No. 234
December, 1941.
71
Vol. XX., No. 2
CONTENTS.
EDITORIAL
SCHOOL NOTES ...
THE CHAPEL
FIFTY YEARS AGO
A DOG'S LIFE
DRAWINGS
SCROUNGER'S LUCK
PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
THE Axis AT PLAY
TABLEAU
POSTAGE STAMPS
A LAST WAR "DAILY TELEGRAPH" EXTRACT
J.T.C. CAMP ...
MRS. GAMP'S VIEW'S ON THE WAR
AIR BATTLE
J.T.C.
THE SCOUT GROUP
LITERARY AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
•CHESS CLUB
MODEL AEROPLANE CLUB
JUNIOR STAMP CLUB
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION
HOLDEN LIBRARY
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
.CRICKET AVERAGES
RUGBY FOOTBALL
HOUSE NOTES ...
THE OXFORD LETTER
THE CAMBRIDGE LETTER
O.I. NOTES
VALETE PRAEFECTI
EDITORS' NOTES
72
THE IPSWICHIAN
No. 234
December, 1941.
Vol. XX., No. 2
EDITORIAL.
T
O judge from the bitter lamentations of several generations of
Editors the writing of the Editorial is a difficult and painful
operation, and it is with much trepidation that we approach
the task. We have carefully examined the outpourings of our predecessors and even considered reproducing some of their profound
thoughts and witty sayings; but then we reflected that someone might
notice and raise objections to our plagiarism, and so our readers wi\ll
have to be contented with the product of the present Editors' brains—
or what they call their brains.
The war inevitably has some repercussions in school life and this
term we have to record the departure of Mr. Cobby, who has joined the
R.A.F. as an Intelligence Officer. In his place we have to welcome
Mrs. Riley, and extend the wish that she will find the atmosphere at
Ipswich School salubrious. The R.A.F. has also taken Mr. Bolton
from us, but his place has been filled by Mr. Peebles, whom most of
us remember as one of the School's star pugilistic performers.
The contrast between the Christmas term this year and last is quite
remarkable. Then, we were compelled, like cavemen, periodically to
retire into the bowels of the earth to protect ourselves from bombs which
73
either failed to put in an appearance or else very unsportingly fell when
the warning had not been sounded. The advent of the crash-warning
system has made life less hectic, and the only sufferers are the firewatchers, who are occasionally summoned from their contemplation of
the Library fire to sally forth into the dark night. Watching a comfortable coal fire is a not unpleasant way of spending the midnight hours;
watching other kinds of fires might, however, be more conducive to
flight than comfort. The war, especially since Russia became a participant, has livened the interest in politics, and the prefectorial body
is beginning to show markedly communistic tendencies, urged thereto
by the vehement exhortations of one of its members.
Wars may come and wars may go, but School activities, and
especially rugby, will go on. The School XV., though only a small
number of last year's members was left, has had a successful season,
their most notable achievement being an away victory over Framlingham
College. The Second and Colts XVs., although they have not had many
fixtures, have up to date defeated all their opponents.
School societies are also in a flourishing condition. It was particularly gratifying to see the Literary and Dramatic Society revive,andit
has shown no sign of falling back into oblivion. The Model Aeroplane
Club, though little is seen or heard of its activities, would appear to be
very much alive, while another society, the Junior Stamp Club, has
sprung into being. It is under the care of Mr. Young, who seems to be
the genius presiding over all new societies that are founded in the School.
The School play is running its usual course of rehearsals and
gradually increasing trepidation as the dread night comes nearer. Mr.
Wilson, who last year succeeded in producing "Charley's Aunt," has now
taken "Twelfth Night" under his wing and occupies his timein explaining
to the cast how to appear love-sick, inebriated or pompous, as the case
may be. He finds some apt pupils. The loss of Mr. Seacome has
prevented the use of any ambitious scenery, but Mr. Wilson's musical
gifts have been given a chance of expression. We hope the singer
will not find his solo performances are too great an ordeal.
Thus School affairs go on as usual; we hope that the magazine
is. also up to the usual standard. Original contributors have been
gratifyingly energetic, and so we do not altogether despair. With this
pious hope, we leave you, and wish all our readers a happy Christmas.
THE EDITORS.
74
SCHOOL NOTES.
School Prefects this term are:—P. E. REES-JONES, J. CRESSWELL,
P. H. E. KERRIDGE, P. BENNER, P. R. CHURCH, C. L. HARRISON and
P. E. UNDERWOOD.
House Captains this term are:—Broke, P. H. E. KERRIDGE; Holden,
P. BENNER; Rigaud, P. E. REES-JONES; School, P. R. CHURCH;
Sherrington, P. B. McPnAiL.
J. CRESSWELL has been elected Captain of Rugger and P. B. McPnAiL,
Vice-Captain.
P. R, CHURCH has been elected Captain of Fives.
1st XV. Colours for Rugger have been awarded to P. B. McPHAiL,
J. BLUNDELL and P. R. CHURCH.
2nd XV. Colours for Rugger have been awarded to D. W. GOODING,
C. O. P. WEST, W. E. DOWSING, F. S. H. CUTTING, R. E.BUTTON, P. E.
UNDERWOOD, A. E. MCLAUCHLAN, G. C. CAPON, G. C. CRESSWELC and
H. M. COLLINGS.
P. E. UNDERWC JD has been elected Secretary to the Games Committee.
The Librarian this term is P. BENNER.
The Library Committee consists of O. JOB, Esq., P. BENNER;
P. E. REES-JONES, J. CRESSWELL, P. H. E. KERRIDGE, P. R. CHURCH,
C. L. HARRISON, P. E. UNDERWOOD and P. B. McPHAiL.
The Chess Club:—Hon. Secretary, P. BENNER; Treasurer, C. L.
HARRISON.
Scientific Society:—Hon. Secretary, P. R. CHURCH; Treasurer,
J. CRESSWELL; Committee, H. H. GRIMWADE, Esq., P. E. REES-JONES,
P. R. CHURCH, J. CRESSWELL and F. SMITH.
Literary and Dramatic Society:—Hon. Secretary, P. BENNER;
Treasurer, J. CRESSWELL.
School Play this term is "TWELFTH NIGHT," produced by S.
WILSON, Esq.
The following obtained Higher Certificates in July:—P. BENNER
(with distinction in French and in History); C. L. HARRISON, P. R.
CHURCH and B. LEWIS. On the result of this examination, P. Benner
has been awarded a State Scholarship.
75
Twenty School Certificates were obtained, 16 of these being
with Matriculation Exemption, an unusually high percentage.
The Editors of this Magazine are P. BENNER and P. E. UNDERWOOD.
THE CHAPEL.
The following services have been held this term:—
Sept. 21st. School Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
„ 28th. Prep. Service—Preacher, The Rev. E. G. Albany.
Oct.
5th. School House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
,, 12th. Sixth Form Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
„ 19th. Holden House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
„ 26th. School House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
Nov. 2nd. Half Term.
,,
9th. Rigaud House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
,, 16th. Sherrington House Service—Preacher, Rev. F. Mitten.
,, 23rd. Broke House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
„ 30th. School House Service—Preacher, The Headmaster.
Dec.' 7th. Scout Group Service—Preacher, Mr. C. Whirehead.
,, 14th. School Christmas Service.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
(From "The Ipswich School Magazine," December, 1891).
"There has been started this year a custom which is, in our opinion,
a highly commendable one. We refer to the fact that a letter was sent
to the newly elected Mayor, requesting him to ask for a holiday. This
he very kindly did and accordingly there was no school on Tuesday,
November 10th. The usual paper-chases were arranged, one for
seniors and one for juniors, and the runs were very enjoyable in spite
of the heavy state of the country, the juniors catching their man while
the seniors failed to do so. We heartily hope that this very excellent
custom will be kept up next year."
A DOG'S LIFE.
One day during my holiday, I visited Dellingford market.
Dellingford, as I expect you know, is a small country town in Devonshire,
and boasts of a market held every Saturday. On this one day, the little
town, peaceful and slumbrous for the rest of the week, becomes a scene
of bustle and activity, and the congestion in its narrow streets makes
necessary the professional attentions of the policeman; this worthy even
graces the occasion by donning his uniform—for he is usually to be seen
in plain clothes, looking rather like an overfed undertaker. But on
Saturdays, he makes his appearance bearing what seems to be a small
76
wooden dais, and takes up his post at the cross-roads, where he resembles
a vivified statue standing on a small pedestal. He lives in a huge erection
labelled "Devon County Constabulary," but the Constabulary here
appears to consist of only one member, although the building is large
enough to accommodate half-a-dozen large-sized policemen. I sometimes wonder if he has a number of so-called sleeping partners.
But I fear I wander from my original statement. Let me repeat,
then, that one Saturday in August I visited Dellingford market. Fortunately I was alone. My wife and I had visited this same market while
staying in the town several years previously, and I well remember that
she caused me considerable embarrassment, and lookers-on considerable
amusement, by remarks which, to put the matter mildly, betrayed her
abysmal ignorance of country life. She had been blissfully unaware
of the commotion she was causing, and frequently spoke to her friends
of the visit in the most gushing tones: "Oh, my dear, such a charming little
place, you know—lots of animals and things—cows and so on, you know,
I was awfully impressed, and all the farmers looked so picturesque. Of
course, it was a bit smelly, but the country and markets and so on always
do smell a little, don't they? I mean, I never feel it's quite the right thing
if it doesn't smell a bit. I know it sounds a little vulgar, but you do
understand what I mean, don't you?"
On this occasion, however, I was alone, and was able to remain
inconspicuous, and to look round in a leisurely manner. Towards the
end of the morning, I came to a place where they were auctioning all
sorts of things—rolls of wire, ducks, rabbits, bicycles, oil stoves, eggs
and even old cars, which seemed on the point of subsiding into heaps of
scrap-metal. I was fascinated by this weird collection of odds and ends,
and stayed to watch. Suddenly the auctioneer announced that the next
lot was a small puppy, and called on someone hidden behind a partition
to produce the animal for our benefit. A wrathful voice explained
that efforts were being made to catch it; suddenly, a terrific uproar
was heard; a chicken, clucking wildly, rose into the air from behind the
partition, as if propelled by hidden spings; there were violent crashes,
followed by muffled oaths, which became less and less muffled as the
struggle grew fiercer. At length, the owner of the voice appeared,
bearing the prime mover in all the recent commotion; but the puppy,
far from being the world-destroyer I had expected, wore a meek and
innocent expression. It was of no determinate breed, but it was extremely attractive, as mongrel puppies can be—in fact, it was so attractive
that I felt I must have it. In any case, I did not like the look of the owner
of the voice, and rather supported the puppy in its previous struggles
against capture. The long and the short of it was that I joined in the
bidding, which began at the princely sum of threepence, and after a short
time I found myself master of a small mongrel puppy and th6 poorer
by three shillings in good English money.
Then sanity returned, and I suddenly remembered that I was leaving
for my home at Levingfield that day, a matter of 120 miles away. Now
railways are very estimable institutions, but the line by which I had to
77
travel was notoriously unsympathetic in the matter of dogs; one had to
pay a heavy fee, in return for which the company allowed the dog to
travel in a guard's van which was usually very small and very dirty. Well,
this puppy was so very tiny that it seemed ridiculous to have to buy a
ticket for it, and I was afraid that it might feel lonely with only the guard
for company. I therefore obtained a large wooden box, and placed
Jim (that was the puppy's name) inside it, so that I could bring the
box into the carriage with me.
This I did, announcing to anyone
who looked as if he might be interested that I had had a number of
potatoes given to me; I noticed that people looked surprised at the ease
with which I lifted this large box of alleged potatoes.
