Master Anecdotes 1950s - part two
Pope, Pender, Benson, Franklyn, Llewllyn, Sawyer, Kendall, Webber, Wells, Cole, Bulbeck, Morris, Cubitt, Heaton, Carpenter, Hardy, Griffiths, Doig, Olive,

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A.A. POPE (1956-1982)
Subject: German, Russian (Latin?)
Nickname – 'Popeye'

Aubrey Alexander Pope died December 3, 2002. See obituary on the main List

 

The earliest A&YB mentioning A.A. Pope was 1956-57 (JAS)

 

The 1957 Leverkusen trip, led by Aubrey Pope, was my first trip to Germany. In his first year at the school, Aubrey was already one of my heroes, but when I heard him deliver an off-the-cuff speech in fluent German at the Bürgermeister’s welcome to us, I was awestruck. I knew we’d thrashed the Krauts in the war (we even had war hero Tug
Wilson on the staff!), but here was a young Englishman yet again beating them at their own game — and 1966 was still nearly a decade off! (And despite the incredible emphasis on foreign language learning that we enjoyed at RLS at the time, there still existed in society traces of the belief that ‘wogs begin at Calais’ and that proper Englishmen didn’t learn other people’s languages.)
The trip included a visit to a chocolate factory. I can still recall how we all stood beside a conveyor belt that carried hundreds upon hundreds of freshly minted chocolates past our noses. When the white-clad factory workers pointed to the chocolates and then to us and said, ‘Nimm! Nimm!’, we just smiled politely (as British boys did in those days) because we didn’t have clue what they were talking about — obviously, back in the classroom, it hadn’t yet come up in Deutsches Leben. Aubrey just stood by and grinned (as he was wont to do). Hardly had we returned to RLS, when Aubrey gave us a lesson on the imperative forms of German strong verbs. It was here that we learnt that ‘Nimm!’ means ‘Help yourself!’ Bastard! (David Vale 53-59)

 

Part of my current principles is a 'realistic view' of the Green/Environment debate.  I remember clearly the A.A. Pope was telling us that the world was about to run out of oil in the next few years (this was 1969!).  I think he did some 'ecology studies' in addition to his Russian (Latin and German?). (Chris Fribbins)

 

Mr Pope was not wrong at the time.  In the fifties, the known oil reserves were predicted to run out by the end of the sixties.  During the late sixties this had been revised to the mid eighties and then to the end of the century.  The rate of discovery of new reserves currently exceeds consumption so no need to start queuing at your local Esso station for a while yet. (Michael P. Large)

 

I, too, took German as the second language at RLS and Popeye was my teacher. In what was probably 1957 he took us on an exchange visit to Leverkusen, where we visited the Bayerwerk and Cologne. We were also received at the Rathaus, where we were given a book about Leverkusen called Die Schonen Bucher.

Aubrey was one of the finest teachers at RLS. He often exaggerated the language, both verbally and visually, for effect. He would often seat himself at one of the empty desks and teach from there. He was a popular teacher and always had the respect of the class. He was also one of the Roman's house tutors. (Peter Cowling)

 

I have just heard that Aubrey Pope (Popeye), teacher of German and Russian during the 60s and 70s, died on 22 December. In my opinion, he was an inspirational teacher and certainly one of the main reasons I took three languages. A levels at the Liberty in 1970.  I have (perhaps subconsciously) adopted many aspects of his flamboyant teaching style and owe him a great debt.  I had only just found out his address and sent him a Christmas card, which, sadly, did not reach him before he died. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for about two years and living in an old people's home. Do any other members have memories of Aubrey Pope that they would like to share? (Keith Daultrey)

 

In answer to keith daultrey's posting that aubrey pope had died, i must agree that he was an inspirational teacher.

i remember him for drilling the grammar into us. my favourite phrase was 'what ought you to have said?'.....'was haettest du sagen sollen?'  then he would slap someone on the arm and ask 'did that hurt him?' 'hat das ihn weh getan?'.

if we rendered  'ich muss auf's klo gehen.' correctly, he would let us out of the lesson to go to the toilet.

i never quite knew why i was doing german all those years ago. then twenty six years after gaining the O level, i met a german woman, susanne, who is now my wife. our two small girls will be bilingual, hopefully. Hardly a day goes by when i don't think of popeye. (Stephen Jones)

 

Sad news. Pope was one of the most memorable [and best teachers] in my experience. He took me for A level German and I don't think he had a terribly high opinion of my efforts. With only 5b of us in the class there was nowhere to hide. He did put a lot of work into his teaching. I recall he had the habit of starting lessons while still walking down the corridor towards the class room. His other trick was, at random points of the lesson, to round on some hapless individual and ask "Wo lieg die Grenze?" [or words to that effect. The reply was a convoluted sentence he had devised, the translation being something like 'the border between the capitalist countries on the one side and the communist countries on the other sides lies... [and I can't remember where it was! any ideas?]. Should the pupil get the answer wrong, Pope would turn to the class and ask "Was hatte er sagen sollen?" and the routine would continue. (Roger Jacobson)

 

My "other" languages at the RLS were French and German.  Aubrey Pope was my German teacher from 3rd form to 5th (1970-73).  News of his passing strikes a sombre chord in my heart.

You couldn't ignore him.  He was active in his teaching and he drummed key phrases into your head.  In another e-mail I was reminded of "was haettest du sagen sollen."  He used that one on me and it reminded me immediately of a string of related phrases which he got so firmly embedded in my mind that they still leap out today.

