Abbot, Capt. Derek 'Bud' RAEC; taught physics; activities included skiing, canoeing, climbing, mountain bashing.
Arbuckle, J.G. CSM 'Fatty' of Wolfe (1924-1942); 27th Foot (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) a pupil of the Royal Hibernian Military School, Dublin. Thanks to Mrs Jeannette Oakley, more is known of John Arbuckle's life and career than any other sergeant major on the School staff. He was born in the barracks at Shorncliffe, Kent, had a younger brother, Ernest; their father, John Arbuckle, was bandmaster of The Border Regiment (55th Foot), who died in Malta at age 40 of unknown causes; his wife had died three years earlier, when the regiment was stationed in Galway, so the two boys were left complete orphans; they had an elder half-brother, William Ferguson serving in the Army Service Corps (later the RASC), who became their legal guardian; he applied for admission of both boys to the RMA and RHMS, Dublin and as events turned out, John Arbuckle went to the RHMS, Dublin and his brother to the Duke of York's. the younger brother went to Kneller Hall, followed a musical career and transferred to the 27th to join John. Interestingly, both brothers and their half-brother William Ferguson served together in South Africa and saw action in the same battles. Having served 27 years with the Inniskillings, John joined the staff of the Royal Hibernians and, in 1922, accompanied the school to Shorncliffe, Kent, when the school vacated its Phoenix Park premises. In 1924, the Hibernians amalgamated with the Duke of York's and selected staff transferred, too; John Arbuckle stayed on the staff until the outbreak of WWII, when the School was evacuated, first to Cheltenham and then to Saunton Sands for the duration of the hostilities; John's daughter Peggy spent her childhood and teenage years at the Duke of York's; she reported it to be a great place to grow up, that the boys spoilt her rotten, especially in her teens, and the prefects doted on her; John died on parade in 1942 of an aortic aneurism. Ray Pearson (Wy 41-45) was on the same parade; he recalls a big, ginger-haired CSM and recollects the incident vividly; the parade was held at the hotel's entrance of the hotel; close by, a pre-war garage had been converted for use as a Roman Catholic church; on parade, Ray's company was nearest the chapel; he was on the flank; it was directly in front of him that CSM Arbuckle him collapsed, which is why he and three others were instructed to carry the sergeant major into the church; minutes later, called to the scene, the M.O. pronounced Sergeant Major Arbuckle dead.
Ashton, Capt. G.W. RAEC.
Atherton W. Lt Col; HM (1946-1949); regarded strongly by the informant as a bigot; 'Every Monday at assembly, he told us how good he was, probably true as he swam for Great Britain in the 1936 Olympics water polo team.
Aughton, Mr G. N. E. (possibly) 'Gene' (1963-1966); a 'house tutor in Haig, he taught first-year maths, although he was originally recruited to teach outdoor activities (e.g. rock climbing); a change in the curriculum, however, caused him to teach what he described as 'a hobby'; he left to manage an outdoor centre.
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Banks, Capt. RAEC; HM Wolfe; owner of decrepit car wrecked by joy riders of Roberts.
Barker, Mr Percy: (1946 to late 1950s): School pioneer who did general duty work.
Barton, Miss Wendy, QAS (1953-1959); taught JSU.
Bate, D Major RAEC; 'Master':
Bean, Miss D 'Doidee' (1950s); Matron of Kitchener.
Beeson, QMSI 'Beestie'; APTC; succeeded QMSI Leverton in the gymnasium and, on retiring, became a Beefeater in the Tower of London.
Belcher, D. Mr 'Dan'(1963-1998); was one of the longest serving members of staff in the post-war era. He was a charismataic teacher who instilled a love of biology and nature into those he taught; he was keen on fieldwork, which got his pupils out of the classroom and, by his enthusiasm and passion for his subject inspired numerous of his pupils to pursue a life of scientific enquiry; in 1998, nearing retirement, he wrote a well-remembered article in the Yorkist in which he reflected on the changes he had witnessed during his long career as a teacher at the school that spanned more than 35 years; as head hockey coach, he had a whistle of the toot-toot variety rather as apposed to the shrill pea type, so he was easy to locate on the crowded sports ground; Dan Belcher was a highly-respected and much-admired teacher.
Bell, WOII 'Dinger', AEC; taught French
Bell, Mr 'Ding-dong'; a PREP master, who attended once or twice weekly between 6 and 7.30 pm to supervise Prep.; after six months, his attendance slackened and he was found to be upstairs with the house matron; later spotted occasionally in Dover and Guston in the company of said matron; when students of the 3rd form returned in September 1964, he was found to be no longer on staff; nor said matron; rumour had it that 'They sailed away for a year and a day to the land where the Bong tree grows.'
Bernie, D.A. Capt. RAEC;
Billson, Capt. 'Bosky' RAEC (?-1953).
Blackman, Miss, QAS, (1945-51)
Blower, Capt. D. RAEC (1959-1962); one of the 'black mabs', referred to as one of the 'Triumverate of Terror'; an officer held in low regard for his brutal ways; one reporter recalls that as a second former studying French, he was given three heavy strokes with a swagger stick by this black mab for some minor infringement of discipline; the bruises were a cause of major concern to the parents of the boy in question when he returned home for vacation one week after the punishment, and they seriously considered reporting the matter to the headmaster; in the opinion of the writer, reminiscing about old times with fellow old boys of the same era, there was a clear concensus that Blower was a sadist ill-fitted to be a schoolteacher.
Bonnerjea, Mrs. 'Baggie'; widow of Hungarian professor Rene Bonnerjea, linguist (eight languages); inefficient with laundry, but kind-hearted; occupied a new Gateway flat on the Dover seafront.
Bradshaw, K.D. Capt. 'Ken' RAEC; HsM Kitchener; reported to have been an excellent cricketer, hero and mentor to many boys; left in 1950-51 to become principal of a public school near Oxford.
Brennan, Nurse; Matron of Haig; well-liked, motherly Irishwoman of staunch Catholic faith; took care laundry and bed linen; known for doling out milk and biscuits at break time.
Brindle, Capt. A 'Alf'; RAEC HsM Wolsely; ex-Dukie, married the school secretary, Maureen; taught history and, for juniors, English; resigned about 1966; regarded by some as a Boys Own hero who played every sport well, coached under 12s (beginners) at rugby; mostly liked but considered a bit OTT by some; others disagreed with the schoolboy image of a Steerforth: one, who knew Brindle when he was Asst. HsM, described him as despicable, a man who terrorised the entire house and especially one unfortunate; Ian Robinson (1960-1964) described him as a git who 'would never be let near a classroom - or children - now and should not have been then'; another, Mike Hickling, recounted a story in which Brindle birched (more likely caned) an entire rugby team for losing a match, summed up as 'pastoral care at its best'; one other, recalling Brindle, groaned 'Aaargh!'
