Britain’s interest in Cyprus began in 1878 when they took over ruling the country. In 1954, a union with Greece (Enosis) was ruled out because the British were planning on relocating the military headquarters that were in Suez, in Cyprus.
The call for Enosis began in 1950 by Greek Cypriots. In 1955, a formal campaign was launched by Archibishop Makarios and Colonel George Grivas, the head of the Ethniki Organosis Kuprion Agoniston (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters EOKA). The EOKA launched attacks on government and military sites and got the local public on site by inciting riots against the British. However, in all, the EOKA only numbered 1250 members and were very poorly arms; often making their own weapons.
The British response to this violence was slow to materialised due to the fact that the government was committing more troops to the Suez crisis. However, when Suez ended, troops were redeployed from Egypt to Cyprus. From then on, British efforts to counter the insurgents were more effective. Grivas went into hiding, two EOKA leaders were killed and EOKA gangs broke up.
Violence did continue in urban areas. In February 1959, Britain and Cyprus met at the negotiating table and an agreement for peace was reached. Cyprus would become an independent nation, Enosis would be abandoned and the British would keep a foothold on the island with two bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Peace did not last long. By 1963, the relationship between Greek and Turk Cypriots had deteriorated and there were armed clashes between the two sides in Nicosia. A ‘green line’ was to ensure peace was established to keep the two sides apart and in March 1964, the UN sent in peace keeping troops. The conflict continued into the 1970s and once again, Enosis was demanded by Greek Cypriots. A Turk invasion in the 70s saw the UN formalise two states (Turkish and Greek) along with a 180 mile buffer zone to try and keep the peace. British soldiers continue to serve in Cyprus on six month tours to this day.
Fighting in Nicosia.
Andrew attended Oakham School between 1952 and 1956. He was a Day boy.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1955 - Andrew is standing in the back row, in the centre.
Winter 1955 Rugby Review: “ a heavily-built prop forward who pushed hard in the set scrums, but is not effective enough in the loose; can handle and dribble well though often fails to keep up with the play; excellent in the line out; defence poor”.
Andrew studied Chemistry at Keble College, Oxford. He had a career as a Business Consultant, and work in the curtain, walling, and cladding industry.
During the Cyprus conflict, Andrew was a Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers.
The Lancashire Fusiliers cap badge.
John attended Oakham School between 1950 and 1954. He was a member of Wharflands house.
Wharflands house, July 1951 - John is standing in the back row, on the far left.
Wharflands house, July 1952 - John is standing in the second row, eighth from the left.
Wharflands house, July 1953 - John is sat in the front row, second from the right.
Wharflands house, July 1954 - John is sat in the front row, fourth from the right.
His achievements at school are listed below:
John (top right) and the Wharflands Prefects, Summer 1954.
Wharflands team for the Tug-of-war, 1953 - John is encouraging he boys on the left.
John went to Worcester College, Oxford to study Modern History (BA and MA). He had a career within the textile industry, as an Urban District Council Councillor, a Parish Council Chairman and in the diocesan synod.
John fought in Cyprus as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Richard with the Mile and Steeplechase Cups, Summer 1952.
Richard attended Oakham School between 1949 and 1954. He was a member of Wharflands house.
Wharflands house, July 1951 - Richard is in the third row, seventh from the left.
Wharflands house, July 1952 - Richard is in the second row, fifth from the right.
Wharflands house, July 1953 - Richard is in the front row, third from the right.
Wharflands house, July 1954 - Richard is in the front row, seventh from the left, next to the Housemaster.
An exceptional athlete, his sporting prowess and other achievements at school are listed below:
Richard putting the weight, Spring 1953.
Richard running in the Sports Heats, Easter 1952.
Richard winning the Mile, Summer 1952.
Richard competing in the Athletics Sports, Summer 1953.
Richard passing the baton to Marrion in the Interhouse Relay, Summer 1954.
Richard finishing 2nd in the 440 yards Senior, Summer 1954 (left).
Richard finishing 1st in the Mile Senior, Summer 1954 (right).
