I attended the Junior School from 1948 to 1945. I remember Mr Tamkin in the 3rd year and Fatty Evans in the 4th year, both frightened me to death. I failed the 11 plus and went up to the Senior School. At 13 I took and passed the exams for the Building School and so left St Lukes in 1951. In the Senior School I remember Mr Rowbotham, he was quite strict but a very good teacher. Mr James,Geography, Mr Davies, Art and the the Head master Mr Mills. In the 2nd year our form master was young teacher, Mr Jim Revel he was very sporty but could not keep control. We thought it good fun to play him up and get the strap until after the holidays when I think he learnt to get a grip and he really hurt with the strap. I will always remember the magnificent murals in the hall and all the young men who were killed in the 1st world war and whose names were recorded on the panels . We sang 'Jerusalem' at morning assembly and it remains my favourite song. Does anyone remember me and do you have any photos as mine were stolen. My best friends were John (Spud) Taylor, David Brazier and Billy Cook. I would love to hear from anyone who was there at the same time.

I attended St Luke's School, 1947 to 1954. I lived in St Luke's Road, just around the corner. Always went home for dinner, just couldn't bear the thought of school dinners. Remember Miss Patching very well, I was in her class when my baby sister Sally was born in 1948, I had to stand on a little chair and tell everyone about her arrival into our house in the early hours of a very cold November morning. I also have a photo in Miss Baker's class, with our little shop assembled in the corner. I remember being called into the main hall and told that the King had died, we were so young. Mr Tamkin was my last teacher; he was very strict with the boys but managed to frighten the lives out of all of us. I left with lovely memories and would love to hear from anyone, who might remember me.

I was six years old when my mother married my step-father, Charles Barnard, who already had two daughters, Olive and Joan, and were able to rent the council house at 7 Firle Road, Brighton, near the top of Freshfield Road. We all three were sent to St. Luke's Infant's School, then to St. Luke's Junior Mixed School. School dinners had not then been invented. I don't remember how we were fed in the Infants, but remember walking home to lunch (about 500 yards), in later years. Butcher's boys delivered meat in those days and I was often given a ride back to school after lunch, sitting in the basket of the errand boy's bicycle, what a thrill. Going to school we walked down Queen's Park Rise, and when the Council re-paved the sidewalk (pavement) with smooth stone slabs, we found we could slide on the hob-nails in our shoes (hob-nails, or studs were used to stop shoe leather from wearing quickly. It was just like sliding on ice in the winter. The people in the adjacent houses complained about the noise, and the council sent workmen with pick axes to dig indentations in the stones to prevent us sliding. I don't remember the names of any teachers in the early schools, except the head of the Infants, who was Miss Winkworth, and, in the Junior School, Miss Dodge, who took us into the school swimming pool every week, to learn to swim. At the age of eleven I was subjected to the eleven-plus exam, and by fooling about in the exam room I failed. My older sister, Olive, was given a pass to Intermediate School, behind some shops in London Road, opposite St. Peter's Church, so she had a long walk to school. My other sister, Joan, had to go to Elm Grove School for Girls, but I went into St. Luke's Senior Boys, on the top floor, where Mr Raisbeck was headmaster. Teachers I remember in the Senior Boys School included Mr. Godfree, with his infamous sjambok, a "stick" cut from a strip of elephant's hide that he had brought back from South Africa, which left a really painful mark when applied to one's palm. Mr. Godfree was a good teacher, with an interest in science, which I greatly enjoyed. One of the lessons was how to make an electric motor that worked, from a cotton reel, a steel knitting needle, some brads, and a coil of wire. We also made electric shocking coils, with which we had a lot of fun. One afternoon a week we were taken to the flat area in Whitehawk valley, where we played football in the winter and cricket in the summer, with Mr. Godfree as referee or umpire. In about 1931 we lined up in the playground, each with a small Union Jack, to greet Amy Johnson, who had just returned from the first solo flight by a woman from London to Darwin, in Australia. 11,000 miles, in a De Havilland Gypsy Moth, a plane that later became the standard Royal Air Force trainer. I have a lot more memories, at the age of 86, and would be happy to get e-mails at regreeen@optonline.net, where I now live in New Jersey, USA.

I started at St Lukes Infants in 1935 and well remember Miss Patching (who seemed old even then), and Miss Winkworth who took our class. Very happy days with parties for St George's Day and the Coronation etc.  I moved on to the Junior school and was fortunate enough to have Miss Olive Baldwin as a class teacher throughout my 4 years there. Such an excellent & inspiring teacher whose influence has stayed with me all of my life. Mr Tamkin took the class in the next room. In 1941 I passed the 11 plus and went on to Varndean.

I attended St Luke's Junior School from 1958 to 1962 (and the Infants' before that). My brother Chris started there in 1960, and my sister Judy in about 1965. In addition, my mother (Genevieve Barbour, started about 1936) was a pupil there, as was my grandmother (Nellie Mullins, who took part in the move from another school, I think down Islingword Road, when St Lukes opened). In year 1, I had Mrs Back as my teacher, with Mrs Morgan in year 2. I remember Miss Baldwin as a powerful influence, being my form teach for years 3 and 4 (the arrangement was that she and Mr Tamkin took the 'A' stream for two years consecutively, in alternation). The head teacher was Miss Edgell, and she and Miss Baldwin lived together; they were friends on my family. I was Head Boy in year 4, then left to attend Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School. Four St Luke's pupils went there in that year; Brian Warburton, Robert Butterfield, me, and a name I can't remember.

