by Alan Smith (1942-48)
I was one of the few ‘ working class’ boys, entering the school in 1942, and streamed into the ‘1B’ class. I was the son of a carpenter. Others included David Cripps, whose father was a postman and Gerald Webb. The three of us were moved into the ‘A’ class in the third year.
Due to a change in the examination timetable we three had to sit the School Certificate examination whilst in the 4th form, rather than in the fifth, i.e.one year early. All three of us passed the School Certificate but in order to get matriculation we sat some subjects again in December that year and were successful in that endeavour.
We all left school in 1948 aged 16. I went into the Civil Service, David Cripps into the car industry, and Gerald Webb into retailing.
My purpose in writing is hopefully that through your magazine I may be able to trace David and Gerald (Gerry) . David I know went to Detroit as a draughtsman for the Chrysler Company in the late fifties and I lost touch with him. I have no knowledge of Gerry since our school days. It would be good to contact these old school pals again.