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No. 100. JULY, 1945. VOL. XXXV.
FIAT LUX.
The next number of The Pharos will appear when the paper situation is easier.
We acknowledge with thanks Ruym (Chatham House County School, Ramsgate), The Ashfordian, The Bordenian, and The Anchor (Gillingham County School).
Copies of the current issue of The Pharos, or of back numbers which are in stock, may he obtained from the Editor, price 1/-.
Autumn Term, 1945. The Autumn Term will begin on Thursday, 13th September, and end on Wednesday, 19th December.
We have been welcomed so warmly on our return that I am glad to have this opportunity of greeting parents. Many have made
it possible, by their generous contributions, for us to leave in Ebbw Vale some tangible evidence of our appreciation of the kindness we
enjoyed there over a long period. An annual Prize has been endowed at the
Ebbw Vale County School and a Plaque—wrought in beaten copper by a craftsman of Messrs. Shaw & Sons, to a design by Mr.
Rowlands—is being presented to the Ebbw Vale Urban District Council. We hope to send printed copies of
this to Foster-parents
before the end of term.
There are others we must thank. Here in Dover during the last few months we have been obliged to make the best of a difficult situation while our own premises were not available. We were fortunate, therefore, to find three buildings not far apart in the centre of the town. We have reason to be specially grateful to Mr. A. Moody, A.R.C.A., Principal of the Sidney Cooper School of Art, Canterbury, for placing the School of Art at our disposal, and to Mr. Briggenshaw, at what was the Dover Education Office, for loaning us equipment that was in short supply. Nor do we forget that the temporary arrangements placed a much heavier burden on the shoulders of Mr. Fagg and Mr. Taylor, Caretakers respectively at the School of Art and Technical Institute. They have, indeed, been friends to us.
Some friends we seem to have lost as a result of the new Education Act but we trust this is more apparent than real. The old Dover District Committee met for the last time in March. I am glad to know that this number places on record our indebtedness to our former Governors and particularly to the Chairman, Rev. Canon W. G. Elnor.
Here on the Staff we have welcomed Mr. K. V. Hall who took over Mr. Langley's work last September, Mrs. McCracken, who has
many Dover associations, and Mr. J. C. Andrew. To many of us the return of Miss Rookwood in January was the renewal of yet
another link with the past.
My acknowledgements are not complete without some recognition of the work of Mrs. King, the Cook-Housekeeper, and her Staff who are doing so much to make us feel at home in the Dining Hall, and of Mr. Foad, the Caretaker, who has been doing the work of several men in his efforts to get the School shipshape. Both Mrs. King and Mr. Foad have good reason to congratulate themselves.
Other contributors will tell the full story of the year that has passed since the last issue of the School Magazine. It would need a film record with accompanying sound track to do full justice to the story, and most of us could select some high spots. For myself, I confess that I recall most vividly a very wet Friday afternoon in October last when, once again, I was allowed to go all over the School buildings. It was then almost certain that we should be returning soon, and perhaps that made me more easily impressed. Whatever the reason, I found myself torn between conflicting emotions. I scarcely knew whether to climb up to the top of the tower and throw my hat in the air, or to slip away into the boiler room to hide my tears. Could it be really true, I kept asking myself, that these were the School buildings and that we were coming back to them?
And now we are back—not so many of us as went away—though, by September, we shall have reached the 400 mark again. Yet, somehow, that's not the whole of the truth. To most of us there are many more here. The whole place, the photos of teams of long ago, the old Prize Lists, the old Sports' programmes, the photos and programmes of the Dramatic Society, all tell the same story and make us more sensitive. We know—and the welcome visits of many Old Boys constantly remind us—that we are only a small proportion of those who have passed through D.C.S., and helped to create a community that is not to be measured by the number on the roll.
Our first issue from Home after five years of exile—and our hundredth number! Naturally most of the contributions received were concerned with various aspects or our experiences. Some of the Juniors are still somewhat abashed by their relatively palatial surroundings. As for the few Seniors who were in full time occupation here, they have not ceased to marvel at the relatively small changes that have taken place. As a result, the Navy, in particular, the W.R.N.S. have, if possible gone up in our estimation. It was a kind thought of "Brenda", "Joyce" and others to leave a message on the hoard in the Geography Room: "Welcome home! Nice school, nice boys." Some of the Seniors are regretting the absence of surnames, I believe. The various naval terms are fast disappearing and soon few will know where the Quarter Deck, the Stern Walk, the Galley or the Sick Bay were. And once again, we are in our own buildings the word own needs no elaboration to most of us.
I have to thank Miss Rookwood and Mr. Uncles for their help in facilitating the writing of articles and Lower VI Arts for much arduous work as sub-editors, circulation and publicity managers, etc., etc.
W.W.B.
