-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
I went to GD in 1962.. Form master was a young guy called Field -he also took history
The Head was Rumsby and deputy was I think Dilworth who may have become Head at some stage. I remember being wheeled into his office with another lad and told to hold our hands out..without warning he caned us I can remember the white hot pain - I always wanted to ask him what we had done but assumed I'd just get another.
Ces Fisher took English, he was inspirational with sarcasm in the same measure. Siddle for Chemistry, Les Somerton Physics..I remember Caplin who took his own life. Orrin ? for Geography, Robertson ? Biology. The maths teacher was a bald-headed guy round glasses, totally devoid of humour, straight out of a Dickens novel, I recall during one lesson a lad called Steven Davies was taking the mick out of him - without batting an eyelid he slowly moved to Davies's desk and proceeded to beat him up whilst still reading equations out loud from a book - and he did beat him up he was punching him viciously in the side of the head and twisting his ear lifting him out of the seat. Davies never winced he was a hard kid. I'd never seen such hatred.. For a while we had an overseas teacher for maths called Vetta who hardly spoke English but being maths it didn't affect me much.
Some of the kids there I remember; Ken Martin, Dave Peplow, Michael Ball ( became Birmingham Coroner ) John Collins, Ian 'Bumble' Billington, Esmond Rosen - great athlete- Dave Burley, Michael Jablonski, Firoz 'Fritz' Kanji ( he went on to establish then Oasis market in Brum ) Keith Cooper. They actually spelled Keith from the school on his last afternoon in the sixth form for turning up on his scooter.... happy days
The Head was Rumsby and deputy was I think Dilworth who may have become Head at some stage. I remember being wheeled into his office with another lad and told to hold our hands out..without warning he caned us I can remember the white hot pain - I always wanted to ask him what we had done but assumed I'd just get another.
Ces Fisher took English, he was inspirational with sarcasm in the same measure. Siddle for Chemistry, Les Somerton Physics..I remember Caplin who took his own life. Orrin ? for Geography, Robertson ? Biology. The maths teacher was a bald-headed guy round glasses, totally devoid of humour, straight out of a Dickens novel, I recall during one lesson a lad called Steven Davies was taking the mick out of him - without batting an eyelid he slowly moved to Davies's desk and proceeded to beat him up whilst still reading equations out loud from a book - and he did beat him up he was punching him viciously in the side of the head and twisting his ear lifting him out of the seat. Davies never winced he was a hard kid. I'd never seen such hatred.. For a while we had an overseas teacher for maths called Vetta who hardly spoke English but being maths it didn't affect me much.
Some of the kids there I remember; Ken Martin, Dave Peplow, Michael Ball ( became Birmingham Coroner ) John Collins, Ian 'Bumble' Billington, Esmond Rosen - great athlete- Dave Burley, Michael Jablonski, Firoz 'Fritz' Kanji ( he went on to establish then Oasis market in Brum ) Keith Cooper. They actually spelled Keith from the school on his last afternoon in the sixth form for turning up on his scooter.... happy days
Hi Ken,
Hi Ken, I remember you, we were in 3b to 5b together. (I was D P Davies [Peter]) Norris T Owen was our English Lang master who inspired you to such depth. Sadly, he left at the end of the Spring term in '64. He helped me greatly as I had been struggling and got me reading the editorials in the B'ham Post to learn how to construct and write an argument. That and his teaching of precis and comprehension have never left me and been useful right through life. He was an old boy of the school. I'm glad that you you have flourished and I wish you well with your Masters.
I attended 58 - 64. I've tried explaining to my friends and family about Porky Walker and his violence. A Yorkshire phsycopath who'd raise your forelock , slap your face or punch you in the back if you didn't know how many beans made five. He'd be under lock and key today.
Mr. Bond?
Mr. Pruit went on to Yardley Grammar School.
