The numbers of Old Boys serving in the 1st World War – or the Great War as it was known then – was 580. In a school with a nominal intake of 120 pupils per annum that is a huge percentage:
Continue reading “WW1 Service Distinctions”Sir H S Souttar (at School around 1890)
Sir Henry Sessions Souttar (1875 -1964) was an eminent surgeon. One of his books, “A Surgeon in Belgium”, dealt with his experiences in the First World War. It was first published in 1915 by Edward Arnold and is still available in a recent reprint (ISBN: 1428054154). Souttar became famous for his “Hole in the Heart” surgery, and later became President of The British Medical Association.
On the Barts & London Hospital website it is written:
“Sir Henry Souttar was another of The London’s most brilliant surgeons. He was the first surgeon in the world to open a chamber of the heart to stretch the organ’s mitral valve, which later became a basis for modern heart surgery. Sir Souttar also met Madame Marie Curie in Paris to discuss the use of radium, and then persuaded the Medical Research Council to give The London the first precious gram of radium which he used to treat breast cancer.”
COSA Reunion
Old Boys visiting the School some time in the 2000s
Robin Kemp (1933-39/40)
Tony Jones writes:
“Robin played for the Old Oxford Citizens R.F.C. for several years. He served in the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot and did his training at Culham Air Field.
He owned a small plane and was flying until recently.
He was in business as a Surveyor and Valuer.”
Michael Phelps (1941-48)
Michael played scrum-half for the First XV in 1945, 1946 and in 1947
Tony Jennings (1945-52)
Mike Chew writes:
“Tony was an indefatigable worker as a member of the COSA Dinner Committee, arranging the Autumn Reunions along with his wife, and we have much to tank them for. We shall miss Tony.”
Michael Blackler (1935-39)
Mike Chew writes:
“Michael was one of the oldest of COSA’s Old Boys when he passed away in 2012.”
John Nettell (1941-46)
David Cook writes:
“John will be remembered by those who knew him as a tall private person, who was devoted to the Scout Movement when school demands were completed. He died after a period of illness with cancer.”
Maurice Croxon (1944-48)
Alan Trinder (1944-51) writes:
“Maurice was in my form at School and was known for his sense of humour. He attended the COSA Reunions, until back trouble prevented him from driving. He lived in Havant.
This photo shows Maurice (seated) at one of the Reunions. He should also be remembered as a founding member of COSA.
Jim Fleetwood (1946-51)
Bryan Webb (1945-50) writes:
“Jim had lived in Canada for many years. Jim, Bryan and David Green last visited Oxford in 2012. He died in 2014.”