Southern Grammar School For Boys
Portsmouth 1888-1975
Validus Corpore Animoque
This website, which has been developed by former pupils of the Southern Grammar School for Boys, Portsmouth (Old Secundrians), records the history of the school from its inception in 1888 until 1975 when, under UK government reforms, it became a comprehensive school.
Our aim is to develop the site using contributions from many former pupils and staff - not just one or two individuals - and we seek your active involvement in this respect; there is more about that in the Old Secundrians and Contributors sections. Having found your way to the site we very much hope that you will now take the next step by getting involved and let us have your contribution.
Invitations to the 2023 Dinner have now been sent to all registered members. If you have not received an invitation, please contact us so that we can check we have the correct address for you.
If you would like to attend and are not a member, please send us your name, contact details and Year of Entry to the School and we will happily add you. There's no cost for membership and no obligations. Full invitation and booking form can be viewed/downloaded here.
We have received some good news from the organ restorer in which he tells me that part of the school’s Compton War Memorial organ has found a new home in Nairobi Cathedral, Kenya.
Latest news appears here...
We have been advised of the death of Colin Taylor (1951) by his son, Andrew, on 11th February peacefully at home after a short illness.
We have been advised of the death of Jack William Burridge (1936) on 11th March aged 98, by his daughter Dr. Anna Clewlow on behalf of his wife Ruth.
We have been advised by Alan Songhurst of the death of Ian Perkins (1953) from cancer.
We have learned of the death of John Roomes (1948) on the 16th December 2022 from his daughter Joanna . Our sincere condolences go out to the family.
Alan Songhurst has advised us of the death of Steve Stevenson (1954) on Saturday 25th March after a battle with cancer. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Carol.
We have learned of the death of Leslie Tritton (1935) last year from his daughter Clare. Leslie's wife Barbara passed away in 2019.
We are very sorry to report that Martin Bargent (1965) has died, sudden;y, as a result of a heart attack on Friday 10th March.
We have learned of the death of Brian Guest (1950) on the 18th February 2023 from his son Richard. Our sincere condolences go out to Richard and family.
I have just finished reading a book written and published by one of our contemporaries. Published in eBook and paperback form, “The Time of Our Lives: Growing Up With the Well-Hard Babies 1945-1960” by John Burden (year of entry 1958) is an absolute must for all Old Secundrians.
Thanks to Stephen Gregson (YoE 1962), we have some new Music & Drama archive material which is now visible in the relevant pages - Music / Drama 5
The Association continues to receive generous donations from members. These are very welcome and help to pay for the administration and postage running costs we have. If you would like to make a donation
The Association is always pleased to receive any news, messages or other interesting information from members. Please send to us using this contact form
Latest News items are automatically removed from the Home Page after after a time to keep things tidy. This will be after an event has passed or after a reasonable period. You can still view archived material by clicking here.