He gave me two choices.  One was a pony of my very own or would I like to go to school at Windsor Academy.  After much deliberation (and a little persuasion) I elected to go to The Academy at Windsor.  Uncle George seemed very pleased at my choice and had great hopes for me.  He and I went to Windsor one day to meet with the Principal of the school as regards my entry. As he concurred with Uncle George’s wishes it was then explained to me it was agreed that I would be arriving at the school via the DAR railway train each day.  He and I would have a dry run, as it were, and show me the route and then I would go daily on my own, but I really was not alone as long as there were other students who joined the train along the route and I soon made their acquaintance.  

Gladys would pack me my lunch every day and Uncle George would take me the first day to see the Uniacke Station Master, Mr. Giles from whom Uncle George purchased a book of prepaid tickets and Mr. Giles offered to see me safely on the Windsor train – Monday to Friday each schoolday – in the care of the Conductor.

In Windsor I was kitted out with a new everyday suit, robust shoes, new shirts and necktie.

At 0830 the train rumbled in and as it stopped a well built man in a black suit with DAR emblazoned on his round peak cap marked “CONDUCTOR” disembarked.  Mr. Giles spoke to him and he lifted down a stool for me to ascend onto the train.  I felt like Royalty.  Turning me left he guided me to a seat where some other boys and girls were sitting.  I made friends almost at once with a young Henry Pangborn who was older and taller than I. (wonder if he remembers me?)  Soon, the giant engine was ready to go and the bell started to clang.  The Conductor, with a signal from Mr. Giles, gave the Engineer the GO signal and with a lot of puffing and blowing of steam off we would go.  Ah well, gone are the days when I would walk to school with David Williams in our bare feet and taking the short cut over Penz’s field.  I was going up in the world.  OR WAS I? (looking back, I think not).

En route to Windsor, Henry chatted to me and pointed out the points of interest.  One stop in particular that gave me much pleasure and surprise was Three Mile Plain.  As the train slowed down here the platform was besieged with coloured boys and girls all holding up small bunches of flowers.  As they moved up and down the platform they cried “Lilac, Lilac for sale.  Just 2c.”  Words cannot express the sheer joy of such young folk trying to make a copper or two and in a most happy and joyful way.  Spring was certainly in the air.  A day most remembered even today.

Arriving at Windsor amongst the melee of railroad tracks I followed my fellow students to the Academy.  I found my class and was allocated a seat near the door and found myself next to Wilf Pickle and just behind a girl called Lorna.  I was late arriving by the train and had missed over half of the lesson.  At lunch time I ate the sandwiches Gladys had made for me and purchased a small bottle of milk.

In the afternoon session I was the object of many side glances of my classmates.  I felt a little embarrassed at first at their whispering and glances at me but I soon settled down with the help of “Pickle” and “Lorna” who soon made me feel at ease.