RMA Woolwich

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Detail of Charles Henderson’s memorial window in Radley College Chapel. Photographed by Roger Shaw

Today we remember …

Battle of the Somme

17th November 1916. Charles Henderson, MC, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. E Social, 1900. Captain, 71st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action at Martinpuich.

From Radley he passed fourth into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was gazetted to the Royal Field Artillery in 1906. He was killed by a shell which landed on the mess dug out of his battery.

At the time of his death he had passed his balloon course, and was an interpreter in French. During his last week’s leave he obtained the Royal Aero Club’s certificate as a pilot. He served in the battles of the Aisne and Marne with the R.F.A., and joined the Royal Horse Artillery during Ypres, 1914. He was present at the battles of La Bassee, Vermelles, Loos, Hulluch, and Hohenzollern, and was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour for commanding his battery during the last three battles. His name was sent up three times for the Military Cross.

His Brigadier-General wrote: He had a great future in front of him. His ability alone was far above the average, and his energy and power of getting work out of his men were extraordinary. I can honestly say that no officer in France served his King and country with greater zeal, ability, and courage, and I only wish that we all possessed in the same marked degree all those qualities which go to make a first-class soldier. His services up to the time of his death had only been rewarded by the Legion of Honour, and I much regret that such a magnificent soldier had not received further recognition.

He is commemorated by a stained glass window in Radley College Chapel.

Aged 29

The British Archives of Falconry own his hawking diary, started in 1903 when he was a boy at Radley.

The grave of Charles Henderson at Flatiron Copse Cemetery. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015

Charles Henderson, MC, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Captain, 71st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. kia Battle of the Somme

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

The grave of John Mowbray at Peronne Road Cemetery. Photographed for ‘Marching in Memory’ for Combat Stress, July 2015

Today we remember …

Battle of the Somme

21st July 1915. John Mowbray, DSO. H & D Socials, 1889. Major, 41st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action.

At Radley, he rowed in the First VIII. After leaving school he trained as a civil engineer. He then changed career to become a soldier. He received a commission in the Royal Field Artillery in July, 1900, and joined a battery in India. He was afterwards transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery, with which he remained until entering the Staff College, Quetta, in 1907. On passing out he was appointed to the General Staff at Simla, where he remained until 1913. He went to France as staff captain in August, 1914, and became brigade major on a divisional staff three months later. He resigned in the spring of 1916 in order to take command of a field battery. He was promoted captain in August, 1911, and major in December, 1914. For his services in France he was twice Mentioned in Dispatches and received the DSO.

Aged 41

John Mowbray, Major, 41st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. kia Battle of the Somme

Commemorating the Fallen of WW1

Today we remember …

1st November 1914. Today we remember two Radleians who fell on the Western Front: Alexander Lewer and Charles NorthAlexander Lewer, C Social 1902. Private, 1/4th Bn, London Regt. Missing, presumed killed in action, Battle of Messines: ‘18th June 1919 A. D. Comyns-Lewer, Pte. London Scottish, missing since Nov. 1st, 1914, now presumed killed.’ (The Radleian)

After leaving school he became a journalist and was sub-editor of a nature journal ‘Feathered World’ when he volunteered in September 1914. His family did not provide a photo for the War Memorial albums

Charles North, Major, 5th Firld Cpy, Royal Engineers. kia, 1st Battle of Ypres, 1 November 1914

Charles North, Major, 5th Field Cpy, Royal Engineers. kia, 1st Battle of Ypres, 1 November 1914

Charles North, B Social 1887. Major commanding 5th Field Cpy, Royal Engineers. Killed in action, First Battle of YpresObituary from The Times: “Major Charles North, R.E., who was killed in action last Sunday was the eldest son of the late Colonel Roger North, R.A., and Mrs. North, of Birley, Camberley. He was born in 1873 and educated at Radley and Woolwich, entering the Royal Engineers in 1893. He served through the South African War and received the Queen’s medal with three clasps and the King’s with two clasps. He married in December last Norah, daughter of the late Colonel Gribbon. At the time of his death he was in command of the 5th Field Company, Royal Engineers.”