Pre-War
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Contents School Life The New Buildings Mysterious Foundations The House System Sport School Subjects Officer Training Corps Scouts Boer War Leonard Raven Hill
10 11 15 17 19 20 26 29 30 33
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School Life The School Chronicles give the feeling that the period surrounding 1913 was a real high point for the School. When Cyril Norwood was appointed Headmaster in 1906, he was told that the School was failing, and would almost certainly close. At this point there were only 189 boys in the School. However, Norwood’s influence turned the School around and by July of 1914, it was reported that there were 434 boys attending, a new high. In 1912, according to History of the Bristol Grammar School by Walter Adam Sampson, the staff consisted of the Headmaster, with 21 assistant masters, and a mistress for the lowest form in the Preparatory School. The School thrived under Norwood. The OTC, Scouts, and sports were stronger and more popular than ever before. The setting up of the house system is possibly the most significant event, which has changed the School. A number of the buildings standing on the current site were built during this time of prosperity. Including the Gymnasium, Rifle Range, Fives Courts (These are now the Lower School Hall, Heads of House offices, and the Owen Room). A number of the teachers, and Old Bristolians contributed donations to these causes. The Lord Winterstoke Memorial Wing was also built during this time, largely thanks to a generous donation by Miss Stancomb Wills.
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The New Buildings April 1910 It was noted with gratitude at Christmas that Mr. Lionel Crawford, O.B., had offered £150 [around £15,500 today] for the building of a miniature rifle range. Unhappily, objection was raised to the presence of such a range on the playingfield side of the buildings by the University, and to its presence of the other side by the authorities of the Tyndall’s Estate. It is proposed to attempt a more ambitious scheme, of which Mr. Crawford approves, and of which fuller particulars will appear in the summer. But it is hoped that we may be able to build a Gymnasium, construct a range under cover, and possibly obtain some fives courts. July 1910: The plans as drawn provide for a Gymnasium, a Rifle Range, three covered Fives Courts, and a bicycle-shed, and the total cost will be a little over £2,000 [around £200,000 now]. The ground in front of the School between the trees and University Road will be used for the site, and will be excavated to the level of the main School.
The Rifle Range
Source: Bristol Grammar School, Archive Department
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The Fives Courts
Source: Bristol Grammar School, Archive Department
The School owes a very great debt of gratitude to Mr. A.M. Fry, a member of the Governing Body, who has very generously undertaken the Fives Courts at his own personal charge, and it is hoped that this fine game will take thorough root in the School, and that in time to come there will be produced fives players worthy of such a splendid gift. Our heartiest thanks are due also once more to Mr. Fenwick Richards, who, having observed the bewildering mountain of bicycles, which piles itself up daily at 9 a.m. in the Entrance Hall, has promised to give a shed to be built along one side of the Gymnasium: there is no doubt about the genuineness of the gratitude of all who cycle for this kindly gift, judging by the applause which greeted the announcement after the Sports. Equally must we thank Mr. L.E. Crawford, from whose suggestion the whole plan grew, and who headed the subscription list with the generous subscription of ÂŁ200 [over ÂŁ20,000 today].
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April 1911 School Chronicle Opening of the new buildings by A.M. Fry, Esq.: On Saturday, March 25th, the official opening of the new buildings – the Gymnasium, Rifle Range, Fives Courts, and Bicycle Sheds – took place. At three o’clock the School assembled in the Great Hall where visitors had already begun to arrive. At half-past three the Headmaster entered with Mr. Worsley and Mr. Fry, who was to perform the official opening ceremony. When the cheering had subsided, Mr. Worsley, the Chairman of the Governors, spoke of the cause of the gathering and mentioned the good fortune of the School in possessing such benefactors as Mr. Fry, Mr. Crawford, and Mr. Fenwick Richards. The present scheme owed much to them and much also to Mr. Norwood, of whom the Governors and the School felt justly proud. The Headmaster then rose, and described the course of the scheme which had results in the new buildings. It had originated in the brain of Mr. Crawford, who had offered to give money for an open rifle-range. There were difficulties in the way of such a scheme, and so it was agreed to join it to the
The Gymnasium
Source: Bristol Grammar School, Archive Department
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Gymnasium. Here Mr. Fry intervened and promised to give three Fives Courts, and Mr. Fenwick Richards had undertaken to house the School bicycles. The money for the Gymnasium had been begged from a few of the leading men of the district, who had subscribed most generously. The School also had collected over ÂŁ100 [over ÂŁ10,000]. The Headmaster then asked Mr. Fry to declare the New Buildings official open. The latter was received with ringing cheers, and in a few well-chosen words expressed his ideal of education as developing both mind and body. He had great pleasure in declaring the New Building open. The School Song was then sung, and after that a verse of the National Anthem. Then the visitors moved off to inspect the School buildings, old and new. Nearly all availed themselves of this permission, and the School was soon overrun by an eager throng of inspecting parents and friends. Various parties were on duty in different places to display the equipment, and all did their best to answer the varied questions put to them. It has been said that the Four Sergeants on duty in the Rifle Range now feel fully qualified to set the next General Knowledge Paper. The round of inspection ended in the Great Hall where arrangements for tea had been made. B.G.H.
