My recollections of the RHM School are numerous, and as I left there nearly 65 years ago, it may be easily conceived that my memory of what took place during the time I was a scholar there may be a trifle hazy, but the following may be taken as clear ideas of the happenings during my three years in the Institution.

On joining the School, I was placed in the 1st class of the 2nd division, and at the first exam. I was moved up into the 1st division. When steel pens were introduced into the School, the first of them was handed to me by Mr. Gibbons. On being asked for my opinion of the pens, I said they were a decided improvement on the quills. We had summer outings to Dalkey, each boy receiving a bun and orange, at the expense, I was told, of Mr. Pym, for which, and to whom, we felt very grateful. On one of these occasions we were taken on board HMS Blenheim, which had just been converted from a sailing ship into a steamer, and were shown all the machinery, etc. On the 18th June -Waterloo Day - we used to be regaled with currant cake at our evening meal; this was always eagerly looked forward to as an event.

The principal event of note, and one of which I still have a vivid memory, was the presentation of the first set of Colours by the then Prince of Wales, on or about July 1853. I was present on parade on that occasion, and also in the Dining Hall afterwards when the young Prince made a very effective and telling speech.

Three deaths took place: Sergeant Womman, interred at Chapelziod; Boy McDonald, B 60. Funeral at the School Churchyard; and Dr. Elkington, buried at Arbour Hill Cemetery. It was with sincere regret that I learned of the death of Mr. T. Powell (A 132), the acknowledged Father of old Hibs. As the date of Mr. Powell’s birth, as given by himself, was September, 1839 and I was born in December, 1839, it is presumed that the mantle of 'Father of old Hibs' has fallen upon me.

I have selected the enclosed photo taken at Aldershot in 1864, to accompany this paper, since it shows the position in which I used to wear the 'plume' on the uniform of my old regiment, the 59th. Lieutenant-General Sir John Pennefather, Commanding the Aldershot Division, after inspecting the regiment one day, addressed the Colonel, saying, "Colonel Lodder, I congratulate you in having a man in your regiment wearing such an honourable distinction, and I am only sorry that I cannot wear it myself."

Major D. Deeves, RAOD (Rtd)
(B44 1851-1854)

January 1919