On the first day of our return to Astor Avenue, one of a group of masters standing on the lower Terrace with spacious buildings, workshops and labs behind him, and green fields in front, remarked that our boys were fortunate in their inheritance. I would not dispute this, but how many realise that our present position both as regards material benefits and acquired traditions results from nearly half a century of continuous and often self sacrificing effort on the part of different groups of people. Of these, our School Governors form perhaps the most self-effacing unit and yet, throughout the years, they have worked quietly and persistently to build up a school of which the district it serves can be justly proud. How many boys know those who govern them? Evacuation has denied to the majority of the present school even the acquaintance of the chairman, Canon Elnor, although some of us have for over twenty years seen him preside over the annual prize-giving ceremony with geniality and commendable time-sense. We have also appreciated his efforts and those of his colleagues on less pretentious but possibly more important occasions.
Our return seems a fitting moment to say thank you to them for having given us all the amenities we enjoy. We trust the new Education Act will not mean that we bid farewell to all former members of the Governing Body.
W.E.P.
When I returned to the school on the hill after an absence of five years, I realised that we had both changed, as was almost inevitable. When I left it in June, 1940, I was an eleven year old first former, racing about the playground in the full glory of juvenile untidiness and grubby knees, gazing with awe on the big sixth-formers, who strolled about the school in the full pride of inaccessible majesty. Little did I dream that before my return I should encounter a certain hazy spectre known as School Cert. and myself enter the Sixth Form, only to realise how unfavourably my puny proportions compared with those giants of pre-war days, now fighting for their king and country in all the quarters of the globe.
So much for myself; what of the school? Well, the first thing that struck me was that it had grown smaller. But the fault lay in myself; I had gone away very much smaller than I am now, and I am quite sure that the school ball seems very much larger to a small newcomer than to the senior who has seen other and grander feats of architecture, and who, moreover, looks at it from a higher altitude. In all parts of the building that was how it struck me, and not only me, but many other sixth formers, too.
I wandered off to the playing fields and gazed with dismay at footpaths worn across that verdure which had been our pride before the war; however, it was the top pitch which struck me most, with its accurate circle of pot-holes round a central gash. I wondered idly if in years to come archaeologists would take the marks of a barrage balloon for the sacred remnants of a Druids' circle, but doubted it, for they will soon disappear under the hands of our groundsman. I also bemoaned the absence of our sturdy railings, which would have prevented the local juvenile cricketers from playing tip-and-run on our best playing field, a thing which both surprised and annoyed me very much.
The interior of the building, except for the absence of furniture and fittings, and an all-pervading nautical atmosphere, was not much altered. And when, a few days later, I saw the desks and chairs installed, with orderly lines of boys moving quietly along the corridors, to say nothing of the flag climbing the staff for the first time, I realised that it would not be long before our school returned completely to its pre-war state, and that soon it would again be a model for Secondary Schools everywhere, and the pride of all of us—past and present—who have lived and learned within its walls.
During the Easter Holidays some members of the school assisted Mr. M. Rix in excavating the site of a mediæval gardrobe or cess-pit, which formed part of a tower in the old town wall on the north side of Snargate Street. The gardrobe was in the form of a double cell, connected by two arches supported by a very fine pillar.
The floor was of a hard material like concrete, covered in places by slates, and somewhat disfigured by the deposits from the rubbish which had been thrown into the pit and allowed to decay, most of the deposits being near the bottom of the shoots at the back or north end and in the eastern cell. At the front end of the pits there was a difference between the two, one of them being open as if a door had been there, and the other being partly walled up, indicating a window, this theory being supported by the discovery of some window glass nearby. In the pits we found enormous quantities of potsherds and bones, together with some metal and a few fragments of fabric and glass. The most important find of all was a number of pieces of an imported pot from Bordeaux, which is the best example of this ware that has been found in Britain.
Despite the discovery of several "Roman" cigarette-ends and matchsticks we all had a very good time, although one Sixth Former was extremely annoyed when he found a very modern pot planted by a fellow digger. We intend to carry out further excavations during the summer holidays, and any senior wishing to assist should give in his name before the end of the term.
