THE BEGINNING
What is your full name? Anthony John Poole
How old were your parents when you were born? My father was 42 years old? My mother was 33 years old
When and where were you born? Heathfield Nursing Home, Handsworth, Birmingham
Why were you given your first names? I was always called ‘John’ because my brother David called me ‘John’ in the pram on the way to my grandparent’s house in Aldridge (‘know where you are going to John?’)
Where did you live when you were young? Hall Green, Birmingham at 555 Fox Hollies Road, from the age of 4 ½ before that we live at Bourne Vale in an unadopted lane off Chester Road, Near Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield.
How many rooms were there? 555 Fox Hollies Road was a Birmingham City Council ‘Garden City’ House. It had three bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom (but the loo was downstairs). On the ground floor there was a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and pantry. The garden was very long, with a small lawn, and rose beds and a very large veg patch.
Did you have a room of your own? I shared with my brother, David.
What do you remember about it? Everything!
What sort of building was it? Did it have a garden? A long garden with raspberries, loganberries, bramley apple, gooseberries and flowers. Forsythia and buddleia near the house. The house was built after World War 1, by a Christian Society and then taken on by the City Council. When we went there we were thrilled to have a stairs because Bourne Vale was a bungalow. Although on the Outer Circle number 11 has route, we could walk across the fields to the Gospel Oak and then across field paths from Ulverley Green Road in Aston to Elmdon, all in once, we were into leafy Warwickshire.
I met a bull and told my mother that, although I was wearing a red sweater, “I was alright as I pulled my zip up on my windjammer”
Did you move home when you were young? : Only to be evacuated to Dursley in Gloucester until then go to the College of Art in Birmingham.
EARLY HOME LIFE
What are your earliest memories? Falling in the mud before being taken out to my grandparents and the smell at the hospital where I had my tonsils out and then developed a tubercular gland. But mother took on “New Health” and was considered by her contemporaries to be a bit of a, “Food crank”. Bless her, we had a very healthy and happy childhood.
Did you have any hobbies? David & I were real “fresh air” boys, but on very wet and rainy days we were treated by the dining table being up-ended and, with the heavy red damask underlay, transformed it into a gondola.
Did you have any special toys? I always made things,
What games did you play at home? David and I dressed up with mother’s help. A very full childhood with wonderful unselfish parents.
Did you have a bicycle? How old were you when you learned to ride it? Yes, when I’d passed to go to Moseley School of Art aged 11.
EARLY HOME LIFE
Did you receive pocket money? From what age? Did you have to earn it? How much and what did you spend it on? Yes, which grew larger over the years, until I went to work for William Bloye FRBS (wages to mother) and allowance returned. After this I joined Coldstream Guards 1945.
How much did you receive and what did you spend it on? Can’t remember
Can you remember the prices of any of the things you used to buy? In my mother’s family, it was considered rather bad form to discuss money.
Did you have parties on your birthday? Oh yes. My mother was the great family party planner no question.
What other memories do you have of your early family life? Camping with parents and later with David. Then John, we don’t have to be in the scouts to go camping!!!) David was just 13 and I was 11 and we cycled to Borth in mid-Wales in a day with all our camping gear. I had a men’s Hudson Tourer bike and David had an old policeman’s bike 28” wheel and very ineffective brakes He controlled the braking by putting his feet on the ground! And this through the Welsh mountains! When we got there, to the farm where we had gone camping with parents and having cycled 140 miles in 1 day!, we sent a telegram to our parents. Mother was all for sending us the train fare, but father said, ‘They cycled there, and they can bloody well cycle back!’
Do you have any memories of Christmas day when you were young? Christmas was always wonderful. We had stockings at the end of the beds and sugar pigs and little gifts too and then we had the bigger toys as presents - later on always books.
YOUR FATHER
What was your father’s name, DOB and where was he born? My father was George Poole, born 16th September 1884, (died April 1965), on he used to live in 27 Radnor Street, Lozells in Birmingham but he joined the army in October 1900, age 16, because his father, a lamp maker/tinsmith, wouldn’t allow him to keep a bull terrier dog.
