One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1918-1924 This would be the ante-room at the Head of Ashburnham Staircase (see L.E. Tanner, p20). The busts are those of Southey and W. Hastings, with the H.M’s chair. About 1922 (under A.T. Willett) this was converted to a Chess Room, the strict rule of silence up Lib being waived to allow the call “Check!” In the ‘Novel Room’ adjoining were displayed various items presented to the School (see L.E.T. pp22-3). There come to mind the rudder of the VIII of 1845, the trireme cast, the bust of Sir Fras. Burdett. Also (not listed by L.E.T.) a block of (?) quartz from Ammon inscribed:- ‘OI ΠAYΛOY M’EΔOΣAN TOIΣ ΠETPAIOIΣI ΛIΘOYPΓOIΣ / ΠPIN ΔIOΣ AMMWNOΣ KEIMENON EN ΘEMEΘΛOIΣ’ (I once met an Old Pauline who explained its origin.) Similar blocks were presented to the Freemasons of five other Public Schools.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1919-1924 On the right (then as to this day I hope) is Liddell’s tree. Beneath it the tiny and cramped Bursar’s Office, where the devoted and conscientious but unsystematical JJ Tyson (Ti Ti) laboured six days a week throughout the year (never a holiday save half-a-day for Diamond Jubilee, 1897). Report had it this Office was in such confusion that the Pashley Bowling Cup was mislaid there for 3 years, under piles of files, letters and records. On the ground floor (hidden in picture by the Fives Courts) was the Masters’ Common Room - fittingly described to me by Mr. Smedley when once I appeared at its doorway on urgent business as “The Holy of Holies” Above it (17 Dean’s Yard) was H.BB (now Wren’s, I think - but surely Wren was never a House Master, like Rigaud?) It always puzzled me how 80+ Home Boarders fitted in there, complete (presumably) with Upper and Under. H.BB in my day were a boisterous House, but good-hearted - more congenial generally than A.HH (I speak of course as a K.S!)'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories 1920-1924 It was not until 1959 (as a senior OW) that I ever set foot in this ‘terra incognita’- reputed in our day to be a vast subterranean vault. Under Mr. Flynn, College Butler (toothless and be-wigged) food in Hall, tho’ plain and unexciting, was plentiful-a welcome contrast to RR, with its single ‘barge’ at breakfast and tea and its dismal menu of lentil, stock-fish or rock-buns in Hall. From 1922 Mr. Flynn was succeeded as Supervisor by the up-to-date and fully trained Miss Ridge. (To our joy the kindly Miss Flynn was retained in charge of “Flinnery”, ie the service-pantry). Under her, food soon became varied, imaginative and (despite the inevitable grumbles of fastidious T.BB) definitively good. Pancakes had previously appeared on Shrove Tuesday, but now we had on occasions at mid-day Hall salmon, rabbit (dubbed ‘poor Puss’ by TBB), pickles with cold meat and even (in a heat wave) lemonade and strawberries. For evening Hall (tea) the great standby was ‘choufleur-au-gratin’, which could be found ready at any time by late-returning Watermen.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Mr (later Dr) W.J.N. (“Teacher”) Burch came to the School the same term as I did, Play 1918. He was joined in the Labs soon after by his faithful colleague F.O.M. Earp. “Nobbs” must have found things in considerable confusion at the end of Dr Gow’s regime - perhaps owing to the absence on War Service of H.A. Wootton and J.S. Rudwick. In my first few days (I was of course a Classic, so not directly concerned) no one could tell who was “in charge of Science”. An unfortunate hypochondriac named Quirk (whose name does not appear in the list of Masters in the ‘Record’ Part III), was literally driven to his death just before I came by the antics of Under School “scientists”. W.J.N.B. in his task must have been much helped by the ‘purge’ of the Modern Side by Costley White in his first two years. In Dr Gow’s last year, perhaps 2/3 of the School were on the Modern Side - simply because Science and German was so much easier than Latin and Greek. (Many boys transferred because or in anticipation of E.L. Fox in CV!). By c1921 H.C.W had redressed the balance-restoring numbers of Classical, quality of Modern.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk as follows: 'Memories 1918-1921 (thereafter to Water) By 1918 Elson was a venerable, silver-haired figure up Fields, yet with many years still to go. Over his many years he prepared and maintained a first-class Cricket Pitch. We were of opinion it was the second best in London - “Better than Lord’s, second only to the Oval”. Be that as it may, I head “Plum” Warner assure us (at a lecture up School in Election 1920) that one reason why we lost so many matches was that Vincent Square provided such excellent pitch within easy reach, so attracted many leading London cricketers; he also appreciated the sumptuous tea provided not only for Teams but to all visitors. (My only memory of Elson is bowling in nets) Before the acquisition of the Boat House (1921) and Grove Park, pressure up Fields in summer was extreme. Boarders not in the Corps (I for one) played Cricket 5 days in the week, and watched a School Match on Saturday. I have memories of 7 games in progress simultaneously along the S. side of Fields. Once a terrific swipe from the end-most pitch narrowly missed me at square-leg. I had to chase it across six pitches, being cursed at each for interrupting the play! (Tho’ never a player of any mark, I nonetheless retain a love for Cricket!)'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1918-1922 I do not remember any public Gym Displays in my time. The Instructor in the picture is presumably Sgt. Melican. About 1915 he was succeeded by the colourful Sergeant Satchell - barrel chest, waxed moustache and prominent blue eyes. He was immensely popular, not least on account of his lurid descriptions (e.g. how to withdraw a bayonet from the body of a dead German), as also his vivid and racy anecdotes. E.g. “I hit ‘im square between the eyes. ‘Is eyes popped right out on strings, criss-crossed 2 or 3 times, then went back.” Or his account of an incident during a boxing-bout between G.O. George, K.S, and A.L. Haskell (RR), now of Sadler’s Wells Ballet: “George caught ‘im one right on the side of the nose [in those days an out-size one, tho’ later pruned]. ‘Is nose went right over at a right-angle- and came back with a click!”'
