R M Wingfield School House 1935 – 1939
Looking back, the perspective is that many years of intensive searching could have been saved if the curriculum (At Aldenham or at a university other than the British Navy) had included instruction on the following :
Ø What to eat
Ø What thinking is and how to lead and control thought
Ø Acceptance of a Power (whether labelled God, The Buddah, The Self, The Source or Principle etc) superior to the minds of men and women
Ø The Universal and Eternal identity of Man
Ø How to see the objective world and to take responsibility for what we project
In other words, an exploration beyond religion, philosophy and science. Pythagoras and Socrates had good schools in the oral tradition. However, since Plato, the West seems to have been slave to logic and to mentality out of control.
I often sing praises of Aldenham since if prepared me to sail the High Seas under the white ensign, patrolling the English Channel and the Mediterranean invading Normandy, minesweeping the approaches to Venice etc. Canadians cannot picture a 23 year old having command of an HM Ship when mostly they are still at school at that age. It equipped me to put the future in perspective, to move to the “New World”, to earn a 30-year career as a worldwide Chartered Accountant. It enabled me to respect the Monarchy as a guiding light beyond the egos of politicians.
An area I noticed on arriving in Canada which was different from UK – sports. Whereas I had been used to participating in sports both during and after school days, in North America the accent seemed to be on being a spectator rather than a participant. That of course is in line with the screen mesmerism – TV and laptop.
I was back at Aldenham once on a visit to England. The Headmaster took me on a tour of he School, especially the new gym. I was appalled at the lack of respect form the lolling students for the one guiding their education. Also that the students had not kept up the grounds, particularly the Headmaster’s garden. Were they learning anything about service?
There is not much remembrance about pre-war politics, although it was a pity that a trip to the Black Forest was cancelled in 1939. Some photos are included. They reflect more on the amateur’s photography than the age of the buildings!
Memories jotted down are:
Ø George Vasey was a great homeowner to welcome a new boy
Ø Cocky Clift was a great teacher of squash, and of the birds and the bees
Ø The OTC taught me never to join the army
Ø Sgt Buckingham’s voice was a lesson in authority
Ø A black dog was supposed to haunt the cricket field
Ø Lopper Allsop, teaching Latin was supposed to have had his shoes laces tied by the front row
Ø It was tough to break the ice on the hand wash basins in the dorm
Ø But the morning cold bath certainly woke one up
Ø The compulsory long distance run was a delight when not in a team game
Ø We remembered many versions of before lunch Grace besides the Latin one
Ø Sailing on the reservoir was a great preparation to sailing on the East Coast during the holidays.
Years are now valuable and there is little benefit in putting attention on the past unless lessons can be learned.