We have featured the history of Godwin school over a number
of posts., over recent months (see here, here, here, here, and here for
details). One of the most memorable events in that 130 year history is when a
choir from the school visited, and won two first prizes, in a singing competition
in Paris, in June 1912 (see here) for reference to this.
The competition was well covered, over a number of editions
by the Stratford Express at the time. We are extremely fortunate that they
published a diary of the Godwin visit, written by one of the staff accompanying
the pupils. We reproduce this diary, in
full, below.
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| The 150 West Ham children (including 50 from Godwin) on the steps of Vincennes Town Hall |
Wrapped around this verbatim account of this visit, we
provide some context. This is a lengthy
post - but a fascinating snapshot of a quite extraordinary event in the history
of Godwin school, and some of its pupils.
Context of the
competition
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| Stratford Express headline of a very detailed account of the Paris trip |
The Stratford Express of 29 May provided the context of the
visit:
One hundred and fifty boys and girls have been taken to Paris this Whitsun. They feel they have been somewhere, have seen something, and they certainly have had an experience the memory of which will live with them for as long as they live.
Beckton Road Girls' school, Godwin Road Boys school and St Paul's Boys school had the honour of supplying each a choir of 50 voices to represent West Ham in the great International Music Festival organised by the Paris municipal authority ...
In all there were some twenty thousand entries from England and the Continent for the various choir and band contests, but none were more eager and expectant than the children from our elementary schools.
To visit Paris was an idea almost too good to be true and it can easily be understood that the long-looked-for journey, with all its experiences, has filled the minds of all the fortunate children who formed the special choirs of their respective schools.
What follows, below, is a fascinating verbatim account of the trip to Paris, from the Godwin perspective, penned in the Stratford Express, by an unknown teacher (there were only 3 on the trip, Mr Herbert, the Head, Mr Earle, the choir master and a Mr May).
Godwin Road in Paris
Day by Day
The long-looked-for visit to Paris has come and gone, and
not a hitch of any kind has occurred to mar the pleasure of the success of the
project. Godwin went primarily to sing, but much more has been done, and the
pleasant remembrances of the visit will remain in the memories of those who
took part for many years to come.
The boys and their teachers lined up at Forest Gate station
at a quarter to seven on Saturday morning, and many parents of the boys came to
see the choir off, and wish the party bon voyage. At Liverpool Street two buses
were waiting to convey the boys to Holborn Viaduct. By a quarter past eight the
Godwin party was comfortably settled in two saloon carriages communicating with
each other and at 8.25 the train started in highest spirits.
The ride to Folkestone was of great interest and pleasure to
the boys who showed themselves keenly anxious to see Chislehurst, where
Napoleon III resided after the Franco-German war on 1870. Arriving at
Folkestone at 10.15, the party with other West Ham schools, went aboard the
Empress, which also conveyed the LCC (ed:
London County Council) choirs to Boulogne. It was a brilliant morning, the
sea was smooth, and things augured well for a grand crossing.
The air was keen and invigorating, but soon signs of
mal-de-mer began to manifest themselves among some of the boys. As we neared
Boulogne a slight twisting pitch and roll made it necessary for some of the
youngsters to go below. But the scene at Boulogne harbour soon pulled everybody
together, and put the boys in the highest of spirits. The quay was lined with
French; bands played the National Anthem and the Marseillaise by
turns, and indeed everybody seemed en faite to welcome Les Anglaise.
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| One of the first sites in France to greet the boys - a near contemporary post card of Boulouge-Sur-Mer railway station |
When the boys were seated in the Paris train, His Worship
the Mayor of West Ham (Mr Alderman JP Hurry), and those accompanying him,
worked with the teachers like Trojans (ed: for American readers: not what you are thinking!)in distributing lunches to
the West Ham schools. While this was going on, the French dames distributed
dolls, flags and favours to the youngsters, and scenes of wild enthusiasm
prevailed everywhere.
