Dorian Williams (b 1914) 'Between the Lines'

The late Dorian Williams achived fame as an urbane television showjumping commentator

After a more or less tearless departure, with even a touch of pride, perhaps, in my stiff white Eton collar and bowler hat, I was despatched to my preparatory school.

There was certainly discipline at Hawtreys, but it was far from brutal. The headmaster was no sadist, but he was a very strict authoritarian. Only he could dispense punishment: indeed, the assistant masters had little personal authority other than threatening to send offenders to the headmaster, which was usually enough. Nine times out of ten an oral castigation from the caustic tongue of the headmaster was sufficient - either in front of one of the top forms which would be working in his classroom, or in front of the whole school in the Dancing Room.

Occasionally it was a visit to the 'boxing room' where three or four whacks with the slipper would be administered - on
the bare bottom. Nor was the headmaster any respecter of persons. I remember the head boy being called out of tea and sent to the 'boxing room' for fidgeting during the lecture which had just taken place.

Hawtreys, despite its demanding, non-negotiable standards and spartan rigidity, was certainly a very happy school. I never remember a boy running away; few enough tears. There was little bullying, for bullying, together with any suggestion of bad manners, was the most heinous of offences and inevitably incurred a visit to the 'boxing room'.