AldenhAmiAnA iSSUe 43 October 2015 News from the OA Society News from the School Letters from OAs Second World War Tribute Obituaries and tributes from the editor 113 OAs were killed during WW2 and many more Aldenhamiana wounded. The names of the No.43 October 2015 dead are recorded in the Published by The Old Aldenhamian Society Book of Remembrance in Aldenham School, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AJ UK the School Chapel. Email:
[email protected] Web: www.oldaldenhamian.org During a Service of Thanksgiving in the Chapel on OA Day Tel: +44 (0)1923 858 122 this year, the newly installed marble memorial listing the names of OAs was dedicated. ‘In September 1939 the School was blacked-out. This meant screening over 1000 windows, doors and skylights. Rooms used only or mainly at night were permanently blacked out with black paint or paper; no evening services were held in the Chapel.’ Contents There was little concept of the nature of the war to come. Brief air raids were thought to be imminent, gas attacks likely. Everyone was issued with gas masks, to be 2 From the OA Society carried at all times; their efficacy or otherwise tested when a mobile gas chamber visited the School. Underground 2 From the President’s Desk concrete shelters, one for each House, had been built during the holidays and a routine was drawn up for their 3 aldenham.net orderly use during school hours or at night. During the rest 4 OA Day of the day refuge was to be taken in the ditch surrounding the cricket field or in the trenches dug for that purpose on 8 Annual OA Dinner 2014 Cooke’s Field.