I was born in 1945. My early childhood came in the years of austerity
following the World War II. American returned to a booming economy,
here in England it was rather bleak. We even had rationing for several
years after the war.
Schooling for a lad in the North of England and, the son of a
mineworker, usually meant the State
Junior School. It was a happy enough time, but, towards my final year I
was confronted with the prospect of sitting my 11+ examinations. I didn't
really understand it at the time, but my dad saw
academic success as the way out of the mines and was determined that
I would succeed. This will lead as I shall explain to my having to
wear short trousers. I had a brother who attended the Grammar.
He was a few years older and short trousers were not such an issue.
I also had a number of Uncles and Aunts. One Aunt and Uncle happened
to co-own a small private prep school.
Shoes were another contentious issue. I had to wear black lace up shoes
with the brand name "StartRite." Still available today,I think, but now a
little more fashion conscious in there styles. In my day, as mother would
say "good sensible shoes" When shopping I would always eye something more
fashionable, but always ended up with good old "StartRite" Today I have
very healthy feet, so Mam was right after all!!
I never wore sandals. Neither can I remember any of my school pals
wearing them. Considered then as being a bit "girlie" or at least only
for little boys. (Still do!)
Figure 1.--Myself with pony Jackie. Note my grey windcheater jacket. A favorite of mine, waterproof and with zipped pockets. A popular garment of this era, and they were popular with other boys as well. Also of note my turned wellington boots, which I mentioned in one of my messages. |
The 1950s was an era of rapidly changing fashion. Also, many of the
local young men opting for a rebellious outfit commonly known as
"Teddy Boy". Schoolboys however,
especially the younger ones, still wore the traditional outfit which
included short trousers and long
stockings. I found this outfit extremely juvenile and disliked it
intensely--even in primary school. So following much cajoling
and pleading, I was allowed long trousers at around 10 years of age. A
concession, I think my father thought, that I would become mature enough
to study hard for my 11-plus exams. If that was the case it, then
it was unsuccessful and, a year later I failed to pass for Grammar
School.
Following the initial disappointment, I still enjoyed the long summer
holiday that came between Junior School and my entry into the Senior
Secondary Modern School, to which I would now be allocated. It came as
some conciliation that not a single pupil in my junior class had passed
either, so I was going to continue my education with familiar companions.
A letter from the school, a week or so before start of term, delighted
my parents. It appeared that I had narrowly failed for Grammar School
and I was being allocated to a new "M-Form", until I was told
the uniform requirements--which followed those of the grammar school where
we took some of our classes. I was soon to find out what that
meant--short pants.
I remember going to the store with mam to buy my new school
uniform. Not perhaps not as vividly as my final visit. Both occasions
were miserable for me at the time, the last, because I really thought I
might get some long trousers, the second because I was being put back into
short pants after thinking I had outgrown them.
My first day at senior school is imprinted, indelibly, on my memory,
but for all the wrong reasons. All because of what was considered
suitable clothing for young boys. Walking to school
on my first day, I was certain everyone was looking at me, especially my
bare knees. In truth, I now
realise that most people had better things to do than observe a small boy
on his way to school, but if they did, my former school pals did not.
They had heard the news about M-Form uniform and now
awaited my arrival with great expectation. The first few days were
embarrassing. Things sort of settled down after that. I and my
M-form mates didn't like our uniform one little bit. I must confess, I
think I had been a rather arrogant boy,
ever willing to put the underdog down. So now I was going to find out
just how that felt.
As far as I remember most of my stockings were plain grey with turn over
tops. I think I had some with a pattern trim, as opposed to school colours.
The Grammar did have uniform stockings, but we were not required to wear
them, only short trousers. No I don't think school made a fuss about
stockings, but I did. I
disliked stocking round my ankles and perpetually kept pulling them up. But
I know of one boy, in my form, who did the opposite. He often wore grey
ankle stockings, even for school, and when in long stockings rolled them
down. This lad, was also one of the later boys to come out of short trousers
and certainly wore them for a little while after me. I've got to admit, of
all of us, this guy seemed to look good in short trousers. (Perhaps our
compatriots at the Grammar had a stricter regime, as I cannot remember
seeing them with stockings down their legs.)
My school shorts were until my last pair grey flannel. Terrelyn was
becoming popular in the late 1950s and my last pair was Terrelyn
worsted which I must admit, held a smart crease, as much as I disliked
that last pair of shorts. I also wore khaki shorts during the summer,
which for some reason I would roll up.
