We are very sorry to notify you of the passing of Ian who was at the School from 1958 until 1961. He was in Rigaud House.

Ian sadly passed away in November 2024.

We are conscious that some people who knew Ian during his time at the 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 usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for Ian in the 2024-25 OI Journal. If you know of any stories or memories which you can pass on to us so we can put them together for the publication we would be most grateful. Please address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school

Sally Webber
OI Chair

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Very sad to learn of Ian’s passing. We were good friends at School but lost contact as his army career progressed. He was an exceptionally good golfer winning many competitions. He played for the Army in the inter services competitions while serving in Aden and I remember him saying this gave him some respite from the war zone. 

Stuart Cooper (OI 1951-61)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I first met Ian in 1958, the year he he arrived from Felixstowe G.S. where his then Headmaster, Albert Smethams' (Ipswich1957-62) Father dispatched him 'highly recommended' to Ipswich. 

As a boarder at Westwood we did not often have too much close contact with the members of the day houses but Ian was one of a few that made a quick impression on our year; he was an elegant fly half and quickly achieved Colts status and later 2nd XV status; his summers being fully employed as a scratch golf player in Suffolk and beyond in the Pearce family tradition at Purdis G.C. 

Our academic paths did not cross as he was a few Donachers classes above my pay and class grade. 

However, his reputation as a socialite in the forbidden coffee bars in town preceded him as it did a few others of the fortunate day boys.(no names no pack drill Peter Miller) 

His previous grammar school independent freewheeling life and highly developed sense of humour contributed to his demise when an incautious observation of the schools' then victorian rules sadly brought him to the attention of the hierarchy and a consequent premature departure from School.
However, all was not lost at that point and in our next chapter a few years later in 1971 in a bombed house in the middle of Londonderry Northern Ireland I was dispatched with my warriors from 1PARA to liaise with the Unit on my right 2 Royal Anglian to agree borders. Lo and behold it was he(Ian) and we spent the next hour catching up on his adventures, via Mons Officer Cadet School, to Commissiong and Army Officer. I don't actually think that either of us at Cultybraggan CCF Camp in1960 having a smoke by the burn in the shadow of Ben Vorlich could have imagined in our wildest dreams where would be ten years later!

By then Ian based in Ebrington Barracks with HQ 8 Brigade had his feet well under the Northern Ireland Golf 'table' and very kindly invited myself and a few others to a freebee at Port Stewart GC.

Fast forward a few years, Captaincy of Army Golf and a transfer to the the ACC. All very handy for the Army Golf Course half a mile away and Lt Col Pearce eventually concluded a very full and successful career.

Our paths finally crossed again as Ian moved into Secretarial work, firstly at the Army Aldershot Course (surprise-surprise) and later at Swinley Forest (Famous for both the Course and it's very long par 4s and the lunch, where we again caught up when I took part in a Richmond GC day out.

All in all a proper chap, whom I know will be missed by all who knew him throughout his fully lived life and I enjoyed as a friend.

Ian Chapman (OI 1957-62)