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The planning and setting up of the World War One Commemoration Exhibition, ‘Here am I, send me’, made sure that the start of the Archive year was a busy one. For over a week The Yarrow Gallery was full of memories, stories, photographs and artefacts from the war. All the exhibits were connected to the School or Oundle, with many being loaned by OOs or their relatives. The Yarrow recorded its highest number of external visitors for this exhibition and it was also well supported by OOs, members of staff, pupils, History classes and other School groups. The feedback was very positive and it was felt that it was a fitting tribute to commemorate all the Oundle boys and men who had fought and died in the war.
Even though the centenary commemoration of the WW1 has come to an end, related enquiries do continue. We are therefore delighted and very appreciative of the fund
R.A. Scott Macfie (F 1886), one of England’s leading academics on Gypsies
‘Here am I, send me’ – the World War One Commemoration Exhibition at The Yarrow Gallery
SCHOOL NEWS
From the Archive
School Archivist Elspeth Langsdale reports on the strong connection between OOs and the Archive
that the OO Club has made available to the Archive for the purchase of OO and School memorabilia. Two sets of WW1 medals were purchased last term. The first set belonged to G.F. Sutton (LS 1905), who was born in Oundle, attested for the London Regiment, serving with the 28th Battalion (Artists Rifles), and commissioned Second Lieutenant, General List. He subsequently served with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, and these are the first Laxton Grammar School medals that we hold. The second set belonged to B.A. Millard (D 1912), a naval pilot during the war who was captured after a bomb attack on Mazawkli Aerodrome in 1916.
The Archive has been well utilised by local historians, businesses and the Oundle Museum for their research and displays, the latest being the Oundle Vintage Festival held in May. Presentations of vintage photographs have also featured and been well received at a 660 Club afternoon, A Grand Day Out and the Oundle Lecture. Displays of historical facts, photographs and memorabilia can be seen in the foyer of SciTec, Scott House and outside the Archive office. The extra-large photographs that took centre stage in the WW1 exhibition have been redistributed throughout the School, ensuring that
these amazing historical images can still be appreciated.
There have also been over 300 requests for information about OOs, members of staff and various aspects of School history. The requests are generally concerned with family history, although we have had authors from afar using the primary sources for their own research and, also this year, two PhD students. One family request led us to an OO called R.A. Scott Macfie (F 1886). He became one of England’s leading academics on Gypsies and he was involved in re-establishing the Gypsy Lore Society. During 1913 he spent a year travelling with a group of Gypsy horse traders in Bulgaria before he joined the Liverpool Scottish Regiment and fought at the front in WW1. During his time at the Front he wrote a ‘practical and comprehensive’ army cookbook.
The sales of the Sir Peter Scott Charity notecards have proved popular and it has been possible to send a second donation from the proceeds to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. This coming year we hope to pick four different illustrations and print another collection of notecards. This should take place in our new home at The Stables and we look forward to seeing and hearing from many of you when we have moved.
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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2018 –2019