Powys Digital History Project

Hay British Infants School 11
Patriotic songs on Empire Day, 1911
  Unfurling a new flag
There was a reference on the previous page to the extent to which patriotism and awareness of the Empire was an important part of school life, particularly during the long years of Queen Victoria's reign.
This was most in evidence on the annual celebration of Empire Day, and there are examples of the way in which the day was marked by older children in other schools in Powys elsewhere on this site. The School Log Books reveal, however, that even the youngest children of the Infants School were involved in such events.
Hay British
Infants School
Log Book		 School log book entry 
  A presentation of the British flag to the children in 1907, though not on Empire Day, is shown above. The entry of 12th November 1907 reads:
"A half holiday has been granted this afternoon in order that the children may attend the unfurling of a flag, which has been presented to them, in the town".
It is highly probable that the new flag was used and saluted on Empire Day in 1911, an occasion marked by the entry shown below.
 Powys
County Archives
B/E/PS/36/L/2		 School log book entry 
 

This was written on 26th May 1911, and reads:
"Wednesday May 24th being Empire Day, the last lesson in the morning session was devoted to the singing of patriotic songs by the children, and a short lecture on Queen Victoria was given by the teachers". 

There are 19 pages on the Hay British Infants School. Use the box links below to view the other pages.
Continue...