Letters to the Editor

Tim Hyde-Smith chair

I remember very well the chair that the Hyde-Smith family have donated back to C1. Tim (C1 1976-81) made it with my father, David Rawlings (CR 1975-98), and I remember being very impressed by his carving. Dad kept a photo of it, which we found recently. Andy Rawlings

Helicopter ditching

My wife and I were sorry to read Colin Cooke-Priest’s (LI 1952-57) obituary. She knew his brother and we met up with him again at an OM dinner at Dartmouth in the 2000s.

The obituarist mentions his being in a Wessex helicopter that ditched. I was also a passenger in that Wessex and was sitting next to Colin as he was the observer and not the pilot up front. I vividly recall the sudden loss of power as we sank into the sea, and also when, happily, the flotation bags inflated to keep the machine afloat. It was a strange experience stepping out of the cabin onto the water. Once in the water, Colin generously gave me his dinghy. We were not there for long as we had ditched close to an Australian Daring-class destroyer, whose sea boat quickly pulled us from the sea.

Edmund Phillimore (LI 1945-49) This letter was sent to Colin’s son Nick (LI 1983-85) and in return he sent us an amazing piece of cine film that was taken by a sailor on HMAS Vampire, the Australian destroyer, of them being rescued. Colin is the one with his helmet still on. Use this link to watch it. Editor

www.awm.gov.au/collection/F10915/

Chair made by Tim Hyde-Smith

Letters to the Editor

John Dancy’s reforms

Upon receiving this initial letter from John King (A2 and C3 1954-59), I sent it to Robin Brodhurst (PR 1965-70) upon which he replied. I have reprinted the correspondance for you to enjoy. Editor I read with interest Robin Brodhurst’s obituary of the great John Dancy (Master 1961-72). My eye was particularly caught by the list of liberal reforms made by Dancy when he came to the school as Master in 1961. A few things in the article, however, did not quite tally with my experience as a boy at the school shortly before. ‘He abolished corporal punishment by pupils,’ Robin Brodhurst writes, ‘abolished fagging, abolished compulsory cricket, abolished compulsory CCF…’ This is a little overstated. Fagging had not been part of Marlborough life in the '50s and for some time before that. It was not even a distant memory. Marlborough was already quite liberal in this respect. Corporal punishment had already fallen into disuse, though it may not have been formally abolished. During my five years, I knew of no beatings either by masters or by boys. Senior boys gave lines to write out or poems to learn. I remember being set to learn, for some misdemeanour, Keats’s Ode to Autumn, for which I have always been grateful. CCF had indeed been compulsory, but a change came in 1957, when one was allowed to leave the Corps after two or three years to engage in an alternative activity. I promptly joined the newly formed forestry group that went around the College estate armed with saws, axes and a first-aid kit, chopping down trees (inexpertly) and planting saplings. I can’t imagine health and safety allowing such an activity nowadays, and there were no risk assessments back then, but we enjoyed forestry without mishap. Cricket, however, did remain compulsory, and I resented it as games would drag on into one’s precious free time. I would much rather have played tennis, gone swimming in the old odd-shaped pool, or pedalled off on my grid into Savernake Forest. Eventually, I rose to be Captain of Remnants – the inglorious name for those not selected for any House or College team. Before a match, I would parley with my opposite number and we would fix the game to end as soon as decently possible by limiting the number of overs. I am glad to learn that cricket, a fine game for those who are good at it and enjoy it, lost its compulsory status under Dancy’s regime. John King (A2 and C3 1954-59) Reply: Catherine Brumwell has forwarded your excellent letter to me, and I am delighted to have sparked memories of your time at Marlborough. You were just before my time, as I arrived in 1965. Much of what you say agrees with what I wrote: cricket is very much a game of love or hate, and I completely understand your take on it. I loved the idea of the Remnants. In my teaching career, two schools I taught at had a similar group, one also called Remnants and the other Spares, always pronounced in two syllables by the delightful Master who took it, like you for as short a time as possible! Tennis, swimming and athletics were starting to be available instead of cricket.

