Master Anecdotes
Fox, Holmes, Askew, Brooks, Kittle
Subject: French
Nickname 'Foxy'
"*Quelle* est sur la table?" "*What* is on the table?" "James *Watt* invented the steam engine! Ha ha ha". Had the nasty habit of lifting a pupil from his seat by tugging upwards on the hair just above the pupil's ear. [AHL]
Tall
and with a heavy
Our French master gave us all French pseudonyms and I remember three, Boutique was myself, Boulonger - Baker, of course of whom I remember nothing else; Prestitagiteur was Elliston or Ellisdon. Again, no other memory. (Fred Denny)
Robert Priddy suggested that "Foxy Fox was keen on giving names, (but often demeaning ones)." It was certainly Foxy who gave me my French pseudonym: 'Pierre Lemoine' (Peter Monk)
Fox had trouble with my surname. Unusual it might be, but not difficult to spell or pronounce. He called me a variety of names, including Witherspoon, Spitherwock and all stations in between. On kind days I was called (beat this for originality - I've heard them all) - Tinribs. Absolutely nothing compared to the nickname given to my brother as an Apprentice Toolfitter...(David Silverside)
Fellow '59er Keith Burgess was
with me in Foxy's class and had to have a French forename
assigned. Foxy couldn't think of an equivalent of 'Keith'
and settled for 'Guillame'. It lasted for ever more. Foxy asked me a question
in class, had no idea of my name and said "You, er..Bill" and that was it! (Andy
Lee)
Fox gave me a love of French and laid the foundations for my languages skills, notably in French; because I was good at it I was immune from his appalling behaviour to some others, and that behaviour has to exclude him from any work on good teaching. (Keith Howell-Jones)
He was always complaining about the lack of quality in modern furniture (Drawers never fit). "Thing aren't like they used to be" [PC]
On the Saturday Reunion Day I spoke to some one who described the torture inflicted by Mr Fox the French teacher and how Foxy spoilt his school days. Foxy also made my life at school a misery and I could not get away quick enough. I thought that I was the only such victim. Now it seems there were many. (Eddie Pond)
...that first French lesson cannot have been our very first French lesson at RLS, since form 1B had the dubious pleasure of being taught by Foxy for our first year, whence came all those horrid nicknames like "Cherub" and "Pauly-wauly." Or were you in 1A ? It's all a little hazy now... (John Bailey)
... he also called Cedric "My little bright-eyes". All 3 of these boys were very small and blond cute kids (and he didn't bother with bigger ugly gits like Biffo and Pud)-hhhmmmmmm in my later cyncial years it just makes me wonder a bit you know... (Steve Byrne)
Eddie's post just goes to show how different pupils viewed masters. I had Fox as a form master and I acted in a few dramatic productions for him. He was not unkind to me but he was a disciplinarian in the classroom. The subject of masters whacking pupils has been bought up before. I cannot recall an occasion when anyone but Scruff used a cane, although Daddy Schofield did use a slipper. Was it that the rules changed somewhere around the time that Gus left and Scruff came on board? Perhaps J Alan will have the answer to this? (Mike Merry)
The reason that most of my 1c class became 2s students was that our first year French master, Foxy Fox, managed to complete only half of the textbook. Were we that dense? He wasted so much time, telling us moral tales of life. If a boy was caught dozing, he didn’t just get a clip around the ear. He would be painfully lifted by the sideburns and taken to the front. He would then be required to stretch his arms wide & slowly spin on the spot. Fox would then question him on whether he had seen any pillows, blankets, or sheets during his rotation. After a negative reply, Fox would conclude that the boy wasn’t in bed, and therefore should not be sleeping! Another five minutes gone! I saw this many times. We were required to subscribe to a French cartoon magazine. This came with an accompanying plastic language record that was passed around the class to take home. Having no record player, I’m afraid I missed this early audio tuition. (John Hawkins)
JR Fox: Didn't he dress to the right? I recall a conversation about him being real or was he just putting something down there?
