Memories from the WAr Years
I was at the College from 1941-1949 mostly during WW2.
The Rector was Fr Barragray (spelling!!), the Headmaster was Fr Stubbings, Fr Cliff was Bursar.
Fr Doyle replaced Fr Stubbings in due time. Other Priests during my time were, Fr Dan Murphy,
Br. Cornelius/Fr C. Murphy, Fr. White, Fr. Pilbeam taught me History and later became Parish Priest.
Fr. Delahunty who formed the first ever Under 14’s football team at the College and I was it’s Captain.
Picture of the team is in a Salesian Magazine. Fr. O’Hara, Fr Boat who apart from teaching French,
was the Officer in charge of the Cadet Force on a Saturday morning. Once a year we went on a week’s
Training down somewhere on the South Coast. Fr Crummy, who was a good tennis player. I lived in Brookwood
near the Guards Camp in Pirbright. Both he and Fr. C Murphy helped the local Army Priest by occasionally saying
Mass in the Guards Chapel in Pirbright Camp. The local Tennis club played on the Army courts and when we were
short of players against other teams both of them played for us.
I was a member of the Old Boys after leaving College and sometime late 60’s, I was Treasurer for 10 years with John
Clenshaw who was Chairman.
Both my Sons attended the College. Richard in 1972 and James in 1975.
On leaving the College, I joined the Midland Bank and after a year was called up to do my two years National Service.
I joined the Royal Horse Guards in Windsor and after six weeks square bashing, spent fifteen months in Germany with
The Guards Armoured Division. During my two years I moved up to full Corporal and when congratulating me, The Colonel
of the Regiment said, “Sheather you should be proud of yourself, you are the first National serviceman to reach the Rank
of full Corporal. I put this down to the Cadet Force training I received at the College. I became a marksman in the Army with
crossed swords on my sleeve and fired for the regiment at Bisley, the World Rifle Range near Pirbright Camp.
On leaving the Army, I returned to the Bank at Woking Branch. During my time there, I played football for Woking reserves and was a reserve for the 1st team who then were an Amateur Team in the Isthmian League. They are now in the National League. Then to Weybridge, Guildford then to Farnborough, Queens Road Branch as Accountant. Lived in Church Road East which is just a stones throw away from the College which was an easy walk to the College for my son Richard. I was eventually transferred as a Manager to Cranleigh Branch and during my time there , the Bank was taken over by HSBC. I have now been retired 35 years and enjoying every minute.
I have a large Family, Four children, 11 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren who altogether keep me young and active.
Noel Sheather