What were his interests and hobbies? Father was a professional soldier. He went in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers 5th of foot because he was not tall enough (5’5½”) to join the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (his brother Richard, was a CSM (Company Sergeant Major) at the Relief of Khartoum in 1898 and was a soldier at the Tower of London. After the war, Father became a metal turner (lathe operative) and was promoted to be a tool setter, which was a highly skilled engineering job and he was responsible for preparing, adjusting, and maintaining machinery, particularly presses, lathes, and automatic machines.
What was your father’s army carer? His regimental no. was 7316. He continued to serve with this regiment for nearly 20 years and travelled widely, including South Africa, India - on the North West Frontier and France He was wounded, shot in the lung, at the battle of Ypres, and he became a prisoner of war on the 26 October 1914. However, he survived the war and was finally discharged on 17th February 2019. George was awarded two medals - the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
What are your fondest memories of him? He was a good hard working sincere man who used to tell us wonderful yarns about India. I have his N.W. frontal medal and his Mons Star and GW medals. He was nominally the head of the family but Mother really was the shoot. Smacked bottoms were in order but curtailed by Mother’s “I think that’s enough now George”
YOUR MOTHER
What was your mother’s maiden name? Francis Jessica (Jessie) Robbins
What was her DOB and where was she born? She was born on 9th July 1893 (died 2nd June 1986), She first lived at 77 Murdock Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. Her father, Arthur Robbins, was a tool maker.
Where did your mother go to school? Mother was very bright and gained a scholarship to King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Girls. She always remembered her school French and and was keen on self-improvement.
What was her occupation before her marriage? Mother worked was an insurance clerk, in the office of the Britannia Insurance in Colmore Row, Birmingham.
When were your parents married? They were married on 26th July 1924, Asbury Memorial Wesleyan Church, Handsworth
What are your fondest memories of her? Always loving, gentle and willing to help.
Please describe her appearance, what were her special interests and talents? She was quite small and very good looking. Photographs also kept. She loved to paint and write poetry. She was also a fine seamstress.
YOUR FATHER’S PARENTS
Your father’s father: Frederick Poole 1851-1909, not a lot known, as he died before my parents married but his family came from Ironbridge in Shropshire, He was a he was lamp maker and tinsmith/sheet brass worker.
Your father’s mother: Lavina Poolton, 1855-1891, she died when my father was only 9 years old, after being struck by the children’s swing.
YOUR MOTHER’S PARENTS
Your Mother’s Father Arthur Robbins, 1856-1931. His family was in the leather trade in Northamptonshire somewhere. I have a small beaded moccasin from Canada.
Your Mother’s Mother Mary Yorke, Nee East, 1851-1927, back to John Bunyan’s sister.
YOUR BROTHER
What were the names of your siblings? David George Arthur Poole, 17th May 1925, Handsworth Birmingham
What do you remember about them from your childhood? David used to tease me dreadfully and we used to fight until at 17 I became somewhat taller and bigger
What were their occupations as adults? David worked before the Navy “called up” in 1944. Then trained by experience and became a very fine self-employed craftsman of fine joinery and cabinet making in Dartmouth.
What are your fondest memories of each of them in adult life? My best ‘mate’.
SCHOOLDAYS
What do you remember about your first school? Hall Green Infants School, Stratford Road and Junior School. Education was at that time organised differently.
Which school did you move on to after that? I passed the entrance examination to Moseley Road Junior School of Art, Balsall Heath in 1938. Entry was very tough, by a special examination with an average 600 pupils competing for 100 places.
Were you evacuated in the war? Aged 13, at the outbreak of the Second World War, the Junior School of Art was evacuated to join Dursley Grammar school. I stayed with wonderful foster parents and used to cycle to Minchinhampton Common and watch the bombing raids over Bristol
How did you travel to school? By Bicycle or walked. David and I lived on our bikes.
What did you most enjoy about school and which subjects did you do best? I loved drawing and painting and English grammar and poetry. Our lessons were divided between two days’ worth of classes for School Certificate (English, Maths, History, Geography, science etc) etc and three days-worth of a wide variety of art lessons.
