George William Kinman facts for kids

George William Kinman (born December 25, 1862 – died July 27, 1927) was an important headmaster and a Major in the British Army. He led Hertford Grammar School from 1905 until he passed away in 1927. Before that, he was also the headmaster at Dolgelley Grammar School and helped lead the Ware Education Committee.

Early Life and Family

George William Kinman was born on Christmas Day in 1862 in Sheffield, England. He was the oldest son of George Kinman, who was a silversmith, and his wife Martha Turner. In 1889, George Kinman married Rosa Maud Lavington in London. They had one daughter named Phyllis, who sadly died in 1926.

His School Days

George W. Kinman went to Sheffield Collegiate School and then to St John's College, Cambridge. He was a very good student, earning a special scholarship called a Goldsmith's Exhibition. He finished his first degree (BA) in 1887, focusing on classical studies. He later earned his master's degree (MA) in 1895.

Leading Dolgelley Grammar School

From 1894 to 1903, Kinman was the Head Master of Dolgelley Grammar School in North-West Wales. At that time, the school didn't have enough money to compete with other schools that received government funding. By 1901, the school had only four students. After Kinman left in 1903, the remaining students moved to another school. By 1912, Dolgelley Grammar School closed down completely.

Other Teaching Roles

Kinman also worked as an Assistant Master at St. James School in Jersey and Hereford House in Brighton. He was also a senior teacher at the Army College, Farnham. His work was praised in a school magazine from 1949, which noted his success in helping students get scholarships.

Leading Hertford Grammar School

In 1903, George Kinman became the Head Master of Ware Grammar School. When that school joined with Hertford Grammar School in 1905, Major Kinman became the Head Master of the new school, which is now called Richard Hale School. He stayed in this important role until he died in 1927.

Kinman's Teaching Ideas

Major Kinman had strong beliefs about how a school should help its students. He thought the main goal was to help boys become good people and helpful citizens. He believed that outdoor activities, like the Officer Training Corps he commanded, were very important. He also valued drawing, music, and practical skills more than just traditional classroom lessons.

Kinman focused on discipline and effort in learning. He wanted boys to be brave when facing challenges. He believed in using whatever knowledge and brainpower each boy had, no matter how small. He cared more about the students themselves than about strict rules or systems. He even enjoyed it when school inspectors were surprised by his unique approach!

The School During World War I

During the First World War, Major Kinman was very dedicated to his students. It is remembered that he carefully wrote notes in the school records about the "Old Boys" (former students) who were killed, wounded, or showed bravery during the war. He used red ink for these important notes.

William Earl Johns, who wrote the famous Biggles stories, was a student at the school starting in 1905. After the war, he visited the school. He wrote about how Major Kinman, with tears in his eyes, told him about the boys from his time who had gone to war and would not be returning. The Latin words on the School War Memorial come from a hymn that Major Kinman wrote to honor the boys who lost their lives in that war.

The White Gloves Tradition

One interesting tradition that Major Kinman brought back was "White Gloves." This tradition started in the 1600s when a former Head Master, Ralph Minors, left money to buy white gloves for important local leaders if they attended the school's December celebration. This was meant to keep them interested in the school.

By the 1700s, the tradition had stopped. But in 1912, Major Kinman brought it back! The Mayor of Hertford came to the school's annual prize-giving. The Head Boy gave the Mayor a pair of white gloves and even gave a short speech in Latin. This fun, historical event helped make the relationship between the school and the local council stronger.

Kinman House at School

In 2007, the school needed to create a new "House" (a group of students, like a team). They decided to name it Kinman House. This was because Major Kinman greatly contributed to public life and had a deep connection to the school. His ideas about education are still relevant today.

He also saw a big increase in the number of students at the school. At his first Speech Day in 1906, there were 112 boys. By 1927, there were 180 boys. This was a huge increase in percentage, even if the number seems small by today's standards.

Military Service

During World War I, Major Kinman served in the military both in England and abroad. He was with different units, including the 10th and 3rd Battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment. He also served in France.

He was recognized for his long service with the Territorial Officers' Decoration. This award is given to officers who have served for 20 years. In 1919, he was also mentioned for his work with the Department of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

Biggles and the School

William Earl Johns, the author of the famous Biggles adventure stories, joined The Hertford School in January 1905. This was when George Kinman was the headmaster.

According to the W.E. Johns website, some of his experiences at the school inspired his book BIGGLES GOES TO SCHOOL. In a book called "The Private Lives of Hertfordshire Writers" by Pamela Shields, it says that Major Kinman was the inspiration for a character named Colonel Horace Chase, who was the head of Malton House School in Biggles Goes to School.

Connection to Alfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace, a famous scientist who worked with Charles Darwin, also attended Hertford Grammar School. He left in 1836 because his family had money problems.

In 1910, George William Kinman wrote a short biography about Wallace called A Great Hertfordian. In it, he said that Wallace would be on the English Olympic team "if Olympic contests were of an intellectual character."

Two letters from Headmaster George Kinman to Wallace's son, William, are kept at the Natural History Museum. In one letter from 1916, Kinman asked about paintings that Dr. Wallace might have done. William wrote on the back that they were "Two large paintings on canvas & rollers representing scenes in the Malay Archipelago which A.R.W. had done to illustrate lectures."

In another letter from October 1916, Kinman thanked William for the pictures. He wrote that he didn't realize how special they were. He planned to hang them in a new classroom that would be used for geography. He thought they looked great and had artistic value.

Remembering Major Kinman

After George Kinman passed away, an obituary in The Old Hertfordian Magazine in December 1927 praised him. It said that the school had lost a headmaster with amazing character and ability. Students and former students had lost a kind and dedicated friend.

Major Kinman had led the school for 21 years. He had looked forward to being the headmaster when the school moved to its new buildings (which were finished in 1930). The magazine said that even though he wouldn't see it, it was their duty to make sure the school continued with the wonderful ideas and values he had taught during his hard work.