Comments on: Bruce Burrell, GG’75

By: jpellatt

jpellatt — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:20:38 +0000

~I was a couple of years older than Bruce, but knew him well by the time I let. He asked me to teach him guitar, and we came to know each other through this experience.

I believe, as Head of George Grey, he did not tolerate bullying and stood up for those who were subjected to such standard Falcon behaviour.

An extraordinary person who is not forgotten all these 40 years later.

Julian Pellatt, Hervey, 1969-1973

By: Chris Gateley

Chris Gateley — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:09:18 +0000

I joined Falcon in 1975 and Bruce was the head of my house, GG. When you are 13 years old and new to a place, settling down can be difficult especially when you join one term in as I did. You quickly search for anchors and although I never ever spoke to Bruce I to this very day have never forgotten him. He was kind, mature, confident and had this aura about him that easily made him a “juniors” hero. I often speak about him and his tragic passing to my children and they are always mesmerised by his story and how he impacted my life, and how such a talented individual could be so easily taken from us. He was an inspiration to me and actually framed the person that I am today. To know that I owe so much to someone that I knew but never had the privilege of knowing is strange to me, but I am sure those that ever met Bruce, even fleetingly, will know exactly what I mean.
Thank you Bruce Burrell
Chris Gateley, GG 1975 – 1979

By: Roach

Roach — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:23:09 +0000

It was such a sad day when we heard of Bruce’s tragic demise – he was such a hero to all of my mates and myself. Trevor Jones of Hervey was an amateur tattooist and he tattooed a rather poor SAS dagger on me, James Hughes, Richard Annesley and someone else who I forget with a bottle of quink and a safety pin. Everytime I see it, I remember the legendary Bruce Burrell.
It was a harsh lesson in life when one so talented in so many facets had the revolting misfortune to be marching behind a guy who stood on a booby-trapped ap mine..
Go well Bruce.
Jeremy Cochrane, Founders 1975-1980

By: pmdegroot

pmdegroot — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:29:39 +0000

I will never forget Bruce Burrell. I was a 2nd year in George Grey. Everyone looked up to Burrell. He was gifted in many ways . But for me he he was a role model (perhaps the only other role model that I can admit to other than my father). He showed respect for other people and was able to show fairness, kindness and authority over those injustices that went on in the House. He also encouraged me in my swimming and academics which I ended up excelling in. When I heard many years later that he had been killed in action I was extremely saddened.

The FOB bond is with us all and the tragedy in Zimbabwe lives on.
After all these years, the pain still exists.
All the best my friend.

Peter de Groot, George Grey 1974-76