I attended 58 - 64. I've tried explaining to my friends and family about Porky Walker and his violence. A Yorkshire phsycopath who'd raise your forelock , slap your face or punch you in the back if you didn't know how many beans made five. He'd be under lock and key today.
I was at GD from 1957 to 1962 or 63, can't quite remember. The Pork was a fearsome character, no doubt about it. I well remember waiting for Chunky Brooks to turn up for an art lesson (in which no-one had the slightest interest) and when we got somewhat bored it was decided to have a 'chair race' around the arts room - that is, a boy sat on a steel-runnered chair, and another boy pushed him. Great fun. Until, suddenly, the squat figure of The Pork appeared in the doorway. He didn't even have to say anything. There was instant and total silence. We heard afterwards that Chunky had something of a telling-off for being late!
I may have mentioned this before, but when I was in 2A or 3A I lost, or had nicked, my money. Which meant I had no bus-fare to get home. I went to the ante-hall with a view to asking Mrs Moore, the secretary, to lend me the bus-fare; but The Pork was there, and demanded to know why I was still on the premises. I explained my predicament. He just said, "I see", and gave me some loose change. And I had to promise him I'd pay it back in the morning. Which I did....naturally. He had a human side.
The worst and most violent teacher I remember taught Physics and had a motor-scooter. Anyone know who I'm referring to...?
G
I was at GD from 1957 to 1962 or 63, can't quite remember. The Pork was a fearsome character, no doubt about it. I well remember waiting for Chunky Brooks to turn up for an art lesson (in which no-one had the slightest interest) and when we got somewhat bored it was decided to have a 'chair race' around the arts room - that is, a boy sat on a steel-runnered chair, and another boy pushed him. Great fun. Until, suddenly, the squat figure of The Pork appeared in the doorway. He didn't even have to say anything. There was instant and total silence. We heard afterwards that Chunky had something of a telling-off for being late!
I may have mentioned this before, but when I was in 2A or 3A I lost, or had nicked, my money. Which meant I had no bus-fare to get home. I went to the ante-hall with a view to asking Mrs Moore, the secretary, to lend me the bus-fare; but The Pork was there, and demanded to know why I was still on the premises. I explained my predicament. He just said, "I see", and gave me some loose change. And I had to promise him I'd pay it back in the morning. Which I did....naturally. He had a human side.
The worst and most violent teacher I remember taught Physics and had a motor-scooter. Anyone know who I'm referring to...?
G
Hi Terry,
I was at GD from 1951 to 1958 so the same time as you. Derek Acock had a NSU MAX 250cc but his father had a Vincent Rapide V twin. Lovely machine. I started going on a 250cc Excelsior Talisman twin then progressed to a 350cc Velocette MAC and finally for the last two terms a new 600cc Norton Dominator 99.
I was one of the biscuit sales team and we stored the biscuits in the secretary's office and one day when I was getting some biscuits Wally Walker came into the office and went over to the window and looked out of it and saw my Norton in the cycle shed there and said 'who the hell comes to school on that?' I kept very quiet and hurried out of the office.
I am still in contact with Derek and spoke to him a few days ago.
I recognise your name but I'm afraid that I cannot picture you. Sorry.
Brian B
AS some have already said the first Maths teacher was Polly Worthington but for the 5th and 6th forms it was A. H. D. Dutton. My Maths level went downhill with his teaching and I only recovered when I was at Technical College after leaving GD.
Brian B
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
I was at GF 1964-71. I remember Mr Rumsby the Headmaster and Mr Dilworth was his deputy. Rumsby was small but kind with round glasses. I liked him. Dilworth was a disciplinarian and usually somber and difficult. I always remember he had a large dimple in the centre of his chin.
Les Summerton was Head of physics with trousers an inch below his neck! He always sold dinner tickets in the ante hall after the morning assembly. Masterton was the junior physics master and very pleasant.
