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5th July 2008
Hi Martin, First of all, I
would like to congratulate you on your successful website. I decided
today to look at the internet and see what I could find about our old
school. What a lovely surprise. And to put the cherry on the top, a
photo of Grant House “residents”, the year of my leaving. The photo is
awesome. It certainly was a great “kick” reading about all the names I
remember that era – especially those with whom I shared Grant House 1961
– 1962. It was great too, to read about Messrs Hobs, Barnard, Wilson,
Munday and Nel.
I matriculated in December 1962 and went to Natal University, Durban.
After qualifying in 1967, I went to work at SKF Ball Bearing Co. in
Uitenhage. In January 1968 I married my childhood sweetheart (met her in
Durban the month I left school) In 1970 I was transferred to
Johannesburg and stayed there for two years.
While at University in Durban I clerked for bookmakers on the
racecourses and learnt how to “run a book”. Also, I learned very quickly
that I could earn more than an accountant. I bought a bookmaking license
in Uitenhage and stayed there until 1986. In 1987 we immigrated to
Adelaide, Australia with our two sons. I worked as an accountant for two
years and then we bought a small agency business selling gift and home
wares. After building up the business we sold it in 1994 and moved to
Melbourne where we started a new business importing giftware and
homeware from Asia. Thanks to my wife’s artistic and sales abilities, we
built that business over 12 years and in 2006 we accepted a buy-out and
retired. At that time I was 62. We have two sons (a psychologist and an
accountant). We still live in Melbourne and spend a lot of time touring
around Australia and going overseas once a year. I have seen very few
Graemians since leaving school. In about 1964 Tony Gush looked me up in
Durban. During the early 1980’s Jonathan Osher clerked for me in
Uitenhage. I met up with Bullseye Emslie in the early 1970’s. On two
occasions I met Clair Fichardt – once in East London (where he invited
me and my wife to sit in the cockpit of his flight (one could still do
that in those days). I notice in this newsletter that he is now based in
Cape Town. In Sydney, last year, I met Len Radomsky who lived in
Grahamstown but left school a few years ahead of me. It would be nice to
hear from guys who were at Grant House in my era and especially those
that were in the same dorm in ‘61/’62
Just to mention some: Trevor Hill Robert Sangster Tony Gush Andre (Prof)
de Beer Spotty Wicks Clair Fichardt Lyle Wilmot Geoff Purdon Clair
Fichardt Tony Gush Denton (Mule)Francis
Should there be a 50th reunion (and if I am still spared) in 2012 I
believe I would make every effort to be there.
I have attached a photo of myself taken this year hiking in Tasmania and
one, cut from the Grant House photo for those who don't recognise the
present me !!!!
Thanks again for a most interesting afternoon spent reading through your
entire site. Kind regards, Ashleigh Want
ashleighwant@hotmail.com
click this picture to enlarge it
2nd June 2008
Hi, Martin – there are definitely some faces in that picture that look
familiar. I should dig out my 1963 Grant House picture and compare. Were
you perhaps in the East dormitory in ’63? I remember fagging there for a
boy called Harvey Drew. I was in Middle West, with an odd assortment of
characters including Mike Smith and Kevin Heny (they were in the beds
nearest to me), Mike Hobbs, Johnny Neaves, the Timm cousins Donald and
Tony (alias Tackies), Errol Cherry and several others whose names will
no doubt come to mind when I think about it. When I lived in Queenstown
I knew Johnny’s in-laws and occasionally met his wife (she would visit
them without him). She told me once that Johnny would sit in front of
the TV whenever Mike Hobbs was presenting and say: “I hate you, Mike
Hobbs!” Frank Rumboll was a housemaster (he used to stand smoking in the
dormitories, begging us not to split on him to the boss), and of course
it was M C Marais’s last year. I only went to Graeme because MC and my
dad had been rugby buddies at UCT. I was quite fond of his daughter
Ingrid (I believe she lives in PE, but I have not tracked her down), and
Mrs Marais used to give me Norwegian stamps. I was the only boy who
would sit in the diningroom on Saturday afternoons working on my stamp
collection. After fagging for Harvey, I fagged for Spotty Wicks for a
while. When I worked in East London I met up with him and his then
fiancée (they must have been married for about 33 or 34 years by now).
