Newsletter of The Old
Thorntonians Association (Clapham)
“Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them.” John Ruskin (1819-1900)
No
17 August
2011
Lambeth Academy’s
initial presentation of the Association’s award was made at its “Foundation
Year Celebration” held on Saturday 2
July 2011. The event marked the
completion of their studies by the first intake of pupils in 2004. Three OTs
attended: Peter Lawson (1936-41), who spoke about the history of the school and
its link with the Elms road site now occupied by the Academy; Mike Surridge
(1947-52), who presented the awad to the selected student, Gazmir Ujkaj; and
Ted Hayward. A copy of the certificate
appears on the Home page of the website.
Lambeth College is
holding its next graduation ceremony on Saturday 22 October 2011. The prgramme includes presentation of the
next Henry Thornton Award to a nominated student. Contact Ted Hayward for more information if you’re interested in
attending.
Membership
Currently 109, including Harold Noah, who taught Economics from 1949 until 1960, and three Associates.
John Flood (1949-58): died 9 April 2011 Prefect; member of magazine Editorial Board 1954-7; actively
associated with running and stocking of the Library at South Lodge; winner,
Clapham Rotary Club essay competition; film projectionist; awarded BSc at
Nottingham Univ (1961) – his entry appears on the pupil honours board for that
year; attended the “starter” OT reunion held at The Windmill in September 2005. Ted Hayward (1950-7) writes: Although John started
a year before me, our paths crossed quite happily on several occasions. I particularly recall his endearing, quirky
sense of humour, and also a gathering of The Gringe Club at his London home,
aka Club HQ, attended by David Enoch, Alan Brown and myself. Please let Ted know if you’d like to share
any reminiscences you may have of John, whether during his years at the school
or later.
Carl
Henry John Gauss (?1910-13): died 1 September 1997. Attended the “original” school, ie,
Battersea Polytechnic Secondary, although it hasn’t been possible to confirm
the precise years. Awarded BSc degree in Physics at University College,
London (recorded on the honours boards entries for 1920). Lecturer at Croydon
Technical College, 1947-65.
Hubert
Edward Gauss (1918-22):
died 1 May 2005. Like his elder brother Carl, he obtained a BSc in
Physics (his name appears on the honours board for 1925). Held various college lectureships in Electrical
Engineering from the 1940s; Deputy Head of Science and Technology Department,
Southall College, from 1968 until retirement in 1970; Fellow of Institute of
Physics; Chartered Engineer; author of Introduction to Physics,
published by Newnes. [This information
on both OTs is extracted from fuller biographies kindly provided by Hubert’s
son, John.]
Philip George Wilkinson (1942-5): died 31 January 2011. Active member of Music Society.
Following up the item on Jack
Bailey (1945-50, died 17 March 2011) in the previous issue, Mike Overton
(same years) writes:
My memories of Jack are almost
entirely confined to the sports area.
He was a ferocious centre-half and terrified even his own side with his
“enthusiastic” tackling. I played
alongside him, in various Old Boys’ teams, for a number of years and his
appetite for the game never diminished.
In the boxing ring he was equally frightening, but this aspect of his
character was never evident off the field or out of the ring. He was kind, considerate, thoughtful and
gently spoken.
Reminiscences
Wilf
Finbow (1931-6) remembers a couple of bruising encounters
in the gymnasium: I
was a devotee of Bob Bramble. He had an
annual check-up on his wounded leg and in his absence was a supply teacher,
“Cordite” Conroy. He was one of that
“circus” of all-in wrestlers in those days.
No holds barred, they performed for the baying masses at the hall (much
condemned by the Head Master) on the way to Clapham North Tube station. We presumed he took the name “Cordite” from
the Navy’s 16in gun propellant, as he
may have been an ex-matelot. Other
opponents of this “circus” included
Norman (“The Butcher”) Ansell and “Young Apollo” (said to be Sir
Athole Oakley). My older siblings were
friends of the “Butcher”, who in reality was a quiet, well-mannered car
mechanic at his father-publican’s garage.
