St Chads School Photographs

1957 - 1959

List of teachers from St. Chads

Mostly supplied by Andy Reynolds.

Mr Stone (Headmaster), Mr Daniels (Gardening), Mr Percy (Maths), Mr Holt (Science), Mr Williams (English), Wally Walsham, Beaky Jones, Mr Stafford, Mr Jackson, Mr Burrows, Mr Pugh, Mr Goss, Mr Preece (Technical Drawing then returned as Headmaster), Miss Reece, Mrs Griggs, Miss Jacobs, Aggie White (Assistant Head), Miss Trussler (Music), Bob Martin (Art), Miss Birch (Religion), Miss Lovell (Dancing)

1957 1st year at St Chads - Back row - Margaret O'Neill, Hazel Constable, Linda Wilson, Iris Powell, Christine Talbot, Music Teacher Miss Trussler, Lynette Morrell, Brenda Reeves, ?, Antonia McQuaid. Middle row - Jean McCabe, Doreen Horsnell, Carol Parfrey, Sandra Wakeling, Valerie Little, Brenda Garwood, Jackie Cook, ?, Maria Dichomedes, Valerie Parchment, Carol Cox. Front row - Terry Keeble (Twin), Terry Dowman, Paul Carter, Tony Keeble (Twin), Peter Taylor, Freddy Shepherd, Michael (Biffo) Byford, David (Monty) Hale, Cliff Cowin.
Cliff Cowin
1958 2nd year at St Chads - Back row - Maureen Saunders, Maureen Smith ? Sandra Wakeling, Ray Dines, Robert Gilbert, ? Harold Girt, John Shovlar. Second row - Raymond Mann, Michael Barret, Frankie Gray, David Wingham, Barry Palmer ? Linda Humphries, Caroline Haines, ? ?. Third row - ? ? Carol Reynolds, Iris Powell, Christine Talbot, Tony Keeble (Twin), Terry Downman, Michael Durrell, Andy Reynolds, Ronnie Atkinson. Front row - Michael Fox, Peter Taylor, Pat May, Pat Hutson, Carol Cox, Valerie Parchment, Terry Keeble (Twin), David Grant.
Cliff Cowin
1959 3rd year at St Chads - Back row - Roy Bridgehouse, Harold (bubby) Girt, John Henry, Robert Gilbert, ? Terry Dowman, John Hardcastle, Michael Fox, Peter Taylor. Middle row - Raymond Mann, Paul Carter, Cliff Cowin, John Lowther, Tony Keeble (Twin), Barry Palmer, Lennie Scruby, Terry Keeble (Twin), John Morris. Front row - David Grant, Christine Talbot, Carol Cox, Valerie Parchment, Iris Powell, Maureen Saunders, ? Sheila Cotton, Caroline Haines, Carol Reynolds, Dickie Penfold.
Cliff Cowin

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  • Yes he was my dad.

    By Melvin barnes (06/12/2023)
  • Yes I remember Melvin very well. If I remember correctly he had a younger brother who became John Scott.

    By Percy Dalton (23/05/2022)
  • Hi, does anyone remember Melvin Barnes? He is no longer with us but he is my grandad. Thank you!

    By Paige (21/05/2022)
  • Its rather pleasant to be remembered. Its many years since I have lived in the Tilbury area. Yes my father did own a butchers shop in civic square. The manager was George Gunning, one of the staff was Peter Shaw. I now live in a village , Slaley in Northumberland. Quite different from Tilbury ! Derek lowe

    .

