A MAN in Litherland has spoken about his brother's school days in Seaforth before World War II.
Gerard Ormesher, who lives in Field Lane was a pupil at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in the 1930s.
He wrote in after reading Crosby Herald front-page story (July 10) about John Devaney, who was rescued from the rubble of the Catholic Young Men's Society by Steve Heaney, following a bomb attack during the Blitz in 1941.
Gerard's younger brother Seth, who is 84, was in the same class as John at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Seaforth a few years before the outbreak of World War II.
Seth told him about an incident in the classroom, which occurred on the day of the Grand National in 1938, which in those days was run on a Friday but was more recently changed to a Saturday.
During the lesson Mr Charles Lawler, a well-liked and respected teacher, talked about the race and asked the boys if any had an idea of the winner.
Seth remembered that John, who had ambitions of going into the Navy and later got his wish soon after the war broke out, shouted the name of a horse called Battleship.
Gerard said: "This horse actually won the race ridden by a 16-year-old named Bruce Hobbs.
"I wonder if the teacher took the tip and had a small wager on the nag."
Seth and John had recently talked on the phone and recalled the incident which happened around 70 years ago.
The photograph shows the school football team including Seth, pictured on the far right, with John, who is the tallest and is standing next to Mr Lawler.
Anyone with memories of the school at that time or with any photographs taken before or around World War II can send them to the Crosby Herald.
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