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Derek John BARRALET

1938-2006

Schoolfriend Bob Clayton (G50-56) writes:

I first met Derek at the College in 1952. He came to Framlingham from his prep school St Martins in Ealing.

Our friendship began due to his surname beginning with B and mine with C, resulting in us being in close proximity at roll-call time in Garrett House Set-room.

As his parents lived in Ealing it was too far in those days for them to travel up to the College and back in one day for the four Sunday ‘exeats’ allowed each term, particularly since we were not allowed out until after the morning chapel service and had to be back for Evensong for 6.30 p.m. As a result of this Derek was invited back to my home in Combs (near Stowmarket) for ‘exeats’ by my parents who came to regard him as one of the family. For my part I was equally looked after during school holiday visits to his family home in Ealing.

Derek was a good athlete, always doing well in the annual ‘standards’ and representing the house in cross country ‘Interset’ races. However his favourite sport was rugby in which he excelled, catching the eye of ‘Laddie’ Melsom after one memorable game for the school 3rd XV and being promoted straight into the first XV where he remained for the rest of the season. The year was 1955 and a good one for the first XV captained by Norman Mayhew (R 48-56). Other notable names in the team were our mutual friends Bryan Ellis (G 49-55) and Bryan Arthur (K 52-58), (who sadly lost their lives with many other members of the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club in the Paris Turkish Airlines crash), and Andrew Hancock (S 52-57) who scored the memorable winning try for England in a match against the old Scottish foe in the sixties.

Shortly after leaving Framlingham Derek’s younger brother Philip joined the College at the same time as did my brother Michael.

After leaving the College, instead of doing his National Service, Derek opted for a three-year stint in the Army, his leadership qualities being sensibly recognised by the Royal Military Police who awarded him a short-service commission. He served in Singapore and Hong Kong gaining high respect from his fellow officers and men. Up to the time of his death he maintained friendships with his old RMP colleagues.

After leaving the Army Derek joined his parents in their ‘Barralets of Ealing’ nursery and landscaping business. Soon meeting and marrying Mary they set up home in Ruislip where their three children Andrew, Jane and Peter were born.

During his business career Derek’s firm showed at the Chelsea Flower Show for some thirty five years. During this time he came into contact with many O.F.’s including Jim Blythe (K48-54) and Adrian Skeates (G 51-55).

Perpetuating his early love of rugby Derek qualified as a London Society Rugby Referee and later became a steward at Twickenham. He was also a steward at Wimbledon for many years, being very generous to his friends with his highly prized allocation of match tickets!

Derek was a keen bee-keeper winning acclaim for his delicious ‘Ruislip’ honey. In-between his many activities he found time to play bowls and to transport infirm patients from their homes to the local hospital for their appointments.

He was waiting to go into hospital for a replacement heart valve operation when during other tests in March it was found that he had terminal cancer. Sadly he died in hospital on 8th June 2006. Derek was a lifelong friend with a wry and chiding sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by Mary, his three children, three grandchildren and many friends.

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