43Q3 - THE QUINTINIAN, AUTUMN 1943

FOR the first time in the School's history we have Schools in two parts of the country! At the beginning of this term a London branch was opened at St. Katharine s House, Albany Street, near Regent's Park, and Mr. Robinson went back to be acting Head Master there. To assist we were very fortunate in getting the Rev. M. E. Dixon, who managed to spare some time from his parish; Mr. Parsons, of Croydon; and McColvin, of last year's Upper 6th Moderns, who did some very useful work whilst waiting for his call-up. Another stalwart among the regular Staff helping there is Mr. Broodbank. who, by now, is making every step towards a complete recovery from his recent illness. By mid-term the numbers had grown so that vacancies in this branch were almost all filled. The whole School at Minehead had to be re-organised so that St. Katharine's is now running a full-time Staff - Mr. Lambert, Mr. Walford, and Mr. Clarke have joined Mr. Robinson and Mr. Broodbank.

In Minehead during the summer it was possible to obtain two more buildings, making more rooms available in the morning. The teaching is now much nearer full-time in most Forms and is certainly up to pre-war standard in all the important "Examination" Forms of the School.

Mr. Eckersley tells me that he is liking his new work and that he is meeting quite important people in connection with the schemes he is furthering! He warned me that he had left School and that he did not want any "obituary" written in "The Quintinian" (he had noticed that I intended to give a fuller account of his work this time!) After all, his sterling work is well recognised, and possibly it would be unnecessary for me to enlarge further on what I said in last term's issue.

It will be-noticed that I mention a Mr. Clarke in my first paragraph! Mr. Clarke is the new Master who takes Mr. Eckersley's place and, from the little I know of him, I feel sure that he will soon be well known to everybody and will find his place in the School. We hope that he will find the School to his liking and that he will enjoy the work with us. Mr. Clarke took a B.A. with 1st Class Honours in Wales and then went to Oxford, where he again took a degree in English Language and Literature. After this he was in Cairo for some years and, since his return to this country, has been at Derby School until he joined us at mid-term. We certainly wish him well and look forward to the time when he will be part of the School working as a unit again - if war conditions continue to improve this should be in the not too far distant future.

Mr. Elgood is now well established in the department of Chemistry and Biology at the Poly. We miss him very much in the many branches of School work and out of School activities, with which he was associated. We have been most fortunate in having the service of Mrs. Northover. She has brought her wide knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject to keep the Biology in the Upper School in the state in which Mr. Elgood left it, pending the arrival next term of Mr. Hill. Our thanks are certainly due to Mrs. Northover for her willing services.

The General School and Higher School Examinations, held in the summer, once more showed good results, with an average pass of 80 per cent. Harvey Miller kept up the School tradition by winning one of the coveted State Scholarships because of his excellent performance in Pure and Applied Mathematics, supported strongly by his Physics and Chemistry. It was a certain State Scholarship, and we all congratulate him most heartily.

The Dramatic Club, under the continued direction of Dr. Matthews, again put up an excellent production at the end of last term, gaining praise from all who saw the performances, and once more having an excellent local Press. Incidentally, they were able to make a very handsome contribution to the Discretionary Fund, which has proved of such use in evacuation. They are in production again with another good play, and in Minehead people are expecting a high standard of performance; so far they have not been disappointed. I know, too, that by the time this Magazine is in the bands of its readers the Dramatic Club will have put on a few short plays to mark the Christmas recess.

In the summer the School broke away from its traditional Forestry Camp in this part of the world and ran a Harvest Camp in Wiltshire, at the invitation of the London Polytechnics (under the direction of Dr. Drakeley of the Northern Polytechnic). A lot can be said about the reception at their camp centre, how they started by improvising billets in a barn, and so on; but, no doubt some account will be given elsewhere in the Magazine. I would like to say how gratifying it was to hear of the boys' excellent performance. The farmers were certainly genuinely pleased with their efforts and not only did they show their appreciation in a concrete form but were very strong in their invitation to return next year.

Mr. Sambrook went down with the party as chief organiser, and got things going to some effect. Miss Collinson, with the aid of two Domestic Science students from the Battersea Polytechnic, looked after the needs of the hungry workers; and in the second and third weeks Messrs. Newman and Chevrollier kept a watchful eye on the proceedings and helped in the continuation of the camp.

I have been most grateful during the last term to receive letters, airgraphs, and other communications from Old Boys all over the world. If it were only possible I should like to have a circular passing on the information, but no doubt Mr. Sambrook will be extracting bits of information from the communications received. I look forward. to reading in the Magazine that most important section, "Old Boys' News."

In Minehead tbis term we have had visits from J. P. Walsh (R.E.), R. A. Bawden (at the end of his six months R.A. course at Glasgow University), G. P. Cockman (just completed six months R.A.F. course at Cambridge), G. Warren (2/Lt., R.A., on leave), A. Bannister (A.B., R.N.), S. J. Faithful (F/O., R.A.F.), R. V. Booker (Sergeant, Corps of Signals), W. J. Buckledee (Signalman, R.C. of Signals), C. J. Davis (in R.N. on Y Scheme, in training). I forget the names of the others; but they did not sign the book! The School always gives a good welcome when we can get the Old Boys on the platform. In London I have met several others, but I think the recent history of P/O. Eric Stone, R.A.F., will be of most interest. He has made 40 operational flights over enemy country, many of the last ones as a Pathfinder. Apparently he has not taken his period of non-operational duty as he finds his job so interesting.

As the Magazine is being printed we have just heard that Stone has been awarded the D.F.C. Heartiest congratulations!

During the term we have had tbe sad news that Lawton, Dick Worswick's friend, who was in the same unit of Coastal Command, was posted as killed. Tapsfield, Guscott, and Norris, three other Old Boys of rather different years, have also been killed in action in the Italian Campaigns. Lake and Sheppard are both posted as missing from air operations over Germany. I know that all parents and other readers of the Magazine will join with me in the sympathy I sent to their parents.

I am most grateful to Mrs. Norris for the suggestion that she would like to present a Shield to the School to commemorate her son's memory.

Speech Day will be held once more in London, on January 1st, at 2.30 p.m. The Portland Hall, at the Polytechnic extension, is free on that day-and it seems a suitable time. I have been very fortunate in having a promise from Sir E. V. Appleton to act as speaker. Sir Edward is Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and is as good a speaker as he is a stimulating lecturer. I hope all parents will support this event, as they did last year, when over 900 guests were present. According to the rules issued by the L.C.C., it is not possible now to give books paid for by public funds, but I feel that these small prizes are of such value that I am buying the books, as usual, hoping that I shall be able to have financial assistance from various friends of the School. It is difficult to circularise parents, but if any would like to help I should be only too glad to acknowledge their support. I thought it was a pity when we had to cut out athletic prizes, and feel that we must keep some of the old awards going.

We have missed the visit of Sir Kynaston Studd in the summer, but all are heartily glad to know that he is now sufficiently well recovered to be about his business in the Polytechnic and in the City. We look forward to seeing Sir Kynaston and Lady Studd at the Speech Day.

At the time of writing we are expecting a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey and Dr. Williams and Major Marchant.

This last paragraph really should have been the first one, I think, as it pays tribute to our new Editor, Mr. G. A. Sambrook, who has, I am glad to say, accepted the editorship of the Magazine, which he has helped Mr. Eckersley to run for so long. In most of these extra School activities one can usually get assistance from those already busy, and Mr. Sambrook is no exception, as he already spends a considerable time looking after the Library, the Polytechnic Magazine Notes, Air Scouts, and some of the Football. He felt as though he must have something to fill up his spare time, and we are all delighted to know he has taken on this very important job of editing "The Quintinian." We wish him well in the work involved. Although it is hard work, it is very interesting and I feel sure he finds the job after his own heart.

[It was hoped to include a number of articles and some interesting description from the Forms working at St. Katharine's, the London branch of the School, but owing to a number of difficulties, these must unfortunately be held over until the Spring issue - EDITOR].

THE first half-term at St. Katharine's House was rather disturbed for unavoidable reasons, but this month we have been able to settle down to work on a permanent basis. Forms have been rearranged, three additional regular Masters have joined us, and interruptions due to visitors, workmen, and the arrival of new boys, have become less frequent. In case some of our friends in Somerset picture us as hemmed in on all sides by brick, mortar and stone, it may be worth mentioning that St. Katharine's House is quite detached and has a fair-sized and leafy garden, ending in a wooded slope which leads down to the bed of a branch of Regent's Canal. This has been drained of water, partly filled with debris from blitzed buildings, with a covering of soil, and transformed into a sylvan glade, making an attractive addition to playground space on fine days - provided a Master can be persuaded to do duty there and thus fulfil the requirements of the law. Only a hundred yards away is Regent's Park, with its 400 acres. We will not dwell upon our proximity to the Zoo for fear of idle jests, but in that direction, and only a stone's throw from the School, are two football pitches, which are used almost daily by our boys. weather and local hooligans permitting. Saturday football, too is a regular feature, a pitch being usually available either at Chiswick or in Regent's Park.

The periodical visits of the Headmaster have helped considerably in producing a feeling of unity with the main School, and we hope he will be able to see us again before the end of the term. Among other welcome visitors have been a former Master, Captain Presswood, and a considerable number of Old Boys, including Flying-Officer Faithful, a former Captain of the School; and Cpl. Saville, a late member of the U.6 Modern, who now wears the uniform of the United States Army Flying Corps. We hope our next letter will be accompanied by contributions to "The Quintinian" from some of the boys at the London Section.

THE best picture of life in Harvest Camp 25 will be gathered from a series of articles written by members of the party of 40 odd boys who journeyed from London and Minehead to the village of Broadchalk, in Wiltshire, during August of this year. Theirs was only one of many Camps, employing over 2,000 boys and girls, which were dotted throughout the. length and breadth of Wiltshire. On August 9th they found themselves on a 600-acre farm, 10 miles from Salisbury, and two miles from any other habitation, in a fine bracing atmosphere nearly 600ft. up, with views which extended on a clear day to the Isle of Wight. They were the guests of Mr. Lucas, of Lodge Farm. His fields of uncut wheat, oats, and barley lay between the edge of the plain and the approaches to Cranborne Chase. But, first of all, listen to M. Newman describing the journey of his party from Minehead to Salisbury, where they link up with the main party, which has travelled by special train from Waterloo.

