Today's Photographs 5
Showing some aspects from the life of HGS
Supporting photographs and comments may be added where possible.
5 topics
Topics A-Z: Art Room and Mr Combs, Drama, High Hall, Mr Atack and Woodwork, Mr Leonard and his Blazer
Updated 05.02.2023
Showing some aspects from the life of HGS
Supporting photographs and comments may be added where possible.
5 topics
Topics A-Z: Art Room and Mr Combs, Drama, High Hall, Mr Atack and Woodwork, Mr Leonard and his Blazer
Updated 05.02.2023
1. Mr Leonard and his Blazer
"(Mr.) Leonard in that brilliantly striped blazer and white flannels............" (Geoff Booth, HGS 1939-45)
Back Row L-R: Leslie Tate (Senior Boys), Miss Freestone, Mr. Leonard, Valerie Davies (Senior Girls)
Front Row L-R: Archer J. (Junior Boys), Mary Griffiths (Junior Girls
Front Row L-R: Archer J. (Junior Boys), Mary Griffiths (Junior Girls
A first mention of Mr Leonard from Geoff Booth who was a young pupil at HGS when Mr Leonard was appointed to the Staff.
Dear Sheila,
After receiving your message I logged onto the website and was amazed at the wealth of information about people in my dim and distant past. I have photos and anecdotes which I will send for the archives. Despite all the years of experience that have passed I regard my years of tutelage under Messrs Hamilton, Crossland, Collette, Daddy Austin, Storer, Scourfield, Leonard (in that brilliantly striped blazer and white flannels) as being the first and lasting moulding of my young and malleable character. I must not leave out the ladies, Misses Bromley, Prince, Townsend, Shortridge, Harrison et al. The system embodying houses and teams, with discipline and loyalty was in such contrast to the systems of today. Thank you for contacting me, Sheila. I will be in touch with the photos etc later. Happy Days.
Best Regards
Geoff Booth (1939-45 Holgate)
After receiving your message I logged onto the website and was amazed at the wealth of information about people in my dim and distant past. I have photos and anecdotes which I will send for the archives. Despite all the years of experience that have passed I regard my years of tutelage under Messrs Hamilton, Crossland, Collette, Daddy Austin, Storer, Scourfield, Leonard (in that brilliantly striped blazer and white flannels) as being the first and lasting moulding of my young and malleable character. I must not leave out the ladies, Misses Bromley, Prince, Townsend, Shortridge, Harrison et al. The system embodying houses and teams, with discipline and loyalty was in such contrast to the systems of today. Thank you for contacting me, Sheila. I will be in touch with the photos etc later. Happy Days.
Best Regards
Geoff Booth (1939-45 Holgate)
Mr Hamilton, Headmaster, in 1946
Mr. W. J. Leonard, Jack to all his friends and colleagues, joined the staff as Master in change of Physical Education and Games on the 1st December 1940. He came for his interview after being on duty all the previous night as an Air Raid Warden in Birmingham which at that time was a target for the German Air Force. Despite his lack of sleep he looked remarkably and surprisingly fit. He was appointed.
The war years 1941 - 1946 were extremely busy ones for schoolmasters. We kept the school going by day, and we did duty with the Air Training Corps at night, for Hemsworth Grammar School was one of the earliest of the School Squadrons to be formed. Mr. Leonard quite naturally became one of the first officers. He was untiring in his work and displayed remarkable energy and enthusiasm. By day he was his usual energetic self in school; at night and at weekends he was equally energetic as an A.T.C. Officer.
After the war, when the school began to increase in size, Mr. Leonard took over command of our Squadron and ran it most successfully. A few years later the R.A.F. decided to stream-line the organisation of the A.T.C. and our squadron was combined with the one at Wakefield. Membership of our squadron was open to all young lads, whether attending Hemsworth Grammar School or not, and today there are many more young men than just Old Hilmians who remember Mr. Leonard with affection, respect and gratitude.
