The Fallen Latymerians of the First World War 2024 Update

A COMMEMORATION OF THE FORMER PUPILS AND STAFF WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR OF 1914 – 1918, WHOSE NAMES ARE HONOURED ON THE MEMORIAL TABLETS IN THE SCHOOL HALL.

Introduction

Though there had been an earlier school, later known as the Latymer Foundation School, opened in 1627 in accordance with Edward Latymer’s Will and his wish to educate the poor boys of Hammersmith, Latymer Upper School was only opened in January 1895,

So, the School was less than twenty years old in 1914, and even by 1918 there will have been somewhat fewer than three thousand men or boys who could say that they had attended Latymer Upper School, and of course rather fewer than that would have been of the requisite age to fight.

Of those three thousand or so, at least twelve hundred and thirty-four went off to fight in the First World War. Their names were listed in the ‘Roll of Honour’ published in the School magazine and those lists ceased to be published after 1916, even though men still went off to the battlefield, but now under conscription.

Of those twelve hundred and thirty-four or more, two hundred and twenty-one did not come back, but were killed.

There was also one teacher, Mr Percy Brill, who died in uniform.

Fourteen of those Latymerians were killed on the same day, the 1st July 1916, the first day of the battle of the Somme. This was the worst day for losses in the history of the British Army, with 16,000 men falling on that single day.

The arithmetic of the lines above suggests that Latymerians of the time showed, and showed to a quite remarkable extent, a willingness to serve and fight for the causes for which the United Kingdom had gone to war in the summer of 1914.

It has seemed very appropriate, therefore, in the year of the Centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, that more should be known, and known more widely, about the men whose names are honoured in blue and red on Frank Brangwyn’s fine memorial gracing the School Hall. The causes of the War have long been, still remain, and will perhaps long remain controversial. The humanity, willingness to serve, courage and determination of those who fought, and those who did not return, are surely not.

This Project of Remembrance brings together the details that are recorded in the School Archive and information from other sources such as the Army Records, including some Regimental War Diaries, and the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The School Archive sources are chiefly the Admissions Registers and notices in the School Magazines.

In the Admissions Registers each boy who entered the School had the details of his date of birth, address, father’s name and father’s occupation diligently recorded, along with the name of his previous school, the date when he joined Latymer Upper School, and a note of any scholarships to cover his fees. The humble backgrounds and academic promise of many of these boys chime in well with the intention underpinning The Founder’s will, and the spirit behind the School’s current desire to award as many Scholarships as possible, so that need should not deprive anyone of the benefits of becoming a Latymer student.

As each boy’s school career progressed, details of examination successes might be added to his Admission Register entry, and also the date of his leaving, the forms to which he belonged, and notes of the further education or employment which followed his time at Latymer.

The ‘Latymer Upper School Magazine’, the second primary source, proudly gives lists of those who enlisted, and, where known, the units or ships in which they served, at least until 1916, though by that time a more sombre tone begins to accompany the pride and jingoism, as the details of losses and casualties are added to the poetry and the reports of wartime service and fighting.

Poignant and remarkable obituaries also appear of the men who made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country, and all the obituaries published in the magazine are included in this document. Notices of service and of losses vary from man to man in length and fulness, Some are detailed and proud of the fallen man’s service, dedication and achievement in uniform, other are poignant and personal, Mot cover both emotions. Some records from the Magazine are very brief and some mention only the man’s death, with perhaps a date or approximate date, or an approximate area. Some men are mentioned only as ‘missing believed killed’ or ‘wounded’ and it is not always clear if they recovered. At least one man is marked as lost when he was in fact a Prisoner of War and survived to serve also in the Second World War.

Each individual fallen Latymerian has a reason for the length or brevity of his entry in the Magazine records. All families who lost loved ones will have been informed of their loss by the service authorities, but some, through grief mostly, and so very understandably, will not have informed the School of their loss, or not have done so in great, and very possibly painful, detail.

Most of the men who fell lie in the fine Cemeteries of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, but some were brought home and died there, a very small number were committed to the sea, and a somewhat and sadly larger number, for whom nothing that could be interred was found, are listed on the Memorials to the Missing at Thiepval, The Menin Gate in Ypres, and elsewhere.

There remain a small number of names for which there are no details to be given. Some may have been alumni of the Latymer Foundation or Elementary School, or the Latymer School at Edmonton, but included on the Latymer Upper School list through understandable error, and listed here still in case they might be forgotten.

There may very well also be some Latymerians who lie in France, Belgium or elsewhere under the proud white headstones that bear only that theologically most true and comforting, yet still most poignant epitaph, ‘A Soldier of The Great War, Known Unto God.’

It is to the memory of all of them that this scarcely sufficient token of Remembrance is offered.

An Addition to the Introduction, May 2024.

This memorial document, expanding the stories of the fallen Latymerians beyond the names listed on the Memorial Tablets in the School Hall, was first compiled in 2012-3 in preparation for the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, to honour those who fell and also to bring to wider notice the information in the School Archive, recently installed in its new home in a dedicated space off the Hall.

It may be republished as part of the digital archive and so made available to a very much wider potential readership ‘online’, as part of the celebration of the Latymer Foundation’s Quatercentenary in 2024, which is also one hundred and ten years since the fateful summer of 1914.

Since the first version of this was compiled, under the current Archivist, Polly Foley, the School has been able to ‘digitise’ the admissions registers which were such a vital source for the original project. This has made it very easy to review the text and make a good number of corrections and additions.

We are enormously grateful to Mr Roland Bostock and his team at the West Middlesex Family History Society for all their painstaking, patient, detailed and lovingly professional work on the digitising of the registers and the transcribing of the data they contained, which has enabled this ‘updated’ version to be produced. They have also conducted further research into the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (though some research from there was conducted in the work on the original project) and other genealogical sources, which has added further detail to the short biographies of the fallen Latymerians.

Their searches have discovered that a small number of those whose names appear on the Memorial Tablets in the School Hall may not have been killed or may not have attended Latymer Upper School. But if their name is carved in the stone of the memorial, we have included what we know of them in this document.

M.J.Smith M.A. Former Teacher and Hon, Archivist.

Lichfield, Staffordshire, 2024.

A

note on the organisation of the School at the time of the First World War, and on Examinations.

There were at least two classes in each form or year group, suggesting a grading by ability between those classes. Movement between forms and classes was not simply dependent on age, but also on progress - or the lack of it. That is why it may be noted in the information given about some boys’ movements through the School, that they seem quicker or slower than the number of years spent in the School might indicate.

Most Latymerians of the time sat the Cambridge Local Examinations. Though age was not the sole criterion for moving through the School and preparation for examinations, the junior level roughly corresponds to G.C.S.E., the senior to A Level. ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ means a pass. Results that were better than that are classed as Honours, at Class I, II or III Some students were awarded Distinctions in particular subjects, and some students used their examination performance to gain Matriculation- that is a qualification entitling them to admission to London University. Although not all of them followed that up, as many families could not afford it, it did increase their employability.

Some stayed on into the Higher Sixth Form (Class VII) and sat the first-year degree exams of London University, the Intermediate Degree), while still at school.

Entrance to Commercial and Technical Examinations was also offered.

On leaving, a few were employed as Bursars at Latymer, that is to say they joined the administrative staff, or as Student Teachers. Usually these student teachers became students at one of the London Day Colleges, doing some academic work on teaching on some days and working in the classroom, as both teachers and pupils, on others.

Those who went on to Oxford or Cambridge were often awarded scholarships of a certain sum of money per year by their Colleges, as a reward for their excellent performance or promise in the entrance examinations. This excellence was also frequently rewarded by a School Leaving Scholarship paid by the School Governors, especially to boys from humbler families.

M.J.Smith

Military Service: a note on the organisation of the British Army.

In 1914 most Regiments consisted of 2 Battalions, one engaged on overseas service and one on home (training and reinforcement) roles. The 3rd and 4th Battalions were then quickly added after the beginning of the war, as the pre-war Territorials were mobilised, and then beyond that the 5th, 6th and other Battalions were Kitchener’s ‘New Army’ civilian volunteers of 1914-6, with conscripts added from 1916.

Many Regiments expanded to 20, even 30 or more Battalions, including the City and County of London Regiments, in which many Latymerians served. Sometimes these extra Battalions just had numbers to identify them, sometimes they were given new names such as "Civil Service Rifles" or "Kensington Regiment". All these extra Battalions were purely wartime units and were disbanded in 1919--some as early as 1917-18.

The Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers were officially single Regiments and not sub-divided into Battalions.

Regiments, in the sense of several Battalions with one place name (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd Surreys) normally did not fight together, but in separate Brigades or even Divisions. Three or four Battalions (often from different Regiments) were grouped for battle purposes into Brigades, with three or four Brigades to one Division.

Continental armies did not have these territorially-designated "parent" Regiments--and a French or German regiment just meant a combat unit of 3 Battalions.

Men who had been at Latymer were killed mostly in the 1916 Somme, 1917 Messines Ridge and 3rd Ypres, and 1918 Ludendorff offensives. Just a few crop up on the Turkish front. Many died on the first days of offensives, whether Allied or German ones.

Sadly, the great bulk of Latymerians who fell seem to have been London Regiment Territorial and Conscript Infantry who are often seen as "cannon fodder".

It is not true that the troops were stuck in the same trenches for 4 years, because there were significant retreats and advances, but the British Expeditionary Force inhabited the same strip of the Belgian province of West Flanders, and the French Départements of Nord, Pas de Calais, and Somme, with base areas extending back to the Channel coast between Calais in the north and Le Havre in the south, for most of the war. This relative lack of movement is rather depressing considering that between June 1944 and May 1945, in the Second World War, the Allies advanced all the way from Normandy to the Baltic, and with only 8% of the casualties sustained in the earlier war.

J.P.Foynes

An Outline of the Campaigns in which Latymerians fought.

On the Western Front:

August 1914 -end of 1914:

The British Expeditionary Force in Belgium and France consists of up to 13 divisions (some very depleted) in 2-3 corps, and holding a front of only 15-20 miles at maximum. They retreat through Belgium (via Mons) to Marne, near Paris, then take part in a larger French counter-offensive. In October they move north to Ypres, holding the city against 2 big German offensives (I and II Ypres). At this Stage the British Expeditionary Force (under General Sir John French) are all pre-war Regulars (professionals), including 2 Indian divisions arriving just in the previous few weeks.

Early 1915-Oct 1915:

The British Expeditionary Force (still under Sir John French), now split into 2 armies, and holding the sector from Ypres as far south as La Bassée-Bethune, and then on to Loos, a suburb of Lens in the Nord Coalfield, stages small and almost wholly unsuccessful attacks on Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Festubert in the spring of 1915. The front is increased to about 35 miles, held by 25-30 divisions, with Territorial volunteers who have enlisted since the outbreak of war, but as yet hardly any of Kitchener's 1914 New Army –the "Your Country Needs YOU!" volunteers.

This phase ends with limited-success in an attack at Loos in Sept-Oct 1915, the largest British Expeditionary Force effort so far, and the replacement of French by Sir Douglas Haig.

End of 1915 - Spring 1916:

Kitchener's post-outbreak volunteers, formed into "Pals ’Battalions" reinforce the British Expeditionary Force and increase it to 56 divisions in 4 armies (approaching 2 million men). They take over the whole front down almost to the River Somme, relieving the French to defend Verdun and recoup their huge 1914-15 losses.

Jan 1916:

Conscription becomes law and from May, the first conscripts join the British Expeditionary Force, but very few arrive at the front before the autumn of 1916.

1 July 1916:

Haig's men (Rawlinson's 4th Army) go over the top on the Somme—the first major attack by postoutbreak volunteers, and the first to be on the same scale as the German, French or Russian attacks. The battle peters out in November 1916.

9 April 1917:

British Expeditionary Force (Allenby's 3rd Army) successfully attack on either side of Arras--most dramatically the Canadian Corps at Vimy Ridge. Much of the British Expeditionary Force (including Canadians and New Zealanders, but not Australians) are by now 1916-17 conscripts.

7 June 1917:

British Expeditionary Force (Plumer's 2nd Army) storm Messines Ridge as preliminary to the III Ypres offensive.

31 July-10 Nov 1917:

The British Expeditionary Force (Gough's 5th and Plumer's 2nd Armies) attack north-eastwards from Ypres, ending at Passchendaele.

The British Expeditionary Force reached 67 divisions at maximum but some are withdrawn to fight in Italy and Palestine, and also divisions are cut from 12 to 9 infantry Battalions. (British Expeditionary Force amounted to about 1.7 million men in early 1918).

21 March - 9 April 1918:

The Ludendorff Offensive: a huge German break through takes place against the B.E.F. astride the Rivers Somme (in south) and Lys (in north) but is eventually checked short of Amiens, Bethune and Hazebrook (in north).

From 8 August 1918:

All five British Expeditionary Force armies go onto a near-continuous offensive, as part of Foch's plan, and end up as far east as Ghent and Mons, having liberated all of the part of France facing them and advancing deep into Belgium.

In the East

The main British operations were against the Turks:

 to take the Gallipoli Peninsula (April to December 1915)

 in Palestine (via Gaza--third time lucky under Allenby--Jerusalem fell just before Christmas 1917).

 in Mesopotamia (Iraq), where Baghdad finally fell in March 1917 and Damascus in early October 1918,

The Memorials to the Missing:

The Menin Gate (commemorating all those lost fighting close to Ypres between 1914 and 1918)

Tyne Cot (for 1917 fighting in III Ypres, towards Passchendaele village, which is 1 mile from Tyne Cot)

Ploegsteert (for fighting in Lys Valley, about 10-12 miles S of Ypres).

Thiepval (for the Somme, both in 1916 and 1918).

Incidentally Thiepval village is the only one in the British Expeditionary Force sector not to be rebuilt after the war. Just one wartime person lived on the site, called Therese. She "manned" a tiny wooden hut near the memorial serving tea and coffee to visitors. In 1970 I visited the spot and bought a glass of lemonade from her. She was then 80.

J.P.Foynes

The team of volunteers who have worked on this project is as follows:

Wendy Buckland, Lisa Cullen, Sian Davis, Ann Kempster, Terri McCargar, Natalie Stops, Jenny Thellusson, Mary Hemy, Salli Parra, Alison Muirhead, Flora Rugman, Otto Barrow, Madeleine Ward, Rachel Keaveney, Grace Lloyd, Alexandra Knowles, Sharujan Sriharan, Anais Marinho, Remi Chopra, Ameya Barve, Nina Anderson, Rupert Bickham, Max Priestley, Alexander Miller, Hester Odgers, Caroline Handford-Cmaj, Ruby O’Kane, Rachel Cannings. Lucy Heaton, Nick Kolobov, Louis Higgins, Callum Watts, Omar Khan-Osborne

Julian Foynes, History Department Malcolm Smith, School Archivist.

The picture of the Latymer crest on the cover is a photograph of the badge from a School sports colours blazer of the period, in fact the one worn by Stanley Alma Roper, with the colours awarded for rifle shooting.

The image is chosen to reflect the sporting summer atmosphere of that fateful August of 1914, and the outlooks and achievements of those young men whose lives are recalled here.

The Fallen of Latymer Upper School 1914-1918

F. W. ALDRIDGE, M.M.

Frederick William Aldridge was born on November 29th 1894. By the time he entered Latymer, his father, who had been a ‘Time Keeper’ had died, and so his mother, simply referred to as ‘Mrs Aldridge’, is listed in the Admissions Register as his parent. They lived at 21 Lysia Street in Fulham. He entered Latymer from St Dunstan’s Road London County Council Elementary School on 11th September 1906, and was placed in Class III b. He was clearly thought of as a boy of some academic ability and promise, as all his fees were paid by the London County Council. He left Latymer on 26 th July 1911, his last class being V a. He sat, and ‘satisfied the examiners’ (that is to say he passed) in the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1911. He then went on to a Clerkship in Parr’s Bank.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was killed on September 27 th 1917, and that he was buried in St Omer. This was a base and hospital town behind the Ypres Salient; he was probably therefore a casualty of the attack on Polygon Wood and Zonnebeke which took place two days earlier.

In the January 1919 School Magazine, there is the following obituary:

Lance Corporal F.W. Aldridge enlisted in January 1915 in the 12th London Regiment, and aftertwoyearstraininginEnglandwenttoFrancewiththe58th divisioninmarch1917.He was wounded on September 27th 1917 and died the same day in hospital at St Omer. The Military Medal which he won was presented to his Mother a few weeks ago by the Duke of Connaught.

Whileremainingathispostandsendingmessagesbacktoheadquartershewasstruckbya machinegunbulletwhichcosthimhislife.HisaffectionforLatymerwasverygreat,andhe wasalwaysinterestedineverythingconnectedwiththeSchool

H. P. ANNING

Hubert Percy Anning was born on October 7th 1889, the son of Hubert Anning, a clerk, of 23 Hale Gardens, East Acton. He entered Latymer from a private school on January 11th 1898, and left in July 1906.

He joined the Royal East Kent Yeomanry (mounted rifles) two years before war broke out and had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, when In September 1915 he was deployed to the Dardanelles. He was wounded (possibly at Gallipoli or in Egypt) and died in hospital in Malta on 28thNovember. He was buried in the Pieta Cemetery, Malta. (Latymerian, December 1915 &Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

His sister wrote ‘hediedinhospitalatMaltaonNovember28th.IthinkthatLatymerhas indeedcausetobeproudofheroldboys.Myelderbrother,Sydney,isinEgyptwiththeB BatteryoftheH.A.C.’ (School Magazine, December 1915

R. H. ATTWATER

Reginald Henry Attwater was born on May 28th, 1893, the son of R. H. Attwater, a civil servant, of 32 Ashchurch Park Villas, Shepherds Bush. He entered Latymer from Elgin House private school on September 14th, 1903, being placed in class 1a. He obviously displayed academic ability as he had total exemption from the school fees, which were paid by the Governors Of The Latymer Foundation. His last class was vii a. He left Latymer on December 22nd, 1910. He sat and ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level in July 1908, achieving Hons. Class ii with distinction in Geography and at ‘Senior’ level Hons.Class iii in July 1909. He went on to be a Headmaster’s Secretary and Cinema Manager.

Second Lieutenant R. H. Attwater of the 10th Middlesex Regiment was one of the 168 reported killed in action on April 17th, 1917 the first day of the Arras offensive. he was buried in the Neuville - Vitasse Cemetery. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

A letter from his Chaplain says ‘HecametoHolyCommuniononPalmSundayandGood Fridayknowingfullwellwhatmightbeinstoreforhim.Isawhimjustbeforehewentupto thetrenchesforthelasttimehewassoveryfaithfulandfearless.Itisperhapswrongto saythathelookedasifheweregoingupforthelasttime,butIdidthinkthat,asisaid goodbye.ButialsofeltherewasaChristiansoldier.’(Schoolmagazine,January1917).

W.W.E. AYRES

William Walter Edward Ayres was born on 13th April 1883. He entered Latymer from Oxford Gardens Board School on 2nd March 1896, and left in 1897.

Private W. W. E. Ayres of 3rd Battalion, London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers was reported killed in action on 27th September 1916 aged 33, a casualty of the Flers - Courcelette phase of the Somme offensive. He was buried at the Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte (School Magazine, December 1919 & Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

J.R.A. BALCHIN, M.C.

John Richard Aubrey Balchin was born on November 19th, 1887, the son of W.H.G.Balchin, a Printer, of 59, Ashmore Road, Harrow. He entered Latymer from Amberley Road Board School on 14th January 1902.

He is reported wounded in the October 1915 edition of the School Magazine, and in the December 1916 edition it is recorded that Lieutenant Balchin of the Machine Gun Corps died of his wounds on November 14th

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was indeed killed on that date and buried in Mailly Wood Cemetery. Mailley, or Mallet, was a casualty station in the Battle of the Somme. Lt Balchin will have died near the end of the British offensive in that battle.

The following obituary of him appears in the February 1917 School magazine. His Major writes: “Lieutenant J. A. Balchin died from the effects of his wounds the preceding day. I wish to convey the deep sympathy of all the Officers and Men of his Company. He was an able officer and was well liked by all. He was wounded ably leading his Section to Victory.”

F.G.W. BARDWELL

Frank Geoffrey Welland Bardwell was born on February 7th 1894. The son of a Teacher, G. H. Bardwell of 7, Merthyr Terrace, Castelnau, Barnes. He entered Latymer from Latymer Lower Elementary School on September 9 1906 in class ii b, leaving on October 13th, 1910 from class v b. He went on to ‘coaching’ and clerkship with the Godalming branch of The Capital And Counties Bank.

Private F. G. W. Bardwell of the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment was reported killed in action on 30th August 1917. He was killed by a shell while going up to the trenches. His Company Commander writes: ‘Hecameverycloselyintotouchwithme.Healwaysdidhis jobjollywellandmostconscientiously.Ifeelhislossverykeenly (Schoolmagazine, October 1917).

He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial which is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders. The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

R.L. BARKER

Robert Loveless Barker is listed on the War Memorial, but he is not recorded as having attended Latymer Upper School.

Rifleman R. L. Barker of the London Regiment died on November 4th, 1916 (School Magazine, May 1919). He was buried at Reninghelst in Belgium. The location of his grave indicates he was serving in the Ypres area and may have been killed at the battle of the Somme (Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

A M BARROW

Alfred Montague Barrow, who was born on August 11th 1894, was the son of G.A.Barrow of 52, Silver Crescent, Gunnersbury. Mr Barrow senior was a Clerk. The Army Records give his address during his time of service as 65, Oxford Road, Gunnersbury. He entered Latymer from Portland College on January 17th 1905, and left on 22nd December 1909, having sat the Cambridge Local Examinations in July 1909 and satisfied the examiners. On leaving Latymer he joined the Civil Service as a clerk.

The April 1915 edition of the School Magazine lists him as having joined the 15th Battalion of the County of London Regiment. His name is on the list of the Fallen to be honoured on the War Memorial, which was published in the May 1919 magazine. From the Army Records we learn that he had been promoted to Sergeant, and was serving in the Prince of Wales’ Regiment, Civil Service Rifles, which formed part of the London Regiment, he was marked as missing on October 7th 1916, and his name stands on the Theipval Memorial, which honours those who fell in the Battles of the Somme, but whose remains were never found.

A. BASWITZ, M.C.

Albert Baswitz was born on 28th August1892, the son of H. Baswitz, an Insurance Broker of 40, Tamworth St, Fulham. He entered Latymer on April 24th1906 in class IIIB, and left on 21st July 1910, being then in class VIIA. His total exemption from school fees, which were paid through a Bursary awarded by the London County Council, is good evidence of his academic ability and promise. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level and was awarded Honours Class I in July 1908, and at the ‘Senior’ Level Honours Class II in July 1909. He achieved London University Matriculation by those examinations. He was

appointed a Student teacher as of the 1st August 1910, then attended London Day training college. He was Awarded the Intermediate Bachelor of Science Degree by King’s College London in 1912. His award of the Military Cross is also recorded on his Admission Register entry

It is recorded in the October1914 edition of the School Magazine that he enlisted in the 22nd Battalion of the County of London Regiment. This is followed by notice of his Temporary Commission in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine, and the report of the award of the Military Cross in the February 1916 one.

In the October 1916 edition of the School Magazine, Captain Baswitz is reported killed in action and there is the following obituary there, in the form of quotes from letters to his parents.

TheSeniorOfficeroftheRegimentwrote,‘Yoursonwasaverygallantgentleman.Heled hismen-hewasrightinfrontofthem-howcouldamandiebetter.Hehadnosuchthingas fear,andhismen,especiallythebombers,adoredhim.’HisMajorwrote‘Herehewasadmired byallforhisbravery,andhisunfailinggoodtemperandcheerfulness.Thedaybeforethe attackhewasinsplendidspiritsandIthinklookedforwardwitheageranticipationto goingintoaction.’

LtColcommandingwrote,’Yoursonwas,Ithink,thebravestmanIeversaw,andallranks intheBattalionheldhiminthehighestesteem.Noonecouldhavedonehisdutybetter.’ LtColintheFieldwrote,’HewasoneofthebravestmenIhavemetandoneofthebestof friends,belovedbytheofficersandbyallhismentoo.’

TheChaplainwrote‘IburiedhimonSaturdaylastinalittlegraveyard,FlatIronCopse Cemetery.Sincethenacrosshasbeensetupwithhisnameetconit.Hediedahero’sdeath leadinghisCompanyinanattackandfewofficershadagreaterpowerofinspiringtheir men.Theylovedhimandwouldhavefollowedhimconfidentlywhereverheled.’

In the May 1919 School Magazine there is an extremely important note on his gallantry and daring, taken from a speech made by the then Headmaster, The Rev C.J. Smith, to ensure the creation of a memorial inside the School to the Fallen Old Boys.

‘OfCaptainAlbertBaswitz,M.C,anofficer,writingofthetakingofHighwood,instancedas agloriousandinspiritingtypeofmanhood,afair-hairedofficer.“Howsplendidlyfearless hewasinhisinnumerableepisodes;hewasknownandbelovedthroughthewholeBrigade; howmanytimeshehadperformedfeatsofdaringnootherswouldattempt:how,knowing German,hehadoften,havingobtainedGermanuniformandequipment,lightheartedly donnedthemandsetoutfromthetrenches,stoppedGermanpatrolsattheimminentriskof hisbeingshotasaspy,gainedfromthemmostvaluableinformationintheguiseofaGerman

officer,sometimesevenluringtheirpatrolsintoourownlines,wheretheyweretaken prisoners;howmanytimes,similarlydisguised,hehadcoollydroppedintotheGerman trenches,walkedthroughthemandmadesketches ofalltheimportantfeaturesforthe advantageofourtroops.HowforhissplendidserviceshehadbeenawardedtheM.C.,how hewasidolizedbyallwhoknewhim,hadalwaysacheerygreetingforoneandall-anyof whomwouldgladlyhaveriskedhislifetosavetheboyapang,howhewouldneverseta mantodoajobhewouldnotdohimself;generousofheart,cheeryofspirit,utterly fearless.”‘

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that Captain A. Baswitz, of Tamworth St, Fulham, was killed in September 1916 in the Battle of Somme and buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, in the Somme Department.

F.M. BATEMAN

Frederick Miller Bateman was born on August 25th 1894, the son of J T Miller, an Engineer, of 34, Bridge Avenue, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer Upper from Latymer Lower Elementary School on January 19th 1909, joining Class IIIC. He left Class V A on July 16th 1911, ‘satisfying the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Exams. He later became a Chemist with Price’s Candle Factory.

In the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine, he is reported to have joined the Honourable Artillery Company, and was reported ‘killed in action’ in the July 1915 edition. Frederick Miller Bateman was a casualty of the fighting near Ypres and is commemorated at Voormezeele, in Belgium

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Frederick died on 30th May 1915 aged 20.

F. A. BEEBEE

Frank Alfred Beebee, whose date.of.birth is 8th June 6 1892, was the son of J Beebee, an iron and tinplate worker, of127, Rockcliffe Avenue, Harlesden. He was previously educated at Leopold Road County School, and applied for his place at Latymer on 8th August 1905. However, there is no admission register entry for him, and it appears therefore that he did not actually attend at Latymer Upper.

The October 1914 School Magazine records him as serving but the Regiment in which he served was not mentioned. Then in the February1915 edition he is listed as serving in the 13th Battalion, County of London Regiment. The July 1916 School Magazine carries the report that he had been killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 16

1916. In the October 1916 edition of the magazine which also mentions his death, his rank is given as Lance Corporal.

H.V. BENNETTO

Hubert Victor Bennetto was born on May 8th 1890, the son of A E Bennetto, a Bank Manager of 190 Holland Park Avenue. He entered Latymer from Cowfold Grammar School on 2nd May 1905, and left in March 1906.

The October 1917 edition of the School Magazine reported Air Mechanic 2nd Class Hubert Victor Bennetto (2 Ns), Royal Flying Corps was killed in action August 1917. According to Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, he died on August 8th 1917 and is buried at the Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

E.H.R. BICKER

Ernest Henry Raymond Bicker, the son of E.H. Bicker, an Accountant, living at 21, Melrose Gardens, Hammersmith, was born on 28th April 1892. He entered Latymer from St Stephen’s National School on 8th September 1903. He left Latymer Upper School for Latymer Lower School in July 1905.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records tell us that he served as a Private in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Ontario Regiment), that he was killed on April 9th 1917 and is buried at Thelus. He was killed in the storming of Vimy Ridge on the first day of the Battle of Arras, one of the most notable allied successes on the Western Front.

Hisfatherwrites‘TheBattalioncametoEnglandinFebruary1916,andinmarch1916they weredraftedtoFrance.TheyhadaveryexcitingtimeatCourcelletteandlateratVimy.I regrettosayhewaskilledonApril9th atthetakingofVimyRidge.Iseethatanumberof OldBoysareservinginvariouspartsoftheEmpire.Tothemallmysincereheartfeltwishes fortheirsafereturn.’

News of his death was reported in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine along with the above obituary

K.W. BIGGAR

Kenneth William Biggar, born on 8th December 1891, was the son of W. Biggar a Newspaper Proprietor, who lived at 91, Shepherd’s Bush Road. He entered Latymer from Springfield College on 21st April 1903, and left in June 1905.

He is reported in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine as serving in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and his death in action in the Persian Gulf is recorded in the February 1916 Magazine.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records reveal that he was killed on 14th December 1915 at the siege of Kut-el-Amara, where the British and Indian forces were surrounded by Turkish troops.

G. J. BLAKE

Gerald John Blake was born on 6th October 1885, the son of John Blake, a clerk, of 11 Weltje Road, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer Upper from Latymer Lower School on 31st October 1895, and went into business with his father upon leaving.

He was listed as ‘missing presumed killed’ in the February 1917 edition of the School Magazine. He is also reported in the February 1915 School Magazine as having enlisted in the King’s Royal Rifles, and the first report of him in service is the note that he was reported wounded and missing in the October 1916 magazine, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that he was amongst those who fell on the dreadful first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916.

W.H.H.

BOND

William Henry Hugh Bond, whose date of birth is 10th August 1891, was the son of Henry Bond, an accountant, of Upper Mall Lodge Hammersmith. No previous school is noted in his record, so he was probably privately educated. He entered Latymer on 24th April 1900,

He is listed in the February 1916 School Magazine as having enlisted, but the unit in which he served is not mentioned. The July 1917 magazine carries the news of his death in action on June 22nd. By that time, he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant. The Army and Commonwealth War Graves commission records indicate that he was in the Royal Fusiliers, that his family then lived at 20, Queen Anne’s Gardens, Bedford Park, Chiswick, and that he is buried in Bus House Cemetery. This is on the road between Ypres and St Eloi. That and the date of his death suggest that he was a casualty in the aftermath of the British Expeditionary Force attack on Messines Ridge.

H. W. BORROUGH

Horace William Borrough, born on 30th November,1894, the son of F Borrough, a London City Missionary, of 144, Iffley Rd, Hammersmith, entered Latymer Upper School from William Street London County Council Elementary School on14th September 1909, and

was placed in class VIC. He left on July 25th 1912, from class VIIB. A boy of some academic promise and ability, he had full fee exemption, with the London County Council paying his fees. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at the ‘Senior’ level in July 1910 and ‘satisfied the Examiners’ which means that he passed. Appointed as a Student Teacher at Latymer from 1st August 1912, he went on to study at the Islington Day Training College.

The April 1915 School Magazine has him serving in the 16th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, and this was corrected in the July 1915 magazine, where he is placed now in the 3rd Battalion of the Dorset Regiment with a Temporary Commission.

The October1916 School Magazine carries the news that Captain Borrough was reported to have died of his wounds and includes the following obituary of him:

LtBurroughwasinthe‘bigpush’lastJulywhentwothirdsoftheofficersofhisbattalion failedtoreturn.SeeinghisCaptainfallheinstantlyleaptintothebreachandledthe Companyintotheenemytrench,returninglaterwithmanyprisoners.Forthishewas warmlycommendedbyhisCommandingOfficerandpromotedtotherankofCaptain straightaway.OnAugust17th heledhisCompanyintoanengagementandwasshotbyan enemybulletwhileputtingoutwireinfrontoftheparapet.Heexpiredtwohourslaterina hospitalbehindthetrench.‘Thoughhewasonlyashorttimewithus’,saystheCommanding Officer,’heprovedhimselfagoodsolder,avaluableofficerandacheerycompanion.He diedsettinganexcellentexampletohismen,andhislossoftheRegimentisgreat.’

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for him says that he died 18th August 1916, and is buried in Cambrin Churchyard. He was a casualty of the Battle of the Somme. F.H. BOWERS

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records add that he died

Frederic Henry Bowers was born on 13th October 1887, the son of Captain John Bowers, a Captain in Army Sustainment Command of, 31, Ashchurch Grove, Shepherd’s Bush. He Entered Latymer on 14th January 1902 from Dublin Garrison School, and left in April 1904.

In the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine he is listed at serving in the 8th Battalion, Royal Engineers (Tyne Electric) and in the July 1917 edition Captain Bowers, as he had become by then, is reported as accidentally killed in May

29th May1917, that he is buried in Grantham, and suggest that he was probably wounded while on a ‘detail’ (recovering wounded soldiers ) at a British training or base camp.

P.T. BOWERS

Percy Tom Bowers, whose date of birth is 28th July 1891 was the brother of Frederick, listed above. He was the son of Captain John Bowers, a Captain in Army Sustainment

Command (A.S.C.), of 31 Ashchurch Grove, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer on 14th January 1902 from Dublin Garrison School, and left in July 1908.

The October 1914 edition of the School Magazine has him serving in the 1st Royal Dragoons Cavalry and the December 1914 has him in the Essex Yeomanry. By December 1915’s Magazine he is a 2nd Lieutenant in the A.S.C. In the June1915 School Magazine he is reported wounded.

His name then appears on the list of those to be included on the war memorial published in the May 1919 School Magazine. But in fact, as has been learnt from his niece, Mrs P. Balls, during the course of the research for this memorial project, he survived the First World War. He had been taken prisoner by the Germans and was released at the end of the war. He also served gallantly in the Second World War, when he was taken prisoner again, by the Japanese, and survived that ordeal too. He died in a road accident on 2nd March 1948.

F.H.W. BRAY

Frederick Hugh Wickman Bray was born on 15th September1898, the son of F D Bray, a Chemist (manager), of 90, King St, Hammersmith, and entered Latymer from Aston House Private School, Hammersmith, on 28th April1908 in class i b, He left on 17th July 1916 from class vii b. He received full fee exemption, his fees being covered by the Governors of the Latymer Foundation, an acknowledgement of his academic potential. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level and was awarded Honours Class i, in July 1912, and ‘Senior’ Honours Class iii in July 1913. He matriculated at London University on the basis of his Cambridge Local Senior results, in 1915. He was awarded the London University Intermediate B.A. (Honours) Class 2 in English and History in July 1916. He is noted in the Admissions Register as being Appointed as a Student Teacher as of 1st August 1916, acting as Headmaster’s Secretary in the Autumn Term of 1915. He then joined the Army.

By then holding the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, he was reported killed on May 28th 1918 in the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine.

In the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records we find that Frank Hugh Bray, attached to 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment with the home address, ‘King Street, Hammersmith’ was killed on 28th May1918 and buried in Maroc Cemetery, Grenay.

He Would have been lost in minor local action —“daily wastage”— while the main battles proceeded towards Ypres to the north and the Somme to the south. Maroc and Grenay are mining villages on the Lens Coalfield.

W.B. BREWERTON

William Benjamin Brewerton, whose date of birth is 18th November 1899, was the son of B J Brewerton, an Assistant Head Postman, of 78, Perrers Road, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from Flora Gardens L.C.C. Elementary School on 6th September 1910, in class ii a and left from class vii B on the 19th July 1915. In recognition of his potential and humble circumstances, he was awarded a full fee exemption, his fees being paid by the London County Council. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Senior’ level and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1914, and then went on to work in Cook’s Bank.

His Death at some time during April 1918 is reported in the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine. Army and Commonwealth War Graves records tell us that 2nd Lt William Benjamin Brewerton of the Wiltshire Regt was reported missing on 9th April 1918. This was the first day of the 2nd Ludendorff (German) Offensive, which extended from Ypres Salient to La Bassee. His loss is recorded upon the Tyne Cot Memorial

P.H.A.T. BRILL

Percy Henry Archelaus Thomas Brill was born on 6th August 1881, and began his service as a teacher at Latymer Upper School on 1st November 1905. He was a former pupil of St Luke’s Boys’ School, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Science School, Gloucester Municipal School and St Mark’s Training College in Chelsea where he trained as a teacher from 1900-1902. London University awarded him a B.Sc. Degree in 1907. He had studied for this degree outside the University, so while teaching, and had achieved a 1 st class in the firstand second-year certificates for his training as a teacher while at St Mark’s in 1901 and 1902.

He had taught at St Luke’s Boys’ School Cheltenham 1894-1899 and St Andrew’s School Holborn 1902-1905. When appointed to Latymer Upper School, He took Form IIa and ran the Cadet Corps. In the 1907 school prospectus, despite his degree in Science, he is listed as a Latin teacher. In 1913 he also began teaching evening classes for the London County Council 2 evenings each week.

He joined H.M. forces in August 1914, serving in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and died on 28th October 1918 in India of pneumonia.

He contributed many very interesting and readable accounts of his time in India to the School magazine.

He is the only member of the teaching staff of Latymer Upper School to die in uniform in the First World War.

G.L. BROOMAN

Gordon Leonard Brooman was born on 21st August 1894, the son of Mrs Brooman. His Father is listed as a Bank Clerk (deceased) of 2, Roxwell Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from a private school at 37 Ranelagh Gardens on 1st September1904, and was placed in class ib. He left the School on 12th April 1911 from class vib having sat the Cambridge Local Exams, at ‘Junior’ level in July 1910, where he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. After leaving Latymer he joined the Ocean Accident Insurance Co.

His enlistment in the 15th Battalion of the County of London Regiment is recorded in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine, as is his death, in the December 1915 one.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission record that, then serving in the Civil Service Rifles (part of London Regt), he was listed as Missing in action on 25th September1915 and his name is on The Loos Memorial to the Missing. This strongly suggests that he was killed during the British Loos offensive on that day. Loos is a coalmining village on north westside of Lens.

A.H. BROWN

Arthur Henry Brown was born on 29th May 1885, the son of Henry Brown, a stationer, of 24 Eyot Gardens, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer Upper School from Latymer Lower School on 4th November 1895.

He is listed in the December 1914 edition of the magazine as serving in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Colonial Forces, with the rank of Lieutenant. At that point his Father wrote to the Headmaster:

‘Myelderson,ArthurHenry,isnowservinginBotha’sarmy.HeenlistedinaCapeProvince Rifle Regiment (TheDukeofEdinburgh’s Rifles) inSeptember, and his last letter received wasdatedOctober23rd fromWynbergCamp.Hestatedthattheyweretobemoveduptothe GermanSouthWestBoundaryinthefollowingweek.’

His death is reported in the October 1916 School Magazine and in the December 1916 edition comes the following obituary:

In the last issue was also announced the death of Lt A H Brown of the South African Expedition. About a year ago readers of themagazine will remember theinteresting letter recounting his experiences in the German South West Africa campaign. On the victorious conclusion of that campaign he came to the Western Front with the 1st South African contingent.TheCaptainoftheCompanywrote:‘HewassecondincommandofmyCompany atthetimeofhisdeathandmyright-handofficer.Hewaslovedbyofficersandmenandwe

aredeeplygrievedathisloss.IamgladtosaythatIwasabletohavehisbodyburiedclose towherehewaskilledandthatIhavehadasmallwoodencrossputonhisgravewiththe inscription “In loving memory of Lt. A.H. Brown, killed in action, 19th October 1916.” All this was done by the men of his platoon under risk of their own lives as it was in full view of the German trenches from which he was shot by a sniper. He was a most gallant and efficient officer and the Regiment is the poorer by his death.’ His Lt. Colonel wrote: ‘We were in the trenches from the 16th to 19th. His company was holding a particularly importantpostwhichenfiladedtheGermantrenches.Consequently,theGermansshelled it heavily. We were all much grieved athis death. Hewas most popular in the Regiment and anexcellentofficer.Iregardedhimasquiteoneofthebestsubalternsandhislosswillbe difficult to replace.’ General Lukin (commanding the South African Brigade in France) wrote:‘Brownwasagallantsoldierwhohadgainedtheaffectionateesteemandregardof allranksoftheSouthAfricanBrigade.’

The final mention of him in the magazine is from the October 1917 edition. His father then wrote: ‘Iamhereenclosingforyouracceptancethesumof£5asspecialdonationstotwo of the School organisations in memory of my son, Lt. A.H. Brown, 1stSouth African Infantry, who was killed in action on October 19th 1916, being £2.10.0. to the Old Boys’ Association and £2.10.0 to the School Cadet Corps. I feel it only my duty to make this smallofferingtomyson’sSchool,towhichheowedsomuch.’

The Old Boys’ Association donation helped begin the fund for the war memorial in the school hall.

H.M. BURROWS

Henry Morton Burrows was born on 12th April 1883, the son of M. H. Burrows, of 56 Shaftesbury Road, Hammersmith, a music teacher. He entered Latymer on 22nd March 1897 and left in 1900.

His name on the War Memorial is an error in that he is found alive and well in Chelmsford, Essex in the 1939 Register, and he died later in Chelmsford in 1954.

Whereas Sergeant Burrows of the Royal Field Artillery is reported to have been killed in action on October 7th 1916 in the December edition of the School Magazine that year, this clearly does not refer to Henry Morton Burrows.

J.W. BUSH

James William Bush was born on August 29th 1899, the son of James Bush, a Butcher, of 8, Inglethorpe Street in Fulham. He entered Latymer from Kingswood Road L.C.C. Elementary School on 12th September 1911, and was placed in Class II a. His fees were paid in full by the London County Council, a clear mark of his academic ability. He was a student at Latymer when war broke out. He passed his exams with honours, having ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ for the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1914 and at Senior Level in July 1915, both at Honours: Class II. In June 1916 he gained London University Matriculation, Division 2, although he appears not to have entered the university. He left Latymer on 17th July 1916, his last class being VII b. He then went on to work for Cowan’s, the Paper Makers.

In the January 1919 School Magazine, he is reported to have been killed on April 22nd 1918. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Private James William Bush was killed on April 25th 1918, and he is recorded on the Pozieres Missing Memorial, which suggests that he may have died as a result of the second Battle of the Somme, or first Ludendorff Offensive.

A.R. CANFOR

Arthur Reginald Canfor was born on May 3rd 1891, the son of H. Canfor, a Leather Seller. The family lived at 2, Marylands Road, Harrow. He entered Latymer from Harrow Road Board School on 9th November 1902, and left in December 1906.

The School Magazine of February 1915 records that he had joined the 5th Rifle Brigade. He is then reported wounded in the edition of June 1915. The School Magazine of April 1918 records that 2nd Lieutenant Canfor was reported killed in action in April 1918. In fact, he was killed on March 23rd 1918 according to the Army Records, and is buried at Chauny. He was almost certainly the victim of the first Ludendorff Offensive (the Second Battle of the Somme), in which the Germans broke through the British 5th Army.

G.L.L. CARTER

George Leslie Lewis Carter was born on November 18th 1890, the son of William Thomas Carter, the Manager of a Laundry, of 8, Binden Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Richmond Hill Private School on 4th March 1901, and he left on 21st July 1910.

He had an excellent academic career at Latymer. From May 1905 he was granted full exemption from paying fees first by the Governors of the Foundation, and then by London

County Council. He obtained Honours Class I in the Cambridge Local ‘Junior’ examinations of 1904, and then also in the ‘Senior’ examinations of 1906, with a distinction in Physics, which also gained for him matriculation at London University. Then in 1910 he obtained an Intermediate B Sc with Honours Class 2 at London University, for maths and experimental physics. In December 1909 he won an Open Mathematics Scholarship at Christ’s College, Cambridge, worth £60 a year, and Latymer School awarded him a School Leaving Exhibition of £30 a year for the next three years in 1910.

On leaving Latymer he worked as an accountant for British Clerical and Medical Insurance Co. of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.

In the July 1915 School Magazine, he is listed as an Assistant Paymaster in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and in the January 1919 edition he is reported to have died on July 29th (presumably in 1918). As one of the men working for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he would have taken time off from his other work to train for naval service in the war. According to Army Records, he was a naval instructor originally from the ship H.M.S. Pomone. He died on July 29th 1918, although it seems unlikely that his death was as a result of combat. As Assistant Paymaster, he was working for the supply or administrative branch of the Reserve. He was buried in Townstall St Clement Cemetery in Devon.

J.E.G. CHAIZE

Jean Edward Gabriel Chaize is named on the school War Memorial, but there is no record of him in the Latymer Admissions Register.

His name is listed for the war memorial in the May 1919 School Magazine. According to Army Records, 2nd Lieutenant Jean Edward Gabriel Chaize served in the 13th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and was therefore likely to have been a casualty at Passchendaele, the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917.

C.J. CHAMBERLAIN

Cyril John, Chamberlain, born on 28th December, 1892, and the son of G J Chamberlain, A Clerk, of 72, Sterndale Road, Brook Green, applied to enter Latymer from Addison Gardens School on an application dated 29th July 1907. However, his name does not appear in the school Admissions Register.

By then holding the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, he is reported killed in action on October 13th in the School Magazine published in October 1917.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission record that Cyril John Chamberlain of the Rifle Brigade was reported missing on 7thOctober 1917. His name stands on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was almost certainly killed in the Broodseinde phase of the British expeditionary Force’s third Ypres Offensive pushing towards Passchendaele.

G.W.R. CHIBNALL

George William RUSSELL Chibnall was born on 18th October 1892, the son of George William Chibnall, Baker, of Cedar House in Chiswick Mall. He entered Latymer Upper School from Miss Wigg’s Private School on 13th November 1901, and left in July 1903.

The December 1914 edition of the School magazine records that he was awarded a Temporary Commission in the Notts and Derby Regiment, an infantry regiment. The October 1915 edition records his confirmation in the rank of Lieutenant. He is recorded as having been killed on the 26th August 1918, serving in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, during the Allies’ offensive of that summer around Amiens , and he is buried at Vis-en-Artois.

A.A. CLARIDGE

Albert Augustus Claridge was born on 6th May 1882, son of Henry Claridge of 155 Percy Road, Shepherd’s Bush, an agent. He entered Latymer on 20th January 1896, and left the same year.

He is listed in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine as serving in the 5th Battalion of the City of London Regiment, and his death in action is reported in the June 1915 magazine.

The Commonwealth War graves Commission website confirms that Corporal Claridge died on 13th May 1915, and his name is included on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

K.N.W. CLIFFE

Kenneth Norman Walter Cliffe, whose date of birth is 4th September1896, was brought up by his mother and his step-father E.B. Rogers, a Commercial Traveller, of 11, Ashchurch Terrace, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Milford Haven County Secondary School, on 18th January 1910, being placed in class iv c and he left on 25th July 1912, from class v a. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ Level and was awarded Honours Class iii, in July 1912. He went on to a Clerkship with Messrs Strong and Co in 1912 and then the Ocean Accident Assurance Co in 1914.

In the July 1915 edition of the School Magazine he is listed as having joined the 7th Battalion, City of London Regiment, and then his name is on list the list of those who will be honoured on the War Memorial, published in the May 1919 Magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records note that Private Kenneth Cliffe of the London Regiment was listed as missing on 11th June 1917. His name is listed on the Menin Gate at Ypres; he probably fell at the battle of the Messines Ridge.

T. CLOUGH

Thomas Clough was born on 16th October 1887, the son of Thomas Clough, a designer, of Talland, Ruislip, Middlesex. He entered Latymer from Ackman Road Board School on 10th January 1899, and he left in July 1906. He came first in the Intermediate L.C.C. Scholarship examinations in July 1901, 180 marks above the next student. In 1906 he obtained B. SC Honours Class 1 in Maths, and class 2 in Physics, in the London University Intermediate examinations. He went on to wind a Maths Scholarship at St. John’s College, Cambridge in 1908, and was the twelfth Wrangler there in 1909 . He was also awarded a 1st class Natural Sciences Tripos from Cambridge in 1910.

He continued his career in the Civil Service from 1910, obtaining a gold medal in 1911.

In the war he served in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers, and he died on 2nd February 1919, his name being included on the Jerusalem Memorial, just north of the City of Jerusalem.

A.H. COATSWORTH

Alfred Henry Coatsworth was born on 1st August 1887, the son of Alfred Coatsworth of 46 Bedford Park, a chartered accountant. He entered Latymer on 15th November 1896, and left in July 1903.

The October 1914 School Magazine lists him as having enlisted in the 9th Battalion of the County of London Regiment, and then the October 1916 edition carries the report that 2nd Lieutenant Coatsworth, as he was then, had died of his wounds

Further detail is supplied by the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records which say that 2nd Lt Alfred Henry Coatsworth, of the Royal Warwickshires, was killed 9th September 1916, and buried at Le Treport. He was probably evacuated to hospital there during the Battle of the Somme and died of his wounds. A married man, he left a widow living at 29 Bath Rd, Chiswick

C.J.B. COLEMAN

Born on 10th October 1899, Charles James Bruce Coleman was the son of Master Mariner W.C. Coleman, of 61, Shaftesbury Road, Islington. He attended Grafton House private school before joining Latymer. The School’s records show he began in class i b on 14th September 1909, shortly before his 10th birthday, and left seven years later on 21st December 1916 when he was in class vi b. Upon leaving he joined the Royal Flying Corps.

The January 1919 issue of the School Magazine reports the death of Charles Coleman in the previous October. Further research reveals that he was an air mechanic working as a wireless operator with 66 Wing R.A.F. (formerly the Royal Naval Air Service). This unit was charged with bombing Austrian ships and submarines in the Adriatic, and during twelve months of fighting in Italy, the squadron destroyed 172 enemy aircraft Charles Coleman died on 27th October 1918, and was buried in Taranto in Italy.

His death came only days before Austria - Hungary signed the armistice.

B.H. COOK

Bernard Henry Cook was born on December 11th 1895, the only son of F.J. Cook, a Builder from 2, Manor Villas in Harlesden. He first attended Keble School in Harlesden, and applied to join Latymer on 13th July 1904, when he was nine years old. However, there is no record of his being admitted to Latymer Upper.

the School Magazine of October 1914 notes that Bernard Cook was serving with the 12th County of London Battalion. less than six months later, the February 1915 edition of the School Magazine reports that he was killed in action in France on 15th February 1915.

his obituary notice reads:

Onceagain,wehavetorecordthedeathonactiveserviceofoneofourmembers,Bernard cook. Hediedbravely,doinghis‘smallbit’forEngland,butwesorrowathislossand deeplysympathisewithhisrelativesintheirbereavement.

Rifleman Cook’s death at the age of 19 may have been ‘daily wastage’ as a result of minor local action near Ypres, such as routine shelling or sniping. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

R.T. CORDINGLEY

The son of Thomas Cordingley, a Journalist of 62 Mall Road in Hammersmith, Richard Thomas Cordingley was born on 12th June 1895. He was privately educated, and entered Latymer on 19th January 1904, and left four years later in 1908.

Little is known of his time in the Army. The School Magazine editions of October 1914 and December 1914 note that he was in the 10th City Of London Battalion (Royal Fusiliers). two years later, the October 1916 issue reports Richard Cordingley as killed in action.

Army records show that Private Richard Thomas Cordingley of the Royal Fusiliers died on 12 July 1916, and is listed on the Thiepval Memorial, the memorial to the missing of the Somme. The memorial bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector and have no known grave.

R. M. COWPER

Ronald Macphain Cowper was born on 5th March 1895. His father was The Reverend J.J.M. Cowper, ‘a Clerk in Holy Orders’, who lived at 16, Abinger road, Bedford Park in Chiswick, and later moved to 24 Highburgh Road, Dowanhill in Glasgow. aged 10, Ronald Cowper entered Latymer from the Military School in Pretoria on the 2nd May 1905. He joined class iib, and left Latymer just over five years later on the 21st July 1910, when he was in class vi a.

Ronald Cowper was clearly a boy of great ability. He had total fee exemption, with his fees being paid by the Governors of the Foundation, and he did well in his Cambridge Local Examinations. School records show that in July 1909 he was awarded Honours class ii in his Junior level Examinations, with a Distinction in French. He also passed his Senior Examinations in July 1910 with honours class ii, and went on to study at Glasgow High School.

The February 1915 issue of the School Magazine notes that Ronald Cowper had a commission in the 14th Highland Light Infantry, and he is mentioned again in the memorial listing in the may edition of 1919,

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records reveal that 2nd Lieutenant Ronald Macphain Cowper died on 27th April 1916, and is buried at the British cemetery at Vermelles, in northern France. It is probable that his death was what is termed ‘daily wastage’, as a result of local action.

H.M.CURTHS

Born on 28 April 1895, Herman Morton Curths was the son of J.B. Curths, A Master Mariner of 43, St Mary’s Grove in Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Gunnersbury Private School, joining class ii on 24th April 1906. He left from class vi b five years later on 12th April 1911, having passed, or ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations of July 1910. The School admissions records show that he went on to work as a clerk with the Caledonian Insurance Company.

The October 1914 edition of the School Magazine notes that Herman Curths served in the 9th Battalion of the County Of London Regiment. He was reported missing in the October 1916 issue of the magazine and is included on the list of those whose names will be recorded on the memorial the Hall, published in May 1919.

Records show that Rifleman Herman Morton Curths was killed at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916, one of 14 Latymerians that fell on the first day of the battle of the Somme. With no known grave, his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial - the memorial to the missing of the Somme campaigns

W.C. DANIELL

William Cecil Daniell was born on 3rd April 1899, the son of William Daniell, a Surveyor. The family lived at 61 Lyford Road, Paddington, and he attended Beethoven Street L.C.C. Elementary School and then Droop Street L.C.C. Elementary School. He entered Latymer on September 6th 1910, going into class ii a, and left Latymer on April 19 th 1916, from class vii b. William was given a full fee exemption, his fees paid by the London County Council, which suggests his academic ability and promise, and he passed the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level achieving Honours class iii, with distinctions in English and History, in July 1914. He then passed the London Matriculation Examination Div. ii in January 1916. He went on to work for the ‘Union of London and Smith’s Bank’.

the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that William Cecil joined the 52nd Training Reserve Battalion, in the Royal Sussex Regiment, as a Private, and that he died on 2nd December 1917, and is buried at Paddington Old Cemetery, Kilburn.

G.E.P. DAVIS

George Edward Picton Davis was born on 24th March 1897, the son of G. Davis, a civil servant of 16 Ashchurch Terrace, Ravenscourt Park. He entered Latymer from Mrs. Seymour’s Private School in Shepherd’s Bush on 28th April 1908, and he left on 29th July 1914, having passed the Cambridge Local ‘Junior’ examination in July 1913. He went on to study at St. George’s College, Kingsway after leaving Latymer.

He enlisted with the 5th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, according to the February 1915 edition of the School Magazine, and was reported missing in the October 1916 edition. His name was listed for the war memorial in the edition published in May 1919.

AnadditionalnoteonGeorgeE.P.Davis.

TheSchoolArchiveholds,indeedtreasures,copiesofsomecorrespondenceof2006 betweenPeterWinter,thenHeadofLatymerUpperSchool,andMrDavidDavies,thenliving nearBlackpool,G.E.P.Davis’nephew,(orpossiblygreatnephew),whoalsokindlypresented

theSchoolLibrarywithacopyofGavinStamp’sbookrecallingtheintriguesand difficultiesbehindthebuildingoftheThiepvalMemorial.

Fromthiscorrespondence,welearnthatG.E.P.Davislivedat16,AshchurchTerrace, RavenscourtPark, andthatin2006GrahamBearman,thenHeadofHistory,beganan Activities’WeektourofthewartimebattlefieldsofFranceandBelgiumatthathouse, tracingGeorgeDavisfromtheretotheThiepvalMemorialwhichcarrieshisname.His father,alsocalledGeorge,wasaseniorCivilServantintheAdmiralty.Thoughthismay havemadehisapproachestotheauthoritieseasier,thecorrespondencewhichmoved betweenhimandthemilitaryauthoritieswhenGeorgeDaviswasdeclaredmissingisfullof thepoignancy,frustrationanddespairwhichtheverymanyfamiliesofthosemissingmust haveexperienced.

GeorgeDavisjoinedthearmyinJan1916,beingrequiredtoappearattheWhiteCity, UxbridgeRoadat10.00onJan12th ofthatyear;andheservedasaPrivateinthe 2ndBattalionoftheMiddlesexRegiment.ManyotherLatymeriansalsoservedinthevarious BattalionsofthatRegiment

ThelastletterwhichhismotherwrotetohimonJune15th 1916revealsheranxietyabout him,thoughshehadhadaletterfromhimtheweekbefore,andshementionsayounglady calledMillywhowasclearlysomeonequitespecialtoGeorge.Millywassufferingfrom eyetroubleandhadbeentothehospitalfortreatmentMrsDavissendsnewsofthefamily andofthelossofafriend’ssoninthefighting.ShetellsGeorgehow‘fedup’everyone waswiththewar–whatamessitallis,shewrites,sheholdsontothecommonfeeling thatitwouldallbeoversoon,andsheisanxioustoseepeaceagain,thoughshealso expressesquiteclearlyherfeelingsfortheGermans,andshesendshim‘heapsoflove.’

NoletterstomillyfromGeorgesurvivebutMrDavidDavisdoestellusthatformany yearsaftertheWarhisGrandparentsreceivedaChristmascardeachyearfrom‘Millyand Cyril’ItistobeimaginedandhopedthatdespitehavinglostGeorge,Millyfoundhappiness withCyril.

ThatletterfromMrsDavismaywellhavebeenonewhichpromptedaletterbacktothe Davis’fromaFellowSoldierandFriendoftheirson,PteB.Berry(no14085)of HeadquartersCompany2nd MiddlesexRegimenton26th July1916.Hewritesbecausehehas seenanumberoflettersaddressedtoGeorgefrompeoplewhoclearlyhavenotbeentold thatGeorgeisamongthemissingoftheSommeBattlefields.PteBerrymosttouchingly apologisesforhavingopenedsomeoftheselettersandgoeson‘Wehavebeenintheheavy fightingandIlostsightofGeorgeandhavebeenhopingthatIshouldhearfromhimin England.Ihavemadeenquiriesbutcangetnoinformationabouthim.’Thereisavery ominouspoignancyinhisfinalsentence:‘Iearnestlytrustthatbynowyouhaveheardfrom himandyoumaybesureofmyfullestsympathyinthistimeofanxietyforyou.’

George’sFatherwritesbackatoncetoPteBerrythankinghimforhisletterandsaying thathehasnonewsthatGeorgehasbeenwoundedandsenthomeortohospitalin England. ratherclutchingatstraws,heasksifPteBerryhasanyknowledgeofthe Germanscapturinganyofourtroopsatthattimeandplace.IfPteBerrywasabletoreply, thereplyhasnotsurvived.

TheredoesfollowaletterdatedAugust12th 1916fromCaptainI.Greenwood,the assistanttotheColonelinchargeofrecordsattheInfantryRecordOfficeinHounslow, delayedbecauseMrDavis,George’sfather,perhapstryingouthisCivilService connections,hadwrittendirectlyandpersonallytotheClerkincharge,MrShuff,who wasawayonleaveatthetime.ThereplysaysthatthereisnonewsofGeorge.

TheDavis’weresentfalsehopesintheformofaletterfromtheRedCrossorganisation aboutthecaptureonJuly8th 1916bytheenemyofamannamedDavies,butwhowasinfact aSergeantDaviesoftheRoyalIrishRifles.MrDavis’replytothatisalmostheart-breaking initscourteouscorrectnessandformalityinpointingouttheerror.Theremustofcourse havebeenhundredsoferrorsofthissortmadeduringthewar.TheRedCrossdosend backtheirsympathyandunderstandinginanotefromMrsMBuckler‘onbehalfoftheEarl ofLucan’

Thenon6th September1916thefamilyreceivetheformalnotificationfromtheRecord OfficethatGeorgehadbeendeclaredmissinginactionon1st July1916(theAwfulday1of theBattleoftheSomme).MrDavis’replytothatisagainquiteheartrendinglycourteous but,restrainedashistoneis,hisangeratthedelaybetweenthedisappearanceofhiseldest sonandthearmy’lettertohisparentsisveryclearindeed

ThecorrespondencecloseswiththeformalnoticeofPteDavis’loss,thesendingofthe formalscrollofhonourandthenoteofgratitudeforthesacrificesignedbyH.M.King GeorgeVandalsothesendingonoftheFallenMan’sidentitydiskandpersonaleffectsphotographs,postcardsandlettersleftbehindbeforehesetoutforbattleforthefinal time.Thereceiptoftheseisacknowledgedbythefamily.

