including Woolwich & Districts

Plum Lane School

Plum Lane School Photo 1949. Photo: Derek Boswell
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Does anyone know any of these pupils? If so please email Pete

Plum Lane School Photo 1954. Photo: David Butler
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The Teacher is Mr Benjamin (Ben to us) Kearns. I am second row from bottom fourth from the right.

David Butler's school “Mug Shot”, Plum Lane c.1955
See story Memories of Childhood

John Ball at Plum Lane School probably age about 11-12. Note the tartan
shirt probably bought for or from School holiday in Scotland. Photo: John Ball

Again at Plum Lane perhaps year or two years later. Note the shirt!
Same one probably and very worn around the collar. Not easy days for a
family of 8. Photo: John Ball

I, John Dedman, went there in 1959, from Eglinton primary School.
My form teacher was Mr Smith.
When I first started there I think the Headmaster, another Mr Smith, was retiring. And Mr Green took over.
I liked the school very much. Friendly boys. Great teachers, And I always came top of the class.
There for two years. Then sent to Bloomfield School. I didn't like that school at all. One of the young teachers was obsessed with vampires. It seemed every time he took our class he would concentrate on "how to kill a vampire:. Us boys weren't frightened by him. We just thought he was a bit barmy.
Then there was the teacher, about to retire, who I believe was a strong Labour Party. Supporter. "Don't think if you lived in past years you'd be one of the Lords. You would live in poverty". He said.
Well I think us boys all knew that. Because we were living in poverty then.

In Plumstead, in 1961.
I had worn short trousers up 'till then and my mum couldn't afford long trousers to send me to Bloomfield. But she saved up and bought me a pair of long trousers eventually.
Anyway, I was soon out of the school and away from the bully boys. We moved to the country.