Corporal punishment by the Head of House definitely still existed in my time. I can recall the head of Preshute beating a boy, no doubt having obtained permission from the Housemaster first. I can recall both names but will spare their blushes! It happened during Prep, and we all knew it was going to happen, and most of us in our studies could

1954 MC CCF at Bisley

hear it. Barbaric, now one thinks about it in cold blood. Corporal punishment was still technically allowable when I started teaching in 1983 by Housemasters, but was effectively abolished within two years. The CCF was only compulsory for that first year. Others were required to take part in some form of organised Wednesday afternoon activity. I recall the most popular being the construction of the new music school at the southern end of the Parade Ground, but there were a number of activities, another being a group who visited OAPs in the area.

I bow to your knowledge about fagging. Certainly, there was none when I arrived in 1965, and I have no knowledge of when it existed/was abolished. I have always assumed that it was JCD who removed it but am happy to be told it was earlier. My father was a Housemaster at Winchester in the ’50s and ’60s and I knew about a mild form of fagging there at that time. There was an even milder form of fagging in existence when I arrived to teach at Pangbourne in 1990, although not in the traditional sense of the word, and junior boys were actually paid to clean their seniors’ shoes!

It is a fascinating example of how oral history can distort the actual picture of what happened. My generation at Marlborough simply accepted the liberal reforms of JCD as part of the way of life and assumed that they all came at the same time, but of course, Thomas Garnett (Master 1952-61) had introduced a number before and Heywood (Master 1939-52) before him.

Robin Brodhurst (PR 1965-70) Reply: Thank you for your response to my letter. Clearly you remember the corporal punishment incident very clearly, so we’ll disagree on that. However, we do agree about fagging: it would be interesting to know whether this ever had been a practice at Marlborough. John King (A2 and C3 1954-59)

Asian Flu

Having read 2020’s I’ll Never Forget, I think I must have been in the same dormitory as Christopher Cannon (B2 1956-61). It was a very long dormitory in Field House. I was in my first year, in Priory, and cannot recall knowing any other boys in the dorm. However, some boys certainly knew me

as they told me how I had been delirious during the night, shouting and keeping them all awake.

I, too, had a penicillin injection from Doc Hunter (CR 1947-71) (was he carrying out a trial for a pharmaceutical company, I wonder?) but I cannot be sure that it was for Asian Flu. I was back at Priory and woke the following morning swollen all over. It was difficult to put on my clothes, and shoes were impossible. I packed my overnight bag and must have gone from Priory to the San in my bedroom slippers. Ever since, I have had to put penicillin in the allergy box of any questionnaire. Patrick Browning (Littlefield 1957-61)

The Magazine

I was Editor of the Magazine when I was Secretary of the Club from 1996 to 2002. I was assisted enormously by Michael Dana (B3 1959-63), Imogen Hendricks (née Skeggs BH 1979-81) and Piers Bracher (C2 1977-82). Michael, in particular, did a lot of work on the presentation, advertising and printing. We started when the Magazine was a rather scruffy newsletter, and after one year moved to an A5 magazine. We then progressed to A4 and began to try to include more interesting and varied content. We, at least, set the ball rolling towards where we are now. The Magazine is a real credit to the College and the Club and can sit comfortably on any coffee table! John Uzielli (CO 1950-55)

ADR vs ARD Wright

Peter Davies (C3 1953-56) on p 60 of the 2020 edition refers to Arthur (Donald) R Wright (CR 1953-63). I presume he means ARD Wright, Housemaster of Littlefield. We guessed, wrongly, that his

Letters to the Editor

initials stood for Arnold Ronald Donald, though we did doubt that his parents could have been so cruel. In the spring holiday 1963, the main wing of Littlefield burned down, perhaps contributing to Donald’s decision to leave Marlborough, to become headmaster of Shrewsbury School. Students were billeted out for the whole summer term, and four of us were lucky enough to stay with John Dancy (Master 1961-72). Not only were meals full of interesting conversation, but we were all in love with his daughter Nicola (Cutts née Dancy B2 1968-69). None of us was brave enough to say so of course. John died in December 2019 aged 99. Maybe I could add to the excellent obit, saying that he fancied himself as a bit of a classicist, typified by his giving some sermons in Latin, which were probably not understood by more than about three people in the school, including himself. But nonetheless, he was a very pleasant fellow and excellent Master. Sad also to see John Brigstocke’s (LI 1959-62) obit (p68) – a fine fellow and close friend who achieved much in his Navy career. Jon Cook (LI 1958-63) You are quite correct, he is ARD Wright. Thank you. Editor

