There
has been a lot of interesting speculation
about this picture. Evidence from the book
where it appeared suggests that it was taken
in 1938. However, why weren't they using the
subway? Ron Jeffries who says that the subway
was definitely open pre-war since it was used
as an air-raid shelter with bunks. Another
correspondent suggests that, although it may
have been used as a shelter, the original
purpose of subway was not completed until
after the war and that maybe the children
had a regular police escort while the subway
was being constructed. There is (or was) a
plaque with the details so if anyone sees
it then email in the details!
The
other suggestion is that the children were
all being let out of school for a royal visit
so a "mass" crossing was organised
(it was nearly lunchtime according to the
school clock). Does anyone know of a royal
visit around 1938?
....................................
Further info: 12/04/02
- Brenda Graisgour (and others) phoned the
The Ilford Library Local Studies/History Department
and they said that the subway must have been
built after the war, between 1945 and 1948.
They had found this info from looking up the
minutes of council meetings but are going
to try to see if they can find anything more
definite - [sorry Ron][but now see below!]
Further
info: 01/05/02 - While Geoff Gillon
was doing some "Torbitt Research"
in Oaks Lane he came across a gentleman who
said that his wife was one of the very first
pupils at the school - Iris McCarthy. At the
time she lived over Bill Bailey's greengrocery
on Silverdale parade. It turns out she was
in Ron Jeffries' class and, wait for it..............
she was one of the occupants of the subway
on the bunks during the air raids! Geoff didn't
actually get to talk to Iris, so we are no
nearer to discovering when it was actually
completed and opened to public use for the
purpose for which it was designed.
Further
info from Ruth Davey (now Bartlett): 04/06/02
-
I do remember the subway. I am quite sure
that when we commenced in September 1937 it
had not been built because I can remember
being escorted across each carriageway of
the Eastern Avenue. It must have been completed
during that first year because there was a
very bad accident when a child went down it
on his bike, lost control and I believe also
lost his life. There would probably have been
something in the Ilford Recorder at the time.
Copies are kept at Ilford Library I believe.
Wiggings and serious talks from Mr. Train
were given in Assembly. I think I also remember
wiggings about our behaviour with the crossing
keeper. The subway had bunk beds in during
the war and folk slept down there at night
to shelter from the bombs as they did in tube
tunnels also.
and
from Frank Mooney: 17/06/02 -
I do remember the subway being flooded, and
I seem to think that I saw a picture of the
flooding in a local paper. Also I now recall
how we used to go down the slope on our roller
skates, two of us would go down together on
what we used to call a boat, a boat is two
people facing each other, sitting on one of
the other persons foot and holding arms round
each others shoulders, the other leg was used
for balance, we used to see who could start
off highest up the slope without coming a
cropper when you had to turn into the tunnel
at the bottom, I limped home many a time,
and I still have the scars.
and
from Barbara Rawden: 04/07/02 -
I can remember having to run the
gauntlet of the bunks in the subway when men
lying in the bunks would reach out and try
to lift up your skirt. Also, when it was flooded,
we used to go down and float off the rail
at the side of the slope, very unhygienic
I would have thought. I used to get a real
ticking off when I got home with full wellies
and wet skirt.
Memory
from Billy Dodds - 17/10/02 - The
subway was in use for pupils pre-war, but
his recollection is that it wasn't actually
ready for when the school opened in 1937 -
hence policeman were provided to control the
crossing. He seems to recall them being there
twice each day though. He believes the subway
came into use in 1938 so the photo, thought
to be 1938 may have been taken to 'celebrate'
the end of the need for police there. During
the war the bunks for air raid purposes were
three high; there was a chemical toilet at
each end. He himself sheltered there. The
entrances were enclosed by sacking curtains.
He thinks the mirrors were always there- certainly
he was one of the children who would squeeze
down and hide behide them and frighten users
when they approached! At the top of the slopes,
there were concertina gates and he says the
pintle cast into the foundation for these
can still be seen at one entrance.
Shirley
Bowl (later Shirley Headley, Mayoress 1954/55)
- The subway opened in 1938 and she was the
first pupil to walk through it. She presented
the then Lady Mayoress with flowers in the
school hall afterwords.
Picture
with thanks to London Borough of Redbridge
Libraries Service Photographic Collection
and Geoff Gillon
