THE cane was in almost constant use at some schools a century ago.

Pupils guilty of even the most minor misdemeanours, such as giggling or whistling, could find themselves receiving a few painful strokes.

Susan Turner, of Beech Road, Wheatley, discovered that two of her relatives were regular victims at the village school at Sunningwell, near Abingdon.

She writes: “I have been looking into my family history for about five years, and some weeks ago, I went to the record office in Cowley where I discovered a copy of Sunningwell School punishment book 1913-1917.

“My late grandfather, Ernest Benwell, and his brother Edward attended the school.

“I have enclosed a copy of their crimes! As you can see, children didn’t have to do much to receive the cane.

“I’m wondering if we had some real punishment for the children of today, would we have had all this recent trouble on the streets? Bring back the good old days.”

EDWARD BENWELL Oct 2 1913: Silly behaviour and giggling in the drill room – two strokes on hands Dec 11 1913: Unruly and noisy behaviour while in the charge of assistant teacher – one stroke Dec 18 1913: Continued noise after being spoke to – one stroke on hand Mar 5 1914: Silly foolish behaviour – one stroke on hand Mar 6 1914: Ditto as above Mar 12 1914: Misbehaviour to teacher – one stroke Sept 16 1914: Continued giggling after being warned – one stroke on hand Sept 28 1914: Foolish behaviour – one stroke on hand ERNEST BENWELL: Oct 17 1913: Playing on garden and trespassing – one stroke of the cane Oct 24 1913: Play and inattention – one stroke Dec 17 1913: Climbing on wall – one stroke Feb 17 1915: Writing on his own arm – one stroke May 13 1915: Playing – one stroke on hand Sept 27 1915: Playing and inattention – two strokes on back Oct 8 1915: Disobedience – one stroke Oct 21 1915: Disobedience – two strokes on back Nov 19 1915: Late for school, sliding with eight other children – one stroke Jan 11 1916: Whistling in school – one stroke Feb 25 1916: Playing – one stroke on back Mar 14 1916: Playing – one stroke May 18 1916: As above June 26 1916: Impudent behaviour – two strokes on back Jan 24 1917: Late for school, sliding with five other children – one stroke Jan 26 1917: Misbehaving – one stroke Feb 14 1917: Disobedience – one stroke Feb 27 1917: Misbehaving – one stroke Mar 20 1917: Playing – one stroke on hand Mar 30 1917: Misbehaving – two strokes on hands May 7 1917: Misbehaving – one stroke on hand