September 1939 – Start of WW2 and Evacuees
School started early and evacuee children came from London
Having a “double shift” timetable did not work and an alternative had to be found.
Gas masks
With the outbreak of war everyone including children had to carry a gas mask at all times. Gas masks were regularly inspected at the school and repairs made. The entries below appear in the school log book.
May 23 1942
The Rector examined gas masks, took names of children needing larger sizes. We now take gas mask drill each Friday.
February 9 1944
Gas mask inspection Mr Harrison, 5 too small. 1 lost, 1 repair
Health Issues
Mrs Bullock was the school nurse and made regular visits to check on the children’s health.
It was not uncommon for there to be outbreaks of infectious diseases and other medical conditions within the school. There would be visits from the school doctor, dentist, psychologist and a physical training instructor.
April 12 1940
Diphtheria
One case reported taken to isolation hospital. Mrs Bullock school nurse came April 15 with cod liver oil and malt.
Inspected all throats against prevention of diphtheria.
Dr Lillian Phillips immunised all children on April 22 1940.
2 children still suffering from it.
May 6 1940 second immunisations.
March 24 1941
School Diphtheria and Scabies
June 27 1941
Mrs Bullock visited and inspected the children’s heads. Two boys are to be excluded for verminous heads
Jan 5 1942
Jan 27 1942
May 15 1942
June 28 1942
Savings
Children were asked to buy National Saving Stamps to support the war effort.
March 24 1941
War Weapons week, children bought National savings Stamps.
| What was ‘War Weapons Week’?
War Weapons Weeks were different from other war charities, as people did not pay money to a named cause. They were encouraged to save their money in various Government accounts, such as War Bonds, Savings Bonds, Defence Bonds and Savings Certificates. It would coincide with a week of parades, exhibitions and other war paraphernalia. 1944 Salute the Soldier Week“Salute the Soldier” Week was another fund raising scheme themed around raising funds to equip an army that would be good enough to take on the Germans. A target was set for each District Council. The following pictures depict some of the advertising material. |
April 28 1944
Salute the Soldiers Week target £40 result £83.7s.6p
Source Documents from Huntingdonshire Archives, Reference 184/145 Wistow School Log Book
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Debbie Booth, Jenny Head, Althea Walker
Heritage Day 2009
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