trbe Ellesmerian

Vol. LIV. July, 1944. CONTENTS.

Editorial School N:otes Hymn of Praise House Concerts House Music Competition Contributions The Man Who Walked .. 142 143 144 145 146 148 The Medal J.T.C. Notes Hockey Athletic Sports Steeplechase Editorial Announcements O.E. Chronicle 149 150 150 151 153 154 156

No. 255

Editorial
When the School reassembles next term three great changes will be noticeable, for three people are leaving Ellesmere, after eight or nine years' service, whose influence on all at Ellesmere has been most marked. Although their work has been divergent, starting from the common point of service and moving outward in different directions, their influence on us 'all has been daily and will always be remembered by the many hundreds of Ellesmerians who have known them. Miss Watts, the Housekeeper, loyal. and persistent in her duties (greatly magnified by five years of war conditions) will be the best remembered of all members of the domestic staff. Capt Watkins, mathematician and O.C., J.T.C., has impressed his vigorous personality on the Corps and its high standard of efficiency, its enthusiasm, and the wonderful record of former members of the Corps in the Services during this war owe more than we can say to this unforgettable figure. The work of a Chaplain ina school such as ours is defined by statute, but it is the undefined work, hardest to assess, most intangible and most difficult to record, that differentiates one Chaplain from another. We have known many Chaplains at Ellesmere, some of them men of powerful personality, others learned, but we can assuredly write that, in our experience, no man has had a greater power over the minds of boys than has Sydney Sharpe. His sincerity, his geniality, his easy and ready ability to talk to all. his power of listening to others, his quick perception of the working of boys' minds, his understanding of their many problems and worries, the dignity with which he conducted all Chapel services, his power in the pulpit-these characteristics 'and many other qualities have made his years at Ellesmere memorable, His has been a great work, and we shall always be grateful for what he has done for us. _"

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School Officers
Captain of School - - - - T. J. L Carter Prefect of Chapel - - - C. A. Rogerson Prefect of Hall - - - - G. W. Pearson School Prefect - M. F. H. Ellerton Sacristan - - - D. Hope Captain Captain Captain Sec. of Sec. of of Tennis - of Cricket - of Hockey - Games Committee Seven Club' - - T. J. L. Carter - T. J. L. Carter - T. J. L. Carter - - H. I. Leigh - - W. H. Lyle

House
MEYNELL. Capt. of House: eM. F. H. Ellerton TALBOT. Capt.' of House: -c. L. Daltry House Prefects: ·C. K. Lewis ·P. B. Dew .R. D. Lee *B. R. P. Edwards ·R. J. W. Saunders Capt. of Junior Dormitory: W. A. Thomas

Officers
WAKEMAN Capt. of House: -r, J. L. Carter House Prefects: ·H. O. Murch ·R. E. D. Simpson J. A. Porritt D. Hope E. G. Insley Capt. of Junior Dormitory: J. W. Boldero WOODARD. Capt. of House: ·G. W. Pearson House Prefects: ·G. W. Dickinson -c. B. Forster ·R. W. L. Hughes T. G. Rees-Jones H. G. Ellis Capt. of Junior Dormitory: R. A. Morshead F.

«s. R. -a, I.

House Prefects: Dean Leigh ·P. A. Browne •J. L. Martindale Capt. of Junior Dormitory: K. S. Towers

Junior House Colours: W. A. Thomas, D. L. Lyle (Talbot), P. Lloyd, M. F. Barton, Dwight, P. L. Carter, R. M. Porritt (Wakeman). • Denotes Senior House Colours.

School
* * *

Notes
*

In the Music Competition which was held on March 25th, Wakeman won the Instrumental and Woodard the Vocal. E. N. Greenwood, Esq., Hon. A.R.C.M., adjudicated. Wakeman also won the Sports Cup. There was no real Sports Day again this year, all the events being run off over a period of ten days, starting on March 15th. The Steeplechase was won by Meynell, though first, fOT the second year in succession. The Chess Cup was won by Talbot. 5th. Two House Concerts were presented, Of these, however, more anon.

Robin Hughes

*
*

(Woodard)

came in

* *

the first on February

* The * *

P.T. Competition

* was
*

won by Wakeman.

13th, the second on March

We were glad to welcome Mr. L. C. Johnson as Biology Master in place of Mr. R. C. AndrewoS, whose benevolence and inexhaustible patience and good humour will be remembered by all those who passed 'through his hands.

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On February 20th, Captain Knight brought his eagle, Mr. Ramshaw, to the School and, with the aid of a cine projector and a great deal of wit, told of his passion for collecting live eagles. The following week Mr. Marsh, ..the father of three of our boys," gave a film show in Big School. There was a large attendance. The Staff .of the Ellesmerian laments the departure to Derby of Mr. W. Moles. His charm and" wit gained him many admiring friends, who wish him happiness in his new post at Derby. The Lent term ended with the visit of several score American nurses on the day of the Relay Sports, and later of an American Army Jazz Band, with ..others." On Frid'ay, May 19th, the Bishop .of Shrewsbury Confirmed thirty-two wards giving a special sermon to parents that were present.

* *

* *

boys, after-

Confirmation Day being the day after Ascension Day, we had the rare pleasure of having four half-holidays 'on the run. We are indebted us a set of the famous Cranage, This set was Liverpool College. We to Canon R. Howard, Headmaster of Liverpool College, fer sending .. Architectural Acceunt of the Churches of Shropshire," by Dean iOl'IIlerly the :property of a clergyman at one time an Art Master at are most grateful for this valuable gift.

We congratulate R. D. Lee on winning a Mining Scholarship to Cardiff University. He assures us he is not a Bevin Boy. We also congratulate G. W. Pearson on being awarded a Choral Scholarship at King's College, Cambridge. The Cricket, Tennis and Swimming notes will appear in the next issue of the Ellesmerian. Five papers have been read to the Seven Club over the past two terms. The first was by W. H. Lyle and was on Confucianism and Taoism in Ancient China," and the second was by P. H. Gray, being a short .. History of Mediaeval Church Architecture." Both these were read in the Easter term. Mr. L. C. Johnson read a paper early in the Summer term entitled" Nature and Nurture." This was followed by a lecture given by an American doctor. At the last meeting of the Seven Club, Mr. D. C. Moles read 11 paper on .. Greek Religion." The Chaplain, the Rev. S. H. Sharpe, has been appointed a Minor Canon at Ripon Cathedral. Capt. W. F. Watkins, M.C., joins the staff at Downside in September, and Mr. D. C. Moles goes to the Crypt School, Gloucester.

"The

Hymn of Praise"

The Choral Society sang Mendelssohn's .. Hymn of Praise" on May 27th before a large and appreciative congregation. The s loists were: Joan Fullerton, soprano; Kathleen Coxon, contralto ; and Mr. Graham Offord, tenor. Mr. Morgan Nicholas was at the organ. The charm of this work lies particularly in its lyricism, drama and sense of

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orchestral colour. The choruses are, of course, most expressively written and there is no denying their success, even though they lack the religious depth of Bach. In whatever light one looks at Mendelssohn's music the Choral Society nevertheless rose to the occasion, and if the congregation enjoyed listening to it. so also did the choir enjoy singing it. Enthusiasm is apt to make a body of singers lose sight of the various nuances of expression and there was some tendency, perhaps, to disregard some of the softer passages on this account. This was. evident in the beautiful chorus, " All ye that cried unto the Lord," where a closer observation of the conductor's hand would have had the desired effect. The opening chorus, "All men, all things," was sung with animation, the basses being particularly strong. Mr. Frayling kept admirable control of the choir, and the "leads" under his baton were attacked without hesitation, especially in the last chorus, "Ye Nations." Accuracy of pitch was well maintained in the chorale. but a little more volume froin the tenors and altos would have made for a better balance of parts. The trebles did exceptionally well in the chorus, "The Night is Departing," and displayed a really fine tone which was never forced even in the high notes which make this chorus so exhilarating. Their efforts throughout the evening are to be highly commended. Miss Fullerton's voice was of rare quality and she delighted us with her rendering of "I waited for the Lord," in which she was joined by Miss Coxon, Bridden and Pearson, supported by a small choir. Mr. Offord sang with charm and dignity in the aria, ..He counted all your sorrows," and the duet, "Thy song shall always be thy mercy." Mr. Mor.gan Nicholas at the organ had no easy accompaniment to play, but he excelled himself by his admirable rhythm and musical insight of the work .• We were indeed fortunate to have his daughter-Miss Merial Nicholas-who gave an excellent performance of the first two movements of Mozart's Piano Concerto in A (K488>, which preceded the " Hymn "-the orchestral part being played on the organ. We should like to have heard the last movement, having sampled her skill and fineness of touch. Both pupil and master 'are to be congratulated on their joint effort. Thanks are especially due to Mr. Fraylin.g for his making the programme so successful both in the choice of music and soloists. The vocal assistance likewise of the Chaplain, Mr. Johnson, Captain Blackler and Mr. Baker was duly appreciated.