He was most embarrassed when I called him Spotty, and insisted that I
call him Clyde. My last fagging position was with Piet Botha, who was
headboy at the time. He was quite rude to me one night when he
discovered that my dad was involved in the Progressive Party. Piet
called me a kaffirboetie for that! I was friendly with Jonathan Ossher,
but I blew the whistle on his suicidal tendencies and after that he
spent a year at Fort England. He finished his schooling at Muir College,
and after qualifying at Rhodes went back to Muir to teach. But after
seven years teaching English there, he packed it in and took a post at
Riebeek College teaching accounting to the girls. He found it less
stressful. He is still there. Jon sends me e-mails – some of them are
quite funny, but a lot of them I delete. He says other people send them
to him, and he doesn’t know what else to do with them. One I deleted in
the past week had a subject line “Surgery in crisis under Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang”. The first picture showed a woman with her arm in a
sling, but with a foot showing out of the sling. The second showed a guy
expressing shock while looking at himself in a mirror, because instead
of a nose he had a penis. Rather silly. I see that your Grant House
picture is at Martinsguesthouse – your place of business, I presume. I
have visited the Kowie on odd occasions down the years, but never really
got to know the place. Perhaps I should pop in on you sometime. Ciao,
Mike Oettle
mike.oettle@gmail.com
9th May 2007
Hello Graham
How nice hearing from you. Kenny Agombar and I were tellers together at
Standard Bank in Grahamstown. Now THERE was a good guy, HUH. Haven't seen him for YEARS, sorry. Yes,
you have the correct Sue Randall. Her Dad was AVRO Randall and had this
massive chicken and egg farm. I know, because my Dad put in all their
electricity for them. Aish...you bring back good memories...Cheers, keep
cookin'...Martin
Hi Martin. You don’t know me
but I happened to come across a note from one “Mark” mentioning a number
of names I know vaguely. I am really interested in tracing Kenny
Agombar. He and I shared a room in some fleepit in PE many yonks ago
when we were at banking school and I am interested in getting in touch
with him if you can help with an e-mail address. In the same note I saw
the name Sue Randall. I knew a Sue Randall from Port Alfred (there were
two sisters). I think her father was a chicken/egg farmer……….be this the
same young lady? Would appreciate hearing from you. Reagrds Graham Steyn
Mobile: 083 325 5705 Home: 039 975 1556
margjs@icon.co.za
25 April 2007
Hi Martin, Found this web site
by accident - spent a lot of time reading all the letters. I left Graeme
in 1954 (Now 72) My mother was one of the last VG class that
matriculated at Graeme and when she died aged 90 was the oldest female
old Graemian.!! Spent most of my life since then as a teacher in Cape
Town, managed to get out of the rat-race by taking the package in 1989
and have never looked back. Started at Graeme in 1945 and except for a
break in Std 6 when we moved to Zululand for a year I spent the rest of
my time at the Old Graeme of the winding stairs ( I can still repeat the
school song - wonder what it means to the present generation.) Neilen
Locke was in junior school when I left - I had a lot to do with his
father Eugene while I was at Rhodes. Ernie Rothman was with us until he
dropped out in Std 8. My headmasters were Alex Junior - the ultimate
gentleman - and O.B. Taylor. Wonder how many of my generation are still
around!! My friends and I often rode down to Kowie from Grahamstown,
slept on the dunes. Regards Louis van Heerden
zs1lvh@absamail.co.za
Hi Louis,
Thanks for the email. Yeah, my fathers never passed thru the Drostdy
Gates either...Keep well, cheers Martin
Martin
5th March 2007
Hi Martin, I have had such fun
this afternoon going through all the letters and photo. I take the
liberty to write in as well!! The relationship between VG and Graemians
was always a good one. I see many faces that meant ‘something special’
to me while at school. I would love to know what happened to Alan Baxter
…. Boy did I have a crush on him … with his short ‘shorts throwing that
baton around!! This was a crush that he knew nothing about till later
when we met briefly. I would love to know where he is and what path his
life took. I know that he was with Jimmy and Douggie in the same year
and that they all boarded together. If you know it would be great just
to say hi.
Thanks, Sandy Wilson (nee Dawe) sister to Keith Dawe.
Aaaah Sandy, you really had me reaching
back into the furthest recesses on my poor old mind on this one. Keith
Dawe - played hockey ? Right ? Quiet, unassuming lad. Something to do
with the Methodist Church or similar ? Always the gentleman. How good
hearing from you, thanks so much for writing. Keep well, Martin
28th February 2007
Hello Martin, Talk about a
blast from the past. I have just been going through you website. I
remember all the old faces. Two weeks ago I was in PE on business and
made contact with Jonathan Ossher. I had last seen him in 1962. I am
enclosing a recent photo of myself. I left Graeme at the end of ’62
after my Dad died. I got caught up in the part-time forces and finished
with the rank of Lt Colonel. I have a BSc (Ind Chem) and an MBA. My
interest in Chemistry was fuelled by Mr “Cabbage” Terblanche. Dudley
Schroeder I remember but they are not fond memories. Dr Bobbins the
School Inspector said that I should continue with Latin in Std 7, but
Dudley was the teacher so I took Bookkeeping and Commercial Arithmetic
instead. I remember in 1960 the Afrikaans exemption for Rhodesian
scholars was rescinded. At the end of that year I got 29%. Ma Toerien
re-marked my paper and I scraped through with 33.3%. I will write again.
Dennis G Edgar - Quality Manager, Concor Technicrete
dennis@concor.co.za
Hi Dennis,
Oh I am so glad you responded. You know the world population is booming,
but us old Graemians are declining in numbers. Not that I have any
particular fond reminisces of the school and it's teachers (Exception:
Ernie Hobbs) but hell, we were a fine bunch of people in those days.
