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No. 99. APRIL, 1944. VOL. XXXIV.
FIAT LUX.
This issue is, I understand, a domestic affair. It should certainly prove a most valuable part of the School's wartime records although some of the normal features are inevitably missing.
Once again, prouder than ever of our close association with the South-East coast, we greet parents at a distance. Once again, more conscious than ever of the difficulty of expressing our gratitude, we greet foster-parents from Beaufort to Curn. We can at least offer one more "Thank you." It's a matter for real satisfaction that so many boys have known only one home here, or have known the same home for a considerable period.
The pleasure of welcoming new boys last
September—more than the number who joined us in 1942—was turned to sorrow by
the news of Mr. Allin's death. I should like to add my tribute to those appearing in this issue. In a way which particularly
appealed to boys Mr. Allin combined distinguished scholarship with active participation in games.
Even now it's impossible to realise that he will not rejoin us at Dover and help in the tasks
that will await us there.
We have said "Good-bye" to yet another group of Sixth Formers who had so gladly shouldered the many burdens placed upon them; others have promptly stepped forward to fill the vacant places. To the Prefects who have done so much to help the Staff in these exacting days and to those boys who have distinguished themselves in Examinations—in gaining State Bursaries and Engineering Cadetships—in taking up University Short Courses—in the many activities of the three pre-Service Corps—and in games at the Bridgend ground—to all these, we offer thanks and congratulations. I know that we shall see the usual keen rivalry in the Middle School in the East Cup competition and I trust that the weather will be kinder to us this summer so that yet more cricket will be possible.
We shall be forgiven if at this stage we allow ourselves to look forward. We believe that in the not too distant future ours will be the task of building up the School in an atmosphere free from some of the restrictions and alarms of war. Ours will be the privilege of enjoying the facilities provided by the School and its playing-fields in such a way that the zest of friendly rivalry shall never hinder us from seeking the good of the whole community. Ours will be the supreme privilege of accepting all these opportunities as a trust bequeathed to us by our fore-runners in this School, especially by those Old Boys whose bodies lie scattered over the world's battlefields but whose souls go arching on.
That this issue appears at all is due to the keenness and hard work of Miss Coldwell and of the Pharos representatives of the different forms, Szekely, Allin and Culver in particular. The Editor has been a sleeping partner only, concentrating his efforts on the issue of an Old Pharosians' number next June—hence the absence of Old Boys' notes here.
W.W.B.
When I first came to Ebbw Vale I think I, like everyone else, liked the town. This was probably due to the wonderful reception we received and also the fact that the surroundings were entirely different from those of our native town.
Now, as I am nearing my third year here, I find that although many boys have had to change billets, the majority are quite happy.
Looking at it from a foster-parent's angle, it is a great responsibility to have another person's son billeted on you, especially for those who have had us for nearly four years. If anybody is entitled to grumble it is certainly the foster-parents. Sometimes some of us grumble, but I think that is due to being way from home and that really, we do appreciate what the Ebbw Valians have done for us. I know myself what a relief it is to our parents when they know that we are being treated as members of the family in another home, for they have many other worries to contend with without having to worry about us.
When the great day comes and we return home, we shall not leave Ebbw Vale without regrets, for we shall have made great friends whom we shall never forget.
R.G.S. (U.IV)
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From Alamein to Tunis RC. (M.II) |
One Saturday morning, the whole School was shocked to hear of the death of Mr. Allin, for he was held high in the esteem of all. He had served the School for many years, and had continued to do so, in spite of bad health, until he was forced to give up.
I joined the School in 1940, and immediately Mr. Allin won my affection and respect. He was our games master and we spent many happy hours on the football field and cricket pitch. He stepped into the breach to give the boys their gym. when the gym. masters had left. He gave us enjoyable gym. periods full of fun and sport.
On reaching the second form we were faced with Latin—not a very nice prospect! But Mr. Allin soon altered that; Latin was alright after all. His lessons were mingled with laughter, but we were working all the same, because we enjoyed doing so.
The following year he was our form master and we proudly boasted of having the best form master in the School. He was indeed the best form master in the School, for he took an interest in our activities.
But all good things come to an end. Mr. Allin had to leave us for a while. It was said he was ill, and we very much hoped he would get better.
