Queen Elizabeths Boys School

Back row from the left: Norman Horsley, Ian Blackwell, Albert Roslyn, John Roberts, Brian Gent.

Front row from the left: Bob Angus, David Taylor, Stan Eves, Webster ?, Norman Frith, Les Bresnan.

Comments about this page

  • Franco Szczepaniak : remember me to your sister Lucia (Lucy) from King Edward days!

    By Peter Frost (31/07/2023)
  • Wow
    Comments from so many familiar names.
    And so many memories, some better than others.
    Sorry to hear of DAT’s death. He was ahead of his time.

    By Franco Szczepaniak (28/07/2023)
  • Came across this site by accident and glad I did! I attended 66-73 and remember most of the teachers as well as recognising a couple of the names of people that have posted. Never taught by Dave Taylor, but I seem to remember that his brother was also a teacher there and they came to school together in the latest Volvo model! Trum took me for German which I hated, could never get my head around the verb coming at the end of the sentence. Still have my old school books with his red ink scrawled across most of my work! ‘’Where have you been all term whilst we have been studying grammar?’’. Cobba died around 2021 I think; remember seeing his obituary. Obviously a lot younger than I remember him to have been, but a great teacher; took me for physics.
    There’s a post by Costello Harnasz; if you’re reading this I was in the same ‘shell’ as your brother Alan and remember him well. Say hello to him from me! Also remember Peter Roske from my year. Rob Webber – were you a swimmer? Garry Marsh and Rob Smith are names I seem to recall. Can anyone remember the prank of putting Lingy’s bike (Latin) up the tree that was in the centre of the quad? And of deliberately winding Tim Martin up in woodwork so that you got called out to the front for the slipper? Some happy days to think back over, but for me it was hard work! Remember a lad called ‘Cerk’ who took everything in his stride, would do his homework 5 mins before the teacher came into class, whereas it had taken me all the previous night! Still stood me in good stead!
    Anyway, best wishes and kind regards to all, particularly anyone that may remember me.

    By Peter Frost 66/73 (12/07/2023)
  • My late father, Sidney Whitton, attended QEGS from about 1950-55. He travelled on the bus every day from Ollerton. He was always reminiscing about his time there and I just wondered if anyone could remember him please? Thank you.

    By Maria Moakes (29/06/2023)
  • It is really good to see a few names I remember.
    Best wishes Alan Woodward!
    I sometimes think of Buggy Burgess and his teaching us how to read an OS map. The ATC was brilliant, thank you Ferdie Patmore.
    Stuart Leslie Topp
    ( 58-63 )

    By Stuart Leslie Topp (21/03/2023)
  • Randomly out of the blue I got contacted by someone who was at QEGS the same time as me which was 74-81. That made me do a Google search for QEGS for that time frame and I came across this website and this page. A lot of familiar faces on the photo many of which I had as teachers. But one for me was inspirational and taught me so much and that was DAT. It’s so sad that I found out now about his passing. I often kick myself thinking why I didn’t keep in touch with folks from the old school. Now as I near retirement maybe I will. They say schooldays are the best years of your life. For me that was true, probably because I went to QEGS, made great friends, had great teachers and great opportunities.

    By Neil Wheat (26/01/2023)
  • Front row 4th from left is Stan, taught French and rumour had it used to be a footballer before he taught us.
    Sad about Dave Taylor. I remember all the teachers at QEBS being decent even if you really didn’t want to mess with them.
    I was there just as they started to bring in “modern stand in teachers” who got absolutely destroyed by classes of lads who were used to old school grammar school teachers. Chinny had something to say about it, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still look at the place as if it’s somehow less now.
    Used to have tradition and values and woe betide any boy who didn’t respect.

    By Stuart Booth (12/07/2022)
  • The photo brought back many memories, some good, some not so good. I achieved average results in GCE but it wasn’t until leaving school that I appreciated the life skills I had attained whilst there. Motivational talks and encouragement from the likes of Norman Frith, Malc Quinn and Dave Taylor proved very helpful. I remember Cos very well and, whilst I was not in his league acting, I greatly enjoyed being Sound Engineer in school plays.

    By Chris Robinson (22/06/2022)
  • I used to deliver the free paper around the village that Mr Dave Taylor lived, that man chased me all around that village and never caught me, my problem was I moved up to Q.E.Boys that year. My first day at a new school was supposed to be good, no it turned to horror as Dave was stood on the rostrum, he never said a word apart from enjoy my plums lad. Every day was a new beginning with Dave and sadly so is his death, take care Dave you will be missed.

    David Eames

    By editors (31/10/2021)
  • I was at QEGS 1943-1950 with interruptions. I have many memories.

    By Frank Watson (30/03/2021)
  • I agree that the front row listing is the wrong way round. Norman Frith is definitely 2nd from the LEFT, and Dave Taylor is 2nd from the right. Had both of them as form masters (DT twice) during 61 to 66.

