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Photographs
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1914
The ‘Big’
The large classroom, formerly known as the 'Big' later became the School
library. Note the gas lighting brackets on the walls in this view of the 'Big'
in 1914; the ancient master's desk has pride of place in the foreground.
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1914
Taylor Dyson with pupils in the ‘Big’
Taylor Dyson, known as 'The Gaffer' was one of King James's Grammar School's
most revered Headmasters who joined the School in 1913 at the age of 31 and
retired in 1945. Here he is shown in the 'Big' with members of Form 3 in 1914.
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1914
Housegroup
This photograph, taken during the First World War, shows a group of pupils -
some of whom are dressed in cadet uniform - from one of the school Houses. The
School Cadet Corps was formed in 1915, with the headmaster in the role of
Captain Dyson. The school yard was, at times, more of a miniature barrack
square.
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1922
Johnny Hopton with his form
John Hopton, a graduate of Leeds University, arrived at King James’s in 1921 to teach mathematics, chemistry and biology. A thorough teacher of the
old school, he often seemed strict and unyielding to younger pupils, but those
who got to know him better found him a kindly, humorous man. His service to
school over 98 terms - he retired in 1953 - was immeasurable.
This photograph was kindly supplied by Terry Buckley, whose father Jack Buckley
appears at the end of the back row on the right. Next to him is Reg Napier, who
taught Terry Buckley and and John Watson (of Temperance Seven fame) at
Huddersfield School of Art (1953-1958) and subsequently became Head of the
School of Art.
The pupil on the extreme left of the front row is believed to be A Lee, while
the figure at the left-hand end of the middle row may be G Hooper. Assistance
in identifying others would be appreciated.
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1924
Herbert Blackburn with his form
Herbert Blackburn is shown here with his form in 1924. A graduate of London
University, he joined King James ’s in 1919 to teach English and Classics. He was responsible for the School
Pageant of 1936, and also made his mark as the author, with Harry Gledhill, of
the School Song which still resonates today at major School and Old
Almondburians ’ Society functions.
The photograph was kindly supplied by Terry Buckley, whose father appears on the
back row, second from the left. Reg Napier, who taught Terry Buckley and and
John Watson (of Temperance Seven fame) at Huddersfield School of Art
(1953-1958) and subsequently became Head of the School of Art, is on the back
row, fourth from the right. Assistance in identifying others in this photograph
would be appreciated.
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1925
The Gondoliers
Gilbert & Sullivan productions were an annual feature of school life from 1922 to 1938,
initially being organised by Major Hirst and Haydn Sandwell and later by Mrs
Sizer and Harry Gledhill. The tradition was revived after the Second World War
with productions of The Mikado (1947), The Gondoliers (1948), The Pirates of
Penzance (1949) and HMS Pinafore (1953).
This photograph, supplied by Terry Buckley, shows the cast of a production of
The Gondoliers around 1925. The teacher on the extreme left is John Baldwin,
who went on to become Headmaster in 1945. Third from the left is art master
Edward Akroyd, who traditionally looked after the scenery in these productions,
and next to him are Robert Burn and Johnny Hopton.
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1925
Taylor Dyson
Taylor Dyson - 'the Gaffer' - was only 31 years of age when he took over the
helm from Robert Simpson Crump in 1913. Pictured here in 1925, he was a native
of Saddleworth who graduated in History at the University of Manchester and
also held degrees from the Universities of London and Caen. He joined the
School at an anxious time when numbers were yet again falling, but in the
following 33 successful years he guided the School through a five-fold increase
in size accompanied, in 1938/9, by a major expansion in its teaching
facilities.
When Taylor Dyson first came to Almondbury, the School still had boarders and he
himself lived with his family in the Schoolhouse. Although he was saddened by
the School's transfer to the Huddersfield Corporation in 1922 and the ending of
the boarding tradition, his efforts on behalf of the School never wavered right
up to the time of his retirement in 1945 to Christchurch, where he died in
1957.
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