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Jack Waddell (1924-1998)

(extract from the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 1998/99)

Jack Waddell, who has died at the age of 74, after a long illness, was for many years Secretary of the Old Aldenhamian Fives Club and a master at Aldenham with considerable input and influence on Fives at the school.

Jack was born in China in 1924 while his father was the Organist at the Anglican Cathedral in Shanghai. The family came back to England in 1930 and in due course Jack won a scholarship to Aldenham, which he entered first over sixty years ago, in September 1938. He became House Captain and was greatly admired. Civilised, friendly, intellectually able, he was both firm and encouraging to those in his charge. He was a keen musician and natural all-rounder on the sports field and Fives court.

In 1942 Jack won a major scholarship and later took a First in Classics at St John's, Cambridge. He became schoolmaster in 1950, first at The King's School, Canterbury, but from 1954 onwards at Aldenham, where he spent the next thirty-one years until reaching retirement age in 1985. He was a fine classroom teacher, regarded highly by his colleagues. He was an effective house tutor and with his musical gifts he was fully involved in all aspects of school life. He also took an active interest in the EFA.

Aldenham celebrated its quatercentenary last year and at the chapel service on Old Aldenhamian Day Jack received special mention and a gift to commemorate fifty years' loyal service. At the Old Aldenhamian Dinner in London on 11th November last year, everyone present signed a card of affectionate greetings and good wishes to Jack - only a few short hours before his death. Many people were saddened by it and will always remember him with gratitude and affection as a good man, a kind man and one of whom Aldenham and Aldenhamians can be rightly proud.