Bradfieldian Anthony William Fuller (H 51-56), known to his friends as “Jumbo”, died peacefully on Monday 2 March 2026 at 88 years of age. Jumbo was well-known at the college and in the Bradfield Waifs cricket community particularly as a keen player and supporter.

Jumbo was born on 8 May 1937 and joined Bradfield College in January 1951 and left in July 1956. He was in Mr Young’s House (H House), House Prefect, Senior Prefect, Head of House and a Sergeant in the CCF. He played Hockey, Cricket and Fives during his time at school and is mentioned as being a “stylish” cricketer and having “some attractive strokes” and a prospect for “one of the leading batsmen”. He received his Fives and Cricket Colours in 1954 progressing to Captain of the Fives team in 1956 and was described as “the best doubles player at the college for years”. He was in the First XI Hockey team 1954-55 and the Cricket First XI 1954-56 and Captain in 1956. Described in the Bradfield Chronicle under “Cricket Characters” it said “He developed into an attractive attacking batsman, particularly strong off the front foot. Hits the ball very hard and has played some excellent innings.”

After school he continued to play regularly for the Bradfield Waifs and held the role of President of the Bradfield Waifs from 1992-2018 and was a regular supporter at the Club and Waif Week in recent years. Photo below of him in the centre at Bradfield in 2023 with current President Peter Came, Peter Workman and former President Mark Taylor.

Jumbo became familiar to millions of television viewers through his engaging antics in the TV programme “The Village” which ran from 1993-2001. The documentary series, a television version of Radio 4’s long-running soap opera, was a real-life ‘Archers’ recording the day-to-day dramas, joys and tragedies in the lives of the inhabitants of Bentley in Hampshire, where Jumbo lived. Jumbo was described as a producer’s dream: he was seen roundly abusing county councillors over their plans for the new village bypass and hoisting a skull-and-crossbones the day the new road was opened. He bashed the hell out of a local golf course and most memorably, mounted a big campaign to win election to the parish council and lost spectacularly.

He was also one of the founding Trustees of the Bradfield Foundation (1991-2009) and Chairman from 1999-2004 supporting many successful fundraising projects at the college. Current Chairman of the Bradfield Foundation John Muir (G 70-75) said of him, "Jumbo was a legendary figure in the Foundation and will be greatly missed".

We thank Jumbo for his lifetime of support for the college and his friendship.