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Dick Borradaile (1922-2005)

Dick Borradaile, who has died at the age of 84, was the master in-charge of Fives at Wellington College, where for nearly three decades he encouraged the game against all odds from the pressures of other sports.

The setting of the courts at Wellington was similar to that of the late, lamented Portugal Place, Cambridge, where they were part of a courts complex and Dick must have been saddened that after all his efforts, the Fives courts were demolished to make way for what is now a cafeteria. However, this disappointment has to be minor in comparison to his other achievements in an altogether distinguished career.

Educated at Westminster, Dick became captain of Fives and cricket and secretary of football. He was also known as a good middleweight boxer. He graduated at Oxford, where he obtained a half- blue for Fives, became a Jester and joined the Navy to reach the rank of Commander.

Wellington College saw his appointment as an assistant master in 1948. He progressed to become a housemaster, Second Master, Commanding Officer of the CCF and President of the Common Room. His stature at Wellington led to him being known affectionately as "The Admiral".

To his family we send our sincere condolences.

Gordon Stringer

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The Westminster School team c 1941, when the school had been evacuated to Lancing. Dick Borradaile is in the middle of the front row.