Wyn James, Second Deputy Head (1977-1999)

‘’Now, 40 years after I left school, I can still visualise him out front during Assembly asking ‘All GCE ‘O’ Level candidates, see me after’ in his distinctive and authoritative voice!  However, he also had that magic balance of wit, humour and warmth.  What a fabulous teacher he was....  if only I had understood and appreciated that as a slightly naughty and not very gifted 15 year old Physics student!’’ 

‘’I have very fond memories of working in the Physics Department with your father.  He was such a gentleman, with a fantastic sense of humour and a real passion for his subject.  And, goodness, he could be very scary when he needed to be, particularly with naughty teenage boys!  Wyn was a real character and was really missed when he left school.’’ 

These are extracts from just two of the many tributes sent to Gareth James (OF 1977- 1983) when he posted announcements on OF Alumni Facebook and in the OF Journal ‘The Link’ after his father, Wyn, had passed away in February 2023 following a lengthy period of failing health.  They sum up well the wealth  of fond memories of Wyn and the huge respect for him from all those who had the privilege of either being taught by him or being a colleague at Ashtead Park. 

Benjamin Thomas Wyn James (BTWJ) was born in St. Dogmaels in West Wales in 1937.  His first language was Welsh and he only learnt English when he went to school.  From a poor background Wyn had a simple but happy childhood with many hours spent bird watching and hanging around the beach and cliffs at Poppit Sands – a favourite location where he would later own a much cherished and refurbished beach cottage. 

He moved to Birmingham University to study Physics and every holiday he would cycle back 160 miles over the Brecon Beacons to St. Dogmaels in all weather conditions!  Teacher Training College in London beckoned and there he was soon swept off his feet by Camille, an exotic vivacious lady, from a vastly different wealthy background in Guyana.  They married in 1960 and had two children in the mid 1960s – Carolyn and Gareth.  By now he was an ardent supporter of London Welsh Rugby and a talented highly competitive sailing club member, winning trophies at National Championships. 

Wyn’s first teaching post was in a tough Wandsworth Comprehensive and after a spell as Head of Department at Raynes Park School, he joined CLFS in 1977.  He was not only Head of Physics but also Senior Sixth Form Master and Second Deputy Head. This last role soon became his main remit.  According to Michael Kemp, Headmaster until 1987, his school was run on a day to day basis by the ‘Welsh Mafia’.  Joan Spicer, also from West Wales originally, and Wyn were the two Deputy Heads and both were sticklers for good discipline, high standards and values.  Wyn was undoubtedly ‘the chief  enforcer’ and many former pupils testify to the scarily hard but fair and consistent way he was able to use his cutting humour in just the right doses to the discomfort of any miscreants. 

When he ‘retired’ in 1999, he was retained as a ‘Clerk of Works’ with the extensive rebuilding programme in progress on site.  His legacy in this respect can still be seen in the many new buildings of that era as he ensured every subject department had high quality premises fit for purpose. 

Wyn had eventually moved to Ashtead in the 1990s, living close to Ashtead Common where he spent much of his spare time as a volunteer.  Other interests included hiking and climbing.  He enjoyed scaling peaks over 14,500ft in the Colorado Rockies as well as in the Himalayan foothills and his highest  conquest of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya.  Wyn was tough and resilient.  He survived a life threatening spider bite in Kenya and had to be flown home 1st Class for hospital treatment.  In 2004 he then survived an horrendous cycling incident, sustaining multiple spinal fractures when knocked off his bike on the A3 in Surrey.  He still returned to climbing but his health was never quite the same. 

Gareth, with his sister Carolyn, thoughtfully arranged a memorial event to celebrate their Dad’s life, in mid July at Ashtead Park, with the blessing of the Headmaster, who also attended.  Although many could not be there due to holidays more than 60 people attended; about a dozen family members, a similar number of Ashtead Common rangers and volunteers and more than 30 former colleagues and former pupils.  They all enjoyed a ‘Cream Tea’ (which would have delighted Wyn) --  and they listened to the many anecdotes and tributes from Diana Hughes (former Deputy Head and Head of both Physics and Science who worked with him so closely), from former Headmaster, David Haywood, and from Ashtead Common colleagues and friends.  These complemented a slide show which played out Wyn’s life whilst all the presentations were fittingly and wonderfully ‘book-ended’ by Gareth’s and Carolyn’s own tributes. 

As became clear in these speeches, Wyn included many other interests in his colourful life.  Food was always high on his list of priorities, belied by his slim, lean physique!  Dancing, jazz and astronomy were equally pursued with his customary vigour.  On his retirement from teaching his last Sixth Form class presented him with the ultimate farewell gift.  They purchased for him an unnamed star in the galaxy with his naming rights attached.  So now, this most appropriate tribute to such a charismatic Welshman, held in such reverence by all who knew him, looks down from on high over CLFS and Ashtead Park for ever. 

by David Haywood