Oh dear! I’m so sorry to hear that ‘Spike’ will not be attending the next re-union. I was never taught by him nor did I play cricket in his team and I wasn’t in Barrett House, but he was a constant presence during the five years I attended the school. Indeed, I think I was in contact more with him at the reunions than I ever was at school. As you say Doug, he will be missed. He may not have been a fighter pilot during the war but I can say, that as an eight year old supporter of Sutton United Soccer XI, I can remember him playing on the right wing and thinking he was the bees knees!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945 - 50

Current location (optional) Norfolk

Like Denis, I was saddened to learn of 'Spikes' passing although I'm sure he leaves behind many happy memories for all of us who over the years, managed to have a conversation with him at our Reunions. During my last chat with him in 1916 I asked him about his age and 'was it true that he would be 100 years old next year?' He confirmed, adding that he was born during the 'Battle of Passchendaele'- a little bit of information I don't think I will ever forget.
Unlike Denis, 'Spike' took me for History in my final year at KBGS. I managed a 'pass' in my 'School Cert', as it was then. I still have my School Report Book and in it he had written some nice things about my 'Cricket', saying I was 'a very stylish batsman and an accurate bowler', but then , I was, like Spike, Barrett House !
The only other observation I note from my Report Book is that his initials are given as ,GCR, and I wonder if anyone happens to know what his middle name was?
Finally, my favourite photograph of Spike is to be found in the 'Cricket' section when browsing, first page, 1947. Title; "Masters on the Cricket Field". This shows Spike in a 'semi-supine' position, front of picture(always makes me smile). I inserted names of all but 2 of the teachers shown; someone did write in and tell me their names but I never got round to filling them in. David

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

David, I think the 'C' is actually an 'E' though I never did think to ask him what his middle name was. I'll ask his son, John, on Friday - if I remember! You have sent me scurrying back to my report books now, for he took me for history in 5 of my 7 years at School. In latter years he always referred to our sixth-form history group as 'The History Boys' - I think it was a compliment... maybe?

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria

He was just coming up to his 100th birthday....

This is his birth record...Name: George E Rannard
Mother's Maiden Surname: Wilson
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1918
Registration district: West Derby
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume Number: 8b
Page Number: 603

I also found his marriage record, to Pat Jacob in Liverpool(North) in Quarter 2 of 1943.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

Brian

Spike actually reached his hundredth birthday. His birthday was 5 December. He died a month later.

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria

AH OK his birth mustn't have been registered until the January.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

David,

Spike's full name was George Edgar Rannard, b. 5 December 1917, d. 2 January 2018. His funeral was a very moving but also uplifting occasion, largely owing to the very personal, eloquent testimonies of members of his family and a long-standing friend. It ended on a typically 'Spikeish' note with Marlene Dietrich singing 'Lily Marlene', which wartime song his granddaughter had found him singing (in German), sitting up in bed in hospital, just a couple of days before he died. Not bad, eh!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria

Thanks for this, Doug. So, his middle name was Edgar! I had put my money on 'Edward'. Thanks also, for your comments on Spike's granddaughter's memory of him singing 'Lily Marlene',in German, in his hospital bed, a few days before his death. What a man! David

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

My brother Peter, 1941-1946, always said that Spike was a fighter Pilot in the war .Was he in fact

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1943-46

Current location (optional) Tasmania

No, Mike, he wasn't. He never even learned to drive a car, much less own one! His army service was spent in the Intelligence Corps mainly. His only contact with aircraft - he told me, once - was one evening, early on in the war, he was walking home after late-night carousing with friends (in Liverpool), when suddenly he heard the sound of an aeroplane coming closer and closer and his instinct made him throw himself down behind a wall. A couple of moments later there was an almighty explosion and the German bomber had pretty well destroyed the building on the other side of the wall where he had taken shelter!

Good to have you back posting again, Mike.

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria

Just gone on the site, and the displayed photo is of John and Spike. Good memories of the last but one reunion meal!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds