Notes from the Campaign Trail

The OKS Magazine No. 45 • Spring 2017

Volunteering in Yemen Broughton Reunion A Remarkable Story Zhihao Oon, on his work with A family event to celebrate 40 years Rory Reilly reviews a History of the Médecins Sans Frontières of BR Boat Club page 10 page 12 page 15 Notes from the Campaign Trail

OKS Louisa Dearlove (left) and Lucinda Knight on the challenges of working on the Clinton Campaign OKS Offcuts • Issue No. 45 • Spring 2017 In this issue

“That civilisation may not sink From the OKS President news p3 Its great battle lost...” Charlotte Pragnell looks forward to OKS events in 2017

WB Yeats’ late lines, though From the Headmaster news p3 lacking the grand opera effect of Music, sport, debating, staff and a projects update his Second Coming twenty years earlier – “Things fall apart” – News from King’s news p4 speak of our current puzzlement, Comings and goings, talented musicians and a World Champion threatening and troubling us. Most of us are not where we thought we The Clinton Campaign features p6 would be, twelve months ago. Will Louisa Dearlove and Lucinda Knight look back on a dramatic civilised values – nay, our civilising outcome comforts too – survive all this? (Best not to be specific!) “I was a stranger, and you took me in” – but when the Out of Aleppo features p9 Gospels were written there were not 7.4 billion people on Alex Pearson's way to make a difference the planet, and unimaginable were the visual media that lure countless millions now with images of affluence and Working with entitlements towards somewhere other than where they are... Médecins Sans Frontières in Yemen features p10 Zhihao Oon volunteers The feature articles in this Offcuts, all of them by young or youngish OKS, convey a sober and thoughtful response Forty Years On events p12 by OKS with most of their lives ahead of them. The pursuit Broughton Reunion of responsible leadership (even if flawed) in the West; humanitarian assistance offered by a UK taxpayer despite his Festivities in the City events p14 being in mortal danger from UK-assisted weaponry; even a OKS Christmas Drinks virtual attempt to replace a destroyed home place: these are the actions of OKS attempting to do what they can for civilisation. A Tercentenary and the Cathedral Appeal news p14 Not that there is no fun for OKS to have: the Arrow Trophy The Cantuarian Lodge sounds as if it could easily attract more enthusiasts. And intellectual fun was certainly part of what drew Paddy Leigh The Boat Club 1862-1972 arts p15 Fermor’s admirers to the School in October, where among their A remarkable history is published rewards was his rich King’s archive. Meanwhile, there are Obituaries here that tell of lives well ‘Sales people like me’, a list lived, some in great service to the School, like those of Peter and a letter careers p16 Willis and Pat Hopkins. Forty good pages lie ahead... Careers Talk, University Reps and Careers Day

Stephen Woodley Heads and What They Tell Us archives p18 Our ‘Unknown OKS’ is William Pugin Thornton

Sporting Round-Up sport p19 Dates for the diary OKS Football and Sailing

8 April 2017 16 May 2017 Offcuts and For The Record are edited by Stephen Woodley (Common The Cantuarian (OKS OKS Committee Meeting Room 1969-98), assisted by an Editorial Committee of Felicity Lyons, Masonic) Lodge Meeting The Cavalry & Guards Club, Chair (SH 1975-77), Peter Henderson (Common Room 1969-), KSC, Canterbury Piccadilly and Kirsty Mason with further support from Paul Pollak (Common Room 1950-88). 29 April 2017 11 June 2017 OKS Evensong Tradescant 40th Reunion All information for publication should be sent to Elaine Lynch (etl@ The Quire, Canterbury Tradescant House, St kings-school.co.uk). Tel:01227 595672. Unless otherwise credited, Cathedral Augustine’s, KSC photographs are by Matt McArdle, Kirsty Mason or School Archives. This publication has been produced by Lee Rigley at the King’s 6 May 2017 2 July 2017 School Press. OKS May Reunion OKS King’s Week Lunch (up to 1965) Green Court Marquee, KSC Tudor Lawn, St Augustine’s, KSC

2 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine News From the OKS President 2017 has got off to a good start for the work) in the financial sector. Pete Davies OKS Association. We welcome to the (MO 1985-90 and CEO of Lansdowne Committee Ben Reid (MR 1994-99) and Partners) is kindly hosting the event. The Veronica Olszowska (WL 1984-86). The May Reunion at KSC on the 6 May will Committee meets three times a year be a great occasion for those who were at (twice in London, once in Canterbury) the School up to and including 1965 and and oversees the OKS Association’s their families. House reunions continue programme of events. We would be to be popular among the OKS – the delighted to hear from further OKS Tradescant 40th Anniversary Reunion in who might be interested in joining the June will offer OKS the opportunity not Committee. only to reminisce but also to explore the newly refurbished House. And finally, I The annual Christmas drinks were held would like to thank the Association for at The Vintry, a popular bar in the City of the fantastic ‘Hungry Caterpillar baby kit London, which enabled a good number cake’ on the birth of my son – its contents of OKS to attend. On 4 May we have have been most useful! a networking evening in London for those OKS working (and who wish to Charlotte Pragnell From the Headmaster

I never cease to be amazed by the of both the Oxford and Cambridge I wrote to you about by e-mail), which very high standard and the breadth of school debating competitions. are coming on well – and on budget and music-making at King’s. It is a proud on time! Headmaster who writes in the wake On the staff front, James Outram, after of a very fine performance of Mozart’s a very successful tenure as Housemaster STOP PRESS: Hot off the press, planning Requiem in the Cathedral Quire last of Linacre, has been appointed Registrar permission has just been approved Saturday and following thirteen excellent to succeed Graham Sinclair – and the unanimously by the City Council to pupil recitals the weekend before at the Outram family feel to Linacre will be enable us to start immediately with Piano Competitions. By the partnership kept strong by Mat Lister (OKS) who the development of the Malthouse site that inspirational Director of Music with wife, young children and obligatory (the Performing Arts Centre and the Will Bersey has built up with Duet house dog takes on the baton there! International College) – two big projects Music, King’s pianists now have a group Luke Bartlett has had an excellent to go alongside the current works on the of absolutely wonderful Steinways to start as Deputy Head (Academic) and new Mitchinson’s in St Radigund’s Street practise and perform on – and the the Bursar’s fine team deserve much and beginning the preparatory works for relationship also meant that Oxana praise for their brilliant work on all our the Precincts project. Shevchenko, the rising global piano star simultaneous and exciting projects (ones Peter Roberts who adjudicated our competitions and was so impressed by our players, stayed on to give a terrific recital of 19th and 20th Russian music in the Shirley Hall.

