Boston Grammar School Speech Day 1939
From the 1940 issue of 'The Bostonian'
Speech Day was held on December 15th, and the prizes were distributed by the Venerable K. C. H Warner, D.S.O., M.A., Archdeacon of Lincoln. Alderman T. Kitwood presided and the Mayor of Boston (Councillor H. Percy Clark) and the School Governors were present. Unfortunately, because of the possibility of air raids and the limited capacity of the shelters, parents were not invited; but this enabled all the boys to be in the Hall for the first time in several years.
After the School Song had been sung, the Chairman welcomed Archdeacon Warner. Alderman Kitwood said that since first attending Speech Day thirty-three years before he had seen so many people from various walks of life presenting the prizes. He recalled the occasion on which Lord Jellicoe came with Sir Archibald Weigall and gave a most inspiring address.
The Headmaster welcomed Archdeacon Warner, saying that he could speak with a wide knowledge and understanding of the problems of youth. He then expressed his regrets that it had not been deemed advisable to invite parents this year, and he hoped that both parents and friends of the School would understand the reasons for this decision. His report began with a reference to the death of Councillor Towell, for many years a School Governor and President of the Old Bostonian Association, and of Mr. Buffham, Music Master of the School for sixteen years. Both would be sadly missed. Mr Buffham's place had been taken by Dr. Jackson. Proceeding to the scholastic successes the Headmaster first mentiond the success of four Old Boys - of K. W. and D. G. Andrews, of J.E. Littlechild and of R. K. P. Miller - at their Universities. At the School, all five boys who entered the Higher School Certificate Examination had passed, and A. J. Harrison had done very well to gain a State Scholarship. These scholarships are limited in number, but boys at the School have won four in the last five years. In the Cambridge School Certificate Examination twenty-five boys passed, of whom thirteen qualified for County Intermediate Scholarships. In games there had been greater success both in football and in cricket, but the new playing-field, which was to have been ready, had been put under cultivation on account of the war. We in Boston had not had to face all the difficulties which the war brought upon most schools. Captain Border had been recalled to his Regiment, but his mathematical work had been ably undertaken by Mr. Squire. After referring to the precautions taken for the boys' safety, the Headmaster said he would be glad to have the names of all Old Boys serving with the Forces.
After presenting the prizes, Archdeacon Warner spoke on the necessity of understanding the purpose of life. He suggested that education was not merely learning facts, but learning how to use them. We frequently heard the word "liberty" now-a-days. It seemed to him to mean the freedom to develop into the best kind of character one could, the freedom to serve others; in connection with liberty, people should should think not so much of their rights as of the duties that all rights imply. Finally, what is the purpose of life? We could not solve this problem without giving a definitely religious answer. It must centre around God. The world, said Archdeacon Warner, was splitting into two camps - those who believed in God and those who did not. The purpose of life was to serve God and each other. The School had stood for centuries and the education it gave had been based on service to God. Such a tradition was worth maintaining.
The Mayor proposed, and the Vicar seconded, a vote of thanks to Archdeacon Warner. Captain H. C. Marris, seconded by Alderman South, thanked Alderman Kitwood for taking the chair.
The proceedings closed with the National Anthem and cheers for Archdeacon Warner, the Governors, and the Headmaster.
Prizes
Parry Gold Medal, A. J. Harrison. Ogle Divinity Prize, R. H. Garnham. Form VI: Science and Mathematics, A. J. Harrison, [[R A Baxter|R. A. Baxter], J. C. Woods, R. H. Garnham. Literature, J. W. Ryan. Form UVa: Form, J. L. Dickson. Merit, P. J. Parnham, F. Chester, P. R. Baker. Form UVb: Form, E. H. Rabbets. Form LVa: Form, P. M. Walmsley. Merit, K. E. Upsall. Form LVb: Form, R. W. Midgley. Merit, A. Newton. Form UIVa1: Form, A. D. Penhey. Merit, A. C. J. Jackson. Form UIVa2: Form, P. R. Woolcock. Merit, G. S. Bagley, G. H. Bradley. Form UIVb, Form, D. Agar. Merit, K. G. Haigh. Form LIVa: Form, C. W. Taylor. Merit, W. N. Chester. Drawing, F. W. Penhey. Form LIVb: Form, R. A. Anker. Merit, W. F. Tomlinson. Form IIIa: Form, J. M. Eno. Merit, J. Smith. Form IIIb: Form, A. L. Norris. Merit, B. J. Clark. Form II: Form, B. H. Holland. Merit, R. W. Mason. Nature Study, A. W. Isaac. Form I: Form, J. H Jordan.