Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

I accept that your friend got it right in that case, but that still doesn't answer the question. Do Old Blues have a particular way of standing, or walking, or looking people straight in the eye? He must have spotted some common characteristic - if so, what was it?

Just as an aside, on my first day at Sandhurst in 1956, the new intake in my company - some 20 of us, as I recall- was lined up in single rank and the Company Sergeant-Major walked along, asking each where he had been to school. The better known public schools (Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Radley, etc) merited a shrug, lesser known boarding schools an indifferent, wordless glance, grammar schools an obvious sneer, but my "Christ's Hospital, sir" was acknowledged with one word "Excellent." I never understood why and, of course, I was too terrified of him to ask for an explanation. An Old Blue had very recently won the "Sword Of Honour" so perhaps that had something to do with it.

David

Foureyes wrote:"...claimed to be able to 'spot' an otherwise unknown OB...."
That begs the question - how did he know?

My mother claimed this ability too, but it was only for male OBs. She said they walked differently. When shoes were provided did you have a double sole on them so they lasted longer? She thought it was a combination of this and wearing Housey.

When she visited us in Borneo, she spotted an OB, someone that I didn't even know was one!

I suppose that with all 4 brothers having been to housey I wouldn't think they were any different from other students. But how did someone pick Ian out? - he was quiet but seemed ordinary to me.

Foureyes wrote:I accept that your friend got it right in that case, but that still doesn't answer the question. Do Old Blues have a particular way of standing, or walking, or looking people straight in the eye? He must have spotted some common characteristic - if so, what was it?

Just as an aside, on my first day at Sandhurst in 1956, the new intake in my company - some 20 of us, as I recall- was lined up in single rank and the Company Sergeant-Major walked along, asking each where he had been to school. The better known public schools (Eton, Harrow, Wellington, Radley, etc) merited a shrug, lesser known boarding schools an indifferent, wordless glance, grammar schools an obvious sneer, but my "Christ's Hospital, sir" was acknowledged with one word "Excellent." I never understood why and, of course, I was too terrified of him to ask for an explanation. An Old Blue had very recently won the "Sword Of Honour" so perhaps that had something to do with it.
David

The CSM would have realised that he was not dealing with a squit who didn't know left from right and who could march, who was already well disciplined and who wouldn't go crying to mummy whenever a harsh word was uttered. The CSM might have known that CCF basic training was then compulsory - one fewer headache for the instructors. I don't know how much of this, if any, applies to the other schools. One thing about CH is that we were forced to stand upright instead of slouching; IMHO this was a combination of the marching, some housemasters and the very weight of the coat (23lbs in my last year) we had to carry.

sejintenej wrote: and the very weight of the coat (23lbs in my last year) we had to carry.

Grecians' coats were notably lighter and much more pleasant to wear as a result.

Foureyes wrote:"...claimed to be able to 'spot' an otherwise unknown OB...."
That begs the question - how did he know?

Slightly off subject but when I was a volunteer in Costa Rica (1971), I used to go to the British Embassy to read the newspapers.
Once, another young brit came in and we got chatting, agreeing to go for a beer.
As we walked down the road, he suddenly asked me to repeat some gesture I had just made. Since I was walkin,g takling and gesticulating I was at a bit of a loss, but it was some hand/arm movement.
He then claimed that his flatmate in the UK did the same thing.
Silly question, who was his flatmate?

Dave Lyddon, a contemporary of mine in Barnes A!!!

Still not sure what it was but my brother (Mid A), reckons it was some masonic like gesture, but neither of us know what it is, so it remains an unconcious gesture.

I have found another Kluth, Caroline A, CH Hertford and Barnes A 1984-91, This makes five siblings; still two short of what must be the record Davis contingent.
On another topic what is the successive family generation record of Old Blues? I believe that Peter Hill (Maine B 43-49) and Valerie Skinner (Ward 2 44-52) one of whom is the offspring of an Old Blue had a grandchild in Coleridge which makes four generations. Any advance on this?
Chris Bartlett

I have now found another Kluth.Stephen J. Maine A and Mid A 1972-79 making six altogether.
Chris B

The 'recognition' of OB's by their demeanour, MAY have something to do with the fact that discipline was tight at school, to the point of being military.

Take marching into meals as just one example.

As far as John H's comments are concerned, we were both in the school band at the same time under the highly critical eye of 'Bill' Bailey, Ex R.M's. He expected and got a far higher standard of marching and posture than the rest of the school.

Maybe that has something to do with it.