I started my schooling at the age of five in 1917, at Thornhill Road School in Barnsbury, Islington, London, N.1
On the first morning I was told that there was someone called god, who made everything. This included all the stars, the Sun and the Moon, our World and everything on it, including me! He was there, 'up above'; he knew everything which was happening: if I were naughty he would know, and he would punish me. There were two items, which were contrary to my experience. I imagined an old man, sitting on a cloud: if he knew everything which was going on, he must be able to see what was going on, so he must have been sitting on the edge of a cloud. My experience taught me that unless a thing was resting on something solid, it fell to the ground! A cloud was not solid; you could see through it! So why did this old man not fall through?

Secondly: I knew that my mother made me! Mothers made all the other babies. Because of the 'photograph' of my background in my memory, which is of a house from which we had moved before my starting school, I am certain that before then I had already asked my mother "Where did we come from?" And I did not mean, "Where did we live before this house?" My mother had told me that 'monkeys were our cousins'; to me that did no present any difficulties; monkeys were just like children, except that they had fur!

My father used to return home for lunch and as with all parents he asked "Well! What did you learn?" So I told him, what was to me, the most surprising news! He slapped his thigh and cried: "My god! They haven't lost much time!" And that told me that he had known about it all the time and never told me about it! There must be a reason!

A few days later, the teacher carried out what must have been an early form of 'Intelligence Test'. She called us out one-by-one, blindfolded us, and handed objects or material to identify. I correctly identified all of the articles presented, including a small piece of Velvet, at which she seemed particularly pleased. By the end of the week I was out of 'Babies', and one up!

As far as I am able to recall, my parents didn't pursue the subject. It was not until I joined a 'prep' school in 1919 that I commenced to openly question the teaching of' Scripture' lesson, with a very patient and understanding young lady teacher. There were occasions when the whole lesson comprised debate between the teacher and myself! For by that time my father was priming me with the questions to ask; and the counter argument to the teacher's teaching!
In 1922 I joined the Day School at the Northern Polytechnic in Holloway Road, Islington, London. (It is now part, I believe, of the University of North London). Soon after my joining (at 9.5 years), the Day School was transferred to Highbury County Secondary School at the junction of Highbury Grove and Highbury New Park, London, N.5. Here I attended 'Scripture' Lessons, but continued my non-belief, holding regular debates with classmates in the playground. This continued until I was turned fourteen in 1926. Then one day the Headmaster, Mr. William Sprague M.A., took 'Scripture'. At the end he asked questions, picking on me first. It took me by surprise; I stood up, saying: "Please, Sir" as was the custom in those days, "I don't believe in it!". Mr. Sprague immediately passed to another boy for the answer.

Shortly after that I sought him in his Study and asked if I might take Woodwork & Metalwork instead of 'Scripture', which was immediately granted. I must make it clear that this was entirely of my own initiative and my parents were never consulted. It was not long before it was borne in on me that I was no longer able to debate with my classmates! So I asked if I might return to 'Scripture' Lessons. The Headmaster's answer was in the distinct negative!

I would like to stress that at no time were my parents consulted; that to my knowledge, no consultation took place with the Education Authority of the day and that I never, at any time, suffered discrimination of any sort. I was repeatedly elected 'Monitor' by my Form; I was also a 'Gym Leader' by the master's appointment, and I was Captain of the school Football Team in the last two years.

R.E.Bazin C.Eng. FIEE 17/02/03