Welcome to the Barnsbury Boys School Anecdotes Page
James Sanderson
Eden Grove, 1959-60. We were second years in Form 2A; Martyn, he of the handkerchief up the sleeve fame, was the master. In keeping with school policy, prefects were chosen from our class (although I could be wrong about this) and along with several others I was chosen to be one.
I also volunteered to help in the library because by then I had become an avid reader and got first dibs all the Biggles' books as well as Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Mr. Comey spotted my interest and did me a big favour by putting me onto John Wyndham for which I am most grateful.
Not much of a story you might think until I tell you that one day in class, as Martyn was talking about jobs, a kid called Fairbairn piped up and said that it wasn't fair that Sanderson had two jobs. He then stated that I was both a prefect and a librarian, something everyone knew and thought nothing about. Martyn, much to my amazement, agreed with him and I was made there and then, to choose which one I would keep. I reasoned that I could always visit the library so I remained a prefect. But Gentlemen - you will all know what I mean when I say that even after all these years, it still burns that this little shit, obviously jealous, grassed me up over nothing.
Now his name appeared on Friends Reunited some years ago and whereas I always contacted everyone that I knew from our Barnsbury days, inviting them to join our walks down memory lane, I never contacted him. I could not bring myself to do it.
You will note that I am being honest here because this little tale does not present me in a good light, but I have to tell it like it is. What he did was uncalled for, unnecessary and snide in my book (forgive the pun) and I would not want to mix with him now, anymore than I did then.
There is also a moral to this story, but I will not dig myself in any deeper.
John James Fairbanks
Thank the Lord the bastard’s name was Fairbairn and not Fairbanks! Thank heavens you remembered him, otherwise I might (by mistake) never have heard of the GOBBs!
Another story about little shits. As per usual I managed to find myself at the centre of some misdemeanour, and ended up in front of the Bonk. He intended to chastise me in the usual way with his cane. I protested that it wasn’t me - but another. He therefore gave me the chance to “talk” to the other boy and “persuade” him to come forward and take his punishment. He gave me 24 hours to achieve this. This story doesn’t have a happy ending. I failed to persuade the cowardly bastard, and Bonky gave me 6 of his finest as the real miscreant’s proxy.
The 6 didn’t bother me, I regularly had them, but him not owning up for what he did still rankles 50 years later. So James, you have my full understanding for your vendetta against Fairbairn.
Barry Page
This a follow up with my encounter with big bully Johnny Williams. The difficulty was keeping a low profile and away from Williams’ prying eyes and his gang members’ overt threats. Rumours of a ‘punch up’ or ‘rumble’ after school hours became rife. It so happened that Wednesday morning was reserved for sports activity. Here at least was an opportunity to stay away from the school property during the morning and perhaps things would simmer down. However, I was continually dogged with bad luck. The weather in the morning deteriorated and it became extremely cold. I was ill prepared for this where clothing was concerned and the cross-country run through Scratchwood at Sterling Corner near Barnet was wet and miserable. At the end of the course I looked as if I had been dragged through a mud bath. We returned to school in time for me to eat lunch in the cafeteria – all the while being on my guard for Williams and his henchmen.
With lunch over I decided to take refuge in the library room on the second floor. After leaving the cafeteria, I became aware that I was being followed, so I elected to dart up the back stairs to try and elude my followers. They had different plans and split into two groups; one following me and the other taking the main stairs. I reached the second floor, but the group that took the main stairs beat me to the library room door and herded me back into the clutches of the group that followed me. There was no escape. The mob was howling for blood: “Let’s get ’im in the bog”, suggested one lout; then Williams appeared and the crowd parted to let him confront me. Without warning, he cuffed me again – harder this time – and, pointing his finger at my chest, said, “That’s just a taste of what you’ll be getting tonight”, and sauntered down the corridor. Martin Sturgeon decided to repeat his leader’s action with a similar blow, and then the whole group slunk away – sneering as it went. …"
Eden Grove, 1959-60. We were second years in Form 2A; Martyn, he of the handkerchief up the sleeve fame, was the master. In keeping with school policy, prefects were chosen from our class (although I could be wrong about this) and along with several others I was chosen to be one.