K. DADDS.
| Special and VI Form Prizes. | ||
| The Good Fellowship | J. R. Silby. | |
| The School Certificate Prize | R. F. Efemey. | |
| Parents' Association. | ||
| The Special Endeavour Prize | C. Bailey. | |
| The Biology Prize | J. R. Silby. | |
| The School Cert. Geography | R. D. Langford. | |
| The School Certificate Physics. | A. L. Brown. | |
| The Middle School Language | C. Garwood. | |
| —:— | ||
| The Whitehouse Memorial (Scripture) | R. F. Efemey. | |
| The Edward Ryeland Memorial (Physics) | M. W. Feast. | |
| The Thomas Memorial (Chemistry) | R. Henbrey. | |
| The Clatworthy Senior Latin | A. C. Allin. | |
| The Clatworthy Junior Latin | B. C. Rampe. | |
| The Tunnell Senior History | A. L. Brown. | |
| The Tunnell Junior History | J. Granger. | |
| The Old Boys' Cadet Prize | P. A. Slater. | |
| The Staff Prize | J. Forwood. | |
| The Headmaster's Prize | L. E. Culver. | |
| The Maths Prize | R. W. Cropton. | |
| The Applied Maths Prize | M. W. Feast. | |
| The Geography Prize | L. Walker. | |
| The Economics Prize | J. Hogg. | |
| VI Arts Form Prize | C. A. Chatfield. | |
| Upper VI Science Form Prizes | L. Culver. | |
| F. Szekely | ||
| Lower VI Science Form Prizes | M. Watts. | |
| W. C. Harris. | ||
| VI Commerce Form Prize | E. E. Woodhouse. | |
| School Certificate Prizes | ||
| The French Prize | E. F. Clipsham. | |
| The Maths. Prize | P. J. Sutton. | |
| The Chemistry Prize | E. W. Peacock. | |
| The Art Prize | J. H. C. Flavin. | |
| Upper V Form Prize | W. Rendell. | |
| M. V Form Prize | A. Davison. | |
| Middle School Prizes. | ||
| The English Prize | J. Woodhouse. | |
| The Maths. Prize | R. P. Reeves. | |
| The Science Prize | J. Moorcroft. | |
| The Art Prize | W. E. Collard. | |
| The Upper IV Form Prize | R. G. Spear. | |
| The M. IV Form Prize | D. Cheeseman. | |
| The Upper III Form Prize. | D. F. Crouch. | |
| The Middle III Form Prize | R. S. Chawner. | |
| Lower School Prizes. | ||
| The English Prize | E. Southey. | |
| The Maths. Prize | R. J. Carter. | |
| The Upper II Form Prize | D. G. Weaver. | |
| The M. II Form Prize | F. K. E. Imrie. | |
| The Upper I Form Prize | R. L. Hussey. | |
| The M. I Form Prize | G. Evans. | |
The boys travelling between Deal and Dover are learning a lot about conditions on the other side of the Channel. The troups who are back in this country are only too willing to talk to the boys. They talk, under a little gentle persuasion, of their own personal battle experiences in the Low Countries, and very often in Germany itself.
Some of the men have been over the other side for so long that they do not even remember the English system of currency. They give to the boys the money which they have been compelled to use abroad, and as they say "Only too glad to be rid of it, the dratted stuff."
The favourite talk so far, I believe, was the one given by a Canadian soldier who had been to, and seen, Belsen and Buchenwald.
Some of the juniors sometimes try their hand at talking to French soldiers and sailors, in French-—hat's where they slip up, because three Frenchmen so far have laughed, and asked in almost perfect English what they were trying to say.
R.J.C.
Although a number of debates were held in the 1944-45 session, the attendance was not encouraging.
October 25th, 1944.
The officers for the year were elected as follows:—Hon. Secrdary, Mr. Harris; Committee, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Walker, Mr. Newman and Mr. Efemey. The Chairman throughout the session was Mr. Hall.
The motion for the debate which followed was "That this House considers that Science has done more evil than good."
Proposed by Mr. Walker, opposed by Mr. Newman, seconded by Mr. Efemey, seconded by Mr. Ayling.
The motion was defeated by 13 votes to 5. One member did not vote.
November 25th, 1944
The meeting took the form of a debate. "That this house considers private enterprise to be more beneficial than state ownership."
Proposed by
Mr. Newman, opposed by Mr. Pepper, seconded
by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Patrick. The motion was passed by 8 votes to
5.
December 6th, 1944.
This meeting was unique in the history of the society, being held jointly with the Ebbw Vale County School Debating Society.
"That this house considers schools should be co-educational" was passed 12 votes to 3. Miss Thomas of Ebbw Vale presided.
The last meeting of the year was held in Dover, when attendance was the lowest recorded.
"That the public school system is desirable" was passed by 6 votes to 3. We should like to thank members of the Vth form for their support.
W.C.H., Hon.. Sec.
Rugby XV.
The School XV played six matches during the Autumn term under conditions which on no occasion could be called favourable. The most notable game was against Nantyglo C.S., which was played in a snowstorm.
At times it was difficult to form a team, but keenness for the game overcame this, and we were able to find fresh talent on several occasions. The pack played well, but were rather slow in following up. Good work was done at hooking by Barnacle, and J. Brown; Langford was outstanding as wing forward. Behind the scrum Reay played well, but good passing movements by the three quarters were lacking, Ivory ably captained the team on two occasions, and is worthy of mention as the outstanding three quarter.
Team:—Drawn from the following: H. W. Ivory, A. E. Barnacle, A. E. Garside. M. Watts, W. Newman, J. Ayling, A. Reay, R. D. Langford, R. Collins. J. Brown, P. Belsey. J. Jarman, E. Mayne, R. J. Dilnot, J. Pascall, A. E. Gallagher, K. T. Bailey.
K.T.B.
Results.
| Oct. 7 | At Nantyglo. | Nantyglo C.S., 9 pts. ; | D.C.S., 3 pts. | |||
| Oct 14 | At Ebbw Vale. | Ebbw Vale C.S., 12 pts.; | D.C.S., 0 pts. | |||
| Oct 21 | At Brynmawr. | Brynmawr C.S.. 12 pts.; | D.C.S.. 0 pts. | |||
| Nov. 11 | At Brynmawr. | Brynmawr C.S., 15 pts.; | D.C.S. ,0 pts. | |||
| Nov 25 | At Nantglo. | Nantyglo C.S., 9 pts. ; | D.C.S., 0 pts. | |||
| Dec. 1 | At Ebbw Vale. | Ebbw Vale C.S., 14 pts.; | D.C.S., 0 pts. |
K.T.B.
