The Lion Summer 1945

SUMMER,

"THE THE

HAMPTON

194S

LION"

GRAMMAR

SCHOOL

Vol. 32 (New Series).

MAGAZINE

No. 2.

SCHOOL,

VICTORY IN EUROPE. Few of our readers will have awaited the publication of the Lion to learn that the war in Europe came to an end not, as had been feared in some quarters, in the school holidays, but early in this term. Owing to the general holiday there were no celebrations at School on VE-Day or VE + 1, although many of us were doing our best to set the Thames Valley on fire elsewhere, but more attention than usual was paid Boon afterwards to the Empire Day service and parade. The School tower, moreover, was floodlit, and four Union Flags in addition to that on the flagstaff projected from its windows. A more lavish display of decoration was prevented by the difficulty of inserting nails into bricks, concrete and metal windowframes.

Whatever our personal reasons may be for particular rejoicing, among which may be counted the absence of enemy explosive missiles, as a magazine we appreciate the relaxation of the censorship. As a School we have a vast, over-riding joy in the return home of our prisoners of war.

SCHOOL OFFICERS—SPRING TERM 1945.

Senior Prefects:—A. C. S. Brown, Captain of School; K. 0. Edwards, J. F. S. Frith, ViceCaptains of School; W. L. Parker, K. G. Smith.

Junior Prefects:—J. A. M. Kirkby, J. A. Fewster, D. M. Balmforth, D. H. J. Warner.

Probationer Prefects:—A. G. Davison, C. B. Wright, P. A. Daniell, B. W. Bardwell, B. M. Wood, A. E. Marsden, M. E. Brown, E. A. Baynham, D. G. M. Bead, W. S. Walkinshaw, O. Hensley, D. C. B. Scrivener.

D. V. Drury.

ACADEMIC SUCCESSES.

We congratulate A. C. S. Brown, who has obtained a Minor Open Scholarship in Modern Languages .at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He is the third Hamptonian in three years to win such a Scholarship.

We congratulate also 0. B. Wright, who has been awarded an Open Exhibition in Mathematics and Physics at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

3nd ROTARY ESSAY

CONTEST.

For the second time H.G.S. has shown good results in the essay competitions organised by the Teddington Eotary Club. This year competitors were asked to give constructive criticisms on a pamphlet drawn up by Eotary International on " Reconstruction," a broad title giving plenty of scope for individual ideas.

The four winners read their essays in the -esence of Mr. E. H. Keeling, Twickenham's .P. A. 0. G. Gifford. who won first prize, claimed that the application of New Testament principles for the preservation of peace was merely idealistic and would never solve the problem by itself." M. E. Brown (4th

S

prize) took the opposite view, however. Second prize went to C. I. Cochius, who favoured an international armed body. P. H. Parsons (3rd prize) saw the need for " world patriotism " to take the place of " national patriotism."

Mr. Keeling, in summing up, thought that the judgment of Paris would have " been easy compared with the task of judging between the papers." The School was inclined to agree with him after the winners had read their essays on four mornings during Assembly.

Over thirty boys entered the competition from the School.

VALETE. 6A. Best, N. J. (1939).—M. 1944.—Clerkship with an accountant.

Dow, R. (1939).—Colts' Cricket XI 1944.

M. 1944.—Entered Midland Bank.

Minings, P. H. (1939).—First Chess VI 1944-5. M. 1944.

Lucas, R. F. J. (1939).—M. 1944.—Clerkship with Eastwoods Ltd. Mason, J. (1939).—M. 1944.—Clerkship with Phoenix Timber Co. " Scrivener, D. C. B. (1939).—Probationer Prefect, First Cricket XI 1944, First Football XI 1944-5. M. 1944.—Clerkship with Leach, Bright & Co., Eichmond.

Smith, I. H. (1939).—M. 1944.—Clerkship with Barclay^ Bank, Whitton.

Wing, M. K. (1939).—First Football XI 1943-4. G.S.C. 1944.

6S. Edwards, K. C. (1938).—Vice-Captain of School, Senior Prefect, Captain of Garrick's House, P.L. in Scout Troop, Cpl. in A.T.C., Third Football XI 1945, Secretary and Captain of Eifle Club 1942-4.

Captain of Boxing Club 1944-5. M. 1943.

—To Cardiff University on F.A.A. Short Course.

M. 1944.—Entered EJST, through "T" Scheme.

5D. Austen, J. A. (1943).—Entered "Daily Mail" Office.

Catford, M. L. (1940).—Apprenticed to Hawker's Aircraft.

Clements, B. (1940).—Second Football XI 1943-4-6.—Clerkship in McCaw Shipping Office.

Clifton, D. C. (1940).—Learner, Hampton Court Palace Gardens.

Cumey, M. F. (1940).—To drawing office of Simmonds Aircraft.

Maxwell, R. A. (1943).—Learner at Compton's Aircraft Engineering Works, Teddington.

4A.

Day, P. D. (1941).

MoCathie, C. W. (1942).—To T.S. "Worcester." • 40. Webb, E. R. (1941).—Apprentice tradesman In Army.

3A. Bonfield, F. A. (1942).

Moss-Blundell, R. (1942).

SB. Redman, K. L. (1942).

3C. Ross-Cower, N. R. (1942).

2A. Grant, R. R. (1943).—Family moved to Deal.

20. Banks, S. A. (1943).—To Twickenham J.T.S. TERM'S CHARITY. Our collections last term were devoted to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. Certain forms organised special events to brine in more money, particularly 3B. Who contributed the largest individual amount of over £4. As a result we were able to send £41 to the Hospital.

This term we have decided to collect for the O.H.A. War Memorial Fund. This may seem somewhat premature, since the Japanese war has still to be won, but the collection of sufficient money to provide a fitting Memorial will be no small task.

HOSPITAL PENNIES. Last term's penny per head contribution from the School raised £2-10-4 for Hampton Hospital.

NATIONAL SAVINGS. Aggregate sales of stamps and certificates 1

SPORT

ATHLETICS, 1945.

Captain: A. E. Maraden (W).

Secretary: P. A. Daniell (P).

The season opened this year, with cross country running, on Monday, February 12th.

High spots of the season's programme included a lecture by Mr, J. C. G. Orump of the A.A.A. and a meeting with Tiffin's School, which has not yet taken place at the time of writing. Thanks are due to everyone who helped to make the season a success. We hope the breaking of four relay and six individual records is an indication of things to come.

Cross Country Running.

The final runs were held on the afternoon of Thursday, March 22nd. The Intermediates, running over last year's Senior course, went off first, the winner, B. B. Stevens (B), who led from the start, completing the course in the very fast time of 17 mins. 28 sees. W. Hughes was second with G. B. Wyllie (G) and J. M. Caldow (B) third and fourth respectively.

Altogether 28 runners qualified for their standards (21 mins.).

The Senior course consisted of last year's Senior course together with one lap of the School field, an extra half mile or so. P. A. Daniell (P) took the lead about a mile from home to win in 19 mins. 38 sees. D. A. M. Phipps (B) was second, with A. E. Marsden (W) and M. E. Brown (G) third and fourth respectively. The first four competitors qualified for colours (20 mins. 30 sees.), whilst 20 obtained their standards (23 mins.).

for the Spring Term amounted to £447-6-6— an increase of about £75 over the previous term's total.

OBITUARY. P.W.D. His many friends among Old Hamptonians of the years 1924 to 1939 will deeply regret to hear of P.W.D's death at the end of the Spring Term 1945. In his time he had been a great friend to the School, more particularly of course the old School in the Upper Sunbury Road. He had done a good deal for our new premises too, notably in clearing the 30-acre site of atones in 1937-8. Apparently he never recovered from the shock of the war and although his parents and others did their beat to stimulate and cheer him in varioua ways he grew weaker and weaker and eventually passed away during the Easter holiday of this year. He may perhaps be regarded as a war casualty but ma untimely end was probably hastened by the increasing tendency of our time—regarded by many as one of the most serious of our present day national problems—to expect ninepence for fourpence, or indeed for nothing at all. In his later years he had, it is sad to record, few friends; he was indeed an object of mild derision in some quarters.

B.I.P. LION SALES, SPRING TERM.

6A, 16; 68, 10; 5A, 26; 5B, 29; 50, 5D, 12; 5Q, 26; 4A, 21; 4B, 19: 40, 12; 4Q, 3A, 18; 3B, 12; 30, 10; 3Q, 24; 2A, 2B, 15; 20, 20; 1A, 21; IB, 18; 10, 25; ID, Total 418.

17; 27; 13; 27.

CZ^Ul

The Mile.

The mile was run on the evening ot Tuesi day, May 15th. The first four in the order of their finishing, were A. E. Marsden (W), P. A. Daniell (P), E. Twitchen (W) and P. J. Wyllie (G). The time was 5 mins. 3 3/5 sees., showing once again the School's need for a competent miler.

The Relays.

The Belays were held on Thursday, May 17th (one week later because of VE-Day).

Despite the excellent weather, the attendance of non-runners waa exceedingly poor compared with last year. The results were as follows : — 4 S 880, Inter. — 1, B; 2, G; 3, P. Time 10 mins. 33 3/5 sees.

4 x 880, Senior. — 1, W; 2, P; 3, B. Time 9 mins. 10 1/5 sees. (Record).

High Jump, Junior. — 1, B; 2, P, G. 8ft.

Long Jump, Inter. — 1, B; 2, W; 3, P.— 33ft.

01 ins.

4 x 220, Senior. — 1, B; 2, W; 3. P. Time 1 min. 45 2/5 sees.

4 x 220, Junior.— 1, P; 2, W; 3, G. Time 2 mins. 9 1/10 sees.

4 x 220, Inter. — 1, G; 2, B; 3, P. Time 1 min.

54 4/5 sees.

High Jump, Senior. — 1, B; 2, P; 3, W. —9 ft.

6 ins.

Long Jump, Junior. — 1, B; 2, W; 3, P. 28 ft.

2 ins.

4 x 440, Inter. — 1, B; 2, G; 3, P. Time 4 mins. 10 7/101 sees. (Eecord).

4 x 440, Senior.—1, B; 2, P; 3. 0.—Time 3 mine. 55 sees. (Record).

4 x 440, Junior.—1, B; 2, W; 3, G. Time 4 mine. 51 sees. (Record).

High Jump, Inter.—1, P; 2, G; 3, W 7ft. llins.

Long Jump, Senior.—1, G; 2, B; 3, P. 33 ft.

8 ins.

Weight.—1, P; 2, W; 3, B. 63 ft. 7J ins.

FINAL RESULTS: B, 66; P, 46; G, W, 34.

Sports Day. Sports Day this year was on Saturday, May 26th, and although the track and field were in very good condition the weather was not on our side. However, there were some very good performances and special mention should be made of D. J. Osborne'a "double" —the 440 yards record in 55 sees, and his long jump record of 19 feet 61 ins.; and W. L. Parker's weight record of 34 feet 6i ins.

Senior Victores Ludorum: D. J. Oslborne (B), W. L. Parker (P), E. A. Raynham (W).

Inter. Victor Ludorum: B. B. Stevens (B).

Junior Victor Ludorum: D. G. R. Helehaw (B).

100 Yards, Junior. Time 13 4/5 sees.

1, Willby, J. W. (B); 2, Lucas, J. N. D. (B); 3, Rowson, H. A. (P).

100 Yards, 1st Inter. Time 124 sees.

1, Bush, J. W. (G); 2, Duthoit, W. P. (P); Jackson, D. C. (P).

100 Yards, 2nd Inter. Time 11 2/5 sees., (Rod.).

1, Stevens, B. B. (B); 2. Bradley, P. D. (W); 3, Ridgway, P. C. (G).

100 Yards, 1st Senior. Time 12 1/10 sees.

1, Syrad, F. J. P. (B); 2, Wright. T. S. (G); 3, Read, A. D. (W).

100 Yards, 2nd Senior. Time 11 seca.

1, Baynham, E. A. (W); 2, Parker, W. L. (P); 3, Fewster, J. A. (P).

220 Yards, Junior. Time 29 4/5 sees.

1, Smith, B. S. (B): 2, Belshaw, D. G. R. (B); 3, Mason, I. R. (P).

220 Yards, 1st Inter. Time 29 1/10 sees.

1, Bush, J. W. (G); 2, Jackson, D. C. (P); 3, Bebb, H. W. (G).

220 Yards, 2nd Inter. Time 26 1/10 sees.

1, Stevens. B. B. (B); 2, Bradley, P. D. (W); 3, Collins, G. E. (G).

220 Yards, 1st Senior. Time 26 1/10 sees.

1, Cutting. D. B. (B): 2, Wyllie, P. J. (G); 3, Wright, T. 8. (d).

220 Yards, 2nd Senior. Time 24 7/10 sees.

1, Baynham, E. A. (W); 2. Osborne, D. J. (B); 3, Mittler. T. E. (B).

440 Yards, Junior. Time 72 sees.

1, Belshaw, D. G. R. (B_); 2, White, W. L. (G); 3, Lucas, J. N.. D. (B).

440 Yards, 1st Inter. Time 64 4/5 sees.

1. Price, B. E. (G); 2, Duthoit. W. P. (P); 3, Bentley, P. S. (W).

440 Yards, 2nd Inter. Time 62 4/5 sees.

1, Caldow. J. M. (B); 2, Ward, G. A. (B); 3. Wylliej G. B. (G).

440 Yards, 1st Senior. Time 59 1/5 sees.

1, Cutting, D. B. (B); 2, Wood, J. C. (G); 3, Bowpitt, P. D. (B).

440 Yards, 2nd Senior. Time 55 sees. (Record).

1, Osborne, D. J. (B); 2, Daniell, P. A. (P); 3; Potts, G. (P).

88O Yards, 1st Inter. Time 2 mins. 32 1/10 sees.

1, Price, R. E. (G); 2, Howe, A. D. (P); 3, Card, -A. (B).

880 Yards, 2nd Inter. Time 2 mins. 25 9/10 sees.

1, Hughes, W. (B); 2, Wyllie, G. B. (G); 3, Collins, G. E. (G).

880 Yards, 1st Senior. Time 2 mins. 17 sues.

1, Wyllie, P. J. (G); 2, Syrad, F. J. P. (B); 3, Lochead, C. W. (P).

880 Yards, 2nd Senior. Time 2 mins. 12 9/10 sees.

1, Marsden, A. E. (W); 2, Daniell, P. A. (P); 3, Brown, M. E. (G).

High Jump, Junior. Height 4 ft. 41 ins.

1, Smith, B. S. (B); 2, Gardner, M. W. (G); 3, Ackary, D. F. B. (W).

High Jump, 1st Inter. Height 4 ft. 13 ins.

1, Curtis, D. A. (P): 2, Price, R. E. (G); 3, Bentley, P. S. (W).

High Jump, 2nd Inter. Height 4 ft. 61 ina.

1, Sharman, A. T. (G); 2, Hayter, A. R. S. (W); 3, Hughes, W. (B).

High Jump, 1st Senior. Height 4 ft. 10 ins.

1, Wright. T. S. (G); 2, Pratt, M. A. 0. (P); 3, Tanner, J. A. (P).

High Jump, 2nd Senior. Height 4 ft. 10 ins.

1, Wood, B. M. (B); 2, Bardwell, B. W. (G); 3, Brown, A. C. S. (B).

Long Jump, Junior. Distance 14 ft. 1 in.

1, Belshaw, D. G. R. (B); 2, Lucas, J. N. D. (B); 3, Price, F. O. (G).

Long Jump, 1st Inter. Distance 14 ft. 94 ins.

1, Price, E. E. (G): 2, Cooper, A. H. (W); 3.

Forrester, D. M. (B).

Long Jump, 2nd Inter. Distance 16 ft. 81 ins.

1, Stevens, B. B. (B); 2, Bradley, P. D. (W); 3, Caldow, J. M. (B).

Long Jump, 1st Senior. Distance 17 ft. 5J ins.

1, Wrignt, T. 8. (G): 2, Wyllie, P. J. (G); 3, Carpenter, R. E. G. (B).

Long Jump, 2nd Senior. Distance 19 ft. 61 ins.

(Record).

1, Osborne, D. J. (B): 2, Chessun, T. F. (G); 3, Balmforth, D. M. (P).

Cricket Ball, Junior. Distance 160 ft. 1 in.

1, Gardner, M. W. (G); 2, Emery, L. J. (P) ; 3, McKenzie, J. D. (W).

Cricket Ball, 1st Inter. Distance 175 ft. 6 ins.

1,\ Sharp, C. P. (B); 2, Timms, R. A. (B); 3, Duthoit, W. P. (P).

Cricket Ball, 2nd Inter. Distance 199 ft; 1, Court, D. E. B. (G); 2, Van Toll. A. (P); 3, Chambers, J. A. (W).

Cricket Ball, 1st Senior. Distance 239 ft. 3 ins.

1, Bowpitt, P. D. (B); 2, Syrad, F. J. P. <B); 3, Glenister. P. A. (W).

Cricket Ball, 2nd Senior. Distance 250 ft.

1, Norris, C. J. (G); 2, Moaksom, W. W. (B); 3, Parker, W. L. (P).

Weight, 1st Senior. Distance 29 ft. 6 ins.

1, Wyllie, P. J. (G): 2, Syrad, F. J. P. (B); 3, Wood, J. 0. (G).

Weight, 2nd Senior. Distance 34 ft. 61 ins.

(Record).

1, Parker, W. L. (P); 2, Raynham, E. A. (W); 3, Langthorne, W. N. (B).

Discus, 1st Senior. Distance 88 ft. 6 ina.

1, Wyllie, P. J. (G); 2, Gleniater, P. A. (W): 3, Bowpitt,. P. D. (B).

Discus, 2nd Senior. Distance 92 ft. 5J ins.

1, Daniell, P. A. (P); 2, Parker, W- L. (P); 3, Langthorne, W. N. (B).

ATHLETICS—POINTS FOR HOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP. EVENTS.

B. Standards and Badges 47 12 O.C.R 4 Mile 2 4 x 880 6 4 x 440 4 x 220 6 High Jump x 2 6 4 Long Jump x 2 2 Weight * 2 ...

3 100 Yards (I) ...

100 Yards (II) 3 220 Yards (I) ...

3 220 Yards (II) 4 440 Yards (I) ...

3 440 Yards (II) 2 880 Yards (I) ...

880 Yards (II) Cricket Ball (I) 5 2 Cricket Ball (II) 1 Discus (I) 1 Discus (II) 1 Long Jump (I) Long Jump (II) 3 High Jump (I) 4 High Jump (II) 3 Weight (I) 1 Weight (II) Totals 128

SENIOR. G. P. W. 27 33 221 4 — 8 1 1 6 .— 4 6 4 — 2 2 4 — 4 2 — 2 6 4 6 — 2 1 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 3 1 — — 1 — 3 2 3 5 5 1 2 3 3 — 2 3 2 3 76

82

591

SWIMMING REPORT.

As is usual in the Spring Term swimming activities were rather few. The old season finished and the new one, for most people, having not begun, swimming has taken a back place. A few people, however, have kept in training througnout the winter and are ready for the swimming season proper.

Life Saving was started this term but had a very poor response. Last year over 100 people put their names down for it, of whom under 30 took the exam, and yet this term there are only about 35 people interested in Life Saving. I hOpe_ this is riot because they have lost interest in this great work; but perhaps when they see others going up on the stage to receive their awards they will decide next year they top will have a try.

SCOUT TROOP.

The Camping Programme for the Summer Term has been arranged as follows:— June 2ml—3rd! Week-end Training Camp on School Field for Scouts working on First Class Badge and for those working on Cook Badge.

June 9th—10th: Week-end Training Camp on School Field for Scouts working on Second Class Badge and for those working on Cook Badge.

July 6th—8th: Troop Campercraft Competition in patrols on School Field. All parents, friends and Old Scouts are invited to attend on the Sunday afternoon and inspect the camp. Bull details will be notified to Scouts later in the term, July 28th—August 8th: Summer Training Camp at Ottershaw.

Unfortunately in view of the lack of support, the Whitsun Trek in Surrey for First Class Scouts had to' be cancelled, but in its place was held, on Ranmore Common, a very enjoyable and instructive " Backwoodsman Training Camp." In addition, several patrols deserve credit for arranging Patrol Camps during the Easter holidays.

INTERMEDIATE. B. G. P. W. 29 331 181 81 12 4 8 —.

