1st – 3rdMarch
Arrival of the School parties from Calcutta.

The attendance at the reopening of School was very satisfactory. Our numbers are up by 17 and four or five more new boys are expected to join in the course of the next month. We were able to start work unexpectedly early with a complete staff.

The School welcomed the arrival of
Mr T.E. Graham – English Master (temp vice Mr T.W. Clark).
Mr J.A. Purves-Lochner – Middle School Master (vice Mr Baillie, on leave).

R. Smart has been appointed Head Boy.

The other prefects are

G. Watson,

J. Baygford,

N. St. Romaine,

Sub-editors: O. Dodsworth; R. Moulding.

Photographic Club – President – Rev G.B. Elliott.

Secretary – R.K. Stuart.

Mr Hessing has taken an extension of leave for three months on medical grounds. I continue to officiate as Headmaster.

9/4/1940
Arrangements have been made for Purves-Lochner to take up the Mathematics post while I officiate as Headmaster (or until further notice) and for Mrs Hill (wife of the Steward) to take Mr (s?) Lochner’s place.

14/4/1940
The Annual cricket match with the Planters was played today. The Planters won.

18/4/1940
The Adjutant inspected the cadet Corps. He was very pleased with the efficiency of the Corps.

21/4/1940
Cricket Match against Goethals won by us.

24/4/1940
A drawn match with St Paul's on their grounds.

29/4/1940
The 39th Annual Meeting of the Governing Body of the two Schools was held at Victoria. Mr Bottomley, the D.P.I., was in the Chair.

The two main points for discussion were:
a) The transfer of Class 1 to Dow Hill School.
b) The introduction of prevocational courses in the Senior Forms at Victoria. 6 – 9

The Scouts attended the All Bengal Jackson Shield Competition at Darjeeling.

14/5/1940
St Paul’s School played us a return match in cricket on our grounds. They won by a narrow margin after an exciting finish.

22 – 24
Dr Thomas came to stay at the headmaster’s House. He inspected the School and Office on the 22nd and 23rd and again on the 27th.

25/5/1940
Empire Day. The Scouts attended a rally at the station.

Mr C.A. Price left today on military service. (He goes to Secunderabad).

27/5/1940
Mr J. Heywood (Games Master) left today on military service.

29/4/1940
Confirmation Service at the Anglican Church conducted by the Metropolitan.

31/4/1940
I leave today on military service and hand over charge of the School to Mr T.D. Nugent.

Signed.
E.V. Staynor
Headmaster (offg).

I took over charge of the School today at 4.00 pm.

Signed.
T.D. Nugent.

3/6/1940
The first term examinations began today.

6/6/1940
The inter-House cricket tournament concluded today with Kellas in the lead.

10/6/1940
The football season was inaugurated today with the formation of four sets of boys, from each of which two teams are formed. Each set contains extra players and boys whose progress should later secure them a place in the teams.

13/6/1940
The Kings Birthday. A holiday was granted.

Mr Morrison arrived to take up the post of Geography master vice Mr price called to military service.

22/6/1940
Dow Hill held a “Fun Fair” to raise funds for the East India War Fund. The “Fair” was a great success and a substantial sum was realised.

28/6/1940
The 1st and 2nd elevens played Goethals School on their ground. The 1st drew their match. The 2nd's were defeated

3/7/1940
There was a meeting of the photographic club. This School activity is conducted by the Rev. G.B. Elliott.

6/7/1940
The 1st XI football team played a match against a Kurseong eleven at Constantia. The result was 2 – 1 against.

13/7/1940
Our 1st XI visited St Paul’s, Darjeeling for a match. We were defeated 2 – 1.

24/7/1940
The senior boys attended a dance at Dow Hill from 7 to 9-15 pm.

27/7/1940
Mr Brian Hocking arrived to take over the post (temporary) of Science Master.

3/8/1940
A cyclone of unusual violence burst over the district. All out-door games were suspended.

5/8/1940
Kellas won the football House tournament.

6/8/1940
The hockey season opened in very bad weather.

10/8/1940
The Grand Fete held in the School in aid of the East India War Fund was a great success. The fete realised Rs 1,620/.. Mrs Scott, wife of the S.D.O., Kurseong , opened the fete.

14/8/1940
The School cadets held a shooting practice on the miniature range.

16/8/1940
A trial hockey match took place at Goethals School to select a combined School team to play against the rest of Kurseong, the combined Schools tea will meet the rest on Victoria hockey ground on the (?)

