In the Centenary Year of The Society for Army Historical Research, William Crane (Ldr) was awarded the Runner-Up Prize in the Sixth Form category of their annual Student Essay Contest for his essay, “Vietnam’s forgotten war – Operation Masterdom, the British occupation of Vietnam 1945-46”. William received a cheque for £100, a commemorative glass and a free subscription for a year to the Society’s peer-reviewed Journal.
Established in 1921, SAHR is one of Britain’s oldest military history societies, formed to promote the study of the history of the British Army and the Armies of the Commonwealth. The essay contest invites submissions on an aspect of the history of the armies of Britain and the Commonwealth, and receives entries from students at schools and universities across the world.
In normal years, the Society would invite William and guests to their annual members’ meeting and prize giving, where the awards would be made by their Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. This year a presentation will be made at School.
Scott Jessop, Head of Learning for Life said: “William is to be commended on his initiative and scholarship – his achievement is all the more impressive in that he does not study History at A level, and the essay was conceived and written entirely under his own steam. Oundle pupils are encouraged to participate in a range of both internal and external essay competitions that provide opportunities for independent research and enrichment well beyond the curriculum, often providing a significant boost to pupils’ studies and their university applications.”
