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OUNDLE School Roll of Honour

By Avalon Eastman

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ARMITAGE, Frank Rhodes LEE, Audley Andrew Dowell STANNARD, Alexander Jewell
ATTWOOD, Langley Latton MATHESON, Alexander Perceval STEEL, Norman
BAGSHAW, Henry Kenyon McMICHAEL, Douglas William STEVENSON, Talbert
BAKER, Arnold Rennie MORRIS, James Outram TRENCHARD, Frederick Alfred
BEVERLEY, Michael PEARSON, Robert William WAITE, Frederick Maxwell
BIRD, John Greville Hobart PINK, Alan Lewis WARREN, James Booker Brough
BOUCHER, Charles Bailey RAMSAY, Donald Wyand WEST, Walter Montague
BUTCHER, Frederick William RUSSELL, Evan Wilmot Harley WINTON (WEINTRAUD), Ernest Walter
COATES, Basil Montgomery SANDERSON, Roy Broughton  
DAVIES, Ivor Theophilus SAUNDERS, Edwin Walter  
DONALDSON, Geoffrey Boles SECRETAN, Reginald Herbert  
GODSAL, Alan SHARPLES, Philip Edward  
HEBBLETHWAITE, John Christopher SIMMONS, Russell Louis Harry  
HOBBS, Herbert Edward SPENDLOVE, Gervase Thorpe  
HUTCHINS, Alfred John Avalon SPOFFORTH, Edward Reginald  
Frank Rhodes ARMITAGE
was the eldest son of Dr. J Auriol Armitage of Hastings, and formerly of Wolverhampton. He was born at Edinburgh on July 6th 1883. He entered Laxton House in September 1896 and remained for six years; he was the first of four brothers who were at this house.
He was a school prefect, head of his house, and a member of the XI. In 1902 he went up to Pembroke College, Cambridge (with a Scholarship for Classics) and there studied medicine, proceeding in 1906 to the London Hospital, where he was for some time assistant surgeon to out-patients. Later he succeeded to his father’s practice.
When the war came he joined the R.A.M.C. and was awarded the D.S.O. early in 1917. He was killed in the July of the same year. Armitage was a brilliant golfer and a strong cross country runner.
BRANDHOEK NEW Military Cemetery (Vlamertinge)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave I-E-8 
Langley Latton ATTWOOD
was the only son of the late S.G. Attwood and was born on February 26 1893.
He entered Dryden in September 1906 and left school in July 1910.
When war broke out Attwood was in British Columbia, where he joined the 47th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Machine Gun Section). Later he transferred to the 1st Canadian Pioneers and went to France in April 1916.
He fought with the Canadians in their engagements until early in 1917, when he took a commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was killed in battle August 12 1917.
VLAMERTINGHE NEW Military Cemetery (Vlamertinge) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave VI.D.3.
Henry Kenyon BAGSHAW
was the eldest son of the Rev. H.F. and Mrs. Bagshaw of Chatteris. He was born on January 7 1892 at Knighton, Radnorshire.
He was for a time at school at Hunstanton before coming to Oundle and entering New House in January 1908. Leaving in July 1909 he took up land agency work.
In September 1914 he joined the Public School Corps and later obtained a commission in the army Service Corps, having failed to get into the infantry through defective eyesight.
He served in France with the A.S.C in 1915 and 1916 and became a full Lieutenant. In 1917 he was attached to the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment and saw several months’ sevice at the front before his death in action near Ypres on April 13, 1918
TYNE COT Memorial (ZONNEBEKE)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 160
Arnold Rennie BAKER
was the third son of Mr. and Mrs F.G. Baker, formerly of Waterdale, Wolverhampton, where he was born on March 10, 1894. He entered Oundle (New House) in May 1908, leaving in April 1912.
Baker was in the Flying Corps and was reported missing on August 28, 1917 on which date his death was presumed to have occurred.
