The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Cripples in the country. Picture shows [redacted], aged 11, who despite his irons on both legs and the fact that he has to do up 26 straps to get into uniform, is a keen Cub. He is seen with Mrs. Messam, his Lady Cub-master.”
Lord Shaftesbury became the president of the Ragged School Union in 1844, soon after it was established, and held the position for 39 years. In the 19th century, these charitable schools provided free education to destitute children. During the Second World War, a Shaftesbury Society Home in Hastings was evacuated to Hurst Lea in Sevenoaks, which became a residential boy’s school with approximately 50 pupils. The objective of the school was “to enable the boys to become normal citizens”; during the final year of their schooling, the boys received vocational training. Families may have been allowed to visit their children at Hurst Lea every six weeks. In 1944 the Ragged School Union was officially renamed the Shaftesbury Society, and in 2007 the John Grooms and Shaftesbury Society charities merged to form Livability. See also MED01/01/3037-3043. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Special School, Childrens Care Home, Health And Welfare, Clothing And Fashion, People
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