History (5)

The Wartime Years 1939-1945

After the declaration of war in September 1939, it was decided to transfer cadets to Foots Cray Place in Kent, which had been made available through the kindness of Lord and Lady Waring. In that month the College moved to a shore-based establishment which was to serve as a "Ship" until the end of the War in 1945.

It was an imposing building of Italian-style architecture, standing in an estate of 100 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. Tall double wrought iron gates opened to the Lodge and a long sweeping drive to the portico entrance.

The house itself was constructed on three levels. On the ground floor (middle level) the marble floor of the portico and entrance hall continued through to the large main hall on the same level capped and open to a large, round dome in the centre of the building's roof. At the upper floor level a gallery ran around the base of the circular dome, providing direct access to the rooms located on the four sides of the building.

This upper level was divided into bedrooms, both large and small, which accommodated two tier bunks and cadets' sea chests. There were four original small bath/dressing rooms of which one was allocated to the Chief Cadet Captain as his personal domain.

School classes were held on the middle level. The large and small dining room were also located here. The Captain Superintendent's day cabin was situated off the entrance foyer, as were other staff offices. A small mezzanine floor above this area accommodated members of the staff and their sleeping quarters.

The basement consisted of wide catacomb-like stone passageways along the walls of which two tier bunks and sea chests were arranged to complete the cadets' sleeping area. Also located at this level was the galley, the sick bay and individual cabins of the Instructors.

Outside the basement two wooden huts were erected to augment the classroom facilities. A washroom with showers together with the 'heads' was constructed for the use of cadets in the basement.

Field sports were catered for with six grass tennis courts and three rugby and soccer pitches with cricket in the summer. The surrounding countryside with copse and undulating terrain provided excellent conditions for cross-country running.

Despite the large acreage, cadets were confined to a limited "in-bounds" area; the terrace on the south side of the house provided the space for the daily "slewing".Wartime precautions were largely responsible for this confinement.