Later on in the year he re-visited us. But he did not come back to stay as we dared to hope. He had come to say "Goodbye."
Our form was visited by him: he told us he was going to a convalescent home for a while to regain his health. Then, with a cheerful smile, he bade us good-bye. Had we been able to penetrate that smile of his, we would have seen a sad heart that knew there was no return to the School.
Of the months of illness that followed, little is known, except that Mr. Allin was very brave.
When Mr. Booth told us of his courage, our hearts were filled with admiration for our dear friend.
I am sure we all wish it to be known that his unselfish sacrifice was not in vain . . . "Fortis Erat."
J.H.T. (U.IV)
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Wales, the home of minstrels, Wales, the Land of Song, Your daughters are the fairest, Your sons are brave and strong. The mountains seem to smile at you When you come back from afar To the town where friends will greet you With a cheerful "Bore da." Anon. |
For the first two and a half years of my "stretch," I was in the gaol at Dover. Then, just after the war started, we were moved to Ebbw Vale, where I did two years in the County Gaol there and then, owing to the cramped conditions there, we moved into the new Pentwyn Gaol. Here the routine goes on with boring monotony. We do an hour and a half hard labour under the supervision of warders who are relieved every three-quarters of an hour. After the first hour and a half, there is a quarter of an hour's break during which we may buy some milk and walk about the grounds under the supervision of Prefects or Trusties (convicts who having nearly reached the end of their stretches without committing any serious crimes, are given very minor positions of authority). Then comes another hour and a half hard labour. At 12.25 p.m. we knock-off for half an hour, at the end of which time we are paraded for dinner. Few prisoners manage to wangle out of this ordeal by having sandwiches. At 2 o'clock, hard labour is resumed and finishes at 4.5 p.m.
As though all this suffering were not enough, there are various forms of punishment, such as confinement to prison for varying periods of time, extra work and caning; this latter punishment is usually carried out in the torture chamber where the culprits are forced to bend over and grip a towel rail while they are beaten with the instrument of torture.
Across the passage from the torture chamber is the Warders' room, from which emerge clouds of smoke and warders proceeding to their duties; these latter are mainly middle-aged gentlemen, although some are young men and women, the latter are a wartime measure, and although women are called the gentle sex, the inmates have not noticed it.
The chief source of agony is an annual trial by ordeal, and we are constantly being reminded of this by such remarks as "My boy, you have an 'exam.' coming along." These exams. consist of trying to express five years' work on a subject in three hours or less. Altogether the life here is pretty horrible and if it were not for the British grit which enables us to carry on in face of all adversities, we should probably all be entirely broken in spirit by now.
Convict J.M. (D.IV)
In the year 1800, there lived in the small village of Aldcastle a man named Ralph Mercer. He was the village shopkeeper by trade, selling everything from buttons to bee-hives and from shoe-laces to overcoats. Aldcastle could hardly be called a village, as it was only a group of houses clustering round Mercer's shop and a small church. It was surrounded on all sides by hills looming up like ghosts towards the sky. The hills were very dangerous, especially at night, as there was a maze of crevices stretching down far too deep for anyone to be able to see to the bottom, and they were very narrow and the sides of solid granite.
On the top of the hills were some bleak moors on which these crevices lay, with only one safe path across them. There was a legend that the ghost of Silas Keene, an old miser who had been killed by falling into a crevice and whose body had never been recovered, walked across the moors every first of June, the night on which he had been killed.
On this night, Ralph went on business to the village of Burcombe, which lay on the other side of the hills from Aldcastle. He had been kept until fairly late and it was close on midnight when he set out once more for his home town. It was a bright moonlight night and he set out cheerfully along the path up the hill. He reached the top of the hill and was about a quarter of the way across the moor when he felt that someone or something was watching him. He looked all around and then saw a figure moving swiftly towards him. He knew it could be no living thing for it came swiftly and silently across the moor towards him, crossing even the widest crevices without moving a muscle, not that it had any to move. However, Ralph was not a superstitious man by nature, nor a coward either, but this was too much. He broke into a cold sweat and also into a run, or rather a mad gallop. He looked round and found that the thing, whatever it was, was gaining on him, but this glance was his undoing, for he ran off the path straight into the open jaws of one of the widest cracks. A wild, unearthly scream of terror left his lips, to mingle with the hysterical shrieking of the fiend behind, and to be flung from pinnacle to pinnacle of the surrounding hills. But Ralph could not hear this or anything else, except a great buzzing noise which filled his ears and nearly deafened him, becoming louder and louder with every second that flew, for he was falling down, down, down into the inky blackness of the yawning crevice, to be dashed to death upon whatever lay below.
