Figure 1.--Naval cadets at Osbourne are seen here in 1903 working in the workshops learning to use a lathe as well as other tools.

The first real English naval school was launched at Osborne, the home built for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in the 1840s on the Isle of Wight off the southern coast of England near Portsmouth. Their son Bertie, the future Edward VII, did not like Osborne and donated it to the nation after his mother's death. A portion of the estate was turned into the Osborne Naval College. Interestingly, Victoria and Albert's graet grand sons, the future Edward VIII and George VI, attended Osborne as cadets, living in dormortories that were once their greatgrand parents' stables. Cadets received their initial training beginning at about age 13 at Osborne. Afterwhich addirional studies were completed at Dartmouth. Eventually training was phased out at Osbourne and in 1921 Dartmouth became the naval colege. A famous English play was based in an actual incident at Osborne and has been made into movies, The Winslow Boy. The play is based on a father's fight to clear his son's name after the boy is expelled from Osborne Naval College for stealing a postal order. We notice quite a few reports of illnesses at Osborne, including rheumatic fever. Both Prince Edward and Albert when they were cadets, Edward in particular was quite ill. Another noted cadet was Jack Llewelyn, one of the five Llewelyn Davies brothers (George, Jack, Peter, Michael and Nico) that inspired J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Jack described his 5 years at Osborne as horrendous, his brothers all went to Eton.

Royal Home

The first real English naval school was launched at Osborne, the home built for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in the 1840s on the Isle of Wright off the southern coast of England near Portsmouth. It was designed by Prince Albert to serve as a retreat for Victoria and their growing family. It allowed them to get away from some of the pressures of royal life. It was known as Osbourne House, but was really more of a palace in size.

Foundation

Queen Victoria died in 1901. Follwing Queen Victoria's death, her much loved retreat on the Isle of Wight, Osborne House was donated by Edward VII to the British nation. Victoria's eldest son Bertie (Edward VII) did not like Osborne and tus quickly disposed of it after his mother's death. A portion of the estate was turned into the Osborne Naval College, serving as the naval college for officers in the Royal Navy prior to Dartmouth.

Two Future Kings

Interestingly, Victoria and Albert's graet grand sons, the future Edward VIII and George VI, attended Osborne as cadets, living in dormortories that were once their greatgrand parents' stables.

Cadet Training

Cadets received their initial training beginning at about age 13 at Osborne. Afterwhich addirional studies were completed at Dartmouth.

Health Factors

We notice quite a few reports of illnesses at Osborne, including rheumatic fever. Both Prince Edward and Albert when they were cadets, Edward in particular was quite ill.

Famous Cadets

Another noted cadet was Jack Llewelyn, one of the five Llewelyn Davies brothers (George, Jack, Peter, Michael and Nico) that inspired J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Jack described his 5 years at Osborne as horrendous, his brothers all went to Eton.

The Wimslow Boy

A famous English play was based in an actual incident at Osborne and has been made into movies, The Winslow Boy. The play is based on a father's fight to clear his son's name after the boy is expelled from Osborne Naval College for stealing a postal order.

Phased out

Eventually training was phased out at Osbourne and in 1921 Dartmouth became the naval colege. Osbourne is now a museum. Until the end of the 1990s the house existed as both a museum and King Edward VII Retirement home for Officers (it also included high ranking convalescent patients from the civil service as well as miltary).

Created: November 6, 2001
Last updated: November 30, 2002