Tag Archives: Officer Training Corps

Ralph Louis Francis Forster

Ralph Forster was born on the 13th July 13 1898 and arrived at the school in September 1912. His father – Ralph William Elliott Forster – had been at the school before him as a Homeboarder, but Ralph junior became a member of Grantite.

He played on the school football team and took part in the Officers Training Corps, as Lance-Corporal. He left the school for RMC Sandhurst in December 1915.

On the 16th of August 1916, Ralph enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant 1st Battalion “The Buffs” (East Kent Regiment). He went out with them to the western front in the autumn of 1916.

He was one of three Old Westminsters who were killed on the 3rd of May 1917.

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Richard Radford Turner

19170203_Turner,RRRichard Turner was the only son of Reverend Richard Turner, Vicar of Barnstaple, Devon, and Lydia Lucy, the daughter of Daniel Radford of Tavistock, Devon. He was born on 29th March 1896, and was sent to the school in 1910 as a King’s Scholar.

He played both cricket and football, representing the King’s Scholars as goalkeeper: he was described as doing “all that was necessary in goal, though at times rather slow in clearing”.

In the 1913 Latin play — the Andria — he played the role of Simo, and received the following review:

“The part offers such temptations to an actor to roar himself hoarse and the audience deaf, and Mr. R. R. Turner did neither of these things. He put some real emotion into Simo. His anger was the more credible, because restrained. He left himself plenty of scope within which to work up to the climax of indignation, with the result that he sustained the interest and kept his voice. Moreover his movements were easy, restful and dignified.”

Richard was an accomplished writer; he was the winner of the 1914 Duke of Devonshire’s Essay Prize that was open to all Public Schools, and he also won the Gumbleton Prize for English Verse with his poem on Icarus.

He was involved in the Officer Training Corps and shooting, and was successful in the practical examination — Certificate A — in March 1914.

He was awarded the school’s Triplett Scholarship when he left the school in December 1914, and he went on as a scholar to New College, Oxford.

He enlisted as 2nd Lieutenant, 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on the 20th January 1915, and was attached to the 12th (Service) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. He landed at Le Havre in March 1916, but was wounded on the 9th and 27th of April. He returned to the western front in December 1916. Richard was only 20 when he was killed in action near Vlamertinghe on 3rd February 1917.

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Douglas Morley Griffin

The Elizabethan records that Douglas Morley Griffin was ‘the only son of the late William Hall Griffin, the biographer of Browning, was admitted a King’s Scholar in 1903, and left on his father’s death in 1907. He was a boy of character, and faced misfortune with the courage which he afterwards showed in war.’

Griffin had proved a successful athlete whilst at Westminster, representing the school in gymnastics, although his performance on the parallel bars was once described as ‘disappointing’. He was also in the Officer Training Corps and took part in shooting competitions, exceeding the school’s ‘highest hopes’ with an excellent performance at a training camp at Bisley in 1907 leading to promotion to the rank of Lance-Corporal. Upon his father’s death it clearly became impossible for his mother to pay the fees necessary for him to continue in his education. In order to support his family he joined an architect’s office, Harris and Hobson, in Liverpool, his mother’s home town. He attended Liverpool University School of Architecture and became a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1910. He was elected Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1914.

On the outbreak of war Griffin enlisted, becoming a Lieutenant in the King’s Liverpool Regiment in November of 1914 and going out to the Western Front in 1915. His sister also joined the war effort and worked as a nurse in Rosslyn Lodge in Hampstead from 1916 and we know that Griffin gave her a photograph album to record her experiences.

We know little about Griffin’s death. His battalion were involved in the Battle of Albert, an offensive which formed part of the Battle of the Somme and ran from 1st-13th July. The French Sixth Army and the right wing of the British Fourth Army inflicted a considerable defeat on the German Second Army but from the Albert—Bapaume road to Gommecourt, the British attack was a disaster where most of the c.ÔÇë60,000 British casualties were incurred.

