Campbell College Presents
‘Oh what a
lovely war’
JOAN LITTLEWOOD’S Musical Entertainment.
‘OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR.’ By Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry Raffles and Members of the original cast.
Title suggested by Ted Allan
‘Oh What a Lovely War’
Welcome to Campbell College and Strathearn School’s joint presentation of “Oh
What a Lovely War” In the autumn of 2012 – long before Mr Gove raised issues
for debate – we chose this piece of musical theatre with the intention of staging
the performance in 2014 to mark the one hundredth anniversary of the First World
War. The production will bring discussion, consideration and learning; we hope
you enjoy your time with us.
“Oh What a Lovely War” originated in
1963 as the work of Joan Littlewood,
using scenes from the play “The
Donkeys” by historian Alan Clark,
with elements adapted from “The
Good Soldier Švejk ” by Czech
humorist, Jaroslav Hašek.
In very recent times this play has
had attention drawn to it because of
Mr Gove’s accusations that left wing
myths taint the teaching of the young.
“Oh What a Lovely War” is no doubt
an example, alongside, “Blackadder”
and the “Monocled Matineer”. The
Education Secretary of England
and Wales criticised historians and
television programmes for denigrating
patriotism and courage by depicting
the war as a misbegotten shambles.
Mr Gove’s opinions brought strong
reaction from the media, especially
from actor Sir Tony Robinson
and Newsnight presenter Jeremy
Paxman; both disagreed with the
assertions made and exhorted schools
to use television, film and stage
performances as a means of raising
interest, causing young and old to
consider the horror of war, and the
essential point - never to forget.
The play focuses upon the Western
Front; this theatre of war has stayed
in the British psyche perhaps more
than any other, consuming greater
numbers of casualties and containing
more horror than all other places of
battle. “Oh What a Lovely War” is a
satire; its messages and warnings are
timeless; even today men continue to
die in war - the ‘war to end all wars’
as it was known, did not do so. It did,
however, transform society, and the
world would never be the same again.
Mechanisation was brought to bear
on warfare; tanks, machine guns, gas,
chemical weapons and aeroplanes all
have their first introduction.
The role of the boys of Campbell
College who served in the First
World War cannot be measured. This
evening, as you sit in Central Hall,
you are surrounded by the images of
these past pupils - young men who
left their homes and loved ones to
serve their country. Remember this
was a time before the division of
Ireland, before partition. Boys who
once sat where you are sitting tonight,
left to march, sail and, indeed, fly into
battle. Boys from Belfast, Dublin,
Coleraine and Cork, said goodbye to
Campbell College, never to return.
The boys would have been members
of the Officer Training Corps, formed
in the College in 1909. Subsequently
they were frequently nominated for
the real officer corps in the forces; all
too often they were first ‘over the top’
with the inevitable consequences. Our
College Archivist, Mr Keith Haines,
has provided some illustrations of
the kind of bravery exhibited by
Campbellians. They showed heroism
often attributed to fictional heroes but
they were just ‘our boys’, who studied
Mathematics, English and Latin in
the classrooms adjacent to this Hall,
2
who played in the grounds outside
and who slept in the dormitories
above us. Please take time to read and
consider their actions. There were
126 Campbellians lost in the WW1
conflict – this evening’s production
has that number of participants.
The play highlights the importance
of music in lightening the human
spirit. Unlike the Second World War
this was a time of song; the Victorian
traditions of the music hall had
been reinvigorated from across the
Atlantic. The men sang of home, of
nostalgia and even of the bitterness
of the situation in which they found
themselves. Through music we can
unite with them even today.
I do not debate with Mr Gove; I
understand that war will see men die
in the most distressing ways. Those
who fight do not dictate how the
conflict will be fought; this is driven
by governments and politicians,
corporations and economies, kings
and queens, and even yet, dictators.
I see the play as not only satirical
but also political in its anti-war
undertones. I hope you enjoy
the performance and will leave
carrying the thought that we must
not forget what has gone before (Ne
Obliviscaris).