HOUSE MATCHES.
Soccer.
East Cup Competition.
First Round: Buckland, 3; Town. 0.
Country, 3; Maxton, 0.
Final: Buckland, 2; Country, 4.
Cricket.
1st XI.
Buckland, 59 for 4; Maxton, 25.
Country, 42; Town, 31.
2nd XI.
Buckland, 91; Maxton, 10.
Country, 89; Town, 10.
K.T.B.
Cricket Retrospect.
Quite a few extensive fixture list has been arranged for the 1st and 2nd XI, and many old contacts have been renewed.
The 1st XI started the season well with a win at Canterbury, but lack of net practice is beginning to show itself, especially at batting I hope that all members of both teams will take full advantage of the opportunities we now offer for nets.
The 2nd XI, captained by Ivory has been rather more fortunate, and two victories can be recorded.
Gill has bowled consistently well for the 1st XI, and Eade and Beck for the 2nd XI. Reay, a discovery this term, has played well behind the stumps, and on the whole, fielding has been good.
The under 14 XI played one match at Deal, and were unfortunte in losing to a much stronger side.
I would like to thank the Kitchen staff for the part they have played in making home games a success, and also the groundsman for the pitch he has produced from so neglected a field.
The following have represented the School:—1st XI, A. E. Garside, J. Ayling, W. Newman, W. Gill, A. Reay, R. D. Langford, J. Butler, J. Pascall, R. Pascall, B. Pursey, J. Hogg, K. T. Bailey (Captain).
2nd XI:—H. W. Ivory (Captain), J. Brown, P. Belsey, R. J Dilnot, A. W. T. Eade, R. Beck, B. D. Hedgecock, A. C. Gallagher, E. W. Russell, J. Simmonds, K. Simpson, B. Hamilton, G. W. Bartholomew, K. Dadds.
Results.
1st XI.
May 19th (Canterbury).—Canterbury Technical School, 23 (Gill, 5 for 8),
(Newman, 5 for 11). D.C.S., 48.
May 26th (Folkestone).—Harvey Grammar School, 68. (Gill, 4 for 20, Gar
side, 5 for 24). D.C.S., 58.
June 2nd (Astor Avenue).—D.C.S., 33 Harvey Grammar School, 51. (Garside, 5 for 24).
June 16th (Canterbury).—Simon Langton School, 114. (Gill, 4 for 17). D.C.S.,
52 (Bailey, 20).
2nd XI.
May 19th
(Canterbury).—Canterbury Technical School, 25; D.C.S., 41.
May 26th (Astor Avenue).—D.C.S., 39; Harvey Grammar School, 20.
June 2nd (Folkestone).—Harvey Grammar School, 78; D.C.S., 54.
Under 14 XL.
May 26th (Deal).—Tormore School, 57; D.C.S., 11 and 20.
K.T.B.
When thatte ye Knyghts, squiers and varlets didde returne hirselles unto Dovre didde notte theye discovre monie fayre damselles inne ye olde Chateau, eke daussyng to ye straynes of Lyllie Marlayne? And were notte certayne base varlets (led by one Rab son of Nacle) mockel cast a downe whan thatte after moche of peepyng and peeryng thro ye frostyd fenestres and eke Keyoles, there came one unto them whiche didde seye "wherefore oh ye skoundrells do ye looke so dilligentllle thru ye olde lorndrie fenestres?"
Than didde ye grete and puissant Overlorde ordainne thatte ye yeomenne shoulde abyde inne ye olde Tecce and eke june ye chateau y-clept Nod Hilles, untille soche tymes as ye damselles myghte betake hirselles for ye lyfe onne ye Oceanne Wayve. Sire Weppe (scrybe of ye myghtie booke Skoole Fizzeke) arose than and delyvored hemselve thus to hissen Yeomenne, we will hie ourselles unto a farr countrie even unto ye Streete of Parkes, for is there notte moche of wondre to be seene there?" And theye didde dissemble togethre and ryde forth onne hir bycyclettes, hopyng thatte theye myght notte falle inne with ye myghtie gyants Ynter" and "Skoolesert" on ye waye. Some wore ye markes of favore of hir ladies onne hir sleeves and eke others (let it be wyspereel) wearing those of ye grete Overlurde inne ye lesser Konspikkuuus playces.
Ande soone was there notte moche comyng ande eke goyng betwyxsct ye olde Tecce ande ye olde Tayerne y clept "Sire Johnne Falstaffe? But ye scrybe wots notte of thatte!
Than was there notte a sounde as of a rushyng myghtie winde? I faith had notte ye myghtie Knyghte Sire Wilnot Tabrex (y-clept ye Barberres' Dreme) shaken ye mothe balles oute of ye Karberettere ande rode hemselve forthe to ye lystes astryde hissen myghtie byke?
