Andrea (Andi) Chapman
(notified by Lois Benton)
Andrea (Andi) Chapman (Miss Lewis) sadly died on Monday 11th September 2023. She had been in hospital for 6 weeks and had sepsis which unfortunately spread through her body.
Her funeral is on Monday October 23rd at 12.15p.m. at Hastings Crematorium, and afterwards at the Brickwall Hotel, Sedlescombe. All friends and former colleagues and students from the Thomas Peacocke School are very welcome to attend.
Derek Baldock
(notified by brother in law Christopher Breeds)
Derrick Baldock, who attended Rye Grammar School in the late 50’s and early 60’s died in August 2023. Derrick lived and worked in Rye all of his life. He was a great sportsman and played football for Rye United and cricket for Rye and other local teams. Latterly he and his late wife managed The Globe Inn, The Castle in Winchelsea, and The Hope Anchor. There will be a Thanksgiving Service for him at Rye Baptist Church on Tuesday 12 September at 3pm. Christopher will be conducting the service, Derrick’s sister and Christopher’s wife, Kay, will be speaking along with his stepson, Stephen Kennard.
Funeral of Joan Nunn
Following the recent sad death of Joan Nunn (no other details known), her funeral will be held at the Hastings Crematorium on 31st May 2023 at 11.15am.
Kevin Moore via Richard Moore/Martin Blincow
Rosalie Eldridge nee Green
I heard today, 26th March 2023, of the death of an old scholar of R.G.S., who was evacuated with the Grammar School to Bedford in the war, ROSALIE ELDRIDGE (nee GREEN) who must have been one of the last R.G.S. evacuees living as she was well into her 90s. She married Rev. John Eldridge, one of the founder members of The Samaritans, and her funeral service will be on 13 April 2023, in Southampton.
Kevin Moore via Lois Benton
Julia Fuggle
I regret to inform ROSA of the passing in October after a short illness of my mother Julia Fuggle (Nee Smith), a former Rye Scholar. She was evacuated to Bedford during the second world war. She returned
to train as a nurse and later worked as a technician at Rye Thomas Peacocke Lower School Biology Lab working for Mrs Docksey. She was 94 and until recently very active, a keen Rambler, and was always game for a laugh.
She features on the ROSA website in the Bedford section, in the hockey and tennis teams. https://www.ryeoldscholars.org.uk/bedford-evacuation-ww2/ She was Julia Smith then.
Her Mother was Lilian Smith, a teacher at Rye Primary School Staff in 1946, also featured in the General and History Section of the ROSA website at https://www.ryeoldscholars.org.uk/general-and-history/
Paul Fuggle
John Leahy
Peter Goodsell has informed ROSA that John Leahy, former RGS pupil, died earlier this year.
An obituary to John can be read here https://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/98516#facebook-share-obituary
Howard Jones
Michael Le Fevre
I wanted to let the Old Scholars know about the sudden death this week of my brother, Michael Le Fevre. He was 58 years old. He would have attended Thomas Peacocke in the late 1970s and left at the end of sixth form about 1980. People will remember him as being incredibly tall! I have attached a photo to show this – Orange mark above his head! He was very keen on stage lighting and whilst at TPS helped to light the school plays. He went on to have a long career in tv lighting at the BBC and then more recently he was freelance mainly working in theatre lighting. He was a larger than life character in many ways and will be solely missed by family and friends.
Harriet Watkins (nee Le Fevre) – 27 May 2022
Maureen Getley
Maureen Getley, who taught history at RGS and then the Thomas Peacocke School for so many years, was a wonderful friend to ROSA, and a regular attendee at our annual lunches, passed away on 13 March 2022 in Castlemaine Care Home in St Leonards, following a fall.
The full service sheet for the Service of Thanksgiving can be read here.
Miss Getley Thanksgiving Service
Miss Getley’s degree certificate
The following tribute to Miss Getley was published in Iden’s Village Voice.
