Cheltenham College

Cheltenham College opened in July 1841, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham College was the first major public school founded in Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901). An Anglican foundation, it is known for its strong classical, military and sporting traditions. More than six hundred Old Cheltonians (former pupils) were killed in the service of their country in World War I, and more than 400 in World War II. (These statistics are recorded in the College chapel completed in the 1890s, which to a degree resembles King's College chapel in Cambridge and is one of the finest chapels of any English public school.) Most pupils are boarders, though there are also many day pupils. The school is now co-educational and maintains a formidable academic reputation, with the brightest pupils going on to Oxford and Cambridge universities. There is a also a prep school, Cheltenham College Junior School, most of whose pupils go on to the senior school.

Victoria Crosses won by Old Cheltonians

In total fourteen Victoria Crosses have been won by Old Cheltonians, making the school third only in this regard to the much larger Eton College (22 awards) and Harrow School (15 awards). A replica of the Boyes VC is on permanent display in the 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 alphabetical list of names, with age and rank at the time of the deed which merited the award of the Victoria Cross, is as follows:

Related Topics:
Eton College - Harrow School - Victoria Cross

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• BOGLE, Lieutenant Andrew Cathcart (28) Andrew Cathcart Bogle.
• BOOTH, Sergeant Frederick Charles (27) Frederick Charles Booth.
• BOYES Midshipman Duncan Gordon (aged 17, the youngest). Duncan Gordon Boyes.
• BOYLE, Lieut. Commander Edward Courtney (32) Edward Courtney Boyle.
• CHANNER, Captain George Nicolas (32) George Nicolas Channer.
• FORBES-ROBERTSON, Lieutenant Colonel James (34) James Forbes-Robertson.
• GRANT, Lieutenant John Duncan (27) John Duncan Grant.
• HART, Lieutenant Reginald Clare (31) Reginald Clare Hart.
• MELVILL, Lieutenant Teignmouth (37) Teignmouth Melvill.
• McDONELL, Mr. William Fraser (28) William Fraser McDonell.
• MOOR, Second Lieut. George Raymond Dallas (19) George Raymond Dallas Moor.
• NEAME, Lieutenant Philip (26) Philip Neame.
• REYNOLDS, Captain Douglas (32) Douglas Reynolds.
• RYDER, Commander Robert Edward Dudley (34) Robert Edward Dudley Ryder.

VCs on public display: Bogle, Boyle, Melvill, Moor, Neame, Reynolds, Ryder (7)

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VCs location unknown, presumed in private hands: Booth, Boyes, Channer, Forbes-Robertson, Grant, Hart, McDonell (7)

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George Cross recipient

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• KEMPSTER, Major André Gilbert (né Coccioletti). Royal Armoured Corps; Algeria, 21 August 1943

The Times of 10.11.1943, p. 4, states:

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“On August 21, 1943, near Phillipeville, Major Kempster was carrying out grenade throwing practice with two others in the same pit. A grenade which was thrown by Major Kempster rolled back into the pit. Major Kempster attempted to scoop the grenade out of the pit but failed to do so. By this time detonation was due. Without hesitation Major Kempster threw himself on the grenade just before it exploded and received fatal injuries. By his self-sacrifice, Major Kempster undoubtedly saved the lives of the two other occupants of the pit. Major Kempster’s act meant certain death, and he must have known this at the time. His was a supreme act of gallantry.”

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André Gilbert Kempster on the George Cross database.

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