K.J.E. (D.III)
At Dover I have a musical box. It has not been working for some time.
The other day, as Dover was having a shelling raid, my musical box was stowed away in a spare room. A piece of shrapnel hit the roof. My father went on to the roof to mend the tiles. As he went downstairs, he heard "Bluebells of Scotland." The vibration of the shrapnel had started it up. Another shell hit the town, while "Bluebells of Scotland" played on.
R.C. (M.I)
| O fox, O fox, you brown sly beast! I'll have you yet, you thief! Twice you have stolen my best hens Yet scarcely turned a leaf. No doubt you had a right good feast. I'll have your brush full soon! You cunning, grinning, loathsome beast That hunts by light of moon. Why come you to the poor folks' door To steal all they possess? Go to the gentry; they'll not miss If they have one fowl less. E.S. (U.II) |
MEN OF THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS
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If one day you chance to roam, Walk across a field of loam, Mount a stile and ford a river, Just to waken up your liver, If suddenly you come across. Beneath a mound of earth and moss, A human figure of strange deportment Dressed in dignified assortment Of coats and hats and boots, ill-fitting, Jumpers, scarves, odd bits of knitting,. All around him wires and poles, Wooden huts, sandbags and holes, Staring blankly in the sky With furrowed brow and glassy eye, Muttering a word or two In a language strange to you, In a little funnel pressed Closely to his padded breast, Don't think you're bewitched for life, Or run home and tell your wife, Tales of ghosts that may disturb her. What you saw was an Observer. R.H. (U.I) |
THE NECESSITY FOR A FIRST FORM ESCORT
For reasons which I am sure would not interest you, dear reader, my departure for London was delayed until late afternoon. "What of it? Hundreds of people travel in the afternoon" do I hear you ask? Let me tell you the full story and then, perhaps, you will agree that my journey was a little out of the ordinary.
The local train succeeded by some good fortune and a strong wind behind, in arriving at Newport only a quarter of an hour late, that being five minutes after the London train should have left. Hurrying to its departure platform I was overjoyed to find the "London train" just coming in; not being near enough to the loudspeakers, I took it for granted that this was my train. After travelling for some time I arrived, to my horror, at Gloucester. "All change!" Having some time to wait, I decided to go in search of something to eat. My luck was out for the buffet was closed; eventually I obtained a very old bun and a cup of brown coloured liquid by underhand means-by the kindness of a soldier from a services' canteen: these I ate whilst sandwiched between a pile of empty milk churns and a stack of exceedingly fishy fish boxes.
From Gloucester, I travelled by an even slower local train to Swindon, where I again had to wait. Finally, I reached London at twenty to one, and what a prospect lay before me! No 'buses, no tube trains, no taxis, just a twelve miles walk through deserted streets. After an hour I came to a cross-roads and hesitated. I did not know which way to turn. Good fortune turned up, however, in the form of a policeman with an ear. I asked him the way, but I think I must have looked a suspicious character, for, instead of answering, he asked me for my identity card. This was in my case, securely locked with the keys in my waistcoat pocket. I now proceeded to find them. After several minutes' search, during which time the policeman had become rather grim, I finally located them. Still he was not satisfied; out came his notebook and he proceeded to recite the stock questions, name, age, occupation (he looked a little dubious when I told him) and then he took my name and address. I don't know why and I don't think he knew why, but that seems to be the procedure in cases involving "suspicious characters." Apparently satisfied, he let me go. On I tramped for many miles, not seeing anyone; in the distance a bell tolled, half-past two. As if summoned by its dismal knell, an even more suspicious policeman pounced on me and in a voice which betrayed his distrust, asked if he might see what I had in my case. Again I struggled for my keys, unlocked and unstrapped my case and displayed its contents to my companion. But either he was the most suspicious of policemen or I looked a disreputable person for he decided to search for himself; he even looked up the sleeve of a shirt. Meanwhile I sat on a wall mournfully contemplating my fate. I wondered if they provided breakfast in a police station. Out came the notebook and again I was subjected to the "copper's catechism." When this was over I staggered to my feet. At his words, I could hardly believe my ears: "Thank you, sir. So sorry to bother you, good morning" he said. I hurried away before he changed his opinion of me.