— — 2 6 — 4 2 — 6 4 2 — 4 6 5 — 2 5 2 — 6 4 3 3 5 1 3 5 — — 1 4 1

3 1 4 1 3 1 3 3 3

3 2 2

2 1

5 4

—

3

2 2 1 2

4 4 4

1

2 —

1 2 —1 —

W. 18 — —.

1

5

2

3 2 3

2

JUNIOR. B. G. P. 251 12 9 — — — ^_ — — — 2 — 6 2 6 3 3 6 2 6

— — — 5

3

2

—

—

3

2

— 1

-—

1 —

1

— 89

— 901 501 271

— — 651 27

—

24

32

Through the cessation of Civil Defence Duties, etc.. there are fewer opportunities for the performance of National Service Duties, but several Scouts are now busily engaged in dismantling many of the Morrison Shelters which they have been erecting during the past three years.

It is good to report that some improvement has recently been made by the younger Scouts in badge and proficiency test progress, as it is to the younger Scouts that we shall turn for Patrol Leaders and Seconds next year, and they should always bear this in mind.

We were sorry to say " Good-bye " to Patrol Leader Ken Edwards last term, upon leaving school. Hje has been a member of the Troop for over six years, and recently has done much useful work in arranging boxing and football matches.

At the end of the Troop Parade following VE-Day, a Scouts' Own was held on the school field in memory of the 17 Old Scouts who have so far given their lives in this war.

We are very pleased to hear that many of those who were Prisoners of War have now returned safely to this country.

A.T.C. NOTES.

The Unit has had an active and successful term so far. Results Of the Proficiency Examination entry mentioned in the last notes, and to hand-when school started after the holiday, gave us a good beginning. Seventeen cadets of the twenty-two entered passed in all subjects and the others failed in Calculations.

These five will take that one paper again this term, and will, we have no doubt, make a successful job of it. Another group of cadets will be entered for the full examination after 'Matrio' is over.

In the final of the Command P.T. competition we were placed fourth. As recorded previously we had beaten " 267," our neighbour squadron, in the Area finals in order to qualify for the Command meeting. Since then the 'Area' Continuity Drill competition has been held, and Twickenham Squadron has

turned the tables on us. They go up to the Command Finals as area representatives this time. Their squad's performance was first rate, and we wish them greater success in this competition than we achieved in the P.T. We nave successfully broken new ground this term by winning the "Meyer" Cup in the S.W. Middlesex A.T.C. Cross Country Competition. The Unit has already built up an excellent reputation in the normal athletics competitions of the last two years, and we are looking forward to entering a good team again this year.

All these activities demand keenness and effort and it is good to record an abundance of them in the squadron. Not less admirable are the goodwill and public spirit that were behind the full parades and excellent performances on Thanksgiving Sunday and Empire Day when the unit took part in public parades and ceremonies. The onlooker cannot appreciate the very trying circumstances attending such parades. The officers do, and they congratulate the cadets on their cheerfulness and steadiness at all times. They would like, also .to congratulate all the units who paraded for the School Empire Day celebration—they were a great credit to themselves, their units and the School.

These notes must end sadly. During the Easter holiday the squadron lost a very good friend in Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Burnett, Commandant, Central Command, A.T.C., who died in London after a short illness.

Sir Charles had visited us on more than one occasion and had a particular friendliness for all of us as we had for him. Our best appreciation of his work will be to earn an equal approval from his successor.

The Hyde Park Parade.

Corporal Eaton, B.W., of No. 661 Squadron, A.T.C., looked very pleased with himself on Sunday, May the 13th, 1945, as, outside man and in the last file, he swung past Sir Eoderick Hill, Air Vice Marshal, Chief of Fighter Command, at the Saluting Base opposite the Cockpit in Hyde Park at 'about 4 p.m. And no wonder! He was representing his Squadron in a first class turn-out that covered all the A.T.O. in the country. Moreover, the contingent—about 1,500 strong, I guessed— were • being given a real good time during a long week-end. No doubt Eaton will tell of that.

The Cockpit, which is just north of the Serpentine, makes a beautiful background for such a ceremony and the Clerk of the Weather, recently ungagged, had treated the day in a way worthy of the Boyal procession to St. Paul's that was passing at the same time a mile or two away. The victory-coloured dresses of the crowds lining the arena added further bright shades, and. four excellent bands and some excellent marching completed the appeal to the senses. One of the bands, presumably that of the Scottish Command A.T.C., had the bagpipes. Its performance seemed to me perfect and it drew unstinted applause from the crowds. But the other two A.T.C. Bands were as good when, a little later, they followed with their drums and their bugles. The greatest applause followed the combined bands' performance of the General Salute. The fourth band, by the way, was the regular band of Fighter Command; it played incidental music while the visitors were waiting.

The A.T.C. is to continue, so we heard again when Sir Charles Portal's message was read. Over 100,000 had passed through the A.T.C. into the H.A.F. since those anxious

days at the end of January 1941 when both fire watching and the A.T.O. were born. Fire watching has died an unlamented death—like Mussolini and some others. The A.T.C. will continue. It deserves to—not least No. 651 Squadron.

A.S.M., 14.5.45.

RIFLE CLUB.

This term may be regarded as another milestone in the journey over which the Bifle Club has travelled since its formation in August, 1938, for it was during this term that we obtained the us.e of the new Hampton Bifle Club Range adjoining Hampton Swimming Baths. This range nas many advantages over our previous one at the M.W.B. Works at Sunbury, though the latter served our purpose very well indeed. It was, however, rather a long way to expect members to' go for the sake of ten or twenty rounds shooting and to bring the rifles, telescopes. et<S,. back afterwards. The journey to the new '•. Range takes barely five minutes. In addition targets may be shot in all weathers since there is a sheltered firing-point.

The H.M's Secretary will have, no doubt, noticed that no longer is she pestered with very polite members, two or three times a week, asking, very politely, if they could possibly have a fevj drawing pins for ' targetputting-up." Nevertheless Miss Brown never disappointed us.

On May 6th the Club was invited to shoot against Hampton Bifle Club Juniors and Sunbury Bifle Club Juniors, in a match consisting of twenty rounds deliberate followed by discbreaking. The Club lost the deliberate by a narrow margin, despite the fact that two members put up 192 and 190 respectively.

The teams consisted of six, which were afterwards split up into two teams of three for ' disc-breaking." Our 'A' team won this competition, receiving the very welcome sum of five shillings to snare between them.

Several of our members, including T. E. Mittler, 6S: V. L. Dominy, 5D; and O. Hensley.

68; have obtained S.M.B.O. Marksman Badges and S.M.B.C. Home Guard Efficiency Badges, or chevrons, indicating that they have obtained the badge for at least two consecutive years. This promising lead should induce every member of the Club to attempt a badge.

As usual, We thank Mr. Yarrow and Mr. Harrison for their continued staunch supnort, and our thanks are due doubly to Mr. Yarrow for obtaining the use of Hampton Bifle Club Bange.

O.H. (68).

THE CHESS CLUB.

We have come to the end of a year of very satisfactory achievement and of greater promise. The first team has improved steadily, aeainst good opponents, until we can now say it approaches our pre-war standards.

We regret the departure of Hinings, who has been a most useful member, but the others should stay on, to form a promising team to enter the Thames Valley Secondary Schools Chess Club League which re-opens in September. Only once, in 1939, were we not first in that League. It is to this team that the School looks for a first in 1946-7.

The Club has been full in its intermediate and junior sections. In fact we haven't enough sets and would welcome the chance to acquire sets not now wanted by other people. It is important that this enthusiasm should not be merely sporadic. It is easy enough to learn" to play chess, but match winning ability in the first and second teams comes from years of devotion to the game,

So, if you want to shine some day as a match player for your House or School, start now and etick at it steadily.

An old member of the Club, K. J. Bloodworth, has made an interesting innovation in presenting to the Olub two very useful text books, Lasker's " Chess Strategy" for the teams, and a famous standard book for beginners, K. F. Green's " Chess." We thank Him for this evidence of hie interest, and we are glad to learn that his chess has been useful to him in the Navy. His example is worth following, a wise word to those old members who still read the Olub Notes.

Last term the Seniors started a new line.

They took part in a postal competition, open to schools throughout the country federated to the Society for promotion of chess in schools. Competitors had to solve Chess Problems. This is a separate, but centuries old, section of Chess, not so far attempted by the school. Besults were very satisfactory. Gaisford, 6A. was sent as prize by the Society a text book on Asymmetry in Chess Problems.

Besults: — v. Richmond, at home, won 4—2. v. Richmond, away, lost 21—31. v. Tiffin, away, drew 3—3. v. Isleworth, at home, won 31—21.

Team:—D. H. J. Warner (captain), B. K. A. Nixon, P. H. Hinings, T. E. Mittler, D. Bippengal, J. B. Loveeey. K. H. Bligh also played.

LIBRARY. The School's interest in the Library has been well maintained throughout the year, particularly in the junior school. Last year's experiment of appointing junior librarians from the fourth forms has proved most successful, and the library flourishes for the most part on their industry and enthusiasm.

P. P. Brown and A. O'ti. B'Arcy deserve special mention on account of their excellent work of repairing damaged books, which have been laid by for a considerable period.

We welcome the support of four members of the staff, Mr. Yarrow, Mies Allen, Miss Sims, and Miss Webber, in giving up their morning breaks for duties.

D.H.J.W. (Asst. Lib.).

SENIOR DEBATING

SOCIETY.

The Senior Debating Society has not held its usual number of meetings this term owing to the fact that most of its members have been very busy with athletics during the short period available. It is hoped that when we again, hold debates and discussions with the full complements of members they will show their keenness and initiative as was their custom. The list of subjects for discussion has grown and we ought to have quite a variety to choose from. I am sure that those boys who still have difficulty in expressing themselves in their own language could greatly benefit b>^ taking Dart in one of our meetings, when they would receive all encouragement T.E.M. PIC CLUB.

VE-Day spelt the end of certain war activities in the School. Obviously fire-watchers need no longer fire-watch when the, fireraisers were tumbling to ruin down the dusty road to death. But the essential task of the Pie Club has been food production, and our rations are being cut even finer in this country to help the famished of Europe. So our war-time job continues and those undertaking the heavy and not always pleasant tasks of pier feeding can console themselves with the thought that they are still on National Service.

With the thought that several of the pigc now being groomed will soon perform their National Service, we have room for a few more boys. W_ho would like to combine useful service with an occasional succulent joint?

DRAMATICS SOCIETY.

At the end of last term the Society performed two plays in the course of Mr. Harrison's concert. The Society offers its thanks to Mr. Jago for the use of the mugs in " Thread o' Scarlet," and to Mr. Yarrow for the electric fire used in the same play.

Many prospective members were given auditions in the early part of this term, and consequently the Society's membership is almost complete. There is, however, room for a few more members, and all who wish to join should be present after school on Fridays, in the Art Boom.

Mrs. Grant is kindly taking a party of members to read over certain one-act plays with a view to. choosing a play for the endof-term performance, for which one play is already in course of preparation.

M.A.C., 5A (Sec.).

MUSIC CLUB.

The Club has suffered since S. E. 0. Cleal left, in that it has had to rely too much upon gramophone records for its entertainment, for although in this way we can hear the most accomplished performances, by master musicians, it is obviously desirable to have far more meetings devoted to talent within the Olub. A fortnight ago, D. N. Maynard gave us a piano recital, and judging from the competency of his playing he had devoted much ime to preparing it. It made a very welcome change on our musical menu and we should be very glad if he and anyone else who can either play any instrument or sins at all well, could give us more such recitals in the future; the Club is very grateful to him. Although we want more such entertainment, however, it must not be to the exclusion of all gramophone records. This would obviously bft wrong, since only through these can we hear the bigger works, such as symphonies and concertos, and on; them we can always hear a very high standard of performing. Once again we thank all those who have Drought records in the past, and we hope that they and others will continue to do so in the future; if boys who do so can also give a short talk on the work that they are about to play* or on its composer, so much the better.

To conclude, may we remind boys that the Club is open to all parts of the School: our attendances are still not as high as they might be.

D.B. CURRENT AFFAIRS SOCIETY.

This term, the Current Affairs Society has continued to meet under the chairmanship of Miss Everett. Subjects for ^discussion during the term have as usual been very varied: they include Franco and the Spanish monarchy, the Spanish Civil War, the Polish governments in Lublin and London, and the Japanese population problem, Japanese fanaticism, the aircraft and the inexhaustible manDower of Japan, the Super Fortress raids on Japanese industrial centres such as Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, and the fighting in Burma, the Philippines, Mindanao and Iwojima, have also been discussed at some length. We have been promised three brief lectures in the future, which will be followed by discussions : it is likely also, that a committee will be -formed soon.

J.O.D.H., 5A (Secy.).

STAMP CLUB.

An indication of how the Stamp Olub IB getting on may be gained by knowing that Its membership has now risen to thirty. More than half of these'are beginners and as such derive the full benefit from the other club members. We have been meeting very regularly every Monday at 4.SO in the History Boom, kindly lent to us by Miss Allen.

Besides exchanging stamps, an evening's procedure may include either a talk, a competition for which prizes of stamps are given, or a short test on philately. These prove to be very successful as they provide an amusing as well as an instructive pastime. It is hoped THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE PROBLEM.

This was the subject of a talk given on February 1O to the Hampton Grammar School International Relationships Society by Mr. M. C. Butler, L.B.A.M., M.B.S.T., the education secretary of the British Esperanto Society.

The talk was open to outside enthusiasts, and the chairman, Mr. A. O. G. Gifford, opened the meeting by welcoming the visitors. He then introduced Mr. Butler, saying that Mr. Butler seemed to have a solution to this prevalent question.

Mr. Butler started by saying that in lecturing to many different schools in England he had found out that about forty schools teach Esperanto and others wanted it to be made a Matriculation subject. He then made the point, " How can you really have friendship with people if you cannot speak to them?

He said that .the international language problem was a very present one and that, " People ignore it because it is convenient to ignore it." Mr. Butler then advised everybody to learn as many languages as possible, but to have one auxiliary language, that being Esperanto.

He then stated that roughly three different types of an international language had been proposed : (1) To revive a 'dead' language (e.g. Latin).

(2) To use some national language.

(3) To employ a new language (e.g. Esperanto).

Mr. Butler advised against (1) by saying that he thought it would be too difficult for everybody to learn.

He said (2) could never be settled owing to divided opinion. Here he said that he thought Basic English was a complete failure, spoken by nobody in the world.

For (3) the speaker said that he wanted an expressive, living, scientific, easy to learn language. Esperanto was this language. It had stood the test for sixty years and it had a world-wide following.

Mr. Butler said that Esperanto was based on many languages and was therefore the key to language study. He said^ that Esperanto had its own literature and that he did not advocate the use of Esperanto because he was an Esperantist, but because he could think of no other way of settling this urgent international problem. He then gave those present some,.examples of Esperanto grammar, after which the company broke up for general discussion.

A.J.S., 5B. JAPAN.

On Thursday, the 15th of February, Mr. Grant gave a lecture on Japan. Beginning

that by the co-operation of all members we shall be able to have an exhibition of stamps in the near future.

T.E.M. DANCING CLUB.

The Dancing Olub has now reverted to its original form. There is one meeting a week, on Fridays, held in the stage class-room. Mr. James and Miss Sims are still the tutors, and we sincerely; thank them for giving up so much of their valuable time for us.

We are glad to see a, few other ladies of the staff at the meetings and hope they will continue to come. The girls from .the Holies have not been coming over this term, owing to examination reasons. by showing the early moves of Japan, he told how the World Disarmament Conference had been postponed because of the Japanese bombardment of Shanghai. He said that the leaders always desired expansion, even at the risk of causing war. Mentioning relationships with other powers he made the interesting point that prior to July 1941, 76 per cent, of the essential war material was supplied by countries later attacked by Japan.

Mr. Grant outlined the Japanese campaigns and showed their connection with German moves in Europe. A feature of their advance was the speed with which they developed the countries occupied. The greatest danger to which Japan was liable was that of becoming divided from her outlying possession. At the time when British shipping routes' were menaced, a choice was indicatedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;advance or retreat. The decision was revealed by the attack on Pearl Harbour.

The lecturer went on to show how air travel had facilitated cultural and commercial development in the Pacific Ocean. He dealt with the 'inscrutable' Japanese people say in that in the past they had been a vigorous and enterprising race. They had been restrained by an injunction to ' stay at home.'

He mentioned the Restoration, which had enhanced the power of both the religion and the Emperor. The government had, at one time, been of a democratic nature but later the army took control. The aim of the new system was, with military power, to acquire raw material for future development.

After 1856, Mr. Grant said, Japan was truly awake. Formosa and Korea were added to their Empire. During the present war they captured the whole Dutch Empire and roughly one third of China. By 1942 there was a serious threat to India. Bommel was prepared for a link-up. They had\ gained vast resources. Working for them were many new subjects. The item the Japanese had underestimated was the American speed of recovery.

The tide turned. Just as El Alamein frustrated Bommel, Australians prevented the capture of Port Moresby. The Americans began their " island hopping " plan. By these moves many of the enemy's sea lanes were threatened. This coincided with Mountbatten's advance in Burma and activity by the fleet under Bruce Fraser. The lecturer remarked on the need for a sea-port in China. With a query he spoke of another factor which might play its part â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bussia's military strength. Mr. Grant ended with the remark that if we can discredit the leaders, we can defeat the people.

Asked if air power could be a decisive factor in bringing about the Japanese defeat, the lecturer said that in conjunction with

naval force it could be most effective but not decisive. He instanced the several battles in which, opposing forces had been many miles apart. Another interesting question was: ' What is Shintoism?' His answer was, that this is the name given to the basis of all Japanese beliefs, especially regarding piety to the Emperor, devotion to demons and the subservience of women. The religion was largely identified with the war itself. The Emperor was, however, in the minds of the people, a god, and should rule the world.

P.H.P., 6A. THE LECTURE BY MR. CRUMP OF THE AMATEUR ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION.

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 15th, we were fortunate in having With us Mr. G. C. G. Crump, the British Olympic Team Manager for 1936.

He started his lecture by saying, that although natural, ability is an important factor in the making of a good athlete, anyone of us can become proficient at the sport, if w,e are keen enough. He then went, to to disperse various common fallacies, such as the need for the young athlete to diet, or to avoid other forms of sport, or the idea that if one starts young, ' burning out' or ' athlete's heart' is bound to follow. He nevertheless deplored the system whereby a youngster may take part in half a dozen events all on the same day, merely in order to become Victor Ludorum.

Mr. Crump then went on to discuss the prganisation and the government of the sport in this country. He mentioned first the athletic clubs, and at this point he stressed to those of us who belong to clubs that our first loyalty is to our school; though he added that there is no harm in our belonging to clubs. He then described how the clubs are affiliated to county and district associations, and how the latter are in turn grouped Under the A.A.A. and other national organisations. He mentioned the high prestige which British athletes enjoy abroad, and what great value is set by foreign athletes, in their own countries, if they become " 3 A's " champions.

Next he discussed the distinction between an amateur and a professional, and warned us against our unwittingly becoming professionals by running for a monetary prize, at any meeting unsanctioned by the A.A.A. After answering a question about the financial side of amateur athletics, films of the Empire Games and the Olympic Games of J.936 were shown,. These films, together with the numerous anecdotes of his experiences with the British team on the Continent, with which , he punctuated his talk, added just that little required to make the afternoon a complete success. Thanks are due to Mr. Crump, who we hope will visit us again soon, and also to everyone else who helped to make the lecture possible.

A.E.M. ENGLISH DAY. English Day was held on Friday, March 23rd, and met with the success to which it has been accustomed. When I say the ' success to which it was accustomed' I do not mean the success which it deserved.

But as the years go on, each successive1 English Day, comes nearer to this mark of success, which is to instil in the whole school an appreciation of a good passage of prose or noetry, when it is well rendered, so as to brine 'out its full beauty, meaning and style.

In 'other words, to show the beauty of the English language.

As usual Mr. Sargent was present, giving advice and demonstrations. In summing up at the end of the judging, Mr. Sargent said that he thought that the standard of reading had improved in the school, since last year.

The winners were:— 6th. 6A.—1st, Phlpps, D. A. M.; 2nd.

Walkinshaw, W. S.; 3rd, Warner. D. H. J. 68.—1st, West, J. S.; 2nd, Raynham, E. A.; 3rd, Frith, J. F. S. 5th Forms.—1st, Fraser, G. M. (5A); 2nd.

Way, K. S. (5B); 3rd, Guy, P. W. (5B).

4th Forms.—1st, Mills, J. D. <4C); 2nd.

Currington, B. (4B); 3rd, Barrett, D. A. (4 A).

3rd Forms.^—1st, Bird, J. E. (SB); 2nd, Holtom, S. E. (3A); 3rd, Williams, J. G. (3Q) and Williams, D. K. <3Q).

2nd Forms.—let, White. P. (20); 2nd.

Loome, J. R. (2C); 3rd, Lambeth, J. F. (2A).

1st Forms.—1st, Collins, A, T. (1C), ,2nd.

