Alistair Roberts

born 19 January 1983; St Hugh’s House September 1996-July 2001; Ist XV Rugby 2000; Gap Year from July 2001, and was working in Val d'Isère in France; died 19 July 2001 in a car accident in Val d’Isère.

Many messages were received from contemporaries. John Heaton Armstrong (E01) wrote to George Murphy (D01) on 20 July 2001 as below

Dear George,
Thank you for your message. It was a great tragedy and one that I think no-one has yet fully comprehended. Myself, James Maskey, Orlando Roberts, Alex Frere-Scott and Simon Lukas shared the offering of Mass for the repose of his soul at St. Mary's Church Clapham last night at which I read the below extract from the book of Wisdom. Forward it to whoever you like as I think it is brilliant
The upright, though he die before his time, will find rest.
Length of days is not what makes age honourable,
Nor number of years the true measure of life;
Understanding, this is grey hairs,
Untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
Having won God's favour, he has been loved
and, as he as among sinners, he has been taken away.
He has been carried off so that evil may not warp
his understanding or deceitfulness seduce his soul;
for the fascination of evil throughs good things into the shade,
and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
Having come to perfection so soon, he has lived long;
his soul being pleasing to the Lord,
he has hurried away from the wickedness around him.
I have no doubt that Ali is now with God.
Yours as ever
John Heaton-Armstrong

On Thursday 20 December 2001 a group of contemporaries assembled for evening Mass at St Mary’s Cadogan Street, Chelsea. On Sunday 23 December 2001about over 30 contemporaries along with a number of parents came spontaneously to Ampleforth for the Sunday Mass, and met together afterwards. Those present included Joseph Atkinson (C01), Alexander Breeze (W01), Anthony Bulger (W), Felix Clarke (E), Crispin Eccleston (T01), Tim Farr (T01), Peter Gretton (J01), Roger Harle (C01), Ben Fitzherbert (E), Tara Jacob-Hillhouse (A01), Simon Lukas (E01), Henry MacHale (W01), Euan Moore (T), Jonty Morris (H), David Pacitti (W01), Izzy Pearson (A), Orlando Roberts (J01), Matthew Rotherham (T01), Alex Sandbach (A), Tom Stanley (W01), Laurence Swann (J01), Sarah Tate (A00), Alice Warrender (A01), Peter Westmacott (TA01), John Whittaker (J01), Freddie Wyvill (E), Dominik zu Lowenstein (C01).  In addition Vice Admiral Michael Gretton CB (B63), His Honour William Morris (B65) and Trish, and others attended.  At Mass at Kirkbymoorside Patrick Duncombe (OA00) led prayers for Alistair.

Nick Arthachinda (J01) wrote from the USA on 23 December 2001 “with all my heart I knowingly pray that he has moved on to a better place. Here I sit writing to you with complete and utter sorrow in realising how delicate life is and how everyday counts. I send with this message my prayers to all Alistair has touched, especially his family and closest friends” 

The funeral, in a crowded church in Gerrard’s Cross, Bucks, took place at 11.00am Friday 4th January. Fr Christian presided; Fr Jeremy, Fr Laurence, Fr Henry, Fr Hugh, Fr Edward, Fr Francis and Fr Chad assisted.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated for Alistair with the monastic community on the 19th January, which would have been his 19th birthday. About 200 students from the College attended and another 200 of his contemporaries, friends and sympathisers. Fr Jeremy was the principal celebrant. A copy of the homily can be seen by clicking here.