    By Derek lowe (03/11/2018)
  • Hello Derek, I started at that very learned place! in 1948 (there are photos of the boys school taken in 1948 on this site, I believe your are in the 3rd row down between George Austin and Don Mills,) and your name is ringing bells in my head, did your father have the butchers shop in St Chads road next to Cokers? and did you live in on of the house’s in Biggin Lane, as did Peter and Jean Clarke? If I’m correct then that’s not bad for a memory going back 70 years. In the mean time. I wish you well

    By Tony Duligal (03/11/2018)
  • I left st. Chads in 1950 having finished in 4a. So i would have started in 1946 after being at manirway junior school much thise early years spent in the school air raid shelters derek lowe

    By Derek lowe (01/11/2018)
  • I would love to read more about St.Chads school,from 1953 until 1957, mr, Stone was our headmaster then,

    By Georgia Graham (16/08/2016)
  • Hi Andy sorry to have taken so long to reply yes I did appear on juke box jury I went to live with my stepsister in Poplar and she had got the tickets its so long ago. Carol

    By Carol Tuck (29/07/2015)
  • Andy,

    I’ve looked long and hard at that boy’s face but I’m sorry to say I can’t come up with a name.

    Cliff you’ll find that Charlie Eldridge features in the Manorway Junior school photos.

    By Percy Dalton (25/05/2015)
  • The winner of the spot the face competition is Percy. I too think that this is Michael Fox and I have updated the caption to include his name.

    Andy, I can picture Charlie Eldridge’s face and I am quite surprised that he is not in any of the photographs.

    By Cliff Cowin (24/05/2015)
  • looking again I think you are right Percy, well done. do you know the boy in back row of 1959 pic between Robert Gilbert and Terry Downman, cheers Andy

    By andy reynolds (24/05/2015)
  • Andy,

    I’m sure that is Mickey Fox from Dickens Avenue.

    Percy Dalton

    By Percy Dalton (22/05/2015)
  • Hi Cliff, I think the boy in back row second from the end between John Hardcastle and Peter Taylor is Charlie Eldridge, Regards Andy.

    By Andy Reynolds (21/05/2015)
  • Hi Carol, I remember you at St Chads, didn’t you appear on the tv in Juke Box Jury?

    By andy reynolds (15/01/2015)
  • Hi Cliff I remember your name and yes I did live in Dickens Avenue No 32 just had a look at a picture of it and wished I hadnt got a little nostalgic. regards carolff66b

    By Carol Tuck (20/07/2014)
  • Hi Carol,

    I have now added your name to the list.

    I think I remember you. Did you live in Dickens Avenue?

    By Cliff Cowin (16/07/2014)
  • The first photo at the top of the page, second row, third person in I believe is myself as then Carol Parfrey and new Sandra Wakeling and Lynette Morrel others seem a little hazy.I was born 1945 and attended St Chads round about 1955/56

    By Carol Tuck (15/07/2014)
  • Keith – no wonder you fled to Australia! There were Pugh’s at St. Chad’s. I can remember Lorraine. She had a brother whose name escapes me. They were not related to me.

    Mr. Holt did keep his cane up his sleeve. Many years after I started teaching at the ‘Academy’ and when I was responsible for the Lower School, I came across one of my charges trembling in front of him as he said, “I caned your father. I caned your father’s father. Now I’m going to cane you!”

    By Eddie Pugh (12/07/2014)
  • Eddie

    Once again great pictures and great memories, as you said pity about the quality of the teachers football team photo.  Are you the Pugh that was in my sister Elaine’s class?

    You mentioned Mr. Tyler, now of Corby, have you any more info on his whereabouts now.  Would love to talk to him.  I have a special recollection of him I bowled a fast ball at him and it zoomed passed his head, scaring the living daylights out of him, and he proceeded to chase me off the cricket pitch whilst waving his bat and screaming you b………. you could have killed me. Funny, he was the only one not laughing! – a great guy as were most of the teachers. Do you remember his nickname Whooper Tyer?  Tony Parkes and I often talk about him and the laughs he gave us.

