This site is a tribute to Frederick Rapsey, who was born in Hendon London on January 23, 1949 and sadly passed away suddenly on May 5th 2020 as a result of a heart attack. He is much loved and will always be remembered.

Fred will be remembered as an educator, historian, a re-enactor at Kentwell Hall, also with The Companye of Merrie Folke and earlier with Blackwell's Regiment in The King's Army.

For 25 years he was Headmaster of Hillcroft Preparatory School at Haughley Green until its merger in 2007 with another local school. Whilst there he introduced pupils to Kentwell Hall as participants, gave a home to the Stowmarket Division of St John's Ambulance and became their President, took pupils to Le Moulin for residential weeks in Normandy and encouraged drama and music.

When Fred discovered that Haughley Church had no choir he helped to start one, forming a link between the church and Hillcroft with affiliation to the Royal School of Church Music. He became a Church Warden and a Parish Councillor and also founded the village twinning association with Noyelles-lez-Seclin.

Fred was in the CCF whilst at St Edmunds School in Canterbury and he continued his involvement as a commissioned officer in Bristol, then with the Army Cadets in the Stowmarket area. At Hillcroft he affiliated the school to The Frontiersmen/Junior Cavalry and later helped with the group in Wickham Market.

Always having a keen interest in Heraldry, he joined the Suffolk Heraldry Society many years ago and became their Chairman only recently. He was also a member of The Order of St Lazarus, The historical and charitable side of which he took very seriously. He felt an affinity with Great Ormond Street Hospital as a result of his being Charles Dickens at Kentwell each Christmas and actively raised money for this cause. More recently he was particularly touched by the Smile Charity, recognising how relatively easily cleft palate children could be helped, dramatically changing their lives. Any donations will be split between these two good causes.

A Funeral service will be held at Ipswich Crematorium on Friday 22nd May 2020 at 1 pm. Only Immediate family can attend this due to current restrictions.
A Memorial and Thanksgiving service celebrating Fred's life will follow at Haughley Church when gatherings are allowed. Date to be advised.