The club is sad to announce the passing of former President, Ian Williamson. He died surrounded by his family after a short illness on the 27th December in Salisbury hospital in Wiltshire.
The club has sent its condolences to his wife, Patricia, and his wider family.
The OCC is saddened to hear the news of the passing of former club secretary, Eric Kennett.
Eric passed away at the age of 94 peacefully in his sleep after a short illness in the early hours of Friday 12th December 2025 at the Edgehill Care Home in Swindon. He had been visited by many of his family in the previous hours who are all greatly saddened by his passing.
Eric served for 7 years as Secretary of the Old Cryptians’ Club and he still treasured the tankard presented to him upon his departure to a new position at Warwick School.
A great life well lived,
Graduated from Oriel College Oxford 1950-53
For almost 40 years he taught French & German Language & Literature at:
Bridlington School 1953 – 1968
Head of Department at Crypt School Gloucester, 1968-1977
Head of Department at Warwick School 1977-1990
and like many teachers he also taught other subjects including P.E. Geography and History.
An active man for most of his life, he excelled at most activities including Rock Climbing (he climbed the Alps) Cycling, Golf, a Rugby referee and until his late 80’s regularly walked 7 or 8 miles around the Lower Quinton Villages. He was a keen Photographer, Painter, Woodworker and Gardener (He even grew his own pipe tobacco)
He was a very religious man and a very active member of St. Swithins Church Lower Quinton, serving as Church Warden and a regular reader.
The Club is saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Lloyd on October 4th 2025. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Richard Lloyd was born in Gloucester and attended the Crypt School. After university, which included a First and two London M.Phils (M.Phil and Bar, he called them), he spent his whole career working for the environment, with his first post as an ecologist with the then Lindsey County Council.
A move to the Countryside Commission in London in the 1970s included policy and research work. Soon after the Commission’s move to Cheltenham – and still at a very young age – he was appointed as the Commission’s Regional Officer for the South West. A visit to Richard’s Bristol Office and his small, lively team was always a cheery experience. Later, back in the Cheltenham HQ, Richard energetically headed Countryside Commission policy units covering, variously, land-use planning, designated landscapes, and agriculture. From there it was a seamless move into CPRE. In retirement, and by then with an MBE for his environmental work, he was appointed by the Secretary of State to the Board of the Cotswolds AONB. Again, he made an impact as one of the more active and supportive Board members.
There is a full obituary on the CPRE website and a interview on the BBC Gloucestershire you tube channel below.
Sad to announce the passing of Michael Jones, a Gloucester lad who became a respected journalist and political commentator.
Michael was the first son of Glyn & Betty Jones. Some may remember Glyn who went into business with his Brother in Law Les Browett opening a betting shop ’Jones and Browett’ close to the Wagon Works and Morelands Match Manufactory on the Stroud Road. Peter, Michael’s younger brother worked for many years at Impregnated Diamond Products in Gloucester and continues to live in the city.
Michael was born in about 1937 and attended the Crypt School between 1948 – 1956. I believe Michael’s first steps saw him in a lowly job at the Citizen/Gloucester Journal in the late 50s where he worked his way up and from where eventually he joined the then Manchester Guardian. As a respected journalist he later worked in Hong Kong and also on The Times, Daily Telegraph and Financial Times. He retired as Associate Editor (Politics) of the Sunday Times in 2002. Thereafter he worked closely with Betty Boothroyd on her autobiography. For many years he lived with his wife Sheila in Orpington where their own family grew up. Michael was a much older cousin of mine and a fascinating chap to talk with. RIP.
Originally posted by Chris Coopey in the “Gloucester: A trip back in time” Facebook page
We’re sad to announce the death of Charlie Partridge from cancer. He was at the school from 1964 x1971 and lived in the Longlevens area of Gloucester . He went to work extensively for the BBC and was the Editor of BBC Radio Lincolnshire for over 21 years . He was a keen cyclist, skier and supporter of Plymouth Argyle and Lincoln City. We send our condolences to his widow Jill and their three sons .
Charlie’s funeral will be on Tuesday 26th August, 12.30 at Welton St Mary’s church followed by a family cremation. There will be a wake at the White Hart hotel in Lincoln.
The Club and the Bursary are deeply saddened by the passing of past president Peter Hobbs.
The recent news that Peter Hobbs had died came as a big shock to me. I knew that he was unwell (cancer had been mentioned) but I was unaware of the seriousness of his condition. From far away in Kent news travels slowly and only those with recent knowledge of Peter’s wide-ranging projects, including those for the Old Cryptians’ Committee could know that we were about to lose one of the most steadfast and loyal of Colin Ewan’s star performers.
