OLD WILLIAMSONIAN CLUB
(Founded 1891)
NEWS R.I.P.
ROBERT “BOB” BURGE (1942-2024)
We have been informed by his son, Nigel, that Bob sadly passed away last week.
Bob was born on 21st August 1942 in Royal Tunbridge Wells as his mother had returned to her family home in Crowborough at the onset of the war until the latter years of the war when they moved back to their home in Copperfield Road, Rochester.
He attended St Peters Primary School and passed his 11+ to go to the Math School in 1953 where he was a very proud member of Pitt House and eventually became House Captain. He was also a Prefect.
His love for cricket and rugby began at school and he captained both the 2nd XI cricket team and the 1st XV rugby team, obtaining the school colours in both sports. He was selected for the Kent Senior Rugby Colts Team whilst still at school.
Bob left the Math School in 1961, after ‘A’ Levels and earned a place at The British School of Osteopathy where, in 1964, he gained his Diploma in Osteopathy allowing him to practice as a registered osteopath until his retirement.
In the same year he left the Math, he became a member of the Old Williamsonian Club and continued to play both rugby and cricket for them after initially playing for Stoke CC. He captained the cricket team in 1978 and became the Chairman of the OWCC in 1998. He was also a life Vice-President of the club. In the Club’s Mid-Kent League days he was invariably picked to play in the League Select XI v the League Champions.
In 1981, Bob became the Chairman of the OW Club and in that year, was part of the Golden Oldies rugby team who played in the Past vs. Present match to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the OW Club.
His diary was always clear for Founder’s Day in July and he participated in the Past vs. Present afternoon cricket match whether it be as a player or an umpire.
His association with The Math School continued through his son Nigel, and grandsons, Samuel and Daniel who followed in his footsteps and continued the Burge tradition of being members of Pitt House.
He passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease on 20th November 2024 and will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Marian, their children, Lisa and Nigel, grandchildren, Samuel, Daniel and Katie and everyone who knew him.
His funeral will be held on Monday 16th December 2024 at 1330hrs at the Blue Bell Hill Crematorium in Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Hill Village, ME5.
Our condolences go to his wife, Marian, and family.
ALAN ROBINSON
We have received the sad news of the passing of Alan. Our thoughts go to his family and friends.
My old friend Alan Robinson passed away suddenly at home in Newton Stewart on Tuesday 13th February.
I have known Robbie since our days at the old school in the High Street in the 1950s.We both played cricket and hockey for the school.As a schoolboy he was a prolific goalscorer which continued into OW hockey where we met up again after my time in the RAF.
His goalscoring tally in excess of 500 for the OWs will take some beating.
During the summer months he excelled at both tennis and golf.Golf was to become his favourite.
On his retirement from Lloyds Bank Robbie and his wife Shirley moved to Scotland.He joined the local golf club where he was an active member for many years.
Goodbye Robbie enjoy your time on the great golf course in the sky.
Regards
Roy Farrow
DAVID PHYALL
News has reached us from his son, Justin, of the sad passing of David Phyall on 4th January 2024.
Our thoughts go to his family and friends.
DAVID HOSKIN
News has reached us of the sad passing of David Hoskin last week ( Jan '24). David was a long time VP of OWRFC.
Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.
Further details may follow.
JOHN HAYDON
Sadly, we have learnt of the passing on John Haydon on 5th January 2024. John left the School left in 1960 having joined in 1953
His younger brother David, a school year younger, also went to the Math. Both became doctors, David as a GP in Buckinghamshire and John in the Royal Navy. John's eldest son, Richard, followed suit and is a doctor in Australia.
Sadly, John had a massive stroke and ended up in Haslar Military Hospital and although he was poorly there was still a spark of enthusiasm for life. Subsequently he left the Navy and joined the Ministry of Defence where he was an expert in deep sea diving. But more recently he was a shadow of his former self physically but mentally as bright as ever.
We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Our thanks go to David Swan for providing the information about John’s life.
PETER LINGHAM
We have learnt of the sad loss of Peter Lingham from Richard Abel. His words follow:
“It is with much sadness that I have to convey to you the news that Peter Lingham, aged 93, passed away last night , 9th January 2024.
Peter, who was member no 5 having joined in 1978, was a stalwart of Tuesday lunches which he hosted for many years. He was a keen croquet player too. He celebrated his 90th birthday during lockdown and sent a handwritten note to me for inclusion in the newsletter which started off "I do not have a typewriter. I do not use a computer. I am not a good writer. I am just an old farmer." He was a delightful farmer, a great character, forthright with his views and a member who will be much missed.”
ADRIAN MOOREY
It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the passing of Adrian Moorey who died on 28 December 2023 in a care home after suffering from Dementia in his latter years.
Adrian played 1st XI hockey during the 1960s and 1970s and attended the School between 1957 and 1964. He made a career in the Civil Service including becoming the Press Secretary for the Home Office before retiring to Bath. He leaves his wife, Nicky, and children Alex, Olivia and William. Our sincere condolences go to Nicky, family and friends.
Condolences can be sent to Nicky at 56 Bloomfield Avenue, Bath, BA2 3AE.
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MOHAMED ARSHAD AHMEDI
We’ve received the sad news of the passing of Mohamed Arshad Ahmedi at the age of 70 on 7th September 2023. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Arshad was a star performer for School teams and had two spells with OWHC in the early 70s and mid 90s.
Our sincere condolences go to his family and thos who knew him.
TED BAKER
The Club have received the sad news of the passing of Ted Baker at the age of 88. He suffered a heart attack in February and spent his final days close to home at the Wisdom Hospice. Ted was a larger than life character who served not only the OW Club but also the local community.
BEN ALLEN
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ben. Tragically he was knocked down and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was only 27 and an OW. He was a keen D of E participant.
Ben was a teacher at Cliffe Woods School and he was walking home from the school Christmas party at the Horseshoe and Castle in Cooling when the incident occurred.
Our condolences go to his family, work colleagues and friends.
JOHN M NIXON OBE
Very sad news has reached us of the passing of John Nixon OBE this last weekend. Our condolences go to Carole and family. John was having treatment for prostate cancer.
John was Chairman of OWHC for a number of years and was always keen to hear about and support the other sporting sections within the Club. He was also Chairman of the OW Club in 1975.
GORDON TROWER
We have also received the very sad news of the passing of Gordon Trower who died at the beginning of October. Our condolences go to his family.
ERIC JONES
It is with great sadness that we have heard via James Fry that our old Maths teacher at the School has passed on Friday 1st October at the age of 96.