Thanks for the photo, I'm going to forward it to my Uncle Denton
Francis, who got married in 2000 and then retired a few years ago. You
must remember him. If I recall correctly, Dudley Schroeder's wife smoked
a long african pipe. Maybe she was the best part of him. Certainly
better looking. Cheers pal...keep smiling, Martin
27th February 2007
Hi there Martin, I have a faint
recollection of a pocket zobo I was given at one stage that I guarded
with my life. I think it disappeared many moons ago. I also lost all
contact with my once upon a time nickname and cannot even remember how I
got it-perhaps it was when I was caught sleeping in class when old
"Dush" was busy with us. (dead as a dodo) Thinking back that is now
approx 43 years ago and by the way I turned 60 today. I left school
after 1963 (std 9-I got my Matric later) and joined the SAPS where I was
for the next 36 years and left with the rank of Lieut-Colonel in Cape
Town. Then it still was the SAP Force not SAP Service. I enjoyed most of
my time there as I was involved in all the specialized units in the
investigation of crime. I managed to travel far and wide in SA also
visiting countries like Switzerland, France, UK (several times), Isle of
Man, Verduz in Liechenstein, Chile, Brazil and Argentina. The places
certain individuals stash their money etc etc. and like to try and creep
away. I have three sons-all doing well-2 are overseas- 3 grand daughters
and my wife Margie and I have a home at 6 Francolin Road, West Beach,
Port Alfred. Unfortunately I work in East London and am hardly ever in
Port Alfred at this stage. Enough about me. Tell me how life has been
treating you-It seems you a doing very well. I will come have a beer
with you when in PE again and you must make a plan to visit PA. Cheers
for now, Neil
DODO, my china -
was wondering where on earth you are.
I'm rushing to catch the plane to Durban, my son Junior
www.juniorkruger.co.za
is racing in the support race to the A1GP. Back on Monday - will chat
more then. REALLY GREAT hearing from you, pal....
We're in PE, Cheers - by the way, what's the time on Pearson's Zobo
?...Martin
Hi Martin, What a surprise-one of my
colleagues referred me to this website knowing I was at Graeme and
seeing my name in the column. I also stay in Port Alfred but am
contracting in East London until the end of this year when I think I
will be retiring for good. Will get back to you soon with a longer note
and more info. Sorry to hear about Neilen Locke- I worked with him for
some time in the Transkei during the Commissions of Inquiry. I am
actually on my way to Port Alfred for the weekend. Contact you soon-Go
well, Cheers, Neil Pearson
npearson@siu.org.za
26th February 2007
Hi Martin, came across your
site a couple of years ago and read the articles and all subsequent
correspondence with great interest. Passed your site on to Alan Weyers,
who I see has written to you recently. That is I, Mike “Mac” McDonnell –
Brothers Charles (67) and Brian (same year as Cheeky Watson, whatever
that was). Many of the names and faces are familiar, as I started at
Graeme as a very small, scared boarder at Arlington in 1961, and saw
many guys come and go. Guys from your era that were there during my stay
at Arlington (61-64) were Richard Prowse – (His Wife’s name was Ruth),
Richard Peddle, obviously Jan Du Plessis and all his brothers. Strange
but cannot remember Royden being there, do remember Gavin Watson though.
MC Marais was headmaster (Cricket is a strange game…) and I remember
Clive Truter and MC’s daughter Ingrid. Saw Rowles, Attie Maree and
Geldinghuis come & go as headmasters. Was taught by Titch Searl, Jack
Siebert, Doesh ?? Frank Rumbol, Don Munday etc. Started smoking in about
standard 5 and used to puff Luckies plain (19 cents a packet) in the old
Swimming Pool area as well as at the Wood Work centre. Recon I must hold
some sort of record for being caught smoking. One of the first to smoke
a Gunston plain as Mike Coetzer’s old man got some at the Market from
Rhodesia (he was the Auctioneer). In standard 7 I went to the boarding
house that was the first house on the right on the main drag as you came
into Grahamstown from PE – Dud Schroeder & his wife were the hostel
Masters. Used to bunk out just about every night and go visit Alan’s
(Weyers) old man at the Cathcart Arms hotel to smoke and talk horse. It
was from there that Brian Pitt & I got expelled by Slabbert & Attie
Maree at the end of the third term in standard 8. We both ended up at
the Futters boarding house, with Louis Nel, Jean Hobbs and Elsibie Vos
(VG Afrikaans teacher). Others there were Denise Yendall, Clive Alcock
and a couple of other girls whose names escape me. Used to “borrow” Oz
Futters Vespa/Lambretta and it was also there that Donny & Ronny
attempted to teach me to drive in their Borgward Isabella (remember the
Castelaine? brothers, all rode Borgwards?). Always walked to school with
the Coetzers, the late Davy Muddle, Leroy Webster and of course Donny
Futter. Many plans were made and futures planned. Louis used to buy
Brian & me beers at the Vic. Fabian Jerome & his brother stayed over the
road. Kevin Heney joined us the next year and brazenly lit up in the
room the first day he was there. Never forgot that - What a boytjie.
