Len Stephenson on Ollie Overton and the Summer Camp.

I found the article on Ollie Overton, FAIR OR FOUL (See 'Memories', by Sinclair Gordon) very interesting and I wish more ex pupils would submit their memories.  I too attended the same summer camp and had, up to that point, the best holiday of my life.
I can't recall the specific incident Sinclair mentions but I'm not surprised at Ollie's actions.  Being an ex military man he was a strict disciplinarian as opposed to ex army Major, Pat Casey.
I once felt Ollie's wrath by informing him a house colour 'sash' was broken. I unfortunately used the term 'busted'. I never made the same mistake again.
Ollie was very competitive and when I was in fifth form, he would often join in yard ball games. He was not above using his elbows while jostling for the ball.

Overall, although he was strict, he appeared to be fair. At the time, I never realised that he had a military background.  Only found out from this super JCS website.

The weather that particular week at Barnard Castle was unsurpassed! Upon returning home, whilst carrying my kit bag past Simpson's Hostel, I was mistaken for an Indian seaman by my friend David Green because my sun tan was so dark; the result of playing so much cricket.

I and others were disappointed when there was no planned school camp for the following year. Mr Overton came to the rescue of myself and three friends (Alan Careless, Joe Graham, and Robert Parkin) by loaning us a school bell tent. We struggled with the tent, and our kitbags, via the train to camp for a week at the same spot the school camp was held the previous year. The weather wasn't as co-operative as the previous year but nevertheless we enjoyed ourselves. Without Herr Commandant (Ollie), we were able to come and go as we pleased.
Now I wonder where Alan, Joe, and Bob are and if they remember our Barnard
Castle adventure including our attempt to get the farmer's horse tipsy by giving it cider.

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