Robertson taught biology and Siddle chemistry. I knew Cecil Fisher well. He taught English and conducted the school orchestra which I played in throughout my time there. He used to walk with me each morning from the King’s Head to school. Sandercock used to play the piano in the orchestra and Lisle Sharp and Terry Giblin we’re also in the orchestra as was Harrison and Olver.
i remember Mr Hannay, a small fat man with a shrill voice who taught me Spanish. Mr Orrin taught Geography succeeded by Mr Madison. Hayes taught metalwork and Prowse Woodwork. Then there was Les Paul who did engineering drawing.
Later I remember Mr Gibson who succeeded Dilworth as deputy Head. He was also a disciplinarian.
I vaguely remember Caplin but remember Mr Proctor with his yellow nicotine-stained fingers.
In my last year 1970-71 I was Head Boy of the school and it was great. On leaving in summer 1971 I went on a W.H Rhodes Educational Trust Trip for 3 weeks to Canada having been nominated by the then Headmaster Mr Mends. It was to be my leaving present!!
Les Summerton was Head of physics with trousers an inch below his neck! He always sold dinner tickets in the ante hall after the morning assembly. Masterton was the junior physics master and very pleasant.
Robertson taught biology and Siddle chemistry. I knew Cecil Fisher well. He taught English and conducted the school orchestra which I played in throughout my time there. He used to walk with me each morning from the King’s Head to school. Sandercock used to play the piano in the orchestra and Lisle Sharp and Terry Giblin we’re also in the orchestra as was Harrison and Olver.
i remember Mr Hannay, a small fat man with a shrill voice who taught me Spanish. Mr Orrin taught Geography succeeded by Mr Madison. Hayes taught metalwork and Prowse Woodwork. Then there was Les Paul who did engineering drawing.
Later I remember Mr Gibson who succeeded Dilworth as deputy Head. He was also a disciplinarian.
I vaguely remember Caplin but remember Mr Proctor with his yellow nicotine-stained fingers.
In my last year 1970-71 I was Head Boy of the school and it was great. On leaving in summer 1971 I went on a W.H Rhodes Educational Trust Trip for 3 weeks to Canada having been nominated by the then Headmaster Mr Mends. It was to be my leaving present!!
DavidGrain
master brummie
Polly Worthington was head of 1st & 2nd Forms and taught maths at that level. I think B H Bond was Head of maths at the time. From I think 1957 a new teacher L E Olver (Leo) joined the school teaching maths (he was my form master in 3B). I remember the name Dutton but I don't think he ever taught me. Can't remember who was my maths master in my O level year
DavidGrain
master brummie
I may have written this before. In my second year D A Dilworth (Daddy Dilworth) was one of our masters. When we all handed in our first homework for him he was absolutely furious as none of us in our primary schools had been taught cursive handwriting so that lesson was taken up teaching us cursive script which we had to copy down from the blackboard. We had to use that thereafter in homework in his subject. Fortunately we never encountered him thereafter as he was appointed Head of Five Ways when GD took over the old KEGS school as an annex.
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
I never went to Five Ways and was always in City Road. Used to take the number 9 bus from Quinton where I lived to the King’s Head then usually walked with Cecil Fisher to school. Sometimes I took the number 11 Outer Circle bus from King’s Head to the school.
I was never taught by Dilworth who incidentally was not called Daddy Dilworth! It was Giblin who was called Daddy Giblin. He played the double bass in the school orchestra.
Other memories I have are of Mr Gair who was a PE teacher. He had a habit to hitting boys like me with their trainers across their bottoms! I arrived in Form 1c in 1964 and the class teacher was Mr Madison. Mr Field taught me history.
In other memories I remember being a monitor with a red stripe on each arm of my uniform in my 4th and 5th years. I went from that to 2 yellow prefect stripes on each arm as Head Boy of the school 1970-71. My deputies were Phil Street and Malcom Ridout, no idea whatever happened to them.
I was the first Jewish boy to be appointed as Head Boy since the school was founded in 1884! It was in the Birmingham newspapers!
