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
