Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameRuth Erica DUCKERING 
, 894
, 894Birth8 July 1914, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England1768
Census29 September 1939, 38 St Barnabas Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England1754 Age: 25
DeathNovember 2004, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England1769 Age: 90
OccupationSecretary to Cambridge County Girls School 19391754
FatherRichard DUCKERING , 890 (1879-1964)
MotherMarie Elise Auguste PONNDORF , 891 (1876-1952)
Never married
Notes for Ruth Erica DUCKERING
Ruth went to school in Streatham and was taught under the 'Dalton' system, which was only tried on a limited basis. Ruththen did a Business study course at Cambridge. (Ruth D.conversation 9.3.96)
Ruth did not marry. (Herself, 2/96)
Ruth as a child lived briefly in Streatham, 1924/5 and moved to Cambridge in 1931, where she has always lived. Ruth is a strong Christian lady, who was converted at a Brethen meeting in Cambridge in 1934 and then at some stage became very active in helping with Campaigners camps and Crusaders. (Ruth conversation 9.3.96)
Ruth early 2003 has moved from her home, 53 Glisson Road, Cambridege to Hope Nursing , Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge - the funds from her home paying for her care. (Letter from Mrs Heather GOULD, friend and attorney - 17.12.03)
Ruth was a school secretary from which, due to being highly recommended switched into the schools career advisory service, which she did for six years, before changing to provide the same service at Saffron Walden, commutting from Cambridge. Ruth retired from this job. (Ruth D. conversation 9.3.96)
Our final post to celebrate Women's History Month focuses on the daring Miss Ruth Duckering, the School Secretary.
After the college had been commandeered by the military in Spring 1915, Miss Duckering was determined it wouldn't happen again to the newly renovated buildings in 1940.
One afternoon when Miss Duckering was alone in the building dealing with some preparatory administration, a large sleek car drew up at the front door and two army officers alighted. One was of senior rank, in immaculate uniform and highly polished leather. On meeting them and offering help Miss Duckering was informed that they were from the War Office with the assignment of looking over the school to assess its suitability as a military hospital.
Numb with shock at the thought of this long-awaited and much needed school being commandeered before anybody had time to appreciate it, Miss Duckering pulled herself together and accompanied the officers on their tour, pointing out at every turn how inadequate the building was for their purpose... all that glass, such an exposed position, a sitting target for an enemy air raid, the railway bridge was mined, supposing it received a direct hit, unsuitable toilet provision...
She must have done a good job for the officers went off and commandeered the Leys School buildings instead! (Posted 20 March 2025 by Long Road Sixth Form College Alumni on facebook)
Ruth left her estate to the 'R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Trust)' details as follows: "DRAFT, The Charity Commissioners for England & Wales, under the power given in the Charities Act 1993, Order from today, the following SCHEME, will alter or affect the trusts of the Charity known as, 'R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Fund)'. SCHEME, 1.Definitions. In this scheme, 'the existing governing document' menas the Will of Ruth Erica Duckering, proved at Ipswich District Probate Registry on 1st March 2005. 'the charity' means the charity identified at the beginning of this scheme. 'the trustee' means the trustee of the charity. 2. Administration.The charity is to be administered in accordance with the existing governing document as altered or affected by this scheme. 3. Name. The name of the charity is R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Fund). 4. Objects. The object of the charity are the advancement of Protestant & Evangelical Faith for the benefit of the Christain Community in Central & Eastern Europe. 5. Trustee. The trustee of the chairty is the Scripture Gift Mission (registred charity number 219055). Questions relating to the scheme. The Commissioners may decide any question put to them concerning: 1) the interpretation of this scheme; or 2) the propriety or validity of anything done or intended to be done under it. (Case no.: 468506 date 24th October 2005)
Ruth did not marry. (Herself, 2/96)
Ruth as a child lived briefly in Streatham, 1924/5 and moved to Cambridge in 1931, where she has always lived. Ruth is a strong Christian lady, who was converted at a Brethen meeting in Cambridge in 1934 and then at some stage became very active in helping with Campaigners camps and Crusaders. (Ruth conversation 9.3.96)
Ruth early 2003 has moved from her home, 53 Glisson Road, Cambridege to Hope Nursing , Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge - the funds from her home paying for her care. (Letter from Mrs Heather GOULD, friend and attorney - 17.12.03)
Ruth was a school secretary from which, due to being highly recommended switched into the schools career advisory service, which she did for six years, before changing to provide the same service at Saffron Walden, commutting from Cambridge. Ruth retired from this job. (Ruth D. conversation 9.3.96)
Our final post to celebrate Women's History Month focuses on the daring Miss Ruth Duckering, the School Secretary.
After the college had been commandeered by the military in Spring 1915, Miss Duckering was determined it wouldn't happen again to the newly renovated buildings in 1940.
One afternoon when Miss Duckering was alone in the building dealing with some preparatory administration, a large sleek car drew up at the front door and two army officers alighted. One was of senior rank, in immaculate uniform and highly polished leather. On meeting them and offering help Miss Duckering was informed that they were from the War Office with the assignment of looking over the school to assess its suitability as a military hospital.
Numb with shock at the thought of this long-awaited and much needed school being commandeered before anybody had time to appreciate it, Miss Duckering pulled herself together and accompanied the officers on their tour, pointing out at every turn how inadequate the building was for their purpose... all that glass, such an exposed position, a sitting target for an enemy air raid, the railway bridge was mined, supposing it received a direct hit, unsuitable toilet provision...
She must have done a good job for the officers went off and commandeered the Leys School buildings instead! (Posted 20 March 2025 by Long Road Sixth Form College Alumni on facebook)
Ruth left her estate to the 'R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Trust)' details as follows: "DRAFT, The Charity Commissioners for England & Wales, under the power given in the Charities Act 1993, Order from today, the following SCHEME, will alter or affect the trusts of the Charity known as, 'R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Fund)'. SCHEME, 1.Definitions. In this scheme, 'the existing governing document' menas the Will of Ruth Erica Duckering, proved at Ipswich District Probate Registry on 1st March 2005. 'the charity' means the charity identified at the beginning of this scheme. 'the trustee' means the trustee of the charity. 2. Administration.The charity is to be administered in accordance with the existing governing document as altered or affected by this scheme. 3. Name. The name of the charity is R E Duckering Will Trust (William Grunbaum Fund). 4. Objects. The object of the charity are the advancement of Protestant & Evangelical Faith for the benefit of the Christain Community in Central & Eastern Europe. 5. Trustee. The trustee of the chairty is the Scripture Gift Mission (registred charity number 219055). Questions relating to the scheme. The Commissioners may decide any question put to them concerning: 1) the interpretation of this scheme; or 2) the propriety or validity of anything done or intended to be done under it. (Case no.: 468506 date 24th October 2005)