Diary of an OKS, 23-24th October 1944

DIARY OF AN O.K.S. 23/24 OCTOBER 1944

Waking up this morning in my Cornish farmhouse, my eyes slowly adjusted themselves to the hideous zig-zag pattern of the wallpaper and I became slowly conscious that something was to happen to-day - something rather special. I was to visit the school for the first time in six years and as I lay steaming in my bath,·a few moments later, a pleasurable glow of anticipation came over me. Of course things could hardly be the same: they had moved to their Cornish encampment - a garish hotel I had heard. As I wondered how many of the old faces I would see again - I looked down the years and saw very many happy pictures: Summer evening light in the Stranger's Hall, the noise of the First XI at nets on the Green Court, the lengthening shadows of the cathedral, her pinnacles and turrets glowing in changing tints as the sun slowly settled behind St Stephen's.

Finally rubbing my chin - I wondered what the H.M. would say about my beard

Finally rubbing my chin-I wondered what the H.M. would say about my beard. A bit thick to turn up after six years with a half-grown beard. Then, remembering he had once told me that I looked like a down-at-heel actor and probably always would, I fell reassured.

After a very Cornish journey, with all the usual halts, stops, doubling and apparent redoubling of one's tracks, I was deposited at the most beautiful little bay I have seen in the course of my wandering round these coasts - Carlyon Bay.

There was the school - an enormous modern building, perched on the very edge of the cliffs, overlooking the sea.

Healthy, no doubt, and beautifully situated too: but then for some reason, I thought of the Norman Stairway and I wondered if the little iron gate was still kept locked.

Once inside the building, however, I experienced much the same sensations as on first crossing the threshhold of Langley House. I felt like a new boy, all over again and rather timidly asked if I might see the Headmaster. I had arrived in the middle of lunch: of course, I would. Before being taken up to wait in the H.M.'s study, catching a glimpse of the boys at lunch I remembered being surprised that they were all still In the school uniform, despite the vicissitudes of clothes rationing.

It was not very long before the H.M. came up from lunch. We greeted each other. " Your beard suits you," he said, with the smile I remembered and I felt foolishly relieved.

He has not changed much in six years. We talked, pored over old photographs Of General Inspections and Royal visits, and talked. So many of my contemporaries seem to have been killed. I was struck by his knowledge and vivid memories of them. He told me that some half-dozen of the old masters remained on the Staff and I was subsequently delighted to meet them all again.

My old Housemaster; Mr. Groves, had become Headmaster of Campbell College, Belfast and Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds now had Walpole House, where I had tea with them the same afternoon. More pleasant reminiscences. I saw some of the boys of Walpole, who seemed very like the ones that were there in my time.

C.S.M. Marshall is looking as fit as ever and still presiding zealously over his sadly depleted armoury. The corps, in battledress now, is still going strong. "Remember when we wore breeches?" he said. I did.

And then the evening in the H.M's house and the quiet charm of Mrs. Shirley.

I left next day, wishing I could have stayed longer to absorb a little more of the vital atmosphere of this "new-old" School, in its rather incongruous surroundings.

Its essential character has not changed; that much, I could see. It has remained the same precious stone that I remember so well: the setting is different, that is all.

D. N. WILMAN.