My compartment was fairly full, and very hot. One could not fail
to notice a small boy in the corner, who gave a non-stop imitation of a
car starting, changing gears and then stopping. Judging from the
sounds he produced, I concluded that the clutch of his car must engage
very faultily. Opposite him was a prim-looking woman with a very pointed
nose, who at intervals gave vent to a disdainful sniff, although I cannot
imagine what was the precise object of her scorn, unless it was the
child, who was presumably her offspring. Next to me sat a gentleman
who was obviously a retired army officer, while his vis-a-vis was an
extremely large countrywoman. I have rarely seen anyone larger;
she sat there like the Rock of Gibraltar, and I wondered if she would
ever manage to get out of the train. By her side was a newly-married
couple; her vast bulk forced them to sit very close together, but they did
not seem to mind—indeed, they were apparently too occupied with
each other to take notice of anything that happened around them.
I put the box on the rack, and we started off. All went well until
we had accomplished nearly half the journey; the prim woman occasionally
remarked on the great heat, accompanying her observations with a
vigorous sniff; the retired officer treated me to a lecture on the sins of
the government—"Weak-kneed, sir, that's what they are! They haven't
got enough guts to stand up to the Reds!" he informed me. Then
the train stopped at a station, and my troubles began. There came from
the rack above me two loud snuffling noises, which seemed positively
deafening in the silence which prevailed in the carriage. The prim
woman jumped and sniffed in sympathy.
"What's that?" she asked sharply.
"Well, what is it, dash it?" contributed the retired officer.
The fat countrywoman, apparently awakening out of a trance, asked
the world at large: "Did you 'ear that?"
The child abandoned his car in second gear and sat in dead silence,
gazing at me.
I smiled feebly, and gurgled: "Oh—er—nothing really, was it? I
mean, I didn't hear anything."
Everyone glared at me unpleasantly, but I was saved by the train's
starting with a jerk, for one cannot maintain an attitude of dignified
disapproval when one's equilibrium is disturbed. For a time, all went
well; but, suddenly, a loud puffing broke upon the hushed silence—Jim,
78
finding the atmosphere of his box rather stifling, had begun to pant
vigorously. The countrywoman looked at me in horror: "Them's your
potatoes doing that!" she observed.
The prim lady looked at her crushingly, while her son, who was
still gazing at me, remarked: "Dog."
I felt as if I had been honoured
by an utterance of the Delphic Oracle.
The prim lady became even primmer, and said: "Are you aware,
sir, that it is strictly forbidden for dogs to travel in the carriages? Had
I known that this was going to occur, I should have refrained from
travelling on this train. But you may be sure that I shall complain
to the Company. You shall hear more of this."
"But it's only a puppy
," I said weakly.
"Puppy or no, this is forbidden, you know," broke in my military
friend. "It's men like you, who think they can disregard the rules of
decency and the conventions of human society with impunity, that are
responsible for the disgustingly anarchical condition of modern
society. I mean to say, if a man can't get into a train without finding
a dog disguised as a box of potatoes, where is he?"
"Quite, quite," I interrupted. "I admit I was wrong, but
"
"Then why did you do it?" asked the fat lady triumphantly.
Suddenly, the newly married couple awoke into violent life. The
man felt in his pocket and produced a large fistful of assorted literature,
which he pushed into my hand. I gaped at him foolishly. Then he
burst into speech.
"I represent the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. It is shameful, I repeat, shameful, to shut up an animalin abox
in this manner. I see that you are one of that heartless type which we
occasionally meet, and which causes so much suffering to our dumb
friends. I shall report you to the R.S.P.C.A."
After delivering his ultimatum, he proceeded to sit and glare at me,
surrounded by an aura of moral indignation.
The rest of the journey was purgatory for me. All my fellowtravellers continued to assail me on all sides. They attacked me ceaselessly from political, moral, social, ethical, philosophical and even
religious grounds—for the wife of the R.S.P.C.A. enthusiast proved to
be strongly religious, and attacked me for violating the Christian spirit.
How I had done this, I cannot imagine, but I suspect her motives were
nothing more than a desire not to be a mere spectator of the fracas.
Besides, I was easy game in my then condition.
At last we arrived at Levingfield and I tottered from the train, bearing
my box of fictitious potatoes, and pursued by the abuse of my companions. I crept home, and spent a few days in recovering. That
experience left its mark on me; I have been a different and a more lawabiding man ever since. I consigned the Railway Company to perdition,
but, having learnt the force of public opinion, I resolved that if ever'Jim
and I were so unfortunate as to have to travel by train again, he should
go in the guard's van—and I was not sure that I would not go with him.
P.B.
79
80
SCROUNGER'S LUCK.
The steady wail of the sirens was heralding the first welcome rays
of the sun as he crawled out of his dugout. He looked round. In the
East he could just discern the sunrise, a sunrise whose beauty was
defied by great rolling banks of smoke and whose light was eclipsed by
the lurid glare cast upon them by the innumerable fires which
were still blazing. Against this glare, he noticed that there were fresh
gaps in the familiar outline of the surrounding roof-tops.
Later in the morning he was idly wandering through the streets
near his home. He stopped opposite a bombed Bank and watched
Pioneers clearing away the debris. His thoughts wandered—he
imagined them shovelling glittering coins out of the vaults or perhaps . . .
With a smile he turned away, dismissing his day-dreams, but as he did so,
his eye caught the gleam of metal in the rubble. He looked again—there
was no doubt about that dull silvery gleam. His mind became avaricious,
for it was no mean prize; its weight must be at least two pounds. He
was waiting—just waiting for an opportunity.
At last it came. A slight change in the direction of the wind
enveloped the vicinity in smoke. He darted forward, one, two, three
paces, his hands groped for the upright rafter—he slid down it onto the
rubble. Now! One foot to the left—he had it! Quickly he placed
it in his handkerchief and darted back again into the street. But, alas,
he had been seen, and a half-brick whizzing by his head reminded him
of the fact. He sprinted away with several "Specials" in pursuit, but
he was soon lost in the maze of little back streets that he knew like the
back of his hand. He walked home cheerfully, whistling as he went—
that's how much his conscience worried him.
That evening, in a secluded spot, he related his day's luck to his
fellows-in-crime. He brought his super-trophy out and passed it
round. They all nodded their approval, with the air of connoisseurs,
holding it very carefully all the time—not for fear of damaging it, or
leaving fingerprints, but because bomb splinters have very sharp edges.
D.H.Y.
"PER ARDUA AD ASTRA."
Mortal they are, though an immortal name they make;
Heroes of the air, dying for England's sake.
Down below our peaceful fields are green and still,
While up above they're waiting, waiting for the kill.
To them we owe our safety and our homes to-day,
The freedom of our soil from tread of hostile feet,
The colours bright we cherish more than Prussian grey,
The new-born day of hope which every morn we greet.
81
With watchful eyes those sentries guard our dwellings dear,
The nestling homes of England's yeoman stock; the free
Who've fought before in aid of those who cried in fear
For help in overthrowing grinding tyranny.
Those pilots know the confidence that they inspire
By their defence against a never-ending horde;
They know that they in watchfulness must never tire,
Or death will overwhelm their land with fire and sword.
And death indeed 'twould be to live beneath the yoke
Of foreigners who deify their leader's name;
Whose one ambition is to crush all weaker folk
And hurl their peaceful lives to slaughter, blood and flame.
So, up above they fly that they may save their land
And those traditions of their race that they hold dear;
They fly, and flying, keep their watch on every hand
Like eagles whose keen eyes the sun can never sear.
And keen those eyes must be, with never-failing sight,
For miles away, through such clear air, the foe is seen
As tiny specks which quiver in the distant light
And mar the perfect beauty of the sky serene.
The sunlight makes those wings appear against the blue
Like silver fish which flash through depths of tropic seas,
Or gulls, whose casual wing-beats, strong but few,
Bring sailing into shore before the blustering breeze.
Down here on earth we stand with bated breath to note
The throbbing drone which marks the indiscriminate foe;
Then battle breaks, with clouds as towers and space the moat;
The prize, civilian lives and homes down here below.
The vast expanse of peaceful blue lies streaked with white,
The field of death, at play with men who try their all
To cheat him of his prey, and prove that ruthless might
Can never vanquish those who fight at Freedom's call.
A mother stands on earth, aware her son's above,
She wonders if the sacrifice is worth the gain;
But then, from son, her heart to England turns in love,
She knows it is, and never questions more her pain.
And everywhere, in all our towns and country homes,
The brothers, sisters, friends and sons of those who strive
All hold the same belief, none from the straight path roams,
The path of bitter sacrifice, that peace may thrive.
82
And as in Unity assured we stand to-day,
The confidence within our hearts the foe can never touch;
He tries, but once most dear in lives he's had to pay
For challenging the Few to whom we owe so much.
Mortal they are, though an immortal name they make,
Heroes of the air, dying for England's sake;
Down below our peaceful fields are green and still,
While up above they're waiting, waiting for the kill.
C.L.H.
THE AXIS AT PLAY.
There was a man named Hitler,
A ruthless little fellow,
He was not good at snooker,
'Cause he thought the "reds" were yellow.
Old Musso's playing footer,
His aim begins to stall,
We'll reach the goal before him
And thereby make him "bawl."
Dear Musso with his face so red,
He'll never make a gunner,
'Cause he's so good at gardening,
For he's like a scarlet runner.
So you see they're not so clever,
In fact they're really duds,
So they won't last for very long,
For we'll soon nip their buds.
B. BARKER (Form H.a.)
TABLEAU.
A figure came stumbling along the road, gradually becoming more
distinct in the misty haze of evening. It was a man of middle height,
but he walked, or rather shuffled, with a stoop, as though ashamed and
devoid of hope. His face was unwashed, his hands grimy, and it was
obvious that he had not been near a razor for days. He wore a suit
which might once have been respectable; now it was frayed, patched and
discoloured with age. His trousers were torn, his coat was out at the
elbows, his hat was a shapeless ruin, his shoes looked as if they had been
picked off a rubbish-dump. He wore no overcoat, and as he moved he
huddled himself against the bitter wind, occasionally beating his chest
to restore his circulation.
83
This human outcast was travelling along a bleak, exposed road which
traversed open heathland; not far to the East was the sea. It was dusk.
The sky was full of leaden clouds, and the wind, which whistled in
over the shore, seemed to bear with it the promise of snow. It soughed
among the dried-up leaves of the stunted oaks and birches, which grew
here and there on the heath, and shook the dry sprigs of dead heather.
Suddenly all would be still, then, like some unquiet spirit of the storm, the
wind would rush over the bleak and barren plain in a gusty blast, moaning
to itself.
The traveller came to a slight hollow in which grew a clump of
larger trees, some of which were pines, and so still green. At the
bottom of the hollow, protected from the fierceness of the icy wind, stood
a cottage. It looked homely and attractive, and from one window
there shone a light. The curtains had not yet been drawn, and inside
one could see a table set for tea, with a lamp shining in the midst. A
log fire blazed and flickered from the wide hearth, and in front of it sat a
man, leaning back in an easy chair, smoking a pipe and reading. Merely
to look in that window from the outside gave an illusion of warmth and
comfort to the beholder.
The wayfarer stopped for a moment, and gazed in the window.
Then he slowly turned away and shuffled off again; such comforts were
not for him; fate, or rather society, had decreed that he must be an
outcast. It was Christmas on the morrow, and if he were to have a roof
over his head by then, he must travel another seven miles—and seven
miles is a great distance on a cold and dark December night. Slowly he
moved into the gathering darkness and became lost to view; gradually
even the sound of his shuffling footsteps died away, and all that could be
heard was the wailing and soughing of the wind.
P.B.
POSTAGE STAMPS.
The first country to issue postage stamps was Great Britain, where
they first appeared in 1840. Sir Rowland Hill suggested them, and the
first one issued was the "penny black," which appeared on May 6th,
1840. A "penny black" dated May 6th, 1840, was sold for £35 quite
recently and another dated May 10th, 1840 was sold for £20. A block
of 18 "penny blacks" was sold for £250 on May 20th, of this year.
