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T
HE
W
ARDEN
W
ILLIAM
F
ERGUSON AND HIS
S
CHOOL
P
REFECTS
, 1917
The Prefects were entirely responsible for all discipline outside the classroom and carried much power and influence as a result. They were respected and feared in equal
measure and esteemed by the Common Room. This picture, taken late in the war, shows only five Prefects versus a normal compliment of ten/eleven pre-war, due to there
being few pupils still at the School with either the right age profile or experience to take the job on. This had been a major headache for Ferguson right from the outbreak of
hostilities, with the vast majority of his older, experienced boys immediately volunteering for action and leaving a large void behind them. The Senior Prefect is Alexander
Tod seated on the Warden’s left, described as ‘remarkably old for his age as to be able to make a very vigorous and strong-armed Senior Prefect (he was just 17)’ - he would
be the only person seen here to serve in the war.