When entering old Fox's lair
One
behaved with many a care
If unable to say
Your declensions Francais
He'd pull you right up by your hair (Phil Kingham)
I presume you are talking of the same Fox that taught French and was responsible for me leaving school before my time? You almost refer to himwith affection. I am now over 70 and if there is one person in this world Istill loathe it is Mr Fox. Surely I am not alone? (Eddie Pond)
(Re. Fox) As I am over 50 and agree with you entirely, he did not change! Hedefinitely generated a good deal of misery in my early years at RLS. (Peter Robinson)
Peter R. and Eduard P. both expressed their feelings regarding Mr. Fox. I can't say I was particuarly fond of him, he always smelt like a stubbed out cigarette for one thing. But liking or disliking aside, he worked hard for the school (as did many other masters during those days). I did some plays for him but I wasn't very good at French so I was ignored in class. On the day I left RLS, I went to say goodbye to him. We had a brief conversation and I believe I said something about not doing much at the school. Surprisingly enough he then told me that I had played football and cricket for the school, been on the swimming team, boxed every year and done dramatics as well ask working for my house! He said to me that was very important and I shouldn't consider that I had not contributed. I had no idea he stored up this kind of information but his words hit home and it made me respect him, if not actually like him. (Mike Merry)
Ian mentioned Mr. Fox's son who he constantly held up to us as an example of how youth should really be. I never met him myself but can understand Ian's feelings when he came into contact with him. Ian went on to say "So many of them smelt like ashtrays. Just how many of them died from it?" Ron Smith and Fox were the two smelliest ones. The staff room was always completely fogged up with cigarette smoke and I would guess that 90% of the masters indulged. How many died? I suppose this habit contributed to many of their deaths and of course, the example they gave to us young impressionable lads probably cost some of us a few years also. I gave it up over 30 years ago. Now all I've got to do is embrace tea-totalism and celibacy and I'll be perfect! (Mike Merry)
Fox was, without doubt, a Character. As
such, it is not surprising that he is seen in many different lights. For myself,
I am obliged to say that I quite liked him. Apart from the fact that, by the time
he had finished teaching us phonetics (‘Shape your mouth to say ooh and then say
eee’) there was hardly enough time left to learn the
actual language, I thought he was a good teacher.
In 1958, just before my
fourteenth birthday, we were all invited to take part in a foreign exchange with
pupils in
Youth being what it is, I soon acclimatised and
thoroughly enjoyed my stay; during which I fell in love with a French girl and
she with me (it must have been my English accent). On return to Blighty
she wrote to me. I could not translate the letter and so I took it to school and
asked Mr Fox to translate it for me. In front of the class he struggled to do
so. He ended up by saying that he could not translate literally but that I should
remain assured that she loved me deeply. The class fell about laughing.
We
all, no doubt, remember Fox's Hair Drill. This particular punishment was administered
during the course of a lesson. I remember another of his punishments. It was inflicted
on me whenever I arrived late. Fox would show fained surprise and pleasure at seeing me. He would walk over
to the doorway and greet me like a long lost friend by taking my hand in his.
He would then squeeze harder and harder, crushing my hand until I sank to my knees,
whereupon he would relinquish his hold and tell me to take my seat.
By the
time I reached the fifth form I was, perhaps thanks to all my Circuit Training,
fit and strong. One day, I arrived late for his lesson and the treatment was applied.
As he squeezed my hand I found to my surprise that I could squeeze back with equal
strength. Soon I discovered that, in fact, I could apply greater strength. My
hand was as large as his and instead of taking his punishment I began to return
it. I started to 'out-squeeze' him and relished the prospect that lay before me.
I looked up from our clasped hands into his face. I shall never forget what
I saw. As my face glowed with the prospect of victory, I watched his face sallow
with the prospect of defeat. I immediately understood the ramifications of my
potential victory. I cannot explain it, but in microseconds we both recognised
the reality of what would ensue if I persisted. I relaxed my grip and sank to
the floor on one knee. Our eyes shared a moment of mutual understanding and he
never bullied me again.
