My Sanawar Guestbook
Dear Guest,
My SANAWAR Guestbook is currenly undergoing revision and adaptation to its new home on the web. The work is in hand, and I expect the feature to be made available again very soon. As beore, previous guestbook entries and comments are appended below for your information and/or interest. If you wish to comment or make an enquiry however, I must still ask that you either email me directly, or click on the CONTACT link in the navigation bar above. Unless you specifically request otherwise, your comments and details, (excluding email address) will be added to the list below.
Thank you for visiting.
Name: Natasha Philpot (née Wilson)
(Searching for inormation re: my father CH Wilson)
Date: 2022-02.23
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): ["your house & year
from-to"]
Your location: Salisbury, Wilts
Comments: Dear Derek,
Can I say what a wonderfully interesting LRMS website you have created, a labour of love I think. Although most photos are post 1930’s, many are early 1940s so I suspect not too much had changed since my father was there.
Although he hated his first year there- he was very badly caned across his arms during the new boys first week because he slept in his uniform. His forearms swelled and he had to be taken to hospital. He and his friend ran away down to Kalka to catch a train. He was living in Allahabad at the time and the wily old station master kept them there over night with promises of helping them to catch an onward train. Needles to say a posse from school was there next morning! Interestingly, punishment was light as I think there was some reflection on how severely he’d been beaten. However, his friend Bob did not stay at the school, but my father grew to love the school and was quite upset when his father removed him at 16. The snippet about where Roberts was on the third floor in the photograph is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been looking for, so many thanks.
My father’s initials are actually C H WILSON and his brother was J WILSON. Both went in 1936 and left in 1939. Dad’s dob is 28-07-1923, his brother was born in 1926 in July or August I think. I had to smile as you found “K” Wilson learnt to play the violin, so not my father!! If you have time and could find any entrants for CH or J Wilson I would be most grateful Derek.
Very glad to have found you, and look forward, perhaps, to further conversation when we have sorted our visit to the school.
I hope you remain in good health, happy gardening,
With best wishes,
Natasha (Philpott, nee Wilson)
Sent from my iPad
Responded off-net with info requested & promises to keep in touch. (Ed.)
Name: Heather Delanghe
Date: 2022-01-12
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): N/A
Your location: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Comments:
I just learned that my father was a student at Lawrence Military School from 1939-1947,
when he was repatriated with his family to the UK. His name was Terence Ketskemety. He was
a Band Prefect in his last years there. He passed away several years ago, and I recently
found his school documentation in his safety deposit box upon the passing of my mother.
I was wondering if you had any recollection of him during his time there as you were
attendees at the same time. I would love to know what House he was in, and if you had any
anecdotes or memory of him at all.
I know this is indeed a "shot in the dark" but, well, nothing ventured nothing gained!
Heather Ketskemety Delanghe.
Responded in full off-net. Sadly, wrong military school, Heather! Forwarded relevant Admission records of LMRMS Lovedale. (Ed.)
Name: Richard Kelly (son of Denzil C Kelly)
Date: 2021-06-09
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Dad was there in
1930s/40s?
Your location: Wimbledon, England
Comments:
Thankyou so much for creating this website, it is a gem. The first photo I
looked at I saw my Dad enjoying the 1950 reunion, I couldn't believe I'd found
him on the internet. I then went on to find numerous photos of my auntie Patsy
Kelly and my uncle Les "Tinker" Kelly. I know nothing of my fathers childhood,
so although it's a long shot, if anyone can help please don't hesitate to
email
me.
Best wishes
Richard
Name: Jack Harper
Date: 2017-06-18
Your House and
Year from-to
(if applic): Nicholson 1940-1944
Your location:
Proserpine, Queensland, Australia
Comments:
Sanawar - Derek - Thanks for the memories
Why is it so, that a hand's breadth span of
years in a long life,
Should haunt us more than
other cherished long dead times?
Drawn ever back
and back to the idyll of pine-clad hills;
To
the sigh and perfume of conifer.
Jack.
Name: elaine griffiths-roberts
Date: 2017-01-11
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): N/A.
Your location: Georgia usa
Comments:
i found your site informative. i am
looking for Mary Louisa Daly Atkinson, whose husband
Rev Augustus William Atkinson was involved with
the school. Louisa died Aug 23 1924 and is buried
at cemetery there. have a great week
Elaine Griffiths-Roberts
Name: Chris Robinson
Date: 2016-01-10
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Havelock & Roberts
46 - 48
Comments: Westcliff on Sea, Essex
Comments:
Great to catch up with this wonderful archive.
