In the last few months we have received news of the passing of three Cranbrook Old Boys.

In December 2019 we heard the sad news of the death of Christopher Chubb, 1950–1955, Rammell, Corporal Drum Corps. Chris was a passionate member and then supporter of the Cranbrook Drum Corps and over the years has built up a wonderful archive of photos of the CCF from 1951-63 which we hope to share with you through this website in the coming months. Whilst a cadet he skilfully crafted a set of model drums from card and string that he brought back to School on his last visit in 2018 for the Quincentenary afternoon tea. Much later, he generously provided the funds and expertise to renovate some of the school’s oldest drums and a ceremonial mace. We were delighted when Chris last visited the school in November 2018 to see the drums and mace displayed at Cranbrook’s Remembrance for the OCs that fell in the First World War. Do let us know if you have stories of Chris’s time at school that we can share with other OCs and his family.

Anthony Roderick Fernau 1966, peacefully passed away on Saturday 11th April 2020 at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings age 71. He was described as a wonderfully loving and caring husband, father and grandpa who will be greatly missed by all his family and many dear friends. Anthony last visited Cranbrook in 2018 for the Quincentenary afternoon tea and was known to be a keen Lynxes Cricketer. We would love to hear your recollections of his prowess up on Big Side.

On 22nd October last year, Mark Hudson 1940-47, Crowden, passed away. Our records show that he won Cornwallis Geography & Parr-Dudley Science Prizes – 1942 and Mrs Murton's Senior Music Prize, was awarded House Colours for Rugby and achieved the following CCF ranks; L/Cpl - JT Corps – 1946, Sjt JT Corps – 1947. However, notes from Mark’s son Jeremy are a little more enlightening about the boy himself explaining that he seemed to spend his time playing tennis, attending talks delivered to the army corps by army majors or dancing with matron!

Jeremy went on to tell us that his father gained his interest in electronics at school in the school corps perhaps, during the Second World War, and he went on to be an electrical engineer with GEC and others, installing radio then satellite systems in countries round the world. According to his diary of 1945, he spent the evening of Armistice Day in the Star and Eagle, Goudhurst with another pupil, his best friend from school called John Akehurst who later became General Sir John Akehurst Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Given his school dates they were clearly both still pupils at the time and so had probably snuck away from school.