There is only so much one can do for one’s children, and the pressure of
the imminent commission of the Droitwich broadcasting station probably
meant that Robert ‘shelved’ any meeting for a later date. After all, Haber was
to become a permanent fixture at Cambridge, so it could wait. It was a shame,
for meeting Haber would surely have been a privilege for Peter but he was
already living quite a privileged life. From 1929 (aged 16) until 1932 (aged
19) Peter was educated at Brighton College
29 under the Rev. William R.
Dawson, headmaster there from 1906 until 1933 but previously at Corby
Grammar School and King’s School Grantham (Plate 16.3).
Under Dawson’s tutelage Peter did well, winning a place at Sidney Sussex
College Cambridge to study the Natural Sciences Tripos,
30 being admitted to
the first year of the ‘Prelims’ in October 1932. It appears that Peter, probably
like his father, was a very quiet, studious young man, but not ‘abnormally’ so,
because he entered fully into the life of the college and made many friends
with whom he was particularly close. In his first year he took accommodation
close to Sidney at (P9) Garden Court, and as he was fond of rowing, he joined
the College Boat Club rowing in the third crew. Peter wrote home regularly
to Robert and Emily with cheerful letters reflecting a settled time at
Cambridge—even attending the dinner of the ‘Old Brightonians’ at
Cambridge in 1933.
29 Peter’s first year at Cambridge was un-eventful, but
Plate 16.3 A group photograph of pupils at Walpole House Brighton College, 1931–
1932. Peter Walter is seated, second row, and second from the right. Courtesy of Mrs.
J. M. Heater, Hon. Archivist Brighton College.
29
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D. Sheppard