Old Millhillians

Once McClure’s position was confirmed by letter on 11 July 1891, Thomas Scrutton instructed McClure that his task was to improve the School’s fortunes by concentrating on the educational and pastoral needs of the boys while ‘providing the connecting link binding the Old Boys together’. He was specifically not required to concern himself with the administrative and financial aspects of the job which were to be shouldered by Old Millhillians: shortly after his appointment had been made, several Governors retired and the Old Millhillians Club nominated more Old Millhillians to the Court with the specific aim of strengthening practical support for what was considered a risky appointment, even if they and McClure shared the same vision for the School.

Other prominent Old Millhillians, who supported and had close personal relationships with McClure, were Herbert Marnham (School 1874-80), who was another old Cambridge friend of over ten years, and E H Mayo Gunn (School 1870-76) who in turn secured the interest of another eminent Old Millhillian,