How much homework were you given? No homework at elementary school, some homework at Moseley, and at Moseley School of Art in Dursley.
Were there subjects you disliked? Mental arithmetic used to frighten me to bits!
Did you ever get into trouble at school? Only for fighting bullies.
Did you enjoy Music and Singing? I enjoy music but I have no musical training, but poetry can move me to tears
Were you good at sports? Which ones did you play? I played soccer and cricket
Did you have a part-time job while at school? No
FURTHER EDUCATION
How old were you when you left school? In the 1940’s the school leaving age was 14. So in 1940, I left Moseley Road School and went to the College of Arts and Crafts, Margaret St, Birmingham in 1939.
Did you know what you wanted to do in life? I suppose that going to an Art School at 12 to be involved with a specialist sort of education is rather in the making of ‘Further Education’ it led naturally to the College of Art in Margaret Street in Birmingham at 14. There I studied ‘Industrial Design’ which included subjects as wide ranging as Architect’s Perspectives, Silversmithing, Interior Design and Free Perspective.
Where did you go and what did you study? I left the College of Art at 16, to work for William Bloye. But really my education, like everyone else of my generation, was disrupted by the War. At aged 18, I was called up and joined the army.
Did you go on to further studies? After my army career, I returned to the College of Art and in 1951 passed the Intermediate Examination in Arts and Crafts. Followed by the National Diploma in Design (Higher Merit)
Why did you choose this subject? Did you gain any qualifications? When in Palestine I thought about training as an architect, but when it came to it, you may say that I did not choose to be a sculptor but that it chose me.
Did you make any new friends at this time? I had many friends, but became good friends with Adrian Cadbury (Sir George Adrian Hayhurst Cadbury) during the war, Our friendship lasted a lifetime. I worked on the family chapel St Francis of Assisi, Bournville.
WORKING LIFE
What was your first full time job? In 1943 I left College at 16 to study letter cutting and become Studio Assistant to William Bloye and FRBS, who was ‘Sir’ to me and ‘Mr’ (at 16 to 18). Later in life he and his second wife, Marion, became a great personal friends of Daphne and myself.
Where were you employed? William Bloye’s Studio in Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath
How did you travel to and from work? I cycled or caught the bus
ARMY CAREER
When were you called up? Which regiment did you join? In December 1944, on my 18th Birthday, I was called up at 18 and joined the Coldstream Guards for basic training. Although I had been called up to the Coldstream Guards, I could not train as an officer in this regiment, as an officer had to ‘self-fund’ his life in the Household Division (Royal duties).
Where was your army training? After basic training, I was sent to Sandhurst for officer training with of Shropshire Light Infantry (4th Battalion) which lasted 44 weeks. The war was over by the time I had passed out.
Where were you posted? And what was your rank? So I took a three-year commission in the 4th Battalion of Shropshire Light Infantry with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. I was posted as a Liaison Officer to the American prosecuting attorneys at the Nuremberg Trials.
Did you serve elsewhere? In 1946 I transferred to the Parachute Regiment 7th (light infantry) Battalion and was posted to Egypt and Palestine
When were you demobbed? I was demobbed in 1948 and resumed my studies at the Birmingham College of Art, leaving in 1949 with a National Design Diploma High Merit Award for letter-cutting and stonework.
CAREER AS A SCULPTOR
After you had qualified at the School of Art where did you work? Between 1951 -6, I taught sculpture at various art colleges, the Mid-Warwickshire School of Art, Walsall School of Art and the Birmingham College of Art.
How did you build your career? Initially, until I built my own client base, I took on various freelance work passed to me by William Bloye and various stone mason’s yards such as Wilkinson and Griffiths and W.H. Frayleys, and I earnt bread and butter money adding names to grave stones of those who had died in the War.
