What Memories?!

As I said, I have a devil of a job distinguishing true memories from what I've been told about events at which I was present in the dim and distant. Your comments on my previous post have made me realise just how very little I truly remember of WW2 in Chandler's Ford.

I believe that my earliest true memory is of being woken and frightened to death by what I thought were scary faces (they were actually roses) on the printed eiderdown cover, having felt the bodies of my parents, lying on either side of me under the Morrison shelter, tense from the sound of warfare. Chandler's Ford received some bombs  and V1 overshoots, which, as well as demolishing a few dwellings, brought down a ceiling in our bungalow in Park Road - and the sudden opening up of the mobile ack-ack battery had a similar effect! I suspect that it was the fear element that has caused this memory to stick, likewise that of the barrage balloon outside Eastleigh library, which I was afraid to walk under when it was wound down.

Shock and embarrassment are probably the reasons why I've retained other memories . . .  My father's job afforded him access to security sensitive establishments and he sometimes took me with him. No doubt the essence of the 'loose lips sink ships' dictum was drummed into me, however, on a visit to the relocated Supermarine factory at Hursley Park I spotted an unfamiliar 'plane, with no propeller, and was unable to resist blurting this out whereupon my father hurried me back to the car and gave me a right royal dressing down - I had become a security risk! Later research suggests that the 'plane I'd seen was a prototype jet, possibly of the Attacker, which was built at Hursley during the war. I remember too being scolded for disobeying orders and going too near to my father's loaded rifle, which he kept for the duration beside his armchair.

As I mentioned before, in the run-up to D-Day I'm told that I was given much attention by American troops parked up outside. I put this down to my mother being something of a 'looker'! I've uploaded a pic. to my 'Pip's Pics.' album, which shows me (don't laugh!) wearing a US army cap in our front garden. The dark shapes beyond the garden wall are the parked up military vehicles. This image comes from the central fragment of a landscape view Box Brownie negative. The only reason I can think of for this negative having been so purposefully mutilated is censorship.

I'd be most interested to learn more about war-time in Chandler's Ford so do keep those comments coming.

'Pip'

The Ignominious Pupil Revolt of 1956

Not our finest hour perhaps but a part of our history nonetheless. I was there but find it hard to recall, maybe because being a day-boy with plenty of other interests my memory card was already maxed out - that and the fact that these days I'm rubbish at distinguishing true memories of long past events from hearsay, or even wishful thinking! For example, I remember as a young child being played with and fed candy and gum by American soldiers while they waited for D day - well, no, actually I don't remember, however, I do have a photograph to prove it!! - but that's another story.

Doc's death that year brought a sudden end to the 'old order', which probably affected us more deeply that we realised. With the resentment felt over what was thought to be an unnecessarily harsh interregnum during which time Mr Simpson, I believe, held the reins, and the uncertainty about our future, things started to unravel big-time. There were various peaceful protests, such as hymn-singing strikes, and I did hear a certain uncorroborated report of an incident involving Mr Simpson being lowered out of the chemistry lab window in a basket! One day there was, I believe, a boycott of lessons and a general milling about outside when newspaper reporter(s) showed up and were hurriedly shooed away by staff. I was told that at least one piece on our 'troubles' was published in the 'Telegraph', but I don't remember seeing it.

And that is about all that I can bring to mind, which is very irksome, so I hope that some of you guys can confirm, correct, and elucidate?

'Pip'

Memories of Mr F E Gladwell

Thanks are due to the Old Symondians' Association magazine where this article appeared in autumn 2009. It had first appeared in the Peter Symonds' School Magazine.
The date of first publication is unknown but it was after 1964

