Watford Field School Football Team 1905-6

Photo by H. Cull, St Albans Road, Watford

Printed by Acme

(Acme Tone Engraving Co. Ltd., Watford, Photo Engravers & Printers, 1908)

Can anyone help identify the pupils and adults (presumably the school teachers) in this picture?

The date would suggest that at least some of the boys fought in the First World War

Brief Notes on the School and headmaster Walter John Toppin

Walter John Toppin was born in Bushey in 1867, and the 1871 census  shows he was the son of John Toppin (30, paper maker, born watford) and Mary Ann (29, born  Bloxham, Oxfordshire) and living at 2 Winslow Villas, Watford. By 1891 he was a school teacher, living with his parents at 38 Weymouth Street, Watford

Circa 1893 - School opened.

1895: Watford Field School (boys), for 260 children; average attendance, 205; W. J. Toppin, master. Girls, for 260 children; average attendance 217; Miss A. M. Coe, mistress. Infants, for 175 children; average attendance, 161; Miss E Haskell, mistress.

1899: Watford Field School (boys), for 260 children; average attendance, 254; W. J. Toppin, master. Girls, for 260 children; average attendance 239; Miss A. M. Coe, mistress. Infants, for 175 children; average attendance, 193; Miss E Haskell, mistress.

By  the time of the 1901 census Walter Jon Toppin had marred Hannah, and was described as Head Master in Board School, living in St James Road, Watford, and was still ,living in the same road in 1911,  but now with a 9 year old daughter, Gladys.

1912: Watford Field School (boys), for 438 children; average attendance, 327; W. J. Toppin, master. Girls, for 440 children; average attendance 364; Miss A. M. Coe, mistress. Infants, for 170 children; average attendance, 145; Miss F. Manders, mistress.

1922:  Watford Field School (boys), for 438 children; W. J. Toppin, master. Girls, for 440 children; Miss A. M. Coe, mistress. Infants, for 170 children; Miss F. Manders, mistress.

Walter John Toppin died 1st January 1940, aged 73, and is buried in the same grave as his parents, and wife, in Vicarage Road Cemetry, Watford.