Latest news with #GlenwoodHighSchool
IOL News
09-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Remembering a Durban hero: The story of lieutenant McGarr
Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr was a true South African hero from Durban who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Image: Supplied / Taz During the Second World War, countless South Africans answered the call to rescue a world in peril, leaving behind their families, homes, and futures. Thousands of miles from home, they confronted the forces of tyranny - on land, at sea, and in the air. They did so not for recognition or reward, but to defend the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice. In total, over 334,000 South Africans served across the globe, and more than 11,000 were killed. Among the young men who went off to war but never returned was Lieutenant Clement Aldwyn Neville McGarr. McGarr was born on 24 November 1917 in Johannesburg and moved with his family to Durban in 1923. He loved the city deeply and began his schooling there. At the age of twelve, he was struck by polio and became paralysed from the waist down. But McGarr refused to give up. Through determination and relentless effort, he recovered the use of his legs and attended Glenwood High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a proud member of the school's First XV rugby team, and one of his greatest passions was riding motorcycles. After completing his studies, McGarr worked in the laboratories of Lever Brothers, and later joined the Treasury Department of Durban Corporation. In May 1940, as the war intensified, McGarr enlisted in the South African Air Force (SAAF). Motivated by a sense of duty and love for his country, he trained diligently to become a pilot. On 26 April 1941, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's brevet. Soon after, he was posted to Egypt and, in October 1941, joined No. 2 Squadron SAAF, flying Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters over the Libya–Egypt frontier. On 6 October 1941, while on patrol over the Egyptian desert, McGarr's squadron was intercepted by German fighters. During the fierce aerial combat, his aircraft was hit, and he was forced to bail out. He landed in the desert with only one shoe - the other lost mid-air - and wandered for three days without food or water before being captured by the German Afrika Korps. After a brief internment in Libya, he was sent to Germany and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. There, McGarr immediately volunteered to join one of the most daring prisoner-of-war operations of the war: The Great Escape. The plan aimed to enable up to 200 Allied prisoners tunnel out of the camp, not only to free them but also to disrupt German operations by forcing them to divert resources. McGarr's role was to oversee security teams - watching for guards and preventing the tunnels from being discovered. A picture of McGarr's grave at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. Image: Paul On the night of 24–25 March 1944, McGarr was among the 76 men who escaped. This extraordinary feat was later immortalised in Paul Brickhill's 1950 book The Great Escape and made famous globally by the 1963 film adaptation, starring Steve McQueen. While dramatised, the film brought long-overdue recognition to the real heroes behind the escape, including McGarr. Following the escape, German forces launched a massive manhunt. McGarr braved freezing temperatures and remained on the run for a short time, but he was eventually recaptured by German forces and taken to Görlitz prison. Enraged by the escape, Adolf Hitler ordered the Gestapo to execute 50 of the recaptured prisoners - an act in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. On 6 April 1944, a truck arrived at Görlitz. Six names were called. One of them was Lieutenant Clement McGarr. Alongside his fellow escapees, he was taken into Poland, ordered off the truck and executed. He was just 26 years old - with so much life ahead, and so much to give. Cremated by the Gestapo, McGarr's ashes were initially interred at Sagan. After the war, they were exhumed and re-interred at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. A beautiful headstone marks his grave - a quiet and eternal reminder of his heroism and sacrifice. The story of Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr is one that goes beyond a single life; it echoes the stories of countless South Africans who fought and died for a better world. Each had a name, a voice, a life - that deserves to be remembered. It is our solemn duty to honour their memory, to uphold the values they fought for, and to ensure the world never forgets the brave young souls who gave everything they had for everything we have today.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Remembering a Durban hero: The story of lieutenant McGarr
Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr was a true South African hero from Durban who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Image: Supplied / Taz During the Second World War, countless South Africans answered the call to rescue a world in peril, leaving behind their families, homes, and futures. Thousands of miles from home, they confronted the forces of tyranny - on land, at sea, and in the air. They did so not for recognition or reward, but to defend the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice. In total, over 334,000 South Africans served across the globe, and more than 11,000 were killed. Among the young men who went off to war but never returned was Lieutenant Clement Aldwyn Neville McGarr. McGarr was born on 24 November 1917 in Johannesburg and moved with his family to Durban in 1923. He loved the city deeply and began his schooling there. At the age of twelve, he was struck by polio and became paralysed from the waist down. But McGarr refused to give up. Through determination and relentless effort, he recovered the use of his legs and attended Glenwood High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a proud member of the school's First XV rugby team, and one of his greatest passions was riding motorcycles. After completing his studies, McGarr worked in the laboratories of Lever Brothers, and later joined the Treasury Department of Durban Corporation. In May 1940, as the war intensified, McGarr enlisted in the South African Air Force (SAAF). Motivated by a sense of duty and love for his country, he trained diligently to become a pilot. On 26 April 1941, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's brevet. Soon after, he was posted to Egypt and, in October 1941, joined No. 2 Squadron SAAF, flying Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters over the Libya–Egypt frontier. On 6 October 1941, while on patrol over the Egyptian desert, McGarr's squadron was intercepted by German fighters. During the fierce aerial combat, his aircraft was hit, and he was forced to bail out. He landed in the desert with only one shoe - the other lost mid-air - and wandered for three days without food or water before being captured by the German Afrika Korps. After a brief internment in Libya, he was sent to Germany and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. There, McGarr immediately volunteered to join one of the most daring prisoner-of-war operations of the war: The Great Escape. The plan aimed to enable up to 200 Allied prisoners tunnel out of the camp, not only to free them but also to disrupt German operations by forcing them to divert resources. McGarr's role was to oversee security teams - watching for guards and preventing the tunnels from being discovered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading A picture of McGarr's grave at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. Image: Paul On the night of 24–25 March 1944, McGarr was among the 76 men who escaped. This extraordinary feat was later immortalised in Paul Brickhill's 1950 book The Great Escape and made famous globally by the 1963 film adaptation, starring Steve McQueen. While dramatised, the film brought long-overdue recognition to the real heroes behind the escape, including McGarr. Following the escape, German forces launched a massive manhunt. McGarr braved freezing temperatures and remained on the run for a short time, but he was eventually recaptured by German forces and taken to Görlitz prison. Enraged by the escape, Adolf Hitler ordered the Gestapo to execute 50 of the recaptured prisoners - an act in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. On 6 April 1944, a truck arrived at Görlitz. Six names were called. One of them was Lieutenant Clement McGarr. Alongside his fellow escapees, he was taken into Poland, ordered off the truck and executed. He was just 26 years old - with so much life ahead, and so much to give. Cremated by the Gestapo, McGarr's ashes were initially interred at Sagan. After the war, they were exhumed and re-interred at the Poznań Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland. A beautiful headstone marks his grave - a quiet and eternal reminder of his heroism and sacrifice. The story of Lieutenant Clement A. N. McGarr is one that goes beyond a single life; it echoes the stories of countless South Africans who fought and died for a better world. Each had a name, a voice, a life - that deserves to be remembered. It is our solemn duty to honour their memory, to uphold the values they fought for, and to ensure the world never forgets the brave young souls who gave everything they had for everything we have today.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commit to Ohio schools with Fair Funding Plan
I am a proud graduate of a public school education: Glenwood High School in Canton; Kent State University (bachelor's and master's degrees in education). These institutions encouraged critical thinking, reasoning, creativeness and problem solving while giving me the tools of knowledge and information. I took these skills into a career as a public school educator, retiring after 32 years of service in K-12 schools and an additional 12 years at the college level. And now our state representatives are choosing to dismantle this system of public schools created in the Ohio constitution by decreasing funding, using 2022 data to determine the cost to educate K-12 students and restricting school cash balances — not following the Fair Funding Plan. Their budget wants buildings with a less than 60% capacity to be sold to outside entities with no regard for its usage — many housing technical programs and special needs classes that require larger spaces. And were paid for by our tax dollars. Why? What possible benefit would our children have by reducing staff, programs and services if these cuts are passed? The only benefits will be to charter schools that are not held accountable for spending, curriculum or outcomes. What happens to bus service, to lunch programs, to extracurricular programs including sports and arts, to advanced placement and International Baccalaureate opportunities? Public schools were created to educate all children regardless of aptitude, ability — both physical and cognitive, or economic standing. It's time to commit to public schools with Fair Funding to give Ohio students the high-quality education they deserve in order to prepare them for success. Joann Smith, Canton This article originally appeared on The Repository: Commit to Ohio schools with Fair Funding Plan | Letter