LINSELLES Communal Cemetery (Nord France) Grave C-6.
Michael BEVERLEY
Was born near Norwich, Norfolk on the 14th July 1874 to Dr Michael and Marian Beverley of Scole, Norfolk. He entered School House in January 1890 and was a boarder there until he left the School in July 1891. There are not many details of his time in Oundle except that his name appears in School Lists in Third Form for Classics and Group B, Division 3 for Mathematics. There is mention in the Laxtonian December 1890 that Michael Beverley contributed a subscription of 2s 6d towards the expenses of Oundle School Boat Club at Bedford Regatta.
Michael’s war records show that he went to Australia when he was 18 and at the time of his signing up he listed his profession as Stockman and his place of association was Wyndham, Australia. On the 11th October 1915 Michael joined the Australian Infantry AIF 9th Battalion as a Private and his service number was 5338.
On the 27th March 1918 in Belgium, Michael went out on a raid at Spoilbank. It was reported that he and several others from the Battalion were attempting to bring in the wounded. As he and another man were helping a wounded man, Michael was hit by a machine-gun bullet in the stomach. An attempt was made to bring him in but they were surrounded by enemy fire and Michael Beverley died in No Mna’s Land. Michael was 44, not married and his Father was listed as Next of Kin.
Michael was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.
Michael was exhumed and reburied in Bedford House Cemetery, in Ypres (Ieper).
Michaels name is located at Panel 55 in the Commemorative area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
His name will be projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory at various dates and times during 2014 and 2015.
BEDFORD HOUSE Cemetery Enclosure number 4, grave X-F-20.
John Greville Hobart BIRD
left Oundle in 1903. After leaving school he was engaged in Tea planting in Ceylon; but he was always desirous of entering the Army, which he did in 1912.
He was killed near Ypres on October 26 1914. At the time of his death he was Lieutenant in the Queen’s Own West Surry Regiment. His short career was full of promise.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 11-13-14
Charles Bailey BOUCHER
was the only son of Mr. and Mrs T. Boucher of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, where he was born on June 2, 1891.
He entered Sidney in September 1905 and left in December 1909. He was a member of the X1.
He passed the entrance examination for Sandhurst in the autumn of 1910 and obtained his commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment in 1912, being promoted Lieutenant in 1914.
At the battle of Hooge he was wounded while leading his men, but sontinued to lead them. Wounded again, in the foot, he managed to crawl back, and was having his wounds bandaged when he was killed by a fragment of shell. (August 9, 1915)
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 36-55
Frederick William BUTCHER
was the son of the late Mr. F. Butcher and of Mrs Butcher of Amherst Park, London. He was born on August 12, 1896 and entered Grafton House in September 1909, leaving in April 1915. He was a school prefect and head of his house. Joining the Inns of Court O.T.C. he failed to obtain a commission, owing to heart trouble. He therefore enlisted in the London Rifles (December 1916) and was afterwards attached to the Royal Irish Rifles, and he was fighting with them when he was killed in action on August 9 1917.
His Chaplain wrote; “He was a good soldier, and was spoken of in the highest terms by his comrades.”
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 40
Basil Montgomery COATES
was the only son of the late W. Montgomery Coates, fellow and bursar of Queens College, Cambridge and of Mrs. Coates of Sherringham. He was born on September 16, 1893 and entered Oundle (New House) in January 1910, leaving in April 1912.
Leaving school he went to Queen’s College, Cambridge where he studied medicine. On the outbreak of war he received a commission in the Rifle Brigade from the University O.T.C. He went to France in the early summer of 1915 and was killed on September 7, 1915.
His Colonel wrote: “He was out patrolling with a corporal crawling about in the crops; was seen by the enemy, fired on and killed. He will be an irreparable loss to the battalion, as he was our best scout, and absolutely fearless. He had already got valuable information”
Coates was going to the assistance of the Corporal (wounded) when he was shot.
