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Posted by Geoffrey Matthews, Jim's son on July 15, 2009, 7:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Class of 1931"
My father, who has very poor vision, was delighted to receive your two responses. Thank you very much. He does recollect your father's name, but cannot remember his face. He remembers all the teachers you mentioned, and he was in the OTC. He played in the OTC bugle band. On Armistice Day he played the Last Post at the Tunbridge Wells War Memorial and the nearby Methodist Church. With the OTC he went to Salisbury Plain, with Captain Vasey, to participate in war games with the regular army and other OTC's from around the country. Pork pies in the rucksack. He was in Knott House. He played rugby for Skinners and he has a photograph of the 1930 -31 rugby team. The team secretary's name was Hubert Threadgold. He married Jim's sister Margaret. Jim also played violin and performed with the school Gilbert and Sullivan performances. Other names he remembers are, Mr. Pomfret, physical education; Mr. Grieson, math; Mr. Mabbot, organist; and a student called Hills who became a parson. On leaving school Jim worked for ShellMex, but was laid off when it was amalgamated with BP. From then on he worked in the motor trade. During the war he was an Armament Sergeant Major in the R.E.M.E (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and served in India with the 43rd Royal Tank Regiment. His wife died last year and he is looked after by carers in his own home. I live in France and visit him from time to time. My younger brother visits once a week. Jim and I would be very interested to know if any of the aforementioned brings back other memories for your father.
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