Preparing to send a few additions and alterations
while the memory survives,
Shabash Boddington Sahib
!
Name: Gayatri Cariappa Gupta
Date: 2015-04-01.
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Vindhya Girls,
1986-1990
Your location:
New Delhi
Comments:
Thank you so much for
compiling this tribute to Sanawar ! I loved looking
at the pictures and YES so much of it is exactly
as it is today. Brought back wonderful memories
and a deep longing to be there again . My time at
Sanawar was the best and i cherish it most :)...
Thank you once again for all the effort put into
this amazing chronicle.
Warm Regards....
Name: Sanjaya Varma
Date: 2015-03-12
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): : Vindhya 1956 - 64
Your location: Noida 201303, National Capital Region of Delhi,
India
Comments:
Dear Derek,
Our Batch
has recently celebrated our 50 Years Golden Jubilee
at Founders 2014.
A total of 31 Batch mates had
physically participated from a "passing Out" batch
of 57. Four of these came down from UK ! Along with
two others, I had decided to try and capture our
celebrations in a publication titled "Book of Memories
- Class of '64". I hope to have this printed for
private distribution to our classmates by early
April next month. I will try and send you a pdf
copy of the final book and hope you will have the
time to go through it.
Brinda Roy (OS N - 75-80),
whom you know, I believe, gave me the link to your
site. The LRMS Album is a treasure house of nostalgia.
I MUST compliment you on the truly herculean effort
this must have required. As a fellow OS, THANK YOU
Derek for keeping S'na alive ! I have taken the
liberty to use some of those lovely pictures in
the Book and have acknowledged this. I hope it is
OK ? I am passing this link to many other OS and
asking them to visit your truly wonderful web site.
On a lighter note, there were 5 of us brothers and
sisters who went through S'na and our Sister was
also the Head Girl. I have enough S'na blood in
my veins and make it a point to visit those hills
at least 2-3 times a year and stay at the Kasauli
Club , of which I am a Member. My wife never ceases
to wonder why I never "grow up" from being a 16
year old !!!
I hope you are in good health and
would love to hear from you at your convenience.
Regards and NEVER GIVE IN,
Sanjaya
PS: I visited
Ghora Gali about 7 years ago as well (:
Name: Bob Moore
Date: 2015-02-19
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): N/A.
Your location: Denver, Colorado USA
Comments:
Someday the world will know
that education is a gold mine to be treated with
care and explored by all people on the planet.
Name: Tony Manders
Date: 2014-12-17
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Pd. circa 1943/46
Your location: Torquay, Devon. Uk
Comments:
Dear Derek,
I sent you an email a few years ago when I first
discovered your marvelous web site.
Looking through
the photographs again, I realised that all three
of us siblings are there, I think.
My elder brother,
Michael, is in number181; my elder sister, Brenda,
appears in the second row down 4th from the right
in photo number 53 ; my face is, I believe the 5th
one from the right in the front row of photo number
107.
We are all 'Manders' of course, so I hope
this helps filling in some names.
Regards
Tony
Name: Sanjiv Stokes
Date: 2014-11-11
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Siwalik 1957-67
Your location: Los Altos, California, USA
Comments:
Wonderful photographs....they bring back many warm and fond
memories of a very special place. Thank you Mr.
Boddington, for putting it together with so much
care.
Regards.
Name: Anuradha Bhatt
Date: 2014-08-25
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Nilagiri House GD
1984
Your location: Warwick, UK
Comments:
Dear Derek, (I hope I may call you that)
Thank you for compiling
such a lovely collection of pictures of Sanawar
through the ages. It brought back many memories
and a 'will' to go back and revisit the school again,
especially as I've been living in the UK for the
last 19 years.
I've read your emails on Sanawar
net as well and wanted to ask if you knew who the
oldest surviving Sanawarian is?
Also, as you
were in school around the time of partition, would
you mind sharing your story and reminisings of the
time? It would be lovely to hear a first hand account
of life on the hilltop and after. It would be interesting
to hear about the types of children who came to
s'na to study, their families, occupations, etc.
basically, their story.