I particularly remember the slide shows of his childrens' walk to Rise Park, accompanied by narration from the class: "Nachdem die beiden Kinder das Haus verlassen hatten sahen sie drei Yungens die in dem Park gingen um Fuessball zu spielen."  And there were a whole lot of other phrases associated with that.

Then there were the lessons where we sang German songs and carols. A few weeks ago, at a (pre-)Christmas Dinner in Valbonne (near Nice) with the ETSI Board of Directors, I was sitting between a Spanish and an English colleague.  However, it was in German that I both remembered and sang "Oh Tannenbaum" and "Stille Nacht", thanks to Aubrey Pope.

And then when a friend from the German Ministry of Technology distributed a page from Bach's "St. John's Passion" and sat down at the piano (although actually, he's an organist), I was able to join in the singing and even appreciate his explanation of why Bach had deliberately misaligned the words and the musical bars.

I do travel a lot in Europe and in recent years I regret the diminishing chances to practice (French and) German.  Except for "cultural" occasions as above, perhaps only these days it's with chatty taxi drivers.  In the French and German offices of my company, and even for French and German colleagues in other companies, people now prefer to use English in technical work instead of their own native tongue.

Finally, I will recall that I returned to school for some event a short while after university, and having established myself in a technical career. I met Aubrey Pope.  He remembered me and I was both surprised and delighted at a very well observed complement he paid me, which I won't repeat here. You don't get many like Aubrey Pope.  He will be sadly missed. (John Phillips)

 

I too was sorry to hear about AP's recent death, and I agree with the tributes/comments written about him in the list.

He was not only teaching at RLS in the 60's/70's, but also in the 50's. I think he probably arrived in about 1956. We had him for German and Russian, and he took over our group from Tug Wilson... a very good German speaker.

As mentioned, Pope was new to the school and brought tremendous energy and motivation to these subjects. An inspiring teacher. I remember a well-known Russian phrase from his time....transliterated it would be sth. like : ' Proletarii vsech stran sojedinjaites ' (workers of the world unite). I tried this out many years later in post-Perestroika Russia, to the considerable amusement of my listeners. (Terence Turner)

 

I too was very sad to learn of Aubrey Pope's death.  He taught me both German and Russian in the early sixties and like Keith, he was certainly one of the main reasons I focused on languages at A level.

He was a hard taskmaster but with great personal enthusiasm for his subjects and a genuine interest in his pupils and their success.  Unlike many of his colleagues at the time, he had a natural authority as a teacher and I can recall little if any indiscipline in his classes. I certainly recall him with affection and respect and I suspect that many of my contemporaries would share my view that he was one of the most able teachers at the Liberty in the early sixties and, it would seem judging from Keith's comments, beyond that. (Malcolm Paul)

 

Apart from on one or two isolated occasions, Popeye didn't teach me German (that was Roy Armes’ pleasure), but my abiding memory of him was as the owner of a Moulton folding bicycle. I often used to pass him on my way to or from school. With such small wheels on his bike, his legs would be going up and down so fast, they were just a blur. He managed a fair turn of speed but it was no match for those of us with 26 inch wheels. (Les Bird)

 

Aubrey Pope- (always remembered as 'Popeye'). I would heartily endorse the comments previously made about what a good teacher he was. In fact, I still have a reasonable knowledge of German after 40 years and still often converse in 'pidgin' Deutsche with non-member P W Usher (57/64 Saxon ng) when we don't want our respective wives to know what we're discussing (mainly about booze and women).

I remember an early German lesson when Popeye told us the words for mother, father etc. and after we all pronounced 'Der Vater' together, he suggested we tried it on the way home. I think it was his little joke (he couldn't have been that naive) and he probably said it to all his second formers. But I usually follow his advice after a particularly heavy eating/drinking session. As has been stated, Popeye also enjoyed a good singsong. I well remember us belting out 'Halli, hello, wir fahren, wir fahren in die Welt!' But he baulked at us wanting to sing 'Deutschland Uber Alles' (which was on the same song sheet). Too soon after the war (1958), I guess. I think he gave me a good reference when I left, although by doing so he probably consigned me to being a pen-pusher for the rest of my days. (Derek Humphrey)

Owen L. LLEWLLYN (pre-1955-1957)
Subject: Latin
Nicknames - 'Taffy Thomas''Taffy, Oh Ell'

Two examples of breathtakingly brilliant nicknaming involved here - "Taffy" Thomas or "Oh, 'Ell". - [DGM]

...one Owen Llewellyn Thomas, taught Welsh...sorry, Latin! You might be somewhat less impressed with the grasp of Latin which I have retained over harrrumph years if you heard me speak it, Amo, Amas, Amat look you, isn'it, indeed to goodness, by yer, mon! - [DGM]

He was my House room master for a couple of years, Nice bloke. [MM]

The "star" Welshman - one Owen Llewellyn Thomas, taught Welsh...sorry, Latin! You might be somewhat less impressed with the grasp of Latin which I have retained over harrrumph years if you heard me speak it, Amo, Amas, Amat look you, isn'it, indeed to goodness, by yer, mon! Breathtakingly brilliant nicknaming involved here - "Taffy" Thomas. (David Maltby)

One lunchtime I was in need of conversation with Mr. O.L. (Taffy) Thomas, my 2L form master. The door was opened a fraction and I think it was Enoch who asked me my business. The following ensued: "Please Sir, is Mr. Thomas in?" Enoch partially closed the door and called above the hubbub of noise from the Shove-ha'penny corner, "Mr. Thomas, there is a pupil without enquiring if you are within." Taffy's distinctive Welsh tones called back, "Which pupil?" "Maltby, 2L." "No!" "Mr.Thomas says he is not in" - and the door was firmly closed! [DGM]