"Monday morning saw several Poly. boys armed with bags, rucksacks, and bicycles assembled on Minehead station, under the watchful eye of Mr Sambrook. The casual observer might have noticed nothing strange, but if he had taken the trouble to eavesdrop on the conversation of these boys he might have been surprised. Instead of the usual schoolboy small talk on pictures and how to do a Master out of homework, he would have heard such words as stitching, stooking, combine harvester, wheat, barley, and oats. Evidently something was afoot. If our casual observer had now plucked up enough courage to enquire into this strange occurrence he would have received the cryptic answer, "Harvest Camp!" However, eventually the Minehead flyer pulled slowly away from the station, bearing these sturdy examples of Poly. youth towards Salisbury. The journey itself was almost without event. Someone nearly lost an old coin belonging to Mr. Sambrook and, until it was found under the seat, our old friend, the casual observer, might have thought that someone had purloined the Crown jewels, At Westbury the rumour went round that there was an hour to wait. On this information half the party made a bee-line to the refreshment room, ostensibly to sample the railway buns. As the rumour was unfounded, Mr. Sambrook rushed around looking for the erring members of his party, who strolled up approximately 30 seconds before the train started.

Salisbury was reached without further mishap and, together with the London contingent, the Minehead party was conveyed to camp by bus, to be welcomed by Miss Collinson, Barringer, and Jeep, who made up the advance party."

The advance party had been busy dismantling a huge Army cooking stove, which they found in the farmyard, and were re-erecting it in one of the cow-sheds. In the adjoining barn Miss Collinson, with three girl students from Battersea Training College, was preparing a meal. Two lofts were being swept and prepared as sleeping quarters. Greenberg gives his description of life there in one of them.

"First of all a word in the ear of the reader. No pen could ever set to paper the true spirit of our communal life. If, however, this article falls into the hands of any of my fellow barn-stormers, I hope it will revive in him tender(?) memories of the good time we spent far from the madding crowd, deep in the heart of the Druid country. The main members of our barn were Jeffery ("Jeep" to one and all), Barringer (Tony), Za (D.A.), Fish (Dave.), Miller (Maxey), Buckledee (Bob), Marshall (Horace Peter), and myself, the narrator. We took in lodgers for a week or two, namely, Davies (Cliff, now Able Seaman) and Catchpole (Pussey). Altogether we were an upright lot - steady, quiet, peaceful, and abstemious. The barn was a tremendously large edifice, built of stone and brick, facing on to the road. The roof was made of curved sheets of corrugated iron, which left a space between the wall through which one could see quite a good deal of daylight. Half of this vast barn was separated from the rest. A door communicated between the loft and the rest of the barn, for no reason at all, necessitating a 10ft. drop if one were to step out. Entry into the loft, our bed and sitting room (one sat on the bed), was made through a man-made hole in the floor 2ft. square. One climbed up by a ladder fixed permanently in the wall. If we wished to "close house" for the night we placed a heavy iron bar across this hole to discourage would-be visitors. It did! Often we left the hard way, jumping out of either of the doors. Ventilation was very efficient, entering via gaps between roof and wall, wall and floor, holes in the floor, and our "window." It brought with it the cold, biting wind and heavy early morning mists.

Lest I have painted too grey a picture of our barn, might I point out that in spite of all drawbacks, the barn was our den, and as such, we were "appy in our nook."

On the left of our barn was a farmyard, surfaced with chaff of innumerable past threshings. In the corner of the farmyard was a large trough fitted with a ballcock, which was used by the farmer's wife as a source of water for chickens, and by us as a source of water for washing (but never drinking!). Fortunately, this corner, our bathroom, was protected to a slight extent from the elements by a corrugated iron roof. When we first arrived we were issued with a palliasse, a ground sheet, and three blankets. Now three blankets are not much on the top of Salisbury Plain, so Barringer went into Salisbury and bought a collection of safety pins. With these we pinned our blankets so that we had an envelope which permitted a ground sheet, a straw-filled palliasse, and two layers of blankets beneath us, and four layers of blankets above us. Thus we had a bed in which we were as snug as the proverbial bug in the rug, but which had to be entered using a shoe-horn. It was Barringer, too, who, with hammer, nails, and lengths of wood, set up soap racks in our bathroom, coat-hangers in our barn, and a towel-rail. We slung lamps from the rafters, lighting them at night quite satisfactorily. Blowing them out was a nightly event in which everyone participated.

Day began at first at six o'clock, when the cock crew and the 20 chickens beneath us made an unearthly din. This did not last long, however. At half-past seven. the more stout-hearted of us left our warm haven and stepped out into a cruel world, cold and damp, to stride across the sodden farmyard, fill a bucket at the ballcock with crystal pure cold water, and wash with much chattering of teeth. Returning to our barn we donned dry raiment and, picking up our food utensils, we climbed down the ladder and off to breakfast. After breakfast work began and proceeded in fits and starts, broken by consumption of comestibles and the drinking of innumerable cups of progressively weakening tea. By night-time, eight o'clock, we felt that we had been shifting massive loads (as indeed we had), and were quite ready to sink on to a bench and wait for dinner. Dinner revived us no end, so that we were full of the joys of living. We then repaired to our barn, and life began!

Quite. often we walked into the village to admire its ancient and hospitable institutions and converse with our amiable landlord and motherly landlady. The time limit necessitated our return to the farm at ten o'clock, and we returned beneath an indigo sky, studded with stars. Once "home," we began to sing, and when we sang in unison and harmony we were heard not only at the other barn but also at the farmhouse, nigh on 200 yards away. Catchpole brought with him an accordion, which was a valuable aid in swelling the volume. The songs we sang were sung to sea shanty tunes in the main part. There were many traditional college songs, too. Then, as a weary numbness overtook the senses, we blew out the lamps, opened our black-out door, and retired to our bed..

It was with great regret that we left our barn to the weather and the rats that went bump in the night, and returned to London, city of grime and dirt. Ever since, when two or more fellow-workers have met, the glories of our barn have been recalled, growing in colour in retrospect."

Working parties were formed and, while some had to journey on bike or foot to neighbouring farms at the other side of the village, this is how M. Lesser writes of life on Lodge Farm.

The biggest number of boys, a gang of 12, was sent to help upon the 600-acre farm of Mr. Lucas, whose outhouses we were using. We were strenuously occupied in the jobs of pitching, loading and building stacks. One of the most coveted jobs of all was that of tractor driving, for which there were always many eager applicants. Wheat, barley, and oats were all pitched, loaded, and stacked in their turn. Barley was the most annoying to work on, with its beards getting in one's socks and clothes, and in many other uncomfortable places; wheat was the most tiring. Employers and farm hands were both helpful and kind to us and were very pleasant to work with. One of' the labourers, Sam, was a portrait of the older-fashioned farm hand. He reminded me of the farm-labourer who was told by his employer to open the gate of a field, only to be charged by an infuriated bull. When the employer asked why he did not mention that the bull was in the field, the farm-labourer replied: "You told me to open the gate so I opened the gate. You never said nowt about bull". Sam was typical of this attitude, devoid of all initiative, conservative. His reference to tractors was: "New-fangled things! Give me an 'orse." Dull witted, too, yet, in spite of these things, a fine worker. He was very good-hearted, and enjoyed, oblivious no doubt that he was the cause of it, the mirth of his student helpers. The best time of the day was undoubtedly supper time, when weary youths fed ravenously. After supper there was generally community singing, and then each party went its way. Some of us held impromptu discussions on such topics as music, education, religion, pacifism, and literature. By ten most of us were more than ready for bed. Tired and aching limbs rested to the accompaniment of a deep bassoon from a sleeping Newman and the raucous chuckle from a very wide-awake Martins."

There was a friendly rivalry between this group of workers, and the party on the adjoining Manor Farm. P. Gould says:

Our party consisted of half-a-dozen fellows. We were taken by Mr. Sidford, the owner of a small farm (small for Wiltshire), to a field of dredge corn, where we commenced our first day's work. For the unenlightened, dredge corn consists of oats, barley and peas. Crayton, in his enthusiasm to drive the tractor, was soon going round in circles in top gear and wide open throttle, much to the amusement of the workers and consternation of Mr. Sidford. However, we soon settled down to hard work, which included piling, pitching, ricking, and tractor driving. Packed lunches were left at the Malt-House Inn, in Broadchalk, by the camp orderly, where large quantities of cider were consumed. This work continued for 2½ weeks, during which time the harvest on this farm was completed. Our remaining days were spent in the dairy yard, and loading and hauling dung to a wheat field where it was to be ploughed in. At first this did not appeal to us but by the end of the day we were actually enjoying it. The next day we combined business with pleasure. We set off in a tractor, with ferrets, dogs, tools, and returned to the farmhouse with our catch of 16 rabbits, to enjoy the hospitality of Mrs. Sidford, who provided a grand cream tea, and - a bath!!"