I was never taught by Dilworth who incidentally was not called Daddy Dilworth! It was Giblin who was called Daddy Giblin. He played the double bass in the school orchestra.
Other memories I have are of Mr Gair who was a PE teacher. He had a habit to hitting boys like me with their trainers across their bottoms! I arrived in Form 1c in 1964 and the class teacher was Mr Madison. Mr Field taught me history.
In other memories I remember being a monitor with a red stripe on each arm of my uniform in my 4th and 5th years. I went from that to 2 yellow prefect stripes on each arm as Head Boy of the school 1970-71. My deputies were Phil Street and Malcom Ridout, no idea whatever happened to them.
I was the first Jewish boy to be appointed as Head Boy since the school was founded in 1884! It was in the Birmingham newspapers!
Supavillain
New Member
Gosh, the memories are flooding back. I was at GD between 69 & 76. That list of teachers brought some faces back. I'd forgotten Mrs Morby. My friend had a massive crush on her son Dominic!
In the early 1970s I lived in Leamington Spa and one day I was walking through the branch of Rackhams there and saw this man walking towards me and I thought 'I know him, but what is his name?' He stopped and looked at me and said I taught you physics - it was, of course, Les Summerton. It turned out that he had always lived there travelling from Leamington Spa to GD every day by train and bus.
In the 1960s I was sent by my employer to take part in an adventure training course for 4 weeks in the Lake District. Once a week during this course we had a visiting speaker and the one evening as we were going into the hall to hear that evening's speaker I asked one of my colleagues who was speaking that night and he said somebody named Rumsby. I said was it T. W. Rumsby and he said yes. I could not believe it but it was him. I sank down in my seat and kept out of his sight but about halfway through his talk he spotted me and stopped in mid sentence and said 'I recognise you - see me afterwards'. I did so and we had a good chat. I always found him to be a good headmaster.
In the 1960s I was sent by my employer to take part in an adventure training course for 4 weeks in the Lake District. Once a week during this course we had a visiting speaker and the one evening as we were going into the hall to hear that evening's speaker I asked one of my colleagues who was speaking that night and he said somebody named Rumsby. I said was it T. W. Rumsby and he said yes. I could not believe it but it was him. I sank down in my seat and kept out of his sight but about halfway through his talk he spotted me and stopped in mid sentence and said 'I recognise you - see me afterwards'. I did so and we had a good chat. I always found him to be a good headmaster.
Hi David,
I remember Geoff Fletcher very well. I was picked by him to sing in the school choir and also at St Martin's in the Bull Ring. I was blessed with a very good treble voice and sang the part of the Archangel Gabriel when we performed Haydn's Creation. The part of the Archangel Raphael was sung by John Morris and the Archangel Uriel by Arnold Bertwhistle. What a wonderful evening that was.
There is a connection between Oscar Deutsch and GD. Geoff Fletcher's wife Olive was the Personal Assistant to Oscar Deutsch based at first in his offices at the Perry Bar Odeon and later at Quinton.
Brian B
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
Yes, I knew Les Summerton lived in Leamington and travelled every day to the school. I heard he lived until he was about 90. He was a character but usually very kind. He had very old style handwriting I remember both on the blackboard and in books. He was the dinner ticket king!
I remember Mr Rumsby Too especially his short stature and round glasses.
In my day they all wore black gowns but not Les Summerton, he usually wore a white coat And Mr Prowse in Woodwork wore a dark beige coat.
DavidGrain
master brummie
If by Quinton you mean the Warley Odeon, that is an interesting cinema. Back in the days when cinemas were not open on Sundays, Oscar Deutsch used that cinema for private showing of new films before they went on general release. I don't think it was ever an Odeon during Deutsch's life time (he died in 1941) because it opened as the Warley cinema although designed by the Odeon architect and Deutsch was a part owner. My mother never called it the Odeon, she always called it the Warley
DavidGrain
master brummie
Yes we all thought in those days that Les Summerton was heroic coming that distance to school and especially coming on a train! I first heard about it at morning assembly on a snowy day when Wally Walker announced that Mr Summerton had not yet arrived and another master would be taking his first period.