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Officer Training Corps

PARADES take place this term on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. The Friday Parade is devoted to Company drill, the platoons being organized in houses. Much practice has been obtained in close order company drill by those Cadets who are leaving, and we think that they have improved a good deal. It appears that they are better in the position of Company Commander than in that of Platoon Commander, and we should like to suggest that they devote more of their attention to the perfecting of their words of command in the latter position.

The Monday and Tuesday Parades are carried out under House Commanders, the system working side by side with that of football house leagues. This is the arrangement we have had before in the Lent term, and its popularity has justified its working also in the Play term. All the same, the C.O. does not bind himself to adhere to this system always, nor even for the whole of this term.

Shooting has been in full swing on the Tufton Street miniature range, kindly lent to us on three days a week by the Royal Fusiliers. It is hoped that our time may be extended to four days a week before very long. Much as we appreciate the kindness of our neighbours in placing this range at our disposal at certain times, we look forward somewhat vaguely, but none the less anxiously, to the time when we shall have our own range. The vast amount of shooting which has to be got through at our present strength would be much more easily organized if we could have a range entirely under the control of the Corps.

A Field Day was arranged against Cranleigh for Thursday, October 28. We hoped to go down to Chilworth and carry out some manoeuvres on Blackheath—our usual battleground. We woke up to the sound of dripping rain, which had evidently been going on most of the night. It was wisely decided to cancel the arrangements, and we now have the event to look forward to. The date, as far as we know, is not refixed, but we hope to have better luck with the weather next time.

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Slackness in War-Time

THERE have been many signs lately that seem to betray a growing slackness up Fields, a steady falling-off in the interest which should be accorded to games. This has been manifested in various ways : failure to cross one’s name out on the games’ lists, an omission which causes immense trouble ; a disinclination to play football at all on the part of the boys high up in the School ; a wretched attendance, or rather lack of it, at matches, and, as a correspondent points out in this issue, a painful lack of enthusiasm in those who are on the ground, which contrasts vividly with the interest and excitement displayed by the ‘railings.’

This spirit may be charitablyattributed to the War, the universal scapegoat. It is hard nowadays to concentrate even on work, when other work is going on elsewhere that seems so much more engrossing, so much more vital. And it is certainly doubly difficult to find the necessary enthusiasm and energy for games ; indeed many acutely feel the incongruity of their employment when they go up Fields in footer’ change, and have to pass along Victoria Street with its ample numbers of men in khaki, and perhaps a recruiting sergeant hovering near. Now we can only do this without misgiving, and we can only play games as they should be played, with heart and soul, if we are obsessed by the conviction that we are doing the right thing ; and there is no doubt that we are doing the right thing.

If there is one thing this War has made manifest, it is the worth of that much-maligned being, the Public School Man. We cannot be accused of undue pessimism, we think, when we say that the Public School Man is still in great demand, and is likely to be for some considerable time. Therefore the supply must equal the demand. ‘Very true,’ says our advocatus diaboli, ‘but are games necessary at the present time ? ‘We might content ourselves with pointing out that games are an integral part, and no unimportant one, of that system which has produced the men who are so lightheartedly and efficiently officering our armies. But what else can be suggested in their place ? Some form of physical exercise is necessary, especially in London. What about the corps ?’ says our imaginary opponent with commendable promptitude; let us devote all our energy to that, and play no games at all.’ Now this is a specious argument, and the rejection of it would seem to imply a lack of patriotism ; but we do riot think it sound or practicable, although such questions of course must eventually rest in other hands than ours. If we were in the country, and could devote unlimited time to field work, or even if we were so efficient in our drill that we could pay proper attention to physical exercises, then perhaps the question might be considered. By all means take every care that games do not interfere with military duties, which must be paramount nowadays, but, nevertheless, carry on with the games.

All of us, no doubt, have marvelled at the popular catch-word, ‘Business as usual,’ and thanked God that England has not been doing her business as usual during the past year. No ; our duty is to do our business with ten times more zeal than usual, with ten times more energy, with ten times more conviction.

