Mr. Lionel. Wrangles

Mr. Wrangles ranks fourth in the list of long-serving members of our Goldings Staff, yet he
holds the unique distinction of being the only surviving member of the pre-Barnardo days.
He commenced work under Mr. Burbridge the Estate Bailiff for Mr. Abel Smith in January
1921. In October 1921 Barnardo's took over Goldings and Mr. Lee was transferred from
Woodford as Head Gardener to replace Mr. Burbridge, and Mr. Wrangles carried on as
Under-gardener. As it was not until April, 1922 that the staff and boys were transferred from
Stepney Causeway, Mr. Wrangles can claim to have worked at Goldings 15 months longer
than anyone else. He served in the R.A.F. from October 1942 until March 1946 and when he
returned to "civvie street" he took over his present appointment, that of Foreman Gardener,
following the retirement of Mr. Lee. In his early years he played for several seasons in the
School football team. Since taking over the Foremanship he has more or less been responsible
for the vegetable production side of the department, which in itself is no mean task, considering that approximately 230
lunches alone are provided for each day. In contrast to Mr. Randall who soles shoes for every boy passing through
Goldings, Mr. Wrangles nourishes the souls

L. E.
Goldonian Summer 1958

Mr. Harold DeBoeck

No. 3 of our Personality Series is Mr. Harold DeBoeck. The name of DeBoeck has been
associated with the Homes for nearly 70 years, as Mr. DeBoeck's father was in charge of the
Sheet-metal department, both at Stepney and at Goldings for close on forty years before his
retirement in 1931, and his brother was also at one time a Superintendent of a Barnardo
"Ever-open-Door". Mr. DeBoeck is the last of the three members of staff still at Goldings
who came down to the School from Stepney in 1921. At that time he was assistant to his
father and took over the headship of the Sheet-metal Work Department when his father
retired. Unfortunately soon after coming to Goldings Mr. DeBoeck met with an accident on
the football field whilst playing against Hertford Heath. Playing in goal he went down to
scoop up the ball from an oncoming forward and sustained an injury to his right hand. At the
time it did not appear to be a serious injury, but alas it meant a very long time in hospital for
him with the final result he lost the use of his right hand. For some time it was thought Mr. DeBoeck would never be able
to return to his work in the Sheet-metal Shop, but fortunately Mr. DeBoeck thought otherwise and by sheer determination
and perseverance he showed us that what his right hand was now incapable of doing, his left hand would have to be his
right and left hands in one. Not only has he been able to continue at his trade with remarkable success, but he also taught
himself to write (with his left hand and even to play billiards and snooker. In this latter sphere he became a much better
player than some of his contempories who had the advantage of both hands. Mr. deBoeck has given yeoman service to the
School and many boys who have done well after leaving the School at their trade taught to them by Mr. DeBoeck have
acknowledged they owed much to his teaching.

J. M.
Goldonian Spring 1958

The School Staff

It has been suggested that a few words about various members of the Staff at Goldings would be welcomed. We propose,
therefore, month by month, to give pen, pictures of the Staff in order of length of service at Goldings. Although the
Governor has not the record for long service, nevertheless courtesy bids us place his personality before you as number
one of our series. The series will be written in more humorous vein than serious. Whether they accurately describe the
doings and life of the person portrayed is left for the reader to. Determine - The Editor.

The Governor

The Governor has been with us now 11 years, not very long when you are thinking of centuries, but a very long time when
thinking of hard labour. In that time we have got to know him pretty well. He has been responsible for many changes in
our School, not all of which have been to our liking, but have been a blessing to the School in many ways. "So shall we
think of our disadvantages? "never". He is very keen on knocking two little white balls and a red one about, also likes to
throw a big ball at a little white one. This big ball is sometimes known as a wood. In the very near future, we shall hear
him once again calling to Mills to take that one out. Whether Mills takes that one out or the lot, remains to be seen, or
rather heard. We shall always think of the Governor as our most fluent speaker on most topics. May we be granted the
pleasure of his company for many years to come.

H. S. R.
Goldonian April 1936 Vol. 5

Goldings Personalities

Mr. J. Maslin

Mr. Maslin, or rather "Jim" as he is more affectionately known commenced working for
Dr. Barnardo's Homes in the year 1918-My first contact with him was at Headquarters in
Stepney when he was secretary to the Rev. Threlfall. It was not until the School came to
Goldings in 1922 that Mr. Maslin really came into his own. What a very keen interest he took
in his job. He always seemed to have an abundant knowledge of anything in connection with
Barnardo work. This knowledge he would always pass on to others should the occasion arise.
Apart from his own office duties he has always been most willing and has found time to
undertake any kind of clerical work. You know, those little jobs that nobody seems to want to
take on. How many times have we of the staff paid our contributions to him for this or that
function, and how well have we seen those statement of accounts carried out, above all how
gladly he has undertaken all those various unthankful tasks. What a valuable asset he has
been, and is still to our sports activities both arranging and taking part, the making of all kinds of fixtures both for boys
and staff. Could he be relied upon to knock up a few runs in cricket? I'll say he could! Could he make a score with those
other little coloured balls on the billiard table? Take a look at that record chart and you'll find he could. In fact, Jim has
taken that interest in his work and leisure that will make him long remembered. There must be many a man who was once
a boy here at Goldings who would still remember him. Carry on the good work Mr. Maslin, and I'm sure I voice the
opinion of many others when I say well done and may you still continue to help all and sundry as you have done in the
past.