“Mr F E Gladwell

Mr Gladwell came to Peter Symonds’ in 1946 after a distinguished academic career and his war-time service in the Intelligence Corps. Appointed to the German department, he later introduced the study of Russian into the School and organised at Sixth Form level a wide range of cultural and intellectual pursuits. For a number of years he arranged foreign travel for parties from the School and more recently was active in promoting and strengthening the link between Giessen and Winchester.
But most Symondians will remember his very great interest in everything connected with the theatre. Each Christmas from 1949 to 1963 he produced for the Dramatic Society a full-length play, among which the works of Shaw, with “Arms and the Man” and “Pygmalion,” at the beginning, and an ambitious “Caesar and Cleopatra” in the middle, will probably be mot often recalled. The climax of his productions was, however, the stating of his own translation of the Russian play, “The Bed Bug,” with well over 100 characters.
That was in 1962 in Varley Hall, on a real stage. But for 14 years the Dramatic Society had struggled to present its work on the inadequate platform in Northbrook Hall. It was there, all too often in really cold weather, that a team led at all levels by Mr Gladwell, cheerfully surmounted so many difficulties. In such unprepossessing circumstances, many a Symondian’s appetite for the theatre was whetted and many will gratefully remember it.
We hope his new appointment in London will permit F E G many opportunities of indulging his taste for the theatre.”

This was transcribed on Tuesday 8th June 2010 by Jim Wishart, co-manager with Doug Clews and Chris Cooper of the Peter Symonds Nostalgia web site at

Memories of John St John

Thanks are due to the Old Symondians' Association magazine where this article appeared in autumn 2009. It had first appeared in the Peter Symonds' School Magazine.
The date of first publication is unknown but it was after 1964

“Mr J L St John

In this and the preceding issue, we have outlined the careers of several masters who have served the School for exceptionally long periods. None of them, however, has touched the life of the School in more diverse ways than the career of John St John.
“Saint” in the Common Room, “Sandy” to the boys, he joined the School from Weymouth in 1929, after his education at Taunton’s School and University College, Southampton, and a brief sojourn in a Midlands school.
He taught Chemistry and General Science with efficiency and a touch of humour. It is when we remember the inadequate facilities which existed and the depressing laboratories in which most of his career was spent that many of us will feel grateful for his efforts; just as many Old Symondians will recall, not without affection, the Freeman and St John Chemistry textbook, which was also successful in many places outside the School.
“Saint” has played many games gracefully and successfully. In his early years at the School he played hockey for Chandler’s Ford and cricket for Stanmore, but it already seems a long time since he became a leading member of a local bowling club and a regular winner of the OSA bowls championship. It was, however, his great interest in swimming in the School which will be remembered by many Old Symondians. He was in charge of swimming and life-saving activities for a number of years, and thereafter was a regular supporter of the swimming team at home and away fixtures.
Before 1939 he organised a number of visits of School parties to the Continent and was also in the Officer’s Training Corps, as it was then called. During the war he served in the Special Constabulary and organised agricultural camps at which boys of the School helped on the land.
Mr and Mrs St John took boys as boarder in their house in Cheriton Road before they moved to Kelso House in 1947 and where they remained until 1964. It would be idle to attempt to assess what influence they have had n the several hundred boys to whom they stood in loco parentum, but few could have lived with them without remembering many kindnesses and quiet advice and without cultivating a bit more concern for courtesy, personal appearance and tidiness. Even the Kelso House hurdle for new boys presented - in the event – little terror. The song that had to be sung at the Christmas party was soon taken up by so many other voices, and the spread of food was more than mere compensation. Many members of the School Staff, too, have reason to be grateful for the hospitality and friendship which Kelso House offered. “

This was transcribed on Tuesday 8th June 2010 by Jim Wishart, co-manager with Doug Clews and Chris Cooper.

Glider

The season's greetings to All.

I recently came upon a photo. of a Slingsby Grasshopper glider that rang a bell. I'm pretty sure that this is the type that we had in the CCF during the 1950s, housed in collapsed form in a 'hanger' at the bottom of the School field. (I've put the photo. in my 'Pip's Pics.' album).

Some light 'Googling' confirmed that this is indeed the glider issued to CCFs during that period.

Although my memory is misty and unreliable I seem to remember 'Tom' Pierce piloting, powered by chaps stretching a 'bungee'. I also recall an apocryphal story about 'Tom' landing on the canteen roof - but that may have been wishful thinking!

If anyone has a tale to tell about the glider I, for one, would like to hear it.

'Pip'

Pip's Pics.

Welcome

A welcome goes to David Dennis, who has just joined us ...Perhaps you could post a few bits and pieces about yourself David and your years spent at PSSW for all to share ...Hope you enjoy the site and are perhaps able to make contact with some ex school-mates ...

Doug Clews
Western Australia