HIGH SCHOOL’S WAR RECORD

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23818, 11 December 1942, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL’S WAR RECORD

MR A. E. CADDICK’S

ANNUAL REPORT

The war record of former pupils and masters of the Christchurch Boys High School was referred to by the headmaster (Mr A. E. Caddick) at the annual prize-giving Of the masters with the armed forces he said; Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Burrows. D.5.0., commanding officer of an infantry battalion, 2nd N.Z.E.F.. had distinguished himself in the field as a most able and courageous leader. Major W. Moffat and Major J. F. Moffat, said Mr Caddick, had both been back in Now Zealand after service overseas, the former in the Middle East, the latter in the Pacific zone. Major J. F. Moffat was once moie overseas. Captain L. M. Kissel had written cheerfully from a German prison camp, and Mr J. L. Moffat was serving with a field ambulance unit in the Pacific. Two relieving masters. Messrs Gudsell and Tunnicliffc. were also on service outside New Zealand, the former with the Air Force, and the latter in the New Zealand Field Artillery. The record of former pupils on active service, said Mr Caddick, was outstanding, and one they regarded with pride. The school roll of honour held the names of 630 old boys on active service overseas. Many of them had earned distinction in action.

In the fighting at Ruwcisat ridge, El Mrir, and Minqar Qaim in July, two New Zealand brigades had taken part both of which were commanded by old boys, Brigadier H. K. Kippenberger and Colonel J. T. Burrows.

Awards for gallantry had been received as follows:—D.S.O., 5; D.F.C., 7; Mentioned in Dispatches, 4; George Medal, 1; D.F.M., 1; M.M., 1; M.8.E., 1; C.8.E., 1. With deep regret Mr'Caddick said he had to record an increase in the casualty lists. Thirty-nine old boys were prisoners of war, 24 were missing, 23 had been wounded, and there were 61 dead. He extended to parents and relatives of those who had givea their lives the deep sympathy of the whole school.

ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS

“Three hundred and forty-two of our old boys have served or are serving with the forces (Middle East 68, Navy 19, Air Force 38, in New Zealand or recently transferred overseas 187),” said Mr J. B. Mawson, rector of St. Andrew's College, in referring at the annual prize-giving last evening to the college’s war record. "Five," Mr Mawson said, "have won decorations—M. A. Ensor, an account of whose latest exploits had appeared in the newspapers this week, the D.F.C, and bar; the late Russell E. Orchard, the D.F.C.: Derek Hammond, the D.F.C.; D. S. Gibb, the D.F.C.; and J. C. Simpson, since posted as missing, believed killed, the 0.8. E.” Mr Mawson said that 37 had returned from overseas, 17 were prisoners of war. and five were missing. Ten had during the year been killed in action or posted as missing, believed killed. Pride in the number who had gone forward so willingly, in distinctions achieved, and in the knowledge that the boys had upheld the traditions of the college and been willing to make sacrifices in the name of freedom, truth, justice, and righteousness was expressed by the chairman (the Very Rev. J. L. Robinson).

CHRISTCHURCH WEST HIGH SCHOOL

Approximately 150 old pupils and eight masters of the Christchurch West High School are on service in New Zealand or overseas. This was mentioned by the headmaster (Mr C. A. Noble) in his annual report which was presented at the prize-giving ceremony last evening. Mr Noble said that two lots of parcels had been sent to the old pupils. There were two old girls serving in the Middle East. Eight out of 12 male permanent assistants were on service with the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Major M. A. Bull was a prisoner of war in Germany, Lieutenant D. G. Grant had recovered from wounds received in the Libyan campaign, while Captain J. J. D. Sinclair and Sub-Lieu-tenant A. T. Anderson were on active service.