P G Llewellyn was the chief bloke in the Cadet Corps for at least one year while I was at RLS. At the time he seemed to be absolutely dedicated to continuing on with the Army as a career. At the 2000 reunion I had the opportunity to speak with him and not having seen him for about 45 years I asked him if he did indeed go into the military. He told me his parents hadn't liked the idea and that he had become a geologist instead. So Bill was correct. (Mike Merry)

One interesting experience resulting from being taught by Taffy Thomas was studying Caesar's Gallic Wars from a Pan-Gallic Nationalist viewpoint. [JAS]

...was also keen on cricket and was timetabled for 1st Year games in 1955/6. I think he despaired of ever getting me to play with a "straight bat, boyo!" [DGM]

"Taffy" Thomas, look you, indeed to goodness mun, is'nit - RLS Latin teacher pre-1955 - 1957.A quote from Schoolmaster's Anecdotes offers a clue to Alan's cryptic comment - "One interesting experience resulting from being taught by Taffy Thomas was studying Caesar's Gallic Wars from a Pan-Gallic Nationalist viewpoint. [JAS]

Bill. Do you remember two kinds of 'dum'? There was the Odeon-Gaumont variety but I forget the other. One of them was accompanied by a sweeping gesture with the hands pointing towards the floor. I dimly recall irregular imperatives in a ditty: 'Dic had a duc with fer on its back '. Or should that be 'bac'? Enlighten me somebody.
Taffy had the problem that his first language was Welsh, so when he came back from a Welsh holiday he had to translate his Latin into Welsh and then into English, and back again the other way. A few years ago I was learning Hebrew from a Mexican lecturer in a class conducted exclusively in French. In the general linguistic chaos I felt compassion for Taffy. (Tom Little)

With regard to the Latin teaching of O. L. Thomas, which was excellent, he made us remember "Strawberry, strawberry, red plum jam" as the rhythm of the iambic pentameter! His teaching of Caesars Gallic Wars was animated. and very pro the Gauls as he saw them as fellow Celts. In the 70's I was at a conference in Swansea, and was talking with a group of Welsh teachers. I mentioned that I was taught Latin by an Owen Llewellyn Thomas, and it transpired that he had become a headmaster in Wales. They were impressed with him because he was Welsh speaking. (Bill Groves)

Taffy: I liked his classes. He would have been a colourful headmaster. If I knew where he was I'd say a big hello to him. Being half Welsh I sympathised with the Gauls too. My mother came from South Wales. I forget Taffy's origins. (Tom Little)

Llewellyn, the RSM of the CCF seemed to pass his entire schooldays shouting at people, a very necessary asset when commanding a group of unwilling cadets but useless when trying to stop an oncoming hoard of willfull junior formers from attacking one. (Mike Merry)

A.T. SAWYER (1953-1955)
Subject: Biology
Nickname 'Tom'

[Room 19/20 - Biology Labs] Obvious literary reference - [DGM]

"Tom" Sawyer a really good teacher and communicator. He seemed to treat us as adults, with accompanying ribaldry, and was respected AND liked because of this. (Phil Kingham)

George KENDALL (1956-1959)
Subject: Physics, Scoutmaster
Nicknames 'Kipper', 'Willie'

[Room: 14/15 - Physics Labs] G. Kendall was in the A&YB for 1959-60. His departure was noted as 'last term' in the Magazine, December 1960)

George ("Kipper") Kendall was my form master in first year at RLS (1956). I recall him as a distinctly sour personality, and that seems to be the consistent thread of contributions to and from this group. I remember constructing a story in some inner childhood world about a desperate war against a dictatorship (the plot was stolen, I have to confess, from World War II). The dictator was called Kendall.
The December 1960 School Magazine records that "he expanded the Careers section" (or Oscar Mold as this ace advisory service was known). He had left that summer to go Lancaster Royal Grammar School.
Kendall was scoutmaster of the 12th Romford, and so this story comes at second hand. I was told that the scouts felt they ought to give him a leaving present. With some reluctance, they presented him with some form of scout insignia, I think a wall plaque. He expressed appreciation and assured them he knew exactly where he would put it. A voice commented that they too knew where he might put it.
The precise biography breaks down at this point, but I recall that he moved into teacher-training, I think in a college near Clacton (St Osyth?). From there, he went to South Africa, to the Department of Education at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg.
By one of those small-world coincidences, I have a friend and former student who encountered George Kendall there. My friend is one of the most likeable and decent characters on the planet and, it's a long story, played an important role as a white liberal in South Africa's transition from apartheid in the 1990s. He took the postgraduate teaching diploma in the mid-1970s, and I regret to say there was no meeting of minds.
His memories of that year, 40 years after the events, remain, in his words, "ghastly" and, frankly, I could not get him to disgorge or confirm much that I had heard from him in years gone by. He called Kendall "particularly unpleasant", and I would summarise my friend's uncharacteristically pungent comments by saying that he felt there was an unnecessary emphasis on technical matters in the course, e.g. how to change the plug on a projector. (GK was a science master.) Discontent with postgraduate teaching courses was endemic in those days.
Given my friend's reluctance to be drawn, I can't confirm whether George Kendall was Professor of Education, although I believe he rose to the Chair.
In 1985, he completed a University of Natal PhD on "A comparative study of the use of microteaching and an analysis of factors which affect its use in one year postgraduate teacher training courses." A copy is deposited in the Library of the University of KawaZulu-Natal (as it is now called). Perhaps members of the 12th Romford might offer further cataloguing suggestions.
One fuzzy recollection I retain from 1956-7 was being the subject of an unprovoked put-down by my form master. I was a fairly sensitive youngster (7 years at Old Hare Hall toughened me disastrously), but I don't recall the put-down as being humiliating or crushing. I was simply astonished that an adult would go out of his way to ego-chop at the expense of a (let's face it) hapless 11 year-old.
Of course, there must be another side to this picture, and it may be that there are HMs who found his teaching (or, indeed, his scout leadership) positive and helpful. There is a place in the world of education for those who insist on order and method (cf. Hercule Poirot) and teachers should not go into the classroom ignorant of the 15-amp plug, whatever Health and Safety may say nowadays. George Kendall's fairly frequent moves suggest an ambitious personality (nothing wrong with that), and in the 1960s and 1970s it was still possible to assure oneself that emigration to South Africa would provide an opportunity to build a better society for the future (even though that theory became increasingly delusional).
I am told that George Kendall died in South Africa, but I have no other information. Others may be better informed. (Ged Martin 1956-63)

