A.R.Rigden - Davington School

Situated about two miles out of Faversham, Kent, along the Davington Road, it is rather a large school with three wings to it: one for the infants or juniors, one for the senior boys, and one for the girls. Each wing or building is separated and have their own entrance. Also, the school is screened from the main road by a large shrubbery about eight foot [...]. Also, a six foot iron fence is erected in front.

I myself must have been introduced to this school during the autumn of 1907, possibly after the hop picking season was finished. This was about the same period as when I was reunited with certain members of my family who were residing at Black Bird Cottage on the Lower Brents, Faversham.

Previously to this era my recollect is very vague there, for apart from writing that I have no recollection. Of my mother or my father, I can only repeat what I was told, "and that is", my mother died shortly after my birth and I was taken from her by her closest friend and was breast fed by her. She happened to be breast feeding one of her own and, fortunately for me, had enough to satisfy myself, but who she was I do not know. What I am certain of, she was feeding a female child, and in May 1919 this young lady accosted me at Whitstable with the remark, "you're Amos Rigden, aren't you?" "Yes", I replied. "Well", she said, "you were fed from the same breast as myself." This rather surprised myself and for a few seconds I was quite speechless. She herself simply walked away, possibly feeling like myself.

At that time I was about to be married by special licence before proceeding to India, there had little opportunity to follow up any investigations I wanted to make regarding my mother.

Now, regarding the school, possibly on account of my age, I was too old to be accepted as an infant, [I], therefore, was accepted in Standard One of the big boys section. Mrs. Coombridge was my school teacher, rather a middle aged woman, very kindly as a teacher.

Possibly in 1908, I was advanced to Standard Two, Mr. Potter, where subjects taught were more difficult and discipline certainly was, and the cane used very often. I myself often found myself on the receiving end of the cane until one day I found courage enough to up boot and kick him pretty severely. Then I ran out of the school and refused to go home. For several days and nights I foraged for myself, sleeping in corn shocks at night time. That was in the summer of 1908 and evidently harvesting time. I also occasionally noticed where the workmen left their food for the day and naturally I stole that to survive with. That kind of life suited me until a policeman caught [me] about ten p.m. asleep beneath a shock of corn in the field that had been recently harvested.

[ NOTE: the above paragraph contradicts the account given in the previous article, "Childhood (2)" ]

That episode nearly resulted in me being sent to a reformation school but the policeman, and his wife, offered to be responsible for my future behaviour. Evidently they were aware of the poverty attached to my home, where every member had to do something to keep a roof over our heads.

Several days later I returned to the school and received a severe caning. Thinking of what the policeman had told and advised me, this time I accepted my punishment and restrained the impulse to "use my boot".

From then on I had learnt my lesson and made rapid progress at school. This was made much easier by PC Savage and his wife. To me it seemed they had no children of their own and so long as I respected them and, by various ways, showed my gratefulness and appreciation they were satisfied.
The next term I was raised to Standard Three. Mr. Durrant was the teacher. He also managed Standard Four. His classroom was rather long and on one side sat Standard Three and on the other, Standard Four. The corridor ran centre of his room. He also carried a five or six foot cane and could easily reach a pupil on either side. Occasionally he did this. He also had two black boards and easels, one for each class. I should estimate the number in his class amounted to eighty pupils.

Curiously enough, Mr. Durrant remarked to me, "Rigden, I want no trouble from you. Once upon a time I was almost like you. If you have a problem any time let me know of it - I get little satisfaction when I use this." Well, during my time in Standard Three and Four I kept clear of trouble. The same applied to Mr. Stevens. Several times during the winter he had me shifted nearer the fire because I looked ill and felt the cold.

Now, 1912 came along, my progress at school was rapid. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Savage I had a square meal whenever I needed one, also, by some means, reasonably decent clothes and Mrs. Savage always made sure I was clean and respectable when the first school bell was rung.

Referring to the school bell, it was quite a large bell, similar to a church bell, and hung from the tower above the school. Mr. Johncock, the school caretaker, was responsible for tolling the bell, which could be heard for miles around.

Davington school was also an endowment school. Also, the late Lord Hams was one of its trustees. In some respects it was almost semi-military, such as when physical training or drill was in progress; Empire Day was certainly a great occasion. A large dais was built on the playground and the mast and flag was raised, naturally the Union Jack. Like a regiment of soldiers all classes were marched onto the playground and formed up like platoons of soldiers do in front of the flag. Parents of the children could attend on that day. When Lord Hams arrived it was all classes standing strictly to attention. Then, after his Lordship had presented all prizes, etc., the Empire Day song was sung by all the pupils, girls and boys. Then each class marched past the Union Jack, eyes right, caps off, each teacher in command of his standard. It all seemed so serious and I for one always felt emotional. To me, gazing up at that flag made me feel proud to think I was British and the Empire meant something. Also, now I am eighty years of age of age it still does and I'm proud to think that everyone of my boys served their country faithfully in two wars, or myself in one and all members of my family did in the second one. To have three boys all away fighting for their country was quite a lot of worry for their mother but, like myself, she was proud of them. Unfortunately, after 54 years of marriage their mother has gone from them. Maybe, but not the memory of her hasn't, "I know".