Geoff was born on 06 November 1913 in Barton upon Humber, Lincolnshire, the youngest of four children at 78 High Street, where the family had moved to after 1911. This same building is now numbered 90 High Street - see 1807info3a for a full explanation.

Above: Geoff Crompton's christening 14 May 1914 at St Mary's Beverley, where his godfather and uncle Arthur Watts held a prominent position

The family complete

The first photograph of Geoff sitting on his mother Jane's knee. It is thought that this photograph was taken in early 1914. It is likely the family was living at the butcher's shop in Barton-on-Humber. Left to right: Jane, Geoff, Bessie born 1910, Arthur, Don born 1912 and Ted born 1908. Source: Family photograph

1807info3e, sheet 2

Another formal family photograph taken in July 1916. Left to right: Bessie born 1910, Ted born 1908, Geoff born 1913 and Don born 1912. Source: Family photograph

The family moved to 78 High Street, Barton where Arthur took up his pork butchers shop. The photograph on the left shows Jane with Ted and Bessie standing outside their butcher's shop, with meat displayed in the window. The arrangement of windows and doors match the modern number 90 High Street. Left: 78 High Street, Barton c.1912 with Ted and Bessie standing outside the shop with mother Jane. Source: Family photo

1807info3e, sheet 3

School

Geoff attended the National School located in Queens Street, Barton next to the Salvation Army Citadel.

Above: 1911 OS map of Barton upon Humber locating the National School

The school is known as the Wilderspin National School 1, which has been identified by English Heritage as ‘One of the most important schools surviving in England. Built in 1844, this Grade II Listed Building is unique because of its association with the educational pioneer, Samuel Wilderspin, the self-styled founder of the Infant School System, who designed, equipped and taught in the school. Geoff was in the same classroom as Chad Varah who founded the Samaritans in 1953. Right: Barton National School plaque

Above: Barton School on Empire Day, 24 May 1922. The nine year old Geoff would be somewhere

1807info3e, sheet 4

1921 Census:      Sun 19th June 1921
Source:   RG15;  Piece: 15583; 
          RegDist number: 424; SubDist: 3; ED 14; Sched: 77;
          Reg District: Glanford Brigg;  Parish: Horkstow;
Dwelling: 78 High Street             
Place:    Barton on Humber, Lincolnshire                     

Name                   Rel    Age  Mar  Occupation/           Employer  Work place  Birthplace 
                            Yrs Mn      School
Arthur Crompton        Head  46  9  M   Butcher               Employer  At home     Yorks, Preston
Jane Crompton          Wife  41  6  M                                   At home     Yorks, Beverley
Edmund Thomas           Son  13  4  S   Whole time                                  Lincs, Barton on Humber
Bessie Crompton         Dau  10 10  S   Whole time                                  Lincs, Barton on Humber
Donald Arthur Crompton  Son   9  -  S   Whole time                                  Lincs, Barton on Humber
Geoffrey Crompton       Son   7  7  S   Whole time                                  Lincs, Barton on Humber

On a trip to Barton, over the Humber Bridge, Geoff mentioned his younger days spent swimming in the brick work clay pits. The Humber shoreline at Barton is now a water park with the old clay pits and marshes, associated with the several brick and tile works, now being full of water.

Above: A 1933 map of Barton-on-Humber showing the brick works and clay pits Click on the map to open a scalable pdf map in a new window

1807info3e, sheet 6

A formal photograph, taken by Mitchel and Cooper of Hull, dated 1937, and marked 'Your affectionate brother', suggesting that it was sent to Ted, who was living in Canada. Source: Family photograph

Geoff's passport was issued on 30 July 1938. It is known that he, and others, took their motorbikes to the Western Front. He visited Amiens, Arras and brought back souvenirs from Ypres. There are no date stamps in the passport to indicate the duration of the holiday. Source: Family archives

At the beginning of the war and prior to his enlistment, Geoff joined the voluntary Retained Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS). During all my visits to Hornsea the building on the left, by the telegraph pole, was always vacant lot. A bomb site caused by the bombing of an electrical transmission station. Geoff told of being called out to tackle the ensuing fire.

1807info3e, sheet 7

Geoff told the stories of his pre-war life of:

• sitting on the Clifton Street landing window sill, with his feet dangling outside, watching the German bombers using Hornsea Mere as a navigation check, before flying off to bomb Hull;
• living in a tent on the beach, during the summer, where he became popular with the girls;
• playing in a local football team with Ted Hobson who became a painter and decorator with a shop opposite the gates to Hornsea park;
• obtaining his driving licence by driving an open cab, stand-up steering three wheeler truck to Hull and taking and passing his test - this was his first driving experience;
• an apprentice grocer to Jackson's of New Biggin, a trade he followed until 1965.

Right: Newbegin Hornsea pre 1939 with the possible site of Jackson on the left

Barton National School Barton National School is important firstly for its unique links with the leading infant school educational pioneer Samuel Wilderspin (1791-1866), and secondly for its importance as a design for other Victorian schools and a model example of an enlightened form of schooling that spread throughout the world. Wildespin belief was that a child should be encouraged to learn through experience, and to development in feelings as well as intellect. His work provided the model for infant schools in Europe and North America. This is the only place in the world where a Wilderspin school building and playground survive, making it a place of national and international importance. The school closed in 1978 and fell into disrepair. Restoration of the School was completed in 2009 and now stands as a celebration of the life and work of Wilderspin for the benefit of the people of Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire and beyond.

This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass		Version A3 Updated 26 December 2024