Photos above: Top: Worksop College, northern Nottinghamshire; Above Left: Charles aged 7 months with Margery aged 3 1/2'; Above Right: Charles aged 5 months.
Two - At home and school in England
The first child born to Annie Jane and Ebenezer Charles Elliott Botham was their daughter, Margery Lucas Botham, born in 1903. She was Charles’ older sister and a constant presence during his growing up. Charles Lucas, their only son, was born on the 5th of November, 1906, which was, coincidentally, the date of Britain’s annual celebration of Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorated the foiling of Fawkes’ 17th century plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. According to the custom of the day, he was born at the family home, a cottage with the name of Ivy Cottage at Gateford , a small community just north of Worksop.
It is not known when the family moved, but their next home was on Queen Street, in the centre of Worksop, not far from the sizable building housing Eyre & Company, Worksop.
It is not known when the family moved, but their next home was on Queen Street, in the centre of Worksop, not far from the sizable building housing Eyre & Company, Worksop.
Ashley House School
Charles at Ashley House - age about 13
In 1911 at the age of five, the normal starting age for children in England, Charles was sent to Ashley House School in Worksop. Actually, beginning in September he would still have been 4, as he would not have turned 5 until November. Ashley House was a private school in Worksop that he attended until 1920 when he became 14.
Ashley House School was located on the outskirts of Worksop on one of the highest spots in the northern Sherwood Forest. Surrounded by playing fields, it had a well-endowed library and science labs, as well as a gymnasium, and arts and crafts rooms. While the school offered live-in facilities for boarders, we don’t know if Charles ever was anything other than a day pupil. The school offered a full program to University Scholarship prepar-ation or for entry into professional or business careers.
During this period, his mother intended that he should learn to play the violin, but the violin teacher recommended that it would be wise for him to be first instructed in the piano so he could more easily learn the theoretical basis of music. As time went on he never gave up the piano nor did he resume his violin lessons. It seems that as well as a natural musical ability he had an aptitude for the piano. Certainly, once he reached Worksop College he continued piano lessons at a fairly advanced level.
Comments on three of his four report cards were the following, “An enthusiastic pupil, who works well.”; “Has made very favourable progress”; and “Very gratifying progress. Through these lessons and by dint of his own hard work he eventually became an extraordinarily competent pianist.
When he became 18 or 19 he became infused with the desire to start a dance band, which he did. At school he was the bugler for the O.T.C. and his interests led him to become competent on the banjo, and the accordian, as well as a number of other instruments.
Meanwhile, his sister Margery, who had a lovely voice and aspired to be a singer, enjoyed performing in public,. She had taken 8 years of piano lessons and voice, and would have loved to have been able to accompany herself on the piano, but this skill seems to have eluded her. When she witnessed the ease with which Charles seemed to have achieved proficiency in doing exactly that, she was most frustrated. But she did not give up her singing.
Ashley House School was located on the outskirts of Worksop on one of the highest spots in the northern Sherwood Forest. Surrounded by playing fields, it had a well-endowed library and science labs, as well as a gymnasium, and arts and crafts rooms. While the school offered live-in facilities for boarders, we don’t know if Charles ever was anything other than a day pupil. The school offered a full program to University Scholarship prepar-ation or for entry into professional or business careers.
During this period, his mother intended that he should learn to play the violin, but the violin teacher recommended that it would be wise for him to be first instructed in the piano so he could more easily learn the theoretical basis of music. As time went on he never gave up the piano nor did he resume his violin lessons. It seems that as well as a natural musical ability he had an aptitude for the piano. Certainly, once he reached Worksop College he continued piano lessons at a fairly advanced level.
Comments on three of his four report cards were the following, “An enthusiastic pupil, who works well.”; “Has made very favourable progress”; and “Very gratifying progress. Through these lessons and by dint of his own hard work he eventually became an extraordinarily competent pianist.