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer Responded to After-School Camp Crash That Killed 4 Girls. Then He Came Home and 'Cried My Eyes Out'
Locals in Chatham, Ill., gathered on Wednesday, April 30, to honor the victims of the deadly crash at the YNOT Outdoors Summer Camp Four young girls died as a result of the crash and six are still recovering from their injuries "The tears have continued to come in waves every day since, and they come without warning," said Chatham police officer David Leach Hundreds gathered for a vigil to honor the four victims who died after a car crashed into their after-school camp in Illinois earlier this week, including an officer who spoke about the emotional toll of responding to the crash. The car crashed into the after-school program's building in Chatham and killed Rylee Britton, 18, Ainsley Johnson, 8, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, and Kathryn Corley, 7, on Tuesday, April 28, according to authorities. On Wednesday, April 29, the community gathered at Glenwood High School to mourn and send their support to the victims still recovering from their injuries. Speaking at the vigil, Chatham police officer David Leach addressed the crowd from the football field, where four heart-shaped memorials were placed in honor of each of the victims. Related: Girls Killed in Illinois After-School Camp Crash Remembered by Parents as 'Sweet, Silly' Daughters 'After being at the scene of the crash, it was incredibly hard,' he told the crowd. 'I went home and hugged my wife and children and just bawled. I cried my eyes out. The tears have continued to come in waves every day since, and they come without warning.' 'To the families grieving the loss of your child, we are here with you, and we grieve with you. We are praying for you," he added. "We also gather tonight to show support and encouragement to the families of the six other children seriously injured in this crash. To those families, some of which are still with their children in the hospital, we are here with you too.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Illinois State Police, that the crash occurred April 28 at 3:20 p.m. local time when a vehicle "left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field and into the east side.' "The car traveled through the building striking numerous individuals before exiting the other side," police added. Four students were pronounced dead at the scene from 'multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident.' Related: 4 Minors Killed After Car Crashes Into Illinois After-School Camp No charges have been filed against the driver, Marianne Akers, 44, and she is not in custody, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said during a news conference on Thursday, May 1. Akers was taken to the hospital, where she provided blood and urine samples, and then was released, Kelly said. Initial toxicology results show she tested negative for alcohol or controlled substances, including benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoids and phencyclidine (PCP). "Some evidence has been developed indicating the possibility of a medical emergency leading up to the crash," Kelly said. "However, this investigation of this information and other evidence has not yet concluded and will continue." Read the original article on People
CBS News
01-05-2025
- CBS News
High school holds vigil for 4 girls hit, killed by car at after-school camp in Chatham, Illinois
Thousands came out Wednesday evening to honor the four girls killed when a car plowed through an after-school camp building in downstate Chatham, Illinois, earlier this week. Friends, family, and supporters filled the stands for the student-organized vigil at Glenwood High School in Chatham, in central Illinois just south of Springfield. State police were called to YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School camp at about 3:20 p.m. Monday when a car crashed into the east side of the building. The car struck several people outside the building before plowing through it, hitting many inside. It eventually broke through the opposite side of the building and came to a stop. Four students were killed. The Sangamon County coroner identified them as Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham; and Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham. Six additional children were injured. Most were taken to local hospitals by ambulance but one had to be taken by a life flight helicopter. Illinois State Police have identified the driver as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, Illinois. State police said she is not currently in custody as their investigation into the crash continues. Akers is a former employee of the Illinois State Police and of the local high school. She is now an office assistant at the Illinois Department of Transportation. It remained unclear late Wednesday what caused the driver to crash. She has not been charged, and toxicology reports are still pending.
