(Unsigned, 1921)
A few weeks will see the completion of another year of the School's existence, with its trials, its successes, and its efforts. An influx of 170 new boys at mid-winter has filled up some of our empty space, but they are all arranged satisfactorily now, and will, we hope, realise the responsibility, which is theirs, of upholding the old traditions of the School, and will live up to our motto, "Nil Sine Labore," both in the schoolroom and on the sports ground.
The Public Examinations take place shortly — very shortly to those concerned — and both Sixth and Fourth are working hard to do us credit, and we hope that the School will, once again, score a large percentage of passes and honours in both Junior and Senior. We hope, too, that several of the University Scholarships will be carried off by our Seniors.
Our First Football Team had a fairly successful season, and played well throughout. In the inter-school matches they defeated Toowoomba and Gregory Terrace, drew with Ipswich, and suffered defeat at the hands of Nudgee and Southport. The honour caps were awarded to R. E. Bateman (best back), J. G. Whitfield (best forward), and S. A. Trout and O. T. Fenwick (next best players). [Detailed cricket, rowing, athletics, tennis and gymnastics reports follow in the original.] In the All Schools' Gymnastic Competition we were pre-eminently successful, winning the parallel and horizontal bars and the rings in both Junior and Senior divisions, as well as the Junior and Senior Championship Medals; Mr. W. J. Ewart remarked that he had never before seen a better display of gymnastics by school boys.
By the time one has read through this Magazine, he will have observed that we have a captured gun up at the School. 'Tis true, but more anon. We are justly proud of it, as it shows that, at least, the old School has not existed in vain. It stands as a lasting memento of those 1,019 Old Boys who joined the flag, and so many of whom never returned. We hope that, by this time next year, we will have our War Memorial Hall complete.
Remember — "Each of 'em's done his country's work (and what have you got to spare?) / Pass the hat for your credit's sake, and — pay, pay, pay."
The twenty-third Annual General Meeting of the Association was held at the rooms of the National Democratic Council, Queen Street, on Wednesday, 20th July. Those present included the President, Mr. A. D. Graham; the Vice-President, Brig.-General J. H. Cannan; and Messrs. F. S. N. Bousfield, T. E. Jones, Jas. Love, S. Stephenson, G. H. Pritchard, Dr. J. G. Avery, A. E. Brooks, Dr. C. M. Lilley, R. M. Wilson, E. R. Crouch, T. C. Troedson, J. G. Nowlan, C. M. Longbottom, C. A. Mutch, A. R. Mutch, C. R. H. Macdonnell, A. R. Fraser, C. J. Grant, T. J. Burge and J. Raymond.
The retiring Chairman, Mr. A. D. Graham, moved the adoption of the annual report and financial statement, expressing his disappointment that the War Memorial project had not substantiated during his term of office, but speaking with gratitude of the help received from the Council. The Vice-President, Brigadier-General Cannan, in seconding, said the membership was very good and creditable but ought to be even better — there were many Old Boys of all ages who had not yet affiliated — and that the result of the War Memorial Appeal, though disappointing, was certainly not due to any lack of effort by the committee, whose Hon. Secretary, Mr. Stephenson, displayed remarkable enthusiasm and energy. A discussion followed on the cost of the Foundation Day celebration and dinner (the 10s. tariff), members generally favouring "not so much a dinner as a chance to exercise more sociability and good fellowship."
In the election of officers, the Chairman proposed Brigadier-General J. H. Cannan — "who represented the best part of the School's best record" — as President; Mr. F. S. N. Bousfield warmly seconded, saying it would be fitting indeed that the great War Memorial Building be finished and officially opened by General Cannan. General Cannan was declared President by acclamation. Having assumed the chair, the new President spoke of the great value the School Magazine had been to the men at the Front, "how deep and sincere had been their appreciation of it," and pledged to bring into the Association all who were at the war and had not yet joined. Mr. Stephenson proposed Mr. C. B. Fox as Vice-President — "one of the most energetic, patriotic and loyal Old Boys the School had ever had," whose successful work for the War Memorial made him most worthy. General Cannan then moved that "there was only one man for the position of Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, and that Mr. J. G. Nowlan was that man"; Mr. Nowlan was re-elected by acclamation, the retiring President advising his successor, "Don't let him escape."
Mr. Stephenson reported on the War Memorial: it was hoped the laying of the foundation would take place in February, and the balance required was in sight. Of the 4,000 living Old Boys circularised, only about 800 had so far responded; "we have not done our whole duty by merely extending sympathy — some practical proof should follow." He praised the new Vice-President, Mr. C. B. Fox, who "has broken all records by his successful canvassing." Mr. Stephenson then gave the history of the gun captured by General L. C. Wilson, and reported on the progress of the Records and Annals of the School; a sub-committee (Messrs. Bousfield, T. E. Jones, Stephenson, A. D. Graham and General Cannan) was appointed to arrange for the publication of the Annals. A vote of thanks to the retiring President, Mr. A. D. Graham, closed the meeting.
This issue records the unveiling at the School of a German gun captured by Brigadier-General L. C. Wilson's 3rd Light Horse Brigade. Lord Forster (Governor-General) unveiled the gun, and spoke as follows:
"I feel it to be a great honour to be allowed to take part in this most interesting ceremony.. In unveiling this gun, I want to say one or two words as to the way in which I hope it will be regarded. First of all, it stands as an emblem of the victory which was won in the most stupendous struggle that the world has ever seen.. It will remind you that Australia was a participant wherever the war was waged — in Gallipoli, a name imperishably associated with all the glories of the Australian arms; in Egypt, in France, in Flanders. By land, by sea, by air, Australia has won immortal fame.
In the doing of those great things the Old Boys of this great School played their part. I believe that no less than 1,019 of the Old Boys served with the forces, and of that number [the figure of those who fell is rendered illegibly in the scan]. About half of the school's volunteers gained commissioned rank. Five brigadier-generals were contributed to the A.I.F.; over 160 military distinctions were won, and 72 of the Old Boys were mentioned in despatches. (Loud applause.)
That is a very proud record for this School, and I hope it will always be held in remembrance."
B.G.S. War Memorial Fund — Executive Committee: Chairman, J. L. Woolcock, Esq., B.A.; Deputy-Chairman, E. R. Crouch, Esq.; Hon. Treasurer, C. A. Powell, Esq., A.F.I.A.; Hon. Secretary, S. Stephenson, Esq., M.A.; Hon. Assistant Secretary, T. E. Jones, Esq., B.A.; with Lieut.-Col. C. F. Plant, F. S. N. Bousfield, F. Reimers, C. B. Fox, S. D. Tozer and J. Lockhart Gibson, M.D. The appeal noted that some £700 remained to be raised before the War Memorial Library could be built.
Note on the School Captain: No separate "School Captain's report" appears. The Prefects named that year were O. T. Fenwick and S. N. Gaydon. The Editorial (unsigned) is reproduced below. This is a landmark post-war issue: it records the WWI service of 1,019 Old Boys and the unveiling of a captured German gun at the School.
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.
Draft site for committee review. Spot an error or hold a missing piece? Tell the OBA