I also volunteered to help in the library because by then I had become an avid reader and got first dibs all the Biggles' books as well as Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Mr. Comey spotted my interest and did me a big favour by putting me onto John Wyndham for which I am most grateful.
Not much of a story you might think until I tell you that one day in class, as Martyn was talking about jobs, a kid called Fairbairn piped up and said that it wasn't fair that Sanderson had two jobs. He then stated that I was both a prefect and a librarian, something everyone knew and thought nothing about. Martyn, much to my amazement, agreed with him and I was made there and then, to choose which one I would keep. I reasoned that I could always visit the library so I remained a prefect. But Gentlemen - you will all know what I mean when I say that even after all these years, it still burns that this little shit, obviously jealous, grassed me up over nothing.
Now his name appeared on Friends Reunited some years ago and whereas I always contacted everyone that I knew from our Barnsbury days, inviting them to join our walks down memory lane, I never contacted him. I could not bring myself to do it.
You will note that I am being honest here because this little tale does not present me in a good light, but I have to tell it like it is. What he did was uncalled for, unnecessary and snide in my book (forgive the pun) and I would not want to mix with him now, anymore than I did then.
There is also a moral to this story, but I will not dig myself in any deeper.
John James Fairbanks
Thank the Lord the bastard’s name was Fairbairn and not Fairbanks! Thank heavens you remembered him, otherwise I might (by mistake) never have heard of the GOBBs!
Another story about little shits. As per usual I managed to find myself at the centre of some misdemeanour, and ended up in front of the Bonk. He intended to chastise me in the usual way with his cane. I protested that it wasn’t me - but another. He therefore gave me the chance to “talk” to the other boy and “persuade” him to come forward and take his punishment. He gave me 24 hours to achieve this. This story doesn’t have a happy ending. I failed to persuade the cowardly bastard, and Bonky gave me 6 of his finest as the real miscreant’s proxy.
The 6 didn’t bother me, I regularly had them, but him not owning up for what he did still rankles 50 years later. So James, you have my full understanding for your vendetta against Fairbairn.
Barry Page
This a follow up with my encounter with big bully Johnny Williams. The difficulty was keeping a low profile and away from Williams’ prying eyes and his gang members’ overt threats. Rumours of a ‘punch up’ or ‘rumble’ after school hours became rife. It so happened that Wednesday morning was reserved for sports activity. Here at least was an opportunity to stay away from the school property during the morning and perhaps things would simmer down. However, I was continually dogged with bad luck. The weather in the morning deteriorated and it became extremely cold. I was ill prepared for this where clothing was concerned and the cross-country run through Scratchwood at Sterling Corner near Barnet was wet and miserable. At the end of the course I looked as if I had been dragged through a mud bath. We returned to school in time for me to eat lunch in the cafeteria – all the while being on my guard for Williams and his henchmen.
With lunch over I decided to take refuge in the library room on the second floor. After leaving the cafeteria, I became aware that I was being followed, so I elected to dart up the back stairs to try and elude my followers. They had different plans and split into two groups; one following me and the other taking the main stairs. I reached the second floor, but the group that took the main stairs beat me to the library room door and herded me back into the clutches of the group that followed me. There was no escape. The mob was howling for blood: “Let’s get ’im in the bog”, suggested one lout; then Williams appeared and the crowd parted to let him confront me. Without warning, he cuffed me again – harder this time – and, pointing his finger at my chest, said, “That’s just a taste of what you’ll be getting tonight”, and sauntered down the corridor. Martin Sturgeon decided to repeat his leader’s action with a similar blow, and then the whole group slunk away – sneering as it went. …"
John Landon
I too, applaud some of the heartfelt stories.
I am sure there are many more! What I would say James is, that despite what you wrote, it is something that nobody judges you for! I am sure many of the guys (and I am one) who 'harbour' similar personal thoughts and encounters, as does Barry and the bully boy Williams!
If I remember correctly (and I am sure I will be corrected), that there were other bullies/hard lads at school, like Terry Winters, Patrick Coyle and I think Frankie (Spanky) Wright!!!!
They say life's too short, however I am not a forgiving person, so I do empathise James!
I too, applaud some of the heartfelt stories.
I am sure there are many more! What I would say James is, that despite what you wrote, it is something that nobody judges you for! I am sure many of the guys (and I am one) who 'harbour' similar personal thoughts and encounters, as does Barry and the bully boy Williams!
