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 by R.S. Chalk on reverse, as follows: 'R.S.C. Memories 1922-1924 The destruction of this superb ceiling (I believe by an H.E. bomb earlier in the Blitz than the gutting of School) was a calamity indeed. It was a great relief to O. WW once of the VII to know that it was so expertly replaced after the War- its moulding including the Redstart which had nested in the ruins during the Exile. I sat under this ceiling for my two years in the VII 1922-1924 and (with many another) frequently admired its beauty. The details of the moulding were so delicate and detailed that we were of opinion (I think wrongly) that it could not be plaster- work, but must be wood-carving white washed over. The VII Form Room was also used out of School for meetings of Deb. Soc, but I think for no other recreational purpose. Also, on rare occasions, by the School Monitors in trying a case referred to them by the H.M.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'This unpretentious Memorial faced us every time we came down School after Prayers. It aroused no interest, except for the unusual name ‘Prothero’. We were under the impression that the Latin inscription was composed by J.S. (Jn. Sergeaunt) – in fact it was (I believe) by Prof. J.S. Phillimore. It is ironical that this Memorial should have survived the Blitz intact while so much around it (including the Great War Memorial) was completely destroyed. It was one of the few things I recognised when I re-visited the rains of School in 1945 after my long sojourn in India. Only a few feet away (on the wall facing the VI Form Window) are the two cryptic names which I can claim the honour of deciphering- JOSEPH PRESTON, in Hebrew (which I took as a VII Form Option at School) and E.R. GLYN in Hindi Nagaric characters (which I learnt while in India).'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'At close of School, following ‘Ire licet’, a School Monitor (in charge of the Door, ‘ostium’) and a Second Election KS capping the Masters. (The junior Master descending amid the IV Form was taken in my day to be W.G. Etheridge, but at this date I think it more likely A.H. Forbes). As a Second Election from Play 1921 to Election 1922 I regularly performed my duty as Monos- tapping on the doors of VII and VI Form Rooms with the corner of my college-cap and announcing “Instat Quinta!” or (when Early School in Summer) “Instat Quarta!” –and on Saturdays or Plays “Instat Sesquiduodecima!” (This was an anachronism, this no longer being the correct hour). Only once or twice (on O.T.C Field Days) did it fall to me to deputise for a School Monitor and take charge of the Door and take my place on the Monos Stone.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Did ever such a vast building have such a small door as its only entrance? Strangely enough, tho’ College was the most exclusive of all Houses, numbers of T.B.B in Under School used this door regularly, as ‘Prayer Room’ just inside (abode of Second Elections) was used as an emergency Class Room for French etc. Outside may be seen the Monos Stone, even in those days worn way by the seats of generations of Junior KSS sitting against it from 3:25-3:30 pm performing the duty of Watch (shouting “White’s ‘Ming!!!” when the HM was sighted). Just inside this Door was kept (in a glass case) what was always solemnly referred to as “The Great Key of College”. College in pre-Blitz days had of course two floors only. There were no Wren’s on the ground floor (including my two cousins in 1950-6), so College was (apart from the anomaly above) exclusively the domain of K.SS. I entered this Door as a Junior in Sept. 1920, knowing full well what a fearsome ordeal awaited me. Mercifully the systematic bullying of Juniors was mitigated a few days later.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories 1920-1924 Dormitory- never abbreviated to ‘Dorm’ (as RR, GG) My abiding impression is that it was 56 yards long (perhaps erroneous). I have often sprinted the length of it during fagging duties as a Junior. So did we all at 7:30 each morning, clad in two towels, as our daily course to or from ‘Way’ (Out and up by 7:45 or..!). Dormitory was wonderfully spacious and airy, and well warmed in winter. But of course no view, as the windows were high up. (It has since the Blitz been rebuilt as two floors, while Wrens roost in what were then the six Election Rooms (including Prayer and Lumber Room) on the Ground Floor below. Sic transit Gloria! If I recall alright, there were 21 Houses on the left (including the Captains, seen protruding at the end) and 19 on the right (divided by the alley-way from PiWi’s house). The wooden beam half way along formed the back of the ‘Gods’ during Plays. At the end may be seen the Liberty Boy Tablets; ‘ELECTIO’ Doorway (see L.E.T.) is out of sight on right. After Lights Out, Dormitory was lighted by 3 bulbs only- arrears of Prep done by light of these!'