Finally,on29th July1921comesthenotificationofthebalanceofpay(£15/14/9)dueto George.MrDavidDavisrecordsthathisGrandfatherdoesnotseemtohaveeverclaimed themoney.

Onecanperhapsunderstandwhy.

T. G. DAWE

Thomas George. Dawe was born on 22nd January 1888, the son of Mrs. Dawe of 8 Coningham Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Westville Road Board School on 12 th September 1899.

He is reported in the School Magazine in February 1915, to have enlisted with the 15 th County of London Regiment. He went missing after September 24 th 1917, and this was reported in the School Magazine in December 1917. His name was placed on the memorial list in the School Magazine in May 1919.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Serjeant Thomas George Davis served with the1st/15th Battalion, London Regiment (The Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles) and that he died on 26th September 1917, his name being listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

E. DIGBY

Edward Digby was born on 7th January 1887, the son of Edwin Digby, a sub-divisional Inspector of Police, of 42 High Street, Brentford. He attended Latymer from The British School, Brentford on 10th April 1899, and left in 1901.

In October 1916 an E. Digby was reported killed in action in the School Magazine. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that Edward Digby was a Private in the London Regiment (London Scottish) and that along with so many other Latymerians he died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 st July 1916. His name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

A.R. DISHER

Archibald Rhodes Disher was born on 16th March 1891. He was the son of T. J. Disher, a civil service clerk and lived at 15 Meredyth Road, Barnes, London. He applied to enter Latymer from Wandsworth Technical School, but there is no actual record of his attending at Latymer.

Lance-Corporal Archibald Rhodes Disher enlisted with the Sussex Yeomanry in 1914, according to the School Magazine of October 1914. In October 1915 the School Magazine reported Corporal Disher as missing. The Commonwealth War Commission confirms Lance-Corporal Archibald Rhodes Disher, Royal West Surrey regiment was missing or killed on 29th October 1914, in the German offensive at Ypres. He was then reported as ‘presumed killed’ in the February 1917 edition of the School Magazine, and his name was placed on the list for the memorial in the school magazine of May 1919.

His name is listed on the Menin Gate, the memorial at Ypres to those many men who were killed in the battles around that city, but who have no known grave.

O.S. DITZEN

Otto Stuart Ditzen was born on 9th February 1884, the son of Otto Ditzen, a merchant, of 6 Queen Anne’s Grove, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Cavendish House School on 13th April 1896, and left in 1900.

Company Sergeant Major O. S. Ditzen of the 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers was mentioned in General’s Haig’s Dispatches for gallant and distinguished conduct in action (School magazine, July 1916). He was killed on July 27th, 1916 and buried at Sucrerie Cemetery, Colincamps (Somme) (Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

His obituary runs ‘TheRegimentcovereditselfwithgloryandCCompanyisloudinpraise ofyourson’sbravery,coolnessandleadershipduringthefight.Iventuretohopethat youruppermostfeelingwillbeoneofpridethathemethisdeathsogallantlyleadinghis menandleftbehindhimanexampletobefollowed.’(TheLieutenantColonelCommanding).

‘SergeantMajorDitzenwasabsolutelyfearless.Imentionedhisnameindispatches,soyou canwellunderstandwhatahighopinionihadofhim.’(LieutenantColonelFormerly Commanding).

‘Hemethisdeathwhiledisplayingconspicuousgallantry.Whereeverymanwasprominent yethestoodoutconspicuous-Heexposedhimselffearlessly-theworkofthedaywas accomplishedbeforehewashit.’(APrivateInCCompany)

‘SergeantMajorDitzenatthispointwithoneortwomenmadeadashfromshellholeto shellholeandsucceededingettingpasttheredoubtontheright.Next,Isawhimrightup againsttheparapetoftheredoubtfiringattheGermanmachinegunnerswhowereholding usup.Twobombersofoursgotupontheleftoftheredoubtandbetweenthemtheygave usourchanceandwithabouncewerushedtheredoubt.Luckilythebattalionswho possessmenlikeS.M.Ditzenreadytosacrificethemselvestogoforward…hesawthe Captainfallbeforetheredoubtbuthedidnotletthemenknowofitforitwasnotthetime todampentheirspiritsthen.Themenweredogtired,butthecheerfulnessofS.M.Ditzen gotthemgoing.Ofcourse,allthishadtobedoneunderfire.Theenemy,whowerestillin possessionofafewhousesonourleftkeptupaheavyfireonus.Itwasthenthatasniper hitS.M.Ditzenandhediedafewminuteslater.Hewasawonderfulmanandatruesoldier.’ (LieutenantOfCompany)(Schoolmagazine,October1916).

M.G. DOBNEY

Malcolm Gordon Dobney was born on March 22nd 1889, the son of Joseph J Dobney, a cashier, of 17, Cleveland Road in Barnes. He entered Latymer from a private school on 24th April 1900.

Sergeant M. G. Dobney of the London Scottish Battalion was reported killed because of fatal wounds on 6th April 1917, and is buried at Warlencourt Cemetery. It is likely that he was part of local action prior to the Arras Offensive and may have died as a result of German counter bombardment.

H.B. DOWTY

Horace Bradley Dowty was born on October 27th 1895, the son of G.H Dowty, a House Furnisher, with an address given as ‘Clevedon’, Totland Bay on the Isle of Wight. He entered Latymer from St. Joseph’s Collegiate school in Totland Bay, on 23rd April 1912, and he left on 14th March 1913.

Private Horace Bradley was reported killed in action in 1916, and is buried at Sucrerie Cemetery. It is likely that he died in a local action during the weeks prior to the Allied Somme Offensive.

M.W. DRURY

Maurice William Drury was born on January 1st 1894, the son of C.W Drury, a coachman, of 31, Campden Houses in Pell St. Kensington. He entered Latymer on 12 th September 1905, from ‘The Fox’ London County Council Elementary School. He began his time at Latymer in class ‘Remove B’ and left on July 26 th 1911. He was obviously considered a boy with great intellectual abilities, as all of his fees were paid by the London County Council. In his Cambridge local Examinations, he sat and ‘satisfied’ the examiners (which means that he passed) in his Junior and Senior tests in 1908 and 1909. He went on to receive a Distinction in English and became a Student teacher at Latymer and attended Islington Day Training College.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Quartermaster Serjeant Drury, of the 8th Foreway Company, Royal Engineers died on 22nd October 1918, and was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France.

R.S. DUNFORD

Raymond Stanley Dunford was born on September 3rd 1896, the son of C.W Dunford, Secretary, living at 20, Hillcrest Road in Acton. He was admitted to Latymer on 16 th January 1906, and he arrived from Springfield College Private School. He was placed in class IIa. He left Latymer on July 2nd 1912, and went on to work in an accountant’s office.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Lance Corporal Dunford, of the London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) died on 30 th November 1917, and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery. It is Likely that he died during the 3rd Battle of Gaza.

C.H. EARLEY

Clifford Henry Earley was born on 12th October 1897, the son of W. Earley, a coal and coke merchant of 112 Oxford Gardens, North Kensington. He was admitted to Latymer from Oxford Gardens London County Council Elementary School on 16th January 1912, and he left on 31st July 1913.

Mr Earley is on the additional list for the war memorial, so these are details about his war service.

He served in The Honourable Artillery Company, was killed on June 4th 1917 and is buried at Lijssenthoek Cemetery. He was most likely a gunner killed by German counter bombardment prior to the British Messines Ridge attack

S.A. EBBETTS

Sidney Arthur Ebbetts was born on 31st December, 1890 to Charles Frederick (Journeyman Upholsterer) and Harriett Ebbetts of 74, Devonport Rd, Shepherd’s Bush, and later of 30, Wormholt Rd, Shepherd's Bush. He joined Latymer from William Street London County Council School on September 12th 1905 in class ‘Remove A’, and left from class VII B on July 28th 1909. He had a free place, with a Scholarship from the London County Council, which suggests his academic promise and ability as well as his humble background. He was awarded Honours Class II when he sat the Cambridge Local Examination at Junior Level in 1906, with a Distinction in History, and Honours Class II in the Senior Level in July 1908. He was appointed a Pupil Teacher from August 1st 1907, and then went on to study at Islington Day College, after which he worked for the L.C.C. Education Dept., before enlisting, probably in 1914, in the big rush to get into the war.

He joined the 1/5th London Regiment (The Rifle Brigade); this was reported in the October 1914 School Magazine and by the time of the Battle of the Somme, he had been promoted to Corporal; his Regimental Number was 784. The School Magazine of July 1915 reports that he had been wounded, and his death in action is reported in the July 1916 edition.

He was killed in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the first day of the battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. Sadly, his body was never recovered and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, on Pier and Face 9 D.

He was one of the several old Latymerians killed at Gommecourt.

E.G. EDGAR

Edgar James Edgar was born 29th April 1886, the son of James Bromley Edgar, of 43 Boscombe Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He attended a private school before being admitted to Latymer on 14th January 1895.

The December 1915 edition of the School Magazine records that he was serving in the Australian Contingent and that he fell in action.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Private Edgar served in the 4th Battalion of the Australian Infantry Force, and that he died between 6th and 9th August 1915. His name is listed on the Lone Pine Memorial in Turkey.

A .EDWARDS

Albert Edwards was born on 26th July 1885, son of John Edwards, a grocer of 103 Queen Street, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from St. Paul’s National School on 11th January 1898.

The December 1915 School Magazine records his enlistment in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He had reached the rank of Lance Corporal when he was killed in action on March 23rd 1918, only a few months before the war ended. His death is reported in the April 1918 edition of the magazine.

A.H. EDWARDS

Anthony Hepburn Edwards, born on September 28th 1894, and the son of G H Edwards, a London County Council Cashier, of 17, Elm Grove Road, Barnes and then 38, Hillersdon Avenue, Barnes. He joined Latymer from Rochester Mathematical Secondary School on January 16th 1906 in class ii, and left on 22nd December 1910, from class vib. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at ‘Junior’ level and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1910. On leaving Latymer, he became a mechanical engineer’s apprentice.

The School Magazine of February 19i5 has him enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Royal Engineers. This is corrected in the April 1915 edition, which puts him in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. His name is on the additional list of those to be honoured on the war memorial published in the September 19 20 edition of the School Magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Lieutenant Edwards died on 1st April 1918, and that his name is listed on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

FJ. EGLINGTON

Freeman John Eglington, whose date of birth is 28th October 1896, was the son of M Eglington, a Chemist (Proprietor), of 35, Richmond Road, West Kensington Park. He entered Latymer from Addison Gardens London County Council Elementary School on September11th 1906, going into class ii b, and left on November 23rd1912, from class vi b. Sitting the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1911. He went on to a Clerkship in the London and West Bank

In the December 1917 edition of the School Magazine comes the report that he died from his wounds in November 1917

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records give his rank as Acting Bombardier and tell us that having died on 25th November1917 he was buried in Cairo. He will almost certainly have been wounded during General Allenby’s capture of Gaza in Palestine.

H.J. EVANS

Herbert James Evans was born on 24th July 1888, the son of William Evans, a draper of 53 Goldhawk Road. He entered Latymer from Godolphin School on 15th January 1901, and left on 2nd March 1903. His fees were paid for him by London County Council. After leaving he joined Brown Brothers, motor makers, as a clerk.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Rifleman Evans, of the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, died on 1st August 1917, and that his name is recorded on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

T.E. EVANS

Thomas Evans Evans was born on the 16th of November,1896. His father, G Evans was a licenced Victualler, of ‘The Elephant and Castle’, on Holland Street, Kensington. He entered Latymer from Redcoat Elementary School on September 5th 1908. Thomas Evans was clearly a bright student as his school fees were fully paid by the London County Council. He was placed in class II a upon entering Latymer, and His last class was VI b. he left the school on the 31stAugust 1913, having ‘satisfied the examiners’ in both the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local examinations. He then went on to work at Siemens Bros’ Dynamo works shortly before enlisting.

It is believed that he enlisted in February of 1916 in the 28th Battalion County of London Regiment, though his name in the list is marked as T.C. Evans. In the October 1917 edition of the School Magazine it is recorded that he was killed in action on July 27th

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Corporal Evans, of “L” Special Company, Royal Engineers died on 27th July 1917, and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery in Belgium.

F. C. FANGHANEL

Frederick Charles Fanghanel was born on 25th May 1890. His father Paul Fanghanel was a merchant of Ravendale, East Acton. He entered Latymer from Springfield College on 11th September 1900, and left in July 1906.

The February 1915 edition of the School Magazine says that he joined the 16th battalion of the Middlesex regiment. Lieutenant Fanghanel was reported missing in the July 1916 edition of the School Magazine and it was confirmed in the October edition that he had been killed in action on the 1st of July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

H.C. FISHER

Harold Clifford Fisher was born on April 8th 1895. His father, W. G. Fisher was a Schoolmaster. His family lived at 19 Cristowe Road, Fulham. He entered Latymer from Childerly Street LCC Higher Elementary School on the 6th September 1910, and joined class III b. He must have shown considerable academic potential, as his school fees were paid entirely by the London County Council. Having ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in both the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local Exams, he finished school in class VI b, on the 29th of July 1914, but came back in August as a Bursar for a year and then a Student Teacher. He then went on to a Clerkship at the Admiralty.

He enlisted in December 1915 and is on the memorial list as having died in May of 1919. The Army’s records tell us that he served in the Prince of Wales’ Civil Service Rifles, and that he was killed on October 7th 1916, in an operation to take Butte de Warlencourt, in the later phases of the 1st Battle of the Somme. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission says that he is buried in Warlencourt Cemetery.

H. J. J. FOUNTAIN

Herbert Joseph James Fountain was born on 25th May 1893. His father, Mr H Fountain, was a Gate Keeper of 23 Berens Road, Kensal Green. He entered Latymer from Harrie Road Elementary School at the age of 12 on 12th September 1905, in class Remove A.

In his final year at the school he was in class 7B. He was at Latymer for five years and left at the age of 16 on 21st July 1910. Throughout his time at Latymer his fees had been paid by Middlesex County Council. He passed the Cambridge Local exams at Junior Level, and in July 1908 he achieved a Senior Honours class 3 with London University and graduated from London University with a BA in 1910. He became a student teacher on the 1st August 1910 and studied at Borough Road Training College.

Herbert enlisted for service in the Honourable Artillery Company on 20th January 1916. He suffered severe wounding on 19th August 1918, when a Sergeant, and was returned home. He was then discharged from the army on 14th June 1919. He survived the war, but died from his wounds shortly after on 16th January 1920.

R.G. GALE

Ralph George Gale was born on the 4th of November 1892, the son of R W Gale who was a clerk. They lived at 278 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from St Stephen’s National Elementary School, Shepherds Bush, on September 12th 1905. He was first placed in class Remove A, and finished school in class VII b; having ‘Satisfied’ the Examiners in both the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local Exams. He then went in to a clerkship at Prudential Assurance Co.

In February of 1915 he enlisted in the army. In the December 1917 edition of the School Magazine it was reported Lieutenant Gale had been killed in action. According to the Army’s Records, he served in the 6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. He was listed as ‘Missing in Action’ on October 12th 1917. He was therefore almost certainly killed during the first (unsuccessful) Battle of Passchendaele, where Australian and British troops were stopped in mud and rain just short of the Western Outskirts of Passchendaele Village itself. His name is one of the very many on the Tyne Cot Memorial, honouring those men who fell around Passchendaele whose bodies could not be found and recovered.

ByaninterestingcoincidencetheAustralianGrandfatherofMrJFoynes,-LatymerHistory teacherandgreatcontributortotheresearchforthismemorialproject-waswoundedin thissameattack.,andthefatherofMrmSmiththeSchoolArchivist,servedinthesame RegimentintheSecondWorldWar.

J. D. GALSWORTHY

James Douglas Galsworthy was born on the 16th of March 1897. His father, J. H. Galsworthy was a Civil Servant. The family lived at ‘Devonhurst’, 27, Mall Road, Hammersmith. James entered Latymer on January 1st 1910, from ‘Mrs Bolwell’s Private Preparatory School’, and was placed in class IV a. He left Latymer from class VII b on the 3rd of April 1912. Before enlisting, as recorded in the School Magazine of December 1915, in the 6th Battalion of the City of London Regiment, he became an Assistant in the Hammersmith public Library.

It was reported in the November 1916 edition of the School Magazine that he had died of his wounds, and it was confirmed in the next November’s magazine that he had indeed died in September of 1916. In the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, we find that he died on 17th September 1916, and was buried at Dermancourt Cemetery, it is most likely therefore that he was a casualty during the British led Elers-Courcelette phase of the Somme Offensive. He will have been taken to the Field Hospital at Dermancourt and died there.

G.W.GANDY

George William Gandy was born on 1stFebruary 1896, the son of G Gandy, a Manual Training Instructor, of 36, Avenue Road, Brentford, and entered Latymer from St Paul’s National Elementary School, Brentford, and Isleworth County Secondary School on 18th January 1910, going into class iii c, He left on 26th July 1911 from class iv a to a further education record listed as ‘coaching’. It is noted in the Admissions Register that he was lost on the ‘Marquette’ on October 23rd 1915.

He is recorded in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine as serving in the R.G.A. (Artillery), and was then reported killed on the transport ship ‘Marquette’ on October 23rd 1915, in the December 1915 edition. The following obituary appears there:

ThefollowingisanextractfromtheletterreceivedconcerningthedeathofG.W.Gandy: ’ItiswiththegreatestgriefIwritetotellyouofthedeathofmyonlysonandchild.His batteryleftAlexandriaon19th OctoberforSalonikaonthetroopship‘Marquette’which, whennearherdestination,wastorpedoedonthe23rd andsankin15minutes,whenheand morethan100ofhiscomradesandNewZealandnursesfoundawaterygrave.Healways spokewelloftheSchoolandtheMasterslongaftertheleft.’

GunnerGandywasintheheaviestbombardmentbetweenYpresandLilleandwaswounded withshrapnel.Hewasinvalidedhomeandafterhisrecoverywasattachedinabatteryof RFAorderedtotheDardanelles.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records state that Gunner George William Gandy is named on the Mikra Memorial in Greece. ‘Marquette’ was a British transport ship taking supply and medical personnel, including New Zealand female nurses, from Egypt to Salonika (Thessaloniki) as part of an Allied force invading northern Greece to head off the Austro-Bulgarian invasion of Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. She was sunk by a torpedo fired from a German U-Boat.

J.R. GARLAND

James Richard Garland was born on 6th September 1892. His Father was R E Garland, a passengers’ guard, of 235 Harvist Road, Kensal Rise. Previously he had been educated at Harvist Road Elementary School. He entered Latymer on 12th September, 1905 in class Remove A, and left on July 21st 1910 from class VIIB.

He had a free place under a Middlesex County Council Scholarship and Bursary, so was a boy of promising academic ability with a humble background. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in1906, and Senior Level in 1908. He was awarded Honours Class iii in July 1909 and Class ii in December 1909 with a Distinction in drawing. He passed

the London University Matriculation exam at division ii in June 1910 and was appointed as a Student Teacher at Latymer from 1st August 1910. He went on to study at the London Day Training College achieving an Intermediate B Sc degree in 1912 and a full B Sc degree in 1915.

The October 1914 ‘Latymerian’ records his service in the 2nd Battalion, City of London Regiment. By then a Captain, he was reported as killed in action in the July 1916 magazine.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records state that Captain James Richard Garland was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme at the northernmost limit of the offensive near Gommecourt, and that he is buried in No 2 Gommecourt Cemetery nearby.

A.H. GEORGE

Allan Herbert George was born on12th September 1895, the son of G E George, a General Manager to Oilmen, of 93, Frithville Gardens, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Westbourne Elementary Schools on 18th January 1910, going into class iii c and left 3rd May 1911 from class iv b. He went on to a Clerkship with the Royal Insurance Company and is noted in the Admissions Register as having been killed in action on Jan 27th 1915.

In the October 1915 edition of the School Magazine he is listed as serving in the 5th Battalion of the City of London Regiment and is reported killed then.

From the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records we learn that Rifleman (that is to say private) Alan Herbert George, of the 5th Battalion, London Rifle Brigade, London Regiment died on 27th January 1915, and is buried in the London Rifle Brigade Cemetery near Wytschaete, South of Ypres. He was killed or died after the end of the 1st Battle of Ypres. He had lived at 41, Lynton Ave, West Ealing. His early death and the battalion listed, suggest he was in the pre-war Territorial Army.

F.W.GIDLEY

Frederick William Gidley, whose date of birth is 5th June 1894, was the son of G Gidley, a Boot maker, of 69 Chamberlayne Wood Road, Kensal Rise. His application to be admitted to Latymer from Westbourne School was dated 18th March 1907, but there is no record of his actually being admitted to Latymer.

He is named on the list of those to be remembered on the War Memorial published in the School Magazine of May1919.

From the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission we learn that Lieutenant Frederick William Gidley of the Essex Regiment died 27th March1917 and is buried in Jerusalem. The date on which he was killed suggests that he fell in the first (unsuccessful) attack on Gaza.

G.D. GIDLEY

Geoffrey Damarel Gidley, the son of George Gidley, Tailor (Proprietor) of 51, Pennard Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was born on May 9th 1895. Having been educated at St Stephen’s National Elementary School in Shepherd’s Bush, he entered Class I of Latymer Upper School on January 7th 1906. He left Latymer on 19th May 1910, from Class iv C and went on to a Clerkship in Barristers’ Chambers.

The October 1914 edition of the School Magazine records his enlistment in the 9th Battalion, County of London Regiment, and his death in action is reported in the now lengthening casualty list published in the July 1916 edition.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Lance Corporal Gidley of the London Regiment died on 30th May 1916, and that he is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1 in France. At the time of his death, his parents had moved to Thorpe Bay, in Essex.

A.R. Gill

Arthur Rowlatt Gill was born on 29th April 1884, the son of Frank Gill, a secretary, of 26 Leysfield Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer after private schooling on 28th January 1895. On leaving Latymer he became a clerk in a surveyor’s office.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Corporal Gill of the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers died on 7th October 1916, and is named on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

F. G. GLAISHER

Frank George Glaisher was born on 21st December 1897, the son of G J Glaisher - a bookseller. The family lived at 58, High Street, Notting Hill Gate. Frank George was initially at a private school and then went to Notting Hill Gate High School before entering Latymer on 10th September 1907 in class 1B. In his fifth and final year of Latymer he was in class 5C. After his final year he left the school on 12th November 1912 and went into business with his father as a bookseller.

During the War he served in the Queens Westminster Rifles (London Regt). He was reported missing in action on 16th April 1917 and is named on the Arras Memorial as a casualty of the British Arras Offensive.

E.J. GODDARD

Edmund James Goddard was born on 13th August 1898, the son of H. J. Goddard, a traffic manager, of 37 Alwyn Avenue, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Acton Central Elementary School on 6th September 1910, and left on 28th July 1915. He passed the Cambridge Local examinations, ‘Junior’ level in July 1913, and ‘Senior’ level in July 1914.

His army record tells us that he was a private in the 2nd Battalion of the London Regiment, (Royal Fusiliers). He was killed on December 20th 1917 and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was buried at Poelcapple, north-north-east of Ypres. He will have died in the 3rd Battle of Ypres.

F E GODFREY

Frank Edward Godfrey was born on 1st August 1895, the son of E Godfrey who was a Commercial Traveller. The family lived at 12 Ravenscourt Road, Chiswick, which is just around the corner from the school. Frank went to a private school in Chiswick and to The New High School before entering Latymer at the age of twelve on 28th April 1908. His first class was class 2B. In his final year at Latymer he would have been in class 4B, but he left after only two years – shortly before his 15th birthday on 21st July 1910. Aged just 14 he went to work in an auctioneer’s office.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Private Godfrey, of the 17 Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, died on 17th March 1916, and that he is buried t Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, French extension, in France.

W. GOLDING

William Golding was born on 25th May 1896, the son of W. Golding, a railway porter, of 118 Lothrop Street, Queen’s Park. He entered Latymer from Warrington Road L.C.C. Elementary School on 10th September 1907, and left on 25th July 1912. He clearly showed promise as a pupil as London County Council pad his fees in full for the five years he was at Latymer. He sat the Cambridge Local ‘Junior’ exams in July 1910 and obtained Honours Class I with distinctions in Religious Knowledge, Geography and Maths. A year later he was awarded Honours Class ii in the ‘Senior’ Cambridge exam. And he then matriculated Division 2 to London University in June 1912. On leaving Latymer he worked as a clerk for Kinnear

Brothers Dynamo Works. It is noted in the Admissions Register that he was awarded an L.C.C. Intermediate Scholarship, but did not accept.

His name appears in the list of the Fallen to be included on the Memorial published in the May 1919 edition of the School Magazine

His army records tell us, however, that Rifleman William Golding of 57, Walham Grove, Fulham, served in the 21st Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and died in the hospital at Etaples, in the British Army’s coastal base area, on 15 th October 1916, during the 1st Battle of the Somme.

J E GOODMAN

John Everatt Goodman was born on 22nd March 1898. His father was J Goodman, a tea dealer. They lived at 22 Ranelagh Gardens, in Barnes. He was privately educated at Miss Elliott Lynn’s in Barnes before entering Latymer on the 15th September 1908. He left Latymer on 31st July 1913. He passed the Cambridge Local examinations at the ‘Junior’ level in July 1912, and at ‘Senior’ level in July 1913. After Latymer he continued his education at St. Paul’s School.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Second Lieutenant Goodman served in the 53rd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, and that he died in service on 14th August 1917. He is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Nord, France.

G T GRIFFIN

There is some confusion over this entry on the War Memorial. There was no student G. T. Griffin who attended at Latymer, although there was a Guy Featherstone Griffin, born on 24th June 1894, who did attend the school from 28th April 1908.

Guy Featherstone Griffin was a Second Lieutenant of the 12th Middlesex Regiment in World War 1, However this soldier survived the war and died much later on 18th October 1949 aged 55 years.

A.R. GUNNELL

Arthur Revely William Gunnell was born on 26th February 1892, the son of Arthur W. Gunnell, a Stockbroker, of 5 William Terrace. He entered Latymer Upper School on 12 th September 1899, having previously been educated at Miss Jones’s School, and he left in July 1904.

The October 1914 School Magazine lists him as serving in the 9th Battalion, County of London Regiment. The report of his death says that he was killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry for him confirms that he was missing at the end of that day, and that his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. He was then serving as a Rifleman in the Queen Victoria’s Rifles, and his widowed mother was then living at 20 Beverley Rd, Chiswick.

G.E. HALE

George Edwin Hale whose date of birth is November 19th 1897, was the son of G Hale, a Caretaker, of 117, Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington and then 48 ,Weltje Road, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from St Mary Abbot’s National Elementary School on 14th September, 1909, in class IIA, and left from class VIIB on 23rd July 1915, His full fee exemption, with the London County Council paying his fees, marks his academic promise and humble background. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ Level in July 1913 and was awarded Honours Class I, with Distinctions in English, History, Geography, Maths and Chemistry. He took and passed the London University Matriculation exam Division II in June 1914. His admissions certificate records that he went on to join H.M. Forces (Royal Engineers, Chemists’ Corps).

2nd Lieutenant Hale, as he was then, was reported killed in action March 23rd 1918, in the April 1918 edition of the School Magazine. The January1919 edition contains the following obituary:

Hiscommandingofficerwrotetohisparents:‘Wemisshimverymuchandsodoallhismen, forfromthedayhejoinedthisCompanyhehasbeenverypopularwithusall.Alwayshappy andcheerful,heneverceaseddoinghisutmosttomakethemencomfortable.Asyou probablyknowhetookchargeofthecanteenbeforeChristmasandmadeitagreat success,enablingthementohaveagoodXmasdinnerandextraswheninthetrenches.He andIweretogetheratCompanyH.Q.inthetimebeforethisoffensivecommenced,andhe wasagreathelptome.Hewasalwaysbusyandreadytodoanythingtohelp.Inactionhedid notlosehischeeryspiritandthemenunderhimwhenhewaskilledsayhewas“fine”.Atthe timeofhisdeathhewasinchargeoftwogunsanddoingverygoodworkresistingan attackbeingmadebytheenemy.HekepthistwogunsgoinguntilhewaskilledbyaGerman shell.Itisnotpossibletotellyouinaletterhowbravelyandwellhefoughttotheend. Alltheofficersandmenofthiscompanywishmetoconveytoyouourdeepestsympathyin yourgreatloss.Iamenclosingthelasttworeportswhichyoursonsenttome;theywere writtenwithinhoursofhisdeath,andaretypicalofhim:

G.E.HALECopyofReportsmentionedinC.O.’sletter:OurowntroopsarealltowithdrawtoBROWNlinewhichistobemademainlineof resistance.

MytwogunsareinpositionandallisO.K.

HaveestablishedconnectionwithO.C.M.G.Coy(officer commanding machine gun company) of21st Divisionwhoalsohasgunshere,andamintouchwithgunsonright.

ThesituationontheRIGHTisstillobscure,butBoscheisexpectedtoattackhere. Weareallreadyandhewillgetitintheneck.

Bothgunsfiringwellonenemyadvancing.

HavejustreceivedsomeextrabeltboxesfromOates.

AllisO.K.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records suggest that 2nd Lt George Edwin Hale, serving with 39th Infantry Battalion (but from Machine Gun Corps); was listed missing on 2nd day of German 2nd Somme (Ludendorff) Offensive, 22nd March1918. His name stands on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

C.F.HALL

Charles Frederick Hall was born on 16th October 1888, and was the son of Frederick Hall, a ticket collector of 26 Milson Road, West Kensington. He entered Latymer from William Street Board School on 9th September 1902, and left in October 1903.

Named as F.Hallhe may be listed in the December1914 School Magazine as serving in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, and his name is on the list of the fallen to be remembered on the War Memorial published in the magazine in May 1919.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records state that Lance-Sergeant Charles Frederick Hall, of the City of London Yeomanry, originally of 24, Stamford Brook Road, Hammersmith, fell in the 3rd Battle of Gaza 21st November 1917 and is buried in Jerusalem Military Cemetery.

