Item 1 - Our Days in Deans Yard Version 1

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Index

Chapter 1: The Appointment
First heard of Westminster at the home of Bonar Law (Isabel Sykes - see letters from above - his eldest daughter was a school-friend). On dealing with strict post WWI rationing and the outbreak of Spanish 'flu while at Liverpool College. Harold Costley White invited to apply to Westminster by Dean Ryle - in two minds, because he had instituted many changes at Liverpool College in its structure, discipline and teaching, and overseen the move out to Mossley Hill. Yet he went to London, and sent a telegram in the evening 'Have been appointed.'

Chapter 2: The House
Arrival at Westminster in 1919 disrupted by rail strike, so Harold Costley White went on alone – Hope Costley White finally arrived with their belongings at the same time as the boys. On the beauties and convenience of No. 19 (though the kitchen was a long way from the dining room), and its history - Liddell planting the plane tree in Little Dean’s Yard, and Busby. Occupied by HMs from 1560 until WWII. On domestic servants, and the strict supervision of the cook, Mrs Elsden (who followed them to Gloucester, and when both were retired came to stay each summer for three weeks). On various guests. Masters paid termly in arrears, so Harold Costley White had no income from July 1st until the end of December.

Chapter 3: The School
Little Dean’s Yard the centre - School, College and Ashburnham House. Origins of the school - of pre-Elizabethan HMs, Alexander Newell wrote the Church Catechism, invented bottled beer, introduced the study of Terence and admitted day boys, and Nicholas Udall, after an unsuccessful time at Eton, while at Westminster, was the author of the first English comedy, Ralph Royster-Doyster. College Garden, not the Abbey Garden. On the importance of the Abbey to the school. Efforts to move the school to the countryside all failed, and rightly so. No bounds for the boys. Football and the lamplighter in Deans Yard. On the purchase of Vincent Square as Pimlico was being developed in the early 19th century, and the purchase of Grove Park by Harold Costley White, and the boat house at Putney (when the building of the Embankment made the river at Westminster too fast-flowing for rowing). Origins of Westminster pink. Harold Costley White had removed three German guns from in front of Ashburnham House (presented by the government) - removed at night, to forestall any patriotic protest. Comments on some of the masters. Lawrence Tanner and Arnold Willett knew everything about Westminster.

Chapter 4: Near Neighbours
Overpowering presence of Dean, Chapter and various other clergy (referred to by one of the canons as 'inferior clergy'). Dean Ryle impressive (as also his intimidating butler Sylvester). Mrs Ryle very prim and proper and beautifully turned out (assisted by a competent lady's maid - 10 servants all told in the Deanery) - often kindly invited Hope Costley White to sit next to her at services. Sub-Dean Canon Carnegie, wife and family (stepfather of Neville Chamberlain); Hope Costley White met Lord Bath at tea at their residence, 17 Dean’s yard, when he discussed plans for opening Longleat to the public to raise income for maintenance. Archdeacon Canon Charles and wife - he used to practise putting in College Garden, was terrified of germs (all toothbrushes, cooking utensils, etc. had to be sterilised daily) and had a season ticket for a chair in St James's Park. Canons Barnes and Temple, both great preachers (the former the father of William Barnes, a co-founder and first president of the College Society). Other residents of DY. Funeral of Queen Alexandra (and birth of nephew Robin Goldsborough - see letters above). Receiver-General Knapp-Fisher and Sacrist Dr Perkins. The Choir School.

Chapter 5: Day in, day out
Hope Costley White had little official contact with the school, but the CWs entertained a great deal. School rather living on its past - air of drabness and defeatism. Harold Costley White very concerned with the outward appearance of the buildings. Participation in great Abbey occasions. QSS rights in the House of Commons - the Speaker and Mrs Fitzroy. School presence at State Opening of Parliament - Harold Costley White always gave his two tickets to the head of school and another senior boy (for him the boys invariably took first place). Harold Costley White insisted that school-provided headed writing paper should only be used by him and only for official business. London galleries and museums - OWW with positions in the world of art. Entertaining boys in their house, followed by games (e.g. clumps - a sort of 20 questions). London a healthy environment (because of the tidal Thames?) - they never obsessed over germs. Harold Costley White's personal intervention with a 'worried' boy. Increase in boarding applications and formation of a 'waiting house,' Thring's - described in a long quotation from John Carleton, who was one of the first pupils there. Superseded by the establishment of Busby's, with the housemaster Robert Hilary. Harold Costley White ceding the site of Busby's on the south terrace of Dean’s yard for the building of Church House, on condition that Sir Herbert Baker built a replacement house in the immediate vicinity of the school. Busby's moved in 1936 - a plaque in the dining hall (current snooker room) gives the date and displays Busby's and Harold Costley White's coats of arms.