Royden Vice was very friendly with Ronnie and came over often. It
was during the third term that Clive Alcock & I ended up crashing his
Morris Minor at the bottom of Blaukrantz Pass, when the brakes failed
and we moered into the 44 gallon drums filled with rocks at the bottom –
the new bridge was still under construction. Never forget Gappy May’s
father jumping out his car (we had overtaken them on the way down at a
hell of a speed), and crapping on Clive for going so fast. Clive was
sitting there spitting out teeth and pieces thereof , as he had blixemed
his mouth on the centre of the steering wheel and had done some serious
damage to his lips etc. and tried to explain what had happened. We hiked
back to the Settlers Hospital to get stitched up. Still got the scars –
no seat belts in those days. As far as I know the wreck is still on the
Yendalls farm, near the Tractor Tyres. At the end of 67 we were asked
not to come back to the boarding house – I went to Jo’burg and Brian
went to Plumstead High. I came back to Graeme at the beginning of the
third term in order to concentrate on passing matric, on the basis that
I had to promise to behave. Was at Meredith Hostel – a new place close
to Grant House. Actually managed to stay out of trouble and pass matric,
much to everyone’s surprise, including my own. That was in 68. Went to
the Navy the next year with Butch Richardson, Geoff Pool and a bunch of
other Graemians. Had a ball. Used to bump into Mike (Uckle) Hobbs in
Johannesburg before he became rich & famous (he used to ride a
motorbike). Became a keen motorcyclist and have remained so till this
day. Married quite young and have two adult sons as a result. Divorced
my first wife, lost my second wife to breast cancer and am married
again, much to my surprise, believe me. Now living in Brisbane
Australia, where the rest of my family have lived since the early
seventies (I resisted the urge to come out till 2004). Have contacted
Peter Martin in Perth and welcome any old Gramian who happens to be in
the area to give me a shout. “Those were the days my friend, we thought
they’d never end…Regards, Mike
Mike.McDonnell@leicon.com.au
Hi Mac, Good to hear from
you ! Doosh Lane...61
– Kingsley Amm 62 - Billy Kempen ? Dam, cant remember -
will ask Denton Francis the talking mule. ??
63 – Peter Botha
64 - Jan Du Plessis.
More later, just got
back from Durban an' all for the A1GP where my son Junior drove in the
supporting VW Polo Races. Cheers Martin
16th February 2007
Hi Martin, great website,
especially the Graeme Boys section, absolutely great to see the faces
and hear about some of the guys and teachers like Louis Nel and Don
Munday. You were about three years ahead of me at Graeme, I was in the
same era as Bertie Burchell, Dave Pledger, Peter Page, Ian Forbes,
Knockie Wakeford (whose mom worked with my dad at Digby and Francis
Estate Agents for years) Nigel Wakeford and others. I was at Arlington
hostel when Richard Prowse and (unless my doddering memory is on the
fritz) Louise met and Royden Vice was the senior at our table in the
dining room. And I see Dave Alcock quite often when I am in PE, I
usually just pop into the shop for a 'howzit'. I found you website
through Mike MacDonnell who is in OZ and I made contact with him through
Alan Weyer who run historic tours in Grahamstown. The last week has been
a phenomenal week of 'remembering' and revisiting 'long long ago and far
far away'. Really a great experience, I'll keep popping back to see
what's/who's new and perhaps give you a call for a milkshake sometime.
Take care
Alan Weyers
alanw@ixweb.co.za
Hey Alan, great
hearing from you, pal. Saw Peter Page a month or so ago when he retired
down to the Kowie. I believe he goes to tourism meetings by canoe.
That's the way to go. Would that be "Mac" MacDonnell that you're talking
about in Ozland ? Yebo - keep smiling, cheers....
27th July 2006
- Mr. Don Munday -
dmunday@mweb.co.za
Dear Martin, Thank you so much for keeping me in touch with all of the
latest news as it relates to the Old Boys of your particular vintage. I
have appreciated it in spite of the relative silence from my end! (I did
not miss the challenge in one of your letters). So sad to hear of the
passing of Neilen. I did pick up that he was ill, and I should have
contacted you to find out the details as I could have visited him as
both my wife and I have walked the same road in the recent past, and are
in remission (I would say, we are perfectly well) and continue to live
our lives without a thought of how ill we have been. I do not understand
how that some people survive and others not, but we are just grateful to
God, and leave it all to Him. As a result of my being on your mailing
list, two old boys have contacted me, one from Australia and the other
from Gauteng. The chap from Gauteng (Rowland Hickling) was in the Hostel
in 1960, my first year of teaching. He was in my science class and I
took him to Sunday School in the dreaded brown Beetle. It was good to
get pictures of how he looked whilst at school, and the now version! I
would have walked past him in the street without the least recognition!
It was super to have been at your 40 year reunion. I must tell you that
I went to my own Matric 50 year reunion in the same year, at Cambridge
High School in East London. It was not such a great turnout, but it was
good to see some of the old friends from yesteryear. There was at least
one fellow whom I knew well, but failed to recognise him 50 years down
the track! I met J.C.E Bouwer the other day at oncology: Mr Bouwer, who
taught geography at Graeme College 1959 - 1965/66? Not sure if he is
known to you. He too is looking well for an 80 year old. Thanks for the
news that keeps on arriving, and please be so kind as to pass on my
greetings to the men of Graeme, and thank you too for your kindness to
me at the time of reunion. Yours sincerely, Don Munday.
