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 Edward Charles Bambridge, a Lloyd’s insurance underwriter, and Kathleen Sylvia (née Bailey) Bambridge of The Elms, 22 Merton Hall Road, Wimbledon, and 121 North Side, Clapham Common, b. 1893.
Upper Shell—Lower V. House XI Cricket.
Underwriter at Lloyd's.
‘B’ Company, 10th (Stockbrokers) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
'Oliver Bambridge's friends will readily understand with what alacrity he joined the service at the earliest opportunity. Had he been spared, he would have obtained his commission. It was, however, characteristic of him to join in the ranks, rather than to wait. Many will remember his great keenness in everything he did, and his delightfully happy disposition. He left at a comparatively early age, and before he had reached a prominent position, but not before he had shown that he possessed character and courage. He was the youngest of three brothers whose names are held in honour in their house, and all of whom joined early in the war. He died of wounds on July 13th.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
At 9pm on the 10th of July 1916, B and C Companies of the 10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers were pushed forward to relieve the 13th Battalion Rifle Brigade in their attack towards Pozieres on the Somme. The Fusiliers lay in exposed positions for the next two days under heavy shell fire, suffering a number of casualties but without engaging
the enemy. Frederick Bambridge was wounded on the 13th of July and died later the same day.
His brother, Rupert Charles Bambridge, was a much decorated Captain in the same Battalion, being the holder of the D.S.O., M.C. and M.M. Sadly, he too was killed in action, in May 1918.
Medals sold at auction for £340 in 2004
Ref:
Lloyd's of London WW1 pdf booklet.
Son of A. Paget, Radmoor, Loughborough, b. 1884.
Modern IV—II.
Engineer; with M.R., Parsons' Steam Turbine Co., and N.E.R.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant Northumberland Fusiliers (N.E.R. Pioneers), R.F.C. attached Australian F.C.
'Gerald Paget entered the service of the North-Eastern Railway in 1909, after previous engineering experience elsewhere. He was an enthusiastic railwayman, and took the keenest interest in all new ideas and inventions. Early in 1915 he joined the N.E.R. Pioneers, and was afterwards attached to the Australian Flying Corps. Here he soon established the most cordial relations with his new comrades, being always cheerful and helpful, and taking far more than his share of the work. He was out flying on July 13, with a new pilot, when the machine was shot down; both men were killed instantaneously and buried with military honours by the enemy. He leaves a wife and young daughter; to whom we offer our most sincere sympathy.' (Malvernian, Dec 1917).
Son of G. F. Simms, Farlands, Stourbridge, b. 1897.
Modern III—Matriculation Form. House Prefect. Gymnasium IV. Flight Sub-Lieutenant R.N. 1916; Captain R.A.F.
Great War (overseas), D.S.C.
'In June 1916 Leslie Simms received a commission in the R.N.A.F., and in the following year was awarded the D.S.C. for valuable services in home waters. He became Flight Lieutenant and an Instructor. Later he was transferred to the Experimental Construction Department. At the time of his death he was expecting orders to proceed to the front. He had repeatedly applied to be sent overseas, but his services were required at home. He was killed while flying on July 14th. The keenness, splendid nerves, and absence of fear, which he proved himself to possess throughout his School career marked him out for the Air Service. He became a keen and daring officer, and was regarded as a Flying Officer who was likely to make a name. Many will grieve for the loss of a true friend and brave man.' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).