House History

Head of House: Mr Andy Royle
Colour: Red 
Mascot: Dragon 
Motto: Ymdrech a llwyddfa (Effort will succeed) 

A Brief History 

Son of Admiral of the Fleet, Sir George, Reginald (1841-1907) schooled at Victoria College in 1855 with his two brothers Euston and George Sartorius.  Aged 32 Reginald became a major in the Bengal Cavalry as part of the British Indian army. He would take part in the relief of Azinghur and operations in Cossyah and Bhotan. He was twice mentioned in dispatches.  On January 17th, during the First Ashanti Expedition (in present day Ghana) Major Sartorius removed, under heavy fire, a mortally wounded Houssa (local) non-commissioned officer and placed him undercover. For the action he was awarded the Victoria Cross. 

Euston (1844-1925) took part in the Afghan warn, was also mentioned in dispatches and rose to the rank of major General.  He won a medal from the Royal Humane society for saving three girls from drowning in Kent in 1869.  On October 24th, he led an attack on a strategic hill in Afghanistan. Despite injuries his party took the position.  For this action he too was awarded the Victoria Cross.  This made the family only one of four to have this award made to brothers. 

George (1840-1912) also served in the army in Afghanistan, Egypt and Burma.  He was a Pasha (high ranking official) in the Turkish Army and a Colonel in the British army. He has a claim for fame for having shot the biggest bison recorded. 

Our House bears the name of the three sons of Admiral Sir George Sartorius, GCB. Reginald William, Euston Henry and George Conrad, all OVs, had distinguished careers in the army.  Their bravery was frequently mentioned in dispatches.  Reginald was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the Ashanti Expedition and Euston was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the Second Afghan War. The Sartorius brothers are noted for being one of only five pairs of brothers to have won the Victoria Cross. 

We have a strong tradition of excellence in all areas, especially sport. We have won the College's Blomfield Trophy (awarded for the best sporting house) 7 times in the last 8 years.  Our artists, thespians and musicians have combined their talents and led the House to victory in the Landick Cup (awarded for Drama, Art and Music) in 2010 and 2011, as well as 2nd place in 2012. 

Sartorius House has supported the charity Sightsavers for the last 26 years.   Each year all our students help raise money with a charity meal and raffle as well as a sponsored event. This usually involves volunteering to do work which helps protect the local Jersey environment at the same time as raising money.  

Head of House: Miss Maria Innes
Colour: Yellow 
Mascot: Lion 
Motto: Vae Victis (woe to the vanquished) 

A Brief History 

Julian, Kenneth, Frederick, Alan, Walter, Valentine, Robin and Charles 

Dunlop House acquired its name from a family who tragically lost five sons whilst they were serving in various branches of the military. All of them were Old Victorians between 1883 and 1893, the Dunlop brothers are one of the school’s largest contemporary families.  When the College changed its house system in the 1920s, one was named Dunlop in recognition of their bravery and ultimate sacrifice.  

Charles (1873-1900) the eldest, studied medicine in London after leaving and would later join the Government railways in West Africa. He died of a fever in Lagos. 

Frederick (1874-1914) left in 1896 to join the Jersey Militia and thereafter The Manchester regiment. After seeing service at Ladysmith in the second Boer War he became adjutant to the Malabar rifles. Three weeks after arriving in France he was killed in action in November 1914. 

Walter (1875-1955) entered the Merchant service and served in the Boer War. He then spent time in mining before joining the East Surry regiment as a Captain and receiving wounds in the Great War. 

Julian (1876-1914) was aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Burma from 1899-1903. He joined the South Staffordshire regiment with his brother and was sent to France. He died during an attack on a German gunpoint in 1914. 

Valentine (1879-1900) moved to South Africa and joined the Natal mounted police after leaving College.   He died of Enteric fever during the Siege of Ladysmith in 1900. 

Alan (1880-1946) entered the Cape Civil service and as well as serving as Magistrate in the Transvaal, served as a Lieutenant in the First World War – which he survived. 

Robin (1881-1912) left College in 1898. After the Jersey militia je joined the British army and later the Indian army in 1905. He died whilst holding the position of a Captain in the 27th Light Cavalry in India. 

Kenneth (1882-1915) initially travelled to South America, managing a copper mine in Belivia. He travelled from Chile to enrol at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914. He became a machine gun officer in the South Staffordshires. At the Battle of Loos in 1915, aged 33, he was killed in action. 

Today, Dunlop House and all its members are still in contact, and regularly communicate with the present Dunlop family who now live in South Africa. 
 
Today, the ethos of the House is 'get involved, try your best and enjoy the experience.' With this attitude and commitment we famously won the College's Blomfield Trophy, awarded for the best sporting house, in 2008 after a wait of 28 years! 
 
Modern day 'Dunlopians' can take part in a whole range of house based activities including sport, drama, art and music. All boys are encouraged to participate in a range of events, regardless of their ability. If not competing, we consistently enjoy healthy support from the 'side lines'. In addition, the house is committed to raising funds for our chosen charity through events including a house meal and various community activities every year.  The House's mascot is the yellow Dunlop lion, reflecting our tenacious spirit! 