When I, as a young sprog, joined the Crypt School in the 1950s, it quickly became clear that, although difficult to articulate, Headmaster Colin Ewan was on a mission to produce well rounded and cultivated young men fit for the highest position in society. Peter (P.T.G. Hobbs) Hobbs easily adopted the role of excellence in all things, taking forward the magnificent traditions of the Gloucester school founded in 1539. Peter glided through attainment levels in academia, sport and, above all drama. The long-lamented figure of Charles Lepper, appointed by Colin Ewan in a stroke of genius, started a tradition of Shakespearian drama which brought many fine productions to the first-rate scale of the architecturally perfect proportions of the recently completed Podsmead building. Peter Hobbs was chosen to be the young Arial. He and the Company received many plaudits and the “Citizen”s glowing reviews helped to generate big audiences for 10 live annual productions. Charles Lepper left to re-join his alma mater in Berkshire (Radley College) where he could develop his talent for more purist classical productions.
From Head Boy at the Crypt, Peter gained a place at Exeter College, Oxford and soon carved a career in the Government’s Forensic Science Service. There followed a distinguished career in industry and was able to use his influence to acquire for the school the magnificent boardroom table that stands today in the Crush Hall.
Over the decades Peter played a tremendous part in the maintenance and development of the Old Cryptians’ Club (founded in 1901). He served twice as President and through his encyclopaedic knowledge of Procedure shaped the future health of this ancient institution. Specifically, Peter can be credited with:
With Howard Allen ensuring succession planning in particular the vital role of Club President
Supporting the continuation and success of the main social events – March Dinner, Pembroke Dinner, Founders Day Social Evening and may more.
Taking part in the Remembrance Day Parade and March in Whitehall
Contributing in generous measure to the 2001 Centenary Bursary Fund
Supporting, with enthusiasm the OC digitisation programme to bring the mountain of longhand and other historical documents to all interested in Old Cryptians’ history so that is available instantly on home devices and computers. (This work continues.)
Peter’s record at Committee was tireless. He would travel from London or Kent and stay overnight in order to attend evening meetings and discuss important issues. He had a reputation for always knowing how to proceed in novel situation.
Our thoughts go out to his wife Victoria and daughter Katharine and other family members and his many friends and former colleagues.
Richard Briggs – 13 March 2025, Cape Town
Hobbs, Peter Thomas Goddard was born on March 19, 1938 in Gloucester, England. Son of Reginald Stanley and Phyllis Gwendoline (Goddard) Hobbs.
Education
The Crypt Grammar School, Gloucester 1949-1956
Master of Arts, Exeter College, Oxford, England, 1962. Doctorate (honorary), International Management Centres.
Career
Manager Imperial Chemical Industries, England, 1962-1979.
Board director Wellcome Foundation Ltd., Wellcome Plc, England, 1979-1992.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, England, 1993-1998.
Member, chairman Employment Affairs Board and Council, Chemical Industries Association, England, 1979-1993.
Deputy chairman Pharmaceuticals and Fine Chemicals Joint Industrial Council, England, 1979-1989.
Member education and training committee confederation British Industry, London, 1989-1994.
Chairman Education Centre, University York, England, 1992-1994.
Achievements
Peter Thomas Goddard Hobbs has been listed as a noteworthy Inspector of constabulary by Marquis Who’s Who.
Membership
Member, chairman Learning From Experience Trust, London, since 1988.
Deputy Chairman. Roffey Park Institute, Horsham, England, 1989-1993.
Founder, chairman Employer’s Forum on Disability, London, 1990-1993.
Member Edexcel Foundation, London, 1995-1998.
Board directors Forensic Science Superior vena cava syndrome United Kingdom, since 1996.
Past country member Management Centre Europe, Brussels.
Captain Royal Logistics Corps., Territorial Army, 1957-1968.
Fellow Royal Society Arts United Kingdom, Institute Dirs. United Kingdom (member employment affairs committee since 1989).
Member Institute Pers. and Development (companion, international v.p.1987-1989, 90-91),
It is with sadness that we have learnt of the death Graham Russell (1944-1952), a very proud and active Old Cryptian for many years. He was President of the Club 1992-93.
His widow, Joan, wrote to us with this obituary.
If there is anyone still alive of his vintage, they will know more of Graham’s school days than I do. I have heard that in his early years at the Crypt he struggled with a loyalty he felt for a football club with which he had played for many years and this was not well received. Eventually he changed loyalty to the School and that never altered. He played in 1st XI cricket team in 1950 and 1st XV rugby teams in 1950-51 and 51-52.
Graham studied medicine at Bristol, played rugby and Captained the Hospital team one year. In 1957 he qualified M.B.Ch.B. After some House jobs in different specialities in Bristol he came to Gloucester to work in General Medicine at the City Gen as it was then known on the site of the present GRI. The Royal Infirmary was in Southgate Street. I was a Radiographer at City Gen and had met some Old Cryptians at the nurses dances; Patrick Gwilym, Charlie Counsell and Malcolm Haines and was asked to tell Dr. Russell that they hadn’t seen him at The Fountain for some time!
