ORIGINAL MESSAGE

NAME: Stuart Quin

06 August 2011

CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1955-62

I have just come across this Q.E.website by accident.  I have found it very interesting and although it is 49 years since I left I still can remember so much.  I would not say I had a particularly distinguished record and I was no doubt the loser, not wishing to stay on beyond 4.05pm.  In fact Peter Brown and I were probably first down the drive most days.  I gained sufficient qualifications to become a solicitor.  I worked in Watford from leaving school until I retired in 2009.  I have been for many years a Deputy District Judge and I come across Martin Iller from time to time as he is also a DDJ.  On reflection I realise that Q.E. was a first class school and if I had my time again I would not waste it.  To illustrate the point that I did not really get involved was when Mr Jenkins was retiring in 1961.  All lower 6th boys were called into the hall.  The purpose was to find out what we intended to do after leaving in 1962 so that the new headmaster Mr Edwards would have some idea.  Mr Jenkins went along the line of boys calling them up to the stage by name.  When it came to me he did not know who I was and just said " you boy".  I went up.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do and had already lined up articles of clerkship.  That was the first time I had spoken to Mr Jenkins since my interview in 1955.  In fact I never went into his study.  It could be said I kept a low profile.  I think that because I was not particularly sporty and did not realise my academic potential until after I had left, although I have not done so badly after leaving school.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had, although I realise I could have made a lot more of my time at one the best schools in the country.  Finally in my opinion the best masters by a mile were John Wakelin and Richard Dilley.  They actually taught us.

1st REPLY

NAME: Stephen Giles  

DATE: 08 August 2011

CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64

I think that I remember you from my time at QE.  Please give my regards to Martin Iller next time you see him, I have never forgotten his piano talents, whether on the concert piano or in the school blues band with Dick Newton, Ned Calvert and others!

2nd REPLY

NAME: John Bibby

DATE: 10 September 2011

CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1955-59

Just four days ago I was with Sam Smith and we asked each other 'Whatever happened to the great SQ?'  Neither of us knew.  Now we find that all the time he was hiding in Watford.  Please contact me

3rd REPLY

NAME: Derek Smith

DATE: 01 November 2011

CONNECTION WITH QE: former pupil 1955-62

Hello Stuart.  Many was the time I sat behind you and contemplated the back of your head.  Hope you enjoy your retirement - it's great - I have twenty years of playing golf and generally being idle.

4th REPLY

NAME: Brian Dixon

DATE: 04 February 2012

CONNECTION WITH QE: Inmate 1955 to 1961

Hello, Stuart, I remember you too - in fact you were one of the relatively few boys whose first name I knew.  I guess we all did better than to just survive, although my memories of QE are mixed, to say the least.  Not a great place for a nerdy kid with thick glasses.  I think Martin Iller and I competed for the worst eyesight.  (I remember him playing In the hall of the Mountain King brilliantly.)  If you have only just discovered this site, be sure to check the webmaster's personal site. An illuminating and insightful read.  I have been retired for a few years now, living in Canada.