Saint George’s Home for Boys 1915 – 1991

August 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm 1,410 comments

Recent SGH news:

The Rev Canon Eric Richardson turned 100 years old on July 22nd 2012. John Rossouw, St. George’s Home Old Boy, shares: “I was privileged to join the Richardon family and the residents of Bryanston Village earlier today at a special tea in honour of Father Richardsons 100th birthday. He received letters of congratulations from both President Zuma as well as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II congratulating him on his milestone birthday and I felt very honored to be among his family and friends to join in the occasion”. For an earlier interview with Brian Gannon, former SGH Housemaster, please visit this link. Watch the video here.

Canon Eric Richardson

Old Boys gather for Reunion with Canon Eric Richardson at St. Georges Bishop Bavin on Saturday April 21st 2012. Read more here. See Reunion Photos here.

Old Boy’s Reunion, Saturday April 21st 2012

Celebrating Canon Eric “The Beek” Richardson’s centenary at the Old Boys Reunion

Des Steel (SGH 1970’s) passes. Read more here.

George Henry Adams – 1928 – 2012

1924 – 2010

George Henry Adams, SGH Headmaster, dies on February 8th 2012
Father Norman “Bee Bop” Clayton, SGH Chaplain, dies on September 7th 2010
George Harold van Pletzen, Crawford Housemaster 1970-72, dies on July 21st 2010
Frank Barry Kruger says “Hi”
Eddie “Burty” Lancaster (’51-’62) writes in
Heather McHolm checks in
“DC” Dudley Claude Pringle (50s) writes on the Sword of St. George
David “Tubby” Laughtonpasses May 2009 at 72
João “Joey” Simoes writes of life in Simpson House in the late 70’s
Peter De Reuck remembers the old Victorian Tuck Shop at SGH
Lance Japhet, Chairman of SGH in the late 70’s up to closure in the 90’s, dies
Ed Colyn writes on Umtentweni, aeroplane “props” and catty fights.
Leslie DuPlessis (60’s) remembers life in Beaton and Spackman Houses
Thomas Bainbridge (53-59) tells of his recent tea with Canon Eric Richardson
Percy Maree (57-60 Beaton / Spackman House) writes in from Australia remembering Umtentwini
Jeffrey Rendulic / Hackett (65-69 Simpson House) checks in
Steve Towse, Project Volunteer 76-77, invites emails for Fr. Norman Clayton
SGH Website finds a home on Facebook
Old Boys wax poetic — to great effect
Jaycee Milner (84-88 Beaton House) joins the conversation
Marc Wastie shares photos from the seventies
Mike Dollman contributes “Study Camp” photos from the sixties
“DC” Dudley Claude Pringle remembers “Goggies” in the late 50’s
Canon Eric Richardson turns 95
Brian Gannon meets with Eric Richardson in Cape Town
Fr. Norman “Bee Bop” Clayton found alive and well at 84 by John O’Neill . . .
Vanessa Hurlimann (nee Finlay) remembers the “Big Walk” of 1972

SGH “Parade Ground”: 2007

Click on the “More” button below to see photos and read and leave comments . . .

Click here for a “bird’s eye” view of Saint George’s Home for Boys

Bishop Bavin St. George’s School in Bedfordview, South Africa, may be less than 15 years old, but the great jacaranda trees which shade the extensive, well-kept grounds have been there since shortly after the St George’s Home for Boys opened in 1915.

When the lovely but dilapidated Herbert Baker buildings were restored under the watchful eye of the current rector, Reverend Morgan Ellis, the gardens, too, slowly began to take shape and are now a valued part of the Bishop Baven St. George’s school.

I recall life at St. George’s home for boys in the early seventies when my father, George Harold van Pletzen, assumed a post as Housemaster of Crawford House for two short years. Although not employed by the Home, my mother, Helen Kay van Pletzen, devoted herself fully to providing for the boys under her care in this piously Anglican, militaristic place.

Christmas 1971 - Photographed by Norman Clayton

Christmas 1971: St. George’s Chapel, Fr. Norman Clayton

Efficiency squads: 1977 and 1978

Courtesy of Marc Wastie

Charles Wastie and Newton Besant

Marc Wastie receives the under 10 Athletics Trophy

Freddy de Jager and a Project Volunteer (Steve?) outside the Feeding Shelter

Memorial Service: 1978

Saint Georges in the News: 1967 (Courtesy of Mike Dollman)

Click on any image for a larger scan

Study Camp at Lidgeton, Natal, 1966. Mike Rossouw, Trevor Stringer, Robyn Putter, Greg (surname eludes me), Mike Dollman and the master was “Tubby” Laughton.

Robyn Putter, 1966

Michael Rossouw and George Budd, 1966

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SGH under 14B Team: 1972/73 (Courtesy John O’Neill) Double-click any photo for more options

Notable Names

Notable names: Canon Eric Richardson, Father Norman Clayton, Audrey (RIP) and Ken McHolm (RIP), Heather McHolm, Kennedy McHolm, George and Helen van Pletzen (1970 – 1972), Raymond Last, Frederick Lourens, Brian Gannon, the Rossouw brothers, William Wilson, Stewart Clark, Keith Frandsen, Harald Gunkel, David Grissselle, Richard Levey, Karel de Waal, Neville Rennie, Jeffrey Girout, Peter Ford, Mervyn Ekron, Mike Dollman (1966 – 1967), Michael Rossouw, Albert de Jager, JJ de Jager, John Inns (RIP), Roger Inns, George Struagh, Peter Ford, Tony Girout, Gary Hand, Andre, Linda and Blane van Pletzen (1970 – 1972) and most recently “found” — Wendy Thompson, Steve Towse, John O’ Neill, Shane Botha, Peter Burrow, “DC” Dudley Claude Pringle, Stuart Wavel Pringle, Trevor Stringer, Robyn Putter,Tubby Laughton, Jaycee Milner (84-88), Craige Milner, and Nick Young.

Old Boys’ Gallery

Michael Rossouw (left) and David Rossouw

Dudley Pringle

Trevor Budd

Housemaster’s Gallery

Father Norman Clayton ca 1970

Eric Richardson

Beaton House at Umtentweni (Courtesy Steve Towse) Double-click any photo for more options

Spackman House at Umtentweni (Courtesy Steve Towse) Double-click any photo for more options

Heather McHolm and SGH boys (Courtesy Steve Towse) Double-click any photo for more options

JJ de Jager (Courtesy Steve Towse) Double-click any photo for more options

Crawford House Boarders in the latest incarnation of SGH: Bishop Bavin School

It was at Saint George’s Home for Boys that I received confirmation (March 21st 1972) and was first exposed to the liturgy of the Anglican Communion in this chapel.

1971 Confirmations: Kennedy McHolm, George van Pletzen, Raymond Last, Frederick Lourens, John Rossouw, William Wilson, Stewart Clark, Audrey McHolm, Helen van Pletzen and Susan Tomkine.

1972 Confirmations: Keith Frandsen, Harald Gunkel, David Grisselle, Richard Levey, Karel de Waal, Blane van Pletzen, Neville Rennie, Jeffrey Girout, Peter Ford and Mervyn Ekron.

A recent picture of Norman “Bee Bop” Clayton’s flat / recording studio

Looking towards the Chapel – 2007

Scott and Blane in the Sanctuary – 2007:

The Refectory – 2007:

Blane and Linda van Pletzen outside Crawford House in 2007:

The swimming pool in 2007:

Debbie Wright and Shane Botha: October 1976.

Do you have photographs and memories to share?

Have an interest in, or a history with, St. George’s Home for Boys? Please feel free to use this posting as a means of making contact.

Where are you”old boys”? Where are the “survivors”? What are your stories?

Please send your scanned photographs and stories to bvpr@mac.com for inclusion in this site.

Brian Gannon — 2007 — at his home in Cape Town

This week — January 2008 — I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Canon Eric Richardson who was brought on a short holiday to Cape Town by his daughter Debbie who was visiting South Africa from New Zealand. Eric recently turned 95 years old, so it was a pleasant surprise to find him looking and sounding the same as ever. We communicate by e-mail, but I haven’t been to Johannesburg for more then thirty years so I hadn’t seen him for all that time.

All who knew him will be pleased to hear that he is living very much in the present tense! We talked about our families, books we were reading, politics … the usual conversation topics. Then we discussed some issues around the church in the modern context and he was both animated and up-to-date in his views.

It was a great visit. We “go back a long way” and next year it will be fifty years since he invited me to work with him at St George’s Home.

Warm greetings to all St George’s people who visit this this blog.

1 Mike Dollmann | March 2, 2007 at 5:43 am

Hi Blane.

I am an St Georges Home “old boy” and spent two years there from 1966 to 1967 and prior to that I spent two years 1964 to 1965 at the old Stanger High school Hostel. From your site it would appear that you also had some connection to that school.

Should you wish to contact me, please feel free to do so on 082 455 8790 or by e-mail miked@barloworld.com.

Regards

Mike
2. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | October 24, 2007 at 7:44 pm

Hi Blane
Don’t know if you remember me but at the tiime you were in Crawford I was in Simpson where my father was housemaster. I remember your family well. Seeing the names you have listed has really called back the past as I remember most of those boys and may even have some pics of some of them.
Have just returned from a holiday in the UK where I saw one of the Project Trust volunteers, Steve Towse, and he has been in touch with Father Clayton as he lives quite near Steve. Steve is also in touch with Nick Young who was known as ‘Mr Plod’ as he was a policeman in the UK before, and after, coming to St Georges.
Feel free to email me.
Regards
Wendy
3. Blane | October 24, 2007 at 8:48 pm

Wendy! My god how lovely to hear from you. Yes, I remember you well despite the very short time we were together at St. George’s as “Housemaster’s kids.” Can you share contact information for Fr. Clayton and others?
4. Anon | October 29, 2007 at 9:48 am

My apologies for prefering to remain anonymous. My thanks to Blane for making this forum possible. I met both Blane and Wendy, as well as their parents, albeit briefly, in St Georges. Both were Housemaster’s kids and I doubt either would remember me had I divulged my identity.

Nevertheless, is it not curious that it took a ‘Housemaster’s kid’ finally to reveal the existence of an institution, near the heart of Johannesburg, that ‘cared’ for boys for more than 70 years? I can anwer that question: having spent the whole of the 1960’s there I believe I am well qualified. Even before I arrived from JCH (those who have ears, let them hear) St Georges posessed a fearful reputation for discipline. And it was well deserved. Gone was the gentle ambience and true caring of JCH and in its place we found a harsh, violent reality that till shocks me to this day, more than 40 years later. It was a violence inflicted on boys by ‘well-meaning’ housemasters (two of whom are listed in your notable names above). They split the skin on our buttocks using thin bamboo canes to the extent that we often bled. On one occasion, in an attempt to protect myself from a lashing, my wrist was split open.

And I learnt my lesson well. Soon I too would inflict violence, using my fists, on the smaller boys around me and in turn was beaten up by those older than I. And this violence came from the very top, filtering its way down like a fine mist that permeated everything.

I wish to make it clear that Father Richardson was the most gentle of all the masters. On one occasion I had to report to him for a caning (I was caned too by the headmasters of both schools I also attended: Wychwood Primary and Malvern High) and the one I received from Father Richardson was laughable. He was so nervous that he was almost in tears. When he delivered his ‘tap’ I laughed in his face. I was 12 at the time. I was not being rude: I simply understood that this man was gentle and kind; unlike Thwackem, Whackem, Brainem and Cainem, the regular masters who made their canes sing as they weilded them, whistling through the air and landing with a loud THWACK!! on vulnerable buttocks. I was 9 years old when this brutality began. Try this some time: stand in a Q outside a housemaster’s flat waiting your turn for a caning; hear the boy currently being punished beg for mercy; hear the cane whistle and land; hear the door open and the master beckons you forward; see the previous boy exit with tear-streaked face clutching his bum. Such sport. I was 9 years old when this brutality began. I would be 16 when it ended. By then they thought, perhaps, that such big boys might strike back and so withheld their punishment. And in fact some big boys did but thats another story.

The violence was one reason why nobody who has been in St Georges wants to reveal that he has. There is another that is much more profound: shame. It is a deep unfounded shame that we feel as a result of being discarded. When I left the home, I revealed to very few that I was an Old Boy. My children, when they had grown up, were asked if their father ever spoke of his school years. Never, they replied. Because I was so ashamed. Now I am much older and understand that it was no fault of mine that I came from parents who had a disastrous relationship and were incapable of caring for any child, let alone me. But the shame still persists and I blush to write these words.

And yet….and yet there was so much to admire in St Georges. Not just admire. To love. I unashamedly admit I loved the place, despite what I already have said. I never went hungry and was clothed for all occasions. I made very close friends and everything was provided. And as for sports, well, we had our choice of any and all. Name it and we played it.

But I am still so deeply ashamed. But those are my feelings on the matter of St Georges and I am sure other Old Boys may beg to differ. I don’t mind. Say whatever you want.
5. Blane | October 29, 2007 at 10:49 pm

Thank you for this response. Fear and shame are powerful motivators, and you have stirred my memories. It would be unfair to hundreds of “Old Boys” if I were to try and paint a rosy picture of life at St. George’s as I knew it — or, for that matter, any picture at all. Yours is an authentic voice. I was only there for two short years. I realize, too, that I am writing from a position of privilege; as a “Housemaster’s kid” I was given preferential treatment at every turn. But I do want to share a little of my witness to corporal punishment while I was there.

Like you, I grew up in colonial Africa where corporal punishment was a common practice in schools. The threat of “six of the best” may have kept me in line, but I have since learned that fear is a short-term motivator. I often witnessed lines of boys waiting for their canings outside my father’s study and elsewhere in other houses. I, too, remember hearing the distraught cries of boys begging for mercy behind a closed door and the sound of a thin cane used in anger.

St. George’s was a strange blend of pious Anglicanism and strict, militaristic discipline. (I recently visited a former House Master at his home in Cape Town who referred to his disdain at the “frog marching” that took place on that black slate parade ground between the chapel and the refectory.)

I think it’s important to acknowledge that St. George’s permitted an environment in which such abuse could take place. Such an acknowledgment should be just that – a recognition that this happened. Hundreds of boys were shaped in this particular culture; many look back on those days with some fondness. (And here is the curious tension you share about when you survey your seven-year experience: the shame of being a “discarded” child, the violence of abusive corporal punishment and the love for this place where you were fed and clothed – a violent sanctuary.)

So thanks for your brave contribution all these years later. Perhaps there will be other voices out there who might benefit from your frank and poignant recollection as a St. George’s “Old Boy.” There is a tremendous amount of dignity in your story and I’m grateful you took time to tell it.
6. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | October 30, 2007 at 12:12 pm

Hello Anon
Thank you for your brave and insightful comments – brave because I think it’s really hard to confront such painful memories. The experiences you describe are certainly familiar to me and although I never witnessed them I certainly spent many hours listening to them.

One of the reasons that prompted me to do a net search was because in the last two years I have become reacquainted with a former assistant housemaster – one of the guys who came over from the UK to spend some time in St Georges – and it is in our many discussions that we have both come to realise that St George’s was a traumatising place for so many of us. It’s the first time for both of us to have someone else to talk to about common traumatic experiences and in some way, for me, has started some of my own coming to terms with that period in my life. My experiences can never be equated with yours by any means and I think it is a testimony to the human spirit that you and so many other people did indeed survive St George’s. That survival has indeed left its scars both literally and figuratively on many of us, housemasters’ children included, although our perspective can never be the same as those of the ‘boys’.

I am glad that with maturity has come some perspective for you although I am indeed truly sad that you had such a traumatic time in a place that should have been a refuge for you and a time of trying to rebuild your family. Thank you for sharing your story with us
7. Anon | October 31, 2007 at 5:45 am

Ah Wendy! When we met you were a very young girl with an awful metal contraption in (and on) your foot. You poor thing, I so silently sympathised with you! But you were so rightly proud and would have none of it. My apologies if I have revived any painful memories but mine of you were only delightful.

I had just completed my National Service in the Air Force and with nowhere to stay. Father Richardson kindly allowed me to live in Simpson, assisting your father with the boys. Unfortunately, I was not much help and would eventually leave to start another career in the wider world.

But thank you, Wendy, for your kind words and I am certain you are as beautiful now as when I first met you – may the sun never set on your happiness and may unhappiness be a mere speck you carelessly wipe from your eye.

Blane, I shall respond to you in a separate email. You have been most kind to have written to me and I am currently constructing a reply.

Allow me to say that I am delighted that neither of you has had the misfortune to see and do what I saw and did between the ages of 0 and 18. Very few days have passed, since I emerged from the gates of St Georges, wherein I did not entertain suicidal thoughts. But both of you are important witnesses that the brutality we boys encountered (and I must also admit, inflicted on those around us) was not imaginary.

In conclusion though, we had everything too. Food, warmth, clothing, education and a roof to cover our heads. But it was impossible for me not to be a witness to a much greater misery. Had I but been black, mine would have many times worse. I thank God, from the bottom of my heart, that I was born white in apartheid South Africa.
8. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | November 1, 2007 at 6:26 pm

Dear Anon
Thank you for your kind words. I had and have had many contraptions on my feet as it was discovered that I actually have a muscular dystrophy. The pride/stubborness (depending on who you talk to) however remains 🙂 as I want to live as full and normal a life as possible.
It is only as an adult that I really got to grips with the extent of how much St George’s affected me and, with that, the insight of how much more it must have affected the boys who lived there.
In my ideal world all of us who survived our different experiences of the home are able to find some peace and put the past to rest whilst never forgetting or denying what happened. If we can help each other to do that then that would be first prize for me.
I am glad we have connected in this way and I wish you well.
Regards
Wendy
9. Michael Anthony Rossouw (1961-1967) | November 6, 2007 at 5:53 pm

I happened to stumble on this site whilst doing some research for pictures of the Chapel windows of what is now the Bishop Bavin School.I am in much pain whilst reading the “blogg’ from the annonymous old boy who wrote about the canings, the bullying and the goings on that went on in a place that was supposed to be a caring environment.
Yes ,I too had my share of canings, probably less than most because I kept my head down and played the game by the rules.
I probably received more canings at Malvern High school than I did as a boy in the home! Nevertheless that does not justify the hurt and abuse experienced by the annonymous “old boy” and I’m suremany other old boys of the home, who received such treatment.I thank him for being as brutally honest in that which he wrote.
I last attended an old boys day in 2000, just before I left to work in SE Asia. Whilst we all enjoyed seeing each other and chatting about the days when the home was “THE” Home, I was appalled as the afternoon went on and the tongues were loosened up after a good few cold castle lagers , to hear the horror stories about the behaviour of individual masters both of my era and beyond who seemed to take great dlight, if not relish ,in this kind of abusive behaviour. Small wonder the Home was closed to make way for te Bishop Bavin school.
The number of “old Boys” (some of them in their 50’s and early 60’s now)who told horror stories, some of which were quite unbelievable given the names of the indivdual masters mentioned who committed these acts of abuse, was alarming to say the least. “How” , I asked myself “did I come out relatively unscathed?”
“How was this allowed to happen? ” I asked myself.
Did i miss something here?
In retrospect I guess I was immune to what was going on. No master ever tried to have his way with me as i’m sure they would have known I’d have spilled the beans.Many of masters who were in charge of my house were good to me as mentors and as caring friends.
Eric Richardson is a man for whom I have the highest regard. His efforts to bring the home into line with child care models of those similar to childrens homes in the UK in the 1960’s were way ahead of his time.There was much resitance to his claim in 1963 after his UK sabbatical , that St George’s ,as it was then run , was “a slum” and was no better than the workhouses of 19th Century Dickensian England.
Many of us (and I was one of them) who do have some good memories of the Home were stunned at the manner in which the Home was “closed” , a better word would be “stolen” from us and replaced by the current Bishop Bavin School. But again, in hindsight,many boys left the home vowing never to darken its doors again and quite rightly so for obvious reasons.
Again in hindsight, none of the old boys were aware of the changes that had taken place in the child care field and ,looking back, the closure of the Home as we knew it was probably long overdue. Did anyone really care? The closure of the home under Barry Lodge and his committee in the form that we knew it was probably long overdue , given that at the end of his tenure as “director” there were probably 30 or 40 boys left in the home which was built to accommodate near 200 odd boys. Alternative models were never discussed with the old boys and many probably didn’t care because we were left in the dark in the whole process of the home’s closure and the reasons for it..
Anyhow, that’s history. Many institutions Like St Gerges did not survive the post apartheid era . I sometimes wonder though whether the St george’s in which I grew up would have made a viable alternative for the many street children and gangsters et al, roaming the streets of Johannesburg and other cities of our beautiful, but crime ridden country.We will never know.personally I’d rather have seen the work of StGeorge’s continue with our countries disadvantagd youth tatn it bing turned into a toffee-nosed snobbish playground for the neuvaue riche! Anyhow, that’s cruel to say such a thing , given the success the schoolhas made as a private school in the New South Africa.
No institution can claim to be perfect. I guess the home as I knew just did the best they could with what they had.
What then did the Home do for me?
I received a good education, albeit that I only learned to read with understanding once I’d left school , as a boy in the home. People like Mrs Davis and Ma Van deemter at Wychwood guided me through my primary years with much care and affection.I had the privilege of learning the Queen’s English and an appreciation of English Literature from Vera Kirkland, Ep Cheyne and Peggy Morgan; a sense of how historians should be read and interpreted under Muriel Noaks and Miss Beveridge (Ma Be as we clled her); the rudiments of mathematics (not my bet subject) under Mrs Smith (Ma Frik as we used to call her) Mr Burgess , JJ de Jager and John Durie, and an appereciation of the World and my responsibility to do my part in looking after it (long before the concept of climate change and global warming were even mentioned )from Eugene Wright (Ma Braun) to name but a few of the many caring teachers I had the priviledge of knowing.
Headmasters like Bob Morrison and John Edmund (Johnny)Johnsen,were ,for me ,en of outstanding educational ability and educators for whom I have the highest regard.
(I have visited Wychwood Primary and Malvern High on my last vist to South Africa and I must say they reflect in many ways what the “New” South Africa , now in its adolescent years, is about.)
I received the loving care of women like Betty Richardson, Audrey Mc Holm, the many “Sisters” who ran the surgery and looked after me in my many asthma attacks,and the many “Ma’s” who ran the kitchen and linen rooms.
I learnt much from men like Kennedy James McHolm, Brian Gannon, George Adams that I could achieve in life what I wanted in terms of a career if i worked hard towards it.These were truly unique individuals who were “father figures ” to me and without whom I’d never ahve become te person I am today, even with my imperfections.
I was inspired by old boys who had done good things with their lives that I too , like them could also be a “somebody” ; guys like Frederick (Nutsy ) Moore, Dr Tommy Geddes wo were great teachers, Fr Dale White, a priest in Canada, the late Bill Stewart ( not an old boy but a great teacher and product Malvern High school ) to name but a few, who, despite their backgrounds led meaningful lives in serving others.
Above all , St George’s Home gave me a firm Faith in a loving God; not a ‘pie in the sky kind of God sporting a long white beard,but a Saviour who died for me and my miserable sin and the sin of the whole world. I thank God for His love for me every day.
I have not been the success story many prdicted that I would be when I left the home.None of us are perfect and we make mistakes along the way. St George’s did little if anything to prepare me for the things like marrige and parenthood. I don’t blame the Home for that; I had a caring Mother but a father , who, whilst he cared, was not always the caring soul he could be when he was drunk and abusive to us and to my dear Mother..
I am not making any apologies or trying to ‘white-wash ‘ what the annonymous old boy has written, but for me , St Georges home, with all its imperfections ,was the only home I knew.
I am a school chaplain today teaching in the Philippines.
Places like Burma , Mandalay, Rangoon, Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand and Indonesia were just names on a map in my history and geography class until I ventured out into these parts..
I thank God every for God’s gift of life to me and for St George’s home and the chances that the home , with all its imperfections , gave to me, for without the Home and it influence on my life , I too would probably have been a crime statistic , imprisoned for life or dead.
Eric Richardson ( now in his mid nineties and still as sharp as a razor) quoted the writer to the Hebrews in his address at the “closure” of the Home , saying, “We have no abiding city for us here on Earth, we are looking towards the city which is to come…’” Hebrews 13:14
So I take the best of what the home gave to me as a boy and I try to forget the pain inflicted on me by certain individuals, masters and boys , who will remain nameless..
Perhaps it’s the coward’s way out but its the only way I can deal with it.
I gave up visiting the home (the Bishp Bavin Campus) in 2005 when my brothers and i asked if the home’s chapel could be made available to us to bury my brother., Des who ad died whilst I was visiting that year. We were politely told “We don’t do that if you are not members of the community.’
I guess we are no longer part of what was the only home many of us knew.It is sad for me that when and if I am ordained a priest, i shall not be allowed to celebrate myfirst Eucharist at the altar at which I received my Christian faith. That is very sad but who knows, maybe there are some forgiving people in the capus which bears the name of one of the finest bishops I have ever know, +Timothy John Bavin
( now a monk in Alton Abbey in the UK) after whom the newBishop Bavin/ St George’s is named.
God Bless you all.
Yours sincerely
Deacon Michael Rossouw
Thanks for letting me saythese things. I hope I have not offended anyone in doing so. If I have , I ask your pardon and forgiveness.
My work here involves visits to a locla orphanage run by an eveangelical church called the Phillipine outreach. I must say that when I look at the dorms, a little smaller than ours at SGH, I do get more than a tear in my eyes when I leave after visiting the kids, boys and girls who range from babies abandoned by their parents because of poverty and another mouth to feed and older kids who have been abused by parents and relatives. Looking back, I was one of the lucky ones and I have God, SGH and caring men like Eric Richardson and the late Ken mcHolm and many others to thank.
10. David Rossouw | November 7, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Well,well,well…..Wendy Thompson. How the heck are you. Good to hear about you, albeit in response to anon’s letter of trauma experienced. I guess we all have war stories to tell.

We went to varsity together, I recall taking you to some do on campus during your O-week. Incidentally, I thought you were very beautiful, but, being the village nerd, did not pluck up the courage to take ask you out.

Blane van Pletzen, Crawford House, ja I remember your family and iIf I recall correctly, you were a blondie and had a cute sister and a very beautiful mom. Are they still alive???

I’ll get back on another occasion w.r.t a full comment on the website. Ja, it was tough at “The Orphs” , but, the life lessons learnt wer invaluable.

I’m Principal of a school in Randburg and was formerly a lecturer at Wits where I specialised in Teacher Training. My key mentors at St Georges were Mackie and The Beek (Richardson) who, despite many negatives at the home, were steadfast charachters.

I’m at principal@ssb.za.net if anyone wants to catch up. Will give a better response to anon and share properly at a later date.

Wendy, would love to make contact again. I had dealings with Geoff Bills (also passed on and his wife Jean) daughetr when she was secretary at my son’s Nursery school (He’s now 20). I think you guys were at school together.

Mackie always used to preek on about us being future fathers and husbands – good ones – I took that message to heart.
11. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | November 7, 2007 at 9:34 pm

Hello David
It’s good to hear from you. Will email you at your address. Thanks for posting
Regards
Wendy
12. Linda Mac Millan (van Pletzen) | November 8, 2007 at 12:44 pm

Good to hear the comments of all. I was very young when at St. Georges (8 -10)
Blane and I visited there in June 2007 – it is now Bishop Bavins and many meories cam flooding back. There I learned to ride horses, smoke cigarettes, swear and to stand up for myself. I remeber many faces – names – Quintan Taljaard, Marcel, the Thompson twins – Ralph and Ronald. Carry On movies in the hall. The early morning bugle. That was many many years ago ……
13. david | November 23, 2007 at 3:03 am

well now, a double edged sword, a home that had such good to it, yet had darkened halls and shadows, boys and masters alike. i was in simpson house and later at crawford, there i played hide and seek at the back of simpson, jumping off the store room roof onto old mattresses. built a fort and found a box of light photo sensitive paper and made shapes on it for hours on end, played soccer, rode horses, made candles, sang in the choir, participated in the swimming gala, diving competions and so forth, Ouch Mr Carr had the meanest cane around and we all agreed that he could at best give the worst canning ever, yet he was gentle, yet he was careing, did the most beautifull wood carvings and what i remember best about him was lights out, taking time to say good night to all the boys, saterdays we would sign out 50cents and if you were rich one rand from the book and running to the corner cafe for nickerballs, chips and coke. The school was strict i admit, heads inspection the worst, brushing window sills and panes with a tooth brush, ha ha coming from school and getting hot slap chips and a small carton of milk for lunch. but there was a darker side, older boys forcing there way onto younger boys for sex when the lights went out, let me leave it there………………….we all have stories good and bad, what i can say about it all is that i suppose i am better man from all of the experiences even tho scared by the bad ones,

Edit Comment
14. Anon | November 24, 2007 at 9:22 am

There once was a mine dump alongside the playing fields, just beyond the wild area that still exists today. The dump was quite substantial, about 30 metres high, comprising the soft yellow sand so typical of a gold mine dump. Of course it was out-of-bounds to the boys but that did not prevent us regularly playing there. We often jumped from its summit and the fine sand cushioned our falls. Rolling down the steep inclines was always a pleasure and countless hours of fun were dissipated aboard this relic of bygone days.

Over the years and around its base, smaller piles of sand had accumulated as a result of wind action. Most of these were small but some were large enough to hind behind for whatever nefarious reasons that might spring into the minds of boys. It might be a wank, quickly and surreptitiously undertaken, the little dump acting as a curtain against prying eyes. Or it could be a leisurely crap, slowly and thoughtfully enjoyed. A dump behind a dump, so to speak.

Joss and I were walking around the base of the major dump and passing through the maze of smaller ones when we heard a noise just beyond a pile of sand, too tall for us to see over. It was at the time of Guy Fawkes. Joss carried a whopper of a fire-cracker and we were looking for the best way to maximize the destructive power of the explosion we knew would ensue once the fuse was lit. The year was the mid early 60’s, about 1963 I would say, when Health and Safety still had decades before it would see the light of day. The firework we possessed was akin to a stick of dynamite with the potential to shift the entire mine dump across Joburg, several kilometers away. These were commonly sold to us across shop counters provided we had the dosh to pay for them.

Joss and I looked at each other when we heard the noise. We detected the distinct sound of somebody straining whilst in the throes of a crap and we quickly climbed the small hill, the sound of our bare feet utterly silenced in the soft sand. Two pairs of eyes peered over the summit. There we beheld Walter, his shorts a small distance away, his back to us and beneath his naked rump, an accruing pile of soft brown dung. Joss and I looked at each other instantly reading the other’s thoughts. I quickly lit the cracker and Joss rolled it down the incline towards the unsuspecting Wally. Unbelievably, it nestled against the growing pile of brown stuff and still Wally was unaware. I could barely contain my mirth and I could see Joss turning purple as he also gulped down his laughter. We knew the ferocity of the beast we had released and knew too that when it exploded not much of Wally’s poo would be left. As likely as not we might be covered in it so we ducked our heads and waited for what seemed an eternity.

BOOM!! We looked at each other thinking we had killed Walter because not a sound could be heard from the other side. Slowly we looked over the summit and this time Walter was standing fully erect, his face purple with rage. “You f___ b___s!!” was all he could say. Not one scrap of his efforts remained. It was if a shovel had collected it and flung it to the winds as a fine spray. Other than a dent in his dignity and a really red bum (which was clearly evident to both Joss and me), Walter suffered no other injuries.

Joss and I lay on our backs in the soft sand and laughed so much we could hardly breathe, tears running down our cheeks. My very best mate, Joss, laughing with me in the sand.
A few years later, around 1966, two non-St Georges boys were playing on the dump. They were running along the top and jumping off the steepest edge, landing safely in the fine sand below. Just as we did. Suddenly the pinnacle collapsed and covered their bodies. They were both suffocated. Later, rumours circulated that the distraught mother had desperately tried to replace her missing sons by asking Father Richardson if she could adopt two boys from the Home.

Before then, the dump was out-of-bounds. Now it was strictly out-of-bounds. We needed no further warning and only foolhardy boys risked playing on the dump. Later it was covered with a top-cover soil, grass planted and a reservoir of sorts built into it. I see today that it has been completely removed. Methinks the gold content, locked within the fine yellow sand, was the reason why.
15. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | December 4, 2007 at 4:46 pm

Hi anon
You have a lovely turn of phrase. I can just picture the scene. I remember the dump and the rather overgrown area in that region – below the Old Boys’ field as it was known.
16. john rossouw | December 7, 2007 at 6:44 pm

I am in the process of photographing all the archives of St Georges home and editing the book on it’s history written by George Adams If anyone is interested they can contact me on johnros@iafrica.com
I echo the sentiments of my brothers above that the home was a good place despite everything and I certainly reflect through the archives what a unique and special meaning it has in my life
17. Blane | December 7, 2007 at 11:17 pm

Hello John:

This is good news. When I was last at St. Georges this last Summer, I had asked after memorabilia and history. No one at Bishop Bavins seemed to know of any such thing. One lady remembered that there had been a room devoted to St. George’s history but thought that it had been packed up and moved.

Where are the archives? Can you share a little more of what you are finding there?

I am so interested in what you are finding.

Thanks for doing this.
18. david | December 11, 2007 at 1:04 am

i was in st georges from 1980 to 1989. started off in beaton house and ended up in smuts house,
many fond memories
19. john rossouw | December 11, 2007 at 5:01 pm

Greetings Blane
You may recall you, your sister and I were close friends during your stay at the home
The closure of St Georges in 91 to make way for Bishop Bavin school was at the time a highly contentious issue which is well documented in George Adam’s book
All memorabila was moved into a museum (the old boat shed between Taylor House and the workshop)
Barry Lodge headmaster at the time was so enraged with the old boys that he threw all memorabia onto the rubbish dump
Fortunately someone retrieved most of it and I have been able to potpgraph all the trophies and photographs that remain but a great deal has unfortunately been lost
The relationship between the home and the school remains delicate but we have managed to find place in the chapel for a great number of items and are progressing well in getting other items placed in appropriate places throughout the school
The task is ardeous and time consuming but I am targeting to complete same early in the new year with completion of the book by St Georges day in April
The old boys field below the soccor field made way for a retirement village in 88 which today helps to fund what remains of the home from proceeds of residential unit sales and I serve on the board of directors of the village as my contribution to the ongoing work of St Georges
If you let me have an email address I will forward you some photos for your website

Regards

John
20. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | December 12, 2007 at 1:28 am

Hi John
Thanks for sharing that info. There is so much history vested in those records – and so much of people’s lives – that it’s good to know that you have been able to work on preserving what is left. I look forward to the completion of the book in the new year.
Regards
Wendy
21. john rossouw | December 14, 2007 at 1:17 pm

Greetings Wendy

Please give my best regards to both Steve and Nick assuming they remember me (Nick if I recall was in the choir wth us)
I am also keen to receive any contact details for Norman Clayton in the UK as I wrote to him last year but did not get any reply
Dave tells me you married our old school friend Kevin Jones so it is a small world after all
R your folks still alive and if so what are they doing
Also how is your sister
I seem to recall she was a teacher when we knew her at the home
I visited with Eric Richardson last night to avoid sitting in traffic on the way home and we shared a drink and a chat for an hour or so (who would have thought as a boy of 8 that I would one day do that)
Afterwards I washed the glasses and jokingly asked him if I had passed inspection
He is in excellent spirits despite his age of 95 but his eyesight and hearing are deteriorating
His state of mind and memory are however excellent and I printed a special copy of the book in large font for him to proof read which I refer to as “his homework” and use my visists as a means of checking to see if he is doing his “prep”
Whilst it is taking time he is relishing in the task and has aded some vital insight and annecdotes to the project
His daughter Deborah is comming out from NZ in December and their whole family will be together for Christmas
He also gave me the contact details for David Laughton who was a one time housemaster of the home in the 60’s and 70’s
on a relief basis flitting between Simpson, Beaton. Taylor, Smuts and Crawford houses
We used to always refer to him as Tubby as he was rather plump
Nevertheless he was an excellent football coach and despite his portlyness could move around a football field with the best of players the home could muster at the time
I phoned Dave last night but he does not seem to remember much but I have promissed to meet with him when my brother Mike visits in December from the Phillipines
He did however remember my late brother Des as well as our mom and was very sad in hearing of their passing
I have had an email from Linda and will make an effort to meet with her in the new year
In the meantime my best wishes to all of you for a peacefull Christmas and new year

Regards

John

Regards

j
22. Wendy Thompson | December 14, 2007 at 5:44 pm

Hi John
It is indeed a small world. I will pass your regards on to Steve. He is in touch with Nick.

For ‘my sins’ my folks work for Kevin and I. We run a trading company and my dad takes his job very seriously as he supervises the loading of the trucks for us. My mom just sits in the office, types the odd letter and answers the phone. To use Kevin’s words – she sounds like Red Riding Hood’s granny – but it keeps her busy. Thanks for sharing about Eric Richardson. It’s good to know that he is still going strong. his son, Michael, is a doctor in Hillcrest which is very close to where we live and it is just like looking at a younger version of his father! amazing.

I still find it incredible that all the people you guys mention are so familiar. I have also made contact with Linda and hope to see her when she comes to visit family in Durban. Kevin and I, although it is more often Kevin than me, do come to Joburg and so, if that happens before David comes down to Comrades I would like to try and make a plan to see him. It ilil be good to catch up.

Thank you for your good wishes. May you have a peaceful Christmas and new year as well.

Regards
Wendy
23. Len Deacon | December 28, 2007 at 10:04 pm

I have just been looking through some of the comments in some of postings in this web log. Boy does it bring back memories.I was at the home during the 1970’s when many of the people you talk about run the show. like Father Richardson and Clayton and Mr Ken McHolm, men who were very focussed on what was right. I have learnt many a hard lesson from them. It has been a long time since then.

Well take care.
God bless you
Len.
24. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | January 3, 2008 at 11:41 pm

Hi Everyone
Hope that you all had a good festive season and that 2008 will be a good year for all of us.
Regards
Wendy
25. GAVIN SCHAFER | January 13, 2008 at 12:49 am

It would be great to hear from all the old home boys , we remember all the good times and the bad ( i suppose) BUT IT TAUGHT US THE VALUES OF LIFE. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN EX HOME BOY,THIS INCLUDES ALL MY BROTHERS; GARRY, DONALD, NOEL, WAYNE (who has passed away) we spent a long time in the home from 1970 to 1978, the housework and prep, well what can i say? CALL ME. hey LENARD DEACON AND WENDY THOMPSON!!!!! THESE NAMES BRING BACK MEMORIES . I wonder how ” HERBIE” is doing? my mom YVONNE SCHAFER remembers him well, and so do we.I did my last years years as headboy of smuts house and drum major of the band, taking over and tought by JOHN ROUSSOUW. my patrol leader in dorm 3 in smuts house was DAVID ROUSSOW and my geography teacher at Malvern high was of course MICHEAL ROUSSOUW.I have told you who i am now all you HOME BOYS give me a call !!
26. Wendy Thompson | January 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Hello Gavin
Great to hear from you – although I am not one of the ‘boys’.
Regards
Wendy
27. john rossouw | January 17, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Hi Gavin / Len

Good to hear from you both

Please pass my regards to you brothers and mom
I last saw Gary in the late 90’s when he called on my old company as a rep
Len I assume it’s you who is involved with Bankmed as I often see documnentation with your name and phot when I consult at Absa

Regards

John
28. Blane | January 18, 2008 at 1:14 am

Just had word from Wendy that Fthr. Norman Clayton has passed away. Any information about his life — and death — would be most welcome.
29. john rossouw | January 18, 2008 at 5:55 pm

Hi Blane this is indeed sad news as the only surviving core member of the home is now Fr Richardson
Michael was out for Christmas and he Dave and I attended the baptism of Fr Richardson’s geat grandaughter which he officiated
It was a special service for us as his entire family was present from all over the world including his daughter Deborah from New Zealand and her husband, son and daughter
His son Michael was ever the proud grandfather and we recalled many fond memories of our lives togetehr at the home in our short time toggether
As regards Fr Clayton he arrived at the home shortly after Fr Richardson in the early sixties bringng with him a staunch entrenchment of Anglican faith and tradition
My memories of him are that he was an outright perfectionst
Choir practice always used to run late and the Saturday evening film had to be held up until he was satisfied that we were up to scratch for the next day’s service
He even used to force us to have hymn paractice on Friday evenings to ensure the standard of hymn singing was worthy of the worship he sought to instill in us
Despite his traditional ways he was very modern in his enjoyment of popular music of the day and he soon acquired the nick name of Bee Bop which stuck with him throughut his years at the home
He drove a mercedes benz motor car which was always immaculately maintained and he lived in the flat above the bell tower
Fr Clayton was also a keen caravanist and he toured many parts of the country with a number of boys
His tenure at the home brought a multitude of experiences and opportunities previously not available to the boys and in the late sixties we were able to listen to Radio St George, a closed network he set up which tranmitted radio and music programmes throughout all the houses. He was very involved with hi fi technical developments having had a background as a radio controller in the war and he was constantly asked to test the latest audio equipment on the market for which he wrote reviews for prominent global publications
His landmarks at the home were many and those which come to mind are
The choir
The renovation of the chapel
Radio St George where many of the boys were taught recording and broadcasting skills by him
The Communicants – a religious pop group comprising my brothers Michael and Desmond and Tom Stevens (a volunteer from the UK much the same as Steve Towse and Nick Young) – later joined by Dennis Randall
They wrote their own passion play for easter and a nativity play for Christmas which they performed at numerous churches around the country
Bee Bop also managed to use his then influence with the SABC to have them play on the English service radio but the fuddie duddies at the time felt that pop music had no place in the traditional church and their recordings were bannned (Thank goodness the world has progressed since then)
Photogrophy – the work of the boys at the home received both local and international acclaim and whilst sorting through the archives of the home I came across the David van der Berg photo etitled “Our Father ” which won a top international salon award
Other prominent photogrophers were his brother Raymond and Craig Cooper amongst others
Other interests which he initiated were radio drama and music appreciation where we all lay around in his flat on Sunday evenings listening to classical music
Another landmark was an award winning short film entitled “The Cuckoo’s Nest which was a story about St Georges Home and the work it was doing in the community which was released in 1969
Under his influence the home choir was the first to appear on SABC television and I achieved instant celebrity status amongst my friends at school when they saw me on the tube in 1975 and 76
His sister Laura was also a strong supporter of the home and it’s boys and I remeber being spoilt on many occasion by her
together with my co choristers in the choir
On leaving the home in 1977 to take up a PR position the Anglacan church in the UK he was awarded the Honours Tie and I received his address in 2005 from a letter of condolence he wrote to Ken Mc Holm and the family following the death of Ken’s wife Audrey

I wrote to him sortly thereafter as I was anxious to share with him news of my family and to ask him if he still had coppies of the recordings of the Communicatns as I was looking for one as a momento following the death of our brother Desmond
I never heard from him so I am not sure if he received the letter

Those of us who knew him will have our own memories
He was never considered to be an easy person but his work at the home was very special and unique and in his own way he certainly made a life long lasting impression on the character of myself and my brothers as well as many other boys

His passing closes yet another chapter of the unique story which is St Georges and on behalf of my brothers I extend our sincere and deepest condolences to his family and friends
May he rest in peace
30. Blane | January 18, 2008 at 11:15 pm

Thank you, John, for this rich memory of Fr. Clayton. What a remarkable man, and what an impact on your life.
31. Brian Gannon | January 19, 2008 at 10:54 am

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Canon Eric Richardson who was brought on a short holiday to Cape Town by his daughter Debbie who was visiting South Africa from New Zealand. Eric recently turned 95 years old, so it was a pleasant surprise to find him looking and sounding the same as ever. We communicate by e-mail, but I haven’t been to Johannesburg for more then thirty years so I hadn’t seen him for all that time.

All who knew him will be pleased to hear that he is living very much in the present tense! We talked about our families, books we were reading, politics … the usual conversation topics. Then we discussed some issues around the church in the modern context and he was both animated and up-to-date in his views.

It was a great visit. We “go back a long way” and next year it will be fifty years since he invited me to work with him at St George’s Home.

Warm greetings to all St George’s people who visit this this blog.
BG
32. john rossouw | January 21, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Greetings Brian

You may have heard from Fr Eric that I am involved in editing George Adam’s book on the history of the home
Also together with my brother David I am photographing all the remaining archives of the home (You would be interested to know there exists a copy of the staff photo from the 60’s which has you in it)
Fr Eric suggested I contact you once the exercise is complete
to talk about it’s publcation but alas their will be a limited readership who would be interested but at least their will be some archive evidence of the home’s existence and the outstanding work done by so many incredible people over the years
You may recall our RSCM choir school in 1976 held at the home under your direction and I have only just realised that I am in the 1970 photograph of the choir taken by Fr Clayton (3 rd in back row)
My brother Michael visited over Christmas from the Phillipines and you will be pleased to hear he is relatively well
I understand that he is in touch with you from time to time via email
I am also involved with St Georges Village on the board which is built below the football fields and one of my fellow directors is David Butcher with whom you were invloved in setting up St Nicholas Home together with Derick James
Plz can you let me have your contact details so that I can keep in touch
You can send same to me at johnros@iafrica.com

Regards

John
33. Michael Anthony Rossouw (1961-1967) | January 22, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Dear Friends
Can anyone from the UK find the obituary for Fr Norman James Clayton AKC.
I am anxious to contact his sister/s (Laura?) assuming she is still alive.

Norman always said she was an example of a living “saint” (indeed she was, having to put up with the many demnds he and others made on her time and expertise.)

Laura was the secretary to the late Dean of Jhb, the very rev’d Gonville Aubey fFench- Beytach, CR who was deported from South Africa after a sham of a treason trial in the 1970’s!

As my brother John has said in his “blogg” on Bee Bop’s work and ministry in the Home , Norman was not sombody everyone could get along with.

He, NJC, also ministered in the UK and in Rhodesia , now Zimbabwe , prior to working as the first chaplain to St George’s…( I wonder what NJC would have felt about Mugabe’s mismanagement of Zimbabwe ! Talk about Zimbabwe ruins, Mugabe has managed to absolutely and totally wreck what was once beautiful and thriving country, the jewel of Africa as it was called prior to its independence!)
Yes the Bush War and t sanctions had taken its tool on everyone, citizen and “freedom fighter alike, but boy he has really mnaged to mess up the country completely. where else in the world does one find a 25 000 00 0 dollar bill?

I was able to agree to disagree with Norman on many subjects on many an occassion; Art, film , music and even Theology and doctrine . At one particular time we disagreed on something in one of our discussions, which resulted in my being “gated” one going out Sunday (in my Matric year nogal!)
I was made to read C.S Lewis’s “Screwtape Letters”. This was one punishment which I actually enjoyed as I learnt a lot about this Oxford Don’s incredible spirituality.

Norman (and Eric Richardson) prepared me for Confirmation in Dec 1962. EHR completed the very thorough course Norman designed , as Bee Bop was in hospital for a major stomach op.at the time in th old Jhb Gen Hospital… I remember visiting him there then; many thought he would not recover from such an ordeal but BeeBop DID recover remarkably and went on to serve the home as its chaplain for another 12 years or so after that ordeal.

Please , if anyone cn help m e to write to hi s surviving family , I’d appreciate it.

I was shocked to hear of his death . My brothers and I have been trying to get hold of him, particularly t o get copies of the taped music Tom Stephens and I wrote as members of the group “The Communicants” in 1966 and ‘67.

Knowing the circumstances and cause of his death will give me ( and I’m sure many others who knew him) a sense of “closure’ on his life and what he meant to many of us who knew him.

His life was one of boundless energy and he was a real perfectionist.

Not many who knew him understod him ,but his influnce on my life has been substantial to say the least, especially in my growth in the Faith.

I pray that he will Rest in Peace.

Blessings to you all from the Philippines.

Dn Michael Rossouw
(Brent International School, Subic Bay Campus, Philippines)

PS Speaking of hospitals…anyone remember the Army medicals at the old Drill hall?…

“Hoes?” (Cough) said the Army Doctor
‘Mine’ I replied
” You trying to be funny , hey!” he retorted
“No Doc” i said sheepishly in my nakedness amongst the other 10 000 or so recruits in that dreaded place.
“Does it hurt?”said the Doc
“No ! Only when I laugh! ” I replied.

Needless to say the Army Medico, like Queen Victoria , was not amused.

Pronounced “fit for duty” I spent the next 10 years doing weekend camps and call up duties in the old Commandos. No wonder I stayed in the Band! At least there I didn’t have to kill anyone! But that’s another story for another day.
34. Michael Anthony Rossouw (1961-1967) | January 22, 2008 at 1:07 pm

Sorry Blane,
I know the picture taken in 1971.
I’d left the home by then but I think my brother John is the guy third from the left in the back row on the “cantoris’”side of the chancel.
Perhaps John knows the guys. Some may not have been choirboys at the time as many were chosen for their “cherubic” faces when pics were taken.
All in the name of PR and much fund-raising at the time !
I recognise some faces but am unable to put names to them. The one taken in the 1960’s would be one i could help you with. I’l try to trace it in my memorabilia.
Will try to upload a picture for yu soon
Michael
35. john rossouw | January 22, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Looking at the photo the names escape me almost entirely although I suspect the 1 st person in the back row is William Wilson and the last person is Richard Rheeder but I may be mistaken

Regards

John
36. GAVIN SCHAFER | January 26, 2008 at 7:57 pm

NO WONDER I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MAIL? I THINK I GAVE THE WRONG EMAIL ADDRESS. THE ABOVE ONE IS CORRECT. THANKX ONE AND ALL. gavinsc@cmh.coza
37. Michael Rossouw | February 2, 2008 at 7:42 pm

ANYONE HAVE ANY NEWS ON FR NORMAN CLAYTON?
I THOUGHT THAT IT’S ONLY IN TV SERIES LIKE “DALLAS” (now I’m really dating myself!) WHERE THE DEAD COME TO LIFE.
PLEASE LETS HEAR WHAT THE SITUATION IS. I HAVE BEEN GRIEVING HIS PASSING FOR THREE WEEKS NOW ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT NJC IS ALIVE AND WELL!!
SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BUT THE NEWS I GOT ON MY LAST VISIT TO THE OLD COUNTRY WAS THAT HE HAD INDEED PASSED ON.
Keep in touch

Michael Rossouw
38. John O’Neill | February 2, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Sorry for not posting this information a bit earlier, but I have had a pretty busy weekend. On Thursday evening I had an hour long phone conversation with Norman Clayton. He is still alive and living in a seaside town on the Yorkshire coast. For a man of his age, he is now 84, he is lucid and although his memory isn’t quite as sharp as he would like it, he did recognise many names who have posted on Blanes’ blog. He asked me about other people, who I can barely remember myself, as I was last in St.G’s in 1974. I wasn’t into photography, choir or classical music, so I was quite amazed that he actually knew who I was!

Hopefully, if I can re-arrange some of my plans for February, I will go and see him. He stays about 200 miles from me. John Rossouw, he still has the music you are looking for. He did get the letter you wrote to him, but he said he finds writing a chore now. He also has a lot of photos which I think you would be interested in. When I go to see him, I will try to get copies of the photos and see if I can get the music you want copied from reel to reel tapes onto CD.

It did take me a bit of time to track Norman down, but I think it has been worth the effort. Not only was it worth the effort, but he was delighted that so many people were thinking of him. I stumbled across Blanes’ blog totally by accident and have enjoyed reading the posts. I doubt very much if I would have posted on the blog, if it hadn’t been for Michael looking for a copy of Fr Claytons obituary!

I have sent Blane a copy of a photo from the early ’70’s. It is the St.Georges u/14b team. I’ll ask him to post it and we’ll see how many names we can come up with. I know about 7, but can’t remember the rest.

On the Christmas Greetings photo of the choir, I think the person second from left in the back row is Craig Cooper, but it’s just a guess.

If anyone would like to email me, or ask any questions I can be contacted at sgh198@ntlworld.com

I was in Crawford House and my two housemasters were, George van Pletzen and Dave ‘Tubby’ Laughton.

John
39. Blane | February 2, 2008 at 11:04 pm

Thank you, John for taking such extraordinary effort to find and “resurrect” Fr. Norman Clayton. Many have been praying for the repose of his soul these last three weeks! Look forward to hearing more of your story and memories of that grand and sometimes fearful place we call “Saint George’s Home for Boys.”
40. Wayne De Jager | February 2, 2008 at 11:54 pm

My father and his siblings attended St. Georges in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Two of them, Albert and Fred did stints as house masters (I think Gerald also was a house master for a year). I’m not sure how long Albert was house master at Tailor House, but I remember him being there for many years. Fred was house master of Simpson House for about two years. I lived with him at the time, and so I spent two years at St. Georges myself. I sang in the choir (occasionally appearing on TV, and also recording the Rhodesian National Anthem at EMI records as the lead soprano). I also played soccer for the under 14’s and under 16’s. This was in the late 70’s. I attended Jeppe Boys High at the time.

The five De Jager (Dave, Lesley, Gerald, Albert, Fred, and Desmond (who was killed in motorcycle accident when he was 21)) brothers all passed through the home, and are now in their late 50’s and early 60’s. They all built wonderful families, (I have 16 cousins), and have had successful lives. I believe they all have positive memories of the Home, and I wonder if they would have turned out that well if it weren’t for the home. Although my grandmother hated leaving her boys there, the Home helped our family significantly. It still amazes me how these brothers all turned out so well. Albert got married to Patricia at the St. Georges chapel, and our family photographs are scattered with many photographs taken over the years at St. Georges.

Another family who passed through the Home are the Crawford brothers (Howard, Ian, Andrew (now deceased), whom Uncle Fred and I still remain friends with. A bunch of tall blokes, those guys are!

I fondly remember trips to Port Shepstone for the holidays, all my friends at Simpson house (Peter, Trevor), the romping and mischief we used to get up to.
41. Michael Rossouw | February 3, 2008 at 6:53 am

Dear Wayne
Great to here your news.
The DeJager family, like the Rossouws, Joneses, Grisselles, Wentworths , Bloomfields, Schaeffers, and many many more also come to mind as you write.They all left their mark on the Home in one way or another.
I’d like to hook up with Albert and Patrica…Pat and I wrote matric the same year 1967. She was at the old Belgravia Convent which became the Belgravia commercial high school and I was at Malvern. Albert was then trying to “court” Pat as she was quite beautiful. Needless to say, Bert Gibson, my housemaster at Taylor house and a man who in his simple caring way was a good fatherly figure to us, kept his daughters sheltered from the the boys of the home.(As any watchful father would do!)
I remember too Mrs Gibson . She and I worked together at the Cahmber of Mines many years ago. She may well have passed on… a lovely woman who shared her husband’s work and had a very soft spot for many of us little urchins.
Bert’s ashes are laid to rest in the Garden of remembrance at the chapel crypt near the Haggert Building, next to be the Choir vestry and the bandroom, a place where I spent much time in my time at StGeorges.
Albert was senior student officer and home prefect. He gave many good years of service back to the home as a master in Taylor house, although he was an old boy of Spackman House
He made a career in retailing I believe after leaving SGH as a master and we lost touch. He was also an NCO in the Grahamstown Rifles.
Uncle Freddy and I were in the band as tenor and bass drummers… he may have been a buglar but I cant remember. Uncle Gerald was a bugler who often played all the bugle calls which ruled our lives in the home calling us to meals, waking us uo in the morning, last post and retreat at camp….etc
It would be good to catch uo with Pat and Albert. Please give them my fondest regards.
I am a school chaplain now very far from home in the Philippines..
Thanks for checking in…isn’t the net a wonderful tool to use…
I wonder how we managed when we used to write letters and wait for months to hear anything from anyone…
Blessings to you all
Deacon Michael Rossouw(SGH 1961-1967)
42. john rossouw | February 3, 2008 at 3:57 pm

Greetings Tich and Wayne and all other Home Boys and girls and online travellers
It is indeed great news to hear Bee Bop is still allive and well and that he recalls much of his life at the home
John when you visit with him please pass on my regards and best wishes
Please convey to him also our appreciation for all he did for us as boys in the home
Fr Clayton took many photographs of the boys whilst at the home and he was meticulous in detailing names on the back etc so John if you are able to get some from him it would be great as I am trying to put together a pictorial history of the home from all the archive photo’s I have managed to wade through
Also if you are able to get a copy of the Communicants music it would be a wonderful gift to share amongst those interested in listening to it
In particular the passion play and nativity play were incredible pieces of work
some words of one of my personal favourites goes
“I love crazy music
and I love rock n dance
I love going out with dolls
and I love holding hands
I also love my God with me
It may seem odd to you
Yes God can join in all our fun
Yes girls and dancing too

Every time you look at us
You’l probably thing were odd
But nevertheless I tell you
That we are the sons of God etc”

Yes Wayne I remeber both Freddie and Albert very well
Albert and Patricia were my houseparents in Taylor House and I remember baby sitting your couzins Rickie and Tracie as toddlers
I seem to recall your mom’s name was Ethnie or Enid and her her family had a connection with Johannesburg childrens home in Observatory
I also remeber the death of your uncle in 72 and Albert had a photo of him walking his dog (a black labrador) on the beach in Cape Town hanging in his office
Freddie’s cell number was on my brothers phone and I tried to call him when Dessy died but the number was unfortunately no longer valid so please let him know of Dessy’s passing in 2005
One of the photo’s which they will all be interested is the swimming team of Spackman House in the mid sixties which has most the brothers in it
They were all incredible swimmers and Albert trained me to win all my breastroke races at the home in 75 and 76
Freddie also won the Victor Ludorum a number of times and I have photographed all the names on the trophy over the years
He was also an incredible backstroke swimmer and I stand to be corrected but a number of his records were still standing when the home closed
Anyway it’s great to have this online community and I would encourage as many boys and girls as possible who have the technology and know how to use it to share their stories and memories

Regards and blessings to you all

John
43. Len Deacon | February 3, 2008 at 10:10 pm

Hi Gavin, John, Wendy and other friends.
It is so interesting to read all the blogs. John by the way yes I am the same Leonard that is employed at Bankmed. Small world when you really think about it.
Does any one have Father Richardson,s address in Cape Town. i Would love to visit him. I too live in the Cape. He meant a lot to me when I was really confussed about life and why I was at St Georges. If this information is confidential here is my e-mail len.deacon@worldonline.co.za.
well God bless you all.
Len.
44. john rossouw | February 4, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Gretings Len

Father Richardson lives in Joburg in Braynston village Homestead Ave diagonally opposite Sandton Medi Clinic (unit 48)
His number is listed in the directory but you need to keep calling as even at 95 he is still very active in his ministry in the village and the wider Bryanston Anglican community
My approach is to pop in late afternoon / earrly evening to avoid the traffic and we sometimes have a drink together whilst we chat (he still enjoys a good glass of brandy)
I am sure he would be very glad to hear from any old boys as he always relishes my all too infrequent visits
His daughter emigrated to New Zealand a few years back (previously ex Cape Town) and the Cape reference is to her taking him on holiday there on the family’s recent visit to SA
If you ever happen to be at a meeting at the hospitl in your line of work then perhaps you could look him up
Incidientally Len, my brother in law is Dr Stefaan Bouwer from the ENT society and in addition to his medical practice he has extensive deallings with the medical aid industry in terms of tarrif negotiations etc so you may well have come across him

Blane please let me know what I need to do to upload photo’s to the blog

Whilst I have hundreds and am still to complete the archive exercise at the end of Feb I will be selective in terms of only posting ones relative to correspondents on the site

Regards

John
45. Steve Towse | February 5, 2008 at 1:48 am

Hello!
I was PT volunteer- already mentioned above.1976-1978, initially with Bob Richardson in Beaton then with Herbie Thompson in Simpson.
Fr clayton is alive and well and living in a retirement home here in Uk. I am writing to him today, having only got his address myself yesterday.
Please feel free to contact me

steve.to@hotmail.co.uk
46. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | February 5, 2008 at 2:06 am

Hi Steve
You need to leave your address :). Thanks for writing in. Do you think you could remember what year the pics were taken? It would be interesting to see if anyone recognises any of the faces.
Thanks
Wendy
47. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | February 5, 2008 at 2:09 am

Hi everyone
Thanks for posting all your news. It’s really good to hear what everyone has been up to.
Regards
Wendy
48. john rossouw | February 5, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Hi Wendy / Steve

I suspect the photo’s were taken in 1975/6 which was my last year at the home as I recognise some of the faces (unfortunately not any names)
Strange to see a youthfull looking Peter Nicholls and Joan Harpur in the Spackman house photo and Bob (dekkie) Richardson(we used to call him that as he was like a detective always spying on us to see what we were up to)
I last saw Peter at Ken Mc Holm’s memorial service in 2006 but he used to play the organ at Christ Church Mayfair where my mother worshiped so she did see him on a regualr basis
Joan came out when her sister Audrey Mc Holm passed away in 2005 and she was fortunate enough to spend time with Audrey whilst she was still lucid which was a very special time for her
When we chatted at the “Old Boy’s” 75th anniversary luncheon she still joked about the meagre pension she still receives from the home for all her years work there
By way of trivia Ken met Audrey at Joan’s wedding as at the time Joan’s late husband was a housemaster at the home as were Ken’s parents
They fell in love and she joined him in his work dedicating her liife towards the caring work of loking after the boys
Ken in fact was studying medicine at Wits at the time and he gave up being a doctor in preference to a true calling inchild care
Joan’s son Robert was also the first baby to be born at St Georges so it should be no surprise why the family have such an affinity to towards the home and why she returned in the seventies to take up a role as housemother in Spackman house
Great to have your email address Steve
I will try and drop you a line soon as it would be great to catch up for a chat much the same as we used to do all those years ago

Regards

John
49. john rossouw | February 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Having had another look at the U 14 football photo I seem to think the goalkeeper in the middle of the back row is Sydney Burrow
By way of update Gary Hand emigrated to Australia in 1974 to reunite with his mother and Tony Girout is a plumber by profession but currently is a pastor running a chuch in the Southen Suburbds last I heard
50. Steve Towse | February 6, 2008 at 2:12 am

Just checking the photographs,Umtentwini photo’s were in mid 1977, Heather and the Simpson House boys(who had nowhere to go on a Sunday!)was taken in early 1978.

Dear Wayne,
I was in Simpson when Freddie became housemaster. He was a very kind man and I have positive memories of him.
About twenty years ago,here in Chesterfield UK, I met a SA man called Luke Olivier who was an ex home boy, we met via our children both attending the same pre-school centre. Anyway when we were looking at some of my photographs of St George’s he suddenly exclaimed that he recognised Albert for some reason,had a think and then said,O Yes he married my sister Pat!!.
I don’t have contact for Luke now but could try and locate him. Pllease pass on my regards to Albert and Freddie, it would be good to hear from them,
steve.
51. Michael Rossouw | February 17, 2008 at 8:29 am

Dear Friends
‘Just to let you all know that I chatted to Fr Norman last week. He is indeed very much alive and we spoke for about an hour.
He kind of implied that he is a bit of a loner and that he no longer has any surviving relatives. I assured him that he had many…in the form of the many boys who knew him as their spiritual father and caring friend.
I’ve not spoken to or seen Fr Norman since he left South Africa so it was good to hear him.
I shall be attending the Episcopal Church in the Philippines Convention (Synod) in Manila next week . it wiil be interesting to see what the mind of the church is at this time, particularly with all the devisive issiues facing the Worldwide Anglican Communion right now.
I guess we all have to be faithful to God wherever we are and listen to that “still small voice…”
One of NJC’s favorite hymns is:
“God is working His purpose out as year succeeds to year. God is working His purpose out ane the time is drawing near. Nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be
When the Earth shall be filled with the Glory of God as the waters cover the sea…”(Hymns A&M 271)
In all of life’s trails we need to remember that God is in control.
It was really great to hear Beebop speak, as eloquently and as sharp as ever.
I asked him if he still says a daily mass..he says he does but not every day. ” in a home for retired clergy, the eldest of which is an archdeacon of 101, he says there are many of us and I leave it to the younger ones.
I for one am very thankful for his witness and influence on my life and spiritual growth.

Blessings to you all

Deacon Michael Rossouw, Subic bay,Philippines.
52. michelle | February 19, 2008 at 9:45 am

I wonder does anyone recall someone called Alec Reckas
53. Wayne De Jager | February 22, 2008 at 8:52 am

Dear John and Steve,

I am moved by your recollection of my family’s history, including the reference to Ethne and her Mom, who was a senior member of the JHB Children’s Home. Her surname was Stafford, and we still call her Staffie. She is now retired and doing well. She lives with Ethne in Edenvale/Bedfordview area, and I last saw her in 2006 at Lee’s wedding (Fred de Jager’s daughter).

Albert and Pat were divorced many years ago. Albert lives in Cape Town, and is a real estate professional. He and Pat got divorced many years (15, 20?) years ago. Their children now have kids of their own.

I remember Gerald (being tall) as a good swimmer. Fred, Gerald and Leslie are all semi-retired on a wonderful, huge property in Plettenberg Bay these days, and they all seem to be having fun.

Steve, you were at Simpson house when I was there. I wonder if we knew each other?

I can certainly put folks in touch with my family members. Send me an email directly at wayne@biomassive.com and we’ll make connections.
54. Wayne De Jager | February 22, 2008 at 8:53 am

corrected email address
55. john rossouw | February 25, 2008 at 6:28 pm

Dear all

I returned from a business trip to India and Bangladesh over the weekend to find a letter from Bee Bop Clayton
In it he enclosed a number of photographs he had taken over the years at the home including photo’s of the Communicants and my late brother Desmond
Included in the Package too was a cd of the first Evensong broadcast from the home chapel on SABC radio in 1975 and a copy of the first live broadcast of Radio St George from the tower studios on SABC radio in 1968
He ends by adding his personal greetings to all I was pleased to read in the letter that he still possesses his wry sense of humour
Wayne he did ask about Albert de Jager in the letter so if you do have an address please let me have it so I can touch base and forward his details on to Fr Clayton

I am sure Albert would be very interested in a copy of the evensong broadcast as both his and my voices are very distinct on the recording as we sang bass in the choir together at the time

I spent Sunday pawing through the SGH archives at COACH and came across copies of the photos Bee Bop had sent me which helps a great deal as many of them have names of the people on the back ans well as dates when they were taken (Wendy there is one of a staff meeting with a youthfull looking Herb and Marion at the head of the table)

I will spend the weekend of 17/18 March finalising the project but the plan is to complete the book as soon as possible thereafter

Thanks to Shirley Moulder the outgoing head of COACH we have managed to have all the old trophies displayed at Bishop Bavin School and once I have finished my exercise a number of key artifacts will be strategically placed at various places on the property

The plan is also to have a dedication service later in the year to offically recognise th SGH archives into Bishop Bavin school which we hope to have officated by the new Archbishop of Cape Town

Wayne I have the Spackman house swimming photo’s which I would like to send to you to pass on to your dad and uncles rso please let me have an address I can send them to

Kind regards as always

John
56. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | February 25, 2008 at 10:10 pm

thanks John for the news – It might be interesting to do a then and now because Herbie and Marion are obviously not youthful looking anymore:)
Regards
Wendy
57. Mike Dollmann | March 1, 2008 at 1:22 am

Hi there Mike,
I was at St Georges from 1966 to 1968 and was a resident of dorm 1, Taylor House for that time. I was in the cadet band with you and Des, and was wondering if by any chance you had any photos of the band over this period. I can clearly remember Father Clayton taking a few group photos, but for some reason these were never distributed to us. I was in Father Claytons photography group and did ask for copies but this also did not materialise.

If you or anyone else has such photos please let me know, as I would really like to get copies if possible. You can contact me mikedollmann@gmail.com
58. john rossouw | March 3, 2008 at 1:03 pm

Hi Mike there are defintely photos of the band during this period as well as from the potogtophy club
I am co ordinating these and hope to have them available in the next few weeks but will let you know when

Regards

John

Edit Comment
59. Mike Dollmann | March 3, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Thanks a lot John – that would be great.

Edit Comment
60. Gary | March 7, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Hi all,
It is so refreshing to find this site and speak to people who know what i had went through as a wee boy.I spent 2 years in nazarith house priror to going to St Georges, which still send shivers down my spine.I remember i spent most of them years being very frightened and lonely, it was definetly not a happy enviroment the disapline shown to very young boys was not love or effection “which was needed” it was pure brutality.Anon basicaly said it all in his touching comment,thanks anon.The one memory that does stand out, would be after the dinner if you were not dismissed you knew that a home boy or boys were going caned “jacked” but the frightening thing was nobody knew who it would be,i guess it was a good way to keep order in the house but it was extremly distubing.I had my fair share of beatings from both St geroges and Nazarith and to be honest it has made me into a much more loving and careing person with a very strong mind.
Thanks and
Take Care.
Gary
61. john rossouw | March 19, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Hi Michelle
Do yu know when Alec was at the home, which house he as in etc as I may be able to pick up something from the archives

Regards

John
62. john rossouw | March 19, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Hi Blane
I received an email from John Barret recently which I suspect he may have received my address from you He left the home in 1969
Unfortunately when I repied the mail bounced back address unknown
If you do have any contact details please can you forward them on to me
By way of update I met with George Adams a few weeks ago
He is well and is anxious to get the book on the home finalised
Bishop Bavin school have also met with him as they too now are seeking to get a greater understanding and deeper appreciatin of the heritage and legacy of our home which they have inherrited
This is a major step towards the reconcillation between the two institutions which is greatly needed
This weekend is easter so I close by wishing you all much inner peace during the celebration of the reserection of our lord and with fond yet distant memories of the easter services at the home

The last supper and washing of the feet on Maunday Thursday
The all night watch
The stations of the cross on Good Friday and
Midnight mass on Easter Sunday

Warm regards

John
63. Vanessa Hurlimann | March 20, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Looking for guys that were at the home from approx 1971-78:

Charles Wastie
Terrence Wilson
James Saunders

Well done for the most interesting blog!! Very informative; though heart wrenching too! Attended soccer games and a rare disco in the hall wayyyyyyy back then
64. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | March 21, 2008 at 12:57 am

Hi John and everyone else
Thank you for your Easter greetings. Those services certainly bring back many memories, particularly the all night watch. May I take this opportunity to wish all those of you who celebrate Easter a very blessed Easter.
65. John Rossouw | March 21, 2008 at 3:54 pm

Hi Vanessa
I remeber your three friends very well
They were initially in Simpson House and then I think Crawford
They all went to Marvern High
Unfortunately I have not heard news of them since the 80’s
I suspect I may have some photos of them from that time and if so will let you know
A general message to all who visit this blog
Please tell everyone connected with the home to visit it and post their news
Regards

John
66. Vanessa Hurlimann | March 21, 2008 at 10:47 pm

Many thanks – will mention the blog to interested parties
Regards
Vanessa
67. Danielle | March 24, 2008 at 2:51 pm

I attended Malvern High from 81 – 85 and knew a few SGH boys. I spent much of my time at the Home, having dated one of the ‘boys’, and have fond memories. I also remember Mr Giles, who was a Housemaster for a short time (he was my swimming coach in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in the 70’s). The names of the boys I can remember are:

Sean Lionel Swart
David and Stephen Kelly
Ronald Jenkins
Carlos da Silva
Tony Botha
John Ashburn “Scotty”

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Old Boys’ stories. Thank you!
68. john rossouw | March 25, 2008 at 12:33 pm

Hi Danielle

I bumped into Carlos da Silva a few days ago
He owns and runs an Adega restaurant in Edenvale

Regards

John
69. Sean Swart | March 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Hi, I’m sean Swart I joined St Gearges in ‘78 to 1988 long stay and loved it. I joined the home after my gran psaaed away she used to run the kitchen “Molly Swart’ I joined Beaton house (number 30) and then Crawford house (number 173) became Senoir Studen Officer – only because Mr Macholm saw something that no one else saw including myself, I captain of every soccer side at the home, I did every thing there was to do from horse riding swiming running except the choir and I did all this , not because we had to “tabloids” and Macky down the back of you neck (It all started this way) I loved competing although I always came last at first, but then I ended up still to this day holding the 1500m record and won the Victor ledorum. Went to the army – as we all had to do did my basics at 1 Reconnaissance Reg. on the Bluff in Durban and served the rest of my time with the Pararbats in Angola, during all my lifes highs and lows I have NEVER forgotten St Georges, If it was’nt for Ken Mcholm, I dont know. Would not mind getting in contact with some Home boys, Although I do regulary speak to Ronald Jenkins, Shaun and Mark Shultz.
70. gary tobin | March 26, 2008 at 10:57 pm

hi sean,
dont know if youl remember me but i was in beaton house between 1980 1982,i have a younger brother called mark.i can remember all the boys you have mentioned in your comment.if you dont remember me you might remember when we found the wallet with money in it,we split the cash only to find out it was another home boys lol.
mark and kind of dissapeared in july 1982, my father took us to scotland where we have been ever since.
its good to know that you and the other lads are doing alright.
enyway if you or any of the other lads fancy a chat please contact.
take care
gary
71. Sean Swart | March 27, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Hi Gary, I remember you well, the wallet belonged to a senior in Graford house, I run into him every now and then. We found it on the way to the shops. How, the hell are you doing “Homeboy’ I remember you, you use to run the 100m f_#&*@! fast. What are you up to these days? This is my e-mail address, seanswart@gmail.com
I have just spoken to Ronald Jenkens 5 min ago he lives and works close to me, I chat to Shaun Schultz at least once a week, I am in contact with Anthony Johnston and Peter Johnston as well as Miles Osborn. Please keep in touch. PS The Lewis brothers, who were in Beaton house with us, Tommy, (red hair) i forget the other names right now, also moved to Scotland soon after their mother died. I would love to talk to Tommy again, him and I became close friends – I still have the pencil case he gave me, his father who had no money arranged for the family to go back to Scotland, Tommy was trying to tel me me this, they went to school one day and never came back, every one was looking for then, I found this out while I was in the army and talking to someone who new them and the family.
72. Ronald Jenkins | March 27, 2008 at 5:01 pm

Hi all, Ronald Jenkins here. I was at bthe orphanage from 1980 – 1987. the best time of my life. I regulary chat to Sean Swart, Shaun & Mark Schultz as well a blood nut Mike Kruger.
I look forward to any responses.
73. john rossouw | March 27, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Welcome to all new visitors to the site and here’s hoping this will become an online community of boys and girls associated with St Georges home
I spent some time yesterday and today photographing the archives at the home and what was interesting for me was that the photography group of Fr Clayton in the 60’s and 70’s was the most preserved of all the items.

Each photograph is mounted on a white board with the name of the photo and the photographer on the back. The boys belonged to the Jhb Photographical Society and the Witwatersrand Photographic club. Many of the photo’s were of such a standard they were submitted to regional competitions. Those that were have their score on the back and some have their awards noted on them as well “bronze silver and gold.”

I remember the display board outside the dark room below the stairs where bee bop would change the photo’s every two weeks to showcase the latest work. It was in fact quite an honour to have your picture selected by him for the display. What I found most interesting was the way in which boys used photography to tell the story of life at the home as anything and everything that happened there is recorded in print. It was also remarkable to see through the photo’s how the boys grew in terms of skill adjusting for light and aperture etc as they perfected their craft. The range of subjects also widened to include wild life, still life, landscapes, portraits and rural life.

Mike Dollman, there is one of your photo’s there and if you would like it let me know and I will get it to you.

I do believe that some of the prints are of such a high quality that they need to go on a permanent display at Bishop Bavin school and I will try and arrange that.

On a more personal note I retrieved my file and those of my 3 brothers and made copies of them. These remain confidential records in the custody of the home but even today there are requests from old boys and family members to retrieve various documents.
Reading my old school reports from Wychwood and Dawnview was something else and I saw how my marks got worse over the years as I began to focus more on life and less on schoolwork. Included in the file is your medical record detailing every inoculation and stay in hospital or surgery.

Most fascinating was the assessment reports. These were completed annually by your housemaster and details your ability to adapt, relate to your peers, interest in sport, academic progress and leadership capabilities. Whilst these reports were highly subjective and without any scientific basis they are incredibly accurate (given that I know myself pretty well and can relate back to my various stages of development at the home ) This just goes to show how well these housemasters came to know us living with us 24/7.

I also came across a school project of Jenny Bill daughter of Geo and Jean where she chronicles the story of the home why it exists and what it aims to achieve. Also uncovered was the Christmas card catalogue detailing the various charity cards over the years sold to raise funds.

Regards and greetings to you all

John
74. Vanessa Hurlimann | April 5, 2008 at 1:31 am

A friend in Texas, USA – Beryl (Baxter) has just shared a photo from 1976 of Shane Botha, who was at St George’s Home at the time – and friend from Dawnview High – would you be interested in said photo – if so, what email add should I send it to? Would you be interested in any class photos from high schools that some of the guys attended ie pertinent photos …
75. Blane | April 5, 2008 at 1:48 am

Hello Vanessa:

Thanks for your visit and for offering your photographs. Yes, please do send them. Anyone who wants to contribute photographs, please email them to bvpr@mac.com

To help identify the photographs, please tell when and where it was taken, who you can identify in the photograph (use simple directions like “back row, third from the left” etc.) and a little bit about yourself and how you came to have the photograph.

Kind Regards,

Blane
76. MikeDollmann | April 22, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Hi John,

Your research into the SGH archives really sounds interesting and I would like to know more about it. I would really like to get that photograph that you saw. I have all the other photographs that I received certificates for. Only one is missing and if my memory is correct, it was titled “Refreshment”.
Is there any way in which I can contact you (telephone/e-mail?

Regards

Mike
77. charles wastie | April 22, 2008 at 6:57 pm

for anyone who would like to contact me.
[vannessa,would be great to hear from you]

charlesw@axiz.co.za
78. Vanessa Hurlimann | April 26, 2008 at 2:24 am

Thanks again for such an informative and ‘working’ site – Have reconnected with Charlie Wastie after some 28 years !! Wouldn’t have happened without it, so – here’s to many more !!
79. trevor and kevon budd | April 29, 2008 at 4:00 am

just found this internet site and i am keen to gather old pics and meet online with the survivors of simpson house and smuts house and anyone who remembers the trevor and kevon budd
80. john rossouw | April 29, 2008 at 2:15 pm

Greetings to Trevor and Kevon and Charles Wastie

Just to let everyone know I am hoping to complete the home archives exercise early in May
All the photos (some are not of a very high quality) are in folders with some descriptions where I was able to comment and add names so I will let you know whn they are available
It is unfortunately too much to print and at least on a CD you can elarge the image to recognise yourself and your colleagues
I would also welcome feedback on missing names etc to help complete the process once you have had chance to look at the pics
Vanessa (James) – I think -please can you let me have an email address for both yourself and Berryl Baxter so that I can chat about life post Dawnview
I went back to visit the school in 2004 and had a look on my name on the honors board whcih was wierd after so many years
The school hall also seemed much smaller and I had long chats with Mrs Murray (head of school now retired) Miss Cunningam (our English teacher) and Lee Roger (Mc Millan) who is the school secretary
I also made contact with Mrs Beukes my old English teacher who teaches at the convent in Edenvale
My email address for those interested is johnros@iafrica.com
Regards

John Rossouw
81. Dave Dry (formerly Brandon W. R. Phipps | April 30, 2008 at 10:36 pm

I must admit – stumbling across this website was a jolt to say the least. I remember many of the names listed on your site, all of what they say rings true. I, just like so many others before me, came from a broken home with so much abuse and pain, to ‘THE home’ in 1975 and was politely delivered to Simpson House and enrolled at Wychwood Primary. Unfortunately the abuse by older boys and house-masters alike, was a sorry situation – I was victim too and soon learned to use this as a weapon of survival (as strange as this may sound). Be-that-as-it-may, thank – you Lord for providing me with a stable environment. Mr. Carr did indeed have a heavy hand when it came to the cane. I finished Matric at Malvern High and left SGH in 1987, having served on the Bedfordview Town Council as Mini-Mayor in 1983. Tragically I lost my dear friend and ex-housemaster of Smuts House – Colin Ross – a few years later. This was a mentor and gentle individual who gave his life for the boys and horses at SGH. Years later at my mothers funeral, Ken McHolm – having known her well said – “She was a remarkable Lady.” I honestly believe that all those ‘Heads Inspections’ and the experiences fundamentally moulded me to become an individual strong in character and a formidable survivor in life with a sensitive spirit. Well done on a remarkable website! Just what I needed in our tumultuous times.
trevid@iburst.co.za
82. Trevor and Kevon budd | May 2, 2008 at 2:39 am

Brandon Phipps – that name rings a loud bell in my head. I was also in St. Georges / Simpson House. Got a vague mind picture of you / dark haired boy. Well it was many years ago a lot has changed in all our lives and I hope you are well and in good care. I am keen to meet up with past memories and hopefully people in the home.

Go well and pass on a message to me: palominoct@yahoo.com

Trevor
83. trevor and kevon budd | May 11, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Hi Wendy & Herbie Thompson

Trusting you are well ?

I am trying to find the names and address for my hosts while i was at simpson house under your care in the 1970’s.

Please could you contact me – my e-mail address is palominoct@yahoo.com

Many thanks
Trevor Budd
84. john rossouw | May 11, 2008 at 9:37 pm

Hi Trevor

It may be worthwhile to check your file at the home as their should be a record on the file as I doubt Herbie will remember
You can call the home on 011 616 4015
I recently collected copies of my file and those of my brothers Michael Desmond and David

Mike Dollman you can contact me on johnros@iafrica.com or my cell 0833277923

Regards

J
85. Wendy Thompson/Jones | May 12, 2008 at 12:54 am

Hi John Thanks for the suggestion. I will nevertheless ask my dad as he may remember something. Regards
Wendy
86. Beccy Stones (Clarke) | May 12, 2008 at 1:10 am

I just happened across this site and found it fascinating. I met some St George’s boys at the RSCM Choir School in Grahamstown in 1998/9 and was sad to hear shortly afterwards that the home had closed as it seemed to turn out some very musical boys. At the time I didn’t live in Jo’burg, and never made the connection with the sprouting of a Bishop Bavin School. I remember Stephen Kruger (age 18 in 1988/9) and Ronald Peterson, a brilliant musician and composer (matric 1989). I am in contact with both Geoffrey Tracey and Colleen Edgecombe, whom Ronald was friends with that Summer School. They played a wonderful piece for 2 pianos and violin that Ronald composed. At the same concert, Ronald performed something on cello that was composed by a friend of his the same age, not sure if he was from St George’s too. If you want pictures, I have a couple.

Also I recognise some names from the Rhodes University Chamber Choir alumni database – Mike Rossouw for one. If there are more of you who sang in the RUCC, contact me on beccy@bigfoot.com so I can update your details.
87. Vanessa Hurlimann | May 12, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Blane, thank you for posting the Big Walk certificate and the photo – thought I should mention that the photo was taken after one of the many soccer games attended at SGH in 1978

Amazing to read Beccy Stone’s post – re musical talent – Charlie Wastie too is very talented in this area , singing and playing various musical instruments – told me too that he’d even appeared on TV!! just goes to show what God gives and can do with us – in the midst of it all!!
88. Marc WASTIE | May 13, 2008 at 5:38 pm

HEY
ALL YOU EX HOME BOYS
HOWZIT
89. Brian wastie | May 13, 2008 at 9:15 pm

anyone out there
I would like to know where to get photos
I was in Photography with Father Norman Clayton
And won quite a few awards, would like to see them
Anyone heard from marlon Joel
lwastie@telkomsa.net
90. charles w | May 14, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Hi Wayne,
would like to link up with freddy,ethne.were very close at one stage, Howard Crawford,the holidays at Umtentweni[we were in matric together,at Malvern High.

And for any body else who might want to chat.
91. trevor and kevon budd | May 14, 2008 at 2:58 pm

att. john rassouw

trevor here i would like to order a copy of that disc you are making of all the pics and things of old st georges. please call or email me 021 4488990 /083 444 1403
trevor and kevon budd
palominoct@yahoo.com
92. john rossouw | May 19, 2008 at 9:02 pm

Hi Trevor and Kevon

I will let you know once it is ready as I still need to do the last bit of copying as well as transpose a bunch of 35 mm slides from George Adams on to disk

Hopefully by end June

Brian Wastie

I have not come across any of your photo’s specifically but I will keep my eye open as a lot of them have no names on them
Do you perhaps remeber some of the titles as that may help as I will definitely get them to you if I can find them

To all of you Vanessa suggested setting up a SGH page on facebook which seems to work very well as I have reconnected with a number of school fiends ex Dawnview High so I am looking in to this

If any of you are on face book already then link me to your existing profile so I can keep you all in the loop as it is a highly effective and very speedy networking mechanism

Regards to you all as always

John
93. Wendy Thompson/Jones | May 20, 2008 at 12:53 am

Hi John andf# others Am on Facebook as Wendy Jones on the South African network
Cheers
94. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 26, 2008 at 7:49 am

Stuart & Dudley Pringle – 1955 – 1959

Hello fellow St. Goggians … though most of you won’t remember that name … it was Sint Goggies … to most of us of the period above.

This is my first time connected to this blog page, which arose in a wave of nostalgia and curiosity. I did not even know that
SGHB was no more and had become Bavin House … so reading back on all the entries … I found little to connect to, names, boys, house masters … house master’s kids ..,. GIRLS at St. Georges?

Seems much changed after I left in mid-1959. Today I gather, that John Rossouw is trying to put together a difinitive history of the place in stories and pictures and I must commend him for this.

It is an impossible task, of course … there are so many stories… so many details lost to memory and time … even the names of ‘closest’ friends fade. So with this proviso, I would like to add a little of ‘my history’ and time at St. Goggies … almost 50 years ago

My older brother Stuart & I were deposited there in January 1955. *(My younger sister, Sandra was later entered into St. Mary’s Orphanage in the Southern Suburbs a few years later).

We were both lodged in Taylor House – H.R. Robson was the housemaster then and lived in the beautiful little house ajoining it with his wife and daughter Jennifer. He was known as the ‘Boss’ and despite his stern demeanour, he was a fair man and became the father figure we did not know and to whom I shall always be grateful for his encouragement and concern for us.

Brian Wiley and Pat Keyser were the two seniors of Taylor House at the time and both served as band leader from 1955 through 1957.

Rev. Strong took over as head that same year when Rev. Short retired. Strong was a stuffy little man without much personality and the year after I left (1959), I believe Father Richardson took over.

Albert De Jager (Spackman House) was one of the seniors and later became headboy … although I cannot remember if that was before or after Paul Kruger (Beaton House) was band leader and headboy (Paul also beat Stuart to the post for the coverted Victor Laudorum trophy in athletics in 1957 or ‘58).

Nutsy Moore (Beaton House) was my contempory and class mate and like another Beaton boy, Errol Fouche, they both played the meanest bugle ever. Stuart later became headboy of Taylor and bandleader (1958) with both these two musicians in the band at the time.

Errol was a musical genius and had a hand-writing style of a god … which I tried to copy. I heard that he committed suicide. Nutsy was also a helluva swimmer … particularly breast stroke, but Charlie Meyer of Spackman House was unbeatable and moved like a torpedo in the water.

Mervin Perkins (Spackman) also a bright but moody spark of intelligence, was one of friends … who later committed suicide.

John Ford … a new comer during my time … bunked-out one night , stole a moped and killed himself in a high speed accident.

Brothers Burgie (Burghart) and Freddie Oosthuiizen were twins. Burgie was a drummer and Freddie a bugler in the band … and Burgie also was so good looking he actually looked like the Ameican Actress, Jane Russel.

Horse Wilshire (Spackman House) was my last closest friend and with Freddie Oosthuizen, we were an inseperable trio. Years later I ran into Horse in London at the OVC in Earl’s Court. He’d become an aircraft mechanic and was doing well. He told me that Freddie had died … but I cannot remember how.

My first year at St. Goggies and attending Malvern High School, I came first in class (got a watch from the Home as a present), captained the under 11 soccer team and made good at cricket, boxing, athletics and swimming … so the next year I was promoted to Dorm Corporal … much to my older sibling’s chagrin. I never rose ‘higher’ than that though, as puberty hit me and other ‘things’ became more releavant. Stuart later became head of house, so that alleviated his earlier embarrasment.

We attended MHS when it was still located on Kensington St. (before the move to new location on Mars Street in 1960). My class teacher for three years was Vera Kirkland and she was my English teacher as well … it is to her that I am especially grateful for a simple lesson: No matter what you learn in life, if you cannot speak your own language fluently … you can express nothing of consequence. It is the greatest tool of life!

She introduced me to Shakespeare, poetry and theater, along with Muriel Noakes (my last year class teacher) and drama coach. Miss Kirkland … you’re the most.

Bob Morrison was ‘The Boss’ at school … Durie was my Geography teacher and inspired a lifelong passion to travel the world. (I have lived and worked in 12 countries and have learnt a lot of languages) A Mr. Jurie taught handcraft and carpentry which was the foundation of the handskills I still enjoy today.

Noakes taught history and drama and she too inspired a similar passion for history and cultural studies that I have pursued all my adult life.

Mr. O’Niel taught math and although I have an abiding need for math in everything I do … I could not learn a thing from that man … he was just too intelligent and unable to teach affectively … at least not to me.

But the most enduring character at MHS must surely be WOP Cunninham of Mechanics & Science … who can forget the WOP laugh?

Billy Malan of Beaton House was a bully … (until one day my brother offered to beat the crap out of him) … but he could sing like a nightingale. Unchained Melody was his favorite and despite my fear of him … I could listen to that voice forever.

I read about the ‘mine’ dump alongside the (Old Boys) sports fields … but no mention of Treasure Island? The Bluegum spotted quarry ajoining the main football field, was the battleground for klei-lat fights between teams from the senior houses. Quince sticks and clay at 40 paces was a painful sport … but we loved it.

Then there was Summer Camp – UMTENTWENI. My last year I was leader of the advance party to get the camp ready for the rest of the kids – who followed a week later. Those were the best times. Rock ‘n Roll and girls to meet … in Port Shepstone and Margate.

Two years before, my brother and I built a canoe from wood and canvas. We were allowed to take it down on the train and eventaually to leave it in the camp storage when we returned to JHB at the end of the vacation. When we weren’t using it ourselves to explore the rivers and lagoons around our camp area, we’d rent it out to someone else for 2 shilling and six pence for the day. That was a lot of money then … it could buy you a pack of cigarettes (1 1/2 Shillings), a cup of coffee and a slice of apple pie.

Years later (1996), I was engaged by a lighting company in Durban to design and produce a massive party for 10,000 kids in a sugar terminal on Maiden Wharf. I was there for 3 weeks and whilst there, rented a car and drove down the coast (75 odd miles) to Umtentweni to visit the old camp site.
It took forwever to find it as the area had been built up with residential streets and blocks since. When I did discover it, it was an overgrown field surrounded by encroaching growth and much smaller than I remembered … it used to camp 180 boys and masters in bell tents and marquees. Nothing remained of memory.

Today, my elder brother Stuart lives in the high desert of Nevada on a ranch in a valley surrounded by mountains (not too far from Las Vegas) with his 8 kids. His wife and companion of the past 30 odd years died two weeks ago from a long battle with cancer. A documentary film-maker most of his adult life, he turned to philosophy and spiritualism. Becoming a shaman (witchdoctor – studying with Peter Tshabala in JHB) and a buddhbist monk after a couple of years in a Zendo in Japan.

He has written a remarkable book called; Psyche – Genetics
The Metaphysical Implications of Human Evolution – or … the Origin of Conciousness if you wish.

I, in the meantime, have become a lighting designer and inventor of big-beam ultra-violet light. I met my wife (from Holland) in Israel in 1967 (during the Six Day war) and married her 8 years later in Holland. We have two kids, a 39 year old son and 29 year old daughter – both of whom are film and TV producers in Amsterdam. My dauhter has two children … also a boy and a girl … so I guess I am complete.

I moved to the States in 1989 and reside in Los Angeles (but not in Hollywood), bringing with me my company Wildfire, Inc. and lighting inventions. Many of my special effects lighting tricks have appeared in many movies, TV shows, staged shows, roll ‘n roll shows including with most of the great performers of the 80’s and nineties. Many Theme Parks (Disneyland etc.) casinos (Caesar’s Palace – Forum Ceilings) and others, feature my work.

What I have not said here, is that I have bad memories of ST. G’s. I suppose I do … but really can only remember one sad ocassion. Sitting on the sports field one evening at twilight in my football togs … I should have been getting cleaned up for supper … but lingered feeling alone and abandoned … when old Joseph our grounds keeper, came up to me out of the gloom and asked me why I was crying. After listing all my grieviances, my lack of freedom and parents … he looked at me and said: ‘My people have no shoes … you have shoes and boots for everything.’ I was 12 and the profound implication of what he had said, so embarassed me that I never had that feeling of loss again.

We cannot change one moment of the past and the cards we were dealt … all we can do, is learn to play poker and win.

When I lived at Taylor House, there were photos of bygone years of other homeboys in the 30’s and 40’s and stories abounded on how tough it was in the ‘old days’. It was tough when I was there, but I also could see that it got less so during my time and I am sure it continued to do so. Anon had a bad expertience, but as he admitted, he also loved the place … why? Because there were more good memories than bad!

The past is past and is unchangeable. Why dwell on the negative when it cannot make you happy in the present. The lessons of the past are the tools to a better future .. it is up to each one of us to make the best of it, if not for ourselves, then at least for our dependents.

I sold my company to my partners in LA. It is still the number one Blacklight lighting company in the world today – (but not doing any better 15 years later than when I ran it). I still take on special lighting projects for clients today … but only if they are challenging. Mostly I am either writing another novel, poem or short story … or designing some new invention I have come up with.

Reading back on these notes, I realize that all the other entries that precede me, date from the late sixties onwards, so I hope that some of these names mentioned here, will still resonate with some of your blog readers … as I would like to hear from anyone from that period in the 50’s.

Photos? I have none not one from that period except a school class photo from 1958 Std. 9.

Hlalagahle shamwari’s,

D.C. Leslie-Pringle.
Los Angeles, USA
May 24, 2008.

Edit Comment
95. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 26, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Last Note:

Any homeboy from the period 1955 to 1960 who might remember the Pringle brothers and who wishes to make contact, can reach me at my e-mail address:

D.C. Leslie-Pringle
leslielite@verizon.com

Edit Comment
96. john rossouw | May 28, 2008 at 10:34 pm

Greetings DC

What incredible merories and thank you for taking the time to record them
Even thoough your time at the home relates to the year I was born all the names mentioned are very familiar to me as my elder brothers were at the home in the early to late 60’s
There are many photographs from the early years which I have managed to salvage but few in the years leading up to the time of Eric Richardson but hopefully when I put the package togehther finally it will at least bring back some memories of your time there
Strong as you point out was not a good head and only lasted less than a year
During his tennure most the boys ran away to Pretoria to pettition the prime minister against the way he was running the place (Strange how democracy worked in those days)
In the book Robson described him as a massachist
He replaced Short (nephew of OWL Skey- 2 nd head after Aldridge all of whom were very popular with the boys as was Kerswell a non priest and former magistrate and one of two heads who were non clergy – the other being Ken Mc Holm who you should also remember)
You seem to also have done remarkably well for your self and it is great to hear these stories as the history of the home is littered with people who were unable to brige the divide some of whom you have noted above
Yes the home was not idel – it never could be – but it provide a much better alternative to anything else available and did a remarkable job with so many of us with very little
I too am a writer and a dabbler in poetry but I did not have the benefit of learning from mesdames Kirkland and Noakes as I went to Dawnview High
Fortunately I too had an English teacher who pushed my boundries and I was able to reconnect with her after 30 years to share my work
You may be familar with a poet in the states by the name of David Whyte whom I have met and interacted with He also had a profound mpact on my work David was a marine zooligist and gave it up to become a poet He now consults to major Corporates on “real conversations” and a lot of what is published on this SGH site is exactly that
Some of my poems are on the forum on his website and you can find them on http://www.davidwhyte.com
I was also fortunate to meet his good friend Richard Olivier son of the late Sir Lawrence
Richard is a remarkably down to earth noble peer and he runs leadership workshops around the world on the characters of Shakespeare
Henry V – Inspirational leadership
Malcom and Macbeth – Steward leadership and
Julius Ceaser – Power and Influence
Umtemtwini was aslo remarkble and their is a photo I found with a view of the sea which extends beyond the home flag which is flying
For me it encapsulates everything that was camp
Every day we would break the flag before breakfast and those days still remain some of my happiest memories

I will forward your news to my brother Mike as I am sure he will want to connect wth you and I will keep you informed on my slow but nevetheless steady progress on the preservation of the homes legacy

Warm regards and thank you for sharing these experiences

John Rossouw
97. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 29, 2008 at 6:56 am

Hi John,

It was very thoughtful of you to respond to my nostalgic outreach … it is much appreciated.

A week or less ago, I found myself standing beside the postbox at the front gate of my expectations … realizing for the first time in many years, how much I missed so many parts of my past. To make contact with such a vital and pivotal part of my formative youth, for no apparent reason … became compulsive and I could not but turn to Google to find it.

I am delighted that I did and your efforts to bring this all together for so many others who, like me, are doubtless as starved for final closure of those oftimes traumatic years –
is as a beacon in the dark shadows of memory.

And as we all know, the best way to cure the blues, is to relive them through interaction or communication with others of our common home and experience. A shared understanding is as strong as the bonds of a family. And although not always as cohesive then, we we’re nevertheless a family with a shared experience … albeit, each in his own way … depending from which path his life brought him there.

I always thought of our ‘family’ and our ‘home’ as;
St.George’s Sanctury for Lost Souls. But because I felt safe and secure at St. Goggies, that description was more wry humor than tragic.

Thank you for telling me about David Whyte. No I did know of him … but checked out his site and looked for you. I did not find you and must presume you are in the Forum Section. I did not go there due to immediate time restraints … but will check it out in the course of the week. I did however read some of David’s stuff and found it insightful and lucid.

I write a different metier I must confess … and hope that Shakespeare had ego enough to be flattered by emmulation.
Shadows of my life appear in everything I write … in one form or another … but in poetry, it leans to observations of the duality in life and nature.

Would you mind e-mailing me your e-mail address, I should like to read yours and send you a piece of mine if you are interested.

I look forward to hearing from Michael. I am sure he in turn would like to connect to my brother Stuart. He too is a priest. A bhuddist … but nevertheless … a servant of God who also spent time in monestries across South East Asia.

Warmest thanks for bringing me Home.

Dudley.
98. john rossouw | May 30, 2008 at 7:26 pm

Greetings Dudley

Thanks for the reply and yes my poems are in the forum section which are chronicled in date order from mid 04 to late 05
I too have spent much time reflecting on my youth a large part of which relates to St G’s and the process has ben strengthened by the work I am doing on the archives and trying to preserve the history albeit that I am finding less time these days to complete the exercise

In light of ourrespective spiritual journeys I enclose my poem on childhood which I hope you and others enjoy

Regards and enjoy the weekend

John

The Child within

Who have I become?

This person of cold emotion
who finds it difficult to laugh, and love

Was I always like this?

Or have circumstances
forced me to become my stranger

One who finds no skill in labor
and walks quietly among colleagues
busy with self acknowledged sense of worth

Meeting behind closed doors
they champion and rise to a cause
that speaks only in words

Without evidence of deed

They structure performance
to reward shortcomings

On which they heap monetary value

Offering tenfold
the value of the workers and families
they have just retrenched

I look within
and question

Is this really me?

I look within
and envy the child I once was

I search for that existence where I was once free

Felt pain
cried at will
Laughed
Loved
and was loved

I recall how I lived

In the face of illness
Which could make each moment my last

I cherish those memories
And my childhood of emotional freedom

That I have given up to ransom

I yearn for a sense of who I once was

I look for ways to break down
the fortress I have built around me

That shuts out my emotion
and makes me
my own lonely stranger

In my heart

I ache for a time
when I will again travel
my journey of before

Embracing my mortality

Savoring the child within

That child
who I once was

And will be

Again
99. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 30, 2008 at 11:21 pm

Greetings John,

Thank you for your poem, The Child Within. It is both poignant and familiar and speaks to that personal pain so many of us experienced in our initial dazed state … wondering how we landed up where we were … when we entered St. Goggies and lived it’s ritual and structural dynamic.

I was 11 and my brother 12 in 1955. We had however, previous experience in orphanages … starting with a year in St. Hyacinth’s Convent in Nigel for a year … then later for a year in The Haven in Greenside and then later again in ‘Welgelegen’ in Alberton … so the separation shock for us was possibly less so than for those boys who experienced it for the first time.

I won’t say we were old hands at it but we were ceratinly a lot more fatalistic about it than most. Nevertheless, discovering self is a long and hard process when your life has been upturned and dictated by circumstance of misfortune.

I know none of the names of the bloggers above, yet still feel that each an everyone of them is a brother who shared my personal experience. I greet you all and Hail, you are worthy, more than you know.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Blane for creating this site and the blog page … it is a tenuous connection to many things past …. but is as a lifeline to the precious link of our collective memory. I find myself waiting daily to see who has entered the discussion, hoping for a familiar name to pop up with whom I can share just one very personal moment of recollection.

What I also observe, is that there is a gathering of sensitive, intelligent souls out there and there is definitely a desire to express our pain, desires, hopes and dreams of release from
the anguish of past misery through the catharsis of collective memory.

The french recently released a film called; ‘The Orphanage’ and I think that it kicked my longing into gear to come to grips with the past … to put it to rest. Something tells me that a South African version … set amid all the conflicts of English/Afrikaans – white and black in apartheid Souith Africa, could be an interesting concept.

Hereunder I have attached a copy of ‘Atomic Atman’ – the conflict of duality … self and metaphysical self. I don’t know whether it will open in this blog as I have never done this before … but I hope so and hope you too can identify with one or more of it’s stanzas. It speaks to the many aspects of the evolving (or devolving) man.

Sincere regards to all.

http://episcopal.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/atomic-atman-l-homme-savage/
100. Anonymous | May 31, 2008 at 5:12 pm

Hi Dudley

Plz forward the doc to johnros@iafrica.com

Regards

John
101. Stuart Pringle | June 1, 2008 at 12:49 am

I have no official source for the following history of St. Georges. It is basically my personal assessemnt of the situation as I understdood it during the five years I spent there. 1955-1958.

The iplan and money for building St.Georges Home was proposed by the Anglican Church in England, as a home for South African boys who’s fathers had died overseas, fighting for the British Empire during WWI and WWII.

In honor of the fallen soldiers it was decided that only the best England had to offer for their sons, would do. St. Georges was designed and built to operate on the same principles as the boarding schools and playing fields of Eton and Harrow, where English royalty sent their sons. The Home was originally staffed by English dons and headed by an Anglican minister appointed by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury.

The South African Army also contributed to the building and running fund of the Home, with the proviso that the home be run as a cadet school.
102. Keith Frandsen | June 3, 2008 at 4:10 am

I was a homie in the late 60’s early 70’s. Taylor house. A member of the choir, photo club and band. I started out as a buglar and ended up as the drum major. John and Michael I remember. Nice to hear that you are all well. My number is 0720222499. Regards Keith Frandsen
103. Anita Kennedy | June 3, 2008 at 9:45 pm

Can someone help? We are trying to find out if our father was an inmate of this childrens home 1922-1926. All we Know is that after his fathers death in June 1922 he was put in a Roman Catholic Childrens home. His name was William George Kennedy born 19th May 1911
104. Vanessa Hurlimann | June 4, 2008 at 12:33 am

John – The Child Within……………raw,emotive and touching
to write in this manner denotes an ability to reach within the shadows and express light – wonderful !!
105. John | June 8, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Welcome Stuart and Keith and thank you Vanessa and Dudley for feedback on my poem
I received your posting on email Dudley and I must say it is a truly remarkable piece of work, one not easily absorbed in one reading
I will give it more attention when I have time and will offer you feedback
Keith I found a photo with you in the choir with the rest of us in 1970 when Mark de Wit was choir master and when I showed Dave my brother the photo he recognised you and some of the others instantly
You were drum major the year before Dave in 73, him in 74 and me in 75/6
I also recall you comming back in the 80’s to help out with the band which is something the 3 of us did from time to time
Anita sadly none of us are from the early generation of the home but I would suggest you contact them on 011 616 4015 and see if they are able to track any record of your relatives time there
I hope this helps

Regards to all in our small but growing network of old boys and girls and my thanks again to Blane for making this opportunity possible

John
106. Wendy Thompson/Jones | June 8, 2008 at 10:07 pm

Hi
Thanks for posting the newspaper clippings. Lots of familiar names. One in particular with whom I have had recent contact – in the Under 12 is one F Stopforth. I did bookkeeping work for Fred for a number of years. It was onlly after I started working for him that we made the connection – St Georges/Goggies boys are all over the place!
Regards
Wendy
107. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 9, 2008 at 1:20 am

Hi John,

Glad you received my e-mail. Blane volunteered and posted Atomic Atman on his worldpress site and as you said, not easy to absorb in one sitting … in fact, for some people it is not easy to read at all. I’ve been told it cuts to the bone.

For Anita to note, St George’s was an Anglican home, not Catholic and the term ‘inmate’ applies to prisons and mental institutions not homeboys … although we sometimes thought we were one or the other. But I do hope you have some success in tracking your father’s past.

Religion in one way or another wraps itself around our past in many ways and we witness that it touched some of our members more so than others … e.g: your brother Michael and mine both became priests … although Stuart as a buddhist, is refered to as a monk … and of course Blane too is a minister.

In this vein I would like to contribute how it affected me personally.

Fourteen months after leaving St. Goggies, I followed my brother up to Tanganyka (Tanzania as it is now called), working as field officers, prospecting for diamonds for two different Anglo-American Corp. subsidiaries callled Williamson Diamnds and Western Rift Exploration Co.

While traversing (on safari) in the bush, Ione night asleep in my tent, I had a ‘Kunbdalini’ experience (Serpent of Wisdom). It was both freightening and later uplifting … for shortly afterwards, I had the overwhelming desire to become a priest myself … this euphoria lasted about a fortnight and then passed, but the memory of that horrific night experience has never left me.

Then, a number of years later, in Rhodesia, by pure co-incidence (there is no such thing as coincidence), I met an elderly lady who turned out to be my grand aunt, wife of my maternal grandfather’s brother. Through her, I came to learn much about my mother’s family, of whom I knew very little save that I had a horde of uncles, aunts and cousins.

She told me that my grandfather and his brother were the sons of the rabbi of Vilnius (Vilna), capital city of Lithuania one of the Baltic States. Both he and his brother escaped the Russian Bolshevic pogroms of 1907 and fled as refugees to South Africa.

So, my grandfather was a jew! At 53 years of age he married for the first time with a catalogue bride from Ireland who was just 16 and not jewish. They had 14 children, my mother being the 3rd. youngest.

In jewish law, if your mother is jewish, you are too … but mine was not, as her mother was not either. However, it appears that for the decendents of a rabbi there is an exception, as they are considered a ‘holy’ family.

So what Faith am I?
Hereunder, is how I ‘evolved’ under this dichotomy.

It’s about Faith!

FAITH

Iam a man of no Faith,
Yet have Faith in All.
I have faith that the sun will rise,
That rain will fall and crops will grow.

I have Faith that we will learn to preserve
and discontinue to destroy.
That world peace is possible,
despite evidence to the contrary.

I have Faith that one day
I will escape fear and find courage.
For I am the center of my universe,
created in my Father’s image.

In all human endeavor their is choice,
as we all are a composite of the Duality.
Right and Wrong, Positive and Negatgive.
Light and Dark, Yin and Yang.

Forever endowed to maintain the balance,
Too much Light – and we are blinded.
Too much Dark – and we are reduced
To sleep and procreation.

My life’s purpose defined to seek this balance …
In harmony with the countless atoms of God’s love
that rains down on me every moment of my existance,
and in rythym with the environment that surrounds me.

What I disturb – shall disturb me,
What love I bring – will return to me.
Give and ye shall receive.
For the Universe provides – what goes around comes around

Cause and effect -Yin and Yang.
Have faith, for the Duality is One.
It is all in balance and we are perfect.
God knows, we have but to leaern it.

In me all things are united
and I am One with the Universe.
The Beginning and the End.
Alpha and Omega.

Have Faith,
for the Duality is two parts of the Whole.
Have Faith,
for Two halves make One.

My father told me so!

So be it.

Sincere regards to all.
108. Blane | June 9, 2008 at 6:47 am

Amen.
109. charles | June 9, 2008 at 12:06 pm

Being an old home boy and having many memories of SGH,it is great to hear of so many of the boys who have made a mark in society and have managed to get past the life we had in the old place.Yet we always go back to where it all started,being pushed and taught the values of life in the harshest ways,echoes of house masters pushing you to your limits,the rivalry we had at sports,at everything we did.Fighting to be number one in the home was also a thing,boys will be boys and the toughest survived,leaving their mark and a legacy of who is or who was who.The pranks, the bunking out,our trips to Umtentweni and so many other things that we used to get up to.
But the biggest mark of all was the the boys we had the pleasure of knowing,those that touched our lives in special ways,the housemasters and evenour shcool teachers.
There are so many i remember and those i choose to forget.Nevertheless,i think in a lot of ways we are who we are today because of SGH,ever wondered what would have become of us if there was no SGH and we never had the guidence,good or bad.
Well,thank heavens we had a place to go,we had a place to belong and im glad that i am who i am today…..it could have been so different.We all choose to erase certain things in our lives and yet we experianced the emotions and feelings that would last you a life time.
JUst a little thank you to those who crossed my path at SGH and made me a better person.

Live life,love life…you only have one,and you and the Good Lord above are in partnership in this all….So,Homies,never look back and have too many regrets…It could have been worse.

Take care
Charles
110. Dave Dry | June 9, 2008 at 5:21 pm

Attention: John Rassouw Dave dry here. I would be interested in a copy of the CD also. Please advise when ready to trevid@iburst.co.za Many thanks. Dave
111. S.W. Pringle | June 11, 2008 at 9:05 am

Reviewing The Movie
« Thread Started Today at 6:56pm »

——————————————————————————–
From birth
and beyond
vortex
of change
whirled
spun
turning swirls
wheels of fate

Spewn out
spirals
pools of stillness
bruised
spent
sucked again and again
the eddying pull
in -out – in
the relentless stream
of life

Hope -hopeless – hope
float now
see
thought is quiet
suspended
timeless
watch the current

Old images
half forgot
rush by
jet some in the torrent
some
knife-sharp in the instant
many-sided
cutting
shame!
others fogged
gliding away
entangled webs
of memory

All those noisy moments
strung together
like counting knots
on the twisted string of circumstance
a private rosary
of take
fate
mistake

Could one spermatozoa
in a cloud of wriggling life
have altered one inch
in the great scheme of things?

What change in the shape
of the river bed
can be cause by a tiny grain
temporally caught
in an eddy off the main?

Endless questing
through the Ages
never satisfy
a restless mind

Which real is real
when all views are relative
when all moments
are one

The finger of fate
stirs the eddy again
driving me to know
if I can plot my course across
the flow of force
for I weary
of being battered
and bent and spent
by the vagaries of chance
and mischance

Smallness of mind
knows
it knows naught
yet knows
all powers are mystic
all goals are deceiving
that power
for power’s sake
turns grace
into disgrace

Wisdom my Lord
jut for an instant
so that I can know
if I can know
112. Wendy Thompson/Jones | June 11, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Hi Charles Thanks for the photos. They bring back lots of memories-:)
113. Jaycee Milner | June 14, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Hi, My name is Jaycee. I attended SGH from 84 to 88. My late brother too was at the home same time. Craige Milner and he was in Taylor house. I was in Beaton house and I am gratefu to all the people who gave me the best memories of my life. My email is attached and would love to get into contact with anyone who can remember me.
Personally i was sad to see the history of SGH go. I was never a fan of the new idea. But perhaps it was just meant to be…
Thanks to you all for keeping the memory alive.
Jaycee

jaycee.milner@eu.sony.com
114. Trevor Budd | June 14, 2008 at 11:49 pm

well to all the homeboys, at least i made contact with someone from the past .I hope to make contact with many more. I was in st Georges home for boys from the early 70s. I was in Simpson house and then moved on to Smuts house. I do recall i was very rebellious to all things around me . I was a good athlete but even then i never pushed myself i just went with the flow. I guess i just was not correctly motivated. I do recall everything i did was by force and fearful instruction by my peers who put the fear of god in me. Well i turned out …i suppose as best most could be , but hey i survived.

Trevor Budd
palominoct@yahoo.com
115. D.C.Leslie-Pringle | June 18, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Remembering Rock ‘n Roll.

Here’s a memory that might seem quaint … if not outright archaic.

In 1955 when Stuart and I first entered St. Goggies, rock ‘n roll was just getting started. In 1952/3 Bill Haley recorded; Rock Around the Clock and Elvis was close behind, as was Gene Vincent, Ricky Nelson, Eddie Cochran and Tommy Steele in UK.

12 inch stovepipe jeans and ducktail haircuts were the rage, although that was a little tough for us ‘homies’, as shortback and sides were still the left-over rage of the British military
influence in our lives .i.e. ‘Major’ Moss of Spackman House.

Taylor House had a rec. room upstairs which had a single ‘ornament’ … an old tube-fired radio that the seniors were allowed to listen to after showers and before lights out. Friday night was the BIG NIGHT – LM Radio’s Hit Parade.

Doesn’t seem like much now does it? With everybody walking around with ipods and shuffles and cellphones with more computing power in them than the Apollo 13 program had to get to the moon and back. But those Friday nights were treasures to us … hearing the next big hit was our idea of a good time. And of course, it gave guys like me a chance to try out my dance moves.

So don’t laugh. That was serious stuff to us back in the day.

John, I finally found two of your poems in David Whyte’s Forum (there must be over a hundred entries from many writers), ‘Oh to be me’ was really cool, but ‘Little Boy Lost’ was too close to home to be comfortable … but it reveals that no matter which generation we are, we all feel much of the same joys and agonies along life’s winding road. Thank you for steering me there.

Blane, in case my last posting did not get through (after a week or more of internet disconnect), thank you for the ‘amen’ adendum to my poem; ‘Faith’.

As I said then, I feel it is worthwhile repeating now, for there is a message of cofidence in the words of Stewart Brand
in the opening pages of his original ‘Whole Earth Catalogue’ from the early sixties; ‘We are as gods, we might as well get good at it!’
116. Trevor Budd | June 21, 2008 at 1:47 pm

DearGavin i read with distress about your brothers passing away. I knew Noel very well as he was my brothers good friend (kevon budd) we spent time with each other after st georges I really had a liking for him. With respect to you and your family please may i pass on to you even at this late stage my sincerest and truthful emotions of concern and joy the precious memories in my mind be of console to you all, and to myself.
Please may we have communication as i do indeed remember the day when your mother put Herbie Thompson in hes place with regards to beating all the homeboys with violence and hatred.

God speed to you all and may the joy of life and the spirit of overcoming be your strength as it was mine./

Trevor and Kevon Budd
117. S.W Pringle | June 22, 2008 at 9:20 am

I read the piece written by Anon regarding caning and must say I disagree with his generalization of what the St.Georges Home experience was like. Though it sounds like he had a particularly sadistic housemaster, that was certainly not the general rule, at not least in my time there. 1955/1958

“Robbie” Robinson was my housemaster at Taylor. He had an explosive temper at times, especially after a few whiskeys, but, in general he was a fair man and a good judge of character. He always appointed good dorm prefects who helped him keep a reasonable level of discipline. His tongue lashing when things got out of hand, humbled all of us. All the boys from all the houses called him “The Boss” .IIn my final year he appopinted me headboy. I remember telling him that I was a secret smoker and could not, in good consciousness, discipline other smokers. I suggested he let me have a smoking room where I could inviite other senoirs who had the habit, instead of having them sneak out for a cigarette. He found my argument reasonable and for the first trime since the Home’s founding, the seniors had a smoking room. (In the 50’s lung cancer was not public knowledge)

Moss was in charge of Spackman. He had been a majpr in the British army, ran the cadet corps and was also a very fair man.

“”Bugs” Capener ran Beaton. He was an avid amateur entomologist. During camp at Umtemtweni, he showed those of us who were intereted how to attract and collect insects. A small group of us would crowd into his tent and listen to him read a chapter from Edegar Rice Burrouighs’ Martian saga by Tilley lamp each night. He was a kindly man and was much liked by all of us.

Rev. Strong was headmaster of St. Georges during my four years there and was much disliked by all of us as a stuck-up prick. He took a particuklar dislike to me as headboy. He certainly turned me off religion, a fact that took me years to recover from.

I got my share of canning during the years there and have never felt traumatized for it. Nor did it turn me into a bully.

As stated in an earlier post, the Boys of St.Gearge’s Home got close to the same treatment as the sons of British elite at Eton and Harrow. That upbringing has served me well thorugh the years since, in my relationships with people from all walks of life. As an international telebvision producer, II interviewed dozens of powerful people all around the world and have always felt a ease with my manners among them.

I am sorry to hear that St.Georges Home has changed into something else..
118. Barney Naude | June 22, 2008 at 7:28 pm

I was a home boy from 1982 to 1987. For me St Georges gave me stability and discipline, for which I am extremely grateful.
When i first arrived I battled with rules and structured life, but once I settled in, it was great. I had my share of jacks from Mr Macky, and Mr nichols, the never ending speaches of Mrs Harper, (hopsing), which we never called her to her face. But the most iffluential person for me was Mr Callum Rae.
I’d be greatful for the contact details of all the Spackman house boys from the eighties as Callum is coming to vissit, from Glasgow, and if we could get as many of the boys together while he is here, for a reunion of sorts, it would be great.
I have read some of the personal stories here, and would like to put in my views. The discipline was extremely militaristic, (rule by fear), which on its own didn’t really work. once Mr Rae became our house father, we behaved better, not for fear of jacks, but not to dissapoint Mr Rae. this is not to say that we were model children, we still got up to mischief.
best to all and hope to hear from some of the boys soon.
119. MARC WASTIE | June 24, 2008 at 3:07 am

I was in the home from 1971 to1979 and i have great and sad memories of the home like i guess weve all experienced, to me the home was my home as i come from a broken home and i now look back at what oppourtunities were made available to us as a home boy we had great sports made available to us like football like athletics like swimming horse riding which helped me tremendously
we got a taste of ice skating free tickets were arranged for us on wednesdays until 5 oclock we sold programs at big soccer games and some big boxing matches there was also the hobbies and craft center that exposed some of us to arts and crafts.
the things that father clayton controbuted like photography and radio st george .these things were not available to anybody but us homeboys .even though i didnt like all the marching ,by the time i was in the army i was well prepared.i concider it to have been apriviledge to be a st georges home boy.
120. Trevor Budd | June 24, 2008 at 9:12 pm

different opinions are the ingredient of good discussion(Trevor Budd)..my own idiom
121. Vanessa Hurlimann | June 24, 2008 at 11:24 pm

As long as you have a voice, be heard
a pen – write
– insightful memories!!
122. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 25, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Catch-Up!

Barney Naude – duriing the 50’s there were two Naude brothers at the home. For the life of me however, I cannot remember either of their first names but recall that they were both in Beaton House. The elder of the two was a first class drummer in the cadet band … and I think he also became drum-major for a period of time. Any relationship to you?.

(Dr.) Tommy Geddes has been mentioned here in earlier postings but he had an elder brother, Nicholas, who was both my contemporary and class mate for three years. Has anyone any idea of what became of him?

Vanessa Hurlimann – You must have dated a homeboy back in the day to have attended soccor matches and the ocassional disco party there. Obviously you have much affection for ’society’s castoffs’ as you’re a regular contributor to Blane’s site. Thank you for taking the time with your thoughtful and supportive comments. It is a rare generosity.

History in Black & White.

Personal: On July 27th. 2008 – it will be exactly 50 years since I walked out of St. Goggies with Boss Robson’s blessing that mid-year. He knew that I was done … that I had started there with such promise, but had slowly slipped away, year by year from fulfilling that destiny. Truth be known, I regret it now.

South Africa: In 1948 (just 10 years earlier), the Nationalist Government came to power and forever changed the course
of a promising destiny for our country. With them came that pariah, Apartheid … the brainchild of Hendrik Verwoerd and the Broederbond (aka The Ossebrandtwagt).

I mention this, as wherever I travelled after I left SA., I was constantly confronted by people telling me that I was a racialist. I honestly never thought that I was, (I always thought of myself as a liberal – in fact, a bit of a ‘kafirboetie), but freely admitted that I thought it normal for an 8 year old white child to call an adult African male, ‘boy’. Why was that?

Many of you have doubtless travelled abroad and have probably experienced much the same kind of allegation.

In 1984, I ran into an old friend of mine in Amsterdam, Holland. His name was James Georgiadus – Jimmy the Greek. In 1976 at the time of the Soweto riots, James was the President of Nusas at Wits. He took it on the chin from both the left and the right and as a law student, he was really confronted with the Black & White social disparity. Ultimately, he had to make a run for it and landed up in The Netherlands as a refugee, where he had to take his entire law degree all over again at the University of Amsterdam.

At the time we met there, he was just opening his first office to commence his practice and engaged me to design and construct it. During the course of that endeavour, he gave me a little book to read entitled: Black & White in South Africa by a guy called Peter LeMay who had dedicated it to Helen Suzman, the one voice in SA in opposition to Apartheid.

In it, he spells out the Nationalist agenda and the program of indoctrination of every South African … both blacks and whites … that followed. Suffice to say, I sincerely recommend that each one of you try to get hold of a copy of that book and read it. We are not born racialists … we learn it!

It has taken me my entire adult life to unlearn that horrid propaganda and to become, nevertheless, proud of being a South African. If that has been possible, so should it be possible for all St. Goggians to be proud of being ‘Homeboys’.

I am.

l
123. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 25, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Ghosts of the Past.

(As an adendum to the above).

My father was a self-taught civil engineer who died in a horrific accident while building a steel bridge over the Orange River. I had barely known him as I was 3 years old when he came back from the WWII b ut I had nevertheless, bonded closelky with him by the time I was eight when it happened, and could not accept it that he was dead.

For nearly 16 years therafter, I suffered insomnia as a result of that radical separation … I just would not accept that he was really gone and secretly believed that one day … I would find him somewhere in a crowd of people.

Peter LeMay’s book is full of historical photographs of early turn-of-the -20th.-Century SA. Somewhere in the middle of it, there is a photograph of South African troops, gathered for a battalian photograph in the desert outside Tobruk (North Africa). My father was a Sergeant Major and he and his best friend are to be seen, standing arms around each others shoulders in front of an arena array of his troops.

There he was, in the middle of a crowd … and that put that ghost to rest. I never suffered insomnia again.

Amen. (Thank you Blane).
124. Vanessa Hurlimann | June 25, 2008 at 8:39 pm

If poetry be the food of my soul
write on write on

the written word is held dear to me –
the eye unseen, the word a window to your soul

but – yes – I did indeed date a homeboy – a special soul then and now
and had lots of other friends there too
depth in friendship………………
’societies castoffs’ – never thought that way…………
rejection is a bitter seed
sweetened only by the love of the Father
125. John | June 26, 2008 at 12:57 am

WOW I have been absent from the blog for some time and I have returned to find a thriving online community deep in discussion not just about the home but about the richness and challenges of life indispersed withn some great poetry and deep insight
I was also saddened to read of the passing of Noel Schaffer and my condolences to the family as we were very close whilst at the home
Welcome to all the newcommers most of whom are known to me as well as to those of later years who are not
I share with you all the news of Georgie Adam’s 80th birthday which I attended with him and a few of his closest friends on Sunday the 22nd
George as you can see above is the author of the book on the home I am in the process of editing
In additon to being a housemaster of Smuts house 1968/9 and Simpson house 1963 – 67 he was also an old boy from the 1940’s during Mr Kerswill’s tenure as head of the home
Others in attendance ON sUNDAY included George Woods son of the late John Woods (SGH 1968) who is godson to Georgie, Paul Courtney (SGH 1972) and Des and Doreen Steel (1940’s)
I will endevour to send a photo via email for the site
At the 75th anniversary of the SGH Old Boys Assn in 2005 George reminded me that it was not the buildings but rather the community of each other which is St Georges Home and I certainly feel that in being a participant with you all on this blog
My regards to you all and my hope for the growth in this very special and vibrant online community

John
126. S.W Pringle | June 26, 2008 at 4:49 am

Orphans and children from broken homes, raised from a young age in institutions by strangers, all share a special relationship with God. He/She served as our invisible parent – intimate witness to our young lives – confident of our secret hopes and dreams.

Our lack of phsyical parents give us a specialized view of family values and the larger social structures that are built on them. We are objective social observers, forever watching and evaluating human interactions from the side-lines, seeing millions of tiny details that parented kids take for granted.

It is from this objective view-point that I devised the Psyche-Genetic theory. Knowing how and why the very first human became conscious and how all societies evolved from that first family, has allowed me to see where this huge striving throng of humanity is at present and where it is destined to end. That holistic view of our reason for being has served to intregrate me with all other children of God and has allowed me to find my own special place inside the human family.
127. Vanessa Hurlimann | June 26, 2008 at 1:03 pm

Psalm 139 v 13-16

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together
in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made
in the secret place
When I was woven together
in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to me.
128. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 27, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Welcome Home John.

Now you see what you and Blane have started?
You’ve got the whole neighborhood joining in.
129. Anon | June 27, 2008 at 7:53 pm

St Georges,St.Georges
You hold me close
You have my secrets
You have my fears
Marks on the walls,
on doors and in halls.

Echoes in the Dorms,
footprints on the floors,
my shadow still wanders
aimlesly,seeking….

What was my role,
where was my place
was it all a race…..

Is all who i was,
be who i am.
for then a boy
became a man.

for ST Georges
you hold…….
my book of life
my book of strife
That was my life.
130. anon | June 28, 2008 at 4:15 am

to anon – my heart
though in part given
for reasons yet to unfold
my soul –
complete in friendship you hold

Oh the life and lives within the walls
what sacred memories
what hallowed dreams
all to all – visionary may seem

nonetheless tis real……………..
131. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Thought of the day.

Be the change you want to see in the world. (Mahatma Ghandi).
132. Trevor Budd | June 29, 2008 at 2:29 pm

who can tell me when is the next old boys gathering association
taking place and where. I am keen to attend the next one as i have never attended any before.
trevor budd
133. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 30, 2008 at 10:01 am

Thought o the Day.

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.

*Joseph Campbell
134. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 1, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Thought of the Day.

Happiness is a how, not a what, a talent nor an object.

*Herman Hesse.
135. Albert de jager | July 1, 2008 at 7:51 pm

What a delightful surprise to stumble upon this site yesterday, and to be so overwhelmed at the rush of memories of St George’s and all the unforgettable boys and adults who made up this unique community. As Charles Dickens once said..”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. However, for whatever reasons each of us have, they were the most unforgettable times.
I would love to take the time to recount all the times from the miserable Rev. “Tommy” Strong, grumpy “Boss” Robson and the gentle “Bug” Capener in 1958, to the new era of the Giles-like Vicar, Eric Richardson (who often almost succeeded in setting himself alight with his pipe), the delightful and demanding Norman Clayton (of photographic, music and TV fame) and the passionate sport-as-a-therapy standard bearer, Ken McHolm.
Between these two eras lies a world of stories and reminiscences which beg for the telling and re-telling by those who have been there.
The names on this site are a wonder in themselves; Stuart and Dudley Pringle from the wild days of Rock and Roll, Brian Gannon who brought passion and fun to Choir and stage (who can ever forget Nicholas?) the slightly more studious and definitely musical Michael, John and Des Rossouw. Charles and Marc Wastie, George, Trevor and Kevon Budd, Nutsy Moore, Tommy Geddes, Keith Frandsen, Lennie Deacon, Gavin Schafer, Craig Milner, and so many more (even my beloved Nephew Wayne from America….Hi Wayne. When are you going to visit here again?)
What a rollcall of memories.
Thank you Blane for setting up this site and giving all of us this chance to step back into the past for a short while, in order for us to reafirm our place in the present.
Fondest greetings to you all till next time.
136. john rossouw | July 1, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Greetings Albert and welcome to our growing online community

Your quote from Dickens sums up the very essance of St Georges as we knew it and I am reminded from your posting that you were one of a fortunate few who witnessed the changing of the guard from the first generation of Robson,Rice, Symes ,Moss and Kuipner to the era of Richardson and Mc Holm

This was not only as a boy at the home but also as a long serving housemaster of Taylor House where I shared the experience of my senior years under your stewardship

I also remember well our time together in the back row pews of the choir and the long hours of practice which Bee Bop subjected us to

In is letter to me recently (a rare treat as he never writes) he enquired after you so I will let him know you are well when I get round to a reply

I am happy to pass on his address but don’t expect a reply from him

I am not sure if you picked up from the blog that I have been busy photographing what is left of the archives and if you have some free time I would welcome some help on the editing of George Adam’s book on the home

It is an accurate and well reserched record of events over the years but lacks the nuances of the real stories we all have of what was once a very special place in all our lives

Perhaps over time we can collate our own version of life at St Georges from an accumulation of these personal contributions

I found the photograph of the Spackman house swiming team with you Freddie and Gerald and if you wish to have it I will retrieve it and make a plan to get it to you

Bee Bop also sent me a copy of the first evensong broadcast from the chapel and our respective voices can be destinctly heard in the background

You are probaby aware that Makkie passed on in 2005 as did Audrey and their ashes are buried in the garden of rememberance outside Smuts House

Their is also a plaque in their memeory in the sanctuary of the chapel

Anyway its great to hear from you after so many years and here’s hoping we can keep in touch via the blog

Warm regards

John
137. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 2, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Bingo!

Finally a voice from the past. Hi Albert, welcome aboard. I remember you of course. You were Headboy when Stuart and I entered St. Goggies … a distant and remote senior to new pipsqueaks like us … but nevertheless, an unforgettable image in your drum major uniform.

I had heard that you came back as a housemaster after I left some 4 and half years later. What a nice surprise this has been to return to the memories of so many years gone by.
Whatever it was that inspired Blane to set this site up, we must presume it was heaven sent.

I’ve got to warn you though … it’s a little thin on the ground for us senior citizens. Basically, up to now it’s just you, Stuart and I. I suspect that most of our peers haven’t heard about the internet … perhaps even computers … so it may be some time before we hear from more of those old geezers.

As John said, here’s hoping we can continue to keep in touch via this blog.

Adios muchachos fom the City of Angels.
138. Albert de Jager | July 2, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Hi Derek
How good to hear from you. There were however, two groups of de Jagers in Goggies, and the ones you are talking about was the JJ and Gert de Jager group. I was of the de Jager group that had Les and Derby in Taylor House with you in ‘58. At that time I was in Simpson House with “Bomber” Brown. If I recall correctly, Paul Kruger was Head Boy of Beaton House at the time. However I do remember you and Stuart quite clearly as I spent a bit of time in Taylor House until space was arranged at Simpson for me. I also seem to remember that Taylor House also housed, amongst others. the O’Donahue brothers, “Cowboy” Johnson, and that wonderful bugler Errol Fouche.
Be that as it may, you are quite correct when you say that we “old geezers” are thin on the ground, and I hope that others of our era will respond to this site.
Yes, I did indeed return to SGH as Housemaster of Taylor House in the 70s and while I look back with regret over the many mistakes I made while learning the art of Housemastering, I will forever hold dear the many good times with boys in St Georges.
I look forward to many more “chats” on this site in the future.
Keep well in The City of Angels,
139. Albert de Jager | July 2, 2008 at 2:38 pm

Hi Michael and John.
Thanks for the reply John, and I certainly remember our time singing from the back pews of the choir stalls. Unfortunately I now find it difficult even to sing Happy Birthday to my grandkids, but I remember that we made a rather formidable Basso Profundo in our day.
Yes Michael, I did marry Patricia (Gibson as she was then) but, as these things are wont to happen, we seperated 22 years later, but still, I am happy to say, retain a good friendship and talk often. She is still in Jhb while I am in Cape Town. Her Mom is still well and kicking, and I will pass your best wishes on to her. Talking about our marriage, we married in the St Georges Chapel, and had our reception in the Smuts downstairs rec compliments of Geargie Adams, wonderful man that he is.(Can’t seem to get away from the place can we?) Rick and Tray are also living in Jhb and have “produced” 2 children each much to my delight.Michael, I see that you are a school chaplain in the Phillipines these days, well, I certainly expected that your calling to serve others through the Church is no surprise at all, but The Phillipines is certainly surprising, and I’m sure therein lies many a tale.
By the way John, I would really love to hear that recording of Evensong some day, and I would also be more than delighted to assist you in your endeavours regarding the history of St George’s. You can contact me at albertdejager@telkomsa.net at any time.
By the way DC, I have just realised after reading an earlier blog from you, that Errol Fouche was not in Taylor house but rather in Beaton.Also, we shared many of the same teachers at school, namely Vera Kirkland, Muriel Noakes, Bob Morrison (and later, his daughter June) , and WOP Cunningham the mad scientist. A more dedicated and efficient group of teachers you could not wish for.
Anyway, enough for now.
Greetings from beautiful Cape Town.
140. Albert de Jager | July 2, 2008 at 3:29 pm

Dudley….my sincere apologies!! Where on Earth did I get the name Derek from? Senility I believe.
141. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 3, 2008 at 2:12 pm

Hi Albert,

You got it right first time (in your original blog) … now the question is … just how bad is your senility? And it’s catching, ’cause I can’t remember where Derek came from either.

But yes, I must have it too … confusing you with JJ. 50 years have certainly played mush with my grey matter. In any event, thanks for reminding me vis a vis the de Jager saga. Now I do remember you – sans the fancy drum major costume.

… and will someone please answer Trevor Budd regarding the next Old Boys Association gathering … the question has been hanging out there like old fruit.

Incidentally, the term ‘homeboy’ or abbreviated to ‘homie’, is used here in Los Angeles by the local Mexican gangbangers or ‘chollos’, when referring to a gang member. In fact, ex-homies have set up a local facillity called; Homeboy Industries that seeks to give ex-gang members job opportunities.

Finally, how are you progressing John with your archival labors? I notice that the ‘due date’ continues to recede … but know that we are all rooting for you to complete it … as I am sure everyybody will want a copy of George’s book with your intense contribution included.

Edit Comment
142. John Kelly | July 3, 2008 at 10:12 pm

I was in St Georges from 1980 – 1983. I was in Taylor House. My brothers David and Stephen Kelly were in Spackman House. David went on to Crawford House and Stephen to Taylor House. I attended Dawnview High School. I am still in touch with a number of Home Boys. My memories are plenty some good and some not so good but over all the good far outweighs the bad. Considering my upbringing the home was my home.
I have been to a few old boy reunions at the Bishop Bavin over the years.
David Rossouw we met at Mr McHolm’s memorial service – it was a very moving service especially when you played Last Post.
Albert de Jager its good to hear that you are doing well last time I saw you was 1983 you bring back many good memories of my time at the Home. I will always have a great deal of respect for you! You are one of the few Housemasters that had a true passion for what he did and it came through in your character. I’m sorry to hear that you and Pat have parted ways and am glad to hear that Tracey and Ricky are doing well. Do you remember what I used to call you? (Fluffchops) I remember the one December holiday that I remained at the home and you took the boys out on a few occassions – some really good laughs and times were had by all.

I would like to thank Blane for taking this initiative and creating this site, its appreciated and long overdue.

Kind regards to all ex homeboys,
John Kelly
143. S.W Pringle | July 4, 2008 at 6:46 am

I remember Og Paterson trying to circumsize himself with a razor. He had no idea how to go about it, thinking it just meant cutting the thin strip of tissue just under the cherry. Then, of all things, one day he stuck his penis in a bottle, got a hard-on and could not remove it. He was too scared to smash the bottle, so old Robbie had to be called to the rescue. Best of all Og stories was down in Umtentweni. He dropped a half a crown down the Harlies and went in after it!!!
Wonder where Og is these days?
Don;t make ‘em like that any more.
144. charles | July 4, 2008 at 11:35 am

Hi Albert,
What a surprise,phew, its been some years and then some ,since i last heard anything from or about the de jagers.
I left a previous note for wayne to know the where abouts of Freddy. We had some fantastic times during my last year at SGH and then after leaving and going to the army.
I last heard that Fred was in CT and that he and Ethne divorced.
THe days he was living in Jhb,Cyrildene,the crawford boys,the trips to Umtentweni,i remember them well.

Yes,so many memories,the choir,the tv programs we did,the coca cola advert[just as jaws 1 came out …if i remember correctly]the football,the swimming,the fierce competition,the rivalry,it was great,and rubbed off on all of us .

Please give my regards to Fred and i will leave my mail address
should he like to chat.charlesw@axis.co.za.

greetings
charlie wastie
145. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 4, 2008 at 1:38 pm

And another one touches base!

What a great Connexxion this site has become. What a collection of personal and shared memories are contained herein.

Hail fellow St. Goggians, I greet you.

Vanessa, I have just read your shortest ever poem again for the second time … a duet of lines twixt unseen eye and windows to the soul. Great stuff!

Poetry, short and succinct. A whole story in spare words that’s the stuff of serious writing … are you published?

Well don’t stop … blog some more.

If short and sweet is a choice, here’s one;

Shadows passing in the night,
as swift as light, out of sight.

Dudley.
146. john rossouw | July 4, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Greetings John and welcome to the blog
Yes DC the due date of the archives does keep receding but it is taking time to sort all the many photogrpahs and other items
I am hoping to get to Bishop Bavin some time next week for the final session whereafter I will give you an update via the blog
As regards the next old boys do it seems to have gone into remission since its 75th anniversary in 2005 and needs a group of volunteers to revive it
A suggestion was made at the time to change the name as the home in its latter years was opened to girls as well as boys (much to the irritation of Eric Richardson)
Also whlst we are many in number we are a diminishing breed and the only way to sustan existance of the association is to find a way to open it up to members of the Bishop Bavin alumni and this would have to be explored by both groups
Their has been much divide between the school and the home over the years but the archives process has seen this gap being bridged and the school now seems to have a willingness to link its present to its rich and colourfull heritage
This is evident in the fact that certain buildings and hallways are named after former heads of the home and what remains of our trophies are now proudly dsplayed in their origial cabinets in the hall (now known s the refratory)
Their is also a series of photos of the offical opening of the Herbert Baker designed buildings by HRH Arthur Duke of Connaught in 1920 hanging there
My wish remains that I together wth the St Georges home alumni will one day take tea with our Bishop Bavin peers on the lawns adjacet to the Des Steel pavilion which the SGH old boys built with the funds they raised
Shirley Moulder former head of COACH which incorporates St Georges Home has proposed a service to commemeorte the restoraation of the archives and perhaps the time has now finally arrived to bury the hatchet and make this vision a reality

With warm regards to you all

John
147. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 4, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Thanks muchly for the up date John.

It would seem that for all those surviving, a final closure is ordained. But you’re right, sustaining the Old Boys Association as a sportsclub at best and/or a once a year, raise the flag event requires, money manpower and support.

Perhaps in this wonderful digital age a virtual club is already forming via this blog … perhaps a once a year getting together event at a shared expense … whatever the venue, is not a bad alternative to a bricks and mortor reality.

Nevertheless, the work you are doing now with the purpose of incoprporating pictures to your edited text in George Adams book is a work of love (so time does does not matter) and it will be appreciated by many families of homeboys for many years to come. Once again. Thank you.

Dudley.
148. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 4, 2008 at 3:31 pm

The Og Blog.

Stuarty’s wonderful ribald story of Slogger Og opened a flood gate of memories relating to that infamous gardener. He certainly was one of a kind.

Og … Ronald Paterson … was not blessed either by nature nor by health. Not that he was unhealthy, on the contrary, he was as strong as an ox. But he was cursed with the worst outbreak of acne or pimples I have ever seen on a human face (and we all know where that comes from).

He had thin, curly, strawberry blond hair with a white/white skin that was mostly red, because he was always sunburned. He loved to work in the garden and thanks to him, Taylor House often enjoyed fresh tomatoes from the vine … that is, those that survived and ripened on the vine. Thieves were rampant around Taylor House at harvest time.

Og was in dorm 1 downstairs (8 x cubles for two), but unfortunately his cubiclethat he shared with Brian Kennedy, was on the side opposite that from the one looking out onto his garden. As he did not have a window to look out at it, he would sneak out at night and disappear into his garden … to count the tomatoes … sometimes twice a night … I heard. Perhaps Stuart can confirm it, as he too lived in dorm 1.

I lived upstairs in 3rd. dorm so never saw this ritual myself. But I can testify to the next story.

Umtentweni 1956 (that blissful place) … Gary Riley was dorm 3 Patrol Leader and also head honcho of the tent I shared with 5 other ‘homies’ and the fearsome Riley G and Og, who was tent corporal.

One day we were on kitchen duty, confined to the camp site and beach all day in between preparing meals (peeling potatoes) and cleaning up dishes and dining area. Riley never worked … he had us, the miserable six and Og to boss over us. Gary would just disappear until everything was done. So would Og after a while.

But this night Gary came back early to our worksite. sitting on upturned zink basins while washing 180 odd sets of dishes and utensils. ‘Where the hell is Og?’ shouted the bandy legged schot. Nobody knew of course.

Gary sent us off in every direction to find him. 10 minutes later when we re-gathered at the kitchen site, there was a sudden snap of twigs behind us. Riley G produced a flashlight instructed us to spread out and we went looking into the forest of young bluegums and coastal brush bounding the kitchen.

Gary up front calling; ‘Og show yourself! Where the …. are you?’

Another twig snapped and the flashlight snapped upright.

Right above us sat Og, 12 to 15 ft up straddling a branch at the fork of a heavily leafed tree. His shirt flapping free as he had no pants on … in fact, he had no pants. They were on the ground at our feet.

And there sat Og! The Slogger was humping a Paw Paw!

Gary swore, sharp and loud (I can’t repeat what he said), but it sure shook up the sheepishly grinning fruitalator, so much so that he lost his balance and, still hanging onto his beloved papaya, hit the ground with a thud and a whoosh … and his darling fruit was no more.

Og was winded, but not out and when he stood up, he still had his erection!

You’re right bro’ … they don’t make ‘em like that no more.
149. Wendy Thompson/Jones | July 4, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Hi have been out of action for a while – yet another spell in hospital courtesy of unexpectedly dislocating my knee twice in two days. It’s great to hear from you, Albert. Also I managed to catch up with David recently on a visit to Joburg and whilst we were having chocolate cake, courtesy of his staff end of term function, we phoned JJ (de Jager). Thank you David for the wonderful visit – and chocolate cake – The world is indeed a small place.
150. S.W Pringle | July 5, 2008 at 4:24 am

Duggie Holden was one of those short guys (ala Napoleon) who are absolutely determined to prove he was equal to the best And he was too – in almost everything he did. He played a snappy wicket keeper. He was easily the best soccor player we had during my time – and even got a pat iof the back from Sir Stanely Mathews his own self when the great footballer visited St Goggies. Dug was patrol leader of his dorm and ran it like a martinette. Same strict discipline in his tent down at camp.

For all his ecellence, Dug had an Achillles heel. Ego. He was convinced he was lord and master over all of his peers. I believe that I had a hand in making him think twice about that. During one Saterday morning work detailI, I unerringly stepped on his neatly raked gravel path just before Robbie came out for inspection. Incensed by my trespass, Dug ran up and kicked me in the backside. Caught by surprise, I automatically swung round and gave back in kind – and the fight was on. Robbie came out right then and instead of stopping it, he stood by and let the two of us have it out. I think he too felt that Duggie needed taking down a peg or two. I won the fight and Dug never spoke to me ever again. Years later I saw him standing in a queue outside a cinema. He cut me dead when I greeted him. Pity. I admired him for everything else. But that part of him remained small.
151. anon | July 7, 2008 at 2:21 pm

DC – a thank you for the compliment and a smile at the thought of being published –
just love the play on words – would love to write more
mostly adlib, inspired by what I read – it’s usually an instantaneous thing –
this blog has been incredibly inspiring!!
regards
Vanessa
152. Albert | July 8, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Hi Wendy, great to hear from you too. Hope your knee problems are now behind you.You know Wendy, the one truly untold story of St George’s is that of Housemasters’ children. While they were not subjected to the discipline of the Home, it could not have been easy being neither “fish nor fowl”. I know that Ricky and Tracey often found it difficult playing second fiddle to the boys at times and when playing with the boys, found it hard sometimes hearing their parents being “slagged off” by some of them. It could not have been easy for all of you.
However, I must say that the boys were generally very kind to them and some even adopted a sort of big brother role, which was heartening and appreciated by us.
John Kelly. What a pleasant surprise. Thank you for your kind words and yes, I do remember you calling me “fluffchops’, if for no other reason than that it was practically the only nickname I was given which was actually printable. I’d love to hear what has happened in your life since St George’s. Keep sharing on this site.
Charlie Wastie…another well-remembered person. I remember so well the fun times you and Fred had together (not all of it totally legal I might add) Fred has semi-retired to the de Jager compound in The Craggs near Plett where he and my brothers Les and Gerald have all built houses on the land they bought in this most beautiful part of SA. Fred’s e-mail is colfred@absamail.co.za and I know he would love to hear from you again, He is away at present but should be back next week. To you too, keep talking on this site and let all of us know how things are going in your life.
That’s it for now.
Regards from the beautiful (and wet) Cape.
153. Wendy Thompson/Jones | July 8, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Hi Albert
It’s good to hear from you after all these years. I think you have captured so clearly how it felt to be the child of a housemaster. It’s true that one doesn’t really belong in either world – that of the boy and that of someone outside in the community. But, hopefully with maturity as adults we do learn to get a bit of perspective. Unfortunately as an adult also comes the understanding of how, if we had been in our parents’ shoes we might have done things a little (or a lot) differently. I say unfortunate because we cannot go back and undo the past. I also think there is sometimes a tendency for us, as housemasters’ children, to ‘own’ our parents’ actions and, again, we have to realise that we cannot take responsibility for what they may or may not have done. Phew -heavy stuff and I have to say it took me some time to work through that and make peace with some of the past.
Having said that however I am delighted to be able to see names and faces from the past and to hear how people have got on in life. In my own personal journey of ‘putting things to bed’ in relation to St Georges I have also found a great deal of personal ‘healing’ in being able to reconnect with people I knew and lived alongside at St Georges and I look forward to continuing with that for the rest of my life. Regards
Wendy
154. Mervyn Wiesendanger | July 10, 2008 at 8:23 am

I attended SGH in 1983 to 1988. I remember some of you and others not. I had mixed feelings about the place but never regrets. Taking into account I do have some memories that I am very fond of. John Kelly for one, I will never forget you and what you did for me in Std 6 after I got my ass kicked by a bully who hated homeboys and you become like my big brother that I never had, John Thank you my friend.

Steven Kelly introduced me to this site and he is the only person I keep in contact with. Steve and I were in the army together and once again a big brother who made days and life easier for me. Steven and John I will never forget the 2 of you. Thank you both.

I attended Dawnview High and since moved to The USA in 1995 I have lost 6 friends and sad to say one of them from SGH, RIP Craige Milner.

Other than that Albert it is good to see you on the site. How are you and the family? Please send my regards. Currently I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and enjoy life, my wife and her family. Have 3 kids, 2 girls in College in California and a son learning how to be a restless teenager. Life is good. Have a castle or lion larger or if you prefer a black lable on me for the “HOMEBOYS” – never forgotten.

Regards to all

Merv
155. S.W Pringle | July 11, 2008 at 1:03 am

Hi Merve.

I live on a ranch in Dyer, Nevada, midway between Las vegas and Reno.
Though some thirty years your senior, two old homeboys are more or less neighbors in a farway land.
If you ever pass by, you are welcome to stop and have a cold Coors.

Stuart.
156. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 11, 2008 at 1:15 am

Is this heaven … or what?

Merv, you’re about to meet yet another big brother.

He certainly is mine.

Humbha haghle n’faan.

Dudley
157. Mervyn Wiesendanger | July 11, 2008 at 10:51 am

Thank you Stuart for the welcome invitation although I never knew Dyer existed. I am in San Diego today on business and heading back to Vegas on Saturday. Let us stay in contact and maybe soon we will meet up in Dyer or Vegas for that Coors you promised me. Make sure that the Coors is not light or hot.

Take care and we will talk soon
158. S.W Pringle | July 12, 2008 at 5:52 am

THE NEED FOR CHANGE

Conditions change and when they do, they force us to adapt. Presently The United States of America and advanced democratic countries in general, are still largely operating on educational, political and economic ideologies designed more than two centuries ago at the start of the industrial revolution, during the era of national formation. Communication was slow then, the world was not so crowded, the population was largely rural, the need for machinery was great, and natural resources were plentiful. Government via representation; crowding children into classrooms for the training of a literate work force, building a national infrastructure; international competition for trade; unregulated exploitation of natural resources; individuals capitalizing on the collective effort and amassing huge private fortunes; was considered by all developed people to be the right and proper way to build a rich and powerful nation. As the world leaders the West continues to operate under those ancestrally-designed national philosophies today.

In the meantime, as the world population expands exponentially, and the demands on the planet’s resources increase proportionately, human evolution is entering a new era that requires more universally orientated educational, political and economic demands, which are not being properly or adequately addressed. To characterize the growing emergency at its most basic level, when there are more mouths than food, conditions in the rat cage become distinctly uncomfortable, even dangerous.

Literally everything is moving at an exponential rate. With the West, led by America, sticking to the old ways of doing business the net effect is not only causing massive environmental damage, it is engendering global-wide resentment among the poorer nations, leading to acts of international terrorism. Again, analyzed at its most basic level, the West is not facing some alien attack here.. The argument over the fair distribution of wealth and resources is taking place within the larger human family. What is happening in reality is a growing insurgency initiated by our own disaffected kin, so we cannot simply nuke them into oblivion. In this New Age milieu, old Age laws and old armies can no longer enact and enforce conformity to redundant western values. This insurgency within our ranks will never end until a level of global equality of opportunity is in place.

For many, our global policies are not only harmful, our refusal to change borders on the obscene. Children are so morally outraged by our behavior thousands of them prefer an honorable death by suicide bombing rather than bow down to it. As a result we are wasting trillions of dollars trying to protect ourselves from our own greed..

In order to adapt to the new paradigm we have to initiate entirely new and more sustainable methods of operation in the basic fields of education, agriculture, housing and energy. We have to accomplish this mass shift of consciousness before the pressures of changing conditions over-whelm us all. Fortunately, we have the advanced technology to do it. Actual change is mainly a matter of altering the collective will. The question is: How do we evoke it? Reason alone is not enough.

There is always a natural resistance to change. We tend to cling to the devil we know rather than take steps into the unknown. Custom is sacred. Waiting for conditions to worsen before hastily adapting, leaves us in danger of complete collapse. We need energy to create new energy. All dead civilizations went down the dead-end road of unsustainable energy exploitation and reacted too late, forcing them back into the jungle.

The educational hurdle facing change is the basic reality that our political leaders are lawyers, trained to enforce and perpetuate old constitutional laws, endlessly party bickering in a Congress that is largely servile to the dictates of the military/industrial complex. Those economic titans in turn are mainly MBA graduates from business and military schools, trained to expand and enforce capitalist doctrines around the globe for private gain. In bald terms, our leaders think locally while acting globally instead of the reverse. They do not have the training or freedom of imagination required for sustainable change on a global scale.

The economic hurdle that is gradually sinking all of us in rising sea levels is in anchoring the medium of exchange on money. There is simply not enough cash in circulation to engage in the huge planet management projects that are required to clean up the environment, build the new cities and bring on-line the sustainable food and energy infrastructures able to support present and future population growth, and in the process give full employment to six billion people. Printing more money will devalue it. Those rich few holding the notes will never allow that, so millions starve for want of food and work, simply because money is scarce and therefore keeps its value. On top of that, short term plans for quick profits that put hundreds of millions in bonuses in corporate CEO’s pockets, keep more sustainable long-term projects off the drawing boards.

Recessions and inflation are artificial fiscal barriers that mean nothing in real survival terms and unnecessarily frustrate the full human potential for creative expression. The work-ethic is deeply imprinted in all of mankind. This planet has enough sunlight energy shining down on it to support a hundred billion people in great comfort. Under present policies we are struggling with just six. If we educate a new generation of children in a different way, money will not necessary be needed to motivate them. The challenge of effectively managing an entire planet as a single estate will be motivation enough,

As it is, tens of thousands of young geniuses, reared on the World Wide Web, cannot find the capital to get their ideas off the ground. This new breed of progressive thinkers must come to the fore and demonstrate what kind of large-scale global changes are possible.

The solutions for change articulated in this web site are designed for sustainable operations. The reasons put forward for why we must change from the old ways in this valley or eventually founder, are bluntly stated. This is not a time for being politically correct. The solutions for change presented do not pretend to be the only ones possible. They’re not meant to demean or harm anybody. As stated: We are all the inheritors and executors of ancestral decisions made when conditions were different. The intention here, at the dawn of a new era, is to give all of us a lead as to what changes are possible and how we might go about achieving a more sustainable existence. We urge all those who are sitting on the fence, to make up their minds about change and make the move.

S.W. Pringle
Director
Global Stewardship Foundation
White Wolf Canyon
Dyer, Nevada
10th July 2008.
159. S.W Pringle | July 12, 2008 at 5:58 am

Sorry. The last paragraph refers to solutions posted our foundation’s Global Stewardship web site. I should have removed it before posting on this one.

Entry filed under: Old Boys, Reunions, Saint George's Home for Boys, SGH, St. George's Home for Boys. Tags: Goggies, Orphs, Saint George's Home for Boys, SGH, St. George's Home for Boys.

Photo Tour: Saint George’s in 2007 SGH in the 40’s: John Charles Longworth remembered

1,410 Comments Add your own

1. Blane | July 13, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Hello everyone:

For some time I’ve realized that what started out as a small page on my website has become something far bigger than I imagined. So I decided to give SGH its own home with its own web page.

As of today, July 13th 2008, this web page has been visited 3,334 times since it began in January of 2007 as a small memoir of my two years as a House Master’s son in Crawford House. Who knew that we would have so much to say.

So here we are — in a new location and a new web page address:

https://saintgeorges.wordpress.com/

I have duplicated everything from the original website — including past comments — on this new site. Here she will have much more space to grow as Old Boys and friends send in photographs and write about about their experiences at Goggies.

Kind Regards,

Blane
Reply
2. john rossouw | July 14, 2008 at 6:58 am

Thanks for this Blane and for the initiative which in retrospect was greatly needed and creates a platfom for much helathy dialogue between a vey tight knot community not necessarily known to each other
I took the plunge over the weekend with the extreme cold weather and started loading photos on a SGH site I created on face book
Unfortunately the uploads take time so it will grow by installments as their are hundreds of photos
I would urge boys to go and have a look on Saint Georges Home for Boys 1915 -1990 and to add their own comments of memories to the pictures displayed

Regards

John
Reply
3. vanessa hurlimann | July 16, 2008 at 7:09 pm

Well done John!! Have been on to the SGH FB site – hope many take the initiative to join!!
Reply
4. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 17, 2008 at 3:29 am

Thank you Blane, thank you John.

I came in late, but what a joy it has been to see it grow in such a short period of time. This truly has been a catharsis for me.

Not only sharing the memories of ‘those times’, but by reflection, able to raise much more of an almost forgotton past, each in his own time and place in his own memories, knowing that … we all have a large family out there.

Greetings brothers.

Dudley.
Reply
5. john rossouw | July 17, 2008 at 5:35 pm

Hi Blane

I cant seem to open any of the comments

Please advise how to access the tabs

Regards

John
Reply
6. Blane | July 17, 2008 at 5:54 pm

Hello John:

Comments previous to the “move” to this new site are now archived in this post and on this page. Please scroll up to see the 159 previous comments.

Kind Regards,

Blane
Reply
7. brian wastie | July 18, 2008 at 10:12 am

Howzit homeboys, trevor budd hows kevin, i remember you both
I was also in simpson house then went to taylor house and then smuts house i was there from 74 to 79, i had quite a life there but they prepared me for life outside, i enjoyed the art and photography wich i still use to this day. I rember the choir we used to sing on TV, camping at umtentweni was a gas. Are their any other homeboys from 74 t0 79 out there like to hear from you.
Howzit Albert de jager you were a cool housemaster hope everythings good for you and your family. Cheers hear from you soon.
Reply
8. Blane | July 19, 2008 at 6:28 pm

My mom, Helen van Pletzen, unofficial House Mother at Crawford House, has been trying to remember all her Crawford Old Boy’s names. (70-72) The ones she remembers are Charley Cooper, who wanted to join the air force as a pilot but his eyes were not good enough. Graham Whittle who went to Tech.

When my father was in hospital for a hernia op, she had an exhaust problem and Graham said to come to his class workshop. Most embarrassing, she says, to be told they were “not allowed to help”. She just bought some stuff and bandaged the exhaust herself.
Graham was one of then SGH “school leavers” and she presented each of them with a St Christopher and a poem she wrote for each one. She can remember her poem for Graham:

He’s going to the army and sure it isn’t fair;
They’ll fill him full of beans and bull
but first – they’ll cut his hair!

Graham, she recalls, had grown his hair long by SGH standards.

Other names: The Peyper brothers, the “twins”, Ralph and Ronald Brown. Douglas ? who was a good runner. She also remembers one of “her boys” who wet his bed and “had his own little tent when we went camping. I used to wash his sheets each day to save him the embarrassment of carting them to the laundry and suffering the teasing on the way.”

There was a Rheeder boy, she recalls, and the head boy was Bob Courtney. There was Marcel, “such a good looking young man.”

That’s all the names she can recall. Mom had a list of the Crawford House boys which she kept but have been unable to find it.

Every Wednesday, when they had a pie instead of sandwiches, she would tick off each name as he claimed his pie. “You kids loved it,” Mom writes, “if there was a pie left over for you.”
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9. Wendy Thompson/Jones | July 20, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Hi
When I was at wits, I met up with Charley Cooper who was studying and living in digs across the road from campus. However we lost touch and I am not sure if he finished and what he went on to do.
Blane, I can identify with the reminisciences as my dad engages in them as well:)
Regards
Wendy
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10. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 22, 2008 at 3:37 am

Here’s the story some of you guys are not going to want to hear … but trust me, sooner or later … you’re goiung to know about it.

For years I kidded my kids that I was permanently 26 years old … had lots of energy and looked it … so it was pretty safe to play that one out.

Then 4 years ago (August 1) I turned 62 and my then 26 year old daughter sent me an e-mail in which she politely wished me; Happy Birthday Papa … but did you know that you are dislexic?

So I had to quit that farce and now make jokes about old geezers and senior citizens … but inside, I still thought of myself as 26 … until last week.

I went out partying on the Saturday night before … and landed up on my back for the past week with severe dehydration, unable to pass water or a decent stool … shuttered fore and aft … you might say.

Today I visited a urologist and underwent some tests … including and not least of all, for my prostate gland enlargement (that I knew about and for which I was denied the right to become my son’s kidney donor, when both his collapased from a rare decease about 3 years ago).

Well, my PSA was high but I was not in any danger as it is benign, but here’s the sad part, I got fitted with an ‘ole’ geezer’s catheter and a leg-strapped bag for a few days.

As I left my doc’s office (he’s 78 and still spry) he grinned at me and said; You wont have to wear it for long – but get used to the idea that you’re no fancy dancer no more … sonny!

That last was ironical as I have not been feeling either ‘sonny’ or sunny these pase few days.

For those who don’t get it … don’t worry, you will.
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11. vanessa hurlimann | July 22, 2008 at 7:12 pm

Brian and Marc Wastie – what an exceptional experience to connect “in person!!.”…………..it was good for the soul……..the circle of life…………long may the fellowship continue!!
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12. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 26, 2008 at 6:25 pm

Saturday morning.

It’s bright and sunny (temp. about 70 degrees F.) and a cool breeze warfs in from the Pacific.

I’m sitting on my small yacht (a Cal 27) in Marina Del Rey (the largest private yacht harbor in the world), started by that genius Howard Hughes in the ’50s – in what was once the Ballonna Wetlands near Venice – where Jim Morrson of The Doors used to hang out.

On a day like this, California is so much like a day down in Umtentweni where we all used to hang out this time of the year. Only here it is just beginning to become summer.

If my story above was a little off the wall, it was not meant to be funny …but cautionary. No matter what your pursuits, ambitions or dreams may long for, without your health, you’re going to be stopped somewhere along the line. So whatever else you do, take care of that above all else.

I have been blessed with good health all my life and besides a few operations for damage to my hands and legs from boxing and dancing respectively, I have no medical history … nor have I ever bothered to take out health insurance.

Fortunately for me, I’m married to a Yoga teacher of the first order, who is also an expert on health foods, alternative medicines and several other health disciplines. Knowing me and my disregard for health information, she has given me some simple advice that all of us can use and I want to share these simple concepts with you.

1. Wherever possible, separate your intake of proteins and carbs. by four hours. You can eat meats, vegetables (not potatoes, pastas or rice), salads and fruits at the same time and likewise, these same items with carbs. e.g. If you like hamburgers, make it a protein wrap by wrapping the patty and onions, etc. in a leaf of iceberg lettuce … dump the bun.

2. Take a walk. At least a half hour per day … two half hours, morning and evening at a rapid pace is better and good for everything … heart, lungs and muscle tone.

3. NO drugs are any good … smoking, drinkling etc. But that’s a choice … if you smoke … get away from chemically enhanced tobacco. Pure rolling tobacco is the best of a bad lot.

4. Before bed or early in the morning or both, hang over your knees with arms either folded or hanging free and stretch your spine for 2 minutes.

These are all simple things to do and cause you no stress or excertion in any form whatseover … so they have to be easy enough to do … right? They are … and I have been doing them for the past 30 odd years to good avail.

The minute you have to start spending time planning your life around an ailment or illness, you have robbed yourself of
quality time for other needs. Good health is the platform for everything else you do and as young men, we took that for granted … thinking we were indestructible.

Enjoy the weekend … here it promises to be good sailing.

Dudley
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13. Hugh Frank | July 27, 2008 at 3:37 pm

I was a home boy between 1971-1973 in Spackman House along with Frans Grobler,Branath Langford,Victor Waldick,Issy Cohen,Kevin Engelbrecht,

I won the Victor Ladorum at Wychwood Primary against super fast sprinter John Marshall.

I would like to take this space to correspond with old boys from Spackman House.
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14. A-Nun | July 31, 2008 at 1:53 pm

““Robbie” Robinson was my housemaster at Taylor. He had an explosive temper at times, especially after a few whiskeys…”
I quote from S W Pringle’s submission above. Mr Robinson was still the housemaster of Taylor House at the end of 1960 when I arrived at SGH (from JCH) and delivered into the bosom of Simpson House. He it was who showed us how to vault, climb ropes etc in the gym next to the swimming pool. “Do you want to have a big chest like mine?” he would roar at us whilst simultaneously puffing out his upper torso. As a 9-year old I admit I was impressed. Shortly after this, one Friday evening as I recall, somebody burst into Simpson House and excitedly informed anyone who would listen that Father Richardson had sacked Mr Robinson. He had discovered Mr Robinson totally inebriated (whilst on duty) and summarily dismissed him. “Most of the boys are here because of drink and a drunk housemaster is a dreadful example for them to follow,” Father Richardson is reported to have said. Mr Robinson, apparently in a fit of rage, punched a window and cut his hand. Using his blood he daubed messages on the walls of his rooms before leaving. I never saw him again.
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15. A-Nun | July 31, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Nutsy Moore was extremely popular as an old-boy who regularly visited the Home during his breaks from Grahamstown University. He loved singing, playing the guitar and all sports, especially swimming and soccer. He also played wonderful practical jokes on boys and housemasters alike. One of his best was perpetrated on Mr Nicholas (Nicky) Buchan, assistant housemaster of Simpson House.

Now Nicky was fanatically religious and frankly should have been a priest.

One night, down at Camp in Umtentweni, Nutsy set up a PA system with the speakers hidden in the bundu near the mouth of Nicky’s tent. The mic he placed further away and with it Nutsy waited until Nicky was asleep. A few boys were in on this one and kept Nutsy company.

About 2am it was established that Nicky was asleep and Nutsy breathed the following words into the mic: “Nicholas…..this is the Lord!” The effect was electrifying. Nutsy had added an echo and it sounded thus: “Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas…this, this, this, is, is, is, the, the, the, Lord!, Lord!, Lord!” Everyone bit on anything to prevent themselves from laughing.

From the tent nothing stirred. Nutsy cranked up the volume and repeated the broadcast.

From within a camp-bed was heard creaking. Nicky was evidently awake. Everyone thought (because of the sniggering) Nutsy had been sussed and expected to see an irate Nicky emerge from his tent to discover the culprits. But nobody appeared and silence was all that could be heard. So Nutsy made one last attempt. “Nicholas!…this is the Lord!”

And yes, it worked a treat. A small voice was heard from inside the tent: “Speak Lord, Thy Sevant Heareth.” This was too much and everyone burst into laughter. Nicky never again spoke to Nutsy.
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16. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 2, 2008 at 8:02 am

Welcome A Nun (Are you sure?)

H.R.Robson (The Boss) is not the same as Robbie Robinson although he too liked a shot of whiskey.

The Boss had neither much of a torso and certainly not a thick neck as he was an elderly, frail man in his late 60’s when I was there. I believe that he left the home in the ’60’s … some time after Stuart and left in ’58 and ’59 respectively.

Memory plays some strange tricks on us … and Nutsy Moore was my class mate for three years and as I remember him, he hung around with younger guys and didn’t mix much with the boys of his own age group. He did have a marvelous singing voice and was indeed a great swimmer.

Nevertheless, I certainly enjoyed your story of him down at Umtentweni … a magical place that brought out the best and most inventiveness in all of us. Welcome aboard.

Dudley.
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17. A-Nun | August 2, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Had there been a litter of runts then surely Dirk would have been the runt of that litter. This overly-sensitive boy was as comfortable with the inmates of Simpson House (at the beginning of the ’60’s) as a glove worn on the wrong hand. Apart from wetting his bed (a common enough occurrence amongst some of the boys but Dirk turned it into an art-form), he was perpetually crying. He played no sport and excelled at nothing. To be associated with him was akin to being, like him, an outcast. So unaccustomed was he to any kindness that he even cried when anyone addressed him with anything less than a threat. “Will you be my friend?” he would obsequiously whine at anyone who had strung a few soft words to him. Nobody wanted to be. Inevitably he was the target of simple spite, practical jokes and regular beatings. Rarely did a day pass wherein he failed to emerge from Brian Gannon’s flat, his face crumpled in tears and clutching his bum, having just been severely caned. Miserable indeed must have been his existence.

Down at Camp, it was always Dirk who was carried to the Sick Tent as a result of his unique method of changing a light bulb. Not only did he use his fingers to feel where the new bulb was to be located but insisted on wetting his fingers beforehand.

One fine day, following school, we were ordered to report to our dormitories to practice evacuating the building in the event of a fire. Our dormitory was on the top floor and overlooked the laundry. A metal pole, about 4 inches in diameter, extending from the eaves to the ground, ran down the ouside corner of the House. We were expected to climb through the window, grab hold of the pole, then slide down. It was dangerous but anyone with the barest modicum of athleticism was able to accomplish the task. Unfortunately, Dirk possessed none. He plummeted to the ground. we crowded the window and looked down to see his face change from light grey to one of a more ghastly shade. He wasn’t breathing and someone was heard to whisper, “He’s gotta be dead!” Nobody moved. We all just stood there and stared at the prostrate Dirk. After what seemed an infinite amount of time, the deathly grey turned pink, then purple. Finally, we all breathed a sigh of relief when the trademark Dirk howl shattered the silence. Other than a few bruises, Dirk was fine. I have often wondered what eventually became of him.
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18. A-Nun | August 2, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Dudley, many thanks for your info above.
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19. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 3, 2008 at 8:55 pm

You’ve got some great stories A-Nun … keep telling them.
They’re the stuff of legend and once recorded … remind us all of what was once the only home and family we really knew. And it feels good to remember some of the stuff that was uniquely, the St. Goggian way of life.

Thank you.
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20. Albert de Jager | August 4, 2008 at 10:35 am

Hi A Nun
I can’t help feeling that your name is Andrew. Could be wrong.
My age is affecting my memory somewhat, but I have a feeling that the Housemaster you are referring to was Lucien Lombard who, I remember quite clearly, called a house meeting in the lower Rec room in Spackman House after his dismissal, where he promptly broke a pane of glass and started smearing his blood all over the
place. Rather dramatic but ineffectual as he still had to go. A great whiskey drinker was our Lucien, and he and Piet Pretorius, a one time Housemaster in Beaton House, used to while away many an evening diving into a bottle or two of “whatnot”.

To John Rossouw, many thanks for all the very interesting photos you have been downloading to this site. I have had a super time trying to put names to faces, and also recalling incidents from the past when coming across guys I knew. Michael has been rather quiet on this site? When can we expect to hear from him again?
Greetings from the Fairest Cape.
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- 21. Johan Mostert | October 9, 2009 at 7:56 pm
  
  Hi sir
  I want to know if Freddy is stil arround he was my host when you looked after me in Taylor house to put the messige to this faca i was in Elandspark i am very happy to see that there is a x boys web site
  Thankyou vor wat you and Freddy did for me
  
  Johan Mostert
  
  NB: Dankie John Rossouw vir wat julle doen vir almal
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22. Remy | August 5, 2008 at 5:24 pm

Albert, You are quite right, it was Lucien Lombard and my thanks for the correction. Thanks again to Dudley for the encouragement. Methinks we all have very many tales to tell and while I remember it, here’s another.
Not everybody joined father Clayton’s photographic club but I did. The darkroom, as I recall, was initially in his flat (which we called Norman House) before moving to a speially converted darkroom below.
I, along with a few others, was in this new darkroom and we were doing things we do in a darkroom. Father Clayton was called away and returned after a few minutes.
“Now isn’t that a pleasant surprise!” he announced rather dramatically..
“What is, Father?” we chorused.
“You know the builder who is doing the Chapel?” he said and we all nodded. For the past x number of months in early 1961, the Chapel was being renovated to look as it does now. “Well he presented me with a bill for £750,” continued Padre Norm, ” and then promptly said we owed him nothing! He did the work for free!”

And that is how the Chapel got its new look.

(Albert, my name is Remy (not Andrew) and I prefer to remain anonymous. I remember you well but when I arrived at SGH you were well on your way to leaving. Consequently, I would not have registered on your radar. I spent 9 years in SGH, 1st in Simpson, then Spackman and moved into Crawford, when it was completed. I recall Piet Pretorious very well – he was housemaster of Beaton while Brian Gannon was ours in Simpson.)
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23. Remy | August 6, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Simpson House, circa 1963, and a new boy, Fonebone, is admitted as an inmate. We are informed that he suffers from epilepsy that will manifest itself through regular fits. We boys were fascinated.
“Don’t worry about it,” Sister McArdle reassuringly tells us, “follow him and see he doesn’t harm himself. Eventually he will lie down somewhere and sleep for a few hours. Let him do so but loosen his tie if he is wearing one.” We balk when she ominously adds, “He may also froth from his mouth and nose. That is quite normal. Just wipe away any excess when the fit is over and before he wakes up.”
That evening, at supper, all eyes are fixed on poor Fonebone, just waiting for him to have a fit. Unsurprisingly, and right on cue, he does. Even before the fit is full-blown, everyone crowds him ready to be a Florence Nightingale. Fonebone, however, continues to remain seated. A low moan is heard from deep inside him as a preliminary to the finale. He stands up and we scatter. He walks over to a wall and has what seems to be a profound discussion with it. He then knocks it several times with his forehead before hopping in circles on one foot. Large balloons of froth appear from his nose. Almost as one, the rest of us follow him and carefully observe everything. Eventually, as foretold by Sister, he lies down and sleeps in the middle of the common room. There is a mad scramble to be the first to administer the loosening of his tie but few are willing to wipe away the froth.
“Gosh!” (or words to that effect) we exclaim and then discuss what we have seen.

One week later.
Fonebone averages about 4 fits a day. Nobody follows him anymore and certainly nobody is prepared to wipe away the ‘excess froth’.
We are experts at detecting the signs. They vary but on the whole he seems to enjoy chatting with a wall (any wall) before hopping away on one foot. Thereafter, he lies down (anywhere) and we leave him to it. Most of us, however, are disgusted when he froths, especially at meal times.

Three months later (at Camp).
We are standing in House queues awaiting supper in the feeding shelter. Willy (bless his soul) has cooked stew and potatoes and the steaming contents have been placed in billy-cans at the head of each Q. Padre Norm says grace and we in the Simpson House Q start giggling when we espy Fonebone hopping out of line. Our mirth turns to horror when he suddenly turns at right angles and hops directly towards the Simpson House billy-can. And, yes, his unused leg crashes down into our stew. We went hungry that night and Fonebone is none too popular.

A few years later (back in SGH).
Andy approaches me and seems excited about something. “Hey Remy, you won’t believe what happened to Fonebone!” I ask him what has happened to Fonebone. “Well!” he breathlessly begins, “ we were at the table in the Dining Hall having supper when Fonebone started having a fit!” I tell Andrew that is nothing new and to get to the point. “Well!” (still breathless) “ You know how he blows bubbles from his nose?” (I nod) “Well!” (even more breathless) “We couldn’t stand it anymore! We just pushed him under the table and started kicking!” Only now he did have my full attention. I ask if Fonebone is ok and where have they left him. “Who cares? Probably still under the table!”
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24. john rossouw | August 8, 2008 at 11:02 am

Greetings Remy and welcome to the site
Please also keep up with the stories as they help to recall what a unique and special place the home was and how the many characters which came and went contributed to this uniqueness
I am not sure if most of you have read the SPUD books by John vd Reit but they are recollections of a Michaelhouse boy from his years at the school. Notwithstanding the fact that it remains one of the elitist private schools in the country the humour and anecdotes are much reminiscent of life at the home and save for the names we could well be talking about the same institution
Perhaps a continuation of these stories on this site would lead to our own collection of SPUD stories
I returned today from a stay in the Midlands at a guest house two doors up from the cottage in Lidgeton
Woodcroft is now owned by the nephew of John Davidson who previously owned the cottage
It was John and his brother who permitted us use of the cottage for various excursions one of which is recorded in photographs on this site
Chris and Elaine Dodson the current owners and have built their home next to the thatch cottage which is now rented out as a guest house
Father Richarson knows the family well and refers to them as the alphabetical Dodsons as their names all follow in sequential order
The cottage looks identical apart from tiles in the passage which have replaced the carpet in the passage
In my first visit in 70 on a choir camp Larry Jenkins my brother Dave and I slept in the attic
I raced up the stairs to see the old room which everyone wanted to sleep in but these days it is used for storage
John Davidson had a collection of matchbox cars on a shelf and I would play with them for hours
Chris does not recall what happened to the collection but today it would be worth a fortune
When I knocked on the door to introduce myself Elaine knew exactly who I was despite not having met me as she has researched all the visitor book entries since the cottage was built
She very kindly copied the entries made by the home boys dating back to the mid 60’s
Mike Dollman may recall the need for two boys to walk to the dairy once a day for a can of milk
The dairy is still in existence and the road is very long and dusty so no wonder no one was keen to go on the trip
Albert I will try and nudge Mike to come back online but he tends to blame his defective computer for his non correspondence
If you care to send him an email perhaps their is strength in numbers which will add to the peer pressure and he can be reached at brmichael@gmail.com
To all of you who visit this site please use the link to facebook where I am in the process of downloading photos of the home’s history
Please also feel free to add names and anecdotes to the pictures as well as this will help to bring the project alive
Blane if you do have email addresses for the once of visitors to the site please can you email them the face book link as well

Regards to you all

Joh
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25. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 8, 2008 at 4:58 pm

Hi John, and welcome back.

Could you kindly post the link to the Facebook connection you spoke of regarding the pictures.

Dudley.
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26. Simon | August 9, 2008 at 5:58 pm

hi i am too and old boy 1980 -81 i remember the kelly bothers i used to be in spackman house with david and stephen i too have a some good memories and some very bad john .david and stephen kelly would like to get in contact ,it was very strange was thinking of my young days now that i am nearing 40 could some one let me know how i can get a hold of john and davi d kelly pls let me know
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27. Blane | August 9, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Hello Dudley:

The SGH Facebook URL is: http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=19578212103&ref=ts
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28. anon | August 9, 2008 at 7:37 pm

hi all
am an old boy of st georges in the early 80s wow is sounds a real long time ago would liek to know what ever happened to mrs harpur and mr peter nicholls
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29. John Rossouw | August 10, 2008 at 7:51 am

Hi anon and welcome
I last saw Pete Nichols at Ken Mc Holm’s memeorial service and he was working for Sharp Electronics at the time
Joan Harpur returned to Scotland but came out when her sister Audrey Mc Holm died in April 2005
She was looking extremely well me and hardly seemed to have aged
Perhaps Dave Mc Holm has her conrtact details
He lives on the Easrt Rand with his wife and two teenage daughters
Regards

John
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30. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 10, 2008 at 10:01 pm

Nostalgia is a hungry beast!

I dived into the Facebook picture gallery (set up by John Rossouw), like a hungry dog scavenging through the trash in a back alley, looking for a single morsel of lost memory.

Alas, in all those hundred odd pictures only one familiar face emerged from the past and with whom it is unlikely, that I will ever have a peer to peer discussion. It was ‘Boss’ Robson and his wife, taken with Taylor House working boys from way back in 1948.

It somehow appears that very little record remains of the ’50’s and quite frankly, I personally recall that there were not many photos taken of any of us during my term there. Certainly on several occassions, usually the sports and athletics days, family members and others did take pictures … but I don’t recall ever seeing any, certainly not with me in them.

So nostalgia goes unfed … until one of my contempories pops up and shows his hand with a posting on this blog … and then perhaps, a right proper meal will be made of the past.

Nevertheless, thanks to Blane and John for providing the appetizer.
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31. john rossouw | August 11, 2008 at 10:55 am

Hi DC
You are right with regards to archives from your era in that very few photos could be found from the records I went through
I suspect it was Fr Bee Bop (Norman) Clayton who instilled the need for recording events for posterity hence the surge in the sixties and seventies
I have many more photos to download so we may yet find something

Regards

John
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32. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 12, 2008 at 6:15 am

Greetings John,

Thank you for the update. It’s sad but true … it seems we ’50’s blokes got no strokes. The forgotten generation that passed through those portals and left no trace … at least not visible … but thankfully, there must be plenty of memories still floating around.

Hopefully, the word will get out that this site exists and more of our brothers from that period will come on board and bring with them portraits and stories of the past that are missing.

I must presume however, that some written records of our individual development kept by the housemasters of that time, must have survived. If so, are they accessible?

Besides personal records, an archival inventory or list of all the members of each house of each year would go a long way to refresh our memories of those we have forgotten. If not, perhaps it would be a useful exercise for those few of us now connected here, submitted such a list of all those whom we can remember.

Dudley.
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33. john rossouw | August 12, 2008 at 8:17 am

Hi DC

I am not sure how far back the records date but I did retrieve my file from 1976 which I copied together with those of my 3 brothers from 67 68 and 74
I will check for you when next I visit and yes your suggestion of a list of names and dates of boys at the home would be a good idea to jolt the memory banks

Regards

John
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34. John Rossouw | August 13, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Have updated amother batch of photos on the facebook site
Sadly DC still none from early 60’s

Regards

John
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35. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 14, 2008 at 9:01 am

Or mid to late 50’s … I guess. But thanks for looking.

I’m going to be incapacitated for a few days while I undergo some medical attention to free myself from the leg bag and straw, but will prepare a list of all those fellow St. Goggians whom I can still remember and will post an extensive blog sometime next week.

Regards,

Dudley.
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36. Michael Rossouw | August 17, 2008 at 12:15 am

Dear Old Boys and friends of SGH
What a wonderful medium the Internet is. Who would have thought that for many of us after leaving the home that many years later we’d be reminiscing about our various experiences at the Home. Who said nostalgia ain’t what it used to be!
Many of you have made good and have achieved great things.
I am still in the at Brent International School as Head of Religious Studies and assistant chaplain.
My sojourn in Asia (almost 9 years now) has been interesting to say the least, although in many Asian countries, the Anglican church has different styles of worship and of course many different languages. (Seldom does one hear Beebop’s phrase “you’ll find Evensong begins on page 2 and continues on page 14” in these services!) I managed to master the rudiments of Thai whilst in Thailand and became “streetwise” , but as for Burmese in Myanmar(Burma) and Tagalog in the Philippines, I’ve only managed to learn greetings and odd phrases, much to the joy of the locals who appreciate the fact that I’m willing to make an effort.
Most of the students here come from Korea, our school having a good reputation for teaching a USA curriculum and teaching our students to learn to speak English.Many of them go on to study at universities in the USA, Canada and Australia. We have an “English only” policy which is geared to encourage students to use English as a language in which to communicate.
It reminds me of “Piet” Pretorius’ attempts to get us to learn Afrikaans.He had one day a week in which we were all required to speak Afrikaans in Beaton house.Piet was an ardent republican and I remember well in 1961 when the home was in quarantine for about six weeks with an outbreak of scarlet fever, and we all had school at the home, Piet organised a football fiesta of note. Most of Taylor house were Tottenham Hotspur fans and Spackman house supported the rival English league team (cant remember the name now)
We were dubbed ‘The Beatonite Republicans ” and Gannon’s team was called “the Simpsonian monarchists” (Beaton house was thrashed). Being a person who respected the Queen I was called a traitor by my fellows for having monarchist sympathies.(I don’t have any now, although I have much admiration for the Thai monarch who is a much respected king and enjoys the love of his people because of his many efforts to enhance and improve the lives of his people.) Quite strange how the political issues of the day crept into our daily lives through the attitudes and varying views of the masters.South Africa had just become a Republic; we’d experienced the horrors of Sharpeville and of the assassination attempt on the then Prime minister H.F Verwoerd the Rand Easter Show by David Pratt. Verwoerd was the arch architect of Apartheid which tore our country apart. Betty Richardson wrote to him on many occasions asking him to “resign now”. The country came to a standstill for his funeral in 1966 when he was assassinated in the House of Assembly.
There used to be a smokers den at the paddock. The guys who were given a licence to smoke flew a Union Jack over the pigsty declaring themselves “the anti republican force.” I was still a cub and only saw the place once. The sty was destroyed when the paddock was renovated and the Old boys pavilion knocked down to make way for the St George’s Village.
My Junior years in the home were quite traumatic.It took me 3 years to accept that I’d be here for all of my schooldays.
On my arrival at St George’s in 1961 I was met by Robbie Robson, Second Master and housemaster of Taylor house.His tall thin hunch-backed form frightened me initially, but he had a kindly manner about him. I found him quietly spoken and quite gentle, although I’m told that if you were “flapped”by Robbie ,it was something to be feared.
His dear wife Daphne was a wonderful caring soul, much like Audrey Mc Holm and Betty Richardson. “Cubs” as we were called were never allowed near Taylor or Spackman houses, but whenever Mrs Robson was starching the ruffs and cottas
for the weekly Sunday Mass, she always invited me in for a cup of tea and a slice of her delicious chocolate or fruit cake.
“SHLOOP!”the Seniors would say. I guess they were jealous.
I kept away from the seniors as much as possible. It was only in high school some three years later that my fears were somewhat put aside.
The terrible thing about being a cub and having a reasonably good soprano singing voice was that whenever there was a need for a “female” part in a play, I was dragged in.
Thomas Geddes, Home prefect in 1961 , mistook me for a girl when I was being dressed for the part by Betty Richardson. Thankfully my voice broke about a year later and I never had to become a girl again. (Tommy , the last I’d heard was finishing his Doctorate in adult Literacy and was a director of a large Funeral business ; he was also made an honorary ‘bishop’ of an African Church because of his work amongst that community.)
Nutsy Moore is also a name which many of us remember well. The last I heard of Nutsy was that he’d retired as HOD of a famous school in the Eastern Cape, East London Technical High I think, and headed for Cape Town to retire. That was in 2000, so he may well have ventured onto other projects in retirement as he was busy developing board games for adult literacy training when I last heard from him.
Albert, what a pleasant surprise to hear your news. My it must be quite something being a Grandfather. I’ve been told that the best part of being in that role is that you can always send the grandchildren back to their parents when the going gets tough.
Anon in his first email to the “Blane” site mentioned the abuse of boys both by masters and bullying boys alike.
I had my fair share of that in the Band as as the cymbalist in the bass section. Jannie Gouws was the tenor drummer.Many a time I was hit on the head with a tenor drum stick for one reason or another. Eventually the late John Innes took me under his wing and Band became more enjoyable.
When I first joined the band, Theo Hickman was the lead side drummer. It was he who taught me how to dissemble and re assemble the old side drums, the one’s which had all the white ropes on and were tightened by things called “frogs” I think St George’s kept Selipas stores and other wholesalers in revenue for the amount of white wash we used for Band equipment and uniforms.
Lulu, Mr Selipas’s daughter, was in my class at Wychwood Primary. She was a chubby faced Greek girl with a charming smile. Her father of course kept her at a safe distance from us. The homeboys often stole sweets from his shop which did not help enhance friendships between the home and the community. Neither did the frequent milk and fruit raids on houses in the neighbourhood!
Lulu came to my first annual inspection parade…I think she liked me…”catch a chaff ,Rossouw”, was yelled by many of the boys. I was embarrassed. However as I got older and more serious , I never really had a “steady”. Walter Burnett, a junior in my band of 1967 asked his sister, who had left school nd was already working, accompanied me to my matric dance at Malvern. It was as I remember a formal affair.All the girls, Dawn Hewitt, Carol Cameron, Phyllis George, Cheryl Hayter, Lydia VanZyl, Irene williams and Laura Caramella and many others whose names escape me, were dressed in long evening gowns. Esme,my date wore a mini skirt! She was quite attractive to say the least and many of my fellow students teased me afterwards about that.
When i become Drum Major in 1967, we were fortunate to have “screw tension” drums; much easier to clean and
more “user friendly”.
I remember Graham Krog , as my first Drum major, followed by Arthur Bloomfield (I Think) and David DeLange who doubled as a lead side drummer, and then Rupert Scott. I followed Rupert, my brother Des followed me and a few years later, My Brothers Dave and John were also Drum Majors. ( they were also drum majors of the dawnview high band, John winning the Wit Command trophy in the early seventies.)
Of Course Mackey always raved about the 1947 Band and used to single out names like Dale White (1947) and Dawie Bell
(1950’s and early 1960’s) as fine leaders of a Band with a long history. My uncle was in the home in the 1930’s and early 1940’s when Percy Laing was bandmaster ( that was in Georgie Adams’s time i think as a boy in the home) I guess I joined the Band to continue a family tradition and because our uniforms were much smarter and we were able to meet girls when the band played at school Fete’s and other functions. My uncle was James (Jimmy) Job and after leaving the Home , he played in the Band of the SA Irish Regiment. I was Drum major of the Kimberley Regiment and my brother John was for a while a drummer in the ILH Band.
Dave my younger brother took the home band to many “compos” as a junior master at the Home during the seventies.
From where I am in the Philippines it all seems far away and a long time ago, although I can still remember my last day at Malvern high as if it were yesterday.
Looking back is good and sometimes therapeutic.
But I guess we have to look for ward and put the past behind us. In my own struggles in life I have had to learn to do this, tough as it may seem.Nowadays I try to live one day at a time.
I’m not sure where I’ll end up (retirement is approaching fast but there is nowhere to retire to and nothing to retire on) but for now I must keep putting “first things first”.
I know I have been rather quiet but I have been wrestling with a lot of things in my own vocation in ministry right now.
I shall try to be a little less silent. When i do write it’s usually too long and my scribblings may perhaps be seen as the ramblings of an old fool. So be it.
I am however extremely grateful for the chances I was given in being an old boy of the home.
Many people there touched my life and I hope in some way I touched theirs in a positive way.
There is not a day that goes by where i do not give thanks to God for St George’s with all its imperfections and heartaches and for the “home ” it gave to me. Without it I would not be where i am today even with all my imperfections.
God Bless you all

Michael Rossouw(Old Boy 1961-1967)
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37. john rossouw | August 18, 2008 at 7:08 am

Welcome back Br Michael and keep trawling your memory bank for more stories which add to the treasured memories we all have of the home

Regards

Br John
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38. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 19, 2008 at 12:19 am

Greetings Michael.

