Old Tamensians: A History and News Archive 1900-1999

OT News from the Past 1900 - 1999

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(1880: The Mercury, forerunner to The Tamensian and the first school magazine, was published on 4th December at a price of 6d. The editor was the headmaster, Mr George Plummer - and when he died in 1891 it ceased publication. Its first edition consisted of eight pages and it had articles written by staff and pupils and covered the rugger and cricket games. In the Editor's Box, a boy asks that all too familiar question 'Why are the Australians better cricketers than us?').

1900: The first issue of The Tamensian was published with G.E. Shrimpton and Archie Birch as editors. For many years subsequently, 3 issues a year were published. A.L. Corbett won a football Blue for Oxford at the Queen’s Club; 'His fine dribbling and passing puzzled the Cambridge halves.' He also broke his wrist near the start of the game but this didn't affect his play. Brother B.O. Corbett, born in 1875, and who left in 1894, a Corinthian, was selected for an international football trial and gained one England cap against Wales where he played outside-left (their father was Vicar of Thame); H.Lee was engaged on scouting duties on the Boer War front at Maritzburg; J.N Birch survived the siege at Kimberley; W.A. Johnson married Miss Ethel Franklin of Scotsgrove; M. Bond died of enteric fever whilst serving for the Imperial Yeomanry at Kroonstadt; C.M. Sims was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Imperial Yeomanry. H.H Mears who left the School in 1892 was serving in South Africa in the C.I.V. H Dodwell gained honours in Modern History at Oxford.

1901: Trooper H Reynolds of the 10^th Company Imperial Yeomanry was severely wounded in the head at Wolmaranstad. G Plummer and J.F Deane had volunteered for service with the Yeomanry. E.C Plummer of King's College Hospital had become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. H. Mears had been presented with his active service medal by the King. Lieut Sims of the Bucks Imperial Yeomanry received an antique silver-gilt cup from Miss Alice Rothschild of Waddesdon in recognition of his action in volunteering for the war. W.C Tomlinson, who left in 1891, was first in the Final Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. James Mears who was head Boy in 1893 died. In 1899 he'd been appointed Editor of the Thame Gazette - part of the family firm. His older brother Harry, of course, was still serving in South Africa, as was J.F Deane.

1902: It was noted that E.C. Plummer married Miss Beverley-Bird of Clifton.

1903: G E Shrimpton retired as Editor of The Tamensian. E.C. Plummer finished his medical course. George Holloway who was working in Siam (now Thailand) died of cholera. C.M Wright was living in St John's Newfoundland. Basil Fielding was living in Paris, and Eustace Sims in Orleans. R Deverell 1898-1900 passed the preliminary Examination of the Banker's Institute. A.P.N Casson was having success at the City Guilds College, University of London. E.C Caswell had emigrated to Alberta.

1904: J.F Marsh scored what was then a record 172 not out for Cambridge in the Varsity match. During the season, he batted at #4 or sometimes as an opener. R.E Crawford, who'd taken a Second at Oxford, was teaching. W.H Lowdnes had passed his Law exams and A.F Birch was doing well at the Royal Academy Art School. A.W Cocks was teaching at Dauntsey. W E Hine had started work at the Thame branch of Lloyds Bank.

1905: W.C.M Weedon was teaching in Borneo and assisting the Resident. C.H. Dobbin who left in 1899 was living in Derby. R.Deverill 1898-1900 passed the Banker's Institute exams. George Shrimpton had won the Travers Smith Scholarship at Cliffords Inn and was about to start practising as a solicitor. William C Eppstein received the degrees of B.D and D.D from St John's, Oxford. He'd been at the School in the early 1880s, and had then gone up to Corpus Christi, Cambridge, where he'd graduated in 1885. He was ordained in 1887 and had held various curacies. Since 1894 he'd been Headmaster of Reading School.

1906: A.R.Edsell passed his Chartered Accountants' Prelim examinations. Mr F.C Britten, a former staff member was Headmaster of Oldham Grammar School, and Mr T.D Simpson a Housemaster at Berkhampstead. G.E Bond was studying to be a Surveyor; A.R Edsell an accountant, and J.A Mears an auctioneer. S Doulton was playing for Reading Amateurs and A Cocks was Captain of the Borough Road College football team.

1907: D.P Shaw rowed bow in the winning Morrisons Four at Balliol College. H.C Joyce entered Hertford College. An Old Boy had noted that over the last fifteen years, six or seven pupils who'd he'd shared the sports field with in the early 1890s had died thus sadly demonstrating how death was still a frequent visitor in this age.

1908: The establisment of an Old Tamensians Association was muted as a means of maintaining the esprit de corps that existed at the school. During the late 1800s there had been an Association of Old Boys but this had petered out. G.E Shrimpton led the way and contacted the former Hon Sec of the old, Old Boys. He was warned 'If you found an Association, you may get some members, a few of them will pay their subscriptions fairly regularly, still fewer will attend dinners and functions, and you will never see or hear anything of the majority unless one occasionally calls at your office to see if you can oblige him with the loan of a fiver.' Undaunted, on the 10th March 1908, eighteen old boys met at the Chinese Salon, Holborn Restaurant, London. They included the then headmaster Dr Shaw, three former masters, three of the four Kislingburys who had been at the school, four of the five Sims, G.E. Shrimpton of course, and E.L. Stroud. The Holborn Restaurant, one of London's most famous at the time, was a favourite place for societies and groups to meet and had been the meeting place for the first incarnation of the Old Boys. It was also suggested that perhaps an Old Boys Freemasons Lodge be formed. (It was thought there were nearly 200 potential Old Boys who could be contacted.) Albert Robinson was appointed Canon of Winchester Cathedral. H.H Dodwell joined the Indian Education Service after graduating from St John's Oxford. In the cricket, the 'Past Team' lost badly to the School. The 'Pasts' were G. Sorrell, A.G Sims, T R Bailey, W.C. Kislingbury, D.P Shaw, H Reynolds, J Field, E A Sims, R P Sims, J Payne, G. E Shrimpton. C.H Dobbin who was Sports Captain in 1889 was married at St Martins Leicester. The Headmaster represented the School.

1909: A second dinner was held at The Holborn and it was resolved that an Old Tamensians Association should be formed. The first President was appointed, the Rev W.C. Eppstein. Albert Robinson 1879-82 was now further appointed Archdeacon of Surrey. (He'd been Headboy in 1882).H Bucknall was invalided home from Colombo. J.F Deane was in New Zealand. H. H Dodwell in India. R.H Harris in East Africa. W.S Wagner was in Malay. Sir Edward Lee died aged 76. He founded and took an active part in the management of the educational department of the Crystal Palace was MD of the Dublin Exhibition of Arts, Industries and Manufacture in 1872; and was MD in 1875 of Alexandria Palace and, from 1884-90, Albert Palace. More Old Boys were urged to come to the Cricket Match next year. H. Rich played polo for England against America. Harry Mears went to Dublin to work for the Post Office. D.P Shaw and Herbert C Joyce were in the OUOTC. F.J Tomlinson was living in California. K Blow was farming in Ontario. At the end of the year the AGM was held on 8^th December, where the treasurers account showed a balance of £2 9s and 2d. There were 55 members.

1910: Herbert Joyce 1899-1907 had gained a Second Class honours degree from Oxford and was going on to study theology. G Bailey was playing for Thame Football Club and the County. Duncan Ostreham played for the County in hockey but was emigrating to Canada. Frank Deane was married in Auckland, New Zealand. W. H. Smith had emigrated to British Columbia. The Old Boys cricket match was cancelled because of the death of King Edward. B.O Corbett played cricket for Derbyshire. R R Williams passed his Law finals. W Parker, Clerk to the Governors of Lord Williams's Trust, died - he was thought to be the last of Dr Fook's old pupils. E.J Stevens married. E.B Shaw had gone up to Trinity College Cambridge. A.W.S Wagner (1905-10) went up to St John's College Oxford.

1911: The OTA presented the school with a House Cricket Challenge Shield. G.E Shrimpton married Ethel Blyth at Stoke near Coventry, he was presented with a silver rose bowl to mark his wedding. The OTs lost to the School at cricket; H.A Kane married L.H. Davidson; J.H Shrimpton had joined the Queens Own Hussars; G.R Martin was teaching in Peking, where he was known as Mr Ding. Out of 9 weeks leave, he spent 6 weeks on the train. The OTs lost 77 - 144 to the School in the cricket - played on Whit-Monday in ideal weather under a cloudless sky.

1912: The OTs beat the school 65-43 in the cricket, the team being E.G Wagner, A.J. Briars, H.C Joyce, A.W. Wagner, R.E. Welch, H. Allensbrook, E.G Clarke, W.H Allen and G.E. Shrimpton. The Rev J.Y Batley was elected as an Honoury Member of the OTA; 4 members were struck off the list for not paying their subscriptions (leaving a total of 65 members); the Annual Dinner was held once again at The Holborn Restaurant in London; H.L. Edsell and S.C.B Lee were selected to play for the MCC; A.F. Birch married Miss Van Roalte; E.B. Sery graduated from Lausanne University with a degree in Engineering; Basil Perkins was keeping goal for Belgrano in Buenos Ayres; Rex Field was studying metallurgy at the University of Minneapolis; C. H Dobbin was leading the Poultry Dpt. of Lancashire County Council; E.B Shaw gained a half-Blue for Cambridge in shooting. In the football, the School beat the OTs 6-1. H.C. Joyce gained a second in Theology at Oxford. J.F Deane was appointed Town Clerk and treasurer of Pukekhoe New Zealand. A. W Gill was farming in Alberta. H. A Springer was working in mining in Johannesburg. His brother Lesley was serving the African Dominion on the Railway. S.V Sims who was Captain of Games in 1896 died. Henry Bernard had entered St John's College, Cambridge.

