Salesian Past Pupils UK Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: John Ward
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Dear Readers,

I have just spoken to Richard, who is now at home, after a very long spell in hospital. Sadly he has now been told he now has Motor Neurone disease. He finds is difficult to speak for long.

Richard was President of Cowley Assoiation and did much for the creation and maintenance for this Association. He was also a previous National Treasurer on the National Federation for some years.

Please storm heaven with your kind prayers for Richard and his family, on having to cope with this devestating news.

Best wishes,

John

Added: September 10, 2012

Submitted by
Name: John Ward
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Dear Friends,
I have received the following news from Patrick Morrissey, our former National President.

"Hi John,
Despite experiencing no symptoms and still refereeing (!), the Royal Marsden Hospital say that blood and bone marrow test results indicate that I must start chemotherapy immediately. So I start a 6 month programme on Friday 14th September.
I don't know how that will affect me at this stage. The hospital says that everybody reacts differently".

Patrick is clearly taking a pragmatic view of his condition. However I ask that we all keep Patrick, Diane and the family in our thoughts and kind prayers that this course of treatment will be effective and not a debilitating experience, for someone who has done so much for our National Council, and Africa, during his many years as our National President.

Many thnaks,

John

Added: September 9, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Paul Brewer
From: Witney, Oxfordshire
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hi all. I was a pupil at Cowley from 1956 to 1962, when I left and later went on to BRNC Dartmouth as a Supplementary List pilot Cadet, Midshipman and Sub-Lieutenant.

I'm on here to let anyone from that era know that Geoff Baron, who went through school with me, and was later to be my best man, has sadly died, in Corsica. He died on June 29th, but I've only just found out. I'm sure there are many past pupils from Cowley who remember Geoff with affection.

Geoff was a great man, who went on to join the RAF as a pilot while I was doing my own flying training with the Royal Navy. He married a French girl, Marie-Jo, and moved to France as a Captain flying a Canadair out of Nice. Sadly I lost touch with him then.

RIP, Geoff.

Admin reply: Dear Paul,

Many thnaks for your message in our Guestbook, with the sad news. I hope you recieve some responses to your appeal Best wishes, John Ward, National Vice President,

Added: September 3, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Paul Norton
From: Australia
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
It was great to catch up with Bernie Kiernan again after so many years and would like anyone else from our form to contact me to say what they have been doing over the last 45 years or so

I noticed my brother David posted a note recently so I hope he gets some contacts as well

Admin reply: Dear Paul,

Great to have your feedback. I trust others will also make contact with you soon.

Best wishes,

John

Added: August 14, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Edward Lewis
From: Lincolnshire
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hi Old salesians.
I was at Cowley from 1943 - 1945, then at Battersea until my dad's business forced a move to St. Josephs at Lewisham, in 1950. I was proud to use a "Kango Hammer" in helping the rebuilding of the chapel (by the side gate) under the guidance of Bro Hubert (did he have a relative in the RAF?) and the woodcraft teacher. I cannot remember the name of the latter but he was a lay teacher and responsible largely for my later career.
Me? a successful career in engineering coupled with the honour of serving as a JP until retirement, naw aged 77.
Kind regards to all.

Admin reply: Dear Edward,

Thanks for your message in our National Website Guestbook.

I think the name of the person who taught you woodwork might have been Brother Charles Hunt SDB, or Br. Tom Caulfied SDB, or even Br. McAvoy SDB. All of these great men have now gone to their home with the Good Lord.

I am a Blaisdon Old Boy, not Battersea, but being on National Council I have met many great friends from the Battersea Association, which has regular meetings. So if you check the Reunions section of this website you will see what is planned for the Battersea Assoiation, as for the others. You should try to make it to these meetings as the easiest way to make contact with your school freinds.

Best wishes, John, Niational Vice President

Added: August 5, 2012

Submitted by
Name: davidnorton
From: buckinghamshire
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My brother Paul sent an email from Oz after a recent visit

I thought I'd sign in

I was at Battersea from '53 to '58 under the tutilage of Frs Chadwick,Walsh,O'Shea,Barrat to name but a few not forgetting Bros Joseph and Charles

My peers included Jim Turner, Dave Walsh,Pete Madden,Pete Hoggett, Brian O'Connell etc etc

I've lost touch with the college in the past few years but it would be nice to hear from anybody who remembers me

Admin reply: Dear David,

Thanks for your message in our National Website Guestbook. Glad you decided to Sign in. I trust that some of your Contemparies make contact with you. Best wishes,
John Ward National Vice President

Added: August 2, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Bernard Kiernan
From: London
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Yesterday I met up in London with Paul Norton who I had not seen since he left Battersea in 1965. Paul emigrated to Australia when he was 26 so we had a lot of catching up to (46 years to be exact!) I was able to update Paul on those of us who stayed on for 6th Form and University and on into the real world. A great trip down memory lane and cheers to Paul and lovely partner Val.

Admin reply: Dear Bernard,

Many thanks for your message in our National Website. Glad you had a great remembrancing. Trust some others will make contact with you.

Best wishes, John

Added: July 13, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Mickey George
From: Battersea
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hi Candy. The memories come flooding back. Remember
each and every classmate from the early to mid seventies-
and most of the teachers. Have you had any reunions or are there any plans for any?

Admin reply: Dear Mickey,

I have just sent you an Email to determine which school you refer to>

Best wishes,

John

Added: July 9, 2012

Submitted by
Name: John Ward
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Dear Readers,

An update on Richard Blake.

Richard is still in need of our thoughts and kind prayers. This is going to be a long term recovery. Richard is now out of the ITU and now in Ward 9 in Wexham Park Hospital. He thankfully is now rid of the Trachietomy and can speak normally. He stil has direct oxygen supply to his lungs. He is very slowly regaining some strength. Richard and his family are so appreciative of all the prayers

Added: July 6, 2012

Submitted by
Name: John Ward
From: Uxbridge
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Dear Readers,

Richard Blake, former Cowley President and National Treasurer, is back in hospital.

Marion, Richard's wife, just called me to let me know that she had to call an amublance on Sunday, as Richard was so very week. He is now in the ITU unit at Wexham Hospital.

Would you kindly keep Richard and his family in your thoughts and kind prayers, that Richard will soon regain strength and be able to return home.

Many thanks,

John

Added: May 23, 2012