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Wolverhampton and the Great War The Home Front Schools Schools inf Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas were also affected by the war. Education Committee reports and school logbooks list the various disruptions that were caused. In the Education Committee report for 17th November 1915 there is a suggestion that boys at elementary schools make bedside tables, crutches and splints for the Red Cross. The report for 6th December 1915 advises that teachers should become Army Reservists in order to avoid compulsory enlistment. Other reports include Captain J West, an ex-pupil of the Higher Grade School, who had been awarded the Military Cross; Captain Piper and Sergeant Shotton, ex-Wolverhampton teachers, who had been wounded; and Councillor Amphlett who was killed in France while serving with the Army. An examination of the school log book for Graiseley Secondary School lists examples of staff helping with recruiting campaigns, teachers leaving the school to join the Red Cross or Marine Artillery, flag days and collections for causes connected with the war. But perhaps the most poignant is the entry for 22nd November 1917, written by the headmaster Samuel Bevon:
I have
been absent from duty on Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, and
the whole of yesterday owing to death of my son (Lieutenant William
Victor Bevon had died in France while serving with the RAF) Entries in the school log book for Ss Mary & John School reveal children absent because of fathers going to France, Belgian refugee children who do not speak English and patriotic games on Empire Day.
Extract
from Ss Mary & John School log book, 3rd November 1914
Extract
from Ss Mary & John School log book, 31st August 1915
Extract
from Ss Mary & John School log book, 24th May 1916
© Copyright. Wolverhampton City Council, 2002
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