THE EAGLE HOUSE MAGAZINE

1949-1950 V M

ROBERT BRUCE LOCKHART Headmaster of Eagle House, ig°6—1927 1820 " STAS ET IN AETERNUM STES, AQUILINA DOMUS " 1950 Editorial. Eagle House, by virtue of the fact that it has a continuous record of existence over a period of 130 years, has the very great advantage of a real tradition behind it. We believe that this tradition is a potent factor in the life of the School; that this is so is due to a very great extent to the influence of one man, the late Mr. Robert Bruce Lockhart, Headmaster from 1906 to 1927, whose death last December at the age of 91 all those associated with the School so deeply deplore. The passing of this much loved and much respected man provides the subject matter for the appreciation, kindly written for us by one of his , which appears later in this issue. We, for our part, wish to place on record the benefits which we still receive as a result of his life of devotion to Eagle House. Many of the traditions which we seek to maintain and foster arise directly from what he sought to achieve during his term of headmastership ; in this respect we hope and believe that there is a continuity of purpose. First and foremost was the inculcation in his boys of the simple Christian virtues, for which there has never been a greater need than there is to-day. Added to which there was an emphasis on physical robustness, a high standard of industry and a spirit of independence and initiative-. If the present and future generations follow on these lines, they will be creating a living memorial to a great Headmaster, a memorial which would be dear to his heart. We know, both from letters received and from personal conversations, how strong and how highly valued are the links with their School which Old Boys forged while they were here under Mr. Lockhart. It is not therefore surprising that so many of them have given tangible expression to their feelings towards the School by sending their sons here; there are in fact no fewer than fifteen sons of Mr. Lockhart's Old Boys in the School at the time of writing; there are, of course, in addition many sons of relatives and friends of his Old Boys here—and more to come. The impression made on boys who were at Eagle House during Mr. Lockhart's regime was so deep that the School has provided a topic of conversation in all sorts of unlikely places all over the world and frequently when officers and professional men have been gathered together to indulge in reminiscences, it has not been long before the name of Eagle House, and of Bruce Lockhart in particular, has cropped up. And with these thoughts in our minds, we pass on to a review of our domestic affairs during the past year. It has been a period of steady progress towards the raising of the standard in the classroom, which has resulted in improved examination results. We congratulate Love on gaining 3rd Scholarship at St. Edward's School, Oxford—a just reward for five years' conscientious effort on the part of a boy who has not the attributes of a brilliant scholar. Results latterly in the Common Entrance Examination have more nearly attained the standard which we expect. Perhaps greater cause for satisfaction is to be found in the fact that several backward boys have succeeded in surmounting an obstacle which we feared might be too much for them. It is our experience that more and more boys come here with little in the way of prior education and in the case of boys of sub-average intelligence we are, in these days of increased competition for entry into the Public Schools, faced with an anxious task. We have slightly increased the periods of work during the past year but the greatest contribution towards the success of backward boys will be an ever increasing standard of industry. In order to foster this, we have recently instituted various additional forms of inducement including a work competition based on the number of places boys move up or down in the fortnightly marks, the results of which competi- tion also contribute towards the points for the Victory (Section) Cup. In short, we wish to give boys no excuse whatever for minimising the importance of hard work, if they are subsequently to make a success of their lives. We have had a successful year at .games. The Rugger team, without rising to great heights of technical skill, contrived to play a hard, bustling game, and to tackle uni- formly well, with the result that they only lost one match against another preparatory school. The Hockey team, in spite of being at little more than half strength for most of the season, won all their matches and were clearly a powerful and skilful side—the best we have, had for some years. The record of the side is not perhaps as impressive as we had hoped it might be, but it is not a true reflection of the merits of a team, which, when at full strength and in form, was as good as any in the neighbourhood ; of one thing there can be no doubt, by means of regular and willing practice it became the best fielding side we have had for many years. The most notable feature of the other branches of our life here has been the extreme activity which has taken place in the Art Room, where the output of lino-cuts and of basket- work has been prodigious. Carpentry too, has never been more popular nor, we believe, has the standard of work produced been higher. No account of our doings would be complete without reference to the attention which has been paid to singing .and musical appreciation among all boys in the School. In this sphere we owe a very great deal of the enthusiasm and energy of Mr. W. D. Bean who joined the Staff from Ely Cathedral in September, in the place of Lt.-Col. D. L. F. M. Standage who did not join us after all. Mr. O. W. Lough also arrived, as forecast in our last issue, in Septem- ber, to take over the coaching of Rugger and Cricket among other things ; he, together with his wife, occupies the flat which was recently made on the sight of the old Art Room. Mr. Thorp, Mr. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Lydall (Matron) and Mrs. Illingworth are still with us we are delighted to say. We have, however, to say goodbye to Mrs. Cradock who left us in June, after two years' most willing and energetic service here. We thank them one and all most sincerely for all that they have done and are doing. We are none the less grateful to those members of the Staff who have fed us and who have kept the gardens and grounds and the interior and exterior of the premises in such good trim. The School has been particularly fortunate this past year in its Head Boys and Prefects and much of the success which we have to report is due to their example and leadership. We are suffering a ' big leave ' at the end of this summer and we shall be a ' young school' during the coming year, but if the same healthy spirit remains in the school as has prevailed during the past year, we are confident that the coming ones will be at least as successful.

Birth. Wootton. On April ijih, 1950, at Eagle House, Sand- hurst, to Anne (nee Greensade), wife of Paul Wootton, a daughter. Salvete. Michaelmas, 1949. D. Q. Bayley, G. G. Brooks, I. L. Buxton, R. G. G. Fortin, J. D. G. Hooper, A. C. Moore, M. P. Talbot, D. R. M. Zambra. Lent, 1950. J. W. Mainwaring, A. C. Malim, C. G. Reeves, A. T. TurnbuU, N. V. Turnbull, D. C. S. Willis. Summer, 1950. J. Mitchell, J. W. R. Mizen, B. C. Mollan, I. J. K. Wainwright. Valete. Michaelmas, 1949. M. Cope (Framlingham), G. R. Hart (St. Edward's, Oxford), A. J. Oakley (Gordonstoun), N. F. Tovey (Bruton), D. Whitfeld (Radley). Lent, 1950. T. I. Macpherson (Wellington), M. A. F. Reeve (Eton). Summer, 1950. J. R. W. Bradshaw (Rugby), E. P. Cropper (Marlborough), M. R. H. Gittins (Wellington), J. P. Harvey (St. Edward's, Oxford), J. J. Love (St. Edward's, Oxford), D. A. Payne (Bromsgrove), C. G. Reeves (Canada), E. M. Spicer, C. J. Walton (Wellington). FINAL ORDER, SUMMER, 1950. Form I. Love. Whittall, J. Cropper. Buxton. Gittins, M. Smallwood. Bradshaw. Underwood. Form II. Maby. Gainher. Campbell, J. Dredge. Walton Payne. Harvey, J. Bobbie. Snyder. Harvey, D. Whitfeld. Bols. Form III Robertson. Smiles. Stephenson. French, R. Whittall, C. Fitzwilliams. Gittins, D. Faithfull. Balls. Hodgson. Peat. Oborne. Loder-Symonds. Form IV. Finn. Huntley. Worrall. Gregory-Smith. Mainwaring. Eden-Smith. Kirwan. Lockie. Lindsey-Renton. Fortin. Hooper. Campbell, H. French, P. Form V. Macdonald. Maclntyre. Malim. Spicer. Wainwright. Brooks. De Free. Cassels. Zambra. Gamble. Winship. Talbot. Form VI. Mizen. Bayley. Reeves. Mitchell. Turnbull, A. Willis. Farley. Turnbull, N. Moore. Mollan. HEAD BOYS Michaelmas. G. R. Hart. Lent. T. I. Macpherson. Summer. J. R. W. Bradshaw.

