Harry
Hartwell was just about the best Form Master I had – a real ‘Mr. Chipps’
If we were getting a bit bored with the lesson it was no trouble to
divert him onto something else. ‘But sir, who came first, the Saxons or
the Romans?’ With his gown falling off one shoulder he would take
himself off into another world as he answered the question, only to be
given another diversionary one as soon as he returned to the present.
He was devoted to St. Matthew’s church and held several positions there. It may have been through that connection (although I was at St. Lawrence’s), that myself and my friend (I think Michael Titley ) were invited to his home in Greenfield Avenue, for afternoon tea on one occasion. It was a truly ‘Chipps’ moment with his wife bringing endless sandwiches, cakes and drinks while we chatted about all sorts of things. As far as I know, it was quite unheard of.
I met him at Tiger Timm’s funeral at Weston Favell church some ten or more years ago. He was looking aged and frail probably from the heart surgery he underwent the year before, but while not specifically remembering me, his face lit up and he became quite animated as he recalled the memories of that period.