Meanwhile, Freddie Allinson (6a, School House), Captain of Boats, and Sarah Beevors (6b, Kingsdown) have been selected to train in GB rowing squads and Millie Knight (6a, Marlowe) has been ruling the downhill slopes in preparation for her Paralympics Gold Medal bid in the winter. Netball, lacrosse, football and hockey teams are doing well when the changeable spring weather allows – and our top performers for fencing, swimming and cross country have had some dazzling successes.

Thinking about future generations of OKS taking silk, our debaters have been astounding, getting through to the finals www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 3 News News from King's New Mitchinson’s Work has started on constructing the new Mitchinson’s House. The site is at 16 St Radigund’s Street between Hawkswells the picture framers and The Dolphin public house and stretches back to Duck Lane. The building was once the workshop of Count Louis Zborowski and was where he built the original Chitty Bang Bang racing car. The imaginative design by architects Walters & Cohen preserves the existing frontage and will have an internal courtyard. The House is due to open in January 2018. The removal of Mitchinson’s from the Mint Yard will then enable the significant enhancement of the School’s science facilities.

Musicians Dashing for Francis Bushell (Galpin’s) performed at the Last Night the Post of the Proms. A bassoonist, he was one of the Proms Youth Ensemble appearing alongside members of the On 6 October the School BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo in the hosted a joint King’s Society- opening piece, Tom Harrold’s Raze. Francis was also Patrick Leigh Fermor Society the winner of the Marlowe Young Musician of the Year event. Visitors were given a competition – the third successive victory for King’s. guided tour focusing on the Flautist Charlotte Johnson (Walpole) has been awarded School as it was in 1929-31 the DipABRSM (Diploma of The Associated Board of the and there was an exhibition Royal Schools of Music) for Music Performance. Siegfried in the Shirley Hall illustrating Aylward (Mitchinson’s) and Louise Gerth (Kingsdown) PLF’s schooldays and his later are members of the prestigious National Youth Training connections with King’s. There Choir. Hugh were several PLF manuscripts Rowlands (Galpin’s), on display, including the the leader of the original version of Abducting School Orchestra a General, as well as letters to who took up the Canon Shirley, Paul Pollak and baton for Rutter’s others. The Very Best Time of the Year at the The occasion was also the Justin Marozzi Christmas Concert, official book launch of Dashing has been offered an for the Post: The Letters of organ scholarship Patrick Leigh Fermor and the editor Adam Sisman was on hand to Sidney Sussex, to sign copies as well as to give a short introduction to the book. Cambridge. Ceri The evening concluded with talks from Artemis Cooper, PLF’s Ngai (Kingsdown) biographer, on ‘The Reluctant Subject: Writing the Life of Patrick also has an organ Leigh Fermor’; Justin Marozzi (MR 1984-89) on ‘Remembering scholarship – to Paddy: From King’s to Kardamyli’; and Colin Thubron, President Lady Margaret Hall, of the Royal Society of Literature, on ‘Paddy the Writer’. Oxford.

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Hello and Goodbye From the Peter Wells retires as Headmaster of Junior Common Room King’s this summer. Peter and Vivienne (pictured) Luke Bartlett is the new Deputy Head Academic have been at Milner (Master or Director of Studies in old money). He Court since 2000 and comes from Uppingham School where he was Head have overseen significant of Science. Geoff Cocksworth steps down after sixteen developments at the years. He was only the School, including the fourth holder of the office Robertson’s astro and since it was created in the Herbert Music 1954, his predecessors School. The new Head being RW Harris, is Emma Károlyi, at Chris Millar and Brian present Deputy Head and Director of Studies Turner. Geoff is now at Loretto Junior Director of the King’s School (‘The Nippers’), School Canterbury Edinburgh. Her husband International College Julian teaches Modern which will be built on Languages at Loretto the Malthouse site next Senior School and they to Blore’s. have two children.

Millie Knight, World Champion Millie Knight (Marlowe), with guide Brett Wild, won the women’s visually impaired downhill in the World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, on Wednesday 25 January, just a few days after her 18th birthday. This is believed to be Britain’s first ever World Championship gold. She had won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships in 2015. Millie then won three silver medals in the super combined event, the giant slalom and the slalom. Millie had already won eleven medals, including seven golds, in an outstanding World Cup season.

www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 5 Features

With the Clinton Campaign

Louisa Dearlove (HH 2007-12) and Lucinda Knight (LX 2007-12) worked for Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the 2016 American presidential election. Firstly Louisa describes campaigning in Ohio and then Lucinda reflects on the result.

OHIO GOTV orking in Ohio on the Hillary do find energised people, they are very Clinton campaign was easily willing to help as they know themselves the most incredible experience how important their state is. The number WI have ever had. The people, the energy of people I spoke to on the phone or and the lessons I learnt, all made it knocked on their door who actually unique. I was completely out of my wanted to listen to what I had to say comfort zone, in a different world, and I shocked me as I know in the UK most loved every minute of it. of us would simply hang up or shut the door, myself included! Canvassing I quickly learnt that the Ohio office and phone banking are a big part of the was very different from the New York American election as some people are headquarters I had been working in completely uneducated and unaware of over the summer. In New York there are what is going on, therefore grassroots volunteers flowing through the doors but campaigning is key. in Ohio it was a challenge every day to engage and recruit volunteers to be able Many people are unable to approach a to carry out our phone banks and GOTV news story critically and simply believe (Get Out The Vote) scheme. My main what the media tells them. I learnt how role was identifying the field offices that to engage with a variety of people and were not performing up to standards, how different strategies had to be used. analysing what the issues were and I was shouted at, sworn at and hung up re-strategizing. As well as this I would on more times than I can remember but work at the surrogate rallies and I was you have to keep up the energy and hope fortunate enough to hear some incredible that you will at some point have that one speakers including Joe Biden, President important conversation with someone Obama, Tim Kaine and at the GOTV that will make a difference. concert we saw Beyoncé, Jay Z and Hillary Clinton herself. I heard many shocking things during my time there, including Trump I have always been aware how different protesters outside rallies viciously elections are in the UK and the US but protesting abortion rights. In the UK working in Ohio, a key swing state, elections, issues such as abortion are emphasised this even more. When you not even looked at during campaigns.

