Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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10 On his arrival he was met a t the gate by the Headmaster and the Captam of the School, after which he went up to the Parade Ground to inspect a Cadet Guard of Honour, drawn up there to receive him. He talked to a number of Cadets and spectators and professed himself well pleased with the turn-out. Then we ad- journed to the Assembly Hall where the usual service took place. Afterwards the Admiral gave his address. After describing the various tasks that the Navy has to perform, and the difficulties involved in performing them, he made two points of major im- portance. First, he gave it as his considered opinion that, even though the news from the rest of the theatre of war might at times be discouraging, the ultimate decision depended on maintaining unbroken the Atlantic sea routes, and defending Britain against a possible German invasion. Other operations certainly had a strategic importance but, on the whole, they were sidelines de- signed to disperse the concentration of the British ofrces. Secondly, one heard so much these days of the part played by forces from other parts of the Empire, that at times one might be pardoned for imagining that Britain was leaving most of the real work to other people. But, as a matter of fact, in all the operations under- taken so far, the British troops engaged outnumbered the Empire forces considerably. The Headmaster then thanked the Admiral, and the pro- ceedings closed With the singing of God Save the King. Progress of the War Lectures The first of a series of talks on the progress of the war was given on Feb. 18 by Dr. Henry Wilkinson, an old boy of the School. He began his talk by drawing an analogy between this war and the Thirty Years War: in both there were many changes in the aims and alignments of the powers concerned. Dr. Wilkinson then showed clearly, by incidents which had been recounted to him, how little the conquered peoples, especially the Dutch, have been demoralised by their German conquerors. The second lecture was given by the Rev. E. M. Strong; his main topic was the effect which the war would have on our charact- ers. He said that in England the dreadful suffering had not brought about a wave of crime but, amazingly, there was less crime than before the war, in spite of the greater opportunities for theft and so on. He pointed out that the present circumstances were at the same time a test and training-ground of character. What was required was greater obedience — obedience to the laws of God and men, greater gentleness in contrast to the doctrine that Might is Right. Mr. H. D. Butterfield gave the third talk on the 4th March. He spoke with special ref erence to the part which Bermuda is

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9 Senior Cadet Captain, an unusual distinction after so short a time on board. He is now entering the Fleet Air Arm, and his captain has already arranged that British Overseas Airways shall keep a vacancy for him in the field of civil aviation after the war. A number of old Saltus boys have been given their first in- struction m flying in the Bermuda Flying School. Some of these have already gone to England to complete their training. Their names are K. F. Trimingham, E. G. NichoU, J. Brewer, H. F. Stephens, J. R. Gibbons and G. Welch. Of the three delegates who went to England to discuss the questions arising in connection with the U.S. Bases here, two, Messrs. J. W. Cox and H. J. Tucker, are old Saltus boys. Mr. Cox is also a trustee of the School. R. L. Browne, O.S., who won a Bermuda Scholarship in 1933 and then took his M.A. degree at Edinburgh University, has been called to the Bar. His application was presented by Major the Hon. R. W. Appleby, under whom he had been studying. E. A. Benevides, O.S., has won a scholarship at Queen ' s University, Kingston, Canada. In this connection many thanks are due to the Rev. J. W. Purves, who was on a visit to Canada and took the opportunity to see the authorities of the University and to recommend to their attention the qualifications of Bene- vides. Howard MalJoy, O.S., who is now at Harvard, played soccer for Harvard in the Freshmen ' s match against Yale. Among his opponents he found another old Saltus boy, Stuart Outerbridge. Apparently the two had a reunion on the field before the game began . Brian Tovey, who left here to go to St. Edward ' s School, Oxford, has passed the School Certificate Examination with seven credits and two distinctions. Since he was not fifteen when he took the exam., this is a very commendable performance. Once again we have to thank N. H. Williams, O.S., for his kindness in coming up here after his day ' s work to coach our en- trants for ' the B.S.S.A. sports. Saltus always distinguishes itself at that meeting, and this is largely due to WiUiams ' s patient at- tention. Empire Day Celebration This year, for the second time, we were privileged to hear Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Kennedy-Purvis, Commander-in-Chief of the America and West Indies Station, at our celebration of Empire Dav on May 23rd. His part in the present struggle gives his words an unique authority for us in Bermuda at the moment.

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11 taking in the war, and considered particularly the lease of the Atlantic bases to America. Mr. Butterfield said that many criti- cisms had been levelled at the British, American and Bermudian Governments; but, in his opinion, these criticisms were prejudicial to the good which these governments are trying to do. He added that Bermudian s must be prepared to face undaunted many great changes in the conditions in Bermuda. The fourth in the series was given by the Rev. J. H. Freestone. In a starring address Mr. Freestone examined the forces arrayed on either side in the present struggle, and their obiectives. On the one side he saw the forces of Democracy, fortified by their belief in Christianity and its ethical ideals; on the other, atheistic and anti-Christian powers aiming at the overthrow of those Christian ideals, powers whose religion, in so far as it existed, was dominated by barbarous gods, hard and merciless. This series of talks has proved most interesting and it is to be hopea that they will be continued next term. H. R. O. Athletics The Field and Track Sports were held this year on April 3, and some keen and interesting events were witnessed. As usual, nine events were completed before Sports Day, while thirty-one took place that afternoon, the results on the whole being quite up to the usual standard. Five records were broken and one other was equalled. Watlington won the House Competi- tion, while Butterfield showea signs of rejuvenation and were placed second. The senior point cup was won by last year ' s junior champion, P. N. Spurling, while his brother, D. L. Spurling, annexed the junior trophy. P. N. Spurling has been appointed Captain of Athletics. H. J. H. Athletic Sports Results 2 miles road race: (group A) 1 P. N. Spurling, 2 D. E. Camp- bell, 3 F. C. Gamble. Time, 11 mins. 59 1 5 sees. 1 mile road race: (group B) 1 D. L. Spurling, 2 H. C. D. Cox, 3 C. D. Burland. Time, 5 mins. 43 4 5 sees. mile road race: (group C) 1 D. Harrison, 2 W. Brewer, 3 G. Leseur. Time, 4 mins. 26 sees. Yl mile road race: (group D) 1 Wingate, 2 Hutt ii, 3 Smith iii. Time, 3 mins, 5 4 5 sees.