Brooshooft, Mr W 'Billy' (1959-1970); Asst HsM Kitchener; recalled as a 'well-rounded' man with a classic moustache, an excellent teacher and formidable player on the rugby field; said to have a strong musical ear; took the junior schools for singing lessons with success and, occasionally, the entire school for hymn rehearsal; fair-minded and easy on physical punishment, preferring to inflict retribution the mind to physical torture; his favourite form of punishment were, lines of course, a dissertation on some insignificant creator of an obscure and inane theory - remembering there was then no internet, so many hours were spent in the library doing the necessary research. One writer recall's 'Billy Brooshooft' as a 'smashing housemaster and teacher, who sometimes sounded gruff and loud, but was always good with us boys. He had a small room at the end of the reading room in Kitchener as I recall. I was really ill one night, so I knocked on his door to find he was already up with another boy who was feeling unwell. He was a caring and understanding man and I know he had the respect of many many boys. One of our fellows, Neil Argue, who runs his own Class of '83 site, has Billy's pewter tankard from his local pub in Guston.
Brown, Sgt.; PT Instructor
Bryan, M.J. Capt. RAEC: pipe smoker, red-haired, cricketer; had a Volvo 122 about 1962 vintage - considered 'cool', the flashiest car in the School.
Burgess, Mr.; taught metal craft.
Burnicle, 'Barnicle Bill', head cook whose mantra, never strictly enforced, was 'You'll get no baksheesh!'
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Major. Bate |
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Mr W. Brooshooft |
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Chivers, Mr Basil 'Baz' civilian (1963-1969); teacher assistant in science dept.; first XI cricket coach; played for Wiltshire in minor counties; captained White Rose Ramblers.
Clark, Mr. Jack 'Razman', formerly known as 'Killer'; HsM of Marlborough; 'Josh' to senior boys; Wolseley, taught history and bosom pal of Boz Handford, who also hailed from the north; gave students a graphic description of how to mummify a body, beginning with 'You pull his brain out through his nostrils, first having tied a knot in his willy'; threw chalk and blackboard rubbers at inattentive boys; outwardly fierce, which frightened younger boys, but an endearing. quirky person with a generous heart; good sportsman despite advancing years; played cricket for White Ramblers, quit smoking for Lent, causing everyone to give him clear passage; retired to his native Durham; Jack Clark was a well-liked master reported to be a kindly man despite his occasional resort to corporal punishment for which, one writer recalled a cylindrical map holder referred to as 'Percival the persuader'.
Cleaves Mr H. 'Howard' aka 'Crapper' (c1956) taught maths; reported by one to have a poor reputation as a teacher - 'the worst ever invented'; another held that H.M. Mullen had tried without success to have Cleaves fired; other sources reported he taught maths and was well-liked; reputed to have suffered burns flying a Spitfire in WWII and given plastic surgery; lived in a house (c1952) later occupied by Charles Connell and there hangs a tale (see below).
Collins, V. Capt. RAEC;
Connors, CSM 'Drummy'
Cook, Major RAEC (? - 1966); taught art; reputed to show his 'toughness' before colleagues; source reported him to be 'a bit up himself'.
Colegate, Capt. 'Gibbs'; RAEC (c1965); little known.
Connell, Mr C. H. 'Charles' (c1947-?); (b1909 d1965); Head of English, graduate of Birmingham Univ. with degree in music in the 30s, an accomplished pianist and fan of Fats Waller; was among the first to visit Belsen, the concentration camp where he remained to document the horrific scenes with which he met; lived with his wife and daughter in the staff house that Crapper Cleaves was later to occupy, the story being that during WWII, a soldier billetted in the house was killed by a cross-Channel shell; his ghost haunted the house; the Connells told of strange winds, aromas and apparitions at night caused Mrs C to seek help from her old priest, back in Belgium; twice the 'stranger' was exorcised without success, so the Connells moved; when the Cleaves moved into the house (c1952) the 'strange happenings' ceased, frightened away, Charles Connell maintained, by the presence of Mrs Cleaves; his published works include Meet me at Philippi, They gave us Shakespeare; World Famous Exiles; World Famous Rebels; The Hidden Catch; Versicles and Limericks; Monte Cassino: the Historic Battle, Catt Among The Pidgeons, Most Delicious Poison, The House in The Bay, Please Ptell Me Pterodacty; Where sleeps the Jagged Sword, (which treated the heroic role of polish soldiers who reached England and were prominent in the storming of Monte Casino, Italy), Most delicious poison, Aphrodisiacs in your garden, The World's Greatest Sieges; The Hump (dealing with the Berlin airlift); he also wrote and directed plays based on the works of Dickens to bring them to life for his students for whom he began a book club, and ghost-wrote a number of military biographies as well as Murder v Murder (also remembered as Was Hanratty Guilty) for Lord Russell of Liverpool, this being a detailed account of the A6 murder in which he identified the true killer of Michael Gregson ; fluent in French, he was engaged in espionage work in Belgium during WWII and entertained his pupils with James Bond-style gadgets; he is remembered as a raconteur, wit, rebel, late-night snooker player in Kitchener, a 'lovely bloke' being a patient, genial, but strict, teacher worth any ten other teachers put together (one recalled getting one 'hell of a whack on the back of the head' for reading a book under the desk during his class); by virtue of a simple stratagem, he had no disciplinary problems in class - that is, during the first week of a new class year, he selected the first of his new charges who stuck his head over the parapet, whoever the cheeky chappy who try his luck yakking out of turn, playing up, 'testing the water', and would happily 'beat the shit' out of the hapless creature [rhetorically, the narrator asks 'You think I exaggerate? No, I watched in horror as he slapped, shook, even kicked the poor wretch to the ground. The guy had a bleeding nose at the end of it! After that there was a instinctive respect for this man, who never so much as raised his voice again]; he was an effective teacher and everyone enjoyed his lessons; he was an especially memorable reader - e.g. Nada the Lily (H. Ryder Haggard) and similar works; as the class grew older, instructed a goon squad to maintain concentration of the class; that is, he would read to the class in total silence; if anyone lost concentration, tapped his desk or went to sleep, the head of English gave a prearranged signal and point to the victim whereupon the good squad quietly left their seats and cuffed the offending boy back into an attentive state; when satisfied the treatment given was sufficient, Chas Connell would click his fingers for the squad to return to their seats and resume listening as though nothing had happened; Phil Roberts (1963-1969) summed up Connell's personality with an anecdote: caught talking in prep, he was given a choice 'Now, lad you can either spend Sunday afternoon doing 500 lines "I must not talk in prep especially when kind Mr Connell is on duty as it's taking advantage of his good nature", . Sunday incidentally promises to be warm and sunny and I've heard a rumour of cream cakes and pop for some junior boys at my house at half past three .... or I can cane you now and it's all over - you choose. ' That was only one stroke from Mr Connel, who I thought then (and still do) was the best master I ever had. He was a
remarkable man who dies at age 65 and is buried at St Margarets-on-Sea.