RM Robinson MBE
Headmaster
Director’s Notes
Directing such a prestigious show has
been a real honour. This, my fifth
full scale production at Campbell
College, has probably been the most
challenging and demanding. As I stand
in Central Hall and direct, I cannot
help the feeling of being overlooked
by the guardians of the school; the
photographs of the fallen solders
in this hall make me feel the need
to commemorate their memory in a
dignified way. The significance of
Central Hall itself as the centre for
contemplation was best described by
Ronald Groves, Headmaster at the
College from 1943-1954 -
the play may be deemed contentious, I
wanted to express the loss and sorrow
in the Second Act and remember with
reverence the sacrifices made by the
126 young heroes, young men, young
Campbellians.
‘It is seemly that this service of
remembrance should be held in this
place, for here in this hall was centred
their life at Campbell…Here in these
buildings they lived and learnt and
grew to manhood.’
[10 November 1946]
Going back further into our
performance history has been
interesting, as the challenges faced by
past directors appear to be timeless! On
23rd March, 1959, Campbell College
Dramatic Society presented ‘Julius
Caesar’ in Central Hall. Although the
play bears no direct relevance to ’Oh
What a Lovely War’, I was interested
to read the Drama Society notes for
the production. The criticism of the
play states that ‘Julius Caesar…
is particularly suitable for a school
Therefore, it is fitting that our
production should be seated in amongst
the fallen heroes who were once part
of the living fabric of the building and
continue to be so in death. Although,
This year’s production sees a move
back to the Central Hall as a dramatic
venue after several years of productions
held in the Drama Studio, following
its conversion from the old original
Lecture Theatre.
One of the advantages of performing
in the Central hall (from a musical
point of view) is that the larger venue
means we can involve more musicians
in the orchestra. The orchestra, drawn
from boys representing every year
group in the school from Year 8 to 14,
accompanies all the songs in the show
and it is encouraging from year to year
to see how the younger boys step up
when senior boys move on. In fact,
over half the boys in the Orchestra this
year are in Years 8 -11.
Of course prior to the creation of the
Drama Studio all drama took place
Campbell College has a long tradition
of performance. The play ‘Oh What a
lovely War’ was last produced here in
1994. It was co-directed by Mr Neill
Morton, Mr David Fullerton and Mr
Michael McGuffin (Musical Director).
Mr Fullerton has kindly joined the
production team as an honorary
director and in an advisory capacity.
in the hall. Arriving at Campbell
in 1982 one of my first jobs was to
provide original songs and music
for a production of ‘The Tempest’
directed by David Fullerton and Neill
Morton. This was when I realised
the extent to which every aspect of a
Campbell production worked towards
real professional standards in each
department. All aspects - from set
design, through lighting, sound, music,
costumes – every detail was important.
Whilst through the 80s and 90s
‘Musicals’ as such were not really
much in evidence, plays with a
significant musical input were very
much favoured. There were too many
to mention all of them but certainly
highlights included the 1990 production
of ‘Amadeus’, the many original scripts
by Neill Morton such as ‘Tin cans and
3
production, without any one part
being of such length as to overtax the
capability of a competent amateur.’
In addition, in the notes made after
performance, homage was paid to
the director, Mr D. B. Young, by the
secretary M.B. Johnston; he stated:
Mr Young spent many hours each day
for several months organising, and
thinking out the various tangles that
arose’. In many respects, ‘Oh What
a Lovely War’ does not ‘overtax’ the
‘amateur ,’ but it is challenging in the
messages it conveys and my Assistant
Director, Mrs Magreehan and myself
have certainly spent time thinking
through various ‘tangles.’ One of the
old Drama traditions of the “wonderful
feast” that occurred after the second
night of performance, in which the cast
would dine together, has sadly been
lost in the sands of times. However,
other sentiments such as D.B. Young’s
call for ‘whole-hearted co-operation’
in rehearsal is still a plea that echoes
through Central Hall today.
