PETER JACKMAN

(YEAR GROUP 1951 TO 58)

REMENISCENCES OF BRIAN SABERTON AND OTHERS

IN THE YEAR GROUP 1951 TO 1958

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Brian.  He was a contemporary of mine at Ealing Grammar Boys’ School, from 1951 to 1958 and is remembered as a fine scholar and a good friend.

We were both in the Modern Class, following much the same curriculum and, at ‘A’ level, were privileged, along with Frank Cox and George Liebold, to study English with Mr Hillman, Mr Meteyard and Mr Benstead, all inspiring teachers in unique ways, and to study German in a group of four – those were the days!

Because we chose German over Latin and you needed Latin, at least at ‘O’ Level, to do most English degrees, Mr Saunders put on a special four term course for us.  Mr Saunders had a light touch, laid back teaching style and a wonderful sense of humour.  

On one occasion, when we were (mis) translating Ovid, Tam Kay (where are you now?), who had been leaning backwards, suddenly fell off his chair with a crash, onto the floor of our temporary class, the Stage.  Without the slightest sense of surprise, in his usual inimitable way, Mr Saunders said calmly “Well you see what effect that had on Kay”.

Needless to say, as far as I remember, we all gained the necessary qualification.

As a group, the four of us, on occasion, went to the Old Vic, where you could stand at the back of the gallery, at a bargain price, to see the latest Shakespeare production. We were sometimes joined by Ken Segar, whose infections love of the opera was the best introduction you could have.  

Ken went on to become a distinguished scholar at Oxford.  Frank, after studying at Leeds, joined the BBC, where he was involved in numerous productions, including the early Dr Who.  George also studied English at Leeds, where he is described in John Quicke’s very readable ‘Grammar School Boy’ as ‘becoming very left wing’.

I studied English at Nottingham and spent a very happy and rewarding career in teaching.  Brian landed at Oxford, along with several others from our year.  Returning to George Liebold, if anyone knows of his later history or whereabouts, I would love to know.

Brian, had a first class brain and could master any subject offered to him.  Nevertheless, he was willing to help lesser mortals.  Somewhere buried among my books, I still have his summary of Great Expectations, which he gave me - ample evidence of his characteristic thoroughness, meticulous attention to detail and his generosity of giving it to me.

The last time I saw him, a few years ago, when a small group of us met, before I could return the compliment, he said immediately “Peter, you haven’t changed a bit!”   The same was true, even more so, of him.  

I also learned that he was married with one or two daughters.  My deepest sympathy for their sad loss.   

Brian was one of those people you knew, who made your life richer for having known him.

Peter Jackman