PREFECTS J. R. W. Bradshaw, E. P. Cropper, M. R. H. Gittins, G. R. Hart, D. B. Harvey, J. P. Harvey, J. J. Love, D. G. Maby, T. I. Macpherson, M. A. F. Reeve.

CUPS, ETC. Brudenell-Bruce Cups (for general efficiency) : (Senior) M. R. H. Gittins, J. J. Love. (Junior), R. Peat. Rugger Cups. T. I. Macpherson (forwards), M. R. H. Gittins (outsides), J. R. W. Bradshaw (kicking). Cricket Cup. (" Hardest Working Cricketer "), M. R. H. Gittins. Fielding Cup. J. R. W. Bradshaw. , Section P.T. Cup. Butler (Michaelmas), Pearson (Lent), Cobbe (Summer). Shooting Cup. J. R. W. Bradshaw (Michaelmas — Lent — Summer). Art Prizes, i, M. R. H. Gittins ; 2,1. L. Buxton (Senior). W. H. Campbell (Junior). Crafts Prize. D. A. Payne. Carpentry Prizes. N. B. Snyder (Senior). M. J. Worrall

(Junior). Boxing Cup. J. R. W. Bradshaw. Hockey Cup. J. R. W. Bradshaw. Swimming Cup. M. R. H. Gittins. Diving Cup. M. R. H. Gittins. Victor Ludorum. M. R. H. Gittins (Seniors), R. J. M. Gainher (Middles), J. G. A. McN. Lockie (Juniors). Section Sports Cup. Cobbe. Victory Cup. Butler (Michaelmas — Lent), Pearson (Summer). Chapel. Choir: A. J. Oakley, N. F. Tovey, J. J. Love, T. I. Macpherson, E. P. Cropper, M. R. H. Gittins, C. J. Walton, E. M. Spicer, J. B. L. Underwood, G. V. Smallwood, D. G. Maby, J. P. Campbell, H. C. Whittall, R. Peat, C. D. Gittins, B. C. T. Faithfull. Nobody can run before he can walk properly, and neither can nor should a choir attempt to sing elaborate hymn-tune settings and anthems before it can effectively lead a simple, straight-forward service. The first and most important duty of any choir is to lead the congregation in the singing (and saying) of the service, and this cannot be done until the choir equips itself for the task by working as a team, perfecting its tone and cultivating its sight-reading so as to be able to read, readily, a simple hymn- tune by sight. This is a fairly hard, but by no means impossible, task to set a choir, especially that of a preparatory school, but the choir of Eagle House is now attempting to reach the highest standard that can be reached in the two short practices held each week, and so make a good and effective chapel choir a tradition. But, as is the case in all schools, boys are liable to leave just when they are at their best, and therefore a steady flow of boys must be preparing to fill the gaps in the main choir as they occur. Such is the purpose of the second choir, which has worked loyally and hard without many people appreciating its purpose or even realising its existence. Members of this choir, apart from qualifying themselves for admittance to the first choir as vacancies occur, also deputise for members of the first choir when they are indisposed or otherwise absent, and are assigned to the end seat in each chapel pew, so as to lead the singing in that pew. Several boys have been promoted in the past year from the second to the first choir, and many more will shortly be following them, so that new recruits for the second choir are called for. The main choir has put in a hard year's work. Several anthems and descants have been sung, although not well as yet, owing to lack of experience ; and once, the second choir and the senior singing class joined the main choir in the singing of Parry's " Jerusalem," in place of the last hymn during a Sunday morning service. The seating arrangements in Chapel have been slightly altered; the front two pews on each side have now been turned to face inwards, and are occupied by the main choir. Apart from the ordinary morning and evening services, three services extraordinary have taken place : the Carol Recital, the programme of which can be found elsewhere in this magazine, and for whose valuable assistance in supplying the " underneath " parts we have to thank Miss Dobinson and Messrs. Clayton and Storrar : the service during which the War Memorial was unveiled and dedicated : and the Christening Service of Sarah Anne Wootton by her uncle, the Rev. Jeremy Wootton. A memorial service for Robert Bruce Lockhart, late Headmaster of Eagle House, was held in Chapel on Wed- nesday, 23rd November, 1949. The unveiling and dedication of the 1939-45 War Memorial was, perhaps, the outstanding service of the year, and the one which, no doubt, will hold the most interest for many Old Boys. A short service was held in Chapel, during which it was ex- plained that the War Memorial was placed on the site of the old chapel, since most of the Old Boys who fell in the 1939-45 war worshipped in that chapel. Later, the congregation proceeded with the choir to the War Memorial, which was dedicated by the Rev. W. D. Dinnis, M.A., Chaplain of Wel- lington College, late Chaplain R.N.V.R., after it had been unveiled by General Sir R. M. M. Lockhart, K.C.B., C.I.E., M.C. (O.E.H.), son of Robert Bruce Lockhart, late Head- master of Eagle House. After the dedication ceremony, Air Vice-Marshal R. G. Hart, C.B., C.B.E., M.C., father of the then head boy, laid the wreath. Chapel Clerks : A. J. Oakley, G. V. Smallwood, M. V. Oborne (with P. L. C. Dredge deputising from time to time) have worked wonderfully well and deserve every credit; they have received valuable assistance from Mrs. Lambourn, who has undertaken the care and maintenance of the altar frontals and chapel book marks. The following have very kindly come over to talk to us in Chapel: Rev. G. R. Whitcombe, who has been over twice, Rev. R. C. Rudgard, Rev. H. E. Kendall (Warden of St. Edwards, Oxford), Rev. M. M. Hodgins, who also celebrated Holy Communion in the Chapel, Rev. R. J. B. Eddison, K. P. Stewart, Esq., Rev. A. W. Hooper, M.C., Rev. G. H. Battenson, and Rev. A. C. Nugee. The School Prefects have read the weekday morning and Sunday lessons. Collections have been in aid of: Yateley Cottage Hospital, Earl Haig's Poppy Fund, East End Mission, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Pearson's Fresh Air Fund, and The Diocese of Singapore. » * * * In February we were fortunate in receiving a visit from Alan Franklin, Baritone, Ely Cathedral; we enormously enjoyed his recital which included songs by Handel, Men- delssohn and Vaughan Williams, Sea Songs and a selection from Light Opera. We are very grateful indeed to Mr. Franklin for his kindness in coming down especially to give us this recital. Plays and Carols. THE CRIMSON COCOANUT AN ABSURDITY by Ian Hay. Jack Pincher (a Detective) .. .. T. I. Macpherson Robert (a Waiter) .. .. D. G. Maby Mr. Jabstick ...... A.J.Oakley Nancy Jabstick (his Daughter) .. G. R. Hart Nitro Gliserinski (an Anarchist) .. M. R. H. Gittins Madame Gliserinski (his Wife) .. I. L. Buxton Scene : Spaghetti's Restaurant, Soho. Property Masters : J. P. Harvey, D. B. Harvey. LA 6UERISON EXTRAORDINAIRE Personnages : Marie (une fermiere) .. .. J. R. G. Stephenson Jean (son mari) ...... G. V. Smallwood Pierre de Rocheforte (Chevalier) J. B. L. Underwood Le Roi de Kanaka .. .. J- J- Love La Reine de Kanaka .. .. H. C. Whittall Le Prince ...... S. C. Hodgson La Princesse ...... R. Peat Le Premier Ministre .. .. G. R. Hart Le Premier Medecin .. .. E. P. Cropper Le Grand Tre"sorier .. .. M. A. F. Reeve Le Tailleur Royal .. .. P. J. Finn Un Page ...... M. Whitfeld Courtisans N. B. Snyder, P. M. F. French, D. M. Lindsey- Renton, C. D. Gittins, W. D. Robertson, B. C. T. FaithfuU Scene premiere : L'int&ieur d'une Chaumiere. Scene deuxieme : La cour du Roi de Kanaka. Chef d'accessoire? : J. P. Harvey. THE MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY by Lewis Carroll. Alice ...... R. Peat The Mad Hatter ...... J. D. G. Hooper The March Hare ...... J. A. Huntley The Dormouse ...... W. H. Campbell Property Master : D. A. Payne. THE SPIRIT OF THE TOWER OF LONDON by L. du Garde Peach. Chorus ...... J. R. W. Bradshaw The Old Warder ...... C. J. Walton The Young Warder .. .. S. C. Hodgson Julius Caesar ...... T. I. Macpherson The First Mason ...... A. J. Oakley The Second Mason .. .. W. I. C. Dobbie Sir Walter Raleigh .. .. M. A. F. Reeve The Earl of Essex .. .. M. Cope Anne Boleyn ...... J. R. G. Stephenson Lady Jane Grey .. .. R. F. Loder-Symonds James, Duke of Monmouth .. .. L. E. Bols Sentry ...... G. Gregory-Smith Milkman ...... S. P. Smiles Executioner ...... H. C. Fitzwilliams Property Master : D. A. Payne. Stage Curtains by William Mcllroy, Ltd. CAROLS Hark the Herald Angels Sing .. .. Mendelssohn A Maiden Knelt a-Praying...... Basque King Jesus Hath a Garden .. arr. G. R. Woodward Solos : M. R. H. Gittins, J. B. L. Underwood, C. J. Walton. Greensleeves ...... English XF/7 Cent. Ding, Dong, Merrily on High .. .. French arr. Charles Wood The Blessed Virgin's Cradle Song .. Ed. C. Bairstow Solo : J. B. L. Underwood, C. J. Walton. Sussex Carol ...... Traditional Arr. Vaughan-Williams Coventry Carol ...... English X.V Century Rocking ...... Czech Arr. Martin Shaw The Holly and the Ivy .. .. arr. Rutland Boughton 10 Games. Rugger. ist XV. Played 8, Won 6, Lost 2. Under 13 XV. Played 2, Won i, Lost i. The First Fifteen had its most successful season for several years, a fact doubly pleasing in that there seemed little ground for optimism at the beginning of term. There were no Colours left from last year to serve as a nucleus for team-building and outside the scrum in particular we seemed to be especially short of talent and experience. But the team soon showed that it meant to surprise its supporters. Indeed we suspect that it surprised itself. No great hidden talent was found, although several of the younger members of the side hold out considerable promise for the future ; but the team as a whole gave an excellent lesson to the rest of the School as to what team spirit, hard bustling play and plain determination can achieve in Rugger. If that lesson has been to any extent absorbed, we may count the season an outstandingly successful one. The forwards supplied our main attacking strength. They had their weaknesses, particularly in scrummaging, where their packing was inclined to be high and their heeling often woefully sluggish ; but these were only once glaringly exposed, and for the main part the general healthy bustle and vigour of the pack, to which each member made his contribution, kept it well on top of its opposite number and led to many of our tries. Macpherson, the Captain, set his forwards an excellent example of good honest forward play throughout the term and it is hard to assess the full value of his contribution to his side's success. He typified all that was best in the team's play, always working as a member of a team rather than as an individual, and putting his last ounce of energy into every- thing he did. Hart, Bradshaw and Cope proved themselves to be three invaluable ' heavyweights ' always prominent in the loose and supplying much of the punch which characterised the pack as a whole. Of the younger members, Faithfull though prone to hang on the outskirts of a scrum rather than subscribe his fair share of shove, showed real signs of class and a lion's heart in everything else that he did. With a little extra size and weight he will be invaluable next year, as also will be Robertson who combined his work as hooker with plenty of rousing play in the loose, especially in tackling, an outstanding performance for a boy of his size and age. II