Oakham School Senior Athletics team, 1954 - Richard is sat in the centre.
Richard with the Steeplechase, Mile, Half-Mile and Quarter-Mile Cups, Summer 1954.
Richard winning the Individual Cup in the Triangular Steeplechase against Stamford, 1954.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1953 - Richard is sat at the front, on the right.
Richard being chaired after getting his 1st XV Colours, Winter 1953.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1954 - Richard is standing third from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1953 - Richard is sat second from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1954 - Richard is sat second from the left.
Richard in his Drum Major uniform.
Wharflands Prefects, Summer 1954 - Richard is in the centre.
Wharflands boys, Summer 1954 - Richard is on the far left.
Wharflands boys competing in the Tug-of-war against School House, 1953 - Richard is second from left.
Spring 1953 Hockey Review: “ his clever stick work and dribbling have made many openings for the other forwards. He lacks an effective shot. Works had in defence.”
Summer 1953 Cricket Review: ”He came into the XI when Stubbs was ill, after being captain and wicket-keeper of the Second XI for most of the season. He seized his opportunity and scored a good 35 against Ratcliffe. He fields quite well”.
Winter 1953 Rugby Review: “a light wing who is fast but tend to lose position and too often slips when swerving; has not seen much of the ball after a good game against Nottingham. His covering is good but his actual defence is at times uncertain”.
Spring 1954 Hockey Review: “He has very good stick work, an accurate but not hard shot. He has scored many good goals and led to more. A very promising player.”
Batting average for Summer 1954: 6 innings, 0 time not out, 53 runs, 36 highest innings, and an average 8.9.
Summer 1954 Cricket Review: “He has had very limited chances with the bat, but has not impressed. A good field and catch close to the wicket”.
During the Cyprus conflict, Richard was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Tug-of-war in 1954.
Lewis attended Oakham School between 1950 and 1954. He was a member of School House.
School House, 1950 - Lulu is sat at the front, on the far left.
School House, 1951 - Lulu is standing in the fourth row, seventh from the left.
School House, 1952 - Lulu is standing in the fourth row, eighth from the left.
School House, 1953 - Lulu is standing in the third row, eighth from the right.
School House, 1954 - Lulu is sat in the second row, second from the right.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1953 - Lewis is sat on the far right.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1951 - Lewis is standing in the third row, second from the right.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1952 - Lewis is sat on the far right.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1953 - Lewis is sat second from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1954 - Lewis is standing second from the right.
Oakham School Senior Athletics team, 1954 - Lulu is sat second from the left.
The Lower Sixth Scripture set in Summer 1954 - Lewis is standing on the far left.
Winter 1951 Rugby Review: “A young useful forward. At the moment is too lazy and slow, but he can dribble, tackle and fall well when he puts his mind to it. His kicking and passing are also good, but he could do more pushing in the tight. Next year should be a very useful player indeed.”
Spring 1953 Rugby Review: “has developed into a fine forward; fast over the ground and a skilful dribble; safe hands; uses his weight well in the tight; defence very sound in all respects; he should go far”.
Summer 1953 Cricket Review: “he is an aggressive but unorthodox batsman, who is powerful off the back foot. His chief fault is that he turns his wrists and draws his bat off the line of the ball. Though he has made only one big score, he has batted consistently. He is a very safe catch and obviously enjoys every moment in the field”.
Winter 1953 Rugby Review: “he has developed into a first class forward, with positioning and dribbling as good as ever and tackling vastly improved. He is at his best against a Club side, especially on a wet day. He has missed the last five matches through an ear injury, and his weight and speed have been greatly missed”.
Spring 1954 Hockey Review: “Played up to his showing of last year. Stops and hits the ball cleanly and with Mills has formed a very good rear-guard. A greatly improved player”.
Batting average Summer 1954: 15 innings, 3 times not out, 542 runs, 103 highest innings, and an average of 45.1.
Summer 1954 Cricket Review: “an unorthodox batsman, who has developed his powers of concentration this year and scored two centuries in successive matches. He is very severe on anything short of a length. He is a good ground fielder, but strangely enough his catching this year has been unreliable”.
