Gowen Bewsher (Scrutton 1948-52)

We are saddened to advise you that Gowen Bewsher passed away on 14 May 2024 aged 89.

Gowen leaves a legacy of incredible service to Mill Hill School and to all Old Millhillians.

Gowen was, perhaps best known in OM circles for his 'History of the Old Millhillians Club' – Nobis – which was written to celebrate the Club’s centenary in 1978.  To his lasting chagrin, the publishers who produced the work at cost, inadvertently printed the third, rather than the fifth, and final, draft!  In 1993 Gowen became the hundredth President of the Club (the ninety eighth OM) and the first from the fully post-war generation. He was made an Honorary Member in 2002.

He became a Life Governor of the school in 1963 and was elected to the Court of Governors in 1974 where he served for twenty-four years, nineteen of which were spent on the Finance and General Purposes Committee, of which he was chairman for the last five. Gowen was closely involved in the work leading to the Foundation becoming a company (something which he always maintained was “the third foundation”) and, with others, was an enthusiastic instigator of Grimsdell, the Foundation’s successful pre-prep.    

Gowen played for the OM Cricket Club for many years and was elected a Vice President when he retired from the game.   A liveryman of the Needle Makers, and a Freeman of the City of London, he attended the OM Livery Association lunch as often as he could and was its fourth master. For many years he was a Freemason. and Master of his Lodge three times, attaining London Grand Rank.

The death of his father, also an OM, caused Gowen to leave Mill Hill early, well before his A-Levels, but he was no scholar, a shortcoming beautifully summed up by the Head Master, Roy Moore, in a school report: “He gives so much to the School. What a pity he takes so little from it.”

Our thoughts are with his family.

The Old Millhillians Club