    By John Bodicoat (23/11/2020)
  • I was at QEGS from 65 to 72 and echo a few of the comments of Jonathan Evans.
    I had Mr Rosslyn for French or German (or both in one year) for 5 of the7 years that I was there. I liked him but have to admit that he could be described as an acquired taste. I would also particularly like to thank Mr Frith because at one time he acquired some PROPER hockey goalkeeping pads and kickers for me.
    What I like about the photo is that I recognize no less than 8 of the teachers shown. The names not known to me are Brian Gent, Bob Angus and “Webster?”. I guess that means that the photo was taken shortly before I started there. Does anyone have a fix on the actual date for this photo?
    I am saddened to read of the death last year of David Taylor. From what I remember of him he was a very decent man.
    Please pass on my kind regards to any members of the team who are still with us.

    Anthony Roske 65/72 (16/07/20)

    By Anthony Roske (16/07/2020)
  • I was at QEGS from 1961 -68 and remember, with great fondness, a few of the folks who have commented here!
    I have to say that I found the school quite brutal in many ways and have never really forgiven Mr —– for belting me across the face for a minor infraction. I mean, it wasn’t because I blew the toilets up using calcium carbide was it?
    Bob Roberts helped turn my errant school career around, and for that I will always be grateful.
    Norm Frith and Bert Rosslyn were also excellent teachers and helped me eventually make a success of my time there.

    By Jonathan Evans (10/06/2020)
  • I’m sitting here stunned – Dave Taylor was a fantastic, original teacher, who made being at school exciting.
    He was a huge part of my experience of growing up – and now, looking down along the tunnel of time, I know that I also acknowledge all my other teachers, for whatever role they played in my education in all senses; my own time at QEGS being a happy time. School plays, the ATC camps, the societies and clubs, hockey (thanks Mr Bresnen).
    The setting of the school was so glorious, and the grounds looking out to north Notts, my imagination running to Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood. The sun is perpetually shining as in that fabulous photo above by the school pavilion.
    I’m grateful to the opportunity I had being there, a son of Polish-Romanian parents who arrived after the war. But for now, a special place for Dave, who brought me plays, and poetry, too, by reading Roger McGough’s poems to us. He mentioned in passing he was at Hull University with McGough, and we promptly went out and got the Penguin Modern Poets ‘Liverpool Poets’ edition that had just come out. All this on top of him being a first class sportsman, too.
    Bye Dave. Love you.

    By COSTEL HARNASZ (02/02/2020)
  • David Taylor was my English Teacher from 1982 to 1984. He was the most motivational teacher that ever taught me. I was a member of the Drama Club that David ran during the dinner break, we achieved significant success in winning a national school video film competition based on attracting tourism to our local area. I’ll always remember Dave or should I say; Mr Taylor!

    By Bill Sheffield (18/01/2020)
  • Peter Middleton and I became friends, aged 10, on our first day at QEGS in September 1943. After losing contact in the 1960s, we met again in 2002. Peter was my best man in 2013 but we have lost touch again. His e-mail address is out-of-date. Peter lives in Thailand. Does anybody have contact with Peter?

    By David Thompson (15/12/2019)
  • Talk about a small world!
    I had an appointment today, November 26th, with a physiotherapist in Brighton, where I now live, and, just by chance, she asked me if I’d lived in Brighton for long. I explained that I moved here in 1959, having previously lived in both Sutton-in-Ashfield and Kirkby. Blow me down, she said that she came from Sutton and her father was a pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Mansfield. How’s that for a coincidence?

    By Jim Marshall (26/11/2019)
  • Re Jim Marshall’s photo and comments on 1940s at Queen Elizabeths.
    I am flattered that after 72 years he still remembers mine and other fellow classmates names from their photo and I too have many memories of Shell 2.
    For example Rex Norman missing afternoon school from Miss Tingles class afer sucking in, and swallowing a pencil and off to A & E, many happy hours with pals Danny and Geoff out on the field. together with the late( I now discover) David Taylor.
    Brian Gaunt who I used to see after leaving school at the Westfield Folk house , never seen then.
    It would, as Jim says, be nice to hear from any of these class mates still with us.
    Regards

    By David Gibbons (11/11/2019)
  • My brother Edward was in Shell 3 with Dave Taylor and like Dave died this year.
    At the time they came to teach in the school (December 1960) Dave and Terry lived on Diamond Avenue Kirkby in a house called The Wickets.
    He also did some teaching at the QE Girls School. He was a very good batsman and may even have turned out for Notts 2nd team does anyone know if that’s correct?