Willby, J. W. (1A) and Simmons, G. W. (1C); 3rd. Downie, A. F. (ID).

The whole of the morning was occupied with the judging. At the end of the reading of each group of forms, Mr. Sargent, went over the pieces of prose and poetry, trying to demonstrate what the competitors should have brought out in their reading.

The most important part of the day was the afternoon, when the School gathered together in the Hall to hear the winners rea<l their pieces.

Mr. Sargent enacted the Murder of Duncan, from Macbeth, and gave a most realistic performance, despite the fact that he was speaking the part of all the characters. Mr. Sargent s oration was more appreciated in the upper school, as the lower forms, unused to such a flow of eloquence, were rather overwhelmed by it.

Another interesting feature was the reading of the poem by T. S. Elliott, " The W^iste Land." It was read by D. A. M. Phipos; and the humour of it appealed to all at the first reading. After an explanation by Mr. Tarrow, it was re.ad for a second time, with not so many laughs, as the audience began to realise what the author really meant.

There were one or two unexpected changes among the winners, from other years, several new faces finding their way amongst the ranks of the veterans.

As my closing lines, I should like to ask a question. Why isnt English Day hailed with so great an enthusiasm as other events?

If anyone has a good reason and mentioned it to Mr. Yarrow, perhaps we could get it put right.

D.A.M.P., 6A. END OF TERM ENTERTAINMENT

On Monday, March 26th, the School and some visitors were presented with an, Entertainment which, if only on account of the wide variety of items, met the tastes of nearly all.

Mrs. Wolfe and Mr. Yarrow played Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto and D. S. Channon (O.H.), whose fine violin playing has always been enthusiastically received, played " 7.igeunerweisen " by Pablo de Sarasate. Another favourite at H.G.8. concerts, Miss Rosina Stevens, gave two soprano solos including Haydn Wood's charming " Brown Bird Singing."

The School Dramatics Society had ita share in the Entertainment, although we are still a long way from the standard of the prewar evenings of " The Dogs of War" and " The Golden Doom." However, Mabel Cpnst and tiros' railway station sketch, " Waiting for the Train," was a great success and a good vehicle for D. A. M. Phipps's spirited and enjoyable acting. The one-act play.

Thread O' Scarlet," by J. J. Bell, was also presented, at short notice.

Unfortunately, Miss Babette Palmer, whose dancing had] been so> successful in the Summer Concert of 1942, was unable to appear.

The School Choir, consisting of trebles only, under the direction of Mr. E. M. Harrison. spirited renderings of " You Spotted §ave nakes, " Bingo," and " The Cavalier Song" from Browning. Their finale was an excellent interpretation of "Widdicombe Fair" with Mr. E. M. 'Harrison singing the solo verses.

Thanks are due to all the performers,, to Mrs. Wolfe and Mr. Yarrow for accompanying, and to Mr. E. M. Harrison who not only organised the Entertainment, but also acted as " Compere." We hope that we have seen the old custom of an Entertainment at the end of each term revived as a permanent institution.

A.K. FOURTH COMBINED SERVICE.

On Tuesday. March 27th, 1945, at 3.30. p.m., was held the fourth undenominational youth service for the more senior members of the Grammar School and the Lady Eleanor Holies School at St. Mary's Church, Hampton.

Once again we are indebted to the Eev. C. P. C. Knapp, the Vicar of Hampton, for his warm co-operation and help and also to the small committee of senior prefects from both schools for the well planned arrangements oj, the service.

Tile service, as usual, was of a bright and vigorous nature. The hymns and psalm were well sung, particularly Wesley's grand hymn, " Soldiers of Christ arise." Both lessons were quite well known and the prayers were simple and yet expressive of the thoughts of the majority of the youthful congregation.

The sermon was given by Canon Spencer Leeson, Headmaster of Winchester College, to whom our thanks are due. His whole talk was centred on the word " service." He spoke of the best form of the worship of God as the loyal service of the Church of God. He emphasised the need for all young Christian people to attach themselves to some particular church and to give service to that church in some practical form, however small. Among others, he suggested forms of service such as Scouting. Guiding, Sunday School teaching, youth club leading, etc.

The service ended with the simple and beautiful hymn, " There is a green hill far away," followed by i the Blessing.

I should like to end by quoting, if. I ma-". from the letter Canon Spencer Leeson wrote afterwards to,' the Vice-Captain of School.

It puts into words the thoughts of us all: " I shall not forget that service—the crowded church, the careful arrangements, the bells, the dignity with which the service was conducted, the singine^—it all made up an act of worship of which any school in England might feel proud: and it was a privilege to be allowed to attend it."

Let us hope there will be many more services like this one in the years to come.

J.A.P., 68.

PREFECTS'. SOCIAL.

" yet the revelry Continued and the loud uproar; at last When all the ground was dark, and twinkling Edged the black clouds, home and to bed we went, Feverish: with weary joints and beating minds."

—Wordsworth.

Once again this year the Prefects held on March 28th what is euphemistically termed their Social; the Dining Hall was cleared for action after school, and that paragon of all school cooks, Miss Hutton, did not fail to provide .a tea to which we hope we did justice.

After tea began the entertainment; D. H. J. Warner gave us a fine piano solo, and was followed by Messrs. W. L. Parker and J. F. S. Frith, who gave a moving rendering of " Home on the Range." Next came the traditional Musical Chairs, won by one of the ladies of the Staff, of whom we welcomed four on the occasion. The male staff was also well represented, and Mr. Harrison obligee' us with a song.

Frith recited a Stanley Hblloway monologue, first the Senior and then Junior Prefectfl threatened to sing and did so. At this stage the advent of. Liquid Refreshment was announced, upon which the more experienced veterans of past Socials secured their places round the trolley. One gentleman, when confronted by a glass of water, called for some soap under the impression that he was expected to wash. : After our immediate needs were eatisneu, we repaired to the gym., there to indulge in a game. This, for want of a better name, is called Rugby, but combines the rules of that game with those of all-in wrestling. Our war-like spirits were intensified by the Liquid Refreshment, and twoi halves of ten minutes each were enough for the average human body.

The thirst provoked by this exercise was relieved by the remainder of the Liquid Refreshment, hoarded till now by the more provident of our number, who had foreseen this contingency. At this point the more respectable members discreetly took their leave, while the remainder took part in a sing-song, as well as other various recreations which I will pass over, " For if gold ruste, what shal iren do?"

Of the quantity and extent of the entertainment I have already spoken; of the quality, suffice it to say that two normally stolid and respectable people encountered a ghost on the way home. Perhaps it was the Spirit of Socials Yet To Come.

D.D. EMPIRE DAY AT H.C.S.

On May the 24th. 1945, the School commemorated Empire Day by taking part in a special programme. About one-third of the school turned up in uniform, and although it was not, as Howard Marshall would say. a lovely day here, it was not raining.

After assembling outside, the School Scout Troop, about fifty strong, with about fifty Scouts from units in Twickenham, St. Margaret's, Richmond, Staines, Hampton and Whitton, including one Air Scout, marched in.

They were followed by fifteen smart Army Cadets, mostly from the 7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment under U/O. D. A. M. Phipps, fifteen Sea Scouts under M. C. Sheppard, and fifteen Sea Cadets under B. M.

10 Wood When the School A.T.C., about sixty, had marched in, all stood to attention, and the National Anthem was sung as a begining to this Empire Day ceremony.. ed Walford Mr. W. P. Yarrow then played Davies' " Solemn Melody " on the organ.

Troop Leader J. A. Fewster read " The Soldier," Bupert Brooke's well-known poem of the First world War — " There's some corner of a foreign field That is forever England." The Head then pointed out that Eupert Brooke had written this poem only a short time before his death at Scyros, on April 23rd, 1915, serving with the E.N.D. Mr. E. M. Harrison then sang Elgar's hymn " Land of Hope and Glory ' — " a song of pride and joy" as Mr. Crocker' called it.

Mr. Harrison was joined in the chorus by the whole school.

Flt.-Lt, H. Crocker's Empire Day address followed.! He spoke of the Empire which meant so much to Britain, of the songs which had been written about it and of what the Empire had done for Britain both in war and peace.

Then the School sang Parry's famous hymn " England," which, as the Head told us, was adapted from Shakespeare by Sir Esm6 Howard.

The Captain of School, A. C. S. Brown, gave a spirited rendering of Sir Henry Newbolt's "Clifton Chapel" — "This is the chapel: here, iny son, Your father thought the thoughts of youth" . . . " ' Qui ante diem peril t: Sed miles, sed pro patria.' " This was followed by the hymn "I Vow to Thee, my Country," the words' of which were written by Spring-Bice, and the music by Hoist. " I vow to thee, my country . . . the service of my love — The love that asks no questions : The love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best.

The lofe that never falters, the love that ays the price, The love that makes unaunted the final sacrifice." Those who went to the Festival of Empire at the Albert Hall on Empire Day will remember that " I Vow to Thee, my Country " was sung there.

The prayers which followed included " 0 Lord, we thank Thee that Thou hast brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings may be ordered by Thy governance to do always that which is righteous in Thy Sight," the Lord's Prayer and the Blessing.

After the uniformed Hamptonians had left the Hall and paraded on the west side of

S

To Those Who Died for Freedom.

18.6.42.

And did they taste of happiness; And did they laugh and sing?

Did they know true love's caress Or the sorrows life can bring?

Were their bodies blessed by sun— Or washed by rivers cool?

Did they know pleasures, fears and pain—Or see a rainbow after rain?

Ah yes!—all these theyt knew and felt In the spark that was their life.

But—no hesitation theirs When caught up in the strife.

Heroes all—they died— Comrades—side by side Fighting for the right That those hereafter might Know happiness and peace again.

the roundabout in front of the School building, the remainder of the school assembled on the south side of the roundabout and the staff stood on the east side.

At 10.10 the Army Cadets and other units cams to attention, Mr. Crocker brought the School to attention and Tp.-Ldr. J. A. Fewster broke the Union Jack on the flag-staff on the tower. As it fluttered in the light breeze.

Mr. 8. J. House called for " Three Cheers for the Old Flag," and the cheers echoed in the morning air, a fittings end to a ceremony which will be remembered by Hamptoniana as the first Victory Empire Day. Future Hamptonians will be able to see how their school celebrated Empire Day, 1945. as Mr. Young was able to take a hundredfoot film of the event both inside the Hall and outside the School.

During the afternoon of Empire Day, Hampton Grammar School Air Training Corps took part in Twickenham's! Empire Day and May Day Victory Procession from Twickenham Green to the Exiles' Ground, where the celebrations included the crownings of the May Queen and Beauty Queen of Twickenham by the Mayoress. 651 Squadron were well received by the inhabitants of Twickenham when they paraded in the grounds. Other Hamptonians were among the ranks of the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets, Air Scouts and Scouts.

Hampton looks forward to an even greater Empire Day ceremony when the Armistice with Japan has been signed.

E.J.B. CONCERT AT T.T.C. At Twickenham Technical College on May the 9th the West London Symphony Orchestra gave a concert, to which boys of the School were invited. The excellent orchestra, conducted by Ernest Harden, and led by Sheila Burns, began with Weber's Euryanthe overture, built on two songsj sung by the hero in the opera itself. The programme continued with a beautiful rendering, by Edward Howitt, of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A. A ballet suite by Handel followed, called " The Gods go a-begging," containing music from his operas, arranged by Sir Thomas Beecham.

The principal work, Cesar Franck's Symphonv in D minor, came after the interval. Beautifully played, this could well have formed a fitting end to the concert, but in view of th« occasion, VE-Day, the orchestra finished witli the truly British composition, Elgar's " Pomp and Circumstance " march. We hope to enjoy more of these concerts in the future.

B.W.B., 40.

Let not their effort be Jn vain.

Lt D J. WALMSLEY (1935-40).

(Killed in Burma,, February, 1945). " Singing Willow, Tit Witlow, Tit Willowl" That "our neighbourhood" possesses fine trees none will deny: the fame of the Wren double avenue of chestnuts and limes in Bushey Park is world wide. What is probably not so well known is that weeping -willows in Twickenham. Biohmond and Kew have some claim on one s interest. The weeping part of the name undoubtedly comes from the association of willows and sorrow in the 137th Psalm. Those who read their Bibles will know, or should know, the passage: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows

11 in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required ot us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth."

The same folk should, however, be able to quote with like facility passages irom i/eviticus ch. 23 and Isaian ch. 4t> which impiy a happy connotation for tne willow tree. As often as not the sprig of "palm" worn joyfully on Palm Sunday is a bit of willow.

Long regarded as native to the region of the fiupnrates, modern opinion regards the weeping willow as a native of Cnina and suggests, the Israelites hung their harps on poplar trees instead.

Most likely the tree was introduced into England at) the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century. A merchant of Aleppo, a Mr. Vernon, is commonly thought to have brought the nrst tree to England and to the Thames Valley. Certain it is that nowhere else in this country are finer specimens to be found. Another story is that Pope had the: first weeping willow planted in his garden. : Such was the reputation of the poet and so rapid the growth of the tree, that after his death many came to see the specimen. The subsequent owner of the property had the tree cut down in order to obtain some privacy. Yet another story is that the fine willows at Kew derive from a specimen brought there in 1692.

O.H's may well desire to verify if a fine weeping willow still stands in the garden of the Roebuck Inn, Richmond Hill. A tree was planted there about 1828. This specimen was grown from a cutting taken from a willow tree in St. Helena. General Beatson in 1810 introduced the tree into the island from Britain and planted it near a spring. Being a quick grower it soon attained noble proportions and attracted the interest of Napoleon. The latter had a seat constructed beneath the willow and was wont to rest there and drink water brought him from a neighbouring fountain. The tree was shattered in 1821 during a storm and cuttings taken from it were planted outside the railings round the ex-Emperor's grave, for he died in 1821.

Seven years later, as the cuttings were not flourishing so well, others were taken from the original tree. From one of these grew the fine willow from which have been taken cuttings for many another tree in the island.

The willow and other British plants have established themselves to such good effect that the native plants have been largely displaced and the island scenery is decidedly British in character.

Like the oak, the elm, the yew, the chestnut and the lime, the willow has had a fashionable period when it was widely planted on ceremonial occasions. For the willow this occurred about the Napoleonic era. Why not a stately line of weeping willowy along the parish boundary ditch at one side of the School grounds? Why not a line along the edge of the field where it gives on to the Longford River? The ceremonial occasion?

Victory or the bi-centenary of the death of Pope. Obviously a job for Pope's.

Many a Hamptonian will remember a superb cedar tree that stood until a few years ago with branches overhanging the pavement opposite the Convent School, Pope's Grotto. Did it derive from that first cedar in the Chelsea Physik Garden which produced cones for the first time in 1776?

C.R.S.M. Thunderstruck.

I came upon the man as he was standing on the cliffs at Birkridge, watching a thunderstorm gathering in the distance. He was

tall and lean, with a marked aquiline visage on which marks of worry were evident.

He turned from watching the storm as I approached and greeted me in a thin reedy voice. I replied that I thought it hardly the time to go watching on the cliffs with such a storm brewing and that if he was willing we should go up to my house which was not far off. He thanked me and without more ado we moved oS down the lane.

The house into which I presently led him was an old stout brick edifice, situated near the outskirts of a wood. We walked into the library and sat down in front of the fire, for I had found the autumn evenings somewhat chilly of late. After chatting a while he cleared his throat and leaned forward in his chair viewing the glowing embers. " You have doubtless wondered," he said. " Why it was that you found me on the cliffs. At any rate," he went on, "you must have thought it strange* that a man should stand there at such a time." He paused, took out his pipe, lit up and then went on. " Well, I'll tell you. For many nights now I have dreamt of a great forest stretchinc away to the South from where I stand amidst the trees. Suddenly I hear the sound of many bodies crashing through the undergrowth and, terrified, I take to my heels running from I know not what. I run towards the North and then, breaking into the open, I see before me a great plain, stretching to the horizon and about a mile away, a river, meandering across this vast expanse.

I race towards it, not knowing why, but. when I get nearer, I see a boat, a boat by which I can cross the river and so escape from my pursuers who are streaming behind me from the forest. Suddenly the sun is blacked out by black clouds that spread rapidly across the sky. In the distance lightning flashes and a peal of thunder reaches my ears. I race on, but feel the distance between me and my pursuers decreasing.

They gain steadily. I reach a point a hundred yards from the boat. Another, nearer, peal of thunder, and then another. My pursuers still gain. I am fifty yards from the boat. There is a flash, a roar, and a great black Wave rolls over and engulfs me and I am carried down into a vast floorless cavern. Then, and only then, I wake, still experiencing the terror of that awful flash. " Every time I hear the rumble of a storm I am fascinated and feel that I must watch it as I do in my dream."

I put another log on the fire and offered to get him something to eat, but he declined saying he was late already and that he could not bring himself to trespass further on my hospitality. He got up and put on his hat and coat and I saw him to the door. I stayed to watch him awhile as he walked along the outskirts of the wood. Suddenly he stopped, turned round and for no apparent reason started to run back. I waited at the door, gazing up at the black clouds overhead and mopped my browâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for suddenly the heat was oppressive. He was about half way back when there was a vivid flash, a roar of thunder and for a moment I was blinded.

When my sight cleared I looked again, but of my recent visitor there was no sign.

A. W. MORRISON, 4Q. Renaissance.

When nature to her closet hath retired.

To deck herself anew for Spring's return.

Jack Frost holds sway, in icy cloak attired.

With freezing touch that to the heart doth chill.

Whene'er his breath with ice and snow is charged, "Pis time for man and beast to hide his head.

And shelter from the North wind's icy blast Lest he be found, a frozen statue, dead.

Tet soon sweet Nature reappears, reclothed In all the frills and colours of the Spring, For Nature, while in festive garments clothed.

Still mourns for Summer's which can ne'er return.

But still, with colours bright, she counsels hope That more will come more glorious than before.

To grace the Earth with beauteous colours new And sweet fresh perfumes from her endless store.

A. W. MOBBISON, 4Q. Letter from Germany.

April, 1945.

Dear Lion, Whenever I read you, I am overwhelmed by the magnificent things other people have done. Breath-taking escapes, P.o.W. experiences, air " ops," hundreds of things wnioh thrill me to the bone, and which I can never hope to emulate. I've never been wounded.

I've not captured Hitler or got a V;C. (or am ever likely to get one), in fact I've only done one or two minor things, mostly through my own stupidity, such as driving a scout car into an enemy-held village, and out the other side, swerving past an enemy field gun on the way, and being peppered with small arms fire all along the road. Since then I've taken my map reading more seriously.

Two things I have done, though. I have seen much of Germany, 1945 version, and I have had (as an infantryman) much closer contacts with German soldiery than most people have had or would wish to have. The German soldier does not, as a rule, fight like a libn for his Fatherland. I remember arriving with my platoon just at dark on a cross-tracks in a wood. We were dead beat and I pushed out sentries and without more ado We set to it to dig in. It was snowing and we worked hard. Suddenly I became aware of a figure wandering round making beseeching gestures. You're quite right: he'd been trying to give himself up and had been completely ignored. Later in the same campaign a German deserter came over thanking Heaven with all his might, like a cracked gramophone disc turning always on the same thread. Yet when we were positioned on the edge of the Reichewald, and came up against paratroops, we found a tougher nut to crack.

My platoon were in a forward company position, whilst two depleted companies went forward to clear Jerry out. They had laid on a " murder " first,—it saved us, even—and as it stopped so these paratroops opened up with their spandaus again. Nothing shifted them from the ruined houses they occupied.

So " Crocs," — flame-throwers — were brought up to burn them out. They weren't burnt out. Their spandaus opened up again from the burning houses. Very few could have been captured. Call them fanatics, if you wish. The press will. I call them heroes— heroes with wrong ideals. Of these two types of soldier the man who is prepared to give a little of his Fatherland to our temporary care, providing we look after him as well, is obviously in the vast majority. This majority grows vaster as Deutchsland grows less.

I am somewhere beyond the Aller, not too far from and not too far from as I write this, and my road here has been very circuitous. As I came here I passed, after I had left behind the damaged fringe

of Germany, German people. There is a strange excitement in seeing German civilians. Yes, we were conquerors, and these were the conquered. But it was not that.

The papers know what it was and their correspondents felt it themselves. They were asking the questions every soldier was asking. How will the German people greet us?

Wfll their faces be sullen? Will there be a resistance movement? How deep is Nazism?

What will living conditions be like? Will there be starvation? To all these questions the papers presumed the gloomiest answers.

Probably it made better propaganda or a better story. They know best.

