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Stirling - A triple towered castle on a mound, surrounded by four oak trees, and six-rayed stars. The whole is surrounded by the inscription: "Continet hoc in se Nemus et Castrum Strivelinse".
(From The Victorian, July 1927.)
THE EARLY SCHOOL GARDENERS
Before and during World War I there were two gardeners responsible for the School grounds, and for preparing and marking the grounds for all games and parades.
Both were Irish, Bill Dougan stood over 6 ft, whereas Pat Monaghan, his assistant, was dwarfed by Bill and seemed about half his height. They were real characters. Bill Dougan was a very cheery person who had clearly kissed the Blarney Stone. He always did the talking for the team when business was discussed and on any other occasion he could find an excuse, whereas Pat never uttered a word unless it was to agree with Bill. The impression left on my mind was one of Bill talking and Pat working hard, of course Bill did lend a hand from time to time, but nevertheless it was an efficient combination.
They were responsible for most of the trees and
shrubs in the School grounds. When I left in 1920 most of these shrubs and trees were between 6 ft and 9 ft in height, but on my first visit since 1930 on Grand Day 1978 I was surprised to see these trees and shrubs had trebled in height in many cases and the view on the approach up the main drive had entirely changed.
Bill and Pat had a small wooden hut covered with felting, sited on the left of the old bridge over the burn, before one entered the playing fields. There was a vegetable garden behind the hut and inside there was a stove for brewing tea and cooking, and it was always snug and warm inside. Bill and Pat slept on bunks in a small room behind.
(From one of several articles written by
Colonel J, D. Palmer (No. 364)
who was at the School 1913 1920.)
OUR NEW FLAG POLE
During last winter it was an ever-recurring worry to find that the Union Jack on the flag pole in the roof of the main building was jammed and refused to come down.
It was a dangerous job for one of the engineers to get it down.
Moreover the day Watchmen, whose duty it was to hoist and lower the flag in the morning and evening, were finding that with increasing years and increasing rotundity it was no easy job for them to get through the trap-door on to the roof.
The pole itself was showing signs of wear, and eventually was condemned by the DORE, and he gave us a new one, which was placed in the ground in front of the main door.
On Sunday 18th March, immediately after the service in the School Chapel, there was a short and impressive |
ceremony when Lady Thomson, the wife of Major General Sir William Thomson, KCMG, CB, MC. hoisted the Union Jack on the new pole.
After a short prayer of Dedication by the Rev. J. Hutchison Cockburn, BD, and as soon as the flag was hoisted, the School saluted, and the Band played the National Anthem.
In token of her grateful act. Lady Thomson was presented with a bound and inscribed copy of the School Descriptive Book.
Since then the duty of raising and lowering the flag has been carried out by one of the Colour Corporals.
(From The Victorian, March 1923.)
A 'VICTORIAN' CHRONICLE
Items of interest in the history of the School,
taken from past issues of 'The Victorian'
1923 - "Our pipers were engaged by the Scottish Football Union to play at Inverleith at both of the Rugby international matches Scotland v. France and Scotland v. England. At the latter match HRH The Duke of York was present. During the interval HRH inspected the band and honoured Pipe-Major Taylor, Drum-Major Hetherington, Boy Drum Major E. Collins, and Boy Pipe Major J. Cosgrove with a handshake."
(Boy Pipe Major J. Cosgrove is now Major J. Cosgrove, RAEC, Admin. Officer of Queen Victoria School.)
1923 - "The Commandant started a rugby side last autumn, and although only a limited number of boys played there was considerable enthusiasm amongst those who did so. Captain Usher, Gordon Highlanders, the ex captain of the Scottish International XV, gave us a good start by showing the boys the principle of the game, and of the difference between it and Association football."
(During the 1957-58 season the School regularly turned out six XVs.)
1923 - "Cricket - Staff XI v. Boys - Staff XI 139
runs; Boys' XI 73 runs."
(The present Editor of The Victorian, on looking
through past issues of The Victorian, has not been able to find any occasion on which the Boys beat the Staff at cricket! There is always a first time, however, and in 1958, as a Jubilee celebration, the Boys may beat the Staff!)
1925 - "We regret to announce the death on the 3rd of April, 1925, of R. Addison Smith, Esq., CVO, of Edinburgh."
(Mr Addison Smith was practically the originator of the scheme for founding the Queen Victoria School as a
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