5 thoughts on “OC LOST: S Gurpal Singh Ghattoura / Curzon 1960”

1. BM Singh August 26, 2022 at 10:08 pm

   A small correction. The match against Sanawar was in 1958. K S Sandhu confirmed.
2. Sudhir Kashyp August 26, 2022 at 10:06 pm

   Remember him very fondly . He was a very gentle soul and very cool on the football and hockey field . Also a good boxer if i remember .

   I had just exchanged these photos with Sukhminder Sehmby ( Gurmeet Singh son living in london ) . We have become good friends and we met in London . He told me that they are somehow related.

   Rest in Peace Gurpal – we will always remember the Gentle soul and stories about your goalkeeping will always be discussed whenever the OC meet

   Our deep condolences to his family

   Rgds
3. Sam dhanjal August 25, 2022 at 6:17 pm

   Sad to hear about Gurpal. I remember he used to play in the Goal for soccer . May his soul RIP 🙏🙏🙏
4. Dr Deepak Narwal August 25, 2022 at 3:43 pm

   Please pass on our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family 🙏🏼
5. Vijay Khurana (Lefroy, 1954-63) August 25, 2022 at 2:58 pm

   It is sad to learn of the passing away of Gurpal Singh. We only knew him by that name and the surname “Ghattaoura” never figured ever during his years at School.

   During the years from 1953 to possibly 1955, Paul Tonk,(Ibbetson) the tallest man in School those days was the confident goal keeper in the 1st XI Football (Soccer) team. He held the area between the goal posts most easily given his reach.

   Gurpal Singh was his successor and probably the finest goal keeper BCS had seen during the years from 1956-60. This was a statement made by Mr. F M Brown. Actually his reign in that position may have begun in 1955 but that will need a fact check since I write from memory.

   Nothing ever passed Gurpal and the goal area, his turf, was most secure during his long tenure. He was in the team when BCS beat Sanawar in 1959 by 9 to 0, establishing an interschool record. When the ninth goal was scored, Mr. J D Williams rushed excitedly to the War Memorial to inform Rev Dustan that our team had just established a new record with that ball in the corner of the goal net!!

   The Sanawarians meekly responded to that crushing defeat by stating it was their gift to BCS on the occasion of our Centenary!! That defeat had a lot to with Gurpal making some of his finest saves. He was fit, confident and agile. He was simply outstanding

   Gurpal was actually quite superb and in the inter-house soccer tournaments, always hard to get past.

   Gurpal probably possessed one of the biggest beards in School during that time which was open for comparison when we went for our evening showers !! S S Dhanjal came close in that department during that time.

   From what I recall he belonged to a farming family. We mourn his passing away. We offer our condolences to his family. It is sad that life was able to score its final goal past one of the otherwise best protectors for an area of 24 feet by 8 feet. It is the only goal he could not save.

   Good bye, Gurpal. We remember you well and with great fondness because you did defend a lot more during this life. God bless.

   …..
   Pictures sent as attachments (A) Football team 1960 – Gurpal is seated second to the right between Jimmy Hakim & SS Lamba. In the (B) Class of 1960 (taken in 1958), Gurpal is seated third from the left between DK Sachdev & Balwinder Singh, who is currently severely unwell, In the (C) Curzon House 1960 photograph, Gurpal is seated third from the left & (D) Gurpal on the victory stand with Sukhjit Singh (Podgy) and K S Dhanoa (Milo)
   
   
   
   

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