R.W. Hamilton
The war years 1941 - 1946 were extremely busy ones for schoolmasters. We kept the school going by day, and we did duty with the Air Training Corps at night, for Hemsworth Grammar School was one of the earliest of the School Squadrons to be formed. Mr. Leonard quite naturally became one of the first officers. He was untiring in his work and displayed remarkable energy and enthusiasm. By day he was his usual energetic self in school; at night and at weekends he was equally energetic as an A.T.C. Officer.
After the war, when the school began to increase in size, Mr. Leonard took over command of our Squadron and ran it most successfully. A few years later the R.A.F. decided to stream-line the organisation of the A.T.C. and our squadron was combined with the one at Wakefield. Membership of our squadron was open to all young lads, whether attending Hemsworth Grammar School or not, and today there are many more young men than just Old Hilmians who remember Mr. Leonard with affection, respect and gratitude.
R.W. Hamilton
HGS Staff 1939-40
Mr Leonard replaced Mr Nelson in 1940
Mr Leonard replaced Mr Nelson in 1940
Back Row L-R: Miss Walker, Miss Garman, Mr. Waters, Mr. Scourfield, Mr. Austin, Mr. Storer, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Nelson
Middle Row L-R: Miss Harrison, Miss Bromley, Miss Prince, Miss Shortridge, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Manning, Mr. Collette, Mr. Hamilton (Art)
Front Row L-R: 1, Miss Kenward, Miss. Euler, 4, 5, Miss Townsend
Middle Row L-R: Miss Harrison, Miss Bromley, Miss Prince, Miss Shortridge, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Manning, Mr. Collette, Mr. Hamilton (Art)
Front Row L-R: 1, Miss Kenward, Miss. Euler, 4, 5, Miss Townsend
HGS Staff 1944-45
Back Row L-R: Miss. Carter, Miss Robinson, Miss Black, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Outram, Mr. Johnson
Middle Row L-R: Miss Thomas, Miss Dunbar, Miss Moffatt, Miss. Williams, Miss. Harris, Mr. Leyland, Mr. Birdsall, Mr. Greenwell, Dr. Sass, Mr. Atack
Front Row L-R: Miss Garman, Miss Walker, Miss. Bromley, Miss. Prince, Miss. Shortridge, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Storer, Mr. Austin, Mr. Scourfield, Mr. Collette
Middle Row L-R: Miss Thomas, Miss Dunbar, Miss Moffatt, Miss. Williams, Miss. Harris, Mr. Leyland, Mr. Birdsall, Mr. Greenwell, Dr. Sass, Mr. Atack
Front Row L-R: Miss Garman, Miss Walker, Miss. Bromley, Miss. Prince, Miss. Shortridge, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Crossland, Mr. Storer, Mr. Austin, Mr. Scourfield, Mr. Collette
2. Mr Atack and the woodwork room
Mr Atack joined the Staff of HGS
about 1944 (see above)
about 1944 (see above)
The woodwork room as it was in the 1920s.
The Woodwork Room in 1940, just before Mr Atack joined the HGS Staff.
Supporting pillars had been fitted.
Supporting pillars had been fitted.
Mr Atack was always there. He did not move on from HGS and his domain in the Coach House Block was known by everyone in the school. He was my Woodwork teacher in Year 1. Some of the boys "blossomed" in his classes and produced wonderful pieces of work. I did not. I produced a cross-halving joint and a tie rack. He was patient and understanding as a good teacher would be. The intricacies of the subject passed me by. I think I had more affinity with Latin Grammar than Woodwork. When Options came along, Mr Atack and I sadly parted company. I took with me the busy, noisy atmosphere of the Woodwork Room and its all-pervading smell of the gluepot at its centre.
Dave
Dave
Outside the Woodwork Room in the Coach House
An email from Brian Stead
Brian Stead
Hi, Dave.
I’ve just been looking with amazement at the HGS website - wonderful work. Getting it through ‘Friends Reunited’ and an email from Sheila. On reflection, I owe so much to Mr Atack, who gave me the direction in life I might not otherwise have found for myself. I’ve been trying for some time to contact a long-lost friend, John Blake in New Zealand and I notice an entry on the website from him. If possible (and if you have his email address) could you pass mine on to him?
