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?