EPSOMCOLLEGE:
THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Very little is known about the origins of school natural history societies although the earliest such society by many years would appear to be that of BoothamSchool, York, first established in 1832. History does not record the activities of other school societies at this time andthirty years were to elapse before a second school natural history society, that of Marlborough, was established in 1864. The heyday of natural history during the mid-Victorian era saw the establishment of other school societies and it is almost certain that the earliest natural history society at Epsom was founded in the 1860s, although there are no precise written details. Suffice it to say that the First volume of the Epsomian (1870) reported that ‘the first meeting of this society, after its resuscitation, was held in the Library on December 15th when about 80 members of the College were present. The Revd the Head Master presided and R.Godfrey Esq. read an instructive paper on ‘The Study of Natural History”’. R.Godfrey was probably Race John Godfrey, son of a retired surgeon, resident at the College, who entered Epsom at the age of 11 years and left some eight years later in 1876. Members of this infant Natural History Society were asked to pay an annual subscription of 3 shillings (15p) or 1 shilling (5p) per term. The original natural history society was probably founded by the then Head Master, the Revd Robinson Thornton, who was said by his obituarist to be ‘an accomplished scholar and theologian, an excellent preacher, a remarkable linguist, a good botanist…’
Following its resuscitation in 1870, the Society appeared to flourish. An advertisement in the Epsomian advised that Old Epsomians, members of Council and Residents of Epsom might join, with anannual subscription for non-residents being set at 5 shillings (25p), ‘payable in February each year.’ It is recorded that some meetings attracted more than 100 members and that the Vicar of Epsom had expressed his good wishes for the success of the Society, stating that ‘in order to further the study of Entomology,’ he would‘start a collection of butterflies and moths, when a cabinet has been obtained for that purpose.’ It was apparent then that a bright future beckoned.
However, after only four years the Society was again in trouble. A rather desperate letter published in the December edition of the Epsomian(1873) stated that when its author volunteered to read a paper before the Society, the Secretary had informed him that he could not undertake responsibility for getting up a Meeting. ‘Now if the Secretary of the Society will not do his business,’ wrote the correspondent, ‘is it likely that the Society can exist? Is it not the duty of the Secretary to summon Members for the Meetings? … There is something extremely wrong at the bottom of this affair, and the sooner an explanation appears in the Epsomian, the sooner will satisfaction be given.’ The excuse given by the Secretary was that the Society lacked a Curator for its museum and that he was burdened with those duties himself. A second correspondent joined the first and his letter to the Epsomian (Feb. 1874) complained that if a society ‘of the importance of which the NHS once possessed, should fall through for want of a Curator, it is simply disgraceful.’
With criticism such as this, the integrity of the NHS was threatened. Meetings were no longer reported in the Epsomian and extinction threatened. However, ten years after this debacle the Society was revived again. A new generation of pupils and new members of staff with an interest in natural history resulted in a new wave of enthusiasm. H.V.Plum (1896-1908), housemaster of Holman, was one such enthusiast and a review of the various learned entomological journals of his day reveals notes and observations made by him on behalf of natural history society members. He was followed by J. R. ‘Chunks,’ Parsons (1909-1945), housemaster of Fayrer who, on retirement, presented his marvellous collection of Lepidoptera to the College museum.
At the first meeting of the newly reorganised society, Professor Heaton gave a lecture on ‘Mercuric Iodide,’ illustrating his talk with various experiments. Unfortunately it was attended by no more than 12 members. The Epsomian(1885), in reviewing the history of this Society, reminded its readers that ‘It must be borne in mind that in 1870 the College possessed no Library, and consequently no Museum. Hence it was the main interest of the Society to stock its shelves with specimens contributed to the school, and for this purpose one curator of the Museum was appointed. The whole working of the institution thus devolved upon that functionary, together with the secretary, the former having the most responsible post and most laborious, so that it is not to be much wondered at that in 1874 no one could be found to take this office.’