Ramble on ‘old fool’ … it was great reading and more is better than none.

Your brother John is quite correct in likening the tales of St. Goggies to that of Michaelhouse … albeit the quality of life between the two was like night and day. In fact ,English literature is filled with reams of ‘school days’ stories. But the unique nature of an orphanege was captured only by Dickens. Perhaps in time, some of these tales told here will be bundled into another series of homie adventures.

What strikes me here however, is that there was an aweful lot of musical talent in SGHB. Many vocalists and many more band members of all stripes. Me, I couldn’t sing two notes in tune … but I could dance.

I recall my first year when boys our age were called up to try out for the choir. When it came to my turn, I was coupled with my brother and we were required to sing the first verse of the Philips’ version of Psalm 23 … a truly beautiful piece … which we promptly destroyed. I can remember as clear as a bell, Rev. Strong’s dismissal of us; ‘The Pringles will not be required for the choir’. was all he said. That remark was indellibly imprinted on me and to this day, I cannot even whistle in tune.

Strangely enough, it didn’t seem to make an impression on Stuart, as he went on to become a bugler and later Drum Major of the cadet band and to this day, he has a passable singing voice for a baritone.

Roger Innes was a junior in my dorm (Taylor House 3) when I was a corporal* and became my scivvy briefly until he revolted. But he made a very strong impression on me with his singing voice. I can still remember the opening words of an italian aria he would sing; ‘Streti streti … ‘ and I wish I could remember more as it was so beautiful.

*Corporal: I must hold the record for being a corporal – three years in a row. I never got further.

My first year, Gary Riley was PL and Raymond Styer was corporal. The second year I became corporal to Styer. Then
corporal to Dickie Allen for the next 2 years.

Riley was of Scots decent and looked it. Short, bowlegged and slightly reddish of hair. He was a mean SOB and tough on us. He was also captain of our boxing team and when I proved to be pretty good at that, he softened his relationship towards me … although that first year, I was his scivvy and that was no mean feat. He had a younger brother called John in dorm 1 under Pat Keyser as PL who also had his younest brother, Inchie (Norman) in that dorm with him along with my brother. A third Keyser brother was Herman in Spackman House … all three were in the band. Pat as Drum Major, Herman as a drummer and Inchie as a bugler.

Lots of brothers in SGBH – the twins Ronald (Taylor)and Edwin (Beaton) Ackerman. They were encapsulated in leg irons from childhood from Polio but one did not call them cripples. On the contrary, they were tough little buggers and although both had great singing voices in the choir, they also engaged in every other sport from soccer to cricket, even swimming and athletics. I really hope they both had a great life after they left St. Goggies. They certainly deserved it.

Then there was Brian Wiley and his younger brother, Beeky (The beek) in Taylor. Brian was a giant of a man … I remember him as tall, vast of muscular proportions, blond curly hair, blue eyed and good looking. He was PL of dorm 2 and later Drum Major. His thigh dimensions individually equalled my waist. It was he who caused me to loose my sense of smell and taste for many years. But that’s another story.

Dickie Allen and I go back to 1949/50. We were neighbours in Boksburg. As kids we played Superman and Batman wearing alter drapes as capes (from his father’s church – where he was a deacon). We would go ‘flying’ off his balcony roof onto old mattresses in his back yard … until Dickie broke an arm and our superhero adventures came to an end. Many years later I served in the BSAP in traffic dept. with Dickie. Pat Keyser and Inchie served there too at the same tiime. Pat was in C.I.D. and Inchie was with Dickie and I in Traffic. Lots of stories to tell from that 3 year period – 1961 thru’ 63.

Then there was Alan van Dyk in my dorm … who had the longest, biggest ding dong I have ever seen on a man. Too big to get an erection … (and he was only 13). Funny to remember that.

Raymond Styer was one of my heroes. He was hjighly intelligent, had a remarkable command of the english language and could cut you to the bone with a sharp, fast comeback. I remember him one night … in five brief single, one line exchanges, when he took Gary Riley apart and nearly got beaten up as a result for his ‘smart mouth’. I was surely impressed. The word is stronger than the sword!

Raymond also had a younger brother, John and when Raymond matriculated he went onto become a corporate accountant. Alas, something went wrong somewhere along the financial line and he was arrested and prosecuted for fraud. Oh, how the mighty are fallen. Nevertheless, while at SGHB, we was one of the best cricketers we ever produced. Both a great opening bat and the fastest fast bowler there.

Does anyone remember Brian Hale … an affected little englishman who was assistant housemaster in Taylor? Given to wearing shorts with his socks rolled right down to the tops of his shoes (always highly polished Oxford brogues). The man was a fanatic sun worshipper and was tanned the whole year round. Although I didn’t care for him too much, I did take advantage of his friendship with Dickie Allen and as dorm leaders, we were often invited into his flat (opposite the landing outside our dorm) to listen to The Goon Show, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Erick Sykes, to Victor Borge, Anthony Newly and others on 33rpm records. He also introduced me to the James Bond saga with the first book; From Russia with Love. And of course, there were little titbits, chocolates and biscuits and hot chocolate to drink while the rest of the dorm slept.

More brothers; Gerhardus and Robert Pieters, both in Taylor. Although Gerhardus was my class mate, he was older than I and I identified more with his younger sibling Robert. I played cricket and soccer with Rob and hung out with him often for a smoke and a joll.

Shortly before I left Africa for good in 1966, I ran into Robert in the streets of Hillbrow. I didn’t recognise him at first as he was almost completely bald and had that deep sunburnt look of someone who lived on the streets. He did and when we ran into each other, he was holding his hand out and asked me for some change. As I was digging in my pockets I suddenly recognised him and as I said; Robert Pieters, is that you … he recognised me and we both fell into a deep embarrasment. I took him for lunch and gave him what money I had on me later, but that meeting shocked me and for many years I could not forget it. There but for the grace of God, go I and I cried that night.

Enough for now … hogging the page is also my problem Michael. But it’s nice to have another storyteller on line. I lived in Hong Kong from late ’69 to mid’ 72 and also travelled extensively throughout the far east … but my brother Stuart, a Buddhist monk actually lived in Japan and Thailand for a while before travelling through the region to return to the west. I’m sure you two would have a colorful story to tell of your exploits there.

‘Shlala gahle.

Dudley.
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39. Information Web Net » Blog Archive » Saint George’s Home for Boys 1915 - 1991 | August 20, 2008 at 3:17 am

[…] Here’s an interesting post I found today.Have a look for your self, Here’s an excerpt, please read the full story at the blogHaving had another look at the U 14 football photo I seem to think the goalkeeper in the middle of the back row is Sydney Burrow By way of update Gary Hand emigrated to Australia in 1974 to reunite with his mother and Tony Girout is a … […]
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40. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 22, 2008 at 7:29 am

Nostalgia – the hungry beast got a fed a little portion of the past tonight.

Funny how we find snippets of our past in the strangest places. I’ve been hoping for contact with any one of my contempories from the 50’s though this blog … but toniight my oldest friend here and I cycled from Marina del Rey to Santa Monica Pier, to picnic on the beach below with about 2 to 3 thousand other baby boomers and their kids, to listen to a free concert by Gerry and the Pacemakers and Peter & Gordon, who were part of the British invasion (with the Beatles & Stones) to America in the mid-sixties.

They were all old rockers and their voices cracked and quivered and they couldn’t always make the high notes, but they rocked! And once again nostalgia got desert.

‘Ferry across the Mersy’ never sounded better!

I should say desert plus! Who was on stage in short shorts to introduce them? None other that the original dizzy beach blonde from Baywatch … Pamela Anderson. I took pictures and some video … and I can tell you … she looks a lot cuter in real life than the booby babe you see on screen.

Incidentally … this is the beach and Pier where a lot of Baywatch was filmed and where the Beach Boys played many a concert in the 60’s.

After a month of numerous tests, this week my urologist delivered the report on my biopsy.

I am cancer free!
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41. john rossouw | August 22, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Great to hear your health is fine DC
I am a fan of Peter and Gordon so the concert must have been awesome
I remain in awe of these rockers who are still around more than 50 years on and I relate the fact that no one will even care or know who Brittainy Spears is 10 years from now (amongst so many others like her) I guess these rockers survived for a number of reasons
They paid their dues in bars and clubs long before attaining fame and noterietty unlike the instant commercial celebrity status of today and
They also composed and wrote material from the heart as opposed to the current commercial garbage that gets churned out
We have a radio station in SA “702” which plays all the solid gold hits over the weekend and you can pick them up on audio stream via http://www.702.co.za
Along with the music they also give a lot of trivia about the artists and the times so you may want to tune in at some stage
My family rag me about it as I lock the dial on the radio whenever I get the chance and it reminds me of the days at the home when we listened to Loureco Marques radio from Mozambique via short wave radio where the songs of the day could be heard echoing across the lawns of the senior houses being Taylor, Smuts and Crawford
One of the prominent DJ’s of the day on LM Radio was Long John Berks of great noteriety and he is now on the air at a radio station in Israel
My late mother at one stage in the sixties met and dated one of their other LM Radio dj’s Barry o Donneghue or B O D as he called himself on air
Speaking of voices, I am constantly on the lookout for music DVD’s from concerts and tours from these old fogies and I have put together a reasonable collection over the last few years so I will watch out for a dvd of this concert
James Taylor is someone whose voice has particularly improved over time and his 2006 October Road concert is testemant to this so if you get an opportunity to watch it on DVD then do so
Anyway have a great weekend

Regards

John
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42. Keith Frandsen | August 22, 2008 at 9:35 pm

HI Mr Albert De Jager. It is really very nice to hear from you. I think back to Taylor house before you came and I thank the good lord that you did come. Our housemaster before you Mr Errol Richardson was cane mad. I was not even in the home for 6 hours and received my first 6 canings for dirtying a dish cloth. The house was ruled by fear. When you came along suddenly we had someone who actually cared about us boys. I can only say a big thank you for what you did for me. I will never forget your kindness. My email address is franconprojects@gmail.com.
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43. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 23, 2008 at 8:46 am

What goes around, comes around and this came to me via a good friend. So I would like to share it with all St. Goggians. It is called; The Great Invocation.

‘From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

‘From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let Love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

‘From the center where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men –
The Purpose which the masters know and serve.

‘From the center which we call the race of men
Let the Love and Light work out,
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

‘Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth’.

I do not know who wrote it, but it is certainly appropriate in this time in a troubled world … where nothing is as it seems. Where the ‘good’ guys are almost indistinquishable from the baddies.
Where the purpose of man appears to be nothing more than the gathering of individual materialistic comfort and nature’s bounty is stripped for financial return.
Where Darkness prevails and Light is nowhere to be found …
Love is a commodity of casual convenience.

We who had less, had more than those who served us and this should cause us to pause and to consider what we can do to give back to those who are even less fortunate.

Love, Light and Life go hand in hand … if we have good intent.

How to spread Love? Share it … with those around you … for what goes around, comes around.
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44. Michael Rossouw | August 24, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Dear Dudley and Friends
I too remember Daddy Hale. The story from Nutsy goes that he was stopped one day in London for speeding and when asked to give his name to the officer, the bobby immediately remembered the name. “Oh, ” said the officer, “you are the producer of…” and mentioned the play.( it may have been Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mouse trap”.
They chatted pleasantly for about 5 minutes and and the officer handed him the ticket for speeding, saying,” lovely meeting you Sir. You’ll receive a summons for your court appearance soon!”
So much for being well known.
My own experience with traffic fines inn RSA was after my ordination. I was stuck in traffic in Kimberley’s “rush minute” and needed to get to our Church in a hurry for the 5.30 Eucharist.
I jumped lanes and was nabbed by the local traffic cop, who ironically was our church warden! I ended up being luckier than Daddy Hale!
Lucien Lombard was the master of Spackman when I was a cub in Beaton house, which became a junior house in the early 1960’s.Many feared the infamous ‘Lombardian Slosh” as his flaps were called.He used to put on the Spackman House Follies and I well remember Leslie Egling dressed in drag and waltzing down the Hall shouting “Where’s daddy?” promptly plonking himself on Daddy Hale’s lap and giving him a big sloppy kiss on the cheek. Daddy took it all in good fun, waving jovially.He always wore his white hat. No sooner had the Sunday 2pm parade ended, and Daddy’s shirt would be off showing his well preserved bronzed body to all and sundry and heading straight for the pool.
Muriel Noakes at Malvern along with Vera Kirkland introduced me to my love of theatre, (something we lack in Subic, although the Brent School produces plays , musicals, band concerts and the like with really top performances from our talented students)
Two plays Muriel produced in which I played along with Robert Knowles, Robin Putter, my late brother Desmond, Brian Van Loggerenberg and the late Rupert Scott, were “Maiden ladies” , a play in which Robin and Robert played two crooks dressed up disguised as two old ladies. It was a great romp. Dawn Hewitt, Carol Cameron and Maureen Scott were the female leads.
The other was “Dry rot” a raucous farce set in England about race horse nobbling! Clifford Maritz played the French jockey, Albertbert Plignac.
Again Rob Knowles and Robin Putter were the crooks. I played Colonel Wagstaff and Dawn played a rather goofy maid, Beth.
The last I heard of Muriel was that she’d left to farm in Louis Trichardt of all places! her favourite insult (amongst many others) was ” You miserable son of a Voortrekker! You are the type who visits Louis Trichardt once a month and Pretoria once in a lifetime.” I believe she started a school for farm workers in her retirement.
She may well have passed onto higher service. I believe Vera died in the late 1980’s in her beloved Grahamstown, where i visited her regularly when I was a student at the tender age of 33. ( I was sadly a late developer!)
I went to study at Rhodes because Nutsy , and JJ de Jager went there, JJ having completed honours in Psychology and Nutsy having gained his BSc in Science, Phys Ed and Geography. Nutsy also got SA University colours for Soccer.
My brother Dave studied at Wits! He was an athlete who enjoyed running. He still does serving as one of the leading lights in Wits Kudus, the Athletics club of his Alma Mater.
His son Vaughan is at RAU
( now the University of Johannesburg) as universities have now been re organised under the new educational dispensation in South Africa.
I envy Dave in that he was able to study Latin. They struck it from the curriculum when I entered at Malvern High school in my Std 6 year replacing it with German. Fraulein Altenroxel was the teacher. I met her long after leaving school when my best mate at school Kieth (Percy) Anderson, married her cousin Brigitta.Where are they all now?
I guess Malvern is quite an institution with a long history.
Sometimes I feel I should go back and teach there just to give something back to the school which gave me so much.
I visited there about 4 years ago. The photos are still on the walls, the uniforms are still the same .
Peggy Morgan is still teaching English there and her former spouse, Bobby Geddes is the custodian/ Groundsman of the school. Apart from some minor cracks in the exterior walls which the Dept still takes it’s time tofix, it’s much the same. the students now are mostly Blacks but they are very much aware of the school’s rich history.
They wear there uniforms proudly and are seemingly aware of the fact that Malvern is a very special school. In the mid 70’s a technical section was formed to the btterment of the school in terms of teaching skills. When I lived in JHB some years ago, the mechanic at the local garage was an old boy from Malvern who’I’d taught.Not everyone can study the Social Sciences as I did and become a mind of what many may see as “useless” information.
I think the Book of Proverbs sums it up well: “your Education is life…guard it well{”
Ma Mc Arthur, God Bless her, always reminded us that there was no shame in honest work. So wherever many of us found ourselves, in Commerce, Industry, the world of Technolgy, Science and yes, even Academia, somehow Malvern and St Georges enabled us to find our niche…
Yes some of my generation did end up on the streets of JHB or in the dark and sinister world of crime and abuse of one or another drug of choice. Your story Dudley did touch me as I also hugged some of my fellows (very few though) whom I recognised but as we say, “:there but for theb Grace of God go I ( Although these days I say, Here with the Grace of God am I) here now, for without Him, I don’t know what I’d do.
The Home with all it’s imperfections gave me a living Faith. Many others also became ministers of one form or another. Trevor Pietersen became a preacher of Evangelical note, and John and Roger Innes were involved in ministry, albeit in churches other than the Anglican Communion, so divided now.
Alas I ramble on….
Blessings to you all

Brother Michael R
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45. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 24, 2008 at 5:57 pm

Ramble on … Michael, it only gets better.

As one by one we pour forth the fluid memories from the vessels of our minds … the liquid mozaic of the labrynthian theater of life, spreads out like a lake and and each of us, like drops of water fills up the bowl, interconnected, one with the whole sharing a past that flows on into the future.

Some evaporate, others condense and return again to refresh the pool and we drink again.

My cup runneth over.
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46. Remy | August 24, 2008 at 8:01 pm

I was born in 1951 and my first few years are lost to me. I was too young to remember anything from that time and consider that to be normal. Thereafter, from the ages of 2 through 5, I lived with my mother and recall travelling to the seaside, amongst other places, and inheriting a younger sister who was about 3 years my junior. The exact details of these early experiences were, and still are, a mystery to me. But powerful images still remain. One such is a building with an imposing façade and gloomy high-ceilinged rooms and corridors. I am standing in one of the rooms and surrounded by the adults’ legs whilst the dull din of adult voices echo around the vaulted ceiling. I tell somebody, a stranger, that I need to go to the toilet. He takes me out of the room and shows me where to go.
“Do you see that corridor?” he asks me and I nod.
“Do you see that door on the left?” I nod again.
”That’s the toilet.”

Without a word I make my way down the corridor and enter the toilet. Ahead I see a large urinal and to my left cubicals containing lavatories. Just inside and to the left of the entrance a man sits at a desk upon which sits a large black telephone. I ignore him and step up to the urinal. Having relieved myself I turn to go when the telephone rings. The man picks up the receiver. I walk past him but his large hand restrains me. I look at him and see the receiver still at his ear. Simultaneously, outside in the corridor, I hear my mother screaming. I push past the man’s hand and succeed in gaining the corridor before he pulls me back. Before he does, I see my mother having a tug of war with another woman. Between my mother and the woman is my sister. My mother has my sister’s hands and the woman her feet. My mother is hysterical. Neither will let go but other adults soon overwhelm my mother. My sister and I are bundled into a car and driven away. I was about 5 at the time and my sister, 2. My sister disappeared from my life when she was 3 (adopted) whilst I attended, 1st an Afrikaans Place that I would prefer to forget, then JCH, then St George’s from which I was discharged at the age of 18.

At the age of 22, and having completed my National Service, I was walking through Joburg when I gave greater consideration to a building that hitherto I had ignored. I knew it had something to do with the law but having never passed through its portals was unsure of its exact purpose. On this particular day I had nothing better to do and so walked through its imposing façade. In an instant I was back again to that earlier time. Once again I saw the corridor and the opening on the left. I slowly paced the distance and stood at the entrance. Ahead of me was the urinal and to my left I saw the cubicals. Now nobody manned a desk and the room was empty. I retraced my steps, crossed the entrance hall and stared at the door in front of me. Court Room Number 1 was emblazoned in gold across the door.

Very soon after this I left SA and didn’t return for 20 years. When I did it was only for 2 weeks but immediately I made my way to JCH. The year was 1994. The main building still existed but the children were now cared for in newly built bungalows situated on the playing fields. I approached the first bungalow wondering what I might discover. I noticed a pane missing from one of the windows and peered inside. Directly in front of me, and just beyond the missing pane, a small boy, aged about 5, with blonde hair and blue eyes, sat on a bed. He was dressed in pyjamas which surprised me because it was only 4pm.
“Did you break the window?” I gently asked him and received a very solemn nod.
“And that’s why you have been sent to bed early?” Again the solemn nod.
I do believe I was speaking to myself nearly 45 years earlier.
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47. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 25, 2008 at 10:03 am

Adendum to the Concert on the Pier.

Sad to say John, though I raved about Gerry and the Pacemakers appearance, I cannot say the same about Peter & Gordon. Peter told some cute stories about the history of some of their songs, but their performance lacked the dynamic exhibited by Gerry and also, a surprise appearence by the last surviving member of The Tremelos (whose name I have already forgotten).

What was interesting about P & G’s appearence there that night, was that it was the first re-union of them together for 38 years. Maybe that was the problem … not quite in the zone with each other yet. Nevertheless, collectively the Brits sang most of their combined 40 odd hits that night.

I remember both Long John Berks and Barry O’Donohue. I also remember Dickie Allen and I bunking out to meet with Barry in the foyer of the SABC on Commissioner Street one afternoon with a handfull of songs we had both written (just words, no music) and a wild proposition to give us a break to become popstars … despite the fact that I for one, couldn’t sing two notes in tune.

Well, you don’t have to guess where that went. Maybe, if either of us was as pretty as your mum, we might at least have gotten an appointment to come back for a try-out.

Years later, I returned to SA (1972 to 1976) to join my brother to produce some documentaries and a couple of low-budget feature films. During that same period I blew through 10 grand producing 3 artistes on records with Johnnny Boshoff as my arranger and musical director. They didn’t even get released despite the fact that at the time, David Finestein, head of Decca Records, was a personal friend of mine. I should have remembered my earlier experience with BOD.

If that wasn’t message enough, during that nearly 5 year sojourn back in JHB, I wrote the libretto for a rock opera called ‘Prophecy’. Johnny Boshoff wrote the music for one of the solos from it and we recorded it with some of the best musicians in the country, Hennie Becker on keyboards, base guitarist Johnny Viljoen (who played with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the States) and Johnny B on guitar. Vocal was by Fox who also did drums and percussion.

David Finestein took a listen, liked it and organised the entire cream of the South African musical theater world to hear it and review the libretto. They promptly blew it off as too way out for SA. So, the message is, you get three shots, if you can’t pull it off … go find another career.

Years later … many years later … both my kids turned out to be mucians. My son (vocalist and guitarist) had a grunge band in Holland and my daughter played classical violin. So I finally got my musical rocks off … albeit by proxy.

Michael, we have more in common than either of us knew. It is obvious that you too have fond memories of both Murial Noakes and Vera Kirkland. They certainly were both deeply inspirtational to me. And I too used to act in their school plays.
Vera produced and Murial directed and they both drank gin inbetween and behind the scenes, during those once a year, one day performances … like there was no tomorrow.

One year we did Charlie’s Aunt. Errol Fouche played the aunt and I played the fool … officer O’Hara. We didn’t do it particularly well on the day, despite pretty good rehersal performances. I guess we were all a little too nervous, but half way through, it was obvious that it wasn’t going too well when suddenly a peal of laughter rang out from behind the set … both Vera & Murial had obviously ‘ginned’ it up a little too much, forgot where they were, forgot the play going on and just let it rip. Then; ‘Oops!’ and silence.

From that moment on Errol, the star of the show took off and really laid that part down. We ended to great applause.

The End.
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48. Remy | August 25, 2008 at 6:00 pm

I wish now to speak of 2 remarkable boys. The first is Les who, with me, was in JCH. Together, at the age of 9, we progressed to SGH. Unfortunately, he was allocated Beaton House and I, Simpson. I, however, took every opportunity to be with him. We attended the same class at Wychwood where we sat at the same desk and, at prep, I always sought his company.

Les was quiet boy who seldom spoke. When he did, it was with a quiet, succinct monotone. He never raised his voice and nothing, seemingly, excited him. A neutral observer may have described his demeanour as disinterested. I, who knew him, will argue that his soul was just too deep for the rest of us to comprehend.

He knew my affection for him but never quite reciprocated it. I did not mind. Those early years in JCH taught me that this gentle boy was different and that was all. His large and sombre blue eyes, set in a pale face and beneath a canopy of black hair, belied an original and perceptive mind.

One evening, during prep, I marched up to his table and plunked myself down. We were 10 at the time, in standard 2 at school, and consequently the homework we were set was anything but arduous. As usual, Les was reading a novel. He always assumed the same pose whilst doing so: his right arm, elbow on the table, supported his head which was tilted to one side and rested on his palm, fingers pointing backwards. Occasionally, he would switch arms and assume a mirror image of this pose.

I looked at the book in front of him, open about half way, in which he was intently engrossed.
“What you reading, Les?” I asked him.
Without a word he turned the book around and pushed it towards me. It possessed the thickness of an olde worlde hand-written Bible. I turned it over to see the cover – The Fountainhead by Ayan Rand.
“Do you like it?” I asked and returned the book to him.
“Its not bad,” was all he said.
“May I read it after you?”
“Sure.”
I was 18 when eventually I did read the book.

Les would leave SGH, long before I ever did, rescued by his loved ones.

The other boy is Jogs, who was not at JCH, but would join me in Simpson House a few years after I arrived there. His prodigious intellect was tainted by only one fault – he seldom, if ever, read a novel. But this did not prevent him achieving the greatest academic success in the history of the Home.

Towards the conclusion of standard 7, the 2nd year of high school, the headmaster (Johnny Johnson) invited him to attempt the curriculum for standard 8, despite only one term remaining. Until then, Jogs had maintained an average of over 80% in every examination he had undertaken. Jogs agreed and his final term was spent with pupils who had already completed 3 and were a year older than he. To cut a long story short, Jogs maintained his +80% pass rate and achieved the highest marks ever recorded for a 3rd year pupil. He would eventually graduate from Wits reading electrical and electronic engineering. Interestingly, whenever he visited (from Wits) us retards and found anyone reading a book, he wailed bitterly, wishing he had not so neglected that part of his education.

(My teachers at Malvern were not unlike those mentioned above. Wop Cunningham (Science); Ma McGregor (Biology); Ma Kirkland and Ma Noakes (History and English); Pop Browne (Art); Ma Frik and Pop Durie (Arithmetic); Flippy van der Walt (Afrikaans); Johnny Johnson (a severe caning although Pop Durie was useful too). I exclude the daft old bat for Music and the daft old fogies in Metal and Woodwork. One teacher amused us no end simply because of his name – Robert Sole – or RSole.)
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49. john rossouw | August 26, 2008 at 6:43 am

Great memories Remy
How traumatic to be seperated from your family at such a young age
This was in a time before Eric Richardson as his approach as head of the home was to keep the family intact whatever the cost so it was common in the 60’s to have siblings at St Mary’s or JCH who would visit on regular occasions
Your journey of retracing your steps in that coutroom so many years later whilst traumatic suggests a need to re connect with your family and I would urge you to try and trace your sister via the courts in SA who despite their in efficiencies would be able to help you in your quest
I remeber Jogs well although he was much older than myself and he matriculated with my brother Michael in 67
His younger brother Andrew was also very bright and he and my other brother David used to compete for the academic prize at Whychwood
Yes DC I agree in a coin flip jerry and the pacemakers would win against Peter and Gordon
Their music featured in one of the American Idols compettitions (in 2007 I think) and only one of them was present to coach the aspirant stars. As with most creative duo’s they too had their differences over the years but in their golden years are comming to terms with the triviallity of petty differneces and embracing reconcilliation (something we all have to learn to do)
Keith Frandsen great to see you back on line and please keep on popping in so we can keep abreast of your news
You are right about Errol Richardson who was very discipline driven It was he and some of his cronies from Taylor house who poured sugar in the pertrol tank of Blane’s father’s 1920 Riley motor car (a prank with expensive consequences)
Anway I am off to Saudi on business in the next few days but I will try and keep in touch

Regards

John
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50. Dave Dry formerly Brandon Phipps | August 26, 2008 at 1:47 pm

This Post is actually for Mervyn Wiesendanger – Merv, a friend of yours Gerry Bolmatis who was at SGH and Dawnview with you, mentioned to me in passing a very short while ago, that he would so very much like to make contact with you again and wondered where in the world you could be. I am so happy I read the new posts today as now I can give you his contact details. If you do indeed remember him, please mail me and I will give you his cellular number etc. He would be blown away to hear from you. I don’t know too much about him other than he is married with kids and lives a block from me near Northgate in Johannesburg. Warm regards to all the ‘home-boys’. Dave
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51. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 27, 2008 at 4:35 am

Remy, I too was deeply touched by your tale of your early childhood and of course, many of us shared a similar experience.

I too had a younger sister, Sandra – some 4 years my junior – and although my elder brother Stuart and I had traversed that social court system several times through 3 different institutions, she too at the age of 8, was eventually placed in St. Mary’s in Rosettenville where she remained for 2/3 years before a wonderful Afrikaaner (childless couple), friends of my late mothe,r adopted her.

I recall those prescious few occassions when Stuart and I could visit her on our one day in the month free weekend. Penniless, unable to bring her much more than a penny candy, we would sit with her in the grounds of the orphanage, unable to say much other than: ‘ Don’t worry sis,one day it will be alright.’ Whatever that was meant to convey we did not know and could not visualise. I could only cry when we left her.

When Sandy’s new family adopted her … both Stuart and I were resistant to the idea at first … until we met the family. Then it was pure joy, for we knew she was loved and would no longer be alone.

She grew up in Lichtenburg, got married, had two great kids and now has 3 grandchildren. She and her husband now run a great Bed & Breakfast Hotel/Motel in Midrand called; Big Tree and if you (and any other homies) pass that way from JHB to Pretoria, drop in for lunch or whatever and I promise you, you will meet an angel.

Your tales of Les and Jogs tell more about you than about them and I would like to include my e-mail address here with the hope that you will drop me a line with yours, as I would like to communicate something to you, that I believe will help you in your quest … for that you are surely on.

leslielite@verizon.net
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52. Dave Dry formerly Brandon Phipps | August 27, 2008 at 7:37 am

Hey there Homeboys – I have spent some time reading all the posts and must say, it floods the mind with memories. It is so good to see that so many ex homeboys and housemasters alike are well. Hi to the Kelly’s S and J, Mervyn – not sure if you remember ME, and greetings to all.
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53. Albert de jager | August 27, 2008 at 7:39 am

Greetings to you all.
Where to start? Firstly a huge hullo to Keith Frandsen. How super to see that you have joined our little group. I believe you are in Australia these days, please keep in touch and let us know what has happened in your life. I remember you so well and, as I write this, I have a very clear picture of you in my mind. Thank you for your kind words which fit so well with the friendly, kind and humerous boy I remember.
To Remy, your story has totally touched my heart. I too remember so well sitting in a cheerless, cold Court Room in Jhb when my brothers and I were “committed” by the State to a long life in a Children’s Home. I also remember them taking my 2 young brothers Des and Fred to a different home (JCH) while the rest of us went to St Georges. Above all, I remember my beloved Mother being absolutely devastated and broken by having her 6 sons removed from her care (never her love, but just her care) Incidentally, it was at JCH that Fred first met his future mother-in-law, Staffy who worked at JCH. I am sure you must remember her as she spent years there being “mother” to so many children over the years.I hope and pray that sometime, somewhere, you are able to trace your sister, but if you do not manage this, that you find peace within yourself in knowing that, as you grew up to be the good man you are, so she was given the opportunities to grow and blossom in her new life.
DC my old friend, you have certainly throw a few names into the pot who trigger so many memories. Peter and Gordon, The Tremelos, Gerry and The Pacemakers. What a blast from the past! You are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go and hear them one more time. On a personal note, it is great to hear that you are well and that the Big C is not one of the terrible obstacles youi have to deal with in the future. Your story about Sandy is very touching, and I hope that through this,Remy might find some peace regarding his sister.
By the way Remy, I remember Jogs very well indeed, and a brighter boy one could not find. If I am not mistaken, Lucien Lombard, who someone mentioned earlier in a note, actually married his mother,and, after leaving the Home, they set up a Butchery in Vereeniging.
Unfortunately daily life calls and I must end at this point, but will join all of you dear friends shortly.
Greetings from the beautiful Cape. Albert.
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54. Wendy Thompson/Jones | August 27, 2008 at 6:04 pm

Hi
Have been catching up with the blog as I have not been around much lately. Remy I, along with everyone else, am moved by your story and I also know of many others like yours. Whilst I no longer live in Joburg, I do happen to be a social worker – Interestingly enough it took me many years before I felt ready to be able to work with children. I am sure that if Freud were alive he would have a field day with me:). If there is some way I can assist in negotiating some of the many official channels please let me know as I take it from your posts that you continue to live outside South Africa. My email address is palmoil@telkomsa.net. Regards Wendy
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55. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 27, 2008 at 8:08 pm

There are those specious moments in time, when fundamental events occur that create a paradigm shift in human evolution. Momumental discoveries, inventions, revelations going back through the millennia to the very days that humans emerged from their stone-age origins as scavengers, to become hunter gatherers. The discovery of fire was the first of such moments.

I need not enumerate the millions of such events that have occurred since … but you get the idea.

In 1450 Gutenberg invented movable type and from that moment on, not just the clergy, royalty and the elite were prive’ to ‘knowledge’ and information … suddenly, everybody could become informed. It did not happen instantly of course, but that special event was the fore-runner to what we today know as the digital information age.

The Internet is the single most important tool man has invented that has opened the doors of all knowledge to the entire world … free!

That said, I want to encourage all of our brothers in this precious endeavour to connect with our past and with each other, not just for the sake of nostalgia or the need to work out our individual emotional blocks and hangups but to apply the practice of ‘writing’ to evolve our knowledge and understanding through the medium of our language.

Vera Kirkland, to whom so many of us pay tribute, said to us:
‘Write what you mean, not what you feel. What you feel, will come through if you mean what you say’. God bless her, she gave us so much despite her own tragic start in South Africa as a young teacher coming from England.

Language, she said, is the greatest gift education can give to us, without which, we can communicate nothing of value, no matter how brilliant we are in other fields.

So I encourage all of you to consider this oportunity to ‘communicate’, to also take advantage of the means to practice the craft, that only gets better the more you do it.

Writing is an exercise, no less as fundamental as muscle building. Pick up the barbells and you’ll get the muscles …but no amount of philosophising about the exercise will put even a pimple on your body. But with just five minutes of lifting, you’ll feel the burn.

Likewise with writing, the more you do it … the better your ‘muscle’ gets and the more you expand your mind.

This moment now, this time in human evolution is the most critical paradigm we have ever experienced. This is a world in turmoil, on the verge of a worldwide monetary collapse, on the brink of a political crises far greater than that which preceded both past world wars. It is in a state of ecological disarray and near disaster … everywhere. In a remarkable technological age where we have more than 25% of the world’s population starving … with all our wonderous developments … we are unable to feed them.

We are witness to yet another great empire about to collapse for the same reasons all the others did. Greed and self interest, internal rot from over indulgence, vast divisions between an elite few and a massive poor and despite all the rhetoric, more of the same is to be expected until it is too late.

We all came from dysfunctional or broken homes, for one reason or another. Death of a parent, drugs, physical or sexual abuse or whatever. We feel guilt and pain for our parents’ failing us or we ‘failing’ them. Forget it. We were all victims of a system that failed us and I can assure, it is much the samne all over tyhe world. I have lived and worked in many countries and I have seen the same sorrow repeated again and again.

Now I live in a America, a country I once greatly admired and it is no different here. In fact, Los Angeles, (especially Hollywood, where everybody comes to realise their ‘dream’), is the dysfunctional capital of the world. So don’t think your suffering is only personal … it is universal.

We are approaching the end of the Piscean age and the beginning of the age of Aquarius … as the 26,000 year galactiic clock winds down in just four years (2012). When our solar system aligns with the ecliptic center of the Milkyway and this cycle of universal evolution comes to and end and the next begins .

Time is not linear, it is cyclical and like the merry-go-round, here we go again as a new cycle, the ‘Golden Age’ begins hopefully, with man experiencing a new and higher conciousness than the one we have expressed up and ’til now. No question about it, the next four years will be catalysmic. We ARE in a world in upheaval.

So, seen in the broader scheme of things … or as my wife used to say to me when my ego became too intense …’seen from a star, who do you think you are?’

Our personal stories certainly have tradegy written into them, some more, some less. Nevertheless, our black brothers and sisters in our home country knew and suffered much more than we can ever imagine. So let us use this forum, this moment in time, to share not only our tragedy, but also our joy.

Several of us have revealed much of ourselves, then and now and it would be wonderful to hear more of the ‘now’ than we have from more of you. Your successes and failures are equally as important to your development and continuance and as such, are equally as interesting to us all, to re-inforce our own experiences of joy and sadness and the bond of our common origin in SGBH.

Stay in Peace. God Bless us all.
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56. Remy | August 29, 2008 at 4:47 am

Wendy, Albert and DC – thank you for your comments.
Wendy – I did find my sister, as I shall explain below.
Albert – Yes, Nurse Stafford was very well known to me. She recently retired. Her son Kevin and I were in JCH together and later in Simpson and Spackman Houses too. In bed, Kevin would rock himself to sleep every night. I had become so accustomed to this habit of his (even in JCH he had it) that I didn’t give it a second thought. He had a very fine brain that later would be irreparably damaged in a road traffic accident.
DC – thank you for your email address and am intrigued to hear your communication.

I did meet my sister again. She was adopted by a wealthy but childless couple who doted on her. After I arrived at JCH, Sister Flotta (Big Boss at JCH) called for me. I knew she was the big cheese and wondered what she wanted. It was evening. To my surprise she had my sister with her. I was about 6 at the time and my sister 3.

“Put your arm over your sister’s shoulders!” she bawled at me, “Like this!” and she arranged us together. “There! Now don’t move!” I didn’t dare. She was a formidable woman. She walked a few paces away, turned, lifted a camera and snapped us.
That was the last time I saw my sister in JCH.

Thirteen years later, in SGH, I got a telephone call.
“Is that Remy?”
“Yes.”
“I am your sister. Elizabeth.”
We never again lost touch. She also showed me a small photograph of a small boy standing alongside a tiny girl with his arm around her shoulders.
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57. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 29, 2008 at 5:33 am

Remi, your closure is our closure too.

Thank you. I just received an email from my sister Sandra who told me that a lump came to her throat reading your story and then another reading mine about us.

I cry with joy for all of us. She will doubtless do so too.

I look forward to an email from you.

Tonight I watched Barak Obama make his acceptance speech in an open-air stadium in Denver with 75,000 Democratic delegates in attendence. It is exactly 45 years to the day that Martin Luther King made his: ‘I have a dream’ speech in Washington to 80,000 people outside the Capital.

Tonight Barak stood in King’s shoes. Although he didn’t say it, he too has a dream … as we all do … that one day King’s dream will come true.

It was a classic piece of oratory, written primarily by Barak himself and delivered with conviction and emotion. Nevertheless, what he said was what he meant and as a result, what he felt came through. Kirkland’s lesson.

It will be remembered as one of the great speeches of this time. And he is making history. This election is the defining moment of this country’s future, and possibly for the rest of the world as a result of it. I hope you all get to hear and see it on TV in South Africa, for it very much echoes what many ancient peoples have been waiting for, for millennia.

That it is time for all peoples, not just in America, to come together to solve the problems of the world. One family,one language … the language of brother and sisterhood, the language of love and compassion.

We have four years more to 2012. The length of a President’s term.
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58. Michael Rossouw | August 30, 2008 at 3:22 am

Dear Friends

The trouble with being on one’s own is that one has too much time to think. (I’m laid up with at the moment with a flu virus and the old body ain’t what it used to be!)
I remember Sister Erasmus (sister Elastoplast as EHR used to call her) had a remedy for all ills, the gargle and the dose of enos ; rather like some medicos who’d say “take two aspirin and call me in the morning”
Remy ,I’m glad that you and your sister did find each other. We all rejoice with you.
I’m sure you must have been “a child of the 60’s, for many of the teachers you mention were mine.
My own memory of the children’s court in JHB were very similar, but not with the same result.
Our first appearance there was as a result of my parents divorce. Wife abuse and child abuse was a factor on the part of my Dad and the courts needed convincing that our parents were suitable and capable parents.My memories are dim, partly because I have erased them from my sub conscious, but these often recalled to me by my late brother Desmond.
My Mom fought tooth and nail to keep us when the parents divorced. She was the abused not the abuser.
She did , with some legal help from her brother, a prominent Jhb divorce lawyer and my Grandfather keep us for a while.
Des at the age of 5 or 6 was asked about what happened in our home when Dad came home drunk. he remembered even being threateningly glared at by my father in the courtroom. The magistrate was the Hon. Justice Hougaard , I think, prominent legal eagle of the day.
I don’t remember much but it wasn’t good for me, for I would often suffer the wrath of my father’s drunken temper and be punished ( often by being kicked and beaten with a leather belt or worse still, his bare hands) for something I hadn’t even done.
after my dad’s death by suicide (I found him hanging from the ceiling in my bedroom …I still have nightmares although they are less frequent now) My Mom , with all the love in the world would not have managed to take care of us on her own, so Des and I went to St George’s , Dave to st Mary’s and John to Cotlands, he being barely a year old and too young to send to a conventional children’s home.
Dave was “tricked “at the steps of St Mary’s sadly by my mom and aunt and whisked into st Mary’s by the nuns waiting at the door….my take on this is that it was the only way they could take Dave to St Mary’s knowing how Dave would be feeling if he were told the truth. I never saw Davey for six months and John for nearly two years. John was eventually taken to St Mary’s and my Ouma took him out of St Mary’s because he had a heart condition which could not be adequately cared for under the sisters , with whatever good intentions they had.
My Oupa used to bring them sweets on there visiting Sunday.
Tuck had to be shared and it was always handed over to the sisters for distribution. Oupa used to say ” Don’t give it to the Nuns!” Needless to say we do share a lot more readily and easily today.So Remy, although i cannot fully identify with the hurt you must have experienced, I can, I believe in some small way empathise with you.
My experience of the courts was different and one I’d like to forget.
My late father was ‘a man’s man” he like d a drink with his workmates after a hard days toil in the JHB trolley bus tram sheds. He played darts and was the JHB municipal darts champion.
I knew what alcoholism did in my home but was not aware that this disease was , certainly in my case , hereditary.
I shan’t go into all the gory details about my journey to becoming sober, save to say that it took me a 40 year stint two family breakups and several broken friendships and a number of geographical moves to accept that I was afflicted with this disease.
By God’s Grace, I am now a sober person and hopefully less of an embarrassment to those who care about me.
My relationship with two of my three daughters is strained (One has not spoken to me in 5 years, understandably so) but as a father, I do keep in touch regularly, although my efforts are often rebuffed and my cards and letters remain unanswered.
Sometimes things are best left alone, especially if the cause pain to those we love.My youngest keeps in contact and has just celebrated her16th birthday.
Thank you all for your glimpses of life in the Home, the home which for many of us was the only home we knew.
I am enjoying my chaplaincy work and in some ways i feel that people of the calibre of Norman Clayton, Eric Richardson, Ken Mc Holm,George Adams, were role models for me. Teaching students from a well to do background also has its heartaches for the students. Many of the students here are miles away from family, living in “Dorms” ( although a lot smaller in numbers) or with host parents , they also face similar situations endured by ourselves as young people at st Georges. The discipline here is good, no canings (Thank God) but often students are required to do “service” tasks which are school or community based.The school too has a very caring cousellor.
I feel that for young folks today, bombarded as they are with information via the net and other pressures do have it a little harder. Here in Asia, kids have to excel at everything. Competition is healthy but only the best survive.
Working with young minds and helping to shape their values and attitudes to life is a tremendous privilege and a great challenge. I often wonder whether men like Ken McHolm and Eric Richardson were way ahead of their time.
How much would the field of child care in RSA be different had they published their models for care and were taken seriously by those in this field.
Thank God however that the emphasis these days is not to separate families but to work together with them.
I sometimes wonder how it is that in many of the top private schools children from divorced parents are allowed to stay in dormitories much similar to ours when we were at St George’s
but for Children needing more than just a roof over their heads
the dormitory system it is felt isn’t good.
I do not for one moment say that St George’s was perfect, but children in schools like mine today are not much different from their contemporaries of the 20thCentury, the one in which many of us grew up.

Alas , I ramble on…
Blessings to you all and thank you for allowing me to say these things…

Deacon Michael R
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59. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 2, 2008 at 9:24 am

Bon Voyage John … safe journey.

Michael, that was the most courageous ‘outing’ for you to reveal and I must say, took me by surprise. Thank you for being so frankly honest. Though, when I earlier encouraged homies to write and reveal more about themselves ‘now’ rather than just the past … I certainly did not expect anyone to expose ‘warts and all’. You’re a brave bugger and an honest man and I sincerely hope you reconcile with all your kids one day.

We all have skeletons in the closet of course, but life offers redemption no matter how bad our past sins may be. In your case, you certainly have chosen a path that will surely lead to yours. I salute you.
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60. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 3, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Knowledge is Power! (Francis Bacon).

So here is some ‘real’ knowledge. Google: David Icke.com and take some time out to listen to the one and a half hour talk he recently gave in the UK.

He will be talking in San Francisco on Sept 12 and in LA on October1 and I will definitely try to make it to one of those events and will post a report on it on this blog. In the meantime, he really is worth while to give a hearing to … no matter who or what you are in this life.

Getting smart is an obligation … that’s what you went to school for … but real life is where you really get it. And once you get it, pass it on.
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61. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 4, 2008 at 8:08 am

The dissemination of real information or valuable knowledge.
is an ‘obligation’ of any member of a fraternity to share with his peers for the benefit of the individual members or the group as a whole, to understand and use for their own or collective betterment.

Knowing more about the world in which we live and how it functions and who controls that ‘function’, is the ‘holy grail’ of self improvement and development. And I do care about my ‘fraternity’ and it’s isolation downstream in the body waters of the mighty river of world events.

If I can share more of this ‘information’ with any of you who may be interested, please feel free to e-mail me direct at:
leslielite@verizon.net, as this blog may not be the most appropriate forum to position these ideas.

It is not my intent to advance my personal views on anyone, only to share what I believe will help us all evolve successfully in a troubled world.

Dudley.
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62. Howard Whitehead | September 4, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Good day all. I had the privilege of being in the home from 72 to 75, and attended Dawnview High. I have very fond memories and my success in life can also be attributed to the influence of Eric Richardson, Ken McHolm, Peter Nicholls, David Laughton, Albert de Jager and Norman Clayton. Frth Clayton got me to serve in the church, become a disc jockey and a vain attempt to get me to take pictures – Craig Cooper won the International Salon in my time. I was in Crawford House, won the Victor Ludorum in Athletics in 1975. Remember David and John Rossouw (both held in high esteem for their achievements in their school careers), John O’Neill (also had a brother in Crawford).

Unfortunately, today I rely on multiple choice to extract any detail out of my sub-conscious, but St Georges certainly contributed to my foundation for the future – I handled my army training with absolute ease given the disciplined environment from which I came. This discipline took me into a successful 31 year career in the banking industry from which I have just left at an executive management level, have a great family, three children aged 18, 20 and 25 and a wife that spoils me rotten. My in-laws stay with us and we can now give something back. I live in the Strand, and looking to build in Sedgefield where we are lucky enough to have a beautiful stand.

As tough as it was growing up, the contributions made by many will always be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this blog and help my “multiple choice” problem of the past.

All the best!!
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63. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 8, 2008 at 2:04 am

Fancy Dancing

During 1955 and 1956, the famous, Empire (ex-) welterweight boxing champion (British Commenwealth), was our coach at St. Goggies. He was a short, well-built and patient teacher of the pugilistic arts and had a particularly soft spot for us homeboys. He’d been one himself in ’30’s London.

I know he saw in me another him. He gave me very personal attention on some training nights in the gym up at the pool side. Not that he spent more time with me than with others.

I noticed that when he was dealing one on one with with any of my fellow team mates of alll weights, he gave them direct advice, pointers or suggestions that would help. He would even hold them in the various poses he was suggesting and spoke only on those directions.

When he worked with me, he would do much of the same, but in between he would drop little pearls of his experience. He’d say; ‘Training is the only thing that will hold your knees together and your hands raised through three rounds of onslaught from another fighter. When you can’t defend yourself, you go down!’

Stevens was Empire champ in the late forties, after the war.
He exited the stage with the arrival of another fancy dancer from downunder, Jimmy Curruthers … who also beat our Vic Toweel. He’d say; ‘Whatever you do, if you get knocked down, get up off your knees and stand up … ’cause, when you can’t get up, the game’s over!’

He trained me for my first tournament fight ever. I was just 12. It was the Transvaal Junior Championships. The winners would go on to fight in the provincial arena for the national titles.

When my fight came up, so did a giant in the other corner. He was an afrikaaner and had no boots on. But he looked like Goliath and I felt like David and I knew I needed a sling or better to stop his number.

I’m an ambidexterous southpaw with a right hand punch and not much in my left. Without the left as my best hand, that left me with a right jab,speed and fancy dancing. Not much to stop a tank.

He came out swinnging and didn’t stop for the whole first round. Now I say I’m a fancy dancer, but no end of dancing could stop me dangling from the end of one of his fists which seemed to come pounding out of the bright lights above and decend down on me … he wa so big. I silently questioned; had they had made a mistake and put the heavyweight in with me?

Suffice to say, I survived the round but Lord knows how. The one minute revival at the end of the round was not enough to revive me … at least I didn’t think so. I did not remember Laurie in front of me, pouring water over me, rubbing me and talking all the time. I remember only that I was tired, so tired, that when the bell rang, I could not raise my fists to defend myself, and my knees felt like they would buckle at any moment.

The monster got loose in the other corner and all I could do, was buckle over and cover my head and my ribs as best I could … and the fight over. TKO!

Afterwards, in the mini-bus driving home, Laurie asked me how I felt.

‘Pretty beat up.’ I said.

“You did good.’ he said and I could not for the life of me, wonder what the heck he meant.

‘I lost!’ I said.

‘You did good,’ he insisted. ‘You could have got knocked out!’

The moral I guess, is; Even a loss is a plus. Training, I remembered, is everything. I never lost another ring fight and won a couple of titles in the process.

Laurie Stevens, a great champ and a really nice fellow, the kind of person you wanted to know.
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64. vanessa hurlimann | September 8, 2008 at 8:23 pm

How truth be told
As lives unfold

In the shadows, light falls
Softly, healing calls
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65. Terence Willson | September 10, 2008 at 10:54 am

Hey to all you old boys of the long ago it is great to see that we finally have a means to trace friends from the past. John, Mark, Chatrlie, Vanessa to name but a few. Wendy how are u an old Herbie and your mom.
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66. Wendy Thompson/Jones | September 10, 2008 at 5:03 pm

Hi Terence We are all well thank you and we all live in Pinetown. My husband and I run our own business and Herbie works for us – it makes for some fireworks sometimes and life is never boring. Marion comes to work every day as well although she is quite shaky on her feet but she loves to answer the phone so we all just work around her. I also work for Unisa part time in the Social ‘work department, lecturing social work students (from that you can gather that I trained as a social worker)
It is indeed wonderful to see all the names from the past and I really enjoy seeing everyone’s posts.
Regards to all
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67. Terence Willson | September 11, 2008 at 6:20 am

Hi to all of you, I must say that I remember many of the names that have popped up on the blog. John, You have quite a memory. My time at St Georges was really a memorable one and a time that I would not easily change. Started at Simpson house as a junior and my first house master was Dutch Murray…….. Who of you remember him? He was followed by that man Herbie… I am sure we all have memories of those famous short back and side’s haircuts. As a senior a couple of us ( john Marshall, Charles Wastie and I to name but a few were sent to Crawford house) this very much against the old tradition of from Simpson to Smuts. We all excelled at Athletics, Swimming and Football.
I recently had a chat to Graham and Neil Crawford who I see every so often at either the local restaurant or sport fields.
It really has been some time since last I spoke to an Old Boy from Crawford House, if I remember correctly it was either Ricky De Melo or Andre Harker whose son was playing at the same football tournament as my son.
As you read through the Blog its amazing how names come back to you. Geoff Bill and his daughter Jenny, they were main reason Charlie Wastie and I were introduced to the Rhodes Park swimming fraternity. Tubby Laughton who introduced Craig Cooper, Robert Langford and I to the printing press. Ken McColm and Albert de Jager who were mentors in our football lives. Raymond Hill (Boxer), I am sure Gerald Durell will remember him as will Andre Harker.
To be continued………………………

Regards to all and Wendy it is great to hera you are all well and please send regards to your Mom and Dad
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- 68. kevin hawes | August 4, 2010 at 6:29 pm
  
  Terence Willson
  
  Please so kind as to phone 082 908 7145
  
  Kevin Hawes
  Reply
69. trevid | September 12, 2008 at 6:38 am

Hi has anyone heard from Mervyn Wiesendanger, If anyone has any contact with him, please ask him to contact me as soon as he possibly can. Regards to all. Dave
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70. Steven Boyd | September 14, 2008 at 6:02 pm

hi there to all old boys, I was in st gesorges home from 1979 – 1987 was first in spackman house and then went over to taylor house.My nickname for some reason was egghead. I have loads of fond memories of st georges and my time there.To those who cann’t recall me I was in the choir and won a choir competion in 1985, my thanks to david dry(brandon phipps) for telling of this website.After leaving the home and fininshing my military service I joined bedfordview fire dept, fitting as twice we were called to st georges for incidents.I remained in the fire service in deifferent departments until 2004, then immagrated with my family to sheffield (england,) where I currently reside, working as a paramedic.My brother john ashburn is also living here.I must compliment the launch of this website, and have had fun reading threw the comments left by guys that I remember.
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71. Steve | September 17, 2008 at 6:26 am

To The person looking for contact details for Mervyn Wiesendanger here is an email Address:
Christianmervyn@hotmail.com
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72. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 21, 2008 at 8:16 am

The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Last Tuesday, 2 big American Financial groups, Meryl Linch and Lehman Bros. went down on the heels of Bears Stern and Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac (holding 50% of USA mortgages). The next day, AIG the largest insurance company in America took a dive. On Friday, Fed. Chairman, Bernanke blew off minor players Meryl Lynch & Lehman and saved AIG. TBTF! (Too Big to Fail) … on the heels of having just saved BS, FM & FM weeks before.

In the process, the dominoes began to fall, England, Spain, Russia and China. And Germany is shaky.

Benanke had two choices, say enough is enough and let AIG also go … or not. He choice to take his chances and turned the ship into the oncoming 200 ft. wave. Turned out to be the right thing to do. He had to save AIG.

The cost to future Tax payers nevertheless, adds one trilliion dollars to the staggering national deficit of 50 trillion. Had Benanke not acted, the devastation would have seen a worldwide financial meltdown within months, as stock markets crashed in the global financial centers.

I live within a 45 minute drive from Hollywood and just 15 minutes from LAX (LA) Airport. I was driving back from the airport area listening to this news on Friday afternoon, just heading down the hill on Lincoln Blvd. alongside the water fountain in front of Loyala Mount University. From this point one could look right over Marina del Rey to Venice and Culver City, from Santa Monica to Centrury City, BeverlyHills, to Hollywood and finally, Hollywood Hills behind it.

On a clear day (as was Friday) you can see and read the 60 foot high letters of the Hollywood sign on the hiilside about 15 to 16 miles away. I had just passed a billboard advertising Hollywood’s next big alien invasion movie called; The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Made me think. Hmm … it nearly happend this morning! And that made me suddenly realize how seriously we take ourselves on our little islands of self creation … our ‘worlds’ … in which we stress and worry over such minor problems in comparison.

And that made me remember, Be Here Now.

Enjoy this moment.
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73. vanessa hurlimann | September 25, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Just a little something worth sharing

The Glory of Love

This is the mystery, the glory of love:
That in bringing our hearts to each other,
We gain more than we thought to give…..
And in giving ourselves to each other,
We become more than we hoped to be.

—–Morgan Fitzgerald 1849—————–
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74. John Rossouw | September 27, 2008 at 9:05 am

Greetings all and in aprticular a welcome to Terrence and Steve
I have just returned from a business trip to Riyhad in Saudi Arabia which was an interesting experience as I was there over the holy month of Ramadhan
The Muslims fast from dawn till dusk as a visitor I was forced to compkly with no food or drink between 5.30 am till 6 00 pm
They also pray 6 times during the day which from a work perspective was difficult as everytime you wanted to meet with someone or review something they were off to Mosque
It was also interesting to watch the goings on at Mecca on the tv where the mosque is around 365 000 sq meters and houses over 1 million worshipers
By comparison chapel, hymn practice and choir practice at the home was a picknick but what struck me was the deep sharred connection they all feel through their worship during this holy time

I have a host of chores at home having been a away but I will generate some updates on the blog and the SGH facebook page shortly

Regards

John
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75. john rossouw | October 2, 2008 at 3:01 pm

I have made contact with Fr Ed den Blauwen chaplain of the home in the 80’s and at the time of it’s closure
I have invited him to join our online community so hopefully we will hear from him soon

Regards to you all

John
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76. Frank Kruger / Mahlfeld | October 8, 2008 at 8:06 am

Hi John Frank Kruger at the home was mahlfeld Taylor house was in Band left 1975 -1980 went to Dawnveiw

ashleyvill@mweb.co.za

031 7017864 h w 031 7017444
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77. Michael Rossouw | October 11, 2008 at 6:30 am

Hello Everyone
I made email contact with Fr Ed Den Blaauwen and his wife Julia.Ed was chaplain at the Home (the last actually) when it was closed to make way for the Bishop bavin school.
They are presently at a conference in Thailand and they will visit Karen refugee camps at Mae Sot during their stay.
Sadly I’m not able to join them as school commitments and the astronomical cost of air travel will prevent me making the three hour plane journey to Bangkok from Manila and such a visit would mean unpaid leave, so…
I plan to visit my fam ily at Christmastide (my daughter Hannah in particular)and my brothers Dave and John and their families at New Year. No doubt the country will be in a state of change under a new president.
It is indeed good to have contact with my extended family of St Georges via this website.
Right now the News seems to be dominated by the World Financial crisis in World Banking.
I feel very fortunate to at least have a job and be working in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Subic bay is in the middle of the Philippine rainforest. We are nearing the end of the rainy season now so perhaps we’ll have good weather by Christmas.
Speaking of ‘Yultide’ , here in the Philippines all the “hype’ starts early; September actually. Shops and malls are festooned already with every type of Christmas decoration imaginable!
I remember well Frs Eric and Norman always commenting about celebrating Christmas early. Unfortunately school and perhaps business calendars do not account for the fact that in order to have some “communal” celebration, schools do start their celebrations early. Already at Brent we are rehearsing for our Lower school Production, usually a feast of songs, carols and the like all spun into a Play around the theme and story of the birth of Jesus.
With all the “scmultz” around in the coming months, the Christmas story still seems to bring out the child in each of us.
I’ll write again on this, but right now I’m off with a group of students to Manila now for a performance of West Side Story.
Next month it will be a performance of Dickens’s “Christmas carol” See what I mean??
Blessings to you all

Michael Rossouw.
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78. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 12, 2008 at 9:42 pm

Old and New.

As the this Gregorian year 2008 slides to a close with a roar of closing doors (as Banks go bust), there is the sound of hope in the opening ‘click, as the window-shutters open into the Jewish new year of 5769.

Can common sense once again prevail and a world come to order? Have we not just seen the writing on the wall?

Strange, human nature. We no sooner have a roof over our heads … when we want comfort too. No sooner do we have that and we want want more … luxury … until the drug has no other reason to exist than to accumulate stuff as a force of habit. Greed has a pathetic face. And greed has brought us to our knees.

What is happening now, is not going to go away and looks likely to deepen into a global crisis, whose proportions we cannot quite imagine. We are treading in unfamiliar waters. Certaintity of anything is speculation … and once familiar security, now has a shifting value.

We gave up Trust and without which, we have no glue to keep the pieces together. I jokingly say to friends; ‘Find high ground and grow vegetables’. But that’s not going to cut it! There’s not enough high ground for everyone.

Bush and the G7 have just met … there will be many more such meetings of constantly changing combinations of world leaders and influence blocs … European Union, Eastern Europeans and Asians, United Nations, Arabs, Africans and the America’s … etc. But at the end of the day, it is we the people … of all nations … who are going to have to act.

Enough with the madness of power and crassly excessive, personal wealth … there are real world problems that must be addressed.

Food and shelter first, health and education next and finally, a fair distribution of the rewards of our labors, whatever form they may be. World wide! And in the course of returning ourselves to sanity, we have to take care of the damage we have done to nature and our environment.

Repair and Maintenance! It all sound so simple … but we cannot even get along with our immediate neighbors … let alone work together as a global family.

And all the while that the world turns (and heaves and stumbles), ‘The Juice’ finally ran out and O.J. Simpson got locked up … for kidnapping and robbery … no less. Unlucky 13 doesn’t play well in Vegas.

He was convicted exactly to the day of the 13th. aniversary of his aquittal in the murder of his wife trial.

He was now convicted on 13 counts.

There were 11 white women on the jury and the judge was a white female (the 12th.) The missing 13th. lady was his wife Nichole Brown-Simpson’s spirit … very much present in that court that day … and yes, also a white woman.

A baker’s dozen … the poor man got ‘fried’!

Justice served. What goes around, comes around, Yin and Yang. The laws of cause and effect.

Whatever you all do, find balance … it is the way to stay alive and maintain sanity … (and grow vegatables).

Omni universum Om!
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79. john rossouw | October 14, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Good day All

DC – Working in the financial markets as I do I relate very well to the issues raised in your latest posting
I agree this will not pass soon and given that the world is driven by greed and excess the same scenario is likely to happen again even once it does
I relate too with your comments on growing vegetables on the high ground and I enclose an article I have written for our Living KPMG publication which will be out in Nov relating to my trip earlir this year to India and Bangladesh which puts the biblical story of “5 loaves and 2 fishes” into real perspective l

Regards to you all

John

“John Rossouw Senior Manger in FRA visited India and Bangladesh earlier in the year as part of a local municipal delegation reviewing micro finance institutions and their role and contribution towards socio economic enterprise and sustainable socio economic upliftment.

The highlight of the trip was a visit to world renowned Bank of Grameen, whose founder Muhammad Yusef received the Nobel Peace prize in 2006 in recognition of the bank’s contribution towards poverty alleviation.

John was amazed by the warmth of reception the group received and notes that their willingness to share their experience and learning both positive and negative was something not usually experienced in a commercial enterprise environment.

Grameen lends small micro loans to the poorest of the poor, repayable in weekly instalments over six or twelve months at rates of interest around 10% above the local bank prime rate. Borrower groups are formed within the community of 10 people known to one another, and funds are advanced only after completion of extensive training on how the loan process works. Grameen also advances money primarily to woman, as the belief is they are the vessels through which the livelihood of families is achieved and sustained.

The bank is also owned by borrowers and socio economic upliftment is at the core of Grameen’s philosophy, with funds also being advanced for hosing, education and disaster relief.

Borrowers converge weekly at centre meetings to conduct bank business and to make weekly repayments. These gatherings are presided over by the branch and in some instance the centre manager, with the elected group leader acting on behalf of borrowers. Loan amounts ranging from as little as R 200 to R 5 000 are approved without security or credit process, with sole reliance for repayment being the “social contract” between bank and borrower. Loans are not granted for consumption purposes but are applied towards a range of micro industries with short trading cycles, thus making the weekly repayment cycle possible.

After a day of extensive meetings with the entire Grameen executive most of whom have been with the bank since inception, the group visited a remote rural Grameen village to view first hand the banks operations. Our arrival was greeted by an exited throng of onlookers, and we spent the morning appreciating the impact of micro finance loans on this small remote community in one of the poorest countries in the world, interacting with villagers and learning about their respective businesses.

These in addition to an extensive agricultural produce industry, included a dairy, general dealer store, cobbler, photographic studio, cell phone service provider, transport operator, barber, bakery, an au pair service, tailor, computer repair operator and, a fully fledged pharmacy.

Our group also met and interacted with one of two Masters graduate’s from the village funded through Grameen loans, and visited the local school attended by all children. Other noticeable features were the houses and latrine facilities and the distinct absence of hunger or disease, resulting in everyone in our delegation coming away with a deep sense of appreciation of the tangible role micro finance can and does play, in the sphere of sustainable socio economic upliftment.

Proof of this is evident in extract highlights from Grameen’s 2006 annual report, which notes a cumulative total of UDS 6.9 billion in advances since inception to a total borrowing population which now numbers 7.4 million across 81 000 villages. Another remarkable achievement is the fact that Grameen is now fully funded by deposits of USD 756 mill, with 57% of these monies being received from borrowers themselves.

Other significant achievements include the building of 650 839 houses and the funding of educational loans which have helped produced 19 959 honours, 1 111 masters and 41 MBA graduates. Grameen has also enabled 64% of borrowers to cross the poverty index and has assisted a further 110 countries throughout the world. in adopting their model.

With the millennium goals as a key driver Grameen is on target by 2010 to grow their number of borrows to 15 million, and increase scholarships to 50 000 per year to help produce a further much needed 100 000 medical, engineering and masters graduates.

In line with similar models adopted around the world Grameen proudly enjoys a default rate of less than 2 percent on loans, and in the context of a current global financial turbulent market brought on by the sub prime mortgage crisis, this is nothing short of remarkable. This is particularly significant considering the bank was founded in 1976 through the vision of one man with USD 27 of his own money which he lent to 42 borrowers.”
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80. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 17, 2008 at 7:49 am

What Goes Around …

I left Downtown L.A. late last night … tired after a day building a stage and lighting rig for a client. I just wanted to get home (a 40 minute drive to Marina del Rey on the coast).

I realized however that I had just a gallon of gas … in a Lincoln Continental that does 9 miles to the gallon … that wasn’t going to get me home. So I pulled into the first gas station I came across. As I got out of my car, I noticed a black man from whose looks and clothing, I could see was not an American … an immigrant.

He had that look of ‘hungry’ but was too proud to ask for a dollar as I walked towards him and into the food kiosk and attendent. I had just 10 bucks in cash in my pocket and needed every drop of gas I could get to get me home. But I asked the attendent for ; $9.- on 6 please (the pump number)
as I handed him the bill.

He gave me a funny look but handed over my dollar change and as I exited, I saw the man outside glance my way and then quickly turn away. I gave him the dollar, said nothing and walked to my car and pumped gas. I never looked at him again, not wanting to stop him from going inside to buy something to eat or drink… but noticed that he did do just that.

Now gas in California at present is averaging $3.60 a gallon so I got somewhat less than three gallons for my money. I had less than a gallon when I started and when I drove off, I noticed that my meter read 5 gallons … that was more than a gallon plus than I should have received. I thought it was odd … but maybe I had more than I thought to begin with and so shrugged it off.

It’s a 17 mile drive home and I should have used nearly 2 gals. to get there … but when I arrived in my car park … my meter still read 5 gals. and in the morning the next day, when I started my car up, the meter read 6 gals.

S who’s looking after who?
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81. Michael Rossouw | October 17, 2008 at 11:34 pm

Dear Friends
Thanks to Dudley & my brother John for their interesting comments and stories . Dudley your story is one of compassion and of caring and of course God’s provision for us even when we feel we wont get to where we are heading. Yours and John’s comments about the current World banking crisis, possible solutions and the like. was indeed good reading.Not being a banker or a person of any knowledge on the subjest I can’t really comment.I am however still amazed , nay astounded ,at the greed that some of these traders have shown in the past. Politicians seem no better and the folks on the “grass roots” still remain poor. I was quite intrigued by the last debate between the two US presidential candidates, who made “Joe the Plumber” quite famous. Pehaps growing vegies may well be an answer if ground could be found, global warming soved and poverty made history.Whichever candidate wins this election will have a tough job sorting all of these issues out.
When I look back on my youth as a lad in the Home, we were , to some extent extremely fortunate. Despite the limited “Bill of fare” I was never inadequately fed. The matresses on which we slept were lumpy, but warmish but at times not warm enough to stave off the Jhb winter.The army green and grey blankets and sheets ,some marked with the blue “SGH”logo were clean.
The Khaki clothes changed every Thursday at the linen room were well laudered (and well patched!)as were the white shirts we changed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My first school blaser was very new and the badge looked very smart and indeed quite dapper as we sported the “new boy” image and made to feel proud of the place we called “home”.The “ma’s” in the linen room and the Kitchen were also a sympathetic ear to many a “cub” and indeed to me as a senior when I stopped in for a chat to collect my “bundle” each week or to get a “sarmie” when I’d been delayed at school.
I remeber well in the mid sixties when Allan Burgess (Budgie as we called him) instituted an internal banking system in Taylor house using “cheques”. It was his way of preparing us for the real world. (I don’t have a cheque book nor a credit card…my credit rating went down when my NGO school went bust and I left to work in Asia, so i can relate to many who in this crisis have lost everything…) For a time it worked but cash was still “king” as it were. Many of us used to walk to Malvern high and sell our bus tickets around the tuck shop at a discounted rate. I guess in a sense we were learning the rudiments of the free market system! Many students who were fortunate enough to study Business economics(Commerce as it was called then) and Accounting under people like Ma Bell and Judge Durie to name but two went on to do well in the world of business and finance.I think of the Campbell Brothers and others who went into small businesses and did well, many becoming the leading stores and supppliers in their line of business in Jhb and indeed the whole country.
I for one was never really attracted to those subjects, opting instead to enjoy English Literature with Vera Kirkland,History with Ma Noakes and Geography with Eugene Wright (Ma Braun, daughter of the legendary Frank Braun of SA Olympic Committee fame). My Science ( a subject I only began to master once I started teaching when I was thrown into the subject because of a lack of teachers at the time in RSA schools) wasn’t good either. Poor old Mr Cunningham! Those wop laughs must have been really cruel.
I seemed to do OK with Ma Frik (Mrs Smith) our Maths teacher .(She was very strict but in her own way very caring).
Even today I marvel at what youngsters are faced with educationally.
The one thing I remember was that at Teachers training college one of my lecturers said “Your education will only start once you’ve left school” . How right she was.
Changing the subject, the performance of West Side story in Manila last week was energetic and really welI performed.I remember when I last saw “West side story” . It was at the old “His Majesty’s” theatre (now a huge office block near the Carlton centre in Joey’s…) and Ross Davies was one of the gang members in the prformance. He was a dancer who I believe went on to work in theatre and Dance in the USA. He was a Patrol leader in Spackman house when I was a junior in Taylor house.
Quite a talented man with a bit of a cruel streak at times. He was one of the few who passed matric with a distinction in Geography I remember.

Here in the Philippines the shops in Manila and elsewhere have a “fiesta ‘ type atmosphere and are decorated for halloween and of course the Christmas season. (As I said , they start here in September and , being a former colony of the US,they celebrate most of the festivals and holidays in common with America, Thanksgiving , halloween and of course , the mad mad December rush.Coupled with these are the feast days of the Catholic Church. Many villages here are named after saints, San Fernando, San Marcelino… even the beer here is named after my patron saint “San Miguel”!(St Michael) Despite the ecomonic gloom , it seems that the shopping will continue and shops and stores will have to offer discounted products to cater for this busy time.
So as we approach All Saints tide and the “Christmas rush” let’s take some time to thank the Good Lord for the blessings we do have , even in these somewhat uncertain and trying times.
Blessings , good wishes and love to you all

Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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82. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 18, 2008 at 6:46 am

Thank you for that story Michael. It’s always of value, especially at this time of year and in these financially challenging times in general, that we remember to take stock of where we’re at and where we have come from.

Your detailed memory is my memory too … in fact it is the memory all of us in this unique community. And yes, it weren’t so bad now, wazzit?

There was a comfortable routine to life, orderliness and organization. We wanted for nothing … other than personal love and TLC. The sanity of that order, gave us all a basis to be able to take care of ourselves when we finally ventured out on our own. Some better than othes of course, but for all, BTN (better than nothing).

There is a war on poverty overcoming us all, a malaise has set in and the belief that the worst is yet to come is endemic.
America is ground zero – having start this ball rolling. You can see the roll back of prosperity everywhere. Forclosure and For Sale signs on property and on cars on roadsides … everywhere.

Sidewalk Yard Sales are to be found everyday in every suburb … including Beverly Hills … where I passed through last week … albeit the quality of personal and household products were of a ‘luxurious’ nature.

Homeowners are underwater (owing more on their homes than they are currently worth) … some 12 and half million in USA at present … expecting to rise to 15 million by years end.
Sub-prime mortgages that were signed up at this time last year, are due to kick into a higher interest rate between now and early next year and that is going to bring down a few more castles and fortresses of finance … thus a 1929’s depression is not an impossibility … extrapolated across the globe … it could be horrific. So finding a piece of high ground and growing vegetables might not be such a bad idea.

The important things though, are not related to money and commodities. Family above all else are our most prized ‘possessions’ and as Yuletide advances, this is a good time to draw them near and tell them you love them … and give thanks to the Creator for their blessings.

I am planning to return to Holland, to become a grandfather in real time to my daughter’s two and my son’s first expected early next year. It means quitting America … which has been my St. Goggies for the past 8 years, although I have lived here for nearly 20 years.

Winter in Nederland is miserable and I’ve been living in the most temporate climate in the world for too long – to risk returning before March next year. Early spring is time enough to climatize … and time enough to start another life … as an oupa.

‘Hlalagahle shamwaris’,

DCLP.
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83. vanessa hurlimann | October 28, 2008 at 9:40 am

DC, perhaps you’ll find some ground to grow veggies in Holland….think that’s the only way we’ll all survive…and help others too
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84. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 29, 2008 at 5:59 am

Don’t forget the highground Vanessa. The Netherlands, or Pas Bas (pay bah) as it is called in French, means lowlands – as most of Holland lies a meter below sea level.

Now veggies grow very well there but you need the high ground to protect your crops. With reference the French, when they were starving and had no bread, Marie Antoinette lost head for a cup cake remark. Nothing is more dangerous than a hungry mob.

We have a home there on the shores of Naarder Meer (what was once the Zuiderzee until the dykes broke in 1953). Once rebuilt, the Dutch pumped out the salt water and pumped in pure water and thus Naarder Meer (or the Waddenzee) was born.

My family’s home there is just outside an 11th. century town called Naarden (a Vesting Stad – a walled city) in the shape of a 5 pointed star and remains today, the most well-preserved vesting stad in the world with a modern yuppy population of about 3500 souls. The surrounding walled battlements, which also housed the amory and the army, is a museum today surrounded a by a beautiful moat (ice in winter).

What is interesting for South Africans, is thast Simonstel down in the Cape, is an almost exact duplication of it excepting for the moat (and ice).

Our home is housed on the Theosophical Societies old property … Madame Blavatsky et al. Under the leadership eventully of Annie Bezant and her cohort, the pedophile Charlie Ledbetter (an American), they discovered Khrisnamuti in Puna and tried to present him in the west as the new Messiah under the Order of The Star. At age 24, wise man that he was, he turned his back on them and started his own ministry in Ommen (Holland) and eventually established a home and learning center in Brockwood Park in England and a library and haven in the Ojai Valley … up the road from me here in California.

We have 18 hectares of forest and gardens surrounding our home and cannot see a neighbor’s house for the woods. Plenty of space to grow vegetables of course. But let’s hope that growing veggies will be the least of our needs. Besides … South Africans are the original vleisvreters as I remember it and despite a British passport, I’m still one of you.

So will someone start up the braai.
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85. vanessa hurlimann | October 30, 2008 at 6:34 pm

A little info….. When she was initially confronted by the poverty of the French people, the queen responded, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” (“Let them eat cake”). There are a variety of versions concerning the circumstances under which Marie Antoinette supposedly first said these words (ranging from peasants coming to the gates of Versailles begging for food to her driving through Paris and seeing the condition of the peasants on her own). However, the quote actually comes from the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who commented over twenty years before Marie Antoinette’s birth that a “certain princess” said it, the supposed princess being Louis XIV’s queen, Maria Theresa of Spain. Maria Theresa’s quote was, “S’il ait aucun pain, donnez-leur la croûte au loin du pâté”, which roughly translates to, “If there be no bread, give them the crust off of the pâté”. Though this claim concerning the Spanish princess is also backed up by the comte de Provence, it is unknown if she, or any other French queen, actually ever said it……………..now would there have been as much ado had she used any other word other than ‘cake’??
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86. PERCY MAREE | November 1, 2008 at 10:56 pm

My name is Percy Maree,I was in St george’s from 1957-1960.I was in Beaton House for a year housemaster was the Bug Capner.
Then to Spackman house housemaster was Burnie Moss,then Brian Doswell.I was in the cadet squade that won best cadets for our region 1959.
I have many good memories of the home.I remember the followin boys some good some bad.,
Nutsy Moore ,Tommy Geddes ,Bobby Geddes. Auther Geddes,
Michael Mills, Ritchard Channer,Sam Viljoen,Errol Fouche,Brian Ford,Fatty Bloemfeild,Percy Yates,Melcolm Jones,Aulbrey Card,
Horse Wiltshire,Inchy Keyser,Geordie Geordan,Paul Kruger,
Keith Watson.All these fellows I remember with fondness.The
worst bully in the home at that time was Johnie Kruger It would be interesting to meet him now.
All the masters at that time were pretty good ,Bomba Brown,
Daddy Hale,Snake Robson .I have many stories to tell but I will
save them for later.
My email address is terrymaree@aapt.net.au should anyone care to contact me
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87. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 2, 2008 at 10:50 pm

Welome Percy Maree.

What a surprise!. I have been lamenting the lack of contact with any of my contemporaries for the past few months on this blog … and there you are! An exact peer of the same period and I cannot for the life of me … put a face on your name. I have truly drawn a blank. I was there from 1955 to mid-year 1959.

Many of the names you mention above are familiar to me, some are not … but Johnny Kruger (Paul’s younger brother), was a small-fry bully compared with Spackman House’s Billy Malan.

Bomba Brown was the Housemaster who accompanied the July, 1958 Advance Party to Umtentweni that year, to set up camp for the rest of the guys arriving a week later. I was the senior man on the team.

Forgive me that I cannot recall you. Perhaps you might remember me … I was probably a couple of years older than you and in Taylor House.

Nontheless, I hope in the coming days you’ll spill some of those stories you promised to tell later … perhaps therein I’ll detect a memory recollection with which to identify you.
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88. PERCY MAREE | November 4, 2008 at 12:12 am

Thank you Leslie Pringle .Yes I do remember your name but like you its hard to put a face .I was in one of the advance prtys to camp Umtemtwini I am not sure if it was 58or 59, I do remember the train trip down with great pleasure,we managed to meet a couple of girls and go to dinner with them ,and spend a very nice evening.
I remember Paul Kruger Hit a fellow called Michael Omahar,he was in Beaton house,he walked around for months with a very swollen face.
Inchy Keaser was drum major of the band.He had a brother who was killed with one of the Eggling brothers on the Beit brige crossing Mr Doswell used to organize these outings,through the outward bound movement.
I was involved as well when I hiked to Durban,then worked a
passage on a coastal steamer to Port Elizabeth then hiked back to St Georges.
Errol Fouche could play a mouth organ the likes I have never heard again,he also used to play the bugle which was a pleasure to hear. When Daddy Hale would releave our house master he would play My Fair lady over the loud speakers.
I remember Willie the Zulu cheif who was the camp cook ,he
would make a stew in a 45 gallon barrel which we used to call skilly,enough for today.
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89. Michael Rossouw | November 4, 2008 at 3:30 am

Dear Friends
Welcome to Percy, especially. Many of the names you mentioned were legends in their day at the Home, most of them having left by the time I’d arrived in 1961, but their fame (and in some cases infamy!) lived on in the stories told by those older than I who knew them. It was Snake and Mrs Robson and their daughter Daphne who met me when I arrived as a new boy at nine years old at Taylor house and who walked me down to Beaton House which was my new home for the next 4years until I went to Taylor House in 1964.
Nutsy was a frequent assistant master at Camp in Umtentweni during his university days from Rhodes and the Geddes brothers were still in the Home when i started in 1961. Tom was Home Prefect and Head of Spackman House, Bobby was Drum Major of the band and Arthur was a side drummer or bugler. Fatty Bloomfield was an NCO in what was probably the finest Cadet detachment in the country, namely #504. During my Officers training at Kimberley, many of the PF officers were in awe of what St Georges managed to do in preparing the boys for their stint of Military training and indeed for that university called “life”
In Hindsight, most of us turned out OK, but I often wonder whether there was an alternative to cadet training as part of our upbringing. Perhaps the difference in the Home’s approach was that the Home was founded as a memorial to those who gave their lives in World War 1 and the boys who first entered the home were orphaned as a result if that tragedy.
Mr. Capener had retired when I came to the home. I believe the boys called him “Bug” because he was a world famous authority on entomology. Bernie Moss went on to become a priest in the Anglican Church, having married Elizabeth his lovely wife, a woman much younger than he and he having been a confirmed bachelor up until then.
There were legends about the famous “rebellion” led by boys at that time against Brian Doswell’s and Tommy Strong’s treatment of the boys. Can anyone enlighten me?
I believe the whole senior section went on strike and sat on the main field for a day or so until the boys were eventually persuaded that confrontation was not the answer.

My first cadet parade was a disaster. The frequent electricity cuts that day, courtesy of the summer rains and the Bedfordview village council, were not restored and I well remember facing 2nd Lt Lucien Lombard, Capt JJ De Jager and the OC Capt Ken McHolm along with Student officers of the likes of Albert De Jager, Neill Aitken, Ronnie Lancaster (the only SO I think who as physically disabled young man went on to win the Wit Command S/O’s shield) and Drum Major Graeme Krog’s laughter, humiliation and ridicule when they looked on at this “cub” and saw my unironed, much creased uniform. Needless to say I spent a lot of time ironing, something I now leave to my domestic worker.
The square-bashing in the squad was not for me, so I joined the band, not for an easier time ,but because I thought I possessed the rudiments of a good ear for music and I enjoyed the frequent outings we had playing at school fetes and memorial services for the ILH and RLI parades.( these days I sing in the bath and sometimes in the Cathedral Choir as well as play the occasional note on my trombone and sing songs with my 3 chords and a guitar to my students!)

I’m a little out of touch but I do know that cadets as we knew it is no longer part of the curriculum. Some schools do have bands but they no longer wear Khaki and they have a range of Brass instruments. Boys and Girls are now part of these marching/brass bands.

I always remember November being a busy time. There was the Annual Inspection, the Memorial service ( a service at St Georges which was not like any other in the country I believe, as we had to have permission to use the Home’s flag on the cataphault and have cadets carrying .303 rifles in the Guard and the Colour party) the Carol Service, awards parades, head’s inspection etc. and of course Examinations , all of which kept us very busy.

Once Advent season had arrived at the beginning of December (something Beebop Clayton always reminded us was that Advent marked the beginning of the Liturgical year) we knew we were near “the end” and a long Christmas Holiday would be our just reward. Christmas and New Year were different even though they marked the coming to end of one year and the beginning of another. Who can ever forget the Annual “Splash” at Christmas in the Home, for many of us the best and perhaps only real Christmas treat?

On a more sombre note, I shall attend the Remembrance Day service at Holy Trinity Makati here in the Philippines on Nov 9th to remember all those who died in War. I shall also quietly remember the names of those Old Boys who gave their lives in War and shall, as I do daily, pray for peace. I shall also represent my school and the Episcopal Church in the Annual Thanksgiving service here in Subic and Olangopo. I’m a little nervous as the President of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo will be present. (I remember well meeting Nelson Mandela in 1999 when he visited Kimberley. That in itself was a moment in my life when I was speechless. That for me IS something. I’m not sure meeting President Arroyo will have the same effect!)

It seems though that we now live in an age of a different conflict; one of managing to survive in a world badgered by economic downturns, climate change, conflicts in one region or another, earthquakes , tsunamis and the like.
Looking at the History books and sources of information (of which there is seemingly no end these days) I often wonder if our time is really any different from any other. I guess the disasters are similar; it’s just our technology and method of handling these which is different.
So I leave you with these ramblings and muses…

You are probably asking yourselves whether this old fool has anything better to do…Well, I do, but writing to this site is a way of also avoiding the things I put off doing because they aren’t as pleasant.

Till next time, stay well and may God Bless you all.
Blessings

Deacon Michael Rossouw
(Subic Bay, Philippines)
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90. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 4, 2008 at 6:27 am

You’re an almost personal diary Michael. It’s so pleasant to listen to (read) what you call your ramblings. Quiet, simple snippets of memory that instantly draw me back to familiar surroundings and old companions. Yes, it was like that. I still remember.

Well Percy, I’m no closer to putting a dial to a moniker than I was a day or two ago, but our time there overlapped and several of those you mention, were either my personal buddies or my class mates.

Errol and Nutsy, Tommy’s older brother Nicholas Geddes, Inchy Keyser … who also served with me in the BSAP in Rhodesia and Paul Kruger my senior and his younger sibling, Johnny who was my junior. Horse Wilshire, along with Freddy Oosthuizen were my last two closest buddies before I left in July ’59.

I earlier wrote of Ronnie and Eddie Ackerman … that was an error of memory … they were Ronald and Edwin Lancaster. The amazing twins who treated their polio handicap not as crippling, but as an inconvenience. I’m not surprised to read of Ronald’s miltiary achievement. They both considered themselves as normal and as competitrive as anyone else.
Thanks for bringing their names into focus, Michael.

Inchy Keyser had two older brothers, Herman in the middle and Patrick the eldest. Patrick was a detective with CID in the BSAP in Bulawayo … so I must presume that it might have been he that died in the Beit bridge accident.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4th. America goes to the election booth. All the polls show Barak Obama leading John McCain by 11 percentage points.

McCain is a war monger – Barak is a peacemaker … the World needs him – not just America.

There are a lot of racialist groups in this country; White Supremists, Aryan Nation, Ku Klux Klan etc. who don’t want a black man running this country. He contradicts all of their supremist rhetoric.

Barak knows it … so did Martin Luther King … but they both know/knew that they have/had no choice but to ‘go for it’ … because there was no one else to do the job.

I’m rooting for Obama of course, and I know that his chances of steering this country and thus the world, away from the brink of disaster … economic, political and climatic dissarray notwithstanding are slim … but if a man with a reasonable amount of moral authrotity cannot do it … who can?

I pray for him … and fo all of us. May God bless us all.
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91. Thomas Bainbridge | November 4, 2008 at 7:29 pm

I was at St George’s from 1953 to 1959. A lot of the names are familiary to me . Anyone know where Owen Jones and Richard Allum are?
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92. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 5, 2008 at 2:32 am

Thomas Bainbridge — Carrot Top Bainbridge I presume?

You had a brother, as best I can remember and were yourself in Taylor House. Dickie Allum was in the BSAP in Rhodesia when last I saw him in 1964. He was married and was about to have his first child.

That’s about as much as I can tell you. Owen Jones I last saw in St. Goggies shortly before I left. From there the trail grows cold ….

Nice to touch base … I remember you, a freckle face junior who came up from Simpson House. If I am not mistaken, you were in my dorm when Dickie was PL and I corporal.

So, slowly my contemporaries are surfacing … maybe soon someone from my own generation with whom I used to run around with.

Welcome on board Tom. Take the helm and tell us a tale since leaving SGBH.
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93. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 5, 2008 at 6:41 am

President Barak Hussein Obama.

Sounds like a new dictator in Africa doesn’t it?

This country is jubilant! The ‘race’ is over … in more ways than one. Now little black kids in Haarlem and South East
L. A. can really believe in the American Dream … just like the little white boys and girls. Yes, you can achieve whatever you want to in America!

It was a resounding victory, both for Obama and for the Democrats. The America people have spoken. Stop the War, fix the problems in Washington and Wall Street, improve education, health care and the environment. Produce jobs and solve the energy problems of the future.

This President faces bigger obstacles than any other American president in modern history. Not since FDR in 1934, has a president had to deal with so many catastrophic situations at the same time. He’s going to need all the help he can get … from both sides of the political isle … and therein lies the rub.

Most hate groups vote Republican and this victory doesn’t sit well with them. It is going to be a delicate balance for the man to succeed.

However, I hope that by his example … that some African heads of State will finally grow up and rise to the occassion, stop playing petty bullies and finally lead Africa into the 21st . century as vital producers and participants in the economics of the world.

Whether you are aware of it in Africa or not, it IS a New Day and it will be a New World with a black President of America.

Saihedi.
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94. Thomas Bainbridge | November 5, 2008 at 6:08 pm

Hello Dudley
Well your memory is definately much better than mine – maybe I should have eaten more carrots ! Not much of the carrot top left mind you.
I can’t remember whether you were the Good, the Bad or the Ugly !!
I seem to recall that Stuart was my paid protector at one stage. Yes, I have a younger brother, Frank and in fact my three sisters were at Johannesubrg Children’s Home at the same time as we were at St Georges. After leaving St Georges I was friendly with Owen Jones, younger brother of Taffy Jones but lost contact with him when I got married in 1972. Richard and his wife Barbara visited me in Cape Town in the early sixties whilst they were on honeymoon. I got a telegram from then when I got married and that’s the last contact.
I was a farmer until 8 years ago when we moved back to Joburg – it is impossible to farm in South Africa because of the crime and safety issues – we ourselves were victims of a farm attack and I survived a bullet wound in the chest !! My brother Frank is a Metallurgist and lives with his second wife in Benoni He has 4 sons and a daughter. He makes up for me as I don’t have any children – I myself have been married to the same old bat for nearly 37 years!
We are hoping to retire within the next few years, down to Wilderness in the Cape (between George & Knysa) where we have a small holding overlooking the sea and lakes.
The American elections have been receiving lots of air time over here and you’d swear that South Africans had something to do with his being elected. It certainly is a time of change!
Since leaving St Georges I have not had contact with anyone else. If ever you are in SA we would love to meet up with you.
All the best
Thomas and Zita Bainbridge aka carrot top and his old bat!
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95. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 5, 2008 at 10:48 pm

The Bat & The Carrot Top.

Mmm … sounds like a bedtime story. And to answer your unasked question; I was definitely ‘The Bad’ in the mix. However, I did not know that my elder sibling had been engaged in mercenary activities. Your body guard … from whom … one wonders … I’ll have to tap him on that one.

Congratulations on 37 years of ‘batting’. I’ve been hooked for 32 … although our son is 40 this month. Seems we ‘homies’ really needed that TLC experience.

I remember Taffy Jones from Spackman very well … also a greart bugler and thanks for the inviatation … who knows which way the wind will blow tomorrow …

Is it just me, or has anyone noticed that very little personal history since our respective St. Goggies days, has been revealed in this blog? Besides, John & Michael Roussow, Albert De Jager, Remy & Anon, few of you have told much about the intervening years of your lives. This is a Forum … it is an unique opportunity to share our lives with each other once again … through this remarkable medium call the Net … and which I call The Matrix. (That what connects us together)

We all passed briefly through each other’s lives … either in real time … or in overlapping slices of it. Moments in time they might be, but for those brief few years, we were as brothers sharing a common umbrella in the storms of life. We had very little else but each other to depend on and a cacoon to shelter us from the deluge of poverty around us.

We had an unique experience … for most it is with good & fond memories, for a few it was less so. For those I am truly sad … they got a double whammy … being there and having a lousy experience at the same time.

… and, has anyone noticed the delightful slices of poems and quotes that Vannessa Hurlimann slips in every now and then like an hor’s deourves.

I must presume that Percy Maree and Carrot Top Bainbridge knew each other back in the day … I’m guessing you’re about the same age and were there at the same time.

Luv this hookup.
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96. Thomas Bainbridge | November 6, 2008 at 6:00 pm

This is the old bat speaking. Here comes the ball for the six – its actually the old bat that ‘s doing the typing whilst HIMSELF dictates, because HIMSELF is not interested in Computer stuff. I am his personal secretary for the purpose of these communications as he dictates to me what he wants to say.
Back to HIS WORDS –
I don’t regret going to the Home (even though I was unhappy at the time) – but due to my karmic situation, I realise and accept that it was meant to be and hope that I made the best of it. It certainly taught me discipline which played a very big part in my role as a dairy farmer. We are both great animal lovers and strict vegetarians and follow Santmat (a form of spiritual yoga). Most folks find us quite wierd because we are happy and content to be by ourselves , we don’t do the eating out, dinner parties, movies and shows that seemsto be a big part of life in Joburg.
I don’t remember Percy although, as I stated earlier, my memory at the moment is still blank. I was at St Georges from 1953 to 1959.
The news we really want to share with you today, is that after finally reading through all the messages, we discovered that Fr Richardson lives around the corner from us – literally 5 minutes away. We phoned him and he actually remembered me !! We will probably go and see him this weekend!
Watch this space
T&Z
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97. john rossouw | November 6, 2008 at 6:27 pm

Welcome Thomas and Mrs (BAT) – i AM SURE HER REFRES TO YOU AS THAT WITH MUCH AFFECTION
We all need to use this forum to share our experiences of the home both good and bad as theirin lies the rich heritage which was once “our home”
Please make a point of visiting Fr Eric as he loves the company
You will find him remarkably sharp for his age of 96 (he even uses email and the internet) and reads with the aid of a huge magnifying glass
When our brother Des died in 2005 he officated the service together with our brother Michael
When I called him about the service and to ask him to officiate he said he battled to read so was a little reluctant until I jokingly reminded him he had done it so many times before he probably knew the service off by heart and the the odd misplaced phrase here and there would probably be condoned by “the big guy”

Regards to you all

John
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98. PERCY MAREE | November 6, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Hi Thomas Bainbridge,
I do remember you,You were Standard nine and I was in Standard seven,
This may be the reason you dont remember me. I also think the fact you chaps were in Talor house and i was in Spackmen,and you mixed with older boys, I was in Spackmen house dorm two,which was the same dorm as John Kruger Patrol Leader Tommy Geddes
Bobby Geddes and Auther Geddes It would be good to hear From some Spackman house boys.
Reading the other emails I noted That when John Ford Nicked a
Motor cycle and got killed, the real story is that his name was
Brian Ford he went to a party and one of the day boys let him
ride the bike ,on the back of the bike was Michael Mills they came past the home on the bike Brian was killed and Michael was injured.
I remember a big strike took place in the home about the lunches we were given to take to school, which consisted of two slices of brown bread with a mixture of peanut butter and syrup and an orange,we then received better lunches after that.
I left the home in 1960 had some time on the railway as a steward,
then joinrd the SA Navy.After that i joined IBM .
I imigrated to Australia where I currently live ,I am now retired from my Position as Queensland Manager for TNT Austalia
I turned 64 yesterday.
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99. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 7, 2008 at 7:35 am

Many happy returns for the day … yesterday Percy. Well at least I got that part of my memory correct. I figured you had to be 2 or 3 years younger than me. Slowly an old picture comes together.

So you’re downunder … I have a brother-in-law living in Avalon near Sydney. He’s been there over 40 years (originally Dutch like my wife). He races catamarans when he’s not making money and says that Aussie is the country of the future. I don’t know about that … one way or the other … but I do recall reading a remarkably horrific history of Australia called; ‘TheFatal Shore’ by Robert Grey. What a frightful beginning to start a nation it turned out to be.

And thanks for setting the record straight on Brian Ford.

Welcome to the mix too Zita … are you really an old bat? Himself has got you saying it now … must be tiime to trade himself in methinks. Nevertheless, it really is nice to hear two people are still getting it on after 37 years of marriage. Two thumbs up to you both.

Father Richardson entered St. Goggies shortly after I left, so I did not get to know him … but once when I visited there, I met him and he knew my name … which surprised me. So when you go to visit him, please pass on my very best wishes to him. I was known then as just Dudley Pringle.

Glad to see you’re back in traction John. I gather that you’re somehow involved in the banking or financial world and for which reason I would like to point your nose in the direction of a website; http://www.serioustaxreform.com written by a friend of mine. On the site he has also posted an article called; The Sub-Prime Mortgage Solution. You’ll find both of them interesting and suitable as models for other countries too … including SA.

The last dozen pages of the Tax Code discusses Funding of Education and that is particularly elegant and noteworthy reading.

At the end of the day …it is more important what you know than who you know … if you want to be your own man.

Stay happy Michael … out there in the jungles of Subic Bay. Did they ever get rid of all that soot?

And whart happened to Albert?
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100. Michael Rossouw | November 8, 2008 at 8:26 am

Dear Friends
‘Good to hear from you! This is just a “quickie” as I must get to Manila for tomorrow’s Memorial Service at Holy Trinity.
Thomas, I recall your name but am probably more familiar with your brother Francis.
He was a senior when I was a ‘cub’ in Beaton House.
I believe he went on into the world of banking after leaving the Home. He may have worked for Anglo American coz I remember meeting him at Lunch one day when I worked at UAL.
Francis as I remember was very studious and worked hard at school. He enjoyed Accounting and was tutored if I remember by Allan Burgess his housemaster in Taylor House. “Budgie” taught at Malvern High as a Maths and Science master. JJ de Jager too taught at Malvern as a maths master. He went on to lecture in Psychology at JCE having studied at Rhodes in Grahamstown.
(Probably one of the reasons I studied at Rhodes was because Nutsy and JJ had both studied there. My brother like Budgy was is a Wits Graduate. “Daffy Adsetts” also a master at the Home in my brothers time was also a “Witsie”. He went on to become chaplain at St John’s College after he left the Home after his stint as a master.
Two of my former Patrol leaders Georgie Budd and Eric Colyn (I think) migrated to Oz, Geogie Budd leaving soon after matric and Eric in St 6.
Boy, for a bunch of Homeboys we are very far from SGH and Selipas Stores!
I was at a school camp recently. Not one under canvas but the surroundings in Zambales seemed familiar and similar to Umtentweni, although the view of the sea from our campsite was more spectacular.
So I close. I shall think of those who have died in War and pray for their families.
Some how I hear “Beebop” intoning the versicles in our Evensong service “Give peace in our time, O Lord” and those in the congregation respond ” For it is Thou O Lord that makest us dwell in safety”
For the Agnostics I’m sorry if I appear to be preaching but this was the product of my education at St George’s.
To those who were drawn to other Faiths as a result of their being at the Home, know well that all of us desire Peace and Prosperity for all, living in a spirit of tolerance and acceptance of each other. Heaven knows we need it now more that ever.
When I was in Thailand, I spent much time visiting the Wats (temples) of the Buddhist monks and the Hindu temples. If nothing else that experience taught me that, to quote the Theologian Hick, “God has many names”. The fellowship to which I belong asks that we accept God as we understand God… In Burma, it was in that place where I felt (even as a Christian) I had been there before. Perhaps the childhood fascination with names like , Bangkok, Mandalay , Rangoon and Singapore which were embedded on my psyche by great teachers like Ma Noakes and Vera Kirkland and Ma Mc Arthur having been my History and English teachers. If that experience did nothing else, the Buddhist monk told me, ‘it will make you a better Christian’. I was also privileged to learn about and visit the place where Thomas Merton spent his last days.He as Roman Catholic priest and monk, encouraged dialogue between people of all faiths. He died under mysterious circustances in Thailand. The CIA may have had a hand in his death given his opposition to the War in Vietnam, but that is sheer speculation and, like the asassinantion of John F Kennedy has never been proved.
Perhaps with recent events in the US we may be heading for a period of great change; change we can believe in.
Then I have to remind myself to “put not my trust in princes!”

Alas I ramble on.
I shall be thinking of you all tomorrow. I’ll remember those on our Roll of Honour as well as all who died in War. Pray too for a solution to the conflict in the Congo. What a mess and the politicians still talk seeming unable to encourage those who cling to power to let go.
In my chat with Fr Norman recently he often wonders what has happened to the churches he established in Zimbabwe under the Mugabe regime.

I must however remind myself that the coming season of Advent is a season of Hope.

Blessings and love to you all

Brother Michael

PS Dudley, We do have clean air in Subic despite some pollution from shipping and much also in the river.
The local authorities here are “on top of it” though there is always room for improvement in managing the environment. “The Earth” as the Psalmist says “ is the Lord’s”.
We are its custodians for the time we have here.
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101. Steve Towse | November 10, 2008 at 2:27 am

I was a Project Volunteer (from UK)in Beaton House 1976/7, Simpson House 1977/8. I’ve just had Fr Clayton visit for the week.He is well and would wish to have contact from any home boys who remember him, especially former members of the choir, his photography group, or anyone who went on his caravanning jaunts, please email me and I will pass any message on.
Anyone remember me? please get in touch. steve.to@hotmail.co.uk
steve.
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102. Wendy Thompson/Jones | November 10, 2008 at 6:05 am

Hi Steve You forgot to post yr email address:) I know it is in an earlier post on this blog – hope u don’t mind but just going to copy again here – steve.to@hotmail.co.uk. Cheers Wendy
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103. john rossouw | November 10, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Greetings all
Over the weeend I watched the test match on TV between the Springboks and Wales and was moved by the sounding of the last post and the laying of wreaths by the two captains in memory of the fallen during the war. I was instantly transported back to my time at the home, both as a boy and as a 5 year old boy visitor attending the annual memeorial service amongst other events. My brother Michael aptly describes events of the parade in his posting above but mine goes one level further. In listening to the last post before the match I thought of my late brother Desmond and my brother Dave both of whom were privelleged to play this and revallie on these occasions. Dave still blows a mean trumpet even at the age of 51 and he proved this at Ken Mc Holm’s memeorial service where he played these significant pieces at the end of the service.
For an instant, I was reminded too that St Georges was founded by Noel Aldridge as a war memorial for boys orphaned in the war and I too recalled in my own mind the roll of fallen home boys including Raymond Hunter from our time in the seventies who was killed fighting the border war on behalf of the then SA Nationalist government
Looking back some 30 years on I have no doubt the whole thing was an exercise in futility but we cannot change history
Today their are many who carry emotional scars of their time in Angola and more and more stories are emerging of those who wish to tell “what really happened”
My brother in law was a medical doctor on patrol with the Reckies and he was awarded the Honorus Crux for bravery
He too despite his patriotism has many untold stories
Steve it is great to hear that Fr Clayton is well
Please pass on my regards and tell him I still have an unfinshed lettter which I need to send him.
Unfortuntely I have travelled quite a bit this year on business so I have not been back to the home to complete my work on the archives which is what is holding me up
Thanks too DC for the website references on the sub prime crisis

Regards to you all

John
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104. PERCY MAREE | November 13, 2008 at 8:02 am

G/Day All,
after reading all the blogs i feel that there is a common thread of all of us and that is to know what has happened to a lot of our friends that meant so much to us
Dudley you asked about Nikky Geddes, the last time I saw him he had a interior decorating business at the bottom of End st in JHB,
I read in another blog that bobby Geddes was married to Peggy Morgan of Malvern High and that Bobby was the groundsman of the school,it may be possible to follow up that avenue.
Thomas Bainbridge,you may not remember me,but do you remember Richard Channer “red” ,Sam Viljoen also a red head.
both good friends of mine at that time.
There are two boys I know who have come to Australia.
Eddie Colyn and Michael Eggling, Eddie had a club foot and was in Beaton House, a very nice guy.
In 1988 I came to St Georges with my family and had a look around. I have some photo’s of that visit. My wife died of breast cancer the following yaer, my two boys were age 10&12 ,I was encouraged to put them in a boarding school but I decided to look after them myself. I have never remarried and my boy’s have grown up to be fine young men . i think I got that
determination from Home ,not wanting them to go through what I went through.
Horse Whitshire I remember was a tall fellow with curly black hair,
Regards to you all
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105. john rossouw | November 13, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Greetings all

Just to let you know I visisted with Fr Richardson last night on my way home from work
He had been discharged from Sandton clinic the day before follwing an op to remove gallstones but you would never have guessed it from his up beat demeaner
He had just finished saying evensong in his armchair when I arrived which he reads at the end of each day
He was also very pleased at having heard from Thomas and I spent some time loading the link to this blog on his desktop (yes he uses a computer at the age of 96) so he will take some time to read all our postings
Hopefully I can convince him to post a comment or two in time
I dropped him off later in the evening at the home of Michael Campbell and his wife Rene where he has dinner every Wednesday evening
Michael is well and is CEO of a major staineless steel manufacturer and we spent some time chatting about business in general in particuklar the global credit crisis
As it transpires KPMG are their auditors and some of my colleagues do a fair bit of advisory work for him
Fr Richardson has an amazing memory
It was dark by the time we left yet he know exactly where to go and how to get to the house which I found remarkable
Wendy I mentioned to him that you and your family are down in Natal and he will let his son Michael know as he is keen to hear news of Herb and Marion
Regards as always to you all

John
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106. Wendy Thompson/Jones | November 13, 2008 at 3:45 pm

Hi John
Thanks. I know that my dad has had contact with Michael from time to time. Michael’s practice is very near to where we live and as KZN is such a small place it isn’t too difficult to bump into people! He can always write to my folks care of my email address – a number of people do that – palmoil@telkomsa.net. Regards Wendy
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107. Thomas Bainbridge | November 13, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Hi All
Yes, we visited Fr Richardson on Saturday and I phoned him earlier this evening to find out how he was after his “visit” to Sandton Clinic.
We enjoyed our tea and cake with him – and I agree, what an amazing memory he has.
We will visit him again.
Percy, I regret I do not remember Richard Hunter and Sam Viljoen – my brother Frank will know them I’m sure.
Sorry we haven’t been commicating but we are just very busy at the moment – looking forward to things getting quiet nearer to Christmas.

………. This is Zita here – sorry, I always have to butt in – but I would really like to tell Percy that I am pleased he didn’t send his boys to boarding school. I was at boarding school and whilst it can’t be as bad as being in an orphanage, you feel that same sense of loss and lonliness not being with loved ones. So well done Dad.!
John – my beloved younger late brother was in Angola – what a devastating experience for him and all those young boys.
And Brother Michael – I read up about Thomas Merton – ashamed to say that although I was brought up a Catholic, I had never heard about him. Thank you – he was an amazing person and someone I can admire – inter-religion understanding…. what wars would not be fought if all could realise the importance of this…… all roads lead to God and home!

Take care all
Thomas & Zita
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108. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 28, 2008 at 7:30 am

Thanksgiving Day.

After a week of firestorms that devastated three major Californian communities, followed by two days of solid rain and mudslides, today Thanksgiving Day, the sun came out and the state experienced a glorious day in time to celebrate this most important American holiday.

This is the day when most people travel across the country to be home with their families and relatives and a day, when St. George came to the rescue of a country in crisis.

Barak Obama, the President elect appeared on TV to outline exactly what he and his transition team will do to turn the tide of despair into a wave of new hope.

A good day to be thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving Day homies.
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109. Wendy Thompson/Jones | November 29, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Hi to everyone. a meesage from Steve Towse – His hotmail email address has been ‘hijacked’ by a Nigerian/scam artist. He asks that until he has an alternative address that if you wish to write to either him or Beebop you can send emails to me at palmoil@telkomsa.net and I will forward them on to him. Regards Wendy
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110. Anonymous | December 18, 2008 at 9:30 pm

As Christmas draws near
the time to be with those we hold dear
the memories of all bad seems to fade
and new seasons with good reasons are made

Let the New Year usher in all we need
health and happiness…..not greed
lets put aside unwarranted strife
and focus on the good in life!!
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111. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 7, 2009 at 6:23 am

Happy New Year Homeboys!

I got disconnected from my email -hijacked by my own provider since December 6 – but am happy to report that today I got it back.

So I left the room and nobody moved … where have all the flowers gone? Nobody home?

Before I got locked out,there was a vibrant community out there chatting away. When did the music stop?

Well, don ‘t wait to breathe … carry on troopers … Breathe!
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112. Thomas Bainbridge | January 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Hi Dudley and all
Happy New Year to you and yours. They say that 2009 will be Two Thousand and Nice …….. Lets make that happen!
Carrot Top and the Old Bat
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113. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 12, 2009 at 8:57 am

New Year greetings to you too Tom and Zita.

2009 will be cancelled – due to lack of interest. Personally I don’t believe all the marbles will be gathered until well into 2012. This is America, there are more gremlins in the bag, so there’s more to come. And what happens here happens to the rest of the world. Jokes aside, if I had cash to invest, I’d buy a container of beans and a container of rice … and the containers to store them.

Jobs are falling here like nine pins! The State of California will run out o money by next month, unable to pay for it’s services and operations, healthcare, education, police and fire services, garbage collection street, cleaning etc. Nor to provide taxpayers with their tax refund checks. They are going to issue I.O.U’s.

Neither, Zwartsnegger and the Senate can get it together to pass a budget …now 6 months late. In the meantime, the state’s deficit is $41.5 billion … and this is the richest State and place on earth! So how’s the rest of the world doing?

I recall growing up in South Africa during that vital period after 1948 when everything we read from school books to newspapers and magazines, everything we heard on radio and saw in films (no TV until 1976) was totally censored.

Well it’s like that here too in a way … we hear and see very little of what’s happening outside of America other than the big disasters like earhquakes, tsunamis, terrorist attacks and of course Irak and Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine. But how everybody else is faring in the world in these trying days is unknown to us … the insular nature of America is expressed in a disdain for the affairs of other nations.

So very much like the attitude of the Colonial Masters themselves before the ‘Winds of Change’ speech by Haroild MacMillan in 1960 (then Prime Minister of UK). And this, despite universal access via the internet to everything. They just don’t care.

How are you doing John Rossouw? And how is the George Adam’s book and pictures project coming along? I want to thank you again for your story on Muhammad Yusef and the Grameen Bank. I’ve read it several times and one word jumps out at me: TRUST! That special relationship that Grameen has with it’s customers, is the very same ‘glue’ that is missing in the world in general at this time. Trust is the glue that binds us together and makes us strong. Without it, we are as individual stalks that break in the wind.

My brother Stuart speaks of a necessary change in our economic structure in his philosophy opus; Psyche-Genetics. A change from a monetary to a credit economy. We provide our services … whatever they are … for ‘value units’. We trade units for what we want … goods or other peoples services.

At the time I thought it an impossible ideal … but now …, with a worldwide monetary collapse taking place … this might be a good time to think about it.

Michael. I hope you had a lovely Christmas in the jungle. Have missed your ‘ramblings’.

Happy New Year Blane and to all of you … brothers.

Dudley Pringle.
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114. John Rossouw | January 12, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Greetings DC and all with best wishes for 2009
I have been very busy in recent weeks as the global crisis has hit our firm with a vengance with everyone scurrying for protection of whatever sort so the consulting industry is booming in terms of telling people what they should have done in the first place to avoid the trouble
I have been doing work in various forms with a majpr bank in S A and will be off to Dubai in Feb for more of the same
Xmas was a all too fleeting affair with the usual stress associated with this time of the year but we managed to get away to the coast for a few days for some salt air
Mike came out to stay with his daughter in Kimberly over Dec and came to me in Jan so we had a great few days together
Other than that its back to work as usual
The book is at the forefront of my mind and I have made it my purpose to complete the project in the next few months so hopefuuly I will have something to report soon
Rest assured to all I will get it done particularly as I made a commitment to Eric Richardson to do so
The Grameen article was finally published in the Dec issue of Living KPMG and the editor did some extra rersearch on quptes etc and the finished product with a number of my photos came out far better than I could ever have imagined
Good news is that City of Joburg seem to finally be putting the wheels in motion to do a similar initiative having set aside a R 50 mill grant so hopefully I will get to be involved in this very bold initiative on the ground and at grass roots level

Warm regardfs to you all

John
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115. Vanessa Hurlimann | January 13, 2009 at 7:14 am

Good to have you back online DCLP, as always – food for thought!!
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116. Wendy Thompson | January 13, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Greetings to everyone and may 2009 be a good year for everyone. Just returned from a two week visit to the UK where we managed to spend some time with Steve Towse and his family. We also chatted about a recent visit which Steve has had from Beebop. Take care.. Wendy
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117. Leslie DuPlessis | January 13, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Just discovered this site. My brothers, Martin DuPlessis and Andre DuPlessis and I, Leslie, were at SGH in the sixites. I have a couple of photos to post. Could you let me know how to do that. More later.

Blane says: Hi, Leslie. Thanks for stopping by and offering to share your photographs. Please send them to bvpr@mac.com – and be sure to include an explanation of dates, places and names in your email. I’ll have them posted for you – and all the other SGH Old Boys and friends – to see right away.
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118. Leslie DuPlessis | January 14, 2009 at 2:30 am

Thanks, Blane.
I’m just looking over the pictures and trying to remember any names. In the meantime, any homeboys want to get in touch, you can reach me at lewisdesoto@sympatico.ca

We’ve all been living in Canada since 1967, when we left SGH.

We were at Johannesburg Children’s Home and then moved to Beaton House and then to Spackman.

It’s a fantastic thing you are doing here, Blane. We thought our links to the past had disappeared.
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119. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 14, 2009 at 5:05 am

Seems like the folks are getting home from missing. The room’s filling up and I begin to hear good chatter again.

Keep talking.
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120. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 14, 2009 at 5:10 am

Coincidence!

Welcome Leslie DuPlessis. We share some common initials and our names even look a little alike … and my laundry number at SGBH 1955/59 was Taylor 116.
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121. Leslie DuPlessis | January 17, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Thanks, D.C. Watch this space for a photo of Beaton House boys in the early 1960’s. I’ll post it to Blane this weekend.

LD
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122. Ed Colyn | January 18, 2009 at 9:23 am

G`day 2 all,
Well it has taken me some time to seek out the web site of St.George`s home….its something that I`v been meaning to do some years back….but as usual, I put it on the back burner.But when I did find it yesterday(17/1/2009), I sat here and read all the pieces put on the site, some I will have to reread,but this I can say,after awhile tears came to my eyes as I remembered a lot of things that over the years seemed to fade, some good some not so good…..must be old age…(kidding)
My brother Eric come to Aust in1962, and I followed in Febury 1963.I found work, married and had 2 kids(1 Son,1Doughter and have 7grand kids)….Eric has 8 grand kids.When our kids were young we took em camping…and at night around the fire,Eric & myself would tell the kids stories of when we were in the home…..and to this day we tell our grand kids the stories as well.
Wow….they were the days…..I`d never ever want to have it any other way….they were the greatest. The only way I could really exspress this is letting u read a poem by an old boy.
There is a placeI call home.A place where I know
tears and laughter;where I knew work and play;
where there were fistfights and later friendships.
A place where I knew failure;but even greater
successes.There I learnt the value of human
relations, emotions and feelings.There I was
accepted not only for what I was,but in spite of
what I was. There I was happy. The place where
I grew up and spent the happiest days of my life-
the place I call home–is St.George`s Home.
(Written by a boy of the home)”Nutsy”
There is much that I could write about, but will put it in future comments on the page.This I can say…..things sure have changed since I was a boy there. I also have some photoes of some of the guys from my time in the home……if some one can let me know who to send em to,to publish on the site please let me know.Just one more thing,if any one knows the where abouts of the following and how I can or they can get in touch with me ; Fatty Bloomfield.
Franklin Herbst.
Nutsy Moore.
My email: teddyboy1945@bigpond.com
If any one else I have for gotten in some way or other and remembers myself or Eric would like to email there is my address.There are others I`d like to contact,so I`ll jog my brain.
Well guys…..hope to hear from some of you.
From the land downunder,
Ed.
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123. Leslie DuPlessis | January 18, 2009 at 8:43 pm

If anybody has an email address for George Adams, or if not, a mailing address, I would be grateful if you could pass it along to me.

lewisdesoto@sympatico.ca
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124. john rossouw | January 19, 2009 at 6:40 am

Welcome Ed and we look forward to many of your stories
Nutsy is / was a teacher in the Eastern Cape and I will try and get you some contact details via my brother Dave who too is a school headmaster
I was tidying up around the house on Sunday and came across a photo of the Umtentwini camp site and the sight of it too brought back an imediate flood of memories from those happy times
Please pop on to the facebook page to see many more pics from the home which I am still busy downloading when I get time

Leslie, George Adams turned 80 last year and I attended his birthday together with friends who included Des Steel from his era at the home as well as Paul Courtney from the 60’s.
Also in attendance was George Woods his godson who is the son of the late Eric Woods. I have some photos of the event which I need to post these on the SGH facebook site
George is unwell and has good days and bad. He suffes from Minea syndrome and I always need to call ahead of a visit to see if he is up to receiving visitors
He lives at the home of his lifelone friend Ria Scholtz just off Louis Botha Ave in East Street but is not on email so I will email you his telephone number in case you would like to give him a call
Trust that all bloggers are well

Regards

John
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125. PERCY MAREE | January 19, 2009 at 7:20 am

Hi Eddie Colyn
I was in the same dorm as you in spackman house in 1959,Jonny Kruger was the patrol leader,Tommy Geddes, Bobby Geddes,Henry Lubbe,Percy Waites,Sam Viljoen,Melcolm Jones, Thats as many as I can remember I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.I remember you very well.Good to hear you are well.
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126. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 20, 2009 at 5:34 am

The New Prince.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Tomorrow is Barak Hussein Obama Day … the crowning of the new prince day.

MLK was a man of Peace … as is BHO. At this time, as he takes over as Commander in Chief in a troubled world … it is prudent to recall MLK, who said:

‘One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but the means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.’

Let us pray that Obama (an admirer of MLK), continues that pursuit … as we have enough problems in this world without the burden of more war. Tomorrow morning at 9.00am California time, BHO will no longer be the President Elect. Long live the king!

… and welcome home Eddie Colyn. Seems SGBH has also moved to Australia, recalled in those fireside chats in the outback.
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127. Ed Colyn | January 20, 2009 at 10:00 pm

Thank you DC, John & Percy for the welcome to the SGBH site, I hope I can jog some brain power on some of the mischive that we all got up to…..and as well get in touch with others that I grew up with.John I will be sending em pics as soon as I can…not many but what I have I`ll send.
Hi Percy,Well my friend I see u`r a banana bender…me I`m a cockroach lol.I live just south of you over the border..Ballina..about 2 hrs drive.I remember u some & all u mentioned,but like u its hard remembering all names ect.I do remember my last 3 yrs in spackman house..Nutsy was pl…Bloomfield corp & I was down the list some where.My last yr 1962 I was pl of dorm 2.
Do you remember Patrick Doherty…he was 1 of the origanel bike riders when they started the cycling…he was a great mate ..I`d really like to get in touch with him if any one knows his where abouts ect.
I have to take off…but hope to be back later and tell some of my stories.Percy hope we can catch up some time soon and have a good chat.
So 2 all…keep smiling & stay safe where ever u mighht be.
Ed.
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128. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 24, 2009 at 5:59 am

Dust on the Wind.

May, 1957. Brian Wylie, head boy of Taylor House was in charge of a work group of yobos from Taylor one Saturday morning.

We had just completed the painting of the swimming pool the week before. Today we had to clean up around the pool and the gym … while water started running in to fill the pool. It would take all day and all night before that happened, but we were promised a dip in the deep end which would be about 3 to 4 deep by lunchtime.

So it was scything grass and picking up trash, washing down the diving boards etc. while keeping an eye on that water, slowly filling up from shallow end … where it ran down and over the freshly painted, bright skyblue sloping floor of the pool.

An half hour before lunch Big Wylie B called off the workforce and said; ‘Okay you’ve got 15 minutes to splash around, then out and ready for lunch.’

Some of the guys started peeling off clothes and stark naked, jumped into the shallow end and started sliding down on their asses on the running-water slope down to deep end.

I took one look at that lot, calculated the odds of one of us doing some serious damge to our doughnuts … and decided I didn’t want to be the one, so I jumped in and ran down the slope and skiied the last 10 ft. on flatfeet into deep end. The
water was cold but I felt like a king. That was great.!

The feeling was short lived.

“Pringle D!’ I heard Big B scream. ‘Get your ass over here – now!’ he commanded.

Brian Wyle was a big guy at 19 years of age. Really big, with wavey blonde hair, good looking and powerfully built. You didn’t mess with him, a smack from him would knock you off your feet. So what was my crime? What did I do?

‘Listen you little runt, get back in there and slide down on your ass.’

Why? I silently asked … but not aloud and not to him.

As if reading my thoughts .. ‘Because,’ he said, ‘You can break your frigging head doing that on your feet. So stay on your butt.’ With relief I jumped back into the shallow end and promptly ran two or three steps down the slope and flopped down on my butt.

But, instead of skidding down the slope in a splash of water,
my hands slipped in the water … out and away from my body and my upper torso simply just fell over backwards, so fast that I did not have time to brace my neck, and the back of my head banged down heavily onto the blue conrcrete floor.

Concussion! Of course I was taken to the sick bay and patched up but, for many years I could neither smell or taste anything … except, ‘dust on the wind’. I can’t explain it … but that was all I could smell.

To this day I still have a diminshed sense of both taste and smell.

Thanks Brian Wylie.

What this story is about is the innocuous. The seemingly unconnected, ordinary events of life … that can sometimes have a profound effect on you for the rest of your life. The choices we do or do not make that will affect the future we inherit as a result.

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us freedom of choice. The distinguishing feature that seperates us from the beasts.

I should have stayed on my feet.
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129. Ed Colyn | January 27, 2009 at 12:37 am

Umtentweni…..the best 3 weeks of the year.
Yep it was the best……but as most of us remember, a lot of thought went into it for a about a month befor we got there.It`d start of getting money for some of us,and that wasn`t to hard to get.In those days if you was in Marlvern high,we`d run after school all way back to the home,then next day sell our bus tickets to the kids who wasn`t in the home for half the price.Man we just used to make it back by 3-30 for role call…if u were late you`d be on report and Saterday arvo did extra work for being late.The money was used for soft drinks…big creamy cakes(and that was consumed on the train,the minute it pulled out of the station) and for rest for the time we were in camp.
The next 2 things most of us did,was make earoplane props to hold out train windows,untill the nail got so hot we`d have to stop and pull em back in…one time we nailed it to the outside of the carriage and watched it burn after a few hrs…great fun.The second thing we did was make our catterpillers….hummm some guys found the tounge of their shoes missing lol.Needless to say at night as we went thru stations we`d see if we could knock out the lights on the platforms or factory windows as we went thru some towns.My brother Eric got cought one year…as we got to Germisten out skirts, there were factorys and they had huge windows.Well Eric droped the window…set himself up to knock 1 of em out….as he pulled on the catty,the slideing door to the compartment opened and there stood housemaster Brown….needless to say Eric was camp bound for the first week we were there….but then again lol….he snuck out in the arvos,never cought doing that .
When we got to camp the next day…it was sorting our selves out and lunch…..then hit the beach in the arvo.First stop befor that was the little shop on the way….and I`m not sure if any of you remember the pinkys we bought…flat little pink chewable lollies….we`d buy heaps of em….that store keeper saw us comeing and stocked up on em.
Well for next 3 weeks it was great fun…surf and girls.The last couple yrs there,we`d have a rock & roll night with all girls that the guys could invite and man it was rockkk & rollllll.
Every morning it was clean up time…flaps rolled up…blankets put in a design ect.I used to love lunch time….thick slices of bread with a tin of salmon and all the milk you could drink….that was lunch Oh Yeahh.At night sometimes after lights out….we`d have catty fights with other tents,and if you got hit….man it hurt.In the mornings when we got up ,it was head for the slab and wash in cold water…that woke us up lol.About 4-5 years befor I left the home…some of us were selected to do the life saveing dutys….some guy showed us the basics…and we just thought our butts didnt stink…thinking on it today,all I can say is,thank God we didnt have to save any one,we would have most likely of drowned em instead lol.
The last couple yrs after tent inspection…Nutsy Moore &Tommy Geddes would get the guys who was in the cadet patrol for the comp…and we`d go thru our drill for about an hr every day.Man we hated that…marching up and down that road doing our drill…then all of a sudden Nutsy would get us singing the yank tune “sound off” as we marched.Well it was done and that was that…we didnt like it but we did the drill ect.After the 3 weeks was up…it was head back home….and for about a week the guys would walk around in a depression state.I used to think to myself ..hell here we go again 6 months of same ole same till xmas.Ther are other stories I can tell but have taken up much space here now ….so I`ll droped em stories in when ever.
So where ever you are….keep smileing and stay safe.
Ed Colyn
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130. john rossouw | January 27, 2009 at 8:53 am

Thanks for the camp memories Ed which certainly bring nack images of the little town we called home for 3 weeks of the year.
The little store to which you refer became known as “nutties and pinkies” in later years. The glorious train ride also fell away by 1975 as the government withdrew the subsidy from the home nd it was no longer economically viable so we went down to Tweni by bus which was not as great but still good fun. One of the busses were sponsored by the Old boys .Georg Admas recalls many camp stories in his book including the digging of pits 6X6 for misdemeanours and tales of Willy the chef who grew rounder as the years progressed. Camp was also good for games one of which was “get out and get lost” where we would be dropped off in a remote location at night and had to find our way home.
Camp in early years was held in Scotborrough higher up the coast unril Rev Short managed to procure the Tweni site which the home purchased. It was there that the lifesaving club rescued a swimmer which made front page headlines in the local press
Tent inspections were the order of the day and if you failed your trip to the beach was cancelled for the day.There was also a compettition as you got points for neatness which acumulated over the 3 weeks with a prize at the end for the winners. Digging of trenches around tents was also ac hore as they had to be a perfect dimension all the way round. In 75 a boiler was installed in the ablution block which meant we could take hot showers (depending on the roster) of who got in fist but prior to that it was cold showers all the way.We also had a tradition of throwing our propellers into the Tweni lagoon as the train crossed the bridge so the Indian Ocean over the years has had to absorb many of these. Another tradition was to threw newcommers to camp into the “slosh” on the south side of the property which was a swamp like muddy area
To alll boys on the blog please let us have your camp storoes as these will make for wonderful reading on the site

Regards to you all

John
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131. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 28, 2009 at 6:21 am

In a place far, far away … yet internally close in our collective memories, for three brief weeks every July we experienced a limited freedom and unlimited outdoor joy.

Umtentweni! (I’ve forgotten what it means … anyone who knows, please remind us all).

On the road between ‘tweni and Port Shepstone, there is a restaurant off the road. It stands alone, mounted on a promontory overlooking the bay below, there are no neighbors and although there is a beach below, it is not a vacation site.

It was not a remarkable architecture, but not unpleasant with windows all round to take in the view … and that is the sole reason it is located there … the view!

You can see it from the coast road and so, often on our hitch-hiking way home from a day in Shepstone or Margate,
I and my buddy of the day would stop-over there to experience their capuchino and apple pie (with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top of both), for one shilling and sixpence.(More than half our daily pocket money).

As a result, I developed a taste for the combo … and all around the world where I have lived and travelled, including Germany, Holland and Belgium (who are all famous for their apple pies and coffee), I have tested the product.

Now it might just be nostalgia or a childhood fantasy of a sensation of absolute luxury, but I cannot remember any that tasted quite so fine, as that of the little cafe on the beach in sunny South Africa.

I can’t remember the owner’s name … who always served us himself … or that of the restaurant … but I do recall he was either of Italian or Greek origin. He was quiet and friendly and always gave us a coffee refill free … as I guess he knew from our poor clothing and short haircuts, that we were homeboys from the camp down the road. He was a kind man.

Anyone remember going there?
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132. john rossouw | January 28, 2009 at 10:24 am

Hi DC
Sadly I do not recall the coffee shop/ restaurant so it must have been developed like so much of the South Coast in the years between our two eras
Our haunts were the Tweni hotel, Venture in and the Palm Grove which was a dodgy nightclub of note in Margate where many a great evening was had
You were right about the hospitatlity though as the locals always embraced our annual pilgrimage and made us feel part of the community whenever we went there
The local dentist in Sheppie was Dr Dixon who died in the late 70’s and he had an army of voluntees who maintained the camp site for us and made sure the grass was cut and ready for our arrival.
I forgot to mention that we “expropriated”more sweets from the local store than we paid for but the owner never complained and probably saw our pilfering as his contribution towards social responsibility
In 76 we were rained out in the last few days of camp and the bus on which we were to return to Jhb got stuck in the mud and had to be pulled out by tractor
The downpour was so intense we merely rolled up the wet tents and threw them onto the railways truck so they had to be re pitched back in Jhb to allow them to dry out which took weeks
The junior section ended up sleeping in the Tweni town hall for the last two nights but looking back it was my best camp ever and I still recall the weather in conversation with local fiends I met then when we get together from time to time
Sadly I have never been back to Tweni in more than 30 years and I am told it has totally changed
A friend of mine runs a guest house at Riverbend (the former home of Dr Dixon and bought by the Butler family in 69 who too became great personal friends of mine as well as many other boys at the home)
Charlotte is the youngest daughter who runs the guesthouse so the property has remained in the family which is something the parents would have been glad of
I hope to one day make the pilgrimage and if so I will write about it on the blog
Other notable featueres of camp was the annual go kart race through the streets of Sheppie and the photographic exhibition of works of boys from the home in the local tea room
We also attended services at the loacal church St Katerines in Sheppie and in 76 we were there over easter and we attended all the services and hosted Evensong one sunday whith the home choir leading the service and Bee Bop preaching the sermon
He warned us in advance it would be a long one and when he went to dinner at a local parishner’s house the following week they complained to him that his sermon was too long
Anyway I need to get back to work now so regards to all

Joh n
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133. PERCY MAREE | January 28, 2009 at 9:49 pm

Hi all& Ed Colyn,
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply ,but I have been fully engaged with the arrival of my lalest grandson and am a very happy man.
Ed my email address is Terry Maree@aapt.net.au
I do remember Patrick Doherty a very nice guy but have no idea where he may be.Fatty Bloomfield and I used to go to a hall in Malvern where we train as boxers and we did quite well.
The camp at Umtentweni was the best time of the year of course there were some things which would spoil it like Jonny kruger who would walk around the tents looking for someone’s head leaning against the canvas, he would then hit that head with a mallet, the reason being that if you leaned against canvas and it rained the tent would leak.
When the train rounded the bend on the way into camp all the boy’s used to put there heads out the windows and shout “Nutty’s” Do you remember those big Square Wilson Toffee’s.
I was a corporal in that drill squad which Nuttsy and Tommy would march around.
Mike Mills saved a young kid from drowning and we had a big parade and Mike was presented a watch by the parents of the child,it was also in the local paper.
Mally Parker and I were very well fed at camp as we were given the task of serving the house masters in the big marque where they ate,of course we looked after our selves as well, Willie the camp cook used to make skilly in a 45 gallon drum which is the best stew I have ever eaten.
Tent inspection in the morning was a torrid time,everythind had to be in its place your blankets would have to be folded in a certain way and then folded in your groundsheet,the bell tent flaps would have to be rolled up just right the ground cleaned of every bit of rubbish.If the inspection found anythig out of place the whole tents compliment was grounded, this resulted in a numer of boys ending up
with bruises from the patrol leader of the tent.
I can’t remember the name of the club or pub on Margate Beach we used to hike all the way and it cost two and six or twenty five cent to get in for which you got a hamburger and a beer we always made sure one of the older looking boys handed the tickets in .Then the band would play and we would rock and roll all morning with any girl we could convince to dance with us.
Eddy we must get together at some time do you like
fishing.?
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- 134. M.J.Simoes | May 18, 2009 at 3:58 pm
  
  The story of the mallet bring back so many memories of camp it is just not funny. Typical SGH boys. Can anyone remember the “get out and get lost” part of the camp. It happened in the last week of the camp and only seiours were allows to take part much to the disapproval of the standards fives in the jun section made us crazy. We did manage to “smuggle one or two on to the bus but that guy from Beaton “deckie” always seemed to “sniffle” us out. How he did it still remains a mystery to me.
  Reply
135. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | February 5, 2009 at 8:59 am

Today Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister declared that we are officially in a depression.

I call it; A levelling of the playing field. We homeboys grew up in economic depression and so we’re used to it. Now the rest can have a go.

So … it’s time to grow those vegetables. Where’s Og Patterson when we need him most?
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136. Leslie DuPlessis | February 15, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Reading over some of the older posts I came across some by Remy from Aug. 08. He mentions Kevin Stafford and ‘Fonebone,’ who had epilepsy.

Kevin and I were pals in Spackman. We both liked reading Biggles books (courtesy of George Adams) and Mad Magazine. There was a character in Mad named Fonebone, and it was Kevin who put that nickname on the boy.

I was sorry to read that Kevin had suffered brain damage in a road accident.

Remy, I don’t remember you, but we seem to have some of the same memories. I too remember Kevin at JCH rocking himself to sleep at night.

I wonder what Fonebone’s real name is, and what has become of him.
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137. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 9, 2009 at 1:48 am

Looking back … is a good idea when you need to protect your butt. But, when your rear’s not in danger … look forward and stay focused.

An old Pringle proverb.
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138. john rossouw | March 9, 2009 at 8:14 am

Have returned from a trip to Dubai which is the new playground of the world
Skyscrapers and cranes everywhere but they are not imune to the economic downturn
Hard to believe this was a desert location 30 odd years ago
Will write soon
Regards
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139. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 10, 2009 at 5:38 pm

It’s still a desert location and all the articial ‘reality’ built in doesn’t change it.

Welcome home John … you will have probably noticed that those cranes were standing idle most of the time of late and the charge ahead has come to a grinding halt. No Grameen’s to be found around there either, I guess.

Playground of the rich & famous as it was intended … the poor are only there to serve. But the pendalum swings and nothing is sacred.

Same here. All of downtown America was overbuilt in the past 5 to 7 years and the cranes are idle here now too. 650 thousand jobs lost here in January and more to come. Conspicuous consumption has gone underground … but human nature being what it is … as soon as the economic all clear has been soundded … the ostentatious will manifest itself again.

It’s a tragedy of mankind that we never learn to store our nuts in time for a winter of discontent, and then bitch about the lack of supplies, Only to waste them again when there is an over abundance.

As that evergreen song laments; ‘When will we ever learn?’
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140. Peter De reuck | March 23, 2009 at 10:39 am

Hi D.C. Leslie Pringle ..Greetimgs, after many, many years ..how are you?..was a ”gogies” boy from 1948 to 1955..as follows,,in simpson house under peter Harper…Beaton house under ”fluffy” Capener….Headmasters ..”Jacko” Short then that man Strong, could relate many , many stories but hey7..lets reaquate. N.B..I do remember Leslie and Stuart Pringle. and many names you have at times mentioned.
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141. john rossouw | March 23, 2009 at 5:00 pm

Gretings Peter and welcome

For info Peter Harpur died in service at the home
His wife Joan was sister in law to Audrey Mc Holm who was Kens wife 60’s to late 80’s
She returned to the home in mid 70’s as a housemother and retired some years later to return to Scotland where her son Robert lives
He by the way was the first baby to be born at SGH
You are right as Strong was not the best Head the home had so we welcome your stories

Regards

John
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142. Peter De Reuck | March 24, 2009 at 2:51 am

Hi John, thanks for the prompt reply . Where to start? In the early 1940s I was resident at St Martins home in Durban.from there to St Mary’s in the southern suburbs, then in 1948 off to ”goggies” stayed at ”goggies” to the age of 16 when I started my appi.ship.in Denver

In 1948 I was placed in Simpson house under Peter Harper, a good down to earth guyHe was in the navy during the war years and by his stories had a torrid time, he would relate many of his stories during our friday night chat times.
I do remember his wedding to Joan which was held in the home chapel, most of us from Simpson house attended, also remember the birth of their son. On the passing of Peter guidance of Simpson house was taken over by ”Boet” Symes, relief master Ken Mc Holm.

On turning 12 I moved to Beaton house under ”Flossie” Capener [ the bug man]., the 5 years spent in Beaton were surely eventfull times..one could write a book.
* Remember the ‘splash ” parties at the end of each year… something all looked forward to.
*Bio. held every other Saturday in the old classrooms or in the dining room….projector operated by ”Burney”.
* Pinching veggies from the veg. room and occasionally getting caught by ‘Willy’ the cook resulting in 5 cuts from ‘Jacko’ Short.
*Boxing sessions in the gym. under the guidance of Laurie Stevans,
* Getting up at 4am. , taking our pillow casews and pinching fruit from ‘ Solly Cramers’ orchids… if caught [ which wasn’t very seldom] another 5/6 cuts from ”Jacko”….Hey!!! that man could swing that cane.
* Extra work on Saturdays if 0ver 3 reports.

…. AND SO ON.

During my cadet years I was in No 2 platoon under Burney Moss. that didn’t last to laong as I joined the band as a bugler under Harry Fisher followed by Ernest Behr , drum major J White then ?? Keyser, We won the band comp. in 1952 , runners up the following year thereafter upto ’55 not much success..onwards??

Boxing sessions under Laurie Stevans was surely a great experience as I sure was thumped on many occasions . One stand out in the club was a chap named ‘ Charley Behrens’ talk of Ali’s ”rope a dope” this boy was a ‘whiz kid’.

Wow there are so many stories to tell ..I tell you what!.. will do that in serial form.. Going back 55years can take some mind search…names to mention:.. T Marr, B. Logan, G. Eksteen, P.Kruger, H.Sadler, H.Fisher, ‘Boet’ Symes, Flossy’ Capener, Robby Robson,Kaff….Jones, …to name a few.

Will tell more in next corros. ‘watch the post.’

:
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143. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 24, 2009 at 3:46 am

Welcome Peter,

You sound like you have a regualar cache of stories to tell so the podium is yours … you’ve got a captive audience.

Delighted to know that we shared an experience with Laurie Stevens. You must have left at the end of ’55 … I ‘m sorry that I do not recall your name … but doubtless I would remember your face if I saw you again.

You’re picking up the thread from prior to my time, so right now you’re the senior man on the team … so tell it like it is.
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144. Keith Frandsen | March 24, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Hi all from Angola. I am at present building low cost housing for the poor people here and it is so rewarding to see people get houses after living in grass hut most of their lives. It is quite sad to think that I was part of the problem that caused this travesty by having to a member of the defense force. Hopefully what I am doing now will partly make up for the destruction we caused. I am trying to recall a expedition we did with a chap I think was name Mr Bush who had a large crop of red hair. It was when we were at camp. We started at the source of I think the Umzimkulu River. Funny age seems to be clouding the mind. I remember that we had been walking for 3 days when one of the youngsters with us took off his sock and lo and behold the actually stood up straight without folding. Amazing how snippets come into the mind to remind us where we came from.
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145. Peter De Reuck | March 25, 2009 at 7:02 am

‘Howzit’.Percy Maree..How are you?..
Briefly, I say greetings to a fellow Queenslander, I live on the Gold coast , Coomera….phone 0756659883. Good to hear from you. Was a ”goggies” resident from 1948 to 1955.. lots to talk about.
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146. PeterDe Reuck | March 25, 2009 at 7:10 am

Hi Les. nice to be part of the team, will corros. regular to share the ‘mad mad’ times of yesteryear. Will start picking the mind ..so to speak.
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147. Anonymous | March 25, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Greetings All and good to see Keith back on line
Great anecdotes from the past and hope to read more in time
I too remeber bioscope evenings in the 70’s and I suspect the projector we used was the same one form the 50’s as it packed up regularly
We are in the last days of lent leading up to Easter and Bee Bop (Fr Clayton) used to make us sit through all the biblical classics this time of the year
Some of them were 3 hrs long so for an adolescant it was a lot
I too was at St Mary’s for a brief time in the 60’s as was my
brother David
It was there that I contracteed Rheumatic Fever at age 5 and my memories of the place are not that great
I drove past a few days ago and the buildings still seem the same
In my heart I still need to go inside to close that chapter of my life so somedy I hope to do so
Bernie Moss was housemaster at Spackman and went on to be ordained as a priest
He died a few years back but I believe his wife is still alive
In the all too brief history of the home their is a short but illustrious roll of honour which which will stand for eternity
Noel Aldridge
Robby Robson
Arthur Rice
Boet Symes
Flossie Kuipner
Berny Moss
Ken Mc Holm and Eric Richardson
What a privellege for all of us to have either known and or met such great hunmn beings in our respective lifetimes
Keith you are right about Robert Bush
He came to the home in 69 as a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) for a two year stint and started exxpeditions in a big way
This included a tour of boys from the home to the Okavango
It may interst you to know that he was at school with HRH Prince Charles the Prince of Wales and was in fact his prefect so you can tell your grand kids that you knew someone that went to school with the future KIng of England
Splash was always a treat in December and the boys of the home were notorius for fruit raids in neighboriong Bedfordview as we were constanly in trouble with the local population who took great exception to us helping ourselves to our share of the harvest
You will be glad to know the practice of raiding fruit went on well into the 70’s but stopped once development of the area took off
Keith you may be interested to know that David Williams has published a book “on the border” which tells the truth about what went on all those years ago and which he hopes will give many of us closure on a senseless war forced on us by the aprtheid regime of the day
I am a huge Dawid Williams fan as he in a journaist with imense integrity who covers sport current affairs politics and finance so I look forward to reading a copy soon
The names of Harry Fisher and Ernie Behr are sysnonomous with the home as well
Ernie went on to a great career in business and founded Trident Steel which he eventually sold to Macsteel
If I recall at one time he was also deputy mayor of Gerniston
This evening I was privelleged to attend an KPMG alumni function which we host ever so often to maintain our global network with former employees
I stood in the Sandton Sun hotel among the company of around 400 now captains of commerce and industry spanning decades of generations and what stood out for me was the tremendous affilation everyone felt towards each other young and old
Moses Kgosana our CEO (he rose from spanner boy in a Soweto workshop to CEO of a Global accounting firm) paid tribute to the company that all of the individuals had built and would play a role in building in the future
Unfortunately I had to leave early as I am scheduled to attend a development centre tomorrow which I am hoping will be the start of my journey to becomming a partner in the firm but time will tell if thats to be
Some of the old partners present date back to the Peat Marwick and Alex Aitken abd Carter days (frail old grey haired men) yet they were “at home among their young counterparts” sharing stories of their time in the frim 50 years or so ago
In my discussion with Eric Richardson he
regrets most is that most boys who went to St Georges do not speak openly about their involvement with the home
As a small but growing on line community we are at least doing that so my wish is that we will one day have our own alumni attending a similar function
Lets keep sharing

Warm regards to you all across the globe

John
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148. Peter De Reuck | March 26, 2009 at 11:12 am

Names..Names. who can shed some light on. Wally and Percy Parker, Bobby Logan, Bernard, Peter, and Terance Hampson, Stanley Mc Master, Peter Bronne[ won many singinging comps. at the crystal palace…somewhere in Norward] names remembered from 55years +ago ] these are just to name a few, still clearing the old cob webs. As I said previously , watch this space for some good , good stories.. boy do I have some., 8 Years [ 48/ 55] at ”goggies” can talk .. as is said here down under…”good on ya”
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149. Peter De Reuck | March 29, 2009 at 5:51 am

Do any of you ”oldies” know if the old elizabethan style tuck shop ..[situated below the pool and between spackman and Beaton houses ]was ever demolished….every saturday the big purchase was nutties at 4 for a penny..keep the nutties for Bio. that night where we would trade for ‘saamies’ from the sunday meal… .absolute madness, but hey , those were the times.

Blane says: Peter – I can tell you that the old tuck shop was still standing when I left SGH in 1972. I remember it well; although it was no longer used as a tuck shop, it was a favourite place to play and hang out after school. I was tall enough to lift myself up through the open trap door and climb up into the attic. I’m not sure when it came down, but on my last visit in 2007 it was no longer there. I wonder if anyone else knows about its history and how it came to be built at SGH. Thanks for reminding me about this old memory. That really took me back to my childhood.
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150. Peter De Reuck | March 30, 2009 at 4:12 am

hey..if it no longer existed in the later years, here’s something to jog your memories. Who remembers the old reading room come library come smoking room situated below the chapel, there was so much ‘skelim’ smoking going on that old ”Jacko” must have thrown up his arms in frustration and thought aaah..”let them indulge in the reading room , out of sight. oh yes..slowly getting it together, all the garden tools were stored in the shed below the dining hall, which was at the time a good hide/away. One that comes to mind is the times of orderly buglar..getting up at 5.45am to sound the revelli ..during winter months it was so cold that ones lips were vertually frozen.. could hardly produce a sound …so sounding ‘geees ‘ was sufficient….there was actually never a word of complaint from ”Burny” Moss, who was at that time in charge of cadats and band. These little incidents are just minor.. slowly jogging the memory of more exciting times and event’s…watch this space.
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151. Anonymous | March 31, 2009 at 4:20 am

The storage rea below the chapel eventully became the band room where we stored our instruments but the tool shed under the hall still remained
In the 60’s one of the boys had an old labrador called Winston who died in 69/70
He used to stand next to the bugler and howl every time
On Sunday’s he would walk into chapel in the middle of Be Bop’s sermon and plonk himself down in the sanctuary much to the anooyance of Fr Clayton who would insist he be removed
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152. Peter De R. | March 31, 2009 at 6:53 am

Thanks Anon. for that information. Till me something…when ”goggies” folded ..and I use the term FOLDED, did that include the old boys clug which if I remember was below the sports field and ‘Boet’ Symes’s veggie field??…. I read somewhere in the forum of the mine dumps below and beside the sports field, the one below the field we called the yelllow dump the other the white dump,…adjacent was the old slimes dam and of course Treasure island..wow!! we sure had many an adventure in these areas…catty fights with day/boys, and much, much worse…as was said in the armed forces..”No names , no pack drill”..untill later, ”good on ya”
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153. john rossouw | March 31, 2009 at 6:06 pm

Hi Peter

Unfortunately the Old Boys club house was “colonialised in to Bishop Bavin School and the slimes dam is now a retirement village which serves as a revenue source for the home
I serve as a director of that Board hence my contact with the home
One of the houses is on stilts as the ground keeps moving underneath and every year we have to pay an engineer to literally prop it up so that we can walk undeneath it to assess any potential structurakl change

Things were much the same for us as boys in the 60’s playing on thise dumps and eventually Makkey made the out of bounds for us as we were always getting up to no good

Regards and stay well

John
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154. PERCY MAREE | April 8, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Hi Peter
I have been in Tasmania for a while and have only just
read all the comments on this site.I have made a note of your phone number and will give you a ring over Easter.
The old tuckshop brings back a lot of memory’s for me ,as on the third sunday of the month which was visitors day for parents to come and see their boys ,I would work in the tuckshop with Mr Capener
who was very kind to me as I never used to get visitors.
One Sunday evening after dinner some freinds of mine and myself, were walkind down near where the native staff used to be housed near the old armory.We found a four gallon tin of kaffir beer hidden in a hole in the ground,and as you know what boys are it wasn’t long before we had dared each othe to try some.Soon the four of us had consumed about half the contents of the tin.
It was about then that the bugle sounded to go on parade for chappel. Now one of the fellows was a red headed boy by the name of Richard Channer,He was standing at attention on the parade ground and just then he spewed and collapsed on the ground.I remember Bernie Moss jumped off the veranda where he was taking the parade and came over to see what the problem was ,it took him about a minute to work out by the smell what had happened,Richard was taken tro sick bay but Bernie wasn’t finished with us he walked up and down the dormitory lines of Spackmen house and smelt each boy’s breath of course he picked out Mike Mill, Richard Channer and Myself. We were all sent to the sickbay much the worse for wear,we all
getting sick,of course that wasn’t the end of the matter.we all ended up on Tommy Strongs punishment list the following day after school .
Peter My Phone number is (07) 5484 0212
Regards to all
Percy
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155. Peter De R. | April 9, 2009 at 9:31 am

Hi Percy,…Thanks for the mail..good reading. Boy o boy some of the things you mentioned sure brought back some memories. esp. drinking the kaffir beer….we would find the same in gallon drums burried in holes in the yellow dumps, Wow the times we got up to. Percy we obviously missed each other as I left the home in 1955….My nick name was ”meercat” and willy the cook named me ”snake” due to me asking him to cook an eel for us which we had caught in the sea at Umtentwini. Hey before I foreget.. tried to phone you on thursday but some person said you were out, will try again thisweekend [ ie. Easter weekwend]. bye for now , Peter.De Reuck.
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156. Jason Hobbs | April 10, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Hi Everyone – wow where does one start –
i was in the home from the 80’s to late 80’s
– Simpson house with Ma Kotze
– Choir – head choir boy – Fr Ed Den Blauwen
– Taylor house – Finleys
Moved st georges to primrose house

now in durban as food and beverage manager for a large hotel company.

Any one that knows me and wants to catch up, would love to hear from you all.

Jason Hobbs

ehobbs.72@gmail.com
fnbman@theroyal.co.za
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157. PERCY MAREE | April 13, 2009 at 3:26 am

Hi Guys
has anyone got photo’s of the cadets between 1957 to1960 or house photo’s for the same period,or photo’s of the camp at umtentweni for the same period .
Thanks to all
Percy Maree
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158. Peter de Reuck | April 13, 2009 at 5:41 am

Hi all…Does ANYONE have ANY old photographs of the 1948/ 1955 era..eg. old sporting pics. , house photo’s, photo’s of the cadet band., camp outings etc, etc,….it’s a big ask and it’s eons ago but hey I do remember many old photographs hanging in the dinning hall at the time , also if I remember ..photo’s were taken yearly…….[NB. Camaras were available in those years.. one of my little grandsons once asked me ” Gramps. did you have camaras back then?” ] come on lets prove it to him. Jokes asde guys, I would love to see some of the old pics. Oh yes and any news from some of the guys from that era.. Wow .am going back an odd 55years… To all you old boys ..’good on ya.’ Bye for now. peter de Reuck.
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159. john rossouw | April 15, 2009 at 7:05 pm

Hi Peter / Percy

I have downloaded some pics on the SGH facebook website and will continue to do so from the ones I have accumulted
You can check out the link from this blog

Regards

John
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160. Peter de Reuck | April 20, 2009 at 10:10 am

Have any of you OLDer BOYS heard of the where abouts of ”Tich” and Syd. Saunders..look this is going back some but certain names do pop up from time to time and one does reminus over past experiences. As I have previously stated ..we are going back 50+ years. Do you know one thing that stays with me is . [ this you want believe] ” Jacko” Shorts hand writing, any notice he pinned on the notice board [ the board outside the dinning hall ]] one usually couldn’t make head or tail what was written, pure guess work. Pcture this..” de Reuck..why didn’t you report for extra work?..sorry sir , I couldn’t read your writting.” Lets get real, do you think we got away with that excuse?? anyway 6 cuts was better than an hours extra work. Better go. God bless
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161. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 14, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Blogging Out.

Hi fellow St. Goggians … (that is how I have and shall always remembere us).

I have just returned from hospital where I finally underwent surgery for BPH. Those of you who have read all the earlier blog comments, will recall I wrote about it when I first was struck down by a prostate enlargement so big, I could not urinate without a catheter and bag strapped to the leg for nearly nine months.

A series of tests confirmed I was cancer free so a standard surgery procedure was planned. It sounded horrendous, but was much less so in practice. It starts with a needle being inserted in your back to lame you from the waste down … so you feel nothing (hardoly felt the needle). The surgery … basically a tube with an electyrified ‘hot’wire scoop’ that protudes out the end, slices and dices the inside of the prostate into little pieces … to hollow it out.

I woke up in my bed, pain free and without discomfort. I was discharged 2 days later (yesterday). I will need to wear the bag for another week (as there will be bleeding), and return next Tuesday to Harbor County Hosp. for it’s removal and a final voiding test. If I am able to pee freely, I go home without the attachment.

I tell you all this, as BPH and prostate cancer affects one in three men over 50. In most cases, if it is detected early, it can be illiminated holistically or with a diet and exercise regimen.

When we come of age our prostate should be around 15 c.c. and in adulthood it grows to about 30 cc. but never ceases to grow … the only organ to do so (mine was 90 cc). When it started with me, my PSA was 6.6 (too high it should be about 4 or less). At time of operating it had risen to 8.4.

I’m back home again after a two night stay in hosp. I have no pain or discomfort and all the signs are that the op. went smoothly and predictably. I expect to be peeing freely on my own within the next week. And according to my doctor, I will not loose my ‘zip’ … so fellows … take heart but also take heed. You don’t want to loose your ‘masculinity’ for 9 months.

This will be my last blog for some time as I will be preparing to close up my life here in the States, for a return to Holland and a round of grandparenthood by my 67 birthday on August 1.

I wont say the party’s over … but it has been one helluva ride. I’ve enjoyed ‘pouring the stories of my life into the pool of our common understanding’, but have been disappointed too, that so few of you have offered not much more that ‘memories of the past’.

We have an uncertain future ahead of all of us on the planet at present … and sharing knowledge and pertinent wisdom at such a critical time in modern history can only be beneficial to all of us. It is also the cement of our brotherhood.

I note that there has been no comments posted since April 20. A sign that talking about the past only becomes boring after a while. We’ve all lived those experiences and have all shared in the retelling of them over and over again.

However, the personal stories of pain have been a salve for all of us … as we have all tasted our share of it … and those of triumph and success have uplifted us. It’s time now to share the present experience … as we have eaten of the past and await the dessert of the future.

Until we meet again …

Dudley Pringle.
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162. John Rossouw | May 17, 2009 at 8:51 am

Greeings DC

Sorry to hear news of your illness but will remember you in my prayers for a spedy recovery
Good luck too with your relocation to Holland
Please pop in from tim to time and let us know how you are doing (if nothing else, just to keep in touch)

Warm regards and best wishes

John
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163. John Rossouw | May 17, 2009 at 8:56 am

Greetings Jason and welcome

We have so few bloggers online from your time at the home so it would be interesting to hear some of your stories and news
If you have any links to other St Georges people it would be great to hear from them too particularly the girls in the home (when we were there it was all boys)

Regards

John
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- 164. Anonymous | June 21, 2009 at 12:53 pm
  
  HI JOhn
  
  Just before the home became bishop bavin, we were all shipped out to primrose into a very large house. But even then there were no girls.
  
  Stories i could probably write a novel thats how many i have and am very sure all ex-homeboys would have the very same.
  
  Take care
  Reply
165. John Rossouw | May 17, 2009 at 9:05 am

It is with a sense of sadness that I write to share news of the passing of Lance Japhett Chairman of the home in the late 70’s up to closure in 1990
Lance was managing diretor of Epic Oil Mills up to retirement and in recent years ran the Hollard Foundation which is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Hollard Insurance Company where his son Miles an old army colleague of mine is a director
Lance presided over the closure of the home in 1990 and assumed the position of Chairman of Bishop Bavin School which followed, (a position which he held until recently )
Despite the controversy which followed he was responsible for a great amount of good in his work as chairman of St Georges Home and I extend my condolences his wife and family on his passing
May he rest in peace

Sincerely John
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166. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 17, 2009 at 5:02 pm

Hi John,

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers … now already answered. Yesterday was Pree Free Day!

With tha passing of the last Chairman of SGBH, Lance Japhett, yet another era comes to an end … and so the cycle of life revolves and renews again.

Upheaving a life of 20 years in USA is not that simple. Closing down … finishing off … cutting ties … packing up …
I’ve done it dozens of times before over the past 50 years since leaving SGBH. Travelling, living and working all around the world. My 50th. anniverrsary of that moment on July 17, 1959 … is coming up … and here I am starting all over again.
The past, was the adventures of a young man … today it is with the responsibility of a grandfather. A whole new adventure!

My son and daughter say; ‘It’ll give you a chance to finally grow up … you know gezellig … with the grandkids … together’.

I hope to leave before my birthday on August 1 … so this is just ‘adieu’ – not farewell. I’ll pick up again when I settle in there and hopefully … the conversation will have picked up.

Adios.
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167. Peter de Reuck | May 20, 2009 at 3:27 am

Hello Dudley.. I wish you a speedy recovery also success and happyness in your future endevours. Stay well and happy. God bless …Peter de Reuck
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168. M.J.Simoes | May 20, 2009 at 8:35 am

Where do I start. Reading through the blog makes one think of my time at SGH.

Remy your story reads very similar to mine. I got to SGH late 1969, coming from a place called Guild Cottage, which by the way was changed into a place of safety for sexually abused children, and was placed in Simpson. Dutch Murray was house master. He left not long after me getting there and replaced by the now infamous [Housemaster]. My time with Dutch was pleasant and I got on with almost everybody. Enter [Housemaster] and the nightmare starts for me. To me this man typifies the characters in the time of Dickens. Not once did I receive a caning from Dutch Murray , [Housemaster] on the other hand seemed to relish dishing them out at every opportunity. Not only canings but terrorizing the “inmates” as so many people have described SGH boys in earlier blogs. Prep time was a very daunting for everybody. [Housemaster] would sit at the head table and ask if anybody was ready to be “tested” on the homework they had for the day. Beware if you got a table or a spelling question from him wrong. His favoured move was to take you by the T shirt in a fist with his knuckle protruding pull you forward and then thump you in the chest. One day while being “tested” by [Housemaster] I got the question wrong. [Housemaster] went over to his usual chest thumping exercise and I decided that day that no matter what I will not change my answer even if he beat me to death. He went on hitting me in the chest for around 10 minutes but still I refused to change my answer. He eventually gave up and told me to report ofter dinner to carry on “studying” until I got it correct. . . . Next day my chest bone is so bruised that I refuse to take off my shirt. This sounds as if I was stupid to not change my answer but I had taken enough of this mans intimidation and I was not taking it anymore, one gets to a point that you sat to yourself what must must be do what you want.

On one occasion it was if I remember correctly 1973 a few of us went swimming without permission. We were ordered to go to the dining room where [Housemaster] was waiting for us. He knew who were the guilty were as he had sent one of the boys to pick up all the Simpson yellow towels. On reporting to the dining room we knew what to expect and we were prepared. Now the only piece of clothing I had on was a Speedo swimming costume and I was still dripping wet from swimming. Some of the boys had put on shorts. We stood in line and waited for the usual intimidation to start followed by the caning. Well the cane used turned out to be the front end of a fiber glass fishing rod with only the eyes removed. Still dripping and getting shouted at for messing water on the floor I was ordered to bend and given the usual hiding. Only having this thin wet costume blood was drawn on the first stroke and started running down my right leg. I cannot remember how many lashes I got but when he was finished I stood up and looked down at my leg as I felt something warm on it and I noticed the blood. I looked at [Housemaster] with tears running down my face ,he glared back and said I must leave before he decides to give a few more lashes. To this day I have the scar running across my lower back. I promised myself that day that if I ever left and grew up to be a man and I found this man I would beat the living day lights out of him.

On another occasion I received a letter from the grand mother of the hosts I was dished out to. I duly read my personal letter. At around 9 pm that night while in bed by which time all were in bed I as summoned to [Housemaster’s] office. I could not remember doing anything that might warrant a beating and was wondering what I did wrong. Well turns out [Housemaster] wanted to read my letter for what reason I don’t know. As usual I was shouted at while he read my mail. Every little detail of the letter was scrutinized I was interrogated for about every little thing in the letter. This went for in the region of an hour.

Don’t want to hog the blog with negativity so I will sign off for now.

Cheers

M.J.Simoes ( Joey)

PS Kevin and Trevor Budd I remember you well. We used to play soccer on cubs field just below Simpson house and Mackies house.
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169. Anonymous | May 21, 2009 at 1:45 pm

Hi All Ex SGH lads

Can anybody inform as how to contact Fr Eric Richardson. Would love to sit and chat over a cup of tea with him. After all it has been 33 years since last seeing him. I still cannot believe the man is still alive ,must be his wonderful nature. Does anybody remembr Mackies dog Bruce a golden labrador. It was said he used to give the dog a basket to go to the shop down the road from the home with money and his order in the basket and the shop keeper would duly put his order in the basket and the dog would walk back and deliver the contents to Mackies house just above cubs field. Never was a witness to this.
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170. Anon | May 21, 2009 at 3:02 pm

I apologies I prefer to stay anon I I was a SGH from late 1969 through to 1976. First i Simpson and then Taylor.A lot of the times are what could be considered bad but I had my good times too. The runt of the pact as I was one of the smallest boys ever to go to SGH. I was not what would be considered a good sportsman in the sense that I never made full rabloids in any field or interlectual in fact quite dumb if I go by my file which I decided to investigate. I was ridiculed to no end on the sports side which was to be expected especially at SGH. Once leaving the place something changed that to this day I cannot explain. My physical being changed so to speak. Maybe it is the determination that SGH taught me “stay in the fight ” “keep going no matter the odds” were the thoughts in my head. No matter what push through go for it which I did. I eventually ended up getting provincial colors in a sport that I never imagined I could achieve. But none the less did I got them. The sport does not matter even though it was and still is very dangerous at times. I had my nose broken more times than I can remember, my ribs cracked and my hand broken and achieved a level I never thought I would.

On a different note perhaps somebody can tell me what happened to my fellow “inmates” so to speak the likes of Kevin Saunders and company perhaps somebody ca remember Issy Cohen or maybe Dessie van Rensburg who by the way you did not get on the wrong side of on a tough lad good to have on your side in a fight to say the least or maybe a guy by the surname Hattigh not sure of the spelling most of these guys were in Taylor house Any news of these lads ??
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171. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 22, 2009 at 8:10 am

Hi Peter De Reuck,

Thanks for your good wishes … they must be good as the healing is all but over. I am renewed with a surge in energy as a result.

I recall your request for photos from the ’40’s and note that John Rossouw reported that most everything prior to 1960 was ‘lost’ or dumped. You might wanty to look at the SGH Facebook site (link is above on the right at the top of this page).

Erica van den Werff now living in Aukland, New Zealand is the daughter of John Charles Longsworth, who was in SGBH in the ’40’s. She has posted several pictures from that period
including the cadet band and boxing\ team. Maybe something for you to connect with.

Dudley.
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172. Peter de Reuck | May 22, 2009 at 10:27 pm

Dudley…thanks for the info.
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173. Trevor | May 23, 2009 at 3:19 am

hi leslie du plesis
i just read your blog on kevin stafford
i dont think that fonebonesky was the same guy as the guy who had epilepsy . i cant remember his name i think it was colin venter
and he had big feet that could wrap around the curb just like fanbonesky and would always say what me worry
the other guy with epilepsy we called him batman because he could not even get in the shower withiout his glasses
mean as it might seem we all had our weak points that someone would pick on
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174. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 24, 2009 at 12:51 am

Hi Peter de Reuck,

A vague memory crept into my noggin about you. If I recall you too were a boxer and your last year was my first – 1955.

Did you not fight against Gary Riley during training with Laurie Stevens on several occassions? I recall one incident that at the time caused me some small pleasure.

I believe it was you at the time that was sparring with Riley and it looked liked you were playing with him. He got a little ‘Riled” and came out repeatedly swinging at you and each time you neatly stepped a side, tapped him and he would fly into the ropes. It happened three or four times to much amusement for everybody. But as I said, especially to me.

You see, I was Gary’s scivvy my first year and took a lot of bullying from him in Dorm 3 Taylor House. That night he got his assed kicked and I felt a sense of vinidicatiion … what goes around, comes around. If I’m smiling now … it is not with justification … just amusement … I got my satisfaction that night.

Would be nice to continue in the belief that it was you.

Dudley.
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175. Peter de Reuck | May 24, 2009 at 2:16 am

Hi Dudley, nice chatting with you. Yes I did train under Laurie Stevans for sevaral years while at ‘gogies’..right up to the time I left in ’55. As you must know we trained in the gym on thursday evenings, twice a week if a tournament was approaching. The name of Gary Riley does surely ring a bell.[ he had a brother or two in the home if I remember.]…on leaving the home I continued the sport at O’Conner hall in Jules street then joined the Jeppe amateur boxing club. , on moving to Natal I stopped competing and started training youngsters for several years. enough said,…approaching 70 I now enjoy watching the less vigorous sports..eg. rugby and such. Dudly do keep well … All the best and God bless.
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176. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 24, 2009 at 8:04 am

Full Circle!

Could never remember the name of that long forgotten ringmaster … but finally I’ve got him pegged. Peter De Reuck! So yes, now I remember you … vaguely of course as you were either in Beaton or Spackman and a few years older than me and in your final year … so our paths barely crossed … excepting for those Thursday nights.

Gary did have a younger brother called John Riley in Spackman House at the time. Pat Keyser was senior boy at Taylor that year (1955) and Brian Wiley was his number two. J.J. De Jager was senior man in Spackman … or Beaton. He was also drum major and headboy of SGBH.

I was 11 and lost my first tournament fight in the TVL Provincials that year. In fact if I remember it correctly … none of us (5 or 6 in the team) won a fight that year.

That was 54 years ago.
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177. Peter de Reuck | May 24, 2009 at 10:18 am

Dudley, what a memory you have. the names Gary and John Riley do ‘come to light’….If my memory serves me Pat keyser had a brother ..Herman?…but as you say, 54 years ago ..Wow. Dudley I now reside in Queensland , Australia with my dear wife Denise and daughter Heather , not forgetting the grandchildren…two boys… I have three other children who also reside in Aussie. I am now on pension but honestly still raring to go. Have the various hobbies eg. fishing, scenic trips and of course watching sports ..try and attend as many live sporting events as possible and of course still take a big interest in the boxing scene.. Well Dudley , thats about it ‘in a nut shell’…Look after yourself and do keep in touch…bye.
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178. John Rossouw | May 25, 2009 at 8:11 am

Welcome Anon and we look forward to some of your stories in the future
Fr Richardson can be contacted of +27 11 706 6068
He is resident at Bryanston Village in Homestaed Ave and appreciates the odd visit
He is very well and remebers life at the home and all the boys vividly so he would appreciate the call. He is also still very involved in church activities both at the village and at his local parish St Michaels
He is slightly hard of hearing so you will need to speak up if you call

On a more sombre note I received a call from the sister of David Laughton yesterday who informed me of the news of his passing last week at age 72. David was a memeber of the new “younger” changing of the guard from the old Robson Rice Moss and Symes brigade, who cam to St Georges in 1963 as part of Eric Richardson’s strategy to reform the home and it’s approach to child care. David was affectionately referred to as “Tubby” due to his round physique but despite being small in stature but large in size, could hold his own when running around a football field reffing a match. David had the widest portfolio of houses under his care as he moved between Taylor, Simpson and Beaton but he is notably best remebered for his time as the first headmaster of Crawford House in 1968.
David left the home in around 1974 bur was a regular visitorfollowing his departure. His late mother was an artist and she would often sit in the sun outside his Crawford House flat with her oils and easel surrounded by curious young onlookers, myself included. His funeral is on Wednesday 27 May at St Michaels Anglican Church in Bryanston and I have contact details of his sister Margi is anyone wishes to call her.
David suffered a stroke some years ago and never fully recoverred. I called him just over a year ago when I heard he was back in SA but sadly he could not remember me or my brothers apart from my late brother Desmond who he seemed to remeber quite well. He was very instrumental in the care and well being of a number of boys and we extend our condoleces to his family on his passing. May his soul rest in peace

Warm regards

John
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179. John Rossouw | May 25, 2009 at 8:23 am

I also thought to add a note on Makkies dog
Yes the story of him going to the shops is true “today he would be mugged for the cash” but he was often seem walking down around 5 pm in the evening with the newspaper in his mouth which he had been to collect from the local Selipas store
Some years later when Audrey Mc Holm went to work outside St Georges, he would wait for her at the home gate for when she returned from the Malvern bus stop

Other dogs in the home at the time was Prince, Barry Campbells dog in Taylor House a German Shepard (Fr Richardson had one too) and Winston who used to howl every time the bugle was blown
Some years later Marge Richardson wife of Bob (AKA Dekkie) also came to the home with a white Alsation who was highly protective of her and we were all extremely scared of him

Dereck Bell who ran the kitchen in the 70’s (very successfully) has a black poodle and Albert de Jager had a black labrador

Ma Warland and Ma Armitage in the kitchen also had a huge ginger cat who was so large because of all the scraps she used to eat

Regards

John
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180. Barry Linden | May 26, 2009 at 9:44 am

what a trip down memory lane havent heard some of those names in years
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181. John Rossouw | May 26, 2009 at 5:15 pm

Welcome Barry
Hope to see some of your stories on the blog soon

Regards

John
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182. John O'Neill | May 26, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Sorry to hear about the passing of Dave Laughton. Tubby was my housemaster when I was in Crawford house. I have to say, I always found Dave to be a fair housemaster, whose first instinct wasn’t to reach for a cane. Grounding and extra housework were a far better tool in some cases. Management by fear isn’t management, it’s bullying. One thing I can say about Dave Laughton is that he wasn’t a bully. For that, Mr. Laughton. you have my eternal respect.
May you rest in peace.

I spoke to Father Clayton a few minutes ago to inform him of daves passing and he asked me to post a few words on his behalf.

I remember David Laughton very well and am extremely sorry to hear of his passing. Dave gave a great service to St Georges and am sure he will be fondly remembered by the boys in his care.

Fr. Norman Clayton

John,
Fr Clayton asked me to remind you that you owe him a letter. He is well and asks about the ‘boys’ posting on the blog. Seems funny still to called ‘boys’, when most people on the blog are now middle aged men!!
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183. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 6, 2009 at 5:41 am

Thought of the day.

The SGH Old Boys Club went the way of the dodo some years before the home itself closed. Several voices in these blogs have asked when it might be re-constituted, so that we can come together again in memory of our common home and family … and our subsequent diaspora across the globe.
Aah, let’s not kids ourselves … to catch a brew and shoot the sh… down memory lane.Nothing like a Castle for nostalgia.

In this digital age … I don’t believe we need a ‘Club” as such, as we are already coming together here and now with memories and reminders of what was … and what was lost.

I see that over 10,300 visitors have popped into this site … yet there are less than 400 blog entries scattered throughout the various options of this site. Not many, but at least a beginning. I personally am still hoping that one of my own contemporaries will eventually show up.

Peter De Reuck, Albert de Jager and Thomas Bainbridge are the only names I know from my time in these pages. Even several of the masters came after me. I read how many of you younger guys know each other and envy you … I miss some of my old buddies and I can’t replace them by proxy adoption of yours.

Still … I’m in the Club and I guess I’ll have to get to know some of the younger members. Clubs are for friendship and competitive spirits and they also serve as networking centers. Whether you like it or not, this IS the Old Boys Club. So you better get used to it and forget about the nostalgia of a bricks and mortors environment. It’s membership by virtual presence and conversation via the ether.

I hope too that those of you who have contributed to this site already and those who are peeping in but not yet letting their ‘voice’ be heard …will eventually get over the past and get into the Now. It would be nice to hear what you guys are all doing now and where you are … we already know what we were all ‘doing back then’ … and talk now about your life circa 2009.
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184. Peter de Reuck | June 11, 2009 at 9:51 am

On the lighter side….who of you remember saturdays lunch of ‘ Perks pies , beans and gravy…a thing to look forward to. hey, I’m talking of the 1948 /55 era… sure going back some. All keep well and God bless. Bye for now ..Peter.
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185. Les DuPlessis | June 17, 2009 at 5:02 am

I just read of Tubby Laughton’s passing, and some of the comments by those who remember him fondly. I have to say that I only remember him wielding a cane. I’m sure that it wasn’t easy running SGH, what with all those rambunctious boys getting up to mischief, and I was often one of those, and I admire the masters for their efforts, but I wonder why some of them were there. Laughton and a fellow named McCausland, both at Spackman, only left bad memories with me.
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186. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 19, 2009 at 4:35 am

Getting the Bug out.

When I came to SGH in 1955 and until I left in mid-1959, H.R. Robson was housemaster at Taylor, Bernie Moss at Spackman, Bugs Capener at Beaton and Symes then later Bommer Brown at Simpson … there were no other houses then … Brian Hale was secondary master at Taylor and although there were other relief masters at the other houses, I was not personally familiar with any of them except McHolm during my last year and a half.

Bugs Capener was renowned for his bug exploits … but he was equally at home with art and in particular … marquetry. I was an avid student during his weekly afternoon classes and so enjoyed creating images out of thin slivers of beautiful wood venears.

Strangely enough … the true art lesson that came out of that experience … had nothing to do with art or marquetry … but out of the origins of Capener’s entomology pursuit.

He said very quietly and thoughtfully, as was his way, that you never really see anything clearly and in detail … until you draw it. It was in his own lessons in studying bugs, where he would capture the creatures, euthanize them and then impale them on a pin or needle which he would then stick into a cork. Thus he would proceed to draws them … tiny wings, legs, bodies, heads, antennas and feelers etc.

Getting back to art – what is it? The idea, concept, form, design, execution or the value of the materials? How about the spark of creativity that ignites an idea? Whatever art is to you, it is the original language, before music, before script there was art. Cavemen drawings and paintings are legend thoughout the world … where is a written language or musical instrument dating from 20,000 or more years ago?

Art, design and the materials to illustrate or demonstrate an idea or concept is fundamental to the creation of almost every man-made product you can think of. Words will not build a jet aircraft … yet art alone cannot either … so engineering design is necessary.

Just like nature’s creatures … with their intricate and complex components … design in engineering is only a starting point … a final concept is only possible after you have resolved all the engineering problems.

So you can only really see that aircrtaft design … once you have drawn it. For that matter … you could not draw a grasshopper either until you ‘see’ it … in the slow process of drawing it line by line. And in doing so … you will see that the Creator was, amongst His many other talents, a master engineer. By determining each creature’s purpose, He was able to ‘design’ it’s attributes according to it’s needs – to achieve it’s purpose.

When I look at the beauty of man … and especially that of women … and the infinite variety of tasks we can individually perform, you can see the essential Spirit of the Designer. He gave us all the skills, all the talents and above all … we alone amongst all creatures on this planet … were given ‘Free Choice’.

Free to follow any idea, teaching, career or role … free to become whatever we want … but along the way, remember these words of Joe Patocka:

The real test of a man is not how well he plays the role he has invented for himself … but how well he plays the role that destiny assigned to him.

Dudley
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- 187. Nicholas John Geddes | October 17, 2015 at 7:36 am
  
  Hello Dudley, Words well spoken and beautifully written. I was in bugs Capener’s Beaton house and remember the bugs and his matchbox collection. What are you doing these days and where are you living now? I am semi- retired in the art research and consulting field and a great deal of writing. Nicky Geddes
  email-njgeddes1941@gmail.com
  Reply
188. Peter deReuck | June 20, 2009 at 8:00 am

Greetings Dudley..how are you?..glancing through your recent letter brought back such good memories. ‘Bugs’ Capener with his Marquetry classes were times to remember and of course ..as said .. his entomology persuits.

The house masters names you mentioned are at last bringing the puzzle to shape. I was admitted to St. Georges towards the end of 1947 , Started off in Simpson house [ or Cub house as it was also known] House master being Peter Harper , on Peter’s passing ‘Boet’ Symes took over the house master duties, from the start of ’52 was transfered to Beaton house ‘under ‘ ‘Flossie’ Capener, Left S.G.H. in Dec. ’55
It was if I remember:
‘Robby’ Robson [ Taylor house], ‘ Burney ‘ Moss [ Spakman house] and Ken Mc Holm relief house master…” Wow ” , thats going back 55 years..

Dudley do enjoy life and God bless.. Bye for now . Peter.
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189. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 28, 2009 at 8:07 am

Greetings downunder Peter,

By co-incidence, I just received an e-mail conact from a cousin of mine whom I have not seen or heard of for 50 years. And where is he … Downunder near Perth.

Alls well here in Marina del Rey, California … except that Govt. is broke and the State is in the hole to the tune of 21 billion bucks … but summer’s coming and the weather is fantastic.

Just read an article in the LA Times today that contradicts a statement I made in the ‘Getting the Bug out’ piece above. Apparently archiologists have recently discovered 12 fragments of a hollowed out bone, about 9 inches long in total with 5 precisely placed holes in a liine down it’s length. A flute dating back nearly 30,000 years.

So I stand corrected on Art being the first language … but perhaps it was just the most prolific. Essential nevertheless, in aiding us to ‘see’ our world.

Over 11,000 visitors … where are the bleeding bloggers.
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190. Wobble-U Tree | June 28, 2009 at 8:37 pm

My brother and I came to Goggies when Boet Symes took over Simpson. I was #43 at the house. Moved to Beaton under the Bug.
Later moved to Spackman under Bernie Moss. Just some updates:
Bryant Foord was my best friend, Mikey Mills was my brother, Nick’s best friend. They didn’t nick the moped Bryant was killed on.
I was at that party. Henry “horse” Wiltshire also had the nick-name
“The Saint”. Og and the paw-paw, what a memory, but he did it to
a bottle also. Cowboy Johnson worked for the telephone company at one time. Last I heard, the younger Chapman was a motor mech in N.Transvaal. Tommy Geddes was a good friend, great student an excellent athlete. His older brother was an great pianist. Mikey Mills, Percy Maree and my brother were friends for many years after Goggies. I was expelled from Goggies as I was one of the initiators of the “Rebellion” and because I was most probably the record holder for running away. Bug Capener has a side of him few knew…the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Warlord of Mars, was plagiarised from a manuscript Bug sent Burroughs. Daddy Hale, was a renowned Stage Manager in England. oh yeah, Bomber Brown and an asst. master whose name I just cant recall know, were the actual cause of the Rebellion. Claude and Nico Naude were from Windhoek in SWA. I
recall vaguely that Claude was killed in a hit ‘n run I think. Memories flood back now. The Pringle bros were involved in a movie or docu about crocs in the 60’s sometime. Terry Hampson, now there was a character!!
Although a top-student, I was told by Father Short, that I would be in jail most of my life. That drove me to prove him wrong!! I have led an adventurous and fantastic life, with lots of ups and downs. Because of the adverse influence Father Short had on me I suffered in broken relationships all my life. Multiple marriages went down the drain. Who can remember standing on the parade ground before supper and short saying, in his spitting way, “which blithering idiot urinated in the cold-drink bottles stored in the Gym”
Goggies, around the world, finally settled Amsterdam in 1979,
married and moved to Canada, and now quietly living in a small town operating an apparel imprinting business. Although I am alone now, I have 7 grand-kids, another on it’s way, and am enjoying it all. BTY my brother Nick was also a mercenary with the Wild-Geese in the Congo. One of his fellow mercs was Taffy Jones. Lot of great memories from Goggies, lots of bad ones too. But no matter what the memories, more important is that we took them and grew from them, grew better and stronger. My dislike of Short helped me delve into all manner of religions seeking for that something we all seek. In that respect I am at peace now. The most important thing to me is how ALL the boys from Goggies touched my life in whatever way. Without that kaleidscopic influence I would most probably be incarcerated now. That I can renew contact with those from that time is fantastic and a big thank you to all for making that happen.
Tedd Tree.
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191. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 28, 2009 at 11:14 pm

Tedd Tree,

I recall you and your brother well … as you probably read in one of my comments … no disrespect implied … your mother was one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen in my short life.

Welcome Home. I’m sure you’ve got stories to share which will add to the lore … but a life well lived … is also worth the telling … so write on.

Stuart by the way was a big-time hunter … particularly up in Tanganyika in the late 50’s and early ’60’s. Later in the Okavanga Delta he hunted crocs. He took me with him on one ocassion up the Limpopo and while I was a scared child in the water at night … he was totally fearless and although just a year older than me … he was really an adult at 20.

Years later he started making wildlife documentaries and I left Hong Kong in ’72 to join him in SA until late 1976.

Dudley.
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192. Wobble-U Tree | June 29, 2009 at 2:16 am

Hi Dudley,
Memories!!! I remember a showing of Staurts duco on the crocs in the Okavagon, one of the Jo’burg movie houses. Why I really remember is because before the show started, you came running down one of the aisles dressed in a gorilla suit, and frightened the bejabbers out of us all.
I lived in the New Territories in HK about the same time as you, was on a scholarship studying Ming and Ch’ing dynasty art.
I travelled across Central Afr. a few times and tried to find where Stuart was operating but never was able to get together with him. If memory is correct, were you involved in the movie Leatherlip? about a surfer fellow?
Follow up on some others. Keith Watson was a great singer in the choir and we all thought he would sing for a career. I last saw him performing on stage somewhere in Jo’burg a few years after Goggies. The Oosthuizens. Freddie. always the younger looking twin, went on to be quite an athlete and played either pro or semi-pro soccer. He passed away from a heart attack sometime in his late twenties. Beauregard, the twin we knew as Burgie, make a big name in the fashion world in Cape Town. Brands he founded were Hang Ten, One Penny (Jeans) and Amanda Appleby fashions. Last I heard of Burgie was at a party at his house in Green Point.
Twins of note were the Lancasters, Ronnie and Burt. Both had
polio I think and wore leg-braces. They were awesome with their fists. I know, as I had a few go-arounds with them. Do you recall Woody Woodward? He became a diamond-cutter of note. I found him homeless on the streets in Cape Town one
time and tried to help get him back into a decent life. I wonder if he ever opened the door I showed him? Tommy Geddes also had a younger brother Bobby. I sort of heard about the Geddes family for a few years and then nothing more. Apart from the HouseMaster I am sure was Brown there were two Brown brothers at Goggies also. One was known as Bomber with whom I had quite an adventure through SWA for a while. At that time there was a fellow called Kennedy, also from Goggies, who I bumped into in Windhoek.
The HouseMaster I think was named Brown (I’m most probably mistaken) was also known as Lekker-Gerook. I’m sure he was the HouseMaster who drove the old panel van that headed out with the Advance Party to ‘Tweni and had the accident. Do you remember a boy called Scroeder? He later committed suicide by just walking into the sea in Natal. Also, I’m sure you would know that Paul Kruger joined the BSAP in Rhodesia and also made a name for himself.
At Malvern High my teachers were Ma Mcgregor (math etc), Peter Khoury (Book-Keeping etc), Mr Dutoit (Afrikaans) Ma Knouks for History and drama. Principal was Bob Morrison.
Mr. Cunningham (Science etc)
I attended both the original and new higschools. Also attended Wychwood Primary before Malvern High. I’m sure as the memories flood back I’ll recall so much more. Wow, what an experience opening up that time of my life!!!
I persued various career paths, from designing and building restaurants and nightclubs, to the clothing trade. fishing for a while also. When I finally left SA and settled in Amsterdam Iand became involved in the hostel business. In Canada I worked in the pro-sports arenas, most notably in the NHL, CFL and the NFL. I finally settled back into the rag-trade and now have a business imprinting apparel for sports teams and specialising in events apparel and souvenirs.
At Goggies I had two dreams, to become an author and/or an artist. I wrote two books, which were censored from publication by the then Nat.Govt. I also did a lot of political cartooning and was again heavily censored. I achieved a reasonable measure as an artist and had some good success.
Life does not let one walk exactly on the path one chooses and if one does not adapt one is lost altogether. My path has been one of happiness and great sorrow. Although I still love Africa deeply, I have not returned for 30 years. I was a wanderer above all else and what I saw and witnessed on many of those wanderings are inexplicable and I am loathe to relive them again, especially on the soil where they happened.
Totius, the Afrikaans poet said it best, something like, “God, waar is die woorde vir hierdie verdriet?”
On another note, my mother Sandra was the top fashion model in SA at the time we were at Goggies. She later married into a men’s outfitter family and ceased to work. She was well respected in Stellenbosch where they lived. Mom totally left the lime-light at that time. She passed away last year from a respiratory illness.
To me the most wonderful memories are of the train-ride from Jo’burg to Tweni. We loaded up on “doef-cake” and cans of condensed milk which were boiled into caramel. Willy, who always cooked in Tweni for us, famous for his Skilly and the best bacon in the world, was actually a prince of the Zulu royal family. I spent a lot of wonderful hours with him and learnt all about Zulu history. Somebody mentioned a little restaurant somewhere in Tweni run by a great couple. I’m sure they’re referring to Pirate’s Cove. The great cycle event from Goggies to Tweni was another great memory. Patrick O’Flaherty was the highlight of that adventure. He continued cycling for quite awhile I think. He joined a club run by a MHS teacher called Geoghan or something similar.
I recall a few of my Goggies friends and I burying a time-capsule in the area below the sports grounds, which was quite overgrown then and stretched right to the mine dump and the old mine pit filled with water. In the capsule we put a Goggies blazer badge, a MHS tie, a piece of doef-cake, a bottle of real Cream Soda, some letters and I think some photos. I see from the Google aerial map that that area is now developed so I wonder if the capsule was ever found or is now permanently buried.
I will be placing my art port-folio on a website soon and will let you know the link.
Are there any Goggies alumni living in Western Canada? If so,
I would love to make contact.
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193. Peter deReuck | June 29, 2009 at 3:51 am

Hi Ted Tree…a bit of a refresher, I was firstly in Simpson with Peter Harper on his passing ‘Boet’ Symes took charge, thereafter to Beaton house under ‘Flosie’ Capeber, Do remember the camp trips to Umkomaas, Wideham and finaly ‘Twini’, Willy the cook was really a fun guy…he nicknamed me ‘meercat’.. Period at Gogies …1948 to 1955. Now live in ‘Oz’. land. E/mAIL ADDRESS ..peterdereuck@hotmail.com So much I could chat about from that time ie. Incl. ‘Jacko’ Short. followed by the ‘man’ Strong……lets hear from you. Peter.
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194. John Rossouw | June 29, 2009 at 7:05 am

Greetings Red and welcome
Yourr visit brings a whole new dimensiion to the discussion on the blog as you bring insight into an era before most of us
It would be great to read molre of your stories and memories
At a glance it seems you have led a most interresting life and it would be great to read some exerpts from your banned publications and to view some of your cartoons
SA is now a different country politicaaly so you may wist to have a bash at trying to publish your work
I would be interrested to read more of “the rebellion” as their is a section in Goerge Adam’s book which deals with the incident but not in great detail
Hope to read more in time
Regardsds

John
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195. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 1, 2009 at 7:41 am

Much water under the bridge since Gorillas in the Cinema stunts Ted, but nice to know that you saw the film … it was called; Hunters of the Wild (Motsumi) and wasa docu-feature portrait of the hunters of the bush, rivers and lakes. Leatherlip was altogether another story … not just the film itself … but the making of it. I could write a book about all the odd and curious events that were taking place while in the process of producing it.