1913: There were now 71 members; the OTs donated a framed cartoon of John Hampden - a work of Old Boy A.F. Birch. W.H. Smith was living in British Columbia; R. H Harris was farming rubber and coffee in Uganda; F.W. Keeling got married; the Rev D.E Hunter married Miss Herbert of Uttoxeter; H.C Bernard graduated from Cambridge and A.W.S Wagner from St John's, Oxford; E.B Shaw 1900-05 captained the winning Cambridge side at the Varsity shooting match at Bisley.

1914: Dr W.C Eppstein, past President of the OTA retired from the Headship of Reading School after 20 years, and took a position as assistant master at Bradfield College. John C Hoadley started work: collecting taxes at Somerset House (joining two other OTs who were working there.) The Rev H. Dallimore who had been curate at Walton, Liverpool took up the Headship of the Grammar School, Sierra Leone. A.T Forbes was working for the government in Travancore, southern India (now known as Kerala.) 30 OTs were at the Annual Dinner at The Holborn, the Rev Shaw, Headmaster told everyone present that the School was financially sound. E.B Sery had moved from Switzerland and was now working for the Pennsylvannia Railway. Eric Jones was at Leeds University. A.E Rayner was at Queen's College, Cambridge. A.W.S Wagner rowed for St John's Oxford. The football match was cancelled due to lack of players as most were serving in the Forces. Hugh Kidman was farming in Waterstock. W.H Smith had married. 67 OTAs had joined up. Lieut G.L Edsell was one of the first to be wounded. The annual dinner was cancelled. Rex Field was killed in a motor car accident in the US - he was studying at Minneapolis University.

1915: 25 attended the annual dinner at The Holborn; Mr W.C. H Church was President. 70 Old Boys were serving in the forces. Cpt Edsell and Lt Tomlinson both wounded and back in England. The first Old Boy to be killed was Sergt W.E. Roberts. He was killed at Ypres. Max Singer was a POW near Berlin. R.J Culverwell was killed by a shell while entering a dug-out in a trench. C.G Clarke was also killed by a shell. Brian Perry died from an illness contracted at camp.

List of members: W. H Allen and C.T. Allen 20 High Road Kilburn; H. Allsebrook Badsey Vicarage Evesham 1901 - 1905; J. Adams Wormestone Waddesdon Bucks; H.V. Bateman 45 Harvard Court West Hampstead 1890; Rev J batley Trinity College Cambridge 1908; J.S Bell Ivy House Bierton Aylesbury 1908-1909; H.C. Bernard St John's College, Cambridge 1905-12; T.H. Bishop Grove Road Leighton Buzzard 1887; G.R Blake Estate Duty Office, Somerset House 1905-12; A.J Briars British Schools Thame 1902-09; F.G Britten 49 Highbury Quadrant n. 1895-1898; W.C.H Church 86 Pilgrim Street Newcastle-uopn-Tyne 1879-1881; C.G Clarke High Street Haddenham Bucks 1902-07; F.E Clark 37 Larkfield Road Richmond Surry 1905-09; J Cole 88 Albion Road Stoke Newington 1897; F J . B Conway Bruce Cottage Byron Hill Harrow 1907 1909B.O Corbett 'Rycote' Derby 1891; J Crook 17 Tokenhouse Yard E.C. 1880 C. H Dobbin County Council Farm Hutton Lancashire 1889; G.L Edsell !st Hampshire Regiment Aldershot 1901-04; E. Edsell Cedar House Claremont Road Surbiton 1900 - 06; W.S. Edwards Highfield, St John's Road Sevenoaks 1901-05; Rev Dr W.C. Eppstein The College Bradfield Berks 1880 - 1882; R.J Escreet 31 Horace Road Forest Gate e. 1895-99; H. Finch The Poplars, Cowley Middlesex 1910-11; A.T. Forbes The Residency Trevandum Travancore India 1888; G.R Fraser The College Great Malvern; C.O Green Beresford Beresford Road Wallasey Cheshire 1908-10; J.E. L Harris The Cottams Barnstead Surry 1883-87; R.H Harris 17 Eaton Rise Ealing 1898 - 1902; W.S Harris 17 Eaton Rise Ealing 1897-99; R Hall 62 Hill Top Road Oxford 1907 - 1911; H.W Herman 11 Market Place Banbury 1910-12; W. Hine Lloyds Bank Belgrave Road s.w. 1900-01; P.E.G Hook The Roses Chatsworth Road West Norwood 1884 - 1891; H.C. Joyce 43 Morshead Mansions Elgin Avenue w. 1900-07; G Kaufmann Hamburg Harvester Kuderweg 83 1891; A.V Kislingbury 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields w.c 1893; R Kislingbury West Dene Sunning Fields Road Hendon 1891; W.C Kislingbury Walnut Cottage Woodford Green Essex 1885 - 1889; B.W Lidington The Spread Eagle Hotel Thame 1880; W. H Lowdnes Croft Road Thame 1900 - 03; G.R Martin The Ch'ung Te School Pekin N China 1904-06; P.H May 35 Redbridge Lane Wanstead 1889-93; H.H Mears 40 Albert Road Caversham Reading 1884 - 1891; G. Moffat 143 Friars Street Reading 1909-12; Rev W Musson Stoke Ferry Norfolk 1880-84; J.H Pedley Adstock Great Baddow Essex; G.H Platt Sherstone Malmesbury1900-04; E.C Plummer Laverstock House Laverstock Salisbury 1888; G Plummer Jessleton British North Borneo 1890; E.B Raynor Queen's College Cambridge 1900-04; H Reynolds Notley Abbey Thame 1880; R.F Rhodes 171 Walton Street Oxford 1902 - 08; W. Roberts Lower High Street Thame 1900-01; The Ven A.G. Robinson The Close Winchester 1881; E.Rose Moat Farm Ford Aylesbury 1909-15; Rev Dr A.E Shaw, Lord Williams's Grammar School; D.P Shaw Lord Williams's Grammar School 1899-1907; G.E Shrimpton 35 Warrington Road harrow 1893-1901; H.L. Shrimpton 30 High Street tahme 1900-05; A.G Sims Reading; C.J Sims Tintagel Dyne Road Brondesbury n.w 1885-1889; E.A. Sims The Gables Waddesdon 1897-1900; T.D Simpson Overton House Berkhamsted; W.H Smith Barriere British Columbia; C.B Stevens Geldstone High Barnet 1888-92; E.L. Stroud 55 South Moulton Street w 1887-90; S.R Tanner Somerset House w.c. 1899-1905; T.C.B Udall Oakdale Southborough Kent; A.W.S Wagner St John's College Oxford 1905-10; E.G.S Wagner University Club Birmingham 1904-11; T.A Wall Canfield Langley Park Mill Hill n.w. 1890.

1916: The Rev William C Eppstein had been appointed Rector of Lambourne and Abridge. Francis Willoughby Fielding 1902-6 fell leading his men against the line of enemy trenches. William Smith died whilst in the front-line trenches. Noel Target 1906-09 was killed at the Somme. Henry Bernard 1905-1912 was killed in France after returning to the Front following his recovery from wounds and enteric contracted at Gallipoli. Jimmie Hobbs was missing and presumed dead; John Hoadley 1906-11 had been killed. E.G S Wagner was shot down and killed over the Somme.

1918: In total 193 Old Boys had served in the Great War, 29 lost their lives. DSOs were won by Captain Bailey (with two bars), and Major D.P Shaw. Henry Shrimpton 1900-05 won the Military Cross as did Lieut. R Rhodes and Capt. Reginald Harris 1899 -1902. Captain E.W Rose won the MC after being killed in action. Captain R Lidington was mentioned in despatches. H.H Mears became Head Postmaster of Coventry.

1919: T.J Preacher who left in 1914 was serving with the Army in Germany.

1920: A.E Shaw retired as Headmaster after 21 years as Headmaster and was given a silver tea service by the Association. Mr G.E Shrimpton, Secretary of the OTA presented the War Memorial to Mr Wykenham, Chairman of the Governors. The Memorial took the form of an oak tablet inscribed with the School Arms and the names of those fallen. A War Memorial Prize was given to the School, to be handed to the boy who exercised the best influence in or out of School, and a bound volume with the names of all those known to have served. The Memorial was unveiled by General Sir Hew Fanshawe and the School Hymn and 'For All The Saints' were sung. F E Sharp was serving in the Indian Police. E.G North joined the P&O Steamship Co and had just completed a voyage to Australia in the 'Cap Polonia' the surrendered German liner, in which the ex-Kaiser intended to make his triumphant tour of the world after the War. The Annual Dinner was held in The Coventry restaurant near Piccadilly Circus and 17 attended.

1921: The first OTA dinner at the Spread Eagle in Thame was held and 46 attended including Captain Howland who had left the school in 1854. (Prior to this, all dinners had been held in London.) There was dinner, toasts and a musical programme. The Rev A.E Shaw died aged 61. Donald Shaw was a Housemaster at Westminster School and his brother Brian Shaw was still in the forces on the 'troubled frontiers of India.’ H.C Joyce had become a curate at East Mean, Hants. A. S. Wagner was stationed in Malta with the Air Service; R.F. Middleton was working for the Bank of India in London - having decided not to live in Australia; Richard Hall lived in Kirkow, Taumaranni, New Zealand and sheep farming - though due to the dry hot summer, they weren't fetching very much. (The Empire Settlement Act of this year had stimulated interest in farming overseas). M.V.T James was living in Madeira, employed to deal with the press news and messages that came from Europe and were then relayed to South America. In total, the OTA had 106 members with 10% living abroad and 10% in Thame. John Bell had to retire from banking due to war wounds. O.L Rojas had returned to Portugal and had married. L Dancer was in the Police. R Huckes had been acting as an interpreter for the Red Cross in France. W.E Fayers was a designer and artist. C. H Wlikinson had taken up poultry farming in Yorkshire. E.S Jones was teaching at Johnstone's School, Durham. E.G North had continued his two year voyage on the 'Cap Polonia' having visited China and Japan. Herbert Garton-Sprenger died in Tzaneen of blackwater fever. He'd been late of the Life Guards and had come to the School when quite a young boy before he left for Sandhurst. He was Captain of the Football XI in 1911. G. E Shrimpton retired from long and outstanding service as Secretary owning to pressure of work. He'd held this post since the formation of the OTA in 1909.