I have just told my husband about this site and he found it very interesting as he and his brothers and sisters all went to St Luke's school and lived at 9 Firle Road. His mother was expecting at the time went into hospital - Brighton General. While in there his family were moved to 39 Firle Road. His mother had 8 children all of which were born at except my husband. The family name is Catt. My husband remembers all the teachers names that have been spoken about. The boys Tony (my husband), David and John were in the school boxing team. Their elder brother Peter boxed for the buiding school in Hanover Street and they all boxed for the Brighton boys club as did their sons. A teacher, Mr Bowden took them for boxing at St Lukes school other people that were involved with the boxing and were Brighton people are Wally Sweetman, George Chapman, John Moon also a Mr Metcalfe who was a teacher at Queens Park school taught the boys the art of boxing and Mr Metcalfe went on to run the school boys boxing.

I just happened to see this and I wondered if your husband knew my dad - Reg Freeman? My dad went to St Lukes and also boxed for Brighton Boys' Club.

I attended St Lukes infants. I attended St Lukes Infants and Junior school from 1946-1953.These were were the happiest days of my life, even though for the last two years Mr Tamkin, with his ruler, was my teacher. St Lukes had a very good record for passes and went on to Varndean and I hated the school, but made some good friends.

I spoke to my husband and he said he remembers your dad's name but he thinks your dad was more his younger brother's age. He will be 65 this month-we are seeing him this weekend so we will ask him and let you know.

I lived next door to the Catt family at No 41. We originally lived in No 46 then moved to 41. I remember Tony who I think was the eldest, then Dave ( if I remember correctly known as Bert), Johny, Jill, Maureen,( I think). Memory escapes me from more names. I remember Mrs Catt very well, lovely lady and friend to my mum. She looked after all her children when times weren't easy and I can remember her sewing thousands of mantles for the kids to take down to the mantle place at the bottom of Freshfield Road. Next door to us was the Albrows, Ted ran a boxing club and took Georgie his son. His sister I think was called Ann. Other names in the street were The Jones, son David, Frosts, son Barry, De Beaux, son Roger, Averys, Hogbins, Robinsons, Cantle twins and other names that I can't quite recall. I remember all the kids playing tin can wobbler, football at the racecourse, and in the tunnel under the course itself, looking after cars on racedays, playing on the reservoir walls. My Mum and Dad have passed away now but they often recalled Mrs Catt and how we all got by in those days.

Hi Kathleen. I remember a lot of your contribution as my family lived next door to Mrs Catt. We also lived in two houses in Firle Road. We started off in No 4., I believe our neighbours were Mrs Robinson and her son. We moved from the two bed house to the three bedrooms at No 41 when my sister Ann had to have her own bedroom, being the eldest (only girl) of the three children. My mum liked Mrs Catt very much and before Mum died we would often recall living next door to the Catt family. I can't remember all the names but can recall, oldest first, I think, Peter, Tony, Yvonne (not sure of order) David, ( known as Bert ), Jill and John, Linda. Sorry, apologies to whoever but my memory is now shot on names. I also remember our neighbours on the other side , The Albrows in 43. Ted, the dad was into boxing as was George, his son. I think his sister was Ann and Mum Pat. Directly across the road from ours and the Catts was Mrs Bishop with her son (Roger?) who had a record player ( very posh then) and used to play his records really loud and jive with the door handle of his upstairs bedroom. Other family names I recall were: Blackmans, Debeau, Shemanents, Jones, Cantle (twins), Avey, Hogbin, Doug Austin and his Mum, Robinson, James and the Edges (top of Freshfield). There are probably more to remember but I'm blank at the moment. Most of these children went to St Luke's infant, juniors and seniors. Some left after the juniors to go to other schools like Elm Grove, Fawcett, etc. I especially have fond memories of the Catt family as their Mum was lovely. We would go into their house and she would be busy beavering away sewing gas mantles, probably doing thousands over the years to bring in some extra money. Times were a bit tight then, my mum used to do barmaiding for the Edlins pubs and Dad used to work extra shifts, after doing his normal Southdown bus job, at the Metropole Hotel at night to get extra cash. Very little help or welfare for people then was available and people used to try to help each other when they could. I also remember going to Black Rock with Johny and Jill, remembering Johnny was especially good at diving off the boards. We sometimes used to see Arthur Haynes, an old time comedian down there sunning himself, who was probably appearing at the Hippodrome or wherever.I don't know if my memories will revive others but I hope all the families are as well as they can be.

I went to St Lukes from 1947/1959. Mr Tamkin I remember as a bully. I enjoyed my school days apart from Mr Tamkin.

Re David Gillam- do you have a sister Phyliss? I think you emigrated to Canada?

Dear David Gillam. Were your parents Albert and Phylis Gillam and you had a younger sister young Phil as your parents called her, and you lived in Bentham Road? If so your parents and mine were very old friends going back before the war. We lived in Queens Park Road. If so I would like to hear from you. I was at St Lukes Juniors from 1947 (Mr Tampkin) to 1949 (Mr Evans) and then into the Seniors from 1949 till 1951. I then went to The Building School in Hanover Terrace. David Pierce. apierce298@aol.com

I lived in Bentham Road next door to Mr and Mrs Gillam, this was in the early 1960s. They were a very nice friendly couple who, as I remember, had a daughter married to a fireman. I believe their daughter also had a daughter, their grandchild, but I may be wrong.

How strange to find someone here with the same name as me. I would be interested in contacting the other David Gillam to see where the connection is.

Dear David Gillam, sorry the Gillam that I knew who lived in Bentham Road was in fact a Barry Gilham. I think that he went to Finsbury Road School, he would now be about 72. Sorry it's all a very long time ago. 

Nice to see pics of people from St Lukes School. I'm John, now 69yrs living in Spain, since 2004. I ran my own care home for a number of years before moving to Benitatchell, north of Alicante, Spain. Great to see all the names from the old days.