Category Archives: Staff

“Petters”

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OB Geoffrey Giles has been in touch with pictures and memories of Mr. Pettoello and Mr. Coward from a picnic tea at Bradbury Rings, in June 1963.

Mr. Pettoello (L) and Mr. Coward
Mr. Pettoello

He writes:

Tu 11    All the Latin set went out to Badbury Rings with Mr. Pettoello & Mr. Coward for picnic tea, i.e. Cyder & Fruit Salad, with white wine. Afterwards went to see “Caesar & Cicero” at Bryanston School.

The play at Bryanston was performed in their outdoor amphitheatre. Petters was a rather strict disciplinarian, and I had him for 6 years of Latin. This was the first time we’d experienced him as a very jovial, off-duty teacher, and so was regarded as a great occasion. I’m sure he provided the wine, which was seen as quite daring. Would teachers do this nowadays? I do hope it would still be seen as acceptable sociability training!

I think Mr. Coward may have been new that year, and I have only a vague memory of him.

In the last few months I’ve also enjoyed a vigorous correspondence with the three friends who attended last years OBs’ annual dinner with me, sharing information about some of our teachers, and doing a bit of research. It turns out that Mr. Pettoello served with an SOE political intelligence unit in Italy during World War Two, of which we knew nothing when we were at school. We’ve found mentions of distinguished service by other teachers as well, and it would be fascinating to know more about their war activities.

Does anyone know of other wartime stories involving their former teachers?

Order Now – Bournemouth Heroes: The Patriots of Bournemouth School 1914-1918

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Will Pyke has got in touch with more information about his new book, which is now available to order through Amazon and Waterstones.

Contact: wdpyke@btinternet.com

Purchase: hardback or paperback

About the book: Bournemouth Heroes tells the story of the British Army on the Western Front in Belgium and France, 1914-18. The narrative integrates the experiences of Bournemouthians who took part in these campaigns from the initial battles of August 1914 to the Armistice of 1918 and the occupation of Germany in 1919, and sets out to assess the contribution made by a small and newly-founded boys’ grammar school to the course of the war. As the author reveals, Bournemouth School members were involved in every major battle fought by the British Army on the Western Front. There, they were involved in all of the many developments of the war, including the first use of poison gas, of flamethrowers, and of tanks. These included boys who managed to serve despite being under-age, with some paying the ultimate price for their bravery.

Having established the membership of the school from its foundation in 1901, the author began eighteen years of research using school records; a range of local newspapers from the period; files held at the National Archives, and elsewhere; information offered by contacts made through the school and through on-line forums; and through on-line archives from various Commonwealth countries. He identified 1,125 members of the school to investigate, and 674 members of the school who served, though by no means only on the Western Front. Over one hundred of them were killed, and many more wounded.

The book will be of interest not only to military historians, but also to anyone with an interest in Bournemouth, Bournemouth School, and the families from Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset whose lives were changed so dramatically by participation in the events of the war.

Will Pyke: The Patriots of Bournemouth School

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Former History teacher and Deputy Headmaster William Pyke, who’s career at Bournemouth School spanned almost three decades (1987-2014), has published a book which is now available to pre-order. It focuses on the stories of school alumni from WWI.

His research has also contributed new names to the School’s Roll of Honour.

Alan Hickling

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Alan Hickling attended the School for just one term in Autumn 1957 after his primary eduction in Summerbee, and is looking to get back in touch with his contemporaries.

Some members of the Association may remember his father, Harold Hickling, who taught at the School on either side of WWII.

Alan writes:

My greatest association with Bournemouth School is via my father, Harold Hickling, who taught there from 1928 until January 1958 (apart from the War when he served in France, Africa and India ending Lt Colonel in SEAC). He commanded the OTC before the War and had a long involvement with The Old Bournemouthians Cricket Club.

Bernard Walker

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Hugh Walker, the son of the late artist, composer and Bournemouth School teacher Bernard Walker has been in touch to share his online tribute to his father’s life. The website has a variety of material from Mr Walker senior’s life, including some of his programme designs and playbills from his time at the school that were found among his papers in 2014.

Old Bournemouthians on the Western Front

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Will Pyke, one of Bournemouth School’s History Masters, is in the process of completing a study of Old Bournemouthians on the Western Front in the First World War. Mr Pyke’s work has involved building a database of some of the very first Old Bournemouthians, some of whom were in the school’s first intake, and is intended to provide a different approach to David Hilliam’s Tig’s Boys. Originally intended to cover the whole war, Mr Pyke reports that he narrowed the focus when he realised that he had 550 pages on the Western Front alone.

To celebrate the First World War Centenary, Mr Pyke has been invited to to give one of the series of Bournemouth Library lectures, Aspects of War, at 11am on Wednesday 8th July at Bournemouth Library. The talk will last for about half an hour, with tea, coffee and the opportunity to ask questions afterwards. A flyer for the event can be found here.

Obituary: John Hawkins

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Mr HawkinsWe are very sorry to announce that John Hawkins died on Monday evening at Bournemouth Hospital.

Mr Hawkins’ career at Bournemouth School spanned more than 40 years, as Chemistry teacher, Deputy Head and latterly examinations officer. During his time at the school, he always supported the Association, serving many years on the committee and as President of the Old Boys’ Cricket Club. However for most of us, we shall remember him for his happy demeanour, livening up lessons or calming pre-exam nerves, to justly earn his nickname of “Happy Harry”.

David Spencer and Paul Beardshaw wish to thank everybody who has written or sent cards and e-mails.