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John Buckland recalls his times in the USA August 12, 2007

John wrote again after seeing the new website format. His picture, with his wife, was taken in Scotland, August 2007.

It's hard to quantify why the school has such a hold on its old pupils ; it's probably something to do with the original building and where it was, the mix of pupils, no girls to cloud the issue (!) and the teachers.

I lived and worked in Los Angeles in the early 1960s - for a short time near the La Brea Tar Pits, then in Hollywood and latterly Burbank. I worked for a company called the Rain Jet Corporation and prior to that, a company in LA which made logos for uniforms. However this was in the Watts area of the city -- so not too healthy!! I do miss California and all the friends I made there. I especially miss the week-ends at the beach and into the desert etc. Happy days!

When I came back to the UK I drove across the US via the original Route 66 but neglected to take photographs and also keep a diary which I would have done if I could have guessed at its, now 'cult' status!

I still come to the States from time-to-time to visit relatives in Oregon and also for sight-seeing. My wife and I have a planned coach tour of California next year taking in Las Vegas, San Francisco etc. We've had to sneak this in as my relatives always want to see us but it's nice to see other parts of the USA occasionally!

Right: John in back 1954, and now -
as seen on his cartoon drawing website

Thanks for publishing my cartoon! It looks great. Yes, I am on the 1954 photo. I am standing on the second row behind Bill Grimley and between Derek Jones and Lefty Wright (mop of hair which I've styled a la Tony Curtis and open-necked shirt). I only had one blazer the entire time I was at school which began with very long sleeves and when I was in the fifth form had very short sleeves, so I started to wear more casual dress such as sports coats etc. which suited my parent's purse more....hence my casual attire!

Roger was one of the sons of the Swaines. He was involved in the Arts on the stage and in TV. His brother was a big-wig in the oil industry. Roger was a very personable man and I knew him more than his brother as he was the one without a family and, therefore got more involved with his mum's welfare etc. He actually taught me to understand how to calculate temperature from the old to the new....double the figure [i.e. 14 degrees] and add 32 to give an approximate figure! 

I will write a more detailed account of Mrs Swaine in the next few days - and other memories.

June 22nd, 2005:  A follow-up letter

I did promise to add a further memory of Mrs. Swaine, so here it is together with a brief thought about Harold Simpson, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Hawksby. 

Mrs. Swaine: You can read these memories on Boss Swaine's page.

Harold Simpson: My parents were friends with Mr. Simpson and his wife and used to socialise by, occasionally going for a drink. As this was the case, I became quite familiar with him outside of the school and we used to often talk about cricket, in particular. One time, during school in the main hall, I made a smart comment to him about Derbyshire beating 'his team' which I seem to recall was Yorkshire. Unfortunately, the 'Boss' overheard me and I had to report to his office where he gave me a severe wigging for being insolent to a teacher. I didn't get chance to put my side of the affair! He was good man and I did enjoy the music lessons. 

Mr. Robinson: I generally got on with Mr. Robinson, except when he was in one of his frequent rages! I recall one episode when he and I [as team captain] were selecting the 'B' team for the next match. I made an objection to one of his selections and he promptly scribbled through my name and said between gritted teeth that I was dropped from the team, not explaining why, and I, wisely, didn't pursue the matter. I didn't play again for a couple of matches! I learned not to disagree. 

Mr. Joe Hawksby was also someone who had a short fuse and I recall seeing him striding through the main hall at the school and thumping a lad, who I recall was Peter Morrell, right between the shoulder blades, knocking him sprawling onto the floor. At the same time he shouted : 'Out of my way, boy!' No comment was made by anyone and we all just carried on as if nothing had happened ; can you imagine the same thing happening in today's society! 

Happy Days!!