House

Concerts

Three House Concerts have been produced in the past year, the first being given by the Violets during the Christmas term. The concert, which took place in the Hope Room, consisted of three one-act plays with incidental music on records. In this respect the Violets were very wise in avoiding the phenomenon called the House Band. The first play was a comedy, "A Distant Relative," in which the chief character was Peskin as Mr. Price. Rees-Jones' inter.pretation of Mr. Potter was superb, and Makin looked indescribably demure in the part of Ethel. . One of the blessings of this performance was the shortness of the intervals, and so within a very short time of the curtain's dropping on the first play the lights were lowered again for the next, a farce entitled "Keeping Up Appearances." The three characters in this play acted with enthusiasm and never lost a lead. The piece de resistance of the concert was a drama which was remarkably well acted for a House Concert. It was called" The Good and the Bad." Pearson as Roel Kentish was a truly tragic figure, and Taylor gave a touching perfonnance as Mrs. Kentish, but it was Atkinson who, more than anyone else, gave the play its atmosphere of suspense and tragedy. Pearson, the producer of the concert, thanked Mrs. Chapman for her invaluable help in making up the characters, and expressed the hope that all present had enjoyed the performance. I think it is true to say that they had. The Yellows' House Concert was presented on February 13th, and took an entirely different form from that of the Violets. It opened with the House Band accompanying Simpson, Porritt and Love in several" popular n.umbers." It was followed almost immedia,tely by a sketch entitled .. Thirsty Work," starring Harding, Samples and Walker. This

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was quite mad, but quite funny as well. The compere, Love, then appeared before the curtain to give an excellent monologue to which he gave the exotic title, .. Gregory Wilhelmshafen Pearson." Having delivered this to a highly appreciative audience, he vanished backstage and the curtain rose again for another short sketch, .. The 'Ole in the Road." In this" Bob" Hope, who was. by the way, co-producer of the concert, took the part of the road-mender, while Bird i played the DUde. The piece was not an easy one to .. put over," but all went well as both put plenty of vigour into an otherwise flat dialogue. Comedians Harding, Samples and Dawes appeared in yet another sketch, .. Comparisons are Odious." This was really funny, and was followed by music played on the accordion by Jones. Harding then appeared with a witty monologue on .. Germs," which, though very good, was nothing on Love's" Gregory W.P." The well-known .. Ghost of Jerry Bundler" was presented next, with Walker iii in the title part. When this had been duly applauded, Hope gave a monologue entitled simply" The Captain of School." Dwight then·" beat out a rhythm" on the piano, the Band appeared again and Harding sang "Phil the Fluter'·s Ball," adding a libellous last verse to the original. Finally, everybody sang "Pistol Packin' Mamma," heard another libellous corruption of it, and dispersed after an enjoyable and hilarious evening. The Yellows held their concert in the Dayroom, and were blessed with Mr. Jackson as a producer and Johnson as electrician. The Yellows held their concert in the Dayroom, and were blessed with Mr. Jackson as a producer and Johnson as electrician. On March 5th the Reds presented their House Concert, which was run on the same lines as that of the Yellows. It opened to the sound of Gray's piano accompanied by the drums of the Meynell House Band. After a slight hitch, the curtain 'rose on the first play, "The Dear Departed," in which Gray successfully played the part of an aged barbarian whose sleep was deep enough to lead his money-grabbing relations to suppose him dead. Slight hesitancy on the part of some of the characters did not lower the enthusiasm of an hilarious audience. During the somewhat lengthy interval Gray returned to the piano, until the curtain rose upon a sketch in which Anstey played Henry VIII and Insley Katherine Parr. This was quite successful. Following this, the overworked Gray again played the piano. The Meynell House Band then made its bow and survived" In the Mood" and" Pistol Packin' Mamma." Culverhouse conducted and sang. Strident blasts on the trumpet by Wilson in the first item caused much ribald laughter from the Staff; the Band was undoubtedly a great .success. A silent sketch by Browne· and Martindale was quite well done, if a trifle long. The play, .. The Scarlet Thread," was preceded by another burst of piano music byGray. The play was the best thing in the concert. It took place in a pub on a stormy night where Olive Browne and Ellerton were discovered quaffing prodigious quantities of cyder. The atmosphere was smoke-laden. Dean was a very drunk, and Greenwood betrayed a great aptitude for bar-tending. Obviously the Reds had concentrated on tll,is play, and they made a good job of it.

House

Music
INSTRUMENTAL

Competition
SECTION

PROGRAMME
WAKEMAN: Senior Piano, W. J. Jones, Sonata in C Minor (Last Movement), Mozart. Junior Piano, N. Rogerson, Waltz in A Flat, Schubert. Other Instrument, E. G. Insley, Concertino in G (First Movement), Muscat.

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MEYNELL: Senior Piano. P. H. Gray. Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Chopin. Junior Plano, J. H. H. Webster, Scherzo In B Flat, Schubert. Other Instrument, J. M. W. Williams, Prelude in B Minor, Prelude in A Major, Chopin. WOODARD: Senior P~ano, J. James, Sonata in C Sharp Minor (First Movement), Beethoven. Junior Plano, J. M. Pedley, Sonata in B Flat (Last Movement), Mozart. Other Instrument, G. W. Pearson, Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, Baca, TALBOT: Senior Piano, H. J. Shearing, Tarantella, ·MacDowell. Junior Piano, D. C. M. Yardley, Gig, Arne. Other Instrument, D. L. Cowmeadow, Watchman's Song, Grieg. CHOIRS. Part Song, .. Heraclitus," C. V. Stanford. llNISON SONGS: (1) WOODARD. .. Over the Stone," Welsh Traditional. (2) TALBOT. "Coming thro' the Rye." (3) WAKEMAN. .. Sweet and Low," Barnby. (4) MEYNELL. .. The Black Monk," Welsh Traditional.

Contributions
AS YOU

LIKE

IT

The subject of Jazz has for the past few years caused a great deal of controversy, chiefly owing to the fact that few people ha ve a clear and unbiased idea of it. The music played by modern dance bands and heard so frequently on the wireless is a commercialised and distorted form of the true jazz which was played at the turn of the century near the Mississippi delta. There, jazz developed from Negro folk music, and it soon became popular, small groups of musicians, both coloured and white, playing it for their own and their public's enjoyment. In New Orleans, during the annual Mardi Gras celebrations and at many. similar functions, these musicians found ample opportunity for playing their brand of music. As yet it was confined to the delta, but the bands playing on the river boats which plied up and down the Mississippi spread this new music further afield to the great cities of the Middle WestSt. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. There jazz playing reached its zenith, and jazz enthusiasts look longingly back to the days when Beiderbecke, Teschmaber and Rapollo reigned supreme in the music world of Chicago. Then jazz became a purely business matter, for it came under the influence of the fllm magnates and wireless sponsors, who preferred a more sophisffcated type of music. As a result of this, musicians lacked the fervour, imagination and individuality of their predecessors. Some of the old jazzmen were absorbed into the big commercial bands where their talents were wasted; some took up other occupations, while others earned a meagre living playing in cheap danee halls. For the next 10 years jazz lay dormant, but soon, several bands which played in the true jazz tradition appeared. Prominent among these was that led by Duke Ellington, the eminent Negro composer and pianist, whose style of jazz was less crude than were the' earlier types and therefore more in keeping with the conventions of the time. However, it was good jazz, and his band did, and still does, delight all lovers of music with its lovely tonal effects and subtle counterharmonies, so often found in its playing. By this time jazz had spread to England, where at first it bad an enthusiastic if limited followirtlf. But soon more people began to understand and enjoy this type of music. .. Rhythm Clubs" developed, and today there are many thousands of jazz lovers in this country. Jazz has of course, had an especially large following _!I.mong he younger generation, and most Universities ~ and Schools have their own" Rhythm Club." Muslcal snobbery m many circles, however, is not unknown. . TWO THWARTED JAZZ FIE:NDS

