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: 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 J. G. Lofthouse, Arrowfield, Boroughbridge, Yorks. b. 1885.
Lower IV—Modern II. House XI Football.
Engineer; Partner in Rushworth, Ingleby and Lofthouse.
Great War, Private 1914, afterwards 2nd Lieutenant 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regt.
'He went out to the front in May, 1916, and was wounded on the Somme in the following September. He returned to the front at the beginning of this year, was reported missing on April 23rd, and is now reported to have been killed on that date.' (Malvernian, Nov 1917).
'Arras. 28/4/17. At zero hour at 4.45am the barrage opened, and shells fell very short and at once we had serious casualties from them amongst officers, NCOs & men. The two flank companies especially suffered & it was not long before all officers in three companies were either killed or wounded. Enemy machine gun fire in the meantime had begun to tell.
At about 7am the enemy launched a vigorous counter attack from the direction of Vis-en-Artois and also from Cherisy.
When the enemy reached the original front line trench, the battalion had lost all its company officers & the battalion signalling officer.
In total casualties killed, wounded & missing were 17 officers & 352 other ranks.' (Unit War diary).
Memorial at St. Andrew's Church, Aldborough
Service record:WO 374/42711
Unit war diary:WO 95/2835/1
Son of Dr. Milner-Moore and Caroline Marie M. Moore, of 81, Hartfield Terrace, Eastbourne, and The Quadrant, Coventry, b. 1885.
Modern II—Matriculation Class. House Prefect. House XI Cricket and Football.
Engineer in India.
Great War (overseas), Captain Royal Engineers attd. East African Railways (Railway Corps.).
District Superintendent on Bombay and Baroda Railway.
Died at the British Base hospital, Mombasa of Tropical abscess of the liver and peritonitis.
Service record:WO 374/48530
Son of J. F. Pearson, The Birches, Hagley, Worcs. b. 1891.
Upper V—VI. Minor Scholar. School Prefect. XXII Football.
Oriel College, Oxford.
In business.
Great War, Trooper Worcestershire Yeomanry 1914, 2nd Lieutenant.
'Maurice Pearson was a boy with a strong personality: his affectionate nature, his keen sense of humour, and his untiring activity made him a centre of a most happy band of friends both here and at Oxford. At the outbreak of war he joined the Yeomanry as a Trooper; he received a commission in March 1915, and was sent out to the East in September. On Easter Sunday of this year his company was overwhelmed, and he was shot through the chest; while his wound was being dressed he was again shot, and died before the fight was over.' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).
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