Terence Ernest Clark (Terry) was born in Parsons Green, Fulham on 10th November 1938. His Fulham roots were strong and enduring, despite dividing the war years between family in Wales and London, and fostered a life-long support of Fulham FC. A love of ‘the beautiful game’ and his loyalty to Craven Cottage became an essential part of his DNA for over 70 years.
Terry started at Emanuel in form 1A in 1950 and, a year later, he gave an early indication of his penchant for language when asked by the then Queen Elizabeth, on her visit to the school to mark its 350th anniversary, whether he enjoyed learning Latin. ‘Very much Ma’am’ was his enthusiastic reply. This same enthusiasm was transferred to other languages and, by the time he left in 1957, he was proficient in French and German to which were added Italian and Russian as well.
He was a very active member of Howe, playing for the house cricket XI and, together with his contemporary, John Timbury, he also galvanised Howe’s parade ground drill squad into carrying off the coveted Grundy Cup. The same house loyalty extended well beyond his school years and, on occasions, e-mails and letters or cards from him would be signed off with the Howe motto ‘Let Curzon hold what Curzon held.’ Music also occupied an important place in his interests and, in addition to membership of the school’s Musical Society, the muse was given practical expression in his capacity as a bugler in the CCF band
The written and spoken word were central to his being and, in tandem with his linguistic skills, these paved the way to a career that exploited both strengths to the full. He was totally at ease with the many celebrities he encountered in his professional capacity with a high-profile Scottish distillers and his social graces were of the highest order.
A working life that involved extensive international travel was never allowed to be at the expense of his family or his friends. In 1962 he married Delia, the same year that his closest Emanuel friend Dave Heywood married Jane, and the two couples were godparents to each others’ children. The concept of family was paramount and Delia, Mandy, Damon and Victoria were the core around which his world revolved. Retirement for Terry was a word rather than a concept and he always found time to meet up with old contemporaries at events such as Dacre Day and through the OE Association’s activities.
Throughout his life Terry was the consummate communicator and if health issues in recent times had applied something of a brake to his physical involvement in a social context they were never allowed to reduce the level of contact by other means. Letters, cards, emails and phone calls abounded, all carrying the distinctive marks of his irrepressible good humour, his generous nature and concern for others – inherent qualities that will be remembered with very great affection.
David Parton (OE 1951-57)
Terry Clark at OE reunion (2nd from right)