Dear Don, how wonderful and thoughtful of you to
keep in touch...it is really appreciated. Yes, I remember Mr. Bouwer. As
further attestation to faith in life, good friend Denton Francis has
cast aside his quill and papyrus and now has an email address. This is
sandent@lantic.net and I'll be
forwarding your email to him too. Thanks again, kind regards, Martin.
20th July 2006
Such sad news. Neilen Locke passes
away from cancer.
Thank you for the notice regarding Neilen
Locke. It is always very sad to receive news of this nature. However,
life goes on for us all. My sincere condolences to his family. Kind
regards Ronnie Kelly
Very sorry to hear the sad news. Neilen will be
well remembered by all who new him. Best regards Ceddy Miller
I have just arrived back from a 3
week holiday only to be met by the sad news of Nielen's death.
It is a harsh reminder that we are not immortal and sometimes
difficult to comprehend that we are now of an age when people we
know will be passing on. The age of 60 creeps up on us all far
too quickly!!!!! When I hear something like this I feel that
there is insufficient time to do what I wish to do. Thank you
very much for passing on the news. Kind regards, Peter Martin
(in Australia).
15th June 2006 -
Rowland Hickling -
rodis@iafrica.com
Hello Martin, Whilst my tenure
at Graeme was but a short one, 1958 to 1960....read more of a great
letter from Rowland, click here to
read.
Hi Rowland, good to hear from you - Matt (Chris)
Heywood and I communicate daily - he's in Dubai. Nice hearing from you.
Cheers, Martin
10th April 2006 -
Julian Robey -
Jock.Robey@mhs7.tns.co.za
Hi Martin, I was tooling around
on google and came up with the old Graeme site. Absolutely amazing.
Finished at Graeme in 1966 and as you can see live now in Kimberley
where I am a geologist with De Beers. Will write a longer note in due
course but would love to be put in touch with some old friends………….stay
well…..Julian (Jock) Robey - JvA Robey, De Beers Group Services,
Resource Delivery Group, Wesselton Village,
PO Box 47, Kimberley. 8300 Tel +27-(0)53-8386316
Fax +27-(0)53-8386308 Cell +27-(0)83 3789978
Julian ! Hey man,
great to hear from you. Did you look at the Grant House picture from
1962 ? You got a big smile on your face - as if you just made a joke
about Molly Moore. Keep smiling - really great to hear from you !!!!!!!!
Cheers Martin
27 March 2006 -
Alan McIver -
alanmciver@icon.co.za
Its been such a long
time and great to reestablish contact with old friends. I got your
contact details from Paul Griffiths and it occurred to me that we have
lots to talk about. I will be in PE for virtually the entire day on
Friday and have wheels so don’t worry about that. What time would suit
you? Regards and looking forward to seeing you again.
Hi Alan, How great to hear from you ! Gee whiz,
wasn't life good in the days when your family lived at the Killarney
Hotel and we lived around the corner. Wow - the days seemed so
full...exploring on foot (barefoot usually) - your sister, Moira (?) my
sister Priscilla. And your Mom, Betty (?). We used to call you Allie, if
you remember. Funnily enough Ronnie Field saw my web pages the other day
and contacted me. First contact in about 40 years - he still sounds
exactly the same. Being such a refined cricket player, did you go on to
further honours after leaving Graeme ? I remembered Tich Searle having
great faith in you as a batsman. Wife Tracey says you're going to PE on
Friday (where do you live now ?) - would be great to have a cup of
coffee/tea/whatever with you.
26 January 2006
There's a website called
www.sareunited.com and some
lads have put their names on there for free. I did a search for Graeme
College, school leavers 1963 to 1965 and this is what I came up with.
Hey Neil (Dodo) if you see this, please give us a shout. And what's the
time on your Zobo ? And Prof. De Beer, and Dennis Edgar - great to see
you guys still around. Mike Oettle...the thinking man, of great depth.
Lawrence Boxall - left arm bowler if I remember correctly. James Lavery
bowled left arm spin I think.
16th December 2005 -
Peter Martin -
pwmartin@iinet.net.au
G'day Martin, Thanks for the
e-mail and for keeping us all informed. It is amazing nobody knew
Bags has been living in Kenton for all those years. I will be
travelling to SA sometime before July 2006 to visit my Mom in
Grahamstown. We are planning a visit to SA over Christmas next year and
will be spending most of our time in Kowie with Royden & Naomi Vice.
Hopefully we will be able to catch up over a few beers. Merry Christmas
and best wishes for 2006. Peter.
Hey Pete - great hearing from you. With Bagnall
coming out of retirement we've got a new addition to our email list.
Maybe you guys will get together when you're in Kowie again.
