Frederick Noel Hamilton Wills

Frederick Noel Hamilton Wills (Noel) was born in 1887, the youngest son of Sir Frederick Wills of Northmoor, Dulverton and Anne (née Hamilton). Sir Frederick Wills was a director of W D and H O Wills, founded by his forebears, a member of parliament and a staunch Liberal. His wife, Anne, who gave the Founder her maiden surname at baptism, was the daughter of Rev. James Hamilton, a noted Scottish cleric. The influence of both his parents and a close-knit family of two brothers and three sisters was strong as was the family home in Northmoor which inspired a passion for the English countryside.

Educated briefly at Winchester and then at Clifton College, it was Magdalen College, Oxford, where Noel Wills studied English, that provided the inspiration to realise an educational vision as the Founder of Rendcomb College. His brother, Gilbert Wills (who became the first Lord Dulverton) and Canon Sewell (the first Chair of Governors) entertained the thought that 'if there had been no Magdalen, there would have been no Rendcomb'. Noel Wills' time at Oxford was marked by wide-ranging reading, a generous appreciation of the talents of those around him and in the words of Professor G S Gordon (who became President of the College) an 'unostentatious goodness'.

Noel Wills also developed strong creative interests: painting, music (he was a noteworthy cellist and fine tenor), and design. In the English countryside he loved, Noel Wills rode, hunted, played polo and was a fisherman envied for his skill by peers. He also loved to write: creative and philosophical prose, criticism, verse, even an operetta performed at home in Miserden, as well as some practical advice on fishing and countless letters to friends, all crafted in a beautiful hand. He was always keen to nurture others. In 1909, he started a monthly magazine of poetry with Walter Jerrold. Short-lived though this publication was, as many such ventures of its type and time, contributions were received by Walter de la Mare, Quiller-Couch, Lady Margaret Sackville and Edward Thomas. Further inspiration came in 1912 when Noel Wills married Margery Hamilton Fraser, the eldest daughter of Sir Hugh Fraser of Stromeferry House, Ross-shire. Mrs Wills provided support, abiding encouragement and remained actively involved in his vision for the rest of her life.

Noel Wills described himself as 'a dreamer' though his dreams were inspired by philosophical insight, sensitivity to others and a profound concern for the inequalities evident in the society in which he lived. With the advantage of privilege, he felt the need to empower those less fortunate and in doing so showed a foresight borne out by huge changes to the education system in the first half of the century and the genesis of grammar school education. In his words, 'When opportunity comes to the favoured few alone, how small an advance can be anticipated'.

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