One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Dated 1909 1918-1924 There was a welcome break between First and Second School about 11.0, another between Second and Third School about 12.0. According to Teignmouth Shore (1910) these were of five minutes’ duration only, but I think they had been increased to ten minutes by my day. This gave a brief opportunity for going to Sut’s (as some are doing in this picture, tho’ by no means a ‘Greaze’ such as was sometimes seen). It was also an occasion for consulting the Notice Boards. (Those in the picture are looking at the list of Teams for forthcoming marches). To omit to do this, and in particular to fail to tick one’s name off for Afternoon Station, was a “tannable offence” (as I learnt by experience- though on that occasion I and my fellow culprits were given the benefit of the doubt). Fourth School in my day was from 3.30pm (after Fields) to 4.25pm. It was a long and gruelling period. Under Costley White a brief break was introduced (followed on a few happy occasions by a Lecture Up School ). But I.F. Smedley refused to allow this break for the VII- much to our distress and displeasure. (If the Break was observed we were not allowed to leave the room).'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1918-1920 These memories are confined to Rigaud’s, where I was a boarder for 6 terms, Play 1918-Election 1920. The formidable E.L Fox was House Master. There were 60+ boys, 50% being Half-Boarders (not Day Boys!). Boarders thought little of Half-Boarders! I loved my first house dearly. In picture: Basement – Changing Room (one bath only!) First Floor- Hall (i.e. Common Room & Prep Room) accommodating +-50 boys. (Half-Boarders were kept out before 9am and driven out after 5pm. During those hours they had to answer ‘knocks’ on Upper Door when Monitors required a fag. (As other times, the junior Boarder present) Second Floor:- Big Dorm (Monitors, Underites and the dozen or so senior Boarders). Leave to go ‘up Dorm’ was given once a week only. Top Floor:- Sick Rooms (one generally used as an ‘overflow’ for Little Dorm). I spent 16 days of my first Term in the End Sick Room suffering from Spanish Flu in the epidemic of 1918 (E.D Harford, the ‘beau ideal’ of a Westminster, and Little Dorm Monitor died in this room on 19.7.1919) Monitors had the privilege of disporting themselves on the rail-enclosed step outside the Front Door. It was a ‘tannable offence’ for any ‘Hallite’ to stop still on the steps even for a moment.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Morning/Evening Hall - Memories 1920-24 At Breakfast and (High) Tea in those days Hall was the exclusive domain of K.SS. The deeply resented invasion by Busby’s did not come till 1925. Seniors sat at top table on right (note Captain’s chair), Juniors at bottom table, ever-alert for cries of “Election bag!-beggar!-brown bag! Etc.etc. Orders had to be executed at the run, so the zig-zag passage from the “Flinnery” to Seniors’ Table was a hazardous business, especially if carrying a full jug of ‘bag’ (normally my task as a Junior). The chief of the ‘many customs’ referred to by L.E.T. was Toasting. When the open coal-fire in the centre was lit, Seniors would sit before it (before eating), and make two pieces of toast (more if desired) for each Under Election in their respective Rooms- call his name, and throw the toast to be caught or (failing that) retrieved from wherever it had fallen. As “breaking (ie going between) tables” was an offence, this often meant a lowly crawl for Juniors! (In my day, I developed considerable proficiency first in catching, later in making and throwing toasts). Unfortunately this custom degenerated into horseplay from 1925 and was abolished c.1926 after an accident to I.C. Allen.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories 1918-1924 Fives was by far the most popular out of School game. Few could afford Racquets, and Tennis was never accepted as an alternative station till about 1923-4. * The three Fives Courts in yard were continually patronised, especially by boarders. K.SS were particularly keen and proficient and participation in House ties was obligatory for all, I believe. During the winter of 1921-2 I witnessed a memorable game of Fives played on the Court opposite Liddell’s Tree - the Headmaster (H.C.W.) and Mr (later Rev) R.E.C. Houghton (Master of VI) versus Rev. A.G.S. Raynor (Master of K.SS, just about to retire) and C.H. Taylor K.S. (later Cricket Blue). The Masters all showed great proficiency- not least the veteran ‘PiWi’. I wonder this game (witnessed by scorer) was never repeated.
