St Michaels University School - Black Red and Blue Yearbook (Victoria, British Columbia Canada)

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I ' ' ' K Y 'MJ,'.. I QEU K N ,,,.?1.Q THE KER CUP This year for the first time in history the Cup was awarded jointly to Alexander Moncrieff Cupples and Maurice Arthur Vernon. All the Masters agreed that both boys were of Ker Cup calibre and equal merit. Both boys came to the School in September 1936. Both have enviable records for scholarship, character, athletics, and leadership. They matriculated with high marks in June 1940, and this year they have taken their Senior Matriculatiozi as well as the Entrance Examinations for the R. C. N. Their work as prefects in the School has been of the best, and their influence in the School during an 13

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smoke. I remember thinking 'the next will be on top of me and that will be the end'. One more came that I thought was just the other side of the hedge, but I found later the crater was behind a house a good SOO yards away. I felt as if someone had hit me with a feather bed. I can recall no feeling of terror or even apprehension-just a sort of tenseness as I stood waiting for the next. Then I heard jerry right above me, flying low, but unseen in the fog. He dropped no more and the drone faded away. The roadfmen got out of the ditch, laughed and joked a bit, and went on with their work. Those three girls were still going down the road-I don't think the little devils were even running. Cars came by and everything seemed pzrfectly normal. The whole thing took not more than thirty seconds. It was like a page from H. G. Wells. I noticed that my pipe was still alight, and was childishly pleased thereby. Up by the shops there seemed no excitement, a few people in groups talking but shopping going on just as usual. - When I had posted your letter I returned by another road near where the first bombs had fallen. Outside one house were police cars, A. R. P. men, and an ambulance with 'United States of America' on it. Two old ladies and a girl were being taken to hospital, cut by flying glass. I heard later that they were seriously but not dangerously hurt. About a dozen houses lost windows and roofs, but houses are few and scattered just about here. This is the first time we have been bombed in daylight in Amersham, although we have had several night bombings. It has made me feel more reconciled to being here. DRAMATICS For the first time since 1913, Dramatics have, this year, been a part of our School life. Cn April 25, the School, in conjunction with St. Margaret's, put on two plays on the St. Margaret's stage. Four boys, Vernon, Bailey, Morgaii and Cockeram, had parts in the more serious play, Michaelg while Kitson, Collet i and Braide were in the second, a comedy, Five Birds in a Cage. While dis' tinctions are invidious, a word of praise must be given to Vernon for his interpretation of the difhcult part of the Angel, and to Kitson, a very realistic bricklayer with a true Cockney accent. The plays were in the nature of an experiment, being the outcome of suggestions from Major Bullock Webster, Director of the Dramatics Department of the Department of Education. The Boys were under the tutelage of Mr. Howden, who was noises off during the Plays, but the untiring efforts and skillful direction of Mrs. Turpin, of St. Margaret's, were what made the venture so thoroughly successful. 12

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unusually trying year, has contributed in no small way to the effective and smooth running. We wish them luck and we shall follow their achievements in the future with pride and interest. TENNIS The competitions this year have brought to light some promis- ing tennis material in the school. The juniors, especially, have made considerable progress in the game, this being due chiefly to their enthusiasm-they have been practising at every opportunity. Al- though vfe can boast of no stars, we do claim a high average level of proficiency. This year, for the first time, the Robertson Cup was offered for the winner of the singles elimination series, open to boys under fifteen. The two places on the finals were well contested for, and finally captured by Robertson II and Carle I. In the final game of the series played before the school, Carle I defeated Robertson II to take the cup. Robertson II exhibited a superior style, and might have won with a little more care. Carle I showed himself to be a more careful player, though impeded by certain defects of style. In particular he lacks a strong and easy service. The finalists in the open singles were Duke and Leslie, the latter being our perennial champion. Leslie successfully defended his title this year, as was to be expected. Nevertheless, Duke gave him strong opposition all the way. Dukes style is smooth and in- teresting to watch. By employing an underhand back-hook drive, he is able to return a fast ball with a high degree of certainty. Leslie has a service and return drive which is formidable. He has the addi- tional advantage of height. In the open doubles, Duke and Mackay competed with Cup- ples I and Young in the finals. The game was won after a hard fight, by Duke and Mackay. Since a doubles game offers more scope for strategy, this game was the most interesting from the spectators point of view. The play was always competent and in some instances brilliant. Real strategy was often employed, but was not always consistent. Service was powerful, but too often inaccurate. In both service and play, Mackay showed himself the most competent player in the doubles. Colours were awarded to Leslie. RESULTS: JUNIORS - ROBERTSON CUP Carle I beat Robertson II, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. OPEN SINGLES - BARNACLE CUP Leslie beat Duke, 7-5, 6-1. OPEN DOUBLES Duke and Mackay beat Cupples and Young 6-3, 6-2. 14