THE PETERITE Vol. XLIX
OCTOBER, 1957
No. 346
EDITORIAL Most readers will be familiar with the story of the small child who, on learning of the death of Charles Dickens, asked if Christmas would die too. This typically sentimental legend illustrates the close link in the mind of nineteenth century England between the great novelist and that Victorian idea of Christmas which he had done so much to create. Perhaps some kindred emotion was provoked by the announcement made towards the end of term that Major D. K. Crews was resigning his command of the Combined Cadet Force. Not that any of us really thought that the C.C.F. was doomed to extinction (indeed we have every confidence that under the able guidance of Squadron Leader D. G. Cummin, who succeeds to the Command, it will continue to flourish as successfully and efficiently as ever), but the association of the Corps with Major Crews was so deeply ingrained in our consciousness that, momentarily at any rate, we found it difficult to conceive of the one without the other. Of the wisdom of Major Crews relinquishing this onerous, though to him congenial burden there can, we think, be little doubt. With the growth of the School in recent years the duties of a House Master have become ever more exacting, and it is abundantly clear that a limit must be set to the services, however willingly and wholeheartedly given, which any one master can be allowed to give to our general life outside the class-room. As was to be expected, Major Crews has given up his command regretfully and with reluctance, but none of us can withstand the inexorable pressure of circumstances. Of the great services which Major Crews has rendered to the C.C.F. it is perhaps almost superfluous to talk here. They are familiar and axiomatic to the many generations of Cadets who have passed through his hands since he took over the command on his return to the School in 1946 after a distinguished career of military service during the war. His tireless and infectious enthusiasm, his meticulous efficiency, and his wide military experience—his own war service included, besides the command of an O.C.T.U. at Barmouth, active service with the Sherwood Foresters in Greece, North Africa,
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