I attended Xaverian College for a year from September 1950 to the Summer of 1951. I emigrated to the States in 1956. I have only just now discovered that the school is no longer...what a shame. I enjoyed my brief time and I would like someone to help me recall the names of the brothers there.

I was at Xavarian College Brighton from 1959 to 1963. The notable Brothers to me being Bro Michael (Maths), Bro Lawrence (Geography) and Bro Beade (can't remember the subject but I recall he carried a cricket stump as an attitude correcter!). Like Ted, I now live in the USA. The picture on this site brings back loads of memories. Does anyone remember the air raid shelters by the sports field?

Seeing such a nice place and knowing that the place is now lost. I have a watercolour of it presented to Thomas Attree.

I attended Xaverian in the early 1960s and duly remember Brother Michael et al. I remember my form master Mr Guyver who to us boys was the model of good dress, manners etc. I remember throwing caps in the park pond and getting really dirty at lunchtime playing football and bulldog on the 'ranch'.  In April we were expected to swim in the sea and on occasion to get ourselves from school to the King Alfred baths in Hove for swimming. We were also trusted to walk up to the race course for cross country running. I travelled to school each day by steam train from Steyning and would often walk from Brighton station to and from school to save my bus fare. I have some very happy memories in some respects - like serving staff lunch once a week in the staffroom which was basically in the cellars or at least it felt like it. As a reward I got to eat my lunch in the kitchens.

I too attended this wonderful school in the early 60s with Mr Guyver as my friend and teacher and M. Smith as the feared tyrant of discipline! Looking back now with much affection for those long lost days which never seemed to have an end I'd love to meet all those 'kids' again and also the brothers who did give so generously of themselves to train us all to become men of faith and wisdom. Love to have another reunion of those present between 1963 and 1968 - anyone brave enough to get this together?? Any suggestions?

I remember being taken to the air raid shelter in the grounds of Xaverian College in about 1941; I had been sent from London to live with my grandmother in Queen's Park Road. I think we may have spent only one night there, as a man in clerical garb came around and sprayed insecticide in our direction. Gran said if that's what our side thinks of us we'll take our chances with the Germans.

I was a pupil in Bro Benedict's class (1953-54) and Bro Raymond's class (1954-55). A classmate in the last-named was John Sallis - son of Arthur Sallis - who had the wonderful war surplus electronics shops near Brighton Station. I loved my time at XC. I left when my parents moved house and then went to a Jesuit school which I hated. The X brothers were kind and gentle to me - the Jesuits were monsters and I have turned against religion because of them. Here is a partial list of classmates from XC that I remember: Webb, Gold, Chapchal, McGuinness, Hooper.

I've just come across this site while trying to find out why I couldn't find the College on the modern map of Brighton(!). I was a pupil there from 1949 to the Christmas 1951. It's all a bit fuzzy now, but during that time I was in two classes; a reception class in a separate building up the hill from the main school, Brother Brendan, was it - or maybe it was the Brother Benedict that John Rooney mentions? And then the first class in the main building, next to the gym. I'm afraid I can't even make a stab at remembering the brother's name there. I think Brother Aloysius was still the Head. I can remember the air raid shelter; the roof was used by the older (than me) boys for playing football with a tennis ball. The only names that come back to me from that time are Crighton-Smith, Steele (whose father owned a butcher's shop) and a Jewish boy - Espazel (phonetically), who lived in or near Fishersgate.

I've just spent a delightful weekend at the Goodwood Park Hotel near Chichester. On the walls of their corridors they have prints of old country houses. Amongst them is one of 'The Park, Brighton'. It is of Attree Villa with the small gazebo and the Pepperpot in the background. I think it is painted from a great height above the hill.

I was at the College from 1946 to 1954. I remember the names of some fellow pupils: Storrow, Keichler, Woolgar, Bridge, Warwick, Oram, Collins (sporty), Chilcott (clever), Gurucharri (big), Steele, Forte, Bonetti. Lots of memories, some unhappy, some very happy. The College was a delight especially the landscaped grounds. The Brothers had a traditional kitchen garden, and also kept bees, hens and goats so were fairly self sufficient. High point of the week was art on Friday afternoons when we might sit on the banks sketching the scenery. Bro Gerald ran Art and also tended the hens. Bro Beade (mentioned above) did History. Remember Bro Felix? An incredible character! There was an Old Boys Association, which I regret I never joined, but I bet someone out there has an awful lot of archive material. My younger brother Philip followed my footsteps about five years later, I'll tell him about this site.

