In the thirties - no matter how humble, hats were worn - for Sunday school anyway. Top left is Jack, top right is Mabel- brother and sister of Elsie bottom right. The slightly scruffier bottom left is me. I think Elsie and Mabel look so smart.
Our school St Annes Edgeside was at the bottom of our lane. The headmaster 'Herman' was quite terrifying. He barked at me 'What's 11 elevens Pat B?' I froze and as he turned to the cupboard to get the cane Roy Huges mumured whatever the answer was. My brain refuses to remember. This is about 1939 just before war broke out. Roy is on the second row from the top - third from the right, Elsie is second row fourth from the left and the missing Jean on her right. Pat is front row on the left.
Roy was a naughty boy using bad words and I got on my soap box and must have made an impression because Roy said the next boy to use a rude word and smashed his fist on his palm and became my hero - for about a week.
The news is good about Jean - more later.
16 comments:
You haven't changed much have you? The small pics only allow for the basic face structure rather than the detail, so it's not hard to see the similarities :)
I'd have picked you out of a crowd of ten thousand my dear. A charming English rose amongst many jaggy thorns.
Herman sounds cruel. How could he look at a sweet child like you then go for the cane?
We have lots of Hermans here.
Eleven elevens, eh? That's lot of elevens. I would have had the cane lots of times!
Kim: you mean I'm still knock kneed?
Jimmy: now if you'd said I was a bluebell I'd be really flattered;)
GG: I know -how could he? He got the nickname because he was forever on about the Germans in WW1. He was all boom and bluster and drove one of those tiny Austin 7s. His eyes would flash when he reached for the cane.
Blazing: I can't honestly say my life has been depleted without the answer to 11 x11.
Lovely school photos. I wish I'd kept all my early ones.
Good stuff. I realize, of course, that looking at your photos, I have the same response as my kids when looking at my school photos. Query, why, on earth, did I select that hairstyle for my senior photo?
Cheers.
It seems that schools everywhere subscribed to "Spare the rod, spoil the child." We learned discipline, but education cannot be beaten into one's head--or knock knees (only kidding).
I like "scruffy" little Pat! And it's so sweet how you and Elsie are holding hands, even if it looks like you were forced to ;-)
Sandy: my problem is finding them again.
Randall: come on then - let' see them:)
Charlie: just watch it young man!
CC: every picture tells a story: Elsie was a good little girl and made me look more of a scamp. 'A case of 'she's my best friend - I hate her.' Not really;)
I prefer your tam to the hats! Very cute!
Judy: I can't remember ever having a hat like that. Deprived child - that's me:)
Didn't the boys have to wear hats too? I think your knees look chubbily adorable. It's a great photo of four very characterful children.
Queenie: they would wear caps - reluctantly - and lose them at every opportunity. We were part of the Edgeside Lane Gang.
Isn't it wonderful to have these old pictures? I LOVE THEM! And to have friends that go back so far....Absolutely Lovely, beyond words.
I have one friend who I have known since Kindergarten....! Very Preccious.
Naomi: there is always a very special bond when they have known you and you family.
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