    By Roger Tagg (14/10/2019)
  • In answer to David Marriott’s query about David Taylor’s age, as we were pupils together in the late 40s, he must have been, like me, around 83 years old. The last contact I had with him was in the early 50s when I moved away from the area. I did later hear that he’d gone on to be a teacher at his old school, but my only memory of him was as a 15 or 16 year-old.

    By Jim Marshall (14/09/2019)
  • Went to the best school bar none from 1967-1972 when I left to join the RAF. Remember all those staff, in particular Taylor Horsley and Eves

    By Peter Hall (11/09/2019)
  • I’ve just heard the heartbreaking and sad news that “Dave Taylor passed away this year. Could any one provide myself with any more information please?i.e. How old was he and did he die of natural cause, old age, or by any particular disease? My brother and myself were so close to him. I’m devastated! Any added information would be immensely appreciated. My best regards, David Twin.

    By David Marriott (10/09/2019)
  • Loved my time at this school David Taylor was my form tutor one year. I played hockey for the school I was there from 1963 to 1967 started late as came from Co Durham. Recognise most of the teachers. School dinners were brilliant. Sadly lost touch with all my old friends

    By David Fothergill (07/09/2019)
  • Came across this site by accident and so sad to hear that David Taylor had died. Like me, he was also a student at QEGS around 1947 and we regularly travelled together from our homes in Kirkby to school in Mansfield.
    I wouldn’t say that my days there were my happiest, but I do still have many fond memories of those times.
    Most of my school friends from those days are no longer with us, but I can still recall the names of the teachers and most of my fellow classmates, although I have difficulty in remembering what I had for dinner yesterday!!!!

    By Jim Marshall (23/08/2019)
  • Very sad to hear about Dave Taylor, I was lucky enough to play cricket with him for OEs and Cuckney. I remember being in class one day when Dave came in and commandeered me to roll the Ist X1 wicket, happy days.
    I have fond memories of Bob Roberts, he always used to announce his arrival in a noisy classroom by saying “I’m in the room” although he pronounced room as “rewm”.

    By Graham Bullock (20/07/2019)
  • Sorry to hear Dave Taylor has gone. He taught me German. Where is Terry Taylor now? He was an inspirational science teacher. I recall the pair of them putting on a demonstration of stereo audio, which was pretty new then, and playing recordings of the Goon Show to us.

    By John Chappelow (30/06/2019)
  • David Taylor – a stylish and pugnacious batsman/bowler who lit up many a dull occasion. His long and successful innings came to a close on Monday April 15th 2019.
    His longest partnership – albeit not at the wicket – was with Terry – it lasted 62 years.
    RIP DAT
    8th February 1936 – 15th April 2019.

    By Graham Owens (10/06/2019)
  • Great memories. Great picture. And what a team!!

    It’s a pity the photographer didn’t mention to Les Bresnan that this image would be published on the Internet, available for viewing in perpetuity and that, maybe, he ought to sit up straight…..

    ‘Semper eadem’ and best wishes to all OE’s.

    By Graham Owens (1969-76) (01/03/2019)
  • QEGS.
    Was this the motto:-

    (“Semper Eadem”), which means “always the same”
    1. Has it changed?
    2. Is the school still open today?

    Thanks.

    By Steeve Cee. (08/12/2018)
  • The line up is, back row;Horsley, Blackwell, Roslyn, Roberts, Gent.

    Front row; Bresnyn, Frith, Walker, Eves, Taylor, Angus.

    By Michael McKevitt (12/11/2017)
  • Thank you for posting this image. I attended QEGS 59-67. Brings back great memories. Trum once gave me 1760 lines of one homework for which he gave me 7/10!!! I played first team hockey ( left back) in the 6th form.

    Does anyone know how to get in touch with any remnants of the Old Boys Association? Tried the Academy which regrettably has been a waste of time.

    By John Ashmore (17/10/2017)
  • Norman Frith is alive and well living in Berry Hill. I played football with Stan Eves for the OEs Old Boys for many years between 1979 and the late 80’s. He never missed a penalty and a little known fact is he played European Football when he lived in France!

     

    By Richard Plumbe (30/01/2017)
  • I captained the school cricket team against the staff in 68 or 69. I can’t remember if we won but I do remember setting our best catcher on the square leg boundary in front of the pavilion for Dave Taylor which he fell for and was caught out. Mind you, he had scored a few runs by then! Good to see Stan Eaves in there who coached the first team at football very well. Norman Frith was a top guy as well – made Chemistry interesting which was an achievement. Trump was not so nice and made French a misery! I wonder how many of these teachers are still alive?

    Strange to see the colliery winding gear in the background – we went there to Sherwood Baths for swimming lessons. 

    I loved QEGS and still get back to Mansfield from time to time for the occasional Stags game. 

    Anyone know if the school do any kind of reunions?