I was at Xaverian College from 1936 to 1943 and have very fond memories of my time there and of all the Brothers - two of whom came to my wedding - Brother Bede and Bro Adrian. At 11am one spring morning in 1942 a German plane machined us in the playground (I was in Lower Five). We all fell on the ground and I fell on top of the head, Brother Aloysius! No problems except one boy got his ear nicked. Very much like to hear from any contemporary ex-Xaverian.

Sunday evening and quite by accident I have discovered this Xaverian College site. Quite moving. I was at the college in the 50s and have fond memories even if they are rather cloudy. I do remember most particularly Bro Vincent, our French teacher. Thanks to him I leant French and have lived and worked in France for many years. The only fellow student whose name I remember clearly is one Ken West. Salutations Ken if you are out there somewhere. I would be delighted to converse with anyone who was at college with me.

I believe my father attended this school around 1946. Unfortunately he is now not well enough to tell me any of his childhood tales. I know he went on a trip to Rome with the school. I would love to hear from anyone who knew him- Derek White

I just found this site and noticed one of my old classmates, Danny Cassidy. I was at the Xaverian College from 1963-66 and then moved with the brothers to the De La Salle College. Like Danny, I remember Mr Guyver, Mr Smith (a QPR fan from memory!), Bros Patrick, Michael, Wilfred and some other somewhat eccentric teachers. I would be interested to hear of news from any former classmates. I now live in Australia.

I was at the XC from September 1949 to Easter 1952, leaving when I was in Lower IV. I started at the same time as Anthony Duckworth (17/1/08), but I was in the class next to the gym/ music room. However, I'm sure a couple of the names he mentions, Adrian Bonetti and Forte (ice cream), were in my class. Some of the names of classmates I recall are Roger Payne, Robin Russell, John Steele, Ramon Brookes, Alan Doo, Chris Saunders (he had brothers at school), George Barker, Kenneth Myerscough, Jeremy Heath, as well as Burholt (also had brothers), Chilcott, Matthews, Joyce (a red head also from Littlehampton). I was taught English by Br. Raymond, physics by Br. Campion (I heard he left the order and later married), history by Br. Aiden (the resident bee keeper), maths by Mr Farley, geography by Mr Sawyer, music by Mr Maedle (of the corpulent build and snuff stained waistcoat), but I cannot remember either my French or Latin teacher. I also recall Bros. Felix, Plunkett, Cajetan and Vincent. I consider my years at XC the best years of my schooling. Previously I had been at boarding school in London, (some parents have strange ideas), and after XC at the mercy of the De La Salle Brothers in Sydney, Australia who were dreadful teachers and evil disciplinarians. I remember XC with great affection. I returned to Brighton and wandered over the site three years ago. It seemed very sad to see the redevelopment. My wife and I have moved to France to live in Angers. It is directly west of Paris and in easy reach of cross channel ferries, and planes to the South Coast. If anybody hears of any reunion of Old Boys from the 49-52 era, I would love to know about it, and would certainly attend.
p.belfanti@internode.on.net
From Angers, France

Regarding the comment made by Wayne Collyer(25/11/2007). I have a copy of that print you may have seen. I have scanned it in, and have sent it off to this site, and it will hopefully appear on these pages real soon. Just trying to get a date of when the plate may have been created. I will comment on the picture when it appears.

