Harrow Association

Thank you to those who came along to the recent Harrow gathering in Washing ton D.C., joining our colleagues Doug and Ruby from Harrow School Development for what was a wonderful and intimate Harrow evening.

Special thanks go to Brad Allen (Bradbys 2000³) and his wife Hadley for hosting the event in their beautiful home.

Today is World Environment Day, a reminder of the importance of protecting and appreciating the natural world around us.

On this day, we remember David McClintock MBE VMH FLS (Newlands 1926³), English natural historian, horticulturist and author, as well as one of the most distinguished amateur botanists of his generation.

Over his lifetime, McClintock recorded more than 3,000 species in the British Isles, oversaw the scientific survey of the Buckingham Palace Garden in the early 1960s, and co-authored one of Britain’s best-selling floras, with more than 250,000 copies sold.

A passionate champion of British botany and natural history, he also played a leading role in organisations including the Linnean Society and the Royal Horticultural Society, helping to bridge the gap between botanists and gardeners.

His remarkable contribution to the study and preservation of Britain’s flora earned him numerous honours, including the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, and an MBE for services to botany shortly before his death in 2001.

Last Saturday, OHs in New York gathered with our colleagues Doug and Ruby from Harrow School Development, for an evening of pub drinks at The Churchill Tavern.

Thank you to Nikita Kuznetsov (Moretons 2013³), Ben Swan (Moretons 2019³), Dushan Karageorgevitch (Moretons 1991³), Alan Huo (The Head Master's 2012³), Andreas Eccles-Williams (West Acre 2012³), Farri Gabba (Lyon's 2011³), and Charles Biddle-Porter (Druries 2011³) for coming along.

One hundred years ago today, 3 June 1926, the Harrow community gathered to remember more than 600 Harrovians who lost their lives in the First World War, with the official opening of the War Memorial by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (The Head Master’s, 1881³). Swipe to read "'Dedication of the War Memorial, June 3, 1926".

As The Harrovian recorded on 1 July 1926 (Vol. # # No. 4) -

"It was in weather neither too joyous nor too gloomy, but serious and thoughtful, as the occasion demanded, that the opening of the War Memorial took place. And the company that gathered together for this ceremony showed how the vitality of Harrow is not yet diminished, but can overcome the wounds inflicted by war, which this memorial is to commemorate..."

Following Baldwin's address, which The Harrovian noted "was received with the enthusiasm it deserved", the ceremony drew to a close with a display of unity and remembrance -

"The School then sang the first verse of " Forty Years On," the Old Harrovians the third. And all joined in to sing " God Save the King " with a fire that convinced one that those 600 Harrovians have not died in vain."

Today, on the centenary of the dedication, we remember those whose sacrifice the War Memorial was built to honour.

Clouds over chapel, as the heatwave finally subsides on the Hill.

128 years ago, 31 May 1898, British Olympian, businessman, and former Harrow School Governor Captain Sir Lancelot Carrington Royle KBE (Church Hill and The Grove 1912³) was born.

A distinguished sportsman at Harrow, Royle played for both the Footer XI and Association XI, as well as cricket and fives, before entering R.M.A. Woolwich in 1917 and serving with the Royal Field Artillery in France during the First World War.

Following the war, he became one of Britain’s leading sprinters, competing alongside Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, and represented Great Britain at the 1924 Paris Olympics as part of the celebrated Chariots of Fire team, winning silver in the 4 x 100 metre relay. He also famously gave up his place in the 200 metres to allow Liddell to compete.

Royle later enjoyed a distinguished business and public career, serving with Unilever, appointed by Winston Churchill (The Head Master's 1888²) to senior wartime roles, including co-chairman of the Macharg/Royle Treasury Committee and later chairman of NAAFI during and after the Second World War, and transforming Home and Colonial Stores into one of Britain’s foremost retail businesses.

In 1944, he was appointed KBE in recognition of his wartime service, and later returned to Harrow as a Governor of the School.

Image 3 - Sir Lancelot Carrington Royle by Walter Bird, bromide print, May 1960, National Portrait Gallery

Do come along to support The Harrow Wanderers Over 50s Cricket Cup side this Sunday 31 May as they take on the Uppingham Rovers at the Sixth Form Ground, Harrow School (11am start).

The Wanderers secured their place in the next round with a superb six-wicket victory over the Old Alleynians on their 1st XI pitch a couple of weeks ago, and spirits are high heading into Sunday’s match.

With it being a 35-over game, it’s the perfect way to spend a late spring Sunday morning without losing the whole day.

to the 2016 OH Rugby Reunion, which saw members of the 1980–1985 Rugby First XVs return to what appears to have been a rather cloudy Hill.

It was another glorious day for this year’s Speech Day, which took place last Saturday 23 May.

There was activity all across the School from Speech Room to the athletics tracks, down to the cricket fields, and it was so wonderful to see many of you back on the Hill.

On this, the hottest day of the year here on the Hill, we hope these snowy Footer photos from 2013 bring a little welcome respite from the soaring temperatures.

You can find the full set in the ‘Memories of the Hill’ album on OH Connect. Do share this post with any friends you spot in the photos as well.