Harry Hartwell
 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.
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