Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM AE

Many of you may have read in the national press about the recent passing of Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM AE at the great age of 101 years. What many members might not know was that Paul attended Surbiton Grammar School during the 1930s and played rugby for the 1st XV.

For those that did not see the news, or read the obituaries, further information is available here.

Amazingly, and some may say typically, Dick Blackman has unearthed some team photographs from seasons 1935/36, 1936/37 and 1937/38 in which Paul can be very clearly seen and identified.

The photos were taken at the school playing fields in Somerset Avenue, Hook where the three pitches were always really muddy and with only two showers available in the changing rooms. However, solace could be found just up the hill from the ground at the North Star pub!