In
gym one day I messed up a vault on the buck horse and gave “Cordite” a kick in
the crutch. Spreadeagled on it, he gave
me a really firm rabbit punch! Three
years later he pitchforked me into the heavyweight boxing class versus F, a
huge, powerful gymnast. He advised me not to worry as once you draw an
opponent’s blood he folds. However, it
turned out to be my blood; so, discreetly, I hit the canvas in the
second round. Imagine such advice from
teachers these days!
There
was no parental complaining and “hot-footing” to the Head Master, Mr (Taffy)
Evans. In fact, my parents never knew,
and neither incident left indelible scars on my psyche, to quote the term used
by “trick cyclists”.
Geoff
Sloan (1948-53) asks:
Does anyone remember Mr Lawrence, who was one of
our school-keepers in the 1950s? He had a flat on the top floor of South Lodge,
and was a cheerful, friendly person.
Each autumn he raked the leaves scattered on the lawn behind South Lodge
and then set fire to them, resulting in a slow burn which gave off a pleasing aroma for several days. Mr Lawrence came to mind when I saw his
colleague, the ever-miserable Mr Field, mentioned in an *earlier newsletter [*John
Jones’s piece in issue 12, March 2012, with additional comments from Derek
Yandell in no 15, January 2011].
From the
Pages of The Thorntonian
Autumn
1955: VALETE
The
School has this year had the misfortune to lose two of its oldest Masters, Mr.
H.G.Rawlings and Mr. S.A.Owen. To the
sincere regret of colleagues and boys they retired in April and July
respectively, after a lifetime of service in education.
Mr.
Rawlings joined the Staff in April, 1936, as Handicraft Master [succeeding
Mr W S Williamson, 1916-36 Ed]. To the teaching of
this subject, and its recently added companion, Technical Drawing, he brought
expert knowledge, great enthusiasm and an insistence upon accuracy and honesty
of endeavour which was a natural reflection of the integrity of his own
character. The high standard of
craftsmanship achieved under his direction was amply proved by the annual
exhibition of Woodwork, which was one of the chief features of Open Day. After the War he took charge of the
financial organisation of school dinners.
Here his efficiency was such as to suggest that he would have won great
success in the Inland Revenue Department, for he developed an uncanny skill at
detecting the boys whose hunger had weakened their memory over the small matter
of payment. A robust advocate of strict
discipline, he practised what he preached, but although his criticisms were on
occasion devastatingly caustic they left no ill-will, for boys and men could
discern beneath the apparent severity a kindly and genial nature.
Mr.
Owen became a permanent member of the Staff in September 1946, and immediately
won a reputation as a most valuable “all-rounder”. He taught junior and middle-school boys a variety of subjects
with a success that owed much to his knowledge and long experience, but even
more to his sympathetic understanding of boys.
Teachers are sometimes accused of taking an interest only in clever
boys. Whether this charge is in general
true or not, it could not be laid against Mr. Owen. He devoted as much attention to the weak as to the more promising
pupils and his generosity of mind was shown in his efforts to palliate their
shortcomings. For some years he was in
charge of the School National Savings Movement and of the organisation of
Lacrosse; and such was his physical ability that up to the end he represented
the Staff against the School at Cricket and Tennis.
To
both of these Masters we offer our sincere gratitude and our cordial wishes for
a happy retirement.
C.E.J[eremy]
Winter
1932: CORRESPONDENCE
To
the Editor of “The Thorntonian” Henry
Thornton School, 11/11/32
Dear
Sir
I
think it would be a good idea if we had a “School Flag”. Say, for example, a black and sliver flag,
with either the School Crest or the initials H.T.S. engraved upon the
centre. The School flag could then be
flown upon School celebration days.
Whilst at National Remembrances the Union Jack could be flown. The School flag could also be flown in
miniature at the corners of football pitches.
Yours,
etc.,
“OBSERVANT” 2L.
EDITOR’S
NOTE. – The idea of having a School flag is certainly a novel one. But the occasions on which it could be used
would be very rare. The phrase “School
celebration days” is rather vague.
