The Pembrokians

Pembrokians' responses to STAFF AT PEMBROKE HOUSE 1927-2011

1. Richard Collier-Wright says:

   December 23, 2011 at 4:01 pm

   Seeing the photo of Mick Fagan reminded me of the evening in 1966 when he saved his baby son’s life by pulling him out of their burning house at the bottom below the playing fields, just in time. I’ll never know how he managed to get in throught the smoke. A combination of knowing you have to keep as low down as possible to avoid choking, and a father’s love, I guess. Quite unforgettable! Richard Collier-Wright, master Spring/Summer 1966 (then aged 17, turning 18).

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2. Mike Bacon says:

   January 6, 2012 at 5:41 am

   I remember that night and seeing the smoke plume rising from the house. The next day we went to look at the burnt out shell and I remember feeling sorry for the dog that didn’t make it out. I remember you teaching me Richard, I would have been in the sixth form then.

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3. Richard Collier-Wright says:

   January 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm

   Poor you, Mike, with me for a teacher! Then maybe I wasn’t too bad as a short-term replacement for Quelch (CMH) – you may remember he had had a heart attack, and I stepped in as I was coming to teach in my “gap year” – 2 terms, actually. I remember you (predictably) just as “Bacon” and that you were polite and well-behaved! Great to read your feedback re “that night” . I was recently explaining what happened to my wife. Once we had got past the “What were they doing leaving a child on their own etc.” bit – hard to explain how people did this sort of thing in those – well before Madeleine McCann – days, I thought about it some more. I have always felt some guilt that I did not even get into the house, but I think I’ve been hard on myself. When Mick and I jumped out of his station wagon Mick went one way and I instinctively went round the other side of the house. Of course, Mick made straight for the front door, whereas I, not knowing the layout, found myself at a window. Smoke was pouring out, and there was nothing I could do. Mick would have gone straight to where Luke was, and afterwards he told us that Luke was standing up with his hands outstretched. It all happened very quickly. So I suppose Mick may have been able to hold his breath, or maybe the wind was blowing the smoke towards the window? I never spoke to Mick about that. Of course, we were just euphoric in our relief.

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