IT’s been seven decades since they last saw one another but old schoolmates Ernie Cusack and Dennis were reunited last month thanks to an old photo which recently appeared in the Chronicle.

In September we published a picture featuring a class of boys from the Hereford Road School in 1939 and asked if it triggered any memories in the mysterious minds of our readers.

The photo was sent in by former Abergavenny Mayor John Lewis whose brother David Lewis is featured in the photograph, second row, second from left.

We were pleasantly surprised to hear from two old gentlemen who were both snapped by that forgotten lensman of yesteryear.

Ernie Cusack, who now lives in Gilwern, is pictured in the third row from the bottom, third person in, and Dennis Gines, who currently resides in Cwmbran, is pictured in the same row on the extreme right next to the teacher. A chap called Badgie Griffiths.

Thinking the two old boys might fancy a reunion, the Chronicle put the two former Hereford School boys in touch with one another.

The two met up for a pint and a natter and after reminiscing about a different country called the past where they were both young of heart and fleet of foot, Dennis and Ernie paid a visit to the Chronicle office so we could snap a pic for posterity and find out more about life in the classroom during the war years.

“The teacher in the picture was a fellow called Badgie Griffiths and he was what you’d call a right sadist,” reflected Ernie.

“He couldn’t wait to pull the cane out for the slightest thing. Talking in class, making a mistake. You name it, Badgie would beat you for it. It was a different time that’s for sure.”

Dennis was quick to agree with Ernie’s sentiments.

“I think both me and Ernie have lost count of the times we received the cane. Both on the hand and on the backside. It was sometimes done in front of the class and sometimes you were called to the headmaster, Mr Dickie Rosser’s office,” explained Dennis.

In those distant days of yore, no boy, no matter if they were a scholar or a scoundrel escaped a beating with the big stick. And such a punishment often coloured the boys’ views of their teachers. But both Ernie and Dennis agree there was one chap at Hereford Road who was universally adored.

“His name was Daddy Parsons,” revealed Ernie. “He was a veteran of World War One and he always seemed a lot kinder and more approachable than the other teachers. He would often tell us stories about the war and we all really liked him. That’s how he got the nickname ‘Daddy’.”

Dennis added, “Another adult a lot of us had fond memories of from that time was the Scoutmaster Mr Cule. We always had a much better time at Cubs and Scouts than we did at school and Mr Cule used to tell us stories about India and teach us loads of great things.”

The photograph triggered another memory for Ernie. And the face responsible belongs to the lad sitting in the front row, fourth from left. A lad who Ernie believes used to go by the name of Tony Mullis.

Ernie told the Chronicle, “If memory serves me right. Tony died not long after this photo was taken. He was hunting for Sand Martin eggs down Castle Meadow when a sandbank collapsed and killed him.

“I remember it quite vividly because I was going to go with him on that day but my mother wouldn’t let me out. And I always thought there but for the grace of god….”

On Ernie’s right is a lad called Harry Meadows. And also identified in the picture are Melville Vaughan, David Lewis, Reg Lambert, Ray Evans and Sid Evans.

When asked to sum up their schooldays Ernie, who was born in the great Mill Street flood of 1930, recalled, “It was a hard time because the war was on and everybody was on rations. We had to carry gas masks everywhere and like I mentioned the teachers could be quite cruel. I wouldn’t say they were the happiest days of my life but they were always interesting.”

Dennis added, “Hear! Hear!”

After it was published the photo also prompted the daughter of one of the boys featured to get in touch with the Chronicle. Her name is Wendy Parduez and her late father Tony Francis is second from the left in the first row standing. Next to him on the end of the row is his lifelong friend Peter Roper. And on Tony’s right is a lad called Brian Croker.

Wendy, whose father Tony used to own Abergavenny’s popular cobblers - J.A Francis Shoe Repairer And Saddler, explained, “My dad told us lots of stories about the headmaster, teachers and the strictness of that era. It didn’t seem a nice place to be in those days.

“They all dreaded the cane, leather strap or the blackboard rubber being thrown at them.

I expect all the boys were a bag of nerve. Poor things.

“It was way different to modern times. Now school is a pleasure and the children enjoy learning alongside their classmates. The teachers are kind and helpful, and school is much more relaxed.”

Wendy added, “My mum recognises one of the boys as either Sid Evans or Ray Evans. He’s in the same row as my dad, fifth from the right. He’s the one with the mop of dark hair and suit jacket a bit on the snug side. He was a well respected window cleaner in Abergavenny for many years.”

So there we have it. Behind every picture there lies a thousand stories. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about a few of them from a snap taken one fine day in 1939 of a group of lads whose tales were just beginning.

If you’ve got any old photos or memories involving the Abergavenny area you feel could benefit from an airing then drop us a line by telephoning Tim Butters on 01873 852187, or by emailing [email protected].