Alleyn Club News
this year the official opening of the Laboratory in September will inevitably affect numbers attending a reunion. The Alleyn Club too is partly responsible for the fixture congestion with 7 events running in the Michaelmas term last year. Only a few years ago, other than regional and international dinners the Reunion and the AGM stood alone in the calendar. As a consequence, at a recent meeting of the Committee, it was decided to discontinue the autumn reunion for this year and to review the club’s position in 2017. Your views are welcome. Founder’s Day has always been a significant diary date for both the school and the Alleyn Club with the traditional lunch and afternoon tea proving a popular opportunity to meet with friends while at the same time being able to see the school at its best. In recent years the day has seen a significant rebranding in the hands of Director of Drama Peter Jolly OA (72-80) with each day reflecting a theme that resonates strongly with all associated with the College. Last year’s theme of ‘Discovery and Endurance’ marked the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition while this year will celebrate the landmark year of 1616, a year which saw the deaths of Philip Henslowe, William Shakespeare and the consecration of the Chapel of God’s Gift, effectively marking the birth of the new Dulwich College. As part of the work to refurbish wholly and restore the War Memorial, names of those OAs who have lost their lives in conflict since 1945 have been added. In addition, five memorial paving stones commemorating the OA Founder’s Day
VCs won in WW1 will be laid at the War Memorial. On Founder’s Day, during our wreath laying ceremony, the first two will be dedicated to Lt. Richard Jones VC and Maj. Stewart Loudoun-Shand VC. Lieutenant Richard B B Jones, VC (1897-1916), was at Dulwich from 1909 to 1914. He was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on 21st May 1916 holding, with his platoon, a crater recently captured from the enemy. Lieutenant Jones kept his men together, steadying them by his fine example and shot no less than fifteen of the enemy as they advanced, counting them aloud as he did so to cheer on his men. When his ammunition was expended he stood up to throw a grenade, but was shot through the head. He was 19 years old when he died. Major Stewart W Loudoun-Shand, VC (1879-1916), was at Dulwich College 1891-1897. He was killed in action at Fricourt on the Somme on 1st July 1916, while helping his men over the parapet to attack the enemy’s trenches, despite being met by fierce machine gun fire. When mortally wounded he insisted on being propped up in the trench and went on encouraging the non- commissioned officers and men until he died. He was 37 years old. The Alleyn Club too is looking to raise its profile and Syd Martin (83-90) is working closely with the College to create a bigger and better experience for OA’s. In 2016 the OA tent will be located close to the centre of the campus. It will have more seating than last year and an area devoted to a display of exhibits supporting the various sporting and social clubs affiliated to the Alleyn Club. Syd has also arranged for the Belleville Brewing Company to have a tent next to ours, certainly fulfilling the request for an OA bar. The brewery has also promised that on the day we shall have our own Founder’s Day brew. Suggestions for the name of which are most welcome.
Tickets can be booked online at http://oa.dulwich.org.uk/FD2016
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