A
few years ago there was a recruiting advertisement for teachers
in which former pupils were asked to recall a teacher who had had a
profound influence on their lives. Richard Milward ("Sid") was surely one of those teachers. I recall
eagerly awaiting "Sid's" history lessons when he
would sweep into class with a bundle of maps and other visual aids
under his arm, all prepared with loving care by himself, and keep us
spellbound throughout the lesson with his infectious enthusiasm for
his subject. He really brought the subject to life and it is thanks to
"Sid" that I have retained an enduring love of
history. In my time before the Human Rights Act was ever thought
of the ferula was commonly used as a means of maintaining discipline
and even as a teaching "aid". Some teachers (usually the bad
ones) used it more frequently than others. During my time at the
College I cannot recall any time when "Sid" resorted to the
use of the ferula. The reason undoubtedly was that us pupils had such love and respect for him that no one would have
dreamed of "playing him up".
I
will always retain fond memories of "Sid". May he rest in
peace!
Kevin
Chamberlain 1953-1960
|
I
remember him as a very knowledgeable and patient cricket coach.
Paul
Robinson, 2nd eleven 1954
|
An
inspirational teacher never forgotten cherished by all, RIP.
CLMH
Gibbons MA, FRCS
|
A
much loved and respected member of staff who was regarded as a friend
as well as a teacher-
thanks "Sid", may God bless you.
Mick Mulllen
|
Richard Milward was an inspirational teacher and
immensely likeable human being. I felt privileged to have been
taught O Level history by him, in his final two years before
retirement. He was also an example to all with his socially
responsible choice of transport, and was often seen travelling around
Wimbledon
by bicycle, well into old age.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Jeremy Rickard
1982 - 1987
|
| Tom
McGuiness has just forwarded the news of Richard Milward's death. I
have some very warm memories of him, and especially appreciate the
guidance he gave us in the sixth form, where he taught us how to sift
fact from opinion, how to structure an argument and write succinctly.
I vividly remember him handing back essays one morning in the library.
" Quite good, Green... " he said. He then turned to a fellow
pupil. "Now, P-----, this won't do!" "But, sir, I wrote
thirty pages!""Waffle, P----, waffle!" P-----
subsequently became Minister for Education under Thatcher. We all
respected his enthusiasm, his knowledge, his fairness and the courage
he showed in dealing with the consequences of his polio. I remembered
how calmly he discussed Richard III with a class in the Grammar year.
" Now -was Richard a hunchback? - let's consider the
evidence..." There wasn't a titter or a smirk from any of us. He
just got on with it. Along with Stanislaus Frenkiel and Peter
Bermingham S.J he was one of the great inspirational teachers.
Paul Green 56-63 |
Richard Milward was an inspirational teacher and
human being. My occasional visits to the Sacred Heart church were
invariably enriched by meeting with "Mr Milward"
and by his enthusiastic reminiscences of times shared long ago, often
on the cricket field. Even in later years he seemed blessed by total
recall and undiminished vitality.
Gerry McPartlin 1954-'62
|
"Sid"
has remained a seminal influence on me over the years. His passing
will not change that. Why not? Firstly because of the passion and
authoritative knowledge which embued his teaching.
Secondly,the discipline tempered by
compassion which enabled him to get the very best out of lads with a
wide range of abilities, personalities and interests. We respected
then, although not always knowingly (!)his underlying ability and even
determination to communicate these moral qualities in his particularly
self-effacing manner. May God bless him and reward him for his service
and comfort those close to him.
Chris Darby (1965-1971)
|
Richard
and I were almost exact cotemporaries at The College although he was
always one class above me. We played often in the same cricket teams
in the early 1930's and in the holidays he and I played one aside
cricket day after day in the back garden of the Milward house in Devas Road. Peter at the time
took no part in cricket because he was too busy saying Mass - if you
asked him he always said that he was going to be Pope! Richard's
illness struck a devastating blow to an allround first class sportsman. He more than made up for that in his many other
contributions to life at The College and to his beloved
Wimbledon
. My deepest sympathy goes to his brothers and to his many friends and
admirers. Admirers because he was a man who suffered pain and
deprivation all his life but never showed anything but a cheerful
countenance whenever one met him. May he rest in a thoroughly deserved
Peace!