    Keith Luck

    By Keith Luck (07/07/2014)
  • I started at St Chads around 1963/4 and remember Mr Pugh,Monty,Mr Percy,Mr Williams,Charlie Patnaik & Mr Holt who use to hid his cane up his sleeve also a couple of women teachers Miss Jones and Mrs Richardson the latter use to take myself and John Cousins for tennis at Grays Rec. We also got a Welsh teacher who tried to take us to play rugby but we were having none of it as we all loved football .the boys at the back of the 1st photo are L to R Jimmy Barker ? John Cousins & Micky Coughlin they were in my class at school but I can not recall this 

    By Michael Cox (01/07/2014)
  • In the mid-sixties St. Chads was one of only two schools in the UK that hosted a visit by an official NASA Spacemobile. The other school was Kettering Grammar renowned for tracking Russian manned spaceflights. This unit was on its way back from a tour of US forces bases in Germany and stopped off in the UK for a brief period. St. Chads was its first port of call in the UK as the ship docked in Tilbury on its way back to the States.

    The lecture was shared with pupils from Torrels school. I recognise some of the Chadites in the close-up photo, but would be interested in how many former pupils remember the occasion. It was quite a ‘feather in the cap’ for a lowly Essex ‘sec. mod.’ to have such a visit as America was gearing up for the Apollo Moon landings.

    The photos are here and here.

    By Eddie Pugh (30/06/2014)
  • I started teaching at the ‘Academy’ in September 1958. Yes, Jack Stone was the Head but the school was run by three girls – Margaret Girt, Christine Musson and Pauline Hurrel. I quickly learnt that it paid to keep on the right side of them.

    My first classroom was in the old annexe. I had the one at the end on the right as one looked at it from the main building. As one walked down the central corridor to the left would be my room, then a woodwork shop of Mr. Jackson. Through some dividing doors was a science room used by Mr. Patnaik and later by Mr. Flory. At the far end was the history room of Mr. Williams – the deputy head. Coming back down the corridor, opposite Mr. Williams was the Art room of Mr. Martin. Next was Miss Jacobs, who taught Art. Immediately through the dividing doors was a room that was used as a film room and then another woodwork room occupied by Mr. Burrows. This annexe was burnt down in 1963, the fire believed to have started in Mr. Burrows room and caused by faulty wiring.

    The other person one learnt to keep on the right side of was Bob Ingram, the school caretaker. He had an assistant called Charlie who gave me the biggest ‘telling off’ I ever received at St. Chads. My room in the annexe had a coal stove at the back that was only supposed to be lit on the due date in October. However, the room was so cold that I fired it up, much to Charlie’s annoyance.

    In those days there was no communication between the buildings. This led to one incident that sticks in the memory. It was quite common for the school to close early whenever there was a football match being televised. It happened that one of these early closures came on a day when there was a thick fog. Mr. Stone decided to close the school but neglected to send anyone to tell us in the annexe. Because it was so quiet, eventually Mr. Williams decided to send someone across to the main building to find out was going on. The pupil returned to inform us that the school was all shut up and that nobody was there. Looking on the bright side of it, the pupils that day had the advantage of an extra 45 minutes education!

    One other memory of these early years. As an encouragement to promote good attendance, if a class achieved 100% in a week they were allowed to leave 15 minutes early the following Friday. My registration group got to Friday afternoon with full attendance – a very rare event. However, at registration, one boy was missing. Fortunately for him, his name escapes me after all these years. Having called the register, I was informed that a couple of the lads knew where the missing boy was likely to be and would I hold back from sending the register in. Who was I to argue, so off they went and some five minutes later arrived back frog marching their missing class mate to be recorded as present and so gain their reward.

    St. Chads was a great school with many colourful characters as its pupils. I wouldn’t swop them for anyone and I had, and have, very happy memories of my time there. Perhaps more later if you can bear with my aged ramblings!

    By Eddie Pugh (24/06/2014)
  • This is a photo of the staff football team taken circa 1964/5. Apologies for the poor quality.