Within three hundred yards of home I saw another of these terrors of the night. This one was trying doors. I do not know if he was performing his duty or if he wanted to get in to the warm, anyway, I did! So I decided to dodge him. Quietly I crept along on the other side of the road, drew level and passed him and was congratulating myself on my success when I slipped off the pavement and dropped my case with a clatter that could be heard miles away.
. . . I stopped running when I reached my door. I don't think the policeman knew what made that noise at half-past three in the morning. I hope not.
So, dear reader, if ever you see a suspicious sixth former with a policeman on his heels. take pity on me, won't you?
W.H. (VI Sc.)
Ande nowe wanes ageyne ys cum ye tyme whenne that ye humbel scrybe muste ytaken yp hys quille for to chronycle ye full myghtye ande manifolde dedes of ye sundrie knyghtes eke varlettes of ye grate Chateau albeit thatte nowe—alacke—ye welle yloved chateau is sene noe mowr eke thatte manye of ye Sixeformerres ande alle ye lessere varlettes ydwell withe Sire Weppe farre fromme ye reste of ye menne atte armes who ydwell atte withynne ye walles ande ye portallse yclept Wentynp.
And nowe muste be sette downe no we thatte ye menne of ye chateau did de challenge ye menne of ye Weste to ye joustynge atte ye listes ande howe thatte, albeit muchel corage was yshown by ye loyalle varlettes of ye chateau inne ye fierce combatte, ye fiete foote menne of ye West didde oftymes withe signalle dedes of prowesse winne ye daye, so thatte ye bothe Chateaux were filled with ye chauntinge of solemne derges ful manye a daye.
Itte rejoiced muche ye varlettes whenne thatte ye players, eke ye chaunteurs of ye chateau, holpen by a certayne damsel yclept Lecdwlla didde performen hyr pleyinge inne ye halle yclept Tyntabbe. Methynkthe perchaunce thatte Sire Silwil muchel preferreth ye harpsychorde of Wentymp to thatte of ye Tyntabbe whiche hath been ful discordaunte of leyte.
Rumours hathe reachen mine eare thatte Sire Ayebeecee ye alchemist saith full merrily eke loude thatte a certayne battaille of grate reporte is aprochinge, so hearken alle ye sundrie squires and varlettes hoom it meye conncer, er, er, ern.
Ye gallante caddettes do stille rivalle ye Ayteecee in ye marchygne, butte methinkes these have stille to mastyre ye slopinge of ye dredde wepponnes of warre albeit muchel moe lerned in ye other mattyres of grate importe.
Indede trnlie been we desolate atte losse forre so longe of ye beauteous Noja whom we misse by resoune of hyr comlieness; furtherre men saye thatte thisse fayre damsel hath ytakenne to herselfe a housebande; but these be but vapourynges of ye varlettes ande notte to be ythought of by ne squieres ne knyghtes.
Linal. (VI Arts)
As you all know, Ebbw Vale is a strange place. So is Pentwyn House.
Now, one Wednesday afternoon, on the instruction of a master, I went to Pentwyn House. Strangely, I was the only one ordered there by this master, so I had a room to myself.
"Boy," said the master, "don't move until you have done this work!"
I soon finished the set task and decided to go for a drink. After having the drinlk I decided to take a look round the cellars, as I had never been down there before. It so happened that I had a torch with me, so I was able to pick my way through the dust and lumber. In one corner I found a door, overhung with cobwebs and very rotten. I decided to explore.
The passage in which I found myself was pitch black and covered with cobwebs. After a few yards, a flight of steps began. It seemed very ghostly and I found myself continually looking back. All was very quiet, when suddenly from ahead, came a bloodcurdling; scream, followed by three others. I stood stock still for at least thirty seconds; then, my knees began knocking. I began to creep forward, expecting any minute to find a dead body, or something of the sort. Suddenly I came up against a door. Gingerly I pushed it open, to find myself in—the bathroom! I peered round the corner and saw the back of a master, cane in hand, disappearing down the stairs. The mystery of the screams was solved.
