Looking into the great blackberry pick

Children in World War 1

This article is indebted to Helen Murphy of Box School, Eric and Sandra Callaway and Wiltshire Resource Centre
May 2014

The whole village was mobilised for warfare by a fierce propoganda campaign and the vilification of the enemy. Children were encouraged by tales of glory to support the war effort. People contributed money and supplies to finance the war, although it is hard to believe that activities such as blackberry picking served much useful purpose. 
Many children were withdrawn from school to help their mothers with farming needs, and attendance certificates (like that of Edward Callaway, left) were issued to encourage education.

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Box Schools' Logs

BOYS SCHOOL
1914
August 31st 1914 An old boy named Fisher was killed when HMS Amphion was struck by a German mine.[1]
September 7th 1914 Mr Bradfield has enlisted in the Army and has left the school. This leaves only myself and Miss Sweeney to carry on the work. Handiwork must perforce be dropped and copybook lessons will largely take its place.
1915
May 21st 1915 As a result of a collection the sum of 15s was raised to send comforts to the troops.
June 4th 1915 A good week's work has been done. Three boys have left, two for employment in agriculture and one left the village.
June 11th 1915 Two more boys have left to be employed in agriculture.
1916
November 24th 1916 Work has proceeded as usual this week and the attendance has considerably improved. Constant removals of families owing to the War is decreasing the numbers on the REGISTERS.

1917
October 18th 1917 A half holiday was given this afternoon to enable the children to gather blackberries for the troops.
October 19th 1917 Nearly 1½ cwt were gathered jointly yesterday by the boys and girls.
October 11th 1917 Took boys of Standards V, VI, and VII to gather chestnuts.
October 22nd 1917 Another half holiday for blackberrying.
October 23rd 1917 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 30th 1917 The Headmaster left the school at 11.40 in the morning to assist with a convoy of wounded at Corsham. He was present at the opening of afternoon school.

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1918
September 23rd 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
September 24th 1918 Another half holiday for blackberrying
October 1st 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 5th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 15th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 17th 1918 Half holiday for blackberrying
October 23rd 1918 135lb of berries were sent to Chippenham
October 24th 1918 The temperature today is 46° F.
Instructed CLEANER to light fires. He refused using bad language

Blackberries for the Government Jam Scheme

Did you know that, during the First World War, children picked blackberries for the Government?

In 1918 as a result of the war, food rationing was introduced and a committee was set up to look at the ways of utilising any available natural resource. Throughout the country rural schools were instructed to ‘employ their children in gathering blackberries during school hours’ for the Government jam making scheme.

The children of Willingdon School rose to the challenge and supervised by their teachers groups went out into the fields from 9 September to 23 October; to harvest what was obviously a bumper crop. The School Log records 17 days when the children were taken out blackberry picking. The first afternoon 9th Sept – ‘No school this afternoon, the children gathered 73 lbs of blackberries for jam for the Ford Committee.’

Log book entry 1 blackberries. Image courtesy of Rosalind Hodges.

Log book entry 2 blackberries. Image courtesy of Rosalind Hodges.

Of course the main road didn’t exist at this time and over the playground wall the fields from Willingdon, the area of what is now Willingdon roundabout down to the Triangle, spread out with a large number of bramble bushes. The fruit was packed into specially provided baskets of a regulation size and sent immediately by rail from Hampden Park station to the special factories where it was made into blackberry and apple jam for members of HM Forces. Mr Haylock, headmaster, records the amazing weight of 1,869 lbs 3oz being sent from the school. In return, cheques were sent to the teachers who were authorised to pay the pupils. On 28th October Mr Haylock records receiving a cheque for £23.7.6d in payment, which he SHARED out among the gatherers, the 123 children on the school roll. This was a good sum of money when compared to the average weekly wage of an agricultural worker, in 1918, who was paid just £1.10.6d for a 52-hour week.