The trouble is, I’ve lived and worked in so many countries and there are so many adventures accumulated already … almost all of them a book of stories. Sounds like you’ve had much of the same life.

I’ve been a gypsy most of my life … starting as a child attending 11 schools before coming to SGH and Malvern High … so I’ve become blase’ about the adventures … comes with the territory of the traveller. What I do enjoy about them however, is that there is always a purpose for each specific experience. You don’t always realize it at the time … but in time, the message gets to you and the experience is richer for it … and so are you.

It saddens me to read of the horrible SGH experience some of you guys had. I must confess … I was oblivious to your suffering … for I saw it not as it was certainly not that bad a time for me. Well, we’re twenty to fifty odd years down the road and it’s time to let go of those bad memories … they steal time away from the pleasures you may enjoy in the moment … the Here and Now. They serve no purpose other that to embitter your view of the world and they rob you of laughter.

I see the list of visitors to this site grows by the day but the participants are still few … in time I hope the lookie lookies will clear their throats and also ‘speak’.

Some of the things you mentioned in your blog above Ted, resonate with some of the stuff I do and have done. I should like to communicate with you by email in that regard if you care to exchange some ideas on familiar topics. My email address is; leslielite@verizon.net
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196. Steve | July 2, 2009 at 12:53 pm

I have been reading through all the posts and cant believe how many guys have moved to Australia !
There are so many old boys living in Oz , You guys should make a plan and have a reunion of your own down under.
Percy Maree its a small world , I have just come back from visiting Oz and stayed with my brother in law who also lives in Coomera Waters .
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197. PERCY MAREE | July 3, 2009 at 12:05 am

Hi Steve and Teddy Tree and all others
Steve you are correct there are a lot of Home boys living in Australia I have spoke to Peter De Roux and Tryed to get hold of Eddie Colyne,Cevin Eggling and I spoke a long time ago when he came to my home on the Sunshine Coast
Teddy Tree its good to hear you are well where is you Brother Nick ,I know where Mike Mills is but we have not spoken in a long time.Teddy send me your email address and we can email each other.
Wishing all Old Boys good health.
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198. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 4, 2009 at 10:44 pm

4th. of July 2009.

Independence Day USA!

July 17, 2009 will be my Independence Day … 50 years since the day I walked out of SGH and moved into the YMCA in Braamfontein.

I will not be celebrating my freedom from SGH … instead I will be giving thanks that SGH provided me with a home and stability and the lessons to survive in life without its support.

It is also a time to think about Boss Robson … who despite his severe demeanor, was as a good a father as any of us had in Taylor House. His affect on me is reflected in my signature wherein I adopted a stroke of his pen and two dots that underlined his signature. It has been part of my identification all these years and whenever I sign my name … I cannot but think of him and his influence on my life. Thank you Boss.

Happy 4th. of July shamwari’s.
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199. Wobble-U Tree | July 5, 2009 at 3:53 pm

Invitation to any and all who wish to contact me directly.
use the following email address.

themanca@shaw.ca

Keep the memories of SGH alive but not in a negative way.
Negativity is the slowest of poisons and only we are the
anti-dote if we choose to be.

Does any one out there have a copy of the SGH blazer badge
or a letter-head logo?

Tedd Tree.
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- 200. M.J.Simoes | August 25, 2009 at 5:21 pm
  
  Hi Ted
  
  I am not sure what you are looking for but I have a SGH old boys wire badge from 1977 on a blazer that is in the region of 10 sizes too small for me as it must have “shrunk”. I have been planning to have it attached to a new “correct ” sized blazer for myself. As a matter of interest what would you want to do with it??.This as I am very attached to it and do not wish to loose it.
  
  Blane says: If it’s possible, I’d love a high-quality scan or photo of your badge, too, for use on the website.
  Reply
201. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 6, 2009 at 6:28 am

Communication & Networking.

When my son, Niels was 14 years of age he said something remarkable to me … remarkable in so much as it was a common understanding amongst most successful people and is taken for granted as a pre-requisite for success..

He said; ‘I’ve got my team together … and together, we can do anything.’ And they did … I could write a book about their exploits. There were 14 of them and to this day, though they don’t play games, stage pranks or go on outlandish vacations in Spain with each other any more … they are still a team under my son’s leadership. They are all around 40 years old today and have been buddies since they were 6 and 7. The other 13 are all sons of the Captain’s of Dutch Industry or the professions .. a pretty strong group. As a result, my son has a very strong and succesful career as a movie producer and director.

I realized in that moment, that I had never had a team and still don’t. Although I now know many people and can connect things together … they are not MY Team … just contacts.I can’t move mountains … but I know I could, with a ‘team’ who are all for one and one for all.

Nostalgia doubtless brought most of us to this site and by doing so, may well be the means to help us change that same Nostalgia into Future Memories. By which I mean, the results of inter-personal net-working.

This is a unique opportunity in time that none of us could have forseen during our stay at SGH. The Internet and E-mail. Even in direct contact with an old friend, you cannot communicate more clearly today than with e-mail … where you have time to think and research what you want to say, express or visually portray.

There have been several hundreds of us who have passed through the care (or system for some) of SGH … so we all have a common touch stone … The SGH Experience … and it was unique. We all know where we are coming from. And that is a remarkable advantage for exploring oportunities
that benefits all particpants in such adventures … whatever they may be.

What do I mean by benefits? We all of us have careers and have learned skills of one kind or another. They take us down paths that are some times profitable (and I don’t mean only monetary) … and some times not. Success is achieved by taking advantage of all the ‘benefits’ of co-operation with others to reach a common goal or separate goals derived from the same objective … when you cannot reach it without help. This is true in sport, research, industry, commerce and business in general … creative or otherwise.

‘Communication’, if I may quote Vera Kirkland: ‘ … is language, and we are living in a day and age when the English language is the dominant tongue on earth. How you present yourself in the future is totally dependent on the quality of your personal language. If you want people to see you shine … polish it up!’

Networking: The invention of the 21st century. Here is the Forum for networking that none of us ever had before … that is, networking within the ‘team’ … and if we choose to be … we can be a formidable team … ‘that can do anything!’

So, to Network you have to Communicate! And the best way to do that is to take complete advantage of this opportunity that Blane van Pletzen has made possibe for us. I have repeatedly urged you guys not to wallow in Nostalgia and to talk about yourselves in the here and Now … what are you doing, what are your skills, what are your ambitions or goals?
Who knows who might be fiunctioning in a related subject or objective? By communicating through this forum and then later outside this site, with private emails you can reach and help each other.

It might even be an idea if one of us … whoever has the computer and internet skills, sets up a separate site; e.g.:
SGH Networking – where we can all log in our resume’s and ideas and goals objectives. Get the idea?

If you think you have retired … think again.
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202. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 6, 2009 at 5:51 pm

One down – Hundreds to go!

I have just received an e-mail; from Tedd Tree in Canada, in which he has volunteered to host a Networking site. He has the technical expertise in-house to set it up and has asked for any input in the nature of it’s structure.

That’s very encouraging … but before we take up his time and the costs of his computer tech … it would be useful to know if there is a common interest in this idea. The very fact that I can communicate this concept to all of you within sedconds and with responses so rapid … is the very reason that this proposal was outlined in the first place.

If any of you are interested … it would be useful for you to say so. Without an overwhelming response … there is no interest, no ‘Team’ project to put together and thus … no Networking.

So, as they say in the navy, pull your thumb out your bums, set your minds to neutral and say Aye nor Nay … but Do IT!
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203. John Rossouw | July 7, 2009 at 8:17 am

Greetings all

Please count me in for the networking opportunity

On another note I passed by Fr Eric Richardson’s on the way home yeterday
His daughter Debbie is visiting from New Zealand for 10 days and it was lovely to see her
They leave for Natal today and will be spending time with Michael Richardson in Koof in Natal
I again saved details of this blog on his PC and gave the details to Debbie as well as details of the facebook siite so hopefully we will have new visitors in due course
Kind regards to all
John
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204. Vanessa Hurlimann | July 22, 2009 at 1:46 pm

What a pity Dudley!!!…networking really is THE only way to go today…..perhaps you should have put the word out on the SGH FB wall….more visitors to that site perhaps??…
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205. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 28, 2009 at 1:01 am

John Rossouw your email (jonros@iAfrica.com) is not working … could you email me it again as I have some material I wanted to pass onto you which I thought you might find interesting.

Dudley Pringle.
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206. Madalena | August 1, 2009 at 4:02 pm

I knew a guy at Malvern High School (1982_1986) who stayed at Saint George’s Home for boys. His name: Vasco da Gama. Have you heard from him? I would love to know sometinhg about him
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- 207. Dave Dry (formerly Brandon Phipps) | February 17, 2010 at 11:47 am
  
  Hi there, I was in SGH from 75 to 87 and in Malvern High from 83 to 87. Vasco married Sylvina Ribiero (not sure of the spelling anymore) but they have recently divorced, I am sorry to add. However I am still in touch with a number of school friends who know his whereabouts (I think).
  Reply
  - 208. Roselie | May 28, 2012 at 9:44 am
    
    If you have any details with regard Vasco’s where abouts, please leave them here for me
209. Peter de Reuck | August 4, 2009 at 12:33 am

‘Howzit’ to all the ex. Goggies boys, how are you all?….I still cant accept the fact that goggies has closed down, to me it was home for 8 years, ..1948/ 55. Such good, good memories. Anyway ..you guys all keep well and please continue with the letters.. I now reside in Queensland Australia…[retired.] have 5 grown up children and 7 grandchildren who I spoil like crazy. contact me if you will ..E/Mail…peterdereuck@hotmail.com. Bye for now . Peter.
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210. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 4, 2009 at 5:41 pm

Blanket Apology.

When the good ship ‘Madelena’ sailed into the St. Goggies waters … it was into a full-scale fray between the Portuguese and Brits (traditional origins) … and you could hear the cannon fire as far as Australia, Canada, and USA.

I sincerely apologize that you ‘she’ received such a ‘hot reception’, and my attempt at levity to cool the heat of battle was misconstrued as yet another shot across the bow … and so back-fired on me. The co-incidence of national origins and a famous name was irresistable at a a time of tense exchanges of firepower.

Pardon me Madelena, no disrepsect was intended and I’m really sorry that your entrance into this site was met with such a fusilade of emotions.

To the ringside audience … what can I say. I’m a homeboy and so is Joao … were we still at SGH … we wouild doubtless have retired to the copse of trees below the parade ground after supper one night and then proceed to slug it out.

Traditionally those scraps would work themselves out into two guys not talking to each for sometime … or becoming the best of friends. Lets us hope that we can arrive at the latter. Fortunately for us … the referee, in the form of Blane blew the whistle and put a stop to it.

For my part hommies … I am truly sorry that I started this public ugliness and that it esculated into a brawl … as we are no longer kids and should have taken this disagreement off the pages and into a private arena. Joao’s re-action was not only understandable … but should have been expected. I was foolish and careless and as a result … I suffered some licks and a healthy dose of humility.

TKO in round 5.
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211. M.J.Simoes | August 5, 2009 at 10:53 am

Good Day to All

For my part in this unfortunate fray I must also apologize to all who were witness to it. Yes the fray was not only unfortunate but alas when all is said and done, as with most disagreements it comes to be fruitless.

Blane yes you did nip the debate in just the right time and thanks for that.

As I don”t know if Madelena read my input concerning the attempted contact with Vasco da Gama but I never did know the gentleman you are looking for as he was a fellow inmate long after I left. Good luck to you in your efforts to find him.

Kind Regards to all

M.J.Simoes (PFP)
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212. M.J.Simoes | August 7, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Who can forget Tweni. Madness for 3 weeks. My one memory is that of 1974. Juniors were not allowed anywhere near the senior’s fire which was situated next to the “cook house. Me being very bored decided to chop wood for the senior even though not allowed, I attempt to do this task. Not a good idea as I can barely handle the axe. After numerous attempts I eventually get it “right” and proceed to hit myself with the axe on the right ankle. This just happens and I am attempting to check the woud when Willy the cook walks past and sees what just happened. Well he takes one look at this and decides to take me against my “wishes” to the surgery tent in order for Rosy the nurse to have a look at the wound. For me not a good idea as a junior am not supposed to be there. None the less he drags me to the said tent no matter how much I try to bribe him to leave me be. Rosy takes one look at the wound and decides that this is more than she can handle and decides to inform Mackey much to my dismay. Next thing you know Fr Clayton is called and I am bundled into his Valiant and taken through to Port Shepstone hospital at break neck speed which I might add I enjoyed. Now in the back of my mind I am already calculating how many cuts I am going to receive for this “adventure” . On arriving at the hospital Fr Clayton does his bit at the reception and a very nice nurse is trying to entice me to put my foot on the nice clean sheet so she can have a look , I of course am still calculating the cuts and decide if I dirty the clean white sheets too much or even at all this is going to lead to even more of a thrashing and try to convince her to tell the doctor that all is fine and that I can go. She on the other hand has a different idea all together and decides to fetch some water with disinfectant in to clean the wound while I hang my now bleeding foot off the bed. I eventually agree to sit on the floor while she puts the container with the water on the floor. She informs me that it might sting to which I reply that’s not an issue as I am an SGH boy and we can take anything . She proceeds to insert my now very bloody foot into the what turns out to be a very hot concoction. Man does it burn ,she asks if I am alright and I inform her that this nothing where upon she leaves the room. Man she is hardly out of the room and my foot is out of the water and I am blowing for all that I am worth just to hear her coming back and I dunk my foot back into this steaming concoction and making as there is nothing wrong but man is it burning like there is no tomorrow. Eventually the doctor walks in and proceeds to inform me that he is going to inject me to which I bravely reply “no problem” meanwhile I am “sh@#$ting myself. Must say the doc was good and it was not long and I was actually trying to help him do the sticking.

Getting back to camp I was now waiting t be called into the firstly the house masters tent and then Mackey”s tent for the traditional “six of the best” but to this day nothing happened much to my worry. Maybe they were “saving it up ” for a later date. This was in 1974 and I am still waiting.
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213. Wendy Thompson/Jones | August 7, 2009 at 7:12 pm

Hi Joao
I guess everyone decided you had had a ‘fair punishment’:)

I recently had occasion to travel to Joburg unexpectedly and had the wonderful experience of having supper with Heather and her husband. it was great to reconnect after all these years.
Hope everyone (in SA) has a great long weekend. Regards Wendy
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214. Peter de Reuck | August 11, 2009 at 9:03 am

A big hello to all ex. goggies boys from any era. May you all be blessed. It’s been a long,log time …[54years to be to be precise], but the memories linger on. Bye for now …Peter.
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215. Wobble-U Tree | August 26, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Hi Joey
re that badge..could you scan or photograph it? Either way try and get a good close-up so that it’s as big as possible on the screen. If you can send it to me I could possibly recreate it in various formats ie embroidery, screening etc. Then if any Goggies old boys would like one for themselves I’d have it available. Thanks a bunch.
Tedd.
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216. Peter de Reuck | September 2, 2009 at 5:13 am

Does anyone know what ever happened to the photographs that adorned the dining hall …[ mid. 40s to mid 50s.?…..also the old tuck shop…was that demolished?. Havn’t visited since 1955 , so many many unanswered questions…….I do believe that there will shortly be a book published Re. the historh of S.G.H.??. if so please keep me informed on how to be the proud owner of one of these . I reside in Queensland Australia….E/Mail address ..peterdereuck@hotmail.com. all the best to one and all …God bless.
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217. anon | September 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm

What a surprise! Was watching a kiddies movie, called `The Sorcerer´s Apprentice, starring Robert Davi (as Merlin) and Kelly Le Brock (as Morgana), and I nearly fell off my chair (ok, I did). Why? Because it featured St Georges (and Wits University) in its setting. Produced in 2001.
Last line of dialogue has Ben (the kiddy character) saying (on the road alongside the Parade Ground and looking towards Spackman House): “I like this place. It´s magical”
Unfortunately (or should I say, fortunately), Ben, not being a Home Boy, had no idea how wrong he was.
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218. Peter de Reuck | September 7, 2009 at 2:09 am

Ww …this site was doing so well………from a proud ex. St ‘Goggies’ boy…..1948 to 1955,,,, I wish you all well and God bless.. Look after yourselves.. as we say here /\’ down under’….good on ya.
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219. anon | September 7, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Was??
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220. anon | September 7, 2009 at 2:24 pm

I forgot to add……from a not-so-proud ex St Georges boy….and I was there 9 years…….but in truth, it´s been a life time. Every time I think about the place my heart rate increases, I shake uncontrollably, sweat, and I cannot sleep…….and that´s nearly half a century later…….what a Home indeed!!
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221. Peter de Reuck | September 7, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Hi Anon….’howzit’ , so sorry you feel that way, but hey !! we all form our own opinions . so you keep well and enjoy life. … God bless. Bye for now , Peter. [ what years did you attend goggies;;?..]
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222. Wobble-U Tree | September 7, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Hi to all those goggies-guys who make this site sooooooo very interesting. All the collective comments I’ve read here make me
think about the ups & downs of life in general and how we cant
structure it by ourselves. We can only do what we want to do
everyday and adjust that day according to whatever confronts
us. Every one of us has good and bad memories of goggies and
it’s how we’ve used that experience that makes us what we are
now. I’m glad to be able to share these memories with fellow goggies-guys. I’m also very proud to say my name is Tedd Tree.
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223. Peter de Reuck | September 8, 2009 at 2:06 am

Hi Ted Tree , how are you?…Liked your imput. I tell you it’s so good to hear from you guys from the old days.in goggies. some liked other’s didn’t but hey!!.. all of us to our own opinions. at the ripe old age of ‘three score and ten’ it’s good to reminisce on good and bad days gone, St Georges …what an eventfull eight years of my life, I tell you I could write a book on all the happenings experienced during that time, Mid. year camps down on the coast, splash parties at the end of the year..[ Fluffy Capeners lobster ‘saamies’] pinching fruit from ‘Solly Kramers ” fruit trees resulting in 6 cuts from ‘Jacko’ Short…could go on and on and on……good to chat. do keep well and ‘good on ya.’.. Bye for now …. Peter.
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224. anon | September 8, 2009 at 11:07 am

Last post – and yes, the pun is intended and I`m very proud to announce my name is anon.

Bishop Ernulphus (1040-1124), having more time on his hands than he cared to admit, composed a gigantic curse. The great advantage of said curse is that it may be printed off and secreted somewhere safe to be applied to any person or, with a few minor alterations to the text, any object, should the occasion arise.

The first time I heard it gainfully employed was with Uncle Toby and his brother Walter. It was directed against the servant, Obediah, who had bound Dr Slop´s medical bag with too many knots. Dr Slop, unable to untie the knots, resorted to a knife and in the process cut his thumb. He hopped around the room, cursing Obediah.

“Let´s do this properly,” said Walter, removing Ernulphus´s Curse from a niche above the fireplace. “Read this aloud but be sure to insert `Obediah`where necessary.”

Dr Slop did read it aloud and was accompanied by Uncle Toby´s whistled rendition of Lillibullero (a march composed by Henry Purcell). Uncle Toby paused only once to remark, “For my own part, I could not have a heart to curse my dog so.”

Having vented his spleen, some half hour later, Dr Slop was requested to return Ernulphus´s Great Curse to its niche above the fireplace. I asked and was granted permission to make a copy.

I am resolved never again to return to this site. But I am now possessed of an instrument to assuage the loathing I feel for Saint George´s Home for Boys: it is Bishop Ernulphus´s Great Curse.
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225. Steve | September 8, 2009 at 11:30 am

Anon – You need help buddy , You got some deep routed issues there and almost 50 years on and you havent solved them !!
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226. Anon | September 8, 2009 at 11:33 am

To Anon , I think that its quite obvious that you were in Spackman House in the 80s when Peter Nicholls was housemaster for you to feel that way !!
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227. Another Anon | September 8, 2009 at 5:12 pm

Hey Anon

Yes as has been mentioned earlier in all the comments it was bad. Man I still have scars running across my back but I am still proud to say I was an SGH boy. If you think Peter Nicholls was bad try living with Herb Thompson between 72 to 75. The man was a tyrant to say the least. I prefer to stay anon in this contribution for reasons best kept to myself.
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- 228. Dave Dry (formerly Brandon Phipps) | February 17, 2010 at 12:04 pm
  
  Hey Another Anon, I completely agree with your comment. OMW the man terrified me; my worst was the canings when I had never in my life before this been reprimanded. LMAO! I arrived in 75!
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229. Peter de Reuck | September 10, 2009 at 12:32 am

Well it’s good to air one’s Moans & groans but as Steve say’s ‘ it’s been ages’……..we all had our ups and downs at goggies but hey! ”if you cant take the heat get out of the kitchen”……’ fight fire with fire’…..the 1947/ 1955 era was sure a period to remember, I havn’t read of names mentioned from my stay but if any of you are still around..” howzit you guys”……it’s been ages, 55 years to be precise, now spending my retirement years in Oz. and loving it. All goggies old boys keep well and God bless. Peter.
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230. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 10, 2009 at 7:08 am

The trick is to remember the best of times and to forget as quick … bad memories. They’ll haunt you and daunt you for as long as you hold onto them … for negativity, like lichen and moss, will smother you if you do not move your mind to sunnier climes.

How sad it is that 60 year old men hold onto misery so
strongly, that for years they deny themselves the pleasure of joy.

There have been several Anon’s … all carry scars and sad memories of what to most of us, was Sanctury and Comradeship. We all picked up scars … but we get over it.

So to those anonymouses I say: If you have nothing good to say – say nought, for an ongoing whine of 50 years is way more than enough.
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231. Anon | September 10, 2009 at 11:32 am

Peter De Reuck I hope that you still support the SpringBoks – I see they were in your neck of the woods recently !
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232. Peter de Reuck | September 10, 2009 at 11:56 am

Hi’ Anon’……..yeah, will allways support the Bokke , not forgetting the ‘ Blue bulls’ who I have been supporting for many , many years……….from the days of Frik du preez and Co. .. do keep well and keep writting…….Good on ya. Bye for now ….Peter. [ The springbokke play in N.Z. on Saturday….will watch on the big screen at the local club.]…..
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233. M.J.Simoes | September 10, 2009 at 6:28 pm

Yeah Man always the Boks. I really hope the reff knows what he is doing this hopefully.

It is a strange thing about the human race we seem to dwell on the negative instead of focusing on a possible positive future. I suppose it’s human nature.I suppose it is easier to focus on the negative than the positive as it perhaps as it could be personal. Hey lads let us think of the positive that came out of SGH but let us also not forget the negative lest it reoccure, as I for one have learnt from it. Yes even the negative part of my own history. I learnt perseverance, guts and forgive me for the choice of language but to have a set of nuts and stand up for yourself and what you feel is right for you.

Never give up no matter the odds and never stand back. That’s the lesson to be learnt.
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234. Cevin Egling | September 12, 2009 at 3:24 am

WTF ??? Hey Anon ! What HAVE you been smoking ?
I want some. But please don’t bring that ‘ol curse anywhere near me. Sounds real scary.
Mate, if I was you…. I’d listen to a lot of blues music. That could help you draw strength from whatever perceived (or real) injustices you’ve received in life . Blues is good for the soul.

But I guess you won’t even read this…..cause you’ve resolved never to return to this site….. .

But I do not wish to trivialize or ridicule any persons feelings or hurt…… but I REALLY wish I could help you/them move on. It’s just not worth holding onto that shit.

Do any of you have flashbacks to the home when you hear a particular song ? Cliff Richard, (don’t laugh-Summer Holiday), the Shadows,(Football Venter), The Beatles (Jogs) or even Simon and Garfunkel (Kevin Stafford).

Music. One of the greatest pleasures in life and some of my warmest memories of the home. Lying in bed on a Sunday night, listening (on Georgie Wilsons transistor radio) to the LM Hit Parade…whilst consuming a 2-bob slab of Cadburys Chocolate…..quietly… so you didn’t have to share.

Or who could forget the the early Beatles songs they played at the ‘Sessions’ ! Whenever I hear “Love me Do” I want to rush out and get a half-jack -for courage-, and begin practicing my dance steps -to be cool- and desparately try borrow some Clearasil -so I did not scare the prospects.

Or who could not think of horses when they heard :

Roaming in the gloaming,
with a Bonnie near the Clyde.
Roaming in the gloaming,
with a lassie by my side.
‘Tis when the sun goes down,
that’s the time that I like best.
Oh yeah, I’m roaming in the gloaming.

(I bet you’re cursing me now cause you can’t get the song out of your head. )
Can anybody picture Greg Mann (top bloke) on the tiny Shamrock doing jumps, with that song blaring from a megaphone- thing up on a pole.

If anyone out there was in the home from the early to mid sixties make sure you see the movie ‘The ship That Rocked’.
Crap movie…but the music was a great trip down memory lane.
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235. Peter de Reuck | September 12, 2009 at 5:06 am

Do you know what I remember so clearly ..?… a bunch of us sitting in the dinning hall in 1952 listening to the Vic Toweel v/s Manual Ortiz bout on an old valve radio supplied by ‘fluffy’ Capener …. what joy after Vic won the bout and of course the world bantam weight championship, and a year or so later listening in the Beaton house common /room to Vic loosing the tittle to Jimmy Curruthers, wow !! it does seem so long ago. These are just some of the many many good memories I have of my eight year stay in gogies. [[ Reading through some very old sporting magazines brought this to mind. ]]……Love to chat and reminisce over old times. Will watch the Boks. take on the All Blacks in N.Z. tonoght. just one point to clinch the Tri Nations title. Ok you guys where ever you may be on this planet of ours may your lives be filled with joy and happiness…’.Good on ya’ and God bless.
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236. Peter de Reuck | September 12, 2009 at 1:17 pm

A bit later…..The boks have been crowned Tri, Nation champions…..well done Boks.
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237. Peter de Reuck | September 13, 2009 at 10:48 pm

It’s the 14th Nov. here in Queensland and what a great day. I will do the necessary then off to the lake to do some fishing…..an abundance of Breem on the bite… wish me luck. All ;goggies old boys ….have a swell day.
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238. John Rossouw | September 16, 2009 at 4:47 pm

Hi Cevin and welcome to the site

Please say hi to Malcolm “Tickey” your brother and pass on regards from the Rossouw brothers to you and your family
You may be interested to know your name and that of the Egling family features prominently in Goergie’s book
I also photographed your name as a recipient of a number of sports trophies which I still need to download
Not sure if you are aware but Des our brother passed away in 2005 He was in Smuts house and you in Crawford in 68
I also received a cd from Bee Bop last year which has a recording of the launch of Radio St George on SABC which features you as head announcer on the new “in house” radio station.
Also not to bring up bad memories of the past but the book mentions your late brother who was tragically killed on route home after climbing Mt Kilamanjaro which at the time was a most significant achievement for a St Georges boy – even today as I have a colleague who did it earlier this year
The wine chalice used in communion was donated by your mom in memory of your brother and Tckey and you were both head servers in the chapel
For thise who may be interested I resued a number of sets of cufflinks and lapel pin badges as well as some home ties (the striped ones worn by juniors) so if anyone is interested in acquiring them let me know. Obviously you will need to pay for postage etc to get them to you. I also have 80 honours ties which were awarded for significant contribution to the home and I am at a loss as to what to do with them as any merit in wearing same would be purely honorary as I would not want to dilute the prestige of the award to the likes of Ken Mc Holm, Eric Richardson, Flossie Capener, Lawrie Symes, Bernie Moss and the likes so I would welcome suggestions from old boys as to how to deal with them

Regards to all old boys out there
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- 239. M.J.Simoes | September 21, 2009 at 6:54 pm
  
  Hi John
  
  Regarding your comment pertainig to the cuff links and badges, yes I would be very interested in purchasing a pair of cuff links and a SGH honours badge. Please inform me to how we can arrange the afore mentioned articles. These would be a great momento for myself.
  
  Regards
  
  M.J.Simoes (PFP)
  Reply
- 240. Natalie Egling | November 29, 2016 at 3:45 pm
  
  Hi John,
  I’m Leslie Egling’s daughter and I’d be interested in getting a copy of George’s book. as mentioned above. Could you please let me know how to go about doing that. Thank you.
  
  natalie.egling@gmail.com
  Reply
241. John Rossouw | September 16, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Hi
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242. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 18, 2009 at 7:13 am

I don’t know if any of you fellow hommies read George Orwell’s ‘1984’ … and for those that did, the link below will make you think.

For those who didn’t – it shouldn’t … but it will surprise you.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175115/war_is_peace
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243. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 19, 2009 at 6:12 am

Any mechanical engineers amongst the horde of ex-homeboys out there? Interested in a once in a lifetime challenge to solve a gearing problem for a revolutionary rotary sail sailyacht?

Some months ago I proposed to set up a networking forum outside of this blog … where we all can take adavantage of our unique and individual skills to help and particpate in projects proposed by others . We remain a unique network of a single family … all ex-St. Goggians … having shared a common experience and bond of brotherhood that stretched though 75 years.

At the time that idea was met with a resounding silence … save for John Rossouw, Joao Simoes and Tedd Tree , who offered to host the service … nobody was interested. Pity. ‘Cause 4 guys does not a Network make.

The whole idea of St. George’s … was to create a sense of family to replace the actual families we did not have. To learn to be for there for each other, that together we could be more than each one of us alone. And in many ways that proved to be true. We excelled at sports (team spirit), we excelled at cadets and band competitions (team work).

So working together with common goals is something we’re good at. That is why I cannot understand such a lack of enthusiasm for something so fundamentally beneficial to each and every one of us.

So, instead of waiting for Mohamad to come to the mountain, I’m bringing the mountain to Mohamad. In other words, instead of waiting for you guys to get involved, I’ll start the ball rolling by asking for help.

I spent two years and 240 drawings to complete a design plan for a new kind of sailing yacht based on a folding-wings trimaran platform. It’s principle distinction is dual rotary sails (quarter-conical in shape) that can fly 360 degrees in both directions at the same time, in opposite directions to each other or any one at a time in either direction clockwise or counterclockwise … and both around the same mast!

Advantage? Double the sail of traditional yachts – double the speed with steering wheel control of both sails in a powerboat style cockpit. But I’ve got a gearting problem and need another pair of eyes tied to a mechanical engineering mindset. Anyone?
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244. Wobble-U Tree | September 20, 2009 at 8:15 pm

I forwarded a printable copy of the St.Georges crest to MJS who was kind enough to photograph an embroidered version he had.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like a copy of it. I can
also re-create actual embroidered crests if there is a reasonable
demand for them out there.

On another tack, Dudley is revisiting the possibility of a network of
old boys and I feel that this should become a reality in the near future. I have been busy preparing a website for this and will soon go ahead and stream it for those who are interested. I really
believ it can work, so give it a try when it’s streamed.
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245. M.J.Simoes | September 21, 2009 at 6:07 pm

Hi DC

While I am not a mechanical engineer please send me you drawings and blue prints and I will see if I can possibly assist being in the mechanical sphere for the last 29 years.

Hi Ted

Yes I still am very interested in the networking. It can and most probably will open many doors for many people in the future as for your mail regarding the badges and crests I should think many an ex SGH boy would be interested.

Kind Regards

M.J.Simoes (PFP)
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246. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 22, 2009 at 5:33 am

What goes around – comes around. A perfect example of what can happen after a disagreement amongst home boys, you either avoid each other after an altercation – or you become the best of chums. This is defintely one for the books. As Joao has demonstrated … we had our ‘differences’ and now he is the sole respondedent to my plea for help. Can you dig it? Thanks Joao … I have your email and will start preparing the docs. for web transmission to you. Be patient though I have some prepping to do.

Tedd Tree on the other hand, is a classic example of the genuine intrepreneur … what I always believed that most home boys were. We were all so deprived as kids, we had to makeshift just about anything we wanted. Well, Tedd is not only NOT waiting for Mohamad … he has started shovelling down that mountain and bringing it to you … so I hope and trust that the rest of you consider acting on his initiative.
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247. Peter de Reuck | September 23, 2009 at 3:51 am

The weather really ‘sucks here on the Gold coast today…….. lousy ,, very windy and believe it or not ..bad sand storms. so we will fish another day. To all you Goggies old boys , house masters,and the likes… wherever you may be on this vast planet of ours …enjoy life and ‘good on ya ‘ —– Peter de Reuck.
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248. Cevin Egling | September 23, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Hi John.

Thank you for your words of welcome and apologies for my late reply.

I’m terribly sorry to hear of Desmonds death. I can remember the many years we spent together in our junior years and recall Dessy as a gentlle soul but always ready to share a joke and a laugh. My belated commiserations to you and your families.

My brother Malcolm also died a number of years ago so it will be a while (hopefully) before I can pass on your regards but thank you anyway.

John, is there any way I can get my hands on Georgies Book and that recording Bee Bop sent you ? Would love to have some tangible legacy of the home. Is it possible to email the CD to cevin.egling@gmail.com ?

Have read with interest Michaels entries. Please pass on my regards (and admiration) to him. Anybody who can handle the heat and humidity of the Phillipines deserves a medal.

Keep well and looking forward to your reply.
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249. Peter de Reuck | September 26, 2009 at 5:20 am

Lookin back to the Band comps. in the early 1950s, there was always great rivalry between ..:: [a] St Georges. [b]. Forest High [ c] Athlone High and [d] Germiston high. . Harry Fisher walking away with the Best buglar trophy every year . What ever happened to such guys as Harry fisher, Ernest Bher James White……it’s great to reminisce over those times. Reading by past post most of you guys were not in ”Goggies” during that era….but hey ”talk to me ‘ it’s great to chat. Good on ya.
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250. Michael Rossouw | September 26, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Dear Fellow Goggians and Friends
I have for some time been silent on this site; not for want of not wishing to write , but being extremely busy at work and working in my diocese in the Philippines and back in Kimberley and Kuruman last June and July.
My brothers David and John very kindly looked after me on this visit as usual when I arrived in JHB and then again during the last three days of my visit prior to my return here. The bulk of my holiday was spent in Kimberley working in the Cathedral parish of St Cyprian (probably the most beautiful cathedral for me in the whole of Africa)and the parishes of St Peter and Paul in Greenpoint ( a very disadvantaged area despite the Apartheid era having supposedly put at an end to misery in Black and so called “coloured” townships) and at St Augustine’s in Kimberley, where I was able to ‘make some amends’ as we say.( I left Kimberley in 2001 after things falling apart in my life.)
The visit proved to me that people are actually more forgiving than we realize.

Whilst my heart too is truly “African” and I long to return, I feel alienated from the land of my birth. There were only two clergy of Caucasian descent (myself being one) in the whole of my former Diocese which is 3 times bigger than the Church of England in geographical size and probably much much bigger than the Episcopal church in the Philippines where I serve as chaplain to Brent international school.

Also chaplaincies in Anglican schools in South Africa are kept for the chosen few, usually from an “old school tie ” network in these institutions.So , for “a boertjie from Booysens” Johannesburg , and a product of “the orphs” as we fondly called St George’s in my day, I guess i haven’t done too badly in ministry and teaching.

Our school in Baguio turned 100 in April. I was privileged to be part of the clergy at that celebration, reading the Gospel at the Centenary Mass and the lessons at Evensong.
It struck me then how unique a place St George’s was.
What, i asked myself, had i done to find myself thousands of miles from my Home to find myself being here celebrating with folks who had come from all over the world to share their memories in Brent school which had been their “home”during their childhood.

I too then wondered what it would be like to have a reunion to end all reunions for old boys and girls, for the model of child care which replaced the Home as we knew it cared for girls as well.
I guess for many of us that would be too painful. It isn’t the home we knew. Gone are the groves of pine trees where “scraps” (fights) used to take place ; no longer the old “pig sty” from which a tattered Union Jack flag flew over the smokers den of the anti republican force! No Cadet store housing the old rifles used in our memorial parades on November 11th, no band room filled with all the instruments which we practiced on and played, sometimes most untunefully. Sometimes i wonder if the home was ever was ours to keep.

Many institutions including my old Teachers’ training College, JCE are now no more and, like St George’s Home, have been swallowed up into other institutions.

My brother John shared with me his feelings when he attended Kennedy James Mc Holm’s memorial service at what is now called the Bishop Bavin school chapel. The Reverend Dr Morgan Ellis , now rector of that institution, invited folks to ‘The refectory” for refreshments. Apparently old boys looked at each other in confusion. Ellis then said, “the hall as you remember it.” With a wry smile on his face my boet wrote that, for short while only, the “home we knew was once again ours!”

It seems quite strange that what was once a simple hall/dining room, simply decorated with the portraits of headmasters from the time of Noel Aldridge to Ken Mc Holm, (the last official headmaster, as in my books Barry lodge doesn’t count!) and a fairly plain building is now decorated with the portraits (very large and ornate, covered in gold tinted frames, nogal) of portraits of Bishop Timothy Bavin after whom the school is named (it’s called Bishop Bavin School/St Georges, but the St George’s part has been dropped long ago as Eric Richardson predicted) and those portraits of the former bishop, Duncan Buchanan and of course that of the current bishop, Brain Germond.
I believe my Brother John had many of the photos, archives and other stuff moved to the archives of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Sports photos from the time of the home are now housed in the hall as well as many of the trophies.I believe John rescued these before the new organization COACH ( Council of Anglican Children’s homes) was formed absorbing Lodge’s cottages which replaced our Home into its new structure. These I believe are now part of the school and did through John’s actions,escaped the rubbish dump.

For what it’s worth, i did not “enjoy” my stay in the Home. I was bullied a lot and because of my personality, often the object of ridicule. The canings and beatings I received were more from teachers at Malvern high than the masters of SGH.The boys themselves were the bullies, emulating those masters who ruled with the cane. Despite this, there were individuals who did care for us. men like Brian Gannon, Derick James, eorge Adams, himself an old boy of the home, Alan Burgess and JJ deJager who were in their own way aware of our situation as boys in need of care and guidance. No institution is perfect, but The home with all its imperfections worked wonders in the lives of many individuals who passed through its doors.

dear Anon. We do understand your pain and we do share your hurt. By Putting St George’s under the curse of Ernulphus, are not putting all of us old boys under that same curse as well? lf that’s the case i really feel pity for you.
However I do not fear you, your curse or any other stuff you may wish to put on us or the home. The Home is not the building or those who gave out this abuse.

It is about a unique group of individuals who were able to rise above all of this and make a difference to their lives and the lives of those around them where they find themselves.

St George’s never prepared us for things like marriage,certainly not in my case,and all the life skills needed to cope in a changing world.It did however do the best it could to prepare us as best it could for this changing world..

Please! I beg of you if you are reading this website on the QT, in the Name of Our Lord Jesus who is the Saviour of the world forgive those who have hurt you. “Do not curse them, bless them” You will have relief from your suffering and not need to put a curse on those who feel your pain.

Blessings to you all wherever you are.
Till next time, Yours sincerely

Michael Rossouw (1961-1967)
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- 251. M.J.Simoes | September 27, 2009 at 8:55 am
  
  Good Day Michael
  
  Redarding your comments and sentiments I find that I can agree with many of them but again on the other side not all.
  
  On the Bishop Bavin part of your comment I like to think that this now school for the snotty rich is and will never in my opinion be theirs. The school, as I wish to see are care takers and thats all they will ever amount to.
  
  I prefer to see SGH boys in the light of the famous Shakespeare speach .Yes the one pertaining to the band of brothers. The name of the play escapes me at this moment but I am sure somebody will remind me.
  
  This in the light of the fray between myself and DC Pringle, that being that no matter our differeces if any person other than SGH boy had attempted to interfere in it and said anything unpleasant to DC I would in a blink of an eye supported DC to the end.
  
  Once an SGH boy always an SGH boy.
  Reply
- 252. peter nickles | July 18, 2010 at 3:59 pm
  
  Hi Mike – good to get news of you.Be well.
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253. Wobble-U Tree | September 26, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Hi Peter and every-one else,
For some reason being in the Cadets at Goggies and Malvern High was one of my favourite recollections. Maybe the structure of it was what I needed at the time, who knows, but I enjoyed it.
Nutsy Moore was my first Patrol Leader in Cadets and he was a
hard task master. The annual cadet competitions were great, mostly held in Brakpan and our main competition was Brakpan High and an Afrikaans School called Fakkel High. If I recall correctly, the Band Competitions were held at the same time at the same location. I recall one year that we had a fantastic Drum Major, although his name escapes me, who was a wiz with the mace. During the competition he hurled the mace, spinning, high in the air, slightly misread the trajectory as it fell and surely thought it would fall behind him and that of course would put them out of the competition. For those who dont understand this, two things were at play, Brakpan High had gone before Goggies and had an an almost perfect performance, and secondly, this incident happened while Goggies band was marching forward. So, the mace falling behind the Drum Major would have been devastating. Yet the unthinkable happened, the mace dropped behind the Drum Major, pointed end at the bottom of its’ arc. The marching step brought one foot of the Drum Major in an upward motion behind him, the mace hit the back of his boot perfectly and sent it spinning back over his head and in front of him where
he caught it perfectly and proceeded to complete a perfect performance!!! The pride and guts of that Drum Major still moves me after all these years. He did not even flinch when the mace hit his boot and the judges thought it was all part of the routine. They didn’t see him in a cast in the weeks after the competition.
For many years after leaving Goggies I would still spit ‘n polish my shoes to a patent leather finish, still iron my shirts with that perfect crease across the shoulder yoke and have knife edge creases down the fronts of my pants. I still also had a perfectly knotted tie in those days.
Another memory, I was at Goggies for the last two years of attending the old Malvern High School before we moved to the new one. Bob Morrison was our school Principal and his daughter June also taught there. I left Goggies in 1960 and been curious to know what happened to many of my fellow “inmates” of that era. This blog has been great in that respect and the contents of many of the comments has given me a better insight into my time there. Most of us are in that “Last Call” phase of our lives and I’d like to say that when its’ my time to hear “Lights Out” that it’ll be Harry Fisher on
the bugle who I’ll hear.
Keep the comments flowing.
Tedd.
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- 254. Nicholas John Geddes | October 17, 2015 at 6:58 am
  
  Hi Keith this is Nicholas Geddes the eldest of 4 at St. Georges.
  Arthur Bobby and Tommy.My wife Elaine and I were married by father Richardson at the chapel at St. Georges on the 10th December 1963 and we recently celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary. How are you? The last time we met at our flat in Blackheath Northcliff, you accidently sat on my spectacles. A few days later Bernice brought me an envelope filled with cash. I was so touched! Now that’s what I/we call St. George’s home integrity.
  My email:- njgeddes1941@gmail.com
  Also on FaceBook, and Google images.
  Reply
- 255. Nicholas John Geddes | October 17, 2015 at 7:05 am
  
  HI Teddy. I wondered what became of you? The Drum major I think was Helmut Guether? I remember you had a stunningly beautiful mother and a sister Sandra? And a younger brother. I am 74 and my wife of 52 yrs is now 71. It has been a wonderful journey of ups and downs.
  I would love to hear from you. Nicky Geddes, Johannesburg RSA
  email-njgeddes1941@gmail.com
  Reply
256. Peter de Reuck | September 27, 2009 at 1:34 am

..Hi Tedd, how are you?.. Briefly…the drum major you spoke of was James white, I do remember that incident so well, it was a talking point for many a year. I was in the band as a bugler from 1952 to ’55….Bugle major was Harry fisher.followed by Ernest Behr who took over from Harry in ’54. so very good to reminisce on these great , great times.. Do keep well. Peter.
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257. Eddie (burty) Lancaster | September 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Howzit Peter I was an inmate of St Georges from 1951 to 1962. My twin brother and I were the first very jong boys to be taken in at the age of 8, deported from the Jo”burg childrens home. I recall the headmaster Mr Long introducing us to the boys on parade ground and appointing a guardian angle for each of us ,two brothers Magobo and Gat Matyson.This protection cost us all our pocketmoney every saterday at the tuckshop next to the pool. I never exelled in anything at school except playing cricket and chess for the 1″st team .Ronnie my brother was the head boy of St Georges 1961/1962. Does any one remember us.
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- 258. Keith Watson | June 9, 2011 at 1:11 am
  
  Hi Berty
  All of us homies remember the terrible twins,Ronnie who I considered to be my best mate (Fighting over every little thing) and you .I miss the rivalry and
  friendship that we had while in the home.Even to the extent that when I left
  and Ronnie became Head Boy, I returned for another friendly spat and wrestle.Needless to say I think I beat him that time. (Must be because at that time I was a boarder at Mrs Napiers and she made sure that I put on weight
  with all the good food she gave us ex homies)Please give him my best and
  ask him to communicate. I now live on the Gold Coast in Australia and run a small business in property management. I was transferred from South Africa
  in the computer business in 1982 and ran the Victoria operation from Melbourne until 1986 when my 2nd. wife and I moved to Queensland and we have been in business since that time.I would dearly love to know what has happened in your lives since that time. Ronnie I think worked for Anglo American and I thought you may have been on the mines.
  Fondest memories & regards
  
  Keith Watson
  Reply
259. Wobble-U Tree | September 27, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Hi Eddie,
Yep, I definitely recall both you and Ronnie. Had a couple of “barnies” with you two way back when, but then we were also quite good buddies with you two. Dont really recall the
Matyson brothers, but then again there were about 140 boys at
Goggies around that time. Mostly my buddies were Bryant Foord,
Tommy Geddes, Hugo Hauptfleish, Henry Wiltshire, Eddie Colyn and Patrick Doherty to mention a few. Glad to hear from you after
all these years. Let us know what you both have done with
yourselves over the years and where you’re living now. Feel
free to email me direct at themanca@shaw.ca anytime and we
can chew the fat and catch up on the old days.
Regards,
Tedd Tree.
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- 260. Hugo | August 13, 2021 at 12:45 pm
  
  Hi Teddy. I remember you, this is Hugo Hauptfleisch. If you want to catch up I live in Sedgefield and my email is lorcou@gmail.com or whatsup 0832619205. What a surprise!
  Reply
261. Peter de Reuck | September 28, 2009 at 4:19 am

Howzit Eddie, yep the name ‘Burly ‘ Lancaster does ring a bell, Look!! it’s going back 55 years since I left goggies but as one finds time to reminisce names do start coming to light. I was resident from 1948 t0 ’55 was in Simpson house from ’48 to ’51 then to Beaton house until the time of my departure..1955. House masters of note at that time were .’.Jacko’ Short, ‘Fluffy Capener, Burney’ Moss, Robby’ Robson, ‘Boet Symes, Peter Harper, & Ken Mc holm, not forgetting the relief master ..”Kaffir” Jones. Some boys names tyou may remember..:.. Bob. Logan, Thomas Marr, Paul Kruger, Gene Eksteen, De Jager bros. Erie Behr, Harry fisher, I could go on and on . I now live in OZ. Would love to hear from you. E/Mail address…..peterdereuck@hotmail.com Keep well , regards ..Peter de Reuck.
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262. john rossouw | September 29, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Greetings all and belated condolences Cevin to you and your family on the passing of “Tickey” your brother
He and I go back as far as St Mary’s orphanage in the early 60’s so it sad to hear of his passing
I visited Fr Richardson this evening briefly on my way home
At 97 years of age he remains in remarkable health although hard of hearing and I had to speak quite loudly for him to hear me at times
Apart from that his mind is razor sharp and you cannot fault his memory
The purpose of my visit was to let him know that I would be celebrating my 50th birthday on Thursday and I wanted to thank him for everything he and the home had done for me to bring me to this juncture
We talked of all the changes in the home bow the school and how he felt he would not like to go back there as a result as he preferred to remember the place as we knew it
We spoke of Sister Mc Ardinal who used to ban boys in frail health from swimming
(myself in particular) No matter how hard you tried she would always catch you walking past the surgery in your wet costume and there would be hell to pay as a consequence
We were both in hysterics over her antics
I recall her catching me swimming in the first night gala under lights installed by Des Steele in 1970 I came second in the u 11 breastroke and she was livid!
We also spoke of camp at Umtentwini and the fruit orchard raids in Bedfordview and how he had to placate the locals on so many an occasion
He sends greetings to you all
Cevin please let me have your contact details so I can get a copy of the CD to you
Have a look at the SGH facebook site as well as there is a pic of Malcolm and me on the site which was on the cover of the homes 50th anniversary publication
You can reach me on john.rossouw@kpmg.co.za
The book remains a challenge as it is something I find less time to complete
One of the reasons for delay is that I am waiting for feedback from Eric but he does not work on it that often as I suspect the memories are painful given that he deicated a major portion of his life to the home which the church ultimately saw fit to “close”
I will however get it done so watch this space !
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263. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 1, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Hi Eddy Lancaster and welcome. Glad to see you found your way ‘home’.

I remember you well, especially your brother Ronnie. He and I were in Taylor together and once briefly, he was my skivvie until he gave me the boot … ‘wash your own socks … etc.’ He said, knowing that I would accept it.

He was smart, resourceful and absolutely fearless …I always admired him and thought you were both remarkable guys,
dishing it in irons. Good to hear you’re still around and well … please convey my heartiest greetings to Ronnie.

Seems to me, reading recent comments, that the old ‘home’ never left any of us. Maybe in it’s own organic way, this site is finally creating ‘the re-union of all re-unions’ that Michael Rossouw just mentioned.

Nice to see that you also made it back Michael … it’s been awhile since you slipped off the page and as usual … you have restored a little sanity to that inanity of a curse of Enulphus. And with your prayer, I truly hope that anon and all the other anons, will find the painfree peace of a soul at rest.

Shlalaghahle brothers.
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264. Eddie Colyn | October 2, 2009 at 1:06 am

G`day Guys…I have not been on the site since my last input,due to family comintments,but I`m back again.I`v read thrue most comments put on site and its great to see a lot of you guys come to life again.Like most of us,its hard to put names to faces and visa versa,but when thinking on it for a while ,the grey matter clicks…its young age lol.
Firstly,any one who comes in with a Anon,regardless of your bad times ect at SGH,and still carrys that with em to this day and not getting on with life,I truely feel sorry for em…..as for the curse,sorry to say this….its Crap.You only make life hard for your self and those around you,to me its a self pity thing.We all had bad times & good times…..I`m sure most on this site would agree that the good out numbered the bad by far.
Any one remember the fruit & vegie storage building next to the dinning hall…heres a story on freindship and above all a bond of mateship….Franklin Herbst,Auther Bloomfeild,Patrick Doughty & myself gathered yale keys for the padlock on that store,from where ever we could get them and a file…..after some time,we found a key that turned 3/4 ways and filed it so that one day it went click…we were in.Well for about three weeks we raided that store after lights out.One night Patrick decided to do a raid,all went ok till he was on stairs of Spackmen house and Lambart cought him….he was asked what you doing …Patrick answered getting my school case,I for got it sir….Lambard,open it up….well there went our free feed….On that,Patrick got 6 acroos the butt,extra work for a month on Saturday afternoons and in bounds for the first Sunday of the month….Lambart kept asking him who else was invovled,knowing that there was us other three into the capper as well…But Patrick stuck to guns ,saying it was only me sir…not once did he dobe us in….to me,thats a bond of freindship that can never be taken away.
Well guys….till next time….keep safe,keep smiling & above all…be kind to others…where vere you are.
Eddie Colyn
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265. Michael Rossouw | October 10, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Dear Friends an Old Boys of St George’s
No doubt you have all heard of the calamities taking place in this part of the world; typhoons causing much devastation and destruction here in the Philippines, a tsunami on American Samoa, and earthquake in Indonesia and more recently flooding in parts of Japan.Australian dust storms were also quite a shock for many, and they say global arming is a myth?
‘Quite a handful of catastrophe inflicting much hardship an suffering on the lives of ordinary people.

Then again one hears of severe draught in parts of Africa and one sees the hunger in the eyes of malnourished children almost every time one turns on the telly.

Many boys i n St George’s came from broken families and some form of poverty. As a child I was well looked after in terms of the essentials. However I did know the gnawing pangs of hunger when times were hard and my dear Mother did not have the financial means to give us what we always wanted.
I well remember the Christmas shortly after my dad’s death by suicide before I entered the Home. It was lean to say the least.
We had to be content with the one item of clothing that my Mom managed to scrape the cash for to give us something under the Christmas tree, rather than the toys my cousins had received.

Christmas at St George’s a year later was different. A “splash” as it was called which consisted of lots of great grub and a present.

One of the buildings flooded in Manila recently was a local orphanage in a somewhat run down part of Manila. A colleague of mine is on the Board there. They just completed a new wing with funding from foreign donors. All that is no under water and the kids are stranded on the second floor until the waters subside.
The damage will not be repaired by Christmas.
Some say it ill be a while before Manila recovers.

Why then am i telling you all this?
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that one thing St George’s did teach me was gratitude.
In all the time I spent there, I was seldom left hungry, I had a bed to sleep in, clothes on my back (even though they were Khaki’s!) , a home uniform and blazer which I wore with much pride, and of course an education and a firm faith in a living and loving God.

I always feel helpless when i see what’s going on around me, and I am sitting comfortably in a situation where others are affected by calamity and I am safe.

I guess we can only do so much to help ease he suffering of others.

Our school rallied to get together two school bus loads of clothing , medicines and fresh water, toothpaste , toiletries and vitamins and baby clothes for the young ones which went to the Red Cross in Manila to aid those in need as a result of this calamity.

Our kids here at Brent are ‘privileged’… our task is to teach them to be compassionate, and, that they were.
It felt good to be doing something to relieve the suffering of others ; not the warm fuzzy type of goodness , but a genuine sense of being able to help.

No doubt you’ve seen all the stuff on the news and sometimes it all feels so far removed from ourselves.

Why then am I writing all this?

Well, I guess it’s because St George’s gave me more than just the essentials. It gave me a sense of what it means to be a part of a “band of brothers” and also to truly know what ‘loving my neighbor as myself’ really means.

St George’s with all its imperfections did much for me.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not get down on my knees to thank God for all that the Home gave me.

I have submitted my application to the diocese to be ordained priest. Please pray for me as the Diocesan Commission on Ministry deliberates.

I guess I went into a vocation in the Church because of men like Eric Richardson, Norman Clayton, and laymen like Ken McHolm, George Adams, Brian Gannon and many more; women like Betty Richardson,Audrey McHolm,
Mrs Robson and the like ( who starched the choir robes and made sure we looked good for the Sunday Eucharist) , all of whom in some way made an impression on me because of them being the people they were.

I thank God for them and St George’s every day.
This may seem a little too serious, but it has been a time of seriousness for me. I hope I am forgiven, and I hope that next time I shall write something a little more ‘cheerful’.

Blessings and love to you all, wherever you are,

Deacon Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967, #’s B5 and T 95)

PS You may want to look at our school website
to see what the kids did to help in this crisis.
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266. Michael Rossouw | October 10, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Eric Colyn,
did you have a younger brother Eric in Beaton house in 1961?
He was my patrol leader and he left soon after I arrived for Australia.I think you were in Spackman house.
I do remember the Lancaster brothers.Ronnie was a student officer and later went to wok for Anglo American, I think.
I remember Patrick Dougherty, Franklin Herbst and some of the raiders of the veggie store next to the kitchen you mentioned.Arthur bloomfield was drum major when I joined the band. I think I have the proud distinction of being a rookie in the band whilst in my last year of primary school.
They were much older than me as I was a “cub” then.
We never dared go near the senior houses as often we heard the cry “hey Cub! What the **** are you doing here !”
*^%% of back to where you belong!’

When I finally became a senior in Taylor house , i often wondered why that was necessary…Bullying I guess.

I’m not sure whether Franklin Herbst is still with us. One of the Herbst Brothers died, but i’m not sure which.

Keep well

Michael Rossouw.
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267. Peter de Reuck | October 11, 2009 at 12:17 am

Love to reminisce on those ”goggies” days, which of you ‘toppies’ remember the Hampson bros. if memory serves me their names were Bernard, Peter and Terrence..?? also walking to school [ MHS] and meetimg the Eppworth girls on the way. do rememger a few names…..Joan and Val. Holland, Corrine Mc klintoch…see,, even at this ‘toppie age of 70 my memory isn’t that bad.. All enjoy your day . Peter.
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- 268. Allan Chrystal | May 2, 2010 at 6:25 am
  
  I remember Bernand Hampson. A natural runner. He had a effortless lope and handily won the 220 yard races and others on sports day.
  Another natural athlete was Neft. William I think. He was a swimmer that had the style of a Johnny Weissmuller the way he cut through the water.
  Reply
269. Michael Rossouw | October 22, 2009 at 9:05 am

Hello Again!
Just been watching an interview on the BBC programme “Hard talk”. It was an interview with the Dj and broadcaster “Goldie”
who shared his experiences about growing up in a children’s home in England.
His theory is that the welfare system has “abandoned” Britain’s children in need of care.
He says that the closure of traditional children’s homes has been a big mistake.
He spoke very highly of the social workers, and house parents who cared for him.
The gist of his argument was that children’s homes in the traditional sense (like the one we grew up in that was closed in the name of ‘a new approach to child care’) need to be reinstated.
He believes that there is a real need to bring these homes back, with obvious modifications.
He spoke of his visit to the places (he was in 3 different homes) where he grew up. One was now a car park, the other was a large estate built for say 50 -80 kids now catering only for five and the third was “an hotel’.
St George’s , with all it’s imperfections, managed miracles. I guess I still get incensed with anger and annoyance when I read of the thousands of “Street Kids” within the city walls of our South African streets and see our home as a private school for the toffee-nosed new elite in the New South Africa.
And they call this “progress’
Sorry if I upset anyone by saying these things.

Hope you are all well. We in the Philippines are now bracing ourselves for another typhoon to hit us tomorrow.

blessings
Michael R
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270. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 23, 2009 at 4:19 am

Hi Michael,

I see you’re back on track and spitting sparks … wailing away at the lay of the track. It is what it is.

In find it quite ironic that the ‘old home’ for the underprivaleged, has now become the ‘new’ home of the privaleged. Quite poetic in fact.

What goes around … comes around … I say that quite often as I see the repeated cycles of life go that way … birth, growth, bloom, wither and die … and then rebirth again and it repeats itself endlessly.

Despite all the freedoms and comfort of ordinary homes and families … we really lived a protected and privaleged existance … albeit in the absence of love. What little we had was ten times ten more than what most of our african family had. Now it is co-ed, multi-racial ,integrated upper class … so what? It is just a place of stone, brick and slate … cemented together by our memories.

When all our memories fade … which they will do within three generations … St. Georges will still exist … for momentoes and pictures of us and our time there, will be scattered throughout the world in the collections of memorabilia and heirlooms, all familes seem to treasure. What would any of our offspring care if the bricks and mortor are no more or are converted to other purposes?

St. George’s Home for Boys as a presence … has never been more pertinent nor real nor has it (collectively) at any one time, been a larger family than it is on this site. We are the last of the mohicans. I celebrate us … for our stories still move others that hear them.

I see the numbers running up … over 15,000 hits on this site. Most of those are from most of us who are already on this site … but new ones keeping finding us and still more who have, have not spoken. I encourage all you, whoever you are, to commit your memories to these pages …for the books that have been written about it already are always incomplete.

This is the last chapter and we’re the last men standing.

So speak up, be counted.
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271. john rossouw | October 25, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Greetings all

I have been very busy working at one of the major SA Banks helping them trawl through the repurcussions of the global financial crisis and will hopefully get some time soon to write n more detail

I celebrated my 50th birthday afew weeks ago with family and friends so it’s great to be alive

In his toast to me and in my reply my brother Dave and I made mention of the home and the significant role it and the people in whose care we were charged had plated in shaping our lives

Regards to you all

John
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272. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 27, 2009 at 5:40 am

Many happy returns for your 50th birthday just passed. I didn’t realise until now that I had left the home the year before you were born … somehow I had in my mind that you were a younger contemporary … I’ll say … not even a whipper snapper.

But yes, it’s great to be alive … anytime you have a passion in your life … it’s great to be alive … any other time condsider it a long winter and hibernate.
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273. Michael Rossouw | October 28, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Dear Brothers and family members of St George’s,

I have just had one of the most stressful weeks of my teaching career.

Hae lee “Christy” Cho, a seventeen year old girl from our Brent School in Subic Bay Philippines, died of a heart attack last Monday. She died at the home of her host parent while she was getting ready for school.

Her Mom and dad live in Korea. They are divorced. Christy was their only child.
She spent her early primary and middle school years with foster parents in New Zealand prior to her coming to us three years ago.
She went back to Korea at the end of 2008 for treatment and was declared by doctors to be fit to come back to us, and she had also , we believe , been examined by doctors on her visit to the US with her aunt over the last summer break in June this year.

Very little , if any of my teacher and theological training and studies prepared me thoroughly for a situation like this.
Needless to say, we are working with her classmates who are grieving and indeed devastated by this tragedy.

For me, I had to be strong in the Lord and comfort students and faculty members alike and I believe I have done this as well as I am able to do.
The tough one for me was trying to console two grieving parents whose language I could not speak and whose culture and customs I do not fully understand. (They had flown out here for the short funeral and the cremation of their child’s mortal remains and, within 24 with the hours, armed with the last of Christy’s possessions and an urn containing her ashes, left back for Seoul. ) it was too quick and we are all still trying to take it in.

A s you may well understand , I was stunned and needed to talk to someone.

I called Eric Richardson, but he wasn’t home . I called my dear friend Bishop Tim Bavin, but he was out of the Religious community where he now lives, conducting a retreat.

Finally I picked up the receiver and dialled the number of father Norman “Beebop” Clayton.
I told him of my feelings and of my own lack of experience in dealing with a situation like this.

Christy had died not believing in the existence of God . She had never been taught any form of religious “stuff” even in her childhood in New Zealand , neither had she learnt anything of that nature from her apparently non practicing Buddhist parents. What knowledge she had of these things she had learnt in her three years at Brent. She was “a seeker”, and questioned everything in class discussions. She was very intelligent and a straight “A’ student.

I shared this with Norman and we spoke for over an hour.
He reminded me that the earth and all that is in it was God’s creation, whether we are Catholic, Hindus, Muslims , Jews, Atheists or Agnostics , we are all of us part of the Creator’s great and marvelous work.
It’s not for us to judge.We cannot worry ourselves over these things.H e then said , as he did to me as a young nine year old in the Home “leave the worrying up to God” .
I guess we will in this world only understand “in part” as St Paul says. We’ll probably never fully understand these things in this lifetime.

It was good to hear his voice. We also spoke of things which we shared in our association whilst at the home; photography, radio St George, the countless hours we spent doing “prep” , our work together in”The Communicants”, the band in which Des , Tom Stephens and I had played in between 1966 and 1970 an of course , the current debates in the Anglican Communion at this time.

He’s moving out of the home for priests where he lives in Scarborough and going back to Derbyshire where he ministered after he left SGH.

“I can’t identify with these old codgers” he said (He’s now 87!)
“My first ‘parish’ in Zimbabwe was six hundred miles wide. I spent 18 years as a priest in the home after my years in Zimbabwe “(His time there which was lengthy) ” I then went on to work in the Religious broadcasting section for the BBC. Most of these blokes were parish priests in small parishes in the UK.”
He said too that he was “fed up with all of this ‘church speak'”
at his place of residence.
He mentioned that their community disposed of much of their mission budget preserving old parish church buildings and expressed his frustration at their lack of understanding of what real poverty was as he had experienced in his missionary ministry in Rhodesia .

He also mentioned that his one regret in his work at St George’s was not giving the boys enough praise. ( he was such a perfectionist and I well remember the many times we were scolded for our singing and behaviour in the SGH Chapel choir.) “We’ve got to get it right.” he always said.

He said too that he and Eric Richardson chatted telephonically recently (they haven’t spoken in 19 years and Norman is not a good at keeping in touch. Eric apparently suggested he come to live in the same complex in which he lives in Bryanston. Apparently it was the joke amongst clergy in the JHB diocese that he and Eric actually managed to get along, they each of them being such different characters and all.

I have to conduct the memorial service for Christy today. I’m letting the kids and her classmates take the bulk of the service to enable them to grieve and to celebrate the life of one of their friends who smiled often, laughed much and was always asking questions. They have prepared a visual tribute to Christy and I feel that what they will say to support each other will be far better expressed than i would be able to in a traditional type of memorial service.

We close today for our ‘half term’ break (4 days ) and return for the final stretch before Christmas holidays. Its halloween…but here at Brent it will be very low key.

Life is indeed short and ” we know not the day nor the hour ” when we shall be called “home”

I thank God every day for the Housemasters and their wives of the Home who shaped my life and calling as a teaching minister.

My application for ordination has been endorsed by my local parish ; it’s now up to the commission on ministry and the local bishop to decide finally.
It’s been a long haul with many bumps and bruises on the way.
But maybe we are all “priests’ in our several callings.

Please remember us all at Brent in your prayers.

Blessings
Deacon Michael Rossouw

PS I visited Brian Gannon in july during my school holiday.
He and I celebrated his 70th birthday together. I turn 6o next May! Where did all those years go? Till next i write, God be with you. DnM
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- 274. tom stephens | January 9, 2010 at 4:36 am
  
  Hi Michael, where are you? I would dearly love to be in touch again, I am living in Canada now with family here and in Australia. 2 grandchildren in each country!!! Please email me so we can be in touch again. It’s been too long! with very best regards, tom
  Reply
275. leslie duplessis | November 6, 2009 at 5:40 pm

Googling around, I managed to find my holiday hosts from the mid 60’s, the wonderful Barke Family. Even more wonderful is that I managed to see them again, even though Roy lives in SA and Diana in California and I in Canada. Sad to say that I had lost touch these 50 odd years and wasn’t able to thank the parents for the many wonderful things they did for me, even going so far as to offer to adopt me. Couldn’t have done that to my mum and siblings though. This was a family that already had four children.
I wondered how that whole ‘hosts’ system came into place. My friends didn’t know how I came to spend those holidays with them. Of course, this all began prior to SGH at Johannesburg Children’s Home. Anybody out there have memories of JCH and know if it is still around?
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276. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 8, 2009 at 6:07 am

First off, congratulations Michael on your passage from Deacon to Priest … as I am sure from the tone of your love and dedication to your calling, you will surely be ordained.

The path to any goal is the experience of it’s twists and turns, it’s ups and … and the reward for the rigors you endure along the way, is the eventual arrival at your destination where you may drink from the cup of acquired knowledge.

Welcome brother, you have arrived at the beginning. Now another journey, the real journey begins as the story of divinity unfolds. Good luck and God bless your future endeavors.

For the rest of you yobos … I wanted to point you all to a news site that is without political or commercial agenda. It has one philosophy … the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me Popeye

For those of you who are interested in what is really going on in your world … in every arena of importance, especially those that concern you personally, honest, unbiased, uncensored information is required and http://www.tomdispatch.com will provide you with that window into reality.

It is free to login and become a free subscriber to it’s weekly contribution and is produced by Tom Engelhart, an ex-professor at Berkley Univ.(San Francisco) and now publisher of some of the finest journalistic articles you will have the good fortune to read.

Enjoy, grow and become wise … for fools there are aplenty.

For Joao Simoes: I have emailed you several times in the past two months with some attached imaging but, as I have not heard from you I must presume I got your personal email wrong. Please send it to me again that I might repeat the effort.. Thank you.
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277. M.J.Simoes | November 9, 2009 at 4:58 pm

Hi DC

I have been waiting for your blue prints for some time now. Iwas wondering if you had forgotten about me. I have until your message not received a thing. I again attach my mailing address. It is as follows.

mjs11@polka.co.za

Regards

M.J.Simoes (PFP)
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278. john rossouw | November 12, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Greetings all

I have been absent for some time due to extensive work commitments and I now find myself in a situation of being fortunate to consider no more than 4 opportunities in the new year which is not bad for an old fart of 50 in a BEE employment SA
Mikeee I got yr sms re Christie but I have just been too busy to call so hopefully we can catch up towards end Nov when things start to slow down a little
At the moment my son is writing his matric finals and all being well he will enrol at the University of the Witwatersrand to study engineering next year
Not sure if you read in the press but the IEB botched the physics paper and their is a public outcry as we have bled sweat and tears to give our kids a private school education only to find that the board cannot even set an exam paper corectly A few weeks ago I met with Steve Towse and his wife Brenda who were out here on holiday from the UK.
Steve is a previous visitor to this site and he managed to visit the “home” after I was able to secure him an appointment
He took lots of photos so hopefully we will see some on the blog in time. steve also visited with Fr Richardson and I hear the reunion was well worth it. tomorrow I have a meeting with on of the heads of B Bavin school and my motive for meeting with her is to see how we can link the history of our home with the school so as to ensure the legcy of what was once St Georges is at the very least preserved so wish me luck
With warm regards to you all!!!

John
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279. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 13, 2009 at 8:42 am

Hi John,

On behalf of all who attend these pages, Good Luck today! A noble cause and one well worth fighting for … if somewhat reminiscent of St. George riding off to do battle with the dragon.

And once again, congratulations on your new found options status … as you said, not bad for an old … but wait a minute, what old … you’re just 50 … and I thought I was young at 67.
Seems to me it’s time for you to take off the corporate greys and get into the sunshine sonny … and live a little. All work and no play … you know what they say …

Nonetheless, I really wish you success on your mission. Depite what I have previously said about bricks and mortor
nostalgia, it would be the right thing to do. To continue a tribute to that distant Church of England, who saw the need to fulfill an obligation to the children of a vassel state. Not to mention, that all of us who have passed through it’s care and comfort … such as it was … will always have an indelible thread that connects us to a shared memory in time and space.

While I was there … I was always a little ashamed of telling strangers or friends of friends that I was a homeboy. After I left, strangely enough … I felt proud that I was … perhaps for the wrong reasons … but I always felt a sense of achievement when I could do things I found others, more fortunate than I, who couldn’t. St. Goggies taught me that, I used to say to myself. Not too long after that I had no hesitation to tell someone who asked, where I came from.

Now the thought seems silly … but it was important then and today I have long accepted my past and I’m proud to tell anyone ; I’m an SGH boy.
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280. Wendy Thompson/Jones | November 15, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Hi John I wish you well on your visit. As you know I went with Steve and Brenda to visit the SGB/BB. I just think the school are missing a wonderful opportunity to get people (ie old boys) on board as that would increase the support for the school as opposed to the current scenario. If I look at how many of the oldest private schools in the country treasure their links with the past it seems a tragedy that Bishop Bavin don’t make more of their own heritage.
Thanks once again for setting up the visit. It was good to revisit old memories.
Regards
Wendy
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281. john rossouw | November 20, 2009 at 4:48 am

Meeting went well – They were intrigued with some of the stories – I will kep you all posted as a seies of follow up meetings are planned
Wendy plz get Steve to post some of his pics
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282. Wendy Thompson/Jones | November 22, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Hi John I have sent one message to Steve but haven’t seen anything yet. He took so many pics and I am sure there are a number which will bring back lots of memories. Will try again:) Take care
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283. Wobble-U Tree | November 29, 2009 at 5:59 pm

For those who are interested, the networking site for offering our individual expertise, talents and knowledge to our fellow Goggies peers is now streaming at
http://www.stgeorgesnetwork.com
This network is not solely for alumni but also family, friends and
associates who wish to contribute to the life-time of experience
within the Goggies extended family.
Once on the network, register first and then find which category you fall under and enter your bio/resume. It may take a bit to get used to the network and should you have a problem with it feel free to contact the network Administrator.
Suggestions and helpful criticism is welcomed. This network
belongs to all of us and we all need to help in making it grow
for our individual and collective benefit.
Have fun and above all remember that there is always some one who would love to hear about what you are good at.
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284. Wobble-U Tree | November 29, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Hi Leslie
Read your earlier note. Just wondering where in Canada you
reside. I live in Kamloops, BC and have been here for pretty close
to 30 years.
Drop me a note on my personal email.
Tedd.
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285. Wobble-U Tree | November 30, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Leslie DuPlessis,
the last comment was for you.
I got mixed up with another Leslie.
Should have been more specific, I guess.
And to Wendy, welcome to the Network, that was a quick
registration. Are you going to post a bio/resume? That is to
go under the Connections section.
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- 286. Leslie DuPlessis | November 30, 2009 at 3:12 pm
  
  Hi Tedd,
  
  I’m replying here since I don’t have your email.
  
  After living in Vancouver from 1970 to 83 I relocated to Toronto. My brothers Martin and Andre still live there. We were at SGH in the 60’s, until 1967.
  Reply
287. john rossouw | December 24, 2009 at 9:54 am

Greetings all st Georgians
Just short note to wish you all a blessed Christmas and good health in 2010
I visited with Eric Richardson on Monday
He had sufferd a fall the day before and was feeling a little worse for wear
At 97 the years are begining to take their toll as his speech is less fluent and he has to think a while before communcating
Other than that he is in good spirits
He will be attending Mass on Chrismas day at St Michaels in Bryanston as usual and will spend the day with his son Christopher and his family
In the week following the family all move down to the South Coast for their holiday
I have some key decisons to make in the new year regarding my career direction and will keep you posted

Best wishes to you all

John
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288. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | December 25, 2009 at 5:15 am

Addendum:

I wish to join with John in wishing all ex-homeboys and housemasters a happy and healthy Christmas and a positive and productive New Year. How easy it was in the past to wish our friends and family with the familiar ‘Merry’ and ‘Happy’ adjuncts to Christmas and New Year.

The world has changed and with it our moods … nothing is quite as certain as it used to be … so, despite the global malaise, happiness remains a personal attribute and it is up to all of us individually, to the make the most of our opportunities to realize this ideal. One way I know that has helped me in the past … is to help someone else less fortunate in any small way possible. The reward is instant, so you don’t have to wait for
‘heaven’ for pay back.

The new year will bring many changes to all our lives. I know that for me that is certainly going to be true … for I too, like John, have had to redirected my energy and attention to a new future. I’ll be launching a new idea and a new company in January. I’ll be walking away from 30 odds years in lighting design and development and moving into manufacturing a unique new illuminated display system … gambling that a market will still exist for it.

What motivates me is captured in a single word: Hope … hope that I can improve my own lot and by so doing, that of my family and still make a difference in other peoples lives with a green product. With hope … you can never quit, give up or fail.
So I hope that you all have reason to focus on a positive New Year so you may all realize continued future happiness.

Sincere good wishes to you all and a special thanks once again to Blane Von Pletzen for creating this forum, making our collective communications possible.

Special thoughts for father Richardson, may he remain among us for years to come.

Dudley Pringle.
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- 289. Eddie Lancaster | December 25, 2009 at 10:49 am
  
  Hi Fellow Homeboys . May all you guys and ladies have a wonderfull Christmas day. My wish for the New year is that we all have continued good health , faith and be productive in all we do. Eddie Lancaster
  Reply
- 290. Nicholas John Geddes | October 17, 2015 at 7:23 am
  
  Hi Dudley, I have wondered for many years whatever happened to you? I remember Stuart was in crocodile farming? I and my wife Elaine, were married by Father Richardson in the SGH chapel on 10th October 1963 and recently celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary. I was the eldest Nicky, then there was Tommy the teacher, Bobby became the farmer (sadly deceased) and Arthur who was an actuary now retired and working for his attorney daughter Pamela Geddes. It has been a great life with many ups and downs. My email:-njgeddes1941@gmail.com
  I would love to hear from you. Nicky Geddes
  Reply
291. john rossouw | December 30, 2009 at 8:22 am

Just received the IEB results and am blown away by my son’s University Exemption pass and his distnction in Mathematics
He will be reading for a BSC Mech Eng degree at Wits University in the New Year and I am extremely proud of his performance
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- 292. tom stephens | January 9, 2010 at 4:31 am
  
  Hi John, I am anxious to contact your brother Michael. You may remember that he, your brother Des and I were together as “The Communicants” in the mid 60’s. I am coming to SA in March and would dearly love to get in touch. best regards, tom
  Reply
293. Wendy Thompson/Jones | December 31, 2009 at 9:35 am

John, congratulations to you and our family, and your son, for his achievements in Matric. Whilst the matriculants have to write the exams on their own the support and encouragement they receive assists them in their efforts. Congratulations to Dillon and may you all enjoy the moment. Regards Wendy
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294. william lewis | December 31, 2009 at 5:34 pm

I stayed SGH Beaton house from 1978 to 1985 i have two brothers call thomas and michael
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295. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 1, 2010 at 4:43 am

Congratulations John … makes it all worth while, both for you and for your son and a great way to start a new year.

Though the past year has been a tough one, we are all here and still standing … and as Laurie Stevens was want to say, ‘so long as you’re on your feet … you’ve always got a chance to succeed.’ I know I felt wobbly during a few rounds this past year … but as the New Year dawns … I feel I’m getting my second wind and reckon I can make it through the next 12.

So to all of you, ex-homeboys, housemasters and family members, here’s to you in 2010. Happy New Year.

Dudley Pringle.
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296. William lewis | January 1, 2010 at 6:41 pm

in 1985 my dad had taken my family and me back to Scotland .I was 13 years old I left Beaton house and went to school that morning as usual . before the school bell rang i headed home to my mom and dad. from there to the airport and off to Scotland. it toke 24 hours before GHB and the polices came looking.IT has been 24 years in a way i still miss the boys home
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297. john rossouw | January 9, 2010 at 6:31 am

Greetings Tom Stevens and welcome to the site
It would be great to see you after all these years so please let me know when you are in Jhb later in the year
Where are you living now
The last I heard was Canada
Mike lives in Manila where he is Chaplain of Brent International School but he visits SA from time to time
He has been in Canada over Dec exploring opportunities in the church
His daughter stayed wth us for a fe days recently as she lives with her mother in Kimberly
As you will see from the sight Des died in 2005
We recovered the lyrics of the communicants songs from his meagre belongings which Mike has
I am keen to know if you have any recordings of the group
I wrote to Bee Bop a few years back and he replied but sadly his tapes are frayed from repeated use (due to economics) but he did send me a cd of your recording of red rubber ball which he recovered from a recording of the launch of radio st george on sabc radio
also incuded on the disk is a recording of o my saviour lifted sunfg by the choir of which u were choirmaster at the time
Mike I know is desperate to reconnect so please email him on brmichael@gmail.com
Please also let me have your contact details my email is johnros@iafrica.com
Till we chat again
Warm regards

John
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298. Steve Kelly | January 12, 2010 at 8:58 am

Howsit William
Steve Kelly here , Please drop me an email as i would love to contact you and your brothers !
The Kelly boys often speak and wonder what happened to you and your family.
My details are Skelly@edcon.co.za and +2782 555 4885
Regards
Steve Kelly
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299. william lewis | January 21, 2010 at 8:39 pm

Hi Steven it was good to hear from you i hope you and your family are doing well. Me and my brothers and family are doing great. Me and my brothers often talk about what we used to get up to. I let Thomas know that you’ve been in touch and Thomas emailed you but im not sure if you received it. This is my family email, please keep in touch. nasireenakhtar@sky.com
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- 300. Eddie Lancaster | February 7, 2010 at 9:03 pm
  
  Hi you guys out there .
  I came across this site while searching for information about St Georges Retirement Village .Thank you Blaine for creating it and allowing us to participate with memories from our time spent at St Georges Home for Boys .
  Anybody remember Goggies assault of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the late 50s .Fr. Clayton ( not called Bee-bop those years )with 8 or 9 boys , the oldest being 15 years old attempted this challenge . The climbing gear consisted of cricket boots , warm homeboy clothing , manila rope and an old dilapidated vw kombi . The kombi burned-out on the northern boarder of Northern Rhodesia , luckily transport to the slopes of the mountain was arranged by a charitable school in the aria . I don’t recall how successful the attempt was , only that it was well documented by Fr Clayton with his ever present 35mm camera . Each boy was given 20 pounds , paired off and instructed to hike to South Africa . One of the boys was killed on a level crossing accident in Angola but the rest made it home safely . Names , names I don’t remember any , Freddie Basson ,Derek Putter could have been members of the group. Anyone remember anything .
  ” just a thought” ,could anyone , anywhere in the world have experienced this type of adventure if he were not a homeboy
  Till next time , Regards to all
  
  Eddie (Burty) Lancaster
  Reply
  - 301. Natalie Egling | November 29, 2016 at 11:06 am
    
    Hello, I’m Leslie Egling’s daughter. My uncle Michael Egling died on this trip. I’m finding this thread so fascinating (and so heartbreaking). Does anyone have any of the photos taken by Fr Clayton? I believe this site has many posts covering the Kilimanjaro trip, but I’m finding it hard to navigate. Any help with links would be appreciated.
    
    natalie.egling@gmail.com
302. john rossouw | February 9, 2010 at 5:39 pm

Welcome Burty
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303. john rossouw | February 9, 2010 at 5:43 pm

The death of one of the Egling brothers on the Mt Kilamanjaro triop is well documented on this site as are many other stories so I invite you to read them at will and add your own of which I am sure there are many as your name was a legend in my time at the home in the 60’s and 70’s
Lets keep in touch
I am a dirtector on the board of St Georges village so if you need any info please give me a call or drop me a line on johnros@iafrica.com
You will probably know my brothers Mike and Des who tto were at the home a short while after you
Sadly Des has passed but Mike lives in Manila and would no doubt love to hear your news
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304. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | February 10, 2010 at 4:05 am

Welcomed back Burt.

I haven’t popped into the site for a while and ventured a look tonight, to discover you’re back in town. When next you see yoiur brother Ronnie, please give him my warmest salutations. For a brief space in time, he was my ‘scivvy’ and in the process, taught me a lesson of rugged independence and individualism. I didn’t identify that at the time … but I’ve come to know it since. Hope you are both well and are still rebels.

Hi John, hows your book coming along? No rush … the longer it takers, the bigger your readership is going to be with more old boys joining the chiorus of voices on this site every month.

Greetings homies … in Africa, Canada, USA, Australia, NZ., Philipines, UK, Scotland, Holland, HK and wherever else you may be. In fact it would be interesting to see just how far and wide the SGH family has spread around this globe.

Happy, healthy and a meaningful 2010 to you all,

Dudley.
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305. Eddie Lancaster | February 13, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Good Morning to all
Its stopped raining , the sun is shining ,rivers are flowing and all dams are overflowing in the Orange Free State ,now’s the time to go fishing .
Edelweiss my dearest wife of 40 years has convinced me to stop
working and to spend some quality time with my children and grand children. Ive spent 50 years working in a mechanical engineering environment , starting at the bottom as a apprentice Fitter and Turner and working my way up through the ranks to
the senior position I held prior to my retirement . Not to shabby
for a guy who left school after completing std. 9 . A group of
companies make use of my services as a consultant and I don’t say no to a bit of extra pocket money . The most memorable time of my career were the many years spend
in the Merchant navy as a Marine Engineer .Halifax to Hong Kong ,New York to Tokyo and everything in between except
for Australia and New Zealand which were to far south and I
never berthed there but I will visit these countries in the next
couple of years ,

Hi Dudley Pringle , (you old goat )
Whats this I read about you starting a new venture at your age
you must be 67 or 68 years old , all Brains and no brawn !
Just joking my pal .Wishing you the best with your new
enterprise , with your knowledge and experience in Lighting
Reticulation how can you not succeed .
I have a bone to pick with you guys on this site .All my years
at St. Georges I played 2ND. fiddle to my ” boetie” Ronnie and
now I’m reminded of it by you chaps using words like
“especially Ronnie” , Rugard Individualism . But what the heck ,I suppose it was true .The consolation prize is knowing
he is my twin brother .

HI John
My interest in St. Georges Retirement Village was to see if any old boys from my era lived there . Since finding this site
I dont have to persue that avenue any further , all I ever
needed is here . Thanks again
Cheers for now .
Eddie Burty Lancaster
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306. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | February 14, 2010 at 9:26 pm

Hi Burty,

This old goat is still trying to figure out what I want to be before I grow up … so go figure, I’m still at the starting gate of a ‘real’ career’ … although I have had several already … I consider those just practiice runs. Climbing the ‘Berg’ is just a run up to conquering Everest. Settling on the low hiighs is a cop out. Nes pas?

If you want to see what my new enterprise is all about … go to my Facebook page … there are some picture’s posted there.
What looks like just another sign system … is actually a revolutionary system of Dynamic Tension. No Glue – No screws involved in a clear transparent (from all 6 sides) completely open system. Called ISIS (Illuminated Suspended Image System), it is a 3D see-through sign. illuminated by ultra violet light (invisible light).

However, it is just starting point, a prelude to something more exciting … big-screen billboards. I don’t know about South Africa, but they are ubiquitous to the street scene in America. They proliferate everywhere … and not least of all in the big cities, like LA, NY and Las vegas … especially Las vegas.

It’s the big game and I am in nno ways equipped to just jump in there … it really takes a major bankroll … but I believe that ISIS will get me there in 5 years. I’ve designed (some say invented) a new pixel configuration for LEDs and I believe it is a game changer … for everything from TV screens to billboards. I called it Pixel;’X and the billboard size is called PixeXtreme.

You yourself I believe, have a few laurels behind your name, so don;’t feel excluded in the praises for Ronnie. I just knew him better, as I shared 4 1/2 years with him in the same dorm in Taylor house. Your own achievements in mechanical engineering are notable, not least of all that you, like myself, never got beyond Std. 9.

My own father, like you, started off as a fitter and turner in the mines and with hard work and smarts, built himself up to be a Civil Engineer, contracting to both the mines and the government to build steel bridges over our rivers and head-gears for the mines … and he never made it past Std 6. So my hat’s off to you especially … as you achieved success with a handicap … no mean feat (pardon the pun) in a competitive world.

So who looked after the old lady while you were galavanting around the world?

Cheers pal … remember, retirement is a state of mind and I’m still developing my mind … so I cannot wrap it around that concept yet.

Dudley.
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307. john rossouw | March 8, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Dearr all

It is once again my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Robyn Putter of throat cancer, an old boy who left the home in 1968
Robyn was creative director of Ogilvy and Mather a top global advetising agency and was considered an industry doyen by his peers
He matriculated from Malvern High in that year together with my brother Desmond and Chris (I chust wanna burrow your history book) Watson so his achievements in life are by no means insignificant
I never knew Robyn that well but on behalf of all of us I extend condolences to his family and collegues
His obituary can be found in this weeks Sunday Times newspaper together with a tribute advertisment in colour placed by his colleagues at O&M

Kind regards and wishes to you all

John
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308. Peter Pearson | March 10, 2010 at 1:39 am

Great to see so many old faces …thanks to one and all for popping in and out of my life at one point or another …God bless you all and thank you for being you …there are few beautiful people in this world …thank you Homeboys for being one of them …
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309. M.J.Simoes | March 10, 2010 at 5:42 pm

Good Day All

Have not been on the pages for a while work keeping me busy. Greeting Peter Pearson !! Is this the same Peter Pearson that came from Guild Cottage with myself and Eric van Zyl??. If so how are you doing lad never thought I would ever hear from you again, but never is a very long time. Great to hear from you after all the years.

Cheers for now

M.J. Simoes (PFP)
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310. Peter Pearson | March 10, 2010 at 8:41 pm

Hello Joey ,,hows things ..long time no hear ..im over the moon hearing from you again …hope life is treating you well ..
yes it is me Joey ..same one from Guild Cottage ..i think we all came to the Home together from Guild Cottage . was back in Xmas 1969 …
Great to hear from you too Joey ..ive often thought long over the years how you and Eric were holding up ..even Anne , Erics sister if you can remember her .
Last time i saw Eric was shortly just before i left South Africa ,,in 94 . he was living in Hillbrow with some family of his ..we spent the day together just talking , mainly about the Home , but it was great to see him again .
Keep in touch will you ..my email addy is …
pepe14178@yahoo.com.au

Thank you for popping back into my life Joey ..hope our friendship last many more years to come ..
Kind regards .
Peter
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- 311. M.J.Simoes | November 14, 2014 at 3:29 pm
  
  Hi Peter
  
  I eventually found Eric he lives in JHB specifically in La Rochelle (not sure of the spelli though) Called him and he seems to be doing fine hope to setup a meeting with him soon.
  
  Cheers
  
  M.J.Simoes
  Reply
312. Vanessa Hurlimann | March 19, 2010 at 10:01 am

How refreshing this site is…been a long while since visiting it; but am so encouraged by the many re-connections,for want of a better word, that are still happening…midst some negativity here and there[which is always to be expected when given the freedom to express]…a really positive site Blane….a good thing!!!
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313. Vanessa Hurlimann | March 19, 2010 at 10:09 am

How refreshing this site is…been a long while since visiting it; but am so encouraged by the many re-connections,for want of a better word, that are still happening…midst some negativity here and there[which is always to be expected when given the freedom to express]…a really positive site Blane….a good thing!!!……………….one thing I need to ask tho….why is that incredible network site not being used????
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314. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 20, 2010 at 10:19 am

Why aren’t you using it?

Why aren’t I?

The early signs were pretty negative … or more correctly, unenthusiastic. Save for John Rossouw, Joao Simoes and Tedd Tree (who created the site) … zero!

Networking requires multiples in communication and the numbers were just not there. No interest ! Sounds like everybody is retired or about to be. Last time I checked, life begins after retirement … it’s called; Freedom of Choice.

If you’ve ever had dreams, ideas … or lost oportunities …
it’s never too late to pursue them. They are only lost and forgotten when you don’t. Whether at retirement, when you have that moment, that freedom of choice to do whatever you want … or alternatively when you’re fed up, still working for a boss, or doing something that you don’t particularly enjoy …
is always a good time to explore those all but forgotten dreams.

One way to get there is by Networking. That lesson of Team Work that we all practiced so well as youths, both in sports and cadets …. and always in the pursuit of the unobtainable. We worked well together … don’t ever forget it.

I, like many of you, have many ideas … and all of them requiire the collectyive skills and talents of others, if they are ever to be realized. Whether they are valid or not, in whatever or whichever arena of human interaction or function they are disigned for, can only be determined by each potential participant individually. Not every idea is for everyone. Freedom of choice!

Getting involved in the birth of something new or larger than oneself, if you have the skill set or experience required to help make it work, is always an exciting challenge. The rewards can some times be surprising … whether you succeed or not. It’s oftimes the journey … not the destiny … that engages one’s senses.

More importantly … it is in embracing the challenge of a new idea that you are born again. Think about it.

Tedd Tree took it upon himself to help galavanize an idea into a movement to utilise our unique connectedness. Putting action to words … he created the site and to this day, I had not heard one word or comment about it untill Vanessa Hurlimann posed the question above. Tough call?

What happened? There are nearly 18,000 hits on this site and only 4 guys and one gal are interested in Networking?
Did everyone get fat and happy … and are couch and TV the rewards for this bliss?

Life is short … don’t waste a minute … you only get plus or minus 35 million of them (and at 50 you’ve had 26 million already). Life is neither all work or all play – it is a constant manifestation of yin and yang – energy in energy out …. and in the process, one can create unique new universes of influence and experiences in our lives. All you have to do to begin is to try … and be open to explore.

To learn to fly – sometimes – you have to jump into the abyss.
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315. Michael Rossouw | March 21, 2010 at 11:05 am

Dear Friends
I have not been good in the last few months about writing, and I do apologize for that, but I guess one has to keep one’s head above water and do what one has to do to survive and keep oneself employed as one nears retirement. For me there’s nothing to retire on and nowhere to retire to, so I’ll keep on doing what I’m doing until I drop.
The last 9 months have been hectic for me here in the Philippines.
At Brent , the school where I teach, it has been a year of growth for me. I have attended several conferences and workshops in education in this neck of the woods; Kuala Lumpur , Baguio, Manila and here in Subic. Most have these have been on differentiation and assessment.
All of these have made me realize how complex the world of Education has become. School reports these days are a far cry from the mark or symbol given and a simple remark like, “good”, “satisfactory’ or “failed’.
Old hands like me have to go “back to school ” to keep up.
The job keeps me busy and is quite stimulating.I would not have a job of this nature in South Africa where chaplaincies at schools are sadly for the “chosen few”.(many Filipinos here will feel that way about guys like me working here , I’m sure.)

I visited the the Church in Canada over the December /January break at the invitation of a priest friend in the Diocese of Newfoundland.It was cold (the climate I mean) but the reception was very warm.I was able to visit a part of the Anglican Communion, very similar and yet quite different in many ways to that of my South African, Thailand, Burmese and Philippine experiences in which I have worked thus far.
The journey was quite exhausting; Manila to Tokyo, Tokyo to Toronto, Toronto to St John’s and St John’s to Bay L’Argent; almost 24 hours in total including stopovers and being on a plane itself. Needless to say “jet lag” was quite difficult to deal with.
The parish in which I spent this time was rather like that of the country ministry around Kimberley where I served as a lay minister. These parishes have one priest to serve a number of smaller rural parishes some distance away from each other.
I took 10 services in space of three days over Christmas and helped to bury the mortal remain of three departed souls as well.Burying someone in cold snowy weather reminded me how short our lifespan here in this world is.I wondered to myself what “boytjie “from Booysens like me was doing here at the opposite end of the world laying to rest the remains of someone I never knew in these snowy church graveyards.Quite eerie.

It was interesting going around that diocese traveling from BayL’Argent to Corner Brooke and back to St John’s.
It was rather like the ABC of Newfoundland! (another b…. church ,another b…cathedral”!) and as such was very interesting. I particularly liked some of the prayers in the Book of Alternate services, which were very moving. The fact that God loves sinners and that He does not love the sin appealed to me very much in the wording of these prayers, especially in the invitation to receive Holy Communion.

I had hoped that this trip would lead me in to new ministry,and that there may well be “life after Brent”; (next month will be my fourth year at this school,the longest for me in one place my entire teaching life. An invitation to serve as a parish minister in Canada may still come , but alas ,age and immigration laws appear to be against me.

The good news is that my ordination has been endorsed by the Commission on ministry here in the Philippines in the North Central Diocese. Hopefully this will happen by May at Pentecost , or at the beginning of the new term around
Michaelmas by the end of September.
I must admit that this whole process has been a very long journey for me, as well as one which has taken me very far away from my roots.
The church in this part of the world is very different and yet the social dynamics in terms of meeting people’s needs are very much the same as those in Southern Africa and indeed many other parts of the world.
Here the battle is a class struggle between descendants of the rich colonial masters, the Spanish , and the poorer folks who are part of the nearly 90% of the population living on less than $4 a day if you have a “good” job, or less than a dollar a day if you are poor and struggling.
And yet, this country is rich, especially in the resources of its people.
Admittedly my work takes me to both of these sectors, the more wealthier “expat” groups at school and in the capital as well as my weekly visit to the mission parish of Lawin, some 30 odd kms on dirt road away from Subic and situated in the town of San Marcelino.
Please keep the people of the Philippines in mind as we pray for the country’s election on May 10th.Every day in the press one reads of attempts to buy votes and of rumours that another coup attempt is in the offing if the elections go wrong.At the end of last year 57 innocent people, men women and children, were massacred to death in the south for daring to campaign for the opposition. The governing party denies any involvement but…well I’m not allowed to comment on these things, but like most Filipinos, i’m outraged!

I am somewhat nervous about becoming a priest, given the revelations of recent findings on the abuse of children in Catholic children’s homes , schools and institutions in Ireland. and elsewhere.
When I was traveling to Canada, a child at Toronto airport yelled to his Grandmother and pointing at me cried out, “Look Granny! Bad man ! Bad man!”
(Apparently men wearing clerical collars are not held in high regard as they may have once been. I don’t always wear mine but I did so as I was going on a Church visit, I did so.)
Sadly this is the reality we as clergy have to face in the church worldwide; a church rocked by scandals of every kind, especially in the area of child care. These have drastically affected the ministry particularly in work with children and adolescents.

Reading the report from the commission investigating these cases of child abuse,I feel saddened that the good work done by many fine men in places like St George’s home has been marred by the deeds of insensitive, sadistic and uncaring selfish people masquerading as “care givers” who have ruined the good work done by people of the calibre of Eric Richardson, Ken Mc Holm , Brian Gannon and others who did indeed, in their work have the interests of the young people they served at heart.
I often ask myself why the home as we knew it was closed to make way for the school that it now houses, and whether or not the abuses which took place in our time in the home (and let’s be honest, there were many masters who were not exactly caring individuals) may still exist perhaps in a different forms in the boarding school which replaced it?
What makes a home for boys different to a boarding school?
I am in no way trying to point fingers here, but what makes the school which replaced the Home any different ? One cannot argue that the school is not successful,but one must acknowledge that many wealthy folks whose marriages have failed often place their children in boarding schools, as was the case of one of my students who sadly passed away last year. ( Sorry; this is a touchy subject, but as one gets older one thinks too much, an ailment which many Asians accuse westerners like me of doing too much.)

The report on the Commission on child abuse revealing these abuses in Ireland makes really disturbing reading.
It is not for me to judge, and by writing what i have written I am not wanting to open up old wounds and scar which refuse to heal.However, for me, I would rather have seen the old St Georges continuing its work amongst the millions of street kids around our country than to see it being run as a school which is now beyond the financial reach of many ordinary citizens of our “beloved country” as Allan Paton would have put it.; quite a far cry from the intention of the founders of what became for many of us the only “home” we knew.I often wonder if any such commission took place in South Africa regarding child abuse in homes and schools?
I often wonder whether such a report, if one was ever compiled, may have led to the closure of St George’s.Sadly we may never know.

Anyhow, i just want to touch base with you all and let you know that I’m still around and that you are in my thoughts.

I was saddened, as I’m sure many of you were also, to hear of the passing of Robyn Putter. He was a very talented young man who was a gifted designer.I well remember his “op art” drawings and sketches he made in Mr Brown’s Art class. at Malvern High.
Many of us, myself included, thought that they were but mere sketchings and musings of a young lad with desires to become a modern art student. He never went (as far as I’m aware )to art school and his schooling in this area came from his own creativity. I well remember his company getting a prestigious world class award just before I left South Africa, for an advertising campaign for a top US company, his entry being the only entry from outside of the US and winning that contract; a tremendous achievement if you think about it.
One of my fellow graduates from teachers’ training college who left teaching and worked for Robyn for a while, described him as one of the most incredibly gifted and creative artists that he had ever known in this field.

Robyn befriended me as a new boy when I arrived in Beaton house in 1961 as a “lapscal” in #3 dormitory.
He was corporal of that dorm and I think the late Brent Rudwick was the patrol leader.It was Robyn who taught me how to be “street wise” in the home;He taught me how to make my bed, no easy task for a nine year old; How to keep my locker clean for inspection, how to polish and bone my shoes , and how to iron my cadet uniform. He was also an NCO drummer in the Home Band as well as being a member of a short lived “pop group” band with Nicky Buchan, an assistant housemaster at the time. He loved the music of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and other pop groups of the day, and was a fervent listener to the Sunday night ” LM Hit Parade” played over the dorm loudspeakers on Sunday nights.He made meaningful comments on which tunes and songs should be the top of the hit parade and often criticized the old SABC for their choices of what was “top” and what was not. He played a brilliant game of cricket at Malvern High school representing the first team under the coaching of John and Charlie Landau as well as being part of the successful football team of the Home and Malvern High in the 1960’s.
He will be sadly missed in the professional world as well as by those who had the privilege of knowing him.
I’m sure we all extend our deepest sympathy to him and to his family.
There is much i’d like to write about, but time does not permit me to do so, so I shall have to save that for the next time I write.
I hope you are all well and that life is treating you equally so.
Blessings and Love to you and yours.
Sincerely
Michael Rossouw
Reply
316. john rossouw | March 22, 2010 at 7:42 am

“herewith an extract of George’s book for comment – my hope is that it will become an interactive journal with the addition of your own memories and stories – only then will it be a compltete publication of “St Georges Home”
Laughter in Tears
“Your Home and Mine”

A Story of St George’s Home

By
George Adams

Laughter in Tears

“Your Home and Mine”

Prologue
October 1913 to August 1914

Part 1
15 August 1915 to 7 September 1916
Rev Noël Aldridge – Headmaster

Part 2
Interim
19 September 1916 to 1 March 1917
Rev HG White – Acting Headmaster

Part 3
1 April 1917 to 31 December 1923
Rev OWL Skey – Headmaster

Part 4
1 January 1924 to 30 April 1927
Rev HWT Burvill – Headmaster

Part 5
Interim
1 June 1927 to 31 August 1928
Rev OWL Skey – Acting Headmaster

Part 6
1 September 1928 to 30 April 1932
Rev BEG Shelley – Headmaster

Part 7
1 May 1932 to 31 May 1943
EJ Kerswill – Headmaster

Part 8
Interim
1 June 1943 to 31 December 1944
J Rethman – Acting Headmaster

Part 9
1 January 1945 to 31 December 1954
Rev JB Shortt – Headmaster

Part 10
1 January 1955 to 30 June 1959
Rev TL Strong – Headmaster

Part 11
Interim
1 July 1959 to 31 January 1960
HAC Robson – Acting Headmaster

Part 12
1 February 1960 to 14 September 1980
Rev Canon EHH Richardson – Headmaster

Part 13
15 September 1980 to 31 July 1987
KJ McHolm – Headmaster

Part 14
1 August 1987 to 31 December 1997
Rev BJ Lodge – Director
&
1 January 1998 –
PBJ Campbell – Director

Dedication

I
n presenting this story, which at the outset I might say, is a labour of love, pure and simple, I would like to say in all sincerity that I believe in my heart that there are other far more qualified to do so than I am.
However, in spite of making numerous appeals over many years – I might almost say, two decades – no one has yet come forward to undertake the task, which I now so joyfully embark upon. It will by no means be a literary work and will no doubt bristle with error for which I must be held responsible. It will be, I hope, a story of St George’s Home, which will flow in all the naturalness with which the years have flowed into its being. It is a story of sacrifice and service, laughter in tears and the creation of a fellowship, which is truly unique. There is no other institution of its kind in South Africa – and possibly not even in the world.
It will seem to be without beginning, as perhaps it was, and possibly even without end, as perhaps it may be; because it is essentially a story of a moving spirit, which will be reflected in its story.
There are, alas, many institutions for orphans and underprivileged children in this beautiful land of ours; many whose stories are as deep and touching as our own, and we would like to pay tribute to them along with St George’s, as being our brothers and sisters. They are too numerous to name.
The staff who have served them and us so loyally and selflessly over so many years, are also too numerous to name, but there is a great Book of Life which has recorded them and their efforts.
And to our generous and unstinting Public, this book is dedicated in sincere gratitude and appreciation.

Acknowledgements

T
o present an acknowledgement or “list of thank you’s” is as difficult to begin as it will be some day to end. Some of our heroes and heroines will be sung – more will be unsung. Every gift – whether in money, in kind or in good wishes – has been of incalculable value to us, from the early days of our founding. For that reason, when we say with the deepest sincerity “Thank you” to all our many friends, living now and having lived in the past before moving on to ‘higher service’, we do so with total informality and with heartfelt gratitude – we “thank you”.
However, since our concepts are still finite, let us begin by saying thank you to the General Mining Company, Rand Mines and Geldenhuys Mines in particular for getting St George’s Home “grounded” in the first place, and for assisting us throughout the succeeding decades to remain “in business”. Latterly, we would like to thank Barlow Rand, and in particular, Mrs Maryna Fraser, for allowing us access to their early records from which some of the details of the first four years, in particular, were able to furnish us with the record of our “birth pangs”.
Under the expert direction and expertise of some of the Mines’ senior management, our Executive Committee was both formed and guided until such time as we had “cut our teeth”. With so sound a foundation, and immeasurable generosity, in conjunction with a dedicated staff, could we have done other than succeed?
Even prior to our actual founding, we were conceived in the hearts and minds of people who cared for children; people like Father Sidney Dunstan, Priest, with his many friends. Gestated within the body of the Church of the Provinces of South Africa, and finally born on the property of Geldenhuys Mines and baptised and dedicated by our parent and founder Noël Aldridge.
Our Nurse and Provider throughout the years has been the Public, to whom we owe our existence because they believed in us and succoured us.
Our thanks also go to the many people who have assisted us in supplying the material, which has made the writing of this story possible. To those who have so generously given of their time and money – in particular Ria Kotze, who made the original draft typing of this manuscript possible; and to Eve Evans, who in turn gave so much of her spare time typing it for the sheer love of the Home.
To Joyce Short, for her enthusiasm for the Home and everything connected with it, and for the hours of her time given to running off the typed script.
To Audrey McHolm, who in addition to typing a copy of the basic research notes also gave a critical reading of a preliminary draft of the work.
To Ken McHolm, whose love for and guidance of the affairs of the Home and the lives of all the boys who knew him; who has raised the human science of Childcare into the dedicated realms of Soul Mission. His total involvement with the Home, covering as it has, the period from 1943 up to and including the present time is surely unique in the annals of Childcare.
I am further indebted to:
• The minutes recorded from the St George’s Home Executive Committee meetings,
• The Headmasters’ Annual Reports – particularly those of Canon Richardson and Mr Ken McHolm,
• The St George’s Home Old Boys’ Association magazines “The Dragon”,
• Personal interviews with some former members of staff and Old Boys and friends of the Home.
Mrs Betty Richardson and her dedicated Committees and their incalculable love and support through more than twenty years. Of necessity, this story has been written from “my point of view”, and its shortcomings can be fairly and squarely laid at my door.

Prologue
October 1913 to 15 August 1915

The Story of St George’s Home:
P
erhaps our story should begin with the inscription on the present chapel bell which hangs in the tower of our former buildings, and which was erected in April 1932. It reads: “In memory of Sydney Dunstan, Priest, whose resolution in Synod at Pretoria, 16th October, 1913, led to the foundation of St George’s Home. R.I.P. 16.7.1918.” The bell was made in England, by Taylor, Loughboro – and the inscription is 1930 – 242.
Synod in those days was held in Pretoria, and presided over by Bishop Michael Furse, since Johannesburg had not yet reached city status and had no cathedral. All matters pertaining to the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa in the district of the Transvaal, would be submitted to a synod held in Pretoria for discussion and for acting upon as that body saw fit.
Less than thirty years had passed since the Transvaal Republic surveyors had selected the stands and laid out the town of Johannesburg, but already it had mushroomed from mining camp to metropolis, creating in its meteoric wake a slough of social ills which have only compounded with time. Perhaps one of the most tragic and unhappy developments of the gold rush growth has been the steady eroding of family life, with its resultant creation of children in need of care. Before 1913, this problem had already assumed serious proportions and as a result of much voluntary fieldwork, a few small homes of care had been established in the city and along the Reef.
Most notable were St Mary’s Orphanage that had been founded under the auspices of the Anglican Church shortly after the turn of the century, and also the Guild Cottage, founded in 1901. Unfortunately these children’s homes would only provide for boys up to the age of puberty, and from then onwards there were few facilities available for boys in need of care.
Various Lodges of the Sons of England had undertaken quite extensive activities in an attempt to accommodate such needy children in institutions where possible. It was an inadequate and limited arrangement. They themselves realised this, but the public conscience of Johannesburg had as yet apparently not risen to the point where it could visualise that it would need to make provision for children who were the products of the existing unstable society of a post-goldrush town.
However, there were many who were concerned with the number of children resultant from the instability of this booming mining town – and realised that something would have to be done about it. It seems fair to say that first and foremost of all the bodies concerned with this problem was the Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa. There were already in existence a few institutions, which were directly, or largely, financed and supported by the Anglican Church, and its members.

1913:
From the Pretoria Synod of October 1913, the first official and unofficial talks began concerning the creation of an orphanage for boys in the Johannesburg area. It was approved at this Synod that a boys’ Home be established to be complementary to St Mary’s Orphanage (which accepted girls, and also boys only to the age of eight years).
The Rev Sydney Dunstan felt that the problem of unwanted and neglected children was virtually reaching epidemic proportions. It was he who was instrumental in having a committee formed whose sole purpose would be to investigate ways and means of “getting the ball rolling” with the providing of care for them. He was a personal friend of the Rev Noël Aldridge; at that time Rector of St John’s Church, Roodepoort, and who later became the first head of St George’s Home. Also he was a very good friend of the Rev OWL Skey, rector of St Boniface Church in Germiston.
These three men, as well as a number of other men and women, set about the gaining support for their vision by constantly bringing the problem to the attention of people who could help. These were days of depression in South Africa, and on the Rand (1913 was certainly a year of depression). It was recognised that of necessity priority must needs be given to already institutionalised children.
The idea having, so to speak, been implanted in the mind of the Synod, was left there to germinate. Money indeed was fast flowing and free in some areas, but very tight in others. It was not possible financially for Synod at that time to undertake the construction or creation of an institution for destitute children. The matter was not shelved, but perhaps referred – and referred – until such time as it would be financially possible for definite steps to be taken.

1914:
Noël and his friends meanwhile got busy through their parishioners who were connected with the Gold Mining Industry, searching for a suitable site for a possible orphanage or children’s home. Bishop Michael Furse used his influence as Bishop to bring about meetings with gold mining management, and several sites were explored up and down the new reef. The ideal place was finally found – the de-proclaimed property of the farm Elandsfontein.
The chairman Mr Schumacher, proposed to the management of Geldenhuys Mines (the owners) in February 1914, that the disused single men’s quarters and the old, disused Geldenhuys Mines hospital be made available as a Boys’ Orphanage. The buildings stood on the property held under Surface Rights Permit by the Juniper Gold Mine Company Limited.
Finally, on April 23 1914, St George’s Day – Rand Mines’ Chairman authorised the payment of one hundred pounds to Geldenhuys Deep Limited, being the purchase price of the Single Quarters (northern section) which the Company subsequently donated to the Rev Noël Aldridge for use as an orphanage.
Geldenhuys Deep responded by offering the Pretoria Diocesan Board in freehold and free of charge (except for the expenditure necessary for the passing of transfer) a certain portion of its de-proclaimed ground north of the Reef on the farm Elandsfontein No11, in extent two and a half acres. The company further placed at the disposal of the Trustees the single quarters (wood and galvanised iron constructions) currently erected thereon.
This was subject to three conditions –
• Existing quarters to be converted by Trustees at their own expense into buildings suitable for Orphanage boys,
• Site and buildings to be used solely for the purpose of an Orphanage.
• That if they decided to abandon the project, the property would revert to the company.
The project was beginning to move. In April 1914, at the instigation of Bishop Furse, a Committee was formed which was known as the Boys’ Orphanage Committee. Present at that meeting were the Ven Archdeacon Cameron, Rev WP McCormick, Rev Noël Aldridge, Rev OWL Skey and the Rev EV Saunders. It was decided that
• Two Committees be formed – the first an Executive Committee and the second a House Committee
• A suitable site in or near the city of Johannesburg is acquired.
Noël Aldridge had since moved to St Patrick’s church in Cleveland as its Rector.
The Orphanage Executive Committee, as it was called, consisted of Mr Percy Cazalet as Chairman (he was also at that time the Chairman of Rand Mines and an important member of the Sons of England, Red Rose Lodge). Other executive members included Rev HG White, Secretary, and Mr H Brown, Treasurer.
It was then recommended that a General Commission be appointed some time in 1915, and that the incumbents of the Rand parishes be asked to serve thereon. The Rev Noël Aldridge informed the Committee that it would not be necessary for them to accept proffered tenders for alterations to the buildings, which had been leased to them by Rand Mines – the cost of the alterations being quoted at five hundred pounds at the lowest. He suggested that instead the Committee leave the matter in his hands and that with the help of his Scouts and some labourers, he would certainly get the alterations done much more cheaply.
The Committee decided that they visit the site together with the Bishop of Pretoria. Mr Schumacher undertook for Rand Mines to purchase the property from Geldenhuys Deep and present it to the Committee with a donation of fifty pounds. Noël Aldridge suggested that the Bishop send a letter to other Rand Mining Companies telling of Rand Mines’ generosity and asking their assistance also, and enlisting the support of various municipalities in the area.
The Bishop duly visited the site in April 1914, and at that point he offered Noël Aldridge the Headmastership. In the meantime, Aldridge was appointed to be the first Chaplain of St George’s Home or Orphanage – it had not yet received its name. Mr. Pan of the Executive Committee of the Geldenhuys Mines said that the Geldenhuys Deep Mines had an excess of Single Quarters and would be prepared to sell them. Further, he would have no objection to Scouts removing them, provided it was done under adult supervision. Mr Aldridge stated that Mr Redmond had estimated that a wood and iron building some twenty by forty and ten foot. high would cost £195, and, if of brick, £215. Mr Pan proposed that a sub-committee examine the quarters referred to, and Messrs Pan and Aldridge were appointed to do this, with the power to act. They subsequently did act, and the building was acquired. It was dismantled by the First Cleveland Scouts Troop and re-erected on the original site of the other buildings of St George’s Home. In fact, it cost Noël Aldridge less than forty pounds. From that he hoped that there would be enough material to go towards the construction of a chapel. From its inception, the Christian ethic was central to the life of the home.
Further unofficial meetings were held until 12h August 1914. The outbreak of war brought all action to a halt. There were insufficient funds, and it was felt that it would not be practical to appeal for funds at this point. Noël Aldridge assured the Committee at that meeting that he had dismantled several buildings and transferred the materials to a suitable place nearby the Geldenhuys Deep Properties pending construction later. Everything was secure and under lock and key. It was decided to wait upon further developments to see how they should proceed. Noël in the meantime rejoined his regiment and went to serve as Chaplain to the Forces, with the rank of Captain on the South West Africa Campaign.

1915:
Many people felt that with the campaign in South West Africa only just completed and the war still raging in Europe, this was not a favourable moment for the founding of a new charitable organisation. Regarded superficially, this was undoubtedly true, but though people denied the wisdom of beginning the venture at that time, none could deny the need for it. A few homes and orphanages existed in and around Johannesburg, but enquiries revealed the fact that all were full to over-flowing. Moreover, the Children’s Aid Society knew that the distress in Johannesburg was acute, and that they had great difficulty in accommodating the many cases they had to deal with.
St Mary’s Orphanage had some time previously built a new wing for small boys, whom they had formerly been obliged to refuse. That wing was now quite full, and many of the boys had reached an age when they needed to have a man in charge of them to prepare them for the battle of life. The new orphanage would take in these boys from St Mary’s, as they reached the age of nine years, but it would, of course, not confine itself to these alone. As far as its capacity allowed, they would try to admit any deserving case, and at that particular time preference would be give to boys who had lost their fathers in the war, either in Europe or South West Africa.

Part I
Rev Noël Aldridge – Headmaster
15 August 1915 to 7 September 1916

N
oël Aldridge was born on 19 November 1879, in Lancashire. He came to South Africa in 1900 with the Royal Engineers as a soldier at the time of the Anglo-Boer War. He was a sergeant during that campaign at the end of which he returned to England with his regiment. What he had seen in South Africa had so deeply shaken and challenged him that he felt he must do something with his life, which could be of service there to his fellow man. South Africa had captured his imagination and then his heart.
During his wartime service in South Africa, he had talked with and met many people of differing ranks, and something had, so to speak, come alight within him to make him feel that God meant him to serve Him in South Africa. As a soldier and an idealist, when he came to the Transvaal Republic he was imbued with the spirit of British Imperialism. He was perhaps indoctrinated with the glamour and glory of the British Empire, but deep within himself he always had a feeling that perhaps even more than Man’s schemes, there was something that God meant Man to do. He was the sort of person who set about doing what he felt he was called to do, without waiting for opportunities to present themselves to him.
He was a man of determination and deep insight, having an unshakeable belief in people and he knew how to draw out the best in them. He was also intolerant of procrastination and people who would not make up their minds. He had the wonderful gift of inspiring others to give of their best, and perhaps his most faithful convert was Bishop Michael Furse of Pretoria. Noël was an intense person, but in the positive dynamic sense. He seemed to emanate strength and healing. Nothing was lukewarm about him. He got the job done while others took their time.
To Noël Aldridge, loyalty to the Empire and his country was not merely something, which was expected of everyone who was born British. It seemed to carry with it for him a far deeper meaning. To him it seemed to mean that practical service was what the British Empire meant. All around him he saw and met with those who did not have this concept, but this did not disillusion him, because deep within himself he knew that true leadership and true government was based on service. To him the greatest service of all was service to God through service to his fellow man. Those who knew him were deeply impressed by this concept which he demonstrated in his own personal life.
Many years later the boys who had known Noël in that first year of the Home’s existence, spoke of him with a mixture of warmth and hero-worship tinged a little with awe. He was kindly yet outspoken, and known to be impatient of trivialities. He endeared himself to the boys, with whom he had infinite patience; by his love of sport and his enthusiasm in all his undertakings. He particularly insisted on a good spiritual grounding, as he believed this to be the basis for a sound and practical life.
So it was that with the termination of the South African war, he returned to England convinced that God had called him to serve his fellow man in South Africa through the Church, and he went into the Church to discover how to become a soldier of Christ. After his ordination, he returned to South and was appointed Vicar of St John’s in Roodepoort, in 1906. He served that Parish for four years, until 1910. During this time he worked a great deal with boys, becoming Chairman of the Witwatersrand Scoutmasters’ Association and also the Church Lads Brigade.
He was transferred to the Parish of Cleveland, and became the Vicar of St. Patrick’s from 1910 until 1915. During this time, he renewed his friendship with Rev OWL Skey, who was then the Vicar of St. Boniface Anglican Church in Germiston, and between the two, whose parishes bordered one another, there was a very close working unity. He also formed a close friendship with Bishop Michael Furse, whom he inspired with his own vision so effectively that up until the time of his retirement from office, the Bishop was a devoted friend and champion of St. George’s Home.
At the conclusion of the South West Africa Campaign in July 1915, Noël returned to St. Patrick’s Church in Malvern, but the Rectorship was almost immediately ready to be taken by another incumbent. He was therefore obliged to move as quickly as he possibly could. Everything was organised for the opening of the Home.
Meetings with Committee members decided points for the selection of applicants, and it was decided to admit ten urgent cases, two of which were to come from St. Mary’s Orphanage, who would be faced with having something like fourteen boys over-age at the end of the year. Already there were ten over age, and these were proving to be more than the good nuns could handle.
He went ahead, with his Boy Scouts of the 1st Cleveland Troop, and the help of two Africans, one as a cook and one to look after the stabling and do the general heavy work around the place, as well as six boys and a contingent of Boy Scouts. Noël asked for the opening of St George’s Home to take place officially on the 7th October 1915. Within days the other ten boys joined the group, to form the first official St. George’s Home – the original sixteen.
Situated slightly to the west of the mines’ married quarters and the original two-gabled mines’ hospital, Noël advised using the structure known as “Top House”. It stood something less than a hundred yards back from the bleak and exposed windy ridge, which overlooked lower Bezuidenhout Valley and the orchard village of Bedfordview. It was raised among boulders and tall grass and exposed to the winds of all seasons, as well as wearing a perpetual penetrating and irritating layer of powder-fine, golden mine dump sand. But it was a home.
Noël and the boys began to build their own home with everyone enthusiastically pitching in to do their share. Money there was none, and necessary equipment for renovating and painting the primitive wood and iron shanties was extremely limited. However, the imagination and goodwill of the sparsely populated neighbourhood had been enlisted. Once a week on Saturday mornings, a few boys with a hand cart would set out to do the rounds of the neighbourhood, collecting cans of food and other necessary items which were so generously donated by people who themselves had little enough to spare. Later a horse and cart were purchased for the purpose, and the weekly donations in kind continued for many years, until the Home, thanks to the generosity of the local inhabitants, the general public and private donors, had become financially established.
However, from the very beginning Noël planned for us to become a self-supporting community, which would be an asset and not a liability. Indeed this concept was the basis of his training programme. From the start we were enrolled as the 2nd Cleveland Scout Troop and engaged ourselves in local community activities. A vegetable garden was also laid out and a little later flowers were grown to be sold to augment funds.
Prior to his moving into those cramped quarters with the sixteen boys this remarkable man – a soldier, a priest and a companion – had been a Boy Scout Officer for some six and a half years. He had personally met with and was deeply impressed by the vision and character of Sir Robert Baden-Powell (later to become Lord Baden-Powell).
The ideas of Baden-Powell struck a vibrant chord in his heart. He realised that the principles involved in the Scouting movement were principles which were meant to draw from everyone involved in such activity the very highest, the very deepest, the very broadest consideration for their fellow man and for the future of their world. The Scouting fraternity were conscious of the troubled times in which they lived.
When he and his boys moved into that forlorn and deserted shack on the Geldenhuys Estate, Noël said to them, we will follow the principles of the Scouting movement, because we know that these principles are some of the most valid in the world today. They are the principles, which draw from each one of us the very highest, which we can give in service to God and to our fellow man.
So, on 7 October 1915, Bishop Furse officially opened St. George’s Home for Boys. Present was a man who was to play a tremendously important part in the development of this unique institution – Percy Cazalet, and with him William Cunliffe. Both these men were deeply committed Churchmen and friends of Noël Aldridge, and Percy Cazalet became the first Chairman of the official St George’s Home for Boys.
At the time when the General Mining Company had given the buildings for use to Noël Aldridge, part of the Geldenhuys Deep workings to the north of the Home and the brick fields were still very much in working operation. They continued to be for a good many years beyond that. Rand Mines, through the Geldenhuys Estates, leased to St. George’s Home two and a half acres of ground at one pound per annum for twenty-five years. On those two and a half acres stood the disused single quarters for mine workers of the Geldenhuys Deep Mines. There also stood the disintegrating Geldenhuys Deep Hospital and the Mine Manager’s residence. These three buildings had fallen into virtual disuse – which was why the Geldenhuys Estates were able to offer them to Noël at a cost of £40.0.0d. By December 1915, another Geldenhuys Deep property was leased to St. George’s Home, and was dismantled and re-erected next to the old hospital, and this small area comprised St. George’s Home for Boys for the following five years. Also by December 1915, twenty-eight boys could be accommodated in these old, dilapidated and condemned buildings. Negotiations then got underway for the acquisition of further buildings. In July 1915, the Home had officially become known as St George’s Home for Boys.
Life in those early days was Spartan, but even to the boys themselves; it held a sense of novelty and adventure. Before sufficient indoor space was available, in the first building, called Top House, the overflow of inmates were obliged to sleep outside on the open stoep. It was wonderful in warm, dry summer weather, but it afforded little protection from the rains, which all too frequently lashed in on them from the exposed veld. If you were not able to find floor space inside during these storms, then you simply curled yourself into the smallest possible ball and saw the night through. Not that those who slept inside were altogether better off. The roof leaked, and so did the ceiling, and the unevenness of the floors ensured a wide range of puddles. But all this was temporary. Quickly enough things improved.
On the question of the employment of a secretary, the Committee decided that two Homes should share the costs. St. Mary’s should pay ten pounds per month, and St. George’s five pounds. This magnificent sum would include the secretary’s salary, office, rent, etc, the Diocesan Board to make up the difference. The first secretary of the Home was Rev HG White, Noël’s friend and fellow priest.
It had been estimated that for the altering and furnishing of the building, and the equipping of the boys, the Home would require roughly one thousand pounds. Towards this they had in hand one hundred and seventy pounds, thus another eight hundred and thirty had to be produced before a start could be made, and thereafter regular subscribers towards maintenance would have to be found. They launched out in total faith.
From the very outset, Noël Aldridge’s ideas were quite clear.
• He wished to provide a home for boys in need of care.
• He felt that, with all his experience in the Scouting Movement, the most successful way in which to promote or to run such an institution would be along the lines of the Scout Movement. The boys learning to become self-sufficient – learning to do for themselves and to care for themselves and each other as a team.
• He felt that emphasis should be placed upon British ideals and sentiments – those of freedom, self-development and all the wonderful things for which, at least theoretically, the British Empire had stood (but which, alas, it might not always have exemplified)
• To train boys who came into his Centre for trades and types of work which would enable them to become good citizens and loyal and true members of Society. Because of his own background, he envisaged that such a school could be run upon the Public School System of Britain. This would be the highest possible achievement in his system of meeting the social conditions which existed on the Rand and which were so desperately threatening the structure of Society.
• Over and above all else, he felt that in so far as he was able himself to demonstrate the Christian life and to instruct those who would work with him in the principles of the service of the Anglican Church, in this way would all ideals be realised.
He saw in the Scouting system everything that he stood for and in which he believed and while public opinion might change; certain moral values certainly dare not change. He envisaged, and indeed he created a system and a Home wherein everybody lived together as good Scouts, acknowledging their superiors as being those endowed with the ability to impart knowledge to them which they needed and which they in turn could pass on to others.
He created, along with the Public School idea, a system of patrols with names, each having a Patrol leader, and each contingent having a Corporal, plus six boys.
No1 Patrol was called the Tiger Patrol.
No2 Patrol was called the Beaver Patrol.
No3 Patrol was called the Stork Patrol.
In those days, the Home consisted of Noël Aldridge, the Headmaster, who was assisted by a seventeen-year-old boy Scout, Redvers Rouse and three Africans.
Redvers was born in Roodepoort, Transvaal, of Methodist parents. However, from the early age of ten years he was drawn to the Anglican Church. Unknown to his parents, he would on a Sunday take himself and his two younger brothers to the Anglican Church, whose ritual and ceremony most deeply appealed to him. Eventually his parents found out, and though he was punished for this, he still continued to go, until eventually his parents were obliged to accept that he had found his spiritual home and he would stick to it. Indeed, eventually the whole family found themselves regularly attending Archdeacon Urquhart’s services at St John’s, Roodepoort.
A brilliant scholar, Redvers Rouse finished his primary school education in Roodepoort at the age of ten years. His headmaster, a Mr Carter, recognised the boy’s potential and succeeded in procuring for him a bursary to St John’s College, which was at that time run by the Community of the Resurrection. There he completed his matriculation at the age of sixteen years, in December 1915.
Noël Aldridge had succeeded Archdeacon Urquhart in the parish of St John’s, Roodepoort, and it is here that he had met Redvers in 1910, when the boy was twelve years old. When Noël assumed the Headmastership of St George’s Home, Redvers moved into the old mine house buildings with him and his handful of boys, and from that time until his death in 1972 he remained in constant contact with the Home, giving generously of his time and service to it.
The Home might well have been said to have started with boys sleeping on the floor of the Vestry of St. Patrick’s church, Cleveland, as it was then known. The six boys had become sixteen between August and October 1915. During these early days, the various Boys Scouts’ Troops from the Witwatersrand Area pitched in with great enthusiasm to help with the project of establishing St. George’s. It was they who were responsible for dismantling the Geldenhuys building, removing it to its new site and re-erecting it there.
As the story of Noël Aldridge’s venture became more widely known, many people were inspired to help him. These included, among others, various Reef Churches, the Orders of the Sons of England and the generosity of Rand Mines and Geldenhuys Estates. The General Mining Group presented him with a cheque for £50. From the outset, the support for St. George’s and its continued support throughout the years has come mainly from the public of the Witwatersrand by way of donations and contributions. Without public support, this venture could not have been a success, and certainly St. George’s could not have developed into what it eventually became.
At the official opening on October 15th 1915, Bishop Furse declared the aims of St. George’s Home to be as follows:
• To provide a Home for boys in need of care;
• To be run along the lines of Scouting Principles;
• To emphasise British ideals and sentiments, and to build character;
• To train boys for trades and enable them to adjust normally to society;
• That St. George’s should be run along the English Public School System, this being felt to be the best means and,
• Though the Anglican Church would be the recognised authority, no boy in need of care would be turned away on religious grounds.
From the beginning, it was envisaged that the Home would have its own school, and this need was made known. Under “conditions of admission” the first point was:
• A boy must be white
• Secondly, he must be deserving;
• Thirdly, he must be a British subject;
• Fourthly, he must have no criminal convictions;
• Fifthly, he must conform to the worship of the Church of England whilst in the Home as a boy;
• Sixthly, preference would be given to the sons of soldiers who had been killed in the War.
St. George’s Home was also visualised as being an outlet for younger children, particularly from St. Mary’s Orphanage, which also came under the auspices of the Anglican Church.
With the princely sum of one hundred and seventy pounds, in August 1915 Noël Aldridge began what many years later the Governor-General, the Earl of Clarendon, described as “a great venture of faith in response to a great need”. Noël felt particularly deeply that his charges should develop a sense of independence, of worth, of value in them. He felt that in training the boys in the principles which he had outlined he was providing a very much-needed service to society and he wished the boys to be aware of their indebtedness to society by giving always of their very best in every way possible. He hoped very much to make St. George’s self-sufficient.
By the end of December 1915, the Head of the Home was able to say: “Three months’ experience seems to show that we are on the right lines. The development of the boys is very marked. It is obvious that there is a great need for another Home for boys in Johannesburg, and it is equally obvious that we shall soon have to make extensive enlargements”.
In January 1916, Noël was able to report to his Bishop: “Through the generosity of the Rand Mines Ltd., and the Geldenhuys Deep Ltd, we have a building and two and a half acres of ground in an extremely healthy position on the Geldenhuys Estate overlooking the Bezuidenhout Valley. The Rand Mines Ltd. also gave us a cheque for £50. Various other smaller sums have also been given, and we have now about £170 in hand. The building, which consists of a block of twenty-four rooms, is now being adapted, and will comfortably accommodate twenty-four or perhaps thirty boys. We have also a very keen and energetic Committee of which Mr Percy Cazalet is the chairman”.
In explaining his first report to the meeting, the Head was able to tell them that because of the division of Patrols under a Patrol Leader and each Patrol being responsible for its own dormitory and a share in the general work, the staff was reduced to a minimum. Namely, the Head, and assistant, a boy of seventeen and two labourers. “The boys do all their own work, including the washing and mending”.
Reviewing the finances concerning property, he was able to say that the property consisted of a twenty-five year lease, renewable at the Trustee’s option, of two and a half acres of ground on the Geldenhuys Deep Mine, which the Directors of the Company kindly presented to the Home… “the value of one pound set against it is of course only nominal”.
The Buildings: The amount of £477/16/10d shown in the cost of the buildings to 31 December, was for alterations and additions, the buildings having been generously given by the Rand Mines – their actual value was considerably more.
Under the Cash Account at the end of the year, £759/9/4d was on hand available for general purposes of the Home. Also an amount of £36/2/3d specially collected towards the erection of a Chapel.
Under Revenue and Expenditure Account, the account presented covered the three actual working months of October, November and December. The Head asked his listeners to take into consideration that the first few months of any Institution cannot be taken as representative of the cost of a full twelve months’ working. The first month or two must include much preliminary but unavoidable outlay and expense, which makes the cost of those months abnormal and therefore must not be taken as a guide to the average monthly cost when working normally. The average number of children for the period under review was twenty-eight, and it would be seen from the accounts presently presented that the cost of running the Home for the three months was £305/15/5d, or just over £100 a month. If the normal expenses already referred to be allowed for, the cost – the probable cost – for the three months would have been closer to £210 or, say, £2/10/- per inmate per month.
Clothing, which figured at £148/7/8d, stationery and printing at £11/2/-, general charges £10/18/3d, are all instances of abnormal expenditure, which would normally be spread over a much longer period.
Contributions amounting to £1,121/9/- (of which the detailed list was given) as well as £460/12/- taken at a street collection jointly with St. Mary’s Orphanage, was proof of the genuine support given by the public to a new charity commenced in war time. The Committee desired to place on record, its appreciation and warmest thanks to those who gave so generously their assistance. The balance of the ordinary account at December 1915 was £655/5/-.

1916:
As previously mentioned, from the outset Noël was determined we would attempt to pay our own way, and although it would depend largely on the generosity of the public of Johannesburg, Witwatersrand and areas farther afield, we would nonetheless try to provide for ourselves in every way possible. Immediately he set about creating a gardening scheme whereby we would be able to grow and produce our own vegetables, and as well as growing vegetables the boys also grew flowers for cutting and for sale.
Nearby, adjoining the Geldenhuys Deep properties upon which the Home had collected its few small buildings, was Kramer’s Farm. Farther to the East on the kopje of Primrose, just below was situated a dairy which was called the Pine Grove Dairy and was owned by a Mr Hill, who had two sons, one of whom, Alf, attended the first school to be opened in St. George’s Home.
Alf tells the story –
“When they started the Home, Noël came around and spoke to Mr Hill. He wanted milk, he said. “Of course, we can’t pay much”. Mr Hill said, “the price is secondary”. Alf went on: “In those days, I think we used to get 2/- a gallon, something like 3d a pint. Anyhow, my dad said to Noël: “Don’t worry about the milk, you’ll get that”, but Noël said: “No, I want to pay for it”. So my dad said: “How much can you afford?” and Noël said: “Well, so much”, and mentioned a sum. I think that allowed him a gallon a day. So he said: “Couldn’t I get two gallons?” and my dad said: “I don’t undersell anyone. Can you afford 2/- a gallon? If you can, pay that and the other gallon I’ll let you have as a gift, at 1/- a gallon”. Noël very gratefully accepted the offer.”
As mentioned before, we had a handcart that the boys would take around the neighbourhood on a Saturday morning for collections. People wishing to donate would give what they could. It was almost entirely gifts in kind. The nearest houses and neighbours to the Home were the Geldenhuys Deep Married Quarters, two sets of double-storey buildings containing five homes in each building. The generosity of the neighbours, and their willingness to accept us, was the beginning of the public interest upon which we relied so heavily.
From the outset, we began to involve ourselves in the life of the community. Our first “public appearance”, so to speak, was at the Easter Show in 1916, where the Home boys began their first public service by organising and distributing the programmes for the Easter Show. They were paid a small sum of money for this, which went into Home funds. Some of it went as pocket money to the boys themselves; but most importantly we were giving service to the city of Johannesburg and the Reef by donating our time as a return for the generosity which the public was showing.
In May 1916, the Committee for St. George’s Home was formed, and passed a resolution to begin the building of a Chapel of brick and iron. It was decided that, for many reasons, the Chapel, which was at present shared as a dining room and sports room, was not adequate. Noël Aldridge was happy with this decision as his dream was on the way to fulfilment. Indeed the Chapel still stands. For many years it was used for its original purpose, although it no longer belongs to St. George’s Home. The cost of the building was estimated to be £400/0/0.
Noël accepted an offer from Rustenburg farmers to take a number of St. George’s Home boys during the Easter holidays to pick fruit, as a means of earning some money for themselves and for the Home, as well as giving them a break and a holiday. They were given their train fares and living expenses as well. It was a most successful venture.
By the middle of 1916, the number of boys had increased to twenty-eight, and Noël was obliged to hire a new assistant, a man called Tommy Peter Burness, known to the boys as “The Pumpkin Eater”, later to be ordained as a Minister of the Church. It was in May of 1916 that Peter, the “Pumpkin Eater”, entered the service of the Home as an assistant Housemaster. Some seventy years later, two of the original Old Boys were to describe him in warm and glowing terms as one who was the embodiment of the term “Gentleman”. He was, they said, a most truly gentle man and one gifted with an infectious sense of humour.
We were now well under way. The enthusiasm, which had been sparked by the venture, had proved to all concerned with it that there was indeed a need for such an Institution. Noël Aldridge, with his twenty-eight boys, had established themselves permanently in the records of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand.
In this exciting venture, the Scouting Troops from many parts of the Rand were employed in voluntary work and establishment. Many of the twenty-eight boys admitted to St. George’s had had no previous exposure to the Scouting movement. Here, indeed, was the beginning of a system that would prove its value over and over again. Scouting principles remained the basis of the discipline and organisation of the activities of the Home for something more than seven decades.
A tremendous boost forward financially came from the Sons of England Lodge, who held a street collection on our behalf, which brought in the sum of £668.15.7d. This was again an affirmation from the public of Johannesburg that they regarded the need for St. George’s Home very seriously. Also in May 1916, Archdeacon Cameron received a certificate under the Children’s Protection Act registering St. George’s Home as an Institution certified by Government.
Following are some of the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday 15 August 1916:
• “The Secretary reported the balance of the Accounts of St. George’s Home to be £674/5/10d, and submitted a cash statement showing Revenue and Expenditure for the months of June and July. The Secretary was instructed to prepare a full statement of the total expenditure, normal and abnormal contributions to date to submit to the Committee at the next meeting to be held in September 1916”.
• Mr Aldridge suggested that as the anniversary of the opening of St. George’s Home (which had been suggested should be celebrated at the Home) would take place shortly, the opening ceremony of the Chapel should be postponed until then. The celebration of both events would take place at the same time.
• The Chairman informed the Committee that the Home was entitled to a grant of one to two pounds per month for boys committed to them through the courts and instructed the Secretary to write to the Director of Pensions regarding grants for boys so committed.
• Mr Aldridge informed the Committee that he had engaged an extra assistant at a salary of four pounds per month, and also that he had raised the wages of the servants 10/0d per month each, and asked the Committee to confirm his actions. This was unanimously supported.
• The Committee inspected the Chapel, which was in the course of erection, and expressed great satisfaction with the progress made. They were informed that owing to increased prices in building materials, the Chapel would cost thirty pounds more than originally estimated, making the total cost of the building four hundred and thirty pounds. The Chapel Building Fund amounted to £90/3/3d to be utilised for the purpose of internal furnishings.
• The Committee further agreed that the fencing of the piece of ground recently acquired from the Geldenhuys Deep should be proceeded with immediately. Mr Tucker very kindly volunteered to supply the necessary piping and it was left to Mr Aldridge to start fencing as soon as possible.
• On reporting on the visit of the boys to the Rustenburg District, Mr Aldridge informed the Committee that the holiday had proved to be very beneficial to the boys in every way. While saying he considered the principle to be good, he thought that better arrangements might be concluded next time. The arrangements had been that the boys would receive accommodation and board in return for three hours’ works a day.
• As regards holidays for the staff at St. George’s, the Committee resolved that the two assistants should have an annual holiday of at least a fortnight. They authorised Mr Aldridge and the Chairman to make arrangements to relieve Mr Aldridge when he desired to go on holiday himself.
• A letter was read from the Geldenhuys Deep concerning the application by the Home for a further piece of ground to the East of the present site, and several suggestions were laid before the Committee for their consideration. The Committee accepted the suggestion of delaying the acquiring of the freehold, pending the decision on the question of expansion.
• It was resolved that a scheme of buildings be compiled for the next meeting to be placed before the Geldenhuys Deep Mines for future reference. It was agreed also to leave this in the hands of the Chairman and Mr Aldridge.
• Before he left, Mr Aldridge informed the Committee that he had admitted one boy since the last meeting, and he requested the Committee to consider the application of a boy called Richardson, which he thought rather urgent. The Committee agreed to the admission of this boy, suggesting that application should be made to have him committed, and also if possible his two brothers already in the Home. That was the last meeting attended by the Rev Noël Aldridge.
Shortly before then, Willie Smith was admitted to St. George’s Home. Later, this boy was to make a name for himself in boxing. Also, in May 1916, Mr HR Brown was appointed as the Honorary Treasurer of the Executive Committee of St. George’s Home.
Early in 1916, the Klipriver Farming Scheme had been proposed. This was intended to be a Farm School, possibly later a College, for the training of boys in agriculture. It was envisaged that the school, which was situated near Meyerton, would also be a means of food and vegetable supplies for the Home in Johannesburg. At any rate, eight boys who felt so inclined were seconded to the farm of the Rev HG White at Klipriver for the purpose of training.
The life of the Home was vigorous. Noël Aldridge being, as well as a very spiritual man, a dedicated priest, was also a very well rounded being who understood boys and handled them in their own idiom.
Alf Hill tells the story of a boy –
Tony Burkes who was for one or other reason annoyed at something Noël had said or done. Noël invited him into the ring on “reckoning night”, which was every Friday night. Fighting was not permitted – except with the gloves on in the ring. All the boys appreciated this means of being able to express themselves – even with their headmaster, who was, of course, an accomplished boxer. Because of this, he was deeply loved and trusted by his boys.
Part of Noël’s training programme was to make sure that the boys would receive as much practical experience in home upkeep as was possible for the Home to provide. For instance, there was a plastering and carpentry shop and a builder’s yard. There was also a bootmaking shop, of which Eddie Borowsky was in charge. Saturday morning was “mending time”, when the boys darned their own socks, sewed on their own buttons and (before the advent of a Matron) did as much general repair sewing as was possible for them to learn.
However, the Ladies’ Committee of the Church of St. Patrick’s, Cleveland, as well as the ladies of St Boniface Church, Germiston, would also club together, come over to the Home and very generously undertake to do much of the repair work that was beyond the skill of the boys. The ladies living across the way in the double storey houses would also come across to the Home and give sewing lessons in the common room of the Junior dormitory, as well as doing the more major types of repair – the mending of sheets and so on.
From the beginning, applications to have boys admitted to St George’s Home were overwhelming, and it was abundantly clear that larger and more adequate accommodation would have to be built. The existing buildings could at best be considered as only temporary and were, from the outset, inadequate – but they did at least provide shelter – of a kind. However, they were not warmly insulated. They were extremely draughty, and in this respect unhealthy for a constitution anything less than robust.
Two ladies from the Germiston St George’s Home sub-committee, Mrs MacCaulay and Mrs McGillivray gave a public concert to raise funds for the Home. They collected £82.14.3d and with that sum purchased a horse and cart, our first transport. The horse, a large grey, reputed to have been General Smuts’ charger, was very naturally named “Dragon”.

Death of Noël Aldridge
The rigours of the South West Africa campaign began to take their toll on Noël, and in the autumn of 1916 he was obliged to take a rest of three weeks in order to build up his strength. Scarcely had he recovered and returned to duty, than an outbreak of mumps, in May, again put him under great strain. Characteristically he drove himself to the limit of his endurance, inspired by the unfolding of his dream and to establish it as firmly as possible as soon as possible. Nobody realised how far beyond recovery he had pushed himself. The end came suddenly and tragically on 7 September 1916.
Noël Aldridge’s death typified the man and can be summed up in the words of Christ… “Greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friend”.
The cold winter of 1916 was drawing to its close. A critical shortage of blankets had resulted in some of the younger and less robust of the boys succumbing to influenza. One boy in particular was in great distress and Noël gave him all but one of his own blankets. Far from strong himself at this point, he too, fell a victim to the flu. This, in a few days, turned to pneumonia and possibly pleurisy. Within the week, in the former wood and iron Geldenhuys Mine Hospital building, the thirty-seven-year-old servant of God went to meet his master.
Before the shock wave of Noël’s untimely death had subsided, his friend and fellow priest, HG White, was asked to step into the breach and act as Headmaster until such time as Bishop Furse of Pretoria could appoint another Headmaster.
The Press, of course, spread the story of Noël’s death in front-page headlines, and all newspapers in the Rand and further abroad covered his funeral. He was buried from St. Patrick’s, Cleveland, by the Rev Huntley Gordon, the Rector. His burial service was performed through the ritual of the Sons of England Lodge. The cortege was drawn by two black horses, and was followed by fifty-two Home boys and over two hundred Boy Scouts from the Johannesburg and Witwatersrand areas. He was buried in a plot set aside for St. George’s personnel of the future, in the Primrose cemetery. A short era had come to an untimely end.
It says a great deal for Noël Aldridge that the love and veneration, which he had inspired in the boys not only continued after his sudden and untimely death, but it showed how truly the boys regarded the Home as their own. It was the first of a number of tests which lay in the future whereby the loyalty and calibre of the boys was instrumental in holding the Home secure through a time of crisis. It drew them closer to their home and to one another.
Reply
317. Wendy Thompson | March 22, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Hi John
Thanks for posting this.
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318. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 23, 2010 at 3:56 am

Thank you George Adams and John Rossouw for this remarkable prologue. How distorted and surreal have been the stories and speculations regarding the origins of the home through the years.

Now at last, we can all read the definitive and true story of our unique heritage. With this brief history now revealed … all the pieces fall together and make me even more proud that I am a product of this wonderful man’s vision … Rev. Noel Aldrridge … to whom ultimately, we all owe a great deal of thanks for the protective environment we came to know as ‘home’.

I look forward to ‘Our’ book becoming available for us all to acquire in the near future … and the day that I can read it to my grandkids.

Great Job John … we all owe you one too for getting it together.
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319. Sandra Bouwer (Nee) Pringle | March 23, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Well done John. I look forward to being able to
read more about St Mary’s where I was at the same time as
Stuart and Dudley Pringle (my bothers) were at St Georges’
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320. Leslie duplessis | March 25, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Thanks for the post, John. I hope we can see more very soon.
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321. Allan Chrystal | March 26, 2010 at 5:12 am

I was surprised to find this site and amazed at the changes with a swimming pool etc. I and my younger brother Neville were there for 5 years. 1948 -1952. I have often wondered what happened to some friends of mine. Donald Sanderson-Smith, who went to Rhodesia. Ernst Behr. I had a quick scan of previous posts looking for a familiar name. When I was there it was a grim place. JB Short was the head. My house (Robson?) was extremely strict. Canings were frequent. I attended Germiston High and left as soon as I turned 16. I was given 6 pounds to buy clothes and set off to find work. Four years later I got to Canada and spent the most of my working life in the airline industry. With 3 grandkids, a decent pension and plenty of golf I am indeed lucky. I have no warm feeling for St Georges. On reflection I think the Masters were mean spirited and enjoyed the power they had over us. Then there was always Norwood threat. I guess it was normal for the times.
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322. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 27, 2010 at 4:19 am

Welcome Alan Chrystal,

What goes around – comes around … and there you are. You were away – and now you’re back again. It’s funny how that ole’ black magic gets you under it’s spell.

The lure of nostalgia for an unfinished youth left behind at St. Goggies is a magnet. Slowly but surely it is drawing us all back. There are only a few hundred logging on at present … but every week and month more old boys come on board.

I entered in January of 1955 and left in July of ’59. So you left about 3 years before my arrival there. The pool and gym had already been built by that time.

Harry Fisher and Ernie Behr were then, and are still today, a couple of legends that even the boys who came as late as the ’90’s had heard of them. There is a wonderful story contained in these blog entries about Harry Fisher and an accident he had while leading the cadet band at an event. Ernie is mentioned several times.

You must be in your early seventies and you don’t sound like a man who plays the blame game … but you did admit to not having a good experience at SGH. For those of us who did, I regret that your experiences was less than pleasant … but shortly after the war when you entered, there were shortages and hard times for most people … including non home boys and girls. The modernization and evolutionary upward cycle of life and society gradually improved conditions for everyone (except for the black population we exploited) and that translated into better conditions in such places as orphnages … not least of all SGH.

When I read of the boys who came after me and who enjoyed parties, a radio station, musical groups, smoking rooms and horses and stables … I don’t recopgnize the place … but that’s what I mean by evolutionary changes … today the place is a snotty nose cresh for the privaleged. Who would have thunk it?

I( trust however, that with all the deprivations you experienced at SGH, you have gone on to make a better and happier life for yourself. Would be nice to hear some stories of your time there … not just the black and white … but some of the color too.
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323. Allan Chrystal | April 4, 2010 at 6:26 am

Hello D.C.
Sorry for the delay in replying. When I received your reply I could not recall any good times that would be colourful. Camp at the coast was a bit of an exception. I figured to think about it but then the days slipped by. I am 73 now so left Goggies 57 years ago. 53 of those in Canada. I remember the swimming pool and gym now but was bamboozled by the google earth’s display. I have been back twice. In 1977 and 1994. I never got around to revisiting Goggies though I had planned to. Some old names refresh my memory. Boet Symes and his oxen and vegetable carrot gardens. Mr Moss cadet drilling us on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Another session on Monday mornings at Germiston high. I guess I owe Mr Robson of Taylor house 7 shillings and sixpence. One Christmas holiday my brother and I got to vacation with an aunt in Capetown. The train journey took 2 days or there abouts. I told Mr Robson my brother and I had no money for food during the trip. He dug in pocket and gave us 7/6p. Enough to buy some buns along the way. If there is a red haired Loren Howden out there he cemented my desire to leave as soon as I could. When I mentioned I was going to leave he bet me I would not. Loren lost his bet. I recall he was trying to stay at St Georges after he graduated. Go to college or something. Many years ago I read a news report about Soweto in the Vancouver Sun, a local newspaper. It was about a Dale White doing Gods work there. I just knew it was the Dale White I knew at St Georges.
Thanks for the reply
Al Chrystal.
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324. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 5, 2010 at 6:43 am

There you go Allan. Despite yourself, you have unfolded quite a bit of color in your brief story above and quite a bit of information, none of it unpleasant.

You, like I, were a Taylor boy and so we both had Robbie as Housemaster, He had a stern look about him … and he gave a fair caning when your number was up, but he was really a gentle, fatherly type … who obviously regretted that he only had one child himself, Jennifer, his daughter and ,,, No son!

I always felt that he had a special place for my brother and I in his heart, but I have heard that same experience was shared by many others through the years … but I felt then as a child, that it was nevertheless just a little more special for me. Strange how we comfort ourselves when we are vulnerable.

Boet Symes was there still after you left of course … still kicking it in the gardens but the oxen were gone … in my first year he was stand-in Housedmaster of Simpson.
Then Bomber Brown took over.

Big Red-headed Loren Howden (he was a giant to a 12 year old’s eyes), was Headboy in my 2nd or 3rd year and Head Prefect at the old Malvern High on Jules Street, He did come back briefly to St. Georges as a sub-housemaster before being persuaded by Bernie Moss to enter a seminary … in fact, shortly before Bernie himself did the same.

1955 … No Jeppe High or Germiston schools … just Wychwood Primary and Malvern High existed for all homeboys. During my time we walked the three miles there and the same back, every schoolday … summer thru’ winter.
No bus coupons … no pocket money and no packed lunch.
If you had no gloves in winter … you suffered cracked skin on hands and fingers.

Hope you’ll keep bringing your memories back to these pages … this is the last call to record a small parcel of a very unique history.

At this moment in time Allan, you’re Headboy. You’re the oldest blogger and homeboy here and nobody’s memories go back as far as yours. What was it liike then? … is a thought that rises in each of our minds when we meet an older member of the tribe … for each year it progressively changed, particularly after Richardson took over. The enforcement of or the rules themsleves, became more liberal when he took over from that puffed up little toad called Strong (who replaced Short in your time). FR. R. brought a more democratic regime to Goggies, certainly a more progressive ideal than any of his forebears since Noel Aldridge.

Peter De Reuk in Australia, was there during your time … but he’s a couple of years younger than you, so you’ll probably not know him.

Keep remembering … you’ll be amazed at what you’ll come up with.
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- 325. Allan Chrystal | April 5, 2010 at 8:38 am
  
  Well as the oldest blogger here maybe I should ramble on as I consider my mortality. My younger brother Neville had a heart attack and died at 69. Sometimes I think I may have contributed to his death. The last year I was there he had a few friends who were “dagga Piets”. (Smokers). When I caught him smoking I kind of roughed him up. I wanted to beat it out of him. When I left it must have been devastating for him. I know I was quite forlorn when a older “friend” left. Two I recall were Glibbery and Griffin. I forget the first names. Weird but they were nice to me although about 5 years older. Anyhow Nev was hooked on smoking which killed him. I started in Simpson house where a Edwin James really tormented me. I had a fight with Dennis McLaughlin, the youngest of the 3 brothers and just squeezed his neck. He was unconscious for about 20 minutes. They put him to bed so I guess I came close to killing him. Then Beaton House. I thought the House master was a Mr Carpenter but I see it Capener. I saw his collection of insects and believed he could hypnotize people as well. He was the only House Master I was not afraid of. Then it was off to Taylor house and Robbie. On Sunday nights we were allowed to listen to David Davies top ten tunes from Lorenzo Marques radio station. Patti Page was on top of the charts. The radio was in the Rec room where we had our weekly sock inspections. Robbie made sure we had 2 pairs of socks with no holes in them. Any holes were mended then and there. After awhile we got quite adept at it. Also once a year we had the splash there. A party of sorts where we had a few cream cakes and cookies.
  Primary school was classes down the way from Mr Short’s office. Top of the tower. Std 6 was off to Malvern or Germiston. About 10 guys went by bus to Germiston High. However after std 9 (Form 4) everyone got transferred to Malvern leaving me the sole ‘Home Ou’ at Germiston. Somewhere I saw mention of the Tuck Shop. Saturdays it opened for those who had money. A little Tudor styled building. I heard my brother Neville broke into it after I left and swiped a load of candies. He was caught of course.
  One early memory was during a church service. At that time there were a number of school grads who had gone to work but still lived at Goggies. These guys were men but were probably 19 or 20 years old. They wouldn’t put up with a canning as they were tall and muscular. Anyhow about 6 of them sang a hymn as loud as they could yell. Everyone looked back as they were at the back row, singing on top of their lungs. Mr Short stopped the hymn and told those yellers to leave. A few days later they were gone. Expelled I guess. Maybe that wasn’t their plan when all they wanted was not to attend chapel before breakfast on Sunday mornings. After all we went to another service in the evening. Robbie often read a ‘sermon’.
  A few names I remember: Michael de Kock. Wylie Mackie and a Mackie Wylie. George Button. Jack Doyle. Conrad Behrends. A Marr and Logan who were always together, great buddies. Russel Howden, Rory Muldoon who punched me out in boxing. William Wilcockson (a tyrant). Barry Wood whose mother chastised Wilcockson once. The Brown brothers who wet their beds more often than not. We gang beat the poor guys and made them take cold showers and wash the sheets. I’m sure we destroyed their lives. I would like to apologize to them if they are still alive. We were cruel.
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
326. john rossouw | April 6, 2010 at 6:58 am

great memories Allan
Hope to see more of them
Reply
327. Allan Chrystal | April 7, 2010 at 10:57 pm

There were only 4 houses when I was there. Simpson, Beaton, Spackman and Taylor. They were named after people
but nobody knew who they were or thought to ask. As memories of St Georges in the late forties and early fifties fade I figured to post some random thoughts of the times.
I have two memento’s from SGH. One a plywood cut out done with a fret saw in 1948. I pasted a design onto the plywood and cut out the bits and pieces. This one says “Keep Smiling”. It hangs in my den now. It was the only pattern I had and was not my philosophy at the time. The other is a letter of recommendation I got from Mr Short. I thought I needed one to
find a job. His telephone number on it shows 25-1813. The address PO Box 4, Cleveland JHB. When Neville and I were dropped off at the Home the counting parade was in progress. Later I got to hate that parade. I forget if weekday afternoon’s was the same as weekends. Bugle calls summoned everyone to the slated ‘parade’ square where we were counted. Around 11am and 3:30pm weekends. This interrupted any playtime or just lounging about.
The designated counter for each group yelled out “All accounted for” when asked. The guy must have been the
boy who headed each table in the mess hall as each group was 10 or 12. One time many kids ran away. For a few
days the counting parade was a few “All accounted for” to “3 absconded” or “5 absconded”. I forget if it was a fad or if there was a good reason. The dormitories held about 24 boys in each, 4 dorms per house I think. I’d never been in Spackman House as we were not allowed in the houses outside of designated times. Then only our own. Being head boy at a table had it benefits. You did not have to take turns being the waiter for the table.
You also got first dibs at seconds as long as it lasted which seemed to be 5 nano seconds. Barry MacMaster’s elder brother was my table head. A nice guy about 2 years older than me. The slates on the parade ground was not cemented. A solitary Black guy worked for ages digging them up, removing the grass and cementing them back one at a time. Of course the real parade ground was the double soccer field at the bottom of the property. Beyond that was a low mine dump with a few tunnels weathered into it. A dog had pups there so we fed them and later I took one to my Aunt’s place in Brakpan. CB or Seebee was the name. How I got down there and to the train station then to Brakpan I don’t know now. We were allowed out the last Sunday of the month to visit relatives. We needed a signed note to prove thats where we were. Bullying was commonplace but the worst was done by those kids who were given some authority. Dorm captains. What was disconcerting over the years was a younger kid who out grew you over five years. I had a fight with a Marr whose inseparable buddy was a Logan. Marr was skinny but I out weighed him I think. Logan was smaller than me. About 3 years later Marr was ten inches taller and Logan was a heavy set muscular specimen few kids wanted to mess with. I weighed 77 lbs 3 years in a row at our annual weigh in. Nev and I were sent to a doctor for a checkup. I read his report note. “Underweight and under nourished”. The result we had to report to the Homes’ nursery/clinic. A spoonful of cod liver oil for a week was it. There must have been a hospital type facility there as I spent a few days in it at one time. About 10 kids were there too, probably flu outbreak or measles. SGH was the third home facility I had been in. We spent some years at a Milner Boarding School in the Northern Transvaal before SGH. I am not sure of the name now. It was stricter than SGH but I think the meals were better. At least I don’t remember being constantly hungry. But then I had a much smaller stomach! A Mr Anderson was the head there. I wonder if a Google search will find any clues?
Reply
328. john rossouw | April 8, 2010 at 5:22 am

Great memories Alan so keep them comming
The PO Box number remained unchanged until the late 60’s as was the case with your recollection of parades roll call and bugle calls.
If you are willing I would love a scanned copy of the reference and a photo of your plywood model for the archives
The dump below the fields is now a retirement village which funds what is left of the home and I serve as a director on it’s board
We often joke at meetings about where all the “dagga” plants were concealed and on the engineering front it may interest you to know that certain of the houses are built on stilts as the foundations from the original slimes dam preclude any form of decent foundations
Every so often we have to get ESOR in to prop them up otherwise they tilt which leads to major cracking
On a different note I watched the Par 3 tournament which is the pre runner to the Masters in Augusta which starts today
Tiger was noticably absent but I understand from the commetary that he never participates in it. I am not a golfer but I watch the Open each year without fail as it is the only contest in my view where anyone can win on the final day and when the wind picks up all heel breaks loose and the leaderboard just keeps changing. Last year I watched in awe as Tom Watson collapsed under the pressure to lose to Stuart Cink in a playoff. At 59 and after leading the tournament for 4 days putting him in line for golfing history, he bogeyed the 17th in regular play and the rest is history. Watching the tv last night it was awe inspiring to watch Palmer Nicklaus and Player carve up the holes between them.
I was reminded of our mortality when the commentator made the point that we should enjoy this as these guys will not be around forever. Need;ess to say they can still play and are huge crowd pullers. On one of the holes Gary sank his put gor a birdie and a young kid of around 6 complimented him. He imediately pulled the ball out the hole and signed it and gave it to the kid much to the delight of the crowd. What I really enjoyed was the festival atmosphere. Top golfers had their kids caddying for them and even putting for them in some instances. On one of the holes Ian Poulters young son (probably 8) sank a huge put for his dads par and could not believe it. I eventually had to knock off to bed but switched off the TV with a sense of how much fun everyone was having. In a world where compettitive edge and victory is paramount it was indeed uplifting to find that we are after all human if we choose to allow ourselves to be
Wwarme regards to you all
Reply
- 329. Allan Chrystal | April 8, 2010 at 8:12 am
  
  A quick reply. I will be in place for the Masters with the Golf Channel and the main networks that carry it. I looked at the means to post a picture and it seemed complicated this late at night. So I scanned them and put it on my webspace at Shaw.
  http://ajxtal.shawwebspace.ca/
  You can lift them off there if it works. I used that space as I kept handicaps of the group I golf with. (Using my system of you lose 2 strokes if you win the most skins ). The snow pictures was a time we got caught in a snow storm. We quit on the 14th hole. The golf course is Eighteen Pastures of which I am a member. (Inexpensive golf fees).
  http://www.golfable.com/canada/courses/Eighteen-Pastures-Golf-Course-Mission-British-Columbia.
  It looks better with google earth.
  Later
  Al
  Reply
  - 330. Wobble-U Tree | April 8, 2010 at 2:28 pm
    
    Hi Allan, I live in Kamloops, up the road from you.
    Drop me a line on my email at
    themanca@shaw.ca
    and we can have a chat directly.
    Looking forward to hearing from you.
331. Allan Chrystal | April 8, 2010 at 9:19 pm

OK Wobble-U. Will do. A pleasant surprise to discover someone nearby.
Al
Reply
332. john rossouw | April 12, 2010 at 4:33 pm

Thanks Allan

I got them

Warm regards

John
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333. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 15, 2010 at 5:01 am

Hi Alan, John and Tedd,

Thanks for the stories Alan … funny though, you talk of a time before all of us who are posted here … yet your tales carry the same familiar earmarks and similar memories we all had there … year after year. Every five years or so however, everything was different … yet nothing funadamentally changed.

Nice to know that you and Tedd Tree (Wobble-U) are going to hook up. Think you ought to post some pictures of the get-together. In fact, for the historical record that this site documents everyday, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to create a rogues gallery of current pictures of every blogger visiting here. We’re the last of the breed and though there remain few pictures of all our ‘Befores’ … we can certainly all provide pictures of our ‘Afters’ with a short personal history of our individual post-SGH experience.

What would be a good method of doing that? Everyone email a self-portrait to you, John? Or am I imposing more labor on your already overburdened agenda?

Though there is never an end to History, there is always an end to an era … and we are fast approaching ours.
Reply
- 334. Allan Chrystal | April 18, 2010 at 4:30 am
  
  Hello D.C. and all.
  You are right there were different era’s, probably every 5 years or so. Different House Masters and progressive liberalism expedited the transitions. Looking at the posted pictures I can hardly believe it is the same place. Tedd lives about 250 Km away from me so have just exchanged a few emails. I have joined his kids in urging him to write a book about his experiences. He may work on it in a year or two. I would trade my favourite putter and some serious coin for a copy if he does. It would be interesting to have a “rogues gallery” as it would be great to have some idea what happened to a poster after leaving SGH. At least there would be a lot more photos available.
  I see Michael Rossouw is in Subic Bay. How he got there inquisitive minds would like to know. If one looks at the hits on this site on the world map widget it begs the question: Are they ex ‘Home ou’s or strangers surfing?
  Cheers for now
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
335. Michael Rossouw | April 15, 2010 at 6:38 pm

Dear Friends

Just a short message to let you know that I shall be ordained priest (God willing) on the 25th May 2010 at 4.pm. (Philippine time) at the Brent International School in Subic Bay. The ordination will be presided over by Bishop Joel Pachao, Bishop of the North Central Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
Please keep me in your prayers.

Michael Rossouw
Reply
336. Michael Rossouw | April 18, 2010 at 8:11 am

Dear Allan , Old Boys and Friends of St George’s Home,

Rest assured , this “ou ” was very much a product of St Georges Home. I was there from 1961 to 1967. My late brother Des was there with me between 1961 to 1968 . Dave and John my younger brothers were there during the 1970’s. Dave served as an assistant housemaster in Smuts house (Smuts and Crawford houses were built towards the end of Canon Eric Richardson’s time as headmaster.) All four of the Rossouw boys were Drum Major of the Home’s band in probably one of the finest cadet detachments in the history of Witwatersrand command, and indeed the former SADF as a whole, namely detachment # 504.

After matriculating from Malvern High School, I studied at the Johannesburg college of Education and taught History and Geography at Malvern High after graduating from JCE in 1974.

JJ de Jager , an old boy and housemaster from the Home was my Math teacher and also my Educational Psychology lecturer at JCE and Dr Tommy Geddes, also a product of the Home taught me Science in Standard 7 at Malvern.
Tommy Geddes obtained his doctorate from UNISA, I think, because of his studies and research on Adult literacy in South Africa.The Geddes brothers, Tom , Bobby and Arthur were also leaders in the Home, Tom being head boy of Spackman House an Home prefect, Bobby being the Home band’s drum major and Arthur a drummer? in the band.

The de Jager brothers Albert, Gerald and Freddie also listed as ‘achievers’ during their time in the Home and The Campbell brothers and Hendricks twins likewise doing well in their chosen professions.

I later followed in the footsteps of JJ de Jager and Frederick “Nutsy” Moore by reading for my BA at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. There may have been other old boys who studied at Rhodes but I’m not sure.

My coming to be in the Philippines was the result of my working in SE Asia for the last ten years in International schools in Burma, Thailand and now the Philippines.I guess I was always fascinated by this part of the world through reading about them in Mrs Kirkland’s English literature class and Ma Noake’s History class at Malvern, so when the opportunity came for me to work here, I came.

Subic was a former US Naval base an is now a so called “free port” development zone of the Philippines.

School chaplaincies in Anglican schools in South Africa are for the chosen few and reserved for the bishop’s favorites and those who have connections with ‘the old school tie ” network.
(Sorry to sound cynical, but that’s the way it is.When the Home as we knew it became the Bishop Bavin School school, there was only one candidate who was going to be the head of this new establishment, Morgan Ellis. As far as I’m aware and I am open to correction, he was the only candidate put up by the selection committee for the job! Anyone else had no hope at all of being selected as it was already a ‘done deal So much for transparency!)

I hope some day that I may be able to give some time back to the place which once was St George’s Home but sadly I don’t think that will happen.Our family was turned away from the school which now replaces the Home when we asked to bury our deceased brother from there some years ago.
I am not sure that even with my International school background that I’d even be considered as a possible candidate to work as a teacher there.
I am not bitter, but just disappointed that those who are now the custodians of what was once the Home do not fully appreciate the legacy left by those who gave their life’s work to the place, and those of us who passed through its doors.

My brother John has been very much involved in getting the old photos of the Home era back onto the walls of the Des Steele Pavilion at the main soccer field as well as getting some of the trophies(the one’s he managed to rescue that were literally being thrown out on the rubbish dump when the new StGeorge’s relocated as COACH to another office from Taylor House a few year ago) onto the shelves of the school’s trophy cabinets.

This has to some degree healed the rift between the school and old boys of the Home who were never consulted about it being turned into a school and having our heritage “stolen” from us in the process.

The Home’s closure may have been warranted in terms of the new approach regarding places such as St Georges in Child care work, but it was for many of us, including the late Ken McHolm and indeed canon Eric Richardson himself, a great disappointment. Seeing one’s whole working life closed by the stroke of a pen and committee meetings behind closed doors was hard to swallow.

But time heals these wounds and I hope one day to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel where I was nurtured in the Christian faith.
I’m not sure it will happen , but for now, we ll live in hope.
Right now , Brent School Subic is where God has put me and here I’ll stay put until I am called to serve elsewhere.

Keep writing..perhaps these musings on this website may one day form a real History of the Home.
Blessings

Deacon Michael Rossouw
Reply
- 337. Allan Chrystal | April 20, 2010 at 3:04 am
  
  Thanks for the newsy reply Michael and congratulations on the up coming ordination.
  Regards.
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
338. Wendy Thompson | April 18, 2010 at 10:22 am

Hi Michael I think it would be a wonderful thing if you are one day able to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel. Last year in October I returned to st Georges/Bishop Bavin for a visit – I accompanied Steve Towse, a former project volunteer and his wife, Brenda, as they were in South Africa for a visit. I don’t think I have ever met you but certainly know your two younger brothers as I was in the home for some of the time they lived there.
I was really saddened to see so little of the home visible in the school – without the home having been there in the first place the school would have had nothing to build on. I was also saddened to see that there is also very little insight into why people would want to go back to their roots and reconnect with their past – which is a natural normal process, about which much has been written.
I think the school are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to draw in people who are grateful for what the home provided them with and may, if they felt more welcome, actually put back into the current institution.
Congratulations on your upcoming ordination and I look forward to hearng that you will be coming to do a Mass of Celebration sometime in the future.
Regards
Reply
339. john rossouw | April 19, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Dear Br Michael

I am reminded of a conversation our brother Dave and I once had where we committed ourselved to consuming a bottle of Old Brown Sherry under the portrait of Prof AN Boyce in Boyce Block on the old JCE campus when Dave became rector or dean there
Sadly with the new dispensation Boyce block is no longer and gone too is his portrait which prompted Dave to move on in life within the spehre of eduction. Whilst Dave will never be rector or dean at JCE I do too hope that I will attend a mass celebrated by you in “our chapel” at some juncture in the near future
Some news too of Blane who initiated this blog
He too will be ordained in June so we have two reverends present on this site which documents our lives and our history
As a result Blane has been very busy of late but I am sure once his ordination is behind him he will be only to glad to help with a rogue gallery supported by pics. Speaking of old boys I am way overdue for a visit to Eric Richardso and this visit has pricked my memory to call on him
My regards to you all

John
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340. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 19, 2010 at 9:43 pm

Congratulations Michael and Blane.

May His presence always guide you as you traverse through life’s vaults of experience and the dictates of His design.

It is the hope that members of the committee and governance of the new Bishop Bavin School, also read these blog entires and come to appreciate the extent of ‘hope’ and help that St. George’s gave to us all, each in his own way at the time of our individual needs.

Those hallowed halls may have another name and designation today … but they echo with the voices of our past. Though they may not recognise ‘our’ history, it is nevertheless, embedded in the walls of those old building and in a multitude of memories stretching back to 1915.

History has no definitive beginnings and no descernable end
but the history of St. Goggies is not over … it continues here in this virtual ‘old boys club’. When the last of us is no more, the question hangs like a loose chad … who will remember us, besides our respective families? Will the future Bishop Bavin School then finally remove all traces of our sojourn there?

John, you carry with you all our good will and greetings to Eric Rchardson when you vsiit him next … for many of us will never see him again … so wish him well.

Tedd Tree is already an established writer … and from your writings Alan, I can see you’re no mean scribe yourself … so how about considering writing a book about your memories … they are equally as valid as Tedd’s or any other one of ours.
Reply
- 341. Allan Chrystal | April 20, 2010 at 3:33 am
  
  I think Tedd’s book will be a riveting blockbuster for those who have some connection to SGH.
  When I look at the Google map of SGH I can hardly recognize anything. The Chapel, Mr Short’s office tower and the mess hall are useful reference points. The space between the tower and the mess hall was a kind of laundry. We exchanged short pants and shirts once a week for freshly laundered ones.
  No one had or wore long pants. I think one lady there was a Mrs Smith. All I can recall is that she once called me a audacious little boy. Some years later I looked up that word. Some well off distant relative had donated a load of clothes to me and my brother. When I heard about it I enquired where it was? That prompted her to say I was audacious so left without a answer. I was miffed that all those shoes and sweaters had vanished but I wasn’t being insolent by just asking. Obviously what she had done was spread the booty around with the other kids.
  That was my only chance to get long pants until I started work. There was another room there that was used as a barber shop. A few times we were lined up after being shorn and fed a huge dollop of something made from prunes. It was foul tasting and looked disgusting. I guess the reasoning was we were constipated and needed a mass inner cleansing. The chapel side from Mr Short’s office tower was the primary school classrooms.
  There was a shooting range on the left edge of the grounds looking at the Google map. Bernie Moss was in charge. We fired single shot .22 calibre bolt action rifles. I enjoyed the rapid fire part where we had to fire 10 rounds as fast as possible. I did well and was on 2 Bisley teams. Unfortunately on the second competition I fired all my shots at the wrong target. Easy to do when in a line of about forty shooters. Mine was clear while the guy next to me had a double load. I was dropped off the team after that. Ear protection was unheard of so that may have sown the seeds of my “selective” hearing. The wife’s words.
  One time I got ahold of some .303 and .22 bullets from my father’s stuff. Michael de Kock and I decided to convert a pellet gun into a real gun that could shoot .22 bullets. The butt was broken but the rest worked. I filed the barrel wider so it was a chamber and it would hold a .22 bullet. The lead was wider than a BB or a pellet but not that much. A piece of a nail was placed before the shell and the air blast blew it into the back of the bullet case. It actually fired 3 times in about 20 tries.
  We tested it down by the mine dump with visions of hunting expeditions at camp. Looking at spent casings at the shooting range I saw the firing pin hit the edge of the case. My gun hit the centre so I guess thats why it did not detonate.
  The caper came to an end when I got a huge scare. Robbie called a locker inspection. Some senior Home boy helped him. Lucky for me this boy pulled out my coat with the pockets loaded down with bullets. It was heavy. Robbie wasn’t looking and I signalled the guy to keep quiet. Finger across my lips. More luck was I had a load of dates and chocolate bars on the top shelf. The only time ever such goodies were there and who gave them to me I can’t recall now.
  The home boy replaced my coat without saying anything and I later gave him all of the packages of dates in exchange. He didn’t ask what the weight was.
  I buried the bullets down by the dump after that and gave up on guns. Rambling stuff that seems surreal now.
  Allan Chrystal
  Reply
342. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 29, 2010 at 5:29 am

… and you thought you had nothing to say, Alan?

Seems to me that your memories are as clear as daylight and constitute the basis for an equally interesting read.

Your recollections of long pants and laundry brought back memories of our numerical coding … in clothing, bedding and towels … thank goodness not on socks … as we used to pass around combinatiuons of two decent pairs everytime Robson did a Friday check. At least 20 of the 54 odd guys would share at least one of a pair to get through the inspection. Although, I must admit … I did learn how to darn a sock and turn a pair of jeans into ‘stovepipes’ … during thje ‘ducktail’ era.

I was given number 31 when ifirst entered Taylor House in January of ’55. A year or so later there was a complete overhaul of the numbering process and I was assigned 116.
I was always intrigued with numerolgy and used to drive myself crazy, trying to come up with a ‘lucky’ number from the sum total of my birthdate, Taylor House number, and whatever I could throw in to arrive at a desired singular number I secretly desired.

I forgot that experience (oft repeated on laundry days), until you mentioned the word laundry. Strange isn’t it, how swift memories return when we are reminded, yet remain so illusively lost when personally trying to recollect?

Here’s an idea who’s time has come called: Biochar.

My elder brother Stuart, who turned his back on the material world in the late 70’s and entered a Za-zen Buddhist monestery to become a monk, spent the next 40 years evolving and writing his opus, a philosophy of the orgins of consciousness called: Pshyce-Genetics – The Metaphysical Imperitive of Human Evolution.

Just recently he stepped back into the fray of the monetary world.

He started exploring a means to elevate the eco and economical rewards of a ‘greener’ environment, in the high desert valley where he lives in Nevada … on his Global Stewardhip Foundation retreat … a 40 acre ranch in an adobe covered lake bed. Surrounded by mountains and benefitting from the snow melt every year, that has given the valley the biggest acquifier in the West.

There are 40 to 60 ranchers (some 300 odd inhabitants) who grow 4 to 5 crops of alfalfa every year and waste 90% of their water to evaporation from rotorspraying. Stuart’s solution is seen here on the attached link (video) and turns out to be a money maker, an energy producer, fertilizer and reduces water loss to 30% at the same time.

https://sites.google.com/site/fishlakebiochar

Their are no patents involved … as it is an ancient technique used by several ancient civilzations in the past … and is as ‘green’ as it gets with no carbon footprint whatsoever … despite that the end result is carbon. It is a win-win for both the environment and the local commmunity financially.

It is equally as good for South Africa with your water and employment problems. If any of you guys are into agriculture, finance or even environmental consciousness on a community level …. this is something you should look at as a Radical Revolution!

Useful information is like butter … when you spread it around it makes even stale bread taste better … I hope this is food for thought.
Reply
343. Vanessa | April 29, 2010 at 7:48 am

Dudley…had a look at the video…very inspiring…an eye opener!!!
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344. Allan Chrystal | May 2, 2010 at 5:36 am

Hello D.C. and all.
The link to biochar is spot on in this day and age. I think AGW or man made global warming is negligible compared to sun spots and planetary orbits etc. The agriculture and recycling benefits are worthy of attention by everyone. Occasionally I get an urge to do something that may tinge my thumb a light shade of green. A few times I actually grew veggies on a tiny plot I hacked out of the grass alongside Boet Symes’ fenced off carrot and cabbage acres. Radish and lettuce seeds were planted, We (A Eugene Bello and me) dug a small trench a few inches deep and diverted irrigation water from a flowing ditch. We always ate them before they matured. But back to biochar I am about to fix my front lawn. It was turf laid over clay so no real soil between the two. Odd too that we receive 140 inches of rain in North Vancouver (mountain slopes) we have water shortages most summers. No facilities to store the water so it drains out to sea. The airport about 12 miles West of Vancouver gets 40″ PA average. I will try biochar in the mix on my lawn. It dies every summer and greens up with fall and winter rains. I will use crushed charcoal nuggets that is sold for BBQ’s or a Braai.
It should be the same I guess. I have sent the video link to friends who are into environmentalism.
Thinking back on life at SGH I am now struck on how monotonous the years were. Except for the weather one month was the same as the last. Umtentweni camp and Christmas excepted. The choir singing carols at Christmas always was a hit. One kid Nichols had a great voice and sang carols like a girl. His voice hadn’t broken yet. During one Sunday morning Chapel service I became sick. It was the Sunday we were allowed out and would normally visit an aunt in Brakpan. My brother went by himself but I hung back feeling out of sorts. Around 11am my father showed up. I had no idea he was going to visit. I seldom saw him from one year to the next. Now what intrigues me to this day is that some years earlier I was staying at a house we rented on Wendon Ave, Brakpan. Something made me go and hang around the sidewalk in the front of the house. After awhile a taxi drew up and my father got out. He was just released from the army after WW2. Nobody knew he was coming home but what made me wait there? I have never mentioned this before so why am I rambling on here about it?
There were two House Masters that just seemed to help out rather than look after one of the four houses. One was a Mr Arbuckle and one a Mr Townsend. Mr Arbuckle was fired after some scandal with some boys. Nobody knew any details or the boys involved. I guess it was hushed up. Mr Townsend was out of his depth at the job as we teased him openly with no disciplinary reactions. I recall when he was around the kids would sing a song about “The brown dog Towser”. I think it came from a movie. Talking of movies we did get to watch one every 6 months or so. In the mess hall. Mr Short stopped one about spooks as he worried we were too young for it and would have nightmares. We were highly cheesed off. The other one I remember was about Al Jolson, a musical that bored us to distraction. Life was regimented so much one year was as monotonous as the next.
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345. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 4, 2010 at 3:58 am

All too true Alan.

There was a tedium to life, albeit a not unpleasant rythym. It offered a certain comfort, security and a recycled protocol that did follow the same tedius pattern every year. Yet, it is precisely because of that monotenous rythym, that the moments of memory we savour, were worth waiting for.

The expected holidays, a movie, an adventure with one or more of your mates, a real Benson & Hedges cigarette, a new girlfriend … and you were already holding hands … wow, she touched me. Whatever that moment was, that became part of the Cyclorama of our lives … the outtake memories of ‘good times’. We all had outtakes of the ‘bad …’ as well, but I choose to relegate those to obscurity … for there is no profit in a bad vibe.

What is specious to this narrative we are all engaged in, is that no matter how often we hear a familiar tale or experience recited, we are instantly able to identify with it … and so compress time into a moment in the past and for that moment, we can feel the joy … or the pain … of that memory.

It is transcendental.

Despite the nearly 20,000 odd hits on this site, I am sure that there is no more than a few hundred of us present. Nonetheless, it remains a marvel to me that I can share thoughts with so many at the same time. It really is a pleasure to hear your many stories … though I really think we are way past time catching up with the present … since we all left St. Goggies.

A True & Final Chronicle of our common journey has become finite. There is a cutoff date. When the last of us is no more … there will be No More St. Goggies stories to be told. So, if you guys have had some adventures since leaving SGH, this is as good a place as any to unload, where you will find both a receptive audience and a repository of our collective history. Whether for posterity or our offspring … or cancelled due to lack of interest … ‘let the record show’… we remembered what we could … and maybe someone else will fill in the blanks … but this is Our Story.
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- 346. Allan Chrystal | May 4, 2010 at 7:34 am
  
  Hi D.C. and all.
  It is a fact that the clock is ticking for all of us. If my brother Neville was still alive I’m sure he would have had some names and escapades to relate. His memories are lost to me now. He remained in SA while I went abroad so there was no casual conversation about SGH. He would have prodded my memory for sure. One problem I have besides losing functioning brain cells is that for decades I seldom if ever thought about SGH. It was pushed back into the subconscious or some such thing. I think it would also be a good idea to ‘unload’ as you say. We are spread all over the world now and each has a story to tell on how they got there. Your remarks about Robbie’s sock inspections reminded me of the pair I had. One was patched together with a hodgepodge of slightly different coloured wools that wouldn’t survive a wearing. The other pair was so thin my hands were plainly visible as I showed them for inspection. We wore the socks like gloves to show there were no holes in them. How that pair got so uniformly thin I have no idea. Neville gave them them to me and were reserved to get through inspections. I bumped into a few Home boys after I started work in Jhb. Once was with Ernst Behr who was at a bus stop downtown somewhere. He said he was working on the mines as a Learner Official. Michael de Kock who worked two jobs. At night he proof read the next days edition of “The Star” newspaper. Maybe the Rand Daily Mail as well? He must have been sleep deprived for some extra money. I tried for it too as I wanted to buy a motorbike but didn’t get past the interview. Maybe they didn’t need anyone as I could see all the desks were manned. Or maybe it was the self closing door that I walked into while looking back at Michael? I had a few get togethers with Barry Woods and Eugene Bello once I got a motor cycle. Gene was a wild one and I wonder if he survived his motor cycle days. Many guys wiped themselves out and I had some accidents. Fractured femur and concussions. A driver’s license for a bike was age 16 and for a car 18. Girl friends was unknown territory to me. No girls at Goggies except Mr Short’s two daughters and Jennifer Robson. Germiston High was all boys so there was no means to socialize. Not knowing how to dance had it’s drawbacks on arriving in Canada. Rock ‘n Roll was the rage. I got to Canada by joining the RCAF in England. My first opportunity to meet girls my age in boot camp and radar and communications school. At 20 years of age I discovered girls. Motor cycles were out.
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347. Allan Chrystal | May 4, 2010 at 7:58 am

Looking over the post I now recall ‘meeting’ William Wilcockson. I did not talk to him but we just sat and looked at each other. Oddly enough it was at sea level at the bottom of a shaft at Crown Mines. I think he was a apprentice electrician there while I was in the Government miners training school. He was the head boy of my dormitory at Taylor house. After lights out some nights he would announce to everyone how much he hated the Chrystal’s. I never figured out why as I or my brother had no run-ins or hassles with him. He gave me the job every morning where I was to line up all the sheets after the beds were made. 20 minutes of useless work making sure the folded sheets were all in a straight line. Robbie used to check it out. Wilcockson had a older brother at SGH I think.
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348. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 8, 2010 at 6:49 am

There is no greater tyrant than a petty tyrant.

Younger brothers who achieve some little authority, are often given to that display of insecurity. I witnessed it several times during my sojourn at SGH.

Drives you poitty when you’re a victim of one. Redemption was knowing that long after you leave SGH … he’ll still be baring that burden … even though it didn’t help to diminish your immediate suffering at his hands.