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I wakened early In the morn, And through the window glimpsed the stars Retreating from our brightening hours. As darkness fled before the dawn. Beyond a gaunt dark distant crest, Each long matt cloud lay motionless, Each tree the silence seemed to stress, Of leaf and unawakened pest. But. as the land took depth and form. Soft glimmers in the eastern sky. Fetched from some wakened farm the cry Of Nature's sentinel of dawn. He listens to the unmelodious sound Of Heraclitus grating through the door, And sighing, picks up writing case' once more And wanders out of Big School. looking roundPerhaps he tries the dayroom, wishing so That letter-writing didn't. need such quiet. Then staggers out. recoiling from the riot Of Muggey Spanier on the radio . . . A thought - outside! - a haven there maybe, But. pausing by a window. gives a .frown, The rain-that fickle goddess-pouring down: He groans and wlshes.lt was time for tea.

A bird Into the daWning soared, Just visible against the black ;. A nervous squirrel scut11ed back And forth to fill Its dwindling hoard. Then, all at once, the air was filled With melody, as far and wide, Each living thing with rapture cried, To see the fields which man had tilled. The cornfields made by man's own hand, The rich assurance of God's gold.
But now the farmer's

He's lea.~ingit [or building land.

getting

old,

J.A.P.

At length an inspiration comes to him, He'll try the bathroom, 'twlll be good for sure ; He tiptoes in and shuts the silent door And starts to write with thankful speed and "vim." The door bursts open, then a cheery howl .. Ah! Jones. you are not doing much I see. Perhaps you'd like to run my bath for me And up In dorm. you'll find my spotted towel, And if you'd like a bit of extra fun, Queue up and get my afternoon tea bun." R.M.L.

ESCAPISTA
What use the pain and disillusionment save Love 7 Do we, in lightness, bear the undying malice, Hollow laughter that vengeance from above In cynic urge has sent 'No sadness falls on them - they are eternal; As the force of blighted frenzy, lingering onward Mends and dies. or lingers still The laughing Jackal caressed and licks The whitened bones left, termite eaten, on the shore. What use the altruistic gloss. vision of eternity? Ban of those delighting In modernity; Shall I-T&rtuftlan sneer of selfish schemers Pitfall of naivety, turned upon itself Beginning of growth and yet not so ? Born again to know - what know? The surf comes on apace, and yet . The jackal lingers, wondering, What force the pulsing tide brings In Its train. Words are but platitudes to those Who welter In Impetuous delight Round sacred caverns in the quivertng Is not their ecstatic blindness

nllJht,

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That makes them love of rose and robe Profane? - And yet perhaps this force is good To culttvate such noble sublimations. What else escape had those Save sin. and love or hate? What consequential strength holds close the m Which superficial shafts not penetrate? The jackal turns and flees The herring bones are tossed and settle In the throbbing broil and fracas Of the surf of life. F.G.J.

"OUR
When Rossini came to London, And sang with George the Fourth And sat on roofs of buildings And poured his music forth, His success was instantaneous, We hailed him with delight, Considered him a superman, Whose music was so bright.

MUSIC

LOVING

PUBLIC"

Cried, .. It's balderdash and slush, Compare it with Rossini's stuff So elegant, so lush." Our .. music-loving public," (Th' appellation I detest), Has always failed to realise Which music is the best ; But never mind, iconoclasts, You, too, shall have your day, When man to sanity has come Your work will win the day. A.F.L.T.

When Scriabin and Satie In sincerity so steep'd, Before our public placed their works, To concert halls we creep'd ; And after, rose in arms, and

The Man Who Walked

He just appeared moving along the white road with infinite slowness, steadily yet wearily, bent as if to dodge the flerce heat of the sun. He was old, incredibly old, with a face wrinkled under the force of time, and brown as a pot of ale. His forehead was broad and his features nobly cast, the jaw still strong and the mouth, though thin and bloodless, curiously twisted at the corners as if It were trying to laugh all the time. But it was his eyes that struck one. They were clear and grey, shining eyes that were fierce and wild and challenging. showing an inner power that struck dumb those that looked into them. And yet they were gentle and, just then, tired. We could not see them at first; all we saw was an old, old man, white haired and clad in filthy rags toiling up the incline into the v!llage. His head was bent as one in prayer, and In his right hand he held a seven-foot staff upon which he leaned heavily. The heat was Infernal, and to look at the molten sky was to court insanity. For flve days the sun had been as it was then, blasting the life out of all things on earth. The grass was withered. the whitewashed cottages shimmered in the sunlight, and their human occupants were supine. We sat under the shade of an old oak and cursed the heat. We could not bear to look at the road which crawled, mercilessly white, down to the bottom of the valley, where It lost Itself in an impenetrable mist of reflected heat . .. Jasus and Mary, the heat," I said for the hundredth time that afternoon. And then I saw the man. .. Great heavens, a tinker," I gasped incredulously and watched his approach. His march up that wee hill held all the pain and hardship and all the courage that ever was. The stooping figure spoke of dogged strength of spirit, the rags, of dreadful poverty. We watched him, fascinated, as at each footstep he kicked up a little puff of. chalky dust, heedless

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of the searing heat of the road on his bare and swollen feet. He was the only moving thing in a dead world. £ven Finnigan's pig ceased its gasping grunt as he approached. As he came level with us he looked up and we saw his ancient face. bearded slightly, and revealing the wisdom of the ages. We were somehow hypnotized, transfixed to the tree by his mild and strangely piercing gaze. We could not move, could not speak, but we perceived he was no tmker. He had not stopped in his steady march all this time and now he bowed his fleecy white head' and paid no further attention to us . .. 'the Saints protect us." said I. amazed and not a little disturbed, .. but what is it?" My companion turned round and looked up the road. .. Sure he's away on the hill road and through the village without stopping anywhere." I in turn Licked round the tree and watc.ied the ancient till the dancing vicious waves 01 heat ana one uurrnng pUl'Uy 01 tne roaa r.ued " •.1 .,yes with tears and pain so that 1 lost sight of the man who walked under the hottest sun that ever smote the valley.

The Medal
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the kind of folk you'd call ordinary - you could meet them anywhere you liked. in anyone of the houses in a thousand small industrial towns. Not the modern couple. those two - they hadn't moved from their own home town. nor in fact from their home, once in all their married days, that is, except for the Brighton fortnight. He -was 47 (and looked it since the war) and a worker at the munitions factory about five miles from town. Munitions weren't in his line, however you looked at it. Didn't like war, and didn't much like making fodder for war either. After 15 years at various mechanic's jobs you couldn't just know nothing about it, so that he'd picked up the job easily and was almost growing fat on his foreman's wage. She, five years his junior, had been Mrs. Smith now for 24 years. Not much to Iook at useful as a housewife, real good cook and homely. Just the sort of wife he had always wanted; You might say she was half his life, and, but for the grace of God, and for the boy of their's they called Bert, she would have been the whole of his life. Bert was their Absolom, their only son, and had they been chapel folk - which they weren't - they would have said he was the light of their lives. A good lad was Bert, quick and lively, and maybe they had thought that some day he'd win glory for himself as indeed he had done. But maybe some folks don't give much for medals. In Germany they are two a penny - but not so here. Maybe folk don't pay so much attention, but when their son, their only son, won his for, what was it? for valour, yes, for valour, well, they were so proud that life for a little while was just like a nice heaven. They knew he'd gone out East, and had more than an idea he was in Italy, but though he wrote often there were nnss missing in his chain of letters - most of his letters came through in bunches,'but if a ship went down, you didn't hear from him for months. It had seemed just like that yesterday - six weeks ago his last letter had reached them, and then this morning they knew he was home again. What is the careless spirit that teaches us to forget the obvious? For, amidst all the excitement. the two at home never stopped to think just why he had come home. Excitement it was too - his picture in the paper, talk on the wireless, and all the rest. His Commanding Officer writing - Bravest man - undaunted initiative in the face of obstacles - fearless devotion - courage beyond the call of duty, and lots more, till they could hardly believe their ears. Then the reporters, droves of them, just exactly like bees round a honey pot. .. Have you any photos of his young days, Mrs. Smith? Had he any particular hobbies, Mr. Smith." And then 8 real hearty denial that there was anyone who might claim his affections! Hours and hours it seemed to go on for, and all the talk making them the more excited, because it all reminded them that he was nearing .England, and tomorrow his ship docked and they would see him once more - see him march down the steps of the gangway to them, and later march up more steps to be congratulated (dare they say it) by the King himself. Oh! yes, their happiness was fulfilled, no clouds to sully its brightness, even in their own minds. What he had won it for they knew in part - officially it was for the storming of a pillbox single handed, armed only with a Bren gun. And it may have been just after they had looked over the account of it that some wanderi ng wisp of thought had fioated into their minds - was it possible to escape being hit when you ran straight at two or three machine guns?