If I remember correctly (and I am sure I will be corrected), that there were other bullies/hard lads at school, like Terry Winters, Patrick Coyle and I think Frankie (Spanky) Wright!!!!
They say life's too short, however I am not a forgiving person, so I do empathise James!
Micky Simmonds
Sorry John, but while I would agree about that little tosser Terry Winter, I knew both Frankie Wright and Patsy Coyle at school and if their reputation preceded them it wasn't as bullies. Patsy knocked about with a few of us - known as the infamous Highbury Mob and Frankie knew most of us - names included Billy Hunt, James Sanderson, Ray Sabini and for a little while, Nobby Wheatley as well as a few others from Barnsbury.
John Landon
Hi Mick, sorry if I caused offence, that was not the intent and it appeared that I categorised the 'hard lads' with the wee bully!!
I knew both Patsy and Frankie and were also friends with them at school. Unfortunately, like all old school friends, I lost touch once I left school; as I moved to Scotland not long afterwards. Life at that time, was a great deal different than life in London, so I often feel as though I missed out on my teenage years.
Sorry John, but while I would agree about that little tosser Terry Winter, I knew both Frankie Wright and Patsy Coyle at school and if their reputation preceded them it wasn't as bullies. Patsy knocked about with a few of us - known as the infamous Highbury Mob and Frankie knew most of us - names included Billy Hunt, James Sanderson, Ray Sabini and for a little while, Nobby Wheatley as well as a few others from Barnsbury.
John Landon
Hi Mick, sorry if I caused offence, that was not the intent and it appeared that I categorised the 'hard lads' with the wee bully!!
I knew both Patsy and Frankie and were also friends with them at school. Unfortunately, like all old school friends, I lost touch once I left school; as I moved to Scotland not long afterwards. Life at that time, was a great deal different than life in London, so I often feel as though I missed out on my teenage years.
Tam Joseph
Yes, I remember that little bastard Winters ,
I accidentally bumped into him in the toilets and he thumped me in the back. Surprised, I turned round and saw a little runt who was even smaller the me! Foolishly I grabbed him round the collar and he responded with an almost perfect head butt on my chin, almost perfect because I wasn't hurt. So I grabbed him again and began to bounce him off the walls and then were separated.
Later, I wandered into his classroom by mistake (some of y'all may remember). The little dickhead Winters approached me and and fired off a kick straight at my balls but luckily for me he had misjudged the distance and missed. After that I went berserk and we were taken to meet with Madley who squared us up with boxing gloves. He was fast but I was a lot stronger and whacked him real good.
Nobby Wheatley was OK, I think that Doolan and his mate ensured that he did not get too uppity.
Yes, I remember that little bastard Winters ,
I accidentally bumped into him in the toilets and he thumped me in the back. Surprised, I turned round and saw a little runt who was even smaller the me! Foolishly I grabbed him round the collar and he responded with an almost perfect head butt on my chin, almost perfect because I wasn't hurt. So I grabbed him again and began to bounce him off the walls and then were separated.
Later, I wandered into his classroom by mistake (some of y'all may remember). The little dickhead Winters approached me and and fired off a kick straight at my balls but luckily for me he had misjudged the distance and missed. After that I went berserk and we were taken to meet with Madley who squared us up with boxing gloves. He was fast but I was a lot stronger and whacked him real good.
Nobby Wheatley was OK, I think that Doolan and his mate ensured that he did not get too uppity.
Chris Zindilis
I do remember Mr. Cropley. He was my science teacher. He was a nerd and when he spoke in class, his spittle went everywhere and dribbled down his chin. He was short and bad tempered. He had spectacles that he never ever cleaned and always wore the same old grey-green jacket. We always picked on him; for he had no control over any of his classes teaching chemistry.
