Page 11 - Demo

I have had an on-going correspondence with David Grant, son of former Rector and War hero Lieutenant Colonel Don Grant, who received the Military Cross as well
as the US Silver Star. He died while s ll Rector in April 1963. David has wri en a book about his father ‘A Voyage Around My Father’. The story is told in Bay 3 in the Museum. David Grant spoke to Old Boys and visitors at a well-a ended func on in the Sta room inspired and organised by Old Boy Ken Bowie.
I am also involved in on-going correspondence with author Keith Ovenden re his research for his biography of Sir Geo rey Cox, our most famous Old Boy (1923-27). He bequeathed all of his medals, both civilian and military to our school. These are in a display case in the main
foyer where the story is told of his career, beginning with a Rhodes Scholarship (see Rhodes photo display in foyer) – and its con nua on through a long even ul life. He covered the Spanish Civil War as a Journalist, served with dis nc on in WWII and as aide de camp to General Freyberg and became our rst Ambassador to Washington, sharing the conference table with President Roosevelt and PM Winston Churchill. He then went on to found Independent Television News, ITN, which pioneered television news repor ng as
we know it today. He always remembered Southland Boys’ High School, in his own words, ‘with a ec on’.
Another author, Jock Vennel, has made use of the informa on in our Museum in research for his book about the family and circumstances of the four Christophers Brothers all killed during WWI.
Local author too, Alex Glennie, has wri en a book about Blu and especially the fascina ng story of the Blu Train, on which many Southland Boys’ High School boys rode, some mes notoriously! Alex Glennie pays tribute in his book to Francis Kipling Dixon, a pupil of this school who was killed while a passenger on the Blu train in April
The junior school was approached by the group involved with commemora ng the libera on of Le Quesnoy, France, in late 1918. However, the proposed me- consuming exercise requested, was decided against by teachers, possibly because none of our own Fallen were involved in that WWI event.
Nine genealogical enquiries have been received so far this year. Not only has interest been heightened during the course of the Centenary of World War I, but there is also an increased interest in genealogy and family history enquiries generally.
1917. A memorial photo of him can be seen with the Blu train display in the Museum. This fascina ng pictorial book will be launched on Sunday October 28 at 2 p.m. at Te Rau Aroha Marae, Blu .
With Heritage month coming up in March 2019, I plan to feature our Museum again in the programme of events as it has proven popular with the public in the past.
Lynley Dear QSM
Archivist
Southland Boys’ High School Museum
SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL SOUTHLANDIAN NOT FOR SCHOOL BUT FOR LIFE WE ARE LEARNING
09