Hugh Aldridge (1942-2024)

Hugh Aldridge passed away on 1 April, aged 82. Educated at Wellington College and Worcester College, Oxford, he then moved to Uganda. After a year at Makerere University College, he taught at Kololo Senior Secondary School and at the National Teachers’ College, Kyambogo.

He joined King’s in 1970 to teach Physics and went on to do almost everything else as well. He was master in charge of Games (1975-82) and coach of rugby, hockey and cricket, housemaster of Luxmoore (1983-91) and The Grange (1991-97) and Registrar (1998-2002) in charge of Admissions and starting the News from King’s newsletter.

One abiding image is of Hugh the cricketer. He played for the Canterbury Pilgrims and, especially, the Canterbury Harvesters – the Common Room XI on tour in Dorset. He was an elegant batsman and very good slip fielder, but primarily he was an opening bowler. The beautifully smooth run-up and the seemingly effortless delivery epitomised the man. Calm, no fuss, supremely effective.

In his Cantuarian valedictory piece, Jonathan Allday wrote: “Hugh is a gentleman”. He was indeed. He was hugely respected and will be remembered with gratitude and admiration.

Our condolences go to Jacqui, and to his OKS children: Bronwen, Tom and Henry.