Elizabeth McIlvenny
Director of Drama
Fricatives’ and of course the previous
production of ‘Oh What a Lovely
War’ itself during the school’s own
Centenary in 1994.
Finally, it is also good to see in
tonight’s production the integration of
students and staff in the cast. Campbell
has always viewed its cultural life as
one that should embrace the whole
school community and through
participation in pursuits such as drama
and music the various age groups
represented on and off stage tonight can
come together and work in a way that
is of benefit to all.
David Catherwood
Director of Music
THE CAST
DANIEL MCKEE
HAIG
BEN CORRY
SOLDIER
SHAHIN REKABI
BRITISH ADMIRAL/
GENERAL
JACK CARMICHAEL
NEWSBOY
SAM JORDAN
JONNY HARRIS
DAVID ISAAC
FAISEL EL TANNIR
JAMIE MCQUILLAN
PATRICK KELLY
SHAHIN REKABI
TIM MCKNIGHT
CONOR MILEY
OLIVER DOHERTY
DANIEL KEALEY
JAKE NEWELL
ANDREW MCKEE
BEN TAYLOR
NATHAN BRANIFF
CASMIER YANDALL
CAMERON BRADY
ALEX BEST
OWEN MOUNSEY
BEN WILLS
TRISTAN HERMES
JOHN DOYLE
BERNARD SCHUPPER
PADDY BOYD
PATRICK TAYLOR
MICHAEL MCGARRY
JACOB KENNEDY
SCOTT ROBINSON
CHARLEY HOOD
LEWIS MCCORMACK
CONOR YOUNG
RORY JAMISON
THOMAS BRANGHAM
SAM MOORE
SAM ABRAHAM
WEE
JOHNNYSERGEANT
GLENN PARKINSON
KAISER
OLIVER CHAMBERS
BRITISH OFFICER
ROSS TAYLOR
AMERICAN
JOHN MILLS
MOLTKE/SOLDIER
CALLUM JONES
FRANCE
ETHAN YANDALL
BRITISH ADMIRAL/
GENERAL
JACK GIBSON
JOHN MCKEE
CHAPLAIN
LUCAS YANDALL
SECOND OFFICER
MARCUS HAYES
RICH BRITISH
TOM KENNEDY
SERBIAN/RUSSIA
ALAN WILSON
AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN
ADAM BROWN
BRITISH SOLDIER 1
JACK GAULT
BRITISH SOLDIER 2
JOHN GILDEA
BRITISH SOLDIER 3
TIMOTHY DEVLIN
BRITISH SOLDIER 4
JAMIE BLAIR
BRITISH SOLDIER 5
LUCY HAYES
FRENCH OFFICER
(SINGING)
SOPHIE TAYLOR
SOPHIE CRAIG
GERMAN OFFICER/
SOLDIER
LYDIA MILLAR
NARRATOR
GRACE DEENY
GERMAN SOLDIER
LUCY MCCRACKEN
RICH SWISS SOLDIER/
FRENCH/BRITISH
SOLDIER
TILLY STOREY
MOLLY FAIRCLOUGH
GERMAN SOLDIER
LOLA BINGHAM
IRISH SOLDIER
NIAMH COREY
IRISH SOLDIER
SARA CABECINHA
RICH GERMAN
SOLDIER/ BRITISH
SOLDIER
NIKITA MUIR
CLARA DAVIDSON
SHARON JOHNSTON
BRITISH SOLDIER/
DRIVER
ASHLEIGH DUNNE
BRITISH SOLDIER
VICTORIA WIGHTMAN
BRITISH SOLDIER
DAVID FULLERTON
BRITISH /FRENCH
SOLDIER
JOHN MCKINNEY
GHILLIE/ SOLDIER
MARK MCKEE
SERBIAN STALL
HOLDER MEDIC/
SOLDIER
MARK COUSINS
HAMONICA SOLDIER
MALE 1/CROWD/
SOLDIER
JOHN REA
6
MALE 2/CROWD/
SOLDIER
NEWSBOY
NEWSBOY
NEWSBOY
CROWD
CROWD/SOLDIER
CROWD
CROWD
CROWD
CROWD
CROWD
CHORUS
CROWD
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS/PIPES
CHORUS
CHORUS
PANKHURST
SOLOIST/ 2ND LADY
SOLOIST/ LADY HAIG
GERMAN W./ 1ST LADY/
CHORUS
GERMAN W./CHORUS
ENGLISH W./CHORUS
NURSE
NURSE/SOLOIST
