I am sorry to have to write that Wing Commander George Leatherbarrow, AFC, the College's "oldest Old Boy" died on Saturday, 26^th September.  He would have been 97 on 22^nd December.

I met George in October 1994 at the luncheon following the Mass to commemorate the 75^th Anniversary of the foundation of St. Marys.  Yet for George and me it was as much a reunion as it was a first meeting, as he had been at the College with my Father, and they were tow of the six boys - all from St. Mary's - who were recruited by Mr Frank Mainey to found 77^th Crosby Scout Troop, which was based at SS Peter & Paul's up to the War, but thereafter at St. Helen's.

George and I stayed in touch by letter.  He was always very interested in what was happening at St. Mary's and frequently asked to be remembered to those he had met during the Anniversary celebrations.

George led an interesting life. After leaving school he joined the Royal Air Force, and by the end of the Second World War he was a Group Captain with an Air Force Cross to his credit.  After the War he reverted to the rank of Wing Commander. I never asked George about his AFC, but it must have been for an act of considerable bravery. Such decorations don't come with the rations!

Sometime after the War George left the Royal Air Force and went to Khartoum to establish both the Sudanese Air Force and the Civil Aviation System. When this project ended George returned to the United Kingdom, but for some reason his RAF pension had been jeopardised. Fortunately, this matter was duly rectified!  He then went into the catering business, first managing a public house in Beaumaris, where he also became a member of the local council.  After that he moved to the Isles of Scilly where he and his wife, Audrey, managed a hotel on Tresco.  It was in this capacity he and Audrey played host to the Queen and Prince Philip, lending them a couple of umbrellas to get them dryly back on board the Royal Yacht "Britannia". George then had the temerity to phone the Royal Yacht and ask for his brollies back! (The Queen subsequently told George that she had laughed like a drain when informed of his telephone call!)

George first met King George VI and Queen Elizabeth before the War, and apparently the King followed his career with interest.  He maintained his friendship with the Queen Mother until her death. They stayed in touch both by phone and occasional meetings at the RAF Club, and he never failed to phone her on her birthday.

George retired to St. Mary's Isles of Scilly, where he was a highly respected member of the community, leading a very full life until a few years before his death, but age took its toll and he was eventually unable to get out. He has an omnivorous reader, having a library of over a thousand books, but in the end even these lost their appeal. He spent the last two years of his life in Park House, a nursing home on St. Mary's run by the Isles of Scilly Social Services, and where he was happy and well cared for - and probably teasing the care staff!

George Leatherbarrow was a wonderful character; an admirable man who lived life to the full. As his daughter Penny has written: "[He] was indeed a fine man, and much respected by many".  He was always proud to have been educated at St. Mary's College, fiercely defending both the school and the Christian Brothers against criticism. He was extremely loyal, and St. Mary's may be proud to have had him as one of its founder pupils.  His ashes are scattered at the Garrison, St. Mary's, as are those of his beloved wife Audrey. I ask that you remember George in your prayers.

Paul J McVey.