Another letter said; “Coates is a tremendous loss to us, there was nothing in the world to frighten him. He was always in very high spirits and very popular with everyone”.
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL (Hainaut Belgium) Panel 10
Ivor Theophilus DAVIES
was the third son of Mr and Mrs T.A. Davies of Southgate, and was born at Hampstead on October 4, 1894.
He entered the Berrystead in September 1905, being transferred to Laxton House in September 1907.
He left school in July 1913, having played for the X1 in his last term.
Soon after war broke out he was given a commission in the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, with whom he proceeded to France. He was killed in action at Bellewaarde, near Hooge on June 22, 1915, and was buried by the Germans.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 37-39
Geoffrey Boles DONALDSON
was the only son of the late Mr Donaldson of Londonderry and Mrs Donaldson formerly of Lower Quinton, Stratford-on-Avon. He was born at Londonderry on November 25 1893. He entered Oundle (New House) in September 1907 and left in July 1912.
After leaving school he went up to Caius College, Cambridge with s Senior Biological Scholarship. In 1914 he took a First Class in the first part of the Natural Science Tripos, and intended to devote himself to Botany. In this same year he was in the South of France with a party from the Cambridge School of Botany.
In August, on the outbreak of war, he rejoined the O.T.C. at Cambridge, and was in the first training camp at Royston. He joined the 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment in October and was made a full Lieutenant in December 1914.
In January 1915 he wasat Hayling Island for a course, and was subsequently appointed Musketry Instructor.
In November he was at the Staff College, Camberley. Promoted Captain in March 1916, he went to France in May and was killed on July 19, leading his men at Neuve Chapelle.
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL (Hainaut Belgium) Panel 2-3
(See “The Imperial War Museum’s Book of the Wqestern Front” by Malcolm Brown. This quotes Geoffrey’s letters, which he sent to his mother from the front. The letters are now in the I.W.M.archives)
Alan GODSAL
was the younger son of Edward Hugh and Marion Grace Godsal, of Blackheath and of Wimmersh Lodge, Wokingham. He was born in New Zealand on May 4, 1894.
Entering the Berrystead in May 1905 he was transferred later to School House and left in 1913. He was a good gymnast and a keen shot.
In September 1914 Godsal was gazetted to the 7th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade, at Aldershot and went with them to France in April 1915. They were in the line near Ypres.
He was promoted to his Colonel’s Staff as Battalion Machine Gun Officer and his Colonel described him as “quite my most promising officer”.
He fell on July 30, 1915.
The Battalion had been relieved but had to return at once in order to retake their trenches, which had been lost. Godsal recaptured one of his machine guns and used it against the enemy until ammunition failed, and he was last seen using his revolver. His body lies in Sanctuary Wood.
One of his men said; “I shall never have such an officer again, all of us loved him”.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 45-48-50
John Christopher HEBBLETHWAITE
WAS THE SECOND SON OF Rhodes and Louie Hebblethwaite of Highthorne, Husthwaite, Yorkshire. He was born at Leeds on May 31 1896. He was for a time at Southcliffe School, Filey before entering Oundle (Grafton) in May 1911.
He left school in July 1914, and, immediately war was declared, he started to help in finding horses for the Army, but as soon as he was able, he enlisted in the Yorkshire Hussars, and was shortly afterwards offered a commission in the Royal Field Artillery, which he accepted (October 1914)
After finishing his training at Larkhill, he proceeded to France in September 1915, being attached to the 6th Division. He was thus on the Ypres Salient all the time he was out in France.
For consistent good work he was promoted Lieutenant in March 1916. On June 22 1916 he was killed by a chance shell, which also mortally wounded another officer.
He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Vlamertinghe. An Officer wrote:”He took such a great interest in the Battery, and in all his work, and was in every way a first class subaltern. Besides which, we all liked him so very much for himself”.
VLAMERTINGHE Military Cemetery (Vlamertinge) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave I.B.20
Herbert Edward HOBBS
was the son of Mr and Mrs. H. Hobbs, formerly of Gosforth, Northumberland.