It is a curious fact that I seem to remember more
about my teachers than I do about what they taught. Also, the memories of those
experiences seem to have been at least as valuable to me over time as the subject
knowledge they sought to impart. I, for one, rejoice that we had Characters for
teachers; even though some of them could be B.....ds
at times - including Fox. (Dick Stokes)
A couple of Foxisms came back to me over the weekend. "You're a cretin, boy! What are you?" "A cretin sir". This required my use of an English dictionary for French lessons! This was in the days before the disabled were protected by anti-discrimination legislation. There's something about being insulted when you don't even know what it means. I prefer the second: "You're a waste of space, boy! What are you?" John Hawkins
Another favourite Foxism in my time (and probably for aeons before that)was "I'll kill you - twice nightly !" Mr. Fox was only there for my first year at RLS as I recall, and not "until 1970" as recorded elsewhere, unless my memory is very bad. My form thought he was a harmless old loony who gave out cringeworthy nicknames - it took one lad three years to stop the rest of us calling him "Cherub" - but I have to admit we learnt a lot of French in that year ! (John Bailey)
Yup. I was called Witherspoon or Spitherwock (David Silverside)
Fox named me "son of pud". Graeme Lord was known as Mrs Pud. I earlier posted that in 1c Fox taught us only half the curriculum due to time wasted on such follies. (John Hawkins)
The trouble with Fox was that if he decided that you were on the wrong sideyou never ever stood a chance. I was there from form 1. As to nick-names, I was Froggy and my younger brother was Tadpole. (Eddie Pond)
Fox's names for boys may have been relatively harmless for some. One in my year, whom I will not name lest he join the group in future, was named "Gormless" by the old devil.I am convinced that we referred to him as "Gormo" for five years. I am sure that this did not enhance his school experience. On reflection, should he stumble across the e-group, I suspect that he might avoid anything that might remind him of the place. (Peter Robinson)
I too remember "Gormo", although I had forgotten that it was Foxy who had named him; I thought it was just the cruel element of the class. I have been trying desperately to remember Foxy's name for me, but without success so far. (Mick Lee)
Sorry Mick, cannot remember what he called you. I was "Slim" which was not a pleasant way to be reminded of the fact that I was a larger than average 11year old. To K. Burgess... the nickname 'Bill'. Didn't this arise from Foxy's French class? We all had to have a French name. I was Andre(acute accent). For some reason (I suppose that there might not be a French equivalent of Keith) Foxy dubbed you Guillame = William ... hence 'Bill'. Is that right? (Andy Lee)
Yes, you are right about the nickname - Foxy asked me a question in class, had no idea of my name and said "You, er..Bill" and that was it! My Mum called me Keith partly because it was a name that couldn't be abbreviated to anything "common". Friends used to 'phone and ask for Bill, which creased her, dear soul. (K. Burgess)
I too remember Foxy's penchant for various tortures.
Apart from the sideboard twisting we had:- 1) Chinese wrist burns. 2) Being made
to stand to attention while Foxy put hands between one's body and arms. He then
gradually lifted arms up, till outstretched to 90 degrees, whilst you wondered
what the hell was going on! The next thing you knew was him bringing his hands
in, clapping you in the ribs and knocking the wind out of you. 3) Lifting the
younger/lighter boys up by the head! However, he was a very good French teacher.
I can remember, a good few years later, camping in
Foxy came to supervise a class when the regular master was missing, presumed sick. He was sure that we all had something to be getting on with. Well somehow we started a game of consequences, involving small slips of paper which are folded and passed on, i.e. a male name (fold and pass on), met a female name (fold and pass on), he said ... (fold and pass on), she said ... (fold and pass on) and as a consequence ... (fold and pass on). We had just got to the stage of opening the slips when I was spotted fumbling with one. I didn't even get to see it properly. However, other boys had been less cautious than I, and the resulting story caused Foxy some offence! This must have been in first or second year because Foxy only knew me from first year French. I can't remember the punishment, but at the end of the lesson he called me aside and, with tears in his eyes, said something like "tell me you didn't understand all those disgusting words" - "No, Sir" and I left. I suppose I felt quite sorry that I had let myself down in his estimation, which was probably his intention. However, I may have spoilt his image of young boys for ever. I suppose you older gentlemen will tell me that things were never so bad in the 50s? (John Hawkins)
Foxy torturing 1st formers in 1959 or probably earlier you say? - certainly four years earlier! Neither could the Foxy of my recollection have been remotely described as being in the boys' good books - quite the contrary, he was probably the most loathed master in my time at RLS! Or are there any other contenders for this unenviable title (Tucker)
Fox has a reputation (according to my brother Alan - three years older than I) as a "chalk-thrower". However from what I recall based on Alan's comments, he was not a bad sort. (Geoffrey Styles)
I thought Fox was a nasty hypocrite (even though he got me through French 'O' Level a year early). (Bob Tucker)