Ged, I too have fond memories of Kipper Kendall. He was my form master for my time in 3L 1958/59 along with you and Adrian. I have in front of me my report for the term ending December 19 1958 in which he suggests there is room for improvement in Latin and Music.
Ged,I don't know if you remember it but during the last form period before we broke up for the Christmas holidays we persuaded the ladies in the kitchen to cook a pair of kippers which we presented to him on a rather splendid platter which would not have been out of place in Simpsons along with a ditty which began "Of all the fish in the sea "and went on to express to express our appreciation of him in words I have long forgotten. He appeared delighted and amused even sampling the kippers. Am I right in thinking that he did his first degree at Sheffield ? (Trevor S Harrison)

Adrian Webster's "take" on the man is important (as always, Adrian!). Adrian was an ace science student in my 1956 year from Day 1. I vaguely recall that George Kendall was our science teacher that year -- it seems he had more impact on the involved than the uninvolved? More detail, Adrian!
My best experiences in Science were in 4th or 5th form when I tried to persuade Boozer Graham that experiments that he claimed proved oxidisation (through the addition of weight to an iron bar after burning it) could equally be explained by the phlogiston theory. And that was before the discovery of anti-matter. (Ged Martin 1956-63 (relegated to Set 2 Science, 1959)

George "Kipper" Kendal - just look at that evil clenched- teeth grin! But at least it's some vestige of a smile - must have been the one and only time he ever did smile. I found him a truly miserable, un-fun-loving, sadistic b*****d. (DGM)

...this was a master who "taught" chemistry when I was there 57/59 before moving on. (Keith Howell-Jones)

I think I would tend to agree with DGM to some extent, although there's nothing wrong with a bit of sadism occasionally. However, looking at the dates of his tenure at RLS, it does beg the question: Is he still alive? (he must be well into his seventies by now) If he is, I  bet he's even more miserable and un-fun-loving than he was way back when. (Derek Humphrey)

Yes, "humourless swine" is a good summary as far as it goes. So George Kipper Kendall it is.  I really appreciate your help on this. I shall get to the bottom of his whereabouts. (Keith Howell-Jones)

Again the words "truly miserable, un-fun loving, sadistic b*****d" fit well. If he was all these things he is certainly alive, even though in his seventies. Does the December 1960 Magazine say where he went? (Keith Howell-Jones)

I certainly got O level Physics, and 3 A levels, grade A, in sciences, at a different establishment.  Kipper had it in for me, possibly because I was more clever and articulate than he (there is no point in being modest about it).  I learned later in life that professional schoolmasters are able to teach all sorts, because that is their profession, however bright or stupid the material may be. I came bottom of Kipper's class.  I did so because he was nasty to me all the time without, so far as I could see now or at the time, any justification. I was only 11/12 for goodness sake.  Otherwise I have had outstanding teachers in my life, and every reason to be grateful.  I would like to ask him, adult to adult, what the problem was.  That is all. I was  very moved by an earlier email by one D Marston who referred to an unfair punishment and how it affected him.  I feel similarly affected. (Keith Howell-Jones)

Keith wrote that he "discovered that I am not alone in my memories of this peculiarly nasty man." I, too, have derived some satisfaction in reading how others viewed our friend Kipper! I am encouraged to reflect that, despite my many faults that manifested themselves at RLS, perhaps on just one occasion I was more sinned against than sinning! My character sketch of Kipper (above) was mainly based on the occasion, already recorded in our archive, when a cycle crash occurred between me (leaving school late) and one of his scout troop (returning for a scout meeting).  My view was that yon scout came round the swimming bath on the "wrong side" of the drive.  Kipper's view was that I was cycling too fast and that I shouldn't have been riding in the school grounds anyway!

He gave me 100 lines of whichever school rule forbade cycling in the grounds and then flipped his nasty little lid when I politely enquired why the tearful scout (whoever he may have been) was not required to undertake a similar punishment.  After all he was breaking the same school rule! Kipper doubled my punishment for my insolence and flatly refused to dish out lines to the scout, holding doggedly to the view that it was my excessive speed that had caused the accident!