One particular morning (1964?) while we were doing a science lesson, someone nicked his sandwiches and his Thermos. While we were doing the lesson, there was a terrible burning smell, followed by a great big bang at the far end of the class. We all turned to see what had happened. There it was, Mr. Cropley's Thermos in pieces. Apparently Titus - a black boy who was much older than us and wasn't supposed to be in our class and was a giant for his age - stuck Cropley's Thermos under a Bunsen burner and when it got to nearly melting point it exploded. Mr. Cropley hit the roof. He called Titus over and started having a go at him for sneaking into our class and causing havoc . Next thing, Titus picked him up, lifted him up and pinned him on the blackboard asking him to apologised. The whole class went wild cheering Titus while Cropley kept pleading to be released. Another black friend of Titus - a short little lad called Obrey - walked into our class, went over to where Cropley was hanging in Titus' arms for dear life and pulled Cropley's trousers down. The whole class started laughing and cheering Titus. This was the first time I ever seen anything like it. Eventually Titus put Cropley down and just walked out of the class followed by young Obrey. Cropley eventually recovered, pulled his trousers up, and stormed out of the class swearing.
We were told later that Titus and Obrey were called in the Bonk's office and were reprimanded harshly. We didn't see them return back to school till about a month later. Titus was very unpredictable and his gang terrorised everyone while I was at Camden. There was a Turkish boy called Bazri who could take on Titus. Bazri was fearless and fought Titus twice while I was at Camden. I often wonder what ever happened to them both. Maybe someone of our GOBB'S remembers them. Ahh, school days.
I do remember Mr. Cropley. He was my science teacher. He was a nerd and when he spoke in class, his spittle went everywhere and dribbled down his chin. He was short and bad tempered. He had spectacles that he never ever cleaned and always wore the same old grey-green jacket. We always picked on him; for he had no control over any of his classes teaching chemistry.
One particular morning (1964?) while we were doing a science lesson, someone nicked his sandwiches and his Thermos. While we were doing the lesson, there was a terrible burning smell, followed by a great big bang at the far end of the class. We all turned to see what had happened. There it was, Mr. Cropley's Thermos in pieces. Apparently Titus - a black boy who was much older than us and wasn't supposed to be in our class and was a giant for his age - stuck Cropley's Thermos under a Bunsen burner and when it got to nearly melting point it exploded. Mr. Cropley hit the roof. He called Titus over and started having a go at him for sneaking into our class and causing havoc . Next thing, Titus picked him up, lifted him up and pinned him on the blackboard asking him to apologised. The whole class went wild cheering Titus while Cropley kept pleading to be released. Another black friend of Titus - a short little lad called Obrey - walked into our class, went over to where Cropley was hanging in Titus' arms for dear life and pulled Cropley's trousers down. The whole class started laughing and cheering Titus. This was the first time I ever seen anything like it. Eventually Titus put Cropley down and just walked out of the class followed by young Obrey. Cropley eventually recovered, pulled his trousers up, and stormed out of the class swearing.
We were told later that Titus and Obrey were called in the Bonk's office and were reprimanded harshly. We didn't see them return back to school till about a month later. Titus was very unpredictable and his gang terrorised everyone while I was at Camden. There was a Turkish boy called Bazri who could take on Titus. Bazri was fearless and fought Titus twice while I was at Camden. I often wonder what ever happened to them both. Maybe someone of our GOBB'S remembers them. Ahh, school days.
Bill Pitt-Jones
Yeah, I could never get my head around that little prat’s mind set. I’ve always been on the short side as well, but he was so skinny!! There wasn't tuppencesworth of him!! Where did he get all that aggression and spitefulness from? Did he see himself as Alan Ladd?? He simply never changed. If that boy could do somebody damage and get away with it he would.
I had to sort him out when we were 10 year-olds at Copenhagen Street School. (Form Master, one 'Killer' Cohen)
His big brother was his minder in those days. Though am absolutely no 'fighter' at all, - I am usually never aware of any 'bad feelings’ until I'm laying on my back with a fat nose - It was no problem!! Fighting during those tender years generally omitted all of the viciousness I witnessed in later teenage years. I simply threw him over my shoulder a couple of times then rammed his arm up his back like the coppers used to do. (Did any one else get those D.I.Y. jujitsu books out of the library?). Anyway, he started crying, so like all my cowboy heroes who wore White Hats, I let him go. His response of course was to jump up and aim kick at me - as he was running away as fast as he possibly could - shouting over his shoulder that his big brother was 'gonna come round to my house and give me what for'.
