No. 95. DECEMBER, 1940. VOL. XXXI.

    (Second Evacuation Number)

FIAT LUX.

EDITORIAL

After a full six months of the School’s activity in its new quarters THE PHAROS makes its second appearance. Once again it has been produced throughout by the labours of our own hands, and our thanks are due to those members of the VIth forms who have so willingly lent their aid.

It is the first number of another School year, and most of those engaged in the task are new to the work We have endeavoured to reflect, in the short space at our disposal, the life of the School on its new home, but if this issue of THE PHAROS should fall short, in some measure, of those Magazines of the past, we ask the reader's indulgence.

The Sub-editors are B. A. Bilby and W. W. Robson who have both been frequent contributors to THE PHAROS; and although a high standard has been set by those who have preceded, we feel sure that in such capable hands, despite present difficulties, THE PHAROS will continue to be eagerly awaited and duly appreciated. Our special thanks are due to R. D. West and P. C. T. Jones who undertook the typing and copying—no light task.

Readers will notice that the design on the cover is new. To most of us it needs no introduction, but for the benefit of our foster-parents we will just say that it is a view, of our own School at Astor Avenue, Dover. The line-print is by B. S. Jell, and we are sure that all will agree that it is a very effective piece of work.

And surely there is good reason for choosing this design; for though far from home, we are still aware that that is, indeed, something to be proud of. The story of Dover should make us more determined than ever to be worthy sons of the town and of the School—the School that overlooks the Straits; and stands within easy range of enemy guns.

Besides, it is fitting that all those boys who have joined us here this term should have some reminder of their own School. It is just a glimpse of their real home—the class-rooms and the playing fields that the rest of us have learnt to value aright.

Though our thoughts turn longingly to Dover and we look forward to the day of our return yet we do not for a moment forget the continued kindness shown us in our new home. We have very much to be grateful for, and we give sincere thanks to all who have done so much to make us feel at home.

In happier days we should no doubt have been looking forward at this season of the year to the School Parties, which have long been a feature of School life. As things are, however, it will probably be the first occasion on which they have spent Christmas away from hone and parents. We know, too, that parents and friends at Dover and elsewhere will be thinking of us, and will be very thankful that we are able to spend Christmas among such kind friends.

We remember, too, that a large number of Old Boys will be absent from the family circle. To all Old Pharosians wherever they may be, to our parents and our families, to all friends at Ebbw Vale and elsewhere THE PHAROS sends warmest Christmas Greetings and best wishes for the days that lie ahead.

CHRISTMAS, 1940

 Though the D.C.S. Christmas will lack many of its traditional features, it is quite clear that boys will know how to make the best use of it. The continued kindness of foster parents is a sufficient guarantee that our Christmas here will be a happy one.

Not the least pleasing feature of our stay in Monmouthshire is the fact that our numbers still remain at over 320. We have been glad to welcome some 35 new-comers who have taken their places in our first forms and have settled down amongst us. At the other end of the School a number of Seniors are naturally looking for posts and we expect to be saying ‘Good-bye’ to them in the near future.

That we should lose some members of our Staff was only to be expected. In quick succession, at the beginning of term, Mr Ruffell and Mr Dixon were called and have now joined their units, ‘somewhere in England’ and ‘somewhere in Wales’ respectively. Though we were not able to bid them a formal farewell they are assured of our good wishes, and we are glad to get such cheerful letters from them. This loss has affected our P. T., but Mr Darby’s return has been one of the War’s compensations and to him we extend a warm welcome. We can hardly say that he has come ‘back home’, but we trust his return has been as pleasing to him as to us.

Many of our usual activities have been curtailed but the Corps has been particularly active, as the later account will show; and the Corps band, in frequent demand, has been much appreciated. Congratulations are due to those N.C.O.'s who distinguished themselves in the Cert. A examination, and to the Corps as a whole on the splendid account it gave of
itself at the Annual Inspection.

Dramatic work is now well under way with its promise of good entertainment next term, and other groups of boys who have turned to first aid work and to various forms of recreation made available by the kindness of local societies.

Since the last issue of THE PHAROS, the examination results have been published and have been received with no little satisfaction, The lists speak for themselves but a special word of praise is due to the higher Certificate Candidates among whom there as not a single failure and to B. A. Bilby and W. W. Robson in particular for their success in gaining State Scholarships. The award of two State Scholarships in such a year will probably rank as one of the School's outstanding achievements.

There is no question of resting on our oars but we can face the future with confidence. We are proud to get constant reports from Dover and Dover people. We hope they will not be ashamed of us.

J.C.B.

SCHOOL NOTES

We announce with pleasure that Mr W. H. Darby was able to return to the Staff at Half Term. Mr Darby was for many years editor of THE PHAROS and House master of Buckland House.