What was your first major commission? My first significant commission, in 1957, was a seven-feet-high ‘heroic’ figure in Belgian granite for the Central Library, Cannock. Called ‘The Sower’‘, it was installed in 1959 and was intended to represent the ‘dissemination of knowledge through books’ by sowing the seeds of knowledge. I used this piece to apply to be a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, and in 1960 I was elected Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors
When did you official set up your Private Practice? During the 1950s I had a small studio, in an old butchers shop in Bournville, or carved in the garden of my home. However, I formally set up my Practice in 1961 and moved from Birmingham to Bunns Leys, Bishampton where I could have my own studio adjacent to my home.
SOCIAL LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
Can you remember the first clothes you brought with your own money?
What sort of entertainment did you enjoy most? Can you remember any particularly enjoyable times? While at school in Dursley, I used to like going to the cinema on Saturday mornings and cycling and hiking
How did you usually travel when you were a teenager? By bicycle,
What was your favourite singer, actor and actress? I loved blues singers such Bessie Smith, what is now called, ‘world music’, classical music and opera. I do not watch TV
When did you go on your first date? Who was it with and where did you go?
Where there any places that you used to go out regularly in the evenings? Not really, it was the war and there were blackouts.
WHEN YOU MET
How did you first meet? How old were you? What were you doing at that time? I met Daphne Buscall (B: 20thFeb26, D: 2ndJan05) at a Christmas school dance when we were 13. Were paired as ‘apple and pear’, but Daphne fancied and older boy and asked that I swap with Foster.
What were your first impressions of each other? I thought she was lovely, but she thought I was too young, especially as she looked much older and more grown up. She was also the head girl, when we were evacuated to Dursley
How long did you go out together before you became engaged? We started going out a bit when we were at the College of Art, but we were an item from about age 16.
Were you still living with your parents? How did your parents greet the news of your engagement? Daphne’s home life was difficult, she had to fend for herself from the age of 15, and so she spent a lot of time with me at my parent’s. They did not know of our engagement until the actual day of the wedding. David, my brother and best man, left a note on the kitchen table giving the date and the time of the service and inviting them to attend.
How long was your engagement? 1 week. I asked Daphne to marry me when I came home on leave. She said, ‘Yes when? And I said, ‘How about next Friday’, and so we did!’
YOUR WEDDING
What was the date of your wedding? 13th December 1946
How old were you when you were married? I was 19 and Daphne was 20, we forged parental consent so we could get married while I was on leave.
Where did the ceremony take place? St Mary & St Ambrose Church Edgbaston
What did you wear on your wedding day? I wore my full Shropshire Light Infantry uniform and Daphne wore a tailored Irish tweed suit, with a headscarf tied with a corsage.
Who was your best man? Who was you bridesmaid? David, my brother was my best man and Jo his wife was the bridesmaid
How many guests came? Did you have a reception? Where was it held? It was a small wedding as it was under special licence.
What are you chief memories of that day? The joy that my parents made it to the wedding
Do you still have the presents received? No longer, they were few and it was wartime
Did you go away on honeymoon? No as I was called up the week after.
EARLY MARRIED LIFE
Where was your first home together? We rented an attic flat from friends in Northfield; it was small, cold in winter and too hot in summer, with all services on the ground floor.
Why did you choose to live where you did? Housing in Birmingham was difficult after the war, there was not much choice about where you lived.
Did you ever go back there later? Not really, Worcestershire became my home
What were your children’s names? When and where were they born?
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Simon St Just, born 21st May 1949, died 10th April 2006
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Antonia Jane, born 26th October 1952
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Victoria Annabel, born 6th October 1962
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Oliver John, Born 30th October 1966, died 11th May 2000
Where did you children go to school?
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Simon: St Lawrence’s School, Northfield, Prince Henrys and Hanley Swan Grammar schools.
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Antonia Jane: St Lawrence’s School, Northfield, Abbey Park School Pershore, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Essex University and Southbank polytechnic
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Victoria: Flyford Flavell Primary School, Alice Ottley School, Worcester, Manchester and Reading Universities
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Oliver: Holy Redeemer Primary School in Pershore; Rosehill Prep School in Wotton under Edge; RGS Grammar School in Worcester
What were their best subjects?
