Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

The glamorous teacher referred to by Neil was Miss E.M. Forster, She was not the first lady
to be employed on the staff however.
Predecessors include :-
1941 Mrs E.M. Cooke, Mrs. M.K. Corfe, Miss C.A.M. Barlow, Miss D.A. Harvie,
1942 Miss M.S. Bays, Mrs. A. Barber, Mrs. B. Sanderson,
1943 Mrs M Mabey, Miss Newsam, Mrs O. Mathew, Miss Brooke, Mrs R. Hurst, Frau E. Paneth,
1944 Miss M/.A. Crofton-Sleigh ,Miss E.M. Blott
1945 Miss E.M. Beaumont Mrs E. Abram
Chris B.

I only remember one ----- now why would that be ?

Some stayed on after the war. Mrs Hurst was my first form mistress (LF C). We always addressed her as Sir.

DavidRawlins wrote:Some stayed on after the war. Mrs Hurst was my first form mistress (LF C). We always addressed her as Sir.

She was still there when I started in 1959. She taught me in the second form, although I can't remember her subject.

DavidRawlins wrote:Some stayed on after the war. Mrs Hurst was my first form mistress (LF C). We always addressed her as Sir.

All I remember about her is that she would give us the Anglo-Saxon derivations of names of local towns and villages.

She gave us a long talk on the Suez Crisis. I remember very little about it, except that she had obviously swallowed the govt. line. She referred to the Israelis as 'stupid people' for attacking Egypt, without realizing that they were putting the Anglo-French plan into effect.

What was and is the official line on staff imparting political prejudice when teaching pupils?
I remember L.M.Carey advising his history class that the main cause of the First World War was "the beastly Prussian nature".He was, shall we say, one of the old school of thought and presumably thought that the world had not moved on very satisfactorily from the pre-ordered days of 1914. He did not believe much in the then creature comforts of the nineteen forties although he admitted that pithead baths for coal miners were obviously a good thing.
Chris Bartlett.

jhopgood wrote:

DavidRawlins wrote:Some stayed on after the war. Mrs Hurst was my first form mistress (LF C). We always addressed her as Sir.

She was still there when I started in 1959. She taught me in the second form, although I can't remember her subject.

I'm pretty sure that English was her subject, John, and I know she often took 'detentions'.

Kit Bartlett wrote:What was and is the official line on staff imparting political prejudice when teaching pupils?
I remember L.M.Carey advising his history class that the main cause of the First World War was "the beastly Prussian nature".He was, shall we say, one of the old school of thought and presumably thought that the world had not moved on very satisfactorily from the pre-ordered days of 1914. He did not believe much in the then creature comforts of the nineteen forties although he admitted that pithead baths for coal miners were obviously a good thing.
Chris Bartlett.

I was "Brought up" by L M Carey, rather than my Parents (40-46 ) since he saw more of me than my Parents.
Having read Kit Bartlett's post, I agree that he had views which I tend to admire today !!!

As to the "Suez Crisis" I was there, and we did not, as Paras, appreciate the fact that the Egyptians were warned of our intention to take the Airport.
A Medical Officer, had a facial wound, but nevertheless carried out his duties -- I believe with only one eye -- and got a well-deserved V C !

We heard that Barbara Castle had said that she was ashamed to be British ----- Our general opinion (Under fire ) was that she should hand in her passport !

Radio communication with the UK was terrible -- I had not heard a shot fired in 12 hours, and I could see Suez, in my binoculars ----- The USA then put it's oar in, and we were ordered to retire, and go home.

God bless LM Carey -- who, I believe went on to be a Housemaster at Sherborne.


Of course, his views never affected me ! ----- although it might be the fact that I am of a "Soldiering Family "

(Retires to Dugout, donning Tin Hat !)

My father-in-law was recalled after having served, to go out to Suez.

His recollections are that it was the most badly managed operation by HMG that he ever came across.

As far as Madam Castle is concerned, she should have been shot in the Tower as a traitor !

Lionel Mohun Carey became Head Master of Bromsgrove School after leaving C.H.
Was he the only Senior Housemaster who insisted on cold baths every morning ?

I seem to remember Miss Forster and Miss Cooke from the Prep in 1946-7. One very early developer found he could, from a particular position in the dorm, see into Miss Forster's room. Most of the rest of us couldn't see why.

Fannie Hurst was my form teacher in LFB 1947-8. She had a sort of puppet theatre via which we 'did' Richard III. The game was to try and get paper pellets into her hairnet using a pea shooter.

Suez was good-oh, don't knock it. Our complete military success was in effect sold to the Americans who were messing us up financially. Eisenhower later had the grace to admit that this was the biggest foreign policy mistake of his Presidency. It gave Nasser a 'Victory' which in my opinion was the start of the evils we face today.

There are only two specific classes I recall from my Housie days. One was Pop Bevan explaining the Periodic Table, the other - and hence this post - was Mrs Hurst explaining the Korean War, which had broken out the day before. She dropped whatever it was that was supposed to be the subject of that lesson and instead talked about Korea, which was just as well as none of us had the vaguest idea where it was, let alone that it had been divided after WW2 or why the North had invaded. Nor, indeed, did we have the slightest inkling that the British would be involved. Her explanation - which was very clear - was much appreciated and, as this post proves, memorable!
David

I believe I am correct that female teaching staff were not admitted to the Masters'Common Room
when first appointed during WW 2, They were presumably given an alternative place to eat and socialise. This did not prevent a number of Inter staff marriages however Miss Bays , Miss Barlow and Miss Tyrell all married CH Masters.
Chris Bartlett

Ah yes !!----- cold baths in Ba B.
They lasted all of 5 seconds, and of course there was that delicious sense of warmth afterwaeds !