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Having transferred
from Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall, when my
parents moved home, I was at KNGS only from September
1947 to December 1948, having one term in the fourth
form, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth before
leaving (NOT in disgrace, I hasten to add, for I fancy
my School Certificate was of a good standard). At the
time I was on the register as H B Smith, my change of
name coming some years later. Having just spent a
delightful afternoon browsing your site, I think I can
at last contribute something, although small, to one
of my old schools. Nicknames of Former Masters drew
me, as might be expected, like a moth to a flame, and
I was surprised to find that so few of the masters had
their familiar names included. So let me observe that
Mr Peter Alfred Rhymes was known to all of my vintage
as 'Nunky'. I well remember Splasher Wareham (I was
one who sat in the front row from time to time and
know why he merited that name), Pop Wright, Sam
Ecclestone (whose observation on sundry physical facts
that 'the beauty is not far to seek' has remained with
me ever since), and Piggy Hindle. Of the latter I have
today learned just why he was called Piggy; I never
knew it came from his 'Pig Club' before my time. I do
remember, however, his habit of spinning round and
throwing - with great accuracy - the blackboard rubber
at the head of anyone heard talking when he should not
have been.
I doubt whether anyone either at School or among the
Old Boys will recall me; my stay was too short. But I
have fond memories of my time at the School. I played
in, as far as I know, the first Rugby XV formed, in
1947 - this based solely on my having played at Queen
Mary's and having had no experience of soccer. So,
when rugby was considered as an alternative winter
game, I was included as being someone who had played
before. I recall our first match: we played a side
from Birmingham University in a 'friendly'. We lost
51:3, but had the malicious satisfaction of seeing one
of the opposition carried off with a broken leg.
Should anyone be misguided enough to want to telephone
me, I can be reached in Anglesey on 01407 840196.
With kindest regards to staff, present pupils, and Old
Boys.
Harry Bernard-Smith
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