SOLOIST /CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
LADY FANNY FRENCH
LADY MYVANWY
WILSON
LADY ROBERTSON
GENERAL LANZERAC
F/M SIR HENRY
WILSON
F/M SIR JOHN FRENCH
GENERAL DE
MORANNEVILLE /
PHOTOGRAPHER
FRENCH AIDE/
RAWLINSON
CONTRIBUTORS
STAFF SUPPORT
ORCHESTRA
Director– Elizabeth McIlvenny
Oboe- Andrew Kenny
Producer– Kelly Maghreehan
Clarinet
Musical Director– David Catherwood
Nicholas McMinn , Alex Martin
Mohammad Rashid, Peter Wilson
Bassoon-Niall Burton
Choreographer– Jan Hempstead/ Briege Devlin
Musical Accompaniment– Sarah Coetzee/ Gillian Wilson
Costume–Victoria Spotiswood/ Kathryn McGarvey/
Lorraine Cooke
Saxophone- Justin Steele
Horn- Andrew Mitchell
Trumpets -Sebastian Haley, Matthew Knight,
Brian Wilson, Jonathan Haley, John Harrison
Backstage Crew– John Creigton
FoH Coordinator– Wendy Pearson
Trombones- Oliver Milligan , Aarin Trimble,
Callum Montgomery
Backstage Co-ordinator- Helen Shields
Percussion- Michael Niblock
Stage properties– Sabine Kirsch
Violins- Alex Wan , Jamie Brown
Co-ordinator- John McKinney
Cello– Gary Hunt
Make-up – Dawn McKee/ Janice Bradford
Photography – Mark McKee
Historical Archivist/ Posters – Keith Haines
Editing Programme – Mark McKee/ Leigh Crawford/
Amy Mills
LIGHTING CREW
BACKSTAGE CREW
Ross Magee, Carl Lennox, Jonathan Beers, Oliver Moore,
Jedd McCrae
Chris Morrow, Joshua Newell, Dan Kerley,
Richard Coulter. James Cahoon Kelly, Ben
Hunter, Max Patterson, John McKee, Abe
Farquharson, Dominique Forson.
FoH CREW
Ryan Lindsay, Oliver Smyth, Jake Rushby, Harry
Jenkins, Robbie Millar, Ben Rainey, , Jack McGarry, Max
McDermot, Ross Irwin Houston, Joshua Solomon, Ethan
White, Mickey Chan and Hugo Wylie.
STAFF SUPERVISION
CONTRIBUTORS
With great gratitude to all those who supported the
production, especially RM Robinson MBE and John
McKinney, who have been remarkably positive and
patient, and without whom this production would not have
happened. Thank you also to those who are not listed, but
have worked tirelessly in the background.
Helen Shields (co-ordinator), Jeff Smyth, David
Gilliland, Chris McIvor, Ruth Christie, Tish Hogg,
Ashleigh Dunne, Chris Oswald and Victoria
Wightman.
]
T
E
R
C
[TOP SE
7
THE LEADS
Name
Year
Sam Jordan
13
Andrew McKee
Role
Sergeant
I started drama in first year, auditioning for Oliver! Since then, I’ve been involved in
every school production and House Drama, as well as a few productions outside of
school. It’s been a big part of my life in school and I was awarded Major Colours for
drama last year. In my last play at Campbell, I’m playing the role of the Sergeant of
the Battalion. It’s a great role to be playing and I have enjoyed every minute of the
rehearsals.
