AldenhAmiAnA iSSUe 44 October 2016 News from the OA Society Centenary of the new Fives courts News from the School Letters from OAs Battle of the Somme Centenary Obituaries and tributes from the editor Welcome to your OA Review. This year, the Centenary of the Battle of Aldenhamiana the Somme, which lasted 141 days from No.44 October 2016 1st July to 18th November 1916 and saw Published by The Old Aldenhamian Society 1.3 million casualties, a group of OAs Aldenham School, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AJ UK travelled to the Somme to see the Email: [email protected] effects of war and to lay a wreath at the Web: www.oldaldenhamian.org Thiepval Memorial in memory of those OAs and members Tel: +44 (0)1923 858 122 of the teaching staff whose names are commemorated at various cemeteries throughout the region. I’m sure you have family members who fought in the Great War and indeed gave their lives for our tomorrow. During the tour, we visited The Lochnagar Crater, 67m in diameter, the largest man-made mine crater created in Contents the First World War on the Western Front. The mine was exploded two minutes before 07.30am Zero Hour at the launch of the British offensive against the German lines 2 From the OA Society on the morning of 1st July 1916. The phrase, ‘Going over the top’ came into being on the same day. 2 From the President’s Desk It is also 100 years since the building of the new Five Courts (see pps. 17-20), thanks to the generosity of Edgar H 4 OA Day Mariette (SH1879-85 and CR1889-1914) and 350 years 8 Annual OA Dinner 2015 since the Brewers’ Hall was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The first hall was built in Addle Street in 1403 and 11 Mentoring by the end of the fifteenth century the Brewers’ Company 12 Sport controlled all brewing within the City. The sixteenth Century was the heyday of the power of the Livery 17 100 Years of Fives Feature Companies among which the Brewers ranked fourteenth. The second hall, built during the reign of Charles II, was destroyed in the Blitz and the current, third, Hall opened From the School in 1960. A Brewers’ Hall has stood on this site in 21 Aldermanbury Square for more than 600 years. I want to show recognition to many OAs who, over the 21 Letter from the Headmaster years, have dedicated so much of their time to various 22 Exam results Trusts and Societies connected with Aldenham – all on a purely voluntary basis. Whilst on the subject of volunteers, 26 The Letchmore Trust Art Prizes this copy of the OA Review cannot be produced without a dedicated team, all of whom are volunteers. We are currently looking for a new Editor to take the helm when I step down at the end of the year. All enquiries please either 30 News and features to myself or Ann Saffery Email: [email protected] I offer my grateful thanks and appreciation to my team 30 Letters and events – Hugh Schermuly (M1974-79), Sara Price (CR1987-2006), Ann Saffery and Jackie Wilkie (both Development and OA 33 Forms for forthcoming events Office) also toRichard Peart (SHO1955-60), Lindsey Kelly 37 The Battle of the Somme Centenary (P1985-87) and Alice Erman (P2005-12), all of whom have helped with proof reading. I hope you enjoy reading this year’s OA Review as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. 46 Obituaries and tributes James James-Crook (M1968-72) 46 List of Deaths editor, OA Review email: [email protected] 47 Obituaries and tributes 2 From the OA Society From the President I hope you enjoy this edition of the OA Review with its focus on the Centenary of the Fives Courts and the Battle of the Somme. n May this year, it was a great Our close relationship with the School privilege to lay a wreath, on behalf underpins our efforts, and, particularly Iof the OA Society, at the Thiepval so, with the Headmaster, James Fowler, Memorial to the missing of the Somme; and his senior staff. We take pride in the a moving and memorable experience. excellent achievements of the School As I end my time as President I would and development of the Aldenham like to thank you, the OA members, for Foundation under James’s 10 years of supporting the Society’s social and stewardship; the Aldenham Foundation sporting activities so well and also has now grown in size to nearly 1,000 our new initiatives such as, the OA boys and girls of all ages. Mentoring Scheme. My thanks to all It was also very satisfying to see an those who have made, and continue to OA assuming the role of Chairman of make, the Society a thriving alumni club Governors – Trevor Barton (K1971-75) – the hardworking OA Committee, the during my time as President. As many OA Review team, OA