In Memory
Mr Jd (Dougie) Drysdale (Teacher)
"Dougie" Drysdale died of a heart attack in January 2000 at the age of 62. Although he was vilified as a paedophile (see this link), I personally remember him as a kind, gentle man who treated us with respect. Before judging him too harshly credit him for his positive qualities and then reflect on John 8 verse 7.
Garth Annetts
We were in our early fifties in 2000. The Doug Drysdale we knew couldn't have been 48 in 2000. Something doesn't add up.
Mervyn Gans
Dougie Drysdale lived at the DPHS boarding establishment and gave me extra maths lessons around 1963. If he died in 2000 at age 48 that would have made him 11 years old when he was teaching me. He was an excellent teacher and his lessons helped me get a B for maths in my Junior Certificate after missing lots of scool in that year. His teaching had a huge impact on my future career path and I went on to complete an MSc. Eng degret at UND. We subsequently crossed paths in my university days at Natal Parks Board Hiking Liaison meetings. I represented the Mountain Club and he represented the Boy Scouts.I am shocked to hear this and wonder if it could be the same person with incorrect age.
Larry Butchins
Yes, Garth, you're right. Doug Drysdale was the only Maths teacher I could relate to. I hated maths but he made it understandable. I recall that he must have been about 30 or so (maybe a tad younger) when I was in 5th and 6th form - so that would have put him in his mid-60s in 2000; or looking at it the other way round, to be 48 in 2000, he would have had to be about 18 when teaching at DHS...something's not right here.
Sorry to hear about his death and more so about this allegation of paedophilia. Pity he never got his day in court.
Garth Annetts
Doug Drysdale gave me extra lessons in 1964 (I think) - he undid all the confusion that Mr Dale caused for me 'maths-wise' with his "Tell me all you know about a triangle" monotone. There was nothing inappropriate in his behaviour to me during those lessons or at any other time. As a teacher he was a breath of fresh air. Mind you, his bacon slices were generally deadly accurate!
Des De Swardt
Doug used to train us in the Cadet Band, and teach us maths...popular with his bacon slices!
Mervyn Gans
I did a google search and found this article on a scout jamboree held in 1983:
http://www.scouting.org.za/capewest/heritage/Overseas_Jamborees/1983_NJ_UK_SAReport.pdf
You will even recognise Doug in the photo (3rd from the left). The 48 year old pedaphile who died in 1980 must have been a different Doug Drysdale.