One copy annotated on reverse as follows, by R.S. Chalk: 'Memories 1918-24 R.S.C School- one of the three great losses in the Blitz. Vastly impressive, tho’ by comparison with its present day counterpart, sombre, dusty and dark. (Yet HCW once lamented the Victorian ‘vandalism’ which enlarged all the medieval windows save one!) Used for Assembly, lectures, Orations, Concerts, O.T.C. Parades (if wet), Physical Drill (‘Phys Hell’), Exams (as in this picture) and, above all, Latin Prayers. Latin Prayers each day were a real joy- I never once heard criticism. All joined in singing in Elizabethan Latin. (I remember once (about 1920) three Arab Sheikhs attended these Prayers, and much impressed). The Masters knelt in the middle gangway on ‘pancake’ kneelers thrown (sic) out to them. In the top foreground (then as now) may be seen the Pancake Bar. I was present in my second Term (Lent 1919) at the most famous Greaze of all- witnessed by King George V, Queen Mary, Prince of Wales and Prince Albert- won by D.L Moonan, K.S'
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 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.'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '‘Lib’ was my far the most usual ‘occupat’ for boarders between School and prep. For one thing, most of us (I for one) were too jolly tired after the long day’s work to indulge in any more strenuous activity. That blissful hour of quiet from 5:15 till House bells rang for Tea at 6.10 remains a happy memory. Peace for a while! Under the austere Librarian Rev. G.H. Nall and his elephantine assistant J.J. Huckwell, the rule of SILENCE was most rigidly observed. Some relaxations were introduced from 1922 under A.T. Willett, when board games such as Chess or even ‘Attack’ were provided. On wet days, Lib was occasionally a welcome alternative to Station up fields. We were proud of Lib, and used to boast it contained 10,000 books (!). Of these the most popular were “Dracula” (I never obtained it till my sixth year) and, among humorous works, Stephen Leacock. The walls of Lib were covered by prints of noted OWW. I was sad (if not surprised) to find these replaced after the War by contemporary art'
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: 'The (reputed) Star Chamber Doorway (see L.E.T. pp 44-5), another casualty of the Blitz. View from interior of Etheridge’s Room, past the Rod Table (no rods visible, so out of School hours) to Liddell’s Room (C.R. later C.Sh2) In the the Under School we knew little of the Star Chamber of James I, but had a saying: “People used to go through that door to be tortured-and they still do!” The reference was to the fearsome W.G. Etheridge, dreaded by all. He was a brilliant teacher both of French and of History, but a ruthless slave-driver and with a streak of cruelty. (He was known by K.SS in his History Set as “The Man of Blood” – back-handed reference to his detestation of King Charles I) I spent many a gruelling period in this room, first in the Under School, later in C. Upper Shell (School Certificate Form). I owe much to W.G.E.’s teaching, but was not sorry when, having passed School Cert. and attained to C VI, I no longer had to enter Star Chamber!'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '1918-1924 I am not certain what ‘Sub Target Practice’ implied. The ‘diamond’ badge on the right sleeves of the two corporals was a proficiency badge - I believe gained by passing ‘A Cert’. By 1918 slacks (as in the picture) had given place to breeches and puttees, worn by all in uniform. This picture is particularly valuable as providing a good portrait of the excellent Sergeant Bowler, School Sergeant 1900-1936 one of that magnificent band of School Servants etc who served the School so faithfully for the first quarter of this Century. ‘Sergeant’ was the friend of all, except the recalcitrant. By 1918 he had ceased to have anything to do with the A.T.C. - his parades were limited to twice-weekly Penal Drill (a salutary corrective and deterrent, abolished by H.C.W. about 1923). ‘Sergeant’ was always on duty. I believe I last met him up School in the Spring of 1936 - if so, only a few weeks before his death on 9.4.1936- in harness.'
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!”'
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!'
