A MAN who spent a lifetime teaching thousands of local children has given a revealing glimpse into his own childhood after the First World War.
Bill Garratt, who has just celebrated his 98th birthday, was recalling memories of Armistice Days as a youngster growing up in Mossley.
He spent more than 40 years teaching in schools at Waterloo, Springhead and Saddleworth and says candidly: “I was a member of the generation spawned by the war.
“The cenotaph was in the grounds of a latter-day cotton magnates house to which we journeyed on Armistice Day, always on the actual day itself – November 11.
“We were led down to the park by our headmaster, Mr Macadam, a Manxman, who served in the wartime navy.
“It was invariably cold and mostly raining, and, on odd occasions, it snowed.
“The war was not a topic which we as school children referred to. We were all aware, especially the ones who were fatherless.
“It was evident everywhere: limbless men, shell-shocked victims, some with cards round their necks indicating poverty.
“Of my mother’s three brothers, two were gassed and died within two years of the end of the war. The other lost a leg and part of his arm but was tough and lived to be 76.
“We grew up in spite of the obvious effects of the War playing season games – marbles, whip and top, Peggy and bowl and hoop.
“The only occasional reference to the conflict was: ‘What did your dad do in the war?’
“Armistice Days followed a regular pattern which we as schoolchildren accepted courteously among the sad faces of the grown-ups.
“There was the usual hymn, ‘O God our help in ages past’, followed by the vicar’s speech after which we were promised a half-day break from school.”
He added: “I remember once climbing to the cenotaph on top of Pots and Pans and enjoying a delicious bowl of nettle soup on the way down at a beautiful little cottage.”
Mr Garratt has three children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His son Phillip owns Winos Wine Shop in Oldham and his grandson Julian runs The Wine Vault on Uppermill’s High Street.
You must be logged in to post a comment.