Michael
Davis Donhead 1933 - 1935 Wimbledon
College 1935 - 1941
|
Sid
always maintained that if he really was 'Sid' then we were the
'Nitwits'. Probably right there.The best
History teacher I ever had and one who has left me with an insatiable
love of the subject. My grateful thanks to him and my condolences to
all his family and friends.
Michael
Townsend 1954-1961
|
So
many memories of "Sid", a great enthusiastic teacher.
My favourite was his description of the execution of Mary Queen of
Scots, which took several attempts. described with bloodcurdling enthusiasm by Sid as the executioner "chased
her round the scaffold, chopping at her head"
And who can forget his wonderful maps, arriving each time rolled up
under his arm, and looked forward to by Lower Grammar with great
anticipation!
Last time I spoke to him was at the ordination some years ago of David
Waite: he was always proud of an ordinand.
RIP, unforgettable influence and teacher
Clive Weeks
|
This is very
sad news. I will not be the only person to say that Richard was the
best teacher I ever had. His knowledge was extremely impressive and
his ability to transfer it to pupils was second to none. He made the subject interesting and fun, making it a
pleasure to be in his classroom.
May he rest
in peace.
Mark
Hughes
|
| I
was never taught by Richard but his presence in the College was such
that I felt that I had been. After leaving the College, I would often
see him on his bike; he would always stop and chat, and was always
cheerful, enthusiastic, keen to know what I was doing. He was a very
good man. May he rest in peace.
Philip Healy (1963 - 1969) |
The
only person I know who could make History, not only interesting, but
fascinating. I remember around 1955 when we were in class waiting for
Sid to come into the room. As we heard him approaching there was a
general murmur of “Sid’s coming” around the room. When he came
in he said “Just remember that Sid Milward’s band were called The Nitwits”. I am proud
to have been one of Sid Milward’s Nitwits.
Alan
Hooper
|
I
was very sad to hear about the death of Richard Milward,
for whom I had the greatest admiration. I was one of his first pupils
in 1945, as, with characteristic kindness and modesty, he
reminded me when I met him at John Harriot's funeral. What he avoided saying was that I was, through no fault of
his, also one of his worst pupils. I am glad to think that people
like John Keegan and Christopher Howse were
so very much better. Peter and Gervase Milward were rather before my time, but I was at school with John, and got to know him quite well later on when our paths coincided. My
elder sister Jo was at the Convent at the same time as Jane, Richard's
sister. I am sorry to think he is no longer with us, since out of
all the lay staff at
Wimbledon
he was the one of whom I had the kindest memory.
John
Sullivan (1944 - 1951)
|
| Richard
was one of the few men in my life who inspired me to enjoy my subject,
my work.....taught me to work it out for myself whatever the problem,
whatever the subject....coming from a good for nothing , womanising,
hard-drinking rugby playing kind of fella that probably wraps it up in
a nutshell. Richard has a special place in my heart and will continue
to have so.
Bob Komar.......Wimbledon College
1960/67 |
|
"Sid" was a true gentleman and wonderful human being
of the highest order. To me he was an inspirational character
who commanded enormous respect by the almost saintly manner in which
he conducted his life. He was a devoted Roman Catholic with an
infectious zeal for his faith, as well as history and sport. He
really loved his tennis and cricket, although he despised the
Packer Revolution of the 70s and used to get really annoyed talking
about it. Wimbledon College and The Old Wimbledonians have lost one
of their greatest. He epitomised so many virtues that seem to be
missing today and it is unlikely that we will see his like again.
Heaven will be enriched by his inevitable homecoming. May he rest in
peace.
Yes Sid .... "Really.....!"
Peter Murphy
Wimbledon College 1973-1978
|
My
memory of Sid Milward is of a truly
inspirational teacher who's enthusiasm for
history was infectious and inspiring. Thanks to Sid not only did I
pass History at "A" Level but have maintained a lifelong
love of the subject. A truly great teacher!
Phil
Hawkins 1964 - 71
|
I
began my teaching career at the College 35 years ago. One of the first
staff members to introduce themselves to me was Richard Milward.