When he became 18 or 19 he became infused with the desire to start a dance band, which he did. At school he was the bugler for the O.T.C. and his interests led him to become competent on the banjo, and the accordian, as well as a number of other instruments.
Meanwhile, his sister Margery, who had a lovely voice and aspired to be a singer, enjoyed performing in public,. She had taken 8 years of piano lessons and voice, and would have loved to have been able to accompany herself on the piano, but this skill seems to have eluded her. When she witnessed the ease with which Charles seemed to have achieved proficiency in doing exactly that, she was most frustrated. But she did not give up her singing.
Part of the photo showing part of the student body at Ashley House School - Charles is in the front row seated on chairs, third from the right.
Scouting
Charles as a scout leader, middle row, rightmost adult
But Charles was not a one-dimensional fellow. He had joined the Boy Scouts as a small boy, which from its nature, had encouraged him to learn many skills, while at the same time it was opening up many topics in the world to him. The Scouts became such an important part of his life that he stayed with them, eventually becoming a Scouter or Scout Leader. He and his friends – other scouts – would go on camping trips on the moors and other wild places that were good for camping.
In the Scouts, from the youngest levels, being curious to know more of the natural world, he had cycled, hiked and camped with friends over much of their part of England, and thus not only got to know their world in a wider sense, but how to get along in it. From experiences such as these he developed great confidence in his abilities to cope in many situations.
In the Scouts, from the youngest levels, being curious to know more of the natural world, he had cycled, hiked and camped with friends over much of their part of England, and thus not only got to know their world in a wider sense, but how to get along in it. From experiences such as these he developed great confidence in his abilities to cope in many situations.
Transferring to Worksop College
An aerial view of Worksop College (a.k.a. St Cuthbert's)
Charles may have begun his education at Ashley House School, but he did not remain there for his full schooling. Instead, after he finished the Second Form he transferred to another private school located in the area, Worksop College.
It was never explained why his parents, or possibly just his mother, decided to transfer him from the one school to the other, but one may make some guesses. Perhaps his father was enjoying a period of prosperity and had earned more profit than usual. However, in the period following the “Great War” the economy a time of unrest and depressed business conditions, so this reason is quite unlikely.
More likely, the reason Charles transferred to his new school, was because it was his mother’s wish. It seems that she may have viewed a Worksop College education as having the potential to offer her son advantages in his future life which were less available to an Ashley House graduate.
Accordingly, in 1921 when he was 14, soon to be 15, his parents registered him at St Cuthbert’s (the name of the school which soon after, assumed the name “Worksop College”), a nearby Public School (which is what they call the expensive British private schools). St. Cuthbert’s was a residential school in those days, and although it was only some 4 or 5 miles out of town, he registered as a resident, to be allowed to go home only on holidays. However he did receive some relief from this suddenly imposed isolation when on fine evenings Margery would walk with a friend to the College and meet him at the gate. She was not allowed in, he wasn’t allowed out, but they could visit through the gate or the fence.
It was never explained why his parents, or possibly just his mother, decided to transfer him from the one school to the other, but one may make some guesses. Perhaps his father was enjoying a period of prosperity and had earned more profit than usual. However, in the period following the “Great War” the economy a time of unrest and depressed business conditions, so this reason is quite unlikely.
More likely, the reason Charles transferred to his new school, was because it was his mother’s wish. It seems that she may have viewed a Worksop College education as having the potential to offer her son advantages in his future life which were less available to an Ashley House graduate.
Accordingly, in 1921 when he was 14, soon to be 15, his parents registered him at St Cuthbert’s (the name of the school which soon after, assumed the name “Worksop College”), a nearby Public School (which is what they call the expensive British private schools). St. Cuthbert’s was a residential school in those days, and although it was only some 4 or 5 miles out of town, he registered as a resident, to be allowed to go home only on holidays. However he did receive some relief from this suddenly imposed isolation when on fine evenings Margery would walk with a friend to the College and meet him at the gate. She was not allowed in, he wasn’t allowed out, but they could visit through the gate or the fence.
