The following is a list with biographies of the 462 people who attended Malvern College and died due to the First World War. Altogether 2,833 are known to have served. There is also a corresponding page commemorating the 249 casualties in the Second World War.
There was not a month from August 1914 to November 1918 that an Old Malvernian did not become a casualty, with 6 killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos on the 25th September 1915 and 13 killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916.
The vast majority of casualties occurred in France and Belgium with 31 names recorded on the Menin Gate at Ypres, and 23 at Thiepval. There were also 23 casualties in Turkey due to the Gallipoli Campaign, and 16 in Iraq, including 2 near Kut.
They were in a wide range of regiments including 26 in the Royal Field Artillery, 13 in the Royal Engineers, 12 in the Worcestershire Regt, 11 in the Canadian Inf, 11 in the East Kent Regt (The Buffs), and 5 in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force.
Most were officers with 133 Captains, 126 2nd Lieutenants, 114 Lieutenants, 26 Majors, and 15 Lieutenant Colonels.
29 received the MC, 10 the DSO and 1 the DCM, as well as 3 knighthoods (the CB, CMG, and MVO).
The information below is based primarily on the memorial books held at Malvern College which Ian Quickfall, and now Paul Godsland, the Malvernian Society archivists, have arranged to be digitised with the official memorial web site still in development.
Further information was also obtained from 'The Malvern College Register 1865-1924' edited by H.G.C Salmon, 'The Malvernian' school magazine, 'A History of Malvern College 1865 to 1965' by Ralph Blumenau, and 'Malvern College: A 150th Anniversary Portrait' by Roy Allen.
Information was also obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the Unit War Diaries and Service Records held at the National Archives in Kew, and various online commemorative websites whose links have been provided.
The main battles have tried to be identified in which Old Malvernians died in. Many though were killed in the general attrition of Trench Warfare which is so vividly described in the book 'Nothing of Importance' by Bernard Adams.
Below is a map showing the locations of the 246 cemeteries where Old Malvernians are buried or commemorated in. The markers are coloured yellow for one casualty, orange for between 2 and 9, and red for 10 or more. The name of the cemetery and number of casualties can be seen by hovering over the marker, and the list of names seen by clicking on the marker. Their full biographies and pictures can be seen by clicking on 'Further Info'.
The records can be filtered and/or sorted by name, house, age, regiment, battle, date, place etc by clicking on the appropriate drop down box and then the 'Search' button below the map. The original memorial book entry can be seen by clicking on the person's picture.
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of the Rev. Charles Lowther Arnold and Mary Delamere Arnold, of Holy Trinity Vicarage, Fareham, Hants and Wroxall Vicarage, Isle of Wight, b. 1892.
Middle IV A — Modern II. House Prefect. XI Cricket 1909, 10; Fives Pair.
Magdalene College, Cambridge; B.A. (Third Class Medieval and Modern Languages Tripos) 1914; played Cricket v. Oxford 1914.
Great War, Private 1914; afterwards 2nd lieutenant 18th Royal Fusiliers.
11th Bn. attd. 8th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
He went to Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1911, and played cricket for Cambridge University, 1912-14, 5 matches. Hampshire, 1912-14, 16 matches. Free Foresters, 1914, 1 match.
'Alban Arnold was, as his record shows, distinguished both at school and afterwards at cricket. He was an excellent cricket-keeper, one of the two or three best we have had, and a very dangerous though perhaps not quite a sound bat. It was his consistently heavy scoring that forced him into the Cambridge Eleven of 1914. Here he was a steady, quiet, somewhat reserved boy, but always pleasant and attractive, and of striking appearance. He left a year, before his proper time to study in France, with a view to entering the Consular Service. As time went on he "came out" much more, and promised to become a really valuable man. He enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion in the first month of the war, and received his commission later in the year. He was killed in an advance on July 7th, 1916.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Ref:Wisden on the Great War
Final Wicket:Test and First Class Cricketers Killed in the Great War By Nigel McCrery
Wikipedia
Medal card: WO 372/1/118329
8 Bn Royal Fusiliers (1915 June - 1918 Feb) War Diary: WO 95/1857/1
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of the late Henry and Mary Elizabeth Bromfield, Newnham Hall, Northants. b. 1869.