He was even then, a legend in his own life time. Highly regarded as a
teacher by both past and present pupils (at that time), he provided me
with a teacher role model which has stood me in great stead ever
since. Richard always had time for the person in front of him. He had
amazing patience, tolerance, and the human dignity, which transmitted
itself to all those he came into contact with. In particular he had a
passion for his subject unlike any other I have ever come across. He
frequently gave me guidance as a young teacher when approached for
advice, communicating with an infectious sense of humour, and never
turning me away. Richard always showed an interest. Many years after I
had left the College to pursue my teaching career abroad I returned to
Wimbledon
to visit some friends, and bumped into Richard in 'Fielders' bookshop.
It must have been 20 years or more since we had met, and yet he
remembered me right away, and we enjoyed a short lived reminiscence of
those early years.
Richard Milward. A great teacher and a
great human being.
Richard
Lawton
Geography
Teacher
-
Wimbledon
College
- 1971-1977
|
God
bless you Sid .I will always remember you with affection and enormous respect
, and can still see you now striding across the playground with
your rolled up ' battle maps ' under your arm .You were a great
teacher with an obvious love and enthusiasm for your subject who made
learning both easy and enjoyable - no mean feat with this pupil
, whose instincts more usually swayed between apathy and outright
rebellion ! You were a man of transparent integrity and unfailing good
humour and will surely be greatly missed by all who knew you
.
Shaun
Ryan 1957-1962
|
I
knew Richard relatively slightly, as I never had the pleasure of being
taught by him. Rather I learnt my history from Father Tim Healy, whose
teaching methods were rather different.I used to envy the stories I
heard from his pupils of the wonderful atmosphere in his classes and
the enthusiasm and love of history that he imparted. He clearly had a
wonderful life, one which lived to the full the Jesuit teaching, which
has left its mark on so many of us.
His death will be a sad loss, but he leaves behind an example, which
many can do no better than follow.
Michael
Morrell
|
This
wonderful teacher provided me with a life long interest in
history. He remains my fondest memory of my time at WC.
David
Allison.
|
He
was an absolutely splendid history teacher -- he was full of
enthusiasm and everything was clearly presented. He must have spent
ages preparing the very clear diagrams that were one of his
trademarks. He was also absolutely straightforward and very easy to
get on with. He certainly helped me to my history "O"
level.
David Milborrow, 1953-1960
|
It
is with great sadness that I heard of "Sid's" death; sadness
mixed with the certainty that he has gone to a well-merited
reward. I have still vivid memories of some of the history lessons
which he delivered as we gathered round the library table to pore over
the latest hand drawn map which he would use to bring to life this or
that battle. He was truly an inspirational teacher and it is to him
that I owe my own life-long love of the subject. He will be in my
prayers.
Dave Swarbrick 1960-1967
|
Sid Milward was not only an excellent history
teacher who skilfully guided us all through our A levels but also our
dedicated Second XI cricket coach under whose
guidance I had the good fortune to play in the
mid-fifties. My lasting memory of Mr Milward,
not just as a teacher, is that of a saint-like man of
endless patience and understanding. It is a privilege to have known
him albeit for just a few brief years in my youth.
Phil
Coates 1951-56
|
As a teacher
he was unsurpassed. Further his assistance and kindness to me during a
lengthy absence through illness at school helped me keep my education
on track
NICK WILCOX
1964-1971
|
He
was greatly respected as a teacher and as a Catholic GENTLEman.
Michael
Thomas, 1948 - 53
|
I
was taught by him for A level history and
he was quite outstanding – easily the best teacher I had at
Wimbledon
and head of what I think was at the time one of the strongest
departments. It was his ability to bring the subject alive
through discussion and his emphasis on wide reading which I remember,
as well as his support of those of us who were not in the same
league as the Oxbridge candidates. All my
group got A’s in history under his guidance and I found the learning
skills he gave me stood me in good stead through a Law degree and a
career in the law.
