Old Peterite News

Two of his most endearing qualities were that he never forgot a friend and that he was the same to high and low, rich or poor. He could lecture a leading Cabinet Minister on the inadequacy of the Air Force in the early thirties in the same friendly fashion in which he instructed the old porter at St. Peter's on how to drive him to his wedding with the daughter of Canon Guy, then a Governor of the School.

When Sir Charles came back to give away the Prizes in 1947 and deliver a very wise, original, and eloquent speech to the mixed assembly of parents, boys, and visitors, the verdict of those who had known him thirty years earlier was-"He has not changed since he was a boy". Therein lay his charm and his power over men, both of which were displayed to the full in his distinguished service for his country at home and in many foreign lands. Some have even suggested that his diplomatic ability equalled his aeronautical skill.

His private life was not untinged with sadness. His only son, Richard Edward Hastings !Medhurst, being killed while serving with the R.A.F. in a gallant action at Arnhem which earned the Captain of the aircraft the Victoria Cross.

OLD PETERITE LONDON DINNER

The London Dinner of the Old Peterite Club was held at ∎ rown's Hotel on Wednesday, 10th November, 1954. Mr. J. B. Gedge was in the Chair. Speeches were made by Mr. S. M. Toyne, by the Head Master and by the Head of the School (C. H. Lewis), who was the guest of the Club. The following were present :-

Anderson, W. B. (1932-40). Archer, L. H. J. (1922-26). Atkinson, E. G. B. (1920-24). Baddeley, W. D. (1915-19). Baker, P. T. (1945-50). Black, V. M. (1935-41). Boulton, T. B. (1940-43). Brindley, R. A. (1940-45). Camm, J. P. (1927-31). Claybourn, G. R. (1942-46). Colley, W. H. (1901-07). Cooper, A. B. (1927-31). Dodd, D. F. (1928-32). Dodsworth, G. H. (1937-41). Dodsworth, J. M. (1943-47). Dowson, R. E. (1927-29). Dronfield, J. (Head Master). Easten, Rev. J. A. (1881-90). Eccles, J. D. (1940-45). Garbett, P. (1942-46). Gedge, J. B. (1909-19). Gray, B. A. C. (1915-21). Griffiths, J. C. (1944-50). Hanson, J. A. (1918-21). Harding, J. T. (1933-38). Hudson, M. F. (1924-27). Hamby, F. B. C. (1937-44). Lewis, T. J. (1923-26). Metcalfe, C. L. (1915-16). Metcalfe, R. H. ∎ (1913-18). Milburn, P. W. V. (1945-50). Millhouse, G. (1912-13). Mortimer, J. B. (1941-50). Pattison, C. J. (1939-44). Pick, T. S. (1908-12). Porteous, C. C. (1947-52). Potter, F. H. (Master). Reynolds, A. G. (1934-44). Rhodes, K. H. (1914-20). Rodgers, J. (1919-25). Samuels, W. S. (1940-47). Seaborne, W. L. (1923-31). Sergeant, J. H. (1913-16). Sergeant, C. W. H. ∎ 913-14). Scholefield, C. E. 1915-20). Shadwell, C. (1910-14). Thompson, E. G. (1939-45). Thornton, E. D. (1945-50). Toyne, S. M. Walker, H. L. (1914-17). Yeoman, W. G. (1910-17). Guest: Head Boy (C. H. Lewis).

An Old ■Peterite Dinner for the West Riding Area was organised by G. D. Smith and Michael Hallas, and was held on 4th November, 1954, at the Three Nuns Hotel, Mirfield. It is hoped to make this dinner an annual event and to extend its scope. The Chair was taken by K. H. Rhodes, the Secretary of the Old IPeterite Club, and there were 20 members present :—

Brown, E. G. (1943-48). Miller, R. L. (1935-43). Burridge, D. W. E. (1914-21). Penniston, P. (1939-44). Butterworth, M. A. (1946-53). Platt, W. G. (1913-19). Crowther, R. G. (1942-46). Rhodes, K. H. (1914-20). Fenton, J. (1941-45). Sellars, A. B. (1921-24). Gillgrass, J. (1941-45). Sheriff, T. R. M. (1945-54). Hallas, M. (1943-47). Smith, G. D. (1935-42). Hewitt, J. 0. (1921-23). Smith, G. W. (1943-47). Lee, B. (1940-46). Stabler, D. A. (1945-54). Leigh, P. V. (1939-43). Thompson, D. C. (1938-43).

