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expression and the use of language by the boys, whether as the producer of many plays, or, in conjunction with his wife Margaret, in providing the essential support as artistic director, dresser and "make-up" artist. However, the debt owed by Queen Victoria School to Vie Le Maistre, and the achievements by which he will be long remembered, do not depend solely on his contributions within the artistic sphere, great as those were.
In the critical transitional stage during the 1950's when the "military boys unit" image began to be finally cast off, and the School quickened its development towards its present status as a high grade educational institution in its own right, without sacrificing its Service traditions and connections, the influence of Vie in the progressive relaxation of redundant "militaristic" customs and restrictions, and the greatly increased range and standards of academic work, owed much to his quiet unasssuming but determined aspirations and views.
While by no means a strict authoritarian, and a man who inspired respect and regard rather than fear, he was not one to be "put upon" or take liberties with and his kindly and genial nature never slackened into a weak and indiscriminating benevolence which encouraged or allowed disclipinary laxity or licence. His tactful personality and charming and pleasant manner were an invariably useful and effective solvent of the little rows, frictions and abrasive personal relations which, though ephemeral, inevitably arise from time to time within any small community leading a somewhat introverted life;
successive Headmasters and Commandants took full advantage of his special qualities in this respect, of his wisdom, balanced common sense, and intimate knowledge of all aspects of QVS School life and activity. Indeed, his interest in the School and in all members of its community was all embracing, and the time, interest, and support he was prepared to give to any individual, or to any activity, by no means depended on any particularly close connection with the individual, or personal aptitude or taste for the activity. He was at the disposal of all, and if help was needed, he gave it, in school, on the games fields, in personal contacts.
It was, perhaps, in the last two years of his life that the accumulated capital of all his experience, knowledge, talent, and goodwill, acquired through out his twenty-two years at the School, was used to its maximum capacity in the service of the School.
Appointed Senior Master, a most popular choice, he played a dominant part, as chief adviser and Assistant to his immediate chief, the Headmaster, and also to the Commandant, both of whom made much use of his sound judgement and advice, in piloting the School through the critical transitional period during which the RAEC members of the
staff were phased out, being replaced by civilian
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professionals, and the RAEC Headmaster prepared to hand over to a civilian. The fact that this radical organisational change took place with such smoothness was due in no small measure to the con fidence which those of his profession had in Vie, and to his own loyalty and devotion to the Service traditions of the School, which he was determined to maintain and support. He was a fine Schoolmaster, a great gentleman, and the most loyal and entertaining of friends. He was also a devoted family man, and during the past year our thoughts and sympathy have been much with his widow Margaret, his daughters Louise and Judy, and his son-in-law
Peter Bull, who have suffered such a tragic be-
reavement.
Old Boys
OUR MASTERS
by FOUR-NINE-SEVEN
The news that, as from September, 1973, the School teaching Staff had been civilianised must have evoked among Old Victorians memories of the hours they spent at the feet of members of the old Corps of Army Schoolmasters and their successors, the AEC. Those of us who are now in our late sixties will remember with gratitude the help we received from those teachers.
One has only to thumb through one's old School Reports to recall the names of those who played such an important part in shaping our young lives. Although most of them were generally good "all-rounders," there are some we remember especially for their grasp of a particular subject. For example, I remember Leopold Frederick Dowling's phenomenal memory for dates and, in complete contrast, his mastery of Euclid. Leo was a fanatic on the subject of Hampshire, C.C. Normally good-natured, he stood no nonsense and his ominous "Come down, sir I" meant you had gone just a wee bit too far and were about to touch your toes.
There was also A. E. Hatton, who thrilled us all by gaining his L.C.P. This, at the time, meant little to us except that we got time off classes to parade in the Central Hall to witness the presentation of his Licentiate. Well done, Hattie !
J.C. ('Jock') Orr was one of the teachers of our Study Class. Before joining the QVS he had served in India, where on account of his knowledge of German, he was Censor at Poona Internment Camp. When the Germans published their list of those to be tried as War Criminals should Germany defeat the Allies, he was interested to find "Herr Censor Orr" on that list.
My favourite dominie was R. J. Dickson, Master of a Form accommodated in a class-room (known as
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