Stamps ate made of the best cotton rags, which are beaten under
a heavy roller; then the pale milky fluid from this roller passes from a
strainer onto an endless web of wire to the dandy-roll, a device which
impresses the water-mark and gives the texture to paper. When it has
passed over the dandy-roll, the huge web of paper passes round steamdrying cylinders and air dryers to the calendering rolls, which make
the surface of the paper perfect. The paper is then passed over an electric
light, which shows up the watermark, which is carefully examined; then
the paper is wound onto a finishing spool. When all the preceding
operations have been carried out the paper is hung in an airy loft to
84
acclimatize it. It is then packed into reams and sent to the printer, who
prints the stamp on it. The gum used on the stamps is made from
starch.
In 1680 a man named William Dockwra had set up a penny postal
system in London. The postmarks were used in the same way as letter
cards are use to-day. Only two of these postmarks are known to be
in existence, one being in the British Museum. One was sold at H. R.
Harmer's for £140 on July 7th this year; the letter "L" in its centre stands
for "Lyme Street."
Although India did not issue stamps until 1852, she has had a postal
system from time immemorial. In the fourteenth century she had a
well organised system of couriers.
From medieval times to
the middle of the nineteenth century, a system known as the "toti post"
was used. The toti was a low-caste village servant, without goods or
property, who was provided with food and shelter for doing certain
jobs for other villagers. One of the toti's duties was the carrying of
messages to the next village; on arriving there, the message was handed
on to another toti. Sometimes twenty or more totis were required to
cover one journey.
Later on, merchants had to provide their own runners, and usually
Brahmans were employed, as their religious standing was so high that they
were unafraid of molestation from bandits and robbers. In 1837 an Act
was passed by which the goverment had a monopoly of carrying letters
for payment in the territories of the East India Company.
The first Asiatic country to issue stamps was Sind, the poorest
Indian State, whose postal system was deplorable.
The stamps were
first issued in 1852 and the system worked so well that in 1854 the East
India Company issued a general stamp. In 1877the Indian government
requested that no native state should issue its own stamps without
approval.
In 1884 the Patiala Government suggested that the British-Indian
stamps should be overprinted with the name of the Native State; this
proposal was agreed to and a convention was drawn up declaring the
method of co-operation to be adopted by stamp-issuing Native States
and the British Indian Government.
The first Peruvian stamps were originally intended for the independant mail service of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, but
the company discontinued the service and the stamps were then offered
to the Peruvian Government for prepaying postage on letters. The
stamps are unique in that they havs the denomination first expressed
in ounces and then in monetary value. The stamps issued in 1857
were i ounce at 1 real blue and 1 ounce at 2 reales red-brown. A
repiint was made in 1859 and also at a later date. The two plates from
the steamship company's stamps now belong to the Royal Philatelic
Society.
Only fourteen countries outside Great Britain issued stamps on or
before 1850; they were Brazil and Switzerland in 1843, United States
and Mauiitius in 1847, Bavaiia, Belgium and France in 1849, and finally
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Austria, British Guiana, New South Wales, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein,
Spain and Victoria in 1850.
The following thirteen countries only started issuing stamps in or
after 1935: Bijawar in 1935, Annam and Cambodia in 1936, Burma,
Aden and French Equatorial Affica in 1937, Greenland, Hatay and
Italian East Africa in 1938, Bohemia and Moravia, Slovakia and
Carpatho-Ukraine in 1939, and lastly Faroe Islands in 1940.
The Universal Postal Union was set up on July 1st, 1874, in order to
fix the postal rate from one country to another. It was decided that
the rates would be 25 centimes or its equivalent for letters, 12| centimes
for post-cards and between 5 and 11 centimes for printed matter not
heavier than 2 ozs.
The Union did not begin to function until July 1st, 1875, and
France did not join until January 1st, 1876. A second congress was
held in Paris in 1878. Others were held at Washington in 1896, at
Rome in 1906, at Madrid in 1920 and in Great Britain in 1929.
Mr. N. F. Seebeck, an agent of an American engraving firm, made
one of the strangest contracts in the history of philately with the governments of Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Salvador. The agreement
was that these countries should receive their stamps free on condition
that they changed their issues every year and gave all surplus back to the
engraving firm to sell to philatelists. The stamps of Ecuador from
1892 to 1896, Honduras from 1890 to 1895, and of Nicaragua and
Salvador from 1890 to 1899 were issued under this contract.
Occasionally one comes across a stamp which is postmarked but still
has the gum on the back; these stamps are frequently taken to be fakes,
but this is not so. The explanation is that governments sell surplus
stocks of stamps to stamp dealers at a cost below face value, and it is more
convenient for them to postmark the stamps than to demonetize them.
Now for a word about the most valuable stamp. This is a British
Guiana 1856, one cent., black on magenta stamp. It is ugly and
insignificant; its condition is poor; the corners are gone and it is too
dirty to make a clear photograph, yet at an auction in Paris it was sold for
£6,000 plus a government tax of 17 J%—in all, for £7,050. It was found
in 1872 amongst some old papers by a British Guiana boy. The stamp
was bought in 1878 for £125 by Count Ferrary, of Paris. In 1917, the
French Government seized Count Ferrary's collection as alien property
and sold it in fourteen auctions between 1921 and 1925. At one of these
auctions, Arthur Hind, millionaire American philatelist, bought it for
38,025 dollars. At another auction a few years ago, the stamp received
a bid of £7,500, but the owner wanted more. When it was sent across
the Atlantic in a registered letter, the stamp was insured for £10,000.
PHILATELIST (V.a.)
86
A LAST WAR "DAILY TELEGRAPH" EXTRACT.
(Contributed by H. W. MOFFAT).
RAID INTO GERMANY.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS.
The following despatch relating to aviation was received from
Sir Douglas Haig at 11.31 on Thursday night, and appeared in our
later editions yesterday:
HEADQUARTERS (France), Thursday (10.5 p.m.).
Last night the factories and railway communications in the vicinity
of Saarbriicken were attacked by our aeroplane squadrons with excellent
results. Over 3\ tons of explosives were dropped on the Burbach works,
just west of Saarbriicken by naval machines. The damage caused was
considerable and many fires were observed.
Three thousand three hundred and thirty-five pounds of explosives
were dropped on the railway stations, junctions and goods sidings
in and around Saarbriicken by another squadron. Many direct hits were
obtained, resulting in numerous explosions. One train proceeding
to Saarbriicken received a direct hit from a big bomb and was destroyed.
A total of five tons of explosives were dropped by us.
The enemy's anti-aircraft defences were strong. At first the
weather conditions were good, but later they became very bad, with
rain, low clouds and a strong wind, rendering the return of our machines
most difficult.
On the 24th inst. there was a slight improvement in the weather
on the British front, though thick, drifting clouds and a very strong
west wind made observation and fighting over the enemy's lines difficult.
154 bombs were dropped during the day on the enemy's billets, 12
heavy bombs on an aerodrome near Courtrai, and 71 others on German
troops in trenches and in the open. At times fighting was severe.
Four hostile machines were brought down by our aeroplanes and one
was shot down by our infantry. Three other German machines were
driven down out of control. Six of our aeroplanes are missing.
J.T.C. CAMP.
Usually an annual O.T.C. camp is held somewhere in England
during the summer holidays, but this year it was found impossible
to do so. Instead, a fortnight's course for N.C.O.s was organised.
Hence, to a castle in Yorkshire, normally used as an Army Training
School, travelled about 250 boys from various corps in England, Scotland,
Ireland and Wales. After a six hours' train journey, the two representatives of Ipswich School J.T.C. arrived at the station of an industrial
town, where the train-load was met by a Sergeant Major (Regular Army).
87
We clambered into buses and were driven off at what seemed a breakneck speed round right-angle bends and up and down extremely steep
hills, until we arrived at S
Castle.
This was a huge, square 17th century building, right on top of a hill,
commanding a very fine view over the surrounding countryside. We
were marshalled into the dining hall and there divided into Companies
and Platoons. Sixpence was also required of us as surety for a china
mug which we were given, and without which we should receive no tea,
cocoa, soup, etc. I must remark that there was great difficulty at
first in getting us sorted out and giving us directions, for the person
doing it was a Scots Sergeant (of the H.L.I.), and neither our schools
nor names seemed to be pronounced by him in any way that a
"civilised" Englishman could understand. However, everything was
finally arranged and our Company was lucky in being given barrack
rooms in the castle instead of tents in the grounds. I say "lucky" because,
if you remember, a considerable quantity of rain fell during August.
Our first meal, a subject about which there had been much discussion,
led us to believe that we should be well fed, and during the subsequent
days we were not disappointed, for the quantity and quality of our food
was excellent.
Our bunks were at first eyed with some mistrust, and our doubts
as to whether we should be able to sleep the first night later turned
to certainties. A straw pillow and mattress are not conducive to sleep
when one is not tired, but during the next 14 days, the instructors
remedied this defect with the result that we invariably went to sleep
about two minutes after lying down, and remained in this state until
the wailing of bagpipes awoke us at 6.15 a.m. the next morning.
On the day after our arrival, little was expected of us, and apart
from listening to a welcoming address by the Commandant of the School,
we were left to get used to our new surroundings. This led us to
suspect that the next two weeks would indeed be a holiday, and that
training would only take up a small part of the time. We were soon
disillusioned. 6.30a.m. the next morningfound us up and about, cleaning
up our room, folding up our blankets and laying out our kit in precise
military manner ready for the morning room inspection. Then came
breakfast roll-call parade followed by breakfast, and we eventually
started the morning's work at 8.30 a.m. The day was divided into
eight periods, and we spent the time doing drill, weapon training and
tactics, and also watching demonstrations by a specially trained platoon
of Seaforths, listening to lectures and seeing training films. The
School's plan of work was first to lecture on the subject, then to give a
demonstration and then to make us do it ourselves, and the amount
of knowledge instilled into us was a great tribute to this system.
The teaching staff consisted of some 15 Warrant Officers and
about an equal number of sergeants, nearly all seconded from the Guards,
with the idea of giving them a rest after a long period of active service.
There was also a large number of officer instructors, varying in rank
from Second Lieutenant to Captain—the Commandant of the School
was a Major.
Each platoon had 1 officer and 3 sergeants attached to it, and it was
under them that the training proceeded. There was also a J.T.C. officer
attached to our platoon but as he did nothing worthy of note during the
course, he will not be mentioned again.
For the first few days every effort was made to smarten us up, and no
pains were spared to achieve this end. After the first parade-ground
inspection, the whole company was ordered to have a hair-cut and this
was but an augury of things to come. Everything had to be cleaned
daily, and by everything I don't mean just brass and the rifle barrel. The
woodwork of the rifle was made to shine by dint of much polish and
elbow grease, as also was the bayonet scabbard, and the bayonet itself had
to reflect like a mirror. It was amazing what a change these stringent
regulations made in the company, and eventually even words of praise
fell from the sergeant's lips.
At first the standard of drill exhibited by the cadets was very poor,
and for instructional purposes we were treated as raw recruits and taught
all drill from the very beginning, starting with standing at attention
and working our way up to fixing bayonets.
This was not the case, however, with weapon training, and apart
from a brief period on lying, standing and kneeling loads, we gave up
the rifle and concentrated on the other platoon weapons. The Bren
gun, the Tommy gun, the anti-tank rifle and 2-in. mortar all came in
for their fair share of time, and eventually we became more or less
proficient with each of them.
The rest of the time was devoted to tactics on ideal land around the
castle, demonstrations by the Seaforths, and lectures. These varied
in topics from anti-gas precautions to tank-trapping, and indeed dealt
with practically everything else that might concern us.
Thus the course gradually drew to an end and to mark its conclusion,
a drill competition was held in order to decide on the best platoon in the
School. This was won by the platoon of which we weie members, after
a very keen struggle.
So with every feeling of satisfaction we came home, after a highly
enjoyable two weeks, certain that we had learnt a great deal, and with
the hope that we would be capable of passing on our knowledge.
J.C.
C.L.H.
MRS. GAMP'S VIEWS ON THE WAR.
This ain't the first war I've experienced, nor the last I don't suppose,
and what with that nisy, wexacious siren a-blowin" nearly iv'ry day and
the unbeknown dangers to be faced everywhere, I don't feel at all disposed to view it kindly.
