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Welcome to Bablake School and The Great War Information Page |
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This book has taken several years to research and by
compiling school admission records, The Wheatleyan, Battalion war diaries,
local newspapers and local archives the 96 Old Boys have been identified.The book is approximately
206 pages |
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"With the outbreak of War
in 1914, many of those who had been pupils or members of staff at Bablake
in the years leading up to the declaration of war enlisted. The Cadet
Corps had already been formed, giving those involved an appreciation of
military training. Staff and pupils from the Cadet Corps naturally moved
from playing soldier to the real thing. Coventry was a centre of
munitions` production and most admirable efforts were made in assisting in
the production of shell cases for munitions and pupils also attended local
war factories to render help.
Collections enabled comforts to be sent to the serving Old Boys and one of
the school's soccer pitches was turned over to growing produce. Throughout
the war the school endeavoured to carry on as usual; Christmas concerts
were still held, the main difference being the attendance of wounded
soldiers. Sports continued during the war and reports took on a new
flavour making reference to military terminology: footballers needed
"heavy artillery" and cricketers need to "reconnoitre”
the ground. In the four years of the war 867 Old Boys and staff served, 96
of these fell. The school war memorial was dedicated on the 10th February
1921 as a constant reminder to the "greatest act of devotion which
Bablake has ever recorded". |
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A full list of the Old Boys who served is included as
an Appendix.
If you require more detail please e mail before
ordering £11.95 + £1.50 p & p UK Only Outside
UK please e-mail for details |
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96 Old
Boys Died
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770 Old
Boys Served
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| Trevor
Harkin 2007 |