After the boys of the TS Cornwall moved on, High Lodge became home to another group of boys and they stayed there from 1940 to 1945. These boys were from the St Gilbert's Approved School which had been opened at Butley, near Woodbridge, in 1935, for Roman Catholic Junior Boys and High Lodge was thought to be a safer location than being close to Ipswich which was a target for wartime bombing raids.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT, 1933- ST. GILBERT'S SCHOOL, HIGH LODGE, BRANDON, SUFFOLK.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department hereby gives notice that he has approved the St. Gilbert's School, High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk, for the education and training of boys sent there in pursuance of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, or otherwise. The Certificate of Approval bears the date the 10th September, 1940, and has effect from the 28th June, 1940. The St. Gilbert's School, which was formerly situated at Butley, Woodbridge, Suffolk, has now removed to the above premises. Home Office, Whitehall. 20th September, 1940.
The school moved again in 1945, as detailed in the official record:
5th February 1945 ST. GILBERT'S SCHOOL, WARESLEY HOUSED HARTLEBURY, WORCESTERSHIRE
The Secretary of State for the Home Department hereby gives notice that he has approved St. Gilbert's School, Waresley House, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, for the education and training of boys sent there in pursuance of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933. The Certificate of Approval bears date the 8th February, 1945. The St. Gilbert's School was formerly situated at High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk.
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| Date | Details | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 15th April 1940 | WEST SUFFOLK EDUCATION COMMITTEE SHIRE HALL, BURY ST EDMUNDS 15th April, 1940 Dear Hill, Thank you for your further letter of 12th April. In view of it I will ask my Chairman to persuade the press not to make any mention of the 'Cornwall' when the report of our Committee this coming Wednesday is made public. As you know, I do not know very much about these schools but I should think an Intermediate School would be more suitable for Brandon than a Senior. Judging from what I saw at Kerrison some form of agriculture or horticulture is very desirable for seniors, and the soil at Brandon is not conducive to success in either of these operations. Thank you for the arrangements you have made on my behalf with Shipley. Yours sincerely R.F.A. Carter [to] C.P. Hill, Esq., Cleland House, Page Street, Westminster C/Bu. |
National Archives MH 102 239 |
| 22nd April 1940 | Cleland House, Page Street, Westminster, 22nd April, 1940 Dear Carter, I understand from Shipley that Lord Loch and some members of the Finance Committee wish for further information on the question of the financing of the proposed school at High Lodge. I could arrange to come down to Bury on Friday this week and try to give intelligent answers. No other day except Saturday will be possible for me this week, so I will leave you to suggest the time. I could manage almost anytime later than 11.0. I have been. thinking over the question of security of tenure which Lord Loch raised. No doubt if the school is a success, as we hope it will be, you would like to carry it on and not see your efforts go to waste. We shall have to arrange with the Office of Works for a lease of the land and huts to your Authority, and I am wondering what terms of tenancy should be an suggested. The same problem is arising with the new school which the Kesteven local authority are starting in a similar centre at Bourne, and the solution they suggested there was that they should be granted a lease for 7 years with breaks at 3 and 5 years. You could the offer applicants a guaranteed period of 3 years minimum with the probability of an extension if you wished to continue the School coupled in any event with our assurance of staff which may be displaced on the School closing, in Approved Schools. I think the High Lodge Centre is actually on Crown Land so that a tenancy at will could probably be arranged if you preferred that but the alternative of some settled period to work to may be more attractive to you. Yours sincerely R.F.A Carter Esq. |
National Archives MH 102 239 |
| 21st August 1940 | MR. PORTER. ST. GILBERT'S SCHOOL. You will remember that I mentioned to you about the point as to whether anything should be done about the Certificate for this School which is now at High Lodge, Brandon, having moved from the Ministry of Labour Training Centre, Butley, the use of which we have given up. You asked to see a copy of the Certificate of Approval and it herewith. |
National Archives |
| 20th September 1940 | AUDIT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT, 1933 St. Gilbert's School, High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk. The Secretary of State for the Home Department hereby gives notice that he has approved the St. Gilbert's School, High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk, for the education of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, or otherwise. The Certificate of Approval bears date the 19th September 1940, and has effect from the 28th June, 1940. The St. Gilbert's School which was formerly situated at Butley, Woodbridge, Suffolk, has now removed to the above premises. Principal HOME OFFICE, WHITEHALL. |