I guess I was blessed with a fatalist’s nonchalance. If there is nothing you can do about a situation … make the best of it,. as there will eventually be an end to it, and you’ll either have a good or bad humor when it’s over. Which do you want? Freedom of choice.

I have long advocated for this site to function in the 21st Century and be a strong networking forum for like minded ex-homeboys. And despite Tedd Tree’s efforts up in Canada to faciilitate a website for that purpose …nothing happened.
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349. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 8, 2010 at 7:09 am

Sorry … freudian slip … hit a key which sort of shut me up.

Good news!

My brother Stuart emailed me asking for help with some printing for the first sample bags of Biochar he has started to produce from a small pilot plant. Tedd’s in the printing industry (primarily for fabrics) but when I turned to him for advice, he immediately stepped up to the plate and took control. The need was within the fiield of his activities and thus an obvious solution.

It is precisely this kind of participation and exchange of ideas and/or services one to another, that I believe we all can benefit from. What goes around … comes a round … and no good deed goes unrewarded. This simple philosophy has guided me all my life … what you put in is what you get out..

So come on Homeboys … there are still too many challenges to conquer … get involved in this site. Despite that we are spread all over the globe … we are as close as a press of the Send Buttom.
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- 350. Allan Chrystal | May 8, 2010 at 5:27 pm
  
  Hi D. C.
  I joined the pack yelling and taunting the two kids who wet their beds quite frequently, which I have regretted for many years. Obviously they had no control over it except for time growing older. I could benefit immensely is I had your philosophy on life.
  I would guess a good customer for the biochar would be golf courses. They need a fair amount of water, many are in the sun belt down South and many of them have the cash. Farmers may not be motivated with tight budgets. Biochar seems ideal for keeping fairways green in arid regions where water is scarce. Ted does have many talents so I’m not surprised he sprung into action.
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351. Tedd Tree | May 8, 2010 at 7:00 pm

We have all thrown pebbles into a pool and watched as the water rippled out from the impact. The size of the pebble or stone, the size of the pool and the impact of the one on the other determines
the size and speed of the radiating ripples etc etc.

We have also all at one time skipped stones across a body of water and in doing so created a series of impacts from which many ripples have radiated.

All this is a very basic example of networking.

This very site was created from one pebble thrown into a pool and the ripples that resulted are flowing across a history that is in all of us and as we have scattered across this planet. We
are slowly bringing many facets of this history into one collective library for all to experience.

All humankind seeks some form of immortality and the most popular means are monuments to those that have passed on.
Yet monuments crumble and disappear with the passage of time. Immortality is achieved only in a memory that flows from one generation to another. When the flow dies the memory dies and with it that measure of immortality.

As individuals we may pass into a history soon forgotten by many, yet as a collective history we have the opportunity to
travel for a long time yet.

I am grateful to be a very small part of this collective history and extend no end of thanks to those who contribute to it every
day. It is not a reliving of the past, it is continuation of the memory of which we are all a part.

These ripples in this pool have a long way yet to travel.
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352. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 10, 2010 at 3:44 am

Well said Tedd.

I recall Ma Noakes’ call to consciousness from so many years ago … and now of course, it makes all the sense in the world.

History, she said, is not something that happens in the past … it is something that happens in the future … like a track left by your shoes in the dust … so history leaves tracks to be seen in the future.

In other words, your actions and those of nations and their governments … have consequences … leave only those tracks you want others to follow. Write your own history.

… and leave your memories and dreams posted here … for others to read and remember … and hopefully, also be inspired by.
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353. Michael Rossouw | May 10, 2010 at 5:18 am

Gosh Dudley! You are taking me back a long way.
I wonder how many of us really appreciate the dedication and “tough love” these women like Muriel, vera and others at Malvern High School gave us.
I came into Malvern when the old school moved from Jules street into the lovely modern facility (well it was modern for its day and probably still is compared to some of the schools I visited in the sticks when I worked for READ in the late 1990’s) on Mars Hill ,as we called it in the early 1960’s).
The older building on Jules street had more of an Edwardian architectural structure and was a real “school” but had become too small for the burgeoning population of the area.(Troyeville High had closed and a new school was built to accommodate all students from Malvern and Troyeville)
(Sorry my spelling was never good,even with a spellcheck facility!)
I also had my “baptism of fire” as a teacher at Malvern; by then of course people like Muriel Noakes, Vera Kirkland, “Judge”Durie, The Landau Brothers (both Deputy Heads at Malvern in their day) “Wop” Cunninhgham, Mrs Smith (Ma Frik as we called her) Ma Mc Arthur had left their mark on a school that had left an indelible mark, positively or negatively, on the lives of thousands of its alma mater, and had moved on into retirement.
I visited Malvern some 6 or 7 years ago,.
The buildings and gardens were much retained , although departmental cuts in building maintenance have taken their toll on the aesthetics of the building.
Booby Geddes, the youngest of the Geddes Brothers, was the caretaker and his former spouse, Peggy Morgan,(also a teacher who left a great impression on me as a lad in Std 7,and someone , who like Vera Kirkland, Ep Cheyne and Eugene Braun (Wright) , had a great impact on my life, especially in my choice of teaching as a career) was also teaching there.
Sadly, they are teachers of a generation long past.
I wonder how many of us fully realize and appreciate the gifts that teachers of this calibre had, and the impact they would have on the lives of many, many students who passed through the doors of Malvern high school?
Today, as far as I’m aware , Malvern still offers both a technical and academic curriculum.
Their workshops are probably one of the finest constructed in their day (mid 1970’s) and are probably still in use.
On my visit, none of the old photo’s had been taken down as being “the products of Apartheid”; neither were the portraits of previous headmasters and principals.They still stand proudly alongside one another along the walls of the William Stewart Hall.
All of these from Bill Stewart the first to James Holburn, Bob Morrison and John E Johnsen, right up until the appointed principals after the dispensation of 1994 are, to the best of my knowledge, still there.
The house show cases (Botha, MacAuley, Rhodes and Selbourne) still proudly display their old names and trophies.
I think this says a hell of a lot for a school which for many of us, gave us more than just the 3r’s.
The people who taught there were educators of a generation long past.I for one give thanks daily for those teachers at Malvern and indeed the masters at the Home like Eric Richardson, Ken Mc Holm, George Adams , JJ de Jager, Derrick James , Brian Gannon, Tubby Laughton, Allan Burgess, Norman Clayton, Lucien Lombard , “Boots” Symes, “Snake” Robson, Bug Capener and others who, together all the VOS’s who came from the UK from 1959 onwards, men like Robert Kimber, Michael Fass, Booby Gledhill , Crawford Beveridge (who taught me to play the guitar and sing naughty folk songs) to name but a few, for the influence they had on my life.
I believe I am a better person because I had the privilege of knowing them.

On a more domestic note I’d ask you all to please keep me in mind on the 25th May. The ordination is on track, but there are no guarantees until the service is over. That will be by about 6:30 pm Philippine time on that day.

Blessings and love in the Lord to you all

Michael Rossouw (SGH Old Boy,1971-1974)
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354. Michael Rossouw | May 10, 2010 at 5:23 am

SORRY! I was at JCE from 1971 to 1974

I was in the Home from1961 to 1967!!

Sorry but as iIapproach the age of sixty, my brain is a little rusty!
Blessings
Dn Michael Rossouw
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355. Allan Chrystal | May 10, 2010 at 5:42 am

I find now SGH is ticking in the background, probably a few levels below the subconscious. A golfer on the links today off hand mentioned: “That rings a bell”. So what pops in my head but the Taylor House bell. I think Robbie was the only one who had one and used it a couple of times. Normally bugle calls summoned everyone to report somewhere, wake up and go for meals. Reveille had the SGH ‘signature’ notes leading the actual bugle call. The word was that Homeboys would recognize it when other bands were bugling nearby. Robbie would ring the bell when he wanted all Taylor boys to report in for whatever reason. I only remember a couple of times he rang the bell. With the handle it was about 14 inches long and about 8 inches wide. Then the armoury popped up. Friday nights before parades attended by Officers of the Defence forces we drilled with .303 rifles. Probably of WW1 vintage. There was a place somewhere between Simpson House and the Tuck shop that had racks of rifles. Most cadet drills never used them. Maybe 4 or 5 a year.
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356. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 11, 2010 at 7:35 am

I’ll be thinking of you on May 25 Michael … so happens I will be undergoing a small corrective ‘procedure’ in surgery at a local hospital that morning.

So, while contemplating my sins as my physician desiccates me … I shall liken it to the penance you have had to pay to have your ‘procedure’ … that very same day. God’s Grace be with you.

As to your question Alan: Is bioichar also good for golf courses?
My intrinct (despite that I really don’t know) was that NO, it would not be. Why? Despite that golf course greens could definitely benefit from the associated water retention, I don’t think anyone wants to go crunching across charcoal fields hitting little whitie balls out of it.

But for lawns that struggle to grow … it would definitely be a benefit and once the grass has grown and covered the area, the bichar can be raked away. The same for golf courses under repair of course.

Tedd Tree posed another interesting question; Could one use wood chips to make biochar? Seems that up in Canada they have a problem with a beetle that likes to eat their trees, so they cut the infested trees down and reduce them to wood chips … which are probably sold for barbecues or something similar.

Biiochar would indeed be a practical way to dispose of that particular problem and make a profit from it at the same time.
In Canada that could a be a multi-million dollar mission … in no time.

If some one hasn’t already started this development in South Africa … it is an opportunity begging for a start-up. All your crops and food gardens could benefit from it.

.. and the rifles we used for those rare drills Alan, were .303 Lee Enfield’s. Although the bolts were still in place, the firing pins had been cut off and … if I remember correctly … the triggers had been welded in place. That’s a 50 year old picture and a bit fuzzy from age.
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357. Allan Chrystal | May 11, 2010 at 5:08 pm

D.C. and all
I can’t recall ever trying the bolt action on those .303 carbines. Nor pulling the trigger. Maybe the triggers were removed?
Twice a year golf greens are spiked. Plugs of turf about 3 inches long and half inch wide are removed. Then the holes are filled with sand, not soil. Aeration and water collection is the idea. Crushed charcoal mixed with sand would be superior to sand alone. One time at my home course they even used ground gravel. The fairways get similar treatment though more often than not on cheaper courses they do not sand fill the holes. They let you ‘clean and place’ for a week or two. When a new course is being constructed that would be the ideal time to add biochar to the soil.
The pine beetle has killed major portions of our pine forests. It has moved into the border States as well. Only forest fires and extremely cold weather for a few weeks will kill them.
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358. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 12, 2010 at 5:07 am

… and beetle bichgar is just as good as wood chips.

Thanks Alan, for the information for golf course maintenance. I’ll pass it on to Stuart. If you yourself want more info regarding the use and applications of the stuff … I suggest you go to Stuart’s website: globalstewardshiipfdn.org and communicate directly with him.

He has a world authority figure, a Dr. Erich Knight attending his retreat in mid-June to give a seminar on the subject to the farmers/ranchers of his valley. I hope to attend and get better educated on the subject. You never know, I might have to grow my own vegetables if this recession persists. We all may.
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359. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 20, 2010 at 4:36 am

As they say in Holland; ‘Neem mij niet kwalijk’ that I’m using this site as a mailbox one more time.

For those of you who may be interested, Stuart has opened a new website dedicated to his BioChar development. It is:
http://www.fishlakebiochar.com. His site is pretty much up todate with what is happening in this emerging field.

He has already started a pilot plant and is bagging product for sale to local ranchers and feed stores. This far in less than six months since he first read about it … so it indicates a low start-up overhead and easy technical process to begin.

I hope Og Patterson of Taylor House (’55 to ’59) gets to read this … he was the most passionate gardner.
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360. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 25, 2010 at 4:26 am

I hope you fellow St’ Goggians don’t mind me taking advantage of this site to communicate some really good news to you. This is, afterall, the best channel I have to inform you all of ongoing developments.

I mentioned that my brother Stuart had come out of nearly 30 years of material isolation just recently … and it now appears he has done so like a hurricane.

There is a crisis in the Gulf of Mexico … and although it is a long way away from most of you SGH old boys … it never- theless is going to impact the entire planet … and consequently, South Africa too.

Nobody really knows the extent of the damage or the volume of crude that has spewed into the ocean. But a recent estimation by a group of scientists suggests that BP’s figures are misleading. Not just 5000 barrels (210,000 gallons) a day … but closer to between 50,000 and 100,000 barrels … or 2.1 to 4.2 million gallons … A DAY and that for nearly a month already. Go figure.

So it is likely that the entire global ecosphere will experience traces of it, with immediate massive damage expected to both the marine and birdlife that thrives in the Gulf, the Carribean and bordering countries’ shorelines.

Stuart has turned his attention to this fact and has conducted tests to see if biochar would be suitable as a ‘sponge’ to soak up this mess. http://www.biorenewal.com is his new website test of this hypothesis. He has posted the results on both Youtube and with Senator Harry Reid’s staff in Nevada.

Just another Plus in the bag of win-win that BioChar seems to offer us. It would also be pretty cool if it’s an old St. Goggian who solves the mess we’re in.
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361. Allan Chrystal | May 29, 2010 at 8:12 am

Thanks for the link D.C. Who knows but something good may yet come out of this mess in the Gulf.
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362. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 29, 2010 at 9:10 am

We can ‘shock & awe’ anywhere, anytime, land a man on the moon and photograph deep space in several optional bands of the light spectrum … yet we cannot plug a leak just 5000 feet underwater … you wonder where Joe Plummer is when you need him most.

This week a group of marine scientists went out onsite to evaluate the extent of the oil spread and discovered an oil plume nearly 21 miles long travelling on currents 400 feet down. You know that that is going to continue spreading all over the globe.

This oil spill is the biggest natural disaster in our history … on par with the black plague, the second world war and the eruption of Krakatow in the 19th. century in Indonesia. We are going to suffer the consequences of BP’s greed for a long, long time to come …

It is truly a sad moment in our so-called enlightened evolution.
Years ago, Stuart was making a movie called; The Last Elephant ( …in the whole wide world) … a science fiction prophecy of the destruction of evolutionary symbiosis. Although politics killed the film before it could be completed, the main scene (the culling of 400 elephants in Wankie Game Reserve in 1974), was shot in a place called, ironically, Matusa Dona … which, in the language of the Karanga tribe who live in that elephant enclave in Wankie, means: The Beginning of the End!

It is derived from an ancient Karanga legend that states;
‘When the dung beetle can no longer find the the dung of N’dhlovu (the elephant), such is the time of matusa dona’.

There is no question about it … that the marine symbiosis is going to be turned on it’s head. It is possible that there will be a collapse of some form or another in the food chain, which will reverberate througout the world in the fishing, tourism and maritime industries. When (or if) photoplaslytes (plankton, krill … the most delicate and vulnberable base of the food chain in our oceans) dissappear, surely this will spell Matusa Dona for many species including whales.

The clean up will take decades. So don’t retire … you may be called upon to do your bit.
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363. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 3, 2010 at 7:36 am

I assume all St. Goggians posted or reading this site, happily join me in wishing both Michael Rossouw and Blane van Pletzen for the success of their mutual ordination. Congratulations to you both. May His Light guide you in your ministry.
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- 364. Br. Blane Frederik, n/BSG | June 3, 2010 at 2:13 pm
  
  Many thanks, D.C.! And every good wish and congratulations to Father Michael Rossouw. too.
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365. Michael Rossouw | June 3, 2010 at 2:26 pm

THANKS DC…BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL
MICHAEL R
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366. Allan Chrystal | June 5, 2010 at 3:11 am

When the days after May 25 came and went I wondered if there was a hitch in the works. Now I see all is well with the ordinations.
Congratulations!
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367. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 9, 2010 at 4:05 am

As far back as I can remember, I played soccer. In all, about 15 years of ‘friendlies’ and competitions. For just one year I played school rugby while at ‘Welegelegen’ … an orphanage in Alberton.

We were the only english speaking team in the local school league and played against all Afrikaaner teams … some of whom played barefoot … but all of them beat the crap out of us with scores of 30 up to 60 to zero. I thought we were a pretty good team at the time, well co-ordinated and mostly also good friends but, as it turned out … totally outclassed by the ‘boere’

Or only salvation was Saturday soccer, playing in the St. John’s Ambulance Social league where we triumphed. Small consolation for the weekly humiliation we experienced every Wednesday during the rugby season.

I last played for the BSAP in Rhodesia until UDI in 1964 … when I left to travel abroad. Since then … soccer has slowly faded out of my life and psyche.

But, for better or worse … the World Cup is taking place in the land of my origins and I cannot help but root for the home team. So fellow South Africans, here’s to you. Good luck. May this finally be that time when S.A.. takes it’s place amongst the world fraternity of top class footballers.
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- 368. Allan Chrystal | June 12, 2010 at 8:33 pm
  
  The CBC is airing all of the games so there is a month of soccer in store. The first game SA was shaky in the beginning and could have been 3 or 4 down. In the second half they got their game together. So far so good!
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369. Michael Rossouw | June 9, 2010 at 4:35 am

Dear DC
Whilst I rejoice like all South Africans at this great event taking place in the land of my birth, I am horrified at the images projected on the BBC about last Sunday’s friendly match between North Korea and Nigeria.
There was a stampede at the gates of the stadium and police took a while to restore calm.many supporters including young children were badly hurt as a result of the stampede at the gates.
FIFA and the South African organizers in the person of South Africa’s “Mr Soccer” Danny Jordan, assure us that this will not be repeated at the World Cup stadiums but I am a little skeptical.
There are also allegedly gangs of hoodlums who are reportedly going to do their utmost to assault so called “white ‘ people and the British press has warned those coming to the matches to be on their guard.
Many feel that the fruits of Liberation have not trickled down to the poorest of the poor and with people like Molema and his ANC youth league companions advocating violence by singing songs like “Kill the Boer” and encouraging murders on innocent elderly people living on farms, this will not give our “beloved Country” to quote Alan Paton ,any credibility in the outside world either politically or in the hosting this event. Likewise those who are encouraging the seizure of “white owned” farms in South Africa as in Zimbabwe are also making our New South Africa a place of peril.
This may sound negative ,but these are facts.
Until such time that those in power stop feathering their own nests and ensure that the poorest of the poor are given access to housing, education and the basics to make life bearable, I fear the worst.
I do not believe that Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison to see a new South Africa in which we have replaced one ruling elite with another.
Despite this, i do hope the “gees” of the 2010 World Cup will bring good things to all in our beloved land.
Michael Rossouw
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370. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 9, 2010 at 6:28 am

Greetings Father Michael,

I’m sure all South Africans, black and white share your concern for the successful conclusion of the World Cup … without any major horrors occurring. Sadly, that sometimes seems like wishful dreaming in a land of harsh realities. And yes, the endemic poverty of the greater majority of the population, plays a too real contributing factor that feeds the potential of future tragedy and possibly, national embarrassment.

Be that as it may, soccer is still a redeeming sport that more than anything else, permitted our black brothers to identify themselves as men in apartheid S.A. One can only hope that the spirit of the game will triumph despite the opportunistic designs of criminal elements … not least of all Molema.

For the record, Molema has set himself up as a target for Afrikaaner focus. The chances are that he will never rise from the ranks of Youth leadership into real leadership … before some aggrieved white farmer decides to eliminate him … much as Terblanche was removed from his podium. That is not the way of a civilized society … but espousing hate is not civilized either. …whether it is white or black hate.

But because of Molema’s popularity amongst the disenfranchised youth … such an act of attrition … will doubtless bring down a reverse apartheid. And that can spell: the ‘Matusa Dona’ of what is already a shaky peace in South Africa.

Let us pray for a successful and peaceful sporting event.
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371. Wendy Thompson/Jones | June 10, 2010 at 7:10 am

Hi Michael
The scenes from the Nigeria/N Korea friendly were certainly distressing. However I am not sure if it was ever made clear that the ticketing measures that are in place for matches were not in place for this match (no one is taking ownership of why that is other than to say that because it was a friendly it was the responsibility of the host team who was Nigeria in this case) – measures such as tickets for every seat and entrance and exit routes which are closed off the day before a match with special park and ride facilities laid on for each stadium and so on.

You are quite right that the levels of poverty for the majority are overwhelming and this is not helped by huge levels of corruption in many areas of our daily lives.

But, being an eternal optimist, I do celebrate the fact that we are remarkably resilient people and at the micro level it is amazing what people can and do accomplish with very few resources at their disposal. I train social work students for Unisa, in Durban, and so get to see and experience through my students and my own voluntary endeavours what happens in communities on the ground. An AIDS project I am involved in was discussing the other night the new measures which the Department of Health have introduced to fast track certain vulnerable groups on to the ARV programme. It doesn’t change the fact that we still need to feed people so that they can take the ARV’s but the department’s position is certainly a lot different to a few years ago.
We certainly have a long way to go to meet the needs of the majority of the population. At the same time, over the next four weeks we will see South Africans come together to celebrate the World Cup. It has been amazing to witness the different ceremonies in the past week in the count down to kick off – people of all colours and backgrounds coming together to support the national team (something many people predicted would never happen) and the incredible pride that all people are displaying in our country. I know that we all hope that this continues beyond the World Cup and we shall have to see what happens but for now it is good to be here and to celebrate being proudly South African.
I hope that those of you who are scattered all over the world get to see those positive images alongside the ‘horror’ stories which inevitably will also make their way into the overseas press.
Tomorrow the country will come to a grinding halt in the afternoon which in itself is an indication of the widespread support and it will be an opportunity for us to be united as a nation. I hope that some of you get to watch at least some of what we will experience here.
Regards
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372. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 11, 2010 at 6:28 pm

Thank you Wendy,

That was a thoughtful and inspiring statement and encouraging to those of us abroad who have heard more of the distress and less of the hope in news of S.A.

Congratulations all on Biifana Bifana’s world class game yesterday … surely a sign of promise for future events … and certainly something that all South Africans can be unified about.

… and finally … a chance for the world to learn about the best sausage in the world ‘Boerewors’.

Play on South Africa and good luck.
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373. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 20, 2010 at 5:21 am

The Relevance of the Game.

While the world at large watches the games of the World Cup in Souith Africa, America as usual, is pre-occupied with itself.

In the first instance, with the oil spill in the Gulf, That is not to downplay the importance of the two middle-eastern wars, the massive recession (which is not getting any better, nor appears likely to for some time to come … if ever).

But, while 32 nations battle it out in S.A., America has been focused on the NBA Championship being played out in 7 games between the L.A. Lakers and Boston Celtics. The games are played alternatrively in both cities and the final landed up in L.A. yesterday.

These two teams have played against each other in 6 or 7 NBA finals and Lakers lost last year … winning this year … giving Kobe Bryant and Dereck Fisher a total of 5 Championship rings a piece. The most in the history of the game of basketball. So, a pretty intense game for the nation.

Now here is the kicker … Lakers won and the City of Angles is going to lay on a parade. The team will spend about $3 million to pay for 5000 cops to control an expected crowd of 1.5 to 2 million fans downtown, in front of the Stapels Center that ankers the massive new entertainment center called; L.A. Live.

Whatever happens during the games in S.A. America will not notice … as an expected 6 to 8 million viewers in Califiornia alone, tune in on TV to watch the yellow & purple Laker’s Parade.

Size matters … but it is all relevant. Despite soccer’s (I dare not use the name ‘football’ for that too is sacred around here) rising popoularity in USA … pundits doubt it will ever rise to the national status of basketball, baseball or American football. The reason? It’s not TV friendly for Americans who love the intimate TV images of the teams on the sidelines during the four quarters of these games.

The slow, low scoring rate of soccer is also a no-no for the Yanks … who love massive numbers and fast paced action.
Baseball … fast paced? A projecile thrown at 95 miles per hour is fast enough … so those sluggers who repeatedly slam the ball out of the park, rise to superstar status albeit they’re mostly pumped with illegal steroids. But you get the idea.

Nevertheless … America’s showing at the World Cup will be closely watched by it’s supporters here and any decent success will go a l0ong way to further promote soccer in America.,

Strangely enough … I have a boating neighbor who by pure chance … played both soccer and rugby at school here in USA … and never played football. The times are achanging.

Hou kop Bifana Bifana!
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374. Michael Rossouw | June 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Certainly we are all awaiting South Africa’s match against the beleaguered French. They say they are playing for the sake of national honor. How can you then boycott a practice?
Had anyone in our first 11 or prep football teams at the Home behaved like this , they were simply dropped from the side. I guess that would put the French in a difficult position.The England team don’t seem to be doing much better. Not sure the late KJMcHolm would approve of such behaviour.

Does anyone know what has happened to father Richard Blythe?
He was a priest working in Canada and also an old boy of the Home . Bishop Robert Mercer, a contemporary of Richard and father Norman Clayton, wrote to me asking whether I’d heard anything about Richard. He may have ‘ passed on to higher service’.
If anyone can help please let me know.
Fr Michael Rossouw
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375. Allan Chrystal | June 22, 2010 at 8:02 am

http://www.stpaulsparishsuntree.org/clergy.htm

Sent from my iTouch.

Father Blythe?
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376. Michael Rossouw | June 22, 2010 at 8:50 am

Dear Allan
I shall contact Bishop Mercer and let him know. i am surprised that +Mercer hasn’t found Richard. +Mercer was until recently the bishop to the Anglican catholic church of Canada, part of the Traditional Anglican Communion.
Fr Richard is now retired and an assistant in a TAC parish in Florida. What a small world!+ mercer is retired and lives in England.
Thanks Allan for your help to enable me to locate Fr Blyth.

As a boy in the Home, I remember that Eric Richardson mentioned that the Home in its history produced 2 priests, one was Richard Blyth and the other I think was Dale White, but I’m not sure. Two boys from my time in the home became pastors to two Evangelical churches converting drug addicts in
Hillbrow in the 1960’s and 1970’s. they were Trevor Petersen and Pastor Roger Innes.His brother John may also have been involved in ministry.The Home obviously served well in making God known to young people and shaping young men to respond to God’s call in ministry not necessarily as Anglicans.
Fr Bernard Moss also counts as he served as a priest in Johannesburg for many years after he left the home as a master and OC of detachment 504, probably the most famous cadet detachment in the country.
The joke around the Chapel in was that St Goggies was “a monastery for chip monks”…Many a true word spoken in jest.
Brother Blaine and I are the most recently ordained men from the Home to be ordained.Keep us in your prayers.
Blessings and thanks

‘Fr’ Michael R
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377. Allan Chrystal | June 23, 2010 at 1:22 am

Fr Michael.
If I awake in the middle of the night I sometimes use my iTouch to check weather, email or world news. No need to get up and fire up the computer. I used it to Google Rev Blyth but was unsure if he was the right one. It kind of appeared so with the fact he was in Canada and was from Jhb. Handy gadget. Dale White was a couple of years ahead of me. He did become a Priest and worked for awhile in Soweto. A dark haired slender guy who I saw often enough but never talked to. Maybe he went to Jeppe High?
It looks like SA is out of the world cup even with their win. At least an Irishman won the US open golf tournament.
Regards.
Al Chrystal.
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378. Allan Chrystal | July 2, 2010 at 5:24 am

Hope you had a good Canada Day Tedd. I had a few cool ones for ya!
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379. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 3, 2010 at 6:14 am

The Man Without a Country.

As a child I was especially fond of reading the Classic Illustrated comics of the 40’s and ’50’s. All those great tales told by some of the greatest English writers of the late 19th and early 20th. century … and dramatized with beautiful imagery and artwork.

One of which was the title above and with which, I somehow strangely connected. Many years later, after a life of occupation and residence in 12 countries, three passport changes over 50 years … and I still identify with that connection.

So, for the world cup, where most fans, rooting for their national teams, can be recused from their continued support by single goal … I on the other hand, have the wonderful facility to root for not one, not two, not three … not four but Five teams.

Here’s how it works.

One: I’m South African born, so I can root for Bifana Bifana and Two: If Zimbabwe had a team I could root for them with my Rhodesian Citizenship and passport. Three: With my current British Citizenship and passport, of course I give a shout for the Lions and Four: Now resident in the USA for the past 21 years, I’ve got to chant for the Yanks.

With all of the above now eliminated … weep no more for DC … for I’ve still got a playing card on the table . With a Dutch wife and kids and grandkids and 13 years of residence in Holland until I came here, I’m grinning, Lucky ticket No. Five.

We’re in the semi-finals baby … wee’s still got a shot at the title.

So, being a man without a country has it’s blessings … and optional odds better than average when betting on international contests. In this case 32 to 5.

Anybody got better odds than that?
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380. Allan Chrystal | July 3, 2010 at 6:40 pm

Well just maybe DC.
I have one set of grandparents from Holland and one set from Scotland. Both of my parents were born in SA. But maybe I have a tad more Dutch DNA than you? So on that basis I can assume to be a legit connected official rooter for the Netherlands! Shortcuts reduce the odds. 😉
Al Chrystal.
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381. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 4, 2010 at 5:33 am

Welcome aboard Allan. So long as you’ve got a ticket to ride you can play the odds. Any predictions after Germany’s strong showing this afternoon?

The big surprise for me is that it’s 3 european teams and just one South American team to make the semi-finals. I expected Brazil and Argentina to be in that line up.

As for my Dutch Connections … I’m not just married into them … but must include my paternal grandmother. She was a Havenga from Friesland in the north of Holland and although the Friesen don’t consider themselves Dutch (they claim to be the original Vikings and the Swedes and Norsmen to be merely their latterday offspring), they’re nevertheless, close enough for me to press my claim.

Oranje overalles!

On the lighter side … here’s something many of you guys can identify with.

A month ago an ex-partner of mine in the original corporation I brought to America (Wildfire, Inc.) 21 years ago, bought a 2008 Ford E150 cargo van and asked me to trick it out as camper that looked like a delivery van on the outside but had the allure of a Gentlemen’s Club on the inside.

With an inside height of just 52 inches, that meant no dancer’s pole (unless there are some midget strippers out there). Besides … the idea was for him to be able to take his two pre-teen sons out for an occasional overnight camping trip in the mountains and lakes around California.

So naturally all the comforts, Drop-down flat TV screen, internet connections, big sound system, refrigeration, adjustable lighting – which includes a suspended black acrylic ceiling that features a color changing LED-based, fiber optic starfiield.

It’s almost complete and tomorrow the 4th. of July, I shall, be working alone to connect and switch on the night sky. So while all America is out there celebrating Independence Day with massive fireworks displays popping off all over the country, I shall be lying on my back in the back of a delivery van celebrating my own private light show, playing Holst’s ‘The Planets’ full blast..

Photographs by request only.
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382. Allan Chrystal | July 4, 2010 at 4:22 pm

Its a tough call DC. The Germans are hot but Lady Luck is due. I feel it in my bones. It will be a European final with the Dutch on top. If my prediction is off it is Lady Luck’s fault for not showing up.
I trust you will find time to celebrate Independence day. The van conversion is interesting. TV, fridge and 3 beds in that limited space will take some doing. ajxtal@gmail.com if you have time to post a couple of photos.
Thanks
Allan Chrystal
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383. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 5, 2010 at 12:02 am

I concur Allan. I too think that a European finale is in the cards and although the Krauts have pulled off three 4 goal wins so far, I do believe that they were lucky and their triumphs were merely practice runs to play against the top dogs … the Kaaskops.

Lady Luck however, like all ladies has an independent mind and you never can tell which goal posts she favors. It may come down to which way the wind blows.

In the meantime, I hope to wrap up the camper by the middle of the week when final pix will be taken. I’ll send you a set of before and afters when done.

I was thinking of posting a set of pix and a production story on Youtube for other handymen to view for options on some of the design innovations … but by co-incidence the local news last night featured a story on a Rap Artist called JB Smooth and a touring bus he owns. It was so lavish with beige calf-skin leather everything and a a plush toilet in the rear that I decided to forget it … you can’t compete with a $100,000 interior finish no matter how innovative you are with a $15,000 budget.

The only distinctive edge I have is the night sky and a unique sleeping arrangement that permits by buddy to leave the kids behind and to convert three bunks into a single 6′ x 6’3″ bed for two. You never know … he just might run in to that midget pole dancer.

The ceiling is in and now I’m waiting for dark to see the results.

That will be my 4th. of July celebration.
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384. Allan Chrystal | July 9, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Well DC, I guess its too late to mention I chose Spain to win over Germany? So now I will jump straight to the final. Holland over Spain. I’m not sure if Paul the octopus agrees. He has not been wrong yet.
Regards
Allan Chrystal.
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385. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 10, 2010 at 7:54 am

The odds between dueling contestants who have emerged through the grueling ritual of illimination games … remains 50/50 until the first goal is scored. Thereafter the algorithyms are about techniques, training and personalities … numbers don’t count no more.

So it’s anybody’s game at this point … I’m just rooting for the Dutchies … or my family will disown me. It would have been marvelous … and miraculous … if Bifana Bifana had triumphed. It would have been a shot in the arm for everybody and hopefully … could have helped to foster a greater harmony and unity in the country. Alas it was not to be … so it doesn’t really matter who wins … it’s just a game.

The octupus may be right 99 times in a row … but the next call will still be fifty-fifty … until that first goal.

I don’t know about the Spanairds but the Dutch would say: Hou je taai jongens, wij trek het over het streep. Kijk uit!

Good luck with your choice Allan. I’ll be in touch with pictures of the van/camper next week. Last touches are still to be completed.
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386. Allan Chrystal | July 11, 2010 at 6:13 am

Were you on any debating teams in your youth DC? I kind of get a visual of you leading some debating society somewhere for some reason. I read in today’s paper that Canada has a million Kaaskops. We have 3 Dutch newspapers, the USA one and Australia none. Tomorrow is the final then onto the British open.
My Afrikaans stunk at school so proper Dutch is Greek. No problem though with all the online translators around. Aye kona kabanga mina ay az ini wena kaluma! Heh heh, my Fanagalo stinks too.
Al Chrystal.
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387. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 11, 2010 at 8:26 am

Nary a discussion group … no debating teams … just a love of language. As Kirkland said: No matter what you study or pursue, mastery of your mother tongue is the greatest tool to achieve success in your endeavo(u)rs.

Tomorrow however, is given over to the Dutch and Spaniards … two rivals who long ago fought an 80 year war to a standstill. May the best man win.

Congratulations all South Africans … for successfully conducting a world event, that has brought more positive attention to South Africa than all the negativity of anti-media during the apartheid years … in one brief intense month of gladitorial combat on an international stage … world TV!

Tomorrow’s the finale’. Place your bets.
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388. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 12, 2010 at 4:57 am

… and the dust settles. Alas, it was not Oranje’s day. Despite their loss, their is beauty in the moment for Spain. Being one of the shaky legs of PIGS … they too needed a shot in the arm. Viva Espana’. Ole’ ole’.

The darndest thing is … that is one smart octopus. There was no ‘first’ goal … so it remained 50/50 … but an overtime single was enough to call it a day. So be it … but how did the octopus know?

I heard it on the grapevine … he got an inside tip from Lady Luck … with help from a prevailing north wind heading for Pas Bas.

So while the Victorious celebrate for the next month … Oranje weeps and the rest of the world pack up up and picks up their tabs as they leave on tour busses, heading for the airports.

Here in the states, there were several local arena’s (football stadiums) with giant screens in all directions running the final live for American fans. Not nearly as big an event as an everyday football game, but a practical way to experience the ambiance of the game amongst several thousand fans for both teams.

Now it’s over and immediately, American attention is focusing on the All Star baseball game in a week’s time. The big game that happens once every four years when the Western and Eastern Conference select a team from amongst all their respective territorial teams to battle it out for bragging rights.

Meanwhile, back in South Africa … my sister Sandra, who runs the Big Tree motel in Mid-Rand … can finally take a rest from a month long, house full of Japanese journalists covering the games. Shu shu sushi so long.

Halaghale.
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389. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 21, 2010 at 4:31 pm

A Positive Spin.

I have just received an email from an old South Africa friend who is the founder one of the biggest Event Organizing companies in S.A. He sent me a Blackberry email from a friend of his. Herman Singh of the Standard bank, who has had to be traveling on Bank business during the World Cup games.

Singh wrote that wherever he went, Uganda, Brazil, India, Europe and the USA he heard nothing but positive comments about SA.. In fact he said that in Africa he was most surprised that many Africans looked to SA as a First World country, capable of bringing Africa into the 21st. Century and leading a renaissance of opportunity across the continent.

Even the vuvazela is now also becoming a fixture at other sporting events across the globe (including USA). A symbol he said, of Africa finally wanting to be heard and be counted. He continued to feel more and more proud of being a South African wherever he went.

Despite that many claim the games were a net loss economically to S,A, and that the costs may never be recovered … those new stadiums, capable of supporting world class sorting events … are a huge symbol of an emerging world presence and many Africans from other countries see that as inspirational.

Welcome back into the world SA.. Y’ arriva!
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390. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 22, 2010 at 1:36 am

Adendum

I omitted to say that Singh’s email is far more interesting than I can possibly promote it … and would be rewarding to any South African to read. So if any of you wish to receive a copy of it, please email me at dclesliep@gmail.com and I will be delighted to send it to you.
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391. Allan Chrystal | July 22, 2010 at 3:51 am

Hi DC.
I’m at ajxtal@gmail.com if you have time to fwd on Singh’s email. I must admit I had doubts SA could pull off the world cup without major catastrophes. There was some crime reports but no more than at any large gathering of nations. The magnificent stadiums were completed on time. I think Brazil is next to host the cup. They will have to work to top SA’s effort.
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392. John O'Neill | July 24, 2010 at 8:47 am

Blane,

Just noticed your post at the top of the blog. My condolences. Losing a parent is never an easy time for anyone, irrespective of their age. My thoughts are with you and the rest of your family, as you remember your fathers life. I will remember him fondly.

I am quite sure that when George was my housemaster, I did things that really annoyed him, but I can say with hand on heart, that he always treated me fairly. You couldn’t ask any more from your housemaster.

George Van Pletzen
Requiescat in Pace
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393. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 25, 2010 at 5:24 pm

My condolences on your father’s passing, Blane.

Though I knew him not, as he entered SGH a dozen years after my time there, he is recorded on these pages as a ‘mensch’, an accolade I myself aspire to. May he find eternal rest.

Be at peace.

Dudley.
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394. Vanessa | July 25, 2010 at 6:08 pm

My condolences on the passing of your Dad, Blane…..may the peace and the comfort of His Holy Spirit be with you and your family….the memories he has left behind are a great testimony to the honourable life he lived….am sure that as he enters..he will hear the words :’well done thou good and faithful servant!!’….
Fond regards
Vanessa
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395. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 21, 2010 at 9:33 am

Hi John Roosuw.

I have been having difficulty trying to send an email to you (please repeat your email address one more time on this blog), so I hope I can address you here.

I just wanted to bring your attention to an interview with a young professor, Minqi Li of Utah University on The Real News Network by Paul Jay, Senior Editor and CEO of: http://www.therealnews.com

His summary of the status quo in world economics is quite revealing and I am sure that you will find it of extreme interest in the banking world.

For those of you who are not who not yet retired … it will be a splash of cold water in the face. I suggest you all acquaint yourselves with the new world order and read or listen to the interview.
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396. john rossouw | August 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Hi DC

try john.rossouw@absa.co.za

Blane
My deepest condolences to you Joan and Linda as well as your families on the passing of George

On the home front I visited Eric Richardson on Saturday
At 98 years of age he is in remarkable health and spirits having just returned from a visit to his son Michael in Natal. His eyesight is failing but the wit and humour of old still previals and he sens best wishes to all old boys and their families
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397. Wendy Thompson | September 8, 2010 at 8:25 am

Hi everyone
Just had a message from Steve Towse to say that Norman Clayton died last night and that the funeral will be next week. No more details on the funeral yet. Regards Wendy
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398. john rossouw | September 8, 2010 at 11:41 am

Thanks for the message Wendy

I too recived an email from Steve Towse as well as a friend of Norman’s re his passing.

He was a truly remakable man and in his own peculiar way he gave so much to so many over his lifetime.

The work he did as Chaplain the home, as well his many other contributions through Radio St George, the Communicants Photography and so many more activities which he encouraged the boys to experience, was unprecedented.

My personal favourite memory of Norman is the singing of the Te Deum. It is a song of praise sung each year at the annual remeberance day service in the chapel. Norman was unhappy about the cataphault guard marching down to the cenotaph in the centre of the choir stalls. The boys were all distracted with this activity, so much so that they almost stopped short of singing.

In his unique way he insisted “wev’e got to get it right”:
He then promptly changed the changing of the guard to during the singing of the second hymn.

I shared news of his passing with George Adams earlier today who surprisingly was in good coherent spirits and he too extends his condolences.

My brother Mike called from the Phillipines and he heard the news from Wendy and I have been trying to reach Eric Richardson to relay the message to him but I will have to visit in person as he is unable to hear me on the phone.

Norman had no surviving imediate family as his sister Laura died a few years back. Our thoughts and memories of him are therefore contained within this small online community who remain his true and ever real family.

May his soul rise up to be with the saints in heaven and may forever rest in peace.

No doubt Bee Bop will organise his own radio station in heaven broadcasting all his favourite hymns and classical music.

Sincerely John Rossouw
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399. Michael Rossouw | September 8, 2010 at 11:43 am

Dear Friends and Fellow Old Boys of the Home,
The news of Fr Norman Clayton’s passing has been quite a blow to me as I have been trying to get hold of him since he left Scarborough before Christmas last year.
As you know, I worked with Norman in “The Communicants ” with my late brother Desmond and Tom Stephens (VSO) in the mid 1960’s.
Those were very creative and indeed spiritually uplifting times.
Although Norman was a bit of an “odd bod”, being extremely talented as a photographer, musician , recording and sound engineer and broadcaster, he was , at least to me and I’m sure many others who were privileged to share his teaching, a truly great chaplain and priest, a wonderful friend and a truly remarkable human being.
I for one shall miss him very much.

“Rest eternal grant unto him O Lord,and let light perpetual shine upon him.”
Rest in peace, “Bee bop”
Fr Michael Rossouw
Brent International School, Philippines.
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400. john rossouw | September 8, 2010 at 6:03 pm

The following message was received via email re Norman Clayton –
Hello Steve,

I’m so pleased to have been able to speak with you this morning.

Norman passed away just after 05:00 AM on Tuesday 7th September at a care home here in Attenborough. Cancer had been diagnosed back in May this year after being admitted to hospital due to a separate illness. On returning home Norman made every effort to try and lead as normal a routine as possible but unfortunately this became too difficult for him and he was admitted to hospital on 23rd August. Subsequently, he was moved to the care home in Attenborough near his friends.

As mentioned please note the funeral arrangements for Norman are as follows ….

Monday 20th September
St Mary’s Church, Attenborough, Nottingham – 1pm
followed by cremation at Bramcote crematorium

Funeral services are being provided by A.W Lymn of Long Eaton.

I have extracted excerpts from the St George’s Blog for the Reverend Sue Hemsley regarding Norman and the regard with which he is held. If anyone wishes to send a message (email or letter) which I can share with Sue or any memories which can be used in the story about Norman’s life and God’s hand in it’s direction, which Elaine and I have been tasked with, my email and home address are provided below.

Please note my contact details are …

Paul Anderton – M: 0790 576 3858 – H: 0115 9224322 – paul.anderton@virgin.net
13 Allendale Avenue, Attenborough, Nottingham. NG9 6AN

Regards,
Paul
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401. john rossouw | September 11, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Hi DC please send me your email address
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402. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | September 12, 2010 at 1:58 am

As St. George’s Home, family and friends of Fr. Norman Clayton mourn his passing, I wish to pay homage to the beacon of light he was.

My time at Goggies, from ’55 to ’59 was the last five years of the old tyranny. Rev. ‘Shorty’ Striong was head honcho. A man totally over his head in his undertaking. Not equipped with the skills or smjarts to humanize the place, he became a snorting little tyrant.

With his and my departure in the same year, came Eric Richardson and the sun rose. The age of enlightenment had arrived. Alas i do not know the chronology of events post-1960 but therein Bee Bob emerged and brought a most humanizing creativeity to those who came after me … and to be honest, that makes me look back with a little envy for the gifts he gave you guys.

I wish I knew the man … but what I have taken from the many stories and comments posted in this blog about him … is that he too was a mensch and a very inspiring one.

Go well on your journey Bee Bop … until we meet.

Hi John,

my email is: dclesliep@gmail.com
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403. Allan Chrystal | September 12, 2010 at 5:07 pm

Hello.
I never knew most of the people mentioned on these blogs. Even those in the late forties and early fifties are mostly forgotten. However when I read of someone associated with SGH has passed on, onward and no doubt upward, I run through a brief range of melancholy emotions. I think it is mainly because a era of sorts is ending. A hundred years from now SGH may still be standing and whatever the name, Home boys and girls will be posting and musing about us and how it was.
Allan Chrystal
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404. John O'Neill | September 12, 2010 at 9:05 pm

Hi Guys,

Very sad news about Norman Clayton. Like Michael, I have been trying to contact him since he left Dulverton Hall. The forwarding address they gave me was fruitless, and I hoped once he had settled into his new home, he would contact me. That day will never come now, mores the pity.

I spoke to Steve Towse on Friday about organising a floral tribute and we hope to have a St. Georges badge made, if possible. Fortunately, Steve works in Nottingham, so he is going to speak to a florist tomorrow. Eric Richardson gave Steve a St. Georges badge when he left, so we have that image to work with. Was there actually a St.Georges motto? Time has blurred the memory! It woulb be good to put in on the card. Steve suggested that we use a Trevor Huddlestone prayer which Norman was fond of quoting.

God Bless Africa
Guard her Children
Guide her Rulers
And give her Peace
For Jesus Christs sake
Amen

If anyone has any other ideas, remembering that the funeral is a week tomorrow, can you drop me an email or put the ideas on the blog and I’ll forward them to Steve.
Anyone who would like prayers said, or something more personal read out should email Paul Anderton
paul.anderton@virgin.net

I spoke to Paul on Wednesday night and he would be delighted to hear from anyone who knew Norman a bit better than I did.
I believe you have already spoken to Paul, Michael. He seems a nice bloke and is genuinely amazed that Norman had such an influence on so many young mens lives.

From a personal perspective, I was delighted to have spent the occasional dark, winters night talking to Norman, just chewing the fat and reminiscing about times gone by. He was always interested in who was posting on the blog and how they were getting on.

Norman J Clayton
God Bless
RIP

John O’Neill
sgh198@ntlworld.com
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405. Michael Rossouw | September 13, 2010 at 3:44 pm

DEAR FRIENDS
A FLORAL TRIBUTE IN THE FORM OF THE HOME BADGE WOULD BE A WONDERFUL WAY TO SEND THE MORTAL REMAINS OF NJC TO THEIR REST.

THE HOME BADGE HAD NO MOTTO AS SUCH, BUT THE OLD BOYS BADGE , WHICH I THINK WAS DESIGNED BY BRIAN GANNON, HAD THE THE MITRE OF THE DIOCESE OF JOHANNESBURG AT THE TOP OF THE BADGE, AND THE WORDS “AGE QUID AGAS” UNDERNEATH IT.
IF I FIND A PICTURE OF IT I SHALL GET IT TO YOU IN TIME. IF NOT, A FLORAL TRIBUTE IN THE FORM OF THE HOME BADGE WILL SUFFICE.

NORMAN WAS A TRULY UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING; THE ULTIMATE PERFECTIONIST.
MANY OF US NEVER QUITE UNDERSTOOD HIS NATURE WHICH SEEMED TO TELL US THAT ONLY THE BEST WOULD DO IN ANY TASK, ESPECIALLY THOSE TASKS INVOLVING WORK FOR GOD.

AS MY BOET JOHN SAID IN HIS RECOLLECTION OF NORMAN’ S FAMOUS CHOIR PRACTICE BEFORE OUR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICES “BOYS! WEVE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT.” WE WOULD PRACTICE UNTIL WE GOT IT RIGHT.

I REMEMBER IN OUR RECORDING SESSIONS IN “THE COMMUNICANTS”, ONE SONG WAS RECORDED 39 TIMES, I THINK ,UNTIL WE GOT WHAT NJC THOUGHT WAS ‘THE PERFECT ‘TAKE.’

ONE OF NORMAN’S MANY FAVORITE HYMNS WE SANG IN THE CHAPEL CHOIR WAS :
“GOD IS WORKING HIS PUPOSE OUT
AS YEAR SUCCEEDS TO YEAR.
GOD IS WORKING HIS PURPOSE OUT
AND THE TIME IS DRAWING NEAR.
NEARER AND NEARER DRAWS THE TIME
THE TIME THAT WILL SURELY BE
WHEN THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED
WITH THE GLORY OF GOD ,
AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA.”

SUNG EVENSONG IN THE HOME’S CHAPEL WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. IF IT WASN’T THE HYMNS OR THE CANTICLES SUNG IN ANGLICAN CHANT (NOW SOMETHING ONLY DONE IN THE GREAT CATHEDRALS AS PARISHES FIND IT DIFFICULT IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO KEEP CHORISTERS IN THE CHOIR, AS WELL AS TO KEEP THE OLD PRAYER BOOK LITURGY ALIVE AS WE HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THAT KIND OF SERVICE TO A MORE “BLENDED” KIND OF WORSHIP SERVICE) IT WOULD BE IN THE WORDS HE SPOKE TO US IN HIS MANY SERMONS WHICH CERTAINLY SPOKE TO US.

FOR ME , NORMAN WAS A TRUE “EVANGELICAL” , A DYE IN THE WOOL ANGLICAN PRIEST WITH A TRULY ECUMENICAL SPIRIT.
SADLY, CLERGY OF HIS ILK, AND INDEED THE LIKES OF ERIC RICHARDSON, ARE NO MORE TO BE FOUND IN THE CHURCH OF TODAY.

MY BROTHERS SHARED WITH ME THE STORY OF HOW ST GEORGES BOYS WENT WITH BEEBOP TO SEE THE FORMER DEAN, GONVILLE AUBEY FFENCH BEYTAGH, OUT OF THE COUNTRY FROM WHAT WAS THEN JAN SMUTS AIRPORT BACK TO THE U.K.
FR FFENCH BEYTAGH FOLLOWED IN THE FOOTSTEPS MEN LIKE BISHOP AMBROSE REEEVES, BISHOP ROBERT MERCER AND OTHERS WHO HAD BEEN DEPORTED FROM THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THEIR OUTSPOKEN OPPOSITION TO APARTHEID.
I HAD GIVEN NORMAN A BOTTLE OF JOHNNY WALKER AS A GIFT AFTER I RETURNED FROM MY VISIT TO ENGLAND IN THE EARLY 1970’S. I BELIEVE NORMAN SMUGGLED THE BOTTLE OF WHISKEY(GOODNESS KNOWS HOW) TO FR FFENCH BEYTACH ON THE EVE OF HIS DEPARTURE!
WHEN I ASKED HOW HE’D ENJOYED THE SCOTCH, HE CONFESSED TO ME WHAT HE HAD DONE WITH IT.
I FORGAVE HIM, EVEN THOUGH I WAS A DRINKING MAN THEN.

IN OUR LAST TELEPHONE CONVERSATION NORMAN TOLD ME HOW HE’D GIVEN UP SMOKING. (HE SMOKED UP TO 60 A DAY…CAMEO I THINK WAS HIS BRAND AS OPPOSED TO THE HOMEBOYS FAVORITE, TEXAN.)
HE SIMPLY EXERCISED AND EXTENDED HIS LENTEN DISCIPLINE TO THE LAST 25 YEARS OF HIS LIFE; NO MEAN FEAT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAD SMOKED LIKE A CHIMNEY ALL HIS LIFE UP TO THEN.

I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF BEEBOP ; THE CARAVAN TRIPS , OUR TOUR OF NATAL CHURCHES AS “THE COMMUNICANTS”, THE CHURCHES WE VISITED AND PERFORMED IN ON THE WITWATERSRAND AND MANY MORE.OUR CLSIM TO FAME WAS THAT
ONE OF OUR PROGRAMMES THAT THE COMMUNICANTS RECORDED FOR THE SABC WAS BANNED BECAUSE ,AT THE TIME, THE SABC FELT THAT OUR BRAND OF MUSIC WAS “NOT FIT FOR RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING.”

SO YOU CAN SEE NORMAN WAS ADVENTUROUS …HE WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME WHEN YOU THINK OF THE GOSPEL BANDS AND GROUPS ON STAGE AND IN THE CHURCHES TODAY.

FOR MY PART I CAN ONLY SAY “WELL DONE ! GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT” AND I CAN SAY THIS IN THE SURE HOPE THAT NORMAN AND ALL OF US WILL ALL ONE DAY MEET ” ON ANOTHER SHORE AND IN A GREATER LIGHT.”

WERE IT NOT FOR NORMAN, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE NEVER HAD ANY FAITH IN GOD WORTH SPEAKING OF.
HIS CONFIRMATION CLASSES WERE SOMETHING SPECIAL AND HAD TO BE EXPERIENCED TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND APPRECIATED.

I COULD GO ON , BUT I SHAN’T, SAVE TO SAY THAT
I REMEMBER MOURNING HIS “PASSING AWAY” TWO YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED , ONLY TO HEAR THREE WEEKS LATER, HE WAS ALIVE AND WELL.(SEE MY BLOG OF FEB 2008.)

THIS TIME HOWEVER, IT’S FOR REAL. BEEBOP IS DEAD.

I SHAN’T HEAR HIS VOICE OVER THE ‘PHONE AGAIN UNTIL WE MEET ONE DAY IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS.

NONE OF US ARE GETTING ANY YOUNGER AND DEATH IS SOMETHING WE WILL ALL OF US FACE , SOONER OR LATER.

THIS STILL DOES NOT MAKE MY GRIEVING ANY EASIER, BUT I THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH HIM IN THE THREE LONG PHONE CALLS WE HAD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

SO, GO IN BEAUTY, DEAR FRIEND . MAY THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN WELCOME YOU TO THAT PLACE WHERE LAZARUS IS DEAD NO MORE AND WHERE THERE IS NO MORE SORROW OR CRYING, BUT MUCH JOY AN REJOICING..

” LORD NOW LETTEST THOU THY SERVANT DAPART IN PEACE, ACCORDING TO THY WORD….”

REST IN PEACE , BEEBOP AND RISE IN GLORY!

GOD LOVE YOU.YOU ARE SAFE IN HIS LOVING ARMS, HE WHOM YOU HAVE SERVED ALL YOUR LIFE LONG.

THIS COMES WITH MUCH LOVE FROM THE LITTLE NEW BOY YOU FIRST WELCOMED INTO YOU STUDY IN SIMPSON HOUSE IN JANUARY 1961 AND WHO WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBER FOR YOUR FIRMNESS AND LOVING KINDNESS TO ME.

R.I.P NJC

MICHAEL ROSSOUW
(PHILIPPINES)
Reply
- 406. Johann Muller | June 6, 2011 at 6:29 pm
  
  Hi Mike, I don’t know if you remember me. Beaton 33 1963-1968.
  
  On The Death of “father Clayton” we did not all share your fond memories. What I do remember was being called into his office one day and he beating me up (11year old ) then being kicked like a dog etc. No man of God would treat a child like that EVER!
  
  Enjoy your day
  Johann
  Reply
  - 407. Michael Rossouw | June 7, 2011 at 12:15 am
    
    Dear Johann
    Good to hear from you.
    On the subject of father Norman Clayton , I can only speak from my own experience. You are not the first to share your views on the late father in this way. There have been many others who have written to me privately and have expressed many more worse opinions of the man than those you have expressed here.Whilst i do not wish to put the man on a pedestal nor make excuses for him or his behaviour towards indidvidual people, I can say that Fr Clayton was a very complicated and difficult man who not many were able to undersatnd. I do not wish in my reply to make excuses for the man.I can only speak from my own experience.If I am blind to his faults , I apologise.
    
    All I can say is that , difficult as he was, there were only very few people who were able to get to know the man. Whilst I was not one of his ‘inner circle’ (I was not a member of his photography group or radio St george) but I did see another side of him which very few others got to know, in the choir, the chapel servers and when I was a member of the singing group “The Communicants” which he formed and encouraged.
    
    Sadly,I can also recall many bad memories from my days in the home;being caned for stealing food when I was a hungry 9 year old boy, but I guess I learnt very quickly that stealing was wrong.Had I been at an exterme Islamic school, I’d have had my hand chopped offf!
    Things like being hit on the head and other parts of my body for not standing properly to attention on parade; being hit on the back with a cane by a master when I was a senior in Taylor House nogal because I did not go to bed at 9pm and asked instead permission to stay up as I had a homework assignment to complete ; being caned, mocked and bullied for no reason at all because I was not regarded as being one who ‘fitted in ‘ with the normal pattern of things. I just kept my head down and tried to stay out of trouble and out of the way of those who were bullies.
    
    Sadly for many, abuse of this sort by masters and bullying boys was repeated.I was party to this ‘leadership style” myself, but by the time I’d got to those leadership positions as a boy in the home, things were changing and this kind of behaviour was discouraged.I may well have used these ‘bullying ‘ tactics myself as one in the leadership group in the home and I am very sorry if I did.I can only ask forgiveness from God as I understand God and from those individuals i may have harmed .
    Sadly when we become wise through hindsight.Knowing God’s forgivemess was something I got from the Home if nothing else.
    
    Ofcourse I cannot speak for what happened after I’d left. Things may have gone from bad to worse and probably did, hence the Home’s closure.(I’ve heard some horror stories from the former head of Bishop Bavin school as to what they found in some of the houses when the home was closed which i do not wish to repeat here.)
    Difficult as it is for me at times, I cannot forget some of the horrors that went on; the ‘bog washing’ when new boys heads were stuck in the toilet and the chain was pulled, “the polishing’ of boys from the waist down with boot polish and other humiliating experiences.
    It was not only St George’s boys that engaged in these activities.
    In some of RSA’s most expensive private schools this kind of behaviour was the norm for many years.I witnessed this as a young teacher when I tutored and taught at some of these establishments.That does not make it right, but it did happen.
    
    I can only try to remember what was good, take from the experience what I can and learn from it.
    
    Your memories of the deceased chaplain may be bad and I am sorry that this was your experience with the man.
    I can only keep in mind what my English teacher, the late Vera Kirkland said on many occasions when she used words from William Shakespeare to explain human behaviour: “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones…” (words said by Mark Anthony in his oration of the murdered Julius Ceasar.)
    I am sorry and I apologise on Clayton’s behalf to you for what he did to you as he is not here to speak for himself.
    In his last telephone conversation with me in 2009, Clayton said to me that he was sorry that he did not encourage boys more in his ministry. For a dying man to say that speaks volumes about his character.He obviously knew he’d made mistakes and admitted this in these words.
    I do not wish by writing this to open up a can of worms on what the decesaed may or may not have done, certainly not publicly on this site.Those who may wish to write to me at may do so.
    Perhaps it will help me to correct my own perception of the man.
    
    Johann,I hope you are well. Are you still with SAPS?
    I know my late brother Desmond used to keep in touch with you.I do recall Desmond telling me that you went into the furniture business? He was also in that line of work when he was with Uniewinkels., but that was a long time ago.
    Please keep in touch; it was good to hear from you.
    I remember my late Mom, your late Mom, Mrs DeKlerk and Mrs Swanepoel, Manie Swanepoel’s Mom always being together along with Mrs Ternent at Chapel on visiting Sundays…a long time ago now, but it seems like yesterday.
    
    Sincerely
    Michael Rossouw (Beaton 5; Taylor 95)
408. john rossouw | September 13, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Greetings John
Please pas this on to Steve as well

I received an email from Steve today re the home badge floral arrangement which I think is a wonderfull gesture
It is also a fitting tribute to Norman the priest, and human being and the work he dedicated his life to over 18 years (1961-1979) during which he was chaplain of St Georges
The home never had a motto on the badge although I cannot understand why
It was the old boys badge that had a motto
That badge was the home badge with a Bishop’s mitre over it
It had the motto “Age Quid Agas” underneath
The direct translation from Latin is “Do to the best of your ability” This was the message imparted onto the boys leaving the home as they embarked on their new lives
It was also the motto of the Old Boys association which in the early years was a sporting fraternity comprising old boys and the local community who rented facilities from the home
Ironically it epitomises Bee Bop to the tee as he always strove for absolute perfection which is a value he embedded into every home boy with whom he came into contact
I also had a look through the 60th anniversary brochure of St Georges today which Norman wrote and I found his closing lines to exemply the person he was and what he stood for
“St Georges, being essentiall a flow of people, ultimately defies any accurate description. It is many things to many peope – yet it’s aims are clearly stated
That was Bee Bop to the tee
The cover of the publication carries a picture of the bell tower which was his home during his time with us
On the inside page Norman creates the theme for the cover story
“The bell has called you -and we hope still calls you – to ackknowledge, worship and serve our Lord and Saviour”
“We pray that your character will become as attractive over the years as the mellow masonary of St Georges …… and remain as strong” (he was referring to the sandstone Herbert Baker building as a metaphor for our lives and no dount his own)
He then includes the inscription on the bell itself which commemorates the decision passed at Synod in 1915 by Rev Sidney Dunston which led to the establishment of the home

Norman’s faith was such that he embedded this message within each one of us

The accompanying photograph is of the boys in the chapel with the servers and choir in procession from the alter

I am reminded that it was Norman who on arriving at St Georges in 61, transformed this stone cold brick wall into a blazen of scarlet, purple and gold

I also found it fitting that the inside back page (those familiar with publishing will know that this is the main page of any publicaion) carries the world renowned photograph of Norman kneeling in prayer at the back of the chapel
It was taken by David van den Berg around 1966 and it won many International photographic salon awards
It is simply entiled “Our Father” which is who and what Bee Bop was to all of us
I will scan these in for Steve and for an upload to this site together with some other pictures of the choir and radio St George
The Trevor Huddleston prayer is also fitting as Norman spent much of his ealry life in Africa having spent time in Northern and Southern Rhodesia in the 50’s before landing at St Georges
I am also pleased to see that donations in lieu of flowers have been nominated to some poor African American mision which
Norman relayed to my brother Michael a year ago was an area he felt very strongly was where the church should be focusing itself in the future
Paul Anderton sent my brother Michael a picture of Norman taken recently
I have asked him to send it on to Blane for this site
Those of us who knew him will be glad to know he still sported his long hair and sideburnds which was his trademark look in the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s
I commented on the fact that I am sure he was to an extent a closet hippie at heart

Michael shared the news of his passing with Tom Stevens and I am sure that between them they come up with some additional words and recollections of their own to share with you
It was the three of them together with my late brother Desmond who formed the “Communicants” a religious folk group which wrote and sang their own material

Whilst we will njot be present on the 20th our thoughts and prayers will be with the community of Attenbourough and the friends who shared the past 31 years with him

For info the home badge has the St Georges cross at it’s centre
On the left is the boy scout emblem which is where the home found it’s initial roots in the 2nd Cleveland boy scout company
On the right are three waves which depict our Brittish ancestry from across the ocean

Steve / John

If there is any archive material which you think needs to be returned please let me know
Reply
409. Errol Peace | September 15, 2010 at 2:33 pm

I have just been able to get into the entire page and read about the passing on of Fr Clayton. As head sacristan in 1967/8 I was very involved with the Chapel and BEE BOP, washing and ironing all the sacramental linen and cleaning the chapel. He was the one that introduced me to God during our confirmation classes in 1965. His encouragement and enthusiasm with the Radio St George jocks was incredible. As those who knew me will confirm that I was not much of an athlete, but found my niche at Radio St. George – the confidence I gained with the help of Norman has helped me to reach my dreams and has brought me to where I am today.

Norman baptized my son, Clive, in the chapel in 1971

Norman – May you rest in peace and rise in glory.

With fond memories
Errol Peace
Reply
410. Leslie DuPlessis | September 15, 2010 at 3:34 pm

I had very little contact with BeeBop during my time at SGH in the early 1960’s, but he was a memorable figure nevertheless.
A good man is hard to find, and from some of the comments posted here, I can see that Father Clayton was one. Devoting your life to the well being and education of a bunch of rapscallions is to be commended.
Reply
411. Wendy Thompson | September 15, 2010 at 6:45 pm

Hi
It has been very moving reading all these comments and memories. My one abiding memory of bee bop is very different. I remember that he used to take it in turns to have supper in the different houses – a different house on each night of the week. As I recall Simpson’s turn was on a Tuesday and we could never start supper until he got there. Waiting for him on the table was a glass of lemon juice – because of some kind of stomach ailment he had been treated for in his younger days. THe first thing he did after saying grace was to down the lemon juice. A different kind of memory but something that speaks to the routine that we all lived by.
I am sure that the funeral will be a moving one with all the contributions from all the old boys and I think that for Steve and anyone else attending it will be tough going but also a wonderful celebration of the life of someone who clearly touched the lives of hundreds (thousands?) of people.
btw thanks to whoever contributed the pic that is up on the blog – a wonderful picture that captured who he was.
Rest eternal grant unto him and let light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Wendy
Reply
412. Mone van der Merwe | September 26, 2010 at 6:23 pm

Hi John
I was given this Url from Mark de Wit who now lives in Oz.Finally I am able to catch up on all the news from SGH.
I was in Spackman House from 1970-1974. I remember you from being in the choir. If you look at the 1971 Chrismas card, I am the second from your left in the front row.
I aqm so pleased to know that Father Richardson is alive. Sorry to year about Ken McHolm and “Bee Bop”.

Myself and my brother Paul, both stay in Cape Town.We haven’t heard from our brother Deon in many years, so if ever any of you meet at some time, please tell him that we are looking for him.

Would be great to hear from any of you guys that remember us “Vans”.

My email address is monevdm@gmail.com

God Bless
Cheers
Reply
413. john rossouw | September 27, 2010 at 7:08 am

Welcome Mone to the site
If you chat to Mark de Wit please pass on our regards
I still have a Good News bible he gave us when he left the home in 1970
For the benefit of ths site Bee Bop had a great send off
It was a large funeral attended by a number of clergy and the home badge wreath arranged by Steve Towse and John o Neil to centre place on his coffin. Bee Bop arranged his own service a few weeks before he died and there was a great number of tributes from home boys included in the memorial leaflet as well as in the local press coverage which detailed extensively his life in Africa and his work at St Georges. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah also sent a floral arrangement. Their friendship goes back to the late 60’s and Bee Bop’s sister Laura was his secretary when he was Dean of St Mary’s cathedral before he becme bishop of Swaziland and then Archbishop of CT . There are not to many peolpe who can say they had tributes paid to them on their passing by a Nobel lauriette. Steve took some pics which I asked him to send off to Blane for the blog. In his email to me he said he knew Bee Bop was finally gone when the coffin was carried in to the church

Kind regards

JOhn

Kind regards
Reply
- 414. Mone van der Merwe | October 1, 2010 at 9:39 pm
  
  Hi John
  Thanks for replying to me. I doubt any of you guys remember me, as I was very young at the time. I am sure you remember my brother Paul, who was in Smuts House with J.J.deJager.
  
  Please contact me on my email address as I have a few things to tell you. monevdm@gmail.com
  
  I have the most respect for SGH as after I left, at the end of 1974, I came back as a “grown up” and realised what an amazing place it was for kids who had been through hell. I have noticed that some people who call themselves “ANON” have not got the slightest clue as to what the HOME was about. We had good food,sport,medical care,extra mural activities that most schools and intitutions today, would beg for. I was the junior show jumping champion thanks to Colin Ross and SGH.I was also the descant and solo part of the choir, which was the highlight of my stay at SGH. I can only hope that the friends that I had there, are still with us.
  
  I remember you and your brothers very well.
  
  Keep well my “old friend” and may all your memories be good.
  
  To contact Mark de Wit, contact me on my email address as I need to be sure that he wants this.
  
  Mone
  Reply
415. John O'Neill | October 3, 2010 at 5:23 pm

Spoke to Steve Towse earlier today. Steve represented all the staff and old boys at Fr. Claytons funeral. Funerals, by their nature aren’t the happiest of occasions, but Steve said there were 60+ people who attended and that everything went well.

Floral tributes from fellow clergy members in England, a basket of flowers from Desmond and Leah Tutu and a St Georges badge from all of us. The badge looks far better than I imagined it would do.

I had left South Africa by the time Steve started at SGH, so I never got to meet him, but hope to remedy that in the near future, hopefully before Christmas.

With the passing of NJC, another chapter in the SGH history book closes.

John
Reply
416. Marilyn Forbes (nee Levey) | October 5, 2010 at 4:23 pm

I am one of the sisters to the brothers Mark, Richard and Anthony Levey who all used to be in the boys home. I am trying to track down our family records and know that St Georges is no longer. Please, please can you point me in the right direction and let me know who i can contact as all three of my brothers are deceased and i need to know if i am able to get access to my brothers folders as i am trying to do a book but have loads of missing pieces which need to be filled in regarding all three of my brothers.

Please email me as soon as with any information you have that will allow me to continue my search.
Looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards

Marilyn
Reply
417. Michael Rossouw | October 5, 2010 at 10:03 pm

Dear Marilyn
Do you have the approximate dates that your brothers were in St Georges’s? My brother John managed to retrieve some materiel from the Home when it was merged into an organization called COACH.I am in the Philippines so i cant be much help. I presume you are in South Africa? Many of the files of boys were handed to the Archives of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in the Johannesburg Diocese. You may want to contact them.I don’t have contact numbers but I’m sure the number will be in the Phonebook.
God Bless you in your search
Sincerely
Fr Michael Rossouw (Old Boy 1961-1967)
Reply
- 418. Marilyn Forbes | October 15, 2010 at 2:24 pm
  
  Dear Michael,
  
  Thank you so much for sending me a reply, I really do appreciate it very much. I cannot say the exact dates my brothers were in St Georges as we were in JCH (Johannesburg childrens Home) at the time they were first in St Georges and that must be about (guessing) anywhere from 1970 onwards? Could even have been before that again my folders don’t indicate anything. Do you perhaps know what name i would put in if trying to find them on the internet? I immigrated to the UK 11 years ago & that on it’s own might make things difficult but I won’t lose hope just yet. The fact that I am getting replies from my brothers friends tells me there is still hope. If you do have anything please can you let me know via my email address being: forbesea@btopenworld.com
  Again thanks for getting back to me.
  
  Marilyn
  Reply
419. john rossouw | October 6, 2010 at 8:20 am

Hi Marilyn

I am sorry to read of your brothers passing

I remeber Richard and Anthony very well as they were my contempories at the home
I knew of Richards passing but did not know about Anthony
Richard had a very bad head injury in 1970 when a goal post fell on his head and it effected him badly
Anthony went on to become a top Southern Transvaal football referree and himself was also a great player
Mark I think was younger but I do not remember him that well
Richard also sang in the chapel choir with us
Their records are still at the home in the safe and you are entittled to get access to them
I would suggest you call the home on 011 616 4015 and make arrangements to go across and have a look
They will not release the records to you as these belong to the archives but I am sure you will be able to get access as I have done so with all the files for myself and my 3 brothers
If you have a problem let me know

Kind regards

John
Reply
- 420. Marilyn Forbes | October 15, 2010 at 2:35 pm
  
  Dear John,
  
  Thank you for the reply. It is good to hear from someone who knew my brothers. I had no knowledge of Richard having a head injury due to a goal post falling on his head. I do recall him having a great voice and also being a good swimmer as we used to go to his gala days when we were at Strathyre.
  As for Anthony (Tony) as people knew him, I got a copy of some newspaper articles when he played football matches. After his bad motorbike accident he couldn’t play again the way he used to and this upset him terribly. Still he made the most of his life after that and continued working at Rand Refinery. There were a few of the boys from the home who came to his funeral. Richard got shot, Mark got stabbed and Anthony had a heart attack.
  John, do you perhas have an email address so that i can email someone as I am in the UK and would need to find out the best way to get access to my brothers folders.
  If you are able to let me know who i can email then i would really appreciate it very much.
  My email address is: forbesea@btopenworld.com
  Thank you so much again for your reply and look forward to hearing from you again.
  
  Regards
  
  Marilyn
  Reply
421. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | October 18, 2010 at 3:00 am

Does anyone remember a a guy called McBride … I can’t remember his first name … perhaps Adrian? He had a younger brother I believe and must have left the home around the early ’60’s.

If anyone knows him and how to contact him, would you please pass on my email address and ask him to kindly drop me a line.

dclesliep@gmail.com

Many thanks,

Dudley Pringle.
Reply
422. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 16, 2010 at 5:26 am

First, there was One.
Then another One.
Eventually, there were Some …
Now there are None.
Where has every One Gone?
Are we Done?
Reply
423. Michael Rossouw | November 16, 2010 at 9:50 am

Dear Dudley
Certainly Not!
I know there are many who say “the Home is dead…Long live the Home!”
That may well be true, but as Eric Richardson and many others have reminded me over the years, the home is not the bricks and mortar holding a building together. It is those individuals who grew up within those walls who are truly what St george’s is all about.

I did vist the Home and Malvern high very briefly during late July.
The Bishop Bavin school is quite beautiful.
The grounds are magnificently kept, only its not the students who maintain them as we did.My brothers would probably write less politely on the subject, but the school is a success and looks good.There does however appear to be many statues, photo’s and other memorials which seem to glorify the current rector , rather than the achievements of the students. Some of the old home sports pictures from the different eras of the Home have been restored and should by now adorn the walls of the refectory (The Hall as we knew it.)The portraits of the old headmasters of the Home are not there and perhaps we need to get good copies made from whatever records we can find.Does anyone know where these are?The rector is willing to accommodate these and would be more than willing to work with old boys on giving these their proper place … I am too far away to help but perhaps someone closer to home could.
Everyone is I guess caught up in their own “busyness” but we could make it happen if there is the willingness to do it.
I am contemplating going back to RSA. Sadly it seems that the CPSA (now the Anglican Church in Southern Africa) has no room for me. Bishops seem to busy to even reply to applications but there it is.My letters of application to teach at Malvern have not been acknowledged.

Malvern was still there but the gardens are not as attractive as they were in Bob Morrison’s time and the school itself “needs work” to put it mildly; it is still standing but some classes and toilets abound in graffiti and when I was there some of the teachers were on strike.Sadly there are people working there now who do not understand nor fully appreciate the history of this school and the truly remarkable individuals and characters who shaped it.
Bob Morrison and guys like Bill Stewart and others of their ilk would be turning in their graves if they saw the place. It isn’t falling apart but it ain’t what it used to be. I must say however the students I spoke to, mainly from Soweto, were glad to be there and wore their uniforms proudly.The principals portraits were still in the hall and the names of the houses have not been changed.
News from my side is that I have to let out the best kept secret of 2010.
I was married in December last year, but between the Philippine and RSA governments paperwork requirements, the marriage was only registered in May. The Church here as well as my bishop were very supportive. I could not say anything as i did not want the ordination to be delayed or put on hold. I think I’d waited long enough for this , 45 years in fact! So I kept quiet. Only my bishop and my employers knew and that’s what mattered.
So the result is I have been blessed with a new family; my wife Chita, who has a daughter Sai Anne and a son John Ezekiel, and our own son Desmond William Henry, born on August 15th.( We named him after my late brother and after a famous South African Archbishop.)
At 60 this is a big undertaking, but God has really blessed me and I am very happy.So I do have a very full life outside of Brent!
I continue to serve as Chaplain at Brent and i also assist at a small parish in Lawin, San Marcelino some 40 km away.
Although i do feel homesick, I am where God wants me to be right now.
I shall try to write again towards Christmas.
Like Dudley, i do wish others would write …it helps to keep alive the Home as we knew it and to treasure the legacy of gret men like Noel Aldridge,OWL Skey, Mr J.Kerswell, Eric Richardson, Kennedy James Mc Holm and many of the masters who, despite their short comings made us feel proud about being part of our home, with all its imperfections.
Blessings and love in the Lord to you all

Michael Rossouw
Reply
424. Michael Rossouw | November 16, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Sorry folks!
I forgot to mention that I have been in touch with JJ de Jager, an old boy from the late 1950’s and some time teacher of mathematics at Malvern High and later at Kingswood college Grahamstown. JJ also lectured in Psychology at JCE (now the Wits University school of Education)

There are four “Old Rhodians” from St George’s from the 60’s and 70’s:
Nutsy Moore who graduated with a BSc and taught Biology at Port Rex High school ,East london, JJ deJager, BA Hons in Psychology and Mathematics; Deborah Richardson (BA Hons in Psychology and myself with a BSoc. Science in Industrial Sociology and Economic history; Three Old Boys and one headmaster’s daughter, all roughly from the same era.

JJ is now holidaying with a friend Charles from Rhodes in New Zealand. He hopes to be back in RSA after Christmas.
He has been in touch with Debby who now lives in NewZealand. JJ can be contacted at until his return to RSA.
Canon Eric Richardson is still alive and now 98!
After he retired from the home, he was chaplain at St Peters school for a number of years. He is frail but quite alert but at times he gets forgetful or muddled. What a truly wonderful man. Like many, I hold him the highest esteem.
Blessings to you all
Michael Rossouw
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425. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | November 17, 2010 at 4:47 am

Greetings Father Michael … well come back and a big Congratulations on your betrothal … what a surprise! Always a pleasure to hear your ‘voice’ again… always full of news and information and for which I for one am grateful.

News of your travels in S.A. and the status of what remains of St. George’s Home in the new school is much appreciated and I sincerely hope that your suggestions regarding the portraits of ex-heads does occur. The bricks and morter may now count for much … but they do house our memories and hopefully … some images.

JJ De Jager was head boy, my first year in 1955 and if I recall, he had two brothers, one named Gert. Nutsy Moore was my contemporary and classmate. I never met Deborah as Richardson only came the year after I left in mid-1959 Neverthless, I salute you all.

I guess the world is okay again… now that a ‘voice’ has been heard.
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426. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | December 14, 2010 at 9:03 pm

It’s that time of year again … when the weather, the season and the attraction of family ad friend conspire to draw us all inwards to familiar rituals and fortifications, to relationships, memories and reflection.

One more beacon of light from our circle has passed this way and has now gone on ahead. Adios Beebop, Faretheewell … ‘tiil once more – summer comes along and we join you in the meadows of your contentment.

As the year winds down, it is a good time to think of friends and family and those neglected moments when we failed to let them know we love them. Now is that time to make up for it.

Merry Christmas every one, may the good Lord and good spirits be part of your Holy days.

Dudley Pringle
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427. Michael Rossouw | December 15, 2010 at 5:29 am

Hello Everyone and Greetings to you all at this Special time of year.
I was hoping to write a little earlier, but this time of year for teachers is extremely hectic.
Coupled with the duties of being the school chaplain, as well as having to assist as a priest to a small parish…. well it takes me a little longer than it used to do to get things done.

As I put up the Christmas decorations with my 3 year old daughter last weekend, I was thinking about what used to happen at Christmas time at St George’s.

I well remember the House “Splashes” we used to have; a Christmas party to beat all parties. It was a time when the housemasters and their wives (the few who were married) went to great lengths to give us a Christmas party that was really something to remember.
As the years went on , however, the tradition seemed to die.

TWO memorable “Splashes” I remember was when I was in Beaton House as a junior and one in Taylor house as a senior. The one was organized by David “Tubby Laughton. We were all taken to a restaurant in town called the Del Monica and treated to a meal which introduced us to the formalities and niceties which go along with dining at a formal dinner.A real treat it was.
The other was one in my first year as a “new boy” in Taylor House.
Allan “Budgie” Burgess and his dear wife , whose name escapes me now, organized it.
(Allan was also one of the Maths masters at Malvern who later became headmaster of Rand Park high School.)A lavish affair it was with a home cooked meal by Mrs Burgess, along with some really great presents.

Whilst the Ma’s in the kitchen did their best for us, and kept us well fed, “Splash” was always different.
I’m not sure what the origins of “Splash” were ; perhaps someone can enlighten me. I was one of the boys who came to the Home at a time of transition ( for the better , one hopes!) and was never part of what the old Home was.
The end of the year at the Home always seemed to be a time of “Busy-ness” from November to early December. The Annual Inspection and Memorial Service , School Exams, the house Splashes, the “sessions” in the hall (when the girls from Malvern , St Mary’s, JCH and the neighborhood visited “our home” and became part of “our world.)The festival of Lessons and Carols in the chapel ( This was also an event which at times had ‘standing room only”. The outings with the choir in Brian Gannon’s time in particular were quite something, the home’s Chapel choir always being asked to perform at some pre Christmas event or other; all of this seemed an eternity but yet went by in short time.
The end of term awards and Honors parade and of course the hours spent for the last formal house inspection before we could go on holiday for Christmas; all of these events had an air of excitement and expectation about them.

I guess that’s why for me , Advent and Christmas are still my favorite seasons, with of course the exception of Easter.

These days,instead of cleaning the brass on the windows of my dorm in Beaton house, I help now to clean the brass in the Cathedral.
“Splashes” now take the form of being with the ELC kids at their Christmas party. The “sessions” now take the form of the end of term party watching over the seniors.
Yes, the festival of lessons and carols are still there, but this time, I lead the worship as well as participate in it.The music with all its beauty is now from the school choir and orchestra, so its a little more arduous in a sense because it takes weeks of preparation.(A few choir or hymn practices like we had with “Beebop” just aren’t enough.)
Here in the Philippines Christmas starts in September and builds up until the New year followed by the Chinese New year soon after.
In all this “busy-ness”, all to often we miss the meaning of this season, namely the coming of our savior. In the tinsel,gift wrap and ‘trimmings’ all enjoyable and fun as they are, we sometimes fail to get the real gift, namely, Immanuel, God with us.

My prayer for you all is that the Prince of Peace will be with you and your loved one’s this Christmas.

In a world which has seemingly gone bananas, it is my sincere hope that we will all remember the REAL reason why we celebrate at this time.

As boys in the Home we have many memories, some we’d rather forget.
Remember that Peace begins with each one of us in our interactions with one another.The gift of the Saviour is the gift that goes on…So may God Bless you all at this time.

Yours sincerely

Fr.Michael Rossouw
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- 428. Allan Chrystal | December 17, 2010 at 1:58 am
  
  Hello DC, Michael and all.
  You speak of a St Georges Home of which I am not familiar. To swipe Bobby Jones’ quote of Nicklaus’ golf game.
  I was a year in Simpson House (1948) with Mr Harper and a year in Beaton with Mr Capener. I can’t recall a Splash at either one. In the 3 years at Taylor House I do remember two with Mr Robson. In both cases we were given 5 or six cup cakes. Some were topped with icing and others raisins or chocolate chips. I don’t recall any pop or lemon-aid but there may have been some. No candy. Not that we didn’t look forward to it as it was considered a treat.
  The Home had a old dark green van, maybe a Chevy or a Ford. It had no side windows but one on each door at the back. It must have been a late forties model. There were two wooden benches set lengthwise in the back. I guess 10 or 12 small boys could be stuffed in the back. Taylor House had 4 dorms of 20 boys. They couldn’t easily transport many boys anywhere. And they never did.
  Obviously there was great changes from the early 1950’s on. Probably after Mr Short left. I was about to turn 16 after I left St Georges. Passed Std 9 at Germiston High. There was pressure to change my mind but I wanted out. I played hooky on the last day of school and Mr Short caught me. Four or 5 cuts was my goodbye present.
  It is good news that those who came later had a better time than I did, happier experiences.
  I often wonder where I would have ended up if I didn’t go to Goggies. How much if anything did Goggies figure in what I consider a reasonably successful middle class career? Maybe more than I would admit. A high school drop out that spent the last 22 years of the 28 at Canadian Airlines, working as the maintenance technician and programmer of their automatic testing equipment. Those testers checked out the “black Boxes”, the auto pilots, flight management computers for 747s, 737, and 767’s, DC 10’s. Sometimes I wonder how I did it. Was Goggies a spring board or was I trying to get as far away as I could? I somehow suspect the former but maybe both.
  Merry Christmas to all, a prosperous new year and good health.
  
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
  - 429. Donald Sanderson-Smith | October 11, 2011 at 1:17 pm
    
    Dear Allan,
    Just by chance i found this site,how interesting i also feel that the St Georges that is talked about is different to the one that i was at,so much for that.My brother,Hylton,and myself,Donald, were there from 1945 to1949,one year in Simpson house under harper,and the rest in Beaton,under Mr.Capener (Fluffy).I would like to get in touch with you via e mail.O by the way my surname is Sanderson-Smith,and was known as Shortie,as i was the smallest boy there.My e mail address is donoss@netactive .co.za
    
    cheers Donald
  - 430. Allan Chrystal. | October 11, 2011 at 4:27 pm
    
    Jumpin’ Josephat! Lordy what a surprise Donald. Kanjani wena, hoe gaan dit Boetie? I lost track of you after I left Goggies. You and Hylton (AKA Fanny 😉 ) had left for Rhodesia. You worked on the railways up there. I will never forget those Rhodesian ten shilling notes you used to mail to me every once in awhile. Mega bucks in those days and the most pocket money I ever got. Our desks were next to each other at the back of the class at Germiston high. You may be a bit older than me so have the title as the oldest SGH poster.
    I hit 75 in January and as time flies it seems like next week.
    My email is ajxtal@gmail.com
    I will email you.
    Take care
    Allan Chrystal
431. OldBoy | December 20, 2010 at 2:10 pm

Peter Koekermoer, Leslie de Klerk, Tiny Spray, Brian Spray, Michael Spray, Barry Campbell, Michael Campbell, Anamond van Eerden, Anthony van Eerden, Milton van Eerden, Vernon van Eerden, Christie ter Blanche, Freddy Bergsteedt, Richard Bergsteedt, Gavin Ternent, Trevor Ternent, Lionel Crole, Neville Crole, Timothy Kemertgoglu, Kevin Egling, Malcolm Egling, Leonard Ross, Michael McMillan, Dudley Purdey, John Barrett, Karley Graetz, Rolf Maier, Trevor Stringer, Errol Peace, Raymond van der Berg, Athol Sehanie, Benny Randall, John Smith, Owen Thomas, David Penprase, Kevin Stafford, Robert Knowles, Michael Knowles, Colin Venter, Trevor Peterson, Adrian Swanson, Paul Courtney, Freddy Stopforth, Humphrey Parker, Arthur de Kok, Graham Whittle.

George Paphitis, Martin du Plessis, Leslie du Plessis, Derek Close, Jonah Herbst, Michael Roussow, Desmond Roussow, William Ford, Bobby Dehrman, William Grizzel, Gavin Bristow, Paul de Lange, Trevor van Reenen, Robin Putter, Eric Gilliam, Michael Maddox, Billy Moore, John Stewart, Teddy Kourie, Andre van Zyl,

George Stanley, John Cloete, Albert de Jager, Tommy Geddes, Nutsy Moore, George Wilson, Rupert Scott, Brian van Loggenburg, Michael Hendriks, Paul Hendriks, David Watt, Michael Hillier,
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- 432. leslie duplessis | December 20, 2010 at 7:42 pm
  
  Hello Old Boy, whoever you are.
  
  Boy, do those names fill in some gaps and bring back some memories. What year is that list from?
  Take a look at the photo of Beaton House in the early 60’s that I posted.
  (Top of this page on the right side, scroll to Recent Posts-Photo Albums.)
  
  Maybe you can help me fit some of those names to the faces.
  
  All the best,
  Les.
  Reply
433. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 1, 2011 at 5:26 am

Happy New Year.

As the night fades and the magic hour approaches, promising as it does every year … that a better year lies ahead … we get ready to toast the New and kiss and hug away the Past … and wish each other: Happy New Year. Have a Nice Day. See you soon … and I wonder how sincere we really are.

Here in ‘Hollywood’ LA, sincerity is distinctly superficial, but this is the dysfunctional family capital of USA, where everybody just a little off center migrates to, to escape the blandness of their origins, so ‘sincerity’ manifests mainly to serve self interest: Have a wonderful day!

It;s a tough time in our many societies spread across the globe at present … very few have escaped the crunch of the past two years … and those who have, may yet succumb to the crisis still ahead of us … for it is long not over. We ex-boys of St. George’s in one respect, are psychologically better equipped to deal with this economic morass than most … for we negotiated through poverty for years, so many years ago and know it’s pathos.

However, the balance of the universe (yin and yang), informs us that nothing is constant and even a bad dream will eventually come to an end. So will this Depression … and in the process paper money may disappear … a new world order may arise, but whatever happens … chaos will be contained and order will emerge and a new economic and financial structure will function.

So, to the idyll of better times ahead, I wish you all: Happy New Year … may peace and health and happiness accompany you through the year 2011, and may love and friendship abide.

Be Full of Hope for without Hope, we cannot Be.
Be Full of Love for without Love … what is life?
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434. Allan Chrystal | January 1, 2011 at 7:55 am

Cheers DC and all.
It is 5 minutes to 12 here on the West Coast of Canada. I will refill my glass and toast all the ‘Homeboys” still standing.
We made it to another one. Hopefully many prosperous years to come.
All the best to you and your family DC. Also thinking of Tedd Tree up there in the hinterland.
Cheers!
Allan Chrystal.
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435. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 6, 2011 at 7:09 am

Interspersed throughout this blog, there are several personal emails, but finding them means a lot of back tracking. Finding one or two is not so bad but looking for several is just toooo much reading through too many past writs … so, if any of you would like to receive an email copy of a most beautiful story of Saint Issa, which came my way recently please email me direct at my email address above or preferably: dclesliep@gmail.com.

I can promise you all that it is very rare, that such clarity of truth finds its way into out consciousness. It is a translation of the original Tibetan tale of the ‘Lost Years of Jesus’ – 13 to 33..

DC.
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436. Simon Parr | January 12, 2011 at 11:47 am

I have thought long and hard about whether to contribute to the site, having only found it a couple of days ago, and what an unsettling few days it has been. Part of this deliberation was deciding if contributing would exocise the SGH demon or make it worse, on balance, I am hoping for the former, so here goes.

My name is Simon Parr, and along with my three younger brothers Guy , Nigel and Adam, were all in SGH from late 1970 to late 1971. I was fourteen at the time, and was in Smuts House under JJ De Jager`s regime, and my brothers were ten, eight, and five respectively, and ended up unfortunately in Beaton House of horrors.

Our family emigrated to SA in 1968, as my fathers profession as a phyasist was in demand, and having had a completely stable and loving upbringing to this point. My parents then had some problems, and this resulted in a very short space of time with my father effectively abandoning us all., leaving my mother with four children and no income, and therefore, no home ( they do say there is a fine line between genius, and madness, and he must have crossed the line ) To this day, we have never heard from him. I mention all the above merely to illustrate the context in which we suddenly found ourselves in SGH, whilst my mother started the task of getting work to pay for our individual return to the UK.

Having read most of the posts, I can completely understand the differing views of all contributors, and that many old boys have fond memories of the place, and got good things out of being there. Unfortunately, I was not one of them, and was shocked to the core to be thrown into this intense maelstrom of Victorian type discipline, as well as the emotional and physical violence. God knows what my younger bothers went through with Richardson, in truth I have always tried to block it out, but it is always there, especially as I was unable to protect them. The one shining light during my time at SGH, were the evenings spent together with many other boys in the company of Peter Nicolls the Spackman Housemaster, It felt like the only safe place in the world. If there were any positive aspects that came out of it, maybe it was that the very naïve and innocent fourteen year old left SGH much older than my physical years.

I hope that this does not sound like a rant, and if it does, I apologise, I think it is excellent that this ex SGH community exists, and I would love to hear from anyone who new me at that time. I now live with my wife Angela in rural Lincolnshire and run my own property management business. Thank you for the opportunity to say the things that I never thought I would be able to say.

Kind Regards

Simon Parr

simon.parr@ama-easterncounties.co.uk

Tel 01427 718010
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437. leslie duplessis | January 12, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Simon,

I was at SGH in the mid 60’s, and I agree with you in many ways. Bullying was rife, and the master’s canes were never far from their hands.
But, considering the time and the place, we were lucky to have a roof over our heads, 3 squares a day, medical care, education, and a community of boys in similar circumstances.
I certainly don’t have any misty-eyed nostalgia for SGH, and I have my share of bad memories, but I am grateful that I had a “home” during those years.
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438. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 13, 2011 at 9:08 am

Hear, Hear Leslie.

Shared misery they say, is nevertheless misery … to which I add, Define Misery?

When looking out, through the ‘prism’ bars of St. Goggies … the world outside suffered any and every black skin to greater misery than we ever experienced … inside.

So the definition of misery is relevant.

I empathize with those who still carry scars from those days … whether they be mental., physical or psychological … but they are still scars … not open wounds begging for attention … it’s time to let go of the past and get on with healing and living to the fullest … there is a time clause to life … don’t let it slip away unnoticed while you continue to suffer yesterdays pain..

Welcome back to the family … Simon … you’ve made a start with the healing. Get well, be happy

Dudley.
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439. Simon Parr | January 13, 2011 at 11:25 am

Leslie, and Dudley, thank you both for your replies, and you are, of course, both entirely right. It’s a bit like a cork from a champagne bottle, you never quite know where it will end up, the fingers type the words, but what is written, sometimes is not entirely as you intended it to sound. Anyway, the pressure has been released, and after 40 years, and in a more analytical frame of mind, they are only scars now, but scars sometimes itch, and mine do now and again.

Neither were the scars all due to our collective SGH experience, as outside family issues are just as much to blame, and I`m sure this is true for the majority of old boys. In a strange way, the fact that we knew that we would be there for a relatively short time, before returning to the UK, made the experience more intense, and integration into SGH society more difficult. I don’t have any problem with strict discipline in the right framework, administered fairly and transparently in a caring environment, in fact I think we need a lot more of it in todays society in the UK. However, in SGH the constant fear factor was almost corrosive, and shows that violence perpetrated, causes further violence later on.

Rightly or wrongly, I have never, so far, been able to bring myself to go back to South Africa and visit the home site/ school as it now is, or other places I knew then, but have now decided that the time may be right, and we are planning a visit possibly in late March. I am so pleased that South Africa went through its transition as well as it did, and whilst I know that there are crime, and other problems to solve, I am sure that the world and Africa in particular are a much better place because of it, and I look forward to seeing it again

Kind Regards

Simon Parr
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440. leslie duplessis | January 14, 2011 at 12:10 am

Simon,
Rereading your first post, I see that your circumstances were quite unusual, since you had only been in SA for a couple of years, and I’m guessing you came from a relatively secure middle class environment in Britain. I can still hear the shock you experienced.
I’m glad that you’ve let the cork out of the bottle.i needed to as well. As you say, the scars still itch. I have found that reading the forum has allowed me to reconsider many experiences at SGH, good and bad. I think many, if not all, the boys found those years difficult. And obviously many of us, (who are probably mostly grey-haired now) still have a need to share with others who experienced something similar.
I can say Thank God my 2 brothers and I prospered in life. I hope others did too. As for SGH, I wonder what the alternative would have been without it.

Best regards,
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441. Allan Chrystal | January 14, 2011 at 4:48 am

I believe I prospered in life and to some large extent due to SGH. But we should not gloss over the negatives. DC rightly pointed out that at the time Blacks were worse off. However we were children and the Masters should have realized it. I could never have a 10 year old kid drop his pants and administer several brutal cuts to the bare buttocks. Robson and Short had no compunction. A cuff on the ear would have got the same results 99% of the time. A snap inspection before lunch earned me 3 cuts for dirty hands. An English essay at Germiston High was referred to JB Short by Robson for a whipping. It was generally hyperbole but started off by me being “sent to a concentration camp, commonly known as SGH.” The teacher at Germiston, a Mr Davies gave it a good mark which probably infuriated Short. We did form friendships which substituted for family. In todays world many of the Masters would have been charged with criminal abuse. I’m sure they thought they were doing the right thing. SGH helped and saved many kids from God knows what. But we shouldn’t ignore the abuse and bullying.
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442. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | January 14, 2011 at 5:40 am

The strange thing about all our experiences … despite that we formed close relationships with different ‘buddies’ at different times in our passage through that memorable place … we never really talked about out our suffering to each other … about being lonely or missing a parent or just being and feeling vulnerable.

There was that unwritten, unspoken law of ‘tough guys’ don’t whine to their buddies. So we learned never to speak about them, for whom else was there to talk to about it? Now here, as grown men … we readily hang out our anxieties and pain and can openly cry about the past without masculine embarrassment.. Why is that?

Is it because we needed to ‘get it out’ and so be able to finally let it go and be done with it? I would like to think that forum has helped many of us to finally ‘cry no more’ and for that I am truly grateful.

Without coming to grips with our respective pasts, we forever live in the expectation of compensation for our loss … of childhood, parents or whatever. We’ve had that compensation already … it’s called life – whether you lived it or not.

Sounds to me Simoin that you’re going to be okay and I sincerely hope that the powers that be down there in SA, allow you to revisit your past horror one last time … as I understand that Bishop Bavin School is not too excited about our need to know we can return there to visit our ghosts … even for just a moment.

You might want to check with John Rossouw on that score.
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443. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | February 2, 2011 at 3:14 am

http://www.kurzweil.net/the-human-machine-merger-are-we-headed-for-the-matrix.com

Life Imitating Art.

At school as a young boy … I had trouble retaining information for any length of time. So examines for me were hell … cramming as much information about a subject the night before a test … hoping most of it didn’t seep out during sleep.

I don’t think I was unique in that respect … but my mind was just so busy with so many things at once at that time … that learning school stuff … just seemed like an imposition on my time.

Reading the link above by Kurzweil was especially pleasing however … because according to him, by the year 2040 we will have mind-melded with our computing technology and will be capable of downloading knowledge on stream. In fact, even living other people’s lives in virtually reality experiences will be possible … so real that it will be indistiinguishable from reality.

So … no more pre-examine night uploading required … just download direct in the morning from the Universal Knowledge Base. It’s food for thought … just think … approaching 60, 70 or 80 and still able to learn a new language overnight … or a new profession in a week. Just upload the knowledge on Monday and Voila! A Phd. in Space Engineering on Friday.

Well, it may not be quite so simple … but there is no question that our exponential accumulation of knowledge is leading us to creating intelligent life. It’s funny … we will doubtless achieve that, yet we cannot stop fighting futile self-destructive wars at the same time.

Enjoy the read.
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444. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 8, 2011 at 5:34 am

For a while, I briefly believed that ‘cosa nostre’ (our thing), would evolve into a forum for healthy discussion and the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Today we are witness to yet another tidal wave of change on our planet, the explosion of a conscious awakening, that started in the middle east and is even now, slowly spreading to America and other countries. It is not a revolution of any one religious dogma or political philosophy … it is the long promised battle of the Haves and Have Nots.

Them and Us! The over-indulged elites and the severely underprivaleded middle classes and third world peoples.
It is that clash of Ideals … of Capitalism against Humanism. Free Trade and Globilization against, Freedom of Speech, Religion and collective bargaining (a.k.a. The America Dream in USA.).

On the surface it appears to be politics as usual … but it it is more than that and we should all be discussing it … because it is important … more so now than ever before in history.

Why? Becaiuse the world is in crisis! Is that not obvious? Because there is no guarantee of FOOD tomorrow/. That;s why. And at the end of the day it going to come down to the availability and affordability of FOOD to determine the quality of life … and civil society.

I live in the Richest, the most Powerful countryin the world and briefly, for a little while longer, still the most powerful and wealthiest in history … yet every state is just about bankrupt, every city is hurting, Governors and mayors are trying to slash their budgets, lay off city & government employees to bring down the costs … and you thought this ‘recession’ was over?

Besides the stock market and it’s players … nobody here seriously believes we are coming out of it. Nor will we, for a long time to come if we continue the way we are going. If you read the financial bulletins and blogs … you will hear the rich exhorting the rich to’ get ready to ‘get out of Dodge’ … to have alternative homes in other (stable- sic) countries … carry alt. passports if possible and carry lots of gold & silver in the form of jewelry for quick cash conversion without having to pay import taxes.In other words: Protect Your Wealth.

What happens to Joe Average when the fiat currencies collapse? He doesn’t have gold and silver bullion or coins to trade with. All this is on the table at present.

If Saudi Arabia goes the way of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya … so goes the world. Sunni and Shites will surely finally settle their scores, for the Arabs are more afraid of Iran with a little Nuclear power than they are of Israel will plenty of it.

Why are we not talking about it?

In the meantime, there is an ominous New World Order waiting in the wings to come on stage. Does anyone care?
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445. Michael Rossouw | March 8, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Amen to that! It would seem that this revolution is truly a battle between the “haves” and the “have nots”.
People power first toppled the government of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, however the corruption still goes on. In our own native South Africa, corruption in certain quarters is a way of life. The ANC don’t know how to cover it up. They simply say it’s the product of Apartheid,an excuse which is now wearing very thin in a country where one in five South Africans are now out of work. Mugabe’s Zimbabwe is infinitely worse.
African leaders seem to like being in power and holding onto it , depite the will of the people saying otherwise.
Leaders then broker so called power sharing deals which only favor the sitting incumbant who will not leave! We have seen it in Zimbabwe,Kenya and now being mooted in Sierra Leone.
All the “stuff” happening in Afghanistan, Iraq and other trouble spots in the Middle east is about protecting the economic interests of the rich at the expense of the poor. The whole bloody conflict in these parts is not about weapons of mass distruction, which incidently have never been found; it’s about Oil, black gold, which drives the economies of many western countries.No-one in their right mind can say that the tragic events of 9/11were justified;but we need to ask ourselves how and why these things happened.
Powerful Western governments are now getting exacly what they deserve for propping up these dictatorships in order to serve their own selfish interests.
Both the US constitution and our own South African one state “We the People…” and ‘the people shall govern”
Perhaps this is what’s happening now in the ‘people power ‘ revolutions in the Middle East?
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446. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 9, 2011 at 1:41 am

During the second world war, the Americans were hard pressed to hold onto Guadalcanal and the surrounding islands. It was their last hope to halt the Japanese thrust into the southern Pacific to protect the endangered sea routes to Australiia and South America.

Admiral Yamamoto was the architect of Pearl harbor, Midway and this final putch. He had always been reluctant to go to war with America, for as he put it; It was to awaken a sleeping giant.

Once again a sleeping giant has awakened and now he has no single nationality, no bounds or borders to his dissatisfaction with the status quo and the unquenchable greed of an elite few.

A time of reckoning is come. Boom goes Paris, there goes Marie … or give them bread & liberty! What’s new? This is not France 1790 … this is a world wide decease and the cure sometimes, is far worse than the epidemic.

I know not what lies ahead nor what time table the movement is on … it is moving and draws strength in numbers..Unfortunately, as we all know from a few thousand years of history, that unstoppable forces eventually crash & burn when the numbers get decimated … so it is always unpleasant.. This time the numbers are enormous.

Keep your eyes on the pulse and take care of yourselves. Don’t take sunrise for granted.
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447. Allan Chrystal | March 9, 2011 at 6:51 am

Well in my humble opinion there is no one fix for all the world’s ills. I think the largest problem is over population. Western countries are ” depopulating” with between 1.1 to 1.9 babies per couple. Most have massive immigration to bolster growth etc. Most immigrants are from Muslim countries and have on average over 8 children. In time (~40 years) the host countries will be Islamic. Ethiopia wants to dam the Nile for power generation as does the Sudan and Kenya. Egypt takes about 5/8 of the water and probably won’t tolerate any thing less. A stage for imminent conflict. Resources are getting scarcer.
Second on the list is Radical Islamism. Demographics and political correctness will ensure they triumph eventually.
The have nots in the West differ from the 3rd world have nots. Communism didn’t work because of human nature. Why work hard if government entitlements ensure a comfortable life? Socialism makes more sense than Communism but it too stifles wealth creation. Exorbitant taxes punish wealth creators and high taxes are needed to fund the expanding social programs. Eventually the goose is cooked and the golden eggs taper off. Then there are unions and government unions. The latter have a employer that can print money which they do. The USA spent $223 billion more than they took in in February alone. Russian scientists say a huge asteroid will hit planet Earth in 2036, wiping out most life. Maybe a 2nd term of Obamanomics will speed the process? A balance has to be found between levels of taxation and social programs. Capitalism is what creates wealth and if the have nots destroy it everyone suffers. I have read many articles by Thomas Sowell and can’t recall one I did not agree with.
http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2011/03/08/union_myths/page/full/
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448. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 9, 2011 at 9:44 am

It seems we meet on several plateaus Alan. Welcome back.

Here is where I hope many more ex-homeboys will jump in. Alan makes some valid points above and yes, European, American and even some Asian nations (like Japan) are greying and decreasing in numbers. And yes, they say that by 2030 Holland will be Islamic in numbers. France and Italy pretty close behind and Germany not too long thereafter. England hangs on tenuously to a Christian ethic but Islam breathes on the Thames.

The water problem in the middle-east … endemic to the whole world by the way, is another irritant to sour the future mix and that of course, is going to impact on food production as well.

Radical Islam will remain a problem but it is under the microscope and has been for some time, and a much larger movement of democracy seeking masses, once aroused as it now appears to be getting … will relegate Radical Islam to a side issue of lesser importance. A war between Shites and Sunni’s is more likely to excite the greater world to flame rather than terrorism.

Todate, no system of governance has worked … not even capitalistic democracy. social democracy or liberal democracy included. Neither religious theocracies, dictatorships, communism, socialism , monarchies, autiocratiic republicanism or patriarchal rule have proved any more viable for the human condition.

Why?

Same ole, same ole … human nature, It doesn’t matter who is in charge. Humans are given to greed and envy. If they don;t have the one … they have the other … and for that reason, the system does not matter, as corruption knows no creed or religion. And the super greedy have already stolen the show … while everybody watched … trying to accumulate their share of the pie.

Wise guys since time immemorial have said that there is only one solution and we’ve known it for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Obey the one fundamental law of human ethics: Do all you say you will do and do not egress against another or his property.

If we could just live within the code of that one principle … all other systems and laws will become superfluous … as we will police ourselves.

Their is sufficient wealth for every single soul on this planet. We just don;t like to share it. And so the eternal question will remain:

How much is enough? No, capitalism does not create wealth … it just finances wealth creation. Wealth is created by ideas and the determination of individuals and/or groups to realize them. Stifle ideas … no growth.

Islam and muslim countries have not produced 1% of innovation patents in the past 100 years. Their oil wealth has created nothing, so it is obvious, capital creates zero.

However, if we could adopt a universal ‘tax’ system of free and even contribution by everyone, corporate or private … for the benefit of the whole planet. the perfect worlds our artists and visionaries dream of, would become an instant reality.

Free education from kindergarten through University.
Free Medical aid and complete health coverage to the grave.
Free Internet, for everyone.

Are all possible …, when we stop allowing special interests and corporate cartels to get away with unlimited tax deductions and off shore banking. The ‘have nots’ are the doves and the ‘haves’ are the hawks … and in the pecking order of the carrion … the hawks are the big cheese.

The elites, in other words, are stealing what little the doves get, right out of their mouths. And it is the doves, that are creating the ‘food’ the hawks are stealing. Not the other way around. Small businesses with small ideas are what create work … not capitalists. Capitalists are not interested in work … just profit.

Ayn Rand’s second novel., Atlas Shrugged has just recently been filmed and the esoteric question; Who is John Galt? – is once again being heard. Rand’s ultimate capitalists however, are not to be confused with the wolves and hawks and sharks we know today as the International Banking Cartel and Corporate Conglomerates of ‘modern day business a s usual’.

A day of reckoning is coming … that is certain … the question is … are you going to be ready and on which side are you fighting?

So, What’s left?

A world without love … has no future.
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- 449. Allan Chrystal | March 10, 2011 at 7:21 am
  
  Hi DC. I gather you have seen the latest ‘Conversations with Casey’ even though it was originally printed in July 2001. He has an interesting take on Islam and why they have not progressed as fast as the rest of the world. Appears to have predicted 9/11. However I think he does not give enough weight to the threats posed by the terrorists or Fundamentalists as he calls them.
  I see the rich have got way richer despite the depression. Like 25% richer. Ford Motor Co just awarded it’s CEO $56.5 million in shares for 2010. On top of his salary. 2nd on the Totem pole got $42.4 million. Not bad for 1 years work. These types are the extremes and are obscene IMO. However there are no widespread examples of where socialism works for any length of time.
  Sweden may qualify but will they unravel too? Their society is changing at bullet speed. All this stuff is too deep for me so I just go on gut feelings. I figure I may last another 6 years when I will be 80. Not much use planning anything new.
  Al
  Reply
450. Peter de Reuck | March 9, 2011 at 2:46 pm

A big hello to all old boys ….been away for a while, how are you all?……love to chat
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- 451. Allan Chrystal | March 10, 2011 at 7:34 am
  
  Hey Peter.
  I was at Goggies the same time as you. Simpson House in 1948 then Beaton and finally Taylor House. I don’t recall you but then I only remember about 20 guys and only 10 by name. You mentioned Bernard Hampson (the runner) in a earlier post. How about Edwin James and Dennis McLaughlin? Two that just popped into my head. They had elder brothers. Remember Lofty Higgins the 6’6” Band Sergeant Major?
  My best pal was Donald Sanderson Smith. He and brother Hilton (Fanny Sanderson-Smith) went to Rhodesia.
  God knows what happened to them.
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
  - 452. Donald Sanderson-Smith | October 11, 2011 at 7:35 pm
    
    Dear Allan, this is Donald Sanderson-Smith,again, I continued
    reading the blogg and came across your comment no.442 and realised that you remembered me, I am so glad that we can make contact again. I also found your e-mail address where I will send this message to you too. I am looking forward to your reply. Donald
453. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 12, 2011 at 7:28 am

Go figure … you’ve got ‘X’ amount of years left … (okay, define ‘X’) and you figure that that is it (another indefinable eureka moment), and yes, it’s safer to stay put and watch the goldfish … than to peer into the unknown and see where it leads.

The very fact that there are no ‘actual’ crystal balls that can see into the future, is because if we could, we world never risk anything to advance personal experience … and that,would make both us and the world in general, very dull.

We spend so much of our lives trying to ‘get ahead’, to climb up just one more notch on the social scale … which in reality, is merely an increment in earnings ,,, not necessarily in culture … that we never really fulfill the longings of our spirit and that is to be free … to explore and learn and grow … outside the rigid requirements of a hierarchical system.

Life is finite. You’ve got no idea what your due date is. So live like today is the last day … tomorrow you check out … that’s a given. Not tomorrow per se, but at any given moment your number could be up. ‘Come in Car 54’.

If you have got nothing better to do … think about one of those youthful dreams that you never realized … a passion unfullfiilled. Then get up and get it together – and go out and do it. Tomorrow maybe too late. You only get one shot to live any moment. Choose the moments.

When life ceases to challenge you … you have ceased to challenge life. Don’t let it slip away, you can only live it once or you can merely occupy a n empty shell of genealogical DNA. And that, is as dull as putty.

Get up, get out and shine. This is the last cycle of the world we know.
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454. Allan Chrystal | March 12, 2011 at 8:00 pm

It just so happened while contemplating your thoughts in the email on the same lines I came across similar ideas which I will paste here:
“LIFE IS NOW
By Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
Many people live in the past, brooding over bad choices they’d made or someone’s negative behavior to them years ago. Others live in the future, worrying about events that may happen — or may not. Here is the way to achieve lives of joy, courage, love and serenity is to live in the moment, to see the wonders of the present, to feel gratitude for what is happening right this minute. Right now we’re writing our life stories, and we can choose how the script will read. Right now we can put behind us self-doubt, anger, frustration.
Right now, we can choose happiness.
TODAY: Act now the way you wish to be.”

.. and this:

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” Anonymous
You are doing those things DC. However I think happiness is fleeting. It cannot last for for any length of time. Now contentment can and I am content with my lot.
Secure pensions, golf year round although winter months can make it more of an ordeal than fun. I use my performance on the course as an indicia of declining health. Not too scientific but when glucose levels, blood pressure, oldtimers (Alzheimer’s) are factored in it is in the ball park. I must admit that I occasionally get the urge to “explore” but it passes after a glass of red wine and a soak in a hot tub.
Allan Chrystal
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455. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 12, 2011 at 10:54 pm

Ah … crystal cut glasses and red wine .., that’s almost a crystal ball … but sorry, no coconut! Remember the old adage; Bodies in motion are inclined to stay in motion…. but bodies not in motion, don’t go anywhere. hah ha.

But that is the beauty of God’s gift to us … Free Choice. Every man for himself.

Happiness … is neither fleeting nor everlasting … it is an abstract and thus a state of mind … it lasts as long as you are compus mentos and as long as old Alz Heimer hasn’t made a claim on your brain … you can choose to be giddy with it or just visit it occasionally. Contentment on the other hand … can be very short lived. If what happened in Japan yesterday suddenly happened to your state … your contentment would evaporate immediately.

Sorry about the semantics Allan but it’s not about happiness I was talking … it is about living life to the fullest. It’s no use saying I always wanted to bungy jump – when you’re lying on your death bed.

The important thing is health first and everything else follows. Take care of yourselves and don’t overdo it at the barbecue (er, braaivleis). And if you have to base jump … do it now … tomorrow may be too late.
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- 456. Allan Chrystal | March 13, 2011 at 5:28 am
  
  Well DC I have to disagree except for the health comments. We are due for a big earthquake here and have many small tremours daily. 300 years overdue in fact. I have insurance for quakes and don’t worry about tsunamis showing up. 5 miles from the sea and sheltered by Vancouver Island. The house won’t collapse but may get knocked off the foundation.
  Another St Helens blowing it’s top could be more of a hazard. Barring catastrophes one can remain content for years. Living on the edge, climbing mountains or kayaking down the Blue Nile may make some people happy and content, but I dare say more people enjoy home life and golfing 3 times a week. Siegbert Tarrasch said Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy. I suspect Mother Theresa was not really happy spending her life in poverty helping others. But she was probably content to do that.
  Allan Chrystal
  Reply
457. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 13, 2011 at 9:54 am

You’re absolutely right Allan. One can be content for years … I was for the past 10 years too. Then I realized it was boring or at least, I was with it. There was no challenge to my day, to my life. The safe, the familiar and the routine had taken me over and life was comfortably … boring.

And yes, hanging off cliffs is not for everybody … certainly not me with my fear of heights … but I stopped growing and I needed a change. Of course you don’t have to leave home or change your country of domicilium to do that. I obviously needed a real challenge to get me out of my complacency. A new country and a new language and the possibility of landing up on an archaeological dig in the jungle somewhere, really sounds quite appealing after 25 years of over-civilization in USA..

Remember that old Zulu saying: If you never stop dancing, you’ll never get old. So don’t stop the music.
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- 458. Allan Chrystal | March 13, 2011 at 7:33 pm
  
  You will keep us posted during your travels DC? Then there is that old Fanagalo saying ‘Hamba Gashle’.
  Reply
459. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | March 15, 2011 at 3:17 am

‘ Je bo, Hlalagahsle’.
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460. Roland Morgan | April 25, 2011 at 2:48 pm

My name is Roland Morgan and I was at St George’s Home for Boys in Johannesburg from 1953/54 to 1957/58, having previously been at St Martin’s Children’s Home in Durban from 1947/48 to 1952/53. Father Strong was headmaster while I was there, and I was in Spackman House where Bernie Moss was housemaster. Does anybody remember me? My best buddy while I was at SGH was Stewart Pringle, but I lost touch with him after I left.

I am 70 years old now, and moved to the UK in 1964 when I was 23. After 5 years in London, I moved to Edinburgh in Scotland in 1969. I hadn’t been back to SGH from the day I left until a couple of years ago while on holiday in SA with my wife. We visited SGH and I discovered that it had had morphed into Bishop Bavin’s School – what a change! There is obviously more profit in teaching rich people’s kids than in looking after poor people’s kids! The day we visited happened to be an open day and the staff were too busy to pay us much attention, so we had a quick look around and left.

I attended Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh as a mature student in 1969, and graduated with a BSc Degree in Civil Engineering in 1972. I have worked for various civil engineering consultants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and retired last year aged 69. I now live in the village of East Linton, which is 22 miles outside Edinburgh.

If anybody remembers me, I would be very happy to hear from you.

Hamba kahle!

Roland Morgan
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461. Michael Rossouw | April 25, 2011 at 4:10 pm

Dear Roland
Michael Rossouw here.
I am not from your era as I was in the Home under Eric Richardson during the sixties 1961-1967 to be exact.
I have heard your name mentioned in dispatches from older boys who had been in the Home during Tommy Strong’s time, People like JJ de jager and perhaps Nutsy Moore and Tommy Geddes.
I believe he (Strong) was an absolute tyrant! Small wonder many boys from your era left and never darkened the doors of the Home again.
You are right; it is more profitable to take care the sons and daughters of the rich than it is to take care of the poor.
I suspect that in the dying days of the Home when people like the late Ken McHolm, Eric Richardson and others had left into rtirement, the new regime under Barry Lodge never fully appreciated the heritage that was the home as certainly my generation saw it.
Don’t feel alone.Many old boys who have visited what was the home as we knew it, and has now become know as the Bishop Bavin school, “St georges” (to give it it’s proper title) for the rich and famous in the new South Africa are not exactly made to feel welcome either. My brothers were turned away from the school when they went to ask if we could hold my late brother Desmond’s funeral in the Home chapel. “We don’t let people use the Chapel who are not part of the school community ” we were told.
We were then told that the chapel was being renovated.
I visited there recently , about a year a go after my ordination and was not encouraged by those who run the school to say a Thanksgiving Eucharist in the chapel in which I was taught my Christian faith.I feel very angry about that!
Although I was favorably received by the rector (headmaster) I got a ‘bollicking’ for having written to him expressing my disapproval of the manner in which my brothers were treated when we asked to use the Chapel.
The place reeks of snobbery and is a memorial to the founding rector, not to Noel Aldridge the original founder.
They kept the names of the Houses (God knows why) because they changed the names of many other buildings. The Old Gymnasium is now “the Morgan Ellis Centre” after the Rector of the school, The school’s bursary fund bears his name, there are statues of him and photos of him all over the place and as my brother Dave says, it’s all a little “over the top”
I’m not sure if some of these places will be renamed as he has now ‘retired’…
St Georges is now part of an organization called COACH along with other Anglican childrens homes which now are no longer places where the kids stay for a long while. Child care has changed and the emphasis is on rehabilitation and back to ones family as soon as possible; this approach works with the whole family and thus treats the whole family and not just the children.
You may want to contact Dudley Pringle. he writes regularly on this blogg and I believe Stewart is his brother.
His email is
I’m sure he will put you on to Stewart and you can then re establish contact.
Ronald, I hope this has been helpful.
Do keep in touch. We were, no matter from which era, once ‘a band of brothers” in a very unique establishment, which, whilst not ideal and was known for the cruel punishments given by masters and patrol leaders and corporals alike, we will probably never see the likes of again ever.For many of us it was the only real home we knew.
I would rather have seen the Home as we knew it filled with black streetkids from Hillbrow and environs of JHB in the home than the privileged elite which now roam its hallowed walls.When the Home made way for the school none of us, not even guys like Eric Richardson or KJ McHolm were ever consulted.An AGM was called in 1989 I think and we were told what was going to happen . By the time we had the dinner for the 70th Anniversay, the renovations had already started.
Yes there were problems with the Home at that time, dwindling uneconomic numbers and a facility which become more and more difficult to keep going, the fate of many such institutions in the UK as well
Betty Richardson, when I last saw her before she died said to me , “Michael I will never forgive them for the rape of St Georges Home…” Those were probably the last words she said to me before she died.
Ken and Audrey McHolm, Mr Robson, Boots Syams , Bug Capener (I think) are long gone.Many old boys , even from my generation have passed on. Eric Richardson is still alive but now in frail care, and George “half” Adams is still alive.
I have recently made contact with JJ deJager, now also 70 and my math master at Malvern high. he is retired and living in one of the MOTH cottages in RSA, Natal I think?
So we are still around. As my boet David says, “The Home is Dead. Long Live the Home.”
The Home is ourselves and its spirit will only be kept alive by guts like us keeping alive our experiences , good and bad in what was once the finest institution of its kind in the country.
You mention you were at St martins in Durban? I’m not sure if they closed down as well, as did St John’s hostel in Cape Town.St MAry’s and JCH are I beleive still running but are also following different models of Child care..
Hope you do manage to get hold of Stewart.
‘Sincerely

Fr Michael Rossouw ( Chaplain, Brent Int’l school ,Philippines)
(#T95,SGH 1961-67)
Reply
462. Roland Morgan | April 25, 2011 at 6:54 pm

Hi Michael

Thank you for your quick response. Yes, I do remember JJ de Jager – he was a year ahead of me at SGH but his brother Gert de Jager was in my year – and also Nutsy Moore who was a year behind me. Another pal of mine was Claude Naude. I wonder if anybody knows what has happened to him?

I must admit that all the time that I was at SGH I felt as if I was serving a sentence for a crime that I hadn’t comitted. I don’t have any fond memories of it, possibly other than when we were let of the leash at the annual camping holiday trip to Umtwalumi Beach. In particular, I hated Father Strong, he was a sadist, and in today’s day and age he would be prosecuted for child abuse. (No, I must correct myself, I do have one fond memory of SGH – it was of Pa and Ma Robson walking arm in arm across the quadrangle. I remember thinking that that was what life should be like).

My brother Dudley Morgan, who is three years younger than me, was also at St Martin’s and SGH with me. He was initially in Beaton House, and then spent six months in Spackman House in 1954 before being sent to Queenstown Presbyterian Children’s Home where my half sister Liz Thomson had been sent. QPCH saw both my brother and sister through university. My brother Dudley went on to get a PhD in Civil Engineering and became the president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and is one of the world’s leading authorities on concrete technology, and lives in Vancouver Canada and has recently retired. My half sister Liz became a doctor and is now Director General of Medicins sans Frontieres for Southern Africa based in Johannesburg. For my part, when I left SGH I was given a new suit and £25 and was put out in the street, and I was required to pay back the £25 back within six months of having left SGH. I eventually did manage to get to university, as a mature student at the age of 28. I feel that my time at SGH cost me ten years of my life.

Well, once again, thanks for your quick response. I hope that somebody who remembers me will make contact. I’ll watch this space.

Best wishes .

Roland Morgan
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- 463. Keith Watson | June 1, 2011 at 5:35 am
  
  Hi Roland,
  Dont know if you remember me as I went to St. Martins in Durbs and also landed up at St Georges.Dudley and I were approx the same age and we both went to Mansfield Junior.We were very competitive as youngsters growing up and also in the choir at St.
  Martins.I was also good friends with Owen Jones. I’M sure you will also remember Errol Dicks &Timothy Northwood as well as Arthur &Leslie Pritchard., Does all this ring a bell.Please reply by email .Would love to hear from you
  Regards
  Reply
464. Kevin Hawes | April 25, 2011 at 7:13 pm

happy easter to all of you, and hope St George on 23/04/2011 was great day.
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- 465. Michael Rossouw | April 26, 2011 at 7:00 am
  
  Good to hear from you Kevin! I think you were at the home in my brother david and john’s time? St George’s day here is usually celebrated by a bunch of boozzy “poms” who go pub crawling through all the bars in Angeles City or Barrio Barretto…both are famous haunts for meeting ladies…if you know what I mean!
  AnywayI stayed put as i had my services to take at Church.
  My regards to John, if indeed he is still with us. I have lost track of so many old boys from my time..
  blessings
  (Fr) Michael Rossouw (Philippines)
  Reply
466. Allan Chrystal | April 25, 2011 at 10:57 pm

Google may yet connect many more Home Boys. Like you Roland I left as soon as possible. Before I turned 16 on Jan 23rd, 1953. I left when you arrived so not much could have changed in the near term. J B Short was the head at the time. Stuart is in Nevada so I alert DC.
Dudley is onto some adventure in South America so he may miss these posts for awhile.
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467. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 26, 2011 at 6:20 am

Hi Roland, (and thanks for the email alert Allan).

What a nice surprise that another carrot-top makes it to these pages. Welcome Roland .. you long string of gnat’s piss, Stuart will be delighted to hear from you, but you wont find him on these pages I’m afraid. He visited here briefly and then threw in the towel. He like I, has little use for extended nostalgia but I have more patience, so I still hang around. I’ll include his email address at the bottom of this comment.

Strangely enough, during my last visit to his high desert ranch in Nevada he mentioned you and as I recall, you were the only real friend of his that I liked. I remember visiting you with him one weekend afternoon in Parktown or Parkhurst or Parkview where you were boarding with your ‘foster’ family,. Stuart at the time was staying with the Donaldson’s (our ‘foster’ family) in Parkview across the road from the Zoolake. I was still in Goggies at the time and was out for my one day ‘off”.

I remember your younger brother Dudley of course … my name sake … and like you, tall and thin and redheaded. Congratulations to all three Morgans by the way … on your collective success at the learning tree. Neither Stuart nor I followed up with University (much to my regret now).

Stuart had a long and varied career as a photogrametrical engineer (map making) and movie maker and then went onto a Za-Zen in Japan and became a buddhist monk and philosopher. For a while he spent time debating apartheid and colonialism on American campuses when he first came here 35 years ago. After nearly 45 years of a spiritual exploration, he moved to the desert and completed his opus: Psyche-Genetics … The Origin of Consciousness … although he prefers the by-line: The Metaphysical Imperative of Human Evolution.

I might add that I believe he believes that when he last saw you, you were pissed off at him for some reason.. After all these years ha ha.

Note that his name is Stuart … not Stewart. email: pringles@globalstewardship.org

Be well old timer … although I find it strange to think of any of us being retired … the times they are a changing and we are getting older … I just find it hard to let go of being 26. Maybe next year.
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468. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 26, 2011 at 4:29 pm

For Roland Morgan:

In case of error, Stuart’s email is: pringle@globalstewardship.com not pringle(s).
Reply
469. Roland Morgan | April 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm

For Dudley Pringle

I tried ‘pringles’ with ‘.org’ and haven’t as yet had a reply. I’ll try ‘pringle’ with ‘.com’ and see what happens.

Cheers.

Roland
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470. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 26, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Roland,

Stick to pringle@globalstewardship.org … not pringle(s). That’s his correct email address. He’ll doubtless respond shortly. Could be that he is away from base at present. He has 7 kids and several are living and studying away from the ranch at this timet. He could be out visiting. My error again above with the .com. Sorry.
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- 471. Roland Morgan | April 27, 2011 at 8:14 am
  
  For Dudley Pringle
  
  Thanks for that – I’ll have another go. I’ll be relieved when I eventually do make contact Stuart. When I was working in Botswana 20 years ago I phoned SGH and asked if they knew of Stuart’s whereabouts. The chap who answered said that he knew of him, but that last that he had heard was that Stuart had been killed and eaten by a crocodile while poaching crocodiles in Zululand. It is good to know that he is still alive and kicking!
  
  Cheers.
  
  Roland
  Reply
472. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | April 28, 2011 at 6:36 am

If I was a crocodile,
In the Limpopo or the NIle
and Stuart Pringle stepped into the water …
I’d emigrate or take off for other quarters
Like the Okavango … or the Everglades,
The Amazon or Downunder
Anywhere I can dodge the thunder …
of his sawed-off .303.

He took me with him once. Spent three days on the Limpopo and shook in my boots, pitch black water up to the chest in a pitch black night and no moon. Stuart up front with the lantern wan the sight nipple painted white on a short-barreled .303

I’m behind, pulling a dingy and holding onto a long pole gaff. The process starts with scouting out the river during the day to spot where they hang out. Then at night, in the water you sweep the lantern up and down the water until two red eyes pop up somewhere. Then immediately raise the beam, so that only the bay of the light holds the eyes in sight and you move as smoothly and silently, but also as quickly as you can, to get up front and shoot him from three to four feet square between the eyes. By the time you’re 10 feet away you can tell if his size justifies the kill for skin … or not.

If you make too much noise and if the lamps swings too wildly about you spook the croc and he simply goes under. The rule is; the croc takes off away from you, as what he experiences, is a singular shock wave of enormous size coming from the combination of two bodies in the water and the dingy attached.
So whatever you are, he knows you;’re ‘bigger’ than him and is supposedly too ‘afraid’ to move.

That’s the theory at least … but when you’re in that black water and things are swirling around your ankles … like eels and small fish … or who knows what … you have to convince yourself that the croc is more afraid than you are and is definitely taking off in the opposite direction.

Well, I was never convinced and I think my brother had more problems with me and my yelps of fear every time something touch my legs, than he did with the crocs when it came to being in the water.

You know my brother, he’s fearless of everything and as you might recall. was a big fan of Hemmingway and in a way, is much like him. … only, he is very much alive and kicking and still likes a good fight at 70 years of age. You may recall the infamous Joseph Parker fight when Stuart took on the bigger, older Parker and to everyone’s surprise … took him a apart in minutes.

Although I have e-mailed him of your appearance on these pages and that you’re looking to contact him .. I too have not had a response. But he’ll pop up soon enough.

Did you ever run into Horse Wiltshire in England? The last time I saw hi was in ’66 in Earl’s Court. he was working as an airplane mechanic for BOAC.

Well welcome ‘home’ Roland, it’s nice to know you’re still around, retired or not.

Dudley.
Reply
473. Roland Morgan | April 28, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Hi Dudley

Got an e-mail from Stuart last night. So the report of his crocodile poaching was true, but the report of his death was greatly exaggerated. He is still alive and kicking. He said ‘a lot of water has passed under a thousand bridges. So let’s talk’. Which I intend to do.

Regarding the Joseph Parker fight, I have no recollection of it, and regarding Horse Wiltshire, no, I was in London from 1964 to 1969 but never came across him. In fact, other than Stuart who I saw 2 or 3 times before I left SA for the UK, I have not met one fellow home boy since I left Goggies.

Keep in touch.

Roland
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474. Allan Chrystal | April 28, 2011 at 3:06 pm

Talking of airplane mechanics a name popped into my head. Roland Groome. I forget the details but there was some buzz at Goggies about him wanting to be a pilot because of his love for flying. I have a feeling it was a blurb in the Rand Daily Mail.
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475. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 8, 2011 at 8:46 am

For Fight Fans & Fancy Dancers

I got invited by a buddy from Golder’s Green (a predominantly middle-class jewish suburb outside London), to come over to his house to watch the Pachaio/Mosley fight tonight on HBO. So six- pack in hand, I presented myself at his door just before 8.00pm.

He had three friends there, childhood buddies in GG and who had been so for the past 40 to 50 odd years. English humor amongst interesting characters, good beer and delivered pizzas and the fight was on.

No, I’m not going to recite the choreography of the battle save to say that it was one-sided. Pachaio dominated every round in a mostly cautious and defensive delivery. Mosely’s famous right hand was nowhere to be seen, he just could not pull the trigger and fire it off.

That’s the fight … action enough but not a fight anyone is going to talk about as great. What really caught my attention however, was the packaging of the entire event. It was electric, magna dynamic and vulgar. Everywhere you looked you could see the splash of Corporate Control … advertising media was everywhere and the light and sound show that preceded the fight was a Rolling Stones concert on steroids … of course someone has to pay those twenty and five million dollar purses.

The pizzas were good, followed by a choice of six tubs of ice cream … this is a bunch of senior citizens mind you, so it goes with the territory. Then came the surprise.

We’re watching on a 62 inch flat screen with a Bosely surround sound, 5 speakers and a 120watt sub-woofer and Madison Square Gardens …. and … a Lady Gaga concert. Blew me away. I’ve never bothered to look her up on Youtube and certainly have never attended one of her concerts … so I was exposed to her for the first time and all I can say I now understand the mania … Madonna 2000 on hyper-drive!

So, if you senior citizens need a little boost … never mind 5 Hour Energy drinks … take a look at Lady Gaga and a feast of artistry in presence, music, choreography, decor,staging and of course, lighting and projection … it was quite incredible! She’ll get you to pull up to her bumper … no kidding.

Enjoy and hope you got to see the fight,
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476. Michael Rossouw | May 8, 2011 at 9:57 am

I watched the fight because the whole of the Philippines comes to a standstill when ‘the Pacman’ fights.
It reminded me very much of the Boxing Tournaments the Home used to host in the gym and the hall when we were kids.
My young brother Des was beaten to a pulp by some bloke from the South in JHB for the Transvaal schools title for his agegroup and weight.My brother was 12 at the time.
My poor Mother was quite distraught watching her little boy being hammered by some bloke twice his size and yet in the same division. I never really watched Boxing again after that, as I’m sure the fight did some damage to him mentally. Years laterI sis smmon up th courage and I did watch Clint Eastward’s “Million Dollar baby” with much interest.
So ‘the Pacman’ (who is a member of Congress here in the Philippines and whose children attend our school in Manila) has triumphed again. I am happy for him. The millions he will earn from the fight however will not help him or the Philippine economy in his work in Congress to make things better for the Philippine people. He is a member of the working class and his roots are amongst the poorer citizens.Were he to run for president he would get a sizable slice of the vote, but like Estrada et al, he may not have the experience to lead in Government. (Estrada was a matinee idol who made the presidency but was ousted by Arroyo and later pardoned by her on corruption charges.) Mannie is not like that, but we do need more “doers” in the Congress and Senate here , not just “talkers”
On another note I watched a short documentary on the life of Muhammed Ali (Formerly Cassius Clay).Many memories flooded through my brain as I remembered how as young boys we crowded around a small transistor radio and the dormitory speaker to listen to the fight.
We were so far away from the US but the winner of such a fight was very important to us at the time.
Boxing at the home stopped in my final year. The last homeboy to receive Full Boxing colours at the Home was a lad named Richard Maxton in 1966. Soccer, cricket , Athletics and Swimming were up to then the only sports that were acknowledged for full colours. I believe Richard’s award was the firt and last to be given in the home’s history.Perhaps someone can update me? Blessings to you all
Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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477. Allan Chrystal | May 8, 2011 at 6:48 pm

Listening to the radio fights was a big deal in those days. Eric Boone, Johnny Ralph, Bruce Woodcock, Boonzaier (?) and Jimmy Toweel.
My 2 fight boxing career ended after Rory Muldoon floored me. I can still see that green light flashing on my way to the deck. I think Mr Harper was the referee.
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478. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 8, 2011 at 10:53 pm

Nothing like a fight to get folks talking again. I figured you’d be watching Michael, as the Pacman is indeed treated like a god in the Philippines. I can’t speak for his merits as a potential President or even as a congressman … but the man certainly has all the qualifications of a great champion. Humility, power and skill darned good business sense despite no education and a philanthropist’s intent. Definitely a hero of the people and deservedly so.

What was interesting about the event, was that almost every American was rooting for Pacman. Mosely, who was always popular as a champion for some 17/18 years … just did not garner much support from the packed stadium last night. So the Pacman is popular here too in the American tradition of worshipping and idolizing heros.

Your mention of Muhammad Ali reminded me of my own experience with him … no, not in a fight of course … but nevertheless in the ring. I left South Africa and the continent of Africa for the first in my life on Sept 21, 1966. I was heading to Sweden to join a couple of Australian friends in Malmo for a brief stay before heading over to England.

I got a cheap flight with a charter airline … Laker Air (the English cricketer) out of Lorenzo Marques to Zurich, Switzerland for R190.- On arrival I immediately got out of town and hitch-hiked to Frankfurt Am Main via Freiborg on the Swiss border.

2 years before, I had left the BSAP in Rhodesia but kept my membership in the IPA (International Police Association). So directly I arrived in Frankfurt at about 6.30pm on September 22, I made my way to the local State Police offices and flashed my membership badge and asked for directions to the sports stadium where Cassius Clay would be fighting in a half hour. To my surprise a couple of officers not only took me there in their green uniforms and squad car poste haste … but marched me in (no payment for a ticket) and sat me down 3 rows from the ring on a corner with a bunch of other cops off duty.

There I sat, surrounded by police with my ruck sack at my feet when Cassius Clay stepped into the ring about 5 minutes later. He was fighting Carl Mildenberger, the German champion, for a title defense. It was a joke of course … Clay could have ended it any time he chose but let the man put of a show of defense for 12 rounds( for german pride) before he closed the show. It was the first and only time I had ever seen a world champion fight.

Years later, living and working in the West End of London I was picking up a friend from his upstairs offices on Shaftsbury Avenue for a lunchtime theater show. As I headed up the stairs to his door, who should be coming down … nobody less than Muhammad Ali. Now he’s a big man and those stairwells in London are steep and narrow, so there was barely room to pass each other. All I could think to do was suck in my gut, stick out my hand and introduce myself as his biggest fan … no kidding! He was cool about it and when he shook my hand … mine disappeared inside of his.

Less than a year later … under the strangest of circumstances … I found myself in a boxing ring on top of a mountain in Switzerland … fighting an unknown hulk of an American … who, 10 years later, became a major movie star with a boxing movie.
That was my last fight in a ring.

That’s life. I had an uncle who once said to me; if you follow the fights … you’ll find there’s a movie in every story.
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479. Roland Morgan | May 11, 2011 at 3:52 pm

For Dudley Pringle

Hi Dudley
From what you said about visiting a pub in Golders Green, I guess you must be living in London. I’m going down from Edinburgh to London to a Hugh Masekela concert at the Hackney Empire on Sunday 18 June. Do you fancy meeting up somewhere for a pint and a chat?

Roland
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480. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 11, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Solo Quaffing.

Sorry old boy, but you’re on your Todd on that one although I too would love to hear a Masekela concert again. No. I live in Los Angeles, California. My boxing chums just happen to be a bunch of ex-London blokes all located here. In fact there are these clusters of ex-pats from British Isles,South Africa, Australia, Canada and New Zealand all over the place round here. Even have their own pubs … like the Irish’s; Brennens and UK’s; Cock & Bull and The Kings Head.

Enjoy the show . Dudley.
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481. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 11, 2011 at 9:04 pm

Roland,

I meant to add my email address should you want to still have that chat and catchup, on where all the flowers went in the intervening years.

dclesliep@gmail.com
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482. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 11, 2011 at 9:16 pm

Closing the book on Clay/Ali

British Heavyweight champion Henry Cooper died last week at 76 years of age. He fought Cassius Clay before he was champion and knocked him down in the 6th. round … but lost the fight of course. A couple of years later he fought Muhammad Ali, then world champion and went 12 rounds before loosing on a TKO. Cooper was always a bleeder and he took a bloody beating from Ali for all those rounds with blood streaming everywhere, nevertheless, he never quit … his corner stopped the fight.

A great boxer, enormous heart and a quiet and humble guy. That’s what champions are made of. So long Henry Cooper, you were Muhammad’s Ali’s friend and a worthy opponent of a great World Champion.
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483. john rossouw | May 13, 2011 at 10:54 am

Greetings all

I have not posted for around a year due to self imposed exile form the blog for a number of reasons which are mostly personal
Needless to say I too am a great Muhamed Ali fan and I have started studying his life and achievements more closely in recent years
He was a well known ladies man and fathered many children a number of whom were out of wedlock
Needless to say what impressed me the most was the fact he lovs them equally and never once renagued on his parental commitments which is commendable given that many sporting celebrities have tried to duck out of their responsibilities in recent years
I would recommend the documentries “when we were kings” which is the fight in Zaire between Ali and Foreman
Also a must is “Facing Ali” a 2009 documentary which features all his oponenets al of whom but one have nothing but praise for the man
If you want a real tear jereker watch the ESPN Classic highlights which run from time to time of Ali lighting the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 96 where there is not a dry eye in the stadium
Even years later you can feel the raw emotion when you watch him battle up the stairs
Despite his illness he has done remakable work with his foundation and he remains a sporting icon who will be remembered long after he is gone
For info Henry Cooper was knighted by the Queen a few years back and he was the first person to knock Ali down in a fight which Ali still won despite being the underdog and having to face an extremely hostile crowd at Wembly stadium
In the rematch Ali beat Henry to a bloody pulp and despite all this they maintained nothing but the highest regard for one another
I am reminded that these are the sporting values that Makkie tried to instill in us at the home so many years ago
Anyway my regards to you all
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484. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 20, 2011 at 9:19 am

Good Evening from Ungodly News.

We have an update on the projected weather expectations for the EOW* weekend, May 21/22, 2011.

Early Saturday, storm clouds will gather on high. By mid-morning the rumble of the tribulation will be heard fast approaching,
Expect torrents of tears and false confessions, pleadings and cries for redemption.
Prayers, Hail Mary’s and Allah Akbah’s will reverberate around the globe.
A late afternoon rip in the singularity is expected to cause the Rapture to erupt.
Those with a **ticket to ride will be taken-up in a cloud of angels to Heaven Central … and those with reservations to Paradise Isle.
(Touch base with your spiritual leader for departure schedules).

Those without … will need more than an umbrella.
Expect delays and a hot hike on the Highway to Hell.

*End of the World
**A few First Class tickets are still available. Cash only!

Happy Rapture.

From your friendly weatherman: D.C. Leslie-Pringle.

This past week on the news here in the States. there has been a pastor from the Baptist Church predicting that the rapture is going to occur on Saturday, May 21, 2011 (this weekend), so if you have any other plans … you are requested to put them on hold.

He predicted this same event in 1996 and came up short … so he’s trying again. He said he made a mistake in his calculations but that he’s got it right this time … based on the last Great Flood in 4996 B.C.

The weather had been fantastic here in California of late and this weekend really promises to be a golfers dream … pity … it could have been fun. Well … see you in Paradise.

Ooh! I faguttoo order the ticket! Darn … so it’s hotfoot to hell or bust.
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485. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 22, 2011 at 4:41 am

A Survivor’s Lament

I must confess how I lament …
My day of glory that came and went.
What grand delusion the ether affords
So where the heralds and angelic hordes?
Where terra’s wretched torture spent?
No earthquakes, horror nor torment,
Neither tsunami nor tribulation sent …
From heaven’s fiery vaults on high
Oh woe is me, alas alack,
what wretched state I have acquired
Instead of Rapture and a fiery sky
I’ve increased my debt and death’s denied …
Too bad, so sad … my ticket to ride’s expired.

Oh well … another day in Paradise.
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- 486. Allan Chrystal | May 22, 2011 at 5:11 am
  
  Not so fast DC. There is still almost 2 hours before the clock strikes twelve.
  Keep the faith, keep the faith.
  BTW, going cycling in the morning?
  Reply
487. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | May 22, 2011 at 7:32 am

Anthem.

Run out of time .. . done run out of faith
Gave up my house, my car, my worldly place
For a shot at the Rapture and the Saving Grace …
But the Preacher done lied with his calculus
So the tribulation was canceled …
Due to a lack of suicidal enthusiasts.

Note to self: Cancel Rapture T-shirt order.
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488. Peter de Reuck | June 2, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Hi all , how are you?….to Allan Chrystal, Allan , I also was in Simpson house in 1948/’51..thereafter Beaton house ….Left the home in 1955…..We must have crossed paths…A lot of the names you mention do certainly come to mind.
Do now reside in Australia [ Gold coast.]… am 72 years old……..E/Mailaddress peterdereuck@hotmail.com……..God bless.
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- 489. Allan Chrystal | June 3, 2011 at 5:25 am
  
  Hello Peter.
  I can only remember two guys from Simpson House. Edwin James and Dennis McLaughlin. Simpson was for the youngest home boys. Then to Beaton and Taylor House. We must have bumped into each other for sure.
  You must have attended schooling in the classrooms behind the Chapel. When I passed into Std 6 I went to Germiston high. Most went to Malvern High. I’m 74 and at ajxtal@gmail.com.
  My elder brother emigrated to Oz in the early 1970’s. He never went to Goggies and lives in Sydney.
  Take care.
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
490. Peter de Reuck | June 3, 2011 at 2:07 am

@ Roland Morgan…Hi Roland, how are you?…Our paths must have crossed during my stay at ‘Gogies’, Was at the home from 1948 to ’55.., started in Simpson house with Peter harper then to Beaton house under ‘Flossie’ Capener…Head masters during my stay were ‘Jacko’ Short the that man Mr Strong …I do remember so many of the names you mention
..I am 72 years old and reside in Queensland Australia….E/ Mail address…peterdereuck@hotmail.com…….love to hear from you.
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491. Peter de Reuck | June 4, 2011 at 11:42 am

Some random names…Bob. Logan, Thomas Marr, Alan Ruis, Ernest Bher, Harry fisher, Vernon Glibery, lance Fairchild, Roy Glendinning, ”Dutchy’ Holland, Michael De Kock, James White, The Saunders bros. Titch and ?…Charly Bahrens,, Gary Riley, ..
Wow , it’s so good to clear the old cob webs……..
Who remembers the Epworth girls home up the road?….some girls names come to mind, Corine Mc Klintok, Joan and Valery Holland Etc. Better go ..Bye guys.
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492. Burty Lancaster June 5 at 11:30 pm | June 5, 2011 at 9:49 pm

Hi Peter.At 68 years old Im 4 years your junior , and thats a lifetime in relation to the time we spent at the home . Some guys you mite recall from that time . Hymie Sally , Paul Kruger , Freddy Basson and Ross Dunkly , one of the few who beat Dudley Pringle in the ring
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493. Michael Rossouw | June 5, 2011 at 11:26 pm

My Goodness, Burty!
You may not remember me , but i was a ‘cub’ in Beaton house in 1961. Your brother Ronnie was the student officer of the cadets when i was a junior in the band.
Freddy Basson was also a student officer when i was in std 7 and 8.
I think Ross or was it Desmond Dunkley was the bass drummer in the band when I was in “cub” house.
I may not be known to you guys , but you were certainly known to us and were legends (famous or infamous ) in your time!
Paul Kruger was also in the band, I think? but long before my time.
Of course Nutsy Moore and Tommy Geddes were the heroes to us cubs. Nutsy played Soccer for SA Universities and at Rhodes and Tommy , the last time I heard from him, was completing his Doctorate in Adult Literacy studies . That was years ago . I am in regular contact with JJ de Jager, my former maths teacher at Malvern.Tommy taught for a short while at Malvern teaching Biology. I remember as a std 6 student in his class where we were studying the brain. We used a sheep’s brain for the disection! I have always been squeamish about disections ever since! His remark was ‘I hope none of you have sheep brains…’ is one I remember well.
Good to hear from you Burty. Were you not also a buglar in the band under Mr Lombard? (ex housemaster of Spackman house). Quite a charcter renowned for his famous canings; called “the Lombardian slosh!
Some memories of the Home are not happy memories but good to be reminded, nevertheles of the good ones.
I’m now 61, so that will give you some idea of where I fitted in. I was in Beaton House from 1961 to 1963 and then on to Taylor House in 1964. I left in 1967.You guys were all gone by then.
I beleive Freddie Basson went into the banking world in the USA.
Not sure what became of him.I believe Nutsy is retired either in the Western or eastern cape. he spent his career teaching at Port Rex techncal High school as Head of Hostels and Science and then to crown it all, coached rugby at the school. Not bad for a socceroo dont you think?
Blessings
Michael Rossouw (T95 ; SGH 1961-1967)
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494. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 6, 2011 at 4:54 am

HI Burty and Michael,

All those guys you have just mentioned were my time people, my seniors. contemporaries and juniors all. One correction Burty, Ross Dunkley never beat me in the ring … In fact I never lost to anyone in St Goggies in the ring, but did loose a garden fight to Gerhardus Peters at Taylor House one night. Somewhere in the middle of it, I broke the fifth flange in my left thumb … and all I had left was my ineffectual right jab. Peters kicked my ass after that. Years later I had the bone removed but have suffered a semi-crippled hand ever since that fight.

In my weight division btw, there were only five of us; Freddie Oosthuizen, John Urquart, Ross Dunkley, Robert Peters and myself and I fought in the Transvaal Nationals for the weight class not Ross.

Nice to see that you’re visiting again. How’s your brother Ronnie? Can’t you persuade him to log on? Regardless, please convey my regards to him when next you speak.

Dudley Pringle.
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- 495. Allan Chrystal | June 6, 2011 at 3:28 pm
  
  DC.
  I wonder if the Freddie Oosthuizen is the same Oosthuizen I met during national service? I was in the 22nd Field Regiment, SA Irish in Potchefstroom. There were fight nights and a Oosthuizen was a regular. (I can’t recall the first name). A slightly built guy but a dogged fighter. I’d guess his weight was around 140 lbs at the time. He mentioned he had over sixty bouts as a junior.
  Allan Chrystal.
  Reply
496. Peter de Reuck | June 6, 2011 at 8:48 am

Talking on boxing arts……I do so remember the sparing sessions [ Thursday nights] under the late Peter Harper, he would continually stress to us ”’Work the body boys , work the body, then came Laurie Stevens who was such a believer in a probing, educated left jab, …which in later years was vastly improved by the now famous ‘ hook off the jab”…….man oh man, it is so good to reminisc.on those times of yester- year, loved every minute of it…….
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497. Michael Rossouw | June 6, 2011 at 10:46 am

Good to hear all of your stories. Anyone remember kicking “medicine balls” those heavy round shaped things in the Gym?
Boy I hated Gym, probably why I was never physically fit but some how I still got called up for military service.Once basics were over, officers school was really comfortable.
At malvern we had Barry Gerady, Mona Katz , Mr malan who took us for gymn in the Willian Stewart Hall twice a week. It was purgatory for me.
By the time I got to senior school, I just got lost when we had Gym.
I did enjoy watching the Girl’s Gymn team in the sixties who were Southern Transvaal champions. Lindsay Trott, Carol cameron are namesI remember. I shall try to dig out my old school magazines and scan them on the site.
I did however do reasonably well at swimming in the house galas at malvern and Goggies. I found my niche in athletics at long distance running and in the “50 mile walk club” of the Rand Daily mail”s town to town series with Derrick James, my housmaster. Derrick eventually landed up teaching at Waterford school in Swziland. I think he was wanted by the security police because of being invoved in anti Apartheid demos at Wits.
He also co founded St nicolas Home in Newcille, JHb, with Brian Gannon. It was just on the border of Brixton but in the so called “colored ” area; they were in the old coronationville hospital.
I remember volunteering to help get the dorms in shape “ala St Goggies” style the night before the first intake arrived and St Nicolas was opened.Sadly, Brian and Derrick’s stay there there did not last long and the RSA Government had them booted out of their life’s dream; to satrt a Home for boys on the lines of St georges, but without the cadets and Patrol leader/ corporal system.
Now all the anglican homes are part of a body called “COACH” and have made way for of a counselling approach in child care work for kids of all racial groups.The Home as we knew it is no more, but I do believe that by sharing our experiences, good and bad, we all make some sense of what we experienced there.
Please keep on writing; Although I am a product of the Richardson/ Mc Holm era, you guys were all “legends” in your time.It is indeed good for you to tell your stories, for they are our stories as well
Blessings
Michael Rossouw(SGH 1961 to 1967)
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498. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 7, 2011 at 5:10 am

Amen to that. Now if they can just keep it going without relying on just a few to carry the torch.

All of you peekaboos … it’s time to step up to the plate and lay some chat down.

Allan and Peter both listed a bunch of names, some of them from my time some not but amongst them, some true legends, like Harry Fisher, Ernie Behr and James White from the late forties and early fifties.Their exploits on and off the cadet band circuit became the stuff of legend and were carried orally from year to year … but now with this remarkable facility, the internet and a blogsite … we can record them in digital text and in fact … all these stories that are unfolding here and hopefully, also some of your exploits since leaving St. Goggies, will add color to the narrative … and a palette of color to your own individual profiles.

Remember, the history of St. Georges dies with us … I can’t see our kids ever getting together to talk about the olds boys days in St. Goggies. So any story untold … historically, won’t exist after you’re gone. But recorded here, it becomes timeless.

So get to it and make Ma Kirkland proud.

DCLP – 1955 /1959.
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499. Roland Morgan | June 7, 2011 at 8:38 am

For Keith Watson

Hi Keith. Your name is familiar but I can’t quite put a face to it. I have forwarded your blog to my brother Dudley and he says that he will reply. He is just about to move house from Vancouver to Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada, so it may be a wee while before he can get round to it.

Dudley left Goggies in 1955 (56?) when he had finished primary school and went to Queenstown Children’s Home to join our sister Liz who somehow had ended up there. He went on to get a BSc Degree in Civil Engineering at Wits, followed by a MSc at Calgary University, Canada and a PhD at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He married a Canadian girl while he was at Calgary and they moved back to Canada to Vancouver after he had completed his PhD. Dudley’s major interest was concrete technology and he became one of North America’s leading experts in his field. Our sister Liz also went to Wits and studied Medicine and is now Director General of Medicins sans Frontieres for Southern Africa based in Jo’burg. I left Goggies in 1958 and after a very undistinguished career working on various construction sites, the OFS gold mines, etc, I somehow ended up in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1969 (it’s a long story), where I attended Heriot-Watt University and graduated with a BSc Degree in Civil Engineering in 1972. I have had a base in Edinburgh since 1969, and have worked for an international firm of Civil Engineering Consultants on civil engineering infrastructure projects half way round the world, a fair bit of it in the Middle East. I retired last year aged 69 and now live in the village of East Linton, 20 miles outside Edinburgh.

How about you? What has life thrown at you? I look forward to hearing from you.

Roland
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500. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 8, 2011 at 6:46 am

In answer to your question Alan regarding Freddie Oosthuizen. I doubt it was the same chap … although Freddie was slight of build, he was fairly tall and straight-backed. He was the twin brother of Burgie Oosthuizen, who went on to fame and fortune in the fashion business in Cape Town, I hear tell.

Freddie was a reluctant warrior and didn’t care that much for boxing as it turned out and he stopped after he left St. Goggies. I believe he was killed in an accident or died from some other cause which was dramatic. He looked like the original Tarzan, Johnny Weismuller while Burgie looked like the actress Jane Russell with beauty spot to boot.

Burgie and I were close for a while … were also dorm mates in Taylor 3 … until he got involved with a beautiful blond girl at Malvern High … one of three sisters and an equally gorgeous mother. They lived along the road to the home, so he took Freddie and I there to meet the other sisters and the mother one day, only to discover that they were Jehova’s Witnesses – Big Time!

Boy, did they pump that stiff into us … I couldn’t wait to get away … despite how appealing the girls were. I never went back. The single saving grace of that one visit, was that I got to hear the very first time the song; Tom Dooly by the Kingston Trio was broadcast on SABC. I heard the announcement and the song playing in the background as I pretended to be paying attention to the mother. Great tune.

A Year later (my last year) Freddie and Horse Wilshire and I hung together as ‘close buddies’… sharing cigarettes and stolen fruit and whatever other mischief we could get up to. Horse landed up in England as a mechanic with BOAC. And I’ve been a gypsy ever since and about to launch on one last hurrah at the end of summer.

Dudley.
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- 501. Allan Chrystal | June 9, 2011 at 5:27 am
  
  Yup it probably is not the same Oosthuizen DC. His 60 plus amateur fights twigged the possibility. I find everyone’s post SGH life stories quite interesting. Great stuff that many did so well and spread to all corners of the planet. Interesting too is the mention of girls. In my time Mr Short’s daughters (Allison and Janet?) and Mr Robson’s Jennifer were the only ones occasionally seen. High school was all boys as well.
  Ernst Behr was in Spackman and I in Taylor house but we became good friends in Std 6, 7 and 8 at Germiston High. After that he transferred to Malvern while I was left at Germiston. I did visit him once where he was boarding after leaving SGH. That must be the Mrs Napier’s place that others have mentioned. All I remember were 4 beds in a room. He was working as a Learner Official on the gold mines.
  I wonder what has become of him? How will we keep track of you in your South American travels? On this blog?
  Reply
502. Keith Watson | June 8, 2011 at 1:01 pm

Hi Dudley
I think I know the girl you are referring to Lynette Holmes, who lived in Persimmon Street oposite my first landlady when I left the home. My Landlady was a Mrs Napier,whose granddaughter Wendy married Ernie Behr.She looked after a few ex home boys over a period of twenty to thirty years.A dear old soul who really went out of her way to ensure you had at least one square meal a day.You must also remember Ray Styer.I think he went out with Lynettes sister
for a while.Loved his tennis.I think you were also friendly with his younger brother,If you remember Raymond became financial manager at Macro and something happened there,the details of which I’m not sure ,and I never heard what happened to him after that.My storyis a little different.After leaving the home and starting work,I started a rock & roll band.with an American drummer,Pete Bergsman, Ronnie De Klerk,Tony Hendry and myself .We called ourselves The Fugitivesand played all over JoBurg and surrounding areas .Met heaps of musicians,some you will recall.John Kongas,Gene Rockwell,The Staccatos,& Ivor Back Dickie Loader and the blue jeans .Also did some gigs with the Fatar Bros ,Steve & Ricky& Brother Fatar & last but not least Clive Calder
who sold his Company in the States to Sony Bertelsmann for Over A Billion Dollars. Clive Calder was leader of the staccatos in the sixties and another ex homeboy,with golden tonsils,Roger Inns later sang in his band The In Crowd.
with a bass guitarist Eric Reineke who had also done a stint with our band. I was quite friendly with Roger Inns while he was at the home .and remember an incident where he built a toy cart to which he attached a pipe bomb with a jetex
fuse.When he lit the fuse, nothing happened for it seemed ages. and then all of a sudden the bloody thing exploded.Luckily for us no one was injured.Ronnie Lancaster & I were good mates in the home along with Philip Woodward & Tom Bainbridge. In one of your epistles you also mentioned Bryant Foord who was killed while riding an autocyle at night near the home .We had grown up together at St Martins in Durbs before landing up at Goggies. He slept in the next bed to me in the same dormitory in Beaton House.At the time when he died and upon hearing of his deathI can tell you I had a few sleeoless nights wondering if his ghost would appear.I really felt for Mrs. Foord who had been involved as a matron for a while at St. Martins.Some names I recall are the Rosslee brothers,
Peter,Malcolm & Ralph”Inchy” Keyser, Michael Von Breda, Steven Havenga,
Michael Omaha Ross Dunkley and Paul & John Kruger. It would be great if we could hear from them sometime.In closing for the time being,I would like to state
You Cant Change Who You Are And How You Came To Be So You Might As Well Enjoy Your Life While You Can

Regards

Keith Watson
Reply
- 503. Michael Rossouw | June 8, 2011 at 2:17 pm
  
  Dear Keith
  If you remember Roger Inns and Thomas Bainbridge,we may have crossed paths. Both were seniors in Taylor house I think when I was a junior in Beaton House.
  Roger had the most beautiful voice and was in great demand when we had ‘sessions’ in the hall ,and visiting bands came to play for these.He often sang and played with these bands when he was in the Home.
  The St Mary’s and JCH girls and the Malvern girls all used to attend these and I’m sure many have stories to tell about these occasions.
  I understand Roger went into some form of ministry and may well still be in ministry as a pastor.
  His brother John, equally talented in terms of his singing, sang as a bass in the Chapel choir under Brian Gannon.John, I believe, may have passed on, but I’m not entirely sure.He taught me how to swing my tenor drum sticks in the band. John was, in my experience a very gentle guy, but quite strong in physique and likewise , dare i say in character.
  Unlike some leaders in the band in my time, he lead by example and not by bullying.He was a genuine ‘trouper’ and indeed a good musician.
  I think he played in a “Gospel Rock” band himself.
  I remeber Brian Gannon once saying, after John left Goggies and the chapel choir when we were recording for the SABC, “we are missing John Inns”
  Obviously there wasn’t enough resonance in the bass line of the hymns and anthems we were recording.
  
  Gosh, the names you mention bring back many memories.
  I also met Dickie Loader when we toured wth the Communicants. Clive Calder and his later band named ‘Calders collection’ I think, were also a great hit on the music scene.
  Who can ever forget Gene Rockwell’s top hit “Heart” and the amazing sound from the Stacatos. (If you had them play at your matric dance, your school’s event was likely to be gate-crashed by your rival school in the area at that time!) And johnny Kongo and the Gmen: I think I still have one of their seven singles (remember those, the 45 rpm records that relplaced the old 78’s. But if you’d got your music down on wax in the form of a 331/3 LP, you were really destined for fame and fortune, sor so they said.)
  Nicky Buchan, an assitant master in Simpson house also played in a band; I think with a band called “The Buccaneers” He was a drummer. I well remember crowds of ‘cubs’ peering through the only window of the Spackman house cellar when he, John Inns and Malcolm Mc Dermitt and others, whose names I now cannot remember, practised.
  Jimmy Smallshaw was also a drummer. He practiced in the the room next door to the number 3 dorm in Talyor house. Great drumming but a bit nosy, being near the headmaster Eric Richardson’s house! His enthusiasm had to be curtailed somewhat , I believe.
  
  Many of us in the very early sixties took to playing either the guitar or the drums. I well remember my housemaster’s report about my somewhat ‘short lived’ guitar career. In the section marked “Hobbies” Vic Mc Farlane wrote “Guitar. More of a hinderance than a help to his studies” I still play very occasionally now for my students, much to their amusement, given the kind of stuff they listen to. How do you take that headbanging stuff I ask? But then I remember, that’s what my Mom used to say about the Beatles when I played their music on my record player at full volume for all the neighbourhood to hear!
  Sadly Vic Mc Farlane was right. I had to write supplementary exams in Matric and only got my shool leaving certificate , a so called ‘B’ stream matric,long after i’d left the home and the school, ahinderence in terms of office jobs and Teachers training College at the time.I only trained as a teacher 4 years after leaving Malvern.
  My name did go on the Home’s honours board, but only because I was awarded the Richdale trophy. I only passed ‘matric’ at 33 when I took a school course along with my degree at Rhodes, so never had the prestigious “M” after my name with the 1967 Matrics whose names made it onto the honours Board.
  
  Dear Mrs Napier continued to house boys from the home , even in my time at St Georges. Caring souls like her were really a blessing to many old boys who lodged with her. She too may be long gone now? God Bless her.
  
  Guys, it’s really good to hear your stories.
  Keep them coming. As Dudley has said, if we don’t tell our stories, St George’s as we knew it will truly die.
  The Home may be long gone, but it will live on in the stories we tell on this site.
  Thanks Keith for your contribution.
  
  Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
  Reply
504. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 8, 2011 at 11:11 pm

When I saw your name posted earlier Keith Watson, I felt your name was familiar (just like Roland Morgan did) … albeit generic in structure and I can still not put a face to it … but I do remember you now. Your comments lifted a veil on so many forgotten names, events and places that were once so familiar to me. So greetings old soul … suddenly the dirth of homies from my time is beginning to fill in the blanks and the pages of this blog at last.

Allan Crystal, Peter de Reuk and I were beginning to feel like the forgotten ‘older’ generation’ and outsiders with the many changes that took place in Goggies after we all left.

Thank you for that memory … yes, I remember the Holmes family now, and that Raymond Styer also dated one of the older sisters. Raymond was my Patrol Leader for one Year in Taylor House and I must admit, I much admired his quick wit and cricketing skills. I too never heard exactly what happened to him, but it had something to do with fraud in the financial world … he had become an accountant after he left school.

Roger Inns was one of my juniors in dorm 3 Taylor and even then, I was amazed and impressed with his incredible singing voice. Funny how many of us got involved with the music world one way or the other … I say that as I could not sing or whistle a note in tune … but I loved music so much, that years later I had a go at producing three artists in JHB in the early 70’s.

What goes around, comes a round … and just recently in L.A. I was introduced to a Rhodesian, Manfred Jossel … who, it turned out, I knew 45 years ago in Bulawayo. You guessed it, a musician who had a band there called the Stereos and they covered the Beatles and Cliff Richard and The Shadows and they were good, really good. I used to go to a local club bar where they played to dance with his girlfriend ha ha. Later the whole band moved to JHB and kicked it around for a while until they decided to grow-up (as Manfred said) and get a job. He too was a friend of Dickie Loader (who I saw playing in Durban in the early 60’s with The Blue Jeans).

I spent last Saturday with Manfred and his wife and funnily enough … we discussed all those bands and names you have just enumerated above … so you probably know him too. However, in those days (in the 70’s) I hung with Hennie Bekker and Johnny Viljoen at the Branch office. Henny wrote most of the music for Stuart’s films in those days and Johnny composed music for a rock opera I wrote at the time called; Prophecy. Even with my personal relationship with Mark Fine, Head of Decca Records … I couldn’t get it launched. So much for my musical career.

Norman ‘Inchy’ Keyser (also a Taylor boy) served a number of years in the BSAP with me, got married there and became a Black belt Judo expert. Never did find out why he was called ‘Inchy’ … but the mind wanders … or is that wonders?

I have to admit … It would be great to see photographs of all you guys posted on this site … anybody still got short back and sides?

Dudley Pringle.
Reply
505. Peter de Reuck | June 11, 2011 at 7:43 am

Some names from the early 50s……George ,Tony and Alec Reckas, [ a real rough bunch,, not to tangle with..several trips to Norwood reform school and back]……….Gene Eksteen, Edwin Beverly, Robert Pinkney, ………..Here some random memories…..
, Those early mornings as orderly buglar, having to sound the revelli at 6am on bitterly cold mornings……Having four reports or more, to report to ‘Jacko’s tower for cuts…. some would prefer this to extra work on Saturday’s.
One of my favourite offers would be to help Willy the cook peel Goose berry’s., ask yourself why….
Collecting butterflys for ‘Fluffy’ , would reward us with a penny for four, which in turn would buy four nutties from the tuck shop…and so we ramble on …..

…You guys all keep well……..Peter.
Reply
506. Peter de Reuck | June 15, 2011 at 5:38 am

Somehow getting hold of six pence ahd buying *sugar at Solly Kramers or Malvern eastern stores…thereafter , an old jam tin and off the incinarator to make ‘Tomalaaitjie’…..Bobby Logan would trade a stick of ‘Toma’ for a saamie….
[*At times , would ‘teke’ sugar from the staff dinning room…]…Invariably at times get caught by Peter Harper or ‘Boet Symes’…….6 cuts , as the incinarator was out of bounds……………………..Rambling on
….More names from way back……Stanley McMaster, Pat Williams, Lauren Howden, Tom Eaton….etc …………Bye for now.
Reply
507. Peter de Reuck | June 20, 2011 at 10:29 am

‘ The history of the home’…are there any copies available?….My contact details…Peterdereuck@hotmail.com.
If so , please forward details..price etc to the above address.
….OR
….15 picnic creek drive
Coomera …Queensland …4290
Australia.

Love to hear from you.
Reply
508. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | June 21, 2011 at 6:11 am

Hi Peter,

In the absence of immediate satisfaction … i.e. getting a copy of the concise history of St. Goggies … you might want to go back a year or so in these blog entries wherein I believe, you will find a fair recital of it by either Fr. Michael or his brother, John Rousow. Admittedly it is just a chronology of events from inception in 1915 to it’s closure in ’91 – with mention of all the names and characters that peopled it’s evolution.

The ‘real’ history is slowly evolving in these pages ,,,, and so long as any of us are still alive to record our memories … I hope it will continue to do so well into the 21st. Century. So to fill the pages … dig deep … I’m sure there are still many memories tucked away in our inner recesses begging for the light of day.

I must admit that that is sometimes more difficult than it seems … to remember. Most of our days there sort of rolled into each other with dull repetition through the unfolding seasons, which provided the color and animation for each period.
Isolated from the outside world … not only by the walls and rules that bound us there, but from exposure to mass media and social interaction … to say nothing of the censorship of almost everything we saw in print or heard on the radio … (TV did not exist then), so we certainly cannot talk of a having had a dynamic social experience outside of the company of fellow homies.

But every now and then a ‘moment to remember’ occurred and indelibly imprinted itself as a ‘special’ moment in our lives. We all had them, not many … but they happened and we were a little richer for it … or wiser … if it was a life lesson. In fact … we’re still having them and the very existence of this site and Blane’s foresight in providing it for us to be here … to engage once again in a collective effort … recording our history … is for me, one of those moments.

For here. for the first time, I can legitimately begin recording my personal history, as it was formed and shaped by my experiences as a St. George’s Home Boy. I came there at 11 years of age with no conscious idea of where I was at, what was happening to me or what would become of me. I had an older brother and he was my guardian … and so long as he was around … I was okay. I never questioned anything … and in a way … that helped me have a pretty good time at Goggies for the 4 and a half years I was there. I wasn’t plagued with the eternal question: Why me? Why am I suffering?

So most of the memories I have are positive experiences, either alone or in company with others. Sure, I had some sad moments, but hey, who wants to hear about that when others have had worse moments. In fact, I’m sometimes hard pressed to remember a bad time.

Dudley Pringle.
Reply
509. Peter de Reuck | June 21, 2011 at 11:20 am

Dudley, Re. your reply..thank you ever so much , wise words spoken.
Will now endevour to clear the old cobb webs and write it as it was.
..’Good on ya’
Keep well mate . Peter.
Reply
510. Peter de Reuck | July 4, 2011 at 12:57 pm

RWC tournament a few months away…………GO BOKKE….
My take a trip over to watch a few games……
To all Goggies old boys ….I say Hi, do all keep well. Will chat later, lots to reminisce over .
…Peter.
Reply
- 511. Steve Kelly | July 20, 2011 at 8:59 am
  
  Hi Peter
  regarding your comments on the RWC, I am glad to see that you still support the “Bokke” even though you stay in Oz, Im lucky enough to say that I will be going to New Zealand to watch 3 of the Boks pool games.
  I noticed in one of your earlier mails that you mentioned that you stay in Queensland , Commers to be exact , Its a small world i went on holiday to Oz last year and my in-laws stay in Coomera Waters , Very nice place , You guys should start an old boys club over there because i noticed in quite a few earlier mails that there are a lot of old boys staying in Queensland.
  Enjoy the rugger this week end and go BOKKE
  Reply
  - 512. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 11:54 am
    
    Hi Steve
    What a small world, we also stay in Coomer a waters, have been for the last 5 years ….love it.
    …Chat later….Peter
513. Eddie lancaster | July 10, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Eddie Lancaster July 10 at 2 : 00 pm.

Dudley. Sorry about that bit of mis information but I could not resist
the left hook , brought instant reaction to this site. Do you remember
Arnold Perry ! he also trained under Lawrie Stevens 1950 to 1956 .
He was in Spackman House with Billy Malan and Addy Urquart .

My fondest memories of Goggies was being a bugler in the Cadet
band for 3 years witch was better than carrying a 303 rifle every
Friday on the parade ground .The guys use to put a sock or two
over there collerbone to prevent bruising . Nutsy Moore never took
second best from anybody and a lot of bums were kicked .

Drum Majors from those years , Peter Hanson , Arthur Geddis and
Freddy Wood . Kettle drummers like Stephen Havenga and buglers
Fatty Bloemberg we allways did well at the Band competitions .
Fatty and I were invited to play Last Post at St Mary Cathedral in
Joberg during this period and paid for our effort

and so it goes on and on

eddie
Reply
514. Michael Rossouw | July 10, 2011 at 10:42 pm

Dear Eddie
As a cub in Beaton house, I used enjoy watching the band practice on Saturday mornings and when they had Cadets every Friday, come rain or shine. (Later cadets was on Thursdays but we only wore our uniforms on special occassions.)
Arthur Geddes was Drum Major when I joined the band in Std 5 (you were only supposed to do cadets from Std 7 officially) . Bloomfield was Drum major and Theo Hickman was my Sgt Drummer.
We still had the old drums which had white ropes and frogs attached. We spent hours cleaning these especially at Competition time. My first parade was a disaster. There had been an electricity failure the night before , and with only one iron for a house of 43 boys, 13 of which were in the Cadet detachment,we were unable to get our shirts ironed.(Remember the 3 stripes at the back of the shirt which had to be the same distance apart on the back of our shirts?) Anyhow I had to present my uniform for inspection every day for a whole month after that until the student officers were satisfied I could do the job properly on my own.
Gosh! ‘Boning’ of boots , the white washing of putties, the ‘brassoing’ and ‘silvoing’ of badges , bugles and buckles as well drumshells, bugles and maces, I get tired just thinking about it.
I guess they had to keep 167 boys busy somehow.
The trouble was if you were a junior or ‘lapskal’ you had to do your own uniform and that of your Sgt or Corporal.

The late Ken McHolm was OC of Detachment 504. Lucien Lombard was the bandmaster. A very youthful JJ deJager, himself an old boy was then an assistant housemaster in Spackman House and OC of the detachment at Malvern High, along with Allan Burgess , Flippie van der Walt (our Afrikaans teacher) and the first aid platoon was run by Ronald Brown the Art teacher.

Cadets was stopped in schools in the mid 1990’s when the country was changing.
I am open to correction , but some schools did keep their bands, which are now ‘marching bands’ with the whole spectrum of instruments, and not just bugles, drums and trumpets, and those which had kilted Pipe bands still kept these up. Some schools do have a Guard of Honour and still commemorate Remebrance Sunday around about November 11th each year.

Both I and my brothers were Drum majors of the Band in our Matric year. ( we were 4 brothers)
David my brother was also bandmaster during his years as an assistant housemaster,and taking the Home band to win the zone competition and taking the band to the regional finals. Desmond and John both won their competitions as Drum majors in their respective years, John having to be judged twice.( He was both Drum major of Dawnview High and St George’s Home.) He won ,
I think as the Dawnview Drum major was placed second as the Home Drum major, but I am open to correction.Perhaps he will write the real story here some time.

When I was in the Band I was placed 5th among some 30 odd competing bands. The band had not competed since my Std 7 year and I took the band to the Wit Command competition after a two year break.I hold no other claim to fame in this regard.
I did however become the Drum major of the Kimberley regiment Pipes and Drums much later. John also played in the ILH band for a while after leaving the Home.

Yes indeed, St Georges gave us many oportunities.
I also remember playing at the RLI parade and service at ST Mary’s cathedral and the RLI barracks at Wit Command HQ and Drill hall in Hillbrow.
We were transported to the service and parade in 2 army trucks, one for the instuments and one for us.
Thanks for reminding me of some good and not so good memories of our time in the band.
Michael Rossouw (former Drum major SGH Det # 504)
Reply
- 515. Don Macleod | August 26, 2011 at 4:40 pm
  
  Hi Michael, Sorry to bust in on your blog site. I used the site to track down 2 old friends of mine. Stuart Pringle and his boet Dudley. I have had replies from both of them and our history goes back 50yrs. I notice that you say in your 502 blog above that you became Drum Major in the Kimberley Regiment Pipes and Drum band. What year was that.?? I served in the same regiment and still attend regular annual dinners of the association in Kimberley to see old buddies.? When I was a member we had Elliot Dempster as Pipe Major (ex CBC pipe band) and later on a close buddy of mine, Dudley Stuart Pringle (also CBC) was Pipe major.Dudley died this year in Feb and was a real standup guy. Elliot later went on to become regimental Commanding Officer. I left the regiment in 1959 to go to Tanganyika where I met Stuart. I would appreciate knowing what years you served and if you worked in Kimberley at all.????
  Regards and thabks for your time,
  Don Macleod,
  kloofie@ikusasa.net
  Durban, South Africa.
  P.S. I will try to get your e.mail from Dudley as you my miss this REPLY.
  Reply
  - 516. Michael Rossouw | August 26, 2011 at 10:15 pm
    
    Hello Don
    I joined the KR Band in the late 1990’s . I was already almost 50 when that happened. Elliot Dempster had retired as OC and I was in the regiment from 1998 to 2000.
    Jan Viljoen was OC and followed by Keith Williams who I believe is still OC.
    Derrick Beangstrom is still Pipe major, his father having been the RSM during the post World War 2 period until the early 1960’s I think. Jerome Bouwser was drum major . He resigned and I took over for two years until I left for South east Asia in 2001; he returned soon after I left. Darryl Thomas escapes me for now, was the Drum sergeant all these guys being ex CBC Kimberley. it all seems a very long time ago.The Regiment is still there as is old HQ recently renovated. Although things change somehow they still remain the same.
    I lived and worked in Kimberley as a teacher at Persevernce College , GHS and Sol Plaatje between 1985 and 2000.
    I hope to return some day but my departure from Kimberley was not under ideal circumstances and there are some painful memories there for me. You were more part of KR’s history than I, in that I was there as a bandsman and not a serviceman. We still hold the Annual KR dinner with the ILH and we still have strong ties. The old timers like canon Pressly and others are long gone. My email is
    
    Did you ever drink to the regimental colours saying “Kimberley Regiment; God Bless ”
    Thanks for writing.
    Michael Rossouw
517. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 15, 2011 at 5:51 am

Talking about bands … I have just cycled home from a free concert by the’80’s girlie band; The Bangles … on the beach … actually on the Santa Monica Pier. The public gather on picnic blankets on the beach below and alongside and tonight there must have been at least 5000 people enjoying the old ’80’s tunes. Remember Manic Monday and Walk like an Egyptian?

It is the first ‘free’ concert of the season and will be repeated with dozens of different performers every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Something to look forward to in these somber economic times. In fact the unusually large crowd tonight, suggested that too many people may be looking for free entertainment … particularly families with young children … to escape the blues I suppose. Though everybody has cable and a plethora of video games to amuse themselves with.

The last time i saw The Bangles was on an MTV show shot in the ‘Paradiso’ in Amsterdam in the late 80’s. Thought the music was boring after three numbers but the the girls were hot. Tonight, twenty years later, after three numbers the music was still boring and from my perspective somewhere in the middle of the crowd … the girls still looked hot … in that straining to stay skinny way that Californian girls have perfected. Then I left, retrieved my bike and as I started peddling down the bike path that threaded through the crowd on the beach , I looked back and saw that there was a big screen mounted on the side of the pier, showing the girls live on stage above to those below.

Yeah, and sure enough, the stage camera that caught the close-ups
also captured the years and miles those girls had to cover to stay in the scene. You could see the booze and late nights and too much smoke in too many one horse stop overs on those once young and petty faces.

From a distance, a lot of things look good … even America … but from close up you can see the real decay and the ravages of time.
Reply
518. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 4:08 am

Question time…t’s all irrelavant, but still good to know…. [ a]…..After all my years in goggies[ 48/55] I never bothered to ask , The house situated outside the home grounds that ‘Fluffy’ Capener stayed with his mom, was it home property, Fluffy’s prop. or rented?…if I remember , Jacko Short stayed nearby……[ b] Who succeeded ‘Strong’ , as headmaster?…Was Ken Mc Holm ever head ..or in an acting capacity?…..[ c] I did hear that after several years the late Peter Harpers wife Joan returned to goggies , in what capacity. [ d]…what ever became of the library/ smoking area.. situated below the chapel?…………….[See , after 56 years , there’s still good memories in the old noggin]………………..Do all keep well and God Bless.
Reply
- 519. Steve Kelly | July 20, 2011 at 4:59 am
  
  Hi Peter
  I was in the home from 1980 – 1987
  I can answer a few of your questions !
  1. Mr Mac became the official headmaster in 1980/1981
  2. Joan Harper came back as the assistant housemaster in Spackman house which was a junior house in my time.
  3. The room below the chapel was a clothes swop shop in my time at the home
  
  Proud ex homeboy !!
  Reply
520. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 4:30 am

NB……56 years since leaving goggies.
Reply
521. Allan Chrystal | July 20, 2011 at 5:11 am

Oy Peter.
The area below the Chapel had a small library room at the back. The main area had a couple of desks with large sloping lids against the far wall. I guess designed for standing there and reading newspapers. None were ever there. It wasn’t used much and except for the days the library opened nobody frequented it. Anyway I had a bunch of chicks. Can’t recall where I got them but were a few days old. Cheap as they were males. Don’t ask how they knew at that age. I made a wire cage in the trees nearby Taylor House. Some guys also had white mice caged there for awhile. ( including me.) It was cold so must have been winter. I figured the chicks would die so every night I boxed then and hid them in those desks in the library area. Next morning I would zip down and return them to the chicken wire cage in the trees.
Later I tired of it and gave them to a buddy, Eugene Bello. I don’t know what became of them, maybe he ate them? I had 24. I did nail a mossie once with a catty and cooked it.
Allan Chrystal.
Reply
522. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 20, 2011 at 6:32 am

Remember Monkey Apples? Those little apple-shaped orange and red berries we used to eat off the the bushes (or hedges) that were grown as front fence lines for private home properties … but which also grew wild in back alleys.

I recall filling a plastic bag with them on occasions on my way home from school. After the afternoon parade, I would go around to the kitchen and bum a little salt off Willy Mafuta and with berries in the bag and an empty jam tin filed with a little water … I would go down to Treasure Island with Horse Wilshire and Freddie Oosthuizen and cook those berries on a wood fire, while we three shared a smoke and threw clay pellets stuck on the end of Bluegum ‘lats’ (thin sprigs or branches) stripped down to the ‘bone’.

A little salt, boiling water and in no time … cooked berries. They weren’t exactly ‘lekker’ … but edible and helped to fill a hungry belly until dinner time. Once, by pure luck, chance or divine intervention,
Freddie took aim at a torrie (a turtle dove) in a bluegum tree with his ‘kleilat’ … and took that bird right out of his song.

You’ve all doubtless tasted Prime Beef and Cranberry sauce, and in USA on Thanksgiving Day, it is the meal of choice and it is particularly delicious. Well that day that Freddie did that torrie in ,,, we had a feast to remember … it was our Priime Pigeon and Appleberry Sauce Thanksgiving Day.
Reply
523. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 8:38 am

To Steve Kelly , thanks for the prompy reply Steve….questions answered., thanks………….Allan Crystal, good memories Allan…the way you described the the library, /reading room/ smoking room are all as remembered., even the sloped desks , which supported the news papers Jacko would install for us.and the wired off library at the back end of the enclosure……The shooting of ‘mossies, doves etc. and cooking them at the incinerator come to mind….the name Eugee Bello I do know…..Hi , les. Pringle, how are you?….so good reading your tales ..names that I do remember such as Henry[ horse] Wilshire, Freddy Oosthuizen..etc. etc….keep em rolling….to all you guys, good hearing from you ..and thanks to you all for the very prompt reply’s…..All keep well and ”Good on ya”…
Reply
524. Michael Rossouw | July 20, 2011 at 8:49 am

Dear Peter
I’m not sure about the house where Jacko Short and and Flossy stayed; the houses may have been houses owned or rented by the diocese.
As home employees, Flossy and Jacko may have been granted this rare privilege to use the houses.The home was a part of the diocese of Pretoria and then Johannesburg.

Eric Richardson followed Tommy Strong as headmaster in the very late 1950’s or early 60’s.(Stories about Strong’s cruelty towards the boys were quite horrific in my day.)
Mackey was head of the Junior section when I arrived in 1961 and became ‘ second master ‘ when Robbie (Snake ) Robson retired, some time in mid 1960’s. Eric Richardson and Ken Mc Holm were the last breed of Headmasters we knew at the Home.

The Executive Committee under Lance Japhet the of Urban Foundation who was Chairman of the Home’s exec, appointed Barry Lodge, who was from a new era of child care workers and who was eventually responsible for moving the boys and girls into a cottage system where families were able to stay together.
Lodge went under the title of ‘Director’ which is common these days for someone heading a place for children in need of care.

In the old days girls went to St Mary’s or JCH and boys came to Goggies.Families were separated and with some painful results.

The Home , which incidentally was ‘sold’ to the Bishop Bavin school for a nominal amout of “One Rand” (yes you did hear correctly!) made way for the the new Bishop Bavin School/St George’s . in the early 1990’s

Joan harper , God bless her, became ‘Housemother’ to Spackman House , which became a Junior house when Smuts and Crawford were built. Spackman House had kids as young as 5 or 6 years housed there and Joan was the one who took care of these little guys.
As my brother Dave says “The Home (as we knew it ) is dead.Long live the Home”

Like Dudley pringle I believe the final ‘history’ of what was St George’s Home will emerge from the various ‘bloggs’ on these pages.

The crypt under the chapel in my day was the Band room where the instruments were kept under lock and key.
The only ‘smokers den ‘ I knew existed in the early 1960’s at the paddock near the old pigsty. An old Union Jack flag fluttered from above this ediface where a ‘roll of honour’ was written on an old concrete slab, proudly announcing the names of its occupants as ‘members of the anti republican force’.

(This was just prior to 1961 when RSA left the Commonwealth when H.F Verwoerd was prime minister, and the Union of South Africa became a republic. Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, the Governor- general, was replaced by a president chosen from the ranks of the Nat party as head of State for South Africa. I think he was a man called Swart; ironic isn’t it . Black?Swart? get my drift?)

Licenced smokers in my day were allowed to smoke at certain times of the day like before supper and after prep in the upper Taylor house common room. I think the guys in Spackman had a ‘smokers den’ in the cellar?

In my time the smokers had it much easier than the guys in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s.
The new school is a ‘smoke free ‘ zone now.

When I visited the school last year, where the paddock once stood is now the Science wing.I told some of the students about what we got upto there; needless to say some were horrified, although others were quite envious!

Keep well and keep sending in your stories.

Blessings

Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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525. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 10:04 am

@Michael Rossouw,… Thaks for the info. Michael..so good to get such prompt replies.. Going by the dates you spent at ‘Goggies’ our paths obviously never crossed ,never the less it’s so good to hear from old boys from ‘way back when’……..As memories come to mind I will ..how can I put it?..try my utmost to keep the goggies book open……..there is so, so much to reminisc over, the eight years spent at goggies was certainly filled with dramas of all kind….most, deffinately worth putting pen to paper…..Michael, do keep well and God bless…..from here down under , ‘ good on ya”
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526. Peter de Reuck | July 20, 2011 at 10:16 am

Briefly…Do any of you guys recall a chap named Peter van Nierop…Named the ‘Hawk man’…..would trap the ‘Black shouldered Kite’ mostly there near ‘Boet’ Symes’s lands…and sell them for 10/-[ a blady fortune then]……. see ya.
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527. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 20, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Hi Peter, I do remember Pieter van Nierop and I also remember that he was one helluva bugler too.