Needless to say, my innate sense of fair play dictated that those 200 lines were never written and I nursed a deep loathing for the man ever after - the ONLY teacher whom I really despised! Being no scientist I took huge delight in passing Physics O-level purely out of spite - no thanks to Kipper's teaching! (David Maltby)

R. Ian WEBBER (1953-1965)
Subject: History

Nicknames 'Spider', 'Ron'

 

[Room 3] Good bloke! One of the best - got me through History O-level! So well respected he was one of the few without a nickname! - [DGM]

Graham wrote "...with unusual modesty, my moderator/brother has omitted to mention that the 'first in the country' computer briefly transformed him, 'puff' Broderickand several other gormless looking rls sixth formers into media stars onthe small screen when they were all featured on an early edition of'tomorrow's world' I have to draw your attention to the following passage culled from Andy's post of May 21st, 1999 "The school computer":
"A TV crew (for Tomorrow's World or some such programme) came to film these pioneers and we all had our fifteen seconds of fame as the camera panned around our cherubic faces listening to Mr Broderick explain some of the finer points to us. Romford mothers beamed with pride when it was broadcast a week or so later." (David Maltby)

I enjoyed being taught history by Webber: 'George III was the only clean-living Hanoverian. You'll get extra marks for having been tactfully taught.'; 'As we approach modern times I ought to mention my own political bias. I wouldn't vote for any party that had Aneurin Bevan in it.' [JAS]

In my time history teacher Webber, a decent bloke, was nicknamed Spider, not to be confused with maths teacher Tarrant of the same nickname! (John Hawkins)

About 1979, I was playing in a local concert, when I chanced on Mr. Webber, regret forget 1st name. (I didn't know he was tone deaf) He told me that Ron Smith was in a Hornchurch hospital. I visited, accompanied by a packet of Players and found him a victim of Alzheimers. Despite appearances at school, I liked old Ron so I was a bit choked up. I presume he has gone to the great classroom in the sky by now. (Phil Kingham)

Mr Webber, History, responding to a question about the syllabus: "It doesn't matter what we cover: what matters is what YOU discover" -- a thought that shaped my interest in information and how it is used. (Peter G. Underwood)

Roy Webber was an enthusiast for history, and patient with obnoxious pupils like me who were always trying to catch him out on some detail. He would cover four boards with writing, inscribe "please leave" at the top, and have successive classes copy them out.  At the end of each lesson, he would disappear into a small corridor at the side of his room. I wondered for ages what sanctum this might be, until I found eventually it was the loo. For A level, we copied out the whole of the middle ages. Left to become deputy head at a church school in Romford. (John Bald)

"Spider" Webber left either at Christmas 1966 or Easter 1967, as his departure left me (and my fellow students) without a proper teacher just before our 'A' levels, to my parents' horror and dismay.  On balance, I think it was most likely Easter 1967.  I actually dated his daughter briefly, but he didn't improve my "street cred" (1960s version) when he chased after me in his car once after I had walked her home to give me a lift back to my home!!  (Geoffrey Biggs)

Webber was a first class teacher of History and A Level economic History. I owe him a great deal for getting me to Cambridge. It might be of interest to note that of the infamous 1950 intake John Ainger, Trevor Norman, Peter (Pudge) Smith, Michael Knight, Chris Gorman and yours truly were all in the same Webber A Level class and all went to Oxbridge ( I believe I have missed somebody for I always thought there were 7 in the class who went to Oxbridge) (Ken Saxby)

I think Ron Webber was perhaps one of the most civilised and able teachers there; he treated us as adults, expected adult behaviour and received it.  I was once rude to him and I have ever since regretted it, as I lost his respect which was more important than I thought.  If you are watching, Mr Webber, I apologise unreservedly and hope you will forgive me.  You gave me a love of history which has stayed with me all my life. (Keith Howell-Jones)

D. P. WELLS (1957-1960)
Subject: Music
Nickname: 'Batman'.

Mr Music; (1956 - 1961); Room: Hall Always wore his cloak - glasses were somewhat like a mask! Good bassoonist! - [DGM]

Query the dates here - Batman replaced an old guy whose name I forget (but who was keen on choral singing! - mostly hymns!!!) in my second year, (1956) But I thought that Tony Sharp replaced Batman around 1960-61? - [DGM]

 A.I. COLE (1957)
Subject: Physical Education
Nickname:  

...came down to the Sixth Form Hut by the South Drive entrance and said, 'I don't mind if some of you skive off, but I get rather hurt when nobody bothers to turn up.'

Bongo succeded a chap called Cole, who despised Daddy and seemed to take his frustration out on us first formers. Cole was no bigger than some of us and had an oriental look about him.
Whether he hailed from that part of the world we didn't know, but he certainly employed the sadistic methods that are/were popular there. He was the only man that smiled when he gave you the slipper on your backside. And it wasn't his slipper either (he was probably only size 5) but a good size 11 for fuller effect. Cole was only at RLS during 57/58 but he left a lasting impression on me. Metaphorically speaking, of course. The slipper marks on my bum soon faded. (Derek Humphrey 57/62)

Room: 6. Took charge of school soccer 1st XI. Hugely funny to watch his little legs going like a train while refereeing in his shorts! [DGM]

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We used to call him "Sid" after a character from a contemporary radio show - was it "Hancock's Half Hour"? Or "Ray's a Laugh"? Or "Take It From Here"? Whatever, this character, played by Kenneth Connor, used the same catch phrase every week - "Do you mind? My name is Sid Mincing and I am the proprietor of..." whatever shop the plot was following. Another inspired piece of nick-naming! ...and yes, he DID compete in the water polo still wearing his spectacles! [DGM]

Sid Mensinck is in photo no. 4 (1960-61 photo) seated next to (possibly) 'Spider' Tarrant but definitely 2nd to the left of 'Jet' Morgan.I think Sid was Dutch (although there have been various other suggestions on this site). I have a vague recollection that someone once told me he spoke something like 17 languages including Hindustani. He may have left at the end of summer 1961, but he definitely played in a water polo match for the masters in that summer. As HM David Maltby recalled, Sid always kept his glasses on, even under water. (Derek Humphrey)

Russ Martin wrote: "I remember Sid well but, like you, am not sure how his name was spelled. He was a deadly aim with a blackboard eraser and his favorite expression was "this work smells severely of the dung-heap". He did, however, give me just enough knowledge to help me squeeze through my O level in maths, which I (mistakenly) assumed would help me get a job."