Thanks,
Brian Stead
(September 2005)
I’ve just been looking with amazement at the HGS website - wonderful work. Getting it through ‘Friends Reunited’ and an email from Sheila. On reflection, I owe so much to Mr Atack, who gave me the direction in life I might not otherwise have found for myself. I’ve been trying for some time to contact a long-lost friend, John Blake in New Zealand and I notice an entry on the website from him. If possible (and if you have his email address) could you pass mine on to him?
Thanks,
Brian Stead
(September 2005)
HGS Woodwork Exhibition on Sports Day 1952
These boys were all taught by Mr. Atack
These boys were all taught by Mr. Atack
3. Drama at HGS
For most of the school's life, Drama Productions, by both the Staff and the Pupils, were very attractive, annual events. Performances were always professional and very well-managed. These characteristics were indicated by the high ticket sales for each performance. Both Headmasters "took it as normal" that they would take part in the Staff Plays every year. This set a fine example within both the school and the local community. Mr Jenkinson and Mr Hamilton were regarded as leaders in this respect. Staff were eager to help in any way they could as is indicates by the programmes which are displayed in the Drama section of this website.
Dave
Dave
Much ado about nothing, 1934
My Three Angels, 1967
4. The House in late Winter
Here is another of my favourite photos, "The House in Winter". Trouble is I keep asking myself the same question - "Why was this view changed and the House hidden?" I guess we will never know what went on in the related planning meetings in the 1960s.
I did not use the path shown here to go to the school, but I used the path to go from the school on most of the summer evenings. It was so quiet. Sometimes the rooks would make a noise but that was more than acceptable. At times I would see Staff who had been working late - marking, preparing or who had been at team training, clubs or societies. To me that made it more special. I remember that Mr Collette could often be seen making his way home when everyone else had left.
Dave
I did not use the path shown here to go to the school, but I used the path to go from the school on most of the summer evenings. It was so quiet. Sometimes the rooks would make a noise but that was more than acceptable. At times I would see Staff who had been working late - marking, preparing or who had been at team training, clubs or societies. To me that made it more special. I remember that Mr Collette could often be seen making his way home when everyone else had left.
Dave
Ruth Alderson
I bused to and from school but recall using that path and the Green Gate with 'prefect privileges' to buy 'Sally Lunns' in the village! Yum!
I bused to and from school but recall using that path and the Green Gate with 'prefect privileges' to buy 'Sally Lunns' in the village! Yum!
5. The Art Room
Above is the Art Room in 1940
The teacher is Mr J. D. Hamilton
The teacher is Mr J. D. Hamilton
The Art room saw several teachers of the subject but that number was relatively small. During my first year at HGS (1955-56) our Art teacher was Mr Combs. I do remember him and the fact that his lessons for me were very positive experiences. Sadly Mr Combs died while still a very young man. Mr Hamilton, our Headmaster, wrote the following tribute to him.
Mr. J. D. Combs - a Tribute.
Mr. J. D. Combs, A.T.D., began his teaching career at Hemsworth Grammar School on the 1st September, 1949. He died on the 26th February, 1956. He was a few months short of 34 years of age. A short life, a very short teaching career, yet he accomplished much. No one who was taught by him will ever forget him. We, his colleagues, will always remember him. After his early years as a boy at school, Mr. Combs studied Art at Swindon, at West Bromwich, and, finally, at the Brighton College of Arts and Crafts, when he took the Art Teachers' Diploma. For five years, from October 1941, to October 1946, he served in the Royal Corps of Signals.
In his 6.5 years with us, we learned to appreciate the essential kindness of one of Nature's gentlemen. Kindliness and goodness were his outstanding qualities. He was a good teacher; he taught with a professional skill that inspired even the less gifted of his pupils, but it was his kindliness and his intense interest in people for which he will be remembered.