He was born on November 9, 1894 and entered Oundle (Laxton House) in January 1909, leaving the following December.
He held a commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers and fell in action in August 1915.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 8-12
Alfred John Avalon HUTCHINS
was the first son of Mr and Mrs Alfred Hutchins of Bournemouth. He was born on July 29, 1897 at Avalon, Catalina Island, California, U.S.A.
He entered Laxton House in January 1912, and left in December 1915, proceeding to Sandhurst, out of which he passed in October 1916, and joined the Royal Sussex Regiment. He went out to France in December of the same year.
He was severely wounded in the face and left thigh, and gas poisoned, bear Boesinghe on March 20, 1918, when he was taken by the Germans, and died in one of their Field Hospitals at Pithem, neat Thielt. He was buried in Bergmoolen Military Cemetery near Ardoye.
A brother Officer wrote;” Your son had endeared himself to all the officers in the Battalion, and with the men of his platoon he was very popular. At his work he was most willing, cheerful, and enthusiastic, and in himself he was so unselfish and so lovable, that I cannot help but feel for him, the warmest friendship.
(Avalon was subsequently re-interred at Harlebeke. See appendix for the letters his father wrote to his brother who was still at Oundle. Also see his cousin Frederick Trenchard, buried at La Brique and his best friend Richard Moore, buried at Grevillers)
HARLEBEKE NEW British Cemetery (Harelbeke) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave II-C-16
Alfred.John.Avalon Hutchins (Eldest boy) with his parents, Alfred and Alice, brother Douglas (sitting on father’s knee) (also an Old Oundelian) and sisters Ivy, Ethel and Violet. (about 1907)
Audley Andrew Dowell LEE
was the second son of Rev. Dr. and Mrs W Dowell Lee of Deytheur, Llansantffraid, Montgomershire where he was born on 3 April 1895.
He entered Oundle (New House) in January 1908 and left in July 1914.
He went up to Lincoln College, Oxford in October following. There he joined the O.T.C. and received a commission in the 9th Leicestershire Regiment in December 1914.
He went to France in October 1915 and was through the Somme Battles in 1916. For good work in July of that year he was awarded the Military Cross, January 1917.
He was promoted Captain in October 1916.
He fell on October 1 1917 while leading his company forward to repulse a heave attack.
An officer wrote: “We feel his loss more than words can express, for he was beloved by all ranks”.
TYNE COT Memorial (ZONNEBEKE)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 50 to 51
Alexander Perceval MATHESON
was the third and last surviving son of Alexander Perceval and Eleanor Matheson of Ardarun, Littlehampton, Sussex. He was born at Brighton on January 21 1895.
Coming to Oundle from St. Ronan’s, Worthing, he entered Dryden in January 1910.
Leaving school he went out to Canada to take up four years’ course at Ontario Agricultural College; this was in February 1914.
In 1915 he was given a commission in the Army Service Corps, and joined up a week after landing in England. In November 1915 he transferred to the Flying Corps and in February 1916 flew with his squadron (No. 55) to France, where he was continually in action from that date until his death on July 13. His machine was shot down in a fight over Aerselle, near Oudenarde.
At the time of his death he was Lieutenant and Acting Flight Commander, and was described by an officer as “one of the bravest and best pilots in the squadron”.
OUDENAARDE Communal Cemetery (Oost Vlaanderen Belgium)
Douglas William McMICHAEL
was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William McMichael of Oundle. He was born on January 6, 1893 and was transferred from Laxton School to Oundle in 1910. He left in 1912, proceeding to Clare College, Cambridge with a scholarship in Natural Science. He took a Second Class in the first part of the Natural Science Tripos in June 1914. He rowed for his college in 1913 and 1914. On the outbreak of war he joined the Public Schools Battalion and was subsequently given a commission in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He died on April 20 1916 from wounds received the day before.