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR CHARLES MEDHURST, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.

At the Memorial Service for the late Charles Edward (Hastings Medhurst (1908-1914), held at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on 7th December, 1954, when, appropriately, the Bishop of Lincoln (IM. H. Harland, 1912-1914), gave the Address, the 0.P. Club was represented by R. H. Metcalfe 09134918), the London Secretary. Metcalfe writes that the Bishop's address was very inspiring (it is printed in full elsewhere in our pages) and that "the Service was most impressive as all the foreign attaches, etc., were present and the music from the R.A.F. String Band was magnificent".

NEW YEAR HONOURS

The Colonial Office List of the New Year Honours contains the name of T. W. Jenkins (1929-1933), who was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Jenkins is Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kenya.

BRITISH TRANSPORT COMMISSION APPOINTMENT

J. Ratter (1923-1925), C.B.E., B.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., has been appointed Supplies and Production Adviser to the newly created general staff of the B.T.C. The function of this general staff will be to channel all communications from the various transport authorities to the appropriate committee or sub-ComMission of the Commission and thus covers all the activities of the undertaking.

Ratter began his railway career with the L.N.E.R. in 1929, after taking his degree at Durham University. in the war he served with the Royal Engineers in 'France, Africa, and Italy. With the rank of 9

Colonel he was Deputy Director of Transportation, C.M.F., with responsibility for railway reconstruction in the Italian campaign. He was mentioned in despatches in 1942, awarded the O.B.E. and the Legion of Merit (U.S.A.) in 1944, and the C.B.E. in 1945. On demobilization he returned to the L.N.E.R. and after nationalisation ultimately was appointed Chief Officer (Civil Engineering), B.T.C.

ITEMS

J. A. Denison (1933-1942) has joined the firm of Messrs. Guthrie & Co., well-known as Far Eastern Merchants, and is now in Penang, Malaya. * * *

Lt.-Commander J. S. Sproule (1926-1931), who is in charge of the Air-Sea Rescue Service at Ford (Sussex), has invented a scoop net to be used by naval helicopters in rescuing persons from the sea. The net has been officially adopted and will be supplied to all aircraft carriers as well as Air-Sea Rescue Service generally. * * *

C. D. Goode (1940-1949) has been granted the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Leeds University. He gained his B.Sc., with 1st Class Honours, in Civil Engineering at Leeds in 1952 and was awarded a University Scholarship to enable him to carry out the research which he has just completed. He captained the Leeds University Fencing team which won the Universities' Athletic Union Championship last year..

DEATHS

I. W. J. HAYSEY

We regret to record that Ivor Walter John Haysey (The Rise, 1939-1946) was killed in a motor cycle accident on 10th October, 1954, at Sandakan, in North Borneo, at the age of 26.

He was returning home from a cinema when his motor cycle left the road and hit the sea-wall fence. He was taken to Sandakan Hospital and was apparently comfortable. though unconscious, but died that night, sleeping.

On leaving school he joined the 5th Royal Tank Regiment, and had served in Germany. After the Army he had obtained a post with the shipping firm of Messrs. Holt, and was posted to Kumasi and Acra in West ,Africa. At the time of the accident he had been just two months with the North Borneo Trading Company at Sandakan. The Manager at Sandakan wrote of him : "Haysey was considered one of the most promising of our staff.

He was very well liked and he made good friends. He appeared to like his work, and in my daily talks with him I formed the highest opinion."

To his parents, whose address is Hill House, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, we tender our sincere sympathy.

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F. G. SCHROEDER

We have heard with regret from Calgary, Alberta, that Felix Godfrey Schroeder (1901-1906) passed away very suddenly with a heart attack on the 115th September, 1954. He had been retired for two years after relinquishing a post with the firm of Burns & Co. in Calgary. He was unmarried. To his friends in Calgary and particularly to Mrs. P. V. Blake, who has written to us, we offer our condolences.

BIRTHS

RINGROSE.—On 23rd January, 1955, at St. Brenda's Nursing

Home, Bristol, to Dora (nee Lemmon), wife of David F. Ringrose-- a daughter. [1943-1947.] STEELE.—On 21st November, 1954, at Tripoli, to Evelyn Angela (nee Scott), wife of (Frank Steele, British Embassy, Tripoli, Libya— a daughter. [The Rise, 1933-1941.] SYKES.—On 26th October, 1954, to Pamela, wife of Robin Sykes— a daughter. [The Rise, 1942-1947.]

