The First World War was a global war that started in Europe and lasted from 28th July 1914 to 11th November 1918. A war of this magnitude was bound to have long-reaching consequences that could even be felt in our little school at the time. During the war, teachers were called up and suddenly disappeared, children worried about older siblings away fighting, and rationing impacted daily life. Coal shortages meant that the school was very cold during the winter. The school Log Books, whilst factual and brief, none-the-less give us a glimpse into what school life must have been like:

“Jan 28th 1915: School very cold and shortage of coal. Gave Mr Conybeare leave in afternoon as his brother home from the front.”

The Log Books even reveal the little-know fact that our school was used as a war hospital for convalescing soldiers (those recovering after operations) in 1915:

“Feb 18th : Mr C.H. Clark came in to say that this school has been requisitioned for use as a Hospital by the War Office. He spent a short time here over the new arrangements to make.”

To help pupils of Bishop Road remember those soldiers who gave their lives fighting in the First World War, Miss Kingston and year 4, 5 and 6 children have carried out research into the lives of some of the ex-pupils listed on our Memorial Plaque. Ex-pupil Henry Dolphin, for example, enlisted when he was just 14. Have a look at his enrollment form below to see where he lied about his age.

Reginald Thomas was another ex-pupil, whose relatives still live and work on Bishop Road. Miss Kingston was lucky enough to sit down with his relatives in September 2016 and find out about Reg’s fascinating life that was cut short by war. Click here to learn what she discovered.