The ten months March to December 1903 had been outstandingly wet; the Natural History Society recorded a total rainfall of 32.181 inches. One consequence: the Tube flooded. But the School fire brigade was called out in December to extinguish a burning hayrick.

House Notes (still going strong) made their first appearance in The Blue, with Peele A reporting invasion by a rat and Barnes B a house run that fell foul of two bulls. Many houses invited donations to their nascent libraries.

The School Concert reviewer observed: ‘Big School is big, and a great deal of tone is wanted to fill it.’ An annual concert for the domestic staff was instituted. Chapel was so badly lit that many boys could not read the hymn boards.

The First XV played ten matches, winning just three, and losing twice to OB teams containing the future Treasurer Reginald Oldfield.

The Debating Society discussed vivisection, the Education Act, Imperial Federation, barbarism versus civilisation, and Macedonia (‘It is to be hoped that in future members will endeavour to gain some information on the subject for debate, especially if they intend speaking’).

Founder’s Day Dinner was chaired by the distinguished surgeon A H Tubby (CH 1870-78, Almoner, Hon Consultant Surgeon to CH) who favoured more technical education at CH, with schools of engineering, surveying and agriculture. The Headmaster called for an annual Horsham gathering of Old Blues.

H G Hone (late of 13’s) received the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society for life-saving. At Oxford John Forsdyke (CH 1895-1902), later Director of the British Museum, affected ‘a sporting waistcoat, beside which a mere lobster would look pale.’

The death occurred of Sir Henry Ludlow (OB, left 1853), former Chief Justice of the Leeward Islands and son of a veteran Hertford master. P E H Wootton (CH 1895-1900) died at Gibraltar of Rock Fever.

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