Ode to SJL – James H. Lau, Class of 1971

In Memory – Chan Ho

In Memory

I spent the most important years of my life in DBS (and that is definite). Of the 9

memorable years my year in Form 3 stood out as even more important. It marks the

beginning of an end. At that stage we knew we have to make a decision about our

study and possible a career. Yet I still had to struggle with the idea of whether to

take up arts or science. I like writing because I found it easier to express myself than

making a speech. At the same time I had given up on my mathematics after finding

there were nasty entities like algebra. Fortunately we were introduced to another

new subject: physics. Mr. Lowcock was our form teacher and taught us the subject.

It was his lessons that changed my mind or rather made up my mind. As one of my

classmates described those lessons: you don’t need a text book, you don’t need to

remember too much and more important any talent; you need a little imagination

or maybe some logical thinking. I found myself doing quite well in my physics

culminating to gaining a distinction in the public exam. Not that it meant anything: I

got a distinction in geography as well but I failed my mock exam.

The success in the School Certificate Exam did not tempt me to pursuit further

study in physics. I ended up in the medical school; admittedly a dull and tamed

decision. But the studies of physics have broadened my vision and strengthen my

confidence in dealing with difficulties. I remember an incident where I got full mark

for a question with the wrong answer. The reason was the steps I took to solve the

problem were even better than the formulated (according to JL) although I gave the

wrong mathematical answer. My conclusion was the book is not always right but the

mind is always better.

Mr. Lowcock’s influences did not end in the classroom. As I was promoted to senior

forms I had more chances of meeting him for extra-curricular activities or social

meetings. In actual fact those activities were beyond the ones we see in the Steps.

It involved all aspects of life and it exerted such molding force to my character and

outlook that I did not realize until much later.

In the past twenty years I cherish the chance of meeting him at least once a year. He

was no longer my headmaster or teacher. I called him Jimmy now. We conversed in

much more common things in our daily lives. We shared our views and talked about

old days. Then I realized why I enjoyed so much those meetings: I was talking like

him and thinking like him. I am transformed.

Mr Lowcock – Thomas Lam

Farewell, Mr Lowcock, SIR! You are a true friend to your students.
I am blessed to have you as my headmaster during my years at DBS and I will always treasure the gift of the cricket bat that you gave in 1976. My children will be using it soon and I am glad they had a chance to meet you last year. Hope to be able to catch up with you up there some time! Thomas Lam, Sydney, Australia.
My condolences to Mr Lowcock’s family and especially to my classmate and cricket friend Philip Hung, my prayers and thoughts are with you all.

From Vnee YEH

Lowcock is the epitome of the Headmaster who cares about developing the students; character, not just grades. Reminds me of Pacino in ‘Scent of a Woman’. Vnee YEH

From Kansai (Bernard)

Dear Jay,

Your eulogy on Mr. Lowcock made me cry.

He was my first physics teacher and his first lessons laid the foundation of my whole engineering career. I ran for DBS when I was in F5, and under his encouragement, our 4x100m relay team beat the Queen’s team and took the first place, and my 100m dash I came third while our F4 boy – I wish I remember his name – took the first. That year (1955) our school took both the A and B team cup.

More importantly, his way of life as he lived it as my teacher, formed my attitude and values in later life. He fulfilled the highest ideal as a Teacher.

Like you say, I remember him and I miss him. I am very fortunate that I could (with my late wife at the time) meet him again during the 140th anniversary banquet of our school.

By the way, my christian name “Bernard” was chosen for me by Mr. Lowcock before I left for Canada in 1958.

With gratitude,
Kansai

In Memory of Mr Lowcock – Li Wai Tsuen Walter ( Class ’63 )

Despite SJL’s Laissez faire and his ”  don’t really care if you don’t
care “attitude , I learnt my first discipline lesson from him in his
physics class in form lower 6 ;  a class captain or whatever, I was
made to stand on my writing table for the entire period ( 45 minutes ?
) for wearing red socks to school. Learnt to think on what lines not
supposed to cross ever since and to think twice before doing something
stupid .

Never foget his question either to the class that day……”  if I
keep rubbing and shining this copper vessel every lesson, surely a few
Cu molecules will be rubbed off …. one day, the ‘last’ rubbing is
inevitable, and this copper instrument will vanish in thin air……..

Chief,  we’ll miss you.

Li Wai Tsuen Walter ( Class ’63 )

In Memory of Mr Lowcock – Class1963 Lau Hon Kan 劉漢根

Dear DBS old boys & the Lowcock Family,

Mr Lowcock has been unique, representing the best combinations of genuine human nature designated by a Welsh surname but truly combining the Persian , Indo-China in the English liberal tradition & the Chinese depth. 
My heart felt and fond memory is summarized as follows:

To serve with love, 萬世師表。 Warren Lee – Class 1963 Vancouver, Canada

From Henry Chiu DBS1978er

Hi classmates,

Indeed Mr. Lowcock’s life is not without controversy.

I was not a fan at all for Lowcock in schooldays for several good reasons.

For me, the foremost is that the Chaplin in our times was a heretical “Christian”, a Modernist or Liberalist. Lowcock let him preach and teach us his un-orthodox teachings and doctrines. In that sense, Lowcock was the accomplice. In the year of L.6, I boldly walked away in the midst of morning assembly, as a protest against his call on all students to stand up paying tribute to the Pope Paul VI (1963-78). This pope was one of the worst popes of modern time if not all time because of his advocacy of deifying(神化) Mary, the mother of Jesus to be the “Mother of God ” as well as the Infallibility of Pope, taking these insane beliefs to the greatest heights. How can Mary be God? How can a pope be flawless, like God, when he makes so many mistakes and wrongs?

Lowcock’s endeavors on all round education, in my opinion, were far from perfect either. As some of you have pointed out and let me add, he might be too liberal to let the students to DIY. We never had any homeworks. We could bang and shout, totally ignoring the teachers during our classes. In one word, over-indulgence. As a result, I was a victim too. It turned out that I focused overly on religious activities in senior forms, neglecting my academic pursuits and led to poor health for years, which largely explains the late development of my career.

Why am I writing this? Just to let you all know that I am not a shoeshine boy. Only knowing how to eulogize (歌功頌德). Like many of DBS boys, I’m the same Henry who speaks his mind regardless. This is one of the many faces of our DBS Spirit. Hey, we ain’t no North Korean people. Most of all, I want to tell you all that, despite the flaws you may find in Lowcock, despite your disliking of him, to whatever extent, I think he deserves some or even great respect from us. Because he was another typical DBS boy doing his way – living his life and doing his job his way. No matter how one discounts his educational achievement, he is widely and deeply respected by many other old boys in his passion to all round education (which was greatly successful, though not 100%) and his devotion of his fortune to raising the needy students. These are undeniable facts. One day in the early 1990’s, I ran into Lowcock on a double decker without air-con. He chat with me casually and happily. I found no arrogance in the old man. That’s why I am more than happy to do something for him as my last tribute.

When one passes away, let us be kind and forgiving to let bygones be bygones. Let him rest in peace. One day, we all will tread the same path. We ain’t no perfect. How would we want to be treated by people when we are gone?

Yours truly,

Henry Chiu

DBS1978er

Death be not proud – Robert Tang

Mr. S.J.Lowcock had made such a difference in so many DBS boys’ lives. We will never forget his sense of humour and sarcism. Now, he is one with God and amongst those who do not grow old, as we grow old, and those who do not suffer, as we suffer. R.I.P.