Godwin's section of the train stood opposite the entrance to
the buffet, and here a group of French and English stood listening to the
remarks of the young people. Very amusing it was, after some of the boys had
been "chipping" them for some time to hear the French manager retort
with: "Get your hair cut and sing up". This was the signal for the
boys to pipe out the Marseillaise.
In a short time the train steamed out of Boulogne station
and the first idea of the French country occupied the attention of the boys.
The first stopping place was Amiens. Here many alighted to stretch their legs,
but soon the train was off again.
As the party proceeded, the attention of the children was
called to the historic incidents of the district, such as the battles of Crecy
and Agincourt and the crossing of the Somme by the English under Edward III.
Nothing of importance occurred from Amiens to Paris, and the party contented
themselves by looking out on the well-wooded and cultivated country.
Arriving at the Gare-du-Nord about 5 o'clock, Godwin's party
was met by Mr Lawler, the English master at the Institute Commercial, where the
boys were to be put up at Vincennes, about four miles outside Paris. His
services during the whole of the visit were invaluable, and most generously
accorded.
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| Vincennes Town Hall today - a French listed building |
leaving the Gare-du-Nord, following the placard "Godwin
Road School" a dense crowd was encountered. It soon appeared that it was
impossible to find a tram to convey the boys to Vincennes, and Mr J T
Meadows-Smith, secretary of the British Chamber of Commerce, Paris very kindly
came forward and accompanied us to the Place de la Republique.
The party alighted at the Institute. Here a royal reception
awaited the boys. "Welcome", in huge letters, was over the entrance,
drums were beat, and the young foreigners prepared to get settled into their
new conditions.
On Sunday morning all were up early, for the municipalite of
Paris had arranged for the West Ham schools to go down the Seine to St Cloud at
9 o'clock. Breakfast over and prayers
having been said, the boys started for the Hotel de Ville, from which point the
schools were to embark. Here they were met by Mr Boumaire, the agent of the
festival, our Mayor and Councillors, and the others accompanying the children.
As the boats proceeded down the Seine to St Cloud, our destination, the various
buildings of interest were pointed out.
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| A near-contemporary photo of Notre Dame, as the boys would have seen it. |
Our Mayor, busy as usual for the good of the West Hammers
was occupied by changing the boys' money into the French coinage. On the return
the other schools were on the first boat, and so Godwin alone occupied the
second, and the boys enjoyed themselves well, as they well know how to do.
In the afternoon a reception was held at the Town hall,
Vincennes. Our Mayor, robed at the "Institute" and the members of the
party followed by the boys of St Paul's and Godwin proceeded to the Town Hall.
On the steps of the building, the two schools lined up on either side, while
the Mayor's procession entered.
At the reception speeches of good cheer were made, and the
school children of the various schools sang. Godwin's item was Wake up,
my merry masters, all. The room was getting very crowded and Godwin's
choir retired to the vestibule, and resumed their position later on the steps
to meet the return of our Mayor, who, by the way, expressed the sentiments of
the entente cordiale in such kindly terms that one of the French dignitaries
said afterwards he felt ready to cry with joy.
To leave the boys for a moment, at the dinner of the
house-party in the Institute, Mr Herbert, the head master proposed the toast to
the Director of the Institute, Dr J Delapace O.I. and expressed the gratitude
of the visitors for the good feeling manifested towards them, and at the same
time reciprocating it on behalf of those located in the Institute.
Later Godwin's choir sang a number of hymns and
Crossing the bar, an elaborate composition by Mr FE Wilson FRCO, of
Ilford, a former teacher of Godwin, who was also one of the party.
Monday was a great day for sight-seeing, so far as Godwin
was concerned, for Mr Herbert had arranged for a drive for the boys around
Paris.
