May - Old Scarborians

EDITORIALI was browsing idlythrough a copy of TheScarborian. A mustyaroma tainted withmildew percolatedthe air and dust fleweverywhere as Iflicked the pages. Themagazine fell open atthe Old Scarborians’ Association page.The mustiness was hardly surprising. Themagazine was issue 29 - published in 1943 and60 years old.I thought there would be few connectionsbetween 1943 and 2003; until I read thateditorial:“Last year 600 copies of The Scarborian were sentout to Old Boys serving in the Forces at home andabroad. The Magazine made its way to all parts ofthe world, and even as the new Magazine goes toPress, letters of acknowledgment are still beingreceived.There is no doubt that the Magazine was welcomed,and the reward for the trouble in sending ithas been not merely thanks, but unstinted andenthusiastic praise of the contents. A typical letteris one from India: “It was really a treat to get theSchool Magazine. When I received it I put allthings aside till I had read it from cover to cover.”Another writes: “Just a line saying how much Iappreciated reading the School Magazine again thisyear. Mention of some of the names in it broughthappy memories of Schooldays.” A naval wandererwrites: “I’m very grateful for the assortment ofnews it gives - especially that of Old Boys. I maysay that several of my fellow officers have all beenvery impressed by the variety of activities it covers.”And finally, a “Desert Rat” hits on the explanationof the warmth of its welcome:“I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and could visualizethose end-of-term meetings when the Magazinedid not take on such a sentimental value as it doesnow. I received the last one in the thick of the June‘show,’ and under trying conditions it was eagerly2digested.”Now, 60 years on, we send 638 copies of SummerTimes world wide - but twice a year. Thissurely says something about the strength ofour Association when the school closed some30 years ago.Now, 60 years on, we receive comments whichindicate the magazine is still as welcome now,as it was in 1943.Now, 60 years on, the “Desert Rats” again areat war.However, there is one other, much more strikingconnection.As I write this Editorial early in April, some ofour troops are approaching Baghdad.60 years ago, in 1943, the year that musty, mildewedmagazine was published as a new,crisp copy of The Scarborian, Major GeorgeReginald Hovington, (better known as Hov),was fighting for King and Country. Today westart to serialize his Memoir, and I quote fromChapter 6:“On our way through Baghdad, we were astoundedto see Hedley Verity. He had caught amoebic dysenteryin India and was sent to the hospital in thecity for treatment before being repatriated. How heknew our company was to pass through Baghdad Ido not know but there he was, like a hitch-hiker,stopping our leading truck.”Connections indeed!To bring us back to the present, thank you toall contributors and advertisers, thank you toJohn Mann who is now Associate Editor(another name for part-time typist but I’mbreaking him in gently between his many holidays!),thank you to proof-readers AdrianCasey - get well soon Adrian - and PeterRobson, and, above all many thanks to all ofyou, whether contributors or not.Without your support there couldn’t be anOld Scarborians Association.David Fowler (1949-55)Editor