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Obituaries
Andrew Howard Shepherd
It is with great sadness we have to report
the death of Andrew Shepherd (Sh
ep) on 26th March 1999. Shep was a great OC and a very good friend
to many OCs. In saying great we refer not only to him being a wonderful man but also to
his great height and physique. I will always remember when I was watching a Cormorants
cricket match and another cricketer pointed out towards the lake and said "Good Lord,
there are two giants over there!" - and he was almost right. It was Nigel Bill and
Shep.
On talking to OCs of Shep's era, there are too many wonderful stories to tell. One of which will make Humphrey Moore turn in his grave. Shep, Graham Fry, and Nigel Bill were having a secretive fag behind one of Humphrey's beloved lime trees. A prefect was spotted approaching. The dynamic trio put their cigarettes out in a dead part of the tree and ran for it - they escaped but unfortunately the tree burned down. On another occasion, the trio were having another secretive fag in a copse on the perimeter of the school grounds. The prefects were conducting a search for smokers, and as they were spotted approaching, Shep said "we'll run for it". Yet again they escaped, by making their way out of the school grounds and circling back to the school buildings. I must report that all the fun went out of smoking for Shep when he left Clayesmore, so he gave it up!
At school, Shep was an excellent hockey and rugby player and he continued to play rugby after he left school, for the Newbury club. Our late good friend and great rugby aficionado, Bryn Morgan, having watched Shep play, said. "Shep could go on improving and play prop forward for England." However, though Shep's business took much of his time, he remained a sportsman and continued to play squash and also enjoyed Judo and Aikedo.
In September of 1966, Shep embarked on an extraordinary journey, too lengthy to recount, except to say that he drove a Land-Rover to Australia, which he reached in January of 1967. Needless to say this journey was full of trials and incidents as Shep drove through Afghanistan, Iran, and India, before he flew the last leg of the journey to Australia. I believe that when he got to Australia, he visited OC Reggie Field, who had emigrated and was farming there.
In 1976 Shep took control of his family's business which comprised of a shop and a bakery. At that time the bakery only served his shop and two others. Shep decided to concentrate on expanding the bakery and worked incredibly hard. He was most fortunate to have Jo as his wife and she wholeheartedly supported him in everything he did. Baking, selling and delivering was very hard work. Shep opened the bakery at 3 am, and close of business was late afternoon. The size and stature of the bakery is a monument and tribute to Andrew. It serves most of Berkshire and into Oxfordshire, and is the largest private bakery within a 40 mile radius.
Shep's cars were as legendary as they were varied. His normal means of transport was his beloved long wheel base Land-Rover. However, hidden in the garage and for use only on sunny days, was the A C Cobra and the Austin Healey 3000. At one time, he had a BMW with a huge engine (3.5 litre?). He gave me a ride...........along country lanes at what seemed to be 1000 mph. He then got onto the A34 and doubled the speed and I had to plead for mercy (and a reduction of speed!).
Shep will be sadly missed by so many OC friends as he was so good at keeping in touch. How many of us will miss answering the phone to hear. "Hello, Shep here" preceding a very long and entertaining chat.
All our sympathies are with Shep's lovely wife Jo, and his two delightful daughters, Hannah and Kate.
Piers Sabine. (58-60)
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