Peter Elsey (RGS 1941-1948)

I was born in 1929, and when my father died when I was just seven, my mother suddenly found herself carrying the whole family on her shoulders. We lived on Sandhills Road in Reigate, and during my primary school years I would walk home for lunch each day. I remember in later years, crossing the road to “Annandale” for school dinners, and I can still picture the local “British Restaurant,” where you could buy a hot meal for four pence. 

I started at RGS in 1941, right in the middle of the war. Those years disrupted schooling quite a bit. We had air raid shelters, though I don’t recall using them very often. During the Blitz, I was sent to Scotland for a year and attended Robert Gordon’s College. When we returned to Reigate, my mother persuaded the Headmaster, Mr Clarke — known to everyone as “Boke”, though no one knew why - to admit me to RGS on the strength of my place there. That was really where a family connection with the school began, one that would span generations. 

At RGS, I was in 2B for History with Miss Taylor and was taught by Mr Hart — “Clanger” to us boys. One of my classrooms is what later became the staffroom. I remember Major Gutteridge well; he was still teaching years later when my son Mark joined the school in 1974, which felt rather extraordinary. 

Rugby was a huge part of my life from the Third Form at Wallfield onwards. I continued playing long after I left school. Bill Bailey, the sports master, was an excellent teacher and a great influence. We played against Purley, Whitgift and Caterham, and I was proud to be part of the side that won the Mitchener Cup. I even corresponded with Norman Holt, who scouted players, and while still quite young I became secretary of the rugby club, booking Graves coaches for away matches. In later years, I helped to build the Old Reigatian Rugby Football Club, which gave me immense satisfaction. 

I was also active in the CCF and rose to the rank of Sergeant Major. I went to camp on the Isle of Wight three times, rifles and blank ammunition in tow. In 1953, I travelled up to London to witness the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II — an occasion I will never forget. 

Academically, I took four subjects, but mainly recall Maths, Physics and Geography. After school, I completed my National Service in Kenya, serving as an officer for eighteen months. It was there that I learned to drive — and I never actually had to take a driving test! 

Most of my working life was spent in the Civil Service. I became an Executive Officer and was posted to Chatham in Royal Naval Supply and Transport. In time, I rose to become Director of Supply and Transport. During my career, I had the honour of meeting Prince Charles on three occasions, memories I have always treasured. 

Looking back, rugby was the constant thread running through my life, alongside the formative experiences of wartime schooling, National Service and a long and fulfilling career in the Civil Service. 

Peter Elsey sadly passed away in January 2026 yet his legacy and memories will live on, preserved in the history of Reigate Grammar School. Our thoughts go out to The Elsey Family.  

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