...a "master" punishment I remember well, but I cannot remember the perpetrator. He used to grip the small hairs above one's ear and lift boys from their seat and then march them to the front of the class for a verbal... Anybody remember this torturer? (Robert Stevens)
Fox was the sadist pulling us up by the temporal growth. (Phil Kingham)
"Foxy" Fox was quite the most sarcastic person I have ever met, but he would flash a sinister smile after making one of his comments, to show he was only joking I imagine. He too had that habit of lifting boys out of their seats by the short hairs above their ears. I always felt ill at ease with the man, though he usually treated me well enough. I do remember one occasion, though, when he told us that we were Southern scum compared to the boys he had once taught up North. Perhaps we were. "Angus" Stewart, the peppermint-sucking French teacher told us the same thing. Stewart, by the way, had obviously been a fine batsman when he was young. I remember him playing a classic off-drive when the masters played the boys, with the front foot thrust out to the pitch of the ball. This was to one of the quicker bowlers, perhaps Roger Phillips or Mick Norton. When Dave Muldoon was brought on to bowl his slow leg breaks it was a different matter, and "Angus" was absolutely lost. Hisfootwork couldn't cope with the situation at his age. (Geoffrey Moring)
Subjects: French, German. Conductor of the
School Orchestra and Choir
Nicknames 'Fuss', 'Fred'
Deputy Head 1970 - 1971 [BB]
We knew him as "Fred" - very "Yehudhi Menhuin" - good violinist with a son who was even better. -[DGM]
Francis Holmes, a distinguished teacher of languages, known to us as Fred and to a previous generation as Fuss - I understand both, though the fuss was in a good cause. I would be interested in hearing more of him. I certainly left with a sound command of the imperfect subjunctive in French, if not in German. (John Bald)
David mentioned 'Fuzz' Holmes. I remember him as 'Fuss' Holmes due to his rather effeminate (I don't suppose he was) way of fussing over everything. (Andy Lee)
As far as Fred Holmes goes, we always knew him as Fuzz, not Fuss. (Graham Alexander Lee)
...the excellent Mr. Francis Holmes (Fred or Fuss to you) is still in good health at his home in Shoeburyness. I have this from my former classmate Ian Rolfe, recently retired Professor of Palaeontology and Museum director in Edinburgh, was in the school choir in my time (see him on 1949 school choir photo, and on 1950 photo). Ian has also been around the globe several times with the prestigious Royal Scottish National Orchestra choir as a consequence of Mr. Holmes' training at RLS, the choir performing with practically all the tope orchestras in the world. He wrote to 'Fred' and received a very charming reply, and sent me a photostat. 'Fred' tells that he gets regular visits from his son Richard (Ralph died tragically in a mugging in Germany many years ago). 'Fred' is 93 and still enjoys good health, having made a good recovery after falling off his bike at age 91 and breaking his hip. (Ouch!! THAT is painful!). What a perfect teacher of French and German he was... sans doubte!
Hon. Member John Bald via the good offices of Hon Mem Andy Lee re. Mr.Holmes:
"Don't think he had a happy time as DH when the school went comp, but
a wonderful man…"
In the 1971 School Magazine there is an interview with FE "Fred"
Holmes. He tells of his arrival, together with his son Ralph, at RLS in May
1949 (Ralph as 12 year old pupil). Fred recalls the following musical talents
around in Ralph's time there: David Smith, David Pettit, John Georgiadis,
David Shepherd, and Peter Thomas. Fred also mentioned Junior Celebrity Concerts
held in conjunction with RCHS. (Tim Knights)
Fred's time as Deputy Head was surely very short, spanning about a year between
John Morley's retirement and his own? In 1969/70 the school was not comp.
and surely the first non-selective intake was a year or two later wasn't it?
He was our teacher in 1Q (as Hon Mems Ian Mac, Malcolm Brown, and Richard
Smith will confirm, with the Jean et Colette slides and reel to reel tapes.
Maybe they can identify the perpetrator (agent provocateur?) behind the following
exchange during 1965/66:
Boy: "Please sir, is that a stereo tape recorder?" FEH: "No,
I think it's a German make." (Tim Knights)
Hon Tim Knights, You are, indeed, correct.I have good cause to remember since
JPC asked me to give a speech, as the youngest member of staff on both occasions,
on their retirement. John Morley had spent 40 years at RLS, Fred Holmes 35.
Both remarkable contributions to a single establishment, unlikely to be repeated
today. Mr Holmes, as he was to me then, did have an unhappy year. On reflection
it is difficult to judge whether it was because of fundamental differences
with JPC or because he was unsuited to the demands of that role, so very different
from being a Head of French. I lean towards the latter, as he did not seem
temperamentally suited to the job. That does not diminsih my respect for him
as a role model for a young teacher. (Neil. S. Tett)
Did pick this up when I first joined, and put in a correction on the medal - Chevalier des Palmes Academiques, not the LH, which is for chefs and generals. Fred was quite outstanding, and I owe him a great deal. Even when he was retired and teaching part time, he was interested in new ideas, and tried teaching techniques I had sent him (on teaching spelling in French) with enthusiasm. Don't think he had a happy time as DH when the school went comp, but a wonderful man. (John Bald)
I remember this,
Mr (Fred Holmes) handed out the French equivalent of
our christian names in French.
