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of tanks was held up and it transpired later that two enemy
'Panther' tanks, thinking that it was one of their retreating units,
joined the column, but were soon knocked out by an infantry man
with a 'Piat' anti-tank gun. Dusk was approaching when the
leading tanks ran over mines set by the Polish Airborne, but
happily there were no casualties. We dismounted and spoke to the
Polish troops who gave graphic accounts of their recent hand-tohand
fighting and how they swam across the river when outflanked.
The village of Driellay was opposite to where the British 1st
Airborne had landed. We found a billet in a deserted house with
a cellar next to the embankment. During the night the area came
under heavy shelling so much of the night was spent in the cellar.
The next day an attempt was made to get a DUKW - a 'Duck' or
an amphibious truck into the river but the operation was
abandoned as it became bogged down in the soft mud of the
riverbank.
That night I spent the small hours of the morning on guard. I
wandered from the house to stretch my legs. When I was in the
middle of the road a star shell turned the pitch black of the night
into day. I stood stock-still feeling very exposed and hoping that
I would not be spotted, but it soon went out and the night
returned to peace and darkness. During the day we watched
'Dakota' aircraft, flying nose to tail and very low, dropping
supplies to the beleaguered Paras on the other side of the river.
We received instructions to take a Polish Brigadier back to
Nijmegen. That meant going straight back along the road we had
come along, with the possibility that it was under surveillance by
German troops. We put the Brigadier in the eo-driver's seat,
which was vacant, and commanded by the Troop Leader, went
hell for leather down the road. Unfortunately fallen overhead
telegraph wires that festooned the road caught the commander
across the mouth, knocking out some of his teeth, but we pressed
on. After arriving at Nijmegen with the Brigadier we were told
to go back along the road to Driel.
Next morning we attacked towards Arnhem along the top of the
embankment, but had to withdraw because of the heavy enemy
opposition. General Horrocks, XXXX Corps commander, went
up the church tower at Driel and decided to abort the operation.
We went south of Arnhem to what was described as 'the Island'
and harboured in an apple orchard.
When we were leaving the house we had been staying at Driel,
the Troop Leader warned everyone that the clock in the china
display cabinet was not to be looted. I forgot my small pack and
had to go back for it. Exiting the house I noticed that the clock
was very conspicuous by its absence. 4th Troop survived Operation
Market Garden relatively unscathed, but our luck did not hold.
By November our tank had been destroyed by enemy action, the
other surviving tank destroyed, another of our comrades killed
and four wounded including myself.
4th Troop ceased to exist.
Hugh Cecil Newton 1933-41
The Stationers' Crown Woods Academy
It was a real pleasure to see such a large turnout of Old Stationers
at the formal opening of the Stationers' Crown Woods Academy
(SCWA). Some were surprised at the level of the turnout, but
others understood the strength of feeling that still exists about
the closure of our school and the need to see at least some of the
values, experience and, yes, traditions that we have amassed in
our lives, shared with the next generation.
Having been involved on the edge of the process to form and
fund the new school, it is very clear to me that the Stationers'
Crown Woods Academy has a great chance of being one of the
most successful schools in the country. It has ambitious goals,
great leadership, good governance and solid backing from the
educational authorities that oversee and manage it. The
Stationers' Company has committed to providing not only
significant financial support but also professional guidance and
direction. There may not be much of an opportunity to catalyse
support for either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspurs, but the
students are already receiving broad support and encouragement
from members of the Stationers' Company as far as their future
careers are concerned, particularly in those industry sectors
benefiting from digital technology.
From recent feedback, it is clear that this form of help is being
well received and there is a massive opportunity for the OSA to
play its part. The age gap between Old Boys and young students
is not blocking progress. We have so much to give in the form of
our time, ideas, contacts in the work place, donations of
equipment and, of course, our money to be spent on specific
projects.
The first in-kind donation in the form of photographic equipment
has just been made and I am proud to say it has come from an
OSA member. One day, I would like to see the SCWA organise
an Old Pupils' Association along the lines of the OSA, the
re-emergence of our school's Cock House Cup to recognise
success within the new school, the singing of a school song
which embodies the ethics of determination and friendship as
ours does, frequent visits by OSA members to the new school to
assist in projects, career guidance and, maybe, shared sporting
activities(?).
Everyone who attended the school opening was stunned and
moved by the singing of our school song at the end of the
ceremony. It demonstrated the unreserved support for this bold
endeavour by those who stood on the school platform and sang.
We have so much to give and there is a school out there that is
ready to welcome and receive our support, in whatever form it is
offered.
Tony Mash
18