Richard
Musgrave 1964-71
|
| "Sid"
was a really enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able teacher. He
inventedthe use of "Visual Aids" long before anyone had
heard of them - simplecouloured maps and diagrams to explain the
feudal system in Europe or thepolitical history of Cuba (not on our
"A" level syllabus, but he thought weshould know something
of modern politics ...). I've been a fervent user ofvisual aids ever
since in my professional activities as manager, consultantand
management trainer. Thanks Sid !He also had a very positive and
encouraging attitude to his pupils - I can'tremember him dishing out
doses of the ferula and I can't imagine it !Although History was not a
favorite subject for me, I really appreciated"Sid" as a man
and as a teacher. It was a great pleasure to meet him inSeptember of
last year at the Class of '55 evening.Its sad that all good things
come to an end - including "Sid". Bon voyageand, again,
thanks for what you brought to me and doubtless many others.
Brian Mc Carron (1955-62)
|
I respected Richard Milward above all
the other masters. By Lower Grammar I was utterly bored with
everything to do with school and if I remember correctly I proved it
by being in the bottom three of nearly everything except Art, for the
entire year group.
Richard greatly inspired my interest in History when I moved into
Grammar. This seemed to rub off on nearly everything else, so by
the last term of Grammar, or perhaps Syntax, I was in the top 5 or 6
of nearly all the Arts based subjects and Maths while finding the work
much easier than before. This was entirely due to the
inspiration Richard gave me in History and nothing at all to do with
the threat of expulsion which, according to my Father, had been made
by Iggie.
I shall always remember Richard Milward,
with great respect.
Basil Rickard (1953 to 1960)
|
Like
probably most of the pupils he taught, I feel privileged to have had
him as a teacher. Even 50 years on, I can still remember his lessons
clearly such was his teaching style. No doubt, the church
will be packed for his funeral service although, unfortunately, I will
be unable to make it.
It
seems very fortuitous that, only this year and thanks to Mike Barnett’s
sterling efforts, we were able to set up a memorial prize in his
name. I wonder if now, following his death, any other such
memorials will be instituted in Richard’s nam
Martin Farrell
|
| Richard Milward taught me history during
my "O" level year in 1966.I remember that the lessons often
took place in the library just down the hallway from the old
refectory.His teaching style was very enthusiastic and he certainly
got the best out of me with his infectious interest in historic
detail. It's an interest that has stayed with me and has led to me
writing and editing two local history books, one about the Deep Cove
area where I live in Greater Vancouver and one about the Fort Steele
area in B.C.'s East Kootenays. Please pass on my thoughts and prayers
to his family.
Damian Inwood, Wimbledon College,
1961-1968 |
| Richard was my inspiration at the College
and due to him, I went on to study History at Durham and at Cambridge
and for the past quarter of a century I have tried to become as good a
teacher as he. Richard was the most gentle and kindly of men, a
supporter whose quiet scholarship brought out the bestin each one of
his pupils. One always came away from a conversation with Richard
feeling for the better; he having made you feel good. That was the
mark of the man and the mark of a true schoolmaster and pupils'
friend. RIP, your memory and influence lives on in those who were
fortunate enough to have learned from you.
Philip Hawes 1966 -1973 |
| A Great contribution to life at Wimbledon
College.
P Devlin 1985-1991 |
| Well done, good and faithful servant. Now
enter into the kingdom prepared by your heavenly father. In gratitude
for a life well-lived.
Phillip M. Devlin Wimbledon College
1968-75 |
| A few weeks before Richard’s death my
mother reminisced about how she had been surprised to be told at a
parents’ evening by Richard ‘Of course Michael should get into
Oxford’. She looked so blank he added ‘Don’t you want him to go?’
. And I did – largely due to his teaching and encouragement. After
nearly 30 years of teaching I realised, when listening to Michael
Holman’s excellent homily at the funeral – which I hope will be
published somewhere- that I have been using the same locutions as
Richard when marking books throughout that time, without knowing it.
Michael Kernan 1966-73 |
| Deeply saddened to hear of Mr Milward's
passing. He was one of the best teachers I had while at the College.
He was fair, commanded respect, and his love of history was infectious
and inspires me to this day. I shall never forget him and am so glad
that I will be able to pass something of him on tomy children through
his writings. Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.
