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We have
uploaded here recollections from David Wheeler, who recalls the post-war Tamworth
Road location.
Being
a recent "joiner" of the electronic mail systems and web
browsing, I was interested to come across the JRGS site. As
a JRGS 'old boy' myself, I found it most interesting
especially as I am now so far away. I started at John Ruskin
Grammar School in 1945, just after the end of WWII in class
2H (H for Miss Hickmott) - there was yet no classes with the
number 1 designation. I progressed through the classes,
selecting the science option and repeated year five as I was
too young to sit for the 'O' level at that stage. I
continued on into the Lower and Upper Sixth forms, but did
not do too well at my studies and did not achieve the passes
necessary for my choice of career -Scientific Officer in the
Civil Service. Instead, in 1953, I enlisted for a four-year
term in the R.A.F. working in administration until
discharged in 1957. I was able to obtain a position as a
laboratory assistant at Wellcome Research Laboratories in
Beckenham, but after a year, I left to pursue greener
pastures in Australia.
I obtained a position as a cadet at the Red Cross Blood
Transfusion Service in Brisbane and had to undertake a
course of part-time study to qualify as a Laboratory
Technician. This I did successfully, becoming married and
having three sons in the process. On graduation, I left the
Red Cross and took up a position as Senior Lab. Technician
in the Pathology Department at the Prince Charles Hospital
and over the next 27 years worked my way up the ladder to
Chief Scientist of the Haematology Department until my
retirement in 1994.
I suppose it could be considered that I was a late developer
in my academic achievements, but I remember my years at John
Ruskin (all at Tamworth Road) with affection. The level of
teaching was excellent; it was only my attitude to education
at the time that led to my relatively low achievement. I
made some good friends during my time there, still keeping
in touch with one by regular correspondence. I would be
interested to hear from fellow alumni of the period that I
was at the school.
David Wheeler, Australia; November 2001
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