Forsooth whan thatte ye moone was fullie rissen were notte ye straynge beings seene whiche didde ringe ye byke aboute withe moche mutteryngs ande eke darke sayings to wit:—
Ye byke doth ruste
Oute inne ye duste,
Ye sparkyng plugge wille buste
We truste.
Butte offe ye doings of ye myghtie Knyghtes inne ye roome of Staffe (and eke rod) ye scrybe moste notte endyte for feare of ye terryble scourge y slept blue pencille, save to wysper of moche speking from memorrie and eke coining of frazes.
And whan thatte ye great Godde crickette was arysn from hissen long sleep was there notte moche talke of sloggyng and eke bodielyne bowlyng? And didde monie varlets make pleye atte a straynge game y clept nettes without nettes whereat a stranger from a Northern countrie didde do moche magie with a peece of parchement ande eke stones at which varlets moste bowie ye balle?
But alack ye nyghte grows dimme ande ye scrybe is a-wearie, and if any woulde rede of ye further deeds of ye yeomenne (which I doubte), lette him go rede it all inne ye grete booke "Pharos" fur is it notte there y writ?
Ye
scrybe,
NALA YEAR.
The "Clerical Party" is again in power.
VI Science is now ohm sweet ohm again.
If a certain member of the staff had studied "cycology," he would know that even the mechanism of the mind breaks down sometimes.
That the Dolomites have replaced the Orange River.
"You are old Father William," the fifth form said,
And your hair is exceedingly white,
We're sure that your memory's utterly gone,
For you set us no homework last night."
What would happen if 250 men did not bother to turn up at Ebbw-Vale to vote? No country could be run on such lines.
That Operation S.C.E.C. has just come off the secret list.
That recent photographic disclosures led a junior to remark that someone had hair once.
That "Excelsior" is still the motto of the School.
That a jam and ping-pong session started at 2.30—that someone remarked about the noise.—That Gym. should be done in gym. periods.
Upper IV.—Crouch (4), Hancock (3).
Middle IV.—Chowner (2).
Lower III.—Sedgewick.
Upper II.—Edwards (2), Hussey.
Upper I.—Macpherson (3), Jackson (4), Crouch, Laker.
|
Little birds are silent, All the dark night through: When the morning dawneth, Their songs will sound anew, When a sudden sorrow, Comes like cloud and night, Wait for dawn tomorrow, All will then be right. A. H.ARRISON (Lower III). |
|
Thou, the
companion of my lighter hours, For thee I
thanks can give "ERASMUS" |
Before the war, many of us in the junior school took things very much for granted—the gymn, dining hall, laboratories and workshops all seemed quite ordinary and necessary.
We spent the middle and part of our senior school years in a state of evacuation, where many of the luxuries we used to know were absent.
Now we are back, looking around, the old place seems much as we had left it—and it is good. It is most regrettable that we were obliged to spend so long away from it.
Of the building itself, it is remarkable how clean it has been kept. Maybe we should be thankful the place was occupied by W.R.N.S. and not by one of the male services.
The library has almost returned to normal; we were glad to see the stained glass Pharos still burning.
The gymn has survived bravely, but the floor, which we used to treat with such care, is a little soiled. In the science block, time seems to have stood still. In the Art-room drawers, we find paintings we toiled with in our younger days. In the Physics laboratory experiments set up in 1940 still stand. A biology drawing is still on the blackboard!
Much of our lab. equipment has gone. But when we remember what sharing labs. has meant, we marvel at the material we now have at our disposal—and we dare not think of our pre-war wealth. We were VERY fortunate!
The Chemistry Labs, were a deplorable sight. Benches piled high with paraphernalia of every kind, and the floors ankle deep in books and paper. The junior school is doing wonders in getting the place habitable.
The hall is chairless still, and the organ is not working, but our musician works hard on a piano which he says is far too small for the spacious room. Yet when we remember the condition of the piano in the "tin-tab." our Ebbw Valian assembly hall—we are contented, to say the least.
To our horror we discovered the old prefect's room had been converted into an Ablution Room. We were given the use of the old VI Arts room, which was rapidly made as comfortable as possible—in spite of the fact that the staff had worn out the easy-chairs abroad, and had now lost them.
The electric clocks were started and zeroed, thus dispensing with the gas-cylinder and hammer used at the "Tec."
School dinners were obtainable on the first day. Their quality can only be described as excellent, and the quantity is infinite. Many thanks to the industrious cook and her staff.
Our school fields are still in a rather pour condition-especially the top pitch which is pitted with holes that the R.A.F. left, and Leney's which has been used by the public as a "short-cut." But when we remember boulder-covered French's Field, and Bridge End field, for which we had to struggle for half a day a week—we glory in our good fortune.
We in Upper VI have but one regret—that we have only one month left to spend in The School: but we have seen the triumphant return of which we have dreamed for so long—and we are glad.
M.W.
She advanced on him with a grim and determined look on her face. He saw her coming, glanced on either side for a place of refuge and found none. Still she came on........... Her hand grasped something that glinted in the sunlight........she was pointing at him.