D.F.C. (U.III)
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Oh, lovely leaves of Autumn B.R. (M.I) |
When first we came, most of us had never heard of Ebbw Vale, but now we know the neighbourhood and its community as if it were our home town.
Ebbw Vale is not a very old place. Prior to the eighteenth century there is practically no record of the district, Up to 1780 (when the first ironworks were established at Beaufort), the then pastoral valley was remote and inhabited only by about a hundred and fifty people, all engaged in agriculture. The valley itself had only about forty houses and with its thickly wooded hills, was a picturesque and romantic spot. Even to-day the part of the valley extending from Aberbeeg to Cwm shows some indication of the attractiveness of the district. The people were entirely Welsh and the English language was almost unknown.
The Industrial Revolution of the later eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries transformed this agricultural district into a thriving industrial area. When the Ebbw Vale works were erected on the land of Pen-y-cae farm the surrounding miners' settlement was named Ebbw Vale, but until quite recently it was known to the native Welsh population as Pen-y-cae.
Although some day we shall leave Ebbw Vale, we will never forget the friendship and hospitality that was, and still is, offered to us.
R.J.D. (U.IV)
Amalgamated Engineering Company reports that a member of the sixth form objects to curves.
(Of the type x2 + y2 = goodnesskowswhat).
A first former was overheard to remark to the Headmaster: "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
VIII reports that there is no sign in the dungeon at Pentwyn Castle of its having been inhabited by a beautiful princess.
"There is an attraction between magnets of opposite polarity." Scientific explanation of a phennmenon which can be observed most frequently on Saturday nights.
"Flossy" is not the name of a new brand of pipe tobacco.
It is reported in the Weekly Experimental Publication that a well-known scientist condemns the invention of the telephone.
"Zeke."
DOVER COUNTY SCHOOL FOR BOYS
PRIZE LIST, 1942-43
| Parents' Association: | ||
| Special Endeavour Prize. | W. Rendell. | |
| The Biology Prize. | J. R. Silby. | |
| The School Certificate Geography Prize. | G. A. Chatfield. | |
| The School Certificate Physics Prize. | M. Watts. | |
| The Middle School Language Prize. | R. F. Efemey. | |
| Special and VI Form Prizes: | ||
| The Good Fellowship. | R. C. Neill. | |
| The School Certificate (given by Canon Elnor). | W. C. Harris. | |
| The Whitehouse Memorial (Divinity). | R. F. Efemey. | |
| The Edward Ryeland Memorial (Physics) | T. P. Arthur. | |
| The Thomas Memorial (Chemistry) | P. Jenkins. | |
| The Clatworthy Senior Latin. | B. A. Rigden. | |
| The Clatworthy Junior Latin. | A. Pierce. | |
| The Tunnell Senior History. | S. A. Price. | |
| The Tunnell Junior History. | A. C. Allin. | |
| The Old Boys' Cadet Prize. | R. J. Austin. | |
| L. Castle. | ||
| The Staff Prize. | S. D. Bradley. | |
| The Headmaster's Prize. | H. E. Flanders. | |
| The French Prize. | S. A. Price. | |
| The Maths Prize. | T. P. Arthur. | |
| The Applied Maths Prize. | K. H. Marsden. | |
| The Economics Prize. | R. S. N. Bax. | |
| VI Arts Prize. | B. A. Rigden. | |
| Upper VI Science Prizes. | K. H. Marsden. | |
| H. B. Brabham. | ||
| Lower VI Science Prizes. | R. W. Cropton. | |
| M. Feast. | ||
| VI Commerce Prize. | R. S. N. Bax. | |
| School Certificate Prizes: | ||
| The English Prize. | L. Walker. | |
| The French Prize. | E. D. Newport. | |
| The Maths Prize. | A. W. Humphries. | |
| The Chemistry Prize. | W. C. Harris. | |
| The Art Prize. | J. M. Gale. | |
| Upper V Form Prizes. | M. Watts. | |
| K. T. Bailey. | ||
| Middle V Prize. | R. W. S. Lott. | |
| Middle School Prizes: | ||
| The English Prize. | K. Dadds. | |
| The Maths Prize. | P. J. Sutton. | |
| The Science Prize. | R. D. Langford. | |
| The Art Prize. | V. Bennett. | |
| The Upper IV Form Prize. | A. Brown. | |
| The Middle IV Form Prize. | D. E. Tomkins. | |
| The Upper III Form Prizes. | B. C. Rampe. | |
| J. Granger. | ||
| R. P. Reeves. | ||
| The Middle III Form Prize. | R. C. Harvey. | |
| Lower School Prizes: | ||
| The English Prize. | K. J. Evans. | |
| The Maths Prize. | P. A. McPherson. | |
| The Upper II Form Prize. | C. Garwood. | |
| D. F. Crouch. | ||
| The Middle II Form Prize. | A. Edgington. | |
| The Upper I Form Prize. | D. Weaver. | |
| The Middle I Form Prize. | J. Jackson | |
Higher School Examination:
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*T. B. Arthur (Dist. in Physics), |
*H. B. S. Brabham, | S. D. Bradley, | ||
| R. S. N. Bax, | *P Jenkins, | P. Lester, | ||
| *K. H.Marsden, | †B. A. Rigden, | J. R. Silby, | ||
| J. L. Smith. |
* Exemption from Inter. Science.
