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 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: '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!'
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: '“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.'
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: '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 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.'
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!”'
