November 8th. The first rehearsal for the School play took place
to-day. Many studies were decorated with the poppies which had been sent
us to sell. A very considerable amount was collected and duly sent to
the organisers.
November 14th. Today we welcomed Commander Roe, R.N., who gave us a.
very inspiring talk on the Royal Navy and its branches, showing us an
excellent film " The Submarine Menace."
November 21st. The Dies Memorabilis of the English Benedictines was
recalled today and boys rejoiced at the thought of a cancelled prep.
period. November 24th. An Army officer talked to us in the Gym. on this
service as a career. One of his photographs of Sandhurst showed, much to
our delight, Lt. D. Holdsworth (O.B. 1941-46) putting the weight.
November 28th. For the first time the Christmas Ordinary Level
Examinations were held here. The "old hands" attempted to pass
those subjects which had previously escaped them.
December 1st. Those who were amused at the less fortunate members of the
school who had begun their exams, now started their own less arduous but
still unpleasant tests. December 6th. The School carol singers began
their visits fo the parish houses to'night. There had been a
considerable amount of practise, which now had its reward. December 7th.
The second night of carol-singing was preceded by the Annual Sodality
Service. The preacher this year was the Subprior, Dom Edmund.
December 8th. Today, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was the
last whole holiday of the term. Last-minute preparations were made for
the play, and the costumes, which had been held up, finally arrived.
These caused great excitement and interest among the actors.
December 9th. It was strange to see prefects dressed as kings and
nobles, and juniors as pages or soldiers. In the evening the School
returned to 1398.
December 10th. The terminal officials' tea took place.
December 11th. The first performance of Richard II. was held this
evening before a very appreciative audience of the community and a much
depleted School, as there was a cast of forty ; an account of this will
be found elsewhere.
December llth. The play photographs in the afternoon caused the actors
to eat their "high tea" in full costume and make-up. Part of
one of the actor's moustache found its way into his tea-cup, whilst
others felt that tea was not in keeping with the period and expected
mead and roast meat.
February 22nd. Bro. Stephen woke us this morning with his air- raid precaution rattle. This is an "ancient custom revived," and there was only one person left asleep in the Kemble Dormitory after he had passed through.
February 23rd. The Abbot, whom we were pleased to see in such good
health, held his feast today. We were honoured with his company at
breakfast. As usual we got up at 8.45 today.
February 25th. The Lenten Stations of the Cross began today.
February 27th. The first rehearsal of the " Dear Departed "
took place.
February 28th. The lordly members of the Fifth Form lost a rugby match
(a challenge match) against the Junior School by 6 points to 3.
March 1st. St. David's Day, and no leeks for lunch? The Welsh- men,
normally so outspoken, now so few in number, did not raise a cheer in
the morning, nor did they wear patriotic emblems!
March 4th. The match between Shrewsbury School and the 1st XV. was
filmed this afternoon. Many of our players appeared decidedly end-imanches.
and their hair was immaculately combed. One of the three- quarters was
heard to remind his partners that all movements must be towards the
camera! What vanity! We won 29-0.
March 5th. In the evening the actors in the "Dear
Departed" decided to include the " Seven Women " by
Barrie in their performance, and held the first rehearsal.
March llth. Cantilupe House won the Junior Rugby Cup for the first time
in four years, when they beat Kemble by 10 points to three. The film of
the 1st XV. match v Shrewsbury School was shown before " They were
not Divided," which was most appropriate. Applause greeted any try,
but loud dissent any failures.
March 12th. The Kemble feast day. After a visit to Hereford, Kemble
House presented a pipe to Dom Raymund in gratitude for his services as
Housemaster.
March 14th. After the Senior House Match, which Cantilupe won 6-3, the
Sixth Form witnessed the Point-to-Point Meeting in the adjacent fields.
In the evening the victorious house celebrated the return of the cup
with a "binge."
March 16th. Two hopeful candidates left for Oxford and Cambridge in the
same train! We were surprised to see them arrive back four days later
without any visible scars!
March 17th. St. Patrick's Day. The Anglo-Irish fixture took place today
as usual. Unlike the Welsh, they "wore the green." Basket-ball
was chosen as the sport, and G. Curtin, Esq., kindly refereed. The
players, dressed to kill, arrived for the match on velocipedes (no other
words can describe them). Ireland won 14-8. Surprisingly there were no
broken bones.
March 21st. The solemnity of St. Benedict; we attended Solemn High Mass.
March 23rd. The Sixth and Fifth Forms sat for their divinity exams. In
the afternoon the rugby photographs were taken.
March 24th. With great sorrow we heard of the death of Queen Mary,
R.I.P. This afternoon the high jump and the 100 yards heats were
completed. In the evening the Kemble Society held their Prize Debate,
and we congratulate P. Glaziebrook on winning the award for the second
time.
March 25th. The feast of the Annunciation of Our Lady; we attended High
Mass. March 16th. With sorrowful step we walked to the examination room
the Easter Tests began today.
March 28th. After the Cross-Country finals, the Sixth Form once again
attended the point-to-point. The merriment from the Kemble Common-Room
was that of the 1st XV. who held their end-of-season binge.
March 30th. Three victorious heroes returned from the Battle of the
Daffodils, they were received with solemn respect. The intended crowning
with wreaths was not effected.
April 1st. All work ceased and the officials went to tea in Hereford. At
8 p.m. the retreat began, and we welcomed Rev. Frs. Lillie and Carty,
S.J., who gave the Senior and Junior discourses respectively.
April 2nd. The silence in the Refectory was unaccustomed, but this was
compensated for in the afternoon at the final of the 880 yards. April
3rd. The final of the mile was run after a morning's rain. April 4th.
The School were entertained with two comedies, both acted by the same
cast. At 10 p.m. the Seniors attended the first Holy Saturday Vigil, and
at 1.35 a.m. ate refreshments and went to bed.
April 5th. In the morning we bade farewell to Abbot Lightbound, who had
resigned, and also to M. O'Flaherty and E. Harding, after the marks had
been read. In the afternoon we held the sports finals, which were
completed between showers.
April 6th. We left for home, some having already departed with their
parents.