Although we shared some aspects of school with Grammar boys we rarely socialised, but nor can I remember any particular animosity between us. There was one boy at a different school that I did make friends with. Please rember that all this was 50 years ago. So my memories may not be perfect--but the following account provides the details as best I can remember them.

Graham

You will recall my Aunt being the Community Nurse; well she was collected every morning to be taken into work by one of the local Doctors. Naturally, he came to know my family well and, as he had a son about my age, I was frequently invited to their home to play. His son was named Graham and we got to know each other fairly well.

I think I first met Graham, when, together with all my family, we were invited to the Dr.'s house to watch T. V. coverage of Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953. The Doc being one of the few people in town to actually own at TV set at the time! That would make Graham and I about 8 years old.

Graham's Brothers

At the time, his brothers would be still living at home and it was not until we were about 11 or 12 that we saw each other regularly. By that time his brothers would have gone off to University and I guess Graham was a bit short of company. May be because he was a Dr.'s son, he rarely played outside with other local boys, and, his school being some distance away, he had no local school friends. I cannot remember much about Graham's brothers. When I first went to their home I was aged 8 and my visits were very infrequent. Graham's brothers were a fair bit older and would not bother much with small boys like Graham and I. It is also possible they were away at school. As I got older and visited frequently they had both departed for higher education.

Graham's School Uniform

Graham went to private schooling in the city, some 20 miles away, where he was a dayboy. His uniform, as you might expect, was very traditional public school. Red cap, a grey blazer trimmed with red ribbon, grey short trousers, stockings with plain red turn over tops.

I can remember talking about uniform with him, but not with my own school compatriots. Apart from meeting him from school we never really ventured outside, possibly because he felt embarrassed, especially when I was in longs. Actual conversations are difficult to recall, but I can remember once, when we were about 16, when Graham became very emotional to the point of sobbing. He was unhappy at school and felt stupid in short pants, but he was also very worried about his studies. I think, looking back, he was under a lot of pressure, as both his brothers had gone to medical school and I think Graham was expected to do likewise. As exams came round, we saw less of each other, then his father retired and moved to the Scottish Borders. We never really saw each other again, but I did hear that he went to University and, eventually to Australia. Writing this now it makes me feel a little sad that we lost touch. I really don't know when Graham went into longs, like I said, I can never remember seeing him in anything but shorts, but I expect it was a great day for him when it finally arrived. If he is still in Australia, he might be back to wearing shorts now!

It's a little vague now, but I think Graham went to a prep school, which was actually the junior section of his senior school. (We still have such a school near me, Durham School, and its junior prep section Bow school).

I only remember his red blazer uniform, not a separate uniform for prep school and public school. It is therefore probable the two uniforms were similar, thus causing my tired old brain some confusion. What I am certain of, is that he wore a plain red cap with school badge, a sort of grey short pants suit, and stockings with red tops. At some point, his coat had red ribbon trimmings which probably signified something, but I do not know what. He still wore this outfit when I had been in longs for some time, so 15+. He was a little shorter than I was and I thought he looked very juvenile in this outfit.He was also blonde haired so I have no doubt old ladies would say how sweet he looked! He was very embarrassed wearing this, especially when using the local bus service, travelling to and from school, when he must have encountered a number of other boys.

Graham's School Cap

Graham had to travel to school using the local service buses and, either because of the bright red colour, or his cap, he was very distinctive. He had to wear short trousers well after me, as it was a very strict regulation, as was, wearing his cap. He disliked this intensely and, I can remember him recounting being caned for not wearing a cap outside. Although I was caned on more than one occasion myself, it was always for far more serious misdemeanours than this. He was also punished by more senior boys, prefects I imagine, which was unheard of in our school (officially away!!)

I also know he frequently removed his cap, which was against school rules, as I often met him coming home with this in his pocket, but as we neared his house, on it went.(He lived in an extremly large house,in its own grounds, which in now a Nursing Home for the Elderly.)

Graham's Suits

Graham's uniform suits were a grey jacket and short trousers, of matching material, but what exactly they were made of I have no idea, but certainly not flannel. They looked expensive and very well cared for, creases in the trousers etc. He also had a dress suit he wore if his parents took us out for a day. This was a real treat for me as very few people had a car in those days. All I can really recollect is it looked 'tweedy' and, again, immaculate in appearance and expensive. Sorry I cannot be more specific but you will appreciate many of the details were of little importance to boys our age. It seems now that Graham always looked well dressed and I have no doubt his clothing was indeed expensive compared to my own. It occurs to me that the Doctor's son, Graham, had clothes made from the new Terrelyn fabric, which would explain why I always thought he looked so smart. Dr.Porteous (Graham's father) bought his clothes at a gents outfitter in the city, "Caslaw, Haytor and Tate". Actually on his recommendation, that was the tailor father took me to for my first long trouser suit.

Other Clothes

I was still visiting Graham's home when I was finally in longs, and Graham remained in shorts. So probably at 15+ he was still required by his parents to wear shorts in the home also. Looking back, I cannot recall ever seeing Graham in long trousers! Eventually her went off to University, at which time I certainly think his parents would have allowed him longs!

At home, his parent kept him in shorts, but he was always extremely well dressed, or so I thought. He did not appear to wear old school clothes for play. He did wear brown corduroy short trousers and also khaki shorts, for which I think he had fawn stockings and brown sandals, but I'm not sure about this. As I said before I am sure he was still in shorts when he was 16 years old.

Social Class

All this appears to support the theory that better off children seemed to remain in short trousers longer, certainly in the private school sector. It certainly remains a vivid picture in my mind, meeting Graham on his way home from school.

I liked Graham very much and, we were good friends, but I felt sorry for him having to wear such a distinctive 'schoolboy' outfit and short trousers for so long, despite the obvious fact that he had a far more privileged upbringing than I did. He was the Doctor's youngest son, a lot younger than his two older brothers who were both at University, so he was obviously a late edition to the family. (Not that such matters concerned us little boys at the time!!)

Sebergh

I can recall another nearby school, actually a rather prestigious public school, Sedbergh Grammar School. Even in the early 1980's, Sedbergh required all boys to wear short trousers for day wear. Their uniform was rather basic, blazer, shirt(open necked,) short trousers and long stockings with T.O.T. all in the same french navy colour. Some of the seniors would be almost 18 years old. For dress they wore a green or brown based tweed jacket, grey long trousers and white shirt with school tie. I am almost certain the shorts were regulation wear until about 1985.