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Was there a kink in their happiness, I wonder, was there a possibility that he had been wounded? Badly? Would they have been told? Of course they never mentioned a wor d of it on the train journey - a queer journey that, excitement, dread, boredom, all mixed and jumbled into dread again. They tried not to think of him wounded, but when the daemon entered their minds. there wasn't a thing that could stop it, until the sight of him stopped these thoughts altogether. The lucky few had a flesh wound, less fortunate, a wound that drags them to the gates of hell before Gods pulls them back, and the least fortunate, wounds that mock the human form and create a shapeless, ragged, torn insult to the clean life that started. Anyway, Bert was lucky, and something they call fate had pushed a bullet into his thigh, and not his face. What does a ,limp matter What does a scar matter, and what even does a little purple ribbon (that means so much) matter for a lifethat's safe from war now, and that they can't take back again to win any more blood stained glory.

J.T.C.

Notes

To give added interest to the common round of foot drill and the like, there have been one or two novelties introduced into our training. The advent of real wireless and modern telephone systems have put the Signals' Platoon _ more on the footing of professionals. The sight of wet and bedraggled cadets, members of the .. Battle Platoon," has caused much amusement. The magic words, "M/C Training," aroused much jealousy for a short time, but only for a short time, for the War Office threw a spanner in the works after a very few trips to Park Hall, where the training took place. The arrival of a certain number of .303 Lee Enfields and Sten machine carbines has made the sight of our old weapons (vintage Ark and Zulu War) more ludicrous than before. But in spite of all this we managed to struggle through two Field Days, one last term at Oteley and one this term at Gredington. On both occasions the O.C. showed amazing agility in removing himself from the vicinity of his motor bike before he was able to run over himself. The Certificate "A" Examination which was held last term was very successful, only one out of fourteen candidates failing. At the time of ,going to Press, we were still looking -forward to the General Inspection, and so no account of it can be given here.

Hockey
For two years now has the School been able to play Hockey for the whole of the first six weeks of the term without being hindered by snow or heavy rain. This does not mean that there has been a drought, but that the fields have never been unfit for more than a day or so at a time. Because of this the standard of HockeyIs slowly improving, and even ~ -the JunioroS have managed to acquire an elementary knowledge of the game. If a little learning is dangerous, there have been no accidents as in other years, when heads were in more danger than the ball. The House Matches showed that the game was becoming interesting, and the spirit was keen throughout the School, Stick-work was surer, and positioning was better, though there have been too many boys who have felt that they had to be wherever the the ball was in the g-ame, sacrtficing skill for brute force, and pursuing a fleeting ball which ever fled before them. When this point is realised, that a game is improved and more goals are scored by intelligent co-operation rather than by selfishness, then the standard of play throughout the School will improve, and no opponent will be too strong for it. . The 1st XI did not have a very successful season, for they drew two matches and lost one; the 2nd XI lost both 1lheir matches.

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Six members O!f last year's team were available, and this should have helped largely to form a new team for this year. Unfortunately, a weakness in the circle characterised this year's forwards, for however many times the ball was sent to the opponents' end of the field, slow passing between the insides and centre-forward, or a lack of thrust when in the circle, generally resulted in the ball's being Cleared out of the 'danger area. Towers iii on the left wing played an intelligent game always, though he was inclined to centre too late or across the ,goamouth; Wright on the right wing was fast and hard-working, though the same fault applied to him. Wood at inside-left was dangerous on more than one occasion, and in more than one way, though he appeared to be tireless in attack; and Williams i at centre, though very clever with his stick, never 'appeared really dangerous. When Carte', the captain, moved to his place the forward line greatly improved, for Carter always seized on the first opportunity of having a shot at goal, or of passing to an unmarked inside. Bennett at centre-half was generally safe, but passed too late to the forwards to enable them to gain much advantage. Rogerson at r1gtht back was always reliable, and he cleared well; Ellerton in goal frequently played heroically, 'stopping hard shots with great ease. Of the others, Samples played a safe game, working very hard, and generally 'beating his opponent for possession of the ball; and Leigh, though sometimes erratic, hit hard and surely. Results; 1st XI Gordonstoun Home Draw 1-1 Gordonstoun Home Lost 1-3 2nd XI Dartmouth Home Lost 1-5 2nd XI 1st XI Liverpool College Home Lost 2-5 Dartmouth Away Draw 2-2 1st XI Colours were awarded to Rogerson iv ; and Half-Colours to Ellerton, Wright, Bennett, Towers iii and Samples.

Ath letic

Sports

As usual, the churlish chiding of the weather tried to interfere with the Sports, but the programme was carried out successfully in spite of this. The Sports remained uncertain until the last event, the Senior Mile, which placed Wakeman one point ahead of Meynell, last year's winners; Woodard was third. and Talbot fourth. 'Ilhe results are given below;Martindale was the Senior Victor Ludorum, winning the 440 yaTdsand the Long Jump, and 'coming second in the 880 Yards and the Mile, gaining a place in the Hurdles and Weight; Graves ii was the Middles Victor Ludorum, winning the High and Long Jumps, and coming second in the Hurdles, and third in the 220 Yards; and Shaw was the Junior Victor, winning the 100 Yards, the Hurdles and the 440, and coming second in the Long Jump. Bridden, Wright ii and Hughes iv ran very strongly for the Seniors, and Lloyd and Adams for tlhe Middles. The Under 15 record for the 880 yards was broken by Lloyd, 'a record which has remained unbroken since 1926. Hughes iv won the Senior Steeplechase and the Mile, with very few signs of distress; he has now won these two events for two years. Lloyd also won the Junior Steeplechase. The last day was bright and clear, coming after a day of dark 'clouds and rain, and so the Relay Sports were run off in almost ideal conditions. Again it was the last event, the Senior Medley, which decided the winners, and Wakeman gained the Cup for the third year in successton. Group Capt. Finlay presented the Cups, though he was unfortunately, or fortunately, unable to ·be present at the beginning to watch the Hurdle Relays. After the presentation he 'congratulated the competitors on their keenness and spirit, and advised them to continue with their athletics after they left School. especially if they were going into any ot the Services. Next year we hope to have two Sports Days, with the Sports held on the last Saturday of term, 'and the Relay Sports on the last day as usual. This will bring back a certain

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amount of keenness which has been absent this year, when the semi-finals and finals have been run off on 'afternoons during the last fortnight of the term. Finally, we wish to thank all those Masters who have given their help in the Sports, without whose asslstarice the Sports could not have been held.