16th December 2005 -
Ronnie Bagnall Kelly -
rkelly1@telkomsa.net
Hi Martin, Thanks for the reply
and the invite to visit... I might just pop in and say hello... The "
BAGS " name came from Toffee, when he discovered my middle name was
Bagnall...not Bagshaw... Cawood used to yell at me " Bagshaw you Whore
!!! " That call continued into the army and many such calls would be
heard in those days... You have a great website and I spent quite a
while reading and scanning through names. I become very nostalgic
especially when I read of guys who have passed on and, in the one case,
the ex-wife writing in and talking about her late husband. I am
referring to a note about Nyoffie Pittaway, whom I never met. ( At least
I don't think so...) By the way, " Tick " Barnard is still alive and
kicking and now living in Kenton... in case Dave Alcock would like to
visit him.. I too could never get a grip on Tick !!! Re: Ronnie
Futter... He and I clashed in the day-boy-boarder game and he lost his
front teeth and I lost my knees.!! I bumped into Ronnie & Squeak
in my wife's shop in Kenton many years later and he gave me hell for
knocking his teeth out. Little did he know that I had never been able to
use my knee again properly. I had a double knee replacement three weeks
ago. I could go on and on about your website.. But suffice to say I will
revisit and revisit for a while to come. Thanks and best wishes. I will
pop in some time.
Kind regards Ronnie Kelly a.k.a. Bags
At present I am known as Gert Smit a.k.a Gene Rockwell, because of my
crutches....
Wheee - Gene Rockwell - and the song "Heart" -
Club 505 Hillbrow - Budgie van Reenen bumming Texan plain...long time
ago...
15th December 2005 -
Ronnie Kelly - aka BAGS -
rkelly1@telkomsa.net
Hi Martin, I have been living
in Kenton for the past 25 years and have not been aware that you are
living in Port Alfred. Unless of course I am going senile... I stumbled
upon your re-union website by chance and how nice it was to see old
faces and read up-to-date accounts of school mates from the past...I
would like to ask if anyone has any news on Sam Cawood.?? Best wishes to
all who read this and remember good times. Kind regards Ronnie Kelly
P.O.Box 7,
KENTON ON SEA. 6191
SOUTH AFRICA -
Mobile: +27 824507771 -
Phone: +27 64 81 393 -
Fax: +27 0800 64 82545
18th Sep 2005
Arthur Maree and his wife
stayed here for the weekend
16th Sep 2005
Jan and Pat Du Plessis, now
resident in Abu Dhabi send some pictures...
Dear Martin,
Grant House 1962
click to enlarge
Here are the pictures taken at the Friday
night dinner. IF you look hard and cast your mind back, then recognition
comes in...Click on each picture to make it larger.
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Guest of Honour
Meneer Ernie Hobbs.."Gor..."
Those whom the Gods wish to
destroy,
they first make angry... |
Mr Don Munday
Younger than before |
Mr Louis Nel
The "coir mat" TC chicks man
"Jissie, man chaps" |
The bunch
James Dyer speaking |
Pops Benyon
Grahamstown |
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Barry Reid
"His comb was always
longer than his socks" |
Cedric Miller
"Looks better than in '64"
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Denis Chapman
"A smile says it all"
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Denton Francis
UnRoadWorthy
until year 2000
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Douggie Brown
Rustenburg
Mining Consultant
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Doug Pashley
now at Sundays River |
Gladwin Morton &
Royden Vice |
James Dyer
Check the halo ! |
Neilen Locke
The
Judge |
Neil Robey
VW Metallurgist |
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Richard Peddle
"Almost unchanged" |
Ronald
Beard
East London |
Royden
Vice
"Sy opstel lyk soos 'n Karoo sonsondergaan" |
Stephen du Toit
Retired |
Tony
Perry
now in Jo'burg |
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Martin Kruger and Barry Reid
old Port Alfred pals |
James Dyer
holds the floor |
Jimmy and Ceddy
at Martin's home in PE |
Jimmy and Martin
watching Super12 rugby |
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6th June 2005
And a speedy
reply from Patrick Phillips
Hi Martin, When you see Jan
this week, tell him I say hi. I was always in awe of his academic
achievements. Not that I ever applied myself to my own studies!!!
Cheers, Patrick Phillips, Recruitment & Selection Officer, Rhodes
University
6th June 2005
Nice long
letter from Clair Fichardt 
Dear Martin, Today, Sunday afternoon at
4.30pm, I'm writing to you from Madrid. Yesterday afternoon, while
packing my bags getting ready to depart from my home on Cape Town, my
step-son called me to his pc and showed me your website. Just imagine my
surprise!!!!!!!!
Reading through all your correspondence
took me back to 1961 when I came to Graeme for my last 2 years of
schooling. Suddenly names long since forgotten came flooding back to
me - what ever happended to Adri Leurs (my dorm prefect in ' 91),
Mac McLaughlin, Bullseyes Emslie, Kingsley Amm etc. just to name a
few. As a newpot to Grant House (in Std 9 nogal) I had to fag for
Frank Schoeman, and all went well till I refused to wash his snotty
hankiese!
Your photos are exellent. When we
enlarged the 1962 Grant House photo from your website, it didn't
take my family long to spot me seated on the extreme left front.