17/8/1940
A number of Victoria masters and boys went to Darjeeling to play in a selection match for Europeans versus Indians.

19/8/1940
The combined European School played the “Rest” in a selection match for the coming Kurseong versus Darjeeling match.

22/8/1940
The Staff Sergeant Instructor held a parade of the School cadets.

31/8/1940
The Scouts went to “Kurbia” (?) for the weekend.

3/9/1940
Training for the sports started vigoursly this morning.

8/9/1940
The Kurseong – Darjeeling hockey match in aid of the east India war Fund resulted in a win 4 – 1 for Darjeeling.

9/9/1940
The second term School examinations began.

14/9/1940
The final of the Hessing Shield was played on Victoria ground between St Alphonsus’ and Victoria servants team. The former won a closely contested game.

16/9/1940
The 40th General Meeting of Victoria and Dow Hill Schools was held at Dow Hill.

Our 1st Eleven won their first game in the Pliva Shield Tournament, defeating St Joseph’s ‘B’ team 2 – 1.

21/9/1940
The School eleven were defeated by the District in the second round of the Pliva Shield Tournament.

22/9/1940
Mr Hessing (Headmaster) returned from long leave.

23/9/1940
Handed over charge to Mr Hessing.

Signed
T.D. Nugent.

23/9/1940
I, Edward Charles Garnett Ian Hessing took over from Mr T.D. Nugent, charge of the office of Headmaster, Victoria School, Kurseong.

Mr Hocking relinquished his post of Science (offg) and Mr Nugent returned to that duty.
In anticipation of Government Orders, I have allowed Mr Hocking to continue to occupy a vacant post in the School, and have suggested to the Inspector of European Schools, Bengal, that Mr C.A. Bloud be put on ? as English master (vice Mr Graham resigned) and that Mr Hocking should occupy Mr Bloud’s post in the Middle School

24/9/1940
Mr Vincent visited me in connection with the scheme for compound lighting. We experiment with flood lighting.

26/9/1940
Staff meeting in the afternoon. Arrangements for Sports Day (Oct 18) were discussed. Lewis is the newly appointed Games master – wired that he expected to leave for Kurseong on the 5th of next month.

Mr Manhurst (?) visited the region and discussed supplementing lighting in certain classrooms.

There are 155 boarders in School.

29/9/1940
Usual morning and evening services in the Anglican Chapel. The roof is now going onto the R.C. Chapel which was begun earlier in the year. The P.W.D. has given me to understand that the work will be completed by March, next year.

30/9/1940
Staff meeting this afternoon. Agenda – Prospects of the candidates entered for the Cambridge examinations. This evening I have seen boys of the School Certificate Class and made suggestions to them of work during the Pujah Holidays.

2/10/1940
Heats for the School Sports. Xxx Day.

3/10/1940
Paid the servants this morning.

Meeting with Mrs Nugent and Mrs Prins in the afternoon to determine the arrangements for Sports Day xxx. Two difficulties have presented themselves each year: 1. Large numbers of “gate crashers”. 2. Inadequate supply of chairs.

I am in some difficulty about keys.When I left Kurseong in 1938, I handed to Mr Staynor a large bunch of keys among which were those of the 2 safes: Office Almirah keys, school office keys, Library keys, log book keys and a number of others. When I took over charge the only keys handed to me by Mr Nugent were: 1. The two Government safe keys, 2. One private safe key, 3. One log book key. Mt Nugent declares that the only keys received by him from Mr Staynor were these keys. The missing keys include the duplicate key of the Private safe together with its two more keys, and the key of the Treasury bag.

I wrote to Mr Staynor who replied that he did hand all the keys to Mr Nugent. Mr Nugent has denied this. I dare not risk the private safe while the duplicate key in unaccountable for. The lock on the Treasury bag has had to be changed.

4/10/1940
Classes ended at 1.10 today. The whole School then went to Dow Hill Sports. Night study as ususal.

5/10/1940
First day after the Pujah holidays, which this year will end a day earlier viz on Sunday Oct 13th.

In the evening the Upper School went to the cinema in Kurseong and the lower School attended a lantern talk in my rooms.

6/10/1940
Usual Sunday service. Many boys are spending the Pujah Holidays with their parents away from School.

7/10/1940
Large party of boys went to Castleton Tank for a swim.

We learnt today that Major H. Barnes, son of the former Headmaster of Victoria had been killed on the N.W. Frontier of India. This is the second death among our Old Boys of which we have received news in the past fortnight. Frederick Berry, D.F.M., R.A.F., lost his life in the defence of Britain.