Summer Term 1922
Lion Dormitory - Summer 1922 - Charles 2nd from R in third row (mark overhead)
St. Cuthbert’s had been founded in 1890 by a clergyman assisted by several philan-thropists. He had persuaded the Duke of Newcastle to set 300 acres set aside from his Clumber Park estate which was located on the fringe of Sherwood Forest, in an area known as the Dukeries. The grounds border on Clumber Park, and Welbeck Park, the seat of the Duke of Portland. It is also close to Thoresby Abbey, Southwell Cathedral, Rufford Park, Roche Abbey, Edwinstowe and Cresswell Crags, each owned by a member of the aristocracy. It is within easy reach of Sheffield, Manchester, most of the great manufacturing cities of Yorkshire and Lancashire, as well as those of Leicestershire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
During the summer Term of 1922 while Charles was at St Cuthbert's, his level or Grade as we term it in Canada, was Form III A. Within the school during that term, he was a member of the Lion Dormitory, under the supervision of Mr. R. Browning. Among others he is listed as being in French sets, taught by Rev F.G. Baring; Math & Science taught by Mr. O’Meara; Latin, taught by Capt Newton; and Cricket, led by Capt Weddell;
During the summer Term of 1922 while Charles was at St Cuthbert's, his level or Grade as we term it in Canada, was Form III A. Within the school during that term, he was a member of the Lion Dormitory, under the supervision of Mr. R. Browning. Among others he is listed as being in French sets, taught by Rev F.G. Baring; Math & Science taught by Mr. O’Meara; Latin, taught by Capt Newton; and Cricket, led by Capt Weddell;
Curriculum and OTC
The Band, Worksop College O.T.C. - Charles on extreme right with bugle
During this period St. Cuthbert’s had dormitories for 180 boarders, as well as Rooms for Masters (teachers), a Library, Science Lectures, and Labs. The Dining Hall with related rooms was 130 ft. long, a large Chapel was the centre of College activities, and adjoining the school were large playing fields, with provision for Cricket, a “Fives” court , and a “Morris Tube” shooting range, among other sports
College Life:
Charles' new school provided a full range of curricular offerings, including Religious instruction, Classical and modern languages, English reading and writing, Science and Mathematics, Vocal & Instrumental Music, Physical and Military Drill and other practical skills. Instruction at the school was intended to prepare the boys for a variety of occupations, including Law, Accounting, Veterinary Science, Engineering and Pharmacy.
While a wide range of physical activities was standard, the student could also choose to be involved with the Cadet Corps which numbered about 100 Cadets and was attached to the 4th Notts V.B. (Volunteer Brigade) (“The Sherwood Foresters”), a regiment of the regular British army. So. while he was attending Worksop College Charles participated - quite enthusiastically - in the OTC (Officer Training Corps).- of which one of the activities was familiarity and practice on the rifle range. It was at this time that he engaged occasionally in shooting competitions at which he proved to be quite successful.
College Life:
Charles' new school provided a full range of curricular offerings, including Religious instruction, Classical and modern languages, English reading and writing, Science and Mathematics, Vocal & Instrumental Music, Physical and Military Drill and other practical skills. Instruction at the school was intended to prepare the boys for a variety of occupations, including Law, Accounting, Veterinary Science, Engineering and Pharmacy.
While a wide range of physical activities was standard, the student could also choose to be involved with the Cadet Corps which numbered about 100 Cadets and was attached to the 4th Notts V.B. (Volunteer Brigade) (“The Sherwood Foresters”), a regiment of the regular British army. So. while he was attending Worksop College Charles participated - quite enthusiastically - in the OTC (Officer Training Corps).- of which one of the activities was familiarity and practice on the rifle range. It was at this time that he engaged occasionally in shooting competitions at which he proved to be quite successful.
