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.

Rupert Cox (F 81-86) has shared his memories of Jumbo:

"I Did it My Way would often reverberate through my mind when I left Jumbo at Basingstoke Hospital over recent months. Having suffered a heart attack in November I was often there for my physio sessions, and I would then wander the corridors to D1. He would, on occasion, laugh at my tracked-suited physique, there was always a smile and just a smidgeon of banter. I would chide him for not eating enough, as much as he would chide the nurses for peace and quiet!

There is no getting away from it that Jumbo was a tough character and sometimes uncompromising. A man to be respected. But, to me he was a constant, and to many Bradfield Waifs he was simply a fixture in their summer lives. Loyal to Bradfield, loyal to the Waifs and loyal to his friends and family. Yes, Trisha has been a stalwart, but he loved his girls and his dogs in that stiff upper lip English manner.

Jumbo was born on 8th May 1937 and arrived at Bradfield College in January 1951 and left in July 1956. He was in Mr Young’s House (H House), House Prefect, Senior Prefect and a Sergeant in the CCF. He played Hockey, Cricket and Fives during his time at school and was mentioned in 1955 as being a “stylish” cricketer and having “some attractive strokes” and a prospect for “one of the leading batsmen next year”.

He won 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, 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.”

In the picture below Jumbo is seated far right, and my father is stood behind him (back right) with some hair! There he remained staunchly behind Jumbo for years to come – it was an enduring friendship.

I had been told at a young age not to get on the wrong side of Jumbo. This had been initiated after a Hampshire Hogs trip to Jersey when, before the flight home, I was attention-seeking (as usual) using my new cricket bat to resemble a helicopter. No one would dare to rush in and grab me. The more Jumbo shouted at me the faster I went! Our flight was so nearly missed. We made it up in later years.

In November 1970, Jumbo married Trisha to start a 56-year partnership. There was shooting, fishing, cricket, Cumbrian trips, farm work and soon enough (1975) the lovely Georgie arrived to further mellow Jumbo. She said he quite liked being the farmer gentleman, rather than the gentleman farmer. He was in his element and those days were characterised by the tranquillity of Prestons.

To many it was a Discovery and black labradors that personified Jumbo. He told me last year that he would often take himself off, behind hedges to the pool area, and shed some quiet tears when one of his beloved dogs passed away. But, come rain or shine, Trisha was calm and close at hand.           

Perhaps Jumbo and I bonded most when, in July 1986, I was asked to leave Bradfield a fraction early just as Jumbo had been exactly 30 years earlier. Captains of cricket, a generation apart, setting a poor example. Intrigued Jumbo called me a week later and we lunched heartily. The walls had come down and his enigma was deciphered. “Tough as Old Boots” was now an ally.

After leaving Bradfield Jumbo’s trajectory was on an extraordinary path of achievement. Two years of National Service before he went up to Cambridge and Caius College for which the roll call of alumni makes some reading. He left with FRICS as an addendum to his name.

Business too did not daunt him at all – he simply flourished. As a land agent and livestock auctioneer for Weller Eggar, he became a well-known pillar of the community. So much so that he would even star in The Village a 1993 television series about life in Bentley. There was no edge, Jumbo was simply being Jumbo.

Jumbo was a senior figure within several cricket clubs (Hogs, Waifs & Peper Harow CC where he had grown up as a schoolboy), he was a larger-than-life figure on the Bradfield Foundation. His support for his old school was immense and he was just that - old school.

After my parents died within 7-months of each other, Jumbo spoke fondly at father’s memorial service and then he would call me weekly to check in. In return, I had to speak on behalf of my father at Georgie’s wedding to Rob in July 2014. As godfather, he had made a promise.

My speech rather upset Rob’s best man as he had been warned not to upset Jumbo and to be wary what he said! I scuppered him with a very light-hearted, sometimes risqué effort! The poor chap was beside himself at his staid attempt. A week later a case of sensational wine arrived with an anonymous card inside saying: “Now that was funny! Thank you.”

In 2016 Jumbo asked me to become Secretary of the Bradfield Waifs. How could I say no? Given Jumbo’s - and my father’s - passion for all things Bradfield it was a done deal. It gave me an insight into Jumbo’s professionalism and man-management. He was fastidious in checking in with me. Could he help with this or is this sorted or what do we need to do here? Emails and modern gadgets confused and annoyed him, and he would grumble: “Perhaps I am just a fuddy-duddy!” He would lead the Waifs as President for 26 years.

Jumbo simply grew on you. Perhaps he took some time to get to know. Stubborn: yes. Niggardly: occasionally. He leaves an enormous legacy. It is one of dedication and loyalty. It is one of devotion and example. I can only finish with another Sinatra analogy: Nothing but The Best. They don’t make them like that anymore."      

Jumbo 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. James Wyatt remembers as: "President of the Waifs for over 20 years he oversaw our first two outright wins in the Cricketer Cup 1996 and 1997. He always felt these justified our inclusion in the 16 schools first selected to play in the competition back in 1967."

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 and sharing his talents as an auctioneer. 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.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Friday 15th May at St Mary's Church, Bentley, Hampshire GU10 5NA.