J SH 1947-1958
Word has reached us of the sad news that Lawrence Drury passed away on 26th April 2024. He was aged 84. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and those who knew him well.
At Wycliffe:
Rugby 1st XV (Captain)
Cricket 1xt XI (Captain)
Athletics (Team Captain and record holder for Pole Vault and Hurdles)
Tennis, Swimming, Library Committee, Literary, Society, Art, Drama (Stage Staff), Geography, Scouts
After Wycliffe Lawrie spent 3 years at St. John’s college, Cambridge. During that time he continued with his sporting career started at school. He played rugby for the university many times, tho’ was not selected for the match against Oxford, so missed out on a ‘Blue’. He also competed in athletics for Cambridge.
Lawrie also started to play for Bedford rugby club and secured his place as a centre three-quarter for a number of seasons. In that era before professionalism Bedford was one of the leading clubs in England, supplying a number of players to the national side. One of his highlights was playing for the East Midlands team against the touring All Blacks.,
After Cambridge, in 1961, Lawrie was employed by accountancy firm Grant Thornton in Bedford and after qualifying, moved to Arthur Anderson’s London Taxation department. After 2 and a half years in the city, he joined Thompson McLintoch, now KPMG, in Bristol, to run a corporate tax department. In 1972 he was to become a Principal of Reed Business School, which brought him into a teaching role. In 1989 he was asked to run a taxation course at Buckingham university during the summer term. After 2 years of freelance lecturing in accountancy, as well as taxation courses for the five big accountancy firms in Eastern Europe, Lawrie joined the full time staff at Buckingham in 1992.
During his time at Buckingham he was Senior Tutor between 1995-1998, Programme Director in Accounting and Finance from 1998-2000; Pro-Vice Chancellorfor 2 years, 2000-2002. In 2005 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the university.
After retiring, Lawrie played some golf, and spent some time fishing, also accompanying his daughter to many riding events.
Lawrie leaves behind 2 children, Rob and Rachel, and 5 grandchildren.
If you would like to have your memories of Lawrence posted on this webpage, please feel free to email them to TWS@wycliffe.co.uk
I remember Lawrence as a superb athlete whose presence on the Rugby field added hugely to the success of Wycliffe Rugby in the mid 1950s. A fine cricketer too with a straight drive as befitted a man from the west country. All those who knew Lawrence will I am sure join in sending deepest sympathy to his wife Sue, daughter of David Paine the memorable and greatly respected Housemaster of School House.
– Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon (SH 1950-1956)
I came to know Lawrie Drury in his role of Captain of Cricket in 1958 when I came into the 1st XI as an insecure young man (I was being bullied in my house at the time). He and other senior members of the team could have been indifferent but they were not. I received a good welcome and lots of advice and encouragement on how to improve (much needed in the fielding department!). Lawrie had many roles in the school and much else to think about. I shall always be grateful to him.
– Peter Clark (P J H 1949-1960)
