The Haileybury Society is deeply saddened to learn that past-President Ronald Arthur Ralph – “Ralph” – Hedderwick (B 30) passed away peacefully after a fall at his home in Oxfordshire, on Sunday 28th February, aged 104 and 8 months.

Ralph Hedderwick was a second generation Haileyburian, following his father Robert Sholto Hedderwick (B 1900). At school Ralph was a prefect and enjoyed several sports, captaining the XXX in 1934 and the second XI in 1935. During WW2, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Paiforce in Syria and the Middle East.

(Above: Ralph enjoying a happy moment, at the grand age of 103)

Haileybury through and through

Ralph maintained a strong connection with Haileybury throughout his life. Working in the Stock Exchange until his retirement in 1980, he was a long-serving member of Haileybury Council from 1949 onwards, and a Life Governor. He is known to many OHs as a former President of the Haileybury Society (1979-80) who was an active and lifelong member of our community.

Public service

In the Haileybury tradition, Ralph believed in public service. He served as a Governor at many schools including Downe House, Sherborne School for girls, Brighton College and Witley & Granville School. He was on the Council of the Corporation of London 1968, Sheriff of the City of London 1975, Alderman of Farringdon Within 1976-82, Justice of the Peace 1976, Commandeur du l’ordre Nationale du Merite 1976 and Comandador Ordem de Rio Branco 1976.

He leaves a widow, Patricia and two OH sons, Sholto (B 60) and Mark (B 62), to whom the Society send sincere condolences.