Archives
Can you help?
Information requested regarding Colin C Smith,
Meynell House 1947-1951.
The Archives is assisting a New Zealand research project to produce a memorial document
for women and children killed as they were escaping the Japanese just prior to the Surrender
of Singapore in February 1942.
One of those escaping was a nine year old by the name of Colin Clive Smith, who after the
war was enrolled at King’s. He was a passenger on firstly the “SS. Kuala” (sunk with some
150 people killed), and then after some days on an uninhabited island in the Indonesian
Archipelago he was ‘rescued’ by a small freighter named the “SS. Tandjong Pinang” only to
be sunk again and spent some five days without food or water on a tiny raft at sea with his
sister before being picked up by a Japanese warship and interned in a POW camp Sumatra.
His mother and two sisters were amongst the 180-200 people killed in this second sinking.
His story is a truly incredible account of survival – particularly for a small boy. I doubt many new boys to King’s College arrive
with that experience of life!
The Archives has been able to supply details of Colin’s time at King’s including an outstanding school sporting career where
he gained colours in rugby, hockey and shooting as well as representing the school at swimming. However Colin does not
appear to have joined the OA Club on leaving and the school has lost contact with him.
If you are able to provide any further information about Colin’s current whereabouts or can add further to the very
limited knowledge of his experiences fleeing Singapore please contact Alison Mason, College Archivist on 01823 328243 or
archives@kings-taunton.co.uk
Memorabilia requested by
King’s College, Taunton
King’s now has a College Archivist, Mrs Alison Mason,
working in close liaison with the Development Office,
headed by Mrs Leisa Lavender.
I have contributed several memorabilia to the
College Archive, from my days at King’s, including
photographs, scientific notebooks, correspondence,
cast lists of school plays, sports day programmes, plus
CDs of written reminiscences.
Can I enlist your support for the archive?
Mrs Mason now has a dedicated store room as well
A selection of the donations received by the Archives since its opening on OA Day 2012. as exhibition space, all of which were shown to those
Very many thanks to J Cole, P Darley, C Cole, C Timbrell, J Heal, R Currie and P Mason for of us attending the OA Day at King’s in June this year.
their contributions to the school’s history.
John Cole (Woodard ’49)
Excerpts from the Archives
A selection taken from the 116 crimes recorded in the School Drill 40s and 50s Memories Project
Book, February 1957 (names obscured to protect the guilty) Dr Tim Brennand has kindly offered to collate the “Life
E** (Woodard) Throwing horseshoe through dorm window Stories post King’s” of any OA who left in the 1940s
B** (Woodard) Making disgusting noise in prep and 1950s.
C**, T** (Meynell), H**, N**, W**, H**, V**, C** (Woodard) Taking part in a
gravel throwing fight outside after lock-up If you have yet to send in your contribution then
B** (Meynell) Flicking orange pips around the Dining Hall please do so by the end of November 2013.
A** Working at 7.50 am without Housemaster’s permission Please contact Dr Tim Brennand for further
W** (Fox) Throwing mud at San windows information:
H** Attempting to un-plug electric polisher whilst a porter was polishing timandsueb@gmail.com - telephone 01570 421553.
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