Professor Bert Bracewell - picture by kind permission of Richard Winpenny
Professor H T Bracewell “Bert” 1936- 2020
Authored by Bob Jamieson
Bert as he was known to all was born in London and after National Service in the RAF where he served as an Armourer he then spent time working and playing cricket for Iraq Petroleum in London 1966. During this period he was approached to take the position as the first National Fencing Coach for Scotland.
Leaving the Cyrano Club in Essex which he had started some 4 years earlier and the London Latista Club where he had trained under Professor Alf Simmonds the move north would prove to be the beginning of Bert’s lasting legacy and the start of Scottish Fencing’s growth and force in GB Fencing. It would also mark the end of Bert’s own amateur fencing days, which included success in the RAF fencing team and an invite to join the Olympic fencing squad. He would later be runner up in the British Professional Championships on numerous occasions.
One of his jobs on arrival in Scotland was to train the Scottish squad for the 1970s Commonwealth Games. The 1970 Games would be the most successful, and last, Games for Scotland. Bert’s desire to put fencers in the crowd to explain the sport to spectators, meant fencing was a sell-out.
From the late 60’s the development work undertaken by Bert saw the standard and numbers of Scottish Fencers rise significantly. School clubs increased throughout the nation, breaking the mould of fencing being mostly in Edinburgh schools, with Bert’s renowned enthusiastic introduction to the sport. The first ever Scottish School Championships were held in 1969 in Edinburgh with both Public and State schools entering from all over Scotland. 5 days of competitions with Gala Finals on the Saturday, Schools week as it became known had really taken off.
In 1969 Bert established The Scottish Coaches Association, its aim to develop the standard of existing coaches, introduce Scottish coaching awards and also to create new coaches. The choice of Purple track suits for the newly qualified coaches was certainly Bert’s idea.
As National Coach Bert travelled everywhere visiting Scotland’s existing clubs and the many new ones he had set up. Dressed in black track suit bottoms, white BAF track suit top and Blazer with BAF badge he was easily recognised as “The Prof”.
Bert produced and trained many of Scotland’s top fencers however on one occasion when competing at the 1970 Inverclyde Tournament he demonstrated his skill at foil and competitive side by beating all to claim the championship and add his name to the list of illustrious previous winners. He represented Britain at five professional Masters World Championships at all weapons. In Athens, when celebrating beating the then World Champion, he fell off a raised piste and broke his arm, his only ever fencing injury.
A move of house from Edinburgh to Breastmill House Kirkliston in 1981 gave Bert his own training Salle at home. Fencers travelled from all over to take regular lessons at all times of the day in the converted barn and with the floor covering acquired from the running track at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium it proved to be an ideal and permanent training venue for any standard of fencers who loved the sport. He still continued his travels around the Scotland he grew to love, especially the Highlands where he made so many close friendships.
There is no question that the success and the stature of Scottish Fencing today is due significantly to the work of Bert Bracewell. From 1966 when he came to Scotland to his retirement in 1992 the quality of his teaching and the enthusiasm he constantly demonstrated was the defining factor. Following his retirement as National Coach, Bert continued coaching and developing British Champions. He was still coaching until the coronavirus pandemic forced him to self-isolate.
Bert’s well worn old style plastron which he wore for many years and regarded by many of his pupils as being far too small certainly improved the accuracy of the cut or hit during the lesson. However, Bert, always one to ask that bit extra from the pupil during the lesson, probably adjusted his target just in time to avoid the hit landing on his unprotected chest.
In 2016, to celebrate Bert’s 80th birthday the family organised a surprise birthday party and fencing event for him. How they kept this surprise from Bert is anyone’s guess but the look of delight and the smile on his face when fencer after fencer knocked on the door clearly demonstrated the mutual love and respect shared by both fencer and coach. Guests from as far as Cornwall to Shetland, and Chile to Australia turned up to celebrate this remarkable coach’s 80th birthday. Recalling tales from almost 50 years of fencing made it a long but very enjoyable day.
It’s impossible to count the number of fencers Bert produced, from the beginners who just liked fencing to the medal-winning Paralympians, Olympic fencers, the fun loving drama students, the dedicated Scottish wheelchair fencers, the British and Scottish Champions - he coached them all.
In 1980 Bert was awarded the prestigious Gauthier Trophy by the British Academy of Fencing for his services to youth fencing and in 2016 the Lifetime Achievement Award from British Fencing.
Bert was not just a great fencing coach. He was a father-figure to many and a man who encouraged all, no matter their background, gender or sex, to widen their ambitions, believe anything was possible and to go for their dreams, in fencing, education and work. Bert treated everyone equally, training the person before him, and helping individuals realise their own fencing and non-fencing strengths. Through tough times, fencers knew they would be greeted by his warm personality and cheeky grin and find a home and safe haven in fencing halls and salles.
An avid stamp collector and Miniature Metal Soldier enthusiast, Bert painted his Military collections in great detail and re-enacted many 18th century historical battles. His tactical awareness, obviously from his ability as a fencer, gave his opponents little chance as his cavalry and foot soldiers advanced without warning to claim the day.
Bert was also a very good and very competitive cricketer. A favourite tale of his, was his two hattricks in successive years for Iraq Petroleum which gained him two salary increases. His love for fencing saw him continue to take up the sword every day but he did have to sacrifice his joy of playing regular cricket. He passed on the joy of cricket to his son and grandson.
Bert passed away peacefully on 14 June at home surrounded by his greatest love, Joan, and his loving family who he cherished. He will be sadly missed by all, his love and passion for the sport which he passed on to everyone will be remembered for ever.
Bert is survived by his wife Joan, children Julia, Karen and Michael, and his grandchildren, Jonty, Amy, Scott, Laura and Josh.