I attended the Xaverian College from 1950 to 1962. That school was more like a social club than an educational establishment. The Xaverian Brothers (I think) were more interested in turning out good citizens - exam results were balanced with this tennet. I was very happy there and made friends who are still friends 45 years later. I can remember some of the Brothers: Raymond (nick-name Mo), Cajetan (Charlie), Nathaniel (Nat), and some who didn't have nicknames, such as Finn Bar, Anselm, Benedict. When I first joined there was "old" Benedict who was a wonderful chap - a real character, later there was "young" Benedict who was from America and taught Maths. He was very strict. Then there were some great (and awful) lay teachers. Geoff Lintott was a truly good artist (I have an original pen and ink by him) and he could bring Shakespeare and Chaucer to life in his English Literature classes. "Taffy" Davis was a good geography teacher. Lambert was a good guy but (I believe) took his own life later on. Esdale was hopeless. He knew his history inside-out but could not keep any kind of control.
As I said, I made some fine friends: Vladik Cirin, Danny Chapchal and I occasionally meet up for lunch. In October 2008 we will be having a lunch in London and Michel Olszewski & Doug d'Enno will be there too.
I can remember many others and wonder what happened to them: Dennis Hooper, David Sharp (was running a Post Office in Sussex in the '80s), Vic Sheppard, Jeff Taylor and others. I occasionally look at "Friends United" to see what is happening there and many familiar names are to be seen. I had thought about trying to get a reunion organised but we are all so far away. My best pal - Nigel Behrens - lives in Brisbane..! I work and live in Buckinghamshire and have little reason to go back to Brighton.  It would be great to know how well people have fared in life. I have done reasonably well. I run my own firm and operate within the TV broadcast industry. I know others who have done much better than I and I hope therefore that the Xaverian Brother's teaching methods and their humanity helped us all to have good lives and to reach whatever success we were seeking.
I will watch this site for any inputs and if there is interest, I will forward the details of that London lunch in October.

Hello Mike Purnell
We were in the same class 59/60.I remember you well. I retired some 8 years ago and now live in S.W.France. I am still in contact with Jeff Taylor who lives in Marbella and also Bob Rogers. It was sad that the old Xavarian College no longer exists as has my previous Mayfield College that has now been converted into houses and flats.

I was in the school in the early 50s, with Br Anselem as headmaster, classmates John Steele, Ray Brookes, Bonetti, Phil Dickens etc and still have a school photo. Some I can put names too. I played football and cricket and used to tour other schools in the area on a Wednesday afternoon and to go to school Saturday morning. What a great school and a great start in life.
Would love to get a reunion.

I was at XaverianCollege from 1961 - 1965 starting in Brian Guyver's class, then Brother Mark, and Brother Michael with Brother Lawrence as head, then Brother Elwin. I remember the school trips to Lourdes, and Innsbruck - I think I still have the photographs somewhere and you boy Carter! Weren't you smoking on the Lourdes trip (same as me - we bought pipes and Gauloises) but I didn't drink the beer. Also there was the 5 a side in the courtyard, and I remember breaking a window with a stray shot - in front of the whole school - legitimate play but Brother Mark wasn't please and gave me the bill he he.

I started at Xaverian College in 1961 and left in the summer of 1966. Of course I remember Brian Guyver, probably the best of our teachers there, who I believe joined a religious order some years later. Was it Mr. Lambert who taught history and ended up committing suicide? He'd draw maps on the blackboard and sit behind his desk for the rest of the class reading to himself. I remember Mr. Smith, I think he actually played for QPR for a season or two, and arrived later on. Who taught us Economics? I remember the trip to Innsbruck with Brother William and was it Brother Martin? The steep walk up the hill from Brighton station to school and the smell of burnt hops on the way! A few years ago I was in touch with Robin Greatrex and Stephen Royston and would certainly like to renew contact with anyone else from that class - Paddington, Leach, Yeomanson, Smith, Burkhardt, Waddon, Moony, Franklin, McGuiness... Perhaps we could set up a blog? Email xaveriancollegebrighton@yahoo.com

I was at Xaverian from 1958-60 with two of my brothers, Shaughan and James, when the De La Salles took over from the Xaviers to replace the smell of pipe smoke and scotch with holy unction. I was hauled off to gain an education of sorts at a mid-Sussex public school. James followed a year later, and remains quite normal. Shaughan stayed on at De La Salle to fail his A-levels before studying (or whatever they do there) at RADA.I remember Brian Guyver well - I bumped into him again in the early 1970s when I was at Highbury Technical College, Portsmouth, on a National Council for the Training of Journalists course. His sister happened to work at the college and he had just returned from a stint at the Vatican.Lambert was a troubled piece of work. I remember him roaring at us to learn our history books by heart for an exam while he read a novel. That put me off studying, once and for all. He lodged for a while with the Greaves (Larry and Philip) in Preston Park, although he was soon asked to find alternative accommodation. The family was also very matey with Brian Guyver. Anyone remember the Chevalier twins from Patcham? I still have the scars on my head from a stone fight with them.gervais.seymour@bauermedia.co.uk

