Boston Grammar School Speech Day 1942
From the 1943 issue of 'The Bostonian'
Speech Day this year was held on November 26th, American Thanksgiving Day, and the presence of representatives of the United States Army made the occasion an historic one.
The Chairman, Alderman T. Kitwood, began by welcoming His Honour, Judge T. W. Langman, O.B.E., to the School. He went on to envisage a revolution in local government with a corresponding change in educational policy. He suggested that before we could raise the school-leaving age, we should have to educate the public into believing that education was necessary.
The Headmaster then presented his report, during which two of the expected American visitors, Captain Laidlaw, Public Relations Officer to the American Forces, and a colleague, stepped on to the platform. They were greeted with much enthusiasm, and after the Headmaster had himself welcomed them, he mentioned the probable historical connections of the School Hall with the early New England Pioneers.
The Headmaster then said how very fortunate the School had been in being able to continue its activities with so little deviation from normal routine. He mentioned the increased number of pupils, and welcomed the new members of the staff to the School.
After giving a list of the year's scholastic successes, and after stressing the importance of obtaining a School Certificate, he gave an account of the year's games. Once again, inter-school matches had been greatly restricted by transport difficulties, but the School and A.T.C. teams had done well in local matches. In the Boston Youth Organisations' Combined Sports, the School A.T.C. was successful in winning the trophy presented by Canon Cook. Although the Science and Debating Societies had discontinued their activities, the Orchestra and the Chess Club still flourished. He then went on to give a report on the School A.T.C., and congratulated Mr. Dickson and the other instructors on the efficiency of the squadron. After a brief survey of the part the School was playing in the war effort, the Headmaster mentioned with regret the loss of ten Old Boys on active service, and ended by thanking the School Governors and his colleagues for their support.
Judge Langman began his address by making reference to his visits to the Boston Courts during the past twelve years, and put his audience into a good mood by a few humorous remarks. He commended the Chairman, Alderman T. Kitwood, and also the Headmaster, for the good work they had done for education in Boston, and then commented on the year's School work. His Honour praised the spirit and purpose of the Air Training Corps, and said that the Musical Society was to be encouraged, as music is common to all civilizations. School organisations embrace all aspects of life, and provide a basis for a full and useful life. Having traced the history and the difficulties of Boston since the Danish invasion, the Judge made reference to John Cotton's sailing to America., when he founded the second Boston. At this point, he paid tribute to the American nation and to its two representatives beside him.
Turning to address the boys, Judge Langman said that all boys were courageous, but they all needed help and pointers to the right path. He urged the boys to be upright, fearless, and willing to take advice; to take their courage into their hands and to go ahead with their careers. He told them that they were the trustees of posterity, and that therefore they were the most important people, who ought to realise the necessity for fighting for a world which is honest and true. He added that improvements in the world's affairs could only be attained by studying its problems, and that patriotism lay in finding out what was good for the country and doing it. He urged the boys to begin to carry out that task at once, saying that the only way to make the world a better place was to improve the individual, and the individual was supreme. The Judge concluded by saying that everyone had to choose between good and evil, and that the best guide to this choice was to be found in the Sermon on the Mount, in the Beatitudes.
The Mayor, Councillor G. H. Bird, proposed a vote of thanks to Judge Langman, and the motion was seconded by Mr. W. Kitwood.
The Chairman then called upon Captain Laidlaw whose speech was very informal, and delighted his audience. The Captain recalled the spirit of Thanksgiving Day, and expressed his appreciation of the hospitality accorded to the United States Forces by Boston and by the country. The purpose of his visit was to recall the associations of the Pilgrim Fathers, and to foster good relations between this country and his. The speech was greeted by loud cheers from the audience.
After votes of thanks had been given, cheers were given for Jidge Langman, for the Governors and the Headmaster, and for our American Allies.
Prizes
Parry Gold Medal, J. L. Dickson. Ogle Divinity Prize, P. M. Walmsley. Form VI; Science and Mathematics, J. L. Dickson, J. A. Simmons, P. A. Young, J. W. Parsons. Literature, P. M. Walmsley. Form UVa: Form, C. W. Taylor. Merit, J. Dracass, G. Wass, W. N. Chester. Form UVb: Form, R. A. Anker. Merit, W. F. Tomlinson. LVa: Form, H. C. Orchard. Merit, 2_14 J M Eno. Form LVb: Form, T. R. Barton. Art, G. F. Dobbs, P. Grant. Form UIVa: Form, N. O. Hudson. Merit, G. G. Brooks. Form UIVb: Form, P. H. Casswell. Form LIVa: Form, J. H Jordan. Merit, J. N. Gill, G. F. Battram. Form LIVb: Form, C. V. Taylor. Merit, A. H. Burrell. Form IIIa: Form, J. I. Taylor. Merit, B. A. Rylott. Form IIIb: Form, K. W. Newham. Merit, H. L. Curnow. Form II: Form, J. W. Smith. Merit, W. Q. Lockwood. Nature Study, P. R. Overton. Form I: Form, R. M. Walter. Merit, M. J. C. Bailey.