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War naturally affected the conditions and smooth running of the school in many ways, but fundamental principles remained unchanged. The school remembers, with pride, the many pupils who gave their lives. Among the early casualties was John Rhys, the first Spring Grovian to qualify for the medical profession. We cannot list all the tragic losses, but might be forgiven for singling out Hazel Batten, who joined the W.R.N.S. and was drowned, and two brothers, Leslie and David Barden, in remembrance of whom their parents give annually two greatly appreciated prizes for French and Geography. Although war brought dislocation of routine, many obtained the "General Schools" Certificate. Teachers and pupils worked under difficult conditions; often work was interrupted for long periods and had to be continued orally in the air-raid shelters.
The school survived the lively bombardment experienced during the war years and although a number of bombs fell dangerously near, the damage was fortunately superficial. Some of the present staff still remember their fire-watching days and how they escorted pupils home at the end of a day if an air-raid was in progress.
In 1948 the whole school celebrated its 25th anniversary and the last week of the summer term was noteworthy not only for Speech Day, but for various educational, athletic and social activities. There was an Open Day on which displays of pupils' work was added to the exhibition of boys' physical training, of country dancing and the finals of the tennis competition. An excerpt from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was presented by the Dramatic Society.
On the third evening of the week there was a grand reunion of the staff and Old Spring Grovians; next day the senior concert. A staff v pupils tennis tournament and a cricket match between the School XI and the Old Spring Grovians on July 24th ended the week's events. Speech Day during that week was honoured by the presence of the Dowager Marchioness of Reading, the widow of one of India's greatest Viceroys, as well as head of the W.V.S. and governor of the B.B.C. It was especially marked also by the Headmaster's report, containing news of the sporting achievements of Sylvia Cheeseman and Doris Batter, and of six University successes, four being honours degrees gained by former pupils. The school has been honoured by many other distinguished speakers since the war, including Miss Florence Horsbrugh, C.B.E., M.P., Minister of Education, Sir Frank Tribe, the Comptroller and Auditor General, Canon C.V. Raven, the Queen's Chaplain, and the Very Reverend W.R. Matthews, Dean of St. Paul's.
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