In 1889 the Revd Thomas Hart-Smith Pearse was appointed Head Master. He arrived from MarlboroughCollege where he had run its Natural History Society. He immediately took charge of a far from healthy NHS at Epsom, and quite simply, transformed it. The Natural History Society published its own reports for the first time; sections on Botany, Entomology, Ornithology, Geology and Meteorology came into being and field-trips to places such as Box Hill and Ranmore Common were organised. The Head Master gave a lecture on ‘The skeleton in Man and other Vertebrates’ – with magic lantern illustrations – and a new wave of enthusiasm for natural history blossomed.
The Natural History Society Reports from 1889 to 1914 make fascinating reading. In 1890, Sir Edward Sieveking, a member of Council, lectured on ‘Epsom Salts’ and in 1891, Sir Joseph Fayrer, a munificent benefactor of the College and recently returned from India, lectured on ‘Venomous Snakes.’ In the same year Mr Sydney Stephenson, an Old Epsomian Eye Surgeon, gave his ‘Report on the Eye-Sight of the School.’ He examined 224 boys for sight and colour vision, and found that 3.57% had defective colour vision while 19% of boys in the Upper School were said to have sight ‘below normal.’ Why this was published under Natural History Society Reports is not known. In 1904 the boys listened to a lecture on ‘Aerial Navigation’ with ‘excellent models of balloons’. This lecture was well attended, but not as well as a talk given in 1908, by E. Stuart Bruce, on ‘Aeroplanes.’ 198 members attended and they learned from their distinguished lecturer that the ‘difference in principle between balloons and aeroplanes was that the former were lighter and the latter heavier, than air.’
A Photographic Section was started in 1908 and almost immediately J.E.Gabriel (Wilson, 1906-1910) won the prize offered by DulwichCollege for the best set of photographs sent in by members of other Public Schools. One year later an Aeronautical Section came into being with 43 members who immediately set about building a glider. They advertised for financial support and received a donation, amongst others, from the Daily Mail of £2-2s.
The story of the Epsom College Natural History Society is one of fluctuating fortunes. In 1912, the Epsomian reported that the Ornithological Section ‘appears to have quite died out,’ and during the same year the Aeronautical Section glider suffered irreparable damage as the result of a crash. Undeterred,the members set about building a new glider – this time, ‘of improved type.’ In 1929 the name of the Society was reported as the ‘Field Club,’ a title that was apparently short-lived. With the retirement of the Revd Smith-Pearse, in 1914, the Society became less active, but the arrival of Arthur E. Ellis F.L.S. as Head of Biology, in 1931, led to an immediate revival. In spite of this new found popularity the Epsomian recorded very little of the NHS activities and it was not until 1945 that reports started to appear again. There was a resurgence of interest from 1945 until the mid 1950s and again during the 1960s. In 1963 the membership rose to 130. At present the future of the Natural History Society must remain speculative. Natural History has now virtually dropped out of examination syllabuses and the stimulus to go out and collect, examine and record the fauna and flora of a given area has almost been extinguished. It is to be hoped that Epsom College, which founded one of the very earliest school natural history societies is one of the very last to lose its own NHS completely.
A number of Old Epsomians became distinguished naturalists and biologists, and among these are:
Claude Morley 1874-1951 (entered Epsom about 1888 – records incomplete):
In his obituary it is recorded that ‘after schooling at Beccles and King’s, Peterborough, he went on to Epsom College, which was noted for science and where he acquired some Latin.’ Morley joined the staff of the BritishMuseum, became one of the foremost authorities of his day on the Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants), and wrote five volumes which encompassed descriptions of all the British species. He founded the Suffolk Naturalist’s Society in 1929. He was a talented and encyclopaedic naturalist. ‘In the quietude of his “moated grange” in Monks Soham, Morley worked with the zest of the born scientist…he was what is now called a “one-off”, an eccentric with a hatred of modern progress. …he would have no truck with wireless, telephone, electricity or summer-time, which he called “lying-in time”’. At his death, his insect collections which comprised some 80,000 specimens were left to the IpswichMuseum.