    By Jeff Barnes (09/12/2016)
  • I remember playing this lot. Between the two spinners Inky Blackwell and Mr Music Bresnan I’m not sure I put a bat on ball in 3 matches.

    By Rob Webber (06/06/2016)
  • Attended QUEGS 1946/51. Great to see photo of Albert Rosslyn. Albert taught us German. Still picture him standing by a window, chewing his red & green striped tie, one hand hanging on the window opening frame with a big bunch of keys ready to launch if you got either vocabulary or translation wrong. Remember the whole school had a panoramic photo taken about 1947. Any copies around? At QE 1946/1952!

    By Michael Jepson (25/02/2016)
  • I’ve put a photograph on under QEGS showing a younger version of Mr. Horsley.

    By Delboy (11/07/2015)
  • Alan you’re slightly wrong on that – Nag was there when I started in 72, he was gone by maybe 73 or 74 though. Like previous comments many memories brought back by seeing this photo (mostly bad ones unfortunately hated the place)

    By Steve Lydon (09/07/2015)
  • This brought back some memories! I think this was taken earlier than 1974 though – probably around 1970 I think, as both Norman Horsley and Lesley Bresnan had left by 1971.

    By Alan Squires (23/05/2015)
  • Garry, funny to see your comment about a Dave Taylor face slap and about Norman Frith being a nice guy, because ‘Frithy’ once smacked me with a face slap. He was a really great teacher and I’m not complaining, bmber that smack as well as his Physics lessons and the experiments we used to do! (e.g. those old Nuffield ticker-timers for measuring acceleration using wooden cars…).

    On his right is ‘Wild Bill’ Walker, history teacher.

    And I still have my Art book from lessons with Mr Blackwell. It contains such gems as a Stags player volleying the ball into goal for one of the weekly painting homeworks. Can’t throw that away. 

    By Paul Beardsley (08/02/2015)
  • Like many some interesting memories for me…even one or two happy ones! The same - Dave Taylor face slap, Nag’s ruler, Trum scaring us all and some nice blokes, Eves, Frith and Roberts. 65/71

    By Garry Marsh (06/02/2015)
  • “Take me bak ‘ome” as Noddy Holder used to scream! 

    Even though I am pushing sixty now, I can still smell the fresh cut grass, . . .  and the stink of liniment and the rotting heaps of cuttings dumped around the place too. 

    . . .  and 7 pint cans of Mansfield Bitter!

     

    By Peter Roske 66/73 (17/01/2015)
  • Only just found this and it takes me back. I was introduced to Mr Blackwells ear-rubs – Dave Taylors variety of encouragements- Nag Horsley ruler chops – Stan Eves giving me lines – Bert and Norman just scared me into submission. Bob Roberts, top man …never actually cracked me one. BUT… I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.

    By robert booth - 1964/69 (25/10/2014)
  • I was at Qegs 1964 to 1971 and am sure too that your description of the front row is in reverse order because I recoginise Stan Eves who was my French teacher. I remember Nag too (Norman Horsley).

    By John (11/03/2014)
  • At 57, it’s still one of my greatest achievements that I captained the School First XI to victory over this Staff team in the annual match. I think the photo was probably taken in 1974(?). Thanks for posting!

    By Tom Parr (08/03/2014)
  • OMG nag horsley, coba frith, ally gent and trum, what fantastic memories. Where are they all now. Ian , long time no see but this photo relives all of the memories for me. My cheeks are still stinging from Dave Taylor’s slaps and Nag Horsleys chops with the ruler. Great web site, kind regards

    By Robert smith (08/03/2014)
  • Hi Ian! Good to see this photo after so many years. I agree with Nigel – the front row is back to front. I remember almost all of these teachers – some real legends amongst them! Hope many of you are still around!

    By Alan Jarvis (25/02/2014)
  • Ian, thanks for teaching me art. I remember doing lino block printing and you had this trick of licking the palette knife with printers ink on it. Being waterproof ink you never ate any. Had me fooled for ages before I worked that one out.

    By Pat shore (01/02/2014)
  • Hi Alan, I remember that you were a useful cricketer as well!! Graham Parkin (1956 – 1963)

    By Graham Parkin (11/12/2013)
  • There are one or two really fine cricketers in this photograph. It was a privilege to play with them from time to time. Alan Woodward [1958 – 1965]

    By Alan Woodward (05/12/2013)
  • Thanks for posting this, Ian (I think you taught me art!). This photo brings back some memories! I remember all these teachers from my time at QEGS (1967-1974). I think, however, that you have got the front row back to front as I am sure that Les Bresnen is on the far left rather than far right. By the way, when was this photo taken?

    By Nigel Allison (28/06/2012)
  • The front row names are in reverse order (i.e. they actually read from right to left). If I remember correctly the “?” is history teacher named Walker.

    By Greg Collard (28/06/2012)

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