No. 94. JULY, 1940. VOL. XXX.

    (Evacuation Number)

FIAT LUX.

EDITORIAL

    Although it was only to be expected that the war would bring many changes, few of us had visualised quiet all it would mean to us either as individuals or as a school. We have suddenly found ourselves in new surroundings, but our recent experiences have been illuminating and we hope they will have a broadening effect on our outlook. To the People of Ebbw Vale for its kind reception of us The Pharos extends the sincere thanks of the whole School.
    In spite of all changes we are still the same School, carrying on as many as possible of the usual activities. The Pharos, for example, thanks to the efforts of J. W. Menter and R. A. Howard continues, through in a modified form to reflect our life long new friends.
    The School hopes to have eventually a full record of the part played by all Old Boys in the war; we therefore appeal to Parents Friends, and Boys to forward details to the Editor of The Pharos or the the Secretary of the Old Pharosians Association.
    From Ebbw Vale The Pharos sends greetings to Parents, Old Boys and friends of the School wherever they may be, assuring them that we all share to the full their individual joys and sorrows.
    Sunday, June 2nd, saw us set out on a most ambitious "School Journey". We had discussed all possible destinations but, our reception area proved to be South Wales— or at least, that part of Britain which, mysteriously enough, is neither England nor Wales but just Monmouthshire, The farther we went, the farther the War receded. Few easily forget the delightful valley of Wiltshire Avon where the War seemed remote and irrelevant. Later, as we travelled up from Newport we felt certain no enemy would ever dream of visiting us. We could sleep—and work—in peace. Since then events in France have altered the situation and the sound of the siren has been heard in the land.
    As a result of the evacuation many of our friends in Dover and Deal have missed the traditional features of the Summer Term—Sport's Day the Parents' Match the Swimming Sports, the Gym Competition, the Corps Camp at Sandwich Bay we shall return to these in happier days. That is not to suggest that these activities have ceased. Local Welfare Clubs have been most generous in placing their grounds at our disposal, there has been plenty of swimming, the Cadet Corps is flourishing as never before and a number of senior boys have undertaken Home Guard duties.
    One invariable feature of the Summer Term has been almost unaffected—the Higher and the School Certificate examinations. Only an earthquake could stop them. Dover boys were able to continue their preparation without undue interruption largely on account of the sympathetic reception we were given by the Headmaster and Staff of the Ebbw Vale County School. Later, the arrangements for the actual examination were simplified when kind permission was given by the Ebbw Vale Education Committee for the use of the Hall of the Glyn-Coed Senior School where the Headmaster generously granted us every facility.
    We were delighted to hear this term of P. J. Harvey's success in gaining an Open  Exhibition to Southampton University.
    At first we were so conscious of the upheaval in our lives that we were in danger of forgetting the upheaval we had caused in Ebbw Vale. It speaks volumes for our hosts, both in the homes and in the school, that three days after our arrival we were installed in School, working long afternoon and morning sessions that gave us almost as much time in School as a normal day gave us at Dover. We do not forget that these arrangements have caused no little inconvenience at meal times in the homes.
    Some of the changes caused by the war are bound to be reflected in the personnel of the staff. Mr. Froude, whose health broke down at Christmas has been compelled to resign. Though we cannot look forward to welcoming him back as mathematics master we hope to have an opportunity of thanking him for his 20 years' service here, and we are sure that many Old Boys will want to join us in that. Mr. Ellis, who has so successfully and unobtrusively taken Mr. Froud's place expects to join an O.C.T.U. and both Mr. Dixon and Mr. Ruffell may be called up in the near future. In addition we have temporarily lost our handicraft masters, Mr. Ockenden and Mr. Coveney, who have been recalled to Kent to help with the industrial effort. We have also lost Mrs. Bisph who has recently taken up an important war post. Much as we shall miss her we congratulate her on her appointment.
    At this point we may fittingly draw attention to the Silver Jubilee recently celebrated(!) by Mr. Pearce, Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Slater who have just completed their 25 years service of the school. We rejoice to think that all three are still a long way from retirement age.
    So far the war has not claimed many victims among Old Boys who are serving, though our sympathy goes out to parents who are still waiting for definite news of those who have been posted as missing. We are proud to record the honour conferred on Surg. Lt. Donald and to record the thrilling escape of four Old Boys from Normandy.
    Now we are making holiday arrangements though they must be on a very limited scale. Boys will be allowed to go away to parents or friends for a fortnight in August. For those who remain a programme of games and expeditions will be arranged. We hope that in this way all will get a break before the Autumn Term begins on Sept 3rd.
    In the meantime we send greetings to our friends in "South-East England", which is so often mentioned in dispatches and once again we express our cordial thanks to our new friends in the Ebbw Vale area.

