Find an obituary or death notice and check service details on this page. You are warmly invited to leave a message below, share your memories, and celebrate the lives of OTs we sadly lost this year. If you would like to share an obituary or death notice with our team, please contact us at:
E: tonbridge.society@tonbridge-school.org
T: +44 (0) 1732 304253

JENKINS, Brian Garton GBE
Died peacefully on 25 November aged 88 in Suffolk. Husband to Ann, father to Julia and Charles (MH 86-91), grandad to Isobel, Freya and William. Lord Mayor of London 1991-1992. President of the Old Tonbridgian Society from 2009-2010. A small cremation service will be held locally before Christmas for family. Memorial service to be held in the City of London in the spring. 
(MH 49-54)

EVERETT, Christopher Harris Doyle CBE
Died peacefully on 16 November 2024, aged 91. Beloved husband of the late Hilary (Billy), father of Victoria, Charles, Nicholas and Alexandra, grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of four. A funeral service will take place at St Paul’s, Rusthall, at 11.30am on 19 December followed by a private committal. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the Alzheimer’s Society or Royal British Legion via donation link at abbeyfs.co.uk.
(Headmaster 1975-1989)
Obituary to follow

GINGER, Maurice Rankin, Major (retired)
Died peacefully at home on 21 September 2024, aged 94. Maurice had an interesting military career in the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers and a full and varied life after he left the army. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
(PH 44-48)

DOWN, Alastair Gordon 
Died on 1 November 2024, aged 68. Ebullient racing journalist and broadcaster who won a string of awards. The Press Room at Cheltenham Racecourse was named after him and he attended the opening the week before he died. He is survived by two daughters and a son. 
(HS 69-73)
Read the obituary from The Times here 

CRICTON, Jonathan Hugh Kennedy (Johnny)
Died on 12 September 2024, aged 68. Much missed by his family and friends
(JH 69-73)

EWBANK, Michael James
Died on 3 July 2024, aged 78. Much missed.
(SH 60-65)

DAWE, Ernest Francis (Francis)
Died on 21 January 2024, aged 93. Much missed.
(WH 43-48)

MACCARTHY, James Plantaganet
Died on 7 November 2023, aged 93. Much missed by his family and friends.
(WH 43-47)

FARRAR, Douglas Bernard (Doug)
Died on 3 September 2024, aged 94. An excellent sportsman who will be missed by his family and friends.
(MH 43-48)

CALDWELL, Philip John Griffiths
Passed away on 29 April 2024, aged 77. Beloved husband to Lesley, adored father to Gemma and Stephanie, grandfather to Rupert and Beatrice. Grandson to William Caldwell (DB 11-14).
(PH 60-65)

BUIST, Simon Lawrence (Wing Commander RAF)
Passed away peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday 3 September 2024, aged 65.
Beloved husband to Janet, dearly loved dad to Sarah and Andy and grandad to Annabelle and Olivia. Brother to David (SH 67-72) and John (SH 72-77).
(WH 72-77)

JACKSON, Ian William
Died on 6 September 2024, aged 86. Ian was an ardent supporter of the OTGS and was Captain from 1982-1984.
A funeral service will be held on Friday 4 October at 1.00pm, Weymouth Crematoriam. There will be a Memorial Service at a later date. 
(MH 51-56)

BEAUMONT, Stephen Martin (Martin), The Reverend
Died peacefully from a brain tumour on Friday 30 August, aged 73. Much loved husband of Ruth. Martin was a much-loved and inspirational Chaplain and teacher of Religious Studies. He will be sadly missed by so many.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday 26 September at 1.00pm, All Saints Church, Exeter Road, Rockwell Green, Wellington, TA21 9DH.
(CR 00-11)
Obituary to follow

DUDLEY-SMITH, The Rt Revd Timothy OBE
Hymn writer and retired bishop, died peacefully on Monday 12 August, aged 97, full of faith and love. Much loved by his wife Arlette (d. 2007), Caroline and David Gill, Sarah and Giles Walter, James and Becky Dudley-Smith; by his sister Anne Dudley-Smith, and by his grandchildren, Jonathan (WW 07-12), Susanna, Harry and Joseph; as well as by his extended family and many friends.
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Friday 27 September at 2pm, St Andrew-the-Great, St Andrews' Street, Cambridge. More details can be found via the following link: www.timothydudley-smith.com/thanksgiving
(PS 40-44)
Obituary from The Times
Obituaries and Tributes

GOULD, Anthony William (Tony)
Died peacefully at home on 6 July 2024. Beloved husband and companion of Vreni for over 60 years. A much loved father of David, Tim and Jeremy and grandfather of eight grandchildren. He is sorely missed.
(JH 48-53 / CR 60-71)

CRANMER, Edmund Richard Thomas (Teddy) 
Died peacefully at home on 28 May 2024. He was regarded as something of a local hero and campaigner in his home town of Dartmouth and was a true gentleman to the last.
(HS 51-55)

ROBERTS, David Nicholas
Died on 10 June 2024, aged 75. Dearly loved husband of Pippa, devoted twin brother to Phillip and precious uncle to Alex and Nick and to their children Toby, Jemima, Finley and Leo.
(Sc 62-66)

