At the start of 1915 the need for temporary accommodation meant that soldiers were billeted upon Southampton often at short notice.

Having been notified that the Central District Council school was to be turned into make-shift barracks the pupils were given just 30 minutes to leave their classrooms.

“Arrangements had been made for the use of the school to accommodate troops,” reported the Hampshire Independent newspaper at the time.

“The rooms were cleared of everything save the pianos, for which the soldiers found a use, but the children found time to associate themselves with their teachers in hearty greetings, which were chalked on the blackboards.

“One message contained the aspiration that the new year would be victorious and that the soldiers would have a safe return to many happy days with the friends they loved.

“All over the board containing this message were chalked words of thanks from the men who used the room.”