Five Ways evacuation to Monmouth by P.R.Watkins

Part Three

Soon after arrival at the suggestion of J.T.W. James the idea was mooted of acquiring some of the large empty houses in the town and using them as small boarding houses. This was adopted enthusiastically and gradually seven hostels were acquired. In 1941 the Government assumed full responsibility for them. By October 1941 when the last hpstel opened 130 boys were in what amounted to small self-contained boarding houses where they ate, slept and spent their leisure time. The Ministry of Health provided bedsteads, mattresses, sheets and blankets, whilst cutlery, cups and plates, cupboards and armchairs were acquired or improvised.

The first hostel was Inglewood, a summer boarding house belonging to the then Mayor of Monmouth, Councillor Bowen who moved out and lived over his shop in Monnow Street. It opened in September 1939 for 19 boys and was run by H.S.Thompson assisted by R.G.Scudder, the school porter and their wives. Inevitably, with the limited facilities and small rooms it was more a large family than a small school boarding house. Its original occupants were those who had had some difficulty in their billets. They all had bicycles and used to ride in a phalanx along the Old Dixon Road to and from school.

Inglewood was duly camouflaged , the windows were covered with splinter proof paint, wire netting and black out. It was from the top dormitory here that boys on at least one occasion escaped in the Summer after lights out to swim in the Wye near Dixton Road and to take advantage of the orchard of wild plums on the opposite bank.

Weston House in Monk Street was opened by parent Mrs Mason at the same time and held 13 boys. Cae Elga, a large 1920s house overlooking the Monnow valley was opened in January 1940 and was run for four and a half years by Mr and Mrs Frampton for 20 boys. Throughout its life great emphasis was placed on physical fitness. Every boy took an early morning bath at 7.15.

"All the year round the bedroom doors are left wide open through the night, whilst usually just before the boys are asleep, Mr Frampton comes round with a Dettol spray to disinfect our room" (1)

During the summer months all boys were encouraged to take their beds downstairs and sleep in the drive to the astonishment of early passers by. Cae Elga was also noted for the birthday-tea given to each boy. Sandroyd House in Monk Street was opened next for 19 boys and since it had name it adopted the names of its original wardens Mrs Sandey and Mrs Akroyd, two parents from Birmingham. On the ground floor were kitchens and dining-cum-common room and a bedroom for 5 boys. On the first floor a bathroom, two bedrooms each holding five boys and a bedroom shared by Mrs Sandey and Mrs Akroyd. On the second floor two further bedrooms, one for 4 boys and one for Mrs Akroyd's son also shared the sick room.

Leasbrook was the largest hostel, a huge ramshackle three-storied house in 5 acres of ground atDixton, holding 31 boys and opened in March 1940 by J.T.W.James. When he joined the froces, shortly to become Adjutant of the Young Soldiers Battalion of the 70th Welsh Regiment and subsequently Commandant of a Prisoner of War Camp, the Headmaster and Mrs Dobinson moved in. In the grounds were stables and outhouses which provided endless entertainment on Summer evenings and in the gardens a beehive which in 1943 produced 60 lbs of honey and was looked after by W.K.Davies who was a Sixth former who taught younger boys to control it after he left. At the end of each term, there was a breaking up party with charades, singsong and a treasure hunt.

Kingsley House accommodating 17 juniors and Sommerville taking 10 boys completed hostels. A number of the matsers whose wives had stayed in Birmingham were accomodated nearby in the Priory, a clergy house attached to the parish church.

(1) Five Ways Magazine No 74 Summer Term 1942 p. 1184

School Magazine Christmas 1939 - Tea, buns and Girl Guides

By the time the next school magazine was published in the Christmas term of 1939, KEFW school was well and truly ensconsed at Monmouth. The editorial introduction is by none other than headmaster, Charles Henry Dobinson himself:

"What will be the most vivid memories, in manhood's years, of the boys of Five Ways who evacuated in 1939? Will they recall the long trail a-winding, in formation of three's down Broad Street on a dampish grey September morning, everyone loaded like a pack mule, yet with the additional impediments of gas-mask and water-bottle : or the short walk in the scorching sun from Monmouth May Hill Station to the Rolls Hall, where tea, buns and Girl Guides refreshed, regaled and re-guided us? Or will they remember more clearly their life in the billets, St.Mary's spire by moonlight, boating on the Wye, feeding the pigs, shaking down the cider apples, sawing the logs, or eating roast potatoes at the Club?

