Obituary—Paymaster Rear-Admiral N. F. Roy, R.N

Numerically, too, we are stronger than ever. Notwithstanding an unusually large exodus in July, we begin the year 1942-43 with increased numbers. The problem of an exceptionally large entry coupled with diminished accommodation might, indeed, have been formidable, had it not been for the timely opportunity which occurred (and was unhesitatingly seized) of acquiring No. 17 Clifton, a commodious house immediately adjoining the School. The purchase of this house, which can be incorporated within the ambit of the grounds, conveniently rounds off the School property on the York side. This addition, for which the School authorities have long hoped, solved at a stroke most of our difficulties. Not only does it make good the accommodation lost as a result of the raid but it gives us the third boarding-house which is required by our numbers and which for some time has been envisaged by School policy. The new house has now (at the beginning of the Winter Term) come into being under the housemastership of Mr. G. F. Jackson, and we take this opportunity of wishing "the Manor" (no new name to Peterites) all success and prosperity. The three boarding houses—Manor, Rise and School House—are all of approximately the same number, and each contains a contingent of day-boarders. The benefit of this equalization of numbers, both from the point of view of administration and inter-house competition, will be considerable.

In common with many other schools throughout the country we ran a farming camp during the summer holiday, some account of which is given on another page. There was, perhaps, a claim to distinction in the fact that our camp was maintained throughout the entire holiday, and certainly great credit is due to all who, after so strenuous and trying a term, could yet produce the not-inconsiderable effort necessary to cope with its organization.

Altogether we may feel justifiable pride that St. Peter's has successfully surmounted a crisis which, in some respects, perhaps, was unique in its long history, and which was not without possibilities of disaster. We enter upon the new School year stronger than ever, fortified by our endeavours and inspired by the difficulties through which we have just passed.

OBITUARY.

PAYMASTER REAR ADMIRAL N. F. ROY, R.N. (Retd.).

The death took place suddenly at Hastings on March 23rd of Paymaster Rear Admiral N. F. Roy, R.N. (Retd.).

He was the third son of the late Rev. James and Mrs. Roy, of Appleton Roebuck, Yorks, and was one of five brothers who were educated at St. Peter's between the years 1887-1903. Admiral Roy

was born in 1879 and was educated at St. Olave's School and later at St. Peter's. He left in 1896 to join the Navy, in which service he served for 38 years. He was an excellent forwvd at Rugby Football and in the School XV for several years, especially the year 1896-97, when the XV was a notable one.

He played football in many parts of the world, since he spent most of his football years on foreign service.

He served in the Mediterranean Fleet three times, China Station twice, also Cape Station, Bombay and West Indies and American Stations, as well as home service.

In the 1914-18 Great War he served on the Cape Station and took part in operations in South West Africa, Cameroons and East Africa. Later he was in the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow and on convoy work to the Norwegian ports. In 1921 he accompanied Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Everett to Australia as his Secretary when he was First Naval Member to the Australian Government, 1921-1924.

On his return from Australia he went with Admiral Everett, again as his Secretary, when he was Commander-in-Chief China Station, at the start of the troubles out there, in 1924-25.

After the retirement of Admiral Everett from ill health, Paymaster Commander Roy went as Accountant and Victualling Officer to H.M.S. Ganges at Shotley. On promotion to Paymaster Captain in 1930, he became Paymaster to the Destroyer Flotillas based on Malta from 1931-33.

His final service was back in H.M.S. Ganges, at Shotley, where he retired on age limit in 1934 with the rank of Paymaster Rear Admiral.

GEORGE SUMNER STEAD.

It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death on Active Service of Flight-Lieut. G. S. Stead, who was killed in the Middle East on June 22nd.

Mr. G. S. Stead joined the Staff of St. Peter's School in 1936, and as a Royal Air Force Reservist was called for Active Service on the outbreak of war. After final training he was sent to South Africa and thence to the Middle East.

In 1938 Mr. Stead was appointed Housemaster of Temple House and took up hi official residence at 1 St. Peter's Grove. In this capacity, with the able %ssistance of his wife, he did a tremendous amount of work for his House, and his untimely death is a particularly severe blow to those who experienced his kindness and sympathetic understanding in the House. His reputation as a teacher of Mathematics, with a special flair for imparting knowledge to those with little aptitude 3

for the subject, was very well deserved, and the success of his cricket and hockey coaching will long be felt in the School.

The tragic loss of "George," as he will always be remembered by his contemporaries, has deprived the School of one of its most valued and most loved masters. This war has dealt many bitter blows to our ancient School, but none harder to bear than this. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his widow, his small daughter, and his parents.

OLD PETERITE NEWS.

ROLL OF HONOUR.

M. Biggin J. W. Butler B. H. W. Jackson B. Lee (St. Olave's)

J. Dales J. B. Deas

R. C. Lynch H. A. Milburn S. Dodds L. H. W. Parkin J. M. Ferguson H. W. Richardson J. H. Fothergill W. L. Walters J. R. Hollington J. Williams (St. Olave's)

MISSING.