Well his big brother had more sense. He knew I had FIVE big brothers and Fortress Beaconsfield Buildings was no place to enter looking for trouble. (As 'The Somers Town' found in later years). And the coppers always knew that.
- But thats another story....
Tam Joseph
Joe Titus, yes he was a big. Remember Fuzzy Mehmed? He lived only few yards down the Road from me until a few years ago.
Bad boy Petrou? My mate Ronnie told me the story of how Petrou was attacked outside the ABC cinema by man with huge knife who tried to cut Petrous hand off! I heard that he did well and made loadsa money as Barber in the West End
Bazri? Well Turks, Mongolians, Zulus, Apache's are always ready to fight.
Cropley was really no good as a teacher but I think that we pushed him too far.
Mr. Coppens in fact was a smoothie who used to style his hair and so was Mr. Comey - another smoothie.
Paul Kenealy
Like some others, I feel sometimes that I may have gone to a different school. I did get the cane from The Bonk a couple of times and remember having to tell my dad and getting another hiding at home. Apart from that I must’ve kept my head down and kept out of trouble, except in 5th year with Jerry Sibley. We were given an ultimatum by Bayliss, either one of us leaves the GCE maths class or neither of us would be taught. I didn’t take the exam, in hindsight I probably save the school the admission cost. I always said that Sibley’s encouragement to disrupt classes was my downfall, but now he’s been gone ten years, I still miss him. Silly sod.
As to your assertion Alan that M/D (Micky Doolan ?) whacked a certain teacher in class 1D, I have to correct you. I was in 1B as was Micky, and although he was a man in the first year when we were all boys until at least the fifth (except Theo Panaye) and wore a Dave Wax suit with Fred Perry shirts as his school uniform, to my knowledge he never whacked anyone. I wasn’t one of his ‘crew’ but I liked him and he tolerated me in my Keevans blazer, skinny bare legs and Clarke's shoes.
I’m loving this banter exchange. As Bob Hope would say – Thanks For The Memories.
Barry Page
Following up on the school bully sagas, here's a contribution introducing Johnny Williams and his henchmen.
" … The neophytes were mindful, too, of the bullies and their cliques. There were several rotten apples in the barrel, the most notorious being a ringleader called Johnny Williams, who cared for no one and held sway over a number of craven followers. Williams, his henchmen John Deighton and Martin Sturgeon, strutted around and summarily picked on likely targets – usually boys who could be easily intimidated because they stood out in the crowd. Fear and reputation were the main weapons and any resistance was met with a ‘swarming’ by Williams’ gang that often ended up with a minor injury to the innocent party. Williams was also known to carry a flick-knife that was used to some effect. His bravado was displayed against teachers and authority in general, but any punishment was shrugged off and used as bragging rights.
In 1960, Williams was eventually expelled after challenging a teacher, Mr. Trainer, to a fight outside the school."
There are other stories that I can tell about Williams, and I'm sure Bertie will remember the famous aftermath of Williams vs. Mr. Witriol altercation, when Witriol burst into "Jeff" Leff's class totally red faced and flustered. "Jeff" took one condescending look at Witriol and calmly mumbled, "Yes, Mr. Witriol. We all know about Williams."
Happy days!
Micky Simmonds
That famous fight was a really one sided as Mr Trainer was a black belt at judo and if my memory is correct he, warned Williams at least 3 times but Williams just couldn't back down. Firstly, he was thrown to the floor with a beautiful ankle sweep, and as he got up he was straight away floored again. Finally, he then tried to throw a punch and then was trapped with a lovely arm lock and frog marched to the Bonk's office.
It was a privilege to watch as I was only in the 3rd year and so great seeing him get his just desserts. I believe if my memory is correct it happened right by the front gates.
Barry Page (1957-1962)
Talking of school bullies, the most notorious one during my tenure was Johnny Williams and his gang. Williams and I had a confrontation just before morning assembly and he haunted me throughout the day - even to the extent of seeking me out during lunch hour and throwing a punch, which connected, complete with the added warning that that was just a taste of what to expect when school was dismissed in the afternoon.
News of the possibility of a ‘rumble’ spread through the school like wildfire and there was a sizeable audience outside just waiting for the action. However, my mate, Takis Polydorou, a giant of a teenage Greek-Cypriot, persuaded Williams to lay off of me, and the tactic worked - I was saved! Later, after assaulting a teacher (Mr. Witriol), Williams was expelled, but the ‘bully void’ was soon filled with other unsavouries like John Diamond and Martin Sturgeon. They never went away!
