SGH in the 40’s: John Charles Longworth remembered » SGH Boxing Team and Choir: 1947
SGH Boxing Team and Choir: 1947
St.Georges Boxing Team.
P.Murray, B.Hampson, C.Barker, J.Murray, E.Pilkington
J.Bewley, E.Behr, Mr.P.R.Harper,D.de Villiers,S.Robson
St.Georges Choir
J.Chalklen, D.White, C.Behr, R.Glanz, J.Crain, G.Glibbery, J.C.Longworth, B.Howe, H.Nicholl, W.Nicol
D.de Villiers, I.Locke, J.Bewley, R.Blake, H.Fisher, D.Landman
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Saint George's 
1.
Allan Chrystal | April 18, 2010 at 5:24 am
I was in Simpson House in 1948 and recognize P Harper. Unfortunately he died a couple of years later. Heart problems I think. I didn’t know Ernst Behr then but became good friends when we later went to Germiston High. At form 4 he went to Malvern and I stayed at Germiston. Ernst went to Spackman and I to Beaton house from Simpson. I think I know D de Villiers too. He rode his bike to Germiston High while we took the bus. Once or twice I gave him my bus pass and I rode his bike. That ended after I took his bike and forgot to give him the bus pass. He walked back . A long hike.
I knew Glibbery, Dale White and Harry Fisher in the choir photo.
Harry Fisher was a maestro with the bugle.
2.
Andrew Mackie | August 16, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I have just now come accross this site and found it most interesting. Now at the age of 71 am trying to remember the time I spent in this home in the late 1940’s. For the first year was in Simpson House and cannot remember the name of the house master but recall he smoked a pipe thus the nickname ” Puma”. I attended Wychwood Primary and think the headmaster was Mr Wilson. Reverend Short was the home headmaster and lived in house outside the home premises. Moved to Spackman house and recall the names of Ernest Behr, think he was house headboy? The house master of Beaton house was a moth/butterfly collector and had a large collection of these insects. Maybe someone can fill me in on more of that time period. I really would be most interested in any news of that time.
3.
Allan Chrystal | August 16, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Hi Andrew.
You must have been in Simpson House after Harper died. Puma is vaguely familiar and is probably Boet Symes. He used to look after the vegetable gardens and oxen below Taylor House. Usually had a pipe in his mouth. Capener was the bug collector in Beaton. Mackie sounds familiar too as there were two home boys stuck in my memory. A Wylie Mackie and a Mackie Wylie. Reversed names.
It is great that more old timers discover the SGH site before they move on. I’m pushing 75 and those brain cells remaining seem to be hibernating or becoming hermits.
Cheers
Allan Chrystal.
4.
Andrew Mackie | August 17, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Hi Allan,
Yes my brother Wylie Mackie was at St Georges prior to my entry there as I was too young and was sent to Sons of England Childrens Home, he was 5 years older than me and thus having been parted for many years we never had a close relationship. If I remember correctly Boet Symes was the “Farmer” and a kindly old soul. When I was moved to Spackman House Bernie Moss was House Master with thick spectacles and very strict. My brother (who has passed on)and several others were forced to leave SGH after breaking into the tuck shop, quite a stir at that time. I stayed on for a period after that allowing me to finish school year. Being a small guy at that time was subject to a few bully boys until Ernest Behr stepped in and put an end to those beatings. I still have fond memories although vague of many of the happenings at SGH, the sporting events, swimming galas and the occassional treat of going to the movies using the Tram to JHB. Well hopefully some other old boys will recall and pass on memories.
Thank you Allan.
Andrew Mackie
5.
Allan Chrystal | August 18, 2011 at 5:27 am
Hello Andrew.
My younger brother Neville and sister were in the Sons of England home too. Seems odd to have a girl there. I visited the place one Sunday when we were allowed out for the day. Neville was in SGH at the time. He said he had one pound 2/6 in a post office savings account and they had his PO savings book. Normally we visited an aunt who lived in Brakpan and had to bring Robson a note that we were there. We figured to go to the SOE home and collect the book and the loot. Well even if we could get it it was Sunday and the PO is closed. We returned empty handed, no book, empty stomachs as no lunch and got a grilling from Robson. I said we went to the JHB zoo and didn’t have a note. I could tell he was close to losing his temper but we escaped cuts. Neville broke into the Tuck shop after I left as well. I would guess at the end of 1953. I can’t recall if he was expelled but probably was. He died at age 69 of a heart attack. A heavy smoker all his life.
Wylie was a slender kid who did well in track events. I seldom bumped into him so didn’t know him all that well.
Cheers.
Allan Chrystal.