Distinguished Old Framlinghamians

Framlingham is rooted in the county of Suffolk, but Framlinghamians have spanned the world from the age of Empire, through times of conflict and into the modern era, in pursuit of trade and adventure. There are those who have made their mark in business, sports, academics, as artists and writers, in agriculture, in the services, the media and in the world of entertainment. You can learn about them here, and you can nominate additions.

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Commander Richard John Percy Withycombe Perryman AM

Commander Richard John Percy Withycombe Perryman AM (Rendlesham 1945-1947)

The son of a successful racehorse trainer, he joined the Royal Navy in 1947. He transferred to the Royal Australian Nay (RAN)... Read more

The son of a successful racehorse trainer, he joined the Royal Navy in 1947. He transferred to the Royal Australian Nay (RAN) in 1969/70 where he went on to have a successful career. He ended up Commander of HMAS HARMAN, the RAN’s major Communications Station and Administrative base for the Canberra region. During that time he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to Military Communications.

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Brigadier Gerald George Carter MBE (Stradbroke 1941-1944)

He was the third Carter brother to attend Framlingham and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers.  After various periods on the Gold... Read more

He was the third Carter brother to attend Framlingham and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers.  After various periods on the Gold Coast in Africa he was posted to Singapore and was engaged in active service in Borneo during the confrontation with Indonesia. He was awarded the MBE and made an Officer of the Star of Sarawak, a rare distinction for a British officer and only the fourth British recipient.

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Sqn Ldr Michael Francis Hilary Dobson AFC, RAF (Rtd)

Sqn Ldr Michael Francis Hilary Dobson AFC, RAF (Rtd) (Rendlesham 1934-1942)

He served in the RAF for 31 year and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his exceptional assessments as a pilot... Read more

He served in the RAF for 31 year and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his exceptional assessments as a pilot and instructor on jet aircraft. On 15 July 1953, he took part in the Queen’s Coronation Review, flying a Vampire. His total flying hours on retirement were 3,900.45. He died on 28 July 2013 and was the brother of GENERAL SIR PATRICK HOWARD-DOBSON GCB (R33-40)

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Mr John Stenton Hoyland DFM (Stradbroke 1938-1942)

He was a wholesale grocer and provision merchant in Ipswich. During WW2 he joined the RAF and served in 578 Squadron of... Read more

He was a wholesale grocer and provision merchant in Ipswich. During WW2 he joined the RAF and served in 578 Squadron of Bomber Command. He was awarded the DFM while serving with 51 Squadron, on 17 November 1944 “In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.” After the war he became a representative of Caterers Buying Association.

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Sergeant Ronald Bridger MM (Garrett 1938-1940)

During WW2 served in Royal Marines, 41 Commando, but while a rifleman in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consorts Own) he was awarded... Read more

During WW2 served in Royal Marines, 41 Commando, but while a rifleman in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consorts Own) he was awarded the Military Medal on 9 September 1942 “In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November 1941 to April 1942.”

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Flight Lt Derek Colin Fowler DFM

Flight Lt Derek Colin Fowler DFM (Garrett 1935-1940)

During WW2 served in 38 Squadron of the RAF. On 1 January 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and his... Read more

During WW2 served in 38 Squadron of the RAF. On 1 January 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and his citation describes in detail a raid on a ships convoy. He subsequently went on to be personal pilot to Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos. He died in 2008. His widow Yela “Peter” Fowler bequeathed $1m to the Society to honour and preserve his name and the Society gave £500,000 to the College to enable various projects to be set up in the Fowler name, including the Fowler Pavilion which was opened in 2017. This has on display many of his artifacts.

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General Sir Patrick John Howard-Dobson GCB

General Sir Patrick John Howard-Dobson GCB (Rendlesham 1933-1940)

Sportsman, Soldier, Chorister and endless Volunteer. He was the brother of SQUADRON LEADER MICHAEL FRANCIS HILARY DOBSON AFC (R34-42)

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Sqn Ldr Harold Richard Paul Pertwee DFC (Kerrison 1937-1940)

During WW2 was in the RAF and while serving in 602 Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 11 May 1945... Read more

During WW2 was in the RAF and while serving in 602 Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 11 May 1945 “This Officer has displayed the greatest keenness for air operations and his example of determination and devotion to duty has been commendable. He has taken part in very many sorties during which he has been responsible for the destruction of a good number of enemy mechanical vehicles. He has also destroyed one and damaged several more enemy aircraft.”

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Air Vice-Marshal Peter Francis King CB OBE

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Francis King CB OBE (Stradbroke 1936-1939)

Rose to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal in the RAF Medical Branch, specialising in Otorhinolaryngology. In 1964 he was appointed OBE and... Read more

Rose to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal in the RAF Medical Branch, specialising in Otorhinolaryngology. In 1964 he was appointed OBE and in 1987 was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) and Commander of the Order of St John. From 1979 to 1987 he was an Honorary Surgeon to HM the Queen. Is recognised as the co-descriptor of the “King-Kopetzky Syndrome”. Also past Vice-President of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. Also taught Simon Dougherty (G60-67) – see below.