Anthony T Budgett

Having just received the latest edition of the Marlburian Club Magazine, I notice that it would appear that the Club, and thus probably the College, have not been advised of the death of The Reverend Prebendary Anthony T Budgett (C2 1940-44). He died on 24th December 2019. In his retirement years, he lived near me and gave much of his time supporting his local church in Sampford Arundel by taking services. I think he has contributed to articles in the Club magazine in the past. What a different school Marlborough is these days to those in Anthony’s and my times. Whilst no less proud of Marlborough, I am so envious of the current ethos that promotes wanting to learn rather than enduring five years of semi hardship! The Master, Louise Moelwyn-Hughes (Master 2018-), writes of the 999 pupils; each one of these has aspiration and is socially conscious, keen to make his or her contribution to and their mark on society. In both Anthony’s and my days our expectation on leaving was military service. David W Dufour (B2 1946-50)

Alex Moulton

Before I started work at Marlborough, I enjoyed three years of postgraduate study,

Alex Moulton fourth from left with a group of Marlburians in 1994

and I used to spend a lot of time writing up my thesis while housesitting in Provence for a talented artist called Caroline Fellowes. She introduced me to a fascinating range of people, and through her I came to know Alex Moulton (C2 1933-38). On the left of Alex in the photograph (left), is the painter Philippe Carpentier, who was a great friend of Caroline’s. He knew Alex Moulton well and he introduced me to him.

When I returned to England, I lived near Bath, a short distance from The Hall in Bradford-on-Avon, the magnificent Jacobean mansion that Alex was so proud to have as his home. I used to visit him there and enjoyed talks about his work. When I started work at Marlborough, by a strange coincidence, I became the Resident Tutor in C2, his old House, and conversations continued there.

In 1994, I took a party of Marlburians to visit him at The Hall. I think that Alex would be pleased with the progress made by Mike Reeves (C1 1989-94), the last boy on the right, who has enjoyed great success as a yacht designer. Niall Hamilton (CR 1985-)

I thoroughly enjoyed the eclectic selection of articles and updates in 2020’s magazine, which have been excellent reading during the lockdowns.

The piece on Alex Moulton (C2 193338), and his numerous engineering successes – not least the Moulton small-wheel bicycle and the original Mini car suspension – particularly resonated with me. It is worth recording that Alex was a keen supporter of Marlborough, and also donated various machines and equipment to form the College metal workshop in the 1960s and ’70s.

He also offered short apprenticeships to OMs at his lab in Bradford-on-Avon, in the grounds of The Hall, his magnificent 17th-century mansion. I was a beneficiary of both, before reading Engineering at Cambridge. The three months I spent in Bradfordon-Avon during my gap year were both educational and fascinating. I recall a surreal trip in a fully laden Mini, hurtling along with him at the wheel, to try out the latest suspension tweaks. This Mini sported his rather special number plate: A1. He was certainly a one-of-a-kind gentleman, engineer, designer and entrepreneur, and deserves to be celebrated in Marlborough’s exciting new Innovation Centre.

GW Murray

OM Dynasties

My father, Mark Lowth (C3 1939-44), who passed away in February, was fond of his old school, and enjoyed visiting it while my brothers and I were there. He wrote a letter to the magazine following the birth of my eldest daughter in 1986 proudly saying that she had two OM parents, six OM uncles, two OM grandfathers (one of them being himself), one OM great-grandfather (who was also a Common Room member in the 1920s) and two OM great uncles. I wonder if this remains a record.