My brother Stuart, as head boy of Taylor House at the time, was the one who negotiated the Smoking Room option in the rec. room upstairs with Boss Robson in 1958.

Funny thing is that although i was appointed as a corporal in my 2nd. year at 13 … I never got to be a Patrol leader nor did I ever get to enjoy the benefits of that smoking den. I don’t know how I got excluded … I mean I was a serious contender to be a smoke stack.

And talking of smoking … I actually smoked for nearly 53 years. Courtney’s Cork-Tipped was my brand in South Africa and in London … though I was not adverse to the occasional Texan, Lucky Strike or Camel. But in 1976 when I went to Holland to get married … I switched to rolling tobacco without all the chemical additives. and smoked those up to just 6 months ago when I quit.

I was lucky, when I underwent prostrate treatment I had an Xray taken of my lungs and due to my maternal grandpappy’s genes and good DNA (who smoked cigars all his life and died at 105 years of age), my lungs were as clean as an angel. That was the incentive to think about quitting. … while I was ahead. It took me another 2 years to do it… but I’m done. And if any of you still smoke … let me tell you what it’s like. … not the process of quitting but the fact itself.

I wake up clear headed … no fog, I breathe so easily I never wake up during the night. My clothes and personal environment smell like Febreeze and I have no problem getting in your face, without my breathe smelling like an ashtray. My skin is getting clearer and smoother and I can walk, hike and bike longer and further than before without feeling exhausted. In fact, I feel so much better that a friend recently remarked that I was looking younger and more vibrant than ever. That was a feel good moment.

So the past … is up in smoke. Long live the future.
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- 528. Allan Chrystal | July 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm
  
  It looks like you are on your way to make 105 as well DC. All that biking exercise, fresh air and sensible diet. In 1948 smoking at Goggies was good for a caning. Its hazy the time line but I recall a “Prefects room” behind the chapel. Probably one of the unused primary school classrooms. “Prefects” was a new position for certain head boys from each house. Ernest Behr was one. They were the only ones allowed to smoke and confined to that room. It may have been on a visit in 1953 (the year after I left) that Ernie showed me the “Prefect’s room”.
  I was surprised to hear that Joan Harper returned to Spackman House. The Harpers lived upstairs at Simpsons when I was there. I seldom saw her but guess she was in the low twenties. So returning some 30 years later is interesting. A good thing for the Spackman kids for sure. Capener also lived upstairs at Beaton House when I was there.
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529. Peter de Reuck | July 21, 2011 at 12:36 am

I do recall that only on his days off would Fluffy stay with his mom in the old house outside the home grounds……..otherwise in his rooms between nos. 2 and 3 bedrooms… I to recall seeing very little of Joan Harper during my years in Simpson[[ cub] house….Yeah, lets chat.
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530. Peter de Reuck | July 22, 2011 at 12:22 pm

A random thought……The year was 1948,, I was 9 yrs. old.and I’m in Simpson house…..Think back, it’s the section of lawn between Beaton house locker room and simpson house……..A chap by the name of Alan Ruis and I were involved in a bit of ‘ruff and tumble’..then out of nowhere appears Peter Harper, he seperated us and instructed us each to don boxing gloves which he fetched from his rooms…..after about 5mins.Peter seperated us , told to shake hands ..Well I will say thereafter Alan and I remained friends for many years….Anyway… after our little ‘brawl’; I was told to report to the gym the following evening to vent my temper in a more controlled regulated manner…..ie. the art of pugalistic arts [ boxing]…..and from that day on my life changed …..Thanks to Peter’s guidance [ followed by L Stevans] I participated for sevaral years in various clubs in TVL and Natal,…..in the later years I coached alongside trainers such as Earie Baronet,,Marcelle scubach… to name a few, I divorced myself from the sport at the age of 60….although even now at the tender age of 72 , I still attend the odd tournament here ‘downunder’….To cap all I have just jotted , Thanks for that scrap Alan and thanks Peter , Laurie.for all my shit you put up with over the years….Goggies, thanks….I owe you……………………..Good on ya…
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531. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 23, 2011 at 3:44 am

Hi Peter, I see you’re starting to get ‘loose’ and those “many stories I can tell you” that you have been promising us, are finally beginning to emerge. G’d onya mate.

I remember Alan Ruis, tall lanky black curly hair … pretty good bowler. Funny how that goes with fights … usually about nothing and then a good friendship comes out of it. The fight obviously being the portal or catalyst for the relationship. I’ve had that happen too.

I want to apologize to all homeboys, if I sometimes come on too strong with my political views … believe me, until just before this economic crisis happened .. around 2007 I started to become politicized. I saw what was coming down the pike and for the first time in my life I became a citizen of the world … in so much as I had never paid a moment’s notice to a political thought before.

I have been a gypsy all my life … having lived and worked in 12 countries around the globe and always floated free of attachment to any flag or ideology … and at nearly 70 years of age, I’m about to launch out on a scouting mission to Ecuador to see if I can locate myself there for the 13th and hopefully, last domicilium on this planet, before I depart to Nirvana for good. But this time, I take with me a new consciousness to participate more wholly in both my environment and my future social interactions.

What happens in America affects the entire world. And forewarned is forearmed, thus I feel compelled to encourage all of you to pay attention to the reality of a crumbling world order happening all around us and before our very eyes. We are provided, for the first time in history, with a ‘Liberty Bell’ (The Internet) to communicate and be informed of world events as they happen. There are thousands of news feeds and blogospheres that permit us to cross communicate information with thousands at the same time.

I read an eclectic variety of the alternative media on the net and numerous blogs by really thoughtful and insightful writers. However to get a pretty good idea of what is happening in terms of the enviornment, the permanent wars and the costs of a 1000 garrisons around the globe, economics and world solvency, politics … you name it … free subscriptions to Truthout.com, moveon.org, and TomDispatch.com will enable you to get a real picture of the world without the corporate crap agendas influencing their views.

For me, Gutenberg was the Man of the last Millenium and his progeny, the Internet, serves as the only FREE press available today. Take advantage of this enormous University of information and knowledge.

Now if you all do that … I’ll stop warning about the boogyman.
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- 532. Allan Chrystal | July 23, 2011 at 4:58 am
  
  Hiya DC.
  I too subscribe to a number of newsletters and blogs. All of them conservative and all probably consider Moveon.org to be radically leftwing. One favourite of mine is http://townhall.com/ . With writers like Thomas Sowell and Dennis Prager among others, more often than not I find myself agreeing with them. George Soros bank rolling Moveon is enough for me to avoid them. I have benefited from Union membership and government socialist policies but still can’t fully support them. Must be in the DNA.
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533. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 23, 2011 at 5:41 am

Good point Allan … if Soros is involved it is always advisable to stay clear of the deal. But I do not advocate or advance any ideology, whether it is on the left or the right. If anything, I am a libertarian.

Moveon is decidedly left wing and for that matter, so is Truthout but both are independent of financial coercion from anyone to slant the news. And they definitely bring us the stories the corporate media avoids like the plaque. I also read and enjoy Prager but don’t know Sowell … but will look him up.

I always thought of myself as a conservative or at least … a free marketeer … but I have discovered I am, by my prevailing sympathies, to be a liberal or perhaps more accurately, a humanist. What I am slowly realizing is that conservatives are not. They’re inclined to be elitists and I care not at all for that arrogance.

I also do not care if any publication is left wing or right wing conservative (we have a God given right to free choice), as long as it is honest .. Every body has the right to an opinion and a choice of leaning left or right. I am down with that as long as whatever they are advocating, is premised on ‘Good Intent’. Everything else is self-interest and when the lesser among us suffer as result of that disdain … you know it is evil.
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534. Michael Rossouw | July 23, 2011 at 6:23 am

Dear DC and friends
My politicization began oddly enough in the Home itself.
We had many masters who came from a UK based organisation called VSO and later the ProjectTrust.They sometimes had come to RSA with an alternative motive, but they were certainly quite politicised.
VSO’s from the UK who served in my time were, Robert Kimber, Robert Gledhill, Michael Fass , Tony Moon, Crawford Beveridge (who taught me to play the guitar) and Tom Stephens (Who formed part of the Home’s Gospel band “the Communicants” with me and my brother Des) to name but a few.
Three South African masters were responsible to making me think about what was going on under Apartheid rule in South Africa;
John “Piet” Pretorius who was an ardent Republican, anti commonwealth but who really believed that the policy of separate but equal facilities for all South Africans was possible, Derrick James a master in Simpson and later Taylor house who was probably the most left wing and radical master I knew (he eventually settled in Swaziland and taught at Waterford school) and of course Brian Gannon, who for me epitimised the the true Liberal.
Even at the local level of boys playing fooyball in the Home, the Beaton house team were known as ‘the Beatonite republicans’ and the Simpson house team was called the “Simpsonian Monarchists.’ Piet and Brian Gannon organised this soccer festival when we were all in quatantine with scarlet fever in 1962.
For many of us as 9 0R 10 year olds these terms weren’t thoroughly absobed until much later in life.
I somehow through my grandparents had a great respect for the Royal family at that time, so I was the only Beaton house boy cheering for Simpson house; needless to say, I felt the wrath of my fellow housemates after being at odds with them and was shunned for some weeks after the game. As always we were able to settle differences and become friends.

Perhaps also the assassination attempt on Dr Verwoerd in 1960 and later on in 1966 when he was knifed in the House of Assembly by Tsafendas also brought the politics of the country to my attention.Ma Kirkland and Muriel Noakes amongst others were all graduate teachers from the University of the Witwatersrandand, and were all staunch ‘progs’ and also very much responsible in shaping political attitudes.Ma Noakes always called somone who gave a feeble answer to a question in class
” You miserable son of a Voortrekker” This for me was hard to swallow as the Rossouw family history dates back to the 1680’s when the first Rousseau who came to South Africa was an exiled Huguenot Protestant deacon from France, and who married a great great great relative of the Voortrekker leader Piet Retief!
(Retief’s Drosty and trading store are still very much a part of what I believe, contrary to many folks from the Colony of Natal, is ‘the last outpost of the British Empire’, namely the city of Saints, Grahamstown.)
Those were indeed dark days.
I remember too hearing about the assasination of JFK and of his brother Robert as a teenager. The newspapers and radio (we had no TV in RSA until the 1970’s) were brim full of news.
I guess in many ways these events made me ‘politically conscious’.
Ma Noakes always encouraged us to register as voters saying to us “You deserve the government you get; do not criticise them if you didn’t vote!”
The late Betty Richardson, wife of canon Eric Richardson whowas head ofthe home in my time there was a member of the Black Sash.(remember those ladies standing dressed wearing their black sashes who protested outside the Union Buildings and along Jan Smuts avenue?). She too had a great influence on me i her very quite way.
After the dreadful events of Sharpeville she wrote to Verwoerd with a simple message “Resign Now!”
Indeed for me being a bit of a ‘church mouse’ most of my life I got a lot of political conditioning at Church services at St Mary’s cathedral Johannesburg where Gonville Aubey Ffench Beytagh , a colleague and friend of Fr Norman Clayton was dean.
(My young brothers remember being at the airport when Ffench Beytagh was deported back to the UK having survived a charge of high treason.)
I was only politically involved when I became part of the local ‘Peace committe’ prior to and during the 1994 elections and later very briefly when I assisted in the elections.(i was asked to stand for the ANC nogal, but declined because I was a deacon and as such, could not become a politician. Here in the Philippines we have at least one Roman catholic Bishop sitting in the Philippine legislature and one Governor, ironically in the constituencty of former president Gloria Aroyo)

So Dudley,your politcal awareness was probably very much part of your ‘psyche’ long before now.
Perhaps I too may say something from time to time which is politucally contentious; I too apologise to Old Homeboys if I have caused offence.

The hard cold reality is that the world order (or disorder) is changing. Great nations who before could cock a snoot at anyone daring to challenge their superiority can no longer do so.
There may well not be enough gold in Fort Knox or in the RSA Reserve bank to pay for oil and energy if the nations which posess these commodities ask other countries to pay in gold; and now seemingly for food products, seed and water may suffer the same fate!
The famine in the horn of Africa again shows the disparities between nations, but I guess we cant cntrol the elements. Without rain crops do not grow. Yet military might and bad management of resources seem to be the fate of Africa time after time.
Zimbabwe, once the jewel in the crown of Africa, is now bankrupt , thanks to mugabe and his cromies.( I know of at least one priest who daily prays for him to have a heart attack, since it would seem noone can ‘take him out” by othr means.
Who have thought it when in the 1960’s, Gold at $35 per fine ounce would now be over $1600!
I am not an economist, neither am I a politician or a diplomat, but it doesn’t take brain surgery to realise that, as the Chinese say, we are living in ‘intersting times’!
Be well, stay well and keep writing.

Blessings
Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961 to 1967)
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535. Peter de Reuck | July 23, 2011 at 8:27 am

The year 1951….I came over from Wychwood school to Malvern high and placed in Mrs Smiths class [ Std. 6] … to cut a story short, Mrs[ ma] Noakes who was our english teacher also ran the play reading classes and for some reason or other instructed me to report for auditions for a part in Shakepears ‘ Taming of the shrew’, Well , I was given some insignificant part..the taylor?…on the day of performance, it was an utter disaster…I did everything wrong and was told.by ‘you know who’ that play acting was deffinately not for me….
There you are, some small insignificant thing from way back. Oh yes, also remember walking the Epworth home girls to school..could name a few but for some reasons , had better not…………………Ok all , ‘good on ya’
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536. Michael Rossouw | July 23, 2011 at 9:18 am

Gosh ! It was an Epworth girl who broke my heart at the tender age of 17. Well it wasn’t entirely her fault.
I waited at the bus stop for her to arrive and on this particular morning, but for some reason unknown to me at the time, she was not with her friends.
Her sister was there , but she wasn’t.
The girls were strangely silent.
After our arrival at school, her best friend took me aside and told me that my Epworth girlfriend had been moved to the Benoni Epworth home, for some unknown reason. I suspect that someone had said something as she was always back a little later than the others after school.She and I would take a slow walk home along with her friend and sister as chaperones!
I was in Std 9 at the time and should have had the stomach to realise that the dynamics were such that the relationship with Epworth and Goggies was not the same as that of St Mary’s JCH and Goggies.
Needless to say when I was told what had happened during the night of her transfer to Benoni, I was devastated!
I spent the day in the sick room at malvern in no mood for school and I felt as though my whole world had fallen apart.
We tried writing , but needless to say the guys in Benoni were probably more macho and not as dull as I. (i have made up for it since then!) On a visit to her at Epworth, I looked somewhat old fashioned in my home uniform and the other guy visiting her from Benoni High was dressed in jeans and a leather jacket. His driving the latest Honda motor cycle didn’t help my ‘neredish’ image either.
(This was in 1966; the word ‘nerd’ had not been coined yet!)
I’m not sure what happened after that. Some years later i did date her friend, but she too went on a different path and I also began to move in different circles.
On one occasion the girls bunked out and visited us in our dorms at some ungodly hour. The headboy at that time ‘busted’ the girls he found, sending them home and reporting those he had caught visiting the dorms.
My girlfriend hid in a small space between my locker and the cubicle door and was undetected.
I got her out safely, but was questioned the next day by both the headboy and the housemaster. I kept Mum saying I didn’t know anything.I guess it was soon after that, that she was sent away.
Despite how it may sound it was all pretty innocent by today’s standards.
I often wonder what happened to her….
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537. Michael Rossouw | July 23, 2011 at 9:37 am

PS I also played in Ma Noake’s plays at Malvern. We really had some good fun.We didn’t do Shakespeare then; just as well. We had two comedies, one called “Maiden ladies” and another called “Dry Rot” Dry Rot was about two criminals who nobbled a race horse and kidnapped the French jockey who was supposed to ride the horse in the race. Maiden ladies was about two blokes impersonating two old ladies to swindle a cottage by the sea in a contested will.Both were a riot.
In Maiden ladies I played alongside the school heart throb, Dawn Hewitt. I liked her very much but being the nerd i was I never summoned up the courage to tell her.She too had a boyfriend out of school by the time she was in Matric; he drove a Volvo, the kind that looked like a VW beetle but was far more prestigious if you owned one. In those days I think they may have been imported?
I remember when someone, at the most crucial moment of the play broke one of the glass table props hired from Ellis furnishers at the time.
Neither Muriel Noakes, John E Johnsen, The head of Malvern who succeeded the famous Bob Morrison, nor Mackey and Eric Richardson were amused.I cant remember who broke it, but it was the result of some actors lubricating their voices with some old brown sherry or vodka at the time in order to steady their nerves before the performance …..Ah! School days….
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538. Peter de Reuck | July 23, 2011 at 12:28 pm

Michael, love your detailed tales of ‘those days’…………I have so many more to share, will keep them comming.
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539. Peter de Reuck | July 24, 2011 at 6:18 am

For a spell I thought I was ‘the man’…being the swimming pool filteration plant operator…..I.Allways seem to get the rough end of the stick, during the regular spells of extra work on Saturdays..[ 4 reports or more]….ie. sweeping the ‘black paths’, and having to cicle the surrounding areas…[ would usually resort to ‘slashing’…but to all the house masters , esp. Jacko, that was a ‘no go’..another half an hours extra work.would result..]….would rather aim for that elusive 5 reports…being.4 cuts , no extra work…..Gotta go now, good on ya.
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540. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 24, 2011 at 7:17 am

http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/4480/html

Peter, you’re getting carried away … you off your medication? lol
One good memory deserves another … Cicling! How do you pronounce that word … how do you spell it?

Same place … same time … Saturday work party … the grass around the swimming pool… and I’m hacking away and suddenly I hacked through the the knuckle of my left pinky. Blood squirted everywhere and fortunately … it was right next to the Sick-bay so I got treated quickly … but not before I passed out from loss of blood.

I was young and healthy and so it healed quickly. No big deal … but every time I happen to look ay my left hand and notice the jagged scar that slightly misforms my pinky … I am instantly transported to that Saturday morning in the sun … working, but still having fun with my chums with a promise of a swim before we quit. And suddenly it was over … and I stop thinking about it.

Okay, it’s saturday night and for a guy who loves to dance … I’m enjoying sitting here on my little yacht, listening to Patsy Cline with a glass of wine. So it’s time to chill and I have included two links above for you all. You want to play the 2nd one first. It’s an animation movie of Tom and Jerry made just 4 years after I was born is and reasonably restored. It is still as hilarious today as it was when it won an Academy Award in 1946. Enjoy.

The first link is from NextworldTv.com and is a wonderful Video story of 20 suburban families who move into a blighted enclave in a city and turn it into a self-sustaining paradise … even rescuing an abandoned school and transforming it into and Educational and Community Center.

Remember a tear or so ago I advised everybody to think about finding higher ground and growing vegetables? I wasn’t joking, we might still have to. There are severe changes in global weather patterns and food shortages world wide are still very much on the cards. This little video will in any event, show you how it is possible to grow vegetables in an urban space and to build an almost completely self-sustaining community.

If you have any questions … turn to Thomas Bainbridge … he and his wife Zita have had years of farming experience.

The podium is yours Carrot Top.
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541. Allan Chrystal | July 24, 2011 at 7:40 am

Remember sports day? Field and track races around the soccer and cricket pitch at the bottom end of the home. Also used as cadet parade ground Friday nights under dim electric light. Well I won the 120 yard low hurdles for under 13. The time 20.3 seconds if I recall correctly.
A record I was sure would never be broken. Well it was the next year. A few months later while drifting off to sleep one night I had a eureka moment that was turning into a premonition for impending disaster. It dawned on me I was to blame for losing the record. As it was Robbie was directing the hurdle setup when he told me to set them up 10 yards apart with 20 yards before the first one and 20 yards after the last one. I figured it was 8 hurdles plus 40 yards made 120. It should have been 9 hurdles. So I did myself in and occasionally moped to myself about it. Years later I wondered if there really was a hurdle missing or if in my grief I was confused and sadly mistaken?
Nobody could out run Bernard Hampson in the 220 yards.
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542. Michael Rossouw | July 24, 2011 at 8:43 am

Dear Allan
The names you mention here were legends in their time. In my day, until his retirement, Robbie was the chief judge and starter at all sports days and the swimming gala.
I never saw the Hampsons run, but their names adorned the various trophies along with many others which I helped on many an occasion to clean before the Sports day and swimming gala.
To encourage more participation, Mackey established the Tabloids; these were races and field events which had different ‘standards’ and times in which to complete 5 events in your age group.
I remember doing the high jump something like 60 times before I cleared the required height.
I am not sure what has happened to the Home’s silverware; some was handed over to the school, others given to old boys for safe keeping.
This was only after my younger brothers and others found them being ‘thrown out ‘ on the rubbish heap by those who stole St Georges from us when the Home’s office moved to its new headquarters at COACH.
As to records of sporting and other events I believe most were handed over to the Diocesan archives.
Perhaps my brothers John and Dave could elaborate.
I cannot for the life of me understand why those who took over and changed the structure and nature of the Home could literally throw away the heritage of an institution which, although imperfect in its model of child care, gave so many young boys and men a sense of pride in themselves and to fully realise their God-given potential.
To many of us ‘cubs’ in my day (1961) names of old boys who had done well in Sport, working life, career and family were held up to us as role-models. When one reads stories in the press of young people who have ‘made it’ and then are found dead at an early age because of fame and fortune leading them to self destruction through substance abuse, well it’s tragic.
Whilst the Home dd not manage to shield us from stuff like that (and I know of at least two boys from my time who fell victim to substance abuse) the Home was a firm base for most of us who passed through its gates.Goggies for many may have been ‘the old tronk’ as Eric Richardson, with his wry sense of humour used to describe the Home in his many sermons in chapel, but , for me at any rate, it was a lot better than being out on the streets.
There is not a day which goes past in my life when I do not give thanks to God (as I understand God) for St George’s and indeed Malvern High School for the chances these institutions rendered to me.

Keep well and God Bless
Michael R ossouw
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543. Peter de Reuck | July 24, 2011 at 9:08 am

Aaah, so many good memories ……..Mentioning Bernard Hampson ,if memory sefves, wasn’t he a brother of two other Hampsons ?..namely, terrance and Peter………. To bring a few names to the fore..Vernon Glibary, Stanley Mc master, Gene Eksteen, Charley Barends, Titch and Sydney Saunders…to mention a few, any names ring a bell?….The making of props. for the trip to the yearly coastal camps , did that craze continue?…………. Who recalls a ‘Wilson’, head of the home school therefter Wychwood. And so we ramble on.
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- 544. Michael Rossouw | July 24, 2011 at 10:01 am
  
  There was a Wilson , an American Baptist missioner, I think, who was head of Wychwood when I was there in 1961 and 1962.
  Not sure if he was the Wilson you speak about.
  He hated the homeboys at that school; we were not allowed to participate in any sport at the school, we were victimised and singled out in his assemblies in the Wychwood courtyard and he made our lives miserable.He used to tap dance and click his heels in class to impress his students.
  There were also a ma and Pa Davis or Davies who taught there.
  Ma Davis I found to be quite sensisible, but he was certinly around the bend! his favourite comment was ‘boy! I’ll give you two la die tep”, which I think in my loose translation meant (I’ll whack you with a backhander twice on the head)
  Ma van Deemter was a teacher there too and she befriended the Home for many years ; this was after Mackey had worked hard to restore credibility to the home boys and repair the years of damage done by Wilson and his oddballs who ran the school.
  There was also another very caring teacher with an Afrikaans surname, Mrs van der merwe I think. She too had a soft spot for the homeboys she taught, and for many years along with Ma van Deemter always attended the Homes AGM, the Carol service and the remembrance day parade, right until after I had left the home.
  Many old boys of my era may remember Mr Marsh who acted as head after Wilson.He sadly died of Parkinsons disease when I was at malvern in Std 6.
  Ofcourse who can ever forget Mr Christiansen, or ‘Pop Chrissy” as he was called. A complete bafoon! hetried to teach us geography, much to the annoyance of Georgie Adams, a Canadian old boy who was a master of Simpson house in my time, that New York was the capital of the USA! Many other such like ‘pearls’ were dropped by him which were not entirely correct upon his students! He probably was the president of the Flat earth society!
  Georgie Adams I believe was called ‘half’ when he was in the home, because of his Canadian accent and his small stature.
  Georgie’s book on the history of the home is in draft form and is still to be published.
  Reply
545. Peter de Reuck | July 24, 2011 at 11:59 am

Michael, thanks so much for the detailed reply The Wlson you speak of is one of the same. I remember him over the years. he loved to sing, esp. during prayer times. one would hear his voice above all…..Some of the teachers names you mention I do not recall….Re. George Adams;s book, I would love to be kept up to date on it’s progress.
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546. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 25, 2011 at 3:12 am

Whoever logs on next is #29,000 … anyone have any idea how many writers are logged-in to this site? The answer will surprise you.

We are a dying breed.
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547. Allan Chrystal | July 25, 2011 at 5:01 am

29,000? Well we were there and now we are here. For now. Everything has an ending eventually. I am glad I found this site. It even energized me to try to find earlier Homes/boarding schools/orphanages I attended. No luck there. Even the correct names escaped me and people who knew are now long gone. My earliest recollection was a couple of years in a Catholic Convent in Rooideport. Nuns kneeling in church and a sea of beds in some large room similar to a gymnasium. I was probably about 5 so the war had something to do with it. Then about 5 years in some school in Northern Transvaal. Milner boarding school? Anderson was the head. Those Masters were much stricter and short tempered than Goggie’s crew. I was terrified of a couple. Particularly one we knew as Bunny. He kept a selection of canes in a tall enamel jug and took his time selecting one for your bare buttocks. Snap super clean hands inspections before meals was his specialty. Most of us from broken homes experienced other places before SGH. There are no accounts or records of most of them. SGH will have a recorded history.
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548. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | July 25, 2011 at 6:07 am

No matter how many times I hear a homeboy’s personal story … each one unique and painful in it’s telling … I am reminded how closely we are bonded together, with the same sadness, pain and anxiety that we all knew as kids.

My story is so similar to yours Allan, I first went to St, Hycinth;s Convent in Nigel at 8, just after my father died in an engineering accident. One year there then briefly ‘home’ with my mother, before being taken away by social services to The Haven in Greenside. One year there and once again ‘home’ – for a about a year before being yanked off yet again, this time to Welgelegen (well poistioned or layed out), in Alberton near the race track. Again, one year and then home for another before I came to St, Goggies. A life constantly on the move and an awful lot of schools (two of them twice) and no sooner do you make friends when you’ve got to start again.

No wonder it has taken me so long to grow up.

Yes, St. George’s Home for Boys, despite so much having being lost with the transition into the Bishop Bavin School, will indeed still have a recorded history … whose writer’s span a 76 year period of the past century … and not least of all, George Adams … whose chronicle forms the database on which we build.

At this moment in time Allan, you’re the eldest amongst us … but there is hope that someone from its earliest beginnings, might yet discover this site and add a voice from the distant past, at the very beginnings of this odyssey.

Wouldn’t that be something? A voice from 1915?

Here’s a question. With a history of producing so many musicians, singers in particular … how come St. George’s never had a school song of it’s own?
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- 549. Suzanne Spittal | October 7, 2011 at 3:26 pm
  
  Dear Sir,
  My father was a very young boy when he was placed in St. George’s Home for Boys. He was born in Johannesburg on
  5th September 1910 and remained at the Home for many years, until he became a qualified Bricklayer for James Thompson & Sons in Johannesburg. I believe he entered the Home during the very early years of the Home as he was previously in a home in the Free State, the name of which eludes me at present.
  I do not remember how old he was when he was taken to the home; perhaps someone else can tell us from what age boys were admitted in those days?
  I found your lovely site and was able to find his picture in many of the photographs, the most noteworthy being Vice Captain of the Old Boys Cricket Team, together with my Uncle Jimmy Watt.
  My father’s name was William Spittal and we spent our childhood hearing tales of what went on at St. George’s Home from my father. I was therefore delighted to read about the more “modern old boys” and also to remember the names of people at the home my father used to tell us about. O.W.L. Skey, Farley Burvill,
  Kenny McHolm, Major Rice and my mind went back to tales of Ox Wagon trips to the Vaal River that took several weeks; of the master in charge stepping onto a slippery slope on the river bank and disappearing under water in an instant; he didn’t re-surface and fortunately a group of boys dived in to rescue him, as he had slid in under the roots of a large tree, and was trapped under water. Of food rations and hungry boys who dried orange skins out in the sun to eat when there was no more fruit;
  Of the dangerous Amalitas, a group of Bantu men on the prowl, making rustling noises as they ran through the bush near the living quarters and frightened boys hiding under beds at night. I think they had something to do with the miners strikes, but I have not been able to trace the name. My father sadly died several years ago, and I do not believe you will find any other boys of his era are still alive. My father had a great love for St. George’s Home, but certain things that took place there had a detrimental effect on him later on in life. As kids we loved to listen to the stories, which were sometime quite shocking and we also learned to appreciate everything we received, as those boys had so little.
  I hope this will be of interest to the younger “old boys” and that you can encourage some 95 year old ex home boys to contribute their stories.
  Regards
  
  Suzanne Spittal (van Straten)
  Francistown
  Botswana
  Reply
  - 550. Allan Chrystal | October 8, 2011 at 5:36 pm
    
    Thanks for the contribution Suzanne. It is unfortunate that your father did not discover this site before he died. I’m sure he had a lot of interesting stories to tell. Who knew about ox wagon treks to the Vaal? That years later probably morphed into the July camps to Umbogintwini on the Natal coast. I could imagine Boet Symes hitching up a team had he been there at that time. There are probably a few 90+ year old Home boys out there. Hopefully they will find this place before their final move upstairs.
  - 551. Suzanne Spittal | October 9, 2011 at 2:24 pm
    
    Dear Allan
    As a family we heard numerous stories of the home and its’ boys. I have asked my elder sister to refresh my memory and we will write up the stories for this site. I do remember my father mentioning holidays to Lansley’s Hotel on the Natal north coast, where they were looked after by Mr. and Mrs. Lansley, who were either from Australia or New Zealand. When I was a child we holidayed there and the hotel was still owned by them. We need to encourage them to write, but how do we find them, that is the question? Is Kenny Mc Holm still alive. I do remember my father speaking about him. I will re-look at the photos and make up a list of names, then I will do my utmost to find the families of the “very old boys” and see what I can find. It is so sad that Morgan Ellis, who I also know very well, never was interested in preserving the memory of the home.
- 552. Sean Magill | December 6, 2020 at 5:15 pm
  
  Hi, is it possible to find out more about my father Brian Magill and his brother Desmond who were members at SGH. My father was born in 1915 (Belfast Northern Ireland) so must have been there after that.
  Reply
553. Peter de Reuck | July 26, 2011 at 4:18 am

Oi.. The third sunday of the month , when parents were allowed.to visit…….being an orphan I would utilise these hours by taking trips to the ‘Koppies’/ Galoolies farm. ..would make it back just in time with pillow cases laden with fruit ‘scaled’ from Solly Kramers orchids………..Speaking of different homes, orphanages etc.. here’s an exciting track record……St Martins home in Durban..from 1942 [ at the tender age of 3 ] to 1946, thereafter for one year to St mary’s in Rosettenville …then in. 1948.,.Goggies to .’55 …….. ………………Bobby logan and I had a tree hut in the pine tree’s below the fields , one day in our absence , Pat Williams broke in and stole our goodies..[ sugar, marbels and other..] we did confront him whereafter he was severly dealt with …made him walk the plank down on treasure island , will explain this in more detail in another episode…..So we ramble on……..Talk soon.
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554. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 2, 2011 at 6:10 am

The Age of Awareness.

No, this is not a philosophical diatribe … quite simply, I celebrated my 69th. birthday today … an iconic age numeral, to say the least … and realize that although I have been a gypsy all my life … even before my time in St. Goggies … and have been to a large extent, immune to the vagaries of fortune and the politics of the many countries I have lived in … including SA, I have at last become aware that I am not different, nor am I on the outside looking in nor excused from participating in the obligations of society and the responsibilities of stewardship of the ship of life. Yes, I too have to pay my dues and now have to roll up my sleeves and dig in to help our world get out of the morass we have buried ourselves in

So this is My Age of Awareness. What I don’t know. is what I can do
to help to make a difference … so my journey of discovery now begins.

In the words of the Lokota Indians who, when riding into battle on the plains, would cry out; Hanta Yo … which means; Clear the Way, I am coming … it is a good day to die!
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555. Peter de Reuck | August 2, 2011 at 8:20 am

D.C. Leslie Pringle………A very happy birthday to you…..Enjoy the day.
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556. Peter de Reuck | August 2, 2011 at 11:46 am

Talking of the annual sports meetings…as I remember , the competing of the mile was in my era usually a ‘two horse race. between Percy Parker and Bob. Logan….Percy breaking the tape on vertually every occasion.
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557. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 7, 2011 at 6:44 am

Wake me up when the revolution is over.

I recall in my later years in Goggiies how I used to practice my writing skills with up to thirty letters in a month (yeah, I used up most everybody else’s stamp allocations in the process) until old Robbie of Taylor House, gave me a sort of special dispensation to write as many as I wished, when I told him I was ‘practicing’ my skills .Of course I was completely unaware at the time, that he probably read most of them and was greatly amused that I could be so deceptively gauche.

You see, In actual fact they were my ‘begging’ letters and I can assure you, there is no better way to learn to write than with a begging letter. Every time I learned a new word … it was promptly inserted into 10 or more letters to different members of my extended family. As both my parents were the third youngest in families of 12 and 13 respectively … there was extensive fallow ground for my ‘pleading’ (seeding) efforts.

I learned how to ask for something that I wanted without actually saying so ,,, but my allusions were broad and flowery.and in hindsight, I guess adults were not so easily fooled … by looking through the leaves and shrubbery of my missives they doubtless detected the begging bug I was. … as I never did get any of those things I wanted. In fact, I didn’t even get that many letters back. but that did not deter me, every month I knocked out my load and waited … and waited.

The moral of the story? Persistence pays off! Of course my begging efforts were an absolute failure when counting the results or returns, but I scored ‘A’s” for english comp and essay.

You sometimes just can’t see the gold for the stardust.
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558. Allan Chrystal | August 7, 2011 at 3:55 pm

I was slightly more direct with my begging than you DC. The odd letter I wrote usually started with:
Dear Mum.
Life’s a buckner. Send me a fiver.
(Thats how I spelled bugger in those days.)
It was a weak attempt of facetiousness as a fiver was a fortune, but it was an actual plea for some lolly. It is great that you are a persistent writer DC. I’m sure many read your posts but don’t get around to commenting on them.
Allan Chrystal.
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559. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 7, 2011 at 10:52 pm

Par for course Alan … nobody paid attention to me when i was kid either. Okay … here’s something for you buggers sit up and to pay attention to.

I’M GOING TO WAR!

Did that get your attention? I hope so … ’cause it’s true.

In 1952 I experienced my first two political events … although at the time I did know what they actually meant. The first was the 200th. anniversary of the establishment of van Riebeck’s arrival at the Cape. The birth day of South Africa … you might say. I recall that our entire school (Martin Junior in Boksburg North) was driven in buses to the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria for a tour and then onto Ellis Park where a traditional folksy celebration ensued with bands, military and otherwise and folk dancers of all colors and stripes. and of course, Afrikaans Politicians telling us of our glorious past and the magical future. that we could expect.

The second was later that same year when Stuart and I were already installed in the Welgelegen Orphanage in Alberton,.and elections were being held. Near to Welgelegen was a public sport field and there a polling station had been installed. The area was almost entirely Afrikaans so you know what was being voted on … a ratification of Apartheid that had been introduced by Hendrik Verwoerd in 1948. As I child all I could do was observe … not that thought that anything was special about either event … but they both left a lasting impression on me for the scale of organization in both events.

In 1967/8 I often walked through Grosvenor Square in London where the American Embassy was located.. Both there and in Leichester Square in the West End … the anti Vietnamese war rallies were ongoing on a daily basis for months on end. I recall Tarik Ali (a student leader now a parlimentarian)) exhorting his colleagues to march on the American Embassy … and laughed at them and turned away, condemning their songs and slogans as the childish outpourings of a bunch of dumbass radical with ‘tak hare’.

Late in ’68 in Paris I did much the same when the students hit the barricades in the streets around the Champs Elysses and the Arch D’Triomphe. In 1970 in Hong, I chased the dollar while war raged in Vietnam and when those battle bruised and weary Americans soldiers came to Hong on on one of their RR tours, I would be down at the docks selling them ‘Funky Gongs’; (brass words like ‘Shit’ Peace, Love, F**k etc ) that they could hang around their necks on leather thongs … but sympathize with their pain .. no ways. I was busy making money. Ironically, I lived in an apartment that shared a floor with Time Life’s Vietnam bureau and I knew the reporters, editors and photographers who passed through there pretty well, so I knew what was going on, even about stuff that did not get into the papers.

In 1976 in Johannesburg when Soweto was fermenting and eventually erupted in July, I was busy selling up my assets in anticipation to leave in September of that year to go to Holland to get married. Stay for the revolution? Sorry, I have personal plans. And I left for good..

Well history has come knocking one more time on my door and I cannot NOT open it this time … for it will be my last chance … in fact, the last chance for all of us to change history and the inevitable slide of civilization into the darkness of Orwell’s horror scenario.

So, I am going to war. I am attending a massive rally in washington DC on October 6, 2011 with millions of Americans who are going to stand together, shoulder to shoulder – without weapons – but one voice yelling: ‘We ain’t gonna take it … no more!’.

If any of you do not know what this rant is about, then may I suggest you tune in to Truthout.com and take a look at http://www.October2011.org and http://www.ResetButton.org and join me in the Capital…. if you missed your bus too in the past..

.
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560. Michael Rossouw | August 8, 2011 at 6:46 am

Dudley,
You are right! And your war IS a “just” war!
We have been shafted by politicians in high places for far too long and we are also finding ourselves in a situation where our lives are controlled by power hungry , money grabbing politicians, financiers and the like who are just out for watching their own backs!
I guess it was dear Ma Noakes and Vera Kirkland, and other teachers at Malvern like Eugene Wright (nee Braun), Peggy Geddes (nee Morgan) Ep Cheyne and John Edmund (Johnny) Johnsen God Love them, who were responsible for my own polital formation at Malvern High School.At the Home, masters like Brian Gannon, Derrick James and of course Fr Norman Clayton and Eric and Betty Richardson (she being a founder member of the Black sash) shaped my political thinking.
I too remember in grade 2 at Townsview primary in JHB, being forced to mourn the death of JG Strijdom by standing in stoney silence in the schoolyard where we had daily assemblies… What the hell did we know.
We were simply told he was our Prime Minister and that he was a good man who gave his life for his country.
I remember Sharpeville, the assasination attempt on the life of the arch architecht of Apartheid, Dr HF Verwoerd and his being knifed in the house of Assembly; I remeber the many other state funerals of President Swart, Dr Donges (acting president) the Soweto uprising, the Boi Phatong massacre and many other events in our nation’s troubled history, where we as students were forced to believe that our leaders knew what was best for us and the country..We were more or less forced into believing that the national party was the only path for RSA to follow. Now all those very same nats are sitting in the ANC benches, certainly in the Westtern Cape, to save their political skins and pension benefits.
Most of us will receive an old age pension of R700 whilst they get fat cat payouts just like the bankers manipulating foreign currencies and the traders making money on the backs of those who cant afford to pay the loans they were given to buy their homes.What a mess!

Thank God we did have an independent Judiciary (although that didn’t last long!)

We were never allowed to mourn the passing and death of the Union of South Africa from the Commonwealth, and the declaration of a Republic which was declared on a very slender majority in a referendum which in which TWO THIRDS of the population were never consulted.
The promise that South Africa would beat the world never really materialised;however our transition to the abolition of Apartheid and the evolution to democracy was relatively peaceful considering, what is happening in the Middle East now.

What puzzles me is that it always seems to be our generation which got shafted.Now the world is in such a mess economically and politically, EVERYONE is affected.
When the US $ or the Euro fluctuate because of speculators wanting to make a fast buck through trading, everyone is affected.

The Chinese of course regulate their economy so goodness knows what’s up there in that country, except that the peasants are still poor and the growing middle class now enjoys a much better life than the children of Chairman Mao’s cultural revolution.
Likewise in RSA, the rising middle class amongst the Black South Africans have never known what it was like to carry a pass, to be raided in the dead of night and to be ‘sjambokked’ at a police station and then taken out on a road far away from town and dumped in the middle of nowhere, just for fun because some whitey felt they were less than human.

I too feeel angry. Even though I earn a US$ salary I am now no better off than I was in RSA12 years ago, although I have seen the world and had a great adventure as a result, (my choice) there is nowhere to retire to and nothing to retire on.
With currencies valued against the the Dollar, and the dollar fluctuating in value every day, well there are no savings to be made.
Perhaps that’s the reason why many folks are putting their money under the matress and not trusting the banks.

So Dudley, go to war. I wish I could go with you.Whilst I have always believed that no order comes out of chaos,
we need a people power revolution worldwide now more than ever.

You are right; as the song says ‘We’re not gonna take it anymore!’
So ‘Fight the good fight…’ I just hope we haven’t left things to late.
Who knows?
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561. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 8, 2011 at 8:06 am

Don’t Wait for the Revolution. Don’t wait for me.

Last week I blogged about my birthday and my Age of Awareness of feeling like a rebel. but without a cause. Well this rally I am going to in DC, is the beginning of the journey … ‘physical participation in change’. But I have spent the past few years immersing myself in the internet media (for I do not trust any corporate owned media any longer … for nothing! Nada! And as a result, I have found my ’cause’ and that is to engage everyone I know … to drag them to the trough if I have to force feed them if I have to, to make everyone aware that the future we all dream about is never going to happen … unless we stop the rot and change direction. NOW!

This is not just an American thing … it is a WORLDWIDE thing and despite the events in the middle east … Spain and Israel are already on the barricades … for weeks on end already. The conspiracies of the New World Order and all those other whacko jobs .., are not just conspiracies … they are real (Corporate) organizations engaged in doing exactly what the ‘conspiracists’ have been saying, destroying the middle and working classes to serve only themselves and the abominable greed they feed on.

In 1936, both the Catholic and the Protestant churches in the Weimar Republic of Germany turned a blind eye to the doings of the rising Nazi Party as Hitler outlined his plans for his own NEW WORLD ORDER called the 3rd. Reich. The churches had a vested interest of (investments) to protect, and did not want to make waves. You never know what these whacko’s will do they said … as they had read Mein Kampf.

The guys who financed and enabled Hitler, are the same guys running the show today and who have been for a considerably long time. The Rothchild’s were in banking before America was born. Today their Inter Alpha Banking group owns and/or controls 165 Central banks worldwide … God alone knows how many governments, including America, Canada, UK, France and Germany.

It’s more comfortable for everybody to turn away and say well, what can I do, it’s not my problem. That attitude created and enabled the excesses of the Nazi Party … and we all know how excessive that was.

Brother homeboys, I urge you all to enlighten yourselves with real facts … not conspiracy lunacy … and by being aware of the political manipulation by the ‘unseen hand’ of Corporate Power and elitist (fascist) wealth. It has corrupted the world and now it seeks to destroy it for even more gain. I can lead you to dozens of avenues of research and information and if any of you want to contact me direct for that help, please do not hesitate to write me at dclesliep@gmail.com

Go online … it’s all there … but you have to look and read and then act! When Rome falls … all her territories fall. When America crumbles … your walls are going to crack … everywhere … as everybody in the entire world is dependent on this nation staying solvent and sane. It’s off the track right now … but we are gathering our power to correct it … and we need all the help and support we can get … for the forces arrayed against us, also control the most powerful military force the planet had ever known and will not hesitate to use it to protect their wealth and power. Truthout.

Dudley Pringle.
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- 562. Don Macleod | August 19, 2011 at 7:51 am
  
  Hi Dudley, My name is Don Macleod. I was in the same camp as your brother Stuart in Tanganyika from 1959 to about 1962-3. We hunted together and became good bussies. We left Williamson Diamonds employ at about the same time and met up again in Durban where he married Rinalda and had a son named Guy. I know he made wildlife doccies and later moved to USA. I would very much like to correspond with him as I am, in my twilight years, trying to contact members of the old crew who worked with us there.
  My e.mail is kloofie@ikusasa.net and live in Kloof outside Durban in KZN. South Africa.
  Reply
563. Michael Rossouw | August 8, 2011 at 10:03 am

Count me in Dudley! Don’t start the Revolution without me!!
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564. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 8, 2011 at 9:13 pm

Welcome aboard Father Michael … we need all the moral compasses we can gather.

Those not inclined to save their world, had better head for the hills and grow vegetables. Because, if we fail to halt this ultimate Power Grab by an elites, those few obscenely wealthy and totally compassionless moguls and corporate Monsters around this globe … but particularly here in USA and London … you can kiss the good life goodbye and be prepared for life in Oceania … circa 1984.

Truthout.

Adendum:

Very late in life I discovered my passion. I fiddled around with a zillion ideas within the realms of my creative capabilities …. music, art, invention and had numbers of adventures in multiples of companies I’ve owned or been a part of over the years around the world. But in 1979 under strange circumstances I discovered ‘light’ and in particular ultra violet light as an application media in Entertainment and my Passion was born. I pioneered a new technology and a new industry while living in Holland and then brought it to the States in 1989 … and put myself on the map. I’ve since sold my company but continue to play and experiment with light in many applications, including new invention and thought that that would be my course for the rest of my days.

All the while, I was witnessing the disintegration of my world
around me and an awareness began to grow that something was fundamentally wrong with the picture I saw. So three years ago I began digging into the internet looking for TRUTH … looking for a moral authority who had both an insight into an a solution to the insidious corruption of mankind by greed and an emerging totalitarian octopus, slowly but surely sucking the life out of this planet and it’s many species. It was enormous and unstoppable, for it held all the aces. Total control of our lives and we have become so complicit in it’s developing growth a now so dependent on it’s System, that we will die to defend it. It that mad? I think it is!

I decided I wanted out of it and started researching where to go. South America called me … from echos of my intense interest in the Maya, Inca and Aztec cultures as a junior student in South Africa I thought I could find refuge there. After evaluating all the plusses and minus of 9 countries … I chose Ecuador. For the past few months I have been planning to go there at the end of September, to explore the place and see what roots I could put down there. I was looking for a picture of a landscape or seascape that I had in my mind and was going to spend 4 to 6 weeks there looking for it. If I found it, a partner and In were going to buy the land and and build a self-sustaining, totally green retreat for health and adventure.

That’s suddenly been put on hold now as I have discovered another passion: World Salvation! No, I do not pretend to be a Spiritual Wannabee … (Uhuru Guru), I just want to get involved in stopping the bullsh*t and help to turn this human devolution into an ascendency!. We are in serious trouble folks .. the list of things that are wrong with our world can fill a library. The information is all available in the halls of this amazing University called the Internet. Use it.

As Warren buffet said: We are in a war of the haves and have nots … and my side is winning! Check … but not checkmate!

There are emerging groups of serious, intelligent people, all aware of the approaching storm and who are working to provide rational alternative and humanistic solutions, to bring sanity back to our planet. But they need everybody’s support … all over the world. So, excuse me. I’m needed on the barricades.

Truthout.
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565. Allan Chrystal | August 9, 2011 at 4:24 am

DC.
Thats an interesting agenda list at the link. Tax the rich and the corporations. Many would argue that it would be counter productive. Rich people and corporations provide many jobs. Cutting all tax loopholes makes sense. GE made $14.2 billion profits and paid no Federal tax. The CEO, Jeffrey Immelt is Obama’s jobs chief and recently moved hundreds of jobs overseas. No sweat for Obama. Of every green job created in Spain they lost 5 others. Getting money out of politics would be great but how? Attack ads are effective and cost money. Big unions are just as corrupt as big corporations or big government. There are many time bombs ticking and they will all explode some time. Over population is one. Global pollution and clean water. Radical Islamofascism is another. If it wasn’t for political correctness it would receive top billing. In the dirty thirties people made out as best they could lawfully. Today people riot, burn and plunder at the drop of a hat. They will loot stores rather than go hungry.
I think Krauthammer has a good plan for America’s economic woes. http://tinyurl.com/3hrrj9f
Steyn’s new book “After America” should be required reading for every Western politician.
http://conservativeinthecloset.blogspot.com/2011/08/mark-steyns-after-america-get-ready-for.html

.. and while on my le linky bent.
Rich man poor man. http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=56&load=5851
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566. Peter de Reuck | August 9, 2011 at 11:59 am

Due to circumstances which do need my undivided attention,….I bid you all farewell. I do so cherish our friendship and the fond memories I have of my eight years at goggies.. To all you members from my era and others…..[ So many stories left untold.]…I say bye and look after yourselves…….”vasbyt’….Peter de Reuck..
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567. Allan Chrystal | August 9, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Take care Peter. Drop back in when you get a chance.
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568. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm

Farewell Peter, it was good to make your acquaintance again after all these years … I hope that what takes you away from us here … will allow you to visit again from time to time. Be well – be informed – stay in touch.

Dudley Pringle.
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569. D.C. Leslie-Pringle | August 14, 2011 at 8:31 am

Tedd Tree … there are three people out here trying to track you down. Allan Crysta, myself and now Huma Aslan, who has just written me asking for your email address. Allan and I presume that you have finally decided to retire and have retreated to your cabin in the woods.

I’m sure that although you rarely post on these pages , that you at least pop in from time to and so will see this message. Please give both myself and Allan a sign that you are reachable … a new email address will be useful.

dclesliep@gmail.com.

Take care shamwari,

Dudley.
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570. Andrew Mackie | August 16, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Wow, I have just perused and read a lot of the blogs on this page and they sure bring back memories almost forgotten. Like Puma Symes and I am sure there was a master without port folio Arbuckle.
While I was only at St Georges for 2 years having been moved there from SOE Childrens Home in Rosebank many memories have been stirred, Wilson at Wychwood Primary and eating stale tomato jam sandwiches from brown carton delivered to the school. As a rookie polished many a bugle in the band room under the chapel. Also cooking cans of condensed milk on wood fires, visiting Gilloolys farm on the Sundays as my divorced parents did not visit. Well I now know where this site is will keep coming back for news as at the age of 72 am not yet senile enough to forget the past.

Best regards,
Andrew Mackie
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571. Andrew Mackie | August 23, 2011 at 1:28 pm

For many years I have maybe unconciously been in denial that I was an orphan from divorced parents and therefore did not wish to acknowledge my childhood in SOE Childrens Home and the St Georges. My wife of some 46 years knows very little of this past history. I think from about the age of 4 years was in institutions caring for youngsters like me and have never spoken of these times to my family of 3 children and 7 grandchildren, my eldest grandson now 22 years old lives with his parents and 2 brothers in Auckland NZ. My other children are still here in RSA and we are quite close and lunch together every Sunday. Now at the age of 72 have retired and lead a quite life after being reasonably successful in business and travelled to most parts of the world in pursuit opportunities for the large companies I worked for. If anything St Georges taught me to be independant and resourceful and above all honest in all my endeavours. For this I am most grateful and now having spent some 2 hours reading up on all the other past histories listed here feel happy and humbled to know others have lived through some hardships akin to mine.
Thank you to all who have contributed to this chronicle and hope it will continue for many more years.

Andrew Mackie
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572. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 23, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Welcome Andrew Mackie … you’ll doubtless meet a few of your old peers,and possibly old mates here. It’s better late than never to come to grips (and peace) with your past, and your entry into this portal sounds like a great beginning. I hope, now you will be able to bring your family into that dark shadow of memory and allow in the light and joy and freedom from childhood ghosts.There is no better way to dispel them than revealing them to the light of shared experience. Here’s hoping you’ll recite a few of your experiences from that time … just prior to mine and most of those who have assembled here.
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- 573. david wilson | September 4, 2011 at 2:40 am
  
  My Dear Friend Dudley,
  I came upon this site surfing the Net for possible info on you and Richard Thomas. When I read your comments about Bill Keyser
  and the Kruger Brothers I was convinced it must be you.
  Would so appreciate contact and sharing old times if you wish.
  Best Wishes anyway,
  David Wilson (The Dutchman.) Triumph Bonneville ?
  Bulawayo.
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  - 574. Sean Magill | December 6, 2020 at 4:43 pm
    
    Hi David, I am trying to trace a a family who my parents hosted for school holidays and wondered if they were part of the Kruger brothers you mentioned. Ican only remember the name of one, I think it was Errol. There were 5 brothers
    
    Regards
    Sean Magill
575. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 4, 2011 at 7:49 am

David Wilson … the Flying Dutchman … is that you statue? That was 50 years ago … what a surprise! Touch base with me on my email address: dclesliep@gmail.com. Rik Thomas lived for years in Hong Kong … I don’t know if he still does, although I have tried to locate him from old addresses and email dating back 10 years without luck. He knows where to find me however, and I have hoped that he would do so … but not yet. Hope you’ve had better luck.
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576. Hutokshi | September 4, 2011 at 1:10 pm

This is a message from India (Mumbai). My Uncle, now age 88 (an oil miller from Lourenco Marques) would dearly like to know any information of Mr. Lance Japhet. Can anyone help??
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577. Michael Rossouw | September 4, 2011 at 10:10 pm

I believe Lance Japhet passed away a year or so ago. He was for some time Chairman of the Urban foundation and was also chairman of the Bishop Bavin School Board of Governors as well as that of St george’s Home. My brother John would be able to give more details.His email is .
Lance was a key man in the transformation of St George’s to what is now the Bishop Bavin School.He served these institutions for many years and was a man who gave much of his time in projects which were geared towards transforming society in South Africa for the betterment and uplifting his fellow human beings.
father Michael Rossouw (Philippines)
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578. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 7, 2011 at 4:28 am

http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v+b3-vwYJiD8g&feature=player_embedded#!

In case you guys think I’ve gone soft in the past few days and have been letting you off the hook from my’dire warnings’ … here’s an apple to chew on that will rattle your cages. And as I have been urging Allan Crystal up in Canada, not to loose sight of the vegetable growing season, I caution you all to also keep your eye on that ball too. Perhaps this video will persuade you to get serious.
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579. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 7, 2011 at 4:08 pm

Some one remarked that the above post sounded like Chicken Little running around crying that the Sky is Falling. And that is exactly what it is … the info is founded on nothing Just another doomsday scenario without any supporting analytics. Rank garbage in other words.

But my purpose is to illustrate that more and more of this hysteria is popping up everywhere due to the world monetary crisis and uncertainty. It this uncertainty of the future that tells us to prepare for the worse before it gets better and one thing is for certain … the future of paper money is seriously in doubt … witness the skyrocketing rise of the value of gold and silver. So take care of yourselves and prepare a backup plan … just as you would if a tsunami was approaching.
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580. Andrew Mackie | September 12, 2011 at 7:08 am

On cleaning out a cupboard which had not been used for years I came across some old documents which indicated my stay at St. Georges was much longer than I recalled. Amongst these papers is a confirmation certificate from the Bishop of Johannesburg dated 23rd November 1952 and signed by the Rev.J Short. Maybe some other old boys were also confirmed on that day and recall the event. By all accounts my stay at St. Georges was from early 1948 to end 1952. Will post the certificate on St. Georges Facebook page and possibly others may have similar document indicating their confirmation on same date.
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581. peter de reuck | September 14, 2011 at 10:13 pm

Hi all, after a short absence how are you ?…@ Andrew Mackie , noting the years of your stay at Goggies ..our paths must have crossed,… The years 1948 to ’52, I was in simpson house under Peter Harper……..Dudley , how are you?..
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582. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 15, 2011 at 5:48 am

Hi Peter. I guess you’ve been missing us, so welcome back. Did you go ‘walk about’? This blog has been so silent of late, I must presume that all of us are preoccupied with a failing world and it’s impact on us individually.

Earlier, an old friend of Stuart’s contacted me via this site to reconnect with him. Don McCleod from Durban, now in his early ’70’s and living in Kloof. In the space of two or three emails either way, I have come to learn more about the real living conditions in South Africa from him, than I have learned from these many pages over the past 3 or more years.

Hearing Don’s litany about the tyranny of violence and crime one has to live with there, even LA with it’s hundreds of gangs with tens of thousands of members, sounds like a safer, saner place to be … because we have rational organization and professional cops and the rule of law of course. You only miss that when you are confronted with the opposite and I must say, I sympathize with you all.

No amount of cameras and infra red scanners, and no amount of high voltage in high secure fencing is worth one day of worry free freedom and peace of mind.

As they say: You can’t appreciate civilization until you’ve tasted Maximillan’s New York Cheescake,

Food crisis is on its way … I’m beginning to read about it from reports all around the world. Food prices are up and recent weather related problems have disrupted critical supply chains in grains and corn. Species depletion in the oceans is also raising alarm signals and Somalia is symptomatic of a growing food supply problem for the WHO.

What am I getting at? If you have’nt started your vegetable gardens yet … at least buy seeds and put them in storage and no, I am not joking. It could turn nasty/

Brother Michael in the Philippines. needs a Positive Reinforcement Charge from all of us. He is facing the assault of demons and he needs us to cover his back while he deals with the frontal attack …So send a a Supercharge Energy Thought his way today.

Peace be with all of you.
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583. Al. | September 15, 2011 at 6:44 am

Don’t do that again Peter. Like leaving a cryptic message that you will be gone to attend to something. I tend to think at our age it is for a heart transplant or something seriously similar.

DC.
Your posts reminded me of the time I followed the weekly letter from Cathy Buckle. She reported the Zimbabwe scene fearlessly and I was sure Mugabe would have her muzzled if not wasted. (killed). I just Googled ‘ Cathy Buckle Zimbabwe’ and was surprised to see 406K hits. It seems she is still at it, reporting as recently as last month from Zimbabwe. I expect SA will follow Mugabe’s path to anarchy to some extent.
I bought her book Beyond Tears but don’t know what happened to it. Probably loaned it to someone and lost track. Planting food crops wouldn’t work here. Weather and hungry people would just steal the stuff. Besides it may take too long to grow and harvest. I’d go the Costco route. If I recall right sealed emergency rations, 200 meals for $87. Good for 5 years and probably tastes like cardboard.
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584. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 16, 2011 at 3:33 am

Golden Seeds.

You know what they say Al? You want the job done? Give it to the lazy man … he’ll find the shortest way to do it.

Acquiring gold and silver takes money … if you can’t afford the amazingly ‘high’ prices at present (high is a relative term right now), then find a way to trade or barter for some in any form that you can get it… coins, bullion or jewelry. Gold at $1800 at present, will double by the next election in Nov. 2012. No, I’m not an expert … but I understand now what influences it’s price and there is a lot more coming down the pike that is going to make it spike even higher soon enough.

So that’s the mantra for the moment: Gold ‘n Seeds. Take heed.
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585. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | September 22, 2011 at 6:29 am

Talking about seeds and growing vegetables … which I seem to have been going on about for the past couple of years … here is an article that better articulates just what is at stake in the possible shortages of food in the future.You can grow all kinds of vegetables,fruits and salads vertically in hanging baskets, if you have no ground space.

http://www.truth-out.org/resisting-corporate-thefts-seeds/1316612946

This then is my last word on the subject … Invest in some seeds, period.
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586. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | October 11, 2011 at 4:49 am

It is good that you have taken such an interest in the old home and it’s history Susan. Earlier in this blog … a year or two ago, I wrote how important it was for everyone with a memory. to add their voice to this story … for this is SGH’s history …. our memories.

George Adam’s book will go a long way to match dates and names of the historical record, but this blog is the living memory of our mutual experience, spaced over 76 years from 1915 to 1991.

I said then, that if our children don’t take an interest in our story, it is hardly likely our grandchildren will … and there goes your history … lost forever.

So Susan, welcome to the old boys club.
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587. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | October 22, 2011 at 6:01 am

The Phoenix is Rising.

It’s way too quiet on the Western Front … whatzup down South?

There’s smoke in Zucotti Park and sparks on Wall Street … got people nervous in their ivory towers.

A bunch of discontented ‘hippies’ in tents and T-shirts intent on making an impression … from a media blackout to a world wide progression.

An unlikely beginning for an American Revolution … but who thought a tea party would turn into one too.

There’s an inferno in petto that’s growing – waiting for ‘the winds of change’ to get going and yet …the Masters of the Universe who view it … see no more than the Bonfire of their Vanity.

It’s peaceful enough at present … but remember, there can be no revolution without blood in the streets … so it may not be long before it becomes unpleasant.

Occupy Yourself.
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588. Anguilla Spa | October 27, 2011 at 6:26 am

Anguilla Spa…

[…]Saint George’s Home for Boys 1915 – 1991 « Saint George’s[…]…
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589. peter260539 | November 6, 2011 at 4:53 am

To all Goggie ob’s…Howzit….with the recent passing of my son Desmond..[ thus my absence of late ]..I still find it very difficult to come to grips with reality….do look after yourselves ….what a pleasure it was to reaquaint with you guys….Regards Peter de Reuck.
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590. Michael Rossouw | November 6, 2011 at 7:15 am

Dear Peter
My sincere condolences on the sad passing of your son Desmond.
In my experience in dealing with the deaths of those particularly close to us, it is the time after the funeral when one needs the extra moral support fro others in order to come to terms with the reality of these events in our lives.

Be assured that you have many other ‘brothers’ who will share your grief and sorrow at this time; all of us who passed through the gates of ‘goggies’ are our extended family, particularly those who tell their stories on this website. So take heart dear friend and know that we are thinking of you at this time.

Last week I said a memorial Eucharist for a dear old lady whom I had only met some 4 weeks ago.
She had been living in Subic from the time it was a military base for the US, and stayed on after the US military were asked to leave by the Philippine government.
She was 92 and had had ‘a good innings’.
Her predominently Roman catholic friends (all 4 of them) attended the service and had begged me three weeks before to come and administer Holy Unction to her.
While she was supposedly dying, I was asked to administer the last rites, and yet , on the 3 occassions I visited her she was fully alert and conversed with me as if she had her whole life in front of her.
She had asked to be visited by an Episcopal (Anglican ) priest.
I am the only one here and there is no Anglican church building or community here other than the school, and the school’s population is mostly Roman catholics and christians from other more evangelical denominations. There are some Buddhists and a few Muslims. Many if not most of the students are “unchurched” and, as such, find chapel quite an effort and at times boring as indeed many of us did when we were at St George’s.
This situation is very much the product of the doing away with any form of Religious teaching in public schools in the US, the UK and countries like Australia and latterly South Africa by respective governments.

Churching the unchurched or bringing those of no faith to faith in God (or a Higher Power than ourselves) is the challenge in this century.

The grief one experiences at the passing of a loved one can only be felt by those closet to the person who has died.
I have in the last two years laid to rest the mortal remains of 3 people , two students who died a year apart to the day at the school and latterly , almost to the day, the dear old lady in Subic.
The one student, Christy, I knew very well . She died at 17 of a heart condition, and laying her mortal remains to rest was the hardest of tasks for any school chaplain to perform, especially for me.
The second student, Hans 16 took his own life. I didn’t really know him well as I had not taught him, but I knew of him as I’d taught his younger brother.Again it wasn’t easy, but somehow we managed to get through the pain of losing someone in our family here at Brent. When one part of the Body is hurt, the others also suffer; and then of course, dear Dora, the old American lady I hardly knew who, after being taken to hospital in Manila, died of cardiac arrest..

In all these events however I was very conscious of God’s presence and call on my own life, difficult as that call at times may be.

Of course you and you family will grieve for a long time but please be assured of God’s love and ours at this time.

As St Paul and many other wise men have said in one way or another, “nothing can separate us from the love of God….,”
therefore treasure the memories you have of Desmond, as I’m sure you do, and know that some day we will meet again and rejoice ‘on another Shore and in a greater Light.’

Please accept our deepst sympathy to you and your family at this time and be assured of our prayers for you all.
May God Bless you and enfold you in His Love.
Yours sincerely

fr Michael Rossouw
(SGH 1961-1967)
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591. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 6, 2011 at 7:39 am

I wondered at your self-excused absence recently and and then brief return before you disappeared again … and now I understand … and offer my deepest sympathy on your son’s passing, Peter.

Put down his body – take up his spirit and rejoice … for it is easier to celebrate someone’s life than to mourn their absence in yours … especially one’s own child.

Stand strong … we stand with you and share your loss, though we cannot feel your pain.

Dudley
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592. peter260539 | November 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm

To Michael and Dudley…thanks ever so much for the kind words…..
….Bless you guys….Peter.
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593. Al lan Chrystal | November 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Peter.
It does not seem right that parents bury their children or younger siblings pass away first. At times like these I wish I had the insight and empathy of Fr Michael or DC.
Allan Chrystal.
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594. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 6, 2011 at 10:37 pm

A war poem I read many years ago … whose creator and title I no longer remember … left one small stanza in my head for these past 50 odd years.

‘… as brother’s we came, as brother’s we fall, for the burden of one -is the anguish of all.’

The brothers are spread far and wide today Peter … but they are all just without the windows of this portal, looking in. We share your grief.

DC.
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595. peter260539 | November 7, 2011 at 7:14 am

Dudley, allan and Michael., my wonderful friends…. Denise and I, do feel so very touched by your kind words….to all of you ,.I am truly lost for words…God bless you all…. Peter and Denise.
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596. Andrew Mackie | November 7, 2011 at 9:54 am

Dear Peter,

I feel pain and sorrow when a parent has to bury their children, as just recently attended a funeral of a business associate who lost his only daughter in the prime of her life.The pain this man was enduring cannot be described in words. Hopefully you have friends nearby to give support and help this passing to be more bearable. My deepest sympathy to you and your wife. God Bless.
Andrew Mackie
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597. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 2, 2011 at 9:17 am

Nostalgia I see, has it’s time limits. The buzz and traffic volume of the early days of this site have seemingly given way to the same old dull routine that was life in St. Goggies. The occasional check in once in a while and then quietly slip away to one’s own occupation. Mmm … old habits die hard. Having a conversation with a vacuum is like clapping with one hand. What’s that you say? You’ve got nothing to say? A life of experiences since leaving St. Goggies … and you’ve got nothing to say? Doesn’t sound like homeboys to me. Not the one’s I remember. In the meantime there is a new street war going on worldwide … anyone notice?
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598. Michael Rossouw | December 2, 2011 at 11:47 pm

We have noticed! I’ve just been trying to transfer money to my daughter via paypal! What a mission. ‘Turns out that you can only pay South African recipients if you, the payer, are in South Africa!
RSA citizens can send money to a paypal account outside the country but cannot receive money from outside the country. Such is the paranoia that exists in RSA over ‘exchange control’.
Such is the hold the banks and Big business and the government we choose have over our lives.
Their attitude seems to be ‘to hell with the rest, as long as we can get our fat bonuses, government bailouts at the taxpayers expense and make as much money as possible”
Every month we have to keep asking “where does all our hard earned cash go?’
I know of at least two senior retirees who lost everything when Saambou collapsed. Here in the Philippines many expats lost everything with the financial crash. Our parents and Grand parents spoke about what it was like living during the depression, but it is likely that we may see these times again sooner than we think.
How many conferences of European bankers and leaders does it take to sort out this Eurozone crisis for example?

I remember Allan Bugess, former housemaster of Taylor House and sometime Head of Rand park High school, teaching us how a current checking account works.He taught Mathematics and accounting at Malvern.
It seemed so simple then. “save it , you have it; spend it , it’s gone”
I think there was also a sign or poster in many shops and corner cafes in RSA saying “I sold on credit” and the man looked extremely poorly in the poster.The other side read “I sold in cash” and like Wilkens Macawber in Dicken’s “David Copperfied” he prospered (eventually)
Ma Kirkland read this novel with us during English Literature class and told the story and characterisations as only she could do.
Ma Noakes our History teacher also used to say to the girls “Girls, an ante nuptual contract and a good stockbroker are a girl’s best friend!”

Isn’t money just ‘paper’?
Is our computerized banking system not merely a record of transactions with very large bank charges added to it?

“the Get richer and the poor have Children…” as the song goes.
Ain’t we got fun!

Sadly I never really understood matters of Commerce and I did not take the subject ‘cos I wasn’t good at Maths, a seemingly pre requisite for the course. I preferred listening to Ma Kirki and Ma Noakes wax eloquently about English Literature and the state of the nation and World affairs. Both were very vocal in their opposition to Apartheid and the Verwoerd government at that time.

I believe we were very fortunate to have had such dedicated teachers as these! Judge Durdie , God bless him, was also very particular about accounting and accountability, both in life and in his subjects (Arithmetic and Accounting). Charlie Landau also taught us that honesty was the best policy, particularly on the cricket pitch, and it was JJ deJager who taught me that ‘cribbing’ in tests was dishonest.

As the good book says “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth… for where your treasure is there will your heart be also”
One doesn’t know which way to turn!

Despite all of this “gloom and doom” on our TV screens I trust you are all well and that the season of Goodwill will bring you joy.
I shall write again soon.
Blessings
Michael Rossouw (Philippines)
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599. Allan Chrystal | December 3, 2011 at 12:39 am

Michael.
I have been sending cash to my sister in SA from Canada for a year or two. Before that I used to wire cash via a local bank. Problem with that it cost me $30 and her another $30. So I tried paypal and it works great, is cheap and I can do the works from my iTouch in bed in the middle of the night. No line ups at a bank.
There is only one bank in SA that uses PayPal so she had to open an account with that bank. (First National Bank)
Then all that is required is the name and email address of the payee.
If you are interested email me –> ajxtal@gmail.com with that info and I will send a token $10 to ‘blaze the way’ so to speak.
Talking of history teachers I lusted after a Miss Jolly in Std 6 at Germiston high. I think she was an exchange teacher from Vancouver Island. GH was a boys only school so a buxom bombshell in the same room was awesome to me. But I digress.
I think the occupiers are targeting the wrong people. Freddie and Fanny along with the Whitehouse, Congress and maybe even the NY Times. They had more to do with the market meltdown than Wall Street.
Allan Chrystal
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600. Allan Chrystal | December 6, 2011 at 6:40 am

A early Merry Christmas to all.
Back to PayPal. When checking out PayPal I found that by sending a small amount PayPal contacts the recipient and supplies all the information required to setup the account. If it got hung up or lost somehow it wouldn’t matter.
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601. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 11, 2011 at 8:55 am

Somebody should have occupied Durban. One of life’s critical moments of decision came and went, without a solid concensus … and nobody Occupied the Edward. Pity. Because it is going to get hot … about 4 degrees hotter within this century … with little chance of reversing that fact once we get there. As I have said before, food is gong to become a problem. Certainly water is already a problem and will become much worse. While coffee and Starbucks conversations carry on … the world burns! And the fiddler can’t stop … as he too must earn a living. History is burning with events … coming faster and faster down the pike and despite the widespread use of the digital media … we not only cannot keep up with it … but are in danger of over exposure and event burnout. But this is not the time to simply switch off … this is that time when we should be most vigilant … to be prepared for rapid catalismic events to occur that will forever change the paradigm of the current capitalistic system. The dollar is doomed and so is the Empire … and the times … they are certainly a changing. Pretty mean obituary for the year 2O11 but … it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings … and she hasn’t entered the theater yet. So, for what it’s worth … count your blessings and enjoy the Christmas period, hopefully within the comfort of family and friends. My brother Stuart just returned to his ranch in Nevada after a brief, first visit to South Africa in over 35 years. I haven’t heard from him yet, but my sister Sandra in Midrand, informs me that he was troubled by what he found there in terms of the quality of life in living there. It’s getting tough here … but I can only imagine how much tougher it must be there. Be safe, be happy, Merry Christmas everyone. Dudley Pringle 1955 to 1959
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602. Michael Rossouw | December 11, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Hozit Durbs! Used to be a great place for a Holiday.
Who of us Home boys could not remember hitch-hiking along the South coast in all its beauty.Pine apple and sugar cane farms to be raided, nutties and pinkies to buy at the Untentweni Store and all the the annual camp stuff that went on in that green-hilled land called “Natal”
With things ‘hotting up’ as they are and climate change becoming more of a burning issue, the politicians still “dilly-dally”
‘Just saw on the BBC the Chinese delegate ranting nad raving about the rest of the World telling them what to do.Everyone kowns China is one of the biggest burners of fossil fuels and polluters, and that their 3 dams project has totally changed the ecology of the rest of the nations around them.people have simply been “moved” to make way for their industrial growth.The Beijing Olympics were carefully stage managed in order to ensure that the world saw a prosperous China.
His take seems to suggest that the developed nations got to where they are because they explointed the World’s resources to the full and now, they want China to pay. Everyone knows that the Chinese economy is stage-managed by the party faithful in Beijing. Their attitude seems to be,”we need to develop radiply, and to heck with the cost both in resources and in loss of human life and dignity.To hell also with what the rest of the world thinks.”

Even the great wall it is rumored has dead bodies buried in and under it because of the cruely of the masters who oversaw the building of it centuries ago.

One can only hope and pray, but as the Bible says “Heaven and earth will pass away….”
As custodians of the planet I still feel “The earth is the Lord’s and all that therein is…”
We are called to look after Earth and its resouces.
But doing nothing and just saying we cannot help will take its toll on us all sooner than we think.

I shall try to write again before Chritmas, when I hope we shall be thinking on less gloomier things.
Blessings
Michael Rossouw.
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603. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 18, 2011 at 5:35 am

Christmas 2O11. It’s that time of year again … time to count old grey heads and send good wishes … hither and thither and everywhere … for the greybeards are spread far and wide. Where ever you are, you are connected to a network of ‘brothers’ who share a common past spaced over a number of years … and all of us as I recall, looked forward to Christmas {almost as much as we dreamed of Umtentweni in the summer … as a time of renewal, but especially as a time of hope … for a reprieve, a lucky break or any positive change in our personal status in the new year. So with that memory in mind, may I wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday and may the new year usher in your very best ‘Lucky Break’.
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- 604. Andrew Mackie | December 18, 2011 at 8:35 am
  
  Many thanks for the Christmas wishes and the reminiscencess of the many years ago when we we all very young and looking forward to a better future. Yes and as the years go by we become fewer and fewer and our memories tend to fade unless we are reminded of our past history and friendships made and forgotten. For me, having discovered this forum has added to my life experience and the joy of hearing from boys who lived at St. Georges. To one and all I wish a Blessed Christmas and Healthy 2012.
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605. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 20, 2011 at 8:33 am

Peter De Reuke, I know this is going to be an especially difficult time for you and your family, to be celebrating Christmas for the first time without your son Desmond present. If I may offer you some solace, there is a way to celebrate him at the same time. Place a portrait of Desmond, as large as you can, on a windowsill inside your living room with a view outside. Mount a candle in front of it and light it on Christmas Day … and you will find his illuminated image to be a warm and comfortable presence that will help to dispel your family’s sadness on that joyous day. Be at peace.
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606. Michael Rossouw | December 20, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Dear Friends
The Examinations have been graded, the gradebooks updated on the computer and the end of term party has come and gone.
Sadly , we always seem to be celebrating Christmas during Advent, my favorite season in the Church’s Liturgical year. By the time Christmas finally comes , we are “out partied”, “out carolled” and “out Christmassed”, if you know what I mean; the sense of waiting for Christmas is all over by the time it arrives.

Advent has an air of expectancy and excitement about it.
Children can’t seem to wait for Christmas . “How many more sleeps before Christmas Dad ?” my children (and I’m sure yours too) eagerly ask.
And yet, despite all the activity which precedes the Holiday season, Advent is a time where we learn to wait in hope during the weeks before Christmas in anticipation of celebrating this Holy season of Peace and Goodwill towards all people.

We live in a world in which the relationship between coutries has become so complex;our relationships with each other are so intertwined that whatever happens in one part of the World has an often drastic effect in another, so much so that we don’t always have answers to the many perplexing questions we face.
Our World leaders can’t seem to agree on anything, be it the Financial crisis in the Eurozone,Wall Street battling with Main Street, Climate change or ways to achieve World Peace.

However, despite all of this, we are called to be a people of Hope.
Much is said about Faith and Love in many circles, both religious and secular, but Hope is often overlooked.

As a boy growing up in ‘Goggies’ there was for many of us a sense of Hope as the holidays came upon us; hope that we would have a great holiday over Christmas (all six to seven weeks of it!), hope and indeed joy that,during the holidays we’d not have to do endless house work for those dreaded Saturday and Head’s inspections; no homework or prep every night between 7 and 9 p.m, no boning of boots for cadet parades, no dorm duties and ‘fagging’ errands for patrol leaders, just a time to have fun and do our own thing with our families or our host parents and our friends.

Holidays always brought with them some form of hope and anticipation; hope that we would be able to do the things we enjoyed without fear of having to face being kept in on “outing Sunday” or being given six of the best or being gated or being given ‘ extra work’ like having to make beds , polish shoes and floors , sweep polish the quadrangle and chapel stoeps, clean windows , ‘brassoing’ window latches,’silvoing the house cutlery
(a task I always landed up doing, both in Beaton and Taylor houses!) digging ditches and “pick and shovel” gardening work, and all the other ‘stuff’ which kept us from doing our own thing as young boys in the home.

The thought of our Mom’s or host parents home cooking instead of cabbage and cabbage soup, Willy’s skilly, stale sarmies and Home buns specially baked by Fotheringhams bakery down near Cleveland stationalways gave us a sense of anticipation and hope for better things which the holidays would bring for us.

It is with this sense of ‘Hope’ in mind that I write to you all to wish you every Blessing over this Holiday season as well as to wish you Joy and prosperity in the year ahead.We are a people of hope , and it is my prayer that all your hopes for the coming year will be fulfilled.

For the Rossouw’s in the Philippines, 2012 will be one of ‘waiting in hope’; waiting to see where God leads us in new ministry.
I shall be leaving Brent after 5 years as Chaplain and looking for new work, a daunting task at 62 in a young peoples world.
This may mean returning to SouthAfrica after being away for 12 years or looking for a new adventure on some other foreign shore.
It’s in God’s hands and it is Him that I put my hope and my trust.

So with these thoughts, may I wish you,one and all, every Blessing this Christmastide and may your hopes and dreams come to fruition in 2012.

Michael Rossouw (Philippines)
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607. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 21, 2011 at 7:12 am

Thank you Michael for that superb encapsulation of the St. Goggie’s Christmas experience … just how I remember it. Our lives were indeed petty and pretty pathetic but there was also something glorious about it too, especially around year end when we were all charged up with excitement and expectations of grand adventures during the coming holidays. In a way … I miss that innocence … to say nothing of the expectations of grand adventures … as I haven’t had one of those for a while. And speaking of Christmas who wouldn’t want to have another ‘splash’ party. Michael, an uncertain future and shortly to be unemployed … with a family … is no way to cheerfully celebrate Christmas, It is a most difficult time for you I am sure … but also an opportunity to start fresh, perhaps to start in a completely different field of service. As for returning to South Africa … my brother Stuart has just been visiting there for the first time in 35 years and has returned to the States totally saddened by what he found there. Corruption has destroyed the country from top to bottom and it will get as bad as Zimbabwe if it continues the way it’s going. Certainly for a man of God there is work enough to be done there …but you’ll need to be coming from a very positive place to do so I would think. But perhaps that is exactly the challenge you need. I wish you strength and fortitude in the coming days. God Bless.
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608. Andrew Mackie | December 21, 2011 at 2:52 pm

While not wishing to sound negative about our beloved South Africa must admit things have not progressed to the extent we all hoped for since the start of our new democracy. Most and in particular many Black people will tell you they were better of with the old regime. Presently, there is so much jockeying for positions in the ruling party (ANC) that nothing is being done for the poor. Corruption is rife and hardly a day goes by without a new revelation of some government department being investigated. Bribery of almost any law enforcement officer is a common occurence our present Police Chief is under suspension for mismanagement of public funds and on it goes. Some R21 Billion in funds unaccounted for according to the Auditor General.
For my wife and I it is a time of joy as we have our children and grandsons visiting us from New Zealand and are looking forward to a Christmas with our entire family together for the first time in over 5 years.
All we pray for is an end to this madness of self enrichment by senior officials for the benefit of the needy and all the citizens of this beautiful country.
Finally, wish all a Joyous Christmas and Health in the New Year.
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609. peter260539 | December 26, 2011 at 9:43 am

All goggies oldies, have a wonderful, wonderful festive season….
eat a lot but dont get to ‘pissed’………
…regards ..Peter and Denise de Reuck.
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610. Jay Gee | January 9, 2012 at 7:34 pm

I happen to stumble on this website and it brought back many memories of the 6 months I spent working at St George’s as a social worker in the early eighties. I remember Father Richardson well. It was in some cases quite heart breaking to hear the stories of the boys there and in the end I found it too difficult to remain objective enough to work there. I remember one boy who ate tomato sauce with his ice-cream, I remember a couple who worked there, he was a housemaster and she was in the office ( I think he might have been Alec ?), can’t remember their names! I remember boys like Ian Botha, Robin and Trevor Sutherland, Peter Pearson – they were all good kids, but with very sad backgrounds. I wonder if anyone knows what became of these 3? It is so nice to read your comments and see how the Home is going now. It was truly a beautiful place. Please let me know if you have any contact with these 3 boys who I remember so well. Ian was the head boy in about 1980, he was determined to do well and I hope he did!
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- 611. Joao Simoes | January 28, 2012 at 7:53 am
  
  Hi Jay
  
  Myself Peter Pearson and Eric van Zyl came to SGH from Guild Cottage 69.Eric was in Beaton House Peter was in Spackman house and I went into Simpson house. I was able to find Peter who the last time I spoke to him is in Australia. The Southerland lads I never heard from again on leaving SGH at the end of 76.
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612. Michael Rossouw | January 10, 2012 at 1:24 am

Dear Jay
My bothers David and John may be able to help you find information about these fellows. They were connected with the Home more so than I at that time.(Dave may have been a master at the Home then, but I’m not sure.)
You were part of a group of people who were doing their best to help boys in these situations.In my day the words “Psychologist” and “Social workers” were almost non existent at the Home.Resources were thin on the ground and were not always readily available.
It took some time before we had full time professional workers and volunteers such as yourself in these fields to give the boys the professional help they needed.
In my own case my own problems as a boy in the Home and prior to my entering the home were only dealt with long after i’d left the home and with disastrous results for me.( some 35 years in fact!) It is only in my old age that i am beginning to understand why my father committed suicide and left my Mom with four small boys on an income of R60 a month to look after us. St George’s was for us the best place under the circumstances and i guess they did the best they could with what they had.
I’m not sure any of us heal from these hurts fully, but we learn to overcome these difficulties by using the tools given to us by people in your caring profession.
God as understand God has been very good to me and my healing has come though 12 step programmes, lots of therapy sessions, much prayer and learning to manage my life one day at a time. Today i am blessed with a loving wife and a small family; My 15 month old son and my 4 year old stepdaughter mean the world to me, as does my dear wife; only now can i really understand what being a husband and father is all about.The Home did not prepare us for these and other things.
Eric Richardson was a man of great vision; likewise was Ken Mc Holm. Between them the Home did change, but the strange things you mentioned did continue. With the changes in approach to child care in South Africa in our new dispensation,child care models such as ones like St Georges Home were not ideal. The Home made way for what is today the Bishop Bavin school.
I sometimes wonder if the students in the school today, many odf whom are the products of broken homes, cope in a ‘boarding school ‘ environment.
Granted the behaviour patterns may different, but the hurt caused by family circumstances, whether we are rich or poor , is much the same.We are probably a lot more aware now of these issues than we were in the late 1950’s and earl 60’s.
Thanks for writing.
Michael Rossouw
(SGH 1961-1967)
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613. OldBoy | January 24, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Tried to post something yesterday but it was rejected…
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614. OldBoy | January 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm

That one worked!! Maybe I pressed a ‘wrong button’…
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615. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 25, 2012 at 11:40 am

Your post is full of empty … and that can be too much of a good thing. So don’t spoil us now and post something.
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616. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 28, 2012 at 7:18 am

Okay, you can spoil us.

Here’s a thought; Do you realize that one day, one of us will be the last man standing? Any one want to hang around and have a beer with the day before?
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- 617. Joao Simoes | January 28, 2012 at 7:56 am
  
  Yes me . But not only one
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618. Andrew Mackie | January 28, 2012 at 9:41 am

Would love to ! But would prefer a single malt whisky or a 25 year old Bells.
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- 619. Michael Rossouw | January 28, 2012 at 11:35 am
  
  Sadly I’ll have to settle for a cup of Earl Grey tea….Worse Luck!
  Keep well, all of you! MichaelR
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620. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 29, 2012 at 4:42 am

Well if only takes a beer.
an old Bell’s single
or a cuppa Earl’s Grey
to bring out the scribes, the tribes and the hidey hides …
What do you say to a chardenay?

Howzit Joao … long time no visit. You been back to the bundu?

I got longevity in the genes … maternal granddad clocked out the day before his 105th. on Christmas day, 1960. Five of his daughters (my aunts) made into their nineties … so I’m aiming for 2047 to match his record … and then some. Tell you what … if any of you are around, I’ll make that a crate of Castle … you just can’t get a better beer and you’ll deserve it … I’m sure.
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621. Michael Rossouw | January 29, 2012 at 5:27 am

Don’t tempt me! I may just make it!
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622. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 29, 2012 at 6:47 am

Michael … how on earth did you become a priest? You sound like a good time sport and up for any nonsense … just like me … merely to break the tedium of everyday life I suppose. And I can assure you, if I am ever to get into heaven, it will only be by slipping in the back gate while Big Boss and His main gatekeeper, St Peter are busy with a busload of goody two-shoes at the front ‘pearlies’.

So hang in there and we’ll glob a grog or two on that heroic day … that is, if old Al Z. Heimer hasn’t paid me a visit and stolen some of my marbles … as he’s inclined to do when you’re not paying attention.

It’s not so much about staying awake as staying alert … which means you gotta keep the marbles rolling about and reading and writing are good exercises for that. But body exercise is as important and according to my wife, a health and food expert and yoga teacher for the past 35 years … for lazy folk like me … rapid walking once or twice a day for 2 x 30 minutes or 1 x 45 minutes … is good for heart, lungs, joints and muscle tone. Stretching … by simply hanging over from waist down for two minutes, will allow the energy to polarize up and down your spine and that’s good for brain stimulation. According to her. a balanced diet also means separating carbs and proteins by four hours.

All that and the enjoyment and satisfaction you get from family and work that you love, will get you to the 100 year barrier … if you stay out of trouble and avoid bad vibes wherever you can … you can join me on the 105 year platform and we’ll toast my old grandpa Harry Merber from Lithuania.

Hope your plans are working out for your move … tough time to be doing it and even tougher times ahead no doubt, but we’ve all been thru’ hell and back a time or two and you’ll survive it. After the storm the sun will shine again. Be of good faith (… and buy a lottery ticket).
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623. Andrew Mackie | January 29, 2012 at 8:11 am

Well, well some people have high expectations and hopefully it is in their genes to live to the ripe old age of 105. Can but only wish you well on this life journey and live to drink the toast of choice at that time. Would love to join you but am doubtful as my family history points only to mid eighties.
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624. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 30, 2012 at 7:18 am

Eighty is the new 100. You can do it … just ask Nike.
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625. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | February 3, 2012 at 8:50 am

Talking of numbers and levity aside, we a re a mere two plus years away from Sr. Goggies 100 year jubileum. What are we going to do?

It is obvious of course, that we all can’t be there in South Africa at the same time for a celebration in person … but many of you still living in SA can. There can be no physical gathering space of course, without Bishop Bavin School participating or at least providing a location for such a gathering.

Founded by the Anglican Church. the Chapel would be the obvious starting point for any celebratory event and I’m sure we must have the resources amongst us, to organize a live online broadcast from a camera feed in situ. Step forward Photography Class 101.

Does anyone know if anything has been planned?
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626. john rossouw | February 6, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Met Eric Richardson the other day
He is due to celebrate his centenary in July and everyone is looking forward to the occasion
I had to remind him who I was but once that was out the way the memories and laughter just followed
He is in remarkable health and state of mind and remembers people and events as if they were in the room and happening today
There is a reunion on St Georges day 21 April at Bishop Bavin school
The new Headmaster has relented to our presence so we look forward to the occasion of being able to share this day with old homies at “”our home”
Anyone wishing to send congratulatry messages or to say hi to old boys can email me
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627. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | February 6, 2012 at 10:03 pm

Absolutely! Great news John… I was wondering what happened to your presence … but when it counts, you’re there … and it is certainly good news that the Bavin people have come to their senses about our history.

So, if you run into any of my old contemporaries … you’ll know them by their age group – between 65 and 70 years old (or young) – please do convey my greetings and salutations. And of course I hope you all have a memorable day. This fact certainly opens up the possibility of a more profound celebration for the centenary date in 2015. And who knows, I could possibly make it over there for that event … in any event, it is worth aiming.
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628. Michael Rossouw | February 10, 2012 at 4:04 pm

Dear Old boys and Friends
It is with much sadness that I was informed via email by my brother John yestreday, that George Adams , an old boy and former housemaster of Simpson and Smuts Houses at the Home has died in Johannesburg at his home near Orange Grove.
John said that Georgie had been frail and in failing health for some time.
He is survived by his long time companion and friend, Ria.

I understand from John that Georgie’s memorial servivce will be held on Friday 17 February at the Bishop Bavin /St Georges school chapel, or as we knew it, the Home Chapel.(Gosh it does seem that the school’s attitude towards the Old Home boys has changed!)I’m not sure what time, so I’d watch the press and this blog for details.
I did say to John that i’d leave it to him to make a formal announcement on this website, as I was quite shocked to hear the news.I did not sleep last night and am thus prompted to share this sad news with you all.

I guess the hard truth however is that none of us are getting any younger. Our own individual career paths and life journeys may have made many of us keep alive our spirit of youth, enterprise and adventure, but all of us are indeed getting on. (As a friend of mine in my support group often reminds me “Do you know anyone who isn’t getting older?”)

I am often reminded of the prayer said at our Annual Memorial Service, which we held each Remembrance Sunday as boys in St Georges and prayed by surviving ex service persons: ” They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
It may seem strange that this prayer comes to mind, for certainly, Georgie, like many of us (excluding those Old boys who served in the so called Border conflicts in Angola and countries north of our borders) were post war generation kids.
Georgie, as far as I am aware, did not (as many others of his generation in the Home did) serve in what was the Second World War or any war subsequent conflicts to that War,but he certainly knew the hardships of children growing up during that time.
He was very much a man who was aware of why St George’s was first founded as a place for boys whose fathers had lost their lives in the Great war of 1914-1918 and often reminded us in his story telling of this important fact.The Noel Aldridge legacy was often at the forefront of georgie’s thinking.
( certainly when one forgets one’s roots it can be hard to guage one’s future.)

Georgie was a Canadian by birth, only just. I remember him once telling us that when his Mom was pregnant and about to give birth to him, she was travelling on a train between the US and Canada. She gave birth to Georgie soon after the train crossed onto the Canadian side of these two mighty nations, as she was , so the story goes, not going to have her son born “a Yankie”.
( Again I may not have the facts straight here, but that is how I remember them being told to me by Georgie.)
I am not sure about how Georgie came to the Home as a boy, but he was there from a relatively early age during the time of the Rev’d O.W.L. Skey (I am also open to correction here.)
As we well know, Georgie loved History and often told it in truthful fashion as it really happened; in true ‘oral tradition” as it were.

I am not sure when he left Malvern or the Home and i m not even sure whether he finished his schooling, but when he did, he travelled on a motorcycle with a friend across the North American continent and “saw the world,” travelling as he did to many parts of the Globe.
During his travelling,George somehow never forgot his roots and after travelling the World , roughly for the same number of years he had been in the Home, he returned to give back his time, talents and service to the Home which gave him so much.
(I believe he served as a member of staff for the same number of years that he actually spent in the Home. Again I am open to correction here.)
Apart from being a great story-teller, he was a great musician on the harmonica, if indeed the harmonica can be regarded as a musical instrument. Nevertheless, many a night was spent in Simpson house ( I often ‘bunked from Beaton house across to Simpson just to listen to his atory telling) where he often rendered these ‘tales’, some scary and some just for entertainment about the kind of things kids our age liked to hear. He often read stories from books like the Hardy Boys and other novels and also itroduced us to some North American Literature from Mark Twain and other North American writers .
He also gave a great rendition of the poem “Nkosikas’ keys, and often simply just told stories for the love of them to us as young boys.
Who can forget the Legend of “the walking pants”, and the story of a certain Boer War battle that took place on or near the Home grounds?
I am often asked the question, as it is also asked to many older Americans of my generation, “Where were you when JFK was shot?”
I for one well remember Geogie telling us of what a great loss JFK’s and indeed Robert Kennedy’s assasinations would have on the World , and not only the American people.We did not have television then in South Africa, all because Albert Hertzog the minister of posts and communications would not allow ‘the little bioscope’ into out homes, all part of the Nat party policy to keep us in ignoranance of these events
It was men like Georgie who also helped us understand the troubled times in which we grew up. When Dr Verword was assasinated, even though our young minds could not have take this in at the time, it was men like George who made us realise what the inplication of these events would be on our ‘Beloved country’, to quote Allan Paton.

As a boy in Matric I well remeber having to borrow one of Georgie’s white shirts to attend my inauguration as town cerk of the Johannesburg Junior City council. Shirts were only changed on Tuesday and Thursdays(I think) and my shirt was rather dirty and smelly for this important event at the JHB city hall that particular Wednesday evening.
The event was reported with my picture on the front page, in the South African Jewish Times nogal, and on the following day under the banner headline ” Six Jews on Junior City Council Executive.”
Now all of you know that i am a good Anglican boy, but on this occasion the reporter gave my name as “Michael Rosen!”
Needless to say Georgie relished the story for years afterwards saying in his wonderful Jewish accent, “Oy Michael my boy; front page news; you and my WVite shirt!”
George had a wonderful sense of humor and also introduced me to the recording of the series “You don’t have to be Jewish” As I said, he was good at educating us in relevant things that we’d not learn in our desks at Malvern high School.

He also told us how the ‘San’ worked at the home in his day. Apparently the Sister gave anyone and everyone “a dose of salts” on entering the surgery for ‘sick parade.”
God help you if you went in with a sore tummy; you’d be given another dose of salts by the same sister!

George was a very spiritual man, often coming to verbal blows in many a staff meeting with people like the late Norman Clayton about things of a spiritual nature.Georgie, on more than one occasion,when he read in chapel, gave as it were, his ‘take’ on the lesson being read before he read the lesson; needless to say he was at one stage, stopped and barred from reading lessons in chapel because of his views. George however tried to see “God” as he understood God, not only from a “Church” or ‘Christain’ perspective,but from that of God as a Creator and Loving ‘Supreme Being’, and he was, in this sense, way ahead of his time as a ‘teacher’ of spiritual things.(My students for example can tell you almost anything about any faith other than that of Christianity, indeed a sign of the times!)

I well remember Georgie introducing me and my late brother Desmond to the writings and sayings of Lobsang Rampa in his book “The Third Eye”; I remember too his tales of facinating legends from the Vedas in the writings of other faiths like Buddhism and Hinusism to name an example, and of teachings written by other “masters” and teachers of “Faith.”
Whilst at the time I never quite understood these things
( and I am still learning) these did help my understanding and dare I say tolerance of Faiths other than that of my own Anglican background.This stood me in good stead in my sojourn in Asia which will probably come to an end this year.

Whilst he and certainly NJC seldom if ever agreed on matters of spirituality, they were reconciled and still remained friends, even if they ‘agreed to disagree’.

(I am open to correction,but Georgie was confirmed as an Anglican whilst he served as a staff member of the Home.)

Georgie often saw the humor in the formality of Anglican worship.
He very convincingly imitated the sermon in one of his story telling episodes, of the late Bishop Leslie Stradling’s sermon after his pastoral visit one year to a Confirmation service at the Home.

“Where” said the bishop, “do you expect to find a chocolate?” he asked in his sermon,
“In a chocolate box” the bishop continued.
“Where would you expect a to find a game of Rugby?” Bishop Leslie continued (He didn’t realise that Soccer was THE game at the Home)! “on a Rugby field” was the reply.
“Where do you expect to find Religion?” continued dear Leslie,
“In a church” The bishop then added to Georgie’s quiet chuckle from the pews, “and that’s where we make our mistake!”
The irony of course was that Georgie saw the truth in this remark.
Religion, Faith or spirituality are not the confines and privilege of Christianity and the Churches alone and indeed are not confined to buildings or institutions, and Georgie was one of the few people I know who opened my eyes to this.
Please do not get me wrong here; I am a minister of the Gospel of Jesus , but it was Georgie who made me loook at my own spirituality with new eyes. If anything, what I learnt from Georgie was to open my eyes and in a sense “put myself in another man of faith’s shoes”. This indeed helped me to have a better understanding of my own Chritian heritage as expressed in Anglicanism, and gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of it.

One of Georgie’s much loved prayers, which he reminded me of when I visited him in Port Alfred on one of his visits to the Eastern Cape during my first year as a 33 year old undergarduate student at Rhodes, (I was a very late ‘bloomer’and went to university with some of the Matric students I had taught at Roosevelt and Hill High schools) and when my own life was at a very low spiritual ebb, was the prayer of Saint Francis.
This for me sums up the very depth of Georie’s spirituality, and I share it with you all now:

“Lord maker me an instument of your peace
Where there is hatred , let me sow Love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
where there is discord, unity
where there is doubt, faith
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness , joy:
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to undertand
to be loved as to love;
for it in giving that we receive
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

There are no doubt many others who knew Georgie more intimately than I did, and who could probably show him in a very different light and do him more justice than I have done in this blog.
It is certainly not my intention to ‘eulogise’ our departed housemaster and friend and I’m sure there are many who knew a different Georgie Adams to the one I knew, and who are far more qualified to write about him than I am.
I hope that I have not offended anyone in what I have written.

However,this is the George Adams I knew, and one of the many men of his generation who shaped my life and thinking.

So, “Well done,George, good an faithful servant;”
As the native Americans say, “May you go in beauty, dear friend ” Until we meet again, May the Lord hold you safely in His arms.

Rest in Peace Georgie.
You are indeed much loved and sadly missed.

To Ria, may I offer our deepest Love and Sympathy at this time.
Thank you for your care and love for George; He always spoke very highly of you and with much affection.
Know well dear Ria, that “the souls of the Righteous are in the Hand of God; There shall no torment touch them.”
Georgie was a righteous man.

To Old Boys of the Home,please keep your eyes on the press for further details and indeed on this blog.
I hope people like my brothers and John Woods and others, who were boys in Simpson and Smuts houses during Georgie’s time, will also write, probably more accurately than I have done.
I would urge you please to do so.

“Rest eternal grant unto him o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him”

Sadly I shall not be able to be at Georgie’s memorial service. I would so love to be with you all, but sadly distance and circumastnces do not allow me to be there with you.
Please be assured that i shall be with you in spirit and that I shall be praying for you all on the 17th in particular.

After all is said an done, for me certainly,there is not a day in my life that goes by where I do not give grateful thanks to God for St George’s Home and the men and women who worked there and who gave me the chance and encouragement to make a go of things in my life.
For me, Georgie was such a person.

God Bless you all

(Fr) Michael Rossouw
(SGH 1961-1967)
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629. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | February 11, 2012 at 7:55 am

To enter the light and the presence of God’s beautific visage, is the reward of a lifetime of service and devotion. God speed George Adams. Amen.
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630. George Venter | February 12, 2012 at 4:31 am

Hi Homeboys!
My name is George Venter and I was in SGH from 1958 to 1964.

Dudley you probably do not remember me – the little 9 year old tyke whose boils you popped and washed in the sea water at Umtentweni?

I had an elder brother in Taylor house 1955-1964, James (Kosie as he was known in SGH) who passed away 5 years ago.

Having just discovered this forum and reading through the myriad of contributions has left me emotionally drained – fond memories of over 48 years ago – memories of long forgotten friends and events.
I need to clear the cobwebs out of my head before I reminisce over the past and unfold the present so please bear with me.

Until then … great to know that so many Old Boys are still out there..

Love to you all.
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631. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | February 12, 2012 at 4:49 am

Welcome George Venter … for a guy claiming cobwebs … what a remarkable memory you have. I remember the incident not at all and although I do remember you, I cannot remember your brother James despite that we were apparently in Taylor House at the same time. I must presume he was a my junior and of course not in Taylor 3 where I resided throughout my 4 and half years there.

Sometimes you have to travel half way (or all the way) around the world to finally come Home, so welcome! I trust that you bring with you many a tale to tell.Sadly, another of a our community has just passed away, so once again, what goes a round comes around. You have arrived in time to take his place and by George, you even share his name. I hope you’re chuckling George Adams.
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632. Michael Rossouw | February 12, 2012 at 6:18 am

Welcome George, and thanks for writing.
I remember both you and your brother well, although I think you guys were ahead of me, and I do think you were with me either in Std 9 or 10.
You were a buglar in the band for a short while?I think you were also the drum-major of Malvern’s Band?( please correct me if I’m wrong; the old brain is getting a little rusty, and I am only 61!)
I think I was your junior in Beaton House when John “Piet” Pretorius was housemaster, although you may have been in Simpson house with Brian Gannon.

When you and your brother left the Home , you still went to Malvern, right? Soon after I arrived , you went to the Senior section.It would be great to hear what you have been doing with your life.I am sorry to hear about “Kosie’s” passing. He was ahead of me so I didn’t know him that well.Losing someone so close is always a time of trial.
You may remember my younger brother Desmond; he too passed away now about 7 years ago.A number of boys from our generation have passed on recently; Rupert Scott and Robyn Putter to name but two.
Yes, it is indeed a long time ago and many of us , including myself are becoming hazy about some of the events that we endured at St George’s. Both you and Kosie were footballers if I remember correctly; I think your brother left to go and work soon after you went to the Senior section. I remember you walking around the playground kicking a tennisball; I think I may also have ‘bust’ for smoking when I was pushing my weight as a new prefect at Malvern ! (Gosh how I squeam with embarrasment as I write this.)
I have often thought about that, coz you guys had a tight alibi, and I think I had reported you unjustly and without substantial evidence.
I hope I am forgiven; to this day I still feel very uncomfortable about it when I think about it.
You left Malvern in 1967, right? I think we were in matric together or perhaps you were a year ahead of me?
It’s seems strange that a modern marvel like the Internet is the ‘tool’ which is helping us connect again.
Great to hear from you, George! Please keep in touch if you can. It’s good to know that you are still around and that you have managed to hook up with this very special “Band of Brothers” via the net.
Blessings and take care!
Micheal Rossouw (T95; SGH 1961-1967)
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633. Andrew Mackie | February 12, 2012 at 9:39 am

After reading of the passing of George Adams for which I offer my deep condolences to his family, and the entry of George Venter to this forum, I am begining to wonder if any of the old boys of my era (1948-52) are still around. Maybe there are many of them in the 70+ age group who are still alive and kicking and have not found this blog or wish to remain on the outside which seems a pity as I am sure they can contribute stories of the bygone years which will be of interest. I most certainly look forward to reading any news when itis posted. While my memories of SGH are dim and mainly forgotten due to circumstances which are very personal and therefore locked away, I still look forward to reading of others experieces. I often wonder what it would have been if I had remained at SGH to finish my schooling years instead of being removed after standard 5 at Wychwood Primary, quite frankly I think I would have had a better life. But that is another story better left untold.
Believe me I am not complaining as I have made a good life after leaving school, studied hard, married a super girl and are still happy after 47 years together. Travelled to most parts of the world in persuit of business opportunities and still count many of the people that I encounted on these visits as friends. As Michael Rossouw pointed out the internet is a wonderful tool to help us all to connect.
Looking forward to the next episode of our life story of years gone by.
God bless you all.
Andrew Mackie
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634. Leslie DuPlessis | February 12, 2012 at 2:09 pm

George Adams was one of the good guys. Although I was a Beaton boy and he was the master at Simpson, I remember him more vividly than most of the other masters.
I remember him as being slightly foreign, a Canadian. (I live in Canada now.) I was surprised to find out from your note, Michael, that he had been a homeboy himself.
He introduced me to Biggles books, (and Lobsang Rampa, Michael) of which he had a collection, and let me have free use of his bookshelf. (Perhaps he planted the seeds of my later career as a writer.)
When my brothers and I left the home, George came to visit. My first thought on seeing him at the door was that he had come to take us back, but he just wanted to see how we were getting on.

Did he finish the history of SGH that he was writing? Will a copy be available?

Les Duplessis
Beaton and Spackman, early 60’s.
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- 635. john rossouw | February 13, 2012 at 3:30 pm
  
  George was a boy at the home during the Kerswell era. He once shared with me the fact that he decided to “return to where it all began”
  He had an epithany on the plane as it came in to land at Jan Smuts
  airport. It flew over the home and he could see the cricket match in
  progress below. It was a staff boys match and Michael Richardson
  son of Eric then headmaster was batting. As the plane flew over Michael was bowled out. He was a great friend of Ken Mc Holm who
  had already taken a life changing decision to commit his remaining
  days to the boys. Together with Ken and others and under the guidance of Eric Richardson they transformed the institution into what we came to love and know as “our home”. Collectively they developed and perfected a model in child care which the then authorities as well as the ones of today refused to acknowledge or implement for the very reason that it actually worked. (that remains another topic of debate). George’s love of literature also stemmed from the fact that at one time in his life he was a bookbinder. I remebered him being able to hold a book and feel the thickness and on review of the size of print could tell you exactly the number of pages. I have posted a tribute to him on the sgh FB page. You can check it out together with other tributes at St Georges Home. I will pass on these messages to Ria when I see her on Friday at the service. I conveyed the news of his passing to Eric Richardson and will be arranging to have him transported to the service as well. Even at 100 years of age he too shares our loss.
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636. George Venter | February 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Yes Michael, I was indeed in Simpsom House (my number was 18) with Brian Gannon.

Like so many of us Old Boys, I was, at the age 2 and a half, placed by child welfare into the care of Saint Mary’s Orphanage until the age of 9 when I was relocated to SGH.I do not remember my Father all that well – I know he loved me but the problem was he loved the bottle more!

My stint in Taylor House (where my number was 147) was of an extremely short duration, just on a month, culminating in my leaving SGH to return to “normal family life” with my Mom and new stepfather. If anything, I think my life in SGH was more “normal” family orientated than any parental family life I ever knew or enjoyed.

I was never any good at sports, except cricket – my brother James was the sportsman – swimming, athletics and goalie for both SGH and Malvern High School A team. He has the remarkable distinction of scoring a goal from his penalty area with a might boot down the field where the opposing goalie misjudged the bounce only getting a few fingertips to the ball before it sailed into the back of the net. This was reported in the Star but unfortunately the press cutting has been lost over the years.

And you should not feel ashamed about the smoking saga – a tight alibi can always be concocted (and probably was), as they say, where there is smoke the kids are, in all likelihood, smoking!
Needless to say, all is forgiven seeing as you insist on it – lol.

As for my stint as drum major of the school band – it was totally farcical. I had no skill with the baton and all band practice meant to me was a good time to have a smoke break – ha ha. But I must say, to my credit, I soon engineered my way out of the position citing health problems and so paved the way for someone else to really lead the band.

The highlight of my years at SGH? Perhaps being in the cadet squad that won the annual competition in 1962 under the command and guidance of Ronny Lancaster and the full dress march through the streets of Port Shepstone in that same year – It made me feel so proud to be a Home Boy!

The low point? Has to be being made to run the gauntlet, shoes being the most potent beating object! More severe than any caning I ever received that is for sure.

I retired some 8 years ago and now live in Amanzimtoti with my British wife Patricia whom I married in London in 1973 and dragged all the way back to good old SA.

We have a son and 2 daughters and a cumulative total of 4 grandchildren aged from 9 months to 5 years (3 grandsons and a granddaughter being the most recent).

After competing my matric at Malvern High I served as an articled clerk for a year at the meager salary of 60 Rand pm. and then decided to enter the world of banking, joining Barclays Bank DCO, on a staggering starting salary of 125 Rand pm., where I worked for 4 years.

I then entered the arena of Merchant Banking – Capital Market Trading and gravitated into the realm of computers where I specialised in Trading systems design and development. Left Standard Merchant Bank after 14 years of service and joined “onse klein bankie”, Allied Bank, where I headed up the systems development team.

Following the formation of Absa I resigned and went into business for myself developing Foreign Exchange Trading systems for a number of smaller banks. Finally, 8 years ago I gave myself a golden handshake,(but did not get the gold watch!), sold my 21 acre plot in Walkerville and joined all the geriatrics down at the South Coast.

We spend 4 months of each year in the UK visiting our daughter and 2 grandchildren and about 4 broken months visiting our other daughter in Centurion and son in Florida, Roodepoort.

The rest of the time is spent golfing (me), sewing (Patricia) and (both of us) whiling away our twilight years watching the whales and dolphins pass us by …

If any Old Boys would like to touch base with me my Email address is :
george.venter@gmail.com

Wishing you all good heath and happiness …
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637. Michael Rossouw | February 13, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Can someone please put a photo of George Adams on this site?
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638. peter de Reuck. | February 17, 2012 at 6:10 am

@ Andrew Mackie, Hi Andrew , I was in Simpson [ cub.] house from Feb. 1948 [ messrs . peter Harper and ”Boet” Symes] to may 1951, thereafter Beaton house under ”Fossy ” Capener. Left the home Dec. 1955….Obviously our paths crossed at one time or other…..E.Mail address ..Peterdereuck@hotmail.com……….reside in Queensland Australia….
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639. Andrew Mackie | February 17, 2012 at 10:47 am

Hello Peter, Yes I am sure we must have met at some time during that time, I was also in Simpson for a short period and then moved to Spackman, as my elder brother was resident there under Bernie Moss. While memories have dimmed, I recall many a Sunday when all was quiet skipping the boundry fence and playing on the mine dump adjacent to the sports fields. Recall Laurie Stevens the boxer trying to teach me how to box but never succeeded. I never was a good athlete but did reasonably well at swimming in my age group. Have travelled the world quite extensively after leaving school and studies, mainly in UK, Europe and and USA . Have visited Australia once but only Perth (WA) and Victoria where my wife’s sister stays in Werribee near to Melbourne. My only visits to Queensland has been Sydney Airport on visits to New Zealand where my daughter and family now stay in Auckland.
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640. peter de Reuck. | February 17, 2012 at 11:28 am

Andrew, hi….not forgetting, ‘bunking’out to Galoolies farm and the very infamous ”treasure island”…..pinching carrots from boet Symes veggie. farm……what about the tuck shop where one could get 12 nutties for a tickey….. Boxing lessons were given by Peter Harper before laurie Stevens took over…….and so we ramble on….So good to reminisce on those years…As for my travels…have visited the USA, , Canada, UK., New Zealand, sweden , [ in no particular order…]..Now settled in Queensland Aussie. on the Gold coast….Am 73 years old and live as as a pensioner does???….Have a son in S.A., the rest of my children ..two daughters , also live in Aussie……..Well thats about it……..so good to chat.
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641. Paul | February 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Hi Blaine, I’ll send the pic of Georgie to your email address.
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642. Robert Nicol | February 21, 2012 at 5:43 pm

Hi I was there in the early 90s, When Barry Lodge was Headmaster and Pat Ellis was my house mother in Kempton Park. Been trying to get hold of some of my homies from back then, how can i track them down.Facebook not helping. Can anyone assit pls???? OH AND WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE OUR REUNION….Would love to catch up. cheers all.
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643. Michael Rossouw | February 21, 2012 at 9:04 pm

Dear Robert
Welcome to this site. It is very interesting for me to see that someone from what may be called ‘the Lodge era’ has written on this site. Many old Home boys of the ‘original’ St George’s (now the Bishop Bavin school) still feel that Barry Lodge did not fully understand what he and his committe took away from those of us who grew up at the Home in Cleveland/Bedfordview when the Kempton Park and other three houses were put into the community.The good thing about it was that brothers and sisters and families could be kept together…There must be some St George’s Home ‘old girls’ out there too? I believe these houses are no more ,except for the house in Kempton Park? but I am open to correction here.The Home now operates under the auspices of an organisation called “COACH” which incorporates St Joseph’s , St George’s and St Nicolas homes.(How is it that JCH and St Mary’s are still on their original sites and ‘intact’?….) I’m not sure whether homeboys from your time would remember the SGH campus which now houses the Bishop Bavin school.Perhaps you were one of the few that were at the Cleveland campus before the Home made way for the school? Anyhow it would be interesting to hear the views of someone like yourself about the Home at that time.You can find details of the Home’s reunion on the facebook page “St. George’s Home for Boys”. It is being held around St George’s day in April at the Bishop Bavin school.Check out the webpage and contact Paul Woodward or my brother John Rossouw. I assume you have read through some of the ‘blogging’ on this page.You’ll find the facebook page just as interesting.Please do write about your experiences in the Kempton Park house and how the home was run in Lodge’s time and that of his successors…It would perhaps give us another perspective on the history of this unique institution.
Thanks for writing.
Fr Michael Rossouw
Brent International school, Subic, Philippines
(SGH 1961-1967)
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644. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | March 2, 2012 at 4:38 am

52. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | March 2, 2012 at 4:30 am

Every now and then life can throw you a curve ball … and you loose your balance trying to dodge it. For a moment you doubt yourself, see your confidence slipping away out the back door. You get down on yourself and curse your ‘luck’. Why me? Why now? And doom and gloom take hold of your world and cynicism becomes an anchor. We hope it does not last forever, but seldom do we immediately see that the way out of bad karma is action not self pity. Well, if that ever overcomes you, remember this video.
http://www.wimp.com/watchingthis/
I received it this morning from my business partner in an email with the words: If you only open one email today … let it be this one. It is only 4 minutes long and you owe it to yourself.
It is inspiration in its purest form … by example … not words alone.
Dudley.
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- 645. Steve Kelly | March 2, 2012 at 4:53 am
  
  Awesome Video !
  
  Thanks for the inspiration
  Reply
- 646. Andrew Mackie | March 2, 2012 at 7:01 am
  
  Anyone who watches this movie clip and does not have a wet eye or tear drop when you see the reaction of the youngsters must be without any feelings. I for one had moist eyes, must be the old age creeping in. This man is amazing and an inspiration to all. We had it tough way back when we were at SGH but nowhere near this handicap, for which he does not see it that way. Thank you for sharing.
  Reply
647. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | March 2, 2012 at 8:53 am

I viewed it twice and cried both times … so yeah … it’s definitely an old age thing.. I would have cried but once … if I was younger .
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- 648. Andrew Mackie | March 2, 2012 at 9:51 am
  
  Your comment brightened my day, gone are the tears and sun has come out from behind the clouds.
  Reply
649. trevor van reene | March 17, 2012 at 5:31 pm

hi my name is trevor van reenen i came to the home in early 60;s.i was in beaton house b6.i was in the top dometrey opposite simpson house.brian van loggenburg was petrol leader.john pretorius was headmaster.george adams was hwadmaster in simpson house.i remember johann muller;errol peace;rolf maier;william grizzel;derrick close;trevor pieterson;brent rudwick;michael brown;paul and michael huskins;michael maddox.brent and myself both came from springs ;our mothers knew each other.i collected stamps through brent ;i always think about him.anyway we went to wychwood primary school.i can remember playing stingers at breaktime.i use to walk home with jean golden;we always wore short pants.michael buckley use to go out with the prettiest girl in school.wensday use to be gardening day .we use to listen to macdermitt playing guiter at spackman house ;he use to go out with jimmy smallshaws sister.robert darcy use to have a swallow kite;georgie wilson made my first kite.boetie easters also played guitar.eugene pencentti from spackman was a great footballer mr mc holms had soft spot for him we use to have fire drills where we would slid down the outside poll and go the playing fields i am glad they stopped that.we had mince balls warped in cabbage.beaton house had a party in the gym thats when i first saw dawn hewitt she was going out with brian van loggenburg.i remember playing the lp cliff and the drifters the live lp on mr pretorius hi fi set istill play that lp to this day.i remember in simpson house desmond jones,paul van staden,birnard and brian spray,athol sehanie
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- 650. Michael Anthony Rossouw | March 17, 2012 at 5:47 pm
  
  Dear Trevor
  I remember you well. I think I came to Beaton House with my brother Desmond at the same time as you? I may be wrong.
  Many of the names you mentioned are well remembered and I must now force myself to dig out the House photo taken in 1962. All the names you mention are in that House photo with John ‘ Piet’ Pretorius our housemaster,and Graham Foster the VSO as well as Lassie, Piet’s dog the House mascot.
  Keep in touch and write down what you remember.This is the only way we shall keep the legacy of St Georges alive.
  
  It’s really good to hear from you after all these years.
  
  Michael Rossouw (1961-1967)
  Reply
- 651. Michael Buckley | February 11, 2014 at 9:53 am
  
  Hey Trevor Spoken as if it were yesterday. Was in touch with Brian Van Lof just last year we met through Rold Have his number if interested.
  Reply
- 652. Sean Magill | December 6, 2020 at 3:46 pm
  
  Hi Trevor, my name is Sean Magill my father went to SGH before the WW2. My parents took in 2 brothers of 5 for school holidays. I can only remember that one’s name was Errol. Do you remember if Errol Peace you mention is part of that family? I live in London am 70 years old and would like to make contact with them. Is the original home still there?
  Regards
  Sean Magill ( from Vereeniging)
  Reply
653. Michael Anthony Rossouw | March 17, 2012 at 5:56 pm

Trevor, I do remember you; My number in Beaton House was B5! Desmond my brother was B4.
I’m sure we stood in many a laundry day line to get our clean shirts,and exchange our smelly sock, until we went to senior section when we had to wash our own!

Take care

Michael Rossouw.
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654. Andrew Mackie | March 18, 2012 at 8:05 am

JUst been reading about a new cyclone about to arrive in Northern Queensland, I hope Peter de Reuck and family are safe and not badly affected by Mother Nature’s wrath.
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655. treasure11 | March 18, 2012 at 12:44 pm

hi michael its wonderful to hear from you,i remember in taylor house jonah herst was patrolleader you were in the other cubicle and you use to play guitar and sing at night i thought you were great thank you for the wonderful memories i always wondered if you ever carrird on playing guitar,because started playing guitar.i remember your desmoud,robyn putter,trevor stringer,tim kimogoglo i dont know if thats his secoud name anyway they played as a group at malvern high school.did you and desmond play in the cadet band which won some many competitions.i will finish my first letter soon.what ever happen to brian van loggenburg and dawn hewitt i know brian was good friends with michael and paul hendricks.i last saw michael when he was playing for germiston callies against swollows in germiston my brother in law george williamson was playing for swollows i think germiston callies won that day all my love
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656. treasure11 | March 18, 2012 at 1:54 pm

hi michael i forget to tell you that the last time i saw you desdond and mr mac holms was at the swmming gala i was with william moore idont know if you can remember we took a girl there by the name of beverly lumely she knew someone in the home she was from johannesburg childrens home
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657. treasure11 | March 18, 2012 at 8:02 pm

hi michael sorry to confuse you treasure11 is me trevor van reenen,treasure is my daughters name,trevor
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658. trevor van reenen | March 19, 2012 at 3:02 am

hi there trevor van reenen i remember that boxing was quite big tony hattaungh was the coach and he coached guys like rocco van eerden,david de lange,derrick close,rolf maier,we use to watch the boxing in the main hall our perants as well.then there was football one of our best teams was the team with the 3,hs,michael hendricks,jonah herbst,derrick hammond.paul hendricks was centre forword,george paphitis was righ back i think cloete was goalkeeper i remember them playing the team from isreal and drawing with them i think their name was macarbi.we played malvern high school and beat them 23/0 mr johnson was not when we went to on monday.mr launghton used to coach us he used to ride a lambretta bike.we use to play football at night with a ball that we put white shoe shine.then we tried to play football with a rugby ball.it is 3 o clock in the morning in the uk.love trevor van reenen
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659. trevor van reenen | March 19, 2012 at 8:03 pm

hi there is there anybody who knows where paul de lange,chris watson,michael jones,william moore are would you please let me know on this site thanks trevor
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660. townsville, Mackay | March 20, 2012 at 1:57 am

@ Andrew Mackie…Re. the Cyclone . worse effected were the guys up in northern Queensland..ie. Townsville and Mackay….esp. Townsville ..Appreciate the concern Andrew.
….Mooi bly……Peter de Reuck
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661. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | March 22, 2012 at 9:19 am

Here’s a riddle I have wrestled with since I was 18 … when, out of the blue one morning in Carltonville in 1960, it just popped into my head.

The harlequin’s the dancer,
the joker is the thief
and the echo of their laughter,
Is the concert of my grief.

I’ve rationalized the duality of being, in the divergence of the id and the ego from the first two lines. The harlequin: The observer, silent in his dance (the metaphysical self). and the joker (the physical self), who steals you laughter … making him a thief. The third line poses a greater challenge, for the word ‘echo’ suggests memory (past or future?). And what about laughter? Is it that laughter is lost or gone or never existed? What are they sharing that gives them union? And finally, in the last line the word ‘concert’, suggests multiples of sorrows … what sorrows … or is that regrets?

Anybody good at reading tea leaves probably has a head start … but I’ll take any insight I can get … for it troubles me still to this day.
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662. townsville, Mackay | April 4, 2012 at 1:12 am

A big ”howzit” to all friends and acq. from my era , before and after…….Here in Oz. the big thing at present is the Super 15 rugby tournament ….SA. teams doing very well………BULLE.
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663. john rossouw | April 13, 2012 at 5:54 am

I visited with Eric Richardson last night as I was concerned I could not reach him by phone. He was waiting in the lounge of his retirement home for hois dinner and we sat and chatted for around half an hour. We lost track of time and eventually the chef came and called him for dinner as they wanted to go off duty. Eric was in remarkable spirits and his sense of humour was razor sharp. He said he was keen to take a flight to NZ to visit his daughter Debiie (Imagine that at age 100). Unfortunately he does not know where his family have “stashed his money” otherwise he would just go and buy the ticket. I reminded him of the St Georges reunion on 21 April. It is St Georges day and very fitting that Bishop Bavin School have relented to our presence in the “Refrectory” or hall as we know it. I specifically asked for cabbage to be on the menu. Sadly the turnout is not great but I am reminded of a conversatin I once had with the late Georgie Adams that the home (our home) is a worldwide fellowship regardless of how many are in attendance. No doubt there will be postings of pics etc on facebook so keep an eye out. Sadly I will not be able to stay for long as my son is having his 21st birthday in the evening at my home and I need to be there for final preperations
Regards to all bloggers
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664. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 13, 2012 at 7:12 am

Thanks for the heads-up John. And, as the Dutch say on these ocassions, ‘Hartelijke verliceteert met je jongens verjaarsdag.’
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665. Anthony Wiese | April 16, 2012 at 10:12 am

Hi I am Anthony Wiese I was also in Staint Georges in 19 68 to 1972
I was in Spackmen then Crawford,I did Horse riding with Eugene Le Roux,I was not to bad in sport always competed the tablods in field and water,just not good in soccer.any body remember me?
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- 666. Br. Blane Frederik BSG | April 18, 2012 at 2:58 pm
  
  Hi Anthony. Surely we remember each other. My late Dad was Housemaster of Crawford 1970-72.
  Reply
667. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 22, 2012 at 9:46 am

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to see it on TV or online, here is the video of the young girl that stopped the world for 5 minutes.

http://www.nextworldtv.com/videos/enlightened-simplicity/passionate-earth-day-message-from-a-child-.html#.T5PM1OHh9tQ.gmail.

Dudley.
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668. john rossouw | April 23, 2012 at 9:05 am

Happy Saint Georges Day to all of you around the world
We had our unoffical celebration on Saurday when Paul Woodward and his team put together an incredible reunion in the “Refrectory” (our hall)of the Bishop Bavin school. It was great to see so many old faces of the past and to reminice on our time together at the home. The reunion was made even more special with the presence of “the Beek” Cannon Eric Richardson who is in his centenary year. Even though his official birthday is on 22 July which he will be sharing with his family from around the world who are comming out to be with him at a private game lodge, Woody arranged a huge cake with the home badge and his name on it. We sang “happy birthday” and took many photographs of the gathering some of which have already appeared on the SGH FB site. Also in attendance were many of the wives (some of whom have been part of the home since the 70’s) as well as Pat de Jager (wife of Albert) and her daughter Tracey. Bernie Moss’s widdow was also there as was Jean Fairweather a lifelong friend of Bttie Richardson who spent much of her free time in sevice of the boys through fundraising and many other activitoes. I have always battled with the transformation of our home into a school as the facility for me just does not work. However the new Executive Head welcommed us and took some time to elaborate on how the school has been structured and the role it plays in the community and what remains of our beloved “St Georges”
I did address him on the issue of preserving “the Aldridge legacy” and he seems open to explorig this possibility and has undertaken to get back to me on the issue. (we remain hopefull !!!)
The majority of boys were from the 70’s era of the home and it was with a sense of sadness that I learnt on Saturday of the passing of Des Steel. Des was a stallwart of the home both as a boy under the “Kreswell” era at the home as well as a staunch member and supporter of the Old Boys Association. Des lived across the road from St Georges and married Doreen his childhood sweetheart. He worked as an electrical engineer on the Bedfordview Council and was instrumental in installing the flood lights on the sports fields and at the swimming pool. Des also used to have coloured lights on his house and I particularly remember his 2010 world cup theme as well as his festive designs around Christmas. Des was for many years Chairman of the Old Boys Association and was instrumental in the construction of the sports pavilion above the playing fields which bears his name. I understand he had been suffering with a brain tumour for many months and his passing some two months back was a very private family affair with no announcements held at the local Malvern Catholic church.
Rest in Peace Des – like your compatriots Makkie and Georrgie you too have a special place in the roll of honour of what we know and love as St Georges Home. It was Georgie who reminded me that the home was never the buildings but rather the fellowship of the many boys who passed through them. I certainly felt that on Saturday and yet again for a brief period as with all present, I felt we “were back at the home”.
There is a photograph for posterity of all of us seated with the Beek under the bell tower as testiment to the event and that can never be taken away or denied. With the passing of Des Steel and Georgie I left with a slight emotional sense of realisation that those of us present together with others around the world are living proof of the unique legacy which was Saint Georges Home. Sadly this will cease to exist with the inevitable passing of each one of us so my hope remains that the current custodians of our legacy will see fit to ensure that this does not happen. Between Eric and Makkie and the various care patrons over the years they created the most unique model of child care which (for fear that it actually worked) has never been allowed by the Anglican church or the authorities to ever be replicated. Thioe of us in attendance on Saturday as well as those around the world and those of us departed remain a testament to that fact and as long as we breathe we should ensure that it remains so. Blessings to you all on this very special day!
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- 669. OldBoy | July 15, 2012 at 9:24 am
  
  Any chance of a name-list to match the re-union photograph above?
  Reply
670. john rossouw | April 23, 2012 at 9:12 am

Blane please can you update the bulletin on Des Steel’s passing as well as the reunion
Please can you also copy one or two of Pauls pics across as soon as they are published
Ralph Brown was in attendance on Saturday and he lives and works in Durban with his brother Ronald. They do see a lot of your mom as well as your sister and asked me to pass on their regards to you across the seas
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671. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 24, 2012 at 3:01 am

Wonderful news John. Thank you for taking the time to relay all the news and events of the recent past and that Special Day at St. Goggies. I would have loved to be there …. though it sounds like it was likely no one from my era was there. Eric Richardson is a living testament of a man who has lived a Long and Good Life in service to others. I salute him. I look forward to seeing the pictures when they are posted. Great shot of the group though.

Dudley. (1955/59)
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672. john rossouw | April 25, 2012 at 12:31 pm

I received a call from Christopher Richardson earlier today. He is the elkdest son of the Beek and is oloder than his siblings Michael the doctor in Kloof and Deborah the teacher / counsellor who works and lives wih her family in New Zealand. He was extremely grateful for the hospitality shown by the boys and girls and the hosting of Eric at the reunion. Chris supports his father financially as high care in a top facility is by no means cheap. Together with his sons they own and manage Highveld mushrooms which they have expanded further with the opening of the Cape Town operation. Chris lives in Dainfern as he is an avid golfer but he visits his father regularly. Everytime you buy a pack of mushrooms at the supermarket you are indirectly supporting the Beek. I have directed him to this site as well as the Face Book page. The grandkids are active on social media and I am sure they will pop in to look at the pictures
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673. john rossouw | April 25, 2012 at 12:40 pm

Blane I cannot seem to access the link to the reunion photo’s site
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674. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 28, 2012 at 2:22 am

http://truth-out.org/news/item/8687-why-you-should-still-care-about-chicagos-nato-summit

I know that this blog is not a place to politizise … but in caring for each other we should remember that in caring, there are no exclusions … we should care about everybody. This summer promises to be the watershed in what I call the Real War that is being waged on earth at present … that between the haves and the have nots. The Great War of Inequality. What happens here will impact the rest of the world, so keep your eye on this ball.
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675. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 1, 2012 at 3:02 am

History Unfolding Part ll

http://truth-out.org/news/item/8827-chicago-to-welcome-militarized-may-day

For those of you who care to follow the thread, Part lll – The First Skirmiish, will be published in your local newspapers and viewed on TV later this week and for many, many weeks thereafter.
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676. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 10, 2012 at 4:57 am

Father Michael Rossouw leaves the Philippines today to start a new life in Canada … with a wife and two kids. That is an enormous undertaking and on behalf of all your brothers, Michael, we wish you Bon voyage, God speed and safe landing, our thoughts directed to your success in establishing your whole family together there and fulfilling your mission in your new home.

Humbaga(s)hle

Dudley Pringle
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677. peter de Reuck | May 14, 2012 at 9:59 am

Would love to hear from any of the guys from the 1948/ ’55 era. unable to connect with news from majority of blocs……besides that, to all you old boys … everything of the best and bless you all…..Peter de Reuck…..Queensland ..Gold Coast, [ Coomera Waters ]..Australia . …
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678. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 15, 2012 at 4:26 am

History – A Closing Chapter.

In another short 3 years, St. Goggies would have been a century old. I find it both appropriate and karmic. that Canon Eric Richardson, who has just turned 100, was surrounded in the center amongst possibly, the last great gathering of Homeboys for such a celebration and photo opportunity … although I do hope there will other occasions that allow us to come together again in this way.

Looking at the group photograph and the album of pictures and at all the close ups of faces … none of whom was familiar to me … I could nevertheless. identify myself and many of my contemporaries in those familiar surroundings. If I transpose our heads onto the bodies in the picture, we could be those the same guys.The mess hall looked splendid and everybody looked chuffed to be there and that was really cool … especially Eric. I guess old Willy wasn’t serving lunch that day.

To those of you who were there, thanks for sharing a good vibe in your many photographs … I assume John Rossouw took the great pictures? Whoever, thanks for sharing.

Dudley
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- 679. Eddie Lancaster | May 27, 2012 at 7:07 pm
  
  Edwin ( Burty ) Lancaster – May 27, 2012 at 7:30 pm
  
  Hi Dudley
  I represented the guys from our era . Recognising a person from 60 years ago on a photo, impossible. Everything was the same as I can remember except the Chapel and mess hall seemed smaller. My meeting with the “Beek” was pleasant and after I introduced myself he had total recall inquiring about my brother Ronnie , which amazed me .
  
  Observing “Homeboys” from all walks of life ,representing 4 decades interacting with each other the way they did ! amazing . What a band of brothers .
  
  I would like to thank John and all who made this reunion possible , for a job well done.
  
  Eddie
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680. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 27, 2012 at 7:40 pm

Hi Eddie,

So tell me which one of the guys in the picture is you? But thank you for commenting … I did wonder if any of those faces were old friends.

I’m also delighted top know that despite the passage of the years, there was still that old comraderie evident amongst the attendees.Yes, we were an amazing band of brothers … until death do us part.

My sincere good wishes to you and to Ronald … a young man who will always stand out in my memory as a man with cahones.

Dudley.
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681. Michael Rossouw | May 30, 2012 at 1:54 am

Ja well no fine man, but you must mos remember that our schooling wasn’ exactly the best, ou!
But like, sometimes an oke gets so excited that he just sommer writes the first thing that comes to his head,China!
We ‘ll have to ‘arra’ that we don’t write stuff which isn’t like the way Ma Kirki and Ma Noakes taught us, hey?

Just Kidding! If you think this site is in need of spelling and grammar revision, take a look at the Malvern High school facebook page! it’s infinitely worse, especially some stuff written by students who attended the school in recent years. I’m sure however that the memories are still worth writing about and preserving, albeit that there are spelling and grammar ‘issues’.
Not all the posts on the Malvern page are riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, but generally, they reflect the times in which they are writing and the subject matter they are writing about. However, some posts could definitely use some editing and revision.

Ja Well, you know we never had ‘spellcheck’in the 1960’s, ek se !

Apologies if I’ve upset anyone; this was not my intention, but I think the point is well taken.
I’d encourage you all to please keep writing about your experiences in the place which we called ‘our Home’, as I believe our legacy is worth preserving. If we don’t write about it, however badly, we will lose something very special.
There are boys who left the Home who vowed they’d never darken its doors again, but this site has been a forum in which so much has come out into the open, both good and bad.
When we don’t understand our past, we surely won’t appreciate the present; neither shall we comprehend our future.
Blessings to you all,
Michael Rossouw
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- 682. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 30, 2012 at 2:14 am
  
  Well said Michael. A truth told poorly remains a truth and a record of expression forever, regardless.
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- 683. Br. Blane Frederik BSG | May 30, 2012 at 2:34 pm
  
  Fr, Michael: That comment turned out to be spam from a company trying to sell their product via a hidden link – and completely unrelated to anything SGH. Nevertheless, well-said!
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684. Michael Rossouw | May 30, 2012 at 3:34 pm

My apologies Father.I should have thought of that before I pressed the ‘send’ button. I shall be more careful in future.
I have settled in to the parish of Saskatchewan Gateway here in Moosomin Canada. I may have to do a border crossing into the USA soon. May I visit you?
It’s my birthday today and very hard to believe that I celebrated my first full Eucharist two years ago to the day at the Lawin Mission in Zambales Philippines in an old, derelict school hall .
I thought that I’d be at Brent for the rest of my days after ordination. I guess the Good Lord had other plans. Blessings , Fr. Michael.
(They call us ‘Reverend’ here; it’s taking a bit of getting used to!)
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685. Br. Blane Frederik BSG | May 30, 2012 at 5:30 pm

Bless you, Father Michael. Yes, you are welcome in our home whenever you need it. Many happy returns of the day, and in health and happiness in the coming year!
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686. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 30, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Many happy returns for the day father Michael. May the significance of a new birth year, a new home and a new future (with the eventual arrival of your family) … be happy, fulfilling. and blessed while the miseries of the past fade into obscurity … albeit not from memory.
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687. trevor van reenen | June 11, 2012 at 12:49 pm

michael jones happy brithday have awonderful day hope to see you one day love trevor
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688. john rossouw | June 12, 2012 at 2:59 pm

The reunion was organised by Paul Woodward (Woody) and the photographer was Paul Hoffman
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689. Manuel Joao Simoes | June 13, 2012 at 10:40 am

Hi All The pictures of the “reunion/birthday bash” look great I am just disappointed that I was not there being on a business trip to the USA. But to all who attended you guys must have had a great time.

Cheers All
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690. peter de Reuck | June 15, 2012 at 4:50 am

A big howzit to all……With so many ”Goggies” old boys residing here in Queensland [ Esp. coomera area], wouldn’t be a bad idea to call a gathering of sorts……over a few shots , sit and ”Shoot the breeze” on past times at Goggies , Yeah…good to make plan……g/d on ya.
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691. Michael Rossouw | July 9, 2012 at 12:24 pm

Who is the writer of Blog 678 “Buy Direct” Just asking…
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692. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 9, 2012 at 5:37 pm

An illiterate from another blog took a wrong turn and landed up way off base … and he’ll probably never know it to get back to this blog.
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693. peter de Reuck | July 15, 2012 at 6:01 am

An ”ILLITERATE” from another blog……???
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- 694. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 15, 2012 at 6:31 am
  
  What are you suggesting Peter? There are illiterates on this blog?
  Read Buy Direct’s blurb again and then convince me we have anyone on our blog that sounds that disorientated. It is just someone one (pretty illiterate), who wondered into a mall and had no idea where they were or what they were doing there and who scrawled a message on a mirror in a public toilet.” Help!”.
  
  Sometimes you can … and sometimes you can’t … help, i.e. but if you read the words of this scribe, you can see that just a good friend’s help is not enough. Unfortunately, professional help that can really make a difference … is most commonly unattached to an emotional connection with the subjects … and that’s the critical ingredient.for TLC healing.
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695. peter de Reuck | July 15, 2012 at 7:18 am

…”Time out”..end of discussion. How’s your day been?.
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- 696. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 15, 2012 at 8:14 am
  
  Chill out Peter, I was just jerking your chain. I haven;’ a clue who Buy Direct is and even less of what his diatribe meant. I hope your day was as good as mine.
  
  On a more serious vein to you all, and I direct this towards Blane as well … here’s an idea and a challenge! I’m not much of a computer fundi … much less a software programmer …but here we have a mini Facebook opportunity … to expand this forum into a fully interactive medium that can include and engage all our interests, images, audio, families, even children and grandchildren to connect in such a visual and literate manner as to keep the Spirit of St. Goggies alive … long after the youngest of us has passed on through the interconnectedness of our families. Something they are totally excluded from at this time.
  
  We talk here of a nostalgic past … but I have yet to hear how anyone of you are doing or what you are doing today So what about that? Of what interest is it to talk only of yesterday, as if the interim between then and now has not existed. I know where you came from … same place as me. This is not the conversation that I endeavored to engage with. I want to know how are you today? What are you doing and where are you going? As time goes by … I hear less and less and I ask myself … Is this the last Hurrah? Has everyone come here to raise the flag one last time before quietly fading away?
  
  Hell No! Not me! I came to engage and sad to say, it seems to me no one else has. Pity. This tepid contact is like a well run dry … having gushed the little we remember of a narrow and secluded (and much excluded) life, we have run out of words and threads to stay connected.
  
  Without passion the best of memories will fade and with it a unique experiment in child care in a small African country in the 20th. century … and with it, a bond of childhood loss we all share.
  
  What I am saying, is that this wonderful forum, once ablaze with enthusiasm of re-connection has fizzled like a cheap firecracker with intermittent sparks of life to keep the expectations alive. Sorry, but that’s that not vibrant and if a forum is no longer vibrant – it’s no longer a forum but a last drinking hole where the only drink they serve is nostalgia. And I’m done drinking Nostalgia!
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697. peter de Reuck | July 16, 2012 at 10:45 am

Aaah Dudley, you do as always produce/ write such good reading and sense. My life at present would not interest many , As a Pensioner nearing my mid. 70s – my day is made up of things that that I enjoy, long walks and the occasional jog.. , do some cycle riding , love watching sport of many kinds [ mostly on the tube] , take the occasional touring bus or train rides and most of all, love spending time with the grandchildren….and there we have it …
…Of the 60 odd years since leaving Goggies , I realy experienced a ful life . Worked in the paper industry for 20+ years , served on and off in the armed forces, partook and officiated in the noble sport of ”fistycuffs”, Married a wonderfull lady ..Denise , and raised five children, all of which were fairly successful in their chosen proffesions. have seven grand children , which…are the joy of my life.
…The good , the bad and the ugly…I [we] have experienced it all…..The passing of my dear son Des. was the lowest ebb in my life …We[ Denise and I] have still not come to grips with that reality and will never….. the old adage of ”Time heals ” I do not accept, BUT, with our wonderful children , grandchildren and all the wonderful, wonderful memories of Des. we do find a way….

Well Dudley, there is a condensed version of it all…If you would prefer more detail, say the word……..Keep well.

…
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- 698. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 16, 2012 at 7:40 pm
  
  Good Peter, you’re still alive an kicking … so what do you do with the rest of your free time? But I will add, that is the most revealing statement you have written on this site since you entered it … so now we’re getting to where I was going with the above rant.
  
  A while back Tedd Tree started preparing an interactive site for us all to do this and no one responded except Joao Simoes anf Michael Rossouw … well, we’re all getting older every day and are slowly running out of time for this idea to come alive … all it takes is your interest as a group. A couple of individuals won’t cut it.
  
  Sure, I know you’re all,’retired’ with all sorts of commitments to other interests … we all have … but if we don’t find more time to build out this forum … you can kiss it good by as an active contact base for the remainder of us and within 3 to 5 years it’ll be dead. Capice?
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  - 699. Michael Anthony Rossuw | July 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm
    
    Let’s all hope that will not be so.
    
    I shall write a longer ‘blogg’ soon. The other SGH site on facebook seems to have a lot of activity on it, but is sometimes not as”deep’ as this one. Nevertheless in this age of technology, it remains a means through which old boys and girls from SGH can express their views and thoughts about a very special place in our lives.paul Woodward and John Rossouw and many others from my era and beyond contribute regularly to this site.
    Like the facebook site for SGH there is one for Malvern high; however, it seems very ‘young’ in that most of the bloggers were my former students and others are recent ‘graduates’….
    
    We shall all have something to celebrate next week when canon Eric Richardson, headmaster from 1960 to the mid seventies, turns 100 on this coming Sunday! What a man!
    
    I have recently been in touch with JJ de Jager a younger old boy from your era and mine . He turned 75 recently and was my Math teacher at Malvern and was also a master in Spackman house when I was in the home in 1961-1967. I’ll send you his email address if you’d like it.Don’t think he’d mind.
    He is in contact with Frederick ‘Nutsy’ Moore of SA Universities soccer fame.Nutsy , along with JJ, myself and Debbie Richardson(EHR’s daughter) to name a few , studied at Rhodes University in our time as students. Nutsy does not do email, facebook and apparently dislikes computers, preferring phone calls. I shall try to get his telephone number for you.Anyhow…..
    Keep well and keep blogging.
    The Home as we knew it may be dead but the spirit of the Home will live on through those of us who keep these sites alive.
    ‘Bless you all
    Michael Rossouw SGH 1961-1967.
700. peter de Reuck | July 17, 2012 at 1:21 am

A bit later , I will start by loadng a few photographs,,,[ some advise on where to place them will help]… taken over the years which will give you more of an Idea , you can then start by putting a face to my name. Man, it’s been years. As we say in the land of the Roo. ” Good on ya”.
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701. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 20, 2012 at 1:53 am

I don’t if any of you have also been emailed of a new comment on our blog … if not … this below is what it says

We’re a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with useful info to paintings on. You’ve performed an impressive task and our entire group can be thankful to you.

From the style of English, I am guessing it is an East Asian community … possibly Japanese **… and what they seem to be impressed with is the structure, operation and function of our blog and the binding community that is unique to it and which it serves. This concept is obviously translatable into any society. That is, any Internet connected group, as are most alumni of schools, colleges and universities all around the world … so there is nothing really unique in the existence of a blog site like this.

What is so remarkably different, is that we are a finite group and are dying out and as the species ‘HomoGoggianticus’, we will one day in the not too distant future, simply cease to exist, extinct like St. George’s Dragon.

The point of writing of this fact (again) is that despite my misgivings, this site has inspired another group or society, perhaps with a ‘finite future’ like ours. And why I said that it might be Japanese** is because of the Fukishima Nuclear Power Plant destruction. Many of the individuals caught up in the cleaning operations afterwards became a ‘family of the dead’ . They would have an interest in a site like this. And hence my urging for you all to get more involved in growing it into a future community, one that Blane obviously envisaged when he created it. Not a community of the dead! But one of the living and the future of our memory.

And on that note: Many Happy Hundred Years Father Richardson. You were certainly the inspiration that changed the course of St. Goggies history, shortly after I left in July of 1959 … a few days before my 17th. birthday. We salute you and wish all the time in the world.
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702. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 20, 2012 at 8:57 pm

The Joys and Sorrows of ‘Family’. An Homage to a Fallen friend.

A reminder that this tenuous grip of life is closely tied to the inevitable slap of death.

As with our collective relationship with St. Goggies, I am also a member of another extended ‘family’ … here in California … a family of ex-patriot South Africans and Rhodesians and in particular, an unique and exclusive trio called; The Springbok ’42 Club.

On Wednesday night past, one leg of our trio failed to make it to breakfast … he passed away in his sleep. That fallen leg was Trevor Goss, son of Harry Goss … once South Africa’s premier criminal lawyer, who never lost a case and who never had to defend his ‘clients’ in court. A unique story in itself.

Trevor was born in Yeoville a week before me … (born in Boksburg) and two months before the third member of our club, David Lucas Friedman, who was born in Bloemfontein … and all in 1942. Trevor and I attended one year of school together at Greenside Ext. where I was a resident of The Haven orphanage there. David later changed his name to Lucas Mann and is generally called Lucky Luke. He and Trevor attended Michaelis Art Academy in Cape Town together and we all eventually met up here in in 1994 in Venice Beach near Marina del Rey where I now live.

Goss studied Law at Wits for one year in respect for his father and then switched to a year of Medicine before he realized that what he really wanted to do, was to create art. He met his future wife Tessa at Michaelis and in 1967, with a wife and two small children, he left South Africa for London, England … where co-incidentally I was living at the time. In England the night he arrived, his old friends there, The Samooses ( of oriental carpet fame) and Sassoons took him to the Revolution Club in the heart of the City and introduced him to the elite of Rock ‘ n Roll at the time, The Beatles, Eric Clapton , Jimmy Page and others who were all jamming there that night. Later he moved his family to Ibiza and lived in a 300 year old farm house and ran around with the likes of Clifford Irving of the infamous: ‘The Hoax’ biography of Howard Hughes.

In 1976 he once again moved the family, this time to California and lived up near Santa Barbara near Montecito, where he was a neighbor to Slim Whitman, Robert Mitchum and Ava Gardner …a group with whom he partied an awful lot.

I mention all these places and names because Trevor led a charmed life … wherever he went, he landed up with his butt in butter and not without reason. He was a small guy who never weighed more than 140 lbs. when wet … but he was someone who believed that he had no limits and explored art like no one else I know.

He read the works of great philosophers along with the techniques and life stories of the great artists of history and like Tretichikoff (with whom he worked in CT and for whom he developed dye sublimination printing processes for Tretchies art on fabrics), he also created a successful outlet for his own art. Air Dreams air-brushed T-Shirts @ $250.- a pop in the early 80’s. He opened three stores, in Rodeo Drive, LA, in Montecito and in Palm Springs .,. all havens of the extremely wealthy and famous … and turned over 3 million a year in the process.

In 1984 he created the massive steel-built and gold holographic covered flame cauldren for the Opening of the Olympics in LA. That was designed by Jeremy Railton of Bulawayo origin, who later became the mentor of Trevor’s son Anton, who is now one of the top entertainment Production Designers in America.(Oprah Winfrey’s last show before she started her own Network, The Voice and America’s Got Talent are examples). Railton incidentally … pulled me in in 1991 to design the dual (Sundown to Sunset) lighting system for the ceiling sky in the Forum … the enormous shopping complex that is a part of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It was he who brought me into contact with Trevor again in 1994.

By this time, Trevor was living in Venice and producing endless holographic artworks for production designs from both Railton and his son, including the stage for Cher’s performance in the 1996 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City. By this time I had become his defacto go to guy who managed his production crews on projects. I also built him three studios as he grew, the last one in Palm Springs where he had moved to live in 100+ degree temps in the desert.

For a while he flourished there … but with the world wide economic slump … he suffered badly and for the past year was unable to pay his mortgage and was loosing the house (and swimming pool). In desperation, he started making Air Dream design T-shirts again and tote bags with holographic prints … but you know how that goes … past glory never revisits the present.

Last week he called me to say that he would be in town for a while, would I meet him for Scotch (his favorite drink), before he went up to Santa Barbara to deliver some T’s and bags to a boutique there. He would stay overnight with his female lawyer of many years … but who ran with a fast, monied crowd … and that was his undoing. He died in his sleep on Wednesday night after all night partying. he would have been 70 years old on Monday … just a week before my own birthday.

Way to go Trev.Have a heavenly scotch on me.

The moral of the story … you’ve all got a life … count your blessings and although we’re all advancing in years … it ain’t over until it’s over. Enjoy every moment and continue to dare to push your limits … you only get one shot each time.
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703. Michael Rossouw | July 22, 2012 at 3:29 am

Thanks for this Dudley. Harry Goss was a contemporary of my uncle, Ivan Morris ( although possibly slightly older than my uncle) who is probably the longest serving attorney to the Witwatersrand Bench.
Ivan, now in his mid eighties stopped practising Law just last year.

On another note, canon Eric Richardson turned 100 today .
A tea was held for him at his Bryanston Senior citizens Home at which my brother John represented the Old Boys.
The whole Richardson clan were also present.
I hope John will post something on this blogg as well as some photos of the event. He has alstready done so on the ‘facebook’ page for St Georges Home for boys.
Eric received greetings from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 and from President Zuma.

God Bless you, Father Eric, on this milestone in your life.

To the Richardson family, Christopher, Michael and Debbie in particular, thank you for letting your father be our father too. Thank you for the sacrifices you made in letting him be with us as young boys growing up in the Home and taking time away from his family to be with us when he should have been there with you.

Your father is a truly wonderful and remarkable human being and , certainly from my relationship with him growing up in the Home as a boy and indeed throughout my adult life, he has been a great mentor, a wonderful father figure, a truly wonderful Father in God in his work as a priest and a truly wonderful human being and friend.

God Bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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704. peter de Reuck | July 24, 2012 at 7:46 am

”Jacko” Short,* Peter Harper,* ”Boet” Symes, *Ken Mc Holm, *”Fluffy” Capener, *”Burny” Moss, *Rob. Robson ….The bossmen I knew……………The only females on home grounds were Jacko’s wife and daughters Janet and Allison, Robsons wife and daughter Jennefer…then there was the lady in the infermary and the one that handed out clean laundry. We’re now going back well over 50years , Most dicussions etc. on this blog I cannot relate to, a completely different era…[ Bar a few names.]….So I’ll keep it hush, but will be around…..Just incase…peterdereuck@hotmail.com..[ as easy as that.]…Good on ja.
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705. Andrew Mackie | July 24, 2012 at 8:27 am

Peter, it seems as if only a few of us real oldies partake in this blog.During my stay at St. Goggies the only name not familiar to me is Ken Mc Holm maybe he appeared after I left at end of 1952. As I remember Jack Short stayed in a house across the road from the home and I did not see much of his family. When I first entered the home from another orphanage (SOE Childrens Home 1944 to 1947) in 1948 I was for a short while placed in Simpson House, then moved to Spackman House as my brother Wylie Forbes Mackie was there some time before me as I was too young in 1944 to be cared for at SGHB. Well a lot of water has flowed since those days and while I do not recall the names of many of my fellow boys of that time, one name sticks in my memory that of Ernest Behr who stopped a lot of bullying on myself by the bigger and older boys. Life was pretty tough those days but I also believe it prepared me for an even tougher life after leaving the home. That is another story and maybe in time I will reveal but do not wish to bore people with that story.
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- 706. peter de Reuck | July 24, 2012 at 10:13 am
  
  Hi Andrew, I may be mistaken but I think Ken Mc Holm was a relief master in the earlier years …. I do remember , it was Boet Symes that would relieve Harper… Oh, by the way..I was also admitted to SGH. in 1948 from St. Mary’s ….[ Simpson house.]….The year you left in ’52 I was in Beaton house….left the home in ’55…..Chat soon.
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707. OldBoy | July 25, 2012 at 1:59 pm

Yes, I am aware that this is a site for Old Boys of SGH (of which I am one) and on which, with Blane’s permission, I am therefore entitled to comment. The theme of my comment is probably one that might not appeal, apart from a few, to the average visitor to this site.

I noted, with some interest, Michael Rossouw’s comment that the standard of education delivered at Malvern High was not of the best. I would disagree. Many of the boys in my class succeeded in attending Wits, and other universities, whilst I managed to sneak into a famous one in Europe.

At Malvern High, I was provided, free of charge, with some of the most talented teachers that the lack of money could supply. Pop Brown (Art), Ma McGreggor (Biology), Ma Newth (Maths), Ma Frik and Pop Durie (Arithmetic), Ma Kirkland and Ma Noakes (History & English), Flippy van der Walt (Afrikaans), Pop (Wop) Cunningham (Science). There were also others who taught me wood-and-metalwork and music but these disappeared from my ken after Standard 8. Then, of course, the hugely talented Headmaster, Johnny Johnson, who, during my final year, went on to become an Inspector of Schools and was replaced by Pop Rogers.

I recall how the boys, returning home from school, decried having to read ‘Pride & Prejudice’ which they declared to be utterly boring. ‘I hope I never have to read that!’ I said to myself and, whilst at SGH for 9 years, I never did.

Reading had come to me when I was 9 years old and in Simpson House. Derek James, Brian Gannon’s deputy, was in his small apartment which, apart from a bed, also contained an old bookcase with even older books stuffed on to its shelves. I asked for a book to read. Before then I never had read a proper book in my life and only wanted now to curry his favour. He smiled, patted me on the head and searched the dilapidated tomes for one he thought might be suitable. So far so good. He selected one with, “Try this.” It was a Biggles book by Capt W E Johns.

I went away and made a start. Within a few minutes I returned to Mr James. “It’s too hard, Sir. May I have another?” Whatever Derek thought of my request is best summed up by his response. “Agh! Get out of my sight!” and I was sent packing. The stinging rebuke had the desired effect and I made a more conscientious effort. Within a few days I had returned to his flat and asked for another. “You know where the bookcase is, help yourself.” I did, again and again, and polished off the rest. They were the perfect books, ideal for a young boy in search of tales of adventure and derring-do.

Interspersed with Capt W E Johns’s books were those by Enid Blyton. Her ‘Adventure’ series were much in demand by us readers. The phrase, “May I read that after you?” often tripped from our lips. Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ series were also popular but never could compete with her brilliant ‘Adventure’ books. Then there were ‘The Hardy Boys’ under the collective pseudonym, Franklin W Dixon, But by now I had moved on. Maturity drove me into the hands of James Hadley Chase, a writer of American gangster/crime novels. His gritty descriptions of murder and mayhem were now ideal for a 13-year-old. It turns out that he was in fact an Englishman living in Switzerland.

At the age of 15, I was with Bee-Bop, in his caravan, on a photographic holiday. He was quietly reading a book when he turned to us and said, “Listen to this,” and he read aloud a sentence from the book. I asked him who wrote the book. Alistair McClean was the author and the book was ‘Ice Station Zebra’. I asked him if I might read it when he had finished with it. “Here, have it now,” he said and handed me the book. “I’ve already read it three times,” he said as he did so.

I read it at a sitting and it delighted me. I found Mclean’s later work, apart from his war-time experiences in ‘HMS Ulysses’, to be weak. Nevertheless, I could not now return to the even weaker James Hadley Chase. At this stage, I was 18 and at the point of leaving SGH. What to read next?

I had a go at Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and found his style and temperament too dark and difficult. But I did read it through, with a dictionary at my elbow. Next I tried Dickens’s ‘Pickwick Papers’. I didn’t know what to expect and indeed, having done his ‘Tale of Two Cities’ in matric, I wasn’t as keen as I should have been. The dictionary remained at my elbow but the content of Pickwick wasn’t difficult to follow and the book blew me away.

Now the world was at my feet and I could not wait to read all the old authors: The Brontes, Fielding, Thackeray, Sterne, Bennett, Trollope, Smollett, Eliot, Hardy, Goldsmith etc. But what of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’? Well, eventually I did, and although it is totally unsuitable for school children, and especially SGH boys, I found it to be one of the greatest books ever written.

So, who do I thank for this introduction to quality literature? Derek James? Bee-Bop?Perhaps. But I set more importance on the influences of Ma Noakes and Ma Kirkland. These ladies spoke their minds about all books and I recall Ma Kirkland complaining that Dickens was just too verbose. “Why must he use ten words when two will do?” she wailed.

But fate has a way of intervening in our lives when we least expect it. There was a moment in Johannesburg Children’s Home (JCH) that I will never forget. JCH was a lovely place and the staff treated us kindly. One day Uncle Gussy (the Deputy Head) called us into the dormitory and said, “Now I want you all to pay attention.” He never raised his voice and we loved him. He had with him Les du Plessis, a contemporary of mine at JCH, and Les was holding a book in his hands. We were about 8 at the time. Uncle Gussy lifted Les on to his lap and placed an arm round his shoulder. The rest of us wondered what was happening. “Now read for us, Les,” said Uncle Gussy. The book was a simple ‘John and Jane’ volume, common then, and Les fluently read it through. “Now I want you all to be able to do the same as Les,” said Uncle Gussy, and rewarded him with a tickey (two and a half pence). When everyone had left the dormitory, I picked up the book and found I could read it too.

Later, in SGH, I also discovered that Les, in terms of reading maturity, was at least 10 years ahead of the rest of us. He read books more suitable for adults. But I have never forgot Uncle Gussy’s kindness to him and his method of encouraging children to read. And in SGH, sitting in Prep, in the evening, with Les (I always sat with him) and asking him what he was reading. He would push the book across the table to me and I would turn it over. ‘The Fountainhead’ by Ayn Rand. It was ten years before I read the book and we were ten at the time. So I believe it is to Uncle Gussy and Les to whom I am indebted for the books I read today.
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- 708. Les du Plessis / Lewis DeSoto | July 25, 2012 at 3:49 pm
  
  How interesting, and odd, to see yourself remembered through someone else’s eyes, but to have no memory of the event yourself. I’m the Les Du Plessis you are referring to, and although I remember JCH well, and Uncle Gussy, I don’t remember being rewarded for reading well. My ambition in those days was to dribble Uncle Gussy at soccer and earn a ticket that way. However, I did always have my nose in a book then -my first at JCH was Treasure Island. Like you, Old Boy, I got my start with Biggles, although I remember it being George Adams who provided the books. I also went through many of the authors you mention. Thomas Hardy is still a favourite. I do remember once having to write some homework on a book, and I used the word ‘epic.” At prep, Skidney McCausland asked me what the word meant and when I became tongue-tied he accused me of having copied my essay from somewhere and demanded to know where. I got a few whacks from the cane when I wouldn’t confess. Whatever happened to him?
  Anyway, I’m glad I contributed to your reading. I’m still a bookworm myself. In fact, I’ve had two books published and a third one coming out next year. I changed my name some years ago to Lewis DeSoto and write under that name. A Blade of Grass, which is set in South Africa (but not at SGH) was published internationally, and should be available on Amazon in most countries. My second book was a biography of the Canadian painter Emily Carr, published by Penguin. The new one is called The Restoration Artist and is a novel, published by HarperCollins in 2013. I’m working one a new novel, loosely based on my time at SGH.
  As a postscript, I’ll add the fact that I was at JCH and SGH until 1967, with my brothers Martin and Andre, in Beaton under Piet Pretorius and then Spackman, under Chubby Laughton. We all immigrated to Canada. Martin is in banking, Andre is a lawyer, both living in Vancouver, Canada. I live in Toronto.
  Thanks for the memories and hope you are doing well yourself.
  Best regards,
  Les.
  Reply
  - 709. Allan Chrystal | February 4, 2016 at 2:26 am
    
    I too was a Bigglesworth fan, two or three books were all that was available in the small library tucked under the Altar side of the Chapel. Read the Kimble version of “A Blade of Grass’ last year. Riveting I do declare.
- 710. peter de Reuck | July 26, 2012 at 3:58 am
  
  @old boy…thanks for that…very interesting .
  Reply
711. OldBoy | July 25, 2012 at 2:27 pm

I would add that Trollope’s ‘Barchester Towers’, Bennett’s ‘Anna of the Five Towns’ and Compton McKenzie’s ‘The passionate Elopement’ are very fine reads and highly recommended.
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712. Andrew Mackie | July 25, 2012 at 2:34 pm

An interesting and delightful story, however I am intrigued as to who the writer is. While he may not wish to reveal his name would ask at least to give the years he attended SGHB.
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713. OldBoy | July 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Hi Andrew and thank you. I was in SGH from 1961 to 1969, both years inclusive. I would prefer to remain anonymous.
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714. Michael Rossouw | July 25, 2012 at 4:33 pm

To the writer of comment #695.
In no way in my remarks about the standard of Education at Malvern was I stating that this was true of all the teachers who taught there, and, judging by the names you mentioned, both the teachers and the old boys, you were there at Malvern and in the Home around the same time as when I was there.(I see that now from your last reply between 1961 and 1969.)
The teachers names whom you mentioned were very caring and dedicated and I was taught by all of them.I also had a very good relationship with John Edmund Johnsen, The Headmaster of malvern and a man for whom I have nothing but the utmost respect. ‘Johnny’ did become an inspector after leaving Malvern but was also the only “English” Deputy Director of Education soon after that.(The rest were all hard line ‘Broederbonders’! Even someone as conservative as ‘Johnny’ must have found it difficult to work in that environment.)
I asked Mr Johnsen at the school centenary some years ago why he took early retirement, and he intimated that those who ran the Education Department at that time, ran it as a “Closed show”. Small wonder he took early retirement at 55!

There were however some teachers in my time and in the time I taught at the school (1986) who did not care about their jobs , nor the students whom they taught. Under Roger’s reign the cane ruled, one of the reasons why I left.I would hesitate metioning the names of these people , but many teachers who taught there in my time as a student and as a teacher were not of the calibre of ‘the greats” we knew such as the names of those whom you mentioned.
Yes, I owe my interest in reading to all of those teachers whom you mentioned, as well as to people like Brian Gannon, Derrick James, Tubby Laughton, Fr Norman Clayton, Robert Kimber (VSO),Graham Foster (VSO), Robert Gledhill (VSO) and many others.
I was not at JCH but Uncle Gussy was spoken of by many as a caring person by those who knew him.
It is not my intention to slander these folks nor the school; I am writing from my own experience as are you.

All of us who were privileged to be around at the Home and at Malvern at that time in our country’s history don’t fully realise how fortunate we were to be there at these institutions.
I was never a great academic a Malvern, partly because I now know that I was as they are called today a “special educational needs” student. Whilst we a had so called an ‘adaptation class’
( and I started at Malvern in that group) , the school did wonders with the students they had, many of whom came from “deprived’ backgrounds.
I for one only learnt to read properly and with understanding and appreciation once I’d left school.

I guess what i was trying to say ( and I’ve obviously expressed myself badly here as I appear to have caused you some offence, for which I apologise) was that the teachers did the best with what they had in order to capitalize on the talents the students had, and to give them the best education possible.Remember they did not have the eduaction tools nor today’s tecnology to do their job. Nevertheless our teachers did work wonders with what they had at their disposal.
Having worked as a teacher myself, both in South Africa and in International schools in Thailand , Burma and the Philippines, all of which have relatively high standards of Literacy, I believe I am in a position to make some comparison; I seem to have done this very badly, however.

I too have people like ‘Ma Kirki’, ‘Ma Noakes’ Ep Cheyne and many others to thank for their encouragement.
However my real education only started once I’d left school and indeed at a much later time in my life.
My remarks were not meant to be offensive and if I have offended anyone, I apologise.

I respect your right to remain annonymous, but if we as old boys have some bond which we are apparently supposed to share through this “Blogg”, why then do you choose to remain so?
It is not my intention to argue over the net,but it would be helpful to know why you shy form identifying yourself.I do however respect your decision for whatever reason you do so.

Michael Rossouw [M.H.S 1963-1967; SGH 1961-1967]
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715. peter de Reuck | July 26, 2012 at 7:29 am

Talk Rugby……..The natal Sharks Vs Stormers this weekend ,,,Re. home ground advantage , I say stormers pip it.. ..Crusaders vs. Stormers in the final…
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- 716. Donald Sanderson-Smith 1946-1951 | July 26, 2012 at 12:18 pm
  
  Black and White Sharks Forever
  Reply
  - 717. peter de Reuck | July 26, 2012 at 4:18 pm
    
    Hi Donald, We’ll talk again on sunday morning….[ ie. Aussie. time..]…It’s Stormers by 5+…
  - 718. Allan Chrystal | July 29, 2012 at 2:01 pm
    
    Hi Donald.
    Glad to see you are still in the land of the living. At our age we could pop off anytime and the rest of us would be none the wiser. So when I didn’t get a reply to my email I was starting to fear the worst. Which reminds me… those 10 shilling Rhodesian notes you occasionally sent me were the most pocket money I ever had at SGH. My late younger brother Neville and I got to load up at the tuck shop because of you. Hope all is well .
    Allan Chrystal.
719. trevor van reenen | July 28, 2012 at 6:28 pm

i sat and watched natal sharks v cape stormers play in newlands cape town wha t a game;i thought the stormers would win but no the sharks had other ideas;they won sharks 26 to stormers 19.what a game;the sharks go to new zealand for the final against the chiefs. go you natal sharks
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720. peter de Reuck | July 29, 2012 at 12:11 am

@ Trevor…not what I had hoped for , but well done Sharks. Its a pity that the final will be played in N.Z..
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721. peter de Reuck | July 29, 2012 at 1:53 am

Not during my time , but was rugby ever played at goggies?…
..if not , they missed out………….. Good to go over to N.Z. to watch the final . [ The last of the big spenders.]…
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- 722. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 29, 2012 at 3:31 am
  
  The Olympics & South Africa.
  
  For the first time in my life, I watched the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games in London. It was a knock out performance with many highlights and it showed off both London (what an incredible transformation from the mid to late 60’s when I lived there), and the state of the arts in lighting and production scale, like nobodies business. I was truly impressed. Great production design and James Bond dropping in for tea with the queen was a smash hit idea. Likewise Beckham and the launch delivering the flame.
  
  The big surprise was the 60’s music skit on a massive scale and mostly done in Black Light. Which just happens to be my lighting speciality … having built the first Big beam UV lighting canons in the world in 1982 in Amsterdam, Holland.c I’ve been fortunate twice to have been invited to participate in ceremonies for the Olympics … for the American Olympic team farewell ceremonies here in LA in Dodger’s Stadium for the ’92 Barcelona Olympics and for the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City when I worked with my friend Trevor Goss to created the massive holographic stage covering for Cher’s closing performance
  
  Though I was not a participant in this one directly … I had to smile to myself, alone in my small yacht in Marina Del Rey when I saw the sixties music number … it was more than likely that the show was lit with my ex-company’s latest version of Wildfire canons or an equivalent British knock-off.
  
  In early 1982, when I approached Philips Lighting in Eindhoven to help me build these critters, they laughed at me. Of sure we can help you, they said, but where’s the market? The market was entertainment. TV. film, rock ‘n roll, theater, dance stage, Casinos theme parks .,.. but nobody got it. They gave me a little booklet to read instead that said: The difficulty in bringing a new product to market, is that everyone who has and alternative entrenched interest will resist you and those who have everything to gain will will only passively encourage you at best. Too true. 30 years later, and here we are and Blacklght is now very much entrenched lighting tool. So who had the last laugh?
  
  I’m rooting for the South African ploeg of course, So, as we say here on the water amongst us sailing folk … get yer collective thumbs out yer bums laddies, put yer minds in neutral and crank up the voice boxes for Pistorius and company.
  Reply
723. trevor van reenen | July 29, 2012 at 2:40 am

hi peter funny that you should ask that,but that is the one sport we never played at st georges.they did try to play it at malvern high school but no one seemed to want to play rugby,so they started playing soccer.it was a pity because south africa seems to have a wealth of talent.what do you think of our cricket team.well its 3.00 am in the morning i better go to bed.talk to you later
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724. peter de Reuck | July 29, 2012 at 4:33 am

Trevor….thanks for the reply, No I didn’t ever hear of goggies having played rugby, While living in S.A. my three sons played rugby throughtout their school years and for a while thereafter, mainly just local clubs in the Durban area….the eldest did go for Natal colts traials , unfortunately wasn’t excepted…thats life hey?…….As for the cricket team , they are playing so well, Jacque Kallis never fails to impress….Hope you slept well ..regards….[ it’s now 2.30pm Aussie time ]…
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725. Michael Rossouw | July 29, 2012 at 5:13 am

Hi Trevor! Were you in the home during the 1960’s?
there was a Terevr Van Reenen in Beaton House when i was there in 1961. Is that you?
Yes, you are right!
St George’s for some unknown reason never played rugby.
Why, I’m not xactly sure.
Possibly because Mackey was such a Soccer orientated person in that he believed that Sport (indeed all Sport) was theraputic and that it built character.
ken Mc Holm was also in touch with the “greats” of Soccer in the UK; people like Bobby Charlton and the England football team that beat Germany in the 1960’s (that win now being disputed as we have technology that a goal scored by England should not have been allowed.) The Home produced its fair share of footballers, Nutsy Moore who played for SA varsities,Freddie basson played for Highlands (I think) the Hendricks brothers,who were legends in their time, the Ternent brothers Trevoor and Gavin, one of whom played for Wits University,as well as probably one of the best goalies that we had on the Home’s first football team, Johnanthan Cloete. And who of course can not forget the team of the 60’s which won the league and the cup in what was then the Southern Transvaal Football Association.All of these events and wins brought much needed publicity to the Home.

I watched the World Cup Rugby matches whilst in the Philippines last year; rivetting stuff.I was rooting for Wales but they were sadly knocked out. ( That French referee I think did a lot of damage!)
Rugby is played in the Philippines but not to the extent as in other ‘traditional’ rugby nations.(My wife , a Filipino, loved watching these games. I think she wants our little son to play rugby! Not much cahnce of that when he eventually gets to Canada as his uncle with whom my wife and kids are staying whilst they await visas to go to Canada,has got him hooked on basketball.)
A British Brent colleague of mine, Jonathan Chandler said that Rugby is the only Sport left in which teams fight a titanic battle.
Unlike American foootball,Rugby has no shoulder padding , helmets etc.(although some players do wear that lather headgear nowdays as one can get head injuries in the scrum)
At Brent we never played American football, even though our school followed an American Curriculum and had a largely American faculty.We played Soccer and our teams won most of their games against their local and international school opponents.
Basketball and Volleyball were great favorites and our teams won the series amongst Asian international schools in the Manila as well as in SE Asian tournaments in the area.

I guess Soccer is seen as a more ‘social’ game for amateurs, professionally these guys make millions as we all know.
When I was in the Army at what was the Danie Theron Krygskool,in Kimberley in 1968, at Sports time on a Wednesday afternoon, the Captain and the Sergeant major called out “All die provinsiale rugby spelers! Kom hier so!”( Sorry my Afrikaans is rusty; never was really good at it.)
That was it; if you never played at at least provincial level you sat on the stands and cheered.

Sport in the Home was used as a means to enable us to become good at something.
The tabloid sports which Ken Mc Holm introduced for athletics (track and field) and swimming were a way of encouraging everyone to get 4 out 5 events reaching a certain standard to qualify for a tabloid certificate.
I well remember George Wilson, falling in a race and yet getting up and finishing. Georgie was slightly handicapped, but he swam and ran in athletics as well as played football socially.
I shall never forget that day when he got up and ran. His effort on that day earned him a special trophy for the best junior performance that year.
Georgie, I think ,took up a career as a clerk at the magistrates Court in Johannesburg, but sadly, I lost touch with him in the early 1970’s

Tabloids were a little better than when we had so called ‘preliminaries’ which we had before, where after a number of ‘heats’ only the two best times were taken for participation in the actual sports day events.On a bad day, a bad start or whatever wiped out anyone who was keen on participating but never made the best times, whilst the tabloids enabled boys like me, who were not necessarily sport orientated, to participate and feel good about achieving the standard in their age group.
Here were notable personalities at these events come to mind; ‘Snake” Robson, the second master before Ken McHolm had the job, was always the starter; Boots “poema” Symes was the chief judge and of course men like Lucien Lombard, Piet Pretorius, Brian Gannon, and the ever present Ken McHolm were all there. (Now I am dating myself! and I was in the Home in the early 1960’s)
These days I watch Telly for most sporting events. Sadly we cant get cricket matches here in Canada, although I do believe we have a ‘social’ league amongst clergy in Regina.

Good to hear from you, Trevor. keep writing.

The nearest thing I get to watching Rugby here in Saskatchewan is our local Provincial football team, “The Roughriders”
So far they have had a good season tieing with Calgary in the league ….not that I am really into this, but our team has the best provincial support from the whole of the province of Saskatchewan.Every weekend when a match is on, everyone in the whole town of Moosomin, as well as those in other parts of the province, is donned in a green, Roughrider sweater or Tshirt, so I shall have to think about getting a green clergy shirt made for days when the team is playing.
With the London Olympics now in full swing, I can really appreciate what Mackey and others taught us about sport, the values we learn in sport,the comeraderie we enjoyed and the spirit these games engendered.
All the best
Michael Rossouw
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726. peter de Reuck | July 29, 2012 at 7:25 am

Hi…talking soccer. Two of the best I had ever seen during my years at goggies were the Saunders bros. ”Titch’ and Sydney, Titch was a goalkeeper of class , only he knows why he didn’t further his talents , mind you he did play a while for Germiston Callies during the early 60s…As for Sydney , he contd. playing club soccer for quite a few years after leaving goggies. I did bump into them both during the 70s doing construction work at Richards Bay Minerals….Other players who impressed……Doug Holder, Charly Behrens ,Roy Glendinning , to name a few. ….I dont know how long it continued but there was allways great rivalry at the yearly soccer matches between Beaten, Spackman and Taylor houses …Taylor house would try their luck at fielding a few ” working boys”, But ,Burny and boet Symes made it a no/ go….Spackman house would usualy take the honours with players like Harry Fisher, Earnie Behr and the likes…….Keep well.
…….
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- 727. Andrew Mackie | July 29, 2012 at 9:42 am
  
  Now there is a name I recall, Harry Fisher, was he a bugler in the band. He was a shortish person but well built and always seemed to have a well tanned body. Also I think he won prizes at the cadet competitions as best bugler?
  Reply
  - 728. peter de Reuck | July 29, 2012 at 11:23 am
    
    @ Andrew …Thats Harry Fisher.
729. trevor van reenen | July 29, 2012 at 12:20 pm

hi michael,yes it is me from beaton house.it is wonderful to read the past through some elses eyes.do you remember us playing 5 a side soccer in the gym by the swimming pool,that was fun.i do remember mr. mcholm was a great cricketer i always remember how easy it was for him to hit a six from any ball.i really enjoyed swimming which i seem to do very well.do you remember when we went down to umtentweni we use to go to port shepstone,well i joined a benoni harriers running club there i met aguy by the name of les nisbet we got talking and i told him about the home and us going down to umtentweni he told me he remembers that because lived in port shepstone and he knew us.what a small world.michael do you still play guitar i remember you playing in taylor house i really enjoyed that thank you. all the past is flooding back wow.hi peter i have been a germiston callies surporter all my life i dont know if they are still going,i do know that there is a germiston callies running club.i will talk to you later.have a nice day
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730. peter de Reuck | August 1, 2012 at 9:30 am

Hi…[ Something different, also this being my favourite sporting topic. so here goes.] ….. Just above the serving hatch from dining hall to kitchen there hung a photograph of an ex goggies boy namely Willy Smith. who became one of the greatest boxers ever produced in S.A…..During his amateur career, besides winning most bouts won a gold medal in the Bantam weight devision at the 1924 olympics, the second S.A. boxer to achieve this ..first being Clarence Walker [ thats another story]………after the olympics and against his moms wishes he decided to turn pro. Had many memorable bouts against the best in that devision , I have so much more I could tell you about this fine Goggies sportsman , but this not being everyones cup of tea so to speak [ boxing]… I wont bore you much longer, it’s just to remind you that goggies did produce the goods….”Good on ya.”
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731. trevor van reenen | August 1, 2012 at 1:38 pm

hi johann muller i dont know if you will ever read this blog but here i go . iremember you with fond memories in beaton house.i can remember that you lived above jules street and your mom used to work in a cafe near your house,i still remember going to your mothers shop after school and getting chocolates.do you remember when you let me leave my bicycle so i could ride to elsburg.i use to visit you during the holidays and ride with you by your home.do you still live in south africa,i live in somerset in england.as i say i hope you will forget what happened in the past in st georges .we will always be oldboys from a friend if you will let me be.your friend .god be with you from trevor van reenen
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732. Michael Rossouw | August 1, 2012 at 2:53 pm

Trevor, Johann should still be around but I’m not sure where he is. he did respond to one of my messages around about the time Norman Clayton died. The last I saw of him was when he was working as a police officer for the old SAP (now SAPS). My late brother Des used to keep in touch with Johann quite regularly, but as i say, it’s some time ago now.
I hope Johann will respond. It would be good to hear from him.(see message #398 on this blogg)
How did you get to be living in the UK? You must be one of many South Africans who are there now. I have two cousins and some friends living there ….evryone seems to be far away now.What would we do without internet to keep in touch…Keep well,
Michael R
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733. trevor van reenen | August 1, 2012 at 8:46 pm

hi michael,i met this english girl while still in south africa.she went back to england,she then asked me if i would come over,so isaid yes.she helped me through the home office in england.we then emigrated to england with the children,me and my son live in williton and treasure my daughter lives in greenwich in london.there is half a million south africans living in london.how are you and your family enjoying canadia.hope everything goes well with you over there.by the way good luck to the proteas in tomorrows game against england tomorrow.god bless you michael.trevor
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734. peter de Reuck | August 4, 2012 at 9:39 am

Re. the Sharks Vs. Chiefs game , sorry Sharks, but thats what I call a real ” Pak Slae”…..37 / 6…..Eina.
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735. peter de Reuck | August 6, 2012 at 11:37 am

Aaah ! so much for the ”St Georges home for boys” blog….quite as can be. I continue my leasurely life …fishing and watching rugby, my two favourites…you guys, what ever time you have, enjoy and go for it ……………………be good and ”vas byt”…..Bye.
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736. Michael Rossouw | August 6, 2012 at 4:25 pm

Dear Peter
‘cant follow the sport in RSA teams here in Canada, tri nations or any other events as they play a strange game here called football, the game where they wear all the padding, as well as the great North American pastime, baseball. Most focus here has been on the Olympics . Wonderful that the young South African from Natal beat Michael Phelps to get gold….Yes I’m sure that Shark fans were not happy at the ‘pakslae’ they were given, but that’s the nature of any sport, the team of the day who performs the best wins.
‘Gu’d on ya’ for keeping in touch.
I was never a sporty person at ”Goggies” but I did take a keen interest from the stands, probably the safest place to be, unless of course you made a comment a supporter of the oppsing team took offence to!
Cheers for now
Michael Rossouw
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737. peter de Reuck | August 7, 2012 at 10:38 am

Hi Michael , nice chatting. The Aussie swimmers are not reaping gold as in previous olympics … as you so wisely stated..” the team/ who performs takes the honours.”……Chat soon.
‘good on ja’
…Peter de Reuck.
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738. peter de Reuck | August 8, 2012 at 4:05 am

After he left goggies , did ”Jacko” Short ever visit ?…NOT since Strong took over, to the time I left in ’55 …Great guy, harsh and strict but fair…never forget my visits to the tower, Man.. , he could swing that cane, Boet Symes, ”Fluffy , ”Burny” and ”Rob. the Boss” … all amateurs at that..ie. cane swinging…]………. keep well and good on ja.
..Peter.
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739. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 8, 2012 at 5:18 am

Many of you guys left South Africa and settled in Australia, NZ, Canada. USA and even in Spain, and of course, the United Kingdom (which is the biggest misnomer of all … having never been really united in the first place without military force). Which reminds me … do any of you know why the Afrikaaners called us English speaking South Africans Soutpiels?

Quite simply, because they believed that when it came to a toss up to defend South Africa from a black uprising … we stood with one foot on South African soil and the other somewhere in the United Kingdom and a our dicks dangling in the ocean inbetween. They did not have much faith that we would join with them to defend a white franchise … and as it turned out .. they were partially right.

That said, where do you stand now, on the gross inequalities that have reduced our world to a cabal of a minority elite holding sway over a seemingly passive mass of the global population? Or, are you still soutpiels waiting to see which way the surf breaks?

Enjoy your reminiscence gentlemen, but note that the world has moved on from evolution to a pending dissolution … big time … climate change being just one aspect of that change that is about to engulf us. Food and water shortage next and the greed of the powers that be, being the clincher that enslaves us afterwards.

If you think you’re retired … get un-retired because there’s work to be done to upset that cabal and you can do so, wherever you are … by being active and engaged in change that matters …even locally on a small scale. Remember, if you think small you act small. Think big, think globally and act as humanity united in defense of an alien invasion.

And it really does not matter who wins in sport … as long as everyone enjoys the game, the exertion and comraderie afterwards. That is all that really counts. That said, congratulations to our Chad Le Clos and Oscar Pistorious … they did us proud.
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740. john rossouw | August 8, 2012 at 8:41 am

Sad to share the news of the passing of Brain Campbell brother of Barry and Michael on 4 August after a short illness. I will be attending the memorial service later today in Boksburg on behalf of the Old Boys. I also called Michael earlier today and he was highly appreciatve of the thought. Brian was a boy at the home in the sixties and later was also an assistant housemaster of Beaton, Simpson and Crawford houses. Our condolences to his family on his passing
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741. peter de Reuck | August 8, 2012 at 8:58 am

Re. Dudleys ”It doesn’t matter who wins in sport”…..beg to differ… winning is the name of the game …Aah ,but we all have our opinions. @ John, sorry to hear of passing of Brian Campbell…condolences to to al family and friends. ”Good on ya”’ all
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742. trevor van reenen | August 8, 2012 at 12:18 pm

i am so sorry to hear the passing of brian cambell,i remember brian from taylor house he had a dog by the name of prince.i remember him timing prince running the 100 metres.my condolences to the cambell family.
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743. trevor van reenen | August 8, 2012 at 11:13 pm

good luck ernie els and the rest of the south african players in todays usa pga championship.blane thank you for this website
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744. Michael Rossouw | August 9, 2012 at 1:19 am

My sincere condolences to the Campbell family on the sad passing of Brian.

Michael and Barry, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We also send a special greeting expressing our sorrow to Brian’s wife and family.

Yes Trevor, Brian was very fond of Prince, his alsatian, who was always to be seen around Taylor House. He was probably the best kept pet on the St George’s campus. I too remember Brian timing Prince on the 100 metre sprint. Prince and Brian were inseparable.

I hope my brother John will forgive me if I share the content of his email to me about the service celebrating Brian’s life with you all.
I think it goes to show how Brian, a very ‘private ‘ person was held in great esteem by all who knew him.

John Rossouw wrote about the Service the family held to celebrate Brian’s life as follows:

“Very nice simple memorial service at the Word of Life Evangelical church in Sunward Park Boksburg.
Huge attendance which speaks volumes for the fact he was well liked (and respected.)
The pastor never knew Brian but his message was very personal.
Barry gave the eulogy which was very simple, then Brian’s eldest daughter gave one too.
She spoke of his simple yet fulfilled life and how proud his 3 children were of him.
Mike’s son read two letters from Brian’s son and other daughter to their dad, but the service was very much a celebration of his life rather than an emotional funeral.
The pew leaflet was also full of his favourite recipes and poems as well as pictures so his kids went to a lot of effort.
A close friend John (not John Rossouw) also gave a eulogy on their close bonds over the past 40 years.
No one mentioned St George’s but John did talk about the mentorship Brian was extremely grateful for from Eric Richardson.
The only other home boy in attendance was Tubby Aitkin
(Neil “Tubby’ Aitkin was Home prefect and senior student officer of Cadet Deatachment 504 as well as First winner of the ILH Sword of Honour in 1964 /1965) and we chatted after the service.

Barry (Brian’s younger brother) looks extremely prosperous and has hardly aged.
Brian used to work for him for a number of years before he died….”

JJ de Jager also wrote to me telling me about Brian’s passing and shared the following which may give you some idea of Brian’s stature as a student at Malvern and as a boy growing up at St George’s.He wrote as follows:

“R.I.P my wonderful Friend.
One of the most remarkable boys I taught, not the brightest (and) a friend of Cindy and married to Cynthia, died on Saturday 4th August.
I taught 4 St 8 classes maths, Brian was in one of those, I looked after him.But I taught 3 St 8 classes Arithmetic classes; Brian was not in them.Mr John “Judge” Durie taught him.
At exam time Brian would come to me and say ‘Sir, the judge is setting the arithmetic papers.’
‘Don’t worry,’I would say, ‘I know how John Durie sets papers; quite tricky. Come to me and I will show you his modus-operande.’
The judge loved setting difficult logorithm sections.
Brian came to me and I showed (him) the intricacies of logrithms. On completion of the exam old Judge came to me and said, ‘That boy Brian Cambell did extremely well….’ ”

I trust JJ will forgive me for sharing this with you all, but I feel it speaks volumes of Brian’s character and determination to suceed in whatever he undertook in life.