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Wng Cdr George Peter Brett Bailey

Wng Cdr George Peter Brett Bailey (Kerrison 1934-1938)

During WW2 he was in Bomber Command for a while and then on D Day was a glider tug pilot and towed... Read more

During WW2 he was in Bomber Command for a while and then on D Day was a glider tug pilot and towed Bryan Hebblethwaite (34-39) on D Night. He towed him again over Arnhem where sadly Bryan was killed. After WW2 he was as a pilot involved in the Berlin Airlift and flew 250 times to Berlin and back. Afterwards he was involved here and in Australia with the VIP flight. He has lived in Australia since 1986. In 2014 his biography was documented in a book by Jenifer Simpson OAM and you can read that in full here.  A few days after celebrating his 90th birthday he died and you can read the obituary in the Daily Telegraph, The Times and the Weeknd Australia.

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Mr Guy Desmond John King DFC (1934-1938)

During WW2 served in Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve and on the night of 13 June 1943 was piloting Avro Lancaster ED916... Read more

During WW2 served in Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve and on the night of 13 June 1943 was piloting Avro Lancaster ED916 of 103 Squadron on a raid on Bochum, Germany. They were attacked by a German night fighter piloted by Oblt Werner Rapp flying out of Twente airfield whilst they were returning from the raid. The attack killed 2 of the crew and set the port engines on fire. Guy King was last to leave the stricken Lancaster that was engulfed in flames and exploded shortly afterwards. Separated from the rest of the crew, he attempted to evade capture but finally gave himself up to a Dutch family who sadly handed him over to the German Police . He was finally sent to Sagan prisoner of war camp and worked on the Great Escape tunnel but at the last minute was not selected to be part of the escape team. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 13 July 1943 “For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations”. He went on to have a full career in the RAF. [My thanks to Mike Berrie for providing additional information]

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Flying Officer Kenneth Lionel Trent DFC*

Flying Officer Kenneth Lionel Trent DFC* (1935-1938)

During WW2 he served in the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve, 625 Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 19... Read more

During WW2 he served in the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve, 625 Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 19 December 1944 and subsequently a bar.

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Major Peter Arthur Sidney Whiteley MC (Kerrison 1933-1937)

Civil Servant. During WW2 served in Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attached to Kings African Rifles. Was awarded the Military Cross on... Read more

Civil Servant. During WW2 served in Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attached to Kings African Rifles. Was awarded the Military Cross on 19 April 1945 “In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma”..

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Sqn Ldr Charles David Rash DFC* (1932-1935)

During WW2 he served in 115 Squadron of the RAF and was first awarded the DFC on 7 March 1941. He was... Read more

During WW2 he served in 115 Squadron of the RAF and was first awarded the DFC on 7 March 1941. He was awarded a Bar to his DFC on 13 October 1944.

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Mr Fergus Lee Dempster OBE DSC

Mr Fergus Lee Dempster OBE DSC (1929-1934)

Had a long and distinguished career during WW2 and afterwards in secret intelligence. It wasn’t until over a conversation at the 1995... Read more

Had a long and distinguished career during WW2 and afterwards in secret intelligence. It wasn’t until over a conversation at the 1995 AGM that he finally whispered, at the age of 80, that “I was a spy”! He was awarded the DSC for operations during early 1944 in preparation for the D Day landings. He was awarded an OBE in 1957.

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Major Kenneth George Mayhew RMWO

Major Kenneth George Mayhew RMWO (Rendlesham 1929-1934)

During a distinguished career in WW2, he played an important part from D Day through to the liberation of Holland. In 2011... Read more

During a distinguished career in WW2, he played an important part from D Day through to the liberation of Holland. In 2011 he was finally awarded Holland’s highest Military Decoration, the Royal Order of Knights of the Military Order of William. In 2014 he was their oldest knight of the order. At the beginning of 2016 he was also awarded France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honneur as a Normandy veteran and on 18 January 2017 he celebrated his centenary in style with family, Dutch and OF events. Ken died on 13 May 2021 at the age of 104 making him the oldest ever OF that we are aware of.  Read Richard Sayer’s obituary and see those published in the Telegraph and Times and the eulogy given at his memorial service in the College Chapel on 5 March 2022.

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Nominate a Framlinghamian

We have no hard and fast rules about who should be recognised as a “Distinguished Old Framlinghamian”, and are always interested to hear about people who are exceptional in all sorts of ways – so please feel free to click on the link below, and complete a nomination form.