Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I School Caning

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. This is from a recent biography of Clement Attlee, British Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951:

"Attlee joined his fellow schoolboys in a protest against the headmaster for his failure to grant a public holiday in celebration of the victory [at Ladysmith in the Boer War]. They marched down to the neighbouring market town of Hertford and "indulged in a patriotic celebration". Clement was one of the SEVENTY-TWO [my emphasis] caned that evening."

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Justme264 · 70-79, M

"The Fatal Englishman"

By Sebastian Faulks

One of whom was Jeremy Wolfenden....supposedly the cleverest englishman of his generation....and allegedly thrashed severely at Eton by someone called Douglas Hurd...future goverment minister

Whether true or not...these short biographies by an excellent author are a fascinating read (imho)

MartinII · 70-79, M

@Justme264 Hurd was known as Whacker, or possibly Thrasher, Hurd at Eton. He reinvented himself as a left-wing Tory.

TheThinker · 56-60, M

@MartinII Five years late, but "Hitler Hurd", I believe. Very fond of his cane.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@TheThinker Thanks - hadn't heard that version before.

Justme264 · 70-79, M

@MartinII a shame he did not use it on Maggie from time time.... nonthly sounds about right