January 21st
I am very well and have settled down nicely. I am in a form called the Modern[14] (as opposed to the Classical) Remove 2. I am very happy.
I travelled up to Cardiff with the Corkery family less Denis. I went all the way up to Didcot with Catharine Corkery. My connection at Didcot was about twenty minutes late and I had to stand all the way to Oxford which didn’t take long. I had to pay 11d difference on my ticket. I went straight to Fullers and had lunch which cost me 2/4. I then went on to try and shop. I went to a shop called Burtons and got a nice pair of grey-flannel trousers costing 30/-. Then I went to another shop and got a nice hat (A Battersby hat) for 20/-.I went then and saw a film called ‘That Night in Rio’ with Carmen Miranda, Alice Faye and Don Ameche. It was on at the Palace in Bridgend last week. It was quite good. It cost me 2/9. I will send you the two bills for the trousers and the hat. All this cost me 56/-. I then bussed back to school. I didn’t try to get any shoes as I discovered that I had only got six coupons left, that were usable. We were very silly not to have put the other page in before I left. I meant to ask you to. Please could you send it to me.
I am sleeping with five other people in the Warden’s house as there is not enough room for everybody in the social. It is quite pleasant over there and much more civilized.
The main work I now do is French. I have started doing German. I do a bit of Maths and English. I still have to do Latin though it is of no use to me. I also do a little history.
I have started rowing now and with any luck I’ll be in the second IV. The races start on February 14 which is quite soon.
I went to Communion this morning and enjoyed it very much.
The shortbread was very good, but I am afraid it went very quickly. Michael’s sweets are still going strong. I am using the pen he gave me and a sheet of fifth avenue writing paper now. It is very nice paper.
I am now reading ‘The Last Train from Berlin’. It is by an American war correspondent called Howard Smith. It is very good and rather similar to ‘Berlin Diary’. It actually mentions ‘Berlin Diary’ in it.1
I am taking Higher Certificate in the summer of 1946.
January 28th
We are not allowed to go into either Oxford or Abingdon now as there is too much Scarlet Fever and Flu about and they are frightened we will catch it.
In the Social rowing the two fours are being combined into one eight. It is great fun rowing in a light eight after a heavy four and you go at a lovely speed. I am rowing no 4 (from the bows). We have a very good coach. I have only rowed in a light boat once or twice before last summer. It is lovely. The races are on the 14, 15, 16, 17 of February; that is starting in a fortnight.
I bet you can’t guess what I have been doing for four hours of the day. I have been learning to skate. I got on quite well after a time and now I am feeling that I may be able to do quite well. I have lost count of the number of falls which I had, but it is quite a considerable number. If it doesn’t thaw soon, I will be able to skate quite well soon. Apparently the river was frozen over slightly this morning….if it goes on like this, the rowing will have to be called off for a considerable time, because the river will freeze hard.
I am getting on quite well with my German now and have learnt quite a lot, much more than I thought I would learn in a term. I have come across the German for ‘walkies’.
The Spotter’s club has been closed down now, and there was an auction of all its belongings last night but there was hardly anything worth buying on sale. I don’t quite know why it has closed down. Its s great pity in a way, although it never seemed to do much.
Now that I have passed School Cert I don’t have pluses and minuses but I have three-weekly reports. What they are like I don’t quite know. The war news is absolutely astounding isn’t it. It seems to be getting better. Let’s hope the was won’t last long after Easter as we thought a short time ago.
There is a notice up here which says that boys in the J.T.C. may be able to go for a trip in aeroplanes and/or Gliders but that parents written permission is needed so do you think you could send me your permission. I don’t think for a moment I’ll go up but its best to be prepared.
February 4th
There was no rowing on Tuesday as there were great ice bergs floating down the river and it would have been too dangerous. So I had quite a nice snowball fight that afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I am getting on quite well with my rowing in eights and am enjoying immensely. The races are on Tuesday week. The term itself seems to be flying. By the way since the thaw began the river has risen over two and a half feet and is well over the banks in many places and if it rises any further it will be over everything.
