N.. M E M O R I U M

Peter Green (1935 - 2006)
Senior Master and Contingent Commander (1958 to 2005)

t is always hard to express the gratitude of a school to an individual who has given tireless service both in and out of the classroom. Imagine, then, the feelings of both staff and pupils for a teacher who has spent forty-seven years in this school.

The Summer Term 2006 started with the sad news that Lt Col Peter Green had died of cancer. Peter had retired from his position as Contingent Commander at the end of the previous Summer Term.

In 1958 Peter Green joined Royal Russell when it had a staff of ten  and only a hundred and fifty pupils. He was very much a prime mover in the successful campaign to save Royal Russell back in the 1960s, when the Warehousemen, Drapers and Clerks proposed closing the School. After this success, Peter moved forward with the School and was quickly promoted to Head of Politics. During his forty-seven  years at the School he fulfilled many roles, becoming Senior Master in 1985. Later he became the School Examinations Officer and the Contingent Commander of our Combined Cadet Force.

In 2000, Peter retired as Senior Master, but continued in his position as Contingent Commander until June 2005.  Peter had been a cadet whilst at school himself, and he achieved fifty seven years’ unbroken service. His retirement was an important occasion for both the Contingent and the School as a whole, and we were joined by senior representatives from the Armed Forces at his retirement parade.  Commander Nicholson, representing the Director of Reserve Forces, and responsible for all CCF Contingents in the country, presented Lt Col Green with a long-service medal and a letter of commendation from Vice-Admiral Sir Fabian Malbon, KBE, President of the CCF Association.  In his address to the Contingent, Commander Nicholson explained that official records confirmed that Lt Col Green was amongst the longest-serving officers in the country, and his service was matched only by Admirals of the Fleet and Field Marshals, who never officially retire!

The School was very grateful to Lt Col Green for his dedicated and outstanding contribution, and his untimely death came as a shock to all in our community.  A service of remembrance was held in the Chapel, attended by his close relatives, friends, teaching colleagues, officers of the CCF, current pupils and Old Russellians.

J. R. Jennings

The Service of Remembrance was held in the School Chapel at 5.00p.m. on Friday 12th May, over 250 ex pupils, staff and Old Russellians attended this memorable celebration of Peter's life. A copy of John Piggin's address can be viewed here.