Reminiscences of Rotherham by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
back « «arches under the school and fight it out with my class-mate. Owing to the training I had undergone at Low Ash I was in good trim and knowing a little of the science. I had no difficulty in disposing of my opponent. I was not to be let off so easilv, for his brother, a taller and stronger youth, was next brought into the ring. In spite of my protestations that I had no desire to fight the family, I was com pelled to proceed. Alter a rather gruelling time, I fortunately again came off victorious, and was congratulating myself on this happy solution of my first morning’s difficulties when cries were raised for 'Boy Hirst'.
BOY HIRST
My troubles were apparently only just beginning. I had no idea who Boy Hirst was and have never yet ascertained why he was called 'Boy'. To me he looked more like a man. It was the first time I had seen him - a tall, strong youth, and the leading athlete in the school. My protests against fighting a third time were of no avail. I pleaded if this was the custom, surely I was entitled to a rest. I was compelled to proceed or be branded a coward. The result was never in doubt. Boy Hirst, known to us later in life as Lieut.-Col.W. L. B. Hirst, was much heavier and taller than I. Although about my age, he had the advantage, and quickly put me out of action. In my retirement I was accompanied with an eye in mourning and other injuries to my face which required considerable attention on my arrival home. I readily recall the attitude taken up by my father, who refused to interfere and told my mother that every lad should fight his own way through at school. Mothers are not, however, built that way, as the Rev. J: J. Christie, the Headmaster, soon found at an interview insisted upon by my mother.Your readers must forgive this lengthy reference to an episode, little in itself but important to me, as I thought it unusual and unfair to expect a boy to stand up on three occasions to do battle against three different opponents. Moreover, this incideut brought me for the first time into contact with a boy of splendid mental and physical attainments - one who was destined later in life to be a prominent figure in the public and social life of Rotherham. I little thought at the time that Boy Hirst would eventually exercise such influence amongst us as to warrant him in aspiring to any position the town had at its disposal or that this combat of nearly sixty years ago was only the herald of many others on a different battling ground, where the chances were more even.
THE JACKDAW
Previous to my entrance to the Grammar School in 1868, an incident happened that in some degree militated against the high esteem in which the people of Rotherham and district held this well-conducted School. The headmaster, the Rev. J. J. Christie, possessed a jackdaw which was a great pet with everyone in the school.Much to the surprise and annoyance of everybody, a pupil named Arthur Harris killed the poor jackdaw. This boy, a son of Mr. Jervis Harris, the ironfounder, enjoyed robust health and manifested high spirits and a certain delight in mischief, so common in boys blessed with an abundance of energy. The headmaster punished Harris so severely that his parents instituted legal proceedings against him. The affair caused quite a commotion in the town. Indifferent rhymsters wrote doggerel attacking the headmaster, and one aspiring poet attempted to parody Edgar Allan Poe’s well-known verses on 'TheRaven'. Another wrote:-
The Bench sat in judgment twixt master and might,
And brought in a verdict of 'served the boy right'
And it charmed me to find that the arm of the law
Had protected the friend of the little jackdaw
The usual anonymous letters of complaint appeared in the press and for a while Mr. Christie was most unpopular. Undoubtedly the affair had a rather bad effect on the reputation of the school, but it soon regained its deservedly high position among the educational institutions of the town. » next
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