This vegetable garden in the Murray School grounds was started as part of the boys’ studies and continued during the First World War as part of the local effort to help feed the nation. The boys were very proud of their produce. During the war submarine attacks on shipping convoys led to food shortages and a large number of allotments were set up in and around the towns and villages of Warwickshire. These can be clearly seen on post-war maps, with land beside railways and so on being pressed into service. Patriotic people also dug up their lawns and flower beds to grow vegetables.
Celebrating the end of the war
Many former Murray School pupils enlisted and several died during the First World War. At the end of the war the Murray school buzzer sounded 20 times and flags were hung out of the windows in celebration.
A brief history of Murray School
Murray school was originally part of the Trinity Parochial School in Rugby (built in 1862). It moved to a new building in Bath Street in 1882 and became known as Murray School. It remained on the site until 1965 when it amalgamated with Benn Girls’ School to become Fareham High School (which then closed in 1986).
Does anyone know why it was called Murray School?
Further information about this topic can be found in the book ‘Aspects of Rugby during World War One’ by the Rugby Local History Research Group.
Comments
I am an old pupil of Murray boys school and I worked on the school allotment towards the end of WWII.
There is an error in the School History statement as the school was associated with the Holy Trinity church, not St Andrews. I remember going to Holy Trinity in the morning once a year on church day and then having the rest of the day off. We used to buy a penny bread roll from the bakers in Railway Terrace to eat in church.
Thanks for the interesting memories John (and apologies for the error, which I’ve corrected). It’s good to know that the allotment survived and made a valuable contribution in the second World War too. I wonder what the vicar made of you boys eating in church! Any other memories from former pupils would be welcome.
I was a pupil at St. Andrews Murray School (1961 – 1965). at that time the gardens were in Craven Road opposite Benn School. St. Andrews Day started with a service at The Parish Church and then the rest of the day off.
Living in Australia, left Rugby in 1965 and would like to catch up with some old boys finished at Murray in 1963. Hope you can help.
It’s good to hear from you Stuart. I had a quick look on-line and couldn’t find a relevant website, so you may have to try social media. I also suggest you contact the Rugby Family History Group who might be able to help. As I’m writing I should mention a couple of things I’ve discovered: the Rev. John Murray was vicar of All Saints Church in Rugby from 1875-1898 so the school may have been called after him and it appears that St Andrew’s was linked to Holy Trinity (the current parish magazine mentions the ‘combined choristers of St Andrew’s and Holy Trinity’).
It is interesting to read that the school was associated with the Holy Trinity Church, as a pupil at the end of the schools life we always attended St Andrews. Reverend Key was also the music teacher at Murray from St. Andrews Church. To all of this, I presumed the school was always associated to the main church of St Andrews.
For interest: Teachers at Murray School in the 1953 &1954 period included: ‘Spud’ Taylor (headmaster), Frazer, Boyes, Dilley, Salmon, Minors, Cave, and a student teacher whose name, I believe, was Spain – TN
I didn’t even know there was a school on Murray Road!
Murray Road and most possibly Murray School was named after Rev John Murray who was Rector of Rugby from 1875 to1898.
Holy Trinity Church was a daughter church of the mother church of St Andrews Parish Church, along with the other sister churches of St Peter’s, St Georges and St Mathew’s Churches
My maternal grandmother was baptised by Rev John Murray. 16th May 1890 in St Andrew’s Parish Church
My maternal grandfather, attended Murray School and played in the Old Murrayian Rugby Football Club in 1913 aged 19 years before marrying my grandmother in 1923
My father, Joseph Daniels, born 4.01.1901 was a member of Murray School. He told the tale that at the time of his leaving school the teacher asked him his favourite subject. Dad said that he enjoyed woodwork. So, ‘Did well at woodwork’ was written on Dad’s school leaving report. To this day, when one of the family makes a good job of something – for example, decorating, a message will be sent to them “Did well at decorating”. So that teacher’s encouraging words live on.
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