Martin Lewis (OK 1970)

Martin Henry Lewis, who has sadly passed away in July aged just 72 following a lengthy but stoic battle with COPD and cancer,  was a third generation King’s boy with strong links to the Old Boys’ Rugby Club and a range of friends within the wider King’s community. Martin started in the 1st form in 1962 and though he would not have claimed to be particularly academic he was socially adept, had an enterprising and imaginative outlook on life and whilst rebellious at times he navigated the rather strict school guidelines with humour and adroitness. He left the school without completing the sixth form when he and his father agreed that he was more likely to prosper away from the rigour of King’s and use his undoubted wit and guile in real life pursuits. As a rather natural salesman he prospered in a range of entrepreneurial roles including confectionary, estate agency, transportation and logistics in the film industry, fruit, veg and fish trading, marquee construction and latterly starting and then running an eco-friendly charcoal business across the UK which was very successful.

Martin’s father and grandfather were notable King’s pupils both winning gongs for their services to the country and the fruit and vegetable industry – grandfather Charles Henry was awarded an OBE in WW1 and a CBE in WW2 when in charge of bulk fruit and veg purchasing and was Minister of Potatoes ensuring equitable distribution in the midst of rationing, whilst father Henry Ross (known as Ted) was awarded an OBE for services to export in the industry and was Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers. Like Martin they also represented the school 1st XV and indeed Ted served as Captain and President of KCSOBRFC and vice president of Surrey RFC whilst acting as a school governor in later years.

Martin was brought up and lived in Wimbledon for many years before moving to Wandsworth and then Bridport latterly with his delightful wife Elizabeth who was with him valiantly throughout his final years. He will be remembered fondly by his many friends who, like me, will greatly miss his gregarious nature, humour, passion for music and rugby and a finely tuned bacchanalian enjoyment of good company.

Mark Taylor (OK 1972)