Brian Boothroyd (QM 1954-62)

Died in June 2019

The attached image comes from the magazine of Reigate Grammar School where Brian was appointed to teach Classics in 1984. The obituary below was sent by Colin Fenton (QM 1958-65) whose wife was a colleague during some of that time. (Both his sons also attended the school and it was one of them who has brought this to our attention).

Brian was a few years ahead of Colin at QM and was the son of Eric (EG) Boothroyd who was on the staff from the late thirties (when Colin’s father was a pupil) into the sixties, and who also taught Classics. Colin knew Brian more through St Paul's Church where he was a regular member of the congregation and where EG always read the lessons in a distinctive sonorous voice.

During Brian’s time at Reigate, he was also a fan of classic sports cars and was a regular attendee at Goodwood.

Obituary by John Hamlin, former Headmaster of Reigate Grammar School

“It is with sadness that we report the death of Brian Boothroyd in June 2019. Brian was appointed to teach Classics at Reigate Grammar in September 1984 and his total commitment, not only to his subject, but also to the school, was very quickly recognised.. He was a man of firm principles who was universally respected for his warm and friendly approach and his willingness to listen to others.

Brian grew up in the West Midlands where he made his mark as a pupil at Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall. He went on to read Classics at Nottingham University where he also gained a postgraduate teaching diploma. Before coming to Reigate, he taught at King’s Norton School, Birmingham, Buckley Hill High School, Essex, Batley Grammar School and Alleyn’s School, Dulwich.

At Reigate, Brian was happy to help with junior cricket and rugby and other responsibilities soon followed. He took charge of the School Library, working closely with Mrs Merville Hasler (RGS Staff 1987-97) to enrich the book stock and to ensure that the resources were valued and well used. He was also responsible for training and testing new members of staff in the skills required for driving the school minibuses. In due course, he became a respected Chairman of the Common Room where his friendly advice and support were greatly valued.

Halfway through his career at Reigate Grammar, Brian became Head of the Classics Department. Under his leadership, the subject flourished and many Reigatians will have happy memories of the trips to Italy and Greece that he organised each year. Latin and Classical Civilisation grew in popularity as examinations options and it was a particular pleasure to Brian when Sixth Form students went on to read classical subjects at university.

As one might expect, Brian had wide interests beyond his teaching, perhaps the foremost being his enthusiasm for motor sport of all kinds. For him, a tour of the Highlands was one of the high points of each year. He had a lifelong love of music, especially the music of Elgar, which featured prominently at his funeral.

We mourn the loss of this greatly loved friend and former colleague and we extend our deepest sympathy to Maria, his wife of almost forty years.”