Just curious sir, to
know more about those who walked the halls in Sanawar
before I did! What they did and how life turned
out for them.
If I'm being impertinent, I apologise.
I didn't intend to be any trouble.
With kind regards
Anuradha Varma (nee Bhatt) NGD1984
Name: Bijal Patel
Date: 2014-08-04
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Nilagiri 1980-1989
(early leaver 1987)
Your location: Pune
Comments:
Excellent effort. Some of these photos really do bring back the memories.
Thanks Derek
Name: samir arora
Date: 2014-08-01
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Siwalik, 81-88
Your location: Amritsar,
punjab, India
Comments:
A wonderful effort sir, enjoyed every part of it. You may enjoy taking
a brief look at my facebook group that i started
only recently. The address
is
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lssparents/
I created it because other similar pages are not
actively moderated and hence are cluttered with
spam. The vision i am building on is to have a page
which will blend in the interest of the present
school and parents as well as the old sanawarians
. Talk of traditions as well stuff like better parenting
etc. In other words, a well rounded approach with
a view to creating an better overall experience.
Best Regards to you , Sir, Never Give In!
Name: Alan Lane
Date: 2014-07-31
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): N/A
Your location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Comments:
Although I am not a Sanawarian, I am most interested in the
history of the school as my mother (Isobel Elizabeth
Hodson) my aunt (Olive Maud Hodson) and my uncle
(Harold Hodson) were all at Sanawar in the 1930s.
I had looked at the photos hoping that I might catch
a glimpse of my mother, aunt or uncle but I don't
think that era is covered in the photos. Sadly all
three have long passed away. Harold Hodson is mentioed
on the Roll of Honour at the school. I had met some
ex-pupils of Sanawar at the annual BACSA meeting
in London and met one person who knew all three
of the Hodson children. Unfortunately, I do not
have any photos of their time at Sanawar although
I think that I have a photo of Harold Hodson in
the school boxing team from before the second world
war. Harold Hodson is buried in the CWGC cemetery
just outside of Cairo, Egypt. Their father was killed
in Mesopatamia (Iraq) and is buried in the CWGC
cemetery in Kut. Their mother died at Lucknow railway
station in 1920 and is buried in the Trans-Gogra
cemetery in Lucknow.
Maybe, just maybe, someone
might have a school photo taken at the time they
were there.
Well done for putting the details
that you have on the web - most appreciated.
With very best regards
Alan Lane
Name: Aditi Chaudhary
Date: 2014-03-25
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Himalaya (HGD)
2010
Your location: Melbourne
Comments:
Dear Derek,
I
have no words for this beautiful website, which
you have created. It gives a deep look into the
history of school and shows how many traditions
are still part of it.
I can just keep on looking
at all the photos again and again and feel great
and proud that I have been part of this institute.
Thanks for the job very well done!!
Name: Eileen Evenette
Date: 2013-05-07
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): N/A
Your location: UK.
Comments:
my grandfather George Evenette - his younger brother was a ward
of L.M.A in 1915 - he died in school that year -
his grave must be in the cemetery - ARTHUR GERALD
EVENETTE
Name: Ms. Sachdev Kaur Grewal
Date: 2013-04-04
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Vindhya House, 1960 to
1964
Your location: Kasauli, India
Comments:
Dear Derek,
I have only just managed to see all your hard
work once again, and needless to say IT IS JUST
GREAT. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.
I am sure every
Sanawarian that visits your site will be thrilled.
Regard, Sachdev Bala.
Name: walter owen
Date: 2013-02-17
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): outram 1947
Your location: Cairns.
Aust:
Comments:
Wonderful job, Derek and Co:
My sister Stella Owen forwarded this
to me, and i am still enjoying going through the
pics.
Outram prefect in my time was Jones, however
i remember Bony Glover as he was a mate of my brother
Dennys, whom was also aSanawarian. Many thanks for
the BIG effort in putting all this together.
wo
Name: Raymond Jones
Date: 2013-01-23
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Nicholson 42-46
Haveloch 39-41
Your location: Brisbane Australia
Comments:
Thank you, brought back a lot of fond memories.
Regards,
Ray Jones.
Name: Maj Gen (Retd) Kul Prakash Deswal
Date: 2013-01-20
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Siwalik 1948 to
1956
Your location: Noida, India
Comments:
Hi Derek,
Wonderful to see the photographs of Sanawar. Still have very
fond memories of the school especially when it was
in the transient stage after Independence.