1922: A Wagner represented the RAF at cricket and scored 126 not out at The Oval; Ernest Loftus a master 1905/6 appointed Headmaster at a new secondary school in Barking; C. H. Wilkinson had to retire from poultry farming due to a recurring illness caused by gassing in the War; H.J Bradley was an Officer in the RAF, and Hereward Wagner was growing rubber in the Federated Malay States. The annual subscription was 5s and 2 pounds 2s for Life membership. The Annual Dinner this year was held at The Coventry restaurant near Piccadilly Circus. A black blue white and gold tie was adopted. Total membership was now 111. The Ven A.G. Robinson resigned as Archdeacon of Surrey and became Stall Canon Residentary in Winchester Cathedral. R.H Harris was working in German East Africa. R. Hester was working on a rubber estate in Soebano, Java. E.B Rayner had been called to the Bar. Harold Franklin was practising as a solicitor in Oxford. Gerald Bond, an auctioneer in Buckingham. R.A Stone a schoolmaster at Cuddesdon. E.G North was a 4th Officer in the P&O Co. Fred Tomlinson was living in Honolulu. The Rev W Musson was the Wesleyan Minister at Buckingham. W.E Cubbage was in the Inland Revenue and had recently got married. A 'Smoking Concert' was held after the Cricket Match (which the Old Boys lost) at the Spread Eagle. J Maughan won an open exhibition to Oxford and before going up was teaching at Lewes Grammar School. H.H Dodwell was appointed Professor of History and Culture of Asian Countries at London University. The OTA decided to adopt blue, black, white and gold as the Associations colours.

1923: A House Shield for Football was presented to the School and the first winners were 'B' House. R.Hall, F.Deane and R. Smith were all living in New Zealand. R.H. Golby was playing football for Oxford City. R. H Harris was based in Dar-es-Salem. J.P.Tindell was working as an accountant for Cooper Brothers & Co. in the City. L.A. Goodchild was studying horticulture in the south of France. S.P Humphris died in a motor cycle accident in Wheatley. A.W.S Wagner grew cotton in the Sudan. H.B. Pape was enjoying life at the RAF Training School. G.E. Shrimpton presented a Swimming Cup to the School. G.M Harper gained a scholarship to Sandhurst. L.W Levermore was working for the Westminster bank. N.J Nobbs had recently starting working for Midland Bank in London.

1924: R.W Hester was on the east coast of Sumatra. C.R Hughes had taken up engineering. P Haines was a riding instructor at Sandhurst. H.C.H Coley was working in the Town Clerk's Office at Torquay. A. H Reynolds had passed out of Cranwell. H.F Munday was teaching in the elementary school at Littlemore. V.H Jaques was called to the Bar. H.W Herman was working for the Associated Sports Co. D.K Phibbs (1916-23) was in a Japanese bank in London. E.G Hicks worked at the Westminster Bank in Oxford. C. Simmons was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Poor Law Accountants. Messrs W.R .Lidington, R Hester, P.G Hester, F.B Mitchell and H.H Vertigen all recently married. G.M Harper was at Sandhurst. H.C. Joyce was chaplain to the Bishop of Carlisle. Donald Shaw DSO MA who had been educated at the School from 1899-1907 died of war wounds sustained in 1915. A graduate of Balliol, at the time of his death, he was a House Master at Westminster School and his funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey. Two weeks later, his widow gave birth to his son, Donald John. J.A.S Bolton was working for the Eastern Telegraphic Co. in Carcavellos Portugal. A.G. Sims was Managing Director of Cort & Sons Ltd., of Reading. Membership stood at 130. The Annual Dinner was held at the Grand Hotel, Trafalgar Square. The President - A.G Sims - brought his sister and her friends to entertain the company. The gathering broke up at 11.00, to find its way home in thick fog.

1925: A. W.S Wagner was on leave from the Sudan having gone down with 'sun sickness'. The OTs were urged to consider investing in a cotton plantation, the price of cotton having doubled in eigtheen months. C.D. P Franklin was sheep farming with his brother in Tokomaru Bay New Zealand. L.W Coulden was studying at the Royal Veterinary College. R.F Price was practicing medicine in London. Gilbert Stone was a diary and poultry farmer near Abingdon and brother Ralph Stone was teaching at Slough. Major B.W. Lidington was appointed a School Governor, the first Old Boy to become one for 50 years. For the first time, the President of the OTA sat on the platform at Speech Day and made a speech on the Association's activities. R. H Harris was now an Administration Officer in Tanganyika, based in his one-man office with views of Kilimanjaro. E.M Harper had left Sandhurst and gazetted to the Beds and Herts; his brother G.M.H was at Fulford Barracks. D.I Barrell was a cadet on HMS Conway. E.C.G Holbrook emigrated to Canada in the hope of studying Theology at Saskatoon University. F.J Harris was a salesman for Vauxhall Motors. Leonard Shrimpton was a livestock officer for Board of Agriculture, Ipswich. W.E Hine was the treasurer of the Whiteleaf Golf Club. E.D Stember was living in New York, J Bolton was living in Gibralter and D.J Sharp in Portugal. There were still three OTs living who had been taught at the old school under Foolkes: Capt C F Howland (1855-6); W G Howlett (1857-9) and Percy Field (1860).

1926: H.H Mears 1884-1891 was Postmaster of Bournmouth. Hugh McRea 1918-23 was awarded the King's Gold Medal on HMS Worcester and then subsequently the King's Gold Watch. Herbert Vertigen 1909-16 was working for the Inland Revenue, which he had joined in 1917. F.E R Lord had emigrated to New Zealand under the Public Schools Scheme. E.G Holbrook had not taken up theology but instead teacher training in Prince Albert, Saskatchenwan. E.G Hicks had given up banking and had started teaching. J.F Lord was in the Navy. H.C Reese had gained an honours in Modern Languages at London. V.E Winter was working in the Aeolian Company. B.B Bell enjoyed his first year up at Wadham. H Wyatt joined the Mecantile Bank of India. H.L Sheat was in one of Jaeger's retail branches in London and attending a course in textile technology. R.E Janes was in the shipping department of J&R Morley. J.H Pedley was made a J.P for Essex. George S Plummer was living in Jesselton, North Borneo. G.H Harper was in Shanghai with 1st Bn. Border Regiment. D.I.T Barrell had finished ship training and had joined the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. C.D P Franklin had packed-in farming in New Zealand and was now working for the Public Works Department in Gisborne, North Island. J Lawrence had started his career with the Union Cold Storage Company. The OTs had 160 members. Mr C Osborne-King was of The Oxford Clothiers was elected as sole supplier of the OTA colours. The new blazer was serge, striped with black, silver blue and gold, and cost 55/-. Members were asked not to wear a crest with the blazer.

1927: R.B Sinclair 1922-5 was trying his hand at sheep farming in Australia. Edward Holbrook had started teaching at Ringleton Firs School in Saskatchewan. Herbert Reese died of influenza - only last year he'd been awarded his Modern Language degree and had embarked on teaching training. George Moffat died of malaria. F Lord was still sheep farming in New Zealand. E.G Holbrook had given up teaching in Canada and had started work for the Imperial Bank. 'Hartley' visited the School for the first time since he left in 1913. W.A Duff had joined Barclays Bank in Bicester. R.T Harrison was working for J&J Allen, a large furniture depot, and S.G Stokes was also working for a warehousing company in London. D.J Sharp with the Eastern Telegraphic Co. was stationed in Alexandria. William Kentish 1916-23 was studying for a PhD in London. Membership had increased to 174.

1928: M.Maughan had gained 1st class honours Mathematics, London University, as had H.W Howland. B.B. Bell had graduated from Oxford and J.E Watts had qualified as a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society. Henry House 1923-7 was a motor engineer in Watlington. Lesley Hughes - 1916 emigrated to Australia. For the first time in history, the Old Boys were defeated by the School in rugby. P Goodchild had emigrated to Canada to take up farming. H.B Maughan suffered a bad flying accident in the RAF. R Lang who left in 1926 was still enjoying his farming at Rose Farm, Murrays Creek, Queensland. R.W Hester was home on leave from Sumatra. W.S Kentish was successful in gaining his PhD and took a position with British Celanese. K Castle was working for the Union Castle Mail Co inn Blackwall, London. W Blair had passed his Chartered Accountants Finals. W.C Eppstein, the first President of the OTA died. George Seelir Plummer, younger son of the former headmaster George Plummer, died at the age of 49 after contracting pulmonary trouble in North Borneo. C Iley left for Toronto to take up a banking appointment. C.F Culley was working for the National Provincial Bank in Mayfair. R.F Stroud 1914-18 sailed for Calcutta where he was to work with Imperial Tobacco. M.R Simes had started a course at the London School of Printing. H Holbrook, who had first gone into teaching training and then banking in Canada, was now studying at University with the hope of a career in music. J Maughan was now on the staff of Palmer's School, Grays Essex. 31 names were 'expunged from the OT membership list for not paying their subscriptions. Sixteen new members joined.

1929: G.C Franklin was working as a nurseryman on Matakana Island, New Zealand. P Bolton was employed in the County Surveyor's Office, Shrewsbury. H. McRea was now serving on HMS Walker and had spent the winter in the Mediterranean. In 1930, he was due to go on a six months course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich. N.J. Nobbs was in banking. F.D. Dyson had started on a six month 'Students Course' at Selfridges. H.H. Mears had become Postmaster of Southampton. W.A Duff 1921-27 was studying accountancy. Ben Maughan 1916-24 was training recruits at RAF Uxbridge. Lieut. G.H M Harper was serving with the Royal West Africa Frontier Force in Nigeria. J.A Lawrence 1921-26 was in San Paulo Brazil.

