killed in action

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

10th November 1918

Francis Storrs, Russian Order of St Anne. F Social 1897. Lt, HMS President, Royal Navy. Intelligence Corps. Died of pneumonia contracted on active service

At school, he was a prefect, the Sewell Scholar, and won the Historical Essay Prize and the Richards Gold Medal. After school he had a distinguished career as an academic, winning an Exhibition to Wadham College, Oxford, then attending Jesus College, Cambridge as a Rustat Scholar. He became Professor at Elphinstone College, Mumbai and at Rangoon College in Burma. He qualified as a Barrister of the Inner Temple in 1911. In 1912 he married Catherine Schiff. They had two sons who both came to Radley on War Memorial Scholarships. The Storrs French Prize is still awarded in his memory.

In 1915 he served with the Russian Civil Service, then served with the Royal Navy in Greece in 1916. Details of his career as the Head of Counter-Espionage in the Aegean from 1917 were published by Compton-MacKenzie in ‘Aegean memories.’ He was working for the War Office when he died from pneumonia following influenza – a victim of the great outbreak of Spanish flu which took more lives than WW1.

‘He was gifted with a charming kindliness and geniality. A colleague in the Russian work says, ‘It was impossible to work with him without loving him.’ The enthusiastic welcome with which his visits to the Radley College Mission (of which he was treasurer) were invariably hailed by the boys, showed how he had won their hearts. But, perhaps, his most marked characteristic was an unswerving devotion to duty.’ His chief writes of him: ‘I have never known anyone so zealous’ and so devoted to his work for the country for which he has given his life.’

His influence at Radley was so great among his peers that his loss was still lamented at the 1947 Centenary: ‘No truer Radleian fell in the two world wars than Francis Storrs, who died on the eve of the Armistice in 1918. No one would have rejoiced in the centenary more than he; no Old Radleian would have contributed more to the gaiety of the day.’

Aged 35

AND

Benjamin Croft, E Social 1898. Captain, London Regt (Artists Rifles). Killed in action in an unknown engagement

At school, he was a Junior Scholar. After school he went to London University, then trained as a Chartered Accountant. From 1901, he was accountant to the Board of the Green Cloth at Buckingham Palace. He served as a member of the Artists Rifles, and was commissioned in 1898. A keen all-round sportsman, Croft led the Battalion’s victorious bayonet team at Earls Court in 1914. Soon afterwards, he went to France, was advanced to Captain and was onetime attached to the 10th London Regiment.

The Battalion’s war diary, states Croft died 24 hours before the Armistice:

10.11.18: Battalion advanced in a N.E. direction and took up a line facing N.E. N. of the Mons-Maubeurge Road at 9.30 hours. While 188th Brigade passed through Asquillies (Battalion H.Q.) enemy shelled village with 5.9 howitzers causing some damage. At midday orders were received to relieve 56th Division on right. Battalion moved at 16.00 hours S. through Harvengt and took up line just E. of Harvengt. Captain Croft, B., 2 Lieutenant King, H. W., killed; 2 Lieutenant Conway, F. H., wounded; O.Rs killed 2; wounded 25. 10 November 1918: ‘Just after they had gone, I got news by runner, that poor old Croft had been killed. It is no use trying to tell you what that meant to the Battalion, or to me personally. He had not been back with us very long after a prolonged absence, and I know he felt like coming home when he rejoined us at Brias. He was always like a ray of sunshine if there was anything doing. With him were two other good fellows. 2nd Lieutenant King and Sergeant Garbutt; also a Lancer with whom they were talking at the time; a stray shell fell in the sunken road and killed all four of them.’

He was buried at Mons – a place he had last been in August 1914.

Benjamin Croft’s war medals were sold at auction in 2010

Aged 44

Lt Francis Storrs, RN

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

1st November 1918

Desmond Cancellor, MC, C Social 1912. Lt, 1st Bn, Hampshire Regt. Killed in action, Battle of Valenciennes

Senior Prefect. He was a Junior Scholar who played for the Cricket and Rugby teams. He won a History Exhibition to New College, Oxford in 1915, but joined up in 1916.

He was a very popular Senior Prefect. News of his death on the major Feast Day of the school was devastating. After his death, his family published a novel entitled ‘Young England’ about school-life which he had written under the name ‘Douglas Strong’.

Born in 1898, he came, here as a Scholar in 1912, and ended his School career as Senior Prefect – a position which he filled with dignity and conscientious thoroughness. He was a keen and successful athlete, who had no idea of allowing athleticism to interfere with the more real and important aspects of education. And indeed, all through his School life, there seemed to be a background of serious sincerity which guided his conduct and was the secret of his strong and quiet influence for good.

And when we read the letter which told of his cheerful devotion and unshrinking bravery during those last trying and strenuous weeks of his service, we knew that he had been consistent to the end – the same gentle cheery boy upheld by that mysterious background of strength which had been with him all through. We are told how on one occasion he swam alone across a river and single-handed rushed an enemy machine-gun which was blocking the advance of his Company – no braver deed has been done in the war.

He is featured in the Commemorations for the town of Valenciennes

Aged 20

Lt Desmond Cancellor, kia 1st November 1918

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 …

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