R. M. Harris, who worked on the biggest farm in the district -over 2,000 acres - speaks of "cycling up and down steep hills with one hand holding a pitchfork and the other desperately clutching at a brake which seldom functioned." Life was by no means all work. There were excursions by bus into Salisbury, and much interesting and historical country to explore. Yet the farm never lost its fascination. When nothing unusual was happening there were a host of anecdotes and strange stories to hear from the farmer, the cowman, or the shepherd. J. Walsby tells of an aspect of dairy farming which appealed to him:-

"As a medical student whose interests lie in veterinary work, a three-weeks stay on a farm provided me with first-hand knowledge of animals. This I owed largely to the kindness of Mr. Lucas. As I was studying at a dairy farm, cows provided my greatest source of study. I learnt how to distinguish between different breeds, the average permitted life of a dairy cow and what was considered to be a good yield of milk. The advantages of machine-milking over hand-milking, and its effect on the quantity of yield, proved to be a good topic for argument. The differences of opinion by farmers on how to bring up calves by hand was also a good subject for conversation. I might say that my knowledge was not entirely theoretical, as I did learn to milk. The subject that really aroused my interest was the premature birth of a number of calves at this farm. Altogether five calves were born prematurely, three being still-born and two alive, the latter dying very suddenly and within a week of birth. The reasons given for these births were both obscure and varied, but the diversity was limited to two lines of thought. One was very simply explained, but the other was much more fascinating, and I liked to think that this was the cause of the trouble, although, had I been a farmer, my feelings would have been very different. The first reason was that the cows were irritated by the gad-fly, which made them rush about and, owing to the undulating ground, badly shook the embryo calf, causing it to be born prematurely. The more romantic reason was that it was caused by a germ which is capable of lying dormant on the ground for a period lasting up to as much as six months. The nature of the germ is not known, but the disease which it causes is known as contagious abortion, and its only cure is the complete isolation of diseased cattle and the disuse of infected ground for six months. My knowledge of the disease was learnt from an old cowman one afternoon, whilst we were searching for a calf believed to have been still-born. This we found and, in the opinion of the cowman, it was about a five-months calf. It was hairless, and its feet, ears, and tail were not yet formed. We buried the calf in a rabbit burrow and returned to the farm."

R. Buckledee tells of the conditions of work and rates of pay on yet another farm, and his concluding words sum up the feelings of everyone:-

"Peter Marshall and I worked two or three miles from Mr. Lucas' for a farmer whose name was Mr. Walters. He was shorthanded, and welcomed our help, which became quite efficient by the end of the three weeks. His men were always ready to show us the right way to do our particular part in the harvesting, and they also proved very hospitable by asking us to their homes and it was in one of these that I heard the news for the first time in a whole week! Mr. Walters paid us a shilling an hour, and our average working day was nine hours, with an hour break for dinner, at 12 o'clock, and half-an-hour for tea. During the three weeks I was there I earned altogether 70s., out of which I paid 45s. for my keep; thus earning 25s. for the three weeks. I went home feeling that I had helped in doing a "reet good job of work," as they say up North."

WHEN at the beginning of the term the House Masters announced the appointment, of Gregory as House Captain, and expressed the opinion that no boy had ever held the position more deservedly, the whole House unanimously supported them, and whole heartedly welcomed their decision. Further, we must congratulate Gregory on becoming School Captain, School Football Captain, and Chairman of the 49 Club; also Walsby on his promotion to sub-prefect. It was with regret that we had to say good bye to our old boys last term but the usual welcome was given to the new-comers to the House, although; unfortunately, our "quota" was rather smaller than in previous years. During the half-term break an Inter-House Football Competition was held, in which we unfortunately lost 1-0 to Broodbanks, but although this was due to a certain extent to the fact that some of the original team were unable to play, we congratulate you, Broodies!

War Savings are still up to their usual high standard, owing partly to the active interest taken by Mr. Andrews and partly to Jones' and Pleeth's excellent work.

At the moment good progress is being made in preparation for the House Concert at the end of term, which looks like being an outstanding success.

WE have come to the end of the fifth Christmas term spent in Minehead. At the end of last term we lost Mr. Broodbank and Mr. Robinson, a noticeable thinning of the House's ranks, but we wish them every success in their new appointments and look forward to the time when we may meet again, together with those who are now so widely scattered. I now take the opportunity of congratulating Mervyn Lesser on his appointment to the post of House Captain, and I feel sure he will live up to the accomplishments of his predecessors; two of whom, Faithful and G. Warren, gave us the pleasant surprise of visiting us during the last term.

In the House Competition, which began during the half-term holiday, we beat Andrews-Hough House with a score of 1-0, after a close struggle. Unfortunately, the competition was cancelled owing to the weather; but we hope to take up the cudgels again next term. We are well represented in the School XI., there being three members of the House in it - Tugwood and both Lessers.

We still maintain our position as the leading House of the School in our Savings, owing to the constant exertions of H. Lesser, and we hope to keep up this attainment during the coming term.

AT the end of last term we were very sad to lose not only our House officials and some of the senior members, but also two of our House Masters - Mr. Elgood and Mr. Eckersley. Mr. Elgood had to return to London, and we hope that we will soon join him. Mr. Eckersley, however, left to take up a position outside the School. His loss will be felt for a long time to come, for he had been a House Master for over 20 years; almost, in fact, since Hester-Lowe was formed. Although he had always been interested in the activities of the House, it was not until the School was evacuated that his work, like that of the other Masters, was fully appreciated. He became more than a House Master to many, a personal friend, in fact, always ready with advice. In the other activities he was always behind the House, spurring the boys on to greater efforts. The whole House joins in wishing him every success in his new position, and we all hope he will visit us soon. We also wish all the boys who have left every success in their future careers and, at the same time, extend a hearty welcome to all the newcomers who, we hope, will live up to the traditions of the House. Congratulations to R. W. Franchi on his appointment to House Captain and I. R. Morris to Football Captain.

In the half-term Inter-House Football Competition we did not, it is true, do so well, having lost 4-1 to Kerridge-Swan, after a very hard game; but we were winning 1-0 until after half-time; so, with some more practice, we should do well next time.

The Savings Section in the House is still disregarded by many boys, although of late the weekly sums have increased. We have in R. Harris, our new collector, a keen and capable official, and we must back him up.

The rehearsals for the House concert, to be held again in conjunction with R-M, are now in full swing, and it promises to be a great success. In conclusion, we would remind everyone of the Boxing Competitions, probably to take place next term. Now is the time to begin to train.

A the end of last term we were unfortunate in losing our House Captain, C. J. Davis, together with many other of our senior boys. We wish them all success in the future. I am sure all the House will join me in congratulating R. Oggier on not only being elected House Captain but on his appointments as a full prefect and, more recently, School Vice-Captain. Congratulations are also due to L. K. Freedman on his elections as House Football Captain and School Football Vice-Captain; and to H. Calder, another member of the School XI., who has been appointed a sub-prefect.

In the half-term Football Competition the House did well to beat its first opponents, Hester-Lowe, 4-1, but, unfortunately bad weather prohibited the rest of the rounds being played.

National Savings have, however, not gone so well this term, and it is hoped that Chapman, our Savings representative, will get more backing next term.

At the moment preparation is being made for the end of term House concert, and everything points to this being another success. In conclusion, the House extends a hearty welcome to all its new members, who, we hope, will continue the high traditions of the past.

IT was with very deep regret that the House bade an revoir to Mr. Lambert, who left us at half-term to help at the School in London. We wish him every success there and trust that we will be joining him next year. The best wishes of the House for a successful career go to all those chaps who left last term. The House is sorry to lose Eric Smith, its Captain, but that position has how been filled by Norman Newman (U.6 Meds.), to whom heartiest congratulations. A warm welcome to the new boys, who, we trust, will do their utmost to maintain the high standards of the House. There has been no House football this term, the usual knock-out contest being cancelled owing to bad weather.

Ansell, who cares for House Savings, reports that they have reached a lamentably low level. A really serious effort is called for, and I hope to see a considerable improvement after Christmas. The names of certain boys in the junior part of the House appear far too frequently in the various lists of delinquents, and I sincerely hope these members will realise their obligations and begin to pull their weight with the rest of the House.

Preparations are now well under way with Kerridge's for the usual Christmas concert, which, as in previous years, promises to be a jolly good show. The only regret is that the usual tea cannot be provided. Finally, I would like to send to present and past members of the House, best wishes for a very Happy Christmas.

On behalf of the House I should like to congratulate Peter Middleton on his appointment as House Secretary, in succession to Menzies. who is now in the R.A.F. - N. NEWMAN.

AT the end of last term we lost Dunford, our House Captain and School Vice-Captain, and all our other officials. We are all very sorry to have lost them. Dunford had been our very capable Sports Captain, and we shall miss his excellent performance on the track. Unfortunately there was no House Football this half-term, since the weather did not permit it. I am sure, however, that Reding, our football captain, and the rest of the team, would have given good account of themselves had there been any.

The House Savings Group, which Beck, A. E., is still running, could do with more support. Better show next term.

At half-term, when a concert was proposed in conjunction with the Hester-Lowe House, there was an overwhelming majority of votes for it to take place. Rehearsals are now going on and show promise. We hope it will be up to its usual high level of entertainment.

ALTHOUGH fielding a team consisting mainly of new players, we opened the season with an easy victory over the County School, 12-0. The following week, however, we were beaten 4-1 by the R.E.M.E. and, although the weather conditions were especially adverse, the team as a whole did not play well. Since then we have again beaten the County School 7-1, and have played two very enjoyable matches against our old friends and rivals, another R.A. team. Although we lost both of these, the team played very well indeed, putting up a good show against a very skilful and experienced eleven.

The defence this year has played quite steadily, the half-back line being unchanged from last year, while the two new backs and the goalkeeper have fitted in and settled down very quickly. The forward line has been a bit of a problem, however, especially the centre forward. We are still experimenting in this position; but the rest of the forwards are fairly settled by now. With a little more experience and practice the team should prove very satisfactory. Finally, as all the boys are aware, we temporarily lost the services of Mr. Lambert at half-term, when he went to teach in the London School. Form and House football is still going on at the same high level, however, under the management of Mr. Hough, Mr. Webb, and Mr. Compton, while Mr. Sambrook is still looking after the 1st XI.

THE Club resumed its activities this term, but although the attendance has been good, enthusiasm amongst the seniors has been sadly lacking. We have been extremely fortunate this term in obtaining instruction from Sgt. Stephens, of the R.A: who has voluntarily given up his spare time to help us. During next term an Inter-House Competition will be held, and it is essential that all who wish to compete should attend the Boxing Club during the future weeks for instruction and training. I should also like to take this opportunity of expressing the gratitude of all our members for the untiring work and continuous interest of Mr. S. Newman, who attends all our meetings and encourages us.

Finally, I wish to stress once more that all concerned would like to see more seniors at the Methodist Hall on Thursday evening especially with regard to the forthcoming "Silver Wings" Cadets and House Competitions.

