INCREDIBLE LEGACY FROM CHARLES WALTER WALES
PAGE 23
Imagine our surprise when, back in 2023, we were contacted by the trustees acting for the estate of Charles Wales (M Inst.C.E.) informing us that the OA Endowment Fund had been left a substantial legacy of over £600,000. Charles attended Dulwich College between 1889 and 1893, when Queen Victoria was on the throne and Arthur Herman Gilkes was Master of the College. Charles died on 27 September 1947 aged 73, and after distributing various legacies to charities including £500 to the OAEF and £200 to the Dulwich College Mission (£16,000 and £6,500 in today’s value respectively), Charles left instructions in his Will that his estate be held in trust for the benefit of family members. Once the last of the beneficiaries passed away, any residual funds were to go to the OAEF. The final beneficiary passed away in 2022, 75 years after Charles’s own death, and this is why this wonderful legacy has passed to the OAEF trustees. In his Will, Charles left clear guidance to the trustees of the OAEF that the legacy should be used specifically for those training in Medical or Veterinary Services, and in line with the OAEF Trust Deed. Charles was born on 1 September 1874, the son of Brigade Surgeon John and Helen Wales. Whilst at school he lived in Upper Norwood, joining Dulwich College in September 1889 from Belvedere House School. On leaving Dulwich in 1893, he spent three years at the Crystal Palace School of Practical Engineering. Having qualified as a Civil Engineer, he entered the service of the Bombay Port Trust in charge of dredging and deepening operations, rising to Chief Engineer before retiring in May 1931. During his lifetime, he also undertook 30 years of military service, both full and part-time, serving in the British Rifles, the Bombay Light Horse and as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, seeing active service in the First World War from 1916-1919, although he was wounded in France in 1917. Known to his large circle of friends as ‘Wagger’, he was a keen horseman and was also interested in hunting, racing and golf. At the onset of the Second World War, he was an ARP Warden. As to why he specified in his Will that his legacy be applied by the OAEF for OAs training in the Medical or Veterinary Services, we cannot be certain, but we believe this is due to his love and respect for his father and wider family who served within the medical profession. We found a reference in his Will to a plaque placed on a medical practice in Norfolk commemorating ‘the continuous medical practice of the Wales family from 1792 to 1937’. As for Veterinary Services, we can only surmise this was due to Charles’s lifelong love of horses. The OAEF Trustees are therefore keen to hear from any OAs in the Medical or Veterinary Services, who are planning to undertake further training or research and who are looking for financial support. Please email OAEF@dulwich.org.uk to discuss potential loans or grants for courses of further study. For more information on the OAEF, how it works and the application process, please visit the OAEF page on the Dulwich College website. Mark Hutchings (77-84) OAEF Trustee
OA BOAT CLUB It is with great pleasure that I can report the revival of the OA Boat Club. Joshua Hudson (14-19) has worked hard over the last year to raise the profile of the club and it was a delight to see so many OAs turn up to the Henley Regatta last summer resplendent in their club blazers. More events, both on and off the water are promised in the
months ahead. Trevor Llewelyn
OA MUSLIM COMMUNITY The OA Iftar during Ramadan was a standout event, bringing together alumni from across generations in an evening of community and reflection. This year also saw other fantastic initiatives, including a summer BBQ kindly hosted by Anshaal Chawdhery (08-15), where we welcomed recent leavers to the network. The generosity of our members has been clear, with Hamza Noor (99-06) offering guidance and spiritual leadership at events, and Shams Rahman (84-91) and Erum Waheed (84-88) hosting an OA Law networking evening in the city. None of this would be possible without the support of Trevor Llewelyn, whose dedication and guidance have been instrumental in helping us grow the OA Muslim Network. Alongside the help of the Alumni Office, we have been able to create a thriving community that continues to support alumni and current students alike. Looking ahead, we’re eager to welcome even more of the OA
community to future events. Uzair Ismail Malida (10-17)
OLD ALLEYNIAN LODGE The OA Lodge has had a successful year with several new young OA members who have progressed within the Lodge. We have enjoyed meeting and dining at the College and welcoming non-masonic visitors and representatives from the College staff and the OAA at our annual open dinner in October, where all OAs are very welcome. Our summer BBQ in June at the OA Sports Club on Founders Day was very successful with many non- masonic OA guests, families and friends attending also. The Public Schools Lodges Council yearly festival was at Lancing College with many members of the OA Lodge attending enjoying the usual hospitality and warmth of the PSLC festivals. Simon Whitaker (70-74) Secretary OA Lodge
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting