Michael William Markland

Mike Markland, who has died aged 85, was a stalwart member of Old Emanuel Association. For over sixty years he was active in its affairs, holding various administrative posts as well as, in his younger days, playing rugby and cricket for its affiliated sports clubs.

He joined the Preparatory Department of Emanuel school, then a direct grant grammar school, in September 1946, progressing to the main school two years later. He enjoyed playing cricket and rugby, the beginning of a lifelong involvement with sport. He particularly excelled in the Combined Cadet Force, rising to the rank of senior sergeant and becoming holder of the silver bugle. On leaving school, Mike was disappointed, for medical reasons, not to be able to attend Sandhurst.

On leaving school Mike worked mainly in the Advertising world. He met his wife, Joy, in 1964 when they were both working for the Pritchard Wood Advertising Agency in Knightsbridge and they married six months later. He then settled into a long career with Granada Television working in London and Manchester and managing major clients such as Nestlé, Cadbury and Kellogg’s. Following his time at Granada he had various consulting roles and ended his career working with Touche Ross.

In his family life, Mike became heavily involved in supporting his son, Rupert, especially across his sporting activities by coaching mini-rugby. He chaired the Parents Guild at his daughter, Sara’s, school and led the fund raising for a new swimming pool. He was also actively involved in the National Youth Music Theatre as Sara set out in her career in the Arts. In later years Mike and Joy were heavily involved in the upbringing of their two grandchildren, Isaac and Sylvie, whom they both lovingly adored.

In Old Emanuel’s affairs, by 1957, Mike was already serving on the Executive Committee of the OEA. He remained on the Committee until into his 80s occupying a number of posts including that of President in 2005/6. He will be particularly remembered for his outstanding work as OEA Social Secretary and Editor of the OEA Newsletter. Mike played Old Emanuel Rugby Club for several years after leaving school, appearing for the 1st XV on a couple of occasions and was a Vice President of the club. He was also actively involved in the golf and cricket sections of the OEA, including as captain of the Saturday Second XI. He served on the OECC committee for many years, some of them as chairman. Shortly before he died, having some years earlier retired from the OECC committee, he returned as President. Mike’s dedicated involvement in sport extended beyond Emanuel; he was a member of Purley Downs Golf Club for many years and was its Captain and, later, its President.

Throughout his entire life, Mike remained in close contact with Emanuel. Tony Jones, the school Librarian and Archivist writes:

“Everybody who has worked at Emanuel over the last twenty years or longer connected to Development knew Mike and he was a tremendous supporter of our fundraising efforts, functions and helping maintain relations with the OEA. He was incredibly generous with his time and frequently visited the school to share his words of wisdom and advise on alumni matters. When Nigel Watson was researching the book ‘Emanuel School: an Illustrated History’ Mike was happy to share stories of his time in the school. When we were looking for support for the ‘Emanuel School at War’ project back in 2014, Mike got involved straight away, with the official launch.

Over many years his contribution to the OEA newsletter was truly immense and he was particularly studious with the huge number of OE obituaries he wrote down the years. He really did not like to miss anybody out and went to great lengths to track down relevant information. This work lives on and we frequently consult his magazines, send copies of obituaries to families, and have since digitised his magazines and this is seen as a vital part of the School Archive.

When the School Archive opened in 2007 our collection was miniscule compared to what we now have, and it was the great support from OEs such as Mike who helped us move forward. He donated a wonderful CCF uniform (which is still on display) and even claimed he could still squeeze into it when well into his eighties! He also donated many badges, magazines, all sorts of Emanuel ephemera and whenever he discovered a piece of Emanuel related news very generously shared it with us. We loved chatting with Mike at charity functions, OEA dinners or whenever our paths crossed. He was a true gentleman, with an infectious laugh, who will be greatly missed by the Emanuel community. “

Claude Scott (OE1945-55), November 2022

My thanks to Rupert Markland, OERFC and Tony Jones for their help in compiling this obituary.