Dear Ms O' Shaunessy.
Hope the following helps. On arrival at father Hudsons Homes your Grandfather along with his Brothers would have have been placed in one of four houses. St Vincents, St Josephs, St Antonys,or Our Ladys. Each was controlled by a House Sister. until he was eleven he would have gone to the junior School which was on site. Sister Rose who you mentioned was the Head teacher. She died in the Mid-Fifties. After eleven he would have gone to St Pauls Central School which was at the Bottom of Coleshill High St.
Head Master's were Firstly A Mr Curran,later on Mr Hope the latter would have been in charge when the Grandfather was there in the 1940's.
When he was fourteen/ fifteen, unless arrangements had been made with his Family he would have gone to St Vincents/St Thomas's/St Antonys.(Since demolshed) These were Buildings situated at the bottom of Mosely rd/Bradford St, for school leavers. A Mr Mason I believe was in charge there for a great No of years. From then onwards he would have started work and finally when I think about eighteen left the system.
He is correct when he said a bomb landed in the playground.It blew out all the windows on one side, the larger bomb landed in a field near Plumbs Farm creating a huge crater which when it snowed in the winter we used to sledge in. The Germans were after Ham's hall power Station some 3-4 miles away.( Since demolshed).
regarding Sr Emerencia, she was in charge of the Reforectory where we ate our meals. My last job was prior to my leaving was there, so I knew her quite well.I did in fact attend her funeral at Selly park when she died (Convent mother house).I have a photo of her in the refectory with all the boys eating taken I believe around the 1930/40s.
As regards his records, they are held by "the Father Hudsons Society" which is still based at Coleshill. They have their own website. By law you can apply and have copies of his records,which I might add My Brother and myself have already done so. and I'm told quite a few old Boys have done the same.
The main buildings as you are aware are derelict. However at the bottom of what was once the large playground, buildings have been built to house old folk suffering from dementia. They are I believe also using another building in Coleshill (St Andrews previously also a boys home ) for similar work.
Mr Regan (pop) as he was called was the teacher for the 2a class which i was in as I progressed through the system. Ms Morell I dont remember, before my time I think. I
understand now because of the condition of the homes there are moves to have they place demolished.I still have friends in Coleshill, who I see once or twice a year when I'm in The midlands,so they keep me up to date.
Sincerely hope this has been useful to you, if I can be of further assistance, dont hesitate to ask.
Best wishes
Morris 116
Hope the following helps. On arrival at father Hudsons Homes your Grandfather along with his Brothers would have have been placed in one of four houses. St Vincents, St Josephs, St Antonys,or Our Ladys. Each was controlled by a House Sister. until he was eleven he would have gone to the junior School which was on site. Sister Rose who you mentioned was the Head teacher. She died in the Mid-Fifties. After eleven he would have gone to St Pauls Central School which was at the Bottom of Coleshill High St.
Head Master's were Firstly A Mr Curran,later on Mr Hope the latter would have been in charge when the Grandfather was there in the 1940's.
When he was fourteen/ fifteen, unless arrangements had been made with his Family he would have gone to St Vincents/St Thomas's/St Antonys.(Since demolshed) These were Buildings situated at the bottom of Mosely rd/Bradford St, for school leavers. A Mr Mason I believe was in charge there for a great No of years. From then onwards he would have started work and finally when I think about eighteen left the system.
He is correct when he said a bomb landed in the playground.It blew out all the windows on one side, the larger bomb landed in a field near Plumbs Farm creating a huge crater which when it snowed in the winter we used to sledge in. The Germans were after Ham's hall power Station some 3-4 miles away.( Since demolshed).
regarding Sr Emerencia, she was in charge of the Reforectory where we ate our meals. My last job was prior to my leaving was there, so I knew her quite well.I did in fact attend her funeral at Selly park when she died (Convent mother house).I have a photo of her in the refectory with all the boys eating taken I believe around the 1930/40s.
As regards his records, they are held by "the Father Hudsons Society" which is still based at Coleshill. They have their own website. By law you can apply and have copies of his records,which I might add My Brother and myself have already done so. and I'm told quite a few old Boys have done the same.
The main buildings as you are aware are derelict. However at the bottom of what was once the large playground, buildings have been built to house old folk suffering from dementia. They are I believe also using another building in Coleshill (St Andrews previously also a boys home ) for similar work.
Mr Regan (pop) as he was called was the teacher for the 2a class which i was in as I progressed through the system. Ms Morell I dont remember, before my time I think. I
understand now because of the condition of the homes there are moves to have they place demolished.I still have friends in Coleshill, who I see once or twice a year when I'm in The midlands,so they keep me up to date.
Sincerely hope this has been useful to you, if I can be of further assistance, dont hesitate to ask.
Best wishes
Morris 116
