Wartime Banbury
St Mary's Primary School Log Book
The following are extracts from the Log Book of St Mary's Primary School, Southam Road, Banbury, reproduced here by kind permission of the school. At the time of the Second World War, boys and girls were still educated separately and each department would have had its own headteacher.
The daily record of the Girls Department was kept until her retirement on 31st August 1944 by headmistress Ethel Alice Mardell. She was succeeded after this date by Ada M. Bennett. Miss Mardell was born in Edmonton, London in 1884, and both her mother and aunt were also teachers.
The Log Book for the years 1939 to 1945 begins with the school being closed for two weeks, due to the outbreak of war. This period covers what is known as "The Phoney War", when very little actually happened. Although the school was holding frequent air raid drills, the first air raid warning is not mentioned until 15th November 1940, the night that Coventry was bombed.
In all, a total of 31 air raids are mentioned in the log book, which seems surprising given that Banbury itself was only hit twice. However, the sirens would have sounded whenever enemy planes were sighted, and often they would be on their way north to industrial towns such as Coventry and Birmingham, or aiming for the Aluminium Factory to the north of the town.
4th September 1939
School should have re-opened today but owing to the War we were closed for a further fortnight.
18th September 1939
School re-opened this morning. I have absorbed into the school fourteen girls from the Cyril Jackson School, London and also sixteen Self Evacuees from various parts of the country. Two teachers from the Cyril Jackson School have also been placed here for the present. These are Miss Pickard and Mrs Thomas.
22nd September 1939
"Gas Mask" and "Shelter" drill have been taken every day this week.
22nd September 1939
The fourteen Cyril Jackson girls have left this department this afternoon and are now to attend the Congregational Hall.
30th October 1939
Air raid warning practices are being taken frequently to get the children thoroughly used to them.
8th January 1940
Miss D Crabb has been recalled to the Bow Central School.
14th June 1940
School closed all day in order that teachers might assist with billeting.
17th June 1940
The Education Committee again closed school in order that teachers might assist with billeting.
23rd June 1940
64 evacuees registered this morning.
26th June 1940
Admitted evacuees to make total up to accommodation of 200.
28th June 1940
A verbal message came from Mr Webb that if the air-raid warning goes during the night the children are not to attend school until 10am the next morning.
1st July 1940
Mrs Tansley (LCC) and Mrs Grey (West Ham) both evacuated teachers, commenced duty at this school at 9am today.
18th September 1940
70 newly evacuated children registered here this morning and two this afternoon. I am admitting 21 of these tomorrow, making my roll 225.
7th October 1940
I admitted ? evacuees this morning.
7th October 1940
Four evacuated teachers have commenced duties in this department this morning.
15th November 1940
"Raiders Passed" was not given until 6.15 this morning, therefore school opened at 10am.
(NB. Massive bombing of Coventry took place)
19th November 1940
School opened at 10am as "Raiders Passed" was not given until after 11pm.
20th November 1940
"Raiders Passed" was given after 11pm, therefore school opened at 10am.
12th December 1940
Opened school at 10am as "Raiders Passed" was not given until after 11pm last night.
13th December 1940
Opened school at 10am as "Raiders Passed" was not given until after 11pm last night.
8th January 1941
The "Alert" was given at 3.5 this afternoon and the Raiders passed at 3.20pm.
10th January 1941
The "Raiders Passed" was given after 11pm, therefore school opened at 10am today.
7th March 1941
The "Alert" sounded at 3.40pm. Children went to shelters. "Raisers Passed" sounded at 4.35pm.
12th March 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" went after 11pm last night.
13th March 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" went after 11pm last night.
14th March 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" went after 11pm last night.
18th March 1941
School assembled at 10am today owing to "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
8th April 1941
School assembled at 10am today owing to "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
9th April 1941
School assembled at 10am today owing to "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
21st April 1941
Mrs James (LCC) absent owing to house having been bombed.
19th to 26th April
War Weapons Week. The Girls Department raised £132 14 7.
30th April 1941
School assembled at 10am today owing to "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
2nd May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
5th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
7th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
8th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
9th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
10th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today as "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
30th May 1941
School assembled at 10am today owing to the "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
8th July 1941
Opened school at 10am today owing to the "Raiders Passed" being sounded after 11pm.
14th July 1941
Opened school at 10am today as the "Raiders Passed" was sounded after 11pm.
18th July 1941
Opened school at 10am owing to "Raid".
1st September 1941
Miss Green and Mrs Grey have been recalled to West Ham. Miss Kendall and Miss Goodie, both LCC, have joined the Girsl Staff this morning. Admitted 29 evacuees from the Cyril Jackson School which has been closed.
16th September 1941
I attended the cinema this morning to assist in choosing films for children tomorrow for War Savings Campaign.
5th January 1942
Three evacuated teachers, Mrs James, Miss Brand and Miss Kendall have been recalled to London.
4th February 1942
Mrs Sewell absent this morning (husband has 48 hours leave).
25th March 1942
Mrs Groucott absent this afternoon and tomorrow as her husband has 48 hours leave.
25th June 1942
Opened school at 10 o'clock as the "Alert" sounded after 11pm last night.
24th July 1942
Owing to the Alert having sounded after 11pm school opened at 10 o'clock this morning.
28th July 1942
Owing to the Alert having sounded after 11pm school opened at 10 o'clock this morning.
31st July 1942
Owing to "Alert" having sounded after 11pm school opened at 10 o'clock this morning. Closed school for Summer Holiday at noon but owing to War school remained open for those who wished to attend.
11th November 1942
Remembrance day. The "Silence" was observed at 11 o'clock.
30th August 1943
19 girls admitted from Infants Dept, (15 local and 4 evacuees).
11th November 1943
Armistice Day. The two minutes service was observed.
4th February 1944
School opened at 10am today due to the "Alert".
15th March 1944
School opened at 10am this morning owing to the "Alert" last night.
21st August 1944
Seven evacuees admitted.
20th October 1944
This afternoon a party of VI, VII and VIII girls visited the "Dig for Victory" exhibition.
1st December 1944
Mrs Sewell was absent because her husband is home on leave from the Navy.
29th November 1944
Mr Mardon sent to inform us that the Poppy Day Collection in this department amounted to £1 9s 4 ½ d.
2nd March 1945
Metropolitan Evacuating Authorities' common entrance examination for Secondary Schools held in the boys' dept. Five entrants from this department.
8th and 9th May 1945
School closed for VE day celebrations.
1st June 1945
Some evacuees went for medical inspection.
28th September 1945
Closed school, Monday Oct 1st being Banbury's VE Day.
5th October 1945
The 'Thanks to the Services' Savings Campaign in school realised £82 .3.10d.