THE camp, held at the end of July at our parent R.A.F. station, was happy-and successful. All the 33 Cadets were airborne. The station offered a wide variety of experience in R.A.F. work, and the R.A.F. personnel were very kind and helpful. The high-light was perhaps a talk on train-busting, by a Canadian D.F.C. The close of the camp meant farewell to the unit for a number of N.C.O.'s and Cadets, whose enthusiasm and high standard of work we have appreciated highly.

The number of Cadets in the Unit this term is 53. That is, our losses have been made good. A number of Cadets have attended week-end camps, and some have been airborne. Both advanced and proficiency training proceed steadily. It is hoped to run a joint dance with the K.R.R.C. at the end of term.

We have to record the loss to the unit of Messrs. Robinson and Elgood, who have returned to London. Both of them had helped us from the inception of the unit and had given us unsparingly of their time, knowledge, and teaching ability. We hope they both realise how much we valued them and how much we now miss them in navigation and aircraft recognition.

ALTHOUGH we lost several of our keenest N.C.O.'s and Cadets at the end of last term, we have some new recruits who promise very well; and some of the older Cadets are proving to be as good N.C.O.'s as their predecessors. The most serious loss the Corps has had to sustain for years is in the person of Lt. Elgood. He has backed Captain Smith during a period of real successes. We can only hope he will again be able to help us when the School returns to London. We have been fortunate, as last term, in obtaining the services of Sgt. Thole, a H.G. instructor, who is giving a series of lectures on weapon training to post Cert. A Cadets. Only a few selected Cadets are taking Cert. A this Christmas. The others will take it next term.

The camp held at the beginning of the summer holidays was in every way a success. Of the many and varied competitions organised between the units the Poly. Cadets came first in every case. A few of the high-lights were:- Sgts. Cocks and Barringer winning the mile walk jointly; and a very good cricket match between the R.T.R., Battersea Grammar School and ourselves, in which we again emerged victorious. The dance, held at the end of last term, was a great success, and we are having another at the end of this term in conjunction with the A.T.C.

The Corps should congratulate the various ex-members of the Cadets who have been progressing so well in the Army. In particular, ex-Sgt. Bawden, who passed out third amongst a group of 80 Junior Leaders, on a six months University course. As usual, several members of the Corps attended courses in the summer holidays. L/Cpl. Hardcastle and Cadet Calder attended a P.T. course at Brighton, and were highly commended; whilst L/Cpl. Langrish and Cadet Thomson went to Burwash, Sussex, on a special Fieldcraft course. Langrish was complimented officially on his ability as a squad leader. Captain Smith had the honour of attending the same course as an observer, to make a report on it to the War Office.

THERE have been various moves in the Troop this term following the inevitable "leavers" of the summer. We said "goodbye" to Barnett at the end of camp, and this meant that a new Troop Leader had to be found. In Paterson we have a first-rate Scout, and one who, by his keenness since the earliest days of the Troop, well deserves the position of T.L. Other moves made Farmer P.L. of the Wolves, with Woods as Second; Bedford P.L. of the Swifts, with Pretty as Second; and Wallis Second of the Kestrels. Troop meetings have provided some Scouting, but some of the younger members are irregular in attendance. "Scouts' Own" meetings, held on the first Sunday of each month (and open to any Poly. Scouts), have provided useful discussions.

The camp at Whitwell, held during the first fortnight of August, was a happy event for those who were lucky enough to be there. In spite of weather, which couldn't be described as ideal for camping, the real enjoyment of the open-air life seemed to have been experienced by most of those present. We were able to help with the harvesting, but should have done more in this direction had the weather been better. Our stay in Whitwell will be remembered by us, not only for the good camp held in a delightful spot, but also because of the kindness and friendliness of the villagers and of the Rector, the Rev. R. G. Bisseker.

AT the beginning of the term the Den was enlarged to twice its previous size by removing the partition that separated it from the old Airscrews Room, which we have now taken over. The floor needed minor repairs in places, and the doors were given a new coat of paint. We have had nearly a dozen recruits and they are now well on their way to gaining the Tenderfoot Badge. Dr. Worsnop, who always takes a keen interest in our activities, conducted the investiture of three of our number one evening, at the same time presenting the Second Class Badge to Sutherland Shuttleworth, our old "Skipper," now S.M. of a Troop at Bristol, while on leave, spent an evening with us yarning about the Royal Navy, old times, ghosts, and the joys of Scouting. We wish him all the best in his present occupation.

Our National Service is still going strong:- P.L. Worsnop is now a signaller in the Minehead Lifeboat crew, P.L. Taylor and Q.M. Bullen are Civil Defence motor-cycle despatch riders, and other Scouts are bicycle messengers in the same.A.R.P. Service.

Towards the end of last term Mr. A. Turner gave five of our senior Scouts a course on the Surveyor's Badge. All passed, no mean achievement, and we take this opportunity to thank him for his excellent instruction and guidance. We always give a hearty welcome to new recruits and can promise them a good time. so if you are contemplating becoming a Sea Scout, make up your mind and join us at once.

WE have missed a number of familiar faces from our Monday meetings this term; some have gone on to the A.T.C., one or two have left School, and others have joined the London section of the School. Fortunately, most of our Patrol Leaders remain, and, with new members, they have built all four Patrols to a full strength of eight. Aitken-Smith is in charge of Eagles, Barrett of Hawks, Radford of Swifts, and Levcovitch of Wood Pigeons. There is keen rivalry between them. We have had some elementary instruction in aircraft recognition, chiefly for beginners, and of the number who joined the Air Spotters several hope to take 3rd or 2nd Class tests this term. Two or three of this term's recruits have already passed their Tenderfoot tests, and at the investiture, early in December, it is hoped that seven or eight will receive their badges. Barrett has collected together a very useful and attractive library of books on Scouting and subjects interesting to Scouts; they are available for any member.

Wells, of the A.T.C., is always ready to give advice on aircraft and technical matters; and Jones, our Assistant S.M., on Scouting topics. We are only sorry that their homework time-table does not allow us to see them more often.

THE Club has suffered a great loss in Mr. Elgood's departure. I know all members will join me in thanking him for the great work he has done in arranging and running the Club. He has been Competitions Officer over since the Club was formed in July, 1942. We also thank Boother for his able work as Hon. Secretary for the past year. He has proved a worthy successor to Dunford in the large amount of work he has put in. The past term has seen a great upheaval. We did not even hold a meeting until half term. Mr. Elgood's leaving left us in rather a"fix" and so, after deciding it would be a great pity to waste all his good work, we decided to carry on as best we could.

Many of-the older members who formed the backbone of the original Club have also left, but thanks to an influx of new members our numbers have not dropped a great deal. As may be expected, our standard of proficiency has dropped rather, but it should soon pick up again if the general keenness is what it seems to be.

The supplies of official material still continue. The Inter-Services Journal arrives regularly each month, and also an occasional model. The time between now and the exams. is insufficient to allow a worthwhile amount of practice to be able to hold tests this term. However, all being well, we should be able to hold all classes of tests just before half-term next term. We hope to continue Mr. Elgood's good work and to keep up our old standards in his absence.

THE Natural History Society, which used to flourish in the Regent Street days, was re-formed this term by Mr. Coates, and it shows every sign of becoming once more an efficient and friendly Club of keen naturalists. Sixteen (five more have joined since) attended the first meeting, at which preliminary business was discussed and a Secretary elected. It was decided that the N.H.S. should have a lecture and an excursion once a month.

Mr. Coates gave the first talk on "Birds in Autumn in Minehead," which was both interesting and instructive. The following Sunday the Society met at Wootton Courtenay and rambled over Dunkery Hill to Cloutsham Ball, where we saw a red stag and its does, and thence down the Horner Valley. Here we saw excellent specimens of the local marshland and damp woodland flora, and in places the stillness was so intense as to be heard. At Horner we had tea.

Our second lecture and excursion were combined. On the very kind invitation of Mr. Gibbs, 15 of our number visited his house and examined his marvellous collection of butterflies and moths, from the common fritillaries to rare tropical insects. One of the specimens was particularly interesting in that it was one of the only seven that have ever been caught. While we were looking round Mr. Gibbs gave a running commentary, from which we gleaned much information about the types and varieties on show. At the close of this instructive afternoon Mr. Gibbs entertained us with an excellent tea. It is hoped that the local notabilities in the realm of natural history will be persuaded from time to time to deliver lectures to the N.H.S. on their especial branch of the subject, and to these we very much look forward.

SEVERAL difficulties have prevented a prompt re-commencement of meetings this term, the main difficulty being the selection of a convenient evening which has not already been acquired by other School activities. However, we had an interesting interpretation of the latest White Paper on Education, by Dr. Matthews, followed by a general debate on the subject, which, though confined to only a few of the members present, also proved interesting.

As the end of term examinations are looming up ahead, it will only be possible to hold one more meeting before the Christmas holidays. Next term, however, we are hoping to hold regular meetings of the Club, which should prove all the more lively, if there is a large and regular attendance of members.

THE summer term ended with the highly-successful production of four one-act plays, and thanks are due to Dr. Matthews for his inspiration and guidance in their production. This year we were most unfortunate in losing three active members of the Society - E. W. S. Smith, last year's Secretary; V. A. Menzies, and S. Levy - to all of whom we wish the very best of luck in their new occupations. Some very promising new members are welcome to the Society and rehearsals are well advanced for the two one-act plays for the Christmas concert. We also hope to produce by Easter a three-act comedy thriller, which is now in preparation.

AS I sit here in an armchair and stare at the fire I think how cold it must be outside: poor mother will be frozen coming home from the pictures with father and sister. I stir up the fire with the poker: I see in the fire the winter night, this house dark and gloomy from the outside. I stir again, my vision changes from winter to spring. The house is now looking bright and fresh. Chum is romping on the lawn with his rubber bone. I am playing cricket in the Park near by.

I stir the fire once more, making it even brighter. Now Chum is sleeping in the shade of an ash tree. I am lying on my stomach in the garden hammock reading Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book," or something similar. I had better put some more coal on the fire. As it darkens, I see winter again. Here are mother, father, and Joan back again.

