Leslie John Roberts
Known as Les or Nickname   “Bunny “ Large front teeth

At St M’s 1955 to end 1958

Mates with Mick Clarke and Rod Crowfoot

Started as a day boy travelling from Kings Lynn each day with  ????  who’s Dad was a butcher

Boarded in Sept 1957 and was at Gresham House.

Initially in large dorm on top floor which had a small two bed dorm off it. This had the fire escape in it via the window.

Got “ Promoted to 1^st floor dorm with only four of us in it  --- two bunks. Top of stairs and to the left.

Shared this with Rod Crowfoot;  Mick Clarke and  Michael H - Nobby – Clark

Member of Film team under Clifford Wallington.

Played 2^nd eleven cricket  - still got the cap.

Played 1^st eleven hockey  or so it says on my leaving certificate but honestly cannot remember this.

Played soccer for the school but then I think we all did.

Was made a Prefect in 58 only because  I  looked after the oil heaters. This was a great lurk to get out of work on Saturday mornings and at other times. Can still put a new wick in an oil heater – if you can find one.

Main memories

Big fight with Bernard Musson in the top dorm at GH. He gave me a black eye for which we both got four of RP’s best   – not because of the fight but because we lied 

"Bernard pushed the door open  Sir and the knob hit me in the eye. " was the best we could do for an alibi.

Trying to ride my bike with a new raincoat on. Why were they sooo big.

Sleeping in tents at Old Boy weekends so they could sleep in the lap of luxury in our dorms.

Taking short cuts in the cross country run so we could get in front of Anita  ??? and watch her bouncing  yes well just bouncing eh!

Javelin practice on the soccer field and hitting the power lines  - on purpose. Very big flashes.

Cycling to and from school from The Lodge and trying to beat   1) the Bus and 2) Colin Ratcliff. Never did beat Colin.

Learning to dance at the Inglesthorpe Village Hall. The only reason we were there was because the local girls came.

Being madly in love with Lila  ????? one of the village girls and being invited to tea   - grossly embarrassing!

As an alter boy hurtling along with RP driving the Morris Shooting Break on Sunday morning to do Holy Communion at Inglesthorpe and other Churches

RP forgetting there was no wine and having to stop at the Inglesthorpe Hotel to get a bottle of red.

Getting the congregation count wrong -  like 7 instead of  6 so RP ran out of wafers.

No electricity at Inglesthorpe Church – quite a usual occurance -  and Colin Ratcliff ( School Organist for the uninitiated ) playing Toccata and Fugue in G because we had to manually pump the organ until RP left the alter and had a “quite “ word. Not a good image   Sweating alter boys.

Getting severe colds because some idiot told us if we cycled with our chests exposed we would grow hairs on our chest. Many colds and still not many hairs.

Ducking Mr Taylor’s chalk in math’s

Feeling sorry for Mr Taylor in French cos we new he was reading the text book and knew less than we did.

Struggling with Greek and Latin with RP insisting it would help our english. Never helped mine.

Listening to the 8am ? news in the Lodge and hoping to God that you were not pick on by RP to answer a question related to a topic. “ Roberts  Why do you think the Yen is falling ? “”   Gulp Gulp

Sitting up very straight as RP came into the Lodge dining room. That pin hurt !!

Listening to small radios under the blankets after lights out and being caught by a Pre

Fish Pie for diner on Fridays

Duty table or whatever it was that had to serve and wash up – remember the smell!!

Desperately trying to smash a cricket ball through any window in the school. Rumor had it you got ten pounds and four of the best. As nobody ever did it never found out.

Going to Heacham beach  - well rock infested area – and swimming  -  in winter. From memory another

C. Ratcliffe brilliant idea.

Going to the cinema in Hunstanton to watch the latest movies – but you had to wear your full uniform. We all did of course. Got four of the best for not having my uniform on  -  dobbed in by Miss Jewson who was having a great time 3 rows back. Movie was Little Richard in “ Girls Can’t Help It “  I think.

People not mentioned anywhere.

Mrs Roberts who was a cook at the Lodge  and whose son came to the school for a while. 

Mr Taylor  -  teacher of maths and anything RP threw at him. Always poorly dressed – lived in a house at Heacham you passed on the way to the beach. Had lots of children. Really nice guy. 

Many of the overseas guys whose names escape me

Dowda Nigy comes to mind and Nauclus who was from Pakistan

Regards and all the best

Les Roberts