The outsides clearly had a long way to go at the beginning of term before they could form an attacking combination that would worry any but the weakest opposition. At one stage in the term it looked as if they might get there, but first Reeve dropped out through illness just as he was beginning to look dangerous and returned too late to regain his mid-term form, and then Balls, who as scrum-half was one of major successes of the term, did the same ; and, valiantly as Faithfull per- formed impromptu in his place, this proved the death-knell to our hopes. Nevertheless there was much to praise individually. Balls was often magnificent and revelled in hard work and any hint of adversity. He should prove a tower of strength next year, particularly as he improves his service from the scrum. Harvey, D., outside him, took all manner of passes with an ease which tended to flatter his partner, and ran strongly apart from an occasional tendency to run across the field. With that little extra bit of pace next year he should be able to turn his already well developed sense of an opening to good account. Reeve at centre three-quarter was our fastest outside and his running was improving game by game when illness made him drop out. His partner, Gittins, found his position strange to him at first and for some weeks spoilt his value as an attacking player by a strong tendency to run across the field and to check where determined running would have carried him through. By the last weeks of the term however he had largely eliminated these faults from his' game and had turned himself into our most thrustful outside. On the wings, in Gainher and Dredge, we had two players of great promise and already full of foot-ball sense, but too handicapped yet by lack of speed and inches to be very dangerous in attack. At full-back Cropper did not have a great deal to do, but when opportunity allowed he proved himself quite a safe handler and showed a wholly admirable determination in his tackling and falling. Which brings us to the defence, in particular the tackling, of the whole side, a very happy topic on which to end. This can so easily be the weakest aspect of a Prep. School side that it is a real pleasure to record that every member of the side showed himself able to tackle low and to tackle hard before the term was over, and that the agonised cries of ' Go Low' from the Touchline came almost invariably from the enemy camp. This happy state was largely the result of the example set from the start by some of the older hands and in particular Gittins whose tackling was consistently magnificent and who proved himself to be no respecter of size as the writer has good 12 cause to remember! The example soon spread to the whole side ; and is it too much to hope that those who are left next year will set a similar one to the newcomers ? Our first match, against Great Ballard on their ground, gave us a very heartening start to the season, for in beating them by 14—o we went some way towards avenging their 44—o defeat of us on the occasion of our first contest against these opponents last year. After a long period of defence in which our tackling showed up well, Harvey broke through and sent a well-timed pass to Reeve who scored an excellent try. After half time our forwards gradually took charge of the game and further tries came from Bradshaw, who scored from a line-out, Cope, who touched down after a foot-rush with Hart, and from Harvey, only one kick being successful. The following Saturday we defeated St. Pirans at home by 8—0, our first victory over them for some years. Our forwards settled down quickly and dominated the game for the first half so that we were constantly on the attack, and two quick tries, one of them converted, was a true reflection of the game. Both were the results of typically bustling rushes, the first carrying us over their line by itself and the second being checked just short of it for Balls to snatch his opportunity and slip round to score on the blind side. After this our forwards showed some signs of resting on their laurels while St. Pirans began to improve so that the play became much more even. However our outsides' defence never looked like being beaten and the game ended without further score or excitement. On October zgih we played Prior's Court at home and beat them by three tries to a goal, a score which by no means flattered what was probably our best performance of the term. The forwards again played with plenty of fire for the greater part of the game and the outsides too showed their first real signs of developing into a dangerous attacking combination, while their defence was again excellent. The first score was the result of two good outside movements. Harvey, receiving the ball in our ' twenty-five,' cut through and was well backed up by Reeve. The movement was checked by some good tackling but our forwards heeled from the ensuing loose scrum and Reeve, picking up a pass at full speed from near his feet, dived over to score an excellent try. For the remainder of the first half we were constantly near their line and once Balls slipped over to score, catching the defence on the wrong foot, but otherwise they managed to hold us out. After half-time we continued to attack in excellent style and scored once more; then as before we began to take things a little too easily and Prior's Court seized their apportunity with a try which they converted to keep the game very much alive. Fired by this success they went off again with great dash but our side was now roused again, and with Balls ever to the fore, beat off this fierce counter attack and was attacking hard again when the final whistle blew.