There are old men and women and children in the Germany we find. And there are other races—" importees," prisoners, labourslaves, what you will. Old men; dazed, overworked, and frightened, not understanding the many changes their lives have seen, nonentities who stand silently at street corners, or keep in the shadows, or go slowly about their toils. That is the generality. The women welcome us, and I believe that in many cases the welcome ie sincere. Our coming symbolises the end of the war—be it defeat or victory—for them. When we pass them peace has come. They know we shall not be turned back.

These, mind you, are only impressions. It is difllcult to gain much contact with German civilians, partly because (me mieerum —why did I learn Latin?) I don't speak the language, but mainly because of the nonfraternisation order. I thought it a wrong order at first, but I am now convinced in its absolute wisdom. I shall be wandering from the point if I start holding forth on the whys and wherefores of non-fraternisation, and experience (especially in scout cars) has taught me not to wander. However, once or twice some accident has brought me personally into contact with civilians. Not long ago I had to settle some trouble between a farmer of the1 next village and his "foreign workers," who.so the story went, were threatening to steal, his horses. Our interpreter wastft with us, so I collected a German girl from a nearby house, who spoke fluent French, pushed her into a jeep, and took her with me to interpret (I aid learn (French).

The trouble was easily settled, and afterwards I told her that here was an example of the mess into which Germany had put Europe. She was intelligent, and she agreed —agreed, I am convinced, quite honestly.

She seemed almost ashamed to be German and yigorously denied that she had ever been a Nazi—but then in occupied Germany no one has been a Nazi.

A better contact, but not a personal one. is one made by my O.C. at the time, who speaks excellent German. We had taken over a German farm for H.Q., and he made a demand of the lady of the house which she misunderstood for something far harsher. Almost in tears she turned to another woman (houses are crammed with evacuees from bombed towns) and said: " They are; almost as bad as the Nazis." It was not meant to be overheard, and it was a remark full of significance. In other places, in other ways, I have gathered that Nazism was not nearly so wholly loved in Germany, as German propaganda would have us believe. There is, of course, the other picture, as of the girl who. in turned to an English soldier and said. " You swine, you wait till we get to England!" . . . . Germany, where we have not scarred it, shows a pleasant face to the world. I have only seen the flatter districts. The towns are well-built. There are no slums.

13 Houses are full of good furniture, good clothes, and so on, some of it undoubtedly loot. Household electrical equipment is firstclass, and even remote farms have electricity.

Eoads (I except autobahns) are not so good as in England, but far better than in Belgium or Holland. Lands are well cultivated and livestock is plentiful. Farms are spacious— but always lack bathrooms. Sanitation, in any case, is not as good as ours. Nazi traces are to be found everywhere and always the " Mein Kampf," or the portrait of Hitler, or the saga of German's military might, filling large books. In a shop near Goch I saw thousands of Nazi emblems on little flags— yet in occupied Germany there are no Nazis.

Pood, where I have been, is excellent. In the towns people have large hoards—they would make your eyes glisten. In the country: well, in the country people are never short of food.

I hope I haven't put you to sleen. If I have I don't apologise. The mess I've been Writing about is the mess we've got to clear up, and everyone should know just what it's like.

Wishing you every prosperity, Lt. A. A. MEACOCK (1936-42).

Life and Our Community.

Some time ago I came across some words that Lenin once wrote concerning life: "Man's dearest possession is life; and since it is given to him to live but once, he must so live as to feel no torturing regrets for years without purpose) so live as not to be seared with the .shame of a cowardly and trivial past; . . . ." Those words had a great effect on me and have always remained at the back of my mind as a source of inspiration.

I feel, especially at the present time, that I cannot allow them to escape the ears of our small community. Let us ponder for awhile then, and attempt to draw from them the value of their moral teaching.

In life we must face reality, and this applies particularly to us in H.G.S. Can we honestly claim that we are at present satisfied with affairs in our own house? In our own hearts we know that there is only one true answer. Our school should be one in which comradeship and happiness prevails throughout. A community to which every member has a responsibility, no matter in what capacity. .No longer would the master become a driver but, besides being a teacher, a friend and guide to all, a position which on the whole can hardly be expected to exist at present. We should have a school in which the master has far greater opportunities for improving his teaching by the active co-operation of his pupils, not only through their possession of a fervent desire for promoting their individual knowledge, but as a result of it, by their constructive criticism, their assistance to their more backward friends and other such work. Besides their responsibilities in the promotion of learning the pupils should experience the work and pleasure to be found in, as we often call it. ' out of school activity,' which should constitute a far greater part of school life than it does at present, and embracing the participation of all members of the community. Yes, a community, in which everyone has a responsibility, demanding only his best and no more.

My words may seem a little Utopian at first, but the ideals which they attempt to pronounce have already been achieved under conditions far worse, and with prospects of success more distant than they are to Ui. The attainment of such ideals depends on

each one of us individually. We must decide to take Lenin's words to heart. Let us all resolve to live for a purpose and, to give to you humanity that which we have. No matter how little or how great, we all have something to give. Only by the co-ordination of all of our abilities will humanity truly prosper. At the same time let us strive to appreciate and win the boundless pleasures that can be found in the myriads of beauty which, the world and man has given us, and so gain a healthier and deeper happiness ,in life than so far most of us have experienced.

No! it's not idealistic: we can start now.

With each one of us thus striving, among other things, we will raise the name of ouj; school to the heights it once attained. Not for the sake of a name, but as a valuable contribution to the progress of humanity, for which so many of our brothers have laid down their lives.

Please do not allow these words to pass, but consider them earnestly, remembering also those words of Kipling s: " If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything that's in it, And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!"

A.G, May. How lovely is the view Of hills and vales and streams.

And flowers of every shade and hue Surpassing all our dreams.

Just listen to the birds; How happy they must be!

The Nightingale s melodious chords, Tell forth his ecstasy.

The insect realm! is glad To have the summer here, In fact—who could be sad At this time of the year?

DAVID E. E. COUKT, 3A. VE Celebrations.

This is not an account of the victory, celebrations in London or in any other large town, but in this friendly place of Hampton where great joys and greater sorrows have taken place as much as in any other town.

The first signs of anybody sitting up and taking notice were the great number of flags and bunting hanging outside nearly everyone's house, and the many glowing faces radiating smiles within each one of them which seemed to show thankfulness, joy, and above all, relief.

Already children were gathering wood and old clothes for the bonfire, and what is more, were receiving contributions from housewives.

It grew to a height of about seven feet when a kind gentleman agreed to make an effigy of the greatest crook on earth: Adolf Hitler! But this was no ordinary or normal Hitler, for he had a Verey light in each arm and a firework in his trousers! Then the news got around that fireworks were for sale, and there was a mad rush for them; queues forming in less than a minute outside the local sellers. The stocks of five years ago were being used for a far greater reason than that of celebrating " an old-fashioned gun-powder plot."

At last the great night arrived. Everyone, •oung and old alike, came to see such a yo di _isplay of merrinees as they had never seen in their lives.

We did not flinch at bombs, devils of destruction, so we did not fear thunderflashes. squibs or rockets any more. Here was an

example of the hardening of Britain by war and the change from the peace.

When fireworks had thrown their brilliant display and the bonfire had resembled the triumph of light and good over the powers of darkness and evil and its last embers were glowing to a premature end, a force of destruction came to the people, and the fences around were ripped out of their resting-place, to bring new fife to the fire and renewed joy to the crowd.

Just before midnight, the great lamps of the sky were lighted and long, sleek beams broke up the sky into portions surrounded by light. This display of Britain's silent weapons topped a wonderful night of rejoicing of the victory won by gallant men whose names or deeds would never be forgotten.

This, surely, was the greatest day of all time . . . .

J.M., 40.

Arm-ohair Wisdom.

Study of the articles in recent editions of the Lion seems to suggest that we school-boys of today take no interest in that world not yet formally entered by us. Our interpretation of events includes only the superficialities hiding the vaster, more complicated issues involved in life. School-boys are content to lauggh at those trivial jokes dispensed by the trivial minds at the well-paid end of the wireless wave. They £roan with the idle discontented. Beyond this, their only actions are to eat, drink and sleep—functions performed equally well by any other animal.

From six o'clock in the morning, thousands of people spend irreplaceable time, at enormous cost, rushing miles across badly planned towns in order to earn a living. This often could be earned more economically in their own district. Here is a big enough joke!

Yet does anyone laugh? What we should groan about, is that each generation places its confidence in governments assenting to the disgusting convention that disagreements between states should be settled by mass slaughter of the people they pretend to represent. Yet, still people support policies proved to lead to war. But in our present civilisation it is easy for us to be swamped by technical terms which we use without understanding. For instance, the term ' man power ' when translated to ' MB ' and ' YOU ' has an entirely different meaning. We can thus see how mistaken can be the ideas implied by modern phraseology. Perhaps never has so much controversial matter passed without comment from those who will eventually bring the world to its senses (or destruction).

As comments on this situation, we have slogans rained on us purporting to be the solutions of all our problems. Even we school-boys, unintelligent as we may be. realize that avoidance of further world war and the accomplishment of a sanely conducted world, cannot be achieved by adherence to anv one slogan. The only effective policy is that of trying to create a people without exception engaged in the pursuit of happiness, whether it originates from economic, religious or any other reasons.

Among those so easily adopted sloerans, IB that of not being ' too obedient.' Attractive as this at first sight appears, it is basically unsound. In its vagueness it is remarkable that it Qualifies no word it contains. It neither tells us whether we are ' too' obedient now, or are in danger of becoming so. It does not tell us what not to obey 'too much ' —our government perhaps—which people, for their own good, set up to be obeyed. In my mind there is one thing that we must al-

ways obey and this is our conscience. Our government should (if it is true to democratic principles) act as the combined conscience of all the people. We must not therefore follow the imputation of this slogan in disobedience of any careful supervision maintained over us by the state. Thus it seems that the meaning of the slogan is fully applicable to itself, in that we should not obey these foolish slogans disconnected from their full context.

Another much discussed and dangerous slogan is that of ' learning to hate. This is again both foolish and unqualified. What should we learn to hate? If we do not hate the German people, we say we hate the Fascist system. Surely it is neither of these, but the spirit which breeds the contest of strength as solution to our problems. This spirit is hate itself! Apart from this, let no person underrate the Englishman so far as to say that he cannot hate; he does hate, but he does not need to have a human scapegoat on which to vent his anger. Fighting is the coward's way out. Where one has not the courage to face the trials of strength of the mind, he turns to strength of the body. But we do hate, and must hate, diseases of the body and mind such as lying, cheating deceitfulness and the systems allowing them to continue.

We have only to put our foot out of our doors to find that something is radically wrong with society. Men preach love of the Germans, saying that they are our neighbours. Yet at home, that queer person, our nearest neighbour, the passenger in the bus or train, exchanges not a word with fellow passengers. Such is the self-imposed and pstrich-like reticence of twentieth century civilisation. We note the question—" Is the youth of today fit to live in the post-war world?" published in an apparently intelligently edited and well runi paper. Someone has forgotten that thousands are dying—not living—in a war caused because people were not fit' to live in the pre-war world. What conceit of this person in presuming to ask this question of the people so well educated in the ideals of the older generation to which the questioner belongs. This is the person who says we were not allowed to do such things in our youth, why should they? Perhaps some of the older generation are jealous of the potential of life we possess yet which they squandered. We are often at the mercy of those, who from experience, have learned to gain a hearing by display of the experience they should have accumulated in their journey through life, yet which has actually passed them by. We must, not however, rest content with the idea that the faults are those of our elders, nor must we despair on that account. Effort, we must remember, is not futile except when made in a spirit of despair. As things have been, they shall not remain!

Solution 9f our problems is then not to come by scientific murder, but by research into the causes of discontent. This sounds well on paper, but well conducted action begins on paper. It does not- come from the shouting of ruffians, easily led for the price of their coloured shirts. It is up to us to take an interest in the problems of war and peace. Seek the causes of unemployment, racism, bad housing with all their companion worries. My plan for beginning the end of the world's troubles is firstly to educate ourselves, secondly to educate others and thirdly to believe in the existence of solutions. This is summed up in the word—THINK (a slogan of which only a Fascist would deny the wisdom). Now that war has brushed all the

15 coverings from the disgraceful conditions in which we live it is the Best time to rebuild both mentally and physically. Life's problems are purs; we have inherited them. Let the inheritance of those who will one day take our place be the solutions of some of those problems!

P.H.P., 6A. How to Occupy your Break.

What's that? You don't know what to do during the break? Well, listen to me! What about being a milkman? Every break you rush from second period, dash to the form room, throw your books into your desk, and elbow your way to the Dining Hall. You yell " Priority " in the ear of the bun merchant, pay him two pence for two bunts, p i push your way past the queue for milk, arriving at the milk-laden tables in breathless condition.

Then, of course, you are informed that a couple of trays of beakers are needed, and, at the risk of bodily injury you enter the defences of the kitchen to fetch them. Having been told to " hurry up out," you arrive at the table with only one or two beakers broken, and most of your voice used up in shouting " Look out of the way."

If you break no beakers, then you have broken a record.

The amount of milk in the churn is now so small that you have to pour it out—a delicate operation, and if you only waste one quart per gallon, you may consider yourself an expert. You pour the milk from jugs into beakers, taking care not to spill more than 25 per cent, on the table while doing so! At about 11.15 trade slackens, and then is the time when you may eat your two buns and drink your allowance of milk. Then you rush to your form room again, grab the necessary books for the next period, run down the corridors, avoiding prefects and masters, and arrive in the doorway of the room in which you spend period three just as the three pips ring. By doing this you earn one live point per week.

K.S.W., SB. Convoy.

Grim cargoes under batten, The ships of England sail From Thames to high Manhattan, And east through fire and gale.

Above, the storm-clouds growl.

And bombers drone unseen; Out there the U-boats prowl: The convoy rides serene.

The crafty foe lies hidden— No peace though skies are blue; Our ships steam on, unbidden: "The convoy must get through!"

FROM

THE

And battered, yet victorious.

They beat the Hunnish wile, And bring the 'planes so glorious To Malta, George Cross Isle.

M.A.C., 5A. Firel As I was going home one day, I noticed great clouds of smoke down another road.

Fires always attract people (they are warm, you know!) and I decided to go home that way with a friend of mine. While we were cycling into the smoke, all that I had learnt about fires, at Scouts, and in connection with A.E.P., ran through my mind. I thought about everything from wet blankets, to stirrup pumps, from shovels of earth to artificial respiration. My knowledge did not seem to be very extensive.

I and my friend cycled slowly by the house, which had smoke belching from a chimney, and I said: "Isn't that old G's house?" My friend confirmed my belief, and we continued our way. We had all but passed when G. himself appeared, and seeing us, asked us to help him. (He was the only one in the house). We immediately turned round, and went to put our fire knowledge into practice. G. had already got ready a stirrup pump, and some water, which we began to squirt up the chimney. We did not know whether that was the right thing to do. but it had a little effect. The surprising thing was that we pumped three gallons of water upwards, and it did not come down!

However, we nhoned the fire brigade, and I went out to clear away half a dozen small boys who were on the road. The N.F.S. arrived about three minutes after we had phoned them, but having driven through the streets at a good 30 m.p.h., they did not seem in any hurry to get out of their " engine."

They leisurely opened the door, crawled out. and made their way towards the house. They inspected the fire-place, and one of them looked up the chimney, down which red hot soot was falling! Eventually, they got the stirrup pump, and put more Water up the chimney—(some of which did come down—experts). They had the fire out, about twelve minutes after they came, and soon after that we went home.

However. I want to put in a eood word for the N.F.8., which seems to have, been somewhat forgotten since 1940. The team I saw worked in perfect harmonv. and I don't know which of them was in charge, if any of them. They knew exactly what to do. and did it very efficiently.

E.H.B., 5B. KE!A.X>

TIME AND PLACE. The time? Sunday, June the 3rd, 1945.

The place is as it should be—the H.M's desk.

The only sign o'f the grim war that has just ended is the sight of five ugly concrete shelters outside my window. One can't call them beautiful even when Form IB and others have done their best to tidy them up and one can't help regretting the loss of the broad lawns designed in 1938 for the School front. But there is so much to be thankful for that one cannot find fault even with these five mis-shapen eyesores. In nearly six years of modern war Twickenham has taken hundreds of H.E. bombs, thousands of incendiaries and many doodlebugs and it seems incredible that a building nearly half

1W A STAR'S

DE28K.

a mile in circumference should have escaped with two broken panes of glass and two burst door locks. Yet that is the fact. We are all deeply grateful for the School's good fortune.

And yet, of course, it was not just good fortune and nothing else. Added to what we may reasonably call luck was a far greater factor, the selfless fighting spirit of hundreds of thousands of men in the various national services. What follows speaks only of the Army and the B.A.F. but the same is true of the other services, of course. It is part of a letter sent to me last March by an O.H. who in his day was a ' young rip,' to put it riolitely. As he says: "Things appear in a slightly different light from what they did in 1940. In many ways I wouldn't have

16 missed the experience, because the Army teaches a man many things which could not be taught in civilian life. Perhaps the greatest of these is the fact that there are men willing to give their lives for an ideal, for a country, for the word of another man.

You will have read in the papers of the latest assault across the Ehine. I watched the "airboys" go in and I shall never see another sight like it again. I have read the newspapers and all I can say is that there wasn't one article that really did justice to the show. .Not that I am decrying the efforts of the journalists, who always turn in very good copies, but no man could have adequately described the sight—it had to be seen to; be believed. Even then one had to pinch oneself to make sure it was all real.

Of course the sight of a blazing bomber or Dakota did make one realise that men were dying and that it wasn't just another "Hendon.1 I am particularly proud to see' that my old division,, the 51st (L), were one of the first across Germany's last barrier. Their battle honours must be terrific now. We here are all gratified to see that at last the fighting troops of this division, the 52nd (L), are getting just a small bit of the publicity that is their due. It means so much to the infantry man when he realises that his efforts have not been in vain, that not only do his superiors know of his achievements but that his relatives and friends back home are aware o^ his trials and victories. We were beginning to think that we were in a "mystery" division but it seems that our story is to be told at last."

I said above that we are all deeply grateful. We are, especially) to those gallant hundred men) who will never see these lines as the living may.

Already the number is greater than that of the 1914-18 war and the fight with Japan is not yet over. Elsewhere in, the Lion will be found a list of Old1 Hamptonians who have already paid the full price for our liberty and peace. What form their memorial will take no one yet knows but it is clear that a mural tablet similar to the one we already have must be placed near by and, indeed, the School has this term decided to make a beginning in collecting funds to defray the cost. ' OLD YELLOW FACE.' In our general stock taking after VE-Day we must not forget old William Jackson's handsome clock, given to the ' Free Grammar School of Hampton ' one hundred and eleven years ago. If ever a clock should have been ' written off ' Jackson's should have been, as Mr. Garside and a few others know. But it was restored to its former sturdy beauty and it has gone on placidly keeping good time throughout the whole of the six years of war. when often the fourteen upstart electric clocks were hopelessly inaccurate or had failed altogether.

O.K. VISITORS. The good habit of turning up to Assembly or 'Break' is growing steadily and in recent months there have been at least two or three O.H's in the building every day. On the last Saturday of last term indeed the University contingents must have planned an invasion, for there were no less than a dozen of them present and J. M. Brudenell took the reading at Assembly. To turn out in time for 9.15 Assembly when on a week's nrecious leave is an achievement; yet a growing number reach this virtuous standard. We are always pleased to see O.H. visitors, especially if they will be good enough to remember that though they are on leave we are ' in action '!

O.H.A. PALESTINE BRANCH. I quote from a letter from Captain R. T. Edwards C27-'33), S.T.- H.Q. Palestine. •" The O.H.A. (Palestine Branch) held its fourth reunion, as planned, on March the 15th, 1945, and mustered nine members. They were;,— L. J. Maro fl2-'14), a gunner by rank but in the A.E.O., F/Lt. P. E. Cook Cl7-'23), A/Asst. Supts. of Police P. H. N. Welland C26-'32) and L W. Whymark C26-'32), Lt. E. A. J. Hancock, E. Sigs. C27-'32), G.Q.M.S. P. R. Buttery, Middx. Teom. C27-'33), W. Cibbs C26-'30) and J. S. Crisp C38-'39) both of the Palestine Govt. Service and myself.

A very pleasant time was had by all. The party broke up in good order about midnight. We hope to repeat the mixture in June or July when we should get some others who were absent this time." Buttery won't be there next time, however, for he has just reached home.

'SOUVENIR.' Passing in thought further East to Calcutta I am reminded that some one—-probably an O.H.—sent me a copy of the S.E.A.C daily newspaper ' Souvenir JA on January the i4th i__i C ,-J +'— TO. _jj last.

A good paper it *is, too.

