Simply the most influential male in my life aside from my father.  He rang my father before I started at QEH after the West Germany – France World Cup Semi-Final in 1982 to encourage me to take German when I joined QEH. What a pivotal decision that turned out to be, as I found myself under his legendary tutelage for 5 years. A man of incredible intensity, intelligence, humour, personality and kindness – you would run through a wall for him if he asked you. Later in life my father and he became good friends, sharing trips to Germany, France and South Africa. He also helped and encouraged me through my radical career change three years ago – to become a German teacher.  Sleep well, Chin, you absolute legend….

JDP was the sort of teacher they make Hollywood movies about! A wonderful and inspirational character. He made me; one of the worst rugby players love the game to this day. Having learnt the ‘Big 6’ (6 pages of German grammar) inside out in a term, we just chatted away in German about anything and everything for the next 2 years and most of us got an A at O-level.  Very sorry to hear of his death, the world needs more JDP’s….

Dave was a renowned captain of the Queens’ College 1st XV in the mid-1960s. He led them to League and Cuppers competition glory, playing alongside the imperious Mike Gibson of Ireland (now an Honorary Fellow of Queens’). Dave attended the Night with the British & Irish Lions at Queens’ in 2016 and gave a short account of their greatest win in the Cuppers Final. He upstaged both Mike Gibson and Jamie Roberts (two great Queens’ centres) in the process! He was a super guy and is much-missed here. Rowan Kitt Fellow Patron of QCRFC…

I was very sad to hear that Mr Perkins had passed away. He was an inspiration to me at QEH and gave me a lifelong love of rugby and languages, which I don’t think I would have developed without his guidance. They say that rugby is the game played in heaven, so no doubt he’s up there coaching the 1st XV! Rest in Peace….

Chin was my form teacher for the 4th and 5th year (1992-1994) and obviously my German teacher too. I will never forget how, on GCSE results day, as my form tutor he said “I was very surprised at your German result Paul” – I’d received an A* much to his disbelief! JDP made me realise that a firm and disciplined teacher worked wonders for bringing out the best in people and my memories of him are nothing but fond… the absolute joy of rocking up to school and being able to watch TV in the form room before registration (The Big Breakfast was trash TV but it was TV none the less). RIP JDP – a man I only knew for 2 years but who is solely responsible for bringing me to a fantastic level of German. Thank you for everything….

A familiar and friendly face at Failand & Westbury Harriers. Always sporting a QEH jacket and bobble hat! He had time for all and on almost  every occasion he’d suggest (in jest) what rough sorts the boys were and blame the headmaster for the weather! He will be missed….

One Saturday in Failand, I had a fabulous chat to a gentleman, we talked a while about QEH and lots of sports. Being quite new to QEH, I had no idea who this man was but I enjoyed my chat! When my son came over to me later, I said who’s that man with the yellow bobble hat on? My son’s reply was oh mum that’s Mr Perkins “he’s the QEH legend”!  RIP Mr Perkins, thanks for our lovely chat. …

Kinn as you used to refer to yourself. It never ceased to amaze me how you could open the door to a room and start the lesson immediately. Learning German was fun and yet you still controlled the classroom. Those bits of chalk landing on someone’s desk when they weren’t concentrating were unerringly accurate. Most of all you always made time whatever the issue – an inspiration on the sidelines to everyone playing you brought huge amounts of joy to rugby matches even when playing on a typical Failand afternoon. Thanks for everything – even to this day I can remember the definite and indefinite articles in German !! …

Mr. Perkins was a huge inspiration for me in many ways . As a German teacher he was amazing . I remember the first lesson where he only spoke German. Das ist die tur. Der Die Das . Burned into my memory. As a rugby coach he would take me to the gym at lunchtime with Richard Dealer where they would help me with scrum half techniques. As a moral compass I remember him being furious with some weekend football hooligans . He lectured us for 30 mins on what not to do . What an incredible guy. I am lucky to have had him in my life. Forever grateful. …

I was never taught in the classroom by Dave and yet he was one of the most influential teachers I ever had. There was this one time when I was captain of the First XV and we were playing Clifton College at our place. I was desperate to win and came up with some line-out calls that were designed to get the Clifton boys to give away penalties. Worked a dream! Half time whistle goes and JDP makes a beeline for me in that beige duffel coat and bobble hat. “What are you doing, Ash? “Errr. Winning, sir”. He told me that beating them by cheating wasn’t a victory and that I would regret it all my life. He was right, of course, and  I hope I’ve lived a life that reflected Dave’s sense of morality. In the second half I dropped the naughty lineout calls. We still beat them and JDP was very happy! Thank you fir everything, Dave. Let’s hope we meet again on a rainy touchline one day….

All the Christmas cards received from JDP from 1998 onwards were thus addressed.  From 1990-97, we were a Failand touch-line family.  JDP knew most of the parents’ names, and often those of players’ brothers and sisters, too.  He was unfailingly cheerful and affable.  After Oliver left QEH, we moved around the South West but were never too far from the M5 so David would sometimes call in for a cup of tea if the rugby teams had been playing nearby.  His recall of past pupils was impressive; he always wanted to hear news of them and to know they were doing well.  He has left happy memories behind and will be missed.  Caroline, Phil, Oliver and Emilia….

I have great memories of Mr Perkins, JDP, Dave, Chin, Polly (a nickname from his own school days that he didn’t seem to mind explaining when it somehow emerged). I retain fond memories of being taught by him about German, French, Rugby, Life and Psychology.  The latter in how he would focus our attention by offering Polo’s to anyone who spotted an error in what he said. Clever stuff. I remember the Carols sung in German and still re-read the words he wrote about my one appearance for Gloucestershire under 18’s in which he spoke of the value of perseverance (in my case I am sure he meant as a substitute for talent). He will be missed….

Very sad news. JDP (as he always signed himself) was a true inspiration – as a German teacher, House Master, as rugby player and a coach. He had great wit and provided huge encouragement to all of us. Reading through some of his comments on my school reports from the 70s this morning raised a smile – congratulating my sprinting as worthy of the “Front Row One Furlong Stakes” was priceless, as well as remarkably accurate. As a German teacher he inspired me to follow in his footsteps and to a place to study German at his alma mater – Queens’ College, Cambridge. He became a firm family friend, visiting us regularly in our Failand family home. Thank you for your unfailing support Dave, you will be greatly missed. …

I would like to send my condolences to Dave Perkins’ family and friends. He was a wonderful teacher and was dedicated to the overall wellbeing of each and every pupil. He had a strong sense of fair play and I will especially remember his contributions to the rugby teams and also the judo club. His dedication to the school and its pupils was unwavering and I consider it a privilege to have been taught by him. May he rest in peace.  …

I have fond memories of JDP as a great German teacher, but more especially as a very approachable, supportive and caring person. He was always good to me and I have never forgotten his support in those years at QEH. Rest in peace.  …