Peter Nowak (studied at Wimbledon
College from 1968 to 1975) |
| Richard Milward was a great educator whom
I was fortunate enough to have had as my History master, at Wimbledon
College, from 1950 to ‘56. He was also my class master in Lower
Grammar I for the academic year 1951-52. He was however known to me by
sight, a tall and distinguished figure, some years before, during my
Donhead years, when our family lived in the same general neighbourhood
as the Milwards. An older boy had pointed him out to me saying:
"That’s Mr Milward, one of the strictest masters at the
college!" Although he did stand no nonsense in the classroom it
was as a gifted and stimulating teacher that he most impressed me,
instilling in me a firm sense of historical perspective and a general
love of history, which was to prove of great value to me in my later
career as an architect. He was fair-minded and objective in his
approach, (the Protestant Martyrs under Mary were given the same
emphasis as the Catholic Martyrs under Elizabeth), and he taught us to
how to assess historical personages by weighing up their ‘pros and
cons’ of our own selection in two parallel columns. A simple but
valuable method frequently employed since. Many years later, when I
returned to England after some time in Canada, I had a chance occasion
to meet him and was impressed that he remembered my name even though
many thousands of boys must have passed through his hands. The last
time we met was outside the Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon, 22 years
ago, on the occasion of my mother’s funeral, and I was glad to have
the opportunity to express my appreciation for his past efforts. For
Richard Milward the ‘pros’ considerably outweighed the ‘cons’.
I wish to express my sincere condolences to his surviving brothers.
Gabriel Sydenham (Donhead 1946-49, OW
1949-56) |
| Richard Milward was the best of teachers,
a credit to his profession. He was never boring, he instilled a
life-long love of history and in an era when "deconstruction of
history" is laden with political elements it is good to remember
a great teacher who taught his pupils to use their intellect to
analyse history and arrive at their own conclusions (as long as they
could justify them). AMDG RIP.
John Brennan 1946-1953 |
| I am truly saddened by the death of
Richard Milward, whom I managed to talk on the phone a few months ago,
for the first time for nearly forty years. It is to him that I owe my
Scholarship to Cambridge. While I do not have happy memories of the
school, Sid's teaching has been an inspiration for me for all my life.
I remember him with gratitude, respect - and love.
Michael Kowalewski (1962-8) |
| Peter Milward was an absolutely wonderful
teacher and inspired me to have an interest in history. I also
remember his brother Peter when he was a scholastic at the College –
now I read his articles from Japan often in the Chesterton Review. I
am amazed to realise, only now, that Richard was only 7 years older
than me. When you are a teenager, anyone over 20 seems ‘ancient’,
I suppose! He must have started teaching very soon after his
university studies. He gave stalwart service to the College, his
students and the Jesuits all his life and he will be much missed by
all of us. His life was an example to all teachers.
Michael New (Donhead 1939 and 1944;
Wimbledon College 1944-1951) |
| I have just heard the news of the death of
Richard Milward. I owe a great debt of gratitude to him. He taught me
through O Level and A level, and Oxford Entrance, and left me with a
great interest in history and respect for his own learning and
scholarship. Within the last year we had corresponded about books we
had read, and I have still to read some of those he recommended.
Michael Ward Wimbledon College 1961-67 |
| Sid left an indelible mark on my life as
he did on the lives of many of my fellow classmates. His essay formula
remains with me today as I write design proposals and the odd magazine
article. I don't think I lived up to his expectations, but it must
have been obvious even then that Art not History was my real focus.
Those were the days when wanting to do Art was not really taken
seriously. Luckily the world changed! Richard Milward was the most
prepared, the most knowledgeable teacher in the school, and because of
his brilliance and application in anticipating exam questions year to
year, got many more us of through than we probably deserved. That kind
of application and devotion to his pupils and his subject is something
that at the time we took for granted - (well we were teenagers!) but
in retrospect it's obvious that he was a very remarkable man and
definitely one of a kind. He will be missed by many of us who owe him
a great deal.
Tom McPhillips1961-1969 |
| Richard taught me for over four years
between 1966 and 1970, from Lower Grammar right through to Rhetoric.
