Albert William, the son of Heindrick Honing and Carolina Altenbockun,was born on 18 October 1916 in Ludinghausen, Westphalia. He thus spent his youth in a economically crippled Germany. He entered the Recklinghausen Juniorate on 30 April 1930 and three years later the Novitiate in San Maurizio, Turin. He was one year behind Brother Boniface, another German destined for our shores. He received the Habit on 8 September 1933, receiving the name of Willibald Maria. Brother made his First Vows one year later, but stayed on at the Grugliasco Scholasticate until September 1935 before coming on to South Africa, arriving one month later.

After a short spell at our Scholasticate Brother spent six months at the Kabah in Uitenhage and the other six months at Koch St., before getting his first full appointment at St Charles. Here he was firstly a Boarder Prefect, then a Student at Prestbury, then a teacher and finally having to suffer the indignity of being interned in 1940, as was Brother Odilo. In May 1941 he was allowed to leave the camp and then started a career of high school teaching, particularly in Maths and Science. He spent six years teaching in Port Elizabeth before returning to Natal where he spent nearly the rest of his life.

Except for 18 months at Inanda (1964-July 1965) Brother William was posted to Durban from 1947 to 1953, and from 1967 until his death. He was given a change to attend the Second Novitiate during the first spell here. The other Natal post was to St Charles, where he taught from 1954 until 1961 before being appointed Principal there from 1962 until 1963.

Brother’s final posting to St Henry’s involved taking on various positions of authority. His C.V. for these years reads as follows:1967 Teacher; 1969 Director & Teacher; 1970 Director & Acting Principal; 1971 Director &Teacher; 1975 Sub-Director &Teacher; 1981 Director &Teacher; 1987 Teacher. Brother William suffered a massive heart attack and died in his room on 11 September 1990.

The College Magazine said of him: Being taught by Brother William in the high school was an education in itself. He awoke in many of us an enduring interest in what he taught, which was largely responsible for the fact that many pursued Maths and Science after high school. The speed and clarity of Brother William’s own understanding of the subject and his challenging teaching methods make him an outstanding figure among teachers.

We hope to archive these various monthly Glimpses in the Past and then you can start building up your own vision of the history of the College.

Any feedback/corrections/suggestions please contact me at martinw.sthenrys@gmail.com
Brother Martin