enjoyed greatly their holiday home on the West Coast of North Island and several OAs and their families benefited from their warm and generous hospitality when venturing to the Southern Hemisphere. Later he worked and then retired in Sydney, Australia. Enjoying sailing throughout his life, he relished a final outing on his daughter’s boat only one week before his death after a debilitating final illness. Fellow OA Brian Ellis, who was a good friend for nearly 65 years, has made a significant contribution to this obituary. Dennis Ford came to Dulwich from the Prep, was a prefect, captain of Marlowe, in the 1st XI and 3rd XV and a CSM in the JTC. After national service, commissioned in the Royal Signals and serving in the Middle East, he went on to read classics at St John’s College, Cambridge. After training as a teacher he began a career at Oundle School which lasted nearly 40 years. A schoolmaster to his fingertips, he laid that solid foundation of grammar from which a true understanding and appreciation of classical culture could grow. As head of department at a time when the classics were in danger of extinction, he was a stern and immovable protagonist. Appointed housemaster of Dyden House, he and Beth, his first wife, looked after the house for 15 years, although the latter years were clouded by Beth’s illness and his loving care, understanding and support over many years were much admired. A regular member of both school and town choral societies, he also enjoyed refereeing rugby and coaching school cricket teams with much success and was chairman of the common room. With a deep Christian faith he was a regular member of the congregation at the school chapel and at St Peter’s Parish Church where he served on the PCC for many years also as church treasurer. After retirement he was appointed librarian at the new school library, building up an excellent resource centre for both pupils and staff. Then in 1992 he married Elisabeth who had also been integral to the cultural life in Oundle, enjoying a wide variety of theatrical and musical events, being active members of NADFAS and both being very involved in church life. She was a great support to him as his health declined. A long time colleague and ex Second Master at Oundle School, Alan Rayden, contributed significantly to this obituary. Dennis Howard Ford (1941-46) 16.04.28-August 2011
he played lead roles in school plays before going on to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to read English. This was the subject he taught in London and York, where he lived with his wife Rona and their two children. With his teaching career cut short by a stroke at the start of the century, this did not stop him from remaining involved in English education. Throughout his life a love of cricket, a deep interest in politics and delight in the works of Charles Dickens and PG Wodehouse were hugely important to him. Fellow OA David Heycock has contributed significantly to this obituary. Elder son of Chris Gilkes (1909-17) (Master 1941- 53) and grandson of A H Gilkes (Master 1885-1914), Richard Gilkes came from the Prep, joining the newly formed junior classes. ‘Tweeky’ Starr gave him the nickname of ‘Horace’, which lasted a lifetime. Family connections and expectations are not always easy. When his father died early, he boldly carved out his own identity at school, partly as a boarder in Orchard and Ivyholme; playing in the 2nd XV and captain of Swimming, he was also a keen skater, cyclist, walker and jazz fan. Unusually for those days, he chose a career in Art and studied at Goldsmiths College of Art in New Cross. He married young, had two children and found various employments whilst he developed his painting style, which never proved commercial. Living briefly in Sydenham and several years in Hadleigh, Suffolk, he became much involved with Forest School Camps (FSC), helping to organise and lead youngsters camping in remote, basic conditions and encouraging them to find their potential. FSC was a large family in itself, where he enjoyed the company of the Vellacotts and some other OAs. In Suffolk, he also learned the arts of milk delivery and commercial apple growing. In the second half of his adult life, he moved north to Sutton in Ashfield, Notts and was busy as a non-teaching staff member at the Sutton Centre, again encouraging children with out of school activities and driving the big bus. He worked with the National Trust Youth Theatre for a few years. Finally, he moved to Hebden Bridge and Halifax in Yorkshire. Here he continued with outdoor pursuits, painting, joining in with and contributing to the artistic community in various mediums. He developed a love of Iceland and acted as a tour leader for several summers, rough walking across desolate and beautiful landscapes, again helping many younger people to develop their confidence, strengths and abilities. Walking and contracts in the building industry in the North took a toll on his hands and legs and his last years were badly hampered by pain and operations. Richard Beverley Gilkes (1949-58) 03.07.40-05.04.11
Huw Jeremy George (1955-63) 03.05.44-06.06.11
Huw George came to Dulwich from Rosendale Road School and was an accomplished left arm bowler in the 1st XI; he continued to play cricket until he was in his forties. A Prefect and Captain of the Modern Side
37 Obituaries
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