Over the summer break, the Alumni department was delighted to welcome back various members of our Alumni community to visit the School, reminisce, and see its ongoing development. Among them was a group of pupils from the early 1960s who shared memories and helped identify former staff members in whole School photographs.

Familiar characters included Senior Divinity Master Mr. Allen (‘Sid’), Physics Teacher Mr. Armstrong (‘Pinhead’), and Music Teacher Mr. Smith (‘Goathead’). They also recalled Major Sharpe, a peripatetic music teacher who supported pupils in enhancing their musical skills.

A distinguished musician, Lieutenant colonel Trevor le Mare Sharpe (otherwise known as Major Sharpe), worked at Kneller Hall in Whitton. This was the site of the Royal Military School of Music, which trained musicians for the British Army. As a British army officer, composer, music educator and conductor, Sharpe was appointed the Director of Music of the Coldstream Guards in 1963.

However, outside of his military career and generosity in supporting the School; he is also credited for the closing theme tune at the end of each episode of Dad’s Army. Performed by the regimental band, Major Sharpe conducted the Coldstream Guards during their performance of this familiar theme tune.

If you would like to arrange a trip down memory lane/tour around the School site with the Alumni Department, please contact – Alumni@hamptonschool.org.uk