Wardie School - Recollections from the 1940s

Air Raid practices were held in the playground where there were shelters 'and lots of sand bags to burst!' The cloakrooms and passage beneath the North Corridor were also made suitable for air raid shelters. At night the teachers took it in turns to sleep upstairs in the school to man the stirrup pumps in case of fire.

HMS Lochinvar

HMS Lochinvar Royal Navy Camp was built at the north end of the school playing fields. Hence the name 'Lockies' used by some to describe the school playing fields, even fifty years later.

Following the end of the War in 1945, Lochinvar Camp remained in the school fields and was used to house homeless persons of many nationalities. There were huts of all sizes and a camp shop. Children from the district used the camp as a short-cut to Goldenacre.

Wardie Residents' Club

The Wardie Residents Club was formed around 1945. It later found accommodation in one or two of the H.M.S. Lochinvar huts. Their dances in Wardie School hall were popular. Children were soon given a nearby large room for organized frolics. Douglas Beath

Visits to the School

There are records of visits to the school by Polish Officers, Czechoslovakian Officers and by speakers on behalf of 'The Navy' and 'National Savings'.

School Houses

Wardie School had four 'Houses'

Warriston - red

Royston - Green

Craighall - Blue

Bangholm - white.

Pupils would normally stay in the same 'House' throughout the school and even when they moved on to Trinity Academy.

Books

Pupils were given a list of books to buy. These cost 2s 6d each at Mrs Whyte's shop across the road from the school, or about 4d each if bought second-hand from other children in the school.

Lessons

The school desks were in formal rows. Lessons included dictation, learning tables and writing on slates, physical exercises, art, singing, needlework and sewing.

Prize Givings

Prize-givings were held in the school garden in the centre of the school, with the choir singing from their position on the steps.

'Dig for Victory'

Some classes were taken outside to help the teacher to dig the allotments on the Netherby Road side of the school fields as part of the 'Dig for Victory' campaign.

School Dinners

School dinners were cooked at Granton and brought to the school in large metal containers. The dinners were served in front of an open fire in the Football Pavilion beside the Tennis Courts in the adjoining recreation ground.

[Anniversary Booklet - Wardie School 1931-1981]

Wardie School Class - 1940

School Class - 1940

Thank you to to Edward Thomson, Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland for sending the photograph above. Please click on this photo to enlarge it.

Edward wrote:

1940 Class Photo

"This photograph is of Miss Fraser's class at Wardie Primary, the 'returned evacuees' in 1940, ready for the dreaded Qualifying Exam. I am extreme right second back row.

The photo was taken 66 years ago. Believe it or not, I am still in contact with some of the 'survivors' all in our late 70's now.

The Headmaster at the time was at that time Mr Downie, who was also my late Father's teacher at Torphichen Street School at Haymarket in 1906. I have a Class Photo somewhere of him in 1906 which may be of interest."

Evacuation

"Wardie School was evacuated to Gauldry in Fife in September 1939. The remaining non-evacuees were dispersed to various local houses to continue being taught on a part time basis.

One I remember was Mrs Henderson in Boswall Green mother of Stewart Henderson who was a classmate. Another was Mrs Roberts, also at Boswall Green. Her daughter, Edwina, was also a classmate."

Dress Code

"You will notice a marked difference in the 'dress code' as it was Wartime and, by 1940, clothing restrictions were becoming apparent! Quite a difference from my 1930's photograph of me that you have already published!"

Ed Thomson - 1936