No, I certainly did not have to wear a cap as a senior, but in earlier
years my brother did. Caught outside without it was a punishable offence.
However, in my early years at Junior School I certainly wore a cap, not as
uniform, but just as a general item of boys clothing. I never seemed to mind
wearing a cap, again possibly, because it was very much the accepted thing.
A wool, often home knitted, balaclava was still often see, but I regarded
these a bit like I was to regard shorts later.
I find it difficult to remember what other boys said about me wearing
shorts. I found it such a humiliating experience that I think the
'situation' took precedence over what was actually being said. I can tell you
though that it was irritating, especially when the younger boys would
start in on us. But then again I have to admit that I said things myself
once I was safely in long trousers.
My Scecondary Modern was fairly close to the Grammar and my form
went to their premises for some science lessons and French, I suppose,
because their facilities were better than the Modern school. Although we
shared some aspects of school with Grammar boys we rarely
socialised, but nor can I remember any particular animosity between us.
I certainly never discussed my shorts problem with other boys. I think,
in an attempt to lessen the embarrassment, I often tried to give the
impression I did not mind wearing them. Even, that they were 'softies'
wearing longs. Once back in short trousers my friendships changed. I
tended to keep company with guys
like myself. At school I was friendly with Kenneth and at home I remained
friends with the one guy from the junior school who went to Grammar, so he
to was subject to the shorts regime. Probably my best friend was indeed
Graham. I did have days out with Graham and his parents (very posh) and we
had social gathering at his home (also posh) for which we both dressed up in
best clothes. Graham, as you will note below, remained in shorts well
after me, but I knew he was embarrassed about this and I don't think I ever
made any comments to him. You will recall however, I did join in the
teasing of Ken, when he was a lonely shorts wearer, but that was at school
and probably, I just wanted to be one of the guys; what a gutless
wonder…I think I deserved a bloody nose I got after a fight when a
boy named Stephen who was teasing me!!!
I never quite got used to this situation, remaining thus dressed until I turned 15. By that time I was a fairly big lad, who look very incongruous, even, with my similar dressed class mates. It was with great
relief, at 15, to at long last get my desired long trousers. For some strange reason I do not recall getting my first school shorts, but I do vividly remember my first long pants suit.
Only one boy in our form, Kenneth, remaining in shorts after the
must-anticipatefd demarcation of reaching his 15th birthday. He was to
remain conspicuosly bare kneed almost until the
end of his schooling at 16. So despite ourselves having suffered the
taunts of others, he became the but of our mocking. I felt sorry for
Kenneth, but then again like the other boys I joined in o n the teasing.
Another friend of mine didn't go to my school. He went to a private school. They wore quite a formal uniform. It was a bright red blazer and cap, of course worn with a red blazer. Of course with short trousers. He really stood out in a crowd. Like me, he disliked his uniform. While I rarely discussed the uniform with my school mates. Graham and I did discuss the subject.
Amongst my companions, our early school uniform was universally
unpopular and, I am unable to recollect a single boy who wanted to go
around in this fashion. Being so disliked,
it is still incomprehensible to me, why our parents and teachers thought
it such a good idea to compel us to wear such juvenile apparel. Perhaps,
it was just that, a means of reminding us of our station in
life. Whatever the reasons, the memory of shorts and there ac companying
embarrassment remained vivid. So much so, that well into adult life I
was very reluctant to appear in public, bare legged, either
in adult summer, or sports shorts. Shakespeare had it just right in my
case, "the schoolboy, unwilling to school."
Again memory fails me a little. I think this was the era, when
boys thought of as 'small boys' wore short trousers and adults and older
boys wore longs. In shorts you were a very juvenile figure. Because it was
also an era of changing fashion I certainly encounted boys younger than me
that were allowed longs. You may remember, I myself had worn longs back in
Junior School, only reverting to shorts because of a school regulation. Not
too difficult then to appreciate being confronted by boys a fair bit younger
than you, but wearing more adult dress. I can recall situations of being
confronted with smaller, younger boys (I was fairly tall for my age, which
only made matters worse)who delighted in drawing attention to your bare
knees etc.I think they only had to look down at my legs to make my face go
red. It made them feel more grown up I suppose.
I hated PE and games and avoided them when ever possible at
school. As an adult, I became an almost fanatical sportsman, my main sport
being cycle racing. Nowadays I am the senior coach for my region. Sad now
that I missed out on sports at school.