CRICKET, 1940

    The 1940 cricket season has had a hard struggle to exist under the shadow of war. After the inactivity of the Autumn and Spring terms, however we decided to attempt a normal programme in the summer, and further, that the present conditions warranted a  more vigorous use of the facilities provided, especially net practice. House Captains are to be congratulated on having accomplished this most successfully.

—:—

    The programme arranged for the School XI's was much more extensive than was expected, and with the teams shaping very well we had every hope of a good season. In their one match at Dover the 2nd. and Colts confirmed our expectations. The 1st. XI after beating a rather depleted Old Pharosians XI, lost by a small margin to the D.Y.R.M.S. This latter was due to the recognised batsmen having an "off" day, and the inability of the tail to wag in its usual vigorous manner.
    We had hardly got under way at Dover before Evacuation entailed an entirely new start at Ebbw Vale. In spite of the generosity of local authorities it was at once evident that we would be handicapped by a shortage of grounds and opponents. A few fixtures were obtained for the 1st. XI but it has not been possible, as yet, to arrange any for the 2nd and Colts. However we hope to get some games for these XI's during the holidays.
    In a short morning match with Abertillery C. S. the 1st. XI was in a comfortable position when stumps were drawn, but the several games arranged with Cwm have been cancelled or washed out by rain.
    Restrictions of space prevent the usual remarks on individual performances, but of the old hands I would like to mention Baxter, Alcock, Paddock and Brabham who have again provided their value as batsmen, while Hall has blossomed forth remarkably since last season. Grigg has bowled well this season and has again accounted for the major portion of the wickets. Although there has not been much opportunity of forming an opinion of the new people, I would mention Hill, who is a great asset as a bowler, and Bailey. The latter a last year's Colt, has stood up to 1st XI bowling remarkably well and will undoubtly make a really first-class Wicket-keeper.
    The 2nd XI is better as a team than taken as individuals, Neill and McFarlane give good performances with bat and ball respectively, and Edwards is a smart keeper.
    Lastly the Colts XI, again ably skippered by Williams has two first class bats in Williams and Richards while Gomar and Richards are promising bowlers.
    On the conclusion of my last season with the XI I wish all future captains and XI’s the greatest success and hope for better conditions next season.

P. J. H.

CRICKET RESULTS
School 1st XI.

School 2nd II

School Colts XI

House Matches.
lst. XI

1st CADET COMPANY C. P. (F.) R. E.

    This term has witnessed an outstanding event in the history of the Corps in the promotion of Major W. E. Pearce to Brigade Major of the Kent County Cadet Brigade. Major Pearce has been with the Corps now for 25 years - since 1924 as O.C. Moreover he has 21 camps to his credit. The Corps thanks him for this fine record of unflagging service and wishes him every success in his new appointment. We were relieved to hear that the promotion would not mean the severance of his connections with the Corps and appreciate the honour he has conferred on us by attaching himself to our unit. Capt. Coulson succeeds Maj. Pearce as O.C.
    Fortunately, the Corps has survived the upheaval of the evacuation. remarkably well, thanks to the generosity of Battalion Comm. T. Morgan, M.C. and Capt. Lee of the Home Guard, who placed at our disposal the Drill Halls and rifle ranges at Ebbw Vale and Cwm, we were soon able to establish a regular routine of two parades per week. In additional a weekly parade has been held in school time at Ebbw Vale County school. The Band has
paraded daily in intensive preparation for a Church Parade to be held in the near future and is to be congratulated upon its performance on its first public appearance. The Signalling Section has been re-established after several false starts and now has a total complement of 32.
    A new feature of Corps activity this term has been the introduction of shooting matches. Of three matches we have won two and lost one — the latter by a very narrow margin. The results were as follows:— 
1st Cdt. Coy. C. P. (F.) R. E.- 500/600 v. A. Coy. Ebbw Vale Home Guard - 450
1st Cdt. Coy. C. P. (F.) R. E. — 394/500 v. No.2 .Pl. Ebbw Vale Home Guard - 304.
??? Platoon 1st Cdt. Coy. C. P. (F.) R. E. — 339/480 v. No. 1 Coy. Cwm Home Guard — 342

—:—

    Several of the older members of the Corps are doing Home Guard duty under Major Pearce. The problem has not yet arisen as to which side they fire with in Home Guard v Corps matches although some have already represented their company in a Knockout competition. Our much despised rifles have taken on a new lease of life since coming to Ebbw Vale, having proved of invaluable assistance in the preliminary training of the large number of the Home Guard.
    We have noted with pleasure the interest in the Corps among the Ebbw Vale County School and extend our best wishes to their newly formed Cadet Corps.

