Panel 9: “Beginnings” (1912-1922) Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress

With the outbreak of the Second World War the Simons set out immediately to help Britain’s effort to fi ght fascism. After a brief stint at the Ministry of Information, Ernest’s expertise as a leading industrialist was called upon and he began working as the Area Offi cer for the Ministry of Aircraft Production in the North-Western Region from 1940. Henry Simon Ltd also played a key role in fi xing bomb-stricken facilities for the handling of grain in ports to ensure Britain’s supply of bread did not run out.

The mass evacuation of children at the start of the war had a major disruptive effect on their education. Compulsory education was suspended in major cities and hundreds of schools simply closed. As such Shena was seriously concerned that 900,000 children were not only missing out on vital education, but that poorer children in particular were going without medical inspections or the provision of daily school meals and fresh milk which was jeopardising their longer-term wellbeing. Shena spent the early years of the war campaigning vigorously to ensure better schooling in reception areas for evacuated children and for more air raid shelters in schools in cities so that children could soon return to school.

Ernest inspecting American war planes. Source: Shena Simon Papers, Manchester Archives+.

(Below) Pamphlet written by Shena on how to address the problems caused to education by evacuation.

Shena with her grandson Alan in 1943 and her daughter-in-law Joan. Source: Shena Simon Papers, Manchester Archives+.

Compulsory Education has vanished… Clearly this cannot be allowed to go on. Children are losing precious months of an already far too short educational career, and they are drifting back to a city which is not yet adequately provided against air raids

Shena writing about the war’s toll on education.

Source: The Manchester Guardian, 1st November 1939, p.6. Following America’s entry into the war in 1941 the Simons were invited by the Ministry of Information to help forge better ties with Britain’s new ally. They travelled to the USA in September 1942 and lectured on local government and post-war reconstruction. Whilst they were there Ernest and Shena took the time to investigate American society. Shena visited American high schools and was impressed by their democratic ethos which stood in stark contrast to Britain’s class-ridden educational system. Meanwhile Ernest studied the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as town planning in great cities such as New York, viewing them as excellent examples of what assertive government could achieve. The Simons arrived back in January 1943 with their thoughts turning to how they could help to build a better and more equal society following the war.

(Left) The key map charting Wythenshawe’s future in The City of Manchester Plan (1945).

(Above) Source: The Manchester Guardian, 3rd February 1943, p.3.