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THE GOLDONIAN GOLDINGS PERSONALITIES (10)
'skip' Culver, as he is affectionately known by staff and boys, came to Goldings in June, 1931, as a storekeeper, after completing 12 years' service with the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Regiment. As a professional soldier he saw service in India, China, and Malta. At the outbreak of World War II Mr. Culver again offered his services for his country and enlisted in,. the Royal Army Service Corps, and, spent six years touring France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. At the completion of hostilities he returned to Goldings to take over the duties of Housemaster. One often hears of people being 'Jack of all trades and master of none', but although 'Skip' has turned his hand to the majority of jobs within the School, including teaching when staff was scarce, no one can say he was not the master of the situation he had on hand. Cool, calm, and collected under any conditions, are great human qualities to possess, and Mr. Culver certainly has these qualities, 'Skipper's' greatest personal triumph has undoubtedly been the formation of the Army Cadet Company at this School in December, 1945, and for which he was granted the commission of Lieutenant in 1946. As the readers of the goldonian are aware from the terminal 'Cadet Notes', the Cadets are a very live and active organization, not only within the School, but throughout the county of Hertfordshire. Without any fear of contradiction I would say that Mr. Culver is remembered by more boys that leave the School than any other master. Captain Culver, to give him his full title, appeared in the New Year's Honours List, 1958, Her Majesty having graciously approved the award of the Army Cadet Force Medal and Certificate for his services to that force. Thank you 'Skip' for your untiring efforts on behalf of all the boys who have been through and will be coming through Goldings.
N. T. P.
A man remembered most affectionately by
hundreds of Goldings Old Boys, 'Skip' Culver, passed away 15 July 1990 aged
86.
Returning to Goldings in 1945 he became a housemaster, he formed a detachment of Army Cadets at the school and very quickly the small squad grew to company size and Albert Culver became a Lieutenant. The company then formed its own bugle band, a retired drum-major being responsible for their training, and that unit also, in its own right, became a very efficient unit, very much in demand to attend functions throughout the county of Hertfordshire. Albert Culver was promoted to the rank of Captain and Her Majesty the Queen graciously approved the award of the Army Cadet Force Medal and Certificate for his service to that force. A mild-mannered man, 'Skip' probably influenced more boys than any other member of staff at the school to become mature and capable members of society, and many of his cadets joined the services when they left the school. Victor King wrote of skip: Captain Culver needs no introduction. I see that many old boys refer to him as “skipper”but to me he was always Captain Culver. I joined his Army Cadet Force and played the bugle in the band - mainly because I got an extra six pence pocket money. (I joined the choir for the same reason). I remember Captain Culver as a very fair man who always remained calm is a crisis - and there were plenty of those. I was head boy of Cairns and slept in the uppermost bay in the picture. The wake up bugle was played right outside the door but often it did not awake me. However, when Captain Culver came round shouting “Wakey wakey, rise and shine, the sun’s scorching your eyeballs out” I was reluctantly torn from my dreams which were usually Doris Day singing “Once I had a secret love” - just to me. For more information on skip see the cadets page. |
He joined the staff of the then William Baker Technical School in 1931, taking
the position of storekeeper till 1936. He then joined the army, after
completing four years as a regular soldier, seeing service in India, China and
Malta. He re-enlisted on the outbreak of war, serving a further six years.