(It is only fair to say that another contribution on the same subject, which we decided not to publish, gave a different picture - ED.)

SLEDGING is a great sport at all times and can be enjoyed in summer when there is no snow. It can be practised on pine-needles or dry ferns. It is a great thrill to come over the brow of a hill, whizzing down past pine trees which seem to support the very sky itself. Then you miss a tree-stump by a hair's breadth, or at times you feel a nasty jolt as the sledge hits the stump. When on ferns there are no trees or stumps to stop your slide. Complications arrive, however, over hollows or rabbit holes. After going over a clear stretch at a nice speed you come across a hollow, then - wheeee, smack - and you enjoy a trip through mid-air which ends in your not wishing to sit down for a week. Of course there are things which put one off sledging, such as pulling a sledge up a hill and whizzing along into a hillock, when you go head over heels and find that you have left the best part of your trousers behind on a nail of your sledge.

WHILST I was spending my summer holidays in Herefordshire I received a telegram from my office in London urging me to return immediately. In order to reach London I first had to go to Kington, which was the nearest town with a railway station. There were no buses and I could not walk the distance, so I decided to take my son's bicycle. It was leaning against the fence. I pushed it into the road, jumped on to it, and fell off, owing to the fact that the saddle was loose. Nevertheless, I sprang on again and, after a little perseverance, I managed to gain control of it. There were no mudguards or brakes; the handlebars and saddle were loose; there were two punctures in one wheel; a total of 18 spokes in the two wheels, both of which were slightly buckled. After a long ride (in which I fell off seven times) I entered Kington, only to find the train had gone. I took the bicycle to a garage to get it put properly in order, and then walked around the town for about two hours. Then I went back to the garage and found the man just finishing the repairs of the bicycle. The bill was 29s. 6d., and after a ride home, I approached my son and said, "Now you owe me 29s. 6d. for your bicycle rep-" "But, dad," he cut in, "that wasn't my bike; it's the butcher boy's. He's been looking for it all day."

WHILE I was staying in the North of England with one of my aunts my uncle arranged a visit to the pit-head. First we saw the house where the men have their baths. There were revolving brushes for cleaning their boots, and just above them the washbasins. Then they go to their dirty lockers, where they keep their towels and soap. They undress, take their towel and soap, and go to the showers. Each man has his own key to his locker, and each locker is numbered. The lockers were electrically heated, because some of the men worked in water and others had to wade through water to get to their work. Their clean lockers are also heated. In the same building there are the stores, where the men can buy soap, boots, helmets, &c. The Ambulance Room, or Red Cross Room, as the men call it, has in it lots of cotton wool and surgical apparatus for accidents down the pit. We crossed the road and went down a few steps, where there was a battered helmet (a protective pit helmet), with a notice above it saying, "This would have happened to the man's head if he hadn't been wearing this. It might have been you. Wear yours." Then we saw the lamp cabin. There is one man who does nothing else but look after these lamps; some of them oil, but most of them electric. Adjoining the lamp cabin there was an officials' office, where the canaries were kept, to detect gas down the mine. Then we went to the engine room. It was kept very clean indeed, and there were gauges to tell the engineer just where the cage was in the shaft. We also saw the huge boiler in which he sheltered when there was an air raid. Then. we saw the shaft and the cages in which the men went up and down, and the tubs for coal. We went to see the huge furnaces that keep the boilers going. There were also coke ovens, with a miniature railway running along the top. The trucks tip the very fine coal into the tops of the ovens and the men put the bricks in place and burn it to a certain depth. Then they take the bricks away, and slake it by turning a hose on it. Then they take it out and break it into pieces as big as your arm. It is not nearly as dirty going to a pit as some book-writers say. For there are flowers and grass growing right up to the pit-head.

A RATHER fat and broad old lady walked into a small antique shop and said to the man, "Could I have that coffee set? But the only answer she received was, " 'Tis sold." "Well," she said, "couldn't I just have the small jug, no-one would miss that?" "Sorry, mam," said the shopkeeper. "Well, could I have that pot?" " 'Tis sold." "Well, what the dickens have you got?" "Only this cracked ash tray." Just at this moment her husband came in and gave her a parcel (a rather large and well-packed one), and said "This is for your birthday, my dear." The lady opened the parcel and said, "Why, it's a coffee set, with ashtray and all." Then she turned to the shopkeeper and said, "You can keep your cracked ashtrays and sold coffee sets, 'cause I've got these." Then she and her husband walked out of the shop. A moment later there was a tremendous crash, and the lady came back into the shop. She says to the man, "I'll buy that ashtray." The man smiles and sells it to her.

THE droning died away. Below I could see what resembled a display of carpets and ribbons. There were brown carpets, yellow carpets, light green carpets, and dark green carpets. The ribbons were dark green and glistening black; they twisted and curved, and in many places they crossed. Descending, I could see that the brown carpets were arable land. A cloud then obstructed my view; a minute later I was through the clammy wetness. After ten seconds I came out. Now I could define that the yellow carpets were fields of waving wheat ready for harvesting. The dark green carpets were the cut hayfields on the hills. The shadows of cloud came sweeping up and down the hills like black chargers. In the light green fields, which were pastures in the valleys, fleecy flocks gambolled, and the glistening ribbon lazily flowed, winding its easy way, making music as it rippled over the rocks. I landed near a cluster of trees which were on the side of a hill. I was dragged 10ft. along the ground. I discarded my parachute and made off at a brisk walk to rejoin my training station.

HE had just escaped from a concentration camp in Germany and was about five miles away from it when he heard a car coming along the road towards him. Having made up his mind to take a chance he stepped out of the bushes and signalled for the driver to stop. "I work in a munitions factory," he said to the driver, "I wonder if you can give me a lift to Hanover?" The escaped man had discarded his other clothes and he had on an ordinary suit, which he had stolen from a nearby house, so he didn't look suspicious.

"Yes, get in," said the driver gruffly. In a few minutes they were in Hanover and, as they were going down the main road the fugitive signalled for the driver to stop, and got out. But just at that minute a Gestapo man began running towards the car. The man made for a nearby dark alley as fast as he could, entered a house, and went up the stairs to the roof. Once on the roof he ran along, jumping from one roof to another until he came to a gap which was impossible to jump. But he couldn't turn back because by now the German had reached the roof and was running towards him. Then he took the chance and jumped, but he fell short of the far wall and went down, and down until . . . . .

No! you're wrong this time; he didn't fall out of bed. He hit the concrete below and died instantly.

THE following Cryptograms have been thoroughly checked and a prize of 5s. will be awarded to the first correct solution handed to the Editor. Here are the names of 20 large towns and cities from different countries; each one of them is in a code made to a special key for each:-

I SPENT most of my summer holiday in one of Scotland's industrial towns and was lucky enough to be shown around an iron foundry, where I saw how scrap metal is now treated. On my way in I was struck by the enormous piles of scrap outside the buildings. They were all about 50ft. high and were composed of anything from iron railings to old motor cars. I even glimpsed a rusty ship's funnel. As I entered the works I immediately felt the terrific heat and, looking round, saw that all the men were working stripped to the waist. It was with great interest that I watched what was happening to the metal. A large assortment of iron railings were bound together with wire and put into one of the furnaces. When the metal was white hot and merged into a solid mass it was taken out of the furnace with what looked like a pair of oversize tongs. The man who took it out slid the tongs, with the metal, along the rail to which the tongs were attached. At the end of the rail was a pair of rollers, between which the man pushed the hot metal. When it came out at the other side it was twice its former length and half its former breadth and thickness This happened several times, and every time the metal was passed through it twisted and turned like a snake, sending out showers of sparks as it did so. I was told that to guard against these sparks the men wore wooden clogs. The metal was then a thin, narrow strip about 20ft. long, and to cool it, it was passed on to a sheet of corrugated iron which, working by machinery, shook the metal about, making as it did so a very loud noise. When cool the bar was ready to be sent to one of the munition factories. After this experience I think I can assure everybody who has contributed anything in the way of scrap metal to the country's war effort, that nothing is wasted.

APPEALS for salvage are everywhere so one has to take notice of them. Consequently, I went upstairs to the box-room to hunt through the various things there, discard the old junk, and tidy the others. There were many and various things. Plenty of newspaper cuttings, old posters from various shows and meetings, little things I had brought home from visits to strange countries, and all those kinds of things that one puts away in box-rooms and forgets for years. Soon I had nearly exhausted my resources, and I gave a last look round. I espied a small box tucked away in a corner of a high shelf. It was soon down and opened. At first it seemed empty. Then I saw a small ring. "Where does this come from?" I idly speculated. Back into the years my memory went. I gave a gasp - and then a chuckle. It happened many years ago. When I was a lad of 16 I joined a schooner. On this voyage our skipper was in a dilemma. It seemed that he was engaged to a girl in London, and also to one in Wales, whither we were sailing. On top of this the London girl had insisted on coming on this voyage to Wales, and she was now aboard the ship. The skipper is speaking to the mate.

"Jack," he said, "I'm in a devil of a mess. You've got a good square head on your shoulders. Now, what on earth am I to do?" " How would it be," said the mate after a long pause, and speaking very slowly, "how would it be if I took this girl off your hands?" "You couldn't do it, Jack," said the skipper decidedly. "Well, I can try," replied Jack. "I've taken rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?" "It is," said the skipper, shaking hands on it. "If you get me out of this hole I'll never forget it."

That's how it went on. The skipper tried to build as big a breach as possible between himself and Miss Smith, and Jack tried his best to win her affection. At last, as they were passing the coast of Cornwall, the mate told the skipper he had won Miss Smith. At first the skipper would not believe it, but when the mate gave him the engagement ring back he had to accept it as a fact. At tea, relations were rather strained, but Miss Smith showed an interest in the Welsh girl, Miss Jones. The mate told her that she would see her when they docked the next afternoon. When they glided into the harbour there was nobody on the Quay to greet them. Later, when we were all below, a voice said, "I'm coming down, cap'n." The mate just had time to whisper, "Old Jones." to Miss Smith, when a man of mighty bulk filled up the doorway of the cabin and extended a huge fist to our captain and the mate. He then looked at the lady, and breathing hard, waited. "Young lady of the mate's," said our Captain, breathlessly, "Miss Smith. Sit down, cap'n. Get the gin out, Jack. "Not for me," said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. After a long pause, during which all watched him anxiously, he shook hands with our captain again. Our skipper said, "Is anything the matter? Is Mary - is she ill? "Worse than that," said the other, "she's married a soldier!" The effect of this communication upon the captain was tremendous. "When was it?" he asked at last in a dull voice. "Thursday fortnight," said the old man. "I would have written to you but I thought it was best to come and break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy, there's more than one Mary Jones in the world." With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party and went off. Hours later the skipper gave me Miss Smith's engagement ring, remarking, "In case you ever need it."