I have heard my School Certificate marks but they are only unofficial. They are much lower than I thought they could possibly be, but the standard must have been very low indeed. Still I don’t mind. I will hear my marks officially next week.
We had quite a good film show tonight about Natural History. There was one film called the ‘Sparrow Hawk’ which was all about the nesting, birth and upbringing of Sparrow-Hawks. There were some most incredible shots of the nest and the young birds. There was also another film of marsh-birds. There were some Great Crested Grebe and Swans and some Owls and a polecat eating the eggs. It was all very interesting.
February 10th
I am so glad that you have had some Grape-Fruit. I am very envious of you. I know someone who had one last Sunday and I had a little taste of it and it was absolutely gorgeous. The £1 note arrived safely in the letter without any mishap. Thank you very much for it.
I have been getting along beautifully in my rowing and I am still in one of the trial VIIIs, the same one. We are racing Trial VIII D next week, I think it is on Saturday, but I am not sure. It ought to be a good race, and I hope I get on well. The rowing this week has been lovely as it has all been in perfect weather, with no wind and plenty of sun. The river itself is beautifully clean, the cleanest, I think, that I have ever seen it, but it is still very cold indeed. We rowed every day last week. I had quite a lot of blisters on my hand but they didn’t hurt at all; they look allright now and I can’t feel them at all.
It is field-day to-morrow and in the morning there is going to be a demonstration by the Royal Artillery and I believe an aeroplane is going to land on the pitch, so it ought to be rather good fun. We get off all work for it, which is a nice thought!!!!
We had quite a decent chapel this morning and really quite a good (and quite short!!) sermon. Almost all the sermons that we have had this term seem to have been quite good. I have just been playing a quite energetic game of hockey and I enjoyed it very much indeed and I am feeling pleasantly tired.
We had the result of the shooting competition last Monday and we came top with 475 out of 560 which isn’t a frightfully good score but isn’t at all a bad one.
In the social hockey we were beaten in the finals and so came second.
February 18th
On Friday night Michael rang me up and asked if I could come out the next day. I said that I could manage to come; I then rang up the ‘Crown and Thistle’ to book a table for lunch, and I managed to book one.
So Michael bicycled over here in the morning and met me here at half-past twelve. It was lovely to see him again and he sounded very well, although slightly tired after bicycling twenty miles. We then bicycled into Abingdon and had a very nice lunch of minced chicken and Jelly and cream, which we both enjoyed very much. I then had to bicycle back to college here and change as the trial VIII races were that afternoon. Michael met me at the gates and we bicycled down to the river and he watched me row, which I think he enjoyed very much.
We have been out practicing for the race every day of the week, but we haven’t been getting on frightfully well. Anyhow, the race, a mile long, went absolutely marvellously, and although we were down at the start we gradually went up and after a bit we got half a length ahead and we stayed that much ahead for the rest of the race and we, thus, won, much to our pleasure. I was very glad that Michael was able to see me win and not lose. It was a very good race.
I then bicycled back to college, changed and rushed into Abingdon, where Michael had previously gone to try and get some tea. Michael was going to catch the 5 to five train from Radley but by that time there was only another twenty minutes and so he couldn’t manage it. So we went to quite a nice café and had quite a good tea, which I enjoyed very much. We tried to get some ice-cream, but they had just run out, but we managed to get the scrapings, but it was pretty horrible as it was very hard and made with dried milk. We then ordered some sausages and chips, but they took ages to make it, but before it was ready we had to go out, as it had already taken twenty-five minutes to be made. I rushed off back here, while Michael pumped his tyre up, as he had a puncture, the second that day. Unluckily I couldn’t go back with him. I got back with a minute to spare before Chapel, but what happened to Michael I don’t know. He ought to have got his train easily.