B.B Bell was an Inspector on the Sudan's Geizira Irrigation project. R.Simes 1918-25 was a student at the London School of Printing. E.D Dyson was awarded first class honours in the Roll of Solicitors of the Supreme Court and had joined a firm of solicitors in the West End of London. G.H Pratt who left the School last year has taken up an appontment in the Forestry Research Department at Princes Risborough. R.H Harris was in Tanganyika serving as an Assistant District Officer in the Colonial Civil Service. John Grammer 1922-28 was an articled pupil at Gas, Light and Coke Co. Ralph Hoddinott who left School this year, joined Zurich Insurance. "Greenacre" once part - before it was demolished - of the Boarding House was the home of Douglas Holland's family (he'd gone to the School from 1923-27). The Holland family had a number of businesses in Thame including a builders and electrical and wireless retailers. Older brother Robert Holland had also gone to the school. Harold Maughan 1916-24 was an Adjutant in 24th Squadron based at RAF Northolt. Frank Mitchell MC1908-10 was Headmaster of Thame's C of E Primary School.

1930: L.W Coulden 1918-23 was now a fully qualified vet practising in Brighton. P.C Goodchild 1918-24 was farming in Canada. E.G Hicks won a Blue at Badminton for Oxford. R.F Stroud 1914-18 was living in Calcutta. L Stonehill 1919-23 had commenced training with the RAF. M.E Seymour 1923-28 was playing for the Saracens 1st XV. H.F.C Wyatt 1917-26 was living in Singapore and working for the Bank of India. Both A.W.S Wagner, who had stopped cotton farming in Sudan, and Philip Bell were both farming in West Australia. (Wagner had sent a message urging the OTA to support the English cricketers in their quest to beat Australia). J.H Deane 1889-94 was Town Clerk of Pukekobe, Auckland and had recently had a leg amputated; he died shortly after the operation. G.R Cosier was employed by Thompson-Houston Co.

R.T Eggleton was manager of the Public Benefit Shoe Co. G Kaufmann 1890-91 was growing carnations and sweet peas in Hamburg. C Oswald-George 1906-10 had written a book on War Finance. Recent leavers C.E Flynn joined Imperial Airways, R.F Hoddinott Union Cold Storage, R.H Colby the Navy and H.W,. Little, the Thame Rating Office. William Kislingbury 1886-1889, who was the Mathematics master at Banscroft School Woodford, died unexpectedly. W Blair was a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. L.W Coulden had joined the Army as a vet. E.Goodchild 1913-17 was farming near Worthing and D. Goodchild 1926-29 was market-gardening in the same area. E.L Stroud 1887-90 was a Grand Officer in the Grand Lodge of England. B.W Purcell was a senior clerk of Bucks CC. J Maughan 1915-22 took up an appointment as assistant master at Manchester Grammar School. E.Mc.L Nairn 1921-8 was in the 14th London Regiment, The London Scottish. A.D Wadmore 1921-27 had returned home from Malaya. V.E Winter 1917-23 was working in a retail store in St Albans. Th OTA had 162 members. The new Headmaster Mr A.C Dyer was elected an Honoury Member. George Austin 1910-13 had opened Austins the Gent's Outfitters in Thame. Gordon Blake 1907-12 was a civil servant. John Cole 1879 was an Export Agent. Robert Crawford 1891-93 was an Underwriter for Lloyds. John Crook 1879-80 a stockbroker. Thomas Goodenough 1913-18 an Auctioneer. R.E Richards presented a diving board to the School "which added considerably to the enjoyment of bathing.' F.J Harris was selling Daimler motor cars in London. R.B Sinclair had given up sheep farming in Australia and returned home. E Syson married Mlle. Jeanne Maxton of Roubaix. J.N Franklin 1918-20 was in the West Indian Constabulary based in Trinidad.

As usual a number of members were not keeping up with payment of subscriptions and several had been struck off the members list for persistent non-payment. In part this was due to the worldwide recession that was begining to hurt everyone's pockets. Membership was 5s annually, and a Life membership cost 2 guineas.

1931: Frank Dew 1920-22 was farming in Fritwell. Douglas Dodwell 1916-21 farming in Long Crendon, George Fawdry 1914-20 farming in Chipping Norton, E. Goodchild near Lewes, and Arthur Westacott 1926-30 in Hayes. Cecil George was a Civil Servant and living in London. Both Harper brothers were serving in the Army. Edward North 1909-17 was a second officer for the P&O Steam Nav. Co. Old Boys working in banks included Robert Phipps,Charles Iley, and Norman Nobbs. Robert Sheat 1921-26 was a Master Hosier and Outfitter in London, Martin Simes 1918-25 was Business Manager for the Times of India and living in Bombay. N.E Court 1920-25 of Worminghall died in the Radcliffe Infirmary as a result of a motor-cycling accident., and John Cole, the oldest 'Old Boy' died. Major Oswald Haines 1900-04 was managing a rubber plantation in Upper Perak. W.P Tomalin 1919-22 was working for Kodak in Batavia. V.E Winter 1917-23 was working in the management of Woolworths. OT blazers and ties were being sold by OT C. Osborn King from the Oxford Clothiers, 12 Cornmarket Street, Oxford. B.J Cuthbert 1923-30 was at King Alfred's College Winchester where he was deputy organist. The annual dinner was held at the 'Four Horseshoes' in Thame. G Franklin had given up forestry in New Zealand and was now growing lemons. E.C.G Holbrooke 1922-5 was assistant stage manager at the 'Old Vic.' R.W Hill 1924-30 was doing teacher-training at St Mark's Training College, Chelsea.

The 'John Hampden Leaving Scholarship Fund' was finally established after some years of being mooted. Its purpose was to provide financial assistance to encourage a pupil to attend university. One of the OT's past Presidents, R.E Crawford, was the driving force of the idea.

1932: J.F Crees started as an apprentice with the Bucks Free Press. Dr W.S Kentish was doing research at the Royal Gunpowder Factory. E.F Shaw who had emigrated to Australia ten years previously was still there teaching; brother G W was farming in Northamptonshire. For the first time in almost living memory, the Old Boys beat the School at cricket. F.B Conway was farming near Wantage. B Hlliard was an engineer with a firm which made ventilators. R.L Sheat married Miss Kathleen Hamilton. P Goodchild was running a motor car business in Guildford. F.E Stroud 1914-18 died. His brother R.F was living in India. J.K Bell had recently joined Ferranti, and brother B.B Bell had joined the Army. G.C Franklin wrote to say that growing lemons in New Zealand had been hard because of the peculiarly hard frosts. Major B.W Lidington was Manager at the Spread Eagle. The Old Boys beat the School at chess. R Hester had returned from Sumatra and settled in Princes Risborough. S.C Vertigen was serving with the RAF in Mesopotamia. J.G Wadmore 1927-32 was working on a rubber plantation in Malaya. He wrote, 'Almost every Chinaman has his thumb nail one inch or sometimes as much as four inches long. With this and his tactful fighting, he will kill his opponent either by putting it through his eye or throat. A Malay is out with his dagger or long-knife before you know anything. Never call a Malay a pig or he will pin you.' Mrs H Shaw widow of former Headmaster the Rev. A.E Shaw died. She'd been loved by many OTs. A.N Whiteside 1922-6 was training as a doctor at the University of Alberta, Canada. Reginald Kislingbury died at the age of 57 - he'd been one of the founding members of the OTA and its President in 1926. Lesley Hughes who left in 1916 was working in the sugar and cotton industries in Queensland. L.G Felthouse was chicken farming near Gravesend. There were 162 members and 44 of them attended the annual dinner. B.J Gates was President of the National Farmers Union, and Milton Harris Chairman of the Oxfordshire branch. J.A Chapman was an apprentice at the Oxford Bus Company.

1933: David Richards 1915-19 participated in the Mount Everest Expedition when he planned, directed and organised the radio and telegraphic communications. This was the fourth expedition to Everest, led by Hugh Ruttledge with a team that included Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton, Wyn Harris, and L.R. Wager. Harris and Wager made a summit attempt from the famous Camp VI, reaching 28,200 feet in attempting to determine whether the northeast ridge was climbable. During this climb they came upon the ice-axe of either Mallory or Irvine, lost nine years before on their fateful climb. Harris and Wager found the 'second step' unclimbable and had to revert to a traverse of the face, when time ran out. On the return to the high camp Wager struggled to the crest of the ridge and became the first man to look down the awesome east face of Everest.

1934: Mr Percival Field died at the age of 86 - the last of the Old Tamensians educated at the old Grammar School in Church Row. His memory of the time was mainly of thrashings: on one occasion he was caned so unmercifully with an ashplant that he threw a book at the retreating master, for which he was expelled, finishing his schooling in London. Purser's buy the old Grammar School building and restore it. The School lost to the Old Boys 3-9. C.W Iley was both passing banking exams and playing cricket for Toronto and Ontario. D. Largen had returned to the UK after an unsuccessful time in both Australia and South Africa. E.G Hicks was teaching English in Japan. R.W Hill had started teaching at Farringdon C of E School. F Oliver had 'come to the conclusion that work was much easier than school but less interesting.' G.C Franklin was having greater success at growing lemons and had started cropping tomatoes. Nonetheless he was trying to sell the farm. J.G Wadmore was writing to say that another large prison was being built in Singapore. P.J Merchant 1921-6 visited the School in a new Austin Seven. C.E Flynn had left Imperial Airways and had joined Folkestone Police Force. J.E Stubbings was employed at Barclays Bank in Chichester. H McRea was at sea once again, this time on HMS Dispatch in the Aegean. The Annual Dinner was held at the 'Florence Restaurant' on Piccadilly Circus with a bevy of well-known entertainers: Miss Gladys Merredew (comedienne and also married to Bernard Lee, 'M' in the later James Bond films), Miss Bertha Wilmott (wireless comedienne) the Western Brothers (cads and film star comedians who also sang with the Billy Cotton Band among many) and Mr Norman Long (the wireless artist and generally regarded as the first entertainer to be 'made' by radio). For the first time, a microphone was installed. G.F Hoddinot, of Holton, a recent OT, died aged 17, and J.A Fortnam, of Thame, died aged 24.

