in-Charge for thirty-two years. He became the Housemaster at Brooklands for fifteen years and Second Master for six. He was well read and was a stalwart of the staff amateur dramatic society.
Even in retirement, Garth continued a commitment to Uppingham in and out of term and most especially to cricket. A reserved, private man, among those he knew he was a wonderful, warm and enthusiastic host and companion and an entertaining raconteur.
We extend to his wife, Heather and children, Owen, Briony, Duncan and Kerry, our sympathy at the loss of a remarkable and devoted husband, father and friend.
T J Wood - Citizen (EFA Report 1994-1995)
Tom Wood was one of a rare breed who played both Eton and Rugby Fives. In this respect he became a valuable link man between the two governing bodies and he will be remembered with affection as a man of great dedication with a pioneering spirit.
As his father had been, Tom was Clerk to the Wax Chandlers' Company in the City of London and not least he will be recalled for his lavish hospitality after committee meetings.
The City of London School was Tom's first encounter with Eton Fives. The headmaster's address to the new boys included a request for the Fives courts to be used as nobody seemed interested in the game. From that moment Tom became a fanatic and he showed the same devotion to Rugby Fives when, three years later, he moved to University College School where he became Captain of the game. Later he had the distinction of playing with the legendary champion, Dr Cyriax.
After the war, Tom's time was taken up with family life as well as teaching and lecturing in maths and engineering. In the mid 1960s, however, he allowed himself to be persuaded back into the administration side of Rugby Fives and in 1971 he became Honorary Secretary of the RFA Club, starting a remarkable two decades of contribution to the game, both as administrator and player. Tom's impact on the RFA Club was immediate. From a mere 36 fixtures in 1971, the total rose year by year, reaching 81 in 1976 and continuing until it hit three figures in 1984. What was even more astonishing than this growth was the fact that almost all these matches actually took place.
It was always obvious that for Tom the game was the thing, not the winning or the losing so much as the enjoyment of the event. Tom and his loyal wife, Joan, became missionaries for Rugby Fives, throwing in Eton Fives as well, as they travelled the country and beyond representing the RFA Club and the Old Citizens. It was their special joy to discover a hitherto unrecognised variety of Fives or an original shape of court and Tom became expert in recounting local rules and quirky customs. Many a lonely master-in-charge was given moral (and actual) support by the Wood's regular visits to play Fives on his courts and encourage the youngsters in his care.
In 1974 Tom and Joan donated the Wood Cup for the Rugby Fives National Inter-Club Knockout Competition; they also presented a trophy for Winchester Fives Doubles and one for the Old Citizens.
The Wood's generosity and organisational ability was also felt in their American tours and in the way they made sure that visiting teams were received on this side of the Atlantic.
Tom also became Secretary and President of the RFA itself as well as becoming a Jester and Vice-Chairman of the Old Citizens Eton Fives Club. Above all, he was a man of action and it was entirely characteristic and fitting that he was still playing the game he loved when he was 74 years young, just a few weeks before his death. (G.D.S.)
Constructed by Mike Fenn
18th May 2000
efa@etonfives.co.uk