Bradfield offered him many opportunities, two of which he grabbed with both hands; shooting and art. Simon persuaded the then Headmaster that Bradfield would benefit from his art talent rather than Latin. He proved him right by winning an Art Scholarship to Byam Shaw School of Art and much success in shooting, culminating in becoming a mentor to many girls and boys over the years and coaching at Bisley and many successes for providing Athelings and GB team shots. It was an easy choice for Simon to make as he only lived 15 minutes away from Bisley and loved the old fashioned setting it provided. He will be very much missed by many of the shooting world and his club the North London Rifle Club, where he was chairman and then President.
Simon’s career choice after Art School was naturally advertising. Very much the in-thing in the 60s with many memorable campaigns, notably the Hamlet cigar campaign and many city takeover battles. Surviving several tough years, he started up on his own before retiring to spend more time on his two new loves, scuba diving and the Masonic world.
The Masons opened up a completely different life in which he felt very privileged to be. Simon was Worshipful Master of the Old Bradfieldian Lodge where he formed many life-long friendships. When not in the City he would spend time under water. His passion for real adventure took him off to places such as Cuba, the Maldives, Palau or Truk Lagoon in the Pacific where he enjoyed swimming with sharks and wreck diving. Simon also crewed on a 42ft yacht.
Another of his loves was cars; the older and more powerful the better and his last car was a Bentley. Also cocooned in the garage is a 1965 Daimler Jag bought new by his father-in-law.
In 2016 Simon was asked if he would become the President of the 1850 Society. He was very honoured and delighted and hosted various meetings and functions; yet another excuse for visiting the school he so loved.
Simon fully enjoyed his life at Bradfield and he was a fine Bradfieldian. His family received more than 100 cards and the message that constantly came through was “a true gentleman and lasting friend full of charm and wit”.
The end of 2019 presented Simon with a challenge that he knew he would not win. Mesothelioma was diagnosed. It had taken more than fifty years to appear from a two-week holiday job working with asbestos. A six-hour operation at Guys kept the disease at bay for a while but then the pandemic hit, leaving Simon to face another battle.
Simon is survived by his wife Chris, son Will, also a Bradfieldian and shot, and daughter Claire.