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Lucinda (left) and Louisa catch-up with colleagues Looking back on election night

As the wheels left the tarmac of Columbus International Airport, the magnitude of what I had just witnessed, or, even worse, played a part in, began to sink in, making me question BA’s decision to put me in control of the emergency exit. By association with the cataclysmic failure of the Clinton campaign had I just contributed to the downfall of liberal America?

When Donald Trump won the Republican primaries back in May 2016, it was clear that this was going to be an election like no other. When the opportunity came along to play a part in this historic drama facing America, Yet in America it is a vital issue. It was I have learnt that I desperately want to I knew I had to grab it by the… horns. raised repeatedly and was always the live in a world where women’s rights are With comical debates, daily scandals and focus of protestors. I spoke to a man for not even an issue, they are simply human conspiracies it certainly didn’t disappoint. 20 minutes on the phone who said he rights. I want people to be educated Yet as gripping and amusing as it was, wanted to vote for Hillary Clinton but he and be able to make informed decisions the possibility of Trump winning never could not accept her position on abortion without being swayed by the media and seemed to gain traction amongst pollsters therefore was voting for Trump. He to be able to engage with the people and and campaigners alike, which heavily disagreed with all of Trump’s policies but politics around them. contributed to the shock and emotional could not accept Hillary because of this outpouring that followed the result. one policy, which completely baffled me, I know many people dislike Hillary a 21st century woman. Clinton, and some of the things I When looking back to election night learnt about her in America made me and my journey home the following day, Another shocking aspect was the number question her greatly. However, I know those 48 hours seem like a total blur. On of women who told me that they do not human rights, women’s rights and global the day of the election we were up at 5am vote as their husband votes for them and cooperation are the most important thing, ready to start our final GOTV (Get Out some went as far to say it was not their therefore, no matter if you win or lose, The Vote) run. Banging doors from 7am- right as they did not work. It stunned what matters is that you fought on the 6pm, the enormity of what we were a part me to hear this from women living in right team and the team you believed in. of manifested as a mix of excitement and a supposed First World country which Louisa Dearlove adrenalin. After committing so much is home to some of the most inspiring to a cause, working 16-hour days – the women in the world. anticipation of the big day led to an electric atmosphere. In hindsight what The outcome of the election did not seems so crazy is that Hillary’s victory surprise me because the Mid-West is seemed a certainty that day – work done, a completely different world from the the party was about to begin. coastal states I had visited and worked in previously, and has been left disillusioned At around 11pm, the stark realisation and forgotten by Washington. The most that the party was cancelled started to important lesson I learnt, therefore, dawn on the Clinton Campaign across was the desperate need for education. America. What should have been a Educating voters to look at the media wild night of congratulatory political critically, to be able to identify when debauchery quickly turned into a a person is using rhetorical devices, political funeral. Whilst all around us educating women that they have an descended into shock, then grief, the five important place in society beyond that of us (including Louisa) representing of a wife and mother. Hillary losing the Great Britain tried to employ British ‘stiff election was shocking and immensely upper lip’ humour to lighten the mood, sad at the time as I was surrounded which was not received as intended by by inspiring people who had spent 18 our hysterical American colleagues. For months on the campaign trail working us it really was the only way of dealing the hardest they could and who deserved with our emotions that evening. ▶▶ to succeed. Through her defeat though, www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 7 Features

No outcome could ever devalue the to me, from helping coordinate the Ohio tad dramatic. Thinking about President experience I had working on the GOTV concert (headlined by Beyoncé Trump causes a large amount of anxiety campaign. If anything our loss has taught and Jay Z), to undercover filming but to what degree this is justified me more, waking me up to the worrying Trump rallies for the benefit of the New remains to be seen. What we do know is state of the world we are living in today and the changing face of politics. The experience I gained working on the campaign and the memories made will forever be invaluable and unforgettable “Had I just contributed to the downfall of liberal America?”

Hampshire Democratic Party. Every that Trump and his campaign reached day came with a new adventure, not out to a forgotten political class, and as to mention the various inspirational it turns out, in America there seems to politicians I got to come in contact be a lot of them. What we should worry with including President Obama about is the unknown: unpredictability himself, Michelle, Joe Biden, Elizabeth when combined with the POTUS Twitter Warren, Hillary Clinton, Bernie handle is the political equivalent of a Sanders and the not so inspirational Molotov cocktail. What I believe we can President Donald Trump! be hopeful for is that the stringent system of checks and balances, which paralysed With the benefit of hindsight, my much of the Obama Presidency, moment of despair on the tarmac will continue to plague Mr Trump’s of Columbus International Airport, administration over the next four years. Lucinda having singlehandedly caused the Lucinda Knight Knight destruction of the West or at least liberal America, might have been a

8 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine Features VIRTUAL ALEPPO AN OKS STORY Alex Pearson (GR 1992-97) creates a virtual reality to offset the horrors of destruction. Alex graduated from the London Film School as a director and enjoyed success working across the film industry before specializing in interactive media. He founded red thread.media in 2015 as a creative consultancy for film makers looking to engage audiences through a variety of platforms. If you would like to know more about Alex’s work, including his own projects, please visit www.redthread.media

The most insightful lesson I was taught at King’s was about agency.