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Mysterious Foundations School Chronicle, December 1910 During the excavation of the bank of the paddock in preparation for the building of the Gymnasium, extensive remains of walls of very solid construction were discovered not far beneath the surface. Their existence had never been suspected, and rumour was rife that they probably dated from the Civil War and might at one time have been manned by Roundheads or Cavaliers. But the masonry was not of the character hitherto found in the walls and fortifications of Bristol, and all doubt has been set at rest by Mr. W.N. Hill, of 23 Carnarvon Road. He quotes from Malcolm’s “Excursions in Kent, Gloucestershire,” published in 1807, which speaks of the “furor of building which lately prevailed at Bristol,” but adds that “The speculators soon felt that all their squares, crescents, and magnificence, would be destitute of residents, though certainly highly desirable.” It goes on, page 199, “Even the beautiful park already mentioned as belonging to Mr. Tindall was let on building leases: and grand avenues of architecture were projected and actually commenced, when misfortune interfered, and restored the domain to its owner, who has since efface every mark, and returned his soil to the bountiful hand of Nature, now happily employed in renewing her embellishments.” Mr. Hill quotes a picturesque Guide to Bath, Bristol, Hotwells, etc., published in 1793, which fixes the date of the building still more exactly: “A purchase has recently been made of Mr. Tyndall’s park for the purpose of building, and a number of labourers were, when we visited it, preparing the ground”.
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School Site Plan
Source: Bristol Grammar School, Archive Department
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The House System When originally set up in 1907, there were just four School houses, each with a House Master, and a House Captain and prefects to assist with the running. The Yellow house was introduced in 1927, with the Red house beginning in 1943.
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
Brown
Green
Black
Blue
Yellow
Red
Beame’s 1907 Jacob’s 1923 Dehn’s 1951 Pickup’s 1966
Ford’s 1907 Holmes’s 1913 Langford’s 1935 Rendall’s 1954
Holman’s 1980 Gunawardana’s 2007 Goodman’s 2013
Trott’s 1959 Cox’s 1977 Jakobek’s 1992 Hilliard’s 2012
Parker’s 1907 Holmyard’s 1917 Dicker’s 1918 Morris’s 1926 Booker’s 1948 Cockitt’s 1967 Burn’s 1975 Scott’s 2005
Freeman’s 1907 Gough’s 1910 Bridge’s 1913 Pitt’s 1920 Dunnicliff’s 1935 Lucas’s 1955 Edwards’s 1972 Morris’s 1978 Huckle’s 1984 Jeffrey’s 1991 Diamond’s 1996 Tong’s 1999 Edwards’s 2002
Hodgett’s 1927 Wood’s 1929 Dudley’s 1946 Osborne’s 1952 Warren’s 1962 Rolling’s 1975 Keen’s 2005 Diamond’s 2011
Carter’s 1943 Fox’s 1952 Meigh’s 1959 Metcalfe’s 1964 Perry’s 1971 Speake’s 1979 Watson’s 1989 Saunder’s 2001 Catchpole’s 2004
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Much emphasis is placed on sports and games, but these were still to an extent informal, and not part of the curriculum and not only does the Chronicle show that support was never as great as the House officers wished, it also shows the wealth of other activities available to boys who either preferred more intellectual and academic pursuits or enjoyed both. One hundred years later that has not changed.