On Saturday, November I2th, we played the return match against Great Ballard and won by two tries to nil in a match which broadly followed the pattern of our previous games, but in which neither forwards nor outsides were quite at their best. With a strong wind at our backs for the first half, a single try, the result of a fine individual effort, in two stages, by Balls, seemed a very slender margin at half time. But the forwards played more as a pack after the interval and we had far more of the game than before ; and ten minutes from the end Cope relieved the tension with another try. On the following Wednesday we visited Leighton Park and beat them by a goal and seven tries to nil. The opposition was very weak and even without Reeve we were not fully extended. On Saturday, 26th November, we played the Wellington Yearlings 2nd XV at home and although we suffered our first defeat by two tries to nil it was far from being our least credit- able performance. Outside we missed Reeve sorely, but the game was mainly one between the two packs and our forwards came out of it with no little credit. In spite of being so obviously outgunned in weight and age they stuck to their task manfully and their storming play in the last fifteen minutes was that of a winning rather than of a beaten team.

On the following Saturday we visited Prior's Court and were beaten by a goal and two tries to a penalty goal. Reeve had returned to the side but was obviously out of practice, and Balls had retired to bed in his place. There is no doubt that Balls' absence made a big difference to our side, but when all excuses are made we were fairly and squarely beaten by a team that played better football than we did, particularly at forward where we were completely out-scrummaged. Our outsides had little chance though Gittins made the most of what opportunities he had with several very determined runs. We managed to keep the score level to half time with the aid of a strong following wind and a good penalty kick by Brad- shaw, but our forwards were not playing well at all and the writing was clearly on the wall. During the second half they scored twice more while our forwards continued to disappoint 14

their supporters by their lack of general cohesion. To end the season we played Leighton Park at home and again proved too strong for them beating them by three goals and five tries to nil. During the term we played two matches against St. John's Beaumont, with an Under 13 Team, losingvthe first at Beaumont by two tries to a try, and winning the second at home by a penalty goal to nil. These matches in which we had to do without three of our most powerful forwards, emphasised our shortage of reserves, but Fitzwilliams among the forwards made it fairly plain that we should be seeing more of him next year. Both games were keenly contested and a division of the honours seemed as just a result as could be wished. TEAM: T. I. Macpherson* (Capt), J. R. W. Bradshaw,* M. Cope,* G. R. Hart,*, M. A. F. Reeve,* M. R. H. Gittins,* B. C. T. Faithfull,* D. B. Harvey.* D. L. E. Balls,* E. P. Cropper, W. D. Robertson, P. L. C. Dredge, R. J. M. Gainher, G. Gregory-Smith, D. A. Payne, J. J. Love. (* denotes Colours). Erratum: A. W. A. Boyd, not R. C. Ling was Captain of the 1948 XV. Hockey. Owing to the usual Easter term infections we were unable until the last two matches of the term, to produce a ist XI with less than three substitutes. The fact, therefore, that we were unbeaten says much for the improved standard of hockey this year and particularly for the material available from the 2nd XI to replace those in bed or unable to play. Of the latter, Robertson improved so quickly that he held his place in the team throughout the term. Two fixtures were unplayed, St. Pirans, away, for reasons of health, and Papplewick as their ground was unfit. The results of the other matches were as follows :— Papplewick .. .. Home Won 9 — o St. Neots .. .. Away Won 5 — o Wellington (Yearlings 2nd XI) .. .. Home Draw i — i Ludgrove .. .. Away Won 4 — 2 St. Pirans .. .. Home Won 3 — i Wellington (Yearlings 2nd XI) .. .. Home Won 5 — i Ludgrove .. .. Home Won 2 — o Wellington (Yearlings ist XI) .. .. Home Won 3 — 2 15 We scored a total of 32 goals for 7 against us. Although we were always short, we had fairly comfortable victories in the early matches (we were perhaps lucky to draw with Wellington Yearlings 2nd XI with six of our team away), but on March 22nd we faced St. Pirans at home with two colours and one other member of the team ill. This was a severe handicap against a school whom we had not beaten since 1941. At half-time the score was i — i. Gittins, who had not been back on games long, had not yet settled down at inside forward and appeared wasted. He therefore moved to outside right where the change at once made a big difference to the forward line and within 15 minutes we had scored two more goals, a lead we maintained to the end. Having beaten the Wellington Yearlings 2nd XI 5 — o in the return match we thought we ought to be able to tackle their first team. This was arranged and, as they had beaten St. Pirans 5 — o we expected a good game. We were not disappointed. At half-time there was no score, but in the first ten minutes of the second half we scored twice. Wellington then pressed hard and by some ten minutes before the end of play had equalised at two all. However, three minutes later a very nice forward movement brought the winning goal from Harvey and a very satisfactory finish, for us, to a successful season. At inside right Harvey was the best forward. He has good stick-work, is quick and is an excellent shot. However, to make a first-class player, he must cultivate more dash. Balls, centre forward, on the contrary, has plenty of push and thrust but lacks shooting power. Dredge, at inside left, has very pretty stickwork and is, perhaps, the most constructive of the forwards. He is still too small to hit the ball hard but this will come later. These three inside forwards will still be with us next year and should prove a very effective unit. Cropper filled the difficult place of left wing with distinction. He is one of the best, if not the best prep-school outside lefts we have seen. Gittins made a forceful and effective outside right. He should, however, learn to spare a glance before centering, a thing he could well do with his speed. It is only fair to say that had he not been kept so long from the hockey field by a series of unfortunate mishaps he would have been a very good player indeed. The defence was very ably led by Bradshaw at centre half. Since last year he has unproved out of all recognition and was a tower of strength, being a hard hitter and an excellent tackle. i6

His lack of speed over the ground was largely offset by his very quick recovery when robbed. Although Gittins was nominated captain at the beginning of the season, owing to his being away till halfway through March it was to Bradshaw that fell the virtual captaincy of the team. In this task he acquitted himself very well indeed, setting a splendid example of keenness and always giving help and encouragement to his side. Of the two wing-halves, Robertson showed every promise of being a very good player next year. He is a great " sticker " and already has good control of the ball. Gainher and Faithfull both played in this position and were very unlucky not to have found a permanent place ; in any normal year they Would have done so with ease. They will, however, certainly be needed next year. Love, at right back, improved as the season went on and, at the end, he developed into a hard httijng and reliable player. His chief fault at the moment is a tendency to give " sticks " on the back swing. Payne, called in during the first match to deputise for Macpherson, managed to hold his place creditably and when Macpherson returned, after an unfortunately long absence, Payne stayed on at left back, Macpherson going half. It must be said, however, that the latter's contribution to our success against Wellington Yearlings ist XI was considerable. Though not a great hockey player he is most determined and has an excellent sense of position, covering his back splendidly. Last, but by no means least, Dobbie, in goal, made a very good start in this most enviable position. He has plenty of courage and is already a good judge of the right moment to come out. Thinking of next year, we should have a good ist XI, but it looks doubtful whether the 2nd XI will be able to supply so many excellent substitutes as they have done this year. However, we can look forward to the more distant future with confidence as the standard of the second game has recently improved and we can expect some ready-made " stars " to be promoted to the first game. TEAM: M. R. H. Gittins * (Capt.), J. R. W. Bradshaw,* D. B. Harvey,* E. P. Cropper,* D. L. E. Balls,* J. J. Love,* T. I. Macpherson, W. I. C. Dobbie, W. D. Robertson, P. L. C. Dredge, D. A. Payne. (* denotes Colours). 17 Omission. 1949 HOCKEY TEAM : R. F. Robertson-Glasgow* (Capt.), D. M. Oborne,* R. C. Ling,* M. Cope,* D. B. Harvey, M. R. H. Gittins, J. R. W. Bradshaw, J. J. Love, T. I. Macpherson, E. P. Cropper, A. B. M. Campbell. (* denotes Colours).