1935: R.H Golby was teaching at a junior school in Birmingham. J.G Wadmore was happy working in Malaya with a house to himself and several servants. Leslie Hughes died in Australia (see 1933). J.A Laurence was on his way from Brazil to Australia and he ended up in Queensland working for the Queensland Meat Export Co. sending shipments of chilled beef to the 'Old Country.' E. Goodchild had also died (see 1930). H H Mears was awarded the OBE - he was still Postmaster of Southampton. R.H Burkett having passed his BSc was one of the growing band of OTs working at Forestry Research Station, Princes Risborough. E.M Harper, a soldier writing from the Gold Coast said ' the local natives are real bad lot. The Colony is rather on its beam ends but is slowly picking up with the gold mining industry." R.C Tizzard had an outfitter's business in Southampton. J.M Allinson 1916-19 was working as a chemist in Iran. H.H Mears, finally retired as a Postmaster. H.R McDonald was working for J. Travers & Sons in Singapore, importing condensed milk, whiskey and health salts. For the first time, a dance was held in addition to the annual dinner. This, unfortunately, led to some acrimony as the Dance Committee thought they didn't receive sufficient support from the OTs - only 35 out of the 125 who attended were from the OTA. The John Hampden Fund was making slow progress in raising funds: 'we shall never see a scholar in our times' was the lament. It was proposed that the Old Boys rugger match should be played on the same day as Founder's Day.

1936: A complete set of copies of the Tamensian were deposited with the British Museum. Frank Endersby who left the School in 1900 was a Grain Inspector for the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. V.E Winter was convalescing in Spain. R.A Cherry was working for Cadbury growing 'cocao' on the Gold Coast; J.R Barnsley was also with Cadbury - in their legal department in Bournville. C.G.P Cuthbert gained a closed exhibition at St Catherine's, Oxford. Thomas. H Parrot was learning to fly at the Bristol Flying School. Lesley Frost's fox-trot 'Treading on your toes' was published by Paramount Music. For the first time, the Old Boys Rugger match was played on Founder's Day and was a success in terms of turnout but a disaster in terms of score: the Old Boys lost 35-3. Despite the trials and tribulations of last year's dance a second was held, and once again it was sadly observed the lack of attendance by OTs. Nonetheless it was resolved to hold another in 1937, as the profit was used to support the John Hampden Scholarship Fund. Geoffrey Mercer has left the staff to join Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn.

OT XV: Jacobs H, Grammar, Hutchins, Cope, Jacobs V, Phibbs, Syson, Coundouroff, Clark, Longmuir, Blood, Castle, Arnold, Dodwell and Gudgeon.

M Hine was living in Somerset and farming cattle. C.D.P Franklin was going out to India with the Army; elder brother J.N had been transferred from Trinidad to the Gold Coast. T Grange was with the Worthington jewellers C.C Eldridge. F.S Franklin had become an HMI of schools in Yorkshire. W Blood was a surveyor with Thame UDC. G Boddington had been awarded a medal from the Royal Humane Society for saving the life of a boy who had fallen into the Grand Union Canal. Tubby Balfour 1914-18 was an engineer in the Blue Funnel Shipping Line. Captain G Harper, the retiring President, had transferred from the Border Regiment to the West Sussex. His younger brother Captain Edward Harper was stationed at Accra. C Osborn-King's number, 'I'm glad I followed a star' was broadcast on all national radio stations; he'd also composed a fox-trot 'I sure was dreaming.' W Blair was Chief Accountant for the land Settlement Association - an organisation for placing unemployed men on the land. M Simes had left the Times of India and was working for a newspaper in London. Hugh McRea married. The retired PT teacher J C Purnell was elected an honoury member. C.W Iley had moved from Toronto to Waterloo in Canada, but still worked for the Bank of Montreal. He'd given up rugby to play badminton. The Association had grown to 198 members, although the collection of subscriptions was proving to be 'as difficult as ever.'

1938: The 100th edition of The Tamensian was published. G.E Shrimpton was a solicitor in London and Lionel Stroud was a vet. N. Goodwin was living in Ledbury. L.F. Hoddinott was teaching English in Prague. R.A Abbey was a dentist and working at Guy's. A.D Wadmore was living in the U.S. and his brother J.G in Malaya. R.W Hill was still teaching in Faringdon. J.A Lawrence had moved from Queensland to Sydney and was employed by a cold storage firm. He had written to say that the people 'were mad on sport - horse racing, cricket, football and swimming.' he also noted that Sydney 'was most up to date except for the trams...and everyone lives in a flat.' F.M.W Arnett, aged 29 and a prominent architect in Oxford was killed in a road accident near Witney. R.N Keys, aged 22 also a newly qualified architect, was killed by Chinese guerillas, when he was caught in the cross-fire between the guerilla band and Japanese troops. He'd been sleeping outside to help his recovery from tuberculosis. He was hit at 1.00am and died at 3.00am without gaining conciousness, with his father at his side. He had been a Life member of the OTA. C.N Rust was killed when he had an accident on his motorbike between Lacey Green and Saunderton. R.C. Woolford was appointed as organist for Thame Parish Church. J.H Hubbard of Scotsgrove married Ruth Buxton. H.W Howland was elected to the Urban District Council. Peter Parrott joined the RAF on a short service commission, and John A Chapman had joined the Navy. Peter Forsthye had joined the Post Office Engineering Dpt. Cecil Douch 29-36 was working for Lloyds Bank in Buckingham.

1939: One OT wrote in to say that he thought the OT news was too personal. D E Teden represented England at rugby in three matches: Wales, Scotland and Ireland. He played for Richmond and also played for the Barbarians; R A Cherry was working on the Gold Coast. Old Boy R.C. Woolford played the organ at Founder's Day. The Old Boys won the toss but lost the game. C.R Busby was living in Chinnor but working in insurance in Oxford. S.G Twynham was on leave in Thame in October. J.O Claes was living in Brussels and playing the trumpet. He got a write-up in the Melody Maker commenting on the excellent standard of his trumpet playing. A.C Shrimpton was ordained a Deacon to serve in the Parish of Christ Church, Ore, Hastings. J.W Fountaine, W.A Stoakes, F.Wood, H.C. Cox and H.T Lear were all farming. H.F Munday was teaching at a new school in Temple Cowley, Oxford, and was in charge of Oxford City Reserves. A'J Manchester was librarian of High Wycombe Public Library. W Dancer and his wife were looking to rent a house in Thame and expecting to pay 10 pounds per week. H.G Condover was sailing to Assam to plant tea. P.H. Lee was a flying instructor at Brize Norton. E.M Harper was still soldiering on the Gold Coast. His brother G.H Harper entered the Army Staff College at Camberley. J.N Franklin was still active with the Police Force on the Gold Coast, and R.A Cherry worked for Cadbury's - also on the Gold Coast. K.R Davis was an Executive Grade Civil Servant at H.M Ministry of Works, Whitehall. Much news was of Old Boys joining the Forces with some 50 on active service. There were 186 OTA members. E.A Dodwell was still studying biochemistry at Oxford. F Gaby was an RAF Apprentice.

R.A Doubleday was in insurance and driving an M.G. Vivian E Lower was banking and driving an Austin 8. Bernard Howe was at Cranwell. B.O Corbett was living in Portesham, Dorset. W.A Vernon died aged 78. At one time he was President of the National Association of British and Irish Millers. A Chrystal who left in 1916 was a Pilot in the Harwich Estuary. W.E Shrimpton was teaching at the Church of England School, Bloxham. A Hutchins was helping to compile Kelly's Directory. Stanley R Colbert was working in the Bursary Office at New College, Oxford. P Sturgess was a chef in a new block of flats in Dolphin Square, London. R.J Loosley was employed as a draughtsman in an Oxford architect's office. J. Holroy-Smith was an apprentice at Armstrong- Siddely. M.D Dancer was a member of Lyminge Parish Council. R.F Hoddinott was teaching English in Greece. VI form leavers in midsummer 1939 were JAC Clarke, F Fowler, JW Fontaine, HIG Highfield, RFY Randall, TH Sheppard, WA Stoakes, JF Thompson and F Wood. (John Clarke and Frank Wood would die in action.) HJ Smith who set-up the antique business in Thame left in Form V.

(A seperate section will be devoted to OTs in the services during the war and only a brief mention will be made here, as their activites were extensive.)

