In pictures: Barnardo's ball boys remembered
- Published
This year, the charity Barnardo’s is commemorating its 150th anniversary and 70 years since its partnership with Wimbledon, when, between 1946 and 1966, it provided all the ball boys for the tournament.
Images in the Barnardo's archive show the ball boys at Golding’s school in Hertfordshire before the championships in 1956. The charity was established by Thomas Barnardo to care for destitute boys, opening its first care home, in Stepney Causeway, in 1870. Barnardo later opened the Girls' Village Home, in Barkingside.
At Golding’s school, the boys learnt how to operate at various points around the tennis court. Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: "Being ‘ball boys’ for 20 years was an opportunity for some Barnardo’s students to be part of something truly special and inspirational, and as we mark our 150th anniversary, it’s wonderful to recognise the positive impact both Wimbledon and the support from our charity has had on their lives."
"From Barnardo’s beginnings to the present day, we continue to provide care, support and training to hundreds of thousands of children, young people and families every year," added Mr Khan. Retrieving balls from the net and then making their way off court as quickly as possible to allow play to resume.
They were also trained how to deliver the tennis ball to the player about to serve.
In 1956, it was just boys, with girls having to wait until 1977 before they were introduced at Wimbledon.
Those long hot British summers meant that the boys were also called on to serve the player's barley water.
For the 1957 final, the boys lined up to meet the Duchess of Kent.
A highlight was the chance to meet the stars of the time. Here, the boys are seen with US players John and Beverley Fleitz. The previous year, in 1955, Mrs Fleitz lost the women's singles final to Louise Brough.