*Yet, for all that, did we not produce C.H. Weinberger, Wimbledon Schoolboy Champion in 1919?'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories 1918-1924 This is presumably Inspection up Fields in days before World War I. Such an annual Inspection, even after that War was an impressive affair- conducted by this or that distinguished O.W. soldier. The Band (I remember) played Handle’s March from ‘Scipio’, on each occasion. By the end of the War, the Q.T.C. (invariably referred to as “The Corps”) was all-important in School life. I suppose 80% of boys were in uniform all days of the week - the majority of the remainder waiting till their uniforms arrived. Few senior boys had School uniform, and the sudden announcement in Lent 1919 (after the Armistice) that all must wear Etons or tails from next Term caused panic. Unless exempted on medical grounds, it was quite exceptional for anyone not to be in the Corps. Nor without reason - all were due to be called up at 18. It was not unusual for a boy to leave School then be at the Front by the end of that year - in some cases, not to return. The School’s War Record was a very fine one, not least as the result of high standards in the Corps - 220 names on the War Memorial, I believe - and each trained as an Officer before leaving School. Numbers in the Corps declined in years after the War, but high standards continued. K.SS in particular took Corps very seriously.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories (R.S.C.) 1922-1924 I sat in Busby Library as a member of VII for 6 Terms ; from Play 1922 to Election 1923 my seat was in the far left-hand corner of this picture (a privilege to have chairs, no longer desks or forms!); from Play 1923-Election 1924 as First Classic (a little revived at that time) I chose a Chair at the end of the table by the window (we chose in order of seniority). We sat at the feet of I.F. Smedley (never ‘Snogger’ to his Form), a profound Classical Scholar, complete master of his subject, and a gentleman. He had (I believe) been Master of the VII since 1898. He was also a consummate master of English and a purist (Eg.- ‘Baptized’ not ‘baptised’, because derived from Greek root; conversely, ‘Authorised’, never ‘authorized’). We were taken in some subjects by the HM –not so great a scholar, but with the priceless gifts of enthusiasm, zest and appreciation. Our order for 1923-4 was determined by the result of Higher Cert. in July 1923. There were no promotions from CVI in 1923 so 13 of us continued for a second year in VII. Not caring to risk Election, 4-5 of us gained Open Scholarships.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Back of Grant’s 1918-24 A portion of the School precincts I naturally never once set eyes on during all those years. Except for Monitors (on official duty) no member of any one of the five Houses was allowed to set foot inside another. This no doubt Grant’s Yard (somewhat more specious than its counterpart up RR next door). The windows are protected by wire-mesh because of the ‘Yard Game’ played there, the counterpart of RR Yard Game. This was a kind of miniature football played four-or-five-a side with a rubber ball about 4 inches in diameter. A very fast game (and too rough for me personally). If the ball was ‘popped’ on an iron spike or (more likely) ‘skied’ into GG Yard next door, it meant an outlay of 6d, on another, if available. We would call, “Thank-you ball Grant’s!!” Sometimes our ball would come back, but not often. (GG balls were never skied into RR Yard!)'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1. Dr. JAMES GOW (‘Jimmy’), H.M. 1901-1919 My first meeting with him was at Challenge 1918. I owe him a lifelong debut for his accepting me without Common Entrance Exam (on the strength of my dismal Challenge papers), thus saving a second journey from my home in Devon in War-time conditions. My first three Terms (Play 1918-Election 1919) coincided with his last three. He had been a great and good HM, but was now almost blind and moved in a dignified daze, piloting himself with a stick. (Intent on my prep, I once collided with him in Yard) Through no fault of his, School discipline had become somewhat lax by 1918. Leave and Plays were easily given (e.g. to go skating on the Serpentine in Lent 1919). He was much loved and his departure was a solemn occasion. He shook hands with every boy after his last Prayers. I am glad I remembered to say ‘Thank you, Sir’ – with the classical Remove form-prize in my hand.'
One copy is annotated on reverse by R.S.C as follows: 'The focal point of Yard, which impressed me deeply when I first saw it (as a small boy in 1915). I wondered even then how boys could carve their names on it so expertly. (Later Mr. Green carved my name in College on wood for (I believe) the sum of 5/-). The centre-piece of many a School compilation. (A tragedy the present ‘Eliza’ has no use for it). In my day it was wrongly known by Town Boys in Under School as the ‘Up School Gateway’ (save the mark!). A new Junior KS. of my Election in his word-test called its designer ‘Jingo Jones’. To the left is Sergeant’s Office (a ‘sanctum sanctorum’ where were compiled lists of those due for ‘Up School’ or Penal Drill), with the VI Form Room above it. To the right, in my day a convenient but ugly Fives Court, used (exclusively, I think) by K.SS. It was a vast improvement aesthetically when this was removed some years later and the vista opened into (hitherto unseen) College Gardens.'
One copy annotated on reverse as follows, by R.S. Chalk: '1918-1924 By the 1920’s the multiplication of names of O.WW up School was beginning to pose a real problem, as space was running short. They cost (I believe) only 5/- Each! Towards the end of my time I heard Costley-White explaining to some distinguished visitors that in future permission to have names painted up School was to be confined to “Westminster Families”, i.e. families that had at least three members at the School at some date. I could claim a younger brother and, later, three cousins – but in any case all was decided by the Blitz (which obliterated hundreds of names, including 17 Phillimores and 16 Waterfields).'