—:—

PROMOTIONS.

    The following have been awarded the the K.C.B. Efficiency Star: C.Q.M.S. West, Sgt. Wilde, Sgt. Menter, Sgt. Bilby.

J.W.M.

SIXTH FORM DEBATING SOCIETY

    Our first debate this term was held on July 27 the motion “That a Federal Union is the only hope for post-war Europe.” G. F. Reay proposed the motion, seconded by F. P. Rhodes; B. S. Jell opposed, seconded by E. J. Crofts. The motion was rejected by 3 to 2.

R.A.H. (Hon. Sec.)

YE CHRONYCLE.

    Ageyne mote ye Scrybe take uppe hys quille to quelle ye cravynge of ye lecteurs forre jestynges abd to tellen ye serleuse doinges of ye manne of ye Chateau. And albeit there be manie thynges to telle, yet, inasmuch as there be great dearthe of papere in ye lande hys wordes mote nedes be fewe.
    Alasse ye attecke on ye Chateau didde waxe so grievouse that ye Overlorde didde decree thatte all ye Knyghtes ande knaves shoulde hie himselves to ye farre hilles ande there hyde hemselves. Furthermore it wasse also proclaymed thatte ye damosels of ye Nunnery of Sainte Frithe shoulde make ye journeye into ye hilles in compagne of ye Knaves. Therruppone didde sundrie varlettes rejoyce, butte notte for longe, for didde notte ye maydens with much sheddynge of teares take leave of themme atte the Nerve Porte?
    Thenne didde we passe through manic valleys longe ande narrowe, ande bye montagnes ande tounes of straunge name ontil we didde atte lengthe come to ye blakke ande bare hilles of ye Vale of Ebbw.
    Thenne dyde com ye squyres ande ye Lordes fram hir mannores to leade usse awaye to
festen inne hir halles.
    Thenne forre ye bettere defence of squyres ande knaves ye overlorde didde gyve stricte orderre thatte we should returne to ye goode reule of ye Fuedale Systemme and make tolle of ye curfeubelle. Furtherre to defende us ye Cadettes didde aid ye Home Guard and manoeuvre on ye montagnes ande kepe garde ongeyn ye foes. Butte ye artes offe peace be notte whollie forgottene, forre didde notte ye knaves, and ye damselles besporten hemselves and caperre arounde ye Halle of Jerks.
    Butte leste we shoulde have excesse of ease dyde nat Sire Cantbeslo yrallie his candiedates orre ye Schoole dedde Cert?
    Ande nowe atte ye laste hathe com ye tyme offe farewelles, forre are nat monie Squyres departynge from our myddst; ye myghtie Ternem ande Ah Very of owlynge fame, ande otherres of olde renowne.
    Butte ye Scrybe consumeth too muche papiere and othe butte wearie hys lecteures, ande soe he taketh hys leave.

LAL JAH, YE SCRYBE.

 OLD BOYS WITH THE FORCES.

    We have heard with deep regret of the death of Reginald F. Kirby, R.A.S.C. who died at Netley hospital on July 19 from pneumonia, after being evacuated from Dunkirk. To his parents and to his fiancee the school extends its deepest regret.
    We now have news that Edward Moseling, first reported missing, is known to be a prisoner of war.
    Congratulations to Surg. Lt. K. W. Donald, who has been awarded the D.S.C. for services rendered at the First Battle of Narvik.
    After many months with a forward unit of the C.E.F. in France, four Old Boys, Tye, Wier, Hatydon, and Martin were captured in Normandy. Fortunately they, with a few others were able to make good their escape to England by scaling a cliff and boarding a small French craft.
    The following Old Boys serving with the forces are not included in the previous lists:- J. Bailey, A.M.P.C.; E. Crush, R.E.; L. E. Moseling, A.M.P.C.; ? O'Brien, R.A.; J. W. White, R.A.; T. Clark, R.A.F.; ?. F. Axford, P.C., R.A.F.:- Kennedy, Sub-Lieut., R.N.V.R. ?. A. J. Mercer, Sherwood Foresters.
    P. O. Gillman of the R.A.F., was recently was recently in action against the enemy off the South-east Coast. After piloting his damaged plane to a nearby aerodrome, he paid a flying visit to his parents, who were not a little surprised to see him.

GLEAMS AND FLASHES.