His Colonel wrote: “He was one of the best officers I have come across – always cool confident and self-reliant, and absolutely devoid of fear. I had intended to give him command of the next vacant company. He was a great favourite with all ranks, and leaves a gap which cannot be filled”.
His rank at the time of his death was Lieutenant.
ESSEX FARM Cemetery (Boezinge) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave II-I-1
James Outram MORRIS
was the second son of the Rev. W. Morris of Sydenham, Thame, Oxford. He was born at Ramsay on January 2 1886 and entered Oundle (Sidney House) in January 1902, leaving school in July 1905.
Prominent on the football field, he played for the school in 1903 and 1904.
After leaving school Morris went up to Emmanuel, but his Cambridge course was much interrupted by illness. He took a second class in the Natural Science Tripos of 1910. Leaving Cambridge, he took a mastership at Stone, Staffordshire and, later, one at Rugby.
When war broke out he joined the Artist’s Rifles, his eyesight preventing him from obtaining a commission.
As a non-commissioned officer he was very popular with his men and officers. He fell on October 30 1917, while leading an attacking party.
TYNE COT Memorial (ZONNEBEKE)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 153
Robert William PEARSON
was the fourth son of the late R. Pearson of Tamworth. He was born at Whitchurch on June 22 1880, entered Oundle (Dryden House) in January 1894 and left in July 1897.
He was killed in action in Flanders on May 15 1915. He had been a keen Volunteer and Territorial and was the senior Captain of his Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry.
YPRES RESERVOIR Cemetery (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave IX.H.36.
Standard Bearer
Kevin Illiff
Alan Lewis PINK
was the eldest son of the late J.F. Pink of London and Mrs Pink of Chennel’s House, Horsham. He was born in London on August 23, 1898 and entered Oundle (Laxton House) in September 1911. Later he transferred to New House. He was a member of the XV.
Leaving school in April 1915, he obtained a commission in the Rifle Brigade. Later he was attached to the Royal Air Force, and was killed in action on October 30, 1918.
His rank at the time of his death was Lieutenant.
KOOIGEM Churchyard (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave A.10.
Donald Wyand RAMSAY
was the second son of Mr and Mrs N.F. Ramsay of Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he was born on May 21, 1897.
He entered Oundle (School House) in September 1911 and left in December 1915.
He was Head of School and Captain of the XV. Soon after leaving Oundle he joined the Royal Naval Air Service and. After training in England, he went out to France.
He was reported missing in July 1917 and his death was afterwards presumed to have occurred at that time. (07-07-1917)
(facing War Memorial)
BOUSBECQUE Communal Cemetery (Nord France)
Evan Wilmot Harley RUSSELL
was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs Ernest H. Russell of Belmont, Surrey. He was born at Weybridge on July 19, 1892 and came to Oundle (Sidney House) in May 1907. Leaving school he entered the Great Northern Locomotive Works at Doncaster, where he remained nearly five years. During this time he joined the Yeomanry (West Yorkshire Dragoons). When war came Russell was at the King’s Cross Works and joined the 1st Battalion of the Honourable Atrillery Company, going to France in December. He was fighting in the line for six months.
Russell had been unwilling to take a commission, but after six months was coming home with five others to do so. They were attached to the Headquarters Staff (awaiting their orders) at the time of the attack on Hooge (June 1915), but realizing that the casualties were heavy, Russell volunteered his services as a stretcher bearer and was killed instantaneously by a shell while rescuing the wounded.
An Officer wrote; “Evan was highly esteemed by us all, he was always cheerful and willing to sacrifice himself for others”.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 9
Roy Broughton SANDERSON
was the eldest son of the Head Master and Mrs Sanderson. Born at Dulwich on February 18, 1889 he entered School House in April 1898, leaving in July 1908, when he was Head of School, Captain of the XV and a prominent swimmer.
