WWII at Viscount Beaumont's School, Colerton
On May 8th and 9th 1945 the children of Viscount Beaumont’s School, Coleorton, had a two-day holiday, which as for all youngsters was very welcome. But the occasion was likely more significant for their parents as the conclusion of the war in Europe. Surely everyone took a sigh of relief and thankfulness; however, the school log book does not record any organised celebration or service.
After the school summer break in 1939 the war in Europe had started. By December gas masks were issued for the children. The following term the “Director and Surveyor” visited to identify places where pupils could shelter in the event of an air raid and some windows were boarded up. Although Coleorton itself did not suffer any bombing (except in October 1940 when some incendiary bombs were dropped probably in error by the Germans on Botany Bay in the Moorlands) there would have been effects on the life of the village. Many men would have served in the armed forces but quite a few continued in reserved occupations of mining and agriculture.
Throughout the war years school life continued with the usual exams and school inspections, visits from school nurses, dentists and diphtheria vaccinations! Sir George and Lady Beaumont visited the school when they could, and although their usual tea parties were abandoned during the war years each child received a book, an orange and an apple for Christmas.
The biggest disruption was in the autumn of 1940 with the arrival of 24 evacuee children from Chelsea, London, and 47 from East Birmingham making a total of 169 pupils at the school. Miss Seal came as a teacher from London and Miss Lapworth, Miss Lewis and Miss Hall from Birmingham. There were 6 classes. Initially classrooms were divided and some children had to sit on the floor. Later one class was located to the Rectory next door.
The pupils participated in a number of campaigns to raise money for the war effort and also to promote National Savings. May 1941 was Ashby “War Weapons Week” with competitions for painting, writing etc with several Coleorton pupils receiving prizes. Pupils also collected scrap iron and waste paper.
The usual long summer holiday was split into three shorter periods to allow boys in particular to help on the farms, hay making in the summer and potato-picking later in the year.
A big event – on 21 November 1944 the school canteen opened with 80 meals being served from the newly-built kitchen. To accommodate the diners chairs were borrowed from the adjacent St John’s chapel.
In December head-teacher Mr Leeds was ill for some months. The temporary replacement head reported the school was very cold, despite a new boiler having been installed 2 years earlier. On a couple of mornings he measured Class 1 room at 45deg farenheit – 7 deg centigrade! The weather had been decidedly snowy that winter and on several days children were unable to get to school through rain and snow.
Pupils and teachers must have been very relieved with the official ending of the European part of the war and enjoyed the two days holiday. Mrs Logan left to get married and Miss Hall from Birmingham asked to transfer permanently to Coleorton.
Compiled by: Sandra Dillon
Member of Coleorton Heritage Group
April 2025