Was at the Xavarian from 1960 until it transferred to the De la Salle in Hove where I attended for one year.I must have been at the school at the same time as some of you but I don't remember the names. I do remember some of the teachers - Mr Guyver, Mr Smith, Mr Lambert etc. I remember the brothers especially Bro. Michael and Bro. Mark. I also remember the 5 a side games on the quad, bulldog on the ranch and the trip to Lourdes.There is no one I am in touch with and it would be interesting to hear what has happened to the people who were at the school at the same time. I was in touch with David Benham-Hermetz for some years and other names that spring to mind are Greatorex, Yeomanson, Hammond, Moony, Cooney, Kidger. I remember there were a couple of reunions around 1969 - 1970 that I went to but I don't know of any more recent than that. Like some others I now live abroad, in Cyprus, having taken early retirement in 2002 but I would be interested to be reminded of any others who were at the school, particularly from the same year, and of any reunions that are planned.

Hi fellows: I stumbled on this site while researching the Magdalen Sisters. I was at Xaverian circa '61 until we moved to the Sacred Heart Convent. I remember all the teachers from that interval..most fondly was Brother John (Herbie) who would help me with chemistry. I also thought Brother Elwin was a saint...nobody mentioned Brother Augustine...he once told me while administering corporal punishment that "the best way to the mind is through the behind!" I visited the area (I have lived in the USA for 30 years) in the summer of 2008. Everything seemed smaller, except Albion Hill that I walked up, retracing the route from Brighton Station. I asked Brian Guyver once if I should study English or Science...he said as science knows no class and I have no class, I should study science...great advice..got a PhD and left the UK.

I was at XC from 1948-52 when Brother Anselm was headmaster. I was a very poor student (regularly lining up outside his study for a beating!) my only interest was to become a journalist which I was for a while on the Portsmouth Evening News based in Chichester; then an Army officer and into HM Diplomatic Service where, after being posted around the world mostly in Africa, I ended my career as Governor of the Cayman Islands 1992-1995. My closest friend at XC was Patrick Jackson; does anyone know what became of him? He had a younger brother Brendon. The last I heard he was an engineer with Shell in the Middle East but we lost touch in the mid-1950s and Shell won't give out any info on their ex-staff. Also Tim Rundle who lived at Newhaven and who I last saw in 1970. Just discovered the site and remember some of the names mentioned by earlier writers. If anyone remembers me I will be delighted to hear from them: e-mail: michaelgore@ntlworld.com

I was at the school from 1961 to 1966, then moved to De La Salle College. Of the brothers, I remember very well Brothers Mark and Michael - they inspired me in different ways and also Brothers John, Timothy, Laurence, all very kindly, Brother Martin who was odd, Brother William, Brother Athanasius, Brother Brendan, Brother Patrick and the two I think of as saintly, Brothers Elwyn and Brother Edmund, the latter, I believe, a prisoner of the Japanese. Of lay teachers, Mr Guyver was indeed an inspiration, but I remember fondly Mr Quinn (Economics and Government), Ralph Lewis (-the Major: English), Henry Higgins (History and Latin), Mr Swann - a brilliant geographer, followed by Brian Smith (not to be confused with the QPR Mike Smith), and others. I wonder who among these is still among the living, and regret the lack of an organisation for meeting old friends.

Hello David Simmons. Good to hear from you through this site. Let me have your email address. It would be good to keep in touch. You can get me on mike@argosycable.com  Did you know that this week (25th March 2009) is the centenary of our school. Doug d'Enno has been doing some historical research and had quite a lot of information. There are moves to try and organise a reunion so it would be useful to build a list of email addresses of interested parties.

I came on this site by accident and was delighted to find it and see so many familiar names from 1960 to 1966. Of the Brothers - Wilfred (now James) is in Eccles, Patrick in Bournemouth, John in Herne Hill, William in Liss. I'm in a Brothers' school in a poor area of the coastal desert of Peru. I've been here for 15 years. We had a good reunion in 1992 at the Queen's Hotel. It marked various anniversaries - 25 years of the entry of girls, many celebrating 40th birthday and my 40 years in the Brothers. A lovely occasion and worth all the effort. God bless to all of you.