Ronald Winckworth M.A., F.L.S. 1884-1950 (Forest, 1896-1902)
Canon Arnold Powell, Head Master (1922-1939) knew Winckworth well. ‘Primarily he was a mathematician; but he lent his mind as easily to classics and science, geography and history; above all, natural history and languages were his favourite fields of knowledge. Even at school he taught himself Sanskrit, and it was no uncommon thing to be drawing on his housemaster’s store of linguistic learning to clear up some doubtful point of translation from the Mahabharata.’ He obtained an exhibition at JesusCollege, Oxford and on coming down, taught at Radley, Wellington and later, Brighton. In 1932 he was appointed Assistant Editor of the Royal Society. He was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society in 1935 and President of the Malacological Society in 1939. Winckworth was one of the foremost British authorities on Conchology. Canon Powell recalled a small incident which was characteristic of his scientific approach. ‘When he knew I was to visit Fiji, he asked me to get him, if I could, a golden cowrie. These beautiful shells are rare now; they were the perquisite of Fijian chiefs. But the day before leaving Suva, I managed to buy one, a very fine specimen. When next I went to see him at his home, I said nothing about it; but having distracted his attention…I put the cowrie on the table for him to see when he turned round. I defy anyone to guess how he expressed his delight in finding this treasure. There are so many things one might say. But Ronald’s automatic reaction was the identification and nomenclature of a shell and what he did was to exclaim in an awed voice: “Cyprium aurantium”’!
Dr Eric A. R. Ennion M.A., M.D. 1900-1981 (Granville, 1915-1918):
Ennion joined Epsom from the PerseSchool, Cambridge: ‘but found the discipline and the time wasted at sport (except rugby) irksome.Cricket could be evaded by fielding at long-stop, forgetting to change at the end of an over, and edging slowly back to lie in the long grass and watch insects. It never seemed to make any difference to the score.’ It was said that nature notes filled the margins of his school books. He was to recall one occasion when they were put to literary use: ‘Crusty looked up from the pile of essays on his desk. “What’s a shoveller, Ennion?” “A kind of duck, Sir”. I did not add “of course” but the tone implied it. He tucked his monocle into his wise old wrinkled face: “What’s a syllogism?” “Don’t know, Sir”. Nobody else in Form knew either and there was no further comment on my “Best Day of the Summer Holidays” essay. We were quits.’ [J. W. ‘Crusty’ Wilson – House Master, Wilson 1914-1923]. Eric Ennion became one of the leading ornithologists in this country and one of the foremost bird artists. After a period in general practice at Burwell, Cambridgeshire, he founded the Field Study Centres after negotiating with the National Trust for the use of Flatford Mill on the Suffolk Stour. After a period as Warden of the new Field Study Centre, he moved to Northumberland, where he opened his own Bird Observatory at Seahouses. Among his numerous publications was ‘Adventurer’s Fen,’ a loving, illustrated account of the history and wildlife of a piece of fenland that he had known since childhood. With Robert Gilmore he started the Society of Wildlife Artists in 1964. He had a number of one-man exhibitions of his work at London galleries.
OLD EPSOMIAN GOLFING HONOURS
A. W. Murray (1889-1895) Reached last 16 of the British Open Amateur Championship.
J. H. Parry (1903-1907) Four times winner of Tanganyika Amateur Championship.
M. W. Budd (1916-1919) China Amateur Champion.
Far East Amateur Champion.
I. R. M. A. Erskine (1935-1938) Secretary English Golf Union.
A. S. Hands (1910-1914) OxfordUniversity player.
V. D. O. Smith (1934-1939) CambridgeUniversity player.
J. S. Bland (1941-1946) CambridgeUniversity player.
M. M. Williamson (1985-1990) CambridgeUniversity Captain 1994.
A. J. Nimmo (1922-1932) SurreyCounty player.
J. H. Sangster (1926-1930) WarwickshireCounty player.
I. G. B. Dryborough-Smith (1927-1932) SussexCounty Champion.
SussexCounty player.
S. M. Sangster (1930-1936) Staffordshire CountyChampion 1951.
StaffordshireCounty player.
M. E. Hincks (1936-1941) SomersetCounty player.
P. E. Huddy (1939-1944) WiltshireCounty player.
EssexCounty player.