National Archives MH_102_510 |
| undated, but probably 1941 | Home Office Schools. Procedure for the guidance of Managers in the investigation of complaints against members of the Staff. Note. By the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act. 1933. the Statutory Rules made by the Secretary of State the Managers of the Home Office Schools have a direct responsibility for the welfare of the boys and girls ordered to be sent to their care. The Act (Fourth Schedule Paragraph 12) vests in the Managers all rights and powers exercisable by law by a parent and consequently boys and girls who have been removed from their natural homes and are for the time being placed in the care of the Managers are entitled to receive help, guidance and protection from the Managers as well as from the Headmaster and staff who are acting as their agents. It is therefore necessary that when any complaint as to the treatment of a pupil is made either by the pupil himself or by anyone else it should receive careful investigation. Statements made by pupils, however improbable they may seem, must not be disregarded. Long experience has shewn that, though it is necessary to guard against wilful invention, complaints are rarely made without foundation, though they may be greatly exaggerated, and in any case they call for impartial investigation. On the other hand, the member of staff against whom a complaint is made must be given every opportunity of defending himself against any unfair allegations. (1) The following procedure has been drawn for the guidance of Managers in the investigation of complaints. It is designed to cover complaints relating to the treatment of pupils, but it also applies to other matters connected with the manner in which the staff carry out the duties falling to them. Fortunately both classes of complaint are infrequent. 2) Any complaint which reflects seriously on the conduct of any of the staff should be reported immediately by the Managers to the Home Office, (if necessary by telegram or telephone) should be taken until a reply is received. Generally speaking it is the desire of the Home Office that Managers should be responsible for the investigation of complaints but it is important that the Home Office should be informed at once of the nature of any serious complaint for the following reasons. Occasionally there may be allegations of misconduct which make it necessary to consider the institution of proceedings. Sometimes the circumstances may be such as to make it desirable in the public interest or in the interest of the Managers to consider the holding of an independent enquiry; and more frequently the Secretary of State may wish to be represented at the enquiry. In all these cases until a decision on these alternative courses has been taken any preliminary enquiry may seriously prejudice subsequent action. It is the duty of the Headmaster to report to his Managers without delay any complaint other than trivial against any of his staff which is brought to his notice. (3) Where a complaint is made direct to the Home office, the Home Office will … the remainder of this page is unreadable … (14) The report should be forwarded by the Managers with any observations they wish to make to the Secretary of State and, if the recommendations in the report are approved by the Secretary of State a summary of the findings should be sent by the Managers to the member of the Staff concerned. If the findings involve the dismissal of the member of the Staff concerned or any serious reflection on his conduct he should be informed that he may make an appeal to the Secretary of State within fourteen days. |
National Archives MH 102-511 |
| 22nd March 1942 | MINUTES This is an allegation made by a late member of staff against one of the brothers (Ferdinand). If the matters mentioned are true there is strong presumptive evidence of impropriety. I a concerned that the letter be forwarded to the managers with a request that they investigate the matter. |
|
| 2nd April 1942 | St Gilbert's School forward observations The Managers have investigated the matter and are satisfied that there is no foundation for [redacted] allegation. There is no indication that they have discussed the matter with anyone but Br Ferdinand. |
National Archives MH/02/511 |
| 28th April 1942 | This is an unsatisfactory investigation. There is no indication of how they arrived at their conclusions, who was interviewed and whether the person against whom the allegation was made had full opportunity to reply to the allegations as indicated in time 839544. I recommend they be asked to consider this case as falling within the ? and to a) provide full ? of their investigation was within the ? b) investigate further if not | |
| 30th April 1942 | Discussed with Chief Inspector the implication is that the ? investigation referred to at (b) in remarks above should await receipt of information to be requested at (a). | |
| 3rd May 1942 | St Gilbert's School forward summary of investigations [section redacted] and Br Ferdinand. The director has stated that Br Ferdinand's ?, and it is clear that Br ? was questioned at the preliminary inquiry. The conclusion again reached … Unreadable section | |
| 18th May 1942 | Now thank Managers for this report and time taken and write that they are satisfied that there is no foundation in this allegation. in ? reply to [redacted] Wrote Rev Br Gilbert | |
