• Obituaries > Caian Obituaries
  • Obituaries > Caian Obituaries

    The College receives a large number of obituaries detailing the wonderful variety of lives experienced by our Caians. From distinguished academics and professionals to war heroes, eco-warriors to famous photographers, many Caians leave behind memories that will be cherished by more than just their family and friends.

    We aim to publish as many obituaries as possible in the College's annual record, The Caian, but limited space means we can't fit all of them in. Read the obituaries below and celebrate with us the lives and achievements of some much-missed Caians.

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    Obituary Anthony Hugh Eliott A Birks 09/07/2010  
    Obituary by Simon Birks, son of A H E Birks

    Anthony Hugh Eliott Birks was a son of a Royal Tark Regiment Major, General Horace Birks. He liked brevity.

    Tony Birks died March 15 2010.

    Educated at Felsted School 1937-42, he joined the R. A. F as a bomb aimer with Halifax aircraft.

    He took his place happily at Gonville & Caius after the War.

    Subsequently, he worked in Bombay, Trinidad, Port of Spain and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania as Managing Director for the Vestey Group.

    He retired to East Devon in 1983.

    His ashes were scattered at Goodrich Castle, near Ross-on-Wye where Felsted were relocated 1939-1945.
    Obituary Christopher Norman C Tubbs 26/04/2010  
    REVD CHRISTOPHER NORMAN TUBBS
    21 November 1925 - 18 April 2010


    Chris was born in Tinnevelly, South India, where his father Norman Tubbs was Bishop and his mother Norah also a trained missionary. Chris was the third of four children, all born overseas in the days of Mission and Empire. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Burma, where Norman had been appointed Bishop of Rangoon, and Chris' earliest memories were of happy, sunny days in the care of a beloved Ayah and devoted household staff, while his parents undertook their duties for the Church Missionary Society.

    At the age of seven, this easygoing life came to an abrupt end, when Chris, following his older brothers Lionel and Peter, was sent back to England in 1932 by long sea, in the charge of strangers, to attend boarding school and spend his holidays with a series of elderly relatives. This was the custom of the time. Chris attended St Christopher's, Great Missenden and then Cordewallis, before following family tradition and attending Repton School from 1938.

    In 1936 Chris' parents reluctantly returned from Burma to provide a family home in Chester, where Norman was appointed Dean and Assistant Bishop. Chris was to enjoy only a few holidays from Repton at home in The Close at Chester, before World War Two intervened, and he was evacuated with his (younger) sister Barbara to Canada, where he attended Ridley College (St Catherine's, Ontario).

    Chris graduated from Ridley College in 1944, returned to Britain briefly for military training and joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers who arrived in India early in 1945. Chris was on his way to the Burma front (where the life expectancy of an officer was 4 days, as the Japanese fought a bitter, slow retreat through South East Asia). Chris survived because of the sudden Japanese surrender, following the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and he decided to remain in India, seconded to the Dogra Regiment and posted to the North West Frontier in the lead-up to Indian independence and partition in the Punjab, where he worked happily with Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.

    In 1951, Chris left the Indian Army and resumed his education, reading Theology at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he also found time to develop his sporting skills, playing cricket, tennis and squash, and captaining the University ice hockey team. After completing his MA at Cambridge, Chris went on to Wycliffe Hall Theological College, Oxford (where he also played for the University ice hockey team, unusually earning a "blue" from both universities).

    Chris was ordained by his father at Chester Cathedral in 1952 and took his first curacy at St Mary's & St Helen's Church, Neston in the Wirral, and it was here that he met Anne Cornelius, whom he married, again in Chester Cathedral, in 1954. Chris and Anne moved to Norwich in 1955, where Chris served his second curacy at St Peter Mancroft's Church and as Chaplain to the 4th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment Territorials. Anne supplemented the family budget as a theatrical landlady, and their first two children were born in Norwich - Anthony John and Elizabeth Jane (who died in early infancy).

    In 1959, Chris, Anne and Anthony moved to North Yorkshire, where Chris was Vicar of Scalby for 35 years, until his retirement in 1995. Two more sons were born, Timothy James and Nicholas Peter. In 1968, Scalby became a United Benefice with the addition of the parishes of St John's Staintondale and St Hilda's Ravenscar. From 1976 until 1982 Chris served additionally as Rural Dean for the Scarborough Deanery. In 1985 he was appointed a Canon of York Minster.

    Chris's ministry through the 35 years at Scalby is well-remembered. His early innovations included the introduction of a family service, a strengthened church choir and Sunday School, and a vigorous commitment to planned giving through Christian Stewardship campaigns. Chris also advocated firmly for the Mothers' Union, Church of England Mens' Society and for an engagement with Missions Overseas, reflecting his early family experience and parental example.

