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Chalk, Richard Seymour, 1905-1985 English
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Nearly a hundred years a Tuck shop

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Suts in Yard (successor of this) was one of the most important features of our School life. Besides being a Tuck Shop it was also the Stationary Store and School Book Shop. It is a great pity the photo of Suts including the amazing MISS LUCY ROUD has not survived in this series, purchased from there. (It may however be seen in Record of OWW, Vol III).
A ‘Greaze up Suts’ could be a fearsome affair in which the smaller or weaker stood little chance. Never so much as in Play 1918, when stock was normally limited to ‘Thin Arrowroot’ but chocolate arrived twice the term! (Later, always in stock).
MISS ROUD was a truly wonderful character - small, gold-bespectacled, resembling a village store-keeper. During School hours, she made up all the Book and Stationary accounts (in a unique round hand) for 350 boys. In Breaks she dealt (generally single handed) with scores of chits for ‘Quartern’-‘nib’-‘pen’ etc. etc. and continuous vociferous demands (especially during a Greaze) for this or that item of confectionary. Her one, unfailing weapon was: ‘Shan’t serve you! Enough!”'

The Abbey from "Green"

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Memories 1918-1924
During Play and Lent Terms, “Green” was a complete misnomer! It was used not only for regular Football (“Green games” to occupy all such as were not down for games up. Fields- a welcome relief for less proficient players like myself) but also for daily “kick-abouts” for A.HH and H.BB during dinner-breaks etc (corresponding to ‘Yard Games’ up RR & GG). Consequently there was not a blade of grass surviving by the end of Lent Term, and efforts had to be made to restore its ‘greenness’ for the summer. In this connection I have clear memory of the horse and plough working there in 1922 (featured in a press photo, with Abbey in the background).
The game of Football as played in Green was a peculiar one. It was of course surrounded by the century old five-foot railings (so regrettably removed to make munitions during the war). A ball which ‘cannoned’ off these was still in play- a throw in awarded only if the ball was kicked outside. Likewise the trees – skilful wing-forwards made good use of these!'

Physics Laboratory

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Soon after his arrival as H.M., Costley White decreed that all Under School Forms on the Classical Side should do a modicum of Science (Physics). Tho’ accorded a somewhat mixed reception, this was a wise measure.
I am thankful for the elements of Physics (Archimedes’ Principle etc) that I learnt while in CVI under the gentle and precise F.O.M. Earp (whom we classicists liked well).
Those first two periods of elementary Science on Wednesday mornings were a welcome relief to the hard grind in Classics under the relentless E.L. Fox.
The chief impression of Science was how easy it all was by comparison! Lectures were taken quite light-heartedly, and when experiments were being conducted, F.O.M.E. could naturally not devote attention to more than two boys at a time. Consequently my partner (Dennis Binyon) and myself had many a mild lark between his visits to our pitch!
It was noticeable also during Prep how little work scientists had to do compared with classics!'

"Westminsters" Patronize Charterhouse Tuck Shop

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'“Charterhouse is our big match” I was told as a new boy in 1918, “and they generally beat us”. Too true!
It was not until 1974 that I paid a brief visit to Charterhouse, and in view of all those wonderful games facilities on their doorstep, I marvelled we were ever able to hold up our heads before a School nearly double our size. Yet in days of Taylor & Lowe, we did.
I have vivid memories of a nail-biting last cricket draw in 1920, very much in our favour, when I.A.W. Gilliatt alone saved Charterhouse.
Better by far in 1922 - when Taylor and Lowe shot out Charterhouse to 25 (!!) and themselves knocked off the runs required before lunch! I arrived (alas, none too soon!) in time to see the last wicket fall at 18. (If only McBride could have held that catch in the long-field at that total!)
Then - Football, I witnessed that agonising goal-less draw in 1923 *(actually (I see) a lost 0-1), played (for some reason) not on Big Game Ground but B Ground. We had the better of the play. In the second half the Charterhouse goal-keeper lay on the ball. Our 3 inside-forwards proceeded to propel him into the goal with their feet (legitimate in those days). But the Ref: “fearing he might be hurt” blew the whistle and saved him and Charterhouse.'

Sci's watching a match up fields

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Memories 1918-1924
The Scis (especially the smaller brand perched on the railings) were our most loyal supporters at both football and cricket matches. We were their “local side” and, in good and (more frequent) bad times alike their enthusiasm never faltered. Their cheering put ours to shame (except at House Matches, when there was a non-stop roar, Westminster cheering was tame). They knew all the 1st XI players by name. (“Bulldog” Keily - their nickname for him- was their special idol).
And we treated them abominably - thoughtlessly blocking their view by standing on the side nearest the railings (more shelter there) and affecting to ignore them or treat them with patronising disdain! (A ‘snob school’ indeed)
A quick-witted Cockneys, the Scis subjected ‘Scholars’ (as they called us) to a good deal of banter on the way up or down Fields - eg “Hey, Scholar! Lend me a dollar! Pay you back tomorrer!” K.SS they sometimes hailed as “Cup ‘n’ saucers” (ref. to College Cops)
To our shame be it said we took very little interest in the School Mission in Vincent Square, despite the noble services of (later Rev) R.E.C. Houghton. I (for one) only visited it once in all my six years.'