    Standing left to right: Bill Jones; ? Doyle (Irish supply teacher); Anthony Long (supply teacher); Eddie Pugh (permanent staff); ? Mullery (Irish supply teacher); Tom Stafford (county unattached teacher); ? Tyler (supply teacher who went on the become head of a school in Corby that featured in a TV series)

    Front row left to right: Les Jones (supply teacher who became head of Gable Hall School); ?; Bob Montgomery (permanent staff); W. Allison (county unattached staff); ?.

    By Eddie Pugh (24/06/2014)
  • Thanks again Trevor and Doreen. I have now updated the 1957 picture.

    We already have a name for back row far right as being Peter Taylor.

    I don’t remember Lucas Dichomedes being in this year.

    By Cliff Cowin (04/04/2014)
  • Hi Doreen has had another look at 1957 1st year. middle row Jean Mccabe, Doreen horsenell ? Sandra Wakeling Val Little, Brenda Garwood Jackie Cook. [Left to right faceing the photo]

    I think 1959 3rd year far right back row is Lucas Diacomedes. not sure about the speling, but he lived in kelvin road, same road as me.I left stchads 1959

    By Trevor Neild (03/04/2014)
  • Thank you Trevor for the additional names. I have updated the caption to include them. Only six to go and we will have a full set.

    If I have got my sums right this year must be your GOLDEN wedding anniversary – Congratulations to you both.

    By Cliff Cowin (02/04/2014)
  • 1957 FIRST YEAR ST CHADS TOP ROW FIRST LEFT IS MARGARET ONEILL, NEXT TO HER IS HAZEL CONSTABLE,MIDDLE ROW SECOND FROM THE LEFT DOREEN HORSNELL.[ TREVOR NEILD DOREENS HUSBAND SINCE 1964]

    By Trevor Neild (01/04/2014)
  • I came from Poplar in East London to serve the last two years of my apprenticeship with the Ayr Engineering in Tilbury docks.one of the other apprentices was Johnny Morris who is shown in your school photos and also Ricky Graham who is mentioned in one of the list.If Ricky and Johnny still around I would love to hear from them.if they are would you please give them my email address if requested or anyone else who think they know me.

     

    By Ernie Leahy (21/02/2014)
  • Hi Ernie,

    John Morris is my brother-in-law.  I told him about your comment on the website and he would love to make contact, only problem is his computer is out of action at the moment.  He will be able to communicate when fixed. Otherwise I can pass on any messages in the meantime.

    By Lillian Morris (Locke)

    21.2.2014

    (Note from administrator: If you wish to contact Lillian, send an e-mail to contacts@tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk and it will be passed on.)

    By Lillian Morris (Locke) (21/02/2014)
  • Yes I remember Jimmy and Malcolm Malthouse as I use to live next door to them in Christchurch Road  

    By sammy carter (16/02/2014)
  • I left St Chad’s in 1949, I remember Beaker Jones, with his large, and prominent nose, and another Mr Jones who was ex-RAF whom we nicknamed Beaker’s Brother.

    By Eddie Shirley (06/09/2013)
  • You don’t seem to have any luck yet Susan. Perhaps a little more detail would help, such as age group or where they lived as lads. Also remember with 300 odd boys and 100 coming and going each year, it is not possible to remember everybody, so don’t be too disappointed. I don’t femember the name, (and if your Uncle is like me, pushing 90 the choice gets smaller!)

    By Les Savill (09/08/2013)
  • Jimmy Malthouse is my uncle, my dads name was Michael he had brothers Malcolm and Robert (Bob) does anyone remember them.

    By susan mccrory nee Malthouse (01/08/2013)
  • What a wonderful site this is, so many memories that we share. All it takes is for some-one to mention a teacher or event and the memories come flooding back. Thank you all for sharing.