April 1907 School Chronicle “Many have said that the School has been suffering from a depression, and that a great lack of keenness has been displayed in games and sports. And it would certainly seem that such was the case for the past two or three football seasons, which have been anything but successful. Also, it was found that the number of boys playing games was increasing, and was likely to still further increase in the immediate future. These two facts, coupled with the example of other Schools, have been mainly instrumental in bringing into existence the new Houses. The scheme provides systematic games for all boys who have given in their names at the beginning of the season; and each boy is given to understand that he is responsible for the honour of his House, both in and out of School.�
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Sport A new pavillion on the School site was built in 1908, the money was largely raised by the Old Boy’s Society. This is noted in the “History of the Bristol Grammar School” by Walter Adam Sampson, page 209: ‘At the opening ceremony Mr A M Fry said … Now they believed the way to improve the thorns and better the grapes was by building up the body, and to this end the physical cultivation of the school. The better the physical condition of the school, the higher would be the standard of scholarship and attainment.’ The interest in sport seemed to have withered prior to the 1900s. However, it gradually became more popular, and by the start of the War, the School Chronicle focuses largely on the various School sporting events.
The Tyndall’s Park Pavillion, Opened 1908 Source: Bristol Grammar School, Archive Department
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School Subjects While there were less subjects on offer at this time, the masters were often required to teach a number of different disciplines. The tables below show what each of the masters at the time was required to teach and, in some cases, which reference books were in use. A number of these master left for active service once the War began.
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Officer Training Corps The Corps has an uncertain history. It was ‘founded’ three times over, in 1880, 1900 and 1907, gathering strength each time. It was eventually replaced by the Duke of Edinburgh Award, although pupils of the School continued to join the armed forces. Extracts taken from “A History of the Bristol Grammar School” by Walter Adam Sampson, and the School Chronicles, 1879 to 1907.
First Attempt, 1880 Sampson: “A Cadet Corps, attached to the 1st Glos Artillery Volunteers, was formed in the year 1880, with Grammar School boys, Mr J G S Muschamp taking command as Captain. The boys were called upon to subscribe £1 1s [one guinea, approximately £112], and pay £2 for the uniform [£215]. The Corps had a short life, and was disbanded in 1883.” Chronicle November 1879: “In accordance with the wish of many of the parents of the boys, a drilling class has been established, for the superintendence of which the services of Sergeant-Major Campion have been secured.” “On Wednesday, November 12th, the School was visited by Colonel Versturme and Captain Graham, of the Bristol Volunteer Artillery, for the purpose of starting a Cadet Corps in connection with the Volunteers; to be called the “Grammar School Cadet Corps”, and to consist of boys of the school. Colonel Versturme explained the object with which this proposal was made, viz – in order to encourage in the minds of the boys a taste for military exercises, so that when their time should come, they should be ready to supply the places of those who had gone before them and fill the ranks of the Volunteer Forces. Captain Graham the gave the particulars with regard to uniform, expenses of membership, &c, and reminded the boys that obedience must be first learnt before command was undertaken, speaking of the benefits which he himself had acquired by the course of training undergone as a cadet.”
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Chronicle June 1883: “The Cadet Corps, we are sorry to say, is not as it as it ought to be. The numbers have considerably fallen off, and the “thin red lines” are very thin indeed. For the sake of the honour of the School, if for no other reason, the Corps ought not to be allowed to fall to pieces.”
Second Attempt, 1900 Chronicle April 1898: “We are informed that Mr Holmes is starting an Army Side in connection with Thorne Lodge. Arrangements are made for conversation in Modern languages, and individual tuition in the various subjects required for Woolwich, Sandhurst and the Militia. The Headmaster has granted some modifications of the School time table to meet this new departure. We wish Mr Holmes every success in his undertaking.’ Sampson: “Any boy above the age of 13, of sufficient physique, may join the contingent of the Officers’ Training Corps. The strength is that of one company (100) and is officered by the Head master, who holds a captain’s commission, and two of the assistant masters, who are lieutenants. There is a weekly parade on Tuesdays, and occasional field days. The annual camp takes place alternately at Aldershot and on Salisbury Plain. The ambition of a cadet is to take certificate “A”, an examination of some difficulty, which demands plenty of work, and is worth 200 marks in the examinations for Woolwich and Sandhurst. There is a distinct probability of its being considered the equivalent of one of the five subjects for matriculation.” Chronicle April 1900: “Applications will be made to the War Office for the uniform to be khaki. Cadets would have access to the Bedminster ranges, and would be supplied by the Government with arms. The Musketry and Drill Instructors from the Engineers would instruct the Cadets, whose School work would not be interfered with in the slightest degree. The fees to cover the cost of uniform and all other expenses will be one guinea on entrance and 10/6 for each of the remaining two terms of the
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year. It is probable that even this small subscription may be lessened if the entries are numerous. Mr Holmes, to whom our warmest thanks are due for the trouble he has taken, is about to qualify for a commission, and will devote his time to the corps and be responsible for the discipline at the targets.”
