The Royal Hospital School & Rebel Kids
Where I live in Helsinki Finland,there is a secondary school right across the road from our house.No big deal you may say,but with youth finding and setting their own limits tends to make the surrounding area a little vivid at times.The students or school kids are not able to smoke cigarettes on the grounds of school so they walk across the road and end up smoking under our bedroom window.Not bad in itself as I am up in the days.Not the same for my wife who is a night nurse and needs to sleep through these hours.We constantly strive to move these kids on,as they use bad language,drop sweet wrappers and generally cause a nuisance.It got me to thinking of my school days and that a little more discipline is required for these and all youngsters attending schools.Who is in control the masters or the dog
The Royal Hospital School,Holbrook set a firm foundation
- RHS clock tower
I was sent to The Royal Hospital School in 1975 as the son of a Royal Navy seaman.I remember my first impressions when turning up laden with suitcases,of the place being huge but then every thing looked bigger than they do today.We as new pupils were given one week to settle down and learn the ropes before the older boys returned to the school from there summer vacations.We were issued two uniforms;a traditional seamen’s navy suit and a daily outfit of clothes in a drab grey hue.At the time it felt as though your whole life had suddenly been turned upside down.One had no parents to make recourse to if unsettled.You just had to grin and put up with it.
Royal Hospital School Daily Life
The school daily routine consisted of being woke at 0600,make your bed,take a communal shower and then clean the house.Such cleaning as polishing the brass,wiping the floors,clearing the outside area of the house in which we lived.Then and only then after this had been completed and passed inspection could we think of going for breakfast.Mustering in the courtyard we were inspected for our appearance and then marched up to the dining hall for food.We all marched along,no talking aloud following in the wake of the leading step man.Typically you would be balled at if you were to march out of step and given hours of rehearsal after school which was your only real free-time.
School lessons commenced at 0800 and finished at 1700 with a short hours break for lunch.Then it was back to your house and enjoy some free time,if you were not on punishment.Evening dinner was at 1800 and after,it was back to school to do your homework.This lasted 2 hours under the supervision of a school master.He was the only one that was allowed to be spoken to.Then it would be a slow walk back to our individual houses,of which I was in Drake House where we enjoyed some free time until we were forced to go to bed at 2200,after saying prayers
Our first torment at The Royal Hospital School
I had been at The RHS for about two months when unexpectedly two older boys(Prefects) came in to the dormitory late one night. They marched me out and in to their private study,where I was told that I was useless,made to hold water jugs full of water with my arms outstretched and parallel to the floor.If your arms dropped you would be hit with something close by,a stick,book or some such thing
This went on for the first year of the school period as we were termed the new boys.I think this was the lowest point for me,seriously considering running away back home.I did manage to restrain myself and last through the first year.Looking back,I had actually very little free time this in due to being constantly on punishment.Punishments consisted of either facing a wall for all you free time for a week,brushing the quadrangle,cleaning the toilets or some such menial task for the prefects like brushing their shoes.
History of The Royal Hospital School
At all times we were made aware of the history of The Royal Hospital School and the privilege we had from being there.For those interested an account follows;
King William III and Queen Mary II founded The Royal Hospital for seamen at Greenwich in 1694.It has a Royal Charter which includes provision for “The maintenance and education of children of Royal Naval Seamen”who are either slain or disabled whilst serving their country.
- 1715: The school began with the taking in of 10 orphans of the sea.From here they received an education and were looked after
- 1758: The Hospital built it very own school on King Williams Walk
- 1798: An Orphanage School named the British Endeavour was founded in Paddington,London for children made fatherless as a result of The French Revolutionary War
- 1806: The British Endeavour was granted The Queens House,Greenwich.It was named The Royal Navy Asylum.In 1807 extensions were added to enable the housing of 700 children
- 1821: The Hospital School and The Asylum were amalgamated and were known informally as The Royal Hospital Schools.The school had an upper and lower level.The upper level boys were destined to learn navigation and pursue a career in the Royal Navy.The lower level boys were trained as seamen the girls as house domestics
- 1841: The girls school was closed as part of national reforms
- 1892: The name of the school was adopted and changed to “The Greenwich Royal Hospital School”
The Royal Hospital School at Greenwich was Britain’s largest school of navigation and seamanship.This is why I joined the Merchant Navy as an Officer Cadet.The Royal Hospital School actually moved from Greenwich to Holbrook,Ipswich,Suffolk in 1933
The old school at Greenwich is now today the home for “The National Maritime Museum”.The Royal Hospital School,Holbrook” now sits in glorious surroundings,but its relationship to Greenwich and its history go back much further.The school instilled in me a sense of independence and a lot of pride.I wish these kids in the school across the road from me in Helsinki would be taught some common manners and etiquette.Or are they a reflection of the teachers lack of control and a decaying school system?I am proud to blog this post and having been to The Royal Hospital School,Holbrook
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
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I agree with your Royal hospital school – Royal hospital school holbrook – Royal hospital school old boys – Royal Hospital School,Holbrook mine & its History, superb post.