H. S. R.
Goldonian Summer 1957

Mr. H. S. Randall

Mr. Randall joined the Dr. Barnardo teaching staff as assistant instructor in the Boot and
Shoe Department at Stepney as far back as 1919 (makes you wonder what the world was like
then) and came to Goldings when the Boys' Home, Stepney, moved in the year 1922, and
took charge of the Department in 1946. It can be said that Mr. Randall has given
personal service to every boy who has been at the School, for their boots or shoes must have
gone through his hands while being repaired, and who would like to guess the number of
boys he has taught the skills of boot-making ? It was in the early days of The William Baker
Technical School that he was one of the first five House Masters, being House Master of
Mt. Stephen and a lot of old Mt. Stephen boys will wish him well, as it cannot be long before
he will be retiring. When it does happen I know he will be missed. Whenever there are
sporting activities, you will be sure to find Mr. Randall recording, something he has got to a
fine art. His own sport was mostly confined to billiards and snooker. Only last year, 1956-1957, he was champion billiards
player and snooker runner-up in the Staff Billiards and Snooker Championships, and was also a regular member of the
Staff team.

H. DeBoeck
Goldonian Winter 1957

Mr. G. H. White

Mechanical trees, mechanical dragons, 300 chairs to stand up for a life time! These were a
few of the things for which an "Impro-visor-in-Chief" was required at Goldings some 25
years ago. We had the very man for the task, Mr. G. H. White, engineer, housemaster and
cinema projectionist. To give a pen-picture of Mr. White it will be necessary for me to go
back a good many years. Mr. White came to Goldings as an engineer in June, 1924. In the
early days of Mr. White's service at Goldings it was customary for the Barnardo Helpers'
League to have a big day in the Royal Albert Hall, at which all Branch Homes were expected
to contribute something by way of a performance in the large arena. We here at Goldings on
three occasions gave performances of the Toy Soldier, St. George and the Dragon, and an
Allegory, the two latter plays requiring a dragon and a tree. Mr. White got to work and
produced not only a gigantic dragon which could move with speed, but a large tree which
everyone in the audience could see growing! (Incidentally, the Toy Soldiers act received public acclamation throughout our
daily newspapers and has been copied by many kindred and other organizations. Mr. White has never sought the limelight,
but has given most valuable service to the School. For years he was our cinema technician and did much to build a really
up-to-date machine, so that we could have performances of films once a week. He was one of the first house-masters to be
appointed and only relinquished this particular post when it was decided to reorganise the School and to have resident
house-parents. He has taken part in most activities of the School, including dramatic acting, cricket, football, billiards and
has given valuable service in out-of-school activities wherever he could lend a hand. In 1945 Mr. White transferred from
the Engineers' Shop to the scholastic side of the School, in which his heart was set, and for the past two years has been
Head Teacher of the School. Mr. White can be classified as a modest man, sincere in all his efforts, and a colleague I am
sure we are all proud to be associated with. Truly Mr. White is a shining example of our School motto: "Finis Coronat
Opus".

J. M.
Goldonian Winter 1958

Mr. H. Mitchell

Mr. H. Mitchell is the sixth on our "Personality" parade. He came to the School in 1928 as
book-keeper, so he has thus far completed thirty years' service. I think everyone who has had
to come in contact with him in connection with his work will agree that he has carried out his
duties conscientiously, without fuss and with a happy heart. He has certainly rendered a great
service to the School. During the war years he was especially helpful in the office, what with
food coupons and clothing coupons, and the work of arranging for every boy to have a
holiday either with relatives, friends, or in a foster-home—there was no "Dymchurch" in
those days—life in the office was pretty hectic. Mr. Mitchell has been an active member of the
Goldings Social Club, having held the office of Hon. Secretary for several years and taking
part in one or two dramatic plays. One can remember his fine performance as the sweep in
the Busman's Honeymoon which the club performed some years ago. In his early days
Mr. Mitchell played cricket for the School and was an active member of the tennis section. It is not so long ago for most of
us to remember that Mr. Mitchell was the School organist, a service he performed for many years, and only had to give
this up on the advice of his doctor, after a serious illness which overtook him last year. He still plays the piano for Morning
Prayers and occasionally undertakes organist's duties in the School Chapel.

J. M.
Goldonian Spring 1959

Mr. H. W. Tempest

Thirty years ago, a young Yorkshireman came south from his native Halifax to become a
member of our teaching staff. He had received a thorough training as a cabinet maker, and
he quickly established himself as a very competent instructor in this branch of woodcraft.
Today, Mr. Tempest can look back with pride at his success in training hundreds of students,
many of whom have done well in situations all over the country. Apart from his woodcraft,
his artistic nature has prompted him to find great satisfaction in drawing and painting, and
he has passed on these skills to many young pupils. Recently, he has produced wonderful
results in colour photography. He played cricket for the School in earlier days, and was a
sound opening batsman. He is a fine billiards player, and has been Champion in the Staff
Club on many occasions. A keen debater, he has always been ready to discuss topical
problems with fellow members around the fireside. His good humour and kindly disposition
have made him a very popular member of our Goldings community.

G. H. W.
Goldonian Summer 1959

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