It was laid on the Library table for all to see. Will the sender please own up at once and come and see me in my room as soon as possible!

Which again reminds me that a year ago some one very kindly sent me a fat parcel of eatables from Capetown without bothering to tell me he had done so. After nine months or so of feverish enquiry I found the culprit—Mr. R. W. Couldrey f'32-'36), then in Baghdad, home not long ago and now with the B.L.A. HAMPTONIANS WHO HAVE PASSED. Since I last wrote, the names of no less than eleven O.H's have been added to the grievously long list of names for the second war memorial.

J. S. (Jack) Harmam C32-'37> was a Sub.Lieut. in the F.A. piloting a Swordflsh over the Atlantic. On June the 26th last, he was overtaken by fog and failed to locate his parent ship. He had to ' ditch' when his petrol ran out. His body and those of his crew were recovered later and buried< at sea.

R. C. James C30-'35), a Captain in the E.A., was killed in action in Burma early this year.

James will be remembered as the founder and editor of ' Break-Up' (later called ' The Iconoclast'), the only unofficial school 'mag' I fancy that ever ran into six successive numbers. The ' Comet' of March the 17th last reproduced part of a remarkably vivid letter he had written just before his death.

A small footnote in the last Lion was perhaps overlooked by some. It referred to the death in action in Burma in February last of D. J. Walmsley C35-'40), a Lieutenant in the D.C.L.I. attached to the Gloster Eegt. He volunteered for service in Burma, went out last October, flew into action on his 21st birthday and was killed about three months later, before any of the letters from the School for which he asked could reach him.

From a local naper I read that D. E. Cloyns C25-'30), a L/Sgt. in the K. Signals, was killed last March as the result of an accident susained while serving with the B.L.A. He leaves a widow and a mother.

R. R. (Raymond) Turner C37-'42) was killed last March East* of the Ehine at Millingen.

His unit was attacking a German defence line held by S.S. Troops and Paratroops. The fighting was heavy and at one stage Turner gallantly crawled forward with a machine gun to tackle a German strong point. He

17 was killed instantly before reaching it. He was in the Somerset Light Infantry and was the youngest corporal in his battalion. I myself shall always remember him for the way he stuck to a big job of 'P.W.D.' on the main drive which he undertook and finished in his last few weeks at the School.

I mentioned in the last Lion that R. E. Gilbert C28-'S4) was in hospital near Jerusalem.

He died on the 10th of April this year and was buried in Kamleh Military Cemetery. He was a Sgt. in the E.A.S.C. and had been for some time in Turkey with the British Mission. E, D. Catley <'27-'35) was able to visit him almost every week until he died and his brother 'P.E. ('34-'37) was given compassionate leave from Italy and was with him for several weeks.

Several E.A.F. men previously reported as 'missing' must now be regarded as killed.

On Octqber the 15th last D. L. Edwards ('35'40), the navigator of a Be.autighter, set out to bomb shipping in the northern Adriatic.

He failed to return. The next day his body was recovered by the Germans and buried.

He was a F/0.

Flt.-Sgt. F. C. Woods C34-'39) is now regarded as having lost his life on June 3rd, 1944. He was a pilot in Bomber Command.

F. J. Broad C33-'38) was piloting a plane on an operational flight from Italy in May 1944.

The bodies of some of the crew were found but not Broad's.

Two more young E.A.F. pilots have been killed quite recently and at about the same time in India in aircraft accidents. One was C. Lauder ('35-'39)i a F/O., I believe, who was killed on May the 14th, almost exactly a year after his marriage with Miss Betty Hawkins, of Feltham. The other was D. W. Stantiall C36-'40), who was killed near Poona yesterday week.

There are, too, three civilian, deaths to record. I have long thought of Lt.-Col. C. J, Tagg C71-'77) as the oldest living O.K. I had, however, overlooked Henry Manning Knight, who died recently at Virginia Water aged ninety.

His father was Sir Henry Knight, Lord Mayor of London in 1882-3 and Chairman of our Governors when the ' old School' was built. His son has recently joined the Old Hamptonian Masonic Lodge.

M. S. Outfield C14-'20) died on February 9th last at the early age of forty-one. He died while at work in his office in London.

He leaves a widow and one daughter. He lived at Esher.

F. E. Fowles C27-'32) died at the end of January last in the West Middlesex Hospital after a long illness. He had been in the Army but he had been discharged on medical grounds.

Ronald Carter, of 39 High Street, Hampton Hill, who was killed some months ago and whose portrait appeared in a local paper, was not an O.H. The obituary notice was incorrect in that respect.

To the relatives of all these men we extend our deep sympathy.

MISSING. S. Owen C33-'36), a Sgt. Airgunner, has been missing since May 1943. I understand that he must now be presumed killed. So, I hear, must R. H. Wilkinson C36-'40j, a P/O. Navigator, Quite recently (March 16 last) Flt.-Sgt. A. E. Higgins C34-'40), a Navigator, failed to return from a bombing operation; he was on Lancasters. His name, and that of twelve others ' missing,' will be found on a separate sheet issued with this Lion. I shall be very glad to get positive information about any of these men.

Of one of this; group, C. A. White ('32-'37), it is now permissible to say more. After leaving School he joined the clerical etaft' of Hounslow Post Office, where he stayed till he joined the E.A.F. in February 1942. He was trained in Canada and returned to England with hia 'wings' in September '43. He was commissioned the following May and ou August 25th last failed to return from an operation over the flying bomb sites.

Our sympathy is extended to the relatives of these O.H's, too.

P's.O.W.—and Ex P's.O.W. There have been many happy scenes up and down the country in the past month where men have returned home after periods of anything up to five years as prisoners.

So far as u.H's are concerned I know of 25 who have returned safe and sound. Those who have already paid us a visit are:—T. C. Atherton C28-'33), J. W. Axten C28-'34), C. H. Bobart ('30-'35), W. E. Daniels C27-J33), H. C. Jacobs C32-'34), V. R. Mendelski C32-'39). G. 0.

Morrison ('22-'26), D.J M. Pitkethly ('29-'37), I. E. J. Sanger C25- 27), J. B. Sootoher ('31'35), W. Simpson C30-'35) and J. Spooner ('31'35).

Others are:—K. J. Avent C33-'38), E. J. Avery ('19-'24), H. H. Avery C28-'32), C. C. Bass C25-'27), L. A. Cooling C30-'35), J. A. Embleton ('32-'38), E. W. Humphrey C28-'33), C. R. Mills C26-'29), E. C. Price C3OT35), C. M. Smith C31-'36), W. Stapleton C31-'36), C. C. Teuton C33-'35), and D. H. Tripp C31-'37).

As might be imagined, these men have tales of great interest to tell. The 'old hands' of the Staff (i.e. those of us still here who were on the Staff before the war began) have invited them to tea next Friday. But more of that in next term's Lion presumably. The first to call was? C. 0. Morrison C22-'26), by now on his way back to S. Africa, I fancy.

All I have seen look well but thin.

1 have had no recent news of the O.H's still in Japanese hands.

DECORATIONS.

I hear that Mr. E. A. H. Heard ('38-' ), a Lieut.-Colonel on Field Marshal Alexander's staff, has been given the O.B.E. I have no detail, however.

Three more O.H's have been awarded the D.F.C. One, only just announced, goes posthumously to F. J, Pile ('23-'28), whose death was announced in an earlier Lion. He was a F/O. pilot in No. 47 Squadron. The citation runs: " In November 1942 this officer was detailed to attack enemy shipping. About 40 miles north of Tobruk, he observed a small motor vessel escorted by an enemy destroyer.

Despite the fact that his aircraft was considerably damaged by fire trom the destroyer, he completed his attack on the motor vessel, securing a hit with his torpedo which caused explosions and destroyed the vessel. Flying Officer Pile displayed skill in locating this small target and the successful attack on the motor vessel in the face of intense opposition was an outstanding example of courage and determination."

Pile joined the E.A.F. in 1940 and was commissioned in the following July. He was another of the notable 5S of my early days at H.G.S. The news of this posthumous award only reached me through N. V. Jeppeson, who had picked it out from a Hove newspaoer.

One can't help wondering what other O.H. news there is if only one could find it.

Flt.-Lieut. C. H. Reynolds C24-'30) early this year was awarded the D.F.C. The only explanation he vouchsafed to his father was that it was for 'being a good boy.' The

18 citation, however, says ' for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.' Reynolds, who began in the ranks and was commissioned in September '42, was the Captain of a Lancaster but lately he has been recovering from a serious motor accident met with ; last February.

The third D.F.O. is that awarded to J. Banks C36-'39), a F/O. He joined the R.A.F. in April 1941 and began ' ops ' last July. In his case the citation says: "This officer, as pilot and captain of aircraft, has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.'

Banks was married in March last a few days before going overseas. There is a note under ' Marriages.

I. D. Brotherton ('31-'39), who has figured so often in these pages, must be mentioned this time as having been awarded the ' Croix de Guerre.' The citation says: "This officer was the Signal Officer of the Unit and he took an active part in the operations in France during June, July and August. He was always'in the forward areas maintaining communications under very trying conditions. He was completely fearless and snowed outstanding devotion to duty throughout the campaign.

He was eventually wounded going forward to a forward Platoon area in September 1944."

Brotherton was also ' mentioned ' later. He recovered from his wounds quickly, calling at the School during convalescence, and was in time to take part in the Ehine crossing. He has been near Hamburg for some weeks.

W. J. A. Stewart C28-'33), another whose name has often appeared in the Lion, was awarded the M.B.E. early this year. According to the " Comet" of May the 19th ' despite recurring attacks of malaria Captain Stewart controlled single-handed the supplies of an area in India which was entirely dependent 911 air supply.' Stewart is in the R.A.S.C.. now a Major, I believe.

Another O.K. to be awarded the M.B.E. is H. A. Timms ('16-'20)t a Major in the E.E. serving in Italy. I have no detail in his case but as he was in the P.L.A. in civil life I imagine he has been doing work at the Italian ports.

C. H. J. Gates C32-'36) has been awarded the B.E.M. but not even his brother Billv can discover why! Perhaps Jack White will oblige. The mere citation says: ' for outstanding services in connection with operations in N.W. Europe.' The citation describes Gates as ' Corporal (temporary) (acting temporary Quarter Master Sergeant) (now temporary Second Lieutenant).' That leaves me a little hazy but I ought to add that when he came in last Gates was a Staff Captain!

W. Simpson C30-'35), corporal in the R.A.M.C., has been mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service—I imagine in connection with the remaining with our wounded when the Germans took Boulogne.

Congratulations and good luck to them all.

THE STAFF.

Those who were at School in the years 1940-41 will no doubt remember Miss L. Ortpn-Smith, who, one of the first two ladies to join the Staff here for many years, taught French. She married in the Spring of last year and on New Tear's Day 1945 a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews.

It seems almost odd that very few boys now in the School have ever seen some of our ' old hands ' soon due to come back. Even the last to leave—Mr. Jeffrey, in October 1941—is quite unknown to the bulk of the School. At the moment it is impossible to see far ahead but, it is fairly safe to assume that Mr. B. Garside and Mr. I. R. S. Harrison will be back before November next. The former is in Hertfordshire and the latter in Essex; both are still in the A.E.C. Mr. W. H. Bennett, also in the A.E.G., a Major, is now stationed in Naples. Mr. E. A. H. Heard is still at Army H.Q. in Italy. Mr. Mulley -is still in Tripoiitanja When ne wrote on April the 22nd he said he had been suffering from non-correspondence out of rheumatism by idleness!' Otherwise he seemed fit. Mr. Moorhouse is in this country; he damaged his ankle some months back and in consequence did not go to ' N.W. Europe.' Dr. Manners is still at the Military College of Science doing experimental ballistics. One of his pupils at the moment is R. 0. Sims ('28-'36H Mr. Hayler ('21-'42) has been in several times lately. He now lives in. Hampton again, working in London with the Sea Transport section of the Ministry of Transport. Mr. R. W. Couldrey C32-'36) wrote last February while on embarkation leave. He paid his O.H.A. subscription for seven years ahead!

Last, but not least, there is Cpl. Jago, who, if the local newspapers can be believed, proposed the toast of the Company at the first reunion dinner of B Company, 3rd Middx.

Home Guard on the 9th of March last.

GOLDEN WEDDING.

This is a new department in H.M. Note making! A paragraph in; the "Daily Telegraph ' of Feoruary the 14th announced the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Sir James and Lady Garnar, of the University Arms Hotel, Cambridge.

Sir James joined the School sixty years ago and was knighted in January 1933. He has for a long time been head of the Bermondsey firm of tanners and leather merchants bearing his name. Besides the premises in Bermondsey, now considerably reduced by ' enemy action' in 1941, the firm has premises in Guildford, Deptford and Sawston, near Cambridge.

All O.H's will, I have no doubt, wish to offer their congratulations to Sir James and Lady Garnar and to express the hope that the Lion of 1955 may record their names again, this time under the still rarer heading ' Diamond Wedding.'

MARRIAGES.

There is quite a long list this time. Let us take them in chronological order. When T. C. Athertoh called recently he told me of the marriage of his brother J. W. Atherton (•25-'30) on August the 13th 1939 to Miss Peggy Haines, of Wimborne, Dorset. J.W. is a ground staff corporal still serving with the K.A.F. in this country.

Another rather ancient piece of news was given me about himself by Sqdn.-Ldr. C. D. Waldron ('27-'31), when he called not long ago. On April the 5th 1941 he married at Dorking Parish Church Miss Muriel Stower, of Dorking.

A recent visit from K. H. Kuffell gave the information that his brother D, A. Ruffell r27-'32) in the Spring of 1944 married Miss Dorothy Baggott, of Twickenham, sister of A. T. Baggotl ('3l-'37). He (D.A.R.) now has a daughter.

19 Last October the 30th P. F. Brown C35-'40). a regular sergeant In the B.A.F., married at Baling Mies Gladys Boper, of Whitton. Mrs. Brown is at present living with her parents while P.F. is stationed in Hampshire.

A recent letter from 0. Grant ('34-'40) gave, inter alia, the news, that last New Year's Day he married Miss Mary Gilling, of Stapleford.

Nottingham.

On Sunday, February 25th last at All Saints', Hampton, E. C. Irvine ('38-'4D married Miss Bosemary Webberley of Hampton, sister of the two Webberleys now in the School. Petty Officer P. E. HOKgett (E.M.) was present at the wedding. When I last heard of him in April Irvine was at a dog training school in Belgium. I presume he is now busy hunting! for Messrs. Ribbentrop and Co: A wedding with a very strong H.G.S. flavour took place on Monday, March the 5th last, when Captain P. 0. James, B.A.M.C. ('29-'31). son of Mr. W. D. James, married Sister Stella Dorothy Beharrel. Q.A.I.M.N.S.B., of Colne.

Lancashire, at St Mary's, Hampton. The Rev. C. P. C; Knapo, a School Governor, took the service. Mr. Yarrow was at the organ,and Dr. N. H. James C32-'35), the bridegroom's brother, was best man. The brief honeymoon (both are in the B.L.A.) was spent at Highcliff e.

From the "Comet" I gather that A. E. Lane C28-'32) on March the 10th last married Mies Vera Brackley, of Sunbury, at Sunbury Parish Church. Lane is a scoutmaster of the 1st Sunbury Troop.

Under the heading ' Decorations' I have referred to F/O. J. Banks C36-'39). On March the 17th last; just before leaving for an unknown overseas destination, he married at St. Anne'* Church, Kew Green, Miss Joyce H. Kennay, of Brentford.

A f*w days later, on the 22nd, Officer Cadet E . T. Simmons ('Sl-'SS) married at Caxton Hall. Westminster. Miss Diane Georgina Napier Smart, of Scotland.

About the same time Petty Officer Air Artificer 0. P. Bishop. F.A.A. C34-'37), married Wren Anne Stephen Murrav, F.A.A., of Edinburgh, at All Saints' Church. Edinburgh. The honeymoon was spent at Aberdeen.

On April the llth last Sub.-Lieut. (A) T. 0.

Hounslow, B.N.V.B. ('33-'38), married Miss May Mackintosh, of Newtonmore, Inverness, at St. Cohjmba's Ohureh, Newtonmore. His observer was best man and his brothers C.C. ('37-'41), also in the F.A.A., and A.J., still in the School, managed to attend.

C. F. Brumpton C23-'26). of the Naval Canteen Service, on the day after, April the 12th. married at St. Mary's. Hampton, Miss May Barrett, a Leading Wren and a sister of D. A. Barrett in 5A. He had ten days' leave and the honeymoon was spent at Dorking.

A fortnight later, on the 25th, Flt.-Lieut.

P. R. Sandford ('34-'40) married Section Officer M. E. Pearson, W.A.A.F., of Brighton, at Shilton, Oxfordshire.

Good luck to them all.

COMING EVENTS. From the local presp I gather that the following O.H's are engaged to be married:â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Flt.-Lieut. A. M. Steedman C33-'38>, D.F.O.. to Miss Dorothy Todd. only daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Todd, of Hampton.

F/O. D. J. Bishop ('34-'39V, to Mies Frances Jean Fortune, of Kingston Lane, Teddington.

Sgt. W. J. Haynes C27-'31), now serving with the 14th Army in Burma, to Miss Joan Halstead, of Chiswick.

E. J. Everett, E.A.F. C26-'29), now serving in India, to Miss Nellie Kathleen Beed, of Munster Boad, Teddington.

C. Freeborn, M.N. ('36-'4l), to Miss Elsie Shepherd, W.E.N.S., of Hampton.

BIRTHS. A. J. Stevens C50-'S8), now has a daughter, I hear, and W. F. Wigginton ('17-'21). who married Miss Mary Drew, a son.

THE ROYAL NAVY. A. W. Lower C30-'35), still a Lieutenant and Torps 2 on a big carrier out in the Far East, wrote on February 21st and enclosed a snapshot which revealed that he has cultivated a beard. He has been in action a good many times. They had had a first class 'reception in Australia when they went ashore tbere for a time. He mentions that he had met Lieut. (E) G. B. Penn ('31-'36) and, as reported elsewhere, Sub.-Lieut. (S) R. V. Hill ("30-'36), and Lieut. B. A. Curry ('31-'38), E.E.M.E., these last in Ceylon, I imagine.

Lewer says he could now describe the monsoons well enough to satisfy Mr. House!

From K. C. Coe, of 5C, I learn that S. J. Sharpe ('21-'25) is a Lieut-Cdr. (S) in the B.N.V.E. station at a Na,val Air H.Q. in Scotland and that Lieut. M. W. F. Dunning C30-'37), of the dental service, has gone off to the Far East.

Miss Brown's brother, L. A. S. Brown ('24'30), another Lieut.-Commander (S), is at the moment on the staff of the Commodore in Charge, Hamburg.

R. R. Brett ('20-'24) is, I hear, a Lieutenant cpmmanding a landing craft. I have no direct information, however. Another landing craft man, Midshipman B. L. Nightingale C39-'43), called: on May the 3rd. His D-Day trip was almost a peace-time trip apparently, but things were different at Walcheren and his craft was one, of the few that survived.

He looked fit and cheery.

Lieut. (E) D. L. J. Corner ('32-'39) was present on Sports Day a week ago. He has been for the past 15 months on a light cruiser, mostly operating in the ' Med." At Colombo he met Lieut. (E) G. B. Penn ('31-36).

In travelling to Waterloo lately I have met two naval O.H's. One was C. Friend C32-'38), a Lieutenant (A), now doing a job at the Admiralty. The other was J. R. Watson ('37'40), a Sub.-Lieutenant on a cruiser stationed in northern waters. Like many, another in the Forces he looked very big and very fit.

R. J. Harman C25-'33), a Sub.-Lieutenant (A) doing 'met' work 9n a biggish ship, wrote a week ago. He had just returned from what proved to be the last convoy to Bussia.

T. 0. Craig C33-'39) about a year back was commissioned as an Engineer Sub-TJieut. He was on a frigate last March.

Two O.H's in the Navy were at the O.H.A. Dance of March the 24th. One was Sub Lieut. (A) C. W. Hills ('33-'39), expecting soon to go abroad, not to the Far East apparently, and the other was B. W. Johnson C34-'38), also a Sub.-Lieutenant but not in the F.A.A. He was mined on D-Day and reckons he is lucky to have been picked up.

P. W. Hall ('36-'41), another straight Sub.Lieutenant, paid one of his periodic calls on March the 22nd while the C.C.B. was being run off. In the officers' baths of a naval base he had met H. P. Ford C27-'33), who, hearing

30

Hall whistling the School Song demanded across the tops of the partitions where he had learnt that tune!

R. F. Burvill C34-'41), Sub.-Lieutenant R.N.V.R., is on a famous big ship out in the Far East as Second Badar Officer. He wrote on April the 21st. He, too, had had a great time in Sydney.