As Art Master, he was regularly responsible for the settings of School and Staff Plays. From December 1949, to 1955, there were 7 School Plays. Mr. Combs did the setting for 6 of them. In December 1950, he not only did the scenery for "Let's Make an Opera", but took one of the leading roles. In the same period of time there have been 6 Staff Plays. In 3 of them he was responsible for the scenery and in 2 of them was a member of the Cast. He ran an Art Class on Friday evenings and even managed on occasions to find time to turn out for the Staff Cricket XI. His interest in Music had been to take part in the Male Voice Choir and in the Four-Part Choir. If ever a man pulled his weight in a school, certainly Mr. Combs did so. He was interested in all our activities, even when time or inclination did not allow him to play a part directly. He was a grand schoolmaster. The profession of teaching is the poorer by his death.
Goodness, kindliness and fun; these qualities, allied to his keenness for his job as schoolmaster both from the narrow and the broad point of view, will always be uppermost in our mind, at the mention of his name. He was, indeed, a. real Christian gentleman, or, as Chaucer would say, "A verray, parfit gentil Knight".
The Headmaster
From the School Magazine 1956
Mr. J. D. Combs, A.T.D., began his teaching career at Hemsworth Grammar School on the 1st September, 1949. He died on the 26th February, 1956. He was a few months short of 34 years of age. A short life, a very short teaching career, yet he accomplished much. No one who was taught by him will ever forget him. We, his colleagues, will always remember him. After his early years as a boy at school, Mr. Combs studied Art at Swindon, at West Bromwich, and, finally, at the Brighton College of Arts and Crafts, when he took the Art Teachers' Diploma. For five years, from October 1941, to October 1946, he served in the Royal Corps of Signals.
In his 6.5 years with us, we learned to appreciate the essential kindness of one of Nature's gentlemen. Kindliness and goodness were his outstanding qualities. He was a good teacher; he taught with a professional skill that inspired even the less gifted of his pupils, but it was his kindliness and his intense interest in people for which he will be remembered.
As Art Master, he was regularly responsible for the settings of School and Staff Plays. From December 1949, to 1955, there were 7 School Plays. Mr. Combs did the setting for 6 of them. In December 1950, he not only did the scenery for "Let's Make an Opera", but took one of the leading roles. In the same period of time there have been 6 Staff Plays. In 3 of them he was responsible for the scenery and in 2 of them was a member of the Cast. He ran an Art Class on Friday evenings and even managed on occasions to find time to turn out for the Staff Cricket XI. His interest in Music had been to take part in the Male Voice Choir and in the Four-Part Choir. If ever a man pulled his weight in a school, certainly Mr. Combs did so. He was interested in all our activities, even when time or inclination did not allow him to play a part directly. He was a grand schoolmaster. The profession of teaching is the poorer by his death.
Goodness, kindliness and fun; these qualities, allied to his keenness for his job as schoolmaster both from the narrow and the broad point of view, will always be uppermost in our mind, at the mention of his name. He was, indeed, a. real Christian gentleman, or, as Chaucer would say, "A verray, parfit gentil Knight".
The Headmaster
From the School Magazine 1956
The HGS Teaching Staff of 1952-53
Back Row L-R: Mr. Allan, Mr. Collins, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Owen, Mr. Senior, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Walker, Mr. Stewart
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Combs, Mr. Burnett, Miss. Austin, Miss. Wimpenny, Miss. Parkin, Miss. Saville, Mrs. Lumb, Miss. Kilner, Miss. Elliot, Miss. Ward, Mr. Reevil, Mr. Swinbank
Front Row L-R: Miss. Horsfield, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Whitworth, Miss. Carter, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr. Farrar
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Combs, Mr. Burnett, Miss. Austin, Miss. Wimpenny, Miss. Parkin, Miss. Saville, Mrs. Lumb, Miss. Kilner, Miss. Elliot, Miss. Ward, Mr. Reevil, Mr. Swinbank
Front Row L-R: Miss. Horsfield, Miss. Metcalfe, Miss. Whitworth, Miss. Carter, Miss. Harris, Miss. Smith, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Collette, Mr. Manning, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Atack, Mr. Lock, Mr. Farrar
To be continued
