A fabulous letter from Old Xaverian Des Cannon, my Mum’s neighbour in Goring [Worthing]
December 2012 –transcript of a letter from Desmond Cannon [Charterhouse] 1935 to 1940
Desmond lived in Sarsfield Road, Balham in 1929 - he attended St. Anslem’s Convent Primary Tooting Bec and went to Clapham College in 1935. He should have gained a free scholarship to Clapham, but admits to have been lazy and lacking in concentration and went there as a “fee-payer”.
Amongst his friends at Clapham were Bruce Donkin, whose Mum owned the Snooker Hall opposite Ducan Court in Balham. Bruce went on to be MC in the Snooker World Championship and still runs a Snooker-related business.
Desmond goes on to say he remembers two Polish Brothers [“names difficult to spell” – [We’ve ALL been there!!!!] ....”something like Chernewski [Joe] – [ l think that’s Joe]. Cernuschi the younger one was a good goalkeeper [John]”. Douglas Hachola was another Clapham colleague who lived with his family from 1937 to 1939. Eric Foti [Maltese lad], Cyril Murtagh and Derek Rowe were school friends he also remembers. Other friends included Tony Frost, Dennis Hook, Lennie Powell [a brilliant scholar] and Alf Mitchell an Irish American with a beautiful sister [we’ve all been there!!!!]. Desmond had another really good friend [French-Swiss parents who ran a restaurant in Acre Lane] who he lost touch with as he wasn’t evacuated with the school. He later heard that his friend was married by Father Thompson at the Holy Ghost Church in Nightingale Square.
When the War broke out in 1939 Desmond was billeted in Forest Row, he did not enjoy the experience and in 1940 moved in with a friend Francis Currie who was billeted nearby, Francis lived in Alderbrook Road, they cycled everywhere and to the cinemas in East Grinstead; ironically after an air raid in 1942 Desmond discovered had been killed by a direct hit on the cinema.
In 1940 Desmond became “fed up” with Evacuation – so he cycled back to Balham. In 1942 to 1943 Desmond was in the Royal Navy.
Desmond remembers Brother Dunstan as a “very good Science teacher” [as do we all]..Br. Pius another excellent teacher, Br. Alphonsus also a good teacher [nicknamed “Doggy”] and Brother Xavier who used to cane us!!! [for me it was Brothers Ambrose & Peter].
The “lay-teachers” included Mr Duck [Music] who sent Desmond to be caned for singing Cherry Tripe instead of Cherry Ripe [now that brings back the memories]. Mr Bamblick [a Gymnastics teacher] and Mr Sheppey a good Maths Teacher.
Desmond Cannon – 1933 to 1940 – does his fabulous letter touch any memory glands of some of our older Xaverians – if so please get in touch –
It was a privilege to type and share Desmond’s letter...... Scotty - December 2012