RAVENSWOOD SCHOOL - Key Persons
I left Ravenswood in l983 after 4.5 years, and went into another school at Ascot, Berks, to teach to... Read more
Ravenswood's first and founding Headmaster. He was born on the 18th January 1893 in Ilkley, Yorkshi... Read more
Eileen joined Ravenswood following the closure of Redvers pre-prep school (my old school....Ed) in Tiverton.At the invitation of Mr Richard Mackie, Eileen started in 1983 with 8 children, 6 boys and two girls, in the new Pre-Preparatory department. Eileen stayed at Ravenswood until its sad closure in July 1992, at that point there were 58 children and two additional staff! The picture below is taken from the School chronicle of 1983.Eileen lives in Washfield, near Tiverton, with her husband Brian.
Oliver Francis Huyshe was the son of the Reverend (Canon) John Huyshe and Amy Niven and was born in Wimborne Minster, Dorset on the 26th July 1885. He was one of seven children, he being the fourth eldest, his immediate elder brother being HUYSHE, Rowland Radcliffe, Esq., M.B.E., of Sand, near Sidbury and Clyst Hydon, Devon
He entered The King's School Canterbury in Michaelmas 1899. On the sports front he was in the Cricket X1 1903 /4 and Captain in 1904. In the Rugby XV, Vice Captain 1903/4. He was Captain of Games 1903 - 4. He became a Monitor in 1903. He left King's School Canterbury in July 1904 and entered Keble College Oxford. It is here that he met with Paul Campbell Phipps who later became Head at Pembroke House School, Hampton, Lewisham of which will discover more later. Oliver Francis Huyshe is an important man in the history of the Oxford University Hare & Hounds (as the Oxford University Cross-Country Club was then called). He was the first Oxford man to be awarded a full Blue for cross-country, following a change in the ruling in 1904 (previously, it was only a Half-Blue sport). He ran in three ‘Vmarsity races from 1904, finishing ninth, third and sixth respectively. It was the middle race in 1905 for which he was awarded a Full Blue (the criteria being that you had to be the first home from your university and in the top three in the race). Unfortunately, he ran during a poor period for Oxford and they lost all three races. He was Secretary of the club (effectively this was the role of captain) for the 1905-06 season. He achieved a BA at Keble College in 1907.
In the Great War he was commissioned and served in the Army Service Corps (which in 1918 became the R.A.S.C.) attaining the rank of acting Captain in June 1916. He was awarded a Military Cross in June 1918. From 1918 onwards it's a bit of a mystery. We know that he joined Ravenswood (at Stoodleigh) in 1928 as a deputy to Mr Spark but in spite of searching through the Book of Ravenswood Chronicles, Volume 1 February 1934 through to November 1937 inclusive there is just the one mention of Mr Huyshe by name and that was in connection with The Summer 1934 Scout Troop Inter Patrol Competition where Mr Spark (Editor of the Chronicles) mentions that Mr Huyshe and a Mr Mitchener acted as Judges. That apart there are no further mentions of Mr H but the Sports Reports on Cricket and Football and the various matches played and the teams put forward are in depth and with Mr H's extensive skills and experience in all things ‘sports' it is highly likely that he is the author. He was effectively Headmaster during the war but still we know little of him.
A David Kennedy, an OR, wrote to the school in November 1935 from St Edwards School, Oxford. Apart from suggesting that Old Ravenswoodians might benefit from having their own "Old Boys' " Tie as there are many in that category, he does end his letter by asking as to whether Mrs Spark and yourself are keeping fit ends by saying "I have no need to ask if Mr Huyshe is fit - he always is!" Incidentally, later in the Chronicles it seems that the idea of an Old Boys' Tie has been adopted and one can now be "obtained from Pinder & Tuckwells of High Street, Exeter price 3/9d post free." The design is three narrow purple lines on a background of medium grey silk: This was decided on, after much discussion, as being distinctive without being too "flashy." (Has anyone got one they wish to donate to the Archives?? … rmh)
We have to rely on the contributions of the very few who were at the School from 1939 who have written down their memories of times at school for glimpses into his character, skills and activities we know he was a talented musician. He was a master at the school for twenty years, He, . By a quirk of chance in recent years the website were contacted by the owner of a French Carriage Clock who was following up on the inscription engraved on the top - as seen in the image. It was bought by this person at an Antiques Fair in Bath for his wife and he was researching the history of the clock. I can now advise that the clock is back into the ownership of Mark Granger, a former Ravenswood pupil and it will in time probably pass into the small collection we have of artefacts and mementos, As can be seen it was presented to O.F.H. from all at Ravenswood in March 1948 to commemorate his retirement after 20 years as a Teacher at the School. The only other visually recorded event after his retirement was at the August 1953 Old Ravenswoodians Association Cricket Match. There are more references to Mr Huyshe in the section "During the War".
Oliver Francis HUYSHE died on the 23rd August 1960 in Exeter. He was aged 75
Copied from John Hill's original photo. Some people were not identified. This version is cropped and may contain incorrectly identified individuals. If YOU recognise an unnamed person in the image or wish to see a larger version then please contact me - it would be good to name all that appear here in the photograph.
Notes, jottings and contributions relating to the life of Robert Schuster, one time headmaster of Ra...