9 replies to this topic

[Jim Hastings]

Dear All,

This one is a long shot, but thought I'd ask, you never know. I used to go to the above school, after it had become a comprehensive. In the main hall there was a Roll of Honour for fallen pupils. Last year I had to attend a student day that was incidentally being held at my old school, now a college. I thought it would also be a brilliant opportunity to go to the hall and take down the details on the RofH and research the war of the school's fallen - only to discover the whole place had been demolished and replaced with a new building. I asked about the R of H but just received blank looks from security/care taker. As I say, long-shot, but any one in their research come across men from this school.

It is in Old Couldson, in Surrey.

I vaguely remember many were Commissioned ranks.

Fingers crossed. Be sad if this history has been lost forever.

Many thanks

Jim

[izzy]

Most of theses type of school usually had a college magazine. There may be a list of names or even a photograph when the memorial was unveiled.The present day school may have copies of them.If not local archives may be of some use.

[Jim Hastings]

Ah! Yes, they did have a magazine called The Bourne which they always printed even in the 80s in an older 1910/20 style - never thought of that, great idea, will see if I can track those down somewhere.
Great tip, thank you

Jim

[Jim Hastings]

Sadly online check suggests they did start a school magazine was started in 1919 but earliest one held from mid 1930s. Couple of online school websites proved no assistance either. Have another day-school tutorial there next month, may find someone else to ask.


Oh well, knew a long shot

[spoons]

I would try UKNIWM first here it's not listed but worth asking if they know of it.  Also try the War Memorials Trust who may know of it War Memorials Trust

Good luck

\Paul

[andrewr]

Also check with your local County Record Office - they may have a photo of it or a list of names

[Jim Hastings]

Thanks Gents

Appreciate your input, I'll try all avenues until hit dead end ... and then try some more. I cannot fathom how a war memorial could ever be destroyed - moved elsewhere, yes, destroyed - never.
But then wasn't one found in a skip in that Ian Hislop programme 'Not Forgotten' a few years back??!!

Thanks again

Jim

[spoons]

Jim Hastings, on 28 April 2012 - 09:19 PM, said:

Thanks Gents

Appreciate your input, I'll try all avenues until hit dead end ... and then try some more. I cannot fathom how a war memorial could ever be destroyed - moved elsewhere, yes, destroyed - never.
But then wasn't one found in a skip in that Ian Hislop programme 'Not Forgotten' a few years back??!!

Thanks again

Jim

Sadly some do get thrown away, here's one that was rescued from a skip Oddfellows New Abbey

\Paul

[old owl]

Hi Jim,

It may well be worth asking in the Local History Library, as I have come across quite a few School Magazines which have been deposited here by schools, along with other school records.  If this fails then try the County Record Office.  If there is a local museum they may have acquired the war memorial board from the school when it was demolished. I do know that recently quite a number were found in the cellars of the local museum here and are now going to be displayed in a new Civic Centre.

There may also be a mention in the local press when the memorial was dedicated.  I am sure that you will find a mention somewhere and hopefully find the original!

Good luck,

Robert

[Jim Hastings]

Thank you Robert,

I'm back there on a course on the 19th so I will try and find out some more info, then go into Caterham and the East Surrey Museum. If I do find it, or even just the names, I will list them on the Forum - at least here they will not be lost again.

A school production of Journeys End sparked my first interest in the GW, just wish I'd paid more attention to the R of H then. Funny thing was, in the 4 years I was there I never heard one teacher or pupil ever mention the memorial, even on Remembrance Day - and many of my senior teachers were WW2 veterans.

Hope to find it

Thanks again for your advice

Jim