    Outside of his manifold Church activities, Chris became a well-known local figure. He was active in the formation of Scalby Village Trust, in all community and civic affairs, a committed Rotarian (and President of Scarborough's Rotary Club), a keen supporter of international links, including the twinning of Scarborough with Recklinghausen (Germany) and Scalby with Pornic (France). Chris was an active supporter of the Conservative Association and the Scarborough Civic Society, attending events until the end of his life. In retirement, Chris also worked as a volunteer for Scarborough Lifeboat centre, and supported many charities including Sightsavers, NSPCC and St Catherine's Hospice.

    Chris retained his Territorial Army connection, as Chaplain to the Green Howards, and in later life took great pleasure in returning to Canada (where he followed and supported Ridley College) and India, where he twice attended Dogra Regiment reunions. Chris continued his sporting interests, following and supporting Scarborough Cricket Club enthusiastically. He was also a keen horseman, notably inaugurating an annual outdoor Horseman's Service at Scalby, where he kept ponies and hunters, rode to hounds and followed the fortunes of the local hunts and field sports societies. Scalby Vicarage was usually home to a selection of livestock - hens, sheep, ponies - and notoriously the goats Chris introduced to keep the grass down between the headstones in the churchyard.

    In 1995, Chris retired, and moved with Anne to West Ayton, where he continued active for many years, assisting with services and later a regular member of the congregation at St Helen's Wykeham. In Summer 2007, Chris suffered two heart attacks, and his health began a steady deterioration, as his formerly active life became increasingly unsustainable. On Sunday 18 April, he quietly slipped away in his sleep.

    Chris is survived by his wife, Anne, older brother Peter, younger sister Barbara, his three sons, Anthony, Timothy and Nicholas, and Anthony's three children, Henry, Alexandra and Georgina.

    Funeral at St Helen's and All Saints', Wykeham 12 noon Monday 26 April 2010. No flowers by request. Donations to St Helen's Wykeham or c/o F & A Stockill & Son, Snainton.


    Obituary Iain Alexander Drysdale I Todd 13/04/2010  
    On November 30, 2009, Dr. Iain Todd, born May 28, 1932 in Leven, Scotland, passed away.

    A brilliant surgeon, Iain was first educated as a boy at Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh. He received his medical training at Cambridge and St Thomas' Hospital in London and his surgical training at the University of Toronto. In Canada Iain performed one of the first renal transplants and was President of the Ontario Medical Association. A champion squash player, Iain excelled at skiing and tennis as well.

    In 1979 Iain moved to Phoenix and maintained a highly regarded urology pratice. Iain cherished his ties to Arizona and his regular sprint up Camelback Mountain. His wife Jill was his oulmate and guide. Iain and Jill travedlled the world together and thrived in Blockley, England in the summers. His accomplishments, both professional and personal, are innumerable. In retirement, Iain was an enthusiastic golfer, carpenter and grandfather.

    Iain had an incredible array of friends and family, each of whom bears the deep impression of his remarkable life. Iain leaves his wife Jill and her sister Margaret. In Britain he leaves his sister and brother-in-law Fiona and George Donaldson and nephews Neil and Graham Donaldson. His children Caroly (and Steve), Allison (and Todd), Jamie (and Sue), Fiona (and Brad), Douglas and Alexandra will cherish his memory and do their best to pass on his mark to grandchildren Alastair and Dale, James and Olivia, Sarah and Matthew, and Aidan.

    Those who knew Iain will know that a lion of a man is gone.
    Obituary Keith K Barry 22/03/2010  
    Keith Barry 1913-2009

    He was born in London on January 27th 1913. An early and lasting memory was the shooting down of a Zeppelin over London during WW1.

    He was educated at King's School, Macclesfield from 1924 - 1932, whilst his father was headmaster at Macclesfield Boys Central School. He won a scholarship to Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, going up in 1932 to read Modern Languages; his subjects were English, French and Spanish. He learnt the latter from scratch, helped by cycling across France to San Sebastian that summer. In 1935 he obtained a 2.1 in French and a 3rd in Spanish.

    In January 1936 he obtained a post at the Royal Liberty School, Romford, as Temporary Assistant Master in Spanish, but in July the same year he accepted a post at the Perse School, Cambridge as Assistant Master in English & French, and as House Tutor in the Boarding House. He expected the post to be temporary…

    In September 1937 he became one of two Games Masters. He had obtained School Colours in Rugby, Soccer & Cricket, and was Victor Ludorum in athletics; he was in Caius College 2nd XV, & obtained College Colours in Fives in 1933,4,&5. He played tennis for Cambridgeshire in 1946 and, more sedately, played Chess for the county 1945-50. He remained Games Master until 1964.

    In 1941 he became Commanding Officer of the newly formed Air Training Corps. He had volunteered for the Armed Forces, but they felt, in view of his occupation, it would be better to employ him in this role. He relinquished this post on being appointed Housemaster in 1945.

    In 1944 he was appointed Senior English Master. Since WW1, the Perse had re-established its reputation as one of the leading schools in the country for its drama work with junior forms in the Mummery; between 1950 & 1965 it gained more than 25 Open Awards in English at Oxford and Cambridge.