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Simon: English
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Antonia: Languages
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Victoria: History, Maths, Sciences
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Oliver: Music and sports
What was your monthly income in the early years of your marriage? 3 weeks to earn £6.15s. 6d from Birmingham Coop for Witton Cemetery February 1951
Was it often hard to make ends meet? YES!
Can you remember prices of some things you used to buy? I remember that in the early 1950’s a loaf of bread cost 11d while a pint cost a shilling.
What did you do in your leisure hours? I rarely have leisure time per se, I’m either making or thinking about sculpture. But I still enjoy walking and cycling and I like to keep fit. I also like a good pint in the pub with good company.
What are your happiest memories of those early days? Camping holidays, in Cornwall and later in the Gower, with Daphne and the children
BEST FRIENDS
Who have been your best friends during your life? How did you meet them? Are they similar to you? What is the single most important thing you have shared with them? What is the happiest memory you have of each of them?
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The Waller’s – Geoffrey and Irene Waller, friends from The College of Art
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The Hopwood’s – Pat and Vicky Hopwood were our friends since we moved to Worcestershire
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The Badger’s – Marlene and Phil Badger again friends as soon as we moved to Worcestershire
All artistic or creative with a similar outlook on life.
THE CARS YOU HAVE OWNED
Can you recall the different car you have owned?
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Austin A40
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Wolseley 6/99
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Austin Maxi
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MG Midget
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Citroen 2CV
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Ford Estate
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Fiat Multipla
Which did you enjoy the most? The only car I ever loved was the Wolseley 6/99. It was fast and drove beautifully. It had a wood polished dash and red leather seating
When did you learn to drive? I learnt to drive in the army in Germany. Before that I had one day’s lesson during officer training.
WHERE YOU HAVE LIVED
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Bournvale, Aldridge Walsall: until the age of 4½: I remember the kitchen making mincemeat with the table near the window, before Christmas It must have been about 4 weeks or so before my 4th birthday
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555 Fox Hollies Road, Hall Green: 4½ until I joined the army at 18. I remember the excitement of the stairs after living I a bungalow. We played in the fields and around the empty derelict Hall Green Hall and farm. Climbed the trees, cedar and a huge copper beech tree and later in the successive sites of the construction of Danes and Hales Homes (all semi-detached)
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In the army: Sandhurst, Nuremberg, Alexandria Egypt, Palestine
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Top flat shared with friends: Rented
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Speedwell Road Tyseley a shared house with my Brother and his wife Joe: Rented
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55 Chatham Road, Northfield: Rented Council House
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Bunns Leys Bishampton: 1961 -2009, Brought for £2000 in 1961
If you had to live in only one of these which would you choose and why? Bunns Leys, It’s the home we made for Daphne and me and our Children. It’ where I make my sculpture. It’s where my heart is.
YOUR HOLIDAYS
Can you remember any of your holidays when you were a child? What sort of holiday did you enjoy most then? We went camping in mid Wales travelling by train.
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Cannock Chase: A small farm Mr & Mrs Smith, also was a a miner
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Beaudesert Park: Main Gala My father ran in the over 50’s (came 3rd)
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Lichfield: it rained in but as fine weather after that
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Ilmington: at a farm of some size up a hill (I never found again when passing through in the Wolseley with children and my mother)
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Rhyll: Didn’t like much or Colwyn Bay
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Borth with David 13 and me 11 years old, 140 miles, wonderful weather, met the Roy family on this one occasion, a mother and three daughters. Peggy was the eldest was a ‘looker’, we met again at a dance at Sandhurst RMC engaged to another cadet.
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Borth with David, the second time, on our terms. David on journey through Wales saw a railway halt at Craven Arms and we finished our journey in the morning by rail
Did you go anywhere particularly interesting or exciting after you left school and before you were married? No –I was called up straight away into the army.
Where did you go on holiday when your children were young? In the 1950’s we went to Cornwall and the Isle of Wight. Later, we met friends in Bishampton who introduced is to the Gower Peninsular; after that we rarely went anywhere else.