As an ex member of that naval school 1946/48 I found your comments not only interesting but most informative. More information than I was unaware of, thankyou.
My time at this establishment probably influenced me to serve time in the Australian navy.
reg bucklow » Good to hear from an Ex-Old Boy.
You may see that RHS old boys do get abroad to work or live.This probably comes from having fathers in the Royal Nay and traveling as young children
Good to hear from you and all the best
Regards
GBreg Barr Drake 1975-1980
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Best Regards
Greg
That is a great point to bring up. Thanks for the post.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
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Regards
Greg
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I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Factoring » Hi and thanks for your comment,
The info comes from myself as I am an EX-Schoolboy from RHS.1975-1980 in Drake House.The school,Royal Hospital School is now co-ed rather than boys only when I attended
Regards
Greg
New boys were called new jacks .?
John Ward , Drake . » Thankyou for your comment John
I was also in Drake House when Brennan was the housemaster 1975-80
I cannot honestly remember the term been used but that may have a lot toi do with having Multiple Sclerosis or it was a term used some time before I joined the RHS
I guess now I am am an old jack
I have heard from many old boys throughj my blog but living abroad for so long I don`t get to re-unions or porstmouth/Plymouth meetiungs
I still get the RHS magazine.
Must aim to visit the RHS and dig up some long lost memories. Great School though steeped in tradition and history
Best Regarrds
Greg
John Ward , Drake . » Thanks John for your comment
To tell the truth I cannoy remember or it was before 1975-1980
Guess I am nopw an Old Jack.
Ishall be posting again on the RHS as so many peopple aere interested to know more of its traditions and early history
Best Regards
Greg
Exceptional post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!
Sharri Severino » Hi and thanks fior your comment and request
I shall endever to enlargen on The Royal Hospital School and its history
Regards
Greg
I was in Collingwood from 58 to 63, some good memories and some pretty bloody awful ones.If you were favoured you were fine if not you were often “selected” for onerous tasks or excluded from the desirable activities like sailing. A very lopsided 5 years but I did enjoy much of it
Another ex pat here, Chris (Geordie) Murrell. Living in Cape Town and loving it, been here since school. Blake house 1969 – 1972. We didn’t have teachers at school prep we had badge boys, when did that change? Wish we’d had girls back then, that would have livened things up. Anyway, must go … off to Thailand (Koh Toa) tomorrow and need to pack.
Thanks for your reply Chris,
That is two EX RHS Old Boys on my blog in two days.
I was close, to you in Drake house and yes it definately would have made the school disipline and regimented way of life easier if girls had been at the Royal Hospital School 30 years ago
Cap Town hey.My Finnish freind lived there for 40 years.Can`t quite get used to the cold here in the Finnish Winter
Best Regards
Greg
Great read, I took the liberty of posting this on the RHS Arms Facebook site, which has over 500 new and old boys and girls as members. Check it out sometime. I was in Collingwood when you were there, ’73 – ’79. I have a diary from one term in ’76 and it’s basically a lost of punishments! Like you I live overseas, Seattle, but also lived in Australia after leaving RHS. One of the best things about RHS has been finding old boys and girls all over the world, we are a global bunch who shared a common experience.
Hi Rich,
Thanks for your comment.Seems many RHS old boys have drifted abroad.I have met several through this blog.
I shall check Facebook out!
I hope to visit the school next summer when I get back for the 2012 Olympics
Until then good luck in Seattle and all the best in life
Best Regards
Greg
good day all great to read a few comments of old boys of holbrook school.
i am an old boy (literally) and was in howe house from 26 april 1946 to july 1948 when i left at 15 to go home and join the work force .a great school and i have treasured memories of my time spent their.
all the best JOHN PLUMMER
ROCKINGHAM WA 6168
Yes I think it is great to hear from the old boys of the Royal Hospital School,Holbrook
Best Regards
Greg( Drahe 1975-1980)
Thanks for the article, I’m still learning and need all the help.
so fascinating to come along and find this entry . i was at drake from 66-71 and i remember many similar experiences . i wonder how many ex RHS boys are now expats like us . I now have lived cambodia for 10 years , and prior to that was in Australia since 72 .
Hi Derek,
Great to hear from an RHS Old boy.You probably gather or have heard,the school is now co-ed.That is one big change.As to old boys living abroad and chosen an Expatriate way I life;I know personally 4.So Doofer Brennan was our housemaster whilst on our stay at the school
I try to keep in contact with the Old Boys Association as much as I can,but time is forever against me.
Good though to hear a vioce from the past.
If you wish to keep more in contact and find Ex-RHS old boys Im include a link to register with
Greg
Your school stories are fascinating and you are almost certainly not unique in suffering some of the horrors of these schools
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