Possibly the writer has in mind the occasions: end (not beginning) of term, and those when the first football
eleven records a victory. It should
interest “Observant” to know that if he looks round the sides of the School
pitch at Roehampton he may see (when the School is playing) six School flags
indicating the corners and half-way line.
(A
later) editor’s note: although it is
evident that no general flag was ever adopted, does anyone recall whether the
“Roehampton six”, or similar pennants, ever made a subsequent appearance at
Clapham or Rose Hill?
Autumn
1952: OBITUARY
LEN
Old
Boys and the older boys still at school will have been saddened to hear of the
death of Mr. Leonard B. Cundall. After
his retirement from the post of Geography Master (1921-1948), he had worked for
the Wool Marketing Board and for a short while was Head Master of a school in
Manchester, but his health was rapidly failing and his friends were grieved,
but not surprised, to hear that he had been admitted to St. Helier
Hospital. Here he passed away on
October 10th. We desire to express our
deep sympathy with Mrs. Cundall and her family in their bereavement.
Mr.
Cundall brought to the study and teaching of Geography not only a well-stocked
mind but also a most lively intelligence which ranged far beyond the boundaries
of his already wide subject. He wrote
several books on Geography and was constantly engaged in reading, reviewing or
arguing about latest theories. Like
most Yorkshiremen he loved controversy, yet so humorously were his opinions
expressed that no one could take offence at them. During the war he had to teach Economics and I am reminded that
one of his pupils remarked, “Our Economics is a mixture of Ethics and
Politics”. The same discursiveness
characterised his conversation and probably his Geography lessons also; yet few boys can fail to have been stimulated
by his fertile mind.
Intellectual
gifts may elicit our admiration but it is qualities of character that endear a
man to us. “Len” (the diminutive was
evidence of his popularity) inspired affection among all who knew him because,
as one of his friends writes, “He had a heart of gold”. His generosity was proverbial and it arose
out of his fundamental humanity. No one
in need of help looked to him in vain.
Even sick animals seemed to know instinctively that in his house they
would find comfort. One of the last
things he said to me, when he was very near the end, was, “Is there anything I
can do for you?” He spent most of his
time doing things for others and we are the poorer for his going.
C.E.
JEREMY
Autumn 1944: ADVICE
ON CAREERS
This
term two talks have been given to the Fifth Forms at the school, which form
part of a series of addresses on careers.
Mr F. S. Bryson, M.B.E., M.A., B.Sc., of the L.C.C. School of Building,
Brixton, spoke on “The Building and Allied Trades”. The nature of the different branches of building, the
qualifications a boy should seek to obtain, and the prospects were clearly
explained by Mr. Bryson. The many
questions put to the speaker showed the keen interest of the boys.
Mr.
Arthur Milroy, an officer of H.M. Inland Revenue Department, spoke on the work
in the Customs and Excise.
The
parents of boys who will be leaving school next July will be pleased to hear
that arrangements have been made by which information and personal advice may
be obtained regarding particular professions and businesses, which parents may
be considering as careers for their sons.
The organization of this Advisory Bureau has been made possible through
the most generous offer of their services by the members of the Clapham Rotary
Club. The field of vocations on which
expert personal advice may be obtained includes Architecture, Banking,
Building, Ministry, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Printing, Insurance, General
commerce.
Parents
who would desire such personal advice should write to the Head Master.
W.R.J[ohn]
From the
Pages of The Bat
Also
from the prewar era, these extracts appeared in the final issue, dated December
1928, of the magazine for the (predecessor) Battersea County School.
Letter
from the Head Master
To the Editor of “The
Bat”.
