NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2008
An Adobe PDF verion of this newsletter is available here.
Items in this newsletter:
Cricket Match against the School Cronk-Cunis National U21 Old Boys tournament Death of Ian Fraser Items from old magazines Joan Henderson Lawrence Power Matron's Lateness Book Richard Shreeve School caning 
CRICKET MATCH AGAINST THE SCHOOL
The OW played the School in the Annual match for the Duncan Moore Cup. The OWs batting first, scored 260 for 4 with Richard Royce scoring a fine hundred and Bob Dix 64. The school scored 262 for 4 thanks to Chris Elder scoring a magnificent 149, with 13 sixes, and 12 fours, and J.C. Potgieter 56* and thus won by 6 wickets. Chris' innings is probably the highest score ever made by a schoolboy on the School field. Congratulations to him and the School Team on their great win.
It was great to see some players playing for the first time in this Annual fixture. Bob, who has captained seven of the 8 fixtures, tells me the score is OW 5 School 3.
Those who played and their date of leaving:
Below are two photos from the cricket.
RUGBY
OW XV AT THE CRONK-CUNIS NATIONAL U21 TOURNAMENT
James Turner (1999-2006) writes:
On 31st August an RGS Old Boys XV entered the Cronk-Cunis National U21 Old Boys tournament, a knock-out competition hosted by King's College Wimbledon Old Boys Rugby Club featuring nearly 50 of the country's top Old Boys rugby teams. This was the first occasion in the tournament's 12 year history that RGS had fielded a side.
Having assembled a somewhat scratch squad, having not had the opportunity to train together prior to the tournament, the team lost narrowly in their opening match in the cup competition against a more organised Chislehurst & Sidcup GS side 14-17. However, now competing in the plate competition RGS continued strongly, defeating Eastbourne College 10-0, Merchant Taylor's 6-3 to progress to the semi-final. Here, against Churcher's College, with the scores being tied at the end of the match, RGS snatched a dramatic victory with a golden try in extra time to seal a 15-10 win. In the final, despite many players being on the verge of exhaustion, somehow the team managed to find some energy reserves to see off Lord Wandsworth College 12-8 with some outstanding rugby, and so clinching victory in the plate competition.
This was a very enjoyable day for all involved, and was a great success when it is considered that RGS had neither previously entered the competition, nor have an established Old Boys rugby club. It is hoped that perhaps with some liaison with the school a tradition can be made of entering the competition, given RGS's strong rugby heritage, with even more success in years to come.
Old Boys Squad: Freddie Stockwell, Alex Johnstone, Matt Dawes, Chris Zair, Aaron Bolton (guest), Nick Fischer, Grahame Fischer, Nick Johnstone, Chris Johnstone, James Turner, Ben Francis, Christian O'Kelly, Cameron Law, Roddy Jonas, Rob Record, Ashley Bailey, Marcus Da Costa, Colin Hudson.
Ed. Well done to the OW team!
Dear Ian,
Above is a report of the recent Cronk-Cunis National U21 Old Boys Festival. A commemorative shield given by the organisers will be given to the school to display. Given this very positive experience, I really hope that in the coming years RGS will continue to enter sides each year, given the school's rugby heritage and pool of playing talent. Perhaps this could be achieved by reviving some links between the school and former rugby playing pupils, or through the OW's as, unlike many public schools, RGS does not have an Old Boys rugby club. It would be excellent if this was to become a tradition, as it proved to be an extremely enjoyable way of playing and socialising with old school friends.
Yours faithfully,
James Turner
Ed. A great idea, James, and already there are discussions taking place about the way forward. If any OWs are interested in playing for the OW team in any of this kind of competition, or any OW match, do contact me. WATCH THIS SPACE for any developments!
APOLOGIES
Apologies to all who have attempted to access certain parts of the website. We hope to restore normal service as soon as possible.
FAMOUS RGS OLD BOY DIES
OWs and the whole school community was saddened to learn of the death of one of its most illustrious Old Boys, Ian Edward Fraser, VC, DSC, RD and Bar, who died in Liverpool on 2nd September aged 88. He was at the RGS from Sept 1933 to December 1935.