    By Ted Fairman (24/07/2013)
  • A correction on my previous comments on Mr. Holt.It was in the early 50’s that I came over from Kent to visit my old school. Mr.Stone was Headmaster then, He, by the way, came from Landsdowne Rd. School taking over 3A and special subject Art, sharing with Mr. Whitelock. Mr Henderson came at the same time sharing woodwork wih Mr. Powell. While I was in the office that day old “beaker” came in to say hello. Another teacher also came in and was introduced to me as, I think, Mr. Holt. I didn’t know the man and he wasn’t teaching while I was a pupil.so he must have replaced Mr. Cooke who I believe moved to the new school Manorway.However he took me into his classroom to show me his tank of Shubunkin fish. Perhaps one of the lads from the 50’s could confirm that for me.I am gettig on a bit and the old mind does wander! A little tit-bit of information.We were not mixed classes in my day.Girls had the left side classrooms, boys had the right, and the doors along the corridoor were bolted and locked! Even the back playground was divided with a railing across the middle. One of the highlights of our time at St. Chads was to lean on those railings after school to watch the girls play netball. While they were playing they had their skirts tucked into their Knickers. Seeing all those white legs and black knickers was a glorious and exciting sight for us lads in those days!!!! Ted. Mr. Cooke did the same electric stunt with us all those years ago.

    By Les Savill (20/07/2013)
  • Thanks Cliff As you can see by my spelling of Wimshurst machine I was never top of class at spelling. I also recall he formed us in a circle holding hands and said he would send an electric current round the circle, warning us not to break the circle or we would get an electric shock if we did. I held on for dear life! Les, yes beaker Jones was still there in 1958.

    By Ted Fairman (19/07/2013)
  • Hi Ted, Yes I remember Mr Holt with the Wimshurst machine. When you turned the handle it would generate electricity that would make a lightning strike across two terminals. I also remember him explaining how we swallow by holding David Grant (I think) upside down on his desk drinking through a straw. No health and safety then, but we survived.

    By Cliff Cowin (18/07/2013)
  • The teachers name’s interest me. I can remember Stone, Preece. We had two William’s (big and little) your one sounds like the big one.Old “beaker” Jones was he still there? The name Holt rings a bell. I think he took over from Mr. Cairns in science in my day- which, by the way was 1929-1938. Linda Humphrys(note the spelling) I was, and still am, great friends of her family. She marreid Trevor Howes and lives in Norfolk now. I lived next door to them in Feenan Highway before the war.WW11. Is there anyone still around of 3a 1937/8?

    By les savill (17/07/2013)
  • Couple of memories of teachers Mr Williams I believe had a chalkboard wiper he called his “persuader” he used to creep behind you and rap you’re knuckles if you were talking. Mr Holt had a windsert machine which created electricity. He taught me not to mix electric & water with a story about a mouse under an electric meter anyone else remember the story.

    By Ted Fairman (03/07/2013)
  • Hello Andy Thanks for that info Pennel, Britton, Foreman, Day all ring a bell It was 55 years ago and my old memory is not what it used to.

    By Ted Fairman (04/06/2013)
  • Hi Ted, It was Ray Austin, Melvin Rogers, probally in your year was Ronnie Day, Melvin Barnes, Ray Pennel, Ricky Graham, Winky Graham, Les Reynolds, Johnny Gudgion, John Britton,Tommy Cole, Clive Foreman, Jimmy Malthouse just to name a few

    By andy reynolds (01/06/2013)
  • I left St chads in 1958 some of the people I remember John Bell, John Barker, John Bellamy,Peter Hallet, Peter Bundock,? Phillips, Fred Lee, Norman Barwick, ? Austin, Peter Umfrerville, Eddie Goldstone, Lul Lul Jackson, Eddie Jones, Sid Palmer, ? Rogers, Eddie Wilson, ? Knight, Brian Wade, ? Crosby, ? Coleman, Nutty Taylor, Fuzzy Bear, Mickey Warrell and my close friends David Pritchard, George Webb, George Squelch, Brian Webster. Sorry If I missed anyone some were nicknames! I would love to see my class photo

    By Ted Fairman (29/05/2013)
  • Sorry Andy but I don’t remember Miss Hobbs. Although I have just remembered Miss Lovell a part time dance teacher. I think she was brought out of retirement as she was very old. If she is still alive she would be about 130 now! Maybe someone else out there can come up with some additional names.

