The Haileybury Society is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Emeritus Professor Dr Herbert Henry Burchnall, OBE (E 33), (Hon LLD 1984), who has died at the age of 101 on 20th May 2020.

Herbert was a prefect at Haileybury; after leaving he served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in WW2 in the Home Waters, North Atlantic and in the Mediterranean; he was also mentioned in despatches.

Britain’s longest-serving university registrar

Yet it is for his career in the academic sector for which he shall be most remembered. Herbert was a member of the senior administrative staff of the University of Liverpool, 1951 – 84, serving as University Registrar until 1984, a crucial period in the development of the University. It is his period as University Registrar which distinguishes him as the longest serving Registrar in the UK, a record yet to be broken. He was awarded the OBE for his service in 1984.

An historian of the University of Liverpool wrote that ‘Herbert Burchnall was greatly respected both in this University and throughout the university system in general. Indeed, his proteges were to be found throughout the system since, under him, Liverpool had become a ‘nursery’ for university administrators.’

Warmly regarded by his peers

This is fully supported by his legacy. After he retired, eight members of his staff went on to become Registrars at other universities, with at least two of their successors following later in the 1980s. Herbert himself retired to Scotland and was warmly regarded in the tweed-side town of Peebles which he made his home.

Hundredth birthday party

In 2019, Herbert attended a special celebration of his hundredth birthday at Peebles in Scotland. A heartwarming and well-attended event, it revealed the high regard and affection with which Herbert was held that at the reception there were the former Registrars of the Universities of Birmingham, Newcastle, Oxford and Cambridge, and Goldsmiths’ College, amongst others who had served under him at Liverpool.

The Haileybury Society sends its deepest condolences to Herbert’s sons Michael and David, his five grandchildren and their family and friends at this sad time.