Ian Edward Fraser, VC, DSC, RD and Bar, Lieutenant Ian Edward Fraser VC DSC RNVR
Lieutenant Fraser commanded HM Midget Submarine XE-3 in her successful attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao (9,850 tons) at her moorings in Johore Strait, Singapore, on 31 July 1945. During the long approach up the Singapore Straits, XE-3 deliberately left the believed safe channel and entered mined waters to avoid suspected hydrophone posts. The target was aground, or nearly aground, both fore and aft, and only under the midships portion was there sufficient water for XE-3 to place herself under the cruiser. For forty minutes she pushed her way along the sea bed until finally Lieutenant Fraser managed to force her right under the centre of the cruiser. Here he placed the limpets and dropped his main side charge. Great difficulty was experienced in extricating the craft after the attack had been completed, but XE-3 was finally clear and commenced her long journey out to sea.
The Official Citation of the award of a Victoria Cross stated: "The courage and determination of Lieutenant Fraser are beyond all praise. Any man not possessed of his relentless determination to achieve his objective in full, regardless of all consequences, would have dropped his charges alongside the target. The approach and withdrawal entailed a passage of eighty miles through water which had been mined by both the enemy and ourselves, past hydrophonic positions, over loops and controlled minefields, and through an anti submarine boom"
We were delighted when he agreed to lend his name to our new Fraser Youens boarding house and he was proud to be associated with our earlier VC winner, Frederick Youens.
Ian Fraser at the opening of the boarding house with RGS Chairman of Governors, Wilfred Rooke
We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
STAFF LEAVERS
A number of staff left the RGS in July. We published the tributes to Ian Wilson, Peter Cowburn and Martin Smith in the July newsletter. Here are tributes to two more members, whom more recent OWs will remember:
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Mrs Joan Henderson
Joan joined the Royal Grammar School in 1990 having previously taught at the Holy Cross Convent in Chalfont St Peter and St Bernard's Secondary School. Before beginning her teaching career, Joan had worked for a short period with Barclays Bank after graduating from Trinity College, Dublin.
Joan has taught French and English to A Level and Spanish to GCSE level, but the then Headmaster, Rowland Brown, recognised Joan's passion for English and she was appointed as a part time teacher of English. As her two sons became more independent, Joan took on a greater teaching load at RGS, eventually becoming second in department and then, on John Mitchell's retirement, she became head of English. The department flourished under her leadership, when Joan's vision and insistence on high standards brought excellent examination results. Under her leadership, the department embraced additional subjects with Communication Studies and English Language, as well as English Literature being offered at A Level.
When the school reorganised its management structure, Joan accepted the position of Assistant Head, taking on the challenge of line managing a number of departments. Her contribution to the Senior Team has been wide reaching and valued, but it was the fledging 'Teaching and Learning Team' that most valued Joan's experience, wisdom and insight as they developed new initiatives to enhance the learning opportunities for RGS boys. It would be fair to say that these initiatives did not always meet with universal acclaim. Using her undoubted skills, Joan spent much time persuading staff of the benefits of this data to help set appropriate targets. Although Joan confesses not to understand statistics, her mastery of government statistics left the Senior Team in awe and her patience in explaining it to others will be long remembered.
Joan's father served in the Royal Navy, spending 10 years with the family in New Zealand, and it was through her father's influence that her interest in the Navy encouraged her to join the CCF RN Section. A keen dinghy and cruising yacht sailor, Joan spent many a happy Thursday afternoon on the river at Danesfield instructing cadets in the finer arts of navigation and sailing. Joan was also a good shot and could be found on many occasions using her skills in the rifle range. Eventually Joan became Officer Commanding the RN Section and Deputy Contingent Commander, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
On one occasion, Joan was invited on board HMS Cardiff, along with a number of cadets. It was much to the surprise of the crew and officers, captained by OW Commander Beardall, that Joan was recognised as the second most senior officer on board. I understand that this caused some of the more traditional Navy officers a moment or two of consternation, but Joan, true to form, coped in her usual understated, quiet way.
Joan and her husband, Stuart, enjoy travel and together have led many school ski trips to the USA and Europe. They have built a retirement home in the south of France and we wish them both a long and healthy retirement as they continue their interests in skiing, traveling and sailing.
Mr Richard Shreeve
Richard Shreeve came to the RGS in 2001 and very quickly established himself as an integral part of the school community. He is a very sociable gentleman, for whom nothing is too much trouble, and in staff meetings he regularly responds positively to a request to drive a mini-bus full of RGS pupils to an airport, a rowing event or any other activity in far flung corners of the British Isles, while others feign deafness. In the evenings and at weekends he can often be seen patrolling the RGS site, putting benches back where they belong, picking up litter and checking that the buildings are secure, and any colleague who is careless enough to leave a cupboard light on overnight can expect a gentle admonishment the following day.
