February saw two notable landmarks: on 16 February the 90th birthday of David Emms (Headmaster, 1960-70), and on 28 February the 100th birthday of Trevor Stephenson (1 North, 1929-31).
Trevor writes: “Helped by my son and daughter, we had a cocktail party on Saturday from 6 till 8 at which some 60 persons were present including the new British Ambassador and his wife and the former Minister of Finance. It all went off very well. We held it at the English club known as the Phoenix Club. The Ambassador handed me a beautiful 100th birthday card from the Queen with her photo and best wishes and signed by her. I am writing the story of my return to Peru in 2012 so it will include the Queen’s birthday card.”
Trevor Stephenson, Centenarian
On 28 February Trevor Stephenson (1 North, 1929-31) celebrated his 100th birthday at his home in Peru.
Trevor Stephenson at the Over 70’s lunch in 2009
Trevor will be the second living OC Centenarian, the first being Peter Wightman-Mountain (East, 1928-31) who was 100 on 30 June last year. But both have a long way to go to be the oldest ever, a Percy Bradley who died many years ago at the age of 107!
Before he moved to Peru not long ago Trevor loved attending our Over 70s Reunions at the School, and many will remember when he asked to say a few words and leapt unaided onto a table to speak! I have known no man of his age so fit in mind and body, and he certainly doesn’t know the meaning of retirement, having kept a job in South America through his nineties.
Look at: http://www.nonesuchexpeditions.com/nonesuch-extra/trevor-stephenson/memoirs-chapter-17.htm There you can see Trevor’s remarkable and hugely readable ‘Reminiscences of his 60 years in South America’. See especially his first chapter which entertainingly describes his years at Cranleigh.
Back in 2013 Trevor wrote this to me: “Life goes on and I remain as happy as ever. Way back in 1942 whilst in Manaus in North Brazil I wrote a semi scientific book on Amazonia. The Government at the time had offered to have it translated into Portuguese and published but just then Brazil came into the War and the matter stopped. Three years ago I was contacted by the British Embassy asking whether I had any information on the Amazon. I showed them my book and they asked me to lend the book to a Spanish man here in Lima saying that someone in the USA was studying Amazonas. I contacted the man here, handed him the book but heard nothing more until last Christmas the man called to say that it had been translated into Spanish and would be published. Last week I received a call from the man in question who is director of a company called Centro de Estudios Teclogicos de la Amazonia. He showed me the trial copy of my book saying he wanted a little more data and my photograph. The book should be out in October. Not bad for someone who only just passed his School Certificate.”
The book was launched last 25 November, 71 years after he wrote it, with the American and British Embassies represented. Trevor, aged 98, gave a short talk.
David Emms (Headmaster, 1960-70) reaches 90
Congratulations to David on the celebration of his 90th birthday on 16 February.
Cranleigh’s seventh Headmaster, David arrived at Cranleigh in 1960 when the School was at a low ebb. He left ten years later with the School’s standing and confidence boosted to a remarkable degree. The School owes him a great deal.
Details of his years at Cranleigh will be amplified in the Centenary History of Cranleigh which Martin Williamson is now completing, but readers may be interested in the outline of his career which follows, with acknowledgements to Wikipedia.
David was born on 16 February 1925. He was educated at Tonbridge School and then served during the Second World War in the Royal Artillery from 1943 until 1947. In 1947 he went on to Brasenose College, Oxford to study Modern Languages and received a BA Hons in 1950. In that year he also married Pamela Baker Speed with whom he has three sons and a daughter. Having received a Diploma in Education in 1951 David Emms became an Assistant Master at Uppingham School. Whilst at Uppingham he became Head of Modern Languages and also the Commanding Officer of the CCF. In 1960 he took up the post of Headmaster of Cranleigh School where he remained until 1970. From 1970 to 1974 he was Headmaster of Sherborne School and in 1975 he took up the position of Master at Dulwich College. Whilst at Dulwich College he was Chairman of the HMC in 1984, President of the Alleyn Club in 1985 and became Deputy Chairman of the English-Speaking Union in 1984, a post he continued until 1989. He retired from the Mastership of Dulwich Trust for Overseas Graduates College in 1986.
After his retirement from Dulwich College, he became Director of The Goodenough Trust for Overseas Graduates (1987 to 1995). He became Chairman of the Joint Educational Trust in 1987 (until 1990) as well as president of the Brasenose Society President of ISCO in 2001, a member of the Committee of the GBA from 1989 to 1992 and Vice Chairman of the Council and Deputy Pro-Chancellor of City University from 1989 to 1991. He also was a member of the council of the Fairbridge Society from 1984 to 1996, was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1988, a Freeman of the City of London and Master, Skinners’ Company in 1987 (until 1988). From 1988 to 1991 he was also Honorary Colonel of the 39th (City of London) Signal Regiment (Special Communications) (Volunteers). He became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1995. In 1998 he was Chairman of the RNLI in Chichester.
David Emms was also a governor of a number of schools during his career including Bickley Park, Feltonfleet (Cobham), Brambletye (East Grinstead), St Felix School (Southwold), The Portsmouth Grammar School, St George’s School (Montreux), St Dunstan’s College, and until 2000, his old school Tonbridge School.
He is also a member of a number of clubs including the East India Devonshire Sports and Public Schools Club, as well as Vincent’s Club, Oxford, an Oxford University gentlemen’s club.
David Emms was also a notable Rugby Union player, representing Oxford University RFC in 1949 and 1950 in The Varsity Match. He went on to play for Northampton from 1951 to 1956, and the Eastern Counties from 1951 to 1957, captaining them in 1957. He played for the Barbarians in 1953.