Days Of Old

A Memory of Amersham.

Memory of Amersham College Woodside Road

From my home in Wendover, I was a pupil at Amersham College during those difficult times during 1944 to 1949.

Sign on board at front of school Prop. Chas J. Holland 'Hons. Econs!'

The sclool had 100 + pupils, approx half (girls) attended the 'commercial' part for shorthand, typing & bookkeeping courses, instead of the science based courses. The other pupils – mainly boys – had maths, geography, history etc. We, were initially all boys in a class of 19 with the only known exception included three girls – Jean Brown, Phyllis Bateman & Rosemary Partington. When I left in Sept 1949 we were down to three pupils. We were called students instead of pupils. Students were expected to have a thirst for knowledge & were expected to self educate in effect. The term then for student was only used for higher or tertiary education.

Mr. Holland (Boss) employed only one teacher/master, Mr Fuch for Maths subjects plus a little German. We sat the College of Preceptors exams in London until the final London Matriculation exam; which in Sept 1949 I passed in Maths only. I suspect that no marks were awarded for any other subjects.

Our Maths Master was Mr Fuch. Named Max Fuch as on the attached copy of the reverse of his autographed photograph. During my time known as Mr 'Fooks' instead of the presumed nickname of Fred – much more friendly. We were told that he and Mrs Fuch came here pre war to escape the concentration camp threat. School boy speculation at the time perhaps. But the best thing that Mr Holland ever did for his school and for me, was to employ Mr Fuch.

For my part, two years followed with service to King & Queen in The Royal Engineers. I then trained as an engineering draughtsman – day release HNC and on to B.Sc. Durham. Then on to a useful working life with ten thousand thanks to Mr Fuch who got me going during my difficult formative years.

I've never spoken or contacted anyone from Amersham College since leaving, but hopefully the above and attached photos will be of interest.

David Wheeler.

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