The following is a list with biographies of the 249 people who attended Malvern College and died due to the Second World War. There is also a corresponding page commemorating the 459 casualties in the First World War.
The fallen are commemorated at Malvern with the statue of St. George, which is inscribed 'To Our Brothers', and the names themselves are written on a marble memorial in the Ante-Chapel.
After the Phoney war had ended, there was not a month from May 1940 to May 1945, that an Old Malvernian did not lose their life, though unlike the First World War there were not major spikes in losses on a particular day or month.
5 were killed in the Battle of Dunkirk at the end of May 1940, and 4 during the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940.
3 OMs lost their lives during the Blitz between September 1940 and May 1941.
21 lost their lives in the Western Desert Campaign between June 1940 to February 1943 with 5 buried at El Alamein War Cemetery and 6 commemorated at the Alamein Memorial.
4 were killed during the Allied invasion of Sicily between July and August 1943, and 5 at the Battle of Monte Cassino between January and May 1944 with 8 commemorated at the Cassino Memorial And Cemetery.
8 were killed after the D-Day landings during Operation Overlord between June and August 1944, and 2 in Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
In South-East Asia, 2 were killed during the Japanese-Thai occupation of Malaya between Dec 1941 and Jan 1942, 4 were killed during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in February 1942, and 7 were killed during the Burma Campaign between 1942 and 1945.
Most (97) OMs served in the R.A.F. with many in Bomber Command. 22 are commemorated at Runnymede Memorial as they have no known grave.
14 served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, 5 in the Royal Navy, 31 in the Royal Artillery, and 4 in the Royal Tank Regiment, with the remainder disbursed among 75 other units.
George Chesterton in the Remembrance Day Service of 2009, having described the lives and loss of five of his friends, reflected:
'Some of these brave men have no known grave, but we must remember them, along with all the tens of thousands of others, who gave their lives for their homelands and their friends. It is thanks to them that all of us sit in this Chapel, from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds and are able to sit together in security and friendship.'
The information below is based on 'The Malvern College Register, Second Supplement, 1949' edited for the Malvernian Society by F. W. Roberts, the 'The Malvernian' school magazine, and 'Malvern College: A 150th Anniversary Portrait' by Roy Allen.
Further information was also obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the Unit War Diaries held at the National Archives in Kew, and various online commemorative websites whose links have been provided.
Below is a map showing the locations of the 126 cemeteries where Old Malvernians are buried or commemorated in. The markers are coloured yellow for one casualty, orange for between 2 and 4, and red for 5 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 can be seen by clicking on 'Further Info'.
The records can be filtered and/or sorted by surname, house, age, regiment, date, place etc by clicking on the appropriate drop down box and then the 'Search' button below the map.
Son of Philip Greville Hugh and Dorothy Constance Way, of Hinton St. George, Somerset, and Merriott House, Merriott, Somerset.
Army VI. School Prefect. Shooting VIII 1934-36 (Capt.)
Cranwell.
54 Sqdn. Royal Air Force
The squadron flew Spitfires providing air cover for the evacuation of Dunkirk, and fought in the Battle of Britain. It was based at RAF Hornchurch and used RAF Manston as a forward operating base.
'Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of Basil Way was his unobtrusiveness. His manner was as quiet as his voice and his slow smile, and at first one might well fail to realise the thoroughness and efficiency which were also part of him.
When he came to Malvern in 1931 he was in the Lower School and so lightly built as to appear frail, so that he seemed unlikely to make much of a mark here :- but by the time he left he was in the Sixth, a School Prefect, and Captain of the Shooting Eight. He was also an exceptionally good slow bowler, and if he had not given so much of his time to shooting, he might well have been in the Cricket XI; while at Football he played an important part in the team which brought the House Cup to No. 7 after a gap of 30 years.
But his heart was set on Flying, and perhaps his happiest years were spent at Cranwell, where in 1938 he won the Groves Memorial Prize for all round efficiency. He showed an exceptional aptitude and skill in handling aircraft, and at the end of his training he achieved his great ambition and was posted to a Fighter squadron. He was equally good under service conditions, and it was while leading a flight of Spitfires over the Thames Estuary last June that he was lost in pushing home a bold attack with his small command against overwhelming odds. R.T.C.' (Malvernian, Mar 1941).
Combat report. 24th July 1940.
I was leading the Squadron on patrol off Deal and N. Foreland. Sighted formation of Bombers to North heading up Thames Estuary. After approaching to within about 5 miles of Bombers, I discovered the presence of numerous escorting fighters, which we were forced to engage.
A general dog-fight ensued during which I got in good bursts at close range, at two ME 109s. The first did a half-roll and vertical dive into cloud, emitting glycol from radiators. The second emitted black smoke and Assumption; stalled and spun into cloud. Later gave short burst and finished ammunition on a third. Result unknown as I had to avoid another on my tail.
The following day on the 25th July 1940, flying Spitfire R 6707, he took off at 14:30 and was seen by P/O Gribble pursuing a Me 109 and that the pilot of the e/a baled out. He was then reported as missing.
Squadron Operations:
Hornchurch, 25th July 1940. Black Thursday. The Squadron on two occasions bore the brunt of heavy enemy attacks.
14:32. 100 plus plotted on convoys between Deal and Dover. 'B' Flight encountered 'hordes of JU 87s' with the usual escort of Me109s. Red section were despatched to assist 'B' Flight, but no other friendly aircraft were seen until we were leaving the scene of action. 1 Me109 destroyed, confirmed (F/Lt Way), 1 Me109 probably destroyed (P.O. Gray) and 1 Me109 damaged (S/Ldr Leathart) was claimed. The loss of F/Lt Way (missing) in this section was a great tragedy. That he accounted for an enemy aircraft before meeting his unknown fate is typical of his keenness and great courage in the face of odds large or small.
