From Brian Gumm (1940-44) After reading Mike Brogden’s cynical reminiscences of COHS in 1952-59 I found it hard to reconcile his views with those of mine. Could this be the same school? Admittedly, I was there 1940-44 and the headmaster was J.E.Badham but could it have changed that much in ten years? There was certainly… Continue reading When did the rot set in?
Category: Schooldays
Longer reminiscences by Old Boys
The Grading System
by John Nettell (1941) In 1941, as far as I remember, fee-payers all started in 2A and scholarship boys in Remove. Why it was called Remove I do not know. I only remember being told “it is traditional” which was no answer. Both classes numbered about 30 boys so there must have been about as… Continue reading The Grading System
A sense of superiority
by Philip Hunt (1960-67) Encouraging the debate: Lord Philip Hunt sides with Nigel Molden (Lord) Philip Hunt (1960-67) writes: I was very interested in Nigel Molden’s piece. Some of my experience chimes with his and I thought you might be interested in some comments. I went to the school at the same time as Nigel… Continue reading A sense of superiority
A different school song
by Tony Phelps (1933-41) Tony Phelps (1933-41) writes: “I was very pleased to receive Newsletter No 5, and it sparked a number of thoughts in my own brain. At the risk of wasting your time, I am putting some of them to you in this letter. The School Song Like the author of the piece… Continue reading A different school song
The School During WW2
by Don Adams (1939-45) Don Adams (1939-45) writes: I joined COHS in September 1939. The school premises were shared: COHS in the morning and Clement Danes in the afternoon. We were set 3 hours homework. Sizzy announced the fall of France on a trip to Whipsnade Zoo. Morley would “drill” us on the tarmac. Honorary Sixth:… Continue reading The School During WW2
“Journey’s End”
by Ron Baker (c.1949) Ron Baker (c.1949) writes: Further to Ted Bown’s reference to “Journey’s End”, the play was produced by George Wright and performed on 2nd to 5th February 1949. The cast: Captain Hardy: Alan StokesLieutenant Osborne John RobinsonPrivate Mason James HigginsL/Cpl Broughton Maurice Croxon2nd Lt Raleigh Howard JonesCaptain Stanhope Paul Groves2nd Lt Trotter… Continue reading “Journey’s End”
A Memory of Mike Winters
by Derek Jeffs (1940s) Derek Jeffs (1940s), at the School during the war, reminisces in the Oxford Mail about a disastrous night when he took part in a gig with the future comedian Mike Winters: Mike Winters, whose real name was Mike Weinstein, was one of many evacuees who had come from London to Oxford.… Continue reading A Memory of Mike Winters
The School in the 40s
by Tony Argyle (1941-46) Tony Argyle (1941-46) writes (again with real ink) from Pearce, near Canberra in Australia.Do you remember putting milk bottles or chalk dusters in the grand piano? I recall many a time when Mr Bielby had to stop in the middle of “For those in peril on the seas” to remove these various… Continue reading The School in the 40s
Schoolyard Cricket
by Colin A Tustin (1951-56) Colin A Tustin (1951-56) writes: “During the break between lessons schoolyard cricket was played, usually by six players (each side had a bowler and two fieldsmen. However, because break wasn’t very long, the game would be spread over a number of lesson breaks before a result was reached! (Ed. You… Continue reading Schoolyard Cricket
The Air Training Corps
by John Bolt (1937-41) John Bolt (1937-41) writes: “In 1941, soon after the Government established the Air Training Corps (ATC), No. 1250 (Oxford Schools) Squadron, ATC, was formed; the schools involved being the three boys’ Grammar Schools in Oxford at that time. They were the High, Southfield and St.Clement Dane’s, the latter being an evacuated… Continue reading The Air Training Corps