Cheltenham College
Encyclopedia
Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent school
, located in Cheltenham
, Gloucestershire
, England
.
One of the public schools
of the Victorian
period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.
The 1893 book Great Public Schools by E. S. Skirving, S. R. James and Henry Churchill Maxwell Lyte, which had a chapter on each of what they regarded to be England's ten greatest public schools, included Cheltenham College.
(former pupils) were killed in the service of their country in World War I
, and 363 in World War II
. Cheltenham's military past is recognised by the fact that it is one of only three schools in England (the others being Eton College, founded in 1440, and the Duke of York's Royal Military School, founded in 1803) to have its own military colours (last presented in 2000 by The Princess Royal). Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, Scotland also has Colours.
The names of those Old Cheltonians killed in the first world war are recorded in the College chapel
, completed in 1896, which to a degree resembles King's College Chapel
in Cambridge
and is one of the chapels of an English public school
. Those killed in the second world war are displayed on the memorial in the College's dining hall.
Cheltenham has approximately 600 pupils (150 being day pupils) between the ages of 13 and 18. The fees are about £29,000 a year, making it amongst the most expensive schools in the country. The school is now co-educational and maintains a strong academic reputation, with the majority of pupils going to The Russell Group
Universities, and around 7% going on to Oxford and Cambridge
universities. Both GCSE and A Level results are among the highest in Gloucestershire.
There is also a prep school, Cheltenham College Junior School, most of whose pupils go on to the senior school.
Cheltenham also runs an annual exchange program with the Wynberg Boys' High School
in Cape Town
, South Africa; an all-boys boarding school which coincidentally was established in the same year as Cheltenham, 1841.
, although an agreement between the school's then Headmaster, David Ashcroft, and the film's director, Lindsay Anderson
(who was a former pupil and Senior Prefect), prevented the filmmakers from crediting the school. Additional interior scenes were filmed at Aldenham School
in Hertfordshire
, which gained sole accreditation in the film's closing credit. Two Surrey independent schools, Charterhouse School
and Cranleigh School
, had also negotiated to appear, but pulled out of negotiations once the subject matter of the film became clear.
(37), Harrow School
(19), Haileybury College (17), and Wellington College
(15), having higher totals.(Although it should be taken into account that the Duke of York's Royal Military School does not publish lists of recipients of bravery awards in order not to diminish the service of those several thousand former pupils who have fought in battle and not received the VC, but only lesser awards for gallantry).
The list of names, with age and rank at the time of the deed which merited the award of the Victoria Cross
, is as follows:
The VC won by Midshipman Boyes was sold by the College in 1998 to raise scholarship funds. A replica of his VC is on permanent display in Cheltenham College library (Big Modern) with photographs of all 14 Victoria Cross winners and a world map showing where they were won. Below the Victoria Cross display a selection of other medals won by Old Cheltonians is displayed intermittently.
The full list of past principals and headmasters is contained in Cheltenham College Who's Who 5th edition, 2003, and is as follows:
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
, located in Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
One of the public schools
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
of the Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
period, it was opened in July 1841. An Anglican foundation, it is known for its classical, military and sporting traditions.
The 1893 book Great Public Schools by E. S. Skirving, S. R. James and Henry Churchill Maxwell Lyte, which had a chapter on each of what they regarded to be England's ten greatest public schools, included Cheltenham College.
Work and service
675 Old CheltoniansCheltonian Society
An Old Cheltonian is a former pupil of Cheltenham College, a public school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. There are many notable O.C.s, see the category "Old Cheltonians". The organization based at the College which coordinates O.C. activity is called the Cheltonian...
(former pupils) were killed in the service of their country in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and 363 in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Cheltenham's military past is recognised by the fact that it is one of only three schools in England (the others being Eton College, founded in 1440, and the Duke of York's Royal Military School, founded in 1803) to have its own military colours (last presented in 2000 by The Princess Royal). Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, Scotland also has Colours.
