School memories during the Second World War

In all the controversy about finding spaces to get our children back to school I am reminded of the situation during the Second World War.

People of my age will remember that the Navy took over our school, the big Grammar. It became HMS Nimrod.

The pupils were decanted to a variety of buildings. Among them were: Dalintober School, Dalaruan Hall (PE, Miss Grant), the Drill Hall on Argyll Street, the technical room (Bob Leys), Kirk Street Hall, Lorne Street Hall, Kinloch Hall, Milknowe School, and the wee Grammar.

Pupils were shunted from one building to another depending on which subject was being taught. This took a considerable part of the teaching time and on more than one occasion the odd pupil went ‘absent without leave’.

Some of the teachers I recall were Miss Philips; Miss Short (Betty), English; M C McCallum (music); Bob Leys (technical); Miss Grant (PE); Miss McIntyre (McQuilkan); and Mr Purcell.

Some memories come back – Miss Grant trying to teach the boys the Pride of Erin dance, or rushing during break time in Dalintober to Joe Black’s bakery for chocolate buns, or to Mrs Darroch’s shop in Glentorran Place to purchase her special soft drinks.

George McMillan MBE JP, Campbeltown.