Deaths

I was so sorry to hear of Bens passing. He was such a great person. I taught Ben piano and enjoyed our lessons greatly. He was a talented musician and we had great chats during lesson time. I got to know Ben well whilst living in St Thomas’ as assistant housemaster. Ben was a rock of sense and stability within the house - always keeping everyone calm and brought great balance to the house. I only heard the news today and I felt so sad for Ben and his family. Ben was a special person and I hope his family will be ok. My prayers are with Ben and his family.

My involvement with Ben was through my involvement with OARFC. He was a regular and enthusiastic participant in the club making all sorts of valuabke contributions. I enjoyed his company. I am deeply saddened that this delightful, shy, quiet and friendly man will not be with us again. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP

I had the pleasure of getting to know Ben through the Old Amplefordian rugby club over the last five or six years. As a hard hitting second row (just ask the Chipstead skipper) Ben always gave it 100% even if we were playing uphill, into the wind on a rainy January day. He was a brilliant team mate to have on the field and a favourite amongst the club for his commitment to the shirt. As a person off the field I knew him as a lovely and kind man who had dodgy cooking skills (pasta and tinned plum tomatoes anyone?) but a voice that lit up our Christmas Dinner every year. I enjoyed having a train beer with him after each game and will miss seeing him and his scrumcap take the field in the red and black. My thoughts are with Ben and his family at this time.

Very sad to hear this news. We were in different years but played Rugby together at Gilling and then subsequently for the Old Amplefordians once we had left school. Ben was a pleasure to be around as he was kind, witty and generous. His application and team oriented play on the field was also great to see. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Devastated to hear the news of Ben. What a lovely lad he was to have around the music department and in particular the Ampleforth Singers. Great memories of his quiet humour and the respect he commanded from those around him by always being true to himself. Love to his parents and Andrew, you are in our thoughts.

Ben was the first person I met at SHAC when he welcomed me into Tommies as deputy head of house, and I will always be grateful for the kindness, friendship and generosity that he showed, both then and for the following 14 years. I will miss him greatly- be it sharing a scrum together in the second row for the OARFC, having a couple of pints in the clubhouse afterwards or hearing his beautiful singing voice, Ben was always a joy to be around, and gave everything his all. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.

I had the pleasure of knowing Ben through the Old Amplefordian rugby club. Having not gone to the school myself - i was very nervous coming into the club. However it was people like Ben who made feel very welcome and at ease, which is why I still play for the club today. I knew Ben as a fierce Competitor on the field but a kind and gentle Man off the field. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Ben came to my Chinese lessons when I taught in Ampleforth（2002-08）. He was an very talented student, and always smiled. One autumn he came back after a long summer holiday, seeming to shoot up suddenly like a bamboo. I gestured him to show his height. He stood up obediently, pleased by my amazement, grinning from ear to ear like a sunflower in a field. He achieved Chinese GCSE A* in three years starting from scratch. Years later, at a LSE graduation ceremony, he recognized me in the crowd. It was such a delightful surprise! His death came to me as a complete shock. I am praying for peace for his soul and offer deep sympathy to his parents, family and those love him dearly.

I missed his smile. I composed an elegy in Chinese. This is the English translation:

Stars fell. The Moon sank. The sky kept silent.
Arising up, a new ghost left this land with pity.
Candle dried. Shadow disappeared. A bright soul untraced.
Remember the old teenager while a thousand arrows are piecing my heart.