D. St. J. Brew (1939-1944) HertfordshireCounty player.
G. Murray Fisher (1942-1947) HampshireCounty player.
J. M. Knowlson (1943-1946) YorkshireCounty player.
C. L. A. Walpole (1950-1954) SurreyCounty player.
T. M. Coltart (1951-1956) SussexCounty player.
R. T. Tate (1952-1953) SussexCounty player.
P. A. R. Naysmith (1961-1966) DyfedCounty Champion 1987.
A. J. Wells (1973-1978) Semi-finalist English Amateur Championship, 1979.
HampshireCounty player
Miss S. K. Palmer (1982-1984) EssexCounty player.
P. A. F. Stanford (1980-1985) SurreyCounty player.
J. C. A. Collier (1984-1989) Warwickshire County Match-play Champion, 1993.
WarwickshireCounty player.
SurreyCounty player.
R. McGowan Surrey County player.
Winner St Mellion International 2003.
England Schools.
Cyril Gray Tournament – Winners: 1972, 1973, 1976, 1989.
Cyril Gray Tournament – Runners-up: 1978, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992.
Halford Hewitt Tournament – Winners: 2000
Halford Hewitt Tournament – Runners-up: 1980.
Halford Hewitt Tournament – Semi-finalists: 1955, 1993, 1996, 2001.
Brent Knoll Bowl – Winners: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002.
Royal Wimbledon Putting Competition - Winners: 1973, 1998, 2000, 2002.
Grafton Morrish Tournament – Runners-up: 2001
Grafton Morrish Tournament – Semi-finalists: 1996, 2000.
OLD EPSOMIAN BOXING HONOURS
D. G. Evans (1899-1903) Boxing for CambridgeUniversity.
W. J. Leaning (1921-1926) Boxing for OxfordUniversity (Captain).
L. M. H. Wadia (1920-1930) Boxing for CambridgeUniversity.
D. A. Buchan (1930-1935) Army Featherweight Boxing Champion.
A. E. Preston (1934-1939) Boxing for OxfordUniversity.
J. G. Cooper (1934-1938) Boxing for EdinburghUniversity.
J. R. Blatch (1944-1948) Boxing for Cambridge University.
S. R. Matthews (1911-1919) Boxing for CambridgeUniversity.
J. G. Allardyce (1946-1951) Boxing for United Hospitals.
D. D. G. Evans (1904-1908) Boxing for CambridgeUniversity.
E. W. K. Jones (1929-1933) Boxing for Welsh Universities.
J. W. G. Evans (1930-1935) Boxing for United Hospitals.
K. C. G. Taylor (1935-1940) Boxing for CambridgeUniversity (Captain).
OLD EPSOMIAN FENCING HONOURS
S. H. Scott (1896-1901) Fencing for CambridgeUniversity.
L. Boys (1895-1899) Winner of Public Schools Fencing Championships.
R. J. P. Stewart (1924-1927) Fencing for CambridgeUniversity (Captain).
British Junior Sabre Champion.
Fencing for England -v- Scotland.
C. C. Hughes (1926-1932) Fencing for OxfordUniversity.
J. E. Preston (1933-1937) Winner of Inter-Services Fencing (Foils) – twice.
J. H. Wilson (1940-1944) Fencing for Oxford University.
J. Jordan-Lloyd (1908-1912) Public Schools Sabre Champion.
J. L. Franklin (1918-1921) Fencing for Cambridge University.
Fencing for United Hospitals.
R. Asquith (1927-1933) Fencing for University of London.
P. Lambah (1929-1934) Fencing for Cambridge University.
J. Darwen (1924-1933) Fencing for R.A.F. Cranwell.
H. J. Russell (1933-1937) Fencing for Cambridge University.
OLD EPSOMIAN SOCCER HONOURS
C. R. W. Heath (1880-1881) Soccer for MiddlesexCounty.
J. J. Knox (1880-1883) Soccer for CambridgeUniversity.
R. A. Low (1885-1889) Soccer for CambridgeUniversity.
C. A. Lawrence (1892-1897) Soccer for EdinburghUniversity.
G. K. Stille (1972-1977) Soccer for Brighton & Hove F. C. (Premier League)
OLD EPSOMIAN SAILING HONOURS
K. J. Merron (1957-1962) Sailing for OxfordUniversity.
B. Appleton (1948-1954) Sailing for OxfordUniversity (Captain).
Sailing for British Universities (Captain).