Following the publication of our GCSE results, the year group had been gathered and divided in two: those with results high enough that they could now study medicine or law and go on to Oxford or Cambridge and those of us whose we might realize his ambition to Transferring physical objects into options were now more limited. I’d become an architect and reconstruct a virtual environment is relatively always been pretty single-minded about Aleppo in actuality. The first step was straightforward and accessing that working in theatre or film, but it still to take Mohammed and his family digital world is made all the easier stung to know that had I been smarter, out of Aleppo, which was achieved by the ubiquity of smartphones and harder-working and perhaps taken by organising an exhibition of his internet-enabled devices. We have advantage of the opportunities outside models in the southern Turkish city of already hosted our first workshop in of St. Mary’s Hall, I could have sat on the Gaziantep. That is where we met and London, encouraging children to follow other side of the aisle. began prototyping our big interactive Mohammed’s lead and create model project. For the next week we rebuilt the buildings which we then digitize, using Many years on I found myself working in models that had had to be abandoned a process called ‘Photogrammetry’ made documentary film, presenting stories on in the razed garage and to them added viewable through a head-mounted screen, only to be asked by the audience, conductive paint, microprocessors and display. Eventually we would like to “What can we do to make a difference?” I touch points which allowed us to embed build a virtual reality ecosystem that had nothing to offer them. sound effects and testimony within the participants can not only contribute their paper-crafted city as a demonstration buildings to but also inhabit with friends Frustratingly, I would be invited to of how we might make them interactive and neighbours. speak at film festivals and workshops and represent more than just the lost on ways that emerging media platforms architecture of Aleppo. The process of That is all for the future. For now, could generate significant contemporary building the models and supplementing Mohammed and his family reside in change, and although I evangelized them with human histories was Turkey, having failed to cross the Aegean “Transmedia” I often felt that I was selling something that could be emulated by from Izmir. We have English lessons each a lie. And then I met Mohammed Kteish. others as a communal restoration project. week over Skype, when I also update the The next consideration would be how family on the progress of the workshops I was introduced to Mohammed we might incorporate all the work from and their application for migration to through some footage sent by my friend, participants into one large-scale diorama. Canada, as well as any news from a Waad Alkateab, who had grown into For that we decided to explore virtual number of architects who have offered to one of Syria’s most courageous citizen reality. support Mohammed’s wish to join their journalists. In the video files, I found the profession. story of a boy who had salvaged whatever For Mohammed and his family, as well materials he could scavenge from the as the many refugees that I have spoken It is difficult to say whether any of ravaged streets of the Seif el Dawla with, the prospect of returning to Syria this will have any real impact on their district and used them to construct under the rule of Basher Al-Assad would lives and I am often reminded of my an entire scale model of Aleppo in his be inconceivable. Therefore it seemed incapacity to achieve anything really father’s garage. appropriate that the project should worthwhile, but then I remember the exist in a way that was accessible to the ignominy of sitting on the wrong side of We started talking via Facebook and diaspora wherever they may be. the aisle. Google Translate and discussed how www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 9 Features

A Day at the Office, Yemeni Style

Zhihao Oon (GR 1997-99) t was just another usual day at the and United States was frequently used in is currently working as a office. In this case, the usual was these devastating and deadly attacks. As a a sweltering 37 degrees C and the UK resident, taxpayer and now potential registrar anaesthetist at office was the appropriately named victim, the irony did not escape me. King’s College Hospital, IAbs Rural Hospital, a small hospital in London. As he describes, north Yemen, some 50km from the Saudi Suddenly, the doors to the operating border (and frontline), supported by MSF theatre swung open and a local A&E he recently took time out which provided basic healthcare facilities nurse burst in and yelled, waving to work with Médecins to the local population and internally wildly in the direction of the A&E, Sans Frontières (MSF) in displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the war. “Come quick, patient, bomb!” I looked Yemen, and on return was We were deep in “rebel” Houthi territory. bemusedly at the surgeon. We did not I was the expat anaesthesiologist and hear an explosion, how could there have prominently featured in the was in charge of managing the delivery been a bomb? Nevertheless, we ran to MSF newsheet and was also of the anaesthetic service at this project. interviewed by the Middle This involved organising the requisition of medical supplies (which arrived East correspondent of the sporadically every 6-12 months from Financial Times and was Barcelona), training the local Yemeni featured in the FT. nurses and nurse anaesthetists and also treating and anaesthetising patients. I was far removed from my usual job as a “militant” junior doctor and from the politics that plagued the NHS.

“Militant” in Yemen took on a different meaning. An invisible hostile warplane thundered across the sky, leaving me with a sense of unease. The Houthis did not have an air force. Any serviceable jets that may have fallen into their hands had been long destroyed, bombed out whilst they sat idle on the airfields or hangers, by members of the Saudi-Led Coalition (SLC). The SLC controlled the skies above. Air strikes were common, air strikes against aid facilities and civilian structures were not uncommon. Sophisticated weaponry purchased from the United Kingdom