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, completed in 1896, which to a degree resembles King's College Chapel
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
King's College Chapel is the chapel to King's College of the University of Cambridge, and is one of the finest examples of late Gothic English architecture, while its early Renaissance rood screen separating the nave and chancel, erected in 1532-36 in a striking contrast of style, has been called...
in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
and is one of the chapels of an English public school
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
. Those killed in the second world war are displayed on the memorial in the College's dining hall.
Cheltenham has approximately 600 pupils (150 being day pupils) between the ages of 13 and 18. The fees are about £29,000 a year, making it amongst the most expensive schools in the country. The school is now co-educational and maintains a strong academic reputation, with the majority of pupils going to The Russell Group
Russell Group
The Russell Group is a collaboration of twenty UK universities that together receive two-thirds of research grant and contract funding in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1994 to represent their interests to the government, parliament and other similar bodies...
Universities, and around 7% going on to Oxford and Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
universities. Both GCSE and A Level results are among the highest in Gloucestershire.
There is also a prep school, Cheltenham College Junior School, most of whose pupils go on to the senior school.
Cheltenham also runs an annual exchange program with the Wynberg Boys' High School
Wynberg Boys' High School
Wynberg Boys' High School is a public school for boys in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.It was founded in 1841 and is the second oldest school in South Africa. It had humble beginnings in Glebe Cottage under first Headmaster John McNaughton and changed site three times before moving onto its...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa; an all-boys boarding school which coincidentally was established in the same year as Cheltenham, 1841.
Sport
Cheltenham has a sporting tradition, competing with larger single gender schools. The first inter-school rugby football match was played between Rugby School and Cheltenham College, Cheltenham beating Rugby; and the "Cheltenham Rules" were adopted by the Rugby Football Union in 1887. The school plays raquets where, at times, they have dominated the Queen's Club Public Schools Competition; at polo where they were National Schools Champions in 1997, 1998, 2004, & 2005 and Arena Champions in 2004, 2005 & 2006, and again at rugby where they have reached the final of The National Schools 7s Festival four times in the last ten years, winning the competition in 1998, 2003 and 2004. Cheltenham's rugby XV was undefeated in the 2008 season.Houses
There are ten houses, three of which are day houses; Southwood for the boys and Queens or Westal for the girls. Ashmead, Chandos and Westal (a boarding and day house) are the girls' boarding houses whilst the boys reside in either Boyne House, Christowe, Hazelwell, Leconfield or Newick House. There are plans for building work on a new girls' boarding house to start within the next year.If....
Cheltenham College was used to film the majority of the school scenes in the 1968 British film If...., starring Malcolm McDowellMalcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
, although an agreement between the school's then Headmaster, David Ashcroft, and the film's director, Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Gordon Anderson was an Indian-born, British feature film, theatre and documentary director, film critic, and leading light of the Free Cinema movement and the British New Wave...
(who was a former pupil and Senior Prefect), prevented the filmmakers from crediting the school. Additional interior scenes were filmed at Aldenham School
Aldenham School
Aldenham School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged thirteen to eighteen, located between Elstree and the village of Aldenham in Hertfordshire, England...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, which gained sole accreditation in the film's closing credit. Two Surrey independent schools, Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
and Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School is an independent English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. It was founded in 1865 as a boys' school and started to admit girls in the early 1970s. It is now co-educational. The current headmaster is Guy de W...
, had also negotiated to appear, but pulled out of negotiations once the subject matter of the film became clear.
Notable former pupils (Old Cheltonians)
- Houston Stewart ChamberlainHouston Stewart ChamberlainHouston Stewart Chamberlain was a British-born German author of books on political philosophy, natural science and the German composer Richard Wagner. He later became a German citizen. Chamberlain married Wagner's daughter, Eva, some years after Wagner's death...
, Germanophile, philosopher and author of the "gospel of the Nazi movement." - Lindsay AndersonLindsay AndersonLindsay Gordon Anderson was an Indian-born, British feature film, theatre and documentary director, film critic, and leading light of the Free Cinema movement and the British New Wave...
, film director, shot the 1968 film If.... chiefly at Cheltenham College - Peter AtkinsonPeter AtkinsonPeter Landreth Atkinson is a British Conservative Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Hexham from 1992 until 2010.-Early life:...