John Diamond, coming up in conversation. Diamond, like Williams, considered himself tough when in the company of all his mates. In truth, they were both not so hot when on their own - the gang culture was paramount and was the only way they could assert their authority.
Others I knew at BBS, such as Brian Offer, he was a weak, inoffensive boy the ideal type to be bullied, and targeted by the toughs, and I remember one time when Brian succumbed to a mouthful of knuckles by one particular obnoxious bully (may have been John Deighton). Brian, being of a gentle nature, failed to retaliate; merely to utter a few choice expletives.
Mick Simmonds (1958-1962)
Barry your piece about Johnny Williams was very true he even tried to fight one of the teachers not knowing that Mr. Trainer was a judo black belt and got his arse kicked by him. Martin Sturgeon always relied on his mate Podgy O’Shea to get him out of trouble. The reason I remember his name is I suffered many times at his hand.
Johnny Williams who as I remember wasn’t a very tall person but his cronies Martin Sturgeon, John Diamond and Mickey Key were quite big guys. But I suppose anyone appeared big when you were only 13. As I said before, I suffered at the hands of Sturgeon many times because his backup man was Podgy O’Shea.
David Woozley (1958-1963)
I remember Johnny Williams, he was an obnoxious little squirt. At one time he had a fondness for making boys unconscious by getting them to breathe out and hold their breath whilst he tightened his arms round their chest and squeezed hard.
Michael Stewart (1957-1963)
Talking about Sturgeon. Do you remember Royston Score? I was a friend of his until he left and emigrated to Paignton in Devon. He was an easy-going sort of bloke. One day Sturgeon started to bully him relentlessly. Roy's fuse blew and he erupted into fury of flying fists and pounding thumps to the face. Sturgeon was totally shattered and to make matters worse, the Bonk came on the scene and caned both of them. Sturgeon's power was somewhat broken after this surprise duffing up and his gang (Williams, etc.) treated him like a dog for a long time.
Mickey Isaacs (1958-1960)
You’re both right about Terry Winter. However, as a “bully” his career would have been in danger of never getting off the ground if it wasn’t for the protection afforded him by Nobby Wheatley. The little runt Winter (whose mouth was probably the biggest thing about him) was one of those little ferrety people who are always at the head of a mob, screaming and urging the mob to attack a victim, and then when the attack does begin he manages to make his way to the back of the crowd. Whenever a teacher arrived, there would be an “innocent” Winter chanting, “What Guv? Who Guv? Not me Guv.”
Tony Lawrence (1951-1957)
However as a recipient of bullying by teachers and fellow pupils there always was a bullying situation at Barnsbury.
There were always an element of small gangs and in my years they were, as an example, Peter Hare [smallish kid] and his cronies George East and David Nye [both big kids] and another two whose names I cannot recall; there were others but I cannot recall being really bullied by older pupils.
Nothing as nasty as the odd kick here and there, pushing you in the back when you were having a pee in the loos so you ’wet’ yourself. Taking your school bag away and emptying its contents out on the floor, tripping you up in the corridors or playgrounds, relieving you of your dinner money, etc., etc. Constant having a go and sniping at some kids. Petty but bloody mindless!
Paul Humphries was one case in mind and I think I have mentioned it before. But he was bullied mercilessly by kids because of his appearance [skinny, large ears, wore specs] and abilities [he was clever]. He contracted pneumonia and subsequently died from it as he did not have the will to live because of the bullying.
Yeah, I could never get my head around that little prat’s mind set. I’ve always been on the short side as well, but he was so skinny!! There wasn't tuppencesworth of him!! Where did he get all that aggression and spitefulness from? Did he see himself as Alan Ladd?? He simply never changed. If that boy could do somebody damage and get away with it he would.