Whatever their memories, there will be few, if any, who will look back with regret on a great adventure. Education is more than book-lore ; width of experience and change of environment can do more to develop mind and soul than many primers. A knife can not be whetted on clay ; it requires something sterner : nor can a fine character be formed without difficulties to contend with ; it cannot be reared on indulgence. And whilst the kindness of the foster-parents has in most cases been exceeding, the change has brought to every boy difficulties and sacrifices. The manner in which the sacrifices have been borne, and the difficulties surmounted, brings the greatest possible credit to our boys - and their parents. I do not believe that any earlier generation of boys would have responded to the transplantation better - if indeed they would have responded to it as well. There is nothing wrong with the spirit of our youth : if there be weakness, it must be sought further back.

So we have maintained our school life with a number fluctuating about three hundred and sixty, including a Sixth Form of well over fifty, and with the generous provision - an overwhelmingly lavish kindness - of every facility for school work, games and assistance, by the Headmaster and Governors of Monmouth School, we have a good term's work. Few can look back on this term with anything but satisfaction, and those few belong to the faint-hearted to whom, by the nature of things, life must bring a succession of regrets. For most of Five Ways, this has been a term bristling with difficulties which have been squarely faced, fairly overcome, and turned to advantage.

And now we face the rest of the school year - and greet the unseen beyond it - with a cheer!

C.H.D. "

Mr Dobinson was a man after my own heart - why say in two sentences that which can be crafted into a three paragraph treatise on the spirit of youth?

In spite of the upheaval and certain inconvenience of the evacuation, the high standards of the school magazine were upheld and somehow, from the rural isolation of wartime Wales, the editorial team maintained a surprisingly high level of adverts. Percy Wynne, portrait photographer of Broad Street had kept his usual spot alongside Moule & Co the school stationer and S. Metcalfe proudly claiming to be "the oldest established fruit stores near Fve Ways". Bassett-Lowke Ltd were still keen to sell model trains such as the L.M.S. Mogul in Gauge O for just the 3 . 17 . 0

Careers in navigation, 14 carat gold nib fountain pens, school text books and scientific instruments were all for sale and there is a marvelous full page advert for Boy's Own Paper, costing 6d every month, though I wonder if the sales strap-line instilled a sense of home sickness in the hearts of evacuated boys who read the advert:

"Dad! Don't forget - bring home my Boy's Own Paper"

The magazine content starts off with an obituary to former master, Mr Frederick Tyrie Sidney Houghton, a master from 1883 to 1916 and former chair of Birmingham Reference Library. This time there is far greater reference to the wider context of the world at war in the school magazine, starting with an update on the whereabouts and fortunes of four members of Staff who had joined the 34th Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company of the R.A.S.C stationed at Smethwick.

There follows an account of how the school spends its time in evacuation - mornings being spent doing P.T. and in football and Scouts (Mondays and Thursdays), art and music. Boys excused games go to the School Farm at Inglewood. As for evening time activities:

"Evening activities in which our boys take part include the Club, at which we are indebted to Mr Small for a bagatelle table for the juniors (the billiard table being reserved for the seniors!), the International Affairs class at the Institute, the Methodist Young People's Guild and the Confirmation Classes conducted by the Rev. Dawkins, Warden of the School Chapel. Every night the Big School is open for Private Study, for the Five Ways lending library, for reading, and for chess or other quiet games."

The author gives credit to Captain Elstob, Chief Billeting Officer and his Committee for their ceaseless activities for the well-being and happiness of the Five Ways boys.

Several new masters are welcomed to the school at the end of 1939 including Mr Wheatcroft, Mr Harrison, Mr M'Grath, Mr Richards, Mr Stilliard, Mr Dawson and Mr Tudor Davies, whilst Mr Frampton is welcomed back from ARP work in Birmingham. Elsewhere, there is a report on the visit to Monmouth of Miss Violet Horsborough, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, who was introduced to a delighted Mayor of Monmouth (Alderman Howard Bowen) in front of the assembled school. Miss Horsborough observed how successful the evacuation had been and complimented the people of Monmouth for helping it to run so smoothly.

Another report describes the visit to Monmouth of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham (Alderman Edwards) who must have cheered the boys greatly when he suggested a celebratory day-off from lessons:

"Then, living up to the Birmingham tradition of generosity to children, he asked the Headmaster to give the school a whole day's holiday."

It is little wonder that the head prefect brought the meeting to a close by calling for cheers for the Lord Mayor!

