History (6)

The Wartime Years 1939-1945 (continued)

A typical day started at 0700 with two duty buglers sounding reveille in the main hall - the sound chamber effect of the dome on the buglers' efforts assured the awakening of the deepest sleeping cadet! Ablutions, dressing and bunk making all took place in double smart time before falling in by divisions for "Jerks". The level and intensity of this activity was a direct reflection of the particular cadet captain's own athleticism. Divisions followed with the Ship's Company fallen in for inspection and colours. The Chief Officer was the daily inspecting officer but on Sunday the Captain Superintendent passed his eagle eye over the assembly. Pity the first termer who had missed a speck on his square jacket - or worse still had "tramlines" for a trouser crease! Breakfast followed with a session of "Clear up Decks" before the start of school. Saturday mornings witnessed the sweeping, scrubbing and polishing of every inch of the building's floor space.

The morning session of school ended at noon when cadets moved to Sections with the pipe for lunch at 1300. The dining room seating was not based on divisions, except for first termers in the Afterguard Division. In the main Dining Room there were five refectory type tables each split into three groups. A cadet captain and senior badge cadet headed each group of ten, which descended in order of seniority. The mess group were identified as Window, Middle and Door number 1-5.

Wartime rationing allowed each cadet a 2-ounce packet of butter on Sundays and a 4-ounce packet of margarine on Wednesdays. Food parcels from parents invariably contained a pot of much favoured peanut butter.

Each term visits to the "Cutty Sark" were organised by Section, usually once each. It was a full day visit and the journey was made by train. Lifeboat drill, boat pulling and heaving the leadline were typical activities undertaken. The visit sometimes ended with a swim in the College baths.

Sporting activities played a large part in the College life. Three XV's and three XI's were fielded in winter competitions while three cricket XI's represented the Ship in summer months. Gymnastics were considered to be very important and the standard was such that gymnastic displays became a regular feature of Sports Day and fund raising for charities at local events.