I always knew that my father had been
born in Devon and that his father had been head
master of a village school but it was only when
I started researching into my family’s history
that I discovered the extent of my grandfather’s
involvement in the village life of Coldridge.
David Robert Lindsay (my paternal
grandfather) was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland and
trained as a teacher but came to London to improve
his fortunes. There he met and married my grandmother
Mary Elizabeth Overton in 1890. Mary’s family
was originally from Norfolk but like my grandfather
they had moved to London to make a better life.
After a spell in London, David Robert
took up the post of Master of Coldridge School in
1896. Mary took sewing classes at the school as
well as generally assisting and went on to qualify
as a teacher and Mistress of the school. The family,
together with David Robert’s sister Jean Lindsay,
lived in the School House throughout the period
they were in Coldridge.
My grandparents had four children
– Lionel (Lol) and Bertie were born in London
whilst my father Ian and Gertrude Lucy were born
in Coldridge. During the First World War Bertie
and Ian joined up, Bertie serving with the London
Scottish and Ian with the Somerset Light Infantry.
Both are commemorated in the Roll of Honour in the
Church and I am proud to say that my father was
awarded the Military Medal. I have been able to
find very little trace of Lol, apart from the fact
that at one time he played for the village football
team. Gertrude helped out at the school from a young
age, standing in for her mother who had poor health.
The most rewarding part of my research
was to discover the School Log Books written up
by David Robert in the Devon Archives in Exeter.
What an insight into village life they provide.
Not only do they contain details of the children’s
educational achievements (or non-achievements!)
but they also paint a vivid picture of life during
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The weather appears to have been terrible
much of the time – gales of wind, torrential
rain and heavy snow. Epidemics such as diphtheria
and measles took a heavy toll on village life and
there were many prolonged closures of the school.
Children were also taken out of school to help with
the harvests and forced to leave school at an early
age - something David Robert found hard to tolerate.
Whenever the school hall was required for some function
(such as a ball), the school was closed. When the
weather was severe children were unable to get to
school. In fact, over the years and certainly during
the winter months, the school seemed to be closed
almost as often as it was open.
David Robert appears to have been
something of a disciplinarian and was no stranger
to the birch. There were even complaints from some
parents over what appeared to them to be excessive
caning. Although my grandfather started out with
great enthusiasm and high hopes, I rather fear that
over the years he became somewhat disillusioned.
This was due in part to the continuing poor health
of his wife Mary, who had to give up teaching in
1918 but to his own deteriorating eyesight. The
saddest sentence in the final Log Book is the one
dated 31st March 1925 which simply reads “My
duties as Master terminate today.”
I would encourage anyone who has the
time to visit the Archives in Exeter and look through
the Log Books for the period. I only had a very
brief time there but the amount of local information
is vast and creates a truly vivid account of the
times.
Unfortunately, I have no photographs
from the period but the illustration on the Home
Page of the website shows the school and school
house during the period when the Lindsays were active
in the village and the class standing in front of
the church may well contain members of my family.
I know there are some members of the
Coldridge community whose parents have passed on
memories and anecdotes of the Lindsays’ school
reign and I should really welcome any further light
they can throw on my family.
David Robert Lindsay
Master of Coldridge School
6th January 1896 - 31st March 1925
EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL LOG
BOOK
1896
Jan 6 David Robert Lindsay commenced duties as Master
of this school today. Mrs Lindsay undertakes the
sewing and generally assists. Taken as a whole the
school is extremely backward. In writing and setting
down sums there is a great want of care. Discipline
is very lax. There is a prevailing tendency to cover
the mouth with the hand to facilitate whispering.
Singing evidently has only been taught by ear, as
the children have not the slightest conception of
the Modulator.
10 After trying over each class for
the week have resolved to restart each class in
the ensuing week, each subject. Average for the
week 46.5. Number on Register 54. No. Present 51.
13 Re admitted Lilian Newcombe and
Lily Dymond.
17 Work has gone on fairly well during
the week. Discipline slightly improved. Great lack
of punctuality still. Received from Mr Hannaford
3 doz. pencils and 2 doz. pens. Slight improvement
in the weakness of the writing in copy books. No.
on Register 56. Present 52. Weather has been very
stormy during the week.
24 Work progressing very slowly.
The children seem to be brightening a little and
are taking considerably more interest in their work.
Average for the week 48.6. On Register 56. Present
52.
30 Standards I and II improving in
Reading, general improvement in Writing throughout
the school.
The school being required tomorrow (Friday) for
a ball, will be closed for the day. Average for
the week 48.3. On Register 56. Present 54.
Feb 7 Work progressing very slowly
but satisfactorily. The Board agreed to supply maps
which I hope to receive next week. Average for week
49.9. On Register 56. Present 55………………..