RESULTS
SENIORS 100 Yards.-1. Wright (V) : 2. Towers ill (R) : 3. Dew (B) : 4. Bridden (Y) : S. Bennett (R) : 6. Block (R). Time 10 3/S sees. Hurdles.-1. Bridden (Y) : 2. Porritt i (Y) : 3. Wright (V) : 4. Martindale (R). Time: 17 4/S secs. 440 Yards---u., Martindale JR) : 2. Wright (V) : 3. Washington-Evans (B): 4. Hughes iv (V) ; 5. Leigh (R) ; 6. Dew (B). Time: 56 3/5 secs. 880 Yards.-1. Hughes iv (V) : 2. Martindale (R) :3. Wright (V): 4. Murch (Y); 5. Samples (Y) : 6. Browne i (R). Time: 2 mins. 18 1/5 secs. Mile.-1. Hughes iv (V) : 2•.Martindale (R) : 3. Browne (R); 4. Lewb (B): 5. Mureh (Y); 6. Dickinson (V). Time: 5 mins. 12 1/5 secs. High Jump.-1. Saunders (B) ; 2. Twist Ii (Y) : 3. Murch (Y); Block (R): Bennett (R): 6. Ellerton (R) ; Williams i (R). Height: 4ft. 111 ins. Long Jump.-1. Martindale (R) ; 2. Bennett (R) : 3. Edwards iii (B) : 4. Dew (B) : 5. Williams i (R) ; 6. Marsh i (V). Distance: 17ft. 5~ins. Di~cus.-1. Bridden (Y) ; 2. Gray (R) ; 3. Wood (B); 4. Williams i (R) ; 5. Chadwick (R) ; 6. Towers iii (R). Distance: 94ft. 9Uns. Javelin.-1. Gray (R) ; 2. Edwards ii (B) ; 3. Culverhouse (R) ; 4. Graves il (B) : 5. Lewis (B) : 6. Hope (Y). Distance: 122ft. Weight.-1. Bridden (Y) 2. Dickinson (V) ; 3.Twist ii (Y) : 4. Block (R) ; 5. Martindale (R) ; 6. Williams i (R). Distance: 35 ft. 7ins. MIDDLES 100 Yards.-1. Barton i (Y) ; 2. Adams (V) ; 3. Lloyd (Y) ; 4. Appleyard (Y) ; 5. Bell (Y) ; 6. Jones i (Y). Time: 11 2/5 secs. Hurdles.-1. Appleyard (Y) : 2. Graves ii (B); 3. Sym ii (R). Time: 17 4/5 secs. 220 Yards.-1. Adams (V) : 2. Lloyd (Y) ; 3. Graves jj (B) : 4. Appleyard (Y); 5. Lamb (B) : 6. Barton i (Y). Time: 28 4/S secs. 440 Yards.-1. Adams (V) : 2. Lloyd (Y) : 3. Barton i (Y) : 4. Bell (Y) : 5. Lamb (B) : 6. Thomas vi (B). Time: 1 min. 2 secs. 880 Yards.-1. Lloyd (Y) ; 2. Thomas vi (B) : 3. Dawkins (R) : 4. Adams (V) : 5. Bell (Y) : 6. Dwight (Y). Time: 2 mins. 253/5 secs. High Jump.-1. Graves ii (B); 2. Lamb (B); 3. Hanson ii (V) ; 4. Marsh ill (V) ; 5. Sym jj (R) : Carter ii (Y). Height: 4ft. 111Ins. Long Jump.-1. Graves it (B) ; 2. Benson (R) : 3. Smith (B) ; 4. Appleyard (Y). Distance: 15ft. Sins. JUNIORS 100 Yards.-1. Shaw (R) ; 2 .Everall (Y) ; 3. Wi!kinson (V) : 4. Vaughan (V) ; 5. Davis Ii (V) ; Bullen u (Y). Time: 12 secs. Hurdles.-1. Shaw (R) : 2. Coryn (B) ; 3. Dron field (R) : 4. Tate iv (V). Time: 20 1/5 secs. 220 Yards.-l. Everall (Y) ; 2. Caryn (B) ; 3. Wilkinson (V); 4. Rogerson v (Y): 5. Dronfield (R) : 6. Browne iv (R). Time: 31 secs. 440 Yards.-1. Shaw (R) ; 2. Everall (Y) ; 3. Ro gerson v (Y) : 4. Dronfield (R) : 5. Yarwood it (B) : 6. Garmon Jones i (B). Time: 1 min. 7 1/5 secs. 880 Yards.-l. Everall (Y) : 2. Yarwood it (B) : 3. Coryn (B) ; 4. Rogerson v (Y) ; 5. Dronfield (R) : 6. Garmon Jones i (B). Time: 2 mins. 40 secs. High Jump.-l. Rogerson v (Y) : 2. Tate iv (V); 3. Yarwood Ii (B) ; Pritchard (V); 5. Wardle (Y) ; 6. Challoner (Y). Height: 4ft. 3lins. I:.ong Jump.-1. Vaughan (V) : 2. Shaw (R) ; 3. Wilkinson (V) : 4. Caryn (B): 5. Yarwood II (B): 6. Millican (Rl. Distance: 14ft. Sins.

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BANTAMS Phillips i (R) ; 2. Anderson (Y) ; 3. Tasker ii (R). Time: 12 1/5 sees. Phillips i (R) ; 2. Anderson (Y) 3. Tasker ii (R). Time: 334/5 sees. ORDER: 1. 2. 3. 4. WAKEMAN MEYNn,L WOODARD TALBOT 296~ points 295~ points 221 points 215 points

RELAY

SPORTS

RESULTS

Senior Hurdles.-1. Talbot; 2. Meynell ; 3. Wood ard ; 4. Wakeman. Middle Hurdles.-1. Talbot; 2. Wakeman; 3. Woodard; 4. Meynell. Junior 100 Yards.-1. Meynell; 2. Woodard ; 3. Talbot; 4. Wakeman. Middle Medley.-1. Wakeman; 2. Talbot; 3. Woodard; 4. Meynell. Junior Half-mile Team Race.-1. Wakeman; 2.Talbot; 3. Meynell ; 4. Woodard. Senior 100 Yards.-1. Meynell; 2. Wakeman; 3. Woodard; 4. Talbot. Junior Medley.-1. Talbot; 2. Wakeman; 3. M eynell; 4. Woodard. Middle Half-mile Team Race.-1. Wakeman; 2. Talbot; 3. Meynell ; 4. Woodard. Senior Medley.-1. Wakeman; 2. Woodard; 3. Meynell; 4. Talbot. ORDER:
1. WAKEMAN 2. TALBOT 3. MEYNELL 4. WOODARD

61! 50! 48 34

points points points points

The Steeplechase
SENIOR MEYNELL Browne i Martindale Gray Bennett Olive Dawkins
2

3 7 15 19 20 66

WOODARD Hughes iv Ellisil James iii Rogerson iv Turner il Marsh i

1 8 10 13 16 57
9

WAKEMAN Murch i Dawes Holland i Samples Bell Jones i

4 5 12 14 30 32 97

TALBOT Lewis ii Yarwood Lee Thomas v Dew Daltry i

6 18 21 22 23 101
11

JUNIOR Morgan Wynne 4 Parsonage 5 Benson 7 Leech 13 Dronfield 15 Sharp 25 69 1. MEYNELL 2. WAKEMAN 3. TALBOT 4. WOODARD Blockley Barnett Shelton Thornhill Tate iv Massey 6 22 24 26 35 38 151 135 147 173 208 Lloyd Howells Dwight Stringer Everall Wells 1 3 8 10 11 17 50 points points points points Thomas vi Yarwood Ii Dockrill Clark ii Mason ii Edwards i 2 9 12 14 16 19 72

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Editorial

Announcements

We acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries: - The St. Edward's Chronicle, The Raven, The St. Bees' School Magazine, The S.S.M. Quarterly, The Worksopian, The Ardingley Annals, The Johnian, The Denstonian, The Kin.g. Edward's School Magazine, The Cottonian, The Crosbeian, The Bloxhamist, The Wellingbudan, The Wycliffe Star. Editors: J. W. Nankivell, W. H. Lyle. Treasurer: W. L. Sumsion.

OJ:. CHRON ICLE

July, 1944.
No. 66

OjJicers for 1944-1945.-Presidellt: A. C. SHEPHERD. Vice-Presidents: F. SPILSBURY. HOIl. Sec. and T'reasurer : E. W.· WHALLEY, 3, Palmerston Road, Road, Sheffield 10. Tel. No. 61203. ANNUAL MEETING.

A Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Club was held at the Grand Hotel, Aytoun Street, Manchester. on Saturday, May 20th, 1944, with the President in the chair. The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. The Statement of Accounts, audited by W. J. Skene, the Club.Auditor, was submitted by the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, who reported that the increased balance in hand was £133, and that the balance carried forward exceeded £1,100. ThiS was considered very satisfactory, and the adoption of the accounts was carried unanimously. A. C, Shepherd, Vice - President, became President in accordance with the usual custom. F. Spilsbury was elected Vice-President, and E. W. Whalley was re-elected Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. The other Officers were re-elected en bloc, and this concluded the business before the meeting.

STATEMENT

OF

ACCOUNTS

FOR

YEAR

ENDING

MAY

1st,

1944,.
£ s. d. 47 1 4 12 4 8 19 220 50 2 3 11

By Balance forward Subscriptions, Life " Subscriptions, Annual " Bank Interest " Interest on £3 per cent. " Defence Bonds Increase in value of Cer" tificates

£ s. d. 982 17 9 169 1 0 3 10 0 26 13 0 8 11 4 8

To cost of Ellesmerians Cost of Posting & Envelopes " Stationery " School Prizes " Cheque Book .. " General Postage " Balances:. £ s. d. " Savings Certificates 428 4 2 £3 per cent. Defence Bonds 500 0 0 Balance at Bank 186 13 4 Cash in hand .. 105

1115 17 11 £1179 16 7

£1179 16 7 Audited and found correct. WM T. SKENE, May 10th, 1944.

EDMUND W. WHALLEY, Hon. Secretary & Treasurer. May 8th, 1944.

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Roll of
KILLED IN

Honour
ACTION

Sergt. Denys Philip Martin, RA.F., was killed whilst on operations on August 23rd, 1943. He had been in the RA.F. exactly three years, volunteering when he was with his parents in the Argentine. Martin came to Ellesmere in 1931and stayed here for six years. He was an outstanding athlete and played all games with great brilliance, gaining his Rugger XV Colours at a remarkably young age. A hard worker and loyal friend, with a quiet competence in dealing with problems, he is a great loss to us all. OUTdeep sympathy to his parents. . Lleut. Edward Arthur Milward White (The King's Battalion), Royal Tank Regiment, was killed in action at El Alamein on July 22nd, 1942. White, affectionately known by a vast number of O.E.'s as "Yapper," entered the old" prep" at St. John's Hill in 1923 and passed on into the Talbot, leaving Ellesmere in 1931. A highly intelligent boy, he had infectious enthusiasm for all he undertook, and during his long stay at Ellesmere he reached prominence in ev~y side of school life. He joined his father in business on leaving Ellesmere. He joined the T.A. in 1938,and later. after being at Sandhurst, was granted a commission. He went overseas in May. 1942,having been married in February, 1942. To his wife and parents we send our sympathy .In their very great loss. Wing Commander Raymond Hilton, ·'.>.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar, is presumed to have lest his life on operations on January 25th, ~942. Raymond (whose brother was also at Bj'l..smere, and like him, under .. Charlie" Beresford in the Yellows) was a greatly liked boy who excelled in all forms of sport, especially at tennis. The death of this brilliant young airman is a tragedy to his country as well as his family. Thrice honoured by his King, his future seemed likely to be brilliant. . He left Ellesmere College in July, 1933,and became ·articled to Messrs. Agar, Bates, Neal and Co., Chartered Accountants, of Birmingham. Passed the Intermediate Examination in November, 1936,and the Final Examination in 1938, being admitted as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in February, 1939. Throughout his life he maintained a keen interest in .sport. He became Warwickshire Junior Lawn Tennis Champion in. Singles, and gained similar distinction in the Mixed Doubles. He was also a keen golfer and squash racquets player. At the outbreak of war he volunteered for service with the R.A.F.V.R, and obtained his commission as a Pilot Officer with Bomber Command in February, 1941. In seven months he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant, and in November, 1941, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He volunteered for membership of the Pathfinder Force. then being formed, and became one of the first Pilots. .In May, 1942, he gained a Bar to the D.F.C. for .. skill, courage and fortitude" displayed throughout a hazardous mission connected with an attack on a target in the Ruhr. By this time he had completed two full periods of operatioaal flights, totalling between 60 and 70, most of them taking place during night hours. In June, 1943,he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. The citation governing this distinction reads as follows :.. S/Ldr. Hilton has completed numerous operational sorties since the award of a Bar to the D.F.C. He participated with success in a daylight attack on the submarine yards at Dantzig in adverse weather. He also completed a daylight attack on the Ruhr, undeterred by lack of cloud and by fierce opposition. In the course of subsequent operations, as flight commander, S/Ldr. Hilton has exhibited marked keenness for improving all aspects of operational organisation. He has displayed sustained gallantry and determination throughout." His next promotion was to Wing Commander. and for some months he served on the administrative side of the Pathfinder Force. At the beginning of November, 1943, he was given the command 'of No. 83 Squadron of the Pathfinder Force, and resumed operational flying. The" Lancaster" aircraft, of which he was pilot, failed to return from a

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flight over Berlin on the night of November 23rd - 24th. On the 25th January, 1944, his family were notified that he was believed to have lost his life. Wing-Commander Hilton was 27 years of age, and was married in September, 1942, to Miss Betty Evelyn Clements, former Warwickshire Lawn Tennis Champion and a wellknown figure at Wimbledon and other Tennis Tournaments. Their daughter, Geraldine. was born on the 26th February, 1944. To his wife and little child and to his father (J. P. Hilton, C.B.E., Birmingham Municipal Bank) and mother and brother we offer our deepest sympathy in their great loss.

Awards
We congratulate: Trooper Robert Cox on being awarded the M.M. for bravery the Tunisian Campaign. in

Capt. (T/Major) Stephen Muir Hollway, RE., on being awarded the M.C. in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Sicily.

On
(Additions ALLISON, J. S. BROCKWELL, L. M. N. CARVER, J. CAUTLEY, H. P. T. P. CLARKE, W. A. CLIFFORD, C. W. C. COX, R (M.M.) COWARD, R A. L. CROSS, J. B. DAVID, A. C. F. DAVID, R J. DAVIES, J. R. DEAN, A. P. DICKINSON, A. D. EATON, D. B. EYTON-MORGAN, J. R. FARRAR, J. K. FERRAND, A. L. GRIME, R. T. HATCH, R W. ·HILTON, R,

Active
Major F/Lieut. Driver Surgeon-Lieut. P/O. Trooper Lieut. Signaller Midshipman O.C.T.U. Chaplain 2nd Lieut. Private Lieut. P/O. Lieut. Lieut. Captain

Service
RA.O.C. RA.F. RA.S.C. Indian Army RN.V.R. RA.F. R. Irish Horse RA. RC. of Signals R.N, R Corps of Signals RA.Ch.D. Welsh Guards R.A.O.C. Border Regt. RA.F. R.E. R.A. RA.M.C. E. Lanes. RA.F. R.A.F.

and Corrections since January, 1944.)

HUGHES, W. T.

(D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar).

Major (Staff) Wing Commander

158
JONES, GLYNNE KINGDON, R.

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R.N.

O.S. O.C.T.U. Sub-Lieut, P/O. Cadet Sergt.-Pilot L/Corpl. P.O. Private COl1l1. Lieut. Private Cadet Driver Colonel Capt. W.O. P/O. Captain (Staff) Squadron-Leader Lieut. Cadet W.O. Cadet Capt. L/Corpl. Sub-Lieut. O.S. P/O. 2nd/Lieut. Lieut.- (E.) FlO. Sergt. Major • Killed in Action

R.N. R.A.F. R.N. R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. Army R.A.F. R.E.M.E. R.A.F. R.I.N.V.R. Cheshire Regt. R.A.F. R.A. R. Corps of Signals R.N. R. Sussex Regt. R.A.F. R.A.F. Jl.E. R.A.F. W. African Artillery R.A.F. R.A.F. R.A.F. .R.I.A.S.C, Indian Army R.N.V.R. R.N. R.A.F. R.A. R.N. R.A.F. R.A.A. R.E.M.E.