The magazine continues with a miniature digest of topical utterances, which included this insight into German philosophical thinking of the day:

"It is no use London and Paris trying to beat about the bush. It would be more practicable if they cut out such concepts as humanitarianism, civilization, international law and international confidence from the debate"

Dr Goebbels.

There are several further descriptions of the journey to and subsequent life in Monmouth by various authors. The so-called Great Trek is documented in great detail probably for the first time, including reference to an unfortunate incident at Snow Hill Station:

"There is a short wait while one of the masters separates two first formers who are angrily fighting as to who is the owner of a solitary unclaimed gas mask on the platform. The matter is soon cleared up, however, when the master points out that the one boy has his gas mask hanging on his back".

Some things never change and I am certain that modern day teachers will instantly relate to that description of the typical 11 year old boy.

Another article contains a description of where the school's various masters were at the time they received the S.O.S. to return to school in readiness for evacuation. Mr Christian was in France, reviving his acquaintance with the French language, Mr Berends was also abroad though he was 'resting his nerves' on the advice of his doctor, Mr James was at St Ives, Mr and Mrs Greaves in Truro, Mr Mears at Sca Fell whilst poor Mr and Mrs Thompson were on honeymoon at Eccles.

The author offers reassurance to the unfortunate newly weds:

"We hope that in the near future international conditions will so improve as to allow them to resume their interrupted honeymoon".

The second world war was just under four months old in late December 1939, it would not end until the surrender of Japan in August 1945, nearly six years later. I wonder if Mr and Mrs Thompson ever got to complete their honeymoon?

Prelude to War - The Five Ways Magazine, Spring 1939

The Five Ways Magazine of Spring 1939 gives few explicit clues to the fact that by the end of the summer of that same year, the nation would be at war with Germany and the school would have been evacuated from Birmingham to Monmouth.

The advertising in the magazine is abundant and the style of the adverts as well as some of the products on sale help to date the publication. Young readers are encouraged to purchase (or persuade their parents to purchase more likely) a Len Hutton cricket bat made by Gradidges; a Flobot British built folding boat; a Basset-Lowke gauge 0 scale model railway train; or a carton of Bassett's original liquorice Allsorts ("everyone soon gets my trail" announces Bertie). For the more industrious student there is the Millionaire's Pen from Parker; school stationary from Moule and Co of Broad Street; or selected Scientific Instruments from Philip Harris & Co (also in Birmingham).

We might have expected to find hints about the impending global crisis in the editorial, but instead there is an ink sketch by the artist known as F.F. of a weary master leaning against his desk with the accompanying words:

"In the matter of the Editorial, I regret
I have had no inspiration, as yet
But since the cacoethes scribendi is dead,
Here's a portrait instead.

W.R.S.

The next few pages are taken up by a rich array of poetry, penned without doubt by aspiring young talent from amongst the pupils, followed by short stories and creative writing. One ode goes as follows:

May luck attend the magazine
And all the staff who serve it;
Good luck to all the editors
And surely they deserve it!
Zealously they serve, and well,
It's done with precision;
No magazine in all the world can
Ever equal this 'un.

G.C.B

One imagines the English master might have considered adding the comment "Shows great promise throughout... ending needs more work". Though perhaps the final line tellingly reflects the Brummagem dialect of these particular grammar school boys.

Glancing through these inspiring works of literature, one wonders what became of the authors, how many perfected their craft and became authors, novelists, researchers, journalists or editors?

The first big clue to imminent world events is a public information article from the A.R.P. entitled WHAT EVERY HOUSEHOLDER SHOULD KNOW and starts:

"In the event of an Air Raid, whistles will be blown in the vicinity of explosions as a warning that an air-raid is in progress. If high-explosive bombs are being dropped, Wardens will sound rattles to awaken all householders in the immediate neighbourhood."

The article goes on to describe three different types of bomb which "may be expected" including the Gas Bomb, the Incendiary Bomb and the High-Explosive Bomb and concludes with a resume of precautionary measures.

What is interesting is how this potentially alarming public information notice is slipped in between two short stories authored by pupils, one a ghost story about a deserted house and the second a tale of espionage set in 18th century Boston. The A.R.P announcement has no introduction or preamble, no explanation as to whom might be about to drop high-explosives on the homes of the school boys and their teachers and parents or for what reason. Very factual and understated, almost as if there has been a conscious policy to keep everything low key to avoid panic or a case of, in the words of Basil Fawlty, "don't mention the war".