I too remember both Russ (and his Brylcreamed quiff) and Sid Mensink. He (Sid that is) somehow managed to get me through a Maths O level as well, but the thing I remember most about him was his incredible hatred of the Germans - as a German scholar and a participant in the 1961 exchange in Leverkusen I felt more vulnerable than most to his distaste for anything remotely German. Word on the street was that he was Dutch and that he or his family had suffered under the German occupation. Can anyone throw any light on his preference for nationalities other than German? (Malcolm Paul)

I always believed Sid was from Czechoslovakia... he once told an illuminating story about the mathematician who, as a school boy there [Czechoslovakia], had invented the formula for the sum of a series of numbers. You are right he hated all things German, can't blame him if he was not a Sudetenlander! My opinion is is that he was a very able maths teacher. (Rhod Hood)

C.E. MORRIS (1958-1963)
Subject: Geography, Economics
Nickname: 'Scrooge'.

Room: 23. His favourite punishment was to issue 'lines' to be written in proper ink, alternate lines upside down, without a blemish (or do it again). The nickname emanated from this mean behaviour and the fact that he never let us off anything.[AHL]

The name Scrooge was after my time - but I can QUITE understand how he got it!! He was "promoted" to 2nd Lieutenant when I was in the 5th year and accompanied us to CCF camp in Pirbright. We had the use of an army 10-tonner and Morris was delegated to drive us around. This was mostly accompanied by howls of derision as he struggled to come to terms with the need to double de-clutch changes down and up. I think we returned that lorry with a liberal coating of iron filings in the gear box oil! (DGM)

DGM wrote:"There was another bloke called Morris who was involved with the army but I can't remember his nickname or what he taught." This 'Morris' is the 'Scrooge' (Geography, Economics) that I've mentioned before although I couldn't remember his surname until now. I love the way that the jigsaw is all coming together. (Andy Lee)

Did he really stay for 38 years? If he was rightly dubbed Scrooge in his twenties, what the heck was he like in his sixties? Or perhaps he had a bad dream one night and was, thereafter, kind to disabled children and clerical assistants, amongst others. One little story was the time when he was concluding our Geography lesson and urged us to ensure that the homework he had set us should be ready by the following Monday, for as he said, "that is when you have your next period". Of course, being smutty-minded 14/15 year-olds we all smirked from ear to ear, apart from one chap called Mackenzie who smirked rather louder than the rest of us. Scrooge was incandescent with rage and berated poor Mac, telling him that he had a filthy mind and that everyone knew what he meant. Having a period was no laughing matter, apparently. Not in the late 1950s anyway. He promptly gave Mac 100 lines of something like 'I must not think that menstruation is funny' (perhaps I exaggerate here, but you get the drift). As you see, as well as being mean, he had no sense of humour either. One more thing: in the 1959/60 Alumni, Scrooge is denoted in the CCF section as 'Pilot Officer Morris'. If he stayed for 38 years, did he end up as an Air Vice Marshall? (Derek Humphrey)

C. E. CUBITT (1957-1963)
Secretary
Nickname -

Mrs C.E. Cubitt was a School Secretary in the A & YBs from 1957-58 to at least 1962. Her arrival was noted in the December 1957 Magazine. (JAS)

J. HEATON (1959-1965)
Subject: Latin
Nickname: 'Jim' 'Slim Jim'

It was Jim HEATON (Latin?) whose car drunk oil on the trip to Salcombe. It was either Jim Heaton or Mal Griffiths who distracted my attention while TEO reduced (the proper medical term!) my dislocated elbow! (DGM)

Malcolm asked... "Whatever happened to (Jim) Heaton?  He was our Latin teacher, and I can recall his everlasting ginger tweed suit he always wore and the habit he had, being so tall, of standing by your desk with one foot on the desk lid!!!  Or of Mr Franklin the art teacher who once lifted a boy out of his chair by the ears for swearing in class."
Jim got caught by the School Cruise bug and moved from the RLS to the Uganda where he ran the education programme. After a few years he became an Assistant Education Officer of one of the Metropolitan Boroughs in the Leeds area. After that my leads run out. A great chap. (Bill Broderick)

I seem to remember he was called "Slim Jim" due to him being about 6 foot 4and incredibly skinny. Owned an ancient and decrepit convertible motor of indeterminate make which used more oil than petrol! [DGM]"

Jim Heaton was a dab hand with a gym shoe, but a good Latin teacher. I got furious with him once over what I saw as a slight to my parents, but he had a sense of humour, used to listen to the test match commentary during lessons. "Any volunteers for a dirty job?" he once asked "Clean the car, sir?" - he didn't wallop me for that one. He was replaced by a bumbling berk from Northern Ireland who would intone "Get yer eyes glued on yer buk" every two minutes, and could barely keep order even with Jasper sitting at the back of the class. (John Bald)

Jim Heaton left in the summer of 1965.  He taught me Greek to 'O' level, and left to work on a cruise liner in the Mediterranean.  I rather think his Greek wasn't all ancient!  (Geoffrey Biggs)

C.E. CARPENTER (1955-1959 )
Subject: German
Nickname: 'Chips'

Just to add a further detail to J. Alan Smith's recollections, I sem to remember "Chips" Carpenter (teacher of German and English) leaving RLS around 1958, to take up a post at Churston Grammar School (Devon). (Bob Tucker) He was still there in 1960 to take us through our O level German exams after which I moved to Surrey. I think that we were his last O level class. (Pete Pearson 55-60)