Chapter 6: Outside the Yard
On the 'tranquil and orderly district to the south of the Abbey' (Disraeli). Brief account of Barton Booth OW, who built Barton and Cowley Streets. Until quite recently these (and Lord North and Gayfere Streets) were comparatively humble. On friends in these streets - Lord Frederick Hamilton, who took a great interest in the boys (NB he was a confirmed bachelor!), Charles Trevelyan (who gave wonderful Thursday evening parties), Viscount OW and Lady Davidson, the Walter Runcimans, Lord Reith, Vincent Baddeley (after his dinner parties in the summer table, chairs and a standard lamp would be moved out to the pavement in Barton Street for bridge), and others. School owned 14 Barton Street (leased as an office by Sir Herbert Baker) - CWs went to see if it would be suitable for 3 or 4 young bachelor masters and found Lawrence of Arabia asleep upstairs. Hope Costley White on a committee investigating child poverty in Westminster, and Secretary of the Westminster Refuge, which housed 'fallen girls.' Various local institutions (Cowley Fathers, Mothers Union, etc. Poverty and slums of Marsham Street.

Chapter 7: Great Occasions
Latin Play, its rituals, the various Masters of College, list of famous guests at The Andria in December 1922, Harold Costley White composing the Prologue, the evening parties at No. 19 afterwards, the Epilogue (always written by an OW, with translingual puns), Prologue and Epilogue always printed by The Times with a short review. Commemoration of Benefactors every 3rd year - only service where evening dress was worn - and reception in Ashburnham House. Hope Costley White wanted a chandelier for the drawing room - £10 limit set, but she found one in the King's Road. Election weekend at end of summer term (examinations for the universities conducted in writing and personally); on entertaining the visiting scholars, the Abbey service on the Sunday, the Election proper on the Monday, when the results were read out, and Election Dinner (and epigrams) in the evening (observed by the ladies in the Musicians' Gallery).

Chapter 8: 1926 - and after
General Strike. The value of an independent BBC. DY a depot and camp for government messengers. Boys allowed to volunteer (with parental permission); some in ticket office at6 St James's Park, others at Lot Road power station. John Carleton drove a tram between Hampton Court and Shepherd's Bush - derailed it while parking one evening, helped by nearby strikers, but demoted to conductor the following day. Private cars used to help with transport. Lawrence Tanner (Master of History VII and VI) took half a dozen pupils to The Times' printing presses; some weeks later all presented by The Times with silver match-boxes, engraved with the legend 'ictus meus utilis esto (may my strike be useful). Asked (told) by Canon Woodward to form a girls' club; started with 5 or 6 on Monday afternoons and created a waiting list when membership reached 100. Annual Club holidays (Brittany, Scotland, Jersey); Saturday afternoon trips around London, and classes in mothercraft for 17+ year-olds. Gave up in 1930 after developing scarlet fever. If she left after 10pm she had to walk round to the north entrance to DY - the match-seller and roast-chestnut man in Wood Street (Dean Trench Street?). On return from America in 1930 asked to become editor of the new series of the Bible Reading Fellowship, aimed at 8-12 year-old children - remained for 22 years. The Fellowship always had deep roots in Westminster (e.g. Canon Woodward and Harold Costley White both chairmen of the Executive).

Chapter 9: The Wives' Fellowship
(Missing from this version of the typescript - pencilled note on Ch 10 'Ch 9 given to The Wives' Fellowship Westminster School').

Formed in 1915 to support mainly (but not only) young mothers whose husbands were at the Front. Initially for women 'of the leisured classes. The development and workings of the Fellowship. Husbands (or, if not possible, unattached men) invited to the conference - e.g. Harold Costley White could not come during term. On various organising personnel. Strained relations with the Mothers' Union, especially on the subject of divorce, and eventual affiliation. Study circles, prayer groups, retreats, quiet days and retreat conferences. Branches started in India. The Annual Day of 1928 held up School. George Mallory's widow Ruth. The changing of the compulsory age, and eventual formation of the Senior Wives' Fellowship. Recommendations in 1928 to the Archbishops' Commission on Religious Education.