To think millions of 'ansome young creeturs, as ain't harmed nobody,
has given up their lives because the owldacious Germans have wiolated
the territry of them peaceful countries of Yewrope, sech as Olland,
Belgim, Poland, et cetrer, hoping to conker the whole world,
89
Wen the Germans conker countries, they force every individgle
creetur, both man and 'ooman, to work hard all day making their
willianous weapons for them. Then they take nearly all their food
from them, half starving thim, until they eats their own animiles, both
cats and dogs. If a German gets shot, the German serpiants kill about
fifty innocent pussons; it's enough to make a creetur's blood boil, ain't
it?
Raly I notice the rashuning most; whin you're a-goin' shopping,
you has to carry your rashun books (drat 'em) with you or you go 'ome
without the rashuns. It rekwires a lot of thought to prepare a dinner
now, what with the lashuning of this and shoitige of that, and it's hard
not to go and pizon yourself with your eats. The mossel of cheese I
git ain't much good to me, nor is the pinch of tea which last me only
four days, I'm that thirsty. I can't git my half-a-pint of porter more'n
twice a week and it's that weak you might jest as well drink water. The
jint I git for dinner ain't no bigger than a coupler sparrers, and I miss
the ile for the ile-stove I cook it on.
My 'ouse has had many a narrer escape from bombs, and the glass
in the winders has bin smashed more'n wunst. It's wexacious and
aggrawatin' to git up of a mornin' and find your wery winders gone and
yerself on the floor with your head up the chimley, still I don't care
tuppens for 'em perwisin' they're a street or to away. A friend of mine
said only t'other day, "Well, Sairey," she says, "I don't git afeard of
bombs now, perwisin' they're a coupler hundred yards away." "Mrs.
Harris," I says, "I feels much the same, only I don't like to think the
serpiants in the airyplane has killed some more poor creeturs." "Sairey,"
she says, "my feelin's exactly. Still it helps your bis'ness, you bein' a
nuss." "Mrs. Harris, ma'am," I says, "be it as it will, but I'd prefer
to git my patients naterally, not through bombs. I live in mortial terrer
of a gash-attack at night, I know my gash-mark is perfict and I take good
care onit, but I'm afeared they'll use gash wile I'm sleeping—•" Mrs.
Gamp, ma'am," says Mrs. Harris, "I raly am surpriged at you, you
bein' a nuss and one as always has an "art of a lion. I ain't afeard of
that, I trust the wardins and my gash-mark. Good-bye, Sairey." And
with that me and that best of wimmin parted.
Putting up the black-out nearly breaks my 'art for if a pin-pint
of light shows, one of them orkard wardins knocks at my door and tells
me about it, but sech is life, we has to put up with it. Here's hopin'
the war will soon end, it's so aggrawatin' and wexacious.
J.R.A. (V.a.)
AIR BATTLE.
The scene was on the North Downs of Kent. It was late afternoon.
A number of dots far away in the sky first proclaimed the presence of a
large formation to the eager eyes of the watchers on the ground.
Rapidly it came up from the South and the watchers were thrilled to see
that it was larger than any that they had every seen before. All the
more to bring down!
90
The attackers were eager to be off and at the command they rose
into the air and climbed aloft. All the hopes of the spectators below
were centred on these tough fighters of the air, and each would do his
best to uphold his reputation. Much lay on the issue of the fight.
The onlookers far below were gripped with excitement and stood gazing
intently up into the sky to follow the progress of those swift messengers
of death. The attackers closed in, the formation was broken up, the
fight was on!
A fight of this size was uncommon, and heavy wagers were laid
on the birds by their masters, for these hawks were a fine lot and welltrained. Nor was this confidence misplaced. A shout of pride from one
of the nobles announced that his bird had been the first to secure a
victim. Within a few minutes several other birds had shared the same
fate. After that it was a complete route. The poor creatures never
had a chance, and only a few of them managed to get away. The hawks
were whistled back and returned triumphantly to their masters' wrists.
What an end to a fine day's sport! Yes, hawking was very popular in the
fourteenth century.
J.S.S.
J.T.C.
The most notable feature of the term has been the bad weather
prevailing on Thursdays, and consequently little outdoor tactical
training has been possible.
A field-day with Woodbridge was attempted at the beginning of
the term, but owing to adverse conditions, the plan of attack had to
be abandoned and patrolling substituted in its stead. Although little
tactical knowledge was gained as a result, it proved to be an enjoyable
afternoon.
Owing to the shortage of rifles existing in the army, almost all
those belonging to the contingent were commandeered at the end of
last term, thus greatly hampering training, and we can but hope they
will soon be returned.
An innovation recently introduced by Captain Young has been
"mobile tiaining." It is intended that all membeis should be conversant with the mechanical details of the motor car and cycle,
91
and to meet this end, the recruits under C.Q.M.S. Latta are being
allowed to strip and reassemble(?) a motor cycle; it is hoped that the
trained men will have an opportunity later to experiment on a car.
With the increase in numbers of the contingent the stock of existing
uniforms is running low, but instead of obtaining more out-of-date
equipment, there is a possibility that we will be provided with battledress, a "modernisation" which will be welcomed by all.
The recruits, who now include almost all eligible members of the
School, are making great progress under Captain Bush and his N.C.O.s,
and much credit is due to them.
The Cert. "A" squad, consisting of 14 cadets, is working hard for its
exam, at the end of the term, and we would wish all members every
success.
PROMOTIONS.
Dated 1/12/41.
Cpl. Church to be L/Sgt. L/Cpl. Brackett to be Cpl.
J.C.
THE SCOUT GROUP.
THE TROOP.—After the cessation of camping in 1940 it is good to
be able to record a summer camp again this year. In view of war-time
conditions, it was decided to hold a fortnight's camp at the Hintlesham
site, which had been used during the summer term. Seniors came
for the first week and juniors for the second and 32 Scouts in all attended
the camp. A monkey bridge erected by the seniors over a particularly
obnoxious pond was an unfailing source of amusement. Visits were
made to Kersey, where the vicar, the Rev. R. Tempest, twice conducted
expeditions up the church tower. One advantage of a local camp
92
was that we were able to entertain more visitors, and on one of our
visitors' days we were pleased to welcome our host, Sir William Burton.
The part played by the troop in the District Swimming Sports was
inglorious, but at other Local Association events during the autumn
we have been better represented. We were able to supply a fair record
for the Paul Trophy Competition, but we cannot hope to do really well
in this unless every Scout pulls his weight.
Three Senior Troop week-ends have been held at Arrowe Hut,
and the Troop meetings have taken place as usual.
At our Group Service we look forward to hearing an address by
Mr. C. S. Whitehead, A.D.C. and G.S.M. of the 7th Ipswich.
Two new patrols have been formed—Woodpigeons in the Third
Form and Swifts in the First. P. A. Goymour and J. S. Seaman have
won the First Class Badge. D. W. Lewis and P. J. Gooding have been
appointed Patrol Leaders.
Troop Woggles have been awarded to P. E. Rees-Jones, P. Benner,
B. Lewis, P. A. Goymour, D. W. Lewis, J. S. Seaman, W. J. Stanbury
and R. R. R. Hansford.
The following have been invested as Scouts:—D. W. Panter,
J. R. R. Shambrook, K. A. Bell, K. J. A. Orriss and K. W. N.
Shambrook.
THE PACK.—Work has been done during the term for the First
Aid, Artist, Collector and Toy-maker badges. Three Cubs have been
invested and three have gained their First Star. The Sixers are Staines,
Cossons, Meggitt and Knights (iii).
In view of the difficulty of obtaining uniform at present we should
be grateful for the return of any articles of uniform which are no longer
needed.
The numbers this term are:—Rover, 1; Scouts, 38; Cubs, 24; Group
total, 66.
N.T.S.
LITERARY AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY.
After a year of suspended animation, the Literary and Dramatic
Society has this term sprung into vigorous life. A general meeting
at the beginning of the term showed a considerable demand for its
reconstitution, and 17 members were present at the first meeting, when
J. Cresswell was elected Hon. Treasurer and P. Benner, Hon. Secretary.
The demands of the School Play are expected to interfere with the
later part of the Society's programme, but our activities, even if their
scope has thus been slightly curtailed, have been pleasantly varied.
Our most ambitious effort has been a reading of "The Admirable
Crichton," by J. M. Barrie. There was some difficulty in finding
candidates for the parts of three ladies of high rank, but this problem was
triumphantly overcome. P. E. Underwood showed that he had all the
qualities which are necessary for the perfect butler, and the knowledge of
93
what to do when shipwrecked on an uninhabited island may, perhaps,
one day prove valuable to some of our more adventurous members.
Our fourth meeting took the form of a General Knowledge Bee.
The Brains Trust provided us with a model, but would-be Professor
Joads found they could not emulate the knowledge and lucidity of the
original. This feature proved so successful that a similar programme
was arranged for a second meeting, though on this occasion the questions
asked showed a somewhat less scientific bias. Some of them were
exceedingly obscure, and we feel that the general level of information
and intelligence in the School must have risen considerably.
The activities of the Society have also included a series of humorous
readings contributed by five members, one of whom succeeded in
illustrating his tale by a clever piece of stage-managing (unintentional),
and a meeting devoted to short debates on subjects which ranged from
the worth (or worthlessness) of politicians to the philosophical power
of cats.
P.B.
THE CHESS CLUB.
At the beginning of the term it was decided to run the Chess Club
in two sections, the junior consisting of Forms I., II. and III., the senior
of the three upper Forms. The senior section had one meeting and then
its activities were brought to an abrupt conclusion by the demands of the
School Play. However, the junior section has flourished and the
greatest difficulty has been to provide sufficient material to meet the
demand. The existence of this junior section is of great value, because
the senior members of the future will have secured some knowledge
of the game, and this should make for a higher standard of play; it is
therefore particularly pleasing to see such a large numberof juniors come
to meetings on Friday afternoons.
It is hoped that conditions will have returned to normal next
term, so that the whole club will be able to meet as usual.
P.B.
94
MODEL AEROPLANE CLUB.
This term the Club has progressed even more than last, and its
membership has increased from about 20 to 31.
Meetings have not been held this term, but instead, flying days have
been held on the Valley Road field on most Sundays before half-term,
after which date the weather became too bad. The club duration
record has risen from 20.8 sees, to 51.8 sees., this new record being set
up by Hope with his "Maybird." Warmoll is runner-up with 45 sees.
About half-term, the club received the use of a room in No. 29,
and over the holiday it was scrubbed and swept, and a motley array of
furniture was collected together. It is now nearly finished in spite of the
litter, with which it is at present filled.
A solid model competition has been planned for November 19th,
and will be judged by Hope and Mr. Young.
We would like to correct a mistake in the last issue of "The
Ipswichian." It was stated in our notes that the club had been affiliated
to the S.M.A.E. We actually wrote that affiliation was being considered,
but the Editors misunderstood us, and this project has since been
abandoned.
N.H.J.
H.W.M.
IJ.H.
JUNIOR STAMP CLUB.
Following many requests a Junior Stamp Club has been formed,
under the chairmanship of Mr. J. E. Young. The Club was well
represented at the first meeting on Novmber 10th, since when it has
flourished. The programme has included a successful auction sale of
postage stamps and an inspection of a sale of stamps at the First Aid
Post, during which brisk business was carried on.
It is to be hoped that enthusiasm will continue at its present high
level and that many applications for membership will be made.
B.B.
M.G.
THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATION.
Since the July issue of this magazine, the School has invested a
further £120, bringing our total to well over £1,800. We ate maintaining our membership strength of 50% of the Upper School, although
every influx of new boys finds an increasing number already members
of similar associations elsewhere in the town.
To join the School Association, it is merely necessary to bring 6d.
to the Physics Laboratory for the purchase of the first stamp. For
every IS/- so saved, the member obtains a Savings Certificate and so
can feel that he is making a real contribution to the war effort.
H.H.G.
95
THE HOLDEN LIBRARY.