Lewis was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the conflict in Cyprus.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
John in July 1952.
John attended Oakham School between 1950 and 1953. He was a member of Wharflands.
Wharflands House, July 1951 - John is standing in the third row, fourth from the left.
Wharflands House, July 1952 - John is standing in the third row, on the far left.
Wharflands House, July 1953 - John is standing in the second row, second from the right.
His achievements at school are listed below:
Oakham School Rugby 2nd XV, 1953 - John is standing second from the right.
John (far left) finishing his race in the 1953 Sports Heats.
John and the Wharflands Prefects, 1953.
John fought in Cyprus with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The cap badge of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
Ian pictured in the prisoner of war camp Stalag XXA5 at Thorn.
Ian attended Oakham School between 1932 and 1935. He was a member of Whaflands house.
Ian fought in the Second World War as a Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment. He was captured as a prisoner of war in Norway. He was held prisoners at Stalag XXA5 at Thorn, Oflag IXA at Schloss Spangenberg in north east Hesse, and finally, Oflag VIIB Eichstätt, Bavaria.
Ian was award an MC for his actions as a Platoon Commander at Oier, Norway in 1940.
He went on into a career in farming in Zambia and was a civil servant for the Ministry of Agriculture in South Africa. He would also serve in several other military regiments including the Midland Brigade Training Centre, the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, the 1st Regiment Warwickshire and the King’s African Rifles.
The Northern Rhodesian cap badge.
Ian was a Major in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the Cyprus conflict (1955–1956). He commanded B Coy.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Michael attended Oakham School between 1947 and 1954. He was a member of Hodge Wing and School House.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1953 - Michael is standing in the third row, second from the right.
School House team in the Tug-of-war, 1954 - Michael is third from the right.
Macbeth, 1954 - Michael is standing on the far right.
Summer 1950 Boxing Review: “North had also impressed in the semi-finals, although he was rather slow on his feet”.
Winter 1953 Rugby Review: “a prop forward who has considerable pace: works hard and often conspicuously in tight and loose, though here he spoils much good work by over-eagerness, especially in giving the final pass; defence and line-out play adequate”.
Michael fought in Cyprus as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Peter attended Oakham School between 1950 and 1954. He was a member of Wharflands.
Wharflands house, July 1951 - Peter is standing in the third row, third from left.
Wharflands house, July 1952 - Peter is standing in the second row, fourth from left.
Wharflands house, July 1953 - Peter is sat in the front row, third from left.
Wharflands house, July 1954 - Peter is sat in the front row, sixth from the left.
His school achievements are listed below:
Macbeth, 1954 - Peter (centre) is playing Macbeth.
Oakham School Rugby 2nd XV, 1953 - Peter is sat in the centre.
Wharflands team in the Tug-of-war, 1953 - Peter (white jumper) is fourth in line.
Peter (standing far right) and the Wharflands Prefects, Summer 1954.
Peter studied Law at Keble College, Oxford (BCL/ DCL). He became a lecturer in law at the Universities of Wales, Aberystwyth, Nottingham, Auckland and British Columbia. Peter also became a fellow and tutor at Keble College, Oxford and later became the Vice Chancellor of Oxford University and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. His legal background would see Peter lend his knowledge as an adviser on various government policies.
Peter served in Cyprus as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Peter was awarded a CBE for his work with the road traffic law review and a Knight Bachelor for his services to international law.
The CBE medal.
Tony attended Oakham School between 1950 and 1955. He was a member of Wharflands house.
Wharflands house, July 1951 - Tony is standing in the third row, second from the right.
Wharflands house, July 1952 - Tony is standing in the second row, on the far right.
Wharflands house, July 1953 - Tony is standing in the second row, on the far right.
Wharflands house, July 1954 - Tony is sat in the front row, third from the left.
His achievements at school are listed below:
Macbeth 1954 - Tony is playing Ross, on the far right.
The Drums led by Tony, Summer 1955.
Cricket 2nd XI v. Staff, 1954 - Tony is in the background on the left, wearing a dark jersey.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1955 - Tony is standing second from the left.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1954 - Tony is standing at the back, in the centre.