H.HALL

Harold Hall, born on 17th April 1895 was the son of A J Hall, an Inland Revenue Officer, of 26, Hadley Gardens, Chiswick., and entered Latymer from Richmond County Secondary School on 14th January 1909 in class iv c, He left on 3rd July 1913, from class vii b. As a sign of his academic potential and ability, he had ‘full fee exemption’, The Governors of the

Foundation covering his fees. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at ‘Junior’ level and ‘satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1909, and at the ‘Senior’ level, where he achieved Honours Class ii in July 1910. He achieved London University Matriculation on those exams in 1911, but went on to Magdalene College Cambridge, with an Open History Scholarship of £40 per year (for 3 years) from the College and a Subsizarship, and a School Leaving Exhibition from the School of £40 per year from the School, tenable for 3 years. The Admissions Register reports his being killed in action on February16th 1916.

In the February1915 School Magazine he is listed as serving in the Lincolnshire Regiment on a Temporary Commission. In the December1915 edition he is reported wounded, and serving in the 7th Lincolnshire regiment. The report of his being killed in action appears in the February1916 School Magazine. He was killed in action on February 16th 1916 and received the following obituary:

H.HallwaskilledinactiononFebruary16th.In1913,HallgainedaHistoryScholarshipat MagdalenCollegeCambridgeandontheoutbreakofwarhewasgivenacommissionas2nd Lieutenantinthe7thLincoln.Hewasoneofthemosthard-workingstudentsatSchool,and wasofasingularlypleasingandamiabletemperament.

H.E.HANDLEY.

Herbert Eustace Handley was born on 22nd September 1892. His father was H Handley, an Omnibus Driver, of 55, Percy Rd, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Westville Rd London County Council Elementary School on 10th September 1907, in class iv b and left on 21st July 1910 from class vii b. His academic ability and his humble background gave him a full fee exemption, with the L.C.C. paying his fees. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations; at ’Senior’ level and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1909, achieving distinctions in English and History, and ‘Senior’ Honours Class iii in December 1909, with Distinctions in English, History and Geography, He achieved London University Matriculation Division 2 in June 1910. He was appointed a Bursar as of 1st August 1909, and a Student Teacher as of 1st August 1910. He went on to the London Day Training College, took the Intermediate B.A.in 1912, and was reported killed in action on May 25th 1915.

In the School Magazine of June 1915 , where he is reported killed, his rank is given as 2nd Lieutenant. The July 1915 magazine contains this obituary:

H.E.HandleyenteredtheSchoolin1907andleftin1910.Hetookaprominentpartinthe varioussports.Heplayedatcentre-halfinthe1st teamofthefootballclubandwasa leadingmemberoftheswimmingclub.HepassedtheLondonMatriculationExamination shortlybeforeleavingtheSchool.HemethisdeathonthenightofApril25th,when holdingatrench,hehadgallantlyassistedtocapturefromtheenemy,attheheadofhis platoon.TheCaptainofhisCompany,writingconcerninghisdeath,says;‘Hislosswasvery

keenlyfeltbyhismen,whoadmiredhimforhisgreatpluckandcoolness,forHandleyknew lessoffearthananymanImetoutthere,heseemedreallytoenjoydanger.Hewasa conscientiousofficerandaverygallantsoldier.’

Further information on his service and death from the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show that 2nd Lt Herbert Eustace Handley, of 55 Percy Rd; in the 1/23 Battalion, London Regiment, was listed as Missing on 25th May 1915. His name stands on the Le Touret Memorial. This almost certainly means that he was lost near the end of the Festubert offensive in the Aubers Ridge area, south-west of Armentieres in France.

S.H. HARROLD

Samuel Henry Harrold was born on May 5th 1895. He was the son of S.W Harrold, a beer House manager. They lived at 66 Latchmere road, lavender hill and previously at 20 Delaford Street, Fulham. He entered Latymer from Childerley Street L.C.C Higher Elementary School on September 14th 1909, and was placed in class VI C. He left Latymer on July 31st 1913, his last class being VII B. He passed Cambridge Local Exams at Senior level in June 1910. London University accepted him on the Senior Cambridge Local exam results 1911. He achieved London Intermediate B.A. honours Class 2 in History and English in July 1913. He became a student teacher on the 1st of August 1913, and then went on to the London Day Training College.

In the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine, he was reported to have joined the University of London Officer Training Corps, but this was corrected to Countyof London Officer Training Corps in the June 1915 edition.

He was sadly reported to have been killed on the 1st of July 1916. His name is on the list of those to be honoured on the memorial issued in the May 1919 edition of the School Magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Lance Corporal Harrold, serving in the London Regiment Queen Victoria’s Rifles) died on 1st July 1916 and that his name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

H. HAWARD

Hubert Haward was born on the 20th of June 1892. He was the son of S. Haward, a Designer. They lived at Woodstock Corner, Bedford Park, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Miss Pryde’s School on 13th September 1898, and left in July 1904.

In the School Magazine’s February 1915 edition, he is reported to have joined the 8th Battalion of the Hampshire regiment. Army records suggest that he went missing on 18th August 1915, and his name is on the Helles Memorial. He will therefore have been killed during a diversionary attack to cover the Allied landings at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, and so he is a rare Latymer Gallipoli casualty. He is on the list of those to be honoured on the war memorial published in the May 1919 edition of the School Magazine.

W.E. HAWKINS

Lieutenant Hawkins’s forenames were Walter Elmslie, He was born on the 10th of April 1891, the son of The Rev W Hawkins, a minister. They lived at 81, St Helen’s Gardens. He entered Latymer from King’s College Preparatory school on 8th September 1903, and left in July 1906.

It is reported in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine that Lieutenant Hawkins had, sadly, died from wounds in May 1917.

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, however, say that Lieutenant Walter Elmslie Hawkins of the Gloucestershire Regiment, born in London and with parents then living at Blackheath (SE London), was a graduate of London University with a B.Sc. degree but on enlistment a student of Wesleyan Theological College, Richmond. He is buried.in Lissjenthoek Cemetery and was killed on 8 June 1917, the 2nd day of the British Messines Ridge offensive.

R.W. HAYBITTLE

Richard William Haybittle was born on 15th September 1887, the son of Richard Haybittle, an ironmonger of Maplehurst, Dorset Road, Ealing. He entered Latymer from Chiswick Board School on 11th September 1900, and left in 1901.

In the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine, He is reported to have joined the 13th Warwickshire regiment. This was later corrected to the 14th Battalion of the Cheshire regiment in the April 1915 School Magazine. But this report had to be re-corrected in the April 1916 edition of the School Magazine, to say that he was actually a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Cheshire regiment. In the January 1919 School Magazine, Lieutenant Haybittle was reported to have sadly been killed in June1918.

The Commonwealth War graves Commission website records that Lieutenant R W Haybittle of the Machine Gun Corps died on 8th January 1918, and was buried at the Amar War Cemetery in Iraq.

F.A. HEATHER M.M, M.C

Frederick Ambler Heather was born on 3rd March 1887, the son of Thomas Heather, a mathematician and engineer of 41, Westcroft Square, Hammersmith. Latymer was the first school he attended. He entered Latymer on 27th April 1897.

Lieutenant Heather was, in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine, reported to have sadly been killed in action on April 9th of that year. Heather will be remembered in Canadian histories as Lieutenant F.A Heather, of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, was killed on the 9th of April1917 while storming Vimy Ridge, and was buried at Mont St-Eloi, just west of the Ridge. This was a famous battle well known in Canadian military history. As Lt Heather earned the Military Medal as well as the Military Cross, it shows he was twice decorated, the first time while still in the ranks.

C.A. HEAVER

Albert Charles heaver was born on December 22nd 1896, the son of W.J. heaver, a master zinc worker, and his elder brother G.H. Heaver was a proud latymerian who also served honourably. He and his family lived at 35, Clifton Street, Notting Hill. He entered latymer from Saunders Road School and as a boy his intelligence and academic aptitude were evident as the London County Council paid for his school fees. He obtained Honours Class ii on the Cambridge ‘Junior’ Local examinations, with a distinction in French, in July 1912. And he passed at the ‘Senior’ level a year later in July 1913. On leaving Latymer he worked as a clerk for an accountancy firm.

He left the school on 31st July 1913 and served in the same regiment, the 13 th County of London regiment, as his older brother. Albert was killed in action on May 9 th 1915 at 19 years of age.

G. H. HEAVER

George Henry Heaver was born on 6th August 1893, the son of W. J. Heaver, a Master Zinc Worker, of 35, Clifton Street, Notting Hill. He entered Latymer from Saunders Road L.C.C. Elementary School on 12th September 1905, and was placed in class Remove B, He was clearly thought of as a boy of considerable intelligence and academic capability as he was totally exempt from school fees, they were paid by the London County Council. He left latymer on the 28th September 1908 having sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level and being classed as Honours: Class II; he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ (that is to say he passed) at Senior Level in July 1909 so was obviously a considerably bright young man. He then went on to become a builder’s clerk.

He was part of the 13th County of London regiment, along with his younger brother Albert, and was killed in action on May 9th 1915 at 22 years of age. His name is listed on the Ploegstreet Memorial; he was almost certainly killed in the failed Aubers Ridge attack that day.

The following Obituary was dedicated to him and his brother in the June 1915 edition of the School Magazine.

G.H.HeaverenteredtheSchoolin1905andleftin1909.HisbrotherA.C.Heaverenteredin 1908andleftin1913.ThetwobrothersbelongedtothesameRegimentandwerekilledon thesamedayinthesameaction.A.C. HeaverwasgreatasaboxerandobtainedtheSchool Championshipin1913.Hismotheralsoincludedafew,movingwordsabouthersons'Idon’t know what I shall do without my boys for they were two of the kindest and most thoughtfulboysthatanymothercouldhave.’

F. HENRY

Frank Henry was born on 14th March 1882, the son of Thomas Henry, a grocer, of 189 Uxbridge Road, West London, He entered Latymer from Hoxton Haberdashers School on 14th January 1906, and left in 1897.

He enlisted in the 9th County of London regiment and was reported wounded in the April 1915 edition of the School Magazine.

However, his entry on the War Memorial is in error. Frank survived the war and died in Surrey in 1953.

F.W. HILL

Francis William Hill was born on September 13th 1891, the son of A. R. Hill, A clothier, of 8, Camden Gardens, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from private education on January 29th 1902, and left in July 1907.

The June 1915 Edition of the School Magazine affirms that he was killed in Ypres, Belgium on May24th 1915and the following Obituary honours him:

F.W.HillenteredtheSchoolin1902,leavingin1907.Hewasacapitalfootballerat School and played in one of the School elevens. He was a most dependable halfback in the Old Boys’ (Sutton Court) F.C. The news of his death was sent by his brotherS.A.Hill,whohasrecentlybeeninvalidedfromtheFront,themovingletter isquotedinfull-

‘ It is with

mingledgriefandpridethatIwritetotellyouthatmybrotherFrankwaskilledinactionat YpresonMay24th,whilstdoinghisdutyHehadbeenwoundedearlyinDecember,buthadrejoined his Regiment. We are informed, and are glad to know, that he was in the van of a

successfulattack on Hill 60, and it was while defending against a counter attack by the enemythathewascalledasapriceofaBritishvictory.’

In the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records we read that Rifleman Francis William Hill, of the Queen Victoria’s Rifles, London Regiment, and of 8 Hillersdon Rd, Barnes; was listed missing 24 April 1915 and is named on the Menin Gate. He was probably a victim of the German 2nd Ypres offensive, in which gas was first used in the British sector.

V.G. HILL

Victor George Hill was born on July 12th 1897, the son of Augustus Robert Hill, a mantle manufacturer’s agent, of 99, Shepherd’s Bush Road, who then moved to 8, Hillersdon Avenue, Barnes. He entered Latymer from a private school called Parkholme College, Hammersmith on the 25th of April 1908, and was placed in Class I b. His last class was class V A. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1913 and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ which is to say he passed. He then went on to Billingham, Howe and Co., silk merchants.

He enlisted in the 9th County of London regiment in October 1914. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Lance Serjeant Hill, of the 9th Battalion of the London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) died on 25th August 1918, and was buried at Bray Vale British Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, France.

The following obituary may be read in the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine.

Sergeant V.G. Hill was Platoon Sergeant and in the first two pushes proved himself a capable and brave leader, and made a good name, but in the 3rd push a shell burst just in frontofhimand,apieceofshrapnelpenetratinghisskull,deathwasinstantaneous.After thebattlehisboysfoundhisbodyandburiedhim.HisCaptainwritesmostkindlyofhimand says:-‘HewasanN.C.O.Itrustedandreliedon.IhadpromotedhimtoSergeantonlyaweek beforehisdeath.Hewasthoroughlycapableandwillinginallhiswork.’

G. HINDS

George Hinds was born on 28th May 1891. He was the son of William Hinds, a Jeweller, of 220 Goldhawk Rd, and had previously been educated at the Godolphin School He was admitted to Latymer on 15th January 1901, and he left in July 1906.

The June1915 School Magazine has his name on the Roll of Honour, listing those serving in H.M. Forces, but his Battalion and Regiment are not given. However, the July 1915 edition marks him as serving in the 16th Battalion of the County of London Regiment.

The October 1916 magazine reports him ‘missing’ believed killed’ and he is listed as ‘presumed killed, previously missing’ in the February 1917 edition. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Rifleman Hinds of the London Regiment died along with so many Latymerians on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, and that his name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

His family’s jewellery workshop made most of the medals and trophies awarded to Latymer sportsmen for many years.

A.G. HODGSON

Arthur Graham Hodgson, born on 19th July 1895, the son of W G Hodgson, A Civil Servant, of 71 Speldhurst Rd, Bedford Park, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Coke’s Haberdashers’ School, Cricklewood on 3rd April 1905, and left in July 1908.

The October 1914 edition of the School Magazine has him serving in the City of London Yeomanry. He is reported killed in the October 1915 magazine. In the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records it is stated that Lance Corporal Arthur Graham Hodgson was buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli, after being killed on 21st August 1915, 14 days after the British Suvla Bay landing, the 2nd phase of the Gallipoli Campaign.

W.HODKIN

William Hodkin was born on 5th March 1895, the son of C. F. Hodkin, a journeyman tailor of 39 Bradbourne Street, Fulham. He entered Latymer from the Peterborough L.C.C. Elementary School on 11th September 1906, and left on 25th July 1912. He showed promise in his education. His fees were paid by London County Council for his entire time at Latymer. He passed the Cambridge ‘Junior’ Local examination in July 1909, and he obtained Honours Class iii when he took the ‘Senior’ exam in July 1911, when he was also awarded a distinction for his drawing. After leaving Latymer he attended the South West Polytechnic.

The October 1914 School Magazine Has him listed as serving in the University of London Officer Training Corps, and his name is on the additional list of those to be honoured on the war memorial published in the September 1920 magazine.

From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Army records we find that Private William Hodkin, of the York & Lancaster Regiment was reported missing on 16th June1917, and his name is on the Loos Memorial. He seems not to have fallen in a major battle.

H.C.HOLLOWAY

Henry Charles Holloway was born on 14th January 1890, the son of Charles Holloway, a tailor of 9 Merthyr Terrace, Castelnau, South West London. He entered Latymer from St. Dunstan’s Road Board School on 9th September 1902, and left in July 1905.

His name was included in the additional list of those to be honoured on the war memorial published in the September 1920 edition of the School Magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website confirms that Henry Charles was a Company Quartermaster Serjeant with the Cheshire Regiment and that he died in Tanzania on 28th December 1918.

A.E. HOLLYFIELD

Albert Edward Hollyfield was born on July 20th 1898. His father, A. Hollyfield, was a House Painter (Journeyman) and they lived at 9 Rendle St, Notting Hill. He entered Latymer from Wormington Rd London County Council Elementary School on 10th September 1912 and went into class iii b with the Campden Trustees paying his full fees in recognition of his humble background and academic promise. He left on 23rd December 1914 from class V b, and went into a Clerkship at the Blackfriars Ironworks.

He is named on the additional list for those to be honoured on the war memorial, which was published in the September1920 issue of the School Magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Army records state that Rifleman Albert Edward Hollyfield, of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps was reported missing on March 29th1918, His name is listed on the Pozieres Memorial. He will have been a victim of the German 1st Ludendorff (II Somme) offensive.

J.N. HOLTUM

Jean Holtum whose date of birth is 31st May 1896, the son of Mrs Holtum - his father was a deceased Gentleman - of 39A, Treadgold Street, North Kensington. He entered Latymer from William Street London County Council Elementary School on May 2nd 1911, and joined class v c, and he left on 22nd February 1912, from class vi b. Just two months after starting at Latymer he sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ level and ’Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1911. After Latymer, he became a Drapery Salesman.

2nd Lieutenant Holtum was reported as having died from wounds in August 1917, in the October 1917 edition of the School Magazine. In the February 1917 edition he had been listed as ‘presumed killed, previously missing’. He is not mentioned on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, nor has his war record been found.

A.E.W.HOULTON

Albert Edward William Houlton, born on 3rd August 1894, was the son of W Houlton, an Organ Builder, of 41 Shepherd’s Bush Rd Hammersmith and later of 95 Devonport Rd Shepherd’s Bush. He joined Latymer from Addison Gardens London County Council Elementary School on 11th September 1906 going into class iiia and left on 26thJuly1911, his last form being class via. IN recognition of his academic ability and promise he was granted total fee exemption; his fees being paid by the L.C.C. In the Cambridge Local Exams: ‘Junior’ level he ‘Satisfied the Examiners ’ in July 1909, and at the ‘Senior’ level he ‘Satisfied the examiners’ in July 1910. On leaving Latymer he Joined the Stock taking department of the Association of Conservative Clubs.

The only detail of his service recorded in the School Magazine is his inclusion on the list of the fallen and to be remembered on the war memorial published in May 1919.

We learn from the Army and Commonwealth War Graves records, that Private Albert Edward William Houlton, of the London Scottish was listed as missing on 7th October 1916, probably in the Mouquet Farm attack. His name is one of those honoured on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Battles of the Somme.

L. HUGHES

Lestocq Hughes, born on 2nd January 1888, and the son of Charles Henry Hughes, an Accountant, of 39, St Stephen’s Avenue, Shepherd’s Bush, joined Latymer from Elgin House School on 19th January 1904, and he left in December 1904.

He is listed in the December1914 School Magazine as having enlisted in the 14th Battalion of the County of London Regiment. In the October1916 edition of the magazine 2ND Lieutenant Lestocq Hughes, of the 12thBattalion, the Middlesex Regiment, was reported to have been killed in action and this obituary of him was published there:

HisLieutenant.ColonelCommandingwrotetohisparents:-‘Yoursonhadnotlongbeen withus,butIveryshortlyrecognisedthatwehadgainedinofficergreatlyabovethe average.Hewasaveryfinetypeofmanandasoldiereveryinchofhim.Itisseldom,perhaps,

thataCommandingOfficerfeelsthelossofanofficersorecentlyjoinedasyourson was,asIdo,forheisaloss,notonlytotheRegiment,buttotheArmyandtoEngland.’

This is confirmed in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission where he is recorded as missing on 26th September1916. His sacrifice is honoured on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme. His Family were then living in Maidenhead.

T.M. HUGHES

Thomas Matthew Hughes was born on 22nd August 1882, and entered Latymer from Latymer Lower School on 9th September 1895, when he was living with his aunt, Mrs. Taylor, of 23 Overston Road, Hammersmith. He left Latymer in 1896.

In the December1916 edition of the School Magazine it is recorded that he was serving in the Rhodesian Police and that he had died of wounds received in action in German E. Africa on November 9th. Army records add the detail that Private Thomas Matthew Hughes died on 9th November 1916 and was buried in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. He was presumably wounded in action with Colonel von Lettow-Vorbecks German/Askari force based in German East Africa (today’s Tanzania). Von Lettow-Vorbeck;s small army defied huge odds throughout the war and did not surrender until after the Armistice in 1918. Allied operations against him involved British, Indian, South African, Rhodesian, indigenous East African and Belgian.forces.

W.F. HUGHES, M.M., M.C.

Born on 31st December 1894, William Francis Hughes was the son of W J Hughes, a Coal Carman, of 16 Bevington Road, North Kensington, and then of 30, Great Western Road, Paddington. He entered Latymer from Warmington Rd London County Council Elementary School on 11th September 1906, being placed in class iiia and left on 26th July 1911 from class via. He received total fee exemption, with his fees paid by the L.C.C., an indication that his humble background was no bar to academic potential and promise. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at the ‘Junior’ level and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in July 1909, and the ‘Senior’ level, achieving Honours Class 2 in July 1911. After leaving Latymer he took up a Clerkship with E Pollard and Co, of Clerkenwell.

He is recorded as serving in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in the May 1915 School Magazine, and had achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant when his death on September 7th 1918 was reported in the January 1919 edition of the magazine. A note on the award of his Military Cross there says:

Inasupplementtothe“LondonGazette”recentlypublished,particularsaregivenofthe servicesforwhichdecorationsgazettedsometimepastwereconferred.Amongthe Officersmentionedis2nd Lieut.W.F.HughesM.C.oftheRoyalFusiliers,thewell-known FinchleyHarrierswalkerandrunner,ofwhomitisstatedthattheawardwasmade‘For conspicuousgallantryanddevotiontodutywhenincommandoftworeservePlatoons duringanenemyattack.Atacriticalmoment,whenthemainlineofdefencewasindanger, herushedhismenintoagap,checkedtheenemy’sadvanceandconsolidatedtheposition withgreatcoolnessunderheavyfire.Hisdispositionsprovedsoeffectivethatthe subsequentenemyattackswererepulsedwithheavyloss.Heshowedsplendidinitiativeand contemptfordanger.’

The records of the Army and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission add that He was Killed on 7th September 1918. He had already won the Military Medal while in the ranks; he was then awarded a posthumous Military Cross. He is Buried in the Bac-le-Sud cemetery, Bailleulval. This was a casualty clearing station on the Arras - Doullens road, so he will have been taken back wounded from the Anglo-Canadian attack to capture the Lens - La Bassee area in Haig’s summer-autumn forward movement of that year.

C.F. HUNT

Cyril Frank Hunt was born on 11th June 1899, the son of Frank Edwin Hunt, a clerk in the Railway Clearing House, of 18 Winston Road, Stoke Newington. He entered Latymer from Oldfield Road L.C.C. Elementary School on 2nd May 1911, and he left on 26th May 1916.

His name was on the list for the War memorial published in the School Magazine in May 1919, as well as the list for September 1920.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Lieutenant Hunt of the 97th Squadron (India) of the Royal Air Force, died on 23rd April 1919. He is buried at Richmond Cemetery in Surrey. On his memorial is written “He was killed while flying at Ford, yet he died for England’s sake”.

R.C. IRELAND

Robert Clifford Ireland, born on March 9th 1895, and the son of R Ireland, a Licensed Victualler, of 83, The Grove, Hammersmith, entered Latymer Upper School from Archbishop Tennison’s Secondary School on April 25th, 1910, in class VC, and he left on 21st December 1911. He sat and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Junior’ Level in July 1911. He went on to be a Draftsman with the London General Omnibus Company.

The Roll of Honour of those enlisted in H.M. Forces published in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine lists him as serving in the Honourable Artillery Company. The December 1916 magazine records his death from his wounds on November 10th 1916; he then held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. He was buried, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records tell us, at Pozieres. This means he fought and fell in the last stage of the British Somme offensive of 1916.

E. IRESON

Edward Ireson was born on 11th February 1887, the son of Alfred Ireson, a commercial clerk of 86 Ilbert Street, Queen’s Park, West London. He entered Latymer from Kilburn Lane Board School on 12th September 1899.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Private Ireson served in the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, and that he was declared missing on April 23rd 1915 during the German II Ypres Offensive. Private E. Ireson is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

E.W. JANES

Edwin William Janes was born on 6th July 1896, the son of C. Janes, a gardener, of 23 Young Street, Kensington. He entered Latymer from St. Mary Abbott’s Church of England Elementary School on 6th September 1910, and he left on 19th December 1912. While at Latymer his fees were paid for by the Campden Trust, and he sat the Cambridge ‘Junior’ Local examinations in July 1912, and in which he obtained Honours Class ii, but this was qualified as him being “over age”. On leaving Latymer he became a clerk for the National Amalgamated Approved Society.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records list him as Driver Edward William Janes, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and record that he fell on June 16 th 1916 and was buried in Hanwell, in Middlesex. He will have been an ambulance driver, killed probably in the course of his vital duties in the Battle of the Somme.

A.D. JOHN

Alfred Daniel John was born on 12th July 1894. He was the son of Mr. J. W. H. John who was the Officer in The Chinese Imperial Customs, of ‘Marienheim’, 42 Sutton Court Road, Chiswick, he entered Latymer from the Shanghai School on May 2nd 1905. During his time at Latymer he first studied in Class II b and subsequently moved up thorough the school until

he left the School in Class V c on November 28th 1910. After his school career, he went into fruit farming in British Columbia.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Rifleman John served in the London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade), and that he died on 18th June 1917. His name is listed on the Arras Memorial, France.

F.S. JOHNSON

Frederick Shopland Johnson was born on the10th July 1898. He was the son of Mrs Johnson, the widow of a builder, and lived at 40, St Albans Avenue, Bedford Park. On the 18th January 1910 he entered Latymer from the Central Elementary Council School, Acton, Entering Latymer in Class II a and continued at Latymer until December 23rd 1914 when he was in Class VII b. He was clearly thought of very highly as his full fees were paid by the Governors of the Latymer Foundation. Mr Johnson sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at the ‘Junior’ Level in July 1912 with Honours: Class I and a Distinction in French. Then in July 1914, he went on to pass the London University Matriculation Exam Division II, this qualification would have entitled him to University Entrance at London University and certainly would have increased his employability.

He is listed in the Admissions Register as having served in the armed forces and was killed in action at Loos on 25th September 1915. It was noted in the February 1915 edition of the School magazine that he was serving in the 3rd Sussex Division. in the October Edition, he was reported killed.

This is his obituary in the October 1915 edition of the Magazine:

‘F.S.JohnsonistheyoungestofourOldBoyswhohavegiventheirlivesforus.Heleft SchoolinJanuary1915andenlistedintheRoyalSussexRegiment.IntheSchoolSports of1913and1914heparticularlydistinguishedhimselfbyhissplendidwalkingpowers.He wasoneofthecheeriestofboys,andhadgainedthegoodwillandaffectionofallwho hadcomeintocontactwithhim.Thelettergiveninthefollowingpageswasreceivedfrom himattheendofAugust.HaleandBenwell,whomhementions,wereinhisclassandboth lefttheSchoolatmidsummerlast.TheyjoinedtheGasBrigade,andhavebeenintherecent fighting.’

ThisletteriswrittenbyF.S.Johnson,isentitled'IntheFiringLine'andwaspublishedinthe sameeditionashisobituary:

AtlastIamwritingtothankyouforyourletterandthelasttwoissuesoftheMagazine.I amgladHaleandBenwellhaveenlistedandifIgetthechanceIshalltransfertotheir regimentandgetdownwiththemattheBase.IhaveseennothingreallyexcitingsinceJune 3rd.ThatdaywasreallymemorableforIhavesinceheardthatthatspotintheline,known generallyas“BombAlley”,isthesecondmostdangerousintheBritishline.AndIfound mentionofthatdayinoneofthe“EyeWitness”reports.ThatisthenearestIhavegotto modernbattle.Sincethenwehavebeentakingourturnregularlyfortrenchduty.Wehave beenup“BombAlley”butmycompanywasinreserve.OncewhenrestingIhadexperienceof thegentleHun’sfrightfulness.Wewereinalargetownfullofciviliansandthey“coalboxed”us.MyrifleandkitwereburiedbutIwasnotnearatthetime.Luckily,wewere movingofftotrenches,andsafety,thatday.Isawashelldropintheroofofonehouse,go rightdowntothebottomandthenexplode.Wewerelyinginanopenfield,underabank, wonderingwherethenextwoulddrop.Wearenowinthetrenchesbutitisveryquiet.The Germansareover700yardsaway.Wecanwalkaboutuprightontopatnightinperfect safety.

IwasgladtohearofNewling’ssuccess.IsupposetheLocalresultswillsoonbeoutand theoldSchoolwillhavereapedmorehonours.’

J.J.C. JOHNSON

Joseph John Claud Johnson was born on 16th April 1893, and lived at 14, Park Road, Craven Park, Harlesden. His father was James Johnson, a Civil Servant working in Customs. He came to Latymer from Craven Park College Private School on April 12th 1904 and entered class II c, and left on 21st July 1909 from class VII b. When he sat the Cambridge Local Examinations Junior level in December 1907, he 'Satisfied the Examiners', and he went on to take the Senior level in July 1909, in which he also 'Satisfied the Examiners'. Perhaps Intending to follow in his father's footsteps, he was then coached to become a Civil Servant at 'Clapham's'.

The April 1918 School Magazine states that Second Lieutenant Johnson died of wounds on April 5th in that year, and includes the following obituary:

‘J.J.C. Johnson received his commission as a Second Lieutenant and was appointed to the Royal Field Artillery in January 1917. He was in action with his battery at Passchendaele and was slightly wounded. Granted a fortnight’s leave, he was home for Christmas and returned to the front on Boxing Day. His battery was in action during the recent German offensive,whichwassuccessfullyrepulsedinthatparticularpartoftheline.Thebattery was then rushed to another threatened sector and the following is an extract from his lastletterhome,thedaybeforehewaswounded;“Wehadtoretirewhentheinfantryfell back toour guns andwe had apretty excitingtimegettingout, astheoldHunwaspretty

busyonuswithmachineguns.Stillwegotallthegunsoutandretiredalittle,andwewere inactionagaininunderhalfanhour.However,weseemtobeholdingtheBocheatpresent, though he has made a pretty successful push. Still the morale of the troops is splendid andmeanwhilewegoonkillingHunsallday.Ihavejustreturnedfromstrafingthematthe O.P.ForthreenightsIslept(veryrareoccasions)intheopen.ItwasabitcoldbutIfeelno worse for the experience. All it has done is to increase my appetite. The sad thing about thingsisthatallleaveisstopped.”TheChaplainwrotetosay:‘Thepoorladwasbroughtin severelywoundedbyshrapnelandtherewasverylittlehope.Iwaswithhimandhegaveme hisaddressandaskedmetosendhislove.Hewasquitehappyandfeltthathehaddonehis bit. He gave all he had- his life.” His father, continuing, says: ‘This at the age of 24 the supremesacrificewasmade.Ourgrandyoungsterswhodiefortheircountryhavewonfor themselvesagloryofremembrancewhichwilllastaslongasEnglandlasts,butthegap they leave in the home circle will never be filled this side of the grave. Patriae quaesivit gloriam,videtDei.”’

