There are some of whom you never want to write their
obituary. They cross your path and give you a proper sense of perspective,
a touch of honest decency, and a better appreciation of the true values
of life.There are some of whom you never want to write their
obituary. They cross your path and give you a proper sense of perspective,
a touch of honest decency, and a better appreciation of the true values
of life.
Albert Maxwell was one of these people.
When Albert Maxwell joined the ground-staff of Campbell College, both Wall Street and the R101 (which he saw fly over the College grounds) had yet to crash. By the time he retired he had long since seen off the Third Reich (and indeed had shown 'hospitality' to some of its defenders in Central Hall during the Second World War), several dictators (some of whom, such as Mussolini, had once been school-teachers!), ten Presidents of the United States (well, OK, nine plus an actor) and was into his thirteenth Prime Minister.
Albert Edward Maxwell was born in 1914, and was raised in the Ormeau district of Belfast. He joined the ground-staff at Campbell College in 1929. He was employed in a number of roles - as gardener and groundsman, and in service inside the College. During the Second World War, when the pupils were evacuated to the dubious luxury of the Northern Counties Hotel, Portrush, Albert stayed on at the Belmont estate to help look after the buildings, which were converted into a military hospital (no.24 General Hospital).
After the war Albert rose to become Head Porter, and in latter years was manager of the school's stores and Tuck Shop, which brought him into contact with all pupils. He retired in 1993, after 64 years of dedicated service to the College - two-thirds of its own century of existence!
A summary of Albert's career does no justice to the quality of service which he gave. Campbell College was his entire life. He lived on the premises - in the Main Gate Lodge on Belmont Road - and went out of his way to serve the community. He lit the fires at appropriate occasions, ran up the flag, wound the Allison clock, arranged Speech Day. Nothing, even late at night, was ever too much for Albert, and his loyalty and dedication were justly rewarded in 1977 with the award of the British Empire Medal.
He was highly regarded and greatly respected by all who knew him. During his years at Campbell hundreds of staff and thousands of pupils passed through the school - including those such as rugby international Mike Gibson and Gordon Burns of The Krypton Factor - all of whom had great affection for him. He remembered names and faces long after their departure. He could be stern with reprobates in his Tuck Shop queue, but he was always a man of manners and personal dignity and kindly disposition.
His home for so many years - the Main Gate Lodge - is a listed Grade 1 building; and the people within it were of no less quality. Albert was a husband and father of sound family values, married to Annie - whom he met when she started work at Campbell's prep school, Cabin Hill - for 59 years bar a month, and with two daughters, Betty and Anne. In his retirement he continued to live on the estate, and walked with his wife and dog in the grounds which he loved and properly appreciated.
He passed away peacefully on 5 August to a place where we are promised "there are many mansions" and, I have no doubt, he will look after his and tend the garden with all the care and attention he gave at Campbell.
Could you please do mine while I'm waiting, Albert?!
