Bernard Batchlor’s (19-23) son, John, recently returned to the school with his son James, to retrace his father’s footsteps. During his time at Bedford, Bernard was Captain of the 1st XV, who, in 1922, enjoyed a successful season with fixtures against Dulwich, RAF Henlow, East Midlands, Richmond ‘A’, Leys, Haileybury College, St Paul’s School and Blackheath ‘A’. He was also the main conversion taker – so it seemed a fitting tribute for James, who, like his grandfather, is a keen rugby player, to recreate a conversion – a hundred years to the day, on the same pitch as Bernard.
During his visit, John shared an amusing story his father often recounted.
“In my father`s time at school, the boys wore hats. One day, after Bernard had fallen asleep, his pals in his dormitory at Burnaby House pinched his hat and painted the statue of John Bunyan, in the town, some hideously gaudy colour, while leaving Bernard`s top hat on John Bunyan`s head! (the hat had ‘Bernard Batchlor’ inscribed on the inside label).
The police became involved, and my father was hauled up in front of his House Master who told him he would not be going home for half term until he told the truth. Bernard knew nothing about it and, seeing ‘Batch’ (his nickname) in trouble, his pals owned up and it was they, not Bernard, who were not allowed home for half term. Instead, they spent the time cleaning the paint off the statue!”
It was a pleasure to welcome John and James back to the school.
