The 1940s

I get numerous emails from Old Salvos, but very few have anything to do with the time I was at the place; 1944 to 1949. From what I can glean, it did not change much from my day of six of the best, rulers around the head, chalk scrubber thrown.

I mainly remember things like watching a doodlebug flying past while we were going in to the shelter, which was in the field behind the school. Also the cross country runs and the walk in splendid whites to Marsh Farm for cricket.

We had education in only basic subjects plus Latin. No science. However, despite being more interested in my hobbies, and often playing truant, I must have been taught well in these basics, as I never had any problems reading, writing or basic maths. All I have ever needed in my 70 years.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) my time there converted me well away from Catholicism. My mother was a convert to the faith late in life and indoctrinated me, even to being an altar boy! When I got married to a Church of England girl, my mother was told that she could not go to the church, by one of the priests. That was the final straw. She did come, but was never the same afterwards, being regularly told by the priest that she might not go to heaven.
(Michael Southwood 44-49)