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It is with a deep sadness that the College has to announce the loss last week of one of its most loyal and respected OLs, Sir Christopher Meyer KCMG, who died on Wednesday 27 July 2022.
Christopher Meyer was at Lancing in Teme House from 1957–1961 – this was a remarkable period in the school’s history with John Dancy as the Head Master on a zealous mission to improve academic standards. One certain way he achieved this was through his rigorous recruitment of pupils. Christopher was amongst these, with contemporaries Sir Tim Rice OBE (Second’s 1957–1961), Sir David Hare (Field’s 1960–1964), Sir Christopher Hampton (Second’s 1959–1963), President Akufo-Addo (Field’s 1957–1961) and Charles Anson CVO (Olds 1957–1961). Lancing’s influence lasted a life-time; Christopher returned often to the College to speak to pupils and inspired a number of them to start careers in the Foreign Office; he came to a number of the Over 60s lunches when he was in the country; he attended John Dancy’s 90th birthday celebrations and described him as his ‘formidable Head Master’; and he served on Lancing’s Foundation Council for 11 years.
The last time Christopher was at the College was in October 2018 when he was delighted to have been asked by the Head Master, Dominic Oliver, to give the vote of thanks at the lunch held in honour of the visit of President Akufo-Addo of Ghana. Christopher reflected on their school days together and spoke about their reunion being a ‘moving moment’ after 50 years of not seeing one another: 'His visit is, in truth, a bittersweet experience: such pleasure at seeing a good, old friend again, but tempered by a melancholy touch of à la recherche du temps perdu.' He remembered the two of them 'trying out our teenage intellectual muscles in debate with our revered history teacher, Roger Lockyer.'
Half-way through his vote of thanks Christopher held aloft a copy of the School Magazine, Advent 1961, of which he was editor in his last term. He read out a review of a Leviathan meeting, “C J R Meyer and W Akufo-Addo dealt with the ‘English Revolution of the 17th Century’. They impressed the Society by their scholarly and efficient treatment of a dangerous subject. They calmly manoeuvred their way through a tangle of conflicting theories without committing themselves to any of them.” Christopher laughed and said to the assembled gathering 'you can see why one of us became a politician and the other a diplomat!'. He finished by saying 'the President has spoken with eloquence, clarity and wit that can only fall to a Lancing man': words that apply so fittingly to Christopher himself.
His final editorial in that edition of the magazine is, of course, revealing as he talks about "the importance of experience gained at Lancing in terms of preparation for the world". The final paragraph is poignant 60 years on:
"Disillusionment and discovery; we could not have better experience. Disillusionment over parental indoctrination engenders an intellect that will think for itself; the discovery of the importance of human relationships gives a support in life that will never collapse. Disillusionment and discovery; I am glad I went to Lancing."
And we are glad too.
Charles Anson, one of his contemporaries said, '... Christopher was such a good friend to so many of us. His clarity of mind, his distinguished service as a diplomat and communicator were outstanding, and above all his buoyancy and wit enhanced his relationships. We have Lancing to thank for knowing him. All those lucky enough to have had Christopher as a life-enhancing friend will miss him, as well as those who knew him more from afar on the airwaves and much enjoyed his eloquence and edgy humour.'
All of us within the Lancing community offer our heartfelt condolences to Catherine and the Meyer family.