Shooting & Boxing
Charles' in middle of leaders (2nd row) of scout troop at camp
From his shooting activities with the OTC Charles developed a strong interest in guns and shooting. We know very little about any other shooting activities he engaged in as a young man, but he occasionally mentioned and described to his sons how he had brought a number of guns, which had included rifles and shotguns, to Canada. However, with the dislocations that resulted from World War II, he had disposed of most of them by the time his own sons were old enough to be similarly interested in firearms. He did mention, however, that they had included several rifles and shotguns. In England many of his activities had been outdoor – camping, hiking and climbing, typified, of course, by his interest and activities in the Boy Scout movement. Indeed, he may have earned a badge based on shooing as an activity.
Another of Charles' activities was boxing. He was by nature somewhat pugnacious or aggressive, and enjoyed getting into a ring with an opponent and then trying to best him by "outboxing" him. Of course in boxing one is matched with opponents with a similar weight. Charles boxed as a welterweight (maximum allowable weight 147 lbs or 10 1/2 stones) and in spite of being two years or more younger than some of his opponents became his school's Welterweight boxing champion, an achievement of which he was very proud. But "outboxing" or using strategy wasn't his only goal. He used to tell his sons about "slugging the other guy", and "knocking (the other fellow) out", and similar imagery which nowadays might be less subject to approval by members of the general public than in days of yore. You could tell that such actions and results were a turn-on for him. As for his legacy in this sport, I'm afraid Peter was a big disappointment to him because he was by no means inclined to be a fighter. However, his second son, James, was more his style because he had more of his father's personality when it came to these activities. And, as it turned out, Charles' only memento of his boxing career was the shape of his nose, which having been broken several times, remained rather rounded in the shape characteristic of a boxer.
Leaving Worksop College:
Charles entered St. Cuthbert’s in Form III and left July 31st 1923, at the end of Form IV because, against Charles' wishes, his father decided that he he had had enough schooling. “You can now learn the business,” he said. "I want you to learn everything about the store, step by step." Thus Charles never did have the opportunity of finishing his formal schooling which would have involved proceeding through the Fifth Form to the important final exams of the Sixth Form.
Therefore, from 1923 until 1929 when he left, he spent close to six years with Eyre and Sons. Starting “at the bottom” he worked in a variety of sales departments. A typical position was in the selling of carpets and furniture. He was not by nature a patient person, and grew to intensely dislike the situation where he encountered superficial women who, after seeing the demonstration of the merchandise, would often adopt a supercilious air, and criticizing the item, walk off without buying it. Such a reaction would infuriate him. He also delivered furniture and spent a disproportionate part of his time working in the accounting department But what he enjoyed the most was working in the shops where they maintained the delivery vans.
In the automotive maintenance shops he found that he really enjoyed working with the engines of the lorries (delivery vans) of the company. One of the statements he made on his application for the RCAF was “Since the age of 14 I have worked on gasoline engines in various forms, including motorcycles, cars, trucks, outboard motors, power pumps, & house lighting plants. I do not wish to be a pilot but would like to be trained to work on aero engines - maintenance and repair; gas engines have always been and still are my chief interest in life. He also states on the same application form that he had been second in charge of the fleet of trucks and cars run by the furniture company;
Another of Charles' activities was boxing. He was by nature somewhat pugnacious or aggressive, and enjoyed getting into a ring with an opponent and then trying to best him by "outboxing" him. Of course in boxing one is matched with opponents with a similar weight. Charles boxed as a welterweight (maximum allowable weight 147 lbs or 10 1/2 stones) and in spite of being two years or more younger than some of his opponents became his school's Welterweight boxing champion, an achievement of which he was very proud. But "outboxing" or using strategy wasn't his only goal. He used to tell his sons about "slugging the other guy", and "knocking (the other fellow) out", and similar imagery which nowadays might be less subject to approval by members of the general public than in days of yore. You could tell that such actions and results were a turn-on for him. As for his legacy in this sport, I'm afraid Peter was a big disappointment to him because he was by no means inclined to be a fighter. However, his second son, James, was more his style because he had more of his father's personality when it came to these activities. And, as it turned out, Charles' only memento of his boxing career was the shape of his nose, which having been broken several times, remained rather rounded in the shape characteristic of a boxer.