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A&E to investigate. I was greeted with a “Uncle” Joseph, our expat Italian surgeon, After three months of working with MSF sight that I had never before encountered. was a very experienced vascular surgeon in Yemen, I returned to London in July On the gurney lay a man in his mid- this was a small rural hospital, and we did 2016. Several weeks later, on August 15 thirties, his blood-soaked clothes ripped not have any of the essential anaesthetic 2016, Abs Rural Hospital was hit by an air to shreds and caked with mud. He or surgical equipment to perform strike by the SLC, killing 19 people (five had lacerations all over his body from complex vascular surgery. Blood was also of whom were children) and injuring which blood was oozing. He was very in short supply; we would frequently ask a further 24 people. The hospital was confused and kept trying to get off the patients’ relatives to donate blood to save out of action for 11 days. According gurney despite being asked to lie still the lives of their loved ones. to independent experts and Amnesty so that we could assess his injuries. His International, a US-made Paveway laser- confusion worried me – it indicated Uncle Joseph tied off the severed vessels guided precision bomb was used in this that he had lost a significant volume to stop the bleeding and it appeared attack. of blood. His companion explained that the patient had stabilised; his blood through a translator that the patient was pressure improved and his heart rate I was struck by how most of the Yemenis working for another NGO as a mine normalised. We would need to transfer I met were quietly accepting of their life sweeper, in a neighbouring district, him out for emergency specialist life- situation and the war that was destroying some 20 kilometres away, and was in the saving surgery. The nearest hospital that their beautiful country. Despite living in process of disarming a landmine when could perform major vascular surgery abject poverty and under constant threat, it exploded. Whilst most landmines are and that had anything that remotely they rarely complained and expressed designed primarily to maim rather than resembled an intensive care unit was gratitude at being alive and for whatever kill, some are fitted with an anti-handling another MSF supported hospital in aid and assistance they received. I look mechanism and designed specifically to Hajjah, in the mountains, some 100km forward to the day when I can volunteer kill those attempting to disarm them. and two hours away via ambulance. In again with MSF and, in some little way, the UK, a transfer of this urgency would make a difference to someone else’s life. We quickly anaesthetised him, secured normally be via a helicopter. But this his airway and started to prepare him was Yemen. It was a long drive, through Zhihao Oon's grandfather gained an for immediate surgery. As we did not the bumpy and frequently untarred Engineering degree at Cambridge have any monitors to measure his heart mountain roads. Having to slow down University before the War, and had rate, I had my fingers on his pulse. It was and pause at the military checkpoints to spend the Japanese occupation of thready, a faint flutter under my fingers. whilst paperwork was scrutinised also Singapore disguised as a coolie. Of his Moments later, his pulse faded and his added to the delay. The ambulance three badminton-playing sons, all reached heart stopped beating. We started CPR had to drive through a fairly large (and the final stages of the All-England at and gave him adrenaline immediately. fortunately dry) river bed as the bridge Wembley, and Xhi Hao’s father, Chong After a few tense minutes, we got a pulse which crossed the river was destroyed, Teik, was ranked no.4 in the world at one back, albeit a weak one. We rushed him bombed by the SLC some months ago. time. All three brothers eventually became to theatre where he received over 10 pints Sadly, just 10 minutes away from Hajjah hospital consultants in Singapore. of blood whilst the surgeons desperately hospital and despite our best efforts, attempted to stop the bleeding from a the patient succumbed to his injuries, shredded iliac artery and vein (major another statistic in this conflict. blood vessels of the body). Whilst www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 11 Events

Broughton 40th Anniversary Reunion Andy McGrath (BR 1976-81) and Genevieve Bushell (BR 1993-95) – pioneers of Broughton as a boys’ house in 1976 and as a girls’ house in 1993 – return to St Augustine’s.

Andy: It was far more than simply After the champagne reception, amidst splendid achievements of subsequent a fleeting moment seeing old friends jocularity and further reminiscing, generations who continued and still and inspirational teachers from forty a delicious lunch was served in the maintain that distinctive Broughton years ago on 16 October 2016. It was Undercroft and we were warmly ethos and those traditions in their own a joyous reunion full of laughter and welcomed by the Headmaster, Peter inspiring and unique way. Huge thanks to banter, tinged with wistful nostalgia. Roberts. Then Mike Hodgson delivered all concerned. Magnificent Anniversary During the few hours we were reunited, a characteristically entertaining Reunion! the overwhelming sense was one and moving speech. It encapsulated of reminiscence and gratitude. We the unique ethos of his time as first Genevieve: Walking back into the were very fortunate to have had Mike Broughton Housemaster, peppered grounds of St Augustine’s as a nearly Hodgson, his dear wife, Stella, and Robin with memorable anecdotes of sporting 40-year-old for Broughton’s 40th reunion Finney as a ‘triumvirate’ who guided us prowess, and all with their wise pastoral care and acted surprising House as true mentors during those formative Song and Play years. We learnt a sense of fair play, successes during developed a work ethic, cultivated team that ‘Golden Age’. spirit and forged friendships – many of He ended with a which have lasted a lifetime. We owe sobering coda of them, and many other wonderful tutors, remembrance and so much. a toast to ‘absent friends’ no longer With a gift of a facsimile of the first with us. House photo, we were graciously guided Pat Wakeham and on House Tours by the current girls of Cath Shearer’s Broughton. Much was still recognisable, ensuing speeches triggering a flood of intense memories delineated the and amusing tales of those foundational evolution into an years. all-girls’ House, recounting the

12 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine Events

A gathering of Broughton’s HSMs made me feel both young and old we got into during that happy time, Broughton girls in my year, Annabel at the same time. I was immediately pointed at photos of our fellow students Larder (née Blair), Georgie Cross (née transported back to being a teenager in old school photos and tried in vain Lake) and Rebecca Coppin (née Pick) and all the excitement, anxiety and hope to work out where our rooms were and meeting their partners and children. that brought with it. I had a guided tour throughout our time there. We were I realised how quickly time goes by, just with my old comrade Sian Goodman far from disappointed to find there how beautiful St Augustine’s is and what (née Saunders) by two girls who would was the same smell of burnt toast in a privilege it was to have lived within have been our age when Sian and I Broughton and cabbage and potatoes the grounds. I also realised just how found ourselves becoming best buddies in the Refectory (which had the same cherished school friends are. It was a very by virtue of being placed in the same big wooden benches) and just as things happy day and I was delighted to be a ‘dorm’ on day one of starting at King’s couldn’t get any better we bumped into part of it. (the first year that girls had ‘taken over’ our housemistress, Mrs Wakeham, who Broughton!) gave us warm hugs and told us she could still see the mischievous 16 year-olds she Images credited to Martin Mayer Sian and I careered around the corridors, had to look after all that time ago. I spent (SH 1959-63) reminiscing about the various escapades a very happy day catching up with other

www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 13 Events OKS CHRISTMAS DRINKS Over 50 OKS braved the unseasonal balmy weather for wine and nibbles at The Vintry, a popular watering-hole in the City of London. There was a strong showing from the 2002-2007 year group, doubtless tempted out with the promise of chips and dips although it was Alan Nash (GR 1964 -68) who won the accolade of booking first. His prize was an exclusive, top of the range King’s School Christmas tree bauble, which, we were assured, took pride of place on his Christmas tree. The venue proved such a success and so convienient for those dropping in after work that the OKS Association have booked the private bar for this year’s bash. It holds 100 guests so put Thursday 30 November in the diary. Same time, same place, see you there.

