Mills Herbert Horatio

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Biografie:
Herbert Horatio Mills MC, MA, PhD 1917-1987
I first met Bertie Mills when he joined the staff of Sedbergh School in 1963, where I was Chaplain for many years. We soon realized that we had in him a personality of distinction. But he was a shy and humble man, so reserved about his accomplishments that probably few realized how distinguished his career had been.
Born in Gloucestershire, the youngest of five, he was educated at Marling School, Stroud, where he excelled academically: he was head of school, captain of cricket, and in the football XI. In 1936 he entered King's College London to read modern languages. He interrupted the degree course to spend a year at Grenoble University, but then war prevented his final year at King's College, and he joined the Somerset Light Infantry, transferring later to the Parachute Regiment.
On the eve of D-Day he was dropped over Normandy, and for his part in taking the Pegasus bridge at Rainville he was awarded the MC. Subsequently he became Brigade Major and took part in the Rhine crossing, where he was mentioned in despatches.
After demobilization he went to St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he took two 'firsts' in modern languages, gained a rugby 'blue' in 1947 and 1948, and was a reserve for the England XV.
It was a restless time for many: what to do with life? Aspell in journalism, a year's Research Fellowship at Pennsylvania University, and back to Cambridge for a doctorate, with 'one of the best and most original theses' his tutor had ever seen. Unsatisfied, he wanted, as he wrote at the time to 'give, give, give to young people'. Part of a term teaching at a school in Folkestone set him on that road.
The life of a schoolmaster in a boarding school is demanding, and Bertie gave in full measure: the teaching of languages, organizing the school's football, coaching the 1st XV as well as humbler players, were exhausting activities, not to mention routine duties. A series of successful teams showed how successful he was as a coach - yet after work in the small hours he would read a chapter or so of a book of substance.
Sedbergh is well placed for fostering a love of the hills. In the spring of 1956 he joined my small party on the cliffs of Snowdonia, and in the summer I introduced him to the High Alps. For a number of years he was in my alpine parties, until I had to bring those halcyon days to an end. He was elected to the Alpine Club in 1964. In later years he used to say that of all alpine memories those that lingered most happily were his ascent of the Dent Blanche and the serene evening view from the Hornli hut, the evening before he climbed the Matterhorn.
In 1962 he was appointed Rector of the Edinburgh Academy. Now he had to spend much time with the plans and problems of a headmaster, but he had by no means 'lost the magic of long days'. The Alps still drew him, but the Scottish hills were nearer: and for the rest of his days he made good use of them as opportunity offered, with occasional revisits to Lakeland. He was keen to get the young into the mountains, accompanying parties and, an idea near to his heart, he managed to persuade the school to buy and equip Blair House in Glen Clova as a base for field work and walking. In a way it is his unofficial memorial.
He retired in 1977, and found life at first depressingly empty. But he became Scottish secretary for ISCO, and, though ignorant of gardening, set to work to learn and was soon producing flowers, fruit and vegetables that outdid his neighbours. Over the years he ascended all the Munros and was a strong goer and a delightful and caring companion. He joined the SMC in 1973.
On 29 July 1987 he married Miss Rosalind Henn, and all seemed set for a blissfully happy life together. But less than a month later, on a Cornish beach, he had a heart attack which brought to a close a life of integrity, singleness of purpose and devotion to the young.
Austin Boggis
Quelle: Alpine Journal Volume 93, 1988-89, Seite 320-321


Geboren am:
1917
Gestorben am:
29.07.1987