Hon. OW & Staff Member 1963 - 1997
Word has reached us of the sad death of former staff member and Honorary OW Roger Kirby who passed away on 22nd January, aged 88. Our thoughts go to his wife Barbara and all those who knew him well.
For over three decades Roger (Mr Kirby) was a teacher at Wycliffe Junior School (1963-1997) and also Housemaster between 1968-1989, ranging from Senior Day Pupils to those in The Grove and Ryeford Hall at the Junior School.
His devotion and loyalty to the school never faltered and his tireless enthusiasm, adventurous spirit and sense of community inspired so many pupils and staff colleagues alike.
In loving memory of
Roger Kirby
30th November 1935 – 22nd January 2024
To OWs, Honorary OWs and Friends of Wycliffe,
Roger’s family invite you to join them for a memorial service on
Friday 16th February 2024 at 12.30pm in
Wycliffe College Chapel
Followed by refreshments in Wycliffe Hall, finishing at 3.00pm
Please email TWS@wycliffe.co.uk if you will be attending so we can note numbers for catering and parking purposes.
If you would like to have your memories of Roger posted on this webpage, please feel free to email them to TWS@wycliffe.co.uk
On Roger’s retirement from Wycliffe in 1997, the following was written in The Wycliffe Star 1998:
The Junior School bade goodbye at Christmas to Roger Kirby who has been a pillar of Wycliffe since 1963 – some 34 years. Coming to Wycliffe from St Luke’s College, Exeter, Roger taught mathematics and geography and shared his considerable expertise in soccer and cricket and great love of the outdoors. He was a full time boarding schoolmaster in the very best sense of the term and will long be remembered by pupils of both senior and junior schools for his sympathetic housemastership of the senior day pupils, for his patient cricket and soccer coaching, his games tours and for his leadership of many expeditions in mountain areas. He introduced pupils to the Cairngorms, Skye, Snowdonia and Dartmoor – often under snow and ice conditions – and gave them an interest and personal self-confidence that remained into adulthood. Roger will be greatly missed, for his style of school-mastering, enthusiasm and total commitment are becoming increasingly rare. We wish both him and his wife Barbara a happy retirement in their new home on the slopes of the Malverns.
At a reception held in the new Junior School dining room just before Christmas, there were staff colleagues from both schools, together with many old pupils, gathered together to give Roger and Barbara a send-off. Dick Stoker (Headmaster, Junior School 1955-77) spoke warmly of Roger’s appointment to Wycliffe, whilst Reg Helson (1957-1996) reminded us of the many amusing moments in Roger’s more recent career. Presentations were then made from the Common Room and from Old Wycliffians. On display was a magnificent chest of drawers presented by the junior School and crafted by Tom Aylwin (OW). Finally, Roger replied and, with great humour, recounted many memories of the past three decades. It was a very happy evening.
To all those who were unable to be present, Roger has asked us to convey his message via The Star’, as follows:
“I would like to thank you all for your kind thoughts, generous words and magnificent gift on my retirement at the end of the Christmas term. It has not been possible to thank everyone personally so I hope that you will accept this letter as a token of my gratitude. I aim to use the money to set up a workshop in my new home. I have already ordered a circular saw and router as I intend to be busy and not idle in the years to come. Thank you all.”