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This term the School was deprived of two of its most able and popular masters when Mr J. G. Dixon and Mr K. H. Ruffell were called up for military service. Mr Dixon will be remembered for his work in the field of athletics, and Mr Ruffell for his great activities in the realm of sport in addition to the keen interest he brought to bear in the study of Geography. May we venture to hope that when circumstances permit they will return to take up again the
duties which they have so capably fulfilled.

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The boys at Cwm who use the Cwmydderch Club Room express sincere thanks to the Chairman and members of the Club for their generosity in allowing the use of the room.

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By kind invitation of the management of the Plaza Cinema, the School attended a special performance of the M. of I. film ‘The Front Line’. Dealing as it does with a subject so peculiarly interesting to the great majority of our community, the film was naturally followed with rapt attention by an unusually silent audience. As its tempo rather too fast for the many shots of scenes familiar to so many of us, the management very considerately ran the film through a second time. Without offence to our kind hosts, may we say that the sight of the Old Town induced home sickness in many of us.

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Recently, a representative of the M. of I. visited the School and we were entertained with several interesting and instructive films dealing primarily with our War effort. Among these were included an amusing presentation of the importance of War-time salvage; a more serious but no less absorbing drama admonishing us on the danger of careless talk; a Canadian film about the work of the Royal Canadian Navy; and finally an account of the training and duties of a Lighter pilot in our own Air Force. The show was heartily appreciated by all.

The School Prefects this term were:

We are pleased to welcome the following boys who entered the School this term and have been allotted to Houses as follows:

Buckland: G. W. Bartholomew, N. W. Brown, J. Butler, D. H. Cook, J. R. W. O. Dando, A. W. T. Eade, A. J. Fagg, P. P. Marquis, J. D. Pascall, B. F. Pursey, R. P. Reeves, T. A. Sutton, D. A. Webb.

Country: S. E.  Carr, R. J. Dilnot, D. M. Harvey, R. C. Harvey, D. Overton, N. C. Roots.

Maxton: R. Collins, J. Finney, G. S. Fox, E. R. Francis, R. Gate, W. .F. Gibbons, J. Granger, H. C. Howe, P. H. Scott, P. J. Stokes, J. H. Tolputt, R. Wraight.

Town: P. Haddon, F. Kember, B. Watts, J. Warren.

EXAMINATION RESULTS: JULY 1940

HIGHER CERTIFICATE

With Inter Arts exemption:

G. F. Reay, W. W. Robson (distinction in Latin, English, French, History), E. A. Wilde.

With Inter Science exemption.

B. A. Bilby (distinction in Physics, Chemistry, Applied Maths.), P. C. T. Jones, A. R. Makey, R. D. West.

With Inter Engineering exemption,

P. J. Harvey.

R. A. Howard.

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GENERAL SCHOOLS CERTIFICATE

With Matriculation exemption.

K. E. Alcock, S. C .T. Arnold, R. W. Blackmore, M. Bond, J. B. S. Brabham, P. J. Coveney, F. E. Davies, R. J. Dixon, B. E. Friend D. Gascoigne, B. F. Gray, A. F. Holmes, S. D. Mason, A. B. Mcfarlane, P. McVey, K. H. O'Brien, S. A. Price, P. Sherred, J. MacNab, C. E. Oliver, G. J. Paddock, S. A. Rigden, R. B. J. Twist.

School Certificates.

L. C. Bennison, C. C. Bradbeer, H. F. Clare, G. G. Hurley, R. G. Sayle, S. A. Waters, R. A. Blunt, S. F. Broadwood, E. W. Curling, K. P. Datlen, P. H. Donogue, D. C. Eagles, R. E. Grigg, A. Hill, N. S. D. Neill, J. W. Porter, C. R. Reynolds, E. G. Simpson, B. A. Snelgrove, K. G. W. Stevens, J. McCulloch, D. W. G. Pritchard, G. P. Reason.

OLD PHAROSIANS

It was with deep regret that we learnt of the death of one of our Old Boys, Sjt. Pilot D. I. Kirton R.A.F. who was killed in action at the early age of 21. He left the School four or five years ago to join the Air Force. He was the younger of two brothers who were at School together and who were always popular with boys and staff. His elder brother James is a Flying Officer in the R.A.F. and was serving in the East when we last had news of him.

To Mrs Kirton and family in their sad bereavement the School extends its deepest sympathy.

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We were all grieved to learn that another of our Old Boys was reported missing. Our readers will remember that in our last issue mention was made of the great achievements of Pilot Officer K. R. Gillman R.A.F. We who had known him at School felt quite a thrill when we recognized his photo in the ‘Daily Mail’ together with those of three other pilots, under the title 'Men of the Air Dover Patrol', after a German attack on Dover at the end of July. Soon after we saw his photo again; this time on the cover of 'Picture Post'. We were indeed proud of one of our Old Boys.

Then, alas came the sad news that he was reported missing after air operations near the end of August.