I had to sort him out when we were 10 year-olds at Copenhagen Street School. (Form Master, one 'Killer' Cohen)
His big brother was his minder in those days. Though am absolutely no 'fighter' at all, - I am usually never aware of any 'bad feelings’ until I'm laying on my back with a fat nose - It was no problem!! Fighting during those tender years generally omitted all of the viciousness I witnessed in later teenage years. I simply threw him over my shoulder a couple of times then rammed his arm up his back like the coppers used to do. (Did any one else get those D.I.Y. jujitsu books out of the library?). Anyway, he started crying, so like all my cowboy heroes who wore White Hats, I let him go. His response of course was to jump up and aim kick at me - as he was running away as fast as he possibly could - shouting over his shoulder that his big brother was 'gonna come round to my house and give me what for'.
Well his big brother had more sense. He knew I had FIVE big brothers and Fortress Beaconsfield Buildings was no place to enter looking for trouble. (As 'The Somers Town' found in later years). And the coppers always knew that.
- But thats another story....
Tam Joseph
Joe Titus, yes he was a big. Remember Fuzzy Mehmed? He lived only few yards down the Road from me until a few years ago.
Bad boy Petrou? My mate Ronnie told me the story of how Petrou was attacked outside the ABC cinema by man with huge knife who tried to cut Petrous hand off! I heard that he did well and made loadsa money as Barber in the West End
Bazri? Well Turks, Mongolians, Zulus, Apache's are always ready to fight.
Cropley was really no good as a teacher but I think that we pushed him too far.
Mr. Coppens in fact was a smoothie who used to style his hair and so was Mr. Comey - another smoothie.
Paul Kenealy
Like some others, I feel sometimes that I may have gone to a different school. I did get the cane from The Bonk a couple of times and remember having to tell my dad and getting another hiding at home. Apart from that I must’ve kept my head down and kept out of trouble, except in 5th year with Jerry Sibley. We were given an ultimatum by Bayliss, either one of us leaves the GCE maths class or neither of us would be taught. I didn’t take the exam, in hindsight I probably save the school the admission cost. I always said that Sibley’s encouragement to disrupt classes was my downfall, but now he’s been gone ten years, I still miss him. Silly sod.
As to your assertion Alan that M/D (Micky Doolan ?) whacked a certain teacher in class 1D, I have to correct you. I was in 1B as was Micky, and although he was a man in the first year when we were all boys until at least the fifth (except Theo Panaye) and wore a Dave Wax suit with Fred Perry shirts as his school uniform, to my knowledge he never whacked anyone. I wasn’t one of his ‘crew’ but I liked him and he tolerated me in my Keevans blazer, skinny bare legs and Clarke's shoes.
I’m loving this banter exchange. As Bob Hope would say – Thanks For The Memories.
Barry Page
Following up on the school bully sagas, here's a contribution introducing Johnny Williams and his henchmen.
" … The neophytes were mindful, too, of the bullies and their cliques. There were several rotten apples in the barrel, the most notorious being a ringleader called Johnny Williams, who cared for no one and held sway over a number of craven followers. Williams, his henchmen John Deighton and Martin Sturgeon, strutted around and summarily picked on likely targets – usually boys who could be easily intimidated because they stood out in the crowd. Fear and reputation were the main weapons and any resistance was met with a ‘swarming’ by Williams’ gang that often ended up with a minor injury to the innocent party. Williams was also known to carry a flick-knife that was used to some effect. His bravado was displayed against teachers and authority in general, but any punishment was shrugged off and used as bragging rights.
In 1960, Williams was eventually expelled after challenging a teacher, Mr. Trainer, to a fight outside the school."
There are other stories that I can tell about Williams, and I'm sure Bertie will remember the famous aftermath of Williams vs. Mr. Witriol altercation, when Witriol burst into "Jeff" Leff's class totally red faced and flustered. "Jeff" took one condescending look at Witriol and calmly mumbled, "Yes, Mr. Witriol. We all know about Williams."
Happy days!
Micky Simmonds
That famous fight was a really one sided as Mr Trainer was a black belt at judo and if my memory is correct he, warned Williams at least 3 times but Williams just couldn't back down. Firstly, he was thrown to the floor with a beautiful ankle sweep, and as he got up he was straight away floored again. Finally, he then tried to throw a punch and then was trapped with a lovely arm lock and frog marched to the Bonk's office.
It was a privilege to watch as I was only in the 3rd year and so great seeing him get his just desserts. I believe if my memory is correct it happened right by the front gates.