Regards
Deswal K.P.
Name: Peter McNay
Date: 2013-01-17
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Lawrence '39 - '45
Your location: Canberra Aust
Comments:
Thanks for all the good work Derek. Most interesting.
Kind regards...
Peter
Name: Peter John Wickens
Date: 2012-11-01
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): N/A.
Your location: Adelaide,Australia
Comments:
Great site ! My father went to the
school in 1925 along with his brothers,Errol and
Clifford.
I was born in Roor-Kee as was my brother
Norman.We lived in Laksar Junction where my grandfather
was something big on the railways.
would love
to here from anyone who has anecdotal knowledge
of those times.
Name: Beryl Smith (nee Rice)
Date: 2012-09-25
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Havelock then Lawrence
House 1941-47
Your location: Felpham, Bognor Regis
Comments:
Have just spent a couple of hours looking through
your photos and have really enjoyed them. I am sure
I will looking through the photos time and again.
Many thanks. Bill Hyde told me about the website.
I did meet you very briefly at the Sna lunch in
May. Perhaps you will be there next year?
Regards
Beryl
Name: Amarjit S Butalia (nick name Butch)
Date: 2012-07-22
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Himalaya, 1956 to 1959
(4 Years)
Your location: Noida (Co - located with New Delhi,
India)
Comments:
Hi Bods (if I may call you
that),
Nice to know that some one of your vintage
from School is active on the net. I would like to
keep in touch with you. What are your interests?
Could you tell me somethings of the School during
your times.
Cheers,
Butch
Name: (John) Peter Priest
Date: 2012-04-13
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Outram &
Nicholson, '40 - '45
Your location: Alberta, Canada
Comments:
Best wishes to you, Boddo. Thanks for a look at a fine
collection pictures. I spent a happy couple of hours
with them.
Name: LILA KAK - BHAN
Date: 2012-04-11
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Siwalik 1953 - 58
Your location: USA
Comments:
I was delighted to see your
wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing them with
so many O.S.
Lila
Name: Derek Herincx
Date: 2012-03-12
Comments: 1917 onwards
Your location: London U.K
Comments:
I had a relative, Douglas George
Waugh, who attended the Lawrence Royal Military
School Sanawar from about 1917 onwards. He was taught
Polo at school and loved the game playing in many
Empire countries there after.
Returning to India
in WW2 he fought in Slim's advance into Burma as
a Full Colonel in the Indian Corps of Pioneers.
Does anyone know what the Spartan Club at the school
was please?
Thank you for a very informative
site and wonderful photographs.
Name: Allan MacDougall
Date: 2012-02-20
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Outram 1944
Your location: Outram/Havelock building
Comments:
Hi there,
I attended
Sanawar in 1944 as an eight year old child and am
trying to recall the names of the four senior houses.As
far as I can remember they were Lawrence, Roberts
Clive and one other which I can't recall and hoped
that you would be able to tell me.
Thank you,
Allan MacDougall.
Name: Ranjit Rawlley
Date: 2011-12-18
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): 1983 Vindhya
Your location: Charlotte NC
Comments:
Never Give in..
Name: David Williams
Date: 2011-12-10
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Hodson 1939-1947
Your location: Sydney NSW Australia
Comments:
This is a unique and wonderful collection of historical photos and
a priceless record of Sanawar's glorious past. Congratulations
Derek, you have done Sanawar proud!
Name: Tony Manders
Date: 2011-11-28
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): PD circa 1943
Your location: Torquay
Devon
Comments:
I was only in PD.
My brother
Mickey was in Hodson and my sister Brenda was in
Nicholson.
I still have vivid memories of the
very happy time I spent in Sanawar.
Very proud
of my big sister and my brother and his doing the
"Hodson run"
Name: jugbirinder gill (Jugga)
Date: 2011-11-28
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Nilagiri-1963-1972
Your location: Edmonton, Alberta-Canada
Comments:
Exceptional reflection into our history. A
picture is really
worth a thousand words. What a thread which links
us all together. This is why we are "The Best School
of All"
Name: Thomas Boddington
Date: 2011-11-24
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): 1942 to 1946 Outram,
Havelock, and Roberts
Your location: Weymouth, Dorset UK
Comments:
Well, Derek, I don't have to tell you who I
am do I? This is a great Site, and a great idea
of yours hope word gets around and lots more Old
Sanawarians get in touch. Good Luck with it!