Connors, CSM C.D. 'Drummy'; H Coy (houses had alpha designations until the late 1920s, were known and referred to by their alpha identities until the school was evacuated in 1940); Drummy Connors, ex-RMA, Chelsea, the son of Daniel Connors of the 68th Foot (Durham Light Infantry), was born in Co. Cork in 1876 and entered the school in 1887 (his father died in India in 1877); he left the RMA in 1891 (renamed the DYRMS in 1892) to enlist in the 11th Foot (the Devonshire Regt.); served in Egypt where his two daughters were born); he joined the school in 1914 as CSM of H Coy and took charge of the drum corps (drums, flutes and bugles); he retired in 1926 at age 50; it was not known why an experienced NCO, aged 38, should leave the army on the eve of WWI, but he could have been invalided out and permitted to serve his years in the reserve at the school; he and his family kept in close touch with the school; his daughter Gladys helped organise the buses and accommodation for OBA members attending school functions from London and kept an open house for ex-Dukies passing through London; Ray Pearson, Vice-President of the OBA, married Drummy Connors' granddaughter Joan who took over the OBA West Country Group
in 1964, which is still going strong; in recognition of her efforts when she died in 2002, the OBA bought as garden bench, which stands near the war memorial at the Deal Gate; CSM Justice, an ex-RHMS boy (see entry) succeeded CSM Connors of H Coy that eventually became Haig House.
Cross, George, messenger, post NCO, driver of 'School Scad' (15 cwt truck) and general handyman; never without a joke; insisted that his wife's name was Victoria Cross and always referred to her as his first wife ('to keep her on her toes'); lived in one of the lodges by the Deal Gate.
Cummings, Mr Charlie, Liverpool signaller; maintained the dwindling and unreliable stock of 18 and 38 manpack sets plus the remaining vehicle 19 set.
Curtis, Mrs; Maton of Wolseley from c1947-1951 when she moved to become Matron of Marlborough.
Cuthill, Dorothy, Miss, QAS (c1948-1955); Taught the junior school including needlework, papier mache and singing; supervised writing letters home weekly; lived next door to RSM 'Spra' Jones and had a son.
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Daley, Nursing Sister; Irish; with fellow Sister Gill considered 'tough as nails' with odd outbursts of kindness; standard treatment for all maladies and woes was gargle and an aspirin; source reports one lad given the standard treatment for a boil on his rear end.
Dalton, T. Mr (1963-1969) ; taught woodwork and metalwork; had a good reputation as instructor; given to talking and of whom it was said 'He could circumnavigate the world between two periods; unsurprisingly, his favourite phrase was 'When I was in the Navy.
Davey, D. CSM 'Sticks Davey' of Clive;(1945-late 1950s); handed Clive House over to Mr Page in 1948; remained on staff as groundsman before moving into the Guston Gate lodge until his retirement.
Davey, Mr J. 'John' (1959-1970); an ex-Dukie; first HsM of the new senior house, Wolseley in 1969-1970; had a 1st class honours degree in chemistry (Manchester U); taught chemistry.
Davies, Mr Joe 'Kremlin'; Deputy HM under HM Lt. Col. R.V.M. Benn and then through the 1960s under HM, the 'Druid Howell to became known as Deputy Dawg; taught physics; operated a Bedford 'dormobile'; disliked for perceived bias re O and A levels.
de la Haye, Capt. Peter RAEC (1959-1970); the inspirational maths teacher of the lower sixth who later returned in the rank of Colonel as HMof the School.
Dods, Mr 'Pop'; of no known position on staff; taught gardening; fond of quoting My Garden (Thomas E. Brown) 'A GARDEN is a lovesome thing, God wot!' that source recalls after 50 years.
Dominy, Major Jack, RAEC 'Black Jack'(1962); Roberts; taught geography; noted for big, thick black moustache.
Dunning, M., Mrs. (1925-1949); daughter of Major & Mrs. A. S. Field of 24th Foot (the South Wales Borderers); a member of the Queen's Army Schoolmistresses who served in Canada, England and India; on the death of husband, Sub-commander J.S. Dunning, Mrs. Dunning joined the staff as a Housekeeper; her three sons, Geoffrey, Stanley and Alfred, and her adopted son (Martin Kelly of Wolfe) were students of the School. One source who knew Mrs. Dunning well confirmed that she became head Matron and did her work from 'the room under the clock tower', as reported in an issue of The Chronicle. Her eldest son, Geoffrey, was killed at Arnhem; replaced by Miss Beanon retirement.
Doyle, Fr.; pre-WWII Chaplain badly wounded in Wasiristan (North West Frontier), visited school from Dover Parish for mass and confessions. |
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Elson, Capt. R.E. RAEC; AHM Wolseley; taught 'crafts'; easily confused with boys' names - e.g. Pilkinghorne for Ridlington; |
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Ferrier, Capt. Ken RAEC; [source reports having done 'German to a scrap O level pass under Ferrier, who returned as HM (1972-1977) vide George Shorter PUD.]
Finn, CSM 'Mickey' aka 'Paddy' Wellington (c 1930s-1950s); taught signals; a soldier of vitality, vigor, average height and build with a louder than average voice; coming across boys he suspected of being up to mischief, he would shout in lilting Irish 'I know yer names and numbers. yer bloody names, what are they?'; his manner was roguish in a jaunty and off-beat way, but never malicious or malevolent; a reputation for pilfering the school rations was, among his fellow CSMs, well-established, for he regularly offered others a share of his plundering; rashers of bacon, butter, extra sugar; nothing known of his military career before joining the staff.
Forrest, SM Jack 'Fatty Jack'(c1960-1970); ex-9th Foot (Royal Norfolk Regt.); a large man of 18 stone (250 lbs), ruddy complexioned, wore a beret in preference to the blue peaked cap worn by his peers; regarded as deputy RSM and responsible for military training with small arms his specialty; taught use of .22s and .303s, stripping, cleaning and reassembling both types of rifle; contemporary of RSM Duggie Haig; a marksman and fine shot who competed at Bisley; like many old soldiers he deliberately mispronounced words - 'gunnades' for 'grenades' etc.; an admired cult figure with a distinctive speech patter, subject of a memorable cartoon on the face of an underground magazine, S.T.A.Y featuring a GI hurling a 'gunnade' and yelling 'Share that amongst you - you spaghetti-eating Nip bastards! (not PC, but reputedly his standard war cry); 'Cordite!! - that's the stuff in 'ere lad, see?' he'd say gleefully 'Pull this ring with yer finger, release like this, toss it like Fred Trueman and then the little blighters won't give ya any more trouble.' Source states he was never sure if SM Forrest was having as much fun as us because around weapons depot or not, he was deadly serious..
Foster, Maj 'Funge'; HsM Wolseley; taught maths .
Fowler, A., WO 'Alfred' (1911-1914); Quartermaster in charge of school infirmary; re-enlisted, commissioned lieutenant on medical team of Liverpool Merchants Mobile Hospital (see Warrant Officer Alfred Fowler).
Freed, RQMS, In charge of QM Stores. Adhered strictly to the 'long trousers' rule which required that a boy be either higher that 5 ft 2 in or a member of the 4th form.
Fry, CSM W. Bill 'Jan' (1941-1965?): 11th Ft (The Devonshire Regt.); CSM Kitchener until the Nye reforms replace CSMs with HMs; then a SM, he became Assistant Bandmaster and the B Division musicians; reported to have close relationship with house matron Doidee Bean; ended days as Chelsea Pensioner; (see Last of the CSMs) |
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Gatesman, Mr 'Noddy' Taught science; displayed eccentricities considered not to constitute 'a full package'; specialised in creating spectacular chemical explosions.
