FROM THE ARCHIVES
POCKLINGTON SCHOOL DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Pocklington School remained operational throughout the war , leaving some Old Pocklingtonians with vivid memories of their time at the school . Here are some insights from OPs about their experiences of daily life as boarders at Pocklington School during wartime .
The Late Derek Bradley ( 39-49 ) ‘ We had just listened to Prime Minister Chamberlain declare war with Germany . My brother Kenneth , who had been attending Wakefield Grammar was also heading to Pocklington School . My parents believed we would be safer in the countryside during the war , rather than in the West Riding of Yorkshire . How mistaken they were , as we witnessed more wartime activity than they did . My brother was dropped off at School House and I was taken to Dolman House where Jimmy Eggleshaw was the House Master . He had also moved from Wakefield Grammar School to become Second Master to Percy Sands , the Headmaster .
In those days , attending church on Sundays required us to wear black striped trousers and Eton collars , which were quite rough on the neck . We were supposed to wear them for three days but if you got ink on them you were allowed to switch to soft collars . Some mysterious ink splashes would sometimes occur ! We couldn ’ t wear long trousers until we were 11 .
On Sundays , we were each given a penny ( old money ) for the collection in Church , and we had to write home . Our letters couldn ’ t be sealed because the Housemaster had to read and check them to ensure we didn ’ t mention anything about the war .
Hymers College from Hull was evacuated to Pocklington School . They had games in the morning and lessons in the afternoons .’
Brian Thackray ( 42-47 ) ‘ I was placed in the care of Tom and Doris Pay at Wilberforce Lodge , located right on the edge of the airfield and aerodrome , home to 102 Squadron . Arriving at the same time were Keith Appelbee ( 42-50 ) from Norton and Bob Thompson ( 42-49 ) from North Grimston . We quickly became close friends .
Wilberforce Lodge , commonly referred to as the Lodge , had been constructed as an additional boarding house for the school in 1858 , during the tenure of Headmaster Frederick Gruggen . Life felt very different in that first term . From first bell to lights out our days were regimented and prearranged . Order and discipline were ingrained from day one . Church on Sunday morning was mandatory , and all juniors wore Eton collars . Shoes were cleaned daily ( in theory ), and the Wilberforce House prefects , John Polden ( 38-44 ) or Peter Hickson ( 38-44 ) would inspect them as we filed out for the walk to school .
The food was plain yet wholesome , and we learned to eat everything that was placed in front of us . We eagerly anticipated Bailey ’ s bus , which brought the weekly parcel of tuck from home every Saturday afternoon . Washing-up duty became a routine part of life and when I had the misfortune of breaking a glass , Mrs Pay sternly asked , “ Don ’ t you know there ’ s a war on ?” Her question was pertinent , as the glass was one of the pre-war stock embossed with the school ’ s coat of arms .
Physical exercise was considered as important as exercise of the brain . The absence of rugger boots in that first term was seen as a significant impediment , and much pressure was exerted to resolve the issue . Rugger boots , like any other clothing item , were subject to rationing and required the surrender of clothing coupons . More coupons had to be sourced .
Rugby was of course the predominant sport during the Michaelmas and Lent terms with cricket and athletics taking over in the Summer term . Energetic pupils took up Fives . Swimming was a favourite pastime during the summer months with Tom Pay teaching us how to swim . Using a sling on the end of a long pole , he provided support for anxious beginners who were unsure that their bodies would float .
The swimming pool was open-air and because there was no arrangement for water circulation and filtration , the water soon developed a green algal tint . Towards the end of each term , the pool would be drained and groups of us would be tasked with removing the buildup from the pool ’ s sides using cloths and sand . The pool was then refilled in time for the end-of-term Commemoration , sparkling white but with desperately cold water .
For someone whose previous education had focused on the three Rs , the Pocklington curriculum was somewhat daunting . We studied a wide range of subjects including English , mathematics , physics , chemistry , history , geography , French and Latin , as well as divinity and art . Some subjects were more easily assimilated than others and chemistry and geography were favourites . Latin proved difficult perhaps due to a resistance to what seemed like a dead language .
At the end of the Summer term in 1944 , Mr Percy Sands retired after nearly three decades of service as Headmaster . In the following Michaelmas term , Mr Robert St John Pitts-Tucker assumed the role , showing a keen interest in getting to know the pupils by inviting successive groups to join him and Mrs Pitts-Tucker for Sunday tea .
During our Fourth Year , we were encouraged to join either the Army Cadet Force of the Air Training Corps . Under the guidance of Mr Reggie Allen , Physics Master , our training included map reading , Morse code transmission , aircraft identification and weapons handling , including live drills at Strensall barracks .
The dawn of Victory in Europe came with the unconditional surrender of the German Forces by General Alfred Jodl at Reims on 7th May 1945 . There were jubilant celebrations of VE Day on the following day , with the School Bell tolling incessantly for hours , causing some alarm in the town from those fearful that there had been some dreadful catastrophe at school . The booklet titled Pocklington at War detailed the boys ’ joyous bonfire celebration , whilst the editor of The Pocklingtonian noted that ‘ flags waved spontaneously , and fireworks were joyfully set off ’.
A SHORT WALK ON THE WESTERN FRONT WITH SHADES OF POCKLINGTON
In September 2024 , former Pocklington School Bursar , Paul Bennett led a three-day pilgrimage to explore the historic battlefields of the Somme and the Aisne . Accompanied by current staff members , Andrew Clark ( Health and Safety Advisor ) and Matt Partis ( Estates Manager ), along with Charlotte Anderson , a former pupil of St Peter ’ s School , the group explored the former battlefields of the Somme and the Aisne and paid thier respects at numerous soldiers ’ graves , laying crosses and caring for graves of both Old Pocklingtonians ( OPs ) and Old Peterites .
Based in Peronne , the group walked 65 miles , pausing at various sites of historical significance . They explored the region east of Albert , where they tracked the steady advances made during July , August and September of 1916 from each dominant wooded feature to the next . They also followed the Somme River , noting the rapid progress in August 1918 and the closing 100 days of World War I , paying special attention to the 11th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force . Additionally , they followed the British Expeditionary Force ’ s movements near Soissons in September 1914 after the retreat from Mons , and subsequent British actions in September 1918 .
At Flat Iron Copse , Mametz , they visited the grave of Lt Col James Mortimer , who was killed leading the 5th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment on
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