What holidays do you enjoy most now? I still love the Gower, but I have enjoyed holidays, with the Birmingham Architectural Association to Greece, Italy and Malta. I’ve also enjoyed sailing with friends on their yacht.
Which country did you most like visiting? Daphne and I liked Malta best.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
Have you ever met any famous people? What were the circumstances? I’ve met several famous people in the course of my work and some have become friends.
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I’ve been presented to the Queen on a few occasions lastly on the commemoration of the Home Guard memorial, where I was placed next to her at the luncheon.
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At other ceremonies, I’ve been presented to the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Kent, The Archbishop of Canterbury and The Archbishop of York.
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I’ve become friends with Felix Dennis, the publisher and have created two bronze statues for his garden of heroes and well as several smaller works for his home in Dorsington.
Have you personally witnessed any exciting or significant historical events? Attending the Nuremberg trials was significant, but also being in Germany at that time and watching the devastation of war was soul destroying. This is why I asked for a transfer to the Parachute Regiment.
What is the one thing you would like to do during the next twelve months? To be well enough to continue designing and making sculpture.
What has given you most happiness in your life? To quote, almost, Walter Savage Landor, who says it all,
‘I strove with none, for non was worth my strife,
Beauty I loved and next to beauty art
I warm’d my hands before the flame of life
It fades, by I’m not ready to depart’
What is the most exciting thing ever happened to you???
What is the funniest thing ever happened to you? ???
If you could choose an occupation for a single day what would you choose and why? To do what I have always done, to make art, but for myself rather than for a commission.
What is the best advice you have ever received? ‘Be Worldly Wise not Wisely Wordly’
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
1960 Elected - Associate Member Royal Society of British Sculptors
1961 Elected - Warden & Associate: Guild of Memorial Craftsmen
1963 Elected - Chairman: Society of Church Craftsmen
1969 Elected - Fellow: Royal Society of British Sculptors
1961 – 71 - Royal Society of British Sculptors: Council Member
1976 – 79 - Royal Society of British Sculptors: Council Member
1980 – 86 - Artists League of Great Britain
2000 Elected - Hon. Member Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
AWARDS AND PRIZES
1969 Otto Beit Bronze Medal for Sculpture. Awarded for The Risen Christ Figure, St Dunstan’s Church, Kings Heath. (16’ 8” wrought iron construction)
1974 Otto Beit Bronze Medal for Sculpture. Awarded for The High Alter and Ambo, St Helen’s Cathedral, Brentwood. (Carved Guiting stone)
1981 Diploma of Merit Unviersita delle Arti. Salso Maggiori – Italy
1983 Third Prize Sports Centre Competition. Riyadh KSA
1985 First Prize National Guard Competition. Riyadh KSA
1991 Joint First Prize Liverpool Cathedral. Great West Door Competition.
PUBLICATIONS
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Polymer Issue 14 published by Shell Chemicals UK
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Expanded Polystyrene in Art published by Shell Chemicals UK
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Acier-Stahl-Steel International Steel Review Issue 4
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Acier-Stahl-Steel International Steel Review Issue 11
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Architects Journal January 1970 feature on Civic Sculpture
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Architect and Building News Feature Brown, Shipley & Co.Merchant Bank. Moorgate.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
D. Buckman, Artists in Britain since 1945 (2 vols: A–L, M–Z), Bristol, 2006;
D. Buckman, ‘A. John Poole: Sculptor, letter-cutter and restorer …’, Independent, 16 November 2009 (obituary);
Coventry Society: ‘Coventry Coat of Arms by John Poole’;
G.T. Noszlopy, Public Sculpture of Birmingham (ed. J. Beach), Liverpool, 1998, pp. 71, 79–80, 81–82, 202;
G.T. Noszlopy, Public Sculpture of Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull, Liverpool, 2003, pp. 164–65, 266;
G.T. Noszlopy and F. Waterhouse, Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country, Liverpool, 2005, pp. 46–47, 177, 239, 280;
P. Ward-Jackson, Public Sculpture of the City of London, Liverpool, 2003, pp. 269–70, 474–75;
West Midlands Arts, Artists, Craftsmen, Photographers in the West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, 1977