I think if this had actually happened within the school memory of any boy still there when I arrived (i.e. after 1948) I might have heard about it. I didn't. Nor is it mentioned in his memoirs by Magee (who left in 1947). Frankly, I think it's a myth.Chrissie Boy wrote:Re. the concept of School Beatings, I remember Alan O'Neal (Ma.A/Col.B, 1970s) telling me that when his uncle was at the school (1950s?) there was a big outbreak of thievery amongst the pupils and when the guilty parties were finally identified they were caned in the Quad in front of the entire school.
Was this a School Beating?
It sounds a bit like the old-time phenomenon of a large crowd assembling to watch a public execution, only in this case compulsory. Presumably the spectators were intended to watch and learn.
There's nothing quite like a nice bit of light entertainment.
The only times I saw boys being caned in public were not at CH, but in my primary school, where it was routine.