Recent terrorist alarms and Molotov cocktail attacks recall to mind the need for air raid precautions in 1942 after Pearl Harbour. I was the guinea pig in showing the school how to handle and make safe live incendiary bombs. Needless to say this exercise was outside, not in. In retrospect, I imagine the bomb was really a very large sparkler firework, but at the time it was scary.

I also was the rescuer in a demonstration in how to rescue an injured and unconscious person from a burning smoke filled room. As I recall it was hard on both rescuer and rescued. Happily neither exercise had to be put into use. John Cable. Head Prefect 1942

John also recalled the break up day in 1941 when a few boys decided to practise “Fire Drill”. They set up the fire hose in the West entrance and waited for targets. On hearing footsteps coming down the corridor John called out “Fire” and the boys hosed down the Assistant Principal, Mr Teddy Aims. They received 6 of the best for their efforts. Editor

With the threat of invasion from the East – submarines in the harbour etc. and attack from the air, shelters were erected on the perimeter of the bottom field near the school buildings and prefabs. There were certainly not enough for all pupils so presumably there was a selection process – teachers only? The air raid shelters were never used and were off limits to pupils – imagine the goings on if they had been. No doubt other past pupils may have a clearer recollection.

Cadet training was compulsory and the Army issued a uniform of rough woollen khaki pants and jackets. There was no guarantee they would fit and the cloth made youthful sensitive skins itchy. Military training took place in the afternoons and platoons marched over both the sports fields and on special occasions the school band provided a suitable tempo.

In the south eastern corner of the bottom field there was a firing range for training in handling of small arms – mainly .22 but later .303 rifles and also the Bren – both automatic and single shot. About eight firing positions from memory. Regular army personnel controlled this whole exercise with safety paramount for all concerned. There was a line of pine trees between the range, the access track and Strand Park – just as well. Note: If the war had continued many of the trainees on leaving school would have been drafted for active service.

A highlight post war – probably 1946 – was the first visit to NZ of a jet plane (a Gloucester Meteor from memory). In flights over Wellington and the Valley it demonstrated its ability to fly low and horizontal at speed and then with a 90-degree turn, head skywards at similar velocity with the typical jet roar. The bottom field was full for that demonstration of new technology! Peter Osborne 1944-1948