Wharflands team for the Tug-of-war, 1953 - Tony is fifth in line.
Oakham School Athletics team, 1955 - Tony is standing in the third row, second from the left.
Tony (top far left) and the Wharflands prefects, Summer 1954.
The Lower Sixth Scripture set, Summer 1954 - Tony is standing second from the right.
Winter 1954 Rugby Review: “second row forward; has never been fully fit and so not as effective in the loose as he might have been for his size; sound in the tight and can be good from touch, and has generally improved in recent games”
Spring 1955 Hockey Review: “A solid player who stops and hits the ball cleanly. He uses the wing and the through pass well but must speed up and cover more ground”.
Tony studied Economics at Jesus College, Cambridge. He had a career in the army, joining regiments such as the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and Royal Anglican Regiment. He also worked as a Commandant of the School of Industry.
The badge of the Royal Anglian Regiment.
During the Cyprus conflict, Tony was a Second Lieutenant, later Major General in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
Tony went on to serve in Germany, UK, Hong Kong, Borneo (Borneo Confrontation), Malta, Cyprus, Northern Ireland (the Troubles), Belize and Uganda.
He was the president of the Royal Tigers’ Association, deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, Chairman of St John’s Ambulance Suffolk and honorary Colonel Suffolk Army cadet force. He was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1992.
The Companion of the Order of the Bath medal.
George attended Oakham School between 1947 and 1954. He was a member of Hodge Wing and Wharflands. His achievements at school are listed below:
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1953 - George is sat second from the right.
Oakham School Cricket 1st XI, 1954 - George is sat second from the left.
Oakham School Rugby 1st XV, 1953 - George is standing in the third row, third from the left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1953 - George is sat on the far left.
Oakham School Hockey 1st XI, 1954 - George is sat second from the right.
Summer 1949 U14 Cricket Review: “Stubbs have done well indeed, having sound defence, and not being afraid to hit the ball hard. […] with his aggressive fast bowling”.
Spring 1953 Hockey Review: “A sound and reliable player. Slow in recovering but he opens up the play with his Crossfield passing to unmarked men. He has a strong clearance”.
Summer 1953 Cricket Review: “He has improved tremendously this year both as batsman and bowler. He is now a very useful number five. He has had some excellent performances with his slow left arm bowling. His length is good, he can spin the ball both ways and is never afraid to experiment. He should be an invaluable all-rounder next year”.
Batting average Winter 1953: 12 innings, 2 times not out, 296 runs, 58 highest innings, and an average of 29.6.
Bowling average Winter 1953: 175.1 overs, 43 Maidens, 443 Runs, 36 Wicket, and an average 12.3.
Winter 1953 Rugby Review: “a born games player with good hands and a long kick: a little slow for this three-quarter line but linked up well with the others and can sell a useful dummy; defence not always sounds through lack of pace.”
Spring 1954 Hockey Review: “After Clarke the best stick player in the side. Hits the ball hard but often tends to hold on too long. He has used his experience to good advantage.”
Batting average Summer 1954: 13 innings, 6 times not out, 458 runs, 86 highest innings, and an average of 65.4.
Bowling average Summer 1954: 221.1 overs, 68 Maidens, 464 Runs, 45 Wicket, and an average 10.3.
Summer 1954 Cricket Review: “An outstanding schoolboy cricketer. He is a powerful right handed batsman who has played many good innings, and a slow left arm bowler who can turn the ball both ways and had had many good bowling performances. He is good in the fields.”
George studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary School in London. He fought in Cyprus as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
John attended Oakham School between 1943 and 1952. He was a Day boy.
He was a Corporal in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment during the Cyprus conflict.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.
John attended Oakham School between 1941 and 1953. He was a member of Junior House and Wharflands.
Spring 1953 Rugby Review: “scrum half; strongly built, but inexperienced and often slow at positioning himself; his passing improved in length and accuracy, and he excelled on a wet day; defence very reliable”.
John attended RMA Sandhurst. He fought in Cyprus as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment cap badge.