13
First
Soldier
I’ve always been interested in Drama, so in my first year at the college I auditioned
for the school’s production of Oliver! Since then I have been involved in both South
Pacific and Hairspray. I studied drama at GCSE level and I was awarded Club
Colours for drama last year. I have tried to use some of my experiences on the History
Dept Battlefields Trip to inform my portrayal of “First Soldier”. I really appreciate the
work that has gone into giving us the opportunity to take part in this show.
Ben Taylor
12
Second
Soldier
In my first year at Campbell I took part in the House Drama competition and have
done so every year since. My first main school production came in my 3rd year at
the college when I was a chorus member in South Pacific. Last year brought me my
first principle role, playing ‘Link’ in Hairspray. I have gained Club Colours and I am
currently taking Drama for GCSE.
Nathan Braniff
12
Third
Soldier
Currently I am in my 5th year at Campbell and second year of my GCSEs. Although
this is my first Campbell production, I have taken part in every House Drama and have
also taken part in drama productions outside of school. Participating in Oh What A
lovely War has been a very enjoyable experience and I hope to continue to participate
in the school productions throughout the rest of my time here at Campbell.
Casmier Yandall
12
Fourth
In my first school production in 3rd year I auditioned because my Drama teacher
had asked me to and haven’t looked back since! Whilst I did not study GCSE
Drama I auditioned for last year’s production where I was given my first major role
as ‘Seaweed’ in Hairspray. I enjoyed it so much that I auditioned for this year’s
production of ‘Oh what a lovely war’. I have once again gained a lead role as the ‘4th
Soldier’ and I am greatly looking forward to our performance as well as performing in
future productions at the college.
David Isaac
12
British
Officer
From my first year in Campbell College I have always enjoyed drama. I took part in
the ‘House Drama’ competition in first year, and since then I have always been keen
to take part in school performances. My first school play was a minor Shakespeare
themed performance for junior drama. This is my first year taking part in a CampbellStrathearn school play, playing the role of ‘British Officer’. I am also currently
studying GCSE drama.
8
THE LEADS
Shahin Rekabi
14
British
Admiral
I have been studying drama for 7 years now in Campbell and I hope to continue my
study of drama next year at university. I have taken part in a number of plays during
my time at Campbell, such as South Pacific and Hairspray and I have thoroughly
enjoyed taking part in each of these productions. Now in my last year at Campbell, I
am glad that I can be a part of such a great performance. Hope you enjoy the show!
Sophie Craig
14
Lady Haig I am currently in Upper Sixth studying for my A Levels. I have been part of three
Campbell/Strathearn productions: South Pacific, Hairspray and now, Oh What A
Lovely War. I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring different roles and being able to
meet and work alongside new people.
Sophie Taylor
14
Kaiser
Girl
I have studied drama for GCSE and A-Level and I have always had a role in our house
plays. I have been in four Campbell/Strathearn productions and I’m very excited to
have a solo this year. I’m applying to study Musical Theatre at university and I will
hopefully pursue it as a career in the future. I will always remember the friends I
have made from participating in these productions. These have been some of the best
moments of my school life!
Daniel McKee
14
Haig
Lucy Hayes
13
Mrs
Pankhurst
I am currently in Upper Sixth and I have participated in every production available since
starting at the college in first year, including roles in Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, South
Pacific and Hairspray. I am studying drama at A-level and I hope to pursue it as a career.
As this is my final year at Campbell I will miss being a part of future productions and
the drama department. I am playing the role of General Field Marshall Haig, a generally
misunderstood character – in fact the historical view of Haig causes much debate. I would
like to thank all of the staff for making this show possible (especially Mrs Mac and DC)
and ‘Thank you!’ for supporting the cast by your attendance.
Ben Wills
11
M.C
From an early age drama has always been an interest of mine. I wasn’t very confident,
but in my second year here I joined the back stage crew in South Pacific and since
then my confidence has increased. I now do GCSE Drama and with the support of my
GCSE Drama teacher I auditioned for my character in this year’s school production.
I look forward to future productions and hope to increase my drama skills during my
time at the college.
