Cadet Notes

It is with much regret that I write these, the last notes of No. 2 Coy. The loss of the
company to the battalion will be great, when one considers that we have supplied
most of the cadets for sport and other activities.
Since the last 'Cadet Notes' the band has officiated on not less than six occasions,
and has also been filmed and recorded.
(This film has since been lost and is not recorded in the Barnardo Archive)
Congratulations to cadet John Mikkleson on being runner-up at the All-England
Swimming Championships. I am also pleased to report that Cpl. Merrifield has
joined the Regular Army. I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the very
best.
We have managed to obtain the use of the . 22 range this term, which has proved a
great success with the cadets.
I would like to take this opportunity in wishing all the boys and staff the very best for the future.

J. M. BRIERLEY, Officer I./ C.

Goldonian Spring 1967

The last 'Cadet Notes' were issued by Lieut. K. E. Whittaker in the winter edition of the GOLDONIAN. Since then he has moved
on to another appointment at Winchester. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the cadets to wish him all the best
in his new work.
I am also sorry to report that owing to ill health Captain A. P. Culver has had to retire after giving both the School and Cadets
many years loyal and devoted service All the boys and apprentices together presented him with a tankard which I am sure he will
always treasure.
The training programme I am now preparing for next term. I hope will result in most of the cadets attaining their Cert. 'A' part 1
A party of twelve cadets and myself attended a week end training camp at Letchworth on the 21 st May. The training was good
and the cadets worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. One thing that did go down well was the opportunity of firing on
the 22 range. I am, however, making arrangements to use the Hertford ·22 range at Port Hill for next term.

J. M. BRIERLEY Lieut. O. I. C.

CORPS OF DRUMS
The Corps of Drums, I am pleased to report, are coming back to the old standard and if they continue to improve at the present
rate I can see we shall be returning to the Royal Tournament.
On Saturday, 26 th March, the Corps led the Balls Park Students' Rag Procession and did much to make the parade a success.
On Saturday, 28 th May, we joined the Bishop's Stortford parade along with three other bands including The Green Howards, a
well known regular military band. This event was also a great success.
At the time of reading this article we hope to have attended the following:
4 th June Barnardo County Fete, Goldings
5 th June Hertingfordbury British Legion Church Parade
18 th June British Legion Parade at Tonbridge
19 th June Odd Fellows Parade, Hertford

M. Brierley, Officer I/C

Goldonian Summer 1966

WHEN THESE notes appear in print we shall have ended our winter training and started on the spring activities. During the
Winter we have been able to maintain a steady and interesting programme. Winter is always a most difficult time for us owing to
the accommodation being somewhat limited for indoor work; however this is not a new problem but something which we have
had with us and become used to. We celebrated our 19 th Anniversary on Friday, 4 th December, 1964, and a report of this will be
found in this issue.
During the week-end 8 th - 9 th January, eight cadets took part in the southern area A. C. F. boxing finals. Three had no contest
owing to having no opponent in their weight. One, W. Hill, had a walkover and' the other four put up an excellent performance
against far more experienced boxers and narrowly lost on points.
W. Hill went to York with Lieut. Whittaker and boxed in the northern area finals on the 30 th January and met a 1963-64 A. C. F.
boxing champion of his class. Hill did very well and he too only just lost. I would like to congratulate all those who took part
and I think they went down with colours flying! They do not. get as much experience as other cadet units.
Our cadet footballers have done well this season' and lost only one match up to date.
We started the annual N. C. O. instructors' course in 'February with nine entries; some have already fallen by the wayside but five
are showing promise and we should have a useful nucleolus of boy instructors capable of assisting the new Company
Commander in the spring.
My time is running out and I shall have handed over command by the end of March to my successor Lieut. Whittaker. After 19
years of service to the School unit I feel a little sad but I should be still at the School for another 4 years and so hope to be useful
to the Company as an instructor in a civilian capacity.
No, doubt the change of command will benefit the Company for Lieut. Whittaker will be able to introduce new ideas in training.

CORPS OF DRUMS
Our winter band practices have gone pretty will. There is one nagging problem with the newer boys and that is the lack of care
of equipment. Making up the equipment and replacement of lost mouthpieces can be a costly business and I must take the
opportunity of expressing the need for more care and a greater sense of responsibility.
With regard to the playing and the public displays given I have always been proud and have received many letters of appreciation.
You have a high standard to live up to; a standard set by the cadets who have left us over the years.
On Saturday, 27 th March, the Corps led the Balls Park Students' Rag procession through Hertford and did much to make the
parade a success; the boys were entertained to tea at the college after the afternoon parade. We shall be giving displays at Roydon
Village Fete on Saturday, 29 th May, and at Danesbury Park, Welwyn, on Saturday, 12 th June. On Saturday, 19 th June, the Corps
of Drums" will be at Rickmansworth Grammar School Fete. These are the engagements accepted up to date but we are prepared
for others during the coming months.
Now the lighter evenings are here we shall be able to get more road marches in and this is a great help in preparing for leading
processions.
These being my last notes as Company Commander I would like to close by wishing all ranks in the Corps of Drums a successful
1965 season and I know that if you give my successor the loyalty and support you have given me over the years an will be well
with you.