Richard has contributed fully to life in Fraser Youens House, and both the boys and staff are indebted to him for his unfailing commitment and enthusiasm. He has not only been a loyal supporter of senior cricket and rugby throughout his time at RGS, but has rarely missed an event in the Queen's Hall, be it music, drama or a fundraising occasion. Richard has cheerfully masterminded collating the voucher schemes from various supermarkets, and has raised thousands of pounds to provide the school with new computers and sporting equipment. Richard has also been an excellent Common Room Treasurer, which, amongst many other onerous tasks, involves the thankless task of extracting subscriptions from certain parsimonious colleagues, whom it would not be appropriate to name here. Although Richard is retiring from the classroom, he is going to remain on the staff and I for one look forward to many more years of his loyal support and friendship.
SAD NEWS
The following deaths were reported in the Wycombiensian, Some of them have already been reported in previous newsletters
PICKRUHL. JE (2004-05) Jean, who taught English, died in early 2008.
OLD BOYS
BROOK. AJ (1994-95) Alastair died in 2007.
EDWARDS. JPJ (1947-54) Jeremy died on 11 September 2007, aged 70. He pursued a career in engineering and management consultancy.
FAIR. CA (1955-62) Colin died of a stroke in the spring of 2007. He worked all his life in the Meteorological Office before taking early retirement a few years ago.
GOODCHILD. CJ (1945-51) Colin died of prostate cancer on 23 September 2007, aged 72. He won an Open Scholarship to read Mathematics at St John's College, Cambridge, and took a First. He worked as a lecturer at the Regent Street Polytechnic, subsequently the University of Westminster. His older brother Frederick (1938-42) left the RGS to serve in the Royal Navy, and eventually settled in Australia, where he died several years ago.
GRANT. R (1932-40) Roger died recently, aged 85.
KINGHAM. DTG (1934-39) Tom died in 2007.
MACKRILL. MJR (1938-45) Martyn died in 2007.
MAHER. RJ (1966-73) Jimmy died recently.
STEVENS. GW (1936-41) Geoffrey, who died on 23 December 2007, aged 81, was boxing finalist at the RGS for three years in succession. He served in the Royal Navy and saw action in the Mediterranean. After the war he held a variety of managerial positions and rose to be International Director of Reeves Brothers. He was a Church of England church warden and reader, and also chairman of governors at Longwick C of E Combined School.
THOMAS. DJ (1945-52) Dennis, known as 'Danny', died in 2007.
WICKENS. FC (1931-38) Frederick died on 1 March 2007, aged 87. He was the first RGS boy to win an Open Scholarship to Oxbridge when he went up to Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1938. After war service he pursued a career as an English teacher. He is survived by his four children and by his brother, Donald
FILE PAST
From the Wycombiensian of 1920:
The Tank, presented to High Wycombe, in consideration of the town's very handsome efforts in connection with the War Savings Associations, has at last arrived, and at present occupies a proud position on a concrete emplacement prepared for it in front of the School. Its imperturbable progress up Amersham Hill took place amidst scenes of "the wildest enthusiasm". The Law cleared a path before it, the Army guided it along that path, and members of the R.G.S. and others - regarded all the proceedings with the liveliest possible interest and curiosity.
From the Wycombiensian of 1937:
AN OLD BOY WRITES FROM NAZI GERMANY
It is still possible to find intelligent young people among the older students of about twenty-two to twenty-five years of age, more especially those who have been out of Germany. There is a striking difference, however, between these and the freshmen of to-day lately "educated" in the army and the labour camps. One shudders to think of the mentality of the students in three or four years' time when the present school education bears fruit. Their history book appears to be sadly different from ours, and they have a most unholy tendency to regard war as being the natural training for strength and heroism. Of course most of the good professors have found it impossible to carry on with the present-day doctrine, even though they have no Jewish blood in their veins.
From the Wycombiensian of 1950:
THE NEW SCHOOL TERM
From an Old Fag to a New Inmate
When you enter the august portals of the School, remember it has existed since 1562, and that is a very long time ago. Therefore respect its traditions and it will respect you. It is advisable at this stage in your career to abandon all "nannies," "governesses," "night nurses," and "divers encumbrances," and realise that you are a Boy from now on. Don't despair over this! Instead, play the game hard and don't call your form-master "Dad."