The second section of the magazine contains reports about school activities, including a detailed review of the school G&S opera The Mikado performed during December 1938:

"It is difficult to avoid an excessive use of superlatives in giving one's impressions of a performance which will long live in the memories of those who were privileged to be present. The writer had the good fortune of being able to attend each evening, and his enjoyment increased in geometrical progression, until the final curtain".

But it is the next report which finally provides some interesting clues to the wider historic context of school boy life in 1939. Astonishingly, in January 1939, nine months before the start of war with Hitler's Germany, a group of boys and masters from Five Ways went on a ski-camp to Kassel and the hills of Sauerland in Germany. Under the stewardship of Dr King and Mr Christian, the group traveled by train and boat, then train again over the German frontier at Aachen and onwards into the very heart of Nazi Germany. The report is adapted from the log of D.Asdell.

An idyllic time was spent skiing, walking and climbing and German hospitality is described in warm and open-hearted terms:

"The young German people already there made us completely at home; our masters were chatting with Herr Schroter about old times; we played games and looked at journals, tentatively tried to sing but soon hushed it up - the Germans sang so well - then went to bed happy."

The report recalls the special warmth shown to the Five Ways group by their hosts, none other than the local branch of the Hitler Youth. Reading that name today, one can be forgiven for feeling a shiver down the spine as images of patriotic young Nazis vaulting and gamboling in front of the Fuhrer in Leni Riefenstahl's epic propaganda films come easily to mind. But in the context of the long, uncertain prelude to war, one can also feel a sense of deep poignancy for what must have been rare times of apparent innocence and optimism, when adolescent young men on both sides were allowed by fate a final opportunity to meet and bond as brothers united by the vigour of youth in the shadow of war:

"Our thanks are due above all to the Gebbietsfuhrer, leader-in-chief of the Kurhessen division of the Hitler Youth. We made our first acquaintance with him at a "Heimabend" in Willengen. In a large hall the Hitler Youth of the district and ourselves were gathered to sing and spend an informal evening. The Gebietsfuhrer had come especially from Kassel and welcomed us in a speech - which Dr King translated. We sang to him - "John Brown's Body", "The Mermaid", "Ten Green Bottles" - and strange to say he liked it! And from this meeting until the time we left Germany, he did all he could to make us feel happy."

The magazine continues with many more reports of school activities such as holidays at the school farm at Evenlode, lectures and school societies. The first meeting of the Foreign Affairs Society on February 15th took the form of a debate on the motion, "That this Society prefers Democracy to Dictatorship" with Mr Swale outlining the evils of Dictatorship whilst Dr King "dwelt on the deficiencies of the democratic electoral system and contrasted the whole social and economic organisation of a democracy with the efficiency of a totalitarian state. He concluded that the practical advantages of Dictatorship outweighed the high-sounding theories of Democracy".

Dr King may well have made a convincing case, but the motion was carried by a majority of 64 votes and we can feel relieved to say that democracy appears to have won the day. However, the antagonists were clearly not about to lie down and the report finishes: "At the next meeting of the Society on March 8th, Herr Heerde will state "The German Point of View" in the form of considered replies to written questions from members on recent happenings in Germany".

Whether messrs. King and Christian fostered genuine sympathies for the "German point of view" it is difficult to say conclusively just from this evidence, but as the neutral reader progresses through the pages of the school magazine of early 1939, it is certainly the case that they felt inclined to play devil's advocate on more than one occasion. At a meeting of the Literary and Debating Society in March 1939 the two men gave a joint lecture on "The aims and organization of the German Youth Movement" with Dr King stressing the priority of the Church over Youth Meetings in Germany:

"Another point made clear by Dr King was that there is no military training in the Movement, especially in the use of arms. There is no compulsion to belong to the Movement he added".

At the same meeting, Mr Christian gave a talk on the history of dictators.

"He spent a long time showing the merits and defects of such men as Richelieu and Napoleon. He also showed that the petty dictators of South America and Mexico can cause as violent a repercussion as the more powerful rulers. He ended an interesting lecture by giving the characteristics of the Movement".