It was great to see the contribution from Bro. Mark, you and Bro Michael, were the most understanding and talented teachers I ever had and I owe any success I have had to them. I see from Mike Purnell's letter that a reunion may be planned. I live in the USA so attending may be a problem but I would like to here of any plans anyway just in case. My E-Mail is johnsfbennett@bellsouth.net. I was there 1959/63

What a surprise finding all this info on Xaverian College. I was there from the mid 1950s through to leaving the De la Salle College, as it became, at eighteen. Loads of familiar names; teachers and pupils. Anyone thought of setting up a website, Facebook group or similar? If anyone is interested in getting in touch with me my email is: ajg@headofthecurve.com or join my very new business networking website: www.headofthecurve.com and make contact that way. Maybe hear something soon! Tony Grantham.

I attended the college from approximately 1959 to 1967 where, of course, the change to De la Salle College took place during that time and I have to say I preferred my time at Xaverian. Reading some of the accounts has evoked some strong memories, my first headmaster was Brother Augustus. My first class master was a delightful old gentleman Brother Edmund in Prep 1 in one of the old buildings, my classmates at that time were William Ward, Marcus Milton, Sawyer, Wagstaff, Bond, Saunders, Quail, Greengrass (ginger haired boy), and was it Lonsdale or Drysdale (only black boy in the school) and others, but memory as it is, well you know. As I recall the cricket bat wealding brother was Brother Patrick, Brother Guyver was a great influence on me especially recitals of Horatius Holds the Bridge from Ancient Lays of Rome and hope and trust he found what he was searching for in life. Did he not have some form of duelling scar to the side of his face? I do indeed remember the ghost train in the old air raid shelters as I was one of the conspirators that got punished severely for frightening the life out of the younger boys, at the time a major offence. Not one of our better ideas for earning a few bob which I seem to remember investing some of the proceeds into establishing some form of tuck shop at the bottom of the steps to the basement of the old building. Does anyone remember the school being under siege from those delightful children from St. Luke's one brave day with bicycle chains and various implements flying over our walls. Some of the Brothers and the meatier boys I seem to recall had to go out and scatter them. I seem to remember that at that particular time it was a very dangerous place to walk through Queens Park on your own and we had to go in ever increasing numbers. Did anybody else feel as daft as I did having to wear a cap? Here are some other names that people might remember, apart from the ones that have already been recalled, how about Brother Chad, an unusual character, it can't be that he married a German Countess can it? Brother Kieran a pocketsized Hercules, Brother Wilfred (headmaster). I know Brother Athanasious has been mentioned but I always found him a curious character and wonder whatever happened. Anyway, that's about all I can remember off the top of my head. Currently living in Somerset, own house (just), happily married, 4 sons, just about able to write. There's another thing, am I imagining this as well, being initially born left handed and having to retrain to be right handed as left handedness was thought to be 'unusual'. I remember Danny Cassidy and I'm pretty sure we've been to each others houses as we lived close to each other. These things seem very foggy, whether or not this is attributed to simply the ageing process or the long term effects of alcohol it is difficult to say. Anyway, perhaps somebody with a clearer memory than mine might be able to fill in a few more gaps.

Of course it was Brian Guyver - as usual couldn't see the  keys without my glasses.

This is just to let everyone know that we did have a small reunion lunch in London in July. There were nine of us, all having been in the same class, which means we are all around 64 or 65 now. We met in a lovely restaurant in the Holland Park area and had a delightful time catching up on everything that had happened to each of us over the intervening 45 or 50 years. None had changed. All were just as much fun as before. The names were Danny Chapchal, Vlad Cirin, Chris Ogden, Roger Durrant, Pee-wee Allen, Michel Olszewski, Vic Sheppard, Doug d'Enno and myself. Much had indeed happened to all of us but all seemed to be happy with the way life turned out. We will do it again, probably in Spring and probably again in London. Do please get in touch if you want to go on to our little e-mailing list for the reunion. Meanwhile, compliments of the season to all.

