A Childhood in Wartime to a Lifetime in Education: Vera Grigg

18th March 2025

Born in 1931, Vera Grigg grew up in Dagenham, a town that would soon be caught in the horrors of World War II. At just eight years old, the course of her childhood changed forever.

The day before war broke out in 1939, eight-year-old Vera and her classmates gathered at 5 a.m. at school, ready to be evacuated. The juniors walked miles to Dagenham dock, while the infants were taken by coach—a detail that annoyed young Vera at the time. She found it strange that they were traveling by boat one day before war was declared.

She was placed with a butcher and his wife, an Italian couple with no children of their own, who treated her and the other children with incredible kindness. Their home had a pony track, a playroom overlooking the stables, and they ensured the children were well-fed, well-educated, and well-cared for. They took their role seriously and provided the children with a happy and safe environment. Later, Vera discovered that they had been interned - a sad reality considering the care they had shown.

Mrs. Collins, her teacher, played a vital role, becoming a mother figure to 30 children, ensuring their well-being and keeping them entertained during those uncertain times.

With nothing happening at home, Vera’s mother decided she should return to Dagenham, and Vera was delighted. But returning home meant adapting to a changed world.

The Blitz: Bombings, Tragedy, and Resilience

When Vera returned to Dagenham, she immediately noticed how much life had changed. Young men, including her brother, were gone—either serving in the war or working in essential industries. Women had taken over factory jobs, including her sister, who had joined the WRENS. Schools had closed, everything was geared towards the war effort, and air raid precautions (ARP) controlled the streets, ensuring lights stayed off and the community was protected.

Being so close to London, Vera was in the heart of the Blitz. She heard bombs dropping daily, learning to gauge the distance of an explosion by sound alone.

She recalls a terrifying occasion when a landmine fell nearby. Men attempted to diffuse it, but it detonated, killing them all and devastating the area. Vera remembers this with solemn acceptance, recalling how people simply carried on.

Aircraft became part of everyday life. Children learned to identify every aircraft by engine sound and shape. 

As the war progressed, Dagenham saw relentless bombings due to its proximity to the Ford factory, a key industrial target. Bombs would be dropped indiscriminately on the way back from London, making Vera’s hometown one of the hardest-hit areas. 

Her family home was hit twice: the first attack, a high-explosive bomb, tragically killed her father. The second attack, a doodlebug (V-1 flying bomb), destroyed their house, leaving Vera and her mother trapped under the rubble.

Despite these devastating losses, Vera and her mother didn’t dwell in grief—they took action. As soon as they were rescued, they helped run a Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) soup kitchen, providing essential aid to those in need.

Her mother played a leading role in the WRVS in Dagenham and was later recognised by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for her service to the war effort.

The war disrupted education dramatically. Schooling was cut in half, and many children fell behind. Yet, Vera’s love for learning never wavered. She read everything she could get her hands on, believing that while formal education suffered, the experiences of war broadened children in other ways.

When schools fully reopened, Vera resumed her education finishing with a strong academic record.

Her experiences during the war made her passionate about education, which would later define her career.

On VE Day, Vera’s family fished out their Union Jack, miraculously surviving the bombings. The streets filled with people, bonfires were lit, and crowds danced and cheered in relief. The feeling was unbelievable—a nation finally free from war.

Despite missing two years of formal schooling, Vera passed her 11+ exam and attended Dagenham High School. Career options for girls were limited, and she was encouraged to pursue domestic science. She trained in Leicester, becoming a domestic science teacher—but Vera wanted more.

She later studied geography at Birkbeck College, University of London, where she met her future husband, Peter, a New Zealander. Though she paused her studies to raise a family, she still helped Peter complete his degree!

In 1962, with three young children, the family moved to New Zealand, where Peter became Head of a Secondary School. Vera was shocked by the lack of opportunities for girls and fought to change the system, successfully introducing higher education options for female students in rural communities.

Returning to the UK, Vera continued teaching and became Deputy Head of Walthamstow School for Girls. Her passion extended beyond the classroom—she raised enough money to fund 12 girls’ participation in the Tall Ships Race, even abseiling down the Town Hall to secure funding.

Determined to further her own education, Vera became one of the first-ever Open University students, proving that learning has no age limit. Her expertise in education led her to train as an Ofsted inspector, where she traveled across the UK assessing schools, ensuring high standards in education well into her 70s.

Even after leaving Ofsted, Vera continued contributing to society. She sat on NHS interview panels, helping to recruit medical professionals well into her late 80s.

Her love of learning and adventure never faded. She wrote a book on beekeeping, took part in the first London Marathon, and even won several kayaking competitions, earning a Cornish regatta trophy multiple years in a row.

She also shared her wartime experiences through talks, interviews, and events, including speaking at Hitchin Museum and appearing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Next, we’ll be sharing the story of Gwynneth Grimwood, a woman whose life was dedicated to history, community, and charity. From her work at Stevenage Museum to her contributions to the Hertfordshire Record Society and Mercy Ships, Gwynneth’s legacy is one of lifelong learning and giving back.

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