This is a message for John Boxell. An old friend of mine and my self are going to visit Fawcett some time in September, sorry can't get used to it being a Technical College, and I was wondering if you would like to join us. I didn't start at Fawcett until 1952 so mos of the guys on the photo had left by then, you are right it was a good school, discipline was harsh but we accepted it and if we were straped it was for good reason. My Email address is
john.wignall@ntlworld.com If you feel like a trip down memory lane pleae feel free to contact me, I live in the Midlands these days but still manage to get into Brighton about twice a year.

Back row second from the end is Glyn Hillman, I know his older brother Mike Hillman. sadly Glyn died in 1997.

Message for Peter James. The name Mike Hillman has stirred my memory, but the name Glyn does not ring a bell. Was Mike at Fawcett from 1949 to 1955? Or is it just my memory now I'm a senior citizen! Thanks for replying.

Mike would have left in 1949 he is 74. He joined the merchant navy in 1950. He did go to Fawcett.

I didn't attend the school, but could the fifth boy from the right in the third row be Alan Gray/Grey, whom I knew from elsewhere?

Message for Brian Dungate.
The name does ring a bell, but I am not sure. This was the second year, and people who were with me to the end of the fifth year stuck in my mind but I don't recall Alan being with us that far.
Nice to hear from you, Brian.

My name is Peter Ratcliff not Mike and I am in the 3rd Row. I have this photo in my loft!
Second boy in row two is Keith Burdon. Next to Bert Hamon is Graham Fullbrook in row two on the other side of Bert is Trevor Laurence. I stay in touch with Keith Burdon and will look at some of the other gaps when I see him next and send a further update.

As I have lived in Wiltshire for many years, I don't see anybody from the old school so I'm very sorry to have renamed you Peter, but the little grey cells have got even smaller after fifty years! Thanks for the update. Please keep them coming.

Message for Brian Dungate / John Boxell. My brother is Alan Gray. The guy fifth from right looks very like my brother. I will contact him a.s.a.p! I had forgotten he went to Fawcett, as I did 11 years later. He passed his 13+ exam and went to Varndean Grammar. Perhaps that's why you don't recall him Brian. Anyone know Fawcett in the 1960s? - up until its demise!

I started at Fawcett in 1951 and started in 1b but I do remember a few of the boys in the photo and I do believe that Roy stringer went on to be the head prefect of the school. I would have liked to have been able to visit the old school but now live in Australia .

Can I ask whether John Boxell has done his ancestry into the Davis family line?

Would Lisa like to remind me of the connection with the Davis family line? I do have my family tree on Genes Reunited, going back to the early 1700s.

I too have Genes Reunited and have 3 matches which I hope are yours: Albert Davis born 1871. Ernest Davis 1872. Julia Davis 1874; all born Brighton and East Sussex. Any connection?

Message for Lisa. I do have Albert Davis on my family tree. Could we communicate more directly through email? Mine is: jb007d4447@blueyonder.co.uk What is yours? Regards. John.

My Dad left in 1953, he's not in this photo but wonders if anyone remembers him? His name is Charles Nelson but he is known as Ted.

I was in the class but not in the photo as I moved to Brighton from the north, and joined after it was taken. I cannot identify any more but recall that Dudley Button, Mike Rance and David Bowley were in the class. Also Peter Mili/Koller, although he may have joined in 3a.

We are having our annual BISON Dinner at the Rendezvous Casino Brighton Marina on Friday 4th March 2011. The cost is £22.50 and any old Fawcett Boy will be most welcome to join us. Please contact me for further details.

Did anyone know Mike Holland?

Would that be Ernie Davis whose wife was Pam, and he had a son called Gregory?