Some pre-war school pictures.

In July 2013 Clive Taylor wrote:

"I have been doing some family history research over the past few years since my Mother (21 March 1995) and Father (30 November 1996) died. Over the past year I have been working my way through some photos from my Father and trying to find out further background information from them. In particular I have 4 photos, 2 taken in 1931 from Central Park Junior School (1 off Violinist, and 1 off 19 Scholarship winners) and 2 taken in 1934 of the East Ham Grammar School Camp at Hawkshill (front and reverse of postcard). Would you be interested in electronic copies of these photo's to add to you East Ham Grammar School web site? My Father was Leslie Arnold Taylor, a resident of West Ham. I believe both he and his brothers (Malcolm and Colin) attended the same schools. Both Leslie and Malcolm swam for the Plaistow Swimming club and, had the Second World War not occurred, my Father was certain that he would have included in the next Olympic swimming team, possibly his brother Malcolm too.
During the war my Father served as a Sergeant pilot (fighters) in the RAF, taking part in the Battle of Britain, The North Africa Landings, The Defence of Malta and the Invasion of Sicily, before being brought back to Britain to recuperate after being medically unfit due to weight loss and stress. Malcolm, I believe, served with the Army Medical Corps in the Mediterranean.

My Father lived at  7 Rancliffe Road where his parents ran a shop, a General Stores if I remember correctly. Colin Taylor died in 1945 (from consumption or pneumonia I think) at the age of 19. Malcolm passed on in 1993 aged 76 and Les Taylor passed on aged 76 also.

I have attached the photos as stated and included a 1937 Cricket team photo (I'm not sure if this would have been a school team photo or not and I'm not 100% certain of the date due to family reasons). I have also included a swimming team photo, whilst I believe the photo to be of the Plaistow Swimming Club, again I can't be certain but I know that Les Taylor (Front Right) did start his swimming whilst still at school, so IF any other information can be gleaned from the photo I would much appreciate it. I also included a photo of my Father beside one of the Spitfires that he flew.

I suppose I could be wrong, but I must assume that in my photo of the 'Class of 31 scholarship receivers', one of those young lads would also be Osbert James Lambert, as already featured in your web site."

1931, Leslie Taylor & Scholarship winners, Central Park Junior School.

1931, Leslie Taylor & Violinists, Central Park Junior School.

1934, East Ham Grammar School Camp, Les Taylor 2nd left.

1934 East Ham Grammar School Camp, back of picture.

1937 circa, ?Malcolm Taylor?  & cricket team.

1938 circa Leslie Taylor and Winners Swimming Club Trophies.

1942 August, Les Taylor signed by Amy Taylor on reverse.

On 25/7/13, in reply to the details posted above, Herbert Linwood (EHGS 1936-41) wrote:

I was fascinated to read Clive Taylor's text about these pictures. I lived opposite Central Park School from 1926 until 1940 in Central Park Road. In 1931 I was in the infants' school on the ground floor but moved to the top floor in 1933. Looking at the photos, whilst I cannot recognise any pupils of that time, I think I have better luck with staff. At the back is headmaster Mr Cook --- famous for his "stick" line by his desk where naughty boys queued up to receive their punishment. He retired in 1935. Right of the photo is Mr Marsden --- a very pleasant teacher indeed who had a noticeable N.E. regional accent. To the left is Mr Cohen, subsequently promoted to Headmaster after Mr Cook retired. A brilliant dedicated master (thanks to him I passed the scholarship exam in1936 ---"just" --- I was 81st out of 90 boys who went to EHGS. He was a stern disciplinarian--- caned very hard OH!!
In the violin picture I can recognise Mr Lehmann (an Austrian... very passionate about his violin orchestra) He taught in 5c in an overflow class in the Hall (overspill of boys).
I give you this information with E &OE as it is a long long time ago If your readers want a few more memories I can rake my memory but I don't want to bore them