, Former Journalist and ConservativeConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
MP for Hexham 1992–present - Sir Cecil Maurice BowraMaurice BowraSir Cecil Maurice Bowra was an English classical scholar and academic, known for his wit. He was Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, from 1938 to 1970, and served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1951 to 1954.-Birth and boyhood:...
, Warden of Wadham College, Oxford - Lord Moore of Wolvercote, Queen's Private Secretary from 1977 to 1986
- Sir Alan HaselhurstAlan HaselhurstSir Alan Gordon Barraclough Haselhurst is a British Conservative politician who is the Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden and was Chairman of Ways and Means from 14 May 1997 to 8 June 2010.-Early life, education and career:...
, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons - Jonah Barrington, squash player, ex-world champion and ex-world number one
- Andrew Cecil BradleyAndrew Cecil BradleyAndrew Cecil Bradley was an English literary scholar, best remembered for his work on Shakespeare.-Life:...
, Shakespeare critic - Chris BryantChris BryantChristopher John Bryant is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Rhondda since 2001...
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MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for RhonddaRhondda Cynon TaffRhondda Cynon Taf, or RCT, is a county borough in the South Wales Valleys of Wales. It consists of 3 valleys: the Rhondda Valley, Cynon Valley and Taff-Ely Valley...
2001– - Simon DanielliSimon DanielliSimon Charles Jonathan Danielli is a professional rugby union player who plays on the wing for Ulster and Scotland.-Early life:...
, Scottish international rugby player - Nick AbendanonNick AbendanonNick Abendanon is an English rugby union player, currently playing for Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership. Full-back Abendanon burst onto the scene during the 2006–07 season, scoring 10 tries in 24 first-team appearances for Bath.His form that season earned him a first England cap in South...
, English international rugby player - Tom BeimTom BeimTom Beim is a former rugby union footballer, who played on the wing for Sale, Gloucester, Viadana, Pertemps Bees, the Barbarians and England.-Club Rugby:...
, English international rugby player - Tom ScudamoreTom ScudamoreTom Scudamore is a third-generation British flat and steeplechase jockey. He is the son of eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore; his grandfather Michael won the Grand National on Oxo in 1959.-Background:...
, jockey, son of Peter Scudamore - Jack Nixon BrowneJack Nixon BrowneJack Nixon Browne, Baron Craigton CBE, PC was a Scottish Conservative politician.-Early life:The son of Edwin Gilbert Izod, he adopted the surname Browne in 1920 as his family felt his more unusual surname a handicap. Educated at Cheltenham College, Browne served in World War II as an Acting Group...
, Baron Craigton CBE, PC (3 September 1904 - 28 July 1993) was a Scottish Tory politician - Nigel DavenportNigel DavenportNigel Davenport is an English stage, television and film actor.- Early life :Davenport was born Arthur Nigel Davenport, however he goes by the first name of Nigel. Davenport was born in Shelford, Cambridgeshire, the son of Katherine Lucy and Arthur Henry Davenport. Davenport's father was a bursar...
, actor - Jack DavenportJack DavenportJack Davenport is an English actor, best known for his roles in the television series This Life, Coupling and as James Norrington in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He has also appeared in many other Hollywood films such as The Talented Mr. Ripley...
, actor - Lawrence Doe, footballer
- Field MarshalField Marshal (UK)Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the British Army. It ranks immediately above the rank of General and is the Army equivalent of an Admiral of the Fleet and a Marshal of the Royal Air Force....
Sir John DillJohn DillField Marshal Sir John Greer Dill, GCB, CMG, DSO was a British commander in World War I and World War II. From May 1940 to December 1941 he was the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, and subsequently in Washington, as Chief of the British Joint Staff...
, GCB, CMG, DSO, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, 1940–1941 - Sir Charles EliotCharles Eliot (diplomat)Sir Charles Norton Edgecumbe Eliot GCMG, PC was a British knight diplomat, colonial administrator and botanist. He served as Commissioner of British East Africa in 1900-1904. He was British Ambassador to Japan in 1919-1925.He was also known as a malacologist and marine biologist...
