WW1 - all pages

T HE W ARDEN W ILLIAM F ERGUSON AND HIS S CHOOL P REFECTS , 1917 The Prefects were entirely responsible for all discipline outside the classroom and carried much power and influence as a result. They were respected and feared in equal measure and esteemed by the Common Room. This picture, taken late in the war, shows only five Prefects versus a normal compliment of ten/eleven pre-war, due to there being few pupils still at the School with either the right age profile or experience to take the job on. This had been a major headache for Ferguson right from the outbreak of hostilities, with the vast majority of his older, experienced boys immediately volunteering for action and leaving a large void behind them. The Senior Prefect is Alexander Tod seated on the Warden’s left, described as ‘remarkably old for his age as to be able to make a very vigorous and strong-armed Senior Prefect (he was just 17)’ - he would be the only person seen here to serve in the war.