A.G. JONES

Archibald George Jones was born on 4th January 1890, the son of Edward Jones, a musician of18 Rylett Road, Shepherd’s Bush, and he was admitted to Latymer on 12 th September 1899.

In the June 1915 School Magazine, it was recorded that he was serving in the 11th Middlesex division, and in the October 1915 edition he was reported to have died. However, this report was in error as Archibald George survived the war and did not die until 11 th August 1945, aged 55 years.

R. J. JORDAN

Raymond John Jordan was born on October 8th 1891. By the time he applied to Latymer from the New School, Bedford Park on April 1st 1901, his father had died, and he was living with his mother, Mrs Jordan, at 32, Stamford Brook Road. He left Latymer in December 1905.

In the 1916 School Magazine he is reported to have gone down in H.M.S. Queen Mary in the Battle of Jutland. He served as a member of The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve This meant he had been a pre-war civilian, not in a maritime occupation, but doing holiday and weekend Naval training.

The Army Records state that Petty Officer Raymond John Jordan was on one of Admiral Beatty's battle cruisers when she was blown up, with the loss of almost all on board, by a

shell from one of Scheer's German battle cruisers on the afternoon of 31st May 1916 in the opening minutes of the Battle of Jutland. Two other Royal Navy battle cruisers were sunk in the same way at almost the same time, and Admiral Beatty apparently commented as a result of this: “There's something wrong with our bloody ships today". Jordan is noted as 'Missing' on the Royal Navy Memorial at Chatham in Kent.

W.D. KEMP

William Dunstan Kemp was born on 22nd October 1879, the son of Christopher Kemp, a schoolmaster of 17 Homefield Road, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from a Polytechnic Day School on 14th January 1895.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website records that Serjeant Kemp served in the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, and that he died on 9th April 1917. He is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.

J.A.C. KEMPE-ROBERTS

John Arthur Clinton Kempe-Roberts was born on October 4th 1894, the son of Archer Kempe-Roberts, a solicitor’s clerk, of 43, Batoum Gardens. He entered Latymer from private education on 30th August 1904, and he left Latymer in 1907.

The April 1915 School Magazine records that he was part of the Army Pay Corps, and the January 1919 edition states that Second Lieutenant Kempe-Roberts was killed in April 1918.

However, in the Army Records he is recorded as a Second Lieutenant of the Royal Flying Corps, that he was killed on 10th March 1918, and that he is buried in Hollybrook Cemetery, Southampton. It is not impossible that he was transferred from the Pay Corps to R.F.C., and that the army record is the more accurate one. If so he was one of a small but significant number of Latymerians who were pioneers in the use of Military Aviation.

A.E. KINGHAM

Alfred Ernest Kingham, was born on the 15th March 1889. He was the son of Mr. D Kingham, a gas meter prover, who lived at 45A Glenross Street, Fulham. He joined Latymer from Langford Road Board School on 14th January 1902, and he left in 1907.

The October 1916 edition of the School Magazine reported that Alfred was killed in action in the war, leading to his name being included on the school war memorial. However,

this proves to be an error as Alfred is found to be alive and well as a civil servant in London, as recorded in the 1939 Register.

P. C. KINGSFORD

Philip Cave Kingsford, was born on the 10th August 1891, he was the son of Mrs Kingsford (His father, A Master Mariner is listed as ‘deceased’ in the Admissions Register), in Lewisham, S.E. London. Later the family lived at 90 Addison Gardens, West Kensington.

He entered Latymer from Addison Gardens London County Council Elementary School, on September 11th 1906 in class 5a, leaving on 28th July 1909 from class 7b. He benefitted from complete fee exemption, his fees being paid by London County Council, and so was evidently a boy of academic ability and promise. In the Cambridge Local Exams: ‘Junior level’, July 1908 he ‘satisfied the examiners’, and in the Senior Level Exams he achieved Honours Class 3 in December 1908. He was appointed a Bursar in School on 1 st August 1908, and then a Student Teacher on 1st August 1909. He went on to St Mark’s Training College – the college of the first headmaster, The Revd. C. J. Smith.

He is mentioned as a footballer in the December 1912 issue of the School Magazine. He was also a Long Jumper, Hurdler and Sprinter. He seems though to have come second and third quite a lot, but his repeated mentions in the School Magazine of the time suggests the School was proud of him. He continued his athletics at St Mark’s College after leaving Latymer. He jumped for England against Scotland and Ireland in Glasgow in 1914 and won with a distance of 23’ 4.5”. Then he took part in the Olympic Games of 1912 held in Stockholm. Kingsford came 15th in the Long Jump and 19th in the Standing Long Jump.

He is listed as serving in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex regiment in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine.

He died on the 26th July 1919, nearly a year after the war had finished. It is to be presumed that his death was connected with his military service as he is mentioned as being deceased on the final list of Latymerians to be honoured on the War Memorial, published in 1920.

R. J. KINGSFORD

Reginald John Kingsford, whose date of birth is December 7th 1892, was the brother of Philip Cave Kingsford, listed above, and so also the son of Mrs Kingsford ( his father is listed as having been a Master Mariner but deceased at the time of his sons’ entry to the School), of 90 Addison Gardens, West Kensington. Reginald joined Latymer on September

11th 1906, and was placed in class VA, He came to Latymer from Addison Gardens L.C.C Elementary School, and left on July 21st 1910, having reached class VIIa. He was granted Full fee exemption, his fees being covered by the Governors of the Latymer Foundation, so we may imagine that he shared his brother’s academic promise and ability. In the Cambridge Local Exams: ‘Senior level’ he achieved Honours Class ii in July 1908, then went on to special coaching for entry to Civil Service.

The School Magazine of October 1914 shows him serving in the 86th Seaforth Highlanders This was Corrected in the October 1915 edition to show his promotion to 2 nd Lieutenant in the 11th Yorks and Lancs Regiment. The July 1916 School Magazine reports that he was killed in action on 1st July 1916, the 1st day of the battle of the Somme, the bloodiest day of losses in British army history) and contains the following Obituary:

HisLieutenantColonelwrote:‘Hewaskilledgallantlyleadinghismen,adeath,ifithasto be,thateverysoldierwishes.Hewentforwardwithadashthatshowedheintendedtoget tohisobjectiveordieintheattempt.Heisburiedonthefieldofbattle.’ The writer of the article in the Magazine continues:‘Itisaconsolationtoknowthathewassofaithfultohis KingandCountryandsosplendidlydoinghisdutyasman,manyOldLatymerboyshavedone andarestilldoing.’

The records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have him listed as missing on the fateful first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916. His name is one of the many on the Thiepval memorial.

H. W. D. LAING

Henry Walter David Laing was born on the 29thMarch 1895, the son of D Laing, a Park Keeper of 86 Claxton Grove Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from William Street L.C.C Elementary School, on 11thSeptember 1906 in class 3a, and he left on 22 nd November 1909, from class 5c. He was initially given Full fee exemption, with the London County Council paying fees, but his entry in the admissions register tells us that this scholarship was ‘withdrawn for laziness’. H. Laing became a gardener working with his father.

He married Elizabeth.M.F. Rose of Rotherwood Road, Putney.

In the January 1915 School Magazine, he is listed as serving in the 2 nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. He Died of wounds on 13th March 1915 (aged 21), according to the Admissions Register entry for him.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record that he is buried in Estaires Cemetery in Northern France.

W.D. LAING

William Danick Laing was born on the 28th January 1892. He was the son of David Laing, Park Keeper, of 86, Claxton Grove, Hammersmith or 27, Colehill Lane, Fulham, London and Louisa Laing, and elder brother of H.W.D Laing. he Entered Latymer from St Dunstan’s Rd School in January 1904. He left in 1907 and took up a Clerkship.

The School Magazine of April 1915 records that he joined the Footballers’ B regiment. Later he joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex regiment.

On the 9th August 1916 Lance Corporal WD Laing, then of 27, Colehill Lane, Fulham, was reported killed in action, during the Battle of the Somme. His name is on the Thiepval Memorial, which honours the Sacrifice of those men who died in the Battles of the Somme, and who have no known grave.

A.E. LATCHFORD

Arthur Edmund Latchford, whose date of birth was September 30th 1897, was the son of E. Latchford, a ‘Journeyman Brushmaker’, of 17, Napier Road, Kensal Rise. He joined Latymer Upper School from Kenmont Gardens l.C.C. Elementary School on 14th September 1904 and left on July 31st 1914. On entering, he was placed in class IIIB and left as a member of Class VIB, a

boy whose humble background and academic ability and potential were recognised by the award of a full fee exemption with his fees being paid by the Governors of the Latymer Foundation, He ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examination at Junior Level in July 1912 and Senior level in July 1913, and went on to a clerkship with Mc Corquodale and Co.

No details of his military service are recorded in the School Magazine but the September 1920 edition includes his name on the final list of the Fallen to be inscribed on the War Memorial.

The records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission say that he was serving in the 38th Field Ambulance section of the Royal Army medical Corps when he was killed on 8th September 1916, in the Battle of the Somme. He fell during the British recapture of the Peronne area and is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension. His parents then lived at Boxmoor in Hertfordshire.

F. LEAN

One of the first students at the Upper School, Frank Lean was at Latymer from 1895-1896. Frank Lean was born on 27th December 1880 and had been a pupil at the Latymer Lower or Foundation School. His family lived firstly at Bath House 50, Mall Road and then at 6, Ritland Road in Hammersmith. His father James Lean was a clerk and when Frank left Latymer he joined a Stockbroker’s firm, also as a clerk.

In the October 1914 edition of the School magazine he was listed as serving in the 2 nd battalion of the city of London regiment. In the October 1916 edition it was reported that he was killed.

The Latymerian for December 1916 contains this obituary, “In the last issue the death in actionofFrankLeanwasannounced.Itwaswithverygreatsorrowthatwelearnedofhis death.HewasoneofthefoundersoftheU.L.O.B.A.[UpperLatymerOldBoys’Association) in 1897, and from that date until his enlistment in the Army, he was one of the most influential members of the Association. He was a skilled gymnast and oarsman, and his exploitsin‘upriver’regattas,firstasamemberoftheRowingSectionoftheU.L.O.B.A.and after,asamemberoftheAuriolRowingClubwillnotsoonbeforgotten.Forsomeyears heactedasChairmanoftheCommitteeandinhisofficialcapacityheshowedmarkedtact, energy and expedition. He lived a straight and useful life, and of his death we hear that though wounded he refused to retire or give way, and it was while supplying his men with much needed ammunition that a sniper unfortunately cut short his life. We feel his loss keenly,butknowthatifProvidencesowilledit,hewouldhavechosennootherdeaththan theoneovertakinghimintheexecutionofhisduty.”

The records of the Army and the Commonwealth War graves Commission tell us that Sergeant Lean of the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, and of 6 Rutland Road Hammersmith, was listed missing on September 15th 1916 . That was the first day of the Flers-Courcelette phase of the first battle of the Somme, and the day that tanks were first used. He is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing of those battles.

W. R. A. LEHFELDT

William Robert Lehfeldt was born on November 30th 1888 and his family lived firstly at 710, Fulham Road, then 638 Herfield House, Parson’s Green and later at Norlands, 95, Drakefield Road, Upper Tooting. His father, recorded in the admissions register only by the initials F.C. was an ‘Advertisement Contractor’.

He was educated at a private school before entering Latymer.in January 1897. He sat the Middlesex Intermediate Scholarship No 2. In July 1904, winning an Intermediate B.Sc. Hons. In Maths & Physics and £80 Scholarship in Maths at Jesus College, in December 1905. But he did not go to Cambridge, and instead worked as an actuary at Legal & General Life Assurance.

The December 1915 latymerian says that he was a 2 nd Lieutenant of the Nott’s and Derby regiment. He was reported killed in action in the October 1916 edition of the magazine.

In the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, we find that 2 nd Lt Lehfeldt, then of 40, Kensington hall Gardens, fell on October 11 th 1916 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. This is in a major base area on the Channel coast; he was probably wounded on the Somme and died there of his wounds. Interestingly, his parents had changed their name to Leyfield, a much less German-sounding one.

H. T. LETHEBE

Herbert Thomas Lethebe was born on the 1st December 1888. He was the son of T Lethebe, a Coachsmith. The family lived at 13 Aldersley Road. He entered Latymer from Brackenbury Road Board School on the 7th December 1901. He was at Latymer from 1901-1904. In October1914 the School Magazine lists him as serving in the West Kent Yeomanry. He was promoted to Lieutenant and in the January 1919 Magazine it was reported that he had been killed in action in September 1918.

According to the records of the Army and the Commonwealth War graves commission, he fell on 2nd September 1918, during the British recapture of the Lens Coalfield area. He was then a Lieutenant in the Tank Corps. He is buried in Cabaret Rouge Cemetery, in Souchez, near lens and Vimy Ridge.

W. LETHEBE

William Lethebe was the brother of H T Lethebe so his family and address details are the same. He joined Latymer in January 1898, having been born on 17th November 1884..On leaving Latymer in 1900 he joined the Civil Service.

He is listed in the October 1914 edition of the School magazine as serving in the 15 th Battalion of the County of London Regiment. The February 1916 magazine reports that he died from wounds on February 5th 1916.

His obituary in that edition of the magazine reads, “W.Lethebe,15th Co.ofLondonRegiment, diedfromshellwoundsonFebruary5th.AtSchoolheinterestedhimselfgreatlyinBoxing and Football. Ithasbeenwrittenofhim:‘Thekeynoteofhischaracterwasself- sacrifice

and devotion to duty, in whatever sphere he found it, whether in his daily life, his Church work,oronthecauseforwhichhegavehislife.”

From the Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, we learn that Lance Corporal Lethebe, then serving in the London (Prince of Wales’ Own) Rifles, fell on 6 th February 1916 and is buried at Noeux - Les-Mines in the Lens coalfield.

E. H. LINDEMAN

Eric Hugh Lindeman was born on the 21st August 1891, he was the son of D Lindeman, a bank clerk, of 151, Castelnau, Barnes. He entered Latymer after private education on January 1st 1903. The School magazine of april1915 reports that he was serving in the Honourable Artillery Company, and died of wounds on March 18th 1915.

F.W.LONG

When Frank William Long’s death in action was reported in the October 1915 edition of the School Magazine the dates of his time at Latymer were given as 1897 to 1901.

He was born on 4th November 1887 and lived at 13, Osman Road, West Kensington Park. Before coming to Latymer he was educated privately and after Latymer he ‘went to business’ His father James was a draper.

FrankW.Long,afterleavingtheSchoolwenttoBritishColumbia.Hejoinedthe72nd SeaforthHighlanders(CanadianScottish)whenwarbrokeout,andcameacrosswiththe firstCanadiancontingent.Hissisterwrites:‘AllOldBoyswillregrettohearthathewas shotbyasniperintheleftshoulderanddiedalmostimmediatelyonSundayJuly11th justas hewasleavingthetrenches.Afewdayspreviouslyhehadwrittentosaythathehopedto getafewdays’leave.Severalofhisfriendshavewrittensayinghowcoolandcollectedhe alwayswaseveninthefiercestfighting.Hehadbeenthroughsomeofthetoughestwork, includingHill60,Givenchy,Gildeberteetc.Hehadjustreceivedastripe[i.e.promotionto Lance-Corporal]andwasontheSportCommittee.HealwaystookakeeninterestintheOld BoysandtheSchoolandtheMagazineisknowntomequitewell.Thereisnoneedtotell youhowIshallmisshim.butIamveryproudofallthathegaveforhisKingandCountry. Oneofhisfriendssaid:“AsonewouldexpectofFrank,heactedlikeamanandcarriedit throughtothefinish.”’

R.J.P. LONG

Richard James Patrick Long was the brother of Frank long listed above. His family, address and previous education were the same as his brother’s. He was born on October 16th 1883. After Leaving Latymer he took up posts with the London and South Western Bank and Cook’s Bank.

His enlistment in the Royal Field Artillery is recorded in the July 1915 edition of the School Magazine- where his initials are given as R.F.P.- and his name id listed among the fallen former pupils to be honoured on the War Memorial in the final list published in the September 1920 magazine. But that may in fact be an error, as there is no record of his loss in the records of the Commonwealth War graves Commission and he is noted as alive in 1939.

J.H. LOWE

John Henry Lowe was born on 14th December 1896 His father was F A Lowe, a Grocer’s Manager, of 173, Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from St Mark’s College Upper School (Secondary), having been there for two years, on 6th September1910, and was placed in class iv c,. He left Latymer on 19th December 1912 from class vi b. He was awarded a full fee exemption, his fees being paid by the London County Council, in recognition of his modest family circumstances and his academic ability and promise. Sitting the Cambridge Local Examinations at the ‘Junior level in July 1912, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. He went on to a Clerkship with the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society.

The report of his death in action is reported in the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine, with the following Obituary:

SergeantJohnH.LowewaskilledinFranceonthenightof30th ofAugustlast(1918).He finishedhiseducationatLatymerUpperSchool,Christmas1913.JoiningtheRoyalAir ForceinDecember1915. Hewassubsequentlyattachedtothe“IndependentAir Squadron”whereherosetotherankofSergeant.Lovedandrespectedbyallhis Comrades,hisnameisbutonemoretobeaddedtothelongandglorious“RollofHonour” oftheLatymerUpperSchool.’

(in fact, he will have joined the Royal Flying Corps as the R.A.F was only founded April 1st 1918, but the article in the School Magazine was published after that date.)

N.MC G.LOWE, D.C.M

Norman McGregor Lowe, whose date of birth was January 3rd 1885, lived firstly at 13, Priory Road, Bedford Park and then at 4, Oxford Road, Gunnersbury. Charles his father was an author and journalist. He came to Latymer in October 1896. On leaving he went to Cranleigh School.

His enlistment in the 14th Battalion, County of London Regiment is recorded in the October 1914 School Magazine, and the July 1915 Magazine prints the citation for the award to him of the Distinguished Conduct Medal:

Thefollowingisanextractfromthe‘LondonGazette‘Forconspicuousgallantryand markedabilityandresourceconsistentlyshewnthroughoutthecampaign,whenthey (another officer, J.S. Scott of the same regiment but not a Latymerian, was also awarded the D.C.M. for the same feats of gallantry)constantlyactedasscoutsinfrontofthe entrenchment,oftenunderaheavyfirefromsnipersandmachineguns.Theysupplied sketchesandmuchinvaluableinformationinconnectionwiththeenemy’strenchesand wireentanglements.’

In the October 1915 School Magazine, he is recorded as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the 14thBattalion of the County of London Regiment, though there may be an error in identifying his Regiment as the February 1916 edition reports him as having been killed in action on January 16th 1916 and gives this obituary:

NormanMcGregorLowewasapopularanddistinguishedofficerintheLondonScottish. LastsummerhewasawardedtheD.C.M..Hewasappointedchiefintelligenceofficertohis regimentanditwaswhileactinginthiscapacitythathewasshotbyasniper.HisColonel, writingofhimsaid:‘NormanwasoneofthefewoldmembersoftheCorpsremainingand personallyIfelthisdeathmorethanIcansay.Hewasaverygallantofficerandhisloss willbedeeplyfeltbythebattalionandthebrigade.Hisfuneraltookplaceamidtheroar ofthegunsandwasamostimpressiveceremony.’

R.P.LYNN

Robert Paul Lynn, whose date of birth is9th April 1898, was the son of J P Lynn, a Hardware Buyer, of 10 Castelnau Gardens, Barnes. He came into Latymer from Miss Durrant’s Private School, Hammersmith, on 28th April 1908, and was placed in class I b, He left on July 31st 1913, from class V a. In the Cambridge Local Examinations, which he sat at the ’Junior’ level in July 1913, he ’Satisfied the Examiners’. After Leaving Latymer He went on to a clerkship with Biddulph, Rawlins &Co.

The School Magazine of December 1914 shows him as enlisting in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London). His name is on the list of the Fallen to be honoured on the War Memorial published in the May1919 edition of the Magazine. He died on 15th September 1916.

VICTOR MAHL

Victor Mahl was born on 21st October1886. His father James was a Teacher at the Girls’ School in Turnham Green when Victor came to Latymer from Portland College on the Upper School’s first day January 10th 1895. The Family later moved to 24,Marlborough Road, Gunnersbury. Victor left Latymer for a boarding school, then was re-admitted on 10th January 1899 and finally left to go into business in 1902.

By 1911, he was working as a motor engineer, and one year later was married in Wolverhampton to Winifred Day. He then became Chief Engineer to the Sopwith Aviation Company, a British company that designed and manufactured aeroplanes. In 1914, he worked as the engineer for Howard Pixton, when he won the Schneider Trophy, which was a prestigious seaplane race. 14 May 1914 Mahl obtained his aviator’s licence flying a Sopwith Biplane at Brooklands. He joined the Royal Navy Flying Corps.

Aviation was a dangerous business at that time, and on 3rd November 1914, the Times reported a serious crash in which Mahl had been involved two days earlier, in which he crashed into Southampton Water in a seaplane. The plane’s designer R. Austen, who had been a passenger at the time was killed, but Mahl was found clinging to some floating debris, and was rescued.

However, in 1915 on April 2nd Mr Mahl died after an operation for appendicitis.

This notice appeared in the School Magazine:

ItisoursaddutytorecordthedeathofVictorMahlwho,asfarasweknow,wastheonly OldBoywhowasanaviator.HediedonApril2ndhis26thbirthday,atSouthamptonafter anoperationforappendicitis,andwasburiedinChiswickCemeteryonthefollowing Wednesday,whenSquadronCommandersTraversandBriggsrepresentedtheAirService. OurreadersmayrememberthathewaschosenbytheSopwithAviationCompanytopilot theirmachineintheRoundBritainRace,whichwastohavetakenplacelastAugust.

And this appeared in the aviation magazine ‘Flight’ ItcameasagreatshocktomanytohearthatMr.VictorMahl,sowell-knowninconnection withtheflyingofSopwithmachines,hadpassedaway.HewasengagedtestingSopwith seaplanesatSouthamptonuptoafewdaysbeforehisdeath,whichoccurredon April2nd,afteranoperationforappendicitisonthepreviousday.Thefuneraltookplace atChiswickonWednesdaylast.

G. L. J. MANN

James Luellyn George Mann (that is the order of his names given in the Admissions Register) was born on April 8th 1896, the son of Mr G.J. Mann and ‘Indoor Servant’. His home address was 29, Ringmer Avenue, Fulham and he came to Latymer from St Mark’s College Upper School in the Autumn of 1910, supported, in view of his academic promise by a full fee scholarship from the London County Council. He left Latymer in the Summer of 1912, having ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at the Junior Level in 1911 and the Senior level in 1912. He went on to a Clerkship at Cadby Hall.

There is no mention of his death in the School Magazine but he is mentioned in the roll of honour in the February 1915 edition of the School Magazine as serving in the 20 th Royal Fusiliers

G.H. MAPP

George Hewlett Mapp, the son of George Mapp, a Tea and Provision Dealer, was born on 13th March 1892. His family lived at 14, The Pavement, Chiswick. He came to Latymer from private education in November 1900 and left to go into business in July 1907.

In 1909, he joined the ‘Rough Riders’- the nickname for the 1st City of London Yeomanry, and became a sergeant. This was a mounted regiment, and in a letter to his family an officer said the Mapp was “inmyopinionthebesthorsemanintheRegiment”.

He was recorded killed on the 21st August 1915, aged 23.

A fellow officer in the regiment wrote to his mother after his death-

‘Imustwriteandtellyouhowdreadfullysorryweallaretoloseyourson.Hewasoneof ourmostusefulSergeants,andinmyopinionthebesthorsemanintheRegiment,andinthe fightinwhichhewaskilledheledhistroopallday.Weshallalwaysrememberthesplendid wayherodeforhisRegimentatOlympia,anditishardthatweshouldlosehiminourfirst fight,buthelikesomanythousandsofothershasnowlaiddownhislifeforhisCountry’

H.V.

MARSH

Harry Victor Marsh was born on the 22nd March 1894 to Tom and Mary Jane Marsh. His father Tom worked as a dairyman in Fulham, and he attended Childerley St L.C.C. Higher Elementary School until the age of 14, when he joined Latymer Upper. His fees were paid in full by The London County Council. He passed his school exams in 1910, achieving distinction in Geography. After leaving school aged 16 he became a clerk with J. Lyons ltd at Cadby House.

He joined the 8th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment were part of 18th Division of the British army and was serving as a second lieutenant at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was reported killed on the 22nd October, aged 22 while trying to take the Regina Trench from the Germans. The battle report suggests he was injured on the 21st, but he was recorded as dying on the 22nd

His major wrote to his family,

‘Hewashitbyshellsplintersinhisneckandarm.Hewaskeenandcheerfulandhisdeath hasleftabiggapinourranks.Hediedhelpingustowinamostimportantengagement,and hisdeathwastheonewhichIamsurehewouldhavechosen,andsofarasweknowitwas painless.

D.G. MCLEOD

Donald Gordon McLeod was born on the 17th July 1894, son of R McLeod who was the proprietor of a Tailor’s on Orchard Road in Shepherd’s Bush. He had attended Westville Road L.C.C Elementary School, after which he joined Latymer in April 1909. He left in 1910, aged sixteen, and took became an apprentice with The Eastern Telegraph Company.

Little is known about his life after this, but The Eastern Telegraph company’s records in 1916 show him as being moved from Banjoewangie (a city in Java, Indonesia) to Singapore, and then on to Cocos (small islands in the Indian Ocean ) one month later. This would probably place him November 1914 on Cocos when he would be one of the cable staff on the island when it was attacked by the German Ship S.S. Emden, which had landed a party of soldiers to destroy the cable relay on the island, in order to disrupt communication with Britain. In a well reported battle, the landing party did manage to cut some cables, but not all the right ones. The Emden was then fought off by an Australian Navy Ship, H.M.A.S. Sydney, while the landing party who were left ashore escaped to Borneo on an old sailing ship, and eventually made it back to Germany.

It seems that Macleod then returned to Singapore. He spent the rest of the war working for the cable company, which was a ‘protected’ job (cable men were considered too important to enlist as they were needed to keep the communications open). He resigned shortly before the end of the war.

[There is later a record of a D G McLeod who headed the local defence forces of Singapore in 1939. A Singapore newspaper described him as being from Inverness, working for the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company in 1913, and serving in the Cocos Islands. He was then described as working with the Indian Army in WW1, and returning to Singapore between the wars. He commanded the Scottish Company of the 1st Battalion, Singapore Volunteer Corp, and then commanded the 2nd Battalion. He was given the O.B.E. in 1933.

There is no further mention of him found, but there is a record of his wife Dorothy dying during her internment by the Japanese in World War 2.

It is not known if this is the same D. G. McLeod, but it is about a man of about the right age and part of the world, the newspaper article says he was in the telegraph business and in Cocos. It looks promising, and reports show he was the son of a R Macleod of London. But it is a common name, and the Indian Army Link does not match up with his employment in the telegraph company until 1918.

If this is the Latymer McLeod, it may be that he was either killed in the defence of Singapore or as a P.O.W. That would explain his presence on the roll of honour, for the Second World War]

A.S. MERCER

Alexander Sherwood Mercer was born 6th November 1894 to Charles Sherwood Mercer, a painter on Richmond Road. He attended William Street L.C.C elementary school until the age of 12, when he entered Latymer, and his fees were paid in full by the London County Council. He passed his school exams in 1910, and took a clerkship with the civil service.

He joined the 2/10th division, Middlesex regiment as a private, and seems to have been part of an artillery unit in December 1915 when his regiment was sent to Egypt. He is recorded as dying on the 9th January 1918, and may have been a casualty of the Battle for Jaffa, or the Battle for Jerusalem. He was 23 years old at the time of his death, and is buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery.

T. MOODY

Thomas Moody was the son of Thomas Moody, a Head Postman of 94, Madrid Road Barnes., then 41, Beryl Road. He was born on December 8 th , 1888. He had previously been taught at William Street Council School and came to Latymer in September 1904. The Admissions register entry has him gaining his matriculation in January 1906, and teaching (presumably as a student teacher at Latymer) in December 1907. notices of his death and probate records in the press say that he had the Degree of B.Sc. from Birkbeck College and St Mark’s College and that he was a Civil Servant.

He was reported wounded in the June 19195 School Magazine and his death in action is reported in the magazine of July 1916, along with the following obituary: At the outbreak of the War Lieutenant T. Moody was a member of the London University Officers Training Corps, and was immediately gazetted 2nd Lt. In the 4th City of London RoyalFusiliers.HewaspresentatthebattleofNeuveChapelleandwaswoundedinApril

of last year. He was granted the war degree B.Sc., London University. He fell fighting gallantlyforhisbelovedCountryonJuly1st

This was the first day of the Battle of the Somme; he was killed while fighting at Bucquoy.

D.H. MORGAN

David Hugh Morgan, who was born on May 15th 1894, lived at 8, Coverdale Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He studied at Latymer from the Summer of 1908 to the Summer of 1909, having previously been a pupil at William Street L.C.C Elementary School. On leaving Latymer he took up a Clerkship with the London Hanseatic Bank. His father, deceased at the time David came to Latymer, had been a ‘dairyman (Proprietor)’, His mother is listed on the admissions register as his parent, simply as ‘Mrs Morgan’.

according to the School Magazine of June 1915, he enlisted in the 13th County of London regiment and later in the same edition was reported killed on May 9th of that year.

H.L. MORTIMORE

Harry Mortimore was born on 5th May 1889, the son of Frank R. Mortimore, a Railway Clerk, of 33 Bolingbroke Rd, Kensington. He progressed from Latymer Lower Elementary School to Latymer in September 1901. He left Latymer in 1905, according to the Admissions Register, to go into business.

Although there is no information about his career in the intervening years the School Magazine of October 1914 states he had joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. He continued to serve his country with obvious dedication until, as was reported in the School Magazine of October 1917, Lieutenant Mortimore died of his wounds on 20th September of that year, aged 28.