Therefore Frank (Etherington) became Francis, Chris
(Prentice) became Christophe (I think) and I, with a
christian name of Steven became.......Etienne. No, I
couldn't quite work that one out either, especially as someone else received the
sobriquet of Stephan. (Stephen Southgate)
Fred Holmes tried to
pin "Pascal" on me, but I stuck to my guns to be named "Jean",
and some unlucky guy with dark curly hair named Gordon (1st or 2nd name?) became
Pascal. (Ian Macauley)
I was an Etienne
as well. I do remember the name "Colin"
causing some mirth as it translates as "Hake". (Steve Snelgrove)
A
quick browse of the American-French genealogical society shows it as a translation
of Steven/Stephen. (Chris Boivin)
I
too was Etienne (Stephen Byrne)
I am sure other HMs
will be interested in news of Francis Holmes.
1953
I believe. Fred Holmes TV caught fire. In the annual Revue some wit/group of produced
a parody on "Keep the Home Fires Burning" a WWI & II song. Unfortunately
I remember only one couplet. 'Keep the Holmes fire burning, That
is what we're yearning, Fred's TV has gone to pot 'cos
it got too hot.' (
His racket was trying to get every kid to buy a recorder (flute) and take lessons. His son was a good swimmer. [MM]
(He) was a serious man, excellent pedagogue who was fair and followed up everyone's language problems. The scores of his pupils were always good, few if any were 'left behind'. I had him for French for 5 years and German for two. His classes were models of good behaviour and he was never a punisher. [RP]
I recall the first French lesson at RLS with Fred Holmes,
where he purported to be shocked at our lack of awareness of basic grammar - things
like "The Parts of Speech" - which we had never learned at Primary.
At least, not at
Some while ago I read that Tom Little had been in contact
with Mr. Holmes, so I e-mailed him for the address and wrote a letter to 'Fred'.
Yesterday came a long, charming answer! I am taking the liberty (Royal Liberty)
of picking out some tidbits for your general consumption,
as follows:
"I was really thrilled to receive your very kind letter,
and send you my grateful thanks for all the time and trouble you took to get in
touch with me..."
(Comment: It is clear that Mr. Holmes appreciates letters
from his ex-pupils. So here is his address: Mr. Francis Holmes, 14 Lodwick,
Shoeburyness.
"When you and Ralph
and I joined the school at the same time, your account of Ralph's reaction to
Kreisler's playing of the '
(Comment: Ralph Holmes came to tea with me and my aunt one
day and she said Kreisler was her favourite violinist. Ralph commented that
his music was 'too juicy' and 'rather too sirupy', recommending
Mozart instead. This gave my inquisitive, snobbish aunt some brow-wrinkling puzzlement
afterwards!)
"Before coming to RLS I was Head of Modern Languages at
Hymer's College, Hull, but following urgent requests from
the Royal Academy of Music in London I applied to R.L.S. for a vacancy in language
teaching in order to enable Ralph to take violin lessons at the R.A.M. Ralph began
learning the violin at the age of 4 1/2 and before he was 10 played several concertos,
including the Mendelsohn and Mozart concertos in G."
(Comment: There is an example of parental sacrifice for you! And R.L.S. got a
1st class modern language expert into the bargain! No teacher was a systematic,
à jour with every pupil's problems and meticulous as
Mr. Holmes, which also earned him the second nickname of 'Fuss'. Incidentally,
boys were calling him 'Fred' already a week or so after his arrival - based solely
on the initial 'F'. How clever! Nicknames really stick, and must be such a bugbear
to some masters.). Fred also wrote " "I found it quite wonderful how
you found my address on the Internet through Tom Little" (Robert Priddy)
Further
excerpts from 'Fred's` lettre anglaise: "I am indeed fortunate to be able to cycle
daily down to the shops at the age of 91. In Shoeburyness
I have a house on the sea front overlooking the Thames Estuary. My son Richard,
a solo cellist, comes to help me with the huge lawn. He lives in Orpington, In
Kent."
Also "I retired from full time teaching as deputy headmaster
at R.L.S. atthe age of sixty, but continued part time in this area until
I was 71.Since 1970, I have become very enthusiastic about oil painting, inspired
by the opportunity, as Principal of the Anglo-French and Paris Easter School,
to spend my spare time in the afternoon visiting the Louvre and the Jeu de Palme Museums. I have tried every style from the Impressionists
to Picasso, so the walls here are covered with my efforts, including family holiday
portraits of my three grandchildren.
I continue to play the organ at
So now you may look forward to life after
71, chaps, that's when it really begins, evidently. Only watch out for those ankles!
