OLD AZURIANS

Mr Littlewood was born in North Suffolk in 1885 and was one of the founding members of staff who joined the school in 1924.

 

He was at King's College, London at the outbreak of WWI in 1914. Upon leaving King’s College he was commissioned as a temporary 2nd Lt in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 19 Sept 1914. In 1917, as a temporary Lt. he was awarded the Military Cross during the fighting at Ypres. The citation published in The London Gazette on 24 August 1917 states “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in collecting and saving a large quantity of ammunition from a thatched barn which had been set on fire by enemy shelling.” After the end of hostilities Littlewood, then a Major, returned to King’s College to take a Diploma in Education.

 

He joined the staff as senior French master in 1924 when the School was first opened. Like Mr. Martin, the Headmaster, and the handful of other pioneer staff, Littlewood was instrumental in building up the traditions of the School and making it the great success that it became in later years. In those early days the School was small enough to allow a great deal of informality and friendship between staff and boys. “Old Larry”, as he was affectionately called, offered the hospitality of his home to boys who relished the home-baked scones and home-grown strawberries provided by Mrs. Littlewood. (Ed. My brother Dennis brought home a Worcesterberry bush from one such visit, which provided our family with fruit for many years to come).

 

During the inter-war years Major Littlewood played an active role in various fields of education including being President of the Worthing Teachers Association and a member of the joint committee for adult education at Southampton University. He was also Vice-President of the Worthing Branch of the United Nations Association.

 

During the Second World War Major Littlewood was recalled to the army but returned to the School for a few more years before he retired and moved to Findon.

 

After Mrs. Littlewood died in 1972 he moved to Pinner to live with his daughter, but up to that time he had continued to play an active part on various committees, even visiting Southampton University for regular meetings. In spite of his advancing years (he was 88 when he died) he always took an interest in the activities of the School and enjoyed reading The Azurian and attending School functions. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on 15 April 1974.