My Arborfield Memories

as recalled by

John G Morland 45A

Editor’s Note:

John made contact after reading in the OBAN Magazine (March 2012, Issue 52) of the search for the final resting place of RSM Mac McNally. From that contact we have some of John’s memories of Arborfield Life.

John writes….

I had a quick look at your September49ers web site. In fact I kept my copy of Vol.1, No.4, Dec. ‘47 of the Arborfield Apprentice, when I was on the editorial committee, was secretary of the Chess Club, and made a number of contributions to the magazine. I recall that my “Tour de France” article was strictly edited by the education officer (who was the editor) as the true story was that we all got so drunk on the French farmer’s cider that we couldn’t balance on our bikes for a couple of hours! Moral issues were a bit tighter in those days!

As you may have seen, I was in the last group of lads sent to Woolwich as War Office Cadets. Although normally 8 apprentices selected from both Arborfield and Chepstow were sent to Woolwich each year, that year only 7 of us made it. Although we proved to be the most successful group, in terms of obtaining London University engineering degrees, the scheme was terminated before a further group could be sent in 1949. I am still in touch with three of my group, namely Barrie Keast (45A), who later became colonel commandant of the Arborfield apprentice school, Reg Tingley (45B?), and Peter Foyle, a 1944 Chepstow lad. We four, with respective wives, meet up once a year in October for a dinner/hotel/breakfast event!

PS:- 45A was the last intake to be awarded the 39 – 45 War Medal. There has to be something that makes us feel superior to those that followed!!!

The ‘Arborfield Apprentice’ school magazines that John refers to can be viewed from HERE.

Published: 1st April 2012.

____________________________________________________________________________________