But Chips Carpenter (Wow! what originality for a nickname): Apart from being a German Teacher (I guess - I didn't do German) he was a scoutmaster and RI teacher. At a scout camp in Germany (1959?), we all went to the local dispensary one evening and came back in a good mood. Chips was a trifle upset that we couldn't control the Kumbayah volume at the camp fire and recommended a smashing new drink we should all enjoy. It was called Apfelsaft. Unknown to us, we tried it but it didn't have quite the same effect as the Rheinwein. He must have thought we were daft! Although he tried, he couldn't keep us back the next day especially as we had found the local guide camp and persuaded the girls to join us for the gingganggoolie bit afterwards. I would have thought that a teacher would have had enough teaching one subject but old Chips liked the RI bit and did his best. To save preparation time he obviously created one lecture for all of his classes for one week. (Sounds reasonable to me). One week some guy in the bible went to a circumcision ceremony, or was circumcised himself, I don't know. But a wag in Class One calmly asked Chips what 'circumcision' meant. Chips gave a full description of the procedure, without flinching. (Never flinch what fates attend). And the class was astounded, grateful and unamused at the delivery. But of course, Class One warned Class Two and so on. I must have been in Class Sixty Six. He responded to the same question with absolute fluency. And then said that every class had asked exactly the same question, had we been colluding? He was sure that we had all been trying to embarrass him. Of course some innocent had to say 'yes' and old Chippy came off his pole. His face went quite red, if I remember. To be fair, I liked Chips, a generous, well-meaning sort. (David Silverside)

Derek M. HARDY (1956-1984)
Subject: Biology

Nickname 'Dim Jim'

Senior biology master....nicknamed after the character in the t.v. series 'wells fargo' , also ran the united nations society whatever that was?(Graham Alexander Lee)

Now a Brentwood councillor [VL]

Was Chairman of Essex Education Committee [BB]

Doc Hardy is currently the local Councillor for Doddinghurst - he still as vague as ever. (Martin Benson)

Ian wrote "Derek Hardy's year of tenure as Mayor of Brentwood has just ended, and I was lucky enough to bring home from England a short article and photos from a Brentwood newspaper."
As a resident, and seeing him in the papers literally every week, I must say he seemed to work extremely hard and in every single picture had that lovely beaming smile. Considering the sheer volume of personal appearances he made, I think he was a fantastic mayor, his attitude and clear enjoyment of the role were great to see. I am proud to have known "Jim" as both a teacher and mayor. (Steve Byrne)

Long, lanky Dim Jim! Great mate of Pete Benson. Two years running they took a group of the seniorish) boys on a boating holiday to Salcombe, Devon. Our accommodation was on board a moored steamer out in the estuary called the "Norian". Dim Jim drove an aged car of indeterminate make which positively DRANK oil. We must have stopped five or six times between Romford and Salcombe to top up! He is seated between Pete and the lovely Helen Challice on JPEG 1962 03. (D.G. Maltby)

I unfortunately never met one of those school girls reported to have provided private biology tuition to some of our fellows. Having only a brother and no nearby cousins, I had little preparation for the revelations of first year biology. I recall being a keen student, and reading the relevant chapter as soon as the text was issued. For some time after, my mind would return to those plumbing diagrams whenever I viewed a female, at the bus stop or on the bus. I had never realised that the difference was that great! It wasn't until around Easter that Dim Jim Hardy got to the topic of the Reproductive System. I can recall him turning red as he mumbled about it being "just another system of the body, boys". We never got the usual opportunity to ask questions on anything we didn't understand. He just seemed to race through the topic with no pause for breath. Do others recall this vital sex education class? (John Hawkins)Derek (Dim Jim) Hardy arrived at RLS for, I believe, our class's 2 final years, 55/56/57. I recall him being very nervous, a state from which he took some time to recover. When it came to THAT bit, I am sure we could have told him a thing or 2! (Phil Kingham)

Trawling: my mind for some new input, I recalled a stag night with Dim Jim Hardy. Passing the small biology lab one evening I was accosted by Dim Jim, who thrust a large jar into my hand and asked me to release the large black stag beetle within into High Trees. I took it out behind the cycle sheds, clear of the area of nicotine pollution, and shook it from the jar to the ground. This was really an impressive specimen which someone must have captured earlier in the day, maybe 8cm long. However, it just lay there looking comatose. I returned the jar to Dim Jim to report "mission accomplished", and he asked if it had turned and attacked me! He might have given me advanced warning of the risks involved before I undertook the task. Never trust a biology master (or politician - see Schoolmaster Anecdotes). (John Hawkins)

Favourite teachers: D.M. Hardy, Biology - see a science theme emerging, he seemed to treat boys as young adults and was helpful in many ways. (Chris Fribbins)

Imagine my surprise flicking through the Brentwood Borough News, and finding on the back page a half page article with colour pic, of the Brentwood Boro Council Music Bus. Nothing outstanding there, until you look at the picture, and it says "Launched by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Derek Hardy". Also a picture of the venerable old gent, wearing mayoral chain, looking very well, and aged about 70 I guess. Still a full head of hair, pure white of course, and a winning smile. (Steve Byrne)