† Exemption from Inter. Arts.
General School Examination:
| *A H. Alcock, | *A. C. Allin, | *R. H. Arnold, | J. H. Ayling, | |||
| *K. T. Bailey, | *A E. Barnacle, | P. G. Bean, | *A J. Bell, | |||
| *G. A. Chatfield, | *E F. Field, | *R. L. Fox, | *J. A. Gale, | |||
| *A. E. Garside, | *W. C. Harris, | *A G. W. Humphries, | *J. E. Hogg, | |||
| H. W. Ivory, | J. E. Lloyd, | *R. S. Lott, | E. O. Lowne, | |||
| *W. V. Newman, | *E. D. Newport, | *A. Pierce, | A. M. Port, | |||
| *P D. Prescott, | *D. J. Russell, | R. C. Reynolds, | *F. J. Sedg wick, | |||
| W. C. Sisley, | *K. W. F. Terry, | *M Watts, | *L. Walker, | |||
| *E. E. Woodhouse. |
* Exemption from Matriculation.
After four years evacuation, the School Cadet Corps continues to flourish although in the last two or three years it has had to face competition from two additional pre-service organisations in the School.
The big feature of the year was camp, held at Tonbridge for the week following Sunday, August 8th, 1943. Cadets travelled from many parts of the country to attend and the 1st Cdt. Coy. C.P.(F)R.E., marched into camp from Tonbridge station, headed by the Corps band. During the day various Kent Battalions arrived to bring camp strength to about 650 cadets.
The following week was filled with very interesting work for both officers and cadets, special features being a night operation and a map reading march exercise. The army instructors, officers and N.C.O.'s did much to make camp a success, while it is hard to find words to praise the cooks who fed the cadets with the highest quality food.
It was the first camp at which this Corps had its own under-officers. One of these acted as Company Commander, one as Second-in-Command and one as Orderly Officer. The S.M.'s, C.Q.M.S. and N.C.O.'s all did excellent work.
On the last day the whole camp marched out headed by the D.C.S. band.
Before camp the following were successful in Certificate "A" examination:
L/Cpl. Vale, L/Cpl. Sisley, L/Cpl. Andrews.
During the last 12 months the following promotions have been posted:
C.S.M. Slater to Under-Officer.
Cpl. Lott to A/C.S.M.
Cpl. Watts to A/C.Q.M.S.
Band-Sgt. Culver to R.S.M. Drum-Major.
Cpl. Arnold to Band-Sgt.
L/Cpl. Rampe to A/Sgt.
L/Cpl. Bell to Sgt.
L/Cpls. Forwood, Ivory, Simmonds, Dadds, Mayne and Jarman to Cpls.
U/O. J.R.S.
The band has been getting stronger ever since it left Dover, and now has nearly thirty members. The keenness of these members is reflected in the number of senior N.C.O.'s who are in the band, whilst the quality of their playing is shown in the number of parades they are asked to lead.
The band has travelled a number of times to Blackwood, Rhymney and Tredegar at the request of the County Commandant. At each of these places it made a good name for itself, whilst at Camp many officers and N.C.O.'s complimented them on their playing and smartness.
Major Andrews (an old Band-Sgt.) speaking at the annual inspection, remarked on the improvement since his day.