Mr. Holmes ends up with profuse thanks for my letter. I get the feeling that it
'made his day'. So, once again, if he taught you or trained you to sing etc.,
his address is Mr. Francis Holmes, 14 Lodwick, Shoeburyness.
SS2 9HW
I was interested in Robert's correspondence with F. Holmes. He was also one of my teachers (French),and always impressed with his competence, although he didn't crack many jokes, as I recall . His contribution to the music activities of the school over a long period are of course well known. I wonder whether an interest in music is a positive factor in longevity, as there are many examples of musicians/conductors living to a good old age. I also intend to write to him. (Terence Turner)
'Fred' is not a bad or disrespectful nickname, really. It seems too personal to refer to him as Francis, and also feels a bit impersonal as Mr. Holmes or just Holmes. Perhaps that's one reason why nicknames are used, they get around the too formal and too personal. (...not too personal? Oh! Knock that theory on the head, then). Still, I wonder why they didn' t nickname him 'Sherlock'? (RP)
During my residence at RLS it was announced one morning assembly that Fred Holmes had been awarded the highest French civil honour for aliens, Chevalier du Legion D'Honneur (excuse my French!) for his work in arranging Anglo-French school exchanges. He must have been doing that for some time, even then. It is not clear from the following sentence whether he remains Principal, or was inspired many years ago when he was Principal. (John Hawkins)
He had been doing it for a long while. It was one of the many good things about the school that such exchanges were organised. It did wonders for our French. Aubrey Pope organised similar good exchanges with German families. I am still in contact with the German family. I only lost contact with the French a few years ago. It was a wonderful introduction to wine which I found to be one of the best foreign language learning aids. In later years, though, vodka did nothing for my Russian. (Tom Little)
I'm pleased Fred Holmes is still around.
(I cant get used to him as Francis... it will always be Fred).. a very organised
guy who arranged the exchange visits with French students... landing my parents
with a total nutter who came to stay for about 3 long weeks!!.
Although
humour probably wasn’t his thing, he did have his moments... I remember him telling
us about one student doing his French Oral.. and Fred asked him.. "Votre
maison... combien d'etages
a t'il?"... the student's eyes bulging in panic until he
lunged at the answer..."er..... il n'est pas d'etage...er.. il est semi d'etage" (Allright, allright... I'm
only repeating it!!!) Anyway, I will certainly send a letter to Fred.. and wish
him well. (Colin Calvert)
A remarkable fact about 'Fred' Holmes' lessons
I recall was that there wasnever even the slightest recourse to indiscipline or disturbances
like whispering. Fred did nothing visible or audible to effect this, boys were
quite and expectant the moment he entered, so how was this so? One can hardly
put it down to 'charisma', or that he had won us over through jokes...totally
non-existant as they were, unless perhaps some weak
near-pun on a French expression.
Perhaps it was because he was so concentrated
on teaching French - correctly and effectively without a wasted breath - that
we felt we had to behave as model students; that is, as equally serious adults?
His manner was never at all condescending, as Wally Walters' could be... not to
mention the oft-scornful Pilling, the Olympian attitude of Newth,
the sometimes unnerving foxiness of Fox or the proto-militaristic treatment of
us by Schofield. I think I took to Mr. Holmes for the way he instead respected
us for something other than mere boys, and naturally so without pretence... something
like future linguists, travellers and Francophiles - as he already was himself.
(Robert Priddy)
Robert, you're right. Fred was exactly the same 1953-60. One slight amendment to your account: he never cracked jokes but nevertheless had a good sense of humour, and still has! There was often good natured laughter in his classes. He took a personal interest in each student's progress, which helps account for the good discipline in his classes. I marvelled that his lessons were simultaneously relaxing and stimulating. He and Aubrey Pope were my main teachers in the 6th form. I have many reasons for being grateful to them both. (Tom Little)
I don't recall any jokes at all by Fred H. He was a really serious guy, nevertheless a very efficient & dedicated teacher. Also, as already mentioned in these pages, the main mover in the music activities of the school over many years. (TT)
As a student from "Fred" Holmes' later,
white-haired years, may I add to the general plaudits being passed in his direction.
Such knowledge of French as I retain is mainly down to four years of his teaching,
and definitely not the year of Fox I had when I first joined the school. I remember
Mr. Holmes as being, rather like J.S. Smith, a man whose authority did not stem
from a stern countenance and a bullying manner à la
Now, if we could bottle the essence
of that and sell it to teacher training colleges...........
I was delighted
to hear that "Fred" is still alive and well and very active. Let us
hope the shock of suddenly receiving (and trying to answer) the dozens of letter
hon. members have pledged to send him doesn't have any adverse effect ! (John
Bailey)
Francis Holmes was a distinguished teacher of modern languages,
and a modest, selfless man who was apt to be underestimated. Unusually, he did
not drink beer, or much else apparently, which explains his good health at the
age of 92. He ran the Essex and Paris Anglo-French
schools for more years than one could count, and his one indulgence was a cup
of tea at Victoria Station on the way back from
Fred
taught me French up to 'A' level, well enough for me to win third prize in a national
French essay writing competition - an unforgettable week in
Fred
Holmes - amongst the many things he undertook was to accompany the school football
teams the annual away fixture at
The other occasion I experienced (religious kind of experience) that was when, during the days of psychedelia, we walked to the church roughly opposite Pettit's Lane for the Xmas carol concert. We were so 'hip' and ready to mock carol-singing, but once Fred Holmes had reined us in and the music started the tears suddenly ran down my face. I had no explanation, I just felt for the first time the sorrow of lost innocence and woke up to the awareness that it was over and life would never feel the same. The carol-concert was my own little pilgrimage back into the memories of a soft and peaceful time at junior school. I felt guilty for feeling ashamed of my friends mocking Fred Holmes for something which so clearly gave him pleasure. It all seemed so wrong somehow in that little haven of the church and the innocence of Xmas carols. (Ian MaCauley)
Subject: Geography
Nickname 'Harry'
(He was) another army officer
but he left to take a headship in
Harry was a finalist (I believe he came in third) in the 1948 Olympic
Games in
He played the clarinet (?) and played from the start in the first school dance band with Graham Bond. (RP)
Harry Askew - he was not a hurdler as MM thought but a long jumper. I am afraid he did not come third in the 1948 Olympics but 4th. He was an outstanding coach and athletics was never of a higher standard than at the time he was running it. His coaching led to Eric Robinson becoming National Schools champion in the Triple Jump and the holder of the English Triple Jump record Under his leadership several of us took part in the LAC Schools Sports at the White City and the school won both the Bickersteth (I think that's the spelling) Cup for Field Events and The Champion Russell Cup for track events contested by schools in the north and east of London in the mid 1950's. My own personal memories are highlighted by his kindness and encouragement particularly when he walked me round and round convincing me I could win the 880yards final in the Champion Russell in 1956. Harry was also a useful cricketer and at the risk of being even more unpopular with MM I believe he played The Double Bass for Graham Bond and also in the School Orchestra. Other staff in the orchestra at the time were Fred Holmes and Tug Wilson (Ken Saxby)
Ken Saxby is probably right when he says Harry Askew was a long jumper and not a hurdler. Not being into athletics they probably seemed very similar to me. He had a funny shape that man. Broad shoulders tapering down to very skinny legs. He wore glasses, had black hair slightly greying and spikey and quite a rasping voice. Wore a camel hair sports coat a great deal. I didn't particulary dislike him, it was just that his sense of humor and mine differed. I thought the Cross Country farce was funny. He didn't. It cost myself, Delmonte and McGregor four each from Scruff. (Mike Merry)
OL Merry reminded us of Harry Askew. He coached us in the school athletic
team in 1950 and we did well winning the interschool 4x110 at Palmers School
at Grays. It was the first serious athletics coaching we had ever had. A very
nice guy.