Memories of, and comments regarding Roger:
So sad to hear the passing of a true stalwart of the junior school. I remember Roger with fond memories as a housemaster, PE teacher who put us through his weekly circuits and football coach to the 1st X1. He was an inspiration to many a keen sportsmen and lead by example. Condolences to Barbara and family. – Andy Miller (P S 1967-1978)
Sad news about a wonderful man who had a central part in my education half a century ago. Who could forget the Cortina’s! – John Tily (P W 1967-1972)
A genuine legend who has left us. Thank you for everything Mr Kirby. RIP. – Ollie Hart (P H 1983-1993)
Really sad news. Mr Kirby was an inspirational teacher and gave many of us opportunities for adventure with all the activities he ran. I have great memories or doing the 14 peaks with him, climbing in Skye and all the time he spent coaching us. Also a great maths teacher. He will be missed. – Edward Thorogood (P W 1984-1996)
Saddened to hear this news. Roger was a great inspiration to myself and my peers at the junior school. He devoted so much of his own time to making sure we had great opportunities whether in the sporting field, in the classroom or climbing the 14peaks in Snowdonia over 3,000 feet in 24 hours – an achievement I remain particularly proud of! My abiding memory is of a man who gave so much of himself to the furtherance of others and fulfilling their potential. – Simon Reed (P SH 1979-1987)
Such a lovely gentleman and friend. Love to Barbara. – Sheila Goodwin (Honorary OW & Staff Member 1983-2004)
So sad to hear about Roger’s passing. I owe a huge amount to him and his guidance throughout my school years. Not just on the sports field but off it as well. Some of my fondest school memories are down to him – the London run and victory at Charterhouse to name a couple. Such a great man! My love and thoughts are with Barbara and the whole family. X – Will Gidman (P H 1992-2001)
When I joined Wycliffe in 1980, I joined the Venture Scout Group as Leader. My instruction was to expand it. One of my first ports of call was Roger Kirby. He taught me the rules and techniques of mountaineering, abseiling, rock climbing and caving. He introduced myself and the Unit to Crickhowell and Snowdonia, leading many expeditions to the top of Snowdon. The Unit visited Crickhowell every year during my tenure as Leader, accompanied by Roger on many occassions. He was always totally committed to the welfare, safety and enjoyment of the Venture Scouts and helped with advice when we purchase equipment. I could not have done it without his help and advice. My wife and I met him on the cycle track between Sainsburys and Nailsworth just after his hip replacement and had a great time reminiscing about our life at Wycliffe. Keep climbing Roger – see you at the summit. – Peter Spicer (Honorary OW & Staff Member 1975-2003)
It’s really sad news to hear of the passing of Roger. I have many fond memories of him including the London Run, a trip to Snowdonia and several football tours. – John Jennings (P SH 1989-1997)
Roger was an inspiration during my time at the Junior and Senior Schools. An excellent Maths teacher, sports and outdoor enthusiast, we had many memorable trips to Dartmoor, North Wales and the Brecon Beacons. The only time I saw him really angry was when I scored a goal in one of the rare staff vs pupils football matches – Reg Helson was in goal! – Jon Moseley (P S 1966-1973)
Very sad news. Mr Kirby was a truly inspirational teacher who left an indelible mark on so many of us. I owe a huge amount to Mr Kirby – many of my fondest school memories are because of him. He had boundless energy and it was a genuine privilege to play in his sports teams – who can forget the black v red shirt teamsheets going up on the noticeboard before games, the marks out of ten after each fixture and the various football tours! He was always spoken about so fondly by all Old Wycliffians and it was a joy to regularly bump into him on the Downs in Bristol 20-30 years later whilst he watched his beloved Clifton St Vincents and reminisce about the good times! He will be sorely missed. – Luke Bowery (OW (J H 1988-1997)
Roger was a role model to so many young people during the formative years of their young lives: Whether it was in the classroom, in sport or through his love of the outdoors, his zest for life, encouragement of others and his strong commitment to the pupils in his care was inspirational. I look back on my time spent with Roger (mostly in the great outdoors climbing and mountaineering) with so many fond memories…….Roger is a true Wycliffe Legend. My thoughts are with Roger’s close family during this very sad and difficult time. I hope the dark clouds lift soon, leaving only happier memories of a life lived to the full, an inspiration to all. – Neal Ledger (J SH 1976-1981)
Roger was a true inspiration to me when at the prep school. I have a lifetime memory of a camping hike across Dartmoor in 1977 (I think) with the Scout troop. We had to restock our food in Princetown as the other half of the group had eaten all the rations coming south whilst we were going north. During the trip we encountered some squaddies who told us to beware of the rubber tanks round the corner! I also recall him trying to teach up how to tie a bowline so we could go climbing at Symonds Yat. I can still tie the know today! – Michael Ryan (J S 1971-1982)
Recalling my Junior School years at Wycliffe I played in goal under the auspices of Roger, naturally believing myself to be the next Gordon Banks due to his enthusiasm and excellent coaching skills. He led by example being a gifted allrounder himself. On the academic front I have a strong memory of lessons where he encouraged us to look at world events, current affairs etc in order to develop a wider perspective and provoke debate. Like Roger I decided to become a teacher. His old college St Luke’s in Exeter was my preferred choice but in fact I ended up at St Paul’s College in Cheltenham. Needless to say the Gordon Banks dream had faded somewhat but by way of compensation he suggested I turn out for his lifelong club Clifton St Vincents in Bristol. This I did for a couple of seasons with him kindly ferrying me to “The Downs” most Saturdays where, now well into his 40’s, he continued to play to a decent standard. Happy days indeed. My last memory was encountering him as a fellow spectator at Forest Green in their non league days, as warm and welcoming as ever, but surprised that I’d decided rugby was a better choice! It’s a measure of his skill, enthusiasm and influence, that even now at 68, my recollections of him are still very clear. With my sincere condolences to Roger’s family and close friends. – Peter Waite (P H 1962-1973)
