Corporal punishment and Mike Hawthorn (not related)

[Rogernoble]

 Dear RogerWhat an enjoyable read. How remarkable of Steve Ashforth to have such vivid memories.A Propos little or nothing, I noticed a reference in the Culinary Delights that coincidentally rings somewhat true of my family today. My older Granddaughter, who lives in Witley, has just completed her time at Barfield and is now going on to Seaford College (drama scholar).Also I remember my brother used to shoot squirrels for the 'shilling' bounty.Ian
 Dear IanThanks for your email.
I clearly could not compete with a future Bisley champion shot in collecting squirrel tails.How did your granddaughter find mine and Rupert Jacob’s previous alma mater, Barfield.  I presume they never re-started boarding after Rupert and I got thrown out.We were all intrigued there when our most distinguished old boy Make Hawthorn used to play in the old boy hockey match. I vividly remember he used to play in long trousers because of the burns on his legs.I Sadly I think he met his end on the Farnham by pass not long afterwards.I am afraid my memories of Barfield were soured early on by a fearful beating I took. Three of us were marched down to the headmaster’s study in our pyjamas. I was last in line and trembling as the other two were screaming. When it was my turn I went in to find the headmaster brandishing a riding crop. I was only eight and three years previously I had been paralysed from the neck down by a nasty case of polio. This had left me quite used to pain and discomfort and I did not make a sound as he laid into me. My lack of a reaction further enraged him and I think he lost it. I was very badly bruised and he had hit me so hard I was bleeding. Not a very pleasant experience!I know corporal punishment was a part of life then but as far as I can remember RHRW only used a plimsoll. I only received that once and sadly it was well deserved. I had also committed the most serious of sins in that I got caught! I would have happily taken a wacking rather than an hour in detention any time.
 RogerHi RogerMy Granddaughter lives in Wormley so Barfield was an easy choice as a day student. She is NOT Catholic, though.Your punishment sounds just like the brutal bestiality that has/had been all too common in 'religious' themed schools and care homes, of the era - not least in the Colonies. Horrible.Wow - Mike Hawthorn. He was certainly a super star and (I believe) a super stud - all man's man. His tragic death was at the junction of the Hogs Back and the turn off for Guildford - he was racing a pal along the Hogs Back. My Father knew him quite well and we were very familiar with his garage business in Farnham. I saw him featured in a wonderful TV tribute to Stirling Moss, about a month back. Incidentally I was at Goodwood on the day and saw Moss crash. Ian
 (for those wondering about my heinous sin it was during the 1956 Asian Flu epidemic and we were ordered not to speak when we got up in the morning. Matron came in as normal with some enamel water jugs to fill the basins on our wash stands. Without thinking I asked the lad next to me to pass the jug. This perhaps explains why my mother always complained thereafter that I always was dirty!!   Roger)