Jean Parker (Godfrey), 1939, Moira

Weybridge 1931

At the age of eight I recall packing my case and feeling excited at the prospect of going to boarding school in Weybridge. However, having had no previous experience of being away from my mother, it was not long before I was terribly homesick (which lasted many weeks).

Life soon became routine, with sleeping in a large dormitory and having baths in a bathroom with many baths. I remember the excitement at breakfast time when Miss Lane said there was a letter for Jean Godfrey.

My favourite lunch was roast beef and butter beans and the sweet was Greasy George (better than it sounds!). We went for walks in a crocodile down by the river. Parents could only visit once a term. I went into the sick bay whilst there, suffering from chickenpox. Two years soon passed, then I went to the Senior School.

Rickmansworth 1933

At the age of 10, I started at the brand new school at Rickmansworth. It was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Mary. I was overwhelmed at first by its size, with large grounds, and eating in such a huge dining room.

Postcard sent by a pupil to her mother about the opening of the School, 1934

Girls at their lockers

School Uniform

This consisted of a royal blue serge dress which was rather itchy. A brown pinafore was worn over the dress with a brown belt. Underwear was woollen combinations, liberty bodice and blue fleecy knickers, black woollen stockings with garters – all equally itchy. To finish, black lace-up shoes were worn.

Sport

I was particularly interested in sports, most of all lacrosse. The thrill of cradling the ball down the field amid the chorus of ‘come on, Jean’ was lovely to hear.

And Other Subjects

The rules I learnt in Domestic Science have stood me in good stead. The words ‘clear as you go’ still ring in my ears! We once had to prepare a meal of ‘jugged hare’ for staff – we were pleased it was not for us to eat.

Moira House

Miss East was the Housemistress and Miss Gee the House Matron. One evening I clearly remember we were allowed to stay up late in Miss East’s room to hear the abdication of King Edward VIII. Each morning at break we went back to the house for a third of a pint of milk. We did our homework in the common room in the house and went to bed at 8pm.

Sports Day

Sports Day was held on the lower playing field. Visitors could have dainty sandwiches, iced cakes and tea served from a silver urn. It seemed exciting with the band playing and the tannoy blaring out the winners!

Sanatorium

If you had a cold or a sore throat you went to ‘the San’ and saw Dr Young or Sister Craze. You usually had nasal drops or a throat swab. Having teeth filled in was no picnic, with no painkillers available. Quite often on visiting day my mother found me there with a migraine and bilious attack, having become so excited about her one visit per term. Miss Lane would come round to each table at meal times to make sure we ate up all our figs and prunes.

In my last term in July 1939, sandbags were placed around the windows and air-raid shelters were built underground. Five weeks after leaving, war broke out. Miss Dean, the Headmistress, presented me with a bible the day I left. In it she wrote: ‘Workers together with God – work out your own Salvation’.

The Sanatorium