I never joined cubs or scouts, mainly because of the uniforms..more
short trousers! I don't think joining scouts was a question of money.
If I had wished to
join I am sure my parents, although not wealthy, would have made every
effort to support me. In those days it was the Boy Scouts and the
uniform consisted of shorts, which I would have had to continuing
wearing even after going into long trousers for school (i.e. 15 +).
I was so pleased to get out
of shorts there was no way I would join an organisation which stipulated
them.
Interesting though, none of my mates as far as I can remember were
cubs or scouts either. I think that the Scout movement was to a lar ge part
a middle class movement and participation by working class families was
more limited. This question about why working class boys did not join scouts puzzles
me. I don't really know.
I lived a working class community and cannot even recall a local scout
troop. However, because of my close association with the Grammar, I
certainly knew boys from middle class homes, but again I don't think they
were in scouts. If we can conclude that it was a middle class organisation,
then I do not think that is the case today. I have friends today with
children who went to cubs and scouts and indeed, they themselves are active
as leaders, but would consider themselves working class. It also has to be
said though that class is not so divisive these days
For church etc. probably a short trousers suit. But I certainly had
'Sunday Best' clothes and, because I wore shorts at school I had to stay in
them for best. I think the logic was to keep me in clothes, with which, I was familiar
and supposed to get used to. If I had not entered into this particular grade
at school I am sure I would have been allowed to remain in long trousers.
It was a general concept that boys were in short trousers until considered
old enough, by their parents, for long trousers. No boy promoted to longs
would then willingly wear shorts, considering himself too 'grown up.' It
was certainly a very unwelcome aspect of senior school when I had to revert
back to "children's" clothing. I was, as they put it "still in short
trousers."
In my day Sunday School was only about one
hour in duration and took the form of a junior church service. The central
part was forming into age groups with our "Sunday School Teacher" who taught
us, or read to us, Bible stories etc. I always had to go (Mam's idea) and
always had to wear Sunday best. Yes, you guessed it; I hated Sunday School.
It was boring and I could have thought of a lot more interesting things to
do. I cannot recall many other boys my age. They seemed to be mostly
girls, or smaller boys, with only one or two older boys in long trousers.
It was a Methodist Church and probably a very small Sunday School.
With hind sight I think my parents were right as I would have
found it very difficult to be dressed one day as an adult, the next as a
child. There was also the element of new clothes bought for best; then if
suitable worn for school and, finally old play clothes. You certainly got
value for your money in those days. Other boys, as far as I can remember,
followed the same code, you either wore shorts or longs and very rarely,
both. Unless at a school like mine it was your parents decision when this
promotion took place. As, I think I pointed out previously, this could
cause extreme embarrassment when younger and smaller boys were allowed longs
before you.
Even though I was only about 11 I was friendly with a girl I met at the
church Sunday School. My first girl friend! But, we first met with me in
longs. Back into shorts, I can remember going to Sunday School and avoiding
her like the plague, I was so embarrassed. End of a beautiful friendship.
Short trousers have a lot to answer for with my generation.
Yes she did eventually see me. I could not hide my bare knees forever!
When she did I think I tried to pretend she was not there, and Anne, as a
true lady of any age, never once, that I recall, drew attention to my
predicament. As young adults we did speak together but this was an issue
never discussed. I guess she knew all along that it was an embarrassment for
me.Is it not rather sweet I can remember her name after all these years, not
having seen her for many years.
My young friend Anne went to Grammar. After our brief childhood
friendship, I can only recount two events involving her in adult life. She
was having trouble passing her driving test, two or three failures to her
credit and somehow I ended up taking her out for driving practice. I can
remember feeling a little awkward renewing a childhood relationship, but she
passed the driving test at her next attempt. My other memory is that she
became a local Librarian. I don't know if she ever married or what became of
her.
I also wore short pants for play. Again, short trousers, probably
old school ones.There was no such thing
as jeans that I can remember so basically you just wore your older clothes
for playing in.
Although I disliked wearing short
trousers as a senior boy, looking back, I always seemed to want to be grown
up too quickly, missing out on many childhood pleasures. When I was about
fourteen, perhaps just into longs, I also started smoking cigarettes,
secretly of course, just to prove how big a man I was. It caused me
considerable pain then, in the form of punishment and, considerable anguish
later in life when I knew I had to stop the filthy habit. Perhaps if my
parents, like Ken and Graham's, had kept me in short pants longer the urge
to appear grown up might not have been so strong; neither of them ever
smoked.
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