MARRIAGES CLARK—BODEN. On 1st January, 1955, at St. Chad's, York,

William James, only son of Lt.-Col. and Mrs. W. Clark, of Earley,

Reading, to Mavis, elder daughter of Mr. and 'Mrs. R. .Boden, of

South Bank, York. [1939-1946.] REYINOLDS—VARDE. On 26th June, at St. George's Church,

Hanover Square, London, W.1, Anthony Gilmour, younger son of

Dr. and Mrs. H. E. King 'Reynolds, of York, to Avril, daughter of

Mrs. Helen and the late Mr. S. V. Varde, of Bombay. [Manor, 1939-1944.] WIC1KS—BIROWIN. On 2nd October, at St. Mark's Church,

Parklands, Nairobi, Mr. Neville E. (Wicks, only son of Colonel and 'Mrs. C. L. (Wicks, of Gloucester, to Miss Margaret T. Brown, second daughter of 'Mr. and Mrs. A. G. (Brown, of Hove. Sussex. [School House, 1940-1943.]

ENGAGEMENTS MR. R. DOBSON AND MISS M. (BULLOUGH

The engagement is announced between Robert, only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. 'Dobson, of Pickering, Yorks., and Maureen, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. IA. C. Bullough, of Walkden, Manchester. 1194011947.] MR. F. C. SLEGG AND Miss D. TUCKER

The engagement is announced between Frederick Charles, elder son of 'Mr. and Mrs. F. W. H. Slegg, of 73 Beechwood Rd., Sandestead, Surrey, and Daphne, younger daughter of Mr. and (Mrs. G. Tucker, of ,Armthorpe, Yorks. [1942-1949.] 11

LMR P. M. STEELE AND MIS'S (P. R. 'WILSON

The engagement is announced between (Purcell Macduff, son the late Capt. F. R. Steele, IM.B.E., of India, and of (Mrs. F. R. Steele, K-i-H., of Clifton, York, and Pamela Rosemary, daughter of Mrs. Henry S. Wilson, of Cookridge, Leeds. {The Rise, !1933-1943.]

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE LETTERS November, 19. Oxford.

To the Editors of "The Peterite". Dear Sirs,

Although the sixth week of Michaelmas Term has been for time immemorial the graveyard of good resolutions, this letter is not being written with the sole intention of proving the rule, but • rather as a peace offering to everyone who reads "The (Peterite". (We do apologise most sincerely for our literary lapse, and can only plead the rate of modern living, which has permeated even Oxford colleges, as an excuse. Incidentally, if Bannister should care to visit us, we would always be most willing to illustrate this with a practical example.

The arrival this term of six more stalwarts to join our ranks has swelled numbers to what must be very nearly a record. They seem to have lost little time in finding out the shady way to the "Turf" (which now has the best shove ha'penny board in Oxford), or the health-giving properties of Elliston's Coffee.

On the other hand, we have had to say goodbye to Messrs. Murray (Jesus) and Royle (B.N.C.); the latter, it is rumoured, is about to reach the point of no return—as for the former, he should do well if he applies his physical knowledge as successfully to the Railways as he did to his tandem bicycle. We wish them both the very best of luck for the future.

Our individual activities can best perhaps be summarised as follows :- I. G. COBHAM ((Magdalen). Reads Medicine and is our oldest inhabitant. Occasionally seen clad in a distinguished looking raincoat, pedalling an equally distinguished looking bicycle in the direction of the Pathology Labs. Shoots a rifle enthusiastically and is a connoisseur of tea. G. M. HERRING (St. ICatharine's). Reads Chemistry, works hard, and is proud of both. Apparently of a retiring nature or else digs in an inaccessible part of the town, for we see extremely little of him. D. G. HILTON (The Queen's). Has forsaken Mathematics and joined the large herd of lawyers. Plays rugger for his College and can be recognised immediately in the street by his permanent smile and salt-encrusted duffel coat.