Faisal Tannir
14
Assistant
Director
For as long as I can remember drama has been a passion of mine. I have been
involved in at least one production almost every year since primary school and over
the years my interest has moved from acting towards directing. Despite only being
at the College for a year, Mrs McIlvenny was kind enough to allow me to join her
directorial team for this year’s production. Working alongside her has been a great
experience and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the cast and crew for
all of their help in my maiden directorial role. Thank you for coming and I hope you
enjoy the performance!
I have always had a keen interest in theatre and I have been lucky to have had the
opportunity to take part in various shows throughout my school career, in GCSE
and A level drama, as well as in my outside school experiences in the theatre. I am
privileged this year to be part of the principal cast in Oh What a Lovely War. The
show has been a unique opportunity for me to improve my acting skills and meet and
learn from some truly talented people.
9
OUR
HEROES
THINGS BETTER LEFT UNSAID
A pensive soul, Robert McConnell
will have walked every day to Campbell
for eight years (1906-1914) from the
family home at 94 Holywood Road
in Strandtown. He was regarded as a
scholar of great promise, and won the
coveted Dufferin Medal for Oratory at
QUB during his first year. His father
was a noted Presbyterian cleric, whose
parish encompassed the working-class
district of the Lower Newtownards
Road which, when Robert embarked for
military service in the Middle East in
late 1915, gave him an affinity with the
rank-and-file of his regiment. He wrote
home to say that two subordinates had
visited his cabin during the voyage and
that together they read the ‘splendid’
Chapters 52 and 53 of Isaiah. The latter
chapter contains verses which were to
have much resonance over the next few
years: “… like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter” and “… they made his grave
with the wicked”.
Robert took his seat in Central Hall on
his final day at Campbell: Speech Day,
Friday 24 July 1914 – the most surreal
assemblage ever gathered under William
Henry Lynn’s hammer-beam roof. It was
an occasion of irony, contradiction and
dark humour, and – in retrospect – more
bizarre because of what was not said that
day.
Campbell College had, in September
1909, formed the first Officer Training
Corps (OTC) in an Irish school and it
formed a Guard of Honour to welcome
the Chief Guest, who embodied the
pretensions of the Headmaster, Robert
MacFarland: in particular, social cachet,
militarism and imperialism. Brigadier
Count Gleichen did not disappoint
when he praised the OTC’s parade and
purpose, declaring that “the military
virtues which were inculcated were those
of pluck, endurance, self-discipline and
subordination and working together …
for the good of one’s comrades”.
Rather like the multitude of Campbellians
who were soon to find themselves in the
trenches, Gleichen was a man not without
courage. Central Hall was probably the
last place he wanted to be – but it was
necessary to confront the enemy! He had
been sent in July 1911 to command the
British forces in Belfast to challenge the
escalating threat of the anti-Home Rule
movement, particularly in the guise of the
formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force
(UVF). The resistance was organised at
Craigavon House, only a mile from the
College – and Central Hall was replete
with those who had caused him the most
headaches!
These included Presbyterian clergymen
(many of whom ultimately encouraged
their sons to volunteer in the War) who
poured out considerable vitriol against
Home Rule – not least, the minister
of Belmont Presbyterian Church
and College Governor, Rev John
MacDermott: his three sons all attended
Campbell and all enlisted in the UVF, and
his middle one (Robert MacDermott)
became the first officer of 36th (Ulster)
Division to die in action (8 January
1916). Other parents present that day
included Rev Henry Montgomery, who
had sent four sons to Campbell, had been
third in line (as Moderator of the General
Assembly) to sign the Ulster Covenant
on 28 September 1912, and who only six
days before Speech Day had harangued a
mass demonstration against Home Rule
at Killinchy!
Whether Gleichen found it galling or
amusing is impossible to say, but also
seated in the hall was Public Enemy
no.1 – Fred Crawford, another Governor
– who only three months earlier had
notoriously smuggled into Larne 20,000
rifles to arm the UVF and who had been
on the run from the authorities ever
since! Many Campbellians gained full
military training in the OTC and earned
Certificate ‘A’, and thus provided natural
officers for the UVF, as well as being
able to enter the British Army directly (as
so many were to do) with officer status.
