[Founder’s Day, an Eton commemoration of the birthday of an historical patron, King George III, was a regular outing for the Allen family]

Another yearly event was Founders Day at Eton College. If the 4^thof June happened to be on Friday (no school the next day) our parents would take us to see the firework display which ended the day’s events.  

The boys’ parents and friends were on one side of the river, and the public on the other. Crowds of people would watch the boys row down the river, dressed in white flannel trousers, blazers and straw hats, and after dark, the fireworks display would commence. It was a wonderful night, and always ended with set pieces, “Floreat Etona “ and of course “God save the King”. 

Then we would walk home, it was quite a long way. We were tired, but it was exciting to be out so late.