Included in that same edition, the following obituary gives an interestingly insightful glimpse of the young man by his Colonel; -‘Ihadtheprivilegeofknowinghimwellashewas myIntelligenceOfficerforfivemonthsintheYpressalient.Heprovedhimselfagallant andpopularleaderofmen. Hisgreattalentformusicandtheatricalswasnottheleastof hisaccomplishmentsandhewaseverreadytogetupattheshortestnoticeconcertsand entertainmentswhichputfreshlifeintousall.’

The boost to the morale of the front-line soldiers given by such impromptu musical and theatrical entertainments should never be under-estimated as it provided a much-needed distraction from the dreadful conditions being endured by the army throughout the conflict

E.A. MOUNT

Alfred Edward Mount was born on November 4th 1892. His father was an Assistant Butcher, J Mount, of 10 Devonport Rd Shepherd’s Bush, then moving to 217, Shirland Rd Maida Hill. Alfred entered Latymer from Westville Road L.C.C Elementary School on the 12th September 1905, to continue his excellent academic career as he joined class Remove A. The Remove classes were for those pupils who were singled out as having above average capability and worthy of receiving an accelerated standard of education. This academic promise had been noted early as Alfred was in receipt of Full Fee Exemption, his school fees being paid by the London County Council. Alfred left Latymer as a pupil on 21st July 1910, class viib, at the age of 17.

During his time at Latymer he attained a good exam record, passing the Cambridge Local Exams: ‘Junior’ Hons Class iii in1906, followed two years later in July 1908 by having ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in the ‘Senior’ Exams; in other words, passing the exams and moreover gaining a Distinction in English.

Alfred stayed on at Latymer into the higher sixth form (in his case class VIIB) in order to sit for, and indeed achieve, his London University Matriculation Division 2, in June 1909, as a result of which he joined the Administration at Latymer, termed at that time as being ‘Posted as Bursar’, on the 1st August of that year. He went on to gain an Intermediate B.A. pass in 1910.

Alfred then became a Student teacher from the 1st August 1910 and Went on to London Day training college which entailed academic work on teaching on some days and working in the classroom on others. He gained his B.A. London Honours: second Class, in 1913.

The School Magazine of October 1914 mentions that Alfred was serving in the Armed Forces at this time but does not specify his unit. This oversight is rectified when Alfred was reported as being with the 9th Royal Fusiliers in February 1915. Alfred’s final appearance in the School Magazine of February 1916 is the report of his death on January 4th 1916 together with the moving obituary provided by his sister in a letter to the school which says:-

HewaskilledinactiononJanuary4th. ‘Theforceofashellwhichburstnearhim,hitting oneofhisbrotherofficers,gavehimconcussionandhediedinstantlyandwithoutpain.It seemsveryhardtothinksuchayounglifeandwithsuchabrilliantcareerbeforehim shouldbecutoff,butwetakecomfortinthethoughtthathesacrificedhislifebravely forhiscountryandwhatmorecanonedo?’

H.C. MULKERN

Hubert Cowell Mulkern had been a pupil at the Godolphin School (Sir William Godolphin’s grammar School for Boys, which later became the Godolphin and Latymer School) before Entering Latymer Upper School. He was born on 25th August 1881, and his home address was 45, Godolphin Road, Hammersmith. His Father, Alfred, was a bank clerk. He joined the School in September 1897 and when he left, went on to medical school and became a Doctor with a practice in Hampstead.

The School Magazine of July 1916 carried a report that Captain Mulkern was killed in action, but no further details were given. His date of death 1st July 1916 as recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, suggests he fell on the dire first day of the Battle of the Somme.

L.H. NATHAN

Louis Henry Nathan, born on 26th April 1893, and the son of H L Nathan, a furniture dealer, of 37 Ennismore Avenue Chiswick and later 200 Goldhawk Road, entered Latymer from Kensington House Private School on 9th September 1902. He was placed in class Ib. He left Latymer on July 28th 1909, from class VC, and went on to work for Hoopers and Edwards, hardware merchants.

The School Magazine of October 1914 lists him as enlisting in the Canadian Contingent, so it is likely that after leaving Latymer he emigrated to Canada.

7 17 168 Lieutenant Nathan, as he became, was reported killed in action June 4th 1917 in the July School Magazine of that year. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records say that Lewis (sic)Henry Nathan of 1st Canadian Divisional H.Q., but attached to 1st Canadian Battalion; was buried at Barlin. He was most probably fatally wounded near Lens ,

B.E.NICHOLAS

Barclay Ernest Nicholas, whose date of birth is 25th October 1889, the son of H Nicholas, carpenter, of Cunningham Villa, Boscombe Road, London, Entered Latymer from Westville Road School in September 1904. Leaving the School in 1906 he took up a clerkship with the Board of Guardians at St George’s Church, Hanover Square.

The June 1915 edition of the School Magazine has him enlisting in the 16thBattalion of the County of London Regiment, and the January 1919 School Magazine records his death on April 30th 1918. He had by then been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

W.N.J.NICHOLS

William Norman John Nichols was born on d 10th November 1898. The son of W. Nichols, a Fruiterer (Proprietor), of 82, Wandsworth Bridge Road, he Joined Latymer from Peterborough London County Council Elementary School on September 6th1910, and was placed in class ii a. He left from class VII C on 31st March 1915, . In recognition of his academic potential and his modest family background, he was given Full fee exemption; the L.C.C. paid his fees. Sitting the Cambridge Local Examinations at the ‘Senior’ Level, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners ’ in July 1914 and subsequently went on to work for the London County and Westminster Bank.

All that is recorded of his military service and death, sadly, is that the two lists of the names of the fallen Latymerians to be honoured with inclusion on the War Memorials, published in the School Magazine editions of May 1919 and September 1920 both mention him. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have his date of death as 2nd October 1918.

A.C.W.J. .NORCOTT

Alfred Charles Wollaston James Norcott, as the admissions register records him, was born on April 25th1897. He is listed in the admissions register as the son of Mrs Norcott. His late father had been a Canvasser, of 12, Telford Road North Kensington, then 25, Blagrove Road. He entered Latymer from Wormington Road London County Council Elementary School on 12th September 1911, in class iii b, and left on December 23rd 1913, his final class being class vi b. He was granted a full fee exemption, his fees being paid by the Campden Trustees, in recognition of his widowed mother’s perhaps limited finances and his own academic promise, and went on , on leaving Latymer, to a Clerkship with the Great Western Railway.

His name is one of those listed for honouring by inclusion on the War Memorial, on the additional list published in the September 19 20 edition of the School Magazine, but, very sadly, no other details of his service and death survive in the School records. Subsequent research in fact suggests he may have survived the war and died in Paris in army service in the late 1920’s and that his name may have been Alfred Wollaston James Norcott or Alfred Arthur Norcott, perhaps a name change later in his life.

G.G.OATES

George Godfrey Oates, whose date of birth is November 21s 1891 is listed in the Admissions register as the son of Mrs Oates (widow) a teacher, of 31 Augustus Rd Hammersmith. The family seem at some date to have moved to 14, Fielding Road, Bedford Park. He joined Latymer from Camberwell Grammar School on 5th September 1904and held a foundation scholarship from 1907 Leaving in 1910, he first worked In a Tea Blender’s Office and then became a clerk at Cook’s Bank.

There are three mentions of his military service in the School magazine.

In the April 1915 magazine, that he is serving in 1stBattalion of the Royal Buckinghamshire Regiment, the report of his being wounded in the December 1915 edition ( where he is listed as serving in the 1stBattalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment), and the sad notice of his death in action, then with the rank of Sergeant, in the October 1916 magazine. He may very well have fallen in the Battle of the Somme on 24th August 1916.

H.V.ORRISS

Howard Victor Orriss whose date of birth was May 13th 1892, Entered Latymer from Private Schooling in April 1902 and left, as the Admissions Register puts it, to go into Business in 1907. He was the son of C. S. Orriss, a Commercial Traveller, firstly of 34, Bridge Avenue, Hammersmith and later of Hamilton House, Chiswick Lane.

He is listed in the October1914 edition of the School Magazine as having enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company, an entry corrected in the June 1915 magazine to place him in the 3/1stBattalion of the City of London Regiment, and to record the award to him of a Temporary Commission 2ndLieutenant Orriss is reported killed in action on August 16th 1917 in the October 1917 School Magazine which also contains this obituary, a rather poignant tribute to the breadth of his commitment to giving all he could for his King and Country:

HejoinedtheH.A.C.atthebeginningoftheWarandwassenttoFrance.Hewasafterwards gazetted2nd Lt.intheFusiliersandwassenttoGallipoli.Hewasinvalidedwhilesuffering fromdysentery.OnhisrecoveryheproceededtoFrance,andwhilewaitingtoreceivea commissionintheRoyalFlying Corps,hewasshotbyaGermansniper.’

L. W. G. PARKER

Leslie Walter Grosvenor Parker was born on 2nd October1894. His father was S.G Parker, a book-keeper living at 10 Homefield Road, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Latymer

Lower Elementary School in 1905 into class IIb and left Latymer four years later in 1909 from class IIIa.

Lieutenant Parker then went on to a clerkship at 84 Fenchurch street, Whitechapel. Lt Parker of 16th County of London was reported to have died from his wounds on July 20th 1917. He was 23 years of age.

An account of his passing is written in his obituary and shows his braveness and loyalty to his Company,

'HisCompanyhadtomakeanattackontheGermantrenchesontheArras-CambraiRoad.He ledhismenontothetopoftheirtrenchesamidstheavyshellingandmachinegunfire.The orderwasgiventoretire.Onhiswayhewasshotthroughthearm.Hehadthewound dressed,ralliedhismenand,withothers,keptoffthecounterattack,heandhisCaptain beingtheonlyOfficersofhisPlatoonleft.Thelattertoldhimtogotothedressing station,butheanswered,“I’mallright;Icancarryon.”Hereceivedveryseverewoundson headandrightarm,anddiedthefollowingday.HewenttoFranceonOctober31st 1914, andhadnowoundsorsickleaveduringthethreeyearshewasintheArmy.’

A.P PARNELL

Arthur Paston Parnell was born on 17th July 1891, to W.J Parnell, a railway clerk of 3, Larden Road in Acton Vale. Coming to Latymer from Ellerslie Road Elementary School (where his fees were then paid by London County Council) in 1900 to class I, all his school fees were paid by the Latymer Foundation Governors, suggesting he was of considerable academic talent. School records state that he achieved a 'Satisfied' in his Junior Cambridge Local Exams in 1904 and in the next year he gained 'Honours, Class 1'. In 1906, in his Senior Cambridge Local Exams he again gained a 'Satisfied'. The next few years were an important stage in his education as Parnell was awarded a Matriculation to London University in 1908 and left Latymer in 1909 from class VII after completing higher sixth form and passing the Intermediate Degree for London University while still in school. After leaving, he was given a National Scholarship in Physics in 1909, which included free education and a grant of £60 a year for three years by the Board of Education and another on leaving school with Exhibition of £20 per year for three years.

The number of times that Mr Parnell's education fees were waived by the end of his education shows just how many people were convinced of his academic potential. He left to go to the Royal College of Science and achieved two degrees in consecutive years, in 1911 and 1912, A.R.C.Sc Class 2 and a B.Sc. London Class.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records have the date of his death as 17th April 1917. in his time in the army he served in the 10th Battalion, County of London Regiment, then went on to the 10thRoyal Fusiliers.

V.A. PEARSON

Victor Alexander Pearson was born on 24th May 1897, the son of R. Pearson, a master plumber and decorator. They lived at 133, Chesterton Road, North Kensington. He came to Latymer from his elementary school, Kilburn Lane, and also from Oxford Gardens where both school fees were paid by London County Council. His first class at Latymer was class IIIB in 1911 and his last was class VIa, all his fees at Latymer were paid by Campden Trustees, who clearly thought he was worthy due to his academic potential. In his Cambridge local exams, he achieved both Honours, Class 1 in the Junior exam 1913, and in the Senior the next year in July, an impressive feat. After leaving Latymer, he started in a Clerkship with the Atlas Insurance Co. he was reported as’ missing in action’ in the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine. He died on 22nd March 1918, according to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

S.L. PERKINS

Sidney Lionel Perkins was born on 1st October 1892, to Henry Perkins, a hosier, ,and Agnes E. who lived at 19, Elm Bank Gardens in Barnes. S.L Perkins entered Latymer from Barnes Board School on 14th January 1905 and left in July 1908.

Private Perkins was reported killed in action on 20th August 1917. Pte. Perkins served in the Alberta Regiment of the Canadian forces. In the October 1917 edition of the School Magazine is the following brief note: 'HehadcomeovertoEnglandwiththeCanadianForcesandwaswoundedinthetrenches beforeAvion.'

H.R. PIFFARD

Harold Reginald Piffard was born on 28th May 1896. His father, H. Piffard was an artist, of 18, Addison Road, Bedford Park. Started school at Miss Jones' Private School, and in 1906, came to class II at Latymer and left from class VI.

After leaving school he and his uncle went to a farm in New Zealand. Starting in the army, he was attached to 16th County of London, then on moving to New Zealand, joined the

Canterbury Regiment and was reported missing on 7th June 1917 as the New Zealand division stormed Messiness Village on Messines Ridge. His name is on the Messines ‘Missing’ Memorial.

E.S. PLUMB

Edward Stephen Plumb was born on December 24th 1890. His father, E Plumb, was a builder, of 133, Munster Road in Fulham. He entered Latymer from Munster Road L.C.C Elementary school on 12th September 1905 and was placed in class Remove A. He was clearly thought of as a boy of some academic ability and promise, as London County Council paid for all his fees. He left Latymer on 28th July 1909, his last class being VII B. He sat the Cambridge Local Exam at a senior level in 1906, and passed with Honours: class III 1906. He then sat the London University Matriculation exam in June 1908. He became a student teacher on 8th January 1909. He went on to King’s College Day Training College, passed in his BA London exam and taught at Loughborough Grammar School in 1913. He joined the University and public Schools Corps in December 1914 and the 16th Middlesex regiment in February 1915. He was then placed in the 3rd West Yorkshires regiment in June 1915. In February 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

He died on 7th September 1917 of severe wounds and was buried in Duisans Cemetery five miles west of Arras, probably fatally wounded in the subsidiary operation around Lens. He was reported dead in the October 1917 edition of the School magazine. His Lieutenant Colonel wrote to his parents:

“IhadonlyknownyoursonafewweeksbutduringthattimeIsawwhatasterlingcapable officerhewas.HislossisagreatblowtotheBattalion.Yoursonwassplendidlybrave whenhewaswoundedandhehadjustdonesomefinework.”Hisbrotherofficerwrote.“He waswithmedoingsomespecialworkwhichwasinterruptedabout3a.m.byhostileshelling, andallofuswentbackintothetrenchtowaituntilthingswerequieter.Unfortunately,a chanceshellfellwherewewere,killinganotherofficerandwoundingyoursonbadlyin therightlegandwrist,andanothersoldier,bothofwhomIamsorrytosaydiedafterwe gotthemdowntothedressingstation.Yourson’sbraverywassplendid,andhewas smokingacigarettewhenhewasbeingbandaged.”In the magazine also comes the following extract about him:

‘ThenewsofthedeathofLt.E.S.Plumbwillbereceivedwithgreatsorrowbymany hundredsofOldBoys.Hewasoneofthefinestall-roundathletestheSchoolhashad,and wastheCaptainoftheCricketXIin1909,oftheFootballXIin1906to1909,Captainof Swimmingin1909andSportsChampionin1908and1909’.

W.F. PLUMMER

William Francis Plummer was born on 22nd April 1895. He was the son of F Plummer, who was a Builder’s Foreman. He lived in 34, Finlay Street in Fulham. He entered latymer from Childerley Road L.C.C Higher Elementary School on 14th September 1909 and was placed in class iv C. Clearly thought of as a boy of some academic ability and promise, The London County Council paid for his fees. He left Latymer on 29th September 1914, his last class being VII B. He sat the Cambridge Local Exam at a senior level in July 1910, and passed with honours: class II in July 1910. He then sat the London University Matriculation Examination in June 1911 and took a BA at London University in History and English in July 1912. He went to Jesus College, Cambridge on an Open Scholarship of £40 per year for 3 years, which was awarded in December 1913. He was awarded a School Leaving Scholarship of £30 per year for 3 years in December 1914 and a London County Council Senior Scholarship of £30 per year for 3 years. He was a second lieutenant in the 18th London Regiment.

He was reported killed in the October 1916 School Magazine.‘Healwaysledacleanand unselfishlifeanddieddoinghisduty’.This tribute is probably from a letter from his family or an officer in his regiment, but the source is not stated. He died on 15th September 1916.

F.S. POTTER

Frederick Stanley Potter was born on 12th January 1888. He was the son of C W Potter who was a civil engineer. He lived at 74 St Mary’s Grove Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Grosvenor School in Twickenham on 12th September 1899.He left in July 1907 and went to business.

He joined the Honourable Artillery Company in October 1914 and the R.F.A with a Temporary Commission in December 1914. He was reported killed in action in the July 1918 edition of the School Magazine, dying on May 24th of that year.

L.S. POWELL

Lloyd Stanley Powell was born on 24th January 1894. He was the son of R Powell who was a grocer. He lived in 62 Rucklidge Avenue in Harlesden. He entered Latymer from Colstone Private School on 24th April 1906 in class II and left on 22nd December 1909. He left on 22nd December 1909, his last class being v c. He then went on to clerkship in the Stock Exchange at 5 Austin Friars London EC.

He was reported as enlisting in the 15th Hussars regiment (a cavalry regiment) in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine. His name also appears on the additional list for the War Memorial in the Hall, published in the September 1920 edition. He was killed on April 15th 1915,

C.H. PRATT

Charles Hoddy Pratt was born on 21st January 1893. He was the son of R H Pratt who was a clerk. He lived in 139 Tavistock Crescent in Notting Hill. He entered Latymer from Portobello Road L.C.C Elementary School on 11th September 1906 and was placed in class IV. He was seen to be a boy of some academic ability and promise, as Campden Trustees paid for all his fees. He left Latymer on 28th July 1909, his last class being VIC. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams, at the ‘junior’ level in July 1908, as well as the ‘senior’ exam in which he satisfied the examiners (that is to say he passed) in July 1909. He then went on to Montreal in Canada. He was reported as enlisting into the 15th London Regiment in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine. He was then reported wounded in the October 1915 edition. He died on 1st October 1918.

E.C.PRATT

Ernest Charles Pratt, the son of W.C. Pratt, a Schoolmaster, born on November 28th 1889, and living first at 33, Airedale Avenue, Chiswick and later at 44, Leybourne Park, Kew, came to Latymer from Flora Gardens L.C.C Elementary School and studied at Latymer from Autumn 1903 to Spring 1909. The Latymer Foundation awarded him a total fee exemption scholarship in view of his academic promise and he did well, Passing the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior level with Hons cl i, and distinction in Religious Knowledge in 1904, at the Senior Level (Hons cl iii) in1905 and then Cambridge Locals at Senior Level (Hons cl i) with a distinction in Religious Knowledge in 1907. He achieved London University Matriculation through the Cambridge Locals, in September 1907. On leaving the School he became a Cartographer with the Admiralty.

E.C. Pratt enlisted into the 15th London regiment in December 1914. Then a Lieutenant, he was reported as killed in action on May 14th 1917 in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine

F.V.C. PRIDEAUX

Fabian Viotti Cortes Prideaux was born 26 th August 1891. He was the son of A. Prideaux, a professor of music, of 6 Benbow Road, Hammersmith (later 23, Benbow Road and then 113,

Bishops Road, Fulham). He entered Latymer from private tuition in June 1903. When he left in April 1906, the admissions register records that he ‘went to business’.

F.V.C. Prideaux enlisted in June 1915 in the 13 th London Regiment. He was then reported Killed in Action on 9th September 1916 in the October 1916 edition of the School Magazine.

A.J. PROLE

Arthur John Prole was born on 1st July 1888. Living at 73, Uxbridge Road and previously studying at Ellerslie Road Board School, His Father, also named Arthur, was a Butcher. he came to Latymer in January 1902 and left in 1904, as the admissions register records, going into business.

His service in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is recorded in the ‘Roll of Honour’ printed in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine, and his death in action is reported in the June 1915 Magazine. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record that he died on 30th may 1915, then holding the rank of Lance Corporal, and that he is buried in Richebourg l’Avoue. He almost certainly fell in the Battle of Festubert, which had recently been fought at that date.

F. W. PURCHASE, M. M.

Frederick William Purchase was born on June 21st 1888.His family lived at 12, Shaftesbury Road, Hammersmith, and his previous education had been at Hammersmith High School. His father George was a Glass Merchant’s Manager.

He came to Latymer in April 1896 and left in 1905, going into business. He was therefore part of the second year’s entry into the new Latymer Upper School, opened only the year before.

His military service in the 7th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers is noted in the ‘Roll of Honour’ published in the February 1915 edition of the School Magazine, and the notice of his death in action on October 8th 1918 in the January 1919 magazine gives his rank as Corporal.

F.H. REED

Frederick Horace Reed was born on 3rd August 1898. He was the son of W. Reed, the manager of a Brickfield, of 22 Rylett Crescent in Shepherd’s Bush. He came to Latymer from Flora Gardens L.C.C Elementary School on the 6 th of September 1910 and was put

into class iii b. He was obviously seen as having a bright academic career ahead of him as all his fees were paid by the London County Council. He left Latymer on the 15 th July 1916, his last class being vii a. He sat in the Cambridge Local Examinations at a Junior level and gained a distinction in Geography in July 1913. He then went on to study Religious Knowledge at a Senior level in which he gained a distinction. He also achieved London University Matriculation in June 1915. Afterwards he went on to do an Engineering Apprenticeship with Messrs Maxim and Co in Barrow-in-Furness and was awarded a London Intermediate Bachelor of Science in Engineering in June 1917.

His name is included in the final list of those to be recorded on the Memorial published in the September 1920 edition of the School Magazine, but there is no further record here of his service. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission report his death as having occurred between 23rd and 27th October 1918.

T. RENTON

Thomas Renton was born on the 10th December 1891. He was the son of James Renton, a marine engineer, of 46 Lavingdon Road in West Ealing. He entered Latymer from Harringay Secondary School on the 21st April 1903 into class iii c. He left Latymer seven years later on the 21st July, his last class being viii b. His full fees were paid by Governors of the Foundation. He sat in the Cambridge Local Examinations at a Junior level and gained a distinction in English. Then in 1906 he sat another Cambridge Local Examination and gained distinctions in English and French. He then went on to sit more exams at a Senior level in July 1908 in which he gained distinctions in English, French and Drawing. Due to his exam performance he was granted an Intermediate level Matriculation in 1910. He then went on to Gonville and Caius College Cambridge on an Open Scholarship of £80 per annum from the College, with a School Leaving Exhibition of £30 per year in 1910 and a Middlesex County Council Scholarship of £20 per year, also in 1910. He gained a BA Class 2 division 2 in the History Tripos Part ii in 1913.

T Renton enlisted in February 1915 into the 3rd London Regiment. In the June 1915 edition of the School Magazine he was reported killed at Fromelles on May 9th 1915.

This obituary was in the July 1915 edition of the School Magazine as Renton had written the poems in the School Magazine:

‘InthelastissueoftheMagazineweweregrievedtohavetorecordthedeathofT.Renton. T. Renton entered the School on 1903 and left in 1910 to continue his studies at Cambridge.HewasamemberoftheBoxingClubin1909and1910,buttooklittleinterestin other branches of sport whilst at the School. He was perhaps, intellectually, the most brilliant boy who has passed through the School, his abilities in certain directions amounting almost to genius. He was a brilliant and clever essayist. At School his Examinations gave him little trouble and when at Christmas 1909 he crowned his School

workby gaininganOpenHistoryScholarship atCambridge,itwasconfidently anticipated thathewouldcontinueatCambridgethebrilliantworkthathehadshownhimselfcapable of as a boy. He did not fulfil this early promise. He was too unconfined in his ideas to follow a rigid academic discipline, and the authorities looked down upon him with displeasure.HetookhisB.A.in1913,obtainingaClassii.Partii,HistoricalTripos.Onthe outbreak of war, he enlisted at once in the 13th County of London, and was killed at FromellesonMay9th

ForseveralyearshecontributedthepoemappearingonthefrontpageofourMagazine.

The following paragraph is taken from an appreciative article concerning T. Renton that appearedinthe‘MiddlesexCountyTimes’afewweeksago:

‘Hisversatilityfoundexpressioninmanyforms.Hewastobereckonedwithasapoetinthe culturedcircleinwhichhemoved,andhashisliferunitsnormalcourse,Iventuretothink that he would have been one of those who make beauty and music out of words for all generations.Hisambition,however,wastobeasculptor,tomakemobilityoutofimmobility. He was never able to gratify this ambition, but many of his paintings and drawings have adornedmyroom.Iamnotcompetenttocriticisetheworkasanartist,butIbelievehegave promise of developing into apainter of no meanorder. Hehada passionfor beauty, and a loathingandcontemptforallthatisugly.Iwouldeasilyimaginehim,likeBrowning,eating theflowersthathemightpossesshimselfoftheirbeauty.’

J. F. G. REW

John Frederick George Rew, whose date of birth was November 26th 1891, was the son of Harry Rew, a Merchant, of Oakleigh, St Mary’s Grove, Chiswick. He entered Latymer from Grove Park kindergarten in September 1900. The Admissions Register records that he left’ no reason given’ the date he left is not recorded there.

His name is listed among the Fallen Alumni on the Additional list for the War Memorial published in the School magazine of September 1920. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records have his date of death as 1 st July 1916, the dreadful first day of the Battle of the Somme.

B. ROBINSON

Bethell Robinson was born on the 18th September 1885. He was the son of B. Robinson, a commission agent, of 50, Wellesley Road in Chiswick, and later of40, Oxford Road. He

entered Latymer from Latymer Lower elementary school in September 1898. When he left the School in 1901 he went to work for the Civil Service as a Boy Copyist.

In the December 1917 edition of the School Magazine he is reported to have died in active service on 24th October of that year.

J.F. ROOT

James Francis Root was born on July 21st, 1894, the son of J Root, a waiter, of 6, Dancer Road, Fulham. He entered Latymer from Childersley St L.C.C Higher Elementary School on September 11th 1906, and was placed in Class III a. Clearly he was viewed as an intelligent boy of academic ability, as all of his fees were paid by the London County Council. He left Latymer on July 26th 1911, from the Class VII a. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at junior level, and passed with an Honours: Class I in July 1909. He then went on to achieve an Honours: Class II at the senior level in July 1910. After he had left Latymer he enrolled in a Clerkship with the ‘Direct Supply Aerated Water co’.

In the October 1916 edition of the School Magazine, it was reported that he died of wounds. He died on 18th September 1916.

H. ROUSE

Herbert Rouse was born on March 3rd, 1900. His father was a cheesemonger's assistant of 11, Carthew Villas, Hammersmith. On 11th September 1906, he entered Latymer from St John's National Elementary School, into Class II a. He received a full fee exemption to Latymer, with his fees generously paid by the London County Council, implying that Herbert was an academic boy with much potential. He achieved an honours: class II in the Cambridge Local exams junior level in July 1909 and, a year later, in July 1910, 'satisfied the examiners' (that is to say he passed) at the senior level of the Cambridge Local Exams. He left the school on 26th July 1911, his last class being VII a, and went on to a clerkship with the Ocean Accident Assurance Company.

The February 1916 edition of the School Magazine, records that he served in the 18th County of London unit of the army, and was killed in action on 24th December 1915.

W.G. ROWLAND

William George Rowland was born on December 17th, 1896, the son of G Rowland, a labourer, of 2, Liverscombe Place, and then 56 Norland Gardens. He entered Latymer from Saunders Rd L.C.C Elementary school on 15th September 1908 and was placed into Class II a. During his time at Latymer, William sat the Cambridge Local Examinations and 'satisfied' the examiners (passed the exam) both at junior level in July 1912 and senior level in July

1913. He left the school on 31st July 1913, from Class VI b and went on to have a junior clerkship with the London County Council.

The December 1914 edition of the School Magazine records that he served in the 9th County of London unit of the army. But, he was reported missing in the October 1916 edition and it was later recorded that he had been killed on the 1st July 1916. The School Magazine from May 1919, states that he was placed on the list for the School’s War Memorial.

G.P. ROWLANDSON

George Philip Rowlandson was born on January 14th 1899. His father was an artist and they lived at 39, Fairfax Road, Bedford Park. He entered Latymer from Gunnersbury High and Private school on September 15th 1908 and was placed in Class I b. He left Latymer on 24th June 1915, from the Class V c, and went on to a Clerkship with Mr Warnsford Davis.

In the May 1919 edition of the School Magazine ,and in the September 1920 edition, it recorded that he was placed on the list of those to be honoured on the war memorial, He was killed on 1st October 1918.

A.J. ROYLANCE

Alexander John Roylance was born on April 26th 1897, the son of W Roylance, a police officer, of 8, Letterstone Road, Fulham. He entered Latymer on 26th February 1912 from Roan's Secondary School, Greenwich, presumably on the posting of his father to a station in west London, and was placed in Class V c. All of his fees were paid by the London County Council (this was also the case at Roan's School) which suggests that Alexander was a very clever boy with much potential. He sat the Cambridge Local exams at Junior level in July 1912 and 'satisfied the Examiners' (passed). He did not remain long at Latymer, as he left on 23rd November 1912 from Class VI b. He then went on to a Clerkship in the Civil Service.

The December 1916 edition of the School Magazine records that he was a Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the West Indian regiment, but he was killed in action on 9th October 1915. Although, the Army Records reported that he was buried as Albert, instead of Alexander, a [perhaps understandable error because of the enormous number of Somme casualties.

S.L.ROZELAAR

Samuel Louis Rozelaar was born on 17th March 1892. He was the son of Louis Rozelaar, Beadle, of Synagogue Chambers, Westbourne Park Crescent and he entered Latymer from

Maida Vale School in January 1902 and left in the December of that year, as the Admissions Register states, to go to a school nearer home.

The February 1916 edition of the School Magazine gives his rank as 2nd Lieutenant, but the unit in which he is serving is not stated

By the January 1919 magazine he had reached the rank of Captain, when he was reported killed in action on October 30th 1918.

He is buried in Willesden Jewish Cemetery.

