Merstham History

Comment 1

Mary Wyllie (Dunn) from Kingston Ontario posted this comment on Wednesday 27 January 2010 20:19:00.

It s great to see the old school. I was there from 1944 - 1952.

My house was Canterbury. I would be delighted to get in touch with Maureen McLelland now I believe Mrs Phillips a graduate of Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.Maureen was one of the most honest people that I know.When marking her french Dictation she would not even allow me to add an accent!

Comment 2

Helen B Goddard from Princeton NJ USA posted this comment on Tuesday 30 March 2010 05:04:00.

I was at the Reigate County School for Girls from 1957 to 1963. I have just read a wonderful book by Gwen Southgate called Coin Street Chronicles. She was in the Honor Oak school when it shared the County school (before my time) and mentions air raids and moving into the caves. Do read this book: ISBN 978-0-5955-1670-4, available from Amazon.com. Helen B Goddard

Comment 3

Daphne Chynoweth n?e Kinch from Adelaide Australia posted this comment on Wednesday 27 July 2016 03:00:00.

I was at this beautiful school from 1944 to 1947 when I returned to

London. My friends were Gwen Burrows and Joan Batt. The head Mistress was Miss Aitken, and MissvWalters was the music mistress who introduced me to classical music for which I am ever grateful. I remember going down into the caves under the front lawn when the doodlebugs went over.

Comment 4

Simon Virgo from Crowborough posted this comment on Thursday 28 July 2016 16:03:00.

My mother was one of the 249 girls.

She struggles to remember that time now.

I will show her the photos.

Where would she have stayed?

Comment 5

Jean Welling neeHuyshe from Eastbourne, E. Sussex posted this comment on Monday 21 March 2022 17:58:07.

I too was a pupil, and remember Joan Batt! Leslie Prince, and Juci Lazlo, Valerie Knight… Loved my time there, favourite teachers Miss Craighead, (history), Miss Newberry (German) yes, it was fun down the caves!

Comment 6

Kate R from Totnes posted this comment on Saturday 18 July 2026 21:01:09.

My mother Sylvia nee Lewer (aged 98) was one of the girls evacuated from Honor Oak school to Reigate. Around 1940 she then went to Wayclose in Wray Common Road for four years with some other girl pupils where they boarded. Her friends were Brenda Hickman, Helen Levy, Jean Peel, Gwen Lewendon. She too remembers the caves and did some of her matric exams and gym in them! They used to go for walks on Wray Common. She often talks about he time there! We would love it if anyone has any old photographs or anecdotes.