Colchester Royal Grammar School - Old Colcestrians

Old Colcestrians

An Old Colcestrian is a person who formerly attended the school. They are also known as 'Old Boys'.

The Old Colcestrian Society of the School has over 1,200 members. Its objectives are to help members to stay in touch with each other and the school through a variety of events, to support the school and to support past and present students of the school with their studies and their careers. The society was founded during Shaw Jeffrey's term as headmaster. The society raises a cricket team who annually plays against the school's 1st XI.

Some notable OCs include (by order of surname):

• James Acheson, Oscar-winning costume designer
• George Biddell Airy (1801–92), Astronomer Royal
• Mike Baker, BBC journalist and BBCi Education Correspondent
• William Gurney Benham (1859–1944), mayor of Colchester, author, and local notable
• Charles Benham (1860–1929), inventor of Benham's disc and published amateur scientist
• Dr Laurie Bristow, Ambassador to Azerbaijan from 2004-7
• Peter Currell Brown, novelist
• David Clary, theoretical chemist and President of Magdalen College, Oxford, and President from 2006-9 of the Royal Society of Chemistry
• Tim Congdon, economist and former member of the Treasury Panel of Independent Forecasters (the so-called "wise men") which advised the Chancellor of the Exchequer on economic policy
• Nick Elam CMG, Ambassador to Luxembourg from 1994-8
• John Eldred MP, an early MP for Harwich
• Edward Campbell Fisk (1924–77), principal trombonist in the Moscow State Orchestra
• Rev. Canon Prof. Leslie Francis, Professor of Religions and Education at the University of Warwick and Canon Theologian of Bangor Cathedral
• Benjamin Furley, an early Quaker and founder of Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania in 1703
• William Gilbert (1544–1603), physician to Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England and natural philosopher
• Charles Gray (MP) (1696–1782), lawyer, antiquary, and MP for Colchester
• Paul Handley, Editor since 1995 of Church Times
• Francis Hauksbee (1660–1713), natural philosopher and scientist
• Robin Hewes, Finance Director (2000–2001) and then Chief Executive (2001) of the New Millennium Experience Company, worked as a civil servant and then for Lloyd's of London (nominated member of the Lloyd's of London#Council of Lloyd's (1993–1994); awarded Lloyds Silver Medal in 1996)
• Sir Tom Hickinbotham (1903–1983), Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Aden (1951–1956)
• Nick Hodges, Chief Executive from 1993-9 of London International Group (became SSL International in 1999)
• Philip Jones, television sales executive - sold The Muppet Show to Australia
• William St Lawrence, 12th Baron Howth, enrolled 1639.
• Colonel Richard Kemp CBE, best-selling author of "Attack State Red", an account of combat in Afghanistan, and former commander of British forces in Afghanistan
• Vic Keeble, footballer, who played for Colchester United, Newcastle United (won FA Cup 1955), and West Ham United
• Dr. Samuel Kinns (1826–1903), astronomer, Highbury New Park College and anti-evolutionary author
• Prof Geoffrey Martin CBE, Keeper of Public Records at the Public Record Office
• William Miller, Courtauld Professor of Animal Husbandry from 1935-46 at the Royal Veterinary College
• Dr Jeremy Mynott, Chief Executive from 1999-2002 of Cambridge University Press, ornithologist, author.
• John Napier, Chairman since 2003 of RSA Insurance Group, and Aegis Group since 2008
• Matthew Newcomen, nonconformist churchman
• Philip Norrey, Chief Executive since 2006 of Devon County Council, and its Director of Education from 2003-6
• Ven. Leonard Olyott (1926–2005), Archdeacon of Taunton (1977–1992), then Archdeacon Emeritus
• Prof Robin Osborne, Professor of Ancient History since 2001 at the University of Cambridge
• Louis Pegler (1852–1927), surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Vice-President of Laryngological Section of that organisation; collection of fossil plants donated to the Natural History Museum
• Prof John Percival OBE (1937–2007), Professor and Head of School of History from 1988-96 at Cardiff University
• Maj-Gen Sir Farndale Phillips CBE CB (1905–1961), Commander from 1951-2 of 3 Commando Brigade, and Chief of Amphibious Warfare from 1954-7
• Jan Pinkava, film director and writer
• John Pluthero, Executive Chairman since 2006 of Cable & Wireless, Chief Executive from 2002-5 of Energis, and founder of Freeserve plc and its Chief Executive from 1998–2002
• William Samuel Powell (1717–75), Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University
• Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay RN (1883–1945), commanded the 1940 evacuation from Dunkirk
• Kenneth Riches (1908–1999), Anglican Bishop
• Andrew Sanger, travel writer
• P.E.G. 'Gerry' Sayer, first British person to fly a jet aircraft
• David Sexton, Literary Editor since 1997 of the Evening Standard
• William Ashwell Shenstone (1850–1908), chemist and schoolmaster
• David Smith, rugby player for Northampton Saints
• Giles Smith, Guardian writer
• Paul Smith, Chief Executive since 2006 of Swansea Council, and Gloucester City Council from 2001-6
• Albert Charles Sparrow (1925–2005), leading member of the Chancery Bar with a strong interest in archeology which led to his campaign for reform of Treasure Trove
• Andrew Strathern, Andrew Mellon Professor of Anthropology since 1987 at the University of Pittsburgh
• John Sutherland (author), Emeritus Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College London
• Thomas Twining (1735–1804), Classical scholar and cleric
• Peter Wright (footballer), voted in 2000 as "Colchester United's Player of the Century"
• Derek Murray Wyatt, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey from 1997 to 2010
• Peter Snow (1940 - ), President, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in New Zealand (2007–2009)and Chair Mission to Seafarers, Wellington, Melvin Jones Fellow (Lions Clubs International Foundation).