Victoria School - Kurseong.

Signed

T.D. Nugent.

27/2/1943
The food question threatens to be the major problem of the School for 1943. The Department has, however, taken the matter up with the Chief Supply officer, Calcutta.

The general arrangements for 1943 are the same as for 1942.

Standard II had been removed to the Commercial Building at the beginning under the care of the temporary appointed matron, Mrs Bartlett. The School has three matrons

A&B dormitories – Mrs Heywood.
C&D dormitories – Mrs Doyle.
Commercial dormitory Mrs Bartlett.

The term begins with two masters short on the teaching staff – Mr Morrison, Geog Master who was summoned to Military Service at the end of 1942 School term and Mr Lochner who resigned with a months notice on Feb 1st 1943 with the intention of joining the R.A.F.

2/3/1943
The first School party, 70 boys arrived in charge of Messrs Hill and Ferris.

3/3/1943
The second party arrived escorted by Messrs Olliver and Campbell arrived, numbering 72.

On the arrival of the second party the whole School was inspected by Dr Konax (?) the medical officer.

4/3/1943
The following were appointed prefects for 1943.

Blaupert (?) R. (Head Boy)
Wise L.
Haslam L.
Quinlan J.
Mears C.
Carapiet A.
Grant N.
du Bois D.

5/3/1943
Arrangements for a reliable tuckman for the School have been made under the supervision of Mr MacCormack, Steward.

Dr Thomas the Inspector of European Schools, arrived to discuss the food situation. The shortage of flour threatens to be a serious problem for the School.

13/3/1943
Mr Phillips joined the staff as Middle School Master (temporary) in the place of Mr Ferris who has been given the Geography post temporarily in the place of Mr Morrison who has been called to Military Service. (30 Nov 1942)

23/3/1943
Dr Thomas the Inspector of European Schools, called a meeting of the Heads of Schools and the Procurator of St Mary’s College, Kurseong, at St Helen’s Convent where a discussion took place concerning the food situation as it affected the Kurseong Schools. It was decided that the flour ration should be 1/3 lb per head per day for the present. The hope was expressed that the quantity would be substantially increased later.

26/3/1943
Miss Christian gave a talk to the School on her experiences of a Nazi internment camp, and the condition of things in Germany as they had appeared to her during and before her internment.

3/4/1943
The first cricket match of the season took place between the staff and boys. The boys won.

15/4/1943
As the Central Hospital is without a third nurse the outpatients at Victoria are being attended to by a member of staff.

19/4/1943
The usual monthly meeting of the Standing Committee of the School was held at the Mahtab Club, Kurseong.

27/4/1943
The meeting of the Governing Body of the two Schools was held at Victoria presided over by Dr W.A. Jenkins, Director of Public Instruction, Bengal.

29/4/1943
A cyclone of unprecedented violence took place during last night. Some sixteen large trees were either uprooted or had their stems broken off and were hurled in some cases more than 50 yards. One window was blown out from C&D dormitories, and large numbers of panes of glass were broken. Some of the corrugated sheeting of the roofing of the same dormitories was blown over the building to a distance of several yards. It was fortunate that the storm took place during the night so that nobody was injured. The Assistant Engineer, Kurseong, has been requested to have the damage repaired as early as possible.

5/5/1943
Mr Dutta, the Vernacular Master left the School having been called to Military Duties.

21/6/1943
Xxx Day was celebrated by a parade of of the School Cadets under Lt. Prins, N.B.M.R. The scouts , cubs, Girl Guides, and Blue Birds under their respective leaders took part in the ceremony which was carried out on the Victoria Play Ground.

26/5/1943
Mr Paine, the Master appointed to take the mathematics of the School in succession to Mr J. Purves-Lochner called to Military Duty, arrived.

27/5/1943
Two boys, N.G. and J.J. [names not published by me. Editor], were removed from the School on the insistence of the Headmaster who had carried out am exhaustive inquiry into a serious breach of School discipline committed by both boys.

Mr Towhid (?), who arrived on the 24th to take over the post (temporary) of Vernacular Master in place of Mr Dutta, called to Military Service – reported his appreciation of proficiency, or want of it, in Hindi of the various classes, particularly the Senior and Junior Cambridge classes.

3/6/1943
Rice and other food stuffs was given to all non-gazetted Government Servants on salaries of Rs 300/- or less at a reduced rate on ration cards.

14/6/1943
United Nation’s Day was observed by the granting of a holiday and the hoisting of the Union Jack.

The bread position has been restored to normal since the beginning of the month. There is very great difficulty with obtaining porridge substitute. Chuna which had been a partial success during April and May is now unprocurable. Messrs Shaw Wallace have taken an order for the supply of suji, but owing to transport difficulties none has yet arrived.