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
Quinton was along the Harley Road going out of town from the King’s Head, the number 9 bus route. I used to live in Quinton when I first started at GD. The cinema I remember well was the Essoldo further along the Harley Road in Quinton. I used to go there often on a Sunday to watch old movies. I don’t remember the Warley Odeon.
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
I mean Hagley Road!
DavidGrain
master brummie
The Warley Odeon junction of Hagley Road West and Wolverhampton Road demolished 1973
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
I remember this cinema now that I see the picture. Yes, I’ve been in there until 1967 when we moved from Quinton to Harborne.
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
Harborne was better for me to get to school because I used to catch the number 11 outer circle bus in Lordswood Road and it went past the school in City Road so ideal.
Geoff the swimmer
New Member
Hello and when in “lockdown” you surf the internet and what do you find but your name mentioned from times I had almost forgotten!
I remember George Dixon with a little affection but also with a feeling of opportunities missed due to my involvement with competitive swimming.
The school was well run under Mr Rumsby but on his death it seemed to go a little sad and the introduction of new teachers who didn’t seem to have the same dedication that some of the old ones had. However having said that a lot of the older ones also lived in an age gone bye and with attitudes and behaviours that certainly wouldn’t be tolerated today?
What is interesting in reading through the contributions is the different memories people had of the masters and peers. Terry Giblin, Jed Paul, Maddison and Clemence (I think he taught maths) where always supportive to me, but all the rest were just ships in the night. Mostly remembered for various reason, bad, funny, sad or disgust!
But that’s life and lessons where learnt and having left educationally challenged, 2 years away my qualifications where rebalanced and my life was subsequently fulfilled work wise. Happily married and retired George Dixon is a distant memory of a time gone, with plenty of life lessons, good times and friends I had.
Life goes on lol but thanks for the memories and I wondered what happened to Mark Goldberg Tim Taylor Harvey Burrows etc
Harry Flashman
master brummie
Hello Geoff,
Glad you surfaced (pun intended) and found this thread about the old GD days. Fifty plus years ago, that's a sobering thought. I really liked 'Daddy" Giblin and Jed Paul, both characters in their way and good teachers also. As for Madison, no comment and as for Clements, I'm afraid my absolute failure with algebra and geometry put me on the dunce's bench as far as he was concerned. However, all was not lost and my aptitude for maths shone brightly later on when I took maths with statistics at Hall Green Tech. Mark Goldberg has written some books, mainly about the unethical treatment of animals...PETA. Tim Taylor I met in Harborne about 30 years ago. Older but the same sense of humour. As for 'Buzz' Burrows and Alec MacDonald, nary hide nor hair I'm afraid. Peter Scoble and I have been writing and talking for the past 18 months. Sadly he is very ill. Gabriel Kavanagh is an accountant in Manchester, I believe. John Dale has shared in this thread under the name 'Bartley Green'. Dave Cummins spent his career in the Royal Navy, mostly in subs. He's now retired and enjoying life on the surface. Do you remember the brothers, one of whom became quite famous in UB 40? PM me and I'll share a tidbit with you. I think that's all I can remember as far as the George Dixon survivors club, but my old pea brain will no doubt kick in and think of someone else. Good to hear from you Geoff. Bernard.
