The following obituary was written by Tony Monteuuis (HS 60-65)

Charles Tilling was born on 26 May 1944. He was the son of Humphrey Tilling (PS 23-29) and his wife Molly. Charles’s father, Humphrey, had been a barrister and then Company Secretary of EMI Holdings when they signed a sensational pop group called the Beatles. Molly was an actress and since Humphrey was thought to be the best after-dinner speaker in the land it was hardly surprising that Charles was a keen actor as a young man. Indeed, The Stage magazine once reviewed Charles as “a talented actor and singer” when he appeared in a play at the Roundhouse in London in the mid-60s. Charles’s sister Sue was also a fine stage actress and so the whole family spent much time “on their hind legs”. 

Charles was determined to become a barrister and having been very successful early in his career he was appointed to become the youngest Crown Court Judge in the country. In later life he became the Resident Judge first at the Croydon Crown Court and then at the Kingston Crown Court where he was the first Crown Court Judge to hold a “murder ticket” for many years which meant that he was able to try the highest profile cases there. He also sat in the Court of Appeal before retiring at the age of 65.

Charles had enjoyed a distinguished time at Tonbridge playing in the cricket and rugby first teams as well as becoming Head of Parkside and a School Praeposter. He was tall and strong for his age and featured in a local paper as an under-16 cricketer when it posed the question “Is this the next Colin Cowdrey?”. In truth he enjoyed the game but was not destined to fulfil this prediction. On leaving school he went up to Pembroke College Cambridge where he enjoyed much of what was on offer but one heady night found him in trouble. He and a friend were in their room with an air rifle and some sugar lumps which they had placed on their window sill as targets. Their entertainment was interrupted by the Special Branch who burst in having received a panic phone call from the wife of the Dean. She had been taking her bath in her rooms opposite when her window was shattered by the pellets fired from the air rifle. Not surprisingly this caused a major incident and one of the country’s “red top” newspapers went so far as to run the story under the headline of “Was it a politically-motivated attack?”. This episode ended Charles’s time at Cambridge but fortunately did not end his career in the law.

Charles married Jan and they had two children (Nick and Cassie). Their marriage did not survive and he then married Sarah with whom he had over 40 very happy years. She brought her two children (Oliver and Anna) to the marriage and they then added their own daughter (Alex) to the family which meant that they brought up five children in their Wimbledon homes. It was a dreadful blow to Charles and Sarah and the other children when Oliver was killed when he was knocked off his bicycle on one of his regular bike rides.

Charles had always been a keen sportsman and in addition to his cricket and tennis he became a good golfer and a member at Royal Wimbledon, Royal St George’s and St Enodoc Golf Clubs where he spent many happy days playing golf with Sarah and his friends and family. Charles and Anna won the prestigious Burhill Family Foursomes Event and Charles also won the Bar Golf Tournament. In addition, he greatly enjoyed the Senior Golfing Society and their matches and overseas tours. He was a fervent supporter of Harlequins Rugby Club and often supported them with great enthusiasm. He also enjoyed helping with the Juniors at Royal Wimbledon GC and as well as sitting on the Parole Board.

It was very sad that Charles was not dealt a great hand when it came to his health. He was terribly ill with leukaemia in his 30s and this was swiftly followed by meningitis. Years later he had to deal with several cancers which he always battled with great bravery. He remained positive and cheerful at all times and his family was a source of great comfort to him. But eventually even his own determination could not get him past Motor Neurone disease and to the regret of his family and many friends he passed away in November. He had enjoyed a wonderful life filled with laughter, family, friends - and so many happy memories.     

(PS 57-62)