This term has been one of continued activity
in the Library; up to half-term, over 400 volumes
had been borrowed, and we feel that this must come
near to constituting a record. The collection of a
subscription from the School and the selling of
magazines has improved our financial position,
and we are therefore able to obtain more and better
books. We wish to acknowledge with thanks the
following books which, among others, have been
presented by the Governors.
"The Early Stuarts," by G. Davies.
"The Later Stuarts," by G. N. Clark.
"The Reign of Elizabeth," by J. B. Black.
"The Renaissance and the Reformation," by
E. M. Tanner.
"A History of Geographical Exploration and
Discovery," by J. N. L. Baker.
"Australia and New Zealand," by L. S. Suggate.
"Africa," by L. S. Suggate.
"Mathematics for the Million," by L. Hogben.
"Concise Cambridge History of English Literature," byG.Sampson.
"Aspects of History," by E. E. Kellett.
"Bomber Command."
"Fighter Pilot."
We should also like to thank the following for presenting books:—
F. J. Philpot, J. C. Davis, D. A. Youngs, W. A. Hitchcock, P. F. A.
Richards, O.I., B. Lewis, O.I. Let us draw particular attention to the
praiseworthy efforts of the two Old Ipswichians; it used to be a custom
that every O.I. should present a book to the Holden Library; this was a
good custom, and we feel that it might well be renewed.
"Man does not live by bread alone;" the appearance of a fire
in the Library has made it one of the centres of School life. Firewatchers fire-watch there, societies meet in it, even the performers in the
School Play sometimes grace it with their presence, while the Sixth
Form spend their time there philosophising and thinking great thoughts
about nothing. But the more boys we see in the Holden Library, the
better we shall be pleased—for, after all, it is meant for use, not show.
Therefore, since it is you who will use it, we shall be pleased to receive
any suggestions for new books and magazines, or for other improvements—as the politicians say, constructive criticism will be welcomed.
P.B.
THE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.
As the war enters its third year, we find it harder than ever to
arrange a varied programme. Even so, we are enjoying a successful
term in which we have had four meetings and two more are still to be
held.
The first meeting of the term took place on October 31st, when two
of the ever popular short talks by members were given. The first one,
given by F. Smith, was on a subject of great interest at the present time:
"Marine Engines." He dealt with the complete cycle of steam through
the various components of the engine, dealing at some length with the
boilers. He then pointed out the main features of the engine itself,
dealing with reciprocating and turbine engines separately. He explained
how steam is used expansively and the reasons for compounding the
cylinders. He went into details cf the slide valves and boxes and the
strains to which they are subject. He then dealt with the turbine, first with
the history and then with its modern development. He explained why
a condenser is vitally necessary and traced the condensed steam back
into the boilers through the air pumps, feed pumps and economiser.
His talk was well illustrated by careful drawings and photographs.
The next talk, entitled "Deep Sea Diving," was given by D. H.
Young. He traced the history and development of the diving suit,
saying that no real success was achieved until the nineteenth century.
Then he described modern diving apparatus, including telephones,
de-compression and re-compression chambers and oxygen apparatus.
He finished by explaining some of the many dangers with which divers
are faced, including fouling, being "squeezed" or "blown up," or
having an attack of "bends" after a too rapid ascent. This talk also was
well illustrated.
The next meeting was held on Monday, November 3rd, and took the
form of a visit to the engineering works of Messrs. Cocksedge and Co.
First we were shown the small machine shop where sheet metal is
97
fashioned into various shapes and sizes. There we saw the shearing
machines at work clipping through the metal as if it were paper,
and the oxy-acetylene flame-cutting machines, which will deal with
metal of a thickness of 6-8 ins. Here also we saw electric welding and
riveting, the rivets being previously prepared by an ingenious electric
heater.
From there we went to the main machine shop, with its numerous
lathes and drilling machines, and saw bronze and steel being planed
down. In the blacksmith's shop the party saw rolling machines which
can give sheet metal any required curvature. Visiting the foundry
we watched the moulds being prepared for the afternoon casting, and
saw the two furnaces which, from a mixture of pig and scrap iron, produce an average of 5 tons of metal a day. Here we were also shown an
oil furnace which was producing molten bronze.
To conclude an extremely interesting visit, we were provided with
light refreshments—a peace-time courtesy, which was greatly
appreciated.
On November 14th, two films, "Highways of the Empire" and
"Story of the Wheel," kindly lent by the Central Film Library, were
shown to the Society.
On November 28th there were two further talks by members. The
first was given by P. E. Underwood on "The Elements of Meteorology."
After discussing the development of the subject, he dealt with the various
instruments used in the recording of the weather. He then went on to
show briefly how the weather is forecast, paying particular attention
to cloud formations. The next talk on "Simple Radiology," was given
by P. R. Church. This talk, which was finished under considerable
difficulty, had to be cut down as a result of the black-out. He spoke
briefly on the development and achievements of the science. He also
gave an account of some simple experiments which demonstrate some
of the phenomena of the subject. Both these talks were illustrated
with the epidiascope.
The two remaining meetings of the Society will be a talk by B.
Lewis (O.I.) on "Recent Developments in Radio," and a visit at the end
of the term to a local factory.
Finally, we should like to take this opportunity of expressing our
appreciation for the time and labour expended by Mr. Grimwade in
arranging this interesting programme.
Programme Committee:— P. R. Church (Secretary), J. Cresswell
(Treasurer), P. E. Rees-Jones, F. Smith.
P.R.C.
98
[FT **
ffe-
if
M
£^^<[L
IN
IU4
CRICKET AVERAGES, 1941.
BATTING.
Name.
G. C. Capon
P. R. Church
..
Total
Runs.
198
No. of
Innings.
14
Times
Not out.
2
Highest
Score.
53*
Average
16.50
223
14
0
51
15.93
G. E. Richardson . ..
122
12
4
29*
15.25
..
166
14
2
36*
13.82
P. H. E. Kerridge
168
14
1
57*
12.92
D. H. Child
120
11
1
50
12.00
145
14
0
24
10.36
101
14
2
44*
8.26
G. C. Cresswell
62
11
1
16
6.20
C. O. P. West
25
9
4
13*
5.00
P. E. Rees-Jones
15
11
2
4
1.67
O. H. Wiles
P. B. McPhail
J. R. Cooper
..
Also batted: —P A. Goymour,3-4-0-2-.75
BOWLING.
Name.
P. H. E. Kerridge
. ..
Overs.
145.4
Maidens.
20
Runs.
533
Wkts.
29
Average
18.38
121
6
642
32
20.06
C. O. P. West
38
7
181
9
20.11
J. R. Cooper
83
9
379
18
21.06
0. H. Wiles
18
1
110
4
27.25
G. C. Capon
Also bowled:—G..E. Richardson, 3.2-1-6-1-6.00.
D. H. Child, 5-0-30-3-10.00.
99
RUGBY FOOTBALL.
PROSPECT.
With six of last season's Colours in the team, we are hopeful of some success.
Most of the stalwarts of last year have left and as a result the scrum is likely to
be the main source of anxiety. It is hoped however that its lightness will be
compensated by its keenness.
The difficulty of raising a 2nd XV. has again been very real, and the majority
of players lack experience.
The Colts, in the able hands of Mr. Stonex, show much promise, and seem
fully capable of upholding the tradition of past Colts. XVs.
J.C.
RUGBY FIXTURES.
Oct. 25th.
Oct. 30th.
Nov. 4th.
Nov. 8th.
Nov. 15th.
Nov. 22nd.
Nov. 27th.
Dec. 2nd.
Dec. 13th.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
FIRST XV.
Framlingham
New Zealand (Shotley)
Norwich ...
Woodbridge
An Army XV
Bourne End
Framlingham
Norwich ...
Old Ipswichians
Away
Home
Away
Away
Home
Home
Home
Home
Home.
Won 11-6
Lost 0-12
Drawn 3-3
Won 37-0
Lost 3-17
Won 6-5
Won 9-3
Lost 0-4
Home
Away.
Won 22-3
Lost 11-13
Away
Away
Home
Home
Home.
Won 16-11
Won 13-11
Won 18-6
Won 9-3
Won 10-9
Home
Won 9-6
SECOND XV.
Framlingham
Framlingham
Oct. 25th.
Nov. 27th.
COLTS XV.
Oct.
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Dec.
25th.
4th.
15th.
27th.
2nd.
Dec.
6th.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
Framlingham
Norwich ...
Woodbridge
Framlingham
Norwich ...
v. Woodbridge
100
RUGGER CHARACTERS.
J. CRESSWELL (Captain)***** Forward. A good wing-forward who is very fast
about the field and is a good example to the rest of the forwards. His main
fault is a tendency to tackle high. As a captain and scrum-leader he could
be more forceful, but he has handled a keen XV. well in practice and training.
J.E.Y.
P. B. McPHAiL. (Vice-Captain).*** Forward. Has proved to be quite the best
hooker the School has had for the past few years. He has not, however,
made full use of his weight in loose scrums and has a tendency to hang about
outside them. His kicking has been consistently good.
P. E. REES-JONES.***** Centre three-quarter. One of the most experienced
players in the team. Very useful in defence, as he tackles excellently, but
in attack tends to hold on to the ball too long and prefers to die with it rather
than pass it out to his wing.
P. H. E. KERRIDGE.**** Forward. A hard working wing fqpward who has not
suffered from a change of position. He dribbles the ball well and takes a
prominent part in forward rushes. Must remember to keep on-side.
J. BLUNDELL.***. Wing three-quarter. A determined player who is not really
fast enough for a wing. He is a safe kick and his tackling has greatly improved
during the season.
P. R. CHURCH.*** Full-back. Has played well in a difficult position. His
handling and kicking have been good, but his tackling still needs improving.
Must learn to position himself more accurately.
C. O. P. WEST.*
Stand-off half. A player who is quick off the mark and
makes good use of his speed. Has backed up and combined well with the
scrum half. His defensive play could be bettered.
F. W. H. CUTTING.* Forward. A keen back-row forward whose tackling is
excellent. Pushes well in tight and loose scrums and keeps well up with
the ball.
D. W. GOODING.* Scrum-half. A very plucky player who is not afraid of
taking knocks. His passing is good, and he takes advantage of the "blind
side." Should stand further away from the line-outs.
W. E. DOWSING.* Forward. Pushes well in set scrums and makes good use
of his weight. Is rather slow in backing up the three-quarters. Should
corner more steeply.
R. E. BUTTON.* Forward. Dribbles well and is usually up with forward rushes.
Should pack lower and push more strongly. Must be prepared to tackle.
G. C. CAPON.* Wing three-quarter. A keen player with a good turn of speed.
Takes the ball well but should tackle his opponent. His kicking needs
improving.
P. E. UNDERWOOD.* Forward. Plays well in line-outs where he makes full use of
his height. Does not get about the field quickly enough. Pushes hard in
loose scrums, but must get lower and bind more tightly in the set scrums.
G. C. CRESSWELL.* Centre three-quarter.
An inexperienced player who,
although he has progressed during the season, is inclined to hold on to the
ball. Needs to improve his passing and tackling.
A. E. MCLAUCHLAN.* Forward. An average player who does not use his weight
sufficiently. Keeps well up with forward rushes, but must learn to tackle.
101
H. M. COLLINGS.* Wing three-quarter. An inexperienced player who does
not make the most of his speed. Is very keen and should improve with
practice. Must not be afraid to tackle.
K. E. BAYLIS.* A very keen player whose age and weight prevented him from
obtaining a permanent position in the team. Should be very useful next
year.
***** 2nd Colours, 1939; 1st Colours, 1940.
**** 1st Colours, 1940
*** 2nd Colours, 1940; 1st Colours, 1941.
*» 1st Colours, 1941.
* 2nd Colours, 1941.
J.C.
At Framlingham, 25th October.
FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE, 6 points; IPSWICH SCHOOL, 11 points.
