Burrow, Harry

Teacher and West Housemaster

Date of Death: 19/03/2004

Extracted from The Gazette No 40

Harry Burrow (1916-2004)
It was with great sadness that I heard of Harry's death on 19th. March aged 87. He was one of the two great stalwarts who served the school and is a founder member of stafffrom the beginning in September 1948 to the end in 1980. The other was Arthur Oettinger.

When the Old Boys' Society was founded in 1951 he became its first Honorary Secretary, Treasurer and Correspondent, and the Society owes him an immense debt for the 19 years that he remained in office. At first Mr Burrow divided his time between Art and Mathematics but, as the school grew, he developed a many sided Art Department. Besides producing sets for the school plays and innumerable artistic posters and notices he fulfilled a host of functions, including  running the Printing Society, the Second Cricket XI and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. But his chief role was as Housemaster of West House from 1958 to 1973.

In the words that follow, although I refer to Harry Burrow mainly from a personal point of view, I am sure I will be speaking as all Old Boys would have found him. Harry was very special to me. He had a great influence on my general school life and early career. It was very daunting entering Ottershaw in September 1948 as a small young boy of 12. I was fortunate in that Harry was my personal tutor. He was always friendly, approachable and reassuring. His wife, Doreen, complimented him in every respect. She was kind, had a warm smile and always made you feel welcome if you ever had reason to knock on their flat door. In my first year Harry taught me maths and art. He was an excellent teacher. I wasn't much of an artist but one occasion I remember him taking my brush and with a deft stroke here and there, he transformed my very ordinary painting into something special. He gave encouragement and was always very patient.

I left school in 1954 with two years’ National Service to look forward to. I hadn't given much thought to a career, but Harry had it planned for me! He not only suggested that I should think about teaching, but that I should also apply to his old college - St. Luke's, Exeter. This I did and was accepted, specialising in physical education and geography. Following St. Luke's and a further specialist diploma year at Carnegie College of PE, I commenced teaching at Wallington Grammar School. I had only been there about a month when, to my great surprise I received a letter from Mr Foot inviting me to apply for the PE post at Ottershaw. Although he never said so, I feel sure Harry had something to do with my appointment, which I took up in January 1960. All the staff who had taught me welcomed me back as the first Old Boy to return and teach there, but none more so than Harry my old mentor. Nearly eight enjoyable years were to follow before I moved onto Teacher Training. Arthur Oettinger and Harry (of course!) both acted as superb referees on my behalf. One can see what a great influence Harry had on my career.

When I heard of his death I immediately wrote to Doreen to offer my sympathy and condolences. She responded by asking me to say a few words on behalf of the Old Boys and Staff at his funeral. I was pleased to do this and felt very honoured that she should ask me. The funeral went off very well with a good attendance of Old Boys and Staff plus their many personal bowling friends. It was nice to see Doreen again along with sons John and Graham. John, also an Old Boy, spoke at the funeral and said what a good family man Harry was, and how much he will be missed. He also mentioned that Harry was awarded the French bravery decoration - the Croix de Guerre - following the D-Day landings.

The last time I saw Harry was at the 50th. celebration at Ottershaw Park in 1998. He was quite frail then (82) and was sitting in an easy chair by himself. But he was not by himself, for there was a continual stream of Old Boys taking their turn to speak to the only member of staff still alive at that time who witnessed the entire life of Ottershaw School.

God bless you Harry. Thank you for everything. You were a lovely man.
Graham Reynolds