My memories of Brian as the Head Boy of Taylor House and as a fellow classmate at Malvern are ones where, on many a Sunday night , we worked together through many a tough literature assignment given to us by Vera Kirkland our English teacher. The essays we submitted were probably not our best efforts, as we invariably left them to the eleventh hour on Sunday night after Evensong and Supper and they were due on Ma Kirky’s desk the next morning at 8:00 a.m.!
As the Head boy of Taylor House, Brian always expected the very best, especially when it came to inspections of our housework and gardening projects.Whenever he gave out ‘extra work’ for those of us who were not up to scratch on our housekeeping chores,he was firm but fair in the ‘extra work’ he gave us to do, when we ‘shirked’ at not doing our best. For Brian, only our best would do!

Who can forget the hours of supervision he put in as we all, the whole of Taylor house, built the rockery around Taylor house in 1966.The finished project was, dare I say quite beautiful, even though many of us could not share his enthusiasm for it. Nevertheless, once it was finished, we all felt a sense of pride in ourselves at having done something to make our somewhat bland garden bordering the Head’s house look quite grand.(Not sure if the rockery is still there.)
Brian was a man full of ideas and curiosity . He was an avid reader and read a great deal about current affairs and about what would in today’s curriculum be called ” life skills”. He was always the first to get hold of the one and only copy of “The Star” newspaper in Taylor house and read it from the the front page to the Sports and the classifieds before he would pass it on to the rest of us. Who can forget the many hours of pool and snooker played under his guidance in the smoke filled common room of Taylor house!

As a member of the Band , Brian was as a buglar and then a tenor drummer. Brain also served on a few occasions at Eucharist in the St George’s chapel.
In all of these things Brain had a sense of fairness and justice for knowing what was right and doing what was right , just and fair to all.It was only later on in my own life, that I understood and appreciated his example and leadership and fairness, something I think which stood him in great stead as he moved into the world of work.

All of us who knew Brian will mourn his passing.
To the Campbell family, be assured of our prayers at this sad time for you all.

Rest in Peace , Brian.
You have been a loving husband, a caring father and a wonderful friend to those who have had the privilege of knowing you.

“Grant us grace Lord, to entrust Brian to your never failing love which sustained him in this life. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, and remember him according to the favour you bear to your people.” Amen.

(fr) Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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745. Manuel Joao Simoes | August 10, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Good Day All

My sincere condolences to the Campbell family with the loss of Mr Campbell as we referred to him in the years I was in Simpson house. All that has been written on this blogg will never do the man justice. Mr Campbell was to say the least one of the best I ever encountered at SGH. A man of who had compassion and understanding. Again to Cynthia and the entire Campbell family my heartfelt condolences with your loss of a man who I consider a great.

Kindest Greeting

M.J.Simoes ( Joey as I was known then)
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746. trevor van reenen | August 12, 2012 at 1:17 pm

hi there,now that the olmpic games has come to an end it was wonderful to see a youngster from uganda win olmpic gold in the marathon beating kenya what a turn for the book.i am now watching the commuity shield between chelsea and manchester city which is the start to the football season.i am a west ham supporter i dont know if we will stay in this league.at last we have got some sun today idont know how long for.we have had one of the wettest summers and so much flooding up and down the country.i hope all is well with you where ever you are.seems my generation dont know how to use a laptop.i was like that not so long ago it was daughter who showed me how and i cant get enough.so you oldboys get cracking and learn to blog talk to one and other because we dont know how much time we have on this earth so please learn to use the laptop.sorry for ranting,have a wonderful day trevor
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747. peter de Reuck | August 13, 2012 at 12:42 am

@ Trevor… Hi Trevor, we may never have met but you do sound a cheerful chap …keep it up. Personally I continue trying to seeing the funny side of life, it keeps me happy… .So much surlyness around ……do keep well and God bless you.
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748. trevor van reenen | August 13, 2012 at 11:20 am

hi peter i feel as though i know you as a old friend,thanks for the reply.well things are not goining to good here now the olmpicss has ended,now we are getting all the bad news on the jobs here.anyway i see the sharks got a rugby lesson down in new zealand against the chief.did you live in cape town because i was in ysreplaat air force base in milnerton what a wonderful bunch of people down there.so you are in australia what is it like down there,is it hot there.when i was running marathons i knew a chap by the name of bob del a monte he moved to australia dont know if he was still running there,do they do marathons down there.well i hope things are great with you.by the way good day mate.i hope things get better around the world.god blessyou trevor
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749. Neil Aitken | August 16, 2012 at 2:19 pm

Hi All
My name is Neil (Tubby) Aitken and I was in St Georges from 1958 – 1965.My eldest brother Colin (Sack) was only there for 1 year i.e. 1958 and my other brother Laddie was there for I think only 3 years from 1958 – 1960 or maybe even up to 1961.
I only became aware of this site last week while attending the memorial service for another ex homeboy Brian Campbell where I ran into John Rossouw who passed on the info of this site on to me .
It has taken me quite a while to read through all the entries and comments and so many of the names that that have come up are names I recognise well. Some of them I don’t remember even though those guys were there the same time as me.
I was in Simpson House in 1958 and then in Taylor House in 1959 and was in fact in Dudley Pringle’s dorm.I did spend a year in Beaton House but went back to Taylor House in 1961 and stayed ther until 1965.
I am looking forward to visiting this site regularly.
Have a great day Neil
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750. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 17, 2012 at 8:42 am

Hi Neil, welcome Home … all the usual suspects are gathered here, so join the crowd. I do remember you … but not that we called you Tubby. We all sort of stumbled onto this site … in my case … a short spasm of nostalgia sent me hunting for a connection to the past and bingo! I found it and have been connected here for the past 4 years.

When I joined the conversation there were some 160 comments from about 40 ex-homeboys now there are nearly 5000 blog entries and over a hundred writers. Not a lot when you consider how many homeboys passed through St. Goggies. If we are ever to reach peak
participation that will not be much more than another hundred or so at the rate we are going now. For, at this point in time … the clock is winding down for many of us and at a certain moment, there will be more dying than trying to be heard in these pages. But so long as you have breath, feel free to unload your memories.
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751. trevor van reenen | August 19, 2012 at 1:43 pm

watched the springboks play argentina yesterday the springboks won 27-6 they will need to play better if they want to beat new zealand.iam now watching the proteas playing england,the weather has been funny here we grtting the sun then the rain and the cold plus the wild.i hope the proteas win this test match which will put them on top of the table,well thats amla out.you guys out there have a lovely day. trevor
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752. Neil Aitken | August 20, 2012 at 7:50 pm

Hi All
Congratulations to the Proteas for wrapping up the series 2-0 and going top of the test ranking.
I remember when I first played cricket at the Home in 1958. It was on the ‘sand’ field before it was grassed and we had to play on a matting strip which went from wicket to wicket and was more or less the width of a normal pitch. These strips were kept in the storeroom located more or less below the pavilion and when the match was finished we had to roll the strip up very carefully under ‘daddy’ Hayle’s supervision and put it away.
A little bit different to Lords where the Proteas have just played.
Every now and then one’s memory gets jogged into remembering things from the way distant past.
On reading through the entries on this site over the past few years Dudley mentioned that as a senior one of the highlights was being able to listen to the LM Hit Parade. I could only do this when I went home for the holidays as I was a junior but believe it or not I used to listen to this hit parade even before I went to the Home when I was 12. I still listen to a lot of music today.
Bye for now Neil
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753. trevor van reenen | August 21, 2012 at 11:58 am

hi there you guys,anyone want a blast from the past go on the net to staccatos butchers and bakers,freedoms children kafkaesque,mccully workshop why cant it rain and al debbo sonbrelletjies all on youtube this does bring back momories from lm station radio.you guys where ever you are have alovely day,trevor
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754. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 22, 2012 at 4:40 am

Al Debbo! Now there’s a memory … Myopia wearing a Hat, sideways

Way back in this blog I made some not so funny remarks about finding high ground and growing vegetables … well it’ still not funny, but seriously, if ever the need arises (and it will), the attached link is about: Do Nothing Farming.

A wise old Japanese discovered that the best way to manage paradise was to let paradise arrange it’s own agenda.

In other words, when the need arrises, let a lazy man show the way … for he usually takes the shortest cut. Nature does the rest.

Enjoy.

http://www.nextworldtv.com/videos/permaculture/regreening-the-landscape-with-fukuokas-permaculture-techniques-in-greece.html.
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755. Michael Rossouw | August 22, 2012 at 5:48 am

Very interesting Dudley. It is especially interesting for me as here in Saskatchewan one sees miles and miles of canola fields. All ploughed by heavy machinery and with probably disasterous long term effects. There are few trees here; most have been planted ; trees which may have been here originally (and i am open to correction here) were cleared to make farming land.
I was impressed with the technology that Fukuoda has for seed planting. Then again Greece has a good climate for farming. Here the elements do make farming risky but some have farms have been in the same family for generations. Nature is wonderful and I guess we need to let her take her course. This is indeed a good land rehabilitation idea but one also needs water/rain to make it happen, but the idea of letting plants grow side by side in the wild is interesting.I have never farmed but when I was in Asia I became “environmentaly conscious ” when I taught environmental management at Traill International school.(For a city boy like me this was quite a challenge.) I was particularly interested and cncerned when China diverted the path of the Yangtse river for there need to generate Hydro electric power,and countries downsteam who needed the water from the the Yangtse and the Mekong suffered because of this.
No water, dry river beds and dead fish!
Another example of mans inhumanity to man. I am not sure how this method would work in Africa; there is too much “desertification ‘ there and people are experiencing the worst droughts in living memory.And yet evil men still sell arms to countries that need food, they still rape the continent of all its resources and we wonder why we are in a mess. Keep these articles coming.Only when we become aware of the situation will we be able to do something; let’s hope it won’t be too late. Here is Saskatchewan, The potash mine does create fertilizer for crops , but oil is also a risky business on the environment.I just hope the oil pipeline from Alberta to the US doesn’t mterialise.If we have a spill it will have disasterous effects. And yet people argue that a pipeline will creat jobs….Not exactly a win win situation is it.
“we plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand……”

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that we may not be so clever after all if wetake the ‘Sinatra option” and selfishly “do it my way!
Cheers,
Michael R.
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756. peter de Reuck | August 22, 2012 at 11:35 am

@ Michael. As usual, so very well versed. Love reading yours and Dudleys imput . Good on you.
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- 757. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 23, 2012 at 5:58 am
  
  I find myself like Chicken Little at present, running around and yelling the sky is falling. Well I’m no chicken anymore and I know the sky can’t fall … but a lot of other things can. Like the world economy, energy, food and water supply … the four basic ingredients man needs to survive, and all of them are endangered. So, for the sake of expression: The Bloody Sky is falling!
  
  I have just sent you an email Michael on ‘Fracking’ … and I’m sure you have all read enough about that already, but what was most alarming in the report, is the danger posed by fracking to the water table and the acquifiers that lie below the surface. Water, the gift of life! And with all the shortages the world is experiencing already, with the worst droughts on record in a number of countries at the same time .. it is freaking scary.
  
  In India, Coca Cola owns a big chunk of the water rights in the northern provinces below the Himalayas. They use 5 gallons of water to make one gallon of Coke! Go figure how much is wasted. So of course, local farmers can’t get enough water and as a result, during the past 10 years, 30,000 of them have committed suicide. Getting scarier, right?
  
  Staying in India, Monsanto has tied so many small farmers to their GMO seeds that do not produce higher yields and which create a class of superweeds that are resistant to their famous ‘Roundup herbicide. That fact and the fact that those small farmers can longer afford to purchase more seeds from Monsanto, has caused nearly 250,000 farmers to commit suicide! Now that is really frightening and par for course, in the tragedy of man’s greed and inhumanity towards his fellow man.
  
  At the end of the day, all of man’s life ingredients, water, food, economy and energy all come down to the need for energy. There are alternatives, vastly superior to fossil fuels, and readily available and renewable. Wind, Solar, Geothermal, tidal and of course the ingenuity of man himself … check out the Sterling Motor, invented in 1817 by a Scottish engineer, the Howard Johnson (HoJo) motor which runs on water and the promise of Hydrogen. What prevents all of these from taking center stage is vested interest in fossil fuels, lack of investment (or rather, denied investment) and the influence of Big Oil , Coal and Gas on Government focus.
  
  My personal tragedy is in coming late to this consciousness. I have lived a totally irresponsible and carefree life style … unaware and unconcerned with the problems of the day. The gypsy entrepreneur. Now at 70, with my energies yet again focused on launching a new enterprise, I wonder if I will still have the energy to make a difference and to contribute something back to the survival of the species. One thing I know, the day is short and if we don’t all act to thwart what’s coming down the pike ,,. we may be too late to stop the devastation to our planet.
  
  Full confession … I have given up going out at night and rarely watch TV and almost never go to the movies, so I spend my time online, trying to catch up with the information available after my years of neglect. The Internet provides us with the most detailed knowledge of the world and all we have to do is seek it online … and it is easier than seeking spiritual enlightenment, which is just the opposite … emptying one’s mind of self and the illusion of the world.
  
  So I spend my nights (when I’m not working on technical drawings) reading article after article, sometimes 30 a night. I select those that are pertinent to the crisis of the the times and file them under headings like. Politics, Economy, Water, Food, Energy, Humanity, Imperialism, Capitalism, Incarceration, History … and so on and on .,. I have about 40 files each containing on average about 40 stories written by many really good writers and journalist whom I have come to trust and respect for their honesty and eloquence. A few of these that I think that others should know about, I send out to friends and family on my mailing list of about 100 people. Some of them of course, are like I used to be and have no interest outside of their own worlds. Others do and even sign some of the petitions i send out or place on my Facebook page.
  
  I have been hoping for sometime to engage more of you in this dialogue of crisis in the world … for the more who are aware, the more we can prepare for a changing world. You guys are all adults now, your career lives are mostly behind you, so instead of going fishing, watching sports or taking up gardening and/or other hobbies, you can apply yourselves to seeking ways you can make a difference in your own environments that help the common good. And this forum is an ideal place for us to discuss the ways we can reinforce each other and our individual endeavors to make a difference.
  
  If any of you would like to receive regular informative emails from me, feel free to drop me a line at: dclesliep@gmail.com
  
  Peace Out.
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758. peter de Reuck | August 23, 2012 at 7:24 am

@ Dudley. Thanks ,,so very interesting , you do put it over so professionally , well done and thanks again . Peter de Reuck….from the land THIS side of the Tasman . [ Regards to all.]
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759. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 23, 2012 at 7:46 am

You are welcome Peter, I only wish that I had better news to impart more often or that we had discovered this forum in better days where our concerns could be reduced to ‘manageable’ and our attention to ‘pleasurable’. If I get too heavy, feel free to call me on it.

Dudley-Claude
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760. Andrew Mackie | August 23, 2012 at 11:18 am

Dudley, I find your article very interesting and you could almost be describing the present day South Africa in many ways. Water, food, energy and ecconomy are topics very high on the agenda of most of the educated people in this country. Not to mention politics, where we have a huge majority Black government who are seemingly content on destroying all the infrastructure of this country due to lack of maintenance. An education system in tatters where a pass mark of 31% is acceptable for promotion, where else in the world does this happen. Some hospitals which used to be of the best compareable to the first world standards are now so delapidated and broken down that they cannot treat patients effectively. Energy costs are soaring due to lack of planning for growth, fossil fuel power stations are now being built at enormously high costs. No new power stations have been built for more than 20 years, now we have to foot the bill with energy cost increases of close to 50% by year end.
Just about every government parastatal operation is regularly subsidized by the state with taxpayer money and it appears very little of these funds will ever be recovered. Mismanagement, corruption and fraud as well as wasteful spending by government officials is the order of the day. Trade unions are too powerful and are continually calling out strikes when their demands are not met and to hell with what the consequences are to the ecconomy. As part of the ruling party these unions have almost become untouchables.
We also have a system whereby the so called previously disadvantaged are given preferance in goverment tenders and as a result contracts for housing, road construction and the like are awarded to them with in many cases dire results. Some R4 billion in houses have had to be rebuilt at an even higher cost this in just one province. In one case a road bult at a cost of R80 million was washed away after the first rains.
On the subjest of food security, some 80% of farms which were expropriated and handed to emerging farmers are no longer operating and lying fallow.
To exacerbate the problems of high unemployment in this country we have illegals of anywhere between 5/8 million who are trying to make a living by whatever means. This has also helped to increase our high crime rate.
I could go on for many more pages but feel to have made my point about our beautiful country being devastated by an uncaring black majority government content on lining their own pockets.
Finally, I believe had our previous government offerred better education for the indigenous people of South Africa we would not be in this situation that is unfolding these days.
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761. peter de Reuck | August 23, 2012 at 11:37 am

Andrew my friend , you said it how it is .
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762. trevor van reenen | August 23, 2012 at 6:37 pm

goodluck proteas in tomorrows 1st odi match against england
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763. Michael Rossouw | August 23, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Hope the Proteas make it a clean sweep!
Neill Aitken’s description of a First eleven Cricket or SGH cricket matches was quite entertaining.I too remember rolling up that mat on the san field before it was grassed in the mid 1960’s
Ken MCHolm (RIP) and to an extent Lucien Lombard were responsible for that vision, which also took many hours of lawn planting in extra work and gardening groups!
On the other serious side of things domestic, I enjoyed reading Andrew Makie’s commentary on the state of affairs in “the Beloved Country”. I remember the late Piet pretorius taking us on a bus tour of Vosloorus when it was first built. It had beautiful pavements, tarred roads a library and some good schools. Seeing this ‘new’ township as a nine year old boy, I became a little envious in that it was a ‘flagship’ to show that the Nat Party weren’t what some “Bloedsaps” (United party) and the then ‘Progs’ under Helen Suzman made them out to be.
Sadly it was a propaganda exercise and it was only when I did a tour of Soweto in my years at as a student at JCE and the townships around Grahamstown as a student at Rhodes did I realise how we had been brainwashed by 12 years (in my case 12 and a half years as I had to rewrite matric to get into College) of Christian National Education.
Somehow, people like Ma Noakes in her History class, Ma Kirky in her English class and men like John E Johnsen and others at Malvern did make us think about these things and in our own small way try to precipitate change and to be agents of change.
In my case the churchmen (and women) like Eric Richardson, his wife Betty,Norman Clayton and Brian Gannon did make us realise that the Government were in fact “lousing up” the country.Dereck James some time assistant master in Simpson house and then housemaster of Taylor House before he left for Waterford school in Swaziland, was also very much involved in making us think about the state of the nation and doing what we could to change it.(Gannonnand Jamesy were graduates from Wits and Unisa working at the Home in the 1960s)
Andrew is right; had the Nats invested more in education for all of our people,we would not be in the mess we are now as he has well described this.
We are, I believe still a people of Hope, and it is my earnest prayer that we as a nation will see the errors of our ways, and become the great nation I believe God wants us to be. How is it that we can be united as a people when our teams compete in sporting events and yet have a second “Sharpeville” on our hands in the way the miners strike has been handled.
“Cry the beloved country” as Allan Paton wrote.
Raymond Ackerman’s “Pick and Pay group” were one of the first stores to use the “proudly South African” slogan.
A lot of positive changes have come about in our new dispensation, but clearly , we still have a long way to go.
Good to see more and new ‘faces’ coming onto this site.
The St Georges home for Boys ‘facebook’ site is also an interesting read, but seemingly more for those younger than ourselves.I have commented on it but I think my views may be too “ancient and Modern revised” like the hymnbooks we had in our chapel at the Home.
It is really good for me to see the growth of this site.
Dudley, did our Japanese friends who joined us on this site ever get back to you?
That tsunami was truly devastating and we will probably hear stories of its aftermath for many years to come; much hurt in need of much healing.
God Bless you all
Michael Rossouw
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764. Andrew Mackie | August 24, 2012 at 5:49 am

Just as a correction, not a rebuke Michael the surname is Mackie.
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765. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 24, 2012 at 7:12 am

No, Michael … I never heard from them again … and then again, had they responded, it would have been to this blog.

I received an enquiry regarding my comments on alternative energy sources and in particular, about the Sterling Motor. Here’s a link to it.

http://cloud.inboxair.com/send/link.php?M=1207389&N=1321&L=1600&F=T

For those of you mechanically minded, I will also locate and post a link to the HoJo Motor that runs on water. It’s a DIY kit and just about anyone can build it.
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- 766. peter de Reuck | August 25, 2012 at 12:41 am
  
  Hi Dudley. Our son Desmond worked for the electronic giant ”Valmet” Reading through your imput, the two of you would have had so much to talk on, esp. in the electronic field, which was one of Desmonds pet subjects. A good weekend to you. Peter.
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767. Michael Rossouw | August 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm

My apologies Andrew. I was probably having one of my ‘senior moments’!
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768. trevor van reenen | August 24, 2012 at 3:27 pm

hi there you guys do any of you want to watch avideo on the internet,called this video will shock south african people. on youtube.tell me what you think.trevor
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769. peter de Reuck | August 25, 2012 at 10:04 am

Watched the All blacks Vs Wallabies Super league match, The A/Bs to me , are in a league of their own. The Boks. will have to be VERY sharp to beat them. Besides that, how are all of you?.
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770. trevor van reenen | August 25, 2012 at 4:43 pm

sitting here watching golden lions vs w province at the coca cola ellis park half time is 11-10 ,w province seem to be the better team.jantjies from the lions is a up and coming springbok.the lions won 26-23.next game blue bulls vs sharks then springboks vs argentina.trevor
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771. trevor van reenen | August 25, 2012 at 6:51 pm

watching the blue bulls vs sharks at the loftus versfeld stadium half time bulls 12-sharks 14.the bulls look too strong for the sharks.blue bulls won 42-31 now the big one springboks vs argentina in argentina .just making a cup of coffee.trevor
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772. trevor van reenen | August 25, 2012 at 9:01 pm

well the springboks sneak a draw springboks16 argentina 16.well played aegentina what a game.we got two weeks to get this right let lambie and jantjies play against australia.goodluck,trevor
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773. Neil Aitken | August 26, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Hi All
I agree with Dudley that although our working careers are coming to an end there are still plenty of things we can still get involved in to make a difference in our communities and environment.
I also agree with Andrew’s comment that if the previous government had put a lot more effort into educating the ‘majority’ things today would have been vastly different.
And Michael you are right when you state that there is still a long way to go in our new dispensation.
The problems and wrongs in the world seem so enormous that we may feel that the little that we can do will not make any difference.
No matter where you may live in this world there is always someone or something that needs assistance and if we all do our little bit believe you me it will make a difference.
I was fortunate enough to be able to ‘retire’ from work 2 years ago when I was 64.I had a fairly good career which took me all over the world. In fact I travelled overseas more than 100 times.
I always worked in a corporate environment so when I retired I bought a small business to keep myself busy as well as trying to earn more for my money than just putting it in a bank.
This business employed 18 people and seemed successful but being naive about owning a business it was only when I took it over that I realised how poor the working conditions of the emloyees were.
The former owner was pocketing all the profit and not ploughing any of it back into the business to better the employees circumstances.
I could not live with myself if I let this continue so I set about improving working conditions almost from day 1.
Besides increasing their wages we now pay all UIF contributions. We supplied them all with 2 piece work suits as well as t-shirts with our printed logo on.
We supply all tea, milk and sugar. We installed a hot water geyser as well as supplying a kettle and microwave oven.
They all now get leave pay. Xmas bonus as well as a share of profits if we achieve the turnover targets.
They did not have any of the abovementioned things and although initially the cost was high for me it has paid off in the long run as I now have a happy and contented workforce and a more successful company where no one wants to leave.
Hope I havn’t bored you all with this
Cheers Neil
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774. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 26, 2012 at 11:47 pm

Neil, you are a lesson to us all, of what a difference means when one introduces that singular, cohesive ingredient missing from so many human endeavors … Caring! When we care for what we do, when we care for one another we are as giants and anything is possible.

When my brother Stuart wrote his philosophy of Psyche-Genetics – The Metaphysical Imperative of Human Evolution … he based it’s premise on the simple structure of Sharing and Caring. … from the nuclear family unit to the tribe, the nation and ultimately … the Species. Sharing & caring brought us through nearly 100 thousand generations of trial and error in the struggle for survival. Without it, we would long have disappeared as the dominant specie on the planet. In the process we built ‘civilzation’ – despite endless wars and despotic rulers, the rise and fall of empires and the eventual emergence of the new hierarchy … Big Money!

With the advent of industrialization … a new set of ‘kings’ emerged and the old feudal system was simply transferred into the hands of new management who have no national ties nor empathy for their ‘subject’s well being. Worldwide, mankind is at a cross roads of the future and past … the present being a part of the latter .. and where we go from here, hangs under a cloud of angst as we witness the growing threats to our existence.

Globalized corporate entities own and control our lives to the ‘nth degree and we’re promised that with hard work and dedication, we too can share in the Worldwide American Dream … a creation of Hollywood and Wall Street. An illusion that has shown that more are slipping into poverty than are rising in prosperity.

Yes. There is going to be a reckoning … a tipping point when the growing injustices to so many peoples of so many nations can no longer be accepted and all hell will break loose. Here, in America recent national polls show that 69% of Americans of all stripes believe that an economic collapse is coming. What do you think the Europeans expect? They’re already falling apart at the seams.

China’s economy has stopped growing but that has not stopped them building new missiles that can reach American Cities … while America encircles the South China Sea and the Persian Gulf with enough warships to destroy an area the size of Holland. A rising. Russia is getting belligerent again and Israel is just popping to jump onto Iran and Syria can still pull the whole middle-east into a conflict that includes the Turks.

Flash points enough … but while this might mean , more opportunity and profits for the Corporate ‘Oilogarths’ … it is certainly not good for mankind nor the global environment ,as resources are being stripped from the earth to feed the growing machine that is man’s insatiable appetite for exponential and continual growth. We’re close to that tipping point.

When it happens, food and water will become more valuable than gold. So if you are going to get involved in helping to improve your own environment .. focus on those two essentials … for even if no conflagration occurs … food and water independence are the stepping stones to community development.

I salute you Neil. Your story is a positive reaffirmation of the inherent good of man, when he looks beyond himself and his own comfort amidst the misery of others.
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775. Michael Rossouw | August 27, 2012 at 2:05 am

Thanks Neil for sharing your story with us.
You have not bored us at all.
When I was a new boy to Taylor House you were our headboy.
I was moved up to senior section from Beaton House halfway through my Std 7 year in 1964 and it was a difficult transition for me.Most of the Senior section were renowned bullies and I was very nervous about moving up to the senior section.
As I was much younger than you, I never really got to know you all that well, but I always remember you as part of the leadership group at St Georges who led by example.You were very firm but very fair and I never once saw you bully anyone, either on the Parade ground at cadets, or in the dormitory. When you were awarded the sword of Honour given to our cadet detachment by the ILH, you received it, but we were all proud of you because it felt as though you had done it for us all in receiving that award.
Norman Clayton photographed the moment and i think it was Colonel Laisegang of Wit Command who awarded the sword to you. I was a cymblist in the band,(there are musicians and then there are percussionists!) eventually becoming Drum major of the band in my senior year. Although I ‘coveted ‘ the sword of honour, as a Bandsman, I could never have received that award.
I was however rewarded in other ways; the RIchdale trophy, the Most efficient Cadet of the year (although I’m not sure I was THAT efficient to deserve the award at the time) and the William Stewart Gold medal at Malvern, which was probably a gamble on the part of the staff at Malvern High, because there were far more deserving students who should have received the award, but I won’t name them as one in particular would have been a far better choice than I.
I did however go on to get a teachers’ diploma at JCE after first entering the world of merchant banking in which I felt, rather much like Ma Kirky’ds description of HG Wells’ main character in his work “The History of Mr Polly” at the time; the proverbial ‘square peg in a round hole!
“‘Ole! Rotten beastlt silly ‘ole” I would often say to myself when working overtime to ensure that the share deals of the day had been written up. (Computers were in their infanct then and wer housed in very large rooms on the top floor near to amnagement; I wonder why?)
I was privileged to have JJ as my psychology lecturer, and I then went on to Rhodes and TEEC to study for my social science and theological degree studies.(Not bad actually, since I had left Malvern without a University entrance Matric certificate and was admitted to these institutions on the grounds of ‘mature age’, a contradiction in terms when contrasted with my immature behaviour at university, as I spent more time at “The Dev” in Braamfontein and “the Cathcart Arms” and “The Vic” in Grahamstown than I did in the lecure room! (to my shame.)

All these did not really lead me into becoming a solid citizen, something I have shared in one of my earlier bloggs on this site, and it took me a long while before i found my true ‘calling’ in life and indeed an even longer time to straighten out my life.
Whilst St George’s and Malvern gave us a good grounding for the world of employment ( and I am speaking here from my own experience) this learning did not really prepare me to manage my own life. That came later from the “University of Hard Knocks!”

Today however I am richly blessed by the fact that God, as I understand God , has blessed me infinitely with “riches” far beyond those i could ever have dreamed of in my past.
At 62 (nogal!) I have a two year old son, a four year old stepdaughter and a loving spouse who’s my best friend and who some how loves me very dearly despite my short comings. (Of course I have had to do a lot in 12 step programmes to achieve this, but as I say to my fellows , ‘do the work taking one step and one day at a time and the rest will fall into place.’
(Alas, I ramble on.)

Sadly, the number of employers who feel that the cost of giving their workers the benefits you have described, are many.I have seen this in Asia where I lived for 12 years and indeed in our own country cases where people have been paid ‘flat daily minimum wage rated salaries’ with no benefits, with no bonuses , public holidays or health benefits, this despite the fact that these are legislated in the labor relations Acts of these countries. Small wonder I never lasted on the mines in my time as a personnel officer!
All too often, if we as human beings don’t ‘watch out’ for each other and look after each other, well, the cost of doing nothing to improve the lot of our people will eventually add up to becoming an even more horrendous and costly exercise.
(I’m no economist, but this is common sense, right?)

I well remember trying to get a library established for workers in the mining hostels when I was working with READ (the READ Educational Trust). I would spend hours in presentations to management trying to convince employers of the benefits that a library in the hostels and the facilitation of Adult education programmes for workers would bring to the company and for their workers. What used to amaze me was that they wouldn’t bat an eyelid at spending MILLIONS of Rands on their plant and machinery equipment to increase production, but that they would say, when presented with the costs of implementing these programs , that one hundred thousand Rands for a Library with literacy programmes was “too expensive!”

A former principal , Ethne Papenfus, for whom I had the privilege of working as a teacher at Girls High School in Kimberley often reminded us and the parents when we in education were faced with escalating costs, saying “If you think education is too expensive, try ignorance!” This was always her argument when parents would complain about school fees. Ours were probably one of the lowest in the Northern Cape Province at the time, and the quality of education offered was just as good if not better than some of the private schools in Bloemfontein , Grahamstown, Natal and Johannesburg at that time.

So Well Done Neil.
Like Dudley, we all salute you!
(Pardon the pun, but you were senior student officer in our detachment after all!)
Your vision in doing what you have done to improve the welbeing of your employees is commendable.

I for one am extremely proud to have had the benefit of your brand of “leadership by example” which you showed us as boys growing up at St George’s. I mean this very sincerely.
You may not have realized it at the time, but many of us looked up to guys like you in your time at the St George’s, who were our Home prefects,House Patrol leaders and Student Officers in cadet detachment # 504, which when I served my basics at Danie Theron Krygskool in Kimberley was described by my company commander as “the finest cadet detachment in the country.”

As ous dear friend Peter De Reuk from Down- under would say “Gud on Ya!”
Here in Canada everyone says “Yu betcha!”
I’m afraid that Ma Kirky and Ma Noakes would almost certainly have disapproved!
’til next time , God Bless you all.

Michael Rossouw (T95, SGH 1961-1967)
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776. Michael Rossouw | August 27, 2012 at 2:15 am

Sorry about the ‘typo’s’ in the above post. When I was at school we never had “spell-check” and I’m afrain, that even now that I have learnt to use a computer, I am still “technologically challenged!”
Cheers and love to you all,
MichaelR
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777. trevor van reenen | August 27, 2012 at 2:59 pm

this is ti those who live in america by the CREE INDIAN PROPHESY. ONLY AFTER THE LAST TREE HAS BEEN CUT DOWN, ONLY AFTER THE LAST RIVER HAS BEEN POISONED, ONLY AFTER THE LAST FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT, ONLY THEN WILL YOU FIND THAT MONEY CANNOT BE EATEN. REMINDS ME OF BONO SINGING ON U2 LIVE ALBUM MY GOD IS NOT SHORT OF CASH. MICHAEL DOES ALL THE PROUD I WILL BRING THEM DOWN.GOD SAYS HE IS PLEASED WITH JESUS HIS SON,NOT PROUD,PLEASE FOREGIVE ME IF THIS UPSETS YOU,LOVE TREVOR
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778. trevor van reenen | August 27, 2012 at 3:31 pm

there are three people sitting on this lovely beach amiring the gorgeous view,the guy on the middle asked the guy one the right what is the most important thing in your life he replies my job, house and posessions.he then asks the guy on the left what is the most important thing in your life he replies my wife,job,house and posessions.they ask him what is the most important thing in his life he replies the lord god almighty who gives me life.if your heart is with material posessions so shall your love.why is it when go right with us we never give the lord the praise he deserves.thought for the day love trevor
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779. Michael Rossouw | August 27, 2012 at 4:06 pm

“Pleased” is a better word than “pride”,Trevor. I agree with your sentiments. I was trying to show in my writing how I felt at that time when awards in St George’s were what seemed to matter.
I was also trying to show how God, as I understand God, brought me to where I am today in my own experience. Where that will now lead is in His hands. You are right. No amount of Worldy goods, money, fame or of Humankind’s recognition will satisfy our wants becausein our human perception of things it’s never enough to satisfy that hunger which we think will fill the void in our lives.Dudley’s last blogg shows how greed is the motive of many for their selfish actions. Your Cree Indian prophesy sums this up perfectly. I do thank God daily for my St George’s experience, imperfect as it may have been. I also thank Him daily for His goodness and Loving kindness to me.
I remember being proud of my achiebvements when I was working in the corporate world and when I was given my first ‘company car’, until I had to fill out my tax return. I said to my employer, this is a great ‘perk’ but I can’t eat it or feed my family with it, neither does it improve my savings. I think The Beatles in their song “Taxman” said it best when they sang “Does 5% appear too small? be careful I don’t take it all…cos I’m the taxman… and you’re working for noone but me….” In the end I gave up that line of work and moved on.
Take care …Michael R
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780. trevor van reenen | August 27, 2012 at 6:50 pm

hi michael,i can remember some one once ask why god lets all this evil happen.so i said to him he does not.so he asked me what do i mean.which i answered god gives us free will and this is what mankind does with it.distroy every thing that has been given to us.in which he said he did not realise that.theres two things at play 1.the eatth.2the system.the earth belongs to the lord and the system belongs to satan.i dont want to carry on.love trevor
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781. Michael Rossouw | August 27, 2012 at 9:26 pm

Point taken, Trevor. Blessings and love, Michael R
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782. trevor van reenen | August 27, 2012 at 9:58 pm

michael i am sorry if you think i was making apoint to you,no ihave respect for you.what i was saying is we as a human race just dont want to know the truth.sorry if i have offend you,it is not what i intended,again i apologise.trevor
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783. trevor van reenen | August 27, 2012 at 10:04 pm

goodluck to the proteas on the 2nd odi match tomorrow, against england thats if we dont get rain again.trevor
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- 784. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | August 28, 2012 at 4:55 am
  
  Good News.
  
  I thought you guys were all due some after my doomsday rants. I’ve attached a link here about a wonderful new development that is about to hit the road … especially in the third world … but everywhere eventually, that relates to my comment about there being many alternatives to fossil fuels. Especially man’s ingenuity
  to find or develop them.
  
  In an earlier blog I mentioned that Stuart, my brother was exploring the use of biochar using alfalfa as the base … but that proved to be non-viable in relation to higher yield alternatives to sequester carbon for water and nutrient retention. Nevertheless, he has kept his hand in the field and today he sent this link to me … which I am happy to share with you all.
  
  We can find solutions … we just have to look for them.
  
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- 785. peter de Reuck | August 29, 2012 at 8:41 am
  
  Howzit Trevor?…I see the Proteas thrashed the English, well done . Otherwise , hou gaan dit met jou?….
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786. trevor van reenen | August 29, 2012 at 1:55 pm

howzit peter and in there own back yard wow,any way what about the springboks who play australia next week.i think our coach is out of his depth. dis lekker om te liewe.good day mate,trevor
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- 787. peter de Reuck | August 29, 2012 at 6:48 pm
  
  Hi Trevor…as for the last game against the Pumas , I wouldn’t read to much into that gme as the boks were minus seven of their top players…due calf injuries etc, or was H.M. resting them for the ”Big fish”?……otherwise , Mooi bly , ons praat later…. ”Gud on ya”.
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788. trevor van reenen | August 30, 2012 at 12:03 pm

hi peter,hoe gaan dit so tomorrow is the 3rd odi at the kia oval i see they have rested kallis for next month 20-20 world cup.i hope you are right about the springboks,iam sure they will pull through.lovely to talk to you.speak later trevor
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789. Rolf Maier | October 4, 2012 at 5:27 am

Hi All, Just stumbelled onto the site. My name is Rolf Maier & was in the Home from 1964-1970. Regret missing all the reunions, See many pictures of Robyn Putter. Few people seem to be aware of the fact that he became CEO of Ogilvy & Mather. The Financial Mail gave him its Lifetime Achievement award in 2004. He had quite an impact on the industry. Unfortunately he passed away on 1 March 2010. On the Net there are quite a few eulogies paying tribute to him. Another person who has done well is Walter Botes who was Principal of JHB Tech. & is currently COE of Westcol in Randfontein. Hi Trevor van Reenen, nice to hear about you again.
Regards
Rolf
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790. Michael Rossouw | October 4, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Good to hear from you Rolf. My brother John alerted us to the passing of Robyn Putter, who, in his field, will be remembered as one of ‘the greats’if not the greatest man in his profession. He also won several international awards for his work. I remember Robyn in STD 9 . He used to design things all the time and spent more time on his art work than any of his matric subjects. He was truly a gifted man and we are the poorer at his passing.

‘Not sure if I remember Walter Botes. I think he was more a contemporary of my brothers.

‘great to see SGH old boys doing so well.I guess all of us eventually find our niche in life whatever our circumstances as children were,when we were growing up in a complex and uncertain world.

On another note I had an email from Brian Gannon last week. He is well, but has had another minor stroke and is on the mend. He still (at 73) busies himself writing and running his publishing company with the help of his adopted son Martin. Brian is also kept busy with his grandchildren.
He is probably one of the most gifted men who crossed my path at St George’s and a man who had a great influence on my own life as well.

I had an email from JJ de Jager. He keeps in touch with Nutsy Moore (Nutsy refuses to use email or have a cell phone.) Nutsy is retired from teaching and lives in the Eastern Cape.
I guess he feels that letters and phone calls made in the old fashioned way are the best way to keep in touch.

Sadly, Brian Campbell passed away recently. JJ told me of a time when Brian approached him about the Arithmetic exam. JJ taught Brian and many others of us Math at Malvern, but ‘Judge’ Durie was the one who taught Arithmetic and Judge also set the exams.

JJ tells how he went through the ‘core’ items of the syllabus with Brian weeks before the exam and how Brian plodded along getting all the relevant formulae into his head.
‘Ended up that Brian did extremely well in the exam and Judge Durie said to JJ , “That Campbell boy did very well in the exam.He had a perfect score.”
Brian was very much a family man and was himself an accomplished entrepeneur.
JJ said that he wept at the news of Brian Campbell’s passing.
They also served as masters at St George’s together.
St George’s did forge enduring friendships.
We are truly a unique ‘Band of Brothers’….

Stay well
Michael Rossouw
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791. trevor van reenen | October 7, 2012 at 3:13 pm

hi ralf the last time i spoke with you was in hillbrow in banket street just before i came over here to britain.how are you,where are you living.have you seen any other oldboys,i am trying to find p de lange,chris watson,michael jones and billy moore.it is so good to hear from you.i want to come over to south africa to run the comrades.do you remember the sessions we used to go to wow what times those where.i live in the south west of england a village called williton.ralf did you work as a lifegaurd so i was told.i will talk to you later keep well trevor
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792. Rolf Maier | October 8, 2012 at 5:45 am

Hi Michael & Trevor
Thanks for your response.I did work as a lifeguard at Florida Lake Swimming Pool.I actually worked there together with Peter Buckley.We had a great time! See Brian von Loggerenberg from time to time. He stays in Richards Bay. Paul de Lange came to visit me at the Pool some years back.Sadly he was injured in a motor cycle accident and his one arm was lame. Billy Moore stayed in the South, I used to know the address. I’ll try and find out.Nice to hear you are still running Trevor. Micheal, I have always looked up to you and it’s awesome to see that you are living such an eventful life. Desmond was my first Patrol Leader. My first day at the Home, I was sitting on my bed and Desmond came up to me. He had just come down from boxing training. He leered at me and asked,”can you fight” I knew from then that I was in for i hard time.
It is however, very disconcerting to read that some people are still traumatized by their experience at the Home. I was lucky to have had a positive experience. Until later.
Regards Rolf
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793. trevor van reenen | October 8, 2012 at 3:43 pm

hi rolf let me take you back in time,we were both in beaton house.remember we both went to wychwood primary school,we used to play stingers with a tennis ball you had to hit it away with your fist.iremember the ball going over the high fence and you went to fetch it how you got over still reminds with me to this day.rolf you say you see brian van loggenburg please send him my regards he was my first patrol leader in beaton house.can you ask him if he sees or hears from michael and paul hendricks.rolf which part of south africa do you live.the weather is starting to get cold here we are going in to winter,i surpose you are grtting hot weather there.do you remember william grisselle,we had a st. georges home team who played for the johannesburger hotel we had the late rupert scott who played fr us.the referee was dan persil,we used to see vernon and milton van eerden.it was great fun.rolf please keep in touch i want to try and get us all back together again if you can help me.thanks trevor
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794. Michael Rossouw | October 8, 2012 at 5:48 pm

Rolf and Trevor ! Great to hear from you.You all mention names and games which bring back many good memories.
If you manage to get details about any of the guys you mentioned, please let me know so that I can join in the conversation.Blessings to you all. Michael rossouw (SGH 1961 – 1967)
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795. Rolf Maier | October 9, 2012 at 5:24 am

Hi Michael & Trevor

I have a few Photo’s & one is of Beaton House in ’64 or ’65 with both of you in the picture. Housemaster was Mr. James with “Tubby” Laughton. Don’t know how to load them onto the blog. How long have you been living in England Trevor? I live in Ruimsig on the West Rand in amongst the koppies. Beautiful views.I want to get more involved but am writing exams during the whole of October and with work & all it is a bit tight.
Untill later
Rolf
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796. trevor van reenen | October 9, 2012 at 1:21 pm

hi rolf,michael iremember mr. james with fondness,i can remember when he walked around with a piece of string with a invisable dog called fido what a sense of humour he had.it was mr. james that started walking as asport in the home.tubby laughton used to to do football training remember the a side playing the b side but he changed the forwards so the a side play against the b side he was a clever coach.what really sticks in my mind is the lambretta he used to ride.do any of you remember mr vic mcfarlane he was house master in spackman house then he was housemaster in taylor house.me chris and paul met him in hillbrow at highpoint we had a long chat i always wonder what happened to him.rolf i have been here twenty years,treasure my daughter works in greenwich london.me and william my son live in williton somerset.michael how are you doing in canada ,you must be going into winter like us.rolf dont you have a brother name ernest i remember him in spackman house.you mention peter buckley he has a brother name michael i remember him in beaton house was a very good runner and swimmer,his brother peter was a very good swimmer no wonder he became a lifegaurd.wish you well with your exams.it is good to hear from you and michael.talk later trevor
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797. Mickey | October 10, 2012 at 10:16 am

Hi there, I log on to your new stuff like every week.

Your writing style is witty, keep up the good work!
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798. Rolf Maier | October 11, 2012 at 5:21 am

Can anyone remember Miss Mc Arthur, the Scottish lady with the quintessential bun & tweed skirt? She used to help with prep at times. One evening in a classroom near the Linenroom she was supervising a class of mixed juniors & seniors and there was a continuous murmur & passing of notes in the back of the class.The culprits were Derek Close and David Watt. Miss Mc Arthur singled out David Watt & aked him to stand. “Wot is yer name boy”, she asked him. “Watt Miss” he replied. Taking it to mean “what Miss?” she rpeated the question. He once again said “Watt Miss”.She lost her composure and attacked him with a ruler. She only stopped once the other boys covinced her that his name was infact David Watt. David, however never escaped a canning because he ws sent t the office!
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799. Michael Rossouw | October 11, 2012 at 11:49 pm

I remember this incident well. i was also in the prep class at the time. Ma Mac was a right royal “tartaress’ and she wanted nothing but the best from us. “did you check this? ” she’d ask sterly when we went to show her our notebooks for checking.She was a real character.
I believe she was one of the first women to graduate from either Edinburgh or Glasgow University in Scotland (I’m not exactly sure which) where women were denied entry into university. In this sense she was truly ‘a pioneer’.She had an MA in English Literature and Mathematics (cum laude , nogal!) no small feat for anyone in those days. I believe Scotland still has one of the best education systems in the World, but I am open to correction here; certainly many of the inventions we learnt about in Ma Noake’s History classes were invented by Scots: Mac Adam who made tarmac Roads (tarmac’s), the steam engine invented by James Watt,Alexander Bell’s telephone, and Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillan to name but a few.
I always struggled to get the names of the inventors matched correctly with their inventions in exam questions!
(Didn’t David Watt have a dog? can’t remember its name.)
It was very funny when we managed to convince Ma Mac that Watt’s name was indeed “Watt”. The late Brian Campbell and I were treated to lunch at her house in on the edge of Malvern and Kensington at the top end of Queen street one afternoon, the dish being “tripe and onions”. I love it now, but it was an aquired taste then for a homeboy who had not the stomach (literally) nor the taste for such a Scottish delicacy.
She always brought Norman Clayton a ‘wee bottle of tripe’ on occasions when she had made some.
Despite the times when things weren’t that good for a by growing up in the Home, I’m very glad we can share these memories . We were indeed privileged to have had teachers of her calibre.
Blessings to you all,
Michael Rossouw
PS I must try to scan some of my photos from that era for this website.I’m sure that these will bring back some good and some not so good times…They are still in a box somewhere and I need to find them.
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800. Rolf Maier | October 12, 2012 at 5:08 am

Reading this blog is like listing to old songs. Once an old song plays associated memories awaken.Once down at camp I woke up early (I am not ussually an early riser, taking full advantage of a sleep in) and made my way down to the fire. I begged “Willy the Cook” for a cup of coffee, which he reluctantly made. Willy was sweating profusely as I watched him stir the porridge.I suddenly realised where all that flavour came from. Suffice to say I did not have breakfast that morning!
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801. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | October 12, 2012 at 6:57 am

A while back I mentioned an article in Rolling Stone magazine that I thought you should all read if you could lay your hands on a copy. It was an interview with Bill McKibben of 360.org. Well, I scored the link so here it is. It’s a good read.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719
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802. Leslie Du Plessis | October 12, 2012 at 8:23 am

Hello Rolf and Trevor. We overlapped at SGH in the Sixties. I was in Beaton and Spackman. Some of the people and incidents you mention bring back the memories.
Leslie DuPlessis
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803. trevor van reenen | October 12, 2012 at 11:45 am

hi leslie i remember you from beaton house,your brother martin was a good runner.do you remember paul van starden he was in spackman house.do any of you remember down in umtentweni.we went to margate to the grotto where dickie loader and the blue jeans where playing.me and chris watson bunked out to go to port shepstone to see a movie but we where caught,we had to dig a hole six foot down next to where willy was cooking.wow these are so memories.remember the lunch we use to have at the camp thick bread with butter and sardines.the cold showers every morning.lets all become a family again.trevor
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- 804. Lewis DeSoto | October 21, 2012 at 9:17 pm
  
  Yes, Martin was a great athlete. I tended to come last in most athletics. I remember Paul van Staaden. Any news of him? I also had to dig a hole at camp. Can’t remember why. It seemed like I was always in some kind of trouble. Maybe it was because I tried to wash in the sea instead of those cold showers. Still hate cold showers. But those sandwiches were good! Thick slices of bread and canned pilchards.
  Les.
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805. trevor van reenen | October 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm

hi there everyone,sitting here with a cuppa coffee watching the champions league twenty 20 in south africa.perth v titans,hershelle gibbs it is so good to see you playing again even if it is for australias perth.davids you really must play for the proteas,you are playing well.this afternoon we got sharks v griquas good luck to the sharks.talk to you later,trevor
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806. trevor van reenen | October 13, 2012 at 4:42 pm

hi peter from down under,the proteas are coming down to you there,the 1st test against australia on the 8th.it will be interresting because i have not seen ricky ponting bat for some time.lets see how the proteas do down there.these two teams seem to bring out the best in each other.hoe gaan dit trevor
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807. peter de Reuck | October 13, 2012 at 4:51 pm

Hi Trevor, nee man, alles is goed. Looking forward to the coming series , should be good cricket….. Pity about the 20/20 series …Mooi bly.
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808. trevor van reenen | October 13, 2012 at 4:52 pm

hi there again juust watched western province vs fs cheetahs.western province 36 fs cheetahs 15. back to the cricket,trevor
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809. peter de Reuck | October 21, 2012 at 9:09 am

After all these years and staying so far from the action I still follow Curry Cup action back in the good old RSA. In the wee hours I watched Natal beat the Bulls and Western Province beat the Lions [ex. Transvaal]. the final next week == , natal Vs Western Province . This may all seem irrelevant to some , but it’s something to keep this blog afloat………Come on people TALK. ..
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810. Rolf Maier | October 25, 2012 at 5:19 am

Hi Trevor,
I owe you some answers. Yes i had an older brother Ernst, but he died in a trucking accident in the mid ’80’s down in Knysna. Michael Buckley married a Malvern girl Dawn Huwitt. She was very pretty. I think she had a sister Beverly who was just as pretty, Yesterday I attended the funeral of a Malvern High boy by the name of Billy Jarrett. Brian van Loggeren was also there and sends his regards.He remembers you well! I wonder if some of the more senior old boys can help? I married the daugther of an old boy Percy Parker.He was in the home in the mid 1950’s. He had brothers Wally Parker and Malcolm Parker. Malcolm used to hang out with Nutsy Moore at times. Anyone remember?
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811. peter de Reuck | October 25, 2012 at 12:23 pm

@ Rolf Maier , Rolf , I was in goggies from 1948 to ’55, and do remember the Parker Bros. very well, esp. Percy and Wally., , Percy excelled on the sports/athletic field , I remember the rivalry between him and a certain Bobby Logan on the track events during our yearly sports day, esp. the Mile ….Percy always piping bobby at the post…….Yes I do remember both bros. Percy and Wally well., Malcolm was obviously the younger………..We were in Simpson house in the beginning then if I remember Percy and Wally were moved to Spakman and I to Beaton house…………Gosh, thats such a long time ago, Say Hi to them both ‘. Regards …Peter de Reuck.
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812. Michael Rossouw | October 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Gosh Rolf! I am sorry to hear of Ernst’s passing aswell as that of Billy Jarret.I was a little ahead of you guys so I didn’t get to know Billy well.Ernst left the home not to long after he came. Dawn Hewitt and I were in matric together. Michael Buckley left Malvern and went I think to Forida Park High School. We always saw him at swimming galas! He was very talented at sport. I’d dearly love to contact Dawn and Michael if you have any contact details.I remember the Parker name but Nutsy and malcolm had left by the time I arrived at SGH. Nutsy used to help out at Camp during his University holidays when he was at Rhodes. JJ tells me that Nutsy refuses to use a cell phone and will not use the internet.He is now retired from a successful teaching career in the Esatern Cape.
Time does fly. Good to hear from you.
My cable station doesn’t have the sporting events from RSA but I do get some snipperts from the cricket via the BBC. Canada does have a good cricket and Rugby team, but here the sports scene is dominated by Baseball (or Ball as it’s called) and Football (American) and of course Hocket (Ice Hockey;Not much going on there as the players are all ‘locked out’ over pay negotiations.These guys , like Footballers in the UK and Europe earn millions!) Soccer is emerging as a sport here and is very popular. Our Canadian Women’s team did very well gaining a silver at the London Olympics. I was never any good at Sports at SGH but I enjoy being a supporter on the sidelines ; nowadays it’s usually from my armchair.Blessings to you all.
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813. trevor van reenen | October 25, 2012 at 2:39 pm

hi rolf iam so sorry to hear ernest passed away he was one of the many guys i remember so well,another guy by the name of mike sephanie what a lovely person he was i dont know what ever happened to him,he had a brother named athol.i knew beverly hewitt i was in her class the last time i saw bevery was on the bus going in to town iwas going to see about a job at the work centre.do you remember desmoud jones he passed away in the 90s.how you doing in your exams iam sure youre passed them.michael we are lucky here we got sky sports and we can watch most sa sports.the springboks are coming over here to play england next mouth which should be good.i wtching the champions league 20/20 been played in south africa as we speak.the proteas play australia on the 8th of november in australia.good to hear from you guys,trevor
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814. trevor van reenen | October 27, 2012 at 3:01 pm

hi there you guys just about to watch the currie cup final between natal sharks vs western province at the kings park stadium,good luck you sharks.talk to you later,trevor
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815. trevor van reenen | October 28, 2012 at 4:31 pm

hi there just sitting here with a cuppa coffee watching the champions league twenty 20 final between highveld lions vs sydney sixers at the wanderers stadium.a south african team vs a australian team no ipl teams wow what a turn for the books.the ipl ie surpose to be the best in the world.talking about wanderers i remember in beaton house going to a party in wanderers and hearing max bygraves singing.i can also remember going to the shopping centre and watching johnny rivers singing when a girl in a bikini asked me to dance with her.wow those were good times.later on in years we went to a party at the city hall with some of the girls from observatory girls home i remember a girl named nelda sacks i cant remember the bands name,if anyone does please us.must watch the cricket,trevor
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816. trevor van reenen | October 29, 2012 at 2:27 pm

hi there you guys its me again,does any of you remember a guy by the name of mark hopkins he was with us in malvern high school in fact he was with us in st.marys home,which leads me to my next question do any of you guys who went to malvern high school in the 80s eever come across a girl by the name of dorothy ferreira i used to live with the family in malvern when i came out of the air force they gave me a home when i did not have one.if anyone knows please get in touch on this website.cheers trevor
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817. peter de reuck | October 30, 2012 at 5:20 am

On hand, A photograph of Simpso house…” Class of 1948….Peter Harper as the ”Boss man”…..Must still be some of you around.
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818. peter de reuck | October 30, 2012 at 5:23 am

Forgot to ask , who would like a copy and to where should I forward to?….lets put names to faces.
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819. trevor van reenen | October 30, 2012 at 12:47 pm

hi there you guys are any of you guys from st marys home i remembermyself trevor pieterson,paul van staden,mark hopkins,michael and desmound jones we used to go to the south coast to sea park.i remember the st.georges boys used to visit there brothers and sisters they used to give us condense milk in the little cans.there was a shop near by which had 5 roses tea painted on the roof.we stayed in rondavlles.i used to fancy a girl by the name of rosemary lennox.this was a home for boys and girls.thank goodness for the internet.this is better than the phone.cheers trevor
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- 820. Roland Morgan | October 30, 2012 at 8:24 pm
  
  Hi Trevor
  
  I was at St Martins Home in Durban (boys only) 1949-1953 before being moved on to Goggies in Joburg 1954-1958). Some guys in St Martins had sisters in St Marys. No rondavels on the coast for us. If our families couldn’t have us they would pack us off to friendly farmers who were prepared to take kids in for the summer holidays. I remember spending one holiday with a Scheepers family on a farm outside Newcastle in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. For some kids it was the one time in the year that they met upwith their sisters.
  Roland Morgan
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821. Rolf Maier | October 31, 2012 at 5:34 am

Hi All
Michael, I may have mixed up the names of the Hewitt girls, I was not sure who is the eldest. I have lost contact with every one as I was working down in East London for 10 years. I only know that Michael Buckley was a manager at Westbank. Johann Muller used to stay in Nelspruit where he owned an Appliance Shop. Thanks Peter, for the feedback on the Parkers. I have not seen him yet but Percy is not doing well. Wally and Malcolm have passed away. Trevor, I saw Mark Hopkins in Primrose about a year ago.Ironically he spent time in jail in England for what he calls being “naughty”. Trevor Petersen is very migratory I last saw him down at Margate about 5 years ago, where sadly he was making money as a car guard.
Regards to all Rolf
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822. Robin Viljoen | October 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm

Many, Many years have passed…

Thinking back, it does bring back many memory’s when I was there as a kid, (12-15) I was placed in the home for my own protection away from my step father that wanted to kill me, my time spent at the home had it’s ups and downs, but looking back on all the fun I had, It was the best time of my life, If only I could remember all the good times, I blocked out so many memory’s whilst growing up.
I never went back to see the home after I left, and that was sad but I had to move on with my life.
To all that where there, The house Masters and Mr Holmes, I will never forget all that you did for me, and to my Best friend, back then, Carlos de Silva, you are all in my thoughts.

Robin Viljoen
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823. trevor van reenen | October 31, 2012 at 10:05 pm

hi roland thanks for the reply,what was it like at st.martins home.rolf dawn hewitt was the older sister if my memory serves me well michael buckley used to go out with beverly hewitt the younger sister when we were at malvern high school.why i asked about mark hopkins is he is the link in finding cris watson and paul de lange.the last i knew paul was living in roodepoort he was working in a hardware shop or pub because of his arm.rolf what is it like over there i have the news here on sky and it is never good.i i beleive you have a clown over there named julius malema his name sinks here and america.it seems that the monster nelson mandela created the anc is going to diistroy the very people that created it.sorry for grtting political.are you still a lifegaurd or are you working in another job.i am a electrian i have been put on pension credit because there is no work here.over here we get the dole when you are unemployed they do look after you.cheers trevor
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824. Rolf Maier | November 1, 2012 at 5:16 am

Hi Trevor,
The protest actions are just getting more violent.They have side-lined the Unions.One of the problems are that the miners are living in squatter camps around the mines and the mines are not prepared to invest in the area. Most of the miners have 3 famalies to support.They are also being exploited by loan sharks and caught in a debt trap, so most of their salary goes to repaying debt. They drink too much!
Trevor, while i was on the pools I studied and obtained a B Compt in accounting, I could not write my articles as i had started a family and could not afford the drop in salary. I then studied Parks & Recreation Management and maintained all the sport fields, resurfaced tennis courts ect. for Roodepoort Municipality.I had to work in Soweto and was Hi-jacked about 3 times and also robbed at gunpoint. My wife asked me to leave the Municipality.We started a Bed & Breakfast in Margate but it did not work out. I then got a job at the East London Municipality.as the Vegetation Control Officer.After 10 years i came back to JHB and am now working as lifting equipment technician. Trevor, have you ever considered doing the Bi-athlon.You were a god swimmer and can run.You compete i age groups and swim 100m & run 1000m. You should give it a try. Regards Rolf.
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825. trevor van reenen | November 1, 2012 at 2:54 pm

hi rolf let me tell you what happened here i was working at the sainsburys store i meet a guy mike who told me that he use to live in cape town at district 6 and worked for eskom.he was saying when the west heared that nelson mandela was going to be freed the british alone were taking millions of pounds of investments out of south africa a day.it seems they knew what was going to happen to the country under the anc.mike then had to come back to england even that he loved living there.i see you have been around and have a wealth of talent,how many children do you have.i have two treasure my daughter and william.at the moment i am trying to do a marathon over here so i can run the comrades.i have to do a marathon in 3.30 hours to get in which is not that hard..rolf what is your address so i can send a card for the fesstive seasons.my address is 31 larviscombe road,williton,taunton,somerset,england,ta4 4sa.you talk of margate i was in south africa in 1995 i stayed with a friend richard arther in hillbrow.he sent me down to margate to his brother des what a lovely place.i would wake every day and sit at the wimpy on the beach i really enjoyed my stay in margate.des had a company called d and r construction.last but not lest nelson mandela came over here and it is on record when he said that he apologises for his people being a thousand times worse than the whites.anyway rolf look after your self and family.cheers trevor
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826. Rolf Maier | November 2, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Hi all
I wonder what ever happened to Michael Maddox? I remember him stealing the Beaton House cash box a few times. Once he returned wearing a cowboy hat and cowboy boots! I was walking past the Library once and heard someone playing the piano. I peeped in and saw that it was Michael Maddox playing. No one ever taught him, yet he was playing. Amazing.
Regards Rolf
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827. Michael Rossouw | November 2, 2012 at 5:03 pm

The last I saw of Michael and his younger brother Billy was in Norman House Place of Safety. That was years 38 years ago. Indeed he did teach himself to play the piano in the mid 1960’s. I saw them last in 1974.I too wonder whatever happened to the Maddox Brothers. I do hope that they had a turn -around in life, but many left St George’s and never returned and we seldom if ever saw them again. I guess the Home wasn’t the place for everyone who was there then. Although St George’s did some pioneering work in terms of working with boys from what would today be termed as ‘dysfunctional’ backgrounds, the field of help in this regard was in its infancy.Many of the masters there were studying child psychology and social work through UNISA and other institutions.In my time Dr Jaques Van Onsellen was working with many boys at St George’s in this regard.Masters like Derrick James and Brian Gannon went on into other fields of “child care” and did very good work. JJ de Jager lectured in this field to training teachers at JCE.
Eric Richardson was the man who saw the need for change in terms of giving the boys a chance in life.His predecessor Tommy Strong from what i’ve heard was a a very cruel man and saw the cane as the only way that ‘rehabilitation’ could take place. (I’m open to correction here, but I believe Strong was quietly ‘removed’ from the office of headmaster by the Bishop of Johannesburg.) Eric Richardson came to us having been the rector of St Augustine’s church in Orange Grove along with his very caring wife, Betty. Of course the late Ken Mc Holm believed in the bringing out the best in the boys through Sport and activities.His dear late wife Audrey was a wonderful motherly figure to all of us, as were the many “Ma’s” who looked after our clothing in the linen room and our nutritional needs in the Kitchen.They, together with the many of the colorful “sisters” who worked in the Sanitorium were all part of the ‘mothering’ and ‘caring’ process of our upbringing. When one thinks of the work done by those in this field today,
I hope I am not out of order in saying these things , for the cruelty of some of the masters is well known and well documented on this site, but St George’s, although at times imperfect, did wonders for many of us with the few resources, both human and material, that they had at their disposal.
At this ‘All Saintstide” I for one, give thanks to God, not only for the lives of the countless saints throughout the ages, but also for the lives of the many ‘saints’ at Malvern High and St George’s, both past and present, who made a difference in my own life and indeed in the lives of many of us who passed through the gates of these and other institutions.
‘A Blessed All Saints tide to you all!
Michael R
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828. Rolf Maier | November 5, 2012 at 5:21 am

I agree with you Michael, one does not realise how “tall” some masters walked until you leave the Home. Trevor I am finding it so diffcult to trace any of the people mentioned on your list. Nobody seems to be listed in the telephone directory any more. I know that Billy Moore used to stay at 79 Garden Street, Turffontein West at one stage but i will have to do a physical check some time. How did you end up in the Home?
Regads Rolf
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829. Andrew Mackie | November 5, 2012 at 7:05 am

After reading a lot of the comments posted here about the care and sometimes hardships endured by many of the boys at St Georges Home would like to add my penny’s worth. I was a ” resident ” for 5 years 1948-1952 and while at times it was extremely tough with Jacko Short as headmaster and Bernie Moss as housemaster of Spackman. Coming from a broken home and at age 4 years placed in the SOE Childrens Home and later St Georges at age 8 did not know what a normal life with parents was like so accepted life as it was. At times visited my mother who worked at Greatermans , this only due to having visited the Dentist in the city, but the relationship was rather distant as no real bond existed. In my time at the home many boys were also from broken or dysfunctional homes so a sort of comraderie developed for support and friendship. However there were also the bullies who would vent their anger on us youngsters and many times blamed for incidents and therefore punished by Short and Moss as we dared not speak out for fear of the bullies.
While life was never easy we still managed to enjoy what little we had and I for one believe it moulded my future in that it taught me independence and resolve to succeed. At age 13 years was given over into the custody of my father in Pretoria and this turned out to be a disaster but that is another story. In the years that followed I learned many a hard lesson and eventually came to my senses so as to build a life and a future, studied hard, worked even harder to achieve goals I set. The fruits of this was, I was able to attain senior positions in large listed corporations and virtually travelled the world in the pursuit of products for growth opportunities in these companies. As with the policies of large corporations it is mandatory to retire at age 65 but I continued on to 70 in a consultancy position, now at age 73 take life a little slower and enjoy my 7 grandchildren.
Albeit the 3 grandsons now live in New Zealand with their parents who emigrated some 6 years ago and love the laid back lifestyle.
Have visited twice previously and will again make the long flight again in the New Year.
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- 830. peter de reuck | November 5, 2012 at 8:59 am
  
  @ Andrew, Love your imput. We must have crossed paths some time or other while at the home . I also entered SGH in 1948. at the age of 8, from St. mary’s in Rossettenville. Into Simpson house under Peter Harper, four years later to Beaton house ,[ ”Floss” Capener…]…where I remained until 1955.. ..Now at the age of 73, on retirement in Queensland oz…..have 7 grandchidren , Two grandchildren stay in margate KZN, SA. The other 5 stay nearby , . Do keep well..
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831. Rolf Maier | November 8, 2012 at 3:13 pm

I read on one of the blogs about ” Fonebone” the guy who had fits. We also experienced an incident with him not aware that he took fits.It was during a Sunday Service.Fonebone had somehow wedged himself between my friend “Mutt” Mathews and myself. Halfway through the Service he leaned his head on Mutts shoulder. We thought he had fallen asleep. Next minute he started shaking and frothing at the mouth. We thought he was possessed! Boy, did we clear that pew!
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832. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 9, 2012 at 3:34 am

http://www.chasingice.com/gettickets.html

Do yourselves a favor and go to the link above and watch the trailer.
Share it with friends and family and learn to grow food. Your world is changing.
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833. Rolf Maier | November 9, 2012 at 2:05 pm

“Remy” or “Anon” I think I may have pegged you down. The Fountianhead book gave you away as you also recommeded it to me. I requested it for a prize I won at school but instead received a sea adventure book or something. I suspected it was too rauncy. Remember the time we worked our passage on ship from Durban to Capetown. I think it was a ship from the Unicorn Lines. There were some real characters aboard. Anyway I hope life is treating you beter these days.And you really do have a talent for writing and a good turn of phrase. Keep well!
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834. trevor van reenen | November 9, 2012 at 3:44 pm

hi there you guys can any of you in south africa help me. i am trying to track down paul de lange.now there is a chap by the name of marchant de lange who bowls for the titans side he comes trom the limpopo area.could any of you get in touch with him and ask him if he is related to the paul de lange family.why i ask is he looks the spilt image of paul.i know paul has a two brothers and sisters.if any of you can find out for me i will be very grateful..god bless you all trevor
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835. Rolf Maier | November 15, 2012 at 6:01 am

Like some old boys have mentioned this blogg is cathartic and inspires reflection, I do not believe that morals & values are some God given things not fo be challenged or even changed but i do believe that one’s upbrining during your formative years seems to influence you for the rest of your life.Having said that, I entered SGH in 1964 niave, slightly innocent and definately not “street wise”. I left after matric at the end of 1970 slightly too agressive, very misinformed and perhaps disillusioned.After leaving the Home I boarded with a woman not much older than me. She had a Semi opposite the Malvern Hotel.That was my first mistake. The second was that the woman’s husband was Seun Germishuis and he was in jail for murder. His brother was Dominic “fatty” Gemishuis the professional boxer.Now I also had to decide what work to do.If i joined the Bank they would pay me R105 a month. On the other hand, if I became I Lifeguard on the “pools” they would pay me R300. They would also pay me while I was in the army.It was a no contest situation.The only predicament was that I had to pray that they did not send me to Malvern Swimming Pool.Which they duely did.Having beining bulied by the older boys in the Home, like most of us I proceeded to the Army well prepared.Only this time the playing fields were more level.I joined the Parachute Battalion, once again beause they promised if we served a year instead of 9 months we would not have to do any camps. After all the girls in those days liked long hair.They offered to send me for Officer training but I declined because by then I realised that some “weak” characters hid behind their rank & I wanted to stay with my buddies.I won the Inter Command welterweigt boxing title, thanks to all the sparring I did with Fatty Germishuis. Now when you are a “Bat” as they call you there are Seniors & Juniors as apposed to Roofs & Oumanne.These Seniors used to raid the Juniors at night. Having being bullied at SGH i detested these raids.There were a few good boxers among the Juniors and we formed a gang.We soon sorted out some of the Seniors and the raids stopped. Now our target became the other bullies that were hiding behind their ranks,After meeting one of these characters in civi-street he was ever so nice.He said, as expected, he was only doing his job etc.To my dissappointment he declined to meet my challenge. Anyway time has run out, but I want to make my point later. Regards to all.
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836. Michael Rossouw | November 15, 2012 at 11:44 am

Mant thanks indeed Rolf for writing this.
Sadly this was the manner in which we all had to become ‘streetwise’, both in St George’s and the military. I did not enjoy my time at the Danie Theron Krygskool in Kimberley, neither as a ‘roofie’, at NCO training nor as a “candy” (candidate) officer. Although I made some good mates, it is a time in my life that has long been tucked away into my ‘sub-conscious’.I don’t quite know how I survived the bullying, I guess I just kept my head down and stayed out of trouble.
The Army did teach me how to drink and sadly that cost me a great deal, not only in monetary terms , but in my relationships with others, particularly my loved ones.(I guess no one picked a fight with me as i always had so calle ddrinking buddies around me, especially when I was buying!)
I got sober during my years in Bangkok of all places,after almost 40 years of daily drinking, and it is only now in my mid sixties that I am able to appreciate a relationship with a loving God (as I understand Him) , a firm Faith in God which, although I had received this as a boy growing up I neither fully understood nor appreciated, the gift of Family and indeed restoration to a degree with those I had harmed through my irresponsible behaviour.

Gosh Rolf, your writing sends chills down my spine. As I remember you, you were always fairly quiet and yet ‘strong’ both in stature and character that few would dare to venture to pick a fight with you.
You are right also in saying that this site has some cathartic value .
In some cases we can look back and laugh at ourselves for our foolishness but the reality is that St George’s did leave its scars on many of us.As a young teacher at Malvern High (also a big mistake to teach at one’s old school, but I have no regrets) I was ‘forced’ by the Head Mr Rogers to use the cane to enforce discipline in my class. This meant resorting to corporal punishment (something I loathed) and other ‘bullying’ tactics to keep students in line.
Thank God that all of this has now changed and that I became a better teacher by using other behavioural change methods which were less painful but equally effective, although at times I had to raise my voice in order to express my anger at the things some of my students got up to in class.

I apologise to anyone reading this for any hurt I may have caused them in my dealings with them as a teacher, patrol leader, officer or person in any authoritative capacity; I am sorry for my actions in this regard and I ask their forgiveness.

We learnt a lot in chapel at the Home about “Loving God and Loving one’s neighbour” but sadly, that love was not always reflected in the behaviour of some (not all) masters and in the conduct of many boys at St George’s, as well as in the accepted code of conduct and ‘pecking order’ which ruled the day.There are some boys in the home who bullied me as a small cadet in the Band who I’d prefer to forget entirely.

Your story Rolf is indeed the story of many of us whom, each in their own way, had to struggle to survive.

St George’s with all its good qualities , certainly in my case , did not prepare me to adequately manage my life as ‘normal’ people do.
That came through the University of Hard Knocks called ‘Life’.
Keep well and keep in touch.
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837. Rolf Maier | November 15, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Father Michael thanks as always for your wise words and keen insight. Regards Rolf
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838. Michael Rossouw | November 15, 2012 at 4:08 pm

Just “Michael” is fine Rolf. Here in Canada they are not hooked up on titles for the clergy, given the bad press some clergy have regarding child abuse in our time as kids, only surfacing now.
Very Sad, but at a time when the church was ‘flowering’ with vocations to ministry, all the abuses we are hearing about now were swept under the carpet and largely ignored. These abuses are only surfacing now as we have a more open society and information is more freely available.I’m sure there are many who have just chosen to remain silent about their childhood in children’s homes or have chosen to write annonymously about it.
Go well Bro!
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840. trevor van reenen | November 15, 2012 at 7:10 pm

hi rolf,michael talking about a persons upbringing.let me tell you both a story about myself but the short version.my wife who was living with her parents decided to go back to scotlland overnight,i found out the next day that she was in scotland from my next door neighbour.well she left me with two kids one 6 months old and the other one two and a half years old,troublle is she took all the money with her.so i was left with two kids and no money.that day my sgh upbringing pulled in.i promised that my two kids would not go through anything that i went through.a friend of mine willie bought some electrical equipment from me which gave enough money to pay the rent and buy food..my landlady at the time miss bell helped me so much.i thank the home for so much what they taught me.rolf you talk about dominic gemishuis the last i saw of him was in hillbrow,when me,paul and cris where talking with him at highpoint and mr. vic mcfarlnd came along.like long lost friends having a good old chat.dominic was a boxer he always had time for us homeboys.bless you both trevor
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841. Rolf Maier | November 16, 2012 at 6:27 am

Wow Trevor, I just can’t imagine how you managed to handle the situation! I remember back in the 60’s you were always “cool, calm & collected”. But that was going to be the gist of my story.I was always overly sensitive and did not realise that the way some boys acted was their own way of coping , with what at times were traumatic experiences. I don’t know if this is true, but i heard at the time that Chris Fourie was at one time tied to a kennel for months and fed like a dog! My little egotistical rantings pales at the very thought. But revealing my own saga is purely self indulgent and only the way I perceived things to be at SGH. Talking of Highpoint, Rocco Van Eeden and myself got involved in a fight with the Hells Angles inside Fontana,I hit one guy and he landed under the shelving. Rocco downed another guy but they kept on coming.I told Rocco ‘i’m coming now’ and ran around the corner were a friend was working as a “bouncer” When we arrived back at Highpoint everyone had gone. I have’nt seen Rocco since,but I can’t help thinking that he may have thought that I ran away! It has bothered me ever since.
Michael,the way you are currently handeling things, to me, is exempliary.I used to to attend church services at various Evangilistic Denomonations and most were running each other down.One would mention that some Catholic Priest was smoking and drinking excessively, etc. I stopped going to church because I needed to get the “message” and needed guidance and not be involved in some form of infigting. I now try it on my own but realise it is not the way go, but feel disillusioned. I have to sign off as i can only use the “net” at work. Regards to all Rolf
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842. trevor van reenen | November 16, 2012 at 5:32 pm

hi rolf i used to live in malvern with mr and mrs ferreira their daughter peggy and her husband dave got in with the evangilistic church in edenvale and they asked me if i would go to one of their church meetings.so i went and what i was to hear the pastor say that if the people there wanted to go to heaven they must give as much money to the church he got one million rand that night.i sat there gobsmacked as to theses people thinking that they can buy their way into heaven;i did not know weather to laugh or cry for these foolish people.i have not been to a church since then.the church is not in a building it is in each and everyone of us.i personally dont trust the people who preach the bible.if you put the fear in people you can get what ever you want.i dont say everyone preaches the bible is wrong,some just use the bible for their own gain.the greatest gift is love not fear.today it is called relegion which people fight wars over because everyone thinks their relegion is right.the foundation of jesus teachings is love.bless you all trevor
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843. Andrew Mackie | November 17, 2012 at 9:19 am

On browsing through some old postings on Facebook found a post I had made quite some time back of my confirmation in the Chapel at St Georges Home. This document was issued by Ambrose the Bishop of Johannesburg and signed by J Short who was Headmaster at the time and dated 23 November 1952, which makes it almost 60 years ago, I was 13 years old. Well time has passed and I am older and a lot wiser and memories of my 5 year stay in the home have faded but still follow the stories of boys who make up the history of those bygone years.
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844. Rolf Maier | November 21, 2012 at 11:53 am

I must apologise in advance if I offend anyone. I think it was the beginning of 1966, i was the Headboy of Beaton House and I was asked to stay on to assist a new House Master that was joining us. Tubby Laughton was taking over at Spackman House and the VSO Master a Mr Hughs was returning to England.I can’t remember his first name but rumour had it that he came from a well-to-do family.At times he attended dinner resplendent in cravat and all! I think he was there together with Tom Stevens. Another VSO,Mr Moon was at Simpson House. He was a tall, stocky, blonde guy and full of fun.He led frequent raids into Beaton House.Anyway i’m digressing, but I was very upset as most of my friends were moving to senior houses.Eventually the new Master arrived. His name was Trevor Dreyer.He was a sport writer at the Pretoria News, His brother happened to be Gerald Dreyer the boxer who won gold at the 1948 London Olympics.Clutching his arm was his wife, a stunning woman with Hollywood looks and body to match.She also turned out to be a kind and gentle woman.I don’t have to mention what havoc this played with our adolescent hormones.I was understandably reluctant to move up to Spackman House when to new master was deemed to be sufficiently “weened in”.
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- 845. Michael Rossouw | November 21, 2012 at 1:20 pm
  
  I remember these names well Rolf . I think this was in my final year at the Home (1967)and I was basically concentrating on my matric exams and preparing to leave into the world of work. I remember Mrs Dreyer; quite a stunner as you say. We also had a sister working in the Sanitorium named Helen Barlow
  ( we called her sister Bralow!)who was equally stunningly beautiful, and she was often seen sunbathing in her ‘barest essentials’ in the small garden in front of the Surgey/sanitorium near Spackman house when we came home from school.Needless to say, a lot of us developed severe bouts of “charf-a-litis” ( faking illness ) just to get a good look at her by reporting sick and going to the surgery in the morning before breakfast! Sadly she wasn’t there for long, probably about a year to 18 months.As with the older “Ma’s” in the kitchen, these younger women added a new dimension in the care offered to us as boys.Helen was very good and very kind, as was Mrs Dreyer, and became involved in the life of the boys especially in things like making our dorms look more ‘homely’ and decorating the hall for the “sessions” we used to have, when girls from St Mary’s and JCH as well as girls from Malvern, Dawnview and Belgravia Commercial High schools visited us for these dances.I remember Helen was particularly fond of a guy Johnny Eurquart (cant remember the spellng of his name ) whom she helped in many ways to get himself established in employment and post school studies.Helen Barlow was a very caring person and was a very welcome breath of fresh air in the life of the boys at the Home.
  I am afraid that after Helen left to work elsewhere in the medical profession (I think she went into industrial nursing which was a new field of occupation for nurses in South Africa in the mid 1960’s) she never kept in touch with us. I think Johnny Eurqhart also left and, and like many other boys, did not visit the Home after he left, but I am open to correction here.
  The arrival of these caring and dare I say beautiful women made us as boys realise that the world outside of the home was ‘normal’ and that the routine and discipline which existed in the Home was very different to the world outside of it.
  It was quite refreshing to walk into Beaton House and see the lovely curtains MrsDreyer made and put up into the dorms, along with beautifully hand made quilts on the beds of the boys, a project which she herself undertook to make the boys feel ‘special’ and thereby creating a sense of what other kids in ‘normal’ families would experience.
  Another caring woman who was equally lovely was Mrs Burgess, wife of Alan Burgess (Budgie as we called him who also taught maths with JJ at Malvern) who was a very caring and loving woman who shared her husband’s work as a ‘mother’ to us in Taylor house. Alan Burgess and his wife (whose first name I cannot remember now) introduced us to the ‘chequing system’ in managing of our pocket money.Instead of getting issued with coins and banknotes (anyone remember when 3 Rand for Camp was a fortune?), we used internal cheques which we wrote to buy tuck from the tuckshop and for money we placed in the collection plate in chapel or for buying school stationery. These people did much in teaching us ‘life skills’ long before the subject became part of the curriculum. Yes Rolf, you are right. With caring people like these women on the staff of St George’s , it wasn’t easy leaving the Junior Houses for the senior section, or for leaving the Home into the real world.
  The late Audrey Mc Holm and Betty Richardson were really lovely women too, who gave to us so much of their time,sometimes at the expense of their own children.
  I for one thank God for their presence in my life growing up in the Home, along with all the “Ma’s” who worked in the Home’s kitchen and linen room as well as the many nursing sisiters like Rosie and Sister Erasmus to name but a few.
  ‘Very special times and very special people.
  Blessings to you all,
  Michael R
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846. Rolf Maier | November 23, 2012 at 8:34 am

For those that are interested there is the Myers-Briggs 16 personality types on the net that is quite accurate. Most sites offer a free test.It at least gives one another perspective. Regards Rolf
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847. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 25, 2012 at 7:50 am

http://truth-out.org/news/item/12925-the-fight-for-corn

The article above will inform you why I so persistently wrote about growing food these past 18 months or so. The reason quite simply, was because of world wide production shortages … which are getting more and more aggravated each month. America is currently 18% across the board under the production figures for all agriculture last year. Climate change is partly responsible and a massive drought and record breaking temps all year long haven’t helped. GMO’s here, as elsewhere around the globe, are impoverishing small farmers and we still don’t know the long term health risks for human consumption.

Food is going to be a big problem – world wide. Although it sounds cliche’d now, Grow Food – is still my mantra for the next decade. If you have the means, and certainly the space … even vertical gardening can produce sufficient food in a private home, be it house or apartment, for an entire family … all year round. There are so many informative sites to teach you food growing tricks … so even without any previous experience, you can become self-sufficient within one growing season.

What is happening in Mexico is happening here, in India and in Brazil on a massive scale, it is soy, not corn … and not any soy … but GMO soy. They are destroying thousands of square miles of the Amazon forest to do that … and stripping the lungs of thew world in the process. Who? Monsanto, Dow, Bayer et al. They’re coming to Africa next … the Octopus is always on the move …. looking for the next reef to strip off life. If you can, grow food. You wont regret it.

In the meantime, this is a very informative article, so please read it.

Why do I care … because our kids and our grandkids are going to starve it we do not do something about it. Particularly about global warming and the spread of GMO’s.

Dudley-Claude.
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- 848. Roland Morgan | November 25, 2012 at 12:54 pm
  
  Hi Dudley
  Have you heard of ‘square foot gardening’ – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ILWPt-tgI . I have a small vegetable patch on some derelict land in our village and I grow enough to be virtually self-sufficient in vegetables throughout the the year.
  Roland
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  - 849. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 26, 2012 at 5:52 am
    
    Q.E.D.
    
    Hi Roland, no I had not but thanks for the link. Good one. Your experience is exactly my point, so thank you. There are so many ways and options to be self -sufficient in a dangerously changing world and food and water is the first requirement,after shelter. So it doesn’t hurt to take small steps towards that ideal.
    
    I recently read an article about Russia, that tells of a unique act of state government shortly after the fall of the wall. Every citizen was given between 2 and 6 acres of land (depending on their station in life), to do with as they pleased tax-free, Some built little summer dachas on their land, but most people grew vegetables.
    
    The wall has been down for 22 years and during that period the great commune farms have declined or been broken up and as a result, those millions of small farms growing vegetables and small livestock, are now the main suppliers of produce and staples to the nation via market gardens in every town. Small business feeding a nation! Pretty remarkable isn’t it?
    
    How is your younger brother Dudley (we younger brothers always seemed to be called Dudley or names of a like stripe)? Hope you’re well and thriving.
850. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 27, 2012 at 1:14 am

Addendum: http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/21108.html

The link above is to a NextWorld TV video … a free subscription and well worth getting every week … with plenty of useful tips and ideas on all sorts of issues …. not just food. It demonstrates that what is useful, can also be beautiful.
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- 851. Roland Morgan | November 27, 2012 at 7:29 pm
  
  Hi Dudley
  Your namesake, my brother Dudley, is doing fine. He left Goggies in 1955 or 56, I can’t remember exactly when, and was sent to the Presbyterian Orphanage in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. He went on to do a BSC degree in Civil Engineering at Wits University, Joburg, an MSc at Calgary University, Canada and a PhD at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, where he lectured for a few years, and has been based in Vancouver since then. He specialised in concrete technology and became a world authority on shotcrete. He has recently retired and has moved from Vancouver to Saanich, near Victoria on Vancouver Island.
  I met up with him and our sister Liz in Grenada, Spain, last year. It was the first time in 50 years that the three of us had been under the same roof together.
  Regarding the ‘square foot gardening’, if every family on the planet had three 8ft by 4ft raised beds, the world could feed itself.
  Regards.
  Roland
  
  Rrgards.
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852. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 29, 2012 at 4:42 am

Thank you for your news Roland. How strange how all our lives have unfolded. Like you and your siblings … Stuart, my sister Sandra and I too, have not been under the same roof for 38 years … although as you know. Stuart visited there earlier this year and spent quite some time with Sandy. I was last in SA in 1992 and again in 1996 on two lighting projects … one at Sun City and the other in Durban.

I’m delighted to read that that you’re taking advantage of your retirement to get into gardening and growing vegetables. The way I’ve been going on about it, I’m sure the boys must all think I’m nuts or something … (but I smile quietly to myself, as I believe they will know soon enough why I rant on about it.) There is nothing more critical in this world at present, than global warming and obviously no politicians anywhere are pushing for action to really do something about it. And we’re getting closer to the point of irreversibility.

Neither war, decease, corruption or politics as usual of any stripe at any level anywhere, is more critical. Within 5 to 10 years (tops), food self-sufficiency will be number one issue for every individual on this planet. Yeah, I know, they laughed at a lot of other wiseguys – who turned out to be smart guys when history passed and the dust settled. I’m prepared to hear the jeers and jibes when my deadline passes. But if you’re in my neighborhood and hungry, drop in, I’m bound to have some fresh greens.
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853. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | November 29, 2012 at 6:14 am

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/11/5-charts-about-climate-change-that-should-have-you-very-very-worried/265554/

A rather long url … but just copy and paste in your browser.

I dug this up for any of you guys who care to read and learn just how serious our global situation is. This is a very well prepared and laid out scenario and ends with an incredible video that spells out the time line precisely. Even in the comments section there are some useful and intelligent remarks, particularly from a blogger who titles him/herself: Archdukechocula … on why there is no easy fix in the next 10 years.

For those of you who question: What has this to do with me? Ask your kids and grandkids if they would like to have a future that is livable … not severe struggle just to survive … never mind a career..
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854. Rolf Maier | November 30, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Sorry, just a bit more silly nostalgia. We were the first to move into the new Crawford House.I think it was 1967. I apologise in omitting any names but i somehow cannot put names to faces that are so vivid in my mind! Most of us moved from Spackman and those that I can recall are: Kevin Egling; Michael Mc Millan; Len Ross;Andrew Botes(Boots); Walter Botes; Paul Courtney; Charlie Cooper; Humphery Parker; Robert Baptist;”Puggy” Parker etc. Once again Tubby Laughton was Housemaster. We could not believe that each Dorm had showers! Gone were the days, as in Spackman, when each Dorm had about 3 minutes to shower. You jumped in larther-up, rinsed-off and out you climb.I chose a sinlge room overlooking the Housemasters courtyard. What a big mistake! There was a wall surrounding the courtyard and it ended under my window.There was a continual flow of traffic through the window at night, especially during weekends and wednesdays.
I have read some comments on the Band and I recall Malvern High deciding to start a Cadet Band (perhaps in 1998). Peter Buckley, who used to blow reveille at the Home, had left the Home (he was asked to leave!) but still attended Malvern High and was asked to lead the band. I will never forget during a Parade at school (during Officers Salute?)Peter had to blow the Bugle,hit the Base Drum and handle the Mast all at once. Some of the Band stopped marching after a few steps others kept on marching after the music had stopped, much to the amusement of the “Homeboys” who were sitting on the bank.It also caused a few fights I must add. One such fight was between a Homeboy John Venter and a “breaker” Day-scholar Clide King. Clide had hit a younger Homeboy and John had stepped-in. Clide challenged him to a fight after school.Most of the school gathered at the “bottom field” to witness the fight.John was I soft spoken, kindly guy and most thought he was in for a hidding. They however did not know that John Venter boxed and that he was very fast and quick on his feet.It was a good fight but John easilly beat him.New respect was earned tht day!
Regards Rolf
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855. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 2, 2012 at 8:49 am

http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/21141.html

Serendipity:

Just received this article in my mail yesterday. Veritical farming on a grand scale. These are ideas proposed by architect and engineering students from around the globe.
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856. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 3, 2012 at 5:22 am

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2012/11/13/at_the_fights_photo_book_of_professional_boxing_both_in_his_studio_and_in.html?wpisrc=obinsite

I have noticed that quite a few of you blogger blokes have been boxers like myself and despite the punishing results of a tough fight, … you have obviously retained a love of the sport. The link above is a series of photographs by a world renowned photographer of both the damage that can be inflicted on some famous faces … and his attempt to catch the speed and motion of a fighter. They are brilliant images and I am sure you all will enjoy them.
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- 857. Rolf Maier | December 3, 2012 at 3:40 pm
  
  Hi Dudley-Claude Leslie Pringle
  I think a lot of the boys who joined boxing did so out of desperation to find a solution to the bullying. I was one of those.I found that my speed could at least keep me out of trouble.I did not achieve as much as you did.At least you had a good trainer.Our trainer was Tony Hatting and he did not have a clue.He just showed you how to jab an little else.Once after a boxing tournament he had an altercation with another trainer and threw a punch. To my disappointment he completely missed and fell over a scooter.I left boxing soon after that,
  We had some good boxers such as Rocco Van Eeden who fought and at times beat Andries Steyn during the amateurs.
  It is just that once you boxed you can better appreciate the skills involved and also get some tips.These days I just punch the bag and am so grateful that it does not punch back.
  What really surprises me is that a lot of boxers train the “old” way and go for long runs which does nothing for your legs or stamina.Better to do 200m or 400m intervals to get your heart rate up.Some still shy away from weight training.
  Enjoy the up-coming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on the 8 December.
  Regards Rolf Maier
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  - 858. Rolf Maier | December 4, 2012 at 3:19 pm
    
    I just can’t believe that Jacob Zuma was nominated for the ANC presidency uncontested by all the branches. This is amid the scandal that his two brothers and himself may be implicated in futher unauthorised spending of Public money.this may be the beginnig of the demise of the ANC as the “rank and file” of the ANC are getting tired of the top “fat cats” only looking after themselves.Imagine another term with Zuma at the helm!! God help us.
859. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | December 5, 2012 at 2:19 am

I’m afraid I did not have quite so dramatic ,,, and dare I say historically romantic … a reason to box, I just liked to dance and boxing was as good a substitute as any, if not the only alternative.

Like you, I had speed … but no punch, been naturally right-handed and fighting Southpaw. Bullying however, wasn’t a problem … I had an older brother who was the most ferocious fighter I know … to this day … and that probably provided me with an umbrella of protection that I was unaware of at the time. ha ha. In any event, I did not suffer that indignity and I am grateful for it, but it also robbed me of the incentive to triumph at all costs. Although I won a few amateur titles, I was not driven to become a serious fighter although I had the potential for it.

I was inspired by the P.C. Wren’s trilogy of Beau Geste, Beau Sabre and Beau Ideal. The second featured John Geste as a boxer and Wren’s description of the choreography of Geste’s fights was the most thrilling reading of my young life. The pure science of a fight was what captured me most and I always tried to fight a clean fight as a consequence, although I ran into quite a few dirty players along the way. I found the easiest way to beat them, was to ridicule their efforts, which usually got them so mad and that it made it easy pickings afterwards. A man out of control of his temper is easy to lead into a dangerous situation.

I do however, think that all boys should learn a martial art … for even if you never have to use it in self defense … there is no question that it builds self-esteem and personal confidence and permits one to dare to step up when the occasion calls for it.

Pacquiao, by all measures should be passed it for another win … but I think he’ll take it in 5 … because he’s smart and he’s got heart. Enjoy the fight Rolf.
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860. Michael Rossouw | December 5, 2012 at 2:40 am

When the “Pacman” fights, the whole of the Philippines comes to a standstill! It’s the only time (except for Easter when everyone is visiting releatives in the provinces) that Manila streets are “clear” of traffic! I’m not sure , given his last winning by a very slim descision that Pacquiao will win, but one never knows. He is a national hero in the Philippines and justifiably so! The best fighter always wins on the night , Right? My wife goes absolutely crazy when the fight is on. I get nervous watching her! Enjoy the match guys!
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- 861. Rolf Maier | December 5, 2012 at 5:03 am
  
  Our very resourceful, efficient SA Government initiated a Job Creation Fund.To date it has spent 3 Billion Rand and created 745 jobs.Very well done!!!
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862. Andrew Mackie | December 5, 2012 at 5:27 am

Rolf, the Zuma saga is far from over but only time will tell the outcome.
Zuma’s nomination stems from our so called democracy, but in my opinion is not really a true one in terms how candidates are selected. Every provincial structure is set up by the party hierarchy and they virtually select the person or persons to head the provincial government. Without going into too much detail the system is proportional representation whereby the party selects representatives based on the number of votes cast for that party, therefore allegience is to the party and not truly the electorate. In effect the party leader will become President of the country, who selects his Executive Council and these are loyal cadres not necessarily the best person for the position. The party also has its structures by means of candidates nominated and elected by votes of the so called rank and file but in effect they are elected by means of party members and in the case of the ANC only loyalists are placed in these positions. So in the end the nomination of JZ is almost a certainty if these party members wish to be on the gravy train. While this is a very simple explanation in essence this is the present system. The elective conference in Mangaung (Bloemfointein) may still spring a surprise as many South Africans are wary of the present government not to mention how SA is viewed by other countries. Hope remains eternal for a better country for all its citizens.
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863. trevor van reenen | December 5, 2012 at 10:54 am

hi there someone mention martial arts,i joined the central gym in harrisson street in joburg i did karate under the watchful eye of stan schmidt,bob zager and mike lester.the black belt guys never ever looked down on us white belts but as we became black belts,we did the same.i then bought a book about kung fu which says that to become a good martiial artist you had to learn to breathe properly as they do in yoga. lucky for me my next door neighbour taught yoga,she taught me.i then found out what chi means,it is inner power.i still practice to this very day.i encourage all to try martial arts it is not about beating someone,but finding calm and enlightenment.rolf try punching a bean bag,it teaches you to hit a moving target and strenghthes your fist. have a lovely day trevor
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- 864. Rolf Maier | December 6, 2012 at 5:35 am
  
  Thanks for the insight Andrew.It just seems inevitable that SA will be stuck with the same regime.This country could be great if only the funds could be allocated and spent correctly.I am just hoping that the ANC membership will be weakened as the top structure are only looking after themselves and the younger memerbers are becoming aware of this.
  Thanx for the tip Trevor.I am still trying to find some guys on your list. So far I have Peter Buckleys cell number, perhaps he can give us some leads. Best regards
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  - 865. Rolf Maier | December 11, 2012 at 5:12 am
    
    Wow! the “Pac-man” down—–who would have thought? But as I alluded to earlier (without trying to sound too smug) Marques changed his training strategy and spent more time on plyometrics, strenght & speed training.In a nutshell, he knew he had to change and adapt if he wanted to win the fight and he did just that.That’s how we all progress.
    Regards Rolf
866. Michael Rossouw | December 11, 2012 at 6:06 am

I’m not sure the Pac-Man should have a rematch. He is also a member of Congress in the Philippine Government and perhaps he should now ‘fight’ for his people.If he ran for president , he’d probably win! He was floored and, by his own admission he acknowleged that Marques fought well. The whole of the Philippines I believe is in mourning, but who knows; Mannie is always game for a return match. He is still a great fighter, but one wonders whether he will make a comeback after this. His previous fight could have gone either way and was judged by some as a controversial win.
Then again, fights of this nature are ‘money spinners’ and I’m sure that a return match will probably take place.
You are right Rolf. In Boxing as well as many other things in life, we have to ‘change and adapt’.Keep well and keep writing.
(fr)Michael R
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867. trevor van reenen | December 11, 2012 at 12:57 pm

hi peter from down under,i have been watching the twenty/20 big bash tournament wow this is better than the ipl.i always like to see gibbs and the other south africans playing there.i look forward to the first twenty/20 against new zealand.hoe gaan dit trevor
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- 868. peter260539 | December 12, 2012 at 12:52 pm
  
  Hi Trevor. I tell you , the 20 Big bash tournament is a real must see, it’s cricket at it’s best….regards Peter.
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869. Michael Buckley | December 12, 2012 at 2:35 pm

Hi all you Pick and shovel Homies Michael Rossouw Brian Close Trevor and tons more I will try and be a good fellow and joinn in. I am still in touch with Dawn and Bev Hewitt . Would love to chat and get updates.
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870. trevor van reenen | December 12, 2012 at 5:24 pm

hi michael,good to hear from you wow do the memories come flooding back.i remember you from beaton and taylor house.could you please say hi to beverly hewitt from me i was in her class,i dont even know if she remembers me.hope to hear from you again trevor
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871. Michael Buckley | December 13, 2012 at 4:35 am

Hi Trevor Yes I will do that with pleasure My pick and shovel if you remember some of us drew in our Goggies badge at the time we were building the rockery in front of Beaton house going up to the pool.Your memory spot on I was Beaton 25 and Taylor 102 Mike Rossouw you also correct in that I went to Florida Park High after leaving the home. I think I am one of the lucky ones I only have fond memories,maybe cause I stood up for my self and dont remember being bullied and when I got 6 or 4 in my my heart I knew I had deserved it. Gosh we were boys Tough St Georges Boys
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- 872. Rolf Maier | December 13, 2012 at 5:38 am
  
  Hi Mike, I remember you and your brother Peter Buckley fondly.You were an excellent sprinter & swimmer.Peter was also an excellent swimmer and goalkepper.I also remember him pushing the shotput somewhere into the “distance”.But the vision that is “burnt” indelibly in my mind is that of Peter Buckley bouncing on a trampoline (all +/-100Kg’s) nimbly performing front & back somersaults!
  On a more humoures note, I recall that Peter had become quite friendly with the MHS Principal Mr. Johnson.No doubt because he was in the Office so much! One day he asked Johnson what he should do if a certian teacher keep pulling his ear? Johnson jokingly replied,”pull his ear back.The next day Peter Buckley was once more sent to the Office.Exasperated Johnson asked Peter”what have you done this time?” Peter Buckley replied “I pulled Mr. Durie’s ear” Mr. Durie was the Vice-Principle then!
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873. Michael Rossouw | December 13, 2012 at 5:52 am

Good to hear from you Michael after all these years. Trust you are well. I shall write again soon as i am snowed under with preparation for Christmas services, weddings and a funeral to conduct. Whoever said that priests only work on Sundays lied! Blessings Michael Rossouw.
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874. trevor van reenen | December 14, 2012 at 10:29 am

hi michael buckley did you know a guy named royden crawfordkhe was from taylor house why i ask ia myeelf and cris watson used to go to the purple maralade in hillbrow he was the co owner of the club.did you know of a guy named dennis erky idont know if i spelt his name right;he owned a club called middle of the earth opposite joubert park.he had a clothing shop in hillbrow called cristie and william grisselle was working for him.there was also a guy named donavan i dont know his secound name,he was in taylor house.did you know any of them.cheers trevor
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875. Joao Simoes | December 21, 2012 at 11:32 am

Good Day All

It’s been a while since my last addition the this blog. Well it is the almost the end of the year and more than likely the democratic South Africa. As you might well know the Association of Notoruis Criminals (ANC) have just wraped up their “democratic conferece” and again chosen a criminal as their leader. To all the liberals that left the country you will no doubt remember the previous comments on these very same pages suggesting that they did the right thing in critisizing the previous government. Maybe ,just maybe they had a point when they decided not to incorperate these idiots into the system. Judging from the moron who is still the leader they are going to have a reeducation minister who will be responsible for the reedcation of the detracters. This stinks of the systems used by the Nazis( Hitler Youth, concentration camps), Moa ( Culteral Revolution,little red book)and Stalin (Gulag system). I trust you will no doubt be very chuffed with yourselves.

This is not to offend anyone but facts are facts.

To all SGH lads out there have a very merry Christmas.

Cheers

Joao Simoes
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876. Joao Simoes | December 21, 2012 at 11:52 am

Trevor I too practiced martial arts , JKA to be specific. I graded Nidan at Sensei Stan’s club. I cannot whole heartedly agree with you concerning the treatment of all the instructors. I met Sensei Stan at a national championship and approached him wanting to know where he had got the jacket that he had on, he was very rude and did not even bother to either acknowledge me or answer me. Eddie Dorie was the instructor I had the most respect for as he always treated all students white belt through to black belt the same. Tough as nails but what a gentleman. I always tuaght students based on his principle. I was also very fortunate to met him and have him as a client at the dealership where I was the service manager.
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877. Clifton | December 28, 2012 at 10:26 am

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Reply
- 878. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 1, 2013 at 8:49 am
  
  California. 12.05am.
  
  Happy New Year to all St. Goggies Homeboys. May this be a year of peace, a year of change in the hearts of men, to renew a commitment to commonsense and compassion. As Andrew above said, it has been a tough year for everyone … all over the globe … though less for some, harder for most.
  
  I live in the land of the Big Green Giant who he is sick with decease and mad with power. His materialistic greed is feeding on all our energies and is really screwing up the world. The dollar and government bonds (Treasuries), are both looking like they will collapse and that spells peril for the world … and hard times come with that. But there is hope, people all over the globe are waking up, from a long, deep and self-satisfied slumber and are realizing that something is wrong with the world they have woken up in.
  
  The internet (like this forum) has provided us all with a wonderful means to communicate wirelessly with each other … instantly! So this message of hope and unity is spreading fast, both far and wide.
  People ARE coming together to put a stop to the destruction, both of the planet and of our well-being. We’re starting to get traction.
  
  Bitching (like I do) about it wont change a thing … and in South Africa, that’s a given … so, if you want change, be the change (as Gandhi once said). Get involved in the issues that affect your daily lives – don’t just write letters to the media … (they’re paid idiots) and use this forum and others you are members of, like Facebook etc, to share knowledge of what you are doing and what you have learned that is of practical value that can be utilized and shared to advance ideas or the well being of others.
  
  Obviously I’m doing it and I have been trying to engage you younger guys for some time to do the same … but you seem to prefer nostalgia and rugby as having the most merit for discussion … while the world crumbles around you. Brother’s, it’s far too late for fancy clothes, it’s time to pull on your working boots … if you want a sane and safe world for your children and grandchildren tomorrow.
  
  It’s the 11th. hour on the atomic clock and the New Year 2013 has just begun. Long live the Year!!
  Reply
879. trevor van reenen | December 31, 2012 at 12:44 pm

hi peter from down under have a happy new year,the rest of you guys out there have a happy new year where ever you are.love trevor
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880. Andrew Mackie | January 1, 2013 at 7:50 am

Well another year has passed and we are now into 2013, if we reflect back over 2012 it was not really a good year for South Africa and for that matter neither for the rest of the world. However life goes on and we the survivors must enjoy life. If there was one occassion I missed and would very much have loved to attend was the St Georges Old Boys Reunion. While, from seeing the names and photographs of the attendees, I did not see a single boy from my era at the home (1948-1952) it still would have been pleasurable to learn of their expieriences and events which are part of the St Goggies history. Well maybe next time, God willing. To finish it is my wish to all the old boys and their familes for a happy and wonderful 2013 where ever they now live in the world.
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- 881. Rolf Maier | January 2, 2013 at 5:37 am
  
  Hi everyone,
  My son Dylan Maier, who works for the Mail & Guardian Newspaper, says that my spelling is atrocious (I did not know he even read the blog).Anyway I will endeavour to be more mindful of my spelling.I know that some of us regard the “dipping” back to the past experiences in the Home as pure nostalgia, but I find it fascinating to hear how the ‘life experience’ has changed and shaped our characters. Some boys have exceeded all expectations while othes are still to reach their full potential.It is also interesting to compare how differently we experienced similar situations.I know it is very important to live for today and not to disregard reality, but we can also learn and grow from past experiences.
  Anyway,I hope all your wishes come true in this new year.
  Reply
  - 882. Rolf Maier | January 3, 2013 at 8:24 am
    
    On 4 May 1978, I was involved in “Operation Reindeer” the airborne asault on Cassinga 250Km into Angola.The battle was supposed to last 2 hours tops but 6 hours later we were still fighting and running out of ammo.A Cuban Battalion, complete with a tank, was making its way to the battleground while we were waiting to be airlifted.We only had one RPG rocket left and the guy done a stirling job in halting the tank.However the rest of the Cuban convoy was working its way around the stranded tank.Eventually the Helicopters were returning to collect the last of the troops still to be airlifted.We piled 25 strong into Choppers that should only take 16 troopers. The poor Choppers barely made it off the ground.At last we were “homeward” bound.When we arrived at the Base we had to :tree-aan”,commended for our brave fight and subsequently dismissed to bed-down for the night.As I was leaving the parade ground an Airforce troop pulled me aside and said that someone wanted to see me, pointing to a helicopter. When I arrived at the helicopter someone told me to climb in.There, sitting in a seat was Paul Hendricks! He was the Flight Sergeant on the helicopter.He reached into the side padding and pulled out a bottle and we had a good couple of shots.I was never happier seeing an Old Boy.
  - 883. Leslie DuPlessis | January 4, 2013 at 12:27 am
    
    Hi Rolf,
    Nice to read your comments. I remember you from the mid-sixties at Spackman House. We were “shares” for a while, which. if you remember, was sharing whatever goodies we got from visitors on Sundays.
884. trevor van reenen | January 3, 2013 at 12:39 pm

hi rolf we use to hear about the stories of the fighting in angola when i was in the air force in pretoria,i did not know you were part of it.i was told by someone that paul hendricks joined the air force.the most we did was jump off moving trucks.then i was sent down to ysterplaat air force base.i remember one night we had to stand duty at one o clock in the morning becuase the prime minister landed at our base.the strange thing is the guys knew me as sleepy joe,a name i got from pretoria base becuase i was always sleeping so they called me sleepy joe.this is the experiences we have been through and moulded the guys we are today.not so long ago we were told by a south american tribe that the world was coming to an end so the next day we went shopping at tesco and the guy at the till who i know said that we are not really here beccause we died the night before we just had a good laugh.just shows you how people get things so wrong.rolf please keep on blogging about the past and the present
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885. Rolf Maier | January 4, 2013 at 5:24 am

Hi Leslie,
I remember the “shares” arrangement well,Although I could not have contributed much. Was Neville Crole and Martin “Mutt” Matthews invovled aswell?
Hi Trevor,
I know that Paul Hendricks and Brian van Loggernburg got into some trouble at the Home and the only way they could leave was on the condition that they signed a 15 year contract to join the Permanent Force! They joined the Airforce and then tried all sorts of tricks to get out.Brain managed to get out but Paul served his full time and then stayed on.I am going to phone Brian and get the full story.
Cheers, Rolf
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886. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 5, 2013 at 10:32 am

http://billmoyers.com/2013/01/04/citizens-not-consumers-are-key-to-solving-climate-crisis/

In line with my comments about getting engaged in change in my last post, the link above is an Interview with Annie Leonard (not Lennox), who produced the documentary, The Story of Stuff and whom has now followed up with, The Story of Change.

She talks about solutions, not the problem. An interesting and informative read for everyone … and I hope, inspiring to some of you, if not all. DC.
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887. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 6, 2013 at 10:10 am

http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-ending-the-silence-on-climate-change/

… and finally, the most lucid and informative discussion I have ever heard on the subject, with Bill Moyers and made for TV scientist, Anthony Leisorowitz. A total education on climate change and it’s consequences, in a TV interview. I hope you all watch it. What is happening, affects all of of us. It’s not all doom and gloom, but it does take all of us to make a change … not someone else … there is no someone else but all of us.
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888. trevor van reenen | January 6, 2013 at 2:54 pm

hi dudley-claude,i have taken the time to watch this video you are talking about and thats before i watched the cricket.the one sentence that annie says is the truth in its meaning.the sentence is [ how the system is trashing the planet.you are right all is not doom and gloom.it depends who you put your trust in,through lies and deception people believe that man can solve this promblem.the question is who is greater god or man there lies your answer.i did not want to this because i do not preach that is the job of the church.well what i am saying is if you put your trust and faith in god you will succeed.when you put your trust and faith in god you will have nothing to lose and everything to gain.father michael rossouw would know more on the subject than i do.what i say is love defeats hatred.as i have said i do not preach.wisedom is a wonderful gift if you seek her.now i can get to watch the big bash.that is twenty/20 cricket.have a lovely day trevor
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889. Wendy Jones (Thompson) | January 7, 2013 at 12:37 pm

Hi Joao Good to see you ‘popping up’ again. Hope you are well. My email address has changed and is now wenders100@gmail.com.
Regards
Wendy Jones (Thompson)
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890. Leslie Duplessis | January 7, 2013 at 11:02 pm

Hi Rolf,
Regarding ‘shares’, I don’t recollect Mutt Mathews, but the name Lionel Crole rings a faint bell.
Unfortunately, I only have one photograph from my time at the Home, of Beaton House boys, and while the faces are familiar, the names elude me. I could send you a copy if you care to identify anybody.
My home email is lewisdesoto@gmail.com
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891. Rolf Maier | January 8, 2013 at 4:57 am

Hi Leslie,
I would be grateful if you could send me the photo. Unfortunately I can only use the computer at work to communicte and the e-mail address there is billyj@megabits.co.za.Sorry I’m not much of a “technocrat” so I don’t know how to create links.
Kind regards
Rolf
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- 892. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 8, 2013 at 6:00 am
  
  Hi Trevor,
  
  Thank you for taking the time to view and comment on Annie Leonard’s video before succumbing to the box and rugby. Your comment that the problem cannot be solved by man, only by God is at odds with the reality on the ground.
  
  God supposedly gave us free choice … to mess up or not to mess up and we chose to mess up … royally. Do you think it a fair request now, to ask God to clean up after us? When He made this planet, this world, after 6 days He said it was good and ever since then, He has entrusted us to look after it. But we had a party instead and trashed the place and we now want our Creator to become the janitor?
  
  God helps those who help themselves … and we are all of us those ‘themselves’, responsible for our future and the livability of this planet. There are no exemptions from our common liability.
  
  Perhaps the last video interview with the remarkable young scientist, Anthony Leiserowitz, might inspire you to really take another look at just how serious our ‘mess-up’ has become. We all need to stand up and do something to reverse it, not just sit around, hoping that God will take care of it before it is too late.
  
  Free choice means you are free to engage or not to engage, but don’t blame God when it becomes obvious, that the damage to our total environment has reached the point of no return. We can do something about it and we can do it now. Signing petitions might sound like minimum effort, but collectively, that adds up to a big voice to be heard in the halls of power. DC.
  Reply
893. trevor van reenen | January 8, 2013 at 3:11 pm

hi rolf,i remember lionel crole with such fondness.lionel used to have a 50cc suzuki,he had a accident which left him with tim with a leg problem.he has to use a c walking stick when he goes for a walk.the money he got from the accident he bought a house in malvern.we had a party there one weekend for mine and michaels brithday.what a party me,michael.desmond.lionel.neville,boetie easters.georgie wilson.walter burnett and kevin egling i will always hold that party close to my heart.i used to see lionel on many time where we always talked.when i was in yeoville i used to see malcom egling who i used to lovely talking to.he married a english girl.they were a lovely couple.what a wonderful humble person malcom was god bless him.i meet jeffery morris in yeoville who married a local girl iused to know his mother in law she was a lovely person.i met william grisselle in yoeville before i came over here he told me he was going to live in swissaland/i have met so many old home boys on my travels.cheers trevor
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894. trevor van reenen | January 9, 2013 at 12:05 pm

hi there,i muust apologise with my spelling.it should be william went to live in swizerland.i must ask have we lost michael buckley,i hope not.i must go and do some hillwork.cheers trevor
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- 895. Andrew Mackie | January 9, 2013 at 12:32 pm
  
  Trevor, all I can say is you must have bunked a lot of your English classes or maybe just did not learn. For all that your comments are most interesting, although you were long after I had left St Goggies in 1952.
  Keep it up !
  Reply
- 896. Michael Buckley | February 11, 2014 at 10:04 am
  
  Hey Trevor No I am still around I just don’t seem to get the notification emails.
  Reply
897. trevor van reenen | January 9, 2013 at 10:23 pm

hi andrew,you are so right.seems you have caught me out.i have never been to school and i have have never been taught how to speak the english language,as for spelling i dont know what that means.i iam so sorry that i have messed up your day by reading my blog,tomorrow i will go down to watchet and put a millstone around my neck and jump into the sea,i forgot to tell you i also can not read. ii have never worked a day in my life because of this, i have two children who i dont know who they belong to,so if you know who they belong to please give me aclue and i can return them to the rightful owners.please remember i cannot read,write or speak english.so i am sorry that i am a dumbass fool. how do you read my blogs when i cant speak english. know i can see why most of the old boys dont want to come on this site.this is only a blog not a english exam.you sound like a bitter old man so please get a bloody life. have a lovely day trevor
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- 898. Andrew Mackie | January 10, 2013 at 5:29 am
  
  Trevor, I am sorry you have taken my comment which was intended to be light hearted, in the manner you have responded. There were no insinuations what so ever, as to your ability to read or write the English language. What I did say is that your comments were interesting and I meant that sincerely. I am not sure what made you respond in the angry way you did but I think it not to be in the manner of comraderie intended for this blog. No I am not a bitter old man and I have a good life with my wife of 48 years marriage and 3 grown children and 8 wonderful grandchildren. Further will shortly be going to New Zealand to visit with my daughter and her family including 3 grandsons. Once again sincerely appologise if you feel offended.
  Reply
899. Rolf Maier | January 10, 2013 at 6:00 am

Hi Trevor,
Previously I commented on the “shares” agreement and my recollection of my involvement. However, I mentioned Neville Crole, Lionels younger brother.I know that Lionel and Boetie Easters were involved in a motorcycle accident. Lionel was the passenger and he hit his head on a lamp post.Those were the days before the compulsory wearing of helmets, Before the accident Lionel was very popular with the girls.He was about 3 years older than us and we liked to hang out with him for that reason.His mother stayed near Tooronga Station. My brother,Lionel and “Duckeymate” Jones were friends and we had Sunday lunch at Lionel’s house at times.There was a pretty girl named Dawn, from Queens High, who lived nearby and I always tried to walk past her house hoping to get a glimse of her. Anyway, after the accident Lionel was never the same,
I also experience a problem typing on this blog because if you type too fast it seems to skip letters.
Regards, Rolf
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900. Michael Rossouw | January 10, 2013 at 6:58 am

Hello and a happy New Year to all SGH Old Boys.
I have been silent over this time as I have been visiting my family in the Philippines.My parish were very generous and gave me a ticket to visit them. i have not seen them for almost nine months and to crown it all, their visas to join me in Canada have been denied by some nameless official in the embassy in Manila under some obscure and vague section of the Immigration act.
I undertstand from a fellow clergyman that Canada does not regard “priests” as a suitable profession necessary to the nation’s need for skilled employees. I guess i may have to get my teaching credentials evaluated, but I doubt that these will be acceptable as I trained some 40 years ago and anyhow, in the Canadian system, i shall be regarded as being past my ‘sell by’ date.
I am at a loss as to what to do next. An appeal to the Embassy in Manila will not fly as they regard the case as closed and their decision as ‘Final’. So much for Democracy and freedom of movement. It seems Filipinos (my wife and son are proudly so!) cannot go anywhere. My friends in the fellowship from the US cannot get visas for their Filipino wives ; I know some guys marry women from Thailand and other SE Asian countries and then ‘dump’ their wives when the honeymoon lustre has worn off, but why are we all ‘tarred with the same brush’. It seems if you do anything illegal to get into overseas countries (and there are many who do) that’s OK. try getting in legally and some obscure person behind some embassy desk makes these uninformed decisions.
I guess my occupation ‘priest’ doesn’t fly here in the Philippines as most priests are ‘catholic’ and unmarried.So I guess i shall have to change my occuption.How does ‘chief cook and bottle washer/handlanger’ sound
When we applied to go to South Africa I was told that my wife could come for an initial period ( unspecified) and that my son could come to RSA as he is registered as a child born of a South African parent outside the Republic. My step daughter of 4 cannot come, only as a visitor.I ask you haow am I supposed to keep my family together under these circumstances? (Half the Philippines has at least one family member working overseas as an “OFW” overseas foreign worker. The best export from the Philippines is its people. I believe a third of the national budget comes from this source!
And yet we read and hear stories of people North of Beit Bridge streaming over our now mostly unprotected border in droves , as RSA is still regarded as the ‘the promised land’ to those living to the north of us.
Who on earth makes these decisions as to “who’s in ” and “who’s not allowed in” into a country.
I fully understand that since “911” the World has changed , but really.
‘Paranoia rules OK’ it would seem.
I feel like a criminal every time I enter a bank in RSA or an RSAembassy abroad, and even feel like an unwanted citizen in the country of my birth because my wife is Asian and a foreigner and my little son a ‘half breed’!
To crown it all the Canadians want proof that my wife can support herself.One would have thought that being married to me that i would be her support; I am after all married to her and i am in Canada on a valid working visa and already there. (I do not as yet have permanent residence but I am in the process of applying for this, a long and outdrawn process) and yet there are stories of scams where some 50 people from the Middle east i believe, but i am open to correction here, all allegedly living at the same address, nogal, have acquired Canadian passports , yet have never set foot on canadian soil! How does this happen?Seems to me if you try to go the legal route, you get screwed! (Pardon my language.)

Anyhow, I leave this all in God’s Hands and continue to be faithful where He has placed me.Perhaps there is a purpose in all of this.
All I know is that it is now more difficult to leave my family and return. There are no job prospects for me in RSA. I am’ too male, too pale’ but hopefully not ‘too frail’.
My wife has no education as she was forced to leave school after the death of both of her parents. Her family are small rice farmers and fishermen. How does one “prove” one’s income when one works in the ‘informal’ sector such as those of my wife’s family?
She has also been a full time “homemaker” given that we have two small kids.I just don’t get it.

Trevor, please keep writing. I enjoy your input immensely.
Like you, I only found my feet in terms of my writing and spelling once I’d left school. I only learnt to read with understanding once I’d left the home and was forced to read for my College papers.
(I also had to write that dreaded matric exam 3 times before I passed and then it was by the skin of my teeth.)
It was only through caring teachers like Ma Kirky, Ma Noakes, Ep Cheyne and Eugene Wright (nee Braun) that was encouraged to do my best that i persevered. I was no great scholar, and having worked in the literacy field with READ, putting literacy programmes and reading programmes into township schools, I have nothing but admiration for those who have the courage to write what they feel , errors and all. The education system in which we grew up did not really cater for those of us who had”special educational needs.”
(I was in the adaptation class for my 1st few months at Malvern)
Sadly those boys in the home who went to schools like Edith Hinds,John Mitchell and other ‘special’ schools were ridiculed at the Home. And Guess which guys made it in this world, some now owning their own businesses and who have done extremely well , those who went to these and other specialist schools and tecnical schools.
Trevor, knowing Andrew as i do, i do not believe he was writing to offend you in any way.You have done remarkably well considering what you have been through. You have done wonders as a ‘single father’ for your children and from what you write, i can see you are a man of faith. Remember that the few of us who do write on this site have a very special bond which goes back a very long time.
I for one am very grateful for the job St George’s did for me.
reading your experiences makes me realise how unique this “Band of Brothers” indeed is.
Even my dear friend, ecologist, earth lover and cause fighter Dudley Pringle acknowledges this.
yes Dudley, we do in a world very different from the one in which we grew up and it is important that we are aware of the issues facing our world and planet.
I dont like it when I get hounded by banks for the few bucks I’m overdrawn on my account and yet the bankers can be bailed out by the taxpayers and still pay themselves fat bonuses! Yes even here in canada the government is “selling off” parts of Canadian oilfields to the Chinese and encroaching on ancestral lands of the First nation peoples to make a fast buck, supposedly to the benefit of all Canadians.(Alas I ramble on!)
I hope I shall be forgiven for my rantings against the Harper Government, but i am a guest in a foreign country, a son from the “White Tribe” of Africa but I am feeling that I do not belong anywhere.( There are times when i feel i am an ‘outsider’ even in the life of the Church!)
St George’s may be gone as we knew it, but most of us are grateful for the friendships we made and the experiences we had in our time there. St George’s also taught us to appreciate our environment and to care for our World, socially, politicalIy, financially and environmentally. It did instill in each of us , one hopes, a sense of justice to fight against oppression, to speak out against injustice and to recognise those values which determine right from wrong in our world.

I shall be travelling back to Canada this weekend. please keep me and my family in your prayers.Leaving my son in order that I can do the work to which I have been called,and to support my family, is harder now than it has ever been to do before.I have had a lovely time bonding with my son especially.
Perhaps it is time this ‘Boerseun”‘ came home, but as I’ve said before, i’m not sure where ‘home’ is now as I have been away for soo long now.
Till next time, God be with you!
Michael R (1961-1967)
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- 901. Andrew Mackie | January 10, 2013 at 10:36 am
  
  Hello Michael, let me take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for 2013. To say the least your news on the difficulties you have experienced over the past is sad and disheartening especially due to the bureaucracy of officials. We can only hope and pray in the end sensibilities will prevail.
  Like you I am grateful for my time at St Georges which was my haven for 5 years and SOE Childrens Home prior to that time where I was placed at the age of four. Life after leaving St Goggies was not easy having to live with an alcoholic father who did not care or know a thing about parenting. However as I have previously stated my life was my own to do with as I wanted, which was to study hard to uplift my standards and set goals to achieve. I think with the help of my lovely wife have done so and in so doing travelled the world as a senior executive to enhance and build companies who today employ many people in South Africa.
  The thing I miss the most is seeing my grandsons growing up as they emmigrated to New Zealand some 6 years ago due to the policies of our present government which made it almost impossible for white males to find employent. We have over the past years visited twice and will shortly be embarking on another trip to NZ. However my 4 granddaughters are still here and we have family lunches every week, where my son and I are outnumbered 7 to 2, so guess who rules.
  Finally thank you for your support with Trevor in that no offence was meant in my blog to him.
  All the very best and pray all your troubles will be resolved in the short term.
  Reply
902. Rolf Maier | January 10, 2013 at 2:33 pm

Hi Father Micheal, sorry to hear about your distressing experience. Perhaps it is time to come back “home”.I think you would be the perfect candidate for a teaching position at Bishop Bavin School! I also agree with you that the “disadvantaged” and naughty boys seem to be good at running their own busunesses. Perhaps it is because they are not averse to taking risks. I am also studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, but still have to complete my practicals. There has been a lot of talk of revising education opportunties so as to relieve the current pressure on Universities,especially concentrating on Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges.So theoretically there will be a shortage of teachers, But your brother David would know better.
I still believe that RSA is a land of opportunities and if we get our act together we can achieve much. Anyway it would be great to have you back.
Best regards as always.
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903. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 13, 2013 at 4:25 am

Father Michael, dear brother, your news is most distressing and in light of how much you have already suffered … I must assume that the good Lord has a clear purpose for your ordeal. It certainly sounds like a trial by fire … and as some say, the hotter the fire the purer the steel … so let the flame of your faith be sustained by the breath of God.

No one knows better than you what your options are and none of us can offer more than our love and sincere wishes for your safe passage through this inferno of trial. As St. Goggies was Anglican faith based, I assume that you are ordained in it. Here in USA, Anglicans are known as Episcopalians as is Father Blane. Have you discussed the possibilities with him for opportunities to transfer here?
Although, as you well know, faith here is a very strange beast and more often than not, it is tied to the capitalist dollar and the convenience of politics so dependent on the status quo.

The plus side is that the Philippines was once an American territory after they wrested it from the hands of the Spaniards, and we have an enormous Philippino population living here who are very much respected for their ethics and hard-working ethos. So I am sure you would have a better chance of bringing your family here than just about anywhere … excepting maybe a few South American countries.

I am tempted to start a petition online through Avaaz.org, to bring your plight to light amongst the justice seekers of the world, who follow and support just such situations as yours. Would that compromise or exacerbate your situation in Canada?
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904. trevor vav reenen | January 15, 2013 at 1:12 pm

hi andrew,i apologise for the blog that i did,i was out of order.can you see in your heart to forgive me.yours faithfully trevor.
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905. trevor vav reenen | January 15, 2013 at 1:55 pm

hi there every one,father michael i cannot say anythhig to you in your hour of need that will give you comfort,but please let me say thiis from the bottom of my heart.in your hour of need you and your flamily will never be alone.i have tears in my eyes as i blog this to you.god bless you and your family at this difficult time.love trevor
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906. Rolf Maier | January 15, 2013 at 3:40 pm

Hi Leslie Dup
I take it that the photo you are referring to is the one in the Photo Album of Beaton House in the early 60’s.I only joined the Home in 1964 so the photo was taken before then.I see that Michael Buckley has filled in a few names,but I can add some.
At the back next to the Housemaster is Michael Maddoxs, back row, right at the end is TREVOR VAN REENEN and to his right is “Bulldog” Venter.Next to you (Leslie) is Desmond Rossouw and next to him is “Fatty Bloomfield (I think).
Second row at the back, starting with Herbst:6th from the left is Georgie Wilson, then unknown, then Brian von Loggernberg & Micheal Rossouw and second from the end is Michael Coyle.
3rd row, 3rd from the left is Chris Fourie, then Golden,unknown,Johnny Stewart, unknown, John Venter, Billy Moore.
In the front row extreme left is Danny Pearce & extreme right is”Bat” Cuthbert.
Hope it helps.
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- 907. Les Duplessis | January 20, 2013 at 9:08 pm
  
  Thanks for filling in some more of the names, Rolf. I appreciate it.
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908. Andrew Mackie | January 16, 2013 at 10:17 am

Hi Trevor, Many times we all feel insulted by comments albeit in jest made by others, and maybe this is a case in point.Now it is water under the bridge and we must move on. No need to apologise for your blog as I am sure it was written in the heat of the moment. I have learnt a lesson in my old age that sometimes my sense of humour does not appeal to every person and will try and curb this tendency. Please do continue with your news and stories as they make for good reading and in many cases memories of the years spent at St. Georges Home.
Kindest regards,
Andrew
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909. trevor vav reenen | January 16, 2013 at 8:13 pm

hi andrew,i ask you this from the bottom of my heart,please dont change.i want the andrew that you are not a different andrew.the time i have with you guys is priceless.your loving friend trevor.
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910. trevor vav reenen | January 16, 2013 at 9:37 pm

hi there you guys,now i was living in pope street bellevue on top of the hill.i used to get visiits from paul de lange,cris watson,billy moore and my bother in law george who always kept in touch with us.so one saturday george drops by and asks me if i would like to watch his team play so i say ok.the kids are with their friends and my mom was watching tv.so i think they are playing in the joburg area.now george plays for moroka swallows and they are playing orlando pirates.so we driving along and i look at him and isay i know where we are going,he says where and i say to soweto.he says yes do i mind.i look at him and ok.so we get to the stadium and go inside,i look up wow i have never seen so many africans in one place it was jam packed.i was asked if i wanted to sit on the team bench.again i look up at all these people.again i say wow.the moroka fans call me to come and sit with them.i think ok.now i am sitting with them,it must of look so strange one white in vast crowd of people.they treated me with such love and respect.they bought me everything.i did not want for anything.i did feel a bit apprehensive at first.but i really did enjoy that game they drew 2-2.what i will never forget how they made me feel at home with them. all my love trevor
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- 911. Andrew Mackie | January 17, 2013 at 6:41 am
  
  Trevor, what you experienced at that time still exists today, the majority of Blacks in this country are friendly and peace loving. Unfortunately, we have rogue elements who are arrogant and demand to have everything they desire without paying or working for a living. They believe South Africa and in particular the whites owe them for happenings of the past. In my working life I treated every member of staff with the respect of their position be it cleaner or artisan to supervisor and manager and was given this in return by all my employees. I cannot say I knew every person by name but in passing through workshop, warehouse or office would stop and talk to any member on an equal basis.
  The problems facing this country are numerous and will not be solved easily as too many still live in dire poverty and lack any skills due to poor education partly a legacy of the past but also one of ambition to help themselves and live on handouts by way of government grants. Government has erred in that they made promises of a better life for all but this has not materialised as the garden of Eden only exists for those in the governing party. Till such time as education is improved and skill development programs are in place we will not be a true Rainbow nation.
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912. Rolf Maier | January 17, 2013 at 5:28 am

Hi Trevor
I know exactly what you are saying. On the Jhb Municipality they had formed soccer teams in each Department and I was the only white player.The team work, support and encouragement for each player was unbelievable. Although, they do tend to take it too seriously.Sometimes we are too quick to judge others and it is only when you become involved on a different level that you gain insight into a different culture.As some say, “a truth is sometimes only discovered (or appreciated) once it is pointed out to you”.
Regards Rolf
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913. trevor vav reenen | January 18, 2013 at 2:05 pm

hi there you guys,rolf i wish you all the success in studing for your post graduate diploma in eduction.i have a news channel here called E nca which is in johannesburg.i watched the eduction minister talking about the matric results.i dont want to to sound vicious,but does this lady actually know what she is doing?if she does not she is playing around with these peoples future.i heard a story about the school where the teachers were failling to teach the pupils properly,so they were failling.so there are two white teachers who want to teach them on a saturday for free to help them raise there grades.all the teachers of the school say they will not come in unless they get over time pay.what future and opportunities will these pupils have with this attitude.it is heart breaking that these pupils want to learn but they dont have the right teachers who actually know how to teach.as i say rolf i wish you success in this venture because they desperately need people like you to help.god bless you,trevor
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914. Andrew Mackie | January 19, 2013 at 5:26 am

Trevor, I acknowledge your blog was sent to Rolf but cannot resist a response, as this is a subject close to my heart. The so called Minister of Basic Education is a disgrace to our country and always in denial when thing go wrong. Our education system is in a shambles and has been so for the past few years, the ciriculum has changed several times and teachers in many schools are ill trained if at all. Teachers are allowed to go on strike and did so in the past at crucial times prior to matric exams. Many years ago Teacher training colleges were closed down therefore to obtain a teaching certificate had to attend a general type of college, whereas I believe teaching to be a specialized vocation with understanding of childrens and education needs. Just to relate a story of my own, my eldest grandson, now in New Zealand had extreme difficulty with mathematics and one of accounting. The family then moved to NZ and he attended a government sponsored school and due to his inability to grasp the subjects mentioned it was decided to hold him back instead of startng grade 12 he was placed in grade 11. Six months later he was promoted to grade 12 and successfully completed his matric with univarsity entance. He was also top of his class in maths and accounting. An amazing outcome and this due to a better method of teaching and dedicated tutors. He attended Auckland Uni studying accountancy as a main, today he is employed by one of the largest banks in a very responsible position and still studying with the bank paying his fees and they have taken over his student loan. My other 2 grandsons are also doing exceedingly well at school and univarsity. This highlights your point on teachers knowing how to teach and with understanding and empathy.
Regards,
Andrew
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915. Michael Rossouw | January 19, 2013 at 7:52 am

Dear Trevor,Andrew and all other interested Old boys,
When OBE came out shortly after my departure from RSA for personal , not political reasons,I went through a training course which was suppose to get us all trained in this new method of teaching.
Quite frankly for me, OBE was in effect “a rose by any other name.” When I trained at JCE in the early 1970’s we were trained to use group methodologies, inquiry based learning , and to encorage independent thinking in the minds of our students.
OBE basically had the same results in mind, but was a total failure because our good teachers had been “paid off” in order to make way for teachers who previously had been denied posts in the Whites only schools. Many of these teachers were ill prepared for the challenge, and some many teaches who took the Dept’s “package” were recalled to the classroom in so called “Governing Body” posts .Also Educators (teachers) did not receive promised materials, textbook deliveries were late (if they ever were delivered at all!) and quite frankly, it was a shambles.OBE was later ‘modernised/adapted’ again after authorities found that it wasn’t working and was eventually scrapped.(Perhads my brother Dave can enlighten us all as to what the situation is now, but many educators themselves just simply found it too daunting a task to teach this stuff, with an overloaded curriculum, few resources and overcrowded classes.)
Matric results in the better schools (mostly formerly ‘whites only’ schools) and now totally integrated schools, do well, with dedicated teachers and equally dedicated students working really hard, but in the schools which still remain ‘disadvantaged’ despite out new dispensation, these remain very much in the same condition in which they were under Apartheid, inadequately staffed, over crowded and under resourced.
The big mistake our leaders made was to close all the old Teacher Training colleges, my own alma mater JCE included. They were replaced by Univeristy type teacher training,which whilst being of eccellent in quality, was not the form of teacher training for everyone.Some of my best colleagues who taught with me were the two year and three year diploma qualified teachers, who were dedicated to their profession and who gave their utmost to their students.Even in my time as a teacher in the old Transvaal Education department, many who were “university graduated” teachers used to look down their noses at people like us who were ‘Teacher Training College diploma ‘ qualified.Yet many of us were able to achieve results from our students because we knew how to facilitate learning and not be so ‘text book ‘ orientated.I also believe that most of us cared about our students and wanted them to do well and indeed encouraged them to do well.
I am probably being too unkind here towards my University Graduate colleagues, but in my experience teaching in the 1960’s and 70’s this was the case.
My brother Dave, for whom I have the highest regard as an educator, could probably add something more positive in this regard and I hope he will do so, as his experience is probably more in line with what is going on at present.Perhaps Owen Thomas can also add to this blogg. Dave is the head of Sekgolo Bokgoro (I hope I have the name right) an NGO type private school in Randburg which is (at times!) corporately funded and Owen is Headmaster of St Dunstan’s, I believe. The big companies these days I understand will spend millions on machinery and technology for company operations, but are ‘prudent’ when it comes to sponsoring educational and training projects. Again I am open to correction here, but I know from bitter experience that obtaining funding from corporations for educational projects these days needs clearly written proposals so that corporate funders will ‘buy in ‘ to the project using their social responsibility funds.
Sadly, most parents who are anxious about their children’s education can only resort to private and international schools.This they do at a tremendous sacrifice to their own lifestyles as my brother John can vouch for. His son Dilon has just completed his BSc “cum laude” at Wits in subjects which we know nothing about, and names of which we mortals cannot comprehend, such is the change in the education system in the sciences in particular.
As a child, John’s son was labelled as having ‘special needs’ by his government school. His caring teachers in his private school encouraged him, and the rest is History.( “Kyk hoe lyk hy nou!” His parents are indeed justly very proud!)
Matric as we knew it in our generation was very different and not for those who could not make the grade. I had to write matric three times and only achieved a school leavers’ certificate which did not entitle me to enter university, something which thwarted my own educational aspirations for years.
I was labelled what would be classed today as a ‘special needs’ student and only learnt to read with understanding once I’d left school. I only learnt to write a fairly decent and comprehensible essay once I was at college and had to do so in order to pass.
When I look at what our schools achieved, and I include many of the township schools, from the Apartheid era here, we were blessed with some miracles, educationally speaking, against all odds.
A ‘one size fits all’ education system does not apply in this day and age, but sadly, from what I have seen about education in our country, many are still left behind in a system which really needs a radical overhaul to cater to the needs of all our citizens.Not everyone has to go to university. I believe it’s still hard to get a decent plumber, builder or mechanic to do small jobs in particular in RSA. Those who are in these trades don’t come cheap as i’m sure many of you will vouch for.But they are the guys coining the big bucks because they have these skills.I so wish I had taken a vocational route in my own education. That would probably have enabled me to be more useful. I still have difficulty changing a light bulb or fixing a plug to an iron for example!
The guys who left with the old Standard 8 certificate had many options open to them career wise, and indeed made a success of their lives in their chosen profession or trade.
Sadly today’s so called “Matric” does not necessarily fulfil everyone’s educational needs, neither does it really equip students for higher education and for the skillds South Africa needs to become a real player on the world stage in terms of wealth and job creation.The system does not equip them for the needs of the country as a whole. The only “wealth creation” that is being made is by those in government who are enriching themselves at our expense! Many of The poor who were poor in 1994 are still poor and no better off than they were under Apartheid.

I hope my brother Dave responds to this. I may be wrong in my assumption, but I often wonder whether some of our South African matriculants from ordinary government schools would cope with the curriculum of the International Baccalaureate (IB) now required as an entrance to many overseas universities.The IGCSE and GSE are being overhauled in Britain to bring about the “English baccalaureate” and American universities require ‘Advanced Placement’ courses to enable them to enter “College”.Some colleges also require the IB as an entrance to university. Then again, my assessment may be flawed as America’s 10 richest men either never went to college or went to college and ‘dropped out’, and yet still made a success of their lives.But our country also needs technical skills and in my view our education system doesn’t meet these needs.
The technological revolution has really changed education.
My little son, now two and a half, knows exactly where to find his cartoons on Youtube on his Mom’s ‘Apple’ Ipad, and like many, he knows that Apple isn’t the name of a piece of fruit!
Perhaps he won’t struggle in the classroom as his Dad did.
My belief is that if you cant read you’ve had it. If the people as a whole cant read (and read with understanding) we as a people have had it! On the positive side everyone can succeed if they put their minds to it. Everyone does have the opportunity to get the best education possible under our new dispensation.But the playing field may need to be levelled again. Certainly only the fittest survive in a very competitive society.We can only hope that our leaders will wake up and do something to put things right.
South Africa is a wonderful country, but until our education system is drastically overhauled, crime tackled and solved, and jobs created for our young people , we will not be as competitive as the emerging economies of coutries like China, India and other emerging markets in developing countries.
Cheers for now.
Michael R.
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- 916. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 19, 2013 at 9:13 am
  
  ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’ – Albert Eistein.
  
  Like many of you, I came to St. Goggies from the wreck of a family destroyed, by my father’s premature death in an engineering accident and my 28 year old mother’s inability to cope with 4 children and the loss of the love of her life. She died as an alcoholic at age 46.
  
  Despite the deprivations, I was a bright student … top of my class through Standard 6 (then Form 1), but dropped out the very next year from serious participation in study. I escaped my reality via fantasy and imagination, inspired to read by Vera Kirkland and the world of Shakespeare that she exposed me to and spent the last three years of high school writing plays, poems and songs (‘though I could not sing two notes in tune). I left half way through my second year in Std. 9 with a Std 8 certificate. Zero education thus!
  
  Though I regret it now that I did not complete my education … I found however, that Einstein was right. Imagination is the most powerful force in the human psyche. You can learn anything, if you are excited to know it. Without wanting to know something, you will learn nothing about it … no matter who is teaching it. If you are not excited to learn, education is worthless.
  
  Cultivate your imagination and you will learn the secrets of the Universe. All you have to do is dare to explore the possibilities that you imagine. I’m 70 now and although not rich, I have had a rich and exciting life since leaving school. I have lived and worked all over the world and have built several companies, launch numerous products into the commercial markets (and about to do it again) and remain excited by the possibilities that still lie ahead of me.
  
  So what is education … if it is just a set of curricular and tests … that only challenge your memory retention for a few hours? Knowledge may be power … but Imagination is the driver of progress. Combine the two and you can be a Master of the Universe.
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917. Michael Rossouw | January 19, 2013 at 7:59 am

Please pardon my “typos”in my last post. I wrote this rather hurriedly. MichaelR
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918. Frank Pearse (now Wingate-Pearse) | January 19, 2013 at 11:45 am

HELLO EVERYONE. WHAT A GREAT SURPRISE TO COME ACROSS THIS SITE. I AM FRANK PEARSE (NOW WINGATE-PEARSE) AND WAS AT ST GEORGES FROM 1948 – 1955 OR ’56, IN BEATON HOUSE NO. 111. I DID NOT KNOW MY FULL SURNAME AND FOUND OUT AFTER FINDING MY FATHER (MY MOTHER DIED WHEN I WAS 8) AND BROTHERS THROUGH AN APPEAL IN THE SUNDAY TIMES, WHICH TOOK JUST ONE DAY – AFTER ALL THE YEARS IN ORPHANAGES AND NOT KNOWING WHERE THEY WERE.!

I WAS INITIALLY PUT INTO ST. PETER’S IN PRETORIA AT THE AGE OF 4 FOR A WHILE AND THEN TAKEN OUT BY MY MOM FOR A PERIOD A COUPLE OF YEARS THEN PLACED INTO A HOME IN MALVERN, NATAL IN ABOUT 1945. AFTER THAT I WAS AT ST MARTINS, DURBAN FROM, ABOUT 1946 – 1948. WHILE IN ST. MARTINS I HAD A BAD BICYCLE ACCIDENT AND AFTER COMING OUT OF HOSPITAL I WAS PUT INTO AN OLD AGE HOME TO RECOVER AND THEN TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN NATAL AS I WAS CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL BECAUSE I HAD TAKEN THE WRONG BIKE BY MISTAKE! I WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO ST. GEORGES IN JULY 1948 WHILST THEY WERE HAVING THEIR JULY CAMP AT UMBOGINTWINI.

AFTER LEAVING ST GEORGES I WORKED AS A CINEMA PROJECTIONIST.
I THEN DID MY APPRENTICESHIP AS A MOTOR MECHANIC.

I JOINED SAFMARINE AT ABOUT 28 AND WENT TO SEA ND DID SEVERAL TRIPS TO JAPAN WORKING IN THE ENGINE ROOM, WHICH WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

I MARRIED AT AGE 31 AND HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO LIVES IN ALBERTON AND MY SON WHO LIVES IN UK. MY DAUGHTER HAS GIVEN ME TWO LOVELY GRAND-DAUGHTERS.

MY MARRIAGE ENDED AFTER 13 YEARS.

I THEN SPENT SEVEN YEARS OR SO ‘RAZZLING’ – DURING WHICH TIME I LEARNED BALLROOM AND LATIN DANCING, WHICH I STILL DO.

I AM NOW 74, LIVING IN TROYEVILLE, JOHANNESBURG WITH MY PARTNER OF 22 YEARS, LYN AND 2 CATS.

I RETIRED 6 YEARS AGO, AFTER CLOSING MY MECHANICAL BUSINESS AND THANKFULLY I AM STILL VERY FIT, WE GO TO GYM 3 TIMES A WEEK, AM DABBLING IN GROWING ORCHIDS AND BONSAI AND ENJOY GARDENING GENERALLY, ALSO GROWING VEGGIES AND HERBS. WE HAVE RENOVATED SEVERAL OLD PROPERTIES SINCE MY RETIREMENT. I AM ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF RETIREMENT AND WISH THE DAYS WERE LONGER – NO TIME TO SIT AND WATCH TV WITH FEET UP – I ENJOY KEEPING BUSY.

I MET UP WITH RICHARD ‘SHORTY’ BEHRENS SOME YEARS BACK WHO WAS ALSO AT ST. GEORGES AND HE CAME TO MY 60TH BIRTHDAY, BUT HAVE LOST CONTACT WITH HIM SINCE.

I REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE: – PETER & WINSTON DE REUK, EDDIE THOMAS, THE REKAS BROTHERS GEORGE & TONY, THE LANCASTER BROTHERS, OZZIE CURRAN (ROSEBUD) (SPATMAN), ERNEST BEHR (SPATMAN) MR ROBERTSON (TAYLOR), BOET SYMES (SIMPSON) BERNY MOSS (SPATMAN) HEAD MR SHORT & DAUGHTERS ALISON & JANET, EDWIN & RONALD JAMES, PERCY CRONK, STEVEN FERREIRA, BOBBY LOGAN, GLIBERY (TAYLOR) THE FRANKLIN BROTHERS. HARRY FISHER, MICHAEL DE KOCK, EDWIN BEVERLY, DOUGLAS STEEL (TOK) – TAYLER, MR CAPENER (THE BUG) HOUSEMASTER, ROY HART, RONALD HOLLAND (DUTCHIE) OLIVER MENNIE, KEN HARPER – MASTER SIMPSON HOUSE AROUND 1948/49 AND SADLY PASSED AWAY, FRANK BUCKLEY – BEATON HOUSE. MR LOURIE STEVENS – OUR BOXING COACH.
THERE WAS ALSO DENIS STYER WHO SADLY COMMITTED SUICIDE IN THE ‘70’S AND ALSO HIS BROTHER RAYMOND, WHO WHEN LAST I HEARD, IS LIVING IN JHB.

I HAVE NO REGRETS HAVING SPENT MY CHILDHOOD IN THE VARIOUS HOMES AND HAVE MEMORIES OF LOTS OF FUN, FRIENDSHIPS AND EVEN STABILITY THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES IF I HAD STAYED WITH MY MOM, WHO WAS AN ALCHOLOLIC AND MY FATHER, WHO WAS OVERSEAS DURING THE WAR AND WHO EVENTUALLY ALSO HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM.

I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO GO TO THE NEXT REUNION, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THIS WILL BE.
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- 919. Andrew Mackie | January 20, 2013 at 5:18 am
  
  Hi Frank,
  How wonderful it is to open this blog and read of an old boy from my era at St Georges (1948-1952) while I do not recall you personally, some of the names do ring a distinct bell.Rev. Jack Short was headmaster of the home, Bernie Moss was my housemaster in Spackman House, Ernest Behr was a senior in Spackman. A name which I had almost forgotten is Ozzie Curran till reading your Blog. I wonder how many know the reason for his nickname which I think was a great embarrasment to him and no doubt his elders made great fun of him. Boet Symes was my housemaster when I first entered SGHB, all young boys up to a certain age were placed in Simpson House, some years later moved to Spackman to join my brother where I remained till my departure at end of 1952. Like you no regrets at having been institutionalized from age four, in fact the only real regret I have is not completing my schooling to matric while a St Georges Home boy. Please keep writing as I am sure it will help to revive memories of our past.
  
  Andrew Mackie
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- 920. peter260539 | February 4, 2013 at 8:53 am
  
  Hi Frank, good hearing from you ….How are you?….so many, many years sinse we last saw each other ie 1955. I now reside in Australia , live with my eldest daughter. Am now leading a pensioners life at the tender age of 74……Repeat…so good reading your post….regards Peter derEUCK.
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921. Michael Rossouw | January 19, 2013 at 12:27 pm

Dear Frank
Good to hear your story.It’s certainly a remarkable one! Although I am not from your era at St George’s I recognise many of the names you mention;Robbie Robson, Boet Symes,Harry Fisher,Ernie Behr, “Bug” Capener, Bernie Moss and the Lancaster Brothers.I was at the Home during the 1960’s so you would have been gone long before I arrived. Many of the “bloggs” here make facinating reading and I hope you’ll be able to find many of your contemporaries when they write. Like you, I have only fond memories of my stay in St George’s and no real regrets to speak of.There is also a Malvern High site on facebook as well as a St George’s Home site, but I think many who write there may not be from your era. Search through and see if you find anyone who may remember you personally.
‘Good to hear from you.I remember Troyville very well. I lived there for a short while and I also used to have to attend weekend army parades there at the old Troyville high school.I was an officer in the East Park Commando Regiment there, but alas, I spent more time drinking after those parades than anything else.I am sober n for some years now. I am now an Anglican priest in Canada but I do get to South Africa from time to time. ‘haven’t managed to get there for 4 years now but my youngest daughter turns 21 this year in August so I may visit.Keep in touch.
Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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922. trevor vav reenen | January 21, 2013 at 1:04 pm

hi michael,andrew thank you both for your bloggs.it seems to me that eduction is both dear to your hearts.please can i tell you both what i heard this morning.frist let me say that this was said by a a african professor from the university of the free state.his name is professor jonathan janson,this is his statement.i am ashamed of south africa,its an absolute disgrace that you can pass matric with a mark of 30 percent.[ eduction minister angie] motshekga is making a giant mistake by boasting about the matric pass rate. its an absolute disgrace.i now understand what both of you are saying.but how do you correct this problem when the ANC are hell brent on distroying this wonderful country.this is ignorance and arroance at its best only the peoplle who they rule suffer.oneday they will ask the whites to help and they must stop using the race card.cheers trevor.
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923. Rolf Maier | January 22, 2013 at 5:25 am

Hi Trevor,
Thanks for the encouragement. I am not very bright and learning does not come easy to me. I think therein lies my strenght in that over the years i have learnt short-cuts and easier ways to learn.The Outcomes Based Education(OBE) is a good concept, but only on paper .The taditional way of learning was a teacher oriented,content based system.The task was to convey certian information(usually a textbook) and the learner had to reproduce this information, unchanged in tests & examinations. In the OBE curriculum, the emphasis is on producing independent thinkers who are actively involved in their own learning. The teacher is more of a mediator and has to be aware that learners are diverse and learn in different ways. The teacher (they like to use the word educator now) must then adapt the teaching strategy to suit the students learning style.Unfortunately the system is based on WILLING teacher, WILLING leaner.There is also great confusion on what,how and when to asses and what assessment criteria to use.The Education Deartment themselves cannot give the correct guidance. Coupled with mismangement, this is the usual recipe for disaster.
When I worked for the East London Muniipality there was never enough money for resources yet at every meeting the tables were piled high with food and drinks.The officials would sleep through the meeting and then stampeed the tables.They would pile their plates full and try and squeese an extra meatball on top. They would scoff down the first plate ad return for seconds. Not to mention the food they stuffed into their pockets, Viva South Africa!
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924. trevor vav reenen | January 23, 2013 at 12:41 pm

hi dudley claude leslie,i have been on this site and i have read about angus maddison:enough is enough. then there is DIRTY WARS:NEW FILM EXPOSES HIDDEN TRUTHS OF COVERT U. S WARFARE and NOAM CHOMSKY ON AMERICAN EMPIRE. and their is so much more.thanks for the site.cheers trevor.
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925. trevor vav reenen | January 23, 2013 at 1:07 pm

hi rolf,don’t sell yourself short.their is a saying every journey starts with the first step.so i say you go for it mate.do you remember any of these guys.raymond paphitis,michael browne,marny swanapoel,allie van zyl and richard bergsteed.have you heard of anything of michael hendricks.cheers trevor.
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926. Rolf Maier | January 24, 2013 at 3:37 pm

Hi Trevor
The only guy that that I see quite often is Gavin Brister. Him and Josh Paphits became fitters & turners together. However, Gavin has also lost contact with Josh and is trying to trace him now.I think Richard Bergsteed died many years ago while still young.Mike Hendricks I saw often when I still played soccer, even during “veterans” games. The only other news I have is that Gavin mentioned that Timothy Kemertgoglu became the youngest person ever to head Siemens globally.
Trevor,you should try using Malic Acid on a daily basis.It is a lesser known fact, but cyclists use it to block lactic acid build up.It is also used extensively to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndome.
Enjoy your training!
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927. trevor vav reenen | January 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm

hi rolf,i remember gavin brister from talyor house.in fact he used to call me bat becuase i was a bit short sighted.when i think about it i all ways laugh.the last i saw of josh is when i went to a meeting at yeoville school where i bumped into josh because both our kids were going to.we had a good catch up.that was a good night to see josh after all these years.i would also come in to contact with terry kourie and nils grobin,i don’t know if i spelt his name right.do you remember the name of the bioscope in jules street opposite the primary school.that is the last place i saw richard bergsteed.all the guys and girls used to meet there.thanks for the information on malic acid,i will get some on the weekend.i will tell you the results.cheers trevor
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928. Les Duplessis | January 24, 2013 at 11:34 pm

Hi Rolf and Trevor,
I enjoy following your posts. Although I left South Africa in 1967 for Canada, and have never been back, the various names you both mention have awakened memories I thought were forgotten.
Les DuPlessis
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929. Rolf Maier | January 25, 2013 at 5:13 am

Hi Les Dup,
How did you land up in Canada? Going back to a previous comment about Ayn Rand and the Fountian Head,it must have been you that recommended the book to John Barrett, who in turn sugessted that I should also read it.The theme of the book, if I remember correctly, was a choice between following your passion our materialistic gains and also about stiking to your principles, It made quite an impression me.
Hi Trevor,
Yes, it is Nils Gruben (aka The Rock) who used to show very little emotion. He actually started a very successful printing business.
Regards Rolf
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930. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 25, 2013 at 6:56 am

Ayn Rand’s compassionless philosophy of Objectivism purports, ‘that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is the pursuit of one’s own happiness (or rational self-interest), that the only social system consistent with this morality is full respect for individual rights embodied in laissez-faire capitalism’.

Sounds noble and grand, doesn’t it? Look what Capitalism just did to the world these past few years. Who are the proponents of Objectivism today, besides old cranks like Rand Paul? Why, just about the entire Corportocracy and ruling elites of the wealthiest countries … the infamous 1%. Works fine for them … they control nearly 80% of global wealth. If you don’t cut it at a billion dollars … you’re not one of them.

We all read The Fountain Head and Atlas Shrugged, during our teens or early 20’s … and it still has an appeal to youth of that age today… but for any thinking adult in this class-divided world, to think it has any merit for the common good … they’re still suffering through puberty. It is a cold, callous creed, a self-aggrandizing racialist code for greed and obscene disdain for any who are not like-minded. Witness the attacks on minorities, women’s rights, gays, and the poor from the Conservative right in the last USA election. All desciples of bitter, frustrated Russian emigre’.

But we all grow up and hopefully, most of us get over it. Nice stories but hardly a philosophy with any value for folk who still have a moral compass. DC.
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931. Michael Rossouw | January 25, 2013 at 11:34 am

Good to hear about guys from my time. have not seen Josh Paphitis, Neels Gruben, Gavin Bristow , John Barrett, and others. yes the names do bring back memories.I am saddened to hear of the death of Richard Bergsteedt. he had a brother Trevor who was in the choir with me in the early 1960’s who went I think to St Alban’s college on a scholarship which Brian Gannon arranged for him.I am open to correction here and the old brain isn’t functioning that well any more.It’s good to see so many past students from St George’s doing so well.
yes Dudley, I do wander whether Capitalism is working. The rich get richer and the poor have children it would seem.It seems that many of us are living on borrowed time and dare I say borrowed money.One cant buy anything here in Canada without a credit card. I had to use my credit card on a flight to Toronto to buy a pair of earphones on the plane to listen to my ‘classic rock’ and ‘classical’ music. They only cost $3.50 but the flight attandant wouldn’t take cash. It seems they (the 1%) have us all by the short and curlies!Take care and keep the stories coming.This is a truly unique website and one I really enjoy reading.
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932. Les Duplessis | January 25, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Hear, hear, Dudley. After spending some time in Sweden, I can say that Social Democracy works better on all fronts than laissez-faire capitalism. Canada fares slightly better than the US. Social Democracy believes that society comes first, Capitalism believes that the individual is paramount. And there is the rub.
I don’t remember recommending Ayn Rand at such an early age, Rolf. Biggles was more to my tastes. But being a bookworm even then, it is possible.
I did hear from John Barrett some years ago, but I lost touch. I believe he lives in France now and is a school teacher.
My siblings and I started out at Johannesburg Children’s Home in Observatory, and then we moved on to SGH.
I left SGH in 1966 when my family was reunited. Shortly after, my father immigrated to Canada and later offered to bring the children over. Mother declined and they divorced. My brother Martin and I went to Canada, leaving younger brother Andre and sister Linda with my mother in SA. My mother remarried, but passed away three years later and we were all united in Canada, as a kind of family.
After some ups and downs we all turned out well. Martin in banking, Andre in law, Linda in insurance. I publish books under the name Lewis DeSoto.
SGH wasn’t the best of places, but neither was it the worst, by any means. I’m grateful that my brothers and I were taken in and cared for. Our lives would have been a lot worse otherwise. Despite a couple of bad apples, there were many good men, and boys, at SGH.
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933. trevor vav reenen | January 25, 2013 at 3:38 pm

hi dudley-claude leslie,you love to tell us about sites which we should read.may i be so bold as to ask you to read these 2 sites.1.WHAT HAPPENS IF AMERICA FALLS OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF-HEIDI MOORE. 2. THE AMERICAN FISCAL CLIFF,DISABILITY AND 2013 TAX RISES.it makes some interesting reading.cheers trevor
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- 934. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 25, 2013 at 7:00 pm
  
  Hi Trevor,
  
  First off … I’m pleased to hear that you are reading those links I post. They are intended to inform, for the benefit of knowledge aforehand, provides for the defense of ideals and justice after the facts have attacked the battlements of our liberties. When you know what’s coming it is easier to GPS yourself a round the storm.
  
  I tried to Google the two articles you mentioned above, but I’m afraid without luck. Perhaps you can post the actual urls.
  
  I read a broad range of alternative media online, as I never watch TV news or read any lamestream media of any kind anymore … save Rolling Stone, particularly Matt Taibbi. I have tried to read some of your local press … but sad to say … SA also has no real journalists of quality anymore … in fact Andrew Mackie’s vigilant commentary on much of it and which he often posts on my Facebook page, is the best I get to see from there.
  
  There are a host of real writers online in media such as Truthout.org, NationofChange.org, Alternet.net. The Daily Beast and TomDispatch.com (Read Rebecca Solnit’s powerful article on Rape & Violence against Women just out on TD – a must read for every man of honor), although the site is usually dedicated to exposing America’s massive military buildup and war mongering. You mention Noam Chomsky, who writes for most of these sites, but Chris Hedges, Paul Krugman, Robert Reich, Naiomi Klein and Solnit are some of the best … there are several others and they are to my mind, the real conscience of News media today.
  
  Almost all mainstream media is corporate controlled (6 corps, in USA control 93% of the media here) and he who pays the piper calls the tune. It has been a total sell out over the past 40 years.
  
  It is commentary like yours and Rolf on issues of today, that encourage me to continue posting information on this site … for although it is always amusing to reflect back on our pasts … we cannot dwell there anymore, we are facing too much of a storm in the future to be looking back too often. Talking about what we are engaged in today is what I came here for … wanting to know what you all have achieved and where you are at now, is more of interest to me than where you came from … for we all came from that same common Home and incubus. that molded much of who we are today.
  
  More importantly, what we all individually can do now to balance our needs with nature and with our fellow planet dwellers, is going to be critical for the future of our world. We are brothers in arms as ex-homeboys … but we are also brothers and sisters in a global family. wrought with racial divides and economic inequality and we are bound to be our brother’s keepers more now than ever … or we all perish.
  
  DC.
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935. trevor vav reenen | January 25, 2013 at 10:14 pm

hi dudley, i just type in AMERICAN FISCAL CLIFF and i get both sites and more.cheers trevor
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936. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | January 26, 2013 at 8:19 am

Thank you Trevor. Got it. Read 6 or 7 of the articles and they very much paraphrase the same stuff I’ve read on other sites,. It was just another political distraction … the Republicans are in disarray and are heading for the old wholly mammoth graveyard … so they’re playing dirty tricks to stay alive.

The article above is about the ‘health cliff’ and this is valid information for what you can do about yours. Particularly mental health. What has this got to do with you? Everything! We all have families and friends who have families and amongst whom, are those who need to know that Big Pharma is not in the business of curing anything. They’re in the business to make money … and are in fact, the biggest money makers in the Fortune 500 club.

Read the fine print … be aware of what you are taking … most of it has no healing or curing properties whatsoever, only a a dependency agenda attached.
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937. trevor vav reenen | January 26, 2013 at 6:23 pm

hi michael,can you please help me?did the late father clayton write reviews on hi fi and records for the sunday times?in our tirst year in the home,did they use to play hockey?the two playing fields,one had grass and the other one did not.this has been on my mind for years.cheers trevor.
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938. Michael Rossouw | January 26, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Yes Trevor. NJC did write reviews of some records but he wrote mainly about Hi Fi stuff, which he knew a great deal about.I think he may have wriiten for the Sunday Express as well. He also wrote for some photographic magazines but i’n not sure which.Perhaps my brother John could comment here or maybe those closer to him in these fields,e.g. Brian vanLoggerenburg and Raymond Van Den Burg to name but two.I think it was Derrick James who used to arrange the Hockey games , although when I was in Std 6, he used to take the guys on those “Big Walk” outings We’d take part in the Rand Daily Mail’s ‘town to town’ walks. These were often too strenuous for some. I did OK on the first lot but on the longer ones my asthma played up and I was forced to ‘opt out’ of these, hence my limited involvement from the sidelines.The big field was grassed on one side and sand on the other. Only the main 1st soccer team played on the grass fields.The sand field was rolled and flattened regulary, but by the time a game was over , well it had to be rolled again to harden the surface.Whitewash was used to mark the area of play.We used a mat for cricket which wasn’t really ideal, but there were some great inter-house games played that way. (Mackey was always on the Simpson house side! Piet Pretorius played a good game as did derrick James, Lucien Lombard to name a few. David DeLange and the Herbst brothers were also great cricketers and there were many others at that time.)
By the mid 60’s both fields were grass which made things easier for all. The Old Boy’s field was used one year for our annual sports day when the main field was being grassed; 1962 I think.The old boys field fell into disuse and was swallowed up when St George’s village was built in the early 1970’s.
our favorite was the ‘cubs’ field in front of Mackey’s house. I tink we all played soccer there on my first day at the home and I’m sure you were there too in 1961? I remember Robin Putter, Brent Rudwick the Bergsteeds and the Spray brothers at that game.
needless to say I wasnt very good and didn’t get chosen to play again. I got better at Athletics (mainly field events) and Mackey’s tabloid system those of us who didn’t run in the main team to at least feel a sense of achievement. I always tried to complete my certificate in both athletics and swimming. I did better at long distances. The spoorts fields were “hallowed ground” and were only used for games and practices. We were never allowed onto the fields.I think what was important for me was how we were taught that whilst winning was good, good sportsmanship in the game was even better.Keep well.MichaelR
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939. Roger maio | February 2, 2013 at 4:34 am

Looking for Shaun Shultz and Peter Johnson attended high school with them , and last saw them in ’86
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- 940. Steve | February 2, 2013 at 9:08 am
  
  Hi Roger
  
  Shawn Schultz number is 073 2444 550
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  - 941. Roger maio | February 16, 2013 at 2:55 am
    
    Thank you Steve! Although I do not know you personally , I appreciate Shaun number, and look forward to talking to him.I have been living in the USA Since ’86 and have great memories of high school (mavern high).
942. trevor van reenen | February 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm

hi michael,thanks for the imformation,it seems your mind is still quite sharp.the reason i asked about father clayton is that paul van staden sat in on one of his reviews.it was the MOVE-FIRE BRIGADE.paul told me that the sound of this hi-fi was absolutely phenomenal.what i want ask you is,was it father clayton who was in charge of the choir?because i remember we had a choir that was secound to none.i will always carry that with me,what a wonderful choir we had.who ever got this choir together? if i my be bold to ask.how are you holding up?cheers trevor.
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943. Michael Rossouw | February 4, 2013 at 8:01 pm

Hi Trevor! Good to hear from you. SGH Choir was one of the finest.
When I came to the Home, Brian Gannon was choirmaster. He ‘ran a tight ship’ in that he insisted we took choir seriously. We practised evey Tuesday and Thursday as well as Saturday evenings before we had movies in the hall. (There was no TV then!)
Beebop took the choir to new hights when TV arrived in the country. We had several radio and TV broadcasts which he initiated.
Other Choirmasters were, Patrick Delafied (VSO) who filled in after Brian left , and Peter Nickles who had the responsibility for some years. Another master Mark ? (whose surname I cant remember) was there in Dave and John’s time.
St George’s had a very long tradition of good choirmasters; “Percy” Laing in the 1940’s, ‘Bommer’ Brown in the late 1950’s Brian Gannon in the early 1960’s and Peter Nickles in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Beebop was always on hand to see that the choir was of a high standard both vocally and in terms of training.he did take many practices , especially when preparing ‘pilot’ broadcasts. His favorite line was ” we’ve got to get it right” . He was the ultimate perfectionist.
One of things Beebop did was regular hymn practices, every Saturday afternoon after lunch before football games or cricket matches when the whole Home was in the chapel then, staff , boys and all workers who were on site. These were not very enjoyable and I recall one practice when we were singing “While Shepherds watched their flocks by night” in preparation for the carol service. Of course everyone sang “While shepherds washed their socks by night!” Needless to say Beebop was not amused! I remember him shouting “There are many versions to the words of this carol: I know some which are ruder than t he ones you people are singing now, but it’s blasphemy to sing them in church!” I have never forgotten that ; even when we sing the carol “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came”. It’s a carol that tells of Gabriel coming to Mary to tell her that she would be the Mother of God’s Son, Jesus. One of the lines in the carol is “Most Highly favoured Lady” but many choirs sing “Most Highly Flavoured Gravy!”just for laughs.
No doubt Beebop would not have approved!
I’m back in Canada after visiting my family over New Year, and I now have to get a lawyer to plead my case to get my family into Canada, but it’s really starting to get to me.Because some folks have taken advantage of the system, the Canada authorities are tightening up on immigration, and innocent people fall victim to the system. My family are Filipino and Filipinos cant really travel anywhere unless they can prove they have a job to go back to , a substantial lot of money in the bank and preferably some property. My wife comes from a very poor family. They are small fishermen and rice farmers working in the informal agricultural sector.Their annual income is probably 36000 pesos a year! (900 $ a year!)
I support my family and as is the case in most Filipino families, I support them from my earnings abroad.My occupation of “priest” didn’t look good on her application to the Canadian embassy in Manila. Most priests in the Philippines are not married.The Philippines is a Catholic country and The Canadian embassy is ‘manned’ by Filipinos, so they must have thought the application was a scam! We are legally married, but I guess they thought that her poverty coupled with my occupation didn’t add up to being a good fit to get into Canada. I shall be applying for permanent residence , so maybe after I have been granted that I will be able to get thm over here. It will take a year for me to get citizenship and only then will i be able to get them to join me here.That could take some time, so I may have to re think this whole immigration thing.
Keep well and God Bless.
(fr) Michael R
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944. trevor van reenen | February 7, 2013 at 1:36 pm

hi there,i was to learn the harsh reality of life at a early age of my life.i went on holiday to my parents who were staying with this afrikaans family.the wife was very friendly but the husband was rude.one night he came home quite drunk and started shouting at everyone.he then wanted to hit me because i was the youngest one there.my dad told him not to even try.he then told us to get out of his house which we did.we spent the night in the bus shelter.i told my parents that i would rather spend the night in a bus shelter than in a house with a drunken bully.we spent quite a few nights in that bus shelter and onn the waal river.my mother saw that this was not right for me so she put me on the train to go back to the home.i was so happy to get back to the home and eat a meal and sleep in a bed.i was so gratelul for the home.i was to spend many nights with my parents sleeping rough,just to spend time with them.that is why i will always be so thankful for the home.cheers trevor
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945. Michael Rossouw | February 8, 2013 at 3:44 am

Trevor
Reading your story made me quite cold.
I certainly had never experienced what you had experienced but when my Dad was alive Des and I often walked from Robertsham to Booysens to my Granny and granddad’s house.
When dad was drunk he’d threaten us and beat us with his belt.
My poor mother didn’t fare too well either and was often hurt and abused by him.The Home was a refuge from that , although only after my Dad died. I dont want to say too much as my brothers may get annoyed with me. There is a measure of healing in writing about these things and I want to thank you for being so open and telling your story.This is not an easy thing to do, but I do believe that we learn from each other, if only to realise that we need to be there for each other, even if just to hear our different stories.
Thanks again for writing.God Bless Michael R.
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946. Andrew Mackie | February 8, 2013 at 8:01 am

Hi Michael and Trevor,

After reading your stories about living with an alcoholic father took me back many years to when I left St Georges Home to live with my father, I find it difficult to call him Dad as he never really was nothing more than an alcoholic parent. Many a night went to bed without a meal due to lack of funds to purchase food, and I guess if it was not for a caring shop owner nearby may have succumbed to a life of not so good activity. After school would do menial little jobs at her store and in turn would be rewarded with day old bread and any other left overs available, this was indeed very charitable and a life saver for me. Life was never easy those years for many reasons as friendships were non existant due to not wishing to have pals come around for a visit to avoid embarrassment or a drunken episode with my father. School was some 12 kms away and had to cycle there and back in the heat of summer or the rain and in winter the cold was unbearable as did not have warm clothing. Worst of all was being looked down upon by not only the teachers but by your fellow pupils.
Thoughts of running away were almost constantly on my mind but where would I go, as did not know any relatives, so stuck it out.
Only one teacher at school told me I was a bright lad and should not give in to doing the wrong thing, in fact he became a sort of mentor and encouraged me to do better, to this man I am eternally grateful for the way my life panned out. Mr. Fowler fondly known as Pop was the high school top mathematics teacher and I am sure guided many a youngster like me to a better and brighter future than we thought possible at the time. I could write many more episodes of my life living with an alcoholic father but will leave that subject for now.
God Bless you all.
Andrew M
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947. trevor van reenen | February 8, 2013 at 6:43 pm

hi there,what was going to be my last year in school and the home was now turning into a disaster.but one day at school was going to change my life.i was called to go to the principals office.so mr. johnson tells me that i have failed all three terms and if i want to pass i will have to really study.he says he knows that i can do it.i promise him i will study.the next month i would study every miunte i possible could.i find the exams quite easy because of all the studing i have done.now the holidays come and i go with my perants to vereeniging back to sleeping in bus shelters.empty houses and the vaal river.so i get one morning and i say i am not doing this anymore because i am cold,tired and hungry.i got money from my mom and caught the train home.when i get to the home father richardson calls me and tells me that i have passed all subjects.he has this happy smile on his face.the smile on his face gives the game away.it was him who asked mr. johnson to talk sense into me.remeber i said my life was to change well this was it.if these two wonderful people had not intervened in my life i would not know where i would be.cheers trevor.
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948. peter260539 | February 9, 2013 at 10:09 am

Some idle chat….In Oz..I recently watched a bout between Sonny Boy williams from N.Z. and F Botha from S.A…..This being a ten round international bout sponsered by the W.B.C., with W.B.C. officials ….but what a load of horse crap…….It was Williams 4th bout as a pro. as for Botha …44 years old , far over weight , 45th bout as a pro……Williams given the bout on a split decision followed by boos from the crowd………I repeat…a load of crap.and paid hard to come by dollars to watch……….From now Rugby union ….Bokke.
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949. trevor van reenen | February 9, 2013 at 6:43 pm

hi peter,i cant wait for the super rugby to start.hoe gaan dit?cheers trevor.
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- 950. peter260539 | February 10, 2013 at 1:38 am
  
  Hi Ttev. nee jong , dinge gaan goet, en met jouself ? as for the Super rugby, it starts next weekend, some interesting matches in the opening round anyway , it will be a long season. Will more than likely attend a few matches here in Oz…… Look after yourself en mooi bly . Peter……
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951. peter260539 | February 10, 2013 at 1:43 am

Hi Trevor, nee jong , dinge gaan goed hier in Oz. en jouself?……As for the Super rugby , some very interesting matches in the first round which by the way starts next weekend………Look after yourself en mooi bly.
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952. peter260539 | February 10, 2013 at 1:46 am

Sorry Trevor….repeated myself ….it’s an age thing..
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953. Andrew Mackie | February 10, 2013 at 9:24 am

Hi Peter and Trevor,
Super rugby starts 15 February, and I will be travelling to New Zealand from Sydney on that date so unfortunately will miss the game , I think in Melbourne, Rebels and Force, but look forward to the games that follow. Hope to watch the game live in Wellington on 8 March as the hotel we are staying at is close to the Stadium. That is about the only time will be able to see a live match. Thereafter will be visiting places and family and will have to watch on TV. I think we are going to see some very interesting encounters and in particular the new South African team ” Southern Kings” who replace the Golden Lions. It remains to be seen if they make the grade as believe this promotion to be political due to family connections. Time will tell.
Regards,

Andrew M
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- 954. peter260539 | February 10, 2013 at 11:33 am
  
  Reading this weekends friendly fixtures , I see the Lions beat the Kings …Again…..Expect a very exciting Super rugby season……………..enjoy your travels.
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955. trevor van reenen | February 10, 2013 at 6:28 pm

hi peter aad andrew,peter it is so good to hear from you,i feel as though i know you as a good friend.andrew i hope you enjoy the time with you family and friends.i am sure i am going to hear from both of you over the long super rugby season. both enjoy.cheers trevor.
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- 956. peter260539 | February 11, 2013 at 3:29 am
  
  Hi Trevor …thanks for the kind words. F.Y.I….The boks have just beaten the All Blacks 40- 21 in the U.SA. leg of the Sevens tournament ,,..played in L.A……Mooi bly , Peter
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957. peter260539 | February 17, 2013 at 11:06 am

Super rugby well on it’s way here in Oz…..going by Saturdays game [ Brumbies Vs Reds , we’re in for a treat…Bulle.
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958. Andrew Mackie | February 18, 2013 at 2:05 am

Watched the entire game here from Auckland NZ and all I can say if all future games are to be played at the pace of this one the guys will have to be super fit. A real humdinger.
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959. peter260539 | February 18, 2013 at 5:17 am

S.A. Local derby’s on Saturday ….Stormers Vs Bulls should be a pieaser………..Also , Reds Vs Waratahs , Reds with a few prev. injured .back in play. For my daughters sake I hope they pul it together ….A big reds fan.
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960. peter260539 | February 22, 2013 at 3:44 am

Howzit ?..A good weelend of Super rugby , enjoy it. BULLE.
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961. peter de Reuck | March 2, 2013 at 2:35 am

Reds Vs Hurricanes ….The score board read 18 – 12 to the Reds ….enough said ……………A good come back by the Tahs against Rebels………………Good SA games today. Besides all that , how are you guys?.
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962. trevor van reenen | March 2, 2013 at 12:29 pm

hi peter,hoe gaan dit?glad you are enjoying the super rugby.i am waiting to watch the game between sharks v stormers.i see the game between bulls v western force is also this afternoon.how are you doing? i hope you are in good health.good day mate trevor.
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963. peter de Reuck | March 3, 2013 at 7:32 am

hi Trevor, nee jong, alles gaan goed, joeself?…..Watched the Sharks and Bulls games, Bulls had a real crappy game allthough winning against the Force…the Sharks beat the Stormers 12–6…..still a long season ahead…..Mooi bly .
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964. trevor van reenen | March 4, 2013 at 4:06 pm

hi there everyone,looks like i have come through one of the coldest winters we have had here,it is the first winter where i have been cold.anyway after i had been to the labour exchangi had a interview with a company called j. h.coulson electrical.i got the job and i was to start on monday.i then arrived at the home when i met peter and freddie stopfroth and their sister,we had a long chat and i told them that i started work on monday.we all wished each other the best of luck for the future.that was the last i ever saw of them.i hope where ever they are that they did do well.i then told father richardson the good news.he was very pleased and i asked if i could still stay at the home because i had no where to stay.he say yes and he asked if i could afford R5 aweek which i said was fine.i was earning R13 a week.again i thank father richardson for helping me in my hour of need.cheers trevor.
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965. Yiorgos Afrogialis | March 6, 2013 at 8:50 am

Hi There
I was delighted to find this site and read so many names that brought back wonderful memories of a time when my brother and I were sent to SGH. It was a Friday afternoon. Our family had disintegrated . We were quite frightened as I was only 13 and my brother was 10. I was put in Spackman House and Stelios went to Beaton. I was known as George but my Greek name is Yiorgos. The housemaster at that time was Mr Brandt and his assistant was Mr McCausland. Mr McCausland showed me to my bed and told me to unpack my belongings into my locker and always to keep it tidy. He then left me to it and, no sooner had he gone, I started to feel really miserable. It all seemed so horrible and I could not stop myself from crying. I was worried about my brother and my mother and even my alcoholic father. Mr McCausland came back and saw my plight. He sat down on the bed beside me and told me that, despite being a grown man, he himself had gone through what I was suffering because it took him time to adjust to his surroundings when he first entered SGH. He put his hand on my shoulder and told me that I was right to be concerned about my family but I would not be helping them my being miserable. He told me that the other boys would be home from school shortly and things would become a lot brighter.
The boys soon came home and were buzzing around without acknowledging me though I knew that they knew I was there. A boy called Bergsteed was the first to speak to me and said that we would show me the ropes. We became good friends. After a few days things became easier to accept and both Stelios and I started to fit in. In weeks we were as happy as we had ever been in life. My father had beaten us regularly at home and Stelios and I were soon to be whacked at SGH but our whacks at SGH were very much more justified. We duly accepted them as the norm for misbehaviour. It . was up to us to avoid the necessity of it. I was a smoker and it was for this that I had most canings at Malvern High and St Georges. I once got four on my bare backside from Mr McHolm for smoking in a dormitory. He raged at me for ages about the stupidity of my act. I had no idea at the time that smoke from a fire was a killer. He then told me to take down my trousers and lie across the seat of a chair and he caned me quite hard. I thought at the time that he had over-reacted but now I realise the lives of so many boys were at risk.

Anon 1 criticises the violence in the canings he received. I was not living in South Africa very long before I knew the school and police punishments and if I was careless enough to suffer them then I only had myself to blame. I feel sorry for him in his inability to accept what he probably deserved. He said in his letter that he was caned by the Headmasters of all the schools he attended. He was caned by Fr Richardson and several housemasters at SGH. Could all these people be wrong? Surely they weren’t all victimising him. I also feel for duPlessis. I was in Spackman house when he was there, as was his older brother. He was always right and everyone else wrong. His comment that Mr McCausland caned him because he did not know the meaning of a word he used in an essay I would say is absolute rubbish. Mr McCausland spent many hours helping me and other boys with our English language. I was very bad at reading and writing when I joined SGH but, thanks to Mr McCausland, I thrived in both by the time I left. I know duPlessis was caned by him and it was actually for lying and being in other dormitories after lights out. Because of his great patience with me I am certain it had nothing whatever to do with “not knowing the meaning of a word”.

I had a laugh when Mr McCausland had helped a boy with his English homework (I think it was Leonard Ross, but cannot be sure). He duly received three marks out of a possible ten. I was in Mr McCausland’s study when the lad came in and told him of his failure. It transpired that the boy had written down adverbs instead of adjectives in his homework notes and that is why he had a low mark. Mr McCausland simply said to him “It is pretty important to pay attention to detail, isn’t it”

I can remember lots of other boys. Raymond van den Berg, Louis Brink, Oliver and Neville Crole, the VanEedens – Milton, Vernon and Anamond, John and Colin Venter, Richard D’Arcy, Owen Thomas, Trevor Wragg, Clifford Maritz, Desmond Adams, Michael Turner, the Hendrix twins, Rupert Scott, Ernst and Rolf Maier, Bruce Jeffrey, Leonard Ross, Derek Hammond, John Stewart, Robert Knowles, Jonah Herbst, Chris Fourie, Athol Sehannie, Louis Jordain, Clive Nunn to name but some. We had wonderful times together and I can never remember anyone saying they hated the place. Obviously we never had enough to eat. What boys do? We were as warm as could be hoped for. We were pretty well churched to death but, even though I was secretly not a Christian, I really enjoyed a lot of the ceremony.

Mr Brandt left and Mr McCausland took over. He was very strict but fair. I remember me and another boy being caned by him for smoking. It was a pretty painful experience even though he didn’t hit us hard. He just seemed to hit the right spots. My bum was so sore I could not sit down without moving from on cheek to another. When I went to see him later for further help with my English he never mentioned anything about my caning. It was over and done with to him as though it had never happened. I couldn’t resist saying to him that whilst he was caning me he had a cigarette smouldering in his ashtray. He looked at me sympathetically and said “I don’t know of any rule that says I must not smoke. I do know of one very strict rule that says that you must not smoke. You, in your wisdom, decided to break that rule and got caught and now you have a sore bottom. That is pretty surely always going to be the case. I did not cane you to stop you smoking in the future. I caned you for something you had already done in breach of school rules. I suggest that if you are going to continue breaking rules you can expect to be punished – if you are caught!! Try either not doing wrong or not being caught. I never respected a man more in my life. I’ll go as far as to say my brother and I loved, feared and as I said respected him. He took lots of us boys walking. He took us collecting old newspapers which we sold to a local anodize plant for house funds. Unfortunately he got some serious illness and about a year later had to return to a milder climate. A very sad day for a lot of us when he left

Both Stelios and I have returned to our native Greece and live in Athens. We both married Greek girls and are very happy with our lot. I have 2 sons and Stelios has a daughter and a son. Our mother died in South Africa. We have no idea whether our father is dead or alive but we don’t give it much thought. I am teaching English (thanks to Mr McCausland), Greek and Maths in a local secondary school and Stelios is a Public Notary.

I would dearly love to get back to South Africa some day and reunite with long lost buddies from SGH. It makes me weep to think that nearly half a century has passed since we were laughing and joking together. The wonderful times we had in magical Untentweeni . I am off to UK next month for a couple of weeks holiday so I will look up how easy it is to fly to JoBurg from there as it is very costly to do so from Athens. I will also look to see if I can find a copy of Mr Adams book

Love to you all

Yiorgos “George” Afrogialis
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966. Michael Rossouw | March 6, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Dear Yiorgos
I am trying to place you amongst the names you mention in your blogg as they are all familiar to me.I was in Taylor House and left in 1967. My late brother Desmond Rossouw was in Smuts as was
David. John was in Taylor House and attended Dawnview High with David. The only two boys with Greek sounding names were the Paphitas boys, Geogre and Raymond. They were initially in Beaton House as Juniors I think; George went to Spackman. Are you these boys?Perhaps you were admitted to St George’s in your late Mother’s name?
Please forgive me for asking , as I well remember a Greek George at the Home who was actually quite I gent, seldom being caned and I don’t recall if they were smokers.George was also the Sgt major in the Detachment as I recall. I may be mistaking you for someone else.
I never smoked as i was asthmatic, but I remember there was a shed at the back of Taylor house where guys could smoke if they had a smokers licence. Spackman guys smoked in their den in the basement. One could see the plumes of smoke going up through the windows before breakfast and school.Ma Mac Arthur (RIP) who used to take us for prep could smell from a mile off who’d been smoking!
I too remember Mr McCausland. he had lilly white skin and was rather thin . I may have already left when he was a master there.I know he was teased by many of the lads because of his pale complexion and when he was in the sun too long, he turned bright red.
If I have misplaced you for someone else, I apologise.
I often watch the BBC and I see the protests going on in Athens, (which I have never had the privilege of visiting) and I feel for you guys. Many of the Greek families I knew in RSA have left.
You can take a Greek out of Greece , but they will always live as Greeks and be very proud of their roots; truly a civilization to which we in the West owe much for their influence over the ages.
I do hope that austerity will be eased in your country and that Greek people will one day know the joy of prosperity.
The only other Greek boys in the Home I remember are the Kemertgoglu brothers, George and Timothy. They may have been slightly ahead of you, but I am not sure.Timothy now goes by the name of Timothy Kemert. I am not sure what happened to them. Tim and I were at Malvern together in 1967. He was very bright and went on to become a leading technical consultant for Siemens in Germany.
If you were in the home after 1967 then we may not have been there at the same time, but I recall all of the names you mentioned here. Anon is right there were some terrible canings which took place at the Home and at Malvern. I remember getting four of John E Johnsen’s best at Malvern for being accused of being noisy in class. I think the teacher, a Mr Cloete who took us or Guidance, just took 4 names off the register. “Rossouw , Shepherd, Swarts, Stringer” he yelled. “Office!” I still dont for the life of me know why I was caned that day. After leaving school I too became a teacher, where I have taught in RSA as well as Thailand, Burma and the Philippines. I am now an Anglican priest in Canada, a product of being “Churched to Death” at SGH! Seriously, in my own life ,this is the one aspect of my own upbringing at the Home for which I am extremely grateful.
Please let me know if you and your brother Stelios are the guys I’m thinking of. If not, I do apologise for mistaking your identy.

με τις υγείες σας
me tis ygeíes sas!