From Iden Village Voice – 18 March 2022 – Reproduced with permission
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The above tribute to Maureen Getley was published in the Rye Castle Museum May 2022 Newsletter – reproduced with kind permission of the Rye Castle Museum. |
Alan ‘Bunt’ Shearer – 19/11/1929 – 28/11/2021
Former RGS student and Fairlight resident Alan ‘Bunt’ Shearer died on 28 November 2021.
Andrew Dunlop (Will Dunlop’s nephew) gave a eulogy at Alan’s funeral on 15 December 2021.
With Andrew’s permission, his eulogy for Alan can be read here Alan Shearer 1929 – 2021
Ray Fooks, MBE
Michael and Paulina Metian
My elder brother Michael Metianu died in January 2021. Mike died on the 13th January at a care home near Maidstone at the age of 90. He had been in the home for some time and was not a well man, but it was Covid 19 that was the final straw.
Mike was at Rye Grammar School at Bedford, during the war, and when the School returned to Rye. He leaves a daughter Jane, and a son Jeremy.
My elder sister Paulina Metianu has also died. Paul (Metzi to her friends) died on the 11th April 2021, in a nursing home at Silsoe in Bedfordshire, after two strokes the previous autumn. Paul 96, was also a pupil of Rye Grammar School, which she joined before the war, and was evacuated with to Bedford.
Paul was Head Girl of RGS, and went on to a career in special needs teaching. She was a very keen amateur artist. Paul never married, and leaves no dependents.
I am Andrew Metianu, the youngest and only surviving member of the family, I was born in Bedford during the Evacuation and am 18 years younger than Paul. I was at Leasam / RGS from 1956-61.
Andrew Metianu
JSL Pulford
John Pulford pays tribute to his father, John S L Pulford, who was one of the oldest surviving pupils of the Rye Grammar School Bedford evacuation years.
John Sydney Leslie Pulford was born in Rye in 1925 to an old-established Rye family. He was awarded a ‘Special Place’ at Rye Grammar School in 1936 and on the 21st July 1940 was evacuated with other staff and pupils to Bedford. John was never to return to live permanently in Rye again. His academic potential was quickly realised however and by January 1942 he was a prefect of Sanders House and one of the editors of, and regular contributors to, the remodelled School Magazine ‘Nova Rya’. By the time he left in the summer term of 1943 he was the School Captain and was described by the headmaster as a hardworking and loyal leader of the school. In 1942 he joined the Rye Grammar School Division of the ATC and in December 1943, joined the RAF at Cardington a few miles away. His poor eyesight prevented him from serving as air crew but he became an accomplished Sergeant Education Assistant, teaching airmen and air women in the Educational and Vocational Training scheme, preparing them for return to civilian life.
John kept in close touch, not only with many of his school friends, but with several of his teachers including Miss Turner, his headmaster Mr Jacobs, his landladies and even ‘Matron’ Francis from the hostel he was assigned to. Two of his close friends at Bedford were Rex Cowper and Graham Smith.
His final posting was to RAF Kiddlington where he met Dorothy, a WAAF corporal from Hull. They were married in 1948.
John was demobilised in September 1947 and was offered a place at Hertford College Oxford, where he read Modern History and was awarded a Batchelor of Arts degree in 1950.
John spent the first 10 years of his working life in the Estate Duty Office, studying law in his spare time, and he was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1955 opening up a career in the Magistrates’ Court Service. In 1985 he retired as Senior Chief Clerk at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London.
John was always a Ryer at heart and never missed opportunities to visit his family and old friends there. He passed away on 9th October 2020 aged 95, a dearly loved father, grandfather and great grandfather.
At Rye Grammar School c.1942
JSLP (front row far left) in Rye Grammar School ATC Bedford 1942
Rye Grammar School 6th Form Bedford 1942. JSLP back row 2nd from right
Phil Stone
Phil Stone died in Canterbury on 11 May 2020. Phil was a former RGS student and in 1969 was appointed headteacher at Brede County Primary School where he worked until his retirement in 1989.
Phil’s daughter Kate has very kindly sent ROSA an obituary of Phil which can be read here Obituary, Philip Stone.
David Tritton
Robert William ‘Will’ Eldridge
George Hunt
George Hunt’s family have sent us the following information.
