It is with great sadness we have to report that David Bluett (2 North, 1951-55) died on July 19 shortly after being admitted to hospital. He was 71.
It is not overstating the case to say David was one of the most recognisable Old Cranleighans, known to all generations as a larger-than-life character whose booming cry of “OOOOO CCCCCCCC” could be heard from the most distant part of Thames Ditton. He was a staunch supporter of OC golf as well as rugby, and his pre Halford Hewitt parties are the stuff of legend.
Richard Sykes, a close friend, pays the following tribute:
Although I probably could not describe myself as David Bluett’s best friend, I can say, as David himself used to say, I was his oldest mucker. David and I first came across each other at Brightlands, which was the boarding house of Dulwhich College Preparatory School, when at one time we had beds next to each other in the same dormitory. This was I think in 1951. We were both due to go to Cranleigh (subject to Common Entrance Examination), both only children and both sons of Old Alleynians, who thought a time as a boarder at the prep would stand us in good stead for the rigours of life at Public School.
David was the son of Fredereck( Freddie) and Muriel (the Sergeant-Major) born in December 1937. Of his time at the Prep I cannot recall a great deal. The school was divided into tribes and I think he was a Deerfoot. I do not believe he had a particularly distinguished career there, his highest achievement being made the Librarian at Brightlands. In 1951 he was accepted at Cranleigh and went into 2 North House under the house master-ship of Effie Tucker. A year or so younger than David and in a different House, our paths at Cranleigh seldom crossed.
David was of course severely dyslexic, which was a condition hardly known about in the 1950’s and it is true to say that like his time at Dulwich Prep, David did not have a particularly distinguished career at Cranleigh. Indeed he confided to me many a time that he hated his life as a Cranleighan, but simply adored his life as an Old Cranleighan, where he certainly did distinguish himself, being at various times captain of the Golf Society, captain and president of the Rugby Club, chairman of the Society Dinner and generally supporter of all matters Cranleighan.
Although David may not have distinguished himself generally at school he did prosper in the CCF, as a result of which, to his great pleasure, when his time came to do National Service he was able (and to his great glee unlike some of his so-called superiors at school) to gain a commission in the Royal Artillery. It is my view that this was the making of David and did much more for him in the University of Life, than ever would have happened with further academic activity.
Of course David’s life was more than just as a supporter of matters Cranleighan, Before doing National Service, his father, who was at the time the Chairman of Bluett Smith and Co, Incorporated Insurance
Brokers, had the good sense to get him a job with Leslie & Godwin in the City, where he was able to start the remarkable collection of contacts which would serve him so well in later life.
Having been de-mobbed he returned to the family firm eventually taking over the running of this from his father. Through huge enthusiasm and hard work David quickly built up the business to quite a substantial size, moving it from cramped offices just off Bishopsgate to a refurbished former Billiard Hall above Burtons, the Tailors, in Beckenham High Street. This building was renamed Bluett House and quickly became a feature in local affairs. Whilst at Beckenham David supported various local activities incuding the Beckenham Tennis Tournament, at the time a popular event for the stars to practice on grass prior to the All-England Tournament at Wimbledon and I recall an amusing evening spent in the George Inn (a pub next door to Bluett House) with David and one of the up and coming Russian tennis stars (plus interpreter), who were just beginning to play in tournaments in the West.
David could also be described as a great club man, ; he was a liveryman of the Skinners Company, member of the Carmens Company, HAC, East India and Public Schools Club and one time member of Sundridge Park Golf and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs and the RAC, both as Country and Town member. He was also a prominent member of the Old Cranleighan Lodge, although stubbornly refusing to take high office ; he much preferred to be on the back-benches.
We will all have our fond memories of this quite extra-ordinary and hugely loved character ( I am not sure David ever really realised quite how much he was loved by his friends). He was a generous, warm spirited, larger than life character, who will be sadly and indeed hugely missed by a great number of people. May God rest his soul. Our sympathies extend to James and Charlie, his two sons, and of course Barbra.