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Gordon Miles Gordon was very
proud of his sons
20th September 1933 - 20thFebruary 2015 Stephen and

Philip who both
Many OCs will be sad to hear of the death of Gordon attended King
Henry VIII in the
Miles, who worked with the Boys PE/Games Dept 1980's. they both
during the ‘90s. excelled on the
Gordon was born in Coventry in 1933 and lived in Rugby field and
Radford until he went to University. He attended between them
Bablake School on a scholarship where he excelled at represented
sport, particularly rugby and athletics. After Warwickshire,
completing his sixth form, Gordon went to Midlands and
Loughborough College and Cardiff University where England at school
he completed a physical education and teaching level with Philip
degree. He then enrolled on National Service and being in the same
served in Germany and Austria as part of the England U18
Intelligence Corps. squad as 2003
World Cup
Gordon began his teaching career in Coventry in 1955 winners Martin
and soon became involved in Coventry Schools Rugby Johnson and Neil
as a coach and committee member, and never dreamt Back. They both
that 50 years later he would be President of also represented
Warwickshire RFU. their Universities,
and both, at different times played scrum -half for
During those 50 years, Gordon taught Physical Northampton Saints, Moseley and Coventry.
Education at Barkers Butts School, Coventry (1955-
1965), Foxford School, Coventry (1965-1974) and After Gordon finished working with and developing
Kingshurst School, Solihull (1974-1988). He held the schools rugby he remained as active as possible
positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for travelling to France and Portugal, and watching his
Warwickshire Schools RFU as well as being Midland grandchildren play rugby, netball and hockey. Sam
Schools RFU U16 Secretary and Team Manager from and Tom are currently pupils at King Henry VIII
1989-2008. He was an England Schools U16 selector whilst Clara and Louisa attend Solihull School.
and Assistant Director of the Millfield U16
International Tournament. Gordon also represented Gordon Miles passed on February 20th 2015 after a
Warwickshire schools on the full Warwickshire short illness aged 81 and will be remembered by many
Committee for 20 years and in 2003-2005 was and sadly missed by his family and friends.
President of Warwickshire RFU, a position that he Phil Miles (’80) and Stephen Miles (‘78)
found extremely pleasurable and rewarding. Many
boys coached by Gordon went on to play for England
at schoolboy level and some progressed to gain full
England honours.
Brian Tompkins
Gordon’s approach to Physical Education was broad
and at Barkers Butts and Foxford Schools he coached May 21 1926 - May 27 2015
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st
successful gymnastics, trampolining and athletics
teams. Many well known Midland athletes will Former pupils will be saddened to learn of the
remember him as coach and Team Manager for death of Mr B.J.P. ('Bert') Tompkins who, as head
Warwickshire Schools Athletics during the late 1960’s of department, taught History at King Henry VIII
and 70’s accompanying successful teams to the School for 24 years. He was 89 on 21st May this
National Championships. year and was proud to be in his 90 year.
th

Allen Fletcher Edwards

Former Head of Maths, Allen Edwards, died at
home in Earlsdon on 4th May 2015 aged 92.

A Thanksgiving Service took place at Coventry
Cathedral on 13 May.
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