E. N. Dickenson S. P. Scott J. R. Rainford

PRISONERS OF WAR.

G. E. Cutforth J. B. Dixon D. F. Dodd M. S. Hodson W. J. Pennington

R. G. M. Quarrie B. V. Rhodes J. C. 0. Stansfield N. B. Stephenson J. D. Tattersall * * *

HONOURS AND DECORATIONS.

J. N. Bamforth—British Empire Medal (Civil Division) Air Vice-Marshal C. E. H. Medhurst—C.B. (Military Division) Squadron Leader L. H. W. Parkin—D.F.C. F/L. J. S. P. Phillips—D.F.C. C. Powell—Mentioned in Despatches Act. F/L. J. R. Rainford—D.F.C. and Bar Major C. D. Trimmer—D.S.O. P/0 E. W. Whitney—D.F.C. Sub-Lieut. R. T. Wolf—D.S.C.

KILLED IN ACTION.

JAMES WILFRED BUTLER.

It has now been officially presumed that Sergeant James Wilfred Butler, R.A.F., who has been missing since November last from a night operational flight over Germany, has been killed in action. J. W. Butler, who was 23 years old, was at St. Peter's as a day-boy from 1929 to 1935. We tender our sincere sympathy to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Butler, of Farndale Street, York.

BRIAN HOLROYD WATTS JACKSON.

News has been received that Major Brian H. W. Jackson, who was reported wounded and missing in the Middle East in June last, has died of wounds. Major Jackson, who was in the Green Howards, was in School House from 1920 to 1924. His home was at Sowerby, Thirsk. He was 34 years old. To his wife (née Elizabeth Eddison) and to his mother, Mrs. E. B. Jackson, of Greenways, Sowerby, we offer our sincere sympathy. * * *

RICHARD CHALLONER LYNCH.

The news that Pilot Officer R. C. Lynch had been killed on September 17th while on operations came as a great shock to a large number of the present School, both boys and staff, since he had left us as recently as July, 1940, to join the R.A.F. Entering St. Olave's in September, 1933 and proceeding to the Senior School in 1935, he enjoyed an eminently successful School career. He was Head of the School during his last two terms, from January to July, 1940, and Head of Temple House from September, 1939. At cricket he captained the XI in 1939 and 1940, played for the English Schools' XI v. Canadian Schoolboys at Lords in 1939, and represented the Public Schools on their Canadian tour in the same year. He was also captain of Hockey in 1940, and gained his Rugger Cap in 1939 and 1940. In his last term he was awarded the Crombie Memorial Prize.

Dicky Lynch is, however, remembered by many of us for qualities which cannot be measured by the accepted standards of school life. There was something in his character which gained him a popularity quite independent of his high standing in the School. His personal charm, his unfailing cheerfulness, and the sterling qualities which underlay his light-heartedness endeared him to all who knew him. There is none of his generation at St. Peter's who does not remember him with affection and who does not deeply regret his passing.

His body was found in a rubber dinghy, into which, presumably, he had managed to climb after being shot down. A funeral service was held at Clifton Parish Church, at which the Headmaster, House-

masters and other members of the School were present and in which the School Chaplain participated. He was 21 in March last, and the poignancy of the tragedy is emphasized by the fact that the birth of his son in July this year is recorded elsewhere in these notes. To his young widow, formerly Miss Pat Farrar, whom he married in July, 1941, and to his mother and brothers we extend our deepest sympathy.

WOUNDED AND PRISONER OF WAR.

News has been received that B. V. Rhodes has been wounded and is a prisoner of war. Rhodes was at the School from 1926 to 1929.

WOUNDED.

Lieut. John Rieveley Barton (Temple House, 1929-31), of the West Yorks. Regiment, has been wounded in the Middle tast. Barton, who was a sergeant in the Yorkshire Hussars at the beginning of the war, was transferred to the West Yorks. on receiving his commission eighteen months ago. He was in France and altogether has served abroad for some 21 years. In peace-time he played regularly for the York R.U.F.C. and captained the side. * *

PRISONER OF WAR.

The official casualty lists, published on September i7th, 1942, contain the name of Lieut. N. B. Stephenson, Green Howards, as prisoner of war. Stephenson, who was in the Rise, was at the School from January, 1932, to July, 1935. * * *

HONOURS AND DECORATIONS.

James Norman Bamforth has been awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) for bravery during fire-fighting at an Admiralty out-station where he is employed. Bamforth, who was at the School from 1922-1928, subsequently went to Oxford and was afterwards called to the bar.

According to a press account, a high explosive bomb very severely damaged the building and all the lights failed. Then at least seven fires broke out, due to sparking from damaged electric circuits.

