1948

Bomb damage at the Cathedral School, April 1942.

Choristers looking over what remained of their school. No choristers were injured as they were moved out of Exeter due to the threat of bombing. The school was moved to Holyshute House in Honiton, situated just beyond the east end of the High Street, in Monkton Road (the old A30 leading to Monkton). The house was demolished in 2012 and replaced by retirement apartments.

The choristers went in by train to Exeter five times a week; probationers went in twice a week, Saturday and Sunday. The organist, Dr Willcock (Baldy), came to Holyshute every Monday for choir practice. Probationers had school lessons with Miss S.M. Watts at Holyshute.

Once services had to cease in the cathedral due to bomb damage, they were held in the Deanery Great Hall (now the Old Deanery, by the west front of the cathedral).

This picture has been published several times. It was first published in the local Express and Echo newspaper.

See also Keith Gibb's photographs of the bomb damage - 95 - 96 - 97 - 98 - 100.

With thanks to John Lomax (treble: May 1944-July 1949) for information about the war-time arrangements.