Reeves boys from the late 1950s
Boys in the 1950s snapshots identified
Paul Tremlett (Reeves 1957–62) has sent us a snapshot of Reeves boys from the late 1950s and helpfully, he has identified everyone in it. They are: Back row, left to right, Claud Murad (1957–60), Paul Tremlett, Humphrey Browne (1956–60), Cliff Mould (1956–60), Saleem Ali Khan (1956–60) and Algernon Walton (1956–61). Front row, left to right, A R Forrester (1957–60), Mike Levene (1956–61), David Ross (1957–60) and David Chipping (1956–62). The photo was taken by Geoff Reynolds (1957–60). One of the boys listed is Saleem Ali Khan who died aged 25 in 1968, following an operation. The Eastbournian reported his death: ‘On July 8, 1968, A Ali Khan died in Calcutta after an operation and on the following day he was buried in his native Rampur. Saleem, as he was known to his friends (his full name was the Nawabzada Saiyid Abid Ali Khan), was born in 1943, a younger son of His late Highness the Nawab of Rampur. He came to Ascham in 1950, joined Reeves House in 1956 and went up to New College, Oxford, in 1961 to read modern languages. He subsequently lived in Germany and took up the study of socio- anthropology. In the spring of this year he moved to India to complete his research for his thesis, and it was here that his most untimely death occurred. Saleem was a gentle, courteous and considerate young man who was well liked by his contemporaries and the staff. He came back to visit us whenever he could, and his eagerness for the smallest detail of news revealed a touching interest in and affection for the school. He will be sadly missed by his friends, and our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Gisela, his two young sons and his mother. May he rest in peace.’ Paul said of Saleem: ‘He was very young and so sad to leave a young widow and two children. When at College I remember that he was excused games because of a weak heart, that might have caught up with him. I was fascinated at the time as he was the first person from the Indian sub-continent that I had ever met, in those days having led a sheltered life in 1957, and coming from the backwater of Hastings. He was a very nice gentle sort of chap.’ He went on to say about his time at Reeves: ‘Reeves in those days was classed as rather down market especially next to Powell House where all the posh days boys went. But Reeves had a good esprit de corps.’
David Anderson (Gonville 1957–61) has been able to identify a number of the boys featured in the 1950s snapshots which appeared in last year’s magazine. The photos belonged to John Wilmot (School 1954–59). The photo at top left includes Mike Mulvany (School 1954–59), back row, second from the left; David Winn (School 1954–59), back row extreme right; and Dod Wainwright (School 1954–60), squatting extreme right. The photograph of the boy watering is probably David Winn. The image at the bottom right includes Dod Wainwright (back row third from the left) and Mike Mulvany (sitting extreme right). David says: ‘ The remaining image of boys leaving the rugby pitch captures a very familiar scene at the conclusion of every 1st XV rugby match. The moment the final whistle was blown, all those boys lined along the Grange Road side of College Field, and providing support to the home team, raced across the field to the ‘old’ sports pavilion to form a welcoming tunnel for our team. I am reasonably certain that the Stag on the left of the two players in front is Mark Robinson (Gonville 1953–58). He was in the 1st XV in 1957 and was strongly mentored by both Robin Harrison and Peter Phillips.’
A face in the crowd
In the 2022 edition we published some stills from a BBC Television
A Headless Man and a Mystery Object We were intrigued by this photo, believed to be from 1967, which was found amongst some other donated material. At first glance the man in the striped blazer appears to have no head, but on closer inspection it looks as of he is tying his shoelaces while leaning over on the bench. More intriguing is the tower-like structure in front of Big School. Does anybody know what this was? In 1967 the College celebrated its centenary, so was it used as part of the celebrations that year? Please let us know.
Newsreel report in
1953 showing College pupils spectating as
the All Blacks rugby team trained on College Field, and asked if anybody could identify any of the boys shown. Our thanks to Ken Cookes (Pennell 1958- 61) who identified his brother, Robert Anthony Colsell (Pennell 1952–56) seen here in the crowd, wearing a dark jacket.
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