At ten o'clock three brakes (ed: buses) drove up, and soon they were all aboard. The first place
visited was the famous Pere-le-Chaise cemetery, and here under the guidance of
Mr Robert Kyle of Messrs Cook's Tours (ed:
Thomas Cook), the chief great monuments were pointed out. Proceeding the
party next visited Notre Dame, and the items of interest were pointed out.
After this the Parthenon, with its beautiful pictures were
inspected under Mr Kyle's lucid explanation.
By this time Mr Kyle was a Godwinian, and the boys seemed like his own
children; nothing was too much for him to do. Driving on, we passed the
greatest shop in Paris on our way to the Champs de Mars, with that always
fascinating object for boys, the Eiffel Tower.
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| The recently erected and "always fascinating object for the boys" Eiffel Tower |
Here the conveyances left us for a rest and the party
proceeded to the Trocadero. Getting just a glance into this building, for a
concert was about to take place, the party ascended the tower by lift, a
concession Mr Kyle secured at a greatly reduced rate. Arrived at the top, all
Paris was before us. The air was beautifully clear, and Mr Kyle pointed out and
explained from this point of vantage all the chief buildings of Paris.
By request, the boys sang that charming part song composed
by Mr HH Donald, Summer Longings. They will never forget it,
surrounded as they were by the beautiful city of Paris, the glamorous Bois de Boulogne
and the Avenue des Acacias, the fashionable drive of fashionable Paris.
The next objects of interest visited were the Arc de
Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, the Alexander III Bridge and the tomb of
Napoleon. Here the crowd was very thick, and it was with difficulty the boys
were kept together. On the steps the party were photographed for the papers.
The next move was to the Place de la Concorde. The crowd was
very great, and from this site our way through the Tuilleries and along the Rue
de Rivoli, through lines of soldiers keeping back the people assembled to see
the President. It was a wonderful sight and one the boys will ever recall.
By six o'clock all were safely back at Vincennes and so
ended a unique day in Paris. Visit one of great pleasure and educational value.
Tuesday was Mr Earle's day, for the choir was due to sing at
the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre at 8.30. Godwin was the first choir to sing, and
made an excellent start. Many choirs, English and French sang during the
morning. While this was going on, the choir crossed to the Theatre Chatelet, to
sing the sight test.
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| Location of the boys' great triumph - a near contemporary post card of the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre |
Shortly after noon the awards were announced and imagine the
joy of Godwin when the judges declared that Godwin Road, West Ham was awarded
one of the first prizes. We learned on the boat coming back that a first prize
for sight singing also fell to Mr Earle's choir.
In the afternoon the choir went to an invitation show of
pictures at the Hippodrome, and returned well pleased with the day's
performances.
At dinner in the evening a very pleasing episode took place.
In consideration of the kindness of Madame Delaplace and Mademoiselle Delaplace.
Mr Herbert, on behalf of Godwin, presented Madame with a beautiful bouquet and
Mademoiselle with a large box of chocolates. In acknowledging these the doctor
made a delightful speech.
He said:
Never in my life before have I regretted so much that I cannot speak to you in English. This gift has touched us profoundly, as it happens to be the 20th anniversary of our wedding day. In embracing my wife I embrace you all. The boys have sung with French children the Marseillaise. This is not a song of war, but a hope the time is not distant when the children of the nations will only unite their voices in the songs of peace and goodwill. I ask you to raise your glasses in the cause of the Entente Cordiale.
The speech was ably translated by Mr Lawler.
following the gift to Madame Delaplace, Mr Earle, on behalf
of the Godwin boys, who had made a collection of their own, presented Mr Tooth,
an English student from Surbiton with a fountain pen. Mr Tooth had fairly
captured the affection of the boys, and had rendered excellent service as a
guide and interpreter during the visit. He had sold them chocolate, helped them
to change their money, and in every way had been at the boys' beck and call.
Thoughts now began to turn homeward. On Wednesday morning,
the boys went to buy presents and get ready for the return. During the morning,
his Worship the Mayor and Mayoress of West Ham visited the Institute and
concluded the final arrangements.