I really regret that I never re-visited
the "old school" now reverted back to VGHS. At one stage in the '
70's it was all orgainzed for me to hire a 6 seater aircraft and fly
down from Benoni for the annual celebrations with Peter Tudge and
David Graham, but that was all cancelled when SAA called me out on a
long overseas flight, and that was that till 1992 when I finally
took my wife to see my old school. The high points of the visit to
Grahamstown were staying at the Cock Inn with Peter Tudge and
stopping at the Pig on our way to Port Alfred - stopped at midday
for a quick beer and ony got away at 3.30pm! The low point was
seeing just how different the "new" school was from the beautiful
virginia creeper-covered elegant red brick shool I remembered!
About some of the names mentioned by you
and Des Cooney. I well remember the day Des flew in the cockpit of
the SAA B737 and we chatted about old times. Another who flew with
me was David Craig, a 1962 matriculant who became vice principal of
Rondebosch School in Cape Town. I also met Bokkie Venter a couple of
times while he was working at the PE airport. The only teacher I
ever met while flying was Herman Giliomee - now of political analyst
fame. The only other chaps I've bumped into over the years are Eric
Kent (at a rugby test) Warren Simpson, Drew Hunter, Billy Kempen,
and before his death, Clive Truter. To backtrack a bit, after
leaving school and completing flying training, I was posted to Cape
Town for 4 years. In that time I met Clive and Ingrid a number of
times, as well as MC and his wife. Clive, being the active athlete
and in the SAP, was always flying around the country to various
athletic meetings and we saw quite a lot of each other. In later
years, after Mrs Marais death, I contacted MC, but he had become
quite reclusive and wouldn't even come out to watch a Provincial
game at Newlands. By comparison, how is dear old Ernie Hobbs? I
notice you say he is from the Cape - I would appreciate getting his
address and catching up with him. In 1999, while on a 10,000km 4x4
trip, I met Gladwin Morton in Etosha, but I have subsequently lost
his contact details, so I would appreciate meeting him as well. I
also wander what happened to Don Fulton, Lennie Harvey, Tony Gush,
Dirk Baker, Ian Muir, David Duncan and their likes.
Back to when I saw Des - shortly
after he flew with me I was transferred to the Training Section in
SAA and became a Training and Check Captain on B737's, and
subsequently B747's. Then I got drafted into the Pilots' Association
where I became President and Chairman from 1991 - 1995. In 1999 I
moved onto the new B747 -400. In June 2000 I went on loan to Korean
Air for three years and finally retired from SAA late 2003. Right
now I'm contracted to Iberian Airlines as a Training and Check
Captain on the B 747-400, operating out of Madrid to Cuba and
Tenerife. So here I am after 42 years in aviation (35 of which in
SAA) and still loving it! Aviation fuel runs thick in the Fichardt
veins - my cousin, Gustav Fichardt, was an Airforce pilot, my father
a private and corporate pilot, and my eldest son, Boyd, after doing
his first flight in SAA with me, has moved on and is a Captain
flying the Airbus 330 for Emirates out of Dubai.
I've finally settled my place of abode
after spells of living in Benoni, Winston Park (near Pinetown),
Morningside (Durbs) & Kempton Park. My wife's vision, impeccible
taste and renovation abilities are solely responsible for me now
living in the most wonderful old thatched roofed, rather large but
very elegant, cottage with 2 guest cottages attached and situated on
6000 sq metres of land, high up in the Disa River Valley in Hout
Bay. In fact, after the recent good rains, the river, which passes
through the bottom of my property, is once again flowing strongly
for the first time in 3 years. Anyone interested, see:
www.riverlea-retreat.co.za and you'll see what it's like to live
in "Heaven on Earth." This isn't a sales pitch - I'd really like to
make contact with the guys from Graeme - I remember arriving at
Graeme, totally bilingual after linguistic grounding at Grey
College, Bloemfontein and Outeniqua Hoerskool in George. In George
my fluent English was too much for PW Botha's woodcutting brigade,
so I was a "Fxxxxn Engelsman" and at Graeme my fluent Afrikaans had
me dubbed a "Dutchman & Rockspider." The only one who appreciated my
Afrikaans was Ernie Hobbs! In truth, guys, I'm just a perfect
speciman of a South African "pavement special."
Regards to all, and Martin, I remember
you well from your photo - Barry too, but not from his hair!
Clair Fichardt.
PS. I'm sure you guys had a great
re-union. I think I'll have to wait till 2012 for our 50th!
28th
October 2004
Another nice long letter
from Ronnie and Squeak Futter and family
Dear Martin,
I apologise for not having replied sooner, but we have been away 3
week-ends out of 5 and only just getting back to normality. Lovely to
have received your e-mail and photo, but firstly, let me say that it was
nice to hear news of Priscilla. Please give her my best wishes if she
remembers is. Please let me know what her news is and of her children as
well. I want to add something to your e-mail where you weren't sure
where Francious van Niekerk as ended up. Well, Jackie, that you mention,
I am in regular e-mail contact with her and she mentioned that he is a
vet in Humansdorp, so hope that clears that up. Jackie lives in Walmer,
and married Dolf Holm also from the Albany area. Did you perhaps see the
T.V. programme which had coverage (bad chose of a word) of the Bathurst
bare bums. Someone in Bathurst has put together a 2005 calendar with
some young chap and some not so young chaps at the Bathurst Agricultural
Museum doing the shoot. Very entertaining.!!! How is our friend Denton?