There was only one way out. Unseen to her, he slid his hand to his pocket......waited until she was within a foot of him and then withdrew his hand suddenly. "All right, miss" he said, wearily" I'll buy a flag."
K. V. PORTER, Upper III.
I left for Wales with my elder brother at the end of the Easter Term. It was June 2nd, 1940, on a Sunday, I believe. We all congregated on the school Quad, and with our masters marched to the Station, carrying haversacks or cases with food for the journey and necessaries for the few days following. I know I found it hard to stop crying. My mother saw me off, and I did not know at the time, that she had handed a bottle of pop to Howard (so I believe) one of the best prefects at that time; he did try to find me in the crowd of boys, but with the noise, and my thoughts so far away with the loved ones I had left behind, I did not hear his calling out my name.
Our train dashed through the countryside, and only stopped at a couple of stations, for us to have drinking water. When we finally got to Ebbw Vale after many (untold, at least to me) hours, I shall not forget what a welcome we had. We, or some of us boys, went to Rassau school, where we had tea and cakes. Afterwards we were taken by some people to our billets; I was a lucky one, for I went in a car.
It was strange at first to be billeted with people I had never met before, and I must say, that in my last billet, I was really happy—my foster parents whom I called Aunty and Uncle, bestowed such love and kindness on me, took great care of me, and made my stay such a cheerful one, that I, for one, will have some very happy recollections of Wales.
It was a grand feeling though, when the shelling in Dover had, at last ceased, to know that I was coming Home at last, yet, it meant parting with the kindest of foster-parents, but before I departed I wished them a fond farewell, and carrying their expressions, that they would miss me very much. They are coming down in the summer holidays, and they asked me to go, and this I sincerely hope I shall be able to do.
P. F. PIGOTT, Upper II.
1st CADET COMPANY C.P. (F.) R.E.
The Band continues to be an outstanding feature of the School Cadet Corps, and under the command of Band-Sergeant Jarman distinguished itself at the Ebbw Vale Armistice Day Ceremony. On V.E.-Day, it again performed well at a combined Army Cadet Force parade. Now that Jarman has left the School Corps, Corporal Bartholomew has been appointed Drum Major. Other band promotions are Corporals Pascall and Fade, to Sergeants, in recognition of their good service.
During the Easter Holidays, the traditional Field Day was once again held upon Ewell Minnis. Several Cadets and N.C.O's obtained "thunder-flashes," and "crackers," which tended to add realism to the operations. (The usual spectators turned up in the afternoon, of course)
On the first morning back at Astor Avenue, the Band played the General Salute, while the flag was hoisted on the School tower. In the afternoon, for the first time for over five years, the Retreat was played, on our own quadrangle. At our first Friday parade on our own premises, nearly ninety cadets turned out. The numbers remain high, owing to the support from the members from the lower and middle school, in spite of lack of support from the more senior boys.
We are now able to revive competitions for various cadet cups, presented chiefly by ex-cadets. Also, during the coming months, it is proposed that we should purchase new equipment to replace the inevitable wastage due to evacuation. Annual camp, this year, is to be held at Reculver, for seven days, from July 29th.
R.S.L.
HOUSE NOTES.
COUNTRY HOUSE.
During the present School year the House has been very successful in the few opportunities which turned up. Well represented in the School Rugger XV, Country members also form an encouragingly large proportion of the Cricket XI's.
The East Cup provided the greatest interest for Inter-House football. In the last thrilling ten minutes Country scored 2 goals defeating Buckland by 4 goals to 2.
It was some years since Country House won the East Cup and we can only hope that this victory will fore-shadow a restoration of the pre-eminent position which the House formerly occupied.
Our return to Dover not only gives us the opportunity of improving our games standard but might well bring results in a field in which Country has hitherto hung back, i.e., swimming. Finally, we heartily welcome all those new boys who have joined the house since the School's return.
H.W.I.
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MAXTON HOUSE.
Lack of facilities for sport has left its mark. We were defeated in the first round of the East Cup Competition by Country House 3-2. Success was not ours in the only senior games to date, both our first and second XI's suffering badly from lack of practice. With the return to our own fields and the keenness of all members of the House, Maxton should return to the place it merits.
W.C.H.
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TOWN HOUSE.
Town has always been one of the smallest Houses in the School and it has suffered most of all during the war years, the reason probably being that the residents in the centre of Dover tended to move outwards or evacuated altogether, whilst those outside were not quite so anxious to move in. Thus, the return to the School buildings finds Town well below the other Houses in numbers. We were unable to organise any House games, soccer or rugger, last term, and so far this term, the 1st and 2nd XI's have had but one cricket match. This was with Country, the strongest House, and the 1st team lost by a narrow margin only.
J. Woodhouse's batting deserves special mention.
Of the 2nd XI, let us only say that they were less fortunate. I wish the House the best of luck for the future, and trust it will soon gain strength of numbers.
M.W.
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BUCKLAND HOUSE.
Since returning to Dover the number in the House has increased and we extend a hearty welcome to all newcomers.