I gave another chuckle in the box-room and put the ring back in its box. It will stay there with all my other old junk - until I have another clean up.

AS I sit in the shady stillness of the wood, all the horrors of war seem to pass away. In front of me lies a typical West-Country scene. I see a 'Squire's house, with its stately gables clad in red ivy that rustles in the autumn wind. To my left is a streamlet singing a quiet song over the pebbles. The sun's rays shining on the water become myriads of diamonds dancing in the stream. The trees have started to shed their leaves and to garb themselves in golden glory. The birds, like messengers of God, flutter from one tree to another singing their songs of love. I said to myself, "How precious is this tranquillity, far from the roar of mighty towns!"

Sunset was now creeping on, and the leaves had changed from a bright gold to a reddish tint, and the stream shone red, but the sky looked as if the whole glory of God had descended. Slowly, in the distance, came the low purr of an aeroplane, which gew quickly into a roar, and once more the war had entered my life.

ON many occasions Dunkery has frowned down upon me when I have been on rambles, so I decided to climb to the summit and look down on the countryside myself. Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor and Somerset (1,708ft.).

The day I chose for this venture was not exactly ideal as it had rained heavily during the previous night, and by morning half a gale was blowing. Nevertheless, I set off at dawn with high hopes, some sandwiches, and a flask of tea, my intention being to walk there and back before dinner-time. From Alcombe I climbed Hopcott Hill via Collins Wood. In the descent of the other side of the hill to Wootton Courtenay there is a break in the left hand hedge, giving a glorious panoramic view of a deep valley and the distant hills. Here suddenly the first shaft of sunlight, from a break in the cloudy sky, brilliantly lit up my path, and I regarded it as a good omen. Passing through the village of Wootton Courtenay on to Brockwell, the real ascent began. At first the rough path led me through tall bracken and on through a small wood, then on to open moorland. Here I looked for the Beacon, but it was not to be seen, only a vast expanse of ascending brown heather and bracken. However, I continued along the rocky, uneven track, sometimes having to search for it as it had become overgrown with heather, which caused me to stumble over hidden rocks. In spite of this I maintained a steady pace. (This is the secret of hill climbing). After traversing the track for about 1½ miles, ascending all the time, I crossed the Webber's Post-Cutcombe road, which lay across my path at right angles. From here to the Beacon, which was still invisible, the way was more passable. As I felt sure this was the right direction, and that the Beacon would soon loom in sight, I continued onward and upward. Then, breasting a ridge, I saw the Beacon, but to my dismay it still seemed miles off. Eventually, I reached my objective. I had then no doubt that I was nearer Heaven than any other person in Somerset. From this high vantage point I thought how in days of old the Beacon had blazed tidings of the would-be invader. Then I proceeded to view the surrounding country. Away to the South some 40 miles distant, I could just discern the outline of Yeo Tor, the highest peak of Dartmoor. To the West was the rolling waste of Exmoor, and to the North, across the Bristol Channel, rose up the mountains of South Wales, while below me lay the wooded combes of the Horner and East Water, clad in their rich autumnal colours. I would have liked to stay longer to admire the view, but the piercing wind was already chilling me, so I decided to descend and, having reached a sheltered spot, I satisfied my hunger and thirst, and afterwards proceeded on my homeward journey.

AFTER tramping across the moors for several hours my friend and I called a halt for rest and food. It was a boiling hot day in June, and a fierce mid-day sun beat mercilessly down upon us and, on reflection, I think it was the heat of that day that affected my friend. I rested, and my friend began to explore the moors, keeping a wary eye open for the devilishly-concealed bogs, the dread of the Yorkshire moors. Suddenly he espied a dead, old tree, made more conspicuous because it stood alone. This tree was bent with age, with one lone bow pointed like an arm and a twig like a finger. One might have called the tree the "old hag." Suddenly my friend felt a whirling feeling in his head. He imagined the twig to be beckoning to him like a finger. Again he stared, fascinated. Soon he realised that the tree had changed into a witch. Fear supplanted amazement; a sudden clutching fear that rooted him to the ground. He was conscious that this apparition was speaking to him in a cracked, feeble voice: "At my feet lies a bog. Many years ago an unkind bolt from Jupiter struck me dead, but I live on. In retaliation I strike others. Many an errant sheep have I dragged to my feet and seen disappear from view. Many an agonised scream has echoed and re-echoed across this bleak waste. Many a pair of stark-staring eyes have cast an appealing glance at me, the instigator; but I watch on, ever triumphant, always gloating. I have had my moments. I gaze at some wretch as he is sucked slowly, but surely, to a horrible, inevitable death. I have been the last to hold the gaze of mortal eyes.

"Now you will come towards me and be received. You shall feel the fog in your throat; nay, the bog would be a more appropriate word. You shall be seized with stark terror, maddening fear, culminating in terrible realisation. You shall scream, none to hear, none to help; only me to watch." The witch cackled. Then she gave her ghastly summons, and my friend felt himself being propelled forward by some weird magnetism. He was, in fact, in a semi-coma. Just as his foot reached the edge of the bog I rushed up and pulled him back. I shook him and bawled at him. All he did was to point at some dead old tree a few yards away and mumble something about a witch. Surely, a touch of the sun, I reflected. Yet one wonders . . . . .

A TUGBOAT passed, trailing heavy barges. Little waves rolled towards me. When Tower Bridge had cut off its soft purple plume of smoke and this duck, with its brood, had wound its way into the distance, I heard a sudden blast from a siren, and behind me I saw the graceful lines of a Trans-Atlantic liner, its newly-painted sides marred with the barnacles and dank weed of a long voyage. She moved slowly downstream with her attendant tugs fussing about her, gently parting the water into determined lines which, lapping against the sides of my dinghy, broke up to join the countless shiverings of the surface. She seemed tired in a dignified way. On through the swirling black patches of oil, shining iridescent, past the glistening, slimy quaysides, hazily yellow in the sultry sunlight, she passed, until her brilliant blues and reds had merged into a uniform grey, and the impertinent hoots of her tugs had mingled with the many noises of the other river-craft.

The sun had dipped. The sky glowing red and orange, was jagged with the harsh outlines of the warehouses and the framework of the derricks. One whole side of the river was blanketed with purple darkening as the mist thickened. The other remained a sickly pink, and the rust on the sides of the warehouses and on the ponderous mooring stanchions glowed warmly through the half light. The hollow shout of a stevedore, the whirring of a winch-ratchet, and the spasmodic rumble of a train crossing a bridge, were now the only sounds to break upon the oppressive silence. The dome of St. Paul's kept a benevolent watch. The bridges waited. The water slid by.

ONE Tuesday afternoon, during my summer holidays, I received an invitation from the "Swing" critic, Edgar Jackson, to go with him to the recording studios. Being a swing-fan, I jumped at the chance, and half-an-hour later Mr. Jackson was hurtling his little Ford in the direction of West Hampstead. After a short ride we arrived outside a dark, sinister-looking house. We entered and descended to the basement. On the left hand side of the large, low-ceilinged hall before us, was a canteen; on the right hand side were many doors marked: "High Tension Current! Keep out," and "Engineers only." The last door was open and, being a rather inquisitive person, I looked inside. The room was full of different-sized machinery. The one nearest, the door was being operated by an elderly man in a white coat. I introduced myself, and then asked him what this machine was doing. He said that this particular one polished the wax impressions with a sort of diamond. The impressions are 12ins. in diameter and are lin. thick. They are made out of dirty, brown wax, and have to be kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Since none of this material may be wasted, they melt all the shavings down and re-mould them into new wax plates for further use. After a recording has been made on the impression, the top layer of wax has to be removed and the plate made smooth and shiny. That is what this machine was doing.

After Mr. Jackson had had his tea we went to the end of the hall, where I saw a large door with a red light above it. He told me that as long as that light is on no-one is allowed inside the studio, because an actual recording is being made. After a couple of minutes the light went out and we entered. Phil Green and his band had just made a recording. I was introduced to the players and then was told to see the recording engineer. He was a youngish man, who used to go to the Polytechnic a few years ago. In the recording room the engineer showed me all the apparatus and how it worked. One side of the little room was occupied by a large glass-doored cupboard, where the wax impressions are stored at an even temperature. The opposite side was just one large window, which faced the studio. Amplifying units and recording turntables stood in front of the remaining two walls. The theory of the turntables is quite simple. The sound waves hit the microphones, who change them into tiny electrical waves, which get enlarged by the amplifiers. These enlarged electrical waves, make a diamond jump up and down on the wax; that accounts for the grooves on a record. In the studio microphones of different shapes and sizes could be seen.

After a while the band was ready for its next number. A bell rang three times, a red light shone, the conductor lifted his baton, recording was being made. Three minutes of rhythm, then the red light went out and everybody breathed freely again.

A young cygnet of the Kerridge Swan has just called to ask me if I could help him with his house concert number. He'd written a very good five-act play in 12 scenes for one character. He thought he could do the principal part himself; but was not ready with all his properties, and could I help. The chief props were an aeroplane (must be Liberator), a live elephant, or perhaps an alligator would do if reasonably hungry, an orchestra, a piece of string, and a greenhouse. So far he'd got the piece of string. He rather thought it would be better to have a revolving stage, but he was seeing Mr. Webb about that. Well, we got down to business, and he left just before curfew with two of my clothing coupons in his wallet, and my tom cat tucked under his arm. We found that if you hold a microphone to the tummy of a tom cat it sounds just like a bomber high up, and if you give the cat a piece of dried cod just previously, you also get that spluttering sound like when the engine misfires for a time or two. Next we decided that instead of actually showing the bomber, we could just let off a "sticky bomb" on the stage and smash the window in Room 2 (that usually gets broken on Thursdays), to simulate the effect of a raid.