Please pardon me if I have used this Greek phrase incorrectly.
I never studied Greek, Latin or Hebrew in my Theological studies apart form doctrinal phrases explaining aspects of Faith. I hope that doesn’t make me any less of a priest! I very nearly considered becoming “Orthodox” when things went a little ‘wonky’ in the Anglican Communion some years ago, but things in my life changed after I had a severe breakdown in the 1970’s. I am recovered now, but the short few months in which I was expoling the Greek Orthodox church were quite interesting for me.
Blessings to you George, and to Stelios and your families in Athens.
‘sincerely
(fr) Michael Anthony Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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967. trevor van reenen | March 6, 2013 at 7:18 pm

hi there everyone,what happened in south africa with the zimbabwean guy who died in police custody last week reminded me of a incident which happened when i was living in hillbrow.i was walking home when i could smell what smells like tear gas,which it was.i then saw an old african lady in distress,which i then went to ask her if she needed help.from what i could see she was having trouble breathing.then from nowhere this voice says that if i go any further he would shoot me.i then turned around to see this guy pointing this gun at me.i only wanted to help this lady,but i know this guy would have shot me without any problem.i still do not know how people can treat each other like this?so i feel so sorry for this guy who died because he parked in the wrong place.love trevor
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968. Michael Rossouw | March 7, 2013 at 3:51 am

Hi Trevor, Was this guy a cop? Police brutality is nothing new in our country. As a South African living overseas I am quite ashamed.
I feel that I am a citizen of a country which right now is famous for all the wrong reasons.
e.g. The investigating officer in the Reeva Steenkamp case had to be removed from the case because of alleged attempted murder charges levelled against him. Now these officers who committed this murder, by handcuffing an innocent man from Mozambique to the back of a police van and driving off, killing the man in the process (It’s murder, that is what it is) are now facing a bail hearing.They may get off. ( I’m not up to date with the news on this case, however)
The sad thing for me is that the Justice system in our country seems to be flawed in that innocent people are forced to stay behind electrified fences and high walls, whilst those who should be jailed are let off Scot free to roam the streets terrorising innocent people! Coupled with our corrupt politicians whose attitude seems to be that it is their right to simply take all they can at the taxpayer’s expense and to hell with the poor, well it is sickening to say the least.
I am quite sure that there are South Africans of goodwill and honest integrity who will satnd up and say “Enough is enoiugh”
I do not believe that Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for a Liberation struggle which has ended up in a situation where those in power pilage the country into bankruptcy!
I am sorry if my words cause offense, as I’m sure that this isn’t what good citizens want and believe in; But, unless the ruling party shapes up, there will be a revolution from the grass roots such as RSA has never seen before.
“Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely!”
You were right Trevor to give the old lady assistance. I’m sure you would have probably given your life for this old woman, but a man with a fire arm is a threatening presence. Sadly it is not only the Nats of old who had what might be impolitely termed as a “Kaffir- bashing” (please forgive my use of the word) mentality.
Some guys are just ‘trigger happy’ and we saw what happened in the miners strike last year, another Sharpeville; only this time it was a largely black police force firing on black workers.
No doubt the inquest will give us the truth.
Stay as compassionate as you are , Trevor. You obviously care about your fellow human beings, irrespective of race colour or creed, something St George’s did teach and instil into us; a sence of justice and a belief in the dignity of all people.

Take care

Michael R
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969. i loved | March 8, 2013 at 11:41 am

Due to my earlier years at Goggies [ ’48/ 55\ I at times find it hard to relate …never the less , we carry on regardless….being the swimming pool filtration plant operator, a real ”lay back” task ….Given an hours extra work for 4 reports or more , duty was to sweep the black paths and manually cut grass in that area…..etc.Do all keep well and ”Vasbyt
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970. peter260539 | March 9, 2013 at 3:56 am

The above comment was mine … sorry if any confusion, a typing error , not all perfect.
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971. peter260539 | March 10, 2013 at 7:45 am

Well done to the Bulls, Stormers and Cheetahs all beating their N.Z opponents….
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972. trevor van reenen | March 10, 2013 at 2:59 pm

hi peter,good to see you are enjoying the super rugby.i see you are having floods and fires over there.i hope everything is alright there with you guys.i see in the news that you are getting 10 degrees above average heat in some places.take care of yourself.trevor
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973. peter260539 | March 11, 2013 at 3:15 am

Thanks for the concern Trevor, Re. the floods etc. yeah ,some places , fairly bad but we overcome………All the folks here really stick together, some have lost everything but still with smiles get in and help their fellow man…it’s such a joy to behold . As for us , some damage ,, but we survive …..Bulle.
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974. Rolf Maier | March 13, 2013 at 5:43 am

This is no joke! After paying salaries the at the end of January 2013, the Zimbabwe Government had only 272.00 Dollars left in their coffers.How are they going to fund any elections? With blood diamonds no doubt. All the farms seized by the “War Veterans” are laying dorment. I suppose to their supprise they found out that farming is actually hard work!
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Greeks are at least using their initiatives while coping with the European Economic Crisis, they have introduced their own currency the ‘Tem” in order to trade between themselves. 1 Tem = 1 euro. However, a dozen eggs plus a pumpkin would make up 10 Tem which in turn one could trade for a bottle of wine. it’ working for them and at least they d not sit back and wait for the Government to do things. Regards Rolf
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975. trevor van reenen | March 13, 2013 at 4:57 pm

hi there you guys,when i was in the air force i picked up the nick name of sleepy joe.now we are coming up to our passing out parade,where we all get sent to camps all over the country.one morning our sgt. calls 5th squadron to the sports field and tells us to do as many pushups as we can.he then picks twenty five of us and tells the rest to leave.i wonder what are we in for?:he tells us we are doing a passing out parade display.so i think how hard can this be?so our sgt.gets us to do this routine.we practise this routine until we got it spot on.now our sgt.asks us for a volunteer to lead this display on to the field,but no one wants to do this job.i am standing in front when some wonderful person shouts out sleepy joe.so the asks who is sleepy joe?i put my hand up and he says i have the job of leading this display on to the field.i tried to protest but he says no and that was that.this is what they call democracy.one person shouts out sleepy joe and i get to lead this display on.now i got this idea that this display is for the air force base.so now we got this routine spot on.i then asked the sgt.if this display is for our air force base.he then tells us that this display is for all the defence forces and the goverment.the only word that comes out of my mouth is WHAT?ok so the day arrives when we do this display in front of all these people.there i stand with these guys ready to lead them on to this stadium fulled with all these top brass and goverment heads.i lead them on to the field and we pull this display off.we get an standing ovaction.i have never been so nervous in all my life.anyway our sgt. congratulates us for doing so well.now we get to know where we are being posted.i find out that i have been posted to ysterplaat in cape town wow this is like being posted to another country.at least when i get there i will be able to get my name back.people will call me trevor. cheers trevor.
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976. trevor van reenen | March 14, 2013 at 4:21 pm

hi there,can someone over in south africa please explain to me what is a gautrain?is this some sort of a special train.the more i hear of this,the more i want to know what it is.cheers trevor.
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977. Michael Rossouw | March 15, 2013 at 6:27 am

Hi trevor, the Gautrain ia a new train which is rather like similar trains I have travelled on in Thailand and in Malaysia. It has several key stops around Johannesburg and travels to the JHB international airport.
I used it on my last visit to RSA after the World Cup.It was created to help solve traffic congestion for the World cup and is also geared to help getting people around Jhb which itself has many traffic problems.I travelled from the stop in sandton to the airport and it was quite a pleasant ans stress free ride. Not sure how it’s going at the moment but as with most ventures of this sort its construction has cost the a chunk of change! It is a good project and has improved JHB’s image as a world travel destination. keep well, Michael R.
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978. trevor van reenen | March 15, 2013 at 4:16 pm

hi michael,thanks for the information.i had visions of this being a mono rail,just shows you how wrong i was.the incident in hillbrow was with the police.i see in yesterdays news there has been another dragging incident with the police from lomanyaneng police station.the guy they dragged is a man who is a court interpreter at the molopo magistrate court.what happened is the police man had a argument with this guy,then got into his car.he then calls this guy over to the car.he then grabbed this guy by the neck and drives off.but what crowns it off is that he says to this guy,does he know what the police are capable of doing these days.he is been charged with attempted murder.it seems to me that we have simply replaced one set of violent thugs with another.only trouble is the whole world is watching.it seems that the ANCs crediblity is lying in tatters.cheers trevor.just one more thing i see they have dug up STOMPIES remains,i hope and pray that WINNIE MANDELA gets the just deserts she deserves.
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979. Leslie DuPlessis | March 18, 2013 at 8:07 pm

To Yiorgos “George” Afrogialis,
You have a very good memory for events that happened over 50 years ago. However, since I was the one being caned by McCausland, I can tell you without a doubt that in this case I remember the reason. No doubt he was kind to you, but he victimized me.
Leslie DuPlessis
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- 980. Michael Rossouw | March 18, 2013 at 10:07 pm
  
  Dear Leslie
  I understand your sentiments. I never really knew
  Mr Mc Causland as I was already ‘on my way out’ of the Home when he arrived.
  i do remember that at prep he was quite well known for dishing out punishment after prep in his study in Spackman? House after prep; if one was talking or not doing homework at that time, you were sure to get a caning from him. I think he also smoked a lot. he was a weedy looking man, very white, very thin and blonde curly hair. I think his name was Sidney and the guys called him “Skidney”!
  Sadly many of the masters were quite ruthless in their punishment.They’d never get away with it today.
  I remember being hit on the back with a cane by a certain rather ‘well rounded’ and ‘voluminous’ bespectacled master in Taylor house who will remain namless, in my std 9 year; and I was a corporal in the house at the time responsible for # 4 dorm. I got whacked because I had been getting the lads to bed myself. He ‘bliksimmed’ because I was not in bed as well.Never forgotten that. Years later at a headmasters conference I met him . He was a deputy of another school and I was the head of mine. I felt quite ‘chuffed’ as he was more experienced than I and he was still a deputy. Probably too happy to use the cane in order to control people.
  I just greeted him civily and relished the moment.
  What goes around comes around.
  Are you also in BC with your brother Martin? I’m in Saskatchewan in the back end of nowhere, but enjoying being in Canada. Are your books available on Amazon? I’d really like to read them. Perhaps you may write a novel on your days in St George’s one day? I’ve been meaning to, but haven’t yet got around to it. Procrastination is indeed the thief of time!
  keep well
  Michael Rossouw
  Reply
981. Rolf Maier | March 19, 2013 at 5:17 am

Hi Father Michael,
I think I know who you are refering to in your comment and It gives me a thrill that you dealt with him so dismissively! I also had an incidence with him that at the time I thought was very petty of him.It was down at Camp and our section was responsible for clearing the eating and cooking area.After we had finished cleaning I walked through the area and all was clean and tidy.I called for inspection to the person under discussion.As we walked through the inspection area someone had left a cup near the fire. This guy ranted and raved about how incompetent I was and I would get nowhere in life etc. I tried to explain that this had happened after my final “pass-through”, but he would not listen. I was in Matric at that stage and a bit more “worldly wise”. An argument ensued and we almost came to blows. Later I was called to Mackies tent and asked what had happened. I gave my side of the story and nothing ever happened after that! The other Masters must have known how petty he could be.
Regards Rolf
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982. trevor van reenen | March 19, 2013 at 2:21 pm

hi there everyone,now when myself and paul were living in malvern with the ferreiras,cris would pick us up on friday nights and we would go to terry kourie’s house in bez valley where nils grubin was living.we would all go to parties all over the place,we would take terry’s sister with us.sunday night we would meet up at terry’s house and watch movies.terry’s dad was a wonderful guy,he always welcome us into his home.wow those there some good times.i used to always listern to nils playing guitar,he could play very well.we were all like a big family.on sunday afternoon we would go and watch ocean’s 11 play football.this one sunday ocean’s where playing in doornfontein,which had a bad reputation i don’t know why because a lot of people i knew were from there and they wre lovely guys.anyway we go to doornfontein football flied.cris’s sister adele and her husband errol is with us.i look arould and i see someone i recognize,i tell cris and paul there was allie van zyl sitting next to the goal posts.i could not help but see he was in high spirits.in allie’s right hand was a quart of beer and in his left hand was a zol.anyway the game grts on.this is a even match.so ocean’s team get the ball and pass it around.then something happened that should not have happened.so the ball gets to the forward and he turns and shoots for goal.but this ball does not quite go to the goals.now when the forward kicks he miss kicks this ball.this ball flies and hits allie in the face.as i say this should not have happened.the beer flew one way and the zol flew the other way.we all look at allie and we all burst out laughing.allie looks a bit dazed,then he gets up to retrieve the beer and the zol.he looks at us and he bursts out laughing.i could swear that when he looked at us he was going to ask for compensation for the loss of beer and zol.i always liked allie in the home.we never saw him again after that incident.i hope that he had a good life.love trevor.
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983. Leslie Duplessis | March 20, 2013 at 2:29 am

Hello Michael,
Thanks for your words. I hadn’t seen Skidney McCausland mentioned on this blog, so I guess he didn’t leave much of an impression. The incident I was referring to happened in prep when I used the word ‘epic’ in an essay. I knew it meant something adventurous and heroic, but when Skidney questioned me I got all tongue-tied and doubted myself. He accused me of copying parts of the essay from somewhere and caned me when I wouldn’t ‘confess’.
My books are available on Amazon, under the name Lewis DeSoto. There are three. A Blade of Grass, Emily Carr, and The Restoration Artist (which will be out in May.)
I don’t live in Vancouver, but in Toronto.
I hope things are working out for you here in Canada. If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.
All the best,
LESLIE.
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- 984. Michael Rossouw | March 21, 2013 at 3:17 pm
  
  Can I please have your contact details Leslie?
  i’m at St Alban’s church in Moosomin. 1 306 4346390.
  Catch you soon. MichaelR
  Reply
985. trevor van reenen | March 21, 2013 at 3:00 pm

hi there everyone who reads these blogs and are afriad to blog,i was the same,so do not be afriad to blog.anyway when we guys knew that we were being posted to to this place called cape town we packed our kit in our kit bags and we were d taken by trucks to pretoria trian station.we all boarded the trian and i thought to myself that this was like going to umtentweni but only this was twice the distance.the journey down to cape town was wonderful.we were treated so well on this journey.then at cape twn station we were pick up in a truck and taken the air force base in milnerton.we move into the barracks and we meet our sgt. major botha,he is quite strict,there is going to be no nonsense here.so we go to the mess where we have some lunch.the afternoon we had off and i decide to go to the guard house to see what goes on in this camp.just as i am about to get to the guard house someone shouts out to me hi sleepy joe.so now a am known down here as sleepy joe ok.so i am talking to the guy at the guard post when i see this girl walk into the camp in a bikini.so she says hi and i say hi to her.i then ask the guy at the post why is there a girl in a bikini walking on to the camp?he then tells me that the girls that live around the camp can come and use the swimming pool.so i think i can live with that.so the next day in the afternoon i was sleeping,this guy comes into the barracks shouting sleepy joe there’s a girl at the pool who wants to see me.i say to him what? i am from jo’burg how can some girl know who i am down here.anyway he tells me where the pool is and i make my way there thinking this must be a dream and i am going to wake up.i get in the pool when i say to myself WOW this is the girl i saw walking into the camp yesterday.we greet each other and start talking.her name is lulu and i ask her how does she know that i am called sleepy joe,well she heard the guy call me sleepy joe the day before.she seems to be a lovely person and we both seem to get on so well.now lets recap this i have come cape town a place i have never be to and i am talking to thiis lovely girl in a bikini.i can understand why some of the guys say why sleepy joe.anyway i spend the afternoon with her at the pool.but i still think that maybe lulu will give me a slap and i will wake up.let me say this without making her a sex object,she had one fine body in that bikini which i said to her.she,which she took as a complement.we have a snog and we agree to meet the next day.so the next day we get a tour of the camp.what they have down here is the bucaneer fighter jets which looks quite impressive.they show us the parachutes and the way they are packed and get ready for these guys who jump out of planes.it was very interesting to watch them actually pack these parachutes.we then get to see the run way for these planes to take off.our sgt. then tells us that anyone who gives him trouble will have to run around this air strip.no thank you we all say.on the weekend we all go to the pool for a swim.let me say this the pool was full of girls in bikini’s.wow this is like a holiday camp.now our job down here is to stand guard duty at night.we would stand three hour shifts which was not so bad.when we stood guard duty we had this biig urn of coffee and rusks which kept us going through the night.this was nothing like the base in pretoria where we did not even see girls.we eat with the permanent force guys in the same mes and we are treated just the same as the permanent force guys.we are told that the girls in cape town out number the guys by three to one.we then get to meet mrs. nel who lived across the road from the base.what a wonderful lady she was to us guys from jo’burg,always invite us for a coffee or a meal.god bless her for what she did for us to make us feel at home in cape town.please forgive me for any mistakes i have made in this blog.love trevor
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986. Michael Rossouw | March 21, 2013 at 3:46 pm

Hey Trevor! Thanks for this story. I well remember that many guys who were lucky enough to be posted to Milnerton in the Western Cape,were the envy of all of us. Well, it sounded like a holiday camp, which you seem to confirm. I’m sure that there were some typical military days there.I beleive Milnerton was eventually closed, but I am open to correction. I was at the Combat School in Kimberley. Quite different. Freezing cold in the middle of Winter and really hot in the Summer.’ never saw the swimming pool, even though our parents were reassured that we had access to it as well as films, tuckshops,concerts etc. We ‘leopard crawled’ mostly all over the red earth in the surrounding bush and spent our time boning boots, cleaning rifles and polishing bungalows! I saw the cathedral in Kimberley once when i was on a course for NCO’s and only saw the Open Mine museum on one day off on my other NCO’s course. During basics we arrived at Kimberley station in the dark, saw little if anything of the city and likewise left the city in the dark. All one could see was the road from the back of the Bedford. It was only when i went to work and live there that Kimberley became ‘home’. (My daughter still lives there and I get to see her once in three years.)The nearest we got to seeing anyone who was female was the nurse at the hospital and one could only see her when one got sick, and the Sgt major Gouw’s daughter, who would gingerly flaunt herself on the front stoep of their house at us, not in a provacative way, but she knew that all eyes were on her. Our barrack windows looked out onto the RSM’s house.Our first winter there was in freezing temperatures under canvas in tents as the bungalows had not yet been completed. They had to renovate the old Alexanderfontein air base to accommodate the numbers, most of us being university and College students there for our July and August semester breaks.It was an expereince, but one I would never want to repeat, expecially when some Korporaal yells “Troep! Sien jy daai boom! Is jy al terug!”
We seemed to have swopped our school uniforms for those dreadful army overalls. (They had another name, but I would never want to say it on this site!) The worst was the open air toilets; thunderboxes and desert lillies! I guess if I went in to the service now I’d be a chaplain and live comfortably in the officers mess.All in all , an enjoyable experience but one I’d not want to repeat.
One wonders when one thinks about those who gave their lives on the Border whether it was indeed all worthwhile, given the circumstances of our current government in RSA and the general state of the country.
keep well. Michael R
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987. trevor van reenen | March 21, 2013 at 6:35 pm

hi michael,did you know if dawn and beverly hewitt had a brother,because we have a gavin hewitt who works for the bbc and everytime i see him he reminds me of beverly and dawn.i hope i don’t get a stern word from dawn or bev if i am wrong.cheers trevor.
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- 988. George Venter | March 21, 2013 at 10:34 pm
  
  Hi Trevor,
  Dawn and Beverly Hewitt have a younger brother named Alan and a half-brother whose name I can longer recall (probably due to geriatricitus)- but I do know it was not Gavin (the guy at the BBC that you refer to).
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989. Michael Rossouw | March 21, 2013 at 11:43 pm

Good to see you in print, George and Trevor!
I last saw Dawn Hewitt and Carol Cameron at a class reunion we had in 1975; cant even remember where it was.
Trevor Schmidt was there along with Keith Anderson with our wives in tow. I then saw Trevor at the Malvern High Centenary in 1988 I think. It’s all a very long time ago. He had lost touch with Dawn and Carol; at school they were good friends. facebook searches have yielded nothing. I do hear from Laura Caramella in Italy but I’ve lost touch with most folks who were at Malvern in my years there.There is a Malvern website but I recognize only some names of folks who were my students there. I watch BBC quite a bit here; Gavin Hewitt is a good journalist, but I dont think he’s related to Dawn.There are some former South Africans working at BBC, Al Jezeerha and CNN. I guess we’ve come a long way since the days of the old SAUK!
Cheers! Michael R
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990. trevor van reenen | March 22, 2013 at 11:14 am

hi george and michael,thanks for both your responds.george i remember you,when you came to visit the home.i was in taylor house and i had a electric guitar,which you asked to play.i was so impressed with your playing.i remember this as if it was yesterday.it is good to hear from you.i hope i have my facts right here.michael do you remember in taylor we use to have a tortoise,i always wonder what happened to that tortoise?i get Al jazeera and RT news station which both give more news than the BBC.RT is a RUSSIAN news station over here.cheers trevor.
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991. Leslie Duplessis | March 23, 2013 at 12:03 am

Michael,
You can reach me at lewisdesoto@gmail.com

best regards,
Leslie
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992. George Venter | March 23, 2013 at 8:16 am

With the onset of the twilight years of my life I have begun to accept the stark reality that my memory is definitely no longer what it once was. I even forget the dates of my children’s and grand-children’s birthdays , what I had for dinner a week ago … My saving grace in this regard is my wife Patricia who rarely forgets anything!
It is difficult for me now to remember, with any clarity, events and people of yesteryear – the years spent at Saint Mary’s Orphanage as well as at Saint George’s Home for Boys.
Saint Mary’s Orphanage – I believe that I was three years old when Child Welfare placed me and my elder brother James in the Orphanage. My parents marriage had fallen apart pretty much due to my most times drunk, alcoholic father. I have vague flashbacks of waiting to go to school standing barefooted outside the dormitory house in the middle of winter – damn, was it cold! I remember my father and my step-mother (Aunt Bess), postmen, who fortuitously passed the Orphanage every now and again and who would give me bits of string (used to parcel up bulk post) which over time, when knotted together was then of sufficient length to enable me to fly my small homemade folded-paper kite. I also remember an incident where the older Orphanage girls, sitting on the merry-go-round in the boys playground, made some of us very much younger, smaller and innocent boys crouch hidden beneath their skirts and …. I recollect climbing to the top of the tin roof summer house – my first experience of vertigo!
I recall eating huge locusts which we would sun-roast on small pieces of tin and playing with the large, harmless yellow/black garden spiders that abounded in the long elephant grass on the playground. I look back to the day when we, that is all the boys at least, received a Christmas present – a proper kite, made of sticks and material, it was too heavy and would only lift a few feet off the ground while you were running like mad in an attempt to catch as much wind as possible.
I remember running away one night, squirming through the wrought-iron bars, getting as far as Main Road in Rosettenville and after a while, suddenly realising that I had no idea where my father lived in that big, frightening outside world, I reluctantly returned to “my prison“.
Sadly, I am unable, for the life of me, to remember a single person or even visualise a solitary face from those years. It vexes me that that I am able to remember only these few events of the many that must have taken place over the 5 years I spent at Saint Mary’s.
I do not recall ever having received a beating whilst at the Orphanage but then in 1958, at the age of 9, I was relocated to Saint George’s Home For Boys …….
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993. Michael Rossouw | March 23, 2013 at 3:15 pm

Your story, George, is very similar to that of many of us who passed through St George’s. Alcoholism played a major part in my coming to St George’s and yet , in my own experience with alcohol, I never realised that it is hereditary.My dad took his own life as a result of alcohol abuse and the events which followed in his life, and that left its scars on me even to this day.St George’s was the only place available at that time to look after kids like me.
Despite all the “churching” St George’s gave me, and all the lessons about how the world out there was tough and that it would ‘chew you up and spit you out’ , I never realised that the problems in the life of my own parents , and my Dad’s drinking and violent temper in particular, which brought me to St George’s would manifest themselves in my own life. I didn’t know this then, but I do know this now.Running away was never easy for me. I did run away once and got as far as Park Street in Belgravia and turned back, slipping into the dorm as quickly and as silently as I’d left.Yes, many men writing on this site have spoken about the fear that the name ‘St George’s Home’ when spoken, sent shivers down their spines as children at St Mary’s and JCH. By most accounts , St Mary’s and JCH were more ‘caring’ and safe environments.
Alcohol is ‘cunning , baffing and powerful’.I am indeed grateful for the fact that there is hope for those who suffer from this affliction. Lives can be restored to sanity. Sadly our parents may not have realised this.I do remember as I’m sure you and many others do, that sense of fear which alcoholism brought into our lives. And yet in some strange way St George’s was a kind of refuge at times. If one took away the abuse from the some masters and some of the boys, it was probably a safer place than the homes we knew.As I have said before, I just kept my head down, stayed out of trouble , kept the rules as best I could and ‘survived’ the experience.
But my own batlles in life only started once I left the gates of the Home. Good to hear from you, George. Blessings to you and all our ‘bloggers’. Michael R
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994. trevor van reenen | March 24, 2013 at 4:51 pm

hi there everyone,now when i was living in the metropolitan flats in berea,after work i would run down to the trim park at the bottom of hillbrow and opposite the teachers training college.one afternoon on my way to the trim park this guy stops me and asks me if i would like to run in a road race.i say to him ok.he then asks me were i run to,i tell him to the trim park.i tell him i will see him when i come back from the trim park.it seems i run past his house which is opposite barnardo’s high school for girls which treasure was going to.anyway i go to his house and we sit and have coffee.i tell him my name and his name is aurther.he says that when he had come to ask me,if i wanted to run that i had gone into a fighting stance which is the horse stance for those of you that don’t know.this just came natural to me becaues i had no idea what this guy was going to do.it now turns out that he does the same SHOTOKAN karate as i do.we both burst out laughing.we find out that we have so much in common.he use to live in doornfontein and he knew everyone that i knew from there.now i go to his house every weekend with the kids.he works tor the citizen newspapper down in doornfontein.he has all these movies on video which,his kids and my kids watch.on sunday morning he takes me to a 15km road race in bedfordview which is the first road race i was to run.at the start of the race i stand with him and we start running together when he says to me if you want to go faster you must go .i then start running my pace and i start making head way in this race.i finished in the tpp 30 which i really enjoy this race.this is where i started my road running.i wait for hm at the finish line and we both realize that this is a sport we both enjoy.we both become such good friends.i was always at his house drinking coffee and having a chat.i have never know a person like this who drinks so much coffee.i learn to drink coffee just like him which i still do to this very day.i can honestly say that i was so glad that he stopped me that daycheers trevor
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995. Rolf Maier | March 25, 2013 at 5:37 am

Hi Trevor
I wonder if you can remrmber Joe Classen from Malvern High? His more notorious brother was killed by Peter Griffen in a street fight.Anyway, Joe was a cubby guy who left school in std 8 to become an electrician.He served his apprentiship at a company in Jules Street. We used to see him from the bus on the way to school standing outside his work smoking. A few years later he started running the Comrades and in his first race earned a Silver Medal. Later in his life he had to undergo a heart by-pass surgery.He came back and ran the Comrades in 7hours 30min. So,to my thinking it is definately in the genes. At the Home most of us thought that if you could sprint 100m fast you should also be able to win the 1500m.We never knew about fast & slow twitch muscle fibres. It is actually sad that the Home did not present longer distance races so that all the boys could show their full potential.
Regards to all
(Old Boy 1964-1970)
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996. peter260539 | March 25, 2013 at 11:22 am

Does anyone from earlier tears remember ” Joan Harper”? wife of the late Peter Harper , If so is there anyway of contacting her or family ? would love to , if possible contact the family. have such fond memories of peter while he was my house master [ Simpson house / Cub..] from…. Oct. 1947 to the early 50’s…..He taught me so much of life in those years ……
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- 997. Michael Rossouw | March 26, 2013 at 12:25 am
  
  Hi Peter.
  My brother John may be able to help you as he and Dave were close to Mrs Joan Harper who ran Spackman House in the 1970’s with Peter Nickles . Joan was a great “mother” in more ways than one to the boys in Spackman house when it became a Junior section house after Smuts and Crawford houses were built.You can get John & David via their facebook pages. John is more active on his fb page than Dave.I’m sure Peter that they would be able to assist you in locating Joan.She may well have returned to her native Scotland, and assuming she is still with us, she may still be able to be contacted, although I suspect by now she may well be quite frail.I last saw Dave and Heather in South Africa when Ken and Audrey Mc Holm passed away some years ago. Joan Harper Mc was Audrey Mc Holm’s sister. Two finer “motherly” people one could never find. We were indeed fortunate as boys growing up at St George’s to have two, such wonderful caring women in our lives along with all the other women who worked in the kitchen , and as nursing sisters in the Sanitorium and the “Ma’s”in the Linen room who in their own quiet and dedicated way made us to feel ‘loved’ with several acts of kindness.
  I remember Mrs Daphne Robson who starched our choir robes each week, Mrs Betty Richardson who along with her band of church and ‘Black sash’ workers worked tirelessly to raise money for running the Home to name but two.Dear Mrs Basson and Mrs Liberty who worked in the Linen room patching out khaki pants.Very dear people indeed.
  I for one certainly felt enriched by the care they gave so unselfishly to us. God Bless them!
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998. trevor van reenen | March 25, 2013 at 6:41 pm

hi rolf,wow you have brought back some memories.i do remember the electrical frim in jules street.in fact i remember the guy you ere talking about.it is good to hear that he ran the comrades.that was a very good time he did.i tell you what that this is the hardest ultra marathon to run because you run either the up hill run or the down hill run.and let me tell you they are both as hard as each other.rolf if i may you are wroth your weight in gold.please don’t stop doing your blogs.i do remember a peter classens from malvern high school.i don’t know if they were brothers.cheers trevor.
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999. Michael Rossouw | March 25, 2013 at 7:34 pm

My brother David has run the Comrades many times and I believe he has run it so many times that he now keeps his number.
‘Not sure if he plans to run again, but i’m sure he’s fit enough to finish.I’m very proud of my little brother on this and his many other achievements in life. I admire him very much.
Cheers.Michael R
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1000. trevor van reenen | March 25, 2013 at 9:17 pm

hi there you guys,please let me start by saying that my new found friend aurther which is his second name.his first is richard.so now i have moved from the metropolitan to los angeles flats in banket street in hillbrow.this where i met rolf one particularly day which was wonderful.anyway i get asked if i would like to run a marathon which i say yes.now this marathon is called the JACKIE GIBSON MARATHON.so on sunday morning richard drives me down to the stadium in turffontein where this race starts.i am now ready to run this race or so i think.anyway we are off on this marathon.we run through the industrial estate to the main road going through alberton then turn to the left at the end of alberton.well up to now i feel quite good,when up to now the course has been quite easy.let me just say this,i will never know where they found all these hills that was about to unfold.i was about to be given the greatest lesson in road running.these hills just kept on coming and now my legs were feeling sore.now someone said to me about hitting the wall which i had no idea what it meant.i was about to find out exactly what it meant.so i get past the 32km mark and now my poor legs are feeling worse every step i take.i see this african runner ahead who is walking,i come along side him and i say come on it is not far now.what happened next was like passing a baton in a relay.he starts running and i stop because now my legs are so sore that i could not run.now this is what it is like when they say that when you hit the wall.i have not experience such pain like in my life.now i know the stadium is not far here.but do you think that i could run not a chance.i walked and tried to run.i get into the stadium and i’am thinking what am i doing here.every step is agony and i make it to the finish line.boy did i want to say a few words that where not in the dictionary.this guy who i saw walking comes up to me and thanks me for encouraging him because he has made the time to get a silver medal.now i can’t walk so well because my poor legs are very sore.anyway this guy tells me his name is david and i tell him my name.i have just made a friend who was to become a big part of mine and my flamily’s life.richard now comes up to me and asks me how i feel,i tell him that i can hardly walk.he then tells me that it is latic acid.now i look at him and say latic who,i look at him because i have no idea what he is talking about.so then he explains what it is.let me say this what a way to learn about latic acid,what a lesson i learnt in road running.but i then found out that this is one of the hardest marathon to run.i never did this marathon ever again.my time was 3 hours and 5 seconds.i treasure that bronze medal because it was my first marathon.cheers trevor.
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- 1001. Michael Rossouw | March 26, 2013 at 12:39 am
  
  The only similar feeling I can relate to from your story ,Trevor , is the various ‘Big Walks’ that Derrick James took us on. These were organised by the old Rand Daily Mail newspaper.I envy those who can run long distances. I’m sure that you may have seen that wonderful film “Chariots of Fire” which tells the story of the Olympic runners , Liddle and Lindsay and Abrahams.
  I guess sport was not all about the big bucks then but rather about the spirit of competition.
  I remember shedding a tear at the subtitles which read that Eric Liddle was killed in China during the Revolution which brought Mao Zedong to power. Liddle was a missionary there. The line read “Eric Liddle died in China during the taking of Nanking…All of Scotland mourned”. ‘Says a lot about the character of the man, doesn’t it? I remember also that in the clip which showed Liddle running , a verse from the hymn “Fight the Good fight” was played” The verse was “Run the straight race though God’s good grace. Lift up thine eyes and see His face….” As the words of the hymn rang out, Liddle was pictured running looking with his eyes up to the Heavens… a very moving moment in the story for me.
  Keep running! Blessings, Michael R
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1002. Rolf Maier | March 26, 2013 at 5:49 am

Hi Michael & Trevor
I have this “love & hate” relationship with exercise and sport.I can’t believe how silly I was when I was younger.When I came to the Home in 1964 I broken a few records in the under 12 age group namely the long jump and the 100 metre sprint (those records were still standing when the Home closed) so by todays thinking I would have predominantly fast twitch muscle fibres. I only managed to win the longer races by hanging in there and winning the sprint at the end. At 13 years of age I broke my leg playing soccer and could not compete in atheletics. That year I also started smoking ( I have Kevin Jones to thank for that!) That was the biggest mistake of my life.It was all down hill from there.However, thanks to Mackies coaching I made the u16 Southern Transvaal Soccer team. I only managed to win the Victor Ledorum in atheletics because I stopped smoking for a few days. To cut a long story short, when I was serving in the army most of the training was long distance and stamina work and I really struggled. I done well in “skaapdra’ and rope climbing but the lsd running drained me.Now the silly part really strarts. Instead of accepting my limitations and focusing on my strengths I tried to prove a point trying even harder at long distance running only to push myself deeper into exhaustion. I would then stop training completely and after a while feel great and even play the best game of soccer ever. Then I would think ” imagine if I trained properly how well I would do” and the cycle would start again.How foolish of me. I was once out jogging in East London at what I thought was a good clip when this Black dude comes cruising past me. He was on the way to the Station and had a suitcase in one hand and cage with two chickens in the other! It was then that i realised I definately have limitations when it comes to long distance running.
Regards Rolf
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1003. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | March 26, 2013 at 5:57 am

Sitting here at the center of the universe (yes, the Americans think it is), I have been enjoying your many stories …. troubled only by the vagaries of memory … as I did not recognize a single name mentioned in the last 10 posts. Names come and go, as do we all and some have already gone on ahead. They may be the lucky ones.

Several years ago, shortly after the massive financial collapse in the USA that triggered the rest of the world’s ensuing slump, I advocated that you all prepare for the worst, for the the original crisis was just a ‘big wave’ … and that the worst was yet to come. The worst, is a financial tsunami that could possibly swamp us all.

Buy seeds, I said, and grow vegetables. Well, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get hold of good seeds that are not GMO’s these days … but my advice still stands .. only difference now, is I suggest you also get a shotgun and keep it loaded. When that ‘tsunami’ hits … food is going to become most critical. Not just in America … but world wide.

What is happening in Cypress is a warning … if Lagarde of the IMF or the European Union do the wrong thing … it will trigger a global banking crisis and pulling your savings out of a bank beforehand wont help you much, as paper money will be a joke (as it is in Zim). You would be better off with gold and silver bullion or coins.

We are reaching peak in almost everything, finance, energy, food and water and one is connected to the other. So, once again, I say be prepared, read this link and get the whole picture.

This is my last post … literally and possibly, metaphorically.

http://moneymorning.com/ob-article/duncan-death-spiral.php?p=PPYRP303&utm_campaign=content&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=taboola#.UVEm8FvwIyk
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1004. peter260539 | March 26, 2013 at 6:33 am

To you that are so heavily laden with all the worlds problems ….easy does it boet, , To all that is dished out to you , , good or bad overcome and…endure and for just once look on the bright side. Peace to you…,..”Good on ya.
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1005. trevor van reenen | March 26, 2013 at 2:36 pm

hi there peter,have you been watching the super rugby?i see last week the sharks were given quite a beating by the brumbies which i might say were the better team.then this week i nearly choked with my coffee in fact i thought i was seeing things,there to my amaze the sharks won 64-7 against the rebels.just about everyone in the team scored a try.but what made my day was watching WALES win the six nations cup.HOE GAAN DIT?CHEERS TREVOR.
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- 1006. peter260539 | March 27, 2013 at 12:55 am
  
  Hi Trevor , hoe gaan dinge ?….Yeah quite a few super rugby upsets last weekend , but still a bit early in the Comp. … and blady well done to Wales . otherwise ou boetman , alles gaan goed ….mooi bly en vas byt…….. Hey , that lousy weather hitting the UK , are you guys effected , if so ”easy does it.”….bye for now , Peter from downunder.
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1007. trevor van reenen | March 26, 2013 at 4:22 pm

hi michael,all i can say is WOW your brother has achieved one of the greatest achievements in comrades running.when you run your tenth comrades marathon you get a green number which you keep forever.all the other numbers are yellow.i can only sit here in awe of him.you won’t believe this but not all that many men and women achieve this.as i have said this is one of the hardest altra marathons to run.when you sit and think about it,it is two marathons back to back.this marathon is repected all over the world.it is just the participating in this wonderful marathon.i do remember mr. james who use to do the walking events for the home.we had some every good walkers and one who i remember is cris fourie.cheers trevor
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1008. ttrevor van reenen | March 27, 2013 at 12:51 pm

hi peter from down under,it has been the longest and coldest winter for fifty years.i just hope and pray that this cold weather does not come down there to you down south.we even have to buy hot water bottles to keep our feet warm,but as the old auntie Gloria sings I WILL SURVIVE.anyway there is a lot of super rugby over this Easter weekend.do you still have that twenty/20 tournament down there?i am looking forward to the Twenty/20 league in India.to all of you have lovely Easter weekend.cheers trevor
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1009. Leslie DuPlessis | March 28, 2013 at 10:12 pm

Somewhere in this blog, in the photos at the top, I think, is a clipping listing names that participated in the Rand Daily Mail walks, and the times. I was bad at most sports, on the B team of everything, except swimming now and then. But I enjoyed those long walks, and did well in a couple.
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1010. ttrevor van reenen | March 31, 2013 at 5:34 pm

hi there everyone,now a lot of you can remember we use to see movies on SATURDAY night.now why i say this is because two movies i remember so well are,the beast must die.this was the first werewolf movie ever made and the other movie is TOMMY THE TOREADOR,the actor is TOMMY STEELE who is still acting to this day at the west end in LONDON.anyway every EASTER the late father CLAYTON would say we are giving up the watching movies during EASTER.i still can not understand why he would do this on all our part?anyway i dear suppose someone will tell me one day.cheers trevor
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1011. Allan Chrystal | March 31, 2013 at 6:08 pm

In my time,1948-1952 I saw a total of 2 movies. They were rare and were naturally gleefully anticipated. The second one was a riveting ghost thriller. Headmaster Short stopped the movie halfway explaining it would cause us to have nightmares or something as bizarre. He replaced it with some mushy musical that would drive any misty eyed kid under 35 to tears or worse, distraction.
I left the mess hall showing and went back to Taylor house to sulk by myself.
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1012. Peter deReuck | April 1, 2013 at 5:04 am

Hi Allan Chrystal….my time 1948- 1955, films I remember were Easter William movies [ which they bombarded us with] and a movie I wiil never for get ” The good earth….the reason for this was that Burny Moss liked it so much he reordered it for the following fortnight ….anyway , we all attended , time to exchange nutties for what have you……..The projector would regularly give problems when used in the end classrooms …posibly defective wiring . this would result in a series of Booo’s followed by a slap on the head from either Harry Fisher or Earny Bher….who ever was the closest……….Bobby Logan had the habit of neatly placing a drwing pin on Fluffy Capeners chair….To which he blamed Thomas Marr.
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1013. ttrevor van reenen | April 2, 2013 at 11:54 am

hi there everyone,what a good easter weekend we have had.myself and william spent easter saturday with treasure up in bedminster in briistol,where i went to visit rose,who is from south africa and she has a shop selling south africa goodies.i always have a good old chat with her about south africa.treasure bought a massive packet of biltong from london,where they sell it in most major outlets i always meet different south africans who are now living over here.it seems to be a good meeting place for us south africans to tell about what is happening there.some of the stories don’t sound so good.anyway the boat race was won by oxford and chelsea beat man. united 1-0 in the F. A cup round.i did buy some south african chocolates.i do prefer the lindt chocolate.we all had a good day.i hope you all have had a wonderful weekend.cheers trevor.
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1014. ttrevor van reenen | April 2, 2013 at 3:11 pm

hi there,seems to me that while i was attending malvern high school i was to meet and see some of the best footballers in my life.let me just tell you some of them.the clarke brothers,trevor brown,johnny murphy,tony perreira and george calgoosy,i don’t know if i spelt his name right.all these guys used to play for ellis park football team which was one of the most formidable teams to play.i remember that george would then team up with my brother in law george williamson and they would become two of the fastest players i have ever seen,in running and controlling of a ball.i watched them play sunday league and they beat this side 20-0.i never seen george from malvern high again after that.johnny murphy worked with us at J. H. COULSON ELECTRICAL.TONY i meet with paul de lange at the old castle inn in hillbrow where we had a drink and talked about our malvern high school days.tony was in a group who played at one of the sessions we had in the dinning hall in the home.does anyone remember the guy who use to cut our hair in the home?i for the life of me can’t remember his name.so if any of you remember can you please enlighten me.cheers trevor.
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1015. Michael Rossouw | April 2, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Hey Trevor! Thanks for this bit of news. I did watch the Oxford/Cambridge boat race on BBC TV before I went to celebrate the Easter Eucharist at my parish in St Alban’s. I was introduced to rowing when I was a ‘stooge’ (student tutor) at St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown during my days at Rhodes University.
Rhodes and UPE (Now the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) used to have their annual race on the Kowie river; quite an event where voluminous quantities of beer and champagne were consumed. The bloke who cut our hair in the Common rooms was Mr Conradie. he used to whistle while he worked. Once I left the St Georges I grew my hair as long as I could and during my student days I sported a long ‘Paul Kruger type’ beard.I also smoked a “Kruger opstaan” pipe which had a flat surface and stood on a table when not being used; very ‘hip’ at the time.I dont smoke anymore, and these days I dont have enough hair for a haircut. The trick to dodge the haircut book was to slip out of the dining room or hide under the table as the headboy came around writing down the names.
Haircuts at local barbers were 2 shillings and sixpence (2/-6) then.
If you went to one of the Italian men’shairstylists in Hillbrow or Braamfontein, they were R3 +. ( I remember a guy named Brain Siliphant, an old boy before my time who became a hairstylist. He was very professional and did a lot of theatre work too in his craft.I think Ma Noakes used to use him as well to help with our make up in the Malvern plays. I am open to correction here.)
Now I’m really showing my age.

Trust you all had a Blessed Eastertide.
For me I guess I learnt something form those days when we were dragged back from our Easter break to celebrate these ‘Paschal mysteries’. This was the first year as a priest that i presided alone at the Eucharist since my ordination.Peviously I was with other clergy at the altar.I thought of Beebop , and the Beek in particular and I wondered how they managed. It’s quite an exhausting task (as well as great privilege) if one does the service with dignity and dare I say good preaching, although that’s something i’m still trying to master. Each time I stand at the altar I look up to the Heavens and ask the Lord ‘Are you sure you have the right guy here?’ When I think of my life and some of the dumb things I have done, I wonder how God in His mercy called me to this work! (Alas I ramble on!)

Please keep me and my family in your prayers,as my wife and children are stiil, after a year now , in the Philippines , and I am struggling to get them to Canada. I have family in the UK, but I believe it is quite tough getting an appointment in the Church of England. I have survived my first Saskatchewan Winter, so who knows, perhaps the Lord is teaching me something, probably an appreciation for family life and the virtue of patience, not one of my strong points.
I often think of St George’s when I hear the financial boffins in Europe talking about giving investors in places like Cyprus , Portugal, Spain and Ireland the financial “haircut” in the bailout deals.I remember Allan Burgess housemaster of Taylor house who taught us budgetting and how to handle our money when he introduced the cheque sysytem in our pocket money management.
Banks must be the only businesses that can fail and be bailed out at the expense of ordinary savers like you and me, and then still pay their executives big fat bonuses for being a failure in business.What a crazy world, but I guess we have to keep praying and know that God is still in charge as the late NJC used to say.
Catch you all again soon!
Michael R
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1016. Rolf Maier | April 3, 2013 at 5:29 am

Hi Leslie
I see that Amazon gives your book A Blade of Grass quiet a “rave” review! Well done—lets see much more.I am busy with studies at the moment but as soon as I am done I intend reading all your books.That might help boost some royalties ( tongue-in-cheek)
Best regards Rolf
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1017. Rolf Maier | April 3, 2013 at 6:18 am

Hi Michael
In my opinion we all need priests who have lived a ‘real’ life and are wordly wise and who can relate to us “plebs”.You have definately walked down all roads and I for one would would think you are a perfect candidate for this “calling”.
On a slightly different note, SA was experiencing major power load shedding some time ago.Eskom led us to believe that it was a capacity problem.What I believe really happned was that they stopped stock-pilling coal at the Power Stations and showed a huge savings on the Finacial Statements.The Board then gave themselves fat performance bonuses! Demand for electricity then increased and they could not keep up the supply of coal.They were caught with their pants down.
Regards to all
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1018. peter de Reuck | April 4, 2013 at 9:59 am

To Trevor… howzit boet ,, I see some very good super rugby this weekend , ESP. Sharks Vs. Crusaders and Cheetahs Vs Stormers Tell me Trevor , during you stay at Goggies did they ever play Rugby ?…Not during my stay . … Strange hey?…During my childrems school years [ Glenwood and DHS ] they thrived on the game , then later my grand children who attended Crawford college ..excelled in Rugby …….enough said… all that’s on my mind at this moment is tonights Oz. lotto of 20 million dollars ……as the old adage goes ” If you aint got your line in the water , no fish.”. Ok Trevor , Mooi bly en vas byt……… Peter de Reuck from Aus.

?
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1019. ttrevor van reenen | April 4, 2013 at 4:20 pm

hi peter from oz,to my knowledge and memory we did not go any where near to playing rugby.i can remember in beaton house where we got hold of a rugby ball and we tried to play football with it.you can only imagine what happened trying to play football with a rugby ball.i can remember trying to kick this ball after it had bounced only to find it had bounced the opposite direction.we soon realized that you could not play football with a rugby ball.being kids we would try any thing.i can remember us in beaton house we wanted to play one night,so what do we do,we put white shoe shine on the ball.well we try playing this game even with out lights.the one thing i can say is that even when it did not work,we still enjoyed trying to play.what i can say is that they tried to introduce rugby in malvern high school,but no one could understand this game so we started playing football.it was mr gerady our pt. instructor who tried to introduce this game to us.as the late al debbo said DIS LEKKER OM TE LEWE.mooi bly trevor.
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1020. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 12, 2013 at 1:01 am

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-fossil-fuel-resistance-20130411/+1?page=2

This is not just another story from; ‘the guy carrying the soros of the world on his shoulders’ … it’s from one of your home brothers … older than most of you online here but not the oldest. I don’t post here to entertain you, I post to provide you with insight to issues that affect all of us … not just home boys, we’re a global family now, whether we like it or not … and we have very little time to play games with the future … whether you are aware of that or not. The article above by Bill McKibben of 350.org is about the most critical issue facing mankind in this moment in time, Climate Warming!

After the game and a few cold ones … I ask you all, to take please take the time and read the article. I’m aware I have a reputation as a downer … a wetblanket … but I care about the future and the future of man … and that includes all of you, you are all my family … whether you like it or not. So chill out Peter, I’m not out to spoil the game or the mood … but sometimes you gotta play and sometimes you got get down, do due diligence and face reality. Peace Out.
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1021. Allan Chrystal | April 12, 2013 at 5:56 am

DC.
With all due respect I sense you are putting too much credibility in the musings of this McKibben character. He seems to think killing coal should be coupled with killing oil and natural gas. Keystone would replace unethical Saudi and Venezuelan oil. It would also enable Canada to get approximate world prices for the oil rather than the present 22% forced discount. Maybe the real reason various American foundations are financing the “environmental activists”?
Even the leftwing media are starting to question AGW.

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/search/all/source/the-source/global-warmists-retreating/2289444765001
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1022. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | April 12, 2013 at 6:04 am

… and neither am I here to argue or belabor the point. If you only look up at the sky, you will never see the ground beneath your feet. I suggest doing due diligence. Reading only climate deniers manifesto’s is a limiting experience.
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1023. Allan Chrystal | April 12, 2013 at 6:38 am

Even the New York Times is now starting to backtrack. Nobody denies climate change. It has always changed and always will. Skeptics merely question the role of CO2. Readers can Google Anthropological Global Warming to do their own due diligence. It is not lost on skeptics that referring to them as deniers is the association with other deniers. The Holocaust deniers.
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1024. John Rossouw | April 15, 2013 at 1:44 am

Greetings all. There is a reunion of old boys, girls and families at the sports pavilion on Sunday 21 April. It’s an informal bring and braai / pick nick affair and everyone is welcome. I hope to bring Fr Eric Richardson along. I saw him on Saturday and he is keen to come out for the day. in his 101h year he is still in remarkable health and mental state. I will post some pictures of the event. Bishop Bavin school has a new head Alistair Dry. My brother Dave knows him very well from St Johns College and Dave has initiated an approach to build relations between the school and old Boys which is much needed as we head towards our Centenary in 2015. i have always maintained without it the school has no lineage to its past and the home as we knew it to its future. warm regards to all!
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1025. Michael Rossouw | April 15, 2013 at 4:14 am

Thanks John and David as well as any other Old Boys and Old Girls who have made this reunion and ‘mending of fences’ possible. I shall be thinking of you all on 21st especially. My parish has an annual dinner on St George’s day each year at which I shall certainly be keeping you all in mind.I shall start to get my savings together for 2015 to make sure I get there! Have a Happy St George’s day!
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1026. Rolf Maier | April 16, 2013 at 4:59 am

It’s almost unbelievable but Peter Buckley turns 65 years old today.So he is an official pensioner as from today! Happy Birthday Pete. I am going to try and persuade him to attend the reunion on the 21st.At a recent funeral I met up with some old Malvern High School compatriots.Perhaps some of you will recognise some of these names: Philip Beuckman; Louis Broeders, Ivan Bedworth (twin) Allan Sparrow and Errol Smith. Murray Metcalfe also passed away recently. In his mature days he remarried Terry Paine’s (ex England player and now TV commentator)daughter.
Regards to all
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1027. ttrevor van reenen | April 17, 2013 at 12:02 pm

hi there everyone,i woke up this morning and went on the site to see such wonderful news that you guys are having a reunion on sunday.i hope you all have a wonderful day.cheers trevor.
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1028. Rolf Maier | April 23, 2013 at 8:11 am

Went to the reunion on Sunday 21st April and noticed that the old boys are definitely a dying breed. I was suprised how big and tall John Rossouw is and am glad I did not “pick” on him when he was younger.Justin Brown, Dup Stevens and his younger brother was there. Others I recognised were Paul Courtney and Graig Cooper. And of course “Syd” was there. It was nice seeing you guys again!
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- 1029. Rolf Maier | April 26, 2013 at 4:59 am
  
  Last night, 25/04/2013 I played my first indoor soccer game in over 15 years.I managed to keep up with the youngsters! This is at over 60 years of age, so all is not lost for us old guys.
  At the recent reunion I did not have the opportunity to walk through the Home grounds but the gardens have been landscaped and are well maintained.On the fields there were both rugby and soccer posts.When I was working down at East London I saw a Combi from Bishop Bavin School near the Buffalo river where a Regetta was taking place so it seems that they also have a rowing team.I am all for progress but somehow the old atmosphere of the Home was lost to me.Perhaps this was so because there where no kids around?
  Regards to all,Rolf
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1030. trevor van reenen | May 5, 2013 at 7:06 pm

hi there everyone,i have being doing a lot of hill work so i have being feeling quite tired at the end of the day.as rolf says at a certain age we can still do some sport to keep us in good health.it is so good to hear that peter and michael buckley are still around,hope to hear a lot more from you both.i remember a blog from michael about building flower beds around beaton aand the swimming pool.if my memory is correct we used to do gardening on a thursday afternoon,when older guys used to do cadets.i remember in beaton house we used to do our homework at mr. george adams’s flat at simpson house.where he had a framed photo of j.f.kennedy the president of the u.s.a.but what really sticks in my mind is that they use to always play flaming star by elvis presley.i was more of a cliff richard fan at the time.in fact brian van loggengerg was our patrol leader at the time.i also remember the old tuck shop by beaton and the swimming pool.it was quite strange watching when they use to empty the swimming and the run past beaton house on the corner,i don’t know where the water used to go,some where to towards father richardsons house.any way i am on my way to do more hill work so i will blog again some time.cheers trevor.
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1031. trevor van reenen | May 7, 2013 at 1:19 pm

hi there you guys,not so long ago i was one of those guys who assumed that laptops and smartphones where for the younger generation.william my son always had a laptop and a smartphone,so one day i asked him what was the meaning of surfing the net.he then explained to me exactly what surfing the net meant and asked me if i wound like to try,so i said yes.he then showed me how to get on the web.now this is my first time on the web.so i decided to go on the brian jones fan club.when i got on the site all i said was wow,all this information at your finger tips.then i knew that this was not only for the younger generation,but is for everyone who want’s to find out all information about all different subjects.the next site i went on was the saint george’s home site where is how i find this site.treasure my daughter showed me how to down load all my cd’s on to the laptop and then transfer them on to my ipod.i have nearly 1,000 songs on this ipod.so just think what it was like when i got on to the youtube site.all this music at your finger tips.i can listen to all the south african groups.the only group i can not listen to is a group called the fanstastic baggys,the lp called surf’s paradise.so i am so thankful for wiiliam encouraging me to go on the web.i would be lost without the internet now,so those of you that are afraid don’t be just go on and enjoy.because life is to short to sit and do nothing.hi peter and andrew are you guys still out there.mooi bly.trevor
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1032. Andrew Mackie | May 8, 2013 at 4:45 am

Hi Trevor,
Well I am still alive and in reasonably good health and now able to access the internet on a more regular basis to read and respond to mails. For the past 3 months have been away from home visiting my daughter and family in New Zealand and just returned home. The worst part of such an excursion is the long flights back to South Africa. Leaving their home in Torbay, Auckland at 3 am to fly to Sydney and then onto SA arriving some 23 hours later with very little sleep on the flight. However watched 14 movies during that time which helped pass the time. Obiviously when travelling in premium class also makes life more comfortable, as with my back problems do not think I could endure travelling so far in the ecconomy seats.
However, my wife and I had a wonderful holiday and travelled extensively in NZ more so than on the previous occasions. Visiting some wonderful places with a beauty of their own in unbelievable weather of late summer. Indulged in some of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines produced in that country with an abundance of fresh fish dishes. Yum! Enough said as I could fill a book, almost with our tales and experiences.
Yes, Trevor the internet is a wealth of information and uses not only for entertainment but also to transact business, in fact most of my financial transactions are processed through this medium, including booking flights and hotel reservations for my travels. The only problem I now have is when searching for information is to select the most appropriate data on the subject to suit my enquiry.
Please keep up with your news and thoughts. God Bless.
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1033. Rolf Maier | May 8, 2013 at 5:49 am

Hi Trevor, What milage do you cover in a week? Bruce Tulloh, the GB runner, does great research on running and aging. He was running better times during his 60’s than as a 19 year old because of training innovations. He is 78 and still running! He used to train Mike Boit of Kenya in the “good” old days.He has written numerous books on running training that come highly recommended. Do you race at all? It seems that if one does not have the odd race one seems to lose the incentive to train. Anyway, it is good to hear that you are still active. Regards to all.
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1034. trevor van reenen | May 8, 2013 at 5:05 pm

hi there rolf,i will put a bog on later about running the comrades which will explain to you about the facts that i have found out about running different events.rolf when you went to the reunion at the home,did anyone take photo’s of the event.hi andrew i am so glad that you enjoyed your holiday.hope to hear from you soon.trevor.
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1035. Rolf Maier | May 9, 2013 at 4:43 am

Hi Trevor, yes photo’s were taken and John Rossouw said that they will be posted on the “net” soon.
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1036. trevor van reenen | May 9, 2013 at 12:39 pm

hi there you guys.this weekend is for myself,treasure and william a bit of a celebration,for on sunday we have been here 24 years.we left south africa on my brithday 11th of may 1988.we had our last meal at the porterhouse steakhouse in hillbrow with my mother and treasure’s friend’s.my mother stayed behind until we could find our feet in england.last saturday we went to bristol to celebrate my brithday for this saturday.so they bought me a cake and we all had a piece of cake.but now because treasure,debbie and william are all in training to lose weight i was left with all this cake that i had to eat.you talk about have your cake and eat it.but now i am doing sit ups to get rid of the excess weight.i won’t tell you how many sit ups i do a day because some of you will ask why.i have been doing a lot exercise that i used to do when i was doing karate.i don’t do kata’s any more,i just do the basic’s.so i dear suppose i will get another cake but not so big,this saturday.so what’s the bet that i get my small cake and eat it.by the way my so called marriage ended in absolute disaster,so i have been single for quite awhile.which is not so bad.cheers trevor
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1037. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 10, 2013 at 1:41 am

In case you guys thought I was Cassandra re-incarnated … here’s some good news for you of a possible game changer and paradigm shift for the future of pure energy.

http://truth-out.org/news/item/16273-patent-filing-claims-solar-energy-breakthrough

Those of you who would like to take a break from old memories and rugby scores … might want to track me on Facebook under my name; D.C. Leslie-Pringle. I don’t offer any personal special wisdom or inside knowledge … but I do disseminate a lot of material and post the most valid stories about the issue that really matter today (and mostly they all do), written by truly dedicated research journalists and great writers, not corrupted by Corporate philosophy or financial dependency.

Our world is changing rapidly in front of our eyes and being informed, being aware … is to be able to prepare to deal with what is coming down the pike. It is not all bad … as this article bares witness to and there are many more solutions for many of the dilemma that face us.
We just have to pay attention and where possible … contribute effort and/or positive energy towards them.By changing ourselves, we influence change in others … consciousness is best served shared.

Peace out.
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1038. Rolf Maier | May 10, 2013 at 5:02 am

Hi D.C., thanks for all the useful information, some of us really appreciate it. There are some great minds in this world but somehow mankind must be pushed to the brink of disaster before corrective action is taken. Having said that, this blog is similar to a family reunion.At a family reunion it is difficult to talk business if there is some serious “catching-up” to do.Happy Birthday Trevor. Enjoy the Day.Regards to all.
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1039. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 10, 2013 at 5:13 am

Thank you Rolf … happy birthday Trevor … please continue to enjoy the ‘serious catching up’. I was just passing through and did not mean to interrupt tea. But do carry on, I’ll be on my way.
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1040. trevor van reenen | May 12, 2013 at 5:21 pm

hi there you guys,there is nothing worse than some people who have thought that what they have done has been the right the right thing only to find at a certain age that it was totally wrong.last week a watched a program about mr. peter hain who was the guy who went around england upsetting all the cricket and rugby matches,when south africa played england.so what he did was to come to south africa to find out why it has gone so horrible wrong.so he has asked the people what has gone wrong,in which they have told him that there is so much corruption.the guy who spent time in robben island has told him that all they have done to set the country free has all been in vain.so now peter hain has admitted that all he did has also been in vain.now bishop tutu who has now admitted that the anc can not govern the country because they don’t know how to govern.he has also said that he will never vote for the anc again.so you see these people who assumed that they knew what was right have been proved to be totally wrong.now their conscience will kick in and they will suffer because they assumed they knew what they where doing.i feel sorry for the anc because they know what they are doing is wrong,so they will reap what they sow and i say this with a heavy heart.but all in south africa,all is not lost because the lord will bring you out of all these problems by his lovely hand.god bless you all,trevor
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1041. trevor van reenen | May 12, 2013 at 6:32 pm

hi there rolf,when i was training at central gym,there was bob who did the karate and there was pete who did the weight lifting section.i was friendly with pete,who showed me what weights i should used to build different muscles.he then got these ankle weights which you could not get from sports shops.so i would take a pair and train with them,which i found to be brilliant.but the problem was he would all ways ask for them back while i was half way through a kata.i eventually got hold of a pair of ankle weights,which now i could train as much as i like.at first i had to get use to the weight,but once i got used to them i started to wear them all day.then i would come home from work and do my training.eventually i would wear them every where i would go,it become second nature to me.in fact when i come over here i was wearing ankle weights.so most of my life i have been wearing ankle weights.you will be surprised how light you feel when you have worn them all day and you take them off.these ankle weights now come in different sizes now.this was now going to give me the strength to run.cheers trevor.
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1042. Michael Rossouw | May 13, 2013 at 2:49 am

It’s called Khama. What goes around comes around., or as the Good Book puts it “as you sow., so shall you reap.” Apartheid was evil, but our liberation has resulted in simply replaced one ruling class with another, only this lot are hell bent on enriching themselves and bringing the country to its knees.I also watched Peter Hain on BBC. It was a very interesting commentary given his stance on South Africa in the past.The Chinese have a saying “May you live in interesting times”. These certainly are interesting times in “the beloved country.”
Good to hear from you Trevor.We can only commit ouselves and our country into God’s Almighty hands.Blessings, Michael R
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1043. Michael Rossouw | May 13, 2013 at 2:53 am

Sorry for my bad spelling . I was meaning “Karma”. (Obviously thinking of a ruling family in Botswana!
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1044. Rolf Maier | May 13, 2013 at 5:31 am

Hi all, As with most Liberation movements they are good at fighting for a cause but once in power they can’t govern. They also believe in the maxin of “the winner takes the spoils”. But the tide is changing. A new Political Party is being launched in June that is going to give the ANC a run for it’s money. Talking of Botswana, their learder (her name escapes me) has declined a salary increase and refused to accept a fleet of vehicles, saying that the money can be better used elsewhere! The currency of Botswana is also stronger than the Rand and they give us a good go in soccer.That is with a population of just over a million. This definitely give one food for thought.
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1045. Andrew Mackie | May 13, 2013 at 5:58 am

Hi Trevor and Fr Michael Rossouw,

Firstly, Fr Michael, glad to read your comment it has been a while since your last contribution. Trust you are well and things are improving for you and your family, it has also been some time since I last wrote here, as my wife and I were visiting my daughter in New Zealand. In my opinion Peter Hain was not a very likeable person, dont forget he in someway managed to escape SA after a bomb blast in Johannesburg station and many believe he was responsible.
Way back in 1992/3 when the South African Government called for a referendum to end apartheid the vast majority voted for change with a vision of freedom and harmony for all. Sadly the euphoria ended when Nelson Mandela retired and appointed his successor Thabo Mbeki, since that time, the country has experienced upheaval and deterioration in values is rife. After Mbeki was recalled and Jacob Zuma took over the Presidency things have been on a downward trend and continue to slide backward. Government is riddled with corruption and it would seem they cannot or do not wish to rectify.
Even to the extent the President has allowed wasteful spending in upgrading his private residence to the tune of R250m. A further some estimated at R21bn is unaccounted for in all forms of government, and it would not surprise me if this figure was double that amount.
While I agree the apartheid system was grossly unfair and extremely hurtful to peoples of colour in this country, some recognition should be given for the infrastructure and development of the industries of the past, this is not the case. When government is critizised or shown in a bad light it is shouted down as racism. After 19 years in power most government departments are a shambles with Education one of the worst. Upliftment of the past disadvantaged people cannot take place without a decent education and skills development and this is not happening. To most educated people in this country it appears those in positions of power are only enriching themselves as they feel it is their entitlement for the past. Many may think this is harsh treatment on my part but remember I too was a home boy with no silver spoon my lot.
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1046. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 13, 2013 at 6:42 am

Hi Michael and Andrew … glad you are both back. Was hoping to hear from you. how things were working out Michael and trust you will touch base with me on email.

I have been following your hurrmps and grumps online in your local press Andrew, and must admit, you are a bulldog at venting your ire on government there, I truly hope you’re right ..,. for SA … all of SA that common sense prevails and an emerging, viable alternative party to the ANC, stands a chance of taking over the reigns of power. And yet, I fear that even if such a party did win at the vote-box … the Powers that currently be … will be very reluctant to let go … so that old ghost of a civil war can still be lingering in the closet.

In 1956 Britain released the first of the many pearls of her Colonial necklace, to independence and self-determination. That was Ghana. At the time there was agitation throughout black Africa for freedom and independence from her Imperial bloody Majesty and in 1960.

Harold McMillan, the PM of England gave his famous United Nations speech; The Winds of Change and it was all downhill from there as all thosr royal pearls slipped off their string and rolled away to freedom. Certainly it was tough for the whites but even worse for the blacks. Chaos ruled for many years and many wars.

The last time I visited Ghana was no more than a 4 hour stopover 15 years ago. But as I recall, it was a pretty organized and civil place to visit back then … at least Accra was. I was reminded at the time that my brother Stuart, who has studied an awful lot of anthropology (amongst other philosophical pursuits), told me that it takes three generations to wipe out the imprint of a slave mentality from a freed people and then to re-imprint it with a free man’s consciousness. That’s 50 years.

South Africa was the last domino to fall and will be one of the last to arise again … due mostly to it’s enormous mineral wealth … it has a better chance of recovering early balance than some of your poorer neighbors. But it will need a strong government no matter what, to hold the country together in the interim …and that does not look like the case at present.

Let us hope you are right Andy.
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1047. trevor van reenen | May 19, 2013 at 1:26 pm

hi there everyone,this is a quick blog because i am getting ready to do my hillwork,which i am now beginning to enjoy,so all this training has paid off.myself and william have started gym again in minehead,we started on wednesday,which is good to be back there.you guys it is never to late to get fit again,all you got to do is get out there and do it.sport does not have a age limit.the saying goes you are only as old as you feel.i see my dear friend titus mamabolo who i used to have many races against and he was running for rac club,anyway his nephew won last years comrades marathion.so good luck to him for next month’s marathon on the 2nd.sorry you guys i must go and william wants to use my laptop.cheers trevor.
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1048. trevor van reenen | May 20, 2013 at 2:16 pm

hi there everyone,is seems at last what i have been telling people in south africa and over here,is been conformed with a chef called jamie oliver.now let me explain.white sugar is one of the greatest poisons created by man.nowsome of you can remember down in umtentweni we use to get sugar cane which i really like.anyway when sugar cane is crushed the raw product is called molasses which is rich in vitamins and minerals and in fact it has lovely taste.that is why they use it in liquorice.now some clever person comes along and strips this molasses of all it’s vitamins and minerals and sells it as white sugar,which is now classed as dead food.white sugar not only puts on some much weight but it also starts rotting in the body.i have been telling people for years that if they take molasses with their coffee or tea at least they are getting the minerals and vitamins.as i will say that white sugar only clogs up the system.which brings me to salt.salt in the diet in very small amounts is not bad,but in great doses is just as bad as white sugar.i met a lady when i was working in morningside who said to me that she just could not loose weight but that she had a lot of water retention.so i told her to stop taking white sugar and replace it with molasses and to cut her salt intake.i saw her three months later when she thanked me because she has lost a lot of weight.you see that when women’s intake of salt is so high it causes water retention which makes it so much harder to loose weight.the one thing i have lean’t at a early age,is what certain foods does to the body.i could carry on about healthy eating but i better go in case i upset a certain person.so cheers you guys trevor.
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1049. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 20, 2013 at 4:49 pm

Congratulations Trevor. Your information and commentary on sugar and salt, are exactly what I meant in an earlier blog about sharing valuable information and taking advantage of this site to do so. In so doing, we can all contribute to each other’s health, knowledge base and well being. We are after all, a family of brothers. We may disagree with each other as brother’s sometimes do, but we will always share a common bond in SGH.

It is this kind of ‘sharing’ I have long waited to see appear here. I hope others among you will do the same. If you’d rather share nostalgia instead … read back over a 1000 blog entries and you will find the same ‘memory’ shared over and over. No need to add more.
Antidotes and personal stories or experiences are always interesting of course … provided they are well told, but repetition of … ‘do you remember so and so …’ does not enlighten anyone.
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1050. Michael Rossouw | May 20, 2013 at 6:58 pm

Seems to me that the value of Free Speech and self expression taught at Malvern High by Vera Kirkland , Muriel Noakes and others did take root in our collective psyche!
Trevor I really enjoy your insight and common sense and the manner in which you so honestly share these gifts. Thank you for that.Dudley as always you remind us of the responsibility we have as parents and grandparents to “teach your chidren well” as the song says.I have just read an article and I hope to catch the programme later today on BBC World about the plight of so called “poor whites” in our fledgeling democracy in the now ‘not so new’ South Africa.
Catch John Simpsons programme on “The Editors” if you can or else go to the BBC World website.His work is insightful, well written unbiased and well researched
Remembering our upbringing , our roots and the place which shaped much of our thinking and beliefs (well certainly in my case) has been good for me, but as my late brother Des said , there are some things that we have to simply “let go of”.

I have not quite got the hang of that yet. In my 12 step programme we say that ” We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.”
Clinging to the past is unhealthy but shutting it out all together may not be helpful for some of us.
As we approach what would have been the Centenary of St George’s as we knew it , I would like to see Old Boys and “old girls” who spent time in the ‘cottage’ sysytem which housed brothers and sisters together when the home as we knew it made way for the Bishop Bavin school /St Georges , put together some form of ‘Trust fund ‘ which would assist those in need as our gift to remember the Home and those who gave much of their lives in service to it. The money raised could be used in Education, feeding or housing of the poor irrespective of race, color or creedand would would be an obvious choice. Perhaps even a bursary or scholarship scheme to send at least one student from a disadvantaged background to be educated at Bishop Bavin /St Georges . A bursary to those who are studying in fields which are contributing to combat climate change and the growth of healthy food growing programmes, those working to find an economic solution to the current financial “crunch” and the like could also be possibilities. These are just my embrionic thoughts on the idea from my over – worked thinking, and my imagination running riot, something during my 12 year sojourn in SE Asia I should have learnt to master ! (My apologies!)
I remember in his speech at the closing of the Home, Eric Richardson did challenge us with something like this, but I’m not sure that in our anger and our grief at the closing of SGH that we responded to that. (Alas I ramble on!)
Trevor,I do love the raw honesty in the way you write on this site. It is very refreshing and means a great deal to me as I’m sure it does to many who read your wisdom. You have a great gift and I really want to thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Dudley, I receive much of the material you send to me personally and on this website and I do appreciate and admire your passion about these issues which are very real and very relevant.
I would encourage readers of this site, particularly old boys and old girls, to share their passions and interests and I do believe that your story is also our story.
We do have a special bond with each other as a very rare “band of Brothers” as it were , and it would be good to share whatever insights we have in the business of “Life in the Real World after St Georges.”
Thanks guys for your sharing.
I’m still waiting for my family to get visas to enter Canada. David my brother has been a particular source of help in this regard as has my brother John in his insight on my situation here. (It has been a year now that my wife and family and i have been separated from each other because of Government Bureaucracy and I thank them for their love and support.

I took up my guitar yesterday for the first time in years. I thought a lot about NJC and our time with him in “The Communicants”.
Tom Stephens who was the drive behind our formation is in Toronto; I have yet to visit him as well as Leslie “du Plessis” DeSoto. Summer’s here and , who knows; I may get around to doing so.
God Bless you all and please keep writing.Many of you have been silent for too long.
God Bless you all,
Michael Rossouw (Saskatchewan Canada)
PS I had news from JJ. recently. He is now in a retirement place in Natal and most of his children and grandchildren are living in Australia, NZ and Singapore. Like most of us he has his medical issues , but his mathematical brian and love of letter writing is still strong. He does keep in touch with Nutsy Moore. Nutsy i believe has not as yet embraced the technological age and prefers telephone calls and letters. Michael R+
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1051. Rolf Maier | May 21, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Hi Trevor, I too share your passion for a healthy diet and regular excercise.If you Google Tim Noakes’s diet you will get a revolutionary insight into the new trend in healthy eating. As you no doubtly know he is the author of the Lore of Running and he says anyone who has his old book must go to the nutrition section and tear it out! Give it a look-in. Regards Rolf
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1052. trevor van reenen | May 22, 2013 at 4:40 pm

hi there you guys,have just got in from our gym session.anyway rolf you have brought back so many memories from my road running days in south africa.you are right with tim noake’s who did an extensive research into marathon and ultra marathon running,in which they came up with a drink called leppen sports drink which was for the runners to carbo load.i have taken this sports drink which is very effective.and they have a sports drink which is to replenish your reserves after the race.i used to buy a product called sustagen which i used to get from the ok or checkers which i found to be very effective,in fact cris used to use the same product.rolf do you have a health shop any where near you,the reason i ask is if you do can you please find out if they still sell righter tea ?it is a natural herbal tea.i have so much to talk about health and how to cure different ailments which is all tied into healthy eating.i must go now because william needs my laptop to play his war games with guys all over the world.if he does not he will lose all his castles that he has built up.talk to you later.cheers trevor.
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1053. trevor van reenen | May 23, 2013 at 3:07 pm

hi there you guys;now when treasure moved up to bristol many years ago,myself;william and my mom would go up to bristol every so often to catch up with each other.i would always walk into town where i would go to the guitar shop and see what was on offer.so one feastive holiday i went to this shop and i asked the owner if he knew where i could get hold of a teardrop guitar.so he goes on the web where he tells me that you can get a teardrop guitar but you can only order it on line and it was from crane’s music shop in cardiff.so on christmas day i was talking to treasure about this guitar so she asked me if i would like get it.she then order this guitar on line.so now i am getting a guitar but i don’t know how to play the thing.now at the time i was working in bridgwater doing what they call house bashing which is wring the bathroom and the kitchen.now the couple whose house i was doing,their names where jim and lyn.so this day i seen this guitar in his lounge,in which i asked him if he played guitar in which i find out that he has been playing guitar all his life.in fact it is his profession.i tell i have ordered this guitar and i have no idea how to play guitar.so he asks me if i would like to learn to play in i say yes.so he shows me this 16 bar blues system.so now practice this 16 bar blues system which let me tell you now it is awfully and i still think it’s awfully to this day.then i went to taunton to the guitar shop and bought a book,how to play the guitar which i have to this day.i only play the 16 bar system to strengthen my fingers.i don’t play the old blues system,i have created my own 16 bar blues system.anyway the reason for this blog is the good news is that michael has picked up the guitar to play.i always enjoyed your guitar playing in taylor house.so michael it fills me with such pleasure to know that you will play again.i now have the guitar i have always wanted is the white brain jones teardrop.cheers trevor.
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1054. trevor van reenen | May 23, 2013 at 3:32 pm

hi there peter and andrew,please drop us a blob just to tell us that you are both in good health.love trevor
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1055. Michael Rossouw | May 23, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Trevor! I am very rusty in terms of my guitar playing. Basically 3 chords and a song and a good ear. I can sight read music with difficulty but I usually pick up a tune afterlistening to it and them playing it. When i was at St George’s Vic Mac Farlane wrote on my school report under ‘Hobbies’: “plays the guitar too often and does’nt concentrate on his school work. He was right. I had to re-write Matric and it took three years for me to get into College to become a teacher and I was only allowed into university when I had passed the age of 33. It took several years before I decided at the age of 33 to go to university as a full time student. (Unisa didn’t do it for me, I fear, hence my sojourn as a full time student at Rhodes.) I was in the class with some of the students I had taught at Roosevelt and The Hill High schools! I guess you’re never too young to learn.

On another take, Dudley sent me an article which I found quite alarming but worth a read. I attach it here for those who may wish to read it.

Trust you are all well.
Michael R
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1056. Rolf Maier | May 24, 2013 at 5:13 am

Much to the chagrin of some I would like to share some memories of our time at the Home.In retrospect it seems that we as boys enjoyed a lot more freedom than we appreciated at the time.One April school holidays, myself and Gavin Brister asked if we could hike down to Cape Town.The “Beek” agreed on condition that we spend some time at St Johns Home where Brian Cannon was Headmaster.They even gave us a covering letter asking anyone to please assist us in any way possible.It took us 3 days to reach Cape Town! We slept at Police Stations and the like.When we reached our destination Brian Connon took us on a tour of Cape Town. We even viewed the lights of the city at night from Devile’s Peak. It was our first visit to Cape Town and it still conjures up fond memories.From there we hiked down along the coastline, back home. That took us 4 days.How many other boys of that time would have experienced such an adventure? Regards Rolf
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1057. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | May 24, 2013 at 5:39 am

Funny thing is … while at SGH I was the model of obedience and good behavior … never a problem boy … now I’m a bad apple. Just goes to show, when you leave all that good stuff untouched .. it turns rotten.

Nevertheless Rolf, I enjoyed your story … it was a singular experience and very few other boys attempted that. I hitched hike half around the world, so I know what an exciting and illuminating experience that was. It’s the repetitive same ole, same ole that I have no patience for. But hey, this is not my site so please feel free to do and say as you please … I have free choice, I dont have to read through it all.
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1058. Rolf Maier | May 24, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Hi DC, my concern again is that with too much intellectual debate one may be disacouraging those Old Boys who are sitting on the “fringe” from joining in. A lot of us don’t possess your flair for words nor share your intellect.Don’t get me wrong, I share your environmental concerns and your information is always pertinent. My interest in reminiscing about the past is purely selfish as I am keen to know if my experience was similar to others or was I delusional. Anyway, you have peeked my interest when you mentioned your travels and I wonder if you could share some of your experiences. Regards Rolf.
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1059. trevor van reenen | May 25, 2013 at 9:13 pm

hi there you guys,been sitting here watching the UEFA champions league final between borueeia dortmund vs bayern munich in which bayern munich won 2-1.is it not strange that real madrid and barcelona did not make it into the final and that it was two german teams that did.i see that the bulls beat the sharks 18-16.i seems that the bulls are having a terrific super rugby season.england are playing new zealand in test cricket,which england are 1-0 up.i can’t wait for the ashes against australia next.we have so much sport coming in the next few months.the icc one day tournament starts next month over here.cheers trevor.
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1060. trevor van reenen | May 29, 2013 at 3:47 pm

hi there you guys,this is about a very special person who use to go to malvern high school.in fact he was in my class,his name is eric banardo.he use to always stick up for us homeboys.one afternoon danny pierce got into a bit of trouble at the back of the school,it was eric who came to his aid.boy could this guy handle himself.in fact if my memory serves me well he was a boxer.he use to show us the latest dances.i met him many years later where we had such a good catch up.he had a video shop in doornfontein,just around the corner where my perants were living.at the time my perants were living in that notorious beit street in doornfontein.anyway i always play a song from 68,which is a singer called guy darrell-i been hurt.it always reminds me of eric.when i came over here i had all my records shipped over here.does anyone remember a group called the dream merchants which was a south african and a australian.the south african was a guy called billy forrest who went on to call himself quentin e klopjaeger and he had a hit called lazy life.i still have that record to this day.do any of you guys remember gilloolys farm where we use to climb the koppie,?those where some good times.can any of you remember kaplans clothing store in jules street around the corner,where we use to catch the bus to school?there was a guy who worked there by the name of potgieter who was a boxer,i can’t remember his first name.anyway he always had so much time for us home boys.it was where i bought my first rolling stones sweater.i went back there many years later and bought the last two rolling stones sweaters i have been sitting in the sun thawing out from the long winter.cheers for now,trevor.
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1061. trevor van reenen | May 30, 2013 at 5:17 pm

hi there you guys,i see that doctors are advising zola budd not to run the comrades because of a bout of flu.this is my story about my second comrades marathon.you will be surprised at the rewards of doing hard work and training.now you will know that i was training with ankle weights.but what was to really help me so much was doing hillwork with ankle weights.at first it was so difficult just getting up the hill,but once i got use to it i started to enjoy it.which is what i say what you put into the training you will get the rewards.bruce fordyce did not become the runner he is without putting the hard training in.any way i was to qualify for comrades with the ergo marathon in a time of 2hours and 30mins.i then received my number which was 16,850.now all i had to do is find transport and accommodation.so now i have put in so much training for this marathon which at times left me quite drained.i was doing the zoo lake time trail on saturday morning which was a 5km run.so you can run your heart out to see how you are doing in your speed work.this was the run that i would race against bruce fordyce.which was good running against him and some of the other comrades top runners.on a tuesday afternoon we would run the killarney time trail which was around the golf field,it was 8km which is just right because it takes you a day to recover.this is where i would race against alan robb in which we both pushed each other to the limit.we were to become very good friends.he has won comrades quite a few times and the milo korkie 56km.in fact he has won so many of these ultra marathon i could not name them all.now i know what it is like to get into peak condition.then i get a call from derek from benoni harriers who asks me if i was going to run the comrades which i said yes but i have to find accommodation in which he told me that if i can get down to durban,that i could stay with him at his folks.so all i had to do is find the transport.so the next day i get a phone call about some people who will give those who can’t find there way down to comrades transport to durban and they would pick us up at the johannesburg station.i go early in the morning where there are quite a lot of us wanting to get down to durban.we are now on our way down and we start talking about comrades and tell each other what we are trying to achieve.it is so lovely to hear about other people’s aspirations.when we get to durban we wish each other luck.derek picks me up and meet his follks.they make me a meal with pasta which is carbo loading.we now sit talk about this race which derek is also running.they ask me what sort of time i was looking for.i tell them 6hours or less.now both our problems where about to unfold.you see his wife was coming down with friends that day.now she arrives with the kids.now we all having supper and i think that i am sure she has a cold.now this is where this takes a twist.anyone who has trained and come into contact with some who has a cold knows that he will have the cold with in a day.so the next day i did not feel any thing wrong so i thought that maybe it would not affect me.so the day of the race i walked to the start and alan calls me over to start in the front.now the only way you can start in the front,is that you have to have done the comrades in 6 and a half hours which i did the year before.i start talking to some of the guys who i know from all the different races we have ran against each other.so off we go and the first 5km was easy until i realize that i had this cold,so what do i do.i then realized that i was not going to be able to race.so the next option was to use this as a long training run which i had no option.tell me tell you this i ran as far as i could,then i had to start walking and then jogging.it was the longest training run in all my life.now all i could think of was just trying to finish the race.i could not do hill running because i would just have to pull out of this race.i least i could do the more i could save for another race.when i came to polly shorts hill all i could do was walk up this hill.when i got into the stadium i walked to the finish, after all that i still managed to get a silver medal.but let me tell you this i would never run that race if i was feeling bad or have a cold.funny that the next week i ran some of the best 400metres times in my life.sorry for any mistakes i have made,because this is my second time i have written this blog.i lost the first one because i pressed the wrong button.cheers trevor
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1062. Rolf Maier | May 31, 2013 at 5:11 am

Hi Trevor, the guy at Kaplans was Nick Potgieter. He was about 4 years older than us. One night when I was about 16 we slipped out to a Session at the Catholic Church. I got into a fight with some older boys and Nick helped me out.His father, also named Nick was manager at the notorious “watering holes” the Belgravia Hotel & the Denver Hotel.Young Nick died in a motor accident.We still see his brother Gert regularly.. Gert was close friends with Billy Jarrett who died recently. What race are you training for? Regards Rolf
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1063. trevor van reenen | May 31, 2013 at 12:55 pm

hi there rolf,it;s strange that you ask that question,because had a discussion with treasure,now that she and debbie are both running now.i said to her that i would like to run comrades just one more time.she does not want me to run the comrades.so the next best thing i can do is to run the london marathon.i just have to find out what time i have to do to qualify for the race.i remember the catholic church session which i use to enjoy,then after the session we would go to the road house down the road where there would always be a fight.i really could not understand why.myself,paul de lange and trevor pieterson use to slip out and visit a girl by the name of cathy ross who lived in jules street with her mother,brother and his friend.they were so good to us.we would sit there drinking coffee and talking about every day things.i then met a girl called cynthia tin-tinger who we use to visit in malvern around the corner from the home.we met her mother,her big sister lyn and their younger sister valleri.it was lyn that told us about the purple marmalade club.they were a wonderful family.but let me tell you i still want to run the comrades marathon.so we shall see what happens. cheers trevor
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1064. trevor van reenen | June 4, 2013 at 2:19 pm

hi there you guys,now those of you that have done your national service know that you cannot take your 7 day pass in the first 3 months of your service and in the last 3 months of your service.so here i am in this camp called ysterplaat air force base.we did no running from 6 am to 6 pm.but what was really good is that we did not have to wear the full dress,which i really disliked.the first thing that i did was to buy a pair of jeans and a t shirt.so every weekend i would go into cape town which was not to far from the camp.saturday afternoon i would go to the movies,which was just down the road.in this time i have met so many girls that i need a little black book.so we are coming close to our clearing out time,when we will all go back to our normal lives.so one morning i was told that our sgt. major wanted to see me urgently.i then report to him and he tells me to take a seat.now i know that i must of done something wrong here but i can not thing what it is.then he looks at me and says i see you have not taken your 7 day pass.then i say that it was to late to take this 7 day pass.he then looks at me and says if i let you go,you will come back.i look at him with a broad smile and say of course i will.i could not believe that this gentle giant was going to let me go,when the time had expired.so he booked on the train that evening.i had my own compartment which was great.let me say this,the best coffee i have had in my life is on the train.here i was going back to jo’burg which i always class as home.i get to jo’burg station and now it dawns on me that i am actually homeless.i don’t have a home to go to and i was not going any where near the home.the last person i saw before i went to the air force was father richardson.so i thought i will go to my company and see if billy moore was there.i meet frank my journeymen who told me that billy had all ready gone home.so we were talking when paul de lange walked out of the store room.i ask him what is he doing here,he then tells me that he works for our company.he asks me what am i doing there i tell him a am looking for a place to stay for my 7 day pass.he tells me to go with him to where he was staying.this is where my whole life was going to change for the better.paul asks mrs. ferreira if i could stay which she says yes.now i have a place to stay and a am back with my friend paul.we have something to eat and i meet peggy and dorothy there daughters.iwas talking to paul and peggy when the door bell rang.mrs. ferreira answered the door when i heard a voice i recognized,which was no other than cris watson.i could not believe that from having nothing,i now had a home and i was with my two friends and i gained a new family.just shows you that there is a loving lord that looks after us even when some people don’t want to believe.love you all trevor
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1065. Michael Rossouw | June 5, 2013 at 1:25 am

Trevor
I really appreciate you sharing ths story, for it does show that ‘bond’ which we all share as “brothers” from our time at St George’s.
I remember Paul and his elder brother David who was drum major when I was in the band. I think I played the cymbals and later the Bass drum . I could not really sight read music, although Brian Gannon taught me that in the Chapel choir and of course I was blessed with a good ear for music which enabled me to sing.
My guitar career was ‘short lived” as a member of Norman Clayton’s “Communicants” along my late brother Desmond and VSO Tom Stephens. ( I my case there are two kinds of musicians that I experienced; those who were talented and usually played an istrument or two, or like me , those who become a percussionist!)
I would dearly like to know what happened to Paul de Lange, Graham Krog who were my drum majors in 1962 and 1965 . Chris Watson was in Std 8 and 9 with me.
He was a very intelligent guy, well versed in History which he and I enjoyed especially with a teacher like Ma Noakes, and I remember him as a young man, who like me, enjoyed English literature, but we just did not enjoy the reams of essays we had to write for ma Kirky (Vera Kirkland) in order to pass the exams. Chris took a lot of flack with Ma Mac Gregor who used to take us for prep. He and the Campbell brothers , Brian and his younger brother Barry and the late Robin Putter and Rob Knowles , together with the late Rupert Scott were together in the same class. A wealth of talent but I think many of us (and I speak largely for myself here) did not enjoy the large volumes of homework which accompanied our studies.We couldn’t slack in math as JJ and Budgie Burgess taught us at school and they were also masters at the Home.
Nevertheless it is well know that the the majority of boys who left the home, apart from one or two exceptions, did do well once they entered the world of work.
Guys going into national service who said they were at St Georges, knew well what National service was like and many of my officers knew of Detachment # 504’s notiriorty.
Homeboys well versed in the art of boning boots and cleaning belts , cleaning brass and other ‘spit and polish’ type tasks.
I was once asked where I was at school and I said to the Major at danie Theron Combat school, ‘St george’s Home’, Sir!
He looked at me and said, “The finest cadet detachment in the country I have ever seen.
I wonder too what happened to Billy Moore. He was born in Burma and was teased horribly by many who called him “Chinaman”.
I often thought of him when I was in Burma and wondered what became of him.He was a very gentle and likeable young man and dare I say, very good looking , as he was blessed with being born of a British father and a Burmese mother.
Trevor , your writing does bring much joy to me and the sincerity of your writing is very moving. Please keep ‘blogging’.
If you have any news of Billy Moore, Paul &David deLange and Chris Watson, please let me know.They were great guys and it would be good to know where they ended up.

Here in Canada we are all reeling from the shocking scandal of certain members of the Senate, who have claimed more than their due in expenses, one Senator having his debt of $90000 allegedly written of by the Prime Minister’s right hand man, who has since resigned from the PM’s office.People want to know whether public money was used for this. I thought this kind of corruption only happens in other countries like some Asian places and certaily in Africa. One would not expect this to happen in a democracy as transparent as that of a country like Canada. I keep my opinions on things like this to myself as I am not yet a permanent resident.
Also after what happened to Drummer Lee Rigby outside Wollwhich Barracks two weeks ago and the terrible tragedy at the Boston Marathon last month,one wonders where anyone can feel free and protected by those in power. It seems that “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” and those who believe that the World must follow their “Jhihadic” agenda are hell bent on getting their way.
I also look at the countries in the European Union who are experiencing austerity at this time and it seems that “The rich get richer and the poor have children!”
There are many who feel that capitalism isn’t working. I really get angry when Big banks get bailed out of the ‘dwang’ by the taxpayers and the big bosses still get their big fat cat bonuses at the expense of those of us who work for a living.I have a friend who lives in Thailand on his wife’s small rice farm and lives off his US government pension. He says that the Capitalist West is basically ‘stuffed’. I remember when Eric Richardson spoke at the close of the Home, he said quoting St Paul ‘our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. “(Phillipians 3:20)
I guess more than ever now we have to keep faith and trust that our Loving Lord will shelter us from harm.I didn’t mean to preach guys , but as the late Norman Clayton used to say “That’s what i do!”
Blessings and love to you all, as well to all of your families and loved ones.

Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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1066. trevor van reenen | June 6, 2013 at 12:27 pm

hi there you guys,a strange thing happened to me the other day.let me explain.there was a knock on the door this particular morning,i went to the door to see this young girl,must be about 17-18 years old.anyway she tells me that they are looking for sponsors for Mc millens cancer care to get more care workers to look after cancer patients because this wonderful government is slashing funding to the cancer cure nurses.anyway we talk for a while,when she asks me if am australian?so i tell her no i am south african,she then asks how long have i been here?i tell her 24 years,she looks at me and says that i have not lost my accent.so we carry on talking about every day things.so before she leaves she says,can you please do me a promise.i then ask her what is that?she says please don’t loose your accent.i then say to her ok.it seems where ever i go people always comment that i have not lost my accent.those of you who want to know about health drinks,let me tell you of one you can make.first buy yourself a bottle of cider vinegar.now boil your water and fill your mug with hot water,then put in two table spoons of cider vinegar and add a tea spoon of honey.you might have to put a little more honey depends what your tastes are like.it might be a bit bitter at first but you will get use to it.any of you that suffer with head problems and losing hair,take a ice pack and put in on your head for two minutes and take off.let your head get back to normal temperature.then do it again.do it six or seven times what it does is brings rich blood back to the head which feeds the hair follicles.it also brings down any swelling on the brain.or when you shower and wash your hair rinse your hair with hot and cold water.so what you do is first with hot then turn it cold.do that six times.those of you that enjoy eating meat and you get excess protein in the stomach,always eat some pineapple with the meal because it brakes down the excess protein which the stomach can not brake down.it will flush it out.look after yourselves love trevor
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1067. trevor van reenen | June 6, 2013 at 1:06 pm

hi there you guys,a strange thing happened to me the other day.this day there was a knock no the door.so i asked it and there stands this young girl about 18 -19 years old.anyway she tells that they need people to help fund nurses to look after cancer patients because the government is stopping funding to them.so we get talking and she asks me if i am from australia?i tell her no,but that i am south african.she then asks me how long have i been here?i tell her 24 years.she then says that i have not lost my accent and that i sound as though i have just arrived here.she then asks me before she leaves,would i please not lose the accent because she really loves it.i said ok.anyway this is for you guys that want to know about health drinks that you can make for yourselves.first of all go buy yourselves a bottle of cider vinegar.now boil your kettle and fill your mug with hot water and then add two table spoons of cider vinegar and a tea spoon of honey.now this may depend on your taste because it may be bitter at first but you will soon get use to it.to those of you who enjoy eating meat and have excess protein in you stomach which it can not brake down,all you have to do is eat some pineapple with you meal.the pineapple brakes down the protein excess and flushes the protein out.so you can enjoy your meat.look after yourselves,trevor
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1068. Rolf Maier | June 7, 2013 at 5:24 am

Hi Trevor, you are quite right. Pineapple has an enzyme called Bromelain which aids in the digestion of of protein.It also helps prevent heartburn. Some time ago I read an article from the American FDA that after 30 years research, they recommend that people should not eat processed food. I thought that after a 30 year study they come up with this suggestion! On further reading I realised that the preservatives in processed foods kills off all the enzymes the body needs to digest food. The main culprit is sodium nitrate which is also associated with pancreatic cancer and kidney problems.They tried to ban it’s use in the 1970’s but there was no effective subsitute. Regards Rolf
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1069. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | June 7, 2013 at 8:47 am

This is Charlie Chaplin’s speech from the movie; The Great Dictator.
Then as now … an incredible and prescient statement. Enjoy.
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1070. trevor van reenen | June 7, 2013 at 12:30 pm

hi there dudley,thaks for the video,it is pretty powerful but the truth.there is a old saying that power corrupts.it takes a very special person who can take this power and still serve his fellow man.this is where love comes in.hatred in one of the worst trait in mankind.there is no place for it.which brings in greed which is the other horrible trait in mankind.if only we could love and help each other this will be a different world.this all brings us right back to the lord god almighty.this is where all the answers are,if only we would humble our selves and return to his everlasting love and forgiveness.as i once said wisdom is a wonderful gift if you seek her with all your heart.the rewards are long life,health and prosperity.we all have the right to choose.but as i say be careful for what you choose,for if it is the wrong choice you will only suffer.anyway i have another health drink you can make for yourself.if you have a bender,fill it with orange juice and add 4-5 carrots.then add some ginger and two cloves of garlic.then blend and you have a excellent health drink.look after yourselves,trevor
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1071. trevor van reenen | June 8, 2013 at 11:40 am

hi there you guys,you will be glad to know that this is my last blog on this site.for any of you who want to clean out your veins and arteries please buy yourselves a product called lecithin.i use to buy this product from the OK.this product is from the soybeans and is known to relieve severe angina [heart] pain,reduce cholesterol in over a month,and in a matter of weeks dropped high blood pressure.it is also known to relieve brain clots and strokes.but what is amazing is that is that it is known to cure paralyzed legs,hands and arms.there are always cures if only you ask and take the time to try them out.please remember it does not work over night you got to keep at it.this is where i say to you all,god bless and goodbye.trevor van reenen.
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- 1072. Michael Rossouw | June 10, 2013 at 1:19 pm
  
  Please continue to write. I for one enjoy your passion, empathy and enthusiasm in your stories. Michael Rossouw
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1073. Rolf Maier | June 10, 2013 at 5:49 am

Hi Trevor, I feel the same. At times it feels like one is having a monologue.But having said that, thanks for sharing those fond memories———through your eyes I relived those Kenniky games, the Cannon Ball challenges at the Gym and even tasted the burnt “tamaleki”. We were young and those were silly games but we were trying to establish our identities and make sense of this world.I have tried to coax other Old Boys to join in on the blog, but to no avail.Therefore I bid you farewell good friend and God bless. Regards Rolf
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1074. Andrew Mackie | June 10, 2013 at 9:52 am

Hi Trevor and Rolf,

While it may seem to have been a monologue I am sure many old boys have avidly followed your blogs, this includes me. The time you were in St Georges was quite a while after my time there and I found them interesting although I could not connect with the names of those during your time. I quite often wished someone from my era, that I knew would have participated but alas no such luck. It has been mentioned we should not live in the past however I would counter, it is not living in the past but just remembering those years of our youth and without that background would we be the persons we are today. Just for the record my stay was from 1948 to 1952 inclusive, firstly in Simpson followed by 2 years in Spackman with Bernie Moss as Housemaster. I was confirmed by the Bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose in November 1952 in the Home Chapel and placed a copy of the confirmation certificate on the St Georges Facebook. At that time Rev. Jack Short was headmaster. Attended Wychwood Primary under Headmaster Wilson, think he was an American. At that time only four houses were in existence Beaton,Simpson, Spackman and Taylor, others were added much later after I had left. Rember the swimming pool and gymnasium as well as the ungrassed playing fields with the mine dump adjacent to the fields I spent many a Sunday on those mine dumps when the home was almost deserted at times of boys allowed out to visit family.
I not really a athlete but did quite well in my age group at swim gala’s.
Also the ocassional film evenings in the dining hall on Saturday nights, this after spending hours on House and Hall cleaning and polishing. Well I certainly hope this sparks some interest in those old boys who were part of our youth and history to paticipate in this blog.
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1075. Michael Rossouw | June 10, 2013 at 1:25 pm

I concur with Andrew. I’m sure there are a number of Old Boys who read this website but do not for whatever reason want to share. Perhaps they feel more comfortable on the SGH ‘facebook’ page but this one is quite a read. It is even read by people who have no connection with the home, but find it’s contents relevant and does give them some hope from their on particular situation. Their will come a time when this blogg may well be the only evidnce that St George’s home ever existed.
I would encourage all old boys to write, even if it’s a ‘one liner’ saying who you are and how you are doing. That isn’t much to ask isn’t it?
Keep well and God Bless
Michael Rossouw.
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1076. Leslie DuPlessis | June 10, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Even though I don’t post much, I enjoy reading the comments of those that do. Trevor, your posts are always interesting. You too, Rolf.
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1077. Rolf Maier | June 11, 2013 at 5:27 am

Thanx for those comments Andrew & Leslie.It just felt like I was droning on and on and getting on peoples nerves. Latetly I have been reflecting on the decisions I made when I was younger and why I chose to do one thing when another was the more obvious choice. Perhaps relating a recent incident will help put things in perspective. A few months ago I injured my shoulder during training.and it just would not heal. Even the slightes movement was painful. One of my son’s friends is a pharmacist and he suggested a course of injections. This would entail an injection once a week for a period of 6 weeks. A week after the first injection my wife started complaining that I was too demanding in bed. I am not very strong but in a short space in time my Deadlift improved from 130Kg to 150Kg during training. I even found women I hardly noticed before interesting. Some of their gestures and movements took on new meaning. When I confronted my son and his friend they admitted that the concoction in the injection contained some steroids.
Now on reflecting back on my youth I relise that a lot of our decisions were made under the influence of our hormones.I am glad to say I am back to my docile self and would not want to repeat that experience again.I am complacent to allow nature to take it’s intended course. However, my shoulder has healed and in future out of desperation of course, who knows what will happen. Regards to all.
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1078. Rolf Maier | June 13, 2013 at 6:52 am

I must once more iriterate that it is only of late that I am seriously reflecting back on my years spent at SGH during 1964 – 1970. Perhaps it is because I am spending a lot of time with my grandchildren.and want to make sense of being young again.
I was born in Germany and my whole family was involved in the the Circus.When I was 5 years old we emigrated to SA I had an older brother and sister and we travelled with Boswell Circus for a year. It was rough living as those years the Circus travelled by train and only performed in major cities.My Granny opened a Horse Riding School in Boksburg, behind what is now the Eastrand Mall. She also continued training animals for the Circus. My father continued on with the Circus while we kids and my mother moved to the plot with my granny. We were shipped off to the nearest school which was Afrikaans. Now we all had to learn a new language and fit into a new culture. When I was 7 year s old my mother died and my brother and I were sent to boarding school in the Eastern Transvaal.It was quite an exclusive school with sit-down lunches in the afternoons.I was quite good at athletics and won the Interschools championship. I was popular and life was good —— and then my brother and I were sent to SGH.It was in the middle of a school year in 1964. Now we had to learn a new language again. Our suitcase full of new clothes was exchanged for patched khakies and I became B11.My brother was sent to Spackman House. And so our journey began. I am forever grateful to Mannie Swanepoel and Johann Muller from for mentoring me during my transition form “Afrikaans” to “English”.When I was 13 my father died. He was shot after a fight with a bloke and during a ensuing argument by a woman who worked at the Circus. Events took another turn after that. But enough said so far. Regards Rolf
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- 1079. Michael Rossouw | June 13, 2013 at 12:49 pm
  
  I remember well your story , Rolf and many of us listened in envy to your life in the Circus. Thank you for writing once again.
  I am not sure what heppened to Manie and Johann. The last time I saw Johann he was serving in the SAP. I am open to correction but I think Johann may no longer be with us. I have not seen Manie in ages. Afrikaans was difficult for many of us to learn and the political dynamics of the time didn’t help us to gain a love for the language.However as I grew older this changed once we read these writers with understanding. I am grateful to men like my Afrikaans lecturers at JCE, Jan Kombrink and Dr Swart and Andre Brink at Rhodes who gave me new insight into the beauty of the language and the writers whose works reonated the voice of the people in their pages, particularly the writings of the “Sestigers”, like Karel Schoeman. Good to hear from you as always Rolf.
  Blessings ,
  Michael R
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1080. trevor van reenen | June 16, 2013 at 2:47 pm

hi there everyone,yesterday we spent the day up in bristol with treasure and bebbie,because treassure now moves up to london on a permanent basis.anyway she has given william a laptop so he has his own laptop and i have been given mine back.so i can blog you guys.we bought a bag of iwisa super maize meal and traditional boerewoers with garlic.so to day father’s day we are having pap and woers meal.happy father’s day to all you father’s out there.mooi bly,trevor
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1081. trevor van reenen | June 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm

hi there you guys,there is nothing more satisfying than helping a friend break his pb in a race.this particular sunday les piked me up to run the impack 15km.if my memory serves me well,it was a benoni northern race.this was the race where all the speed runner’s from cross country and track would run to do pb’s.anyway on the way to the race i asked les what sort of time he was looking for?he tells me he is trying to break 60 mins,but some how he just can’t do it.so i told he that if ever there is a race to break the 60 mins this was it.the reason why some runner’s did this race was to break there pb’s,because this is a flat course.i then asked him if he would like if i ran with him to help him get his goal.he thought i was playing the fool with him.he asks if i did not want to break my pb.i just said there are many races that i can break my pb.he is so pleased and could not thank me enough,in which i said to him lets first run this race and we can celebrate after wards.now i have to run a pace that was not to fast and not to slow.so i tell him not to look at his watch and just run my pace.then the race got started.the first 5km was quite comfortable.i look at my watch we are on target.now i watch his breathing which will give me a idea of what shape he is in.then we get to the 10km mark and we are still on target.he does not know how much we are a head at this time because the last 5kms is going to be the hardest.now what i did was talk to him so that i could take his mind off the pace i was running.then i upped the pace because his breathing still looked good.so he asks if we are on course,i tell him we could just make it but we might have to up the pace.which on my part was not the truth,but i was not going to tell him the truth.i tell him that now we must go which funny enough he keeps up with.now i am pushing him to the limit.i just hope and pray that i have not burned him out on a last 5km.i tell him we have not far to go,but i can see he is strating to labour.we see the finish,in which i stretch him to the ultimate.we get over the finish line and he is gasping for breath.he then says to me once he has got his breath back please tell me that we have done it.i show him his time and he cannot believe how much time he taken off his pb.i have never seen a guy so happy.so now we can celebrate.i took one big gamble to push him so hard,but at least it paid off.it was so satisfying to see him break his pb.by the way pb means personal best.cheers trevor.
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1082. Rolf Maier | June 20, 2013 at 5:16 am

Something that has intrigued me for a while is the question of how the Housemasters and other staff at SGH managed to survive financially? They must have earned a pittance.Quite a few Old Boys returned to to serve at the Home. Most notably is Georgie Adams but others include Errol Richards, Dutch Murray and more recently Albert & Freddie de Jager.I think these guys deserve some serious “Kudus”.
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1083. trevor van reenen | June 23, 2013 at 6:56 pm

hi there everyone,is there anyone who can remember,when we went down to umtentweni,that there use to be some guys who would cycle down to umtentweni the week before.i have been thinking about this for quite some time,why i say this is because it is some distance to cycle.anyway what i was going to say is that father clayton use to have a reel to reel tape and he would play all this music over the tannoy in the camp.but what i did enjoy was the one bounce football we use to play on the concert base in the middle of the camp under the watchful eye of mr. mc holm.that was a good tournament.seems that they really did want to do what was good for us.i don’t know if anyway of you remember the red martin gooloo’s we use to pick,if we could get to them.what thorns we would have to get pass to get them.but what a lovely fruit.then there was some one who made that swing in the bush behind the tents.i can remember walking from the beach and meeting this girl in a bikini,who turned out to be margie loader which funny enough les knew from port shepstone.what is it about me and these girls i meet in bikini’s.what a lovely time the camp was.cheers trevor.
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- 1084. Ed Colyn | June 24, 2013 at 1:02 am
  
  Hi there Trevor…..I`m and old boy from the 50`s till `62……The question on peddiling to camp…One guys name was Patric Doughty…he was one of the origanels to do it with if memory serves me right with 5 other guys…..Do u remember the little shop half to the beach where the guys used to buy lollies called pinkies……As for the footy game played in middle of camp…..it is what we call afl footy here in oz…..Doughty was one of 4 us that used to hang out together then there was Aurther Bloomfeild….and Franklin Herbst and myself…..Hope this helps in what u was wandering……..Live Life.
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  - 1085. Michael Rossouw | June 25, 2013 at 2:22 am
    
    Hey Ed! I remember you as a patrol leader or corporal in Beaton house when I was a new boy in 1961. Trust you are well “Down under” and it’s good to hear from you.
    There was a tree in front of Beaton house next to Mackey’s house. You taught me how to swing from the top branch to the lower branches and helped me to overcome my fear of heights!. Don’t know what happened but we came home one day from school and Piet Pretoius I think announced that you and your elder brother Eric? went to Australia. I have often wondered what happened to you. I aloso remember Patrick Dougherty and the cyclists who cycled to Umtentweni. They met us one year at “Maritzburg” station en route . Beebop Clayton drove in his big Merc and caravan in tow after them.
    I remember Jimmy Smallshaw and Arthur Bloomfield.
    Arthur was a buglar in the band and was I think for a short time Drum major after Graham Krog’s year and Jimmy was a tenor drummer when I was the cymblist.
    Lucien Lombard was the bandmaster and he worked us hard.
    As the youngest in the Band ( I was 12 and very much the “lapskal” in the band ) Jimmy and John Innes taught me how to swing the Bass drum sticks. (I was never very good at swinging, but I did keep a steady beat.”Gud on ya mate” for sharing and all the best to you and your loved ones.I also learned to polish and lace the rope drums under Theo Hickman, a bit of a rough diamond but a gentle soul towards me, unlike Jannie Gouws who used to hit me over the head with a tenor drum stick when I got things wrong! I think I still have the brasso and whitewash stains on my fingers!
    Lovely to hear from you after all these years.
    (Father) Michael Rossouw
    (Priest in the Anglican Church of Canada & Ex “Beaton # 5”)
  - 1086. Michael Buckley | February 11, 2014 at 9:47 am
    
    Hi Ed Good to see some names of guys that were in goggies during the time I was there
1087. Rolf Maier | June 24, 2013 at 5:36 am

Hi Ed, I remember my first camp down at Umtentweni in the 60’s when Fatty Bloomfied dived off the Railway bridge into the Lagoon.Over the years the Lagoon silted over and became very shallow. Trevor was’nt the huge tree with the swing in it called Zonk? Once while walking along the railway lines with Derek Close Willie Griselle, Athol Sehanie and others, I picked up a Pound note.We ate tons of Pinkies & Nutties for a whole week. I also never had as many friends! Regards to all, Rolf
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1088. trevor van reenen | June 24, 2013 at 7:03 pm

hi there ed,it is so good to hear from you,can i ask if you guys where from taylor house.you mentioned the shop on the way to the beach,well i have been thinking about the shop for years.what really stands out is the nutties and pinkies we use to buy so much of.did you guys ever have life guards when you where swimming in the sea?i can remember we use to have life guards,but that soon stopped.did arther bloomflied not have a brother?did you know the inn’s brothers by any chance?i can remember in my early day’s two guys stick out one was eugene pencetti and jimmy smallshaw.now that is going back in time for me.just one last thing is that i remember a chocolate bar called new look which you could only buy from that shop.please keep in touch,cheers trevor
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1089. trevor van reenen | June 30, 2013 at 2:02 pm

hi there everyone,does anyone know who the guy were who use to practice their canoeing in the swimming pool? then when we were down in umtentweni they use to canoe down the lagoon.for the life of me i just can’t think who they were.so if one of you out there please put me out of my misery and tell me who they were.i have been watching the glastonbury music festival in which the rolling stones were the head liners.i did not know whether i should laugh or cry.these guys all need botox.it seems to me that’s what happens when you abuse your health.it looks like they need sympathy now.cheers trevor.
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1090. Andrew Mackie | July 1, 2013 at 8:09 am

Hi All Old Boys, with the new Superman movie release here in SA, reminded me of the times when on certain weekends we were allowed out to visit family or those of us who stayed behind were allowed out on Saturday. On some of those excursions went to the morning shows at one of the Cinemas in Jules Street, if I remember one was the Metropolis but other other escapes me. However at the time Superman movies were quite a rage and the morning shows were packed out. It was also a time when the local youngsters would bring comic selections to be exchanged but alas I did not have the luxury of owning any but was allowed to read a few while in the queue awaiting to buy a movie ticket. Tickets were sixpence and entitled any seat in the front few rows. A tickey’s worth of sweets almost filled a pocket and left overs were enjoyed on the Sunday after lunch. Quite often the tram driver took pity on us homies and waived the fare which then gave us more spend money to spend on a can of condensed milk for boiling in water on an open fire down below the playing fields. A real delicious treat on those occasions.
I wonder how many others had similar experiences?
Regards, Andrew Mackie
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- 1091. Michael Rossouw | July 1, 2013 at 5:03 pm
  
  Hi Trevor and Andrew
  I think the master who looked after the canoeing crew was Robert Kimber , a VSO from the UK.I cant remember the names of the boys involved as I was a junior (like you) in Beaton house at the time. Robert Kimber was our assistant in Beaton House to John “Piet” Pretorius.Kimber came straight of Eaton on a ‘gap’ year and I think he was the son of the famous publishers Kimber and son in London.We had a good number of VSO’s coming to the home to work prior to going into University or full time careers: Names that come to mind are Robert Gledhill, Michael Fass, Keith Adam, Alistair Goodlad,Crawford Beveridge,Tom Stephens, to name but a few. Later VSO stopped sending young men to St Georges and Project Trust became involved. I think Project Trust also sent volunteers to Bishop Bavin School.
  
  Gosh Andrew! Your story does bring back memories!
  I remember the Metropolis in Jules street as well as another called the Kinema. It was known by another name before that.
  Yes with a “Bob’s” worth of pocket money one could do so many things.
  Our camp pocket money of One pound Ten shillings (Three Rand) for the month of July for our annual camp in Umtentweni was a real treat and usually lasted for the holiday. Umtentweni store sold loads of ‘nutties’ and ‘pinkies’ as well as the comparitavely expensive “new Look” chocolate bars. I’m not sure what happened to our Campsite, but it may have been sold as it is now prime real estate on KZN’s south coast.
  
  The movie experience changed with the advent of TV, many cinemas closing. When the old Empire, Colosseum and His Majesty’s were pulled down and or renovated to make way for the Carlton centre and shopping malls in Commissioner Street the face of Johannesburg’s inner city changed drastically. Yes the Kine centres did replace them, but the experience changed as well.
  I understand that these days people do their shopping in the suburban centres, as parts of Jhb’s inner city are quite crowded and not really safe for your weekend shopping? I’m open to correction here. Good to hear from you.
  
  Finally, Happy Canada Day to all SGH old boys living here. Isn’t it ironic that the Bank of England gains Mark Carney as its new governor. Mark is Canadian and takes over the management of the Bank of England on Canada day!
  
  To all in South Africa , know that we are thinking of you at this time as we continue to pray for President Mandela that the Lord will take him home in His time. We pray that the country will pull together as one in the years to come and become prosperous and give hope to all who live there.
  
  I’m still awaiting news of my family to enter Canada. I am also wondering if it isn’t perhaps time to come home…Despite being here in a country which has the finest standards of living in the World, I do miss South Africa very much. I hope one day that my little son will be able to at least see where his Dad grew up.
  One step at a time…
  Blessings to you all
  
  (fr) Michael R
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1092. Rolf Maier | July 2, 2013 at 5:39 am

Hi Father Michael, today in JHB it is a bit nippy, starting at 3ºC.This after it will warm up to 23ºC. There is’nt a breeze in the the air and the night sky is clear showing the beautiful Southern Hemisphere Constellation (this is winter!). The JHB CBD underwent a period of degeneration with the exodus of the Financial hub moving to Sandton and even as far as Midrand (the old Halfway House). Even the landmark Carlton Hotel closed down. They are attempting to revive the city by converting office buildings into appartments. Most people avoid the CBD and shop at the satellite centres. However, most of the major Newspapers are still in the CBD area. You don’t even want to venture near Hillbrow, which has become a real third world space with Drug Lords ruling.In contrast the Suburbs are developing with a lot of businesses investing capital in these areas.Umtentweni has not developed that much. there are a few more residential appartments but not much activity. The swimming beach has become a local surfing hotspot. There is even a rustic Backpacers accommodation nestled in the undergrowth. They receive quite a few foreign visitors. Regards to all
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1093. trevor van reenen | July 3, 2013 at 7:38 pm

hi there everyone,when i was living at pope street in bellevue,i became very good friends with maralyn and her daughter celia.my daughter treasure would spend most of her time with them.her boyfriend use to own the blacksteer in yeoville.every sunday afternoon they would take treasure to the carlton hotel for lunch.she would always bring me a chocolate shoe from the carlton hotel.i was so sorry to hear that it has closed down.are their any shops in jo’burg centre? isn’t it funny that jo’burg use to be such a thriving city.hillbrow use to be the place to go to at night time,what a wonderful time i had there during my time there.when i was there in the early 1990’sfor a holiday things seem to be quite bad then.funny enough that the first night i was there i was all most killed because i went to the wrong part of hillbrow.if it was not for my running and quick thinking i would not be here today.when i told richard who i was staying with,he says had had he had known where i was going to he would have told me not to go there.as i say you live and learn.cheers trevor
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1094. trevor van reenen | July 4, 2013 at 12:31 pm

hi there everyone,hope you are all in good health.does any of you remember van der byl square,the main bus terminus.well there was a cafe called the belle vista which was where the hell’s angels use to congregate on a friday and saturday nirgt before they went on their jol.then there was a place in hillbrow called the naniia which we could get coffee at any time of the night.that is where we would all congregate and have a good chat.i use to meet billy moore and his friend russel on most weekends.the nania was opposite checkers in hillbrow.the hells angels use to park their bikes on the corner.i met so many guys there,that was some good times.seems we are living in very trying times.cheers trevor
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1095. Rolf Maier | July 4, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Hi Trevor , we used to meet at Mike’sTavern in Hillbrow most Friday evenings. It was situated in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel. It had chuncky furnishing, similar to Medieval pubs. We often saw the Van Eedens there. It was usually packed to capacity. One evening a Hippy type of guy was making the rounds from table to table asking people to buy him drinks. When he reached our table Tickey agreed to buy him a drink on condition that he sings us a song. He started singing “by the time I get to Phoenix” with such a beautiful voice that the whole Pub fell silent! He definately earned his beer and all others encouraged him but he would not sing another word.
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1096. Michael Rossouw | July 4, 2013 at 5:10 pm

I remember these haunts well! My first real hangover (and it seemed to last forever) was in a club called the ‘purple marmelade’. I think it was owned by the late Royden Crawford. I knew then I was a beer drinker and that Vodka lime and lemonade did not mix well with me! Eventually i realised that alcohol and I dont mix.Thank God I have been restored from abusing alcohol. Strange thoygh that as a child of the 6o’s I didn’t do any drugs at all. Alcohol was my drug of choice and it took some 45 years for me to be weaned off it!
These haunts were famous in their day, some for the wrong reasons. The Deutche Keller was also something else. It closed its doors to the public on Hitler’s birthday when some still celebrated the day out of the sight of the police and the public eye! Those days are gone and have been replaced by crowded streets full of hookers, pimps drug dealers, as well as many people from other African countries; Nigerians, Somalians Congolese and many more, and still (I think) the most populated square mile in the world! Beautiful buildings have all but been abandoned by their landlords and Hillbrow has become an inner city “slum”
Dudley posted some photos a while back of that area. The area around the old drill hall and Joubert Park is just a mess! It will take years and milliond of $$ to restore it.
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- 1097. Manuel Joao Simoes | August 12, 2013 at 4:20 pm
  
  What did you expect with the ANC idiots. Nothing more than criminals themselves.
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1098. trevor van reenen | July 5, 2013 at 7:04 pm

hi there michael,the purple marmalade was co owned by royden crawford.at first you had to be a member to get in because it was so popular,so because me and cris where old home boys,he would let us in.if we were in the middle of the crowd he would let us go in first.he then gave us membership cards which was wonderful.he use to ride a triumph trident motorbike.the last person i saw there that i knew before i went to the air force was a girl by the name of alice clarke who went to malvern high school and she use to visit the home.she was in beverly hewitt’s class.you mention the drill hall,me and billy moore worked on the landdrost hotel that was opposite the drill hall and the park on the corner.one afternoon a went to buy a pint of milk for me and billy for our coffee and as i walked into the street i walked straight into georgie adams.i could not beleive my eyes but there he was right before me.we had a long chat.in fact he use to call me speedy from my beaton house days.he told me that he had lost some of his memory.he sure knew who i was.it was so good to see him.he loved to talk about the home.seems he held that very dear to his heart.i never saw him after that.cheers trevor
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1099. Rolf Maier | July 11, 2013 at 5:02 am

On the 10/07/2013, while driving home I was listening to Radio Talk Show 702. They were discussing teenage pregnancy and how it effects schoolgirls. The next caller was a school principal To my surprise it was David Rossouw. He advocated that the pregnant schoolgirls should not be excluded from the mainsteam education system but should rather be given support to continue with their education. Well said David! Regards Rolf
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1100. Michael Rossouw | July 11, 2013 at 5:58 am

That’s my Boet! A wonderful human being and a truly great teacher!
(Sorry Dave, I know that life isn’t a ‘contest’ but you are a great inspiration to me and to those who know you!)
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1101. trevor van reenen | July 14, 2013 at 2:54 pm

hi there everyone,on one occasion when chris and myself where on our way to the temple shalom in orange grove,where they use to have sessions on a saturday night.we pulled into the garage on the way to put petrol in.i got out and there is this guy i recognize standing there filling his car.it was johnny stewart.we had such a good catch up.i won’t tell you what he told us because this is a pg site.it was so good to see him and have a chat.when i was working for e.g.moore electrical i worked on a private school in orange grove,when i went to the shop on my lunch break,who do i walk into;none other than arther stewart.i could not believe my eyes.but we had a long chat about what we have got up to.it was so lovely to see him again.anyway the temple shalom use to hold wonderful sessions where we would meet nils grobin and other friends.at last we have got hot weather here,i have been sitting in the sun most part of the day.god bless you all trevor.
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1102. trevor van reenen | July 16, 2013 at 12:05 pm

hi there everyone,hope you all are in good health.i have over trained and have hurt my left knee,so i have so time on my hands.the trouble with us sportsmen,is we never learn.seems we always know best until we get hurt.anyway i am sitting here with a coffee and a bandage left knee.anyway when i was living in muller street in yeoville with my further brother in law i met a family living in the house opposite the ok and the library.we would go and visit them every saturday and sunday.this particular sunday her eldest daughter came to visit.we were in the kitchen drinking coffee.when in walks her daughter and jeffery morris.well let me say i nearly choked on my coffee,i have not seen him in years.we were so glad to see each other.we had so much catching up.after that we would go there every night.i use to go to malvern high school with his brother james morris.in fact he was in my class and at lunch time he would give me half of his lunch.these are two wonderful brother who i felt so close to.the next guy i was to to see in yeoville was malcom [tickie] egling.the day i met tickie i met his wife as well.she was a english girl.they seemed so happy at the time.i got on well with both of them.i had seem him on many occasions where we would have a good old chat.what a gentle loving person.in fact they lived in yeoville.hear is a question to some of you,do any of you know the person who called himself donavan?i just can’t think of his name.the last i saw of him was a club in hillbrow.hi rolf i remember the ambassador hotel but i can’t remember where is hotel was in hillbrow.the hotel that i remember is the chelsea hotel which seems to be for the english guys over there.anyway i must now sit and rest for this knee to get better.one of the hardest thing for a sportsmen to do,is to sit and do nothing.i will sign off now other wise i will be blogging all day.cheers trevor.
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- 1103. Andrew Mackie | July 16, 2013 at 1:38 pm
  
  Hi Trevor,
  Sorry to hear of your injury and hope it heals soon without any further problems. Yes, you are right sports people hate sitting around with nothing to do or unable to continue with their activity. For almost 55 years I was an avid golfer and in 2008 started developing pains in my left hip. This curtailed my golf somewhat but not altogether as I hired a golf cart and managed to continue for about six months but in the end had to have a total hip replacement. Life was never the same after that. However after recuperating for nearly 3 months was back on the golf course and continued to enjoy my game, the only thing that really suffered was my handicap going from a low of 7 out to a 16 handicap but still enjoyed the sport. Some 3 years later had to have the right hip replaced and never recovered sufficiently to play golf again as now my lower back problems started and since end of 2011 all I can manage is walking with the aid of a walking stick, although I still try to walk as much as possible. Most of my day now consists of walks around our large garden and or shopping trips on a weekly basis, not to mention reading online news and making my comments as I deem fit. I am surprised at your memory as you relate them on this blog, they certainly must be real good memories so as to allow you to write so vividly about those times. I wish I had those memories of my youth but sadly due to the circumstances at those times I seem to have erased them from my sub-conscious mind. So I let sleeping dogs lie. Good luck Trevor and keep your tales coming which are enjoyable reading. To all other readers of this Blog please do contribute some of your past experiences by writing here.
  
  Kind regards, Andrew Mackie
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1104. Rolf Maier | July 17, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Hi Andrew,
I am sorry about your hip problems, I hope you are not in pain. Please, never stop moving about.Wow, a 7 handicap golfer! Imaging how much money you could have made today just giving lessons.
When down at Umtentweni one July Mackie organised a race down to “Splash Rock” and back. We had to run along the road , around “Splash Rock” and back along the beach. The winner got a can of sardines and half a loaf of bread! Some years after leaving the Home, while passing through Umtentweni I tried to find Splash Rock but it was completely covered in sand. Such is the passing of time.. God Bless
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1105. trevor van reenen | July 18, 2013 at 11:29 am

hi there andrew,it is so good to hear from you.i am sitting here with a cup of coffee,watching the open championship from muirfield in scotland.now when i watch a golf tournament i will think about you.actually this reminds me when i was a apprentice at j h coulson my boss mr. coulson would play golf every wednesday and they would say that all the deals would be made while they were playing golf.he must have been good because we always had plenty work.you will have to explain to me what a 7 handicap is one day when you have the time.in fact a am watching ernie els as i blog.he is on even par.what i now do when i am watching tv i sit on a chair and swing my legs forward and backwards which is good for my knee’s and my hips.this is to the two guys down under peter and ed.how are you both,hope you are both in good health.i hear that you guys down there are getting a lot of snow?hope to hear from you both.god bless trevor.
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1106. trevor van reenen | July 19, 2013 at 10:09 am

hi there everyone,now while i was living in muller street in yeoville,this particular saturday i caught a bus into jo,burg.this was strange because i would always walk into jo,burg.anyway i am on this bus and it turned right into hillbrow.the first stop in that street we stopped and i was looking out the window.i turned to see who came on the bus.when i saw this guy who i recognize straight away.it was none other than gene golden.he introduce me to his wife and we talked about what we have got up to and what we have done.they both looked very happy together.this was the guy i was with in beaton house.i would always walk with him to wychwood primary school.i had some wonderful times with him.if my memory serves me well,a lot of the homeboys went to work in the printing industry.i have seen seen gene on a few occasions at the old castle inn in hillbrow.on my journey of life i have met quite a few homebys.cheers trevor.
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1107. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 20, 2013 at 1:51 am

Indaba My Children – Credo Vasamuazulu Mutwa – 1957.

The world right now, is confronted with a moment in history, that can best be likened to: The Time for the Global Indaba.

Everywhere you look … it is already aflame with the fire of revolution ignited primarily, by the obscene inequalities of wealth distribution and the quality of life … or lack thereof, for the greater majority of the family of man who increasingly, are becoming aware of the impending global financial collapse. Yes, you can think I’m nuts … but wiser minds than mine are pointing to that fact.

The greatest threat however, is Global Warming and the many causes of it. Besides the burning of fossil fuels .. you can add the awful twins of bio-engineering and worst of all, geo-engineering.

The Dane Wigington video I have attached here, is the definitive word on what is happening to the health of the planet … and the prospects of our diminishing future.

If Knowledge is Power – Information is it’s Weapon. Please watch the video and if you want to shoot the messenger afterwards, that’s okay with me … I will die happy in the knowledge that I have passed on is what is valuable to all my Friends and Family.

‘hlalagahle!

Dudley Pringle.

http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/live-updated-presentation-the-most-important-topic-of-our-time-geoengineering-chemtrails/
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1108. trevor van reenen | July 22, 2013 at 9:50 am

hi there everyone,during my clubbing days,there was a club in highlands north,which was called the electric circus.this is where we heard groups like hawk,otis waygood blues band and none other than freedom,s children.we would call this club the posh club.we would come out at 6am on sunday morning and make our way to the nania in hillbrow for coffee which was free.those were some good times.do any of you remember down in port shepstone where they use to have the go kart racing around the town?i did enjoy watching them go around those corners at that speed.is there any of you guys who live in the south coast near umtentweni or port shepstone or have any of you been back to see these places?god bless you all,trevor.
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1109. trevor van reenen | July 23, 2013 at 10:45 am

hi here dudely,i have watched the video,but before you get excited,let me please answer you.where do i begin?this guy in the video sounds like a cheap politician who has nothing more than to peddle a lot of garbage and propaganda.but hear is the first question,who created the earth was it god or man?second question,who creates all the problems on the earth?the earth is not ours to save because we are only here on loan.the earth will then pass away and new earth will be created.now you and your cohorts thing that you can save the earth.now i ask you and your cohorts 3 questions.1 can you turn water in to wine?2 can you walk on water?3 can you raise the dead?why i ask is that if you don’t realize by now then let me explain.we are all mere moral man and we will all pass on to the world of the dead.so i know my limitations but it seems to me that you and your cohorts have delusions of grandeur.as king david says in psalms put your trust in god and not humans.if by chance you want to know what is going to happen in the future please read revelations.the one thing you can not do is to stop humans being greedy and evil.i admire your passion but you are going to have to put your trust in the lord.do not be wise in your own eyes.as much as i hate to tell you that you cannot hand the earth over to your children .because as i have said it belongs to god not to us.i will say again if you seek wisdom as you would search for hidden treasure it will give you a long life,health and prosperity.we all have choices it then depends on what choice we make.let me put it this way i would love if mankind would live in peace and love not in hatred.when you wake up tomorrow morning look in the mirror and thank the lord for giving you another day of living.as the bible says we all need to humble ourselves.one last thing do not put your trust in your riches because they can fly away over night.now if you want to you can condemn me.god bless you trevor
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1110. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 24, 2013 at 4:45 am

Unlike the climate, somethings never change. Empty cans still make the most noise. If ignorance is bliss … stupidity must be euphoria.

When I left St. Georges in mid-1959 I left knowing nothing of the world and the machinations of men of power and greed.I knew nothing of women and how to earn a living … I knew nothing about a lot of things … save that I wanted to know everything.

I believed that the experience of SGH and the personal discipline it had instilled in all of us, was invaluable to the process of accumulating that knowledge. I also believed, erroneously as it turned out … that that same experience inculcated in all of us, the ability to rationalize truth from deception, myth from fact and reason from insanity. Apparently not everyone benefitted from that gift.

Since I have been blogging on this site, I have tried to engage you all in discussion of the reality of this moment in time to no avail. I am not interested in idle reminiscences of who met who, on what street or in what club 40 years ago on a Saturday night, or whether it matters if SA wins or loses a rugby match. Those things are memories, to be personally savored (or not) when they pass through our minds … hardly the stuff of importance conversation at any level … though they may appear to be the sole raison d’etre for some.

Some of you ( who may also blog on these pages and the bulk of you who do not), may agree or disagree with some of the stuff I write about, but say nothing. That’s a personal choice but those of you who
choose not to be informed of the critical issues facing all of us on this planet and the enormous Corporate grab to control it all, are doing yourselves a disservice.

I have tried but I shall try no more. I am exiting this site permanently for I hate talking to myself … so please don’t bother to try offer a rebuttal here Trevor … you’re hardly qualified to speak English, never mind intellectual debate. Or perhaps you can talk to my non-existent ‘cohorts’.

Dudley Pringle.
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- 1111. Manuel Joao Simoes | August 12, 2013 at 4:12 pm
  
  Dudley You must be the most arrogant idiot I have ever had the displeasure of conversing with. You and have I had a run in or two in the past, but your kind of arrgance has been born out of a self appointed right of self importance ( ignorance I believe is born out of stupidity). The fact that you will not be on these almost hallowed pages again is a blessing that can not be more appreciated (especially by myself). Go home and sulk on your stoep, look further than your nose and maybe contemplate before making self satifying comments. You insult too quickly (which I have experienced on a personal level) and then apologize, this is to me most unacceptable.
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1112. Michael Rossouw | July 24, 2013 at 4:37 pm

I agree Dudley that the things that you write about are important and are a matter of “Life and Death”. Many of us DO indeed share your enthusiasm, and I for do follow and read the articles you send me and those you post on this page. I may not always reply to your links or comment on them as my knowledge of these matters , despite having taught Environmental management in my teaching days in Thailand, is limited. I do however try to keep up with current issues. I think we need to ask ourselves why this site was indeed set up by Brother Blaine Frederick in the first place.
When the site was set up some 6 years ago, many people stumbled upon it and the ‘Bloggs’ were so many that Blaine had to set up our own page. Since then , many people visit the site but few Old Boys may reply. There are I’m sure good reasons for this. St George’s for many was not a happy time and I’m sure there are a great number of men (and women) who passed through the Gates of ‘Goggies’ and vowed never to have anything to do with St George’s or the institution which it now houses ever again, and I might add, with good reason.
We live in an imperfect world , and each one of us is called to make the world a better place. Each of us may do this in different ways. e.g. During the last week I have had to comfort the family of one of my parishioners. I had to watch her as she lay there dying.
As a priest I should be used to this, but it was very difficult for me to comprehend. When people ask “why?” I can’t always give an answer.
We are not all of us ‘wired’ the same .
Each of us is unique in the eyes of Our Creator.
Whilst I can appreciate your stand on these issues about which you so passionately write and which you share with equal enthusiasm, there may be some who read this site who just want to share their remembrances and their pain and to simply “catch up” with old friends.
Those of us who know Trevor, will understand where he is coming from.Trevor may not be an ‘intellectual’ in an academic sense (neither am I for that matter!) but those of us who know him and grew up with him found him to be a man of simple ways and of a good heart.
He’s the kind of guy who, if he’s your friend, he would be very loyal and faithful. I for one really enjoy Trevor’s writing and he has himself said, he is not good at expressing his thoughts.
But in his simplicity of writing much good comes. His memories of an time long gone do bring back feelings of pain and joy, laughter and sadness, humour and dare I say tragedy.
I hope Dudley that my writing this will not come across as being confrontational. I share and admire your passion for the causes which you believe in and which you want others to debate about.
The Trevor I know is a man who keeps things simple and may well share your views but he may not share them in the same way.
The Earth is a mess! Corporate greed is such that Governments now impose their will on the taxpayers in order to bail out Banks and Big business in order to retain the status quo. Politicians no longer serve the will of the people who put them into power to change things. (The recent failure of the US Senate in your country to pass legislation to have gun control laws changed, is one expample.And the shootings go on unabated.)
The failure of legislators to ensure people adequate access to drinking water, health care and food; the fracking of the Earth in order to increase our reliance on oil and to ensure that the oil companies continue to do business as usual without caring for the effects on the environment, the disappearance of trees and natural vegetation and the reulting soil erosion and formation of deserts, the pollution of our oceans etc. IS our collective responsibility.
For many of us it is not in our nature to take to the streets in protest and many may feel that the ballot box has not brought an end to our worries and these concerns.
I guess what I am trying to say with out taking sides is that we need to be mindful of the purpose for which the site was set up, but in doing so i would encourage all who come to this site to write something.
For me , in the final analysis, I believe as the psalmist says, “The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it”. Not all of you may share this view and I respect that. But whatever we believe , whatever our Faith may be, this life, this Earth will not last forever. We are however custodians of the Earth created by Our Creator, and we need to take action in whatever form to ensure that we make “A better life for all.”
I would encourage all who read this site to write something. In writing about our memories , however trivial it may seem as I believe that this site does bring a form of healing for many.

On a lighter note , I share with you that my brother John visited Eric Richardson yesterday. Eric turned 101 yesterday and is still as alert as ever. I’m sure John will share the photo of Eric and his grand children and great grandchild on his and the SGH facebook page. God Bless you all. Sorry if I come across as a preacher, but as Norman Clayton once said when told that by an SABC producer that he came across as too much like a preacher in his music programme, he said “It’s what I do.”
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1113. Andrew Mackie | July 25, 2013 at 7:27 am

Greetings Michael and Dudley,

I like you Michael agree with many of Dudley’s passions and his enthusiasm for his views on the things he holds dear. While at times I may not totally agree with some of his postings I tend to hold my own council and beliefs. In my opinion I have always believed Dudley to be an honest and hardworking person intent on endeavouring to improve his way of living and that of his fellow men. In that vein I really fail to understand his latest writings here and virtual rebuttal of Trevor’s views. Surely everyone is entitled to have their say no matter the outcome of such views. I myself have many views on how Corporates and Government grabs to control and enrich themselves and I make these views known when responding to news articles,
these are published as replies to the news and on my Facebook pages. We just need to look at the situation presently evolving in South Africa where we have a Government with a huge majority in Parliament riding roughshod over many objections raised by opposition, this to the detriment of the new democracy of proportional representation. This system was negotiated as part of the original agreements in 1994 and in many and my estimation is way outdated.
The parties appoint all members of government be it Parliament, Provincial or Local therefore these members are beholden to the Party and not the electorate. This leads to and is of concern that nepotism and jobs for pals is practised. We the ordinary people do not have a say in who will represent our constituency and in most cases that person does not live in the area and has no real interest except to follow party instruction or be replaced, the use the term redeployed. To say the least corruption, fraud and wasteful spending continue unabated to the detriment of the poverty stricken population. Less than 20% of the nation pays personal tax and as such must support a system of grants to young and old. Enough said on that subject.
Over the past months I have shared some of my early childhood stories on this site many remain within me and will remain so due to personal experiences, many forgotten or erased from my mind as they are painful reminders of those times. However on the brighter side St Georges Home for Boys was an institution that took me in cared and nurtured me in many ways but left me unprepared at age thirteen when I left to face the outside world. Thankfully I survived by hard work, some mentoring and most of all believing in my ability to succeed. To me this site was and will remain one of being able not only to hear from those in my past but that of the achievements of the old boys of St Goggies and this is the crux, only wish more would participate and relate their stories but also their successes. I count my blessings that I was able to achieve the heights I attained in my business life and the many countries I visited and learned so much during that time. To Dudley, please do not view this note in any way or form as taking sides but only to put forward my take on the need for you to understand other peoples needs for an outlet of past memories, and maybe some form of release. Trevor you may feel hurt and surely disappointed by the comments made by Dudley but have heart many will still enjoy your tales of bygone years.
God Bless.
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1114. Dudley-Claude Leslie-Pringle | July 25, 2013 at 8:29 am

Michael and Andrew, I take to heart your comments and am shamed by my outburst directed toward Trevor . It was crass and insulting and arrogant and I am truly sorry Trevor. I apologize for my offensiveness and poor judgement. It wont happen again. as I meant what I said in my previous rant, I am exiting these pages for good. I wish you all continued happiness and successes with all the things you pursue.

I wont ever forget St. Goggies, it is part of me and partly what formed me … but I’m not ready for a rocking chair on the porch to spend my time musing about the past … there is a future in jeopardy and I would rather direct my energies in that direction … for I have 4 grandchildren and and I want to do what I can to secure their futures.

Peace out.

Dudley Pringle (1955 -1959).
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1115. Michael Rossouw | July 29, 2013 at 1:33 pm

Understood, Dudley. Please continue to send me articles and written critiques on those issues dear to you. I would really like to continue to share those with you. You have my email address still , I hope? Parish life without my family is beginning to become a very lonely journey. I’m not mad at God, but I realise we now live in a very selfish world and that Governments who profess so called family values and who maintain that the Families must come first in terms of new settlers, well… I don’t think they really aspire to these values. I am getting to the point where I feel that my love affair with Canada, a place which in my growing up at St George’s, fascinated me because of the influence of people like the Late George Adams, sometime housemaster of Simpson House, and Eugene Wright (nee Braun) my Geography teacher at Malvern, is now not within my reach. ‘True, I am here and I qualify for permanent residence, but that process will take as long as another 2 years. As Ma Noakes used to remind us , 2 years is not an eternity in terms of History, and is very short in a person’s lifetime, but I do not have many years left.
My parish , God Bless them seem to have lost their sense of vision and seem not to be challenged by the Gospel. There are times that I feel that they too, quite unwittingly, have the “rocking chair on the porch ” approach to things. I am often asked “Why are you trying to change things?” or ” We have always done things this way!” or “If you change the service time or put in an evening service, that will never work.” I am not Canadian and in a small community such as the one in which I live, it’s our South African doctors who get spoken of , quite rightly, in high regard by most people in town.I’m just the new South African minister from the Philippines. There are 5 RSA doctors here and we only seem to get to see each other when I’m ill or in hospital, something which over the last year has happened with greater frequency. I rarely get invited out, and I guess it’s because I am an outsider, rather like the Uitlanders must have felt in President Kruger’s Transvaal Republiek! I am not in any way suggesting that my presence here is not appreciated, but I guess the Lord is teaching me the vertue of patience and the realisation that Family comes first, even though it would appear that the Ministry for Immigration, at present all on strike, may not appear to share my feelings.I am but one very small speck of dust in the scheme of things and I am learning that in the game of Life , as Ringo Starr once wrote in a song ‘It don’t come easy’!
The visa applications for my family are in and I guess we just have to wait. In the meantime I plod along trusting in God’s Grace and waiting on Him.I can’t do all this “stuff” in my own strength and I have to trust in Him.In my sojourn in Asia, my Thai friends used to say, “Khun Michael! You think too much!” I guess they are right.
I shall probably have to get back into some Buddhist type meditation in order to clear my head.In Asia I found this helpful.( Both Jesus and the Buddha believed in ‘being still and silent’.) Dudley, I for one will be sad to see you leave these pages, but I shall continue to share your passion on the the things that matter. As the King James version of Holy Scripture says ” while we have time, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” This may sound quite serious , but that’s my frame of mind at present. Please forgive me for taking up so much of your time .
God Bless you all,
Michael R
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1116. trevor van reenen | August 4, 2013 at 9:53 am

hi there everyone,i have been watching the world swimming championships in Barcelona,where Cameron van der berg won silver in the breaststroke and Chad le clos won gold in the butterfly.both are south africans.Every time i have watched the backstroke i have always thought of Peter Buckley who use to to swim the backstroke so economical and made it look so easy.He was really a gifted swimmer.I don’t know what he did when he left the home?Can anyone out there remember if they did the butterfly stroke in the home and if they did who won it?I can remember when Malvern high school had the inter house swimming gala at the Malvern swimming pool.The best was when Malvern high school went to the inter school tournament at Ellis park swimming pool.It seems to me that the one thing that has brought nations and people together is sport.I went to the gym on wednesday and survived the work out,but just.Which brings me to what Rolf said in one of his blogs in which he said he pushed up a weight of 120,all i can say is wow because i can only lift a weight of 90.I have tried to lift 110 but i can only do about 10 and i think that my arms are going to came out of my joints.So i will stick to 90.Rolf are you still going to gym,i ask because i use the treadmill and i can get to the speed of 6.6 and i have no idea what that means?Anyway i better leave you guys because William needs the laptop because his one has crashed and he needs to build his castles.He met a African who plays these war games on line and he has asked William if he will come over to Durban for a holiday,this is where he lives.cheers trevor
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1117. trevor van reenen | August 7, 2013 at 12:01 pm

hi there everyone,i watch rt news because the bbc and sky news news don’t tell you everything.anyway i was watching a program called breaking the set.it was about the farmers in america and what they spray the crops with,which really shocked me me so badly that i am thankful that i live in England where we have the most stringent farming practices in the world.in america they use brominated vegetable oil,azodicarbonamide and they still use arsenic in the chicken feed.these have all been banned in Britain and the whole of the EU.these products are highly toxic and cause cancer on the brain.it seems the F.D.A. don’t do any thing about it.so the people are left to these toxins in their food.what big companies won’t do to make a profit at the people’s expense.we don’t get any produce from america in Britain.we had a bit of a horse meat scare here and now most of us buy our meat from the butcher,which is a good thing for all the local butchers.it seems you have to watch what you eat and drink in America.how can you do that to your own people?cheers trevor.
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1118. Rolf Maier | August 26, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Hi everyone, I am about to complete my Post Graduate Diploma in Education and one of the requirements is to serve a five week practical teaching stint at a High School.This I done at West Ridge High, which at best I can describe as a “Township” school in the suburbs.I don’t consider myself a racist and will strive never to become one but I have never experienced such arrogance in my life. These pupils just don’t want to learn,and they have attitude bar none.Teachers are almost helpless. They get it in the neck from the learners, the parents, the SGB, the Dept. of Education and what’s more the law does not support them either. A young white female teacher (+/- 24) found a 15 year old boy bunking and asked for his name.He refused to give it and she reached for his bag. As she leaned forward he punched her in the face. She managed to grab his lapels and pull him toward the ground. To prevent him from falling on top of her she lifted her knee and unfortunately caught him in the groin. He laid a charge of assualt against her. The parents wanted to withdraw the charge but the black Principal insisted that the charge stands. She was found guilty and dismissed!Earlier the principal himself was found to have misappropriated school funds and was given a 2 months suspended sanction. This young girl may not teach anywhere in SA and that because she defended herself! These learners seem untouchable Perhaps I have it wrong but even in nature a lioness will “klap” it’s cub if it gets out of hand. Surely there a clear line between abuse and corrective measures and that it is easier to control in adults than in children. Learners are becoming impossible to teach and seem to taunt teachers with impunity.
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- 1119. Andrew Mackie | August 27, 2013 at 6:23 am
  
  Hi Rolf, firstly congratulations on your achievement and the milestone you have reached on your journey through life must really feel good. However on the darker side of your experience that of arrogance encountered in schools to me it seems disappointing that learners adopt this attitude as it can only be to their detriment in life.
  Hopefully this prevails only in a small minority of students but then again we must look to the leaders of this country who portray the same arrogance toward the people of South Africa. One just needs to visit a government department to see the way in which most officials treat the citizens, Black or White, but mainly toward their own peoples. Recently I had the misfortune to visit our local municipal offices to obtain a duplicate vehicle registration document, firstly have to fill out 4 pages of paperwork, this not withstanding I had a copy of a licence renewal document and my ID Book. Then proceed into a waiting room after obtaining a number depicting ones place on the waiting list. The counter I was directed to was manned by a young lady and as no queue was in place I approached and presented my forms, whereupon I was told my number had not been called so must retreat and sit till called. Some 30 minutes elapsed and still no person was attended to at this counter, again I approached and questioned the delay and was totally ignored except be told I am not privileged because I am white. After a further delay was called and the documentation processed and given a notice to collect the duplicate registration in 4 days time. Bearing in mind we have a computerised vehicle register found it strange to have to wait 4 days, but was told like it or leave it and come back as instructed.
  On talking to a senior official the same arrogance was shown and no real explanation could be given as to the delay. Needless to say I had to wait out the time to collect the document. However while I was waiting at these offices the treatment metered out to many of their own people was to say the least not very pleasant to see or hear when a question was put and the answer not understood. So I am afraid it would seem the attitudes shown by pupils permeates through to all especially those in official position and no doubt learned from their seniors.
  Wish you success in your future endeavours.
  Best regards.
  Andrew Mackie
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1120. Rolf Maier | August 27, 2013 at 5:24 am

Hi Dudley, I too share your concerns but I believe that “good” people are working toward some viable solutions and most people are aware of the problems. However, I still disagree with you about reminiscing about the past. Remembering the past is almost like rewiring the brain so there is some intellect involved. Take studying for instance, one does not forge ahead relentlessly one must also take time to revise. kind regards Rolf
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1121. Michael Rossouw | August 27, 2013 at 10:32 am

Sadly Rolf this is what has become of our new democracy.Principals can get off virtually scott free after putting their fingers in the till, but students have rights, and teachers have none; that is why there is little if any discipline in our schools. As for our matric exam system, I fear that in many cases these certificates will eventually mean little if anything outside the country, unless of course students do the IEB exams or Cambridge exams. I am not discounting the RSA system, as I have been away from it for some time now. The better Government schools (which in effect can still ‘choose ‘ their students (KES Parktown Jeppe etc) still have credible results writing the Provincial exams and I’m sure these guys do OK in the University and Job markets.
Most overseas schools do the International baccalaureate exams, far more rigorous and structured to make students think.The British schools write IGCSE, the Americans have the AP programme but sadly,from my experience, our matric exams pale in comparison.
My advice is that you get some international experience and go and teach in an international school after you have fulfilled any contractual agreement you have made with the Education Dept.
You will find it an enriching experience and will not have the same type of ‘BS’ that goes on in many of our schools in RSA.Education was chaotic under Apartheid, but I’m not sure that it is any better under our new dispensation now in its 19th(?) year of existence.Congratulations and all the best in your career.
Teaching is the Mother of all professions, but in today’s world I’m afraid it is radically different to what it was when we were growing up. I miss the classroom, but not all the bureacracy and administration that goes with it.
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1122. trevor van reenen | September 8, 2013 at 3:51 pm

hi there everyone,firstly let me congratulate rolf on his achievement and the springboks for beating australia in their own backyard 38-12.it seems to me that i have been longing for bread and butter pudding which we use to have in the home.i can remember having rice pudding,frogs eyes,banana and custard and a chocolate pudding which we use to call zambezi mud.it seems that they had excellent cooks in the home,to cook for so many children.cheers trevor
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1123. Rolf Maier | September 10, 2013 at 9:54 am

I am friends with an old Boys Town guy by the name of Gavin Ellis with whom I played soccer during the 80’s. He told me that during the mid 70’s Boys Town played rugby against the Home! I wonder if this was just a trial phase as I am unaware of rugby becoming a permanent sport at the Home. Co-incidently I also worked with a chap who was married to the daughter of the founder of Boys Town, Bishop Reginald Orsmond. He was actually born in Troyville. Small world! Regards Rolf.
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- 1124. Michael Rossouw | September 11, 2013 at 3:14 pm
  
  As far as I am aware RC priests and bishops generally don’t marry. The only exception are those former Anglican priests who have been ebntering the RC church and who are already married.They are in a Body of clergy form Anglican churches who with their congregations have asked for oversight from Rome in the Ordinariates in Australia , North America and in the UK.In Orsmond’s case, he may have been married and his spouse may have died,but I have found no evidence that he was married. Could the woman have perhaps been his niece? If + Orsmond had been previously married and his spouse was deceased or the marriage annulled for whatever reason, he could then have been able to become an ordained Roman catholic priest.
  A book has been written about +Orsmond and there is a review of it on this link
  There are allegations about things that happened at Boys Town under his charge allegedly involving his behaviour towards some of the boys. These allegations cannot be tested in court as +Orsmond has already passed on in 2002. In my dealings with +Reginald as a Roman catholic lay minister (I was in the minor order of Lector at Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein for a while during my marriage to Vivian) I found Bishop Orsmond to be a very caring, compassionate and wonderful human being. Perhaps Shakespeare was right ; “The evil that men (allegedly) do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones.”
  In saying this I am in no way suggesting that there is no truth in these allegations, but I do acknowkledge that young, vulnerable children have been abused by priests, nuns and teachers in the past in places which cared for orphans and children from broken homes.
  I do not wish to open any hurts that boys in St George’s may have experienced at the hands of certain masters in writing this, but there were many “horror stories” which came to light at an Old Boys’ gathering I attended in 2001 about the behaviour of certain masters and clergy at St Georges towards boys in my time as well as in years before and after my time at the Home. Here in Canada, in my own Diocese , we are still having to heal much hurt which took place in Residential schools to First Nation people who grew up in these schools.
  Senior Archbishops and Cardinals and even some Popes have never really got these abuses out in the open,and investigated these allegations about the behaviour of certain the priests and nuns in these institutions, but have paid out millions of dollars in settlements to victims of abuse instead.The present Pope Francis I do believe will investigate such cases.
  I know in my own case I was pretty green when it came to matters of a romantic nature (I’ve made up for it since as I grew older and now I have to be very careful in paying compliments to my female parishioners!) but I think that the priests and masters who knew me were too scared to ” hit on me” as they may have thought I would probably have spoken up and spilled the beans, thus ruining their carrers in childcare and education.These days there are mechanisms in schools andinstitutions to deal with such cases and most western countries have a Child protection unit in their Police Service. Any form of abuse of young adults and children is abhorent and the people who do these things should be brought to justice so that the law can take its course.
  There are many “horror stories” on this site about the abuses that took place at St Georges, certainly the bullying and the canings were rife. I for one am glad this this forum can be a source for teliing what happened and sharing the sorrows and joys about our stay at St George’s.
  
  On a lighter note , I believe John is working on the celebrations for the Home’s ‘Centenialle’ for next year. Can we have an update John?
  Take care everyone.
  Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
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1125. trevor van reenen | September 10, 2013 at 4:02 pm

hi there you guys,to day was my last day at gym and let me tell you i am absolutely finished.you see i have been going to gym for the last month and let me let me tell you i did not thing i would make it,but i have aches and pain all over my body.so now i will just concentrate on my running and guitar playing.it seems most people of our age just want to sit and watch tv.the trouble with me is that i have been active all of my life.i still enjoy training which i am very thankful for.i am thinking of joining the minehead running club again.i have been asked if i would come back again.i will tell you how i feel at the end of the week.lets hope this gym training will pay off,because as i say,i am really tired.cheers trevor.
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1126. trevor van reenen | September 11, 2013 at 12:52 pm

hi there everyone,let me first admit to you guys that i have a addiction and it is quite serious.the addition is coffee and i know that there are some of you that have the same addition.so here is what i am proposing.we will meet one day in the morning and have a coffee addition meeting where we will drink coffee and talk about all the trouble that is going on and see what sort of solutions we can come up with.it seems that everyone has a solution to the problems of the earth only to find that further down the road that it was totally wrong.we have a prime minister named david cameron who has the best education that money can buy,but he still has no idea what he is doing.it seems to me that everyone wants to emulate mrs. thacther by going to war at a drop of a hat.i don’t know when war has ever been the solution.it seems to me that war has caused more problems than what it solves.we are certainly living in interesting times.love will always be the greatest gift.cheers trevor.
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- 1127. Michael Rossouw | September 11, 2013 at 3:37 pm
  
  Thank the Lord that your Prime Minister cannot simply “go to War” without the consent of Parliament. The system of Parliamentary Democracy may have its flaws , but there are “checks and balances”. The US President can take the country to war without the consent fo Congress. Whilst there are those advocating a strke against Assad and his dictatorial regime, it is my prayer that the Syrian question can be solved through diplomatic means. In the meantime however innocent people are suffering the devastating effects of War on a daily basis.Trevor, remember that solutions to problems, even questions we may think we are too ‘small’ to have our ideas taken seriously, can be solved by a good idea over a cup of coffe or something stronger and can have positive results when we act upon them.(These days I cant have anything stronger than tea or coffe after years of abusing my body with alcohol! That’s another story! for another time.) You are right, Trevor. War is not an ideal solution to the World’s problems,but is , sadly sometimes necessary. Remember that St George’s was built as memorial to men (and women) who gave so much , even their lives so that we in our time could have peace. I for one am very grateful that Noel Aldridge started St George’s and urged the Diocese of Petoria at that time to build St George’s. We and the students of Bishop Bavin School are the beneficiaries.
  Good to hear from you as always.
  On a lighter note my cable service here doesn’t have the channels showing Rugby and cricket so i don’t get to see the matches and have to rely on BBC’s “sport today” programmes. I am amazed that footballers can be sold to the highest bidder for millions but that the soccer balls used for their matches are made in sweat shops by kids as young as 7 in places like Pakistan and India and other poorer countries. I was never much of a sportsperson at Malvern or at St George’s but I do have some Tabloid certificates and couple which certify that I gained third place in long distance running at the Home as well as completeing the Big walks Dereck james used to take us on. My prize possessionis of a certificate when I got 3rd place in the MHS swimming gala in 1965 in the Open breaststroke swimming event. I was only 15 and many of the competitors were older. I was quite proud of that on. It’s signed by “Judge” Durie and Vera Kirkland and John Edmund Johnsen (Johnnie) Malvern’s head.
  Take care and keep the stories coming.Cheers for now,
  Michael R
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1128. Rolf Maier | September 12, 2013 at 5:12 am

Hi Mihael,
I aplologise for a mistake on the Orsmond comment, the word “daugther ” should have read sister and her name is Maureen. As you rightfully infer, he was also accussed of molesting boys.
Sadly I pass on the news of the passing away of Humphery Parker on the morning of 11/09/2013. He died of cancer. He was a “laat lammetjie” of a family of 10 siblings. His brothers Percy, Wally and Joe Parker were at the home during the 50’s. His father immegrated from England and at 40 years of age married Humphery’s mother who was 16 years old at the time. He developed Phtisis (spelling?) while working on the mines and that was the reason the Parkers landed up in the Home. My condolences to the family.
Regards to all
Rolf Maier (1964-1970)
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1129. Michael Rossouw | September 12, 2013 at 6:32 am

Thanks for letting us know. I knew of the Parker Family story but I don’t think I knew Humprey as he had already left when I arrived.
I think Humphrey may have played in the Band; Ken Mc Holm I’m sure metioned him once. It was quite amazing how families with “laat Lammetjies” along with elder brothers landed up in St Georges.
Please give our condolances to the family. I shall say a prayer for Humphrey and his family when I next say Mass.Sadly I cant preside at the Eucharist every day,like BeeBop and the Beak did at St George’s; if I dont have at least one other person with me I cant say the full Eucharist, so I am for now , limited to saying the Mass once a week.I do say Morning and evening prayer every day.( all priests have to, ‘occupational hazard! Ha Ha!) I do enjoy my work though.Today I spent most of the morning doing admin type tasks and then celebrated Mass at the Hospital chapel this afternoon. I am getting used to being with these dear ‘Oldies!’ although I am myself in my mid 60’s now and may well be destined for the retirement home in a few years time. I recently performed a wedding (last week in fact) for a young couple. the Groom was so overwhelmed he started to cry and laugh at the same time when he said his wedding vows! ( I thought he’d had one too many to steady his nerves before the wedding. The bride in her turn promised to stay with him “for poorer and poorer!” . It brought the house down! For most of the guests, it was probably their first time in a church; but they were all quite happy to see them getting hitched. I am not the person to give advice about married life for, as you know, I have failed at it dismally. My daughters , who have not contacted me for some years now and who do not wish to know me as a father, have kept their distance from me and want nothing to do with me. Sadly it was due to my personal character defects that I was ‘an absentee Father.’ Many boys who eneterd the home would identify with this aspect in the lives of some of their families.
(I dont know where my older daughters are or where to start looking for them. My youngest does keep in touch and we have a good relationship. My elder girls know where I am as I did get a letter from them with no return address saying that they do not wish to have me in their lives.I have accepted that, but have indicated to them that they are welcome in our home any time. I am so glad for skype; that’s how I keep in touch with my son and his step sister .(They are still young , 3 and 6 to be precise, so I also know about ‘laat lammetjies”
It just seems odd that somehow God called me to this remote Prairie Province of Saskatchewan to advise and prepare people about what a good marriage means, yet I have not done so well at it myself. Perhaps God really does have a sense of humour and God does use us to be ” broken healers.”
I have also had two of my parish die about two weeks ago,; that too is something that College doesn’t prepare you for!
I guess in a way St George’s gave me an inkling of what it would be like to counsel and guide people along their paths in life as a tacher and latterly a minister in the Church of Canada. I suppose too that in dealing with loss as many of us have had to do in our own lives as boys growing up in the Home that in a way gave us a sense of empathy with others when they struggled with the loss of a parent or loved one. I just find it odd that the church in South Africa turned me down for ordination and yet I was taken in by the Church in the Philippines and now the church of Canada. I hope one day I shall be able to say a Mass at the Altar of the place which shaped my journey in the faith,the St George’s Home chapel. Who knows; maybe I may be asked to assist if there is a service of some kind in the Chapel when we celebrate our 100th Birthday. It would really be great if that could happen.I would need the Bishop of Johannesburg’s permission as well as the Rector of the school’s permission. Hmm. That may be a difficult hurdle to jump.
Alas , I ramble on…Keep well and God Bless you all.
Michael R.
PS I shall certainly do my best to get to the Home’s Centenary Celebrations. John please update us when you have the info?The applications for my visas for my wife and family are in. Now we just have to wait….they are still on strike at the Immigration Dept.
I believe. Oh Boy…..
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1130. Rolf Maier | September 13, 2013 at 5:23 am

I omitted to mention that Malcolm Parker was also one of the brothers in the Home. What fascinates me is that the family used to stay at 392 Commissioner St. Fairview, which is opposite the Fire Station. Across the road was the Kippy’s Cafe, which was frequented by everyone who was any one during the 50’s and 60’s. OBVIOUSLY THE BUSY TIMES WERE FRIDAY EVENINGS AND SATURDAYS WHEN MOST GATHERED THERE TO HAVE SODA POPS AND LISTEN TO THE jUKEBOX.In my mind I can still hear the Platters singing Smoke gets in your eyes.
Regards Rolf
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1131. trevor van reenen | September 15, 2013 at 1:17 pm

hi there everyone,sitting here with my cup of coffee watching the great north run in newcastle.this is one of the most popular half marathons in the world.with 55,000 runners you can understand why.ethiopia’s runner bekele beat mo farah in this thrilling race,i always thought that bekele was the better runner.yesterday the springboks lost to the all blacks 29-15.well i know that the all blacks are the better team.better luck next time.mooi bly trevor.
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1132. Rolf Maier | September 16, 2013 at 5:16 am

Hi Trevor
Just can’t understand your motive for heavy weight training when you mainly concentrate on distance running. Unless you are doing rehabilitation excercises after your injury. Would you not be better off running hills in a weighted vest or something? Mo Farah will “cream ” Bekele over the shorter distances! Watch the Boks in the return match. Cheers Rolf
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1133. trevor van reenen | September 16, 2013 at 1:18 pm

hi Rolf,let me explain.ever since i can remember i have suffered with my right shoulder.the pain was like a red hot poker being in my shoulder,now i have lived with this pain all my life.when i was doing karate it seemed to ease the pain.then when i got into road running,it really did the world of good to my shoulder.but when i started playing the electric guitar,because the weight and the length of time trying to play the guitar,this pain came back with a vengeance.so now i would have to go to gym and strengthen my shoulders by doing weight training.i can now say that i do not get that pain any more.the trouble with road runners is that we neglect our upper body strength,we seem to just concentrate on our leg strength.let me tell you my gym days are truly over,because i had become so obsessed with pushing weights.anyway i am back to my normal self.as for mo farah beating bekele i still think bekele is the better runner.they both said that they want to run in the london marathon so watch this space.i hope that the springboks can beat the all black,but i thing that the all blacks are just too strong a team.cheers trevor.
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1134. trevor van reenen | September 18, 2013 at 2:11 pm

hi there everyone,this is about the time when we lived in malvern.the house was just around the corner of kaplans clothing store.the house was a three bedroom and it had a massive kitchen.just up the road david and peggy lived.in fact it was in the pink semi’s which stood out like a sore thumb.they lived in the one on the right which had a concrete base which we use to have braai’s.treasure and william would always go and see sean and bradley,their sons.now david and peggy were studying to serve in the church.this one day myself and my mom were sitting in the kitchen while treasure and william were at peggy’s house.anyway as i was saying we were sitting drinking coffee when all of a sudden the switch on this cooker turned on.now let me tell you this was one of those old cookers which the switches were quite hard to turn on.so we both look at each other and come to the same conclusion,that this was no accident that this switch just turned on.so now what do we do/the first thing is to not panic which we did not do.then i tell my mom to come with me to peggy’s place.i now leave my mom with the kids and i pull david and peggy aside and i explain to them what has just happened in our kitchen.now i don’t know anything about demons but i was about to learn about this subject.peggy asks for the keys in the house so that she can investigate to see whats happened here.now after a while peggy comes back and explains to me whats happened.she tells me that when she walked into the kitchen,there sitting in the corner of the kitchen was this demon who kept on switching on the cooker switch.now as i said i have no idea about demons.peggy then explain to me about this demon and that he has driven out all the other occupants who had lived in this house.she then told me that she had driven this demon out of the house.we then returned and every thing seemed to be alright.we never had any trouble after that.then one day when we were at peggy’s house,david pulls me aside and asks me if i would help him sit and listen to some tapes from the church.then i asked him,what subject are these tapes about?he then tells me that these tapes are the demonology tapes of the church.i say ok lets go for this.their are 5 tapes to this set.boy,was i about to get a education in who demons are and what they are capable of doing.i sat through these 5 tapes and i could understand why it is not so easy to listen to these tapes on your own.for the normal person these are frightening tapes to listen to.i did not mind listening to these tapes.their is a lot more to serving in the church as a pastor.cheers trevor.
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1135. trevor van reenen | September 20, 2013 at 3:40 pm

hi there everyone,today i went on the germiston callies web site.i see that germiston callies have now, a new race on the road running calendar and it is called the allan robb 32 km road race.it is good to see that germiston callies have dedicated this race to my friend allan.anyway i went back to the callies site to see what else was on this site.to my surprise there is now a site on germiston callies football club.then going on the site because i was always a callies supporter.then going down the site and reading the history of the club.i then come to see the different teams over the history of the club.then on the right their is this picture of this team.well this is what i said.stone the flaming crows! why i said this, is because i recognize the guy who is kneeling in the front row.it is none other than Michael j Hendricks.how many of you guys can say that a homeboy played for your team.cheers trevor.
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1136. trevor van reenen | October 8, 2013 at 1:11 pm

hi there everyone,this weekend we went up to greenwich in london to spend the weekend with treasure.we caught the coach in taunton and changed over in bristol.this journey takes about four and a half hours.when we arrived at the victoria coach station i got a text from treasure saying she was running later and that we would have to wait there a while until she gets there.so while we were waiting for treasure i noticed that every two minutes a coach would pull up and drop of people coming to london.what was most amazing is that i have never seen so many people passing through a coach station in all my life.this must be the most visited city in all the world.anyway treasure arrived and we went to victoria train station.well if i thought that the coach station was a lot of people you should have seen the train station.just as well we caught the main line to greenwich because the underground was absolutely jam packed.the underground is a brilliant system that carries millions of people to and from work but if you use it at peak times that is another story.saturday morning we went to the market in greenwich.let me just say in this market they had food stalls of all the different nations being cooked,which was out of this world.we sat their and had breakfast,which i can say i would love to do this every so often.we then decided to travel up the thames on a catamaran.now i am not the best person to travel by water,but let me say that this massive catamaran is absolutely brilliant to travel by.if you ever come to london you must go on this boat.it is so smooth this journey.i have said to treasure that i want to come up their and travel up and down the thames.we traveled from greenwich to the south bank.you get to see all the landmarks.in london the theme was on japan,which they showed the people martial arts and their drum playing.sunday we went to the park in greenwich which is massive.i noticed a lot of runners in the park,so i asked what was happening?they told me that they were about to run a 10km race and a 5km race in the park.but what i found quite interesting is before we caught the catamaran is we walked around cutty sark which is where the london marathon goes past.we had a brilliant weekend.i am still a city person at heart.hi rolf,do you still have that photo that you wanted to put on this site?who is the photo of?cheers trevor
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- 1137. Rolf Maier | October 11, 2013 at 2:32 pm
  
  Hi Trevor,
  I envy you! Sorry I hav’nt been too active on the sight but our computer system was down for sometime. The photo I have was taken in 1965 and although Michael Rossouw was already resident in Taylor House he jioned us in the photo. He soarses above us in height! Trevor were you in the Home before Griselle and Close? I remember you and Paul van Staden introduced me to playing Kenniekie. Wow some of the guys could hit those sticks damn far.It is nice to hear that you are enjoying the pleasures of a 1st world country. Our public transport is a joke
  Best regards
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1138. Paul | October 11, 2013 at 6:37 pm

Hi Rolf,
I occasionally visit this site to scan the conversations and was deeply saddened to read of the death of Humphrey Parker. I remember him well and always found him a likable guy. The insight you gave into his family history was very interesting and reminded me how little we knew, cared about or judged the other boys on their backgrounds and how our opinions were based solely on their behaviour and personalities displayed in the here and now.
I took the liberty of pasting your post in this regard onto http://www.facebook.com/stgeorgeshomeoldboysmemorial so that the large readership there could also be informed. It joins the growing list of epitaphs already recorded there.
On a lighter note it was a huge and very pleasant surprise to see you at the last Old Boys reunion, alive and kicking and accompanied by Andrew Boots Botes as well! Humphrey’s passing should prompt us to never pass up the chance to meet with old friends whenever presented.
Best wishes,
Paul “Bob” Courtney
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1139. trevor van reenen | October 14, 2013 at 1:36 pm

hi rolf,i came to the home in the beginning of 61,which in my memory was before william grisselle and derek close.the last i saw of derek is when he use to play football with us.i remember that he was living in alberton.you really take me back in time,when you mention playing kenniekie.we use to play at the bottom of beaton house.as you say some of the guys use to hit that stick pretty far.can you remember playing stingers in wychwood school?rolf i hope and pray that some day you can come over here and we can show you around here.as they say you never know.it would be nice to travel up the thames and drink a costa coffee.do you know how to e-mail a photo?at the moment i am doing a lot of hill work for the ground work of my training.it is good to hear from you.cheers trevor.
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1140. Rolf Maier | October 14, 2013 at 3:20 pm

Hi “Bob” Courtney, it was awesome seeing you ,Doep and Justin again at the reunion. Pity I came late and had my “ball-and -chain” with me. Perhaps next time we can reminisce a bit better!
I Trevor, I would love to travel through England some time but I was also thinking of you coming over here and perhaps racing with some of your old friends.
I will try and scan the picture and post it on the blog—– or something?
Best regards Rolf
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1141. trevor van reenen | October 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm

Hi Rolf,you are so right,i have so much unfinish business over there.So i have decided to come over there.What i am going to find quite interesting is running at high altitude.It is one thing to run in low altitude,then go and run in high altitude.I can remember some of the guys who came from Natal to run up in Johannesburg and they really did struggle.As they say that it will be another challenge.I still owe the Comrades marathon a good run,before i kick the bucket.But i remember Two Oceans marathon as the most scenic run i have ever done.There are so many people that i need to find and have a good chat up.So today is the beginning of my future adventure.Do you guys have Costa coffee shops over there?Cheers Trevor.
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1142. Old Boy | October 17, 2013 at 9:46 am

The stench of nostalgia still lingers in my nostrils despite the lapse of decades. January ’61, the month and year I was introduced into SGH, a place redolent of, I quote, ‘pious militarism’, Blane’s apt description that describes it perfectly. I recall Brian Gannon’s rendition of Bach’s Oh Jesu Joy of Mans Desire on the chapel organ, following a service, and which, for me, was a highlight.

The relentless repetition of standing, kneeling and singing hymns, all interspersed with fixed responses, soon bored me almost to death. I sought solace in reading novels which I secreted in the hip pocket of my blazer jacket. Then one fine Sunday morning, just as I was preparing myself for the delights of Biggles in the Gobi, a hissed whisper behind my ear returned my attention to unwonted and dreaded reality.

“I’ll see you in my office after the service!” said the Deputy Headmaster, simultaneously relieving me of my illicit literature.

His arm was mighty and the thin material comprising my shorts (I wore no underpants then) would prove inadequate protection against his thin bamboo cane. Thrice did the birch whistle before landing on my 9½-year-old buttocks. The cloisters and arches of the Herbert Baker superstructure echoed with my cowardly howls and vain appeals for mercy.

I had learned my lesson: don’t get caught in future. But the constant urge to glance over one’s shoulder, during a service, seriously detracts from the pleasure of indulging in proscribed reading. For one thing, a head that is constantly looking over its owner’s shoulder is in itself suspicious and liable to attract attention.

Perhaps prescribed reading might be the answer. Well-meaning people had donated a tiny New Testament to each boy, complete with a yellow cotton page-divider. I had never read any Bible stories before and this would be a good time to begin. I was aware that a man called Jesus existed (heavens, he had been thrust down my throat often enough) but I had never actually read the book, so to speak.

So off I went and discovered that the same story appears, not just once, but FOUR times. The rest of the book didn’t do much for me and the last chapter, John’s Revelations, was too arcane for words. What about the earlier edition, the Old Testament? I found some great stories therein but they were few and far between. Like its successor, I found it to be filled with eminently forgettable material.

As for chapel, did I learn anything after attending twice every Sunday and the Lord knows how many times during Lent? Over 9 long years? Well, yes I did. It was an abhorrence of ritualised religion and an avowal that never again would I willingly attend a church service. And I never have. I also learned that the word of God is not ostentatiously trumpeted from pulpits. Rather, it is whispered into the hearts and minds of simple men and women.
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- 1143. Rolf Maier | October 18, 2013 at 5:58 am
  
  Hi OLd Boy, Another tale well told! I too can felt the burden of a ritual not quite understood but deemed essential to sustain mere survival. Those days one was not in the position to question anything and I could never phatom how a sermon I could not understand could save may soul. Don’t get me wrong I am a believer, I just did not agree on how things were conducted. Anyway you managed to reflect the confusion and anxiety I felt at the time. Regards Rolf
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1144. Old Boy | October 18, 2013 at 9:12 am

Thanks, Rolfie, my very good friend. Yes, I did very much enjoy our trip to Cape Town by ship. Do you remember Errol Peace and I dragging you over the slippery paving stones (it was a wet day) in Durban?

The day you entered Simpson House, for the first time in ’64, is still fresh in my mind. Your endearing and self-effacing personality soon won us all over and I always regarded you as one of my absolute favourites. In fact, I don’t think I ever heard a single bad thing said about you.

I am delighted to be reacquainted with you again after so many years.
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1145. trevor van reenen | October 18, 2013 at 12:10 pm

Hi there Old boy,well where do i even begin?You have hit a cord in me that i thought i had forgotten.How i remember the hymn practice and the kneeling and standing,during the church services on a Sunday morning and evening.Being a child from a broken home i could not understand why i had to go through this?Just the other day i tried to think of a sermon that father Clayton preached on a Sunday.My mind went absolutely blank,i have no idea what he preached.Now let me tell you why.You see while father Clayton was preaching i had decided to fall asleep.As for lent,when he decided to give up the movies we use to watch on a Saturday night,well to this day i still have no idea what that was all about.Do you remember that Mr Mcholm use to have a office in Simpson house and that we use to get our canning there.I can tell you that i was there quite a few times.Funny enough i don’t even know if you even remember me.I know i should not be saying this but my biggest dislike i had in the home was cadets.I use to dreaded every Thursday afternoon when we had to do cadets.I still cannot not fathom out why someone would get so much pleasure out of bullying someone to do this army rubbish.When we were in the Air Force the Sgt did not bully any of the guys who did not know about cadets,they had the patience to teach them what they needed to know.Did you ever know a guy named Brent Rudwick in Beaton house?Cheers Trevor.
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1146. Old Boy | October 18, 2013 at 1:17 pm

Hello Trevor – Sorry but I don’t recall Brent but the name does sound familiar. I remember you being in Beaton House and that you were my nemesis in the swimming pool. Except for one year, ’64, when Simpson House won the gala, I never could best you and it wasn’t for trying!

Yeah, ˝Stormin’ Norman˝ did have to go and spoil Lent by not allowing movies. He did, however, permit some crackers that I really enjoyed (they had to be religious, of course). These included: ‘Samson and Delilah’ (Victor Mature and Hedi Lamarr); ‘The Robe’ (Richard Burton and Victor Mature) and ‘Barabas’ with Anthony Quin. Once I was even allowed to go to a Joburg cinema and see ‘The Cardinal’ which I also liked. Otherwise, like you, I couldn’t wait for Lent to finish so we could get back to being normal again.

I didn’t like cadets either. I found it boring, just marching up and down, so I joined the band, first as a tenor-drummer and then later I became a side-drummer. As such, I played alongside such talents as Trevor Stringer and Robin Putter, both of whom helped me perfect my skills. Much more interesting and at least we had music to listen to whilst we marched!

I remember you very well indeed, Trevor, especially because of your prowess as a swimmer. As I said, the only year I beat you was in the ’64 swimming gala when, for some strange reason, everything came good for me and nobody could beat me in the pool. Sadly, it was the only year that I enjoyed such success and consequently my memory of it has never dimmed.
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- 1147. Rolf Maier | October 18, 2013 at 3:27 pm
  
  Hi Old Boy
  I remember that you were very good at soccer. Very good ball control and very tricky!
  Trevor you will have to give me an e-mail address because I can’t seem to import the photos, unless someone can advise me on how to do it.
  Kind regards Rolf
  Reply
  - 1148. Rolf Maier | October 18, 2013 at 4:21 pm
    
    Hi Old Boy
    I just remembered that we made a pact to meet at the Savoy Hotel ten years after leaving the Home. I waited there for 3 days! Where were you—–just joking of course. For the life of me I can’t remember the date or time. I hope life is treating you well.
    Regards Rolf
1149. Michael Rossouw | October 18, 2013 at 7:02 pm

Dear Old Boy
Your memories of Chapel at St George’s ring true, although I never would have dared, partly out of fear of being caught and punished, to read anything in the choir pews other than the books in front of me. I guess I accepted all the stuff we were required to do because it was the only way for me to survive. I too joined the band as the idea of square-bashing on a parade ground did not excite me. In my own journey I too stayed away from church, particularly during my student years, as I found that I had been saturated with a spirituality that I did not fully understand and a very ‘ritualistic’ form of worship. If one served at the altar, one’s actions were done in a certain way. In all that ‘Beebop’ did , he was a perfectionist and the Lord help you if you didn’t get it absolutely right! I came back to my Anglican roots , strangely through very dear church people who ran a house church on the DeBeers Mine in a place called Lime Acres where I worked as a Graduate Personnel Trainee. Somehow when I left the mine , I came back to my Anglican roots, and this led to my ordination (admittedly some 20 years later) as a priest 5 days before my 60th birthday. That journey even today has not been easy and I too have had my struggles with our Holy ‘stepmother’ the Church.
Sadly I still find a lot more practical expressions of ‘Loving one’s neighbour’ in a godly sense have come from people who are totally outside of the church and who share the same views as those which you so articualtely have expressed in your post on this website. In our Diocese here in Canada we are “wrinkling and shrinking,” and becoming an aging institution, basically struggling to keep the doors open, and we are now being asked to embark on a serious mission action plan in which we will need to reach out to people who consider themselves Anglicans but who never come to church.We are also called to reach out to the “unchurhed”. This will mean that we will need to do things differently.Immersing someone into the types of services we had at the Home will very easily make some people very uncomfortable to say the least. Sadly some churches are very unwelcoming, even though they perceive themselves as being very friendly. We are now looking at ways to “do church” and to become more proactive in serving the communities in which we are called to serve. Archbishop Temple once said that “The Church exists primarily for the benefit of those who are outside of it”. I believe that to be true, but some good Christian folk still see the church as “Theirs” and do not really welcome strangers into their midst. My return to full time ministry was through the Episcopal church in the Philippines, where “when I was a stranger, they took me in.”
I too was uneasy about the Lenten disciplines we all were forced into at the Home. Much has been written on this site on the character of people like NJC and other masters who were in charge of our welfare, spiritual and material. I readily admit that even in my time of life and the job that I do , I still have my own faults and character defects which have been with me since my time at St George’s. Even now , I wrestle with the question of what my “calling” is in being a priest in the Church, and whether or not I fulfill that calling. (I am a far better teacher than a priest, that ill admit! But I guess every priest is a teacher. Look at the many things people like NJC taught us, photography, music, radio St George etc).
Be that as it may the fact that many old boys of the Home as we knew it are now “coming out”, and telling their stories, painful as that may be for some, I think this is good and in probably necessary.
One hopes that a healing process is at work here.
I guess for me ,the “chuch thing” is summed up in the invitation to be part of the Church in the prayer of confession just before going into the sharing of the peace in the communion service.Most modern revisions of the Prayer book would have it in one form or another.The one used in this part of the world is this, when the priest invites the people to come to God’s table saying:
“Dear Friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table. Let us confess our sins , confident in God’s forgiveness.”
I am well aware that in the 21st century there seems little room for God. He is not allowed in our schools, He is not mentioned in many civic gatherings, His people are not permitted to wear any religious symbols such as small crucifixes whilst in their place of work. Here in Canada, the Quebec Government has introduced legislation to remove the cross which has been hanging there in the provincial legislature since the time that the settlers established their form of Government here.
We live in a very secular world and all symbols of a religious nature are a “taboo” in the workplace whether they be from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Buddhist, although I am not sure about “new Age” religions and other groups. )
I am open to correction but I believe that crucifixes may not have been put up in the wards of the new St Luke’s hospital in Manila, an institution founded by Bishop Brent , a Canadian born bishop in Episcaopal church in the US, when he came to the Philippines as the first Episcopal church missionary bishop.
St Luke’s is now a hospital catering to the rich and famous and is now out of reach for the ranks of ordinary people for whom the hospital was originally founded.
Ultimately as you have said “God’s Word is not ostentatiously trumpeted from pulpits. Rather, it is whispered into the hearts and minds of simple men and women.”
The church as an institution has to realize this.

It would be good to know who you are? I have an idea as to your identity, as you mention later the names of the drummers who were with you in the band. Trevor Stringer and the late Robin Putter were in the band when I was a bass Drummer. I think I may have been the drum major for a short time? I think you left the Home and completed your schooling as a day student at malvern? (Just guessing, so forgive me if I’m wrong.)
You were in Simpson House as a junior when BG was housemaster.That’s also a clue. You were also a swimmer.

In my parting remarks it may interest you to know that I did ask the then headmaster of Bishop Bavin, Dr Morgan Ellis, himself a priest now retired in the Diocese of Johannesburg, to allow me to say a thanksgiving Mass at St George’s when I visited RSA soon after my ordination. I was not afforded that privilege. I was a little saddened by this , but it wasn’t the end of the world for me.
I believe the school has a new head now and perhaps I may yet be able to do that before the Good Lord takes me to my Heavenly Home to rejoice with Him, the “Angels and Archangels and all the company of Heaven”
I’m not holding my breath though!

Blessings to you and yours, Old Boy, and many thanks for your insight in writing on this website.It has been helpful to me in that I am taking a long hard look at myself as to where I am at in my role in the Church. I have no battle with God or His love for me but I do think about a lot of things in my own life and journey to wholeness ahich from time to time need re assessment.
Stay well and please write again.

Michael Rossouw (T95. SGH 1961-1967)
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1150. Michael Rossouw | October 18, 2013 at 7:21 pm

Brent Rudwick was a patrol leader in Beaton House and a brilliant sportsperson. Played soccer in the “prep” side and was also a key player in the “prep” 1st eleven Cricket team. He was sadly killed in a motor accident over the Christmas holiday of 1962 at the age of 13.
He was due to start High school at Malvern with us and his name was still on the class roll the first day of term. When John E Johnsen read out his name to go into STD 6, a lone voice, perhaps it was Robyn Putter’s but i can’t remember, responded “he’s dead Sir.”
Brent was a very good leader, but like many of the patrol leaders and corporals in the dorm, he was a bully. That being said , I have certainly forgiven him for his abuse towards me. No doubt in my time I was also a bit of a bully. There are times when I also resorted to “klapping” okes in the dorm and on the parade ground.
I confess it now to you all and I ask your pardon, not that that will take away the hurt I caused, but to simply and promptly admit it and say “I’m sorry”.
I know that I have been forgiven by God a long time ago for this, but there is no harm in recalling one’s short-comings. I do not wish in making this “confession” that I am perceived as one who is “speaking ill of the dead,” but as many on this website have said , the model of “care” at the Home was not ideal and never looked at addressing these hurts.
I am really sorry for any harm I have done to anyone in my time at the home, my time as a teacher, particularly in my younger days, and in my later years.

Michael R
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1151. trevor van reenen | October 19, 2013 at 2:19 am

Hi Rolf,my e-mail address is tvanreenen@hotmail.co.uk.I will ask treasure to blog you,because she knows how to e-mail a photo on to a site.Cheers Trevor
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1152. Old Boy | October 22, 2013 at 1:43 pm

Hello Michael and many thanks for your response. You were indeed the base-drummer in the band and in fact you taught me how to swing my tenor-drum sticks. It took me hours to perfect but eventually I was able to do it. Do you recall the 2/4 and/or 6/8 rhythms required for the various pieces? You were eventually promoted to Drum Major and your brother, Des, became Sgt Bugler.

Yes, I was a reasonable swimmer and no, I did not become a day scholar at Malvern High. You left at the end of ’67 and I would leave towards the end of ’69. I would prefer to remain anonymous. Why, I don’t know. Let’s just say that I find anonymity attractive. Some bloggers know my real identity and some non-contributing others may have already guessed it. Either way, it is unimportant. But, after what I am about to say, I am pretty sure that you will become one of the unhappy few that does know.

For various reasons we shared no great affinity at SGH. Most notably our age difference, you being two years older than I, but also because you were in Beaton House, whereas I was in Simpson. You would graduate to Taylor whilst I went on to Spackman. Other than being together in the band, and sharing the natural camaraderie between Home boys, we had little else in common. Then in ’67, when I was 16 and you were 18, you left the Home for good. Unless you returned as a visitor, I never expected to see you again.

During ’67, after an absence of 10 years, I was reacquainted with my long-lost sister who had been adopted when she was 3. At her insistence, her adoptive family contacted me in SGH and were kind enough to accept me into their house, albeit at weekends and during holidays. Their generosity made my last two years at SGH so much sweeter and that much more bearable.

Then one day in ’69, it might have been at a weekend or during a holiday, their doorbell rang. I had become one of the family, so to speak, and was by then familiar with the comings and goings of all their friends, neighbours and acquaintance. So imagine my surprise when they welcomed you, Michael Rossouw, as a visitor. Had I encountered you on the wastelands of Antarctica I could not have been more astonished. Certainly their comfortable residence wasn’t that accessible, located as it was in Robertsham, amongst the southern suburbs of Joburg.

Not once, during all the time I had come to know them, did either Jim or Bobbi Hutton ever mention you as an acquaintance. I knew why I was there: this kindly couple had rescued my blood sister and provided her with a better chance in life. But the question in my mind was, ‘What the ***** is Michael Rossouw doing here?’ Perhaps it was church related, I reasoned, but soon dismissed the notion because Bobbi was a staunch Methodist and you were Anglican. I should have asked (and probably did) but for some inexplicable reason I am still none the wiser.

When I saw your name on this site, I was immediately reminded of your strange visit(s) (you made several) to the Huttons. I am still in contact with my sister, Elizabeth, (now a lecturer at Wits) and recently asked her how her parents (now both dead) came to know you. She, too, had no idea.

So, Michael, I am hoping that you will help me cure an itch that I have wanted to scratch for more that 45 years. How did you come to be an acquaintance of Jim & Bobbi Hutton who lived at 18 Brooks Road, Robertsham, JHB, and who were the adoptive parents of my sister Elizabeth?
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- 1153. Michael Rossouw | October 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm
  
  Dear Old Boy
  Finally figured out that the initials of your name could be those of a famous brand of Scotch Whiskey! Please drop me a line at the email I left in code on my last message. Michael R
  Reply
1154. Michael Rossouw | October 22, 2013 at 5:29 pm

Dear Old Boy
I am now more at a loss than ever as I have mistken you for somebody else. I do remember Brookes Road, as we had lived in Altham road before we went to St George’s. I’m sorry, but I can’t place Elizabeth your sister in any situation that I can recall. My brother David also lectured at Wits but at the school of Education; he may well know your sister in that capacity. I t would be good to contact you via email, but this site , for some reason, never let’s one’s email be divulged.
I shall try to write my email by silently sounding the letters of my address:
“bee are michael at gee mail dot com”
Please write and let me know who you are and perhaps I may be able to make some amends to you for having not been more attentative towards you and your family.
Was Elizabeth at any time a student at JCE? we may well have ‘crossed paths’ as I was a ‘late starter’. (1971-1974) There was a Hutton at College in my time, but I was never quite the “Romeo” I’d have liked to have been to get introduced to her.
( ‘spent most of my time at the “The Dev” the local student watering hole. I dont think I ever went to the exam hall in a sober state, much to my shame. God has been good to me and I am a wiser person now.)
I am now in my mid sixties and my memory of names in particular is fading.
As Spike Milligan would have said “I have a great memory for faces…that’s why there’s no shaving mirror in my bathroom!”
Blessings to you and your family and please make contact if you are able and comfortable in doing so.