    In 1945 he was appointed Housemaster at the Junior House. After 12 years there he moved to the Senior House, where he remained until he moved to Stansgate Avenue in 1972, when he became Second Master - a post he held until his retirement from teaching in 1978. Upon retirement he became Appeals Director, raising £415,000 in the first year far exceeding the aim of £150,000, in no small measure due to Keith's extensive OP network. Having run two appeals himself, he was a huge help to Anne Lyon, Alex Cook and Nigel Richardson with the 1997 Millennium Campaign. He was also much involved in the OP Society and its President for some years. He served on the Schools Council, as a Member for seven years, Chairman of the Drama Sub-Committee for three years and Member of the Examinations Sub-Committee for three years.

    As well as teaching, he became an Examiner in English Literature, initially in 1948 for London University, & from 1954 with the Cambridge University Syndicate for GCE 'O' level. He became Chief Examiner, which entailed setting the papers & co-ordinating the marking of 95 Examiners - some of whom became, and remain, friends. During this time he travelled extensively overseas, running training courses for examiners and accrediting schemes for the Syndicate. He visited Nigeria, the Sudan, Malaysia, Singapore, India (a trip he extended to go walking in the Himalayas), Zimbabwe & Swaziland - most of them more than once. In addition, he was Moderator in English Literature for the Oxford & Cambridge Examination Board from 1979 - 84.

    He was a School Governor - of Stoke College from 1975, during which he became Vice-Chairman, of the Perse School for Girls from 1986 and, of course, the Perse School for Boys from the same year until 2001.

    His main leisure interests were mountaineering, ornithology and travel. All were combined in a trip to Kenya in 1978, although the attempt to scale Mount Kenya failed through altitude sickness at 14,000ft - in his (younger) companions only!

    A collection of essays was produced in 1996 to mark his (and Beryl's) 60 years' association with and work for the School; 'Essays and Reflections on the Perse School in Honour of Keith and Beryl Barry 1936-1996'.

    He was fond of fast cars. He is on record as saying, on one fine afternoon (possibly games cancelled with unfit pitches); 'What a lovely day; I think I'll go and clean my car'. He was a link with Dr Rouse, having driven him on occasion back to Histon Manor. The combination of cars (R disliked them) and possibly KB's liking for speed led Rouse to sit with his head secured under the crook of his stick or umbrella - he fixed over his neck and sat low, leaning forward.

    KB was fond of dispensing hospitality, including to young, new members of staff. It was he who set up the Common Room wine club which resulted in the sherry cabinet we remember fondly from the days of the old Common Room (up to 1984).

    Tony Melville regarded him as an excellent administrator and Second Master, knowing which matters to take upon himself and which needed the Head's attention. He always felt the school was in safe hands with KB whenever he had to be away and he thought KB would himself have made a fine headmaster. Keith Symons, a member of the History dept. in KB's time and later a Head himself, wrote that KB was 'the best Headmaster the Perse never had'. Keith was a valuable source of guidance and friendship to a number of Perse HMs over a long period.

    He remained active until very late in life; he kept offering to retire as Chief Examiner but they would not let him, and it was not until the 1990s that, because of his beloved Beryl's failing eyesight, he finally stepped down from his various activities to look after her, which he did with devotion until her death in September 2006. Since then life has held less meaning for him, particularly over the last year, so when he fractured his shoulder in a fall on Boxing Day 2008, he decided enough was enough, and died peacefully at his son's home on January 3rd 2009 - two days after Beryl's birthday and three weeks before his own 96th.

    He leaves a son, Christopher, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
    Obituary John Adrian Henry J Collyns 04/03/2010  
    Dr Adrian H. Collyns, 90, died Jan. 3, 2010, in Dallas, Texas, as a result of injuries suffered from a fall while walking his dog, Honey Boy. A member of the Royal College of Physicians, Dr Collyns had resided in Dallas since 1962, where he practised medicine. Born January 10, 1919, in Nairobi, Kenya, he attended school in Tunbridge Wells, England, and Cambridge University, where he matriculated in 1937 in Gonville and Caius College. He served as a physician with the RAF during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dorothy J. Collyns, of Dallas; his daughter Sharon Pott of Vienna, Virginia; and his son Bayly Collyns of London, England. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his medical accomplishments, Dr Collyns was a devoted railroad historian and long-time volunteer at the DeGolyer Library at Southern Methodist University. In 2003 he curated an exhibition, Northern steam / Vapeurs du Nord: photographs of French steam locomotives on the Chemins de Fer du Nord, 1906-1937, and later on the Northern Region of the S.N.C.F., Société Nationale Chemins de Fer, 1938-1952, which was published by the library and widely acclaimed. In accordance with his wishes, Dr Collyns' remains were donated to the Anatomy Department at Southwestern Medical School.