Gent, R.M. Capt. RAEC: possibly taught maths or science.
Gill, Nursing Sister; Irish; see note re. Sister Daley.
Gillett, Mr Ivor; ex-Dukie lamed in WWI; Chief Clerk in Administration Office; former HGS of the OBA; noted archivist and historian.
Glover, Capt. G. 'Fingers' RAEC; well-like; taught general science to juions and biology to seniors; proud to boast he still used the pen with which he wrote his O levels.
Goodman, SM; PT instructor; like Dusty was an ex-Army pug. Unlike Dusty, however, he was tall and had a long reach. Regarded by all as a fine and pleasant man equally as gentle as Dusty, but overshadowed by SM Miller's personality. The two gym instructions, Goodman and Miller, developed a good boxing squad that, like the band, frequently filled engagements in Devon as it had in Dover before the war. Throughout the school, the gym instructors taught boys self-reliance and, unsurprisingly, consideration for others.
Goodwin, SM; PT instructor.
Grainger, R. CSM DCM 'Dick' of Wolseley (1924 to 1943); served in the 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers and joined the RHMS (see Arbuckle J.G. CSM); with a detachment of Hibernian boys, he joined the School in 1924 in charge of the junior school; in 1927, he was appointed CSM of Wolseley; for many years a star player in the staff cricket team; universally well-liked; no blustering Sergeant-major he, but a quiet man with an endearing habit of whistling as he strode the corridors of the School's quarters at Saunton, thus giving boys time to cease whatever mischief they were up to. He was no doubt equally considerate before the war at Dover. He had his own lexicon of caution or rebuke. To a shouting boy he would say 'Oi lardhead! What are you selling?' To a tussle-haired boy it was 'Oi, you with the hair like straw.' He knew every boy's name and number, but preferred using the latter. Thus, Ray Pearson was 'Forty', his brother 'Twenty-eight', his best pal 'Thirty-eight' and so on. Dick chain-smokes Woodbine cigarettes, but had to follow standing orders by not allowing boys to smoke. When challenged by a boy on this contradictory law he would say, 'Well, I have to smoke because of my lungs. I was gassed in the trenches twenty-five years ago and the smoking eases the pain.' Such reasoning would not wash in today's anti-smoking society. He even smoked on parade. Standing at the rear of his parading company, he exhaled smoke up the sleeve of his service dress tunic. He, of course, knew all of the boys who smoked (dibbed was the slang word for it). After his pre-inspection before the MO's medical inspection, smokers would find a pumice stone on the sink. This was for removing the stains from nicotine-yellow fingers. After inspection, we would return the stone to his office without comment. Nothing was ever said. On the School's return to Dover Dick retired to Maison Du Road in Dover Town, near to RSM 'Spra' (aka 'Whacker') Jones. As a young OB, Ray Pearson always found time at school reunions to meet them for a beer in their local. Sadly, they felt unwelcome at the School to which they had devoted so many years of their military lives. Life can be cruel or, rather, those of the new order can be inconsiderate. |
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Haig, D. RSM 'Duggie' (1960-1979); succeeded Spra Jones and died in 1986 in retirement; (see Guston Cemetery); was well-liked and known for a booming voice - 'PAY-RAY-DER' and a crash with his hob-nailed boots when coming to 'attention' that could shatter asphalt like glass.
Hall, CSM.
Halsey, J. CSM 'Hatchet face' of Roberts (c1930s-1950s). Like all members of staff, Jim Halsey came by his nickname not through any sense of mean or spiteful intent, but rather because of his manner and comportment, it fitted him like a glove; he had qualities that appealed to his superiors, for he was chosen to accompany a large contingent evacuated to the QVS, Dunblane, in 1941; moved with his family; with the depletion of the Dunblane contingent, Jim Halsey moved to North Devon to take over the drum corps following the departure of Dick Grainger. Frank Hartry (Wy 46-51) remembers him as a man with a sense of humour (see Return to Dover) irascible and given to a quick temper ready to cuff any boy he didn't think was paying attention at band practice; another respondent recalled Halsey as efficient and kind-hearted, but snappy when out of sorts. Ray Pearson met CSM Halsey at the Deal Gate more than once after the war following one 'Remembrance Day' church service; he would seek out the young OBs to enquire after their opinion on the quality of rendering of the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' and always got the same answer, 'Good enough, but not as good as we were.' Life was ever thus, comments Ray ever considerate of his elders. The CSM's son, also named Jim Halsey, became a day boy, meaning he attended school and took part in sports activities but lived with his family.
Hancock, Mr Carl; HsM Marlborough; (c1970-88); Welsh; taught English at the school for 18 years; succeeded Ruchard Lee as HsM of Marlborough; Lee, in turn, had taken over from Jack Razz Clark; he retired to live in South Australia and is a published author writing under the psuedonym of Harry Atkins; after his term at the school he spent some years teaching in East Africa, having gone there temporarily to help out a headmaster friend who had been let down by another teacher, and ended up staying there for some years before moving to Australia.
Handford, Mr R.P. 'Boz' (c1951-?); retired and continued on staff as a civilian; taught chemistry; he was HsM of Kitchener from 1963 until his death; ran the Stamp Club the swimming, lifesaving and water polo at a high standard; remained on staff as civilian following retirement; a bachelor, lived in the officers' mess; died of heart attack in 1967.
Hare, Sgt. 'Bunny' AEC ( - 1963); as with Sgt 'Corny' Mays, last of NCO schoolmasters
Harrison, Major RAEC, HsM Wolfe
Harper, Sgt. 'Doc Harper'; medical orderly.
Haynes, D. Rev.; succeeded Medcalfe
Heath, Mr. M. 'Mike' also 'Ted Heath' (1959-c1965); excellent physics teacher; thought to have found the discipline severe and soon left for a better position elsewhere, a deputy headship; teaching methods including soaking a class with water while demonstrating a force pump; he left one student suspended next to the ceiling on a block and tackle when he discovered the student had hoiked himself ceiling-wards before the start of the lesson; five minutes into the lesson, he the class to 'Get him down.'
Hogarth, Capt. Cecil 'Cec' (soft C) RAEC (1960s); eccentric, pipe-smoking Latin teacher; occupied a black hut opposite Haig; fond of marching back and forth in class, making boys conjugate verbs while beating his leather-covered swagger stick on desks; any mistake and the stick found its mark on the guilty head (source reports he still has a dent); reported as of fierce temperament with a sense of humour; at once liked and feared; quick bowler off the wrong foot for the White Rose Ramblers; renowned for hurling a blackboard erasure at anyone found nodding off, resulting in a few bloodied nappers; no one who was there will forget the case of John Finagin, always top of the class who finished translations with speed, then began reading a novel recently borrowed from the library; the book was new and, caught reading, he was made to bring the book to the front, whereupon the Captain theatrically ripped the volume down the spine, hollering at Finagin that the only books read in his class would be Latin books; the horrified Finagin could only say, 'Sir…but…but.. you can't do that; it's a library book' to which he was answered, 'No? Then watch this - you'll have some explaining to do to the librarian' and to astonishment of Finagin, opened the window and flung the two halve onto the roof opposite; Hogarth is also remembered for striding up and down the rows of desks dressed in his RAEC uniform and black gown, armed with his ruler, whacking the less gifted students who failed to recite the Latin correctly; an accomplished pianist, he had a heavy iron-frame upright piano in his classroom; on summer days, he had boys move the piano outside and lesson would assume a different look and feel; when coaching rugby, he would jump on top of the scrum if he thought the players weren't packing low enough for his liking.
