The original Housemaster was Leslie Johnston followed by Iain Richard
Richardson aka Butch. He was my original Housemaster after having left
the 'Headmasters House' of the first form. Unfortunately, I didn't like
Butch, nor he me.
Anyway, I think it was it 1958 that he left and Bob 'Rommel' Rowlands
took over. This man was, again in my opinion, an absolute star. Hard?
yes, but very fair and with considerable regard and affection for the
boys under his control. Doc Lewis, who taught physics, was the Assistant
Housemaster at this time.
Bob Cromarty succeeded Lewis as Assistant Housemaster and it was around
1961 that Jimmy Hyde came on the scene in Johnstons and he then took over
as Housemaster when Bob Rowlands left Woolverstone to take up an appoinment
somewhere in the west country.
Bob was, I believe, killed in a car crash several years later, and I remember
feeling a great sense of loss on hearing this. He was exceedingly kind
and understanding to me when I went through a particularly dark period
whilst at school and his influence on my life has been immense. His charming
wife, Barbera died a short while ago. I believe there was a period when
she was our Matron in Johnstons, and not surprisingly, everyone loved
her to bits.
Under Bob, Johnstons were the first house (I think) to stage House Concerts
and Barbecues, something which would have been unthinkable under Butch
Richardson, and I believe these continued under Jimmy Hyde. I didn't know
Jimmy Hyde that well, but what I did know of him I am sure he was a marvellous
successor to Bob Rowlands.
(Terry Carr)
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