Glancing Back -
Do You Remember?
The Bath Parades In the early years at the School, the Company Bath Parades generally took place immediately after the Church Services, the soul having been cleansed. There were only two slipper baths and two showers for each dormitory, which held about 30 boys. It was the practice for boys to disrobe either in the dormitory or the washrooms, climb into the bath with a couple of others, or go under the shower. A piece of blue mottled soap (generally termed Quartermaster's Erasmic) was used to obtain a lather, meanwhile the boys sang "Time like an ever rolling stream wears all your sons away". Having been cleansed, one gathered one's clothes, and speedily departed to the dormitory, generally being met on the way by a party of visitors having a look round the School. Much to their astonishment, the secret of what was worn under the kilt being revealed, as a bare posterior dashed through the dormitory swing doors. There went the flying Scotsmen!
Football Sweepstakes It may surprise many to know that football sweepstakes were quite common at the School during the 1920s. Money did not figure in the transactions, the actual currency was Ginger Snap Biscuits, five of these being issued to each boy at Sunday tea time. Entrance fee was one biscuit, collected on the spot, as teams were drawn for the following week. At the pay out, the winner could collect as many as 20 biscuits; it did not put anyone in the tycoon class, such as Abernethy or Peak Frean, but one could munch away happily for a few days, or barter them for currant duff.
Prior to Cordon Bleu Cooking? The Victorians have always been adventurous types, especially where food was concerned. Each Sunday afternoon. Companies were paraded for a compulsory walk, squads invariably broke away to seek new pastures and pastimes. On these forays birds' eggs would be collected (size and variety did not matter). These would be cooked over the gaslight in the bathroom, together with pieces of toast. Needless to say, some of the omelettes produced would have shattered the palates of many gourmets; despite the primitive efforts, they appeared to have been enjoyed and no one entered hospital as a result. It is not surprising that some Old Victorians became Army Cooks and Chefs in later life.
Wanderlust Many years ago, three boys decided that they would like a change of scenery; they took to the hills on the sports field. The leader directed one to read the sign post on the Perth Road, the other to collect a "tumshie" from the nearest field. A briefing was called, the signpost read "150 miles to Inverness" (their father's last station before departing to the Middle East), meanwhile the tumshie was peeled, and passed around for each to have a bite. Great deliberations took place, various difficulties discussed, thoughts of what
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they would see on their adventure brought to light. Meanwhile, a Monitor who was casually knocking a golf ball around, was approached and asked "How far is it from here to Egypt?"
The Monitor gave a look at the sun, then glanced towards Mecca and said, "Oh, about 5,000 miles via the Sahara Desert, but if you're walking, you will get a lot of sand in your shoes."
Beau Geste returned to his companions and, after a bite at the tumshie, gave the latest information; they became quite downcast. Suddenly all their problems were solved, the bugle notes of the "Cookhouse Call" floated through the air; Beau Geste rose to his feet, "Come on, race you back to the Dining Hall." All thoughts of the Sphinx and Pyramids disappeared as the hungry Arabs dashed away for their meal.
Cross Country Runs Many of the OVs of earlier
years will remember these runs, though some may wish to forget they ever existed. The Senior boys lined up alongside an antiquated cowshed, since demolished, near the gate to the Sports Field on the Perth Road. The Course was round the sports field, points being controlled by Monitors to avoid any dodging, over the burn near the married quarters (some dirty work took place here, some runners being pushed into the water, others tripped to fall so that some advantage could be made). The run continued up the path to the quarters, down past the hospital to the main gate, along the Perth Road, and turning down to the Cemetery. As runners approached the Cemetery Gates, a feeling of foreboding arose, as if one was to be the victim of a cull (like the seals and deer) and that the final column of the
Regimental Book - "How disposed of" was shortly to be completed. At this point the voice of authority woke one up to reality, "Put a move on - you'll never finish before 'Lights Out'," one then followed the dry stane dyke across the field to a stile leading on to the Kinbuck Road (further dirty work took place here also) the finish was along the Perth Road back to the Cowshed. Here one was greeted with loud cheers for obtaining a good place, for completing the course, and by your creditors for making a safe return and enabling you to repay any biscuits owed, for previous favours. Funnily enough, quite a number of boys enjoyed these runs, like Pat McKenna who was the School champion for three or four years, whilst his brother Charlie was also a capable performer.
The following day, at Choir Practice, the organist displayed a sense of humour by playing: "Art thou weary, are thou languid, art thou sore distressed?" Many were qualified for all categories. Discipline - Defaulters A number of ex-service men will recall the bugle call "You can be a defaulter as long as you - as long as you answer your name". Defaulters Parade was brought into being at the School for minor offences, though the main intention was to stop boys from breaking bounds. The parade was held in the Central Hall, boys attended in Red Jacket, Kilt, etc. Posts were allotted, such as along the
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