From the Wycombiensian of 1972:
SCHOOL UNIFORM AND INDIVIDUALITY
All individuality is wiped out at one monstrous stroke. On entering Grammar or High School, children are issued with a formidable list of what to wear. The budding ll-year-old individualist is press-ganged into clothing tailored to blot out his personality, turning him into a nobody with embroidered badge; even the colours of scarves or socks are specified by some authority.
It is indeed a pathetic sight to see England's budding individualists and future leaders tumble out of classrooms all dressed the same way (an omen perhaps - Marylebone Station, 8.30 a.m?). Someone once compared this to a bed of flowers being dug up and turnips planted in their stead.
ARE YOU LATE AGAIN?
Another helping of the feeble excuses written in Matron's Lateness Book:
Ed: What was your best excuse for being late?
The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe Friends of Music Present Lawrence Power
One of the foremost viola players in the world
Lawrence is highly sought after both in the UK and abroad and has played with many leading orchestras.
Accompanied by his pianist Simon Crawford-Philips
Brought up in High Wycombe, Lawrence attended RGS and Wycombe Music Centre before going on to win many international competitions including the Maurice Vieux Viola Competition in Paris and he was the first British winner of the William Primrose International Viola Competition, Canada. He has recently returned from playing in many European countries, America and Canada. In 2007, Lawrence played at the BBC Proms to wide acclaim.
" In the 21st century one new name stands out, the British player Lawrence Power " The Times 1st June 2007
The programme will include:
SCHUMANN: Marchenbilder for viola and piano Op 113, SHOSTAKOVICH: Suite from the 'Gadfly' for Viola and Piano, SERLY: Rhapsody for Viola and Piano, HINDEMITH: Solo Viola Sonata, YORK BOWEN: Viola Sonata No. 1 in C minor
Thursday 20th November 2008 at 7.30pm
The Queen's Hall
Tickets: Rows A-F £15, Rows G-K £12, Rows L-U £10
Postal applications with a s.a.e.
Tel: 01494 551433 (school hours) Email: sar@rgshw.com Web: www.rgshw.com/boxoffice
A printable flier and application form is here.LETTERS/EMAILS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Ian,
Having time on my hands for the first time since starting at University College Oxford I have been reading with great pleasure both the RGS and the OW websites. Although I only left in 2006 it feels like a world ago. Fortunately the school seems to be in good hands and continuing to achieve the highest standards.
I have been running the open day programme for Univ for the last two summers and it has been edifying to see such large numbers of RGS boys looking round, many of which were for my subject, history. Long may the RGS-Univ link continue! I am coming back to RGS in September to give a talk on applying to Oxford, which I can't wait to do as it will be my first return to the RGS since A-Level results day.
I read with mixed feelings of the departure of two teachers that had such a huge impact upon my academic and extra-curricular life at school.
Mr Wilson was my form teacher in year 7, and I remember clearly the day he hauled me up in front of the class during form period to berate me for my team - Chelsea's - victory over his beloved Sunderland. Back then I was a very shy boy lacking in confidence in front of a crowd, but Mr Wilson managed to draw me out of my shell in his own individual way! I remember conversations about model railways distinctly. I know that Mr Wilson kept an eye out for me during the rest of my career at school, and when I became Head Boy I like to think that I had done him proud!
Furthermore, the departure of Dr Smith is a great shame for all those budding historians who will now miss out on being taught by this truly inspirational man. Between Dr Smith and Mr Keysell I truly believe that I had probably the best combination of history teachers, which has stood me in great stead at Oxford, as I am Univ's only History scholar (receiving a rather nice bursary to reduce costs!). It is nice to see that Dr Smith has received the credit he deserves in the Wycombiensian article.
I do hope that this email finds you well, and I will try and get a group together for next year's centenary meal.
With best wishes,
Oliver Cox
Ed. Do any other OWs have any special memories of those Teachers who have left this year?
