Stephen Fry mentions a Scottish master called Jim Bruce who taught history with a Scottish emphasis, and divinity. He had been a prisoner of the Japanese during the Second World War, and died in about 1995.
According to the 1966 Stouts Hill Magazine, he was due to arrive at the school in September 1966, so he was there throughout my final year; but I don't remember him, I suppose because he never taught me.
John has provided this link to a 36-page PDF file written by Mr Bruce about his experiences as a teenage prisoner of the Japanese. He was apparently born in about 1926.
5 comments:
Jim Bruce had a thing about teaching about "Sex in the Bible".
Very fit fellow. Cross-country runs up through the hills, acrobatics on the rings and swiming lengths of the pool under water.
John M
Yes I remember him well - his nickname was "Billy Whiz" after a Beano character who ran very fast. Excellent teacher; great at sports; I recall him hitting an almighty six from the cricket field to the main building and smashing a window in one of the first floor dorms !! Sad to hear about his passing; that's life I guess.
Mr Bruce, one of the nicest masters you could ever meet. Always very helpfull and even helped me get down from a tree I was stuck in during one of the tree climbing stunts.
He was a really excellent man. Fit as a fiddle. Survived a Jap POW camp and taught lots of scottish history!
I was here 1973 / 78 roughly. I remember we challenged Mr Bruce and Mr Baldero ( known for long distance running) to challenge each other which they did . The first couple of laps Mr Bruce came close to lapping Mr Baldero but as the laps increased, Mr Baldero caught up and finally won the race . Mr Bruce would take us on a commando run through the derelict mill at the far side of the woods. I have fond memories of a fantastic teacher. Robin James Duncan
Post a Comment