In May 1939, the 'Camps Act' gained Royal Assent and the National Camps Corporation set about constructing 31 camps around the country. Things moved fast and WW2 was declared on September 3rd 1939. Despite this, it wasn't a foregone conclusion that the Wyre Farm Camp would become a Coventry Evacuation camp.
WORK CAMP THEORY DEBUNKED
Former war time pupil, Doug Bukin, interviewed for the BBC World War 2 People's War site
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/26/a4785726.shtml t
suggested that Wyre Farm Camp was "built for itinerant agricultural workers before the war."
While Britain did have work camps during the interwar period aimed at addressing unemployment and providing labour for public works, there is no specific evidence linking Wyre Farm to such purposes. The camp's design and subsequent use align with the objectives of the Camps Act of 1939, focusing on the welfare and education of children rather than serving as accommodation for itinerant agricultural workers.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Wyre Farm was intended for agricultural laborers prior to its role as a camp school during the war. If anyone can provide evidence that it was built for Agricultural Workers, then please let us know.
TOWN THORNS - COVENTRY CAMP SCHOOL
In February 1940, industrialist, Alfred Herbert, gifted Town Thorns to Coventry Education Authority to serve as a camp school for boys under the framework of the Camps Act of 1939. Initially functioning as an educational facility for local evacuees and children in care, it was overseen by Mr. G. W. Donaldson, who acted as "teacher in charge." However, with the escalating threat of bombing raids on Coventry during World War II, Town Thorns’ proximity to the city—just 10 miles away—raised concerns about its safety. By mid-1940, its role transitioned to providing refuge for children from Coventry’s "Scattered Homes," prioritizing protection over its initial purpose as a camp school.
Now I must admit that when I first came across the Town Thorns website, I thought the narrative surrounding Town Thorns and Wyre Farm camp schools involved overlapping and somewhat conflicting accounts, making it challenging to align the two histories. I figured it must be wrong but then a cutting from the Coventry Standard from June 1940 turned up, seeming to confirm this confusing narrative. It still leaves many questions and the need for more clarity but there seems to be something in it.
Part of the evidence for the Coventry Camp School starting out at Town Thorns School, Brinklow Rd, Easenhall, Rugby CV23 0JE, was Kelly’s Directory for 1940, it lists Town Thorns as a Camp School owned by Coventry Education Committee and names a Mr A G Donaldson as the Head.
1940-1952 Camp Schools
Just prior to Wyre Farm Camp School opening in June 1940, the Coventry Standard on the
22nd June 1940 ran the following article confirmed that Mr G A Donaldson - teacher in charge of Town Thorns Camp School had been appointed as the first and temporary (2 years) head teacher of Wyre Farm Camp School. There will be more on Mr Donaldson but this is the gist of the article.
"Coventry Standard 22-6-1940
“The Primary and Post Primary schools sub-committee reported having considered the status and basis of salary for the head te4acher of the camp school at Cleobury Mortimer.
The sub committee interviewed seven candidates for the post of temporary headmaster and recommend that Mr G. W. Donaldson, teacher in charge at Town Thorns school be appointed for the post as from June 17th 1940 and that the director be authorized to appoint a successor to Mr Donaldson as teacher in charge of Town Thorns school.”
So clearly there was something to it.
Below - Town Thorns Nr Easenhall
LOCAL DEMOCRACY KICKS IN - THE ROAD TO WYRE FARM CAMP SCHOOL May 1940
Before Wyre Farm Camp School opened and Mr Donaldson was appointed Head Teacher of Wyre Farm Camp School in June 1940, there were decisions to be made in the local corridors of power, and then some people power or approval.
In May 1940, from a single press release, a range of Coventry or local newspapers carried a story about these important decision, of which this below is the clearest. The story was also covered by The Midland Daily Telegraph, later known from 17th November 1941 just after the blitz as the Coventry Evening Telegraph, and the Birmingham Mail. The cuttings, which were researched and supplied by Steve Lowe - a nephew of John Lowe, a former deputy head of Wyre Farm Camp School 1942 - 1957, can be found in a PDF at the foot of this page.
Coventry Herald 11th May 1940
War Camp School - Coventry Boys May Attend.