Going up to Queen’s College Cambridge, as a scholar, he read for the Mathematical and Mechanical Science Triposes, and was captain of his college XV.
After serving a pupilage under Mr. E.C. Trench, the chief engineer of the London and North Western Railway, he was appointed to the staff of the Royal Naval College, Osborne. Given leave of absence by the Admiralty he was gazetted second lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery and went to France. He was invalided home for a year, at the end of which time he married Miss Margaret Rowell of Cambridge (December 1917).
Promoted Lieutenant, he returned to the front and died of wounds on 20 April 1918.
HARINGHE (BANDAGHEM) Military Cemetery (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave V-D-33 (CWGC say that he died on 17th April 1918)
Edwin Walter SAUNDERS
was the elder son of the late Walter C. Saunders and of Mrs Saunders of Glassmoor House, Whittlesea. He was born at Whittlesea on April 16, 1893.
He came to Oundle in September 1906 entering Crosby House. He left in April 1910, and later took up farming.
He held a commission in the Territorial Force (Cambridgeshire Regiment) at the time when war was declared, and went to France with his Regiment in February. He was through the fighting at St. Eloi, but fell at Hill 60, near Ypres on May 5, 1915.
His Commanding Officer wrote;” The Regiment will miss him very much, for he had been doing splendid work the whole time we were at the front.”
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 50-52
Reginald Herbert SECRETAN
was the second son of Mr. and Mrs Herbert Secretan of Leverstock Green, Hertfordshire. He was born at Ewell on June 22, 1895 and entered Oundle (Sidney House) in September 1909 leaving in July 1914.
After several attempts to join the army, which were unsuccessful owing to his short sight, he was accepted by the Army Service Corps (M.T.) as a motor driver and dispatch rider. After 18 months service he came home to take a commission (August 1916).
He joined the Hertfordshire Regiment in France in January 1917 and fell in action on July 31, 1917 when leading his platoon against their final objective. (31 July 1917 was the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres [Passchendaele])
His Commanding Officer wrote;”He was always so cheerful and ready to do everything, that he was a great favourite with everyone”.
Secretan was keen at all games and excelled in many.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 54-56
Philip Edmund SHARPLES
was the only son of the late Charles Philip Sharples of Blackburn, and stepson of Mr. A Cawood of Sedburgh, and formerly of Oswestry.
He was born at Blackburn on May 25 1896 and entered the Berrystead in September 1909 being transferred later to Laxton House. He left in December 1912.
Enlisting in the Sheffield City Battalion in September 1914, Sharples was given a commission in the 9th York and Lancaster Regiment in July 1915, and with them, went to France. He was killed in action on July 7, 1917 hear Ypres.
RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND (Tranport Farm) (Zillebeke) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Sp. Mem. C.1
Russell Louis Harry SIMMONS
was the third son of Mrs Stone and stepson of Dr. J.M. Stone of Harewood, Maidenhead, Berkshire. He was born in London on February 27, 1895. He entered Oundle (Dryden House) in September 1909 and left in April 1913.
Given a commission in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion in France, and fell in the Battle of Loos on September 25 1915.
His Commanding Officer wrote; “He was a very keen soldier, liked by all; he was to have been given his Commission in the 1st and 2nd Battalion”.
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL (Hainaut Belgium) Panel 7-8
Gervase Thorpe SPENDLOVE
was the first son of Mr. & Mrs. J.G. Spendlove of Brooklands, North Collingham, Newark and formerly of Beeston. Notts.
He was born at Nottingham on December 29 1895 and entered Oundle (Sidney House) in September 1909, leaving in July 1913.
He had joined the motor section of the Legion of Frontiersmen a few months previous to the outbreak of war. After helpinh with recruiting work, he started with three others (on motor bicycles) for General Headquarters in France, with a letter of recommendation to Sir John French. They were attached to the Royal Engineers as dispatch riders, with the rank of Corporal.