Mentors and those OAs will know, the Development and OAs who run our sports clubs. OA Office team, Ann Saffery and Jackie Incidentally, I have been asked to make Wilkie, provide superb back up and a special plea to younger OAs to take the brunt of organising our consider joining the OAFC and OAGS as social activities with great dedication these would benefit from new OA talent. and panache. The introduction of oA Committee memBerS Neil Sutherland oBe dL President of the oA Society at the Canadian National Vimy memorial Neil Sutherland OBE DL President derick Burlingham Johnson Vice President John edwards Vice President electronic Development & OA John Ashley Cockett Vice President newsletters and other initiatives to david ronald male CBE Ex-President promote the benefits of membership to field marshal the Lord Vincent GBE KCB DSO Ex-President the OA Society to current and Christopher edward Arkell Vice President prospective parents, pupils and Peter John Purton OBE Ex-President especially School leavers, is just a small richard Wood Vice President part of their recent extra efforts. frank rogers Hon. Secretary The Society thrives in so many areas richard Peart Hon. Treasurer though, with some disappointment, I ian Luetchford Annual Dinner must record that, due to steeply rising James James-Crook Editor, OA Review postal costs allied with only a small david hayes Mentoring Scheme number of ‘OA Society Life Members’ Clare Yeabsley née McCarty Committee Member paying a small voluntary subscription, James fowler Headmaster we are having to consider ways to Peter William Boorman Headmaster 1974-83 reduce costs. This may result in the OA michael higginbottom JP Headmaster 1983-94 Review only being sent by post to ‘life’ Stephen robert Borthwick Headmaster 1994-2000 members who make a small voluntary richard harman Headmaster 2000-2006 contribution and those still within their Bob Collins Assistant Head, Co-curricular & 20 year membership. Plans would be External Affairs made to send an electronic version to Ann Saffery Development & OA Manager other ‘life’ members. Please make sure Jackie Wilkie Development & OA Assistant that your email address is recorded on the OA Society’s database. If you are in a position to increase your voluntary contribution or to set up From the OA Society 3 OA Masonic Lodge The Old Aldenhamian Lodge was consecrated on 15th December 1926, sponsored into the United Grand Lodge of England by the Old Brightonians, then later into the Public Schools Lodge Council by the Old Tauntonians. John Westmore (SHE1970-1974) was installed in March 2016 as the new Did you know? Master of the Old Aldenhamian Lodge Image: Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.5 Commons/CC-BY Image: Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia (OAL), succeeding Mark Hancock (CR1994-2002). Four Lodge meetings are held each year, all in central London. Members of the OAL span different generations, with many younger ones joining in recent times. Freemasonry is one of the leading charity-giving organisations in the UK and, in our case, is centred on members of 32 other Public School Lodges who regularly visit It has been brought to the Editor’s us and likewise we reciprocate and attention by John MacLeod (B1944- 48), that three of cricket’s greatest initiate hospitality with return visits players were connected to Aldenham. supporting their occasions. This is a When Sir Donald Bradman made his particular benefit in membership of final test appearance at the Oval in our Lodge, representing a unique 1948, England’s opening batsman opportunity for making new friends; was John Gordon Dewes (B1940-45). When Sir Leonard Hutton made his dining out together and participating final first class appearance in M.C.C. in various trips, the most recent v Gentlemen of Ireland his opening being a tour of the Police Crime partner was David Eustace Blake Museum last March. (P1939-43). Somewhat tenuously, when W.G. Grace opened the batting at the Surrey v Gentlemen of England a regular standing order to the Society, For enquiries please contact Simon match at the Oval in 1908 his partner then please do so straight away; the form Mitchell (K1970-73) OAL Public Schools was Henry Keigwin, whose brother can be found in the OA Review on p.35. Representative & Lodge mentor Richard (also a first class cricketer) As this will be my final message to Email: [email protected] taught at Aldenham. you, may I take this opportunity to send my very best wishes to each and every one of you. I remain deeply grateful for everything that Aldenham has given me and I have been delighted to be able to give something back in return.