Last Monday was field-day and we had a grand time. The Royal Artillery came along and gave us a demonstration, with twenty-five pounder guns. They fired about forty rounds of blank ammunition and made a terrific noise but it was great fun. Then the next part of the demonstration was as Auster landing on the pitch. This plane circled round twice and landed. Then the pilot gave a short talk on it and took off, and landed again. It was marvellous seeing it landing and taking off and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
By the way I got Michael’s address. The aerodrome is at Hampstead Norris. He says that it is a most lovely place, quite small surrounded by lovely country. He is coming home on leave sometime round about April the seventh so I ought to be at home with him for the whole of his leave.
There was a 1st XI hockey match yesterday against Gordonstown (I’ve never heard of hem before) which we won 3 love. They were quite good, so it was quite a good score.
I have got Certificate A Part 1 tomorrow. I have told you what it’s about so I needn’t explain it all again. I will know tomorrow evening if I have passed or no. I ought to pass fairly easily. We get off four periods tomorrow to do it which is very nice indeed. It ought to be quite fin on the whole.
February 20th
I has a very very nice letter from Granny this week congratulating me on my Cerificate and enclosing a 20/- postal order. I was very sweet of her.
The rowing races finished this week. We only rowed two, as we didn’t have to race the 1st day as you see there are seven VIIIs and one person always gets left out. The firs race we rowed we had a fairly easy victory by 31 seconds. The next race was he finals. We lost by 11 secs. We came second. But, you see there are two cups for the race because usually the races come off in the form of two VIIIs, so we got the second cup, which is worth winning.
The PT competition is next week. I hope we do well. I feel quite well and fit.
Rowing ends on March the 13th or 14th or about then and the sports begin then. So there isn’t much time for rowing.
PS I have been awarded my Second Social Rowing Vest and I am very please. Bu you usually get awarded it when you row in the second four, so I am very pleased.
On Wednesday the rowing races began. We didn’t race that day as, you see, there are only seven eights and one has to have a miss, the first day. Well anyhow the next day we had a nice easy race, at least it wasn’t all that easy during the race, what I mean is, we had a nice easy win, by 31 seconds. The next day there was no rowing; but the next, Saturday, were the finals; and we were in them. We didn’t really expect to win, but we were all hoping hard. But we lost by 11 seconds which isn’t really all that Bad. It was a very good race. The course is just over a mile long, compared with the Oxford and Cambridge course of about five miles. Anyhow we got a cup, as there were two cups going for the race as they are usually raced as two separate fours instead of one eight. This is quite a nice Consolation.
What pleases me is that I got my second four (IV) Social rowing vest. It doesn’t mean a great lot as you get awarded it almost automatically as you row in the second four (or in the social eight). By the way I took the liberty of getting two more rowing vests. First because my old ones are beginning to go to the dogs and also because they are the wrong shape for the 2nd IV vest; because you see all that has to be done to convert the ordinary vest into a second four vest is for a black strip to be put down the front. So I got two more vests and am getting some black material put down the front. By the way the rowing vests were 6 coupons altogether (3 each).
I received a very sweet letter from Granny last week in which she enclosed a £1 postal order; a ‘little’ present (as she calls it) for getting my School Certificate. She sounds very happy.
The P.T. competition is to-morrow afternoon. I hope it is a success. On Thursday we have to run a mile in a certain time which is another part of these P.T. competitions. I hope I can do it, but I ought to be able to. The poor people over 16 1/2 have to run two miles. But I won’t have to do that even next year as I will be just too young. Rowing ends sometime before the 20th of March and Sports are then.
I don’t think that I have told you yet that I am taking an exam in the J.Y.C. at the end of this term. It is called ’Certificate ‘A’ Part I’. It is very useful to get it as it puts you up quite a bit in the army, navy or air force. Next term also, if I get the exam this term, I will take ‘Certificate ‘A’ Part II’ which is very useful as well if not more useful. They are both really just exams being tested on what you know about weapons, map-reading and drill, although there are a lot more intricacies as well.