1940: 90 Old Boys were on active service. Flying Officer T.H Parrott 1929-33 in Bomber Command was the first OT reported killed. H.E Colby was reported missing. S.G Twynham and R.A Doubleday were PoWs, the latter wrote from Stalag 20a for news of the OTA. J.S Dodwell was in iceland after being wounded at Dunkirk. Old Tamensian blazers were on sale at 42 shillings. H.A.L Fisher, O.M. and Warden of New College was killed in a lorry accident. R P Wassell won an Open Scholarship in History to Oriel College Oxford. G.K Boddington was working for R.A Lister, Dursley. J.R Hill was farming, G.G Dobson in the Westminster Bank. G.E Harris (-27) was in the Berks Constabulary and had received the Coronation Medal. A.W Sworder was running his own garage in Lane End, Marlow. A.D. Short was studying at Battersea Poly. J R Lee was servicing farm equipment in Leicester. P.H Lee was a schoolmaster in Witney but wrote that he was bored to tears. R.H Golby was teaching near Birmingham. E.A Dodwell was an officer at Police Training School, Nasik, Bombay where the temperature was 106 in the shade. He was studying Indian Law, Hindu and Marathi. R.J.Baverstock was an Inspector of A.R.P Instructors to the City of Birmingham and his brother was a tax inspector in Lewes. F.J Harrison was managing a a firm of tailors in Kingston-on-Thames. S.G Stoker was with a firm of service clothing manufacturers. S.C Wells who taught biology and coached cricket from 1925-30 died aged 54. Both R.F.Y Randall and J.F Thompson were studying at University College, London. H.I.G Highfield was working at Savory Moore Chemists, Oxford. The OT rugger was cancelled but the AGM, with ten members present took place at the Spread Eagle. H.M Purser and J.H Brown were invited to serve as President and Hon Sec. respectively for the duration of the War. P.G Weston was starting a medical course at Edinburgh. J Crighton was Managing Director of a Dock in East London. P.F Balfour was Lloyds Chief Surveyor in Alexandria. A.V Kislingbury 1889-94, died aged 62. He'd been one of the founding members of the OTA and as an architect had designed the school's swimming pool. Eric Cross was farming in Broughton and living off 50s a week. R.F Hoddinott has married a Polish lady in Jerusalem and was off to Nairobi. D.E Teden who'd played three games for England in 1939 was killed

1941: At the start of 1941, 150 OTs were in the Forces. B J R Cuthbert could be heard regularly broadcasting the cinema organ on radio, and Johnnie Claes was also a regular broadcaster with his band and had released a number of records. P M Holt took up an education appointment in Sudan after a brief stint at the School in the Summer term. He'd just finished his Oxford Diploma in Education after winning, some years earlier, an Open Scholarship in history. J Doubleday was a civil engineer for Aubrey Watson and building bridges in the West Country. F.J Mansfield was a Government Inspector of Aircraft. Hugh McRea, recognised as one of the Navy's best young officers was killed. Major B.W Lidington, died aged 72 - both an OT and a Governor. B.B Bell was Curate at Baintree, Essex.

1942: J.F Castle won the DFC for his courage while bombing the power station at Le Harve. Johnnie Claes was billed as the 'Leader of England's most famous swing band.' He was also serving in the Dutch Forces. 6 OTs were PoWs. D.W Schwier had switched from law to farming.

1943: C.D.P Franklin was back in England after 6 years in India. His twin brothers were G.C in New Zealand and J.N on the Gold Coast. R.E Jones was with the Milk Marketing Board in Worcester. W.G Arthur earlier wounded in a tank battle had been discharged and was teaching at Datchet Church of England School. E.Mc L Nairn was farming, and R.D Goodchild was a fruit farmer at Ilmer. N.W Claridge was a quantity surveyor. The DFM was awarded to Sergt M.C Lowe. The daughter of Capt C.G.P Cuthbert, killed in action in Tunisia, was christened in Chinnor Church.

1944: Charles Simmons completed 50 years in local government service after being a Foundation Scholar from 1891-94. Lance-Corporal K Sellwood of Tetsworth was killed in action in France aged 18. Since 1941 E A Dodwell has been Asst Supt of Police in Sholapur, India chasing dacoits, dealing with murders and robberies and seeing action in the riots and sabotage of 1942.

1945: the Old Boys who fell 1939-45 were: Eric Arnold, Peter Campion, John Chapman, John Clarke, Stanley Colbert, Colin Cuthbert, Sidney Dicker, Richard Gower, Gordon Gudgeon, Edward Holbrook, Bernard Howe, Charles Jarrat, Peter Jennings, Herbert Jones, Vivian Lower, Alexander McDonald, Hugh McRae, Douglas Neale, Herbert Ody, Thomas Parrot, John Philips, Sidney Plater, Douglas Rolfe, Kenneth Sellwood, Alwyne Shields, Stanley Slade, Gordon Smith, Derek Teden, Joseph Wicks, Frank Wood, Henry Little. There had been no OT cricket matches between 1940-44 but this year it was revived and the OTs were roundly beaten. F. J Tomlinson was living in Honolulu where he'd been since 1922. He was a real Estate Agent. E A Dodwell was now Asst Supt in Poona. Here he has met W Wicks who was in the Royal Signals. He also met John Castle and they did some flying together. He had taken charge of the training of the Armed Police which included an intensive course in jungle training.

1946: John Howard Brown retired from school but then took a course in Theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. It was proposed that The John Hampden Leaving Scholarship Fund be renamed as the John Hampden War Memorial Scholarhip Fund as a permament tribute to the sixty-one Old Boys who had fallen in two world wars. 70 OTs attended the Annual Dinner and AGM at The Spread Eagle. J Woodvine was working in the Botanical Labs at King's College London. H.H Dodwell died aged 67. He'd been a Professor at London University. F.R Roadnight died aged 79. Several OTs did well at wining prizes at Thame Show. Roland Hill has been appointed Deputy Head of Faringdon Modern School. Peter Bailey has gone into his father's butchers business in Thame. Paul Sturgess served in North Africa and Italy and now joined Anglo-Iranian Oil to become medical secretary in control of hospitals. E Mathieson was about to undertake a year's theology at Downing College, Cambridge once he'd learnt the results of his English Tripod. E.A Dodwell has now been given the task of organising and maintaining wireless communications between district HQ and Poona. K N Batley had been stationed in Klang Malaya and was impressed with Singapore. He disliked the insects, the primitive villages and took a dim view of Hinsuism and Mohammedanism. John Dance was on the North-West Frontier Serdt A Joslin was in Cairo where he had a very good Christmas 'considering everything.' His task was to assist in controlling traffic on the Nile and helping rebuild the towns.

P G H Franklin was working at the Forestry School in Oxford. J H Harris on arriving at Port Said from India met E G Cooley out from England. Harris wrote that his time in India was mostly spent in the Nilgiri Hills and Mysore that he found a disagreeable place because of the local disregard for sanitation. He'd found Cairo an expensive place to enjoy and was finding Palestine more pleasant, though he has been in command of a company called out to arrest terrorists who blew up the Police Station in Haifa. P J E Forsythe was doing research on the grain boundaries in metals - he'd had a letter published in Nature. Chairman of Thame's Food Control Committee was Charles Simmons and the Vice Chairman was H W Howland. Charles Blood was Vice Chairman of the Thame Institute. J G Jones was doing well at chess in Oxfordshire tournaments. H F Sellars was working at the English Electrical Co near Rugby. S Solomans was studying medicine at Oxford. T L W Bingham was teaching at Long Crendon School before going to teacher-training college. A R Good was studying architecture at the Regent Street Poly. He was commuting daily from Kingsey a joutney he found tiring but he had met A H Gomme on the train who hoped to go to Cambridge when he has left City of London School. N S Good was going to teachers training college and in the meantime had accepted a temporary post at Aylesbury Grammar School to teach Maths and Science. C N Craddock-Jones was a Junior NCO at Oswestry. J Webber was in Cairo with Shell and 'enjoying the fleshpots.' P D Parker was about to start as an engineer with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co and looking forward to a psoting to Abadan. S D Ledgerwood had taken a permanent commission in the RAF. J R Plater was taking a degree at Manchester University and was hoping to become an accountant.

1947: At an Extraordinary General meeting in the summer, it was agreed to amalgamate the John Hampden Scholarship Fund and the War Memorial Fund of the 1914-18 War to form the new John Hampden War Memorial Scholarship Fund. The trustees were J F Castle, F A Dangerfield. J F Shrimpton, A C Dyer, R E Crawford, H M Purser, B W Lidington, S Mears, C Simmons, and the Headmaster. Its purpose was to award three year scholarships to help boys progress through tertiary education. The Fund had £255. 9s 7d on deposit in the Post Office Savings Bank; and £33 deposited with Lloyds Bank, Thame.

Sixty members sat down to 'an excellent dinner in view of the austerity of the times - at the Spread Eagle Hotel. The youngest OT Cricket side ever was fielded against the School; the team had an average age of 23 whilst the School's was 16. Geoffrey Craddock 1935-42 had qualified as a vet and was now working as an assistant in a practice in Basingstoke. Norman Good 1937-44 had gained a BSc and started teaching at Aylesbury Grammar School. T A Wall of Coventry House, Moorgate had died. R D G Surman had completed three months training in the Army where he'd seen C J Craddock-Jones. He was awaiting to be transferred to RAPC in Aldershot. P E Capel was an apprentice draughtsman with the RAF at Haddenham and his brother Chic Capel was a Liut. in the Parachute Regiment - he was looking to take a permanent commission. H G Cooley a Lieut in the Ox and Bucks was demobolised after service in Palestine where he'd experienced much of the strife that kept that country in the news. I H Shrimpton was a clerk in the office of the Bucks War Agriculture Committee - his military service has been in the RAOC at Benghasi. C J Quartly was still in the BAOR doing something in radar. S Hayes was demobolised after service in Palestine. D C B Thomson was shortly to start work in the Drawing Office of Pressed Steel. J Rust was busy with his mobile lending library, was Chairman of Thame Youth Club and played rugby for Aylesbury - along with P Castle who was helping in the business and was hoping to take a Printer's course.