He was of course a marvellous and inspiring teacher. He was the
inspiration who set me on the path of studying History, who taught me
my historical skills and opened my eyes to the world of scholarship in
which I have since made my career. Richard’s distinctive quality,
however, was the personal extra-curricula assistance he gave to his
pupils. His excellent obituary in the Telegraph highlights Richard's
success in changing young lives for the better, and that was certainly
my experience. I was a shy boy with a stammer, none of whose family
had previously been to university. Richard devoted much care and
effort to encouraging me to speak more confidently in class and to
develop the self-esteem to aspire to university study and an academic
career. I recall in particular how his pastoral care extended beyond
my time at the College. After I had failed my Cambridge entrance, he
invited me specially to see him at his home in Devas Road and devoted
an entire evening to coaching me to perform more successfully at my
remaining interviews. ‘Coaching’, however, does not adequately
convey the quality and subtlety of Richard’s methods: it was more
like a supportive interrogation, if that is not a contradiction in
terms! He had that rare ability to make you aware that you were not
achieving your potential, whilst at the same time drawing you out in a
manner that developed the skills and confidence to enable you to do
so. Over the years since I left the College, it has been one of the
great pleasures of my life to maintain contact with Richard and
continue our historical discussions. Although I worked in a field of
history (ancient Greece) far from his special expertise, he was so
well read in all periods that our discussions were every bit as
stimulating and challenging as those with my specialist university
colleagues. He took the trouble to read every publication I sent him,
and I could sense his genuine delight on my appointment to a Chair: he
said it was the first time one of his pupils had become a real
Professor! Much though his loss hurts, Richard’s death awakens many
fond and happy memories. He was a thoroughly good man whose Christian
commitment was a real example. I well remember his asking us whether,
when we put ‘A.M.D.G.’ at the head of our school work, we had
really done our best to ensure that our work would redound to God’s
glory. That inspiration never to be satisfied with work that was
merely adequate has remained with me ever since.
Professor Stephen Hodkinson (1964-1970) |
| Sid, Always a gentleman, and always a man
who had such quite dignity and courage, a real role model in his own
way.
Nick Fox1975 - 1981 |
| I was saddened to hear of the death of Mr
Milward as it represents the passing of an era. I don’t think that
the world could produce another man like him now. He inspired me
greatly. I still have a keen interest in history 40 years on from
those lessons. The obituary in the Telegraph brought back memories to
me when it described the ferula room"A tiny, musty room under the
eaves was given up to the thrice daily application of the ferula, a
leather or whalebone strap for beating the palms of the hand. Six were
enough for anyone. But Richard Milward did not need to order ferulas.
He kept quiet order." I was one of the few boys who was a daily
visitor to the ferula room, and yet not one of those was ordered by
"Sid".It is so true he didn’t need to order ferulas or
rule by fear. He was respected by all the boys. I cannot put my finger
on what it was that he had that generated such fondness towards him. I
remember him fondly. He didn’t frighten me like a lot of the other
teachers but I felt great admiration and respect for him. I listened
to him and didn’t want to interrupt his lessons as they were so
interesting. He was always so calm and never seemed to get ruffled. I
remember him cycling past our house in Arterberry Road on his way to
school and church. He would always offer a friendly wave. What a
teacher. He will live on through his pupils for some time to come.
Thank you Mr Milward.
Paul Gorham (1964-71) |
| Sid was a powerful positive influence and
a great character ..The world is a lesser place for his passing.
Phillip Courtney 1962 - 1969 |
| There is no doubt about it, he was the
best. The best as a man, the best as example and the best at as a
teacher. Whatever short cuts were taken for other teachers. whatever
dross was served up for other subjects you always did your best for
"Sid". It was not so much that he demanded it, more that he
deserved it. As a result, all of his pupils performed better than
their typical application and talent would otherwise have provided
for. More than that he developed a genuine love for the subject he
taught in the hearts of those he taught. as others have remarked, it
was his eye for the comic, the grotesque and the personal that kept
his audience enthralled. There are many that owe him so much, although
I doubt he ever saw it that way. God rest his soul.
Tom Doyle 1972-76 |
| An inspiring teacher, and a great servant
of the College. In his latter years I remember him as a great
supporter of the traditional liturgical rites of the Church, and I am
sure he would have been pleased to see them making a comeback.
Duncan Gallie (1965-1971) |
| I shall always remember the objectivity
with which he taught the Tudor period. Also the way in which, when a
bunch of us who were near to leaving school were returning from an
illicit lunchtime visit to a Ridgeway pub, he passed us on his bicycle
and swiflty averted his eyes.
David Crawford (1951-8). |