Second Attempt, 1900 Chronicle August 1907: “The School kept Empire Day with fitting loyalty, and the Head-Master gave us a stirring address on the duties of members of such an Empire as The British Empire. He took that opportunity of announcing to the School that he intended applying for a Commission, and next term will take over the Cadet Corps. He has since been gazetted as a Captain in the 1st V B Gloucester Regiment. [?Volunteer Brigade] The mention of the Cadet Corps reminds us at once of the work Mr Holmes has done for the School; we cannot, of course, render any adequate tribute here to Mr Holmes’ splendid work for the School, but, we trust, he will leave the School with pleasant memories, and we can promise him the best wishes of all members of the School in his new work.”
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Scouts School Chronicle, April 1913 “Robert Thorne” Troop A Troop of Boy Scouts has been formed this term. It bears the above appropriate name, and Mr Gough is the Scoutmaster. That this institution is not only needed here in the Grammar School but is popular as well, is shewn (sic) by the fact that the numbers a once rose to 64, and there is evidence that they will continue to rise. These 64 are divided into 8 Patrols. The first few weeks of the new Troop’s existence were spent in preparing for the Tenderfoot tests, which have to be passed before a boy can be enrolled as a Scout. The tests provided much instruction and not a little amusement, and were, generally speaking, safely passed by all before the day fixed for the Investiture, March 1st. This ceremony took place in the afternoon in the Great hall, and there were on the platform Dr Norwood, Colonel Brittan, Mr W S Paul, and Mr Neale, the Secretary for the Bristol Association, while a very fair audience of friends came to help us in our start. The proceedings began with a short address of introduction by Dr Norwood. The Scouts then prepared for the ceremony itself. Each patrol came forward in turn and repeated after the Scoutmaster the promises that each individual will keep, and each Scout was given his hat and pole by the Assistant Scoutmasters. The patrols, on retiring, gave their patrol call. [These want a little more practice.] When all had been duly “sworn in”, Mr Paul addressed us. Then followed an inspection by Colonel Brittan, who congratulated the Scouts on their newly-formed Troop, and on becoming associated with the “finest movement in the world”. This ended the proceedings, and the Scoutmaster having called for three cheers for Colonel Brittan, and obtained them, dismissed the troop.
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The Boer War The Second Boer War took place from 1899 to 1902. It was fought against the Transvall and the Orange Free State in the south of Africa. The British forces won in direct combat, but this was followed by a long guerrilla campaign. The British losses were high due to both sickness and combat. However, it’s effect on the British public was significantly less than the First World War, because of the fact that it was fought far away. In addition, the result of losing wouldn’t result in the invasion of Britain. Throughout the Boer War, the Army Medical Corp found that 40-60% of men presenting for service were not fit to fight. This was a major contribution to the desire for the liberal reforms. The School held a War Concert in 1899, in order to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s War Fund. The image on the front was drawn by OB, Leonard Raven Hill.
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Leonard Raven Hill Leonard Raven Hill attended Bristol Grammar School from 1877 to 1881. After leaving the School, he studied studied at Lambeth School of Art and the Academie Julian in Paris. He later returned to Britain and worked as a painter, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1889. However, he soon found that his cartoons, caricatures, and illustrations were more popular. These were published in a number of publications, including Pall Mall Gazette, Printer’s Pie, Pearson’s, Sketch and Strand Magazine. In 1895, Raven Hill began drawing for Punch. He became one of their regular cartoonists in 1901, and draw for them until his retirement in 1935. His cartoon ‘Gap in the Bridge’ (reproduced on the following pages) was chosen by Timothy S. Benson as one of the greatest cartoons in history. School Chronicle December 1904 Old Boys’ Society Annual Dinner “They could not make geniuses, and genius came out in many ways. If they opened the pages of their Punch, they would find there a genius in an Old Boy – Mr. Raven Hill. (Applause.) One of the London papers said that genius was gradually evolved, and found its consciousness of being on the margin of the exercise book, which, in his idle time, he (Raven Hill) illustrated when he was at his tasks in the School. There were always ways for the boy to find an outlet for genius, unknown even to his master. (Laughter.)”
Raven Hill helped the School to raise money for both the Boer War effort, and the First World War effort. In each case, he drew an original illustration to be used as the front cover of the programmes for a special War Concert. One in 1899, the other in 1914. In addition to these, Raven Hill donated the original of one of his drawings for Punch, entitled “Sounding the All Clear”. These are shown in the 1914 chapter, and the Post War chapter respectively.
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Reproduced with permission from Punch Ltd.