G E Churchill was serving in Palestine with the Signals. J H Harris a Lieut. in the Airborne Ox and Bucks had also served in Palestine, as well as India. M L Fenwick was in the 'most uninspiring and desolate spot I have ever struck' - a RAOC camp near Leamington where he spent his time examining ammunition and doing guard duty. He had requested an overseas posting. A R Mansfield was an insurance broker living in Woodford, East London and had recently married. H C Cox was still farming. J F Castle and A W Burrough both played rugby for Oxfordshire. J R Dance had been involved in a motor bike accident shortly after demob and was hospitalised in the Radcliffe. K H Garland had been awarded a Kitchener Scholarship to University College, Southampton. E Mathieson had gained a 2.1 in the first part of English Tripods at Cambridge. Several OTs were showing off their dramatic talents: W S Mayall with the Crendon Players, R Holland with Thame Players, R B Jeffs, Trevor R P Cook, P Bailey and J Rust with the Thame Youth Club Players. W E Shirley was teaching at Thame C. of E. Secondary School. C R Lambert was demobbed and returned to banking in London. J Lovell was serving in the Navy, P K Harrison in the RAF as was D G Davison and Ft Lieut S D Timms - who had been ferrying planes to New Zealand and seen service in Ireland. R Y F Randall was at University College London working on a PhD under Professor Andrade, on the mechanical properties of metal single crystals. J F Thomson was studying Philosophy. J M Hiscox was an articled clerk in a solicitors office. John Crook 1875-1880 died at his home in Taplow. He was a Member of the Stock Exchange and a senior partner of J S Crook and Co. W.E Hine retired after 43 years service with Lloyds Bank. He joined the Thame Branch in 1904 and had served for the last 28 years at the Princes Risborough branch.

1948: The OTA subscription cost 5s annually or 3 guineas for Life. The War Memorial Tablet was unveiled on June 26th and dedicated by the Rev J H Brown who, in the absence of the Vicar of Thame, had come to the Parish for a temporary two week stint- the event coinciding with the cricket match. Peter Parrott had both qualified as a test pilot with the RAF - testing Vampires and Meteors - and had married to Mary Dunning. John Halson 40-47 had joined the family machine engineering business in High Wycombe. H.R Hedges serving with the RAF in Malaya died. Harald Pursar was now a graduate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. Since 1947 he had been working with EMI in Hayes. Many of the younger generation of OTs were recently demobolised: A Joiner was working at Pressed Steel, A Beachey was enjoying leave and had yet to settle down, M J V Ambrose had returned from the Middle East, P Brazell was about to embark on a teachers training course. A Joslin was working at Kennington in the Forest Research Lab and was hoping to gain entry to the Forestry School in Aberdeen. A D Dyer had completed his first term at Brasenose, G E Churchill was still in the Royal Signals, K Batley was back in Chalgrove. Michael Harris was a Cpl in the RAF Police. E C Stopps was stationed at Catterick and had met two OTs there: D Fitter and S Crump. R D G Surman was stationed at Devizes and enjoying cricket. G Osbourne was with the RAOC in Cumberland and said life was rather dead except for the NAFFI. Peter Weller was a Lieut in the Airborne forces and his brother Mick, a Pte in the Berks. M L Fenwick was with the BAOR in Wulfen near Dusseldorf - he said that conditions among the Germans was still rather grim. P K Harrison and S Carr were both stationed with the RAF at Cranwell.

R A Green was serving with the Army Apprentices School Taunton. J C Smith was awiting call-up and in the meantime working for his father's business in Cuddesdon. G Buckley was posted to Singapore. P G H Franklin had been called up to the RAF. Both S W Hayes and A G Hopkin were working for Lloyds Bank - in Watlington and Thame respectively. D J Jenkins was in the Oxford branch of the Westminster Bank after a period of training at the Bank Training School, Eynsham. J C Russell was also on a course there. R O Shawe had sat his finals at Bristol University. E A Dodwell had retired from the India Police and was now studying the cotton business in Lancashire before returning to India to take up a post with the Bombay Company Ltd. P J Forsyth was married by the Rev J H Brown in St Mary's. C J Craddock-Jones had been commissioned but was looking forward to starting at Queen Mary's College London. C J Quartly was stationed in Berlin but had won a place at Cambridge. Maj D H G Condover was stationed in India. Desmond Slay had gained a 1st in English at Oxford. J H Dyer had gained a 2nd in Modern History at Oxford. G K Senior played for the RAF at cricket against the Royal Navy at Lords. H J Castle had been transferred to Madras and was still working for Burmah Shell. P Wassell had been awarded an MA. S Hewitt had been at the Carnegie Physical Training Centre, Leeds and was now looking for a job. He was married with one son. The Old Boys beat the School 24-0 in the rugger. Mr and Mrs Briars gave a gift of money to the School for a memorial for their son Derek. Mr and Mrs Neale gave a gift in memory of their son Flying Officer D B Neale who was killed in action in 1943. Mrs Plater gave a gift in memory of her son S J Plater also killed during the War. The first award of the JHWM Leaving Scholarship went to P B Clarke studying at Liverpool University.

1949: Trevor Cook 36-46 spent a record 10 years and one term at the School. After studying at the Oxford School of Architecture he has now joined the Planning Dpt of Oxon C.C. M L Fenwick was at Sidney Sussex Cambridge. G R Hyde was reading science at Reading University. P B Clarke was studying Veterinary Surgery at Liverpool. D Slay was on the staff of University College of Wales at Aberystwyth. Johnnie Claes who was at the School in the early 30s, has started racing in the motor racing world championships having acquired a 4.5-litre Talbot Lago. He finished 5th in the Begian GP.The Committee included E D Syson, O Robinson, E R Purser, J Castle, N J Nobbs, L J Robinson, N Symes, P J Bailey, G Cross, W A Stoakes, E G Hussey, J Fountaine, G Jones, L Redman and A W Burrough.

1950: The AGM postponed from last year took place at the Comedy Restaurant, Panton Street, London in May. A second AGM was held in November at the Spread Eagle. M.R Simes had been appointed a magistrate for the County of Hampshire. Johnnie Claes made his debut F1 GP appearance at Silverstone - where he finished 11th. (Farina, Fangio, Bira and Chiron were just some of the other racers that day.) Arthur Stevens who left in 1946 went to UCL to study Electrical Engineering, (with Peter Bowen) and had now joined Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co Ltd to work on Radar. T.R. P Cook 37-46 was stuying at the Oxford School of Architecture. P.L Castle married Freda Shipstone, K.D Mirams 35-37 married Miss Phebe Potter. J.A Castle 34-40, staff Sergeant in the RE was awarded the BEM for exemplorary work done in constructing emergency camps during the Dock Strike and a bridge over the Thames for the Festival of Britain. His brother H.J 32-38 came home on leave from India. Their youngest brother P.L 37-43 along with P. Bailey 38-46 was running the LWS scout troop. J Claes won the Frontieres GP in an HWM.

1951: To boost recruitment it was decided that some membership forms needed to be prepared. Geoffrey Craddock had both married and started his own veterinary practice in Camberley. Peter Parker 35-42 gained a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Bristol, joined the Navy in 1944 and then in 1947 went to Iran with Anglo-Iranian Oil as an electrical mains engineer. He was now planning to move on to the Cameroons for the Nigerian Electiricity Corporation. J Murray Grammer presented a cup to the School for goal kicking. He'd also been responsible for arranging games against Saracen sides. Mr Charles Blood, an Old Boy and Governor died. Mr Charles Simmons who was Clerk to the Governors also died. Other OTs who died included C Simmons one of the OTAs oldest members and P.S Millard. P.D Parker 35-42 was living in Bandar Mashur Iran. E Mathieson was ordained as a Priest. C.M Johnson 45-50 was working in Brill for his father's building business. J Lovell 39-46 was on a destroyer somewhere in the Atlantic and maintaining radios and radar equipment. A Parkinson 33-38 had an MA and was on the staff of Darlington Technical College. N.G Brown 42-50 was studying at Bristol University. J.H Nichols 45-50 was studying at the Engineering Training College at Bletchley. B.R Young 41-43 was an Assistant Experimental Officer at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Geological Museum, Kensington. A Cooper 42-44 was a Sgt. in the Military Police. P.E Capel 42-47 was a Sgt. in the RAEC stationed in London, teaching ORs to read and write. His brother R.F Capel 37-41 was a Sgt in the Royal Australian Army training parachutists and the eldest brother J.S 31-36 was working in Oxford. E. Dandridge 38-41 was working at an office in Morris Motors. J.Dance 37-42 had left St Lukes, Exeter and was teaching in Didcot. J.H Harris 39-43 was managing his father's business in London. J Cleas partnered by Jacques Ickx won the Liege-Rome-Liege Rally with a Jaguar XK120.