His next job was in Paediatrics at Battledown Children’s Hospital, Cheltenham after which we married and moved to Plymouth for a 12month job in a fevers hospital where Graham saw smallpox and diphtheria. He was refused any more deferment from National Service and had to sign up in the last year before it was abolished. He was able to take up the chance of 3 years as a Commissioned Officer in the RAF which meant a better lifestyle and in theory, married quarters. We had a good year at Cranwell and then he was sent to Sharjah for a year – no married quarters available – but he managed to get me out there for 4 months. It was before oil money transformed the region. Dubai had simple rowing boats (abras) to cross the creek and the old houses built with cooling wind towers. The road from Sharjah to Dubai was compressed sand which would break up and so the ‘road’ got wider. Our time there was an incredible experience. I digress.
Coming out of the RAF Graham did a 6 month job in Gloucester in Gynae and Maternity. He became adept at transfusing rhesus babies, whose inherited bloods were not compatible. It is not easy to find a vein in a newborn. He continued to be available for this procedure when he was working in General Practice but still had to be in for morning surgery etc.
He quickly became connected with the O.C.s again, particularly Dennis Mundy and Les Davies, meeting weekly for a chat and a beer. Graham frequently took O.C. Friends to Twickenham and to Cambridge for O.C. Dinners at Emmanuel College where the Master at the time was Dr. Derek Brewer, Old Cryptian, (35-41) These dinners were well attended but finished when Dr. Brewer retired in 1990. A magnificent painting of the scene was made by Roger Phelps, (42-47), every person identifiable including Roger himself standing at the back talking with Dennis Mundy. Roger was a wonderful portraitist. I see Graham at the top table presumably because he was doing much of the organising of the event at that time.
It was decided to re-connect with Pembroke College, Oxford which had a long link with the Crypt School via the Townsend Scholarship and Graham started to make the necessary contacts. The first of these dinners was held in January 1992. At Cambridge and Oxford the menus are mouth watering; five courses followed by College Port, conversations continuing over breakfast as they were happy to spend the night in College accommodation, which all contributed to the ambience of these occasions. There were usually over 40 O.C.s enjoying these meetings. The London O.C. Dinners were often attended by Graham, particularly when they were at the Chelsea Hospital,
Graham was active in the setting up of the Bursary Fund: there are many letters from O,C.s far and wide replying to his request for contributions to help set up the Fund. Graham also wrote a history of the O.C. Club, which, co-incidentally, is included in the 2023-24 magazine. There are records of meetings available from 1901 and it seems there were sporadic meetings of “Gentlemen educated at the Crypt School” as far back as 1760. What would these Gentlemen have thought when it was proposed that spouses and partners of Old Cryptians could become full members of the Club? Possibly as unhappy about it as Graham was.
Graham had many good friends in the OCC and took great pleasure in re-unions and their never-ending conversations. As he says in his history of the club, “It has been a great privilege for me to have known Old Cryptians who were at the school in the last quarter of the 19th century right through to present day Old Cryptians, some of whom I helped to deliver into this world.” He was a true and loyal member of the Club and a wonderful G.P. in Gloucester. He is much missed by me, Graham, Sarah and Rachael and the grandchildren.
In memory of Graham Alfred Russell, MB., ChB., D.C.H., D.R.C.O.G. And Old Cryptian (44-52)
It’s difficult to know how to describe Gene Burgham, who died on 8th July. A “tour de force” goes some way to cover it. Whilst I remember her as the head’s PA during the 80s, that title hardly does justice to the role she played at the school. These days, the Crypt and all other schools have some form of Pastoral care within their governance structure. It’s probably fair to say that Gene played that role at the Crypt (as well as many others), before anyone realised schools actually needed it, in a way that would defy the demands and strictures of current times. For that reason, she is remembered fondly by thousands for former pupils and was also an honorary member of the Old Cryptian’s Club. Details of her funeral are below. If you can’t make it, but would like to watch (either live or ‘on-demand’) the service, please email admin@oldcryptians.org and we will pass on the request to her dauther Louise and share details. Simon S
The memorial service for Kevin Cumming will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 10th April at the St. Nicholas Methodist Churh, Topsham in Devon.
Donations in memory of Kevin for Axe Valley Academy can be made at the service or c/o Peter Frank Turl, Funeral Directors, 16 Victoria Road, Topsham, Exeter, EX3 0EU.
We were informed of the sad passing of Kevin Cumming this week. Kevin was assistant head teacher at the Axe Valley academy in Devon, where he was a much loved and valued member of staff for the past 23 years, having initially joined as head of ICT.
Kevin is fondly remembered by his contemporary and recent OC’s President Steve Knibbs, as well as our current President Simon Smith.
It’s clear from the tributes on-line that he was a highly regarded member of staff, held in great affection by both the teaching body and students alike. For now, you can read those on the Axe Academy front-page here and on Facebook in the embedded link below.
