M J F Shaw Cox’s / McGill’s 1934 – 1939
I am an OA, now in my 82nd year, who was in Cox’s House from September 1934 to July 1939. I was a classicist, passed School certificate in July 1935, then spent 3 years (unheard of!) in the Classical L6th before my final year in the U6th where I obtained my Higher Certificate, to the surprise of my Classics ushers!
I enjoyed my times at Aldenham, but 5 years was too long. After I left School World War 2 was on us within about 6 weeks. I joined the Army straight away and had to forego my intended legal studies at Cambridge, which never started, and, therefore, never happened. Apart from one year in the banking world between 1939 and 1940 I spent more than 11 years away from home, either at Aldenham or On His Majesty’s Service.
We were well taught at school but there was too much in the way of religion. House prayers, virtually daily, morning Chapel most weekdays, two services on Sundays and a Divinity lesson during the week. There was no social life at school apart from a Sunday exeat of 6ľ hours thrice a term. Any contact with the female of the species was definitely frowned upon. One dare not even speak to a female on the road outside the School.
There was a great emphasis on sport. If, like myself, one did not have a particular aptitude for organised games in the afternoon a cross-country run in the Letchmore Heath area was the order of the day.
I very much enjoyed the Thursday parades of the OTC. I ended up as a Cadet CSM in the Corps and that was a great benefit when I joined the Army. I am all in favour of training in the Navy, Army or Air Force for young people. It is great fun and now, I am afraid, too little of it.
Although I was at School in 1938 I have no recollection of a visit by members of Hitler Youth.
One thing that did irk was the utter lack of privacy. It was only in my final 2 years that the Praeposters in my House finally enjoyed the provision of a joint study. The old classrooms in houses were soul destroying, and there was no escape. Furthermore, the dormitories lacked any privacy and even the Praes had to endure them.
I think Aldenham, on the whole, was a happy School. It was a good School and relations between Ushers and boys were very good. The Ushers certainly used to spend long periods of their careers at Aldenham.