Barry and Elizabeth Dighton

30/09/2009 | Died in 2009

In tribute to retired headmaster Barry Dighton and his wife Elizabeth who were found murdered in their home in Croydon, South London on 30 September, 2009.

Mr Dighton, 61, retired last year as headmaster of Elmhurst School for Boys in south Croydon, one of the leading independent prep schools in the country.

He was still involved in school activities and was secretary of the Croydon Schools Cricket Association.

Mrs Dighton was 60.

The couple had been married for 40 years and had a son, Daniel. They had recently moved to the area to be near him.

Close friend Edward Handley said: “I am deeply saddened by the news. He was a very nice man and his wife was a lovely lady.

“They were such a kind and deeply caring couple who thought only of others.”

Your Memories

What a loss! Barry Dighton was one of the last of the old breed of teachers - teachers who devoted their lives to the teaching of children. The children he taught both loved and respected him. We parents admired and respected him whilst appreciating what he was sowing into our children's lives. Mrs Dighton was the ultimate supporting wife. Mr was witty, but above all, caring. He knew every boy at Elmhurst not only by name, but thoroughly. He also knew how to get the best out of those boys - not only academically, but socially too. He made such an impact on our lives that I had to email him with my son's GCSE results this summer, even though he had not taught or seen my son for five years. RIP both of you. P O — 01.10.2009
I am only 15 years old but I'd like to pay my last respects to Mr. and Mrs. Dighton. Mr. Dighton always had faith in me despite my bad grades at primary school. I remember my first interview for him to try and join Elmhurst. He said that I was severely weak in Maths but my English was good. He told me "I'll make a bet on you. You'll make it or break it" Yet I was still academically poor, no other teachers had faith in me.... apart from Mr. Dighton. Because of this I persevered so that I could hear him say "Hafizul, I'm proud to have taught you"... Before I knew it, I had just gotten a place into Whigift and top in my class. The next year Mr. and Mrs. Dighton retired to live a 'peaceful' life. This meant I was extremely fortunate to have been taught by a man of such calibre. As the years continued I still never received the pride I had worked so hard to achieve... well not until Year 10. He finally told me, "Hafizul, You're now the student I always knew you could be, I'm proud to have taught you".

R.I.P Hafizul Haq — 01.10.2009
Though I'm only 15 years old I'd like to pay my last respects to Mr. and Mrs. Dighton. Mr. Dighton always had faith in me despite my bad grades at primary school. I remember my first interview for him to try and join Elmhurst. He said that I was severely weak in Maths and quite good in English. He told me "I'll make a bet on you. You'll make it or break it" Yet I was still academically poor, no other teachers had faith in me.... apart from Mr. Dighton. Because of this I persevered so that I could hear him say "Hafizul, I'm proud to have taught you". Soon I had gotten a place into Whigift and top in my class. The next year though Mr. and Mrs. Dighton retired to live a 'peaceful' life. This meant I was extremely fortunate to have been taught by a man of such calibre. As the years continued I still never received the note of pride I had been working so hard to achieve... well not until Year 10. He finally said to me, "Hafizul, You've become the student I always knew you could be, I'm proud to have taught you". Hafizul Haq — 01.10.2009
This tribute was published on 01.10.2009
Barry Dighton

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