I attend XC in the early to mid 50s and remember well Brother Anselm who damaged his wrist caning the whole class because someone would not own up to some misdeed. He was followed by the American Brother Nathaniel as headmaster. "Nat" was from Boston and became a bit controversial with his American expressions. My class mates were Paul Maxwell, Michael Harwood, Paul Steele and Bonetti "the English goalkeeper" Frank Bugden. I have lived in British Columbia, Canada since the late 60s and have travelled the world, I would be delighted to hear from my former class mates.

My father, Kenneth Noel Prior, was at Xaverian College from from 1931 (when he was nine years old) to 1938 (I think). I believe that one of his contemporaries was Donald Sinden, the actor. Any confirmation of these dates or any other information would be gratefully received.

I have been trying to find out about my father's old school and was delighted to come across this site. He was called John Lloyd Eley and was there in the 1930/40s before going on to Oxford. I would love to hear from anyone who has information about his time or who knows if there are any records out there. Thank you.

Well first, I have to say that I have a lot to be thankful for that I attended the Xaverian. I too stumbled on this site on an aimless late night internet ramble. What a pleasant surprise. I started about 1961 in Brother Edmund’s class in the old Prep’ School and stayed through the sixth form at the Upper Drive, with Brother Mark. My parents wisely pulled me out of the local schools and sacrificed everything to keep me there. I will forever be grateful for that. It now seems like I went from an educational haze to one of clarity and direction. What a miracle. I stayed in the “B” stream throughout and see now that perhaps that was the perfect place for my temperament. For example, I still remember my form master Brian Guyver observing at the start of class one morning (1B) “Horsfield, you are truly quite amoral…” which really got my attention because I thought he was saying I was evil. But then, thank goodness, he continued: “No, not Immoral, Amoral… just like an artist”. Once I looked the word up, I realized he was actually complimenting me in an oblique way. I have held that close all these many years. It struck a chord and gave me a direction and identity that rang true. Can you imagine a teacher daring to say something that poignant and dangerous today? Likewise, Brother Michael, who actually managed to lift the veil on mathematics for me. It dropped again soon after, but Michael actually showed it was possible, even for a numbers-handicapped dolt like me, to “get it”. I was in Brighton in January, having a beer just up the road at the Hanover with a couple of old school friends. I have lived in the States since 1973, but seeing them and my sister, gives me an excuse to go home. I came here for a teaching assistantship and an MFA. At first I hated it but was too poor to go home at Christmas. I got over that and have loved the USA ever since. The energy and directness of its people, their willingness to work hard and be independent of government, etc. After scrambling for survival working in TV for a few years, I started my own film and video business. I have worked across the USA and in various parts of the world. I still work in the Boston and New York area, though I am reeling in the travel. (As all children must eventually say “where the hell did the years go?) Like many of you I still have many vivid memories and even a couple of trophies. Brian Guyver’s (signed) conducting baton, for example, which he occasionally used to get our attention. Also, most of those school group portraits, you know, the panoramic ones. Right through the sixth form, when the girls came (another life changer).I would love to hear from anyone who cares to track me down. Now I live up in the woods of north west Connecticut, surrounded by wildlife and trees (bears, coyotes, beaver, even an occasional Bobcat, Elk or Mountain Lion and even rumors of the odd Canus Lupus). It’s a long way from Brighton, but I doubt I’d have got here if I had not had that school foundation. And lastly, yes, the destruction of that beautiful old property is very disturbing. Apparently the political makeup of the town council at the time, made preservation of symbols of Britain’s past anathema to their religion.

Well, Desmond, we were in different classes but at the school for some of the same years. I am in the TV industry and will be at NAB (Las Vegas) in April - do you go to that convention? If yes, we should meet up.

