Old Lambethans’ Society

By EDWIN H. GOODFFLLOW, Hon. Sec.

It is with much pleasure that I recall a letter from an old schoolboy, who asked me if I would help him in his endeavour to form the Old Boys' Gathering again. These gatherings had been started by the late Headmaster, John Hernaman, and one of the present Committee, Mr. Albert Townsend, was a hard-working Secretary for some years, but, owing to the death of Mr. Hernaman and other circumstances, he unfortunately could not continue them.

Well, friends, to that schoolboy belongs the honour of restarting our pleasant gatherings, where schoolmates meet again and enjoy the old familiar tales of the jolly days when at school, and also, I am pleased to say, meet some of their masters. The name of our schoolmate is Mr. Percy Bavin, whose schooldays were between 1884 and 1892.He was an enthusiastic scholar, and had the distinction of being a monitor.

It was about December, 1894, that he began his first endeavour to start the Society, and after a great deal of worry, arranged to have his first meeting, and two old boys were present -Arthur Richardson and Fred Latrielle. They suggested that Percy Bavin should be the Secretary pro tem., which office that old boy took up, and generously offered to finance the endeavour, and from that meeting of three it is very gratifying to think that the Society started, and is in such a flourishing condition at the present time.

The next meeting numbered 40, and a very pleasant evening was spent, Mr. Walter Bavin and Mr. Hany Boswarva occupying the chair during the evening. At this gathering it was proposed that we invite the Schoolmaster, Mr. J. E. Wood, to join us, and subsequently, at the next gathering, he took the chair, when the number had risen to 75.

In the following October we paid our first visit to the School, and here again the number increased. This was a very pleasant evening, and we had our old friends, Mr. George Hyde ("Schneider how you vas ?") and Mr. Walter Hogg ("The Penny Showman"), also we had our worthy friend, Mr. Parkins, who not only was an old boy, but the friend of all Old boys. Dr. Walpole came in to welcome us, also other members of the Clergy, and one Master, Mr. Tozer.

Mr Walter Hogg (An Old Boy)

We now reach the First Annual Gathering since the reunion, which took place on the fourth Monday in January, at the School, Lambeth Road, where we were welcomed by Mr. Wood. And what a reunion it was! Old Boys and young Old Boys, some very old friends, Dr. Walpole, Mr. Willie Jones, Mr. Parkins, and others. It is pleasant to record that our oldest boys, Mr. Nation (nearly 80 years of age) and Mr. Turner (who has passed 62 years) were with us. At this meeting Mr. Percy Bavin resigned, and was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his strenuous labours in bringing together the Old Boys again. It is very pleasant for me to say that the Old Boys will ever remember Percy Bavin as a most conscientious and faithful ally to the Boys' Gathering. I append a few lines he wrote some while ago:- 

"I sincerely hope that all boys who belonged to the old School will attend our meetings for the sake of our dear old Master, who first started these meetings so many years ago. "

Mr Turner (An Old Boy)

At this gathering a thorough representative Committee was elected. We had over 100 old boys attending, and the number of subscribing members had reached 70.

On March 16th, 1906, we held a high class Bohemian Conceit at the Horns Assembly Rooms, Kennington, when we had the small hall packed to overflowing. Mr. J. E. Wood, the Head Master, took the chair. and was supported by the old Masters, Mr. Geo. Hyde (who had kindly consented to become a Vice-Patron), and the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Willie Jones. It was a splendid conceit, and it was very pleasant for the boys to see their old Masters again (we had four-Messrs. W. T. Underwood, H. Sims, David Greville. and Mark Franklin) with them. It showed the feeling existing between the Masters and boys: how glad and boisterous were the boys when the Masters were asked to speak. The Committee are to be congratulated on their first concert, and they will certainly have to secure the large hall for future occasions.

A Social Evening was held at the Schools in May, 1906.

Two Cricket matches were played against the Holborn Carlyle-May 26th :and June l 6th, both of which we unfortunately lost.

Our last Concert was held at the School on Thursday, Nov. 15th, 1906. A splendid programme was arranged, and a very enjoyable evening was spent, friends being invited. Here we had an associate, Mr. E. Wilcox, come forward to help us by decorating the front of the platform, and who thoughtfully put the words, "Welcome to Old Lambethans," which was highly appreciated by the Old Boys. At this Concert we had Mr. and Mrs. Sims and Mr. and Mrs. Greville with us, and Mr. J. Lavender (an Old Boy), and also Madame Lavender, well known to many of us, came and gave their services. Other very Old Boys, coming for the first time, were noticed - Messrs. Leonard Pitt, Hudson, W. Holland, and many of a later time also. The Head Master kindly took the chair.

Mr A. J. Lavender (An Old Boy)

Group of Boys, with the Late J. Hernaman, Esq., and Mr W. T. Underwood

I should like to bring to your notice the many and influential patrons that we have in our Society, and a list of these, with the Officers and Committee, will be found on another page. Well, friends, I am often asked the question, "What is this Society for?" It is a question I never seem to be able to answer. "What are the Old Boys to me 7" All I can say is that I have had some very pleasant evenings with those schoolmates, and I hope to have many more. There is a spark of friendliness in my schoolmates, and I have found many good friends, and also when I hear of a schoolmate helping another it certainly seems to me that we should cling to one another and be the happy schoolmates again. It has been a great pleasure to hear of the helping of one another. 

Not a long way off the School, I find that a well-known firm, whose head is an Old Boy, asked Mr. Hernaman for a lad, and now that lad has risen to be the well-respected manager. 

Again, an Old Boy who was drawing a truckload of firewood over Westminster Bridge was stopped by an old schoolmate, who found that the other one had fallen by sheer misfortune, in adverse circumstances. On being asked, the II Labour Home " (where he was) said, "That they would be very sorry to lose him, as he was the most honest man they had and one whom they could entirely trust." I'm pleased to tell you that he is now at work where the other schoolmate is Managing Director, and a good reliable man he is, too.

Another instance of schoolmates helping one another. An Old Boy died, leaving a young widow and two children. Four of his schoolmates arranged a first-class Concert at the Masonic Hall, Camberwell Road, and so much enthusiasm did they put into this, that they were able to ask our old friend, Mr. Willie Jones, of the Lambeth Savings Bank, to allow the widow ten shillings a week for two years from the proceeds arising from that Concert. Wasn't this the friendship schoolmates ought to have?

I will not weary you with other instances, though I could give you plenty more of schoolmates' doings, but will ask you, to help me in my endeavours to further increase the number of Old Boys, the subscribing members (2s. per annum) being up to the present 128. 

I should like to thank the Committee for their very kind efforts in supporting me, and also that my very best thanks are due to the Assistant Hon. Sec. for the unselfish manner in which he has helped me in many ways.

Three Brothers Walter E. Everett, James Everett, and William J. Everett (Old Boys)

The Twins - Leo and Joe Stammers (Old Boys)