Bateman Girls School - American Soldiers in Biddulph World War 2

There are various accounts about the school before it became Bateman Girls School , here is a short recollection from Betty Ball, born 1929: "Although the building of the school was commenced, it was not entirely finished, but was used for a time as a barracks for the American soldiers, stationed in Biddulph prior to 'D' day. I did not acutally see for myself, but understood that during this time the inside of the building was not plastered, and was in fact merely a shell and very basic. I do not know when work recommenced but probly the building of the school was planed to meet the need of additional accommodation in connection wth hope of increasing the school age, but unfortunately, war intervened. The Education Act passed in 1944 stipulated full time attendance at school was , at some unspecified date to be made compulsory to age sixteen.'

Many thanks to Betty who attended Biddulph Council School (Kingsfield County First School, Gunn Street), from 1935 to Christmas 1943, leaving at the age of 14 to go and work at Cowlishaw and Walker