Dear Ian,
Thanks for your long email about the Old Wycombiensians. Some time back I tried to send a general enquiry into the system about a school exchange visit in July/August 1952. It may well have crashed somewhere along the line. In 1952 Aubrey Rees (gym master) arranged a school exchange between RGS and a school in Korsor in Denmark and a school in Helsinki. This was to go to the 1952 Olympics with a stop over of some days on Denmark. I am still in touch with both the "boys" with whom I stayed and we have had family visits in both directions. The Danish group are now trying to prepare a history of their school time and would like to contact any one who was on that trip, especially those with any memorabilia, photos or graphic memories. I have managed to trace two or three from the trip and I know that at least three have died. If anyone would like to contact me about this my email address is sandgsherlock1@tesco.net. I was at RAGS from 1947 -54.
Best wishes
Geoff Sherlock
Dear Ian,
MISSING OW
Colin James Goodchild came up to St John's College, Cambridge from the RGS High Wycombe in 1952. We lost touch with him many years ago and are trying to renew contact with him or establish what became of him. This is both for the College's records, and also because I received an enquiry yesterday from a contemporary of his who said he and a number of friends were wondering what had happened to him when they recently attended a reunion event.
I cannot find his name listed as a missing OW on your website, so am hopeful that perhaps you are still in contact with him, or know some further details about him. Any assistance you can offer would be much appreciated, and of course if you have an address for him that would be wonderful. Naturally you will not be able to pass it on to me, but perhaps would be willing to pass on a letter on behalf of myself or his friends?
Many thanks for your help, and I look forward to hearing from you. I would, of course, be happy to assist in a similar way regarding any OWs who are also Old Johnians!
Kind regards
Fiona Colbert
Ed: Anybody know anything about Colin James Goodchild?
Dear Ian
From: Carl Franks
carlfranksATgmail.comJust to let you know I'm shortly flying off to Bangkok where I'll be working for a Burma human rights organisation for just over two years. Ratpup's Blog
Check out ratpup.co.uk if you want to find out what I'm up to in Asia. Do consider bookmarking it or subscribing to the RSS feed. At the moment it's obviously a bit bare and, as I haven't left yet, it's more about my pre-departure preparations. But bear with me as that will all change in a couple of weeks!
I'm happy to show you and other OWs round the city if they find themselves there.
Take care.
Carl
Ed. We do wish Carl all the very best in his time in Burma.
Dear Ian
I have some sad news for you regarding Simon Lambert (Derwent G Lambert). I have just received a telephone call from his family telling me that Simon died yesterday. He has held a special place in my heart since I was in the Biology Sixth Form and I owe him a special debt of gratitude in moulding my lifelong interest in natural history into a career as professional biologist which has always felt more like a hobby than actual work. As Confucius is alleged to have said: 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.'
There is little doubt that Simon was responsible for creating the best school biology department in the country at that time. He was a greatly loved and respected teacher of the highest possible calibre: insisting on teaching the subject and the need to question ideas and facts, not how to pass exams!
On going to Exeter University to read zoology, botany and geology, I discovered that I had already covered at least 80% of the syllabus under Simon's tutelage! He will be sadly missed by a great many former pupils. It was only later in life that I learned that he had been a fisheries biologist before joining the RGS, by which time I had already established my fisheries consultancy firm.
With kind regards
Tony Farmer
Ed. We send our deepest sympathy to Simon's family and friends. Has any other OW got memories of him?
Dear Ian,
I've picked up a few items relating to Old Boys which you might like to include in the forthcoming newsletter.
1. Michael Zywina (1998-2004) graduated this summer from Nottingham University with a First in Portuguese and Spanish.
2. Edward Harris (1997-2003) passed out at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, on 8 August 2008, and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers.
3. Paul Spackman (1989-95) drowned in a boating accident in Vermont on 10 August 2008.
Regards,
Martin Smith
Ed. Very sad news about Paul. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Congratulations to Michael and Edward for their notable achievements!
Dear Ian
I should be pleased if you could give me any information on Martin Charles Connelly and Keith Charles Cameron Clarke, old boys who left the school around 1968. I am also interested in whether you might have any data regarding Cross Country records, as I believe I might have held one.
Good Luck,
Peter A. Muckley (RGS 1963-1968).
Ed. The games department has no details of any X-Country records. Does any OW know the whereabouts of Martin Connelly or Keith Clarke?
THE DAY THE SCHOOL WAS CANED
Andrew Mactavish has described in a past newsletter how the school was caned. Chris Mardell gives his account of the incident:
"During the early 1950s, in the aftermath of war, there was still food rationing. If you wanted your ration of, say sweets, from the school tuck shop you needed coupons. Again at breakfast and at teatime, (I speak as a boarder) you were allowed so much butter and no more, as butter was rationed. The portions were carefully cut and put on your plate before the meal.