A large number of our boys are serving with His Majesty’s Forces and two of them have so far obtained decorations:

A. de Gruythur, Squadron Leader. R.A.F., Distinguished Flying Cross.
F. Berry, Sergeant, R.A.F. Distinguished Flying Medal.

I was informed recently that Hirma (?) Roy who left us in 1936 has found a place in the I.C.S. He is the Schools first successful entry into this service.

9/10/1940
Lower School Picnic. This party was marred by an accident to T. Barker who fell and fractured his forearm (some breakage at least seems to be inevitable in the Pujah Holidays).

10/10/1940
Upper School attended Goethals School Sports in the afternoon.

11/10/1940
The whole School was out today at various picnics, walks, swims. A party of Scouts under Mr Prins and with Father Prior, left for a 2 day camp.

I would like here to pay a tribute to the influence for good of Father Prior. For years in the Pujah Holidays he has visited the School and remained for a month at a time.

12/10/1940
Cinema in the evening for the whole School. The Scouts returned from camp.

13/10/1940
End of the Pujah Holidays. During the last two days I’ve had the Dining Hall and Big (?) School xxx. With the approach of Sports Day, this was urgently necessary.

14/10/1940
Classwork resumed after the holidays.

15/10/1940
I asked Mr Hill on my return from leave, to inform me of the number of Minimax Fire Extinguishers that were empty. He has now reported that out of a total of 20, 5 are empty. The P.W.D. overseer declares that earlier in the year all fire extinguishers were full ( I am unable after enquiries to confirm or deny this, but the evidence obtained from opening some of the empty ones suggests that they have been empty longer than a few months.
I have no means of discovering how these extinguishers were emptied – I can only record that they were empty when I took over charge.

I have also to record that at last count 300 (?) window panes are broken and need replacement.

18/10/1940
Sports Day – Fine successful day. Some three hundred visitors were entertained during the afternoon.

19/10/1940
I granted a half holiday, asked by J. Student (?) Esq who presided over Sports Day.

20/10/1940
Classes were resumed after the interruption of Sports day.

I have discussed during the last fortnight the possible results of the December Examination of the 12 Senior candidates entered., 5 only seem to have a reasonable chance of passing of the Juniors candidates entered, only 6 appear likely to pass. I intend therefore to revise the lists of entries in the light of present knowledge and possible improvements in the chance of candidates before November 1st. Last years results must not be repeated.

Those results have xxx been recorded in this book. Here they are –
School Certificate 8 entries – 4 passes.
Juniors – 19 entries – 4 passes.

There has been no Games Master in the School since Mr Heywood left for military service last May. Mr Lochner has been in charge of Games and has performed his duties well – but there has been no one who could undertake Physical Instruction. The Instructor appointed to succeed Mr Heywood has not joined and this fact has been reported to the Inspector.

24/10/1940
Work has continued during these few days more effectively than at any time earlier. Games too (the House Hockey Matches) have been played with more zest.

Last evening Father Prior lectured on East Bengal. The lecture was given with the aid of the epidiascope. I have arranged a number of such lectures, one a week for the next month or so. This is the programme.

1. Old Calcutta - Mr Prins – Oct 29
2. English Cathedrals - Mr Hessing – Nov 6th
3. Trekking in the Himalayas – Mr Bloud -

26/10/1940
Gymkhana for the Upper School in the evening.

28/10/1940
I received definite information on Saturday that Squadron Leader Albert de Gruyther D.F.C., an old boy of Victoria, has been killed in action. A Roll of Honour is being prepared for the School Hall, and this will contain for the present,

[Sqd/Ldr. de Gruyther., RAF., I am please to announce, was not KIA. He survived the war winning a DSO. He passed away early this year in the UK. Editor]

 

See an account of his funeral. [Editor]

 

Flight Sergeant F. Berry D.F.M. [Shot down over the Channel in 1940. KIA. Editor]
Major H. Byrnes C.I.E.
Squadron Leader A. de Gruyther. D.F.C.

29/10/1940
Standing Committee Meeting in Kurseong postponed until Nov 12. no minutes were (?) present.

I paid the servants this afternoon. The School officially out of quarantine today.

2/11/1940
The Hospital Nurses conducted an examination of boys to discern if there was any skin disease in the School.

House meetings were held after morning class and in the evening the boys gave a dance to Dow Hill School – this being the first contact since quarantine began in July.

