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"O gentlemen, the time of life is short!
To spend that shortness basely were too long"
The quotation above, from Shakespeare's Henry IV, was written on the back wall of the original English Form of John Lyon School and reminds us to live our lives well.
Many people wish to remember loved ones through gifts to the School that will benefit pupils now and in the future.
This page is where past and future meet: dedicated to remembering Lyonians who lived their lives to the full, through gifts for future generations.
Jerry Geelan (OL 1966-1973) is fondly remembered by many OLs and inspired the "Jerry Geelan Bursary Fund". Many OLs have donated to the fund, in Jerry's memory, to assist a local child to attend John Lyon School.
Margaret Palmer worked at John Lyon School from 1973 to 1984. She loved the School and stayed close to it and the OLA in her retirement through her son, Keith Palmer, who made a very generous donation to the OL bursary fund in her memory.
This tree was planted in memory of Duncan Whichelo, who very sadly died during his time at School. He was described as "one of those young men the world can scarcely spare, hard working, full of energy, abounding in good humour and a joy to his friends". His parents also kindly donated a prize in his memory, the Duncan Whichelo History Prize.
The Red House Memorial Garden contains several trees planted in memory of Lyonians: Michael Burrell (OL 1949-1956), Lyndon Budd (former teacher), Adrian Gaynor-Smith (OL 1950-1957), and Duncan Whicelo (see separate entry). The garden also contains the War Memorial to all OLs who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Brian Hore became a consultant psychiatrist and world expert on alcoholism, despite some unpromising early medical experiences at John Lyon. More...
Andrew Panter came to John Lyon in 1958 from Scotch College in Adelaide, joining the 1955 - 1962 cohort. His close friend, Stephen Brown remembers hi… More...
David Reeves (OL 1949 - 1956), a highly talented scholar, musician and later eminent medic, who gave so much to the School, sadly passed away in Octob… More...
As well as the online Act of Remembrance (link to video in main article), OLs laid a wreath at the War Memorial in the Red House Garden. More...
Two recent enquiries from OLs coincidentally led us to some wonderful photographs and a stirring speech by Lord Alexander at his inspection of the CCF… More...
Margaret Palmer, mother of Keith Palmer (OL 1976 - 1981), who worked for over 10 years at John Lyon, sadly passed away last week. More...
Three celebrations of the Founder, very much missing our Old Lyonians, but nevertheless commemorating the great man were held at St Mary's. Hear the … More...
Geoffrey Lancashire (OL 1935-1940) sadly passed away last month. Having lost many classmates during WW2, Remembrance at John Lyon was particularly im… More...
John Mather, OL 1954-1962 and Head Boy in 1962, sadly passed away on 6th December 2020. More...
In memory of Old Lyonians and friends of the School who have died: More...