Midshipman (A) C. C. Hounslow C37-'41) has been in twice lately. He came on May the llth when on sick leave after the removal of his tonsils and last Thursday he and C. P, Cross ('37-'42) came to Assembly together.

W. A. (Billy) Gates C30-'34) wrote a week ago. He is still in 11.N. Barracks at Chattenden, near Rochester.

According to P. F. Brown, D. C. W. Hurst (*34-'39) is commissioned in the F.A.A. and stationed in Ireland. I have no detail, however. K. C: Edwards C38-'45), whose ambition to enter the Navy is of long standing, was accepted on a six months university course and is now, I believe, at Cardiff.

A number of R.N. and B.N.V.E. Old Hamptonians have been in since I last wrote. D. C. Smith ('33-40), a Petty Officer (R/Mech.) came on April the 3Oth while on nine days' leave.

C. H. C. Calver C36-'40) called on February 21st when on leave after a long spell in the Mediterranean. He had lost several stone since his plunging record days but I shouldn't call him spare even now! The same day J. C. Foy ('37-'43) came in with news of no less than nine Q.H's he had met in the course of "his training. He was then a Naval Aircraftsman II. M. M. (Micky) Sharp ('41-'43).

O.S., has been in twice—on February 20 and on May 2. Ha is on a frigate, as cheerful as ever. H. S. H. Thomas C37-'43) wrote on February 10 and called a fortnight or so later; he is an O.Tel. (W/MJ. He brought quite a lot of news about O.H's he had met in the Navy, e.g. D. J. W. Schauerman ('38'43), who is now a J.P.E.M. (anglice Junior Probationer Electrical Mechanic).

There are no less than six O.H's doing Artificer Apprentice training at the moment.

P. A. Hodges C39-'44), an O.A.A., wrote at length early in April and called three weeks later while convalescing a f t e r German measles; he too was as cheerful as ever. The day before that, M. J. HOskins C39-'44) had called. He is another O.A.A. and is with Hodges and B. E. Newton, who left from 5Q only last December.

J. A. H. Wilson C38-'42) came in last week with A. L. F. Cope (see R. Sigs.). Like Nightingale, Wilson was in a landing craft on DDay and at Walcheren and each time got off unharmed.

R. A. J. Hutohins C38-'42) is, I hear, a Signalman on a French destroyer in the 'Med' and Micky Sharp tells me that L. S. Harrison C37-'42) is now an electrical mechanic. Another E/M but a Petty Officer, is P. E. Hoggett C37-'41), on a big L.S.T. (Landing Ship.

Tank), abroad.

B. A. Broad ('38-'43>, a Leading Airman, has now gone to Canada, I hear. G. P. Fuller C39-'4D was seen late in March in Hampton wearing the uniform of a naval rating. In these cases I have no detail, however.

S.A. (Supply Assistant) Hornsby, P. D. ('36•41) wrote a very long and very interestine letter on April 2. He was once in the A.T.C. and of course was set on ' aircrew.' Alas for his hopes, however, he was re-mustered and sent to the Navy. After all the usual camp and barracks and training and courses, during which he ran into quite a number of

O.H's, he has settled down happily in a light cruiser, which must atill be nameless, I presume.

E. Evans C39-'43) came in only a week ago.

He said he had been accepted for the Navy as a ' rad. mech.'

At last I feel I have got C. F. Brumpton C23-'26) taped! He explained in a long letter written on March 11. He is a Petty Officer, R.N.V.R., in the N.A.A.F.I. branch of the Navy classed as Naval Canteen Service. He says he sells everything except coal! His ship was the first N.A.A.F.I. in the great Mulberry harbour. In the early days or the invasion he took a convoy of trucks overland from .Normandy to Brussels. The work is— or rather was—all build up here, close down there, and so on incessantly, as the front moved on.

THE R.M. AND THE M.N.

' Nothing to report, Sir'—which seems a bit odd! This, is copying the Silent Service a little too slavishly!

THE ARMY. THE R.A.C.

Captain D. L. C. Jehu C30-'35) writes every few months a most interesting summary of his impressions of the country he is in. He was at an B.A.C. School in Italy when he wrote last a few days ago.

K. H. Ruffell ('26-'32) wrote on February 13 to assure me that I had been misinformed about his promotion to Major. He still wears three pips, as could be seen when he came to Assembly last Wednesday. He is on embarkation leave expecting to go to the Far East as Adjutant to a battalion of the R.T.R. He has been running P.T. and Sports while in Cumberland.

D. E. Davidson ('34-'39) a trooper in the R. Scotg Greys in the B.L.A., wrote at length on March on March the 15tn. He mentioned that all the civilian foreigners he met were Czechs, Poles, Dutch, Danes, etc., etc.,—never Germans!

R. C. MoCathie C40-'43) came in on February 20 and again last Thursday. He went before a W.O.S.B. and was offered an infantry commission. He preferred, however, to remain in the B.A.C. and is at the moment a ' Lance.'

There is news of his father under 'Civilians.'

A. C. Coff C37-'4l) came in the day after.

He was with the Life Guards at Nijmegen and was badly wounded in the leg. He came out of hospital a month ago and expects to go back AI before long.

THE GUNNERS.

G. E. J. Reed C29-'36), as if to make up for a long silence, has sent two Very interesting letters since I last wrote these notes. Like many other O.H's he has had the chance to see Italy and has taken it. He says he expected much but has not been disappointed.

One passage, dealing with the speed of the final phase of the Italian campaign is worth quoting. Reed says: "When I got back it was amazing to see the change on our side of. the Senio, for the Army had begun preparing for the push to the Po. And then it started, first of all by heavy bombers, then fighter bombers, and one seeminely never ending barrage, everything joining in, then flame throwers, tanks and infantry. The Senio that had held us for five months was crossed in some places in a matter of minutes and bridges appeared almost immediately. From thereon it was move, move, move. The dust was terrible, visibility on the roads often re-

21 duced to one or two yards. But the Italian Campaign was over, and yet a month earlier everyone was wondering if we would ever get anywhere."

J. (Jim) Steedman ('31-'39), another 'straight' E.A. Captain, has been home on leave lately and has called, looking extremely fit. He was then Intelligence Officer at an artillery H.Q. near Hamburg. I was wrong last time in saying he is now a, regular. He has been offered a permanent commission but when I saw him lately he had not made up his mind about the future.

A third E.A. Captain, R. H. Newell ('31-'36) is on his way overseas, I. hear.

R. H. Sterling C30-'36) was a Lieutenant in the A.A. branch at one time. His father told me recently that he had changed over to the 'Field Artillery but was still in this country.

Gunner R. W. Clark ('37-'44). still stationed at Lark Hill, called on April 27. Another Gunner O.H. is E. R. Newman f35-'40), who is with a Jungle Field Regt. in S.E.A.C., a Lance Bombardier.

Early this year at a certain town in the S.E.A.C. area Captain E. B. Green ('30-'34) might have been seen bidding up to an enormous price a cake that was being auctioned in aid of thq local W.V.S. at a Flower and Vegetable Show. I presume Green is still with the A.A. Gunners. Another O.H. in the A.A. branch, Lieut. E. J. March C29-'34), returned from India some six months back and was stationed very near home for a time.

He called for an hour or two on March the 12th. Few of the staff recognised him!

Captain W. B. Hammond ('27-'30) wrote again on April 22, saying he was then a ' base wallah' looking forward to getting home in about two months. It seems a long time since he was a member of the officers' mess quartered in ' Eockey's ' old cottage at the Old School! Hammond sent a copy of Alexander's ' Special Order of the Day ' issued just before the troops went into the big April offensive in N. Italy.

B. 0. Rabbitts C31-'36), a ' Lance' in the Heavy A.A., wrote a Ion? letter from Holland on February 11. He sent a generous contribution to the O.H.A. reconstruction fund and a generous tribute to the Lion. He went to France in 1939 and returned via Dunkirk.

He was in Birmingham during its period of heavy 'blitzing' and he landed in Normandy fairly early. He has been in to see us since he last wrote.

J. E. Dubber of' Form 4C tells me his cousin, A. J. Dubber C27-'33), is still a gunner in Northern Ireland. H. Cox C36-'4l) is with the Light A.A. in the B.L.A. I believe.

N. Goodwin C37-'39), uncle of M. H. Moscrop of Form 4C, is a gunner over there too, near Brussels, but I don't know in which branch he is serving.

THE ENGINEERS. A reference to H. A. Timms C16-'20), a Major in Italy, will be fovind under ' Decorations.' C. B. House C32-'39), a Captain in an Assault Brigade, has been in Italy too, a long time, and has now returned there after a spell of leave here. He was one of four O.H's that called on April 27. Another B.E. Captain is A. f . Reynolds C27-'32), who has been in India since early 1942. He expects to be home by the end of this year.

I learn from the T.V.T. that Lieut. Edward G. Walker C31-'36) was home on lea,ve from the B.L.A. in February and that he is a

reproduction officer in a Survey Company, attached to the flrst mobile map printing unit which arrived in France after D-Day. Two R.E. subaltern O.H's have met in India several times and have written to me lately.

One is A. N. Sparke C35-'42) who in February wrote about examinations in Urdu, girls, throwing people in lily ponds, white ants, und so weiter! His later letter of April 4 was more sedate, owing no doubt to his having become Assistant Adjutant to a battalion.

The other was f. C. Ewels C35-'42), a cadet in March but commissioned when he wrote from Bangalore on April 8. He had met McNamara there. Both referred a little wistfully to Cholsey! Ewels maintained that he learnt more infantry work in the H.G. under one Cpl. Jago than the Army had taught him since!

H. C. B. Mott C3p-'36) turned up at School a fortnight back after several years in the M.E.F. He is a " Draughtsman ilech. A." He was little changed except that his extreme shyness had vanished.

D. A. Ruff el I ('27-'32), a corporal, has been with the 21st Army Group H.Q. He was home on leave recently.

D. W. Barclay C39-'4l), brother of A. Barclay in Form 2C, wrote on February 26. He was a sapper in a training battalion up North. Another new sapper is I. H. L. Smith C37-'41), who has written twice lately and who called on March 29. While with his training battalion he has been doing a good deal of C.C.E. He was first in two battalion races of about five miles and was first in a, N. Midland Inter-Unit Championship race of about .the same distance.

THE ROYAL SIGNALS. Sgt. J. E. Daniel! C29-'33) is on 30 days' leave from the B.L.A. at the moment. He called on May the 7th and I met him m the train only a few days ago. He is with a Cipher Section and is, I presume, an office wallah primarily. His size, complexion and grip suggest anything but the office, however!

Cpl. C. T. Huett C30-'36) wrote on March 27 from the B.L.A. As a result of a few tips from the H.M's desk he had discovered and visited J. Steedman. He asked for news of E. Reynolds and K. B. Brown but I couldn't help him. Huett has become a philosopher since joining the Army.

A. T. Baggott C31-'37) has been out East for some four years I hear. I don't know his rank.

0. R. Pugh C38-'43> called on March the 9th. He had just finished his course and was about to become a L/Cpl. Instructor.

A. L. F. Cope C37-'42) came in only last Wednesday. He is a Signalman W/Op. He was on embarkation leave expecting to go to the Far East. With him at Catterick. also a Signalman, was C. C. J. Dewdney ('41'43).

THE INFANTRY.

There is not so rrmch as usual under this heading this time. Perhaps the P.B.I., who always have to come in at the end, have been too busy to write.

N. R. (Roy) Nichols C26-'31) came to Assembly on April the 27th. The rebuilding of his jaw hasn't altered him much and he looked very fit. An account of his travels since he volunteered as a Driver in the Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry soon after the war broke out would fill this Lion. He has been a Captain in the Eoyal Sussex for some time,

Another Infantry Captain who has been in the C.M.F. for a long time ie P. Hartwell C26-'34). When I asked his father about him yesterday I gathered that he was acting as Education Officer to his battalion and was now back in Italy.

L. C. Bird C26-'33), the first O.H. to lose a leg in this war so far as I know, called on March the 10th and stayed on to the O.H.A. High Tea. He looked very fit despite the amputation of his left leg three inches above the knee. He hopes to play cricket for the O.H.A. again.

A. A. Meacock ('36-'42), a Lieutenant in a Welsh unit, wrote on February 24. Like so many other O.H's he had found his French very useful since joining the B.L.A. about Christmas time. He had run into K. T. Bass and J. Steedman.

V. Crigson ('29-'33) has transferred from the A.A. to a British Infantry battalion in India.

He retains his rank of Lieutenant.

A. I. Eastcott C36-'40) called last March 27 when we were all exceptionally busy and hardly got a square deal. He is a huge fellow in these days. He was on embarkation leave, expecting to go to the Far East.

W. 0. Sandford ('37-'40) is a L/Cpl. and Marksman in the 10th Battn. of the Black Watch and has volunteered for the Gurkha Rifles. A. J. Hoare ('41-'43) called on April the 14th. He had written a fortnight before from Blackdown. He had some very tough and very cold training in Scotland after joining up in January. Another recent caller was J. C. L. Clarke C39-'43), now a private in the Buffs, who came in on May the 18th.

Like Hoare he is aiming at an O.C.T.U. D. C. Thorne ('37-'42) is, so Foy tells me, a 'Lance' in the Middlesex Kegiment.

THE R.A.S.C.

I have referred earlier to R. T. Edwards C27-'33). A letter from him of February 22 mentions that a 'para' he had inserted in " The Mid-East Mail " brought within an hour or two of its appearance a 'phone call from F/Lt. P. E. Cook ('17-'23). They were well known to one another as brother officers but not as brother O.H's. Edwards' Palestine Branch of the O.H.A. ran to 15 members when I last heard.

Quite recently I have heard that L. M. Tozer C27-'34), once in the B.A.M.C. I fancy, is now a Captain in the E.A.S.C. He was home on leave recently from the B.L.A., where he had seen service in the Bemagen bridgehead among other places.

A. J. Chinery ('32-'37> was last November a Lieutenant. He had then been about a year in Somaliland, where he had had plenty of excitement as well as the usual selection of equatorial trials.

R. E. Gilbert ('28-'34) wrote to me from No. 16 B.G.H. on February 23. It was his last letter to me, for he died a month or so later. There is a reference to him on an earlier page.

J. D. Emerson C36-'43), who writes frequently, was on April the 25th a 2/Lieut, with a more or less independent command consisting of 100 Madrassi men and 35 vehicles, 200 miles from his nearest superior officer. His contemporary J. N. Sheppard C37-'43), who wrote at about the same time, is, I imagine, handling part of Emerson's job from the office end. He is a private doing clerical work in A.L.F.S.E.A., on the Q side, I imagine. On his voyage out last March he was let in for a long1 spell of night work in the galley!

THE R.A.M.C.

F. A. P. Dobinson C30-'33), still a Sergeant (not being a doctor), wrote on March 29 from S.E.A.C. He is in the â&#x20AC;&#x201D;th Division and is still looking out for O.H's, of whom there must be many in that part of the world.

He will probably be home, however, before these lines appear in print.

Cpl. W. Simpson ('30-'35), repatriated some time ago and 'mentioned' (see 'Decorations'), has been working at Millbank for some time.

Some months ago he made a trip to Sweden on a ship bringing back more British repatriated men. He expects to be here next Friday for the party.

C. J. Barton ('28-'32), another Corporal, called on March the 23rd and I met him again only a day or two ago. He had returned from a long spell in the M.E.F. and was wearing the Africa Star. He was originally in the E.A.C., but was transferred to the E.A.M.C. as a spectacle expert. Before the war he was with Theodore Hamblin & Co. After a couple of years of silence P. Sawkins C25-'31) has written again, this time from the Co-operator Wing of a B.G.H. in (I presume). Italy. He is L/Sgt. and chief clerk and finds his school German extremely useful. He was, I believe, the first boy to take German in the 'General' here in my time. Certainly he was the first to get a ' distinction.' He is also the first O.H. for many years to give me his address in Monomark hieroglyphics. The last was, I fancy.

G. S. Malthouse C20-'26). I wonder what) he has been doing during the war.

THE R.E.M.E.

Lieut. B. A. Curry C31-'38), his sense of humour undimmed, wrote on January 30 from Ceylon (I should say). He gave me an account of the first Annual New Year's Eve Meeting of the Ceylon Branch of the O.H.A.! The meeting took place in the wardroom of a well known carrier at the invitation of A. W. Lewer C30-'35). R. V. Hill C30-'36), shorebased, I should say, was there too. H. L. Harbottle C27-'31), by the way, is still working with Walker's, at Colombo.

E. C. Hillier ('18-'25) has now reached the K.E.M.E. He joined the K.A.F. in 1941 and took a course in wireless. His batch was transferred to the KA.O.C. and eventually became E.E.M.E. He was in the Thames Estuary during the f.b. battle and was then transferred to first Belgium and later Holland.

He was a cashier in the Midland Bank as a civilian.

T. E. Coode ('34-'39) sent a brief A.F.A.2042 message on April the 16th. ' I am quite well. I hope to be out soon.'!

MISCELLANEOUS.

L. ,H. U. Colding C31-'35) appeared on February 23 with his brother, C.C.J. ('27-'32) and a limp. His various leg wounds had healed up but he was to have further treatment soon after. With the rest of his 8. Lanes, battalion he is now in the Parachute Eegt.

Another O.H. in that unit is R. R, Fryer ('38'43), whom I met only a couple of days ago looking very big and very fit. He had called on February 27.

Captain F. W. Paines C08-'17), O.H., Governor and local Alderman, is at present in Germany, a public safety officer working with A.M.G. I expect Major S. C. Mason C11-'18) is doing the same kind of work but I haven't heard from him for some months.

L. D. Lewis C31-'36), a Lieutenant in the Pioneer Corps when I last heard of him, has

28

been serving for the last year or two with a native pioneer regiment in E. Africa. When he visits the. School next I have no doubt he will cast a critical eye on the jungles which his war-time successors seem content to tolerate as the natural adornment of an exceptionally fine building. Lewis was in his day an outstanding P.W.D. performer and is no doubt a round peg in a round hole where he now is.

Another P.O. Old Hamptonian, Captain B. W. H. Ruffell C16-'19), was home on leave from the B.L.A. last April. Another again.

H. M. Franklin C37-'39) is on leave from the B.L.A. at the moment. He landed in Normandy in August. He has recently been placed in the 21st Army Group Interpreters' Pool and will be a Staff Sgt. before these notes appear.

E. D. Catley C27-'35) sent me a long letter on April 27. He was still in the E.A.P.C. in Palestine.

He had not long before that taken1 his leave in Egypt and had done the trip up to Luxor.

Dr. D. H. Everett ('28-'35) wrote on January 29 just before going out to India on a special visit, with the rank of Major. He asked for the addresses of O.H's and I gave him what I could. He is back, I know, but I haven't heard if he made any contacts. He hopes to ba back at Oxford soon now.

R. A. Geary f42-'44) called on March 27.

He had been accepted for an Army Six Months University Course at Edinburgh. Another to have such a course, but at Oxford, is D. H. J. Qumian C39-'40). When he attended the O.H.A. Dance of March 24 he was an Officer Cadet at Sandhurst. Cpl. T. R. Painter C25-'30), I.C., wrote on March 18 from Karachi, where Mr. G. J. Atkin has been for some time. Painter has moved off since, I believe.

K. J. Pluthero ('37-'43) also in the I.C. but as yet a private, called on May 12th, a day when I happened to be away. He was on embarkation leave. He had tried both the E.A.F. and the Glider Pilot Begt. without any luck.

J. R. Lucas C37-'41), A.C.C., came in on February 24 while on a week's leave from Germany and again iust before returning.

He has been with an E.A. unit since landing in Normandy on June the 7th. He has 'fined down' considerably.

I hear that R. A. Cittings C21-'26) has been in the Army for over two years and that he was commissioned in February '44 and is now probably overseas. I have no other detail, however. He married in 1938 and has three daughters.

Two other O.H's. I can't quite fit in their right places. A. H, Cooper ('31-'37), so his brother T.S. C21-'28) says, is now a Staff Captain (Education). He went out to the M.E.F., I fancy in the Pioneers, and acquired considerable skill in Swahili. L. J. Brooking C30-'36) has a commission, I hear, hut I only guess that it is in the I.C. Three O.H's were in the G.S.C. at the time of their visits. T. T. Lauder C37-'4l) half filled the Staff Boom when he called in March while on leave from N. Ireland. He attended Founder's Day Assembly. A week before that J. Mason C39-'45) in a 'phone conversation said he expected to go to the G.S.C. this month. J. R. T. Bason C39-'43) came in on February 26; he expected to join up on the following Thursday.

THE INDIAN ARMY.