Hole, Mr S.M.; school barber who cut everyone's hair; if a penny failed to drop into his open hand a boy received an 'all off' haircut. A penny dropped guaranteed something was left to comb through.
Hole, Mr 'Barney'; (1946); owned a barber's shop in Dover Town and became the school barber; making visits to the school on specific days to cut boys' hair in the clothing store. (See Unknown persons recalled for Barney's successors.)
Hole, Mr 'Gerry'; son of Barney Hole; joined the school as a pioneer on general duties; responsible for cleaning the chapel and officers mess; also served as school messenger
Hopkinson, Mr G. or J. 'Jeff' 'Beery' (1959-1970); HsM Wolseley; succeeded Burgess teaching metalwork and may well have taught engineering drawing, woodwork and metalwork; last heard of retired and living on the Dover Sea Front, renowned for shouting 'Rip saw! Rip Saw!'
Hoseason, Mr. Medic who supervised the daily sick parade and operated the dispensary.
Hughes, J.B. Capt. 'Hug'; (mid to late 1960s); possibly taught history.
Hughes, Sgt., Master tailor
Hunt, WOI, AEC (c1939-45); English and history; as one reporter commented, 'Everybody recalls our first and last WO1.
Hunt, Mr; master shoemaker; occupied the last hut on the left side of the large asphalt square.
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RSM D. Haig |
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Capt. R. P.. Handford |
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Mr M. Heath |
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Capt. C. Hogarth |
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Mr G. Hopkinson |
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Jackson, Major D. 'Don', HsM Wolfe (1956-1958).
Johnson, Mr 'Ben'; Taught English; Ben might not have been this teachers first name despite which, he was reputed to have been something of a 'new age teacher' and one of the best teachers in his day. When he gave a sermon in chapel, everyone listened, on one occasion, too avidly it seems, for his discourse was about the boys themselves when he quoted Lenin's speech about the change in attitude among boys as they grow and mature. When they leave their teens, they become angry young men with communist ideals, which become conservative when they reach middle age. One writer wrote of reflecting on this teacher's sermon many times in his life. Ben was the drama teacher and staged many shows: Oliver, HMS Pinafore, Fiddler on the roof, Jesus Christ Superstar. One recalls Reb Teyy's nightmare scene in Fiddler for which many playing 'ghosts' decided not to take stage and recalls Ben later blowing his top: instead of 15 ghosts, only four turned up on stage. Ben Johnson is remembered with genuine affection, a teacher deeply respected and admired by all.
Johnson, Capt. E. 'Eric' aka Ben RAEC (1959-1970); Wolseley; well-liked biology teacher who liked the company of children and young people; rarely worked from a syllabus, but noted for losing the class's exercise books when he had taken them away for marking and often failed to turn up to deliver the lesson; frequently regaled the class with accounts of his time as a trainee hill farmer and witnesses Scots shepherds castrating lambs with their teeth (he would mime the action, drawing an illustration on the chalkboard to indicate the best place to bite the seminal chord; reported to be a great drinking partner of Charles Connell with whom he wrote Aphrodisiacs in your garden; to be confused with a near namesake F. Johnstone at one's peril and fondly remembered as a wit and comedian as in his definition of a hormone as 'a low cry from a house of ill-repute' that boys remembered well, but did not understand its meaning at the time.
Johnson, Mr N.; Asst. HsM Wellington; taught English, ex-Dukie nicknamed Moles in his day (Latin for 'large, shapeless mass.
Jolly, Mr; (1955-1063); HsM Clive; taught biology; later became headmaster of Atlantic College.
Jones, P.N. RSM 'Spra' aka 'Whacker' (1934-1959); a veteran of WWI with a thunderous voice that commanded the attention even of the CSMs; both feared and respected by the boys; present daily in the dining hall to make announcements, he would roar 'Duke of York's' when he was through; on this signal the entire assembly rose to its feet to hear the chief school prefect to say grace at the lectern; RSM Jones would then holler 'Duke of York's' at which everyone seated himself folded his arms behind his back - discipline was the watchword of the day - after which the RSM called 'orderlies' and three orderlies from each table went collect containers of food for their table from the kitchen; the RSM supervised Saturday afternoon defaulters parade; this took the form of drill and fatigues such as weeding the parade square; the area outside of the dining hall was a favourite place for the work of defaulters; 'Whacker' Jones's duty was to administer corporal punishment awarded by the Commandant; one source offered a personal experience by way of illustrating the form corporal punishment took:
'One morning in 1949 when I was about 13 I couldn't resist taking a long run and skating the length of the highly-polished assembly hall floor in my hob-nailed boots. I almost knocked over Mr Connell, the English teacher, just leaving a classroom. He sent me straightway to RSM Jones in the admin offices and he, in turn, made out a charge of hooliganism. Marched quick time into the presence of Commandant Barnwell, I was found guilty as charge and awarded 'six of the best'. Whacker Jones summoned CSM Fry. Bending over, I put my head between his legs and his knees locked me tight, thus preventing me from lurching up whilst RSM Jones landed six strokes of the cane on my backside. Despite this, I liked Spra Jones. He was kind and proud man, underneath that bluff military regimentation. He got the best drill out of us for the Sunday morning church parades and annual Grand Day parade. Look at his troubled face in the 1937 Pathe newsreel of the toy soldiers rehearsal when the boy who fainted is carried off.'
Others have testified to the nature of RSM Jones, who confessed to an OB once that he loathed punishing a boy with strokes and often retired to his office and wept. Another OB spoke of Spra Jones as a man of giant stature until, in 2003 when visiting the school with his son he saw a photograph of the RSM taken in 1940 handing in the post office and realised the RSM had in fact been a short man, yet with a big heart.
Jones, Sgt. AEC; Taught maths.