Combat reports, Feb, May 1940: AIR-50-21-74_1
July 1940: AIR-50-21-74_2
Squadron Operations July 1940 AIR-27_511_22
Squadron Operations July 1940 Detail AIR-27_511_23
Son of H.Carson, M.B., 31 St Mary's Rd., Harborne, Birmingham.
Math VI. Senior Chapel Prefect. Sixth Form. XXII Football. President Athletics. Cadet-Officer in O.T.C.
Sidney Sussex, Cambridge.
114 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Blenheim bombers. Its airfield at Vraux was attacked on May 11th 1940 with six of the squadron's Blenheims destroyed, and the rest damaged. During the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940, it attacked concentrations of barges in the German-held channel ports and Luftwaffe airfields by night.
'Danny Carson was one of the soundest and most loyal members of the School, which may be justly proud of him. He had an abundance of enthusiasm, pluck, and determination to succeed. Though not naturally clever or athletic he reached a high standard of general efficiency by steady perseverance, and his example was an inspiration and an encouragement to many who knew him. He will be greatly missed and very sincere sympathy is felt for his family. H.D.E.E.' (Malvernian, Jul 1941).
He took off from Oulton at 08:20 on the 13th August 1940 to attack the aerodrome at Jersey but failed to return.
Squadron operations: AIR-27_882_11_Carson
Son of L. A. P. Warner, Yew Tree, Poplar Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead.
School Prefect. Swimming Colours (1935-37). Sergt. In Corps.
610 Sqdn. Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
The squadron flew Spitfires, and was based at RAF Biggin Hill, taking part in the Battle of Britain, and being one of the units that bore the brunt of German attacks.
'He was in the R.A.F. Reserve as qualified pilot before the War and was called up at once. He took part in the first heavy week's fighting in the Channel off Dover and was shot down over the sea on August 16th. On the previous day his squadron, under his leadership, had destroyed ten of the enemy in the morning and three in the afternoon. Naturally modest and with an unfailing spirit of cheerfulness, his steadiness and equanimity made him as popular with his Squadron as in his House at Malvern. (F.S.P.) ' (Malvernian, Dec 1940).
Combat report:
Date: 27.5.40. Time: 19:05. Flight A. Sqdn: 610. South of Dunkirk
One HE 111 was attacked by three aircraft and when I attacked it, it was pouring out smoke from both engines. I gave a short burst of about 2 seconds, and had to break away owing to the e/a going too slowly. He used no evasive tactics. After that we were attacked by ME 110’s and we broke up and selected our own targets. I attacked one formation and then saw one on my own tail. I turned and got a deflection shot in at another and broke away. Another came on my tail and followed me down to about 15,000 feet when I got away in the smoke which was coming from Dunkerque and returned to base. My a/c was hit twice once at the root end of the airscrew and once through the tip of the port main–plane.
Date: 29.5.40. Time: 17:30. Flight A. Sqdn: 610. South of Dunkirk. Aircraft: Spitfire
I attacked 1 ME 109 near Dunkirk and gave it about an eight second burst. This aircraft seemed to dive very steeply and a plume of smoke came from it. The aircraft may possibly have been damaged. I broke off that engagement and attacked another and finished my remaining ammunition. I then set course for base. Half way over the channel, an E.A. Me 109 attacked me twice and shot a hole in my petrol tank at the bottom and another in the radiator. I force landed the aircraft N.E. of Dover.
After the first attack on my return journey, I climbed into a cloud, and the E.A. must have followed me, as when I came out he delivered another attack and shot my glycol radiator. On landing I inspected the aircraft and found sixteen holes, three of which I presumed to be cannon. The control wires of the starboard aileron had also been cut in two.
Squadron Operations:
15th August 1940. Biggin Hill.
8 aircraft ordered to intercept E/A approaching Biggin Hill about 10 miles to the S.E. They met about 25 D.O.215s escorted by many M.E.109s. The bombers flying at 14,000ft and the fighters at 16,000ft. F/Lt Warner, flying Spitfire Z. R.6808, attacked a M.E.109, gave it 3 long burst, smoke came from the fuselage & it dived down vertically.
16th August 1940. Red, Blue, Green & Yellow sections took off from Hawkinge to intercept raid in Dungeness. They encountered 50 J.U.88s escorted by 12 M.E.109s at 25,000 ft. Enemy casualties: Probable 1 M.E.109. Damaged 1 JU88, 1 ME109. Our Casualties: 1 Pilot missing (F/Lt Warner - Spitfire Z. R.6808).
Combat reports
Landing accident with Hurricane in 1939
Aug 1940 Squadron Ops AIR-27_2106_17
Aug 1940 Squadron Ops Detail AIR-27_2106_18
Son of G.H. Peters (O.M.), 6 Sylvan Way, Bognor.
Math V.
Solicitor.
79 Sqdn. Royal Air Force
'He was articled to his father, G. H. B. Peters (6.98) and qualified as a Solicitor in July, 1936. During that time he was a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion (Territorial) of the Royal Sussex Regt. He joined the R.A.F. at the end of 1937. He was killed in a fight over the Irish Sea on September 29th. A list of his victories supplied by his Squadron Intelligence Officer shows that he had destroyed three enemy aircraft certainly, and had to his credit two more probables and other possibles; he also broke up a formation of thirty bombers over Kent on August 31st by making a "head on" attack. He was at first with a bomber squadron but changed to the fighter squadron of which he was a very popular member.' (Malvernian, Dec 1940).
Gravestone Inscription:
“KILLED IN ACTION BATTLE OF BRITAIN”