I have had prepared xxx in the Hall a list of Old Boys serving H.M’s Forces. The list contains 54 names, most of them Old Boys since 1928. [Not found, so far. Editor]. Hocking left today.

4/11/1940
Examinations for certain boys in the School Certificate and Junior Classes, xxx have been entered for the December examination but who in the opinion of the staff are still doubtful in their ability to pass. Four Seniors and 9 Juniors are xxx examined.

6/11/1940
Examinations ended today.

I have experienced great difficulty this week in making provision for classes whose periods would normally be taken by Mr Hocking who left in October (?), and the Games Master. In effect there are 3 vacancies on the Staff – Middle School Teacher, Preparatory School Mistress and Physical Instructor, unless I place intolerable burdens on the staff, adequate supervision of classes is impossible. Particularly at the end of term it is necessary to keep classes fully occupied – and this at present, I cannot do.

11/11/1940
Two minutes Silence was observed today. Sale of poppies in the School realized over 30/-/-

12/11/1940
I attended a Standing Committee Meeting in Kurseong. Other than the Heads of 2 Schools, only Mr Cork (?) was present.

A Staff Meeting decided that 6 boys – 2 Senior Candidates and 4 Junior – should not sit for the December Examinations. I have reported this to the Inspector.

13/11/1940
I lectured this evening to the Middle and Upper School. Subject “Cathedrals of England”.

15/11/1940
I have been exceptionally busy lately checking the clothes of boys who sleep in C & D Dormitories. These dorms have no matrons & for some reason I have never been able to convince the Department that 3 dormitories require 3 matrons. For many years some 80 boys have been required to look after their own clothes and for a similar period time. There have been complaints of losses from parents. Each year I’ve checked kits and recovered some of the worst losses but the whole business is most unsatisfactory.

The problem of my keys has not been solved. It will now be necessary to report to the Inspector that I am unable to use the private safe.

Speech Day will be unusually late this year. At the beginning of October, I wrote to the Hon. Mr A.V. Fazul Haque (?) and asked him to preside. He replied that he would if he was fit enough later. Ultimately at the beginning of this month, he wrote to say that he would be unable to come. I have since written to the Vice-Chancellor who has not yet replied.

On October the 9th I recorded in this book that T. Baker had fractured his arm as a result of a fall. The arm was straightened and the bone set by Dr Roy who later allowed the boy to attend School. The arm being encased in plaster of Paris. On Tuesday last, the plaster was removed and on Friday, Dr Roy wrote that a perfect union has not been made. He asked me to obtain from the father permission to administer chloroform and reset the bone. Meanwhile the boy had written home and told his father that “something was wrong”. Before he had received a copy of Dr Roy’s letter, Mr Baker wrote a letter which is filed in the Office, to the effect that he held the School authorities responsible for any malfunction of Tom Bakers arm. I had scarcely aquainted (?) the Doctor with the contents of this letter when I received a message from the hospital to the effect that T. Baker had again been admitted to the School Hospital. He had fallen again and fractured the same arm! An exchange of telegrams has resulted in the departure today of the boy to the Eden Sanatorium. His father will arrive tomorrow. All the relevant correspondence can be found in the office.

The School went down to an Entertainment in Kurseong given by the District Scout Troops in aid of War Funds.

16/11/1940
I have been unable to find recently the academic records that I left here when I went on leave. The proximity of the Final Examinations gave me occasion to look for them – but in vain. I began these records on a card index system in 1931 & they have been maintained each year until I left for leave in 1938. They were then in 2 long filing boxes (?) in the lower cupboard of my School Office. The cards contained complete reords of the scholastic careers of boys who have been pupils since 1931. There is perhaps xxx that they will turn up – although I have asked in vain those people most likely to know.

Usual services were held in the Chapels today. In the Anglican Chapel a special carol service replaced ordinary evensong.

19/11/1940
The Adjutant N.B.M.R. visited the School today. He inspected the cadet Corps and seemed (?) pleased with the parade. Then with the Baker Shield team, he went to the School Range for the competition shoot. Victoria scored 417 points and thus won the Bakar Shield. (It was lost last year to St Joseph’s, Darjeeling). Other competing teams were, St Paul's, St Joseph’s and Kalimpong. The competition this year was probably keener than in former years when we have held the shield with scarcely any threat to our supremacy. This year the team has consisted of 8 cadets who fired the following course:

1. five rounds at 100 yards
2. Five rounds snap shooting at 100 yards
3. Five rounds xxx at 200 yards

This was an easier shoot than those held formerly.

It should be noted that Victoria won this shield with a team composed only of boy cadets. The other competing teams each included an instructor.

