Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 22 text:

SELWYN HOUSE SCHOOL MAGAZINE The next day we arose at six thirty, had four rolls and some tea for breakfast, and then began to march to Berlin in military formation. We stopped every now and then in order to join up with more detachments, mostly of Hitler's Youth Camp. Around twelve we arrived at a huge square in the heart of Berlin where we were halted and placed all around the outside. Then 75,000 of Hitler's Youth Camp filled in the centre. After a long wait, during which we sat down on the ground, the Olympic Torch Bearer arrived amidst loud cheers and lit the Olympic flame in a huge bowl. Speeches followed for an- other half-hour and then we marched to the Olympic Grounds where we received two Bologna sandwiches for lunch. Afterwards we paraded to the Main Stadium, which seats one hundred and ten thousand people, and watched the opening of the Games. That evening fthe meal consisted ofa howl of soup and rye breadl we again marched back to the ground, where we witnessed a grand pageant put on by 45,000 of Hitler's Youths, both boys and girls taking part. The routine was the same every day. We would rise at six-thirty, have breakfast which consisted of four rolls and some tea, march to the Games around nine, come back for lunch, return in the afternoon, and then finally have dinner in the camp. We were sup- posed to be in the camp every night by ten o'clock but after much trouble we were allowed to stay later if we had a pass signed by our Master. The games were run off in the most etiicient fashion and there was a general feeling of good-will throughout the whole aFfair. The grounds were simply magnificent and it would be foolish to try and describe them. The big stadium held 110,000 people, the swimming stadium 20,0004 the polo field 50,000g the football held 30,000 and so on until the seating capacity reached a tremendous total. Of course, it was impossible to see everything at once as many things were going on at the same time, but l think we all managed to witness a little of everything as we all had passes which allowed us to go any- where we wanted for nothing. We were able to hop around from one event to another. These passes also enabled us to ride on any public vehicle such as buses, undergrounds, etc., free of charge. This cut down our travelling expenses but we soon spent these savings on food because the rations served in the camp were so coarse and unappetizing that we were forced to eat in a cafe across the street. One day 11 boy was caught crawling under the fence and as a punishment was made to clean potatoes and wash dishes for a day. That's German discipline l lt did not take us long to demilitarize the camp. The second morning we turned out for Hag raising in our py-iamas, and on the following mornings we noticed other people doing the same thing. We were supposed to march to meals but we soon ceased and again other Nations followed suit. We were also required to march to and from the grounds fhalf a milel and usually there would be crowds watching and waving. In return we would also wave but the other boys kept looking straight ahead and marched very stifiiy, but soon came out of their shell and acted as boys should. Altogether it was a wonderful experience for all, and we owe the German people grateful thanks for the opportunity of visiting the lfatherland. They may have given us indifferent food, been rigid in discipline, but that is life over there and after all that is what we wanted to see. After Berlin we crossed on the S. S. Fiuropa to lfngland, where we were billeted in a Hostel of the University of l.ondon for two weeks, which was not really enough time ll3l

Page 21 text:

FOR THE SCHOOL YE.-XR l936e 1937 I now have about six thousand dollars a month for myself and family to live on. I expect to be able to put three thousand dollars in the Bank each month, for other char- ities, travelling expenses, and as a reserve. I would like to live in a small house in the country where I could have a nice garden and swimming pool, also a few dogs and horses. I only want two or three servants. I would pay them well and treat them well, and this would make me very happy. T.B., Form III. The Zluniur Qblpmpic Ulnur - 1936 We sailed on july llrh from Quebec in the Empress of Britain , and after a very slow voyagef due to fog- arrived at Southampton on the 15th where we started to see things because at that time the Queen Mary was in dry dock. W'e spent ten days in a School House at Eastbourne, and travelled around the south of England seeing Dover Castle, many of the old Roman Ruins and other interesting sights. The town of Hast- bourne treated us very well, where we were welcomed by the Mayoress, a lady being the leading citizen in this seaside resort. During our travels in these parts we were invited to a Flower Show which had been opened by Lady Willingdon to whom each boy was introduced. Throughout the tour the Master in charge of the party was liberal in granting special privileges, so long as we played the game . On our way to Southampton, where we embarked for Germany, a night was spent at Winchester where we had a most enjoyable time, being guests in the homes of Rotarians and being entertained at the Town I-Iall by the Mayor. W'e were also shown through the Winchester Cathedral and Winchester School which are two very interesting places. Our only regret when we left was that we did not have enough time to see all the sights of that historical town. W'e sailed for Germany on the liner Bremen and a day later arrived in the town of Bremen where we were met by a representative of Hitler. I-Ie welcomed us and gave us our orders and railway tickets to Berlin. W'e arrived in our quarters late at night. Our first surprise came when we found that the camp was surrounded by fencing twenty feet high and all gateways were guarded by sentries. The sleeping quarters were located in a single tent with thirty-two bunks in it. The mattresses and pillows were filled with straw and there were no sheets, but that did not bother us as we were usually tired enough to sleep on anything. There being no programme of activity for the first day, we had a good chance to explore and hnd out w'hat we were supposed to do. There were twenty-two Nations in the camp, two hundred and fifty German soldiers, two big tents with long tables for eating and two German University men were assigned to each Nation to act as interpreters and to tell us what to do. W'e found that, except for ourselves and the English boys, it was a purely Military camp. W'e were required to turn out every morning at six thirty for the raising of the Olympic Hag, march to and from meals and the Olympic Grounds, to be in the camp by ten o'clock every night and to leave the camp in a group, not individ- ually. livery other nation had picked her boys carefully and trained them for the occasion. The Italians had five different military uniforms, and the Portuguese had been in military camp for two months. l17l

Page 23 text:

FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1936-1937 to see half of the wonderful things the great City has to offer a stranger An itinerary had been mapped out for us, and we saw all the most important places of interest, while we had sufficient spare time in which to roam around the great Metropolis. One Sunday afternoon and evening a few of us were greatly amused listening to the soap-box orators in Hyde Park. All too soon the 26th of August rolled around and we sailed for home on the Empress of Australia . A.S.F., CO.S.'J Q trip ahrnah last summer 119361 Last summer I was a member of a party of Canadian school boys who visited England and Germany, and a short description of our trip may be of interest to S.H.S. boys. After arriving at Southampton on July 17th, we proceeded by bus to Eastbourne, where we were accommodated at Lexden House School. During our pleasant stay here we saw a tennis match between Fred. Perry and Donald Budge, and took excursions to Dover, Pevensey, Battle Abbey, and Dymehurch. We also visited Brighton, and attended several social functions. On Iuly 27th we embussed for Yvinchester, travelling via a northern route through pretty country, arriving there in the evening. We had dinner with the Mayor and his family, going afterwards through the Cathedral and Winchester School. Early the next morning we left for Southampton and boarded a tender which took us to the Europa . The next day we arrived at Bremen and went directly by train to Berlin, later going to Der Jugend-lager , situated near the Olympic Stadium. While at the Youth Camp, the life and routine was similar to that in a Canadian boys' Camp. We were allowed very limited leave, and went over to the Games on all the important days. On our first day there we marched into the city of Berlin to the grave of the Cnknown Soldier, and while there viewed the Reichswehr , the crack German militia, doing the parade C goose J step. Each morning, if we had stayed out late, we were in no mood to get up, and went to Hag-raising in pybiamas, in contrast to the military array and total lack of freedom of the other countries, some of whom had been doing evercises since 6 a.m. Twice trips were made to Potsdam, where we saw the Palace of the Kaisers, and the town itself, and we also went to Grunau, where the rowing and sculling races were held. At the opening of the Games, Herr Hitler received a tremendous ovation from 160,000 people. After the competitions came the singing of the German national songs, Deutschland iiber alles , and Das Horst-VX'essel lied , which some of us learnt. On our last day in Germany we visited a Hitler Youth Camp, and saw their way of living. At these camps are made all the motorcycles and gliders used by the German army. On August 13th we went to Bremen, and stayed there a night. Next morning we sailed on the Bremen , and reached Southampton the following day, travelling by train immediately to London. While in London we saw most of the places of interest, including Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussaud's, and the Tower. Additional trips were made to Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, and as far as Cambridge. After leaving Southampton on August 26th we duly landed, after some rough weather, at Quebec, and so our interesting tour had come, as all things must, to an end. J.T., CS.H.S., 1927-3-lj. l19l