'BEAKY HAIGH' -
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL

ADDED 16 NOVEMBER 2006

I live in Western Australia and a relative has just sent me some back copies of the Pontefract Digest magazine. Posted in July by surface mail, they arrived only this morning and I am now sitting outside in my shorts enjoying all the stories. What’s the weather like in England? [Okay, don’t rub it in Charlie! : webmaster]

In issue 15 there was an article about St. Joseph’s School by Dave Barry in which he mentioned the head teacher, ‘Beaky’ Haigh. Before he arrived at St. Joseph’s, ‘Beaky’ had never caned anyone before, and myself and Eddie Lavine were the first pupils to receive it - each of us being given six of the best!

I was surprised that Dave Barry didn’t mention Joseph Coxhead - a wonderful teacher. He had a bike specially made for touring around the continent and was also a prisoner of war during both World Wars. I am sure all the lads will remember him, including my friends Ronnie Benstead and Jimmy Cairns. Jimmy sadly went down with the sinking of The Hood.

Thank you for a very interesting magazine.

Charlie Callon

[ <Previous ] [ Letters Page ] [ Next> ]