Name: Gagan Virmani
Date: 2011-11-24
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic):
Your location: India
Comments:
This is a collection to be preserved
Name: Krishnan Subramanian
Date: 2011-11-22
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Vindhya 1973
Your location: Mclean Virginia USA
Comments:
A treasure trove of
beautiful photographs Thank you so much for sharing
this with us. You are our pride and history and
I cherish being part of this wonderful institution.
Sanawar is a beautiful noteworthy legacy left by
the British in India, and I am surprised as to how
little has changed in a generation. Never Give In
Name: Arun Mahajan
Date: 2011-11-22
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Nilgiri (Roberts, of
old) 1954 to 1963
Your location: New Delhi, India
Comments:
Sanawar refuses to let us grow old! Who wants to,anyway!Memories
of a wonderful childhood spent on the hilltop came
flooding back while going through your album.Thank
you.
Warm regards.
Name: John (Bony) Glover
Date: 2011-11-21
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Nicholson 1943-1946.
Prefect Outram
1946
Your location: Templestowe, Victoria 3106
Australia
Comments:
What a great range of
Sanawar History. I will separately sent some info
about names, but Jim Walker And Dave Williams from
the OSA, Australia could let you have more names,
as will John Dixon, who forwarded your email to
me.
Regards Bony.
Name: Harminder Jit SinghSawhney
Date: 2011-11-21
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Himalaya, 1965
Your location: Muscat(Oman)
Comments:
Visit UK very often. Attended the
last get together in London in May 2011.
All
the best.
"Never Give In"
Harminder Sawhney(
Nee Khalsa )
Name: sanjay sikri
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Himalya 1976
Your location: India
Comments:
nice to connect
Name: James Big Walker
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Hodson 1939 - 1947
Your location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Comments:
G'Day Derek, I remember you very well if you are Big Boddington.
I can tell you there are many around of your vintage,
you are not alone! I am in contact with John Shellcott
(at Ghora Gali, your time) and Gordon (Gay) both
from Roberts and in the UK. In OZ there are the
Sparrows and Bellamys, but no contact there.Please
get in touch through email it will be great to exchange
news. I am back about a month from a trip to School
organized by Gordon; fellow trippers included 0.9em
Ron Bailey and Massingham. All the best Jim Walker.
Got John Dixon to send this for me.
Name: John Dixon
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Nicholson 1935 -
1944
Your location: Sydney Australia
Comments:
Hi Derek - saw
your email and have had a quick look at your web
site, which is great. Will pass your details on
to interested OS on my emailing list. I called Jim
Walker with whom I am in constant contact and will
sign him into your guest book. He is computer-less
using the library to keep up his emails. Relying
on me for Sanawarnet. I made a hash of your contacting
me on Skype for which I am sorry. Keep in touch.
Ap ke dost John
Name: sulaiman ansari
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): siwalik 82
Your location: singapore
Comments:
absolutely fantastic! thank you for
capturing sna'r in all its majesty...
Name: Partha Biswas
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House anf Year from-to (if applic): Vindhya House Boys,
1958-64
Your location: Pinner, Middlesex, UK
Comments:
Brings back wonderful memories of childhood. Many
of the buildings of your era were still being used
in the same way during the time I spent at Sanawar,
although there have been many change of use since.
Thank you for your taking the time in compiling
the 'Album' and making it available to so many of
us who are on 'Sanawarnet' and possibly beyond through
referrals. Best regards Partha Biswas, VBD 1964
Name: Sanjiv K Singh
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Class of 1973, Siwalik
House.
Your location: New Delhi
Comments:
Will forward
your details to my non OS friend to forward to his
OS mother.
Do keep in touch, I am in New Delhi.
Regards,
Sanjiv K Singh
SBD 1973
Name: Sukhmani Bianca Pratap Singh
Date: 2011-11-20
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): 1998 Himalaya
Your location: London,
UK
Comments:
Amazing to see your album...the
school has hardly changed even after all these years.
Kind Regards,
Bianca Singh
Name: Derek Boddington
Date: 2011-09-21
Your House and Year from-to (if applic): Havelock and Roberts
1942-1947
Your location: Blandford Forum, Dorset, England
Comments:
Bodders was here... this is a test entry
