This old school photograph shows the Roseworth Junior Class, 4C. I think it may have been taken about 1991/1962.
Our classroom was in the ‘Black Huts’ of Kiora Hall, it was an old ‘Prisoner of War’ compound. Not many of us made it to grammar school but what fun we had in those days. The form teacher was Mr Crab and the headmaster was Mr Knowles. I wondered if any of the lads and lasses were still around, I would love to hear from you…
Photograph and details courtesy of Micky Snaith.
I know I’m late to the party but I’m in the photo on the back row 5th in from the right, not counting Mr Crab/Crabbe(?). My cousin Carol Ann Matthews is in there; plus Stephen/Steven Airey who is also on the back row 3rd in from the left, not counting Mr Knowles. After the war Kiora Hall and the huts were used by ICI while they repaired bomb damage at Billingham. My auntie used to work there and I used to wave at her on my way to the infants school. When they let the school have the huts ICI retained the main hall for many years as an executives club.
Roseworth infants 1955 to 57, Juniors from 57 to 61, seniors 61 to 65. My brother Albert (Al), was the first Head Boy when Roseworth Secondary Modern opened which would have been around 1956.
Opened in 1959 Ed.
Fantastic comments. I went there to Roseworth 1961 to 1965 played for the school football team all years, was probably the star after Derek Spacey in the 3/4 years. Maureen Leggat was my girlfriend. Anyone remember my brother David being killed at Norton duck pond? My mam never really got over that.
I remember you Kenneth & your David, I am trying to remember your sisters name, you lived in the corner of the close, I lived 19/31 Rochester
My husband attended this roseworth school for a short period, his name was Terry. I think one of his sisters went there too.
I attended Roseworth Junior School from 1964-68, I lived in Rudyard Avenue which surrounded the school field. I also remember the huts and Kiora Hall. I attended the Sunday School there. When I Left Junior school, I attended William Newton until Roseworth Secondary was built. All three schools now sadly demolished.
Mickey Snaith get in touch, I am sure you remember me Trevor Hobbs…
I was in the year below this class, have very happy memories of my time and friends there – my teachers were Miss Hirst, Mrs Watson, Mr Stage and Miss Cook. We spent one of the years in the ex POW camp black huts in Kiora grounds. I met Mr ‘Nogga’ Knolwes in the 1980’s, he remembered my name and also asked about my sister Elizabeth and brother Peter who both went to the school after me.
My brother Stephen Wood on back row second from left. Now lives in Perth, Western Australia also my brother Geoff who is 2 years older
I was at this school around this time and remember very well Mr Knowles also Mr Crab. The former always seemed to have a runny nose with the comlimentry “dewdrop”. Mr Knowles taught me 3 things in my then young life; “punishment does not always fit the crime, find a place for compassion, try not to understand the system of things in life”. I say all of these things for the following reason,
It was a very, very cold winters day blowing a gale and lashing it down! I went to toilets and passed an entrance door to the school corridor where a very bedraggled young cat, wet though and I fear close to serious life threating chills! was sat crying outside the door, of course, I let it in for a warm and tried to help it, (I do not like cats at all but would not harm one) Mr Knowles was coming down the same corridor, I remember only 3 words from him, “my office boy” where I received my first ever “six of the best” for trying a bit of humanity with the cat, which when we left school that afternoon was laid outside at the door dead! My memories of that school were a lot happier, once I learned to watch out for “Dewdrop” The other teachers were fine people, Mrs ferguson, Mr Smythe, etc
The girl in the middle row to the left of the girl in black is Evelyn Lee who lived in Raglan Close. She now lives in Canada as does her older brother Eddie Lee.
My Granddad looked after the POW’s during the war and I’d love it if anyone has any information about that timeframe.
I know that my g/dad Jackson Walker who had his market garden in Norton had 2 POW’s working for him. They were dropped off early morning and were picked up after work at the end of their shift. Another I remember worked for the Blacksmith on the Green.
All I know is that an Italian man made a cigarette case for Granddad Albi and he had it till the day he died and that Granddad was the cook for them.
I remember your grandad and his family well, they lived in Oakwell Road, Mrs walker was lovely and Dorothy was a few years older than me and also Peter.