The class of 1948

The members of the class, now in their 70s, were born before the outbreak of the Second World War. Their health histories give a fascinating insight into how the health of the nation has changed since the birth of the NHS.

The pupils attended a school in Tintagel, a small cliff-top village in north Cornwall, which is often said to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur.

One of the class of 1948, David Flower, now runs the Tintagel community website. He and his family moved to the village after their London home was bombed in the Second World War. He has remained in Tintagel ever since. "I loved school," says David. "I deliberately failed my 11-plus so I didn’t have to leave."

Such fond memories of the school are common among the former classmates. The village sheltered them from the worst aspects of wartime Britain. Many describe an idyllic childhood of fresh air, scrumping for apples, home-cooked school lunches and a tightly knit local community.

Tintagel Primary School

Indeed, many of the ex-pupils attribute their good health to their upbringing. However, there were, of course, hardships. The school registers from the time detail frequent illnesses and the funerals of some pupils. Doreen, one of the class, spoke movingly of how she and her brother contracted tuberculosis and battled for treatment. Many remember the tragic death of Lorraine, the younger sister of their classmate Celia.

The class has had mixed health. A number of pupils have passed away. Joyce Winnacott died aged 42 of colon cancer, leaving behind a young family. Keith Curtis was killed in a tragic fishing accident when he was 55. The rest passed away in their 60s. Trevor Doidge was 65 when he died of a massive aneurysm; Norman Sandercock died aged 67 of heart disease; Gloria Paul died aged 68 of throat cancer, and Clifford Oates, their much-loved headmaster, died aged 62 on Christmas Day 1972 while enjoying his retirement.

The remaining members have had complaints ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to MRSA. Some have undergone major operations, such as heart bypass surgery and hip replacement. A lucky few, however, have reached their 70s with nothing more than high blood pressure or diabetes.

Together, their health histories provide a sense of the role the NHS has played in the life of the nation over the last 60 years. The National Health Service has helped to prolong the lives of the class of 1948, treating illnesses that their parents' generation simply didn’t survive.

At the same time, these stories are a reminder of how much health education has improved, and the importance of prevention as well as cure. All of those interviewed recall walking everywhere and considered their post-war diets to be healthy. However, it's safe to assume that a class of children of the same age today will be better informed on the dangers of smoking, the benefits of regular exercise, and the importance of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

To the class of 1948, the village has changed a great deal. As children, they only remember there being three or four cars in Tintagel. Where there are now souvenir shops, the former pupils recall only a butcher, a baker and a greengrocer. The ruins near the headland, said to be those of King Arthur’s castle, are now preserved by English Heritage. The fact that they're a major tourist attraction amuses the class of 1948. For them, the ruins were just another place to play.

Tintagel Primary School is still thriving and has grown to accommodate the expanding population of the village. A quick glance over the register reveals some familiar surnames. The school has seen generations of the same family pass through its gates, each enjoying better health and a better health service than the last.