Memories of BGS Memories of BGS Memories of Bristol Grammar School in the 1930s & during the Second World War.
I was born on the 1st of May, 1924, the youngest of four children of Frederick James Steel and his wife Daisy (née Cross). The others were Arthur George (8/10/1917), Cyril Frederick (29/11/1920) and Constance Susan Emily (6/7/1922). We lived at 46 Shaftesbury Avenue, Bristol, but moved up the hill to the more salubrious 20 Upper Belmont Road when I was three, so I cannot remember much about my first home. I was also very ill there and only survived because of dedicated nursing by my mother. The late 1920’s and early 1930’s saw the ending of social conditions that had existed for a very long time. We walked almost everywhere, unless lucky enough to possess a bicycle. Cars were almost unknown and had to be garaged when not in use, so onstreet parking did not take place to any extent. Public Transport was mainly by electric tram, which could be quite exciting on the open top deck! Longer journeys took place on steam-hauled trains. “Bone-shaking” buses covered other routes. We all went to Sefton Park Junior School, which provided a good education. After Sefton Park School, Arthur went to Cotham School, Cyril went to North Bristol Central School and Connie went to Fairfield School. In 1935 I was awarded a Christchurch Exhibition Scholarship at Bristol Grammar School and this entailed an interview in their Vestry. One of the interviewers asked me if I knew how an aeroplane worked. When I replied that I did, he remarked
Bristolienses - Issue 60
“That’s more than I do!” and so started a new phase of my life. At BGS I did well at first and, on Arthur’s advice, selected the “modern” route of Latin, French, German, Maths and Science etc. in contrast to the “classic” route which included Greek. My progress
Air-raid Alerts, pupils evacuated to four underground trench shelters in the playing field, while the 6th formers were allocated fire-guard duties. With several others I was assigned to guard the Preparatory School (now 6th Form Block).
BGS – “SHELL” FORM (1935-1936) Front Row: Centre – Peter Steel, Right End – Alan White 2nd Row: Centre – M Guerra (Form Master & French Teacher) Back Row: 3rd from Left – A Dudley Osborne
MAIN ENTRANCE - Library on the left, “Fives” Court on the right
faltered in the 2nd year (Form 4b) until I realised that homework was important, after which I regained a better position. In the 5th and Lower 6th Forms, Mechanics, more Maths and Science (which I enjoyed) enabled me to achieve good grades in the First School Certificate in 1939. I attended the 6th Science Form for two years, studying mainly Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, with other subsidiary subjects such as Art (including Architecture). During
First School Certificate – July 1939
I served as a daytime fire-guard until the building was destroyed in the night air-raid of 24/11/1940. Air-raid trench shelters were situated under the bank on the right
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