Although still under 20 he had been almost continuously engaged in air operations in France, at Dunkirk, and in the defence of Britain, often over his own home town of Dover. The Air Ministry letter said that he was last seen flying six miles off Dover.

To his parents the Staff and members of the School past and present, offer heartfelt sympathy.

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We were all relieved to hear that Mr and Mrs Harman, of Crabble Hill, had received news that their son R. S. Harman, THE BUFFS, was safe. He had been posted as missing since the middle of May, and it was not until after weeks of suspense that news came through that he was a prisoner of war in Germany. He was wounded and spent several weeks in hospital, but we are glad to know that, according to latest information, he is progressing favourably.

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Major W. M. E. White played for the British Empire XI against Captain J. W. A. Stephenson’s County XI at Cheltenham on Saturday September 14th.

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We congratulate Mr and Mrs V. Whorwell on the birth of a son.

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We are pleased to announce the marriage of Lieutenant Wilfred Dunn to Miss Jean Symons at Taunton on September 21st.

YE CHRONICLE

Nowe ye compagnie of ye southe-easte were stille abidynge in ye westerne chateau, and afterre ye menne-atte-armes hadde stoutely assayled ye uglie gyante Examme, and hadde putten hym to flyghte for a sesonne, thenne dyde ye overlorde graunte to alle ye garrisoune a tyme of ease for ye space of one moon. In whyche dayes theye dyde issue forthe fromme hyr billettes atte Cwm and atte Waun-lwyd and alle ye regiounes aboute ye chateau, and dyde assenble hem atte ye holde, where theye dyde abandonne hemselves to divers merrie pastymes and eke to ye makynge of sundrye weirde engynes, to witte, spittefyres (notte those yboughten bye ye funde) and swyfte boates. And somme dyde hyke overre ye montagnes and otherres dyde pushen hyr bykes uppe ye hilles. Butte ye Cadettes dyde oftetyme drylle and zealouslie make practyse of hyr skille inne armes agaynst ye daye of ye grande assaye.
    Thenne whenne ye dayes of ease were ended theye dyde retourne to hyr laboures atte ye chateau but sire Lelfruf ande Sire Dinox dyde departe to make warre on ye foe of ye whole realme, neverre-ye-lesse, ye reste of ye knyghtes and certaine of ye squyres dyde takke moche heede leste ye varlettes sholde waxen slacke of sinewe forre lakke of piptokke. Furtherre-more, dyde notte thatte worthie knyghte, yfamed in formerre dayes, to witte, Sire Dabyr, gyrde hym agayne in hys armoure, and take uppe hys atlasse and retourne to ye compagnie, to ye grete delyte of hys fellowes?

And onne a daye dyde ye Cadettes inne martiale arraye, withe loude blowynge of tronpettes and beatynge of drums, and in presence of certaine fayre damosels make assaye of hyr prowesse beforre ye chiefe commandere and dyde moche delyght hym and ye capitaine, and methynketh ye damosels no lesse. Inne fine, suche be ye repute of ye Cadettes thatte ye burgesses delyghte moche to have syghte of themme inns ye processiones onne highs dayes, and no lesse to have ye bugels and ye drummes.

Thenne onne a daye dyde Sire Axbert speeds hym, onne hys motorbyke I doute notte, and brynge to passe thatte onne ye morrowe alle ye compagnie sholde have vue, atte ye halle yclept Plaza, of hyr owne toune inne tyme of warre. Butte ye scrybe hath lyttel space to telle of ye bombynge and ye bombardyngc, moreoverre hys eyen be sonewhatte moyste. The rayther wolde he telle howe thatte ye compagnie dyde assemble hemselves atte ye halle of ye workmenne and dyde see ye tragick playe of Macbethe, inne whyche ye felle tyrante dyde meete a bloodie ende bye ye blade of bolde Macduffe, who dyde laye onne, notte atte alle heedynge ye fearsome howles of ye syreen norre ye voyce of any nanne who dyde bidde hym holde, iffe so be he coulde butte cutte off ye heade of Macbethe beforre fyve of ye clokke. And so dyde he.

Remayneth nowe to stte downe howe, onn a furtherre daye, alle ye compagnie dyde, inne ye halle of exhortatione, an airye chambre, withalle shayde and coole, wytnesse ye pikturres of MOI, alle whyche ye varlettes dyde so myghtylie enjoye thatte theye desyred more of ye pikturres and lesse of werke. Butte ye scrybe myndeth welle thatte he maye notte inne these dayes wasten ye precieuse paperre bye endytynge furtherre of theese thynges,

Ye gestes of Libyb and Bronos and of ye squyres, ye sarjauntes-atte-armes, ye capitaines and commanderes, be alle ywitten inne ye grete boke PHAROS, whyche beareth ye mottoe FIAT LUX, anne emblems, as seemeth to ye humble scrybe, befittynge welle these darke dayes of warre,


 

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