M. J. A. Franks (1942-1946) Sailing for OxfordUniversity.
T. C. Ratsey (1909-1914) Winner, Round-the-Islands Yacht Race.
Winner, New Yacht Club Challenge Cup.
Sir C. S. Taylor (1924-1929) Sailing for Gt. Britain –v- U.S.A.
Sailing for Old World –v- New World (6 – metre).
Air Marshall Sir W. B. McDonald (1917-1920) Olympic Games Sailing 1948.
EPSOMCOLLEGERUGBY FOOTBALL HONOURS
INTERNATIONAL SELECTION:
E. J. Moore (1875-1881) England XV
R. W. Hamilton (1882-1888) Ireland XV
J. V. Brewer (1866-1870) England XV
T. Blatherwick (1868-1873) England XV
A. F. Calwell (1896-1902) Scotland XV
A. L. Novis (1921-1926) England XV (Captain)
J. L. Reid (1920-1928) Ireland XV
W. J. Taylor (1919-1923) England XV
R. N. Wade (1931-1937) Wales XV
E. P. Branfoot (1870-1874) England XV
F. S. Scott (1894-1901) England XV
J. K. Watkins (1926-1930) England XV
N. O. Bennett (1936-1941) England XV
J. F. M. Roualle (1925-1934) Malayan XV
J. J. Griffin (1870-1878) Scotland XV
E. S. Rogers (1919-1927) Australian XV
P. Burke (1991-19 ) Ireland XV
OTHER DISTINCTIONS:
C. E. Rutherford (1886-1890) Founder and Secretary of French RFU.
H. E. Holmes (1895-1897) Founder of South African Currie Cup Tournament.
O. H. R. Beadles (1918-1927) President Malayan RFU.
R. T. Norman (1924-1929) Barbarians XV; Reserve for England XV.
J. K. Watkins (1926-1930) Barbarians XV
R. H. Leigh (1902-1909) Welsh Rugby Trials 1914.
C. G. B. Coltart (1898-1902) Barbarians XV
Brig. H. Ll. Glyn Hughes (1903-1910) Barbarians XV; President of Barbarians RFC.
E. Palladino (19 -19 ) Italy XV in Junior World Cup.
R. K. McRoberts (1905-1910) Vancouver XV
D. J. B. Johnston (1933-1938) England Public Schools XV
R. N. Wade (1931-1937) England Public Schools XV
P. J. Herring (1954-19 ) England Schools XV
J. Hoad (1988-19 ) England Colts XV
P. Burke (1991-19 ) England Under 19 XV (Captain)
England Under 21 XV (Captain)
UNIVERSITY XVs
E. J. Moore (1875-1881) Oxford University XV
S. H. Scott (1896-1901) Cambridge University XV
E. P. Branfoot (1870-1874) Oxford University XV
R. A. Highmoor (1913-1917) Cambridge University XV
J. L. Reid (1920-1928) Oxford University XV
S. W. C. Dunlop (1928-1933) Cambridge University XV
T. Langton-Lockton (1931-1936) Oxford University XV
J. R. Duncan (1934-1939) Oxford University XV
A. G. Parks (1935-1940) Oxford University XV
K. A. W. Overton (1936-1940) Oxford University XV
P. R. Jones (1947-1951) Cambridge University XV
W. J. Taylor (1919-1923) Cambridge University XV
C. S. Taylor (1924-1929) Cambridge University XV
A. L. Novis (1921-1926) Oxford University XV
W. G. Campbell (1958-1961) Oxford University XV
E. R. M. Bowerman (1920-1928) Cambridge University XV
N. B. Coltart (1915-1921) London University XV
J. A. Stedman (1909-1912) London University XV (Vice-Captain)
J. J. Griffin (1870-1878) Edinburgh University XV