All through the visit his Worship has been most assiduous in
his efforts for the comfort of the West Ham choirs, and merits the warmest
gratitude from all. His task has been
most difficult, and the thanks of Godwin to his Worship are most heartily
given.
Immediately before starting the house party with Dr Delaplace,
Madame and Mademoiselle and the Mayor and Mayoress were photographed. The
return was but a repetition of the outward journey, enthusiasm everywhere; but
perhaps the warmest of all was at Forest Gate.
The Broadway was full of well-wishers, anxious to
congratulate Mr Earle, Mr Herbert, Mr May and all who had seen the project
through. The choir assembled around the fountain from the steps of which Mr
Herbert addressed the crowd.
He thanked all who had been helpers in sending the choir to
Paris. He said that all had returned safely. No accident had occurred, the
first two prizes had been won.
The boys then sang two verses of a hymn and cheers were
given. Thus ended this memorable episode in the history of Godwin Road school,
satisfactory alike to the teachers, the boys, the parents and well-wishers of
the school in Forest Gate.
Aftermath
Following the visit, J Trant of 6 Knighton Road, Forest
Gate, wrote to the Stratford Express (see extract, below), expressing his
appreciation for the efforts of the staff accompanying the trip. He wrote:
May I through the medium of your paper thank Mr and Mrs Herbert, Mr and Mrs Earle and Mr May for their kindness and attention to the boys of Godwin Road's School, during their recent visit to Paris to compete in the great musical festival. No accident, no boy left lost, no boy tired out, plenty of riding accommodation, everything for their comfort, which speaks well for the organisation of Mr Herbert and Mr Earle. I write as a parent of one of the boys.
Six weeks after the event, the local MP, Baron de Forest,
hosted an event at Stratford Town Hall for the winners in the competition. The Stratford Express covered the event in
some detail (see extracts, below).
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| Stratford Express headline to the presentation evening report |
Edited extracts from the report, include:
Wednesday evening at the Town Hall was an occasion long to
be remembered in the annals of West Ham school life, for on that evening the
prizes and certificates gained by the West Ham choirs in Paris at the
International Musical Competitions, were presented.
Each of the choirs received two beautifully framed
certificates. The awards were: Godwin Road Boys. gained first prize for glee
singing and first prize for sight singing. ... The prizes consisted of gold crown
of oak and laurel leaves in the case of Godwin Boys ... for glee singing. For sight
singing Godwin Road ... received silver plaques.
The children (from all West Ham schools), numbering 150,
each received a certificate, at the hands of the Mayoress, the framed
certificates and prizes being presented to the conductors of the choirs by
Baron de Forest MP. ...
The Mayor said that it was appropriate that the Baron should
be there, because he assisted some of the choirs financially to make it
possible for them to take the trip to Paris, a trip which most certainly had
tended to improve the cordial relations between England and France.
No child or teacher would ever forget the experience. ... Best of all was the magnificent singing they all heard and
the splendid success of the West Ham choirs. When one thought and knew they
competed against all comers one felt proud of the singing abilities of the
children of West Ham. ...
Baron de Forest said ...
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| Baron de Forest - the area's last Liberal MP. He helped fund the Godwin trip and showed why in his speech - a dedicated internationalist who sought to prevent war via international friendship exchanges |
'When he was first approached to assist, he did so with great pleasure, first of all because he knew many of them (the parents) were anxious the children should go to Paris, and secondly because he saw in the whole enterprise a step forward in improvement of their relations with foreign countries (Applause).
Although relations with France were very good at present, they need fear no war with the country, still he hoped that these events might encourage a series of similar festivals with other European countries, and he was hoping for an occasion when their children should be called to Berlin to participate in similar activities (Applause).
Afterthought
We were left wondering, at the end of writing this piece, just how many of the Godwin party, who had such a joyous time, would have returned to France over the next six years - and not come back?
