The grave of Malcolm Gibson at Vermelles. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
| 8th October 1915. Malcolm Gibson, A Social 1906. Lt, 7th Bn, East Surrey Regt. Killed in action, Battle of Loos.
Aged 23. His brother, Edgar, also fell in the Great War |
 Malcolm Gibson, Lt, 7th Bn, East Surrey Regt. kia 8 October 1915 |
The name of Lance Vidal on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
25th September 1915
Battle of Loos
This must be considered the darkest day in the history of Radley College. Eleven men from the College fell on this one day during the Battle of Loos and an unknown number were wounded. Many of the men were volunteers in Kitchener’s New Army, so the list of the Fallen includes young men from Radley village who had worked for the College and the first serving schoolmaster to be killed.
Although the long-drawn out campaigns of Gallipoli, the First Battle of the Somme, the Third Battle of Ypres (Paschendaele) claimed more lives overall, 25th September must stand forever as a day of mourning.
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Lancelot Vidal, Schoolmaster, Tutor of A Social. 2nd Lt, 2nd Bn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. Reported missing, believed killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. ‘For days, even weeks, we entertained hopes that the news might be false, but eight weeks have now elapsed, and we can now only fear the worst. He was last seen in the German trenches in the attack on Sept. 25th. when in charge of a machine gun … it has since been learnt that he was killed by a shell whilst pushing forward with his section in the early morning of September 25.’ Lance Vidal was the first serving schoolmaster of Radley College to fall in the Great War. He volunteered in 1914, having held the post of Tutor of A Social for two weeks. He was a popular Don at Radley and was one of those instrumental in introducing and promoting rugby football as the school’s major sport. He had played for Harlequins before joining Radley. He was also Master in Charge of Cricket. |
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The name of Ronald Trotter on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Ronald Trotter, F Social 1899. Lt, Royal Berkshire Regt. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. Aged 30 |
 Ronald Trotter, Lt, Royal Berkshire Regt. kia 25 September 1915 |
The name of Charles King on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Charles King, F Social 1911. 2nd Lt, 2nd Bn, South Staffordshire Regt. He went up to Sandhurst immediately on leaving school. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos “King … must have died like a hero, poor fellow, because the Huns have erected a large cross in their trenches on which is written: ‘In memory of Lieut. King and Lieut. Hall and several men of the S. Staffordshire Regiment who died like heroes.”’ Letter from Lt TP Gibbons The Radleian 26.11.1915: £5.5.0 given to the Radley Motor Ambulance Fund in memory of 2nd Lieut CW King Aged 18 |
 Charles King, 2nd Lt, 2nd Bn, South Staffordshire Regt. kia 25 September 1915 |
The name of Charles Wolesley-Jenkins on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Charles Wolseley-Jenkins, C Social 1904. Captain, 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. A career soldier, he joined the Rifle Brigade in 1910. He was promoted to captain earlier in 1915. Aged 25 |
 Charles Wolseley-Jenkins, Captain, 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade |
The name of Basil Hoyle on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Basil Hoyle, E Social 1906. Captain, 9th Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. At Radley he was a serious scholar who won the Richards Gold Medal. He then went up to Balliol College, Oxford. He volunteered in 1914. He was promoted to Captain in July 1915. His grandfather was the Archbishop of York Aged 22 |
 Basil Hoyle, Captasin, 9th Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. kia 25 September 1915 |
The name of Harry Woodley on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
25th September 1915
Battle of Loos
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Harry Woodley, College Staff. Private, 8th Bn, Royal West Surrey Regt. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos |
 Harry Woodley in Radley College servitors’ uniform 1911. Kindly sent by his family in Australia, September 1918 |
The name of Maurice Howell on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Maurice Howell, D Social 1908. 2nd Lt, 1st Bn, Royal West Surrey Regt. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. ‘On the outbreak of war he obtained a nomination for Sandhurst, and received his commission in November, 1914. He left for France in the next month. His colonel writes that he was killed “while gallantly entering the German first line trench at the head of his platoon.” Aged 19 |
 Maurice Howell, 2nd Lt, 1st Bn, Royal West Surrey Regt. kia 25 September 1915 |
The name of Arthur Hill on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015
Battle of Loos
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Arthur Hill, B Social 1906. 2nd Lt, 1st Bn, Middlesex Regt. Killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. ‘His colonel writes that he was killed instantly while leading his platoon in the most gallant manner. He was an exceptionally fine athlete; in the cricket and football teams, and ‘Victor Ludorum’ for two years. With all his successes he was one of the most modest of boys, unassuming and simple-minded, the best type of English schoolboy.’ Aged 24 |
 Arthur Hill, 2nd Lt, 1Bn, Middlesex Regt. Missing 25 September 1915 |
The name of Arthur Egerton on the Loos Memorial. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress
Battle of Loos
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Arthur Egerton, F Social 1904. 2nd Lt, 5th Bn, Shropshire Light Infantry. Reported missing, presumed killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos. He was still listed as missing in April 1916 |
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Radley College Archives 