students from the British Council out on visits. We used to take them to Cambridge and this couple met us each time. Then they divided us into two parties. We were a couple of dozen with the students, and they were brilliant. We went to St. John’s College. At lunch we broke off. We ended up at the University Arms and these visits went on for many years.
I always remember one occasion of one of these visits. I was in the wife’s group and she was very business like. I had one of the students with me; he asked me something and I started to explain. She interrupted and said ‘If you don’t want to listen to me I won’t come’. This took the wind out of my sails. I tried to explain what she had said to the student but…!! After that everybody tried to avoid her party and tried to get into that of her husband. She was brilliant, however, and we used to go to the King’s College chapel. This went on for many years and we always looked forward to the day out. I think this was the best idea that the International Committee had.
Dr Patterson –My Dear Friend
During 1958, Dr. Patterson, the founder member and third President, retired to live in Ireland. I don’t think we had anybody who lived up to his standards. He lived in Billet Lane in Hornchurch. He took me into Rotary. Throughout the war he worked so hard; people of my age remember him and he was the best doctor we had. We had been out to Ireland when his son got married. At that time all the troubles were going on in Ireland. That was way back in the 1950s. The police all carried guns. He was so popular in the Club that we had a special meeting at the Club to wish him farewell. It was attended by everybody. He still came over for many years. He joined St. Andrews and in those days he used to play golf. He started in 1954. I did not play golf there, although I used to be on holiday in Scotland at that time. I usually went to prize giving night.
Dr. Patterson was not well and I did persuade him to take up golf, so he said come over. That was in 1957. I borrowed Clubs from my son-in-law and was all ready to go when I heard that Dr. Patterson had died. So we cancelled the car and went out to his funeral instead. He had an aneurism. It was a very rare thing in those days and it was decided not to operate on him. He was only 62 years old. He had worn himself out with work during the war and was also a heavy smoker. I don’t know how many he smoked during the day. One day he decided to give it up, but it was too late. I then decided to give up smoking. Anyway, he was a great asset to the Club and a great Rotarian.
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