Interesting WGS Boys and Staff                          Home

This page is not about indicating the success/or lack of it of Wellingborough Grammar School.  The great majority of the boys obtained work immediately they left school/college/university and had successful careers in industry, education, the armed services, medicine or whatever.  I, as a 'B' stream boy finished up as a lecturer in educational research at the University of Birmingham.  My brother is a world renowned professor of mathematical education at the University of Warwick.  My cousin John Greenhalf went into medicine as an obstetrician, my other cousin Barrie Tall, owned several petrol-filling stations - and we are just a typical family.  All of us were successful, though none of us were famous outside our 'worlds', though David's achievements are, I believe, worth highlighting.  Some old boys had the 'spark', or were at the right place at the right time to suddenly became very well known, but this page is much more about highlighting individuals who lived 'interesting lives'.

This is a new idea and I'd appreciate a lot of help.  I started it because I was suddenly informed that Derek Walding had died and that he had been speaker of the Canadian Parliament; the obituaries at the death of Richard Bradshaw confirmed his importance.  But, fame is a poor arbiter on real success.  Where are our generals, academics, engineers, entertainers, politicians and policemen?  Where are the 'Movers and Shakers'?  Where are the innovators? Where are the boys, who led 'interesting' lives?  Who has built a company into a major retailer/manufacturer.   Send me some information, preferably with photos, and up it will go.  

 See and contribute to the discussion below when the page's emphasis was on What is distinguished?  

Discussion:  What is distinguished?

John Cook's comment:

Just being a County Councillor does not automatically make that person 'distinguished'. Of course, one can be an MP, a general or a vice-chancellor and fail to distinguish ones self in that role but in the context of this exercise will be a distinguished OG by dint of having made that level in the first place. A military example could be that most officers will make the rank of major by just keeping their noses clean and the chance of making Lt. Col. will be pretty good. Promotion to Brigadier is achieved by the few so we should set our bar at Brigadier (could argue for Colonel or Major General) or equivalent. This, of course, ignores gallantry or being in command of a battalion in a notable incident. These cases would be considered on merit. I would propose Deputy Chief Constable (arguably Assistant/Commander) for the police and Vice-Chancellor for universities. Individual academics considered on merit but must have made considerable impact outside the confines of their own university. You may be able to suggest suitable criteria for business. The next task is to find these people which will be a pretty daunting task. Best wishes John

Pedro Howes comment

My 'standards' would be. Military - Any award for bravery or meritorious service. This could also apply to Civil Awards of 'equal' valour. For example, a PC for an act of bravery. For rank, I think the equivalent of Brigade Commander. In the Civil Field of Rank, AC in the Police and equivalent in Fire Service, Ambulance, Coastguard etc. MBE/OBE to be considered on merit. For example, I would oppose an award to a long serving Civil Servant but would agree to someone who has spent the best part of one's lifetime serving charity or those of us less fortunate. I believe Professor is 'distinguished'. Doctor is not. However, we should be aware of any medical Doctors/Consultants that have distinguished themselves. Anyone regarded as 'famous' such as David Frost.   Sportsmen: Don White and JPH immediately spring to mind, but there may be others who excelled at sports we are not aware of, such as sailing for example. Brian Abrahams springs to mind as a First Class Rugby referee in the top 10 and still active in an administrative role. Business achievement. A difficult one this. How can one measure business achievement? It can cover both entrepreneurs and those employed by others. To be determined by 'committee' consideration of each individual case. There are a few ideas as a result of my rambling and now back to the garden. Pedro

Incidentally I think the above is, at this stage,  too 'mighty high'' - We can identify different 'levels' later - but let us discover interesting careers etc. and leave later classification to the reader!  Perhaps we will award 'stars'....