Wandsworth Tec: School. Garrett Lane

A Memory of Wandsworth.

I was born in Battersea in 1936. Educated at Latchmere School during the blitz (1940/41). I progressed to Surrey Lane School (now William Blake) After 2 years there a lovely teacher, Miss Oliver, must have seen something in me she recommended me for a place at Wandsworth Technical School of Building situated in Garrett Lane, I would cycle the 4+ miles from my home to school, in bad weather I took the No: 44 bus. - We wore maroon blazers, ties and cap, long grey trousers and black shoes. The uniform was compulsory, prefects would stand at the school entrance to enforce the rule. Failure to wear the uniform would result in a visit to the House Master. I was in Gainsborough House, Mr Pettit was the Housemaster, any misbehavior would result in up to six strokes of the cane on the backside. Before applying said punishment Mr Pettit would 'warm up; with a set of Indian clubs. Such discipline would not be allowed these days but apart from a sore backside it did us no harm, indeed it taught us respect - sadly something missing these days! Mr 'Tug' Wilson was the PE Teacher and Mr 'Killer' Clarke taught us maths, he was considered a bit 'posh' he wore a blue suit and drove a car, not many teacher could afford a car in those days.
The course lasted three years. We were taught - brickwork & plastering, painting & decorating, carpentry & joinery, technical drawing plus the usual maths, English, history etc:
I left the school in the summer of 1953. The school got me a job at the Head Office of a large property company. I was paid £2.10 shillings per week less deductions. (£2.50 today) I spent all my working day checking invoices. It didn't take me long to realise counting paper clips for excitement was not for me. As soon as I was old enough I joined the army. Started out as a long haired, cocky, immature, shy kid, the army soon changed all that, I must confess it was for the better.
I have always been grateful for the education I received over those three years in Garrett Lane, it stood me in good stead later in life. I don't know if the old school building is still there?I would be interested to know if anybody remembers it, better still if anybody was a pupil there from 1950-53.
I married in 1959 and we moved away from London, Sadly after 53 years of married bliss my dear wife died. For the past 50 years I have lived in Berkshire but those 'growing up' days in South London from 1936-1959 were an education second to none and never to be forgotten.