, British ambassador to Japan, 1919–25 - Henry Jackson (classicist)Henry Jackson (classicist)Henry Jackson, OM, , was an English classicist. He served as the vice-master of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1914 to 1919, praelector in ancient philosophy from 1875 to 1906 and Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge from 1906 to 1921, and was awarded the Order of Merit on 26...
- Henry JamesHenry JamesHenry James, OM was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James....
, 1st Baron James of Hereford PC, QC (30 October 1828 – 18 August 1911), was an Anglo-Welsh lawyer and statesman - Sir John Bagot Glubb, Glubb Pasha, Commander of the Arab LegionArab LegionThe Arab Legion was the regular army of Transjordan and then Jordan in the early part of the 20th century.-Creation:...
, 1939–56 - Adam Lindsay GordonAdam Lindsay GordonAdam Lindsay Gordon was an Australian poet, jockey and politician.- Early life :Gordon was born at Fayal in the Azores, son of Captain Adam Durnford Gordon who had married his first cousin, Harriet Gordon, both of whom were descended from Adam of Gordon of the ballad...
, poet - Major-General Sir Colin GubbinsColin GubbinsMajor-General Sir Colin McVean Gubbins KCMG, DSO, MC was the prime mover of the Special Operations Executive in the Second World War....
, (Head of S.O.E.) - H. L. A. HartH. L. A. HartHerbert Lionel Adolphus Hart was an influential legal philosopher of the 20th century. He was Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford University and the Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. He authored The Concept of Law....
, an influential jurisprudential thinker - Patrick HeenanPatrick Stanley Vaughan HeenanPatrick Stanley Vaughan Heenan was a Captain in the British Indian Army who was convicted of treason, after spying for Japan during the Malayan campaign of World War II. Heenan was reportedly killed during the Battle of Singapore...
, CaptainCaptain (OF-2)The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
in the British Indian ArmyBritish Indian ArmyThe British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
who was convicted of treasonTreasonIn law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
and executed after spyingEspionageEspionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
for JapanEmpire of JapanThe Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
during the Malayan campaign of World War IIBattle of MalayaThe Malayan Campaign was a campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces in Malaya, from 8 December 1941 – 31 January 1942 during the Second World War. The campaign was dominated by land battles between British Commonwealth army units, and the Imperial Japanese Army... - Michael Jopling, Baron JoplingMichael Jopling, Baron JoplingThomas Michael Jopling, Baron Jopling, PC is a politician in the United Kingdom, and sits in the House of Lords as a member of the Conservative Party....
, Conservative cabinet minister - Very Rev Walter Kenrick Knight-AdkinWalter Kenrick Knight-AdkinThe Very Rev Walter Kenrick Knight-Adkin CB OBE was an eminent Anglican Priest in the first half of the 20th Century....
Dean of Gibraltar - William Edward Hartpole LeckyWilliam Edward Hartpole LeckyWilliam Edward Hartpole Lecky, OM was an Irish historian.-Early life:Born at Newtown Park, near Dublin, he was the eldest son of John Hartpole Lecky, a landowner....
, (Irish historian) - Martin HorwoodMartin HorwoodMartin Charles Horwood is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is the Member of Parliament for the Cheltenham constituency. He is the founder and current Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples.-Early life:He was born in St. Paul’s, Cheltenham, in 1962. His parents...
, Liberal Democrat MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
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, mathematician - John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of BlackburnJohn Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of BlackburnJohn Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn OM, PC was a British Liberal statesman, writer and newspaper editor. Initially a journalist, he was elected a Member of Parliament in 1883...
- Lt-Gen. Sir Philip NeamePhilip NeameLieutenant General Sir Philip Neame VC, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, K.B.E., C.B., DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
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) - William West NeveWilliam West NeveWilliam West Neve was an English architect in the Arts and Crafts style.-Background:Born in Cranbrook, Kent, Neve was the youngest of seven siblings and the only son of solicitor William Tanner Neve and his spouse Maria West.Neve was educated at Cheltenham College, Gloucestershire and began his...
