Valete 1931
D. THOMPSON (1923-31; Prefect, 1928-31; Captain of the School, 1930-31; Editor of the Monovian, 1929-31; Captain of Allpass, 1930-31 ; Chairman of the Literary and Debating Society, 1929-31; Secretary of the Dramatic Society, 192831; Open Scholarship in Modern History, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, 1930).
Every one of his many offices he has filled with distinction. Always one of the ablest and most entertaining speakers at debates, he has helped the Debating Society to weather a severe storm occasioned by the sudden rivalry of many new societies. As Secretary of the Dramatic Society, he has done a very great deal to help forward the rapid growth and real success of that Society, which had flourished for only two terms when he became its Secretary. The period of his Editorship of the Monovian was a difficult one: the great scarcity of money compelled the size of the magazine to be considerably reduced, and to maintain the high standard set by Holdsworth and Payling was no easy task. Thomson certainly succeeded,
As Captain of the School, his popularity and influence have been of the greatest value, and his year of office, capped by his success at Cambridge last December, is a fitting climax to a career which will, we hope, serve as a beacon to the junior members of the School, to show them how their own gifts may be given to the service of the community. Our very best wishes for his success go with him to Cambridge.
A.J. HARDY (1919-31; Prefect, 1928-31; Captain of Cricket, 1929-31; Captain of Athletics, 1929-30; Captain of Morris, 1928-30). To Hardy has been due, in considerable measure, the athletic successes which have given the School so excellent a reputation. He is deservedly popular and we sincerely hope that, by the time this magazine is published, his reputation will have been increased by success in the competitions for Medical Scholarships at London.
K. E. ROBINSON (1924-31; Prefect, 1930-31; Editor of the Monovian, 1930-31; Secretary of the Literary and Debating Society, 1928-31; Assistant Librarian, 1929-31; Secretary of the Sports Committee, 1930-31; Open (Essex) Scholarship in Modern History, Hertford College, Oxford).
One man in his time plays many parts, but few can have played them with more zest or more whole-heartedly than Robinson. Prefect-Editor--Librarian: each role was assumed with the same overwhelming enthusiasm. And do not let us forget other parts he has played; for was he not until this year a leading member of the Dramatic Society? (D.T.)
A. A. PEARCE (1924-31; Prefect, 1930-31; Captain of Football and Athletics, 1930-31; Victor Ludorum, 1929 and 1931). Pearce is among the most popular of Prefects, and his work for School Football in the last season was outstanding. Along with Hardy he has been responsible for the increased reputation, athletically speaking, that the School now enjoys. We wish him every success at the Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew, commonly known as Bart's, where he goes to study medicine next October.
B. M. G. REARDON (1923-31; Prefect, 1930-31). Who shall measure men by the number of their names, so long as Reardon holds no office other than that of Prefect! For with him a presence leaves us. His sartorial interests, his aesthetic susceptibilities, his intellectual capabilities, above all his temperamental elan, have made him the misunderstood idol of the mob. He is the homme fatal et incoimpris of Romanticism! Yet, in spite of himself, we love him still, and offer our best wishes for his continued success at Keble College, Oxford, where he goes next October, to study Theology, which, as he explains, is both interesting and, since he proposes to enter the Church, useful.
There are, of course, others who say they are leaving, but then they have said that before.
L. H. MOPPETT (1926-31; Prefect, 1929-31; Captain of Whittingham, 1930-31; Football Sec., 1930-31; Athletics Colours, 1930).
As runner, footballer and cricketer, Moppett rendered valuable service to the School and to his House. His colleagues remember him as always good-humoured and well-intentioned. We hope that in the pharmaceutical career he has taken up he may succeed as he did at School.
D. W. REDFERN (1924-31; Prefect, 1930-31 ; Treasurer of the School branch of the National Savings Association, 1930-31). Redfern has left us, but we still cherish the memory of his "toothsome" smile, his uvular "r"-s, his quaint subjunctives, and his unfailing good humour. With these and his many other assets he should enjoy the success he deserves in the Union Assurance Company.
R. S. SMITH (1926-31; Prefect, 1931 ; School Librarian, 1931). Smith had been building up an important position for himself in the School, and it is to be regretted that his departure should come so early. We wish him all success in his new post of Assistant Curator at the Walthamstow Museum.
E. R. H. TIMMS. No one at School knows when Timms first came, but who does not know that Timms has gone? The School may remember him as a leader of debates, but the Sixth remembers him as one who used to work like a horse (so we were told), and as its oracle, philosopher, and pet cynic. We wish him every success at East London College, where he is now studying.