For post - Great War planners, enlightenment of those uprooted from inner city slums was an integral strand of the ‘Garden City’ ethos, vitally accompanying this new way of life in a recreated ‘village’ setting. To this end, Aspley public library, with its famously beautiful art deco reading room lantern, opened in 1937 stocked with 10,000 books. However, it was appreciated, cultivation of the mind could really only be achieved through quality education.

Accordingly, a complex of modern schools was placed at the heart of the new estate. William Crane School on Minver Crescent, accommodating infants, juniors and seniors, was built in 1930. It was constructed in a circular format with a sports playing field in the middle. William Crane closed in 2003 and was subsequently demolished. Today, only Ambleside Primary School remains on the site.

This section of the roll of honour has been compiled from 'WILLIAM CRANE BOYS SCHOOL, ASPLEY, NOTTINGHAM. KILLED IN ACTION 1939-1945' a list held by Nottinghamshire County Archives (S/BX294/410) and collected by Tracy Dodds.

David Nunn