, Arts and Crafts style architect - Francesco the Duke of Montalto, Italian, served in as a Captain of a Cavalry Regiment WW2, was Lt-Gen. Philip NeamePhilip NeameLieutenant General Sir Philip Neame VC, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
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PG12 near Florence. Later captured by British 8th Army and released in 1944. - Rageh OmaarRageh OmaarRageh Omaar , is a Somali born British journalist and writer. His latest book Only Half of Me deals with the tensions between these two sides of his identity. He used to be a BBC world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from Iraq...
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world affairs correspondent, now with Al JazeeraAl JazeeraAl Jazeera is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar through the Qatar Media Corporation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar... - Sir Thomas PatonThomas PatonSir Thomas Angus Lyall Paton CMG, FRS, BSc FASCE FIStructE MICE was a British civil engineer from Jersey. Paton was born into a family which had founded the civil engineering firms of Easton, Gibb & Son and Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners and would spend his entire professional career working for...
, civil engineer involved in building Kariba and Aswan dams. - Endicott PeabodyEndicott Peabody (educator)The Reverend Endicott Peabody was the American Episcopal priest who founded the Groton School for Boys , in Groton, Massachusetts in 1884. Peabody served as headmaster at the school from 1884 until 1940, and also served as a trustee at Lawrence Academy at Groton...
, founder of Groton School, Massachusetts - William PlenderleathWilliam PlenderleathWilliam Charles Plenderleath was an English Anglican clergyman, author and antiquarian, best remembered for his White Horses of the West of England .-Life:...
, clergyman and antiquary - General Sir Hugh Michael RoseHugh Michael RoseGeneral Sir Hugh Michael Rose KCB, CBE, DSO, QGM , often known as Mike Rose, is a retired British Army General. As well as commanding 22 Special Air Service Regiment, he was Commander UNPROFOR Bosnia in 1994 during the Yugoslav Wars.-Early life:The stepson of British author John Masters, Rose was...
, KCB CBECBECBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
QGM - Sir Charles ScottCharles Scott (ambassador)Sir Charles Stewart Scott was a British diplomat.Scott was educated at Cheltenham College. He started his career as attaché at Paris ; transferred to Dresden and Copenhagen ; promoted to be a 3rd secretary at Copenhagen ; transferred to Madrid and Berne ; promoted to be a 2nd secretary at Mexico...
, British ambassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Imperial Russia, 1898–1904; - James Stout, World Rackets Champion, 2008-present
- General Sir Charles WarrenCharles WarrenGeneral Sir Charles Warren, GCMG, KCB, FRS was an officer in the British Royal Engineers. He was one of the earliest European archaeologists of Biblical Holy Land, and particularly of Temple Mount...
(1840–1927), Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police at the time of the Whitechapel Murders - Patrick WhitePatrick WhitePatrick Victor Martindale White , an Australian author, is widely regarded as an important English-language novelist of the 20th century. From 1935 until his death, he published 12 novels, two short-story collections and eight plays.White's fiction employs humour, florid prose, shifting narrative...
, Nobel prizeNobel PrizeThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
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Abdullah, author and novelist - Dr. Ts'o Seen WanTs'o Seen WanTs'o Seen Wan, CBE, JP , was the son of Mr.Ts'o Wai Chuen, a well known merchant of that city who was the first Chinese in Macau decorated by the King of Portugal with the Insignia of "Commenda De Nossa Senhoro Da Conceicao"",who also received the Honorary title of the 2nd Degree with the Red...
, C.B.E., L.L.D., J.P. - Edward Adrian WilsonEdward Adrian WilsonEdward Adrian Wilson was a notable English polar explorer, physician, naturalist, painter and ornithologist.-Early life:...