Although severely shaken by blast and handicapped by fallen wreckage, Bamforth and his assistant extinguished the fires, thereby saving very valuable records.

They then turned off gas and electricity supplies at the main and, finding the hot water heating system had been fractured, endeavoured to draw the fire from the boiler furnace, but were driven back by fumes before they could complete the task.

During these operations the enemy were dive-bombing and machine-gunning over the building.

The D.S.C. has been awarded to Sub-Lieutenant Richard Timothy Wolf for "enterprise, skill and bravery in Madagascar." R. T. Wolf was in School House (1933-36) and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Wolf, of Burley-in-Wharfedale. We congratulate him on his distinction.

Pilot Officer E. W. Whitney, 149 Sq., is to be congratulated on the award of the D.F.C. Whitney was at St. Peter's from 1933 to 1938, having entered St. Olave's in 1931. The following account of the operation in which he and his wireless operator, Sgt. Cheek, distinguished themselves is reprinted from The Times. "On the night of June 5, P/O Whitney and Sgt. Cheek were the pilot and wireless operator respectively of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack the Rhur. While over the target, the aircraft was held by searchlights and subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire and considerably damaged. Despite this, P/O Whitney pressed home his attack and dropped his bombs in the target area. When leaving the target the aircraft was again hit by anti-aircraft fire and a fire was started in the front turret. This was eventually extinguished. The aircraft was then in collision with another aircraft and damaged at the rear. Sgt. Cheek inspected the damage and informed the pilot. During his passage along the aircraft he was wounded in the arm, but he returned to his cabin and sent out a message about the condition of the aircraft. While sending this message an attack was made by an enemy fighter and the wireless aerial was shot away. Other damage caused height to be lost rapidly. Although injured and in great pain Sgt. Cheek repaired his wireless set and succeeded in informing base of the position. P/O. Whitney, displaying skilful airmanship and great determination, eventually succeeded in alighting on the sea eight miles from the Belgian coast. The crew escaped by dinghy and all were rescued."

Lieut. C. Powell, who is serving with the Middle East forces, has been Mentioned in Despatches. Powell was at the School from 1925 to 1933, first at St. Olave's and then at St. Peter's. His brother, E. A. Powell (Temple House 1926-30) is also in the Middle East and was the only O.P. in the beleagured garrison of Tobruk, which withstood the first siege so long and so successfully. He was in the tank brigade which broke out of Tobruk to join up with units of the Eighth Army which advanced from the east in the winter of 1941. 7

OLD PETERITE BISHOP OF CROYDON.

A distinction has been bestowed on the School by the recent appointment of Maurice Henry Harland (St. Peter's Jan., 1912— Nov., 1914) to the Bishopric of Croydon. The appointment was announced in The Times' Ecclesiastical News as follows :- "The King has approved the appointment of the Rev. Maurice Henry Harland, M.A., vicar of St. Mary's, Windermere, and rural dean of Ambleside from 1938, to the Suffragan Bishopric and vicarage of Croydon, in succession to the Right Rev. W. L. Anderson, D.S.C., D.D., now Bishop of Portsmouth.

Like his predecessor, Mr. Harland served as an airman in the last war. He afterwards graduated from Exeter College, Oxford, was ordained in 1922 and held curacies at Leicester until 1933. He was then for five years vicar of St. Matthew's, Holbeck, Yorkshire."

BIRTHS.

ALDERSON—On 28th August, at Greenock, to Margaret (nee Cross), wife of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander B. Roxby Alderson,

Royal Navy, 39 Union Street, Greenock, a son. BUTTERFIELD—On October 3rd, 1942, at the Princess Christian

Nursing Home, Windsor, to Muriel (nee Trevor Williams), wife of Lt.-Col. F. H. Butterfield, Fifth Fusiliers, a daughter. CUTFORTH—On Sept. 16th, 1942, at the Imperial Nursing Home,

Cheltenham, to Vera, wife of Lt.-Col. L. E. Cutforth, R.A.O.C. —a daughter. ELLIOT SMITH—On Sept. 21st, 1942, at the Radcliffe Infirmary,

Oxford, to Nancy, wife of Arthur Elliot Smith, F.R.C.S.—a son. LYNCH—On 7th July, at Purey Cust Nursing Home, York, to Pat (née Farrar), wife of Pilot Officer Richard Challoner Lynch, a son. TROOP—On Sept. 22nd, 1942, at Wrecclesham Grange, Farnham, to

Irene (nee Sercombe), wife of Wing Commander C. L. Troop,

R.A.F.—a daughter.

MARRIAGE. SHILLITOE—ANDREWS ; on July 25th, at St. Margaret's Church,

Streatham Hill, by the Rev. A. Green, F/O. John Burton (Peter)

Shillitoe, Clifton Green, York, to June Winifred, only daughetr of the late Mr. J. Andrews and Mrs. Andrews, Streatham Hill,

London.