By the end of the 19th century, the school had gained a reputation for producing students who would go on to study at military colleges in the United Kingdom including Woolwich and Sandhurst or take up direct appointments in the military, naval and civil service of the armed forces. At a time where the British Empire was at its height, this reputation came as no surprise with many students' parents being former officers and colonial administrators and with there being a strong military influence in the island at the time. Within the first twenty-five years of the institution of the Victoria Cross in 1856, three Old Victorians were awarded the honour for their services, with two further alumni receiving the award for their service during World War I.