The War Years

Many local people, including teachers, were called up for Military Service during the 2 World Wars.

First World War

GILL, Charles - Teacher at Bowesfield Lane Senior Boys enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in 1914. He returned safe and resumed teaching after the war.

GRIFFITHS, Albert - Teacher at Bowesfield Lane Senior Boys. Called up in the summer of 1917 after his plea for exemption was refused. Returned safe and continued to teach after the war.

REED, William Ogle - Teacher at Bowesfield Lane Boys School. Enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders in 1915. Died from wounds received in 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows that William Ogle Reed, son of William Reed of Blackgate, Coxhoe, County Durham, was Private 6727 in the 5th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. He died on Monday the 13th of November 1916, aged 26 years. He was buried at Maillywood Cemetery, Somme, France.

SUGDEN, William -Teacher at Bowesfield Lane Senior Boys School. Enlisted as a motorcyclist in the Aviation arm of the forces in 1914. Contacted Malaria whilst on service but returned safe and continued teaching.

World War 2

FARNES, Robert - from 46 Pearson Street, Stockton on Tees. Died from injuries following an accident in 1944. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows Robert as Signalman B/76536 in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, who died on Sunday 21st May 1944, aged 29 years. He was the son of Arthur and Ethel Farnes of Stockton on Tees. Robert was buried at Oxbridge Lane Cemetery, Stockton on Tees, Sec E, C of E, Row V grave 15. JACKSON, Sidney -The Stockton and Teesside Weekly Herald, dated Saturday July 29th 1944, states "Private Sidney Jackson son of Mr and Mrs Jackson formerly of 52 Gilmour Street, Thornaby now of 45 Waverley Street, Stockton, has been wounded in Italy". Presumably he recovered from these wounds as there is no mention of him in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

MALCOLM, Raymond - The Stockton and Teesside Weekly Herald, dated Saturday December 9th 1944 stated - " Private Raymond Malcolm of 32a Parliament Street, wounded".

PLANT A R J, - The Stockton and Teesside Weekly Herald, dated Saturday November 25th 1944 stated - " A R J Plant, 98 Camden St, Stockton on Tees, presumed killed in action at sea."

PLATTS, Frank - Teacher at Bowesfield Lane Boys School. Called up for duty in 1939. Was a Major in 1943. Returned safe and continued teaching.

WHEELHOUSE, Clifford J - from 28 Devonshire Street, Stockton on Tees. The Stockton and Teesside Weekly Herald, dated Saturday July 1st 1944, listed Clifford as missing from air operations. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission show - Clifford James Wheelhouse, Pilot Officer 175807 W.Op./Air Gnr. 420 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died on Thursday 20th April 1944, aged 21 years. He was the son of John Henry and Emily Alice Wheelhouse of Stockton on Tees and was buried at Grand Court War Cemetery Seine-Maritime, France.

Teaching during the war-

Teachers tried to run school as smoothly as possible during the Second World War but the Infant Log Book shows what difficulties they were up against.

4.9.39 Owing to a Declaration of War on 3rd September school is closed until further notice is received.

No further entries until 8th January 1940.

8.1.40 School is now organised on a double shift system the sessions being 8.45 a.m. - 12.30p.m; 1p.m to 3.45 p.m. The children attend the Richard Hind Junior School, morning and afternoon on alternate weeks. For the Out of School Period the school is divided into two groups. Each of these attends the Bowesfield Lane Primitive Methodist School Rooms on alternate mornings or afternoons for other Activities, the sessions being 9a.m - 11 a.m; 2p.m - 4p.m.

15.4.40 School opened at Bowesfield Lane at 9a.m. on full time system. Attendance owing to air raids during night :-

20.6.40 - 37%

26.6.40 - 49%

27.6.40 - 44%

1.7.40 - 49%

8.7.40 - 43.8%

Other percentages listed (not clear whether air raid was previous night or during the daytime)

14.8.40 - Registers closed at 2p.m. Siren had been sounded at 1.10.

15.8.40 - Afternoon attendances cancelled owing to air raid warning 1p.m - 2.20p.m

16.9.40 On sounding of an air raid siren 2.45 p.m children sent home.

18.9.40 On sounding of an air raid siren 3 p.m children sent home.

26.9.40 On sounding of an air raid siren 11.15 a.m children sent home.

1.4.41 Children in Air Raid Shelters during alert 2.30 - 2.50p.m Children in Air Raid Shelters during alert 3.30 - 4.15p.m

3.4.41 Children in Air Raid Shelters during alert 10.35 - 11.25 Children in Air Raid Shelters during alert 1.38- 3. Shelters were extremely cold and damp, this together with lack of lighting made it very trying for children and staff.

26.5.41 Alert 1.15p.m till 2.25p.m. Some children in shelter during that time.