And let us not be deterred by its nature. Whether it be military duties, the most congenial business, or work in School, which is work after all, as we, no doubt, say subconsciously to ourselves, but also if it be games, let us put our whole soul into it, as surely as some day we hope to put our whole soul into a grimmer and more exacting game.

From The Elizabethan, November 1915

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The Officer Training Corps

THE exeat was spent by eight of the Senior N.C.O.’s with the second-in-command at the C.O.’s residence in Sussex, and an extra day was granted by the Head Master. The mornings were spent in various instructions, including advanced guards, rear guards and outposts. Part of the afternoons were given to panorama sketching under the second-in-command ; at this some of the party excelled themselves. Equal numbers of the N.C.O.’s slept in a but and a tent. A feature of the last evening were unofficial night operations between the two, ending in a certain number of bruises but complete satisfaction to both sides. This exceeded in excitement even the night march home after the C.O. had led us far away and left us to our own devices.

We have to thank Mrs. Willett and the C.O. most heartily for the most excellent time we spent, and assure them we shall not forget the work, the lawn-tennis and the other forms of recreation.

Inspection, which took place on June 3o, may be looked upon as a success. Rumours were early afloat that the inspecting officer, Brig.-Gen. Broadwood, would not hesitate to pass adverse criticism if he should find this to be necessary. As a consequence we felt particularly pleased that nothing but praise fell to our lot.

The General arrived with a Captain of his staff at 2.25. After the salute had been taken (we had no bayonets) the whole company was inspected, and then the official organisation of threeplatoons marched past in line. This was repeated by the left, and then No. 4 Platoon, headed by the Sergt.-Instructor, also marched past. We understand that in all cases the dressing was well kept.

After a little close order company._ drill conducted by the 0.C., the platoons were separated for platoon drill. This was by no means what we expected, as we had rather paraded the fact that most of our N.C.O.’s were competent to command an entire company. However, it may be said that everybody rose to the occasion, and the few restricted movements permitted to a platoon in close order were carried out under the orders of separate commanders. Although we felt worthy of better things, these movements were gone through with smartness, and apparently satisfied the inspecting officer.

We were spared the rather painful business of imitating field work on Vincent Square, and after a short address by the General, in which we were told that our performances in close order and our general turn-out had given him complete satisfaction (our heads must have been held up on parade after all), we realised that the annual inspection was over, and we all proceeded to get ourselves photographed in various attitudes and combinations.

On Thursday, July 8, we had a field day at Chilworth. Owing to railway complications forty out of our party of 18o had to get to this place, which is on the S.E.R., via Guildford,on the S.W.R. The different itineraries fitted well enough to land both sections of our army at their destinations very nearly at the same time, both going and coming.

The actual operations took the form of an attack by us on a depot in charge of Cranleigh O.T.C., and known vaguely to be somewhere on the south-eastern part of Blackheath. The feature of the day was that all the management of attack and defence was in the hands of cadets, the officers of both corps acting as umpires. Com.-Sergt.- Major Holmes was the Westminster Commander, and with the assistance of a large and efficient staff he developed a sound attack. The country is rough and rather wooded in parts, and it may be taken as very creditable in the circumstances that something not at all unlike a firing line found itself ultimately lying approximately parallel to a similar disposition of the enemy’s troops.

Lack of space forbids the production of any details of individual daring and prowess. Suffice it to say that the depot was not exactly captured (it never is, never !), but one half-platoon made a sudden dash down a road in the right direction a few seconds before the cease-fire, only to be met at the turning by a posted machine-gun (imitation) which would certainly have scuppered them. Still, the precise whereabouts of the depot might then have become known, and the writer feels that this would have been an unusual achievement on such a field day as this. It should be said that a preconcerted plan of the Westminster Staff to capture the depot by strategy was completely spoilt by one of the enemy’s umpires.