Glad you surfaced (pun intended) and found this thread about the old GD days. Fifty plus years ago, that's a sobering thought. I really liked 'Daddy" Giblin and Jed Paul, both characters in their way and good teachers also. As for Madison, no comment and as for Clements, I'm afraid my absolute failure with algebra and geometry put me on the dunce's bench as far as he was concerned. However, all was not lost and my aptitude for maths shone brightly later on when I took maths with statistics at Hall Green Tech. Mark Goldberg has written some books, mainly about the unethical treatment of animals...PETA. Tim Taylor I met in Harborne about 30 years ago. Older but the same sense of humour. As for 'Buzz' Burrows and Alec MacDonald, nary hide nor hair I'm afraid. Peter Scoble and I have been writing and talking for the past 18 months. Sadly he is very ill. Gabriel Kavanagh is an accountant in Manchester, I believe. John Dale has shared in this thread under the name 'Bartley Green'. Dave Cummins spent his career in the Royal Navy, mostly in subs. He's now retired and enjoying life on the surface. Do you remember the brothers, one of whom became quite famous in UB 40? PM me and I'll share a tidbit with you. I think that's all I can remember as far as the George Dixon survivors club, but my old pea brain will no doubt kick in and think of someone else. Good to hear from you Geoff. Bernard.
Geoff the swimmer
New Member
Great to hear from you Bernard.
I forgot to mention Hanks the art teacher, mad as a hatter but a great character who supported my artistic tendencies.
Do you remember the day Reeves (lad had sporting pretentions as a footballer) decided to take on Jed (punches were thrown) in class and he was suspended.
I remember Gabriel well as he was a constant source of amusement. I will never forget the day he gave the excuse to Clements for not doing his homework as he had “forgotten to take his pen home“. Clements was so shocked he was speechless, the rest of us fell about in hysterics.......
Yes those where the days. Lol
I forgot to mention Hanks the art teacher, mad as a hatter but a great character who supported my artistic tendencies.
Do you remember the day Reeves (lad had sporting pretentions as a footballer) decided to take on Jed (punches were thrown) in class and he was suspended.
I remember Gabriel well as he was a constant source of amusement. I will never forget the day he gave the excuse to Clements for not doing his homework as he had “forgotten to take his pen home“. Clements was so shocked he was speechless, the rest of us fell about in hysterics.......
Yes those where the days. Lol
Harry Flashman
master brummie
Geoff,
I don't remember the Reeves incident but I do remember Pat Hanks the art teacher. He was a very nice man and so enthusiastic about art. I remember as first formers he lectured us on the evils of paint by numbers and plastic flowers. Radical stuff back then. Poor old Rudolph Smith apparently got into serious trouble when his mom got home to find that Rudolph had thrown all their plastic flowers into the dustbin. Gabriel got into trouble when we were third formers at the Five Ways annex. He went AWOL one day (after lunch?) and could not be found for quite some time. When he reappeared he explained that he had gone to help his mom with the shopping. Gobsmacking stuff back then, but quite reasonable to my old brain now, considering that Gabriel had something like eight brothers/sisters for his mum to shop for.
David Hart
knowlegable brummie
It’s interesting to read former pupil’s accounts of past members of staff and their memories of these people who once long time ago featured vividly in our daily lives.
Of course most remember Les Summerton and the dinner tickets. I remember from the school orchestra Cecil Fisher conducting and Lisle Sharp in the second violins whose bow went up when everyone else’s went down! He seemed to move his violin rather than the bow!
iremember well the small tot und Malcolm Hannay who taught me Spanish and who had a shrill shout. He always waddled around with a black gown.
Daddy Giblin I remember well. He played the double bass in the orchestra and drove an old motorbike with attached sidecar. Is he still alive? Are any of the others?
I was 1964-71 and ended as Head Boy.
Of course most remember Les Summerton and the dinner tickets. I remember from the school orchestra Cecil Fisher conducting and Lisle Sharp in the second violins whose bow went up when everyone else’s went down! He seemed to move his violin rather than the bow!
iremember well the small tot und Malcolm Hannay who taught me Spanish and who had a shrill shout. He always waddled around with a black gown.
Daddy Giblin I remember well. He played the double bass in the orchestra and drove an old motorbike with attached sidecar. Is he still alive? Are any of the others?
I was 1964-71 and ended as Head Boy.