Admiral Sir Henry Ruthven Moore and MGS (1968)

Post date: Mar 06, 2017 6:13:58 PM

the following is an extract from Maidstone Grammar School (MGS)'s OM newsletter of 1997.

We record with pride that Admiral Sir Henry Ruthven Moore, GCB, CVO, DSO, D.L.,

who was Governor of the School for number of years, agreed to become the first Hon. Colonel

of our Contingent in 1968. He was instrumental in the formation of the RN Section and staunch

supporter of the CCF. On one of his frequent visits the Guard of Honour might be surprised at

the arrival of little man wearing very tatty raincoat. However, this was quickly discarded to

reveal his Admiral's uniform, which he loved to wear. (The explanation of the raincoat was that

Admirals in uniform just can't travel about unescourted getting caught in Maidstone traffic

jams.) Soon he would be asking pertinent questions, chatting to both boys and officers, and

regaling us with stories of duck shooting on the Yangtse, trading blue serge for scimitars in the

Med., Cape Homers, etc. These occasions, both formal and on normal parade days, were enjoyed by both him and us. Sir Henry resigned as Hon Colonel on 27 May 1976; but we remained in touch with him on an informal level until his death on 12 March 1978 at the age of 91. The CCF Ensign was flown at half-mast on the following parade day as mark of respecT.