| 8th April 1942 | Sir, St. Gilbert's School. I am directed by the Secretary of State to enclose for the information of the Managers, a copy of a letter which has been addressed to him by [redacted] who was recently dismissed from St. Gilbert's School. The Secretary of State will be obliged if the Managers will investigate the matters referred to in the letter and submit their observations to him in due course I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, The Rev. Brother Gilbert, St. John's College, Kintbury, NEWBURY, Berkshire |
National Archive MH 102-511 |
| 30th April 1942 | Sir, St.Gilbert's School. I am directed by the Secretary of State to refer to your letter of the 18th April summarising the conclusions and observations of your managers on the matters referred to in his letter of the 8th April last. The Secretary of State would like to observe that your letter does not indicate the type of investigation conducted by the Managers and whether this took the form of a formal enquiry as described in paragraph 6 and subsequent paragraphs of the note enclosed with the Home Office letter 839,544 of the 8th July, 1941. He would therefore be obliged if your Managers would supply him with further particulars about the investigation held, including the names of the witnesses examined and evidence given. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, The Rev. Brother Gilbert, St John's College, Kintbury, Berkshire |
National Archive MH 102-511 |
| 6th May 1942 | [to]The UnderSecretary of State, Home Office Sir, St. Gilbert's School, I enclose herewith a summary of the investigations conducted by the Managers of St Gilbert's School in accordance with the Home Office letter 839,544, of July 8th., 1941. My previous letter of April 18th gave a pre report, which in substance, corresponds with the present report, but was not in accordance with all the requirements of the Home Office letter 859,544 of July 8th 1941, as it was (not?)then possible to get the required number of Managers together for the purpose, Yours faithfully, |
National Archive MH 102-511 |
| 19th May 1942 | [to] The Rev. Brother Gilbert, St John's College. Sir, St. Gilbert's School. I am directed by the Secretary for State to thank you for your letter of the 6th May enclosing the report of the Committee of Enquiry appointed by your Managers. The Secretary of State notes that your Managers are satisfied that the allegations made by [redacted] are without foundation and is grateful for the trouble they have taken in the matter. I am, Sir,Your obedient Servant, |
National Archive MH 102-511 |
| 17th July 1944 | [to] FJ Howrd Esq Ministry of Works Lambeth Bridge House SE1 Dear Howard, In connection with our search for properties for new approved schools we came across Waresley House, Hartlebury, Kidderminster, (owner: Captain J. A. Dyson Perrins). The War Department, who had an earmarking on the place, agreed to transfer this to the Home Office, subject to their retention of a piece of land of about 2½ acres on which they had erected some Nissen huts and to this we agreed. Owing to the flying bomb menace, we are having to evacuate a number of approved schools and as Waresley House is situate in a safe area we asked the War Office whether we could put some of our boys in these huts. They have very kindly agreed to this and we hope to get a party in in a day or two. The question now arises as to what should be done in regard to the requisition. I have had a word with Captain Banks of Q.3., War Of?ce, Metropole Building, Northumberland Avenue, W.C.2 (telephone number Victoria 6622, extension 39) and he agrees that a convenient course would be for us to take over the War Department |
National Archive MH 102-513 |
| 15th August 1944 | ST GILBERTS BOYS SCHOOL HIGH LODGE BRANDON SUFFOLK 15th August 1944 Dear Mr Snelling, I would like you to know that the bedsteads and a few other things were transported to Hartlebury on Thursday last and have arrived at the camp. The boys are now much more comfortable. I am not yet in a position to give you a date for the transport of property. The Army authorities recently visited Waresley Camp and asked that we should vacate as soon as possible. Thanking you for your help, Yours faithfully, Br Fabian [to] Mr. G.T. Snelling,Home Office. |
National Archive MH 102-513 |
| 18th November 1944 | Dear Brother Fabian, In confirmation of our telephone conversation last evening the War Office have agreed to the continued use by St. Gilbert's of the Nissan huts at Waresley House, subject to one month's notice and will notify the local Command accordingly. We also understand that the Ministry of War Transport are willing to undertake the removal by road of the furniture etc. (but not the boys) at Brandon and for this purpose we shall be glad if you will get in touch with - H.G. Pledger, Esq., Ministry of War Transport, Road Haulage Unit No. 4Q5, Walton House, Fordham, Ely, Cambs. Tel. Fordham 228. Yours sincerely, [to] The Headmaster, St. Gilbert's School. High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk. |
National Archive MH 102-513 |
| 5th February 1945 | ST. GILBERT'S SCHOOL, WARESLEY HOUSED HARTLEBURY, WORCESTERSHIRE. The Secretary of State for the Home Department hereby gives notice that he has approved St. Gilbert's School, Waresley House, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, for the education and training of boys sent there in pursuance of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933. The Certificate of Approval bears date the 8th February, 1945. The St. Gilbert's School was formerly situated at High Lodge, Brandon, Suffolk. |
The London Gazette |