Keenness for games is apparent in all parts of the House, and nets and House matches have been arranged. So far only 1st and 2nd XI matches have been played, but before the end of term it is hoped that the Junior House Competition will be in full swing.
Soccer last term was confined to Junior teams. Congratulations to the Under 14's on their East Cup performance. Pull it oft next term and get the Cup back for the Dark Blues!
K.T.B.
When will the time come again for Mr. Dixon to make us run around the top playing field several times in P.T. lessons? It is, as I expect you must know, a quarter of a mile right round. How well I can remember waiting outside the gym. in the snow for Mr. Dixon, wearing only shorts and plimsolls.
I must not forget to mention the workshops. The thing that is clearest in my mind about them is Mr. Coveney marching a member of the form up the wooden steps to the store room above, leaving us waiting and listening for the Swish! Swish! and the consequent sobs.
At Break the forms were dismissed, and all strove to get out first so as to be in the Tuck shop queue before anybody else. We must just hope that these pleasures will soon be returned to us, more especially the latter. Miss Rookwood will have no lack of volunteers to help her!
D. G. WEAVER, Upper III
The most important factor during our stay in Monmouthshire was that of billets. Upon this depended our personal comfort after school hours and the facilities we had for doing homework. Gone now are those beautifully elaborate excuses we used to hear in the mornings—it seemed to have been quite a habit with Ebbw Vale babies to spill the ink over their foster-brothers' just-finished homework!
Can we ever forget the Prayers held in the "Tin Tabernacle" which creaked and shuddered at every gust of wind, or the deafening noise of the frequent rain on the corrugated iron roof? How long shall we recall those held at Pentwyn on two floors simultaneously, and Mr. Langley's expression when the "top storey" forged ahead a few bars in the hymn? Nor must ever be forgotten Mr. Willis's heroic battles with various decrepit pianos or the efforts of the staff in racing from one end of the town to the other in order to be in time for their next lesson. Strange to-day, to compare these conditions with Prayers in our own School Hall and the very short distance the staff-room is from any form room.
J. Granger, Upper V.
We have all read about the V-boats giving themselves up at various ports in England and France, and on the newsreel we have seen a captured U-boat sailing along in the Thames. Well, last night the U-boat 776 came to Dover, and people are being allowed to look over it to-day. Admission is free, but the charity boxes will be sent round, and you give as much as you like, or perhaps as much as you can. I am going to see it now so that I can give you further details.
I have just come back from the submarine and when I first arrived there I had to stand for about five minutes in a queue that seemed to me to be miles long I then boarded a motor launch which took us round the enclosure about five times. This was to enable people on board the submarine to have a good look round and then get off. We then queued up again to go down the submarine hatch aft. While queuing I found out that the U 776 was 320 feet long and that the torpedoes were about 23 feet long. The hatch led down into the torpedo room which had chains hanging from racks situated along the side, so as to enable the men to get the torpedo into position. I noticed whilst walking over it that there were several life jackets tied to the seats fixed into the side of the submarine. All this time I could not walk anywhere without seeing notices with "Achtung" written on and a message written under it. One room was full up with various little steering wheels. I think that was so that the ship could submerge. There were no doors, but big round holes which could be shut up; they were watertight, so that if any part of the submarine is damaged, the sailors can leave that compartment and keep the submarine from being flooded.
The captain's quarters are not very big, in fact they are about 10 feet by 3 feet. I saw the Hydrophone compartment which was closed off from the rest of the ship The Hydrophone is used to detect any other ship, and tell its whereabouts. I then came out of another hatch for'rard, walked up a gang-plank and put some money into the charity boxes and returned home.
T. DURBIDGE, Lower III.
During the years of war the Dover County School for boys has seen many buildings, and many changes in staff. It has worked under conditions not exactly as good as those before the war, but now the time has come when we have returned to our old, or rather new, building, "The School on the Hill"
In June, 1940 the school was evacuated to Ebbw Vale. Boys were found billets, and the process of the school settling down in its new surroundings began. For the first years the school shared the Ebbw Vale County School building with that school. This was rather awkward as we had to work to fit in with the E.V.C.S. Thus during most of these first years the school worked one week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the next from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. alternately.
However, towards the end of the second year a large house, standing in its own grounds, was obtained. This house was called Pentwyn House. It was not large enough to accommodate all the forms in the school, so some were still kept on at the E.V.C.S. Having obtained this building school hours became normal again. In this building, school was carried on as normally as possible. The absence of laboratories was one of the things most felt. The senior school, however, were taken one morning a week to use the laboratories at the E.V.C.S. Another disadvantage was the absence of a music room, and an art room, etc. Thus all work had to be carried out in the form from. At Christmas time reviews were presented on the stage in the hall at the E.V.C.S. This hall was called by the boys the "tin tabernacle," as it was built chiefly of iron.
