PE teacher, 101, finally gets degree after Nazi bombs interrupted early lessons

12 March 2023 , 14:47

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Madge and Sheila Gordon, 94, after their belated graduations (Image: University of London / SWNS)

A PE teacher whose lessons were interrupted by missiles in the Second World War has finally secured her degree - at the age of 101.

Madge Brown took a year out to work as a nurse as Britain battled the Nazis during World War Two before graduating with a diploma in 1942.

But the three-year physical education course was not acknowledged as the degree level studies it is today.

Now the University of London has said the pensioner and others who became teachers at the now defunct Nonington College during the 1930s and 40s deserve the same level of recognition.

So along with 94-year-old Sheila Gordon, Madge has been given her degree - 81 years after graduating.

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Madge finished her studies 81 years ago (University of London / SWNS)

Madge said it had “been a long time coming” and revealed how one of her hockey lessons was disrupted by a V2 missile flying overhead and exploding nearby.

She blew her whistle, everyone dived for the floor and after the explosion she blew her whistle once more, and everyone jumped up and carried on with the lesson.

Madge, from the Isle of Wight, said: “I went to Nonington to train to be a PE mistress, and I can honestly say at the age of 101, that the three years at Nonington were the happiest days of my life.

“I’m rather old to get a degree at 101, but it was the training at Nonington that has kept me going.

“It’s all the physical exercise I’ve done all my life, and still do - I still swim every week.

“I’m very grateful for this, but it has been a long time coming.

“When I left college, they always said it should be a proper graduation because of the hard work we did.

“Why they never made the diploma of physical education a degree I don’t know, because it was very intense - we did human dissection at the university, cutting up bodies, to teach gymnastics.

“Teaching has been a great advantage. I think it gives you confidence, and the teaching profession does something to you - it makes you more self-assured at everything you do. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“Whatever age you are, enjoy life to the full, and never stop exercising - and when you get to over 100, still exercise as much as you can, because it’s worthwhile.”

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During World War II, Nonington College was evacuated to first Avoncroft and then to Grafton Manor in Birmingham.

At that time teachers completed two or three-year courses, which were later replaced with a requirement for a graduate or postgraduate qualification from university.

So when Madge and Sheila completed studies at Nonington College of Physical Education in Kent, their courses were not acknowledged as degree level studies.

Madge Brown (pictured in centre of doorway) during her days at Nonington College of Physical Education in the 1940s (University of London / SWNS)

The University of London is now awarding those who missed out with honorary Bachelor of Education degrees to thank them for decades of service.

Both Madge and Sheila were presented their degrees on February 22 by Professor Mary Stiasny, pro-vice chancellor.

Sheila, also from the Isle of Wight, said: “I became a teacher because I was always fascinated by Nonington College.

“We had family living nearby so I saw it quite often and thought ‘I wonder what goes on there’.

“I’d just come back from being evacuated the first time when I saw it, and I thought, what a good idea - none of the horrible bits of war, it was enjoyable games.

“I loved teaching people to win, and to lose - I think even today that’s very difficult to do.

“Team games were really my thing. I like people to be able to lose and take it.

“I think it stands you in great stead for the future if you can take the knocks. It was quite a task getting some people who couldn’t lose to enjoy it!

“When I was [at Nonington College] we didn’t talk about the teaching certificates - it was whether the war was over, and whether it was going to start again, and to get everything out of life that we possibly can.

“The certificates really didn’t make much difference, I didn’t expect to get any brilliant certificates anyway - but if I could just keep going, and have enjoyable games, and pass on the fact that games are pleasant and not about fighting, I think I would have enjoyed it just as much."

Dan Warburton