MEMORIALS TO "OLD BOYS" IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sra,—During the last summer several letters appeared in your columns suggesting that memorial tablets should be put up in our primary schools to any old scholars who had fallen in the late war in the service of their country. This proposal met with your hearty approval.: I was at that time tempted to send you some examples of memorials which had already been erected in several primary schools with which I was acquainted. But I refrained from doing so. My mind now recurs to this matter because of your insertion last week of a letter from me giving the University distinctions gained by old, elementary-school boys; and though I am reluctant to intrude upon your space again so soon, I venture to send you the following copy of memorial tablets erected in one of those schools which has recently produced a Balliol scholar,—viz., Rhos-ddu Board-Schools, Wrexham :— "School Friends placed this Tablet in Memory of ALFRED BOLT lsr V.B. ROYAL WELSR FUSILIERS Nine Years (1881-1890) member of this - - school - - • Volunteered for Active Service in 'THE TRANSVAAL 1899 Died of Fever at Kimberley, South 'Africa May 17th 1900. Aged 23 years For Queen and Country "
Each tablet is of brass, and above each hangs an enlarged photograph (in uniform) of the old scholar to the memory of whom the tablet has been erected. In the case of Alfred Holt the photograph was presented to the school by the officers of the let V.B. Royal Welsh Fusiliers and comrades. I may add that at another school (Wrexham National Boys') there was displayed during the war a special "Honours List" of "Old Boys at the Front," which included the names of twenty-five "old boys," belonging respectively to the 17th Lancers, the Royal Engineers, the Gordon Highlanders, the Cameron Highlanders, the 14th Hussars, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and the Imperial Yeomanry. In many other schools there are (in addition to the usual " Honours Lists") memorials to those who fell in the nation's service. One is reminded of Tennyson's lofty encomium upon the glory of patriotic martyrdom :—
"My son.
No sound is breathed so potent to coerce, And to conciliate, as their names who dare For that sweet mother land which gave them birth Nobly to do, nobly to die. Their names Graven on memorial columns, are a song Heard in the future ; few, but more than wall And rampart, their examples reach a hand Far thro' all years, and everywhere they meet And kindle generous purpose, and the strength To mould it into action pure as theirs."
" School Friends placed this Tablet in Memory of WALTER HENRY JONES 2ND LIFE GUARDS • Ten Years (1880-1890) member of this
school
Volunteered for Active Service in THE TRANSVAAL 1890 Killed in Action March 7th 1900. Aged 23 years Pro Patria Hartung Eat",
—I am, Sir, &c., Rhyl. L. G. ROBERTS.
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