Hi Desmond: I do remember you as being extraordinarily talented as an artist. I, too, came to the USA but in 1978 to teach at the UofM (now retired), and have lived here (Ann Arbor and northern Michigan) ever since. The gazebo is all that is left of the old structures, but Queens Park is still there to evoke memories. John Hilliard

Oh what joy! I found this site while idly surfing. What a stroke of luck! I was at Xavarian from 1956 to 1964 and I read each of your entries with great interest and wonderment. The names and memories came flooding back. I too believe I was blessed with the best education my mediocre brain could ever have absorbed, from these kindly, talented and dedicated brothers and lay teachers. As testament to this, I came to the school as an 11-Plus failure, had to repeat year 1, and left with A-Levels. When I started, ‘Nat’ was the headmaster. I best remember him on the balcony looking down on the sand-pit for the high jump watching closely as several of us attempted ‘fozbury-flops’ and he shouting “you doved”! Then there were Bro Beade (prehensile false teeth – very scary), Bro Finbar (it’s only when I came to live in Ireland that I realised this is a Christian name), Bros Benedict, old and new. The new one came from America and was good at ‘bending’ your ear! Then we got the De La Salles – Bros Augustine (headmaster?), Lawrence, Mark, Michael, Elwin, all with individual characters but the same vocation. The lay teachers for the most part were just as dedicated. Mr Davis (Geography and PE – got me to do the X country on Brighton race course), Mr Kerr (French – I saw him briefly once in 1976 in Waterford), Geoffrey Lintott (English & Art), Esdale (History – to this day I regret our treatment of him). I don’t think Brian Guyver ever taught me. Fellow pupils I remember well as best mates (we all travelled by train) are Chris Webb (Lewes), Tony Johnston (Three Bridges), Michael Sargent (Burgess Hill), Michael Heffernan (Hassocks). Yes, I also remember (at least the names!) Purnell, Jobling, Cirin (how is your eye now?), Chapchal, Sheppard, Sharp, Behrens, Forte, Sallis (behind me in my first Class 1!) and De Grouchy. Peter Bonetti left after my first year. Thanks everybody so much for all you have written. I do remember a reunion in a Brighton hotel in the late 1960’s (I think) where Bro Lawrence was the guest speaker and gave the funniest speech I have ever heard to this day. Had us all in stitches. It would be great to meet again. I’ll be delighted to hear from anyone at tnorris@bamcontractors.ie

Mike and John, thanks for your replies. To you and anyone else who might care to contact me, just do an internet search for Desmond Horsfield and you will find a couple of links via email. I would very much enjoy a chat and finding out what happened to us all!

I attended Xaverian between 1959-64. Unlike many of the other subscribers, many of my memories concerning the teaching staff and brotherhood are not as benelovent. One person I shall never forget was Brother Augustine (or Brother Superior as he insisted on being called). His appetite for administering the cane was to say unnerving. Once a week for four years. The year after I left, I understand he left the order and married one of the pupil's wealthy, widowed mother. Unfortunately for him, our paths crossed during the early seventies in Ramsgate of all places. I believe he got the gist quite quickly on how I viewed his punishment methods and morality. This might sound like sore grapes now, but after all, the man did expel me. The only reason I can think of why he allowed me to stay at the school was that I appeared to be in every school sports team from an early age. Those masters who I remember with affection? Mr Davies, a good man, and 'tin-tacks Lintott. I remember him cadging a cigarette off me during art. Kids I remember? There was Kench and Butcher, Froud, and of course my old mate Derek Ireland, another soul who suffered under the swishing arm of 'Adolf Augustine'. Although expelled six weeks before being able to sit for my GCE's, my life panned out quite favourably. I retired at fifty but got bored, so for the last twelve years have become a novelist and screenplay writer (no use looking, I write under a pen name).

I wonder if anyone could shed some light on a problem set me by a friend, Terry Paddenburg? His father Charles Paddenburg was a pupil at the school in 1932/34 approx and can remember being sent to Ditchling (East Sussex) for weekends as his parents lived in Portugal. What Terry doesn't know is where his father would have lived during those days, and with whom. I now live in Ditchling and as a member of the local historical society, he has asked me to find out anything I can. Perhaps an old pupil may be able to help me or may remember Charles. I do know there was a Catholic community on the Common and also St.George's Retreat is there. I would love to hear from anyone with relevant information...thankyou.

I was at the school from 1951 to 1958 when I left after 'O' levels to go into the 6th Form at Lewes CGS. This was in the days when XC had no 6th Form. I remember Roger Durrant (above) but few other names come to mind immediately. My brother John was two or three years behind me and went through the new 6th Form and I recognise a few names above from his year. Very happy days and I remember enjoying cross-country runs round Brighton in the evenings with Bro Finnbarr (spelling?) and excellent science lessons with Bro ??? When I got to Lewes I realised how well he had covered both chemistry and physics. I have a daughter and grandchildren living in East Sussex so do get into the area occasionally.

