OLD AZURIANS
ASSOCIATION
H G B Gilpin
Editor’s Note:
I first encountered Mr Gilpin when, as a young boy barely ten years old, I attended his Biology classes. The lasting impression I gained was of a small, rather fierce man with a bristling moustache and a gravelly voice. This impression was no doubt coloured by the fact that early on I incurred his displeasure by using a Biro® ball-point pen which I had proudly received as a gift from my parents. He did not approve of this new-fangled (as it then was) writing implement. I did not continue with Biology for long enough to appreciate the true nature of the man. Fortunately others have done him better justice, and it is with great pleasure that I present these notes, mostly from material written at the time of his retirement.
He was educated at Dawlish and Teigntouth Grammar Schools, and at Exeter University, where he Graduated with an external BSc degree from London University. From 1931, until 1944 when he joined the Boys' High School, he was in charge of Science teaching at St. Andrew’s Senior Boys’ School. He rode a horse but his normal mode of conveyance to school was by bicycle, wearing a long green and white scarf and, of course, smoking a pipe.
When he arrived at WHSB in September 1944 he took charge of all games, and P.E. throughout the school, and taught Chemistry and Mathematics. In 1947 he joined the Biology Department and became responsible for the work leading to '0' Level.
In these early days at the school, he was also responsible for Boxing, and officiated as a judge for the Southern Division of the West Sussex Schools Boxing Association - of which he was also a Committee Member. At the same time, on the Athletics side, he was a member of the West Sussex Sports Association, later becoming Chairman, and controller of the Worthing Victory Sports meeting.
His miscellaneous extra-mural interests and activities were numerous and, to mention just a few, included being Secretary of Worthing Young Farmers Advisory Committee (1943 – 50), a Judge at Worthing Gymkhanas, an examiner for the Scouts Athletics Badge, the founder, in 1948, of the Worthing and District Canine Society (of which he was Secretary for 14 years and also Chairman), and a Committee member and Chairman of Worthing Boys' Club.
However, it was his great interest in, and wide knowledge of, Nature that largely defined the man. The Junior Biology Laboratory rapidly filled with aquaria, and with vivaria housing amphibians. The boys found him to be a mine of information on how to rear and care for their pets. Michael Taylor (New Items 8 October 2015) was one pupil who remembers Mr. Gilpin with particular affection. This enthusiasm for Natural History was not confined to school; for he was a regular contributor of articles and illustrations to a great variety of publications, including the American “All Pet” magazine, “The Countryman", and Percy Thrower's Year Book. He even wrote short stories for Children’s magazines, and his "Educational" writings included articles on Laboratory Animals, Hydra and Annilids.
His great skill in drawing plants and animals was also put to good use – not only on the laboratory walls, but also to illustrate a number of books, such as “Diseases of the Canine Eye", by Dr. F.G. Startup, and “The Yorkshire Terrier” by Edith Stark.
As a schoolmaster he was always highly respected as a strict, but fair disciplinarian whose bark was worse than his bite.
At home, Mr. Gilpin's consuming interest was again evident. He possessed an aviary containing many beautiful birds, and his great love of dogs was shown over the years by the many different breeds he owned.
He and his wife Elsie travelled extensively on the Continent, studying flora and fauna, and also spent many half-terms in Norfolk studying and watching migratory birds.
Harold George B Gilpin, born Newton Abbot 8 October 1909, married Elsie M E Spink Worthing 1938, died while on holiday in Norfolk in 1986.
Survived by three children: Wallace G B (sadly died in May 2016 while this piece was being prepared), Quentin G B, and Bridget M B.
Ed: I am indebted to Richard Newman who unearthed the Azurian article on which the above was based.