A landslip on the D.H. Railway threatens to involve the School in very great difficulties in the supply of various commodities. The coal, rice and flour position is sound for sometime to come.

The cost of vegetables has risen abnormally.

16/6/1943
The Boarding Bills for May have exceeded the amount permissible by Rs 1,165-11-6. the total Boarding expenditure to date including Mays Bills is Rs 15,077/12/9 leaving a total deficit of Rs 1,491-15-9. This does not take into account the storage quantities which would reduce the deficit considerably.

17/6/1943
Hogan S. left School on medical advice.

20/6/1943
The School football eleven played a match against an Indian team and won by a large margin.

30/6/1943
The Metropolitan of India arrived at 11 a.m. Confirmation of Anglican boys of Victoria and girls of Dow Hill took place at 2.30 p.m. in the Anglican Chapel. After the service the bishop met the Staff of both Schools at a tea arranged by Mr Elliott.

The Metropolitan stayed the night of 30th June – July 1st at the headmasters House.

1/7/1943
After Communion Service the Metropolitan had breakfast at the headmaster’s house after which he visited Dow Hill on his way to Calcutta.

5/7/1943
A number of masters went to the Central Hospital, during the morning session to donate blood to the Blood Bank.

10/7/1943
The whole School attended a conjuring display at Dow Hill at 5.30 p.m. After the performance the senior boys were allowed to remain for a short dance.

11/7/1943
The usual Sunday evening debate was held in the Library.

14/7/1943
A Sunshine Holiday was granted. Several House matches were played during the day.

15/7/1943
A under-eleven football team was taken to play Goethals. Our boys lost.

23/7/1943
The first School Examinations began today. Up to this year it had been the practice to hold examinations during the School term. This year owing to extreme shortage of paper we have been compelled to limit the examinations to two.

30/7/1943
The senior School attended a social at Dow Hill from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m.

31/7/1943
The last Saturday was a holiday as usual. The Senior boys were allowed to the pictures during the evening while the Juniors had a Pagal Gymkana.

1/8/1943
Both Anglican and Catholic services were held in the morning. The debating society met after services in the evening.

5/8/1943
Ghosh, an Indian Christian boy recently admitted to school, absconded but was caught at Kurseong Railway Station and brought back.

6/8/1943
Ghosh again ran away and was brought back. The boy does not seem suited to Victoria School and the earlier he departs for good, the better.

7/8/1943
A Pagal Gymkana was successfully held for the senior boys in the Assembly Hall during the evening. It was most enjoyable and a pronounced success.

14/8/1943
An Inter-School debate between Victoria and Dow Hill arranged by the Entertainment Committee of both Schools was arranged at Victoria. This is the first time that such an entertainment has been given. While not a brilliant success from a debating point of view, it presented possibilities worth developing.

19/8/1943
Victoria 1st & 2nd elevens met Goethals in a hockey match this afternoon. The first hockey encounter of the season. Victoria seemed somewhat stronger and won 1 – 0. The second elevens finished with a drawn game.

21/8/1943
An entertainment given at Victoria and attended by Dow Hill proved an unexpected success, as it was almost impromptu.

22/8/1943
The debate after evening service was held as usual.

24/8/1943
A hockey team representing the Darjeeling Police visited Victoria this afternoon. A spirited and fast game resulted in a win for the Police team.

28/8/1943
The Last Saturday, a holiday was given as usual. A number of boys were allowed to Darjeeling on exeat for the month end.

A Whist Drive was held during the evening in which the senior Dow Hill girls joined. After the whist drive, there was a short dance.

30/8/1943
At a meeting of the games committee it was decided not to enter a team for the Pliva Shield Tournament (Hockey) Shield.

31/8/1943
A meeting of the Standing Committee of the Governing Body of the Schools was held at the Mahtab Club, Kurseong. The chief point considered was the increase in the Boarding Charges due to the abnormal rise in prices of food stuffs.

4/9/1943
Haslam R. developed signs of acute appendicitis this morning. He was sent to the Victoria Hospital, Darjeeling, where after examination by the Civil Surgeon he was operated on successfully at 6 p.m.

5/9/1943
The report from the Victoria Hospital stated that the operation on Haslam was very successful, but it stated that owing to a very hard abscess on the appendix the recovery would be slow and protracted.

6/9/1943
A hockey match on the Victoria ground against Goethals.

9/9/1943
A whole holiday in celebration of the surrender of Italy.

12/9/1943
Boys having sisters at Dow Hill were allowed to visit them between 4 and 5 p.m.

16/9/1943
The first and second eleven hockey teams visited St Paul's and had a very enjoyable day. The games resulted in a win for St Paul's by 2 – 1 in each case.