Cricket. Matches played 13. Won 5. Lost 4. Drawn 4. But for one miserable week in early July this was a wholly satisfactory season. To be sure we started uncertainly with three rather unconvincing performances, but we recovered in tune for these to do no more than emphasise the general improvement throughout the term, with July's bad patch excepted. This patch seemed so out of character with the rest of the term's performances that it is, one hopes, excusable to deal with it first and, having dutifully recorded it, to enjoy oneself in far happier reminiscences. The two schools flattered by our performances were Woodcote House and Bigshotte. The former had caught us in our early uncertain mood and disposed of us peremptorily. It was clear that our resolve for a perfectly feasible revenge was infected by fears of a repeat performance and our whole play lacked the resolution necess- ary for victory. Having quickly dismissed their first three batsmen we failed to rub in our advantage due to increasingly untidy bowling and fielding. Then after allowing their middle batsmen to take the score to 119 for 4, we suddenly pulled ourselves together and the last six, wickets fell for six runs. Our opening pair, Harvey and Faithfull, played with encouraging confidence in putting on 21 runs for the first wicket, but once they were separated we suffered disaster after disaster and were all out for 53 runs. Against Bigshotte, with whom we had already had the better of a drawn game, we were even more disappointing. Batting first we quickly lost our opening pair and Bradshaw, and thereafter only Gittins, who went in during the second over and carried his bat throughout the innings, and Dobbie, who made eleven courageous runs, showed any resolution at all. Leaving them to score only 52 runs to win we were momentarily heartened when their star batsman was soon out to an excellent catch by Faithfull. But again our bowling, with Gittins obviously tired by his long innings, was unimpressive and they passed our total with the loss of only one further wicket. i8

The rest of the season makes far more pleasant recording. We started with obvious potentialities but with apparent weaknesses which our early matches confirmed. Outstanding among these was our fielding, which in our first two matches gave away both runs and chances of capturing wickets in almost equal profusion. Our bowling, too, in our opening match against Great Ballard was unexpectedly poor in length so that they were able to declare after two and a half hours of rather unenterprising batting with only five wickets down. Left to score one hundred and nineteen runs in sixty-five minutes, we all but achieved it, for the loss of three wickets, thanks to a hard hitting innings of sixty-seven not out by Bradshaw. In our secord match against the Dragon School A Team, in which we batted first, Bradshaw seemed set for another big score when he was run out by an excellent piece of fielding for nineteen. The mantle thus fell on Robertson (22) and Gittins (32 not out) who shouldered it so well that we reached the respectable score of 115. When they batted our bowling was much steadier than it had been against Great Ballard, but the fielding was still very poor and substantially helped them in their very creditable effort to knock off the runs, so that we were only just saved by the clock. Against Woodcote House, confronted by a pitch of unfamiliar pace and behaviour and some very good bowling, our batting completely broke down and we were all out for. 17 runs. However, they too, had their moments of alarm when they batted. Although not bowling at his best, Gittins aided by the pitch, captured three wickets while their score rose to two! But we threw away a heaven-sent opportunity of capturing a fourth wicket at the same score, and by resolute batting they took the score up to ours before another wicket fell, and then passed it to win by six wickets. This match did however provide encouragement in the form of a much improved fielding display. • Having by now shown that we were capable of performing creditably in all three departments separately, we settled down to combining them all. First St. Piran's were beaten by six wickets. After dismissing them for 48 runs by some good bowling and fielding we in turn lost Harvey, Bradshaw and Gittins cheaply, but Faithfull (33) was meanwhile playing admirably and supported by first Robertson and then Love, saw us through to a comfortable victory. Against Bigshotte Gittins, Love, Dobbie, Harvey and Faithfull all, made useful scores and we were all out for a respectable 109, leaving them just over one and a half hours in which to make their runs. Against some very steady opening bowling particularly by Gittins, they fell behind the clock, and with the score at ten we took two valuable wickets. Their captain, who had opened their innings now decided to put up the shutters and resisting all temptation which our slow bowlers placed in his way finally carried his bat for two runs! Meanwhile their number four mixed his caution with rather more enterprise and stumps were eventually drawn with their score at 39 for 2, but all interest had been effectively killed some time before. We followed this with two easy victories against St. Neots and Great Ballard whom we beat by ten and eight wickets respectively. St. Neots were not a strong side this year, particularly in bowling, but in dismissing Great Ballard for 60 runs we gave a good indication of how our bowling and fielding had improved since the beginning of term. When we batted against Great Ballard it was good to see Bradshaw once more among the runs, and he was well supported by Harvey who had already had an excellent day behind the wicket. By this time we had lost through injury a very valuable all-rounder in Robertson. During practice games he had headed both the bowling and the batting averages and his absence was inevitably keenly felt, especially perhaps in the batting where our tail now began all too noticeably at number seven. In the bowling too it threw a lot of work on to the remaining regulars, particularly in our next match, against Ludgrove, who possessed a batting side very much stronger than any other school we met. But our bowlers, with Cropper excelling, stuck to their task most manfully and, supported by really good fielding, made the batsmen struggle for their runs. Eventually Ludgrove declared at 105 for eight wickets made in two and a half hours. With seventy minutes in which to obtain the runs against bowling and fielding well below the standard of their batting, we neglected too many oppor- tunities of scoring to grasp any chance of victory there might have been. Bradshaw, who tactically put himself in too late, was out in valiantly trying to force the pace and, with Love run out while ambling up the wicket, there was nothing left but to play out time with five wickets remaining. At this stage we entered the doldrums already dutifully described, but emerged from them in time for perhaps the most enjoyable game of the season against an undefeated Heatherdown, who included Ludgrove among their victims. By now our bowling had been still further depleted by the 20

loss of Cropper, through illness. Heatherdown batted first and wickets fell steadily to very good bowling well backed up by the fielding, until the score stood at 51 for eight wickets. Then alas the pressure seemed to relax and their final batsmen nobly seized the opportunity and scored twenty-eight precious runs. Nevertheless when we had made 67 runs with only four wickets down we seemed within sight of a comfortable victory. But the vital wicket fell, and, with the remaining batsmen coming and going with bewildering rapidity, we were all out for 71 to lose by eight runs! We could not grudge them a victory which they had won through a dauntless tail and out- standingly good fielding, in particular through a magnificent catch to dismiss Bradshaw when he was well set, a truly memorable effort. We finished with two convincing victories against St. Pirans and St. Neots by eight and ten wickets respectively. The former match was distinguished by some very good batting by Bradshaw (20), Gittins (26 not out) and Faithfull (17 not out). Left, due to interference by rain, with barely an hour in which to obtain 66 runs they made them with ten minutes to spare by means of some really good stroke play. We were again a good deal too strong for St. Neots though we did well to dismiss an improved batting side for 48 runs. So ended a very enjoyable season. It would perhaps be fair to criticise the team on its apparent inability to recover from an unpromising situation ; but on the credit side should be placed the great improvement in its fielding throughout the term, the sensible determination of the batsmen to get on with the game and accept all scoring chances, and the solid strength of our bowling which relied almost equally on at least six bowlers, of whom it is heartening to reflect three will still be with us in 1952! Finally Bradshaw is to be congratulated on demonstrating the value of real and intelligent captaincy ; let us hope that the example will be followed. Leading averages were :— BATTING. Times Highest Innings N.O. Score Runs Average M. R. H. Gittins 13 5 39* 210 26.3 J. R. W. Bradshaw 13 2 67* 247 22.5 B. C. T. Faithfull 12 I 58 166 15.1 D. B. Harvey 12 i 28 157 13.1 (Qualification 100 runs). 21

BOWLING Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Aver. M. R. H. Gittins 95.4 33 197 26 7-7 R. J. M. Gainher 95.5 34 199 22 9.0 E. P. Cropper 63.4 19 154 15 10.3 J. R. W. Bradshaw 47.2 17 114 10 11.4 G. Gregory-Smith 87 37 150 13 n.6 (Qualification 10 wickets). Leading catchers were:—Bradshaw, 7; Gregory-Smith, Harvey, 5 ; Faithfull, 4.