A. P. CULVER, Captain O. I. C.

Goldonian Spring 1965

RETIREMENT OF CAPTAIN A. P. CULVER

THE HEADING to this report may not instantly bring to mind the personage to whom it refers, but for once I feel that 'Skipper'
should be given his full and honourable title.
It is very sad, and as yet unbelievable, that the ever cheerful, never flappable character is no longer within our precincts, but time
waits for no man, not even Mr. Culver, and with his health some what below par Mr. Culver collaborated with his doctor and
shook the dust of Goldings from his feet a few months earlier than is usual.
Many readers will be aware of the honour bestowed on Captain Culver in 1958, when Her Majesty graciously approved the award
of the Army Cadet Force Medal and Certificate for his services to the force, an honour richly deserved. Apart from his activities
as Cadet Officer, his main role at the School was that of Housemaster, and in particular, Somerset House, up until a year or two
ago. As all boys, past and present, will know, we have a very live Social Club here at Goldings, which is responsible for evening
entertainment for the boys and staff during the winter months.
Once again Mr. Culver has been well to the fore with his services, having held the position of secretary for 15 years. At the
farewell ceremony, Mr. Wheatley paid tribute to the great work Skipper had done for our School over the last 25 years, having
turned his hand with great efficiency to the majority of jobs within the School, including teaching when staff was scarce.
Without a doubt his greatest personal contribution was the formation of the Army Cadet Company in December 1945, and which
has continued to flourish ever since. Mr. Wheatley made reference to the number of letters he himself had received from Old
Boys, all paying tribute to the influence 'Skipper' had bestowed upon them.
At the conclusion of Mr. Wheatley's tribute, he presented Mr. Culver with a plaque as a visible token of our esteem, and a cheque
on behalf of all members of the staff. On behalf of the Social Club he presented Mr. Culver with an illuminated address signed by
all members. Finally, Robert Buggs, on behalf of all boys and apprentices, handed over a silver tankard with a few well-chosen
words for 'Skipper's' ear only!
On behalf of all late members of staff and Old Boys I would like to wish our old friend a very long and happy retirement, and
conclude this very inadequate appreciation with his new address, so that his old friends can continue to correspond with him.
Mr. A. P. Culver, Copthall Guest House.

N. T. POWELL

Goldonian Summer 1966

2nd COY., 1st "C" BATTALION. BEDS’ AND HERTS’ REGIMENT.
NINETEENTH ANNIVERSARY SUPPER

On Friday, 4 th December, 1964, this anniversary supper was held at 7 p. m. in the dining hall. Sixty-five all ranks and fifteen
guests were present. The guests of honour were our Headmaster, Mr. R. F. Wheatley, B. SC., with Mrs Wheatley; Mr. and Mrs.
Embleton; Captain R. Ainslie, second-in-command of the Battalion; Captain P. Procter, Adjutant; Colour-Sergeant Edwards and
Sergeant Englefield, who represented their respective detachments. Our other friends Mr. and Mrs. Halfhyde and Jeanette, Mr.
Newton, Mrs. Whittaker (wife of Lieut. Whittaker) and Mr. D. AlIen were also present. As the guests came into supper a fanfare
of welcome was blown to the roll of drums by Sgt. Linnell and L / Cpls. Merrifield and Olbison.
An excellent supper of soup, chicken pie, peas and chips, followed by trifle, coffee, fruits and sweets was enjoyed by all.
After supper the Headmaster spoke and welcomed our guests, making special mention of the work of Captain Culver (Skipper)
and said how glad he was to know that the Cadets would be able to carry on under the command of Lieut. Whittaker when Captain
Culver retired from the A.C.F. at the end of March. Mr. Wheatley went on to say that although Captain Culver was well over the
retiring age for Cadet officers, he would still be giving his service to the School for a few more years.
Following the Headmaster, Captain Culver said that although he was retiring he would always be willing to lend a hand if required,
and wished Lieut. Whittaker every success, and reported that Mr. D. Allen, who had been appointed as P. E. teacher to the School
would also be joining the Company. Captain Culver then went on to give details of the Company's achievements since its
formation in 1945, stating that 1,098 boys had passed' through, many of whom had later made the Army their career.
Of the Corps of Drums, Captain Culver said. their services were always welcomed throughout the County, and through the Corps
the Company had established many good friends. In conclusion Captain Culver said that the keynote of success as a Cadet was
esprit de corps and loyalty to the Headmaster, the School, and the Company. Captain Culver said he likened himself to a bottle of
ink spilled on to blotting paper, some parts getting more ink than others the boys being the blotting paper.
A bouquet of flowers was then presented to each of the lady guests, after which Mrs. Wheatley presented the following awards:
Proficiency Shield to Numbers 5 and 6 sections, who tied for first place; Cup for the Best Bugler of the year: L /. Cpl. Merrifield;
Perry Cup for the most helpful Cadet of the year: Sgt. Linnell; Longest Serving Cadet: Drum-Major Fletcher; Newest Cadet: Cadet
Talbot.
Mrs. Embleton then made the following appointments: A. L / Cpls. Merrifield, Hoyle and Coppin to L / Cpl. Section Commanders;
Service Chevrons to Drum-Major Fletcher, and 23 Cadets.
In appreciation for his services Captain Culver received a pipe, tobacco, and a writing set from all ranks of the Company, and as
he left the hall everyone joined in the singing of 'For he's a jolly good fellow'

A. P. CULVER, Captain, O. I. C

From Company notes Goldonian Spring 1965

The great work which 'Skipper' Culver has put in with the Cadets during the past 19 years is well known to staff and boys, but it Is
quite impossible to measure to any degree what this labour of love has entailed, even Mr. Culver would find it impossible to
tabulate the hours and effort, successes and frustrations. So what can one say about this man who has become a legend?
Perhaps actions can speak louder than words, and in this sense I am sure Mr. Culver has his reward when he reads letters from his
old boys who are now in the services or doing a good job in civilian life, in fact being good citizens. I am sure we all hope that the
next few years, while still in our company in his main role as housemaster, Mr. Culver will find happiness and contentment, and
that the extra hours he will be able to call his own will not become a burden.

ED.

Goldonian Spring 1965