MacFarland opened his address that Friday
afternoon with an acknowledgement
that the 1913-1914 academic year had
been “full of care and anxiety”, and
observed that “We might find ourselves
in the midst of the horrors of war”. The
war-drums which reverberated around
10
Belmont, however, were those of UVF
parades and marches against the threat of
Home Rule. The European Powers had
been negotiating alliances and ententes
for many years, and indeed the Russian
manoeuvres to counter the well-known
Schlieffen Plan had been witnessed and
reported upon less than a year earlier in
The Times by Campbellian Ulsterman
Arthur Moore. Literally as Speech Day
unfolded, the decision was being taken
in St Petersburg to support Serbia, which
meant a European war was inevitable.
Bizarrely, although Britain was only
eleven days away from committing
itself to engagement, nobody in Central
Hall – least of all Brigadier Gleichen,
who only three weeks later was himself
riding down French lanes trying to stem
the German tide – seemed remotely
aware that Europe was on the brink of
calamity. MacFarland even announced
that 67 OTC cadets were ready to depart
three days later for the annual camp at
Farnborough (which was, inevitably,
cancelled)!
After the declaration of war (4 August),
in the wake of the imminence of Home
Rule, Ulstermen proved reluctant to
volunteer. On 30 August, however, The
Times printed a special Sunday edition
which gave prominence to what became
known as the Amiens Despatch (penned
by Arthur Moore), which revealed the
humiliation of the retreating British
Expeditionary Force in France. It called
for immediate reinforcements and a few
days later Carson urged a response from
Ulstermen, which initiated the mass
enlistment which created the 36th (Ulster)
Division.
Throughout the duration of the Great War
almost 600 Campbellians volunteered and
almost one-quarter of them (of whom the
huge majority were officers) were to die.
They enlisted in all parts of the Empire,
and still lie buried on three continents.
They came from homes throughout the
entire island - as the Chairman of the
Governors expressed it on Speech Day:
“Northern and Southern men of different
Protestant creeds” - a fair percentage of
whom were sons of the clergy.
OUR
HEROES
THINGS BETTER LEFT UNSAID
1st XV
MacFarland made specific comment
that day on the fortunes of the 1st XV
(and also thanked the captain, Reginald
Whiteside, in his capacity as Head
Prefect), and it is poignant to take the team
as representative of all Campbellians
who served in the Great War. Even Isaiah
Chapter 53 commented pertinently on
the team’s form during the recent season:
“… he shall divide the spoils with the
strong”. Although the team had won the
Schools Cup the previous season, it had
won eight and lost eight of its games in
1913-1914.
The team lived across the length of
Ireland and overseas. Four of them
(Musgrave Hanna, George Herriot,
Philip Johnston and Norman Munn)
lived within a short walk of the school;
Reginald Whiteside and Charles Owens
came from Co Limerick, and William
Porter hailed from Co Wexford. Robert
Semple’s father was a military doctor
based in India; Hugh Gordon was the
son of a Presbyterian missionary working
in Manchuria; and Samuel Nelson lived
in Minneapolis.
Six of the squad lived in the manse or
rectory but, if MacFarland hoped that such
an upbringing would guarantee a more
biddable pupil, he was sadly disabused.
As Gleichen pointed out, military service
demanded discipline and obedience
to authority, and Campbellian soldiers
conformed readily to such expectations.
As schoolboys, however, they could be
– and were – truculent, disruptive and
mutinous; and the offspring of the clergy
were amongst the most insubordinate!
Only two years previously (March
1912), as a result of the Headmaster’s
overzealous punishments, the entire
Prefect body (the more circumspect
Head Prefect excepted) resigned en
masse, and one brilliant senior pupil,
Eric Dodds, was expelled after penning
an insolent letter to the Headmaster from
the Sanatorium. One suspects that on 24
July 1914 there must have been stifled
chuckles in Central Hall when MacFarland
announced that “The Sanatorium has
again been empty throughout the year”
and boasted that “another pupil” (i.e.