P. W. V. 'MILBURN ((Worcester). Spends his time engaged in unknown pursuits and (Modern Languages. Still plays a fanatical game of rugger, which may well be the reason for his large collection of unusual signs and walking sticks. R. D. PALFRAMAN (Worcester). 'Shares rooms with White but disclaims any responsibility for him. Reads History, discourses at length on politics and pulls an oar to the detriment of his nether parts. E. ROBINSON (Exeter). Has unfortunately had to retire from the rugger field due to an injury sustained in the Trial, when he was seen to play an excellent game. In spite of this, he has managed to keep fit by singing lustily in St. Hilda's Choir. Reads Geography and throws gigantic tea parties in a fortress-like part of his College. J. M. SmrrnsoN (Wadham). Reads Chemistry and utters strange remarks about it in Arabic. Rowed in his College 3rd boat last term and has now taken up Judo—for purely private reasons, we suspect. Perambulates in an exceedingly battered hat and refuses to vouch for Murray's financial stability at any time. P. G. TAYLOR (Brasenose). Is a Classicist, judging from his lightning repartee and intelligent countenance, which is as yet unspoiled by associations with his College 2nd XV. Still thinks that the

Brasenose Cellar is where the trunks are stored. M. I. H. UNWIN (Worcester). Has now retired from his august place in the Worcester 1st boat, having glimpsed History Schools on the horizon, but his stentorian voice is still to be heard on the towpath most afternoons. Was recently seen one morning coming out of a bank in the Corn with a perplexed look on his face. S.J. WHITE (Worcester). Was last encountered on the night of 5th

November, hovering mysteriously about the precincts of the Union.

So far, however, research has failed to connect any of his forbears with the School. Plays hockey, reads History in his spare time and disclaims any responsibility for Palframan. D. J. Wn.soN (Brasenose). Having now established himself in literary circles by attaining Editorship of "Isis", his time is mainly occupied with Modern Languages. Has a modicum of light brown hair and thinks up-and-down ties are "pleb". Usually seen only at night. J. J. YouLL (Worcester). Has apparently developed an anxiety complex about the morals of his fellows, which manifests itself in his superior attitude to everything except Classics. Works hard and keeps a crowbar in his room in case Zuleika Dobson should walk in.

Finally, only enough space is left for us to wish the School the best of luck and every success in the coming term. We remain, Sirs, Yours very sincerely,

Cambridge. December, 1954.

The Editor of "The Peterite". Sir,

We do apologise most sincerely for not having written a Cambridge Old Peterite letter for some considerable time, and we hope that this will not happen again. As we have eighteen residents at Cambridge now we assure you that a letter will be forthcoming every term.

As always we send our very best wishes to the School. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servants,

THE CAMBRIDGE OLD PETERITES.

The following are now resident in Cambridge :-

T. ANKERS [1946-1952] : Temple : Emmanuel College : 1st year.

Has acquired a reputation for working by the simple expedient of affecting a brief-case, and does, in fact, spend almost as much time in the College library as he does at the Rex Cinema. Plays a little bad hockey with an equally bad grace ! Lives in a garret; is convinced he has consumption and is hence devoting considerable time and attention to attempts to acquire a midinette to complete the picture. Quite naturally drinks an incredible amount of coffee. P. T. BAKER [1945-1950] : School House : St. Catharine's College : 3rd year. Reads Law and with Barry Mortimer and John Griffiths is often seen surreptitiously slinking off to eat (allegedly) his Bar dinners at the Middle Temple. Is President of the Junior Combination Room and of the College Law Society. Has represented the University several times at rugger since he has been up here; played against the Oxford Greyhounds this term and was awarded his LX Club colours. His great "play" is at "candles and cushions" parties where he invariably brings along a physiotherapist; is often heard to say "Massages my leg at Addenbrooke's, you know". Is said to work in the vocation.

B. CLAYDON [1949-1954] : Rise : King's College : 1st year. Is gradually getting used to his surroundings; looks frightfully impressive in his surplice as he condescendingly glances at the congregation; is capable with a slide rule in the engineering department and, we gather, is no worse than usual on the river.

Seems to conspire mainly with James Oldroyd and Christopher

Griffiths—about the usual things, of course ! C. A. F. Cooxsoir [1935-1942] : Rise : Emmanuel College : 1st year.

Is our oldest member; the old stager returning to the Cambridge fold. Is reading Geography, and accordingly is to be seen on a

Monday afternoon armed with miscellaneous surveying instru-

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ments, or taking "met." readings at early hours from the roof of the Geography department. Has played squash for the College 1st team but has been prevented from indulging in much strenuous rugger owing to a persistent muscle injury.. Also occasionally in evidence at the College Drama Society or University Photographic

Society.

J. GRIFFITHS [1949-1954] : School House : Peterhouse College : 1st year. Emphatically announces that he has little spare time outside the medical laboratories, but certainly makes the most of what he has. Is continually gloating over the excellence and superb cuisine of Peterhouse food. Rides his bicycle in a reckless manner; we are told this is quite natural. J. C. GRIFFITHS [1944-1950] : School House : Emmanuel College : 4th year. One of our two resident B.A.s; reads Economics and is now reading Law for the Bar. A leading social light of Cambridge who is often seen gliding to London by car—quite a feat, really !