Please give him our best and perhaps he also needs our e-mail
address!!!!! To be fair I think he is in contact with Don. One of the
three week-ends that we were away was in Durban and we spent time with
Don and also a night with Gill and Vinc. It was such a happy time and we
so enjoyed catching up with them. We had a huge hail storm last night
and so many of my precious flowers got damaged, so I had better go and
do a tidy up. Hope all goes well with you - are you going to P.A. for
Xmas? Ronnie's parents, 85 and 84 respectively will be spending Xmas
with us which will be nice. With Love, The Futters
27th
October 2004
Nice long letter
from Des Cooney
Hi Martin
Thank you for the latest snippet this week. Although I was not at Grant
House many of the names mentioned brought back many memories. I wish I
had a pound (remember them) for every time MC Marais ordered me to have
my haircut (my hair is still on the longish side). Don Fulton was a
great fullback and I remember him (I think I was playing in my first
game for the first team in 1962) missing a fairly straight forward
penalty that would have given us a one-point victory over Dale. I think
they had H.O de Villiers in their side that year and they subsequently
went through the season unbeaten. I think I know who you mean when you
talk about "a Toffee-kind of guy". After pushing against him in
practices (he was so strong) any other opponents in actual matches
seemed weak by comparison. You mention the late Piet Botha (it was
actually Peter, his father was English-speaking) who became headboy. We
were great buddies and I saw him every now and again. The last time was
about 10 or 12 years ago when I stayed with him for a few days in East
London. I last saw Clair Fichardt (he was my prop partner in the '62
team) about the same time. He was (or still is, perhaps ) an airline
pilot and I sat up front with him for some of the time on a flight from
Cape Town to Durban. I saw the late Peter Tudge on a few occasions many
years ago when I was with the Daily Dispatch (Andrew Hunter was also on
the Dispatch at the time) when he was playing provincial cricket for
Northern or North Eastern Transvaal. I remember the Douglas Kew tragedy
and if I remember correctly he had a pretty sister, Heather, who I think
also came from Port Alfred. And of course I remember Denton (a very
clean-cut youngster!) and his brother Errol who if I remember correctly
was a robust second team lock? Thanks once again for the latest e-mail
and perhaps some of the above is news (probably not). Cheers for now,
Des Cooney
18th
October 2004
A speedy reply from
Jan DuP
Dear Martin
Thanks for the letter & photo. Enjoyed that very much I have a email
address that has more room for attachments
dupjan7@yahoo.com.
Thanks, Jan du Plessis
5th
July 2004
Thanks to Ceddy for sending the
article about Harvey Drew to me today. Click on the picture below to
enlarge the image and read the article.
23rd March 2004
Read letter from Mr. Ernie Hobbs - in .pdf format
(You'll need Acrobat reader), or click here to view as a
normal web page.
Can you believe that Douggie Brown drove
down from Rustenburg
for our reunion, had dinner with us
all...then promptly turned around and drove back to attend a family
wedding in Welkom the very next day ! Man ! They made 'em good in '64.
12th Mar 2004
WIE DOEN WAT
WANNEER HOE WAAR OM TE
Martin Kruger, Mr. Ernie Hobbs and
Gladwin Morton - PE airport 12th March 2004 - then everybody gathered at
Peter
Tudge's (+) Cockhouse in Grahamstown for dinner.
Then it came to pass that 20-odd men, many of whom had not seen each other
for over 40 years, shook hands, made merry, chatted, joked, recalled tales
from the past - and peace was all around. Neil (Beans) Robey looks almost
exactly the same, Barry Reed does not. In fact Barry has grown taller,
right through his (previously expansive) hairline. First up, looking lean
and mean - fit as the proverbial fiddle - were Pops Benyon and Louis Nel.
(One L.) Jissie chaps, come on now, chaps...Then everybody had a
few-minutes slot telling who/what/where they have done in life. There were
no sad tales. Success emerged in varying manners and measures - the pure
fact that more than half of the 1964 class made it to the gathering,
speaks volumes for the manner in which our initial disciplinary education
was nurtured into us. (Ummm well, sort of...) Extreme thanks to
Jimmy Dyer and Douggie Brown who saw fit to come and spend time with their
1964 family. And Barry Reid, Denis Chapman and Richard Peddle who drove
down from Pretoria. Ceddy Miller, up from Cape Town. Royden for initiating
the event. Neilen who drove from Umtata !
Scribe, Martin:
and mugshot
www.martinkruger.com
email:
martin@response.co.za with info
to include here...
DOWNLOAD the
DINNER POWERPOINT PRESENTATION here (2 megs)
Read about the The
Build-Up here
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