Eric Dodds) had won Oxford’s Craven
Scholarship! Amongst the 1914 1st XV,
Ben Watson (even at the age of 17) was
punished on occasions for disruptive
and noisy behaviour; and in May 1913
– as a member of the squad – George
McCullagh was reported to Headmaster
for smoking. This rather paled beside
the offence of Robert Crichton who,
in November 1913, committed the most
reprehensible transgression of sharing
his bath with another player! Fortunate
not to be expelled, he was banned from
taking a post-match bath for the rest of
the term, but such opprobrium did not
prevent Crichton playing for Ireland
fifteen times between 1920 and 1925!
It was a tragic irony that, at Speech Day,
MacFarland concluded by saying that
the team “can always count on a warm
welcome when they return to visit us”!
Seven of the 1914 1st XV lost their
life during the Great War (as did Staff
member, William Henry Madden, a
distant cousin of future Headmaster, Brian
Wilson). Both Robert Semple (who died
of gunshot wounds only six days before
the Armistice) and Charles Owens
also lost their Campbellian brothers in
the conflict. The twin brother (James
Barlow Johnston) of Philip Johnston
was also killed. Campbellian brothers of
Ben Watson and Reginald Whiteside
(the latter suffering the misfortune of
becoming the fourteenth victim of the
Red Baron) were both killed during the
Second World War. The team had played
an OC XV on 16 December 1913 and
two of the latter team (Thomas Greeves
and Hugh Dunwoody, who both lived in
Strandtown) also gave their life, and five
of them were to lose a brother.
The publication by the Leinster
Regiment’s Frank Hitchcock of his
Stand To: a Diary of the Trenches 19151918 revealed that William Porter
(killed on 3 August 1917) was responsible
for organising one of the early successful
daylight raids of the War in January 1917.
Despite receiving a serious thigh wound
in action, Leslie Ross was to pursue
a highly respected post-War medical
career. Amongst other career moves, in
1934 Hugh Gordon became private
11
secretary to the Headmaster of Campbell
College, William Duff Gibbon. Thomas
Clarke also survived, only to drown at
Jaffa in September 1920.
Frank Hitchcock was somewhat of
a reprobate at school, but served with
distinction and suffered ill-health after
the War. His brother, one of Holywood’s
most renowned silent film directors,
Rex Ingram, created one of the most
celebrated commentaries on the War in
his 1921 epic, The Four Horsemen of
the Apocalypse (for which Hitchcock is
credited as a military adviser). In 2010
a notable volume was published entitled
Six Weeks, which demonstrated how
short an officer’s life could be on the
Western Front; the title is plagiarised
directly from Hitchcock’s own volume:
“A company officer’s life with the 2nd
Leinsters worked out under six weeks”.
Charles Owens and Benjamin Watson
were killed directly by shellfire. Many
died unpleasant deaths; some suffered
amputations and shell-shock. It was
a grotesque and degrading existence:
Leslie Ross wrote to the school
magazine before the Battle of the Somme
(when thirteen Campbellians died on
the opening day): “The smell in the
trenches is positively vile as men have
been buried or rather only half-buried
just in front of the parapet … and graves
are constantly being torn up with shells
and trench mortars”. Hitchcock’s diary
details numerous gruesome encounters.
It was little wonder that so many
soldiers never wished to recall their
experiences, and felt that – like that
day in Central Hall – there were certain
things which were better left unsaid.
Many hundreds of thousands of men like
Robert McConnell, once praised for his
eloquence and oratory, could no longer
offer any commentary. He had served
at Gallipoli, but was killed near Kut on
9 April 1916, and now lies unidentified
under Iraqi soil. His obituary in The
Campbellian may serve for all his fellow
victims: “He fought and died as brave
men do”.
Keith Haines
College Archivist