The Directory published by the old Congress Legislature Party in the year 1950 is a real treasure. It contains details about all the members of the legislature irrespective of their political affiliation. H.O. Fowler, the former Principal of the iconic Stanes School is listed in the same as follows.
The Directory published by the old Congress Legislature Party in the year 1950 is a real treasure. It contains details about all the members of the legislature irrespective of their political affiliation. H.O. Fowler, the former Principal of the iconic Stanes School is listed in the same as follows.
'Mr.H.O.Fowler., MLA., Born on 2nd May 1911; Anglo Indian, Studied at Stanes High School, Coimbatore; Loyola College Madras and Teachers College, Saidapet; is a B.A., L.T., worked on the staff of Stanes High School till December 1940; was Principal St.John's Vestry School, Tiruchirapalli from January 1941 to December 1949.
Now Principal, Stanes High School, Coimbatore; Member, Provincial Board for Anglo Indian Education; Very keen on Games and athletics; Captain of Loyola Hockey Team for four years; Represented Madras University at Hockey ; won University Boxing Championship thrice; good public speaker; had many radio contracts with A.I.R, Tiruchirapalli; Elected to Madras Legislative Assembly as one of the two representatives of the Anglo Indian Community of the State., Address; Stanes High School, Coimbatore.'
Rev Harold Oscar Fowler ( 1911 - 1982 ) was born to Elizabeth Anne and William Benjamin Fowler of the railways. According to his son and leading architect Philip RJ Fowler, The first Fowler landed in our country in the same ship as Robert Clive. One another Fowler is supposed to have saved Lord Wellesley in one of the Carnatic Wars. My grandfather W.B.Fowler had been a 'mail driver' in the railways. While my mother's grandfather, the handsome Henry Oliver Bensley was the Principal of the Maharajah 's College in Travancore. He had lost his money in a bank collapse and the generous Maharajah had made him the Superintendent of Police in order to help him to recoup from his losses.
He was a Founder Trustee of the Trivandrum Club and had been married to an Armenian lady who had passed away early. Thereafter H.O.Bensley left the country and went to live at Jersey in the United Kingdom. The three daughters had been put in a boarding school meanwhile. One of the daughters Helen, married Austin,an Anglo Indian who worked with the textile industry in Coimbatore.
My mother Alda Fowler ( 1913 - 1993 ) was born to the couple Helen and Austin. Mummy studied at Mountain Home in the Nilgiris and then at Church Park in Chennai. The romance between my parents began at Coimbatore and continued in Madras. It culminated in their marriage later. Dad had been in St.John's Vestry Anglo Indian School which had been founded in the year 1763. The Stanes in Coimbatore was in deep crisis and was just left with 25 students at one time. The past students led by Behrom Bhote went to Trichy and persuaded my father to come to Stanes in Coimbatore.
He took the call and decided to move back at a time when he was advised against doing so. The teachers had to clear the cobwebs in the school before moving further. They had to put in six months without salaries for the school did not have money to pay them. My father and the other teachers requested the past students to help them with admissions and by some miracle it took place. He was an M.L.A by then and the people of this region trusted him. About 100 kids had joined Stanes by the end of the year. Earlier the school would admit Europeans and aristocrats only and it changed after the involvement of H.O.Fowler . " Philip RJ Fowler is the serving Correspondent of the Stanes School.
Stanes had a park preparatory school for the local community and H.O. Fowler absorbed all the kids from this institution . H.O. Fowler was well known and had been close to people of eminence who included Raja Sir M.A.Muthiah Chettiar and Frank Anthony. His help was sought by Frank Anthony in connection with the framing of the constitution. This was in the form of inputs and suggestions.
In fact he used to visit the Chettinad House during his visits to Madras. He was also a leading Rotarian and was attached to the Rotary Club of Coimbatore. Fowler was a player manager for cricket teams which went from Madras to Colombo. R.T.Parthasarathy was his friend. G.D.Naidu was quite close to him and this friendship was of great help during a time of financial difficulties for the Stanes School.
Once upon a time the Stanes School was in need of money. G.D.Naidu chipped in by purchasing some land from the school for his radio factory. On another occasion, G.D.Naidu made Adithanar of Dina Thanthi buy another piece of land and this helped the school to clear all its financial issues. Dad was a Hon Presbyter too. He had been to the Pacific School of Religion , Berkley to do his M.A in Theology.
On his return he had become a Priest. He was an Honourary Presbyter for the C.S.I. Stanes School used to be called the Eton of the East because of the focus on sports. The school did well, both in sports and academics. Stanites topping was considered to be normal. The students were good in hockey, cricket and athletics. It was during his time that the Quadrangular Athletic Meet was conducted. Students from Campion ( Trichy ), Vestry ( Trichy ), Montford ( Yercaud ) and Stanes participated in the event.
Old Stanite R.Rammohan of Race Course recalls - "Our Principal H.O.Fowler was polite but firm. He was heading the institution all through my school days and we used to fondly refer to him as H.O. The school saw a very good period during his time. "Another Stanite K.Balasubramaniam of Periyanaickenpalayam shared some snippets too, " He was a committed person and he used to apply suitable phrases while making a remark about any student. Well, he was well built and keenly interested in sports."
The Fowlers have had strong Coimbatore connection. H.O.Fowler was born in one of the railway houses in Podanur and his youngest brother Reginald Fowler served Vestry in Trichy as the Principal. Another brother Basil Fowler was the Head Master of St.Peters, Mazegon in Bombay. The sisters Thoedora Goodserve and Olive D ' Sena taught in Stanes as well. Fowler brought in ' Golden Era ' for the Stanes School in Coimbatore.
"My mother used to teach at Stanes. Art & music was taught by her. She decided to do something for the society after a bout of illness. She was responsible for the founding of the Coimbatore Orthopedic Rehabilitation Centre for Children. She used to organize Tamil plays in order to raise money for the same. Industrialists like S.R.P. Ponnuswamy Chettiar were of great financial help. Dr.Jayakumar was also involved.
She started a co operative society for unemployed women and it was known as ' The Good Samaritan Society '. She was very much involved with the Guides Movement. A Private Members Bill connected with private schools was introduced by her when she served as an M.L.A. It was thanks to the request of Kausalya Mani of K.R & Sons Jewellery that she started a school for kids. The Alda Fowler Nursery School was founded by her in the year 1964. This institution moved to a big shed near the park and then moved to its current location. It was at this time that the L.K.G & U.K.G ( Kindergarten education ) came to Coimbatore.
Subsequently the school was handed over to Chandra and G.D.Gopal. Well, both H.O.Fowler and Alda Milicent Fowler led a really purposeful life , " smiled Philip RJ Fowler from his aesthetically made office ' Mini & Fowler ' in Podanur. His wife Mini Fowler had founded the company. Both of them love heritage and are involved with a number of heritage building documentation projects in and around Coimbatore. They happen to be members of INTACH ( Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage ).
The fabulous H.O. Fowler & Alda Fowler added lustre to the world of quality education. Their contribution needs to be etched in golden letters.