Image Ref : DRA 6111.tif

Leusdon School, c.1905

Leusdon school (girls) c1905. Left to right: Back: Thirza Mann, Bessie Parnell, Annie French, Edith Williams, Mary French, Annie Norrish, Cissie Beach, Florrie Norrish, Blanch Stephens; Centre: Mr Joshua Bancroft, Louisa Canter, Thirza Cole & Dorothy Hext, Emily Caunter, Blanche Hannaford, Mabel Hannaford.Elsie Nosworthy, Lowre French, Ethel Bamsey, Winifred (Winnie) Bancroft (daughter of Joshua Bancroft); Front: Davis Townsend, George French, Margery Bancroft. Lily Warren, Florrie French, Alice Franch, Blanche French, Louie Barnsey, ?, Rhoda Bancroft (daughter), Thirza Norrish, Frances Irish. Mary Stanbrook, in her book 'Old Dartmoor Schools Remembered' (1991), records that 'in January 1888 Joshua Bancroft arrived with his family and ran the school for 33 years.' He retired in July 1921. He is recorded in the 1921 Census, just before his retirement, as living at the School House, Poundsgate, with his wife Martha and two daughters. He was born in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in 1857 and his wife in Crickhowell, Breconshire, in 1859, but his daughters were born in Leusdon. The 1911 Census records he had five children in total, one of whom had died by 1911. DRA 3811 PW 001