, polar explorer, died with Robert Falcon ScottRobert Falcon ScottCaptain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition, 1910–13...
in 1912. A painting of Cheltenham by Wilson is in the Town Museum. A photograph of him is there too. - Mike LithgowMike LithgowMichael John "Mike" Lithgow, OBE was a British aviator and chief test pilot for Vickers Supermarine. He became the holder of the World Absolute Air Speed Record in 1953 flying a Supermarine Swift but died when the prototype BAC One-Eleven airliner crashed in 1963.- Second World War :Joined Fleet...
, OBE.(1920–1963) test pilotTest pilotA test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
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- See also :Category:Old Cheltonians
Victoria Crosses won by Old Cheltonians
Fourteen Victoria Crosses have been won by Old Cheltonians, with only Eton CollegeEton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
(37), Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
(19), Haileybury College (17), and Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
(15), having higher totals.(Although it should be taken into account that the Duke of York's Royal Military School does not publish lists of recipients of bravery awards in order not to diminish the service of those several thousand former pupils who have fought in battle and not received the VC, but only lesser awards for gallantry).
The list of names, with age and rank at the time of the deed which merited the award of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, is as follows:
- Bogle, Lieutenant Andrew Cathcart (28) Andrew Cathcart BogleAndrew Cathcart BogleAndrew Cathcart Bogle VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
. - Booth, Sergeant Frederick Charles (27) Frederick Charles BoothFrederick Charles BoothCaptain Frederick Charles Booth VC, DCM was a Rhodesian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
. - Boyes Midshipman Duncan Gordon (aged 17, the youngest). Duncan Gordon BoyesDuncan Gordon BoyesDuncan Gordon Boyes VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
. - Boyle, Lieut. Commander Edward Courtney (32) Edward Courtney BoyleEdward Courtney BoyleRear Admiral Edward Courtney Boyle VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
. - Channer, Captain George Nicolas (32) George Nicolas ChannerGeorge Nicolas ChannerGeneral George Nicolas Channer VC CB was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
. - Forbes-Robertson, Lieutenant Colonel James (34) James Forbes-RobertsonJames Forbes-RobertsonColonel James Forbes-Robertson VC, DSO & Bar, MC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Forbes-Robertson was born in 1884 and was educated at Cheltenham...
. - Grant, Lieutenant John Duncan (27) John Duncan GrantJohn Duncan GrantColonel John Duncan Grant VC CB DSO was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
. - Hart, Lieutenant Reginald Clare (31) Reginald Clare HartReginald Clare HartGeneral Sir Reginald Clare Hart, VC, GCB, KCVO , was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:Hart was born at Scarriff, County Clare and educated at...
. - Melvill, Lieutenant Teignmouth (37) Teignmouth MelvillTeignmouth MelvillTeignmouth Melvill VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
. - McDonell, Mr. William Fraser (28) William Fraser McDonellWilliam Fraser McDonellWilliam Fraser McDonell VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
. - Moor, Second Lieut. George Raymond Dallas (19) George Raymond Dallas MoorGeorge Raymond Dallas MoorGeorge Raymond Dallas Moor VC, MC & Bar was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
. - Neame, Lieutenant Philip (26) Philip NeamePhilip NeameLieutenant General Sir Philip Neame VC, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
. - Reynolds, Captain Douglas (32) Douglas ReynoldsDouglas ReynoldsDouglas Reynolds VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
. - Ryder, Commander Robert Edward Dudley (34) Robert Edward Dudley RyderRobert Edward Dudley RyderRobert Edward Dudley Ryder VC was a Royal Navy officer and a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
.
Display of Victoria Crosses
Seven of the College VCs are on public display: Bogle, Boyle, Melvill, Moor, Neame, Reynolds, Ryder. The other seven VCs are at locations unknown, presumed in private hands: Booth, Boyes, Channer, Forbes-Robertson, Grant, Hart, McDonell.The VC won by Midshipman Boyes was sold by the College in 1998 to raise scholarship funds. A replica of his VC is on permanent display in Cheltenham College library (Big Modern) with photographs of all 14 Victoria Cross winners and a world map showing where they were won. Below the Victoria Cross display a selection of other medals won by Old Cheltonians is displayed intermittently.
