William Bryan Chivers (1900 - 1972)
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It was 'Billy' Chivers's infectious enthusiasm for his subject which determined my early career - and many things besides. As a token of my gratitude to, and my esteem for, him I dedicate this separate page to his memory and honour.
According to an elderly couple whom I knew at Washwood Heath Methodist Church Bill Chivers (as he was known in the adult world!) was born on 19th January 1900 into a large family that lived in Rocky Lane, Aston.
He went to Aston as a pupil in 1912 and saw service in the Royal Navy during the First World War, where his knowledge of wireless proved most valuable and - as he told us with great relish - once got him into trouble.
From an early age he had been a member of the Slade Radio Society (which was still going strong in the 1970's) and this gave him an unusual but very popular expertise for one so young.
On joining the Navy he was sent to Crystal Palace on a wireless training course. This was conducted by a Chief Petty Officer who, according to Bill, knew absolutely nothing about the subject. He had just 'mugged it up' from the instruction manual. So he asked him a question designed to show that he knew far more than his instructor. The CPO made no attempt to answer Bill's question, sending instead for the Marines who promptly marched him off to the 'cooler'! He told us this tale just before we left school - as a warning to be careful in life how, and to whom, we demonstrate any superior knowledge we might be fortunate enough to possess!!
He then went to Birmingham University, returning to the school in 1921 as its first ever physics master. According to a plate on its case an early, no doubt self-determined, project was to build a very accurate clock which was still going strong when I first entered the physics lab. in 1953. He was so devoted to its maintenance that he used to go in once a week during the school holidays to wind it up. There was no way he would entrust this important task to 'Chas'!
In the years that followed he ran the 'Wheelman Club' for cycling enthusiasts among the pupils and, by the time I got there, the less strenuous Scientific Society, the Parents' Association, the much anticipated biennial Hobbies Exhibition and works visits.
When the school was evacuated to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire during the Second World War he and Mrs Chivers went with them. They had no children of their own but several of the school's evacuees lived with them, and had happy memories of so doing.
In 1957 he suffered a series of heart attacks which, happily, he survived so that he was able to return to work before we left. However, he gave up all his extramural activities, bought a Ford Popular to get to school, and retired in 1960.
I last saw him, at his home on Walsall Road, Perry Barr in 1968. He had just returned from a conference of the Association for Science Education. He had been a regular attender at similar events with the British Association, so his enthusiasm for his subject never waned.
But all this tells you only what the history books might say. The man himself was so much more. The school's records are sprinkled with sardonic references to the 'physics conjurer', but they are written by devotees of the arts - not by the scientists. These were references to his undoubted abilities as a demonstrator of spectacular experiments illustrating physical principles.
His teaching was enthusiasm personified. If you got more than 90% in any of his exams. he gave you half a crown, out of his own pocket no doubt. Whenever he started a new aspect of the subject he would say every time 'we now come to a most fascinating branch of physics'. To him it was all fascinating!!
Another measure of his enthusiasm was his practice of giving everyone who got 90% or more in his exams. half a crown, doubtless out of his own pocket.
I have no doubt that other AOEs would write with equal fervour about other members of staff with whom they had developed a similar rapport. Though a replica of Mr Pickwick Bill Chivers, like his colleagues, was a giant among giants.