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories, 1920-1924 After the cramped conditions prevailing in Rigaud’s Little Dorm, it was a joy to have a ‘House’ of my own, even as a Junior. It provided space, comfort and a welcome degree of privacy. Pasted up in each House were “The Ten Rules of College”- the Magna Carta of Under Elections. I still remember: “Punishment to be by tanning or [for Upper Elections] desking, and in no other way”, and “No servants’ work to be done by any Under Election”. (There were of course two College Johns- and the ‘Nymphs’). Each House was screened by a red-baize curtain. At ‘Lights Out’ (9:30) Mon. Chaun. and his partner pulled this back (rather farcically!) to make sure all Under Elections were in bed (of course his coming could be nicely timed!). The commonest occasion for a ‘Case’ was to be out of one’s House (even by an inch) after that. In this picture, note (a) the hat-box, (b) school photos, no doubt purchased from John Brown. It may also be noted that the ‘floreat’ (i.e. chamber-utensil) has been removed out of sight. This was called “Setting to Rights” and was regularly ordered on Play Nights, to avoid shocking curious guests who peered inside Houses!'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'The sudden transformation of half of Dormitory into Stage & Auditorium mid-way thro’ Play Term was an amazing annual feat. (I have never fathomed where such a vast amount of gear was stored meanwhile). Under Elections migrated up Saignes, Upper Elections occupying their Houses. Combined with a ceaseless round of rehearsals, the dislocation caused to study and routine was immense, but also K.SS would never have it otherwise, regarding the Latin Play (with strictly Elizabethan pronunciation) as our bounden duty to our Royal Foundress. (What of KSS today??) The fire-hazard in the Auditorium was immense. The whole structure was made out of wood and the only exit the narrow gangway (shown) beneath the ‘Gods’! There was one fireman on duty, he long superannuated. Since almost the beginning of the century, the Play cycle had settled into a fixed Terentian tetralogy- Andria, Adelphi (1919, post War), Phormio and (euphemistic) ‘Famulus’ (olim Eunuchus)- produced on rigid lines by the meticulous Rev. GGS Raynor. Scenery certainly and costumes presumably (including those extraordinary ‘fleshings’ for limbs) dated from the previous Century. I acted Gera in ‘Adelphi’ of 1923, very capably produced by Rev. H.K Luce'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'This picture would have been ‘posed’ by John Brown. As Under Election John he would have had to clear up the mess after Term, together with the long-suffering ‘Nymphs’ (as the two College charwomen were termed). I do not recall any such (rather senseless) ragging at the end of any of my 12 Terms in College (in any case, at the end of Play Term Under Elections, depicted here, were accommodated up Saignes). There was however one annual event on the last Saturday night of each Election Term, as an aftermath of the feast which followed Declams. This was Conveniences Race, a knock-out in which the Juniors competed in pairs, as a part of gaining their ‘freedom’. It consisted of a hurdle-race over towel-horses the length of Dormitory, out to Conveniences (Night Japs), to touch the door-handle there (a good bit of rough play took place here) and so back, cheered by occupants of one’s Room. Competitors wore pyjamas, and (an innovation I remember in 1924) top hats with white ties round the crowns.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'Memories 1921-24 (Known to us erroneously as ‘College Gardens’) It was anomalous (to say the least) that this delectable adjunct to the School should have been debarred even to K.SS except on two days of the year (for the reason, see L.E. Tanner, p46) while (before the opening up of the vista between School and College) TBB never set eyes on it! The Garden was not then visible from Dormitory (windows being too high up) but a distant glimpse of the Canons disporting themselves there could be gained from a window up Saignes. KSS were allowed into the Garden for a few blissful hours on Election Sunday and again next morning for Juniors’ Race, when Juniors ‘ran for their freedom’. This consisted of a handicap race twice round the Garden. A handsome money prize was awarded to the first three finishers (provided no doubt from Election ‘Cap’). (My luck to be pipped on the post by Binyon for 3rd place!). The disgusting custom of ‘Feeding’ in Hall before the Race was mercifully abolished by that wise Chaplain R.C. Fisher in my year (1921).'