Roger Kirby was an inspirational teacher who had a profound and wholly positive influence on me that I have valued for the whole of my life. He insisted on complete honesty from us, and there wasn’t much in the way of grey areas! It was a lifelong lesson that I often reflect on. I remember him also particularly for being a superb cricket coach. He put me in the 1st XI quite young and I played for three seasons, only being on the losing side twice if my memory is correct, although I don’t think I ever repaid his confidence in me. We had endless fielding practice as his view was that we might sometimes be out-batted or out-bowled but we were never, ever going to be out-fielded. And we weren’t. I also remember several visits to Snowdonia and a final trip across Dartmoor before going on to Senior School, which instilled an enduring love of mountains and wilderness. He also had a great sense of humour and was forever telling us terrible jokes, some of which I can even remember! My sincere condolences to Barbara and family. – Mike Page (P S 1968-1978)
Roger Kirby shared with me, and many others, his love of the mountains, sport and the importance of fair play. I also ‘credit’ Mr Kirby as the reason I went into teaching. A life well-lived. – Jon Shaw (P S 1980-1988)
I hope Mr Kirby himself and his family know what a special impact he made on so many children’s lives at Wycliffe. He was an all in kind of guy-everything he did, be it teaching or sport, he was passionate about and that passion was infectious. A lot of my most precious memories of the junior school involve him-be it pre season training, tours to the Isle of Wight or end of season meals at his house. I saw him like an Alex Ferguson figure-you would run through brick walls for him just to get his approval and when you got this, you felt so special. – Tim Griffiths (P H 1989-2003)
I remember Roger Kirby well from the early to mid Seventies. He taught me Geography (‘Cave Kirby, on the run’ we used to shout as we saw him bounding across from the staff room to our classroom in the Junior School. By the time he reached us, whatever mucking about that had been taking place moments earlier, was now transformed into a calm, collected class of boys, eager to learn!)
He was also my football coach in the First XI, when in 1973/74 we went unbeaten for the whole season, under his guidance. He was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable coach and you could tell he knew his football by the way he kicked a ball himself. He used to play for Clifton on the weekends at the time, I think – but as far as i was concerned, he looked like a pro!
I’m saddened to hear of his passing but remember him fondly. He was always fair, firm – but fun too, and he was well-liked by us all. – Ashley Jouhar (P SH 1971-1978)
Roger Kirby had a massive influence on my life, introducing me to hiking and camping in 1963. He took a group of us, with another teacher Reg Helson, on Dartmoor for a few days. I was so excited with anticipation that I waited to be picked up in his car a day early! To make our hike less arduous at the young age of 11, Roger had already walked over Dartmoor in advance and hidden some tinned food under some rocks on a couple of tors. When we got to one of the caches there were no cans to be found. We had all sorts of theories, the most popular amongst us boys being that a Dartmoor prisoner had escaped and stolen the food!. After searching under every rock Roger said “I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find the food”. I replied “Well if you’ve looked everywhere it can’t be here” to which Roger retorted “That’s the first bit of logic I’ve heard from you Arthurs – and I don’t like it!”. Meanwhile Reg Helson was groaning under the weight of food he was carrying for us all saying he had a whole supermarket in his rucksack. When I returned from the hike, my mother noted that I had grown up so much in those 5 days. Roger was inspirational. He subsequently took me again on Dartmoor, and also to the New Forest. As result of igniting this fire of enthusiasm, together with Geoff Simmons, David Rogers and Chris Cousins I undertook my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award hike on Dartmoor in 1969. Exactly 50 years later (in 2019) we retraced that D of E hike in more luxurious conditions! I thank Roger for lighting that fire. I have since gone camping and hiking all over the world. – Andy Arthurs (J SH 1958-1969)
Without question the one teacher who had the most influence on my education at Wycliffe. Sitting in his Maths classes on a warm Friday after lunch with the sun beating in through the windows when everyone was tired and falling asleep was quite the experience to see pieces of chalk flying around the classroom to wake people up! I knew then that I wanted to be able to throw a cricket ball with that accuracy, and he taught me to do so! Never would have been the fielder or batsman I became without his encouraging coaching. He brought an outdoor world to many of us that had never experienced it: camping in the New Forest; hikes on Dartmoor and in Snowdonia in the winter; how to read a map and use a compass; and travelling in his Ford Cortina of the day. Looking back at those trips also taught me how much was really necessary to pack. Principles I still use today. Seeing Roger and Reg Helson bantering together was truly uplifting and very entertaining. God bless you Roger as you were a blessing to hundreds, if not thousands. – Laurence Brown (P S 1964-1973)
