The "Olde" Eccles Grammar School

Here is the very remarkable Roll photo (in 4 sections) of the Eccles Grammar School in December 1919. The original, 28" by 7.25", was discovered by Mark George in sorting the effects of his grandfather, Harold George (who appears on the Mid Right photograph). Remember, as told in another story, this wasn't OUR EGS, but a pre-existing, private school founded in about 1872. It ran contemporary with our school from 1911 to the start of WWII. At the time of this photo it was operating on Clarendon Road, and from the photo we see there were 114 pupils (all male) and 5 teachers. We are greatly appreciative that Mark has provided this wonderful photo to us.

Left Section. Even on this leftmost photo, the wide range of ages of the boys at the School can be seen. Most boys seem to have shirts, ties, and the School cap.

Mid Left Section. The youngest boys on this photo seem to be about 6 or 7. The headmaster, John Walmsley, close to 80 at this time, looks to be a commanding figure. His son, "Evvy", who took over the School on his father's death two years later, also wears his university cap and gown.

Mid Right Section. The young man marked with the dot was Harold George, born 1904 and grandfather of Mark, who preserved this photo. Harold remained in the Eccles area, working in the Tax Department for Salford Borough. He served in the Army during WWII, getting posted to India

Right Section. There are a wonderful variety of expressions on the faces of these young boys, raised in those traumatic years after the end of WWI. The terrace of houses behind is in Vicars Street, the line of which still exists in part today.