The following obituary was written by Andrew Langdale (PH 78-82)

Diana and Simon

Simon John Bartholomew Langdale arrived at Tonbridge School as a day boy in the early 1950s and, in many ways, remained an Old Tonbridgian for the rest of his life.

Sport lay at the heart of his school years. Like many boys of his generation, school life demanded energy, resilience and full participation. Rugger, hockey, cricket, boxing, compulsory runs, cadets and chapel formed the rhythm of daily life. But it was in the court games that Simon truly found his passion. Fives and squash particularly appealed to him, combining skill, competitiveness and tactical thinking in a way that suited both his temperament and sporting gifts.

Tonbridge gave him not only lifelong friendships, but also the quiet confidence and resilience that would define him in later life. He spoke often and fondly of those years. Although never one to romanticise the past, he clearly loved the School, its traditions and above all its sporting culture.

From Tonbridge he went to St Catharine’s College Cambridge to read History, where he became a Fives Blue and later captain of the club. His competitiveness endured throughout his life and extended far beyond organised sport. Family members became accustomed to fiercely contested games of corridor cricket, improvised fives matches in panelled hallways and inventive sporting contests created for children and grandchildren alike.

Cricket, however, remained his greatest sporting love. Amongst his happiest memories were his years playing for the Old Tonbridgians under the captaincy of Nick Heroys, helping secure success in the Cricketer Cup. Those who played alongside him will remember his unusual bowling action, delivered off the wrong foot, but also the fierce competitiveness concealed beneath his outwardly calm and gentlemanly manner.

Like many truly competitive people, Simon never felt the need to advertise it. Victory was quietly enjoyed rather than loudly celebrated. He believed deeply in sportsmanship and carried himself with a modesty that made him such enjoyable company both on and off the field.

The OT connection remained hugely important to him throughout his life. He took enormous pleasure in maintaining Tonbridgian friendships. In later years, golf became one of his great passions and OT golf fixtures were a particular source of enjoyment playing alongside Richard Gracey and Tony Monteuuis. The combination of companionship, gentle competition and shared history suited him perfectly. He loved the conversations every bit as much as the golf itself.

Professionally, Simon became one of the outstanding schoolmasters of his generation. After joining Radley College in 1959 as an assistant master, he later became Housemaster and Master in Charge of Cricket before serving as Headmaster of Eastbourne College from 1973 to 1980 and subsequently Headmaster of Shrewsbury School from 1981 to 1988.

At Eastbourne he inherited a school emerging from a difficult period and quickly restored confidence, raising academic standards, appointing talented young teachers and modernising facilities whilst preserving the character of the School. One governor later described him as “the outstanding headmaster of his generation.” His leadership combined authority with humanity, and former pupils frequently recalled his ability to encourage the underdog and see potential where others did not.

He believed passionately that schools should develop character as much as scholarship. The essence of what made a great schoolmaster fascinated him and he would spend may happy hours on the touchline debating this with the likes of Anthony Hudson, David Kemp and Mike Bushby. This included the risk of getting stale, believing that 10 years was enough time to transform a boarding house or a school.  Hence after three decades of teaching, he decided to leave the classroom and for the remainder of his career led the Rank Foundation, a charity set up to provide work-based training for disadvantaged young people.

In 1962 he married Diana Hall, whose warmth, hospitality and instinctive understanding of school communities made her a much-loved presence throughout their years in education. Together they formed a remarkable partnership over 63 years of marriage. They had three children: Andrew (PH 78–82), Philippa and Mark.

Away from school, Simon loved literature, music, horse racing and conversation. He could be quietly hilarious, endlessly curious about other people and deeply loyal to friends. Yet for all his achievements, he remained profoundly modest. For those fortunate enough to know him, it is impossible to think of Simon without thinking too of the sporting life he loved so much: the cricket field, the golf course, the fives court, the laughter, the competition and the companionship of fellow Old Tonbridgians.

(WH 50-55)