Loyal Royal service after missed coronation

Old Scholar Phillip Chancellor was born in 1946. He entered Spurgeons in 1950 at the age of 4 and left in 1961 at 15.

He started at Birchington Hall in Stamford and then in Twynham. Ms Rutland was the Matron of Stamford House and Mr and Mrs Shellard oversaw Twynham House.

Phillip remembers missing the Queen’s coronation as he was in the sick bay with whooping cough, but he recalls the HRH Duchess of Gloucester’s visit to the Home 1954. Phillip also recalls how he use to pick strawberries every year at Mr Vincent’s farm.

One of his starring moments was when Mr Addison came up to him to let him know that his picture was in the ‘Within Our Gates’ magazine. It was a proud moment. Phillip went to Park Lane Primary school and King Ethelbert Secondary school and said his time at Birchington was a very happy time with fond memories.

Apart from the names mentioned above Phillip remembers Mr Willicombe, Ms Ellis, John Clark, Peter Szewcuzk, Fred McPherson, Colin, Peter and Robert Shew, Peter Broadly and Michael Birston.

Phillip never married but spent most of his working life within the Church of England. He was a Verger for 15 years at the Queen’s private chapel at the Savoy, and in 2012 proudly received the Royal Victorian Medal from the Queen for his services.

Spurgeons Old Scholars

Old Scholars are those supporters who spent some of their childhood living at Spurgeons Children’s Homes in Birchington and Reigate.

We encourage alumni to keep in touch with us and share their memories.

Read more about our heritage and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.