When an appeal came for men with OTC training Spendlove took a Commission and was attached to the 2nd South Lancashires, as a 2nd Lieutenant with whom he had only served three days when he was killed by a shell on November 17 1914 near Ypres.
YPRES Town Cemetery (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave E-2-19
Edward Reginald SPOFFORTH
was the only son of Mrs. Spofforth of Granville Road, Scarborough. He was born at York on January 15, 1891 and entered Oundle (School House) in September 1906, leaving in December 1908.
Spofforth first went to France in April 1915 with the 5th Yorkshire Regiment, and within a week of landing took part in the first Battle of Ypres. Soon afterwards he was attacked by Scarlet Fever, and on recovering, was invalided home for a month, being stationed at the Regimental depot at Scarborough. He went again to France in January 1916, and on March 2, he was mortally wounded by a trench mortar shell, dying in an hour.
His Commanding Officer wrote: “Your boy was such a keen soldier that we shall find the gap he leaves in the regiment difficult to fill, that he leaves in our hearts impossible”.
He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Poperinghe.
POPERINGE NEW Military Cemetery (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave 1-G-27
Alexander Jewell STANNARD
was the only son of Mr and Mrs A Stannard of Southsea, where he was born on August 5 1891.
He entered Sidney in September 1905 and was a school until December 1908. He belonged to the Cadet Corps and was a keen member of the XV.
Leaving Oundle he passed for Sandhurst but prefered to continue his studies with a view to entering the Indian Police. Prevented from illness from taking the examination, he decided to make the Army his profession. After serving a year as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garison Artillery Reserve of Officers, he obtained his commission and joined the regular Army in June 1914. Stationed for a time at Dover, he proceeded to France in September 1915 with a siege battery with which he remained until the end. In August 1916 he became Captain, and in the early part of 1917 he was gazetted Acting Major. When in command of the Battery, Stannard was killed by a shell on August 19, 1917.
An Officer wrote; “He was an excellent officer in every way; conscientious, painstaking and thorough, and he endeared himself to us all. His men, I am told, deeply feel his loss also. Your son did his duty to the end.”
THE HUTS Cemetery (Dikkebus) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave III-C-17
Norman STEEL
was the only son of Mr and Mrs F.J. Steel of Stroud, Gloucester, where he was born on February 14 1897.
Entering New House in September 1911, he became a member of the XV.
Leaving in December 1915, he joined the 5th Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment, and with them went to France.
He fell on August 16, 1917 being instantaneously killed by a machine-gun bullet, when leading his platoon into action near Ypres.
His Commanding Officer wrote: “We are all very sorry, as he was popular with everyone in the Battalion, and always led his platoon with skill and in a fearless manner”.
TYNE COT Memorial (ZONNEBEKE)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 72 to 75
Talbert STEVENSON
was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stevenson of Dudhope Terrace, Dundee. He was born on May 3, 1895 and entered Oundle (Crosby House) in September 1910 leaving in July 1912. After leaving school Stevenson spent some time on the continent, and was still preparing himself to join his father in business when war came.
He enlisted in the 4th Black Watch and received his commission on September 2, 1914. After training at Dundee and a musketry course at York, he went with his battalion to France in February 1915. He was through the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and fighting at Festubert, but was severely wounded on June 9. He rejoined the battalion in France in September as Lieutenant, and was appointed temporary Captain. Later he was offered promotion as Brigade Major, but preferred to remain with his battalion. Wounded in November 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, he was for several months at Ripon, rejoining his battalion in July 1917.
He had been awarded the Military Cross in January 1917. In August he was promoted Captain and appointed Adjutant. He was killed in action at Polderhoek (Menin Road) on November 14, 1917, and buried at La Clytte (S.W. of Ypres). After his death a Bar was added to his Military Cross.
His Commanding Officer wrote: ”His loss to the Battalion is irreparable. Brave to a fault, brimming over with energy and keenness, a prime favourite with officers and men, he also possessed a very old head on young shoulders.”
