John Drinkwater (1888-1937) was born in Leytonstone, the son of an actor. He was sent at one time to live with his grandfather in Oxford, and attended the City of Oxford School until he was 15 years old, when he began working for an insurance company in 1903. Remaining in the insurance business, Drinkwater moved… Continue reading John Drinkwater (1899-1903)
Tag: Performances
“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
Memories of Ronnie Barker
by Tony Phelps (c.1946) Tony Phelps writes: “I met Ronnie on the (non-professional) stage in Oxford in 1946. That was the year when I returned from war service. Having acted a bit during the war, I joined a drama group calling themselves the Theatre Players, somewhere in East Oxford. Ronnie Barker was a member, and… Continue reading Memories of Ronnie Barker
“The Forum Presents”
by Malcolm Williams (left 1960) “The Forum Presents” is mentioned twice on the “News of Old Boys”, once by Malcolm Williams (left 1960) and once by David Green (left 1953). How many versions of the Forum Presents were there? Malcolm Williams has responded very quickly: Thank you for forwarding the note from David Green. The… Continue reading “The Forum Presents”
The School Song
by John Gaskin (c. 1955) John Gaskin writes: The precise origins and authorship of the School Song (see Newsletter 4) were never known to more than a tiny handful of people: F C Lay and Jimmy Soulsby are long since dead, and it would be a pity for the knowledge to perish unrecorded with me.… Continue reading The School Song
The School in Wartime
Writer unknown (1941-45) When originally published Mike Chew apologised that he had temporarily mislaid the name of the author of this item, but would acknowledge its provenance in due course, which he never did. “Sua culpa”, as he said at the time.“Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the latest COSA Newsletter I was trying to remember… Continue reading The School in Wartime
The COHS Double Bass
by Philip Gammage (1947-54) Philip Gammage (1947-54) writes: “Does anyone know what happened to the COHS Double bass? I played it (on loan from school) until 1954, when I left school. It was a plain ‘German style” four string bass, with sloping shoulders and a flat back…no provenance inside. It had been played before me… Continue reading The COHS Double Bass
The School Play
1949 A production of “Journey’s End” by R C Sherriff, produced by Mr George Wright, was performed with the following cast: Captain Hardy – Alan Stokes; Lieutenant Osborne – John Robinson; Private Mason – James Higgins; 2nd Lieutenant Raleigh – Howard Jones; Captain Stanhope – Paul Groves; 2nd Lieutenant Trotter – Michael Sommerlad; 2nd Lieutenant… Continue reading The School Play