Posted by Owen Roberts on November 12, 2013 at 15:17:06 user OwenRoberts.
In Reply to: Re: NLCS was: Lakeland Cam posted by Peter Ceresole on November 12, 2013 at 10:21:35:
The Callums parents had "gone to Egypt, to dig up remains" per WH. This infers that they would be away for sometime – probably at least 3 months and likely much longer.
It is very likely that both Callums would have boarded at school (probably different schools at their age), unless there was someone at home to look after them. Hence the need for their school trunks. However it should be borne in mind that in the 1930’s many people travelled with a trunk anyway.
Whilst there are good reasons for supposing Dick went to Shrewsbury, we do need a girl’s boarding school either in London or where you would need to come through London to be seen off at Euston.
On must bear in mind that although a University Professor is not poor (and may have a good income from writing) He may have struggled to meet two lots of boarding fees. However as a University Professor he may well have received accommodation as part of his remuneration.
Many boarding schools (especially those at prep. Schools but also some senior schools) did require knapsacks in their list of clothing requirements. They would be used on “expeditions” during the term to carry sandwiches, Thermos flasks and notebooks during the expedition. My own school did not have expeditions, as everyone was expected to joint either the Combined Cadet Force or the Scouts. A field day on some blasted heath (often Banstead) took the place of the expedition.