LA CLYTTE Cemetery (De Klijte) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave IV-A-2
Ron and Avalon Eastman with
RBL Standard Bearer Derril Green
Frederick Alfred TRENCHARD
was the only son of Mr and Mrs. R.B. Trenchard of Richmond, Surrey. He was born on April 12, 1888 and entered Oundle (Laxton House) in September 1902, leaving in July 1906 to go up to Cambridge. Trenchard was a school prefect and prominent in many branches of Athletics. He was captain of Rowing, and a member of the XV for several years. Entering Trinity Hall, he graduated in 1909 and represented his University in the sports of 1910.
He was gazetted to the Royal Field Artillery from Cambridge in 1910 and went to France with his battery in September 1914. Mentioned in Sir John French’s despatch of November 20 1914, he was wounded in December, but remained with his battery and on May 24, 1915, fell in action.
In July 1914 he was married to Miss Frances Ann Barnett.
LA BRIQUE Cemetery N° 2 (Sint Jan) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave I-L-29
Fred with parents Louisa (nee Hutchins) and Robert Bagshot Trenchard. Fred. Captain of Boats 1905.
E.H.Edmonds (3) W.P.Kemp (2) S.G. Hunter (Bow) F A Trenchard (Str) G.Watts (Cox)
Frederick Maxwell WAITE
was the younger son of Mr and Mrs F.W. Waite of The Spinneys, Manor Road, Leicester. He was born on May 4, 1895 at Market Harborough, and entered Grafton in January 1909. At school he was a kken member of the O.T.C.
On leaving school he was articled to Messrs. Hopps and Bankart, Chartered Accountants, of Leicester, and in August 1914 he joined the Army. He went to France early in March 1915 with the 4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment and was killed in action in Flanders on June 7, 1915.
An Officer wrote; “He was always cheerful and was a real leader of men; he did not know what fear was; always a soldier and a gentleman, and beloved by all about him, ready for work or fun, each in its own place. His men would do anything for him, and would follow him anywhere”.
PACKHORSE FARM SHRINE Cemetery (Wulvergem) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave F-6
James Booker Brough WARREN
was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs J.B. Warren on Monkstown, Dublin.
He was born at Iowa on April 4, 1889 and entered Oundle (Grafton House) in September 1903, leaving in April 1907.
Warren was fond of riding and outdoor sports.
He entered the army through the Special Reserve soon after leaving Oundle.
At the time of his death he held the rank of Lieutenant in the Border Regiment.
He fell in action near Ypres on October 29, 1914.
YPRES MENIN GATE Memorial (IEPER) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Panel 35
Standard bearer
Derril Green
Walter Montague WEST
was the son of Mr. and Mrs W.W. West of Needham Hall, Wisbech. He was born on December 23, 1895 and entered Oundle (School House) in September 1910, leaving in December 1913.
In March 1914, West joined the Cambridgeshire Territorials.
Soon after war broke out, he was promoted Lieutenant, and in February 1915 went to France with his Battalion.
He was wounded near Ypres on May 5 and died on the following day, May 6, 1915.
KLEIN VIERSTRAAT Cemetery (Kemmel)(West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave V-A-7
Ernest Walter WINTON (WEINTRAUD)
was the younger son of Mr and Mrs F. Weintraud of Belsize Avenue, Hampstead.
He was born on February 2nd 1898 and entered Oundle (Grafton House) in September 1911 leaving in July 1914. Leaving school he went to University College, London, for a year and to Clare College, Cambridge in October 1915. He studied Economics and Socialism and also devoted considerable time to music.
Leaving Cambridge after two terms, he passed through the R.M.A. Woolwich, being gazetted to the R.G.A. in June 1917. Going to France in November he was killed while taking up ammunition to the fighting line on December 15th 1917.
BLEUET FARM Cemetery (Elverdinge) (West Vlaanderen Belgium) Grave II.B.35

 

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