Southern Grammar School For Boys
Portsmouth 1888-1975
Validus Corpore Animoque
Welcome
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.
Latest News
2025 Annual Dinner Date
Please make a note of the date for the 2025 Dinner - Friday 9th May 2025
Location - Royal Maritime Hotel, 75-80 Queen St, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HS
https://www.royalmaritimehotel.co.uk/
Full details will follow nearer the time.
News Updates
Latest news appears here...
In Memoriam
Death of Robin Axford (YoE 61)
Sadly the New Year brought news of another death - that of Robin Axford, Year of Entry 1961. We are grateful to Roger Hoad for the following obituary.
Death of Steve Fitgerald (YoE 69)
Sadly another of our Ex-Pat younger members, Steve Fitgerald has died in Thailand. On Friday 10th January 2pm-5pm a celebration of the life of Steve Fitzgerald (1969-74) was held at the ECA, in Ferry road, Eastney, Portsmouth and his ashes scattered in the Solent.
Death of Mel Salmon (YoE 54)
We were sad to hear of the untimely death on 25th November of Mel Salmon, Year of Entry 1954, and one of our regular diners. He was be cremated at a private ceremony followed by a service of thanksgiving for his life at St John's Church, Main Road, Southbourne on Friday 3 January.
In Memoriam
This section reports news of any recent deaths of Old Secundrians.
Messages & Notices
Urgent Notice - All Members
Please can all members inform us if there has been any change to their email or postal address has changed.
We are getting nearly 30 email bounces on the latest newsletter distribution.
Thank you
Bob Hawthorne
Secretary
E-Book by John Burden (YoE 1958)
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.
New Archive Material
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
Donations
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
Content Please
The Association is always pleased to receive any news, messages or other interesting information from members. Please send to us using this contact form