In their first match of the season the School pack started off with a rush,
and in the first few minutes were awarded a penalty in the Framlingham half, which
unfortunately went wide. After five minutes, the School heeled just inside the
Framlingham half and C. O. P. West ran through to score. The Ipswich forwards
were doing very well against a heavier scrum and a good three-quarter movement
soon resulted in J. Blundell scoring a try, which P. B. McPhail converted. For the
rest of the first half play was even, but Framlingham scored through their right
centre, who broke through the middle. Half-time score, 3-8.
In the second half the Framlingham scrum pressed hard and carried out several
menacing forward rushes, and they scored through their left wing after a good
passing movement. The Ipswich forwards rallied, however, and were pressing
towards the close, when C. O. P. West again ran well to score.
The fitter School forwards and faster outsides proved superior in a hard
fought and enjoyable game.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, J. Blundell, P. E. Rees-Jones, G. C. CresswellT"
H. M. Collings, C. O. P. West, D. W. Gooding, P. E. Underwood, P. B. McPhail,
W. E. Dowsing, P. H. E. Kerridge, R. E. Button, A. E. McLauchlan, J. Cresswell,
(Capt.), F. W. H. Cutting.
At Ipswich, 30th October.
IPSWICH SCHOOL, 0 points; H.M.S. "GANGES" NEW ZEALANDERS'
XV., 12 points.
After they had given their Maori war cry, the New Zealanders kicked off
against the wind, but the School held their own from the first against a heavier
scrum and speedier outsides. After the first ten minutes, the School were
penalised for foot up and the "Ganges" scored a penalty goal. Play continued
very evenly, the School forwards doing well to heel the ball from the tight scrums.
The outsides tried hard, but good tackling broke up their movements; while
the "Ganges" would have scored if their handling of the ball had been more
sure. However, the New Zealanders scored an unconverted try through their
left wing, just before half time. P. B. McPhail was then forced to leave the field
with a head injury. Half-time score, 0-6.
The second half was hard fought with the seven School forwards doing good
work against eight heavier opponents. But the visitors scored two more unconverted tries through their right wing and the scrum half, who ran over from
a tight scrum well inside the School half. However, the School rallied, P. B.
McPhail reappeared, and pressed the tiring "Ganges" forwards until the final
whistle.
102
An exciting, hard fought game, played in the friendliest of spirit and in which
the School did well against more experienced opponents.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, J. Blundell, G. C. Cresswell, P. E. Rees-Jones,
H. M. Collings, C. O. P. West, D. W. Gooding, P. E. Underwood, P. B. McPhail,
W. E. Dowsing, P. H. E. Kerridge, A. E. McLauchlan, R. E. Button, J. Cresswell
<Capt.), F. W. H. Cutting.
At Norwich, 4th November.
NORWICH SCHOOL, 3 points; IPSWICH SCHOOL, 3 points.
The two teams were very evenly matched, which resulted in a hard fought
game, the result of which was always in doubt. There was no score in the first
half, in which Norwich sorely tested the Ipswich defence for long periods, without
succeeding in scoring.
Ipswich dominated the opening play of the second half and after P. E.
Rees-Jones had cleverly cut through, H. M. Collings scored an unconverted try
near the corner flag. Ipswich now pressed, getting the ball back regularly from
the tight scrums, but being frequently beaten in the line-outs. Norwich improved
and scored through their right wing after a good passing movement.
The Ipswich forwards rallied however, and were pressing towards the close,
but a draw was a fair result in such a closely contested game.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, J. Blundell, G. C. Cresswell, P. E. Rees-Jones,
H. M. Collings, C. O. P. West, D. W. Gooding, P. E. Underwood, P. B. McPhail,
W. E. Dowsing, P. H. E. Kerridge, A. E. McLauchlan, R. E. Button, J. Cresswell,
F. W. H. Cutting.
At Woodbridge, 8th November.
WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL, 0 points; IPSWICH SCHOOL, 37 points.
Ipswich took some time to settle down, but after, about 10 minutes, C. O. P.
West broke through to score. This was not converted. From then on, Ipswich
was superior in the scrum as well as in the three-quarters, and apart from a few
dangerous forward rushes, had complete control of the game. The next try,
the result of a good passing movement, was scored by P. E. Rees-Jones and was
converted. A penalty goal by P. B. McPhail, a try from a loose scrum by J.
Cresswell and a further try by P. E. Rees-Jones, brought the score to 0-21 at half
time.
In the second half, playing uphill, some time elapsed before P. B. McPhail
broke through a line-out to score an unconverted try. Ipswich then pressed
hard and after some short passing by the scrum, J. Cresswell again scored.
Finally, two more tries, one scored by P. E. Rees-Jones and the other by C. O. P.
West, after a long run from the School 25, were obtained before the finish of the
game.
Mention should be made of the excellent kicking of P. R. Church, who
converted five of the tries.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, J. Blundell, G. C. Cresswell, P. E. Rees-Jones,
H. M. Collings, C. O. P. West, D. W. Gooding, P. E. Underwood, P. B. McPhail,
W. E. Dowsing, K. E. Baylis, R. E. Button, A. E. McLauchlan, J. Cresswell,
F. W. H. Cutting.
103
At Ipswich, 15th November.
IPSWICH SCHOOL, 3 points; AN ARMY XV., 17 points.
With two Colours missing, the School did well against a Royal Artillery XV.
which had a much heavier scrum. Play was very even in the first half, but the
Army scored two unconverted tries, the School replying with an excellent penalty
goal, kicked by P. R. Church. Half-time score, Ipswich 3, Army 6.
The Army's heavier scrum began to tell in the second half, pushing the
School forwards off the ball, to score two further tries, one of which was converted. They also kicked a penalty goal. A keen game, in which the
School did well to hold a more experienced and heavier side.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, G. C. Capon, J. Blundell, P. E. Rees-Jones, H. M.
Collings, G. C. Cresswell, D. W. Gooding, W. E. Dowsing, F. W. H. Cutting,
P. E. Underwood, P. H. E. Kerridge, A. E. McLauchlan, R. E. Button, J.
Cresswell, K. E. Baylis.
At Ipswich, 22nd November.
IPSWICH SCHOOL, 6 points; BOURNE END "A," 5 points.
Bourne End brought a strong team, and the game resulted in a hard-fought
tussle. The School scrum did very well against a heavier scrum and were
pushing well in the tight and heeling the ball nearly every time. After about
ten minutes, P. E. Rees-Jones ran through to score an unconverted try. But the
School slackened and a Bourne End player intercepted a bad School pass, scoring
a try which was converted. Half time score, School 3 points, Club 5 points.
The second half was very keenly contested, the School still getting the ball
from the tizht scrums, and continually pressing. Half-way through this half,
G. C. Capon scored by the corner-flag, after a good run. The School continued
to press and were on the Club's line when the final whistle blew.
The School did well to beat the more experienced and heavier Club side.
TEAM:—J. Blundell, G. C. Capon, P. E. Rees-Jones, G. C. Cresswell,
H. M. Collings, C. O. P. West, D. W. Gooding, W. E. Dowsing, P. B. McPhail,
P. E. Underwood, P. H. E. Kerridge, R. E. Button, K. E. Baylis, J. Cresswell,
F. W. H. Cutting.
.
At Ipswich, 27th November.
IPSWICH SCHOOL, 9 points; FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE, 3 points.
Ipswich pressed hard straight from the kick-off, pushing a heavier scrum
in the tight, heeling the ball and working hard in the loose. After ten minutes,
P. E. Rees-Jones broke through the blind side to score an unconverted try. Play
continued fast and furious for the rest of the half, both sides making strenuous
efforts to score, and just before half-time, Framlingham took the ball into the
Ipswich half and one of the:r forwards scored. Half-time score: Ipswich, 3 points;
Framlingham, 3 points.
Both sides started off with a rush and play was very keen. Ipswich forced
the pace, however, and took the ball into the Framlingham half for D. W. Gooding
to score from a tight scrum. Framlingham fought back well, but Ipswich
sustained the attack, and after a good passing movement by the three-quarters,
J. Blundell scored by the corner flag. Play then slackened a little, but both
sides came very near to scoring towards the finish.
The Ipswich scrum played very well, though lighter than their opposites, in
both tight and loose, and the outsides should have made more of their numerous
opportunities.
104
We thus recorded a double victory over Framlingham in two thoroughly
enjoyable and evenly fought games.
TEAM:—P. R. Church, J. Blundell, P. E. Rees-Jones, G. C. Cresswell, G. C.
Capon, C. O. P. West, D. W, Gooding, W. E. Dowsing, P. B. McPhail, P. E.
Underwood, P. H. E. Kerridge, R. E. Button, A. E. McLauchlan, J. Cresswell,
F. W. H. Cutting.
HOUSE NOTES.
BROKE.
Broke are short of seniors this term; nevertheless, we hope for as
successful a year in the sphere of sport as we had last year. We regret
the departure of O. H. Wiles, under whom Broke won the Ganzoni Cup,
and we wish him success in the R.A.F.
Our fortunes in the senior Rugger have been mixed. We lost
inexcusably to Rigaud, 33-3, but we beat Holden 66-0, and are looking
forward to a good game with School and Sherrington. The juniors
are still a great source of strength and have won their only House match
so far, beating Rigaud 51-0, and are confident about their remaining
matches.
The House Service was held on Sunday, 23rd November, but the
attendance could be improved.
Rugger XV. from:—P. H. E. Kerridge, J. Blundell, G. C. Capon,
R. E. Button, H. M. Collings, G. C. Cresswell, J. A. Castle, A. F.
Levene, W. J. Stanbury, R. E. Gosling, F. G. Catchpole, H. Pritchatt,
B. Bales, J. Richman, B. Swinbanks, G. H. Gribble, R. R. Hansford,
G. F. Garrett.
Captain of Rugger:—P. H. E. Kerridge.
Captain of Junior XV.:—B. Bales.
House Colours for Rugger have been awarded to R. E. Button and
H. M. Collings.
House Representatives on the Games Committee:—P. H. E.
Kerridge and G. C. Capon.
House Prefects:—P. H. E. Kerridge, G. C. Capon, J. Blundell.
P.H.E.K.
HOLDEN.
TENEO ET TENEOR.
For the last year, Holden has been experiencing a period of depression and this term has shown no prospect of its ending in the
immediate future. Our juniors show promise; only one match has been
played up to the time of going to press, and in this they were
successful in defeating School and Sherrington. We have only a small
number of seniors, and the matches they have played have been chiefly
conspicuous for orgies of high scoring.
105
The House Service was held on October 19th, and the Headmaster
preached. Attendance was moderately good, but there was still room
for improvement.
Senior XV. chosen from:—P. E. Underwood, J. C. Davis, D. W.
Gooding, P. Benner, W. E. Dowsing, G. F. Gilmour, G. F. L.
Hollingsworth, L. J. Hope, A. M. Howard, S. G. Jackson, J. P. Weeks,
T. P. English, M. Mason, P. E. Phillips, A. A. Sneezum, J. F. R. Brady,
N. Hodges.
Captain of Rugger:—P. E. Underwood.
Captain of Junior XV.:—T. P. English.
House Colours awarded to:—D. W. Gooding, W. E. Dowsing.
House Representatives on Games Committee:—P. E. Underwood
and P. Benner.
House Prefects:—P. Benner, P. E. Underwood, J. C. Davis.
P.B.
RIGAUD.
This term the Senior XV. has been very successful. Against Broke,
we had a surprisingly easy victory, winning by eleven tries to one. In
the next match against School and Sherrington, though handicapped by
injuries, we managed to win by 9-0, after a fairly even game. Of the
remaining match, it can be said that there are certain grounds for
optimism! Our successes are due in a large part to the fact that twelve
of the team are members of the first set. So far the Junior XV. has only
had one match, against Broke, in which they were decisively beaten.
However, they anticipate more success in their remainng two matches,
when, it is to be presumed, they will be less handicapped by absentees.
The junior section of the House is fairly keen, but lacks stature, a
disability which will disappear, we hope, with the passing of time.
We concluded last year by winning the Swimming sports and relays,
largely due to the efforts of B. P. Johnson, who has since left us. We
were third in the Fives, and, but for the failure of the juniors to secure a
point, we should have been much higher.