One thing which was not rationed, which was superabundantly available to every boy, was Discipline. Until the arrival of protest movements with the behavioural permissiveness of the 1960s, government of all bodies in all spheres, national, local, institutional, family, was hierarchical and authoritarian. Good Schools existed to teach able boys that their futures depended not only upon their attainments but also upon their ability to come to terms with Discipline, including being beaten and bullied by bigger boys, and in due time imposing the same on their own subordinates. Those who would lead must first learn to serve. This was traditionally believed to be the proper grounding for a career in some form of government or institutional service.
One winter's day at the RGS, it might have been 1953, all that changed. There had been heavy snow the night before, but the day dawned bright. It was cold, but the sunshine touched the crisp surface of the snow with the faintest warmth. Few boys learnt anything from sitting in their morning's classes; most minds were bent upon the possibilities offered by what they saw outside.
When lunchtime came, they spilled out into the school field, which they always did, but today they stayed rather closer to the buildings, since going out meant dispersal, and you can't hit anyone with a snowball if you are too far from him, or he from you.
After some spirited minutes spent in individual encounters it was noticed that certain Prefects had begun tentatively to emerge from their Room, which looked out on to the field, with the apparent intention to engage or at any rate to intervene. This was a bad mistake. A few despised representatives of Authority, tricked out in all the fatuous impotence of gold-tasselled caps, had come forth to challenge the mob, who were by now enthused with an aggressive relish for the hard-packed quality of the snow, the accuracy with which it could be directed, and the pain it would inflict when it hit its mark.
The ensuing massacre was reminiscent (for students of French history) of the attack on the Tuileries Palace in August 1792. The prefects were cut down. The mob, having disposed of the human, now turned on the structured targets. By the end of the lunch break most of the windows in the north elevation of the Prefects' Room had been smashed and the terrified occupants driven back in a storm of flying glass. The assailants returned to their classrooms well-satisfied.
At Prayers the following morning up stepped Authority in the dual shapes of E. R. Tucker and Sam Morgan, worsted, shaken, still defiant but, lacking a list of the names of the miscreant, compelled to resort to the expedient of appealing to the boys' better nature by calling for the perpetrators to come forward and receive condign punishment, - an endearing association of diminished magisterial power with Welsh fair play - which the culprits could comfortably afford to humour, being still flushed with the heady stimulant of yesterday's overwhelming victory.
At the close of Prayers, during which for all is able to recall the congregation may very properly have been enjoined to beseech the Lord with more than the customary fervour: "et dimitte nobis debita nostra", some 200 boys remained behind in the hall to receive two strokes of the cane and a fine of one shilling. (This was not of course the whole school, which had some 750 boys at that time.) To this end both pairs of double doors from the corridor into the hall were opened, a desk placed inside each doorway, each manned by a deputy to receive and record monies while Tucker and Morgan, each at his door, accoutred with cane, cap and gown, having caused the queues to be formed along the corridor, administered the beatings as the boys filed through.
I believe there are still some barbarian communities in the world, where the penalty for certain offences is a public flogging, of a ceremonial rather than brutal nature, intended to inflict not pain, as much as humiliation. The caning aforementioned was, or very quickly became, something of that kind. Tucker had more power in his address than in his arm; Morgan's consumption of cigarettes might have qualified for shipments direct from Imperial Tobacco. Both were soon exhausted. Probably the first two or three fundaments from each queue felt the sting but certainly no more.
This episode was immediately recognized as a follow-up victory for the boys. To have suffered the caning and paid the shilling were instantly matters of pride. For there was general acknowledgement of two circumstances: that not one single boy, knowing his share in the siege, but did not stay to pay his penalty, and that those who really had no part in it did think themselves accursed they were not there. I know. I was there."
Ed. If you were at the RGS at that time, what are your memories of the incident? Do let me know!
NEXT NEWSLETTERThis will be published on December 10th. Please send in your contribution, your memories, and your photographs to me, Ian Clark ianrclarkuk@yahoo.co.uk or post it to 5, Foxhill Close, High Wycombe. HP13 5BL
Ian edits the Newsletter; Judy De Gelas and Martin Berry ensure that it appears on the website.