L. E. Culver (Drum-Major)
Squadron 1843 is still carrying on fine and although numbers have decreased, many more cadets have obtained their
proficiency certificates. Outstanding events, since the last report about the Squadron was published, include two camps, held in
the summers of 1942 and 1943 at a local aerodrome. Cadets spent a very interesting time there and practically all had a flight,
some remaining airborne for over an hour. Several Sunday
visits to the aerodrome have also taken place. Frequent parades were held in the town and amongst the important ones were the
"Wings for Victory" parade, in which the School Squadron played a prominent part, and the "Armistice Day" parade. New
classes have been started, dealing with more advanced subjects such as "Meteorology," "Aircraft Recognition" and "Advanced
Navigation," thus training cadets for the important work many will do in the Air Force. Many thanks are due to Mr. Rees, Mr.
Lloyd and Mr. Campbell for sacrificing their spare time to take the above classes.
We would like to remind members of the School who intend to join the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm, that they cannot do better than join the A.T.C., where they will gain much knowledge useful to them in their future career.
"Venture Adventure."
Sgt. F. Szekely.
Sgt. K. Bailey.
Rugby XV
As our numbers have fallen during our four years in Ebbw Vale, it has become increasingly difficult to find rugby players. Nevertheless, the School has been able to field a rugger team each season.
At the beginning of the season the team played rather scrappy football, but later the scrum worked very well together, although the School was unfortunate in losing so many of the first XV at Christmas. The three-quarters have never really got going, although one or two have shown promise. We were fortunate in having an excellent full-back who saved us on many occasions.
However, I must say that what the team lacked in football sense, due to so little practice, they made up for by their keenness, but they should put more thrust into their attacks.
The team was as follows:
R. D. Langford—A valuable forward. His tackling has been outstanding.
A. E. Barnacle—After a weak start he has become a good hooker.
A. M. Port—Worked hard in set scrums but was slow in following up.
J. E. Lloyd—His weight was useful. Football sense was lacking.
A. Slater—Another good forward but must follow up more quickly.
J. A. Forwood—Plays well as wing forward but his kicking is weak.
K. T. Bailey—He has been outstanding as leader of the pack. His handling and kicking of the ball has been good.
M. Watts—Has played well but should work harder.
E. Lowne—His kicking and running were good, but his passing slow.
A. E. Garside—His running is good but he must kick and tackle harder.
H. W. Ivory—Has played well and tackled fearlessly but should run straight.
R. C. Reynolds—A good man, but ill-health prevented his turning out.
W. Newman—Uses his weight but must run harder and tackle lower.
B. Jacobs—Has been outstanding as full-back. His kicking was excellent.
J. N. Jarman—A good player but an early accident prevented his playing.
L.E.C.
L. E. Culver—He has captained the team extremely well. His handling and kicking of the ball as well as his tackling has been good.
K.T.B.
—:—
| Sept. 29th at Ebbw Vale: | Ebbw Vale 27; D.C.S. 3. | |
| Oct. 6th at Ebbw Vale: | Nantyglo 14; D.C.S. 3. | |
| Oct. 13th at Brynmawr: | Brynmawr 7; D.C.S. 0. | |
| Oct. 27th at Ebbw Vale: | Ebbw Vale 27; D.C.S. 0. | |
| Nov. 10th at Ebbw Vale: | Brynmawr 0; D.C.S. 0. | |
| Nov. 17th at Nantyglo: | Nantyglo 14; D.C.S. 0. | |
| Nov. 20th at Abertillery: | Abertillery 33; D.C.S. 0. | |
| Mar. 1st at Ebbw Vale: | Ebbw Vale 14; D.C.S. 0. |
Rugby Colours have been awarded to the following:
Culver and Bailey (March '43). Langford, Jacobs and Ivory (December '43).
Cricket XI
Only one match was played during the '43 season, which was against Ebbw Vale, when the School put a strong team in the field. Result: Ebbw Vale 71, D.C.S. 71 for 5 wickets.
Cricket Colours have been awarded to the following:
Bailey and Lester ('42). Culver ('43).
School Colours have been awarded to the following:
Bailey, Jacobs, Culver and Lester (December '43).
L. E. Culver was elected School Games Captain.
L.E.C.