There is quite a big detachment of O.H's in the Indian Army now.

Lieut. J. P. D. McNamara ('36-'43) has written twice lately—on March 23 and on April 24. While on leave in Bangalore he had met 2/Lieut. F. C. Ewels C35-'42), now in Queen Victoria's Own Madras Sappers and Miners (I.E.). Ewels was said to be wearing a very evil smelling pipe! Mac reports that a tank can be a very hot place out in the jungle!

C. W. J. Norman in April sent me a portion of the April number of ' The Onlooker,' an Indian Forces periodical presumably. In it was a photo of a group of some 38 Cnindit officers. Among them, looking exactly as he does in more than one school team photo, is Major C. S. Neville ('24-'3D, whom I referred to in the last Lion. He has by now fully earned a return to his old job in Rangoon with the Burma Bice Coy. Captain R. W. Franklin ('31-'38) has written twice fairly recently. He has been in Italy for some time with a Nabha unit. At the risk of making Mr. Bentham order a new size in hats (when ha wears them again) I may perhaps quote from Franklin's letter of February 26—' the Lion is always packed with interest. I think it's the best war-time magazine I've seen.' (Paper Controller— please note!—You might also note M. H. McDougall's comment of last October written from S.E.A.C.: 'you can tell the Paper Controller from me that the Lion is by no means a waste of paper, especially to those of us a long way from home.').

Franklin had met at a Mediterranean port, but going the opposite way, A. W. B. Coode C27-'33), who had been adjutant of his battalion for the past 18 months or so. It is interesting to notice that Franklin, despite extensive travels in India and in Italy, wrote of Cambridge as the most beautiful place he had ever seen—with which I agree myself after wanderings not unlike those of Franklin. In his letter of a fortnight "ago he said: ' The jawans have now lived down the German stories that they are cannibals!' He sent his greetings to all his old friends.

J. C. Sandford ('36-'4D is now a 2/Lieut. in a Jat regiment serving in Burma.

M. H. McDougall ('33-'35), now a Captain in the E.I.A.S.CT, has written several times.

He is thinking of becoming. a regular. R. F. Payne C37-'42), still a cadet in training, I believe, is aiming at the B.I.A.S.C. Two other cadets have written lately, both on April 15 as it happens. C. L. Miller* ('37'42) writing from Mhow, was, as might be expected, full of enjoyment of his sporting activities and even of his very tough training.

He was once more on the examination rack, however—Higher Urdu this time.

R. C. Nightingale C38-'44), writing from the I.M.A., seemed very pleased with life too. A whole room to himself, not to mention a quarter of a bearer (valet), no doubt had something to do with it. He expects Pope's to win" all the trophies, he says.

LAST—

but not least, for he must have a whole para, to himself—comes C. E. S. Vermeulen j'41-'44). I mentioned a charming letter he had sent last November. He called a fortnight ago looking big and fit and very much matured—as is only natural. He was a hoy at School at the end of July: he joined the Belgian Brigade a few days later: he crossed to the Continent in October and from then on saw pretty continuous fighting, usually with the Canadians, in France, in his own country and in Holland. No wonder he looked different!

THE R.A.F.

There is, aa usual, an enormous amount of information about O.H's in the E.A.P, and I must choose between missing some names out altogether and making these notes ao scrappy that they are uninteresting. Here goes, however.

Flt.-Lieut. R. S. (Bob) Rowe C21-'27), like J. E. Lucas a little ' fined down,' was present at the O.K. Lodge meeting of March 17. He is now the Lodge Assistant Secretary. At that time he was still an Observer in Coastal Command but I imagine he will be one of the earliest O.H's to be returned to civil life.

He has been good enough to give the School his copy of ' They flew through Sand,' the frontispiece of which is a black and white reproduction of the portrait of P. 0.

WyMham-Barnes ('27-'29). The picture and the many references to W-B. in the text, not to mention the fantastic adventures of the flying boat crew of which C. MOD. Stewart C32-'36) was a member, will, I imagine; serve as ah inspiration to many an O.H. in the A.T.C. Through the magazine of my own School, which w-B. attended for a short time before he came here, I learn that he broadcast in War Summary last July the 8th about the attack made that day on the site which the Germans had intended to use for the rock.et bombardment of London.

My last R.A.F. notes made mention of E. A. Benjamin C3O-'S6) and hazarded the guess that he was in the world's most dangerous trade.

He came in on February 15, a Wing Commander, wearing the D.F.C. and bar, the 193943 medal and the Air Efficiency Award (given, I believe, to non-regulars with roughly ten years efficient service). A few days later he was posted as 'missing" but for the present at any rate I feel I cannot include him in that list of a dozen or so for whom hope is fading.

Sqdot-Ldr. C. D. Waldron C27-'31) is another O.H. who joined the E.A.F.V.B. in prewar days—in 193B to be precise. He paid a long visit to 1 the School on February 22 just before going to Delhi. In the early days of the war he was in Wellingtons based on this country and after the usual turn of instructing while 'resting' he went through the B.A.F. Staff College.

There is some detailed news of F/Lt. R. F. Starnes, D.F.C. C37-'39), who is now at a station in Oxfordshire. He joined the B.A.F. in January '41 and after training in England tana in Canada was commissioned as a pilot early in 1942. After more training in England on Spitfires he went to N.W. Africa, where he won his D.F.C. After a short rest he went to Malta for the invasions of Sicily and Italy proper. After more resting back in Egypt he returned to Italy as a Flight Commander. Last June he was shot down behind the German lines but was saved by his parachute and his wits which enabled him to hide and live from -hand to mouth for a month till he was overtaken by our own troops. He returned to England in September and, to use his own words, is ' now an instructor on Oxfords, of all things!'

Another F/Lieutenant is on leave .at the moment and I hope to see him during the next few days— P. R. Sandford C34-'40). He had a grandstand view of the airborne crossing of the Bhine as his squadron' led it and he was in the first rank. The crossing is said to have been the biggest airborne operation ever undertaken anywhere. There is a reference to it earlier in these notes, written by one of those watching from terra firma.

-W. C. Andrews ('27-'32), a F/O., was stationed in Morayshire a month ago when he sent a cheque for Life Membership of the O.H.A. W. Hayler C34-'37), another F/O., is to be seen in Hampton every now and then, as he is on a course in Herefordshire and comes home occasionally. E. E. Bowyer ('34-'40), too, is an F/O. but I haven't seen him lately.

F/O. T. F. C. Thornett C35-'40), in Transport Command, is now in India; F/O. D. J. Bishop C34-'39), writing on February 28 to pay his L.M. subscription, said he was just going overseas; F/O. D. S. Cameron ('28-'34) in March was skipper of a Liberator in Coastal Command; P/O. R. N. Bryant C33-'37) was a pilot in Canada last April; and F/O. H. A. G. Shelloross C36-'41) wrote to Mr. Steffens a month ago from 8.E.A.A.F., a pilot. He married last November 29, a month before leaving England; he saw the fall of Mandalay.

Other F/O's have given their news direct while calling. R. C. Rudkin C35-'41) has been in twice since I last wrote; he was on Typhoons when he called six weeks back. W. A. Telling, D.F.C. C36-'40), came in on February 21 and stayed for a long time. A. D. Laoey C34-'39), wno has lately been fetching exprisoners home, came in a week ago and C. MOD. Stewart C32-'36) has promised to come in tomorrow; he is just off to S.E.A.C. after some months of straddling the Atlantic.

F/O. L. C. Shield C32-'36) I met on March 13 while he was on leave from the B.L.A. He was then a pilot in the T.A.F. and was one of the few who have managed to get away from a ground staff job to become a pilot. He was trained in Canada and .then served off the Bahamas.

Three P/O's have been in lately. H. B. Johnson C30-'36), an engineer, called three weeks back. He had just finished 'ops' in Lancasters over Europe ;his first batch was carried out over N. Africa. He looked very fit and was wearing the Africa Star and a fierce opera moutache.

A. W. Stops C35-'39), a Navigator, came to Assembly on February 23, soon after returning from 8, Africa, and stayed till noon.

Another Navigator, R. J. Elliott i'34-'39), came in only last Monday afternoon but I missed him, as I was in London; he was then stationed at Skegness.

News of another group of aircrew P/O's comes from their letters. Mr. E. M. Harrison's son, J. A. Harrison C35-'39), wrote at length from Egypt. He is skipper of a Dakota in the Transport Command. He went out to the M.E.F. last summer and for a time worked from Corsica. He took part in the invasion of S. France and was among the first English to be welcomed by the Maquis in Bordeaux.

Since then he has been working in other Mediterranean countries, such as Jugoslavia.

E. F. Fuller C36-'42), a navigator, wrote on March 28 from Qastina. He had met P. F. Morrell C36-'41) and K. T. J. Clarke ('39-'40) in Port Elizabeth doing the same navigator's course and Sgt. Pilot D. V. Davis C36-*40) in Jerusalem. Clarke is now a Sgt. Navigator in th« M.E.F. R, W. Baldrey C35-'41) wrote from Norton.

Rhodesia, early last February. He was then on an instructor's course, presumably a pilot.

A strange tale concerns E. D. Wearn ('33'39), a P/O. Navigator in Mosquitos. Some months ago he was on his way to Berlin when the machine developed engine trouble

and had to land at a strange base. Wearing an O.H. scarf round his throat Wearn went before the station Intelligence Officer to explain; the I.C. was F/0. C. E. Nobes C29-'36)' Nobes, who called on April 30, has twice been on the same station as G. Strange C33-'37), a F/O. pilot of Spitfires.

J. C. O. Brown ('29-'34'), so his brother P.F. said on February 11, is a W/O. pilot stationed near Oxford. R. C. Pearson C32-'35). a F/Sgt., met Curry in Ceylon some months ago. Another F/Sgt., C. Grant C34-'40), an air gunner, wrote at length last April. He finished his first tour of 'ops' last Boxing Day and got married soon after. In the E.A.F. he has continued the boxing in which he shone while at School and has now, I believe, taken it up seriously under the name of ' Boz Grant.' A pilot F/Sgt., S. Crigson ('32-'37), was home on VE-Day. He had met with a bad accident in Italy a few weeks before as a result of which his leg suffered a compound fracture. He was brought home and after miracles were performed started walking about with the injured leg in plaster.

I met A. E. Higgins C34-'40), a F/Sgt. Navigator and as shy as ever, on February 27 last. A fortnight later he was ' missing.'

P. f. Hitchcock C36-'40) called On February 28, a week or two after returning from the States. He was a Sgt.-Pilot, expecting to become an instructor. C. C. H. Lauener ('29'43) came in on March 20; he had just passed out as a Set. Air Gunner. A more recent caller is L. V. Wool lett ('38-'43>, who came in only a week ago and stayed a long time. He had had a very long illness in Canada but he looked fit enough when he called. He is a Sgt. Air Bomber. R. A. Harper ('35-'40) is a Sgt.-Pilot, I hear, but I have no direct news.

Recently I have had to reshuffle my ideas about the three D, Davis O.H's of recent years. Plain D. (Dennis) Davis C36-'39) left the Milk Marketing Board at the end of 1942 and so my note about him of the following February 21 was a few weeks out of date.

He volunteered for the E.A.F. on his 18th birthday and was trained in Canada. He got his wings in May '43 and returned home the following December. He was posted to the C.M.F. early in 1944 and for some time was a F/Sgt. Pilot in the D.A.F. operating in close support of the 8th Army, whose praise he sings whole heartedly. He wrote only a few days ago from Klagenfurt. D. V. Davis C36-'40) is a Sgt.-Pilot in Palestine.

His brother D. C. Davis ('37-'40> is still a Post Office Engineer. A fourth D. Davisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; A.D. C24-'3o)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;is hot likely to be confused with these three; he is still in Ceylon so far as I know, in the E.A.P.C. A batch of half a dozen or so aircrew men are still under training and not fully ranked.

R. H. Ridgway C37-'42) and C. R. Marsden C37-'43) came on Founder's Day. HI. J. Henley i'38-'42), who finished at rjambridge last Autumn, called on May 2 while on embarkation leave. C. G. Whithair C37-'43), then an AC2 U/T F.E. (which I hope everyone understands!) came to Assembly a few weeks ago; he had been in the E.A.F. exactly a year.

K. I. Pugh C35-'40), when I saw his brother on March 9, was training as a PiloU in Arizona. A. E. J. Wiggins C36-'41) and C. P. Cross C37-'42) when I heard of them last were marking time, doing all sorts of odd jobs. A. Hey wood C36-'43) is, I guess, abroad by this time. So, I fancy, is J. A. Hagxer C37-'40), a pilot who called on March 21 with I. N. Cameron ('34-'40), still with the Poles somewhere in the Midlands. And K. A. Cope C36-'41) wrote on March 13 from S, Wales, where he was being trained as a Fit. Engineer.

Only a few minutes ago J. J. Reynolds ('15'21) called in with E. T. Collyer. It was his first visit to the new building. He has been in the E.A.F. Educational Branch for a long time and at present is a Flt.-Lieutenant, stationed at Northolt.

C. B. H. Morris j'37-'40), who left us for Chiswick, and who is brother to C. J. Norria in 5C, has been at St. Andrew's University doiner a six months university course with the E.A.F. Dr. J. Craig C30-'34), a Flt.-Lieutenant, is now doing specialist work at the Air Ministry. J. W. Howell Cl9-'24), a cousin of A. J. Taylor's and another F/Lt., was on the accounts side in Cairo last March. A third F/Lt. is R. H. C. Rice C21-'26), still .doing electrical work, I imagine. A fourth is R. H. Firmin ('26-'32J, who nas written twice since he arrived at the Balkan A.F. H.Q. Like others before him he was not impressed with ' Sunny Italy ' of the tourist blurbs. He has had to learn languages that were not on the menu at H.G.S., he says! When he wrote lasst on Lady Day he said he had met no O.H's BO far but ne did run into Culver, an Old Tiffinian who played soccer against H.G.S. when at school.

On March 10 I met P. Peterson C34-'38), a F/O. Engineer, home from the B.L.A. for a week's course. Another F/O. B. 0. Smith C32-'39) called in March and again only two days ago, when he said he was expectine soon to go to the Far East. On April 30 J. E. Newell <'34-'42), now a F/O. (Met.) came in; by a coincidence C. E. Nobes C29-'36). referred to above, was here too.

Two ' Old Haltonians' called about three months ago. A. J. Taylor <'33-'38), a corporal fitter, came in on March 12 while on a month's leave after four years in the Middle East. P. f . Brown ('35-'40) came in for an hour or two on February 28. He is stationed in Hampshire, a Sgt. Fitter Armourer.

R. J. Harman tells me that L. T. (Printer) Pearson ('26-'31) has been from India for some time. I ;hayen't seen him, however. I have an idea he is engaged on Motor Transport. D. A. R. Earla C27-'32), writing from Southern England ' on March 13, mentioned that he had been on the same station for 3J years! He is a corporal.

S. A. Wood C27-'32), an L.A.C., wrote on March 29 from Tor Point. He said he had been overseas but he didn't say where or when. C. E. Waller C36-'43), a radio man. wrote on April 29 while on leave expecting soon to go to India. D. J. Quick C36-'42), a corporal instructor in wireless, called on May 2 while on embarkation leave. E. J. H. Bishop C34-'39) is in India, I fancy, doing a ground staff wireless job. E. C. (Mioky) Bryant ('36'41) was still an electrician of some kind with the 2nd T.A^F. when I saw his father on April 14. A. J. B. Wortley (F22-'24) was sighted by Mr. Harrison last April; he is doing a ground staff job. He was a member of one of Mr. Harrison's crack choirs some twenty years ago.

A copy of the N. African paper ' Union Jack' sent to me last February contains a picture of an interior scene in an amateur play. One of the four or five actors is unmistakeably L. W. Hawkins ('33-'38). F. W. Reynolds C33-'38), whose leg was broken in August 1940 by the first bomb to fall in Hampton, went to the E.A.F. on the clerical side and was due home before now; I haven't seen him, however, since he called on embarkation leave nearly three years ago.

36 A. E. Duffield C19-'25) has been in the E.A.F. for some time, I hear. He is, of course, too old for aircrew. I have no detail about him, however. Nor have I in the case of P. L. Broad hurst C35-'40), who is said to be doing a 'met' job in the North. I'm not even sure that Broadhurst isn't a civilian.

When I saw his father on May 9 C. H. Sterling C35-'40) was just off to the Far East.

From his siHter-in-law I hear that 0. Hillier C21-'27) joined the E.A.F. in 1940 and became a wireless mechanic. He was posted to India in January 1942. He is now a corporal, stationed for some time in an extremely isolated spot.

Last, in a class all by himself so far as I know, is C. H. Privett (30-'35), who has been in the K.A.F. some three years and is now with the E.A.F. Begiment in India.

THE CIVILIANS.

Let us begin with the ex-Service men.

E. C. Brett ("21-'27) was present at the O.H.A. High Tea of last March 10. He was a corporal in charge of a balloon barrage site in the Temple Gardens. A mine which fell in 1941 so damaged his left arm that he was discharged. He is back in his old bank job and lives in E. Molesey.

A. C. T. Blade ('25-'32) was training in the B.E.M.E, I believe. He has been discharged for medical reasons. It is time he paid us a visit.

W. J. Lewthwaite C39-'40), first in the H.G. and then in the E.A.F., has been invalided out after a bad dose of pneumonia and complications following.

I am not sure whether or not K. R. Jones C33-'39) is on the strength of the B.A.F. still.

He had worked in Wiltshire, the Orkneys and Gibraltar.

In Gib. he fell victim to the dread disease known as ' polio' for short. He was brought home in an iron lung and has been slowly returning towards normal fitness ever since. When he wrote on March 29 he said he could write and shave but was still confined to bed most of the day.

A long treatment still lies ahead of him but he seems cheerful about it. He was still at Gifford House, Worthing, when he last wrote on April 27.

L. J. Maroh ('17-'2D, who was doing clerical work in the E.A.F. for some time, was released for his proper work as ai builder last December.

THE â&#x20AC;˘ B E V I N BOYS.' I suppose one can really regard the Bevin Boys as in another branch or the Services.

M. J. Filkins C38-'42), No. 1 O.H. B.B., is home fairly frequently on leave from the North and seems none the worse for his mining.

Since he went ' down the mines ' two others have followed him. R. J. Fletcher C36-'41). who went to the E.A.F. as an op_tician, was loaned to the mines and is now in the Midlands, I hear. The third is M. A. Carter ('37'41), who is in a Kentish mine and not at all unhappy about it, so I am told.

At last there is uncensored and copious news about T. E. C. MoCathie ('02-'07 and '11'21). His son R.C. C40-'43), who called only last week, said he was fit and well but a bit worried about his clothes, which he had been unable to replenish for five years. Bucktrouts, the firm of which he is managing director, had made 54 million cigarettes (of sorts!) during the occupation, all by hand.

He will probably look in on us before these lines are published. Only a few days ago 1 met his eldest son Andrew, wearing an M.O., a 1st Army African Star and a 'mention'

oakleaf. His next son, Colin, is a captain in a Commando and recently in Belgium. The remaining two sons are O.H's. Mrs. McCathie and Jane, .the only daughter, are still in Hampton.

Another O.H. of comparatively distant days, H. C. Brook Cps-Wl came over from Watford to the O.H. High Tea of March 10.

Dr. W. F. Darke ('23-'30> figures pretty regularly in these pages. He is now a Principal Officer. Civil Servants will no doubt be able to translate.

R.-.F. Thurman C24-'27) is, I see, a member of the Eesearch Board for the Correlation of Medical Science and Physical Education, where he is in very distinguished company.

Gilwell Park is re-opened but I haven't heard if) he has taken up his job there yet.

W. D. Spenoe C19-'23),' ' lost' for several years lately, has turned up again. He is District Officer at Buea in the Cameroons. He hopes to call this summer. I have had no replies to my enquiries about other ' lost' O.H's and now have to add to the list J. S. Davidson C27-'34).

T. S. Cooper C21-'28) is now the minister of Wimbledon Congregational Church, I believe.

P. H. N. (Pat) Welland C26-'32) is now Asst. Supt. of Police at Jerusalem; I imagine he has his time well occupied.

W. P. Jenner Ci4-'l8) wrote from Macelesfield last March. Even there he has been troubled by f.b'sâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;troubled but not injured, however. A contemporary of his N. C. Sparkes ('14-'18) is still with Eowntrees, in charge of their gum section. (We must plan a School Visit to York obviously!).

Present with T. S. Van Toll ClO-'ll) at the Sports a week ago was F. J. Stevens ('17-'22): they are both with the Surrey C.C. Stevens' brother H.W. ('15-'20), whose beautiful picture of an Argentine lake scene was reproduced in a pre-war Lion, is still in S. America.