Other societies who get a mention in the magazine included the Photographic Society, the Natural History and Scientific Society, the Fencing Club , the Boxing Club and the Chess Team. What is also interesting is that reports and articles from the Old Boys Club are included in the school magazine and just like the Five Ways Old Edwardians Association newsletters of today, there are some great anecdotes, including this light hearted memory from the 'Misty Memories' of old boy Clyde Higgs:

"Another landmark is the occasion when a class-mate fell from the back of an electric tram in Ladywood Road, and was reported fatally injured. For about three days our thoughts were with him - distressing thoughts, moreover - when he suddenly appeared in the class, bright and early one morning, as impudent as ever, none the worse for his mishap, and prepared to revel in the temporary hero-worship which was his due."

The magazine finishes with an article encouraging boys to consider a career in agriculture and some more adverts, two of which reflect the sign of the times in promoting careers in wireless operation and navigation. The very last advert in the magazine provides a lovely piece of miscellany to finish on:

"Giant Moths of the Jungle"
How to obtain and rear them in England
by Pentland Hick

This booklet tells you everything you need to know in order to be able to breed Giant Moths from all over the world, and to rear their very strange caterpillars.

Price 1 shilling - Post Free

Pentland Hick
Athol House, Scarborough

In the anxious build up to global warfare, it is comforting to know that Birmingham school boys were quite possibly preoccupied with breeding giant jungle moths in discarded Bertie Bassett cartons!

Memories of Roy G Griffiths (pupil from 1943-48)

The following article containing Roy's memories is from the Association Newsletter
No 58 December 2004

Yet another former evacuee, Roy was pleased with the photos and articles about Monmouth in the last newsletter. Roy came to the reunion and also brought a pile of books and leaflets relating to Monmouth for our archives, passed on to him by Robert Treppass.

An e-mail arrived after the reunion which said, “Thank you for all the hard work you put into arranging yesterday’s visit to Monmouth – including arranging the excellent weather! Chris and I both found it fascinating to meet others from so far back in time – I even managed to recognise one or two! The day went very well. It was a great pleasure to meet the Headmaster of Monmouth School (and his car) and we thought that he and his wife were marvellous to entertain so many in their house and garden. Similarly, the owners of Leasbrook were exceptional in entertaining so many, but I found it fascinating to revisit the house and garden which had so many memories. It was interesting to hear from the owners’ daughter that her bedroom was the same room that I and 10 other first and second formers occupied – she no doubt has a little more luxury than we did!

One question arises, however, one that no-one that I have talked to can answer – how was it decided who should go to Monmouth and who should stay in Birmingham? Whilst at the time as an 11-year old, I was not too enthusiastic at the thought of going, it soon became “home” and, at the end of that single year, I did not want to return, and indeed did not do so until the last possible moment, before the new September term began for all in Birmingham.

It was good to meet and talk to Gill Leake. She confirmed that her younger brother, Humphrey, was fit and well and told me of his achievements – I had heard nothing of him in newsletters. Recollections of him are of the rota for escorting him back to Leasbrook after morning day-school, and more to the point, forgetting to do so, and having to run back to pick him up and still have time for lunch before retruning to Monmouth for the afternoon session.

One final question arose from our visit – how did CHD travel between Leasbrook and Monmouth School every day that he was there? I have no recollections as to his mode of transport. Little details, but all adding up to an overall picture for the record.”

Rest in Peace Peter Coleman

I am sad to announce that just weeks after I visited Peter Coleman at his home and carried out the interview about his memories which I have been transcribing to this website, Peter became ill and died.

His funeral was at Carrs Lane United Reformed Church on 7th May 2008 and I understand that short excerpts edited from the interview by Peter's son David, were played during the service.

Peter was a lovely, gentle man who lived opposite me and my family with his wife Cicely on Aubrey Road in the Quinton area for many years. It was only recently I learnt he went to KEFW and more recent still that I found out he had been one of the Monmouth boys.

I will miss seeing Peter coming out of his home and I wish to convey my sympathies to Cicely and their children and grand children. I am very pleased to have had the privilege of recording his voice and his memories, both for this project about the Monmouth experience and also as a lasting record for his family.