Gymnasium

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'Memories 1918-1924
Gym was regarded as an honourable ‘occupat’ but attracted only a limited number of enthusiasts. Like the majority, I only saw the inside of Gym, on the occasion of annual inter-House contests. I have memories of D.B. (‘Spud’) Murphy, K.S., competing in (and I think retaining) the Championship only a few weeks after a very nearly fatal bout of pneumonia.
I also remember all boarders (and I think day-boys too) having to turn up in Gym for another purpose, turn by turn, during Lent 1920. The new HM (H.C.W.) had decreed that all the School should be weighed and measured (in the nude) in order to check-up on our avowedly poor physique in post-War years. We also had to blow three times down a tube into a machine which purported to register our “Vital Capacity”. I failed in this abjectly, and was accorded a life-span of about 25 years! Fortunately none of us took this gadget too seriously.'

Carpenter's Shop

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'1919-1924
I have often regretted I never took Carpentry as an ‘Occupat’ – at any rate once a week – but I fancy few Boarders did so. We were most of us just too exhausted by 5p.m to think of anything beyond Lib!
I do not remember ever going inside the Carpenter’s Shop. From what I recall it was situate behind Ashburnham, adjoining Japs.
It was presided over by the Japper little Mr. Green – for some reason always Mr. Green. (I believe he was the only member of the Teaching or ‘Ancillary’ Staff to hold that title not only when addressed by whenever referred to in conversation)
I see from the ‘Record’ Vol III he was appointed in 1904 and continued till his death (presumably in harness) in 1933.'

Art Room

One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows:
'1918-1920
The Art Room cannot but evoke memories of that peppery Manxman WILLIAM KNEEN who presided there from 1884 till just before his death in 1921. He was regarded not without reason as the most peculiar member of the staff. His diction (much imitated!) was extraordinary, e.g. ‘Will you give me at-tenshon?’ or (by way of punishment) ‘Take a Drill-ah! Take a Drill!’ His methods of teaching would be considered outmoded now – Finding the “common venishing point”, making drawings of the numerous classical plaster casts and (for Prep) time and again “Plen and Ele-vashon”. (Williamson who succeeded him belonged to the then Modern School and revolutionised things).
Wm. Kneen only taught the Under School and was a real friends to any who (like myself) loved Art. He died much lamented.'

Masters of Westminster School

One copy annotated on reverse as follows:
"Memories of Masters, 1918-1924 (R.S.C.)
For Group, see ‘Record of O.WW’, Vol. III. Date given ‘c.1909’. As group includes H.L. Reed (sic) but not Q.T. Willett (Play 1909) date is presumably Election 1908 or 1909. (NB: - Photo by Gillmans, Oxford, not by Jn. Brown. Groups not his strongpoints.)
L. to r: -
Liddell; Burrell (‘BaaLamb’); Reed //
Etheridge, Tyson (‘Ti Ti’), Bursar;
Day; Hardy (‘Basil’); Wootton; Forbes; Mitchell (‘Mike’); Smedley (‘Snappers’)//
(Seated) Nall (‘Hoty’); Sargeaunt (‘J.S.’); Tanner (‘The Buck’); Dr. Gow (‘Jimmy’), HM; Fox (‘The Old Man’); Raynor (‘Peewee’); Huckwell (‘Bill’).
Ten had been on the Staff since Rutherford’s day. Except for the four youngest (marked*) all were still there when the War ended in Play 1918, my first term! Probably an unparalleled record of group service.
Under leadership of Dr. Gow, a magnificent team-particularly on Classical side. All devoted to the School, each a master of his subject, each (save one (above: B.F.H)) a striking individual character. Between IV and VII I sat under most and remember all with gratitude, respect and (with one exception) affection."

Second copy addressed and sent, with stamp affixed. Individuals annotated on front. Sent to "Miss M. Chalk, Kentisbeare Rectory, Cullompton, Devon". The correspondence reads as follows:
"Rigaud's House 11/2/19
Dear Mary,
Your cake is very much liked and admired. I am sending this Post-Card as a reward. I saw the King open Parliament today. I saw him and the Queen twice. There were a lot of soldiers there. Has there been enough ice to skate on in Devonshire? Several people have been doing it in London
Dick"
"

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