‘George Hunt, History Teacher, Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head of Thomas Peacocke School, sadly passed away on Tuesday 4th February. George (born 1941) moved to Peasmarsh in 1978 and began his career at Thomas Peacocke School as a history teacher, soon becoming Head of Sixth Form where he built a thriving community and supported students with their career/university aspirations. He became Deputy Head where he focused on the well-being and pastoral care for all students whilst continuing to teach History, Politics and General Studies. After his retirement, he continued to examine as his passion for history never left him. He was father to Victoria, Stephen and Gillian, Grandfather to Addison, Sarah, Joseph, Henry, Jack, William and Elizabeth and, recently, Great Grandfather to Rose.’
Mrs Joan Gipson (nee Field)
Richard Gipson has sent us the following information about his mother:
‘My Mother, Mrs Joan Gipson, nee Field, passed away two and a half years ago. A copy of the ROSA newsletter has just been forwarded from Mum’s old address and so she must have still been on the ,ailing list.
Mrs Jean Turner (nee Blackman)
Jean’s son Ricky Turner has informed ROSA of the sad news that his mother, Mrs Jean Turner, has passed away. Jean was married to the late Colin, and her children, Susan, David, Ricky, Martyn and Elizabeth (Liz) attended the Rye senior schools. Jean was the daughter of Mr Blackman, who was headteacher at Rye County Secondary School, and the sister of the late Eve Beeney, who was the Headteachers’ Secretary as well as ROSA Secretary for many years.
The funeral is at Hastings Crematorium at 1.15 on Monday 16 April and afterwards at the George in Rye.
Jean aged 18
Martin Robert Jones
Richard Jones has informed us of the death of his younger brother, Martin Robert Jones. Martin died on or about 10 March 2018 in Cambridge. Richard has now informed us that Martin’s funeral will take place at Cambridge Crematorium, East Chapel, on Friday 27 April at 4.00pm. It is planned to intern Martin’s ashes in Rye at a later date.
Richard has provided the following information:
‘Martin was the youngest of us Jones boys (Peter and myself), attending Thomas Peacocke School from 1972-1979, from where he won a scholarship to Kings College, Cambridge to read mathematics. He liked Cambridge so much that he stayed there, working initially on finite element graphic software. It is evident that he had a leaning towards academia, and in his spare time had undertaken an Open University Masters degree and was actively involved with distance learning modules. He had recently announced his intention to undertake a Phd.
Our Mum and Dad (Basil and Daphne Jones (nee Breeds)) were also Old Scholars, attending RGS during the war years when it was evacuated to Bedford.’
If anyone would like to contact Richard, please email Tim Rothwell at timrothwell9@gmail.com who will be pleased to pass on Richard’s email address.
Photo taken of Martin in 1987, relaxing in the flat in Cambridge that he made his home.
Gary Parkhurst
Lois Benton has informed ROSA that Gary Parkhurst, who was a Laboratory Technician at RGS in the 1960s, died on Sunday 14 January 2018. He married Jennifer Points who taught Biology at RGS. Gary was a very keen ‘radio ham,’ and helped with training the Air Training Corps (A.T.C.) in radio/wireless communication.
Gary and Jennifer spent most of their married life in Norfolk, both working in local schools. Gary’s funeral will be held in Norfolk on 2nd February 2018.
Gary is pictured here (third from the right, front row) with the ATC c 1960.
Terry Barden

Harold and Brenda Pearce
Lois Benton has informed us that Harold Pearce, Maths teacher at Rye County Secondary School and Thomas Peacocke School, and Head of School House at TPS, died in Malvern in August aged 91 years. His wife, Brenda, died on 21st November 2017 aged 92 years. Her funeral is to be held at Worcester Crematorium on Friday 22nd December 2017. They moved to Malvern after Harold retired to be near their daughter Elizabeth.
This photo of Rye Secondary School staff circa 1955 shows, we believe, Harold Pearce 7th from the left in the back row, between Eve Rogerson on his right and Bob Huxstep on his left.
