Figure 1.--This photograph shows three school chums at Seaford College Preparatory School in the 1920s. The pullovers are very typical of the period. An added point of interest is the fact that the boy on the right is Anthony Buckeridge. On the left is his cousin, H W Slate, whilst the boy in the centre is Val Guest, later a noted film director. |
Anthony Buckeridge was often asked where his ideas came from. In fact, he had a lot of material to work from, considering that he went to boarding school himself (as did Jennings) and then became a master at one. Anthony Buckeridge was born on June 20, 1912 in London. His father was a bank clerk who, like too many of his generation, was tragically killed during World War I when Anthony was very young. Anthony like many boys from affluent families was sent to a preparatory boarding school at age 8. It was a virtual rite of passage for boys of his class. His prep school was in Sussex near London. He then went on to a Public school where he also boarded until finish school at 18. So like Jenning's, Buckeridge was educated at private boarding schools. Buckeridge was the first writer to use Prep Schools as a story setting. His first audience were the boys at his Ramsgate prep school in St. Laurence's and Buckeridge developed Jennings from one of the characters at the school. The boys would clamor for "another Jennings story, please sir," at bedtime before lights out. Jennings himself soon took control and it was not long before all his creator had to do was to outline a situation and leave it to Jenning's peculiar method of reasoning to work things out to their logical conclusion. Collins in 1966 produced an omnibus edition, entitled A Bookful of Jennings, which was re-released in 1972 as The Best of Jennings. Buckeridge kept writing the books at a rate of around one a year, and he said that he always considered his last book to be his best. He claimed that "I receive so much enjoyment from re-reading all the Jenning's books, and I hope that others have received the same enjoyment". Anthony Buckeridge has published a autobiography While I Remember. We note that one of the books was dedicated to the "'Jennings Club' at Warden House School".
His father was a bank clerk who, like too many of his generation, was tragically killed during World War I when Anthony was very young.
Anthony Buckeridge was born on June 20, 1912 in London.
Anthony like many boys from affluent families was sent to a preparatory boarding school at age 8. It was a virtual rite of passage for boys of his class. His prep school was in Sussex near London. The school was Seaford College Preparatory School. The school uniform is pictured here (figure 1). Note the school caps with the crest and circular white patern. Interestingly, a Norfolk Jacket was worn rather than a blazer. Ehile at school for lessons the boys appear to have worn their jumpers, ewhoich did not require a tie rather than their jackets. Also notice the jumpers (sweaters), a popular style at the time, but different than the more common style which developed--the "v" neck sweater which could be worn with a tie. He then went on to a Public school where he also boarded until finish school at 18. So like Jenning's, Buckeridge was educated at private boarding schools. Buckeridge was the first writer to use Prep Schools as a story setting.
Anthony Buckeridge was often asked where his ideas came from. In fact, he had a lot of material to work from, considering that he went to boarding school himself (as did Jennings) and then became a master at one.
His first audience were the boys at his Ramsgate prep school in St. Laurence's and Buckeridge developed Jennings from one of the characters at the school. The boys would clamor for "another Jennings story, please sir," at bedtime before lights out.
Jennings himself soon took control and it was not long before all his creator had to do was to outline a situation and leave it to Jenning's peculiar method of reasoning to work things out to their logical conclusion. Collins in 1966 produced an omnibus edition, entitled A Bookful of Jennings, which was re-released in 1972 as The Best of Jennings. Buckeridge kept writing the books at a rate of around one a year, and he said that he always considered his last book to be his best. He claimed that "I receive so much enjoyment from re-reading all the Jenning's books, and I hope that others have received the same enjoyment".
Anthony Buckeridge has published a autobiography While I Remember. We note that one of the books was dedicated to the "'Jennings Club' at Warden House School".
Buckeridge, Anthony. While I Remember.
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