Around six years ago, my late wife borrowed a photograph album that belonged to her cousin Derek Dorman, who also passed away in his 80th year two weeks ago.

Amongst the many photographs of people that I don't recognise was this one of Barford Road Infants School, taken I think around about 1910. I'm pretty sure that amongst the pupils will have been Ambrose John Dorman (1903-1990), the aforementioned Derek's father. However, so far no other identification has come to light.

Kind regards,

Maurice Sheppard in sunny Crete

 Barford Road

Teacher - Mr. Martin

Back row from left - Moutney Williams, Peter Marriner, Causer, Welsh, Morrise, Keith Bennet

Next row from left - Peter Humphreys, Leigh, Martin, Walton, Terry Charles Theo Hughes, Evans, Morby

Next row - Archer, Dukes, Powell, Raybould, Keedwell, Maurice White, Gibbs, Harrison, Davis

This photo on your website of Barford Road, has my uncles on the front row.

They were the twins seated in the middle.

Their names were Peter and John Hodgetts from Marroway Street,

unforunately they have both passed away.

Barford Road Infants School

1954

Can you identify the missing people?

The person seated extreme right is Dave Avery he has his hands clasped between his legs

Back Row left- right

First three unknown then Dave Parry, Ken Lloyd, Bob Beard, Bill Whelan, Barry Tenby

4th row left-right

Phil Jordon, next two unknown, John Merriman, John Underhill, Willmot Richardson, Brian Timmings, Francis Northall, Pete Bennett

3rd Row right-left

First two unknown, Mike Smith, unknown, Tom Mcgarry, 3 unknown, Ken Green, Ron Bird, John Whitehouse, Brian Clarke

2nd row seated

John Francis, 2 unknown, Mr Peasnall, Barry Welch, Frank Thornhill, Mr Kingscote, John Newby, Dave Avery

Seated on floor right -left

Gordon Phillips, the rest unknown

Photograph courtesy of Frank Thornhill

Photograph courtesy of Hazel Claridge

The Head teacher was Mrs Dovey and she is in the centre of the front row, Mr. Neville Amos is directly behind her.  Second to Mrs. Dovey's right is Mrs. Kershaw and 4th right from Mr. Amos is Mrs. Jackson, Dinner Lady (additional information courtesy of Alan Beet. The man to her left is the deputy head Mr Partridge.  I was Miss Dodson and I am front right one from the end looking very prim in my first teaching post! 

I think the woman at the other end of the row is Miss Rose and I think the man behind Mrs Dovey is Mr Neville but I can’t be sure. 

In the background you can just glimpse some of the flowers and trees that Mrs Dovey was responsible for introducing to the school.  She was president of the Birmingham rural studies association and was responsible for building up a sort of city farm at the school.  We had large numbers of animals including my classes’ gerbils which escaped and lived free range in the school and a large number of chickens which all turned out to be cockerels and caused mayhem! 

The school also had a very large and enthusiastic brass band in those days.

1954

Photograph courtesy of Frank Thornhill