Reminiscences: Richard Charles Windshuttle (pupil, 1941-1945)

As I recall the 1945 1st XV was the first team to beat Joeys since we entered the GPS competition – a very subdued sea of navy blue at Hunters Hill that day.

The day we played Newington was also interesting. Because of the War in the Pacific, several of their boys were Islanders boarding here. The front rower opposite me was probably about 19 years old and weighed as much in “stones”. I remember coach Frank O’Rourke reassuring me (who turned 16 in June ’45) and advising me to “get stuck into him early”.

During the War years the combined GPS swimming carnivals were abandoned. However, Grammar held a carnival at Manly Baths with invitations to other schools all of whom had very big support teams present. Our team was Headmaster Jas H Killip and yours truly. The key event was the senior 110 yards and whilst our Headmaster was always calm and controlled, he was delighted when we won that day.