Hertford College, Oxford; Captain 3rd South Wales Borderers;
served in the South African War 1900-01, Despatches, Queen’s Medal
with 3 Clasps, King’s Medal with 2 Clasps, D.S.O.; retired 1910.
Chief Constable of Radnorshire 1909.
Prince of Wales's Coy., 1st Bn. Welsh Guards. D S O.
Husband of Ethel Philippa Bromfield.
'H. H. Bromfield was the eldest of four brothers, who accompanied the Rev. W. Grundy from Warwick on his appointment to the Headmastership of Malvern in 1885: of these four, only J. B. Bromfield, the second brother, now survives. 'Hal' Bromfield, as his friends called him, inherited early in life the entailed estate of Newnham Hall, Northants, but his means were not sufficient to enable him to live on his estate. He served with distinction in the South African War, as an officer in the South Wales Borderers Militia, retiring as Captain and Hon. Major in 1910. In 1906 he married the eldest daughter of Sir Charles Philipps, Bt., of Picton Castle, Haverfordwest, and soon settled down to important public work in Wales. When war broke out he re-joined his old battalion, but, on the formation of the Welsh Guards, he was gazetted to the new regiment, with the rank of Major. He fell in action on September 10th, aged 47. A capable man of action, he was endowed with many personal gifts which rendered him popular both here and throughout his life.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Leaves a widow and a son.
Biography
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Morris Mitchelson Brooke and May Brooke, London House, Dawlish, South Devon, b. 1897.
Army III—I.
R.M.C. Sandhurst; 1st Bn Wiltshire Regt. 1915.
'Brooke passed out from Sandhurst into the Wiltshire Regiment in April 1915. He was reported Missing in September 1916 and subsequently posted as having been killed in action on September 3.' (Malvernian, Mar 1918).
'Lt Brooke was my platoon officer; he was a tall fair fellow and he only joined a week before we went over the top, at Bouzincourt. We went over at Leipzic Salient in the morning and he was hit by a machine gun just after we got over the top, no more than three yards from me. He fell and lay quite still and I took him to be dead. We went on and took the German trench and have held it ever since. We were relieved that evening. The wounded were picked up, but not the dead. Mr Brooke was a very good officer'. (Informant F Salmon B Coy, Sept 10th 1916).
'He was hit in the lower part of his abdomen. He fell on his back and did not speak or move, and there was blood on his clothes. We were not allowed to halt for anything, but I and another man dragged him into a shell-hole for safety. I saw no more of this officer. (Testimony of Pte Salmon).
'Brooke was killed between the lines near Thiepval' (Testimony of Pte Westcott).
Father was at Lucknow, India at time of son's death.
Service record:WO 339/45922
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Born October 8th 1894. Son of Sidney Edward Percy and Ethel Cade, of Titchfield, Fareham, Hants.
Upper IV B—Science I. School Prefect. Head of House. XL Football; House XI Cricket. Cadet Officer.
Matriculated from University of London in 1913.
11th Bn. Hampshire Regiment.
'Darrel Cade was about to join London University when war broke out. In September 1914, he was gazetted to a commission in the Hampshire Regiment, and was promoted Lieutenant in the July. His name appeared in The Gazette, as Captain (to date from January) on September 12th, one week after he was killed. His Company Commander wrote of him: "He did not know what fear was, I have never seen him in the slightest degree perturbed in any circumstances." His Colonel described him as one of the best of his young officers, adding that he was a universal favourite with the officers and with the men. What Darrel Cade was as a soldier, that he was as a boy and prefect. Behind a gentleman there was real strength. The high sense of duty, which he not only possessed, but kept alive, while at School, was not likely to fail him in a supreme hour. That it did not fail him, those who were with him when he fell, shot at close quarters, bear generous witness. He was killed in action on September 6th.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Service Record:WO 339/19679
Born: Aug 16th 1896. Son of Charles and Elizabeth E. Everitt, of 12, Inglis Rd., Colchester and 5 Sydenham Rise, Forrest Hill, S.E. Brother: John Page Everitt.
Upper V—VI. House Scholar. School Prefect. Head of House. XL Football; House XI Cricket.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 11th Yorkshire L.I. 1914; 15th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).
'Before going to France he served with the West Yorks Regiment in Egypt, and was recommended for promotion six weeks ago. His career here marked him out as a leader of the first order, and one cannot speak too highly of the splendid example he set to those over whom he was in authority.' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
The following is from 'Malvern College: A 150th Anniversary' by Roy Allen and was read out in a memorial service at Malvern on 1st July 2016:
'Full of grit, a thorough gentleman, with his high ideals and with a cherished hope for the welfare of his School and House, he answered the call of his country in the same grand spirit that was characteristic of him throughout his school days. An extract from a letter to his mother from a Private in his regiment shows in what admiration he was held by his men: "I am proud to be able to say that he was always kind and a gentleman. I admired his principles; he was well liked and admired by his men, and what few of them remain join me in sending our deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement".'
There is a memorial to him at St Leonard at the Hythe Church, Colchester.
Photo of Memorial at Colchester
Malvern Observer article of Centenary Memorial service at Malvern
Service record:WO 339/31115
Battalion war diary: WO 95/2361/3
Son o
f George Croker Fox, Penjerrick and Pennance Cottage, Falmouth. b. 1879.
III - Shell.
Architect in Vancouver.
Great War, Inns of Court O.T.C. 1914.
2nd Lieutenant Worcester Regt. 1915. Lieutenant 12th Bn East Surrey Regt.
'He left Malvern too early to reach a prominent position in the school, but he will be remembered by contemporaries as a boy of refined character and endowed with considerable ability as an artist. On leaving school he accompanied his father to British Columbia, where he became a member of a firm of architects at Vancouver. Shortly after the outbreak of the war he returned to England and joined the Inns of Court O.T. C. In April 1915 he was gazetted to the Worcestershire Regiment. After a course at the Staff College, Camberley, he was transferred to the East Surrey Regiment, being promoted Lieutenant in December.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of Rev. H. L. Harkness, Hove, Brighton. b. 1884.
Shell—Lower V. House XI Cricket.
Captain 4th West Yorkshire Regt. (Special Reserve) 1908.
Great
War, mobilised 1914.
2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own).
The Times: "Captain Harkness held a commission in the West Yorkshire Regiment at the outbreak of the war, and saw active service in the earlier engagements. He was injured at Neuve Chapelle owing to a fall from his horse, and was invalided home. He had only recently re-joined his regiment when he fell in action on July 1st."
His Colonel writes: "He was in command of the two leading companies, and led them with great coolness right up to the enemy's trenches when he was killed by a shell. To him and his fine example during the battle is greatly due the splendid reputation the Battalion gained in this action." (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
Son of Walter Sydney and Florence Harvey, of 9, Vale Court, Maida Vale, London and 24 Westbourne Terrace Road, W. b. 1888.
Lower V—VI. School Prefect. Ledbury Cap; XI Football; House XI Cricket.
Trinity College, Oxford; Third Class Mods. 1909; B.A. 1910.
Assistant Master at St. Andrew's School, Eastbourne.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 1st/5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade). 1914, Captain.
'An earnestness of purpose, crowned with an attractive personality, endeared Bernard Harvey to all who knew him. He set a fine example of loyalty to school and house, and he never spared himself to make others share his true enjoyment of life. At Oxford he figured prominently on the river, and interested himself deeply in the Trinity College Mission. He chose school-mastering as his profession, and returned to his former school, St. Andrew's, Eastbourne. At the outbreak of war he applied for and received a commission in the 5th Battalion of the London Regiment. He was wounded in May, 1915. Early this year he was promoted to be Captain. He was killed in action on July 1st. His General writes: "One of my men says he was with Captain Harvey when he was hit in the shoulder, but he still continued to lead his men and cheer them on. He was wounded again, and in the evening when conducting the retirement he and others had to get through some wire; in doing so a noise was made that attracted the attention of the enemy, and the end came at once."' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
Son of Clement Edward Hoyland, Stock Park, Ulverston, and Brinkworth Hall, Elvington, York. b. April 22nd 1895.
Middle IV B—Science II. House Prefect. Shooting VIII 1913,14.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 4th Bn. Attd. 9th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers 1914.
'A sound, reliable boy in every way, an excellent leader and a good shot, Hoyland was a splendid type of the "First Hundred Thousand." He secured a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and was reported wounded and Missing in October 1916, and is now assumed to have been killed.' (Malvernian, Dec 1919).
Killed in action at Mouquet Farm, Thiepval.
Clock memorial at St Peter's Church, Finsthwaite, Cumbria.
Husband of Louisa Eddie (formerly Fraser).
Service record:WO 339/29979
Son of Ven. Archdeacon Jeudwine and Harriet Elizabeth Jeudwine, Lincoln, b. 1895.
Lower Shell—Science I. O.M. Science Prize 1913,14.. House Prefect. House XI Football.
Offered place at Caius College, Cambridge.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regt. 1914, Captain.
'Jeudwine left in the summer of 1914, intending to proceed to Caius, Cambridge. Like many others, he found himself at once called to other and sterner duties, and obtained a commission in the Special Reserve of the Lincoln Regiment. He saw a good deal of active service on the Western Front, and was twice wounded—May 1915 and 1916. On the first day of the battle of the Somme (July 1st, 1916) he was in action with his regiment, and was posted at the end of the day as Missing. Nothing further having been heard, he is now presumed to have been killed in action: one of thirteen O. Ms. who fell on that fatal day. He was a boy of considerable intellectual capacity, with varied interests and a catholic taste for all literature.' (Malvernian, Dec 1919).
On the first day of the Battle of the Somme his battalion was ordered to attack the German held village of Ovillers-La-Boiselle. The battalion had 450 casualties, including 21 officers with him being among the 'missing'.
Detailed biography at Brighton College Remembers
Son of A. Kerwood, Watling House, Barnt Green, b. 1886.
Middle V—Remove. Minor Scholar. Lea Shakespeare.
Solicitor 1908; Captain 8th Worcester Regt. 1909;
Great War, mobilised 1914, Major.
He disembarked at Boulogne on March 31, 1915, with the 1/8th Battalion.
He was promoted to Major at the front and became Second-in-Command of the 1/8th Worcesters.
'Major Kerwood had always taken a keen interest in military matters. Twelve years ago he joined the Volunteers at Redditch. He became a captain, and was instrumental in raising a company of Territorials at King's Norton. He afterwards obtained funds for building a drill hall, which was opened about four years ago. He went to the front a year and eight months ago, and was killed in action on October 21st while in temporary command of a battalion of the Cheshire Regiment.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
He was killed on October 21, 1916, while in temporary command of the 13th (Service) Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment, when the unit made a successful assault on Regina Trench, which ran north of Courcelette, in which the battalion captured around 250 prisoners.
Redditch Advertiser
Son of B. B. King, I.C.S. b. 1893.
Army III—Science Form.
Ranching in Argentina.
Great War, Private 7th Bn Leicester Regt. 1914.
'Upon leaving Malvern, Willie King went to the Argentine, and for four years worked on a ranch, intending to make farming his life's work; but upon the outbreak of war he at once gave up his post in order to enlist in the Leicester Regiment; after a short training in England he was sent to France, and fell during the battle on the Somme. No details have been received as to his death, and he is simply reported as "missing, believed killed," but since his identity badge has been found and returned to his mother, there is but little hope that he survived.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Below War diary describes detailed attacks at Mametz wood and Bazentin-le-Petit wood during the Battle of the Somme.
Unit War Diary:WO 95/2164/2
Son of Farquhar M. Laing, Farnley Grange, Corbridge-on-Tyne. b. 14th Nov 1889.
Middle V—VI. Minor Scholar.
Shipowner.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 22nd (Tyneside Scottish) Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers 1914, Captain.
Killed in action at La Boiselle on the Somme.
'As a boy he was shy and reticent, and did not distinguish himself greatly in the general life of the School. He joined a Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers in November 1914, and at the time of his death he commanded his Company. He was killed in action in July of this year.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Unit War Diary extract:
1st July 1916. 7.30am. The battalion moved forward to the attack on the enemy trenches south of La Boiselle. Heavy enemy gun fire was experienced but the Bn, less heavy casualties suffered, reached enemy 2nd line.
A small party proceeded toward the enemy 3rd line but had to retire owing to heavy enemy fire.
8am. Six separate attempts to rush our flanks were made by the enemy without avail.
12.45pm. Strength 7 officers and 200 other ranks.
10.15pm All ranks greatly in need of water and very much fatigued.
Service record:WO 339/18934
Unit war diary:WO 95/2463/1
Son of W. A. Lindsay, K.C., Clarenceux King of Arms, and Lady Harriet Lindsay, 17 Cromwell Road, b. 1876.
III—VI. Dowdeswell Prize. School Prefect. Head of House.
XI Football 1893,94; XXII Cricket; Shooting VIII (captain);
Lieutenant in Corps.
Scholar, Clare College, Cambridge; BA. (Jun. Opt.) 1898.
Examiner Scotch Education Department 1899; Hon. Secretary
O.M.F.C. 1900-08; Captain 1st/14th Bn. London Regiment (London Scottish).
Great War, mobilised
1914.
Husband of Helen Margaret Lindsay, of 7, Emperor's Gate, South Kensington, London.
'By the death of Francis Howard Lindsay, Malvern has lost a devoted son, the country has lost a loyal and gallant officer, and many people have lost a true friend. The same keenness which marked his life as a man was one of his chief characteristics when he was a boy at school. During his time here he strove with unfailing energy and enthusiasm to promote the interests of his house and the interests of the School. His efforts met with conspicuous success. He won considerable distinction for himself and much more for his house. He was prominent in every part of the life of the School. In football he did good service as a member of the XI, and he was one of the mainstays of his house team. As a cricketer and a fives-player he achieved considerable success at times. He shot for the School at Bisley on several occasions, and in the Corps he was a keen volunteer at all times, and in the latter part of his time he was a capable officer. His intellectual attainments, especially in mathematics, were considerable. After he left Malvern he showed his devotion to the School by the deep interest which he took in all that went on here, and he rendered most important services to the O. M. Football Club for a considerable period. He kept up his rifle-shooting and regularly attended the Bisley meetings, and sometimes shot with great success. But what claimed his chief attention and occupied much of his leisure time was the work connected with the Volunteer (or Territorial) Force. When he entered the Scotch Education Department in London he joined the London Scottish Corps, and he did good service to his country by helping to give the men of that force a sound physical and military training. Of his professional work in London a writer in the Scotsman says: "His administrative experience as an examiner in the Scotch Education Department was wide, and in 1912 he was selected to take special charge of the superannuation scheme for Scottish teachers—a new branch of work. It was a task for which his mathematical tastes and his habit of careful and conscientious work made him admirably fitted, and he threw himself into it with great zest. It is not too much to say that the teachers of Scotland owe him a substantial debt of gratitude for his unsparing labours which enabled him to overcome the difficulties which attended the new scheme." In 1914 he volunteered with his regiment for foreign service, and was severely wounded at Messines in November of that year. He was not fit again for foreign service till May 1916, when he went to France a second time. He was killed in action on July 1st. He was gazetted temp. Major a few weeks before.' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
Service record:WO 374/42209
Unit war diary:WO 95/2956/1 Trench Map
Son of Ernest Louis Melly (Solicitor) and Florence Melly, of Highbury Bank, Meriden, Coventry, b. 1888.
Middle IV—Matriculation Class. House XI Cricket and Football.
Solicitor 1911.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 20th Bn. King's Liverpool Regt. 1914, Captain.
'As a boy here he threw himself whole-heartedly into the life of the School; his influence was entirely for good, and by his attractive character he made and deserved many friends. His later life was of a piece with his boyhood. He volunteered for service at the beginning of the war and received a commission in a Battalion of the Liverpool Regt. in Feb 1915. He was promoted Lieutenant in May 1915, and for the last month of his service had the command of a company. He was killed in action on July 30th, while gallantly leading an attack. His Colonel speaks of him as having been an excellent officer, who was beloved by his men and whose services in command were invaluable.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
'He was a keen cricketer, and was well-known in Coventry and the Midlands as a left half hockey player, playing for Warwickshire and the Midlands, and later for Yorkshire and the North. He joined as a private in August, 1914, received his commission in February, 1915, and was promoted lieutenant in May, 1915. ' (Liverpool Echo, "Roll of Honour. Casualties In Local Battalions", 7th August 1916 ).
Son of F. A. Naylor, Central Provinces, India, b. 1878.
Lower IV—Army Side. School Prefect. XI Football; House XI Cricket.
Indian Police 1898 (United Provinces).
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 13th Bn. Durham Light Infantry 1914; Major attached 6th Bn. Royal Irish Regt. Despatches.
Married Charlotte Pope Paterson on October 12th 1904 at St James Church, West Derby, Liverpool Born 19th January 1881, and had five children.
The Times:
'Major Urmstone Shaw Naylor who was killed in action on September 3, received a commission in the Durham Light Infantry when war was declared. In April 1916 he was attached to the Royal Irish Regiment as second in command. His Colonel writes: "I am indeed proud to have had such a splendid officer and good comrade under my command. His loss to me at this juncture is a most serious one."'
The following is from the Unit War Diary:
'Guillemont. 3rd September 1916. At 12.25pm the Bn advanced to the attack on Guillemont and Sunken Road, which latter was the final objective. The Bn went over the parapet with the pipes playing & the men went forward in excellent order. The final objective was in our hands by about 3pm and the line was at once consolidated & held in spite of three counter-attacks.
The casualties in the days fighting were heavy, being 14 officers & 311 O.R.
Major U.S. Naylor, 2/Lt Magill & 2/Lt Downing killed in action.'
Service record:WO 339/37535
Unit Diary:WO 95/1970/3
Born: 16th September 1894. Son of Reginals Neill (O.M.) and Geraldine Neill, of "Sheena", Craigavad, Co. Down., and Collin Grove, Dunmurry, co. Antrim.
Modern II—I. Chance Prize. House Prefect.
Stockbroker.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 11th Royal Irish Rifles 1914, Lieutenant.
'Reginald Neill was the son of R. Neill (O.M,), of Dunmurry, Co. Antrim. He rapidly made his way to the top of the Modern Side, and won the Chance Prize. On leaving School he became a stockbroker, and when war broke out he obtained a commission in the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. He was in action at the battle of the Somme (July 1st, 1916), and was reported Missing, His father has never been able to obtain any news of what happened to him. To him we extend our sincere sympathy in the loss of a son of proved merit and capacity.' (Malvernian, Dec 1919).
The unit war diary states that their attack was initially successful but their flanks were exposed and the Germans heavily counter-attacked. The remnant of the battalion who went to attack in the morning at 7.30am returned to their trenches at 11.45pm with only 4 officers and 250 men.
''The Lieutenant was in B Coy, 2nd in command and took over when Captain Craig was wounded. I saw Lt Neil wounded at Thiepval on July 1st 1916; he was in a communication trench between the first and second German lines. He was lying down; his wound had been dressed; we held the ground. It was being heavily shelled all day.' (Informant L/Cpl M. Griffin).
There is a memorial plaque in St John the Baptist Church of Ireland Church, Suffolk, Belfast.
Photograph and small biography at IWM
Biography and details of Memorial plaque
Service record:WO 339/14586
Unit War Diary:WO 95/2506/1
Son of W. A. Onslow, Preston Bagot House, Henley-in-Arden. b. 1887.
Lower V—Lower VI. House Prefect. House XI Cricket.
Keble College, Oxford; B.A. (Second Class History) 1909.
In business; worked for many years at the School Mission.
Great War, Australian Voluntary Hospital 1914 (overseas); 2nd Lieutenant Royal Warwickshire Regt. M.C.
'Arthur Onslow was a most painstaking, earnest-minded boy at School. His ability was above the average, and he always did his best all round. He had hoped to be ordained, but an unfortunate tendency to stammering stood in his way. But he went to the School Mission and did most excellent work there for some years. At the outbreak of war he (and other members of the Mission Staff) joined the Australian Voluntary Hospital. In May 1915 he returned to England and received a commission in his own county regiment (the Royal Warwickshire). Nearly a year later he went to the front, where he distinguished himself over and over again. Recommended for reward for his gallantry on July 15th, he met his death on August 12th, while bravely leading his men in a grenade attack on a specially difficult position. His name appeared in the Gazette on September 22nd, and in the list of those to whom the Military Cross had been awarded. He was quiet and unassuming, but his character was remarkably strong, and he was greatly loved.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Son of Rev. T. H. Orpen and Mrs. Amy 0. G. Orpen of 5, Herschel Rd., Cambridge and Mark Ash, Abinger Common, Dorking, b. 1893.
Upper Shell—Lower V.
Selwyn College, Cambridge.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant N. Staffordshire Regt.; transferred 2nd Bn. attd. 10th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers.
'At school he was a small, quiet boy, always well behaved and steady, and likely to develop later. This he certainly did.' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
Times Obituary, 27th July 1916: “Second Lieutenant Walter Selwyn Orpen, North Staffordshire Regiment, who was killed on July 6th aged 23 was the youngest son of the Rev. T. H. and Mrs Orpen of Mark Ash, Abinger, Surrey. He was educated at Malvern, and at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he had completed his second year when war was declared. He was then in the OTC and was gazetted to the North Staffordshire Regiment in September 1914. After 9 months training he went to the Front being attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He had recently been made sniping Intelligence Officer to his battalion, and it was in the discharge of this duty that he met his death instantaneously from a snipers bullet. His adjutant writes: During the time he has been with us I grew to like him more and more and to respect his many good qualities. He was always cheerful and brave.”
Biography at Dorking Museum
Born: October 20th 1896. Son of Sydney Smith (Stock Broker) and Ethel Angeline Smith (formerly Jacomb), of "Endwood," 18, Grassington Rd., Eastbourne, Sussex, and Warnford Court, E.C.
Middle IV B-Army III. House Prefect. XXII Football; House XI Cricket.
R.M.C. Sandhurst; 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment. 1915.
'At school he was a boy of great pluck and determination. His heart was set on entering the Army, and he would have made an excellent officer.' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
He was one of 8 officers killed in his battalion during the first day of the battle of the Somme at Fricourt. There is a detailed account in the unit war diary below.
Service record:WO 339/54050
Unit War Diary:WO 95/2161/2
Born May 23rd 1889. Son of Francis Paul Smith, Greystone, Dale, Haltwhistle.
Modern III—Lower Modern I. House Prefect. House XI Football.
In business.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant 11th Bn. Border Regiment. 1914, Captain.
'Raymond Smith was loved by all who knew him. His influence was always for good: he was a very faithful O.M., and there never was a keener man in whatever he took up. His character was transparently sincere and attractive.' (Malvernian, Jul 1916).
'Authille Wood. 1/7/16. Zero time 7.30am. Battalion advanced from assembly trenches at 8am and came under very heavy machine gun fire suffering over 500 casualties. Captain R Smith was one of ten officers killed.' (Unit War Diary).
Service record:WO 339/21844
Unit War Diary:WO 95/2403/1
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of E. V. Surr, San Francisco, U.S.A. b. 1891.
Upper Shell—Lower VI.
Birmingham University; B. Com. (First Class) 1913.
In business (Baldwin's, Ltd.).
Great War, Private Public Schools' Batt. 1914; Lieutenant 5th Worcesters.
'After leaving School he attended Birmingham University and took his degree with honours in commerce. He afterwards entered the works of Baldwin's Ltd., and at the outbreak of war joined the Royal Fusiliers. Later he took a commission in a battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, and went to the front a year ago. He was keenly interested in the Boy Scout movement, being a Scoutmaster for some years. As a boy at school he was distinguished for his kindly and genial courtesy. A short poem written by him not long before his death is published below.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
SUNSET.
Those golden entry-ways of cloud
Like islands in a sunset sea
Are gateways, leading from the crowd
Of mortals, to where God must be.
Beyond, unfathomable blue.
From out which peeps one evening star.
Revealing Peace, which men still view
In glimpses only, seen afar.
How many souls have passed that way ;
Gone through the gateways gleaming bright ?
How many angels come each day
To meet there those who seek the Light ?
Men cannot tell, but this they know,
Those clouds must be a trysting-place,
Where wait them, toiling still below.
The souls who early won their race.
R. V. S.
(Killed in action October 1916).
.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Son of T. Tiernay (O.M.), Beech Grove, Leamington, b. 1890.
Lower Shell—Modern I. House Prefect.
Engineer.
Great War, Private 1st Birmingham City Batt. 1914.
'The elder son of T. Tiernay (O. M.), he left in Modern I., and was engaged for some time in engineering work. He enlisted in August 1914 in the 1st Birmingham City Battalion, afterwards known as the 14th Warwicks. He remained with them, refusing all offers of a commission, and went out with them to France in November 1915. He was posted as Missing on July 22nd, 1916, near Delville Wood, east of Albert. Nothing has transpired as to his fate, so he has since been presumed killed on that day.' (Malvernian, Nov 1919).