OKA memorials and dedications
Memorials
Anyone wandering around the grounds at Kimbolton School will notice a number of memorials in place remembering OKs and former members of staff who have sadly passed away.
There are also dedications made to mark the time an individual spent at the School.
Memorials
David Bunting (OK 45)
A tree is planted in between the 1st XI cricket pitch and the athletics pitch in memory of David who died in 1988.
Philip Burkett (Staff 1952 – 87)
A bench in Philip’s memory overlooks the school’s tennis courts. Philip died in 2012.
Geoff Coles (Staff 1958 – 1994)
The conference room in the new wing of the Queen Katharine Building (opened September 2015) is named the Geoff Coles Room in memory of Geoff who died in March 2015. Geoff was dedicated to all areas of school life and, after his retirement in 1994, to the Old Kimboltonians’ Association. A bench in his memory, donated by the OKA, overlooks the 1st XI cricket square – a view which Geoff knew so well.
The Geoff Coles Memorial Fund was also set up to support the excellent work of the OKA Scholarship Trust Fund.
Mary Coles (School Nurse 1973-90)
A plaque in the Mews was donated by OKs in memory of Mary who died in 1994. There is also a bench dedicated to her in the Mews, and the Mews sundial (new in 2011) is inscribed in her memory.
Jodie Dunmore (OK 04)
Lucinda Dunmore (OK 06)
Trees are planted near the Iron Gates in memory of these two sisters who tragically died after long illnesses.
Sam Eaton (School Groundsman)
A tree is planted in the Duchess Walk in memory of Sam who was a well loved groundsman and REME man.
Neil Heath (OK 60)
The ‘Heath Field’ is home to the 1st XI Football pitch and Athletics pitch. The land was purchased with money donated to the School by Neil’s family after he sadly lost his life a few years after he left school.
Graham Holborn (OK 83)
A bench is placed in the grounds in memory of Graham who tragically died in 1983.
Angus Jack (OK 85)
A circular bench, donated by Angus’ friends after his death in 1991, is placed near the 1st XI cricket pitch and close to where Angus kept his chickens as a sixth former.
Sister Jeeves (School Nurse 1945-54)
A Liquid Amber tree was planted in the Duchess Walk in memory of Sister Jeeves by her husband and daughters after she died in 2012.
Simon King (OK 82)
A bench dedicated in Simon’s memory sits beside the Duchess Walk pond. Simon died in 1995.
Christopher Pancoast (OK 93)
A tree is planted by the Duchess Walk pond in Christopher’s memory after he died in April 1994.
Michael Petty (Master & Deputy Headmaster 1963-94)
A bench in the Castle Courtyard was donated in Michael’s memory by his family.
Alan Shepperson (OK 48)
A bench in front of the cricket pavilion was gifted to the school in Alan’s will. He died in 2010.
David Smith (School Bursar 1972-84)
The Mews clock was renovated by Monica Smith in memory of her husband who died in 2003.
Peter Smout (Senior Master 1964-89)
A bench in the Castle Courtyard was donated by an OK in memory of Peter. The OK also funds an annual ‘Peter Smout Essay Competition’ open to all School pupils which generously rewards the winner and the various adjudicators.
John Stratford ( Staff 1962-96)
A bench in the White House garden marks John’s years as a Housemaster there from 1969-1987.
Barry Thomas (OK 63)
The clock in the entrance to Kimbolton House was donated by Barry’s parents in memory of their son who died in his thirties.
Janet York (nee Juggins, OK 85)
Janet was one of the first girls to join the School in the Prep in 1976. She sadly died following an illness in 2007. There is a bench in her memory on the all weather pitch behind the swimming pool.
Waldo Williams (Staff 1945-46)
A plaque on the main building at the Prep donated by the Waldo Society in memory of the leading Welsh language poet who taught at the School in the 1940s.