Athletics. We have recently started to give a larger place in our activities to Athletics. In the Lent Term the boys practised and ran off the longer distance track events, Reeve winning the Half-mile (Senior) in 2 mins. 39 4/5 sees., De Free the 440 Yards (Middle) in 70.9 sees., and Lockie the 220 Yards (Junior) in 29.7 sees., the latter a fine achievement for a boy of 9. In the we intend to hold a Section Relay Meeting, putting aside one afternoon a week, if possible, for the purpose of practising baton-changing, etc. In the Summer Term we experimented with a system of Sports' Standards, which besides giving weekly practice for the end of term Sports, also gave untalented cricketers an opportunity to come into the limelight. Apart from being a success in itself, this system almost certainly resulted in the raising of the standard of performance on Sports Day, held in the now traditionally magnificent weather on the last day of the Summer Term. The Senior division did not contain much talent apart from the Victor Ludorum, Gittins, M., whose best performances were :—High Jump 4ft. 6fin., Long Jump I4ft. g^in., 100 Yards 12.6 sees., 220 Yards 28.8 sees. Maby's throw of 61 yards in the Cricket Ball, though bettered by Bradshaw in the elimination, was the result of a beautiful throwing action on the part of a not particularly muscular boy, The same reason accounted for a throw of over 50 yards by Gainher, aged n, who is very slightly built. He was Victor Ludorum in the middle division by virtue of his superiority in the field events over De Free who ran extremely strongly to win the track events. Both he and Lockie—Victor Ludorum (Junior)— should have successful careers on the track when they are ready to be taught certain refinements in their actions. Apart from showing very promising form on the track, Lockie did well to jump i2ft. 3in. to win the Long Jump. 22

GIFTS We warmly thank the following for their generous gifts to the School:— Lt.Col. G. T. WIDDICOMBE. A cup for the Section Relay Competition, to be known as the " Mrs. Dilda Widdicombe Cup," to perpetuate her so very close interest in,, and connection with, Eagle House. G. R. HART. A cup for Diving. J. R. W. BRADSHAW, M. R. H. GITTINS, E. P. CROPPER, J. P. HARVEY, C. J. WALTON, D. A. PAYNE. A cup for the Section Shooting Competition. J. J. LOVE. A clock to be placed on top of the Cricket Pavilion. N. F. TOVEY. A Prunus tree, with a lovely deep pink bloom, placed outside the side door. P. T. KEIGHTLEY. A handsomely bound volume, " The Book of the Dog." T. I. MACPHERSON. Books by Rudyard Kipling, J. R. W. BRADSHAW. Chair for the Theatre. O.E.H. Column Robert Bruce Lockhart. HEADMASTER OF EAGLE HOUSE FROM JANUARY, 1906, TO DECEMBER, 1927. I joined in April, 1909, and left in December, 1914. By the time I arrived Mr. Lockhart had been at E.H. long enough to shape the School to his own wishes, to give it his own character and to set his own pace. I probably saw both the Headmaster and the School nearing their prime. Autocratic, formidable and with an indefatigable zest for life, he towered over the school. I suppose all Prep. School Headmasters take at least " an active interest" in school games. I doubt if any headmaster ever threw himself—body and soul—into school games and activities with the same untiring gusto as Mr. Lockhart. Rugger, of course, was his favourite. E.H. XV's were probably the best drilled sides that ever represented a Prep. School; as a result most Public School sides contained at least one O.E.H. At the same time, in an " athletocratic "age he held the scales evenly between work and games. Work, in its place, was as important as Rugger. In my day he never crammed for Scholarships, but aimed at a decent standard of solid learning. I think on the whole he succeeded. 23

His few weak points were the counterparts of his many qualities. Himself straight-forward, downright and a believer in the Christian virtues and the simple life, he was an uncertain judge of men, shy and administratively possibly rather behind the times. Owing to his gift for dealing with boys—particularly for developing character and personality—his methods succeeded admirably with the average : the ultra-sensitive probably took some time to settle down under a system that kept him on the run from morning to night. But such boys were rare, and who can say whether any other system would have produced better results ? No appreciation of Mr. Lockhart could be complete that did not mention Mrs. Lockhart, who was one of the most remarkable women of her generation. Where the province of the one ended and that of the other began I can't say. I can say that between them they ran an admirable and very happy school. If—as is generally agreed—the formative years are those up to 14, then boys who went to E.H. were very lucky. They couldn't have done better. * * * * General Sir Rob Lockhart asks us, to convey to the O.E.H. boys of 1906 — 1927 his brothers, his sister's and his own very grateful appreciation of their action in sending the lovely wreath they did on the occasion of their father's funeral at Sandhurst Parish Church. His old boys, General Lockhart says, were always very dear to his father. OBITUARY We much regret to have to report the death of the follow- ing Old Boys:— EDMUND ARTHUR Du CANE (1882-1883), died on July 5th, 1950. Proceeding to Charterhouse and Magdalen College, Oxford, he took Holy Orders in 1895 and became successively Curate of Portsea and St. Peter's in Eastgate, Chaplain of H.M. Prison, Lincoln, Borstal, Manchester, Chaplain to the Bishop of St. Albans, Vicar of Hatfield Heath, Essex, and of Abbotsham, Devon, retiring in 1938. LEONARD WILLIAM FORSYTH (1885-1889), died on January 3ist, 1949 at the age of 74. Moving with the School from Wimbledon to Sandhurst in 1886 he went on to Winchester and Caius College, Cambridge, afterwards practising as a Dental Surgeon. He was twice Master of the Armourers' and Brasiers' Company and was a prominent Freemason, He had a brother and a son at Eagle House, 24