Enquiry 2:- Many boys ask me what to do about Christmas presents, so I've compiled a list for your use. The presents are graded more or less into threes - for poor boys, richer boys, and those who do paper rounds.

FOR MOTHER - Six-bladed penknife, with 'ook for digging stones out of 'orses 'ooffs. Box of aeroplanes in parts; bit more land near Minehead.

FOR GRANDMA - Red wool for kneecaps (1 coupon), banana slicer or grape fruit knife.

FOR GRANDPA - A piece of pink alabaster from Blue Anchor, bottle of Galloway's cough syrup, or a dozen egg cups.

FOR GREAT-GRANDPA or MA - I don't suppose you've got both so I've bracketed these and suggest an egg-timer (sands running out), rather a charming thought, I think..

BROTHER IN AFRICA - Pint of winkles, from rocks at Dunster; select the big ones, after all he's worth the extra trouble.

FOR OTHER FRIENDS - I advise books, most strongly. If you start buying now you can read them all yourself to see if they're suitable, and there is always the chance that you can change some before December 16th.

FOR YOUR LESS-GOOD-LOOKING COUSIN - A plain, white mug (10d. at Mason's; expensive, but worth it).

FOR A CHARMING AUNT - That's very nice of you, boys! a packet of hair curlers (those coloured pipe-cleaners do quite well). I'm very fond of Greys, or let me whisper, if there are no men about, I'm rather partial to a box of good cigars! Don't bother to waste your clothing coupons on me.

Beauty, Grace, and Rhythm!! Ah, me! What wonderful affairs the combined Forces Poly. dances are. But I do hope those handsome Air Force boys don't always monopolise the ladies so much. I simply hate to see the shy young soldiery sitting round the hall, and no-one to dance with. It's a good job, however, they've got their knitting. I think, too, every boy should be able to do plain sewing. I was once young and beautiful! You'd be surprised! Now I'm not so young. When I was a really attractive debut-Aunt the Air Force had not even been heard of, and all the bad boys of the family went into the Marines.

This is the Christmas, 1943, news, and this is Aunt Kate reading it. The time is just coming up to 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, 16th December, and the scene is Paddington station. The first parents are beginning to gather at the arrival platform for the 1.30 suppress from Minehead. Shortly after 3 p.m. a whistle is heard, the train dashes into the station, and, as usual, unable to stop, hits the buffers a resounding crash and bounces back to Kilburn.

Parents finish their third cup of tea and gather again at the barrier. Boys begin forlornly to collect their big bundles of presents, looking back yearningly along the line to the West to the land of sunshine and gladness, and all those blissful memories wrapped up in the dear, simple name of Minehead.

Prefects dismount, have their meeting, and confer with the stationmaster that it is Paddington. Then they get back and break the news to the boys, who in their turn, make their stately way to the goods waggon for their bicycles.

"O Basil, I'm so glad to see you looking so well! How the Masters and landladies do look after you! And how is dear Aunt Kate? What a treasure of a guardian angel that woman is!"

Thus mothers express their natural joys. Some of them hardly recognise their own boys and prefects have to come forward and introduce the sons to their parents. A fleet of cars and taxis wafts the happy families away, and the fit is over.

R. A. ABBOTT (1929) has been in the R.A.F. for 3½ years. He is now Flight-Lieutenant, and after two years in West and South Africa, is back in this country at a H.Q. Transport Command.

—. ALWRIGHT (1930) is an aeronautical inspector. He met Mr. Lambert recently in London, and among other things told him that he has Air Marshall Sir Trafford Le Mallory for an uncle and Strube, the cartoonist, for a brother-in-law.

L. BARTON (1927) took a B.Sc. degree at Birkbeck College and after serving as chief chemist to the firm of Heinz is now with the Ministry of Food. He is assistant to Professor Drummond, Lord Woolton's scientific advisor.

W. J. BUCKELDEE (1941) is in the Royal Corps of Signals. He was recently in Minehead, looking very fit, having just completed his training.

J. E. BENNETT (1936) is serving in an Armoured Car Company, and was in the first R.A.F. unit to reach Tunis.

K. P. COCKS (1940) has the title Leading Writer, and is stationed in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He is with the Naval Control Service, and says his duties consist "mainly in the preparation of all the material necessary for ships that sail in Mercantile Convoys." In a letter to Mr. Lambert, he gives an interesting picture of Freetown. "The town is built on the side of a hill and is crescent-like in shape. It has two main roads, totally inadequate for present traffic by reason of their narrowness and congestion. Along each side of the roads run deep, uncovered sluices or gulleys, which are meant to carry away surplus rainwater in the wet season. During the rest of the year their uses vary from sewers and rubbish receptors to sleeping abodes. I ought to have mentioned earlier that Freetown has no efficient sewerage system, and that the water situation is by no means good. In the wet season there's too much rain. (or water) while, in the dry season, especially towards the end, the water shortage is acute. There seems to be no efficient water storage system. At present water is conveyed around the town in pipes with taps, at intervals, or on street corners. The native dwellings haven't light or water laid on. From the architectural point of view, the buildings in Freetown are ugly and badly constructed, with certain exceptions. These include, of course, the Colonial Government buildings, the Law Courts, Freetown Cathedral., and one or two large shops. Other than these the majority of the buildings are squalid, badly built, evil smelling, unhygenic, in fact, everything that could possibly be wrong. It is true that at a distance the buildings, huts, and bungalows that exist in Freetown, and its surrounds, look very pretty. Unfortunately, this is a case where 'distance lends enchantment.'"

L. G. DIGHT (1940), now 2/Lt. in the R.E., is stationed on the East Coast, and writes: "Life here is extremely strenuous and I have but little spare time. The week-ends are taken up in tactical schemes that last from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon."

J. DRAKE (1940) has had an interesting time in North Africa. In a letter to the Headmaster, he says: "Messrs. Broodbank's and Stevenson's hopes re my proficiency in French have to a certain degree been realised. I find that I can now converse as naturally in French as in English. After all, after nearly two months of speaking it day and night, I ought to. I've just ended the most enjoyable month I think I've ever known. My job was a sort of District Commissioner's for the West Coast of the Cap Bon Peninsula. I knew everyone that mattered for miles around my H.Q. village, viz., S.E. of Tunis. It's almost purely an Arab village, with a sprinkling of Europeans. I was on very good terms with the local food price-controller and tax collector, both Arabs, as well as the whole of the police staff. I lived with a section of C.M.P. in the Ecole des Garcons, and our neighbour was Director of Education for the neighbourhood. We got on extremely well with him and his friends and his daughter!"

E: H. EVELEIGH (1942) is back in London and has taken up a Commission with the Cadet Force.

A. G. EVERETT (1922) is a Lieutenant in the Command Pay Office of the Nigeria Area in West Africa. He has written an article on Nigeria, which has been published in "The Wandsworth Borough News," and a number of provincial papers. It is hoped to publish extracts from it in the next issue of the Quintinian, but reminiscences of his School days and a summary of his career since is given in a letter to Dr. Worsnop, received a week or so ago:- "I can see the gymnasium with the gallery running round, the tuck-shop, dining-room, and the early-morning prayers in the Cinema, with its sliding roof. Incidentally, I well remember a Christmas concert held there when the film "Tom Brown's School Days" was shown, and how disgusted we boys were that Hollywood had to introduce the inevitable love interest. Then there were marionettes, a girl singing a song from "The Southern Maid" I called 'Cigarette,' and then the farewells and the holidays. Here, three or four thousand miles away, and after a lapse of 20 years, it all comes back - Oxford Circus tube station and forbidden tricks on escalators, the mid-day walks around Langham Place and Harley Street, the shops in Regent Street, the Poly entrance hall, with its imposing glass cases full of cups; the lifts, 'St. George and the Dragon' on the floor in stone, red and green caps, a group photo on the steps, Chiswick, sports days, and a hundred other things too numerous to record. Happy days indeed, so often ill-appreciated at the time; days of another age long since departed. Looking back over the intervening period, one can see how, not only one's own life, but that of the nation has changed. How could I have known, how could I have dreamt, when I sat drowsing over. my German lessons in 1919, when the Armistice was so fresh in the minds that in 20 years time I should be in khaki myself writing this letter from British West Africa in the midst of a war far more horrible than the last, but against the same evil enemy whose language I was then feebly trying to master? How little did any of us know, then? Since leaving the Poly. in 1922, I have had a varied and adventurous life. After a holiday in Germany, on the Rhine, I commenced my business career in Smithfield Market as a junior clerk. From meat I migrated to fancy goods, imitation jewellery, gentlemen's clothing, brushes, chemistry and plastics, preferring the accountancy side in each firm I was with, although picking up some of the technicalities of the various trades en route. I actually travelled in imitation jewellery for a time. Freelance journalism, song-writing, short story writing, and a long connection with the Amateur Theatre have added much variety to my life, and I finished up, in 1939, as cashier and accountant with the big manufacturing chemists, May and Baker, Ltd. (of M.B. 693 fame), which appointment is guaranteed open for me after the war. I was gazetted in October, 1939, and appointed Lt.-Paymaster, with the Royal Army Pay Corps. For 18 months I held the rank of Captain, when stationed at Salisbury, but as it was "local acting unpaid" only I had to relinquish it on coming out here last autumn. Apart from vigorous military training, in my own Corps, I have been to many stations in England working in offices, on trains, docks, and ships and in the field. I fetched up here last autumn, but of my life and experiences in Nigeria I will not now speak, as the article in the "Wandsworth Broough News gives a full picture."

S. FAITHFUL (1941) has been promoted to Flying Officer, and is an Observer on Beaufighters. He was recently in Minehead and expecting to go to the Middle East.