Justice J. CSM 'Pop' of Haig (c1930s to 1950s); the epitome of a WWI Sgt Major, a big man, beery-faced with an upper lip sprouting a fierce moustache with ends twisted and waxed into spikes; loud of voice, blustering and of satanic appearance to any 10 year old boy, but gentle and considerate to any boy with a problem; with his sister-in-law, Mollie Brown, he received all newchies into Haig House and shepherded them for their first three months; following this induction newchies were assigned to a one of the other seven houses, each specialising in a particular trade or calling such as the band, the drum, fife and bugle corps, signals, tailoring and cobbling; Pop and Mollie seemed to have been fashioned by the Almighty for their task, for they were perfect foster parents; after completing his time in Haig, every boy looked forward to going to his new house, but probably with a tinge of sadness at parting from Pop and Mollie, who, kindly souls, would ease the parting by inviting all to visit them if they should feel lonely; loud and blustering as he was, Pop Justice never directed his censure at a single boy, but the whole house; if a boy had to be singled out it wasn't with a shout, but a terrifying stare with his disapproving, gimlet eyes, like those of a well-trained sheepdog; like a sheep dog, he knew his eyes were enough; no snapping or biting necessary; Frank Hartry is reminded of Pop whenever faced with an image of Joseph Stalin; during his time, CSM Justice had sole charge of Haig whereas every other house had an RAEC housemaster in residence; he occupied in the married quarters attached to the H block [before housemasters were introduced, CSMs occupied the married quarters of house H-blocks]; John Justice also supervised the use of small arms at the firing ranges; Frank remembers his old SM as a man with a huge sense of humour; once, struggling to pull a shirt over his head, someone tickled him and Frank let fly with a stream of expletives as a ten-year-old can is wont to do; with his shirt off, he was confronted by the grinning face of his CSM; the incident was the talk of his dormitory for days and ever afterwards, the CSM Justice grinned knowingly when their paths crossed; the time of his passing nor of his regimental life before the Dukies is know; however, Ray Pearson often visited Mollie after she retired to a Convent in Bristol and listened to her reminiscing over tea and cakes about her time at the School; may these two kind souls be at peace.
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Mr Ben Johnson |
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Capt. E. Johnson |
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RSM P, N. Jones |
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Capt. J. Kerswell
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Kaulfuss, WOII, AEC Taught maths.
Kerswell, Capt. R.J. (1963-1970) RAEC; taught physics
Knaggs, Major, RAEC; HM Roberts (1961);
Knight, W.A.Y. Colonel (1863-1969); MO; 'Whistling Willie', because he couldn't; believed to suffer from Parkinsons Disease and betrayed tremors; source reports being terrified with abcess on his hand; Whistling Willie with shaking hand said he'd have to lance the offending obstruction; when grasping the scalpel, amazingly, all shaking stopped, to start again when writing a sick chit.
Knowler, SM 'Nobby'(1965-?); succeeded Jan Fry as assistant bandmaster, i/c B Division. |
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Major Knaggs |
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Lanfear, Mr Philip 'Lugs'; attached to Kitchener; sub-Lt RN Reserve; nicknamed for identical appendages of Prince Charles; taught English and French; first of the language masters to used the language laboratories built in 1965-6; well-liked; source reports he had a handsome wife. ran the school sailing club; also in charge of arduous training, a sort of military outbound activity;
Lee, Capt. R.C. (1958-c1960s);'Richard' 'Sydney Mincing' (from nasal voice), RAEC; believed to have taken over from Jack Clark; taught French; athlete and cross-country runner.
Legg, Major aka 'Mr Peg Legge' RAEC; Hsm Clive during the mid1960s; taught geography; big ears, well-liked and possessed of a good sense of humour; had a tatty foolscap-sized notebook from which he dictated every lesson; specialty in teaching boys how to colour maps; coached under 15 rugby XV and remembered for yelling encouragement on the rugby field, 'Hit him between wind and water!'
Leverton, E. QMSI, 'Ted'; joined the school in 1946 at Dover; ret. qbout 1957; taught gymnastic exercises; good at all sports; retired to become a sports groundsman and take charge of the sports store; remembered by the many prefects he invited to watch the annual university match on his early b/w television. He finally retired to settle in Dover.
Lewis, F. Sgt 'Fred'or 'Frank' AEC (1941-1945); a graduate from the Sorbonne and considered to be a 'brilliant' teacher; taught French and instilled in more than one pupil a strong love of the language.
Ley, Mr Walter; (1946-1949); came from the Village of Croyde when the school returned to Dover and served as a storeman for three years before returing to Croyde in Devon.
Lowndes, Sgt. (1947);
Lowry, CSM; Wolfe and, for a time, perhaps Marlborough as well; specialised in teaching military subjects such as field craft; prepared and tested boys for their A and B certificates; a quiet man with a dry sense of humour especially directed at any boy who gave a wrong answer to a question.
Lusby, SM; Wellington; in charge of training of military subjects including fieldcraft; tested boys for qualification in certificates A and B in fieldcraft. He was also in charge of the B and C Division Drums.
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Mr P. Lanfear |
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Capt. R. C. Lee |
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Major Legge |
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Marshall, Mr; MOW engineer, maintained the estate and lived in Frith Cottage on the Guston Road.
Marsh, H. Mr (1963-1969); teacher.
Mathison D. SM (David) (1872-1896); was admitted to the RMA in 1838 on the same day as his elder brother John. David was six years of age at the time, his brother John was eight; both left the school when they were 14, volunteering for service in their father's corps, the Sappers and Miners, which later became the Royal Engineers; he attended Kneller Hall - probably his brother, too, although this can't be certain; the details of his military career is unknown, but he probably attended Kneller Hall a second time to get the training he needed to become a bandmaster; he joined the RMA in 1972 after retiring and gave the school 14 years of his time as bandmaster of the Asylum band.
May, C. Sgt 'Charles', 'Corny' (1941-1945) AEC Haig (Sgt. Mays was one of the last schoolmaster sergeants of the AEC); good English teacher, although he had a foul temper; reporter recalls that Sgt May struck him rather harder than he probably meant to, for which the fellow in question expresses forgiveness.
Meatyard, WOII; AEC; schoolmaster; taught English.
Metcalfe, Rev. DSO, MC 'Chappos', 'Fruity'; exceedingly popular
Miller, SM 'Dusty'; senior gym instructor; of short stature, pug-nosed with cauliflower ears, Dusty Miller had once been the lightweight boxing champion of the British Army; an expert gymnast, he supervised work on the 'horse', the 'mat', 'ropes' and 'bars'; a boy was never known to suffer an injury under his supervision; he also managed boxing bouts and fights between boys sent to him by other members of staff to settle differences; combatants were fitted with extra-large gloves to make sure no one suffered injury; he was widely known for instructing boys how to fold and tuck the tails of their shirts between their legs before pulling up their trousers; neither an obsession nor fetish on Dusty Miller's part, long shirt tails could be a problem on parade or on route marches, for they rode up small bodies and caused discomfort; SM Miller had worked this out over the years a figured a way to help boys dress themselves properly; many remember receiving this SM's sound advice; the sand dunes at Saunton Sands being mined were therefore out of bounds and required an SM to make sure no adventurous soul entered the restricted area; sand dune duty often fell to Dusty Miller's lot, so at a lunchtime he would announce, 'It's my dooty to keep you boys out of the doons' and someone would say 'What? Even on Toosdays, Dusty?' and he would reply, ''Corse! Them mines are still on the doons on toosdays.'; he never never twigged boys were pulling his leg.
Moorse, Mr A. J. 'Alan' 'Dotty (all dots and dashes), noted for his high forehead; his specialty was languages; taught German, but also was in charge of Signals and so enthusiastic on the subject that his form learned precious little German; he is reported to have taught French, too; regarded as a clever man; had a degree in physics, was a Royal Signals Captain in the CCF, and later enlisted in the RAEC.
