Ray Grist, a 92-year-old ex-serviceman from Woolton, is an inpatient at Aintree Hospital, said it was a case of 'duty calls' as he stepped up to be the first person in Liverpool to receive the new coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, 8th December.

Ray said his time in the armed forces meant he knew it was time to step up and help the fight against Covid-19.

He commented: “Being an ex-serviceman, duty calls. I just felt it was the right thing to do to get rid of this horrible disease if possible.”

During the Headship of Roy Haygarth, Commander Ray Harwood Grist became only the fifth Bursar of Liverpool College since 1840.

Ray was a "forward thinker" and a man who liked to get things done. Pretty much his first act was to move the Bursary from the cramped rooms in the Stable Buildings of Mossley Vale, into the palatial surroundings of South Lodge, the two-storey house facing onto Queens Drive.

His next major step fully embraced the coming of technology and the introduction of computers throughout the school.

Always known for a sense of humour [Ed: "How could he not be; he supported West Ham"] Ray was always so busy that many commented that he never had time to finish a cup of coffee!

He loyally served Liverpool College from April 1980 till summer 1993.