22 Nov 2020 Written By Matthew Eastley
Wilfrid Lockwood 1949 to 1957
Wilfrid Lockwood was one of the most academically-gifted pupils at St Mary’s College. He arrived at the school, aged 11, in 1949 and, in 1958, was awarded a State scholarship to University College, London to read Classics before heading to Cambridge University for Part Two of the Classical Tripos.
In 1963, he joined GCHQ in Cheltenham as an Assistant Departmental Specialist and began learning Arabic, Persian and Russian. After four and a half years in Wilfrid went back to Cambridge to work in the University Library, where he stayed for fourteen years, in charge of Oriental books.
In 1982 he moved to the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, as Director where he spent seven years.
Returning to England he rejoined GCHQ, where he worked until retirement and enjoyed the happiest time of his working life. In retirement he taught Arabic and Turkish to soldiers and Civil Servants.
He had a number of publications to his name including Qirqisani on Jewish sects and latterly, he has been translating works by the Palestinian poet Mahmud Darwish.
His various contributions to the articles and Ph. D. theses of others, would, if collected together, fill a substantial volume.
Wilf, I remember, as being one of the brainiest of the boys at school. His comments and written articles in the school magazine in the early 1950s showed him to be a cut above the rest of us of average intelligence. His keen interest in the school tuck shop where Wagon Wheels and wonderously coloured bottles of drinks were available may have helped develop his ability to speak in many tongues. A man with a sense of humour and charm.
David Read
Wilf was the brainiest of the class I was in.Everything seemed to come easily to him and he was always a fun boy to be around.In the 6th form he and I had similar free periods during which he taught me to play a 2 handed card game called picquet.I lost touch with him after we left and it is only now with the sad news about George Dight that I am reminded of him.
It is no surprise that he had the glittering career he had..
Posted by Vincent Saunders May 2024
I remember Wilf from the tuck shop and along with Christopher May a noted academic.. And a warm hello to Writer David Reed a noted long jumper and speedy right wing.