TWO former spitfire pilots have been grounded.
Geoffrey Chater, a teacher at Durban High School for 16 years, and Jack Spencer, a former Bulwer Park Government (Glenwood Prep) School pupil and DHS Old Boy, both spitfire pilots in WWII, recently died within weeks of each other.
“This is a bygone golden era of wonderful guys who gave their lives to service. They were full of integrity, they were dignified and quietly spoken, something society could do with today. They had a gentleness, but were tough when it was needed. DHS is indebted to this ilk of men. We will remember them,” said Jeremy Oddy, DHS and Glenwood Prep School historian.
He said the two wonderful DHS men had displayed qualities throughout their lives of which all who pass through DHS could be justly proud.
“These men gave their county the promise of their lives to beat Nazism,” said Oddy.
Geoffrey Chater was born on 6 November 1921 and died on 16 June 2015.
He lived in New Hanover and was educated at Durban Preparatory High School (DPHS) and Michaelhouse. He spent a year at Rhodes University College before joining the SAAF in 1942. He was seconded to the RAF and served in India and on the Cocos Islands where he flew spitfires. After the war he completed his BA Degree and UED at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg.
After joining the Natal Education Department, he taught at DPHS and at Durban High School. In 1966 he was appointed vice-principal at Northlands Boys’ High School, a post he held until 1971. Mr Chater was then headmaster of Ixopo High School until being transferred to Queensburgh in October 1972.
He moved to George Campbell from 1975 to 1979. On the sporting front, Mr Chater played, coached and refereed rugby.
Jack Spencer was born on 6 March 1922 and died on 4 July 2015.
He attended Bulwer Park Government School in the 30s and went on to do schooling at DHS.
He enlisted at the age of 19 on 5 May 1941 to become a pilot in the SAAF and following training to fly various aircrafts, joined 1 SAAF on 7 September 1943, based in Sicily. On 27 June 1944 Jack was shot down and was taken prisoner of war for 10 months. He arrived home in Durban on 27 June, a year after his capture.
“These men were hugely respected throughout their lives, they were family men, devoted to their children. They will be sorely missed,” said Oddy.
