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.
Son of Sir Malby Crofton, 3rd Bart., and Lady Crofton, of Longford House, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo.
Middle IV—Modern I. School Prefect. XL Football; House XI Cricket.
Trinity College, Dublin; B.A., B.E..
In British Columbia.
Great War, Private Canadian Highlanders 1914; Captain 3rd Bn. attd. 6th Bn. Connaught Rangers.
'A kindly, unassuming nature, and a quick perception of duty were marked characteristics in him, and the following account from The Times proves that he served his country with that keen loyalty he had shown for his School and House: "Captain Thomas Horsfall Crofton, M.C., Connaught Rangers, killed on March 21st, graduated as an engineer at Trinity College, Dublin. He afterwards went out to British Columbia, and directly war was declared he enlisted there as a Private in a Canadian Highlander battalion, and came to England with them; but early in 1915 he obtained a commission in the Connaught Rangers, his local regiment in Ireland. He earned a "parchment" and a Military Cross by his recent conduct at the front." ' (Malvernian, Jun 1918).
Detailed Biography at Connaught Ranger Association website
Born July 2nd 1897. Son of Ernest A. and Florence M. Freeman, Ambleside Avenue, Streatham, and Hendon Hall. b. 1897.
Middle IV A - Matricu1ation Class. House Prefect. XI Cricket.
Great War, Private Labour Batt.; 2nd Lieutenant 18th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery attd. 83rd Bde.
'Frank Freeman came to Malvern the third term of 1911. He was the only son of Mr. E. A. Freeman of Streatham. As a small boy he showed signs of considerable promise in football, but he developed so late that he never got into the Football XI. He, however, showed skill as a slow bowler, and in his last season got into the Cricket XL. He got several Form Prizes, and was a keen member of the O.T.C. On leaving school he enlisted in a Labour Battalion, and was sent to the Front, being eventually transferred to a Battalion of the K.R.R. While with this Battalion he was recommended for a commission in the R.F.A., but was wounded before he could be sent home for training. On his recovery he was sent to the R.F.A. Cadet School at Exeter, and was eventually given a commission and posted to the Brigade commanded by Colonel Lyon at Ipswich for further training before proceeding Overseas. He was sent abroad early in February, and was killed on March 21st, the very first day of the great German advance. He had developed to an extraordinary degree after leaving school, and had grown into a fine fellow and showed signs of making a very good officer. Universally popular, and keen on everything he took up, he will be mourned by all who knew him at Malvern and elsewhere.' (Malvernian, Jun 1918).
Joined Bn in the field on 14 Sep 1916.
Wounded on 13 Oct 1916 and posted to England.
Posted to RFA Officer cadet School on 18 Jun 1917.
Discharged on receiving commission in RFA: 7 Dec 1917.
2 sisters: (Mrs Jenkins and Miss Sylivia Freeman)
Service Record:WO 339/87211
Son of Thomas Killby (butcher and meat purveyor) and Annie Killby, 152 Highbury New Park, N. b. 1882.
Modern IV—Lower Modern II.
Stock Exchange.
Great War, 2nd Lieutenant "C" Bty. 307th Bde. Royal Field Artillery , 1914.
Husband of Gladys Cressy Spear (formerly Killby), of Brewhurst, Loxwood, Billinghurst, Sussex.
'Chester Killby as a boy had a quiet and retiring nature, below which was a strength of sterling character, which endeared him to all his friends. He left School early to go into business, and for some years was a member of the London Stock Exchange. When war broke out he volunteered, and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieut, to the R.F.A. After training he went to France, and very soon proved to be one of the bravest of the brave, frequently volunteering for any post of danger. He was in command of an anti-tank gun, in a forward post, on March 21st when the German offensive began. For some time he was reported missing, but news has since come from a wounded prisoner in Germany that he was seen, standing alone by his gun, surrounded by the enemy, till he fell, mortally wounded.' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).
On March 20, 1918, Lt. Killby took command of an anti-tank gun in front of Holnon Wood, near St Quentin, and the following day he was reported missing, believed killed in action, defending his command.
Biography at Stewkley
Service record: WO 374/39550
Son of James Arthur Lees, J.P., and Lucy Jane Lees, The Moor House, Congleton, Cheshire, b. 1884.
Lower Modern III - Modern I.
Victoria University, Manchester; B.Sc. Tech. 1912.
Director Chamber Colliery Company.
Great War, Private A.S.C. 1914, attd. 2nd/1st North Midland Field Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps .
'Lees was in Modern I when he left to proceed to the Victoria University, Manchester. Here he studied mining engineering, took the B. Sc. Tech. degree, and became Assistant Manager and Director of Chamber Colliery Co. He enlisted in August, 1914, and before the end of the month was in France as a Motor Transport Driver. He was twice recommended for a Commission, but an unfortunate impediment of speech prevented these recommendations taking effect. On March 21st, 1918, when driving an ambulance for the R.A.M.C, he volunteered to try and get the wounded away from Ecour; the ambulance was destroyed by machine-gun fire, and it is presumed that he was killed in what was described by his commanding officer as "a most gallant and self-sacrificing attempt."' (Malvernian, Dec 1919).
Biography at Biddulph society
Born 23rd March 1893. Son of Benjamin Arthur and Rosina Nathan, 36 Glenloch Road, N.W. and 22, Belsize Park, London.
Lower V—Lower VI. House Prefect. XXII Cricket.
Stock Exchange.
Great War, Private H.A.C. 1914; Captain 36th T.M. Bty. Royal Field Artillery.
M.C., Despatches.
'Percy Nathan was a boy who was much liked at school: he was trustworthy and sensible, with ability above the average, and showed promise as a cricketer. His school career was blameless, and his influence was always good. And he had character.' (Malvernian, Jun 1918).
He died of wounds received in action at No 61 Casualty Clearing Station, France.
Service record:WO 339/37484
Unit war diary (9th Bn Royal Fusiliers - wrong) :WO 95/1857