Chapter 10: White's Hotel
No 19 good for overnight guests (3 spare bedrooms). 2 musical evenings given by Harold Samuel. Harold Costley White very musical, with perfect pitch - pianist, and a good baritone. Harold Costley White's male-voice quartet (formed before WW1 when all four were at Rugby). Maurice de Pange, his family and his letters home (collected and published). The Leigh Mallorys (George and Ruth - see Ch 9) - children's tea party in Jerusalem and then visit to an empty and darkened Abbey. CW's daughter Isabel bridesmaid at marriage of Isabel Law to Sir Frederick Sykes (see letters passim). Arthurs Burroughs, Dean of Bristol, then Bishop of Ripon, and other guests. Field Marshal Lord Methuen, and CW visits to his house parties at Corsham. Occasional boys, whose homes had complications, including John Carleton. The Zinoviev letter, the franc’s case, Owen and Mary Anne O'Malley, and the political machinations around his temporary resignation from the Foreign Office.

Chapter 11: 1928, 1929
Floods at Westminster, from 1294 onwards. The flood of January 1928 - the school and DY unaffected, but devastation in surrounding areas. Attention then focused on the squalid and dilapidated housing around Millbank - repair to the flood damage uneconomic, so blocks of flats built instead. The slump of the early 30s, and the operating of the Abbey Unemployment Centre; the unemployed played (and on one occasion, beat) the Second XI up Fields. Demonstrations of the unemployed, and the hardships of the Means Test (if a child was gifted an overcoat, a visit from the Public Assistance would follow). No-one turned away from the CW door without something (Harold Costley White - better make the mistake of trusting the wrong person than down someone in need); one man, having found a job, came back to return the money he been given. Death of her father in 1929. His early life and blindness - he became a highly successful London solicitor and gave his services to many blind institutions and charities. Her mother's interests, especially Egyptology - once she took Hope Costley White to a lecture by Sir Flinders Petrie. Members of the family reading to her father - his instructions on how to handle books and turn pages. Hope Costley White almost bi-lingual in French because her father had taken a flat in Paris in 1906 and 1907.

Chapter 12: Widening Horizons
Multiplication of Harold Costley White 's outside commitments. Taught 17 periods a week and sometimes covered for absent colleagues. Council Member of Parents' National Educational Union (became friends with, and conducted the funeral of, the founder, Charlotte Mason). Became friends with Netta Franklin, Mason's successor - the first Jewish family they were intimate with. Arrivals from Germany settling in their house as the 30s went on. Netta's husband and second son. Netta's trip with Hope Costley White to Portugal and Madeira in 1932, to found PNEU schools. W1932, to1929-1930 – Hope Costley White with mild attack of scarlet fever - sent to London Fever Hospital to work out her quarantine. Description of her routine in the hospital - letters out had to be baked before posting. Departure for New York and the US 48 hours after leaving hospital - boat journey provided a perfect convalescence. Trip sponsored by the English-Speaking Union to promote the new exchange programme. Exchanges soon moved on from schoolboys to include schoolmasters. Harold Costley White on council of HYELM (Hostels for Young Employees of Limited Means). On Spoken English Advisory Committee of the BBC (days when uniformity in pronunciation was considered important). Member of English and Classical Associations. Meetings at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House (once, the head of the pro-German group in Czechoslovakia argued for union with the Fatherland, but ordinary persons took no special alarm). The London Library, the Athenaeum and meetings of the Royal Geographical Society. Harold Costley White much in demand as a preacher, especially at other public schools. Select Preacher at Oxford and Cambridge, twice at each, and appointed Chaplain to the King in 1932. Harold Costley White very good-looking, but not at all vain. Freemasonry. Holidays, in the UK, Paris and Italy. Lecturer with Hellenic Cruises. Sabbatical in the summer term of 1927 - lecturer on trip to the Holy Land, then on to Egypt, Sicily, the Tyrol and Munich. With some former parents in Yugoslavia.

Chapter 13: Social Occasions
OWW (Manisty and E.R.B. Graham), Sir Edward Boyle (Balliol friend of Harold Costley White), parents Emile Mond and Stavridi (she once sat next to Eleutherios Venizelos at dinner there), Dean Inge (of St Paul's - uncomfortably frugal lifestyle), city dinners (Merchant Taylors' and the Vintners'), garden parties (Lord and Lady Phillimore - Walter?, Sigismund Goetze, Buckingham Palace), the Royal Academy, tobacco box dinners of the Past Overseers Society, meals in the Temple, concerts, Head Masters' Conference, the Church Assembly, Armitage Robinson (Dean of Westminster, then of Wells), controversy around Epstein's Night and Day (on St James's Park Underground station), seeing the recumbent effigy of Queen Mary by Sir William Reid Dick (a parent - Queen Mary was still alive). Harold Costley White welcomed boys whose parents were in London on foreign service (the Kennedys never came because they were staunchly Roman Catholic, Rudolf von Ribbentrop and his nazi salutes to the driver of his Mercedes - a party at Carlton House Terrace).