N. V. Jeppeson C30-'35) called on March 8.

He was then expecting soon to join the B.O.A.C. as a 'traffic assistant' overseas.

C. M. Kaye C32-'36) wrote on February 19.

Last December he passed the Intermediate Exam, of the Certified Accountants. J. E. Rippengal ('35-' ,1) arrived in Ascension Island early in March for a tour of duty there with the Cable & Wireless Co. J. F. Chandler C35-'42) is working near Wraysbury I believe; I see him occasionally. L. Kerridge C22-'27), still working for the Marylebone Council, lives near Wembley; he has sons of six and three] years old.

Dr. H. 0. Puts, Captain of School in 193032, came to Assembly on the first morning of this term. He is still at Coventry. He has now two sons and a daughter, the latter born last April.

Travelling on the trolleybus I met P. J. Singleton C29-'32) three weeks ago. I hadn't seen him for many years. He has been working for some time at an aircraft establishment near Loughborough. There is reference above to his marriage in 1939.

C. M. Anstead C35-'39) was unable to get into the Forces, on medical grounds. He is taking the Final of the Socy. of Inc. Accountants and Auditors this year. D. A. Harkett C38-'43), whom I met in the barber's three months ago. is an apprentice with Heston Aircraft Ltd. At the Twickenham Technical College he meets K. M. Skelton C38-'43) and P. J. Watts C38-'43), who is with the Fairey Aviation Co.

27

B. Bartlett, Captain of School in 1936-7, called last Good Friday. He IB on the staff of the Friends' School at Sibford, near Banbury. A budding schoolmaster, P. W. Rabins ('38-'44), was the fifth O.H. to come in on April the 30th; he is at King Alfred College.

Winchester.

I. D. Craig C36-'40) is a second year medical student at St. Mary's, Paddington, where K. A. Porter f36-'43) and H. J. G. Palmer C38-'44) are also. Craig is in the Hospital's first soccer team, I hear.

The university contingent is usually very well represented at the end of term. There were half a dozen present at the concert of last March 26 and one or more can usually be found in the school on a Saturday morsing.

P. J. Fraser ('37-'44), on vacation from St. Andrew's at a rather different time, called on March the 16th. W. D. Lusoomba C37-'43) came in at about the same time and was promptly roped in to fill up a staff gap.

S. C. Tanner CS7-'43) continues his cheerful progress through the mazes of veterinary science; he intersperses it pretty frequently with letters and visits to H.G.8. R. D. Wright C39-'44) called on April 23. He has been at the Hertfordshire Institute of Agriculture since last August and hopes to go to King's College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, next October.

Other callers since I last wrote have been A. C. Ludbrook C39-'44), G. D. Turner ('39-'44), F. W. E. Oxley C40--44), J. A. Baker i'39-'44).

O.H.A.

G. R. Kerpner C39-'44), A. S. Ratoliffe ('4l-'44), who is at Bentalls, hoping to become a buyer, A. A. M. Williams C39-'44) and M. T. Banks (•40-'44).

AND SO TO BED.

The record of the London dailies during the war has been a remarkable one. So far as I know, no paper ever failed to appear on the due date—I won't add 'at the due time!'— throughout the nearly six years of war. In our own much more modest achievement we can, I feel, take a little pride. The Lion has never failed during those same six years and this one, a sort of VB-Day number, has more in it than ever. The 18 war-time copies have not been produced without the exercise of at least one of Mr. Churchill's famous quartette—toil. Others, however, have had to give—and indeed, in the East are still giving —all four and by comparison with their contribution ours is but little.

As in so many things, it is difficult to foresee the immediate future of the Lion. It will be some time before big type and heavy paper return, I imagine. 1 myself have recently taken on more tasks and I may not be able to continue to write as in the past.

Over 1,000 Old Hamptonians are known to be in the Forces and news from them, or about them, grows ever more voluminous.

To them all—and to the many who are not in the Forces but who write or call— go my best greetings.

A.S.M., 3.6.1945.

CHRONICLE

Now that the struggle in Europe has come to its close, it is gratifying to know that although O.H's have been scattered far and wide for the last five and a half years, a great number still manage to attend the various activities of the association. The latest one of these events was the High Tea which i took place on 10th March on the school premises. No fewer than 83 O.H's attended. The guests of honour for the day included Col. Tagg, Mr. Willis and Mr. Jago —the latter once again providing us with one of his now already famous teas. O.nce again we were very glad to have a sprinkling of Service Personnel and after the usual welcoming and handshaking between old friends the High Tea was officially commenced. Mr. Shepherd presided in the Chair and after a short address handed over to Mr. Willis, who delighted us with a few of his anecdotes which are by now a by-word at these occasions.

Messrs. Jago, Steffens and Wade also contributed to the oratory.

When the time for taking farewell came, everybody felt that he had spent a most enjoyable afternoon, meeting and talking to friends some of whom he had not seen for quite some years.

All O.H's are still suffering from the blow dealt them by Mr. Roberta's death. It has been suggested that tributes to Mr. Roberts should be printed as a supplement in the Lion. Would O.H's therefore, please send any appreciation which they might have of Mr. Roberts in order that we may print a selection of these together with a photo in the next issue of the Chronicle. A " Roberts Memorial" is also under consideration, but no direct appeal has yet materialised. However, O.H's who feel they would like to support this fund, are assured that any contribution will be put aside until such time when an appeal for this fund is made.

To most members who have joined our Association during the long years of hostilities it must have seemed that the only activities the O.H.A. could offer were occasional High Teas and Dances. However, we remember only too well that the Football, Cricket and Dramatic Sections were the cornerstones for gathering new members and furthering the social activities of the Association. we are, therefore, very pleased to hear from the Football Section that they intend collecting names with the view of starting Football Fixtures for Football season 1945/46. Would everybody interested please contact A. A. Clement of 12 Carlisle Road, Hampton, as he is trying to get up a team for the season. We understand that there are also plans for the cricket section to get back into its stride. One of the major difficulties. however, seems to be the state of the pitches which will need quite an amount of attention this summer. Yet we feel confident that we will soon have matches on our own field.

Our thanks are once again due to Messrs.

J. M. Brudenell and R. T. Oollyer for running a succession of very successful dances at York House, Twickenham. On 24th March, encouraged by the unbounded success of previous dances. O.H's had another chance of getting together and meeting their old friends at another one of these gatherings. On the purely statistical side it was found that 231 tickets were sold with a net profit of approximately £20. A Whit-Saturday Dance on 19th May also turned out to be a complete social and financial success. We have to thank Mr. W. D. James for assisting us as " M.C." at both these events.

It has been suggested that a statement on the appeal for £500 should be made known.

The Treasurer reports that to date the sum of £160 has been received.

28

POST-WAR POLICY.

Dear Mr. Editor, This first issue of the Lion under peacetime conditions ia the appropriate opportunity to recall the following resolution which was passed at the A.G.M. on November SOth, 1939: That the Association be continued during the War." The immediate future was very uncertain. Many prominent Old Boys were already in the Forces and practically everyone present at that meeting was expecting to join them shortly. The general feeling was that the Association would have great difficulty in maintaining its memberhip. However, the prophets were wrong and the Association has grown until its paid up membership exceeds 550, thus reaching a milestone in the history of the O.H.A. This great increase in numbers is largely due to Old Boys serving in all parts of the world realising that the Lion was the only link they could rely on to bring news from home of other O.H's.

Having congratulated ourselves on this peak membership it is well to consider the situation as it really is at present. Approximately 120 boys leave school each year so that we have less than the equivalent of five years' leavers. During the years 1933—9, 280 members dropped out of tne Association; of these 108 did so after paying 1 year's subscription, 59 did so after paying 2 years' subscriptions, 51 did so after paying 3 years' subscriptions, 38 did so after paying 4 years' subscriptions.

24 did so after paying 5 years' subscriptions.

These figures surely indicate that all was not well with the Association and that it was failing Old Boys during their first years out of school. In fact, we were nbt fulfilling our aim as set out in the rules: " to develop corporate feeling among Old Boys." The chief pre-war criticism of the Association was that it offered little of interest to members who were not athletically inclined or interested in dramatics. This may have been true but these critics should remember that except in rare cases there was a lack of constructive effort and drive by those outside these sections to provide the leadership and organisation necessary for new activities.

My object in writing to you, Mr. Editor, is to emphasise that under peace time conditions the Lion alone will not hold members together and that an Association of nearly 600 and, I hope, soon 1,000, Old Boys, can and indeed must support many and varied activities if it is to continue to prosper. We shall soon have many members returning from the Forces who have had varied experience in organisation and I hope they will give the Association the benefit of this experience in making the O.H.A. the most successful body of Old Boys in the district.

To achieve this the first necessity is a permanent and attractive clubhouse of our own, a worthy complement of the present School. The circular received on Post-War Reconstruction makes no mention of such a project. Presumably the Committee felt, and are no doubt justified in this view by the results of the appeal to* date, that subscriptions would not reach a high enough level to justify this ambition. The Treasurer reports that the amount raised so far is about £150, yet according to the local Press, Old Tifflnians have raised more than £2,500 for . their fund. It is pertinent to ask whether members are content with this state of affairs or intend to initiate and carry through to completion some very ambitious schemes for the future development of the Association.

OLD BOY.

THE PRISONERS OF WAR PARTY.

On Friday, June 8th, there took place a ceremony probably unique in the annals of the School. At the end of the afternoon the School assembled for Evening Prayers and saw eleven returned Prisoners of War seated on the apron stage, together with those members of the staff who had taught them in prewar days.

Here were some of the Old Boys for whom the School had collected funds for cigarettes and Bed Cross parcels and to whom Form Captains had written during the war. They were:—T. C. Atherton C28-'33); C. H. Bobart (i30-'35); J. A. Embleton C32-'38); E. W. Humphrey C28-'33); H. O. Jacobs C32-'34); D. M. Pitkethly ('29-'37); E. C. Price C30-'35>: W. Simpson C30-'35); G. M. Smith C31-'36): W. Stapleton C31-'36); D. H. Tripp C31-'37).

The Headmaster introduced them individually and each, was accorded a welcoming round of clapping.

An appropriate service followed. From the gallery Psalm 137 (By the waters of Babylon) was sung by a small choir consisting, of J. E. Bird, SB; K. H. M. Noole, 3Q; F. C. Price, 1A; Mr. E. M. Harrison and the Headmaster. It was followed immediately by another psalm.

Psalm 126 (When the Lord turned again), sung by all. Special and appropriate prayers were read and two hymns were included.

The heartiness of the singing showed that the School was touched by the occasion.

Afterwards Old Boys and Old Staff sat together in the staff room at a ' high tea.' what with the lavish ' spread,' the abundance of flowers supplied by Mrs. Jago and Miss Hutton. and the cigarettes supplied by Form 2A, the usually severe staff room blossomed like the rose. It was a happy occasion. In that room, on the notice board, how often a notice had been pinned up to announce one more O.H. Prisoner of War. Now this representative eleven swapped yarns with each other and related their experiences to us who had felt the years long that separated our old friends from us.

After tea we gathered in the Lower Lecture Boom, where Mr. Crocker showed us the school films. These had not been seen before by any of the guests, who enjoyed the records or Summer Fetes, of the last day at the old school, and particularly the appearance on the screen of some of those actually watching.

Beminiscence lengthened out the time.

Chatting groups broke up and re-formed. The P.o.W. party came to an end. A few stayed on to join the evening meeting of the newlyformed O.H.A. Dance Club.

It had been a memorable day.

W.DJ. AN APOLOGY.

The growth of the Association has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of letters reaching me as Hon, Sec. Eecently the number has exceeded eighty per month and, the majority of these require some kind of reply. This, in addition to routine correspondence and the despatch of notices and Lions, now more than 500 per issue, has made it impossible for one to keep up to date with the replies to letters, and I therefore offer my apologies to those who may feel I have been rather tardy in answering their correspondence. I hope that this will not cause any lessening in the number of letters received but only an appreciation of the sometimes unavoidable delay in dispatching an answer.

F. E. STEFFEN8, Hon. Sec.

HAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The following draft list of Old Hamptonians who have, since August, 1939, lost their lives in the Services or as a result of enemy action is published not so much for information or record as for correction and completion. I shall be very grateful for any information which will lead eventually to the accurate list which should accompany a new War Memorial, whatever its final form. The figures following the name give the years of School life. The rank, unit and date of death are given where they are known.

BOTT, K. V '26-31 Army. ? Infantry June, 1940 BROAD, F. J '33-'38 R.A.F. Pilot May, 1944 BROAD, K. A '34-'39 Navy. Died in fire, Newfoundland Dec., 1942 Aug. 31, 1941 Burr, H. W '31-'36 R.A.F. Sgt. A/G April, 1940 CARTER, G. W. D '31-'3S R.A.F. June, 1941 CLEMENT, I. T '08-'16 Army. Major R.T.R April, 1941 CLIFTON, K. G. W '31-'36 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot Aug., 1943 COLLINS, N. P '33-'38 R.A.F.. Sgt./Nav CORNISH, C. H '31-'38 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot 1942 Aug., 1940 DAWES, H '12-'1S H.G. Killed as civilian Sgt./Pilot July 6, 1941 DELL, I. F '26-'31 R.A.F. DRAPER, J. A '25-29 R.A.F. F/Sgt. Died in Jap. hands DROBIG, E. G. R '29-'32 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot Sept., 1941 EDWARDS, D. L '35-'40 R.A.F.. F/O. Nav Oct. 15, 1944 Spring, 1942 FORD, E. M '2S-'27 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot GILBERT, R. E '28-'34 R.A.S. C. Sgt. Died of illness.

April 10, 1945 GREEN, L. A '31-'36 R.A.F.. Sgt./Obs. Died of illness.

March 23, 1940 GURNEY, N. O '24-'32 Navy. Officer Cadet. Died of illness June, 1941 HARMAN, J. S '32-'37 F.A.A.. Sub.-Lieut. Pilot ...June 26, 1944 HAWLEY, L. R '32-'37 R.A.F.. Sgt./Pilot 1941 HAY, A. McP '29-'34 Army. London Scottish. Drowned.

Oct., 1939 HAY, A. W '25-'30 R.A.F. Sgt. A/G Nov. 5. 1940 HEAP, W. D '29-'33 R.A.F. ?Sgt May 24, 1942 HEATHER, E. J. H '23-'28 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot Sept. 29, 1941 HEBBERD, L. R '35-'41 Army. Glider Pilot June 10, 1944 HORWELL, A. E '16-'18 R.A.F. Died of illness Jan., 1944 JAMES, B. H. H '36-'39 R.A.F. Sgt. Missing April, 1943 JAMES; R. G '30-'3S Army. Capt., R.A. Killed in Burma early 1945 JOHNSON, C. E. '27-'34 R.A.F. Sqdn.-Ldr. Pilot May, 1940 KING, D. G. ...

'33-'40 Artnv. 2/Lt., Royal Sussex. Drowned Dec., 1942 KING, W. A '30-'35 Army. Lieut., R.E. Sept. 19, 1944, in Italy KNIGHT, T. B '33-'41 R.A.F. F/O Nov., 1943 LADDER, G '35-'39 R.A.F F/O. Nav. May 14, 1945, in India LINSDELL, A. P '31-'37 R.A.F, P/O. Pilot Sent., 1940 LIVERSIDGE, A. E '22-'26 F.A.A Lieut May. 1940 LONG WORTH, P. J '32-'37 Army. R. Warwicks. Killed by bomb, Kent, Sept. 17, 1940 MACDOUGALL, T. W '31-'33 R.A.F. P/O. Pilot April, 1942 MEARS, K. J '33-'37 R.A.F. P/O. Pilot Nov., 1943 MEATYAHD, R. L '26-'32 Navy Oct., 1940 MILES, C. G '14-'16 Army. Major, R.T.R Tune, 1941 MILLIS, L. N ; '35-'39 R.A.F. Sgt./Navr 1943 MILLS, J. C '23-'28 Army. R.A.S.C ?Tnne, 1940 MOLLETT, R. P '28-'32 Army. Oueen Victoria Rifles June, 1940 MOTT, F. W. P '28-'35 Armv. Cnl., R.T.R April, 1943 [P.T.O.

MURRAY, V

'22-'27 Army. Gnr.

'37-'41 NAPIER, (ALA), R. J . ... '36-'38 NORMAN, J. B. P. .

'30-'34 OTTERWAY, F. J '31-'37 '33-'36 OWEN, S '28-'3S PACKER, B. G '29-'32 PAPWORTH, R. G '26-'33 PERRY, J. J PILE, F. J. (D.F.C.) ... '23-'28 '25-'28 PLATT, R. C POOLE, W. H '31-'36 RADBOURNE, A. H. .

'32-'38 RUSSELL, R. E '33-'38 SEVERN, A. H '34-'39 '33-'39 SIMPSON, J '32-'37 SINGLETON, G. D SPIERS, H. T '34-'3Q STANTIALL, D. W. .

'36-'40 STOCKWELL, L. E '30-'36 STRATTON, M. A '22-'28 THOMAS, I. F '30-'36 THOMLINSON, W. H.. ... '32-'35 TIGHE, W. D '34-'40 '34-'36 TOLKIEN, T. H TURNER, R. R '37-'42 WALKER, (WARREN) R.V. '32-'37 '3S-'40 WALMSLEY, D. T WENHAM, D. N '26-'31 '33-'3Q WHITE, G. J MUSSELLWHITE, D. R

WILKINSON, R. H. .

Army.

R.A.F. Navy . .

R.A.F. R.A.F. Navy.

Navy.

R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. F.A.A. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. Army.

R.A.F. Navy.

R.A.F. Army.

R.A.F. Army.

Armv.

R.A.F.

'36-'40 R.A.F.

Died in Jap. hands.

Oct. 22, 1943 Lieut., K.D.G .. July 24, 1944 Jan., 1944 A.C.I Oct., 1940 Sept., 1940 P/O. Pilot Sgt. A/G May 12/13, 1943 ?1941 O.S Signal Yeoman. Sank with Hood Nov., 1942 F/Sgt. Pilot . . . .

Nov., 1942 F/O Pilot July, 1943 F/Lt. Pilot ... Dec. 5, 1941 Sgt. A/G .... April, 1943 Sgt./Pilot 1942 Dec., 1943 F/Sgt. Obs Sept., 1943 Sub./Lt. Pilot ...

Jan., 1943 Sgt. A/G May, 1943 Sgt./Pilot May 26, 1945. In India Ian., 1943 F/O. Pilot Sgt. W.Op./A.G. ... Sept., 1941 Nov., 1942 L/Cpl., R. Sigs. .

July, 1942 F/O. Pilot June, 1944 Sub.-Lt ... March, 1943 F/Sgt .. March, 1945 Cpl., S.L.I Nov., 1941 Sgtyobs Feb., 1945 2/Lt. D.C.L.I. ...

Aup.. 1940 Middx. R P/O. Pilot. Died in Jap. hands.

April 13, 1944 P/O. Navr.

Between 2/'44 and 6/'44 . Autumn. 1939 W.Op Autumn, 1942 Sgt./Pilot ... March, 1943 Sub.-Lt Aug., 1944 Sgt., Glas. High.

'30-'35 R.A.F. WILSON. C '32-'38 R.A.F. WOOD, D. T WOOD, F. C '27-'33 F.A.A. WOOD, R. C '31-'36 Army.

YOUSEMAN, E. E. G. (D.FC.) . Missing, 1943 '33-'39 R.A.F. F/Lt. Pilot The total is 81.

Further, the following Old Hamptonians have been posted as missing.

I should be grateful for any definite information about them. The dates given are the years of School life. The unit and date of when 'missing' are given where they are known.

BRITTER, T. S '34-'40 R.A F. Before March, 1944 DIBLEY, A. E '27-'31 Armv. K.R.R 1942 GIBSON. R. L '33-'38 R.A F F/O 1944 GITTINGS, E. G '32-'36 R.A.F. P/O Tune 25/26, 1944 GREEN, P. L '32-'38 R.A.F. F/O. Pilot.

Between 9/'43 and 3/'44 HIGGINS, A. E '34-'40 R.A.F. Sgt./Navr March 16, 19A5 HOBBS, J. A '34-'40 R.A.F. Sgt./Navr Summer, 1943 JOHNSON, N. H '36-'40 R.A.F Sgt. A/G. Between 10/'43 and 6/'44 MARSTON, J. W '32-'37 Navy.

PENN, B. A. W '25-'32 Army. Royal West Rents 1940 PLUM, L. P '35-'39 R.A.F. Sgt./Pilot July, 1942 WHITE, C. A '32-'37 R.A.F. P/O Aug. 25, 1944 Total 12.

A.S.M., 3.6.1945.