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")
Born September 25th 1897. Son of J. W. H. Burgoyne.
Upper IV—Modern I. School Prefect. XL Football; Shooting VIII (captain); Cadet Officer.
88th Bde. Royal Field Artillery.
Address Wellers, Ashington, Sussex.
'Shortly after leaving school he obtained a commission in the R.F.A., and it was in the performance of the most dangerous duty which falls to the lot of an artillery officer that he lost his life. In letters received from his Colonel and Battery officers mention is made in every case of his popularity in the Battery, and of his gallantry. "A splendid soldier, and absolutely without fear," wrote his Battery Commander. "We were all extremely fond of him in the Mess, where he was always good-tempered, unselfish, and thoughtful for others." To have won that is to have won all. A man is his true self at the Front; moreover, this is the Jack Burgoyne that we knew.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
Next of kin: Lorna Heywood Burgoyne (sister) and Miss B Morgan (Aunt-Guardian), Wellers, Ashington, Sussex
Service Record:WO 339/49394
.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).