    We congratulate Major Pearce on his promotion to Brigade Major of the Kent County Cadet Brigade and Captain Coulson who succeeds him as Officer Commanding the Corps. We feel sure that each in his new capacity will continue to do yeoman service to County and Corps.
    We were sorry to lose Mrs. Bispham to whom we were greatly indebted both for her excellent dinner in difficult times at Dover, and also for the invaluable assistance she has given in billeting since we have come to Ebbw Vale. We wish her every success in her new appointment.
    Amidst the travails of evacuation the retirement of Mr. Froude has been rather obscured. Nevertheless, we do appreciate his long years of service to the School, a fuller account of which will appear in a later edition of The Pharos, and we give him our best wishes for a well-earned retirement.
    We were sorry to part with our practical masters, Mr. Ockenden and Mr. Coveney, who have been called up for industrial work. We look forward to the time when we may have them back to continue the good work they have already started. Several other masters have registered for military service but we have been fortunate in retaining their services up to the present.
    The following boys of D.C.S. were successful in the Special Place Examination this year:— F. P. Delahaye, L. J. Fagg, R. G. Jenkins, J. R. Moorcroft.
    The cover of this term’s magazine was designed by J. R. Silby. The Staff of The Pharos
wish to thank all those who have assisted in the printing.

VALETE

    J. W. MENTER. (1932-40). Senior Prefect of the School; School 1st XV Rugger (Colourd -39, Vice-capt. -39), 2nd XI Cricket; captain, Country House; House 1st XI Cricket and Soccer; School Athletic Team; School Athletic team; Victor Ludorum -39; Sports' Committee; Sgt., Cadet Corps, (Cert. A., O.T.C. -37, K.C.B. Efficiency Star); Sub-editor, The Pharos; Dramatic Society; School Choir; Debating Society (Committee); Bronze Med., R.L.S.S.; School Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -37; Higher Cert. -38, (Inter exemp. -39); K.F.O. Higher Exhibition; Board of Education State Scolarship; Open Scholarship to Peterhouse, Cambridge.
    P. J. HARVEY. (1932-40). Deputy Senior Prefect, School 1st XI Cricket 37-40, (Colours -37, Capt. -40), 1st XV Rugger (Colours -39); School Colours; School Athletic Team; Victor Ludorum -39; Vice-captain, Country house; House 1st Xi Soccer, Sports' Committee; Debating Society; School Choir; Heavyweight Boxing Champ. -39; School Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -37; Higher Cert. (inter exemp.) -39; K.E.C. Higher Exhibition; Open Exhibition to University of Southampton.
    E. A. WILD (1931-40). School Prefect; School 1st XV Rugger (Colours, -39), 2nd XI Cricket; Captain, Town House; House 1st XI Soccer; School Athletic team; Sgt., Cadet Corps, (Cert. A., O.T.C. -38, K.C.B. Efficiency Star); Dramatic Society; Debating Society; School Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -38; K.E.C. Training Scolarship and Oxford Departmnent of Education Grant to Wadham Coll., Oxford.
    R. A. HOWARD. (1933-40). School Prefect (Library); House 1st XV Rugger, 2nd XI Soccer; Debating Society (Hon. Sec.); School Choir; School Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -38; K.E.C. Training Scholarship and Board of Education Grant to Goldsmiths' Coll., London.

    G. F. REAY (1938-40) School Prefect; House 1st XV Rugger, 1st XI Cricket and Soccer School Choir; School Cert (Matric. exemp.) -37; Debating Society; Bronze Med. R.L.S.S.; Training - Scholarship and Board of Education Grant to Goldsmiths' Coll, London.
    B. H. MANNING. (1930-40. School 1st XV Rugger Colours -39); Captain, Maxton House; House 1st XI Cricket and Soccer; School Athletic Team; Junior Champ. -36; Cpl., Cadet Corps, Coy. Bugler No. 2; Bronze Med. (Bar), R.L.S.S.; Dramatic Society; School Choir; Debating Society; Schoiol Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -39; K.E.C. Higher Exhibition to Edinburgh Dental Hospital and School.
    D. B. EDWARDS. (1932-40). School 2nd XI Cricket; House 1st Rugger, 1st XI Soccer; Debating Society; Arts and Crafts Society; Photographic Society; School Choir; School Cert. (Matric. exemp.) -39.
    J McCULLOCH. (1932-40). House 1st XI Cricket; School Choir; Debating Society; Arts and Crafts Society; School cert., -39.
    P. E. SHERRED. (1935-40). School 1st XI Cricket and Soccer; House 1st XV Rugger.
    L. C. BENNISON. (1935-40). Cadet Corps; House 1st XV Rugger, 1st XI Soccer.
    R. P. DIXON (1935-40). Cadet Corps; House 1st XV Rugger. To Apprenticeship, R.A.F.
    B. E. FRIEND. (1935-40). House 1st XI Cricket, 1st XV Rugger, 2nd XI Soccer.
    P. J. COVENEY. (1932-40). House 1st XI Rugger; School Choir.