Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

From August 2014 until 2019, each man named on the War Memorial at Radley College will be remembered by name in Chapel on the centenary of his death. The database of all those who fell in WW1 and WW2 can be accessed at http://www.radleyarchives.co.uk/

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

29th October 1918

H.R. Bradley, College Staff. Lance-Serjeant, 2/4th Bn, Ox & Bucks LI. Killed in action during the German Retreat of the Hindenberg Line

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

22nd October 1918

Noel Williams, G Social 1902. Lt, 1st/5th Bn, South Lancashire Regt (Intelligence Corps). Killed in action in an unknown engagement

He won the Old Radleian French Prize at school, then went to Trinity College, Cambridge. He won a Boxing Blue at university. He then taught in Germany.

Radley Library has a copy of Noel Dyson Williams: his life and letters by his mother, Rosalind Dobbs, published in 1920. His letters reveal he was in the Intelligence Corps. He is buried at Tournai Cemetery.

‘Then we heard that the other officer was certainly in a German camp and more than probable that he also had been captured, and so for three weeks I lived in hope. But late one evening, just after the Armistice had been signed, came a terrible letter from the CO telling me how they found Noel’s body, together with those of three or four of his men, on the ground which had just been evacuated by the Germans. And so I knew at last that my worst fears were true, and that never more on earth should I see my dear one’s face or hear his gentle, cheery voice, nor ever again find joy and rest in his true and faithful love.’ Rosalind Dobbs

Aged 29

AND

Geoffrey Smith, MC, C Social 1911. Captain, 1st Bn, Coldstream Guards. Wounded and captured at Haussy on 16th October, presumed to have died of wounds as a Prisoner of War about 22nd October

Citation for the Military Cross. For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership in an attack through an impenetrable fog. On reaching the objective the company commander was killed. He at once took charge and reorganized the company, which at the time was being heavily bombarded.Later, he captured the final objective, and although his right flank was in the air, he so disposed his command as to give very good security.

Aged 21

Lt Noel Williams, from his biography

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

16th October 1918Thomas Babington, G Social 1903, Lt, Indian Army. Died of pneumonia on active service in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)

Thomas Babington was a Junior Scholar. He played for the Cricket XI and was Captain of the Soccer team. After school, he attended Magdalen College, Oxford. He went out to India in 1913 as Professor of English Literature at the Government College, Rangoon, Burma. He joined up in 1916 as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers; promoted to Acting Captain 108th Infantry in 1917.

Aged 29

His story from Magdalen College

Radley College prefects, 1908

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

27th September 1918

Arthur Bruce-Freeman, D Social 1910. Lt, 2nd Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Killed during the Advance across Flanders

He was a member of a military family whose father also served in the 3rd Hussars. He went straight to Sandhurst on leaving school in 1914. He served on the Western Front throughout WW1

was known at Radley always with the initials of T. B. On leaving, he entered Sandhurst, and passed into the 3rd Hussars.In April last he was transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and was wounded a month later. He went out again on Sept. 12, and was killed on the 27th.

Aged 22

AND

Lt Arthur Bruce-Freeman, Royal Scots Fusiliers

James Carter, Don. Captain, 1st Bn, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action, Battle of Canal du Nord

After a distinguished career at Eton and Cambridge, where he rowed in the fine eight of 1903, J. S. Carter came to Radley as a master. and was here for five years, leaving at the end of the Summer term, 1909. He took up work at Warren Hill, and, just before the war, had taken a private school at Cromer in partnership with Mr. Hales. After the latter’s death, Mr. Carter carried on till Easter 1917, when he decided that he too would go out to the front, for he had always been a keen Territorial. He took a commission in the Grenadier Guards, and went to France early this year. In August he was made Acting Captain, and was killed on Sept. 27th.

I should think it is quite true to say that Jim never had an enemy: for he was one of those genial large-hearted giants, with whom it was impossible to feel anger, and who was popular with everyone.

Naturally when he was here he associated himself with the river, and he coached the crew of 1909: but his interests were wide and varied. He had stayed some months in Athens, and he took a keen interest in archaeology, while he was more than an enthusiastic entomologist. Many a night have I been out” sugaring” with him, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who was keen on that subject. He was a first class skater, and competed two or three times for the “Open Bowl” at Davos, while at Leuzerheide he was deservedly the most popular man in the place. It was only this time last year that he came down to Radley to sing in a concert, and perform in the “Radley Quartette,” which for five years enjoyed some popularity while he was here.

It is hard to realize that poor old Jim is gone too, like, Sammy Hales and Lance Vidal. Truly Radley has had some cruel losses, but the loss of these three leaves a sorrow that will never fade away. In his last letter, only three weeks’ ago, he wrote, ” I would not miss this for anything. The men are simply splendid, and it is a real privilege to be with them. Keep the home fires burning and some day I shall be sitting by your fireside, with a pipe, boring you stiff with what we did in the great war.” And now he has joined all those other heroes, but he still lives enshrined. in the hearts of many devoted and sorrowing friends.

Aged 37

AND

JS Carter, from Radley College Common Room photo, 1906

Alfred Morris, F Social 1909. Lt, 1st Bn, Grenadier Guards. Killed in action, Battle of Canal du Nord

He left school in 1912 and went straight to Sandhurst. He served initially with the Royal Fusiliers from 1914, then joined the Grenadier Guards.

Aged 23

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

18th September 1918

Arthur Clegg-Hill, DSO, C Social 1891. Lt-Col (commanding), 12th Bn Cheshire Regt. Killed in action, Battle of P Ridge, Macedonia, Greece

At school, he played for the Soccer XI. On leaving school, he became a career soldier and served in the 2nd South African War. In 1902, he became a farmer in South Africa. He returned to service on the outbreak of WW1. He was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO.

His battalion was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm for the action at P Ridge:

Citation for the Croix de Guerre with Palm awarded to 12th Bn. Cheshire Regt.

A GALLANT CHESHIRE BATTALION. AWARDED THE CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM. On Sunday, March 2, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Salonika Force, on behalf of General Franchet d’Esperey, the G.O.C. in Command Allied Armies in the Orient, presented the 12th (Ser.) Battalion Cheshire Regiment with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, in recognition of their gallant conduct and magnificent attack on September 18, 1918. The battalion was mentioned in a French Army Order as “a marvellous battalion, which has shown the finest qualities of courage, enthusiasm, and endurance.” The order continues :- ” On September 18, 1918, gallantly led by Lt.-Col. the Hon. A. R. Clegg·Hill, D.S,O., in person, it rushed to the assault of a strongly fortified position, showing a magnificent spirit of self-sacrifice. In spite of a cross fire from artillery, trench mortar, and machine guns, and of the loss of its commanding officer, who fell mortally wounded, the battalion continued to advance, making light of its heavy casualties, and thereby giving a glorious example of heroism, and the loftiest traditions of the British Army.”

In the December dispatch of General Sir G. Milne, G.O.C. in Command, British Salonika Force, the battalion is again mentioned for its attack on the ” P” Ridge in September. “After severe fighting the 12th Battalion Cheshire Regiment succeeded in reaching the third line of trenches. At this point they came under a devastating machine gun fire, and, unable to make further progress, were eventually compelled to fall back to their original position. In their heroic attempt they had lost about 65 per cent. of their strength, including Lieutenant- Colonel the Hon. A. R, Clegg-Hill, D.S.O., who fell at the head of the battalion.”

Aged 41