The War Years 1914-1918

(School 1899-1902) was born in Surrey in 1886. After school, he worked as a broker’s clerk for the Baltic Exchange – a company specialising in maritime finance – before being commissioned into the 24th (The Queens) London Regiment in August 1914. The regiment landed in Le Havre in March 1915. During the Battle of Festurbert in May 1915, Figg was awarded both the French Legion d‘honneur and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He rose to a Lieutenant Colonel and fought many successful battles but on 5 March 1917, at Cléry-sur-Somme, died from a single sniper bullet. He is buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery.

Citation for his DSO

‘For conspicuous and continuous gallantry on the night of May 25th-26th, 1915, and following day, at Givenchy, when after taking part in an assault on a trench, he led repeated rushes with bombs into a German work, and when most of the bombers were killed continued the attack single-handed. His extraordinary bravery and disregard of danger enabled the dangerous flank he commanded to hold its own against constant assaults by the German bombers and riflemen. On May 26th, when his line was enfiladed by rifle and very heavy shell fire, his determination held his men to their ground until relieved four hours later. For seventeen hours his conduct was a brilliant example to the hard-pressed men around him, and more than anyone in the battalion he contributed to the successful retention of the position won.’

James Venmore

(Burton Bank 1904-1906) was born in Liverpool in 1988. After leaving Mill Hill he returned home to be an architect. At the outbreak of the war, he enlisted as a Private into the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) and was with them when they landed in Le Havre in August 1914. He was selected for commission and became a Lieutenant in the 14th Royal Welsh Fusiliers when they deployed to France in December 1915. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 30 January 1916. Venmore continued to serve until he was killed in action at Mametz Wood during the Battle of the Somme on 10 July 1916.

Citation for his MC

‘On the night of January 30th Lieut. Venmore was on duty as patrol officer in front of the British trenches in France, when a sentry in the firing trench reported that three men in an advanced listening post had been wounded. Two of these men were just able to crawl back to the British lines over the barbed wire, but the third man was too seriously wounded to follow, being shot through both legs. Lieut. Venmore volunteered to go to his assistance and took with him a non-commissioned officer (Corporal William Williams, a Carnarvon man), who is also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. They went out under heavy fire over the parapet, and after great difficulty successfully brought the man over the wire and two ditches. This brave action was succeeded by a further gallant act on the following morning, when a message was received that a man had had his arm blown off at another listening post, practically unapproachable by daylight. Lieut. Venmore again undertook to go to his aid, once more taking with him Corporal Williams. They crawled across the open ground in the face of heavy machine-gun fire. The sufferer was reached, His wounds attended to, and he was subsequently brought to safety.’

(School 1907-1912) was born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, in 1894. A diligent and popular student he was made a Monitor in his final year. Crowe missed out on the formation of the Officer Training Corps (OTC) but was commissioned in October 1914 into the Royal Flying Corps. Quickly promoted to Captain, Crowe had a sterling career in France, serving in many squadrons including the legendary No 56 Squadron with other fighter aces such as Albert Ball VC, taking command of No 60 Squadron in July 1918. A few weeks later, he was involved in a tragic car accident which left fellow Millhillian and fighter ace Owen Scholte dead. On 16 September 1918, Crowe shot down his 15th and final aircraft in the war, finishing as a Major. He was awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

After the First World War, Crowe married in Argentina in 1929 and had four children. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve and rose to Wing Commander. He relinquished his commission in 1947 but continued to serve in the RAF Reserves until 1954. Crowe died peacefully on 31 May 1974 at his home in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Citation for his MC and DFC

‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill as a leader of offensive patrols, many times attacking hostile formations single-handed, and descending to low altitudes under heavy anti-aircraft fire. He has been responsible for the destruction of several enemy machines.’ MC

‘This officer has been engaged on active operations over the lines for over twelve months, and has accounted for ten enemy aeroplanes. He is a most successful leader, distinguished for skill and bravery. On a recent occasion he, accompanied by two other machines, attacked an enemy formation consisting of four biplanes and one triplane. Having destroyed a biplane he engaged the triplane at close range and destroyed that also.’ DFC