Head of House: Mrs Stephanie Kellett
Colour: Purple 
Mascot: Shark 
Motto: Stamos Unito (United We Stand) 

A Brief History 

Allistair Malcolm Cluny McReady-Diarmid (1888-1917) 

Born Arthur Malcolm McReady-Drew he was the third of four sons to a Jersey born mother. 

He entered Victoria College in 1904. As ‘Drew’ he played in the Cricket XI and is named as such on the relevant shield. Although not necessarily “a student by inclination” he had an abiding love of the natural world. 

After leaving College he went to Barnet and Ealing. Although his parents wished him to go to Cambridge and take Holy orders he wished to go abroad.  The advent of the First World War changed all these plans. 

He received a commission in the 17th Middlesex Regiment and would thereafter spend the rest of his war (save 4 months hospitalized in 1915) at the front. 

During his convalescence he married and would have a daughter. He men found him cheery and charming and although it was brief, he was able to meet his brother for a few minutes as they found themselves stationed near each other. 

On the 30 November 1917, Diarmid led an assault through heavy barrage and eventually gained at least 300 years of enemy territory. His grenade throwing was remarked upon favourably. On 1 December he was killed by a bomb. 

He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.  The College has his sword on display and his name is on a chair in the Great Hall. 

Head of House: Miss Holly Shrimpton 
Colour: Blue 
Mascot: Goose 
Motto: Nec Pluribus Impar (not unequal to most) 

A Brief History 

Bruce House is named after Lieutenant William Arthur McCrae Bruce (1890-1914) 

William was born in Edinburgh on 15 June 1890, the son of Colonel Arthur McCrea Bruce. After the family moved to Jersey (Pontac), he joined Victoria College aged 14 in 1904. 

Whilst at school Bruce was a member of the First XI Cricket team. He obviously decided to memorialise his time here as he carved his named on his school table (currently in the corridor of the main building)! 

He entered Sandhurst as a King’s India Cadet and passing out in 1909 was attached for a year to the Northumberland Fusiliers and subsequently posted to the 59th Scinde Rifles. 

He was at home on leave when the war began and played for the OV’s against College in July. He sailed at once for India to rejoin his regiment but was ordered to await its arrival at Cairo. 

With  it he landed in France with the first part of the Indian Expeditionary Force in September 1914, and was killed on 19 December 1914. 

He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. The award was given for his courage under fire. Although wounded, he led a small raiding party to capture an enemy trench and continued to defend the trench and encourage his ment for several hours until he was fatally shot. 

The College now own his Victoria Cross, and he has a dedicated chair in the Great Hall. 

 Bruce supports a number of charities, such as Jersey Hospice Care and Cancer Research UK.  The House holds an annual sponsored 'Run for Helen' and a Christmas meal, with an exciting raffle, as well as a number of other fundraisers along the way. 
 
Bruce House's motto is 'Nec Pluribus Impar' which means 'not unequal to most' or 'a match for anyone' and it is the Bruce House spirit is what makes this House so unique and successful. 

Head of House: Mr Tom Smith  
Colour: Green 
Mascot: Crocodile 
Motto: Concilio et Labore (Wisdom and Effort)

A Brief History 

Braithwaite house is named after OV General Sir Walter Pipon Braithwaite, GCB (11.11.1865 - 07.09.1945). Walter was the fifth of the Braithwaite brothers to be educated at Victoria College between 1875 and 1881 before attending Bedford School to 1884. He then went on to study at the Royal Military Academy, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry in 1886. 

Braithwaite served in the Boer War, seeing action at Ladysmith, Spion Kop, Vaal Krantz and Tugela Heights and was mentioned in dispatches three times. Between the end of the Boer War and the outbreak of WWI, Braithwaite held various positions within the military eventually being promoted to colonel and working in the War Office. After the outbreak of war in 1915, he was appointed Chief of Staff for the Mediterranean Expedition. He was later assigned to the 62nd Division, which was posted to France in January 1917 where he experienced considerable success. Although the division struggled to make headway during the Battle of Arras, it proved a solid and reliable unit during the German Spring Offensive the following year. Following success in repelling German advances at Bullecourt and Cambrai, he was given command of IX Corps and later XII Corps. 

After WW1 Braithwaite continued to hold senior military positions and was promoted to General Officer in India in 1920, Scotland in 1923 and Eastern Command in 1926. He achieved the rank of Adjutant-General to the British Forces in 1927 and in the same year, he served as a commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission until his retirement in 1931. In 1928 Braithwaite was put in charge of organising the funeral of Douglas Haig. After retirement, he became Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a position he held until 1938. 

Braithwaite was awarded the honor of King of Arms of the Order of the Bath in 1933. The Order of the Bath is the fourth-most senior of the British Orders of Chivalry and is awarded to senior military officers with highly distinguished careers. 

General Sir Walter Pipon Braithwaite died on 7 September 1945.