Some mention must be made of the House Service this term, in which
the Headmaster kindly preached. The attendance reached a new high
level and the only detracting feature was the somewhat dubious singing.
The House has shown keenness in a different sphere. A very high
proportion of the Senior N.C.O.s of the School J.T.C. are of Rigaud,
and the House as a whole is very well represented in the contingent.
Though forecasting is always dangerous, there is certainly no reason
to feel dispondent over our chances in either the Hockey or the Sports
or the Boxing. Looking even further ahead, the Ganzoni Cup should
be our ultimate aim.
A. E. McLauchlan, D. W. Lewis and N. J. Mills are to be congratulated on being awarded House Colours for Rugger.
Rugger XV. chosen from:—P. E. Rees-Jones, J. Cresswell, C. O. P.
West, A. E. McLauchlan, C. L. Harrison, D. W. Lewis, N. J. Mills,
106
G. A. Warren, A. MacDonald, D. H. Young, K. C. Warren, F. W.
Smith, D. I. Warren, P. P. Mills, P. A. Bullard, J. R. Andreason, T. D.
Davies.
Captain of Rugger:—P. E. Rees-Jones.
Captain of Junior XV.:—Linter.
House Representatives on Games Committee:—P. E. Rees-Jones,
J. Cresswell.
House Prefects:—P. E. Rees-Jones, J. Cresswell, C. L.Harrison.
P.E.R.-J.
SCHOOL AND SHERRINGTON.
Sherrington sends best wishes to Mr. Cobby, who has left us and is
now serving with the R.A.F. We welcome Mr. T. B. Job, who has
gallantly taken Mr. Cobby's place as Sherrington's Housemaster.
As the first term of the second year of union between School and
Sherrington draws to a close, the team spirit between the two Houses is
stronger than ever. We are demonstrating this fact by combining our
House notes for the first time.
The Rugby XV. has played hard in the two games which it has
had to date. In the first of these matches we won, beating Holden 41-3;
we lost the second to Rigaud, the score being 9-0. We expect that our
last game against Broke will be an enjoyable tussle. The juniors
have lost their only game so far played, namely that against Holden, by
the very narrow margin of 13 points to 15.
The attendance at the Sherrington House Service, at which the
Rev. F. Mitton preached, was not outstanding, but helped by School
House and the visitors, the singing was much better than usual.
Sherrington has had no lists for tidying the House room this
term and the response has been generally encouraging, though the
strain has evidently been too much for a few members of the House.
The J.T.C. has been quite well supported this term and we wish all
those who are taking Certificate "A" in the near future the best of luck.
Rugby XV. chosen from:—P. R. Church, P. B. McPhail, F. W. H.
Cutting, K. E. Baylis, G. T. O. Martin, J. F. Roe, N. F. Eaton, P. M.
Roe, D. A. Hewitt, N. H. Jackson, J. Latta, P. M. E. Youngman,
C. M. H. Pedler, J. M. Powell, H. C. Freane, F. S. Jepson, J. H. W.
Northfield and D. Caldwell.
Captain of Football:—P. B. McPhail (Sherrington).
Captain of Junior Football:—C. M. H. Pedler (School).
House Colours for Football:—G. T. O. Martin (Sherrington).
House Representatives on the Games Committee:—P. R. Church,
P. B. McPhail.
House Prefects:—P. R. Church (School), P. B. McPhail and
P. M. E. Youngman (Sherrington).
P.R.C. and P.B.McP.
107
OXFORD LETTER.
Christ Church,
Oxford.
3rd December, 1941.
To the Editor,
"The Ipswichian,"
Ipswich School.
Sir,
It is a recognised custom for members of the University to be accorded
considerable latitude in the settling of bills, in morals, in dress and, not least,
in the writing of the Oxford Letter. Far be it from us to suggest that to write
this letter is in any way irksome. The tardiness of our reply is occasioned
largely by an intimate acquaintance with your editorial time-table and the knowledge that you were sending your personal errand-boy for the third time of asking.
Such consideration overwhelms us, that you should think this letter so integral a
part of your magazine.
Since our last despatch the numbers of O.I.s at Oxford have swollen considerably in contradistinction to the pitiful array which is all our sister University
can produce. For this we have at present to thank the Air Ministry, and we
hope in the near future to congratulate yourself, Mr. Editor, upon equally sound
foresight and planning. We submit, sir, that with minor exceptions, the O.I.s
at present gracing Oxford are furthering more fully than did their predecessors
the corporate conviviality which we first learnt at the School. At one such gettogether in Mr. J. D. Henning's rooms at University, 80 per cent, of contemporary
residents met to welcome Mr. W. A. Woodward, who emerged from his secretive
sojourn in B.N.C. to share the honours of an Oxford bottle-party. Subsequently,
when it rained on the High we were considerably relieved. It was a matter of regret
that Mr. J. P. Wilson was in spite of pressing invitations, forced to cut out his
terminal visit to Oxford; it was us or the cattle and the cattle won.
Let us consider the activities of our several members in greater detail.
Mr. R. P. Collett (Oriel) bears a charmed life, having, after four term's
residence still managed to elude the grasp of the Examination Schools; such luck
cannot last long. Both he and Mr. Hennings have an aptitude for leaving
108
people in the dark and a certain restaurant has since been obliged to lock its fusebox. At the moment of writing, Mr. Collett is in the throes of Cert. B., and in the
light of past experience your correspondent considers that his tactics of working
at the last minute will be successful.
Of Mr. J. D. Hennings (University) we report that his attendance at the Air
Squadron Club seems inseparably united with a strange intemperance and when
the issue of these bouts has in any way been in doubt, the seal has been put to them
by at least two sconces which he has successfully "downed" this term. He has,
moreover, negotiated the Univ. grace (itself no mean feat) when intoxicated with
something other than the exuberance of the grace's own verbosity. However,
pure Falernian is not his sole care. Under the auspices of the Air Squadron, he
has, together with Messrs. Bolton and Wiles, flown, while under the auspices of
his tutor and the imminence of an exam., he is said to work.
Of Mr. D. R. Shipp (Trinity), your correspondent can only prognosticate.
His occupations are clothed in pleasing obscurity—perhaps even to Mr. Shipp.
Khaki-clad he has met Mr. Wiles, a fact from which, Mr. Editor, you are not to
deduce that Mr. Wiles met Mr. Shipp.
A benevolent fate seems to watch over
Mr. Shipp, and for that matter, over the other O.I.s up here, but more than that
your correspondent dare not say without fear of being libellous, untruthful or
even obscene.
Mr. J. A. Bolton (Worcester) has been seen attached to a tree-trunk which he
declares is a pipe. Much of his time is spent on the river (and some of it in it),
and he has wielded his oar with success. Upon cross-examination, he fails
to deny that he paid an illicit nocturnal visit to a certain college—let it pass
unnamed—where he eluded the porter by a stratagem that would have flattered
Arsene Lupin himself.
Mr. O. H. Wiles (B.N.C.), who is resident in Christ Church, takes his
exercise in rugger, rowing and squash. He took part in the Freshman's Rugger
trials, while November bathes in the Isis appear to be included (perhaps by
accident) in his sporting programme. He has joined the Union and can
frequently be seen enjoying visits to the theatre. We learn on good authority that
late one night he was observed drilling an invisible squad on the Corn, while on
another occasion he barely escaped the Proctors when in the company of Mr.
Bolton.
The amenities of University life continue as wide as war-time restrictions
permit. Societies are flourishing, while Oxford can boast to be the first university
with a rhythm club.
On the stage, Sadler Wells' Opera and International
Ballet were great successes, and your correspondent with other O.I.s enjoyed the
"Barber of Seville" to the full. The O.U.D.S.'s production of "Hamlet" was
creditable to the best traditions of that society, while politically, Oxford has had
a field-day. Musicians too, have been well served with the London Philharmonic
Orchestra and a Bach recital given by Mr. James Ching, O.I., to a crowded
audience in the hall of University. The University has conferred an honorary
degree on the Greek Premier, while President Benes and Dr. Gerbrandy paid
visits. All these celebrations culminated in the advent of General de Gaulle,
who, fulfilling three major functions in one day, captivated this city with his
personality and left with his popularity heightened, if that were possible.
Now, Sir, it only remains to congratulate you upon your distinction in obtaining a State Scholarship and to send a message of greeting and good wishes to
all at the School and to all O.I.s, whether in Ipswich, in England, or doing service
in the remoter parts of the globe.
I am, Sir,
Yours sincerely,
O.O.I.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER.
Since we now have no O.I. at Cambridge, we are forced this term to discontinue the Cambridge Letter.—Eds. note.
109
O.I. NOTES.
The following further amendments and additions to the third edition of the
O.I. Service List are notified. Further names, amendments and particulars
should be sent to the Headmaster, for inclusion in subsequent issues of "The
Ipswichian" and in future editions of the list:—
ADD:
BAILEY, G. W.
Now Sgt., R. C. Signals.
BANTOFT, ARTHUR
P/O. R.A.F.V.R.
BARNARD, G. T.
Cadet, O.C.T.U.
BELCHAMBERS, J. M.
Now Staff Sgt., R.A.O.C.
BLACKMAN, W. P. A. ... Cadet, R.A.F.
BLUNDELL, R. T.
Bdr., Indian Army.
BOLTON, J. A.
A.C.2, R.A.F.V.R.
BOUGHTON V. W.
Cadet, R.A.F.
BRADY, R. C.
Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.V.R.
BUCHANAN, J. W.
Now Squadron Leader, R.A.F.
CAPON, S. S.
Now L/Cpl., Suffolk Regt.
CATCHPOLE, D.
Marine, Royal Marine Survey Section.
COBBY, E. A.
P/O., R.A.F.
COLLINS, H. J. H
Now F/O., R.A.F.V.R.
COOK, R. H.
Now Fit-Lieut., R.A.F.V.R.
CROUCH, E. C.
Leading Naval Airman, Fleet Air Arm.
DALLY, P. J.
Paymaster Cadet, R.N.
Trooper, R.A.C.
DAVIES, P. B.
DUNNETT, F.
A.C.2, R.A.F.
Now Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.
EDGE, H. N.
GARNHAM, R. J.
2nd Lieut., Suffolk Regt.
L/Bdr., R.A.
GOLDSMITH, A. L
GREENFIELD, G. H.
L.A.C., Royal Canadian Air Force.
HARVEY, D. P.
Royal Canadian Navy.
HARVEY, R. P.
Now Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.V.R.
Now Wing Commander, R.A.F.
HARVEY, W. P.
Acting L/S., Fleet Air Arm.
HICKS, K. M.
Now Cpl., H.A.C.
HOCKEY, G. W.
HODGES, E. A.
Now 2nd Lieut., Suffolk Regt.
HOLLAMBY, R. S.
Now Capt., Suffolk Regt.
HUNT, D. L.
A.C.2, R.A.F.V.R.
Now Major, R.E.
JEWERS, G. D.
Now P/O., R.A.F.V.R.
KING, F. B
Now P/O., R.A.F.V.R.
KING, P. G.
LEWCOCK, W. H.
Now Lieut., R.N.V.R..
LONDON, W. F.
Now 2nd Lieut., R.A.
LUMMIS, E. T.
.;. Now Capt., Suffolk Regt.
MANTHORPE, R. T. W.
AC.2, R.A.F.V.R.
Gunner, R.A.
MASON, J. N.
MASON, S. J.
Now Capt., Algonquin Regt (Canadians).
MILLER, Major H. F. R.
Now of Reconnaissance Corps.
MORRIS, H. C.
Now 2nd Lieut., R.C. Signals.
MURPHY, F. D.
P/O., R.A.F.V.R.
NOTCUTT, G. S.
Now L/Sgt., R.A.
110
PARKINSON, K. C.
PERCIVAL, G. A.
PERCIVAL, H. C.
PORTER, A. F.
REEVE, G. A.
ROWARTH, D. J.
ROWBOTHAM, W. D.
...
SEACOME, K. H.
SMALLEY, A. G.