THE CANTUARIAN LODGE The Cantuarian (OKS Masonic) by the School to have made a special A service to Lodge celebrated its 75th Anniversary contribution to its community, and celebrate the in 2013 and is very active with over funds two annual prizes at Speech Day. Tercentenary took 50 members ranging in age from 26 place in February to 84 years old from a wide range of 2017 will mark a significant year for in Canterbury professions and businesses. The Lodge the Cantuarian Lodge as we join in Cathedral; it was meets four times a year in London the celebrations of the Tercentenary attended by over and once in Canterbury and provides of the founding, in 1717, of English 1,000, including another social forum for OKS and Freemasonry. Freemasons have enjoyed Freemasons and their partners and others who have close connections to a special relationship with Canterbury friends. The service was led by the the King’s School. We participate in Cathedral over many years. As part of Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, charitable activities which cover both the Tercentenary, the Freemasons of the Very Revd Robert Willis. The financial and volunteering support. Kent, Surrey and Sussex have raised Cantuarian Lodge will be holding and donated £200,000 towards the its annual Ladies’ night dinner in In 2015 the Lodge made a donation of restoration of the North West transept Canterbury on Saturday 8 April in the £10,000 to the Metropolitan Masonic and its pinnacles. The Cantuarian beautiful Refectory at St Augustine’s. Charity to support the London Air Lodge itself has made a special Join us on Twitter @OKS_Masonic or Ambulance and other good causes. The donation of £5,000 to the Cathedral as visit www.cantuarianlodge.org.uk to Lodge makes donations each year to part of this appeal. keep up to date with our activities. two King’s pupils who are considered

14 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine Arts KSC Boat Club: A Remarkable History Rory Reilly (Common Room 1988-2014) reviews Michael Dover’s book, A History of Rowing at the King’s School, Canterbury: Part I, 1862-1972.

What I loved about the book was the way that it relates to the history of the School and to rowing in the wider context. I wonder who was behind the purchase of that first boat from the most prestigious Searles of Lambeth, “Boatbuilders to Her Majesty”; was it really just four pupils? We learn how rowing fitted into this new idea of organised school sport, with expertise coming back to the School from the Oxford and Cambridge Colleges. We see some wonderful photographs and illustrations – I particularly like the accounts showing that the wine for christening the 1862 boat cost one shilling and two pence, and on the 21 April another two shillings went to the “man for watching the boat”.

We hear of the great Edmond Warre writing on the Harvard-Oxford Boat battled against the deficiencies of Pluck’s So what if circumstances had been Race of 1869 with OKS Frank Hall Gutter and yet produced crew after different? I am absolutely certain that if steering OUBC. Steve Fairbairn, Ran crew that could take on the big schools. David Goodes had been able to coach his Laurie, Karl Adam, Ronnie Howard, Winning, or even coming in the first crews on the Tideway, Thames or Cam Jim Railton and many others weave three, in the Schools’ Head of the River then the final outcome would not have in and out. But, as Mike points out, it Race on the Tideway is an indicator had this perennial nagging frustration. took a knowledgeable and enthusiastic of real quality and crews at this level Headmaster, the Revd Dr Field, to put generally battle out the finals at Henley. So would I recommend this as a “must rowing on an organised footing in the And this is exactly what David’s crews read” book? Without hesitation yes School; some things never change! did. Although I knew the outcome, I still – not for those who want some mild

As we move through the 1950s and into the ‘60s we note the impact of Shirley: the appointment of David Goodes, the My over-riding feeling having opening of the Maugham Boathouse, the arrival of Peter Willis as boatman and the read the book is “what if”. ambition to be a “Major Rowing School”, but then we seem to lose contact with the top. I continually wondered if Canon Newell took an interest, if the Boat Club hoped to turn a page and discover that entertainment but for Staff who will had to fight its corner against other King’s had actually managed to win the recognise those familiar names, though a sports. As the reports of races, victories Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley but generation or three further down the line, and defeats through the ‘60s continued Mike outlines how that miserable East to the family members whose relatives I also wanted to hear more from David Kent stretch of water always managed are part of this story, and particularly Goodes. There are glimpses into changes to concoct some hideous issue which to those who have followed the mantra in philosophy, developments in training David could not overcome. Losing days of ‘mileage makes champions’ whether methods and changes in personnel, but I of training in the summer term would on the Stour or indeed on the Westbere was left wanting to hear more of David’s be considered a serious problem, losing Lakes. What exists today rests very thinking and how it evolved over those weeks is a disaster, but David’s crews firmly on the shoulders of Shirley and of years. raced in four semis and three Henley course Goodes. finals despite losing precious time on the Mike lays out clearly Fred Shirley’s water in most of those years. ambition. He brought in a top-class coach in David Goodes, he supported him with other coaching staff and he To order a copy of the book please contact Ewan Pearson gathered sufficient funds to build a [email protected]. Copies are £50 including postage in the UK proper boathouse. What he couldn’t or £47.50 excluding postage outside the UK. Please include your address with alter was the stretch of water that David’s orders. crews would row on. For years David www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 15 Careers SALES UNIVERSITY REPS: WHO’S WHO IN 2017 PEOPLE, Events are in the pipeline at numerous universities all over the country. The ongoing success of the network is testament to the strength of friendships LIKE ME formed at King’s. It was fun at school peaking to Mary de but it is definitely better at uni. Here’s a Sausmarez (MT 1982-84), message from one of our Reps, Sophie Senior Vice President Lark (WL 2009-14) who is starting her Sales, British Telecom, you second year at Bristol University studying Swould not initially think ‘that’s a Geography; sales person’, and this is exactly the point she made in her talk on “University can seem a daunting thing at 6 December. When Mary asked first but knowing that I had fellow OKS the pupils what they thought at Bristol made the beginning of my first the personal traits of a sales year so much easier, just through seeing person might be, she received the a few friendly faces. OKS University responses “determined”, “sneaky” Drinks are a great way to keep in contact and “devious”; exactly as she with old friends but also make new ones, Sophie Lark had expected. However, Mary people that you didn’t necessarily know proceeded to explain how these at school. who are studying at university. If you are traits were counter-productive to interested in becoming an OKS Rep or ‘big’ business sales where better As the OKS University Coordinator I have any questions, please get in touch.” traits were trustworthiness, the oversee and coordinate events with the Sophie can be contacted at ability to think outside of the box, other OKS University Reps for OKS [email protected] and a high level of emotional intelligence.