Sir,
Next
January we hope to take possession of our new buildings on South Side, Clapham
Common; at the same time we shall assume the new name of “Henry Thornton
School”. We shall find our new home an
excellent, well-lighted, well-provided
and spacious modern School, with a fine hall, four large laboratories
and sixteen class-rooms, besides the Art and Handicraft rooms. South Lodge is being reconstructed
internally, and will provide dining-room accommodation on the ground floor, and
a large library above. The two
fives-courts which are being built in the garden will give the boys the
opportunity of making acquaintance with a new game. A large playground is being laid out near the School building,
and there will be hard and grass tennis courts. The official entrance to the new School will be in Elms Road, but
boys with cycles will use the present entrance on South Side, near which the
new cycle-shed is situated.
Our
move to new buildings and assumption of a new name will involve other
changes. There will be a new School cap
and badge, and new colours – black and silver.
[Those for BCS were maroon and blue. Ed] The badge and colours are those of the
Thornton family, which we have received special permission to use. Another important innovation will be the
addition of a new House to the five already in existence. When there are six Houses, it will be
possible for them all to be playing at once, whereas at present one House has
always to be “resting”.
We
all feel that we are approaching an epoch of the greatest importance in the
life of our School, and assuming a great responsibility, but pride in our past
gives us confidence for our future.
“ ’Tis not in mortals to command success ,
But
we’ll do more, Sempronius, we’ll deserve it.”
I
am, Sir,
Yours
faithfully,
W.
D. EVANS
Arnold
Smith Memorial Prize
A
year ago an anonymous donor offered to the School an annual prize of £2. 2s.
0d. for the best original English poem, short story or one-act play. He gave the prize in memory of our late Head
Master [1918-27], and wished it to be
known as the Arnold Smith Memorial Prize.
The School made an excellent response to this generous offer, for during
the School year 1927-8 no fewer than forty-seven boys competed for the honour of
being the first winner. In
all
thirty-four Short Stories, five One-Act plays and eight Poems were submitted,
and of these the best were:–
“The
Murder”, by E.S.Tucker (VI)
“Safety”,
by A.F. Anderson (VI)
“The
Awakening”, by A. Emanuel (IVa)
“Honesty
is the…”, by F.A.Noyes (IVa)
“The
Amateur Burglar”, by G. Smith (IVa).
Each
of these stories was considered good enough for the prize, but quite the best
was E.S.Tucker’s “The Murder”. We
heartily congratulate the prize-winner and the runners-up.
Former Member of Staff
Does
anyone remember Mrs Rose Pattison (“Pat”), who worked as a dinner lady at the
school, and the (also now closed) St Alphonsus Boys’ School, from the mid-1950s
until the early 1970s? Alyson Wilson,
of The Clapham Society, has received a letter with this enquiry from her
daughter, Mrs Yvonne McCulloch. If you
can help in any way contact the Editor.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Editor welcomes
contributions for future issues. Please
post or e-mail them to:
Ted Hayward, 31 Linfields,
Little Chalfont, Amersham, HP7 9QH;
ted.hayward@btinternet.com
Association President: Jimmy Hill OBE Website: www.oldthorntoniansclapham.org.uk
THE OLD THORNTONIANS ASSOCIATION (CLAPHAM) President:
Jimmy Hill OBE
SEVENTH REUNION – 2011
Saturday 24 September, from 1pm until about 6pm.
The Windmill, South Side, Clapham Common, SW4 9DE
(main dining-room).
No prepaid lunches will be provided. You should therefore order your meal, if
required, from the bar menu, which can be viewed on The Windmill’s website: www.windmillclapham.co.uk (Click on the “DINING” tab on the Home
page, and then “Bar Menu”.)
There is a limited number of designated parking
spaces in the immediate vicinity of The Windmill; all, however, are free at
weekends.
Attendance
If you’re planning to come to the reunion please let
me know by completing and returning the slip below, preferably by 17
September, to enable me to prepare the name badges and attendance
list. You can also e-mail me: ted.hayward@btinternet.com, or
call on 01494 762838.
Kind
regards.
Ted Hayward
_____________________________________________________________________________
To: Ted Hayward, 31 Linfields, Little Chalfont, Amersham, Bucks, HP7
9QH
I shall be at the next
reunion on 24 September 2011.
From (PLEASE PRINT): ……………………………………………………………………..