The Old Chelmsfordians Association (O.C.A.) was established during the Headmastership of Mr. Rogers on the 19 October 1895 when the first Reunion Dinner was held at the School. The first President was Jesse Garrood, the Secretary, F.T. Cramphorn and the Treasurer, J.S. Greenhow. Shortly afterwards the O.C’s Football Club was formed under the captaincy of G. Lee. Red and green were the colours and the annual subscription was one shilling. The Association was active for some years organising Chess matches, Lectures, Discussions and Smoking Concerts.The Annual Dinner usually took place at the same time as the Annual General Meeting, sometimes in Chelmsford, at the Shire Hall or Saracen’s Head and sometimes at the Holborn Restaurant in London.A handbook was published yearly.

The Early 1900’s

From about 1901 to 1907 the Headmaster, Mr. Rogers, fell with the O.C.A. over our practice of inviting outside guests to the Annual Dinner.This quarrel was healed in 1907 when we again met in the School Hall. From then until 1914 the O.C.A. prospered, but the outbreak of war led to a complete cessation of its activities and indeed its existence.

Between the Wars

After the war steps were taken to revive the Association. In February 1920 a preliminary meeting was held and in November 1921 a General Meeting decided to restart the O.C.A.The Headmaster, T. Hay, was elected President, with R.A. Barker as Secretary and Treasurer. About five years later there was again a period of difficulty but the Presidency of S.C. Taylor (1928-30) and the Secretaryship of L.J. Dixon (1927-28) gave the Association a new lease of life The Annual Dinner was revived in 1925 and an Annual Dance was held from 1930 onwards. An O.C. Masonic Lodge was consecrated in 1934, with H.G. Cobb as the first Master. Regular Football and Cricket clubs and a Rifle club were formed and from 1937 a Sports and Social Secretary was appointed. An O.C. tie and blazer were designed and a life membership subscription initiated. The Association presented to the School a pair of ornamental gates as a Coronation gift.The new found energy made it possible to keep the O.C.A. alive throughout the 1939-1945 war.

The Memorial Field -The Post War Years

As members returned from the Forces we took another leap forward in the expansion of the Sports and Social sections and in the organisation of a War Memorial Fund. This led to the acquisition of the Memorial Field in Lawford Lane.

The following article was written by John Henry Johnson, Master at KEGS from 1919 to 1958 and President of the Association in 1959 and appeared in the Year Book for 1949 which expanded on this acquisition.

“In the summer of 1946, a long low car, driven by Bill Firman, could be seen dashing around the countryside. That summer, twelve sites were inspected. After some delay, approvals were received to use the land at Roxwell Road as a Sports Field for The Old Chelmsfordians Association and a formal agreement was signed in December 1947. However, there was one serious hitch, there was to be no intoxicating liquor in any building erected on the Field. This caused the Football Club to become ‘most eloquent’ and subsequently, the ban was removed.

During that time there had been the drive for funds but after much effort the money received was not sufficient to meet budgeted needs. However one Old Boy came forward with a donation of £500 and the Fund closed in September 1948 at £1,275. Much work then followed in developing the ground, acquiring a small pavilion (the ‘Green Hut’), laying a good wicket and preparing football pitches and tennis courts on the nine acres of rough pasture.

On Wednesday 26 April 1950, a Special General Meeting was called and the Sports and Social Club was formed, whereby sections would run their own Sports although funds would be pooled. The inaugural Officers were Stanley Bragg, Chairman, Brian Turner, Vice Chairman, Eddie Gardner, Hon. General Secretary, Eric Churchyard, Hon. Financial Secretary, and ‘Pussy’ Johnson, Hon. Treasurer. With them were section Officers for Football, Cricket, Tennis, Swimming, Athletics and Physical Training.”

 1951 was an important year in our history. While the School celebrated its Quarter centenary with a Commemoration Banquet at the Shire Hall on 20 July and a School Pageant the following day, the dedication of the War Memorial Field took place on the 28 July. A cricket match against the School followed with plenty of ‘clubhouse conviviality’ afterwards.

The Association Today

The Association has grown in strength since that time. Membership is worldwide and currently close to 1,000. Football, Cricket, Tennis, Table Tennis, Summer Hockey, Golf Outings, Indoor Bowls and Snooker are all part of the Association’s sporting profile. The facilities at the Lane have also been constantly improved. The ‘Green Hut’ was superseded by a converted Chicken Shed and continued in use for storage until it was sadly burned to the ground. The Chicken Shed remains today although dressed differently as the Members Lounge. In 1973 what is still referred to as the ‘New Hall’ was built. The granting of a special licence to hold external functions meant that it has become not only a home for many of our social occasions but also a considerable fundraiser. In 1989 a £100,000 appeal was launched to upgrade the facility. The result of which we can see today.

Looking Forward

The early years of the New Millennium have been important to the Association. We face a number of challenges, particularly in maintaining our sporting activity and success. With more and more KEGS students living outside the Chelmsford area and with the current generation interested in so much more than football and cricket sustaining our sporting heritage will be difficult. However, with the traditional enthusiasm, hard work and energy of our members and a Headmaster in Dr. Mike Walker who is keen to help find ways for the O.C.A. to reconnect with the School we can all feel positive about the future