Housemasters' Lack of Privacy

[Kit Bartlett]

Has any ever considered how little privacy both Senior and Junior Housemasters had in earlier times as they were never really off duty?
Their study door was open to all and sundry , providing of course one knocked first, at practically all hours of the day.
Occasionally edicts were issued that the Housemaster was not to be disturbed in the evening.
Their bedrooms were right next to the dormitory areas . Although these would have been strictly out of bounds to all boys
visits to the Matron would have necessitated walking past the doors. The Block Matron also had a study and a bedroom.
There were a number of marriages between staff over the years. One wonders how this was fitted in to their busy life.
I recall seeing a Junior Housemaster out with an Infirmary nurse in the neighbourhood of Tower Hill one Sunday afternoon.
Their conduct, shall we say, was somewhat amorous. No names no pack drill!

[J.R.]

To be honest, I can't remember if we ever needed to contact masters after the evening in Cleridge B.

N.T. Fryer lived away across the Avenue, and Mr Hewitt's bedroom was next to one of the dorms. Myself and P. Wey, (both band buglers) only ever 'disturbed' him once on the very last day of term, when we both played Reveille at 6:00 am at full blast, army style, for which we both got beaten by Mr Hewitt in his PJ's and dressing gown at the time of punishment.

When we entered the dining hall for breakfast after, the rest of the school gave us a rousing cheer. Word travelled fast in those days

Sweet memories.