H 1951-1956
Word has reached us of the sad news that Major General Graham Fawcus CB passed away peacefully on 21st May 2024. He was aged 86. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and all those who knew him well.
Graham had a long affiliation with Wycliffe and was for many years a member of the Council of Governors, working as Chair between 2006 and 2009.
We hope to have a fuller obituary posted here in due course.
At Wycliffe:
Head of School 1955-56
Head of House – Haywardsfield 1955-56
Rugby 1st XV (Colts)
Member: A.T.C. (Flight Sergeant), Drama Society (President), Choral, Art, Literary Society, Science, Scouts, Y.F.C.
Post-Wycliffe:
1958: Awarded the Sword of Honour (presented by Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery) for outstanding cadet of the year at Sandhurst. Also, runner-up for the Queen’s Medal.
1958: Commissioned into Royal Engineers
1986: Became Major General
1991: Retired as Major General
Council of Governors 1995 – 2009
Chair of Council of Governors 2006 – 2009
Vice President of Wycliffe College 2011 – 2017
If you would like to have your memories of Graham posted on this webpage, please feel free to email them to TWS@wycliffe.co.uk
Graham was at Wycliffe from 1951 to 56. In his last year he was head of Haywardsfield and of the School. He was a versatile and active member of Wycliffe playing in the Rugby 1st XV and Cricket 2nd X1. He was a good athlete and participant in Gilbert and Sullivan operas and several School plays.
From Wycliffe he went to Sandhurst where he was awarded the Sword of Honour in 1958. He had a stellar career in the army following a fine family line of distinguished soldiers. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers he completed his education at Cambridge. He was much respected for his intelligence, his good nature and his leadership. He retired as a Major General and settled in Suffolk. In retirement he served as a Governor at Wycliffe becoming Chair of Governors following Paul Etheridge. He was kept busy with a number of charities and pursued his talents with carpentry becoming a very competent antiques restorer.
Graham was a delightful man and his death will be mourned by friends and colleagues. He leaves behind his wife Diana and three children.
– Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon (SH 1950-1956)
Graham recruited/accepted me as a trustee following a decent shove (reference) from Peter Randall. He was kind but acute in his work at Wycliffe. I was inspired and sometimes challenged by him. He was excellent at chairing meetings and understanding the issues but was so firm if someone was being long winded and droning on about a subject. Otherwise, he was so charming and always interested in what was going on in people’s lives outside Wycliffe. I liked and regarded him so much. I believe his hobby in retirement was furniture restoration, which he discussed with great enthusiasm on the last couple of occasions I saw him. A fine man.
– James Slater (Wycliffe College Council of Trustees 2007 to present)
Click on the photos below, to enlarge:
