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.
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Son of Mrs A.D. Blackader of 236, Mountain Street, Montreal. Husband of Kathleen Blackader, of 242, Sherbrooke Street, West Montreal.
Middle IV—Lower Shell.
McGill College, Montreal; B. Arch.; studied in Paris.
Architect.
5th Royal Highlanders, Canada, 1912, 42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry.
'Gordon Blackader was a fine big quiet lad when he came to Malvern from Canada. Unfortunately he only remained here for a year, but during that time he won the respect and liking of all. He returned to Canada in 1901, and was, at the time when war broke out, a successful and rising architect. He joined the Canadian Infantry (affiliated to the Black Watch), in which he was, at the time of his death, a Company Commander. He leaves a widow and a daughter.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
Canadian virtual war memorial Biography at dictionary of architects in Canada
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Son of the Rev. William Bramley-Moore; husband of Nellie Bramley Moore, of 10729, 98th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta and 26 Russell Square, W.C. Born in London 1878.
Lower V—VI. Minor Scholar. School Prefect. House XI Football.
Farmer in Canada.
He was a politician in Alberta Canada and wrote about the exploitation of Alberta by eastern Canada.
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).
He was shot by a German sniper in March 1916 and died in hospital in April 1916.
Biography
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Born: March 22nd 1884. Son of Tredway Sydenham Clarke and Constance Clarke, of Eagle Butte, Alberta, and Westbourne Gardens, W.
Lower V—Middle V. Exhibitioner.
Exhibitioner, St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, 1902; B.A. (Third Class Classical Tripos) 1905.
Forestry Branch, Canada, 1910; Game Guardian for the province of Alberta 1911.
Went to Canada in 1905 and took up land near Eagle Butte , Medicine Hat , Alberta as a Rancher.
In 1910 he obtained an appointment under the Dominion Forestry Department which he held until September 1913.
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry .
Biography Ypres-salient Canadian great war project Eastbourne College
Son of Lieut.-Col. J. C. Culling, West Lydford, Taunton, b. 1885.
Army III.
Royal Munster Fusiliers 1906; Lieutenant 1908; resigned 1909;
afterwards an officer in the Canadian Militia, and a Lumberman.
Great War, Captain Canadian Infantry 1914 (overseas).
2nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
Born 15 Jan 1881 at Bonigale, Shropshire. Son of Colonel C. N. Lane, C.M.G., Whiston Hall, Shropshire, b. 1881.
III—Lower IV.
Formerly at Aspatria College; served in the South African War with Paget's Horse; afterwards in Canada.
Rancher in Canada.
Great War, Private Canadian Infantry 1914; 2nd Lieutenant 1915 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).
'Percy Lane served with Paget's Horse in the South African War, receiving a medal and clasp. He subsequently went to Canada, and on the outbreak of the present war enlisted in the Canadian Infantry; in this he obtained a Commission and was killed in action on or about May l0th, 1915.' (Malvernian, Dec 1917).
'On the 8th May,1915, Captain Dennison, Lieutenant Lane and a few men were last seen fighting a rearguard action in the front-line trench near the Bellewaerde and Frezenberg Ridges, before being overwhelmed by the German assault.'
Invision Zone
National archives of Canada
Son of S. Moore, Stratford-on-Avon. b. 1880.
Lower IV—Matriculation Class.
Hertford College, Oxford.
Secretary, Canadian Northern Railway, Medical Department.
Great War, Private 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry 1914.
'On leaving School he went to Hertford College, Oxford. Subsequently he proceeded to Canada and became Secretary in the Medical Department of the Canadian Northern Railway. He served in the war as a Private in the Canadian Infantry, and died on May 31st of wounds received on April 6th.' (Malvernian, Jun 1916).
Son of Dr. Charles Edward and Elizabeth Morris, of Campden, Glos., and London, Ontario, b. 1886.
Ill—Middle IV B.
Settled in Canada.
Great War, Private 31st Bn. Canadian Infantry.
Born Aug. 28, 1892. Son of Edward and Mabel M. Mucklow, Wood Hill, Bury, Lancs.
Lower Modern II—Modern I.
Ontario Agricultural College 1911-15.
Farming in British Columbia.
Great War, Private No. 3 Coy. 7th Bn. Canadian Infantry 1914.
'At School he was a very conscientious boy, who could always be relied on to do his best in anything that he undertook either in work or games. He did not reach any position of authority here, but by his example and by his force of character he exercised a sound influence on those with whom he was brought into contact. We have no record of his life in Canada or of his service in the Army, but we can be quite sure that the high principles which guided him when he was at School were constantly maintained throughout his career.' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).
'After being rejected several times owing to defective eyesight, he was accepted for service in October 1917, when he joined the British Columbia Regiment, in which he was later promoted Corporal. After reverting in rank he joined the 7th Battalion in France on August 20th, 1918. A month later he was killed in action as the battalion was advancing across open ground at Haynecourt near Cambrai.' (University of Toronto / Roll of Service 1914-1918).
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Son of J. G. Silcock, I.C.S. of 36, Lansdowne Rd., Tunbridge Wells, Kent. b. 20 Jun 1882.
Modern IV—III. House XI Football.
Emigrated to Canada in 1904.
Engaged in Railway Construction in Canada.
Great War, Private Canadian Light Infantry.
'He was farming in Canada when war broke out. He joined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as a Private, and was killed in action at Ypres on May 8th.' (Malvernian, Jul 1915).
NB: Surname is down as Silcox in CWGC.
Son of John H. W. Somerset, of "Glenwood," Bronshill Rd., Torquay, England, and the late Mary de Chair Somerset.
Middle IV—Upper Shell. House Prefect.
Farmer in Canada.
Great War, 1914. Private. 10th Bn. Canadian Infantry. Service Number 20375.
He is commemorated in St Giles’ Churchyard, Ashtead, Plot C1 Stepped cross tablet and kerb, with the following inscription:
Buried in a nameless grave
laid aside with other brave.
His life for king and right he gave.
An only son.
Biography at surreyinthegreatwar
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Son of Rev H G Thwaites, Limber Magna. b. 1876.
Modern III.
Served in South African War 1901—02.
Husband of Ethel J. A. Thwaites.
Great War, Private
Canadian Infantry 1916; Lieutenant 1916. 7th Bn. Canadian Infany.
'He was one of three brothers who entered the School together. He was killed in action, on November 10th, 1917, and so far we have been unable to obtain further details.'
(Malvernian, Dec 1919)
The War Diary states that Lieut B. C. Thwaites was in charge of No 6 Platoon and he was wounded at 7.30am on the 10th November an hour and a half after zero hour at 6.05am which was the start time for the resumption of the offensive on Passchendaele. Map of operations including Map location V.30.b.1.4.
The War Diary further states that 'The good work done by Capt Mogg, Lieut Carter and Lieut Thwaites during the operations deserves to be recommended.' (They were all killed by shell fire in the reserve trench.)
Unit War Diary for November 1917 Unit war diary - Thwaites wounded Recommendations
Operations
Cont
