The Victorian 1983 - Part 4: Some Obituaries

Today's post comes from a 1983 edition of "The Victorian", a magazine published by Victoria College

The Victorian 1983

CONNOR, Francis Hebbelthwaite Powell (VCJ: 1929-1936) died on 1st May 1982, aged 64, after a long illness.

On leaving College he joined the R.A.F, being commissioned in 1937 and trained as a pilot. Was in 22 Squadron (Torpedo Bombers) and in action over the North Sea, Belgium and Norway in early 1940. That June he transferred to 234 Squadron, flying Spitfires, and was in action during the Battle of Britain. At the end of August 1940 he was shot down over the Channel.

After recovery from injuries, he re-trained as a flying instructor and continued in Training Command until 1946. Subsequently returning to Jersey, he served at Jersey Airport for 16 years in the capacity of Air Traffic Controller.

RICHARDSON, William (‘Bill’) (V.C.J. 1924-1930) died on 5th July 1983 at his home in Lymington, Hampshire. He was 70.

Joining Vickers in 1931. He became a Vickers aircraft man for almost 50 years. Being three times managing director of various Vickers companies. In 1940 he was appointed assistant area manager of the Salisbury Group of Dispersal Factories which took over the building of Spitfires. Bill took over production at South Marston where he remained until 1963. During this period he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He went on as managing director of factories in Glasgow and Bury St. Edmunds. From 1971, until his retirement in 1978, he was managing director and then chairman of Mitchell Bearings in Newcastle, having been the ‘architect’ of the complete redevelopment of the works.

DUPAYS, Andre Louis (V.C.J. 1939-1947) died in June 1983 at Leatherhead, Surrey, from a heart attack, after suffering a heart condition for some 18 months. He was 55.

He gained a Channel Islands Scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford (Modern Languages), where he obtained an M.A. and Dip.Ed. He taught at the County Grammar School. Dorking, and subsequently became Head of Modern Languages at St. John's, Leatherhead and Commanding Officer of the C .C.F . Andre was accorded the honour of being chosen to command the C .C .F. contingents for the Special Queen's Jubilee Parade in London.

EPHRAUMS, W. Frank, Commander R.N., M.l.E.E.
(The following appreciation was written by L. L. Seigne. Esq. ).

Frank Ephraurns was at College from 1933 to 1939, where I was his House and Class Master, but it was during the holidays that we became close friends, for we shared a deep love of the sea. His wide knowledge of the Jersey mail boats whose movements he followed closely, stems from his boyhood. We were so keen on fishing that we would meet at dawn to sail my boat which he handled with skill while I tended the lines. In 1939 we left College and he went to Faraday House to gain an Honours Diploma and gold medal in electrical engineering. He joined the R.N.V.R. as a Sub-Lieutenant and in 1943 was engaged in minesweeping. After the war he was transferred to the Royal Navy and served in various ships and shore establishments. He was promoted to Commander in 1959 and retired from the Ministry of Defence in 1972 when he joined the RN Engineering Service. After a long spell of ill health he finally retired and died at his home in Bath on 14th August 1982. A staunch and unassuming friend, a born seaman and a keen O.V.

RYAN, Dennis William, Jurat (V.C..J. 1929-1937) died in Jersey on 8th August 1983, aged 64, after a prolonged illness.

This former head prefect and prominent figure in many spheres at V.C.J. was destined to become a States Deputy, the Constable of St. Helier and a Jurat of the Royal Court. On leaving V.C.J. he studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, before entering the family business of Ryan Holdings Ltd., which encompassed hotel, garage and building companies both in this Island and Guernsey. He became chairman and managing director of the group, besides being elected president of the Jersey Hotel and Guest House Association and vice-president of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce. His numerous interests and work included the Battle of Flowers Association, the Rotary Club, the Institute of Directors, the St. John's Ambulance Service, the United Club, the Jersey Island Cricket Club, the Caesarean Lawn Tennis Club and St. Helier Yacht Club. He served as a States Deputy from 1948 to1951 and from 1954 to 1956, when he resigned from the States following an illness. He re-entered Island politics when he was elected Constable of St. Helier in December 1961. He also served on many States Committees and became a Jurat in 1969, which office he held until 1976 when he resigned on grounds of ill health.

FERGUSON, Michael Richard (V.C.J. 1958-1963) died in Jersey on 14th September 1983 at the tragically young age of 36 after contracting a rare illness.

Mike was a fine all-rounder at V.C.J. but excelled at gymnastics, where he gained top honours in both 1962 and 1963. On leaving. he joined the family business of clothing outfitters. He leaves a wife and two small children. To them and indeed to the bereaved families of all O.V.s, The Victorian extends its sincere sympathy.