BLOOMER, Jack Humphrey
Died on 8 May 2024, aged 86.
(JH 52-56)

ELVY, James Frank Wallace
Sadly passed away at his home on 29 March 2024, aged 93 years. 
(Sc 44-48)

ROWLANDS, Rowland Thomas
Of Walton, near Street, Somerset. Born on 23 May 1930, died on 14 March 2024. Father of Simon and Jenny, grandfather of Jade, Coral, Laura and Sean and great grandfather of Tyler and Anna.
(JH 44-48)

ROBINSON, Malcolm
Died on 30 December aged 78. Art teacher, artist and author. Brother to John and brother-in-law to Tamara. He will be sadly missed. 
(CR 71-76)
Read obituary here

CHEETHAM, John Winward
Died on 17 March 2024, aged 74 of a heart attack. After reading classics at Pembroke College, Cambridge, John joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, serving in the British Embassies in Athens and Oslo. He then pursued a career in public relations, ending up at McKinsey as External Relations Manager.
Brother to Simon Cheetham (SH 70-75)
(SH 62-67)

TAYLOR, Hugh Nigel James, Reverend
Died on 11th March 2024, aged 80. Much loved husband of Diane (deceased), father to Douglas and Gordon (Sc 04-09) and grandfather. Hugh spent 40 years working for and later directing James Taylor Hackney Ltd. After ordination he served faithfully at St Marys Loughton for 18 years. All enquiries to Daniel Robinson & Sons Loughton.
(HS 57-62)

LORD, Nick John
Died from cancer in the Hospice on the Weald on 1 March 2024, aged 66. Much loved brother of Peter and Stephen and twin brother of Elizabeth. An inspirational and greatly respected Maths teacher at Tonbridge since 1983, and a beloved tutor in Ferox Hall for many years. A regular supporter of School Music and Chapel, Nick was also active in organisations including the UK Maths Trust and Mathematical Association. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and students.
A celebration of Nick's life will be held at 4pm on Tuesday 7 May at the Chapel of St Augustine, Tonbridge School.
(CR 83-24)
Obituary to follow

REISS, Peter Henry, The Reverend Canon
Died on 22 February 2024, aged 61. Much loved husband of Heidi, father to Ayanda, Joel, Daniel and Eryn, brother to Edward (SH 77-81) and George (SH 80-85) and grandson of the late Raymond Reiss (CR 44-58). A gifted rackets player, scholar, and Head of School. 
(SH 76-81)

CLUGSTON, Mike, Dr
Died on 19 February 2024, aged 73. Much loved husband of Corinne and father to Anna and John (WH 06-11).  Mike taught Chemistry, Physics and Maths from 1978 to 2018, and was an esteemed master, colleague and friend to the School. Mike will be sadly missed by many. 
A Memorial Service in celebration of Mike's life will be held at 2pm on Saturday 17 August at the Chapel of St Augustine, Tonbridge School.
(CR 78-18)
Obituary to follow

ALLIBONE, Reginald Geoffrey (Geoff) 
Died on 18 February 2024. Much loved husband of Elizabeth and father to Richard (WW 80-85) and Christine. Classics teacher from 1961 to 2000, Parkside Housemaster from 1974-1989, esteemed master, colleague and friend to the School. Geoff will be sadly missed by many. Family funeral. 
(CR 61-00)
Read obituary here

DAVIES, Robin Hunkin
Died suddenly on 8 January 2024, aged 85. Property Developer, Old Tonbridgian, former Barrister. Widower of Hedi Davies. Much loved father of Helen and Mario, grandfather, great grandfather. Will be sadly missed. 
(PS 51-56)

HILLMAN, Richard Martin
Died peacefully on 10 February 2024, aged 84. Father of Robin, Rachel and Simon (deceased) and much loved by Janie. 
(PH 54-58)

TAYLOR, Anthony Julian (Tony)
Died on 7 January 2024, aged 84. Tony was a staunch supporter of the OTGS, and was Captain in 1984-6.
(PS 52-57)

WHARTON, Peter Gansevoort
Died on 9 August 2023, aged 64.
(PS 74-75)
Read obituary here 

MATTHEWS, Richard James
Of Falconers Hall, Good Easter, died peacefully at home on Saturday 4 May, aged 92. Beloved husband of Ann and father of Juliet, Anna, Victoria, Kaffy and Sophie. Adored grandfather of thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Funeral service on Tuesday 28 May at St Andrew's Church, Good Easter at 12 noon.
(PS 46-48)

FRANKLIN, Timothy John
Died on May 6, aged 94. Beloved husband of Marion for 69 years, devoted father of Elisabeth, Sarah and Andrew, father-in-law to Penny and Graham. A much loved Grandpa to 8 grandchildren and uncle, cousin and friend to many. Always kind and caring, a perfect gentleman. Service at Woking Crematorium on Tuesday 4 June at 11am.
(Sc 40-45)

DARBY, John David
Aged 85, died peacefully in Tunbridge Wells on 6 May. Beloved husband of Katie, father to Nicola, Emma and Charlotte and Pop to Tom, Harry and Poppy. Funeral details Tester and Jones, Telephone 01892 611811.
(HS 52-56)