1944 -45.
Sillerton House in War Time.
ALL through the summer of 1939 thc thundery clouds of
war had been gradually obscuring the last rays of an
unfounded optimism, and ultimately the storm broke on
the very day School was to begin its new session. Vague
rumours of what might be done "if war became a
reality," developed into stark facts, and the resumption
of classes was promptly postponed until such time as
adequate protection might be provided. With
characteristic energy and celerity this task was
accomplished, and on 25th September we began thc
half-day system which continued in operation for two
terms, and which happily has now been suspended by
the return to a normal routine.
During this hiatus those boys who remained in Sillerton
House found plenty of jobs with which to compensate
the lack of school, and public entertainment. The
"blacking-out" of such a house was no small
proposition, entailillg much mess of sticky black paper
and gum pots with which to placate our ardent special
constables. It was felt that the basement of the house
afforded as good structural protection as could be, but
one gas-proofed room was prepared and strengthened,
while hundreds of sandbags were611ed and placed to
give extra protection to the basement exits. First-aid
equipment and an emergency food supply were also
provided, and we were satisfied all reasonable
precautions had been taken.
Running the School in two shifts naturally presented
domestic difficulties, but we were fortunate in the fact
that 17 boys attended School in the morning and 16 in
the afternoon. We were fortunate, too, in having the
School library available for those boys not at lessons,
thus preventing the disinclination to work, and the lack
of discipline which are the inevitable accompaniment of
no-schooling. The Junior School boys were especially
lucky in having, every afternoon, a teacher to supervise
and help with their lessons, and our grateful thanks are
due to those teachers who voluntarily gave of their time
and trouble.
The double shift demanded, if not double work, certainly
a great deal more work from the domestic staff. They
bore their burden well, the boys made up for their
longer periods of hunger "vhen they finally sat do\vn,
and everything went smoothly, because everyone
realised that if a little domestic inconvenience is all we
have to bear in this war, we shall indeed be lucky.
And now, this term, school life is as it always has been--
lessons, games, swimming, excursions, and all the many
activities which go to make a Sillertonian's life so full. In
fact, if it were not for an awareness occasioned by
gasmasks and trenches, newspapers and bulletins, it
would be difficult for our boys to realise we are at war.
God grant we may not suffer a rude awakening! Even our
food supply is of the same quality and quantity, thanks
to the Directors, who, despite the appreciable rise in
prices, have decreed that menus shall remain as before~
-a policy which must gratify parents and sons alike.
I cannot conclude without making reference to the
recent extension of Sillerton House and the death of Mr.
William Tawse. Of the latter, readers may find due notice
elsewhere in this magazine: suffice it to say here that
Sillertonians have lost a true friend in every sense of the
word. Of the extension, much could be written, and will
be written when boys are actually in residence next
session. It is obvious that No. 14 Albyn Terrace will
ultimately become the Junior House, and it is a subtle
compliment to Sillerton House and all connected with it
that after only three years it has been necessary to
provide accommodation for more than Jifty boarders.
G. E. C. B.