I am in very good health and very happy. I am getting on well in my work I think, anyhow I am enjoying it which is quite a lot, and I think I am learning a lot, which is the main thing.
February 22nd
On Tuesday was the P.T. competition and the Obstacle course which was part of the P.T. competition as was the mile run which we have just run to-day (Thursday). It was a gorgeous day on Tuesday, absolutely perfect for the thing. It seemed that the day was made for the competition. We got on very well and everything went very well and we came out on top in the actual P.T. with 90% which was very good indeed; we have much more handicap than the other socials as we are much larger than most.
The Obstacle course didn’t go as well, it was difficult, and there was much less time given than last year. We started off by climbing up a rope (15 foot high). Then we had to go over a bar about 7 feet high then over and under and over and under and over and under a lot of pine branches about 1 foot from the ground and it was very difficult. Then we had to get over a horse ( not a real one) about 5 1/2 feet high and another one about 4 feet high then over a sort of ladder about 15 feet high then over another bar about 8 feet high and over a bar and over an ordinary obstacle about 5 feet high. That was the end. You had to do that in, I think, a minute and a half. I didn’t manage to do it in time. Another thing you had to do was to go under a couple of canvas things about 1 foot off the ground, that was one of the things which took time.
Yesterday I had no games at all and I went into Oxford and had a very good time. I managed to get a hair-cut, and I can tell you I needed one extremely badly. I went to Manfield’s to try and get a pair of shoes but they were shut with a notice on the door ‘Shut. Today’s stock sold out’. So I went on to ‘Freeman, Hardy and Willis’ and the 1st pair of shoes they produced I liked. They were made in Scotland of ‘Zug’ leather. They cost 33/7 which is a very reasonable price. They haven’t got any toe-caps. Before I came back you gave me 60/- for clothes etc. I spent 56/- which I told you about in the first letter of term. Therefore plus the 33/7 you owe me 29/7. I don’t mind if you don’t send it to me this term, but keep it for the holidays, as I think I can last out on the postal-order which Granny sent me.
To-day I shot for the social in a competition which is called ‘The Collis-Browne Shooting Shield’. I got 62 out of 70 which isn’t at all bad. It is the best score that I have had since I have been here.
I also had to run a mile for the P.T. competition. It is quite tiring doing it but I managed to get round allright. You were allowed 6 min. 10 secs and I took about 6 minutes.
The things which you have in Post-Certificate forms and which are equivalent to pluses and minuses are the three-weekly reports. The first lot of these came out on Sunday and I have just seen mine. They are satisfactory and if anything better than I expected. I was very pleased.
Yesterday we saw some gliders, towed by Dakotas flying west, I wonder if there has been an invasion, or at least a paratroop landing, somewhere behind the German lines.
February 26th
I am almost sure we break up on 27th March. It is a Tuesday. On Saturday (yesterday) I went out in one of the trial eights. They are trials for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd eights next term. It doesn’t mean much my getting into an eight as everybody is tried for them. If I stay in an eight it is quite a good accomplishment, but it is very doubtful if I will get into an eight next term (i.e.1st, 2nd or 3rd VIII). Still there is no harm in hoping and going on hoping. I have had a very good day to-day.
This afternoon I bicycled over to Cowley, which is near Oxford, where they make a large number of the Morris Cars; well I went with about fourteen other people to the Rifle Range at the Army Barracks there. Our J.T.C. sergeant-major is a sergeant-major at the Barracks there and he bicycles over here everyday. Well, on Sundays, for about the last one and a half terms, we have been allowed to go and shoot there. I shot with a sten-gun, a small tommy-gun or light carbine-machine gun. I expect that you have seen a lot of them in the papers during the last three years. It was great fun, although I only fired 30 rounds and had to bicycle about fourteen miles there and back. It was worth going and I expect I shall go again at the next possible chance.
