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Seagrim House

Housemaster and Tutors

Seagrim House

The name for the Seagrim House comes from not one, but two distinguished Old Norvicensians: Derek and Hugh Seagrim, brothers who attended the school during the 1920s.  They were both prefects and first team sportsmen leaving the school in 1920 and 1927 respectively to undertake the commissioning course at RMA Sandhurst and become professional soldiers. 

Derek Seagrim commissioned into the Green Howards where he served in various posts and locations before taking command of 7^th Battalion in the North African Desert.  On the night of 20-21st March 1943, Colonel Seagrim’s leadership and courage enabled his battalion to capture an important objective.  When he realised that, due to the weight of enemy fire, the attack might fail, he placed himself at the very front of his men, crossing an anti-tank ditch and personally assaulting two machine gun posts killing twenty enemy soldiers.  His courage was such that one of his captains recalled Seagrim “just strolling around as if he was on the parade square”.  Colonel Seagrim’s Victoria Cross citation reads:

“By his valour, disregard for personal safety and outstanding example he so inspired his men that the battalion successfully took and held its objective, thereby enabling the attack to proceed. Lieutenant-Colonel Seagrim subsequently died of wounds received in action.”

Hugh Seagrim commissioned into the Indian Army and joined the Burma Rifles.  He was a delightfully eccentric man who was most at home with the hill people of Burma: the Karens, and was awarded the MBE and DSO in recognition of his bravery whilst conducting consistently hazardous work.  He led small bands of determined men in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese in Burma in 1943-44 before eventually being captured.  But rather than this being the end of Major Seagrim’s campaign, in Rangoon prison he continued to lead his men until the very end.  The citation for his George Cross reads:

“Major Seagrim pleaded that the others be excused since they had had to obey his orders and that he alone should suffer the death sentence.  Throughout his sojourn in jail he made every effort to comfort his men and sustain their courage by his Christian example.  There can hardly be a finer example of self-sacrifice and bravery than that exhibited by this officer who in cold blood gave himself up to save others.”

Although Major Seagrim requested a solitary execution, his men had such love for, and camaraderie with him that they wanted to share his death.  Ultimately he died with the people he loved. 

The qualities that led these to these two men being awarded the country’s two highest awards for bravery are relevant to us today.  They patently exhibited attributes members of Seagrim House might strive to emulate: courage, forbearance, selflessness, determination, consideration, compassion and patience are all worthy characteristics to develop.  By promoting these qualities and looking to the example of these two incredible men, Seagrim House aims to nurture confident and caring boys and girls who live life to the full.

Lieutenant Colonel Derek Anthony Seagrim V.C.	Major Hugh Paul SeagrimG.C. D.S.O. M.B.E.

AP CURTIS, Housemaster
Seagrim House