Sir John McClure and the Old Millhillians Club

William Wills (later Lord Winterstoke) (School 184247). In 1897, after the death of Scrutton (Treasurer of the School for 33 years between 1863 and 1896), Gunn took over the role and under his encouragement Marnham, Lord Winterstoke, Richard (Dickie) Buckland (School 1878-84), and Albert Spicer (189599), became huge financial benefactors to the School.

This financial support from old millhillians, who dominated the court of governors, heralded the commencement in 1905 of a major estate expansion programme starting with the new chapel and other important buildings still standing today: the Marnham Block, Winterstoke Library, the McClure Music school and close to McClure’s heart, the Cricket Pavilion.

A further measure of support McClure enjoyed from this group of old boys is encapsulated in an anecdote from a conversation between McClure and another newly appointed headmaster, also a friend. The new Headmaster complained that as a Master, he had only his Headmaster to report to, but now as a Headmaster, himself, he had 12 tyrants to answer to. McClure replied that he had 18 Governors and a Secretary to report to. The surprised friend said, ‘and you are alive to tell the tale?’ To which McClure replied, ‘Yes, because I have 19 friends and 19 coadjutors1.’

As instructed by Scrutton, McClure made efforts to maintain constant communication with Old Millhillians far and wide. Not only did he regularly attend the London annual dinners, where he gave 26 informative speeches during his tenure, he often attended the Northern, the Scottish, and the West of England functions, all held in Spring. Out a total of nine Cambridge dinners held in 14 years, he attended six. If staying at The Lion pub in Cambridge, he would often invite Old Boys to breakfast – occasions that were described as great fun. Indeed, as a result of the enthusiasm created by McClure’s new appointment, not only were new provincial dinners instituted including one in Leeds, but a Guarantee Fund was established to help insulate the School from an expected financial crisis.

By 1902, McClure was pleased to report at the Old Millhillians Club Annual Dinner that the school had achieved five University Scholarships, far higher than the share of peer schools.

One of the greatest shows of affection by the Old Millhillians for McClure was in 1912, when he celebrated his 21st year of Headmastership at an Old Millhillians Club dinner that followed celebrations at the School. The dinner was attended by many Old Millhillians from across the country, who made speeches in praise of McClure. When McClure rose to speak, in what the attending newspaper reporters termed: ‘Indescribable enthusiasm,’ the attendees chanted, ‘McClure is Mill Hill and Mill Hill is McClure!’

But if McClure’s successful tenure was built on the foundations of the support of rich, committed, and mature Old Millhillians already in service to the Club and School as Governors, he created a whole new generation of Old Millhillian supporters from the pupils during his time as Headmaster.

McClure was a complex character; a man of his time, but progressive; a polymath with multiple interests in mathematics, music, theology, and education. Pupils were a little in awe in his presence and he was not averse to a little sarcasm, but his most endearing traits, and why many pupils were so fond of him, were his paternal instinct, generosity, and kindness.

He took an interest in all his pupils during their time at Mill Hill and continued to do so when they left. Of the many letters between Old Millhillians and himself, which appear in his daughter’s biography, there is a particularly poignant example where he commiserates with an Old Millhillian, whose daughter has died. Obvious from the many letters is that old boys continued to communicate with McClure long after they left the School, often concerning very personal matters.

In another letter, McClure thanks an Old Millhillian for the gift of a cheque and acknowledges what the donor suspects, that McClure cannot accept it for himself, but he adds that there is a pupil of meagre resources, who has need of clothes for whom these funds will be useful. This letter not only exemplifies the esteem that McClure is held by an Old Millhillian, but also his attention to the needs to those within his charge.

Sadly, in his third decade at Mill Hill, the war broke out and McClure came to the terrible realisation that almost every Old Millhillian, who had fallen or was wounded during the conflict had been one of his pupils and he could name them all. McClure’s war is covered in another chapter The War Years 1914-1918 (see page 95), but it is apparent that McClure’s correspondence with old boys hit a whole new level of intensity, whether it was supporting a pupil’s decision to go to war, reassure an Old Millhillian or parent, or to commiserate for a loss of a son, husband, or brother.

The Old Millhillians Club took a risk that McClure was the man to turn around the fortunes of the School and they supported him unquestionably. Fortunately, McClure rose to that challenge and set the School on a trajectory, from which Mill Hill has never looked back.

Old Millhillians Club and M c Clure Memorabilia

This commemorative badge was awarded by the Old Millhillians Club to Annie Pearse Lady Resident or Matron of School House from 18991926 in celebration of her 21st anniversary at the School. Arguably, Annie was the first female Honorary Member of the Old Millhillians Club. Aside from being held with esteem and affection by Old Millhillians she was also a muchappreciated stalwart of the McClures so much so she accompanied Sir John’s widow to his funeral in 1922. Upon her retirement the Club presented her with a jewelled watch. She bequeathed the badge to Mary, Lady McClure, whose family in turn repatriated it to the Club. Each year the badge is presented to the incoming Vice President at the Old Millhillians Club Annual Dinner.