C.T.SAUNDERS

Charles Thomas Saunders, whose date of birth is 8th November 1891, was the son of F P Saunders, an Assurance Agent, of 22, Chiswick Rd, Chiswick. His parents applied for a place at Latymer for him, to join from the Carpenters’ Company School on an application dated 12th September 1905. As no admission certificate survives for him – he is only mentioned in the applications list- there is, very sadly, no record of his time and achievements at School. He may very well not have taken up the place for which he applied.

Nonetheless, in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine he is reported to have died in the sinking of the supply ship ‘Transylvania’ on May 4th 1917.

This ship was carrying supplies and supply personnel to Egypt when she was torpedoed by UBoat U63. His body was not recovered, but he is commemorated on the Savona Memorial in Italy , a memorial to the Allied personnel drowned in the Mediterranean.

C.M.SCHNEIDER

Conrad Michael Schneider, who was born on February 19th 1890, and the son of F L Schneider, a ‘Musical Director’, of 69, Bridge Rd, Hammersmith, entered Latymer from Ardingly College in April 1903. He left Latymer in 1906 and joined the Civil Service.

Nothing is recorded in the school records of his military service, but his name is on the list of the fallen to be honoured on the War Memorial, published in the School Magazine of May 1919.

G. H. SCOLDING

George Henry Scolding, who was born on March 18th 1884, lived at 9, Ingersoll Road, Shepherd’s Bush and later at ‘Carmina’, Clifden Road, Twickenham, and had attended

Ellerslie Road Board School, was the son of Edward William Scolding, Manager to a Colliery Proprietor. He came to Latymer in July 1895. The year he left is not recorded, but he went into a Junior Clerkship with a firm of Accountants.

The May 1918 edition of the School Magazine reports that he had been a pupil from 18951900, and that, then holding the rank of Lieutenant, he fell in action on March 26th 1918.

1895 was the year in which Latymer Upper School opened, so he will have been one of the very first Latymerians,

R.C.SCUDAMORE, M.C.

Robert Capel Scudamore, was born on 31st January 1895. His father was C Scudamore, a Bank Manager, of 31, Ashchurch Park Villas, Shepherd’s Bush, and he entered Latymer from the Misses Meiggs Private School, on April 21st 1903, being placed in class Ib. When he left Latymer on July 29th 1914, he was in class VII a. He received full fee exemption, with his fees being paid by the Governors of the Foundation, a sign of his academic ability and promise. Sitting the Cambridge Local Exams at the ‘Junior’ level in July 1909, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’, as he did also in the ‘Senior’ level in July 1910. While still at school he achieved the London University Matriculation Division 2 in January 1912 and the Intermediate B.Sc. (Engineering) in July 1914. He went on to Magdalene College Cambridge, with a Sizarship in Mathematics of £35 per year and a School Leaving Exhibition of £30 a year, in 1914,

He is recorded as serving in the Royal Fusiliers in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine, and in the April 1918 magazine come the report that he had been accidentally killed on February 27th 1918 and the following obituary:

He won the M.C. forconspicuousgallantryinaction.HeledhisCompanywithgreatdash and,thoughvigorouslyopposed,succeededincapturingaboutfortyprisoners.The followingday,underconstantshellfire,hesuccessfullyconsolidatedthepositionwon.

HisMajorandChaplainwrotethefollowingletterstohisMother:

FromtheMajor:‘Weallfeelthatwehavelostapersonalfriendinyourson,whowasone ofthefinestfellowswhohaveeverpassedthroughthisSquadron.Hemethisdeathasthe resultofanaccidentalbombexplosion.Heandhispilothadreturnedfromabombingraid, andonlandingitwasnoticedthattwoofthebombshadfailedtoleavethemachine.Your sonwenttoexaminethem.Suddenlytherewasaterribleexplosionandhewaskilled instantaneously.’

FromtheChaplain:‘HisMajorhastoldyouwhatthereistotelloftheterribleaccidentin whichhelost,orratherfoundhislife,ashecamebackfromthesplendidbitofworkhe hadbeendoing.ForawhilebeforewestartedfromthesquadronIwassittingintheMess withalotofyoungofficers,andtheytoldmethatyoursonwasoneoftheverybest.A littlelateronhisMajorsaid“Hewasthebestofmyofficers”,andlaterstilltheColonel ofhiswingsaidhewas“oftheverybest”.Wedrovemanymilestothecemetery.Itwasaraw, coldday,withsnowaboveandmudandslush.Therewerealargenumberofofficers-I supposenearlyallofhisownsquadron,withtheirMajor,withofficersfromtheEnglish squadronsandanItaliansquadron.TherewerealsoanumberofAmericanandFrench officers.Eightofficersactedasbearers,sixofthemfromhisownsquadronandtwo Italianofficers.FollowingthesecametheSergeant’scoffin,thentheCorporal’s,then thetwomenwhodiedwithhim.Wewalkedinprocessiontothelittlecemetery,andthere laidhisbodytorest.Andthenwestood,thrilledtoourinmostbeing,astheLastPost sounded.Andtheneachofficerandmansaluted.Itwasallsosimpleandsosincere;just,I suppose,thesortoffuneralagoodsoldierwouldhavechosen.AndIthoughtofthe welcomethatmustbeawaitingonewho,whenthedemandwasmadeonhimforsacrifice, waswillingtogivehislifefordutyandinserviceanddefenceofothers.’ HismotherwrotetotheHeadmaster:‘MyboywastransferredtotheR.F.C.onAugust22nd , andretainedhisrankasCaptain.ItmayinterestyoutoknowthathisMajoristhemanwho broughtdowntheZeppelinatPotter’sBar.Althoughwearewell-nighheartbrokenat havingtopartwithouronlyson,yetwecannotbutfeelproudofwhathehasdoneinhis shortlife.’

The Army and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records say that he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on August 22nd 1917 with the rank of Captain

He is buried in Esssegny Cemetery—as this is in Vosges region of eastern France, remote from British sectors, his presence there is something of a mystery. He may have been ‘on loan’ to the French or possibly involved in an operation involving men from several countries.

R.C.B. SEDGWICK

Rupert Charles Bradley Sedgwick was born on 10th April 1895. His father, C. Sedgwick was an Accountant’s Clerk of 47, Cambridge Road, Chiswick. He attended Gunnersbury Private School and then entered Latymer Upper School on April 9 th 1907, his first class being IVD. He left Latymer from Class IVA on 21st October 1910, and went on to a Clerkship with a Stockbroker.

The December 1914 edition of the School magazine the School Magazine states that he was serving in the 10th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, and his death is recorded in the July 1917 edition, with the following obituary notice.

‘RupertSedgwick,whowaswithTownshend’sforceinMesopotamia,hasdiedaprisonerof warinthehandsoftheTurks.Hediedonthe8th October1916,ofenteritis’.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records Private Sedgwick as being buried in the Baghdad North Gate Cemetery. He will have been among the men captured (and possibly maltreated) at the surrender of Kut -el-Amara in April 1916.

B.SELDEN

Brian Selden, born on 7th June 1892, and the son of Alfred Selden, Ironmonger of 20, Rivercourt Road, Hammersmith, entered Latymer from the Godolphin School on 29th May 1900, He left in June 1902. He is recorded as serving in H.M. Forces in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine but his unit is not known

His name is one of those on list of those to be honoured on the War Memorial published in the magazine of May 1919. He died on October 8th 1916, according to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

G.SELDEN

Geoffrey Selden, whose date of birth is 4th January 1894, was the brother of Brian Selden, He came into Latymer from private tuition dated in September1901and left to go to boarding School(though the handwriting at this point in the register is not clear) in July 1902, along with his brother.

He is listed as serving in the forces in the October 1914 School Magazine but his unit is not mentioned there. However, when he is reported missing in the October 1915 magazine, he is listed as serving in the King’s Royal Rifles. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his death on 30th July 1915.

His name is alongside his brother’s on the list for honouring on the War Memorial in May 1919.

The corner of King Street and Dalling Road was known for many years as ‘Selden’s corner’ because of the family’s ironmongers business just there.

W. SHEPHARD

Walter Shephard was born on April 7th 1897. His father owned a chemist’s and probably home taught him, as it said on the records that he had no former education before joining Latymer. They lived at4, Greyhound Road, Hammersmith. He entered latymer on the 2nd May 1905. AT school he was seen as a keen sportsman and he passed both his Junior and Senior exams, the latter in July 1914. He left school, from class vi, to serve in H.M’s forces, joining the 10thBattalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

In the October 1914 ‘Latymerians he is listed as serving in the 10thBattalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

He was reported to have been wounded in the July 1915 Magazine and the report of his death on December 26th 1915 appears in the February 1916 edition, with the following Obituary:

Thoughlittlemorethan18yearsofage,hejoinedthe2/10MiddlesexRegimentin September1914.InJulylasthewassenttotheDardanelleswherehecontractedenteric fever.HewasinvalidedinMaltaandfromtheretoSouthampton,wherehesuccumbedto theeffectsoftheillness.AtSchoolhewasagoodfootballerandgaveconsiderable promiseasalong-distancerunner.HisdeathwillbekeenlyfeltbythemanyOldBoyswho wereatSchoolwithhim.

L B SILVERSTEIN

Louis Bernard Silverstein, whose date of birth is 29th April 1897 and who was the son of D Silverstein, a Clerk, of 10 Beauclerc Road, Hammersmith and then 20, Glendarom Street, Putney, entered Latymer from William Street London County Council Elementary School on 15th September 1908, joining class IIA. He left on 15th July 1912, then in class VIA. The full fee exemption he held, his fees being paid by the London County Council, indicated his academic promise and humble family background In the Cambridge Local Examinations at ‘Senior’ level, he was awarded Honours Class ii in July 1912, and he went on to a Clerkship in the Civil Service.

In the October 1914 School Magazine, the Roll of Honour of those serving in H.M.Forces lists him in the 9thBattalion of the County of London Regiment, and he also on the additional list of the Fallen Latymerians who were to be honoured on the new memorial, published in the September 1920 magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission complete the details; he was listed as missing (dead) on 30th September 1916 on the Somme. His name is one of the many honoured on the Thiepval Memorial to those missing in the Somme battlefields.

C.D. SMITH

Charles D. Smith was born on the 1st of April 1891. His father, J. Smith, was a shopkeeper of 45 Roxswell Road, Shepard’s Bush. He joined Latymer in 1904, from Victoria School. He was a Foundation Scholar, with his fees covered by the Latymer Foundation. He left the School in July 1907.

There are no details in the Latymer records of his military service, but he was reported killed in action in the School Magazine of October 1916. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have the date of his death as 18th August 1916. The date suggests that he might well have fallen in the Battle of the Somme.

C. E. SMITH

Charles Ernest Smith was the son of the Rev C J Smith, the first Headmaster of Latymer Upper School. It is recorded in the notice of his death in the School Magazine that he entered the School in 1895, the year the School opened, from St Mark’s College Lower School. He lived firstly at 3, Crondace Road, Fulham, then at 11, Luxumberg Gardens, Brook Green and moved from there to Latymer House in Upper Mall- the Headmaster’s House for Latymer Upper School. But there is no mention of his being the Headmaster’s son, the Father’s occupation being simply recorded as ‘Schoolmaster’, touching reticence perhaps on his father’s part. On leaving Latymer in 1900 he went to work for the Atlas Assurance Co.

The application form for his Commission, dated 12th November 1915, says that he was born on the 9th July 1884 in Cambridge, was educated at Latymer Upper School and St Mark’s College, Chelsea (his father’s college) and that he was a ‘Political Agent’ at the time of application, and also that he had served in the 1st City of London (Rough Rider) Yeomanry as a trooper until 2nd May 1902.

In the December 1915 edition of the School Magazine, he is noted as serving as a 2 nd Lieutenant in the 43rd Provisional Battalion, and he is then reported killed in the April 1918 edition. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records have the date of his death as 13th April 1918.

The Regimental War Diary records fighting at Le Plantin with severe enemy shelling ‘doing great damage to breastworks and causing many casualties’ on April 13th and 15th, until the Battalion was relieved by the First Gloucestershire Regiment and redeployed at Beuvry and then Auchen. Lt C.E.Smith was reported killed in the battle, along with 6 of his brother officers, and 30 NCO’s and men, a further 137 being wounded, 10 dying later of their wounds, and 13 missing.

E.D.SMITH

Eric Dobson Smith, whose date of birth is 16th September 1899, was the son of A..J Smith, a Civil Servant, of 52, Rylett Crescent, Shepherd’s Bush. He joined Latymer from Cobbold Road London County Council Elementary School, on 15th January 1910, being placed in class IA, and when he left on 8th April 1914 from class IV c, he went on to Clarke’s College.

In the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine comes the report of his being killed on 23rd September 1918. No more details of his military service are available.

J. SMITH

James Smith was born on October 2nd 1888, the son of James Smith, a Police Constable, of47, Roxwell Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He came to Latymer from Craven Park College in September 1901and on Leaving the School in April 1904 joined the Civil Service.

He is recorded in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine as having enlisted in the 15th Battalion of the County of London Regiment, and his death in action was reported in the June 1915 edition of the Magazine.

H.SOMERVILLE.

Henry Somerville was born on May the 9th 1887. His father was an Actuary of 16 Stanwick road, West Kensington. He joined Latymer from Birkenhead Institute. He obtained his Matriculation in 1904, Left Latymer in the December of that year and is noted in the Admissions Register as having become a Bank Clerk in Birkenhead in 1907.

In the July 1915 edition of the School Magazine he is recorded as enlisting in the13thBattalion of the County of London Regiment. Very poignantly indeed, he is reported killed in action on the next page of the very same edition of the magazine, He died on May 9th 1915.

T.A. SQUIRE

Thomas. A. Squire was born on march the 13th 1893. His father, J. A. Squire, was a Gas Mantle Manufacturer, of 35, Paddenswick Road, Hammersmith. He joined Latymer from Elgin House private school on the 8th of September 1903, being placed in class I a. He left on July 9th 1909, from class VI c. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at the ‘Junior’ level in July 1908 and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. At leaving, he joined his father in the production of Gas Mantles. He spent 6 years at this job, until he joined the City of London Yeomanry.

His enlistment in the City of London Yeomanry is recorded in the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine. In the December 1917 edition it is reported that he died from wounds on 30th November 1917.

W.H.SQUIRRELL

William Henry Squirrell was born on 22nd June 1896, the son of W J Squirrell, a Chauffeur, of 54, Holland Park Mews, Kensington. He came to Latymer from William Street London County Council Elementary School on 12th September 1911, joining class iv b, and left on June 23rd 1913, from class vi a. He had been awarded a full fee exemption, with his fees paid by the Campden Trustees, a sign of his academic promise and modest family circumstances. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at the ‘Junior’ level and was awarded Honours Class iii, in July 1912, When he sat the examinations at the ‘Senior’ level in July 1913, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. On leaving Latymer he went on to a Clerkship with the Kensington Guardians.

He is listed as serving in the forces in the December 1914 edition of the School Magazine but his unit is not known then. When he is next mentioned in the magazine, in April 1915, he is serving in the 16thBattalion of the County of London Regiment. There is no record in the school of the date of his death but his name is on the list of the fallen to be honoured on the War Memorial which was published in the May 1919 and September 1920 editions of the School Magazine. He was buried in St Marylebone cemetery on 5th Jan 1918.

H. STANLEY

Harold Stanley, whose date of birth is July 4 th 1887, was the son of Frank Stanley, one of Her Majesty’s Surveyors of Taxes. The family lived firstly at ‘Woodcote’ in Chiswick Lane and then at 21, Barrowgate Road, Chiswick. He (along with his older Brother Frederick George) came to Latymer in September 1899 from Fulwood Grammar School in Preston, and left in 1903.

He is listed in the February 1915 edition of the School Magazine, where the ‘Roll of Honour’ mentions he had enlisted in the Cable Company of the Royal Engineers, and his name is on the list of the Fallen Former Pupils to be honoured with a mention on the War memorial, in the May 1919 edition of the Magazine.

H.V.STEPHENSON

Hubert Victor Stephenson, whose date of birth is May 13th 1889 was the son of George Stephenson, a Surveyor, living at 11, St Dunstan’s Road, West Kensington. He entered Latymer from private schooling in January 1899. He left in June1908 to go into business.

2 16 64 He enlisted in the 28thBattalion of the County of London Regiment, according to the list given in the February 1916 School Magazine, and by the time he was killed on May 8th 1917 (as reported in the July 1917 edition of the Magazine) he had achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

That edition of the School Magazine also contains the following obituary of him:

‘H.V.StephensonmethisdeathonTuesdayMay8th,whilegallantlyleadinghismentothe attackatFresnoy.’

W.S.J.STEVENS

Walter Sydney John Stevens, born on 2nd December 1894, and the son of J H Stevens, an Accountant, of 164, Lancaster Road, entered Latymer from Portobello Road School in Autumn 1906, supported by a Full Fee Exemption Scholarship awarded by the London County Council in view of his academic promise. When he left in Autumn 1910 he had ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at the Junior level in 1909 and he Senior level in the following year. He went on to a Clerkship with the Merchants’ Trust, London at 4 Crosby Street..

There are two mentions of his military service in the School Magazine. He is listed in the October 1914 edition as serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and, then holding the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, his death in action is reported in the October 1916 Magazine. It is likely that he was one of the many casualties of the battle of the Somme, perhaps killed in the course of tending the wounds of other men. He was killed on 7th July 1916.

E.P.STONEHAM

Edmund Philip Stoneham’s date of birth is August 4th 1890, and his father was E M Stoneham, a Civil Servant, of 144, Coningham Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Strand Secondary School, on 10th September 1907 and was placed in class vi b. He left on 7th April 1909, from class vi a. He had received full fee exemption. the London County Council paid his fees. Sitting the Cambridge Local Examinations at the ‘Senior’ level, in December 1908, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. He is posted on his entry in the admissions register as a Pupil Teacher on 1st August1907, but it is also recorded that his

Pupil Teachership was then cancelled by the L.C.C., and he then went on to a Clerkship at London County and Westminster Bank.

An E.R. Stoneham is listed in the October 1914 School Magazine as serving in the Legion of Frontiersmen. There may be an error in the initials there or elsewhere. No details are available from the School records of the date or place of his death, but he is on the list of the fallen to be honoured on the War Memorial, published in the May 1919 and September 1920 editions of the Magazine. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his date of death as 18th February 1919.

F.R.STONNILL

Frank Roland, whose date.of.birth. is May 5th 1896, is listed in the Admissions Register as the son of Mrs Stonnill, His late father had been Secretary of Highgate Cemetery. They lived at 19, Ranelagh Gardens, Barnes. He joined Latymer from Ranelagh Gardens Private School on13thSeptember1904, going into class i, and left on 4th July 1913, from class vi a. When he sat the Cambridge Local Exams at the ‘Junior’ level in July 1911, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. On leaving Latymer, he joined The Union of London and Smith’s Bank

He enlisted in the 5thBattalion of the City of London Regiment, according to the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine (though there his initial is given as ‘R’ ) and had reached the rank of 2nd Lieutenant by the time he fell in April 1918. His death is listed in the April 1918 edition of the Magazine.

E, H. STRETTON

Eustace Herbert Stretton was born on September 10th 1896. By the time he entered Latymer, his father, who had been a ‘Surveyors Clark’ had died, and so his mother, simply referred to as ‘Mrs Stretton’, is listed in the Admissions Register as his parent. They lived at 10,Napier Avenue in Hurlingham. He entered Latymer from Munster Road L.C.C Elementary School on 15th September 1908, and was placed in Class II a. He was thought to be a boy who had promise and academic ability as his schooling fees were paid by the London county council. He left Latymer on 29th July 1914, his last class being Vii b. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1911and got distinctions in French and Religious Studies. He then went on to University college, London.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was killed on December 27th 1917 in Palestine. He was killed in action defending the city of Jerusalem.

In the January 1919 School Magazine, there is the following obituary:

E.H.StrettonwaskilledatObeid,northofJerusalem,inthebattletodefendthecity.The followingistakenfromthememorialcard,“SoladinnowretreatedtoJerusalem, whereupontherewasgreatrejoicinginourarmy,fortheyhopesoontoreachthelongdesiredsepulchreoftheLord.”

The January 1919 magazines prints, with his mother’s permission, an unfinished letter home found among his possessions, which details all the sites of biblical significance he had visited and seen in Palestine, and his appreciation of Islamic holy places such as the Dome of the Rock, which he had seen there too.

He was clearly a man whose faith was important to him, and it was not a narrow faith.

R L STROUD

Reginald Leslie Stroud, whose date.of.birth.is 6thJuly 1892, was the son of Harry Frank Stroud, an Outfitter, of 337 Goldhawk Rd and later 21 Little Ealing Lane, South Ealing.. He was admitted to Latymer from a Private School in September 1899. The Admissions Register notes sadly that he left in July 1905 ‘due to his father’s reduced circumstances’.

The October 1914 edition of the School Magazine records his enlistment in the 9thBattalion of the County of London Regiment. In the April1915 edition he is reported as wounded.

The Army records say that he died on 17th August 1916 of wounds sustained on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st, 1916.

His sacrifice is remembered by his inclusion on the final list of names to be honoured on the war memorial, which was published in the School Magazine in September 1920.

V.G. TAYLOR

Victor Gladstone Taylor was born on the 15th May 1898 to H L Taylor, a Journalist, of 1, Fairholme Road, West Kensington, and then 62, Lillie Road, West Brompton. He entered Latymer from Snowden House, a Private School in Fulham on 10th September 1907 and was Placed in Class I b. He left Latymer on 31th July 1913, his last class being VI a. He sat, and ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1911 and then when on to satisfy them again in Senior level July 1913. He then went on to a Clerkship at A Garstin and Co, Leather Merchants.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was reported missing in action on March 25th1918.

R.N.THOMAS

Richard Nixon Thomas was born on 12th December 1895. ,His father was D B Thomas, A ‘Merchant in Power Specialities’, of 12, Rivercourt Rd, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from Miss Jones’s Private School on the 16th January 1906 and has put into Class I. he was thought to have academic ability as his fees were paid in full by the governors of the foundation. He left on 19th April 1913 from class VII b. In Cambridge Local Exams for Junior’s he ‘Satisfied’ when he took it on July 1910 with Distinction in French, and he acheived Senior Hons Class iii on July 1912 with Distinction in French. When he left latymer he went with his father to Cologne to be a Merchant.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he died from his wounds on 23th August 1915. There was this obituary: R.N.ThomasafterleavingSchooljourneyedtoGermanyandforashorttimewas inbusinessthere.JustbeforetheoutbreakofwarhereturnedtoEnglandand enlisted. HesawserviceinFlandersandaftersometimewasgivenacommissionin theRoyalWelshFusiliers.HeagainproceededtotheFrontwithhisRegimentand wasaccidentallywoundedbyanunexplodedbomb.Hediedfromtheinjuriesso received,greatlytothegriefofhisofSchoolfriendC.Y.Fawcett,whohada commissioninthesameRegimentandwaswithhimattheend.

L.C. THOMSON

Charles Leslie Thomson was born on the 25th November 1893 the son of D. Thomson, jeweller, of 45, Castelnau , Barnes and later 91, Lonsdale Road, Barnes. He entered Latymer from The Misses Wiggs’ private schooling on the 9th September 1901. He left in the Autumn of 1909, having ‘Satisfied the Examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at Junior Level in July 1908 and the Senior Level in July of the following year. He went on to join Davis Sassoon and Co. ‘India Merchants’.

Lieutenant Thomson was killed in action on July 31st and in his obituary Lieutenant R.A. Grove writes:‘LesliewasoneofmybiggestchumsbothatSchoolandafterwards. Nobodycouldhavewishedforabetterfriend.Hewillbegreatlymissedbymeand manyothers.’Abrotherofficerwrites:’MayIsaywealllovedhimasaCompany Commander.Hewonthatconfidenceofhismenthatwasandisdifficulttogain andwhichweallstrivehardtoattain.The“TripleAlliance”asIalwaysusedto callthethreeofus,hadmanymemorabletimesandIamnowthelastofthat “Alliance”.IsupposethePadretoldyouhowheled“A”Companyover,andthose thatcamebackremarkedhowcoolandsolidhewas.Hisdeathisagreatlossto theBattalionbothineverykindofsportandasaCommander.’

A.G.THWAITES

Arthur George Thwaites, born on 9th October 1893, was the son of W Thwaites, a ‘manager’, of 27, Tubbs Road, Harlesden, and then 38, Bloemfontein Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He came to Latymer in January 1905 from Acton Lane School. A Foundation Scholar, he was seen as a boy of academic promise. On leaving in July 1908, he went into the ironmongery business with his Father.

In the October 1915 edition of the School Magazine there is a report that he is missing and the article which follows is printed there. Then he is listed as ‘Presumed killed, previously missing’ in the School Magazine of February 1917. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have his date of death as 30th July 1915

The article about him in the School Magazine is a most poignant blend of a father’s faith, hope and love:

ArthurThwaites(K.R.R.C.).Thefollowingletterhasbeenreceivedfromhisfather:“Three ofmyboyshavejoinedtheForcesandonehasbeenattheFrontsinceMay.Isincerely regrethavingtoinformyouthatone,Arthur,Isoonafterlearnt,waseventhen‘missing’ fromhisBattalion.Ofcourse,henevergavemeanyinformationastohiswhereabouts ‘somewhereinBelgium’,sothatIhavehadtoconstructmyconclusionsfromSirJohn French’sdescriptionofthefightingtakingplaceatthedate.

EvidentlyhewasinthetrenchesontheoccasionoftheLiquidFlameattackwhenourmen werecompelledtoretire,thiswasFriday,30th July,andinthecounter-attackinwhichhe tookpartheneverreturned.

ThefirstnewsreachedmewhilstatWorthingonMonday8th August,inabriefletterfroma comradewhostatedthat‘inanattacktheygotseparated’afterwardshe‘wassurprised thatArthurdidnotanswertheRollCall.’IsubsequentlywrotetheMajorofhisCompany, whoinaverykindreplygavemoreinformationbutunfortunatelyverylittlehope.

IhavecommunicatedwiththeRedCrossAssociationinLondon,GenevaandRouen, unsuccessfully,havewiredandwrittenthedepotatWinchester,andgotatlastthe officialnoticethatArthurwas‘missing’.

TwiceIhavebeentotheCasualtydepartmentattheWarOffice,andtheyverykindlywrote outtotheBaseapersonalenquiry,thereplybeingsimply‘missing’.Onthesecondoccasion theywrotemethatanenquiryhadbeensenttoaskwhethertherewasanyprospectofhim beingaPrisonerofWar,butthereplyhasnotyetarrived.

Thedearboyhasbeenmissingnearly11weeks,andmyonlyandlasteffortwillbealetter tohisC.O.,whichIproposesendinginaweekortwo,butIfearfromthenatureofthe attackinwhichhetookpartthathemusthavebeenstruckdownunnoticedandhiddenby theundergrowth.

IampleasedtosaythatHarryandLeonardhaveimprovedbytheirCamplifeandarewell preparingthemselvesforthepart,Iamafraidtheywillhavetotake,inthisterribleand costlyWar.”

A.W. THWAITES

Arthur William Thwaites, born on 1st October 1898, and the son of A B Thwaites, an Artist’s Colourman’s Salesman, of 3A, Bronsart Road, Fulham and then 38, Bloemfontein Avenue, Shepherd’s Bush, joined Latymer from Kingswood Road London County Council Elementary School, on 6th September 1910, entering class II a. He left from class VII A on June 18th 1915, He was given a full fee exemption, with the L.C.C. paying his fees, and indication of his academic promise and possibly humble background. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations: at the Junior’ level and was awarded Honours Class II in July 1912, and ‘Senior Level’ Honours Class III in July 1914, He took the London University Matriculation Exam and achieved Division II in June 1915, and went on to a Clerkship with Sydney Harvey and Co.

(An extra note on him has been contributed by his nephew Michael Thwaites ArthurWilliamTHWAITES,1898–1918

A.W.Thwaiteswasbornon1st October1898,IbelieveinFulhamwherethefamilywasthen living(hisyoungerbrotherKenneth,myfather,wasborn accordingtohisbirthcertificate,inFulhamin1900).Theirownfather,ArthurB.Thwaites,wasformanyyears theManagerof‘Reeves’,theartists’colourmanshopinKensingtonHighStreet,andthe familymovedfromFulhamtoEaling;Ihavebeentoldthat,whenthetwoboysofthefamily cameclosetotheageofsecondaryeducation,thefamilymovedback intotheLondon CountyCouncil‘catchmentarea’–infact,toBloemfonteinRoad,ShepherdsBush,sothat theycouldqualifytoattendthe‘new’LatymerUpperSchool,whichbothdid.

Asayoungman,A.W.ThwaitesworkedfortheLondonandCountyBank(latertakenoverby theWestminsterBank),andhewasemployedattheRouen,France,branchofthatbank.In 1916,attheageof18years,Arthurwasconscriptedintothearmy,andserved(withthe rankof‘Driver’)intheFieldArtillery.

IntheSpringof1918,theGermanarmylaunchedadesperatelast‘push’inFlanders,and thetroopsofthebatterywithwhichArthurwasservingweretakenprisoner.Idonothave theexactdateofhiscapture,butitwasprobablyinthelatespringorearlysummerof 1918,andtheP.O.W.campinwhichtheywereheldmusthavebeeninthevicinityofthe villageofGlageon,some30kmsouthofthetownofMaubeuge,notfarfromthe Franco/Belgianborder.

Arthurdiedinthiscamp,frommalnutritionanddisease,on30th September,1918,andis buriedintheMilitarySectionoftheGlageoncemetery.ThegravesofthisSectionare maintainedbytheCommonwealthWarGravesCommission,andtheusualC.W.G.C.register ofthegravesistobefoundinthiscemetery.

The January 1919 School Magazine has a note that he was reported missing in June and was imagined then to be a Prisoner of War. The note reads: ‘HewasadriverintheRoyalFieldArtilleryandonthenightofMay26th theGermansbroke throughthelineandsurroundedhisbattery.Asnomanorofficerescapednodefinite newscanbeobtained.’

His name is included on the additional list of those to be honoured on the War Memorial published in the September 1920 edition of the School Magazine.

