WHEN this photograph was taken the youngsters sitting proudly with huge smiles on their faces were unaware of the horrors shortly to be heaped on them.

Here we see a happy band of class mates from Bradshaw School in Bolton in 1937.

Just two years later their lives would be changed forever by the start of the Second World War.

Joan Parker, who lives in Radcliffe, sent us this picture.

She is the little girl sitting third from the left — just one of a handful in a class of mostly boys it would seem.

Joan, now aged 89, describes herself as a “Boltonian” although she now lives in Radcliffe.

“I started Bradshaw School when I was five-years-old and left at 14.

“I had to go to work to help my mum with the bills as my dad died when I was 11.

“He used to mend clocks and watches and he kept the clocks in good time and working order at Bradshaw School for many years.”

She recalls Mrs Crossley who “was a good teacher” and the headmistress. Mr Price was the headmaster.

“There used to be a lodge at the back of the school and I loved to watch the swans and ducks from the school playground.

“During the war Sam Scowcroft, from Meadow Barn Farm, would bring eggs, milk and chickens to help my mum as food and money were scarce. He had a milk round with a horse and cart and I would ride on the cart down Tonge Moor Road with him.”