WALTER HENRY PELHAM (1896-1898), died on October 3rd, 1949. He continued his education at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he gained a Half Blue for athlectics. After becoming ordained he became Curate at Rushdean, Northants, and on the outbreak of war became temporary Chaplain to the Forces and Assistant Chaplain at the R.M.C., Sandhurst. From 1925 he was Rector of Chilton Foliat. ARCHIBALD ROBERT BOYLE (1896-1900), died on March 6th, 1949. After leaving Eagle House he went on to Bradfield and was Captain of Cricket. At Sandhurst he was a Sergeant. Joining the gist Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders he fought with his regiment in France and later on the Struma front. In 1918 he joined the R.F.C. as Intelligence Officer of the Independent (Bombing) Air Force. After peace returned he continued in the R.A.F. as Squadron Leader under recon- stituted conditions and later as Civil Servant. He had received the M.C. and Bar for his regimental services and in 1938 he was awarded the C.M.G. on the recommendation of the Foreign Office. When war came again in 1939, he was commissioned as Air Commodore in R.A.F.V.R. and served in various capacities at home. After the war he was in charge of R.A.F. recruiting with a special mission to the Public Schools. He retired at New Year, 1949. Interested in the Boy Scout movement, he spent much of his spare time in South Lambeth where he was Commissioner. VICTOR RICHARD TAHOURDIN (1891-1896), died in 1949. After leaving Wellington, he was gazetted in the Cheshire Regiment and served in the South African War and the Great War, being taken prisoner at Mons. He retired with the rank of Major in 1922. WILLIAM PHILIP GABRIEL TAYLOR (1915-1919), died in Naples in April, 1950. After leaving Marlborough where he played for the XV, he went up to Peterhouse, Cambridge. During the war he served in the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of Major. O.E.H. News. We congratulate : Major-General A. J. H. CASSELS (1914) on being awarded the C.B. in the New Year's Honours. He is now head of the U.K. Liaison Staff in Melbourne. J. B. TYSON (1939) on being awarded the M.C. for gallantry in Malaya. P. R. H. WRIGHT (1940) on being awarded a Post- mastership at Merton College, Oxford. F. McN. NOAD (1937) 25 on gaining a County Scholarship at B.N.C., Oxford. P. R. WALDOCK (1944) on being awarded a Bursary at Winchester. T. W. K. MOFFATT (1916) on winning first.prizes at the Royal Highland Show and at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show with his Galloway Cattle. Lieut. G. C. PHIPPS (1936) on gaining Irish Internationa] Rugby Football caps against and Wales. He also played for the Army (winners of the Services Tournament at Twickenham), Rosslyn Park (winners of the 7-a-side Tournament) and on the wing for Dorset and Wilts, with D. M. E. Anson outside him. R. C. KEIGHTLEY on playing cricket for Marlborough v. Rugby at Lords. Going in first, he scored over 60 runs against Wellington and Clifton. C. P. OLIVER on winning his School Athletic Colours at Sherborne. He won the School Mile and Half-mile races, breaking the record in the latter with a time of 2 mins. 4.2 sees.

General Sir R. M. M. LOCKHART (1906) has accepted the appointment of County Scout Commissioner for London.

Lieutenant D. A. COAKER has been at the R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth and had a wonderful summer in 1949 ocean racing with R.N.S.C. yachts.

M. B. ANDERSON (1941) having left Rugby is doing his military service in the Royal Engineers prior to going up to B.N.C. Oxford in September, 1951.

T. H. D. ANDERSON (Dartmouth) has one more term at the R.N.C. where he is Cadet Captain. He was the youngest member of the Hockey Team when he first started playing for them.

At Wellington : W. R. D. ANDERSON was Head of the School and Captain of Rugger in the Autumn term. C. R. HUXTABLE was R.S.M. of the Corps, Captain of Boxing, a School Prefect and won his 2nd XI Hockey Colours. R. M. B. SHELTON won his 2nd XI Cricket Colours. J. D. T. FAITHFULL was Captain of the Junior Colts at Rugger and Captain of the Colts at Hockey and at Cricket. R. C. LING captained a first year XI at Cricket against Eton and in the course of the season took the hat-trick twice in Junior games. He also played for the Yearlings at Rugger and for the Junior Colts at Hockey. S. C. THOMPSON fenced and R. A. HARDEN shot for the School. 26 Points from Letters. A. W. A. BOY-D (Wellington) : " I am in U 2A at the moment. I came 5th in the half-term order, so I hope to get a budge. I have got into the team for the Junior Colts match against St. Edward's to-day. Faithfull is captain. Paul R. S. is on Junior Colts and Ling on Yearlings." R. M. B. SHELTON (Wellington) : " I am in the Classical VI and am taking Higher Cert, next summer. Jeremy Lubbock planned to come over at the end of last term, but it did not come off and he has left now. He is going to Mons in the next few days." B. D. S. BURTON (Sherborne) : " The first half of the term we had all the House Rugger matches. Instead of their being knock-out, we had three games and the two teams that got the highest points got into the final. I was on our House thirds, which is really the junior team. In Hockey I am on the junior team and play inside left. This term I am in Form 3a, which is the top of the ' 3's,' the next forms being certificate forms." R. C. PAUL (Rugby) : " As I see Sargant so aptly put in his letter, I tried for a scholarship last term but was outdone! '• C. P. OLIVER (Sherborne) : " How is Eagle House ? Carey left here last term. He was head of his house. Also he had the pleasure of being my Sergeant in corps for the last two terms. I have not taken the School Certificate yet. I will be taking that next summer. I have become very interested in birds since I have been at Sherborne." R. C. KEIGHTLEY (Marlborough), 29.10.49 : " I passed the School Cert, all right with 4 credits and 4 distinctions. I am now in the Maths. V and like the work immensely. I also managed to obtain a prize for Maths, last term. Last holidays I saw Findlay in Germany; he had just joined 5 D.G. only two days before I saw him. I also saw quite a lot of Powney who had become a groom in the R.A.V.C. and lives fairly near us. Rugger has just started again after an interval of three weeks while we were in quarantine for Infantile Paralysis. There was luckily only one case. I am playing full back this year, so I have to continually practise kicking with both feet. I am on ' A ' Team in House, that is the top team without the 27 members of School Teams playing. I saw both Kennys and Standen, P. at the Corps Camp, but I never had a chance to contact them. The Kennys also travelled out to Germany on the same train as me. I also saw Shelton last term since we played the Wellington Colts cricket." 23.1.50 : " Thank you very much for telling me about Powney. I never realised that he came from E.H. so have never really talked to him. But he has been living practically next door to us since he has been looking after the horses we all ride. But next holidays I'll probably see more of him since we ride more at Easter. Patrick seems to be settling down nicely here ; I think he is enjoying himself. The work I am doing at the moment is very interesting. Practically all of it is Maths., which is really the only subject that amuses me. Wright has now been made a prefect and is a very senior person! I believe he is leaving this term though. We did a lot of shooting last holidays. I managed to slaughter a stag and we shot a great deal of small game." R. P. S. MACNUTT (Winchester) 16.10.49 : " I am sure Peter Waldock has settled down completely and I am certainly enjoying myself immensely. I don't enjoy our game as much as rugger, I don't think, but it is not too bad a game. I play ' hot-watch,' which is approximately the same place as three- quarter, but the rules are very different. The only way one has an advantage by playing rugger is that it is useful knowing how to bust (punt) the ball." 10.7.50 : " I am having a very successful season so far. My bowling is supposed to be much better than my batting and I have taken about 50 wickets for 330 runs. I seem to do better in ist XI house matches than in under 16 matches. I had an extraordinary piece of luck the other day, taking six wickets for no runs in a ist XI match! What was almost more extraordinary was that M. R. Coulman, whom I expect you have heard about, managed to miss an off-break that bowled him. My batting has not gone too badly either and I had an average of twenty for under 16 matches." J. N. BUSK (Wellington) : "I have played a great deal of rugger this term, not at scrum-half, but at full-back. On graded games I have been playing for the 3rd XV (ably captained by Charles Huxtable). We have now played all our matches • and are the only College team to have won all of them. I have been awarded my Dormitory Cap, thus realising one of my ambitions—to become a triple Dormitory colour. 28