George Cross recipient
- Kempster, Major André GilbertAndré Gilbert KempsterAndré Gilbert Kempster GC was awarded the George Cross posthumously for an act of gallantry in Algeria during the Second World War described officially as follows:...
(né Coccioletti). Royal Armoured Corps; Algeria, 21 August 1943
Headmasters and Principals
The headmaster is Dr Alex Peterken.The full list of past principals and headmasters is contained in Cheltenham College Who's Who 5th edition, 2003, and is as follows:
Principals (1841–1919)
- Rev. Alfred Phillips, D.D. 1867-82
- Rev. Thomas Munday, D.D. 1859-67
- Rev. David Barker, D.D. 1845-59
- Rev. Henry HightonHenry HightonHenry Highton was an English schoolmaster and clergyman, Principal of Cheltenham College, known also as a scientific and theological writer.-Life:...
1859-62 - Rev. Alfred BarryAlfred BarryDr. Alfred Barry was the Third Bishop of Sydney, who over the course of his career served as headmaster of several independent schools, Principal of King's College London, and founded several prominent Anglican schools....
, D.D. 1862-68 - Rev. Thomas William Jex-BlakeThomas Jex-BlakeThe Very Rev Dr Thomas William Jex-Blake was an eminent Anglican clergyman and educationalist.He was born in 1832 the son of lawyer Thomas Jex-Blake and the brother of Sophia Jex-Blake and educated at Rugby and University College, Oxford. He began a career as a school master at Marlborough and was...
1868-74 - Rev. Herbert Kynaston, D.D. 1874-88
- Rev. Herbert Armitage JamesHerbert Armitage JamesHerbert Armitage James, C.H. was a Welsh cleric and headmaster of three leading public schools, who ended his "remarkable scholastic career", as it was later described by Austen Chamberlain, by becoming President of St John's College, Oxford...
, D.D. 1889-95 - Rev. Robert Stuart de Courcy Laffan 1895-99
- Rev. Reginald Waterfield, D.D. 1899-1919
Headmasters (1919 - present)
- Henry Harrison Hardy 1919-32
- Richard Victor Harley Roseveare 1932-37
- Arthur Goodhart Pite 1937-38
- John Bell 1938-40
- Alan Guy Elliott-Smith 1940-51
- Rev. Arthur Godolphin Guy Carleton Pentreath 1952-59
- David Ashcroft 1959-78
- Richard Martin Morgan 1978-90
- Peter David Vaughan Wilkes 1990-97
- Paul Arthur Chamberlain 1997-2004
- John Stephen Richardson 2004-2010
- Dr Alex Peterken 2010-
Headmasters of the Junior School
- Rev. Thomas Middlemore Middlemore-Whithard 1863-65
- Rev. Christopher Edward Lefroy Austin 1885-96
- Francis Joseph Cade OC 1896-1910
- Charles Thornton OC 1911-23
- Basil Allcot Bowers OC 1923-33
- William Donavan Johnston 1933-46
- Hugh Alan Clutton-Brock 1946-64
- William Philip Cathcart Davies 1964-86
- David John Allenby Cassell 1986-91
- Nigel Iain Archdale 1992-2008
- Adrian Morris 2008-2010
- Scott Bryan 2010
See also
- Cheltonian SocietyCheltonian SocietyAn Old Cheltonian is a former pupil of Cheltenham College, a public school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. There are many notable O.C.s, see the category "Old Cheltonians". The organization based at the College which coordinates O.C. activity is called the Cheltonian...
- College Ground, CheltenhamCollege Ground, CheltenhamThe College Ground is a cricket ground in the grounds of Cheltenham College, England. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club have played more than 300 first-class and more than 70 List A matches there; it also hosted a Women's One Day International between England and Australia in 2005.The College...
- List of Victoria Crosses by School
External links
- Cheltenham College website
- The Cheltonian Association Website The official website for Old Cheltonians
- Charles Dallenger Chenery was one of the first assistant masters at the school.
- Independent Schools Inspectorate Report on Cheltenham College
- Public schoolboys starting to show their class in the professional ranks
- OC profiles
- History of Cheltenham College