OT Members: M.J.N Ambrose, J.M Abbott, D.L Austin, J.L Andrews, E.J.M Bailey, J.J Batley, J.K Bell, G.C. Bloss, J Bolton, P Bolton, A Briars, R Bennet, J D L Booth, T Broughton, A Burrough, P Bailey, J Barnsley, A Beachey, G Blake, P Brazell, L Bush, J Berricloth, J Bennet, R Britnell, K Bailey, Rev J.H Brown, G.K Boddington, W Bush, J Cannell P Chaplin, R A Cherry, T Claydon, J Coltman, N Coltman, F Conway, C.T Cope, G.R Cosier, I Coulden, H.C Cox, R.E Crawford, Dr F Croft, J.S Crook, E W Cross, C Craddock-Jones, K M Clarke, J F Castle, P L Castle, H.J Castle, J A Castle, P Clarke, G E Churchill, M J Cook, G.J Craock, C Culley, W.H Cox, T.R.P Cook, I Cooper, K Davis, F.L Dew, D.J Dodwell, J Doubleday, R A Doubleday, C.W Douch, R Duke, F Dangerfield, W L Dodd, A.C Dyer, T Dodwell, E.O Dodwell, P Dancer, D.G Davison, V Edwards, G Fawdry F A Fayers, J Forsyth, P J Forsyth, J Fountaine, F J Fowler, F.G Froud, M Fenwick, E Garbett, Dr C.O George, T W Goodenough, N Goodwin, J M Grammer, A.C Grammer, R Goodearl, T R Grange, N.S Good, A R Good, Col G H M Harper, R Harris, S W Hayes, A F Hearne, R W Hester, S W Hester, D N Hester, R W Hill, L J Hoddinott, R F Hoddinott, D Holland, R C Holland, H J Howland, K Howland, E H Hussey, A H Hutchinson, R H Hutchinson, J T Holland, P M Holt, R W Harrison, R K Harrison, P Harris, W J Hibberd, M M J Hall, S Hewitt, J Halroyd-Smith, G R Hyde, J H Harris, W P Hinton, J Hawes, N P Hawes, J Hubbard, A W Higgs, J J Halson, J M Hiscox, R E Jeffries, D D Johnston, J L Jones A Joslin, Rev H C Joyce, G M Johnson, R B Jeffs, E Jones, J G Jones, W H Jones, A Joiner, C Osborn-King, R F Knight, L C P Leak, J K Lear, J R Lee, P H lee, G L Logan, E M Lambourne J W Lidington, T W Ludgate, J Lovell, A R Mansfield, F J Mansfield, A J Marsh, E Mathieson, H B Maughan, H H Mears, H K Merchant, J Mitchell, G R Mead, D Morris, P Mirams, J Mott, F R Mitchell, R M Maxted, E Nairn, H J Nobbs, H Newitt, F E Oliver, G Osbourne, P D Parker, D Pitcher, G H Platt, R E Potter, E R Purser, H R Purser, E Putnam, R K Phipps, C Purnell, R Pearce, K A Pescud, E J Price, G J Philips, J P Plater, C J Quartly, C Quartly, R V F Randall, A A Redman, L J Redman, R F Rhodes, E A Ring, H Reynolds, F A Rolfe, H P Read, H A Ruddy, T O Robinson, P C Rowley, L J Ross, J Russell, L W Shawe, R O Shawe, D J Sharp, G E Shrimpton, H L Shrimpton, J H Shrimpton, R H Siary, M R Simes, A G Sims, G L H Smith, D R Steel W A Stoakes, R G Stonhill, J E Stubbings, P A Sturgess, J K Smith, D Slay, R D G Surman, J C Smith, E D Syson, F D Syson, J Sanders, P Savage, H F Sellar, D G Seymour, M E Seymour, J Smith, J W Stanmore, E C Stopps, D W O Smith, J E Sharpley, F C Saunders, J Tindall, W P Tomalin, H J Tall, D C B Thomson, H H Vertigen, R V Wells, W H West, A J Westacott, P Weston, W E Wicks, V E Winter, R C Woolford, R P Wassell, G H Watts, W Waite, A K Webster, G S Weller, H W Witney, G J Wild, D J Witney, T E Wood, L K Wlikinson, J Woodvine, J W Walker, B A Ward, B R Young, C D Yates, R W Young, E Young.

The AGM was held on June 30th at the Spread Eagle and a dance held afterwards. The OTs just lost the rugger match and afterwards many OTs adjourned to a one of Thame's many pubs. The annual dinner was held in London and had been a success.

1952: It was decided that the post of Chairman be added to the OTA Committee. It was also suggested that a Rifle Club be formed. However, it was also agreed that the Headmaster should not be invited to the AGM unless for a specific need. The 400 years celebrations in 1959 were discussed for the first time and it was decided to open a fund. Derrick Hester 38-42 gained a BSc in agriculture from Reading, then spent a year in Trinidad before a posting to Tanzania as an Assistant Manager with Brooke Bond. He had now become a Manager. The Gala Ball was held at the Spread Eagle but fewer than 100 turned up due to a blizzard. E.G Hussey 39-42 married Miss O Elton. P Brazell married in Edmonton. P.K Harrison 1939-46 had completed reading Anthropology at Cambridge. Brother R.K Harrison 1940-48 had been awarded an Open Scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music under the famous teacher of concert pianists Harold Croxton. During his military service he'd been playing in the RAF Central Band. P.M Greenstock 41-42 was living in Winnipeg and working as an accountant. J.F Castle 30-36 and H.M Purser 1910-15 were appointed Governors. H M Wagner died as a result of three years confinement in a Japanese POW camp. P.R Forbes was with the Derbyshires in the Far East where he met D Barnikel. J.R.F Bishop 44-50 hoped to join the Police Force after national Service. M Hewitt 43-51 was doing National Service with OBLI and had been to first Cyprus and then Egypt. W.E Waite 42-47 was a Pilot Officer in the RAF having signed on for a further 8 years after National Service. Captain E.J.B North was stationed in Singapore. On the Committee were D J Sharpe, S Osbourne-King, P J Bailey, P L Castle, J K Rust, E D Syson, M R Simes, R Harrison, N Nobbs, E R Purser, K M Clarke, T Claydon, E W Young, A Burrough and J M Grammar.

1953: A dance was held in Chinnor in April and made a loss of £30. John Vaughan was Senior Mathematics Master at Manchester Grammar, a position he'd held since 1941; his younger brother Maurice was in Uganda as a government surveyor; H.L Shrimpton was awarded a Coronation Medal and was Chief Livestock Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture; W. Fowler worked for Westminster Bank and gave 100 pounds to the John Hampden Fund; D. W. Barnikel was an Officer stationed in Hong Kong and had cruised round Korea and visited Japan; P. Cook was serving in the RAF; B. Ward was working for Levers; A.C. Hawkes was in the Royal Navy; R Doubleday owned a car hire service in St Helier Jersey; W. G Arthur had been appointed Headmaster at a new school in Aylesbury; H.G Worley was Chairman of Watlington Parish Council; D. Smith was working in Harrods Estate Dpt.; P. Capel was resident organist at the Grosvenor roller skating ring, Aylesbury. OT R.C Woolford played the organ at Founder's Day. Peter Castle was appointed an Assistant District Commisioner for the Scouts. Sqn Leader R.K.D Phibbs was President. 21 new members joined paying 7/6d for an annual subscription and there was a record 281 members in all, 201 of whom were Life Members. The new OT Rifle Club was thriving with a membership of 25 and they were suing the Chinnor Range in the winter. The JHWMSF stood at over £1,700. 80 attended the OTA dinner in the Assembly Room, Spread Eagle Hotel; the menu was Thick Oxtail Soup, Chicken with stuffing and plum pudding.

.O Corbett who attended the school in Plummer's time and who played football for England paid a visit to the School. Desmond Slay was in Denmark doing research. A.A.H Gordon gave the Library a year's subscription to Reader's Digest. P.J Bailey married Miss A.J Whalley, R.F Fowler married Miss M Hussey, M.R. Simes married Doreen Tylecote and they were now living in Farnham. A Savin (43-52) had a National Service Commission as a navigator in the RAF. W.J Hibbard 43-49 was a Junior Patrol cadet in New Guinea - he'd met W.L Rowlands 43-49 in Australia whilst training. J.Lovell was serving at Cape South SA. J.R. Plater 36-40 had passed his finals as a chartered accountant. E.W Cross 27-32 was running a fleet of 12 removal vans and was happy to arrange removal for OTs at a special rate. J.A.S Bolton 20-22 was working for Cable and Wireless. J.L Andrews 43-49 was serving in the Medical Corps. T.R. P Cook 37-46 was qualified as an architect and was working in Oxfordshire’s County Planning Office. P.H Francis 45-51 was serving in the Military Police and the Special Investigation Branch. H.F.C Wyatt 17-23 was still with the Mercantile Bank of India. J Green 42-47 was pig farming. G Bukley 39-47 was in accountancy with the Aylesbury firm of Jones and Watsham. D.L Austin 42-47 was farming in Sussex. L.C.P. leak was a milk recorder with the Milk Marketing Board in Sussex. A.H Laidler 43-51 was at the London School of Printing. J.W Walker 43-50 was serving in the RAF. J.F Castle 31-36 took part in a radio discussion on 'Are small market towns dying?' G Fawdrey 14-20 visited the School for the first time in 30 years. F.D Syson had sold his garage and taken on the Red Lion at Brackley. R.S Blunt 43-51 was an Assistant Inspector of Police in Kenya. M.M J Hall had gained his BSc in Physics from Battersea Poly. A.R Good had a commission in the Army and was stationed in Egypt. E.A Dodwell 31-37 was living in Sholapur, India. C Douch 30-36 had returned from the Far East where he'd served with RAOC in Korea and Japan. He was now posted to Ordnance Depot, Bicester. J Claes was elected 'Driver of the Year' by the Guild of Motoring Writers.

1954: Bill Dover 1948-54 had joined the Oxfordshire Police Force. The OT Cricket Team were: Smith, Hewitt, Tall, Brazell, Green, Hawkes, Clarke, Young, Austin, Holland and Bedding. The OT Rifle team were Castle, Beachey, Hayes, Shrimpton and Claydon. The Marriages of J.R F Bishop, B Morris and Col G.H.M Harper had taken place. N.C Surman 31-36 was Personnel Manager at Car Bodies Ltd part of the BSA Group. J.O Claes 31-34 with Herr Stasse won the 1101 -1500 class at Le Mans. F.E.Y Fleet 19-24 was a Post Office Engineer at Buckingham. B.A.Y Fleet 42-47 having just been demobbed was working as a fitter at Hawkes Aircraft. C.F Pudwell was just going up to the University of North Staffordshire after completing National Service. G. Osbourne 39-44 was an Inspector for the Alliance Assurance Co. J dance 37-42 was a school teacher at Didcot. P.J Nottage 35-41 managed the local store and filling station at Stadhampton. D.J Wood 42-46 was working for United Africa Co on the Gold Coast. He'd started off in 'the bush'. He then moved in to the Provisions Dept and lived in a flat in Kumasi with two servants. P Capel had left the Grosvenor and taken up an appointment as Manager/Oranist of a new roller skating ring in Rugby. P.D Parker 35-42 had recently returned to to the UK after a tour with the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria. H.K Webster 43-48 was serving with the REME in Malta. K Rutherford-Davies 27-33 was a Higher Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works and