History of education in England that reading comprehension acquired through Bible study could be transferred to secular studies. Raikes used his newspaper to publicize the schools and bore most of the cost in the early years. The movement began in July 1780 in the home of a Mrs. Meredith. Only boys attended, and she heard the lessons of the older boys who coached the younger. Later, girls also attended. Within two years, several schools opened in and around Gloucester. Raikes published an account on 3 November 1783 of Sunday School in his paper, and later word of the work spread through the "Gentleman's Magazine", and
Robert Raikes (Royal Navy officer) in 1936 before becoming Rear Admiral Submarines in 1936. He served in World War II initially as Vice Admiral commanding the Reserve Fleet destroyers on the Northern Patrol before becoming Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic Station in 1940. He went on to be Flag Officer, Aberdeen from 1942 to 1944. He lived at Mantyley Chase in Newent in Gloucestershire. He married Ida Guinevere Evans. His son, Iwan Raikes, also served in the Royal Navy and became Flag Officer, Submarines. His nephew, Lieutenant-Commander Dick Raikes DSO, also served in the Royal Navy and launched Operation Frankton, the first SBS personnel of the Royal