D. L. Seneviratne …“Lam to one and all”
Royal College – Marsh to Boake FRONT COVER
FOREWORD:
Every life that comes into this world has its own inherent potential. What separates us from the rest are the opportunities we have been blessed with and I do not think one needs to elaborate on that good fortune to recognize which side of that divide we Royalists are on.
A blessing as is an education at Royal also places a responsibility on us all to be aware and appreciative of the history of a revered Institution that has paved the way for making us who we are today. The books we read, the men we looked up to as our role models shaped the path for us to tread and the values we were schooled to uphold.
The author’s book on our founding fathers appropriately titled “From Marsh to Boake ” complements the exhaustive “History of Royal College” published to commemorate the 150th anniversary and his own modest review of that history in our 170th year, as it explores the period from the dawn of the 19th century to 1835 when ” Thy spirit first to Life awoke.”
He who forgets his past is in danger of being unpleasantly surprised by his future so let this valuable publication be a further reminder to us all of our responsibility to continue to “Keep their fame inviolate.” .
The author’s generosity in sharing his extensively researched pre-history of our school is gratefully acknowledged. I found the journey down this distant memory lane a rewarding experience and commend it to my fellow Royalists.
Blessings to All, S. Skandakumar …. Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, 2015-2019
What happened to the Rev. A. Kessen? Missing, from the list perhaps the Rev. A. Kessen was a Methodist Missionary and the rest are Church from the Church England. I mentioned abut it to the author.
Year of Arrival Name Year of Departure 1836 Rev. J.H.Marsh 1838 1839 J Brooke H.Bailey (Actg.) 1839 1840 J Brooke H.Bailey (Actg.) 1841 1842 J Brooke H.Bailey (Actg.) Rev. A. Kessen 1842
Rev. Andrew Kessen is quite prominently mentioned in my book. Chapter 3 pages 58 and 61 Hitherto unknown information about him is given. Sorry you have not mentioned it to me yet.
In 1974, I sailed on a Port line ship with a Captain named Reid, he informed me that Reid avenue was named after his Dad Major H L Reid who was principal in 1923. Captain Reid was a bit of a wind bag but a man full of knowledge about the world.
My book is not ‘ Marsh AND Boake’ but ‘Marsh TO Boake’ Hence after Rev. Marsh we have Brooke Bailey, Rev Haslam , Rev Kessen and then Rev, Boake as the Heads of the school from 1835 to 1870. To get all the accurate information, read the book.