Murphy, Fr; Parish priest from Dover who, with Fr. Doyle took mass and confession.
Murray Sgt. AEC (1940-1945); conscript; pre-WWII soccer player for Scottish team. |
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SM D. Mathison |
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SM Miller |
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Mr A. J. Moorse |
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Mr D.A.W. Nimmo |
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O'Dell, CSM Barney (1942-?); took over Wolfe after CSM Arbuckle died on parade at Saunton Sands; pretty and much sought-after daughter Primrose
O'Donnell, CSM, Marlborough.
Ough, Capt. (pronounce 'Oof', but known to one and all among boys in the band as Capt Oh! as in 'Oh Gawblimey!'); in charge of the drum corps, a craftsman at his trade and a fine gentleman; Mrs Ough was a matron; little is known of either of these members of staff.
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Capt Ough |
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Page, Mr Fred; ‘Nutbrown’ (1947 -1971); (HsM Clive 1948-1959); commissioned in Fleet Air Arm; served in Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka); HsM Clive; taught Latin until 1971 when he quit suffering from cancer; died in 1972; well-known for his school musical (Gilbert & Sullivan) productions, making wonderful leading ladies out of boys whose voices had yet to break; produced a number of school plays such as Morning Departure; acted in many staff stage productions; and, thanks to Joe Brown (Wy/Ma 1962-1969), it is known that Fred appeared in the banned film The War Game, which won the 1966 Academy Award for (a) Documentary Feature, scheduled for transmission by the BBC on 6 August 1966, (anniversary or the nuclear bomb attack on Hiroshima), but not transmitted until 1985 because the BBC judged the film 'to be too horrifying for the medium of broadcasting.'; Fred appears in the opening shot as chairman of a local government committee convened to consider the imminent outbreak of nuclear war, the film having been shot in the Dover-Folkstone area using local resident as actors; the film was highly successful and, though widely viewed on video and in 'art-house' movie theatres, did not, as stated, have its official début until 1985; Fred and Mrs Page had three daughters - Anthea, Angela and Alison; Alison married Dukie Bobby Brooks of Wolfe.
Parker-Jones, Major J. 'John'; keen skier, rock climber; taught maths; had a black Labrador named Jet and, ending a conversation, was often heard to say, 'Well, goodbye Jet. Come along... ' (naming with whom he was in conversation. His mix-up caused no end of merriment.
Perryman, Capt. ‘Bo’ RAEC (1959-1970): HsM Kitchener until 1962 when he left; taught languages; keen on fitness and tried to instill boxing know-how into the boys of his house; later promoted to Major.
Phillips, Capt. RAEC; Clive; became a civilian during his time at school and remained on staff for an unknown period.
Phillips, Mr N. 'Neville', aka ‘Froggy’ 'Nutty Nev' HsM Haig, taking over from Pop Justice in about 1949; taught geography; described as a 'dapper chap' who taught georgraphy; renowned for repetitious use of ‘typical’ of which his classes would keep count; wife Lavinia ex-professional actress; good amateur soccer player for Hertford Football Club; became School's head football coach; retired in the late 1950s suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Pike, H. Capt. RAEC; taught mathematics and may have become a housemaster in his time.
Potter, Mr 'Joe'; (1944-c1955); Storeman; returned to Dover, he took charge of QM Stores until the school post office was reopened when he became the Postmaster until his retirement; an extremely rotund man; in contrast, his son, a day pupil at the School, was beanpole thin.
Povey, Capt. RAEC; (Povey pronounced Puvvy, look you!); biology; domain a wooden hut on the Wolseley side of the asphalt square; hut note for odour of dissected frogs and remains.
Prescott, W.G. , MC, RQMS (1924-1943)
Pritchard, Sgt. AEC (1941-1945) AEC; maths and science (physics) and music, but informally.
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Mr F. Page |
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Capt. Perryman |
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Mr N. Phillips |
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Rees, Mr R. 'Dai', 'Taffy' and 'Diarrhoea' (c1947-1972); head of art; good teacher and 'extremely' Welsh given to coloured shirts and knitted ties; good reputation and rated as one of the best teachers; unconsciously funny; short, round stature with almost purple complexion; boasted of being a good scrum half in his day; to those late for class he might say, 'Trouble with you lot is too much smokin' an wankin', isn't it?' [source said, 'How can you ever forget things like that?]; designed and painted backcloths for School plays; good slips catcher and opening bat for the White Rose Ramblers. seemed traditional in teaching art, but encouraged his pupils to experiment with acrylic paints and like new materials, to produce collages after Dali; recalled for a nice sense of humour; remote in many ways but a kind and attentive man; attended art school with Giles, the cartoonist, and was irked that Giles failed to complete the art course, yet nevertheless 'made good'; he was himself and accomplished artist and could pencil sketch a stemmed leaf in 30 seconds; he enjoyed kibitzing around during lessons, speaking like a Yiddish shopkeeper; his students would debate who was to be given first place each term, on reflection, to spur them to improve their work; a man of small stature, he taught boxing until this sport was removed from the sporting activities; his standard practice was to set a task at the beginning of a double period, clear off to the White Rose (public house) and return ten minutes before the lesson end to rant about his pencils being stolen; popular to some boys but not to others, he was not given to violence as was his next-door colleague, Captain Mabley, RAEC, aka 'Black Mabley, a king of corporal punishment whose weapon of choice was a blackboard set square, which he would apply with a slicing action onto his victim's backside. By this means he could inflict maximum punishment with minimum effort. Black Mabley was one of a triumvirate of terror he shared with Captain 'Flea' Lee and Captain 'Popsy' Blower.
Reigate, Sgt. AEC
Richards, SM (1966-?); PTI; wife assisted Matron 'Doidee' Bean of Kitchener; son a Dukie.
Rictchie, Sgt. AEC (1940-1945); conscript; pre-WWII play professional soccer
Ritson, Capt. 'Fritz'; HM Wolseley; reputed 'sadistic caner'; Frank Hartry, who joined the school in 1947 described Ritson as a bully and grossly unfair man; his evening caning bouts were planned sessions most evenings, Monday to Friday; during his morning inspections of dormitories after the boys had left for school, he listed boys to be cane the slightest infraction e.g. a toothbrush out of line when laid out on the bed; names of those to be punished were posted in the day room; canings took place after supper and before lights out; boys paraded in their night shirts (described by Hartry as 'night dresses') and were called one at a time when the HsM ordered 'Next!'. This view of Ritson was not a universally held view. Gus Baigner, who was under Capt. Ritson for almost his entire tour of duty as HsM, asserts that he neither experienced nor knew of any excesses of corporal punishment. He allows, however, that those who were caned may well hold a different view.