W.J.TODD

William James Todd, whose date of birth is May 18th 1898, was the son of Ernest James Todd, a Tailor’s Assistant, of 7, Clarendon Road, West Croydon. He entered Latymer from the Latymer Lower Elementary School in September 1910 and left in the Summer of 1913. The Governors of the Latymer Foundation awarded him a full fee remission scholarship, suggesting he had shown academic promise, which was indeed fulfilled by his examination results. In July 1912 he sat the Cambridge Local Examination at the Junior level and was awarded Hons. Class 1 with a Distinction in Religious Knowledge and in the following year he sat the examination at the Senior level and was awarded a further Hons Class 1 and a further Distinction in the same subject. On leaving Latymer, he took up a Clerkship with the London County Council Tramways Department.

In the October 1917 edition of the School Magazine come a notice that 2 nd Lieutenant Todd was killed while flying on September 29th., and the following obituary:

WhilstflyinginNorfolk,hismachinecrashedtotheground,hewasknockedinsensibleand succumbedtohisinjuriesthesameevening.

Army records do not mention his name in any flying unit of the time; it may be that he was on some sort of training or secondment duties.

W.H.TOMS

William Henry Toms, whose date of birth is 27th July 1886, was the son of H J Toms, an Accountant, of 18 Batoum Gardens, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from St John’s Hall School in September 1899. On leaving Latymer in December 1901, he became a Boy Copyist in the Civil Service.

His name is included on the additional list of those to be honoured on the War Memorial published in the September 1920 edition of the School Magazine. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his date of death as December 5th 1918.

M.I.TRACHTENBERG

Mendel Isidore Trachtenberg was born on 30th June 1882 to M.I Trachtenberg and his wife Eva Trachtenberg (née Lyons). Mendel was the first boy from Latymer to receive a scholarship to an Oxbridge college (St Johns, Cambridge) in 1900 and his name is the first one on the University Honours Board in the School Hall. No other information about his school career has survived. Lance Corporal Trachtenberg was bound to the Royal Fusiliers and he reportedly lost his life at the age of 36 to malaria on October 10th 1918. He is buried in Jerusalem, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His obituary written in 'The Times' on 1st November 1918, gives an account of his life,

“Lance-CorporalMendelIsidoreTrachtenberg,RoyalFusiliers,diedofmalariaonOctober 12th.HewaseducatedattheLatymerUpperSchool,andSt.John’sCollege,Cambridge, whichheenteredin1901,withanexhibitioninmathematics.Healsoheldthespecial exhibitionforbeingfirstinmathematicsintheSeniorCambridgeLocalExamination,the CambridgeJewishExhibitionandaschool-leavingexhibition.Hewaselectedascholarof St.John’sin1903,andgraduatedwithhonoursintheMathematicalTriposof1904asfirst SeniorOptime.(This means he scored the highest mark in the examination). In1906he enteredtheTariffCommission,towhichhewasstatisticianatthetimeofhisdeath.He attestedin1915,wascalledupinMarchofthepresentyear,andwassenttoEgyptinApril, andlaterintoPalestine.Hehadcontributedtothe‘Eagle’-hisCollegeMagazine-,to ‘Punch’,tothe‘MathematicalGazette’andtothe‘JournaloftheRoyalStatisticalSociety’ ofwhichhewasaFellow.Beingkeenlyinterestedinpoliticshewasaprominentmemberof theWestLondonParliamentandtheAncientSocietyofCodgers,oftheCouncilofwhich hewasamember.In1910,whenthe‘Standard’invitedessaysontheGovernanceofEmpire, hiscontributionwasplacedfifthinorderofmerit.HewasaMaccabeanandPresidentof theAssociationofJewishStudents.”

P.T. TRELIVING

Percy Thomas Treliving (or possibly ‘Trelwing’) was born on 6th August 1889, and was son of Thomas Treliving of 38, Bloemfontein Avenue in Shepherd's Bush, and (later 43a PArfrey Street, Fulham Palace road. His father was a Mechanic and Labourer.(and at some stage a Lavatory Attendant). Once Percy had finished his education at Ellerslie Road Board

School, he moved on to Latymer Upper in January 1902 and left in July 1904 ‘to go into business’.

On 23rd of May 1916 he was reported killed in action at Vimy Ridge, in the Nord – Pas de Calais region of France, aged 26.

L. TRICE

The School Magazine of October 1914 lists Private Leslie Trice as serving in the 10 th battalion of the Middlesex regiment. The edition of October 1917 reports that he was killed in action in Mesopotamia, and that he was a pupil at the School from 1906-7. But the School admission and application records sadly contain no other mention of him. So, it is i possible that he did not in fact study at Latymer.

It is known from the records of St Michael’s Church, Elmwood Road, Chiswick, where he is commemorated on the Church’s War Memorial, that he lived at 60, Burnaby Gardens in Chiswick.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record him as serving in the East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) at the time of his death on 24th February 1917, at the age of 25, and that he was buried in Amara war cemetery, in Mesopotamia modern southern Iraq.

Hewaskilledinactionwiththe1st/5thBuffsonthe24thofFebruary1917,takingpartin anattackontheTurkishpositionsonthe"ShumranBend"oftheriverTigris,up-steamof KutduringtheadvanceonBaghdad

E.M. TYLER

Ernest Matthew Tyler was born on the 14th October 1898. He was the son of R.E. Tyler, a Greengrocer’s Assistant of 54 Glenthorne Road in Hammersmith. He came to Latymer on the 6th September 1910 and was put into class ii a. He left Latymer on the 31st July 1913 from class iv b. Ernest Tyler will have shown some academic ability and promise despite his modest family circumstances, as all his fees at Latymer were paid by the London County Council. He went on to be an Office Boy at 'London Opinion'.

In the January 1919 edition of the School Magazine, he was reported killed on September 2nd . His name is also on the final list of those to be honoured on the Memorial published in the May 1919..

V. B. VINCENT

Vivian Brian Vincent, who was born on August 31 st 1896, the son of B.J. Vincent, a Proprietor Dairyman, of 136, Shepherd’s Bush Road, studied at Latymer from Autumn 1909 to Summer 1913. He had previously been a pupil at Addison Gardens L.C.C Elementary School. When he left Latymer he went into business with his Father.

He is recorded in the December 1915 School Magazine as serving in the Royal Flying Corps, and his name is one the final list of those to be honoured on the Memorial published in the September 1920 edition of the magazine.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records him as serving in the Army Service Corps and that he was buried in Hanwell in Middlesex. It is not clear when and whether he was transferred to the R.F.C. He died on 3rd November 1918.

A .R. WADDAMS ALBERT MEDAL

Arthur Richard Waddams was born on the 12th November 1891. He was the son of Mrs Waddams, a Stationer of 156A Goldhawk Road. He entered Latymer from City of London School. Unfortunately, no other records of his school career have survived, only his application which is dated 27th August 1906.

In the October 1914 edition of the School Magazine Waddams was reported to have enlisted in the Bombay Rifles Regiment. Following this he was reported to have enlisted in the Indian Army Reserve with a Temporary Commission in the February 1915 edition. This was corrected 8 months later to 2nd Lieutenant in the 44th Merwana Infantry Regiment. In the December 1917 edition of the School Magazine Lieutenant Waddams was reported accidentally killed by a bomb in Mesopotamia on November 22nd 1917.

In the January 1919 edition the following obituary is given:

'HisChaplainwrote:MydutyasChaplaintakesme100milesalongtheriverfront.Itso happenedthatIwasnotfarawayfromyoursonwhenhemetwiththeaccidenton Wednesdaymorningthe21st November;itmusthavetakenplaceatabout8.a.m.At12noonI arrivedincampfromanoutstationandwasatoncetoldoftheseriousaccidentwhichhad occurred. OntheoccasionsIvisitedyoursonintheHospitalhewassemi-unconscious. EverycareandattentionwasgivenhimbythesplendidDoctorsoftheHospital. Nextday(Thursday)wewererelievedtolearnthatyourboyhadpulledthroughthenight. At1.45oftheafternoonIhadtoleavecampformyheadquarters,50milessouth.Before departingIkneltbyyoursonandgavehimtheChurch’sBlessing,myrighthandrestingon hisbandagedhead.At5p.m.whenIwassome30milesawayonmywayback,Ireceiveda telegraphicmessagefromColonelAlexanderaskingmetoreturntoburydearWaddams. Yourson,Ithink,musthavepassedawayatabout3p.m.

Nextdayat4p.m.thefuneraltookplace,almostthewholeRegimentturningoutinlove andrespectforhim.Welaidhimtorestinatinycemetery,overshadowedbysomepalm treesandagreatwhitecross,bearingtheletters“I.H.S.”.Thelittlecemeteryisjusttothe leftofthemainrailwaylinebetweenBasrahandBaghdad.ItiswellcaredforandwhenI visitthecampeachmonth,Itrytogetthere.

TheColonelwrote:InadditiontothecableIsentyouIwishtowriteafewlinestoletyou knowhowdeeplytheofficersofmyRegimentandmyselfsympathisewithyouinyourgreat bereavement.Ifwecanjudgebywhatyoursonwastousasacomrade,thelosstoyoumust bebeyondwords.Hewasquitethebestofmenonecouldpossiblymeet.Alwayscheery, alwaysgoodtempered,everreadytohelpandtodoakindaction,nothingwasevertoo muchtroubleandeverythinghedidhedidwell,whetheritwasworkorplay.Asanofficer hewasparticularlycapableandingameshewasthemainstayoftheRegiment.

Theaccidentoccurredonthemorningof21st November,whilehewasinstructinga bombingclassconsistingofmenfromotherRegiments.Hewastakingthemeachinturn, onemanfiringariflegrenadewhilehelookedonwiththerestofthemenbehindawall nearby.Thecauseoftheaccidentwasadefectivecartridgewhichcausedthefuseofthe bombtostartworkingwithoutpropellingitfromtherifle.Itbeingamatterofonlyfive secondsbeforetheexplosionwouldtakeplace,yourson,realisingthedanger,rushedin, seizedthebombfromtheSepoyevidentlywiththehopeofbeingabletothrowitoutof dangerbeforeitburst,butunfortunatelythetimewastooshortanditexplodedinhis handsandhewasterriblyinjured.Itwasaverygallantandnobleact,hisonethought beingtosavetheSepoyfrombeinghurt.TheDoctorsdidtheirbestforhim,buttherewas onlyaveryslighthopefromthestart.Heralliedsomewhatduringthenightbutnext morningitwasfoundthathisinjuriesweredeeperthanappearedatfirst,andhegradually sankandpassedawayquietlyabout3p.m.onthe22nd November.Iamgladtotellyouthathe sufferedverylittlepainandthatonlybeforehiswoundsweredressed.Hewassobrave overitallandsothoughtfulofothers.Whenhewasconscioushesaidtomethathewas sorrytoleavemeinthelurch,andhealsoaskediftheSepoywashurtatall-hewasonly slightlyinjured. Wecomfortedhimallwecould.Anotherpatheticthinghesaidwas;“I thinkmylegsareallright;Iwillbeabletokickafootballagain.”Weburiedhiminthelittle cemeteryhereforBritishtroopswithfullmilitaryhonours,alltheofficersinthestation andthemenoftheRegimentwerepresent.WewerefortunateinbeingabletogettheRevd. Teague,oneoftheChaplainstotheForcestotaketheservice;hehappenedtobenotfar off.

AFellowOfficerwrote:Imustfirstexplainthathewaswithoutdoubtthebestofficerin theRegiment.IamsuretheColonelwouldtellyouso.Hewasextremelyenergeticandwas alwaysbusyinghimselfwithsomethingallday.HewastheAdjutantoftheRegimentand besidesthis,didmachineguns,Lewisguns,bombing,riflegrenades,MessSecretary, GardensSecretaryoftheQurnaClub,whichhegotup,football,hockeyanddozensof otherthingswhichhealwayssawwanteddoing,andbeganonthematonce.Hehadhis

machinegunnerssowelltrained,thatwhentheycameintoaction,hedidsplendidlywith themandgotspecialpromotionforgallantryanddevotiontodutyinthefield.

Theotherday,anofficerwascalledfortoteachsomeoutsidemenhowtousetherifle grenade.Ofcourse,ofalltheofficersinthestationWaddamswastheonlyonewho couldfindtimeforit.

HehadaclassofBurmansandonewasfiringoffagrenade,whenbysomefaultthe cartridgeonlywentoffstrongenoughtosetoffthedetonatorinthegrenadewithout shootingitoutoftherifle.Waddamstoldhimtothrowtherifleovertheparapet,butthe mandidnotunderstandHindustani,anddidn’trealisehisdanger.Waddams,knowingheonly hadasecondortwo,sprangforwardandpulledthegrenadeoutoftherifle,andwasjust throwingitovertheparapet,whenitwentoffinhishand.Hewasfearfullyinjuredanddied quitepeaceablyinhospitalnextafternoon.Herecoveredconsciousnessthefirst afternoon,andwasveryhopefulabouthimself,andspokequitecheerfullytothosewho sawhim.BeingsomedistanceoutofQurna,Ionlyarrivedaquarterofanhourafterhehad gone.Themanhesavedonlygotasmallpieceofthegrenade.Heisahugelosstous;hewas alwaysthecheeriestofcompany.

A notice on the Award of the Albert Medal. Fromthe‘LondonGazette’:

MrsWaddams-awardedtoherson,thelateLtArthurWaddams,IndianArmyreserveof Officers.

InMesopotamiainNovemberlast,Lt.Waddamswasinstructingaclassinriflegrenades. WhileaprivateoftheIndianArmywasunderinstructiontheriflemissedfireandthe detonatorofthegrenadestartedworkingwithoutthegrenadeleavingtherifle.Lt. Waddamsrealisingthedangerrushedforwardand,pushingbackthesoldiertosafety seizedtheriflewithonehandandthegrenadewiththeotherandtriedtothrowitoverthe wallbeforeitexploded.Unfortunately,thegrenadeexplodedinhishandandhereceived fatalinjuries.ThesoldierwhoselifeLt.Waddamssavedwasonlyslightlyinjured.'

L.F. WALLINGTON

Leslie Frederick Wallington born in France on 4th December 1894 was the son of Mrs Wallington, a Teacher of 1 Harbord Street, Fulham Palace Road. He entered Latymer in Form VIC from Childersley Street L.C.C. Higher Elementary School on 14th September 1909 and left from form VIIB on 4th July 1914. Obviously academically able, he had full exemption from fees which were paid by the London County Council. He sat and ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations at Senior Level, obtaining Honours Class ii in July 1910 and subsequently the Matriculation Exam in July 1911. He was finally awarded in July 1914 an Intermediate honours B.A. Class Ii in History and Class iii in

English. He went on to a clerkship with Harrisons and Crosfield a tea and coffee trading firm of Great Tower Street, London.

He enlisted in the 12thBattalion County of London Regiment known as ‘The Rangers’ (School Magazine, October 1914) as a Rifleman. He is reported in the Admissions Register as dying of his wounds on 28 April 1915, aged 20. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (grave viii. a. 39).

S. N.WALTER

Stanley Northcote Walter was born on February 9th 1891 His home address was 6, Hebron Road, Hammersmith. His Father was a Jeweller. He began his studies at Latymer in September 1902 having previously been a pupil of the Latymer Foundation School. He left in September 1906

The School Magazine of January 1919 reports that he had been at Latymer from 19021906, and that he fell in action on October 16th 1918.

D. C. WARWICK M.C.

Douglas Charles Warwick son of Henry Smith Warwick, Foreman Railway Engineer of 31 Yeldham Road, Hammersmith entered Latymer, class VC, from William Street Elementary School on 15th September 1908. He left on 17th February 1911. Hs full fees were paid for by the London County Council. He sat and ‘satisfied the examiners’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations Junior Hons Class Iii in July 1909, Senior Hons Class Ii in July 1910 and Hons Class II in December 1910. He went on to a clerkship at Cadby Hall, Hammersmith (J. Lyons & Co. Ltd).

The School Magazine reports in October 1914 that he had joined the 3rd Bedfordshire Regiment This was corrected in the December 1915 edition, when he is listed as a Lieutenant in the 3rdNorth Staffordshire Regiment. He died in France on 20th January 1919 with the rank of Acting Major. (This is believed to be the highest rank achieved by any of the Fallen Latymerians.)

H.J. WEST, M. C.

Herbert John West was born on September 7th 1887. His father, William F. West was a Civil Servant, and they lived at 11, Barrowgate Road in Chiswick. They moved later to 15, Ellesmere Road, Chiswick. H. J. West entered Latymer from Chiswick board School, In September 1899, He left to ‘go into Business’ in April 1903.

In the October 1914 School Magazine, it is stated that he served in the 11thBattalion, City of London Regiment, and the February 1915 edition notes that he was serving in 17th Royal

Fusiliers, however the April edition of that year tells us that he was in the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment. In the December 1915 edition he is reported to be wounded, and in the School Magazine from January 1919, it is recorded that Captain West was killed on August the 22nd 1918.

E.L.WESTBURY.

Eric Leslie Westbury was born on 7th August 1898 to A. Westbury, a schoolmaster living at 13, Ethelden Road in Shepherd's Bush. Before coming to Latymer, he attended William St. London County Council Central Elementary School. He entered into class iv b at Latymer on January 16th 1912, and left on 31st July 1913 from class v c. He sat the Cambridge Local Examinations, Junior Level, in July 1913, in which he 'Satisfied the Examiners'. He then went on to work at Prudential Assurance Company.

In the January 1919 School Magazine, he is reported to have been killed on July 23rd 1918, and the following obituary appears, written by his father:

“ItiswiththedeepestregretthatIhavetoinformyouofthedeathofmyson,RiflemanEric LeslieWestburyfromsepticendo-carditis.

EagertoservehisKingandCountry,hejoinedHisMajesty’sforces,theQueen’s WestminsterRifles,whenhewasonly17yearsandtwomonths.HeremainedinEnglandtill hewas19,butaweekafterhisbirthdayhewasdraftedtoFrance.Hewaswoundedatthe battleofCambraiandwasadmittedtotheSecondCanadianHospital,leTrepot,onthe1st December1917.

HeafterwardsdevelopedhearttroubleandwassenttoEnglandasa‘stretchercase’ passingthroughUxbridgeRoadStationenroutetotheHaxbyRd.MilitaryHospital,York, andremainedthereuntilhisdeath.

DuringthetimehewasinYorkHospital,thestaffandpatientsbecamedeeplyattachedto him,andsentawreath.Thesisterstoldhisparentsthathewas‘sopatientand uncomplaining’.

Hewasofamostlovabledispositionandissadlymissedbybothofhisparents,hissister andhisbrother.

HisfuneraltookplaceonSaturdayJuly27th,attheHammersmithCemetery,thefirstpart oftheservicebeinginSt.Luke’sChurch,UxbridgeRd.,andintheabsenceoftheVicarwas takenbyTheRev.G.H.Trehearne,whoalsowenttotheCemeteryandofficiatedatthe servicethere.”

The Army Records tell us that he was a rifleman in the Queen’s Westminster Rifles in the London Regiment, who died on 23rd July 1918 and was buried in Hammersmith. It suggests that he either died of wound complications after being invalided into a London hospital or in the first ‘flu epidemic of that summer.

F.C. WESTON

Francis Cooper Weston was born on the 18th of October 1893, son of J.C Weston, a Master Plumber. His family lived at 36, Ormiston Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He entered Latymer from Westville Road London County Council Elementary School on the 12th September 1905. with his fees paid by London County Council He left Latymer on the 26th of July 1909. He sat the Cambridge Local Exams at the Junior level in July 1908 and was awarded Hons. Class III and at the Senior Level the following year, when he ‘satisfied the examiners’. He went on to Clerkship in the Civil Service. He was reported killed in action on April 9th 1917.

His obituary reads ‘Aletterreceivedfromhisfathersays”MysonmethisdeathinFrance onthe9th April.Wedonotknowwhenhewaskilled,wecanonlyguesshewasoneofthe ladswhomadethegreatestsacrificepossibleatthedawnofEasterMonday1917.”‘

E.F.C. WETHERALL

Eric Francis Cecil Wetherall was born on the 31st of August 1895, his father, was G H Wetherall, a bank manager. The Wetherall family lived in 5 Mansion House Street, Hammersmith and then moved to 7 Upham Park Road, Chiswick. Eric entered Latymer from Latymer Lower Elementary School on the 15th of September 1908. He left Latymer on the 27th of July 1910 and his fees were paid by the Governors of the Latymer Foundation.

There are no records of his service, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have his death dated to 27th December 1918.

T. WILDING

Thomas Wilding was born on October 10th 1897 to T. Wilding, a Railway Inspector. The family lived at 12, Balliol Road, St Quintin’s Park. Thomas entered Latymer in September of 1909 from Aylesbury Grammar School and was placed in class II b. In 1913 having ‘Satisfied’ the examiners in both the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local Examinations and in class VI b, he left Latymer to begin a Clerkship at the Union of London and Smith’s Bank. It is believed he died at the Battle of Fosse on the 5th of April 1917. The July edition of the School Magazine later that year confirmed he had been killed in action.

The following obituary was written by his Commanding Officer:

Aheavyshellfellnearhimandhediedinstantaneously.Hehadnotbeenwithusverylong, buthewillbegreatlymissedbyhisfriends.Ialwaysfoundhimveryconscientiousinthe performanceofhisduty.

W. H. V. WILKINS M.M.

William Henry Victor Wilkins was born on the 31st of July 1897; son of J G Wilkins, a Builder’s Messenger. They lived at 16, Blagrove Road, Notting Hill. He entered Latymer from Portobello Road London County Council Elementary School in September of 1908 and had his fees fully paid for by the London County Council due to his outstanding academic aptitude. His first class was II a, and his upon leaving in 1913 he was placed in class VI a. After finishing school with Junior Class I Honours in Maths and German and Senior Class I Honours in Religious Knowledge from his Cambridge Local Examinations, He went on to a Clerkship with Jones, Long and Co.

He enlisted in the London Regiment of Royal Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery and services .Lance Corporal Wilkins was reported killed in action in the School Magazine of January 1919. It was later confirmed that he had died on the 28th of March 1918. He is commemorated at the Arras Memorial in Pas de Calais, France.

H. E. WILLIAMS

Harold Edward Williams, the son of Edwin Williams, a Civil Servant, of 19, Rylett Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was born on May 25th 1886.Having been previously educated in a private school, he was one of the first Latymer Upper School boys, entering in January 1895.He left in April 1903 and became a Bank Clerk,

A notice in the December 1916 edition of the School magazine tells us that he attended Latymer from 1895 – 1903, and that he was reported missing in October 1916 . His name appears on the list published in the May 1919 edition of the Magazine, marking those who are to be honoured by inclusion on the War Memorial. His death on either 7th or 8th October 1916 is recorded by the Commonwealth War graves Commission.

R. F. D. WILSON

Robert Finley Drew Wilson, who was born on 11th September 1893, came to Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith in January 1904, from the Latymer School in Edmonton. His family lived at 224, Goldhawk Road and his Stepfather was a doctor, Dr Mason. He left in

December 1907 and the Admissions Register states that he left for a school nearer home. The family may therefore have moved.

he is listed in the February 1915 School Magazine as serving in the 6 th Highland Light Infantry, and his Loss on 12th July of that year is attested by his name being on the list of those to be honoured by the War memorial published in the May 1919 edition of the Magazine.

C.E.W. WINTER

Charles Ernest Wynne Winter was born on October 5th 1894, the son of C Winter, an insurance Agent, of 66, Shaftesbury Road, Hammersmith. He entered Latymer from St Peter’s National Elementary School on January 14th 1908 and was placed in class iii c. His last class being v b. Charles left the school on July 21st 1910 and went on to a clerkship at Harrods’ stores.

He joined the 10th Middlesex regiment and in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine he was unfortunately reported killed in action in June. In Fact, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his date of death as 19th April 1917.

M. W. WRIGHT

Martin Wisbey Wright was born on 17th July 1896, the son of A. J Wright, A Clerk, of 50, Rectory Road, Barnes. He entered Latymer from Miss Newman’s Private School on the 12th September 1905 and was placed in class i. His last class being v b. He left Latymer on July 21st 1910 having sat the Cambridge Local examinations at junior Level and ‘satisfying the examiners’ (that is to say he passed). He then went on to Isleworth County Secondary School.

In the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine he was tragically reported killed in action in June. But he may well have survived the war and been included on the memorial list in error, as he is recorded as living in Isleworth in 1939.

N S WRIGHT

Norman Stanley Wright, born on March 26th 1894, the son of F W Wright, a Technical Instructor, of 80, Margravine Gardens, Hammersmith and then 34, Thornton Avenue, Chiswick, entered Latymer from Latymer Lower Elementary School, on 15th January 1907and was placed in class IIIC. He left on 22nd December 1910, being then in class VIIB.

He sat and ‘Satisfied the Examiners’, or passed, the Cambridge Local Examinations at the Senior Level in July 1910, and went on to a Clerkship with the Port of London Authority.

The Roll of Honour, listing those who had joined H.M.Forces, published in the October1914 edition of the School Magazine lists him as enlisted in the 16th Battalion of the County of London Regiment. Two years later, the October 1916 edition reports him as having been killed in action, then with the rank of Lieutenant, and also gives this obituary, in the form of quotes from letters to his parents:

‘Yourdearson,ofwhomwewereallsofond,diedagreatgentlemanandsoldier.Hewas woundedearlyintheactionandinfactfellonmeinashellholeintowhichwehadboth beenblown,butbeforeIcouldstophim,herushedontotheattackofamachinegun position,andwasshortlyafterwardskilled.’

‘Hewasindeedagallantgentleman’(Colonel).

‘HewaskilledinactiononFriday15th Sept1916.,shotthroughtheheadwhileleadinghis meninabraveandpraiseworthymanner.’’HediedthedeathofatrueEnglishmanandweall mournhisloss.’(BrotherOfficer)

T.W.

WRIGHT

Thomas Wisbey Wright who was born on June 1st 1898, was the brother of M W. Wright, so his family details and address are as listed above for his brother. He came into Latymer from St Mary’s Barnes Private School , into class I on April 24th 1906, left on 21st July1910, from class III b and moved to Isleworth County Secondary School.

All that is recorded of his military service in the latymer records is the mention of his name on the final list of those to be honoured on the War Memorial published in the ‘Latymerian of May 1919. He fell on 18th June 1917.

S.C. YEATES

Sydney Charles Yeates was born on.17th March 1893, the son of C J Yeates, a Bank Clerk, of 23, Woodstock Rd, Bedford Park, Chiswick. He joined Latymer from St Stephen’s National Elementary School, Shepherd’s Bush, on 12th April 1904, going into class I b, and left on July 28th 1909, his last class being V b. Sitting the Cambridge Local Exams at the

‘Junior’ level in July 1909, he ‘Satisfied the Examiners’. After leaving Latymer he became a Bank Clerk with Messrs Barclay and Co, 34, Lombard St, London E.C.

By then holding the rank of Lieutenant, he was reported killed in action on 14th April 1917 in the July 1917 edition of the School Magazine.

R.F.C. YORKE

Reginald Francis Charles Yorke attended Latymer from 1896-1901. He was born on July 28th 1885 He had previously been privately educated. He was the son of Charles V.G.G. Yorke, a Civil Servant and the family lived at 15, Arlington Park Gardens in Chiswick. On leaving Latymer, he became a Bank Clerk.

The Admissions Register notes him as an Athlete and there are records of his being a talented distance runner at school over 1000 yards and a mile and later for Surrey Athletics club, for his company in the inter-bank sports and for the 1st/14th (county of London) battalion (London Scottish) in the territorial games. His best time for the mile run in 1911 at the games was 4 minutes and 31 seconds; His team also won the relay. He competed in both the 1908 Summer Olympic Games in London and in the 1912 games in Stockholm.

The School Magazine of October 1914 records Sergeant Reginald Yorke being in 1/14th (County of London) battalion (London Scottish) nicknamed the ‘Cockney Jocks’. They were one of the first battalions to be sent to France in September 1914. Sergeant Yorke was killed in action on 22nd December 1914 near Ypres and is buried at Roclincourt, near Arras The School Magazine records him as being the first Latymer fatality and continues:

‘ItwaswithgreatsorrowthatweheardearlyinthenewyearofthedeathofR.F.C.Yorke, killedinactiononDecember22nd nearYpres.YorkeenteredtheschoolinSeptember1896, leavingin1901.Hewasfirstinthehalfmilerace(classii)in1899,andwonSirW.Bull’s cupforamileracethefollowingyear.AfterleavingtheSchoolhebecameamemberofthe L.A.C,BlackheathHarriersandSurreyA.C.Manyofhisbestperformancesweredonein clubraces,andasamemberoftheLondonScottish,Forseveralyearshewasunbeatenin longdistanceracesopentomembersoftheterritorialforces.Forsomeyearshe monopolisedthel.a.c.twomilessteeplechasechallengecupandtheunitedbankshalfmile andmileevents.Althoughheneverwonachampionship,heattainedthedistinctionofbeing oneofEngland’srepresentativesintheOlympicGamesheldatStockholmin1912. His deathwasaworthyone,asbecomesabraveman,foronthedeathofLieut.Ker-Gulland, whowasinchargeofhismachinegunsection,Yorkewasappointedtotakehisplace.Yorke wasselectingapositionforthegunwhenaGermanbulletcaughthimfullintheforehead andsocausedthedeathofathoroughSportsmanand Gentleman’.

The following men are mentioned in the School Magazine but their names are not included on the Memorial.

CORPORAL C. P. BENWELL

Attended Latymer Upper School 1909-1915

In the January 1919 School Magazine, he is reported as having been killed on March 5 1918, but recent research suggests that this is not the case and that he died on November 4th 1985 at the age of 87.

A. H. CLARKE

Albert Henry Clarke Attended Latymer Upper School 1902-1905.It is recorded that his guardian, Mr Nash, was a Shopkeeper and their address was 17, Brookfield Road, Shepherd’s Bush. He had previously been a Pupil at Beaumont Park School. He went into business on Leaving Latymer.

In the June 1915 School Magazine, he is reported to have been killed while serving with the 4th Cameron Highlanders however There is no clear evidence elsewhere that he died in WW1. The School magazine says he was in the 4th Cameron Highlanders. There was an AH Clarke in this regiment but his name was Alexander Henry Clarke, who did not attend Latymer.

E..P..LEWIS

Attended Latymer Upper School 1898-1899

In the April 1918 edition of the School Magazine he is reported as having been killed in action March 1918. Recent research, though, strongly suggests that he did not die in the Great war, but on 13th April1938 in Mortlake, having served in the Garrison Artillery.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.