(Fr) Michael Rossouw
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1155. trevor van reenen | October 23, 2013 at 11:24 am

hi there everyone,I have been thinking a lot about Wychwood school where i use to get the books of The secret seven by Enid Blyton from the library.It takes me back to when i read these books and i imagined i was part of the secret seven.The mind is a wonderful gift when you are reading a book and you imagine you are part of the story.I then went on to read the James Hadly Chase series which was about a detective and all his adventures in solving his cases.In fact i believe Cris Watson also read this books.Paul De Lange use to love reading the Zane Grey western series,which was about cowboys.To our friends in down under,i hope you guys are safe from the fires down there.I hope and pray that there is no loss of life.God bless you,Trevor.
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1156. Rolf Maier | October 24, 2013 at 4:32 am

Hi Trevor
Did you receive the photos I sent you via e- mail?
Amongst all this new technology it seems even more difficult to get hold of people. Before most people had landlines and were listed in the “yellow pages”.Most of the youngsters are on Facebook but many of the older generation are not familiar with the application.
Regards Rolf
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1157. trevor van reenen | October 24, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Hi Rolf,Thanks for the photos.i will ask Treasure to blow these photos up and see if we can turn them into digital.Treasure’s boyfriend Ricky is a IT consultant.Who is Beverly Jarret?Is this the company you work for?For those of you that are contemplating of doing the Comrades marathon next year,i hope you have started doing your hill work now,so your training next year won’t be so heavy.Start getting the bulk of your heavy training in now.Then next year you can concentrate on your speed work.Good luck to you all.Trevor.
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1158. Leslie DuPlessis | October 25, 2013 at 12:37 am

I once carved my name on the pew in Chapel, out of sheer boredom and frustration and having to wait for Sunday breakfast, which was the only time we ever got bacon. I was soundly wacked, of course. After that, whenever I looked up at the Christ on the wall behind the alter, I blamed him. I loved listening to the choir singing, but knew better than trying to join in since it seemed the choirboys had to spend so much time practicing. The smell of incense still makes me dizzy.
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- 1159. Michael Rossouw | October 25, 2013 at 4:11 am
  
  I seem to be the odd one out here. I cant say I ‘ enjoyed’ chapel but it was for me a time of worship. I did like the Liturgy and still do. I fully understand that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I seem to remember incense being used when Peter Vieyera (otherwise known as ‘Blob’) was in charge of the servers. I too didn’t enjoy the use of incense and in my parish it’s never used ‘cos it isn’t part of their worship experience.
  The trouble with the catholic faith ( and here I mean ‘catholic’ as in the word ‘universal’) is that , unless you are brought up in it and understand why, in its Anglican expression, Christianity has these customs, you’re never reallly quite sure where you are. Today’s world is very secular and in many church denominations, many of these customs have been done away with. Evangelical Christians don’t have incense, neither do they sing from “Hymns Ancient and Modern.” They ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’ by singing more contemporary songs written to accompanied by guitars and worship bands. Some churches have a Music minister who is in charge of that aspect of ministry. Choirs are no longer robed in some places , but wear comfortable clothes and sing and dance in praise to God.
  One of the problems of Anglicanismin some parts of the world is that it is no longer ‘accessible’ to people in this day and age.the faith was brought from the shores of England and came with the settlers to the various colonies.
  That may be a contributing factor as to why so many people leave and join other more ‘charismatic’ churches.There are, believe it or not, many Anglican churches even in the UK who have very modern forms of worship.
  Beebop Clayton was probably a pioneer in this field when Tom Stephens (VSO) my late brother Des and I with NJC formed the song group “The Communicants”. I also still have some video taped services done in Fr Ed den Blaauwen’s time as chaplain where some songs were played by the chapel band.
  Yes , church isn’t always ‘done’ in a traditional mode anymore and despite Liturgical changes in service format and in the music, many young people are starting to re-discover the beauty in Liturgical worship as we knew it at the Home. I am not in any way trying to convert anyone here; I know full well that traditional worship is not everyone’s cup of tea.I always think of the words of Jesus, no matter what form worship may take in this instance, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” I’m ‘at home’ wherever God’s people are.
  When I was in Burma, the service was sung in Hind, Tamil, English and Burmese. It was still the Eucharist as I know it, just in another language. I really loved worshipping at St Gabriel’s in Rangoon when i lived there. The chants were like those heard in Hindu temples and yet were sung in praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.
  (I guess I learnt a long time ago that God isn’t an Englishman!)
  The same can be said when I heard the Mass in Thai at the local Roman catholic church in Hatyai when I worked in Southern Thailand (the only “Anglican” church in Thailand is Christ Church Bangkok, and I lived an overnight journey away from Bangkok) Christ Church is very evangelical and very different to the Anglican church in Southern Africa.
  I hope I’m not boring anyone in saying these things. I appreciate and empathise with your feelings on chapel and how it was conducted at the Home. I guess it just rubbed off on me and that is partly the reason why I am doing the work I am doing today. I have seen the church at work in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, the Philippines, Canada and in North America. Believe me it is very different in each place , but Christ is at the centre and I think that’s what matters.
  Many old boys of the Home found their way into other churches once they left the Home. Some stayed away altogether.But I believe that it is only when each one of us in our own way and through our own experience of God, that we find Him and that we have a measure of understanding Him.
  In my 12 step programme I find (sadly) more spirituality in the meetings I attend than I sometimes do in the life of the average church congregation. But I guess, church is something we do because it is a part of us, but idealy, the Church is not the building; it is where the people of God are to be found, assembled for worship, be that in a cathedral, a village hall,a tent or a pub (yes we have a ‘pub church’ here in Regina), that is when we listen and expereince God’s presence, when we listen and hear “His still small voice…”
  
  Good to see you writing Leslie. It’s a pity I have not been able to meet up with you and Tom Stephens since I’ve arrived here in Canada. Canada is a very large country, but who knows, we may yet get to meet.
  Please let me have your contact details again? I might just get to your part of the country some time soon.
  
  Blessings to you all
  
  Michael Rossouw (T 95 SGH 1961-1967)
  Reply
1160. John Barrett | October 28, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Agh guys, I see no point in remaining anonymous. Sadly I am the b*****d that has been whingeing under the nom de plumes of anon, anon1 and old boy, amongst others. I have always whinged and it is a trait that has never served me well. But boy I do enjoy doing it.

Anyway, great to ‘see’ familiar faces. Michael, Rolf and Trevor, nice meeting you guys again. Les, we go back such a long way. We were in JCH together and I so regretted that we were separated in SGH when you went to Beaton House and I to Simpson. I always sat with you in prep, though, and so admired your intellect. Our teacher at Wychwood Primary, Mr Christiansen (Pop Chrissy we called him), only began to appreciate your abilities when we were leaving for Malvern High. For some absurd reason he thought Terry Gilliam was the cleverest in the class but I always knew it was you.

Why am I not surprised that you are now a published writer. Even after you left in ’67, I banged on to anyone who would listen how very bright you were. Eventually Kevin Egling would say, “For **** sake Barrett, will you stop going on about du Plessis! He wasn’t that bright you know!” But you were.

Like you, I also left my mark in chapel. ‘JBarrett’ is inscribed in huge letters on about the fourth pew from the choir and Macky rewarded my efforts with 4 of his very best. It still hurts! I used the same pin (which I kept in my blazer lapel) to gouge out my name and it took me 6 weeks to complete. I reasoned that if reading was prohibited I might as well resort to writing.

In ’94 I visited the Home, having been away (in the UK) for 20 years. I was amazed to discover that it had become a posh boarding school. The head showed me around and, in the chapel, I told him about our graffiti. “They’re still there,” he said. “We decided to keep them as historical mementos.” Sure enough I found my piece of atrocious vandalism and it’s about the only mark I left on the place.

Michael, thank you for your email address but if you don’t remember the Huttons then you will hardly remember me. I still maintain that I was bowled over when I met you in their doorway. In my mind’s eye I can still see you sitting in their lounge, across from me, familiarly chatting with them. Do you not recall the Huttons?

I currently live in Southern Spain. Should anyone wish to contact me, my email is jrrtwead@gmail.com
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1161. Leslie DuPlessis | October 28, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Nice to hear from you, John. Thanks for the kind words. I sometimes thought that you were ‘Anon’ and sometimes wondered who the heck he was. Maybe I was inspired to carve my name on the pew in Chapel by your example! I prefer ‘carving’ my words on paper now, or on the keyboard.
I’ve just published my third book, The Restoration Artist, (under the name Lewis DeSoto) and am now dabbling with some ideas for the next, which just might be set at the Home. I think it will have to be fiction since I can’t quite trust my memories now. But this site has definitely blown away some of the cobwebs.
Michael, I hope you are doing okay here in Canada, especially now that the winter is approaching. It’s a lot colder than SA or The Philippines, unfortunately. I admire your dedication, which comes across in your comments. I think of myself as religious, but I don’t go to church — except to look at the architecture, and the Bible is still my favourite piece of literature.
My contact is lewisdesoto@gmail.com. 416.939.1628 in Toronto.

All the best, blokes.
LES
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1162. John Barrett | October 30, 2013 at 12:37 pm

Whilst in SGH I was ignorant of Anglo-Irish history but years later I would learn that the Irish had justifiable cause to detest their English neighbours. Cromwell’s murderous campaign to subdue Irish rebels was the beginning of a violent relationship that continues to the present day.

Fast-forward to Spackman House circa ’66 or ’67, when the Housemaster was David ‘Chubby’ Laughton, an Englishman, who shared his duties with, ‘Skidney’ McCausland, an Irishman. That the two hated each other was common knowledge but, on one dusky evening, their mutual enmity scaled dizzying heights.

We heard them row but passed it off as yet another of their usual spats and continued reading our comics. Then one of the boys suggested it could be more serious and we became interested. The conversation between the two Housemasters was not difficult to follow. The volume level exceeded the upper decibel limit of a low-flying jet and we soon understood that Skids wanted a night off but Chubbs wasn’t having any of it.

“Try and stop me!” screamed Skids.

“Just see if I don’t!” bawled Chubbs.

By now the patio outside the upper wreck was three-deep in us boys who were fascinated spectators in the unfolding drama. (It should be explained that the upper and lower common rooms had evolved into the upper and lower wrecks. This followed from an inaugural speech delivered by Mr Bland, the previous Housemaster, who suggested that Spackman House was like a ship and that he, Mr Bland, was its captain. An unknown wit (probably one of the Hendriks twins) simply extended the analogy.)

Anyway, back to the action. As I said, we were on the patio outside the upper wreck when through the gloom of the onsetting evening we observed, first a belligerent Chubby, and then an equally determined Skidney, emerging from the Masters’ quarters. Skids headed down the stairs and out the back towards his car and Chubby (completely ignoring us) made his way across the lawn and stood in the middle of the road that runs past the House. We had a grandstand view of events and nobody uttered a word.

Behind the House we heard Skidney’s car firing up and all eyes were fixed on Chubby who was standing with legs apart and arms akimbo. By the time the car appeared it was doing at least 30mph with a grim-looking Skidney behind the wheel. Chubby was immovable.

I must confess, given the mind-set of both characters, I averted my eyes. I truly believed that, in the next few moments, Chubby would probably die. I fully expected to hear the awful sound of metal on crunching bone but instead heard a mass gasp from all around me. I looked up to see Chubby shaking his fist after Skidney’s car which sped past the Parade Ground and into the dark.

“What happened? I couldn’t look!” was what I heard from some of the boys on either side of me. Those with braver hearts stated that Chubby, at the very last moment, jumped aside with incredible speed. Had he not done so, he must surely have incurred massive damage, if not death. Skidney did not deviate one inch from his intended path and in fact accelerated as he approached the stalwart Chubby. I do think it was the closest thing, for those who had the courage to look, of attempted homicide that they would ever see.

Skidney left the Home soon after that and I don’t know what became of him. Chubby stayed on to become the Housemaster of Crawford House when it opened a little time later.
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- 1163. Rolf Maier | October 31, 2013 at 4:43 am
  
  Thanx John! I love your stories.
  Regards Rolf
  Reply
1164. John Barrett | October 31, 2013 at 9:29 am

My pleasure, Rolf. The very last time I saw you in SA was at a football match in which you were playing. About ’73 I think. I was with Bossy and we were admiring your silky skills. We weren’t your only fans. A rather gorgeous babe was rooting often and loudly for you from the sidelines too. I was most envious! A long time ago, I know, but do you remember it?
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1165. Leslie DuPlessis | October 31, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Loved your story, John. I had no idea Skidney and Chubby were such enemies. Sad to say, neither of them liked me much.
More stories, if you’ve got them, please.
best regards,
LES
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- 1166. Rolf Maier | November 1, 2013 at 5:06 am
  
  Hi John,
  I apologise for the late response but I only have access to the net from our office. I wonder if you would be so kind as to give us an exposition of your life after you left the Home. I recall that you had an interest in flying at one stage. Did you ever fulfil that dream?
  Regards Rolf
  Reply
1167. John Barrett | November 2, 2013 at 12:47 pm

You know, Les, I don’t know how anybody could dislike you. Certainly you were always introspectively quiet which, for me, was very attractive. Methinks Chubby and Skidney didn’t know you as well as I did and mistook your thoughtful nature for one of mischief. I think neither, in all probability, understood you, and their fear of the unknown perhaps resulted in them distancing themselves from you.

I actually saw this happen at Wychwood with Pop Chrissy. I know you don’t remember him but we had him for our last 3 years in the school. Until the last few months he completely failed to recognise your abilities. Then I saw him raise his eyebrows when you answered a question that nobody else, not even his favourite, Terry Gilliam, was able to do. He tested you further, thinking it a fluke, but you quietly answered every question he asked. “Well done, du Plessis,” was all he said but he followed this up with a long thoughtful look at you. ‘At ******* last!’ I thought to myself. But it was too little, too late. Your quiet (some would say enigmatic) nature was your downfall. You were incapable of pushing yourself forward to be noticed by people like Pop Chrissy, Chubby and Skidney.

Rolfie, my history subsequent to leaving SGH is too dull to be covered in more than a short para. After completing my National Service in the SAAF I left SA for the UK (’74) where I married and became a naturalised citizen. I attended, first Glasgow Uni (BSc) and then Jordanhill College (in Glasgow) to qualify as a Maths/Physics teacher (’82). Thereafter I taught those subjects in a variety of posts across the UK. I retired in 2006 and moved to Spain. I have 3 kids and 2½ grandkids – the other half is expected in Jan ’14. I currently edit (and assist in publishing) books (memoirs) from an online independent publishing company that my good lady and I created and run. I hope that answers one of your questions.

Sadly, I didn’t realise my dream to become a pilot which I always wanted to be. After a flight above Joburg in a light aircraft I discovered that I suffered from chronic vertigo. The pilot tilted the wing until it was pointing vertically downwards and all that protected me from plummeting to my doom, some 6,000 feet below, was the thin door of the plane. I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Boy did I sweat! Since then I have experienced loop the loops and various other sensational aerobatics and, although I enjoyed them, I couldn’t wait to get my feet on terra firma once again. Perhaps, after all, I wasn’t suited for piloting an aircraft but I still love them.
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- 1168. wenders100 | November 2, 2013 at 4:54 pm
  
  Hi John I have been catching up on the blog. It’s lovely to read your contributions. Regards Wendy Jones (Thompson)
  
  Sent from Samsung Mobile
  
  Saint Georges wrote:
  Reply
1169. John Barrett | November 3, 2013 at 10:05 am

Many thanks Wendy. Great to hear from you again. You may not remember me but we did meet when you were very young. About ’71 I think. At the time you were forced to endure a dreadful metal contraption on your foot and I felt so sorry for you. I hope life is treating you well these days.
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1170. John Barrett | November 3, 2013 at 1:08 pm

I was just re-reading my last post to you, Wendy. Please note that I meant the year 1971 and not your age!! Oh dear…I think I’ll go lie down for a while…
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- 1171. Wendy (Thompson) Jones | November 3, 2013 at 9:35 pm
  
  Hi john
  I do, indeed remember you. I certainly didn’t think that you thought I was 71 🙂
  Thank you I am well. I have had various contraptions on my feet and, latterly, my legs as it was discovered that I have a type of muscular dystrophy and the consequence of that is that I have bone deformities which require corrective surgery. I have also had chronic pain which is also from the neuromusucular disease but interestingly enough I have been relatively pain free for the past three years, since I started living in the UK! No explanation for this but I am definitely healthier here.
  I trained as a social worker and I work in London as a social worker. It’s been good to reconnect with various old boys through this blog and through the Facebook page.
  My email address is wenders100@gmail.com. Feel free to write.
  Take care.
  Wendy
  Reply
  - 1172. Rolf Maier | November 4, 2013 at 5:02 am
    
    Hi John,
    Wow John, I always knew you would somehow thrive in the academic environment.Was the ‘brainy’ guy in class not Eric Gilliam?He always got an avarage of 80%! Once I overheard a conversation between him and his hosts. They were asking him how he was and he replied” the boys are grousing at me,but I am not afraid” . My goodness he was about twelve years old at the time. Who speaks that way at that age! Keep well.
    Regards Rolf
1173. John Barrett | November 4, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Gosh what a good memory you have, Rolf, and thanks for correcting me. Of course it was Eric (not Terry) Gilliam. You are right about his high class average and it was the reason Pop Chrissy so favoured him. I still maintain he wasn’t in the same league, academically, as Les du Plessis.

Wendy, many thanks for your email address. I am pleased that you are now tolerably pain-free and hope one day you will be free of all discomfort. Social Worker in London? That must be a tough job! I always sympathise with Social Work Departments that have to endure media scrutiny following a harrowing child-neglect case like that of Baby Peter. There have been a spate of them recently. I wouldn’t last very long in that job…
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1174. Michael Rossouw | November 4, 2013 at 3:45 pm

Speaking of “Pop Chrissie” I dont think he was the sharpest tool in the shed, so to speak. I remember the late George Adams having to correct some of the facts we had to learn by rote, which the man had taught us in class. He emphatically told us that the capital of the USA was New York! Georgie, as a Canadian nogal, wrote him a note in the class homework diary to inform him that this was not the case. (I think it was because South Africa at the time was having a lot of flack from the UN over the South West Africa question that Pop Chrissie thought this and taught this in class.)
I remember that he had two or three sticks in class which whistled in the air as he handed out ‘cuts’ onto our bums, especially when we didn’t give him the answers that he wanted.
There were teachers at Wychwood who were kind to us homeboys, Ma Van Deemter, Mrs Scott and Ma Davis to name a few. I had Mr Marsh in my std 5 year. He was soflty spoken and afflicted with Parkinsons (I think) or it may have been ‘shell shock’ from the War. The school was run by a lunatic and ramapant evengelical named Wilson, who really hated the presence of homeboys at his school.He took great delight in telling us to eat bran for breakfast so that our bodily functions would be ‘regular’.( the staple diet at St george’s then was Mielie pap; Oatmeal was a luxury.) He also showed how fit he was by clicking his heels in a kind of tap dance which he did to try to impress us.(I think he liked the girls and was trying to impress them.)
Where on earth did the TED find these ‘oddballs’ during my schooling to teach in their schools? Wilson wasn’t a South African, but was always going on about how we should pray to his version of God. (I’m sure he thought we were all destined for Hell because we didn’t belive in God or worship God the way he did.)
Academically i wasn’t a ‘high flyer’ and I was never very happy at Wychwood.My academic brilliance (if ever I had any) shone for a year in Std 6 with Eugene Braun (now Wright) who was a really caring person and who took me under her wing.Sadly she moved to Leicester Road where her father Frank Braun was the founding head. After her departure I had no “ma” figure at school who took an interest in me. Vera Kirkland and Ma Noakes encouraged me in the upper school years because I took part in the school plays.
I was tall for my age as a junior at Wychwood and at Malvern and was bullied by the bigger blokes.(I was urinated on in the school toilets by bigger blokes, once in Primary school and a few times at Malvern in std 6 & 7) The toilets always reaked of smoke as the guys always went there to have a ‘skyf’, so you can imagine what he smell on my body was like once I got to class, urine, coupled with cigarette smoke.Toilet time was restricted and I didn’t have enough time to wash the smell off my legs and clothes. We could only wear longs from Std 8.
I always tried to keep out of trouble but I got whacked for using the staff gate near the office to exit at Wychwood school.
At Wychwood, Mackey was called in and we were all given a caning by him in Wilson’s presence for breaking the rule of not being allowed to use the office gate to enter or leave school..
Even when I visited Wychwood when I worked for READ years later, I still eneterd the school at the far gate and not the one leading directly to the office. I never forgot that caning.Is’nt it strange how childhood experiences can influence one’s adult life.
My experience at Wychwood , as were my first years at Malvern not a very pleasant learning experience.
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1175. John Barrett | November 7, 2013 at 10:21 am

Heavens, Michael, but those are horrid things you endured. Children can be very cruel and sometimes pick on the most vulnerable within their society. This was particularly true of the SGH environment. Lesley de Klerk (popularly known as ‘Dirk’) is an example of a boy who was forever being bullied and whose existence must have been very miserable indeed. But I would rather have been in Dirk’s shoes, for all the kicks, slaps, punches, canings, etc he suffered, than have done to me what was done to you.
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1176. Michael Rossouw | November 7, 2013 at 12:38 pm

I remember ‘Dirkie’ de Klerk well. How that poor kid survived in that environment, bullied almost daily, frequently ‘flapped’ for his outbursts, often “bog washed ” in the toilets and scrubbed with a lavatory brush when he was accused of having “scales” and teased and verbally abused because he went to the Special school, well, Goodness knows how he coped! I really do not know.
I don’t think he ever set foot in St George’s once he left, for I never saw him ever again after his departure. Where he went and what became of him, I do not know. When I think of how he was bullied, and whacked when he was in trouble, his life at the home must have been an absolute misery from day one.Dirkie’s Mom, my Mom and Manie Swanepoel’s Mom used to catch the bus together to visit us at the Home. When my Mom got a car they shared the ride for a while, but my Mom always had to leave at Lunch to get to visit my younger brothers at St Mary’s. In the days when she had no car, my Mom used to take three buses each way to visit us; one from Booysens to Rosettenville, one form Rosettenville to town,and then one from town to Malvern. After lunch, she’d take a bus from Malvern to town, town to Rosettenville and then again take a three bus journey back to Malvern for Evensong. Those of us who were fortunate to have a parent visit us were extremely grateful, except that once our parents had left, the bigger boys would demand a share of whatever we were given for ‘tuck’ by our Mom’s. When we were reluctant to share our ‘goodies’ that Mom had brought, we were called “You Jew!” (When one thinks of what the Jewish people have endured throughout their history, well… I guess many of us were only made aware of what they as a people suffered when we went to ma Noake’s History class. How insensitive some of us were!)
Having a buddy who was your “shares” cemented some lifelong friendships, for we shared our tuck boxes of ‘sarmies’, fruit and candy, condensed milk, biscuits and biltong with our ‘shares’ friend.
Camp was particularly a good time, for we were (most of us) given extra tuck for the train journey from Cleveland station to Umtentweni. The camp pocket money of 10 cents a day was well spent at the Umtentweni store on Nutties, Pinkies and other treats. Who can forget those hikers lunches!
The train journey was always memorable, travelling through places like Natal’s famous “valley of a Thousand Hills” and watching to see who could first spot the Howick Waterfalls and other well known landmarks, and of course the Indian ocean.Going through the tunnels was exciting and one could hear the screams of the boys for miles. (It was also an opportunity for the”diefs” (thieves in our midst ) to do their thing! I guess we were fortunate to have that experience growing up. I didn’t really enjoy camping . One year it rained for 3 weeks; our tents, clothes and everything was washed out and saturated with mud and damp.
Willy the cook’s “skilly” stew was a welcome meal on those cold , wet days and who can ever forget the famous “Camp sarmies” we had; thick slices of bread with real butter and a lashing of Apricot or Lemon an lime jam, and the freedom we felt when the buglar sounded “G’s” which was the sign that we could leave and hit the beach.
Other than my experience at Camp and in the Army,i have never really gone camping again under canvas. The smell and the very thought of canvas tents, groundsheets and kit bags still gives me an asthma attack to this day! ‘never liked the smell at all.
In all of these memorable moments, one wonders how the bullying was allowed to continue.It may have been( and probably was ) one of the reasons, apart form the home’s financial position, why the home was closed and renovated to make way for the private school that occupies the grounds today. I often wonder if the walls of the dorms and common rooms in the new school could talk, what stories they would tell.
Keep well and Blessings to you and yours.
Michael R
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1177. trevor van reenen | November 7, 2013 at 3:27 pm

hi Rolf,I don’t know about you,but i am quite excited about the international matches that starts on Saturday over here.The northern hemisphere against the southern hemisphere.I see that the Springboks take on Wales at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff.I hope that they have picked the best Springbok team because the northern hemisphere teams are getting to catch up on the southern hemisphere teams.I Still believe that the All Blacks are still the team to beat.I was very surprised to hear that Lusapho April a south african came third in the New York marathon.Way to go Lusapho.Best of luck to the Springboks.Cheers Trevor.
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1178. Leslie DuPlessis | November 8, 2013 at 2:34 am

I remember a sweet kid named ‘Skalk’ Botha, when I was in Spackman. He was an innocent, very friendly, and obviously needing of affection. But what did we do? We threw stones at him, locked him up, kicked him, and generally made his life hell. What is it in human nature that makes us so brutal? I don’t think we can entirely blame SGH, although the general climate there was based on fear and violence and the rule of the hardest. I hope that world is changing, so that we no longer have those all male mini-societies that run on their own rules.
When I read William Golding’s novel, Lord of The Flies, I could have sworn he must have been a home boy. The bullying in that book reminded me so much of SGH. Luckily I had brothers, and we could band together to protect ourselves, but those poor boys like Botha and De Klerk, and a few others, probably had their spirits broken at an early age. And why? Was there any real reason to torment them? We knew better, inside our hearts, in our consciences, but we went along with the general atmosphere, and there was nobody to tell us any different. I can’t think of any single senior boy who stood up and said we were wrong.
The only good thing that came out of all that bullying, for me, I mean, and not for the victims, is that I learned what it is to be a coward. Ever since SGH I have hated unfairness, which is a small word for a greater evil.
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- 1179. Rolf Maier | November 8, 2013 at 4:58 am
  
  Hi Trevor,
  I hear that the Springbok coach wants to play the game with the roof open!I think the Boks will get a thumping if it rains. The winner of the New York marathon ran a perfect race
  At the Umtentewni Camp there was a special tent, I am not sure if it was a store tent or sick tent Anyway ,one morning after breakfast I walked past this tent and saw Dirkie and “Blackjack” laying under their blankets in front of the tent. The previous night they had wet their beds and were now forced to lay exposed for everyone to see what “filthy humans” they are.And this without breakfast. The coward that I am , I like everyone else, I just stood and watched! Pity on me.
  Reply
1180. trevor van reenen | November 12, 2013 at 2:45 pm

Hi Wendy.I must admit that i have found that living over here is much healthier.Now what i am about to say may seem strange to you,but let me explain.The cold weather here is one of the most therapeutic therapy for muscles and bones.In fact the cold weather over here has been known to strengthen the bones.Every time i go out training i always have a cold bath and then i have a warm shower.Every morning i sit outside with just a vest,after about twenty minutes i feel invigorated.What i will say is that i have one thing on my side is deep breathing,which i learnt at a early age.The only problem over here is that most people rely on central heating which creates a damp environment in the home and affects the lungs and joints.We do not use central heating.We use electric heaters just to heat the rooms.Anyway i hear that you have some sort of muscular dystrophy.Now what i know of muscular dystrophy is that it is crippling and wasting desease.You might have to put me right if i am wrong.Anyway let me tell you about the tests they did in the early 80’s.They took a group of people who had this crippling desease and they put them on a daily course of wheat gem oil,with vitamins C and B.Everyone of them improved vastly.I don’t know if this helps you in any way.Wendy,i hope you take this blog with all the love i have sent it and please forgive me if i have said anything out of turn or hurt you in anyway.God Bless You,Trevor.
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1181. trevor van reenen | November 17, 2013 at 5:05 pm

Hi there everyone,this afternoon i am sitting with a cup of coffee and i am watching the Springboks vs Scotland.Anyway half time it was 21-0.While i was watching the game,i went on the internet to the Germiston Callies running club site.Now i see that there were three guys who were sitting in a pub at Bedfordview country club and they decided to create a running club called Germiston Callies.This happened in 1978 and the three guys were Rupert Scott,Johnny Neilson and Neil Alexander.Thiis is my question to anyone of you guys out there who know if this is the Rupert Scott from St Georges Home?Now i do remember Rupert being a excellent footballer and it would not surprise me if he was one of the guys who created this running club.I have also found out that a David Rossouw runs for Kudu Varsity running club and i do believe he ran this years Comrades Marathon.I do admire anyone who runs this ultra marathon.Over here it is the most respected ultra marathon among the runners here.Hi Rolf you are so right when you said that the rain changes the nature of the game.The weather was appalling up in Scotland,but the Springboks still won 28-0.I would not say it was like the game against Wales because that game was dry.The game against Wales was absolutely enthralling.Cheers Trevor.
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- 1182. Rolf Maier | November 18, 2013 at 5:26 am
  
  Hi Trevor,
  I have just finished writing exams that’s why I have not been that active on this blog. I don’t think I done well in these exams. I see that you are also a coffee “junkie”. Every now and then I give up coffee and experience bad withdrawal symptoms.I give up coffee once I reach the10 cups a day level and the coffee has little effect on me. I give it up for a few months and then the cycle starts again! After that first cup I have so much energy I buzz through my workout. I am dreading it, but it’s time to give up coffee again.
  Both the SA cricket and rugby sides are playing well at the moment I hope it will continue.
  I just hope Michael’s family is safe in the Phillipines! Regards Rolf
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  - 1183. Michael Rossouw | November 18, 2013 at 8:14 pm
    
    My family are safe, thanks Rolf.
    My brother in law lost everything, his small fishing boats, nets and their humble ‘Nipa hut’ home. He is a fisherman in Leyte and makes his living by going out to fish in the sea every day. He then takes his catch to the market and sells it for the going rate; a very “hand to mouth” exisitence, but they are able to make a life doing that.
    They are alive and I thank God for that.
1184. Leslie DuPlessis | November 18, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Not sure how to post a photo on this site. Advice anybody?
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- 1185. Michael Rossouw | November 18, 2013 at 8:07 pm
  
  Suggest you send to Fr Blaine VanPletzen-Rands; he is usually quite helpful to us in posting pictures on this site. I have his email, but i suggest you reply to one of his postings on this site to get in touch with him. Michael R
  Reply
  - 1186. Rolf Maier | November 22, 2013 at 5:02 am
    
    It’s funny how certain things which happened when you are young, but have little significance,seem to stick in your mind. Once during Prep in the early evening in a classroom near the Beek’s office, the security guard from the main gate came down to speak to Georgie Adams. After he left Georgie came to my desk and told me that someone was at the maingate and urgently needed to see me about some homework project for the std 7class at Malvern High. Puzzled I left the class and went to the maingate. There stood a pretty young girl who I met at the last Home Session. She was not even attending Malvern High.Anyway we stood making small talk and then hugged and kissed a bit and then she left. To this day I can still smell her musky hair and taste the sweetness of her lips. I can’t remember her name nor can I remember what ever happened to her. Just goes to show.
    Regards Rolf
1187. Leslie DuPlessis | November 23, 2013 at 12:36 am

Lucky boy, Rolf!
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1188. John ROssouw | November 24, 2013 at 8:20 pm

Greetings all! It has been a while since my last post so I hope my note finds you all well. Great to see posts from TRevor. On the issue of running it may interest some of you to know my brother DAve has completed 13 Comrades including two silver medals. He also attained provincial colours in cross country and athletics and still proudly wears his blue blazer for cross country from WITS. He always said he would never run COmrades. I met his old team mate BRuce FOrdyce when I was attending a programme at WIts BUsiness SChool in 2001. We all received a signed copy of his recently published book. I opted to give mine to DAve. THe inscription reads “to DAve for someone who said he wold never runs COmrades congrats on your green number. PS well done for beating me in the BOksburg 10 km night race in 77. Bruce. As ‘MIke has mentioned I am working with the DIrector and Pro of ST Gorges in planning the homes centenary in 2015. WE heave met the new head of BIshop BAvin school who is keen to embrace the schools rich heritage aspartof he process. I will keep you all posted. Our also saw the BEek last FRiday. He is in excellent health and he mind for most of the conversation was as his humour sharp as ever. He sends warm regards and is glad we remin connected and in touch is social media. At 101 he remains an inspiration tous all and hopes to hold out to join us for the festivities in 2015. Warm regards to you all. Please check out the Facebook page for updates and photos!
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1189. trevor van reenen | November 29, 2013 at 5:04 pm

Hi there everyone,please forgive me if i make any mistakes,because i am on William’s laptop and this thing is ancient.This laptop has a mind of its own,it seems to just go blank and i have to wait for it to come back on.Lets just say this blog is going to take me all my time,that’s if i can even seed it. So here i go.John it is so good to hear from you.As for David not every wanting to run Comrades,it is quite impressive.I can remember when Bruce Fordyce use to run for R AC.I fact there were quite a few guys who use to run for that club who use to come in the top ten in most races.There was a guy by the name of Mark Plaajies who use to be one of our top marathon runners.He always seem to win the Nashua marathon which used to go through Hillbrow.As for cross country i had some fun running against these top speed merchants who use to tear us apart.As they say in the running world,we would always see the back of their heads.As for road running,we beginners use to always try and beat Sonja Laxton because she was the top female runner and let me tell you she could run.The first time i beat Sonja was in a half marathon and did i feel so good.Funny thing is she knew that we guys always gauged our running by her.John thank you for all you have done for us homeboys with reunions and everything else.Let me just say before i leave,this has been the hardest and taken the longest time to do this blog.So if there are any mistakes please forgive me.Now to see if i can post this on this site.Cheers Trevor.
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1190. Kurt Cooper | November 29, 2013 at 7:34 pm

Again, a repeat of my post as I.T. Nazies in my organisation will not allow FACEBOOK…. Go figure….
AWESOME, Just came across this blog and it has unleashed memories that could be considered somewhat “dysfunctional” to say the least St Georges in my mind could be considered a shelter from the storm as it were and alternatively the eye of….. learning how to polish floors with one foot moving to the left horizontally the other vertically up and down so that the one armed bandit in charge (With a cane in a an oiled bottle) could win the inspection competition…., having to fight for no other reason than to protect ones younger brother brother from being bullied short hair…. very short….and winning the St Peter’s award for best sportsman and best in (Academic) class which got me and my brother a bursary to KES in Joe’ies. (This medal incidentally was stolen from me as well, another, but not the only reason for the bitter sweet comment….)
We were there, as were most, because of family break up along with no EU type social security safety net, and I have bitter sweet memories, however… be that as it may I have managed to have a reasonably good(ish) life, as has the rest of my family, and i am considering an investment into the provision of a bursary for promising students that have not only the aptitude, but also the “get up and go” required to make a difference in their lives as well the lives of others.
Should any other “old boy” want to commit financially or in any other way i.e. pro bono assist in the set up of this (Proposed) scheme please contact me directly at kurt.cooper@bibbyoffshore.com
P.S. I have re-read the above and it seems quite negative and I would like to be on record as saying that it was in actual fact, a “LIFE SAVER” for me and my family as I hope it was for others. As a short timer (9 months) I can only state that (1) I and my family were luckier than most, (2) There were some excellent teachers/mentors and (3) longer term incumbents had far more to deal with than we did and (4) somewhat off the wall….. where did the girls end up and where are they now?
Best regards to all.
Kurt
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1191. Kurt Cooper | November 29, 2013 at 7:53 pm

Leslie FFS…….. if you have not seen my earlier post let me know privately at kurt.cooper@bibbyoffshore.com
2 things, (1) I was at SGH then KES as was Skalk according to your post (And I played against Darnie Gerber for SA Schools at 1st certre) You dont want to know how that went…. ugly… I tackled him it took me ten minutes to get up…. he tackled me… it took me ten minutes to get up (He did have 20 kgs on me though, my excuse and I am sticking to it
Secondly your post touched a deeply repressed cord and I was there (SGH) in the early 70s…

I remember a sweet kid named ‘Skalk’ Botha, when I was in Spackman. He was an innocent, very friendly, and obviously needing of affection. But what did we do? We threw stones at him, locked him up, kicked him, and generally made his life hell. What is it in human nature that makes us so brutal? I don’t think we can entirely blame SGH, although the general climate there was based on fear and violence and the rule of the hardest. I hope that world is changing, so that we no longer have those all male mini-societies that run on their own rules.
When I read William Golding’s novel, Lord of The Flies, I could have sworn he must have been a home boy. The bullying in that book reminded me so much of SGH. Luckily I had brothers, and we could band together to protect ourselves, but those poor boys like Botha and De Klerk, and a few others, probably had their spirits broken at an early age. And why? Was there any real reason to torment them? We knew better, inside our hearts, in our consciences, but we went along with the general atmosphere, and there was nobody to tell us any different. I can’t think of any single senior boy who stood up and said we were wrong.
The only good thing that came out of all that bullying, for me, I mean, and not for the victims, is that I learned what it is to be a coward. Ever since SGH I have hated unfairness, which is a small word for a greater evil.
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1192. peter260539 | November 30, 2013 at 1:14 am

Hi , after a lengthy absence , good to be back…..” Howzit’…
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1193. trevor van reenen | December 2, 2013 at 5:20 pm

Hi Peter,it’s so good to see you back again.How are things down under?I hope you are in good health.We are going to get our winter weather as from this weekend.We have been having quite mild weather up to now,so i suspect it will be freezing.Have you been watching the cricket between Australia and England?I see David Warner and Michael Clarke have had a dust up with some of the English batsmen.They really gave England a cricket lesson.Mooi bly Trevor.
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1194. peter260539 | December 3, 2013 at 6:06 am

Trevor , how are you?…Yea England really were white washed in the last cricket Ashes leg , lets hope the Aussies keep that form. As for the Rugby , was really impressed with the Boks. on their recent Northern hemisphere tour , I see ‘”Bakies”Botha still has it … Man. they [ the boks ] have a lot of young talent. Ok boet . mooi bly en keep in touch. Peter.
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1195. peter260539 | December 4, 2013 at 1:43 am

Briefly … during my stay at ‘gogies’ [ 48 to 55] rugby was hardly spoke of , was it ever introduced at a later stage ?…
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1196. trevor van reenen | December 4, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Hi there everyone,last month we went up to Taunton.William had a appointment and i was going to check out the new Springbok cafe that opened up in Taunton.I met the owners who run this cafe and they are from Florida.We had a good chat about South Africa.Now the only thing i know about Florida is that there is a lake and it is called Florida lake.For those of you who know Florida please feel free to tell us about this place.Does anyone know if they have a swimming pool there and if any of the home boys worked there?Anyway after a good long chat,they said that i have not lost one bit of my accent,which everyone seems to say.The next couple i spoke to were from the Hillbrow area which was wonderful to hear,since that i was from Hillbrow.He told me that he had a club in Hillbrow which was opposite the Old Castle Inn in the early 80’s.We both brought back so many memories of Hillbrow.When William was finished with his appointment he come down to the cafe and we both had a moerse boerewors roll each.On the 23rd of this month we are catching a coach up to London to spend the holiday season with Treasure and we will go to the Springbok cafe and have another moerse boerewors roll.Does anyone know where Keps high school is?I am told it is near St John’s high school but i still don’t know where ti is.I hope you all have a wonderful festive season with your families.Love Trevor.
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1197. peter260539 | December 5, 2013 at 9:50 am

Reading earlier I see that Dudley Pringle has left the building ….Pity , loved your imput boet.
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1198. Rolf Maier | December 5, 2013 at 10:06 am

Hi Trevor
Both myself and Peter Buckley worked at Florida Lake Swimming Pool as well as Percy and Wally Parker, Humphrey Parker’s older brothers who were also in the Home.It is an Olympic size pool with clear views of the lake. In earlier years it was so popular that over week ends there was no more space and we could only allow more people in if some left.Galas were sold out events Pity you did not get their names
Regards Rolf
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1199. peter260539 | December 5, 2013 at 10:43 am

I do remember Percy and W
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1200. peter260539 | December 5, 2013 at 10:46 am

I do remember Percy and Wally Parker from Goggies , mid fifties.[ sorry about the above …]
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1201. trevor van reenen | December 5, 2013 at 12:44 pm

Hi Rolf,when i go up on the 23rd,i will find out their names and post it on this site.Cheers Trevor.
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1202. Rolf Maier | December 5, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Hi Peter
I heard that Wally was a good boxer.Is that true? He turned out to be a big guy 6’4″ but he moved well.Percy and Wally married two sisters, Nora and Anne who boTh attended Jeppe Girls High. Wally loved kids but could not have any so he adopted a son. Percy has 4 daughters and I married one of them. There were also two other brothers in your era, Joe and Malcolm Parker do you per chance remmember them? Nice to hear from you again.
Regards Rolf
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1203. peter260539 | December 6, 2013 at 5:11 am

Hi Rolf, greetings. Firstly I do remember Percy and Wally as excellent all round sportsmen , Percy excelling in track and field , Wally I do remember in our weekly boxing sessions under the late Peter Harper then Laurie Stevens , but wow , one is going back nearly sixty years , but so good to recall our past thus … Joe and Malcolm Parker ?… A bit fuzzy on those names , sorry . …Wally and Percy , I do remember so well. all the way from primary school to senior years in MHS. …. thanks for the update on these guys. Keep well
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1204. trevor van reenen | December 6, 2013 at 2:28 pm

Hi there everyone,is there anyone out there who can remember Laura Hibner and her brothers?Then there was Maureen and Denise Schultz and their bothers who i think use to be boxers?The last time myself and Paul de lange saw Denise was at the Napoleon club in Hillbrow.Do any of you guys from Smuts house remember Charlotte and Marty,i can’t think of their other names?I know they were sisters.I met them both in Yeoville when i lived there.They always talked about the home and the guys they use to visit.But the day i will always remember is the day i met Jenny Maddox who was the sister of Michael Maddox.Jenny never said much about her bother and i never forced the issue.Where ever she is,i hope that she and her son or daughter are very happy.God bless all the people who have come in and out of my life.Love Trevor..
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1205. Michael Rossouw | December 6, 2013 at 3:44 pm

Trevor, I think Laura’s one brother was named Neil. I cant remember the other boet’s name. Neill was a good footballer and played for the Malvern High 1st team which won the Koiningsberg trophy in the STFA school’s league in 1966? I am open to correction here.
Laura was in St 6 when I left Malvern. Even as a young new high school student , she was quite lovely to say the least and many guys wanted to date her. She did have a bit of a temper as I recall, especially when she was teased by the older boys who were obviously “chaffing” her.She was quite short and the boys always teased her about her height, even when she wore high heels!
As for the Maddox boys, the last I saw of Michael was when he was at Norman House. (I worked there for a very short while as an assisitant supervisor. It was not pleasant!)
I think Billy may also have been in one of those so called “places of safety”. I only saw Jenny once when she visited her brothers and I was in senior section and about to leave the Home; that was in 1966 or 1967.
She too was “quite a stunner” and very independent from what I can recall. One hopes that things turned out OK for the Maddox boys, but I’m not sure, given their troubled youth and tough upbringing.
One hopes that all worked out, but I’m not sure what happened to them. Perhaps they may stumble on this website some day and we may ‘connect’ again?

On a more somber note I have been watching the news of Nelson Madela’s passing via BBC and CBC; It is sad to see him go but he has now left us. ++Desmond Tutu’s memorial service was a moving tribute to him, as were those of the UN Secretary General and the moving moment of silence in the UN Security Council. Many world leaders have expressed their sentiments about Madiba and the reconciliation he brought to our country. I’m not a sports person as many of you know, but who can ever forget when he donned the #6 jersey at that famous Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park. In this simple act, he made all of us South Africans proud and made us realise that reconciliation is possible through simple acts of kindness. Even the hardest of “Boere” hearts in the Rugby fraternity were visibly moved by his gesture. Sadly his successors have been found wanting. The poor are still poor and those in power seem to be’ milking’ the system for all that it’s worth.
I’m sure there are others out there who will one day take his place, but sadly, I don’t think we shall see another “Madiba” in our lifetime. I hope I am wrong. Rest in Peace Tata!
Blessings,
Michael R (T95, SGH 1961-1968)
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- 1206. Andrew Mackie | December 7, 2013 at 8:34 am
  
  Michael, indeed a really sad day for South Africa in the passing of Madiba, however the pain and suffering he endured over the past months is finally over and he is no doubt safe in the hands of our maker. His wisdom and love for this country will live with us for many more years to come and will be sorely missed by all who came into contact with him. The unfortunate legacy left behind is one that he could not foresee and I am sure it must have pained him immeasurably in his latter years. The avarice and corruption that has gone unchecked by our so called leaders and office bearers has degenerated this country into one of despair by many and affects each and everyone be they Blacks, Whites and all others of our Rainbow nation. Hopefully the future will become brighter when the followers of our present government see the results of this greed and scant regard for public funds and the squandering that has taken place to enrich these few at the expense of the multitude of the poor. Anyway we and I of the older generation live in hope that the wheel will turn and senses will prevail for the betterment all our citizens.
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  - 1207. Michael Rossouw | December 7, 2013 at 2:27 pm
    
    Andrew, Good to hear from you as always. I am really feeling quite homesick right now, watching the events in the history of our nation and the part Madiba played in it. Here in Canada, a number of exiles have been interviewed on TV and radio, and their accounts of what happened to them to make them flee the country are quite saddening. Vali Essop, now an old man in his late 80’s was interviewed last night. His recollections of the Treason trial and what happened to them as a result was really heartbreaking. I cannot understand how the Government at that time (1948 to the fall of the Apartheid Regime) responded with such violence via the police and security forces to keep the aspirations of our fellow black citizens down. Perhaps they were scared that what happened in countries to the north of our borders would happen here?I was very small when the Congo fell and refugees came fleeing ‘down south’ to the Union of South Africa as it was then known.I remember accounts of the Mau Mau attrocities in Kenya, the fall of Uganda, Tanganyika , the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the horror stories reported in the press in the early 1960’s which accompanied the advent of independence to African states.
    I was a child of 9 when the shootings at Sharpville occurred.
    I was about 14 when Madiba and his comrades were sent to prison on Robben Island and in the last three days, all of these tragic events lay heavily on my mind as I watched the events in Madiba’s life being replayed now, over and over again on our TV screens.
    
    As a student at JCE I well remember the protest lines along Jan Smuts Avenue in which we and students at Wits took part, as well as the the marches onto John Vorster square at the death of Mr Timol and many other protests against the National Party Government . Small wonder the country wasn’t plunged into total disarray by the time Madiba was released and the subsequent negotiations which followed to bring about a Democratically elected government in our country.
    Yet despite the miracle of the “rainbow nation” being achieved, the masses are still poor and without the basic necessities like access to clean water, electricity and services and the like , which we in urban areas take for granted ( although I believe that Eskom can’t keep up with the demands made upon its limited resources, and some munisipalities simply can’t deliver because of incompetence and bad management.)
    
    I too hope and pray that the violence, crime and corruption in our country will end and that the wheel will turn so that the masses may see the errors of the prevailing system which, like a cow, is being milked for all it’s worth until it is finally sucked dry by those who are enriching themselves at the expense and detriment of the poor.
    
    I thank God for the masters of St George’s who kept us informed as to what was really going on at that time; men like Brian Gannon, Derrick James and others , and women like Betty Richardson, herself a member of the “Black sash” movement, who stood in protest lines outside St Mary’s cathedral and on other prominent places where their silent protests could be “heard”.
    I well remember Dr Michael Richardson , Betty and Eric’s youngest son, telling us at Betty’s funeral of how she reacted to Verwoerd and his policies.
    She sent a telegram to Dr Verwoerd after Sharpeville saying: “Resign Now!”
    
    It was only when I was at Rhodes university as a student in my mid thirties (I was a late starter academically speaking) that the impact of Nelson Mandela’s influence was felt when UDF rallies took place on the campus and other venues, that I fully reaized the impact of what our colonial forefathers had done , and indeed what we as their children had come to accept as ‘normal’ in our society. I am sure that staff at St George’s, together with the teaching staff at Malvern, Dawnview and Jeppe High schools did much to shape our political consciences also. Anyone who sat in Ma Muriel Noake’s History classes certainly did!
    
    There are times when I ask myself, “Michael, If you were a priest of any substance, why are you ministering in a place like the Canadian Prairies? Why are you not ministering at ‘home’?” I have wrestled with that question for some weeks, and particularly now with Madiba’s passing.I do struggle with this question and I do long to be ‘home’. (Trouble I guess is that I have been away so long that I may not fit in.)
    
    After all is said about our ‘beloved country’ (as Allan Paton expressed it in his famous novel) , “Suid Afrika is nog steeds ‘n mooi land” with wonderful people and tremendously great potential, despite its current growing pains and problems,
    and we continue to pray for the meaningful change for which Madiba (and many others) gave his life for, to be fully realized.
    Only time will tell .
    
    Perhaps this prayer from the South African Anglican prayer book of 1989 is more relevant now that ever:
    
    “God Bless Africa,
    Guard her children,
    Guide her leaders,
    and give her Peace.”
    
    Take care!
    
    Michael R.
1208. trevor van reenen | December 8, 2013 at 2:32 pm

Hi Rolf,we went up to Taunton yesterday to find out the couples name,which i can tell you is Francois and Carol Claassen.Carol is known as Cassy.Hope that helps you.Cheers Trevor.
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1209. Rolf Maier | December 10, 2013 at 5:08 am

Finally all those involved in the Arms Scandal have been vindicated!At last the six Griffin figther jets can be put to use. But it may pose a problem because I think we only have one pilot competent to fly them! Can’t wait to see how things develop.
Hi trevor I also remember Laura Hibner. Wow she was pretty! She and Michael Hendricks dated for a while and she used to come to the Home sessions. Thanx for the feed back on those names but I don’t recall them .
Regards Rolf
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1210. trevor van reenen | December 10, 2013 at 6:15 pm

Hi Rolf,i can see your conundrum,please let me see if i have the solution.Now you say you have only six Griffin fighter jets,which are made by Saab motors.Firstly let me say,i hope you received the six Saab 900 motor cars with this deal.So as i have said,there are these six fighter jets one tor each day up to Saturday and only one pilot.Now we know our pilot can fly a different plane from Monday to Saturday.So this is what i propose to do.Now just for one minute,imagine that i am the President.On Saturday night i will tell my pilot to put up a massive placard which will say.Now this is in case of an attack.Dear Sir/Madam you have realized by now that there is no one to greet you on your attack of our Country.Unfortunately our pilot has taken the day off because we have only have six fighter jets.At this time he is sitting on the beach with his seventh wife who is very demanding of his time and his money.So hear is our conundrum.Our pilot is under enormous pressure from his other six wife’s who also want part of the action.Now could you please come back at a time when it will suit our pilot to take the appropriate action to deal with you.The times will be Monday 10.00am-2.00pm to Saturday.You know by now that Sunday is not the day to come here because there will be no one to greet you on your arrival.Now please remember that if our pilot gets any grief from one of his wife’s during the week that will be a whole new conundrum.So you see our Air Force is run by a professional pilot,who if he does not get any grief from his wife’s will deal with you in a severe manner.If we have wasted your time in any way or form we do apologize.Yours Faithfully Trevor.
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1211. Rolf Maier | December 11, 2013 at 4:58 am

Hi Trevor, I think you have summed up the gist of the matter. I was just trying to point out that with the passing of Mandela the jets could finally be put to use in a “fly-over” at his funeral. Wow did you hear the crowd Boo Zuma during his memorial speech. I think we are heading for interesting times!
Regards Rolf
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1212. trevor van reenen | December 13, 2013 at 12:58 pm

Hi Rolf,the two photos you sent us,we have had them blown up.Can you please help me put names to the faces.The first photo must be Beaton house?I recognize some of these guys.Now lets see if i am right.I recognize Johann Muller,Michael Rossouw,William Grisselle,Derek Close,Billy Moore,Walter Burnett,Raymond Paphtis,Jonny Stewart,Mr Pretorius,The rest you will have to help me out here.The second photo,is that Athol Sehanie and Gavin Bristow?I see Billy Moore,William Grisselle,and Raymond Paphtis,Father Richardson.THE rest i am am at a blank.So you will have to help me there.Regards Trevor.
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1213. Rolf Maier | December 17, 2013 at 3:22 pm

Hi Trevor, the first photo is of Beaton House 1964 or 1965. It is difficult to name the guys because the rows aren’t straight.. But here goes Backrow Left to Right: Tubby Laughton: Dennis De Jager: Johann Muller; Michael Rossouw Rodrick O’ Brian Big Keenan.
2nd Last Row: Walter Burnett; William Griselle; Dereck Close Raymond Kritzinger; Gillam; Trevor Van Reenen; Raymond Paphitis; Danny Pearce; The next row I will name them as one although some are standing slightly behind:Billy Moore; Michael Browne;Rolf Maier; Bat Cuthbert; Grevel?Neville Maddox; Andrews; Paul Van Staden; Errol Peace; Neville Herbst Arthur; Stewart; Unknown; Dickie Marshall; Small Robinson; Mannie Swanepoel; Little Keenan; Golden
Front Row: Chris Fourie John Venter; George Paphitis; Big Robertson; Desmond Rossouw Derick James (Housemaster) Robyn Putter; Clifford Maritz; Michael Coyle; Fido Adams Johnny Stewart.
I dont know when the other photo was taken , I think perhaps in 1967 we won some cup but also not to sure for what. Back row: Griselle; Alan Van Zyl Trevor Trenent: Gavin Brister; Bobby Derman; Ken McHolm Glliam Kevin Jones: Raymond Paphitis;Front Row: Billy Moore Rolf Maier; Anthony Van EEden The Beek; Athol Shehanie Adriaan Swanson; Peter Vera (housemaster) Paul Van Staden Willie Ford. Hope it makes sense. Regards Rolf
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1214. trevor van reenen | December 18, 2013 at 12:58 pm

Hi Rolf,thanks a million for that,seems that i would not have identify some of these guys.It seems that something so small as two photos bring so much joy to a person.I will always hold these two photos very close to my heart.My i be so bold as to ask you if you have a digital camera?I see that the tide is turning against Jacob Zuma and the ANC party.The worst thing to do is to steal from the public and the poor.So as they say you reap what you sow.I will say this is that i feel so sorry for NELSON MANDELA is that he sat and watched his beloved party the ANC engaged in Greed and Corruption.But by the same token no one human is greater than life.Rolf i still believe that the LORD will open this site and bring us homeboys together again.So as i say watch this space.Before i go,i hope all you guys and your family’s have a wonderful festive season.God bless you all Trevor.
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1215. Lelie DuPlessis | December 21, 2013 at 7:20 pm

Rolf,
Many of those names that you mentioned to Trevor ring bells with me. Is there any way I could receive the photos too?
You could send them to me at lewisdesoto@gmail.com

Hope that’s ok. All the best,
Les DuPlessis
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1216. Andrew Mackie | December 25, 2013 at 5:26 am

All to often, at this time of year we forget the true meaning of Christmas and splash out with feasts and expensive presents.
Maybe it is now an age thing with me and as the years roll on forget the past and the years of growing up into adulthood. However I do remember some of my past and of being a virtual orphan, Christmas in my early remembrance was not one of joy and being stuffed full of all things good. As a young boy being parted from my dysfunctional home and siblings was very traumatic and heart rendering. Being placed in a children’s home where the likes of me were also in the same position did not really give solace. A place of shelter was at least better than being a street child in every sense. During Christmas time many charity organizations would come together and hold functions to entertain us and hand out cakes, sweets and small gifts and while it may have only been two or three times yearly, was treasured and those memories never forgotten. Home life was never easy being regimented on a daily basis from the time of arising in the mornings till bedtime at night but became the norm for all inmates. The pleasures were mainly self made or as we got older in a circle of friends to enjoy every day as it came. As a very young boy of 4 years of age I do not remember much detail of life in S.O.E. Children’s Home but I guess it moulded me for my future at St. Georges where my life continued, again that is past and while at times not easy I am forever grateful in that it helped to make me the person I wished to become. Now as a man of approaching 75 years of age I think back and can only ponder what may have been had it not been for these institutions that took care of me and all the other children in the same position back then. Thus at this time of year am sure I know the real meaning of Christmas.
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1217. Michael Rossouw | December 25, 2013 at 6:38 pm

Dear Andrew
Many thanks for reminding us about “the ghost of Christmas past” to use a Dickensian phrase.Yes , St George’s was a place of refuge , albeit a place which often manifested much cruelty. The many chaitable committess and organisations which supported the Home and ultimately boys (and girls) like us is a reminder of the fact that, despite our differing circumstances , we were thought of and remembered by caring folks at Christmastime and not forgotten.
Blessings to you all at this time as you share Christmas with your loved ones.

Michael R (SGH1961-1967)
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1218. treasure11 | January 8, 2014 at 11:26 am

Hi there everyone,is there any of you who remember Bernard and Brian Spray?What ever happened to them?I can remember them from Simpson house.Cheers Trevor.
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1219. trevor van reenen | January 9, 2014 at 10:47 am

Hi there everyone,firstly let me say,i have no idea what happened to the England cricket team who went to play Australia in the ashes.We have one player who has gone on compassionate leave and the rest of the team in disarray.Now i have always said that Andy Flowers was not the right person for the job.Just because he played a bit of county cricket over here,does not make him the coach of England.I am not saying that Australia are a great team at all.But when you lose the series 5-0 you have to ask yourself what went wrong?Just last year they beat Australia,so what has changed?Anyway Australia play South Africa next month,so i wonder how South Africa will fair against them.England play their first ODI on Sunday,but i’am not going to hold my breath.Anyway let me tell that William bought me a cycling machine,so now when i watch sport or tv i now i use this machine and i think i am doing the tour of Paris.I know,one can only dream.i better go now because i need to do some cycling.Cheers Trevor.
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1220. trevor van reenen | January 22, 2014 at 7:13 pm

Hi there everyone,seems that there is not a week that goes by that someone is killed in South Africa.I see that in Brits four people have died just because they were protesting about the water shortage to their village.Now the question is,why does everything under the ANC always end in loss of life or in violence?Julius Malema has just said that a lot more people are going to die under the ANC’s police force.It seems to me that the ANC have always been a violent organization.This brings to the time when Nelson Mandela met Gandi,it was Gandi who told Nelson Mandela to take the peaceful path and it was Nelson Mandela who decided to take the violent path,because he was fighting under the Communist organization.So now you can see where the violence comes from.Then the question that needs to be asked is,when did violence every sort out any problems?As i know the saying goes,violence only creates more violence.I now hear that the mines want to go on strike,which i hope and pray that it does not descend into violence,because at the end of the day it will only be the innocent people that will suffer.God bless South Africa,cheers Trevor.
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- 1221. Joao Simoes | February 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm
  
  Hi Trevor
  
  Could not agree more . It is a pity a few don’t want to see the obvious. Time will reveal that this and I use the word loosely organization are nothing more than thieves.
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1222. Rolf Maier | January 23, 2014 at 3:25 pm

Hi Trevor
The water shortage in Brits has been going on for years. The Department of Water Affairs HANDED OVER THAT FUNCTION TO THE MUNICIPALITIES, WHICH DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY NOR THE FUNDS TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. Having said that,the first thing the Mayoress bought when she was elected was a luxury car and she lives in splendour amidst allegations of corruption.Only now because the election next year have the ANC found her to be incompetent and forced her to resign. There are rumours that the Water Trucks supplying the community with water are owned by the Councillors.. Another protestor was shot by Police in Roodepoort this morning.The ANC is definitely under pressure for not delivering on their promises.
Regards Rolf
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1223. trevor van reenen | January 26, 2014 at 6:06 pm

Hi there everyone,sitting here watching the fifth round FA cup match between Chelsea and Stoke City.The match wasn’t a classic,but it was worth watching.Chelsea won 1-0 but Stoke did give them a good game.Which brings me to the blog that i want to talk about.Earlier during the week i heard that Bafana Bafana were dumped out the competition they were playing in.Now the Minister of sport says that they are a bunch of losers,i don’t say that they are the best team in the world.But for this Minister to say that is a bit rich,especially that he is from the ANC who are the greatest losers of them all.I hope he puts on his football boots and shows them how to play the game.Over here we are getting a lot of rain which is causing a lot of flooding all over the south west of England.We have not really had a cold winter up to now,but i bet you the worse is still to come.I see you guys over there are having some pretty hot weather over there.Cheers Trevor.
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1224. Sue Seddon | February 9, 2014 at 9:42 pm

It has been so interesting reading all the comments. My late grandfather Bob Morrison was Headmaster of Malvern High School and I remember hearing all the stories about the camps down to the coast as well as many other stories about Malvern High School and St Georges. When my grandfather died in 1986 his memorial service was held at St Georges . My mother (June Morrison now Barclay) also taught at Malvern High School in the 1950’s.
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1225. trevor van reenen | February 11, 2014 at 1:53 pm

Hi Michael,i can’t begin to say how wonderful it is to hear from you.How is Peter doing?Michael did you say that you still keep in touch with Dawn and Beverly Hewitt?Can you please ask Beverly if she ever kept in touch with Jean Righter? Can you please give me Brian’s telephone number?What profession did you go into when you left the home?I hope you are both in good heatlh and spirit.Michael please keep in touch with us on this site.Cheers Trevor.
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1226. Joao Simoes | February 18, 2014 at 11:46 am

Good Day All

Been a while since I was on the blog.

I must admit that I am more than a liitle dissappointed at the comments I have read relating to Mandela. As far as I am concerned and I believe there are many more who believe the same , the man was nothing more than a terrorist. He was offered his freedom on condition that he renounce violence but preferred to continue with violence, that makes him a terrorist who sanctioned the murder of innocent people more his own than of any other. If you look a little further north of RSA you will see the implication of the kind of governance that is typical of so called liberation organizations. Corruption is the order of the day not to speak of blatant theft ,rape plunder to mention but a few. Those of you who do not live in the country should not comment but have a look at the web page “the truth about south africa.com” and then think carefully about your comments. While Idid not agree with all the Nats did they did contribute to your education and well being . This is however not the case with ANY of the “free” countries north of our borders and is failing dismally at ppresent in RSA. So before you praise the man look at the facts and don’t jump onto the liberal wagon too quickly.
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- 1227. Michael Rossouw | February 18, 2014 at 4:31 pm
  
  Joao, I am very grateful for the education I received whether under the Nats or the ANC.I have taught in the education system under both political administrations. I also respect your right Joao to ‘label’ politicians as you believe them to be, but I for one am very grateful that Nelson Mandela was president of or beloved country for the time that he was with us. I think you are being very unfair and dare I say somewhat clouded in your perception of the man’s legacy. I readily acknowledge that things in other countries north of our borders are not perfect , but South Africa had a relatively peaceful transition of power from a white minority government that was unlike that of our northern neighbours.
  You seem to forget that it was men like Clive Derby Lewis,who was responsible for engineering the murder of Chris hank in the run up to the 1994 elections and the AWB led by the late Eugene Tereblanche and others who were responsible for equally “terrorist” type actions in the run up to the 1994 elections. Whilst our beloved country isn’t perfect , there is much that has been achieved there when compared to our northern neighbours.
  I take exemption to your remark that “those of you who don’t live in South Africa shouldn’t comment about the country”. I wish to place on record that I am living in Canada because of the work I do.I have also lived in Thailand , Burma (a country now undergoing transformation form oppressive military rule to democracy) and the Philippines, a country which has also had its own liberation struggle from Spanish and American colonial rule and Japanese oppression during WW11, and that I did not leave the South Africa joining ‘the chicken run’, but because of my own personal circumstances.
  I was unemployed because of affirmative action which resulted in my seeking work overseas. Were I to return, I’d probably be in the same boat; ‘Difficult to do when one has a wife and 3 minor children to support.
  South Africa has restrictions on foreigners (my wife and children are Filipino) entering the country, particularly when the custody of stepchildren is involved.
  By the way, I still hold a South African passport and have not acquired citizenship nor permanent residence in any of the countries in which I have worked over the last 13 years.That makes me a citizen of South Africa who has the right to comment on things happening there.I therefore strongly object to you view “that those of you who don’t live here shouldn’t comment.”
  I would strongly suggest that you read the reports of the TRC chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, another icon of South Africa. In it you will find all manner of horrific things that The Nat government through its arms of oppression ( the police, the SADF and security services) did, and you’ll find that they were equally responsible for horrific things done to black South Africans under the Apartheid regime.
  I don’t think Mr Zuma and his cronies are doing a good job right now. (That’s putting it mildly) The fact that he was booed at Mandela’s funeral by his own supporters says a lot for me.
  Ou country can only be changed through the ballot box and not the barrel of a gun! One hopes that Molema and his extremists will not win a seat in parliament. One prays daily that the violent crime in South Africa will be addressed and that corruption in Government will cease.Any transition takes time and the question now that Mandela is no longer with us is “Where to now?” We shall have to see, but our democracy can and will bring about meaningful change for us all if we hold dear to those values expressed in it by those who negotiated it.
  When this site was established it was a means for us as old boys to connect. I sincerely hope that this will continue. I’m afraid Joao that whilst I respect the right of free speech guaranteed in our country’s constitution, and I respect you as a person to hold the view that you do, your remarks are not helpful to those of us who would like to come home to South Africa, but cannot do so because of the bureaucracy which has to be dealt with for those of us with foreign spouses with children born in another country.(My son is registered as a South African, but holds a Filipino passport because that’s where he was born.)
  I long to be with my brothers friends and colleagues who I have not seen for a long time now and I long my 3 year old son to see and do the things I did as a child in my home country.I am also separated from my family because of the bureaucracy involved in getting them to be with me in Canada.(I have been here on my own for to years now.) If you know anything about poorer countries in the world, and I am sure that you do, you will know that life for many in other ‘third world’ countries isn’t rosy.
  I feel very sad that it would seem that the bureaucratic hurdles to bring me and my family home seem insurmountable, but I persevere in the hope that all this will work out for me and that I can return one day.I speak from experience that immigration lawyers are expensive.
  
  The name Nelson Mandela means different things to different people but the fact is that he will go down in History as the icon of reconciliation of the 20th an probably the 21st century.I have taught children form many countries all over the world. Some do not know the name of their congressman, their local MP or the political parties in their own country.But every child from every corner of the globe whom I have taught knows who Nelson Mandela was and what he stood for. That in my view speaks volumes.
  
  I would therefore respectfully ask you to please consider your remarks carefully before making bland statements such as those which you have expressed in your comment earlier.
  
  (Rev) Michael Anthony Rossouw (Old Boy SGH 1961-1967)
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  - 1228. Joao Simoes | February 19, 2014 at 11:53 am
    
    Michael
    
    Firstly you should be gratefull as am I . You seem to be very quick to defend a man who headed an organization that had the chance would have taken your life irresective of you being a priest but because you are white. As I stated previously I did not agree with all that was done.
    
    Yes the Nat government did some really awfull things , but then again so did the ANC. You yourself are a victim of reverse discrimination which this man advocated yet you still think he was a great man. Remember AA,BEE or what ever you choose to name it ,it still remains discimination.
    
    You mention Chris Hani this man was one of the commanders of one the most if the most notoruis detention/death camps in Angola . He had people convicted and murdered without even giving them the oppontunity or access to council, yet you attack Derby Lewis. You choose not to read the web page I put in my last blog.
    
    The same people you claim to be great will not even let your wife into the country but will let every other dictator in ‘no my friend that is not fair not to speak of all the criminals coming in every day. I am not in least concerned of what the world attempts to praise Mandela. Icon to people he remains a communist terrorist to me and many ,many others. Next you will be praising Ho Chi Ming.
    
    You are correct every person has the right to express the view and feelings. I have read more about this man than most and by the way I have also read the other side of the story a remember I live in this great country and pay the taxes hence my comment that people living outside the country should not make comments. You respectfully request that I not make as you put it “bland statements” . This coming from you is rich and I suspect you will remove it from the blog . None the less have a great day.
    
    M.J.Simoes (old boy SGH 69-76)
- 1229. oldboy | August 29, 2014 at 2:48 pm
  
  and the white apartheid government was all love and sunshine:
  Reply
  - 1230. M.J.Simoes | September 9, 2014 at 3:57 pm
    
    Hi Old Boy
    
    Let me state for the record that I am not here to start a war of words however I must reply to my esteemed old boy (however miguided his comment may be) the following:
    
    Firstly no where did I state that living under the apartheid government was fun quite the opposite. Specially if you were black. But and here it comes a big but it was a hell of a lot less corrupt. Yes there was corruption but not on the astromical scale at present. Systems worked , the cops did their jobs, hospitals worked, the electricity system worked and was pre-planned, roads were well kept just to mention a few concerns.
    
    To help get with your memory rejuvenated
    
    1) Gupta Gate
    2) 700 plus cases of corruption against the idiot so called president
    3) Spy tapes
    4) Inkandla
    5) Rape (which I abhore)
    6) CIA statements
    7) E-tolls ( which I might add the taxis do not have to contribute to)
    
    There are a couple of key facts you wish to ignore.
    
    The idiot Mandela was given ample oppotunity to renounce violence but declined. He would have rather seen you dead, but never one on one but always with a cowards bomb. Amensty international refused to take his case simply because he refused to renounce cowardly violence. Is this the man and organization you admire, speaks volumes.
    
    If you state that you are satisfied you need your head read. If you look at the above failures YES THE APARTHEID ARE WAS LOVE AND SUNSHINE. Wake up sunshine and smell the roses.
    
    If I have offended any of the readers I apologize in advance.
    
    M.J.Simoes ( Old boy 69-76)
1231. Sean | February 18, 2014 at 1:51 pm

Wow this really is crazy, I was a home from 1982 – 1988, was in Simpson house under Mr Jimmy Carr, and reading the comments about his heavy hand sure do bring back memories, damn when he canned you, you couldn’t sit for days without a pillow under your butt. I must say though that he was also a boxer of note. One of my fondest memories is of our July and December trips down to Umtentweni. Well anyways that is just my 2cents worth. Regards Sean Rachman. Seanrachman72@gmail.com
Reply
- 1232. Michael Rossouw | February 19, 2014 at 5:11 pm
  
  Joao, I do not wish to wage a “war of words” on this website. I respect your right to hold the opinions you have on Nelson Mandela and I suspect there are many other old boys who will share your views about the man. Contrary to what you say, I did read the link you sent, much of which is disturbing news, so please do not insult my intelligence by saying that I didn’t. I am also not so stupid as to think that because I am a priest that I am “immune” from criticism.Believe me, the cassock and the clerical collar are no protection anywhere in the world today for any priest.
  The cloth does not protect me and I do not sit in judgement on people as you seem to imply. Likewise it’s also “rich” for you to think that I’d remove what I have written from the blog. In the final analysis, History will be the final judge on Nelson Mandela’s legacy.Had Nelson Mandela not been the man that he was as president of our country, the situation in the country would probably have been much worse in the transition of power. Sadly, for the poorest of the poor in our country, black and white, they have yet to see the fruits of our young democracy. Time will tell.
  As to your mention of Ho Chi Min,I am not sure that he and Mandela can be put in the same category. My understanding is that he and his fighters were initially ready to talk with the French colonial powers and the Americans about negotiating independence for Vietnam, but , like the ANC in South Africa , they were forced into an armed struggle because of the unwillingness of those countries to do so and the repression with which the these world and colonial powers treated the Vietnamese people. I am sure that you’ll agree that the SE Asia situation for the countries like the US was ‘complicated’ to say the least, in that the Communist threat in that region was growing.(The US was, and is still, influential in the region, given the North Korean situation and China’s influence in that part of the world.)
  In the end Ho Chi Min won the battle which dragged on for years,cost billions of dollars for the US taxpayer, and which cost the lives of millions of innocent civilians as well as the deaths of soldiers on both sides and caused great devastation in that country. (Remember the “My Lai Massacre to name but one example?) Today, many years later, Vietnam has its independence with an economy which is growing quite steadily.
  There is a lot which the ANC government has done with which I am not in agreement.I too am concerned at the level of corruption in the government under the ANC , the lack of service delivery, the breakdown in essential services, rising crime and the high unemployment rate in our country. For the record, I love South Africa and its people and I long to return. It is as you rightly say, ‘a great country.’
  I may not be living there now and I may not be paying taxes. But I am still proudly one of its citizens and I believe it is my democratic right to express my views, as much as it is also yours to do. The right to freedom of speech in our Constitution is guaranteed to all of its citizens, whether inside the country or outside of it, is it not?( May I remind you that I do not hold the citizenship or permanent residence of any other country and that I still hold a South African passport.) That makes me a South African, and I do believe I can hold the views I have expressed, just as much as you too are entitled to hold yours.
  For the record, if I were able to bring my wife and family into South Africa without all of this bureaucratic red tape, I would be back tomorrow in a heartbeat.
  As I have said , I do not wish to have a public debate on the state of the nation via this website.This site has been a way to heal much of the hurt experienced by many who passed through the gates of what was , St George’s Home as well as to be a means through which Old Boys could re-establish contact with each other. Let’s hope that the next time we read this blog, we will have something to say to each other which is of a more cordial nature.
  Likewise, may you also have a good day.
  Michael Rossouw (SGH 1961-1967)
  Reply
1233. Andrew Mackie | February 20, 2014 at 6:50 am

Michael and Joao,
My first inclination after reading M.J. Simoes blog was one of dismay in that it seemed to be of anger and of politics at the present state in South Africa. Having read up on the past history in many other publications concerning ANC and the many of the prominent names of present day members decided on a re-read per the site named.
While I agree many atrocious deeds were done in the name of freedom and so called democracy by the ANC leaders also remember such deeds were also carried out by the then SA government . The conclusion is not one side can claim to be pure and innocent of hurt and injury to the other. Not all was revealed by either side at the Truth and Reconciliation Tribunal, least of all by the leaders of both main parties under the Chair of Desmond Tutu.
However it must be said Nelson Mandela, as leader of ANC did in many ways avert a bloody confrontation which could easily have erupted and thereafter preached reconciliation. It really was a case of who will cast the first stone. Now having said all this agree with Michael Rossouw this website was never intended to be a platform for politics and debates on the state of the nation, no matter the feelings of individuals who visit this site. Suggest these columns remain the domain of old home boys to relate their stories and share their personal experiences of life during the time they were in St. Georges Home. To me this while at times, I suffered many hardships it was a shelter and haven for a small boy from an alien world.
Remember from the very young age of 4 years was placed in orphanages due to a very broken home without love or care.
At times was ashamed of this background and did not openly talk about the long ago past but through this blog have accepted and now can openly speak to my family and all who visit here of my stay in the S O E Children’s Home and SGH – 1944 thru 1952. My hope here is many other old boys will read and relate on their stay which makes for pleasurable reading in my old age. God Bless you all.
Reply
- 1234. George Venter | February 20, 2014 at 7:35 am
  
  The voice of sanity prevails – Thank you Andrew.
  Reply
1235. Joao Simoes | February 20, 2014 at 10:25 am

Michael Andrew

For some or other reason the comment I posted this morning did not end up on the blog . That being the case I will try again. Firstly in my earlier attempt I stated that I felt that this was not a war of words but rather a debate, I furthermore invited Michael to take the debate off site. I again invite Michael to a debate off site. I however feel that the mentioning of contravertial political figues and events should not be mentioned at all as they will lead to discourse on a site primarily concerned with home boy experiences as stated correctly by Andrew. Michael I reiterate the invitation.

Have a great Day

M.J.Simoes ( SGH 1969-1976)
Reply
1236. trevor van reenen | February 22, 2014 at 11:03 am

Hi there everyone,may i ask a question of all of you without you putting me in stocks and throwing rotten fruit at me?Anyway here is the question;Would any of you have any objection if our children come on this site to get to know each other?Now as i said,please don’t send out a search party out to look for me’i will hand myself over to you voluntarily.Sit and have a cup of coffee or tea and think it over.Have a lovely day.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1237. Michael Rossouw | February 22, 2014 at 2:45 pm
  
  I think it’s a good idea Trevor. Not sure of my offspring would want that but that’s up to them.Cheers. Michael R
  Reply
- 1238. Roland Morgan | February 22, 2014 at 7:14 pm
  
  I don’t think that ia a good idea at all. Let the kids use Facebook and leave this site for us genuine Goggies old timers.
  Reply
  - 1239. Michael Rossouw | February 22, 2014 at 9:43 pm
    
    On second thoughts,you’re right Ronald. My children , even though they are grown up now would not really have an understanding of what the Home was like and would have some difficulty understanding the ‘bond’ we share as genuine “Goggies” old timers.
    Also my family in the Philippines would not be able to ‘connect’ with my experience at the Home, even if they did see the “how many acres” of ground we had to get up to whatever mischief we did in our time there. Even seeing the campus as it is today, it is very different to what it was like when we were there; quite the ‘Ivy League’ type of campus but nevertheless, still with its Herbert Baker facade and, dare I say, its strength as an architectural example of early 20th century Johannesburg school buildings. (Remember that when the Home was built, it did have a school as well, until later,when boys were sent to the local schools, Malvern having had the lion’s share of Homeboys as students within the walls of its classrooms.)
    What was the paddock where many went for a quiet smoke away from the beady eye of some masters, is now an Arts and Science block, beautifully constructed to blend in with the Bedfordview surroundings, and quite a far cry from the days when you could see Galooly’s farm and, on very clear days even as far as the Pretoria main road, Edenvale and the Modderfontein Dynamite factory from various vantage points on the home grounds.
    
    There is a St George’s Home page on Facebook as well as one for Malvern High but they are also for past students from the school. It may be a bit tough for some kids to have a Facebook page catering specifically for them as children of former St George’s Home Boys.
    My own adult children have visited what was the home when they were younger, but could not or probably did not want to make the connection for whatever reason.Many old boys themselves find it hard to say what they went through at the home. Some have never told their kids where they grew up for their own reasons.We need to respect that.
    
    There are some Adult children of Old boys who do have their say in these pages as well as on the St George’s Home Facebook page.
    I just put this out as part of the discussion.
    
    On another note, I hear from my brother John that the Home’s centenary celebrations will be held at Bishop Bavin school/St Georges some time in September 2015 (I think) and that will certainly be an occasion for us to get together. I missed the last one held to honour canon Eric Richardson’s 100th birthday, but , God willing , I shan’t miss the next!
    Take care. Michael R
1240. trevor van reenen | February 22, 2014 at 10:30 pm

Hi there everyone,don’t worry my grown up kids will not be writing on this site.It was only a suggestion.The only time my kids will come on this site is when i am dead,then my kids will read my blogs and that will help them in their grief.I very much doubt that i will ever see any of the guys that i was in the home with or ever get to attend a home reunion.I will say this,that it gives me pleasure to see the homeboys talking to each other and telling each other what they have done with their lives.As the bible says,the greatest gift is love.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1241. Albert de Jager | February 25, 2014 at 11:37 am

Greetings to Sue Seddon. Your grandfather Bob Morrison was not only the principal of Malvern High, he was also a great friend of St Georges and often used to attend our swimming galas, etc. When I was a pupil at Malvern High, I battled with Maths and used to walk down to his house in Kensington for extra lessons. As hard as he tried, I remained Maths illiterate. What a wonderful and generous man. Strangely enough, your mother, June, was also my teacher at Malvern High and I have a strong suspicion that she was also my maths teacher. Poor girl…..she had about as much success with me as your granddad. I remember your mother as being a pretty feisty red-head with a bit of a fiery temper, but she must have been far more than that as I remember being quite devastated when she married your Dad.
Wow, I better quit now before I ramble on and on and bore you to death.
Lovely to “meet you” and please pass on my very fondest regards to your Mom. Albert de Jager.
Reply
- 1242. Sue Seddon | February 26, 2014 at 4:53 am
  
  Hi Albert. Thank you so much for the kind words about my Grandfather and Mother. My Grandfather was so special and I know how much he loved his teaching and pupils. My Mum broke her hip on the weekend and when I visited her today and told her your news she was thrilled to hear from you. The first thing she said was that she remembered you with much affection and that her Dad always thought very highly of you ( I had to write down her exact words…once a teacher always a teacher!!!) You must have gone to their Oxford Road home in Kensington for extra lessons? My Mum said she would love to hear more from you so when you have the time will you please keep in contact. You will be interested to know that we have more teachers in the family.. my sister and my cousin who have continued the Morrison teaching legacy.
  Best wishes and thanks once again for getting in touch.
  Sue ( Auckland New Zealand)
  Reply
  - 1243. Albert de Jager | February 28, 2014 at 9:49 am
    
    Hi Sue
    
    I’d love to get in touch with your mom. If you would send me an e-mail address to adejager25@gmail.com with an e-mail address, I will then get in touch.
    Kind regards
    Albert
1244. trevor van reenen | February 27, 2014 at 12:51 pm

Hi there John Rossouw,may i please be so bold as to ask you if you still keep in touch with Bruce Fordyce?I see that he is now the vice chairman of Nedbank Running Club Central Gauteng,Johannesburg and Soweto.What a mouthful.Can you please ask him if he has keep in touch with Titus Mamabola,who use to run in the same club RAC when they where with the cub.Titus is the uncle of Ludwick Mamabola who i see runs for Nedbank Running Club.By the way how is your brother David doing at Varsity Kudus Running Club?Will he be running this years Comrades Marathon?How are you keeping?Can you find out if Bruce is going to run this years Comrades Marathon?I Seem to have so many questions.I hope you don’t mind?Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1245. trevor van reenen | February 28, 2014 at 12:26 pm

Hi there Albert,I remember your brothers so well.If my memory serves me well,i was in Beaton House with your younger brother.Just can’t think of his first name.I am going to go out on a limb and say his first name was Desmond.You may have to put me right here.Have you been on the Malvern high school facebook,there is a photo of Principal J.A.Morrison which must be Sue’s grandfather.Sue bless you and your family for your loss.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1246. Sue Seddon | February 28, 2014 at 7:53 pm
  
  Hi Trevor. Thank you for the kind wishes. My Grandfather ( Bob Morrison) was such a special man who is missed by many. I wish my sons could have met him. They have his war medals and letters he wrote home during the Second World War so at least there is connection to their past. All the best. Sue Seddon
  Reply
- 1247. Al | March 3, 2014 at 11:27 am
  
  Hi Trevor
  Yes. I had two brothers at the time you were in Beaton House. Desmond and Fred were their names. Desmond died a while back now, but Fred is still alive and kicking. Good to hear from you.
  Keep well.
  Albert
  Reply
1248. trevor van reenen | March 13, 2014 at 1:43 pm

Hi therer everyone,i have been on the Malvern High School facebook site,which is quite impressive.Anyway there is a photo of the staff from 1965,which brings back so many memories.I see Mr JJ de Jager ,who is next to Mr B Gerady.Then their is Miss M Katz,Miss M Beveridbe,Miss M Noakes,Mr J Johnsen and Mr Durie.The photo has all the staff which some of you will recognize.Do any of you remember Charlie Herbst? I Do remember he was quite a good footballer.Hi Rolf,there is a photo of you and L Ross in a A football team.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1249. Leslie DuPlessis. | March 15, 2014 at 1:00 am
  
  I remember going camping in Parys with Charlie Herbst and a couple of other blokes. We didn’t have a tent, just slept in our bedrolls next to the fire. We ate boiled potatoes and bully beef, cooked in a big tin over the fire. Swam in the river and had a great time. I think we even had a little bottle of KWV to share.
  Reply
1250. trevor van reenen | March 18, 2014 at 8:17 pm

Hi there everyone,i have just been on the web page called The Jules Street Kids.i see there is a photo of Debbie Albers with Dot Ferreira on the page.Is there anyone who can ask them to post the photo on to the Malvern High School facebook page?I use to live with the Ferreira’s in St Frusquin Street and Dot and Peggy were like sisters to me.So if there is anyone here that is on that site,can you please find out for me?Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1251. Andrew Mackie | March 19, 2014 at 5:46 am

Hi Trevor, The only suggestion I have is for you to contact the following person to see if this can be arranged alternately join the Facebook group. Contact detail; mheelis@live.co.uk
Regards, Andrew Mackie
Reply
1252. trevor van reenen | March 19, 2014 at 11:56 am

Hi Andrew,thanks for the imfo.How are you doing over there?I see that Uncle jacob Zuma is getting himself into a whole lot of trouble.I can only say that the writting was on the wall.As the bible says you reap what you sow.I see that Mark Hopkins has been invited on the Jules Street Kids site.He went to Malvern HIgh School and he knew so many of us homeboys.So when he comes on the site i can find a lot of the homeboys through him.It is lovely to hear from you.Look after yourself.Trevor.
Reply
1253. Andrew Mackie | March 20, 2014 at 12:45 pm

Hi Trevor, Hope you achieved success with your Malvern High School request. On the subject of Jacob Zuma, the bombshell has been finally dropped with the report of some R246m being spent on his private residence using taxpayer money. As usual the ANC Party is trying very hard to downplay this scandal and his responsibility in allowing this upgrade to proceed. This after JZ was advised of the expenditure envisaged way back in 2009 yet he chose to ignore and quite frankly turned a blind eye. Can you imagine had this episode taken place by Prime Minister Cameron in the UK, doubt that he would still hold office. Here in South Africa with so many poor in need of homes it seems the ruling ANC government is content to support this man, blaming all and sundry without any responsibility being shouldered by them. What is interesting is the many contractors who milked the project and overcharged, however to me of great significance is Jacob Zuma appointed his own architect to oversee the upgrade thus reporting to Zuma, but still he denies knowing the extent of expenditure being incurred. The architect made some R16m for his part in design and management of the project. Makes for interesting reading and this is just a small synopsis of mine, the total report runs into 474 pages and also critical of senior government ministers for their part in the handling of this upgrade. The resentment and anger is very palpable by most commentators and radio listeners who air their views on the airwaves.
Regards, Andrew Mackie
Reply
1254. trevor van reenen | March 24, 2014 at 12:09 pm

Hi there Andrew,now i know that i have been told not to say anything about South Africa because i don’t live there anymore.So this is an article that was printed in the Daily Mail over here on Saturday.This is to Uncle Jacob Zuma.We give South Africa £19m in aid,though we have said we shall stop this after 2015.I’d stop it today.An offical report has just heavily criticised the country’s corrupt,misogynistic,homophobic and racist leader,Jacob Zuma,for spending £13.7m of public money on a luxuriously-equipped country estate.Can someone over there please tell Bishop Tutu to stop trying to serve to masters,he will love one and hate the other.Now if someone over there wants to tell me to voetsak,be my guest.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1255. Michael Rossouw | March 24, 2014 at 3:13 pm
  
  Canada has spent 20 million CAD$ (multiply that by roughly 10 to get the amount in ZAR) on projects related to HIV/Aids in training health workers, helping to care for orphans of HIV/Aids and other medical related projects.For the record, ++Desmond has been one of this Government’s strongest critics.
  Take care Michael R
  Reply
1256. Andrew Mackie | March 25, 2014 at 7:31 am

Trevor, Jacob Zuma and his Ministers believe they have an entitlement to raid the Treasury of public funds to benefit themselves, unfortunately this attitude seems to rub off in many other forms of government in wasteful and fraud. Corruption is pretty rife and unaccounted monies by government in every province is in excess of R36bn ( some 2.4 billion pounds Sterling) and no accountability just reports tabled by Auditor General. Not bad when one considers the poverty in the country. Now in an election year the ANC government is once again making the same promises made five years ago to create 6 million jobs, build homes for the poor and improve education as well as health facilities. The masses of poorly educated will believe this tripe and entrust these plunderers again and vote ANC. They do not see a benefit in having a strong opposition in Parliament to stop the corruption and unaccountability as well as buck passing existent in present government. The stopping of Aid will not affect the high officials in government but will most certainly cause more hardship to those in need as less money will be forthcoming to help the poor. In the end it is a vicious circle but I guess someone must make a stand to let government understand fraud and corruption cannot be tolerated.
Only hope more of our new younger generation will see the truth and cast their votes accordingly on May 7, 2014 in the General Election.
Finally having also advised the many St. Georges Face Book readers of this blog, more news and stories will be published.
Regards,
Andrew Mackie
Reply
1257. trevor van reenen | March 26, 2014 at 5:16 pm

Hi Andrew,I wholly concur with you,it seems that the whole country is being brought to ruin buy a organisation known as the ANC.Here is what a Prof. Ken Peters,Professor of Economics in the Czech Republic says.” The danger to South Africa is not Jacob Zuma,but a citizenry capable of enstrusting a man like him with the Presidency.It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Zuma Presidency than to restore the nesessary common sense and goog judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their President.The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr.Zuma who is a mere symptom of what ails South Africa.Blaming the prince of fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.The Republic can survive a Jacod Zuma who is,after all,merely a fool.It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their President” Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1258. trevor van reenen | March 27, 2014 at 12:09 pm

Hi there everyone,Does anyone remember the different house names that we stood in,when we assembled in assembly hall for Mr.Johnsen’s morning talks?I t seems to me,that i can’t remember even one name.I was in the secound house,but i always stood in Chris Watson’s house.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1259. Michael Rossouw | March 27, 2014 at 8:09 pm
  
  They were Botha , McCauley, Rhodes and Selbourne.
  Botha after general Louis Botha first prime minister of the Union of South Africa, McCauley and Selbourne were, I think , members of the Government of Transvaal or Cape colony. Rhodes of course was the prime minister of the Cape colony and member of parliament for Barkly West , until after the Jameison raid after which he was forced to resign. My I am dating myself!!
  Reply
1260. trevor van reenen | March 28, 2014 at 4:18 pm

Hi Andrew,Could you please explain to me what is these grants i hear about that is given to the people.Is it given to the unemployed,or the elderly?Are this grants given to everyone?Which brings me to Uncle Jacob,when he is dancing or trying to dance.Why does he and his followers always shout AMANDA?What does AMANDA mean?I can’t help thinking that it is another women who he wants to join his many wifes on the Nkandla estate.I bet you that i have got it all wrong.Can you please do me a favour,there is a girl by the name of Michelle de Lange who is a branch manager at Insouce ict.She went to Roordepoort High School and is on facebook.Can you please find out if she is related or knows Paul de Lange?I think she works in Sandton.I can’t get on facebook.If you can’t it is no problem.But it is worth asking.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1261. Andrew Mackie | March 29, 2014 at 7:39 am

Hi Trevor, Firstly on the subject of grants, there are several types of grants and paid by Department of Social Services and obviously funded through the treasury(Tax Payer Money). The main three types are Child Grants, Caregiver Grants and Grants for the Elderly. Child grants are payable for all children up to 16 years of age whose parents cannot support them by not earning more than a given amount of money or who have passed away due the illness and other causes, some further reasons may also apply but this is the main basic requirement. Caregiver grants again are paid to persons who look after children who are orphaned and in many cases have been abandoned and the like. This grant is in addition to the child grants as stated above, again this grant is qualified by the amount earned by caregiver but the child grant is still paid. The grants for the Elderly are paid to all persons over 60 years who qualify by the amount of money from other sources. There are a number of others for military service etc. but do not really know much about those as I think they are small in numbers. While the amounts are small but taken in total, amounts to a few billion Rand annually. Frankly the system is open and widely abused, fraud is quite rife, the government is only now starting to take appropriate action to end this poorly managed system.
The word you refer to is actually ‘AMANDLA’ which is normally shouted with a raised fist and means POWER. Very widely used by politicians after addressing meetings or rallies. Therefore not only verbalised by Jacob Zuma.
No luck as yet with you request on Tom de Lange but will try again next week to locate Michelle.
Regards, Andrew Mackie
Reply
1262. trevor van reenen | April 4, 2014 at 12:46 pm

Hi Andrew,thanks for the imfo.Can you please do me a big favour,i have a phone number of Mark Hopkins which is 071 526 1054.Can you please ask him if he knows the where abouts of Chris Watson and Paul de Lange?If you do get in touch with him,please tell him Trevor says Howzit.Can someone please explain to me why Dawnview High School does not have a website and Malvern High School does?Dawnview High School was next door to St. George’s Home,makes you wonder.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1263. Rolf Maier | April 4, 2014 at 3:36 pm
  
  Hi Trevor
  Thanx for Mark Hopkins Phone #. I contacted him and he says he will try and get hold of Chris. Apparently Chris is his cousin. Mark is staying with his nephew (Sydneys son) in Alberton.
  Trevor, the school next to the Home is Bedford High. Dawnview High is in Primerose/Germiston.
  I see that the conversations are getting a bit serious so on a lighter note I also remember going to Parys on a camping holiday. I think I was in std 5 and a tubby Host took 5 or 6 of us down to the Vaal. He even took us shopping before we left. I remember buying a ORANGE shirt! Anyway, I can’t remember who all came along, only Adrian Swanson. He was born in New Zealand and although he was only 12 years old was already in std 6. Apparently their education system was more advanced than ours! On our way down to the Vaal we saw abad accident. Some people hit a bull at high speed and the bull landed on the roof of the car and killed everyone. When we arrived at the camp spot we set up camp and the host pulled out a bottle of cane and we all insisted that we try some. We all poured our own and hit it back. The next morning we woke up scattered all around, some sleeping on top of each other and there where puddles of Sweetcorn all over the camp. Because Adrian was in High scool the Host relented to give him a driving lesson. To be fair, he mostly kept the car on the sand road and only occasionaly hit a shrub.When we got back to the Home we never saw that Host again and nor did I see my ORANGE shirt after the first wash!
  Regards to all
  PS Adrian Swanson went back to New Zealand a year or two later. I wonder if they held him back a year in school?
  Reply
1264. trevor van reenen | April 4, 2014 at 6:33 pm

Hi Rolf,let me say this,it is so good to hear from you.Now please let me explain.A week ago a went on the Malvern High School facebook.On the site their is a guy by the name of Percy Bedser and he wrote a blog in which he says that their is a rumour that you had passed away.I have not slept at all since i read this blog and i don’t even want to tell you the tears i cried.So that is why it is so good to hear from you.Thanks for getting in touch with Mark Hopkins.Funny thing is i have tears in my eyes,but they are tears of joy.There is a name i have not heard in quite a while is Adrian Swanson he has a brother named Evan Swanson who use to go out with Peggy Ferriera.Can you please tell Michael Buckley to tell the Malvern High School facebook website that you are alive and kicking.Now i need some time to use to knowing that you are alive.I will never ever listen to a rumour ever again.Cheers Trevor.
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1265. trevor van reenen | April 6, 2014 at 3:29 pm

Hi there evryone,i see there is a photo on the Malvern High School website of the girls cricket team.Now i know all of you can recognize Beverly Hewitt in the first row and is the first girl.The girl that caught my eye is the girl in the second row and second girl is Pat Wentink.She is friends with Charmaine Smallshaw,who use to be in our class.The last time i saw Pat was on a saturday night at the Metropolis Bioscope,when myself Michael Jones and friends were talking when Pat turned up.What a night.Anyway i am getting to watch the 160th boat race between Cambrigde and Oxford.So i am going to get a strong cup of coffee and watch to see who wins.Cheers Trevor.PS. can anyone please explain to me how can you read any of the girls names when the wrting is so small.
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1266. trevor van reenen | April 15, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Hi there everyone,i have been on the Malvern High School website and i see two photo’s that bring back many memories.The first is the club Plumb Crazy which was in Johannesburg,not far from the Train Station.The late Desmond [duckie mate]Jones,Michael Jones,Milton van Eerden,myself and many other homeboys would meet there on a Saturday night,now that is memories i will always remember.The second photo is the Bella Napoli in Hillbrow.Paul de Lange use to live in the block of flats opposite the Bella Napoli on the 5th floor.I have so many wonderful memories of Johannesburg and Hillbrow.I will try and join the Malvern High School website if they will have me.Cheers Trevor.
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- 1267. Michael Rossouw | April 16, 2014 at 11:31 pm
  
  Please do so Trevor. We’d love to hear from you. My brother John is on the site and he went to Dawnview High school! Cheers!
  Reply
1268. trevor van reenen | April 22, 2014 at 9:35 pm

Hi there everyone,this is a blog i have been wanting to do for ages,but just not getting around to it.First let me say,to the Putter family,God bless you for you have lost a loving husband and a loving father.I first came across Robyn Putter in Beaton house,although i was not close to him as a friend at the time in Beaton house,i was to get quite friendly with him in Taylor house.Anyway i first came about Robyn when i tried to do diving off the spring board.Now i had no idea how to dive off the spring board,i was then told to watch Robyn and see how he dived.To this day i will always remember Robyn because he was the best diver i have seen in the home.I did watch him and i can tell you that there was no way i was ever going to dive like him even though i did try.That was truthly pure talent.I still cannot dive like that.There was a guy called Lennard Wenzel who taught me how to bomb dive.Which is where you just make a big splash.In Smuts house,i remember Robyn when he bought a album from the record shop in Jules street opposite the CNA.The record was called The Motions-Impreessions of wonderful and i have the album to this day.We use to play the songs,Make it legal and You’re my adee.Now the bass on this record goes so low that it use to rattle the windows in the common room in Smuts house.I will alway remember him as a wonderful and loving friend who i had so much fun with.I never knew what he did when he left the home.Robyn my friend i will never forget you.Love Trevor.
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- 1269. Michael Rossouw | April 23, 2014 at 12:01 am
  
  You are absolutely right, Trevor. Robyn was a young man of many talents. He was a great artist and often drew many “pop art” sketches in class with Mr Brown the art teacher. As an actor he was really very talented. He played a “con’ French jockey in Ma Noakes’ production “Dry Rot” The real french jockey was played by Clifford Maritz. The cons kidnapped Clifford and put Robyn in his place to jockey the horse to the finish! Rob Knowles was the leader of the grand of con artists in the play and another great actor;the play was all about rigging a horse race. Real fun times.We all gave Ma Noakes grey hairs though!
  As a chorister in the choir, Robyn was a gifted singer, and was a lead chorister. It was as a sportsman that Robyn excelled, playing cricket at both Malvern and the Home and playing in winning teams both at Malvern High and St George’s, the game which was his other passion, namely, soccer. He also did well in athletics athletics.
  It was in the world of advertising and design, however, that Robyn made his name, gaining top awards for his work, putting his company on the map and making it the best in the country and renowned worldwide.
  There is a saying in Greek mythology Ma Kirkland always reminded us about, which says “Those whom the gods love , die young.”
  Robyn was one of these people.
  Sadly Robyn became ill in his late 50’s and was taken from us.He was truly a gifted artist, a great entrepeneur and risk taker, and a wonderful human being. Thanks for reminding us Trevor about what a truly great friend he was to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.
  Reply
1270. trevor van reenen | April 27, 2014 at 11:20 am

Hi there you guys,The good news is that ITV4 has acquired the IPL T20 tournament and i have been watching some of the best cricket players in the world playing,plus i get to drink my coffee.Now who can complain about this situation that i have found myself in,someone has to do it.I see that the Two Oeans Marathon was completed on the 19th of this month.I only ran this Marathon once and i can tell you that it is the most scenic route that i have ever ran.Next month we go to London to spend my Brithday with Treasure,which we are looking forward to.I know that the Victoria Bus Station is going to be jam packed with visitors from all over the world.The Commonwealth games are in a couple of months in Glasgow,i still prefer the Olympic Games where the whole world complete.We have recovered from the floods we had in winter,all because we had Government who thought that they could save a couple of pounds by not dreadging the river Parrat.Well i better love and leave you because the game between the Delhi Daredevils and the Mumbai Indians is getting quite exciting.Talk to you later,love Trevor.
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1271. help in the bedroom | April 30, 2014 at 11:43 am

Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a information!
present here at this blog, thanks admin of this site.
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1272. trevor van reenen | May 2, 2014 at 3:53 pm

Hi there everyone,do i read this blog right that there is help in the bedroom.Boy, do i need help in the bedroom.Let me tell you why.Trying to left a double bed up and trying to clean under the bed is not only exhausting but back breaking too.Now sweeping and then polishing and shining the floor is just as exhausting and back breaking.But what gets me down is trying to clean the windows,wow is that a job i don’t like.So you see that i need all the help in the bedroom that i can get.Every little that i can get will be very much appreciated.By the way is this service for free or do you have to pay for it?Can i just say this that i am struggling in the kitchen,is there any help given there?Do you do any cooking and washing of the dishes?If you do,boy this will be greatly appreciated.Now don’t let me start with the rest of the house,but i am not one to kick a gift horse in the mouth so i will gladly take the help in the bedroom.At least that is a start.Yours Faithfully yours Trevor.
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1273. Rolf Maier | May 14, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Hi Trevor
Ha,Ha!! well said. I have been trying to get hold of Mark Hopkins for two weeks now but his phone’s message just says that the “subscriber is not available”.
During the recent elections I was tempted to vote for the EFF (Everything For Free) Party but decided otherwise. Just shows you how gullible some South African’s still are. Keep well, Rolf
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- 1274. Michael Anthony Rossouw | May 14, 2014 at 5:30 pm
  
  I’m sure Rolf, that you’d not be so gullible, but it would appear that many voters, disenchanted and no doubt disillusioned by the unkept promises of this particular government, did vote for Comrade Julius and his EFF Party.
  Gosh! Politics when I was growing up was very simple: either you were ‘NAT’ of ‘SAP’ (National Party or United Party) and if you were a ‘Prog’ supporting the Late Helen Suzman in her lone battle as the only MP from the Progressive Party in the House, well many thought you were going straight to hell in a hand basket by doing so!
  Ma Noakes was a great one for sharing contemporary issues of the day in her History class. I think my own political consciousness and conscience was shaped in those years by her teaching , as well as that of the masters in the Home who had conflicting political views, e.g. Derrick James, who had clearly a ‘left’ leaning views, Brian Gannon who was to me one of the great ‘Democrats’ of the masters, and dare I say the late John ‘Piet’ Pretorius, very much a Republican in his views and a Nationalist.
  Others were the VSO’s who served at the Home who helped me to appreciate what the benefits of the Monarchy and Commonwealth were about; men like David Gledhill, John Foster, Robert Kimber and others. There was a also a Scot who served as an assistant VSO master , Crawford Beveridge who was proudly Scottish. ‘Twas he who taught me to play the guitar and sing many of the ‘protest’ songs of the 1960’s!
  A Doctor friend once said to me that our paths cross with the lives of many people who influence and shape our lives and thoughts. We may forget some people we may meet, but in positive and sadly some negative ways, we’ll never forget our teachers and housemasters who probably had the most influence on our lives.
  Well, the election is over. Now let’s see if we can change our country for the better.
  
  On another note I shall be leaving Canada at the end of June to join my wife and family in the Philippines. I hope that I shall be able to come back ‘home’ to the land of my birth soon, but it would appear that as a South African married to a Filipino, visas for my family to entry into Canada are difficult to obtain and with the Harper Government’s crackdown on foreign workers, particularly in the fast food industry where my wife works, well let’s just say that my family would not be with me for quite a while. The bishop here has suggested that I go back to them and ‘take it from there’ as to where we go next. A return to Canada is a possibility, but at 64 it gets somewhat difficult to settle anywhere other than in one’s own native and home country. I shall probably teach for a while and look at coming home. I would like my little son to have some connection with my heritage, which is also his. I shall also have to work on adopting my wife’s two children so that they can come to South Africa with us. I do not wish to separate them from Desmond, my son, as they are a family unit now since Chita and I married four years ago.
  
  With all it’s problems, “Zuid Afrika is nog steeds ‘n mooi, mooi land!” Perhaps it is time to come home.
  
  God Bless you all.
  Michael R
  Reply
1275. Rolf Maier | May 15, 2014 at 4:59 am

Hi Michael
My comment about the EFF was tongue-in cheek of course.I think the liberal political stance that prevailed at the Home and School when we were there rubbed off on most of us.What people tend to forget is that there was a referendum before the end of apartheid and most white people voted in favour of an all inclusive society,so we were part of the change.
I hope you come “home” soon.
Regards Rolf
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1276. Mike Mc Mullin | June 5, 2014 at 2:22 pm

Howsit Rolfie,
Mackie here (Mike Mc Mullin) How you doing?
You guys really get into this stuff, and reading it all – brings it all back good times. Very interesting where everybody ended up and sad that a few have departed as well.
Stumbled onto this site by curiosity and found it very compelling to say the least.
Maybe catchup sometime.
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1277. Mike Mc Mullin | June 5, 2014 at 2:45 pm

From: Mike McMullin
Sent: 05 June 2014 07:58 AM
To: ‘bvpr@mac.com’
Subject: “Homeboy”

Hi There,
Out of absolute curiosity I stumbled upon the “HOME’ website. I then began looking at the history and it stirred some incredible emotions.
Looking at the names mentioned, I can still see these guys as we were all those years ago in our “khakis”.
My Name is Mike Mc Mullin (“Mackie”) and I was in the HOME from “61 to ’68. I have also read the painful story from Anon, and found it quite disturbing.
I myself never felt that way about the place and had some incredible moments and long memories – made friends for life.
Robyn Putter, Lennie Ross John Herbst (Len and John with the Hendricks twins – the best footballers the home produced).
There are many more from that era that I remember with fondness.
George Adams and ‘Dutch” Murray were big influences on my life and I cherish all the moments I spend with them.
I thank the HOME for all the disaplines that were in place and stood me in good sted for my life that has unfolded before me.
I ensure I am never late for work or meetings, I still, to this day, stand up for my superiors (even though they are younger than me) and ladies.
I never sit down before my superior has done so. These are traits that were drilled into us at an early stage and find nothing wrong with that.
I played all sports and was a good swimmer “67 Victor Ludorom. I went on to play Pro Soccer for Germiston Callies and made the Transvaal Team in “69 National Swim Champs.
I have run 3 Comrades and have done numourous Ultra Triathlons. I am, at 62, Training for the next Half Ironman Tri in my Hometown of Durban.
All I achieved in my life was formed by the strict rules of life laid down by the ethos of St Georges Home for Boys.
I am a proud Homeboy.
When will George’s book be ready – can’t wait.
Regards
Mike Mc Mullin
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1278. trevor van reenen | June 9, 2014 at 9:41 pm

Hi there everyone,now we can all tell you that we come from broken homes and family brake downs.Growing up in two different homes means that i did not know what a family life was like.I do not for one minute blame anyone for this predicament,it seems that i made the best of a bad situation.I have always been apart from my parents since i was a little child.It was not until i was an adult and i had Treasure and William,that i was to get my parents in leaps and bounds.What i am saying is that i was about to be blessed with them and this is where the Lord comes into this story.Let me first say this,i cannot thank the Lord enough for what he has done for me and my family.Hear is my story.One day my wife asked me if i would take the kids and look after them,which i gladly did.I then had to find someone to look after them during the day while i was at work.I then went down to Beit street in Doornfontein where my parents were living and i asked her if she was up to looking after the kids?She was over the moon that this chance had come for her to look after the kids.She could not pack the little possessions she had quick enough to come with me.My dad asked me how long she will be with me,in which i said she is never coming back here again.I then told him if he wanted to live with me that he is more than welcome to.He came to live with us a couple days later.This was the start of us becoming a family.All those years i lost as a child,we were about to be blessed in leaps and bounds.Now nobody said that this was going to be easy,because my parents really enjoyed a drink and my mother smoked quike a bit to say the least.So now i had to make sure that this did not interfere with the welfare of the kids.At first this was a very strange setup because i use to have to look after the kids and i had to look after my parents.At first this was hard work,specially after a had days work.But like i said no one said it was going to be easy.Now what was about to happen would be a blessing in disguise.This one particular night my mother woke me up and she was a right state.I then asked her to calm down because she would wake the kids up.I then notice that she was struggling to breathe and on top of that she was getting hysterical.Now the first thing i had to do is to calm her down,which i did and then i asked her what was the problem?She ten tells me that she was finding it hard to breathe and that she thinks she is going to die.This is where this story gets weird because i don’t know if it was me or the Lord who spoke through me.This is what i said,tonight is the night that you decide whether you live or die,it is entirely in your own hands.You can carry on drinking and smoking,but that will be the death of you.You see this is what they call the crossroads of life,when you have to choose to do the right thing.Now that my mother has calmed down and is breathing normally we both went back to sleep.The next day when i came home i got the fright of my life,my mother was sober and the flat was clean.This was the day that all our lives would change for the better.My mother stopped drinking and smoking,now this is the mother i have always wanted all my life.I was so glad that Treasure and William would grow up with this wonderful person in their lives.Let me tell you,that night was one of the most frighting experiences i have been through,to watch someone that you love looking at death and have to choose.Then at last i felt comfortable with my mother having control of my kids and the flat.You see that the Lord gave me back my mother when i needed her the most.We became such a loving family to one and other.I have learnt that love is truely the greatest gift we can give each other.I did not realize that my mother was such a good cook.We have become so protective of each other and that is what brought the love out of us.Now we have been through good times and bad times and we have always stuck together as a family.When we moved to Pope street in Bellevue,it wasthere that my dad passed away.I have never seen him more happy than when he was with us as a family.So you see there are some happy ending,it just depends if you are prepared to put your trust and love in the Lord.My mother turned out to be the rock of our family.By the way my mother came over to England and she spent the rest of her days with us.To love someone,you must always accept them for who are are.The time we spent with each other really showed me what a family means.I will always be grateful for St. Georges home.So as i say what i lost as a child,i reaped so much more as an adult.To my Lord,i thank you with all my heart.Love Trevor.
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- 1279. Michael Anthony Rossouw | June 10, 2014 at 10:01 am
  
  Dear Trevor
  Your story is one which has touched me deeply. It is difficult for some people to accept others and to love them as they are.
  Without going into too much detail, I too hope that one day, my children will see a father who is a changed man.
  When I was with them , I did not know how to be a husband and a father and I think that St George’s ,certainly in my case , did not prepare me for this role. I am a lot better at it now that I have come to terms with my own battle with drink.
  You write from the heart and there is a raw honesty in your writing which I genuinely enjoy reading. I thank you for your boldness and your courage in sharing this with us.
  You must be very proud of your children and indeed , something must have ‘rubbed off’ on you as a result of your St George’s experience.
  You are a good man , Sir. I for one thank you sincerely for writing down your story and sharing it with us.
  God Bless and take care, Michael R+.
  
  For the rest of you who read this blog, I shall be leaving Canada on 26th June as the Canadian Government has , on a technicality , rejected my wife and children’s visas to join me here. The bishop has asked me to go back to my family and to apply again from outside the country to return. I shall therefore, at the tender age of 64 be going back to the classroom to teach English Literature at an international school in Cambodia for a while. It’s a school for the children of Christian Missionaries whose parents are working in SE Asia.
  My family will be allowed to join me there as they have ASEAN passports. I shall talk about how this “calling’ came about more fully when I am settled, but let’s just say that I wrestled with the email I received ‘out of the blue’ from this Missionary organization asking me if I’d consider serving God in a poor country.
  God does induced work in mysterious ways. The wages serving the Lord are few, but the benefits are ‘out of this world’!
  I shall try to return to Canada if that’s possible, but for now , I just want to be a good husband to my spouse and an even better and hopefully wiser father to my son, Desmond as well as to his stepbrother and stepsister. You are right Trevor, the gift of Family and family life is very precious. Take care, everyone. Michael R+
  Reply
1280. Rolf Maier | June 12, 2014 at 5:12 am

Hi Mackie!!!
Wow, so nice of you to touch base.Unfortunately I only have access to the “net” at work and do not always have the opportunity.Wow man you and Tickie were the”Home” to me. Great to hear that you are still very active. You are very modest about your athletic achievements. With the correct training you could have become one of the great breatstroke swimmers.I remember swimming crawl one day when you passed me swimming breastroke! Love to hear more about your move to Durban.Catch you later
Best regards Rolf
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- 1281. Mike Mc Mullin | June 12, 2014 at 2:45 pm
  
  Hey Rolfie,
  How’s your boet Ernst? That guy was a rock.
  I have to tell you, reading this site brings a lot of great memories to the table. Bunking out to midnight movies, stealing the milk in the “hood” when the truck dropped it off. Myself, Robyn and Jonah.
  Kevin Eggling went to Australia and never heard from him again.
  Myself and Bossy remained mates until the day he died. At the time he died he was training for his 10th Comrades.
  Robin Putts and I were in the same industry and he was an Icon.
  There so many memories and so many good times I actually feel sorry for the guys that never understood it and could never cope.
  SAD! But, Hey Rolfie Durban is great and I have been here 28years and brought my 2 daughters up here and both have degrees and became great sportsman as well.
  Life has been good and I train daily to keep in shape and love every moment in the surf, on the road and the whole vibe is pretty cool.
  Get hold of me when you come to Durban
  Must have a few bevvies and talk some nonsense!!!
  Be cool to see you again.
  Mc Mullin
  Reply
1282. Rolf Maier | June 13, 2014 at 6:24 am

Hi Mike
Sadly Ernst died in a trucking accident down in Knysna in the early 80’s.I would like to send you a “House” photo of Simpson House 1965; names and all included, if you can provide me with an e-mail address.
Do you remember a group of us going on an advance party down to Camp with Dutch Murray. It was you, Robyn Putter Gavin Brister ect. My memory is a bit fuzzy (the whole week was fuzzy) but we ended up sleeping in the lounge of Murray’s brothers flat in Durban His wife was not very impressed!
Catch up some more later
Regards Rolf
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- 1283. Mike Mc Mullin | June 13, 2014 at 7:29 am
  
  Hey That’s sad Rolf, had no idea.
  I remember that advance “party” lots of Cane and coke, Dutch rum and coke.
  Hey that’s what i’m talking about. Remember Hillbrow, PURPLE MARMALADE. When I left the home I went pretty wild and because of so many restrictions all those years, we had to break loose and tear the ring out of it.
  But never smoked and never took drugs. To this day I have never tasted what smoking is. But then again that’s life’s experience which we need to go through in order to see life outside of what we had.
  my e-mail is mikem@hc.co.za.
  Have a lekker weekend
  Reply
1284. trevor van reenen | June 13, 2014 at 2:30 pm

Hi there Andrew,could you please do me a big favour?Can you please phone Benoni Harriers Running Club and ask them if Les Nisbet still runs for the club?The phone number is 924-0234.If by chance he still does,can you please tell that i am trying to get in touch with him.Would you please give him this website address and tell him that i am thinking of running the Comrades Marathon next year which i think is the up run.You will be doing me a great favour.Thanks Trevor.
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1285. trevor van reenen | June 24, 2014 at 8:38 pm

Hi there you guys,well to say that it has kicked off here,is a bit of a understatement.Let me explain myself.You all know that the football world cup is taking place,then yesterday was the start of Wimbledon and on friday is the start of Glastonbury music festival.England are playing Sri Lanka in the test series and they have drawn one and lost one.Next month is the Commonwealth Games up in Scotland,which i see Mo Farah is running the 5,ooo and the 10,000 metres.Then to top it off the Springboks play Scotland on Saturday.Talk about a feast of sport.Now we all know that England have not even won one game in the World Cup and that they are on there way home.It seems that when ever we send a England team to any tournament,they have such high expectations and deliver so little.But what has got me so baffled,is the way Spain were beaten by Holland 5-1.I don’t think anyone could have forecast this result.I mean this is the best team in the world,or so we thought so.It seems that it is an end of an era.I certainly hope not.I did hear Alonso say after the game that they lack the hunger.At this time i can honestly say that i have no idea who will win tis World Cup.I am open to suggestions..Hi Michael can i leave you with this,God always tests those that he loves.Just hang in there my friend.Every thing comes to those with patience.God bless you and your family.Love Trevor.
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1286. trevor van reenen | June 27, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Hi there everyone,the good news today is Usain Bolt has declared himself fit for the Commonwealth Games in Glascow.But the better news is that Benoni Harriers Running Club have sent me a message,which they have sent me Les Nesbit’s phone number.So i will be on the phone to him tonight,before i watch Glastobury Music Festival.I hope that where ever you are,that your day has been as pleasant as mine.Have a lovely day,Trevor.
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1287. John Barrett | August 9, 2014 at 9:49 pm

Rolf – Please could you let me know the details surrounding Richard Bergsteed’s death. You mention in an earlier post that ‘heard’ about it. Are you certain about it or was it rumour? Hope I find you hale and hearty.
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1288. Rolf Maier | August 11, 2014 at 5:05 am

Hi John, I heard of Richard Bergsteed”s passing from Mark Hopkins, who moved in and around Malvern and is still in contact with many who attended Malvern High.I only managed to talk to him once and since then it is impossible to get hold of him. Unfortunately I don’t know the circumstances surrounding his death while he was still young. I am also curious how Leonard “Bossy” Ross died. Nice to hear from you again.
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1289. Trevor van Reenen | August 11, 2014 at 12:40 pm

Hi Rolf,I think I can help you with Mark Hopkins.Mark was staying with Sidney’s son because I have found out that Sidney has passed away.I Don’t know if you have every met Sidney?I met Sidney through Cris,Errol and Adele.Adele is Cris’s sister and they have a daughter who’s name is Beneta.If by chance you phone Sidney’s son,could you please send him my sincere regrets,his father was a wonderful person.I can still remember the parties we use to go at Errol and Adele,where we use to see Sidney and Selwyn.Those were some good times.Anyway can I ask you a big favour,could you please phone Sidney’s son and ask him if he knows the where a bouts of Errol,Adele and Beneta.Their second name is Bricklin.Cheers Trevor.
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1290. Rolf Maier | August 11, 2014 at 2:36 pm

Hi Trevor, I only have Mark’s number and it is continually unavailable. People aren’t listed any more and it is difficult to trace people. Selwyn has also passed on. Gavin Brister used to see him often. To mention just how bizarre life is, Gavin Brister has lived two houses down from William Griselle for 15 years and did not know this until recently. I have spoken to Grizzy recently and he is going to organise a get-together after he returns from Australia. By the way, he sends his greetings. Best regards Rolf
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1291. John Barrett | August 11, 2014 at 5:17 pm

Many thanks, Rolf, much appreciated.

Richard Bergsteed was enormously influential in SGH. He, Macky McMullin and Ticky Egling often hung out together, especially at Camp. These 3 boys were extremely popular and born leaders. But Richard, I think, was their leader. He was utterly fearless and one of the smartest debaters I have ever encountered. He wasn’t learned but seemed to have a vast knowledge on almost any topic. With his powerful personality he was able to out-argue even the most formidable opponent.

When I was about 16 and in Spackman House, I sometimes bunked out at night to visit Richard and his brother Freddy in their house in Malvern (they had both already left the Home). We would play street-light soccer in the local park.

Riding our bicycles to and from the park, Freddy and Richard, on one occasion, played ‘follow my leader’. Richard’s front wheel was expected to be be almost touching Freddy’s rear. Freddy taunted his younger brother to “keep up!” Then, without warning, Freddy suddenly braked causing both boys to end in a pile on the pavement. It was a dangerous manoeuvre but typical of their fearlessness.

I am greatly saddened to hear that both these talented boys met such untimely ends.
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1292. Rolf Maier | August 12, 2014 at 5:14 am

Thanx for the expose’ John. You have always been more observant and insightful than many of us at that time. I mostly remember Richard and Freddy being good soccer players. But most of us were fixated on sport achievement those years. Keep well, Rolf
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1293. John Barrett | August 12, 2014 at 10:50 am

Thank you for your kind words, Rolf.

Another boy with whom I grew very close, was Leonard ‘Bossy’ Ross. Bossy formed one of a core of contemporaries of mine whose company I often sought and with whom I felt most comfortable. Apart from Bossy, the others included Richard Bergsteed, Mike ‘Macky’ McMullin, Kevin ‘Ticky’ Egling and Tim ‘Jogs’ Kemertgoglu.

As a group, I always felt a bit of an outsider amongst these boys and, in truth, I was a mite younger than they, being a year adrift at school. But singly I cherished their company beyond all others.

I recall a day at Camp when I persuaded them to accompany me to see Doctor Zhivago at the cinema in Port Shepstone. The year was 1965 and I had seen the movie several times. But even today I still consider it a masterpiece. That, however, wasn’t the reason I wanted the gang to see it. Rather it was for a particular scene showing Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in bed.

Just as Omar is about to speak he inhales deeply through his nose and, as so often happens, emits a high pitched whistle which is captured on screen. It was to hear this that I persuaded my friends to see the movie. Fascinated, they agreed, and we occupied a row of seats, initially behaving ourselves beautifully.

Now the movie isn’t the fastest paced and at 3 hours duration will test the most patient viewer let alone a group of very impatient Home boys. After a while Bossy piped up loudly with, “so when is the 2$%#! going to whistle?”

“Shhhh!!” was heard from a number of patrons and I did my best to reassure Bossy that it would be soon.

“Hey John,” said Macky loudly, “does it sound like this?”

Here he whistled so loudly (as only Macky could) that it attracted the attention of the torch-toting attendant as well as drawing further hisses from the patrons.

“If you don’t behave, I’m throwing you all out!” the attendant threatened.

We reassured him that we would behave and settled back to await the scene. Fortunately it wasn’t long and I warned the boys of its immanent arrival. They sat transfixed, silent, and stared at the screen.

Bear in mind that that the scene is poignant and certainly not meant to be laughed at. So when it happened it was like a gunshot, causing the boys to explode into peals of laughter.

That was it, the final straw, and we were chucked out onto the street, still laughing. I didn’t mind though, it was worth it.
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1294. Rolf Maier | August 12, 2014 at 2:35 pm

Hi John, what really fascinated me about the film was the massacre in the Market Square. I thought it was cleverly done–You saw some screaming faces and a sword raised dripping with blood, nothing much more. The rest was left to the imagination! Yet everyone thought it was a gruesome scene.
The story you told also triggered some good memories. Thanks John.
Regards Rolf
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- 1295. John Barrett | August 14, 2014 at 6:42 pm
  
  Ta, Rolf.
  
  I do agree about the scene in the square – very well done. I loved all of the director, David Lean’s, movies and still watch them today. Passage to India was his latest but Ryan’s Daughter still fascinates me. Mind you, Lawrence of Arabia wasn’t too shabby either. Steven Spielberg says it was the movie that inspired him most to be a director too.
  Reply
1296. Trevor van Reenen | August 12, 2014 at 3:20 pm

Hi there Andrew,could you please do me a big favour,could you please ask Anthony Smith if Keith has open the Doornfontein Kids site and ask him how do I access the site.I would love to hear from the guys and girls from Doornfontein.It would be much appreciated.Cheers Trevor.
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- 1297. Andrew Mackie | August 13, 2014 at 9:04 am
  
  Morning Trevor, I checked with Anthony Smith and he could find nothing on Doornfontein Kids, however there is a group ‘ Jules Street Kids’ which may interest you. Simply log in on the group and ask permission to join, a number of old SGHB are members on this blog, and it is quite interesting at times. Regards, Andrew
  Reply
1298. Mike Mc Mullin | August 13, 2014 at 5:55 am

Hey Rolf/John
Nice to have caught up with both of you.
I never realised that Richie died. Wow, shows you, life’s to short.
As we talk about “back in the day” you realise how much time has passed and how we forget the reasons we all came together in the first place. Which ever way we spin the coin, the HOME will always be a part of our lives and as the old saying goes “Lest we forget” we cannot. There will always be memories till the day we die, and let’s always try and keep the good ones.
The bad will only bring you down. I must admit I had some crazy times and especially the expeditions we had at camp with Nutsy Moore. The advance party’s to camp. Sitting up in Friday nights in the New Simpson House kitchen with Dutch having and few “dops” and Marlene his wife making us fried eggs and bacon samies. Still my best.
When I left the Home and started working I used to hangout in Hillbrow everynight and “jol” a lot with Paul Hendricks and Brian von Loggenburg, crazy times.
Lennie was very involved – but never stopped him (lol)
I remember when Tickie Egling left he came to my home in Mondeor and said he was on his way and I have never heard from him again.
Gogs I hear, changed his name to Kemert (left goglu out). How bright was that boy!! we were all in std 6, by the time we got to std 7 he was in std 9! One sharp cookie.
But anyway guys, we need to stay in touch. Who knows maybe get together someday and have beer.
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1299. Andrew Mackie | August 13, 2014 at 9:18 am

Well it certainly seems as a lot of younger generation St. Goggies old boys are still around and keep in contact and it is good to read the escapades of their time. Seemingly us older ones are few and far between as very little is forthcoming from old boys of my time at the home during the period 1948 thru 1952 when I left much against my will, however that is another story. Have very few but fond memories of my stay both in Simpson and Spackman Houses. Bernie Moss was housemaster of Spackman and Jack Short the Headmaster and both knew how to wield the big stick when a misdemeanour according to their rules were transgressed. Well guys please keep up the stories of the past as it does remind us all of our youth and the time and years long gone.
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1300. Rolf Maier | August 14, 2014 at 4:58 am

Hi Mike, nice to hear from you again. You and Brian von Loggerenburg are practically neighbours. He stays in Richards Bay. He is still married to his High School sweetheart Maureen Cunningham-Scott. His phone number is 083 656 4120.
Did you complete the Triathlon? I think you must still have a few years of Ale to sweat out (LOL). Keep well, regards Rolf
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1301. Rolf Maier | August 14, 2014 at 5:23 am

Hi Andrew, even during our time (early 60’s) we heard of Bernie Moss and Jack Short and deemed ourselves lucky to have escaped that era. Our era was one of transformation for the better. Our privileges increased from alternate outing and visiting Sundays to full outing Week-ends. Anyway for many of us our era was fun although not a walk in the park. Keep blogging. Regards Rolf
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1302. John Barrett | August 14, 2014 at 6:31 pm

Likewise, Mike, it’s really great to make contact again after so many years.

What amazes me is how close we were in the Home and now, separated by time and distance, I’m finding it so difficult to reconnect again. My fault (if ‘fault’ is the right word to describe it) but so much water has flowed under the bridge that ‘then’ and ‘now’ have become complete strangers to each other.

My last year in SGH was 1969 and that was 45 years ago. It was 54 years ago when I entered the Home. Since then many of us have become grandparents and created existences for ourselves that are so alien to the Home environment that the disparity between past and present has become an immense, almost insurmountable chasm.

I do so empathise with your wistful observation, Andrew, that “seemingly us older generation are few and far between.” But I doubt that you, or, for that matter any of us from the ’60’s, would recognise a single contemporary of ours, even should he ring our front-door bell and introduce himself.

And if he did, what would we say to one another? Share past Home experiences or would we discuss current activities? Both, I suppose, but would we still share that same camaraderie that was so prevalent amongst us in the Home? That arm-punching friendship united with an almost brotherly love? I would hope so but have my doubts.

We were like brothers, then, close brothers. But unlike brothers we drifted apart at the conclusion of our time together. Now, decades later, we meet again and I, for one, don’t know what to say or feel. But I do ache to know what has become of the friends I had whilst I was a Home boy. And now I have discovered more than I ever expected to and am grateful.

I hope this doesn’t sound like one of my world-famous whinges. I am renowned for these and my good lady often scolds me when I am guilty of them. Rather, I mean it only as an observation and something that absolutely fascinates me.
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- 1303. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 16, 2014 at 8:51 am
  
  Dear John
  You are right in your summation. We are “brothers” but we have drifted apart. Certainly that would be the case for you and I, in that after I left the Home and started working, I began to move in different circles as it were.My “Hillbrow days” were short-lived as I couldn’t take the pace and, as a student I didn’t really go there, unless it was for coffee at Kafe Vienne.
  Compulsory Army training also separated us as many chose the navy or air force as opposed to the CF units or “Commandos” (Skiet Piets!) as they were called. We all did the the basic military stuff but some of us battled to find our niche in society once Army training was over. Some also changed there names. But for whatever reason, circumstances changed and I guess we as individuals changed with them.
  It took me a while to register who you were when you contacted me, but once I “connected the dots” it was great to hear from you and to get an inkling into where you are based and what you are doing with your life. I still remember your sister Esme being my ‘date’ at our Matric dance at Malvern. She looked stunning in her red mini dress and heads turned as we walked in! (All the Matric girls were in long evening gowns!) Esme and I really looked good together and I often wonder what happened to her as I don’t think we ever saw each other again, even though I think you were living in the same suburb with the people who adopted your siblings.
  
  It is difficult for me to write as often as I can on this site now. I am now teaching in a Mission school in Cambodia; ‘been here for two weeks. ‘Very different to being a priest on the Canadian Prairies!
  My family were not granted visas to join me there, so the bishop asked me to return to them in the Philippines.
  So, circumstances and “life” happened and continue to happen after St George’s . Time does fly by (not as slowly as the song says) and time can and does ‘do so much’.)
  
  The life and, dare I say, ‘love’ we share as boys from a time long past and a different generation to the present is therefore ‘unique’.As Rolf Maier says, SGH in the ’60’s was a time of transition. We are a special “band of brothers”, whether near or far. But the “home boys” we once were are now men who have taken there place in a society radically changed from the one in which we received our upbringing. No John , you are right. You’re not whinging.
  
  We will see what happens at the SGH centenary celebrations in October next year. Old and aged as we may have become , I do believe we will recognize each other and certainly share a lot more than just childhood memories of a time which now seems so long ago.
  
  Living here in Cambodia is very different to the Canadian Prairies, but at least I am with my dear wife Chita and our son and daughter Desmond and Sai.
  Here I have ‘ditched’ my clerical collar to be back in an ecumenical classroom ministry. The school is totally “Christian” in its ethos, vision and mission, a far cry from the ‘church’ schools I have taught at before.
  Life here is also very different; the food is spicy, the weather hot and the traffic can only be described as “ordered Chaos!”
  I miss Canada and I do hope to return soon as I qualify for residence having worked there for 2 years. I also miss my home country South Africa. However, having lived in Singapore, Thailand , Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines, Canada and nw Cambodia, well I’m not exactly sure where “home ‘ is anymore.
  But I do know that I am one of many who passed through the gates of that hallowed institution called “St George’s Home” and I do have a ‘Family’ that is very unique and dare I say very special. God love you and Bless you all!
  Michael Rossouw+.
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1304. John Barrett | August 16, 2014 at 2:01 pm

Good to hear again from you, Michael.

My goodness but you are so well travelled! I couldn’t return to teaching again – my last spell was a year in Bahrain (2010/11) and that well nigh did me in. One requires much energy when working with the young and my levels have greatly diminished during the last few years.

I so admire (and envy) Mike (Mackie) McMullin and Trevor van Reenen who still undertake incredibly strenuous activities. All I do at the moment is stay at home and idly contemplate my navel.

But I do hope that you and your family make it to Canada (or SA) and that eventually you are contented.
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- 1305. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 16, 2014 at 7:28 pm
  
  John, You must forgive me for being muddled in my last blog. You don’t have a sister named Esme! That was Walter Burnett! Your siblings would have been too young! I have had a very stressful week. My son turned 4 yesterday and he has been diagnosed as being ‘mildly autistic’ by his teacher and counsellor at school. Strange that we had to come to Cambodia to find that out. I believe that his condition is partly due to the fact that his language at the moment is confused and under developed, as he was exposed to 4 languages whilst in the Philippines. He is however quite smart in that he reads the alphabet, knows his numbers and recognises pictures animals and colours. he just gets frustrated and very irritable when he can’t express himself as he doesn’t have the language to do so. Clearly , my being away in Canada waiting for visas for my family to join me there was also a contributory factor. Forgive my ramblings and confusion. I guess the old memory needs a jogging from time to time and you are right again; perhaps in our meeting we may be confused as to what we remember and share. My apologies. Contemplating one’s navel at our time of life isn’t a bad thing, especially when we have been through an experiences such as those of a place like
  St George’s.Write again soon.
  Michael R
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  - 1306. John Barrett | August 17, 2014 at 11:55 am
    
    Hey, Michael, nothing to forgive!
    
    I actually believed I had a sister named Esme (whom I had misplaced) and was about to thank you for reminding me! So no harm done at all.
    
    Sorry to hear that your son has mild autism but do encourage him to continue with his knowledge of 4 languages – how fortunate he is! Had I possessed any gift, it is a knowledge of languages that I would have most treasured.
    
    Also his autism may be sign of latent gifts that one day may reveal themselves – who knows.
1307. Trevor van Reenen | August 16, 2014 at 6:47 pm

Hi there everyone,I have been watching the European Athletics Championships,I just happen to watch the ladies 10,000 metres in which Jo Pavey won the race.It does not seem that long ago that she raced with us in the Minehead seafront races,which is run in the winter.We front runners really pulled her to some great times,we all helped each other for good times.The race is only 3 miles and is absolutely flat.We had some of the top runners who loved running these races.So way to go girl.But the great thing about her win,is that she is 40 years of age.So it shows you can achieve goals in later life.All you have to do is believe in yourself.Hi Andrew,I have been accepted by Michelle onto the Jules Street Kids,so you will see me there.Andrew I see that Peter from down under is on the site so it will be good to go on the site and hear from him.Thursday night I phoned Brian van Loggenberg,but let me first tell that I was apprehensive about it because I have no heard or spoken to Brian since 1966,so you can understand.Anyway I phoned him and he knew me straight away,we were both so happy talking to each other after all these years.Just shows that one must never be afraid to get in touch with someone that you have not heard or seen in years.I have promised to phone him once a month.I asked him to come on the site,which he says he will when he has power.He tells me that their power is always on the brink.We both had so many questions that we asked each other and not about the home.Friendship is a wonderful blessing when you have it.By the way I am writing this blog on a I pad that Treasure bought me for my birthday.I thought a laptop was hard to use,you want to try a I pad.So if I have done any mistakes please forgive.Cheers Trevor
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- 1308. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm
  
  Hey Trevor, when you speak to Brian again, please give him my greetings. I remember speaking to Bee Bop about 3 weeks before he died , having not spoken to him since the mid 1970’s.It was as if we just ‘picked up’ where we’d left off!
  Does Brian still do photography?I do hope so as he was very good at it. Cheers for now , Michael R.
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1309. Andrew Mackie | August 17, 2014 at 9:53 am

Some time ago read the 5 Cardinal Rules for Life and two of these have stuck almost visibly in my mind.
1) Make peace with your past: So it won’t disturb your present.
2) Time heals ALMOST everything: Give it time.
I guess a few other rules may be added but these two for me have been the most agonising over the past few years, not that they have caused much unhappiness but that of coming to terms with these 2 rules. For me it would almost seem I am ashamed of those long ago years in that I was placed in orphanages starting at age Four.
Firstly, Sons of England Childrens Home in Rosebank, thinking back at this institution situated just off Jan Smuts Avenue, it was a magnificent building set in spacious grounds than allowed for beautiful flower gardens and a vey large vegetable patch, at the rear of the home grounds was an open grassed in park with many shade trees for use of the public who visited it over weekends. Today they no longer exist, having been sold off to property developers and now all the space is occupied by office blocks. At age eight, now old enough to be sent to join my brother at St. Georges Home for Boys in Malvern East, a far cry from the environs of Rosebank as in those years little or no development had been undertaken so it was quite isolated, with mine dumps and some old mine workings as neighbours. Well life was never all that easy and least of all in making up lost time with my brother due to the age difference and that of having no contact for over 4 years. As was the custom those days young boys were placed in Simpson House and was my station for about a year then moved on to Spackman House to join my brother not that it was the case for the reasons previously stated.
Now you may ask what has this to do with feeling ashamed, well that is the difficulty I have in my mind. As home boys, we were all looked down upon by others and by many of our school teachers and here must name one of the worst detractors was the Headmaster at Wychwood Primary School, Mr Wilson who it must be said took every opportunity to belittle or look down on the home boys and I think he
took a particular dislike to me for being a good scholar and for the last three years of my schooling at Wychwood was top of my class, to this end he refused to acknowledge these achievements at year end prize givings. Life in St. Georges was never a bed of roses but that was to be expected as boys from all walks of life were placed in the home due to varying circumstances but seemingly from broken homes with alcohol playing a role with one or both parents and thus to keep control a strict regimen was enforced by the Headmaster as well as Housemasters and misdemeanours were punished with severity dependant on the act. Like most boys at the home I had a few run ins with the rules and was rewarded with either corporal or sergeants stripes on my behind using the stairs in Jack Short’s tower office or the stairs to the ablution facilities in Spackman House after a lesson from Bernie Moss, as a massage medium to ease the sting.
More to follow later, if I may be allowed to continue with my life as a home boy.
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- 1310. John Barrett | August 17, 2014 at 12:24 pm
  
  I’m not entirely convinced, Andrew, that boys (I quote): “from broken homes with alcohol playing a role with one or both parents” necessarily needed (I quote again): “a strict regimen”. I do believe a gentler environment would have nurtured similar behaviour amongst the boys and resulted in a more benevolent ambience.
  
  You were initially sent to Rosebank and I attended Johannesburg Children’s Home (JCH). JCH maintained about 100 children of both sexes and rarely were there any signs of insubordination, despite discipline being kept to an absolute minimum.
  
  I appreciate that SGH was benevolent, inasmuch as it provided everything necessary for the boys’ well being. But the levels of discipline were too often excessive and sometimes frankly cruel. But those days are now gone and it is time, as you say, ‘to make peace with the past’.
  Reply
1311. Andrew Mackie | August 18, 2014 at 5:52 am

John, maybe my phraseology was not very clear, yes I agree it was not only that of alcoholic parents, boys were sent to the home. Neither did I say that or imply it being the cause, what I did state was varying circumstances and here is the error in my phrase should rather have used the word ” numerous boys”. Control was necessary due to the number of boys in the home and the regimen or strict regimen was to ensure the smooth daily routine was followed by all. Times were set for just about every activity, from the time we arose in the morning to breakfast, lunch, dinner and for all the sport or otherwise in the afternoons for all who partook to evening study and thereafter bed and lights out. Does this clarify it for you?
In todays environment the gentler approach would no doubt be the norm but back in 1948-1952 as I am sure many old boys will attest to it was not always the case and just to name one was Boet Symes who could be tough at times but had a more understanding approach.
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1312. Rolf Maier | August 21, 2014 at 5:09 am

I have recently discovered that Walter Botes has been appointed CEO of Central Johannesburg Colleges and has already made in-roads” by negotiating training partnerships for students. Well done Walter!
Regards Rolf
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1313. John Barrett | August 21, 2014 at 3:38 pm

Point taken, Andrew, and I do agree that the large number of boys warranted a regimen to ensure a smooth daily routine. The routine you describe existed in my day too (Jan ’61 to the end of ’69) and all I am saying is that it needn’t have been as strict as you suggest. Unfortunately it resulted in much bullying and violence that could so easily have been avoided.

I should stress, however, that I enjoyed many excellent times in SGH and was provided with every opportunity to excel in numerous activities, sports and academically. The more I recall those largely halcyon days (despite the heavy hand of some of the staff) the more I consider how fortunate I was.

But it was Johannesburg Children’s Home (JCH) that stole my heart. The day we drove for the last time out of its gates, en route to SGH, was a day I shall never forget. There were about eight of us in the small JCH vehicle that transported us between the two Homes.

At the wheel was Uncle Gussy and I recall that not a word was spoken as we travelled from Observatory East to Bedfordview. But our hearts were very full and, soon after passing under the low arch that spanned the JCH gates, a quiet weeping broke out amongst the boys. To this day it is the only institution for which I have suffered home-sickness and I have attended no less than five.
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1314. Rolf Maier | August 22, 2014 at 5:53 am

Hi John, I hope you don’t mind me responding to your blog. It is so difficult to walk in the shoes of someone else and that is why I find the reflections about the past, of others, so fascinating. Perhaps I can explain through my own experience. I only found out much later in life that I did most things for the approval of others. I suppose that is why I started smoking. I wanted to belong to a group and most of them smoked. I was also quite timid and did not want to offend anyone. One night when I was about 16, some of us slipped out to the Wayside Hotel. After a few drinks I was involved in a skirmish with an older guy who had a bit of a reputation. The alcohol had blunted my inhibitions and I could vent all my frustrations. Now my problems really started. Pub go’ers like to talk and my reputation spread. I in turn now had to enhance this reputation and yielded to any encouragement to fight. But mostly when drunk. After a few drinks I could also communicate better. After the Army the drinking and fighting escalated to such an extent that some used to phone me at 2 o’çlock in the morning to come and “help-out”! I started thinking- whose approval was I seeking ? And what values did these so called friends have? The joke was on me. I was being manipulated and did not even recognise it. Suffice to say I moved out of those circles.
I am not condoning alcohol, but it did have a place in social maturity of my life—especially with the girls.
Thanx for your indulgence
Regards Rolf
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- 1315. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 22, 2014 at 11:33 am
  
  Hey Rolf!
  I can certainly relate to your story about “falling by the Wayside”
  As boys in Taylor house , we used to run relays to that watering hole. I was not a fighter but I certainly became more brazen once I had “a few” under my belt! Alcohol also gave me the confidence I never had, especially with the girls. I was never popular with the girls at school, but as I grew older and more confident in this area, the alcohol certainly helped. I certainly had many friends when I drank, especially when I was buying! Once one got into “a school” with fellow drinkers, well let’s just say one lost track of time and on more than one occasion , I woke up in strange places with no money wondering how on earth I got there! Thanks be to God, those days are over, although I must confess that on a hot day, the thought of an ice cold lager whetting my parched throat does make me salivate at the gills.
  I guess I also learnt to drink in the Army, where it wasn’t only fashionable but obligatory! My point is that I recognise that after some 40 odd years of this I was able to find peace by admitting that I too was seeking the approval of others. I just could not drink anymore. Even now, when I pass the doors of a pub, the smell of stale alcohol and cigarette smoke from the night before actually nauseates me.Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I am certainly not an ‘evangelist’ in this regard, but I do understand when some people seek my assistance as a ‘fellow sufferer’, and , dare I say as a priest.
  God bless you and thanks for sharing your insights.
  Michael R+
  Reply
1316. Andrew Mackie | August 22, 2014 at 9:54 am

Having earlier stated thoe home was never a bed of roses did not mean we were constantly beaten or punished I simply meant it was not like a loving family home with parents to take care of their children. To me the SOE Childrens Home and St Georges were a haven and a shelter from what may have been with my parents divorced and left with a mother who really could not support three children. Do not forget the world was involved in a horrific war in Europe and Pacific and many South Africans were serving with the Allied Forces in these conflicts, to this end many essential food products were not available without the necessary coupons. These included milk, butter, sugar, eggs and others and were rationed under strict controls with suppliers being carefully monitored. To that end these products were scarce and relative to those days expensive, so virtually not affordable to single parents. From what I learned much later at about age one year I and my brother who was five years old were given over to my Aunt Caroline, mother’s sister, who with two of her own children at the time, to take care of us while my sister remained in my mothers care. During this time my Uncle Samuel was serving with the SA forces in Egypt, so I guess life for my aunt was quite difficult with 4 boys around in a small house in Malvern and funds limited as I do not think much was contributed by my mother and less so from my father. Remember small bits of this period but these are so vague and would be more conjecture and hearsay than actual happenings so will refrain from those stories.
However what is fact at age four and my brother at age eight were sent to our various homes, I to SOE and brother to St. Georges, as these were the minimun age for acceptance at the time. Have many fond and fleeting memories of my stay in the home, as it only consisted of two dormitories, one for the boys and the other for girls and housed no more than about 24 children. The matron was a Mrs. Aitkin and her assistant a Miss Mc Donald names that will live in my memory for ever. These two mothered us as best as they could and were two dear souls almost opposites in that Mrs Aitkin was a rather large buxom lady with a fair complexion and Miss Mc Donald a small and timid almost petit lady. The rules were boys up to age 8 and girls 16 were allowed to remain in the orpanage thereafter alternate arrangements were made to take over the care, thus quite a few older girls were still in the home and they helped with many of the house chores and the care of the young ones, two of these girls names immediately come to mind, Olive and Yvonne Mathews, I think they were the oldest in the home and did a lot of the children supervision in ensuring we were properly dressed and for me embarrassingly enough at bath time having to wash our hair and ears if we neglected to do so. Also ensured we were behaved on our way to church every Sunday as well as we were safe on our walk to and from the church. Christmas time was a real joy for us all as many charity organisations would invite us and take us to functions where sweets, cold drinks and most importantly Presents were given to each and every child often with clowns and other forms of entertainment were part of the outings. As previously stated the home was a beautiful building in large grounds and as young children we were mostly happy once we were used to the lifestyle and cannot recall any major punishment being dished out but then again we were mostly all still very small children. I attended Rosebank Primary School and passed Grade 1 & 2 at this institution, sadly do not have much recollection of those days. Just after turning 8 years old it was time to ‘join’ my brother at St. Georges Home fo Boys in Malvern East and sadly the meeting was not as welcoming with brotherly love due to the age difference as well as the many years of being apart, we were now strangers, he with his friends in the home and I still to make new friends in Simpson House. More will follow.
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1317. John Barrett | August 22, 2014 at 5:04 pm

Thanks for the input, Rolf.

I had no idea that you had bunked out to the Wayside. Trevor Pietersen and I would go to the Wayside on a Friday evening but not to drink. Having no money (and I am somewhat ashamed to relate the following) we needed the bus fare and the entrance fee for the ice rink.

We discovered that the Wayside punters often left their change on the bar counter. I (or Trevor – we would take turns) would distract the punter by asking him the time while Trevor helped himself to the change. The Wayside wasn’t the only pub we rolled. We worked our way up Jules Street until we had the necessary amount and then went ice skating.

Andrew, reading your account of SOE was so like my own experiences of JCH. Also my father served in North Africa and I have several pics of him in uniform. Unfortunately I only met him twice so am unable to specify exactly where he was located. We had to be 9 before being released from JCH to attend SGH.
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1318. Rolf Maier | August 25, 2014 at 5:23 am

Hi John, that is a classic recount at the Wayside of the novel ways the SGH boys subsisted. That is why I am ever greatful to pass through the Home. I am almost sure I would have been a little “mommy’s boy” had it not been for the Home. Guys like Kevin Jones would question what the issue was when one felt sorry for one self and just intimate to get on with things!
Best regards Rolf
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1319. Trevor van Reenen | August 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm

Hi there everyone,It is a holiday over here and I am in bed with a cup of coffee trying to do this blog.When Michael and I were living with the Ferreiras,the family would always have a cup of coffee after supper and a chat.One evening while we were talking we heard a noise outside in the backyard.Now before I carry on,we use to call the Ferreiras Mom and Dad.Turning on the outside light Dad went to see what was going on.Now some intruder had come in through the side entrance and was threatening our maid.We all loved our maid as one of the family and she lived in the back rooms.She would not be afraid to tell us off if we did something wrong,but she would always look after us.Anyway Dad was outside trying to sort the problem out.Our maid ran into the kitchen asking for help.What was to happen next was out of pure instinct.Dad was talking to this intruder and asking him to leave,when out of nowhere he pulled out a knife and stabbed him.I now ran to the backyard to see him about to stab him again.All I could do was to put myself betweem him and Dad so that him could not stab him again.Our main concern now was Dad and how many times he had been stabbed.I then managed to hold the hand in which he had the knife and Phil took the knife away from him.Michael and Ma were looking after Dad while we subugate this intruder.Ma then went next door to phone the ambulance and the police.It was only when the ambulance arrive did we realize how many times he had stabbed Dad.They took him straight to Johannesburg Hospital which was in Hillbrow.He spent a long time in the emergency theatre and we stayed at home with Peggy and Dorothy.I tell you this it must be the longest time of my life until we heard that he was out of theatre and that we would have to wait and see if he will pull through.This guy had stabbed him six times.Ma then come back from hospital and told us that he would be in hospital for over a week in intensive care.We all sat at the table in shock at what has just happened,when Ma looks at me and says,you know that you are bleeding.That night showed me that each of us had a role in helping Dad in this situation and it seems that this guy did manage to stab me the top arm muscle.Ma did put a bandage my arm and I still have that scar to this day.You know the strange thing about this stab is, if I was 4 inshes to the right I would not be here.Anyway Dad came out of hospital and make a full recovery.The human heart is capable of such evil and hatred.Then it is capable of such Love and Compassion.Cheers Trevor.
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1320. Gottfried Gunkel | August 26, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Just surfing the web and tripped over this site. Thought I’d just drop a note on the message board. I remember you John Barrett; if I recall you were in Crawford House & I was in Smuts House. And I remember Rolf Maier. Seeing the photos on this site bring back many memories. Regards to all who remember me. Gottfried Gunkel
Reply
- 1321. John Barrett | September 3, 2014 at 11:40 am
  
  Hello Gottfried and thanks for the mention. What did you do in the SAA? Also, how long were you in the Army Permanent Force?
  Reply
1322. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 27, 2014 at 4:34 am

Good to hear from you, Gottfried (I think we called you Harold when you were at St Georges?) please keep in touch and let us know what you are up to. Blessings Michael Rossouw (elder brother to the late Desmond, David and John Rossouw.)
Reply
- 1323. Gottfried Gunkel | August 30, 2014 at 3:04 pm
  
  Hi Michael. Harald was my younger brother. I was the naughty one. I went to Highschool Vryburger, one of the first to go there from the home. After leaving the army permanent force I joined SAA and flew for 8 years. Since leaving the airlines I’ve worked for myself doing all sorts of things. At the moment I’m involved with vehicle repairs.
  Reply
1324. Rolf Maier | August 27, 2014 at 4:46 am

Hi Gottfried, I remember you too. Just can’t remember when you left the Home?
Regards Rolf
Reply
- 1325. Gottfried Gunkel | August 30, 2014 at 3:06 pm
  
  Hi Rolf. I left the home at the end of 1970.
  Reply
1326. Trevor van Reenen | August 28, 2014 at 8:07 pm

Hi there everyone,I have just got off the phone with Brain,and he has asked me to ask Rolf if you can get in touch with Michael Jones, Paul de Lange,Cris Watson and Billy Moore,seems he love to get in touch with them.I see that Brain’s wife is no other than Maureen Scott who went to Malvern High School.Michael,Brain says that he did no photography after he left the home.He says that he did not have the money to buy the equipment.He tells me that Dawn Hewitt lives in Cape Town and that Maureen still keeps in touch with Beverly Hewitt.They are going to see Beverly before the end of the year.I will ask him to get Dawn’s address for you.Cheers Trevor
Reply
- 1327. Michael Anthony Rossouw | August 30, 2014 at 1:32 pm
  
  Thanks Trevor. It would be great to hear from Dawn Hewitt.Is Brian also living in the UK? Maureen Cunningham Scott as we knew her was a lovely person and a great actress. She, Dawn, Carol Cameron , Robert Knowles, Chris Maritz and the late Robyn Putter and Des Rossouw (RIP) were in a play “Dry Rot”produced by Ma Noakes.
  I think Brian was one of the stage hands along with the late Rupert Scott (no relation to Maureen).My my! it is indeed a small world.
  Please let Brian know that I’d love to hear from him via the net and or the old fashioned ‘snail mail.” I would have thought BeeBop Clayton would have introduced him to someone who could have sponsored him in terms of training and equipment.He had many contacts but I guess “life” got in the way!
  Bless you Trevor and thank you for letting me know.Michael R+
  Reply
  - 1328. John Barrett | September 3, 2014 at 11:50 am
    
    Hello Michael – I recall Ma Noakes’s production of Dry Rot. It was staged at the school over 3 days (for the paying public) and was so popular that Jonny Johnson decided to put it on for us pupils. I must admit I was bowled over and loved it. Robin Putter was outstanding but I also recall Brian van Loggenburg having a role too (I don’t think he was a stage-hand). I think it was Ma Noakes’s best production and she was justly proud of it
- 1329. Clint Ward Field | January 6, 2020 at 2:49 pm
  
  Hello
  Does anyone remember the Tweeky Field brothers, Dudley & Brian 1951-60
  
  Email: clintwfield@gmail.com
  Reply
1330. Trevor van Reenen | August 29, 2014 at 1:45 pm

Hi there everyone,please forgive my mistake,it is Brian not Brain.Just shows you what happens when you try to do too many things a once.Cheers Trevor.
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1331. Trevor van Reenen | August 30, 2014 at 2:25 pm

Hi Michael,Brian and Maureen live in Richards Bay,he tells me it is in North Natal.They have been married for 42 years and he seems very happy.Brian has been a salesman all his life,so I asked him if he could sell me a second-hand car?He just laughed and said he could.Michael,he does remember you and the late Desmond,he was quite surprised to hear that Desmond has passed away and asked me when he did?When I phone again I will ask Maureen to give me Dawn’s address and tell her you send your regards.How are you doing?Ihave been on your facebook and seen the photo of you and your family.I hope things are going right for you and your family.It is good to hear from you.Talk to you later.Cheers Trevor.
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1332. Leslie du Plessis | August 31, 2014 at 11:41 am

I remember a boy named Raymond van der Berg who was very good at photography, part of BeBop Clayton’s photo club. He had pictures published in a magazine and won a prize. I wonder what became of him.
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1333. Rolf Maier | September 1, 2014 at 5:05 am

Hi Leslie, at one stage Raymond van der Berg bought and lived in a house a few blocks from the Home. I think he was actively involved in photography after he left the Home. Freddy de Jager also benefitted from Clayton’s courses as he at one stage owned a Photoshop at the Bedford Centre
Reply
- 1334. Les du Plessis | September 1, 2014 at 8:50 pm
  
  Thanks Rolf. I looked on the SGH Facebook page and saw that a Dawn du Preez mentions a Raymond van den Berg as her brother, unfortunately deceased.
  Reply
  - 1335. John Barrett | September 11, 2014 at 4:41 pm
    
    Les – I visited Dawn’s Fb page and amongst her pics was Raymond van den Berg playing a guitar. Dawn’s caption, accompanying the pic, states that he is ‘her late brother’. I don’t know the cause of his death, though, do you?
1336. Trevor van Reenen | September 7, 2014 at 9:32 pm

Hi there everyone,having sat and watched the Bupa Great North Run,in which Mo Farah won.He certainly did not have it all his way.It was Kigen who gave him a run for his money,in fact Kigen was a spilt of a second behind him.They both got the same time.But it was not them that caught my interest,it was the oldest runner that I was interested in.It turns out that he is 92 years old and he really enjoys running.Just goes to show that running has no age limit.If only people would take a chance and take the first step,you will be amazed at what you can achieve.As they say, every journey starts with the first step.So if there are any of you that has thought about it,I say go for it otherwise you will never know.By the way if I am away from this site for a while,I will be on the Jules Street Kids site and the Malvern High School site.Rolf I am going try out what you said to me in one of your early Blogs,wish me luck.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1337. John Barrett | September 10, 2014 at 11:53 am
  
  Hey Trevor, I see that Otto Thanning, a 73-year-old South African heart surgeon, recently swam across the English Channel. He is the oldest person to have done it. It was on the BBC News.
  Reply
1338. Mike Dollmann | September 10, 2014 at 10:44 am

Hi there Rolf…..in your post dated April 4, 2014 you mention Chris Watson. He and I shared a room in Taylor house. Do you have any contact details for him?
Reply
1339. Rolf Maier | September 11, 2014 at 4:57 am

Hi there Mike
It seems so ironical in this technologically advanced age that it is so difficult to trace people! Previously, most people were listed in a telephone directory and easy to contact but with the event of the cellphone it is very difficult. So I apologise, but I have not been able to contact him.
Nice to hear from you! Regards Rolf
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1340. Mike Dollmann | September 11, 2014 at 7:59 pm

Thanks anyway Rolf…If you should ever come across Chris or his contact number…please pass it on to me on my Facebook account or on this blog. .
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1341. Trevor van Reenen | September 11, 2014 at 8:39 pm

Hi Rolf,I don’t know if it will help you,but the last time I saw Chris and spoke to him,he told me that he worked in a Auctioneer shop in Troyeville.I think it was the old Biscope in Troyeville.It was either a Auctioneer Shop or a second hand shop.I hope that helps a bit.Cheers Trevor.
I
Reply
1342. Rolf Maier | September 12, 2014 at 4:54 am

Thanx Trevor, I’ll try and make contact.
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1343. Trevor van Reenen | September 12, 2014 at 12:10 pm

Hi Rolf,can you please tell me if it is safe to go to Barnado Street in Berea?I will explain to you when you find out.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1344. Rolf Maier | September 15, 2014 at 2:37 pm

Hi Trevor, unfortunately Berea, Hillbrow & Yeoville etc. are “no go zones” these days.
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1345. Les du Plessis | September 15, 2014 at 6:27 pm

Hi John,
Re: your post of Sept 11, sorry I don’t know anything more about Raymond van den Berg. I suppose you could post on Dawn’s Facebook page?
All the best,
LES
Reply
- 1346. John Barrett | September 15, 2014 at 7:19 pm
  
  Thanks for responding, Les.
  
  I did post on Dawn’s Fb age but had no response. I just wanted to know when he died and what was the cause. Also, does anyone know what became of David Watt?
  Reply
1347. Rolf Maier | September 16, 2014 at 4:58 am

Hi Les , I have been contemplating for some time to suggest to you to consider writing a novel based on the Home perhaps along similar lines to Bryce Courtney’s 1989 novel “Power of One” —just a suggestion!
Reply
- 1348. Les du Plessis | September 17, 2014 at 4:14 pm
  
  Hi Rolf,
  Funny you should mention that…I am well into a book, loosely based on experiences at SGH. If it could be anywhere close to Power of One I’d be very pleased. This blog has been of great help. Reading through other bloke’s memories had brought back many of my own.
  I’ll let you know if and when it is published.
  Reply
1349. Mike Mc Mullin | September 16, 2014 at 8:24 am

Hey Rolfie,
Just been catching up on the site.
Tri Rock coming up in October so getting down to brass tacks now.
Swimming a lot and running, the bike takes care of itself.
Read about the Wayside. Hey what times those were, like drinking at a Lonely Hearts Club. Had some serious fights in that place!!
You were no slouch my boy when it came to the crunch Rolfie. Never be ashamed of it, that was then, that’s what we did. Sometimes there was nothing like a “rol” to get the blood pumping boet (lol).
The only thing about this site is, every time I open it up – someone else is dead!
So Brian V really settled down, WOW! Would never have thought so.
Wonderful! Always good to hear that some things do last.
Anyway okes catchup soon off to the midlands for a long ride this afternoon.
Mc Mullin
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1350. Trevor van Reenen | September 16, 2014 at 1:04 pm

Hi John,Dawn has accepted me as her friend yesterday on facebook,she is known as Dawn du Preez.In fact she will get this blogg on facebook.I know there are a lot of guy’s who want to know about Raymond and what happened,but it is up to Dawn if she wants to talk about it.I can only imagine how much she misses him.As for David Watts,you need to get in touch with William Gresselle who knew where Derek Close lives.I do believe he lives in Alberton.Rolf will be able to help you to get in touch with William.Derek was David’s best friend in the home.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1351. John Barrett | September 17, 2014 at 10:01 am
  
  Many thanks, Trevor, much appreciated.
  Reply
1352. Rolf Maier | September 16, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Hi Macky, always great to hear from you! I hope your training goes well. Unfortunately there is more bad news When I spoke to Grizzy he told me that Derek Close was shot by his younger brother during a hunting accident. He has been in a wheelchair for more that 20 years. Apparently he lives in ‘Toti now. Williams cell # is 0823302530. However he is currently in Australia on business. Incidently Gavin Brister can be contacted at 082 491 8668. Cheers to all.
Reply
- 1353. Les du Plessis | September 17, 2014 at 4:18 pm
  
  Somewhere on this site is a photo of Griselle and Bobby Derhman looking very cool.We were Dawnview boys and I used to pal around with him a bit. Had a fun trip to Durban where somebody lent us a flat. Played a lot of pinball and tried to meet girls – unsuccessfully. Any news of him?
  Reply
1354. Trevor van Reenen | September 16, 2014 at 2:11 pm

Hi Rolf,do you remember Walter Burnett?I have found him on facebook,and waiting on word from him.I see his sister is also on facebook,I am about to get in touch with her.I have also got in touch with Jeff van Heerden.By the way Mark has been spotted some where in the south.I will keep you imformed as I get the imformation.Cheers Trevor.
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1355. Trevor van Reenen | September 17, 2014 at 2:29 pm

Hi John,can you remember when we use to do our homework in the main dinning room,where was a guy who I use to sit with at the same table who would every now and again put the tip of his fingers on his tongue.I don’t think he realized that he was doing it.I remember it as though it was only yesterday.How are you doing in Le Viva Espanna.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1356. John Barrett | September 18, 2014 at 6:58 pm
  
  Sorry Trevor, my memory isn’t as good as yours. I do remember though, sitting with Les du Plessis during homework or prep.
  
  Spain is great thanks. Weather has been great but sadly winter approaches… Time to light the old wood-burner. But lots of fiestas to look forward to!
  
  I’m off to Scotland for December and I wonder if it will still be in the UK. Today is the big vote and tomorrow I will find out if I’m Scottish or … I don’t know … English? Welsh maybe or Irish? Very confusing! Hope England is treating you well!
  Reply
1357. John Barrett | October 15, 2014 at 11:55 am

First Rolf spoke of the death of Richard Bergsteed and then Les mentioned that Raymond van den Berg may have died too. Then Mike told me that Leonard ‘Bossy’ Ross was no longer with us either. Not forgetting Freddy Bergteed, Rupert Scott, Robin Putter, Humphrey Parker and Dezzy Rossouw. They were all contemporaries of mine and it was with considerable shock that I learned of their deaths. Half a century later and I still have such vivid memories of them!
Reply
1358. tTrevor van Reenen. | October 16, 2014 at 8:44 pm

HI john,Dawn has comfirmed that her brothers Simon and Raymond van den Berg have both passed away.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1359. John Barrett | November 3, 2014 at 5:51 pm
  
  Yes Trevor, I did eventually make contact with Dawn but many thanks for letting me know. I was wondering what happened to David Watt after he left in the ’60’s. I did leave a query on the SGH fb site but, as yet, no responses.
  Reply
1360. Les DuPlessis | October 22, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Does anyone remember the pigeon coop near the old tuck shop in the early 60’s? Somebody used to keep tumblers and other kinds of pigeons there.
Reply
- 1361. John Barrett | November 3, 2014 at 5:57 pm
  
  I remember the coop too, Les. Eventually it was pulled down and, if I remember correctly, the pigeons moved into a coop in the basement of Spackman House. The shower-room had a door that led to it. I think the boys’ bicycles were housed there as well.
  Reply
1362. Les DuPlessis | November 4, 2014 at 4:45 pm

Thanks, John.
Reply
1363. Trevor van Reenen | November 5, 2014 at 4:05 pm

Hi Rolf,can I please ask you a big favour?Would you please post the photo’s of Beaton House and the football team on the other St.George’s home site.If you are not on the site please tell me and I will invite you onto the site.You can post other photo’s you got on the site.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
- 1364. peter johnson | February 2, 2015 at 8:41 am
  
  hii was in beaton house with my brother anthony johnson my number was # 1 looking for fellow homies and pics
  Reply
1365. M.J.Simoes | November 14, 2014 at 3:11 pm

Good Day All. A little good news for myself, After many years of searching for a long lost home boy who was with me from my pre St Georges days I eventually found the inmate Eric van Zyl. We went to the home from 69 to 77 when I left. Eric stayed untill 80 and then was eventually asked to leave as he had finished his matric. I will attempt to get him to write of his experiences on the blog shortly. Just thought I will share this info with all who are interested especially Peter Pearson.

Thx

M.J.Simoes
Reply
1366. M.J.Simoes | December 2, 2014 at 9:38 am

Good Day All

As I am in the agricultural industry I did a little research on the land reform process impilmented by the ANC. I advise all who care about RSA to read the documents of investigation. Especially the more ” liberal” of us . The web page is http://www.africancrisis.org-images-landscandal. It is csary to say the least.
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1367. Trevor van Reenen | January 2, 2015 at 2:35 pm

Hi there everyone,let me first say,happy New Year to everyone and their families.May you all get Love,Health and Prosperity.I have been in touch with Brian van Loggerenberg,Gain Brister and William Gresselle.I have just found out that Timothy Jordaan and his sister Lynn live in Johannesburg and their brother Robert lives in Durban.I believe Jeffery van Heerden lives in Cape Town and Eugene Pencentti in the Northern Cape.
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1368. Trevor van Reenen | February 19, 2015 at 11:04 am

Hi there everyone,the good news is that it is the Centennial year of St.George’s home and there is a reunion planned in October this year.John Rossouw will put out the date in due course.I am so grateful for John who has done so much for us homeboy’s in organizing this reunion.I spoke to Brian the other day and he tells me that it was 37 degrees over there and over here we were freezing.What he did say was that he had no water and electricity,which I might say that we did have.So I felt even there.Cheers Trevor.
Reply
1369. Jenny Meredith | March 10, 2015 at 2:20 am

Hi, I would be most grateful if someone could possibly help me. I may be in the wrong place but have tried all avenues and come up empty handed. I am researching my family’s history and I know that I had family by the name of DAVIS, two boys, who were sent to St George’s Home when their parents were killed in a car accident.
I am assuming that it was probably early 40’s. Is there anyway that I can obtain some information. Any assistance would be so appreciated.

Thanks
Jenny (Davis) Meredith
Reply
- 1370. Malcolm Davis | December 25, 2022 at 7:41 am
  
  Hi Jenny
  Came across this by accident and as long ago this may not reach you. I am Malcolm Davis – son of the third brother that you did not mention – My dad was Len – yours was Alf and then the eldest son – John – all certainly Davis. I do not know what information you received – but was good to read your message. We lost contact many years ago – as I did with your brother – Jeff – although he used the Sammy for many years.
  Malcolm Davis
  Reply
1371. Michael Anthony Rossouw | March 10, 2015 at 2:43 am

Hello Jenny.
There was a Ross Davis in Spackman House during my time at St George’s. He was a student officer in the Cadets and was also a Matriculant. The last time I saw him he was playing in the PACT production of “West Side Story” at the old His Majesty’s Theatre in Johannesburg. Ross was a very talented man but I’m not sure if he had a brother. I may be confused as there was a “Davies” at the Home was well. If this is the Davis you are searching for , he may well have gone to the USA as he was a keen actor and an exceptional dancer. He was extremely fit and kept himself, like most athletes, in peak physical condition.
I am open to correction here and I hope I’m not giving you false hopes. Thanks for writing. If it is the same person then the accident may have happened in the mid-late 1950’s and not 1940’s as you suggested. Again I am open to correction here.
God Bless
Michael Rossouw. SGH 1961-1967
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1372. Joao Simoes | September 8, 2015 at 4:30 pm

Hi John Rossouw Just requesting a little information regarding the planned reunion that was said happen in October this year. Two questions (1) Is it still on and if so ?? (2) What is the proposed date??
Reply
1373. Christine Bischoff | September 25, 2015 at 12:23 pm

Hello does anyone remember John Christian Wellman and his brother Walter? They would have been at SGH late 1930s and early 1940s?
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1374. Caesar Tonkin | February 21, 2016 at 6:46 pm

Hi Wendy…I remember your father Herb Thompson and your mother Marianne..they were house parents in Simpson when I arrived in 1972..I steered clear as much as possible from his “Percy the Persuader” hidings at the piano. Luckily I learned to stay optimistic, resilient and join in the great sports such as soccer, and had great host parents in the Pears family, regards Caesar Tonkin
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1375. Michael Rossouw | October 1, 2016 at 1:40 am

Have recently made contact with John (Jonah) Herbst. He is in the Groot Marico area and continues following his passion of farming , game range ring and things of the Velt.Am now teaching in Thailand at St Mark’s International School in Bangkok as well as assisting as priest at St Georges Anglican Congregation in Pattaya, some 2 hours ride by bus. We hold services in the Redemptorist Centre in a Thai architectural styled chapel in the centre’s grounds.Trust you are all week. I shall unfortunately miss the Remembrance Day reunion as I am too far away to get there. Blessings to you all!
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- 1376. Rolf Maier | October 19, 2016 at 4:05 pm
  
  Hi Michael, saw your recent photo and you look well! Perhaps there is something to that communion wine after all. If and when you retire will the church look after you?
  
  Kind regards
  Rolf Maier
  Reply
1377. Michael Rossouw | October 20, 2016 at 1:19 am

Not in terms of material things as such i.e no pension, retirement annuity etc. I was ordained at 60, the retirement age for clergy in these parts. I qualify for a very small annual benefit from the Church in Canada, but the admin in getting it transferred to me outweighs the benefits. I am awaiting on a “calling” to Manila and that may give me some benefit, but once I stop teaching, I shall “embrace Poverty.” In all of this journey God has never let me down; I don’t think He’ll start doing so now! Blessings to you Rolf and to all Old Boys reading this Blog. Michael Rossouw.
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1378. Rolf Maier | October 21, 2016 at 1:43 pm

Hi Michael, it is so sad. You have put so much of yourself into everything. Is there any chance of getting back to Canada?
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1379. Michael Rossouw | October 21, 2016 at 2:26 pm

Dear Rolf, I don’t think so. My family’s applications to Canada were refused, twice. I am an old man with a young family. The last thing Canada needs is clergy; they are not on the skills requirement list as ideal candidates for immigration. So , unless I get a job in the Philippines with a view to staying there as I have a Filipino family, it’s a case of working where I can until I drop.The process of getting residence in the Philippines is long and costly. I just don’t have that kind of money for a “retirement” visa. A marriage visa requires that you have an income. I am 66 and the retirement age in the Philippines is 60.
South Africa will not accept my step children as they are not adopted. I started the adoption process in the Philippines 6 years ago and was “shafted ” out of some $5000++ by a lawyer who never pitched at court and a Judge who was “indisposed” twice. I just don’t have the energy to go through the paperwork and a process that takes 3 years minimum.
I find it very strange that aliens north of Beit bridge can come into the country in droves, without valid documents and no jobs or money and just walk in unabated. My wife and I went to the RSA embassy in Manila and were given every excuse as to why our visa applications were not in order, from photograph sizes to application forms (downloaded from our RSA Home affairs website no less!) and we were in the embassy for two minutes, having travelled overnight to get to the embassy at 8:30 when it opened. I have never felt so unwelcome and unwanted on my own country’s soil,. (That’s what our South African embassies are supposed to be, right?)
And Don’t try to speak in Afrikaans there; the jobs for “front of house” at the embassies are given to people from the country in which the embassy is situated.

Also, every time I walk into a South African Bank when I return home, and try to to deposit my minuscule savings, I feel like a criminal. Everyone wants to know, how you got this money, whether you have paid tax on it and assurances that you have worked and lived where you say you have earned it. They think every South African overseas is money laundering! Yet Mr Zuma can go to Dubai with suitcases full of our taxpayers money and not be asked a question as to where the money came from, and pass it on to his Gupta gabbas!

At Oliver Tambo airport in 2010 I was refused permission by the tellers at First National bank to deposit a measly $400 US and asked to fill out copious forms as to where my hard earned pennies came from.Yet a government official at the same time in the queue next to me had a briefcase full of $100US notes (Just ike in the movies) and said it was his “travel allowance” from the government department for whom he works.
I love my country dearly; I loathe and detest its government. The sooner the ANC falls along with Zuma and his cronies , the better. Then perhaps I’ll think about coming “home”. It would seem from my experience with RSA embassies abroad, that my foreign wife and foreign born children are not welcome in South Africa, even though they have RSA id’s and are entitled to RSA citizenship.

Sorry for the rant, but I am very bitter. No country wants me because I am an older man with a very young family.

Yes I am bitter, but there will one day be a reckoning and I hope Zuma and his cronies sit behind bars for the rest of their lives!

Isn’t it strange that both he and his minister of national education have not come out to talk to these “students”. He’s too busy charging the minister of finance on two charges of “corruption”, when he himself has over 850 odd charges (and counting) against him.

Nelson Mandela must be turning in his grave to see the mess that this mob have made of our democracy. Thanks for your concern , Rolf. Blessings to you all as you remember the fallen from St George’s at the braai on Remembrance Sunday at Bishop Bavin school.
Cheers for now.
Michael Rossouw+
Reply
- 1380. Allan Chrystal | October 21, 2016 at 10:29 pm
  
  Michael
  You may want to try Canada a third time. Trudeau’s Liberal government have done a 180 on immigration. I think their target is 50,000 Syrian refugees this year having settled 25k last year. Some probably still housed in hotels. Regular immigration boosted as well.
  Volunteering for posts up North may be a plus.
  
  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-seeks-to-bring-more-than-300000-newcomers-this-year/article29069851/
  
  Regards
  Allan Chrystal. 1948-1952
  Reply
  - 1381. Rolf Maier | October 24, 2016 at 6:14 am
    
    Hi Michael
    
    You have a wonderful way with words. Have you considered a venture into writing. I know a young lady who has a travel writing blog and earns a reasonable income from it. You also live an unusual and interesting life. You could, perhaps write your memoirs. I think that would also make interesting reading. Just some suggestions.
    
    Regards Rolf
1382. Trevor | October 28, 2016 at 12:26 pm

Hi Michael, I am so sorry to hear about your plight of you and your family. I hope and pray that the Lord Almighty bless you and your family and I am sure he will. Please do not lose hope, it will all work out for you and your family, God bless you all.
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1383. Trevor van Reenen | October 28, 2016 at 1:22 pm

Hi there everyone, I have managed to get in touch with Freddie Stopfroth, who lives in Duurban and has his own advertising company and Peter who lives in Benoni and works for Barlows company in Benoni.
Reply
1384. Michael Rossouw | June 23, 2017 at 4:57 am

By now I am sure that readers of this blog are aware of the passing of Fr Eric Richardson on Trinity Sunday 2017. Much has been written about him on the SGH Facebook page and I would encourage you all to read these tributes.
Also this week we are informed of the passing of John Edmund (Johnnie) Johnsen, former head of Malvern High school, Forest High School and Deputy Director of the TED, who died in Australia this week.
Tributes have been placed on the Malvern and SGH Facebook pages and I would encourage you to read these.
I can only give thanks to God that I was privileged to have these men as part of my upbringing. Both of these men were gentlemen and scholars of a generation long past.
“Rest in peace , Sirs, and Rise in Glory.”
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1385. Michael Rossouw | June 23, 2017 at 5:01 am

On a more joyful note, JJ deJager celebrates his 80th Birthday today. JJ spent this last week being visited by friends and family from RSA and Australia. He now lives in a retirement home in Estcourt , Natal. HAPPY 80th Birthday , JJ! and many more!
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1386. Rolf Maier | August 5, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Hi Michael, when can we expect your memoirs?
I can remember when I was about 11 years old, in Beaton House some of the boys were preparing for a play to be held in the main hall. Robyn Putter & Desmond Rossouw decided on producing a rendition of Robin Hood. They coerced me into playing Friar Tuck. I was one of the smallest, skinniest boys, but they chose me! I COULD HARDLY SPEAK ENGLISH and the script was written in high English. After some rehearsals They dutifully padded me up for the actual play. Every time I appeared the audience was in hysterics. At one stage I even believed I my have some latent acting talent only to find out later that I fluffed my lines up so badly that even the cast beside themselves. GOOD MEMORIES.
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1387. Rolf Maier | August 5, 2017 at 4:19 pm

Hi Michael, when can we expect your memoirs?
I can remember when I was about 11 years old, in Beaton House some of the boys were preparing for a play to be held in the main hall. Robyn Putter & Desmond Rossouw decided on producing a rendition of Robin Hood. They coerced me into playing Friar Tuck. I was one of the smallest, skinniest boys, but they chose me! I COULD HARDLY SPEAK ENGLISH and the script was written in high English. After some rehearsals They dutifully padded me up for the actual play. Every time I appeared the audience was in hysterics. At one stage I even believed I my have some latent acting talent only to find out later that I fluffed my lines up so badly that even the cast were beside themselves. GOOD MEMORIES.
Reply
1388. Michael Rossouw | September 28, 2017 at 6:10 am

Don’t really think anyone would wish to read my memories, Rolf. Thanks for the encouragement anyway.
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- 1389. Rolf Maier | September 28, 2017 at 12:32 pm
  
  I beg to differ. You have lived an interesting life and survived some turbulent times. Readers like to compare their lives to those of others.If we can portray the humorous side, all the better.
  Keep well Michael.
  Reply
1390. Mike Phillips | November 10, 2017 at 1:10 am

Hi everyone. My Name is Mike Phillips. I was a VSO with Tom Stephens in Beaton House in 1966. I contracted malaria along with a bunch of boys I took to Robson’s farm (now Mala Mala). I remember the Rossouw brothers well. The BH housemaster was Trevor Dreyer. Father Richardson was there, as was Bebop Clayton, Mrs Basson, Vic Macfarlane, Tubby Laughton, Mr McHolm. I remember that there were some pretty bad beatings in the senior houses. I used to drive the, then, brand new Mercedes bus as well as the Datsun. Anyway, I have probably a hundred or more color slides of life at the Home during that time. I will have them digitized. Michael, what is the best way to share them?
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- 1391. Michael Rossouw | November 10, 2017 at 1:21 am
  
  Remember you well Sir! Good to hear from you after all these years.Not sure what the best format is for uploading slides; I am technologically challenged, but perhaps my brother John can help.
  Please contact me via email on
  I am working as a priest and teacher in The Philippines. Have been in SE Asia for over 20 years now. Would really be good to hear from you. Tom is in Canada and he runs a business consultancy commuting between the UK, Australia and other places . He’s on Facebook. St Georges Home old boys also has a Facebook page. Perhaps it would be easier to upload the slides there? Great to hear from you, Michael.
  Reply
1392. Michael Rossouw | November 10, 2017 at 1:23 am

Mike Philippis. here’s my address (phonetically) bee are michael at gee mail dot com.It didn’t come out on the link.
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1393. Brian Fitzgerald | February 2, 2018 at 8:37 am

Hi, I hope I am in the right “zone” but if not please excuse me and point me in the right direction.

I am trying to trace the family of one of our relatives,

HARRY GEORGE EDWARD BURFITT or BURFORD

who was in the homes care sometime after 1913. He was left with the home along with his sisters, Violet and Minnie by their father as far as we know.
He later left we presume, and married a Minnie Parmer and died in 2009
My wife, Maureen is part of that side of the family so we would love to find out any family details and,or photographs you may have.

Have a good day,
Brian Fitzgerald,
0829004096
brian@flowsafe.co.za
Reply
- 1394. Michael Rossouw | March 6, 2018 at 6:46 am
  
  Hello Brian and Maureen,
  ‘Am not sure whether St George’s Home goes that far back. The home was founded in 1916 and only catered for boys. You could try St Mary’s Orphanage (now St Mary’s children’s home) They were founded in 1902, and catered for small boys and girls, usually brothers and sisters, so you may have more joy there. The
  Johannesburg Children’s’ home was founded in 1892. They may have records from that period, but I’m not sure that they go as far back as 1913. With the advent of modernisation and reform in the child care system, some records may have been lost. St George’s has records in the Wits University Library. I’m not sure about St Mary’s.I hope this helps.
  All the best in your search,
  (Rev/Fr) Michael Rossouw (St George’s Home old boy 1961-1967)
  PS Sorry if I’m of so little help. I now live in the Philippines.
  Reply
- 1395. Michael Rossouw | March 6, 2018 at 6:53 am
  
  Sad to hear of the passing of Brian Gannon, former housemaster and choirmaster of St Georges home, founder of St Nicolas Home in Newville, Johannesburg and warden of St Johns Hostel Cape Town. Brian was the founder of CYCnet, an advocacy group for Child care workers and founder of the National Association for Child care workers in RSA. He passed away on 28 September 1917. “May he rest in Peace and rise in Glory”
  Reply
1396. Henry Tobin | March 31, 2018 at 11:21 am

Hi, My name is Henry Tobin, Aberdeen, Scotland. Researching a relative – Willie Smith, boxer- The Champ from the Orphanage. He was born in 1904 and died in 1955. According to the internet he came from St. Georges, his father having died in a mining accident in Sep 1907 – Death notice- SMITH: accidently killed at the Angelo Gold Mine, South Africa, on 7th September , William Smith, second son of the late James Smith, 22 Canal Terrace, Woodside, Aberdeen.
Do any records exist of the inmates from that time, or does anyone have any info on his family? Led to believe a son went to Australia.
Any help would be appreciated.
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- 1397. Rolf Maier | September 17, 2018 at 11:45 am
  
  Hi Henry
  
  There is quite a lot of information on Wikipedia about Willi. I have popped into the Richmond Hotel, which he used to run, on occasion. Quite a cosy place with lots of old boxing photo’s. Unfortunately the place has closed down.
  Regards Rolf
  Reply
  - 1398. Henry Tobin | September 17, 2018 at 4:49 pm
    
    Rolf,
    Thank you for that information. Did you know him at all?
    Henry
  - 1399. Rolf Maier | September 18, 2018 at 5:01 am
    
    Hi Henry
    
    Unfortunately I did not meet Willi. I was in the Home from 1964 to 1970.
  - 1400. Henry Tobin | September 18, 2018 at 8:25 am
    
    Rolf, thanks for your input, I will do some more
    research on the internet. Good luck for the future. Regards Henry.
1401. Frank Sturgess | June 21, 2018 at 11:06 am

Twins ? Herman and ? Bosman or Botha/Botha perhaps spent some shool holidays with our family at our farm near Ermelo? Estimate 1968 -70. Was arraged through the local Anglican priest Hugh Murcott…Anyone know anythinG
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1402. Coleen James | April 11, 2019 at 9:38 am

Trying to find out if a relative was at the orphanage from about 1924
His name was Andries (Andrew) Johannes Albertus James – birth date 23 April 1921. Address at the time of his baptism was corner Gabriel Road Cape Province. Kind Regards – Coleen James
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- 1403. tweeky3 | January 6, 2020 at 3:18 pm
  
  Good day
  
  As a recent blogger could you please send me an email to correspond with an old boy at the home 51-60
  
  Thank you
  
  Clint Field
  Reply
1404. Avril ann Roy (Leyde) | August 4, 2019 at 5:25 pm

Trying to get any details on my fathers family, who is now deceased his name was John William Leyde and born on 2nd April 1931, was in the orphanage from about 1941 during the war period, he left the orphanage at 17 years to work.
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1405. Alfred Pratt | May 31, 2020 at 5:42 am

My Name is Alfred Pratt & I was a Day Boy at Jeppe High Scholl from 1947 to Matriculation in 1951.. I knew three boys from St. Georges Home as they came to Jeppe as I did. My daughter has made contact with the daughter of William Edwin Wilcockson. She & her siblings are trying to get some documentary evidence about William who died in a mining accident in Rhodesia in 1972. I set out to assist her by contacting John Rossouw who left his Email in this series of exchanges back in 2013. He had opted to adopt the archive records of SGH & offered assistance with any enquiries via his Email address johnros@iafrica.com, which I have attempted.
My Email has been returned as cannot be delivered & I find that schools have been named “John Rossouw”. Has this fine citizen passed away? I shall be sad to hear it. If we have lost John Rossouw, who has adopted the archives of those Boys & can I contact that person or , if John has retired, can I have his new Email address?
William’s daughters need to obtain whatever information might be helpful from the archives plus their father’s birth certificate or a detailed copy. Can you please contact me in this connection. If no one can help me with the documents, can anyone who knew William Wilcockson &, I believe, his brothers let me have the information via this website. I shall be most grateful. Reading through these messages, accumulated over some years, has been an eye-opening experience to me & very touching indeed.
I wish all of you well & good luck.
Sincerely, Alfred Pratt (87 years old)
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- 1406. Allan Chrystal | May 31, 2020 at 7:30 pm
  
  Dale White also attended Jeppe High School.
  Taylor House had 4 dormitories of 24 boys each. Wilcockson was
  ‘Headboy’ of my dorm. Later I ran into him underground at Crown Mines but didn’t speak to him
  Reply
1407. Ben Lotz | July 20, 2020 at 11:19 am

Could someone give information on most of the chaps from the home that attended Malvern High between 1967 to 1969
Reply
- 1408. Rolf Maier | July 22, 2020 at 9:52 am
  
  Hi Ben this site is not very active anymore. it is best to direct any questions to the St Georges facebook site. Regards Rolf Maier
  Reply
1409. Farah Duca | September 27, 2021 at 8:33 am

poker online
Reply
1410. Roland Morgan | December 6, 2021 at 1:07 pm

Is thIS Goggies blog still alive? Are there any Goggies old boys still alive who remember me (1953-1958). I am still alive and kicking at the grand old age of 80 in the village of East Linton, 20 miles east of Edinburgh, Scotland..
Reply

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