Although I was never taught by Wilbur who took over as deputy head from Harry 'Blinks' Milton and was head of the Classics Dept; I can't remember just how he acquired the nickname - don't think it was a derivation of his true christian name. I've a feeling it was based on a character in a children's TV programme but could be mistaken.
He was quite an influential teacher and was as prominent in extra-curricular activities especially fell walking and rambling. Additionally he took a very active part in raising funds for the now ill-fated swimming baths back in the mid to late 1960's.
I have mailed a picture of him in his last year at (Oakbank)Grammar School before he left to take up a post in Staffordshire if I'm not mistaken.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1960-68

Anthony, I really dont think it was any other than a derivation of his real name Wilbert.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-1964

Current location (optional) Wirral

I never knew his name actually was Wilbert - which probably explains how I managed to survive several years of his(albeit effective)teaching.
While we're on the subject,though,does anyone know what the A (his middle initial) stood for? I remember him being rather cagey about it one day, when asked (by a bold individual I can't remember),and muttering something about the name of a place in Hampshire!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58 - 65

Alton is the most likely, surely not Aldershot or Andover!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-1964

Current location (optional) Wirral

Just seen the pic. of Wilbur. What a "comb-over"!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58 -65

Taking a second look the Wibur photo, what age would you say he was when it was taken? Quite a youngish face behind that 'tache. Clearly younger then than we all are now! On the question of newly posted photos, check out the compliments slip. How about the hyphen in Head-master's. And the ambiguous apostrophe, bang on top of the 's'. As a former grammar school boy I approve of neither! And finally, whatever happened to the tap room photo, Chris? Between the ages of 17-18 I must've spent more time in that tap room than at school - it would be good to see that football table again!!

Yes he does look young. 40s? late 30s? How our perceptions change. Quite a sturdy " chap" he was. I have a vague memory of him rubbing his hand up the front of his face and over his head..strange. (Not him, the things that come to mind).

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-66

Yes, Alan - that coincides with my memories of Wilbur too. High blood pressure? Whenever he'd finished rubbing his forehead the hand would come away and for a couple of seconds there would be a white hand print smack in the middle.

I believe it was migraine - the first time I'd ever heard the word.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Lincoln

This bloke Wilbur had the reddest face and facial spots I can remember of any master. And a temper to match. A heavy drinker one suspects. Matched only by curly haired Eddie Riley who used to prop up a bar in Cowling at a local pub when not teaching chemistry.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1961-68

Current location (optional) Steeton

Going back to Allan's post in 2005, Wilbur was born in Blackburn in 1923, so he was 34 when we started at the school. When his birth was registered, his second name is recorded a A. Was it too embarrassing to even write it on registration document or was his middle name simply A?

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Happen he was a triplet, and his brothers were Wilburs B and C?

I think this extract from the London Gazette (March 1943) probably solves the mystery of Wilbur's middle name.


SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 5 MARCH, 1943 1069
R. Fus.-
George Albert GRAY (255713).
The King's R.
Sidney Thomas STROMBERG (255739). Ernest
QUINN (255609). Wilbert Arthur BLOOMFIELD
(255740). Peter LANGE (255741).

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1962-69

Current location (optional) Nottingham

WAB left KBGS in 1967, either to Hale or to Hyde Grammar School - I can't actually remember which now. I happened to be returning from working in Singapore at the beginning of that year and was looking for a teaching post in English, and I applied to both those schools among others. From one of them I had notification that the Head was changing in the September, and much to my surprise (and chagrin - for there had never been any love lost between WAB and me) I was told the name and provenance of the new head who would be scrutinising the applications. My brother happened to be in the sixth at the time and Wilbur sought him out to say that the interviews would almost certainly be held before I was back in England - for which, in those very special circumstances, I was greatly relieved! I think Hale is actually in Cheshire, Shaun, and Hyde is now Greater Manchester, but also probably Cheshire then.

Wilbur actually retired back to Yorkshire, to Grassington, where he was encountered on many occasions by Trevor Hargreaves who also lived, and taught there, and who was at the last annual reunion we held in September 2019. Wilbur died sometime in the 'noughties'. The house he had built at Oakworth, 'Looking Stead', named after his favourite mountain here in the Lakes, is still standing - though no longer in splendid isolation in the field it was originally in.

Doug

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1951-58

Current location (optional) Keswick, Cumbria