LARGE, R. L. W. LAUGHTON, D. B. LLEWELLYN, E. MARSHALL, J. R. MARTIN. D. P. McKEAND. J. S. MORRIS. R. McKEAN. O. J. McLEOD SMITH. I. MUKERJI. S. N. MILLS. J. S. T. NEWLING. A. J. M. NICHOLSON, K. PHILCOX, S. A. W. ROBERTS, J. G. REES. A. R. REDDY, P. G. RICHARDS. J. F. ROSTRON. C. RUMSEY, H. R. E. SENIOR. J. SMITH. J. K. B. SUART. JOHN SUART. JAMES THAPUR. B. S. TODD. T. D. VAUGHAN. K. L. VAUGHAN. J. WATKINS. P. B. WHALLEY, E. M. WILLCOCK. P. B. WILLiAMS. P. M. WILLIS. A. R. YEAL. H. S.

O. E.·5 on Active

Service

F/Lieut. K. G. Todd has met Squadron-Leader Rumsey, F/Lieut. Yates and Capt. B. d. Walker In India, who gave them news of Lleut. (Tubby) Davies. P. Rogerson has sent news of Ray Stokes and H. P. T. R. Cautley, whom he has met in India. Rogerson has opportunities for .playing squash. tennis and hockey. He is at an O.T.S. in India. dohn Suart finished his training in Kenya and went to Burma to fly Baltimores in operations. He is now on special work in S. India and has been promoted to Warrant Officer.

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Lieut. R. A. L. Coward, R.A., is now in India. Lieut. P. H. Bailey, Rajputana Rifles, has met Capt. B. G. Thapur, whom he had not seen for nine years. Thapur saw Bailey in a restaurant in Lahore. He had met Capt, R. S. Rees in Bombay. Major W. d. Simmons, M.C., has also met Thapur and R. Forth. Simmons won the M.C. for gallantry in Madagascar, a country he delighted to visit. " Madagascar is a great stronghold of the Church of England, although only a few speak English in the island." Simmons has spent months in S. Afrtca, East Africa and India. Rhaldyr dones is billeted in the same hut as P. Rogerson at an O.C.T.U. in India. Lieut. S. N. MukerJi, R.I.N.V.R., has played some Rugger at Karachi, and met many Denstonians who remember playing against us at Rugger, He has given his boots away now. having decided that hard grounds and old age do not agree. A message picked up by the Australian B.C. says that d. P. Edwards, father of Roger and Brian, is well. J. P. Edwards was captured after the fall of Singapore, and presumably is still in the big P.O.W. camp 'at Changi on Singapore Island. Brian Edwards, now a journalist in East Anglta, joins the RA.F. shortly. Capt. R. A. Philp,' RA.M.C., is shortly going to Staff College. He met Sergt. D. d. Carr - dones recently. Capt. d. R. Thomas, RI.A.C .. is in the Punjab. He has seen Westrop, Gaskin, Husbands, R. S. Rees, D. P. Wright; Yates, Northcote and Arkinstall-all in the Indian Army. G. N. Towers has recently sailed to join the Indian Army. Lieut. dohn Senior is serving with the West African Artillery on the Burma Front. Capt. R. S. Rees has been Adjutant of the 48th (Mechanised) Cavalry, I.A., for 18 months. He met Gaskin and Whittaker on the troopship going out, and they played Rugger for the Ship XV at Cape Town. He saw Mukerji at a dance at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay. and later met Thomas and Husbands in Bombay. He has not met H. W. Thompson, a former Captain of School, but he has seen a photograph of him in the Press. Lieut. P. O. Willcock, R.N., has met Mukerji in India, and he sends us news that Thompson is on sick leave in England. Thompson apparently is Police A.O.C. to the Governor of Sind. Willcock's brother, R. D. Willcock, 'has now recovered from his Rugger injury. E. Lightowler has covered a good deal of the U.S. before coming to rest in Trinidad. He has been to New York, the Hudson Valley. Albany and Lake George-saw Mr. Roosevelt at Hyde Park and then hitch-hiked 2,600 miles in fourteen days. He met H. Caladlne, a senior accountant at the Oil Field Company in Pointe-a-Pierre. R. Kingdon is now at sea and is finding the life, though hard. full of compensations. Andy David has now passed out of the RN.C. and is at sea. R. Rathborne, R.M., has been with the same flotilla of landing barges for some time. He plays Soccer a great deal and keeps goal; and as one would expect, his flotilla are practically unbeaten! Allen Webster has sailed 10.000miles, vlslting New York. Bermuda and Newfoundland. He arrived home on leave to celebrate his 21st birthday on the correct day. Webster is a telegraphist on a destroyer. SubLieut. D. LaUghton is serving on H.M.S. Oribi. which has recently been in the news. They have been within a few hundred miles of the N. Pole. Boston, Mass., Newfoundland (here Laughton met d. Ellis) and Russia. M. R. Lambert, A/L.A." F.A.A.. is training in Canada. Pte. A. Dickinson, RA.O.C .• has spent some time in hospital in N. Africa. His younger brother is in the Navy. Lieut. d. H. C. Brunt, M.C.• wrote in January to say he had been in the line for a long time. was wounded (for the second time) and celebrated his 21st birthday with a bottle of Italian wine despite the massive amount of fighting his regiment has had. We were pleased to read in a Kent paper an account. by a war correspondent in Italy. of a patrol led by Brunt on the banks of the River Peccia, called locally Brunt's Brook. so often did he patrol it! Brunt. now granted a commission in the Regular Army, is with the M.E.F. training junior leaders. He greatly enjoyed a leave spent in Jerusalem. I MacLeod Smith, a Corporal in the RA.F .• has been in the M.E. for a long period. in Malta and Egypt mostly. He is now in Cairo.

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Major R. W. Hatch arrived in Italy in time for the Sangre battle. He was on the -Staff of an Indian Division then. but later joined the 5th Army and was in time for the Anzio "show." "My reactions coming up with assault convoys weren't quite what I expected. To begin with I played bridge most of the time with three Americans . . and then spent a quiet night in some barracks occupied the previous night by Germans. . . . . Combined' ops ' are the most interesting things that ever happened." Hatch is in touch with Peter Derrett, who is in N. Africa. Major J. S. Allison, RA.O.C., has been with the Airborne Forces in N. Africa. Italy aiicflVJ:alta. Capt. A. R. Rees, Royal Sussex Regt., has been in the thick of the Cassino battles. Rees' brother is in India. Capt N. B. Taylor, Intelligence Corps, is now in Italy and has news of Lieut. Alltree, Capt. Grimes, RA.M.C., Lieut. Heddy ("looking very tough and determined wearing the green beret of the Commandos ") and Capt. Rostron, now a Staff Officer at A.F.H.Q. The Rev. E. T. Stealey, C.F., is attached to the H.Q. of a large Convalescent Hospital with C.M.F. Mrs. Stealey is helping Mrs. BiBen at St. Michael's, Tenbury, where Dr. BiBen is Headmaster. Pilot-Officer R. Morris has played hockey for his Station and stage-managed a play for their Amateur Dramatic Society. He has met P.O. Royston and heard from Cadet Officer K. Smith, who is training to be a pilot. Pilot Officer Eyton Morgan passed out top in his Flying School in S. Africa. and was awarded the Commanding Officer's shield for general efficiency as the best all-round pupil. He began his training with the Aberystwyth University Air Squadron. Lord Harlech presented him with his Wings. He is now flying Marauders in the M.E. Sergt. J. R. M. Robinson is finishing his training in S. Africa, as is Cadet Officer P. S. Cureton and Cadet J. R. Marshall. Cadet J. W. Suart (ii) is doing a short University course at Durham. P.O. Eric Llewellyn joined the R.A.F. recently. He has had a very Interesting time in America: he has eaten "tons of strawberry ices" in Massachusetts, and visited New Brunswick and Kingston. He met Newling in New Brunswick. The Rev. J. Raymond

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Davis is now a Chaplain to the Forces.