Leaving Worksop College:
Charles entered St. Cuthbert’s in Form III and left July 31st 1923, at the end of Form IV because, against Charles' wishes, his father decided that he he had had enough schooling. “You can now learn the business,” he said. "I want you to learn everything about the store, step by step." Thus Charles never did have the opportunity of finishing his formal schooling which would have involved proceeding through the Fifth Form to the important final exams of the Sixth Form.
Therefore, from 1923 until 1929 when he left, he spent close to six years with Eyre and Sons. Starting “at the bottom” he worked in a variety of sales departments. A typical position was in the selling of carpets and furniture. He was not by nature a patient person, and grew to intensely dislike the situation where he encountered superficial women who, after seeing the demonstration of the merchandise, would often adopt a supercilious air, and criticizing the item, walk off without buying it. Such a reaction would infuriate him. He also delivered furniture and spent a disproportionate part of his time working in the accounting department But what he enjoyed the most was working in the shops where they maintained the delivery vans.
In the automotive maintenance shops he found that he really enjoyed working with the engines of the lorries (delivery vans) of the company. One of the statements he made on his application for the RCAF was “Since the age of 14 I have worked on gasoline engines in various forms, including motorcycles, cars, trucks, outboard motors, power pumps, & house lighting plants. I do not wish to be a pilot but would like to be trained to work on aero engines - maintenance and repair; gas engines have always been and still are my chief interest in life. He also states on the same application form that he had been second in charge of the fleet of trucks and cars run by the furniture company;
Day-to-day life at school
Charles on the Tennis Team - in back row, far left
In 1922 Charles kept a diary, portions of which have survived. He may have diarized other time periods before and after the diary that we have, but such records haven't been preserved. This diary, which covers some three and a half months, deals with his spare-time activities such as reading books, going to the movies, band practice, contacts with his father and mother, and sporting events he participated in, Confirmation classes, where and with whom he walked, girls he saw & walked with, and other details of his life, significant and incidental.
Charles, told his children, on several occasions about a few things that had happened while he was at the College. However, about the only thing Peter can remember was his description of how from time to time boys from his dorm would sneak off to raid the pantries adjacent to the school's kitchen. On one occasion, being discovered by the supervisor on duty, he pursued them at high speed back to their dormitory room. This supervisor happened to be a very athletic PE teacher, but they managed to outrun him and jump into their beds in time to feign sleep. When he came in and toured the room in which they were lying they managed (with great difficulty) to control their breathing enough to fool him into believing that they were asleep, so he went away scratching his head! Charles said that had been a close one! There were other anecdotes of incidents that happened in those days but unfortunately when he told them to us we were quite young, and he’s now been gone for 46 years, and so are the memories of the stories.
Charles, told his children, on several occasions about a few things that had happened while he was at the College. However, about the only thing Peter can remember was his description of how from time to time boys from his dorm would sneak off to raid the pantries adjacent to the school's kitchen. On one occasion, being discovered by the supervisor on duty, he pursued them at high speed back to their dormitory room. This supervisor happened to be a very athletic PE teacher, but they managed to outrun him and jump into their beds in time to feign sleep. When he came in and toured the room in which they were lying they managed (with great difficulty) to control their breathing enough to fool him into believing that they were asleep, so he went away scratching his head! Charles said that had been a close one! There were other anecdotes of incidents that happened in those days but unfortunately when he told them to us we were quite young, and he’s now been gone for 46 years, and so are the memories of the stories.
