Extract from Christmas, 1916

Although the great European struggle still overshadows us it has not affected school-life in general to any marked degree. We are pleased to say that since last term there have been no further departures from the staff.
But meanwhile several events of importance have occurred, notably the Inter-School Swimming Sports and the Natural History Society Exhibition.

For the third year in succession our Swimming team was successful in winning the Championship Shield. We heartily congratulate the team on this unparalleled feat, and trust that in the future our splendid Swimming tradition will be worthily upheld.

The Natural History Society Exhibition, held on Saturday, December 4th, was a great success, mainly owing to the untiring efforts of Mr. Pardoe and other memers of the Society.

Unfortunately, the programme of the Literary and Debating Society has been interrupted by trouble with the authorities concerning the Lighting Restrictions. However, the meeting that have been held were well attended, and consequently highly successful.

The work of the Officers Training Corps has been much heavier this term, chiefly owing to the increased number of parades. A more detailed account of its work appears elsewhere.

The School Swimming Sports, held towards the close of the summer term, attracted a large attendance. The Juniors showed commendable keenness but, as in previous years, the Senior entries were poor.

The Captain and players of the School Football Team are entitled to our congratulations too. An almost uninterrupted series of victories seems to indicate that we have the best side that has represented us for several years.

The House Cricket Championship went to Heathfield, and the Athletic Championship to Handsworth Wood.

However, as a result of sound work in every branch of sport, Soho were successful in winning the House Championship Shield.

C. L. S.
L. V. H.
W. H. D.

Library Report

At the time of writing the Library is being completely reorganised as a new system is being introduced. It is hoped that before the end of the term the Library will be reopened. The reason for the delay is that certain boys who have borrowed books have not returned them within the specified time. All boys who at present have books must return them before it will be possible to reopen the Library. Books may then be borrowed for one week, but at the end of that time they may be renewed for a further week. Only one book may be borrowed at a time by each boy.

H. P. S.
B. H. C.

In Memoriam

Second-Lieutenant D. R. D. O’Daly

The School mourns the loss of several more Old Boys, and the O. T. C of other old members, but of none more than Second-Lieutenant D. R. D. O’Daly, Battalion Lewis, Gun Officer, 7th Northumberland Fusiliers, who fell on November 14th while gallantly leading his company in the attack on a German trench. The Fusilier had taken one trench, which three other battalions had successively failed to take and in the attempt on the second they were met by a strong German party, and Lieutenant O’Daly was killed by a bomb. Although a keen member of our Corps, and one of our most efficient sergeants when he left us to join the Oxford University O. T. C, Daly (to go back to the name by which he was known amongst us) had an inherent abhorrence of war in itself. It was therefore a sheer sense of duty that led him to put on one side for the time those studies which were to fit him for the calling he had chosen – that of the Church – and take a commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers, first in a provisional, then in a service battalion. But throwing himself heartily, like the “good sport” he was, into his duties, he secured a double first in the Bisley M.G and L. G course, and after a further course at the front in October, was appointed L. G officer; so well did he do in charge of the Lewis guns, that his C. O. later felt justified in giving him a company. His refined and sensitive nature shrank from the “loathsome sights and sounds” of modern war; nevertheless he proved a thoroughly efficient officer, considerate for his men and beloved by them. He was always a “sticker” and he will be for us an abiding example of what the grit of perseverance is capable of when quickened by the fire of patriotism and hallowed by the love of God.

R. H. P.

Daly was one of our most influential and highly respected Captains of the School: he was Captain of Football in 1912, Junior Athletic Champion in 1908, and Senior Champion in 1913. Those who had good fortune to see his performance of Caliban in Shakespeare’s “Tempest” will not readily forget it. I have never seen the part played on any stage. But this was a way Daly had. He was a splendid fellow, whose school life was a beacon, conspicuously bright, whose nature was one of those “that gives delight and hurt not”.

J. C. K.

Captain C. C. Thompson, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Just after we went to press in July last we received the sad news of the death in action of our dearly loved Master, Captain C. C. Thompson. He had many narrow escapes before he was hit, for his regiment saw frequent and terrible fighting, so great were their losses of officers that Captain Thompson, at the time he received his fatal wound, was second in command of his battalion.

Although he was a member of the School Staff for a little more than a year, he has left a memory that will endure. He was a loyal colleague, a sympathetic master, a fine sportsman, and every inch a man. He had unbounded interest in the School, and the School returned it with deep affection for him. When the call came he was ready; like Wordsworth’s Happy Warrior, he was “happy as a love, and attired with sudden brightness, like a man inspired”. Requiescat!

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