I was at Mayfield XC from 1943 to 1947. Bro Pious was the rather strict head. Bro Gerald taught art, what a lovely man. Bro Anselm taught Latin and I think Maths, another lovely man. Bro Fox taught me to play chess, Bro Thomas taught French and History, and Bro Cuthbert was PE. I have a class photo with him at the centre. Some names I recall, excuse memory here, Ken Griffiths, Watson (marmite & paste!), Colin Beeson a great pianist, Lomas, David Reynolds, Hartley, the Boris twins, David Longstaff et al. My surname then was Wallis which my Mother changed when she left my Father. A doodlebug landed in the grounds whilst we were on hols. Some of the chapel ceiling came down. I also pumped the organ when Bro Cuthbert played but I let it run down and was in disgrace. I have been back to the grounds just before they gutted it to make very expensive flats. They did up the San as it was listed. Managed to take some pictures which I treasure. Like others I had some very bad times there but also some great ones. I was a protestant, which did not help my cause. Take care everyone, hope I have stirred some memories. My email address is rgwpel@virginmedia.com and I would be happy to hear from anyone old enough to remember me.

My tour at Xaverian College was from Sept '61 to the summer of '66 when I left to do a 2 year stint at the Sixth Form of what was Haywards Heath Grammar School. (traitor!) I have fond memories of XC and the brothers did a good job given the limited resources at their disposal. Overall, I think they were strict but fair. There was a group of us who used to come up on the 8:17 from Haywards Heath. The athletic types would make it back for the 4:28 out of Brighton while the more sedate folk such as myself most usually had to be content with the 4:38 bound for London Bridge. I think it was not long after we started in '61 that there was a derailment just outside Brighton station. On parts of the indicator board, the clocks were set to 12:00 as there were, presumably, no trains scheduled to leave those platforms. However, in the mind of an 11-year old who had led a sheltered life, the suggestion was that there would be no trains until midnight which really put the wind up me!
I expect some of the teachers would be regarded as a little unconventional these days. Does anyone remember Mr Kerr, the French master? In the absence of a teacher, mayhem was the norm in classrooms and the challenge was to see how long the misbehaviour could continue without being detected by an approaching teacher. With Mr Kerr, it was easy to spot his impending arrival! Being a chain smoker, his approach was given away by rising smoke seen coming from behind the boys' toilets! Bet the brothers didn't know that one!
Great shame about the house. I think there was an oval loose gravel drive in front of the house. On one occasion, a telegram boy on his red GPO BSA 'Bantam' fell off a number of times going too fast trying to show the world what he couldn't do. Sadly, I came away with a few 'O' Levels but didn't excel in anything. I was useless at art, flunked French (anyone remember the somewhat elderly Miss Baxter, ca 1965?), indifferent at Maths but picked up a little Physics (Bros Lawrence & William) and Chemistry (Bro John, aka Herbie). I can't blame the brothers; some folk are just dense! Nothing permeates into their skulls and I've been struggling ever since!
I certainly recognise some of the names and would love to know what happened to James Coles. James and I had a common interest in building simple radios out of junk bits bought from emporia then to be found in Brighton. I used to walk to and from the station and 'recycle' the bus fares which my mother (died 1987) used to give me. Having amassed 1/-, I would trot off and buy some ancient 1930s valve, put it in my pocket, then take the train home. It must have been a miracle that nothing ever broke! There is lots more I could tell but I don't want to take the whole show over. If anyone is interested, please feel free to contact me at: jtbubez@hotmail.co.uk

Good to see further comments. This year is the 50th anniversary of the De la Salles taking over the school. Seems like yesterday. Mr Kerr was a character. I still remember his comment on a school report: "A model pupil - unfortunately not a working model." If anyone is interested I can be contacted here in Peru at markzap@yahoo.com God bless you all.

Just found this page browsing. I must have been there about '53 / '56 - recognized quite a few names of students and teachers. I remember the air raid shelters, cricket matches and playing against Chailey. So was my brother Charles RIP. I live in Florida now. Oh well.