Brackenber in 1949

MASTER JAMES GRACEY WITH LADY KEIR

I received a message from an Old Brackenbrian, James Whitla Gracey, who was head prefect of the school from 1948-49. James has kindly sent me several images of times spent at Brackenber in the 1940s.

HOME GUARD, 1940-41!

James Gracey joined Brackenber House School's Kindergarten with Miss Zena Rankin until the 2nd World War, first moving for a holiday or evacuation to Professor Newark’s Ballycastle  summer home; then to Ballywilliam, County Down, where he attended Donaghadee Primary for a year before returning to Brackenber.

BHS ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPH, 1949 

The exciting arrival of  John Craig occurred during this period, with his two huge, three-dimensional, topographical maps of Ireland.

BHS SOCCER TEAM, 1949

James's years were full of fun in all organized sport, and staying on to play with whoever stayed on, rarely going home until everyone else had gone. He was soon climbing to the top of a chestnut tree every year and playing in and out of the air raid shelter when he wasn’t playing football in the playground. 

His last year is difficult to describe briefly, being influenced by Wadman to some detriment, and brought back to an even keel by John Craig, particularly in his last term, and then Campbell College.