From 1943 to 1946 Eric Zepler was seconded from Southampton University College to the Department of Physics at Cambridge University, as a lecturer. One of his duties was to teach the radio part of a degree course in “Physics with Radio”. Many of the students were Air Force officers. He gave them regular lectures from 5.00 to 6.00 pm in the Old Cavendish Green Lecture Theatre.

On one occasion the timing had to be altered, and the lecture was scheduled to run from 5.15 to 6.15 pm. During the lecture Eric Zepler unfortunately forgot the new finishing time, and he ended his talk at 6.00 pm. When he pulled down the blackboard at the start of the next lecture he found that the following limerick had been written on it by one of the students.

"A certain man, Zepler by name,
Was known far and wide for his fame.
One day, in a fix,
He finished at six,
So I won’t get a First – what a shame."

When the students arrived for the next lecture they found the following limerick on the blackboard.

I deeply deplore your disaster,
But to avoid it becoming still vaster,
And to prevent all future reproaching,
I suggest some additional coaching,
Which will make you a Master the faster.

Limericks provided by Carole Zepler.