Edward Bush, the middle son of Jonathan and Annabel Bush and much-adored brother of Harry and James, died on 4th June 2021.  Edward attended Moulsford from Year 3 to Year 8 (2012-2018).  His close friends Charlie Henderson and Milo Griffiths, also Old Moles, have shared the following memories of him.

“Edward began his school life on the other side of the road, at Cranford House. A funny, enthusiastic boy, with a contagious smile. He eased his way through his time here, found often alongside Charlie gunning down the enemy soldiers around the willow tree. You couldn’t ask for anything more out of someone so young, Ed carried the generosity and wisdom of someone much older. He will always be remembered as someone constantly putting others first, even from his first years and throughout his life. This was second nature to Edward, reflecting his pure, kind heart. With all these characteristics, Ed would soon be a perfect student for his next step, at Moulsford Prep School. 

In many ways, Edward epitomised the very best that Moulsford produces as a school, a complete all-rounder that loved sport, particularly Rugby and hockey at Moulsford, and latterly polo. Edward was also a keen trumpet player, and having sat next to him in the orchestra for 3 years, I can say that I never heard him play a wrong note in all the performances we did together.  I will always remember his excitement but also the cool and professional manner with which he prepared, particularly at Mr Bissell’s incredible Christmas carol concerts at Pangbourne College.

Having known Edward for 14 years, it was always going to be difficult to summarise such an incredible life in a few short pages. However, I thought I would share some stories of our time together at Moulsford that illustrated both how much he loved this place, but also how much Moulsford influenced him and shaped him into the incredible young man he was.

My first … another funny time we had and one of my fondest Moulsford memory with ‘Bushy’ was sitting on stage with him in our Year 5 production of Fantastic Mr Fox. We had both been cast as Rabbits, hardly the leading role. However, Bushy was about to steal the show. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, Fantastic Mr. Fox ends with a feast made up of the plunder from his successful trips to the farms of Boggis, Bunce and Bean. This was depicted with a wide spread of food but in our role as Rabbits we were somewhat limited to what we could eat. Lettuce leaves, sticks of carrot and other vegetables sufficed for me and the rest of the rabbits, but not Edward! I looked across to see him devouring three chicken legs much to the disappointment of those cast in the role of actual carnivorous animals and totally off script!

Another fond memory is during our musical performance together in Moulsford’s Got Talent.  As neither a particularly gifted singer, nor skilled instrumentalist, I was unsure if I would be able to fit into the band created by our group of friends. Desperate to get involved, I asked Edward what I could do.  As it turned out, he said there was a role for me providing the cymbal crash at the opening of Macklemore’s ‘Can’t hold us’.  The performance went off without a hitch and although we were unsuccessful, we fully enjoyed the experience. It was only listening back to the song recently that I realised there was no cymbal crash.  Bushy had created a role for me out of thin air, just so that I would be able to be a part of the performance. This kindness and willingness to make time for others, coupled with the great sense of fun with which Edward did everything at Moulsford, made him such a great Old Mole, and an even better friend who is sorely missed.”

Edward went on to Stowe school in Year 9 and was due to join his brothers in the Sixth Form at Eton College. He had aspirations to join the Coldstream Guards. Edward is buried in a peaceful spot in the churchyard of St Mary’s the Virgin Church, Turville.