Memories - Peter Coleman

"I was born in Handsworth and grew up in Wheeler Street in Lozells, a nice little community there but has since beeen more or less demolished. Then I went to an elementary school there, Gower Street and from there I went to Five Ways. Right at the beginning of the War, the day the War broke out, I was called up for Five Ways and kitted out as we had to be and went down to Monmouth"

"We arrived at a little station there, I think that's gone but I think it was called Mitchel Troy or something but it was in Monmouth and then we were taken to the Rolls Hall, Rolls named after the famous flyer and Rolls Royce. And there we were allocated our hosts and hostesses and my first hostess was named Mrs Pembridge (I think her name was) but after a while her daughter fell in love, or the chap fell in love with her ...or mutual, with a post man and she was educated at the girl's High School which was a posh school then, I was with a chap named Brian Clissold ...so we couldn't have the room anymore because she wanted it for her fiance and all that, so we were told to move and we moved up slightly at the edge of the town at an estate called Wyesham Avenue (Wye - the River Wye runs through Monmouth) and when I arrived there Mrs Ledgington, the hostess, was crying bitterly because her husband had been called up for the army and she wondered if he would ever come back you see. And I was crying too because I didn't like being uprooted from Chippenham Gate Street down by Chippenham Park, very nice.

We used to ...the River Wye was there and you could take the stones up and underneath were these gudgeons, these fish, it was a very nice park that was, of course they've driven a motorway right through it, right past a modern school where the students are trying to concentrate, and after that, my father entered the situation and unbeknown to me, without asking me whether I was happy or unhappy he raised some objection to me living at Wyesham Avenue thinking I might get the wrong accent or something, not that his was all that much better, and it was out of my hands... I was moved! Moved away from it, where I was quite happy, because of my father's intervention, all for best intentions I suppose but there we are.

"I was moved down to some digs in Mono Street, to Mrs Meredith at the bottom of Mono Street, it was an unhappy stay there and then I was transferred to Inglewood which was quite good, there were quite a few boys there and we used to sleep on paliasses on the ground and just below there, across the Dixton Road or New Dixton Road, you could run down to the meadow and into the River Wye, which we did, and there was an old church called Old Dixton Church round there".

"I remember one incident, I had been scrumping sweet chestnut trees and I was late, so there if you were late you were given a little job to do, peeling potatos or something like that. And after that I had a friend named Frankie (Francis) Barnett, nothing to do with the motorcycle of that name, and he said that, you see he lived at Mrs Little the butcher's shop in Moor Street, and he said she was looking for people because she'd had a double tragedy in her life, her eldest son joined the navy and he was in the conveying convoys and he was torpedoed and he drowned and that was that. And she also had another son, a smaller one, younger one and he was playing in the back yard of this butcher's shop and for some reason or other he was playing with a gun and the gun was left loaded, and he was playing about with his friends and he got shot ...dead!"

"And so, this was Mrs Little, she had a double tragedy and she wanted to fill up her life with something to do so she took four or five boys in to fill the gap and these boys, there was Francis Barnett who was a long-stayer and he told me about it and I got transferred there to my great joy because it was it was a butcher's shop, there was no shortage of meat or other products. In those days the cattle didn't have any offal, they seem to have been produced without any offal. These boys, Francis Barnett, Jammy James and David Jenkins, Gavin Gaves and one chap who became a doctor. Because there were so many of us suddenly we had to sleep in the same beds which was alright providing you got on with your bed fellow. It was very good there, getting towards the end of my stay in Monmouth but it was very good ...she was a good cook and on Sundays the bank manager opposite used to come over with a freshly caught salmon from the River Wye and she had the most wonderful mayonaise which I shall never forget. Her husband Mr Little, the butcher, rather large in size, he used to tease me about a crush I'd got on one of the girls at school and he used to say "what you want to do is to get some goose turd... that would be what she'd like"! I didn't know what he was talking about for quite a while. So, that was very nice there"

More of Peter's memories to follow soon.

Prelude To War - A World Divided

In 1936 Mussolini and Hitler formed the Rome-Berlin Axis

During the early decades of the 20th century the most powerful nations of the world began to divide into three main politcal camps. Firstly there were those nations that were democratic, where the citizens voted their own governments, including Britain, the United States, France and other European countries such as Belgium, Czechhoslovakia and Sweden .

Secondly there were fascist countries such as Germany, Italy Japan and Spain - one-party states ruled by dictators. Thirdly there was the mightly communist state of the Soviet Union, meant to be run by the workers but in reality ruled by the tyrannical authoritarian Josef Stalin. Conflicts between these ideological states concerning territory and economic wealth led to the 2nd world war which broke out in 1939.

The first fascist state in Europe emerged when Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1922. By the 1930s there were fascist style governments in Spain, Portugal, Austria and Romania, but when Hitler's Nazi Party came to power in Germany in 1933 they took fascist ideas to their most extreme. A young Hitler had developed his ideas whilst in prison in 1924 where he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), a book which spelt out his theories that Germany needed strong leadership, a large army and economic self-sufficiency. In Mein Kampf Hitler also stated his more extreme ideas about supressing communism and exterminating the Jewish people.

