A headmaster’s memories
Last updated 09:18, Saturday, 21 June 2008
WHEN Timeline recently featured this picture of pupils at Bowness on Solway School in 1947 (brought in by David Hunter) and asked if anyone could recall them, I was delighted when the headmaster himself, Mr Joe Rawlings contacted me saying he could supply me with all the information I required.
Interviewing this amazing gentleman of 95 years, I wasn’t surprised to learn he’d been awarded an OBE in 1975 for his career in education and youth work, mainly the Scout movement, which he still takes an interest in today.
It’s no wonder that many of his past pupils still regularly visit him and hold him in the highest regard. He has been an inspiration to them all.I was fascinated as he recalled his life history.
“I joined the Navy in 1941 at the age of 27. After my initial training I had a short leave at home before being called up to join the HMS Hood. I left my home in Aspatria to travel to Portsmouth to join my ship. As you can imagine that was quite a journey in those days.
“I eventually arrived - late - to be told that my ship had already sailed and I’d missed it.
“As you know, the HMS Hood sailed with the brand new battleship Prince of Wales to intercept the German battleship Bismarck. Unfortunately the Bismarck hit the Hood with catastrophic results.
“Only three of her 1,418 crew survived. I consider myself to be the fourth survivor. Had I not been late, I would have been on the ship when it was hit.
“After the war I returned home and in 1946, I became headmaster at Bowness on Solway school. It was a mixed school and both the girls and boys played an equal role in it. Life had been very restricted for these children during the war and I felt it was our duty to introduce them to the big wide world.
“With the exception of a gap year which I took to go travelling, I remained at Bowness until 1952 when I was offered the position as headmaster at Eden School, in Rickerby. The school was in a marvellous settings, was a wonderful opportunity and one I couldn’t refuse. I remained there until my retirement.”
Mr Rawlings furnished me with the following names of the boys in the picture:
From left to right, Raymond Casey, David Hunter, Jack Siddle, Jim Pattinson, John Lister – assistant teacher, Joe Rawlings, Denis Kent, Robert Percival, Raymond Lightfoot, John Borradaile and Harry Hodgson.
Not only could he remember so many details about each pupil while they were under his supervision, but even when they left school he knew where and what profession they had chosen.
They certainly don’t make them like that anymore.
If you were a pupil at Bowness-on Solway when Mr Rawlings was headmaster, contact Timeline and we’ll put you in touch with this amazing gentleman.