Chapter 14: People of Importance
The power of the Bursar, especially their first one, Mr Tyson, who hated parting with money - Harold Costley White insisted that the nymphs (early morning cleaners) be given overalls, and a meal in College Hall before they went home; his austerity started with himself - he refused even to have a secretary, so Harold Costley White felt unable to demand one for himself. The School Sergeant, Sergeant Bowler - a sort of combination of head porter and drill master. Angel, a jack of all trades in College Hall, and tosser of the pancake - on seeing the damage to School caused by the blitz, he said only 'Whatever will the Bursar say?' Carpenter Johnson, who headed to first school maintenance team (instituted by Harold Costley White). Production of the first (and only?) school ballet, in 1931. Talks on Indian independence by Lord Lloyd (former Governor of Bombay and uncle of John Carleton), Lord Irwin (former Viceroy) and Mahatma Gandhi. On the dignity, poise and austerity of the latter. On the eccentricities of Bob Llewellyn, maths master. The concluding person of importance, Harold Costley White himself, and a recollection by Sir John Winnifrith OW - ending of bullying and homosexuality, revival of rowing, good looks, authority and kindness.

Chapter 15: The Abbey
Visitors aften asked Harold Costley White for a brief tour of the Abbey, but invariably he was too busy - indeed, the CWs used to fix a time, 5.30 or 6.00, when they would definitely meet, otherwise they might entirely miss each other. Sometimes add the visitor to some group being guided round, sometimes Hope Costley White would do it ('though she never knew the Abbey as well as she knew Gloucester). The monuments a hindrance in looking at the Abbey (uproar when Dean Ryle caused one giant to be moved), 'though fascinating in themselves - discussion of some personal favourites. The cleaning of the monuments under Dean Ryle, and slow and incremental gilding of the choir stalls. Failed attempt by Dean Foxley Norris to build a sacristy - article on the subject from the Elizabethan of December, 1929. In 1933 the school arms placed over the Archididascalus stall. Gradual easing of relations between School and Abbey. Boys climbing on the roofs of the school and the Abbey - long quotation from Michael de Selin court, later a mountaineer. The great Abbey services, but also the normal and sometimes private ones (weddings, etc.) - the Dean phoned round the community on the evening of January 20th, 1936, and impromptu prayers were said at 10.00pm for the peaceful passing of King George V, who lay dying. The Abbey thronged in the days immediately following. The Lying-in-State. The School had a special position in Parliament Square for the funeral procession, and the women were allowed on the roof of Henry VII. The Coronation in 1937 (Harold Costley White no longer House Master, but now a Canon of the Abbey) - the disruption of the six months of preparation, and the day itself (temporary mislaying of the Imperial Crown, slight hitch in placing St Edward's Crown on the King's head, and the chaos, in heavy rain, during the departure of the guests from the Abbey).

Chapter 16: The Canonry
Harold Costley White taken ill at Lambeth Palace - ill with thromboses for 13 weeks. Resigned from Westminster from end of Spring Term 1937. Boys showed consideration and concern; also, the masters (especially Arnold Willett) and wives (including my grandmother, Nita Hilary!). Appointed to a vacant canon at the Abbey and installed in November 1936 (so he held two appointments, from November 1936 to March 1937). Portrait by High Riviere interrupted by the illness. Boys presented Harold Costley White with a motor car. Move to 4 Little Cloister (occupied in rotation by the canons in residence, with the other houses let out, but permanently occupied by one canon since 1849). Outlook on College Garden and its fierce gardener. Only the Foundation and the Davidsons (at 16 Great College Street could use it, plus the King's Scholars for three days over Election weekend. They avoided Little Dean's Yard, to avoid 'crowding' the Christies, and Harold Costley White said they should not accept school invitations for two or three years - even when George VI came to the Play in December 1937 (Coronation year). Given a Staite Murray pot by Isabel Sykes. Hope Costley White began reviewing for the Guardian (weekly C of E publication). Abbey closed in preparation for the Coronation from January to September 1937, so Harold Costley White finished a biography of Abraham of Ur. Canons Marriott (friend of Asquiths) and Barrey (weekly luncheon club in Caxton Hall). Harold Costley White offered Deanery of Gloucester in the summer of 1938. Hope Costley White did not want to leave Westminster, but individual preferences seemed to matter less as war approached - the CWs left the precincts in September 1938, on the day the school was loading lorries for the first evacuation to Lancing.

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