My parents were insistant on short trousers. There simply was no discussing it with them. I had a brother who attended the Grammar. He was a few years older and short trousers were not such an issue as all the Grammar School boys wore shorts. Also, a number of Uncles and Aunts, but I have no specific memories of them in relation to my clothing or shorts. Vaguely, I think in general, they all followed the line of how nice I looked in short pants. Reading your HBC site, and my memories, appears to support the theory that all adults, thought boys looked nice ( or perhaps cute) in short pants, everyone indeed except the boys themselves. I had an Aunt and Uncle who co-owned a small private prep school.

My Parents

You might ask why I didn't sit down and discuss the way I felt with my parents. I did raise the issue. Discussions are not really, however, the right word. I repeatedly pleaded to be allowed longs, "but all my friends wear longs" etc. The answer was always no. The school required shorts and the other boys in my class wore shorts. Besides it was healthy. End of discussion.

Father

My father was born in 1910. All I can do is quote what he himself relayed to me, in the form of family stories, some of which are now a little vague. As a small boy, I think he almost certainly wore dresses, as was the custom of the day even in families of modest income.

Figure 1.--This is my father (seated) with his older brother behind. The photograph was taken in the junior school yard.

At Junior School [elementary school], he wore knee breeches, buckled below the knee and long stockings. At school he also wore a school cap at times. He attended state schools and I am certain none of his clothes constituted a formal school uniform. Interestingly, he attended the local Junior School, which my brother also attended and, in due time, myself. This school has been in continual use, until about two months ago, when it was closed down and boarded up, soon to be demolished. (Rather a sad moment for me.) This junior department was built along side the Infants School, which again, all three of us attended. I do have a schoolyard photograph of my father and his elder brother.

Father attended a senior school, which was no longer in existence when I came along, but I understand he wore short trousers all the time at school. Not unusual at the time, he left school aged 14 years to start work in the local coalmine. He told me, but I found difficult to believe, that he started work still wearing short pants and did so till he was past 16. I honestly thought this was some tale he told to justify making me wear short pants as a teenager… you know the angle…"in my day my boy." Well going through your HBC, I have read, this was not uncommon in those days, often because families could ill afford to throw clothes away until absolutely worn out. So sorry Dad, I should have believed you. Actually, even as an adult Dad had 'pit shorts' (navy drill material) and 'pit stockings', navy long stockings with turn-over-tops, which apparently were common wear down the mine due to the heat.

At no time, to my knowledge did he have a formal school uniform, just school clothes. Neither my brother, nor I, had uniforms at infant or junior school, only going into an official school uniform at secondary school.

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. My brother, 3 years older, had passed this selection process and had therefore be admitted to the local Grammar School [academicaly selective secondary school. So I was under some pressure to do likewise. 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.

Mother

When my mother was born in 1915, her own mother died as a result of the birth. There was a young Nurse in attendance, so when the mother died, she knew a single father could not manage a new born baby. This was a late night in January, bitterly cold, so she wrapped the baby in a shawl and carried it to where she lived, with her own parents, only a few doors away. Her parents agreed to look after the babies immediate needs. This couple were around sixty years of age, with seven grown up children of their own. Eventually, at the behest of the nursing daughter and her younger brother, this couple legally adopted the baby; my mother.

Mam went to school, worked as a young girl and, spent all her married life, in the same mining village set in the North of England. In later life, I took her and my father on numerous holidays, their favorite being a car tour in the Highlands area of Scotland. (Still my own favorite holiday area.) Once my brother and I were on the scene, she never worked in employment again, making home making and looking after us her fulltime occupation. As I have said previously my mother seemed to think her sole purpose in life was, to care for, and bring happiness to others. In my view, she has fulfilled that purpose magnificently. If more people passed through this world bestowing the same benefits as my mother, then our world would indeed be a better place. I expect I have some bias on the subject, but I am extremly proud of my Mum!

Apart from the circumstances of her birth, Mam was a very typical mother figure. From the time my brother and I came along she never worked, fully occupied as a housewife. She took excellent care of of us and I cannot remember going without anything we needed. A small, rather plump lady, she rarely administered punishment, which was left to father. Although, I have some undoubted bias, I would say my Mother was the most caring and gentle women I have ever met. She seemed to consider, caring for, and bringing happiness to others was her main task in life. Her passion in life was undoubtedly children. Since my Father died four years ago, Mam has lived with me. Sadly, she is now very confused, blind and, in need of daily nursing attention. However, she has no pain and, still enjoys seeing on occassions, her son, her grandson and wife, with two great grand daughters gathered round her bed. A picture on the wall over her bed is a portrait of her own mother..five generations!!

