Griff Jones (F 39-43) writes of his time at St. Bees and particularly of J. S. Boulter:

“When I first went to St. Bees, at the age of 13, it was January 1939 and J. S. Boulter had been headmaster for only one term. The school was very small, with only about 70 pupils, and the Foundation and the School House were the only houses in operation for boarders. Barony operated with one classroom, the School Shop and the School Tuck Shop. About half the masters had been there for years, and the other half were quite young, recent recruits.

J.S.B. made an immediate impression. Firstly he was lame, having broken his leg badly in a motorcycle accident. He demanded his leg be set in a bent position because although he would obviously look lame he would in fact be able to be more active. He was quickly motorcycling again, and rumour had it he soon had another accident and was knocked unconscious. He came round to find someone trying to straighten his game leg. "Leave it alone, You fool,” he said. "It's always Iike that.” That was the end of motorcycling!

Secondly, he was constantly popping up unexpectedly. Headmasters were expected to be fairly static, in their offices. But J.S.B. might be anywhere, not only taking classes in Latin or Geography, but directing Labour Squads (for non-games’ players) and joining in cricket and rugby training as performer or coach.

The World War started in September 1939, and the school was faced with huge staffing problems, as young masters volunteered for military service or were called up. Recruiting replacements must have been a major problem. T.A. Brown was one who came back to St. Bees with his wife Mary, who was also a teacher. Some of those recruited had problems, and one or two were frankly unsuitable.

In January 1940 another problem hit the school. One wing of Foundation was burnt from end to end. All the boarders lost everything, and all their parents needed advice and support. My parents were most grateful for J.S.B’s letters. J.S.B. also showed himself an excellent improvisor - he was not, perhaps, such a good long term planner or administrator - but his style of popping up here and there, often quoting Latin tags or verses, and always with practical suggestions, was well suited to the chaos which prevailed.

Thanks to Boulter's energetic recruiting, the number of pupils doubled in very few terms. Academic results were reasonable, and sporting results were remarkably good considering the numbers in the school.

J.S.B. was a proud family man. He married Joy Thorne quite late, and they produced Hugh John without delay. J.S.B. would quote Hugh John’s infant chatter very seriously and in most respectful tones. I was one of a number who was constantly imitating J.S.B. - how he spoke, how he moved, but we never made fun of how he spoke of Hugh John. J.S.B. was a deeply religious man, and he encouraged visits to the school from the Bishops of Barrow and Carlisle. When he left St. Bees because of what I understood to be health problems - stress in modern palance - he became a Vicar, and served parishes in his beloved Cumbria.

St. Bees School would not exist now if it hadn’t been for J.S.B.’s actions in 1938 - 1940. There is a memorial plaque to T.A. Brown, quite properly on the Crease. There ought somewhere to be a plaque for J.S.B. - probably in or near School House. I have had quite a long life. J.S.B. is one of very few unforgettable characters in it.”

The St. Beghian Society,
St. Bees School, St. Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DS
Tel: 01946 828093
osb@st-bees-school.co.uk