Framlinghamian 2019 - Single Pages 72dpi - Flipbook - Page 131
PEOPLE HERE
AND THERE
as a cadet on HMS Frobisher. He
passed out 3rd on the list of Frobisher
Paymaster Cadets and was appointed
as a Midshipman on HMS Sussex
in the Mediterranean Fleet (picture
attached). After retiring from the Royal
Navy he returned to Woodbridge
where he set up John Simpson
Associates, which was a consultancy
service dealing with recruitment and
selection, Management & Manpower
forecasting and planning.
100TH BIRTHDAY
PARTY OF
COMMANDER
JOHN SIMPSON
John Simpson with Norman Porter
MATTHEW NEWMAN (S03-05)
On Sunday 31st March 2019 John
celebrated his 100th birthday with many
members of his family, from across
four generations. His daughter, Helen
Chapman, mother of OFs Hetta (P94-99)
and Sophie (M94-02) Rogers, also both
present, had kindly invited Norman Porter
and Peter-Howard Dobson to join them,
as representatives of the Society of Old
Framlinghamians whom John had served
so well and for so long. They were able
to present John with a 100th birthday
card from the President and members of
the SOF – a card uniquely designed by
Chris Keeble. Other OF members of the
family present included Charles Simpson
(K65-72), Robin Smallwood (S82-86),
Jeremy Smallwood (K56-64), and Adrian
Smallwood (S84-88).
It was especially gratifying that John was
not only able to attend the party in The
Crown in person, but that he was able to
chat meaningfully with those who were
there to wish him well. Not only that,
but he was also well enough to respond
warmly to a toast proposed by Alistair
Chapman. The original plan had been for
the College to host the party, but concerns
about logistics and John’s well-being had
led to a change of plans and venue, so it
was all the more pleasant a surprise for
all present to be able to chat to John in
person, and express their affection and
good wishes.
Another card was sent to the party
from College Headmaster, Paul Taylor,
congratulating John on his centenarian
status and recalling the special role that
the Simpson family had played over
the period of the history of the College
since its foundation in 1864. It was also
announced that John had received two
special messages – one from the Queen,
and another from Amber Rudd, Home
Secretary.
In all this was a very special occasion, and
it was wonderful that the family felt able to
invite members of the SOF from outside
the family to be part of their celebrations.
We wish John, who still lives in the Alms
houses in Framlingham, ever greater
longevity.
Commander John Simpson is but one
of very substantial Simpson dynasty,
perhaps the only family which has been
represented at Framlingham College from
the earliest years of its establishment. John
was a Governor and he was President
of SOF in 1975/6, in which post he was
succeeded by Brian Rosen. Chris Essex put
together a dossier of information about
John: He is first and foremost a Simpson
and is therefore part of the largest family
ever to have attended the College. His
grandfather, George Simpson, was at
the College on the day it opened. A
family tree is attached. John’s full title is
Commander John Russell Simpson RN
Retd (K32-36). He was a Foundation
Scholar and born 31 March 1919. He
was brother to Michael Simpson (K32-40)
who died in a car crash in 1950 and his
twin Peter Simpson (K32-40) who died in
Queensland Australia in 2017.
At Fram John was a sub-prefect to
Head Boy, Norman Borrett. He won the
Goldsmith Prize for French, was President
of the Debating Society and a member
of 1st XV rugby team. In his final year
in the 1st XV the comment was “On the
light side for a forward but is active and
uses his feet well. Needs more vigour and
determination especially in defence.”
After College, Matthew went to
Newcastle University to read Spanish
and Business Studies (BA Hons). His
family lived in Ibiza, so he was born
there and was fluent in Spanish prearrival in England for A levels). His
course included a year overseas, which
Matthew spent in Malaga.
Subsequently travelled to both Asia and
South America, 4 months in each, and
in 2013 he moved to Nagoya, Japan,
teaching English.
He stayed for over 4 years, moving
into Personnel Co-ordination (HR)
and met his American partner, as
interested in travelling as he was. On
a working holiday visa, they went south
to Melbourne, Australia, picking up
a number of positions in the Human
Resource field, including one with
Deloitte. Matthew was recently headhunted from there to Deliberate Practice,
another Melbourne firm specialising in
consultancy and recruitment work, and
he will be leaving England in April to join
them once his visa has come through.
Matthew loved snowboarding whilst in
Japan, and he continues to study the
language, leaving the door open for a
potential return in future times. He is
heavily involved in club football, when
not travelling globally.
Matthew recently met up with a number
of OFs in London: Ed Barker (G00-05)
who is farming near Cockfield in Suffolk,
Kieran Knapp (S01-05) - a freelance
writer and editor, living in Putney,
Michael Romney (S95-05) living in
Newcastle, Sam Cobbold (S00-02) also
farming, and Robin Cleave (S95-05) in
the Forces and living in Norwich.
He served in the Royal Navy, starting
THE FRAMLINGHAMIAN 2019
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