Barry Page (1957-1962)
Talking of school bullies, the most notorious one during my tenure was Johnny Williams and his gang. Williams and I had a confrontation just before morning assembly and he haunted me throughout the day - even to the extent of seeking me out during lunch hour and throwing a punch, which connected, complete with the added warning that that was just a taste of what to expect when school was dismissed in the afternoon.
News of the possibility of a ‘rumble’ spread through the school like wildfire and there was a sizeable audience outside just waiting for the action. However, my mate, Takis Polydorou, a giant of a teenage Greek-Cypriot, persuaded Williams to lay off of me, and the tactic worked - I was saved! Later, after assaulting a teacher (Mr. Witriol), Williams was expelled, but the ‘bully void’ was soon filled with other unsavouries like John Diamond and Martin Sturgeon. They never went away!
John Diamond, coming up in conversation. Diamond, like Williams, considered himself tough when in the company of all his mates. In truth, they were both not so hot when on their own - the gang culture was paramount and was the only way they could assert their authority.
Others I knew at BBS, such as Brian Offer, he was a weak, inoffensive boy the ideal type to be bullied, and targeted by the toughs, and I remember one time when Brian succumbed to a mouthful of knuckles by one particular obnoxious bully (may have been John Deighton). Brian, being of a gentle nature, failed to retaliate; merely to utter a few choice expletives.
Mick Simmonds (1958-1962)
Barry your piece about Johnny Williams was very true he even tried to fight one of the teachers not knowing that Mr. Trainer was a judo black belt and got his arse kicked by him. Martin Sturgeon always relied on his mate Podgy O’Shea to get him out of trouble. The reason I remember his name is I suffered many times at his hand.
Johnny Williams who as I remember wasn’t a very tall person but his cronies Martin Sturgeon, John Diamond and Mickey Key were quite big guys. But I suppose anyone appeared big when you were only 13. As I said before, I suffered at the hands of Sturgeon many times because his backup man was Podgy O’Shea.
David Woozley (1958-1963)
I remember Johnny Williams, he was an obnoxious little squirt. At one time he had a fondness for making boys unconscious by getting them to breathe out and hold their breath whilst he tightened his arms round their chest and squeezed hard.
Michael Stewart (1957-1963)
Talking about Sturgeon. Do you remember Royston Score? I was a friend of his until he left and emigrated to Paignton in Devon. He was an easy-going sort of bloke. One day Sturgeon started to bully him relentlessly. Roy's fuse blew and he erupted into fury of flying fists and pounding thumps to the face. Sturgeon was totally shattered and to make matters worse, the Bonk came on the scene and caned both of them. Sturgeon's power was somewhat broken after this surprise duffing up and his gang (Williams, etc.) treated him like a dog for a long time.
Mickey Isaacs (1958-1960)
You’re both right about Terry Winter. However, as a “bully” his career would have been in danger of never getting off the ground if it wasn’t for the protection afforded him by Nobby Wheatley. The little runt Winter (whose mouth was probably the biggest thing about him) was one of those little ferrety people who are always at the head of a mob, screaming and urging the mob to attack a victim, and then when the attack does begin he manages to make his way to the back of the crowd. Whenever a teacher arrived, there would be an “innocent” Winter chanting, “What Guv? Who Guv? Not me Guv.”
Tony Lawrence (1951-1957)
However as a recipient of bullying by teachers and fellow pupils there always was a bullying situation at Barnsbury.
There were always an element of small gangs and in my years they were, as an example, Peter Hare [smallish kid] and his cronies George East and David Nye [both big kids] and another two whose names I cannot recall; there were others but I cannot recall being really bullied by older pupils.
Nothing as nasty as the odd kick here and there, pushing you in the back when you were having a pee in the loos so you ’wet’ yourself. Taking your school bag away and emptying its contents out on the floor, tripping you up in the corridors or playgrounds, relieving you of your dinner money, etc., etc. Constant having a go and sniping at some kids. Petty but bloody mindless!
Paul Humphries was one case in mind and I think I have mentioned it before. But he was bullied mercilessly by kids because of his appearance [skinny, large ears, wore specs] and abilities [he was clever]. He contracted pneumonia and subsequently died from it as he did not have the will to live because of the bullying.