Lieut S. Tims. RE.M.E., after spending eighteen months in W. Africa, has been home on leave. G. Fairley, recently home on leave after a long spell in America and an even longer spell at sea, brought news of many O.E.'s when he was last at Ellesmere. Capt. M. F. H. Abraham, RE., is at a Corps H.Q., 8th Army in Italy, and Capt. T, C. Thornton is also on the Staff with the 8th Army. He also sends news of L. Brockwell, D. E. Thornhill, Dr. D. R. Duff, C. C. Bowley, the Towers elder brothers. J. H. Ogden, Lieut. K. B. Johnson and his brother Geoffrey. Major S. Yeal, R.E.M.E., has been in the Army since war was declared. He is with the Home Forces. His son enters Ellesmere in September. We send our deepest sympathy to Yeal on the death of his wife recently. Driver/W.O. Kenneth Nicholson, RA., has rejoined his Regiment, which he left in 1940. He has been a Lieutenant in the H.G.

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Other D.E. News

d. S. Tavernor, after finishing his training at Harper Adams and Reading University, gained experience on three different types of farm. was then made farm bailiff on the Harper Adams College Farm for over a year before his appointment as an Assistant District Officer under the Radnor W.A.E.C. D. Cane and A. Baddeley both broke wrists on the Rugger field recently, but both recovered in time to play again before the season ended. Cane expects to take his Finals this year before joining the Navy. H. Heather has taken his 2nd M.B. at Birmingham; M. Mobberley has left the Univerity to join the R.A.F. F.. M. Towers completes his course this year at Manchester. donas and D. B. Evans are also at Manchester. H. T. Box, former President of the O.E. Club, and still at the age of 70 actively engaged in business (he is a Stockbroker), has suffered the great loss of his eldest son, killed in action. He was in the R.A.F. Our sympathy to him in his bereavement. Box has a grandson at Ellesmere at present. Many O.E.'s will learn with regret of the death of Mr. d. W. Cottrill, father of two O.E.'s, and donor of the Cottrill Golf Cup, which was eagerly competed for by all golfing members of our Club. The Rev. I. Benson

Alan Baddeley won practically every event in the Birmingham University Athletic Sports meeting. He has now been elected President of the Club. One of the most frequent contributors to the Press, especially the Daily Telegraph, is the Rev. Dr. E. L. Macassey, Vicar of Mapledurham, Reading. Dr. Macassey has kindly written us a most fascinating account of his days at Ellesmere (he was appointed by the Rev. H. Woolsey to the Staff 37 years ago), but pressure of space prevents our publishing these reminiscences until after the war. M. A. Wiggins, who was invalided out of the Army some time ago, is now studying Medicine at st. Mary's Hospital. Wynne dones is also at St. Mary's. Mr. F. B. Field has met Kodicek, and when staying at Godalming, where St. Thomas' Medical School is evacuated, ran into the dames twins (from Cardiff). The two Ja:nes are reading Medicine. Another master. Mr. N. Byng·dohnson, writes from Sally Lunn's House, Bath, of the visits of several O.E.'s. "Byng" will always be glad to hear from O.E.'s and will welcome visits to his well-known house. H. M. Hughes, after spending a year at Aberystwyth University College, has gone up to Guy's Dental Hospital. Other O.E.'s at Guy's include Willcock, Wallis, Davis and Heber. Picton Thomas is reading Law at Aberystwyth. Pat Spoonley is now a wireless operator in the Merchant Navy. The Rev. B. R. of Dudsbury Hill, Wimborne, a and valued correspondent, especially of the early days of Ellesmere, reading of the reports printed in the Ellesmerian about T. A. Toote's great work in the Bahamas, recalls a happy holiday Toote spent with him many years ago. Toote is a M.H.A., serves on many important Government committees and plays an active part in the educational and social activities of Nassau. We

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Davies

is the Vicar of Corris.

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* * Hibbert,

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were pleased to see a large photograph of him accompanying the Duke of Windsor at a recent function. because of the shortage of staff. For some time he was in charge of a Division which bordered .. Vichy" Dahomey; and this afforded him many excitements. Latterly he has been in charge of a .. black-market" busting organisation, and by controlling the prices and distribution of food has broken the bark of the black-market. The Rev. W. B. Hume has been appointed Rector of Pendower, Somerset. Guy L'Estrange a 2nd the Honours School of Philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He writes that he has also lost his appendix! F. Wood and P. Gray. who recently left Ellesmere, visit him often, and Gray plays the organ in L'Estrange's father's parish church. Both of them sing in the choir when military duties permit. Gray and Wood are on .. short courses" at Belfast University. C. B. Coney. who has spent many years abroad, is now living at Sutton Coldfield. He sent a donation to the Chapel Funds in memory of such men as Wing Commander R. Hilton, who have given their lives in this war. Dr. A. H. Smith is on the staff at Marlborough College, where he has met Mr. H. B. Field. Mr. Field leaves Marlborough in July, as he has accepted a post at Kingswood School, Bath. The .. Winchester Diocesan Leaflet" reports that the Rev. R. H. Philipps, Vicar of Sark, is a prisoner in Germany (Biberach). He was .. captured" after the occupation of the Channel Islands, having previously refused to be evacuated as he wished to stay with his parishioners. Mr. Philipps was Chaplain here from 1910 to 1914. W. F. H. Carlisle has been a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy for three years. After 28 months spent mostly in India, Suez and the Mediterranean, he has been home on leave.
.A MacLeod Smith. a Government official in Nigeria, has to work exceptionally hard

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dohn Willis has been awarded by the Australian Chemical Institute the Masson Memorial Scholarship. Willis recently gained first-class honours in his B.Sc. examination at Sydney University, and was awarded the University Medal in Chemistry. Sergt. A. R. Willis is in New Guinea. Both brothers for family reasons left fur Australia immediately after leaving Ellesmere.

ENGAGEMENTS
Lleut M. C. D. dohnstone is engaged to be married. Dr. D. R. Duff is engaged to Miss Audrey Crowther, W.R.N.S., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Crowther, of 14, Beechfield Road. Huddersfield.

MARRIAGES
D. B. Archer married Miss Joan Margaret Hebblethwaite, daughter of Dr. A. S. Hebblethwaite, M.O.H., Sunderland, in May. His' brother Christopher was also married recently. D. E. Thornhill was married a short time ago.

'tHE
R. E. Lovel Paymaster

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(entered Ellesmere 1888) died in 1941. Albert Andrew Hannan, R.D., R.N.V.R., died at his residence. 75, Penshurst Gardens, Edgware, after being invalided out of the Navy in 1942. A member of the staff of the Ottoman Bank, Hannan had lived in London for some time. He came to Ellesmere in 1907 from Blackburn. Many O.E's will learn with regret of tha death of Derrett, for over forty-four years a servant of this School. During most of that time he was the baker and in charge of the Tuck Shop. He retired some. fifteen years ago and had lived in Gloucester for 13 years. He retained to the end a great interest in Ellesmere, and read with delight the Ellesmerian, especially the O.E. Chronicle. To his wife and two daughters we send our sympathy. Garabed Bishirgian (entered Ellesmere 1897) died earlier in the year.
Commander

NOTE (D (Ii)

O.E.s are reminded that Messrs. E. Davies and Sons, Scotland Street, Ellesmere, are the only firm authorised to sell O.E. Colours. Limited stocks of certain articles can still be bought. All information for publication in the O.E. Chronicle should be sent to the Han. Secretary, or to J. W. Nankivell at the College.

Masonic

Notes

The usual Whitsun Meeting of the Lodge was held in Manchester, when Wor.-Bro. Vowles, P.P.G.Reg. was elected Master for the coming year. Wor.-Bro. Vowles was at Ellesmere in the very early days of the School, and has had a distinguished Masonic career. In spite of his important duties as Registrar of the G.W. Railway Co., he has been able to devote much time to the interests of Freemasonry in general and to the Old Ellesmerian Lodge in particular. We wish him a happy year of office, and he can be assured of the support of the Brethren. On July 5th Wor.-Bro. A. C. Shepherd was appointed and invested as Registrar of the Province of Shropshire. No member of the Ellesmerian Lodge has done more to deserve promotiun 1:1~1I1 A. C. Shepherd. Without such Brethren our Lodge could not stand so high in the Province. He has indeed helped to build up the traditions and the stability of the Old EIL:merian Lodge so that our younger Brethren who are now serving their country will return to enjoy the fellowship of a Lodge of which they can be justly proud and through which the Principles and Tenets of our Order may be practised and enjoyed from generation to generation. J.H.n.