Michael Cuthbertson (1967)

Michael Cuthbertson (1967) was born in Edinburgh but brought up in Northwood in Hertfordshire, where he attended Merchant Taylors’ School. At school he was a star runner. He was the son of Vera and Major James Cuthbertson, M.C., a banker and D-Day war hero, about whom Michael only recently published a book. He was the eldest of three brothers.

He came to Queens’ to read History with an entrance scholarship. The family were all regular attenders at Emmanuel, Northwood, and the boys also attended the local class of the Crusaders Union (now ‘Urban Saints’). Michael joined the Christian Union at College, going on to be ‘Coll. Rep.’, then in his second year he was appointed President of the University Christian Union (CICCU).

On graduating he stayed at Queens’ to obtain a PGCE and began teaching at Bradfield College, Reading, in 1971. He became Head of History at Bradfield in 1974 but moved in 1978 to Radley College, Oxfordshire, where he was Head of History, Director of Sixth Form Studies and Master in Charge of Athletics. In 1990 he was appointed Headmaster of Monkton Combe School, near Bath. Michael had a natural authority, which stood him in very good stead as a schoolmaster and as a headmaster, but this was tempered by a great sense of humour, a cool and calm demeanour, innate kindness and friendliness and a complete lack of pomposity, and a pastoral heart. He was an effective and much-respected head and presided over the transition to co-education at Monkton Combe.

He is especially remembered for his personal touch. In his younger days he was also much involved in Christian summer camps, first at Studland Bay Crusaders Camp and then at the Rempstone Adventure Camp in Dorset. There he took charge of the spiritual side of the camp – he had a particular facility in communicating with young people. In 1980 he persuaded his friend and Queens’ contemporary, Dr Jonathan Holmes, to join the leadership group of the Camp. Dr Holmes took charge of recruiting leaders and, over the years, more than 100 Queens’ students served as part of the Rempstone team.

He was a member of the Diocese of Bath and Wells Education Committee and, from 1994 to 2005, an HMC and Independent Schools Inspectorate Inspector. He was a Member of the Admiralty Interview Boad 1991-2004. In 1994 he married Dawn Guinness, a teacher and Christian worker. By 2005, the couple had decided to retire a little early so that they could undertake Christian work abroad. However, at that point, Dawn was diagnosed with two forms of cancer, and they had to put their plans on hold. Instead, Michael undertook first a Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies at Oxford and later an MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission at Trinity College, Bristol. Dawn recovered from her cancers and they settled in Canford Cliffs in Dorset.

Michael became Chairman of the Directors of the Carisbrooke Flats Management Company, where they lived. From 2009 he was an Assistant Teaching Pastor at St Mary’s, Longfleet, Poole, where he was involved in teaching, preaching and administration. He was a Trustee of The Independent Schools Christian Alliance (TISCA) from 2006 and Chairman 2007-11. Michael was much in demand as a School Governor. He was a Governor of St Piran’s School, Maidenhead 1988-97, of Castle Court School, Dorset, 1993-2016 (Chairman 2006-15), of Kingham Hill School 2007-10, of Sedbergh School 2008-18 and Educational Consultant for St Andrew’s School, Turi, Kenya. His interests included walking, watching sport (especially cricket), reading, travel (particularly in Africa and Ireland), model railways, numismatics and photography.

Michael and Dawn moved to Parkstone in 2021. Dawn was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and from early 2025 Michael devoted himself to her care. In the spring of 2026, he was himself given a diagnosis of kidney cancer. Despite a quick nephrectomy, it was found that the cancer had spread. In early June both Dawn and Michael were admitted to palliative care. Michael emailed his brothers, “Dawn and I are racing each other to God’s finishing tape”. She died on 11 June at the age of 80; he died on 24 June, aged 78. A Monkton Combe parent has written, “(They were) a truly exceptional couple radiating God’s love for all those under their care.”

Michael is survived by his brothers Alastair and Brian (who both went to Pembroke College) and their families, and by a legion of friends.

Written by the Rev. Dr Jonathan Holmes, friend of Michael and Fellow of Queens’ College.