Mary explained that as most of her customers were highly See below the contact details for our representatives in Scotland and the North of intelligent people they valued England. A full list of OKS reps can be found at oks.org.uk sales people who were similarly intelligent and honest, and that for many of her customers she was not blindly selling them a product, but helping them to Henry Cross at St Andrews solve a problem with the correct [email protected] product. She demonstrated this by asking the pupils to think about how to market a hypothetical product, which was both fun and informative.

Mary’s talk gave an honest insight Anna Coady at Edinburgh into the world of corporate sales; [email protected] talking about the occasional long hours (although “they’re not that bad, many surgeons work longer Flora Mockridge hours”), the travelling, and the in Newcastle salary. Amy Gault in Durham [email protected] [email protected] If you would like to give a careers talk to pupils at the King’s School, please contact Dr Kirsty Mason Jemima Compton in Leeds ([email protected]). [email protected]

16 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine Careers Careers Day: A Correspondence

Dear OKS,

As a 6a pupil, who attended the OKS Careers Day in June 2016, I wished to say thank you for coming back to talk to us 6th form pupils. I was in the fortunate position of knowing that I wanted to read music at university by the time I was in 6b. As a result, I didn’t have too many concerns, but I do realise that this is a rare occurrence, and indeed lots of my friends had, and still have no idea what they want to study at university. In many cases, their main concern was picking the right course for them and, happily, there was a good variety of careers on display. Unfortunately for me, there was not really a representation for the music industry on the day. I have however since been told that there is a whole network of OKS musicians, which is very useful information!

On the day, the most memorable OKS were those who clearly enjoy what they are doing. When someone speaks with a real passion for his or her career then it can be quite inspiring. Looking forward, I think contact with someone in the relevant industry in a mentoring capacity would be useful, as it would allow students to receive valuable advice on their next steps after leaving school.

Hugh Rowlands (GL 2012 - )

Dear Hugh,

Thank you very much for your feedback. Kirsty Mason, the Careers Office and I have made some significant changes to the way the day is run; and what we hope to do now is give students an opportunity to talk with somebody who is doing what they want to do, whilst also giving everybody a chance to join in a number of lively discussions with a mix of speakers who reflect the very different paths that we follow into employment.

It’s always a challenge to find people who represent all the industries that students are interested in, but we work hard to recruit OKS from as many fields as possible; and we have continued to recruit more female OKS and younger OKS who can still just about remember what their GCSE and A Level choices were and why they made them! We want to encourage both students and OKS to make much more

use of the website as a networking and advice portal, via which N.B. the connections made at a careers event can be followed up. I’m glad you know of the OKS music network, which, I’m sure, will We are always looking to recruit OKS to the OKS Careersth Day form be happy to help you with careers advice. in June and to mentor 6 pupils and young OKS via the Once again, many thanks for making the effort to share your OKS website. Pleaseoks@kings- contact Kirsty Mason on if you would like to thoughts and good luck in your final months at Kings! school.co.uk become involved in either / both of these. Matthew Townshend, OKS Careers Rep. www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 17 ArchivesSport

Unknown OKS No. 18: William Pugin Thornton (1845-1913): Phrenology and Becket’s Bones time he was “carrying on the profession in a stone coffin in the Crypt. Speculation of Physician, Surgeon, and Apothecary, was soon widespread that these might at 42 and 35, St. George’s-place” in be the remains of Thomas Becket. partnership with Thomas Whitehead Thornton was prominent in the ensuing Reid (KS 1860-67), the medical adviser to controversy, including, inevitably, letters the School. to The Times. His formal ‘Surgical Report on a Skeleton found in the Crypt of Thornton was a man of wide-ranging Canterbury Cathedral’ was published in interests and was always ready to express Archaeologia Cantiana 1889 and merely his views in print. In addition to several alluded to Becket when discussing the contributions to the British Medical injuries to the skull. When this article was Journal, he wrote on ‘Bacon, why not the expanded into a small booklet entitled Author of Shakespeare?’, on the history of Becket’s Bones, Thornton’s phrenological his regiment, on the Dutch painted and propensities were given full rein: “The illiam Pugin Thornton was stained glass windows in the Canterbury breadth of the brow would have given born at Ramsgate in 1845 Museum, and on the management of large perceptive qualities; the rising and was at King’s from 1857 military hospitals. He was also a frequent appearance of the fore part of the skull Wto 1859. His family had long-standing correspondent in the newspapers meant much intellect; the immense connections with the School. His great whether on prison patients or on what volume of the hinder portion of the grandfather William Lepars Thornton he regarded as a misleading (and hence skull indomitable energy; the width of may well have been a King’s Scholar actionable) report on him “lying seriously the head, the power of arrangement and (1738-43); his grandfather, also William ill as the result of a dog bite”. He also management; and the flat appearance Lepars Thornton, was definitely here wrote to the Mayor in 1898 “complaining of the top of the head, with its slight (1784-85), as were two uncles James of the undue delay at the railway crossing depression, denoted that its owner Simmons and George Thornton (KS at St Dunstan’s, and stating that the gates was unworthy of trust.” The debate has 1815-22 and 1820-26 respectively). He need not be kept open for so long”. rumbled on, though mostly ignoring and his brother Henry John (KS 1847- the phrenology. Even Canon Shirley got 48), who was later a Major General One of his publications arose indirectly involved. in the Royal Artillery, were Heyman out of a proposed lecture to the boys of exhibitioners and hence related to many the King’s School. When asked to give In 1901 Thornton married, sold his books other OKS. a talk he looked out an earlier book at Sotheby’s and moved to Ireland where review on phrenology (the belief that his wife’s family came from. He died there Pugin Thornton, as he styled himself, aspects of personality were evident in the in 1913. went on to Winchester College and external features of the skull) and duly then to University College and London read the paper – “or rather the greater Hospitals. He captained the University portion of it, being called away to attend College rugby XV and qualified as a sick person”. Heads and What They a doctor. He became surgeon to Tell Us: Phrenological Recollections then Marylebone General Hospital in 1874 appeared as a book in 1891 and was in and specialised in diseases of the large part a plea “that phrenology may be throat. His first published work was On acknowledged to be an honest science”. Tracheotomy (1876). Meanwhile in January 1888 Thornton By 1885 he was in Canterbury. He had been summoned to the house of became medical officer to Canterbury Harry George Austin (KS 1835-37), Prison, was Surgeon-Lieutenant in the Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter. There East Kent Yeomanry Cavalry and for a he was asked to inspect the bones found

18 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine Sport THE ARROW TROPHY Hannah Goldsmith (LX 2008-13) reports on an eventful weekend’s OKS sailing on the Solent.

