WORLD WAR II at Hermitage Park 1939 - 1946

   

SESSION 1939 – 1940 1.9.39  

From 7am this morning, pupils, parents and teachers began to assemble for evacuation and parties were soon arranged into groups in a quick and orderly manner.   Ultimately 492 persons set out to entrain at Leith Central Station.  There were two train loads, one with evacuees for Bonnyrigg only and the other with evacuees for Rosewell, Peebles, Clovenfords, Galashiels, Selkirk, Melrose and Hawick.  27% of the possible number of evacuees from this school had turned up.  All arrangements worked most satisfactorily.

11.9.39

Registration of pupils for a second evacuation scheme began today.

15.9.39

During the week ending today 24 pupils were registered for the second evacuation scheme.

21.9.39  

The staff of this school today completed an enumeration  of the children on the roll who still remain in the city.  It was found that there were 366 children at home (i.e. not evacuated).

2.10.39

To make provision for the education of those children remaining in the city, a system of “group-teaching” was commenced today in rooms kindly offered by a number of householders in this district.  The following teachers were on duty, Mr Renton, Mr Paterson, Miss Cameron, Mrs Henderson, Mrs Donaldson, Miss McLeod, Miss Irvine, Miss Gibson and Miss Spanswick, but Miss Donald, Miss Mowat, Miss Baxter, Mrs Keppie and Mr Soutar were not available for duty as they were teaching in reception areas.

4.10.39

Miss Irvine travelled with a party of evacuees to Bonnyrigg today.

16.11.39

Miss Spanswick was absent today as she was conducting a party of evacuees to Kelso.

22.11.39 

Today there are 471 children on the roll of the school, now living at home.  Of these 453 are receiving instruction in small groups.

18.12.39 – “Half Time” Instruction

The school was reopened today for primary pupils who now attend either in the forenoon or afternoon of alternate weeks.  Three air-raid shelters have been built in the playground for this special protection.   The infants are still being taught in groups of twelve in premises outwith the school.  As far as can be ascertained there are now 493 pupils at home and of these 478 are receiving instruction.

8.1.40

Roll now 522 – all available staff present.

22.1.40

Gas mask drill and practice in marching to the air-raid shelters are now part of the routine work of the school.

February

Return of staff from teaching evacuees – Miss Baxter was teaching in Rosewell,  Miss Mowat and Miss Donald had been teaching at Bonnyrigg school since September.

12.2.40

As the two indoor air-raid shelters have now been constructed the children in the Infant Dept will from today, receive their instruction in school.

1.4.40

Parents meeting to discuss plans for the next evacuation of school children.

18.5.40

School open today (Saturday) from 11.30am to 1pm to make preparations should evacuation be ordered.

1.6.40

School open (Saturday) again – registration of children for evacuation.

28.6.40

During the week ending today a considerable number of parents have called at the school to enquire about the Overseas Evacuation Scheme.

 

SESSION 1940 – 1941  

2.9.40

School reopened.  The four top classes are on full-time instruction and the remaining classes are still on half-time instruction. 

28.10.40 

School reopened on a full-time basis as there is now shelter accommodation for 525 children.

19.12.40

Seventy children were recipients of the William Ross Bequest and were given bags of cakes and sweets.

14.3.41

On the night of Thursday 14^th an air raid alert lasted from 9.15pm until 6.30am on Friday morning.  As a result the attendance on Friday was only 38%.

4.4.41

During Easter holidays (5-21^st April) various members of staff took part in the fire-watching scheme for the school.

5.5.41

School not opened until 10.30 – air raid alert in early hours.

9.5.41

Attendance for week 83.4% - frequent air raids during the week and resultant loss of sleep by the children.

3.6.41

As 5.5.41 – air raid alert.

 

SESSION 1941 – 1942 6.11.41

Rehearsal of the arrangements for the Rest Centre was carried through.  The W.V.S. attended the rehearsal which was very successful.

7.11.41

Mr J.M. Paterson ceased work today as he has been appointed a Forecaster with the Meteorological Department of the Air Ministry.

6.4.42

For the part year ending 31.3.42 the amount collected by the School War Savings Group was £493-15-4 as compared with £262-19-4 for the previous year.

 1.6.42

Rest Centre

A rehearsal of the arrangements for the working of H.P. School Rest Centre was held tonight from 7 to 9pm.  All the staff who had been detailed for administration duties were present and there were also about thirty members of the W.V.S. on duty.  The Lord and Lady Provost accompanied by the Town Clerk and Bailie Tom Thomson visited the school and inspected the Rest Centre.  The Lord Provost expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements, thanked the staff for their good work and addressed the parents who had taken part in the rehearsal.

5.6.42

The King and Queen visited Leith and the children of this school, under the charge of their teachers had a stand in Duke Street from which to view the Royal Visitors. 

 

SESSION 1942-43 3.9.42

Third anniversary of outbreak of war – a special service was held this morning in the School Hall.  Rev Mr W Roberts, the Religious Supervisor, gave an address to the pupils.

23.9.42

Mr Adams of the BBC visited the school to hear the first Autumn Broadcast of Current Affairs.  The talk was on Stalingrad and was very successful.  Class P5a took the broadcast.

7.12.42 

War Savings (weekly) – record £22-13-5

13.1.43

Mr Frewin HMI was in school today especially with regard to removal of school railings.  

 

SESSION 1943-1944 3.9.43

Short service to mark 4^th Year of war.  

17.5.44

Mrs Harper was granted leave of absence during her husband’s embarkation leave.  17^th-19^th inst.  

12.6.44

Janitor, Robert Henderson, removed to Leith Hospital suffering from Nephritis (inflammation of kidneys).  

 

SESSION 1944-45 2.11.44

Mrs Moore absent today – husband (in forces) home on leave – will return to duties on Monday 13^th November.  

8 and 9.5.45

School closed for VE Day. 

24.5.45

Empire Day – service at Lochend Church.

  

SESSION 1945-1946 24.9.45

Mrs McLenaghan (Sewing Teacher) is absent on 30 day leave as her Canadian husband has been granted demobilisation leave.  Returned 22.10.45. 

7.6.46

Victory Service in Hall 11.15am

Victory cards distributed 

20.6.46

Victory sports held at Hawkhill.