Tim Lowth (C3 1972-77)

Bogle or Bogey

On p10 of 2020’s Marlburian Club Magazine, there is a reference to Mr GW Murray (CR 1946-78). He is referred to as Bogey. This is mistaken. He was Bogle Murray. Bogle means phantom or goblin. However, the Oxford English Dictionary says it is probably related to ‘bogey’. There were a number of Bogle Murray stories. He was quite old (60+, I expect), worked both teaching English and in the College’s impressive library, and he did weighing and measuring. This was weighing each of us at the beginning and end of each term, as well as measuring our height. A salesman for a tape-recorder company came to Marlborough to try to sell him a tape recorder. To test it, Bogle put his arm around this distinctly unassuming man and said to the microphone, ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’ He also called us by ranks that we could not possess but, one day, might reach. General. Admiral. Your Worship etc. (I think he’d forgotten our names). I have, for some years, found it interesting that there is a disproportionate number of OMs in the Haberdasher’s Company. Reading the magazine, I realised that it may be influenced by a few factors: the Christian faith, about which we were left in no doubt; giving service to others less fortunate than ourselves; academic achievement (I think that in 1967 four boys from Littlefield alone went to Cambridge – none of us saw each other there!); sport, music, carpentry – all sorts of other activities.

Letters to the Editor

The Haberdasher’s Company’s ideals are those we learned at Marlborough, and it has continued for several generations. George Pulman (LI 1962-66) I am sad to report the passing of George before he saw his letter published. I’ve been informed he never got on board with emails and indeed his letter to me, as with all his correspondence both work and personal, was handwritten. Not many like that anymore! Editor

Dennis Silk

I was sad to hear of Dennis Silk’s (CR 1955-68) passing in 2019. It was my good fortune to be taught History and English by him in the early 1960s. Dennis himself was then a young man, only 12 years older than me in fact, but even then it was obvious to all of us that a great teaching career lay ahead of him.

Dennis’s school reports on my progress, which I have unearthed recently, always went way beyond the call of duty. Thorough, perceptive and caring, and always determined to get the best out of me at whatever level – he seemed genuinely to embrace the opportunity to tell my parents what was really going on, by way of this termly chore. One such report, as A Level exams approached, began, ‘One would seldom accuse a boy of working too hard, but in my opinion…’ Dennis Silk’s teaching was inspiring – his love of the war poets, Siegfried Sassoon (CO 1902-04) in particular, struck an instant chord that I knew would endure.

Dennis possessed an ability to poke fun at himself, a rare quality in a Marlborough Beak in those days! One morning, he walked into a History class in A1, immaculately attired in morning dress, complete with top hat, on his way to a friend’s wedding. He made no comment but carried off this whole performance as if unaware of the amusement he had caused for his pupils – brilliant! I was a plodder in all departments at Marlborough, with a passion for sport. Dennis knew this of course, and when I was in my final term, out of the blue he called me over to his study in A1. It turned out that, as rugby coach, he was planning a new selection strategy for the 1st XV team for the following term and wanted a second opinion from schoolboy level. It wasn’t as if I had even played any rugby for the school, but Dennis knew I was keen – enough said. John Walters (C3 1957-62)

Michael Justin Davis

I refer to Martin Pick’s charming laudatory article, entitled Totally Inspirational, on Head of English Michael Justin Davis (CR 1949-85), also known as Chaps and MJD.

I, too, remember Mr Davis fondly. He was my first English Literature Beak and then my popular Housemaster in Littlefield, after my first year at Barton Hill junior house. Michael was a thoroughly good man who showed a sincere interest in and concern for all the chaps and increasingly more chapesses in his charge. He often had quiet, kind and reassuring words for me as he knew my parents were undergoing a painful divorce. He was strict, without ever being overbearing or unfair, and always emphasised good manners and consideration for others. In my (unsuccessful) Oxbridge term of 1974, he fell sick but still consulted and advised me from his sick bed when I was Head of House.

Yes, Littlefield was indeed a happy home during Michael’s tenure, as I’m sure my wonderful Nigerian best pal, Francis A Osakwe, would have confirmed, were he still with us.

I suspect that MJD was not the most avid sports fan, but he never missed a house match, and rarely failed to support Frank and me on the athletics track or playing for the XV. He also shared and encouraged a love of art (I proceeded to read History of Art at UCL) and was always eager to discuss his passion for the works of William Blake.

Michael Davis was my teacher and Housemaster, but also my trusted and benevolent friend, as he was to so many others as well.