Milly Walker was born in 1908 at 11 The Bury, Pirton, one of nine children—six girls and three boys—in the family of James Walker. As the middle child, she grew up in a bustling household that reflected the rhythms of village life in early 20th-century Pirton.
Milly began school at the age of three, in 1911, when Pirton School was still under the firm hand of Mr. and Mrs. Donson. She remembered a large, rather cold building where discipline was strict and order was expected. The Donsons, both Methodists, were known to have favourites, though Mildred recalled that their daughter, Miss Gertrude Donson, was always kind. Mrs. Donson, however, she found “masterful” and not kind at all.
Among the teachers and assistants she remembered were Charles Jackson and Edith Prutton, with Grace Hoy, Alice Weeden, and Ethel Trussell as pupil teachers. Alice Shepherd taught sewing and was remembered fondly for her patience and helpfulness. The school had a gallery in the little room for the youngest children, and at times a small cottage nearby was used for cookery lessons, where assistant teachers lived.
Lessons were plain and practical: reading, writing, arithmetic, singing, and drill once a week. Bible stories opened the day, and the girls learned sewing—chemises in calico—and knitting in red cotton. It was a simple curriculum, yet demanding. Children were expected to sit up straight on benches without backs, and misbehaviour was swiftly punished. One boy once threw a Bible at Mr. Donson, breaking a window—a story that lived long in village memory.
Life at school could be harsh. The building was bitterly cold in winter, and illnesses were common. Many children stayed away to help their mothers with babies, or the boys to take dinners to the fields during haytime—sometimes not returning afterward. When excitement came, it was brief and unplanned: Milly recalled the day balloons came down nearby, when all the children ran off up the Hitchin Road to see them, only to be chased back by Miss Donson and caned the next day.
Despite such strictness, there were lighter moments. Each Christmas, every child received an orange and a bag of sweets. Milly also remembered one unfortunate girl with nits who wore a tight-fitting hat—“Leave it alone,” said the teacher, to which the child replied, “I’m just putting it straight!”
Her younger sister, Trish, started school in 1915 at age three, as Milly had done, but by then the admission age had changed to five, so she could not stay.
For Milly, school life changed markedly in 1924 when Mr. Housden became headmaster. He was a strong disciplinarian but also an excellent teacher who introduced a broader curriculum—football, netball, gardening, history, and geography. Under his leadership, the school became a happier and more stimulating place. “Everyone was frightened of the teacher,” Milly said, “but no one misbehaved—not even out of school.”
Joan’s notes
Miss Mildred Walker born 1908 11 The Bury Father James Walker
One of 9 children (6 girls, 3 boys). She was the middle one. Went to school at 3 in 1911.
Mentioned Charles Jackson, Edith Prutton as asst teachers and Grace Hoy and Alice Weeden as pupil teachers, also Ethel Trussell. Alice Shepherd for sewing (helpful)
Did not like Mrs Donson – she was ‘masterful’ and not kind
Gallery in little room as well ?
Mr D was very keen to get everyone to join the Pirton Benefit Society, you paid 1/- and if the doctor passed you, you were in.
Donsons were Methodists and had favourites.
Miss Gertrude Donson was nice
We had sewing (chemises – calico), Knitting (in red cotton), reading, writing and arithmetic, singing, drill (once a week), bible story, that was all. Cookery at the cottage (asst teachers lived there)
Very cold at school, lot of sickness, children staying away (to help mother with babies etc.) (boys taking dinners a t hay time and they didn’t come back) When balloons came down, the children ran away to see them – Miss D chasing them up the Hitchin Road – all caned next day.
Remembered a boy who threw a bible at Mr D and it broke a window!
They all had an orange and a bag of sweets at Christmas
Children had to sit up straight (no backs to benches!)
Girl with nits wearing a close fitting hat! ‘leave it alone’ ‘I’m just putting it straight’
Younger sister of above (Trish) went in 1915 at 3, but could not stay as starting age had changed to 5.
Said that school changed for better when in 1924 Mr Housden took over. He was v. good teacher, strong disciplinarian, more varied curriculum – netball/football/gardening/history/geography.
Everyone was frightened of teacher – no one misbehaved, even out of school.