A Worcestershire Experiment.
"A full boarding school education in ideal surroundings is likely for a selected number of
Coventry senior elementary school boys who normally attend school in the evacuable area of the city.
Recently a deputation of members and officials of the Coventry Education Committee made a visit of inspection to the Government evacuation camp now being completed at Cleobury Mortimer on the borders of Shropshire and Worcestershire.
It is understood that so favourable were their impressions that the sub-committee that originally decided to take no action so far as the evacuation of Coventry children is concerned, is now likely to reverse its attitude.
Parents have their part to play, for the acceptance or otherwise by the city of the Governments offer of the camp rests upon their response to the circular that has been issued asking if they favour their senior boys being so evacuated.
Replies to the circular had to be made by Friday of this week.
Most elaborately finished the camp school is self-contained and will accommodate 250 to 300 boys. The general plan is along modern holiday camp lines. Dormitories, classrooms and craft rooms and assembly rooms are all spacious and airy and pleasingly decorated.
Cost to Coventry if the Government offer is accepted would be no more than that for the necessary teaching staff and educational equipment – costs that would have to be borne by the city in any event.
Other charges in camp staff, food, bedding etc. would be entered on the city’s evacuation account with complete reimbursement from the government.".....................................
ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE LOCAL PRESS
Capacity and Numbers
The National Camps Corporation originally designed camp schools for a capacity of 250-300
pupils and the local press seemed to have varied the capacity of the Wyre Farm Camp with figures over 200. It seems a Midland Daily Telegraph article 23rd May 1940 was nearer the mark reporting the number of applications for the boys to attend the new evacuation school as being 185. The actual intake may have been bit less and that rough number would reflect more or less the intake of the camp throughout its 40 year history. Of course along the way various head had proposed to increase the capacity but I think it remained between 100 and 200 throughout.
The Midlands Daily Telegraph 23rd May1940 reported that 185 boys were to become public schoolboys at the camp – some 50 miles from Coventry and 1 1/2 miles from Cleobury Mortimer, and announced that the parents had accepted the offer to have their boys evacuated and the Coventry Education committee agreed to obtain the use of the camp.
We also learn from the cuttings supplied by Steve Lowe that the decision by the Primary and Post Primary Schools Sub-committee to reject the offer to use the Wyre Farm Camp for evacuation from the National Camps Corporation was largely reversed on account of an appeal by Mr M A Ewins who suggested a visit to the camp and a more detailed consideration.
As a result of that visit we learn that Councillor G Briggs thought the camp, which cost around £25,000, would "provide the boys with a wonderful experience. In effect they would have the opportunity of a public-school type of life and education. The camp also had the advantage of being in the country and a reasonable distance from Coventry."
Councillor A T Randle suggested that "eight of the 12 acres comprising the school could be used as playing fields while facilities existed for school gardens. The accommodation was far removed from Army hut type."
It was considered that there may be additional costs involved in the removal of educational equipment to the camp, a full-time school nurse and some adjustment to the salary of the teacher in charge (referred to above in the cutting about Mr Donaldson).
It was reported to the committee that the buildings were of cedar wood, asbestos lined with central heating, electric light, water from the Birmingham supply and modern sanitation. The cost to the parents would be the normal billeting charges which varies with the financial position of the parent but in no case exceeds 6s per week.
The camp would take on senior boys from the age of 11 from the evacuable areas of Coventry.
EMPLOYMENT AT WYRE FARM CAMP SCHOOL
The basic arrangement was that the National Camps Corporation (NCC) built, owned and ran the camp schools and they would employ and pay the maintenance and domestic staff while the local education authorities paid and delivered the education side.
This is a cutting from the Birmingham Mail from the 24 / 25th May 1940 where the NCC is advertising for a Chef.
"Wanted at once, 1 Chef for Government evacuation camp, latest equipment, permanent job, £4 per week and keep - Write experience to Camp Manager, Wyre Farm Camp, Cleobury Mortimer nr. Kidderminster.
The Camp Manager would later be known as the Bursar.
Here is a link to the full press cutting on Wyre Farm Camp School 1940 via a PDF on Google Drive. Click to access and view.
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