On 30 September 2016, sixteen OKS we chased after the few patches of sun the fleet thanks to good tactical decisions and five ringers converged on the Solent on our crossing to Cowes, fine-tuning and made it round the top mark in fifth, to compete in the Arrow Trophy 2016 our duties as crew. We tacked out of the holding our position round the rest of the against twenty-three boats crewed by way of Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup boat course. alumni of independent schools. (which was obviously learning a thing or two from us) and after many successful The second race was slightly more King’s were the only school to muster two spinnaker hoists and gybes we arrived in eventful as full sail and spinnaker was boats. We were split into a youth boat Cowes Yacht Haven in time for showers now allowed despite a weather front skippered by Peter Gray (King’s Blue) and sundowners before heading to The driving through, and confidently we and a smoked salmon eating boat led by Anchor pub for dinner and dancing. hoisted our sails again to full height. It Nick Rose (King’s White). Our Sunsail was on the first downwind leg that things F40s set sail on the Friday morning Saturday morning we nursed hangovers started looking a little hairy as the first into the Solent with a full spectrum of and bacon baguettes before setting sail boat to put their kite up looked wobbly, weather. Following a squall of wind and for the start line. Despite being about but we stormed on and filled the kite. hail then a spectacular double rainbow, twentieth over the line we caught up with The waves came crashing behind us and, after nose-diving a few times, broached spectacularly, giving the keel a good airing and sending me flying into the cold Solent until hero of the hour Mike Miller came Hannah to my rescue.

The weight of the kite dragging behind us in the water snapped the spinnaker halyard so we were able to right ourselves and tried to pull the spinnaker back on board. A loud rip was heard as it became evident that the spinnaker was snagged. We finished the race impressively in eighth but not before the leading boat broached, just as we had done, and as we groaned in empathy their mast snapped not-so- cleanly into three in front of our eyes.

Nursing bruises, we cracked on to race three with a good start after a general recall, this time without a kite (they were disallowed for this race). Rounding the leeward gate, a gybe saw the main sheet nearly decapitate Phil Spicer, which sent him flying headlong into a cleat on which he cut his head open rather nastily. With a bandaged head Phil powered on with the race and we made it across the line in fifth again and then sailed ashore to drop him off with the paramedics.

Champagne and beers were bought to celebrate our survival and Phil arrived back in time to get suited and booted before the Arrow dinner at the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The next morning, nursing heavy heads, we set sail out of Cowes Yacht Haven for the last time. Sunsail had delivered a new spinnaker, batons and a lifeline ring (that we had also lost over the side during the broach) so we started our first race as good as new... that ‘It’s a long way down’ – Hannah fixes the mainsail halyard is until the first downwind leg where we lost our other spinnaker halyard due to a faulty shackle. ▶▶ www.oks.org.uk Spring 2017 OKS OFFCUTS 19 Sport

Kite-less yet again we finished the race in fourth, then I was sent up the mast with a make-shift Bosun’s chair to retrieve the lost halyard while the other boats were finishing. This meant we only just made the start of the last race. We battled up the first beat only to find that the beak on our spinnaker pole had seized up. Gaining an inside overlap at the final leeward mark meant we scraped another passable result for King’s Blue to finish rd3 overall of the 20 boats in the fleet races.

Both crew and weather were in jolly spirits for a short motor back to Port Solent. The rum was cracked open and dancing on decks in the sun ensued, a thoroughly rewarding end to an exhilarating weekend. Many thanks to Richard Maltby (Common Room 1981- 2014) for making three brilliant days possible and to Commodore Dominic Molyneux. Peter Gray was a delight to crew for and thanks also to Phil Spicer for his organisation as well as taking a hit OKS crew included: Dicky Biddle (GL Kirkpatrick (SH 1976-77), Mike Miller for the team with his trip to the hospital. I 1978-83), Nicholas Briggs (GR 1981- (MO 1982-87), Dominic Molyneux (SH think I can speak for everyone when I say 86), Alfred Butrous (MR 1999-2004), 1978-83), Julian Molyneux (LN 1974-78), that it was a superb sailing weekend and Andrew Dean (LX 1973-78), Giles Dean Edward Parnell (TR 2006-11), Nick Rose the bruises were worth it. Bring on the (LN 2007-12), Hannah Goldsmith (LX (MR 1958-63), Phil Spicer (MR 2001-06) Arrow Trophy 2017! 2008-13), Peter Gray (MR 2002-07), and Ben Warnick (CY 2007-12). David Horton (LN 1957-61), Frederica OKS BOAT CLUB DINNER FOOTBALL REPORT

2nd XI in dark blue v KSC

The OKS 1st XI and 2nd XI took on KSC on Sunday 5 February at Birley’s. The 1st XI had a draw at 1-1 and the Fresh from her triumph at the Rio Olympics, guest of honour Fran Houghton (WL 1993-98) 2nd XI lost 4-6 to King’s with OKS presented Tom Dath (CY 2009-2014) with an award at the annual Canterbury Pilgrims Boat Harry Coombe retiring due to injury. Club and the King’s School Canterbury Boat Club dinner in September 2016. The next Boat Club Dinner takes place on Saturday 9 September at Birley’s Pavilion, Canterbury.

20 OKS OFFCUTS Spring 2017 The OKS Magazine