Incidentally he won the AAA long jump about 49/50 with a jump of 23 feet 7
inches if I recall correctly. This is 7.19 metres and would have put him 5th
in the '48 Olympics! (Bernard Coe)
Reference to the pole vault coaching I am aware that Harry Askew introduced the pole vault to the school around 1949. I remember a chum (Keith Ashton) having one or two painful experiences (under the tutelage of HA) as he tried to clear 8 feet! Pole vaulting (perhaps like ski jumping) has no simple and soft introduction to its skills. (Bernard Coe 43-51)
Subject: History
Nickname 'Buff' from '
(Room 9) 'Buff' was short for '
From the Announcements in The Daily Telegraph, 24-Jan-2003: Sadie (nee Morris), widow of Norman, former Geography Teacher at The Royal Liberty School, Romford, died in her sleep 19th January, aged 93. Funeral, Upminster Crematorium, 28th January, 12:30pm. Donations, in lieu of flowers, St Francis Hospice, Havering, c/o James Hawes, 222 North Street, Romford. (J. Alan Smith)
'Buffalo' lived in the flats by Barclays Bank in Gidea Park. I think he lived alone and that the flat was in 'Balgores Crescent'. Didn't he have a son at school? He ('Buffalo') taught me Geography in Room 9. I particularly remember 'cyclostyled' (i.e. very poor quality - purple ink) copies of maps of India, marking the various tea and cotton growing areas.(Andy Lee)
Yes the flat was (still is!) at the end of Balgores, almost next to Barclays Bank. Curved bays, black metal windows, white painted walls. I never pass there without recalling something very sad that he said to me. 'Never marry anyone who is less in love with you than you are with them.' Must be a sad tale there. I think he lived alone.(David West)
His wife was known as 'Mrs Buff' and his son (an RLS pupil) as 'Little Buff'.[DGM]
Very nice soft spoken bloke who was amazed when in one of the mock "O" level exams I managed to write almost word for word, an article on alluvial soil that was in one of the geography books. I had very good recall powers even then. [MM]
I recall Buff Brooks as a quiet, placid gentleman. I think he gained a lot of respect. He seemed to care for his first year boys, helping them to settle into the school. It was impossible to be in his class without being mesmerised by the pendulous dark polyp on his neck, which would catch on his shirt collar as he moved his head, flicking up & down. There were often marks of blood on the collar. I suppose he had been advised against having it removed, but I would have preferred him to have kept it covered out of sight. (John Hawkins)
Peter Robinson recalled 'Buff (?) Brooks - colouring in maps!'
I remember playing right back for the Junior
Colts at
N.B. KITTLE (1949-1954)
Subject: History
Nicknames 'Gaffer', 'Killer'
"The pen may be stronger than the sword...but I'd rather have a sword in a dark alley" - Gaffer Kittle 1951. I wonder? (Mike Merry)
He taught History (we had him for Ancient History ), and his empire was the corner room on the Ground Floor on the far right as you go in. [Room 22]. He was very large, fierce, and immensely strong. Wore a gown. He had a habit of throwing sharp bits of chalk at innocent pupils (some other teachers had similar habit ). When we were queuing up outside the classroom in keen anticipation of the lesson, he would often come out, and 'lean' against the front of the queue if it was not exactly positioned according to his liking, thus propelling 30 potential historians unceremoniously some yards backwards. [TT]
... he of the enormous hands. He used to hit regularly a class-mate of mine...Ian Calvert (& others). I managed to keep my head down when Gaffer K. lost his temper. It's strange how teachers had a habit of picking on certain boys. It probably didn't do Ian too much harm ( he later completed a PhD in maths., subsequently qualified in medicine, and became a GP ). [JAS]
My cousin Nobby Clark had been a favorite of his and he expected me to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately as a slacker this was not possible. He had a hell of a hooked nose, did wear a gown (as did most of the masters at that time) and indeed, did inhabit that corner room (I think it was room 7). [MM]
My main memory is of his checking the textbooks being handed in for artistic additions and clouting the perpetrators round the head while those who had not yet handed in their textbooks were busy with their erasers (I was going to say 'rubbers', but you have to be careful nowadays). A detailed biographical note by Ernie Pilling is given in the December 1952 School Magazine. [JAS]
I was dropped in it by others… what a gullible lad I was!.. The desks in his room had integral seats... and I was at the front when all those behind me propelled the desk in front of them forward with their feet... so that I was shot into the blackboard like a rocket. Gaffer didn’t waste any words. I got the huge dinner-plate hand on the side of the head... which knocked me and the desk over sideways. [CC]
The name of the history master concerned was N.B. Kittle. A tribute from Ernie Pilling in the Magazine for December 1952 states that he retired at the end of the Summer Term after 30 years service. (JAS)
Was known to some as Killer Kittle due to a tremendous cuff he administered once to a boy in my class when greatly rattled. It caused injury to the boy's hearing and led to a public apology in class after parents etc. intervened! [Robert Priddy]
I also remember the favourite punishment dished out by GAFFER KITTLE (Ancient History), which was to approach a unsuspecting sitting boy from behind, with a text book in each of his huge hands, then crush the boys head between the two books. I only ever spoke out of turn once in his class and it probably explains my erratic behaviour for the past 45 years. (Robert Stevens)
One anecdote about "Gaffer" Kittle. I once saw him strike Paul
Nicholls so hard that his head hit the downpipe of the radiator system. The
result was a massive bump the size of the proverbial egg. Kittle was so alarmed
that he took him to the masters' common-room for a "nice cup of tea"
and a spot of buttering up no doubt. Gaffer's farewell speech to
the school assembly was embarrassingly emotional, so it may have been that
he was on edge at the thought of retiring. (Geoffrey Moring)