19/9/1943
Mr Campbell left Victoria for Lahore where he has been called to undergo preliminary military training.

Mr Campbell’s departure leaves us two masters short on the staff. As a temporary measure I have appointed Adrian Lochner, an old boy of the school to look after Mr Campbell’s class, Standard III until better arrangements can be made.

21/9/1943
The second half yearly meeting of the governing Body of Victoria and Dow Hill Schools was held at Dow Hill School.

24/9/1943
The Cadet Platoon under the command of Lieut V.C. Prins N.B.M.R. marched out to camp. To xxx xxx in a downpour of rain. The Platoon numbering 30 lined up, but one cadet, A. Carapiet had to go to hospital.

During the absence of the cadets, including all the prefects, the following boys were made temporary prefects:

1. Liitlewood A.
2. Gasper D.
3. Cooper P.
4. Barlow W.
5. Strelley J.
6. Godfrey D.
7. O’Dwyer P.
8. Dozey D.

25/9/1943
The School generally went to a special matinee performance at the Plaza Cinema.

30/9/1943
A number of the junior boys attended a concert at Dow Hill.

The cadets returned from camp today at 7.45 p.m.

1/10/1943
The Pujah Holidays began today. A fairly full programme was drawn up for Pujah Week at a meeting of the staff.

2/10/1943
Junior classes went to a matinee Picture.

Senior classes had open air games at Dow Hill.

5/10/1943
An impromptu concert was replaced by a whist drive.

6/10/1943
Mr Ferris carried out a “Lightening” Hockey Tournament.

7/10/1943
The Junior classes had a picnic. Mr Elliott took charge.

The senior classes went to an evening picture.

9/10/1943
The Junior classes went to a social at Dow Hill.

11/10/1943
Mrs Bartlett, matron of the Commercial dormitory was taken to Central Hospital. She had been in bed some days and it was the opinion of the doctor that she had had a “stroke”.

16/10/1943

The School Annual Sports were held. No records were broken but two were equalled. The tea arrangements were very good, and fittingly ended a very successful function. Kellas House carried off the honours for the thirteenth year in succession.

17/10/1943
A team of “Old Boys”, most of whom had come for the Sports, defeated a team of present boys.

23/10/1943
The School attended the Dow Hill Sports, which were carried through successfully.

25/10/1943
Mrs Bartlett who had been sent to Calcutta died at the Presidency General Hospital this evening.

30/10/1943
The amusements committee held a whist drive for Classes IV upwards.

1/11/1943
The Anglican boys had a service at 7.10 a.m.

2/11/1943
There was a service consisting of three masses beginning at 7 a.m. for the catholic boys.

The School Cadets were inspected by the Officer Commanding N.B.M.R. (Col. Moss).

4/11/1943
Intimation received from Secretary, Inter-Provincial Body, Delhi, that there would probably be a delay in the starting of the Cambridge Examination which had been scheduled for the 1st December. Papers sent by sea-mail and also by airmail in July have both been lost through enemy action. The Secretary has now got single copies of the papers by Air; these must be printed and got to the various centres before the Examinations can begin.

5/11/1943
A Staff meeting was held to consider the final selection of boys to be permitted to sit for the Cambridge School Certificate. Twelve were eventually considered fit to take the Examination.

11/11/1943
“Armistice Day” was to be signified by the observance of the usual two minutes silence. Poppies were sold as usual in aid of St Dunstan’s.

13/11/1943
The whole School attended Dow Hill “Speech day”. The Senior boys remained on for a dance which ended at 7.40 p.m.

17/11/1943
Telegram received from the Secretary Inter-Provincial Board announcing that there would be no postponement of the Cambridge Examinations. This means that the exams begin on Dec 1st as at first arranged.

18/11/1943
The stoves for the heating the Assembly Hall were introduced today. It is extremely improbable that these will function, as there is no coal available in the station.

22/11/1943
The final Examinations for promotion began at 9 o’clock this morning.

25/11/1943
The Annual Prize distribution took place this evening. Col. T.W. Clark a former master of Victoria gave away the prizes and delivered a very instructive address to the boys.

30/11/1943
There was the usual Farewell Dinner. Staff and boys assembled and enjoyed the final School function of the year.

1/12/1943
The first School party left, in charge of Mr Ferris and Mr Phillips.

The Cambridge Examinations began today. Dow Hill girls are attending this centre as they have done for 1941 and 1942.

2/12/1943
The second party left, in charge of Mr Paine. This finishes the School year and the only boys left are those who are doing the Senior and Junior Cambridge Examinations.

10/12/1943
The Cambridge Examinations finished.

11/12/1943
The Cambridge boys left for the winter vacation.