SMALLEY, B. W.
SMITHERMAN, J. S. H.
SPRUYTENBURG, R. F.
STRAY, L. A.
UNWIN, G. H.
VULLIAMY, D. M. H.
WARD, W. A.
WATSON, F. E.
WEBB, J. K. T.
WILES, O. H.
WILLIAMS, K. L.
WOODWARD, A. C.
WOODWARD, W. A.
WOOLNER, R. M.
DELETE:
CROUCH, E. C.
S/Ldr. (Chaplain), R.A.F.V.R.
R.A.F.
L/Bdr., Survey Regt., R.A.
Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.V.R,
Now Lieut., R.A.
Now Midshipman(E.), R.N.
Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.V.R.
Sgt., R.A.O.C.
Now Lieut., R.N.
Pte., R.A.O.C.
Now Major, Suffolk Regt.
Ordinary Seaman, R.N.
Now L/Bdr., R.A.
Now Staff Sgt. Instructor, Military College of
Science.
Now 2nd Lieut., Durham L.I.
Acting P/O., R.A.F.V.R.
Now P/O., R.A.F.V.R.
Now 2nd Lieut, R.A.
A.C.2, R.A.F.V.R.
Now Sgt., R.A. Pay Corps.
Now 2nd Lieut., Suffolk Regt.
Now Lieut., Suffolk Regt.
Now W.O. Instructor, Army Education Corps.
Leading Naval Airman, Fleet Air Arm. Killed
in flying accident.
MISSING :
EDGE, Sgt. Pilot H. N. . .
R.A.F.
AWARDS .
Low, Lieut. J. N. A., R.N. George Cross. (Posthumous).
Cadet 2nd Lieut W. S. Stofield has attended a course for Cadet Officers at the
167th O.C.T.U.,
, from 15th to 22nd August.
We are proud to record the appointment of Sir Percy Winn Everett as
Deputy Chief Scout. Sir Percy, who was President of the O.I. Club in 1934-35,
has been Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Boy Scouts Association for some
time, and there is certainly no one who has a longer association with this movement as he was one of the members of the original camp at Brownsea Island,
near Poole, Dorset, with which the late Lord Baden Powell inaugurated the
movement in 1907. From that time onwards Sir Percy was constantly at the
side of the late Chief Scout, assisting and advising him in the organisation of the
movement which has grown to such world-wide proportions, and the new Chief
Scout could obviously have chosen no more fitting person to act as his Deputy.
We regret to say that the fund which was inaugurated some time ago for the
assistance of Turner, whom many will remember as School cricket coach, has
become exhausted, and although the need is as great as ever owing to Turner's
breakdown in health, which prevents him from helping himself, the Hon. Sec.
of the fund (H. R. Hicks, 105, Constable Road, Ipswich), has not been able to
give him any assistance since August last owing to lack of funds. It is hoped
that O.I.s who subscribed in the first place, and any others who are interested
in Turner's welfare, will be prompted to send further donations, or if possible
promise yearly subscriptions, so that something more can be done to make
Turner's declining years more comfortable. All communications should be sent
to H. R. Hicks at the address given.
Ill
R. W. R. Baker, B.A., has been awarded the degree of B.Sc. (Oxon.) for
bio-chemical research.
M. J. Booty has passed the Intermediate Engineering Examination of
London University as an External Candidate.
P. J. Dally has teen granted a Special Entry Cadetship as Paymaster, R.N.
BIRTHS.
BANTOFT.—On August 20th at Castle Rising, King's Lynn, to Mary, wife of
P/O. Arthur Bantoft, R.A.F.V.R., a daughter.
DIAMOND.—On November 11th, at Allington House Nursing Home, Ipswich,
to Dorothy, wife of Capt. J. Diamond, R.A., a son.
MELLOR.—On October 14th, 1941, at 66, Crofton Road, Ipswich, to Myrra
Burt, wife of H. E. Mellor, a son.
MARRIAGES.
BURROUGHES—HUMPHRIES.—On November 8th, at St. Luke's Church,
S.E.17, D. R. Burroughes to Mollie Irene Humphries.
KENNARD—READING.—On August 2nd, 1941, at St. George's Church Millom,
Cumberland, Flying Officer J. H. Kennard, R.A.F. to Assist. Sec. Officer Joan
Reading, W.A.A.F., only daughter of Major and Mrs. C. C. Reading, of Burma
and Aberystwyth.
POTTER—FROST.—On August 9th, 1941, at Christ Church, Crouch End,
N.8., W. E. Potter to Joan Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Frost, Whyte
Downs, Felixstowe.
SCOTT—EDMONDS.—On August 28th, 1941, by special licence, in the West
of England, I. B. Scott to Eileen Olive, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Edmonds,
of St. Patrick, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
BODIE—EDDOWES.—On August 9th, 1941, at Sawston Church, near Cambridge, C. A. W. Bodie, to Joan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Eddowes, of
Manchester.
COE—LLOYD.—On September 20th, 1941, at the Parish Church, Ampthill,
near Bedford, L. J. Coe to Erica Frances Ethel, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
W. H. Lloyd, of Ampthill.
OBITUARY.
CROUCH.—On October llth, 1941, as the result of a flying accident, Edward
Cullen Crouch, in his 29th year.
E. C. Crouch left the School in 1930 and for some years prior to joining
the Fleet Air Arm in April, 1941, he had been employed as district representative
for R. & W. Paul, Ltd., at Taunton, where he had taken as prominent a part in
local cricket as he had always taken at School and while he was in Ipswich. He
married Mildred Jordan, of Crowcombe, Somerset, in 1939.
DANVERS.—On September llth, 1941, as the result of a road accident, near
Friston, Suffolk, George Cecil Danvers, M.A., M.C., Vicar of Aldeburgh, in his
61st year.
G. C. Danvers entered in School in 1899 and subsequently proceeded to
Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he rowed in the College Eight. After leaving
Cambridge he entered Wells Theological College, was ordained deacon in 1906
and took priest's orders in 1907. His first curacy was at Leiston and in 1915 he
went overseas where he served as Padre to the 2nd Battalion of the Suffolk
112
Regiment and was awarded the M.C. After the Armistice in November, 1918,
he stayed on in France in connection with the War Graves Commission, but
subsequently held curacies in Guernsey and at Windsor, and in 1924 he was
presented with the living of Aldeburgh, which he retained until his death. He
married in April, 1920, Sylvia Woolfrey Lees, the younger daughter of Mr.
William Lees, of Rushmere, and leaves one son.
SAWARD.—On June 29th, 1941, as the result of a flying accident, John Frank
Saward.
J. F. Saward left the School in July, 1938 and took a post at Marriage's
Flour Mills, Felixstowe. In March, 1939 he received a commission as 2nd Lieut,
in the 58th (Suffolk) Medium Regiment, R.A. and was later promoted Lieutenant
in another artillery unit. In February, 1941 he transferred to the R.A.F. as
Pilot Officer for Air Reconnaissance duties, in the course of which he met with the
accident which resulted in his death.
TUPPEN.—On June 25th, 1941, as the result of a flying accident, Douglas P.
Tuppen.
D. P. Tuppen left the School in 1935 and, after leaving, took a post in a
London Stockbroker's Office, but in the early part of 1939, he applied for a
commission in the R.A.F. and began his training in June of that year. After
gaining his wings in the following December, he was detailed for Army Cooperation work, in the course of which he subsequently met his death. He was
promoted Flying Officer in March, 1941 and Flight Lieut, in May, and leaves a
widow, to whom he was married on July 17th, 1940.
WHITMORE.—In July, 1941, as the result of a flying accident, John Newman
Whitmore.
J. N. Whitmore left School in 1937 and, on leaving, took a post on the staff
of the W. A. & A. C. Churchman Branch of the Imperial Tobacco Co., Ltd., at
Ipswich. During his civilian career he was active in all branches of local athletics and was a member of the Ipswich Operatic Society. He joined the 4th
Suffolks in January, 1939, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut, in June of that year,
remaining with the Battlion until August, 1940, when he transferred to the
R.A.F. for Army co-operation work. After gaining his wings, he was eventually
posted to Coastal Commend and it was in the course of his duties in that Command
on a night operation that he met his death.
VALETE PRAEFECTI.
WILES, O. H., Broke House.
Entered Prep. B. in 1931; gained Queen's Scholarship in 1934 and
Exemption from Matriculation, 1938. House Prefect, 1939-41; School
Prefect, 1939-41; Head Prefect, 1940-41.
Captain of Colts. Cricket and Rugger, 1938; 2nd XI. Cricket, 1939;
1st XV. Rugger, 1939-40; Captain, 1940; 1st XI. Hockey, 1940-41;
Captain, 1941; 1st XI. Cricket, 1940-41; Captain, 1941; Fives Team,
1937-41; Captain, 1940-41. Suffolk Public Schools XV., 1940.
President of the Sports, 1941. House Colours, 1937. House Captain
of Rugger, Hockey, Athletics, Fives.
Entered O.T.C., 1936; Cert. A., 1938; Promoted C.S.M., 1940.
House Representative on Games Committee, 1939-41; Secretary,
Games Committee, 1939-40. Literary and Dramatic Society, 1938-40;
Treasurer, 1940. Library Committee, 1940-41. Membre du Cercle
Francais, 1938-40. Chess Club, 1941. Stratford-on-Avon Tour, 1936.
School Plays, "Trial by Jury," "The Mikado," "The Comedy of
113
Errors," "1066 and All That," "Charley's Aunt." Editor of the
"Ipswichian," 1938-41.
Proceeds to Brasenose College, Oxford, on R.A.F. Short University
Course.
P. A. GOYMOUR.
Entered the School in September, 1935 and was placed in Form I.a.
School Certificate with Exemption from Matriculation, July, 1940.
House Colours for Boxing, 1940; House Colours for Athletics, 1940;
House Prefect, 1940; Captain of Sherrington, 1941; House Representative on Games Committee, 1940-41; Captain of House Boxing,
1940-41; Captain of House Gymnastics, 1940; School Prefect, 1941;
2nd XV. Colours for Rugger, 1941; 2nd XL Colours for Hockey, 1941;
2nd XI. Colours for Cricket and Captain of 2nd XL, 1941.
Member of Library Committee, 1941; Hon. Secretary of Games
Committee, 1941. Joined O.T.C., 1941; Scout Summer Camps,
1937-38-39-41. School Play, 1941; R.L.S.S. Bronze Medallion, 1940.
Left School July, 1941.
J. A. POTTER.
Entered School, September, 1934. School Certificate, 1938;
Higher School Certificate, 1940.
1st XI. Cricket, 1940; 2nd XL,
1938-39-40; Captain, 1939-40; 2nd XL Colours, 1939. 2nd XV.
Rugby, 1939-40; 2nd XL Hockey, 1939-40. School Prefect, 1939-40.
Modern VI., 1938-40. House Captain, 1940; House Prefect, 1939-40;
House Colours, 1938. O.T.C., 1936, Cert. "A" (war-time), 1940;
Corporal, 1940. School Play, 1940; Treasurer of Chess Club, 1939-40).
Member of Literary and Dramatic Society, 1939; Member of French
Circle, 1939; Library Committee, 1940.
Left School July, 1940.
EDITORS' NOTES.
The Editors wish to express their thanks to Mr. Seacome for the
sketches in this Magazine.
The Editors apologise for any errors and omissions and would be
glad if these are brought to their notice.
All contributions for the next issue of the "Ipswichian" must be
sent to the Editors, Ipswich School, Ipswich, to arrive before March
1st, 1942.
The Editors gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the following
Magazines:—The Berkhamstedian, The Cliftonian, The Monktonian,
The Centurarian, Lincolnian, Sutton Valence School Magazine, The
Magazine of the Northgate School for Boys, The Uppinghamian, The
Norvicensian, The Pelican, The Framlinghamian, The Wyggestonian,
Liverpool College Magazine, The St. Dunstan College Chroncle, Alleyn's
School Magazine, The Woodbridgian, The Haileyburiain, The Halestvorthian, The Loughborough College Magazine.
114