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I knew Pat, I know his brother. There are not many years between us. I know his brother and I would never agree that the beatings we received in school were 'often preferred'. They were not 'sometimes severe slaps, nor just 'biffs'. They were sadistic beatings delivered by teachers that new no better and remained unchecked, because that was they way it was. The fact that I am writing this now, is a reflection of the deep hurt that was done so long ago. Worse still, I ended up running away from the beatings never to return, thus depriving myself of an opportunity to grow the love of education, which I have only regained in my late life. Let's call a 'spade a spade'. The remainder of the article is relevant. - Roy Stokes