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 the Rev. W. H. and Mrs. Elmhirst, of "Elmhirst," Barnsley and Pindar Oaks, Barnsley, b. 1894.
Middle Shell—Science II.
Articled to a Land Agent.
Great War, Private Public Schools' Batt. 1914; 2nd Lieutenant 8th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).
'He volunteered for service shortly after the war broke out, and was attached for a time to the 4th P. S. Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and was training in Surrey. He was subsequently gazetted as 2nd Lieut, in the Duke of Wellington's Regt., and went out to Gallipoli in 1915. After an engagement at Suvla Bay on August 12th, he was reported missing, and unfortunately there can be no doubt now that he was killed on that date. Chris Elmhirst was not at school long enough to reach a prominent position, but those who knew him here will remember him as a bright, cheery companion, who took a keen interest in the general life of the School, and helped to make life easier for others, by contributing to their happiness. After he joined the Army his letters showed the interest that he took in the work he was doing, and his eagerness to do his part, wherever his services were required.' (Malvernian, Dec 1916).
Barnsley Chronicle 7 October 1916:
'He was articled to Messrs. Fennell and Green, mining engineers, of Wakefield, when he volunteered for service.
He was officially reported missing at Suvla Bay on August 11 or 12 1915, and is now presumed killed.'
There is a memorial plaque in St Mary's Church, Worsborough to him and his brother William.
His brother Leonard founded the Dartington Hall Trust.
Barnsley Soldiers Barnesley Historian
Service record: WO 339/1534
Brigade War diary: WO 95/4299
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).