Summer Times is the Journal of the Old Scarborians Association

MEMORIES
Ken Pepper writes from
Whistler, B.C. Canada
(1944-52)
I have enjoyed reading the
articles in Summer Times by
other former pupils & as I
winter in mild Vancouver
(as opposed to frigid Ot‐
tawa). I thought that some
words from afar would
perhaps add to the mosaic.
I started my school career
at the Convent, directed there in wartime, and
upset the nuns by refusing to kiss the cross!
Next came St. Martin’s, where I wore out my
knees kneeling in church. I must have learned
something, however, because I passed the
entrance exam into the Prep. Department at the
High School in 1944.
One of my close friends in classes was (Dr.)
John Webster, who is still a close friend and the
one who prodded me into rejoining the Asso‐
ciation a few years ago. Thanks to him, and to
all those who kept it going. Malcolm Storry
was an even earlier friend, we took it in turn to
throw stuff out of our prams. We also remain
in close contact.
As with others, my early years were guided by
“Brad” Bradley, “Pop” Francis, “Tich” Richard‐
son, “H.A.P.” Taylor, Miss Morley, “Ma”
Meighan (spelling?), Miss Griggs, Harry Wall‐
head, et al. Later it was “Biff” Smith, “Les”
Brown, “Gib” Giblett, “Ed” Colenut, “Di” Lid‐
dicott, Bill Potts (Senior), “Jock” Roxburgh,
Derek Price, ? Nutman, et al.
I was reasonably good in English, History, (but
I hated having to draw, say, “The Rocket”, and
thus get low marks, as opposed to writing;
protesting was to no avail in those days), Ge‐
ography, Chemistry, Biology, & Woodwork,
and reasonably bad in various rather key sub‐
jects such as Math, Physics and French. Most of
my Art lessons were spent collecting stray
22
lunch money from every class! That was the
only time I had to face the twin terror of “Bon”
Clark & “Billy” Binder. My favourite gym
classes were those where we played
“cannonballs & pirates” and similar!
Sports were not my forte; thus I appear in no
pictures or records of same, but the Air Train‐
ing Corps was, thus I got a lot out of it and
hopefully put some back. Aircraft were of great
interest to me & having the opportunity to fly
in them, train as a glider pilot and win a flight
to Singapore was bliss to me! Making it to Ft.
Sgt. also gave me much needed self‐ confi‐
dence in leading people and in communicat‐
ing, even though rather loudly at times! Thank
you to Messrs. Taylor, French, Feather et al.
It has been suggested that we have an A.T.C.
attachment to the web site: great idea, but I am
barely computer literate; however, if we have
an expert in our midst ???? ( M‐ m‐m‐, Cpl. Bill
Potts, the Junior, comes to mind !) I, for one,
have pictures & observations to put forward if
it can happen.
Camping and cycling were big hobbies but I
never went to school camp as such (several in
the A.T.C. though); finances got in the way.
I wound up with 8 subjects on my G.C.E. and
eagerly entered the 6 th form ‐‐ for exactly one
term: September to December 1952! Career
guidance was a bit limited in those days, it
seems to me, so when my Mother came in for a
chat with “the School”, somehow it was agreed
that ongoing education was not for me and I
found myself out of school and looking for a
job! That process inherently involved my
Mother contacting her bank & insurer to obtain
interviews for a very stunned K.W.K.P! After a
brief battle for my services, The Yorkshire In‐
surance Company won out over The Midland
Bank; the takeover bid being £165.00 per year! I
kid you not, that was how my career was cho‐
sen, a far cry from a science oriented career,
with Boots the Chemists or similar, as I had
hoped. Do others have similar stories?
In 1954‐55 came National Service in the RAF,