When Hitler's National Socialist German Worker's Party (the Nazi Party) eventually came to power in 1933, he immediately began to build up the country's military strength and in 1936 he moved these troops into the Rhineland, an industrial area of Germany on the border with France and Belgium that had been designated a military-free zone after World War 1.

In 1938 Hitler expanded his dominion into parts of Austria and Czechoslovakia, thus breaking the Treaty of Versailles which had been signed in 1919 with the intention of preventing Germany from developing it's empire into neighbouring countries. Following these worrying developments along with the expansion of other fascist states, such as Italy's invasion of Ethiopea (Abyssinia) in 1935 and Japan's invasion of China in 1937, Britain and France formed a closer alliance - agreeing to help Poland, Romania and Greece should they be invaded by Germany or Italy.

In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, a Birmingham MP, was welcomed by the German people to Munich where he signed the Munich Agreement, agreeing to let the Germans lay claim to the Sudeten region of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain insisted that the Agreement would guarantee "peace in our time" and an end to further German expansion.

Six months later, Hitler took over the whole of Czechoslovakia and in 1939 his attentions turned to Poland.

Memories - Gordon Griffin Davis

Gordon Griffin Davis lives in Australia, he went to KEFW between 1939 and 1946 and these memories of Monmouth were published in the FWOE Association Newsletter No.58, December 2004:

' In recently describing my life to a group I now belong to, I remarked on a number of idyllic periods and the 1939-44 slice in Monmouth was pretty prominent. In 1939 I joined the school in form 1A on September 1st, to march down Broad Street with my gas mask and "iron rations" to the train trip among total strangers ending in Monmouth. I was allocated a billet with the Lawis's in Glendower Street; a wonderful family in a great house (and garden backing on to the Chippenham). My new proxy father was Charlie Lewis, one of Monmouth's best-known butchers ("Go to L&C Lewis") who made controller of the slaughterhouse at the outbreak of war. On September 2nd, I had my 12th birthday and of course on the 3rd, we were at war. Mts. Lewis was a wonderful woman who coped with homesickness and tears, and I settled down with her children, John and Barbara, and got to know my fellow pupils. We used a variety of church halls as classrooms, also the famous room behind the 'Geoffrey of Monmouth' window in the old school above the slaughterhouses. I was soon initiated into the process of sticking a pig and bleeding a cow in those subterranean arches alongside the river Monnow. That river had very good eels feeding on the butchered debris.

We learned to swim in the Monmouth School pool. ELO turned up and got us all diving and being athletic. We messed about in the Wye and Monnow, climbed the Kymin and behaved abominably to the poor refugee teachers who joined us from Europe. Mike Forman, John Davies and the Cummings twins, who were at your reunion will recall what I am telling.

As the war progressed, we followed the battles in North Africa on wall maps, putting in little pins. We got used to the sight of British, Indian and finally American troops marching about and joining us on church parades. Cycling around the back roads we would find American ration packs tossed behind the hedgerows, still rich in chewing gum and cigarettes.

And of course there were the girls of the High School, the cinema and that upstairs cafe in Church Street where we chatted them up and spent hours on the crossroads. At some stage, probably 1942, I was hauled up before a "Prefects Court" accused of, I quote, "Walking along the railway with girls". I pleaded ignorance and think I got three whacks. We were well taught by the old hands; Joe Fulford, Tom Bailey, Strago Greaves and a range of new guns like ELO, the blonde who taught us French (?) and a number of other young ones we could relate to. Dobinson was a great leader and led one of the few really successful evacuations. I still recall gargling all the way down the corridor whenever I smell Dettol; it was a prophyylactic against colds and sore throats - no wonder I ended up doing research in Microbiology!! '

Gaudeamus igitur

Whilst every evacuee will no doubt, as shall be seen through this website, have their own unique memories of a sojourn which for some lasted for four whole years of their formative youth, there are a number of key memories which seem to belong to the collective consciousness.

Dobinson in his plus-four country suit, rucksack and megaphone; the serried ranks of boys, masters, wives and the delightfully sounding 'lady helpers' gathered behind the school buidlings prior to departure. The girl guides at Monmouth and assorted locals eagerly awaiting the arrival of a girls school. Did the script writers of Dad's Army never hear this tale ...Mainwaring was bound to have blamed that particular mix-up on the long-suffering Wilson. The apprehensive gathering at the Rolls Hall, waiting to be allocated a half-decent billet, a vaguely prepared foster parent, a piece of furniture resembling a bed and preferably all three. One almost expects to learn it was at this point that Professor McGonnagal appeared from behind a curtain carrying the Sorting Hat!

