"I was at Aston from 1947-52. Jimmy Edwards: he was a very accomplished Table Tennis player who organised a number of us, myself, Barry Hodder, Gerry Manders to play matches against Ansells Brewery. He told me once he'd played exhibition matches during the war against world champion Richard Bergmann (1950, 1948, 1939 and 1937) in which Richard extolled him, "Come on Jimmy, hit the ball harder, harder".. Jimmy was just about clapped out trying to hit past him at the time......... Colin Tyson Never had him for a lesson but ... he was ex-RAF Bomber Command.

I was absolutely terrified of (Harry) Tyson and just could not learn from him.- never forget the first day we in 1B became acquainted with him after his reputation had well and truly gone before him. The story goes that in order to make an impression re- discipline, on joining the staff pre-war, he gave the first boy who crossed his path, 3000 lines. True or not, that got our attention.

Tye, I agree, was not that good but I never knew as we played him up unmercifully in 2X and 3B (I think it was) that he'd been awarded gallantry medal(s) in WW1. Given my later interest in honours & awards, this leaves me quite ashamed of my conduct.

I was in the Children's Hospital in 1946 when Billy Lumb came around with a group on what was presumably their annual visit. The one expression I've always associated with Billy was "be sharp back", because we invariably asked if we could be excused when he came into the class. Dotty Ray had a somewhat different approach; she always let us go for a run around the quadrangle before starting her class.

I recall c.1951 Billy Chivers singing the praises of a film he'd just seen: Hornblower, RN, starring Gregory Peck. But it wasn't Gregory that had caught Billy's eye, oh no. Warming to his task he told us to go and see the film - if only for the leading lady. "Aaah, boys ", he said beaming away as only he could, "Virginia Mayo. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever!!"

One master I have never forgotten but rarely mentioned was 'Pinky' Brown at Longdon. He taught us more about rugby than Watcyn could ever have done and was a thoroughly decent type, ex-army I think.

My major regret as I look back on those years is that I wasn't able to stay on for the 6th form years, I got the impression that for the first five years, some of the masters were more intent on maintaining discipline than being concerned with the niceties of teaching. For obvious reasons only in the 6th were they able to relax the former and concentrate more on the latter. So Harry might have done me some good after all, but sadly will never know...

The illustration for the school magazine in 1951 was by Malcolm Cormack ... We went to the same school and were in the same year at primary level, Twickenham Rd, Kingstanding - the same school that the legendary John Murray went to. Colin Whieldon left in the 3rd form to go to Australia. I once saw him head a rugby ball into touch which did not please the referee/master. He appeared on 'Top of the Form' as the junior member when Peter Sterry was reserve." (John Bradford, Adelaide, Australia)

(You can hear John 'live' here and visit his web site here.)