At one time was the business manager of the "Light Blue" magazine which deals with the different sports in the University.

Plays a considerable amount of hockey and cricket with no little success. His forte and his pride is his delightful running of the

Girton Girl Guides. My dear, the admiration .. . D. A. HAXBY [1944-1953] : Rise : Sidney Sussex College : 2nd year.

Is reading Classics, and well, too, we gather. Plays a good deal of squash and occasionally goes sculling. Without doubt his chief interest is music as evidenced by his belonging to the Music Club, the Pierian Singers and the Raleigh Society (Newnham). Positively an Anglican, but a member of the Methodist Society. Claims that the loss of his umbrella has left him without any Cambridge eccentricities. A. M. KENDELL [1943-1950] : Rise and Grove : Emmanuel College : 1st year. Is reading History but sings as well; incidentally, has been awarded a Choral Exhibition and is also a member of the

C.U.M.S. (generally considered as the man who came in instead of the double bass at the performance of Berlioz). Plays for the

College rugger side during brief periods of fitness and visits Oxford regularly. The latter events cause him great excitement. Is often seen in the company of other O.P.s. His eccentricities are his ideas on carrying shopping bags to lectures. Has been known to cut a loaf in the Rex through sheer hunger, the crumbs he feeds to the Emmanuel swans, of course. . E. M KERSHAW [1944-1951] : Temple : Emmanuel College : 2nd year.

Is said to be reading History but spends most of his time riding in the lift at the University Library, where he claims that he finds peace and solitude. With Peter Baker he went on the Cornish

Rugby Tour and has also represented the University. Played 15

against the Oxford Greyhounds and was awarded his LX Club colours. As he has another year at Cambridge we would like to wish him every success for next season in the hope that he will get his Blue. Other activities include drinking coffee at the

Copper Dive and drinking most nights .. . when not in training! P. C. KNOWLSON [1942-1950] : School House : Emmanuel College : 2nd year. Reads Estate Management—rural, we believe. Works hard and ploughs with a gown. Is often seen surveying the fens, a sign of loneliness, no doubt. Plays for the Emmanuel 1st XV and has been awarded his colours. Is seen in the company of

Tom Wyatt-Gunning quite a lot; they both take their agricultural studies seriously as befits their way of life. A rumour has it that he was seen at the Jazz Band Ball doing a rather dainty step. J. B. MORTIMER [1941-1950] : Rise : Emmanuel College : 3rd year.

Is reading Law for the Bar at the Middle Temple. Is Vice-

President of the Emmanuel Law Society and a member of the many Emmanuel clubs. Has been playing quite a good game of cricket since he has been up here and is now Captain of the

College side. Was Junior Treasurer of the May Ball Committee —the only way of getting two free tickets, we discovered. Takes coffee at the Coffee Pot as, believe it or not, it is owned by an

O.P. Spends three-quarters of his time with John Griffiths and the other quarter with a certain pair from "Cats". J. C. OLDROYD [1948-1953]: Rise : King's College : 1st year. Is rapidly becoming proficient with figures he tells us; obviously he has been quick off the mark ! Also rowed against the ladies in the coxes' eight which probably explains his former remark. Still plays soldiers but now with live ammunition. Had quite a party with other O.P.s in David Haxby's rooms this term. Is seen a lot with Christopher Griffiths and John Claydon in jovial mood. P. SIMPSON [1939-1945] : Manor : Trinity Hall : 2nd year. Elderly ex-engineer now claiming to be second year theologian. Divides his time between select luncheon parties with Eric Thompson in the University Library and select Madrigal singing in an obscure don's rooms in King's with David Haxby. Has marked existentialist tendencies and "Entmythologisierous" is his sole topic of conversation. A. N. C. Smrni [1946-1951] : School House : Emmanuel College : 2nd year. Is a person one usually notices in "odd places" in Cambridge. Reflects on life in general most of the time. Is in the 2nd VIII and from all reports is rowing well. A keen supporter of the Yorkshire Society, one of the more esoteric clubs. Read

Economics in his first year but now claims he reads Law. When questioned about his night life his answer usually takes the form of a knowing smile. E. G. THOMPSON [1942-1950] : Manor : St. John's College : 4th year.

The other B.A. in residence. When asked for a description of