Brian Thompson
We have been given the sad news by Brian Thompson’s daughter, Nic Cusack, that Brian died at Edendale Care Home in St Leonards-on-Sea on 28 November 2017, aged 82 years.
He was a pupil at RGS in the late 1940s/early 1950s. He was married to Janet for 57 years, and lived in Icklesham for most of his married life. He was the proprietor of The Strand Garden Shop (now the Old Grain Store).
Margery Nettle
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Margery Nettle (nee Odell) who died in the Royal Surrey Hospital on 27 November 2017, aged 77.
Margery had served on the ROSA Committee for many years. She was the daughter of Ernie Odell, the well-known Rye figure who ran the bike shop in Market Road. Margery and her two younger sisters, the late Christine and Eileen all attended RGS.
A Service of Thanksgiving for Margery’s life took place at St Mary’s Church, Rye, on Tuesday 19 December 2017 at 2.30 pm. The church was full with Margery’s many friends and family remembering her with love and affection. Her sister Eileen and her family had come over from Australia to be there. ROSA was well represented as was appropriate, given all she had done for the Society. ROSA has made a donation to the Mothers Union (see second photo below) in memory of Margery.
The following are taken from the Service Sheet.
Tim Brodrick
ROSA have learnt with sadness of the recent death of Tim Brodrick, a former pupil at RGS and a well-known and highly respected veterinary surgeon for many years in Rye.
Tim Brodrick
Berni Fiddemore has paid tribute to Tim in Rye News of 30 November 2017 here
Marjorie Fooks
ROSA are sad to hear of the death of Marjorie Fooks, the wife of the former headteacher at Thomas Peacocke School, Ray Fooks. ROSA President Richard Moore, who was the first headboy at the school under Mr Fooks, has written to Ray Fooks to pass on the sincere condolences of ROSA on his loss.
Judy Agus – Nee Whyatt
Graham Saunders
It is with great sadness that ROSA has learned of the death of Graham Saunders, who was a pupil at RGS in the 1950s/early 1960s. Graham died at home on 1 November 2017, aged 74.
Graham’s funeral service was held on Tuesday 21 November 2017 at Rye Harbour Church, followed by committal at Hastings Crematorium.
After retiring from farming, Graham trained guide dogs for the blind.
Donations in Graham’s memory can be made to Guide Dogs For The Blind, c/o Ellis Bros, 3 Ferry Road, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7DJ.
Joy Lofthouse
Joy Lofthouse, who flew Spitfires from the factory to airfields during World War 2, and who in later life taught at Thomas Peacocke Lower School, has died.
The ROSA Bulletin for 2015 carried a feature on her. The Bulletin is available here
Michael Hickman has sent the following extract from the RAF Association Magazine for January – March 2018:
‘Joy Lofthouse passes away
The Association was sad to hear of the death of honorary life member and Air Transport Auxilliary (ATA) pilot Joy Lofthouse, who passed away in November aged 94.
Joy joined the ATA in 1943 after seeing an advert in a newspaper asking for women to fly. She was one of only 164 female pilots, trained to deliver aircraft to wherever they were needed during WWII.
She learnt to fly all types of single seater aircraft, but the Spitfire remained her favourite. she said “It’s the nearest thing to having wings of your own and flying.”
Nick Bunting, Secretary General of the RAF Association said: “Joy delivered all types of aircraft – including Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mosquitos and Lancasters – all over the country during WWII and was an honorary life member of the RAF Association. We have lost an inspirational member and send our condolences to her friends and family.”‘
Richard ‘Rick’ Merricks
Rick’ passed away suddenly on the 20th June 2017, aged 77. He was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. A farmer, a gentleman, known and admired throughout the cricketing world. A Funeral Service was held at St. Georges Church, Brede, East Sussex on Thursday 13th July 2017.
Donations in memory of Rick can be made here
Brian Bellhouse
As has been widely reported in the national press, Professor Brian Bellhouse died in tragic circumstances in Guestling, East Sussex, on Monday 12 June 2017.
Professor Bellhouse was a former Rye Grammar School pupil and regularly attended the ROSA annual lunch.
