Obituary – David Green (CR 1962-95)
Many OMs and others will be sad to learn of the death of David Green (CR 1962-95) on 12th May at the age of 84 from heart failure. He had struggled with health problems for a number of years but had bravely fought on against the odds.
David was a distinguished sportsman and had been named Most Promising Cricketer of the Year in 1952 by the Sunday People newspaper. He made his debut for Derbyshire in 1953 playing against Kent at Chesterfield, aged only 17 and continued to play for the county for a number of years. He went up to Christ’s College, Cambridge in 1956 and won Blues in 1957, 1958 and in 1959 he was elected captain of the university side to succeed the renowned Radleian, E R (Ted) Dexter. David said that leading the team out at Lord’s against Oxford was one of his proudest moments.
David was selected for an MCC Tour to Canada and the USA in the summer of 1959, captained by Dennis Silk (CR 1955-68) and managed by J R Thompson (CR 1946-88). They were so impressed with David that he was soon asked for interview at Marlborough by Master John Dancy (CR 1961-72). His first teaching post was at Denstone College near Uttoxeter and was arranged by Derbyshire CCC, so that he could continue to play for them in the holidays.
In 1962 he was appointed to the College to teach History and to be Master-in-Charge of cricket, which he was to do for 14 years, whilst playing for Wiltshire until 1968, captaining the side in 1967 and 1968. He proved a most useful player for a talented Common Room side, who he joined on tour to Corfu in 1969 to play in a tournament there, on a matting wicket in the town car park.
David was also a fine golfer and was a founder member of the Pedagogues Golfing Society, partnering Malcolm Hardstaff (CR 1961-92) in many encounters. He was a regular playing member at Marlborough Golf Club, where his wife, Pauline, was also a good player.
DJG enjoyed teaching History and was a popular beak, often inspiring his pupils with the deeds of Derby County FC on the football pitch. He ran the 4th XI hockey for many years, and his great enthusiasm and encouragement won much loyalty from his players.
David successfully ran the Summer School for 13 years, succeeding Brian Ashley (CR 1966-82) and was a tutor in Cotton House for 16 years. He was a very witty colleague in the History Department and one was always the better for his presence ‘on the scene.’ He was well supported by his wife Pauline and his children Richard (C1 1980-85) and Jane (B3 1982-84) and he has some talented grandchildren too.
DJG was a fine gentleman and teacher and an excellent cricketer and golfer, known by all for his enjoyable wit and dry sense of humour. He will be much missed by those lucky enough to have known him.
Martin Evans (CR 1968-2018)