M. GRIFFITHS (1958-1962)
Subject: Biology
Nicknames 'Mal', 'Willie'

[Room: 19/20 (Biology Labs] I'm sure we had a nick-name for him but can't remember it. King sized cheat (Welsh of course! No wonder!) at every sport in which he partook! Constantly fouls in basketball (he taught me how to tickle a high post just before he receives the ball - a little trick which got me sent off three or four years later at Hull University - and the referee was ANOTHER Old Libertian, (and ex-BP! - they NEVER change!), Rob Peters. Back to Mal! Martin recently made a comment that TEO put himself about a bit - but NOTHING to Mal Griffiths on a football field. He played to two basic rules - 1) If it moves, kick it. 2) If it doesn't move, kick it until it does! And water polo? Well, too obvious really, isn't it? One hand for the ball, the other on top of an opponent’s head. Other than this he was a good enough bloke -but I don't think I've EVER come across anyone else who cheated like him. Yep, he was good enough to cheat for Wales! (DGM)

My suggestion would be that good old, traditional and eminently suitable name (given his dubious tactics in the sports arenas)...Malpractice. Or possibly Malevolence! Here's a couple I forgot earlier, beat Willie in mid court (basketball), leave him for dead and soar into the air for the easiest of unopposed lay-up shots and, just before the ball left your fingers, Willie's hand in the small of your back would propel you at some speed into the wall or the door-frame! Or...(and I must confess to using this one myself on numerous occasions because it always WORKED!!!) I could always reckon to beat Willie in a jump-ball (taller, younger, more athletic - no problem). Where are the eyes of a referee in a jump-ball situation? Up in the air, on the ball? That's why they NEVER saw Willie suddenly shift his foot onto mine just as the ball was thrown up to use my foot as a springboard while effectively pinning me to the ground! I have a sneaking suspicion that ALL Welshmen are constantly seeking retribution from the English for the stunt pulled on them by Edward I. They're as bad as the Irish - or American politicians - for being sore losers and bearing grudges! (DGM)

DOIG (late 1950s)
Subject:  History
Nickname:

 

22-1-03) My brother Terry has informed me that Bill Doig passed away during the last few days. Kidney failure I believe but I have no other details. (Russ Martin)

 

Anybody out there remember the unfortunate Mr. Doig (I kid you not) who had the unenviable task of practising his teaching skills on us in the mid fifties! I seem to remember he had a speech problem which resulted in his uttering words beginning with "S" as though they began with "Sh".  The whole class would stand up just to hear the order "sit down class" spoken in his inimitable way. What horrible people we were! (Bob Tucker)

 

I have only vague memories of this student teacher although from Bob's description he must have had speech therapy from Daisy Bubbers. (Pete/Chris Pearson)

 

Peter Pearson mentions the names of Doig and Olive, and I remember them well. Mr Doig I believe 'taught' History and he took my class for a term in the third, or possibly the fourth year (1956? 1957?) The 'S' being pronounced as 'sh' was very funny, and we would stand up for no reason except to hear 'S_it down class'. He would also ask questions which we would not answer so we could hear "I should shee a foresht of handsh" In one lesson Jeff Bowen managed to escape through the window twice, and on each occasion come into the room and apologise for lateness. (Bill Groves)

 

Several of my (almost) contemporary HMs have referred to messrs Doig and Olive. I don't remember the said Doig (and I assume that he was no relation to my mate non-member Bill Doig 57/62 Dane, now residing in Colchester), so he must have been pre '57-58. (Derek Humphrey)

Mr. C.E. OLIVE (1957)
Subject:  French
Nicknames

Does anyone else recall the most incompetent teacher of all time at RLS. He only lasted a single term, we saw to that!

Gentlemen. I remind you of the one and only Mr Olive: he suffered the wrath of 30 odd boys just released from the sheer purgatory that was Mr wells' version of a music lesson. The standard game was to get him running around the classroom trying to hit one boy before he was diverted from that victim by a comment from another corner of the room. We usually won.

Identities were freely exchanged between us boys, one of us (Briggs) even got Olive to change his name on the register on the first day.

I am pretty sure that Bob Tucker was in the same group for French perhaps he remembers.

On a more serious note, it was a bloody good job we only had him for 1 lesson a week that term, any more and any chance of an O level pass would have gone out of the window. (Pete/Chris Pearson)

 

Peter Pearson referred to the unfortunate Mr. Olive - yes Peter, I recall him too - and his vain attempts to rush round the room hitting all the miscreants at once.  Believe me though, he was nothing on Mr. Doig and his plaintive cries of: "shit down class!" (Bob Tucker)

 

I do remember poor Mr Olive. He is not mentioned in the masters list in the Alumnis from '58-59 onwards (I don't have the '57-58 edition) so I guess he was there during the autumn term of 1957.

 

As HM Bill Groves said "he was a very quiet, shy, man". I have a vague recollection that he had a bit of a breakdown and couldn't face coming back to RLS at the start of the next term. Not surprising, really, in view of the aforementioned treatment he received in certain classes. What didn't help was that his short tenure at RLS coincided with the Popeye cartoons that were then showing on children's TV. You may recall that one of Popeye's favourite pursuits was chasing the lovely Olive Oil, with the call of 'Hey Olive' in his unmistakable voice.

I don't need to tell you what happened when we saw the hapless Mr Olive walking along the corridor. What nasty little boys we were! (Derek Humphrey)

 

I can confirm that C. E. Olive B.A. is listed in the 1957-58 Year Book only. (Andy Lee)

 

The 1957-58 A&YB lists C.E. Olive, BA; he assisted the House Tutors in Saxon House. The Magazine of December 1957 states in 'Echoes': "We welcome, as new members of the Staff ... Mr C.E. Olive, B.A. London). We hope that their stay will be pleasant and fruitful."  The Saxon House notes, by P.J. Tilbrook, add: "Firstly we welcome all new members to the Saxons, especially Mr Cole and Mr Olive.  We hope that their association with the House will be a long and happy one."  Both left after one year. (J. Alan Smith)