Above all though, an abiding collective memory is the singing of the anthemesque Gaudeamus by the 350 plus Birmingham boys as they marched down Broad Street just two days before the start of World War 2. Having marched down Broad Street from Five Ways to Centenary Square myself little more than 12 months ago, alongside a couple of thousand boy scouts celebrating their Centenary and St George's Day, I think I can relate to the sense of excitement which, with more than a little similarity to the scouts of 2007, would have been best expressed through the joyous outburst of hearty, youthful voices.

But for those of us brought up on the anthems of Alice Cooper, Johnny Rotten and Oasis, what in heaven's name was Gaudeamus?

Gaudeamus igitur is actually not the name of the song but the opening line by which it is commonly known. The song's title is De Brevitate Vitae, Latin for "on the shortness of life" and Gaudeamus igitur is translated as "Therefore let us rejoice". The song is a popular academic anthem sung at University graduations throughout Europe. The melody comes from a medieval hymn by Strada (1267) but in spite of these dignified origins the song has been altered and adapted down the ages by generations of student and school boy pranksters to the point that in many countries it became a popular beer-drinking song, sung in celebration of the bacchanalian mayhem of student social life.

My fingers are firmly crossed that it wasn't one of these who contributed the Wikipedia page from which I am quoting!

But in the context of the high-spirited KEFW pupils leaving behind their families and homes, marching off into the unknown under the growing shadow of what would be the most awesome and destructive war of the 20th century, the words of Gaudeamus seem extremely fitting and it is therefore little wonder that the sense of occasion inspired by it's singing has left such a profound memory for so many. Apart from there being a few lines in the song that Chairman Mao might have been proud to have penned, the overall affect is powerful enough to make my own generation's celebrity army of anthem writers bow their heads in humility. Here is the English translation - I have yet to learn which version(s) were sung by our serried ranks, I will be surprised if there wasn't a risque though creative alternative for verse five:

On the shortness of life

Let us rejoice therefore
While we are young.
After a pleasant youth
After the troubles of old age
The earth will have us.

Where are they
Who were in the world before us?
Go up to heaven
Or cross over into hell
If you wish to see them.

Our life is brief
It will be finished all too soon.
Death comes quickly
We are cruelly snatched away.
No one is spared.

Long live the academy!
Long live the teachers!
Long live each student!
Long live all the students!
May they always flourish!

Long live the virgins
Easy and beautiful!
Long live mature women also,
Tender and lovable
And full of good labor.

Long live the state as well
And he who rules it!
Long live our city
[And] the charity of benefactors
Which protects us here!

Let sadness perish!
Let haters perish!
Let the devil perish!
Let whoever is anti-student
Who laughs at us, perish!

A.A. (Tony) Barter - Mayor of Monmouth!

It is noted in a recent newsletter of the FWOE Association (No.58, September 2004) that one former Five Ways evacuee settled so well into Monmouth life that the locals eventually made him their Mayor. Association secretary Colin Spencer explained how Tony Barter (school years 1938-45) had played a supportive role in the 65th Anniversary Reunion:

' It was thanks to Tony (ex-mayor of Monmouth) that we had publicity about the September reunion in both the local paper and the museum and an eventual write-up in the Monmouth News. Tony and his wife were deighted to see so many old friends turn up. "We did enjoy the tour of Monmouth School and, of course, the tea party afterwards in the Headmaster's garden. How amazing that such a lot of old chums and wives were able to come to Monmouth. If I close my eyes, I can picture everyone, masters and wives, lady helpers, auxilliary staff and boys assembled in "serried ranks" at the rear of the school buildings in Ladywood Road. CHD clad in a heather mixture plus-four country suit with rucksack and old fashioned megaphone giving the order to move off, youngest boys leading, down Broad Street to Snow Hill Station. A fitting prelude to an exciting day."

Tony was also pleased when I sent him photocopies of the missing pages to his Gaudeamus as well as the words of the Founder's Prayer. "I am happy to have all the words to "October" and "Heroes" - both songs only partially in my memory". I think we may well be using you again as our Monmouth agent in 2009. There are quite a number who like the idea of a 70th reunion! '

Colin Spencer