Death of much-loved OH who wrote of Rousdon at war

by George Hayter

•Update•

In Memory of Ralph Harding, “Father of the OH Club”

After our very sad recent announcement about OH Ralph Harding, fondly known as the Father of the OH Club, who passed away last month at the remarkable age of 99.

The Club has been informed that Ralph’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, 12th November at 12 noon, at St John’s Church, Long Street, Devizes.

Old Honitonians who wish to attend are warmly invited. To help Ralph’s daughters, Sarah and Katie, with catering arrangements, please let us know if you plan to come by emailing honsecretary@oldhonitonians.online

We will pass the numbers on to the family.

Thank you.

Ralph Harding (Baker 36-43) passed away peacefully at home on the night of 15 October 2025. He was 99 and had been so looking forward to his 100th birthday. A regular at the Sidmouth lunch and other events, Ralph had for many years been the oldest known OH — the honoured father of the club.

Invariably accompanied by his nephew Jeremy Harding (Chudleigh 64-69), Ralph’s enthusiasm, humour and friendly demeanour long delighted old boys and girls at gatherings.

He had been in Swindon Hospital with advanced and untreatable lung cancer. Determined to get home, he made that final journey to Devizes with the support of his two daughters, arriving just one day before he died.

Ralph Durbin Harding entered Allhallows in the summer term of 1936, aged just nine, initially joining the school’s junior section.

His parents were from Honiton but had moved 80 miles to Devizes to farm. “I grew anxious about leaving home for the first time,” he recalled (in an article on page 18 of the 2016 OH Magazine).

“I was also concerned about being worthy of upholding the Harding family name.” At Allhallows before him there had been seven Hardings, and two cousins. “I loved being at school in Honiton because all my relatives were living in the town.”

He excelled at rugby and boxing, earning his boxing colours in each of his final three years. He was a house prefect for two terms before leaving the school in 1943 at age 16.

Ralph remembered headmaster George Shallow coming into class in 1937 and announcing out of the blue that the school was going to uproot and leave Honiton.

Boys were used as labour in the exciting relocation to Rousdon, which was completed the following year. “Working parties were sent over to Rousdon to help remove debris from what were to become sports pitches, and to clear up around the buildings. The stables beneath the bell tower were being converted into classrooms.” Ralph was awed by the size of the clifftop estate, and its isolation compared to the school’s town centre position at Honiton.

His education was disrupted again a year later, when war was declared. “Three masters were called up, along with some boys over 18.” Because of his farming background, young Ralph was put in charge of 200 hens and was expected to double the school’s wartime egg ration.

And there were nocturnal observation shifts in the mansion’s tower, to warn of German bombers heading for Plymouth. “I found I was able to tell Dorniers and Heinkels apart, not by their outlines against the night sky, but by the different sounds of their engines.”

Ralph remained deeply connected to Allhallows and its legacy throughout his life and was devastated by the school’s closure in 1998. “I do not understand the reason why this had to happen to such a great school,” wrote Ralph, whose life was a testament to loyalty.

At a recent West Country Lunch, we recorded an interview where Ralph's Nephew, Jeremy Harding, asked Ralph about his time at Allhallows. You can see the interview HERE.

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More than 30 OHs gathered in Sidmouth for lunch at the Victoria Hotel on 20 September, with some of their number having dinner at the Harbour Hotel the night before.



'The event was organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of leaving Allhallows for the last time. That we could get something approaching half our year group together in one place is a testament to organiser John Wong’s efforts and persuasive powers, helped considerably by the attendance of five from Charton House: Jo (nee Grimwood), Rosie (Payne), Alison (Bailey), Jane (Booth) and Fiona (Darbishire).


At the lunch, we were entertained by a number of speeches: John Wong welcomed us all; Gavin Howard (Sh 70-75) told us about his career with the Royal Irish Rangers; Steve Dixon (V 70-75) gave us a hair raising account of his recently completed motorbike trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego; Steve de Wild reminisced amusingly and Andy Green gave us one of his famous poems (in the style of William McGonagall).


We were also honoured by the presence of Keith Moore, Allhallows’ last Headmaster.


The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, and it’s hoped that we can meet again in two years' time.'

What a fantastic day it was for the Old Honitonians Golfing Society, who gathered on Thursday, 2nd October, for a wonderful afternoon of golf at the stunning Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, nestled in the heart of the New Forest. 

Our group of enthusiastic OH golfers were welcomed with bacon rolls and refreshments before teeing off at 2:00 PM for an enjoyable 18-hole round. The autumn weather couldn’t have been better — calm, clear, and perfect for a great day on the course.

The event was made all the more special as players had the chance to experience the home course of OH Bryn Shorey, who was instrumental in helping showcase the very best that Brokenhurst Manor has to offer.

There was some fantastic play throughout the afternoon, with plenty of friendly competition and camaraderie on display — true OH spirit in full swing. 

A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us for a brilliant day of golf, laughter, and shared memories, including:

Richard Heard, Paul Selway-Swift, Roddy Wakeford, Jeremy Page, Bryn Shorey, Roger Hopkins, and David Danskin — with special thanks to Charles Pipkin, who joined as a non-playing supporter.

Do keep an eye on our OH Events page for more fantastic OH Golfing Society meet-ups.