British Memorial School

The school opened on 8 April 1929 with an initial enrolment of 62 children. One of the organisers, Lieutenant General Sir William Pulteney, stated that the school had been built 'because it was believed that these British subjects, unless educated at an English school, would be lost to England'.^[1]

The schoolroom contained a plaque bearing the names of the 342 Etonians who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. Beneath it was the inscription -^[2]

This school is a memorial of those whose names are written above. It was built by their brother Etonians in the year 1928 in grateful remembrance

The school's annual report of 1929 stated that four of the children understood English fluently when it opened. The Times reported that the children 'were all now receiving an English education and were being brought up as British citizens, to the intense relief of their parents'.^[3] The eighth annual report published in 1937 mentioned of the 17 new pupils seven spoke no English at all. Although the reports add that teachers found the children were able to learn English quickly.^[4] The report of 1939 stated with regard to language that 'the school enforced rigidly the rule that no language but English might be used in school time'.^[5]

Prior to the British school, the children attended local Belgian schools. The Times reported that this meant, 'they can neither learn their native language nor keep in touch with their national Church'.^[1]

The school was built by Etonians at a cost of £2,000 with the promise of £200 towards its upkeep.^[1]

London County Council lent two teachers to the venture, Harry and Kathleen Morris.^[2] The school was founded on 'modern lines' with individual desks and chairs for each child. The War Graves Commission arranged for children from outlying areas to access the facility by omnibus and tram.^[1] Dr. Nan Roberts of the War Graves Commission also gave the children regular health checks.^[2]

Parents paid 150 Belgian Francs a year, the same as they would pay to a Belgian school. An appeal was launched to the public schools of Britain to fund the £10 per head annual cost of each child's schooling.^[6] The school needed £800 a year to cover its expenses, such as teacher's pay.^[7]

In August 1929 the school was educating 43 boys and 33 girls.^[7] This rose to 93 children by October 1929 with a further 16 turned away due to lack of resources. Honorary Secretary of the school Lieutenant-General Sir William Pulteney appealed for donations to help meet the demand for places.^[3] King George V took out a £20 annual subscription in support of the school.^[8] A sizable donation was made by Sir Charles Wakefield of £500. It was Sir Charles who was the driving force in the preservation of 'Lone Tree Crater' at Spanbroekmolen. The crater left by a British mine was to be preserved as a 'pool of peace'.^[9] A further £500 was given annually by the War Graves Commission.^[10]

June 1930 saw a prize giving ceremony with the school building's architect Sir Reginald Blomfield as guest of honour. It was reported in the Ypres Times that he told the children -^[2]

...to remember always those men to whose memory the school has been built, and to copy their ideals of courage and unselfishness. They should always strive to cultivate the quality of true British sportsmanship - not merely skill, but the will to do their level best for their team. They were very fortunate, living in a foreign country, to have a real British School, and they should try always to show the best qualities of the race to which they belong.

— Sir Reginald Blomfield

The school's fourth annual report, published in 1933 reported a school population of 110. New pupils came from Poperinghe which previously had not sent any children. The children at the school are described as 'definitely British'. With the use of a foreign language in the playground 'the exception rather than the rule'.^[11]