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: '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: '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: '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 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: '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 on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: '(Bust dated 1895-L.E.T. p39) 1918-1924 There were in my day two busts of Dr. Busby (both presumably destroyed in the Blitz)- one behind the HM’s chair Up School, the other in an oval recess in the Busby Library, above the chair occupied by the Master, in my time I.F. Smedley. On these two busts was based the most famous of several apocryphal stories currently concerning I.F.S and the VII Form (definitely before my time!), as follows: - I.F.S. had lunched well and wined freely. [He was in fact a man of most sober habits] On his return to take Afternoon School, he was astounded to see two busts above his Chair (the other having been surreptitiously ‘borrowed’ from School!). On being questioned, every single member of the VII he could see but one – I.F.S must be “seeing double”! Not convinced yet, I.F.S left the room to fetch Sergt. Bowler for his testimony. As once the culprits removed the second bust, leaving one only. On returning then with Sergeant, I.F.S. was about to ask him his opinion when he looked- and (still mystified) said instead – “Very well, -er, Sergeant- you may go!”)'
One copy annotated on reverse by R.S. Chalk, as follows: 'The ‘Dryden Form’ was kept unobtrusively somewhere behind the semicircle of seats for the Monitorial Council at the N. end of School. Few saw it there, and few cared. It was first pointed out to my father and myself by E.L. Fox when I appeared for my first Challenge in 1918. No doubt (likes so much else stored Up School) it perished for ever in the Blitz. The Form itself was exceedingly rough, worn by the seats of generations. In the dim light of School the letters could barely be made out (It may be noticed John Brown has traced them round in chalk for this photograph). To my mind it is open to question whether they were carved by the Poet or by his son of the same name (K.S. 1682-5). Nearby was cut in huge, deep letters ‘A.SLADE’. We all knew the tradition that it had cost him 500 lines for each letter (see L.E. Tanner, p32)'
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 as follows, by R.S. Chalk: 'Dr. Busby’s Chair (for HM) and 24 seats for Monitorial Council. My seat in 1923-4 was No. 6 on HM’s right- at that time only 13 out of 24 seats were occupied. (Tho’ never a House Monitor I was allotted a place on the Council as First Classic) The Shell recess of course obscured by the canopy behind HM’s Choir, bearing arms of former HMs. On either side may be seen some of the exquisitely blazoned arms of OWW on the panelling, an unforgettable feature of School. The white objects on the seats are hand-tablets for Latin Prayers (the Council Chanted the Versicles, the rest of the School the Responses.) The old harmonium may be seen on the right. We invariably sang Psalms 67 or 123, in traditional ‘English’ pronunciation. During my time two Masters’ Chairs dating from Henry VIII were presented and stood on either side of the Rod Table (in foreground). The rods may be seen protruding from the drawer. I witnessed four ‘handings’ between 1921-4. Deeply impressive. Four swishes on back of hand only- but followed by tight house-tanning.'
