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Britain's fifth oldest man visits Harrogate primary school

Thursday, 17 October 2024 12:23

Mr John Shannon with Year 5 pupils at Belmont Grosvenor School.

History really came alive for pupils at Harrogate’s Belmont Grosvenor School when Britain’s fifth oldest man came to visit to talk about life during the Second World War.

John Shannon, who has just celebrated his 108th birthday, is the great-grandfather of two Belmont Grosvenor pupils, and the grandfather of BGS Pre-Reception teacher Mrs McIntyre.

Children in Year 5 at the independent prep school, based at Swarciffe Hall in Birstwith, are reading the book ‘Carrie’s War’ as part of their English and History lessons.

They invited Mr Shannon, who worked as a teacher when World War Two broke out, into school to gain an insight into his real-life ‘Carrie’s War’ experiences of helping evacuate pupils from his school in London to Dorset, complete with suitcase, name label and gas mask.

Belmont Grosvenor School Teacher Mrs Lucy Roundhill, who helped organise the visit, said the children had been fascinated by Mr Shannon’s stories of life during this time.

 She said:

“All our pupils found it completely fascinating to hear Mr Shannon recount to them what it was like escorting children from the school where he taught to Dorset at the start of the war. It was just like the story we are reading! 

“He truly brought history to life whilst reminding children to always remain humble, volunteer as much as you can and remember to do small, good things, every single day.”

Mr Shannon also shared stories with pupils from his Royal Navy service during the war, including how the first ship he had been onboard had been torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean soon after the fighting began.

Mr Shannon, who lives in Harrogate, is no stranger to BGS - he worked as an exam invigilator for many years when the school was Grosvenor House, before it merged with Belmont Birklands to become Belmont Grosvenor School.

Mr Shannon was a keen sportsman in his youth and has a sports centre named after him in Winchester. He said:

“I was delighted to talk to the pupils about my part in the evacuation of children at the beginning of the war, and my life in the ‘Wavy Navy’. 

“There are very few of us left now who can help explain the reality of what it was like to live through World War One, the intervening years until the horror of World War Two, and then share how our daily lives got back into normal routines in 1945.

“The questions the children asked were very insightful and I think I was able to give them a feeling and understanding of the more personal, interesting, sad and even funny events during my 108 years.” 

Pupils at Belmont Grosvenor School, which welcomes children from three months to 11 years, enjoy a varied and rich curriculum and Mr Shannon’s visit part of the school’s wide range of extra-curricular which includes visiting speakers, trips and visits, designed to inspire and extend pupils’ learning.

Set in 20-acres of grounds in Birstwith, near Harrogate, the school welcomes children from three months in its nursery, to 11 years old.

Pupils leave BGS and go on to a variety of secondary schools across the district, in both the independent and state sectors.

For more information or to arrange a tour, visit the website: www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk

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