Robertson Mr R. 'Ron' (19639-1973); HsM Wellington; a soft-spoken family man who would blink rapidly and bounce his eyebrows when agitated; when Phil Roberts (1963-1969) thinks of him, he hears Ron saying, 'I.. I...I say, you chaps... do cut that out... There's good fellows...' in his cultured soft-spoken way; taught languages and devoted to his work as a teacher; an enthusiastic sportsman who played cricket and was particularly fond of rugby; good rating as a rugby coach (3rd XV); coached cricket and played cricket for the White Rose Ramblers; his daughter Joanna was married in the school chapel in 1977 and had the wedding reception in Nye Hall in many musical productions were produced; Jo Godfree (née Robertson) recalls James Jones (now Bishop of Liverpool) performing in Ruddigore or some other G $ S operetta, which her father loved; he retired to settle in Dover with his wife.
Rowe, CSM; 'Cookie'; in charge of school kitchen; when he joined the school is not yet known; served the school until his death in about 1957.
Rowe, Mrs; wife of Cookie; worked as cook and did light cleaning at the officers mess.
Rowson, CSM 'Tubby' c1922-40; 21st Lancers, Queens Own, CSM Kitchener; Colonel's trumpeter at Charge of Omdurman; (see Last of the CSMs).
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St. John Williams, Major N. 'Noel' RAEC; HsM Kitchener.
Sampson, P. Mr 'Peter' (c1966); once heard called Delilah; enthusiastic cricketer; was 'quickie' for the White Rose Ramblers.
Sherry, Major T.C. OBE; RAEC: HsM Kitchener (1972-73): Housemaster of Kitchener during the writer's first year (1972); followed by Pete Sampson (1973); of Hsm Sherry, the writer wrote, 'There had been some messing around. I can't remember if it was a dorm raid or not, but something like that. I am not sure if we were given a warning or not. Major Sherry lost his patience and decided to cane the whole house, although it may have been the two dorms involved. We were duly lined up and in we went for punishment, one by one. Afterwards, my friend David Love and I met in the toilets to inspect each other's stripes.' While the two boys were inspecting their wounds, Billy Brooshooft walked past, looked in and, smiling ruefully, shook his head and continued on his way. Obviously, Major Sherry is another candidate who, in contemporary society, would be charged with child abuse.
Singer, Sgt. Major (A Div Band)
Stibbon, Major R.G. RAEC:
Swift, Major, RAEC 'Swifty' (c1963-1965); HsM Haig; taught physics.
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Major Swift |
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Taylor, CSM RAEC; (1946-late 1950s); a good teacher, but feared for rapping one's knuckles with the edge of a ruler.
Taylor, Mr 'Joe'; (1946-late 1950s); Pioneer and driver of the 15 cwt school truck; well-known school organist and playing the drums at school dances; piano teacher; described as a quiet man of many gifts; Joe Taylor was also recalled as a laboratory assistant in chemistry and biology.
Taylor, Sid; (c1946-55); Pioneer on general duties; close friend of Percy Barker.
Tidmarsh, Mr W.T. 'Tommy' (1960s); taught geography.
Trewhella, Lieut. T.H. RAEC: (of Cornwall) mocked by half-witted piratical noises whenever mentioned 'Oooh-arrrr' etc.
Tritton Mr N. 'Norman' aka 'Boney; HM Marlborough; ex-RAF Squadron Leader; 'brilliant' teacher of maths and meteorology; the quality of mathematics taught during the 1959-1965 era was on the whole considered poor, even dismal, with the exception that is of Nigel Tritton teaching, which was considered superb; he was a teacher with a sound reputation as compared with his peers, Major Parker-Jones and Crapper Cleaves who, much to the regret of one writer, caused a many a promising pupil to struggle through his O levels.
Tucker, Mr; (1948- ?); School pioneer doing general duties. |
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Mr N. Tritton |
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Upton, Major J. 'John' aka 'Uffers' RAEC (1959-1970); HsM Wolfe; well-liked; taught history; played a good game of rugby at fly half; once played for a leading club, Blackheath or Richmond [source unsure]; history and English; had the habit of answering a question with a high-pitched and drawn-out 'Well!'; noticing that a boy near the end of his time had started to grow a moustache, said, 'I think you should stand closer to your razor tomorrow morning; collections for Lent began one year in Clive, Chaplain Davies would announce in church how much each house had raised or collected; every house except Wolfe, which rebelled against the practice; the HsM obliged the boys of Wolfe to contribute their meagre allowance for a charity of their collective choice; a chance to strike back, they chose 'unmarried mothers'; at the next house meeting, head of house 'lost his bottle' and told the HsM the money collected would go to Oxfam, but mob rule took over when one boy, Woolfrey, leapt to his feet with cheers of support that the house had agreed to give the collection to an unmarried mothers organisation; no announcement was made in Chapel that year of which charities would benefit; yet a few weeks later, Woolfrey had an entertaining afternoon tea in the Headmaster's house with the unmarried mothers of Dover to hand over the collection; one memory of Major Upton was of him being upset when someone, reading aloud, mispronounced the word 'whore' - difficult to image books for reading involving whores, it was recalled, but this was probably the classic Moll Flanders |
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Major J. Upton |
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Wagstaff, SM; Assistant Bandmaster of Drums, bugles and fifes.
Waite, Major; HsM Kitchener; taught music (to no great effect because students learnt rudiments of music in the band.
Watts, Mrs M.; Matron Kitchener; also known as Maggie, but not in her hearing; not a great lover of all boys, though she had her favourites; 'Sadly,' noted the contributor of this snippet, 'she did not like me at all.'
Webber, Mr W. 'Bill'; (1945/46-1957); following demob from the Devon and Dorsets Regt. joined the staff as cook; after the school's return to Dover, he became a Storeman until his retirement in 1957 when he returned to Braunton, Devon: daughter Barbara married CSP Augustus 'Gus' Bainger (1945-1953).
Webber, O. Mrs 'Olive'; (1945-1957); wife of Bill Webber; served as cook in school kitchen and did light cleaning at the officers mess.
Welham, SM; PTI; succeeded SM Richards.
Wilson, Capt. RAEC; taught geography; reported to be more interested in neat and tidy lay outs than facts.
Winn, Sgt. 'Jock' AEC; taught maths.
Winterburn, Sgt. AEC (1940-1945); WWII conscript; very small, 'Wet'; taught English, music; ran debating society; when an orator thus began, 'My good friend, Mr Winterbottom etc.' he would stamp his foot and say in a mincing effeminate voice, 'My my name is Winterburn, not Winterbottom, then wondered why the class laughed.
Wortelhock, Capt. AHsM, Kitchener, taught French.
Wright, Captain; QARANC; Nursing sister.
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Mrs Maggie Watts |
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Unknown persons recalled:
Perry, Mr and Mr 'Sweeney Todd' (Snr and Jnr) of Dover had the School's haircutting contract for at least ten years (1951-51). Sweeney Todd Snr reported to have unbelievable expertise with hand clippers. For every two heads of hair cut another ten had hair pulled out by the roots. His left hand was a vice-like, so each head went where directed. Mr Perry reputed to have begun his career as a sheep shearer.
Watch repairer: Ex-RAF air crew of Whitley bomber downed on raid over Germany; had watchmaker's shop in alley off Biggin Street; maintained the school tower clock for which he was paid, but not for repairing boys' watches.
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