It should here be recorded that the School has its own range situated on the range at the back of the School. I’m not xxx certain if (of?) original ownership. Since I have been here, I’ve maintained it in good condition with the assistance of the School mali and the armourer, and have come to regard it as School property.

21/11/1940
The School Final Examination began today. They will end on Wednesday the 27th inst:
I have gone very carefully since my return into the food question. The Inspector of European Schools has made certain references in his report to this, and he asked me to investigate and submit a report. I have found that:

1. That the quality of the food supplied is good – and with occasional exceptions well cooked.
2. That quantity has fallen with the rise in prices, but is not insufficient. It just lacks that addition which makes a boy happy.
3. That there is a general lack of supervision of at least 3 of the meals. Since I have returned, I have undertaken this supervision myself, but it is not my job, and I can well understand that when no one did it the boys suffered. I make this statement with reluctance because I know that the Lady Housekeepers task is made no easier by the mass (?) of ills and ailments with which she is expected to deal. The fact however remains: more supervision in the Dining Hall is necessary.

23/11/1940
The Art room was opened to visitors today at 4 o’clock. In the evening, Mr Bloud lectured on “Treks in Sikkim”.

25/11/1940
Usual services in the School Chapels. Rev. Father Simmons and Curtiss (?) discussed with me the Time Taken and General arrangements for the Cambridge Examination. Father Simmons (?) will be the presiding examiner this year.

26/11/1940
Staff Meeting this morning. Subjects discussed were:

1. Work for Cambridge Examination Classes until the Examinations begins.
2. Speech Day. Friday (?) this year.
3. End of Term Party – Dinner, Concert, Xmas tree, Bonfire.

The parties will leave on the 1st and 2nd December as usual: and the Examination boys on the 12th.

27/11/1940
Meeting at Dow Hill of the Heads of the Schools and the Housekeepers to decide Boarding Tenders for next year. The meeting lasted 2 ½ hours and decided only prices.

28/11/1940
Eight boys left for the vacation today. In the afternoon there was a rehearsal of seating arrangements for Speech Day tomorrow.

The first performance of the Nativity Play was given in the Anglican Chapel this evening.

29/11/1940
Speech Day. Mr & Mrs A.B. Scott presided. The Hall was full in spite of the lateness of the function.

In the evening, the Nativity Play was given in the School Chapel, with perhaps the largest number of visitors we have ever had at this Play.

30/11/1940
A farewell party in the evening, in which Staff and Boys joined. This party consisted of a dinner together, followed by a short goblin play presented by Class IV, a Xmas tree for Classes I & II, a farewell presentation to Mrs Taylor and Mr Singh and a bonfire.

1/12/1940
Usual services in the Chapels.

The first party of boys – 52 in number left in charge of Mr Bloud and Mr Morrison.

2/12/1940
The second party – 80 in number – left in charge of Mr Lochner and Mr Doyle.

The Cambridge Examination began today. The Rev. Father Simmons (?) S.J. is presiding.

4/12/1940
The Examinations have continued since Monday. They will end on Dec 12th. I have assisted Father Simmons in the proper conduct of the Examinations.

The Engineer and Staff of the Electrical P.W.D. called on me today in connection with the installation of new lighting points and the flood lighting of the compound. This work will be completed during the vacation – at least I am given to understand that it will be.

These last few days have been I think the busiest I can remember.

Mr Bloud reported today the safe arrival of the 1st Party at Calcutta. The boys behaved well. I have heard nothing from the 2nd Party since it left.

10/12/1940
The Examinations continues. This is the list of boys taking the Examination.

Seniors (All these passed)

Smart R.
Bayford J.
St. Romaine N.
Watson G.
Dodsworth D.
Bowen S.
Moddie (?) K.
Shipman E.
O’Rourke W.
Marshall K.
Pilcher O.

Juniors (50 percent of the Juniors passed)

Callers G. (?) (P)
Cannon G. (P)
Smith N. (F)
Wise L. (F)
Lochner R. (P)
Granger G. (P)
Haslam J. (F)
Moulding A. (F)
Barraclough R. (F)
De Nuss (?) K. (P)

Total of 21 boys.

12/12/1940
The Examination ended this afternoon and the Cambridge Party left under the care of Mr Prins. There has been in the last 2 days considerable trouble with the Railway Authorities who yesterday stated that they could not take our boys down on the 12th. Today after many threats I managed to secure inter-class accommodation for the Party.

The Cambridge Party left this evening.