    By Cliff Cowin (30/04/2013)
  • Was there a teacher called Miss Hobbs Cliff

    By andy reynolds (29/04/2013)
  • The girl fourth from left is Iris Powell and the year is 1959, they are all my class mates and I was born in 1945.

    By andy reynolds (26/04/2013)
  • I am Sharon Richards Mum and that is not my daughter she was born in 1954 and she didn’t go to St Chads until 1965.

    By Audrey` Richards (26/04/2013)
  • The pupils in this picture would have been born around 1945/46. I am in this class and I was born in 1946.

    By Cliff Cowin (26/04/2013)
  • Hi Andy, Thanks for the names of teachers. I have started a list of teachers at the top of the page which I can update.

    By Cliff Cowin (26/04/2013)
  • I dont think the photo of 1959 is 1959 as the girl 4th from the left is my niece Sharon Richards I if I recall she was born 1953/54 I think

    By sammy carter (25/04/2013)
  • Hi Cliff, couple more names 1958 pic sec row from left to right fourth boy is David Wingham first girl .Is Lind Humphries

    By andy reynolds (04/04/2013)
  • Lets have a go at naming the teachers, Mr Daniels,Mr Percy, Mr Holt, Mr Williams, Wally Walsham, Beaky Jones, Mr Stafford, Mr Jackson, Mr Burrows, Mr Pugh, Mr Goss, Mr Preece, Miss Reece, Mrs Birch, Mrs Griggs, Miss Jacobs, Aggie White, Miss Trussler,

    By andy reynolds (04/04/2013)
  • Hi Cliff, have a few more names, 1957 pic last girl in back row is Antonia McQuaid, 1958 pic first boy front row Michael Fox, 1959 pic front row girl fourth from end Sheila Cotton, 1958 pic back row second girl Maureen Smith.and front row girl between Pat May and Carol Cox looks like Pat Hutson, cheers for now.

    By andy reynolds (03/04/2013)
  • Thanks Andy for supplying so many names. I have filled in a few gaps and put them as captions under each photograph. If anyone can supply any missing names I will update the captions.

    By Cliff Cowin (29/03/2013)
  • Right lets have a go at naming them, 1957= back row ? ? Linda Wilson, Iris Powell, Christine Talbot, teacher Miss Trussler, Lynette Morell, Brenda Reeves., middle row, ? ? ? Sandra Wakeling, ? ? ? Maria Dichomedes, ? Carol Cox, front row, Keeble Twin, Terry Downman, ? Keeble Twin, Peter Taylor, Freddy Shepherd, Michael biffo Byford, Monty Hale, Cliff Cowen. 1958 = back row, ? ? ? Sandra Wakeling, Ray Dines, Robert Gilbert, ? Harold Girt, John Shovlar, second row, Raymond Mann, Michael Barret,Frankie Gray, ? ? ? ? ? ? ?. third row, ? ? Carol Reynolds, Iris Powell, Christine Talbot, Keeble twin, Terry Downman, Michael Durrell, Andy Reynolds, Ronnie Atkinson. front row, ? Peter Taylor, Pat May, ? Carol Cox, ? Keeble twin, David Grant. 1959= back row, Roy Bridgehouse, Harold bubby Girt, John Henry, Robert Gilbert, ? Terry Downman, ? ? Peter Taylor, middle row Raymond Mann, ? Cliff Cowen, John Lowther, Keeble Twin, Barry Palmer, Lennie Scruby, Keeble twin, John Morris. front row, David Grant,Christine Talbot, ? ? Iris Powell, Maureen Saunders, ? ? ? Carol Reynolds, Dickie Penfold, I Know the Keeble twins are Terry and Tony but can’t remember which is which, still don’t think I’ve done bad naming most of them after all it’s over fifty years ago.

    By andy reynolds (09/11/2012)

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