P. J. FOUNTAIN (1942) is in the Reconnaissance Corps and hopes to have a commission soon. He met recently P. King, Bawden, and Fox, in Yorkshire. When he wrote last month he was in hospital recovering from a sprained knee after football.

K. FOX (1942) has just completed a radio course at Oxford and is training for the Royal Corps of Signals in Yorkshire.

—. FRANCELLI ( ), who has been acting with Griffiths Jones, another Old Boy, is now an actor with an Army unit.

S. R. GALLOP (1941) is with the R.A.F. and stationed about 100 miles from Johannesburg.

G. GREY (1943) was training as a reconnaissance motor-cyclist, but has now transferred to a Glider Regiment.

E. T. S. HOFFMAN (1925), called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, June 1941. Lecturer at Luton Technical College, September, 1941. Enlisted in the R.A.F., December, 1941.

R. W. JEFFERY (1943) is at King's College, where he meets Muzikant, Hartley, Za, Beck, and Felbrodt.

A. A. KIRBY (1940) is with Lloyds, but has volunteered for air crew with the R.A.F.

I. A. KNEALE (1940), now a Flying Officer carrying out operations on Typhoons. Was recently in Minehead for the christening of his baby daughter. He was involved in a serious motor accident, but fortunately he and his wife escaped with bad cuts and shock.

V. A. MENZIES (1943) is now in the R.A.F. Regiment. He writes: "My invention seems to be selling quite well, and the dealer tells me that it is being performed by the magician in the Home Forces Concert Party, "Good-bye Blues," with some success."

L. G. METZ (1942) is now Pilot Officer, and writes from Canada: "Since leaving I have moved around quite a bit and had quite a number of experiences, both at play and at work. Eight weeks E.F.T.S. at ------, about 100 miles north of De Winton, and from there two week's leave, during which time my friend, Tony, and I hitch-hiked some 1,500 miles to Vancouver and back. After our leave we went down to Calgary, on to Harvard II.'s, the fighter trainer I had craved and worked for. From long months at Service School, which only seemed long at the beginning, but which actually passed in the flashing of a wink. I had put everything I had into getting into fighters, and nearly succeeded, but at the last moment I learnt that I had been taken off the home posting and put on to a Flying Instruction School. So I packed my bags and went off on 14 days' leave. I did not succeed in my attempts to get to New York, being turned off the N.Y.-bound train about 10 miles outside Montreal in a very bad blizzard, which was adding inches to soft snow to the feet of packed ice under foot. So I spent my time at Niagara Falls and Toronto. I have been very thankful for the experience the last year has given me - apart from flying. I reckon I must have travelled over 15.000 miles in the last 15 months. But I have had my fill, and now long for one place - England. The work itself is actually very interesting, for besides teaching a chap how to do a slow roll or a good three-pointer from a glide approach, one has to be, to a considerable extent, a philosopher, a father confessor, and an example in everything you do, even apart from flying."

D. MITCHELL-LANMAN ( ) writes to the Headmaster: "I took a V.R. Commission in the R.A.F. Airfield Construction Service, but I have recently been posted as a supernumerary Technical Staff Officer, with the rank of Flying Officer. You will be interested to hear that I seem to be more of a physicist than a civil engineer, having to spend most of my time in a laboratory . . . . I have had a good deal of contact recently with Potter, Littler, and Elvery, the two former also having graduated in recent years."

R. MUSGROVE, (Muzikant 1943) has passed Part 1. (Radio-Physics) B.Sc. General at Kings (London).

G. NICHOLLS (1934) is now Flight Lieutenant, and resting from operational duties.

P. R. ODY (1932) in a letter to Mr. Eckersley writes: "I am one of the fortunate ones to whom the war has brought only a fair amount of hard work (compensated for by promotion), for being an Armament Supply Officer in the Admiralty, I am not allowed to join the Armed Forces. We look after the provision, supply, and maintenance of the Navy's guns, ammunition, torpedoes, and mines wherever ships are based, so that, although we are a Civil Service department, our work corresponds to that performed by armed Services in the Army and Air Force. My wife and I were in Trincomalee, Ceylon, on the outbreak of war. I had spent 3½ years there, and enjoyed it very much. We came home in 1940 in a large liner, and had a comfortable voyage, marred only, for me, by anti-submarine look-outs before dawn."

D. O'KEEFE (1940) is still at Guy's, and hopes to take his final M.B., B.S., next year.

R. PALACE (1943) is completing his training for an R.A.F. pilot in Oklahoma. He writes from Monckton, N.B., where he says: "There are many of the pre-war luxuries of the Old Country still plentiful."

J. D. G. PEGRUM (1942) is a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines. and visited the School a few months ago. He is now attached to a Commando unit, and was in North Africa when last he wrote.

L. PERKIN (1927) is a Lieutenant in the Army, Reconnaisance Corps. He was in North Africa and is now in Italy.

L. PRICE (1943) is articled with a chartered accountant. He plays soccer for the O.Q.'s along with I. Freedman and M. McColvin

R. SAVILLE (1940) is a Corporal attached to the Meteorological branch of the U.S. Army.

H. SHAMPAN (1940), after being invalided out of the Fleet Air Arm, where he was under instruction, had a bad time in the London raids, and is now manager of an Edmonton Cinema.

J. M. SHEARDOWN (1942) is at Trinity College, Oxford, on a short training course for the R.A.F.

ALAN SMITH (1941) is a Sergeant-Pilot. His eyes were injured after a serious crash, and he is now an instructor.

B. STOCKER (1942) writes from St. Catharine's, Cambridge, where D. Grant has left him to join the Army and Cockman the R.A.F.

E. STONE (1939) is a Pilot Officer, and in a letter to Dr. Worsnop, he writes: "I am a member of the Pathfinders' force and feel an added sense of satisfaction when the raid is said to have been a success. The two best examples of this being Hamburg and Kassel, both of which I had the pleasure of taking part in. We have to go into the target before any other aircraft get there, and because of that we very often do not get a good idea of how the raid is going. You can imagine how eager we are to see the photographs . . . . Although I have now completed almost 40 operations against the enemy territory, there is always something new to learn."

A. THOMPSON (1939) is a sergeant in the R.A.F. and stationed in Northern Ireland. He was recently married.

N. WALKDEN (1936) is 2/Lieut. in Northern Persia with a Railway Survey Unit (R.E.).

G. WARREN (1941) now has a Commission in the R.A. He was recently in Minehead, looking very fit, and expecting to be sent abroad. He says his brother -

S. A. WRAY (1935) is with the R.A.M.C. in India. He has painted two large murals for a base hospital and contributed, articles on painting to the Indian "Statesman."

It is with deep regret that we have to record the loss of other Old Quintinians:-

L/Cpl. S. GUSCOTT was killed in action in Sicily.

Sergt. A. C. LAKE is reported missing. He was navigator in a heavy bomber.

F/O. M. E. LAWTON was killed in a flying accident on July 16th.

Cpl. D. R. NORRIS, Royal Corps of Signals, was killed in action with the Central Mediterranean Force, on September 7th.

DONALD TAPSFIELD was killed in action on the slopes of Mount Etna on August 12th.

K. R. W. SHEPPARD is reported missing from air operations over Wuppertal, on June 24th.

Squadron-Leader DAVIDSON says of Lawton: "He was detailed to carry out practice attacks on bomber aircraft and, whilst so engaged, he dived into the ground and was killed. He is a great loss to us, and he will always be remembered for his cheerfulness and his lovable character. He has always carried out the many hazardous tasks allotted to him in a very valorous way."

In a letter to Norris' mother, Lt-Col. HENDLEY says: "He was my personal operator and an exceedingly good one. I had gone forward to contact the Brigadier and left the armoured car under some trees . . . . a splinter richochetted off the armour as your son was stepping out of the car to get in a ditch. . . . He has never failed me throughout the battle. On a particularly difficult night, due almost entirely to his tireless efforts, he kept my communications through."

Tapsfield's Company Officer writes: "He was killed instantaneously, having volunteered to do turn of sentry duty for one of his Section. He had recently been promoted on account of his fine services in the field, and his fine character and example have been an inspiration to all."

1	Who plays the part of Robert Jordan in the new film, "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and who is the author of this famous novel?
2	What is the name of Leslie Howard's last film production, and who are the two leading stars?
3	Name as many films as possible in which Bud Abbot and Lou Costello have appeared?
4	Who played the part of Col Lanser in the film "The Moon is Down," and who is the author of this novel?
5	Name as many as possible of Walt Disney's full-length feature cartoons
6	Who played the part of Mrs Miniver's son in the film, "Mrs Miniver," and who played the part of his wife in the same film?
7	Name the two films in which Joan Fontaine was the leading star and which Alfred Hitchcock directed
8	Name the makers of the films, "King's Row," "Bataan," and "Dixie"
9	What is Veronica Lake's latest film which has been released, and what are the names of the two other leading actresses?
10	Who usually acts as Tarzan's wife and son?

1.	Gary Cooper; Ernest Hemingway.
2.	"The Lamp Still Burns," Rosamund John, Stewart Grainger.
3.	"Rookies," "One Night in the Tropics," "In the Navy," "Ride 'em Cowboy," "Keep 'em Flying," "Who Done It?" "Pardon My Sarong," "Money for Jam," "Hit the Ice," "Hold that Ghost."
4.	Sir Cedric Hardwicke. John Steinbeck.
5.	"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Pinnochio," "Fantasia," "Dumbo," "The Reluctant Dragon," "Bambi," "Victory-through Air Power."
6.	Richard Ney. Teresa Wright.
7.	"Suspicion," "Rebecca."
8.	Warner Bros., M.G.M., Paramount.
9.	"So Proudly we Hail," Paulette Goddard, Claudette Colbert.
10.	Maureen O'Sullivan. John Sheffield.

	£	s.	d.
1. - A Bob		1	0
2. - A Crown		5	0
3. - A tenor (Tenner)	10	0	0
4. - A Penny-farthing			1¼
5. - 14lbs.	14	0	0
6. - A Tanner			6
7. - A Guinea	1	1	0
8. - A Sovereign	1	0	0
9. - Two far-things			½
Total	£26	7	7¾