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 June 9th, 1899. Son of D. Asbury (Captain P&O), Shorefield, Maze Hill Road, Blackheath and Merivale, Chase Ridings, Enfield.
Middle IV B—Matriculation Form.
'He was a boy of adventurous spirit, well fitted by his temperament and his technical knowledge for service in the R.A.F., in which he was given a commission last year. For six months he was employed as an Instructor, after which he applied for active service abroad, and was sent to France in April 1918. On September 24th his detachment had carried out successfully some important work, when on the return the twelve machines composing it were attacked by an overwhelming force of fifty aeroplanes. Asbury's machine was last seen going down under control. He was at first reported as missing, but it was subsequently ascertained that he and his observer had been killed. His C.O., in a letter to his parents, says: "Your son has done wonderful work with his squadron, and his fine leadership and his cheeriness are sadly missed." ' (Malvernian, Feb 1919)
Aircraft DH 9 serial E8869 missing from operations on Aulnoye 24/9/18 - last seen in combat. The Pilot Cpt E.D. Asbury and Observer 2/Lt B.T. Gillman were both killed.
"As" britannique de la WW1, 5 victoires aériennes partagées avec ses observateurs-mitrailleurs au sein du 49 Sqn du RFC, toutes obtenues sur D.H.9, est tué au combat à bord de son D.H.9 matricule E8869 au dessus de la forêt de Mormal, dans le département du Nord.Crash-aerien
49 Squadron
Service record:AIR 76/12/17 and AIR 79/771/85242
Son of Henry Lakin Lawrence and Emma Lawrence, 19 Walpole Terrace, Brighton, b. Feb 14th 1899.
Upper V—Army I. House Prefect.
R.M.C. Sandhurst; 7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment. 1917.
'Tom Lawrence was wounded on September 23rd, and died at a casualty clearing station the following day, never having recovered consciousness. At School he was a well-known figure amongst his contemporaries, always anxious to take his part in any activities, and an enthusiastic member of his House. Full of spirits, and ever ready for an argument, behind an easy optimism that a stranger might mistake for irresponsibility, there lay a genuine loyalty to his friends and School, and a depth of feeling he could not always conceal.' (Malvernian, Nov 1918).
'24/9/18 Enemy attacked under heavy barrage at 11.30am, & was driven off with heavy casualties. 2/Lt T E Lawrence wounded early in the morning & died of wounds later in the day.' (Unit War Diary extract).
Service record:WO 339/89208
Unit war diary:WO 95/1856/3