We all had tea at the inn in Chilworth that many of us know already, and dismissed in yard about 7.40 P.M. It .was an instructive day, and most people enjoyed it, in spite of a few heavy showers in the earlier part.

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The Officer Training Corps

From The Elizabethan, June 1915:

THE great event of this term is Inspection. It is to take place on June 3o. The Company has consequently been sized, and the platoons are inspired rather by the idea of serving their corps than the notion of bringing honour to their House. Still, it is to be hoped that there will he no falling off in smartness our parade, but rather, on the contrary, that more life yet will be given to the drill. Let every cadet examine carefully his attitude in the portrait group recently taken, and ask himself if this attitude is habitual, and whether it will do. This is a suggestion and not a complaint from the authorities.

It is generally thought that the new webbing equipment gives us a smarter appearance, and it should be kept in clean condition if it is to create the desired impression on the Inspecting Officer. Mr. R. T. Squire (O.W.) is giving some of his time and a good deal of assistance to us this term. We are very glad to welcome him, and set a high value on his services.

During the last week of the Easter holidays, a party of senior cadets and the officers were entertained at Joyce Hall, Southfleet, by Mr. E. C. C. S. Colyer. The O.C. took the party as a tactics class each morning, and the Second-in-Command carried out a scheme of field-sketching in the afternoons. Evenings and odd moments – were devoted to the many forms of amusement Mr. Colyer was able to provide for us, and all those who were there will agree that he carried out this part of our programme very much to our satisfaction. We are sincerely grateful to him and to Mrs. Colyer for a delightful time. Perhaps it is only right to add that we managed to learn a lot too. They have kindly asked us to go again, and we look forward keenly to the opportunity.

Since our last account several of our past members have given their lives in the service of their country. We wish to place on record our deep sympathy with their relatives, and at the same time to express the pride that we feel in their valiant achievements.

19150629_1909Camp
Photograph from the school’s OTC camp at Farnborough in 1909
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The Officer Training Corps

In 1914 Westminster School had what was known as an Officer Training Corps (‘Corps’ is pronounced ‘core’ as it originates from the French meaning body).

The Cadet Corps, as it was originally known, had begun in 1902, in the wake of the Second Boer War. Uniforms were acquired shortly afterwards and around 100 boys took part in regular drills. By April 1903 a company of pupils attended a camp in Amesbury, where they were shocked by the ‘very hard mattresses’ and blankets ‘not of the finest texture’. Manoeuvres later in the week were ‘enlivened by a snowstorm’ but on the whole the pupils enjoyed themselves. Over the following years the Corps became established as a routine part of school life. A similar process occurred in many other Public Schools at this time.

Parade in Vincent Square, 1913
Parade in Vincent Square, 1913
Two of the drums being used by the marching band remain in the school archive.

Lord Haldane, whilst Secretary of State for War, formalised these various Corps into Officers’ Training Corps (OTC). Haldane was particularly concerned with the performance of the British Armed Forces during the Boer Wars. By providing this early military training he hoped to increase the number and quality of young men joining the army as officers. The Corps had two divisions, a junior division for Public Schools such as Westminster and a senior division for Universities.

In the Summer of 1914 more Westminster pupils than ever attended the OTC camp at Mytchett, but it was cut short as the Army Cooks assigned were recalled. A pupil’s account in The Elizabethan remarked that ‘Camp is apt to be more pleasant when gloomy rumours, such a prevailed in Mytchett, are not rife’

When pupils returned to Westminster after the summer holiday, those not already in the OTC rushed to join. There were 109 new recruits at the beginning of the Play Term leaving fewer than 60 boys in the school who were not members of the corps.

20140901_1913_ShootingTeam
In 1913 Homeboarder’s House won the inter-house drilling competition.
Back Row: Robertson, Gonne, Canning, Howe, Garvin, Fisher, Campion, Chidson
Middle Row: Aisnworth-Davis, Forbes, Aitken
Front Row: Brookman, Kitchen, Aitken
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