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Messages - oldun

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Yorkshire (West Riding) / Re: Halifax Bluecoat school
« on: Sunday 09 October 11 21:50 BST (UK)  »
Hello all,
I don't know if anyone is still interested in this topic, have only just come across it by accident.  I was at the Blue Coat School, in Halifax, from 1937 to 1943 or thereabouts. I have no knowledge of Mr Maylor except by hearsay as I left before his time. Miss Quayle was the Matron when I was there.

As mentioned, it was an orphanage for up to 20 boys and 20 girls, although I don't think it ever achieved that number.  It was originally situated near Halifax Parish Church before it moved to its last home on Harrison Road.  It had facilities for a number of Almshouses too which formed two wings to the school itself.  The Blue Coat School itself was set back and parallel to Harrison Road with the Almshouses joined to each end of the School and extending down to Harrison Road.

The picture below is a copy of a Courier Photograph which was taken shortly after my arrival at the Blue Coats. I am on the front row second from the left.  It was taken on the fron steps of the School and on the occasion of a visit by the Mayor of Halifax, at the time.

I can give further details of the school, if required, either on line or privately.  Roy




2
World War One / Re: 'Wheeler' in R.F.A.?
« on: Wednesday 14 July 10 12:15 BST (UK)  »
Thank you very much Ken, for the information.  The link was particularly useful, as I have managed to trace my father's war service zone with the 2nd W.R. Brigade in the 49th Division.  I was unaware of the battles in which he may have been involved and the link you gave highlights some of these.  It also gives a possible answer to a family question.

My father died from double pneumonia and it has always been thought that he may have been involved in one of the gas attacks in France thereby weakening his lungs.  This would now appear to be a distinct probability, as I followed the links through to the Phosgene attack of December 1915, where the 49th Div. was operating at the time

Thank you for your help, not only with the question of 'Wheeler', but also for the help with an unstated question!    Roy


3
World War One / Re: 'Wheeler' in R.F.A.?
« on: Wednesday 14 July 10 08:54 BST (UK)  »
Many thanks Battiscombe for your reply.  Your comment about his technical skills as an engineer certainly seems a good link.

In the limited records which I have for my father, 'Wheeler' is shown as a 'Specialist Military Qualification', although there is no record of any pay increase at the time of the appointment.

There is a record of being granted 'Proficiency Pay Class 1' in the field, on 1st July 1915, just 3 months after arriving in France, but his appointment as Wheeler was not until 29th May 1916.

Again, thanks for your observations, it is very difficult at this distance to find any definitive knowledge of events at the time.  As I was only 18 months old when my father died in 1930, I had no opportunity to ask about any of his army life and my mother was very reticent to speak about it.

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World War One / Re: 'Wheeler' in R.F.A.?
« on: Tuesday 08 June 10 16:46 BST (UK)  »
Many thanks, Youngtug.  My father was an engineer by trade but, as far as I know, had no wheelwright connection.  In the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire, machine tools were the usual forte of the engineer.

In his service notes, however, there was a reference to 'his horse' whilst training near Doncaster - he was late in bedding it out!!

On returning to the UK from France in Feb. 1919 he returned to his previous occupation as machine tool engineer.

Not many people about who remember the Royal Field Artillery, it seems to have become the Royal Artillery during the progress of the war. Only the 1914 -1915 star amongst his medals is inscribed R.F.A. The other two are inscribed R.A.

Thanks again,  there may still be someone who remembers!

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World War One / 'Wheeler' in R.F.A.?
« on: Tuesday 08 June 10 14:37 BST (UK)  »
Whilst researching my father's army life as a Gunner in the RFA I am puzzled by an entry in his service papers.  This shows that he was 'Appointed Wheeler vice "Dennis" , In the Field 29/5/1916.'

I have tried to find out what a 'wheeler' was, but apart from an article describing a horse as a wheeler have had no success.

In my father's records it classes 'Wheeler' as a Specialist Military Qualification but no further information.

Please can anyone give me any further information?  Thank You.

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