There was a talk last night to the Junior Scientific Society, of, I think I have told you, I am a member. The talk, at least it was three different talks, weren’t very interesting; they were by the boys themselves. In this society about a fortnight ago, there was a very interesting talk by a master, who is an expert on the subject, on the geology of the Radley District; it was very interesting.
By the way our ‘attainments’ came out this Sunday. I think I have explained to you what they are before, but in case you have forgotten I will tell you. They come out every half-term and end of term and represent your standard of work and your improvements. They are divided into three different groups. Just ‘a’ ‘*’ ‘x’; ‘a’ = good ‘*’ =medium ‘x’ = not good. Well everything of mine was under the ‘a’ but one of them was queried which just means that there is a query whether you are good or not.
By the way, on the Sunday when I went shooting I saw two partridges, (which I didn’t shoot!!!) and a jet plane.2 I expect you saw about the jet planes in to-day’s papers. From the description it looked like one of the De Havilland ones with two jets. Still I don’t know at all. But it was travelling at a terrific rate.
March 1
I think I told you that in the final order of sports we weren’t top. We were 6th out of 7. We were just top in the P.T., but there are several things besides the P.T. Actually that wasn’t the actual sports, which come off at the end of term, in about a fortnight’s time.
I am still rowing in an eight. I have been out every day since I last wrote to you. I am getting on quite well. I am still in one, but for how long I will remain I cannot say for certain. If I am lucky I will stay in one, but I am still keeping on hoping and hoping. The day before yesterday when rowing there was quite a wind and their were great big waves on the river and it was very difficult to row and they kept on splashing over the edge. Anyhow I didn’t fall in!!!
We are doing very well in this shooting competition at the present moment, but there are still two more people to shoot and we may do better. At the present we are fourth.
I went to a meeting of the Gramophone society yesterday and amongst other things heard the ‘Nutcracker suite’ by Tchaikovsky which I enjoyed very much.
The war seems to be going extremely well at the moment, don’t you agree. There seems to be astounding things happening in all the theatres of war. I am still keeping up my map of the Pacific but the wind will persist in blowing all the flags out and they all get hidden under the carpet.
March 4th
You know that I took some china ornaments back two terms ago, well last Sunday the big China Bear got broken. Two of the legs came off which have been stuck on again without blemish, but the nose was badly chipped and I haven’t been able to find all the bits; it’s a great pity, but it can’t be helped. I am quite surprised that it hasn’t been broken before.
There weren’t any eights yesterday or the day before because of the play, so I went sculling. I am allowed to use some lighter boats for sculling in, now that I am in an eight, (I still don’t know absolutely definitely whether I am in one or not) and I have been for two lovely long sculls and I enjoyed them both. I must have sculled ten miles in all, which is quite a way, although it doesn’t sound very much. The weather, both days, was absolutely perfect.
Do you think you could send me the thirty shillings you owe me, if it would (not) be too much trouble, I’m sorry to bother you.
My work is still going on satisfactorily.
March 22nd
This is the last letter which I shall write to you this term. What a lovely thought. I shan’t write to you on Sunday as I shall be home as soon as the letter. I am \longing to be home and there is very little to wait now. This time in five days I shall have seen the sea.
There was Certificate ‘A’ Part I on Monday. It wasn’t a very nice day. I got on very well and I enjoyed the whole thing quite a bit. I passed. In fact everyone passed. What annoys me is that the marks didn’t go up so I can’t tell where I came.
On Tuesday the Sports started in earnest. Everything went on very well. You are only allowed to go in for four events, which is a nuisance. I went in for the 100yds, 220 yds, ½ mile and the Discus (If Pa doesn’t know what that is (he ought to) I will explain it when I come home). In the heats of the 100 yds I was knocked out. In the heats of the Discus and the ½ mile I got into the finals and in the 220 I got into the semi-final but was knocked out.
I sent off my bike today. Expect me at 1.30 or 2.30 on Tuesday.