William Dorling Bavin – Swindon’s War Record

William Dorling Bavin wrote the definitive book recording the story of Swindon during the First World War. Commissioned by Swindon Borough Council and published in 1922 Bavin compiled a complete record of local activities, charitable and otherwise, in connection with the war. It is a book which has been the source material for so many others and to mark the centenary of the First World War a facsimile copy was published by Local Studies, Swindon Central Library and is available from the Library Shop.

W.D. Bavin was born in Lincoln in 1871 and spent his early career as an assistant tutor at Westminster Training College, London and later as an instructor of pupil teachers at Bath Technical College. In 1897 he was appointed the first head of the Swindon Pupil Teacher Centre for teachers at Swindon Board Schools.

His other appointments included head of Swindon Higher Grade Elementary School and headmaster of Sanford Street Boys School.

William D. Bavin married twice. His first wife Jessie died in 1915 and his second wife Helen in 1959. Bavin died in 1948 and is buried with both his wives.

Swindon J.P.

Death of Mr W.D. Bavin

After a short illness the death occurred in the Victoria Hospital this morning of Mr W.D. Bavin, aged 76, of 160 Goddard-avenue, Swindon a retired headmaster of Sanford-street Boys’ School.

Starting his career as a pupil teacher in 1889 at Lincoln he completed his training at Westminster Training College and was then engaged as a resident tutor.

Two and a half years later he took up an appointment at Bath Technical College as head of the pupil teachers’ centre department and was then appointed head of the Pupil Teachers’ Centre which opened in Swindon in 1897.

In 1903 he became head of the Swindon Higher Elementary School and in 1919 was transferred to the headmastership of Sanford-street Boys’ School when his elementary school was converted into a secondary school.

For some years he was the National Union of Teachers’ representative on the Education Committee and was vice-chairman of the Swindon Juvenile Employment Sub-Committee. He was also founder and chairman of the After-Care Committee.

His activities for youth had not been confined to school service however. He was founder and treasurer of the Swindon Triangle Boys’ Club, and for many years was the president of the local Sunday School Union.

Mr Bavin was also the author of various works on mathematics and local history and his record of Swindon’s part in the 1914-1918 war received compliments from universities in America, France, Scotland and Wales. He wrote two volumes on teaching for Sunday School teachers and since 1918 had written the annual Sunday School Union handbook.

He was a Borough magistrate

Swindon Advertiser January, 1948.

W.D. Bavin