VC175 - Honouring our Past, Inspiring our Future
This year, as part of our 175th celebrations we are beginning what we hope will become a new College tradition - honouring the memory of a former Headmaster and Head Boy by a laying of two wreaths by their respective successors on the date of their deaths – November 4th.
George Farnell was Victoria College’s 5th headmaster. He was a published Classical scholar before taking up his position in 1892. He became the school’s youngest Principal at the age of 31. It was during his time at the school that Prefects were introduced. His private life during this period was not happy however, as in 1893 he lost his young wife (who had travelled to Switzerland for her health), leaving him as sole parent to their young daughter. He was also taken to court by the father of a pupil he had caned and cleared of misconduct, to the cheers of the schoolboys assembled in the Royal Square.
In half-term, on November 4th, 1895, he met with a tragic accident on the cliffs of Plemont. A search party, including College pupils, found his body washed into a cave. He and his wife are buried at St Saviour’s Church. A prize for English literature is awarded in his name annually.
William Swan was the elder of a pair of brothers who, to this date, are the only pair to succeed each other as Head boy. He held this position exactly 100 years ago in 1926. He was gifted both academically and, on the sports field, – winning the De Quetteville Medal and History prize as well as captaining the teams in Hockey, Cricket, Football and Athletics. He won a prize cadetship to Woolwich and by 1928 was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. William was serving in the British army in India when he returned from leave in 1938. As his plane left Jersey Airport it crashed, sadly killing all on board including William, his wife Rozel and their baby daughter. He was 30. The family are buried at Westmount Cemetery. The Librarian’s office is named Swan in his and his brother’s memory.
We hope that these acts of remembrance show that Victoria College still honours and remembers its former students and staff. Even if they have no living relatives, they are all Old Victorians. Floreat Collegium!