Although I am not taking a scholarship this term I am finding that there is plenty of work to be done. I am now in the Modern Sixth, having passed my Higher Certificate last term in French and German, with Latin as a subsidiary." P. R. WALDOCK (Winchester) : " I am getting on quite well, but I found it a bit strange at first. The work is very easy mostly : in Latin we are doing Caesar's Gallic Wars and we are revising the constructions, Indirect Questions, etc. In Maths, so far we have done the congruent theorems, areas and the circumferences of circles. The only thing is that I never get to sleep till about 10.30 as the Prefects and senior men always talk till about then. I see Macnutt a lot as he is up to the same dons as me in French and Maths. I have also seen Buchanan in the distance, but not to talk to. I have joined the Glee Club and am still an alto. We are doing Bach's Mass in B minor, which is frightfully complicated. Every day we have to take some sort of exercise and I have been either rowing of playing Football in which I usually play in the middle of the ' hot,' which corresponds exactly to the scrum. The rowing is great fun, and I have been coached several'times by the dons." P. K. CRACROFT (Sherborne) : " I was very glad to be able to get over to the E.H. Sports and to meet all the other boys who were able to be there too. I spent the rest of my holiday in Egypt where my father was stationed. We were living on the edge of the Suez Canal and had the most marvellous bathing and sailing on the Bitter Lakes. Amongst other things I did a lot of sight seeing in Cairo and, of course, went to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx. I have chosen, probably as the result of living in an army camp in Egypt, the Regular Army as my career. I am working for the Higher Certificate which I intend to take in the summer. If I pass it will give me exemp- tion from the Army exam., which I shall take next winter if I fail the Higher. I had a long letter from Ronald Ashford a few days ago. He seems to be enjoying himself a lot at De Havilands." R. H. F. FRASER (Eastbourne) : " I am now in the second year for work. In each ' year ' there are sets, A, B, C, D, of which A is the top set. A year is really equivalent to a form and there are years I, II, III, then IV Form and V Form. I am mostly in HA or HB sets, but in my poor subjects such as Maths. I am in HD set. I'm now learning Physics and Chemistry and about all I know is that Physics is much the harder subject. This term I am in Game 6a, not bad for me 29 really I suppose ; in a match against Game 6b we beat them 6—nil and I scored one of the tries, the first one I have scored this term and probably the last. I can't remember whether I told you in my last letter that I am now trying to play the clarinet. It's a jolly hard instrument and I've only just passed the squeaky period." J. D. W. KENNY (Canford): " Peter Standen and I are doing fine. Peter was awarded his ist XV scarf and played for the 3rd XI at cricket. I opened the batting for the 2nd XI regularly last term with moderate success. Peter is leaving this term and I may be. Brian is doing brilliantly ; Captain of Colts, Cricket, Rugger and Hockey and he is only 15. A very creditable performance." (We recently heard that he won his ist XI Colours this summer). G. R. HART (St. Edward's) : " I am in 4b Form which is third from the bottom and C^ Maths, set which is 2nd from the bottom, but I might be moved up when they check on the marks, which is next Sunday. We have not yet had any rugger as the ground has been too hard, but have been having runs instead. These are much more strenuous than they were at Eagle House, although they are much shorter. We get an hour and three-quarters prep, every day. I never used to believe you when you talked about the length of Public School preps., but now I most certainly do! " M. A. F. REEVE (Eton) : " I am enjoying myself very much here and have made quite a few friends. The work here is quite easy except the French, which is more advanced than I am used to. Of course the daily routine is quite different to that of Eagle House. We get up at 7 o'clock and go to bed at 9.30 p.m. We have quite a lot of free time, but also extra work to do in it. We have three half holidays a week, Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I began fagging a week ago and have had quite a lot to do as my room is some distance from the library. I have also been on the river quite a lot and have been asked to cox a ' Prefect.' This Prefect is going in for a race at the end of the half, so I have a lot to learn. My room here is fairly small, but has the sun on it for most of the day." P. S. PALMER, O.E.H. (father of C. J. S. Palmer, Chel- tenham) : " Christopher is now making useful progress. He should move up into the Ilnd division (one of the 5th forms) 30

next term and his ,reports show a better average standard than during his first year. He is keen on science, passed the first part of the Cert. A exam. (O.T.C.) last term and has taken up . He also built a wireless set, so you can see that his tastes are varied." R. N. BRUCE LOCKHART (1931) : " I note you revived ' Les mesaventures de M. Chauvet' in your plays. How well I remember playing in this .and, if my memory serves me right, the Agent de Police in my day was also a Whittall—another stout one at that, who admirably filled the role. It also recalls my French lessons under Mr. Straker. Having arrived at Eagle House after 4 years in Switzerland and being nearly bi-lingual, I thought my French was very good ; I was quickly disillusioned by Mr. Straker! " P. G. P. WHITTALL (1931) : " I left the Novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Manresa House in September and took my first vows here at Heythrop College, Chipping Norton, in October. So now I am complete in black suit and Roman collar — for quite a while I kept trying to pull my tie up! G. B. DE WILTON (1936) : " Yet another occupation ; I do not imagine you would ever succeed in guessing my present form of amusement, and so let me say I am hectically busy making millions of cigarettes that you will never be able to buy. Alas, all for export — cases and cases of Players, Gold Flake, Capstan and all the other brands waiting their turn for a lorry. Port Said, Jersey, Java, Singapore, the whole world brought to one's feet! How I came to be working in the British-American Tobacco Coy's factory in Liverpool is a complete mystery. I can recollect seeing an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph. I believe I came to London for an interview and then — here I am. It all happened so suddenly I never really considered whether I wanted to become a tobacconist. I am sure I shall never regret my decision, as the work is fascinating." J. B. TYSON (1939) : " Alan is still up at Magdalen with one more year before his Finals. He got a 1st in Hon. Mods., and in addition was again Honorably Mentioned in the Ireland, got a mention in the Chancellor's Latin Prose Prize and won the de Paravacini Scholarship. I was demobbed last June after a little over two years in the Army. I flew out to Malaya a few weeks before the start of the emergency and served for a year with the Seaforths, 31 on operation6! against the Communist bandits in various parts of the Federation. Among the most interesting of our ex- periences was that of spending some weeks with the Sakai. These pygmy tribes of the interior wander in small bands collecting wild fruit and hunting birds and monkeys with the blowpipe and poisoned darts. They were a great help to us in tracking and also by acting as porters for our wireless batteries and other heavy gear enabled us to travel far afield and fill in a large blank on the map. On these long expeditions we received weekly food supplies by parachute. Altogether we were fortunate in our skirmishes with the Chinese guerillas, causing quite heavy losses and returning more or less un- scathed. I have now joined Alan at Magdalen." MRS. HARRIS (Mother of J. S., R. D. and M.) : " John is in Edinburgh doing a job as Secretary to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Richard is at Cambridge reading History and hopes to be a schoolmaster, Mike is farming in Sussex where we have a cottage." O. C. BRAGGE (1886) : " I think I must be one of a very small number of Old Boys who were at Eagle House, Wimble- don, and went to . I was therefore particularly interested in the picture of the front of the old house and the bit of history from ' The Builder.' I expect this is correct, though it does in one of my most cherished beliefs that the house was the retiring place of Catherine Parr after the death of Henry VIII. This I'm sure I was told when I was a small boy. I wonder if it referred to the site only ? The house was obviously later. Sir Henry Peek's wild animals over the wall put a nice bit of excitement into life there or rather the chase by his gardeners did. Also the cache of chalk in the bottom left hand corner of the field, which we and Dr. Malan used to carve into grotesques." We have also heard from :—A. F. C. Fisher (reading for the Army Exam.), J. H. Kirkman (Charterhouse), D. G. Stevens (Reading University), J. R. Pilcher (Sherborne), P. T. Keightley (Marlborough), A. J. Oakley (Gordonstoun), M. Cope (Framlingham), N. F. Tovey (Bruton), J. D. Oborne (4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards, Tripolitania), R. E. Upcott (Schoolmaster at Oundle), J. D. G. Nicholson (recently commissioned in Royal Artillery), P. A. Colebrook (St. Chad's College, Durham), S. M. Easton (Oxford prior to touring 32

Europe and then printing), R. G. Frost (Running his own farm on Dartmoor), N. R. Reeves (Insurance), R. C. Ling (Wellington), C.R.Huxtable (next intake at R.M.A.S.), J.D.T. Faithfull (Wellington). We earnestly hope that Old Boys will keep us informed of their doings. We should also like to take this opportunity of warmly thanking all those who so kindly sent us Christmas Cards. BUDD & GILLATT, Printers North Street, St. Leonards-on-Sea.