During these years several changes in the staff took place. In the first year the death of Mr. Watt was sadly mourned by the school. Mr. Watt taught French, and was the leader of the school Dramatic Society before the war. A little later the school heard sadly of the death of Mr. Allin, who died after much pain and suffering. Miss Rookwood also left us, due to an accident at Ebbw Vale. Several new masters and mistresses were added to the staff. Some of these were, Miss Leary, who took French, Miss Coldwell, who took English and History, Miss Sullivan, who is still with us, and who takes Latin, Mr. Evans: who took English and French, and Mr. Hall, who is still with us, and who takes Geography. Two masters retired whilst we were at Ebbw Vale, namely Mr. Langley, who took Geography and Mr. Darby, who took Geography and Maths.
At last, after four and a half years of waiting, near the end of the Autumn Term, 1944, the Headmaster announced that we were going home for good at the end of that term. During the few days before the end of term all the books, etc., were packed and made ready to be sent to Dover. When the day came the school travelled with other schools on a special train, all the way home.
When the following term started at Dover we were not able to occupy our proper building because it had been requisitioned. Thus the school was divided in three buildings, the Technical Institute, the School of Art, and Hillersden House. Our form was at the Technical Institute. After having been there about a week the boiler burst, unluckily. Thus there was no heating in the building, and we were temporarily transferred to the School of Art. The boiler was soon repaired, and we returned to the Technical Institute. Here we stayed until this term.
Having the school in three buildings was very awkward for the staff, who had to keep running from one building to another. Miss Rookwood again joined the school when we returned, and more new members of the staff were added, namely, Mrs. McCracken, Mr. Andrew and Mr. Elliot.
At length our proper school building was de-requisitioned, and made ready for our return. We moved up to this building on Monday, 11th June. At last we had returned to our own school after five years of exile. It is truly a wonderful place. There are four laboratories!
J. W. HANCOCK Upper IV.
On leaving Ebbw Vale our numbers fell owing to the fact that many members were in the Ebbw Vale School. We had hoped to be able to continue as Squadron 1843, but were affiliated to the Dover Squadron, and became "B" Flight, No. 354 (Dover) Squadron.
Two visits to Hawkinge were arranged, and all Cadets have had flights. On the first visit all flying was cancelled, because of rain, and many returned home disappointed. The second was a success and we were able to see what Dover looks like from the air.
A summer camp is being arranged, probably at Hawkinge, and we have been assured that there will be plenty of flying. Those who attended the Easter Camp at Hawkinge were transferred at the last minute to an aerodrome near Southampton, where many remained airborne for over three hours.
Numbers are slowly increasing, hut there is still plenty of room for expansion, and we would remind members of the School that the only channel of entry into the Royal Air Force is through the A.T.C.
Venture Adventure."
K. T. BAILEY, Flt./Sgt.
Many boys have left the school and gone away to other parts of this country and other countries and have not been able to keep in touch with their old school. Many may think they are forgotten but they are not, they will be remembered and honoured for many years to come. Sometimes one reads in the weekly paper of a deed of valour done by an old boy of the school and we all feel very proud to think he has upheld the honour of the school. Many of them have seen or taken part in many amazing adventures and ordeals and I wish I could meet some of them in person to hear some of their experiences.
E. ASHMAN Upper II.
Their faces were set determinedly. Slowly they carried out their arduous and hateful task. Not much longer now. Suddenly, one of their number gave up helplessly, and with a faint sigh, rested his aching head upon his arms. The rest smiled grimly, sympathetically; then carried on like true Britons. They were now paying the price of their frivolity of the night before. Would they, could they, carry on, or would they too, capitulate like their unfortunate comrade who would, no doubt, suffer on the morrow. Some of the luckier ones steadily worked on, never pausing or faltering but these were in the extreme minority. Then came relief. A bell clanged from afar and—the French test was over.
L. Hobbs,
Mid. IV.
Summer Term, 1944.
The following left 25/7/44:—Campion, C.; Cropton, R. W.
(Prefect) Culver, L. E. (Prefect); Davison, A.; Evans, D. O.
Evans, K. J.; Forwood, J. A. (Prefect); Fox, R. L.; Harvey,
D. M.; Harvey, R. C.; Henbrey, R. S. (Prefect); May, A. J.;
Grundy, J. D.; Reynolds, R. C.; Silby, J. R. (Prefect) Slater,
P. A. (Prefect) Sutton, P. J.,; Szekely, F. (Prefect) Feast, M. W.
(Prefect); Bell, A. J.; Hocking, K.
Autumn Term.
Bennet, V.; Coleman, R.; Warren, J.; Beerling, D. M. Evans, A.; Garwood, C.; Herbert, J. A.; Leach, M.; Lloyd, V. W.; O'Brien, C.
Sprint Term, 1945.
Capewell, K. W., left 19/2/45; Mayne, E. W., left 7/3/45; The following left 28/7/45:-Finney, A. C.; Greenstreet, C. F.; Jarman, J. N. T.; Pollington, J. E.; Rendell, W. H.; Shaw, M. J.
We learned recently that the first D.S.O. of the war to be Won by an Old Boy was awarded to Lieut. Colonel Alan Andrews for conspicuous bravery in the Gothic Line last year. Considering the close connection with the school maintained by Colonel Andrews ever since he left us for Sandhurst, no award could have given' greater satisfaction.