Professor Bellhouse, who lived in Winchelsea, was an Emeritus Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford.
In a statement, this statement the University of Oxford said it was sad to announce the death of Professor Bellhouse, who arrived in 1957 to read for a degree in mathematics.
It said: “He obtained his DPhil in Engineering Science in 1964 and was then made a Fellow by Examination. He was elected an Official Fellow in Engineering Science in 1966.
“On his retirement in 2004 he was elected an Emeritus Fellow.”
The statement added he “co-founded the company PowderJect in 1993, which became one of the first companies to be spun out successfully from the University of Oxford and was based at our Oxford Science Park.
“Brian was a major donor to the college and endowed the Oxford-Bellhouse Graduate Scholarship at Magdalen in biomedical engineering.”
The Times has carried an obituary to Brian Bellhouse here
ROSA President, Richard Moore, has written a letter of condolence to Professor Bellhouse’s family on behalf of the Association.
Christine Carter – A tribute by her sisters
Memories of Jill (Diane) Pope
Peter Caister
ROSA is very sad to hear from his daughter, Susan Goacher, of the passing of Peter Caister.
Peter Caister attended Rye Grammar School in 1938. During the war Peter’s father joined the RAF and was posted to Devon so the family moved away from Rye Harbour where they lived and Peter was later evacuated to Bedford. However, on his return to Rye Harbour Peter did go back to Rye Grammar School to complete his education. He attended many of the Rye Grammar School Reunions throughout the years and thoroughly enjoyed meeting old school friends.
ROSA sends its sincere condolences to Susan and her family on their loss. We hope to carry a more detailed tribute to Peter later.
Peter Boyce – Funeral
Mr Peter Boyce, who was a much-respected teacher at Rye County Secondary School and then Thomas Peacocke Comprehensive, passed away on 7 March 2017.
ROSA sends our sincere condolences to Mr Boyce’s family and friends.
We have included a couple of reminiscences about Peter Boyce on the Memories page.
Peter Boyce’s funeral was held on Wednesday 29 March at Hastings Crematorium. Friends and family gathered afterwards at the Flackley Ash Hotel, Peasmarsh to continue their celebration of Peter’s life.
Barry Fuller, a former colleague of Peter’s, has sent the following:
‘ Standing room only at Hastings Crematorium this morning, to say farewell to a properly nice man and a true gentleman.
Friends and ex-colleagues turned out in number to attend. From the School, all that was required would have been Ray Fooks, (who couldn’t make the ceremony in person, but made his appearance in the eulogy) then he could have called a Staff Meeting! 19 colleagues made their way there, all displaying various levels of infirmity, due to the onset of older age.
Ted Taylor – CDT
Peter Jobling – Tech. Drawing
Dave Hancock – Metalwork
Seymour Leeds – Chemistry
Don Beeney – Maths
Richard Seeley – Maths
John Stewart – Art
Jo Kirkham – History
Andy Lewis – Humanities
Lois Benton – Music
George Hunt – Head of 6th Form
Norma Hunt –
Martin Blincow – PE & Bus. Studies
Bryan Atkins – Bus. Stud. & Economics
Ed Wiseman – EPA & Politics
Maureen Getley – History
Chris Rose – English
Graham Turner – Humanities
Barry Fuller – PE & DT
As far as these occasions can be, this was wonderful. Kath (Eldest daughter) was overjoyed at one stage when there were many separate outbursts of laughter around the room, from people sharing various reminiscences. ‘He would have wanted this, it’s wonderful!’
Family and friends saying goodbye to Peter Boyce at Hastings Crematorium (photos courtesy of Barry Fuller)
Donations in Peter’s memory to aid the work of the Royal British Legion or the RAF Benevolent Fund may be sent to the Funeral Directors:
Arthur C Towner Ltd; 2-4 Norman Road; St-Leonard’s-on-Sea; East Sussex; TN37 6NH
Cyril George Sharpey Saunders
March 25th 1928 to January 19th 2017

Reflections of a true ‘Ryer’
Peter Robert Dee M.B.E. 1927-2017