When, at the commencement of February, we re-assembled and missed the familiar faces of Lawton, Grenning, Atthow, Clarkson, Anderson, Stewart, Leslie, and the other giants of last year's athletes and scholars, all the horizon seemed covered with impenetrable black clouds; but, as Phoebus slowly mounted through the vault of heaven those huge black masses were gradually dispelled, as we smilingly exhorted one another with a firm "Stick to it, lads!" Could we, surrounded as we are by masters who have our welfare so much at heart, climb down in the hour of responsibility, when so many of our predecessors are daily battling for King and Country, thus setting us an example that we must, for the reputation of our Alma Mater, strive to emulate? As we look at the ever-increasing columns of the Honour Board, we are ever encouraged in our desire for well-doing.
The Honour Roll now contains nearly 1,000 names, whilst, alas! in proportion (all too large as it seems) the list of honoured dead increases. 'Tis when the dreaded news is received that their sorrowing relatives, to whom we extend our sincere condolence, realise the truth of T. Campbell's words: "Few, few shall part, where many meet — / The snow shall be their winding-sheet, / And every turf beneath their feet / Shall be a soldier's sepulchre."
As time rolls on, leaving the world still engaged in this awful struggle, the B.G.S. seems destined to win greater and greater distinction in military matters. Whilst we are filled with admiration for all those who have come, and are still coming, forward to fight for King and Country, we cannot help feeling exultant as we peruse the long list of military distinctions won by Old Boys in this war, and we take this opportunity of congratulating them, one and all, on their successes.
Last year's captain, T. Lawton, has enlisted, and whilst congratulating him on his action, we wish him good luck and a safe and speedy return. Shortly before his departure, the School took the opportunity of presenting him with a few articles, as tokens of the high esteem in which all held "Tommy," their champion.
The President for 1917–18 was Mr. Reginald Heber Roe (the School's former Head Master and OBA founder). At the 1918 Annual General Meeting Mr. F. S. N. Bousfield (the Head Master) was elected President for 1918–19; Mr. J. G. Nowlan continued as Hon. Secretary & Treasurer. The dominant work of the year remained the recording of war service and the planning of a permanent memorial.
Old Boys' Association (Founded 1898).
No award. The Reginald Heber Roe Memorial Bursary had not yet been founded (first award 1933).
The issue prints the School's Roll of Honour (Killed). The Honour Roll of enlistments now held nearly 1,000 names, with the honoured dead steadily rising.
Both 1918 issues carry the WWI Roll of Honour and Old Boys' registers; not reproduced here.
Source: The Brisbane Grammar School Magazine, June 1918 and November 1918 (two termly issues, combined). Final year of the Great War. Notation: Bracketed "(year)" = year of ENTRY. (No R. H. Roe Bursary before 1933.) School Captain 1918: B. Avery (first-named School Prefect). Head Master: F. S. N. Bousfield, M.A.
In this era, an Old Boy's year designation was the year he entered Grammar; the convention today is the year he finished. A boy who started in 1993 and finished in 1997 was (93) but is now '97.
Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys' Association · Old Boys History. Part of the OBA Knowledge Project.
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