Alan was at the school from 1941-1947 and will be sadly missed by his friends, family and all who knew him at the School.

We are conscious that many people from this time at school may not be in contact with us and we would be very grateful if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is the usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for him in the next OI Journal and would be very grateful if anyone felt they could come forward to write one. Alternatively, if you know of any stories or memories, please pass them on so we could put them together for the publication. Address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school.

With best wishes,

Iain Chesterman

OI Chairman

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Alan died on the 23rd December, aged 91, following a fall at his home. He was born in Whitely Bay in November 1930 and moved to Suffolk shortly afterwards, with the family moving to Ipswich in 1939 at the start of the Second World War. 

Alan attended Miss Goldsmith’s Preparatory School on Norwich Road and started at Ipswich School in September 1941, joining Sherrington House, where he spent some of the happiest years of his life. Alan’s father was taken ill in 1942/43 and died in March 1945.  As a result of such sad and difficult times, Alan threw himself into life at Ipswich School, which became his second home. All he wanted to do was to go to school and when at school, to play rugby! Although small for a rugby player, Alan had plenty of energy, played as hooker, and was very proud to be chosen as Captain of the Colts Team. A year later, in 1946, he went straight into the First XV, when he was still 15 and could not believe his eyes when he saw his name on the selection board!  He also enjoyed cross country running and the school Steeplechase.

Alan played cricket, his main interest being bowling and recounted tales of being told to “pitch-em up Gibson!” by Cyril Perkins the cricket coach. He also remembered sitting in class while one (“Jimmy” Young) of the masters paused lessons to describe the match being played on the school field. Alan also had unpleasant memories of a highly chlorinated swimming pool! Sports equipment was in short supply and accordingly, hockey was not played, to Alan’s regret.

Alan remembered a number of masters including “Spud” Marsden and also Mr (known as “Misery”, due to his glum expression) Castle, the English teacher in full gown and mortar board, and the German teacher, known as “Fritz”, who was German.  Also Mr Grimwade, the chemistry teacher and Mr Job. Alan was in the scouts for a short time and camped at the woods at Hintlesham, sleeping on groundsheets in bell tents. According to Alan, most of the time was spent climbing trees! The Scoutmaster was the Latin Master, Mr Stonex, whose punishment for any misdemeanours in class was “Silent Meditation”, where boys sat for an hour or so in silence, doing nothing, which they hated. Alan also had a small part in the School play of 1945, King Richard II, as the Lord Marshall. Some of Alan’s spare time was spent in the Lucania Billiard Hall, which was strictly out of bounds for the boys! 

His father died just before Alan sat his School Certificate and he had to re sit in November 1946, achieving a credit in five subjects.  Alan left Ipswich School at the end of 1946, without fulfilling his potential, to start work at East Suffolk County Council.  Alan spent his entire working life there, firstly as a Highway Engineer, obtaining an HNC in Mechanical Engineering and being awarded the National Certificate Prize by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.  Alan helped to transport materials during the floods of 1953 and worked on many new road and highway improvement schemes in the east of the county. He was also a Member of the Institution of Highways and Transportation.  With an active and enquiring mind, Alan completed an Open University degree at the age of 60, taking up geology and completing many field trips.  He also retrained in Acoustics, being awarded the Association of Noise Consultants National Prize and becoming a corporate Member of the Institute of Acoustics at the age of 61and also a Member of the Society of Environmental Engineers a year later. Alan retired from Suffolk County Council at the age of 65, but continued on a part-time basis until he was 70.  Alan was then thrilled to be invited back to Ipswich School to help bring some preliminary order to the School Archives.  He spent many happy hours sorting through miscellaneous items of sports equipment and clothing and piles of books, magazines and team photographs. 

Alan maintained his interest in Ipswich School to the end and always looked forward to the OI Magazine and read Dr John Blatchley’s “History” from cover to cover.  His love of sport continued throughout his life, particularly rugby, and also snooker, which he played to a high level.  He learnt to ski in his early 60’s, and took up croquet in his retirement.  Alan enjoyed several fly-drive holidays to Canada, with his partner Penny, which greatly appealed to his sense of adventure, particularly the history of the gold rush era. Alan also had a great love of literature and music and owned a large collection of books and cds.

In recent years, loss of eyesight and decreasing mobility frustrated Alan greatly, and his main enjoyments became reminiscing about Ipswich School and regular holidays to a favourite hotel in Majorca, which he was able to do up until three months before his death. Alan leaves a daughter Lisa, son in law James, grandchildren Jake and Sophie and Penny, his long term partner. He is greatly missed. 

Obituary by Alan's partner, Penny Moys