My Brother

No I cannot remember my brother (sadly he died in an accident aged 32) complaining. However, he was almost 4 years older and probably went to school in shorts when it was far more common. Nearly all boys would be in shorts, and at the Grammar all the boys his age. Whereas for me it was only our select form and we thus stood out like a sore thumb--especially the taller boys like me. I had to watch all my former friends go into longs before me, which my brother was unlikely to have experienced. I think this is what is so interesting about my era; earlier all boys wore shorts to a certain age and, later very few indeed. Unlucky for me then, when some did and some did not. Even without school regulations some parents allowed their children to have long trouser sooner rather than later.

No discussions took place between my brother and I, on short trousers or much else. Although we did play together as young children, by the time we were both at senior school, we spent very little time together. Raymond was four years older than me and treatd me very much as the 'little' brother. He thought I was a pest....and I usually was!!

Nana

I can only remember one comment my relatives made. I can quote as if it were yesterday. An old spinster Aunt lived with us for many years, whom I called 'Nana' and when dressed in my Sunday Best she often said, "My. What a smart little man." I think you can imagine how that went down with me!

Aunts and Uncles

I had a number of Uncles and Aunts, but I have no specific memories of them in relation to my clothing or shorts. Vaguely, I think in general, they all followed the line of how nice I looked in short pants. Reading your HBC site, and my memories, appears to support the theory that all adults, thought boys looked nice ( or perhaps cute) in short trousers, everyone indeed except the boys themselves.

Aunt Margaret and Overthorpe Hall

My Aunt Margaret and Uncle James who co-owned a small private prep school. At this point things become a little complicated. I do not believe they were actually 'blood' relatives. You may recall my mother was adopted as a baby and, I am certain this Aunt and Uncle derived from that aspect of the 'family.' You will appreciate all this was a bit lost on a boy my age.

The school was situated in Oxfordshire. It was some 300 miles or so from my own home in the north. I have no doubt, had I gone to this school as a pupil, I would have had to have been a boarder and, my parents could simply not have afforded this. 'Relatives' or not I doubt they could give a free place to me. My cousin, John, as I have said went there as part of some arrangement with his unmarried mother working there as cook. Otherwise, I have not doubt he could not have afforded a place there. The school was small, only about 50 children--as was common in prep schools of the day--all boys. Eventually, I think Uncle James, an M.A. in theology sold his interest in the school and entered the church.

I went there, very briefly, for revision just prior to my 11+ examinations. All the boys at Overthorpe Hall Preparatory School wore short trousers, but I was not required to wear uniform, being more of a guest pupil. As you may recall I had gone into longs at this time and felt rather splendid and superior to all the other boys, not knowing what the future beheld for me.

The boys all wore, what I think was termed a "Day Uniform." This was a very simple, light green shirt and light green, drill type, short trousers. Stocking were grey three quarter, with a darker plain green turn over top. No cap, or tie and, as far as I can remember, no pullover(perhaps it was summer time when I was there) This uniform was worn in and around the school and for classes. They also had a "Dress Uniform." My memory of this is not so good, but I think, consisted of dark green blazer, cap, both trimmed with yellow, a tie and the same stockings as above. I assume this was worn for Sunday, school outings etc. when smart clothes were called for. I cannot recall see this very often though.

John

At this school, the cook was an unmarried mother, also some distant relative to me, who's son was regarded by me as a cousin. John was a pupil at the school, which was some private financial arrangement due to his mother circumstances, or so I understand these days. This boy did come to stay with my own family, on one or two occasions, for holidays and saw me back in short trousers. I was a bit embarrassed about this, because as I said, I was acting superior when at the school in longs. I cannot remember his exact comments.

A rather amusing story regarding John was, during his first visit, we took him to the coast, which was close by my home, for a day out. To our amazement he had never previously seen the sea or beach sand. He took bottled samples of both sea water and sand home with him !!

I remember John as a pupil at this school, and of course, at that time he wore the above uniform. As a guest during my visit, I had long trousers. By the time John came to visit our home, he had left this school and started a state secondary school. His mother had also left her post, married, and relocated in Manchester. During his visits at this time, he wore long trousers. I am not sure what he wore at school, but now of course, I was also at my senior school and like all the M-form boys, back in short pants. Tease time again! He certainly enjoyed seeing me in shorts and liked to draw attention to the fact he had long trousers. I never really looked forward to his visits because of this, nor did I ever much like him, but looking back I realise he had a somewhat turbulent childhood.

John was slightly shorter than I, a bit stocky built, and longish hair was. A bit odd in those days as most school boys had short cut styles. I had not known John before senior school and he was not local to our town. Like Kenneth he travelled into school by bus. We tended, even in the same form, to have our own select groups and John, was not part of mine, so we rarely talked. He always wore shorts, even after most others, I included, went into longs. Also in summer he had grey ankle socks. As far as I know the only boy to do so. He was popular with the girls and I suppose a nice looking boy. He was a good sports player, and very good academically, always near the top of the form. I am little uncertain, but I think John left our school before being promoted into longs, which would account for me never seei ng him so dressed.

Created: April 20, 1999
Last updated: March 10, 1999